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Thailand seeks urgent changes to laws in reconciliation, reform
Prime
Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired the National Reform, Strategy and
Reconciliation Commission (RSRC) meeting.
The government has decided to adjust its approach to
national reconciliation and reform, in light of current circumstances, and
is now looking to adapt laws towards achieving greater efficacy and to open
the way to careers by public members.
A meeting of the National Reform, Strategy and
Reconciliation Commission (RSRC), chaired by Prime Minister and Defense
Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has acknowledged reports by its
sub-committees while encouraging relevant units. The body established a
committee to urgently reform laws needed to drive national reform, replacing
14 other committees. The focus of the new body is to do away with laws that
hinder the careers of citizens while integrating data from the National
Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Office of the Public Sector
Anti-Corruption Commission, so as to expedite their work. Principles for the
reform of education concerning an improvement in primary school curricula,
were also approved.
The Prime Minister emphasized that laws should be
changed according to current circumstances and that the public should be
made to understand national strategies so that they can contribute to
progress.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, said
that the meeting didn’t touch on the subject of amnesty but reminded
citizens that reconciliation is a definite goal of the government. He
elaborated that it has yet to be decided if reconciliation can be achieved
through inter-party talks or not. (NNT)
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Vietnam hosts 36th ASEAN Summit remotely
The 36th
ASEAN Summit, being hosted by Vietnam from June 22 to 26, 2020, will take
place via teleconference in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has
indicated that the 36th ASEAN Summit will be the first ever to take place
via teleconference, with Vietnam to host the remote gathering, set to focus
on handling regional public health issues and funding to cope with COVID-19.
The Director-General of the Department of Information,
and spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cherdkiat Atthakor,
accompanied by the Deputy Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department,
Usana Peeranon, announced that the 36th ASEAN Summit, being hosted by
Vietnam from June 22 to 26, 2020, will take place via teleconference in
light of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Vietnam, as the ASEAN Chair, is to emphasize unity in
the region to respond to current challenges, and it is expected that ASEAN
leaders will discuss cooperation on public health, and draft a plan for post
COVID-19 rehabilitation. Other topics to be considered include human and
food security and women’s rights, so as to support economic growth. These
issues are expected to result in agreements, along with the signing of
documents on the development of labor potential.
The ASEAN fund for COVID-19 elimination, proposed by
Thailand during a special summit of the bloc, has so far received approval
from all member countries and several partners and is expected to be
ratified by the upcoming summit so that funds can begin to be disbursed. (NNT)
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
%20situation%20in%20Thailand%201.jpg)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
situation in Thailand as of 21 June 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
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Thailand in final process of reopening entertainment venues, pubs and bars
General
Nattapol Nakpanich, Deputy Army Chief held discussions with the
entertainment venue operators at the Office of the Civil Service Commission.
The Deputy Army Chief has held
discussions with entertainment venue operators such as pub and bar owners,
to seek their assistance in the potential reopening of this group of
business. The discussions’ conclusion will be proposed to the Center for the
COVID19 Situation’s Administration (CCSA) committee for further
consideration.
General Nattapol Nakpanich, Deputy Army Chief as chair
of an ad hoc committee within CCSA, was tasked with considering the
relaxation of lockdown restrictions, and held discussions with a
representative of the entertainment venue operators at the Office of the
Civil Service Commission. General Nattapol. He said later he had talked with
the president of the Khaosan Road Business Association which is asking the
government to allow entertainment business to reopen.
The outcome of the meeting with the president will be
handed to Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s
committee.
In order to allow the businesses to reopen, the
committee must first consider the social necessity and the risks associated
with a reopening of these business. There are many factors involved, such as
the entertainment venues’ preparations, customers, and the readiness of
authorities responsible for entertainment venues to act. General Nattapol
accepted that the CCSA is not able to oversee every venue.
Mr.Sanga Ruangwattanakul, the president of the Khaosan
Road Business Association said that every business operator recognizes the
CCSA’s performance in preventing the COVID-19 virus spreading throughout the
country. However, If the government is not going to allow their businesses
to reopen, many part-time workers and musicians will not be able to afford
the cost of living. So, the association has requested that the government
launch a concrete policy of support. (NNT)
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Thailand ‘travel bubble’ not for tourists, but for economy stimulation visitors
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the
Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
The ‘travel bubble’ idea to receive visitors from pandemic-curbing countries
will not include general tourists, a government spokesman said.
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for
COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), announced the exclusion of general
tourists from the ‘travel bubble’ in response to the concerns that the
travel bubble scheme would lead to the new spread of COVID-19.
He said that the travel bubble idea had not been
finalized but it was clear that it would not allow hundreds of thousands of
foreigners to pay visits per year.
It targeted the visitors who would stimulate the
economy, including businesspeople, skilled workers, mechanical experts,
foreign patients, teachers of international schools and work permit seekers.
“About 20,000 people have registered to pay visits.
They are not tourists. They will be considered first. I believe that if
20,000-30,000 people are to arrive, they can be allowed in and handled,” Dr
Taweesin said. CCSA officials were studying their profiles, he said.
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Thai aquatic animals safe from Covid-19
According to epidemiology
reports, there is no scientific evidence that the Covid-19 can infect
aquatic food animals, which are cold blooded and fish that breathe
through gills.
The Department of Fisheries said it strictly
controlled contamination of both exported and imported aquatic food
animals and aquaculture products, so they are safe to eat and free of
Covid-19 contamination.
Following reports that traces of the virus was
discovered on a cutting board used for imported salmon in a huge
wholesale food market in Beijing, the department’s director-general
Meesak Pakdeekong said Thai aquatic products were free of the
coronavirus contamination.
Thai aquatic products are made under good hygiene
practices. Fishing vessels are required to pass hygiene standard and
fish farming must adopt good agriculture practice.
Random checks are conducted on aquatic products at
fresh markets by the public health ministry and the interior ministry.
Markets, selling food must register with the authorities and pass
inspection by the public health ministry, he said.
Aquatic products for export are under quality
control throughout the supply chain from raw materials, brought into
processing factories. Disease control measures are implemented in the
factories such as body temperature checks on staff, social distancing
and frequent disinfection around the premises.
Moreover, the director said Thailand did not import
salmon from China for eating as raw food but it was imported for
processing and exporting under manufacturing processes compliant with
international standards.
He said according to epidemiology reports, there is
no scientific evidence that the Covid-19 can infect aquatic food
animals, which are cold blooded and fish that breathe through gills.
COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets.
The World Organization for Animal Health reported the virus was found in
warm blooded animals like bats, cats and dogs, he added. (TNA)
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Thailand aims domestic industrial components revival via ‘New Normal’ list of subsidies
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (right), FTI
chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree (left).
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha discussed his idea of New Normal national
administration with representatives of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)
and received a positive response from the latter.
Gen Prayut met FTI’s executives including its chairman
Supant Mongkolsuthree to discuss the ‘New Normal’ way of Thai industrial
development amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The prime minister said that the government was trying
to solve long-term problems and relieve the impacts of COVID-19. It issued
compensation and rehabilitation measures including reduction in the fees of
electricity, land ownership transfers, property mortgages. It also cuts the
contributions of employers and employees to the Social Security Fund to
sustain employment and supports operators in accessing finance from
state-run financial institutions including the Bank of Thailand.
“Now it is the New Normal way of work seeing
cooperation among the government, the private sector and people. Problems
and obstacles are reduced and transparency is emphasized. It is a truly new
chapter of work for Thailand,” the prime minister said.
