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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009706

The discovery of Thailand’s first Omicron case last week has yet to hurt the tourism industry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Monday.

“Early detection only proves that Thailand’s screening and disease control measures are effective,” said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn. “Besides, there is currently no definitive evidence that infections from Omicron variant are worse than infections from other variants of Covid-19.”

Thailand’s first Omicron case was detected in a US national of Thai descent who had arrived from Spain on November 30. The visitor underwent the first Covid-19 test upon arrival, but the second test on December 3 traced the infection down to the Omicron variant.

“We believe the emergence of Omicron in Thailand will not have a short-term impact on tourism, but the long-term effect is yet to be seen,” Yuthasak said.

The governor further added that TAT will continue easing lockdown measures among tourism businesses under government policy, which includes holding New Year countdown events in several locations nationwide.

“Domestic travel is picking up thanks to cool temperatures in the North and Northeast, which is attracting eco-travellers. Meanwhile, the government’s ‘We Travel Together’ subsidy only has 100,000 rights left and should run out in a couple of weeks,” he said.

“In December alone trips taken by local travellers may hit 10 million. We expect total trips taken domestically to reach 90 million this year, roughly the same as the year before.”

As for foreign travellers, TAT hopes to welcome at least 400,000 visitors this year, with some 200,000 recorded from January to November, half of whom entered the country after its November 1 reopening.

“Since December 1, we have recorded around 6,000 foreign arrivals per day, so the number of people entering Thailand this month could eventually reach 200,000,” Yuthasak said.

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Published : December 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009704

Students, teachers and staff at schools under Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s jurisdiction have been instructed to strictly adhere to Covid-19 prevention measures.

BMA permanent-secretary Khajit Chatchavanich said on Monday that this announcement came in response to schools’ plans to hold on-site classes in the second semester this year.

“So far, the Education Department, Health Department and district offices have worked on building awareness among students, teachers and staff at affiliated schools, such as evaluating their readiness to hold on-site classes via the Thai Stop Covid+ website, splitting students into small groups, preparing an emergency plan and creating a sealed route for travel to and from school,” he said.

“District offices, meanwhile, will deploy officials to ensure that affiliated schools are organising classes in line under the ‘Sandbox: Safety Zone in School’ measures throughout the semester.”

Khajit added that Education Department has procured antigen test kits (ATKs) that can be used to screen students, teachers and staff as appropriate.

“Students’ guardians will also be asked to take antigen tests for Covid-19,” he added.

Related stories:

• NHSO distributes ATKs as schools in Bangkok get ready to reopen
• False ATK results spark scare in Mukdahan
• List of students opting for Pfizer vaccine to be ready on Sunday

Published : December 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009703

More than 500 current and former State Railway of Thailand (SRT) employees will gather at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station on Tuesday afternoon to protest against the Transport Ministry’s decision to close the station from December 23.

Protesters have been instructed by the SRT Labour Union to wear yellow and to use the hashtag #SaveHuaLamphong on their social media. Also joining the protest will be former senator Rosana Tositrakul, former SRT governor Praphas Jongsa-nguan and anti-corruption activist Veera Somkwamkid.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said last month that SRT was too broke to maintain Hua Lamphong station, hence all trains would only be stopping at Bang Sue Grand Station from November 22, while the iconic Hua Lamphong would be converted into a commercial area.

Faced with instant public outcry, the ministry pushed the date of closure to December 23 and is planning to hold a public hearing on December 14.

“We believe the minister’s decision is to convert all 120-rai of land around Hua Lamphong into a commercial area, which will only benefit capitalists and affect the local community that has formed around the 105-year-old Hua Lamphong station,” said Ratchasak Piyapanyanont, a former SRT train operator who will be joining the rally.

“SRT employees are not comfortable with the plan to shut down Hua Lamphong and want to make their voices heard, even though [participating in the rally] could affect their jobs.”

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SRT is too broke to also maintain Hualamphong station, says Saksayam

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Published : December 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009699

Police officers of Child, Woman Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking Centre on Monday arrested three suspects for allegedly involving in international human trafficking operation in Mae Sot district of Tak province.

“The three suspects, two of them are of Myanmar national, are part of the group that has been detaining victims who are Myanmar migrants in Thailand,” said Pol Lt-General Surachet Hakphan, assistant to the National Police chief. “Police officers are working to track down the rest of the gang members, which could be up to 7 persons.”

Surachet further added that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects have helped the victims cross the border from Myanmar to Thailand then extorted up to 120,000 baht cash from the victims or their relatives. “Those who could not pay the fee will be forced into prostitution or to work on fishing boats in Malaysia,” he added.

The three were charged with involving in human trafficking operation as well as money laundering, while police have alerted authorities in Myanmar to investigate possible accomplices who are still in Myanmar.
 

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Tak border police net 2 Thais transporting 23 illegal migrants from Myanmar

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Published : December 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009692

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (December 7) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 3,525 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 12 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 31, while 6,109 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,148,766 – 2,061,374 of whom have recovered, 66,395 are still in hospitals and 20,997 have died.

Separately, another 85,617 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 53,747 their second shot and 38,950 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 95,616,058.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 266.74 million on Tuesday, 240.28 million of whom have recovered, 21.18 million are active cases (87,046 in severe condition) and 5.28 million have died (up by 5,392).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 50.15 million, followed by India with 34.65 million, Brazil with 22.15 million, the UK with 10.52 million and Russia with 9.8 million.

