Ministry to further downgrade Covid-19, reduce days for treatment
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha took it upon himself to command the CCSA so that all government agencies can work together,” Anutin said. Kiattiphum said the ministry would have to adjust its operation plan accordingly that will be enforced until December. As part of the new operation plan, the ministry will ensure that Covid medicine will be accessible from drug stores but require prescription by doctors. Kiattiphum said the committee had also decided to change the treatment and surveillance period of Covid patients from seven days for treatment and three days for surveillance to five days for treatment and five days for surveillance. The permanent secretary said the antiviral Molnupiravir drug will be the main medicine for Covid treatment and the ministry is certain the drug would be adequate.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 16, 2022 19:28 UTC
Thai Leaf taps US experts as Thailand eyes billion-dollar hemp market
Thai Leaf's CEO Yingyos Charubusapayon told a press conference on Tuesday that legalisation of hemp at the beginning of 2021 had piqued interest among investors and various industries, creating continuous new demand and supply. Aiming to be a one-stop service for high-quality hemp products, Thai Leaf has joined hands with local property developer Origin, CannaPharma of Canada, Singapore’s Eralian Capital and Cornell University in the United States. The partnerships would ensure the quality of the company's hemp products from seed strains to CBD oil, Yingyos said. Thai Leaf is currently collaborating with Cornell University researchers to improve its own hemp strain as a unique variety that can only be grown in Thailand.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 16, 2022 10:55 UTC
DITP to Host Bangkok RHVAC 2022 and Bangkok E&E 2022 On September 7-10
The event will feature cutting-edge innovations and a variety of products and services from well-known local and overseas manufacturers during September 7-10, 2022 at BITEC, Bangkok. Nantapong Chiralerspong, Deputy Director-General of the DITP revealed that the DITP, in collaboration with the Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Club and the Electrical and Electronics Industry Club, the Federation of Thai Industries, will organize Bangkok Refrigeration, Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning 2022 (Bangkok RHVAC 2022) and Bangkok Electric and Electronics 2022 (Bangkok E&E 2022), a significant event that has returned after three years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bangkok RHVAC 2022 and Bangkok E&E 2022 will be held under one roof in the concept of One Stop Solutions with New Innovations for New Global Challenges to showcase the complete range of Thai manufacturers’ innovative products and services that answer the world’s challenges, such as pandemics and environmental issues. The event will gather top brands with expertise in air-conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, compressors, parts and accessories as well as leading manufacturers of electric and electronic appliances for home and industrial use from over 100 companies in 400 booths covering 10,000 square meters of exhibition area.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 16, 2022 06:25 UTC
Ukraine says it is targeting Russians shooting at, or from nuclear plant
Ukraine and Russia have traded accusations over multiple recent incidents of shelling at the Zaporizhzhia facility, Europe's largest nuclear power plant. "Every Russian soldier who either shoots at the plant, or shoots using the plant as cover, must understand that he becomes a special target for our intelligence agents, for our special services, for our army," Zelenskiy said in an evening video address. Zelenskiy, who did not give any details, repeated accusations that Russia was using the plant as nuclear blackmail. “And absolutely all officials of the terrorist state, as well as those who help them in this blackmail operation with the nuclear power plant, must answer in an international court,” he said. “Fighting in the south of the country brings good news about the destruction of Russian army forces and their means.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 16, 2022 01:30 UTC
Gas flow from Myanmar to Thailand resumes after pipeline repairs
Gas pressure had dropped in the onshore pipeline on August 1, forcing PTTEP to suspend deliveries and order two weeks of repairs. PTTEP said it found no evidence of damage to the pipeline from fire or explosions, countering initial reports that the leak was caused by an attack by anti-regime resistance groups. On Monday, the company said it had resumed normal gas deliveries to Thailand on Sunday (August 14) after completing repairs on the onshore pipeline from the Zawtika project. The Zawtika project produces up to 300 million cubic feet of gas daily, 80 per cent of which is transported to Thailand and the remainder to Myanmar. PTTEP is one of only two major international oil and gas companies still operating in Myanmar after the pullout of major players including Chevron and TotalEnergies following the 2021 coup and resulting uprising.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 15, 2022 19:42 UTC
Baht’s rebound driven by tourism, but volatility remains
Baht’s rebound driven by tourism, but volatility remains(AFP photo)The baht rebounded so rapidly in the past few weeks on optimism about the country’s tourism-led growth that it’s already hit year-end analyst targets. In addition to rising forecasts for tourist arrivals, the advance is also being driven by a narrowing current-account deficit due to falling oil prices. The currency’s rebound was driven by a combination of dollar weakness, the Bank of Thailand’s policy shift, signs of a recovery in tourism and firmer economic data, he said. That rebound is vital, considering that the travel-related sector accounted for about a fifth of the nation’s economy before the pandemic. He cited the tourism rebound, dip in oil prices and lower freight costs.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2022 14:48 UTC
China cuts rates as economic recovery weaker than expected