FTI chairman Supant said he was impressed with Gen
Prayut’s announcement on the New Normal work and direct and straightforward
talks with the private sector.
Thailand was changing the COVID-19 crisis into
opportunities after its internationally recognized achievement in
controlling the disease, he said.
Thailand would become an interest destination for
investors and tourists in the Post COVID-19 era, Mr Supant said. (TNA)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met FTI’s
executives to discuss the ‘New Normal’ way of Thai industrial development
amid the pandemic.
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Thai police destroy street racers illegal exhaust pipes with road roller
Illegally
modified exhaust pipes have been confiscated from street racers in Samut
Songkhram province and destroyed with road roller.
Thai police use a road roller to
destroy over 500 illegal exhaust pipes seized from street racers’
motorcycles.
The illegally modified exhaust pipes have been
confiscated from street racers in Samut Songkhram province, adjacent to the
west of Bangkok.
It is a warning to street riders who have returned on
the roads after the COVID-19 curfew has been lifted.
The Royal Thai Police has issued an official warning
against illegal street racing as the government has said it would re-impose
night-time curfew if people fail to respect the law.
Several complaints have been filed against street
racers for creating public nuisance and gathering for illegal street racing.
Besides heavy fines, the juvenile offender’s parents
are notified and face prosecution for violating Child Protection Law. (TNA)
The
government has warned that there is a possibility of night-time curfew
reactivation if people fail to respect the law.
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Thai PM 3 New Normal ways of working for himself and the government in a landmark change
Prime
Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on
announced 3 New Normal ways of working for himself and the government,
promising a landmark change in the way that he and the government works and
which are designed to harness the capabilities of a broad cross-section of
society and as well as the knowledge of those directly involved in various
sectors of the economy and civil society.
He said, “The Thai spirit of collaboration was the key
to Thailand becoming one of the most successful countries in the world at
managing the Covid-19 public health crisis,” and that the “government and
the country should work as if there was a crisis every day so that we can
move further and faster to improve the lives of people, just as we did
during the Covid-19 crisis.”
Gen Prayut said that based on the success model of the
government’s management of the Covid-19 public health crisis he will lead by
example and adopt three New Normals in the way that both he and the
government work in the post-Covid world in order to accelerate the
development of Thailand.
1. NEW NORMAL 1: Greater direct involvement of all
sectors in the government’s planning to build a greater Thailand. He will
invite representatives from all sectors to present their recommendations to
accelerate Thailand’s progress under a programme called ‘Thais Together
Build Thailand’. He believes in mobilizing a wider pool of talent in
Thailand to help the nation’s development, and in taking direct input from
people who live the realities of their sectors.
2. NEW NORMAL 2: He will make it easier for
stakeholders to feedback to the highest levels of government their
evaluation of the efficacy of government projects and any need for
adjustment or improvement.
3. NEW NORMAL 3: He will take a very close interest in
a select number of ministry projects that he believes are of the utmost
priority for citizens and champion them for quick and effective
implementation.
“Everyone in the world is adjusting the way they work
as a result of Covid-19 and that the government must do so, also.” (Thaigov.go.th)
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Frenchman, Thai friend applauded for beach cleanups in Krabi
Nathan Sorin and Sirawit Chanchota have been
collecting plastic waste at tourist sites in Krabi province.
A Frenchman and his Thai friend have
been applauded for collecting garbage off beaches in the southern Krabi
province during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The 24-year-old student, Nathan Sorin, has taken an
internship at a hotel in Krabi for nearly a year. He and his friend,
Sirawit Chanchota, have been collecting plastic waste at tourist sites in
the past two months.
Krabi Governor Kitibhodi rawit on Thursday presented
the two men certificates of recognition.
The Governor said the Krabi administration lauded the
two men’s volunteerism and awareness on environment conservation that
deserved public recognition.
Sorin said while doing the internship he had fallen in
love with the nature that southern Thai province had to offer.
After finishing the internship in a week time, he
planned to raise fund in his home country to help cleaning up beaches and
marine parks in Thailand. (TNA)
Krabi Governor, Kitibhodi Prawit on Thursday
presented Sirawit Chanchota and Nathan Sorin certificates of recognition.
Sirawit Chanchota and Nathan Sorin.
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Chiang Mai tourism businesses offer special discounts for visitors
Tourism-related businesses operators in Chiang
Mai cooperated in an effort to kick start the tourism industry.
Tourism and service businesses in Chiang Mai offer special discounts for
customers to boost their revenues after the COVID-19 lockdown.
Operators of tourism-related businesses in the northern
city of Thailand join hands in an effort to kick start the tourism industry.
They joined a tourism promotion event at the famous
ThaPae ancient gate to signify their new start.
Chiang Mai Governor Charoenrit Sa-nguansat presided
over the event intended also to boost morale of business operators.
Available for potential customers to choose was a wide
range of services from accommodation, food to recreations at discounted
prices.
The tourism industry of Chiang Mai has lost an
estimated 40 billion baht from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the
city’s tourism council. (TNA)
Chiang Mai Governor Charoenrit Sa-nguansat.
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Thailand receives driverless ‘Automated People Movers’ from China for Bangkok route
The
driverless APM from China will serve commuters in the Gold Line route
stopping at three stations - Krung Thonburi, Charoen Nakorn and Klong San in
Bangkok.
Thailand’s first self-driving vehicle,
Bombardier Innovia Automated People Mover (APM) 300 arrived at Laem Chabang
Port in Chonburi on Thursday and will be launched for the Gold Line project,
a new people mover line in Bangkok’s Thonburi in October.
The delivery of the driverless APM system from China
was postponed from April due to the Covid-19 situation. Two more APM trains
will be delivered in August.
Manit Techa-apichoke, President of the Krungthep
Thanakom Co., Ltd. an enterprise under the supervision of Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration said the first phase of the 1.8-km route
comprise three stations - Krung Thonburi, Charoen Nakorn and Klong San and
the overall construction work is now 89 per cent complete.
The fare will be 15 baht for the whole route and it is
expected to serve 42,260 passenger trips per day in the first year of the
operation. Each train has two carriages with a capacity of 138 passengers
each.
Sumit Srisantithum, Chief Operating Officer, Bangkok
Mass Transit System Public Company Limited said the company was hired to
procure APM trains and to run the operation system and maintenance work for
30 years.
The new Gold Line APM route will run pass key tourist
attractions along the Chao Phraya River such as Iconsiam shopping center and
Lhong 1919.
Bombardier Innovia APM 300 is a new-generation
automatic people mover (APM). The driverless rubber-tired APM reduces noise
and vibration levels. It runs at a maximum speed of 80 km/h. (TNA)
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Thailand considers ‘Emergency Decree’ alternative after June 30
Thailand security council and the public health
agencies will be considering alternative legal measures to combat COVID-19
after the State of Emergency comes to end on June 30.
Health and security agencies will consider enforcing
existing laws instead of the Emergency Decree for COVID-19 control, after
the end of the State of Emergency, while the general public is constantly
reminded to continue taking precautionary measures.
The National Security Council (NSC) Secretary General
Gen Somsak Rungsita, has announced after discussions with Deputy Prime
Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, that security and public health agencies will be
considering alternative legal measures to combat COVID-19 after the State of
Emergency comes to end.
The government declared the nationwide State of
Emergency in March in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Initially set for
one month, the State of Emergency has been extended several times with the
current end date at 30 June.
