The number of Covid-19 cases crossed 14.7 million across Southeast Asia, with 24,394 new cases reported on Friday (December 24). New deaths are at 403, bringing accumulated Covid-19 deaths in Asean to 302,093.
Singapore is planning to nearly double the number of designated facilities for close contacts of Covid-19 cases if needed, in preparation for a possible surge in infections due to the Omicron variant. There are 14 active designated facilities as of Wednesday (December 22), and the Ministry of Health is looking to convert an additional 12 designated facilities over the next month, if required. These facilities will be able to accommodate up to 11,000 people in total.
Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Municipal Administration said it will kick off a new Covid-19 booster shot campaign on January 3 for people aged 12-18 who received a second dose at least four months ago, at 42 total locations in all of the capital’s 14 districts. More than 3.27 million people nationwide have received a booster to date.
Bangkok has lit up this month for the holidays and here’s where you can go to enjoy the lights and sights:
• CentralWorld Like every December, the CentralWorld plaza in the middle of Bangkok has again been dressed up with bright lights and a huge Christmas tree. The theme this year is “Shine Together” and there are seven spots for selfies. The lights last until January 6. Chitlom BTS Station
• Samyan Mitrtown The front of the mall sports a magnificent Christmas tree and colourful lights along the “Feel Good” theme. However, the highlight of the event is the colourfully lit 200-metre-long “Mitr Vibes” tunnel. The event lasts until January 10. Sam Yan MRT Station
• B-Story Garden Cafe & Restaurants Restaurants under the B-Story banner bring a snowy Christmas to Bangkok, except they are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Ratchathewi BTS Station for the Ratchathewi branch and by private transport to the Lat Phrao branch.
• Siam Centre Designers of the “Magic from the Universe” theme offer visitors spellbinding lights and sounds using augmented reality (AR) technology. Siam BTS Station
• Terminal 21 The mall brings you “Magic Christmas 2022” with several spots for that perfect snapshot available until January 3. Asok BTS Station
• Emporium and Emquartier The organisers have built a “Journey of Joy” between the two malls as well as a unique Christmas tree. The event runs until January 2. Phrom Phong BTS Station
• Mega Bangna Shoppers can pose for shots with the 12-metre tall Christmas tree and decorations created along the theme of “Magical Cirque of Christmas”. Private transport or bus
Christmas Day was special for animals at Chonburi’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo because Santa showed loaded with special treats.
Santa, using a golf cart instead of a sleigh, drove to all seven zones in the 7-kilometre site to hand out some 100 boxes filled with delights.
Some 40 penguins walked out of their enclosure to receive their presents, while the capybara and hippopotamus families appeared pleased with their socks filled with food and a fake tree stump.
Santa also presented bags of beans, raisins and fruit to the 23 ring-tailed lemurs, fresh grass to the white rhinoceros and fresh meat to the tigers and hyenas.
Director Tewin Rattanawongsawat said the zoo has launched “Khao Kheow Night Zoo” so people can enjoy watching wildlife in their natural habitat at night, especially the deer population, which includes chital, sambar and hog species.
The night safari is offered every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan on Saturday posted a list of questions and answers related to the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
• Is it very transmissible?
Yes. For example, if one person infected by the original Covid-19 virus sits among seven people, one or two will be infected.
If a person infected by the Delta variant sits among 10 people, six or seven will be infected.
If one person infected by the Omicron variant sits among 11 people, 10 will be infected.
• Can Omicron skip the immunity provided by the vaccine?
Two doses of any Covid-19 vaccine provide little or no protection. People should get a third jab to protect themselves. Those who have received a booster a long while ago may be at risk because immunity provided by the vaccine can drop over time and people who have been infected before can be infected again.
Vaccines, however, reduce the severity of symptoms.
Studies show that the Omicron variant is far less severe than the Delta variant. The number of hospitalisations from the variant in South Africa, where it was discovered, is 70 per cent fewer than from the Delta variant.
However, hospitalised patients did develop symptoms as severe as with the Delta variant.
Studies in the UK revealed that the number of hospitalisations from Omicron was 15 to 20 per cent less than the Delta variant, while they were two-thirds less in Scotland.
Yong advised people to get their shots to build up their immunity to reduce the severity of the disease. He said people should get a booster three months after their last jab because Omicron will soon replace the Delta variant.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said people need at least three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to protect themselves from the Omicron variant.
He said the booster dose should be AstraZeneca or the mRNA Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, as they will increase people’s immunity, especially if they have had two jabs of the inactivated Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines.
He added that people who have received two Sinovac shots and followed up with an AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna booster will have the same immunity as people who have received two jabs of AstraZeneca and then a third shot of either Pfizer or Moderna.
He added that even half a dose of Moderna provides enough immunity.
However, the virologist said this was a basic study and that we need to wait for the results of a study into neutralising antibodies that work against Omicron and Delta.
Yong added that people in the US and UK were being given half a dose of Moderna if their first two doses were AstraZeneca.
He added that the results of a study into the booster dose for people who received a combination of Sinovac and AstraZeneca will be available next year.
