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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010553

People who have received two vaccine doses against Covid-19 can benefit by getting a third jab, or booster shot, which will significantly boost their immunity against the coronavirus, Chulalongkorn University expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said on Tuesday.

During the virtual seminar “Covid-19 Vaccine Quarterly Outlook”, Yong said using inactivated vaccines (for example Sinovac) as a booster can increase recipients’ immunity by up to 10 times, while a viral vector vaccine such as AstraZeneca will increase immunity by up to 100 times.

“Meanwhile, mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna can boost recipients’ immunity against Covid-19 by up to 200 times,” he said.

“However, a study in Israel found that the immunity of mRNA recipients decreased at a faster rate than that of viral vector vaccine recipients, and can last for about three months,” Yong said. “The country is therefore considering giving a fourth jab to people in high-risk groups to keep their immunity at a high level.”

Yong also said the optimal interval between 2nd and 3rd shots should be from three to six months, but recipients who carry a high risk of contracting Covid-19, like medical professionals, should get a booster jab as soon as they hit the three-month mark after the second jab.

Yong estimated that the Omicron variant would replace Delta in the next 1-2 months in Thailand due to its faster rate of spread.

“Many studies have found that two doses of any vaccine are still not enough to prevent the Omicron variant, therefore everyone should get a booster shot as soon as they can to reduce the risk of developing severe symptoms and death,” he suggested.

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Published : December 29, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010549

Hotels in Chiang Mai that fail to strictly adhere to Test & Go regulations will be removed from the province’s “Charming Chiang Mai” programme, deputy governor Worawit Chaisawat said on Tuesday.

His warning came after reports that some hotels in Chiang Mai had allowed visitors to leave their facilities to travel in the province even before their RT-PCR test results arrived, which would increase the risk of Covid-19 spreading.

“Furthermore, we have received complaints that some hotels under the Charming Chiang Mai programme failed to pick up tourists at the airport according to schedule, while others let their customers visit airport shops instead of remaining in the quarantine zone while awaiting transport,” he said.

“Hotel operators caught relaxing or violating disease control regulations will face punishment, from being issued a warning to being removed entirely from the programme,” Worawit said.

Like the Phuket Sandbox and other schemes launched to boost tourism, Charming Chiang Mai lets tourists choose between spending five days in Chiang Mai before flying back home or dividing their first 14 days between Chiang Mai and Phuket before being allowed to travel elsewhere in Thailand. During their time in Chiang Mai, visitors can travel in sealed routes to selected tourist attractions, including golf courses.

Visitors under the Charming Chiang Mai programme need to follow the regulations of the government’s Test & Go scheme, which include receiving a RT-PCR test upon arrival and again on the 5th or 6th day of their stay in Thailand.

As of Tuesday, the programme had 108 Chiang Mai hotels registered.

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Chiang Mai tourism will suffer from Test & Go suspension, tour operator bemoans

Chiang Mai set to introduce Safe Traffic Week campaign, strict security at mountain attractions

Published : December 29, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010548

The number of Omicron cases has surged across the world, with even Thailand recording over 500 patients so far.

The Public Health Ministry has said that infections will be closely monitored and has tasked the Department of Disease Control to come up with three scenarios:

Least favourable: This is the scenario that nobody wants but will arise if people do not adhere to prevention measures. It will take three to four months to control the disease with 30,000 new patients and as many as 180 deaths expected per day.

Possible: This scenario will occur if people follow the universal prevention measures and businesses follow the VUCA guidelines – vaccine, universal protection, Covid-free setting and antigen test kits. There will be up to 16,000 cases and some 100 deaths daily.

Most favourable: This will occur if people strictly adhere to prevention measures and avoid gatherings. Businesses, including bars and restaurants, strictly follow all prevention and protection measures. There will be some 10,000 new patients and 60 to 70 deaths per day. This will take one or two months to control.

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Published : December 29, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010542

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (December 29) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,575 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 40 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 17, while 2,695 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,217,287 – 2,162,138 of whom have recovered, 33,502 are still in hospitals and 21,647 have died.

Separately, another 68,981 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 197,635 their second shot and 197,528 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 103,439,403.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 283.22 million on Wednesday, 251.83 million of whom have recovered, 25.96 million are active cases (88,979 in severe condition) and 5.43 million have died (up by 6,044).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 54.09 million, followed by India with 34.81 million, Brazil with 22.25 million, the UK with 12.34 million and Russia with 10.44 million.

Published : December 29, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010528

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Wednesday (December 29) that the rather strong high-pressure system from China covers upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather and strong winds are forecast in the areas. Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 6 to 14 °C. People should take care of their health due to variable weather.

The Department also mentioned that the moderate northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf of Thailand, resulting in 1-2 meters high waves in the Gulf. All ships should proceed with caution.

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

North: Cool to cold weather in the morning; temperature lows of 14-19 degrees and highs of 29-34 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-12 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 15-21 degrees and highs of 29-31 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 9-14 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 20-23 degrees, highs of 31-32 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 22-24 degrees, highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and more than 1 meter high offshore.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and 2 meters high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and more than 1 meter high offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with strong winds; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : December 29, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010526

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the holding of a by-election to replace Bangkok MP Sira Jenjaka, whose parliamentary status was terminated by the Constitutional Court on December 22.

According to the Constitution, the position will be deemed vacant from the date the court’s ruling was read. Election for the post must be held by February 4.

The draft will be implemented on January 2, and the Election Commission will announce the date of the poll the following day.

The polling station and list of voters will be announced on January 4, and candidates will be able to register between January 6 and 10. If all goes to plan, the election should be held by January 30.

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010527

The Cabinet will not consider measures to promote the use of electric vehicles because the offers will have to first be reviewed by the National Electric Vehicle Board, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Tuesday.

The Finance Ministry has prepared special tax measures to promote the use of EVs in the country.

“As for measures to make EVs cheaper, we have to wait and see the final plan before we finalise the packages,” Arkhom said.

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010525

The Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to have the Doping Control in Sports Act amended as proposed by the State Council.

Gongsak Yodmanee, Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) governor, said the amendment is in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s requirements and is necessary to protect Thailand from being deprived of the right to host sporting events. This prohibition will cost Thailand a loss of up to 55 billion baht in 2022 alone.

However, if the amendment does go through, SAT will ask WADA to ease sanctions, especially the ban on raising the national flag in time for the Asian Games scheduled to be held in September 2022 in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010524

The Cabinet on Tuesday accepted the Labour Ministry’s proposal to draft a law that will protect and improve the quality of life of informal workers.

More than 19 million people or 52 per cent of the country’s total workforce fall under the informal category, such as farmers, fishermen, vendors, merchants and taxi drivers to name a few.

The definition of an informal worker is a person above the age of 15 who does not come under the jurisdiction of labour law and is not insured under the Social Security Act.

This will be the first law that will protect informal workers and give them access to basic rights, occupation safety and fair employment.

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010523

People heading to the Northeast for New Year are invited to stop off at Sakon Nakhon’s Khong Ping Ngu service point and the beautiful Kham Hom Waterfall nearby.

The Highways Department said on Tuesday that the service point at 155+600km mark on Highway 213 on the Sakon Nakhon-Kalasin route has been improved to serve travellers during the holiday season.

The service point features restaurants, coffee shops and toilets, as well as shops selling Otop products and souvenirs. The area also has parking space for more than 30 cars.

After that visitors can travel another 200 metres to the famous Kham Hom Waterfall.

The Highways Department added that it is planning to set up a camping area for tourists so they can immerse themselves in nature in the cool weather.

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• Winter breeze at Khlong Lan Waterfall

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION