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Thailand not ready to open doors to foreign patients yet
Public
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Thailand has not opened its doors to
foreign patients yet due to the fear of COVID-19 spread, Deputy Prime
Minister/Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.
He admitted that the government’s Center for COVID-19
Situation Administration planned to receive foreign patients who demanded
medical treatment in Thailand. He said he would discuss the issue seriously
with CCSA and there should be a clear stance on the matter next week.
“Arrivals would be considered on a case-by-case basis
because many countries face the second spread of the coronavirus,” Mr Anutin
said.
Asked for a comment on the report that over 1,000
foreigners registered for medical treatment in Thailand, Mr Anutin said he
did not have detailed information on the registration and he would discuss
the matter with the Disease Control Department.
Infections were rising in other countries as Thailand
was increasingly relaxing its disease control measures and the government
had to prioritize public safety, Mr Anutin said.
Asked about the possibility of the 6th phase of
lockdown easing, he said that the government would evaluate the disease
situation under the 5th easing phase that took effect two days ago. The
situation was good so far on the third day of its effect but the evaluation
would take two weeks, equal to the incubation of COVID-19, Mr Anutin said.
The 6th easing phase would favor sports competitions,
he said. (TNA)
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Private investment invited for Bangkok’s Orange Line
The
35.9-kilometer-long Orange Line from Min Buri (Suwinthawong) to Bang Khun
Non will link the eastern and western parts of Bangkok.
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority
invites the private sector to invest in the Orange Line that will stretch on
the east-west direction from Min Buri (Suwinthawong) to Bang Khun Non.
MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantaramas said the government was proposing
public-private joint venture for the project.
According to him, MRTA invests in land expropriation
for the whole project and builds the eastern section of the line from the
Thailand Cultural Center to Suwinthawong. The co-investor will design and
construct the western part from the Thailand Cultural Center to Bang Khun
Non and install and operate electric trains on the whole line.
The co-investment is set for two stages. The first
stage covers the installation and test of electric trains on the eastern
section in three years and six months and the construction of the western
section and the test of electric trains on the section within six years.
The second stage concerns the operation and maintenance
of electric trains for 30 years after the service begins on the eastern side
of the line.
The 35.9-kilometer-long Orange Line from Min Buri (Suwinthawong)
to Bang Khun Non will link the eastern and western parts of Bangkok. The
eastern section of the line will stretch 22.5km with 10 underground stations
and seven elevated stations from the Thailand Cultural Center to Min Buri
and the 13.4km western section will have 11 underground stations. (TNA)
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Thai government urges disease prevention for young children
Dr Taweesin
Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
Thai government calls for serious
efforts to protect young children from the coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) as their schools reopened.
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for
COVID-19 Situation Administration, said that young children were at-risk
groups when they returned to schools because they naturally stayed close to
each other.
He praised teachers for their hard work, teaching two
rounds for each class as students were set for staggered hours of learning.
No one could tell when the hard work could end, Dr Taweesin said.
The spokesman encouraged parents to train their children to always wear face
masks for their self-protection from COVID-19.
This year, infections of respiratory diseases including
influenza, pneumonia and hand-foot-and-mouth disease significantly dropped
as people were wearing face masks, Dr Taweesin said.
In the first half of last year, nearly 1,000 people had
hand-foot-and-mouth disease. The number dropped to less than 500 during the
same period this year, he cited. (TNA)
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Thailand strives to transform transport strategy and logistics system
Prime Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha stated that the
Government strives to transform the nation’s transport strategy, and has
ordered concerned agency to conduct a comprehensive study and public hearing
on the country’s logistics system.
Ministry of Transport was also assigned to conduct a
feasibility study on construction of new land routes across the country, on
condition that the new routes must not overlap with existing routes, and
must be constructed in line with the construction of double-track railroads.
Roadside drainage must also be built in a way to deliver water to nearby
water sources. These routes are expected to engender new economic centers
and cities, as well as people’s movement, which should generate new
employments.
Construction process will be undertaken in a
transparent, fair, and accountable manner, with the business impact analysis
(BIA), and public hearings being conducted. In terms of the investment
model, public private partnership (PPP) may be considered, especially for
the construction of motorways.
The Prime Minister also clarified that in a bid to
enhance budget management efficiency, several transport infrastructure
projects are now under the deliberation of the budget allocation committee.
Budget for the projects that are not ready will be
reallocated to the more readily implemented projects. (Thaigov.go.th)
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U.S. Ambassador praises Thailand’s investment potential
Deputy Prime Minister
Somkid Jatusripitak (right) welcomed the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, H.
E. Michael George DeSombre (left).
The U.S. Ambassador to Thailand has praised the
country’s high investment potential, highlighting the expansion of
current projects and further support for industry as ways to promote
further cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak welcomed
the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, H. E. Michael George DeSombre, who made
a courtesy at the start of his mission in Thailand.
The DPM and the ambassador discussed cooperation
between the U.S. and Thailand, to help strengthen the economies in both
countries and promote more investments by U.S. investors in Thailand.
The U.S. ambassador said Thailand has the potential
and suitability for U.S. companies to invest, with a great potential to
be part of the supply chain of the South East Asian region.
DPM Somkid said the U.S. ambassador is highly
enthusiastic about the development of economic relations between the
U.S. and Thailand, revealing that the U.S. ambassador proposed ideas on
what industries should receive more support from both sides.
The ambassador expressed his confidence that
Thailand will become a technological hub of the region, with great
growth potential in the manufacturing and service sectors, as well as
stock exchanges that can connect to Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
He said Thailand also provides good medical
services, which can be expanded to reach more clients, adding that the
related agencies are ready to develop mutual exchange packages between
Thailand and U.S. through the Board of Investment (BOI), to promote
competitiveness and attract investment.
The DPM said Thailand does not need standalone
investment from individual companies, but demands investment packages,
which the U.S. ambassador said he will be proposing soon.
Mr Somkid has also stressed that he is still
working on the country’s domestic and international economic affairs,
while refusing to comment regarding the recent political developments in
Palang Pracharath Party.
The economic ministers will convene next Friday to
discuss two main economic packages. (NNT)
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Thailand resumes normal life while wearing face masks still compulsory
The 5th round of business resumption started on
Wednesday and resulted in the restoration of normal life but people still
have to protect themselves from possible infection.
People can resume their normal life while wearing face
masks and using the Thaichana check-in app after the 5th round of lockdown
relaxation, according to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said the 5th
round of business resumption started on Wednesday and resulted in the
restoration of normal life. He strongly recommended people seriously protect
themselves from possible infection because, he said, newly resumed
businesses posed high risks of transmitting the coronavirus disease 2019.
The Center for COVID-19
Situation Administration spokesman, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin.
“People must continue to wear surgical or cloth masks,”
he said.
According to him, 32 million people registered to use
the Thaichana application for check-ins and checkouts at places and 250,000
shops also use it. Pubs, bars, karaoke shops and soapy massage parlors must
register for the app use before reopening.
Dr Taweesin also said that Thailand was among 14
countries from which visitors received a green light from the European Union
today. The countries were selected on their COVID-19 situation over the past
14 days, infection trends and disease control, he said. (TNA)
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Thailand Anti-Corruption Commission finds Ex-PM Yingluck abusing authority
Former Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and former Secretary-General of the National
Security Council,Mr. Thawil Pliensri (inset).
