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Thailand Interior Ministry orders governors to continue controls during State of Emergency
BANGKOK (NNT) - After the
government announced the extension of the State of Emergency for another
month until 31st May, Permanent Secretary for the Interior Chatchai
Phromlert, issued an urgent letter to provincial governors calling on them
to continue enforcing measures and orders previously made.
The letter stated that enforcement should continue from
1st May, while provinces should wait for further policies from the Center
for the COVID-19 Situation Administration before issuing any further
announcements or orders to ensure a unified direction.
The National Office of Buddhism is asking all provinces
to cancel or postpone religious activities celebrating Wisakha Bucha day on
6th May to prevent large gatherings.
Prime Minister’s Office Minister Tewan Liptapallop,
said today faithful Buddhists are still allowed to engage in religious
activities such as alms giving, merit making, and candlelight processions,
however they must maintain a distance between one another for safety.
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Bangkok allows 8 types of venues to reopen with strict COVID-19 control measures
BMA announced its relaxation of
measures ahead of the government’s official announcement to allow businesses
and venues to be prepared for reopening.
Bangkok, 29 April, 2020, at 11.00 Hrs. – The Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to provide the latest update that
eight types of venues will be allowed to reopen after the closure order by
the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expires on 30 April, 2020.
According to the BMA, the exact reopening dates will be
in line with the government’s announcement, which is expected to be made
within today or tomorrow. The reopening of the eight types of venues will
also follow the government’s strict health measures and guidelines as
Thailand continues its efforts to limit the spread of the Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The eight types of venues in Bangkok that will be
allowed to reopen are:
-Restaurants, excluding those located in shopping malls
or supermarkets.
-Markets and flea markets.
-Barbers and hairdressers.
-Health clinics, excluding weight-control services and
cosmetic clinics.
-Golf courses and driving ranges.
-Sports facilities, but only for limited types of
sports, including tennis and badminton courts, running tracks and other
types of sports per the government’s announcement.
-Public and private parks.
-Pet grooming shops.
These venues will be allowed to reopen under strict
social distancing conditions. For example, restaurants will need to
implement strict health measures, including body temperature screening of
staff and clients, setting up tables 1.5 metres apart, no self-cook menus
allowed (suki, shabu or barbeque), no self-service buffet allowed, no
alcoholic beverages, no live music, etc.
Barbers, hairdressers and pet grooming shops are not
allowed to accept walk-in customers and must close every two hours for
disinfecting the places – each time at least for 20 minutes.
Gatherings are not allowed; such as, groupings of
caddies while waiting for customers at golf courses and drive ranges or
gatherings of people at public or private parks. Outdoor fitness equipment
will remain closed and likewise for children’d playgrounds at parks and
markets.
With regard to the extension of a ban on the sales of
alcoholic beverages, the BMA said it would follow the direction from the
government.
(tatnews.org)
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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 29 April 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
Hotels opened for returnee quarantine in Thailand’s southern province
Thai
returnees from Malaysia returnees have been placed in hotels set up as state
quarantine in Sonkhla.
Songkhla has opened the third hotel to
accommodate Thai returnees from Malaysia while over 1,000 returnees have
already arrived but no one was initially found infected with Covid-19 during
the screening process.
At Padang Besar border checkpoint in Songkhla’s Sadao
district, 101 Thai returnees from Malaysia have registered to pass through
Padang Besar on Wednesday.
Since the border reopened 12 days ago, more than 1,000
Thais have travelled home and placed under the state quarantine at two
hotels, which have been fully occupied, prompting the authorities to open
another hotel to accommodate them.
Meanwhile, out of all 42 migrant workers, who have
contracted coronavirus during quarantine at the Songkhla Immigration
Detention Center, 36 patients are in stable condition under close medical
monitoring there. No new cases among the remaining 73 migrant workers were
reported there.
Another six Covid-19 patients in this group, including
a pregnant woman were referred to hospitals after they had developed
complications such as pneumonia.
Public Health Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul will take a
field trip to Songkhla to follow up the situation and meet relevant agencies
to discuss preventive measures in coping with movement of people through
Thai – Malaysian border at the Sadao border checkpoint. (TNA)
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Chiang Mai hot with scattered thundershowers this week
Bo Sang
Umbrella Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Chiang Mai and Northern Part
Weather Forecast
Hot with scattered thundershowers and isolated gusty
winds mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Nan,
Phrae, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai. Minimum temperature 21-25 °C.
Maximum temperature 33-37 °C. Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.
During 29 Apr - 1 May, hot. Isolated to scattered
thunderstorms with isolated gusty wind. Easterly wind 10-20 km/hr.
During 2 - 5 May, hot to very hot with isolated
thundershowers mostly in the lower portion. Southwesterly wind 10-30 km/hr.
Minimum temperature 21-25°C. Maximum temperature 35 - 40°C.
Chiang Mai 7
days Weather Forecast.
Bangkok hot with isolated thundershowers through the week
The Lad Pho
canal and its floodgates and the elegant bridges of Bhumibol 1 & 2, Bangkok.
Central Part Weather
Hot to very hot with isolated thundershowers and gusty
winds mostly in Nakhon Sawan, UthaiThani, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi and
Ratchaburi. Minimum temperature 25-27 °C. Maximum temperature 35-40 °C.
Southeasterly winds 10-20 k/hr.
During 29 Apr - 1 May, hot to very hot. Isolated to
scattered thundershower. Easterly wind 10-20 km/hr. During 2 - 5 May, hot to
very hot with isolated thundershowers. Southerly wind 10-30 km/hr. Minimum
temperature 25-27°C. Maximum temperature 36 - 40°C.
Bangkok Weather Forecast
Hot during the day. Isolated to scattered
thundershowers throughout the period. Minimum temperature 25-27 °C. Maximum
temperature 36-39°C. Southerly wind 10-20 km/hr.
Bangkok 7 day Weather Forecast
Pattaya City hot with scattered thundershowers, beach calm with low waves
Jomtien
Beach, Pattaya City, Chonburi Province on a rainy day.
Pattaya City and Eastern Part
Weather
Hot with isolated thundershowers and gusty winds
mostly in Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum
temperature 25-27 °C. Maximum temperature 34-38 °C. Southeasterly winds
15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and 1-2 meters in thundershowers
areas.
During 29 - 30 Apr, Hot during the day, isolated
thundershowers. During 1 - 5 May, Hot during the day, isolated
thundershowers. Minimum temperature 24-28 °C. Maximum temperature
35-39°C. Southeasterly wind 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and
1-2 meters in thundershower areas.
Pattaya City 7 days
Weather Forecast.
Thai PM ready to ease some restrictions this week
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha prior
to the cabinet meeting (Tuesday April 28).
Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to
provide the latest update that the Thai Cabinet today approved the Centre
for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) proposal to extend the
Emergency Decree for one more month, starting from 1 May, 2020.
According to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha,
some restrictions under the Emergency Decree will remain in place, including
the closure of entry/access points (land, sea and air) to the country,
nationwide night-time curfew from 22.00 – 04.00 Hrs., limitations on
commuting between provinces, and no large gatherings. The ban on all
incoming passenger flights has been extended until 31 May, 2020.