The NSC secretary general said that legal measures to
be taken after the end of the State of Emergency must allow for effective
actions to control the disease, adding that the authorities are considering
the Communicable Diseases Act which is currently active in parallel with the
State of Emergency, as well as other disaster prevention and mitigation
laws.
He said however that the situation in other countries,
including those wary of a second wave such as China, Japan, and Australia
will be considered, along with asking that the general public not let its
guard down, and continue observing precautionary measures.
Gen Somsak has denied any political agenda behind
maintaining the State of Emergency, stressing the need for extraordinary
measures to meet public health concerns, adding that political movements
will not be considered a reason whether or not to extend the State of
Emergency, as political protests are already regulated under other laws
without the need for the Emergency Decree. (NNT)
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Thailand gives away air tickets, trips, hotel rooms, discounts to boost tourism
, 
The government-funding tourism campaign for
general public and health volunteers will kick off in July until October in
cooperation with hotels, tour companies, transport providers, restaurants,
and tourism attractions.
Thai Cabinet approved in principle three 4-month tourism campaigns worth
22.4 billion baht, aimed at kick starting the tourism sector running from
July to October.
The government will be offering tourism packages and
subsidies in three separate campaigns, starting with tourism packages for
Village Health Volunteers and staff at subdistrict health promotion
hospitals, who have worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 outbreak.
To finance this offer, the government will provide a
2.4-billion-baht tourism budget for 1.2 million health volunteers and health
promotion hospital staff, to enable them to take a 2-day, 1-night trip or
longer with a tour company. The budget will provide an allowance up to 2,000
baht for their tour package costs.
As for the general public, the government will provide
40 percent or up to a 3,000-baht allowance for a hotel stay of up to five
nights. Eligible persons will receive up to 600 baht per night allowance on
the government wallet application which can be used to pay for food or
services during their trip.
The government will allot a 10.8-million-baht budget
for this campaign. To receive the allowance, the hotel stay must be in a
province different from the traveler’s registered province of residence.
The government will also provide a transportation
subsidy to 2 million people at 40 percent or no more than 1,000 baht per
person, costing some 2 billion baht. The subsidy is applicable only to
low-cost airline tickets, car rentals, and non-scheduled bus services.
Furthermore, people taking the benefits of the hotel
stay allowance campaign, will also receive an offer of a round-trip air
ticket of 2,500 baht per person.
The government has tasked Krungthai Bank to develop a
central platform to collect information from hotels, tour companies,
transport providers, restaurants, and tourism attractions, while the Tourism
Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will be
announcing more details regarding these offers.(NNT)
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Airlines in Thailand to restart international flights with business travelers and investors
The first
group of passengers to travel internationally is expected to be business
persons and investors due to a quarantine requirement in the destination
country, they will be able to cover the expense themselves.
BANGKOK - To prepare for the
reopening of international flights, The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand
or CAAT invited all airlines with international flight services, to reach a
mutual understanding about observing the new public health measures issued
by The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Representatives of 14 airlines that have international
routes attended the meeting, and were informed by the CAAT committee of
guideline to cope with the COVID-19 risk in the airline business. Many
in-flight services have to be practiced with hygiene concerns. For example,
social distancing, food and beverage services during the flight, body
temperature taking, passengers having to wear masks, and flight attendants
having to wear gloves and a mask when providing services. These practices
will also be implemented on domestic flights.
The Civil
Aviation Authority emphasized that Thai Government’s CCSA is responsible for
a decision to end the ban of international flights this June.
In addition, the committee and airline representatives
also discussed the rescheduling of international flights. The first group of
passengers to travel internationally is expected to be business persons and
investors. Because, if there is a quarantine requirement in the destination
country, these passengers will be able to cover the expense themselves.
Will the end of this June be the end of Thailand’s
international flights ban or not, the CCSA is responsible for a decision in
this matter.(NNT)
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Thai police arrest 19 members of loan shark gang in Surin
Surin Police said the gang lured the borrowers
into the loan business and allegedly charged them with unreal interest rates
and harassed them with seizing properties that they place as collateral.
Nineteen members of the notorious loan sharks gang have been arrested in
Surin for charging over 300 percent interest rate per year from poor
debtors.
The loan sharks gang known as ‘helmet gang’ preys on
people in the northeastern province, making profits from interest and
seizing properties that borrowers place as collateral.
Police said borrowers from three districts had been
harassed by the gang.
After arresting the 19 gang members, police also
confiscated 10 vehicles, dozens of mobile phones, loan contracts and cash
worth around 600,000 baht.
Thai police and law enforcement agencies have tried to
ease the plight of debtors who have fallen victim to loan sharks for years.
In some cases, the debtors settle their debts with
moneylenders while many others get their properties back from loan sharks
who charge higher interest rates.(TNA)
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Thailand ‘travel bubble’ inconclusive, vouchers to revive domestic tourism proposed
Deputy Prime
Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday approved
domestic tourism stimulus measures but it has yet to consider the travel
bubble scheme, said Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The Office of the National Economic and Social
Development Council (NESDC) will consider which method will be used to make
the stimulus measures transparent and worthwhile, Anutin said.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Finance
Ministry proposed the domestic tourism stimulus measures to the Cabinet to
be implemented from July to October in order to revive the tourism sector,
hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
These measures include allocation of tourism vouchers
for room, restaurants, spas and souvenirs to online registrants and offering
free trips for medical personnel through local tour operators.
Regarding the planned resumption of international
tourism under the travel bubble scheme, Anutin said it was not raised at the
Cabinet meeting on Tuesday as more details in many areas needed to be
considered in forming travel bubbles with other countries.
It will be done quickly, given public health and safety
as the priority concerns.
The conclusion will be then forwarded to the Center for
Covid-19 Situation Administration for consideration. (TNA)
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UN Resident Coordinator meets Thailand House Speaker
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Gita
Sabharwal joined an introductory meeting with House Speaker Chuan Leeekpai
at Parliament on Tuesday.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator has met
Thailand House Speaker, discussing the COVID-19 pandemic and sustainable
development.
Gita Sabharwal, who was appointed Resident Coordinator
in January, held an introductory meeting with House Speaker Chuan Leeekpai
at Parliament on Tuesday.
Ms. Sabharwal expressed her commitment to support
Thailand to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She discussed with Mr. Chuan Thailand’s efforts to
contain the coronavirus after presenting him ‘Know Covid’ comic book.
Sabharwal who has over two decades of experience in
peacebuilding and social policy is the highest-ranking representative of the
UN in Thailand. (TNA)
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Gita
Sabharwal.
Airlines in Thailand preparing to resume international flights
A proposal of business trips and tourists from
low-risk countries was discussed in the conference for commencement of
inbound flights.
Thai aviation authorities have held talk with
commercial airlines about resuming international flights.
Thailand has allowed only domestic flights to resume
since May 1. Currently, there are about 17,000 daily passengers at two
major airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on
Tuesday met with airline representatives discussing preparations to resume
operations as well as details of aviation and health safety measures.
It has been proposed that business trips and tourists
from low-risk countries should be allowed.
All airports in Thailand have now been reopened. Phuket
International Airport was the latest airport that resumed its regular
operations on June 13.
In the meeting, the CAAT authorities informed Airlines
about social distancing seating arrangements and special guidelines for
inflight food services. (TNA)
The CAAT officials met with
airline representatives discussing preparations to resume operations and
health safety measures.