The National Anti-Corruption Commission
of Thailand has found former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra abused her
authority in transferring a former secretary-general of the National
Security Council.
It will ask the attorney-general to file the case with
the Supreme Court.
NACC deputy secretary-general Niwatichai Kasemmongkol
said the commission found authority abuse in transferring Thawil Pliensri
from NSC to be an advisor to the prime minister in 2011.
According to Mr.Niwatichani, Yingluck ordered the
transfer on Sept 4, 2011. The transfer process was completed within four
days.
On Oct 4, 2011, the cabinet moved Pol Gen Wichien
Potephosree from the national police chief’s post to succeed Mr.Thawil at
NSC. On Oct 19, 2011, Yingluck chaired the National Police Policy Board and
proposed her relative Pol Gen Preawpan Damapong, then deputy national police
chief, to become the new national police chief. The board approved her
nomination.
The Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Feb 20, 2014,
that the transfer actually demoted Mr.Thawil who had done nothing wrong and
Yingluck abused her judgement and violated law in doing so.
On May 7, 2014, the Constitutional Court ruled that
Yingluck made the transfer to favor her relative’s promotion at the Royal
Thai Police Office.
Mr.Niwatichai said that NACC would ask the
attorney-general to file the case with the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division
for Holders of Political Positions. (TNA)
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Thailand remains in Tier 2 for human trafficking efforts
Poramethi
Wimonsiri, ermanent secretary for the Social Development and Human Security
Ministry.
The US 2020 Trafficking in Persons
(TIP) report kept Thailand in its Tier2 human trafficking list for three
consecutive years, said Poramethi Wimonsiri, permanent secretary for the
Social Development and Human Security Ministry.
The US released the TIP report on June 26, he said. It
kept Thailand in Tier 2 for continuing efforts to prevent and suppress all
forms of human trafficking.
TIP report annually evaluates 187 countries and
territories and ranks them into four tiers (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch
List, and Tier 3), with Tier 1 being the best and Tier 3 the worst.
The permanent secretary said in the past year, the Thai
government and all sectors collaborated to suppress human trafficking and
made more tangible progress in enforcing the law and taking legal action
against culprits.
In terms of protection and assistance, it developed
screening tools to identify human trafficking victims and forced labour
vicitms, opened more child protection centers and rehabilitated victims,
using the 11- million – baht fund.
To prevent the crime, he said meetings were held to
listen to opinions of government sector, NGOs and international
organizations to forge cooperation in preventing and suppressing human
trafficking.
He added Post-Arrival and Reintegration Centers for
Migrant Workers were opened to assist migrant workers, being employed under
the MoU system.
They were educated about human trafficking their rights
and employment contracts and complaint lodging mechanism. (TNA)
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Thailand schools reopen with concerns
Education
Minister concerns about poor ventilation in air-conditioned classrooms and
the lack of equipment and interactions with teachers through online
education.
Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan inspected the
reopening of schools and expressed concerns about classroom ventilation and
online teaching.
The minister surveyed the atmosphere of schools that
reopened on Wednesday after the school term had been delayed by the
coronavirus disease 2019.
At Yothinburana School in Bang Sue district, parents
sent their children at the front gate and students entered the school in a
social distancing manner and had their body temperatures checked. They then
washed their hands with alcohol gel and did the morning assembly in front of
their classes.
Desks were set one meter apart. The number of students
in each class was limited at 20-25 and students and teachers always wore
face masks. Half of all 3,300 students at the school were present and the
rest studied with online media.
Education Minister Nataphol said he was concerned about
poor ventilation in air-conditioned classrooms and the lack of equipment and
interactions with teachers through online education.
Regent’s International School also reopened on
Wednesday. Only well students were allowed in and disease control measures
including shoe-sanitizing mats were in place.
The number of students in each classroom was limited at
13 and class hours were staggered for kindergarteners, pupils and secondary
school students. (TNA)
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European Union relaxes travel restrictions from 14 countries including Thailand
Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the
Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Thailand reported two new cases of Covid-19, who were Thai returnees from
Kuwait and tested positive to coronavirus in state quarantine.
Thailand marks 37 consecutive days without local
transmission.
Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for
Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said the new cases were Thai
workers, aged 47-48 years old.
The total cases were recorded at 3,173. Out of all
cases, 3,059 cases fully recovered and 56 coronavirus patients are being
treated at hospitals.
The death toll remains at 58.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has relaxed travel
restrictions and approved visitors from 14 countries for EU travel including
Thailand.
Other countries are Australia, Canada, Japan, Algeria,
Georgia, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea,
Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. (TNA)
Thai Livestock confirms ‘Swine Flu’ safety
The virus
also known as ‘Swine Flu’ had not been detected in Thailand and meat
production here is up to international standard and reflected high food
safety.
The Livestock Development Department
confirms Thai pork is safe and free of the G4 EA H1N1 virus.
Livestock Development Department director-general Sorawit Thanito said that
the virus also known as swine flu had not raised a serious concern because
it had not been detected in the country and Thai meat production was up to
international standard and reflected high food safety.
He dismissed the reports that H1N1 was a flu of pigs.
He said the so-called swine influenza had nothing to do with pigs.
According to the director-general, the World Health
Organization used the word for the new strain of influenza that spread in
2009. Later WHO renamed it A H1N1 also known as the 2009 influenza. Besides,
pig farms in Thailand are of high standard and have efficient disease
control systems.
Thailand was the only country in the region that
screened out the African Swine Fever which was spreading in many countries
and Thai people should not panic about G4 virus reports. (TNA)
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Thailand prepares for possible 2nd wave of COVID-19 despite no new infected cases
Prime Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
At the Outer Santi Maitri Building, Government House, Prime Minister and
Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the meeting of the
Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), gist of which is as
follows:
The Prime Minister ordered CCSA to be prepared for the
2nd wave of disease spread which could possibly occur anytime even though
there has been no new infected case in Thailand for over 30 consecutive
days. This is especially from July 1, 2020 onward when schools are open and
additional businesses/activities will be reopened. People and other
concerned sectors are also urged to strictly maintain preventive measures
against COVID-19.
The Prime Minister mentioned his attendance at the 36th
ASEAN Summit via a video conference, hosted by Vietnam, where he had
proposed three paths for actions to advance ASEAN in the post-COVID-19 era,
that is, 1) More connected ASEAN; 2) Stronger ASEAN by building strength
from within; and 3) Better-immune ASEAN.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that CCSA should set
example to the public on adjusting their way of life and thinking to the new
normal. He has recently announced the ‘new normal’ ways of working in the
way that the government works, which is to make sure all sectors and all
levels of society have a greater role in developing the nation’s way forward
in the post-COVID era. Representatives of various sectors have been called
upon and asked to propose a plan on how they can contribute to helping
Thailand make giant strides forward, as well as their vision for their
sector and transformative ideas that can transform their sector and improve
people’s lives and incomes.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of the
Emergency Decree as a tool for CCSA to administer COVID-19 situation, and
affirmed that the Government does not have any hidden agenda in maintaining
the Decree. He called for the public to be aware that although there has
been no new infected case in Thailand for over 30 consecutive days, the
number of COVID-19 infected cases in several countries across the globe has
continuously risen.