The Cabinet has also approved relaxation of some
restrictions, which will gradually be introduced in four stages every 14
days. Details are being worked out and will be announced within this week.
The Prime Minister asked the public to continue to
follow the ‘social distancing’ rules and comply with the government’s
measures to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Today, Thailand reported seven new COVID-19 cases – yet
the lowest for this month and marks the second day in a row that the number
of new cases dropped below 10.
The seven new cases brought the total to 2,938. Of
these, 90.27% (2,652) have recovered, 1.84% (54) have died – two deaths
today, and 7.89% (270) are receiving treatment. -28 April, 2020
(tatnews.org)
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Strict COVID-19 screening measures in southern border provinces of Thailand
Local
authorities continue to provide COVID-19 prevention information to the
people during the Islamic month of Ramadan in southern border provinces.
SONGKHLA - With the emergency
decree being extended for another month, measures to help limit the spread
of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including screening checkpoints,
will remain in place. In southern border provinces, the local authorities
continue to provide COVID-19 prevention information to the local people
during the Islamic month of Ramadan.
The Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen.
Santi Sakuntanak, and a group of officials visited security officers at a
checkpoint in Kuan Meed village in Chana district, Songkhla province. The
officials offered moral support and provided the officers with face masks,
alcohol-based hand sanitzers and face shields, which will help protect them
from COVID-19. The officials then gave face masks and alcohol-based hand
sanitizers to market vendors and members of the public at Chana Fresh
Market. They also provided knowledge on how to protect themselves from the
virus, and stressed the importance of keeping a safe distance from each
other at this time.
In Yala province, officers at a COVID-19 screening
checkpoint continue to monitor and screen people entering Muang Yala
district to prevent the viral spread. The southern province has also eased
lockdown restrictions in some villages that have no new COVID-19 cases. A
lockdown has applied in 36 villages and one community in five districts of
Yala for a month, to help contain the virus.
Other measures are being taken in villages, where
lockdown restrictions have been eased, to avoid another spread of COVID-19.
(NNT)
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5,000 baht aid paid to 7.5 million Thais
BANGKOK - According to its
report, the Ministry of Finance will have transferred 5,000 baht of
government aid to 7.5 million people between 8th and 29th of April, a total
of thirty eight billion baht.
Mr. Lawaron Sangsanit, director of Fiscal Policy Office
and Spokesperson for Ministry of Finance revealed that, between 8th and 24th
of April, the ministry had already transferred the aid to 4.9 million
people, equivalent to twenty five billion baht. Between 27th and 28th April,
another 1.5 million people are expected to receive the aid, the ministry has
already transferred to seven hundred thousand people and the other eight
hundred thousand will receive it today.
On Wednesday 29th, there are 1.1 million people
expected to receive the aid which is the highest number of recipients in one
day.
In addition, there are already 940 thousands applicants
whose registrations have been cancelled and 3.4 million people appealed
against the disqualification.
The other group of 6.3 million applicants are required
to provide more information, and there have already been 5.2 million people
who have provided the additional details.
The ministry advised the rest of the applicants to
provide the information as soon as possible at www.เราไม่ทิ้งกัน.com
in order to receive the aid. (NNT)
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Thailand confirms 7 new COVID-19 patients and 2 deaths
BANGKOK - The government’s
Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has confirmed seven
new COVID-19 cases with two new deaths on Tuesday.
Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesperson for the CCSA
and Ministry of Public Health, reported on Tuesday that Thailand has so far
recorded a total of 2,938 coronavirus cases, with 54 fatalities.
According to the information from the center, 232
patients are currently hospitalized while 2,652 have made full recoveries.
He said most of the patients are people aged between 20
and 29 years old, with Bangkok and Nonthaburi still the two locations that
have the biggest number of cases.
The spokesperson reiterated the importance of
maintaining social distancing guidelines, as he pointed out that most of the
new patients have attended events in crowded venues.
The government has urged people to continue wearing
face masks and washing their hands regularly, as well as practice social
distancing and observe other government measures to help minimize new
infections and contain the coronavirus outbreak. (NNT)
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Thailand’s extension for int’l flight ban to prevent a new outbreak
Dr Taweesilp
Visanuyothin, spokesperson for the Centre for COVID-19 Situation
Administration (CCSA).
BANGKOK - The CCSA spokesperson has revealed that the extension of
the international flight ban is to prevent the possibility of a further
viral outbreak coming from foreign countries, and suggested passengers with
urgent travel needs contact a Royal Thai embassy.
Doctor Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesperson for the
Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration or CCSA said that CCSA
apologized for the inconvenience of flight limitations.
Meanwhile, the extension of the Thai ban has affected
many Thai people in foreign countries who bought tickets to fly back to
Thailand from 1st May. The government then extended the ban to 31st May to
prevent the possibility of a new outbreak from foreign countries. The center
also suggested Thai people who have urgent travel needs, contact the Royal
Thai Embassy in foreign countries for assistance.
The spokesperson also mentioned the measures that
businesses must take if they are allowed to reopen. Whether the reopening
happens or not, every sector must follow the emergency decree and its
measures to prevent a viral spread, such as by social distancing, and
wearing a face mask, with regular cleaning and disinfection.
Dr. Taweesilp lastly stated that we all have to adapt
to a new lifestyle in which people have to implement the measures on a daily
basis. People have to wear face masks and keep their distance from others as
a matter of routine. These actions will help Thailand in getting rid of the
infection faster and avoiding other impositions. (NNT)
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Thai PM warns people in the North to take precaution against heavy rainfall and flash flood
Prime
Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha prior to the cabinet meeting (Tuesday
April 28).
Prof. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Government Spokesperson,
disclosed that Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha
was concerned over people’s wellbeing due to the change of weather and
summer storm in several areas, and warned the people in risky areas to be
prepared for heavy rainfall and flash flood, while farmers were urged to
take precaution to prevent damages to their crops.
The Prime Minister also closely followed up on flash
flood situation in Chiang Mai’s DoiInthanon, and enjoined concerned agencies
and local administrative offices to take good care of the affected people.
They were also ordered to closely monitor and assess
weather situation so that the local people could be forewarned.
According to the Northern office of the Meteorological
Department, 40% of thunderstorm is forecasted in the Northern part of
Thailand during April 27-28, 2020, before dwindling away from April 29
onward. (Thaigov.go.th)
Prof.
Narumon Pinyosinwat, Government Spokesperson.
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Night Curfew, inter-provincial and int’l travels bans extended in Thailand
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha.
BANGKOK – The Cabinet meeting decided to extend the emergency decree
and nationwide curfew for another month while it rejected the proposal to
postpone the four public holidays in May.
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha said the Cabinet
agreed the emergency decree and night curfew from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. remain in
effect for another month after it expires on April 30.
Interprovincial travel are still banned or limited as
well as international travel in and out of the country.
Moreover, the prime minister said the Cabinet meeting
rejected to postpone four public holidays in May after the Center for
Covid-19 Situation Administration proposed that the May public holidays
should be postponed to prevent social gathering and support travel
restriction measures.
However, he said the authorities have to adopt
stringent screening and disease prevention measures while people are
encouraged to stay home during the holidays to stem the Covid-19 outbreak.
