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Quick assistance for flooded Loei, northern Thailand, after tropical storm ‘Sinlaku’
The rescuing order
responded to flash floods in six sub-districts of the provincial seat,
Chiang Khan and Pak Chom districts in the northeastern province on Aug 1
night.
Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha ordered the governor of Loei province and local military units to
rescue people from flash floods.
Deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul
said the order responded to flash floods in six sub-districts of the
provincial seat, Chiang Khan and Pak Chom districts in the northeastern
province on Aug 1 night.
“The prime minister ordered quick survey of damage and
assistance, the immediate evacuation of affected people and animals to safe
grounds and sufficient food and drinking water for victims,” she said.
The Meteorological Department warned of heavy rains in
the North, the Northeast, the Central Plains, the East and the South due to
a depression (formerly Tropical Storm Sinlaku) in Pua district of Nan
province. The storm was expected to become a low-pressure system on Aug 3.
Chayapol Thitisak, director-general of the Department
of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, ordered his officials in 67 provinces
to be prepared for possible runoffs, flash floods and huge waves on Aug 2-4.
He recommended small boats be kept ashore during the period. (TNA)
Deputy
Government spokesperson,Traisulee Traisoranakul.
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‘Sinlaku’ causes landslides in Nan, man missing in Phitsanulok - provinces of Thailand
In Nan,
northern Thailand, the level of the Nan River was rising. Landslides were
reported at several locations near valleys and mountains.
Storm Sinlaku caused heavy
rain in many areas, flash floods and landslides in Nan province and a
fisherman missing in Phitsanulok province.
In Nan province, the level of the Nan River was rising.
Runoffs happened in Moo 4 village of Muang Jang sub-district in PhuPhiang
district. Soldiers helped victims move their belongings to higher grounds.
Four houses were damaged. Landslides were reported at several locations near
valleys and mountains. Roads were blocked including Bo Klua-Chalerm Phrakiat
Road.
In Phitsanulok, floods covered farmland and a local
road leading to HuayIa sub-district. A man went missing while fishing. In
Wang Thong district, the level of the Khek River slightly declined while
local officials were prepared for possible runoffs into the Wang Thong
River.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai Road had been
impassable for over 20 hours because runoffs destroyed a section of the
road. Rain remained persistent there.
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Capsized Koh Samui island ferry in Gulf of Thailand under investigation
Raja 4 ferry capsized in
strong winds and huge waves, about 3-4 metres high, near Koh Si and Koh Ha
after it left Ko Samui for about five nautical miles in Koh Samui district,
Surat Thani, on Aug 1.
Investigation continued into
the incident of a capsized ferry off Ko Samui over the past weekend when one
was dead and four others were missing.
Raja 4 ferry capsized in strong winds and huge waves,
about 3-4 metres high, near Koh Si and Koh Ha after it left Koh Samui for
about five nautical miles in Koh Samui district, Surat Thani, on Aug 1. Raja
Ferry Port, the operator, stated that its service continued as usual pending
investigation into the incident.
Raja 4 ferry was chartered to carry three heavy trucks
and one pickup truck. Twelve crewmembers and four passengers were on board.
The company deployed two boats and asked marine police to rescue victims.
Later the Marine Department reported that victims
comprised nine ferry staff and seven passengers. The ferry left Koh Samui
for Don Sak district.
On Aug 2 officials of the Marine Department on KohSamui
joined a search and rescue operation with marine police. Eleven victims were
saved. Captain Tewin Surat died. Four missing people were identified as
engineer Sirawut Thongboonyang, sailor Tiwakorn Wacharawit, salesperson
Napasrada Janhan and truck driver Chaichan Laosap.
The search and rescue mission resumed today after huge
waves had stopped it. (TNA)
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American and Japanese soldiers arrived in Thailand for exercises, quarantined in hotels
Dr Taweesin
Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
Thailand logged three more
cases of coronavirus disease 2019 who are returnees while 110 American
soldiers were arriving for exercises with the Royal Thai Army.
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for
COVID-19 Situation Administration, announced the update. He said total cases
rose to 3,320, 3,142 of whom recovered and 120 others remained at hospitals.
The death toll was unchanged at 58.
Of three new cases, two returned from the United Arab
Emirates. One of them is a female worker aged 26 and the other is a male
driver aged 43. They arrived on July 29 and were quarantined in Chon Buri
province. They tested positive on Aug 1 while being asymptomatic.
The other case is a male student aged 19 who returned
from India on July 30. He was quarantined in Bangkok and tested positive for
the disease on Aug 1 without showing any symptom.
Dr Taweesin said American soldiers were arriving for
exercises in Thailand. Seventy-one of them came from Guam Island and landed
at U-Tapao airport for SFAB SMEE exercises with the army. They were subject
to disease control measures and would be quarantined at Conrad Bangkok
Hotel, he said.
Besides, 32 soldiers arrived from Yokota, Japan, at U-Tapao
airport for the Balance Torch exercise with the army. They were quarantined
at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. On Tuesday, seven soldiers would arrive from
Japan and land at U-Tapao airport. Four of them would join the HMA exercise
and three others would participate in the Balance Torch drill. They would be
quarantined at Anantara Siam Bangkok and The Idel hotels, Dr Taweesin said.
He said CCSA had its policy to postpone such exercises
but the soldiers were arriving. They would be subject to disease control
measures and the army would elaborate on the matter, he said. (TNA)
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Storm Sinlaku hits Thai north and northeast, flash floods affect over 1,000 houses
The northeastern province
of Loei was the worst affected by flooding on Sunday before the water
receded on Monday.
Several provinces in
Thailand’s North and Northeast have been hit by torrential rains, strong
wind and flash flood triggered by Storm Sinlaku.
As Sinlaku made its way across upper Thailand, four men
were caught in strong torrent of the Pad River in the northern province of
Uttaradit. Their boat was smashed by the force of swelling water, sweeping
them nearly one kilometer downstream.
Luckily, all four got help from a rescue unit that
happened to be in the village.
In the northeastern province of Loei, torrential rain
caused heavy flooding in three districts Sunday morning, affecting nearly
1,000 houses. Floodwater rose quickly and caught many people by surprise
during the morning hours.
The province was the worst affected by flooding on
Sunday before the water receded on Monday.
Nong Bua Lam Phu province, adjacent to the south of
Loei, has now taken massive water influx from Loei, inundating villages and
farmland.
In Nan, northern Thailand, army troops have been
mobilized to help evacuate villagers and remove debris from landslides
blocking many roads in PhuPiang district.
Meanwhile, a fisherman was reported missing in Wang
Tong district of Phitsanulok. He is believed to get caught up in
fast-moving water in the Khek River Sunday night.
The Meteorological Department has issued weather
warnings. Heavy rains are expected in more than 40 provinces across the
northern and northeastern regions until Tuesday. (TNA)
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
%20situation-4-8-20-1.jpg)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in
Thailand as of 3 August 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
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Civil Aviation issues its 3rd notification on conditions for aircraft permission to enter Thailand
The ban on international
commercial aircraft remain in place, while the third revised notification
adjusted to be in line with the nation’s fourth extension of the Emergency
Decree.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on
Monday issued the “Notification on Conditions for Aircraft Permission to
Enter Thailand (No. 3)”, effective from 4 August, 2020.
The CAAT’s third revised notification adjusted its No.
2 announcement to be in line with the Royal Thai Government’s fourth
extension of the Emergency Decree. The ban on international commercial
aircraft remains in place.
Currently, only the following types of aircraft can
enter Thailand: state or military aircraft; emergency landing flights;
technical landing flights without disembarkation; humanitarian aid, medical
and relief flights; repatriation flights; cargo flights, and *passenger
flights carrying persons permitted to enter Thailand (Thai and non-Thai
nationals).
