Schools can open if all infection curbing measures in place: govt
“Schools planning to hold classes onsite or using a mixture of online and onsite learning must implement Covid-19 preventive measures as suggested by the Public Health Ministry,” he said. “The Education Ministry is also tasked with monitoring the situation closely to prevent cluster cases on campus.”Thanakorn added that schools allowing onsite classes should first pass the Thai Stop Covid+ standard and implement the DMHT-RC practices, which are distancing, mask-wearing, handwashing, temperature checking, reducing crowds and cleaning regularly. The Thai Stop Covid+ standard for schools stipulates that at least 85 per cent of teachers, staffers and students must be fully vaccinated. All personnel are also advised to take antigen tests regularly.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 22, 2022 03:40 UTC
Surat Thani's income surges on Songkran, full-moon party
Surat Thani's income surges on Songkran, full-moon partyTourists pack a full-moon party on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, last Saturday. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)SURAT THANI: About 83,000 visitors to this southern province during Songkran boosted tourism-related income by 84% year-on-year, with major attractions including a full-moon party. Nantawan Siripokapat, Surat Thani director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said on Thursday that from April 13 to 17 Surat Thai welcomed 83,105 visitors - 61,874 Thais and 21,231 foreigners. About 76% of the money was spent on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, she said. "Bigger speedboats were also used to take a large number of tourists to Koh Phangan to attend full-moon parties," she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 21, 2022 21:41 UTC
Government can borrow another THB1.3 tn before it hits debt ceiling
The source said only THB70 billion are left of the loans borrowed under the THB500-billion borrowing decree. If the government wants to spend more than THB70 billion, the government would have to issue another decree to allow the borrowing. The government is allowed by the Budgetary Procedures Act BE 2561 (2018) to use advance payments with a ceiling of THB50 billion. The source added that the Finance Ministry has not yet confirmed whether it would launch the fifth phase of the Khon La Krueng (half-half) co-payment scheme. As of April 19, a total of THB60 billion has been spent under the fourth phase of the Khon La Krueng scheme by 26.26 million subsidy receivers.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 21, 2022 19:52 UTC
Roadshow seeks Japanese investors
Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow. The roadshow was arranged by the Board of Investment (BoI) and Thai trade representative chairman ML Chayotid Kridakorn. Mr Supattanapong said the government is set to inform Japanese investors about incentives for S-curve industries, in particular the latest perks for EVs approved by the cabinet in February. Duangjai Asawachintachit, BoI secretary-general, said a roadshow is appropriate at this point because the country already reopened to international travel. Thailand needs to speed up promoting investment to help stimulate the economy, she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 21, 2022 11:22 UTC
Hopes high for QSNCC as Apec summit approaches
Hopes high for QSNCC as Apec summit approachesThe QSNCC has been selected by the government to host Apec 2022 at the end of this year. Management & Development expects the 2022 Apec summit in Thailand to draw at least 30,000 visitors to the new Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). In February, the QSNCC was selected by the government to host Apec 2022 at the end of this year. Without Apec 2022, the occupancy rate of QSNCC in the fourth quarter had already reached 70%, thanks to another two international trade fairs -- Food & Hospitality Thailand 2022 and Food Ingredients Asia 2022. There will be new shows like Asean Tools Expo 2022 during the first month of operation in September, followed by Thailand Smart City Expo 2022.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 21, 2022 05:42 UTC
Russia-Ukraine war, mass share sell-offs to hound SET Index
The SET Index closed at 1,680.35 on Wednesday, up 4.73 points or 0.28 per cent, thanks to mass buy-ups of bank shares on hopes that their first-quarter net profit would rise, Krungsri Securities added. Transactions totalled 69.12 billion baht with an index high of 1,685.90 and a low of 1,675.58.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 21, 2022 03:10 UTC
Health Ministry will ask CCSA to scrap Test & Go scheme
However, he said, all foreign visitors will still need to take an ATK test. He asked people to get a fourth dose of vaccine so the country can "progress" and "everyone can live normally". Currently, travellers who enter the country via the Test & Go scheme must be fully vaccinated. They have to register via Thailand Pass and book an approved SHA Extra+ or Alternate Quarantine hotel for the day of arrival. Additionally, all entrants are required to take a RT-PCR test on arrival.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 21, 2022 03:10 UTC
Uttama elected to lead new party, Somkid its PM candidate
Uttama elected to lead new party, Somkid its PM candidateUttama Savanayana addresses the annual general meeting of his Sarng Anacot Thai Party in Nonthaburi province on Wednesday. He immediately announced the party would nominate former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak as its candidate for prime minister at the coming general election. Sarng Anacot Thai (Building Thailand's Future) had its annual general meeting in Nonthaburi on Wednesday and members elected Mr Uttama as its leader. He also said he would invite Mr Somkid to be the prime ministerial candidate of his party. The party meeting on Wednesday also elected Sontirat Sontijirawong as secretary-general.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 20, 2022 21:13 UTC
Ready-to-cook, ready-to-eat meals whet Thai appetites
Phusit went on to say that the DITP has so far awarded 603 ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat foods from 54 companies with “Thai Select” certification to enable consumers and restaurant operators overseas to purchase quality Thai cuisine. He said the DITP would also certify seasonings for Thai foods, such as shrimp paste and fish sauce, as they are important ingredients and are very popular in international markets. “As many as 44 companies [24 of which are new] had requested Thai Select certification or renewal of the award for 364 products [189 new] from November 2 last year to January 26 this year to gain confidence among foreign consumers,” he said. “The Thai Select stamp not only certifies product quality but also proves the product was manufactured with ingredients, tastes and appearances in accordance with top Thai food standards.”
