#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009863

Fishermen from Songkhla’s Chana district gathered in Sakom sub-district on Friday to renew their fight against plans to turn Chana into a “Prototype City of Advanced Futuristic Industries”.

Chana Hospital’s director Dr Supat Hasuwannakit was also present at the rally.

The villagers brought along more than 30 fishing boats and wore green bands on their arms to symbolise their battle to “Save Chana”.

Supat said the villagers were fighting to save the 20,000 rai of land they live on from being taken for the Chana industrial park project. At least three sub-districts will be affected by the project, he said.

Supat added that the first step the government should take is to pause the project and conduct the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) that it had promised but never completed.

The protesters, meanwhile, said they were not totally against the project, but wanted it to be developed sustainably.

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They also raised the following points in their statement:

• That the government keep its promise to conduct an SEA on December 14 before it finalises plans to build the industrial estate.
• All work on the industrial park and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be paused as the committee in charge is not neutral and is only conducting the survey online, which is not accessible to all.
• The authorities should stop legal proceedings against the 37 protesters who were arrested on December 6 and later released.

The villagers said they will hand in their demands at Government House on Monday and are calling for more supporters to join their rally.

Meanwhile, the Chana Rakthin Network has announced that it will return to protesting outside Government House on Monday. Many religious schools in the South have indicated they may join the protest.

Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009861

Veterinarians from the Nern Plub Wan Animal Hospital successfully removed 14 bullets from the front legs of wild baby elephant “Fah Sai” on Friday.

The three-month-old elephant had been found on November 28 with severe injuries sustained from gunshots and a snare in Chanthaburi’s Kaeng Hang Maew district.

Her rescuers named her Fah Sai (clear skies) before transporting her to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chonburi’s Pattaya district for treatment.

The vets have had to remove the lower part of her front right leg that had been injured by the snare to prevent ulcers from spreading.

In a surgery that took nearly two hours, vets removed 10 large bullets and four small ones from her legs, though some shrapnel is still lodged in the flesh.

“The shrapnel will come out automatically along with dead skin once her wounds start healing,” said Dr Sunita Wingwon. “During the recovery period, her wounds will have to be dressed every day. Once they are completely dry, she will undergo physical therapy, including swimming, to restore the muscle mass that had been removed during surgery.”

The vet team also reported that Fah Sai’s overall health is improving with her weight rising from 95 kilograms to 112kg.

The young elephant is consuming up to eight litres of milk daily. The milk is being taken from another nursing elephant and mixed with powder milk to boost her immunity.

The vets have also created an artificial foot from foam for Fah Sai to help her get used to prosthetics before they fit her with a permanent one made from rubber.

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Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009860

Thailand has been ranked No 5 out of 195 countries in the recently published 2021 Global Health Security Index, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Friday.

The index, compiled by the John Hopkins Centre for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University and Nuclear Threat Initiative, is based on each country’s capacity to respond to epidemics and pandemics. The index is compiled every two years.

“The 2019 Global Health Security Index put Thailand in 6th place among 195 countries,” Anutin said. “This year our ranking has climbed up one place with a score of 68.2 [from 100], showing that our public health system is strong even during the Covid-19 outbreak.”

In the “Detection and Reporting” part of the index, Thailand won 91.5 points, putting it in first place globally. Australia and United States ranked second and third in this category, respectively.

In the “Rapid Response” category, Thailand netted 67.3 points and finished second after Finland.

“We could not have been successful in disease prevention and control without the cooperation of all parties in government, private sector as well as citizens, especially the dedication of frontline medical professionals that have helped us keep the Covid-19 outbreak under control,” Anutin added.

The top 10 countries in the 2021 Global Health Security Index are: the United States (75.9), Australia (71.1), Finland (70.9), Canada (69.8), Thailand (68.2), Slovenia (67.8), United Kingdom (67.2), Germany (65.5), South Korea (65.4) and Sweden (64.9).

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Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009854

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Friday dismissed rumor circulated on social media that urban trains no longer stop at Bangkok Railway Station, also known as Hua Lamphong, under SRT’s order in a bid to force commuters to use Red Line trains instead.

“Many have speculated that the number of Red Line train users has been rising lately, while some said that it was due to SRT’s ban of urban trains from stopping at Hua Lamphong,” said Ekkarat Sri-Arayanphong, chief of SRT public relation centre. “This is simply not true. All urban trains are still pulling up at Hua Lamphong station.”

Ekkarat clarified that Red Line trains are seeing more users since the route can fulfill the need of more commuters in Bangkok areas. “Moreover, currently SRT collects the fare of Red Line trains starting at only 12 baht, as we aim to reduce people’s financial burden by offering affordable, high quality public transport services,” he added.

Ekkarat further added that from December 23 onward urban trains running from Bang Sue Grand Station to Rangsit Station will shift to using elevated tracks similar to the Red Line trains, while the territorial routes will be discontinued. Five territorial stations/stops therefore will be shut down, namely Bang Khen Station, Lak Si Station, Km. 11 Stop, Thung Song Hong Stop, and Keha Km.19 Stop.

“The discontinuation of territorial routes is not a plan to replace urban trains with Red Line trains. It aims to make the fullest use of elevated tracks as well as to use Red Line’s infrastructure to support urban trains in other routes,” said Ekkarat.
 

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Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009848

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (December 11) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 4,079 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 19 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 39, while 7,302 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,164,859  – 2,090,253 of whom have recovered, 53,455 are still in hospitals and 21,151 have died.

