#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010411

People who have been vaccinated and wish to travel overseas can now pick up their vaccine passport at MedPark Hospital in Bangkok’s Klong Toei district.

Suthat Chottanapund, director of the Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention, said on Friday that MedPark was chosen because it is easy and convenient to get to.

To get a vaccine passport:

• Make an appointment via
http://vaccinepassportmedpark.ddc.moph.go.th/index.php

• Present required documents at the registration point on the ground floor of MedPark Hospital on the appointed date and time.

• Documents required are
1. National ID plus a signed copy
2. Passport with at least six months validity plus signed copy
3. Certificate with QR code showing the recipient has taken both shots of the Covid-19 vaccine.

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• Pay the 50 baht fee

• If the passport is being picked up by someone else, then they must carry an authorisation letter, the applicant’s documents as well as their ID card and signed copy. One power of attorney letter is accepted per passport.

• A representative can pick up a maximum of five passports per day.

The process takes around half an hour, and people who already have a vaccine passport but want it to reflect their third or fourth jab can have it updated for free.

MedPark provides the service on working days except public holidays from 9am to 3pm. Appointments must be made seven days in advance and service is limited to 150 people per day.

Published : December 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010403

Three British tourists have tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the Prachuap Khiri Khan public health office said on Friday.

“The Omicron cases were found in two groups of British tourists. The first group comprises a married couple aged 52 and 51, who entered Thailand on November 26 under the Phuket sandbox scheme,” the provincial public health office chief Dr Wara Selawattanakul said.

“On December 6 they took a flight to Bangkok and then a taxi to Phetchaburi. On December 12, they checked into an SHA hotel in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan.

“The couple then took an RT-PCR test on December 16 while getting ready to return to England, and the wife [51] tested positive for Omicron,” he said. “The husband, however, has small traces of the new coronavirus and will need to be tested again to confirm.”

The couple is in quarantine.

The second group comprises two men and one woman aged 53, 75 and 47. They arrived in Thailand on December 3 under the Phuket Sandbox scheme and took a flight to Bangkok on December 11.

The group then headed for Cha-am in Phetchaburi on December 12 before heading for Hua Hin on December 15.

The group stayed at SHA-certified hotels and ate at five restaurants in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

“The group took an RT-PCR test on December 16 and the two men tested positive for Omicron,” Wara said. “They were sent to a hospital in the province, while the woman is in quarantine.”

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Only 2 Bangkok countdown events cancelled, says govt spokesman

Published : December 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010397

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (December 25) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,766 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 57 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 30, while 3,805 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,207,438 – 2,148,757 of whom have recovered, 37,123 are still in hospitals and 21,558 have died.

Separately, another 89,378 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 214,868 their second shot and 258,008 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 102,172,113.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 279.36 million on Saturday, 249.66 million of whom have recovered, 24.29 million are active cases (88,761 in severe condition) and 5.41 million have died (up by 5,524).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 52.99 million, followed by India with 34.78 million, Brazil with 22.23 million, the UK with 11.89 million and Russia with 10.34 million.

Published : December 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010390

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday (December 25) that the weak high-pressure system covers upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather and morning fog are likely in the North, the Northeast, the Central and the East with an increase in temperature by 1-2 °C. All transports should take more caution due to poor visibility.

The southeasterly wind prevails over the Northeast, the East, the lower Central and the lower North and brings isolated thundershowers to the areas. 

Meanwhile, the weak northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf and the South, causing less rains in the South. During December 27-30, the rather strong high-pressure system from China will extend to cover upper Thailand and bring isolated thundershowers and a decrease in temperature by 2-5 °C in the Northeast, the North, the Central and the East.
 

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

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 15-19 degrees and highs of 28-34 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-15 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 16-22 degrees and highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-16 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-24 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and 1 meter offshore.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-24 degrees, highs of 29-32 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-24 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees, highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius.
 

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : December 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010388

No lockdown will be imposed in Thailand even though 205 Omicron cases have been confirmed so far, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday.

He said a couple from Belgium who entered the Kingdom via Test & Go scheme, returned to their residence in Kalasin and visited their relatives in Udon Thani caused over 100 people to be at risk of Omicron infection.

“Of 100 people at risk of infection, 22 people have been infected with Omicron, of which 19 people are restaurant staff and three are the couple’s relatives,” he said.