Regarding relaxation of restrictions on business
operations, Gen. Prayut said a committee is considering details on easing
the restrictions and the announcement will be made by this week. Initially,
a gradual reopening of businesses will be allowed into four phases, based on
business types. (TNA)
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Extension of temporary ban on all int’l flights to Thailand until May 31
Public Announcement
According to the latest Notification of the Civil
Aviation Authority of Thailand Re: Temporary Ban on All International
Flights to Thailand issued on 15 April 2020, in order to maintain the
continuity of the prevention and control measures, by virtue of Section 27
and 28 of the Air Navigation Act B.E. 2497, the Civil Aviation Authority of
Thailand hereby issues the following orders:
1. The ban on international passenger flights to
Thailand will be extended from 1 May 2020 at 17.00 UTC to 31 May 2020 at
17.00 UTC.
2. All flight permits granted for such period will be
canceled.
3. The ban does not apply to state or military
aircraft, emergency landing, technical landing without disembarkation,
humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights, repatriation flights and cargo
flights.
4. The passengers on board the aircraft in 3. will be
subjected to the measures under communicable disease law, such as 14 days
state quarantine, and the regulation under the Emergency Decree on State of
Emergency. - 27 April 2020
(caat.or.th)
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No decision on reopening of shopping centers, barbers’ shops, restaurants in Thailand
The Center
for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), spokesman Dr Taweesin
Visanuyothin.
BANGKOK - The Center for
COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has not made any decision on the
reopening of department stores, barbers’ and hairdressers’ shops and
restaurants pending a resolution from the cabinet.
CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin announced the
stance in response to online reports claiming the premises would reopen on
May 4.
He said CCSA today only discussed a proposal from the
Culture Ministry to postpone national holidays in May indefinitely to
prevent consequent long holidays when more people would otherwise travel.
Dr Taweesin also said the secretary-general of the
National Economic and Social Development Council proposed business
resumption but the proposal did not specify any particular business.
The prime minister told members of CCSA to carefully
consider the matter and its possible impacts. They would discuss the issue
in the afternoon and present findings to the cabinet meeting tomorrow, Dr
Taweesin said.
“All factors must be really ready before announcing the
resumption of businesses that will happen simultaneously nationwide,” he
said.
The afternoon’s discussion involved many parties
including representatives from the Disease Control Department,
non-governmental organizations, academics, the Board of Trade of Thailand,
provincial chambers of commerce, the Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers’
Association and the Federation of Thai Industries, Dr Taweesin said.
CCSA did not discuss any possibility of online or
takeout sales of alcoholic beverages, he said. (TNA)
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Thai PM receives returnees from Australia at Suvarnabhumi airport
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha received 207
returnees from Australia at Suvarnabhumi airporton Sunday.
BANGKOK – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, and director of the
Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, on Sunday received 207
returnees from Australia and inspected screenings and immigration procedures
at Suvarnabhumi airport.
The returnees comprised students, workers and tourists
who landed at 4.20pm. On the same occasion the prime minister inspected the
work of immigration officers and officials conducting health screenings on
returnees. Earlier he ordered officials at airports to facilitate
immigration procedures. Relevant officials promised to complete the
procedures within an hour for each returnee.
Gen Prayut talked to some returnees and promised the
government would give them best care.
Meanwhile, the Thai embassy in Tokyo was set to send 35
Thai returnees to Thailand on April 27. The embassy stated that the people
would board the JL031 flight of Japan Airlines at Haneda airport and would
arrive in Thailand at 3.40pm.
The people had earlier registered their intention to
return to Thailand with the embassy and acknowledged that they would be
quarantined for 14 days after their arrival in compliance with the
government’s policy to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).(TNA)
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Thais return home from New Zealand, Japan
The Royal
Thai Embassy in Wellington has successfully repatriated 168 Thais on Thai
Airways International flight on Monday.
BANGKOK – About 200 Thai
nationals are returning home from New Zealand and Japan in two repatriation
flights as Thailand limits the number of returnees at 200 per day for
effective screening and quarantine system to prevent the spread of the
Covid-19.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington has successfully
repatriated 168 Thai nationals, who found themselves stranded in New Zealand
due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of them or 88 are students, aged between
11-19 years old.
The special repatriation flight is operated by Thai
Airways International and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 8.15 pm on
Monday.
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo is sending
35 Thai nationals home on a repatriation fight, operated by Japan Airlines.
The flight is scheduled to arrive in Thailand at 3.40 pm on Monday.
All returnees will be placed under state quarantine for
14 days. (TNA)
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Krabi applies proactive screening for stranded tourists on Phi Phi Island
Krabi
Public Health Officials performed an aggressive Covid-19 testing on foreign
tourists stranded on Phi Phi Island.
KRABI – Provincial Public Health Officials have conducted aggressive
Covid-19 testing on 274 foreign tourists, stranded on Phi Phi Island in a
proactive approach to screen for new coronavirus infections.
It will take two days for medical staff and health
officials to collect samples for coronavirus tests to be performed at the
laboratory in Krabi hospital.
Meanwhile, Krabi deputy governor met local business
operators on Phi Phi Island to assess relaxation of the lockdown in the
future.
The tourist island has been under lockdown since April
10. Entry into and exit from the island is banned by the provincial
authorities to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. (TNA)
May national holidays in Thailand to be postponed
Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome.
BANGKOK - The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)
plans to postpone national holidays in May to prevent crowd gatherings to
curb the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said the postponement would be
indefinite for the Labour Day on May 1, the Coronation Day on May 4, the
Visakha Bucha Day on May 6 and the Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day on May 11.
If the national holidays are not put off, they would
otherwise create long holidays and cause crowd gatherings, he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam would propose
the CCSA’s decision to the cabinet on April 28 for approval.
The government would later decide on other holidays in
lieu of the postponed holidays, Mr Itthipol said.
Besides, CCSA resolved to extend the state of emergency
for another month from May 1 to 31 and maintain the 10pm-4am nationwide
curfew. It will also make an announcement to permit the resumption of some
businesses and conditions for their reopening. (TNA)
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Their Majesties distribute relief supplies to people affected by the COVID-19
Their Majesties have expressed their concerns
for people who live in densely populated communities in Bangkok and are
facing many difficulties in life due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Their Majesties the King and Queen have graciously distributed relief
supplies to members of the public who have been affected by the COVID-19
situation, in Bangkok.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra
Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajarasudhabimalakshan
have expressed their concerns for people who live in densely populated
communities in Bangkok as they are facing many difficulties in life due to
the COVID-19 outbreak.
Their Majesties have made donations through the Royal
Initiative Volunteering project, which has sent volunteers to deliver bags
of relief supplies to residents of several communities in Bangkok, since
April 5th. The supplies include face masks, common household medicines,
domestic necessities and consumer goods.
Last week the volunteers delivered the relief bags to
residents of 26 communities in Thonburi, Bang Sue, Bangkok Noi, Min Buri,
Sai Mai and Nong Chok districts. Most of them are general laborers,
motorbike-taxi drivers and street vendors who are now facing income
uncertainty during the “Stay Home” period intended to minimize the spread of
COVID-19.
So far more than 181 thousand bags of relief supplies
have been delivered to communities in Bangkok. The royal kindness has
brought joy and appreciation to the people.