The CAAT’s list of 11 groups of Thai and non-Thai
nationals permitted to enter Thailand remains in effect, but adjustment has
been made to groups (7), (8), and (11) as per the following:
(1) Thai nationals.
(2) Persons with exemption or
persons being considered, permitted or invited by the Prime Minister, or the
head of responsible persons accountable for resolving state of emergency
issues to enter the Kingdom, pertaining to necessity. Such consideration,
permission, or invitation may be subject to specific conditions and time
limits.
(3) Persons on diplomatic or
consular missions, or under international organizations, or representatives
of foreign governments performing their duties in the Kingdom, or persons of
other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
pertaining to necessity, including their spouse, parents, or children.
(4) Carriers of necessary goods
subject to immediate return after completion.
(5) Crew members who are required to
travel into the Kingdom on a mission and have a specified date and time for
return.
(6) Non-Thai nationals who are a
spouse, parents, or children of a Thai national.
(7) Non-Thai nationals who hold a
valid certificate of permanent residency in the Kingdom, or permission to
take up residence in the Kingdom,
including their spouse or
children.
(8) Non-Thai nationals who have a
work permit or have been granted permission from government agencies to work
in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children;
or foreign workers or those
who have been granted permission to bring in foreign workers to work in the
Kingdom.
(9) Non-Thai nationals who are
students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including
the parents or guardians of the students, except for students of non-formal
educational institutions under the law on private schools and of other
similar private educational institutions
(10) Non-Thai nationals who are in
need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their attendants. However, this
shall not include medical treatment for COVID-19.
(11) Non-Thai nationals who are
permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign
country or have been
granted permission by the Prime Minister – all of whom must strictly adhere
to the Kingdom’s communicable disease prevention and control.
*The entry into Thailand of the persons of any of the
following types, by aircraft, shall be permitted, provided that they comply
with the conditions, time limits, and rules of the authorized persons under
the Thai immigration law, communicable diseases law, air navigation law, and
the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation, for
the prevention of the spread of disease, and the organization of the number
of persons entering Thailand in accordance with the capability of the
competent officers or the communicable disease control officers for the
screening and arrangement of facilities for isolation, quarantine and
control for observation.
Khao Ngon
Nak Viewpoint, Krabi (File Photo).
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Thailand extends ‘Emergency Decree’ for the fourth time to the end of August
The Royal
Thai Government has approved the extension of the Emergency Decree
nationwide for another month, until 31 August, 2020.
The Royal Thai Government has approved the extension of
the Emergency Decree nationwide for another month, until 31 August, 2020.
According to the announcement published in the Royal
Thai Gazette on 30 July, 2020, the fourth extension of the state of
emergency is still needed to enable authorities to enforce measures on
communicable disease control to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 infections
and allow the public to return to daily life with the new normal.
The government also cited the need to ensure that the
general public observes social distancing rules, especially in public places
and entertainment venues.
In addition, Thailand is expected to see thousands of
Thai and non-Thai nationals entering Thailand under special conditions in
August. These incoming arrivals are eligible Thais and non-Thai travelers
who must seek an advance certificate of entry from local Thai embassies or
consulates abroad, as well as the relevant necessary documents as required
under the order of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Until Saturday, Thailand has recorded no new local
cases of COVID-19 infection for 68 days. The kingdom was also recently
ranked number one in the world out of 184 countries for its ongoing COVID-19
recovery efforts by the Global COVID-19 Index (GCI).
Nonetheless, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
would like to remind all to continue to adhere to health and safety routines
to protect themselves, as well as others from the COVID-19 infection.
These include keeping social distancing, wearing a
mask, and frequently washing hands. Avoid close contact with other persons,
no hugging, especially with vulnerable groups like the elderly, or those who
have underlying conditions because it can increase the infection rate and
potentially lead to severe disease more easily than in other groups.
People can greet via a Wai (Thai greeting) from a
distance of 1 or 2 metres. When staying together, people must wear masks,
use personal utensils or serving spoons, or eat a la carte servings to
protect themselves and loved ones from getting the disease. (tatnews.org)
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Serbian football player, Finnish man tested positive to COVID-19 in Thai quarantine
There was
not a local COVID-19 infection up to date and the death toll remained
unchanged at 58.
The Center for COVID-19
Situation Administration reported two new patients of the coronavirus
disease 2019 who arrived from other countries and were quarantined.
One of them is a Serbian football player aged 29 who
arrived on July 19. He first tested negative and was brought to alternative
local quarantine in Buri Ram province. He was found with the disease in the
second test on July 27 while being asymptomatic. He was receiving treatment
at a hospital in Buri Ram.
The other is a Finnish man who arrived from Denmark on
July 27. He stayed at an alternative state quarantine facility in Bangkok.
Earlier he tested positive in mid-May while having no symptoms. He tested
positive in Thailand on July 30 and was still asymptomatic. He was admitted
at a private hospital and was undergoing a disease investigation process.
There was not a local COVID-19 infection or a new
death. The death toll remained unchanged at 58.
Total COVID-19 cases rose to 3,312 comprising 2,444
locally infected people and 375 other cases found at state quarantine
facilities. Of the total, 3,135 recovered and 119 others were at hospitals.
(TNA)
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No Triumph production in Thailand since 2016
Triumph did
not have a production base in Thailand and knew nothing about the reported
lay-off of workers.
Triumph said it did not own a
textile factory that shut down in Nakhon Sawan province and that it had
stopped production in Thailand since 2016 when it had sold its factories.
Wan-asa Teepangkorn, commercial director of Triumph
International (Thailand) Co that is the importer of Triumph underwear, said
the company had nothing to do with Body Fashion (Thailand) Co.
Triumph did not have a production base in Thailand and
knew nothing about the reported lay-off of workers. Triumph sold “Body
Fashion Thailand (BFT)” production to textile and garment operator Robert Ng
in January 2016. Mr Ng owned an international textile group of more than 30
companies.
The business network of Mr Ng had formed reliable
producers of Triumph for years and the network had two factories in Bang
Phli district of Samut Prakan province and in Nakhon Sawan province.
The withdrawal from Thailand in 2016 was a part of
Triumph’s worldwide production restructuring. The business including 2,757
staff and executives had been taken over without any layoff, Miss Wan-asa
said. (TNA)
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
%20situation3-8-20-1.jpg)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in
Thailand as of 2 August 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
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‘Thailand Strong Fit Fight COVID-19’ project promotes fitness activities in new normal
Nationwide virtual run and
fitness project under collaborative efforts of the Thai public and private
sectors aims to build immunity and help stay fit in the ‘New Normal’.
H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakan, Minister of Tourism
and Sports, recently presided over the official launch of the “Thailand
Strong Fit Fight COVID-19” project, inviting Thais all over the country to
join a virtual run and fitness campaign and build immunity to stay fit in
the New Normal.
Minister Phiphat said, “Thailand’s fight against the
COVID-19 virus is continuously improving; however, the public must still
take care of their health and be strong. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports
together with other public and private sector partners has launched the
‘Thailand Strong Fit Fight COVID-19’ to promote fitness activities, so that
everyone can build their own immunity while maintaining social distancing.”
Initiated by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT),
the project is supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT),
Department of Health, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Department
of Physical Education, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism
Administration, and the Athletics Association of Thailand.
Dr. Kongsad Yodmanee, SAT Governor, said, “Fitness
actives are still not back to 100%, so the ‘Thailand Strong Fit Fight
COVID-19’ project helps fill the void left from the cancellation of sporting
events and needs to maintain social distancing during the New Normal era.