The Prime Minister also thanked all concerned sectors
and the people for their collective effort in successfully curbing and
fighting against spread of the disease. The ASEAN leaders have come to terms
on the establishment of the Covid-19 ASEAN Response Fund to support research
and development in medicines and vaccines, to which Thailand has contributed
USD 100,000. He also ordered the National Economic and Social Development
Board (NESDB) to expedite deliberation of plans and projects for economic
and social remedy and rehabilitation, taking into account the country’s
post-COVID direction and goal, e.g., regional medical hub, global food
supply, eco-friendly tourism, etc.
With regard to the easing of entry of foreign nationals
to the Kingdom, the Prime Minister assigned the Operation Centre for
Measures on the Entry into and Departure from the Kingdom and the Protection
of Thai Nationals Abroad to work together with other concerned agencies in
preparing plans, measures, and priorities for the easing of entry into and
departure from the Kingdom. Security units must continue to strictly
implement screening process. Measures to be deliberated by Ministry of
Foreign Affairs include: 1) expansion of groups of foreign nationals who
will be allowed to entry into the Kingdom; 2) special arrangement with other
countries; 3) guideline for the entry of foreign business people; and 4)
criteria for the entry of Government’s guests. (Thaigov.go.th)
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Bangkok relaxes subway social distancing rules
, 
The easing of social distancing measures is to
serve high passenger volume as the new school semester started on Wednesday.
MRT subway has eased social distancing rules on board to make all seats
available for an increase of passenger volume.
Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM),
the operator of MRT and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA)
said that the easing of social distancing measures is to serve high
passenger volume as the new school semester started on Wednesday.
Trains are now allowed to accommodate 70 percent
passengers of its total capacity and passengers are asked to comply with the
disease control measures by checking in and out via Thai Chana QR code and
refraining from talking while riding the trains.
Marks on the floor indicate the distance commuters need
to keep apart and the directions they should face.
Moreover, they are asked to wear masks at all times, to
maintain at least one meter distance at stations and to have their body
temperature checked at the entrances. (TNA)
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Thailand phase 5 lockdown easing, nightlife reopening begins today
Prime
Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Thailand is moving to phase five of
lockdown easing on Wednesday, allowing reopening of nearly all business
activities, but emergency decree is extended for another month.
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal by the
Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) regarding the next phase
of reopening and emergency decree extension.
The fifth phase of the relaxing of restrictions will
see entertainment venues and nightlife services including pubs, bars and
massage parlors resuming their operations under some disease control
guidelines.
More groups of foreigners will be allowed to enter the
kingdom, the government said in its statement.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha government has
declared state of emergency since late March. The administration maintains
that the executive decree is still necessary to prevent the spread of the
virus.
As the coronavirus pandemic is far from over in many
parts of the world, the government needs legal tools to reduce the risk of a
second wave of the pandemic, according to the Prime Minister.
The Cabinet formally approved the extension of the
emergency decree nationwide for another month, until July 31, as recommended
by the CCSA and the National Security Council.(TNA)
The Cabinet
on Tuesday approved a proposal by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation
Administration (CCSA) regarding the next phase of reopening and emergency
decree extension.
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World Bank projects Thai economy to shrink 5% this year
Birgit Hansl, the World Bank Country Manager for
Thailand.
The World Bank projected Thai economy to shrink by at least five per cent
this year and an estimated 8.3 million workers could lose their jobs or
income.
Birgit Hansl, the World Bank Country Manager for
Thailand disclosed the World Bank report on Thai economy, saying due to the
impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, it downgraded the economic forecast for
Thailand in 2020 to a contraction of 5% from its earlier projection of 2.9 %
expansion last year.
Thai GDP is forecasted to grow 4.1% in 2021 and 3.6 %
in 2022, it said.
The coronavirus lockdown led to layoffs and
unemployment despite the government issued relief measures for affected
individuals and SME businesses.
Thai economy has been affected by the world economic
downturn. Contraction in world trade has an impact on Thai exports and the
manufacturing sector particularly electronic and auto parts.
Travel restrictions to control the spread of the
disease have affected service sectors and retailers, which could be seen in
a 12 % drop of sales in the first quarter of this year.
An estimated 8.3 million workers will likely lose their
jobs or income because of the Covid-19 crisis, particularly in tourism. The
impact on household welfare is also likely to be severe. (TNA)
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Thailand sets 50-billion-baht fund to help 700,000 small and medium businesses
Deputy
Prime Minister, Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, has directed the Office of SMEs
Promotion (OSMEP) to boost liquidity to help small businesses with low
interest rate loans.
To give small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) easier access to financial resources after experiencing
difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr.
Somkid Jatusripitak, has directed the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) to
boost liquidity to help small businesses in particular.
In response to Dr. Somkid’s orders, the OSMEP will
submit a proposal to the cabinet on July 7, requesting a 50-billion-baht
budget to set up a fund to help some 700,000 SMEs. The government will
allocate another 50 billion baht to help struggling businesses.
"The first thing that the OSMEP has to focus on is
improving liquidity, so that they’re able to access loans from banks. This
is important. But if you say that there’s adequate liquidity, does it mean
that you have a lower standard First take 100,000 to improve liquidity.
However, I want more flexibility. If they can get the cabinet to approve the
50-billion-baht budget, I think the amount will be 50 billion plus 50
billion. The money will come out in separate tranches to ensure its
effectiveness," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The OSMEP Director, Dr. Veerapong Malai, said the OSMEP
fund will be able to aid businesses a month after receiving approval from
Cabinet. The OSMEP will lay down loan conditions, while state-run banks will
grant loans to qualified SMEs with a good debt repayment history. For
instance, they must not miss or delay payments for more than four
installments.
The financial aid will be divided into two parts of
100,000 baht and 1 million baht, with an interest rate of 1 percent per
year. The loan term is 10 years, with suspension of principal and interest
payments for the first six months.
The OSMEP will also support entrepreneurs, who wish to
access the government’s procurement and employment market, which was valued
at 1.3 trillion-baht last year. The market has increased 30 percent, and it
will help entrepreneurs generate at least 400 billion baht in income. The
measure is expected to be finalized this September or October.(NNT)
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Thai Prime Minister focuses on farmers, small businesses strength to get through crisis
Prime Minister, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha promoted
activities to help farmers and small businesses.
Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has promoted several activities to
help farmers and individual businesses, expressing his regard for all groups
of people.
Prior to the Cabinet’s meeting on Tuesday, Prime
Minister Prayut viewed an exhibition on prolonging the shelf life of local
OTOP delicacies, presented by the Minister of the Interior and ministerial
executives.
He then observed a promotional exhibition of a campaign
by a retail company Siam Piwat, offering free retail spaces to persons
affected by the COVID-19 economic fallout, including farmers and small
businesses, to enable them to sell their items at special events at Siam
Paragon and Iconsiam shopping malls.
The Prime Minister also helped promote a similar retail
event held by Central Group, and thanked the private sector for lending a
hand in helping to take care of the general public.
