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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010191

The State Railway’s Workers Union of Thailand handed a letter to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob on Monday explaining why the new plan for urban trains would confuse commuters and affect the agency’s image.

This move came after the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced that from December 23, all urban trains running from Bang Sue Grand Station to Rangsit will shift to the elevated Red Line track, while territorial routes will be discontinued.

This will result in five territorial stations/stops being shut down, namely Bang Khen Station, Lak Si Station, KM11 Stop, Thung Song Hong Stop and the Keha KM19 Stop.

The Don Mueang Station, meanwhile, will only serve the Red Line.

Sarawut Saranwong, the union’s acting president, advised the authorities to first study the plan and conduct public hearings as these changes will affect the environment and people’s quality of life.

He pointed out that people will end up paying more for travel as fares on the Red Line are higher, and many commuters do not know that trains will not stop at certain stations/stops like Bang Khen and Lak Si.

“Therefore, this plan will affect people as they will be relying on trains to return home during the New Year break,” he said.

Related stories:

• 3 injured from explosion on railway track in Pattani
• Urban trains still pull up at Hua Lamphong, insists SRT
• SRT workers put their jobs at stake to protest against closure of Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong

Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010190

While speaking at the “Inside Thailand” television show on Monday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was thinking about cancelling the “Test & Go” scheme for Thai and foreign travellers and bringing back state quarantine.

He said the Public Health Ministry will propose this to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) soon because the Omicron situation is worsening. He also pointed out that many countries have already cancelled their New Year countdown celebrations due to this highly transmissible variant.

Meanwhile, 63 Omicron cases have been found in Thailand with 20 other cases awaiting results. Anutin said it was necessary to change the entry policy to make preparations for a possible outbreak.

He also said that one Omicron case may have been locally transmitted, as the patient has not travelled outside of Thailand. It is believed she was infected by her husband who is a pilot. The case is being investigated.

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Anutin explains his Covid-19 is ‘weak’ comment

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Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010188

The Sungai Kolok River, swollen by runoffs from the Sankalakiri mountain, swamped homes in Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district on Monday.

The river broke its banks after non-stop heavy rain from December 15 raised its level by 1.69 metres.

Riverbank communities suffered the most, especially the 250 residents of Ban Nam Tok Moo 5.

The Sungai Kolok district chief and disaster response team showed up to help victims move their necessities to a higher area, while a temporary shelter was set up at the Otop Centre near the Sungai Kolok checkpoint.

Related stories:

• Narathiwat local begs insurgents to spare rangers after 2 injured in Saturday bombing
• Malaysia agrees to reopen two Narathiwat checkpoints
• Pattani police patrol car bombing injures 5

Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010187

Public Health Minister Anutin Charvirakul late last week defended his comment calling Covid-19 a “krajok” (weak) virus that will not harm anyone who understands its nature and knows how to look after themselves.

Anutin’s remark made earlier this month sparked widespread criticism that the authorities were being overconfident now that the rate of infections is dropping. Some social media users slammed Anutin for downplaying a disease that has killed more than 20,000 people in Thailand so far.

“It’s clear that Thai people nowadays have a better understanding of the new coronavirus,” Anutin said. “Most people are also willing to comply with disease-control measures announced by the Public Health Ministry, which has resulted in Thailand only having a 2.2 per cent infection rate.

“When I said the Covid-19 virus is weak, I meant that it is a manageable disease once we understand its nature and how to protect ourselves, like wearing masks, keeping a distance and washing our hands regularly,” he said.

Anutin added that Thailand was on track and had administered close to 100 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine since the drive began in February.

According to the Public Health Ministry, Thailand has administered more than 98 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines so far, with 43.6 million people or 62.5 per cent of the population receiving both jabs.

“Those who have received two jabs can contact vaccination units to schedule a booster shot to increase their immunity,” said Anutin. “Getting vaccinated is key to staying safe from Covid-19, even after a new variant is found because vaccinated patients have a significantly lower risk of severe symptoms and deaths compared to the unvaccinated.”

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Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010189

The Thai Meteorological Department reported that a 5.8-magnitude earthquake near Laos’ Luang Prabang early on Monday also hit nine provinces in Thailand’s North and Northeast, with the strongest tremor being felt in Nan.

The epicentre was the Dien Bien Phu fault zone at 19.45 degrees latitude and 101.37 degrees longitude East and 10 kilometres deep. This is about 20km from Nan’s Chaloem Phrakiat district.

A tremor was reportedly felt at 4.06am in the provinces of Nan, Loei, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phrae, Phayao, Uttaradit and Udon Thani.

Two more earthquakes at the same epicentre were reported at 4.12am and 5.35am measuring 3.5 and 2.4 magnitude, respectively.

No damage or injuries were reported as of press time.

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Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010182

The Marine Police Department on Sunday launched a new rapid response “Dolphin Team” to provide rescue and related medical services to locals and tourists in the South of Thailand.

