The government is buying 3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to be administered to children aged six months to under five years old, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday.
Anutin said the 3 million doses of Pfizer’s magenta cap vaccine will be delivered from the fourth quarter of 2022.
Anutin expected the contract signing to take place soon, adding that delivery of this lot of vaccine would take less time compared to previous lots as the Department of Disease Control has a standing order with Pfizer, already approved by the Cabinet.
“This time, we are just adding a new type of vaccine for small children to the total order, so we should be able to use the vaccine from October onwards,” he said.
Pfizer’s vaccine for children under five must be administered at 10 micrograms per dose for the first two jabs, three weeks apart. The booster shot will be 3mcg per dose, eight weeks after the second jab.
As of September 6, Thailand has given over 142.89 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine — 57.27 million doses of first jab covering 82.3 per cent of the population; 53.74 million second jabs (77.3 per cent), and 31.88 million third jabs and more (45.8 per cent).
All Bangkok police stations were ordered on full alert to rescue motorists who might become stranded on flooded roads in the capital on Wednesday evening.
National Police deputy chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapha said Police commissioner-general Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk had instructed all stations to be vigilant for possible heavy downpours in the evening.
The urgent instructions came after the Meteorological Department warned that Wednesday evening could see heavy rains and floods amid a strong monsoon.
Officials expect traffic chaos in the evening – similar to
the jams on Wednesday morning – after several areas in Bangkok were hit by floods following heavy downpours since Tuesday evening and late into the night.
Many roads were cut off due to high water levels, causing drivers to abandon their cars on the streets and wait out until the flood subsided. Heavy traffic congestion was also reported in several areas on Tuesday as people rushed home from work.
Damrongsak said all police stations were told to prepare contingency plans in case vehicles break down in the middle of roads because of flooding.
He said Acting Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan voiced concern about problems faced by motorists so he instructed the Royal Thai Police to come up with measures to help drivers who might get trapped on inundated roads throughout the rainy season.
Overnight downpours triggered a run-off in the Muang district of Rayong province that hit and trapped a song-thaew truck on a road, leading to a tense but successful mission in rescuing 15 students.
In another incident soon after, a school van was half-submerged in a flash flood on a road, also in Muang district, but all students were safely evacuated.
The first incident happened at 7am on the Sanak Thong-Krached Road in front of the police station in Moo 1 village of Tambon Samnak Thong in Muang district.
Pol Sub-Lt Songserm Sirisuwan, deputy inspector of the police station, was alerted to the incident at 7am. He immediately dispatched police officers and also called for help from the Sawang Porn Kusol rescue foundation.
The four-wheel truck was modified as a vehicle for transporting students with two rows of long benches. The truck was transporting 15 students to Srinakharin School in the tambon.
When the truck arrived at the spot, a run-off swept across and hit the truck, bringing it to a halt. A student tried to get down to flee but he was dragged away by the strong current. Fortunately, a police officer managed to grab him before he was swept away.
While the truck was trapped in the middle of strong currents, the water level rose fast to the middle of the truck’s height.
While trying to evacuate the students, officials tied the truck with ropes to a power pole.
Officials found it too difficult to wade through the strong current to evacuate the students, so they waited an hour for the water to subside. Rescue officials then took turns walking along the rope to rescue the students one by one.
Songserm said the flash flood was very strong and high and the water rose very fast apparently because the road is located next to a canal.
He added that several houses on the canal’s banks were also inundated.
A witness, Saneh Samnakpraisont, 64, said he saw the truck driving amid heavy rains in the middle of the road before it was suddenly hit by a run-off, causing it to lose control. It washed away some distance before the driver managed to stop it.
Saneh said the areas were hit by heavy rains throughout the night until the morning.
Police also reported that a school van was inundated on Sukhumvit Road in Tambon Tapong in Muang district while driving students to the Taksin Secondary School. Police said all students were safely evacuated from the van.
The Cabinet has approved a Natural Resources and Environment Ministry proposal to name the helmeted hornbill as Thailand’s 20th reserved wildlife species on Tuesday.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said the approval came as the rare bird was now at risk of extinction.
“No more than 100 helmeted hornbills exist in nature. They are at risk of being hunted due to their cheekbones, which are as beautiful as elephant tusks,” the department explained.
The helmeted hornbill is one of 13 hornbill species found in Thailand. These hornbills have been spotted in Narathiwat’s Budo-Su-Ngai Padi National Park and Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, and Surat Thani’s Klong Seang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Up to 19 animals – 14 mammals, three birds, one reptile and a fish species – have been listed as reserved under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act BE 2562 (2019).
Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure: Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei will allow tourists to visit and stay overnight from October 1 this year to May 31 next year.
According to the national park’s Facebook page, interested tourists must make a reservation to enter the venue via the QueQ application up to 60 days in advance.
Tourists are required to pay service fees at the park’s checkpoint 1. They can park their vehicles at checkpoint 2, contact lodges and/or camps at the Sithan visitor centre, and hire a luggage carrier at terminal 4.
Tourists can ascend the Phu Kradueng mountain peak from 6am to 1pm on weekdays and 5.30am to 1pm on weekends and holidays.
To contain the spread of Covid-19, all visitors must wear face masks in crowded places.
For more information, contact Phu Kradueng National Park via 042810833 or 042810834.
A Cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved a move to fully utilise the land owned by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), said government spokeswoman Traisulee Taisaranakul on Tuesday.
Under the plan, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) will rent a piece of land totalling 466 square wah (1,867 square metres) from the MRTA at the rate of 124,290 baht per month.
The land is part of the 160-rai train depot in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district.
SAT will use a budget of 33.5 million baht to build a sport centre for youths from surrounding communities, comprising a playground and courts. The authority will also be responsible for all land and building taxes, as well as making sure the construction and the centre itself do not interfere with MRTA infrastructure.
Traisulee said the rental contract has no time limit, but SAT must return the land to the MRTA if the latter wants to use it to expand train system operations.
People across Thailand have been warned of possible flash floods and runoffs due to heavy rains on Wednesday.
The Thai Meteorological Department said abundant showers are likely across the country and isolated heavy to very heavy rains are possible in the North, the Northeast, the Central region, the East and the South, including Bangkok and its vicinity.
“People should beware of heavy rains and rain water accumulation that may cause flash floods and overflows, especially along the foothills near waterways and lowlands,” the department warned.
It also forecast strong winds and high waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf, saying waves could be 2-3 metres high and above 3 metres during thundershowers.
“All ships must proceed with caution, while small boats should keep ashore until Friday [September 9],” the department added.
Here’s the 24-hour weather forecast for different regions:
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rains.
North: Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Phrae, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.
Northeast: Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani.
Central: Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon.
East: Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat; waves 2-3 metres high and above 3 metres during thundershowers.
South (east coast): Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani. For Surat Thani and upwards waves about 2 metres high and above 2 metres during thundershowers; for Nakhon Si Thammarat and southwards waves 1-2 metres high and above 2 metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket and Krabi; Phuket upwards waves 2-3 metres high and above 3 metres during thundershowers; Krabi downwards waves about 2 metres high and above 2 metres during thundershowers.
A cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved in principle a draft of the Trial Procedures for Traffic Cases Act, with the aim to set up a specific justice division to process traffic cases instead of going through criminal trials, deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said on Tuesday.
The act also aims to allow the court to try traffic law violators without the police having to issue a ticket first in such violations as running a red light or speeding over the limit, she added.
Ratchada said the draft is in response to increasing traffic law violations, mostly due to motorists lacking understanding and discipline on the roads.
“Some motorists are not afraid of the legal punishment for traffic violations as the current law enforcement is not efficient enough,” she said.
“Many tickets have been issued but only a few people have actually paid the fine as there were no specific procedures for when violators oppose the charges or ignore the fine.”
Ratchada pointed out that currently if a violator ignores a traffic ticket, officials need to file a criminal case, which usually takes a long time to process.
The draft divides traffic cases into three categories and designates different trial procedures for each.
One is traffic violations with specific punishment, such as driving without a licence or during licence suspension, running red lights and exceeding the speed limit. Under the new act, violators of these laws will not be issued a ticket or fined by police, they will instead be ordered to report to the investigation officer, who will schedule a court hearing.
Another category covers violations of the Motor Vehicle Act, Land Transport Act, or Highway Act, excluding violations that result in damage to other people or property. Police will fine violators of these laws, or have the investigation officer schedule a court hearing in case they oppose the charge or refuse to pay the fine.
The third category comprises other serious offences not included in the previous two categories, such as driving under the influence, in which violators will be tried under criminal procedures.
The Trial Procedures for Traffic Cases Act also allows the court to impose additional punishment beside the punishment stipulated in each law, to be implemented on a case-by-case basis, such as suspending or revoking a driver’s licence, making violators perform community service, or making them undergo traffic law training, Ratchada added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Department of European Affairs, in collaboration with King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand, organized the “EV Hackathon: Future EV Mobility Creative Contest for Sustainability #EV4Sustain” on August 27-28 2022 in celebration of the 160th anniversary of the establishment of Thai-German diplomatic relations.