He said the government is concerned with COVID-19’s
impact on lower-income earners, and hopes to see collective assistance given
to the farming sector from manufacturing to processing, as well as the
promotion of New Normal tourism that can help local communities generate
income. (NNT)
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Chiang Mai ‘Walking Street’ reopens Sunday night
Vendors offering foods, handicrafts and
traditional goodies revived the lively scenes of Ratchadamnoen Road walking
street Sunday evening.
A Sunday walking street in Chiang Mai has returned to life after the
COVID-19 control measures have been eased.
Vendors offering foods, handicrafts and traditional
goodies revived the lively scenes of Ratchadamnoen Road walking street
Sunday evening.
The famous Sunday night Chiang Mai Walking Street
imposed measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 including fever check and
social distancing rule.
As the new school semester begins on Wednesday, more
shoppers from other provinces visited the walking street looking for school
supplies. (TNA)
The famous Sunday night Chiang Mai Walking
Street imposed measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 including fever
check and social distancing rule.
Thailand controls prices of school uniforms to ease parents’ expenses
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce,
Jurin Laksanawisit.
The Ministry of Commerce has cooperated with manufacturers of school
uniforms and school supplies to reduce product prices to ease parents’
expenses during the economic recession caused by COVID-19.
The latest ‘Back to School’ campaign is aimed at
reducing the cost of living at the start of the new semester which begins on
July 1. Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Commerce, said today the Ministry of Commerce has coordinated with the
manufacturers of school uniforms and school supplies, to help reduce their
product prices. The products will be sold at department stores nationwide.
The campaign offers a discount of up to 80 percent on many items.
The activity will continue until July 15th, 2020, in
order to help relieve the burden facing about 10.4 million parents. It is
expected to help reduce the financial outlay of parents in Thailand, by at
least one billion baht in total.
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Indian man arrested in Chiang Mai on ATM and creditcard skimming charges
Chiang Mai police revealed that the Indian
visitor had stolen up to 500,000 baht after arriving in Thailand six months
ago.
An Indian man has been arrested in Thailand’s Chiang Mai city on charges of
electronic card skimming.
The 36-year-old man was caught at a hotel room in the
northern city where police found several fake and stolen ATM and credit
cards.
He told police that he had stolen up to 500,000 baht
after arriving in Thailand six months ago.
Police said they would continue to investigate into the
crime to find out the man’s overseas connection as well as past cash
withdrawals suspected of ATM skimming. (TNA)
Thailand’s ruling Palang Pracharat party gets new leader
General Prawit Wongsuwan (on screen), currently
one of five deputy prime ministers of Thailand, has replaced Finance
Minister Uttama Savanayana as the Palang Pracharat party leader.
General Prawit Wongsuwan, at 74, has become the official leader of the
ruling Palang Pracharat Party, receiving unanimous support at the party’s
general meeting yesterday (June 27th).
General Prawit, currently one of five deputy prime
ministers of Thailand, has replaced Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana as
the Palang Pracharat party leader. Meanwhile, Anucha Nakasai has replaced
Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong as the party’s Secretary-General. The
party chose Bunsing Warinrak as the new party registrar and Narumon
Pinyosinwat as the new party treasurer.
General Prawit was absent from the meeting but he sent
a video clip, thanking the party members and executives for their support.
The new party leader announced that he would lead the party to strength and
confidence, focusing on serving the public.
The Palang Pracharat Party has decided to change its
logo and relocate its head office. The new party leader has the power to
choose nine deputy leaders of the party, who are expected to be appointed
soon. (NNT)
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Households in Bangkok receive bags of relief supplies
Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Commerce, Jurin Laksanawisit.
The Ministry of Commerce has delivered
bags of relief supplies to people affected by "COVID-19", creating smiles
and happiness among the people who received the goods.
Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Commerce, delivered 5,000 bags of supplies and bags of relief
supplies for mothers and children, to more than 300 households in Bangkok
Noi and neighboring areas to alleviate people’s suffering during the
COVID-19 situation. The activity was supported by the private sector.
People who received the bags were happy and grateful to
the government for helping them at this difficult time when families can’t
earn enough to cover daily expenses.
Each bag contained consumer goods urgently needed by
people in the various areas to alleviate their suffering. Though the
COVID-19 situation in Thailand has begun to improve, the economic situation
has not improved much. (NNT)
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Over 3,000 Bangkok traffic police officers on duty for first day of school
Pol Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsaengek, deputy
commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau said traffic police are on
standby for traffic management on the first day of the new school term.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau has planned to deploy about 3,000 police
officers to manage traffic congestion on the first day of the new school
semester on Wednesday.
Pol Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsaengek, deputy commissioner of
the Metropolitan Police Bureau said traffic police have been put on standby
for traffic management on the first day of the new school term.
They will direct traffic outside schools to improve
traffic flow during the Covid-19 situation when schools will measure body
temperature of students before entering the premises.
Police told schools to set screening checkpoints inside
the schools instead of at the school entrances or outside the gates to
prevent traffic congestion. Parents were advised to leave home early due to
possible traffic delays.
School van operators were instructed to maintain
disease control measures by having students wear masks, cleaning passenger
room and providing hand sanitizers to students.
If they ignore hygiene standard, the police can inform
the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to consider measures against them
such as warning or suspension of the operations. (TNA)
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Thailand extended ‘Emergency Decree’ for international travel control
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the
Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
The government needed to continuously impose the executive decree on public
administration in emergency situations for swift disease control, according
to a spokesman.
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for
COVID-19 Situation Administration, said the government had to maintain the
executive decree imposition for another month because it had stronger
disease control effects covering international travel, the monitoring of
at-risk people, disease surveillance, the opening and closure of businesses
and activities and swift and united efforts to contain the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“The 5th round of business/activity resumption covers
all categories of business and activities so that people can resume normal
life. The emergency decree is partly imposed and does not limit people’s
rights. However, everyone must protect and take good care of themselves,”
the CCSA spokesman said.
Dr Taweesin said that CCSA continued to restrict
flights by maintaining its authority to give a green light to every flight.
He added that if the COVID-19 situation further
improved, press conferences on it would be on Mondays and Thursdays. (TNA)
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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 June
2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
%20situation%20in%20Thailand%202.jpg)
Thailand next restrictions easing plan focuses on 2nd wave spread prevention
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration
(CCSA) spokesman, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will disclose
details of the easing of Phase 5 restrictions, due to begin on July 1, while
stressing the need for effective disease control measures to prevent a
second wave.
The CCSA Spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said the
CCSA will be holding a major meeting on Monday to finalize the details of
further restriction easing in Phase 5, which may allow businesses such as
pubs, bars, karaoke venues, gaming centers, internet cafes, and soapy
massage parlors to reopen.
Addressing criticism of remaining restrictions in Phase
5 being too stringent as the situation in the country has already improved,
the CCSA spokesman said there is a possibility of new locally transmitted
cases, albeit no such case has been reported for 32 consecutive days.
He pointed out an example in China, where no locally
transmitted cases were reported for 50 days, however, a second wave of
infections eventually came.
