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ONWR proposes project to produce freshwater from seawater in Eastern Economic Corridor

NationalDec 24. 2020

By THE NATION

The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has proposed a plan to produce freshwater from seawater in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to prevent water shortage in the area.

The proposal was made to the National Water Command Centre, which is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, said ONWR deputy secretary-general Samrerng Saengpuwong.

“The ONWR has been working with the Eastern Economic Corridor Committee in studying saltwater distilling techniques in Spain, Singapore, Mexico, Israel, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, China, the United States, Australia and South Africa,” he said. “Most of them have employed the reverse osmosis technique, which produces drinkable freshwater that has the same quality as tap water.”

Samrerng said current technology permits the production of 136,000-624,000 cubic metres of freshwater per day from static facilities, while some countries such as Japan have invested in mobile distilling facilities capable of producing 1,600-2,000 cubic metres per day per unit.

“In 2020 the EEC recorded total water resources of 2.53 billion cubic metres, with 1.36 billion in local water reservoirs, 597 million from the Chao Phraya basin, 395 million from runoff for the drought season, 100 million in diversion pipes and 79 million in groundwater wells,” he said.

“Total water usage this year is 2.41 billion cubic metres, while in 2027 it is estimated to increase to 2.88 billion and reach more than 3 billion by 2037,” Samrerng said.

“If we can produce 200,000 cubic metres of freshwater from seawater in the EEC, it will increase water capital by 2.2 per cent of total water resources and could support increasing use by several industries in the area,” he said.

“The ONWR estimates that the project could start in 2021 by selecting suitable areas to build a facility, drafting construction plans and preparing to sign a water trading contract with partners. Construction is expected to start by 2022-2023 on an approximate 20 rai of land, while the facility should be operational by 2024,” he added.

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GSB squashes Internet rumour that a Nakhon Nayok staffer contracted Covid-19

NationalDec 24. 2020

By THE NATION

The Government Savings Bank (GSB) on Thursday announced that a staffer at its Ongkharak branch in Nakhon Nayok has tested negative for Covid-19, contrary to an Internet rumour that the man was infected after visiting a prawn market in Samut Sakhon, a hotspot of new mass infections.

“The staffer has a relative who carries a high risk of infection after travelling to Samut Sakhon, as he works as a truck driver at the market,” the GSB said.

“The relative tested positive on December 21, so we ordered the staffer to get a test immediately. The test came back negative on Wednesday [December 23],” it said.

“However, the bank shut down its Ongkharak branch from December 22 to 24 to undertake cleaning, disinfection and ozone treatment at the premises and surrounding areas under the supervision of the Department of Disease Control,” the bank said.

“We have instructed all staff to strictly follow Covid-19 preventive measures to ensure the safety of both the staff and customers,” it added.

The GSB Ongkharak branch will resume operations on December 25.

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Map with colour code signifying severity of situation to be released daily

NationalDec 24. 2020

By THE NATION

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) resolved on Thursday to classify provinces in different colours depending on the level of Covid-19 risk and the strength of measures taken in each province.

A map of the country with provinces marked out in red, orange, yellow or green will be released by the CCSA on a daily basis.

So far, of the 30 provinces where Covid-19 cases have been confirmed, Samut Sakhon is the only one marked out in red. Provinces marked out in orange, signifying more than 10 cases, include Bangkok, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom.

Provinces marked out in yellow, where fewer than 10 cases have been found, are Saraburi, Samut Prakan, Suphanburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Uttaradit, Chachoengsao, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Ayutthaya, Phuket, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Krabi, Khon Kaen, Chai Nat, Udon Thani, Phichit, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Sawan and Ang Thong.

The rest of the provinces were marked in green to show no Covid-19 cases have been reported in the new wave of infections.

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said no gatherings will be allowed in provinces marked out with red, while residents in orange-coded provinces will only be allowed small personal gatherings.

However, small events will be allowed in yellow and green-coded areas.

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Nakhon Pathom sees four new Covid infections

NationalDec 24. 2020

 Four new Covid-19 cases have been discovered in Nakhon Pathom, bringing the total number of infections in the province to 35.

An official announcement confirmed that the latest cases are all residents of Kamphaeng Saen district.

Nakhon Pathom Governor Surasak Charoensirichot signed new orders on Wednesday to close educational institutions, prioritise preventive measures at public venues and cancel all public gatherings.

The province has 23 patients who are now Covid-free and 12 who are still under treatment.

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Mall Group temporarily shuts three shops at two branches

NationalDec 24. 2020

By THE NATION

The Mall Group has closed three shops in two branches after Covid-19 patients visited the outlets recently.

According to an announcement on Wednesday, The Mall Bang Khae ordered Dtac and iCare shops to suspend their services until Friday, as an infected person had reportedly visited both shops.

The outlets were ordered to undergo sterilisation during the temporary closure. Staff of each shop were instructed to immediately go into quarantine for fourteen days, and those shop workers who came into direct contact with the patient were sent to hospital for a Covid-19 test.