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Rare crab found on Maya Bay beach in Krabi, southern Thailand
Park rangers said the hairy leg mountain crab or
‘Pu Kai’ reappeared on Maya Bay beach after decades.
A rare species of crab has been found at the
world-famous Maya Bay that has been closed to tourists for nearly two years.
The hairy leg mountain crab or ‘Pu Kai’ in Thai
appeared on Maya Bay beach, which is a part of Hat Nopparat Thara - Mu Koh
Phi Phi National Park, Krabi province.
It was the first time Pu Kai was spotted in decades,
said park rangers who captured the images of the rare crab on Monday.
The 10-centimeter wide crab was feeding on morning
glory planted on the beach by park rangers.
Maya Bay has been closed since July 1, 2018, in order
to stop overcrowding and restore the environment.
The reappearance of Pu Kai brought excitement to the
conservationist as it indicates rehabilitated marine ecology. (TNA)
Thailand local elections to be held this year as planned
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha vows to hold local elections as planned
this year despite the ongoing COVID-19.
Some government officials have suggested that local
elections including Bangkok gubernatorial poll might be postponed in order
to not affect the COVID-19 prevention measures.
Gen Prayut, however, told reporters on Monday that
local elections would go ahead this year as planned.
The government would have to discuss in details with
the Interior Ministry and the Election Commission, he said.
Many fear that the coronavirus pandemic could cause
delays of polls since the local governments and related agencies may have to
divert funds to fight the virus. (TNA)
Pattaya beach town still quiet as ban continues for international flights
It will be a long way for Pattaya to recover as
international flights are still banned.
Almost all businesses in Thailand reopen as the country begins the fourth
phase of easing the COVID-19 lockdown.
Under the reopening measure, 95 percent of businesses
as well as international schools, exhibition halls, and sports venues are
allowed to reopen.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)
which approved the reopening measure last Friday also decided to lift the
night curfew effective on Monday.
Thailand’s COVID-19 prevention efforts have now focused
on travel control as all new Covid-19 patients in recent days have been
returnees from abroad.
Some high-risk activities, such as interprovincial
travelling, school and sports activities, are allowed to resume. But
international borders are still closed; only essential goods are allowed to
cross the border into the country.
On the first night that the curfew was repealed,
tourism scene of Pattaya beach town was still quiet. It will be a long way
for Pattaya to recover as international flights are still banned. Under the
easing, bars, pubs, karaoke bars, and beer halls are not allowed to reopen.
In the north, Chiang Mai Zoo reopened its doors to
visitors after a three-month closure. It offers free admission to all
visitors until the end of June. However, the number of visitors is limited
to 2,000 a day. (TNA)
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration
(CCSA) approved the reopening of businesses and lifted the night curfew
effective on Monday June 15.
Chiang Mai
Zoo reopened its doors to visitors after a three-month closure with offers
of free admission to all visitors until the end of June.
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Thailand starts to test bats for Coronavirus
Tests on
local horseshoe bats were required as there were reports that COVID-19 in
humans was similar to the virus found in horseshoe bats in China.
Veterinarians and academics caught
horseshoe bats in a deep forest cave of the eastern province of Chanthaburi
to test them for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as such bats in
China were found infected with it.
There are as many as 23 species of horseshoe bats in
Thailand and they had never been tested for the virus.
Officials of the Emerging Infectious Disease Health
Science Center of the Thai Red Cross Society and the Khao Soi Dao Wildlife
Sanctuary caught over 100 horseshoe bats in Tham Sador cave in Thab Sai
sub-district of Pong Nam Ron district from 6pm on June 11 to 3am on the
following day for subsequent tests of their blood, saliva and droppings for
COVID-19.
Dr Supaporn Wacharapluesadee of the center said tests
on local horseshoe bats were necessary because there were reports that
COVID-19 in humans was similar to the virus found in horseshoe bats in China
and there were as many as 23 horseshoe bat species in Thailand.
According to her, the tests will be conducted on all
horseshoe bat species in the country and there had never been a research on
diseases in horseshoe bats in Thailand.
Researchers are studying the migration and feeding
routes of bats, especially horseshoe bats, to prevent epidemics from bats in
the future. (TNA)
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Whale Shark spotted at Koh Tao, island in the Gulf of Thailand
Scuba diving coach found this 3 to 4-meter long
whale shark 18 meters down in the gulf near Koh Tao, swimming with a school
of Black kingfish.
The great variety of ocean resources is growing ever more abundant in the
Gulf of Thailand as human activities normally exploiting the sealife, were
paused during the COVID-19 outbreak. On Sunday, at Koh Tao in Surat Thani
province, scuba divers came across a 3 to 4-meter long whale shark, swimming
around the Hinbai diving spot. The impressive whale shark is the second such
shark found near Koh Tao, Surat Thani province recently.
The footage was captured by a scuba diving coach near
Koh Tao. The diver found this whale shark 18 meters down in the gulf,
swimming with a school of Black kingfish. The whale shark, possibly 4 meters
long, was called DOT as it had many spots on its body.
Hinbai or Sail Rock diving spot is one of the most
popular diving locations in the Gulf of Thailand. It is a large pile of
rocks that reaches 15 meters above sea level, at a spot where Gulf waters
are 9 - 30 meters deep. The diving spot regularly attracts rare sea
creatures such as the whale shark and giant grouper.
Another time, a group of divers also found a whale
shark near Green Rock diving spot, that is also located near Koh Tao. It was
4 - 6 meters long and was found at a depth of 16 meters.
Both discoveries of whale sharks reflect the abundance
of natural resources near Koh Tao; the Whale Shark is also 1 of 4 protected
sea creatures, as it is believed to be nearly extinct, making such sightings
a cause for celebration among divers. (NNT)
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
%20situation%20in%20Thailand.jpg)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand as of 14
June 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
%20situation%20in%20Thailand%202.jpg)
Thailand has no local transmission of COVID-19 for 19 days, ranked No.1 in Asia in recovery
Thailand has not reported local transmission of
COVID-19 for 19 consecutive days and is ranked second place in recovering
from COVID-19, after Australia, and is ranked No.1 in Asia.
Regarding Saturday COVID-19 situation in Thailand, five new COVID-19 cases
were confirmed and they were detected from the international disease control
port at the airport. This brought the total number of cases to 3,134. There
were no reports of new recovered cases as the total number of recovered
cases remained at 2,987 (95.31% of the total number of the confirmed cases).
85 were being treated in hospitals (2.84% of the total number of confirmed
cases).
The total number of deaths remained at 58 as there were
no reports of COVID-19 deaths on Saturday June 13.From the report of the 5
new confirmed cases, all were male students, ages 21-26 years old who
returned from Saudi Arabia. They were identified as patients under
investigation (PUI) from screening at the international disease control port
at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Their samples were collected and their
laboratory results were positive for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
The situation in Thailand has recently found only
confirmed cases who returned from abroad and they all were being observed
under state quarantine supported by the government. Thailand has not
reported local transmission of COVID-19 for 19 consecutive days.
The Global Advisory Council under collaboration from
the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia and
Sunway group has made a ranking of 184 countries for the recovery from the
COVID-19 outbreak, called the Global COVID-19 Index (GCI). On 11 June 2020,
they reported that Thailand is ranked second place in recovering from
COVID-19, after Australia, and is ranked No.1 in Asia.
