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Testing to be intensified in Samut Sakhon to bring outbreak under control by Feb 15

NationalJan 24. 2021The Covid testing is carried out in Samut Sakhon province on Dec 20.

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has said that its proactive testing operations in Samut Sakhon province last week had led to 70,000 people being tested of whom 5,332 were found to be infected.

CCSA assistant spokeswoman Dr Apisamai Srirangsan said proactive testing in Samut Sakhon had been intensified since January 19.

Testing in this manner will lead to clearly dividing Samut Sakhon into green (clear), yellow (slightly infected) and red (highly infected) areas.

Seven per cent of those who were tested were found to be infected, Apisamai said, adding, this could help predict the number of cases next week and enable preparation for treatment such as hospitals, field hospitals and quarantine facilities. Initially, all places are ready to take care of treatment of Covid-19 patients

“I would like to ask for cooperation from the public sector in Samut Sakhon. There will be more aggressive testing to create more green areas. It would also help plan for reduction of shutdown measures, allowing communities, educational institutions and various places to operate. If all parties help each other, the outbreak in Samut Sakhon would be under control in two weeks, or by February 15. Apisamai called for cooperation in all areas as intensive scrutiny is required from January 25 to 31 to ensure the numbers go down.

The assistant spokesperson encouraged people to follow healthy practices so that the government could relax lockdowns in many areas.

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Online queue compulsory for visa extension

NationalJan 24. 2021

By The Nation

The Immigration Bureau has urged people to make an online queue for visa extension due to the virus and apply before January 29.

Applicants who require visa service, such as foreigners who have stayed in the Kingdom for over 90 days and tourists who needs short-term visa extension service for Tourist visa (TR 60) and Special Tourist Visa (STV) are urged to join the online queue before the service date. The move is aimed at conforming with the government’s policy on precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, by reducing overcrowding, maintaining social distancing and facilitating customer service. An applicant can make an online queue reservation for a pre-service appointment at www.bangkokimmigration.com and follow these steps:

▪︎Fill in all required information.

▪︎Wait for an email reply.

▪︎Print out a confirmation document from email.

▪︎Submit the documents for visa extension on the appointment date and time.

However, services for a walk-in queue are still available at Muang Thong Thani Temporary Service Centre on the official working date and time.

Short-term visa extension service at counter K will provide service only to online queue applicants.

In order to reduce overcrowding amid the pandemic, an applicant can make an online queue reservation for pre-service appointment and follow the steps below:

▪︎Fill in all required information

▪︎Wait for an email reply

▪︎Print out a confirmation document from email and ▪︎Prepare all required documents

▪︎Submit an application for visa extension 1-2 weeks before the visa expiry date.

In the case of visa extension due to Covid-19, the application must be submitted before January 29.

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Following an austere path in toxic times

NationalJan 24. 2021

By The Nation
Photo by Korbphuk Phromrekha

Monks who stay in Buddhist monasteries at many riverside and canalside temples in Nonthaburi province still use boats as a vehicle for receiving alms since early morning during the Buddhist Lent. Though there are many garden trees in the suburbs, pollution remains an unescapable reality. Even on Sunday morning, though the air quality index in Bangkok and its suburbs showed improvement, in many areas it was at levels not safe for outdoor activities.

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Private sector gets the nod to import Covid-19 vaccine

NationalJan 24. 2021Prayut Chan-o-cha

By The Nation

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has allowed the private sector to import Covid-19 vaccine, Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Sunday.

He said private firms, however, must first register the vaccine with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by submitting documents regarding the vaccine’s quality, safety and effectiveness for Thai people.

“The FDA would evaluate the vaccine’s quality, safety and effectiveness before allowing private firms to vaccinate people,” he said.

He added that the FDA had summoned internal and external experts to accelerate the approval of Covid-19 vaccine.

“However, we still cannot ease regulations regarding the procurement of vaccine because it is a product related to the life of the people,” he added.

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Another Covid-19 patient dies as 198 new cases reported

NationalJan 24. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Sunday reported 198 new cases with one death in the past 24 hours.

Seven of the cases were international travellers in quarantine.