Relief bags
were distributed to residents of 26 communities in Bangkok.
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HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn donates ‘negative pressure cabinets’ to hospitals
Twenty-three negative pressure cabinets were
delivered to sixteen hospitals dealing with an increase in the number of
COVID-19 cases.
KRABI- Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has donated
“negative pressure cabinets” to hospitals for storing the samples collected
from COVID-19 patients.
A negative pressure cabinet arrived at Krabi hospital
yesterday (April 25th). The hospital director and staff arranged a ceremony
to receive the equipment donated by the princess through The Chaipattana
Foundation’s anti-epidemic fund.
Twenty-three negative pressure cabinets have been
delivered to sixteen hospitals in medium-sized provinces dealing with an
increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. The negative pressure cabinet was
invented by Chulalongkorn Hospital. It is of the same standard as negative
pressure rooms in hospitals. This product is used for containing tissue
samples collected from COVID-19 patients, ensuring the safety of the medical
workers whose duties involve transporting and testing the samples.
Health officials and related units nationwide have
expressed their gratitude for the kindness of Her Royal Highness Princess
Sirindhorn.(NNT)
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PM Prayut expresses concern over summer storms across Thailand
The Thai Meteorological
Department warns the summer storms are hitting many regions of Thailand in
the next few days.
BANGKOK - The prime minister has expressed his concern about summer
storms and warned people to be aware of them. While the Ministry of Digital
Economy and Society uses new technologies for improved forecasting.
General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, Prime Minister has been
informed, by the Thai Meteorological Department, about the summer storms
coming in the next few days. The storms, bringing with them thunder,
lightning, gusty winds and hail, will possibly affect areas in the North
especially. The PM warned people to be aware, particularly the agricultural
sector, and to prepare for possible damage to produce.
General Prayut is also worried about other natural
disasters that widely affect Thai citizens, such as smog, from forest fires,
and drought. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, responsible for
weather forecasts, has been using meteorological data to predict the weather
for the country. The ministry has recently purchased new technology to
improve the accuracy, such as AI, used in wind measurement, data from dams,
automatic ground weather observatories, surface maps, satellite images and
weather radar. The data collected by the equipment will help predict the
amount of rainfall which, in turn, facilitates sustainable water management.
(NNT)
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Thai Ministers deliver relief supplies to people door-to-door
Deputy
Prime Minister and leader of the Democrat Party, Jurin Laksanawisit. (NNT)
BANGKOK - Deputy Prime Minister
Jurin Laksanawisit and many other ministers have delivered relief bags to
people affected by COVID-19.
Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister, as a
leader of the Democrat Party, led former MP candidates of the party to visit
the Ruam Phatthana community, Lak Si district, to distribute 640 bags of
relief supplies to people affected by the COVID-19 situation in the rain.
Ten thousand bags are being distributed. Most people live in rented houses
and rooms. These include day laborers, motorcycle taxi riders, security
guards and the elderly, who suffering during the Covid-19 situation because
they are unable to go to work to earn money to support their families.
Mr. Chuti Krairerk, Minister of Social Development and
Human Security, visited Chalong Krung Community Housing Project, Nong Chok
district, to hear about the locals’ problems and their opinions on the
impacts of the outbreak. An ad-hoc working group has been formed and
dispatched to make inquiries. Where possible, the authorities will solve
problems within 24-48 hours. He also delivered relief supplies. A central
kitchen will be established to prepare food for distributed from Monday to
Friday until the situation improves.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tewan Liptapallop, Minister attached to
the Prime Minister’s Office, led a group of people to deliver bags of rice,
dried food, cloth face masks and alcohol sprays to the needy at temples in
Nakhon Ratchasima municipality.
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China opens two more border gates for Thai fruit imports
China authorities recently opened two more
checkpoints to ease the border-traffic problem for Thai fruit imports.
BANGKOK – China has opened two more border points for transportation
of Thai fruit just in time for the beginning of fruit harvest season in late
April.
Chinese authorities opened the Dongxing border point
for trucks and the Pingxiang border gate for transportation by train in
addition to the existing Youyi Guan border checkpoint.
Department of Agriculture director general, Sermsuk
Salakpetch said Thai farm produce were transported through Laos, Vietnam and
entered China at Youyi Guan border crossing, overwhelmed with vehicles
during the strict screening amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moreover, closure of Chinese-Vietnamese border
crossings in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to curb the outbreak forced
Vietnamese fruit transport trucks to use Youyi Guan checkpoint the same as
Thai trucks.
Long queue of vehicles stretched for 15 kilometres and
delayed transportation affected the quality of Thai fruits. For example,
durians ripened before they could reach consumers, Sermsuk noted.
The Department of Agriculture and the National Bureau
of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards discussed the border-traffic
problem with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
China authorities then decided to open two more
checkpoints for Thai fruit imports.
The first one is the Dongxing border point in Guangxi
Zhuang, opposite MongCai of QuangNinh Province in northern Vietnam, which
have capacity to serve at least 2,000 goods vehicles per day.
Meanwhile, the Ping Xiang border gate, opened for train
transportation allows container vehicles to switch fruit transport from
truck to train.
The opening of the new border channels will help
relieve traffic congestion at the existing Youyi Guan border checkpoint.
The department will inform Thai fruit exporters about
the new alternative for their fruit transportation to China’s market, the
director-general said. (TNA)
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Thailand Civil Aviation facilitates two Airlines to resume flights in May
Chula Sukmanop, director-general of the Civil
Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
BANGKOK, April 24 (TNA) -- Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air will resume
their domestic flights next month, said Chula Sukmanop, director-general of
the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
According to him, Thai AirAsia will operate again on
May 1 and Thai Lion Air will set the date after the government announces its
decision on the state of emergency related to the coronavirus disease 2019
control, which was originally set to be valid until April 30.
Flight routes to resume will depend on the decisions of
different provinces because some provinces close their airport.
CAAT requires airlines to limit their ticket sales at
70% of flight capacities to maintain social distancing to prevent disease
transmission.
Social distancing will also be applied in the stages of
ticket sales and other procedures at airports. The aircraft that will fly
longer than 90 minutes per flight must reserve two rear rows of seats for
ill passengers.
All passengers must wear face masks. Neither foods nor
beverages will be served during flights; otherwise, passengers would remove
face masks.
Mr Chula said airlines might raise fares to cover costs
but the increments would not be too high because airlines would naturally
compete in wooing customers amid low air traffic during the pandemic.
He also said that no airlines planned to resume international flights for
the time being. (TNA)
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Thai government promises help for jobless, homeless people
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
BANGKOK - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered relevant
organizations to help jobless and homeless people during the coronavirus
disease 2019 crisis.
Government spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat said the
order went to the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Social Development
and Human Security.
Officials would serve food for every meal to homeless
people who gathered in places and would also offer help to the people who
lost their jobs and wanted to return to their home provinces, she said.
“Measures to control COVID-19 have affected people. The
prime minister does understand the people who are in trouble. The government
is doing its best to help all groups of people,” Mrs Narumon said.