The competition was in line with the theme of the 160th Thai-German anniversary – “Partners for Sustainable Growth” and in support of the electric vehicle industries which is one of the trending approaches to cope with present global challenges such as energy, pollution and climate change issues.
Moreover, the competition presents a great opportunity for stakeholders and new generation in Thailand to acquire knowledge and modern technology in electric vehicles from the German side, furthering Thailand’s capability to be an EV production hub in Asia. The constructive and creative ideas from the contestants also promote the 30@30 policy of Thailand which aims to reach 30 percent of total EV car production by 2030.
The EV Hackathon received much attention from Thai and foreign students from various institutions. A total of 103 teams with 3 students per team (309 students) participated in the online training sessions. The teams then presented their ideas online during the elimitation round. 16 teams made it to the semi-finals, and after another round of presentations, 8 teams were selected for the grand final.
On August 27, during 21 hours of hackathon competition at the KMUTNB, the 8 finalist teams had brainstormed, while receiving guidance from 8 EV-related experts, to find solutions to the given problem on “Invent solution of sustainability in Bangkok Metropolis with EV Mobility Technology”.
The winners are as follows;
– The grand prize winner: Team ACDC from Chulalongkorn University.
The team’s solution involved the conversion of Thailand’s mini public transportation mobility called Krapor Car into Electric Krapor Car together with the Artificial Intelligence computing to find the shortest route to transfer passengers from small Sois or alleys to the destination or skytrain station. This solution aims to alleviate the traffic issues within Bangkok’s high density or Superblock areas.
– The first-runner up: Team PorMayJedai from King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok.
The team proposed the connection of KMUTNB and Skytrian station via E-Shuttle Bus and E-Scooter rental services by using mobile application to manage the reservation and rental E-Scooter.
– The second-runner up: Team Bangmod representative from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.
The team showcased the electric motocycle rental service for people who live in the Superblock areas around the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.
– The honorable-mentioned 5 teams: Team Thunder EV from Chulalongkorn University, Team EVT-028 from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Team Wagen Toretto from Chulalongkorn University, Team KUXEV from Kasetsart University, and Team CHARGEGEN from Chulalongkorn University.
In addition to receiving the award plaques and certificates for the top 3 teams, and certificates for the 5 honorable-mention teams, all 8 finalist teams received cash prizes as educational fund from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KMUTNB as follows: the grand-prize team received 100,000 baht, the first-runner up 50,000 baht, the second-runner up 25,000 baht, and honorable mention teams 15,000 baht each.
Keys to the competition’s success came from relevant stakeholders’ directives in pushing forward Thailand’s proficiency in EV innovation, as well as reflecting the commitment of Thailand and Germany to sustainably advancing the automotive industry with clean energy.
Ultimately, the competition’s success was made possible by not only the trilateral partnership of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KMUTNB, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand, as well as the nation-wide enthusiam of the participants, but also by the acknowledgment and participation of stakeholders from academic, public and private sectors such as Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT), KMUTNB ALUMNI Association, PORSCHE (Thailand) Ltd., Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Covestro (Thailand) Co. Ltd., BMW (Thailand) Co., Ltd., B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, Robert Bosch Ltd., Symphony Communication Public Company Limited, QTC Energy Public Co., Ltd., Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, Mercedes Benz (Thailand), Ltd., SCG Foundation, LAMY (Thailand), TUV RHEINLAND (THAILAND) CO., LTD., and SIEMENS Ltd.
Several areas in Bangkok have been hit by floods after heavy downpours since Tuesday evening and late into the night.
Many roads were cut off due to high water levels, causing drivers to abandon their cars on the streets and wait out until the flood subsided. Heavy traffic congestion has also been reported in several areas as people rushed home after work.
The 21st Signal Battalion of the First Army Area dispatched four-wheeler trucks to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat BTS station to pick up people who were stranded at the station due to high floodwater and drop them off at the entrance of sois on Ram Inthra and Chaeng Watthana roads.
On Tuesday the Thai Meteorological Department forecast that many parts of the country may be hit by flash floods until Friday due to an active monsoon trough covering the lower North and the Northeast, while a southwest monsoon trough prevails over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and other parts of the country.
The department expects more rain across Thailand, with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the North, the Northeast, the East, the South and the Central region, including Greater Bangkok.
When the truck arrived at the spot, a run-off swept across and hit the truck, bringing it to a halt. A student tried to get down to flee but he was dragged away by the strong current. Fortunately, a police officer managed to grab him before he was swept away.
Police also reported that a school van was inundated on Sukhumvit Road in Tambon Tapong in Muang district while driving students to the Taksin Secondary School. Police said all students were safely evacuated from the van.