Published : December 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009677

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday (December 7) that the rather strong high-pressure system covers upper Thailand, resulting in cool to cold weather in the morning in the areas. Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast will be cold to very cold with frost in some areas. People should take care of their health due to variable weather.

The moderate northeast monsoon across the Gulf and the South leads to thundershowers in some areas of the lower South. Waves are 1-2 meters high in the Gulf and above 2 meters during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers.

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

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 12-15 degrees and highs of 27-31 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 4-12 degrees Celsius with frost in some areas.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 12-17 degrees and highs of 27-29 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-11 degrees Celsius with frost in some areas.

Central: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 16-20 degrees, highs of 29-31 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 18-23 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 19-24 degrees, highs of 30-31 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and 2 meters during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 19-21 degrees, highs of 29-32 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : December 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009675

The prime minister on Monday urged people not to panic over the discovery of Thailand’s first Omicron case, saying he was confident that health authorities will be able to curb its spread.

The first Omicron case in Thailand was detected on Friday in a US national who had arrived from Spain on November 30.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has advised people to be aware, but not to panic. He added that the premier is certain the spread of this highly transmissible variant can be controlled thanks to the strict prevention measures put in place by the health authorities

He said Prayut is also urging people to get their Covid-19 jabs, and for the fully vaccinated to get their booster shot.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disease Control released the timeline of the country’s first Omicron case – a 35-year-old American businessman who lived in Spain for a year.

The patient has no symptoms and was not in close contact with many people. His timeline is as follows:

• June 28: The patient receives one dose of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in the US.
• November 28: Patient undergoes RT-PCR test in Spain and gets a negative result. The patient later has dinner with a friend, who had not tested positive as of press time.
• November 29: Patient flies from Spain to Dubai for a nine-hour layover. Claims to have worn a face mask at all times.
• November 30: Arrives in Bangkok at around midnight, undergoes a drive-through test at a hospital and goes to the hotel.
• December 1: Patient tests positive and is admitted to hospital despite having no symptoms.
• December 3: Sample is sent to the Department of Medical Sciences and confirmed as Omicron variant.

Related news:

• American tourist brings Omicron to Thailand
• Coronavirus vaccine demand grows in U.S. amid omicron variant concerns, booster eligibility expansion
• Denmark sees concerning jump in omicron cases – a warning sign for Europe

Published : December 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009671

The Bang Sue Covid-19 vaccination centre has announced that it will administer only Pfizer shots on Monday and that walk-ins can register for their first jab at Gate 1.

The Central Vaccination Centre, located in Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station, has sent SMS notifications to those who had registered for their first, second or third jab.

The centre said it will administer first Pfizer shots only on Monday and Tuesday, and those who have not registered for their second and third shots can do so at Gate 1 from 9am to 4.30pm daily.

Boosters will be provided to those who have taken two jabs of Sinovac or Sinopharm, or have received AstraZeneca shots before July 31.

Those who prefer an AstraZeneca or Sinovac jab can specify at the registration point.

Meanwhile, Moderna shots will be provided to those who have a history of allergy to other vaccines or those who had taken the first jab of Moderna at the Bang Sue vaccination centre.

Foreigners and migrant workers are also eligible and are required to show their passports or pink card at the registration spot.

Related news:

• Bang Sue centre opts for Pfizer, Moderna as main vaccines
• Govt to buy 30 million doses of Pfizer vaccine as booster shots
• 30 million more doses of Pfizer vaccine to land in Thailand next year

Published : December 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009670

Thailand’s first Omicron case was detected in a foreigner on Friday who had travelled from Spain on November 30, the Public Health Ministry said on Monday.

At a press conference, the ministry said the patient was a US national who had taken a flight to Thailand from Spain. The patient underwent the first Covid-19 test on November 30, but the second test on Friday traced the infection down to the Omicron variant.

Related news:

• No deaths from Omicron yet, WHO says
• Omicron found in more U.S. states, adds new uncertainties
• No sign of Omicron in South of Thailand, government says
• No Omicron detected in 150 African tourists

Published : December 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009666

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was blessed that Thailand is still able to contain the spread of Covid-19 effectively as Public Health Ministry confirmed that no Omicron was detected in African tourists so far, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Sunday.

Thanakorn said Thailand’s Covid-19 preventive measures after the country reopening on November 1 is effective, adding that the Tourism Authority of Thailand also predicted that Omicron would not affect the country’s tourism.

He further added that the Royal Thai Embassy in Berlin recently announced that People from Thailand can now travel to Germany without having to register or undergo quarantine.

“The premier is still paying attention to drive the country’s economy along with containing the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

Thanakorn said Prayut is seeking guidelines to mitigate Covid-19 impact on entertainment venue operators, singers, artists and performers via social security system and government subsidies.

He added that the premier also advised people to strictly undergo the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and Public Health Ministry’s preventive measures despite the Covid-19 situation in Thailand has improved.

“We believe that Thailand will soon be able to create a Covid-19 safe zone in a bid to enable people to earn a living safely,” he added.

Thailand recorded 4,000 Covid-19 cases and 22 deaths on Monday, bringing total cumulative cases in the country to 2,145,241 with 20,966 total deaths.

Related stories:

• No Omicron detected in 150 African tourists
• Germany lifts Thailand from high-risk list
• Thailand recorded 4,000 Covid-19 cases and 22 deaths on Monday

Published : December 06, 2021

By : THE NATION