The GCI uses key dynamic parameters including confirmed
cases per population, the proportionate death rate due to COVID-19, and
Global Health Security Index (GHS) to assess the country’s capacity
readiness with the COVID-19 outbreak. Even as Thailand has eased the
restrictions, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) encourages people to keep
your guard up by regularly wearing a face mask/cloth mask when leaving the
residence, washing your hands frequently, and keeping 1-2 meters of space
between others, avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean
hands.
If you wear a face shield, you must wear it together
with a face mask/cloth mask to prevent the possible spread. Moreover, avoid
gathering or visiting crowded places. Limit the time of services used in
each place to be as short as possible to reduce the risk of exposure.
Lastly, use the entry-exit registration by the “Thai Cha Na'' digital
platform to ensure the safety and standard of public places. (ddc.moph.go.th)
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Thailand vaccine development shows promise
Dr. Kiat Ruxrungtham, director of Chulalongkorn
University’s coronavirus vaccine development team.
BANGKOK-Since scientists from the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn
University, gave a COVID-19 vaccine candidate to monkeys on May 23, 2020,
the results look promising, as the vaccine generated an immune response in
four out of five monkeys that received the first doses.
Dr. Kiat Ruxrungtham, director of Chulalongkorn
University’s coronavirus vaccine development team, said the team used a
DNA-based vaccine, an mRNA-based vaccine and a protein-based vaccine.
Initially, they were tested on mice. The mRNA-based vaccine was administered
to monkeys. The team cannot draw any conclusions yet, but the vaccine
appeared to stimulate an immune response in most of the monkeys.
The team will have to wait for two weeks before the
second doses are administered. If all the monkeys develop an immune
response, the trial will be an initial success. The vaccine will then be
delivered to the United States and Canada for production. They will produce
some 10,000 doses, which will be tested on 5,000 human volunteers. If the
results are good, the vaccine can then be mass produced. (NNT)
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Thailand among countries recovering best from COVID-19 epidemic
Prime
Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked all Thai people for their discipline,
strength, patience and effort to prevent the spread of the viral epidemic.
BANGKOK-The Prime Minister has
thanked all Thai people for their contribution to the fight against
COVID-19, saying that have helped place Thailand second among countries
recovering best from the COVID-19 epidemic.
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked all Thai
people for their discipline, strength, patience and effort to prevent the
spread of the viral epidemic, that helped Thailand rank as the best placed
country to have recovered from COVID-19 in Asia, and rank second among 184
countries recovering successfully from COVID-19 worldwide. The rankings were
conducted on June 11 by PEMADU Associates in cooperation with the Ministry
of Science and Innovation (MOSTI) of Malaysia and the Sunway group, which
used a big data analysis system to find out how well each country had
responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To decide rankings, 70 percent of the score was
assessed from the drive and changes of the daily situation based on the
number of patients under treatment; the rate of cured patients per number of
patients; the number of tests per confirmed patients and the number of tests
per population of the whole country, while another 30 percent was based on
statistical data collected from the Global Health Security (GHS) Index and
from the ranking results above. The government is well aware that what was
socially necessary during the COVID-19 epidemic was often difficult for the
people but all parties cooperated very well, enabling Thailand to overcome
the crisis. (NNT)
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Thailand reports zero new Covid-19 case, 80 in treatment at hospitals
Dr. Panprapa Yongtrakul, assistant spokesperson
of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.
BANGKOK – Thailand recorded zero new cases of Covid-19 and no new
deaths in the past 24 hours as new cases in the past two weeks were Thai
returnees from abroad.
Dr. Panprapa Yongtrakul, assistant spokesperson of the
Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said six more
coronavirus patients recovered, bringing the total recovery cases to 2,987.
Among all 3,125 cases in Thailand, 2,444 were local
cases and 188 were found infected while being in state quarantine.
Eighty patients are being treated at hospitals and the
death toll remains at 58.
Despite no new infections, people are urged to stick to
preventive measures by wearing masks and frequently washing hands, keeping
social distancing. (TNA)
Thailand ‘New Normal’ drives growth in last- mile delivery packaging market
E-commerce
expansion and new normal are important factors for consumers to use the
last-mile delivery service.
BANGKOK - Last-mile delivery
packaging businesses would see the 15-18 percent market growth amid fierce
competition this year, said Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research)
E-commerce expansion and new normal are supportive
factors for consumers to use the last-mile delivery service, which is an
opportunity for the growth of the delivery packaging business market, said
K-Research.
The think tank projected that the value of the delivery
packaging businesses could reach 14.4 -15 billion baht with a 15-18 per cent
growth year-on-year in line with expansion of the last-mile delivery
businesses and online shopping markets.
The K-Research viewed that the price competition would
intensify. Most packaging products in the current market were similar and
simply made, so new producers can easily enter the market.
It advised operators to develop new products for
specific uses and create product varieties to meet the demand. They should
also adapt themselves and provide comprehensive service to draw customers. (TNA)
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Thailand resumes train services on all routes
SRT resumed train services on all routes from
June 11 following a temporary suspension due to the COVID-19 outbreak for
almost three months.
BANGKOK- State Railway of Thailand (SRT) resumed
train services on all routes on Thursday following a temporary suspension
due to the COVID-19 outbreak for nearly three months.
The resumption of train services is part of the third
phase of easing coronavirus pandemic restrictions in the country, beginning
on June 1.
Passengers have flocked train stations, mostly for the
inter-provincial train services. Railway officials have enforced health
screening rules and contact tracing tools in compliance with a COVID-19
taskforce guideline both on the trains and inside the stations.
Passengers are required to check-in and check-out when
using the train services.
Social-distancing measures have been applied as
precautionary steps to contain the coronavirus. (TNA)
Thailand to send 100,000 workers overseas after lockdown easing
Labor Minister Chatu Mongol Sonakul said his
office is planning to find overseas jobs for 100,000 Thai workers after
COVID-19 lockdown measures ended.
BANGKOK - The Ministry of Labor plans to send 100,000 Thai laborers
back to work in foreign countries after the COVID-19 crisis subsides.
Labor Minister Chatu Mongol Sonakul revealed the plan
when he welcomed members of a senate committee on Labor affairs at the
Ministry compound on Thursday.
The senate committee members visited the Ministry to
inspect its programmes to help workers affected by the pandemic.
Minister Chatu Mongol said the Ministry had compiled a
report on Thai migrant workers forced out of work during the global
pandemic.
The Ministry has so far provided compensations for 1.54
million workers.
The Labor Minister said the Ministry had drawn up a
plan to find overseas jobs for 100,000 Thai workers after COVID-19 lockdown
measures ended. (TNA)
Thailand to stimulate consumption, grassroots economy with 400 billion Baht budget
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
At the Inner Santi Maitri Building, Government House, following the weekly
cabinet meeting, Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha
disclosed about the Royal Decree on stabilization of national economy and
financial system, B.E. 2563 (400 billion Baht), gist of which is as follows:
According to the Prime Minister, the Royal Decree is
aimed to stimulate domestic consumption and grassroots/community economy,
enhance liquidity of the business sector, and increase employment,
especially for new graduates. The stimulus scheme will be implemented
through various financial, fiscals, and tax measures in a bid to reduce
financial burden of entrepreneurs and farmers.
The Government will make sure that the budget be used
for the benefits of all groups of people.