Everyone can participate in this virtual running and exercise activities.”
The project, “Thailand strong Fit Fight COVID-19”, is
divided into two activities, which are Virtual Run and Virtual Fit in three
series over three months from August (Heart), September (Passion) and
October (Mind).
Thais all over the country will be encouraged to join
in a Virtual Run for a total of 450 million steps and participate in a
Virtual Fit for a total of nine million minutes.
For the Virtual Run, there will be a 10-km training
programme in one month for participants to practice. The goal is to have up
to 15,000 runners join in and run up to 150 million steps per month for a
total of 450 million steps throughout the project.
Meanwhile, the Virtual Fit will offer at least 150
minutes a week (35 minutes per session) of training guided by professionals.
It targets an additional 15,000 participants for a total of nine million
minutes.
Participants can follow the Virtual Fit training
session by Thailand’s leading fitness trainers, national athletes and
celebrities, including “Pancake” Khemnit Jamikorn, Matthew Dean, “Art”
Pasutut Banyam, “Ja” Nattha Wiranuch Thongmee, “Tao” Somchai Pabrom,
“Darling” Arada Arayawut, “May” Ratchanok Inthanon, “Tennis” Panipak
Wongpattanakit, Pleumchit Tin Khao, Somchit Jongjohor, and Chatchai Butdee,
to name just a few.
Participants in the Virtual Run and Virtual Fit will be
invited to share their fitness activities and results on social media every
month to track their progress.
Mr. Kitsana Kaewtumrong, Executive Director of the
Advertising and Public Relations Department, TAT, said, “The ‘Thailand
Strong Fit Fight COVID-19’ project will help enhance physical health and
fitness for the public. The project is also in line with the TAT’s strategy
to promote sports tourism events including marathons, trail running and
biking events, offering both the opportunity to boost one’s health and
fitness and to enjoy the Amazing Thailand travel experience.”
Both activities are available to Thais all over the
country to apply for free. The first 1,000 people who apply for the first
series will receive a complementary Thailand Strong Pack bag. Additional
Virtual Run shirts and commemorative coins are available for 299 Baht per
series. Virtual Fit shirts are priced from 199 Baht per series each with 20
Baht of each purchase donated to the Rajavithi Hospital Foundation to
purchase medical tools and equipment.
For more information go to
http://thailandstrong.com/ or Facebook thailandstrong.
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TAT supports bike tours to highlight the scenic beauty, culture and cuisine of Rayong province
Rayong
Province, Eastern Economic Corridor, Thailand – More than 600 cycling
enthusiasts are set to take part in a two-day recreational tour of this
Eastern Thai province as part of the efforts to revive domestic tourism and
stimulate the economy in the post-COVID-19 era.
The event is being organized by the Ministry of Tourism
and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) under the name “Happy
Bike Without COVID 2020”. It comprised two cycling tours on 1 and
2 August through some of this province’s most iconic scenic, culinary and
cultural spots.
The tours will be held with strict observation of the
New Normal preventive measures, including social distancing. The 300
participants in each tour will cycle in groups of five or 10, with
individual cyclists at least one metre apart and each group at least 500
metres apart.
H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakan, Minister of Tourism
and Sports, Mr. Surasak Charoensirichot, Governor of Rayong Province and Mr.
Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of TAT, co-chaired the opening ceremony and join
the first tour on 1 August.
The tours will follow this itinerary:
Category 1: Entitled “Along the Prasae”, this tour
held on 1 August and highlight the beautiful scenery of Pak Nam Prasae
Subdistrict, Rayong Province. Starting from the Royal Prasae Warship
Memorial, it will run past the Prasae Sin Bridge, including a photo stop at
the Laem Son Viewpoint, a visit to Wat Takian Ngam, cross the Nong Phong
Bridge, pay homage to the KromLuang Chumphon Khet Udomsak Shrine, and a
final stop at the Pa Tu Market to sample local culinary delicacies, before
returning to the starting point at the Royal Prasae Warship Memorial. The
total distance of 15 kilometres will be covered within two hours.
The stop at Ban Pak Nam Prasae is designed to benefit
the local community, which is known for producing delicacies; such as, flavoured
tea snacks, soft-shelled rice crackers, pinwheel pastries, desserts and the
well-known local specialty, “KhlungKhu tea”. A local tour guide from the Takhian
Ngam Community School will also narrate the story of Takhian Yai, two
massive trees in the community area said to be more than 500 years old.
Category 2: Entitled “TEAM TOGETHER”, this is a more
heavy-duty race for seasoned cyclists, also starting from the Royal Prasae
Warship Memorial and running along Burapha Chonlathit Road but with a single
stop at the Noen Nang Phaya Viewpoint before returning to the starting
point. The 75-kilometre track is expected to be covered within three hours.
The Royal Prasae Warship Memorial has been chosen
as the start and end point for the tours because it is a monument of the
HTMS Prasae, one of the Thai battleships that took part in the Korean War in
the 1950s. It also has a shrine to pay respect to the widely revered Prince
of Chumphon, the father of the Thai Navy.
Rayong is one of the three provinces of the Eastern
Economic Corridor (EEC) on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, which are
being developed as a technological, manufacturing, and service hub with
strong connectivity to its ASEAN neighbours by land, sea and air.
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More Thai men volunteer in annual military draft
Under the Military Service
Act, all Thai men who reach the age of 21 are required to register for the
military draft. Those who do not volunteer must take part in a lottery.
More eligible Thai men have
volunteered to join the military on conscription day due to the COVID-19
fallout.
The ongoing annual military draft period has been
postponed from April because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the Military Service Act, all Thai men who reach
the age of 21 are required to register for the military draft. Those who do
not volunteer must take part in a lottery. Around 100,000 men are drafted
annually to serve in the three branches of the armed forces.
Deputy army spokeswoman Col Sirichan Nga-tong said this
year the number of those who volunteer to join the armed forces considerably
increased. She said the main reason was that the COVID-19 pandemic had
reduced job opportunities.
Many men who wished to join the military said it was an
easy decision because they could serve the country and did not have to worry
about their income.
When reaching the age, young men receive conscription
notices and contact recruitment offices to begin the draft process. On
appointment, they must be present for military draft at designated venues.
The draft period is rescheduled this year for July
23-Aug 31, which is longer than normal because of limited capacity to comply
with social distancing rules. (TNA)
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Liverpool fans Join ‘Tuk-Tuk’ parade to celebrate ‘Premier League Trophy’
Liverpool F.C. fanstook
the streets of Silom and Sathon in Bangkok on TukTuk.
Liverpool F.C. fans on Friday
joined a ‘tuk-tuk’ parade in Bangkok to celebrate the club’s first Premier
League title.
Organized by Liverpool’s main sponsor Standard
Chartered, the Reds supporters and the bank’s staff took the streets of
Silom and Sathon in Bangkok’s financial district where the bank’s head
office is located.
Standard Chartered has been the main sponsor of
Liverpool F.C. since 2010 and has extended it to the 2022-2023 season.(TNA)
800 Thai workers lose jobs at big factory
Workers of
the plant were shocked for seeing the layoff announcement at the gate of
their factory in Muang district.
A loss-ridden underwear and
swimsuit factory laid off 800 workers abruptly and closed its production
indefinitely after a previous layoff of about 2,000 people.
Workers of the plant were shocked for seeing the layoff
announcement at the gate of their factory in Muang district. The
announcement affected 800 workers.
Earlier the management had announced to close the plant
for three months and lay off about 2,000 workers due to its huge loss and
the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019.
Remaining workers returned to the factory on July 31
that should have been their first working day after the three-month closure.
They turned up only to learn that they also lost their jobs.
The workers had not been informed of the unemployment
in advance and the management of the factory announced that the closure
continued indefinitely. The workers doubted that the factory would pay their
overdue salaries.
They then went to a local labor protection office to
seek help. They had to file their written requests and wait for assistance
procedures. (TNA)
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Thai concert organizer prosecuted for lack of disease prevention
The
prosecution followed criticisms on the concert at Cha-uat district on the
night of July 25 as concert goers did not wear face masks and no disease
control measures were applied to curb Covid-19.
The organizer of the “Jenni
Lily Daimod Thasodchuen” concert recognized a charge from the Cha-uat
district office for failing to implement disease control measures in the
packed concert event.
The prosecution followed criticisms on the concert at
Cha-uat district in the southern province on the night of July 25 as concert
goers did not wear face masks and no disease control measures were applied
to curb the coronavirus disease 2019.
Cha-uat police chief Pol Col Thian Baltip said local
authorities had warned the organizer of the concert to comply with disease
control measures but to no avail.
The organizer was charged with violating Sections 9 and
18 of the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations.
A local health official filed the complaint with police and the organizer
confessed to the offence. (TNA)
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Thailand Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) intact despite cabinet reshuffle
%20intact%20despite%20cabinet%20reshuffle%201.jpg)
Water and electricity
infrastructures are being relocated to pave the way for a high-speed railway
project that will link three main airports in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and
Rayong.
A cabinet reshuffle expected
in the near future will not affect the government’s Eastern Economic
Corridor (EEC) project, said a deputy government spokesperson.
Ratchada Dhnadirek said that important infrastructure
development contracts for the EEC had been signed and the construction of
infrastructures in the project site was making great progress.
“Everything is progressing without any concern,” she
said.
According to her, water and electricity infrastructures
were being relocated to pave the way for a high-speed railway project that
will link three main airports in Bangkok, SamutPrakan and the eastern
province of Rayong. The project contract was signed on Oct 24 last year.
A joint-venture contract was signed last October for
the expansion of the Map Ta Phut port and a contract was also sealed last
month for the expansion of U-Tapao airport in Rayong and relevant urban
development in its vicinity.
These are parts of the EEC project.
Ms Ratchada said that the coronavirus disease 2019
caused a decline in investment projects in the EEC from April to June but
such projects should increase later because investors wanted to relocate
their production bases to avoid impacts of the trade war between China and
the United States. Investors from China, Japan and Singapore formed the
biggest group of foreign investors who planned to move to Thailand, she
said.
“The prime minister in his capacity as the chairman of
the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee prioritizes investment in
Thailand and in EEC for economic benefits. A cabinet reshuffle will not have
any impact on the EEC project,” Ms Ratchada said. (TNA)
%20intact%20despite%20cabinet%20reshuffle%202.jpg)
Deputy Government
spokesperson, Ratchada Dhnadirek.
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Thailand Irrigation Department expects for heavy rain in the next five days
Thai Meteorological
Department predicted heavy rain in the North, the Northeast, the Central
Plains, the East and the South from Friday until Aug 4.
The director-general of the
Royal Irrigation Department ordered his subordinates to reserve rainwater
that is expected from a depression in the next five days.
The Department director general,Thongplew Kongjun said
the Meteorological Department predicted heavy rain in the North, the
Northeast, the Central Plains, the East and the South from Friday until Aug
4 as a low pressure system would grow into a depression near the coast of
southern China.
“It is a good opportunity as water is low in natural
water sources and reservoirs. If it rains above reservoirs and other water
retention areas, water will significantly increase in reservoirs and natural
water sources. The Royal Irrigation Department will try its best to reserve
as much water as it can,” he said.
According to him, the department will keep water at
reservoirs for use in the dry season this year and next year and farmers can
use water from natural sources.
The department has also warned its officials and
relevant organizations to prevent or mitigate flooding due to the predicted
heavy rain. (TNA)
The
Department director general,Thongplew Kongjun.
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Thailand allows four categories of foreigners’ visits at this stage
The Center for COVID-19
Situation Administration spokesman,Dr Taweesin
Visanuyothin.
The Center for COVID-19
Situation Administration reported six more coronavirus disease 2019 cases
who returned from other countries.
CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said five new
cases arrived from Egypt. Four are male students aged 21 and 24 who were
back in the country on July 24. They tested positive for COVID-19 on July 29
while having no symptoms.
The other returnee from Egypt is a man aged 28. He
arrived on July 30 while having a fever and breathing problems. He tested
positive on his arrival date.
The other new case is a male chef, 52, who worked on a
cruise ship. He returned from the Netherlands on July 25 and tested positive
for COVID-19 while being asymptomatic.
So far COVID-19 infection was detected with 373
quarantined people. The total of confirmed cases rose to 3,310, 3,125 of
whom recovered and 127 were being treated at hospitals. The death toll
remained unchanged at 58.
Dr Taweesin said that CCSA had already allowed visits
of four categories of foreigners and they could arrive right when local
parties who would receive those completely prepared quarantine operations
for the visitors.
The four categories of foreigners comprise exhibitors,
film crews, medical and wellness tourists and Thailand Elite Card holders. (TNA)
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Thailand new economic ministers satisfy chamber of commerce
Kalin
Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
The chairman of the Thai
Chamber of Commerce is satisfied with the list of the new economic
ministers.
Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of
Commerce, said that he was happy with media reports that Predee Daochai
would become a deputy prime minister and the finance minister and
Supattanapong Panmeechao would be the energy minister.
Both were highly capable and knowledgeable about
economic problems so they were suitable for their future roles, Mr Kalin
said.
Regarding negative economic outlooks seen by many
parties, Mr Kalin said that the Thai economy depended on the global economy
that was facing uncertainty because the number of COVID-19 cases were rising
in countries including Japan and the United States.
Thailand had to prevent a sharp economic downturn by
balancing business against pubic safety when it handled COVID-19, he said. (TNA)
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Thai-Belgian cooperation on Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) investment, Covid solidarity
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H.E. Mr.
Philippe Kridelka, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Thailand (left),
and Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
H.E. Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Ambassador of the Kingdom
of Belgium to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister and Defense
Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha on occasion of his completion of tenure.
Gist is as follows:
The Prime Minister thanked Belgian Ambassador for his
significant role in promoting relations and cooperation between Thailand and
Belgium during the 3-year tenure, and commended close relations of the two
countries which have spanned for over 152 years. He also congratulated the
new tenure of Belgian Ambassador as Permanent Representative of Belgium to
the United Nations, and expressed hope that the Ambassador, in his new
tenure, would help create awareness of Thailand and promote the country’s 3
signatures, that is, Siamese smile, good food, and splendid nature, at the
global stage.
The Belgian Ambassador expressed appreciation toward
the Thai Government for its warm welcome and cooperation throughout his
tenure in the country. He lauded Thailand’s success in administering and
controlling spread of COVID-19 pandemic which has been globally recognized,
and as a result of which no new domestic infection case has been reported
for a couple of months now. The Prime Minister thanked Belgian Ambassador
for organizing “Thai-Belgium COVID Solidarity”, a charity event aiming to
help out COVID-19-affected Thai community.
Both parties also discussed economic cooperation. The
Prime Minister thanked Belgium for endorsing renegotiation on FTA between
Thailand and EU, and called on the country to make more investment, and have
Thailand as trade and investment hub under the ASEAN framework. The Prime
Minister and Belgian Ambassador also agreed that there are potentials for
further cooperation in trade and investment, especially in the Eastern
Economic Corridor (EEC). Thailand also stands ready to cooperate with
Belgium in the post-COVID-19 economic rehabilitation effort.