On Monday the CCSA will consider measures related to
international arrivals; the State of Emergency extension by one month; the
reopening of schools in border areas, and the easing of some social
distancing measures on public transport. It’s likely passengers will be
allowed to sit in any of the seats on metro trains which are now blocked.
However, passengers must stand 1 foot away from one another, and wear face
coverings. (NNT)
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Thailand promotes domestic eggs consumption to offset over supply
Minister of
Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit.
The Ministry of Commerce continues to tackle low
chicken egg pricing by promoting more domestic consumption, and providing a
special subsidy for exports, in an effort to help affected farmers.s.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin
Laksanawisit has disclosed that the market is now seeing an oversupply of
chicken eggs beyond consumer demand, with farms across the country producing
40-41 million eggs daily, exceeding the national demand of 38-39 million
eggs per day.
The Ministry of Commerce is now encouraging the general
public to consume more chicken eggs. The ministry will also help farmers
distribute eggs at the special price of 2 baht each, in the 4th round of the
ministry’s nationwide trade events, along with many discounted grocery
items.
The ministry is providing a subsidy at 0.25 baht per
egg for egg exports to help reduce the oversupply. This subsidy will be
provided to exporters until the egg price rises to 3 baht each, which is
considered a fair price for both egg farmers and consumers.
The current chicken egg price of about 2 baht each, is
due to the recent oversupply. (NNT)
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Thailand theme park ‘Dream World’ reopens
Theme parks are among businesses that are now
allowed to operate under the government’s disease control measures to build
confidence among visitors.
Dream World theme park reopened to the public on Saturday after being closed
for three months under COVID-19 lockdown measures. A large number of
visitors arrived on the first day and measures were in place to prevent
COVID-19 transmission. Park visitors are asked to wear face masks at all
times within the park areas.
Dream World theme park was able to reopen after
measures restricting some businesses to control the COVID-19 situation were
eased on June 15. Theme parks are among businesses that are now allowed to
operate but are required to comply with the government’s disease control
measures to build confidence among visitors. The Dream World theme park can
accommodate a maximum of 7,500 people per day.
Entrances are equipped with thermo-scanners to measure
all visitors’ body temperature. The staff attach a sticker to each visitor
who passes the screening process.
All visitors are required to wash their hands with
alcohol gel before using any plaything. There are also posters that provide
instructions on accessing theme park services at various spots. Visitors are
also asked to maintain social distancing within the park of at least one
meter for safety and to reduce the risk of a COVID-19 resurgence. (NNT)
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
%20situation%20in%20Thailand%201.jpg)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
situation in Thailand as of 28 June 2020, 11.30 Hrs. (TAT)
%20situation%20in%20Thailand-2.jpg)
Thailand extension of emergency decree necessary for inbound travel screening
The National
Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General, Gen. Somsak Rungsita.
The National Security Council (NSC) insists that the
emergency decree has to remain in force for another month, as the country
may see a resurgence in COVID-19 cases in this perilous time.
The NSC Secretary-General, Gen. Somsak Rungsita, said
on Thursday that an NSC meeting had approved a one-month extension of the
emergency decree because the fifth phase of lockdown easing will affect
venues, which are at high risk of COVID-19 transmissions. The meeting
expressed concern for the elderly and children. With many schools set to
reopen in July, gatherings of students and their guardians are expected. If
the decree is lifted, it will be difficult for the authorities to
effectively implement disease control measures and screen people entering
the country. The extension is not related to political issues, and will not
affect people’s way of life.
Gen. Somsak said the extension will help build
confidence, with more activities and businesses set to resume after the next
phase of eased restrictions. The global situation has not completely
improved. The lifting of the emergency decree can be proposed any time, but
if another wave is imminent, more stringent measures will be taken. Live
sporting events can only be broadcast at this time.
The security official said the travel bubble plan can’t
happen yet, but entrepreneurs, who plan to visit Thailand, must consider if
their business activities can actually stimulate the economy. They have to
undergo a health check-up before entering the country. There are limits on
the types of businesses and the number of entrepreneurs, and the authorities
must be able to locate them at all times when they are in Thailand.
The NSC meeting’s resolutions will be submitted to the
cabinet and the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) for
consideration next Monday (June 29), before the decree’s extension is
declared the following day. (NNT)
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Bangkok Chao Phraya Sky Park opens to public
The elevated Chao Phraya Skypark spans 280
meters over the Chao Phraya River, linking Khlong San district on the
Bangkok side of the river and Phra Nakhon district on Thonburi side.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has
officially opened Chao Phraya Sky Park, the country’s first park over a
river, to the public.
The elevated Chao Phraya Skypark spans 280 meters over
the Chao Phraya River, linking Khlong San district on the Bangkok side of
the river and Phra Nakhon district on Thonburi side.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who presided over the
opening ceremony on Wednesday said he encouraged river tourism promotion.
Running along Phra Pok Klao Bridge, the elevate park
was developed on a bridge of the country's first elevated railway project,
which was abandoned nearly three decades ago.
There were only old columns and beams across the river
left over from the incomplete Skytrain project of Canada's Laval in
International Co.
The BMA has allocated 123 million baht for landscaping
the 280-metre-long and 8.5-metre-wide structure. It features ramps,
elevators, viewpoints, rest areas and various levels of paths for
pedestrians and cyclists. (TNA)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over
the opening ceremony on Wednesday and urged Thai people to be involved more
in river tourism and conservation.
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Thailand prepares schools ahead of July 1 opening
Deputy
Governor of Bangkok, Krengyos Sudlapa inspected Wat Phraya Siri Aiya Sawan
School in Bang Phlat district.
Local authorities and education agencies are now
checking schools’ preparedness to implement COVID-19 precautionary measures,
during the new school year starting on 1st July to ensure the health and
safety of students.
In Bangkok, a Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Krengyos
Sudlapa inspected Wat Phraya Siri Aiya Sawan School in Bang Phlat district,
which is a small 100-student school in the northern Thonburi side of
Bangkok, providing classes from Kindergarten Year 1 to Primary Year 6.
The school director Sayaporn Kraiserm said the school
has prepared measures which will be implemented from day one, by allowing
only parents to send off their children at the school’s gate, temperature
screening of all students, arranging tables in classrooms in a staggered
layout, with partitions and name labels attached to each table. Students
will need to provide their own personal stationery.
Nap time for young students will still be offered, but
the bedding will be placed with a safe distance between each child.
Deputy Governor Krengyos is satisfied with the school’s
preparedness, and has urged the school to constantly promote good hygiene
practices including frequent hand washing and the wearing of face masks
among young children, adding that young children may switch to wearing a
face shield instead temporarily, if they are not comfortable with a mask.
Moving to Saraburi, officials from Wihan Daeng
Subdistrict Municipality and a local nursery, dressed up in hero costumes
and made house visits to meet children and their parents at home, providing
them with preparations for the new school year in the midst of the COVID-19
pandemic, as well as exercises for children to practice before their
school’s reopening.
The Young Children’s Development Center in Wihan Daeng
provides daytime care for pre-school children, considered a population group
susceptible to COVID-19 infection.(NNT)
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Tourism industry rolls out ‘Thailand Sure 2020’ health safety certification
The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises
Promotion (OSMEP) has partnered with the Tourism Council of Thailand to
introduce the Thailand Sure 2020 symbol.