China cuts rates as economic recovery weaker than expectedChina's industrial production rose 3.8% year-on-year in July, down from 3.9% in June, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Monday. BEIJING: China's central bank slashed key interest rates Monday in a bid to kick-start the country's stuttering economic recovery as data showed factory output and retail sales for July came in weaker than analysts' expectations. "The risk of stagflation in the world economy is rising, and the foundation for domestic economic recovery is not yet solid," the NBS warned in a statement. "July's economic data is very alarming," Raymond Yeung, Greater China economist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, told Bloomberg TV. The country's economic growth was just 0.4% on-year in the second quarter -- its slowest rate since the initial Covid outbreak.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2022 13:22 UTC
Cannabis sales on Khao San Rd ‘illegal’
Cannabis sales on Khao San Rd ‘illegal’Officials may alert police, said Phra Nakhon district chief Wasan Boonmuenwai. Phra Nakhon district officialsroutinely send thessakij inspectors to patrol Khao San Road in two shifts — 9am–6pm, and 6pm–6am daily. He said inspectors have found four shops on Khao San Road selling cannabis products. Meanwhile, Yada Pornpetrampa, president of the Bangkok and Khao San Road Vendors Association, said the recent decriminalisation of cannabis is doing more harm than good for tourism. She said stories were being shared on social media of tourists falling ill after smoking cannabis on Khao San Road.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2022 05:14 UTC
Thailand records 1,663 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 30 deaths on Monday
The death toll has risen by 30, while 2,335 patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals. The number of cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,398,653 with 10,160 deaths.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 15, 2022 02:20 UTC
Kanchanaburi’s all-glass skywalk ready for soft opening on Thursday
She said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tested the transparent glass walkway when he was in the western province on August 4. The 12-metre-high, 150-metre-long skywalk has been built along the Kwae Yai River in Muang district and is close to the city pillar shrine. Initially, 100 people who have made online reservations and 50 walk-ins will be allowed on the structure on weekdays. The number will be increased to 200 online reservations and 200 walk-ins after 2pm at the weekends.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 14, 2022 12:48 UTC
Air force kicks off joint air force drills with China
Air force kicks off joint air force drills with ChinaFILE PHOTO: China's J-10 fighter jets from the People's Liberation Army Air Force August 1st Aerobatics Team perform during a media demonstration at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Nov 24, 2015. (Reuters)Thailand and China kicked off a joint air force exercise on Sunday, the kingdom's military said, the first such drills in years following a pause forced by Covid-19. The "Falcon Strike" exercise comes after China's biggest-ever military drills around Taiwan, which were conducted in retaliation to a visit there by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It added that the drills will involve training for "air support, strikes on ground targets, and small- and large-scale troop deployment". The Thai-Chinese air force drills were held regularly since 2015 until the pandemic hit.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 14, 2022 12:27 UTC
Tourists in Chinese beachside resort city protest Covid lockdown
Tourists in Chinese beachside resort city protest Covid lockdownThis photo taken on Aug 7, 2022 shows a temporary Covid-19 coronavirus testing facility as it prepares to open in Sanya in China's southern Hainan province. (AFP photo)Tourists in the Chinese seaside resort of Sanya on Hainan Island are protesting after being stranded for over a week due to Covid-19 lockdowns. Vacationers at the Wyndham Hotel and the Marriott Yalong Bay have gathered to protest being locked down for more than a week, guests told Bloomberg News. The Covid outbreak in Hainan province has spread quickly since Aug 1, stranding tens of thousands of tourists on the island dubbed China’s Hawaii. Hainan province reported 1,340 cases for Saturday, pushing overall infections for China to 2,467, the highest since May.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 14, 2022 11:27 UTC
Govt takes heed of warning against uncontrolled EEC development
The committee proposed that the government use its Strategic Environmental Assessment system to proactively manage the potential negative impacts of EEC developments. It also urged the EEC Policy Committee to promote eco-friendly industries for the sake of the environment and quality of life of local people. It said the EEC Office should urge businesses to help develop the potential of local people, so they too can have a hand in the development of their area. Traisulee said the EEC Office recently met with relevant government agencies and they acknowledged the proposals. The EEC Office said many of the points suggested were already part of its plans and will be implemented in due course.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 14, 2022 06:15 UTC
Full Moon Party sees 10k visitors, govt mulls two-hour extension
Full Moon Party sees 10k visitors, govt mulls two-hour extensionTourists enjoy the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan of Surat Thani province on Friday night. "The visitors said they enjoyed travelling to Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan and experiencing the Full Moon Party or the Half Moon Party," he said. People told him they lamented the short duration of the Full Moon Party. "The Full Moon Party has a unique appeal to people." The minister also observed transport for the Full Moon Party including speedboat operations that brought revellers to the site late into the night.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 14, 2022 02:35 UTC
Shops still sell weed openly: governor
Shops still sell weed openly: governorCannabis products are made available on Khao San Road. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt says more than 30 shops and stalls have been selling cannabis, some openly, in the Thong Lor and Khao San night entertainment venues. Speaking during his Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday, Mr Chadchart said he smelled cannabis while jogging past Khao San Road. Later, he inspected the Thong Lor area and found six stalls selling unrolled cannabis flowers. He also visited Khao San Road and found 26 shops and stalls offering cannabis for sale to customers.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 14, 2022 00:17 UTC