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Justice must prevail in Thai society with no social stratification
Prime Minister and Defense
Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut
Chan-o-cha emphasized public awareness on Hepatitis infection, and urged
them to go through free Hepatitis screening test under the Universal
Healthcare Scheme. He also commended capability of Thai researchers who
managed to produce vaccine containing tubes and PPEs which has considerably
reduced the country’s public health-related cost and increase value for
public health product export.
The Prime Minister also mentioned about the case of
Vorayuth Yoovidhya, the Red Bull heir whose hit-and-run charge has been
dropped by the prosecutor, that the Government has no authority to intervene
the judicial procedure. However, as the country’s Executive Branch, it is
its duty to ensure clarity and transparency of this case to the public.
A scrutiny committee, chaired by Prof. Vicha Mahakhun,
and composed of a number of experts, i.e., Permanent Secretary to Ministry
of Justice, Secretary-General of the Office of Council of State, chair of
National Reform Committee on legal aspect, chair of National Reform
Committee on judiciary procedure, president of Lawyers Council of Thailand,
deans of the Faculty of Law from Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat
University, and Ramkhamhaeng University, and director-general of Office of
National Reform, National Strategy, and Reconciliation Mobilization, has
been established to look into factual information and legal perspective of
the case,. The Prime Minister insisted that he has no authority over the
prosecutors, courts, and police, nor has any personal interest, and affirmed
to the Thai people that justice, however, must prevail in the Thai society
without any social stratification.
The Prime Minister expressed concern over student
movement, and stressed that the Government does not prohibit mass gathering
or demonstration as long as they do not commit any unlawful act. He also
advised the police to take extra care and caution in handling the situation
and avoid confrontation. With regard to the cabinet reshuffle, list of the
new cabinet will be submitted for the royal approval no later than
mid-August.
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Thailand ranked number one on the Global COVID-19 Recovery Index
The Kingdom
comes in first out of 184 nations worldwide for its effective handling of
the virus.
Thailand has ranked number one in the world out of 184
countries for its ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort, according to the Global
COVID-19 Index (GCI).
Published on 28 July, Thailand received an index score
of 82.06, putting it on top of the global chart as an example of best
practices in tackling the ongoing global pandemic.
As of today, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand
stood at 3,298, with 129 currently being treated, while 3,111 have recovered
and 58 have died.
South Korea ranked second with a recovery index of
81.09, followed by Latvia (80.81), Malaysia (79.37), Taiwan (78.94) and New
Zealand (78.55). Australia, which used to be number one in previous months,
fell to sixth, with a recovery index of 77.18.
In the previous GCI ranking published on 14 June,
Thailand came in second for its COVID-19 recovery work among 184 nations
across the globe.
The GCI bases 70 per cent of its calculation on big
data and daily analysis from 184 countries, while the other 30 per cent
comes from the Global Health Security Index, an assessment of global health
security in 195 countries prepared by the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health
Security in the United States. (tatnews.org)
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Thai Prime Minister orders probe over crowded concerts with few social distancing rules
Concert of
Ratchanok “Jennie” Suwannaket, held in Krabi last week went viral online,
showing packed crowds without face masks, which drew criticism over the
risks of covid-19 transmission.
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut
Chan-ocha ordered the provincial governors to conduct investigation on
organizing concerts in two southern provinces where few social distancing
rules were observed.
Images of the concerts of Ratchanok “Jennie” Suwannaket,
held in Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat last week went viral online, showing
packed crowds without face masks, which drew criticism over the risks of
covid-19 transmission.
Thamarak Palipat, Deputy Director-General of the
Disease Control Department said if a Covid -19 infected person attended the
concert, about 10-20 people who were there in the radius of two metres for
about at least five minutes were considered a high-risk group.
Other audiences were deemed as a low-risk group.
Disease investigation will be conducted to search for possible local
infections the same as the case of cluster infections at the boxing stadium
in March.
Mass testing will be then carried out similar to what
was done in Rayong after a Covid-19 infected Egyptian soldier visited
shopping malls during a stopover in the province earlier this month, he
explained. (TNA)
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut
Chan-ocha.
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Thai Army suspends sending soldiers for overseas training
Gen.
Nattapon Srisawat, the Director of Thai Army’s anti-Covid-19 unit.
The Royal Thai Army puts on hold participation of Thai
soldiers in overseas military trainings, Gen. Nattapon Srisawat, the
Director of Thai Army’s anti-Covid-19 unit said after several soldiers, who
returned from a military exercise in Hawaii were found infected with
Covid-19.
Out of all 151 soldiers, nine soldiers tested positive
to coronavirus after they took part in the joint exercise with the US force,
codenamed Lightning Forge 2020 and returned to Thailand on July 22.
The army suspended all military exercises during the
Covid-19 pandemic except for necessary training events. However, it decided
to stop sending soldiers to all joint military exercises as it is not
completely safe despite good protection, he said.
Infected soldiers are being treated and will be allowed
to go home when they fully recover. Weapons used in the joint training were
disinfected and sent to armories, he added.
Soldiers who are being quarantined are healthy and will
undergo repeat swab tests on Aug2 to ensure they are free of Coronavirus at
the end of the 14-day quarantine.
Meanwhile, the Center for Covid-19 Situation
Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday reported one new Covid-19 case, a soldier
who returned from the military exercise in the U.S.
The total cases reached 3,298. The death toll remained
at 58. Out of all cumulative confirmed cases, 3,111 patients have recovered
and 129 cases are currently treated at hospitals, according to the CCSA. (TNA)
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Rayong steps up tourism recovery
All sectors
in Rayong are now working to promote confidence and safety among tourists,
with upcoming tourism events to be held continuously by both government
agencies and the private sector.
Rayong province is now considered clear of any
potential local outbreak of COVID-19, after nobody was found to have
contracted the virus since an Egyptian Air Force officer later identified as
virus positive, spent time in city shops in the province two weeks ago.
Moving forward, all sectors in the province came together to restore safety
in the province’s tourism sector.
Rayong province held a ceremony of homage at the King
Thaksin the Great Shrine at Wat Loom Mahachai Chumpon, attended by
Provincial Governor Surasak Charoensirichot, along with representatives of
the Provincial Tourism and Sports Office; the Tourism Council of Thailand’s
president; Chairman of the Rayong Tourism Association, and members of the
general public who participated by making offerings of food, and swords
before the statue of King Thaksin the Great.
The ceremony was held to promote good fortune, help all
Rayong people regain their strength after having passed through the crisis,
and encourage their participation in recovery efforts to restore the
province’s economy and tourism sector.
The Governor of Rayong said that government agencies
operating in the community, have achieved a 100 percent success in COVID-19
control, by testing some 6,900 persons deemed at risk, all of whom returned
a negative result. This means the province is now considered free of
COVID-19, and is ready to welcome visitors.
Rayong Tourism Association’s Chairman Chayut
Chaitrakulthong, said that all sectors in the province are now working to
promote confidence among tourists in their personal safety, with upcoming
tourism events to be held continuously by both government agencies and the
private sector. (NNT)
Provincial
Governor Surasak Charoensirichot.
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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 29 July 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
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Thailand southern Durian satisfies Chinese consumers
The new 700-million-baht
plant boosts investment confidence in the far South and raises the company’s
daily durian purchase from 200 to 500 tons.
The completion of a new durian-processing plant in the
southern province last year resulted in durian exports from the South to
China as well as their popularity among Chinese consumers and local price
increase.
Manguwang Food Co. operates the plant on a seven-rai
plot in Thepha district, Songkhla. The new 700-million-baht plant boosts
investment confidence in the far South and raises the company’s daily durian
purchase from 200 to 500 tons. It processes fresh durian into frozen one for
export to China.
