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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010011

The Metropolitan Police Bureau announced on Wednesday that it was collecting evidence to pursue legal action against Chana Rak Thin protesters, who had been camping outside Government House since early this month, despite the group having already dispersed at 7am on Wednesday and heading home to Songkhla.

The group, protesting against the Chana Industrial Estate project in Songkhla’s Chana district, agreed to go home on Wednesday after the cabinet resolved to delay the controversial project until a strategic environmental assessment was completed and after the prime minister ordered a fact-checking committee to be set up.

“By gathering at Chamai Maruchet Bridge near Government House, the protesters violated the Emergency Decree in this Covid-19 situation as well as the Communicable Disease Act,” Metropolitan Police deputy chief Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsaengaek said on Wednesday.

“As for the protesters who had been arrested earlier, they have already been charged and are now facing legal action.”

Some 50 members of the Chana Rak Thin group had gathered outside Government House on the evening of December 6, blocking traffic in and out of the building and prompting crowd control police to dissolve the gathering to restore the smooth flow of traffic.

Police arrested 37 protesters – 31 women and six men – after the rally dissolved at 9.30pm on December 6, but in the next several days more demonstrators showed up until the group ballooned to more than 300 people.

They also demanded that all legal action against the 37 protesters arrested earlier be dropped.

Jirasan said that since July 2020 the bureau had been working on 806 cases involving rallies in Bangkok. Of these, 406 cases have already been submitted to prosecutors, while 400 are still under investigation.

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Prayut admits Chana locals voices were ignored, but refuses to halt controversial project

Bangkok police deny using violence against Chana protesters

Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010010

Being “fully vaccinated” would mean requiring both “prime” and “booster” vaccinations, with at least a six-month period before the booster jab, expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The post read that Covid-19 vaccinations are similar to those for other diseases. To complete the vaccination process, the recipient needs to receive the first two prime doses at least six months before the booster jab in order to possess a high immunity level.

The booster shot can be administered three months after the first two jabs, but the immune stimulation rate will be lower than the six month period.

Dr Yong added that a longer time period between the prime and booster shots means better immunity. But this should not be more than 24 months as the recipient may become infected by the virus before being “fully” vaccinated.

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• Over 50 million people got at least 1 jab, says Anutin, warns against fake vaccination certs
• Third vaccine rollout needed to deal with Omicron, advises expert virologist

Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010009

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has come out with safety instructions aimed at event organisers and the public for New Year festivities that draw 1,000 attendees or more:

1.Improve Covid-Free Setting:
• Organisers, staff, singers and musicians must be vaccinated according to the criteria.
• Organisers, staff, singers and musicians must be tested with antigen kits not more than 72 hours before events.
• Everyone must follow the UP-DMHTA measure (universal prevention – distancing, mask wearing, regular hand washing, temperature checks and testing, and using the Thai Chana and Thai Save Thai applications).

2. Improve Covid-Free Setting for audiences:
• Attendees must register and present their vaccination certificates or antigen test results within 72 hours except for children under 12 years old.
• Must follow UP-DMHTA measures.

3. Improve Covid-Free Environment
• Events must be held in open spaces with strict entry regulations.
• Tickets should be sold in advance with a queue system.
• The number of attendees must be limited to one person per four square metres and a sign must show the number of the audience.
• Dancing or carrying out activities together should be prohibited.
• Contact points must be cleaned every 1-2 hours.
• The audience should be kept at least five metres away from the stage.

Furthermore, event organisers must strictly follow the measures by registering and carrying out evaluations via the Thai Stop Covid 2Plus (TSC 2+) platform.

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Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010008

Chana Rak Thin (Protect Homeland Chana) protesters agreed to go home on Wednesday after the cabinet resolved to delay a controversial industrial estate project in Songkhla until a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is completed and the prime minister ordered a fact-checking committee to be set up.

(Related story: Prayut admits Chana locals voices were ignored, but refuses to halt controversial project)

The group left Chamai Maruchet Bridge and headed back to Songkhla’s Chana district in the morning after camping at the bridge the day before. More than 300 protesters had insisted they would rally for longer before a PM’s Office representative negotiated with the group’s leaders on Tuesday evening.

However, a small clash occurred at night between a protester and a policeman, who was recording the scene, but the situation eased in five minutes.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked the Chana locals on Wednesday for their understanding, while providing transportation for the group.

Prayut pledged to continue with the industrial project with transparency and emphasised on the locals participating in the SEA.

The premier also instructed Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow, as chairman of an inspection committee, to gather facts and more details about the 16,800-rai Chana Industrial Estate project.

Related news:

• Prayut admits Chana locals voices were ignored, but refuses to halt controversial project
• Chana fishermen renew their battle against industrial park, ready to join rally in Bangkok on Monday
• Bangkok police deny using violence against Chana protesters

Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010003

Memorial Hospital Sirindhorn Rayong is administering Pfizer vaccines for 1,000 people each day from today, Wednesday, until Friday.

People who are also interested in receiving the third dose will have to follow these rules:
 

1. Those who have been administered two doses of Sinovac or Sinopharm must wait four weeks or longer after the second dose.

2. People who have received two doses of AstraZeneca must wait three months or longer after the second dose.

3. Those who have received one dose of Sinovac and one of Astrazeneca must wait three months or longer after the second dose.

Those interested can visit the Somjet meeting room at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate without registration from Wednesday to Friday 8.30am to 2pm.

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8 Omicron cases confirmed in Thailand

The hospital also asked people to bring along their own pens and have their ID cards when they arrive to receive the vaccine.

Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010002

Chiang Mai is preparing to welcome tourists for New Year festivities by launching its “Safe Traffic Week” campaign from December 29 to January 4 coupled with intensive security at mountaintop attractions.

The provincial Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation launched the campaign on Tuesday as a number of tourists are expected to celebrate the New Year in Chiang Mai.

The province aims to reduce the accident rate by 5 per cent from an average of hundred accidents per year since 2016.

All 25 districts will set up safety checkpoints on December 27 and introduce the campaign from December 29.

Each community will also have to organise a “1 Community, 1 Safe Road” project, with a close watch on accident risk spots.

The famous mountaintop attractions of Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep, Doi Ang Khang and Doi Kham will see tight security. Visitors to these attractions are advised to use public transport to prevent accidents.

Related news:

• Booze can be served in Chiang Mai restaurants from Monday
• Chiang Mai’s famous Doi Inthanon opens, but with restrictions
• Chiang Mai welcomes its first group of foreigners – golfers from Incheon

Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009999

Police on Tuesday arrested Patcharawut Moonthongsong, 38, the leader of eight inmates who escaped from their temporary holding cell at Nakhon Pathom’s 11th Infantry Regiment on Saturday.

Patcharawut, who faces drug abuse charges, was arrested at the border between Nakhon Pathom and Suphan Buri.

Eight of nine escapees have been recaptured so far, while the police have intensified their hunt for Bamrung Wongsawang, 43, the last escapee who also faces drug abuse charges.

“After breaking out of jail, Bamrung reportedly returned to his residence in Nakhon Pathom’s Nakhon Chai Si district and used a red Honda Wave 125 I motorcycle to continue his escape,” the police said.

Related stories:

• Police nab 4 escapees of Covid-screening jail, hunt for other 5 intensifies
• Bangkok police prepare for Ratsadon-led rally on Sunday
• Bangkok police deny using violence against Chana protesters

Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009997

Thailand’s Hom Mali rice, also known as jasmine rice, has won the 13th World’s Best Rice Award for the second year consecutively, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Tuesday.

The award ceremony was held during December 7-9 in Dubai, UAE, by the United States Rice Traders Association.

Eleven types of rice from six countries – Thailand, the US, China, India, Vietnam and Myanmar – had been nominated this year.

Hom Mali 105 rice, which is grown in the Northeast of Thailand, was crowned this year’s world’s best rice.

Thai rice has won the title seven times in the past.

“Winning the title of the world’s best rice is proof of Thailand’s dedication in continually improving its rice quality through the years,” Jurin said.

“This award is a shared accomplishment of farmers, agricultural associations, exporters and government agencies, especially the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the Commerce Ministry.”

Jurin said the award would also help strengthen the confidence of global consumers in the quality of Thai rice.

“We expect this year’s rice exports to exceed the target of 6 million tonnes,” he said. “As for next year, the ministry estimates that exports will soar to 7 to 7.5 million tonnes and could move Thailand up to the position of the world’s second largest rice exporter following India and ahead of Vietnam, which is currently in second place.”

Meanwhile, Thai Rice Exporters Association president Charoen Laothammatas said the country needs to develop better and cheaper jasmine rice in order to surpass Vietnam, which currently exports 2.5 million tonnes more jasmine rice than Thailand.

“Furthermore, next year rice exporters must prepare for various problems such as container shortages and increasing costs due to rising freight fees to certain destinations,” he added.

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Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009995

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) is continuing to follow the Omicron situation closely after the first death related to the new Covid-19 variant was reported in the United Kingdom, DDC Epidemiology Bureau chief Dr Jakrat Phittayawong-anon said on Tuesday.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that at least one person had died in the country after contracting Omicron, the first publicly confirmed death globally from the swiftly spreading strain.

According to Reuters, Britain gave no details on the death, other than that the person had been diagnosed in hospital. It was not clear if the patient had been vaccinated or had underlying health issues.

“We still need to collect more data regarding the Omicron variant as the samples of cases are still low,” said Jakrat. “However, it is a Covid-19 variant just like Alpha and Delta that we already know about. The differences between these variants might include the speed at which it spreads, the severity of symptoms and the mortality rate.”

Jakrat said the DDC has been keeping a close eye on Omicron since it was first discovered in late November overseas and subsequently in Thailand, with the first case reported on December 3 – a foreigner who arrived from Spain.

As of Tuesday, eight Omicron cases have been confirmed in Thailand, half of them Thais while the others are two Americans, one British and one Belarusian national.

“We are following the latest updates both globally and domestically and are prepared to increase disease control measures accordingly,” he said.

“In the meantime, Thailand will continue to use strict screening measures for all foreign visitors. If they are found to be infected, they will be immediately tested to determine which variant they are carrying,” he added.

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Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009993

A cabinet meeting on Tuesday has approved a waive of toll fee of two Motorways routes – No. 7 (Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya) and No. 9 (Bang Pa In-Bang Phli and Phra Pra Daeng-Bang Khun Tian) from after midnight of December 30 to midnight of January 3, said deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul on Tuesday.

“The move aims to reduce people’s financial burden and facilitate traffic flow which is expected to increase during the New Year festival,” she said. “Unobstructed traffic flow at toll booths will also help reduce the accumulation of air pollution produced by vehicles’ emission.”

The government had earlier announced that January 3 (Monday) is a public holiday compensating New Year Day (January 1) which falls on Saturday. This has formed a four-day long weekend during New Year festival whereas many people are expected to travel to their hometowns.
 

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Published : December 15, 2021

By : THE NATION