Domestic tourism has restarted since the Phase 4 easing of restrictions took
place in Thailand, with attractions now starting to see many guests. Some
people however, are still concerned about the potential spread of COVID-19.
To alleviate this concern and promote domestic tourism, the Office of Small
and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) has partnered with the Tourism
Council of Thailand to introduce the Thailand Sure 2020 symbol, provided to
tourism businesses certified for their health and safety measures.
The Thailand Sure 2020 symbol will be given to
attractions, accommodation, shops, and restaurants, as well as transport
providers proven to have implemented effective safety, health, hygiene, and
management measures, to serve as a safety guarantee for domestic travelers.
In addition, the OSMEP will be holding an SME Regular
Level 2020 workshop, promoting the growth of businesses and providing
consultation for some 300 tourism businesses.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Governor
Yuthasak Supasorn, said the tourism sector has started to recover after
hitting rock bottom. The TAT is focusing on the promotion of domestic
tourism in the first year after the outbreak, attracting regular
international Thai travellers, who in total spend some 440 billion baht each
year, to make domestic trips. It is expected this strategy should generate
no less than 300 billion-baht cashflow for the domestic tourism industries.
Meanwhile, the government’s domestic tourism promotion
campaign, introduced with discounts of up to 40 percent on hotel stays as
well as transportation discounts, will now have to be reviewed and approved
by the Cabinet, but is expected to be relaunched early next month.(NNT)
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Thailand to celebrate ‘Asalha Bucha Day’ and ‘Buddhist Lent’ in July with precautions
Monks are
advised to wear a face mask and suitable protection every time they go out
of the temples, keep the temples regularly sanitized, and must screen
visitors for symptoms in and out.
For the approaching Buddhist Lent this year, the Sangha
Supreme Council is allowing temples to hold religious ceremonies as normal,
while the Ministry of Public Health still encourages temples to hold
religions activities with precautionary measures against COVID-19.
For this year’s Buddhist Lent, the Department of
Medical Services Dr Weerawut Imsamran has encouraged monks to receive a
physical check-up and self-isolate for 14 days to ensure no potential
transmission of COVID-19 in the monastery or to temple goers. Temples should
be regularly sanitized, and screen visitors for symptoms. Monks are advised
to wear a face mask every time they go outside, and see a doctor if they
have any flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, fever, sneezes, or a runny
nose.
Temple goers are encouraged to keep their guard up and
continue practicing precautionary measures, by ensuring they don’t carry the
virus into temples where monks have to spend their entire time during
Buddhist Lent.
The Ministry of Public Health has prepared a special
health unit to serve Buddhist monks, and will provide first aid training to
monks volunteering for public health works.
The Sangha Supreme Council’s Office of the Secretary
General Director Saroj Kansirisilp, says that following the de-escalation of
the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand, the Sangha Supreme Council has now
allowed temples across the country to resume arranging religious activities,
with precautionary health measures to prevent COVID-19 being implemented.
At religious events, temples should check the
temperature of participants, arrange seating with sufficient spacing in
between, and require the wearing of face coverings.
Temples across the country will be celebrating the
Asalha Bucha Day on July 5, followed by the beginning of Buddhist Lent on
July 6. Temples are allowed to arrange religious activities such as a
candlelight procession ceremony, and monk ordinations.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health
Anutin Charnvirakul, said that the government has declared the beginning of
Buddhist Lent Day a National No Alcohol Day. This year, an event will be
held where a village health volunteer will be inviting at least three of
their family members to make a pledge of 3-months sobriety during Buddhist
Lent, either online or on an application. (NNT)
Temples
across the country will be celebrating the Asalha Bucha Day on July 5,
followed by the beginning of Buddhist Lent on July 6.
Thai
government declares the beginning of Buddhist Lent Day a National No Alcohol
Day.
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Thailand approves 3.3-million-baht aid to UN COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Fund
Deputy
Government Spokeswoman, Dr. Ratchada Thanadirek.
A meeting of cabinet ministers,
resolved to extend financial assistance of 3.3-million-baht to the United
Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN COVID-19
MPTF).
The Deputy Government Spokeswoman, Dr. Ratchada
Thanadirek, said that the cabinet meeting agreed with a proposal to draft an
agreement with the UN COVID-19 MPTF, an inter-agency finance mechanism to
support low- and middle-income program countries in overcoming a health and
development crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund’s financial requirements are projected at 2
billion dollars US, and be established for a period of two years, or until
April 2022. An agreement will be signed by the UN Development Program (UNDP)
to ensure transparency in the utilization of the funds. The cabinet agreed
that the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand
to the United Nations in New York, will sign the agreement, on behalf of
Thailand.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the financial
assistance of 100,000 US dollars, or about 3.3 million baht, to the UN
COVID-19 MPTF, using the ministry’s budget for fiscal year 2020. This is to
highlight Thailand’s cooperation with the UN in tackling the COVID-19
pandemic, and the country’s efforts to achieve sustainable development,
without leaving anyone behind.
Other nations that have contributed funds to the UN
COVID-19 MPTF include the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and
Slovakia. (NNT)
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Thailand, Sweden to collaborate in health, trade, investment and student exchanges
H.E. Mr.
Staffan Herrström, Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand (left), and Thai Prime
Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha (right).
H.E. Mr. Staffan Herrström, Ambassador of Sweden to
Thailand paid a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister at Government House,
praising Thailand for effective control of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Government Spokeswoman Naruemol Pinyosinwat said that
the ambassador paid a courtesy call to Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha to bid
farewell at the end of her tenure.
Gen Prayut thanked him for his important role in
strengthening relations between the two countries. Swedish ambassador
thanked the Thai government for supporting him and hoped the two countries
would have more cooperation in trade, investment and student exchanges.
Gen Prayut said he hoped that after the Coivd-19
situation eases, both countries will cooperate more in investment, tourism
and public health.
Thailand is ready to exchange experience in management
of coronavirus pandemic and work with Sweden in researches and vaccine
development.
Both sides also discussed the post-coronavirus economic
recovery plan.
Thailand invited Swedish private sector to invest more
in Thailand, particularly in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in the
areas of their expertise such as the circular economy, sustainable
development and human resource development. (TNA)
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Thailand plans for national motorway-railway grid
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.
The Transport Ministry plans a national grid of motorways and railways that
will be developed in parallel with each other on north-south and east-west
directions.
Transport authorities discussed the project in a
meeting chaired by Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. The project was
aimed at facilitating the development of new urban areas.
It includes three north-south routes with a combined
distance of 2,610 kilometers. They are on Chiang Rai-Songkhla, Nong Khai-Lam
Chabang and Bung Kan-Surin routes.
Five routes were designed for east-west directions, on
Tak-Nakhon Phanom, Tak-Ubon Ratchathani, Kanchanaburi-Sa Kaeo,
Kanchanaburi-Trat and Phuket-Surat Thani routes.
Minister Saksayam said he would propose the project to
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha after the cabinet meeting next week.
In the meeting, senior transport officials said that
the government should co-invest with the private sector because the project
would be costly. They also warned the government to prevent duplication with
some old railway project such as the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong
railway project.