The people who needed help could contact local
government officials and they would receive support so that they could also
comply with disease control measures, the government spokesperson said. (TNA)
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Careful consideration needed before easing disease control restrictions in Thailand
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the
government’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
BANGKOK - The government must carefully consider the possibility of
easing disease control measures because it cannot afford the second wave of
coronavirus disease 2019 spreading.
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government’s
Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, gave the warning. He said that
the daily number of new COVID-19 cases in Thailand remained at two digits
because many measures were applied from national to local levels and people
were greatly cooperative.
The country had good public health systems and
village-based health volunteers who took care of people at the ratio of one
volunteer to 10 households. The credit of the success went to the
cooperation of all parties, he said.
Regarding the possibility of easing disease control
measures, Dr Taweesin said that provincial authorities were sending their
opinions and the government would select the measures that would convince
compliance from most people and would not facilitate the spread of the
disease.
“Many people said that we do not have much money and we
have to borrow. We cannot afford the second wave and third wave of the
disease outbreak because we would otherwise lose lives and money,” Dr
Taweesin said.
Officials estimated the cost of COVID-19 treatment at 1
million baht per patient and the country already recorded more than 2,000
cases. If the number soars to five digits like those in other countries,
there will be greater impacts on the economy, he said.
Dr Taweesin urged people to have new norms including
the use of face masks to cope with COVID-19.
“The business sector will also have to change. New ways
are necessary from now on because we must live with this virus for a while,”
he said. (TNA)
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Covid-19 relief measures mulled for airlines operating in Thailand
Tassapon
Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation (AAV).
BANGKOK – Executives of eight
Thai airlines on Friday met senior officials from the Fiscal Policy Office
to discuss relief measures for their ailing businesses affected by the
ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.
Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation
(AAV), the largest shareholder of Thai AirAsia said talks would go into
details about earlier proposals on financial aid for the airlines, facing a
cash flow crisis.
The carriers called for the government to provide soft
loans worth 25 billion baht with 2% interest rate and a repayment period of
five years to boost the airlines’ liquidity. The first installment payment
is proposed to start on Jan 1, 2021.
They asked for the loan disbursement of at least 25 per
cent or about 6.25 billion baht within this month as some airlines are now
facing financial difficulties.
Regarding the May 1 flight resumption, he affirmed that
Thai AirAsia can comply with the strict anti-disease transmission rule,
issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
It will maintain social distancing measures with empty
seats, which would cause a 30 per cent loss of passenger numbers in each
flight.
As a result, he said the ticket prices would cost
higher to cover the loss but would be definitely kept under the ceiling at
9.40 baht per kilometer, stipulated by the CAAT.
Flights will resume only for some destinations or about
only 10-15 per cent of its normal operations in the trial period to see the
air travel demand.
Five aircrafts will be operated for Chiang Mai, Udon
Thani, KhonKaen, Phuket and Krabi, he added. (TNA)
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Thai DPM orders water hyacinth eradication ahead of rainy season
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan.
BANGKOK- Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has ordered the
National Water Resources Committee to take action on the removal of water
hyacinth from canals and rivers prior to the rainy season, using satellite
images, and promoting the collective work of agencies on flood control and
water retention.
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, presided
over a meeting to draft a water hyacinth and weed eradication plan to
improve canal and river capacity ahead of this year’s rainy season.
The meeting acknowledged outcomes from the national
water hyacinth eradication campaign from October 2019 to March 2020, where
the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning was the main
agency responsible.
The meeting approved the use of satellite images from
the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) to help
target areas with a water hyacinth accumulation.
The images show 25 locations currently in need of
attention in SuphanBuri, Chai Nat, Ayutthaya, Singburi, Nakhon Pathom,
Nakhon Nayok, and Chachoengsao. Related agencies have been assigned to
operate in each area, and to report their outcomes to the committee in a
timely manner.
DPM Gen Prawit has ordered the Department of Public
Works and Town & Country Planning, provincial governors, and related
agencies to speed up the projects, communicate with villagers, and make the
most of access to the satellite images, in order to maximize the capacity
and flow of rivers and canals during the rainy season, to prevent flash
floods.
He said however that water should also be reserved for
use in the future, while the collected water hyacinth should be repurposed
and utilized in various ways, and all such projects must help improve the
people’s quality of life.(NNT)
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Thailand’s Supreme Patriarch wishes sufficient protection for Buddhist monks
The
Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Tewan Liptapallop, visits
temples in Chonburi and Nonthaburi provinces to deliver relief supplies.
BANGKOK (NNT) – The Minister
attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Tewan Liptapallop, visited temples
in Chonburi and Nonthaburi provinces this week, to deliver relief supplies
which will be distributed to people in need due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Ratsattha temple in Mueang district of Chonburi
received face masks for the monks which were part of the project initiated
by the Supreme Patriarch to provide sufficient protection for Buddhist monks
around the country. The face masks will also be distributed to other local
temples in Chonburi.
The minister also visited Tanod and Cha Lor temples in
Nonthaburi provinces. Temples nationwide, including these two temples, have
set up distribution centers to hand out necessities to people who have
suffered from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Patriarch
previously directed the monks to cooperate with the officials, and ensure
the social work is safe for all sides.
The local communities around Tanod and Cha Lor temples
received 300 bags of 2kg rice and 600 ready-to-eat boxes of food.
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Thai doctors ask public to continue COVID-19 precautionary measures
The situation in Thailand seems to have improved
significantly. Nevertheless private sector and the general public should
continue to practice precautionary and social distancing measures.
BANGKOK- Private companies have continued to donate items to support
the work of medical staff in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. A doctor
at Ramathibodi Hospital has urged the general public to continue practicing
social distancing and hygiene measures, even when the situation seems to
have already improved.
A representative from Phrommanee Pharmaceutical has
delivered 3,000 bottles of alcohol hand sanitizers to Ramathibodi Hospital,
to help medical staff and hospital visitors minimize their infection risks
of the coronavirus.
As a recipient of this donation, Dr Suradej Hongeng,
Assistant Dean for Research at Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine,
Ramathibodi Hospital said even though the situation in Thailand seems to
have improved significantly, however concerns remain for new outbreaks that
could only be prevented if the private sector and the general public
continue to practice precautionary and social distancing measures, as well
as to quickly visit a doctor when they feel ill.
Dr Suradej said, "Social distancing remains crucial
even when the situation has improved, as well as hygiene measures such as
wearing a mask, hand washing, and avoid touching any surfaces. I would
suggest we can suspect every other people as a possible patient, and we
should avoid contacting them. Any person not feeling well should inform a
doctor immediately. He further stressed, "This is important. We might have
struggled a bit at first as we didn’t understand this disease, but for now,
anyone with suspected symptoms, fever, or suspicious of being in close
contact with a COVID-19 patient should inform a doctor or public health
official, so that you can receive treatment in a timely manner."
At Ramathibodi Hospital is currently accepting COVID-19
case for treatment. The patients will be referred after admission to the
Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute in Samut Prakan which has better
facilities, equipment, and medical staff for infectious disease patient
care.
Ramathibodi Hospital is a teaching hospital in Bangkok
where the education program is managed by a Faculty of Medicine at Mahidol
University. The university has several Faculties of Medicine for a number of
hospitals it runs. (NNT)
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Thailand’s southern border crossing shuts as officials test positive to COVID-19
The Sadao crossing on the Thailand-Malaysia
border in Songkhlais temporarily closed as two officials have been found
infected with the coronavirus.