Anutin went to say that an Israeli traveller who was caught on Koh Samui on Wednesday after escaping quarantine in Bangkok has a low risk of Omicron spreading, adding that no one has been infected due to his move.

“However, we have urged the Department of Health Service Support to check the quarantine at a hotel in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area to ensure that the hotel is strictly complying with public health measures,” he said.

“If the hotel does not strictly comply with measures, the Department of Health Service Support will perform legal action against the hotel operator.”

Anutin said Public Health Ministry has launched a campaign to encourage people to receive their booster dose as many studies have proven that booster dose can reduce risk of Omicron infection. 

He also confirmed that no lockdown will be imposed in Thailand, while asking people to celebrate the New Year festival under public health measures.

Related stories:

• Only 2 Bangkok countdown events cancelled, says govt spokesman
• Bangkok moves to cancel state-organised New Year countdowns, fearing Omicron
• Quarantine escapee Baruch was infected with Omicron, but Samui test result comes up negative

Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010387

Bangkok governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang has ordered the cancellation of state-sponsored countdown events, though private events can proceed in line with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s prevention measures.

Here’s a summary of the prevention measures to be employed for New Year celebrations:

Restaurants

• Restaurants can operate normally, while relevant agencies will consider additional measures or hours of operation based on the situation.
• Booze can be served until 1am on New Year’s Day in open-air restaurants. 
• All eateries must follow Covid Free Setting regulations.

New Year parties with 1,000 or more guests

Measures for organisers, staff and performers

• All must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19
• They must produce negative antigen results taken no more than 72 hours before the event.
• They must evaluate their condition based on the Thai Save Thai platform or other similar platforms.
• Observe UP-DMHTA measure (universal prevention – distancing, mask-wearing, regular hand-washing, temperature checks and testing, and using the Thai Chana and Thai Save Thai applications).

Measures for attendees

• Register and present vaccination certificates.
• Those not vaccinated must present antigen test results within 72 hours except for children under 12.
• They must evaluate their condition via the Thai Save Thai or other platforms.
• Must follow the UP-DMHTA measures.

Measures for venues

• Events must be held in open spaces with entry regulations in place.
• Overcrowding must be avoided through the use of an advance booking or registration system.
• Attendees must be limited to one person per 4 square metres with a sign displaying the number of guests present.
• No more than five people can be seated together and other groups must be seated at least one metre away.
• Activities bringing people close together, such as slow dancing, is prohibited.
• Areas, surfaces and contact points should be cleaned every hour or two.
• The audience should be kept at least 5 metres from the stage and performers should maintain a distance of 1 metre from each other.

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Other prevention measures

Public Transportation

• All stations, terminals or piers should maintain distancing measures, be well-ventilated and cleaned frequently.
• All vehicles must be cleaned immediately after each trip. Airconditioned vehicles should be ventilated every two hours, during stops and after each trip.
• Passengers are required to wear a mask at all times and prohibited from eating.

Petrol Stations

• Contact points, especially toilets and rest areas, must be cleaned regularly.
• Follow Covid Free Setting measures.

Restaurants

• All restaurants must be well-ventilated and the number of diners controlled.
• Promotion of alcoholic beverages and activities requiring close contact are banned.
• All contact points, especially toilets, must be cleaned regularly.

Malls or community malls

• Overcrowding must be avoided and people must maintain a distance of at least 1 metre, especially in food courts, restaurants, exhibition zones, activity areas, theatres etc.
• Contact points, especially toilets and rest areas, must be cleaned regularly.
• Covid Free Setting measures must be observed.

Tourist attractions

• Crowds must be controlled and distance between each person maintained.
• Covid Free Setting measures must be observed.

Family gatherings or parties at home

• All guests and family members should be vaccinated or tested with an antigen test kit.
• Everybody should wear masks, especially the elderly.
• Gatherings should be held in open spaces or well-ventilated areas, no crowding should be allowed, close contact should be avoided and utensils should not be shared.
• The elderly who have not been vaccinated should avoid parties or come in close contact with others.

Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010384

Three digital asset companies – Satang, Bitazza and Bitkup – have been penalised heavily for not depositing their clients’ assets with a qualified depository service provider between January and July this year.