Separately, another 125,704 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 159,220 their second shot and 70,643 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 97,177,327.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 269.45 million on Saturday, 242.3 million of whom have recovered, 21.84 million are active cases (89,013 in severe condition) and 5.31 million have died (up by 7,602).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 50.71 million, followed by India with 34.68 million, Brazil with 22.18 million, the UK with 10.72 million and Russia with 9.96 million.

Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009842

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday (December 11) that the moderate high-pressure system covering upper Thailand is weakening. Cool weather with light fog in the morning is likely in the North, the Northeast, the Central and the East. Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are still cold to very cold. People should take care of their health due to variable weather and be careful of poor visibility.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon across the Gulf and the South is weakening and leads to isolated thundershowers of the lower South. 

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

North: Cool weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 16-20 degrees and highs of 29-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-14 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 16-21 degrees and highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 20-22 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 20-24 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 31-32 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy and cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 22-23 degrees, highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius.
 

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009838

Soldiers tracked 16 Myanmar nationals who had entered the country illegally to a rented house in Ranong on Friday. Also detained were three Thais who are believed to have helped them.

During interrogation, the detainees said that they had travelled from Kawthaung in Myanmar to Thailand’s border in Ranong, where waiting motorbikes took them to the house.

The group claimed they had paid up to 25,000 baht each to be smuggled into Thailand.

The detainees were tested for Covid-19 before being shifted to the Muang Ranong Police Station.

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Published : December 10, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009837

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is checking the condition of all ambulances under its jurisdiction to ensure they operate efficiently.

The project was launched by Bangkok’s deputy governor Pol Lt-General Sophon Pisuthiwong at Lan Khon Muang Plaza near City Hall on Thursday.

There are currently 62 BMA-run health units with 220 ambulances, 95 of which are equipped with life-support equipment.

As of press time, 66 of these ambulances had been inspected.

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Published : December 10, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009836

A recent poll conducted by the Department of Health showed that though people in Thailand are afraid of contracting the Omicron Covid-19 variant, they are also concerned about air pollution.

Dr Suwanchai Wattanaying-charoencha, the department’s director-general, said on Thursday that the presence of PM2.5 particulate matter in the air has exceeded safe levels in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Phichit and Phitsanulok.

The World Health Organisation recommends that PM2.5 should be no higher than 25 micrograms per millilitre of air. Thailand, however, sets this level at 50mcg.

PM2.5 refers to dust particles that measure 2.5 microns or less in diameter and are fine enough to travel deeply into the respiratory tract, causing throat and lung irritation. It can also affect people with breathing difficulties.

Suwanchai said the PM2.5 level is likely to rise further at the end of this month, due to weak winds. However, he said, stronger winds from the South China Sea mid this month should ease the situation in the upper Northeast as well as Bangkok and nearby areas for a while.

The poll showed that most people are worried about PM2.5 damaging their health, while 80 per cent said they feared long-term damage. Meanwhile, 70 per cent said they knew where to find information about PM2.5 levels.

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The department has suggested that people can take the following steps to protect themselves from pollution and Covid-19:

• Check out the latest air-quality reading via the “Air4Thai” application before leaving your home.
• Carry extra masks.
• Maintain your health by getting enough rest and drinking a lot of water.
• Eat a balanced diet and consume more fruit and vegetables that carry antioxidants.
• Keep doors and windows closed and seal any holes.
• Keep your home dust-free.
• Avoid outdoor activities when the PM2.5 level exceeds safe levels.
• People with chronic conditions should keep up with their medication.
• Report any abnormal symptoms to the doctor immediately.
• Help reduce PM2.5 levels by not burning fires outdoors, cutting down on exhaust emissions and planting more trees.

Details on how people can protect themselves and the latest PM2.5 reading is available via Line account “One4U” or air4thai.pcd.go.th website.

Dr Suwanchai also said masks don’t just offer protection from Covid-19, but also from fine dust particles in the air. Hence, he said, people must wear masks while outdoors.

Published : December 10, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009833

The locally-made Baiya Covid-19 vaccine, which is currently undergoing human trials, can be adjusted to fight against the Omicron variant, Dr Waranyu Pooncharoen, co-founder and chief technology officer of Baiya Phytopharm, said on Thursday.

The Baiya vaccine uses a genetically engineered tobacco extract to trigger an immune response against Covid-19.

“The first generation of Baiya vaccine has already been injected in volunteers aged between 18 to 60 and nobody has shown any severe side effects so far. We are now waiting for the result of immunity stimulation among recipients,” he said.

“The second generation of the vaccine has been further improved in terms of immunity stimulation and human trials should begin in January.

“Once the results are out, researchers will choose between these two formulae before entering phase two of human trials, which should start in March on a larger group of candidates,” he added.

“Virus mutation does not always mean that existing vaccines will become ineffective,” Waranyu added.

“Our researchers are testing the vaccine’s efficiency in animals infected with the Omicron variant and will adjust the protein formula of the vaccine to make it more responsive against the new variant.

“The process will not take long as only parts of the tobacco gene need to be altered, while the manufacturing process will remain largely the same,” he said.

The company is expected to launch the vaccine by the end of next year in Asia’s first plant-based vaccine factory located in Chulalongkorn University. The facility is capable of producing as many as 5 million doses per month or up to 60 million doses per year.

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Published : December 10, 2021

By : THE NATION