A similar case took place at the Yum Saap restaurant at The Mall Bang Kapi. A patient who was confirmed as the first Covid-19 case in Samut Songkhram province had earlier visited the restaurant for a meal.

The Mall Group said the restaurant was ordered closed for three days until Friday. The Yum Saap branch is undergoing a thorough cleaning and its staff have been instructed to quarantine themselves for two weeks.

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Phuket runs out of face masks amid new wave of Covid-19 infections

NationalDec 24. 2020

By THE NATION

Phuket has been hit by a shortage of face masks after one local was diagnosed with Covid-19 in this new wave of infections.

Several social media users have posted complaints about the shortage and the fact that the price of masks has suddenly shot up.

On Thursday, the owner of a pharmacy in Muang district said many customers had showed up to purchase masks but he had none in stock.

“Suppliers are refusing to take new orders, saying all their stock in hand has already been bought up. They say they will be ready for new orders in January,” he said.

The Phuket Tourist Association said it has visited some six pharmacies in the province and none had masks in stock.

On Wednesday, Phuket governor Narong Woonsiew said this shortage of medical masks was a problem that had to be solved immediately. He said his office has received complaints on this issue and he has ordered an investigation.

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Man nabbed for allegedly taking 1,000 videos of students’ underwear, blames ‘childhood trauma’

NationalDec 24. 2020

By The Nation

A man who secretly managed to record video under women’s skirts has been arrested, admitting that his action was “the result of childhood trauma”.

A man who secretly managed to record video under women’s skirts has been arrested, admitting that his action was “the result of childhood trauma”.

On December 17, police began hunting a man who visited various universities and schools in Bangkok to take videos of female students’ underwear to publish on the Internet.

The man, identified as Pathompong, 28, allegedly recorded 1,000 videos and was eventually arrested on December 18.

He confessed that he took them from December 14 to 16 and then posted them on his Facebook page, which went on to receive as many as 10,000 views.

“Interested” individuals later resorted to sharing techniques via Telegram on how to go about filming women’s underwear in public.

Pathompong claimed women bullied him since he was a child and has a record of mental issues.

He will face charges of harassing underage girls, publishing obscene content, causing disturbance or bringing shame to others and violating the Computer Crimes Act.

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Samut Sakhon field hospital all set to treat migrant workers

NationalDec 24. 2020

By The Nation

A field hospital in Samut Sakhon’s Central Shrimp Market is ready to treat migrant workers infected with Covid-19.

The field hospital was set up to take care of infected people with initial minor symptoms, or asymptomatic patients, and also provides treatment for common diseases, as well as imparts advice on family planning, birth control and mental health.

Those infected with Covid-19 won’t need to visit a full-fledged hospital because the field hospital has a regular team of doctors and nurses. But if a patient’s symptoms are severe, he/she will be referred to hospital.

The Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute,The Department of Disease Control and the Department of Health Services Support helped design and are managing the engineering system, air filter and waste disposal system at the field hospital.

The hospital’s service area is divided into three zones – a red zone being the dormitory area, an orange zone being the waiting area for treatment and screening, and a green zone, which is an operation area.

The hospital is equipped with 30 beds and more are to be added. With support by the Army, at least 75 patients have been treated at this field hospital.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit said the outbreak has now entered the second week.

The shrimp market is classified as a Cluster Quarantine area in order to prevent travel and more infections.

The field hospital also has a team of migrant workers health volunteers to help communicate and educate people about health at the accommodation. In addition, a Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team has also been deployed.

Food and alcohol gel have been distributed to migrant workers.

“We have given them information [about Covid-19] and they clearly understand and are cooperating, abiding by good hygiene and social distancing. They are also helping monitor whether any workers try to flee and will report to officers before such people spread the risk,” Dr Kiattiphum said.

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Udon Thani announces first Covid case

NationalDec 24. 2020

By The Nation

Udon Thani province has found its first Covid-19 case, a seafood vendor who travelled to Samut Sakhon province to buy produce.

An official announcement on Wednesday stated that the province has now heightened preventive measures after the 30-year-old man tested positive.

His wife and two sons have been quarantined at Udon Thani hospital and other relatives are also under 14-day quarantine.

He went with his wife to Samut Sakhon on December 10 and was tested for Covid-19 on December 22.

As many as 500-800 people who might have made contact with him and his family are being screened.

Two locations, including a market in Non Sung sub-district which he visited, were closed, while the schools his sons attended have also been shut until January 8.

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10 southern provinces get flood warning

NationalDec 24. 2020

By The Nation

The Thai Meteorological Department has warned 10 southern provinces to be cautious about heavy rain and high waves on Thursday and tomorrow, December 25.

A depression in the South China Sea is expected to move across to Thailand on Thursday, while a northeast monsoon is coming to the Gulf of Thailand, increasing rains in the South.

The 10 provinces are Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong and Phang Nga.

The rain can generate flash floods in the areas near the mountains and the rivers, the department said.

It warned people who live in those areas to be careful and monitor the situation via website www.tmd.go.th, or call hotline 1182.