The Prime Minister affirmed that utilization of the 400
billion Baht budget will not be redundant with existing expenditure plan and
investment projects for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
The people may propose projects for funding under the
Royal Decree through integrated provincial administration committee who will
forward the proposal to a scrutiny committee. They can also scrutinize
budget utilization and follow up on the progress of each project via website
“ThaiMe” from July 2020 onward. (Thaigov.go.th)
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Thailand Special Announcement of COVID-19
The government has relaxed the restrictions in
various phases but still stresses on health precautionary measures while
traveling to places via public transportation or participate in crowded
activities.
Regarding Wednesday’s COVID-19 situation in Thailand (10 June 2020), four
new COVID-19 cases were confirmed (two confirmed cases who returned from
India, one confirmed case who returned from Pakistan, and one confirmed case
who returned from Madagascar) and they were under state quarantine. Eight
cases recovered and were discharged (a total of 2,981 cases or 95.39% of the
total number of the confirmed cases have recovered) and 86 were being
treated in hospitals (2.75% of the total number of confirmed cases).
Currently, the total number of cases increased to 3,125. There were no
reports of deaths, therefore, the total number of deaths remained at 58
cases.
In the recent COVID-19 situation in Thailand, there has
been an increase in the number of confirmed cases who have not shown any
symptoms. Most of them are students and workers. This is consistent with the
disease investigation report from the Department of Disease Control, The
Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), revealing that the highest rate of
COVID-19 is in people aged between 20 -29 years (806 cases or 26% of the
total number of confirmed cases).
This group is young and is in strong physical health.
When they are infected, they do not show symptoms and there is a risk of
spreading the virus to others.
The government has relaxed the restrictions in various
phases. It may cause people to feel relaxed, and travel to various places,
especially via public transportation or participate in religious ceremonies
and activities where crowds of people gather. If there is an infected
person, there is a possibility of spread to at-risk people. In addition,
wearing a face mask/cloth mask when leaving the residence is necessary to
practice in order to decrease the chance of infection and spread of the
virus to other members in the family.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that
wearing a face mask/cloth mask combined with washing hands and keeping space
between others can decrease the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory
diseases. Moreover, the MOPH encourages wearing a face shield in the correct
way by wearing it together with a face mask because wearing only a face
shield runs the risk of spreading the virus to others. (ddc.moph.go.th)
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Thailand to promote innovative agriculture, focuses on marketing and farmers’ income
Commerce
Minister Jurin Laksanawisit (left) and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister
Chalermchai Sri-on (right).
NONTHABURI - The Commerce
Ministry and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry formed a joint
working group to promote new agriculture to raise farmers’ income.
Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Jurin
Laksanawisit and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on
announced the cooperation of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry that
will be responsible for production and the Commerce Ministry which will
focus on marketing.
Permanent secretaries of both ministries sit in the
joint working group. It will apply technology and big data to enable farmers
to produce the farm products that markets demand in order to solve
oversupply and low farm prices.
Provincial commerce officials and operators will
conduct marketing campaigns locally and commerce attachés and exporters will
play similar roles in marketing farm products in other countries.
Marketing campaigns will be implemented through both
online and offline channels.
The cooperation between both ministries was expected to take shape in a few
months, the two ministers said. (TNA)
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Thai government set up panel to probe case of missing Thai activist in Cambodia
Family of
Thai activist Wanchalerm Satsaksit has claimed he has been kidnapped while
in self-exile in Cambodia.
BANGKOK- A panel has been set up to probe the
cases of missing persons following the disappearance of Thai activist
Wanchalerm Satsaksit whose family has claimed he has been kidnapped while in
self-exile in Cambodia.
Wanchalerm is believed to have fled Thailand in 2014.
He had since lived in Phnom Penh until he was taken by a group of men from
his apartment on June 4.
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin on Wednesday
responded to a motion by opposition MPs seeking explanation about the
disappearance of the activist.
He said the panel led by a prominent investigator was
tasked for handling cases of missing persons.
But for Wanchalerm’s case, it was not in the
jurisdiction of Thai authorities, he noted, therefore, the government, by
the Foreign Ministry, could only coordinate with the Cambodian counterparts.
An opposition MP, Rangsiman Rome, slammed the
government for neglecting the disappearance of government critic, Wanchalerm.
He accused government officials of dereliction of
duties in protecting Thai citizens abroad.
Wanchalerm’s disappearance has sparked a social media
campaign calling for answers from both Thai and Cambodian governments.
Anti-government groups and human right advocates have also staged protests,
including that outside the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok, demanding
explanations into the disappearance.
There have been false claims that the 37-year-old man
faces a lese majeste charge. Thai police have said he is wanted on a charge
of allegedly violating the Computer Crime Act in 2018.
Cambodian authorities have said they were unaware of
the alleged abduction as they have no immigration records of Wanchalerm.
There are also reports that Wanchalerm had been
involved in illegal marijuana trade and might have business conflicts in
Cambodia. (TNA)
Opposition MP, Rangsiman
Rome claimed the government was neglecting the disappearance of Wanchalerm.
Justice
Minister Somsak Thepsutin responded to the accusation saying the government,
by the Foreign Ministry, could only coordinate with the Cambodian
counterparts for further investigative action.
Wanchalerm
Satsaksit is believed to have fled Thailand in 2014 and had since lived in
Phnom Penh until he was taken by a group of men from his apartment on June
4.
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Seasonal jellyfish warning on beaches, islands for swimmers, snorkelers in southern region of Thailand
Swimmers and
snorkelers should be aware of seasonal jellyfish that sometimes found off
the beaches or near the islands.
Bangkok– The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to
advise tourists to be extra careful when swimming or snorkeling in Thai
waters due to the season of venomous jellyfish, and not take any risks by
entering waters where signs have been posted.
Measures are being taken in all of Thailand’s beach
resorts to keep swimmers safe. Signs warning of the dangers of jellyfish
have been erected and First Aid stations have been set up to deal with any
person who might have been stung.
Do’s and Don’ts
-Always keep a look out for jellyfish warning signs
that may be posted at a beach.
-Keep looking all around you when in the water and try
to swim with a partner. A sting can often immobilize a person making it
difficult to swim back to shore alone.
-To help prevent against jellyfish stings when
swimming, wear a lycra suit or a long-sleeved shirt and pants that cover all
skin surfaces.
-Beware of seemingly dead jellyfish on the beach. If
they were recently beached, they can still sting.
-Do not swim if there are warning signs and always make
sure of the location of the nearest First Aid centre before bathing.
First Aid steps for a suspected case of toxic jellyfish
If in contact accidentally with a toxic jellyfish or
get stung, stay calm and try to remember to take these steps:
-Bring the injured person out of the sea to a safe
place and immediately call an ambulance (Tel. 1669). Do not leave the person
unattended.
-Calm the person down and make him/her remain still to
prevent further spread of any toxin and do not rub the wound.
-Pour vinegar continuously over the wound for at least
30 seconds (do not use fresh water), which will initially help in most
cases. Hotels, beach restaurants and diving outfits around Thailand have
been ordered to keep bottles of vinegar easily accessible as part of their
First Aid preparation. *It is a good idea to carry a bottle of vinegar with
you.
-Observe the injured person for 45 minutes and watch
for at least one of these signs/symptoms:
Severe pain on the wound, back, trunk or head.
Restlessness or confusion.
Sweating, chills, nausea or vomiting.
Palpitations, chest pain or chest tightness.
Breathing difficulty, rapid breathing or panting.
Pale face or bluish or purplish discoloration of the
hands or feet.
-If the injured person is unconscious, perform CPR
before pouring vinegar continuously over the wound for at least 30 seconds.