SONGKHLA - The Sadao crossing on the Thailand-Malaysia border in
Songkhla has been temporarily closed as two officials have been found
infected with the coronavirus. Thai nationals registered to return through
this point of entry will have to travel through Padang Besar border crossing
instead.
The Governor of SongkhlaJaruwat Klaengkla issued an
urgent order to close down the Sadao Thailand-Malaysia border crossing in
Sadao district, after an immigration officer and a police officer tested
positive to COVID-19, with another four persons likely to have contracted
the disease.
Some parts of Sadao border crossing are now closed for
deep cleaning for seven days. Thai nationals in Malaysia who had registered
to return to Thailand at this crossing, should travel through Padang Besar
border crossing instead during the closure.
Moving to the western Thailand-Myanmar border, Thai
authorities have opened SaaphanPla Pier Immigration Office as another point
of entry for Thai nationals returning from Myanmar.
All returnees must comply with the date and point of
entry they have registered online in advance, and should arrive at their
border crossing before 12 p.m. Thailand time. (NNT)
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Thai health officials inspect hotel set as quarantine facility
Health officials inspected a Bangkok hotel, one
of over 100 hotels offering to serve as state quarantine facility
nationwide.
BANGKOK - Thai health officials on Wednesday inspected a Bangkok
hotel that has been one of over 100 hotels offering to serve as state
quarantine facility for Thai people returning from abroad during the
Covid-19 crisis.
Dr. Panpimol Wipulakorn, Director-General of the
Department of Health, the Ministry of Public Health, led a team of officials
to visit The Patra Hotel to observe the Covid-19 quarantine operations.
All Thai returnees have been required 14-day quarantine
facilities around 130 hotels with over 12,000 across Thailand have recently
offered to work with the government to convert their operations into
non-profit state quarantine venues.
More than 200 returnees have been released from
quarantine at The Patra Hotel. Since April 4, the hotel has turned its 245
of 297 rooms into quarantine shelters.
The officials gave more detailed guidelines regarding
state quarantine procedures to ensure effectiveness of disease control
measures and prevent disruptions to people living in the vicinity, Dr.
Panpimol said.
They also followed up the criteria set up for hotels
joining the scheme such as sanitary condition, waste management and
wastewater treatment system and community-friendliness.
According to the Thai Hoteliers’ Association, 95
percent of the 32,564 hotels registered in Thailand have been hit
financially by the pandemic. Turning themselves into quarantine centers,
the hotels receive accommodation fees from the government at lower prices. (TNA)
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Thais return from neighboring countries as borders reopen
The returnees are required to obtain official
verifications from Thai embassies prior to their returns and be quarantined
at designated facilities.
BANGKOK - Hundreds of Thai workers in Malaysia
continue to return to Thailand via border checkpoints after the authorities
have reopened the border since Saturday.
Thailand closed its land border last month as part of
the state of emergency and lockdown orders, causing many Thais stranded in
neighboring countries, namely, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Last
week, the Thai government decided to reopen 23 border crossings to allow
Thais to return home beginning on April 18.
Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces
General Pornpipat Benyasri visited a border checkpoint in Sadao district of
Songkhla on Wednesday.
He inspected the health screening and immigration
procedures.
The returnees are required to obtain official
verifications from Thai embassies prior to their returns. All of them have
to be quarantined at designated facilities across the country.
In Sa Kaeo province, six Thai citizens arrived at
Arayaprathet checkpoint on the border with Cambodia on Wednesday. A total
of 51 Thais have returned home via the checkpoint since Saturday.(TNA)
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28.8 million Thai people register for cash relief
BANGKOK - More than 28.8 million
people registered online for the government’s 5,000 –baht cash handout as
the registration closed midnight Wednesday.
A total of 28,849,725 applicants were recorded after
the registration closed.
So far, the monthly 5,000 baht cash relief has been
transferred to eligible 4.2 registrants.
More 700,000 applicants will receive the money by
Friday. This group comprises 500,000 applicants who were found to meet the
requirements after submitting more documents and 200,000 rejected applicants
who appealed for the review and the verification found they were qualified.
Most people who have occupation license on hand can be
easily verified but those whose information remains unclear will be
identified by officials in person.
More than 10.6 rejected applicants can appeal online at
the website raomaithingkun.com (We won't leave anyone behind in Thai).
Meanwhile, 1.5 million applicants were asked to submit
more information for the verification process can continue to do so.
The government’s 5,000 baht cash handout scheme will be
granted for three months to help relieve the Covid-19 impacts on
self-employed and laid-off workers, who aren't covered by the social
security system. (TNA)
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Thailand reports 13 new Covid-19 Cases with one more death
Dr.
Taweesilp Wisanuyotin, Spokesman of the Center for Covid-19 Situation
Administration (CCSA).
BANGKOK – Thailand reported 13
new Covid-19 cases, raising the total to 2,839 with one more death, raising
the toll to 50.
The new death was a 78-year-old woman who had
underlying health conditions, related to a stroke, said Dr. Taweesilp
Wisanuyotin, Spokesman of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Of the new cases, five had close contact with previous
patients and three cases in Phuket were found to test positive to the virus
in the active case finding measure adopted by the province to screen its
population.
Bangkok and Phuket recorded the highest new infections
of four each.
Although the daily rate of the new infections has
continuously dropped, the spokesman urged everyone to stay vigilant in their
efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.
He added that more 78 Covid-19 patients fully recovered
and were released from hospitals, raising the total recovery cases to 2,430
while 359 cases are being treated in hospitals. (TNA)
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Five immigration officials infected with Covid-19 at Thailand’s southern checkpoint
BANGKOK - Five immigration
officials at Sadao district in Songkhla have contracted Covid-19 and 42
others are classified as being at risk, said Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang,
chief of the Immigration Bureau.
Songkhla governor ordered the Sadao immigration
checkpoint to close for seven days, starting Wednesday. Returnees from
Malaysia can cross the border at the Padang Besar checkpoint in in the same
province. Only vehicles for freight deliveries are allowed to pass through
the checkpoint.
According to the disease investigation by health
officials, the first case of immigration official there contracted the virus
from a Malaysia national who are undergoing the repatriation process.
The official’s four other colleagues were found to be
infected later and 42 others have been under quarantine at a hotel while 27
others at Sadao checkpoint are placed in strict home quarantine, separate
from family members.
Fewer people cross the Thai- Malaysia border in
Songkhla due to the outbreak situation.
Despite a mass quarantine of immigration officials, the
Immigration Bureau can manage personnel mobilization for operations of
checkpoints in Songkhla, the IM chief said.
Immigration officials who are involved in the screening
of people travelling through the checkpoints are equipped with protective
gear including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits, he added.
However, they are still at risk because they work
around the clock and about 300-400 vehicles cross the border daily. (TNA)
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Thai Red Cross Society delivers medical supplies to hospitals
A caravan hits the road on Thursday to deliver
medical supplies to hospitals in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.
BANGKOK - The Thai Red Cross Society has dispatched a caravan to
deliver medical supplies to hospitals across the country in the fight
against the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Medical supplies including facemasks, PPEs and digital
x-ray scanners and disinfectants have been donated by individuals to the Red
Cross’s programme since April 7.
It is the first batch of medical supplies that were
allocated for hospitals in five southern provinces. Other deliveries will
be made for hospitals across the country.
Secretary of the Red Cross Society of Thailand Phan
Wannamethee said that cash donations worth
30 million baht and over 100,000 pieces of medical supplies had been
collected so far.
All medical equipment had been checked by a team of
engineers from Chulalongkorn University to ensure their quality before being
sent to hospitals, he said.
Meanwhile, donations are pouring in for people affected
by Covid-19 pandemic. Thai donors have lent their hands for low-income
people by offering food and other essentials to a donation centre at Wat
Rakang temple in Bangkok.
The donation centre has been set up by the Supreme
Patriarch, the head of the order of Buddhist monks in Thailand.
It has been lauded for its management and strict
social-distancing as a model for other Covid-19 donation centers in the
country. (TNA)
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Japanese Ambassador pays courtesy call on Thai PM
Ambassador NASHIDA Kazuya pays a courtesy call
on Prime Minister Chan-o-cha on Thursday.
BANGKOK - The Japanese ambassador to Thailand meets Thai prime
minister to discuss bilateral cooperation including the efforts to cope with
Covid-19 pandemic.
Ambassador NASHIDA Kazuya on Thursday paid a courtesy
call on Prime Minister Chan-o-cha for the first time since assuming the post
in December last year.
Prayut extended his gratitude towards the Japanese
government for providing assistance for Thailand in the fight against
Covid-19 and facilitating Thai citizens’ repatriations.
Ambassador Nashida praised Thailand’s disease control
measures that had proved effective in containing the spread of the
coronavirus.
He also reiterated Japan’s commitment in engaging in
Thailand’s economic development, especially in the government’s flagship
project, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)..
Japan, which is one of ASEAN’s dialogue partners, has
pledged to give ASEAN medical supplies, support the plan to set up a
regional disease control and help revive the bloc’s economy.(TNA)
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Bangkok checkpoint on Rama 2 road steps up screening measures
The
checkpoint on Rama 2 road in Bangkunthien district set to control COVID-19
transmission risk between Bangkok and Samutsakhon.
BANGKOK- The Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Deputy Governor has ordered checkpoints to
place more strictness on public transport and passengers.
The checkpoint on Rama 2 road in Bangkunthien district,
is one of the checkpoints screening for COVID-19 transmission risk between
Bangkok and Samutsakhon. Since 26th of March, the checkpoint has screened
over thirty thousand cars and has taken the temperature of over 50 thousand
people, though none of the passengers was found to be in the risk category,
or with a temperature over 37.5 Celcius..
The BMA deputy governor directed checkpoints to inspect
vehicles and travelers, especially those on public transport such as buses,
with greater strictness. All passengers on a bus must step outside the
vehicle to have their temperature checked; officers will also clean the
inside of the bus with disinfectant.
The deputy governor also suggested donors who would
like to contribute consumables to people in Bangkok, cooperate with BMA
officials and follow their instructions to prevent the spread of the virus.
BMA will provide staff to facilitate the location, and maintain order in
queuing as well as provide hand sanitizers. (NNT)
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Thai PM’s Cabinet to consider extension of emergency decree next week
Prime
Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
BANGKOK- Prime Minister and
Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, says a meeting of cabinet
ministers, did not discuss an extension of the emergency decree.
Concerning his open letter to Thailand’s top 20
billionaires, Gen. Prayut insists that he only wants to hear their ideas
related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and there are no vested
interests involved.
The Prime Minister said that the cabinet meeting did
not consider extending the emergency decree, which is being enforced
nationwide until April 30 this year. The government is collecting related
information, and it will be presented to the cabinet meeting next week. The
situation depends on public cooperation and compliance with precautionary
measures.
Gen. Prayut said the government will have to be
cautious when considering which measures can be eased. Although fewer
infections are now being reported, the government cannot simply relax the
measures as it could lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases, and all the
effort to date would go to waste. He urged the public not to pressure the
government and cause others to be misinformed about the government’s work.
He insisted that his administration will continue to handle all issues as
carefully as possible.
Speaking of his plan to contact the country’s top 20
wealthiest people, the Prime Minister said he wants to know how their
organizations are helping their employees. He also wants to gather ideas and
opinions from all involved, as they can be used to support the government’s
measures.They will not be discussing loans or a mutual exchange of benefits.
Gen. Prayut added that he won’t be meeting the 20 billionaires in person,
and a distortion of these facts will not benefit anyone. (NNT)
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15 new COVID-19 patients and another death on April 22 in Thailand
BANGKOK- The government’s Center
for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has confirmed 15 new COVID-19
cases and one death.
Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, Spokesperson for the CCSA
and Ministry of Public Health, reported that Thailand has recorded a total
of 2,826 coronavirus cases, with 49 fatalities.
The latest fatality was a 58-year-old woman who also
suffered from diabetes before contracting the virus.
Dr. Taweesin said 10 provinces have yet to report any
new cases, namely Khamphangphet, Chai Nat, Trat, Nan, BuengKan, Phitchit,
Ranong, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, and Satun.
Furthermore, the spokesperson indicated that the
provinces recording the most curfew violations were Phuket, Bangkok and
Pathum Thani.
The government has urged businesses and the general
public to continue the practice of wearing face masks, with regular
handwashing, and social distancing, as well as any other government measures
designed to flatten the curve of new infections and contain the coronavirus
outbreak.(NNT)
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Thai Government considers teaching students via long distance learning, online
BANGKOK- A meeting of cabinet ministers on Apr 21 considered many
issues related to measures to help limit the spread of the coronavirus
disease (COVID-19), including preparations for the start of the first
semester of the 2020 academic year and admissions of seventh grade and 10th
grade students.
The Government Spokeswoman, Prof. Dr. Narumon
Pinyosinwat, said today that the first semester of the 2020 academic year
will start on July 1. Admissions of seventh grade and 10th grade students
will take place between May 3 and 12, while educational institutions for
persons with disabilities and underprivileged students will be open for
registration between May 3 and 31. Examinations and procedures for student
selection will take place in June. Finding proper education venues and
having students report themselves will be completed before June 15.
Tools and equipment for long distance learning have
been prepared. There are two scenarios. First, if the COVID-19 situation
remains uncertain, students from elementary to junior high school will study
via the DLTV system, while high school students will learn through videos as
well as online lectures, using learning tools provided by their educational
institutions.
In the second scenario, after the COVID-19 situation
has improved; students will attend classes as usual, but be required to keep
a safe distance from each other. Contingency plans to deal with emergencies
must receive prior approval from provincial education committees. (NNT)
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Bangkok keeps up social distancing on SaenSaep Canal boats
Current passenger loads have reduced by half,
due to the closure of shops and malls in the city, and stay at home
campaign.
BANGKOK- Social distancing measures are being enforced on the first
day of resumed SaenSaep Canal Boat services, with a rush hour passenger load
limit on each boat, reduced to maintain distance between passengers. The
number of passengers has already dropped by half as most people are now
avoiding commuting to limit the infection risk of COVID-19.