The master plan of the project was expected to be done
in a year.
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Thailand reopens pubs, bars, karaoke until midnight; soapy massage, bathing allowed
Nightlife entertainment will have to cooperate
with ‘new normal’ health precautionary measures that each venue will put in
place for the safety of both customers and workers.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration plans
to permit the reopening of pubs, bars, karaoke shops and soapy massage
parlors on July 1.
CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said a working
group of the center finished its draft for the resumption of five categories
of business and activities. It covers schools, malls, service parlors, game
and internet shops and soapy massage parlors. CCSA would consider the draft
and the resumption was expected on July 1.
He said all business and activities to resume would
have to use the Thaichana application to record customers to ensure
traceability. Staff who are ill must report to concerned officials for
disease investigation. Online reservations will be applied to help control
diseases.
Pubs, bars, karaoke shops and entertainment venues will
be allowed to open daily until midnight. Customers must be at least one
meter apart. The numbers of customers will be limited to ensure each will
have four square meters of space.
Customers will be prohibited from mingling, dancing far
from their tables or seats or sharing containers. Their groups will be
limited at five people each. Tables will be two meters apart or be separated
with 1.5-meter-high partitions. Sales campaigns will be banned. Operators
must keep CCTV footage for at least one month to support disease probes.
At soapy massage parlors, people must wear face masks
and be one meter apart except during bathing. Everyone must use the
Thaichana app for check-ins and checkouts. Staff will be tested for COVID-19
at times. (TNA)
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration
spokesman, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin.
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Thai Prime Minister worries 2nd wave spread at entertainment venues after easing
Prime
Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha.
At the Inner Santi Maitri Building, Government House,
following the weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister and Defense Minister
Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha disclosed that he is scheduled to attend the 36th
ASEAN Summit and other related summits, hosted by Socialist Republic of
Vietnam, via a video conference on June 26, 2020.
He also emphasized the importance for Thai people to
keep guards up against COVID-19 even though Thailand enjoys 29 consecutive
free days from new COVID-19 infection. The Government understands the plight
of employers and employees in all sectors, but certain businesses,
especially entertainment places, are considered high risk, and additional
measures other than those of the Government’s, have to be decided and
implemented to prevent the 2nd wave of disease spread. The lockdown has now
been eased for domestic tourism, but entry of foreign tourists will have to
be carefully deliberated.
The Prime Minister also called on both public, private,
and business sectors to continue with the work from home measure in a bid to
prevent spread of COVID-19, and alleviate morning traffic congestion,
particularly when school term starts.
He disclosed that extension of the Emergency Decree
will be impartially decided by Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration
with no political agenda involved. The Government would also consider
relaxing lockdown of additional businesses/activities to further mitigate
people’s plights. The Prime Minister is also planning to take field visits
to other provinces to follow up on various Government’s implementation
progress once the COVID-19 situation eases.
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Thailand extension of ‘Emergency Decree’ inconclusive
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The Thai Cabinet has assessed the
pandemic situation including the progress of COVID-19 vaccine trials in the
country.
In its weekly meeting on Tuesday, the Cabinet
acknowledged the vaccine development in the country that could see a
clinical trial in humans as early as October.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that
the government gave a full support to vaccine research and development.
He also said that the ministers discussed ‘travel
bubble’ proposals, a plan to boost the tourism industry.
Public
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Many countries wanted to join Thailand’s travel bubble
plan to mutually reboot tourism industries, he said. The ministers
considered conditions for cooperation in pairing with other countries to
create travel bubbles.
On the possibility of an extension of the emergency
decree which has been imposed since late March, Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha did not give a clear answer saying his government intended to
ease as many restitutions as it could.
Anutin hinted that the government’s COVID-19 task force
on Friday would discuss extension of the emergency decree which has been
enact since late March. (TNA)
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Thailand confirmed 5 returnees from Egypt and Qatar new COVID-19 cases
The Center
for COVID-19 Situation Administration report.
Dr Panprapa Yongtrakul, assistant
spokesperson of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, said that
two infected returnees arrived in Thailand on June 9 and were brought to
state quarantine facilities in Chonburi province.
They tested negative in the first test on June 13 but
positive in the second round on June 20. They did not show a symptom. One of
them is a 31-year-old male student who returned from Cairo and the other was
a 22-year-old maid.
Three new cases returned from Qatar on June 16 and were
quarantined in Chon Buri. They tested positive for COVID-19 on June 21 while
being asymptomatic.
One of them is a 31-year-old woman, another is a man
aged 22 who was a masseur at a spa and the other is a 52-year-old man who
was a crane driver.
The accumulated number of COVID-19 cases in the country
stood at 3,156, 3,023 of whom recovered and 75 remained at hospitals. The
death toll was unchanged at 58. (TNA)
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Thailand ready for new school term in classes and online on July 1
Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC)
secretary-general, Amnat Wichayanuwat.
About 21,000 schools are 100% ready for their new term that will begin on
July 1 while about 5,000 schools will also apply remote education, according
to the Office of Basic Education Commission.
OBEC secretary-general Amnat Wichayanuwat said 21,000
schools were 100% ready to comply with disease control measures instructed
by the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
5,000 other schools were large and included primary and
secondary students. They would stagger the days of classes for different
groups of students, broadcast educational programs and apply online
education, he said.
Mr Amnat said any student suspected of contracting the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) would be sent to the Public Health
Ministry's facility right away without being placed in a school sick room in
order to prevent transmission. Besides, that school would have to close and
turn to broadcast and online educational programs, he said. (TNA)
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Geographical indications (GI) registration adds higher value to Thai products
%20registration%20adds%20higher%20value%20to%20Thai%20products.jpg)
Shallots and garlic in Si Sa Ket province were
known for their unique flavors and scents as they are grown in the land and
weather conditions with the long-standing cultivation techniques of local
farmers.
Deputy Commerce Minister Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol expected higher value
for shallots and garlic in Si Sa Ket province because the products’
geographical indications (GI) were registered.
Mr Weerasak said the Department of Intellectual
Property announced the GI registration for shallots and garlic of the
northeastern province on June 18.
Si Sa Ket’s shallots and garlic were outstanding for
their unique flavors and scents thanks to the land and weather conditions of
the province and the long-standing cultivation techniques of local farmers,
he said.
Thailand has 126 products from 76 provinces with GI
registration. The Department of Intellectual Property would promote garlic
and shallots of Si Sa Ket locally and internationally and develop quality
control systems for the products to boost communities’ income in a
sustainable manner, Mr Weerasak said. (TNA)
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Non-formal school continues in Yasothon, northeastern Thailand
Mrs. Kanokwan Wilawan, Deputy Minister of
Education (center).
The Deputy Minister of Education has praised a Non-Formal school in Yasothon
province that has managed to continue studies amid the COVID-19 outbreak
Mrs. Kanokwan Wilawan, Deputy Minister of Education
visited Yasothon recently to observe Non-Formal educational schools and the
private education system. During the visit, the Deputy Minister lauded
teachers, school staff, and students for conducting educational programs
during the COVID-19 situation. The non-formal education system in Yasothon
has managed to continue teaching students of various ages, to create
products and train for professional careers.
