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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010507

Thailand will go ahead with its order of 2 million tablets of the Covid-19 magic pill Molnupiravir despite news that France has cancelled its order due to disappointing test results, Dr Somsak Akksilp, Department of Medical Services director-general, said on Monday.

Reuters reported on December 22 that France has cancelled its order with Merck following disappointing trial data and has opted instead for a similar drug being produced by Pfizer.

France is the first country to announce publicly that it is not buying the drug after Merck released data in late November suggesting that the drug was markedly less effective than previously thought. Clinical trials showed that the drug reduces hospitalisations and deaths among high-risk individuals by only 30 per cent.

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry signed a contract with Merck to procure 50,000 courses of Molnupiravir anti-Covid pill. The shipment is expected to land in January.

“The contract specifically says that Thailand can reconsider the order based on other countries’ order and usage of the drug,” Somsak said. “Latest information shows that the United Kingdom on December 22 increased its Molnupiravir order to 1.75 million courses, while Japan ordered another 1.6 million courses on December 24.

“The situation regarding the antiviral drug is constantly changing, while the department will focus primarily on the safety of patients,” said Somsak. “Merck & Co had initially claimed that the Molnupiravir has over 70 per cent efficacy in treating Covid-19 patients during its mid-stage human trials. The efficacy in the final stage however has dropped to 30-40 per cent, which means that the drug still works.”

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Health Ministry signs contract to procure 50,000 Molnupiravir courses

Two million Molnupiravir tablets expected to arrive in January

Molnupiravir will turn Covid-19 into an ordinary complaint: top virologist

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010503

Commander of Naresuan Force Major Gen Prasan Saengsirirak on Monday morning visited a temporary refugee camp in Mahawan subdistrict of Tak’s Mae Sot district to show moral support to soldiers of 14th Ranger Regiment who have been stationing at the Thai-Myanmar border to monitor the situation in Myanmar and provide assistance to Myanmar refugees.

Anews source reported on Monday that more than 5,000 Myanmar nationals have taken refuge in Tak’s Mae Sot district after fighting between Myanmar’s armed forces and the Karen resistance movement intensified over the past three days.

On Saturday, the Myanmar army launched airstrikes and fired cannons into the Karen stronghold, forcing 5,384 villagers to cross the Moei River and seek refuge on Thai soil.

On Monday afternoon Gen Prasan traveled to Meun Leu Chai village in Tak’s Phrob Phra district to provide construction materials and other necessities to residents near border areas whose houses have been damaged by the airstrikes. Soldiers of Naresuan Force also helped villagers in fixing their homes and strengthening bomb shelters in the village.

As for Myanmar refugees in Tak who wish to return home, the border patrol soldiers will help them cross the border at safe areas while maintaining strict Covid-19 preventive measures.

Related News

Over 5,000 Myanmar villagers flee to Mae Sot as clashes intensify

Tight security in Mae Sot after clashes break out in Myawaddy

Mentally unstable Myanmar migrant freezes to death in Mae Sot

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010496

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (December 28) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,305 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 54 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 32, while 3,070 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,214,712 – 2,159,443 of whom have recovered, 33,639 are still in hospitals and 21,630 have died.

Separately, another 36,548 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 112,442 their second shot and 134,326 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 102,975,259.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 281.84 million on Tuesday, 251.21 million of whom have recovered, 25.21 million are active cases (88,796 in severe condition) and 5.42 million have died (up by 4,646).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 53.74 million, followed by India with 34.8 million, Brazil with 22.25 million, the UK with 12.21 million and Russia with 10.42 million.

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010484

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday (December 28) that the rather strong high-pressure system from China covers upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather with strong winds and a decrease in temperature by 2-4 °C are forecast in the North, the Northeast, the Central and the East regions.

Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 5 to 13 °C. People should take care of their health due to variable weather.

The Department also mentioned that the rather strong 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; temperature lows of 13-18 degrees and highs of 26-31 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 5-12 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 11-20 degrees and highs of 26-30 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-13 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool to cold weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 18-22 degrees, highs of 28-32 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 18-22 degrees, highs of 28-33 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and more than 1 meter offshore.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 19-26 degrees, highs of 29-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees, highs of 29-35 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 19-23 degrees, highs of 29-32 degrees Celsius.
 

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : December 28, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010481

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has, as of Monday, received three bids for the 82-billion-baht Purple Line running from Tao Poon to Rat Burana (Kanchanaphisek ring road).

The first two bidders were CKST Joint Venture Group, an alliance between CH Karnchang and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, and ITD-NWR MRT joint venture comprising Italian-Thai Public Co and Nawarat Patanakarn. The third company to hand in a bid was Unique Engineering and Construction.