Of the new cases, 118 were exposed to the virus while visiting high-risk areas. The province with the highest number of infections was Samut Sakhon (76), followed by Bangkok (21), and Samut Prakarn (12).

Proactive testing led to the discovery of 73 cases, 70 of them foreigners and two Thais un Samut Sakhon, and one case in Rayong of a Thai woman.

Of the overseas travellers, four are Thai nationals returning from Belgium, Malaysia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Also testing positive were two French nationals who flew in from their country and a Myanmar man at the screening checkpoint.

A woman in Samut Sakhon, 73, who had an underlying disease (high blood pressure, Alzheimers, and epilepsy) later developed pneumonia and passed away on January 23. She got the infection from her family member on January 4 and was confirmed positive on January 9.

Apisamai Srirangsan, assistant spokeswoman, said infection numbers nationwide had deceased from the first week of outbreak. Thailand found infections in 39 provinces during January 3-9, in 24 provinces during January 17-23 and only in seven provinces on Sunday. At the same time, the detection rate in the outbreak area — Samut Sakhon — is at 7 per cent on average.

Meanwhile, 119 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand rose to 13,500. Of these, 11,136 contracted the virus domestically, including 4,568 who were found via proactive testing, and 2,364 are returnees. So far, 10,567 have recovered and been discharged, 2,860 patients are still in hospital and the death toll has risen to 73.

According to Worldometer, as of midnight on Saturday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 99.33 million (increasing by 670,974), 71.37 million have recovered, 25.82 million are active cases (110,663 in severe condition) and 2.13 million have died (up by 16,743).

Thailand ranks 126th on the global list of most cases. The US tops the list with 25.56 million, followed by India 10.65 million, Brazil 8.81 million, Russia 3.7 million and the United Kingdom 3.62 million.

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DDC urges caution by make-up artists to prevent Covid-19 infection

NationalJan 24. 2021

By The Nation

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) said the Covid-19 situation in the country is stable, but there are worries about some groups.

Dr. Chawetsan Namwat, Medical Epidemiologist at Bureau of Epidemiology of the DDC, said make-up artists should exercise caution to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.

Most of the new cases were found through proactive search and screening in communities and establishments, he said.

The Ministry of Public Health has continuously accelerated the monitoring of intensive search and screening, he said.

In the case of Covid 19 infection among actors and journalists, if they are concerned about high-risk or low-risk contacts, the best prevention tool is to download a “MorChana” app that will help assess individual risk as high or low risk to facilitate investigation, disease prevention and control, he added.

The most important thing is that everyone takes self-protection measures, such as by social distancing, washing hands, wearing masks and having a bath when they return from their workplace to prevent the introduction of the virus to the people in the house. In particular, the elderly may be at risk of infection and even death, he said.

He urged make-up artists on TV station sets, who work in close contact with others, to protect themselves from Covid-19 by wearing a mask at all times. If possible, they should be provided a well-ventilated work area, they should frequently wash their hands and separate the make-up kit since outbreaks of conjunctivitis have been found from using devices together. Tools should be cleaned after every use.

“I suggest that if they are very close to each other, talking without wearing a mask, and staying in a closed facility for more than 15 minutes, they are a high-risk group,” said Dr Chawetsan.

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Air quality unhealthy in 29 provinces, including 33 Bangkok districts

NationalJan 24. 2021

By The Nation

Air pollution in 33 districts around Bangkok hit unsafe levels on Sunday morning with PM2.5 readings of 39 to 72 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Air Quality and Noise Management Division reported.

Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) is 50μg/m3.

The 33 districts where air pollution hit unsafe levels were:

In Bangkok: Bueng Kum (72μg/m3), Nong Chok (72μg/m3), Bang Kapi (67μg/m3), Lat Krabang (66μg/m3), Don Muang (64μg/m3), Prawet (63μg/m3), Bang Khen (63μg/m3), Thawi Watthana (62μg/m3), Klong Toei (62μg/m3), Lak Si (61μg/m3), Bangkok Yai (60μg/m3), Minburi (60μg/m3), Wang Thonglang (60μg/m3), Yannawa (59μg/m3), Bangkok Noi (58μg/m3), Taling Chan (58μg/m3), Phra Nakhon (58μg/m3), Bangna (57μg/m3), Chatuchak (57μg/m3), Khlong San (56μg/m3), Bang Sue (56μg/m3), Phasi Charoen (55μg/m3), Khlong Sam Wa (54μg/m3), Khan Na Yao (54μg/m3), Samphanthawong (54μg/m3), Suan Luang (54μg/m3), Bang Bon (53μg/m3), Pathumwan (53μg/m3), Phya Thai (53μg/m3), Lat Phrao (52μg/m3), Dusit (51μg/m3), Chom Thong (51μg/m3) and Bang Phlat (51μg/m3).

Air quality also is at unhealthy levels in Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakarn, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Nan, Lampang, Phrae, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Nong Khai, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces.

PM2.5 readings in different regions:

North: 34 to 79 μg/m3.

Northeast: 36 to 72 μg/m3.

Central and West: 34 to 86μg/m3.

East: 32 to 58μg/m3.

South: 9 to 33μg/m3.

People in areas where PM2.5 pollution is bad have been advised to monitor their health and reduce time spent on outdoor activities, especially the elderly, children, and patients with respiratory diseases.

The PM2.5 situation can be followed via the Air4Thai.com website or smartphone app, or via bangkokairquality.com.

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Rare Siamese crocodile spotted in Phetchaburi River

NationalJan 24. 2021Photo credit: Kaeng Krachan National Park

By The Nation

Pictures of a rarely seen Siamese crocodile have been snapped by Kaeng Krachan National Park’s camera traps at the Phetchaburi River upstream, near the Ban Pong Luek and Ban Bang Kloi communities on Saturday.

Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Mana Permpool said the park’s effort has paid off. He vowed that they would continue their mission to conserve forests for wild animals.

Photo Credit: Kaeng Krachan National Park

According to Wikipedia, the Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is a medium-sized freshwater crocodile native to Indonesia, Brunei, East Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

In the past, this species of crocodile could be found in water resources throughout Thailand, especially in the Bueng Boraphet swamp in Nakhon Sawan province where up to 200 crocodiles had reportedly been discovered.

Photo credit: Kaeng Krachan National Park

This crocodile is classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List,and is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

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Temperature edges up in upper Thailand with morning fog

NationalJan 24. 2021

By The Nation

A weak high-pressure system covers the upper Northeast and South China Sea, raising the temperature by 1-3 degrees Celsius in upper Thailand.

The weather remains cool to cold with morning fog and isolated thick patches, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Sunday.

Mountaintops have cold to very cold weather. All transport should move with caution due to poor visibility.

Meanwhile, a weak northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South.

The 24-hour weather forecast for different regions:

North: Cool to cold with morning fog and isolated thick patches; 1-2°C rise in temperature over the lower part; minimum temperature 14-18°C, maximum 31-35°C; cold to very cold on mountaintop with frost and minimum temperature 6-13°C; westerly winds 8-15kph.

Northeast: Cool to cold with morning fog and isolated thick patches; 1-2°C rise in temperature; minimum temperature 13-20°C, maximum 31-33°C; cold to very cold on the mountaintop with minimum temperature 7-12°C; northeasterly winds 10-15kph.

Central: Cool with morning fog and isolated thick patches; 1-3°C rise in temperature; minimum temperature 19-21°C, maximum 33-34°C; northeasterly winds 10-15kph.

East: Cool with morning fog and isolated thick patches; 1-2°C rise in temperature; minimum temperature 21-23°C, maximum 31-35°C; northeasterly winds 15-25kph; waves less than a metre high and about a metre offshore.

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Over ten workers injured as bridge under construction collapses

NationalJan 23. 2021Photo credit: Hook 31

By THE NATION

A motorway bridge under construction in Nakhon Ratchasima province collapsed on Saturday afternoon, injuring at least 12 people.

The construction work site was located in Muang district and is a part of highway number 290. Most of the injured people were reportedly Myanmar labourers working at the construction site.

Investigation into the cause of the accident revealed that the scaffoldings were old, and they collapsed as they could not bear the weight of cement.