Non-formal education schools’ role is to provide an
education for any interested persons. They can study at these schools at any
age without limitation. This kind of education answers a wide range of
desires of the students, from improving their skills to simply spending
quality time in retirement.(NNT)
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Thailand ‘Business Bubble’ travel scheme for EEC investment
The EEC
Policy Committee meeting discussed a proposal to allow businesspersons from
certain countries to enter Thailand.
The Eastern Economic Corridor Policy
Committee will be proposing to the Center for COVID-19 Situation
Administration this week a scheme to allow international travel by
businesspersons from selected countries, in order to continue investment
activities in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) which is important in
driving the country’s economy.
The EEC Policy Committee meeting chaired by the Prime
Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, discussed a proposal to allow
businesspersons from certain countries to enter Thailand.
The EEC Policy Committee has previously discussed with
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Health the
so-called Business Bubble model, to reopen the country to visitors
travelling for business and investment purposes, especially investors in the
EEC, as well as technicians and specialized workers. The move follows
requests from international companies and organizations including the
Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the Japan External Trade Organization, and
South Korean companies.
Under this proposal, foreigners allowed to enter the
country must consent to a compulsory 14-day quarantine, but will be allowed
to conduct businesses and sign documents from their place of quarantine.
They must also fulfill pre-travel requirements which may include a COVID-19
test, obtain a Fit-to-Fly certificate, and must hold an eligible travel
insurance package.
The ECC office will be submitting the Business Bubble
proposal to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration this week,
along with guidelines on the registration of additional Alternative State
Quarantine facilities in the EEC area. (NNT)
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Bangkok schools set COVID-19 guidelines for July opening
The Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Spokesman, Pol Maj Pongsakorn Kwanmuang.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
has prepared COVID-19 guidelines for its 473 public schools, aiming to allow
as many students as possible to return to school on 1st July with COVID-19
prevention measures in place.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA)
Spokesman Pol Maj Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, has announced that City Hall has
decided to go ahead with a 1st July opening of public schools under the
BMA’s supervision, with classes to be held at school as much as possible.
Precautionary measures will be taken at schools to
prevent another outbreak of COVID-19, including social distancing and
temperature screening on entry, while gathering activities such as the
morning assembly will be suspended.
At about 92-120 schools, class schedules will be
staggered, with the first period, lunch break, and last period in some
classrooms altered to prevent crowding.
Classes for young students from Kindergarten to Primary
Year 3 will be held entirely at school, while some classes for older
students from Primary Year 4 to Secondary Year 6, may implement online and
remote learning. All classes will be held at schools should the situation
improve after a month of being open.
BMA schools will implement the same disease control
protocol as used for the hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak, for
COVID-19. A classroom will be closed if a student is found to be infected,
while an entire school level will be closed should more than one student in
different classrooms of the same level be infected. The entire school will
be closed if students from different school levels are found to be infected.
The BMA is working with prestigious schools to produce
education materials, following an initiative from the Prime Minister to
allow students at public schools to receive a quality level education.
In this campaign, Triam Udom Suksa School will help
produce materials for Physics; Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit
Demonstration School will help produce material in both Thai and English;
Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) School for Chemicals; Mahidol Wittayanusorn
School for Science and Technology, and Mathematics; Debsirin School for
Biology; Suankularb Wittayalai School for Mathematics, and Shrewsbury
International School for English.(NNT)
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Thailand aims to start COVID-19 vaccine human trials in October
A study of a COVID-19 vaccine prototype in
monkeys has been successful, according to the NRCT.
A trial of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in monkeys has been successful, with
the subjects showing higher immune responses. Researchers are now gearing up
for human clinical trials in October, with production starting in mid-2021.
A study of a COVID-19 vaccine prototype in monkeys,
performed by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and
Chulalongkorn University’s National Primate Research Center of Thailand, has
been successful, according to the NRCT.
This experimental mRNA vaccine had first been
successfully tested in rats, while the tests in monkeys started on 23 May.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and
Innovation, Suvit Maesincee, said all the monkeys that received the vaccine
show no negative side effects, while their blood tests show a satisfactory
level of the antibody triggered by the vaccine.
The monkeys, at the National Primate Research Center,
have been injected with the vaccine once. Researchers will today administer
the second dose for further study. Should all go well, the clinical trial of
this vaccine candidate in humans can begin in October and November this
year.
The NRCT Secretary General Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai
said the monkeys will be tested periodically for their immune responses
after receiving the second dose of vaccine, with their antibody level
expected to increase over the next two weeks, while the third dose will be
administered in August.
He said this research project is now progressing on
track, with the target to start producing a viable COVID-19 vaccine in
Thailand in mid-2021.
The National Primate Research Center Director Suchinda
Malaivijitnond said the experimental vaccine has shown no negative side
effects in recipient monkeys, with no fever, or symptoms in the
neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory or digestive systems. The monkeys
are showing normal behaviour, which is a good sign that this vaccine
prototype would be safe for use in humans.
She said this project shows the world-class
capabilities of vaccine researchers and development projects in Thailand. (NNT)
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Thailand tourism rebounds as attractions reopen
Domestic tourism attractions have become lively
after the lockdown easing with precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19 in
place.
With inter-provincial travel restrictions eased since earlier this month,
many people have paid visits to domestic tourism attractions, bringing back
lively excursions, with precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19 in place.
Last weekend at Khao Kho in Phetchabun, many people
visited the mountain to enjoy the scenery and cool breeze, despite being
outside the peak tourism season.
Khao Kho district has enforced measures to prevent
the spread of COVID-19, by providing alcohol gel dispensers or hand
washing sinks at tourism attractions, screening visitors for fever or
any suspicious symptoms, and requiring all visitors to wear a face mask.
Those who fail to wear a mask can be fined up to 20,000 baht.
Most of the visitors travelled in groups with
family or friends, making visits to famous attractions such as Wat Phra
Thart Pha Sorn Kaew, Khao Kho Post Office observation point,
Kanchanapisek Pagoda, and the Windmill Field, as well as trendy
restaurants and cafes. Some of the attractions such as Khao Kho Royal
Palace are still closed.
Moving to the eastern region, Khao Kheow Open Zoo
in Chonburi reopened on 15th June, with COVID-19 precautionary measures
being fully enforced. Visitors are screened for fever, required to
check-in and out, wear a face mask, and practice social distancing.
Visitors are now required to park only in
designated areas, and refrain from feeding the animals. The visitors
appear to be satisfied with the measures in place, while giraffes,
zebras, flamingos, pygmy hippopotamus, and elephants are the most
popular animals in this open zoo.
Meanwhile, in the northeast, Khon Kaen Zoo has
arranged a Khan Tok traditional dining ceremony for a family of three
giraffes, consisting of a 14-year-old mother named Chae from Nakhon
Ratchasima Zoo, a 11-year-old father named Khem imported from South
Africa, and a 3-year-old son named Wang, who was born in Khon Kaen Zoo
on 1 August 2017.
The zoo has implemented strict measures to prevent
the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, placing alcohol gel
dispensers where needed, requiring all visitors to wear face masks, and
asking visitors not to feed or touch the animals with their hands. (NNT)
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