In its first year of operation, the new plant processed
about 9,000 tons of durian. The company planned to buy 20,000 tons this
year. The management of the company said that the coronavirus disease 2019
pandemic did not affect Chinese demand for Thai durian and its operation
helped raised local durian prices by 10-20%.
The demand was increasing but local durian supplies
were limited and could not feed year-long production at the plant.
Therefore, the company sought permission to also produce frozen coconut
milk. If approved, that would benefit local farmers and economy, the company
said. (TNA)
The demand was increasing
but local durian supplies were limited and could not feed year-long
production at the plant.
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Thai Cabinet makes merits on HM King’s birthday
Prime
Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha led cabinet ministers
to give alms of Buddhist monks to make merits for His Majesty the King on
the King’s birthday.
They gathered at Sanam Luang ground for the activity at
7am and gave alms to 69 monks. Also present there were privy councilors, the
presidents of the parliament, the Senate and the Supreme Court,
representatives of governmental organizations, the police, the military, the
private sector and the civil society and general people.
Participants in the activity passed health screening to
control the coronavirus disease 2019. Governmental organizations and
companies set up booths to offer public services and vocational training
including food processing, face mask production, the maintenance of
electrical appliances and the production of solar water pumps.
The Public Health Ministry deployed royally sponsored
COVID-19 test vehicles to provide people with COVID-19 tests there until
July 31. (TNA)
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Thai-Japanese industrial bubble
Nattapol
Rangsitpol, director-general of the Department of Industrial Promotion.
The Department of Industrial Promotion is proceeding
with its Thai-Japanese Industrial Bubble scheme to promote disease-free
businesses-matching with T-GoodTech and J-GoodTech platforms.
Nattapol Rangsitpol, director-general of the
department, said his department was implementing the “Industrial Bubble”
initiative of Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit for industrial
promotion among countries that effectively controlled the coronavirus
disease 2019.
The department discussed the Industrial Bubble idea
with Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation,
Japan (SMRJ) and organized online business-matching through both platforms.
Mr Nattapol said more than 4,000 Thai operators were T-GoodTech
members and J-GoodTech had more than 20,000 Japanese businesses as its
members. The Thai operators had opportunities to find suitable business
partners in a COVID-free manner, promote their business internationally and
better reach target groups, he said.
The Department of Industrial Promotion already
facilitated matching for about 70 businesses that exported products worth
400 million baht, he said.
Online trade in Thailand grew by 8.71% last year and
would do by 35% this year, Mr Nattapol said. He hoped the Thai-Japanese
Industrial Bubble would help strengthen Thai industries that could be parts
of the global value chain in the future. (TNA)
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Thailand reports 2 more soldiers contracted COVID from US
The Center
for COVID-19 Situation Administration report.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration
reported that two quarantined soldiers who returned from a drill in Hawaii
were found to have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019.
The new patients raised the total of Thailand’s
COVID-19 cases to 3,297, 3,111 of whom recovered and 128 remained in
hospitals. The death toll was unchanged at 58.
The two male soldiers are 22 and 25 years old. They
returned from Hawaii on July 22 on the same flight of six other soldiers
previously confirmed with the infection. They were quarantined in Chon Buri
province, tested positive on July 26 and were admitted at a hospital in
Bangkok.
Both became sick on July 24. The 22-year-old soldier
had a fever, sore throat, runny nose, excessive phlegm, breathing problems,
muscle pain, headache and diarrhea. The other soldier coughed. (TNA)
Thailand phase 6 easing insists all arriving foreigners must be quarantined
Mr. Pipat
Ratchakitprakan, Minister of Tourism and Sports.
The Minister of Tourism and Sports has visited a local
community in Nakhon Si Thammarat to promote local tourism. He assured the
community that all foreigners who come to Thailand in Phase 6 of relaxed
safety measures will be quarantined.
Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakan, Minister of Tourism and
Sports inspected the progress of the Network for Community Enterprises and
Farmers’ Community Tourism in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The minister
also presided over a ceremony promoting roadside fruit markets in Cha Uat
district. He visited booths that serve agricultural products and demonstrate
various aspects of produce processing.
The minister eventually, joined a caravan of jeeps and
tuk-tuks to Koh Khan subdistrict to see famous fruit orchards producing
mangosteen, durian, and rambutan, along with tasting the fruit of a
200-year-old durian tree.
During the visit, he told news correspondents that any
foreigners who come to Thailand during the 6th phase relaxation of
anti-viral social measures, to be implemented on the 1st August, must be
quarantined for 14 days on arrival. (NNT)
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Australia demands environmentally friendly products from Thailand
Somdet
Susomboon, director-general of the ministry’s Department of International
Trade Promotion.
The Commerce Ministry has pointed out
opportunities for environmentally friendly exports as Australia values
environmental conservation.
Somdet Susomboon, director-general of
the ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion, said
environmentally friendly exports should have a bright future in Australia
where all parties were emphasizing long-term environmental conservation
following its devastating wildfire last year.
“Valuing environmental protection,
property developers are constructing new residential and commercial
buildings that are sustainable and friendly to the environment. They focus
on safety, energy-saving and environmentally friendly materials, equipment
and products. Consequently, demand is increasing and there are opportunities
for the Thai producers and exporters who have environmentally friendly
products,” Mr Somdet said.
He saw opportunities for allergy
friendly construction materials such as flooring, fences, roofs and paints
as well as thermal insulation materials, solar cells and smart devices.
SalilaTepkasetkul, Thai trade director
in Sydney, said Australians demanded not only environmentally friendly
residences but also environmentally friendly products such as reusable
products and biodegradable food and beverage containers. They also
increasingly ate vegetarian food and opted public transport and carpooling,
she said.
“Environmentally friendly products are
gaining popularity in Australia and operators in Australia are developing
and promoting environmentally friendly products and services. Environmental
friendliness is a factor for product success in Australia,” Ms Salila said.
(TNA)
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Thai Prime Minister leads the auspicious celebration of HM King’s birthday
Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the oath giving
ceremony for government officials to pledge themselves as good civil
servants and the power of the land held at Sanam Luang.
Celebrations and events are being held throughout on
Tuesday to celebrate the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s
birthday. The government has held some central events in Bangkok led by the
Prime Minister, since this morning.
The Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, accompanied
by his wife Naraporn Chan-o-cha, presided over the alms giving ceremony
celebrating the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s birthday, at
Sanam Luang in Bangkok this morning.
The alms giving ceremony was held simultaneously with
similar events at temples across the country. The central event at Sanam
Luang was participated in by high-ranking officials such as the Privy
Councillors, head of independent constitutional organizations, the Royal
Office, House Speaker, members of the Cabinet, members of the House of
Representatives, members of the Senate, judges, the Governor of Bangkok,
military and police commanders, ministerial permanent secretaries, head of
government offices, representatives of private companies, and the general
public.
The Prime Minister then presided over the oath giving
ceremony for government officials to pledge themselves as good civil
servants and the power of the land, which was also held at Sanam Luang. Part
of the oath made by these officials says they will behave as good civil
servants, become the power of the land, be honest and transparent, and
follow in His Majesty’s footsteps by devoting themselves to solving problems
faced by the people and the country, making good to the land, and living
their lives according to Buddhist teachings. (NNT)
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Thai Commerce Ministry keeps pork at 130 baht per kilogram
The Deputy
Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Jurin Laksanawisit, inspected the
price of pork at Makro Nakorn-In, Bangkok.