Continue pumping the heart until the injured improves or the ambulance
arrives.
-Do seek medical care if experiencing any ongoing
symptoms.
While it is extremely rare for swimmers and divers in
Thailand to be stung by jellyfish, we do ask that everyone planning to swim
or dive, particularly in the Southern Region of the country, to be aware
that there may be jellyfish present.
Several species of jellyfish, mostly harmless, can be
found seasonally in Thailand. However, Box Jellyfish are sometimes found off
the beaches of Ko Lanta and Hat Nopparatthara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National
Marine Park off Krabi province, Nam Bo Bay in Phuket province and often off
Hua Hin and Cha-am Beaches in Phetchaburi province, as well as Ko Tao in
Chumphon province, Ko Samui, and Ko Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province.
(tatnews.org)
Prevention
and First Aid treatment for jellyfish stings.
Box
Jellyfish are often found in Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, and the
surrounding region.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
%20situation%20in%20Thailand.jpg)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand as of 9 June 2020,
11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
%20situation%20in%20Thailand%202.jpg)
Inter-provincial bus company to apply for ‘Amazing Thailand SHA’ certification
Dr. Danai Teewanda, Deputy Director – General,
Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health (center).
Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently join
an activity initiated by the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health
to campaign for safety and health practices to prevent the spread of the
COVID-19 infections.
Dr. Danai Teewanda, Deputy Director – General,
Department of Health, led a delegation to meet with the management and staff
of Nakhonchai Air Bus Company to provide knowledge on the Amazing Thailand
Safety and Health Administration: SHA certification project.
Nakhonchai Air is in the process of applying for the
Amazing Thailand SHA certification. The names of the SHA certified
establishments, as well as any other essential information are available via
www.tourismthailand.org/thailandsha. For more information, E-mail: [email protected];
Official Line: @thailandsha
Nakhonchai Air, also known as NCA, is one of the
large-sized bus companies headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. It offers a
wide range of luxury bus services from Bangkok to the North and Northeast of
Thailand, including Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nong Khai and Ubon
Ratchathani, to name only few. (tatnews.org)
Nakhonchai Air is in the process of applying for
the Amazing Thailand SHA certification.
TAT recently join an activity initiated by the
Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health to campaign for safety and
health practices to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infections.
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Thailand celebrates ‘World Oceans Day’ with clean-up activities
Residents
of fishing villages in Phang-nga province collected garbage onto their
kayaks, speedboat and trawlers.
SURAT THANI - Thailand celebrated World Oceans
Day on Monday, June 8 with activities held to raise awareness on marine
environment protection.
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources
spearheaded marine conservation projects such as that of Surat Thani
province.
Over a hundred volunteers installed trash booms in the
Tapi River to contain floating trash and debris before reaching the ocean.
Campaigners led by the provincial governor urged people
to engage in garbage management that helps promote cleanliness of waterways
and the ocean.
Residents of fishing villages in Phang-nga province
celebrated World Oceans Day with clean-up activities at a pier in Mueang
district. They collected garbage onto their kayaks, speedboat and trawlers.
A World Oceans Day exhibition was organized under the
theme “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean” highlighting the importance of
healthy marine ecosystem and the ongoing marine environment conservation
projects. (TNA)
Trash
booms were installed in the Tapi River to contain floating trash and debris
before reaching the ocean.
The
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources spearheaded marine conservation
projects in Surat Thani province.
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Southern Thailand interprovincial route bus services resume
Many bus
companies have now resumed their services including the southern
interprovincial routes after the relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
SONGKHLA– The bus services to
all destinations in southern Thailand resumed on Tuesday as the COVID-19
travel restrictions have been further relaxed.
Under the third phase of lockdown easing,
interprovincial traveling is allowed without restrictions. The state-run
Transport Company has resumed all of its bus service operations to all
destinations in the south.
Bangkok-bound buses from tourist towns have been fully
booked, mostly by migrant workers who have been forced out of work.
The bus operators have taken precaution measures
against the coronavirus. All passengers must register with a government’s
contact tracing app.
For northbound routes, bus services resumed last month.
(TNA)
Chonburi and Rayong schools ‘New Normal’ measures observed
The Education Minister,
Nataphol Teepsuwan, recently visited Singsamut School in Chonburi and
Banchang Karnchanakul Witthaya School in Rayong to check on the new normal
functioning.
BANGKOK - A round of exams, for
students applying for seats in Grade 10, took place across Thailand on June
7. The Education Minister, Nataphol Teepsuwan, visited Singsamut School in
Chonburi province and Banchang Karnchanakul Witthaya School in Rayong
province to see how well they are adapting to the new normal.
Both schools made preparations and strictly observed
precautionary measures against COVID-19 transmission, as recommended by the
Ministry of Public Health. The Education Minister held discussions with the
schools’ board members and teachers regarding their readiness to resume
classes on July 1. He offered moral support to all teachers, who have to
cope with the new normal.
After visiting the examination venues, the Education
Minister said his ministry will continue developing the quality of education
in the country. With every school offering equal educational opportunities,
parents will not have to send their children to schools in city areas.
Schools in other provinces are following measures to
help limit the spread of COVID-19.
At Yupparaj Wittayalai School in the northern province
of Chiang Mai, some 600 students came to sit for their exams. They had their
body temperature taken and were required to wear protective masks and
practice social distancing. Desks and chairs were at least one meter apart.
Students must turn off their mobile phones and leave them on the classroom
floor. To prevent overcrowding, their parents were not allowed to wait
inside the premises. The students can call their parents to pick them up
after completing the exams.
At Khon Kaen Wittayayon School in the northeastern
province of Khon Kaen, more than 800 students arrived for the examination.
The school only permitted the students and their staff to enter its
premises. Their parents had to wait outside. All students had their body
temperature taken, and those without protective masks were not allowed to
take the exams. Disease control officials were sent to the school to ensure
that all public health measures were implemented. (NNT)
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Thai Hotels Association to prepare 9,000 rooms for Thais returning from abroad
Lieutenant General Kongcheep Tantawanich,
Defense Ministry Spokesman.
BANGKOK - The number of Thai returnees is currently limited to
200-300 people per day. While the situation in the country has improved, the
situation in foreign countries is often still worrisome. Nevertheless, the
government has been preparing enough accommodation for Thai people abroad,
so that everyone is able to return faster.
Lieutenant General Kongcheep Tantawanich, Defense
Ministry Spokesman, disclosed that the government has been trying to enhance
its capacity to accommodate 500 Thai returnees per day due to the ongoing
COVID-19 situation. Therefore, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of
Public Health (MOPH) need to locate additional hotels to be used as state
quarantine facilities. They are coordinating with the Thai Hotels
Association to prepare 9,000 rooms and appoint sufficient staff. All hotels
must comply with the standards determined by the MOPH.
The length of the quarantine period has not been
extended from 14 days, because that duration is the incubation period of the
virus. The MOHP requires returnees to undergo testing twice: during the
quarantine and again before leaving. Those who are found to be infected with
COVID-19 will be admitted to a hospital immediately for further treatment.
Lieutenant General Kongcheep, today stressed that Prime
Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha wants the large number of Thai people abroad
who wish to return to Thailand, to be able to do so as soon as possible. He
has instructed the Ministry of Defense and related agencies to raise the
country’s capacity to accommodate Thai people returning from abroad. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that the number of Thai people who have
submitted requests to return to Thailand, extends into mid-July. It is also
necessary to take into account the readiness of public health and the
pandemic situation in the country. (NNT)
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Thailand launches ‘New Normal’ driving license testvia ‘DLT Smart Queue’
People made reservation via the DLT Smart Queue
application as to limit the number of applicants to only 400 each day.