“The Dolphin Team will patrol the coasts of Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, which have many small islands and diving spots that attract both Thai and foreign tourists,” said Pol Colonel Watchiranon Nontna, chief of region 6 Marine Police. “They will be equipped with rescue and first-aid equipment, a state-of-the-art telecom system and high-speed boats. This operation is supported by tourism associations in the South.”

Members of the Dolphin Team have been trained by the National Institute for Emergency Medicine in giving first-aid, CPR and the transporting of patients safely to minimise damage and maximise the survival rate of victims. “All services will be provided free of charge, while all staffers will receive refresher training courses regularly to maintain their edge,” said Watchiranon.

“Marine Police is also planning to expand the operational range of Dolphin Team to other coastal provinces in the future once more areas open to foreign tourists,” he added.

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Heading to Maya Bay? You won’t be allowed to play in the seawater

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Chana fishermen renew their battle against industrial park, ready to join rally in Bangkok on Monday

Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010179

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has posted pictures of full moon from the night of Sunday (December 19), which is this year’s farthest Micro Full Moon.

AMicro Full Moon or Micromoon is the phenomenon that a Full Moon or a New Moon coincides with apogee, the point in the Moon’s orbit farthest away from Earth.The Full Moon in December is known as a Cold Moon.

“The Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical path, which means one side of the path is closer to the Earth than the other,” said NARIT’s post. “The point in the Moon’s orbit closest to Earth is called perigee at an average distance of 357,000 kilometers, while the point in the orbit farthest from Earth is known as apogee at an average distance of 406,000 kilometers.”

On Sunday from 6pm to the dawn of Monday, the Moon was farthest from the Earth at 405,924 kilometers. The Micro Full Moon can be spotted with naked eyes in the eastern side of the sky.

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Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010178

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (December 20) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,525 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 23 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 31, while 4,190patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,194,053 – 2,132,548 of whom have recovered, 40,097 are still in hospitals and 21,408 have died.

Separately, another 25,314 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 46,222 their second shot and 65,456 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 99,898,515.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 275.02 million on Monday, 246.77 million of whom have recovered, 22.88 million are active cases (88,730 in severe condition) and 5.37 million have died (up by 3,733).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 51.77 million, followed by India with 34.74 million, Brazil with 22.21 million, the UK with 11.36 million and Russia with 10.21 million.

Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010170

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday (December 20) that the rather high-pressure system covers upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather and strong winds are likely over the North, the Northeast, the Central and the East. Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 2 to 13 °C. People should take care of their health due to variable weather.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South. Isolated heavy rains are likely in the lower South of Thailand. Waves in the Gulf are about 2 meters high and over 2 meters high during thundershowers. People along the Gulf shore should beware of inshore surges. All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers. 

The department also mentioned that the Typhoon “RAI” over the middle South China Sea is expected to move to near the coast of Hainan, China by tonight and then downgrade. This storm has no effect on Thailand.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:

North: Cool to cold weather; temperature lows of 12-16 degrees and highs of 25-29 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 2-11 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 12-16 degrees and highs of 26-27 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 5-13 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 18-19 degrees, highs of 28-29 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 17-23 degrees, highs of 27-30 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

South (east coast): Cool weather in the morning with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees, highs of 28-30 degrees Celsius; waves 2 meters high and more than 2 meters during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-24 degrees, highs of 29-32 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.
 

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather and partly cloudy; temperature lows of 18-20 degrees, highs of 29-31 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : December 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010163

Studies have found that two shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will only provide 50 per cent protection from the Omicron variant compared to the Delta variant, Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleepun, vice chairman of the Public Health Commission posted on his Facebook on Saturday.

“Omicron is the most heavily mutated variant of the Covid-19 virus, with more than 60 mutations altogether and up to 32 mutations in one spike alone. The new variant hits on three fronts, transmissibility, severity of symptoms and resistance to vaccines, which is the main concern across the globe,” the post read.

Dr Chalermchai also cited a recent study conducted by the South Africa Medical Research Council and the Discovery Health insurance firm. The study was conducted on 78,000 people in South Africa and found that Omicron is resistant to two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

The study found that two shots of the mRNA vaccine provide only 33 per cent protection, while they are 80 per cent effective against the Delta variant. Also, hospitalisation prevention rates stand at 70 per cent for Omicron and 93 per cent for Delta.

The study did not provide information about the Moderna vaccine, which is also developed using mRNA technology.

Dr Chalermchai added that the Sinovac inactivated vaccine is also found to be less effective against the new variant.

Related news:

• Chula medical expert raises alarm over Omicron, advises people to stay in
• 3 Thais test positive for Omicron upon return from Mecca
• Covid hits Europe schools hard as omicron stalks New-Year return

Published : December 19, 2021

By : THE NATION