The Ministry of Commerce has asked for
cooperation from swine raisers and traders to maintain the wholesale price
at 80 baht per kilogram, to keep the retail price at 150 to 160 baht. As a
result, many retailers are selling pork at only 130 baht per kilogram.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce
Minister, Jurin Laksanawisit, inspected the price of pork at Makro Nakorn-In,
confirming the meat is being sold to consumers at 130 baht a kilogram. Mr.
Jurin found the product being sold at the same price at Tesco Lotus and Tops
Supermarket outlets while revealing Blue Flag pork was also on offer in 44
provinces.
The Deputy Prime Minister said all
three major retailers have affirmed they will keep red pork meat at no more
than 130 baht per kilogram while the Thai Fresh Market Association has
compelled its members in Bangkok and its vicinity to maintain the retail
price at 150 baht per kilogram. The association added, however, that it may
reconsider the cap if farm prices are not kept at 80 baht per kilogram and
will look at the export sector.
The President of the Thai Swine Raisers Association,
Surachai Sutthitham, explained that raised pork prices are due to
improvements being made to farm systems to protect Thai swine from the
African Swine Fever virus, pushing up production costs. However, exports may
be adjusted in favor of satisfying domestic demand. (NNT)
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Media for Thai autistic children unveiled
A series of
video clips about alternative communication are produced for parents to use
in the development of their autistic children, aimed at reducing the cost of
training.
The Autistic Thai Foundation has received 4,800
communication development kits for autistic children.
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation, in collaboration
with the Autistic Thai Foundation and the Department for Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities of the Ministry of Social Development and Human
Security, have created a series of video clips about alternative
communication, for parents to use in the development of their autistic
children, aimed at reducing the cost of training.
They also created a set of illustrations, teaching
autistic children about hand disinfection and mask wearing. A total of 4,800
sets are to be distributed through their networks.
Unveiling the creations, the organizations held a
demonstration of media for autistic individuals, such as computer programs,
as well as exhibiting the For All Coffee and Art Story businesses that
support autistic people.(NNT)
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Traffic relief plan for long holiday in Thailand
Toll fees
are waived for two motorways (Highway 7 Bangkok-Pattaya and Highway 9 on
Bang Pa In-Bang Phli) and two expressways (Burapa Vithi and Kanchanapisek)
from July 24 to 29 to help people cut travel costs.
The transport ministry has prepared measures to
facilitate travelers during the long holiday this weekend as the Office of
Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning expects more than nine million
people to travel in the country during the period.
Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchob on Friday
presided over the meeting on facilitating motorists in the upcoming long
holiday.
He instructed relevant agencies to analyze the road
accident data in the past to reduce the risks and prevent road accidents in
the next holiday and told the Highway Department and the expressway
authority of Thailand to open all toll gates to increase traffic flow in
front of the toll plaza.
The department of highway and the department of rural
roads were ordered to stop all road construction and to reopen more traffic
lanes for vehicles.
The Department of Land Transport was assigned to ask
for cooperation from truck operators to suspend their operations during the
period. Public transport must maintain Covid-19 surveillance measures for
the safety of passengers.
Meanwhile, the government approved waiving motorway
toll fees for two motorways (Highway 7 Bangkok-Pattaya and Highway 9 on Bang
Pa In-Bang Phli) and two expressways (Burapa Vithi and Kanchanapisek) from
July 24 to 29 to help people cut travel costs.
The cabinet approved July 27 as a substitute holiday
for Songkran. The announcement created a four-day holiday from July 25-28.
July 28 is a holiday, observing His Majesty the King’s birthday. (TNA)
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Thailand sets 600 million baht for COVID vaccine from the University of Oxford
Deputy Prime
Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin
Charnvirakul has confirmed that the government was ready to buy vaccines for
the coronavirus disease 2019 to protect Thai people.
He said that the government allocated 3.5 billion baht
for the research and development of COVID-19 vaccines and also planned to
spend 600 million baht to order a vaccine from the University of Oxford.
Earlier the government assigned former public health minister Dr Piyasakol
Sakolsatayadorn to discuss the vaccine procurement with the university.
The vaccine order was necessary, Mr Anutin said.
He also said that the government was looking for other
potential vaccines including the candidate vaccines, the production of which
Thailand was supporting through memorandums of understanding.
The government was looking for all possible cures of
COVID-19, Mr Anutin said. (TNA)
Thai police defend decision to drop charges against Red Bull heir
Vorayuth
Yoovidhyawas accused in a 2012 black Ferrari hit-and-run that killed a
police officer.
Thai police have defended the decision to drop criminal
charges against Red Bull heir, Vorayuth Yoovidhya, who was accused in a 2012
hit-and-run that killed a police officer.
Vorayuth, then 27, was arrested in September 2012 after
his black Ferrari clashed into a motorcycle of Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian
Klanprasert, 48, in Bangkok.
On Friday, police confirmed that the attorney general
had decided to acquit Vorayuth on all charges.
Pol Lt Gen Piya Uthayo, Spokesman of the Royal Thai
Police, said police legal team had examined the attorney general’s order and
decides not to appeal.
Police have also requested for a withdrawal of the
court’s arrest warrant on Vorayuth.
Vorayuth case has caused public outcry over the justice
system. He had faced charges of speeding, hit-and-run and reckless driving
causing death. However, Vorayuth missed eight police summons until some
charges expired five years after the incident.
Last month, the National Anti-Corruption Commission
found a police officer guilty of dereliction of duty in handling the case.
Pol Lt Ger Piya insisted that the case had been handled
according to law.
Vorayuth is a grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya who
created Red Bull business empire and was listed as the third richest person
in Thailand when he died in 2012. (TNA)
Pol Lt Gen
Piya Uthayo, Spokesman of the Royal Thai Police.
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Thai army repeats disease probe on returnees from the United States
All soldiers
who returned from the US will go through swabs test againon Aug 3 when the
14-day quarantine ends.
The army will reinvestigate illness
among its soldiers who returned from the United States because some of them
are sick, its advisor said.
Gen Natapon Srisawat, special advisor to the army, said
the repeated investigation would follow the announcement by the Center for
COVID-19 Situation Administration that six soldiers who returned from the US
were among 10 new COVID-19 cases confirmed over the past 24 hours.
The soldiers did not have pneumonia and their symptoms
were mild. They might have joined some military exercises in the areas that
were not free of COVID-19. Four soldiers participated in exercises in
at-risk areas and transmitted the disease to two close friends, Gen Natapon
said.
“Five other soldiers who were tested at Phramong
kutklao Hospital will be quarantined at Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in
Chon Buri province. All soldiers who returned from the US will be tested
again.
They will then undergo another round of swabs on Aug 3
when the 14-day quarantine ends,” he said.
Army chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong assigned
investigators to find how the soldiers contracted the disease and ordered
the complete recovery of infected soldiers, Gen Natapon said.
He added Phramong kutklao Hospital had successfully
treated many COVID-19 patients and that the army had to continuously send
its personnel to training in the US because Thai and US armies had agreed to
do it. (TNA)
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Thailand reports 8 new Covid cases in quarantine from Egypt, Sudan and the United States
Panprapa
Yongtrakul, spokeswoman of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration
(CCSA).
Thailand on Thursday reported eight new Covid-19 cases,
imported from abroad with no new death.
Panprapa Yongtrakul, spokeswoman of the Center for
Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said the new cases raised the total
cases in the country to 3,269.
Of those, 3,105 patients recovered and 106 others are
being treated at hospitals.
The new cases were Thai nationals, four returning from
Egypt, two from Sudan and two from the United States. They were all in state
quarantine.
Four cases, arriving from Egypt were asymptomatic. They
were on the same flight with more than 10 previously confirmed cases.
Two students from Sudan showed some symptoms on their
arrivals but tested negative to coronavirus at the airport. They tested
positive on the 12th day of their quarantine. Fifteen persons on the same
flight were found infected with coronavirus.