These studies are necessary to work out which vaccine formula is most effective, he added.
Stars of the English Premier League are paying virtual hospital visits to raise the spirits of patients and staff at Christmas.
EPL players and managers usually deliver presents in person to hospitals at Christmas, but this year the tradition has gone online because of Covid-19.
Photo Credit: Premier League
Liverpool players Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Alisson Becker hosted a special online hospital visit to meet with young patients and their families.
Meanwhile Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin made a surprise call to 13-year-old fan Dylan, who is recovering at home after undergoing an emergency operation.
Manchester United players wrapped presents and recorded messages for the patients and staff at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Christie’s cancer hospital and the Francis House Children’s Hospice.
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard made a surprise call to seven-year-old fan Jai Rai-Aheer, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in May.
Tottenham players Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier made calls to patients and staff at four hospitals – North Middlesex University Hospital, The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone and Whittington Hospital in Islington.
Elsewhere, Arsenal sent toys and club goodies to young people at the Whittington, the Royal Free, Homerton and Barnet hospitals.
Thailand time AFF or ASEAN Football Federation held a press conference before the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 semi-final second leg match between the Thai national team and the Vietnam national team
The situation in the first game, Thailand defeated Vietnam 2-0 first from Chanathip Songkrasin’s two goals.
this press release The Thai national team has sent Mano Polking, the head coach of the Thai national football team, and midfielder Thanawat Suengchitthaworn, a talented midfielder, to attend the press conference.
At the press conference, Mano Polking said: “With only two days of preparation, I probably won’t be able to practice much. will focus on the analysis from the first game What Thailand is good at and what needs to be done to be better. The important thing is that the 2-0 lead is a dangerous score. If Vietnam scores, they have their confidence back. So we must concentrate. Do not concede goals and play well in the first half of the first game. If the goal is scored, it will give more advantages. in order to pass through to the finals.”
“Personally, I’m not very happy with the second half. but because of the tactics itself to focus more on compact games thus causing heavy pressure from Vietnam They had multiple chances to hit the beam and hit the pole. It means that the plan that is not very effective has to be improved in this game.”
Thailand continues to beat Vietnam : Mano Polking Related Stories
“In the matter of VAR It’s good to make football with good quality. But it must be done in the correct way like foreign leagues do. Parts from the first game with comments many vietnamese fans I think that even with VAR The result of the decision will be the same as before. It didn’t help the decision to change. In addition, if talking about VAR, Thai should also get a new penalty shootout because the Vietnamese goalkeeper does not stand on the line. However, I do not want to focus on the judge’s decision. Because in the game there are many things to analyze and focus on the game better.”
“I don’t think Thailand and Vietnam are better quality. Because both teams have good teams. good player resources And there are clear guidelines for playing. As for Chanathip, we know his quality very well and performed very well. In the first game, it was nice to have Chanathip in the team. And hope to perform well again in the second game which will be a difficult game You have to play as a team for 90 minutes, but as I said, it’s a dangerous game and requires concentration.”
“Vietnam’s game plan is thought to be different from the first match. Because now the score starts with Thailand leading 2-0, I think Vietnam should use the same plan in the second half. Wingback pushed up and attacked more and moved more of Nguyen Guang Hai into the middle. which the Thai team has to analyze at each point well Along with tutoring the team to deal with all the systems that Vietnam can use In addition, it will return to play in its own way like a good first half game. Don’t pack too many defensive games like in the second half.”
“Everyone in the team is very confident. But I believe that the second game will be difficult for sure. However, I am confident that the team has good quality to qualify for the finals.”
The next match program for the Thai national team will meet with the Vietnamese national team. in the semi-finals of the ASEAN Championship The second match will be played on December 26, 2021, 7.30 p.m. broadcast live on CH7 HD and AIS Play.
Thailand beats defending champion Vietnam 2-0 on Thursday in the AFF Championship semi-finals in Singapore. Both goals were scored by Chanathip Songkrasin, as Thailand prepares for the second match on Sunday.
MACO and partners unveil the biggest LED RIBBON CHRISTMAS TREE in Thailand, along with a Light and Sound display on Chong Nonsi Skywalk, as a New Year’s gift for Bangkokians under the concept “LIGHT OF HAPPINESS”
Master Ad Public Company Limited or MACO joins forces with VGI Public Company Limited, the Traffic and Transportation Department of Bangkok, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited, along with partners and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office : HKETO – to create a new light and sound landmark on the Chong Nonsi Skywalk under the concept “Light of Happiness” also unveiling Thailand’s biggest LED RIBBON CHRISTMAS TREE in celebration of the New Year’s festivities from today until February 2022.
Mr. Phoon Chiong Kit, CEO of MACO, said, “Our subsidiaries have been granted the rights from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to oversee the multipurpose space on the Chong Nonsi Skywalk since 2020. We have renovated the roof to resemble flowing streams and shady leaves, offering cool and pleasant atmosphere for commuters passing through the Sathon area, under the concept ‘Canal Park Skywalk’.
This undertaking also coincides with BMA’s project to revive Chong Nonsi canals and surrounding areas to improve the waterways and increase green space. Moreover, given that in the past 2 years, people all over the world, including Thais, have suffered from the impact of COVID-19, and many holiday celebrations have had to be cancelled, we wish to bring happiness back to the city through this newly renovated space. Together with our partners, we hope the revamp Chong Nonsi Skywalk will become a new landmark that inspires and brings people together, and a space for activities by the public and private sectors and the general population for all future celebrations and festivities.”
Mr. Palakorn Suwanrath, Chairman of Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Public Company Limited (BAFS), presided over the opening ceremony for the Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation System (Bang Pa-in – Lampang)
Mr. Palakorn Suwanrath, Chairman of Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Public Company Limited (BAFS), presided over the opening ceremony for the Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation System (Bang Pa-in – Lampang), which is the longest and most modern fuel pipeline in the country. M.R. Supadis Diskul, Executive Chairman, and M.L. Nattasit Diskul, President of Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Public Company Limited (BAFS), along with Mr. Loyleuan Bunnag, the Executive Committee Chairman of the Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation Project, and Mr. Charoen Charusalaipong, Managing Director of Fuel Pipeline Transportation Limited (FPT), participated in the ceremony at Nakorn Lampang Oil Depot, Lampang Province.
Mr. Palakorn Suwanrath, Chairman of Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Public Company Limited (BAFS), stated that the Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation Project is in a strategic plan by the Ministry of Energy, which it assigned the private companies to operate in order to enhance effectiveness of fuel transport and stabilize the country’s energy. “It will reduce accidents from tank truck fuel transport, diminish pollution, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, support the growth of the new airport opening in the northern region, develop the country’s fuel transport system, and support the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). It is a great pleasure that the Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation Project, which is a fuel supply infrastructure for the country, has been fully constructed and is ready for service. Despite many problems and obstacles, the company had to complete the project in line with a royal speech by King Rama 9, in which he said: “To do any business should be subject to public benefit of the country.
The inauguration of the entire project of Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation System (Bang Pa-in – Lampang) starting from Phase 1, an extension from Fuel Pipeline Transportation Limited’s (FPT’s) existing fuel pipeline at the Bang Pa-in Depot, Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya province, to the Phichit Depot in Vajirabaramee District, Phichit Province (Bang Pa-in-Kamphaengphet-Phichit), a total distance of 367 kilometers. This depot will supply fuel to the lower northern region. Phase 2 of the project starts from the Kamphaengphet pumping and offtake station to the Lampang Depot, Sob Prab District, Lampang province (Kamphaengphet-Lampang), a total distance of 209 kilometers, to provide oil services to the upper northern region. With a total distance of 576 kilometers, it is the longest fuel pipeline transportation system in the country with a transport capacity of 9 billion liters/year.
M.R. Supadis Diskul, Executive Chairman of Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Public Company Limited (BAFS), said that the Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation Project was approved by the cabinet for the private sector to operate and is under the government’s strategic fuel plan. The Ministry of Energy has an agreement with Fuel Pipeline Transportation Limited, (FPT) who has provided fuel pipeline transportation services for more than 30 years to invest 10,900 million Baht (ten point nine billion Baht) and to manage this northern fuel pipeline transportation system and the oil depot project. The pipeline can deliver multi-products including aviation fuel, diesel, and benzene octane 91 and 95.
The Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation Project is the longest and most modern fuel pipeline in Thailand. It is a great pride for BAFS Group as, despite the low return on the project, it provides extremely high social and environmental returns. With electricity-based oil delivery instead of tank truck oil transport, FPT has obtained a carbon credit for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of not fewer than 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, which will decrease PM 2.5 and reduce the rate of accidents resulting from tank truck oil transport. It also minimizes the difference in oil prices as people in the northern region can now buy oil at a price similar to those who live in Bangkok. In addition, the Phichit Depot and Lampang Depot will be important strategic areas not only to distribute oil in the northern region but will also support economic growth in the northern region. The depots will also be an important center for distributing oil to neighboring countries, leading to more convenient and faster oil exports from Thailand to these countries.
Mr. Loyleuan Bunnag, Executive Committee Chairman of the Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation Project, proudly explained that the completion of this large project with a ten billion baht investment covering a total distance of 576 kilometers, due to everyone dedicating their effort and collaborating in their work to their full capacity. The project involved transparent and traceable work operations in which the spending of the total funded amount had to be worthwhile and relied on professional teamwork. As a result, the project’s term and approved budget could be controlled to stay within the company’s targets.
Thailand continues to beat Vietnam : Mano Polking
Thanawat Suongchitthavorn, Thailand midfielder
Mr. Loyleuan Bunnag, Executive Committee Chairman of the Northern Fuel Pipeline Transportation Project, proudly explained that the completion of this large project with a ten billion baht investment covering a total distance of 576 kilometers, due to everyone dedicating their effort and collaborating in their work to their full capacity. The project involved transparent and traceable work operations in which the spending of the total funded amount had to be worthwhile and relied on professional teamwork. As a result, the project’s term and approved budget could be controlled to stay within the company’s targets.
SootinClaimon.Com 