The bidders will be considered in technical terms, the price offered and if they have worked in Thailand for at least 20 years.

MRTA will announce the winner in the first quarter of 2022, after which the contract will be signed immediately to expedite the start of construction within the third quarter. The construction is expected to take 2,005 days and should be completed by the end of 2027.

Published : December 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010480

A recent analysis conducted by the Department of Disease Control (DDC) shows that if no measures are taken to tackle the highly transmissible Omicron strain, Thailand will end up having to handle 30,000 new infections and up to 180 deaths daily.

In this scenario, it will take three to four months to control the outbreak, Public Health permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit said on Monday.

But if all relevant measures are strictly put in place, then daily infections and deaths may come down to 10,000 and up to 60 respectively, he said, adding that a lockdown would be the last resort.

He also said that though the Omicron strain is far more easily transmissible than Delta, the symptoms are relatively mild and can be controlled if everybody cooperates and gets their jabs.

Published : December 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010482

The number of patients infected with the Omicron strain in Thailand has risen to 514, with two-thirds of them being tourists, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced on Monday.

However, most of the patients have mild symptoms with a slight infection of the upper respiratory tract, though their lungs are clear. Of the patients, 54 per cent have developed a cough, 37 per cent have a sore throat and only 29 per cent also have a fever.

The newest cluster of concern was found in Si Sa Ket, where a couple travelling back from Belgium had tested positive for Omicron and are believed to have transmitted the virus to 125 people with another 97 awaiting confirmation. The cluster is also believed to be linked to six infections in Udon Thani and four in Lamphun.

Published : December 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010472

In a bid to tackle the new Omicron variant, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to provide a fourth shot to people facing high risks.

“Covid-19 vaccines allotted to the BMA by the Public Health Ministry will be divided among different groups based on their vaccination history and risk of contracting the virus,” Bangkok governor General Aswin Kwanmuang said on Monday.

“People who have never been vaccinated before will be given two AstraZeneca doses if they are over 18 years old, or two Pfizer shots if they are 12-17 years old,” Aswin said. “Those who have already received the first jab will get their second jab based on the formula of vaccine cocktail and availability.”

As for the booster shot, people who have received Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccines before October can apply for a third shot within a four-week interval after the second shot. Those who have recovered from Covid-19 can also apply for a booster. Most booster shots provided by BMA will be AstraZeneca.

“BMA will also provide a fourth shot to people in high-risk groups to keep their immunity high,” said the governor. “People in these groups are medical professionals who are in close contact with patients, and those who suffer from chronic diseases like cancer, heart diseases and diabetes that make them vulnerable to Covid-19.

“The BMA maintains a vaccination record of all residents and will alert them to get a jab when the time is right at the vaccination unit they have registered,” the governor added. “People should stay tuned for the latest updates from the BMA and get vaccinated as soon as possible to make Bangkok safe for everyone.”

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Published : December 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010470

Thai folk band, Siang Isan (Sound of Isan), won more hearts over the weekend when it announced that it would accept cryptocurrency for concert tickets.

Established in 1975 by look thung and mor lam artist Noknoi Uraiporn, the band has many hits including “Nok Jaa”, “Loei Wela Kid Hid”, “Mon Phleng Sieng Isan” and “Phab Tay Winyan Rak” under its belt.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the band said it was accepting Ethereum (ETH), Binance Coin (BNB), USDT and Binance USD (BUSD) for concert tickets sold via the bep20 network.

The post went viral with most netizens praising the band for keeping up with the times.

Related stories:

• SEC spurns crypto industry again, denying two spot-bitcoin ETFs
• Bitcoin plunges 5.5 per cent to $53,435.9
• Bitcoin Co’s cryptocurrency, digital token trading business licences nixed

Published : December 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010469

More than 5,000 Myanmar nationals have taken refuge in Tak’s Mae Sot district after fighting between Myanmar’s armed forces and the Karen resistance movement intensified over the past three days.

On Saturday, the Myanmar army launched airstrikes and fired cannons into the Karen stronghold, forcing 5,384 villagers to cross the Moei River and seek refuge on Thai soil.

The 34th Border Patrol Police Division has deployed two V-150 armoured cars to support border patrol police’s operation to ensure safety in the border area.

As of Sunday, 204 refugees have returned to Myanmar, while 5,180 refugees remain in Tak, 5,028 of whom have been sheltered in Mae Sot district and 152 in Phop Phra district.

Related stories:

• Tight security in Mae Sot after clashes break out in Myawaddy
• Fall from cliff on Thai-Myanmar border kills one soldier, injures another
• Mentally unstable Myanmar migrant freezes to death in Mae Sot

Published : December 27, 2021

By : THE NATION