The first tests of two women, who returned from the
U.S. showed positive results.
Out of all 60,470 persons, having been quarantined, 332
persons or 0.55% were found infected with coronavirus, she said.(TNA)
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10 Thai soldiers returning from Hawaii have fever
Ten Thai
soldiers, considered as patients under investigation (PUI) were sent to
Phramongkutklao Hospital for Covid-19 testing.
Ten of 151 soldiers, who returned from a military
exercise in Hawaii have fever and are under medical surveillance while the
rest are being quarantined in Chonburi.
The soldiers arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport on a Thai
Airways charter flight on Wednesday evening. They participated in a joint
exercise with US forces at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii from July 1-21.
Ten soldiers, considered as patients under
investigation (PUI) were sent to Phramongkutklao Hospital for Covid-19
testing. Those who passed health screening are being quarantined at the
Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in Chonburi.They are not allowed to leave
their rooms for two weeks. (TNA)
Federation of Thai Industries proposes post-Covid economic revival plan
The
Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) vice-chairman, Kriangkrai Tiennukul.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has laid out
post-Covid recovery plan, focusing on both traditional industries and
targeted future industries while promoting local sourcing.
Kriangkrai Tiennukul, the FTI's vice-chairman said the
post-Covid recovery plan sub-committee, which he chairs was assigned to map
out the medium-term plan (6-12 months) and the long-term plan (18-24
months).
The recovery plan for 45 groups of traditional
industries in 11 clusters embraces three main points, he said. The first
one is to promote the use of made-in -Thailand goods. The FTI proposed that
the Comptroller General’s Department amend procurement regulations to
support the use of domestically made products.
Secondly, the FTI underscored development of upstream
to downstream supply chain. Various industries were affected by trade war
last year and Covid-19 this year. They face shortage of imported raw
materials due to lockdown in China.
Thailand should turn towards delocalization to source
products and materials locally.
Thirdly, food and agriculture technology should be
promoted, he said.
As the country benefits from its biodiversity, bio
economy, agro-processing and value added agriculture will be the most
suitable for Thai people in the future and it will also meet the global
demand.
Six targeted future industries include digital,
healthcare, medical equipment, logistics, robotics and bio economy, he
added. (TNA)
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Tourism Authority of Thailand to organize first ‘Rural Tourism Awards’
Mr. Yuthasak
Supasorn, TAT Governor.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is going to
organize the first Rural Tourism Awards to recognize the significant role of
the country’s diverse local communities in preserving arts, culture,
heritage and cuisine.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is going to
organize the first Rural Tourism Awards to recognize the significant role of
the country’s diverse local communities in preserving arts, culture,
heritage and cuisine.
The Awards will enhance the quality of community-based
tourism nationwide, create international awareness, give the villages
marketing exposure, enhance their confidence, and motivate the villages to
upgrade their standards and facilities.
The Awards are being organized by TAT in cooperation
with the Department of Community Development, Department of Tourism,
Department of Cultural Promotion, Department of Agricultural Extension,
Department of Industrial Promotion, Department of Cooperative Promotion,
Organization for the Development of Special Areas for Sustainable Tourism (DASTA),
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), National Village and Urban
Community Fund, Government Savings Bank, Bank for Agriculture and
Agricultural Cooperatives, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited,
Pracharat Rak Samakkhi (Thailand), public and private universities, tour
companies, tourism associations and more than 40 grassroots community
organizations.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “This is an
historic rural tourism contest that has involved the successful
collaboration of a broad range of public and private sector bodies and
educational institutions. We want to promote and encourage rural tourism
villages to be strong and self-reliant. This is in line with the national
policy to promote rural development, create jobs, and develop a sustainable
economic foundation. The Awards would also meet TAT’s objective to integrate
tourism with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially the
poverty-alleviation target.
“The Awards are also very timely due to the emphasis on
domestic tourism as a result of the downturn in international arrivals
caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This will enhance a sense of pride amongst
the communities and help them attract visitors via the publicity and
marketing exposure. It is quite possible that some of them may also be
chosen for listing on online booking platforms.”
The Thailand Rural Tourism Awards will be divided into
two categories:
A. The Top 5 Rural Tourism Villages:
1) Best Creative Experience Village
2) Best Agro-tourism Village
3) Best Homestay Village
4) Best Responsible Tourism Village
5) Best for Company Outing Village
B. The Top 5 OTOP Tourism Villages:
1) OTOP Tourism Village (Decorative Products)
2) OTOP Tourism Village (Herbal Products
3) OTOP Tourism Village (Food and Beverage Products)
4) OTOP Tourism Village (Fabric and Clothing Products)
5) OTOP Tourism Village (Various Products)
A total of 25 rural tourism villages (5 villages per
category) and 100 OTOP villages for tourism have been nominated. A committee
of experts from all departments will consider the selection of the 15 final
communities (3 communities per category) before travelling to each community
to decide the award winners, ranked 1-3 in each category.
TAT has also invited tourists to vote for the best
communities. The scoring criteria will be based on 70% input from the
judging committee and 30% from the tourists.
The Rural Tourism Awards will be conferred on 27
September, 2020, commemorated as World Tourism Day. The OTOP Village for
Tourism Awards will be conferred at a later date this year.
OTOP stands for ‘One Tambon (meaning sub-district) One
Product’. It is a local entrepreneurship stimulus programme, which aims to
support the unique locally made and marketed products of each Thai tambon
all over Thailand. It selects one superior product from each tambon to
receive formal branding as a “starred OTOP product”, and provides a local
and international stage for the promotion of these products.
OTOP products cover a large array of local products,
including handicrafts, cotton and silk garments, pottery, fashion
accessories, household items, and foods, all of which are popular with both
domestic and foreign visitors.
++++++++++
Contact Information
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.tatnews.org
The Awards
will enhance the quality of community-based tourism nationwide, create
international awareness, give the villages marketing exposure, enhance their
confidence, and motivate the villages to upgrade their standards and
facilities.
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Thai rice exporters cut this year’s forecast to 6.5 million tons
In the first six months, Thailand shipped 3.14
million tons of rice, down 32.7% from the same period last year, with an
export value of US$2.2 billion, down 12% year-on year.
Thai Rice Exporters Association cut its projection for 2020 rice exports
from 7.5 million tons to 6.5 million tons, the lowest volume in 20 years.
Pol Lt. Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Thai
Rice Exporters Association said that in the first six months, Thailand
shipped 3.14 million tons of rice, down 32.7% from the same period last
year, with an export value of US$2.2 billion, down 12% year-on year.
Thai rice exports was likely to plunge due to many
negative factors such as a strong baht continued drought cutting into
production, he said.
Moreover, soft rice was popular among major
importers like the Philippines and Malaysia but Thailand could not
produce much enough to meet the demand.
Speaking about other factors, he said that the
price of Thai white rice is US$ 460per ton, higher than that of its
competitor, Vietnam by US$ 100.
China has a large volume of rice stockpile with low demand for
rice imports and it also exports more rice to Africa.
The coronavirus crisis also weakened consumers’
purchasing power, he added.
Rice exports is forecast to slow down in the second
half of this year due to purchases of relatively high rice volume at the
beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in April.
The president said the association downgraded its
projection for 2020 rice exports from 7.5 million tons to 6.5 million
tons worth US$4.2 billion, the lowest in two decades.
The association called for the government’s new
economic team to solve the problem quickly to increase competitiveness,
to curb the appreciation of Thai baht and to push ahead with the 10-year
strategic rice plan. (TNA)
Pol Lt.
Charoen Laothamatas, President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.
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