Bitkup, meanwhile, has also been hit with seven additional charges for not providing investors with a secure system, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Friday.

The SEC board decided to hit the three firms with fines totalling more than 12 million baht.

Satang and Bitazza have been fined 4.66 million baht and 3.56 million baht respectively for failing to meet SEC’s criteria on depositing clients’ digital assets.

Bitkup, meanwhile, has been fined 3.97 million baht over deposits and for running an insecure system.

Action was taken against the companies in response to complaints filed by customers.

Related news:

• New regulations to be announced soon for digital asset custodial wallet providers
• Trinity Securities, Bitkub open digital asset investment service
• ‘XSpring’ reaffirms its Digital Asset Leadership through “Siam Piwat” partnership to revolutionize the retail & digital asset industry

Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010383

Bangkok is offering free Covid-19 testing in ‘drive thru’ fashion at the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Southern Routes) on Boromaratchachonnani Road in Taling Chan district.

Facebook @ThaigovSpokesman posted on Friday that the free testing will be available from now until April 1, 2022 for people in four risky groups: Elders over 60 years old, people with disabilities or health problems, family members of confirmed patients, and community health volunteers.

The city will also offer free testing via antigen test kit (ATK) method at 10 hospitals. Candidates must reserve their slots in advance at the following telephone numbers. 

• BMA General Hospital Tel. 0-2225-1354
• Taksin Hospital Tel. 0-2437-7677
• Charoen Krung Pracharak Hospital Tel. 0-2289-7986
• Wetchakarunrasm Hospital Tel. 08-2940-6308
• Ratchaphiphat Hospital Tel. 0-2444-3660
• Luang Phor Taweesak Hospital Tel. 0-2429-3575
• Lat Krabang Hospital Tel. 0-2327-3049
• Sirindhorn Hospital Tel. 0-2328-6760
• Bang Khun Thian Geriatric Hospital Tel. 0-2405-0904
• Khlong Sam Wa Hospital Tel. 06-4557-6009
   

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Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010380

The business sector is calling on the government to implement sandbox schemes in destinations like Pattaya in Chonburi, Rayong and some parts of Bangkok, Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said on Thursday.

He was speaking after meeting with members of the Chonburi and Rayong chambers of commerce on Thursday to discuss the impact of the suspension of the Test & Go scheme to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Tuesday that no new applications for the Thailand Pass will be accepted from Wednesday midnight until January 4, when the CCSA will re-evaluate the situation.

“The suspension of the Test & Go system means no foreign visitors will be entering Thailand except through the Phuket sandbox scheme,” Sanan said. “Hence, we urge the government to implement sandbox schemes in other provinces as well, so the tourism industry can start recovering. This will also boost foreigners’ confidence in Thailand’s ability in managing the outbreak.”

Sanan added that if the sandbox scheme is not possible in these areas, then the government should restore the Test & Go scheme as soon as possible while adding more requirements necessary to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.

“The resumption of the Test & Go scheme is vital to the country’s tourism industry, as entrepreneurs can continue employing people and providers of the supply chain can keep their businesses running,” he added.

At the meeting on Thursday, business operators in Rayong and Chonburi were also urged to register for evaluation under the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Safety & Health Administration (SHA) and SHA Plus standards.

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Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010379

The CyberCrime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) has arrested 131 people for allegedly sending out scam text messages, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) said on Thursday.

The authority has also suspended more than 600 phone numbers and is waiting to take action against 400 suspected scam artists.

Trairat Wiriyasirikul, NBTC acting secretary-general, said the 131 suspects are believed to have caused damages worth more than 317 million baht.

He said NBTC has been working with mobile phone operators to block 600 numbers that are allegedly being used to send messages to trick people into transferring funds for online gambling, pornography, digital currency and stock-trading websites.

Trairat said the agency also has the names of 400 suspects.

He urged people to be careful with suspicious text messages and not rush to open the attached links. He also urged people not to provide their personal information or engage in financial transactions via these links.

People who receive scam text messages or phone calls can take a screenshot or record the conversation before calling the NBTC 1200 hotline or the call centre of their mobile service provider.

Related news:

• Beware of duplicate websites, warns minister, as 2 Thais fall for online Bitcoin scam
• Police crack down on online loan scammers
• Banks have returned cash to victims of wily credit/debit card scam

Published : December 24, 2021

By : THE NATION