BANGKOK- The Department of Land Transport or DLT has reopened its
service providing driving license tests. However, on this the first day, the
atmosphere was quiet. The process of obtaining a driving license application
involves observing public health measures. The department limits the number
of applicants in the building at any one time, and the first served are
those applicants who booked a place earlier.
After the Department of Land Transport opened its
driving license test service on Monday, for those who had made a reservation
via the DLT Smart Queue application, it found that all the applicants
gradually arrived for their test at the time they had booked. In front of
the Department of Land Transport building, officers were present to give
advice on various procedures to the visitors. Before going into the
building, the visitors had to have their body temperature checked and wash
their hands with hand sanitizer.
Mr. Jirut Wisanjit, Director-General of DLT said later
that there were no difficulties on the first day of service because of the
reservation system, and the applicants being given an hour online for study
before taking the test. Only 400 people are admitted each day, and there’s
an hourly limit of 40 people to avoid congestion. In addition, all visitors
must wear face masks.
DLT offices are now open for pre-booked applicants who
have applied without needing a driving test, such as those renewing a
driving license. The driving test service will start on 22nd of June.
As for people who have never booked or applied before,
the queue is now fully booked. A new round of bookings will start on the 1st
of July with all kinds of tests and services available to customers. (NNT)
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High demand for Thai workers abroad once the pandemic subsides
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
BANGKOK-With many countries starting to relax
anti-COVID-19 restrictions, Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, is making
sure that Thai workers are ready to work abroad once the pandemic subsides.
The Government Spokeswoman, Prof. Dr. Narumon
Pinyosinwat, said on Monday that Gen. Prayut instructed the Department of
Employment, under the administration of the Ministry of Labor, to work with
the private sector in preparing Thai laborers in terms of their vocational
and language skills, so that they will be able to work in other countries
right away. Some 100,000 Thai laborers are expected to work outside
Thailand, generating a revenue of more than 140 billion baht.
The demand for Thai workers in many countries and
states, including Thailand’s trade partners, is high. They include Taiwan,
South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Israel. Thai workers are well-known for
their discipline and vocational skills. In addition, many nations recognize
Thailand’s successful tackling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government reminded Thai workers, who want to work
abroad, to go through legal channels, and that the government is ready to
support and help them. (NNT)
Government Spokeswoman, Prof. Dr. Narumon
Pinyosinwat.
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Beach regulations on social distancing and garbage control stressed in Thailand
Tourists can
do all activities without causing congestion.
BANGKOK- Images of beaches overflowing with
tourists have caused concern about the COVID-19 outbreak. The PM has
stressed that related authorities must strictly maintain measures, such as
screening and social distancing.
Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat, spokesperson for the PM’s
office revealed that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered authorities
responsible for beaches to ensure tourists can do all activities without
causing congestion or the possibility of COVID-19 spreading.
Tourists can relax and have a meal with their families.
Beach and water sports can be played in specific areas. However, the number
of tourists must be limited.
The PM also asked the Ministries of Interior and
Tourism and Sports, local authorities and business owners to manage garbage
in the areas. General Prayut assured that the government does not prohibit
any activities, but asked everyone to adapt to the new normal. (NNT)
Local
authorities and business owners must properly manage garbage in the areas.
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Thailand marks 14 straight days without any local infection
The
Department of Disease Control official, Dr Anupong Suchariyakul.
BANGKOK - The Public Health
Ministry urged people not to lower guard against Covid-19 although Thailand
recorded zero local infections for 14 straight days.
Dr Anupong Suchariyakul from the Department of Disease
Control said Thailand on Monday recorded seven new coronavirus cases, who
returned from abroad and were quarantined upon arrivals.
Although there have been no new locally infected cases
for two weeks, precautions are still needed, he added.
There may be infected people, showing no symptoms, so
the situation must be monitored for a while.
At least, zero infections in the communities should
continue for a month, he said.
“The fourth round of easing lockdown is planned and
schools will reopen on July 1. We don’t want to see a second wave of
coronavirus outbreak”, he noted.
He asked for cooperation from the public to wear masks,
frequently wash their hands and avoid visiting crowded places.
He cited an example of Vietnam without a domestically
transmitted infection for more than 50 days. However, it still keeps travel
restrictions in place.
Dr. Anupong said the state quarantine, imposed on Thai
returnees upon arrivals is maintained for a 14-day period without a plan for
extension. (TNA)
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Bangkok bus state enterprise rehabilitation plan approved
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday gave
the approval in principle for the rehabilitation of the Bangkok bus state
enterprise.
BANGKOK- The State Enterprise Policy Committee
has approved in principle the rehabilitation of the Bangkok Mass Transit
Authority (BMTA).
Government spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat said the
committee chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday gave the
approval in principle for the rehabilitation of the Bangkok bus state
enterprise. Present in the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Somkid
Jatusripitak, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, Transport Minister
Saksayam Chidchob and Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse
Punnakanta.
The committee assigned relevant organizations to work
out details for the rehabilitation so that the BMTA would be a profitable
organization. The rehabilitation plan would be submitted to the cabinet, the
government spokesperson said.
According to her, the rehabilitation will consist of
the procurement of air-conditioned buses to be maintained by contractors to
cut costs, technological application, route improvement to end route
duplications, connections with other public transport modes including
electric trains and passenger boats and co-investment by the private sector
to improve public services.
The rehabilitation plan will end the government’s
burden resulting from the BMTA’s debts, relieve traffic congestion and air
pollution, reduce people’s travel costs, improve public transport and cut
the BMTA’s costs.
The prime minister told the committee that the
rehabilitation of the BMTA would be based mainly on public service
improvement, Ms Narumon said. (TNA)
Government spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat.
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Thai people more alert to risks of COVID-19 infection
The survey indicated that people raised their
protection against COVID-19 compared with their reckless behaviors in the
previous week.
BANGKOK- A survey has found that people significantly improved their
protection against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in May after
previous recklessness.
The International Health Policy Program of the
Public Health Ministry, the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia
Regional Office, the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, the Faculty
of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, the National Health Security Office
and the National Statistical Office of Thailand conducted the survey on
25,623 people on May 22-28 after the relaxation of business and activity
lockdowns.
The survey found that people raised their
protection against COVID-19 compared with their reckless behaviors in
the previous week.
Health-conscious behavioral percentages among
respondents rose from 87.2% during May 15 and 21 to 91.5% for the use of
face masks, from 79.8% to 83.2% for hand wash with soap or alcohol gel,
from 79.7% to 82.7% for eating hot food and using personal serving
spoons, from 58.7% to 65.2% for 2-meter social distancing, from 53.7% to
56.9% for refraining from touching faces, and from 70.6% to 74.8% for
overall self-protection.
The survey also found that 57.4% of respondents had
been reckless on anti-COVID protection previously for seeing the smaller
numbers of new COVID-19 patients and better disease control. 36.6% said
they felt they had low risks of disease contraction and 28.4% said their
everyday routines prevented them from self-protection.
Besides, 66% of respondents sometimes went out,
55.3% were not allowed to work from home, 29.6% worked from home on some
days or some weeks, and only 15.1% were allowed to always work from
home. (TNA)
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