At a pier on SaenSaep Canal, passengers all wearing
face masks wait in a queue leaving physical space between one another,
before boarding a canal boat, as part of the social distancing measures
enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
One of the key measures is to reduce crowding in rush
hours. The boat company has increased service frequency between 7 and 9
a.m., and between 4 and 7 p.m., in order to move passengers as quickly as
possible.
Current passenger loads have reduced by half, due to
the closure of shops and malls in the city, as well as the stay at home
campaign to suppress the contagion.
Onboard the boat, some seats are now blocked to ensure
space between passengers, while the number of passengers on each boat is
strictly limited. This has provided reassurance to passengers as the boat is
never crowded.
Boat operators are required to count and calculate the
number of passengers they can accept, and inform pier staff through radio
communications prior to calling in at the next pier.
Passengers are allowed to board according to the
available space on each boat. Passengers are asked to wear face masks and
maintain at least 1 meter distance between one another while using the
service, including while waiting at a pier. (NNT)
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Thailand’s monthly state relief will cover 14 million people
BANGKOK- There has been strong criticism of the government’s 3-month
5,000 baht monthly compensation scheme, in regard to the campaign’s criteria
for eligibility. The Cabinet has now approved an extension of the campaign
to cover more people affected by the COVID-19 disruption, now totaling about
14 million persons.
The Ministry of Finance yesterday reported in the
Cabinet’s meeting that registrations in this compensation campaign have seen
27.76 persons register from 28th March to 16th April, a number much higher
than expected.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has received
complaints from some rejected registrants whose listed occupational
information was inaccurate, particularly those listed as farmers while in
fact their main occupations are general employees, laborers, or freelancers.
The Ministry of Finance will be extending the campaign
to cover these people, who will however, no longer receive any other
COVID-19 related aid packages offered through farmers’ groups or
cooperatives should they apply under those schemes.
Additionally, registrants who have been rejected
because the system recognized their occupation as student, but who are
actually part-time students while mainly working at full-time or freelance
jobs, will also be covered.
This extension of the campaign raises the number of
eligible persons from 9 million to 14 million.(NNT)
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19 new COVID-19 cases, one more death in Thailand
BANGKOK- The government’s Center
for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has reported that Thailand
has recorded 19 confirmed new cases and one more death of the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on Apr 21. Many recent cases are in
Bangkok.
The CCSA Spokesman, Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, said
today that the new cases bring the country’s cumulative total to 2,811. One
hundred and nine patients have recently recovered, bringing the total number
of recovered patients to 2,108. The death toll has increased from 47 to 48.
The patient, who succumbed to COVID-19, was a 50-year-old taxi driver, who
suffered from diabetes and had a history of smoking cigarettes. He also
regularly picked up passengers at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. He
started to develop symptoms on March 18, 2020.
The number of new COVID-19 cases has reduced because
all sides are working together and people are cooperating by staying home to
help limit the viral spread, after the government imposed a nationwide
curfew. Of the new cases, 10 patients had close contact with previous cases,
seven of whom are in Bangkok. As a result, the capital is still leading the
country with the highest number of COVID-19 cases at 1,447, followed by
Phuket province at 193 and Nonthaburi province at 152. At the same time,
Phuket still has the highest rate of active COVID-19 cases at 46.69 per
100,000 people, followed by Bangkok at 25.57 and Yala province at 19.27.
Concerning COVID-19 patients’ occupations, most are
general workers or freelancers, followed by traders and self-employed
business owners, staff at entertainment venues, and school and university
students. Over the past seven days, the reported new cases are in Bangkok,
Nonthaburi, Phuket, Chonburi, Yala, Pattani, Songkhla, Krabi, Narathiwat,
KhonKaen and Chumphon. (NNT)
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Thailand promotes social distancing among migrant workers at shrimp market
A Vice
Minister of Labour, Duangrit Benjathikul Chairungruang (center).
SAMUT SAKHON- Officials from the
Ministry of Labour, the Thai Red Cross Society, and Samut Sakhon province
are promoting social distancing and precautionary measures against COVID-19
infection, among migrant workers in the province.
A Vice Minister of Labour, Duangrit Benjathikul
Chairungruang, along with the deputy director of the Thai Red Cross Disaster
Operations Center Dr Pichit Siriwan, met with migrant workers at Samut
Sakhon Shrimp Market, where they have been promoting precautionary measures
against COVID-19 infection among the workers, and gathering input on the
pandemic’s effect on the community.
The officials have encouraged the migrant worker
community to practice social distancing, and to wear face masks. They have
distributed 200 cloth face masks, hand sanitizers, and informational
pamphlets on COVID-19 in the native language of migrant workers.
Mr Duangrit said the campaign to reach migrant worker
communities is being piloted in Samut Sakhon and PathumThani. The campaign
will then be extended to other provinces, to make sure these communities are
aware of the required precautionary measures against COVID-19, for their own
health and safety.(NNT)
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Bangkok extends ‘Liquor Ban’ to 30th April
Bangkok will go dry until April 30.
BANGKOK-The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has extended
the liquor sales ban to 30th April in accordance with other provinces.
Police Captain Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration’s Spokesperson disclosed today the result of the
Communicable Disease Committee meeting, saying that the committee agreed to
issue an announcement on extending the alcoholic drinks ban to 30th April,
as the period of the last announcement ended on 20th April. It is considered
that meeting for alcoholic drinks is likely to bring people together and may
cause the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, those suffering from alcoholism can apply
for free treatment at hospitals under the supervision of Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration and at all Bangkok Health Centers.
Furthermore, the committee also established a framework
for the provision of food and basic needs. Contributions to the community
will be provided door to door, while contributions on a larger scale can
only be done in three periods from 7 to 9 AM, 11 AM to 1 PM and 4 to 6 PM at
71 selected locations around Bangkok.
Donors are asked to cooperate with the district office
before providing their contribution. BMA will provide officials and
equipment to facilitate delivery of these contributions.(NNT)
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Gov’t asks public to continue ‘Work from home’, State of Emergency maintained
The Center for COVID-19 Situation
Administration’s (CCSA) Spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin.
BANGKOK- The government’s COVID-19 center has asked the public to
continue working from home and refrain from travelling despite a decline in
newly reported cases each day, in order to prevent a second wave of
infections, and aimed at easing lockdown measures in some cases.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s
(CCSA) Spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said that the nationwide State
of Emergency remains in effect, despite the lower number of newly
reported cases each day, asking the general public to continue avoiding
travel.
He said the situation may seem to have improved,
but new infections can still rise significantly if precautionary
measures are not complied with by everyone.
The private sector is asked to continue allowing
their employees to work from home, in order to prevent crowding at
offices and in public places.
The government has decided to maintain the State of
Emergency and other precautionary measures to ensure an effective
response to the situation, and in order to prevent a second wave of
infections as in other countries.
Some of the measures may be eased based on the
situation in each area. The government will take into consideration
lessons from foreign countries and data in Thailand, to strike a balance
between health, the economy, and society.
The CCSA spokesman has asked the Thai public to
continue cooperating with the disease containment measures, with a
target to suppress daily new cases to be fewer than 10 for 14 days.(NNT)
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