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 20, 2022 20:48 UTC
6 Rohingya dead, hundreds flee after riot at Malaysian detention camp
6 Rohingya dead, hundreds flee after riot at Malaysian detention campIn this picture taken on Oct 13, 2020, Rohingya refugee Julekha Begum, who got married through IMO, a video-call application to "Abdu Hamid" (a pseudonym), a Rohingya hotel worker in Malaysia, cries at her makeshift shelter at Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhia. She was told it would take five days to smuggle her to Malaysia to meet the husband she barely knows. (Photo: AFP)KUALA LUMPUR: Six Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, including two children, have died after being hit by vehicles on a Malaysian highway as hundreds fled an immigration detention centre where a riot broke out early on Wednesday, officials said. A total of 582 Rohingya escaped the Sungai Bakap temporary immigration detention camp in northern Penang state by breaking down doors and barrier grills, though 362 have since been re-arrested, the immigration department said in a statement. Prior to the riot, the camp held 664 Rohingya refugees, including 137 children.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 20, 2022 17:20 UTC
Passengers still wear masks at airport after US judge rejects plane mask mandate
Industry groups and Republican lawmakers baulked and wanted the administration to end the 14-month-old mask mandate permanently. It follows a string of rulings against Biden administration directives to fight the infectious disease that has killed nearly one million Americans, including vaccine or test mandates for employers. Judge Mizelle said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had exceeded its authority with the mandate, had not sought public comment and did not adequately explain its decisions. A U.S. administration official said while the agencies were assessing potential next steps, the court's decision meant CDC's public transportation masking order was no longer in effect. The administration could still opt to appeal the order or seek an emergency delay in the order's enforcement.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 20, 2022 12:07 UTC
Call for merger delay amid query
He said the letter requesting a delay called for more time for authorities to suss out issues related to the merger, as the two companies are expected to complete the deal by June 15. According to Gp Capt Anudith, there are some legal loopholes governing the deal, particularly the Telecom Business Act and a TCC regulation. A 2010 regulation created by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) required merger deals to be approved by the regulator. Section 21 of the Telecom Business Act only allows the regulator to usher in measures to prevent telecom licensees from causing a monopoly or reducing or restricting competition in telecom services. The merger has drawn flak from academics and consumer advocates who say a merger would lead to market dominance and reduce competition, with consumers paying the price.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 20, 2022 11:41 UTC
Website seized by FBI, Secret Service had released NACC data which 'could have been edited'
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the released information included two sets of data published on the NACC’s website since 2019,” said the announcement. “The first set is a list of debts and assets of 780 accounts, which has also been released on two other URLs, namely http://178.128.223.11:3000/nacc and https://datathon.corrupt0.org/nacc. “The second set comprises 1,366 file cases that the NACC ruled as having merit. This data has also been released on two other URLs, namely http://178.128.223.11:3000/nacc-case and https://datathon.corrupt0.org/nacc-case,” said the anti-graft agency.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
April 20, 2022 07:10 UTC
Jurin sorry as assault probe widens
Jurin sorry as assault probe widensDemocrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit apologises for the sex scandal involving the party's former deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi at a press briefing at party headquarters on Tuesday. The briefing came after pressure grew for Mr Jurin to take steps to shore up the party's image tainted by the scandal. "Resigning [as party leader] is irresponsible because I'd be leaving problems for others to solve. To show responsibility, Mr Jurin said, he had resigned from the two committees. If further charges are pressed against Mr Prinn, the court will be asked to issue a warrant for his arrest, Pol Col Nimit said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 20, 2022 05:12 UTC
Russia launches major 'offensive' in eastern Ukraine
Russia launches major 'offensive' in eastern UkraineNadia (right) attends the funeral of her husband and two other victims killed by Russian invaders, conducted by Andrii Holovine (centre), priest of the church of St Andrew Pervozvannoho All Saints, at a cemetery in Bucha, Ukraine on Monday. (AFP photo)Moscow launched dozens of air strikes across eastern Ukraine overnight, its defence ministry said Tuesday, after Kyiv accused Russian forces of unleashing a major new offensive in the Donbas region. "The Russian occupiers intensified offensive operations along the entire line of contact," the general staff of Ukraine's armed forces said in a report published early Tuesday. Russian shelling killed at least eight civilians in eastern Ukraine, according to local authorities. Its foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pointed to "particularly heavy attacks" in eastern and southern Ukraine and an offensive against second city Kharkiv, where officials said Russian shelling killed three people.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 19, 2022 22:47 UTC