Expats fear jabs are not for them
Expats fear jabs are not for themAs Covid cases and the death toll in Thailand steeply climbs, Dr Opas Kankawinpong, head of the Disease Control Department, on Thursday came out to pacify fears of the foreign community in Thailand -- at last. The government's message about how the authority will provide the foreign community much needed Covid vaccinations has been mixed. There remains much scepticism about how the government will overcome hurdles to provide Covid vaccines to foreigners living here. The authority itself struggles to provide vaccines to its citizenry. The heat intensified this month when "Mor Prom", a mobile phone application for people to book appointments to get state Covid vaccine inoculations, opened on May 1.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2021 22:30 UTC
Uni hospital bears brunt
in demand: Medical personnel attend to a Covid-19 patient at the intensive medical unit at Thammasat University Hospital, which has also opened a field hospital at the university's Rangsit campus. "Thammasat University Hospital believes it is ready. "The prime minister and high-ranking public health officials told us that our field hospital was the best." in demand: Medical personnel attend to a Covid-19 patient at the intensive medical unit at Thammasat University Hospital, which has also opened a field hospital at the university's Rangsit campus. The new ICU wards at Thammasat University Hospital were inspected by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on April 30.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2021 22:18 UTC
EU seals deal for up to 1.8 billion Pfizer jabs
(Reuters Photo)The European Commission has approved a new Covid vaccine contract with Pfizer and BioNTech, paving the way for as many as 1.8 billion doses for 2021-23, commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday. The contract is for a guaranteed 900 million shots, with an option for a further 900 million. The new agreement includes clauses to allow the donation and reselling of doses, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, deliveries of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine remain sparse as investigations continue into contaminated batches at a US plant. Still, von der Leyen said last week that she expects enough doses of all vaccines to inoculate the bulk of the bloc’s population to be available by July.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2021 11:03 UTC
Patty looks to leave rivals in her wake
Patty Tavatanakit, left, looks on as Atthaya Thitikul prepares to putt during the second round of the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club yesterday. Patty, 21, and Atthaya, 18, remain in the hunt to become the first Thai to win the tournament which was launched in 2006. Conditions were hot and Patty was seen using a small hand-held fan to cool down during her round. "I'm happy with the result," said Patty, whose Thai name is Paphangkorn. Atthaya had four birdies, an eagle and a bogey in the second round.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2021 00:11 UTC
Build better Covid apps
In Thailand, there are three popular apps used to help prevent Covid-19 infections: Thai Chana (Thais Win), Mor Chana (Doctors Win) and Mor Prom (Doctors Ready). Mor Chana was developed by tech-savvy volunteers before the project was handed over to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES). Meanwhile, Mor Prom, introduced earlier this month by the Public Health Ministry, allows people to book their vaccinations. The truth is, the Mor Prom app is not at all user-friendly and the vaccination booking system is confusing. People are now wondering how messy the national vaccination programme will become considering Mor Prom is so mind-boggling to use at the moment.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2021 00:11 UTC
Sweeping powers may be PM's undoing
Sweeping powers may be PM's undoingA man walks past a tent where Klong Toey residents register for active case finding conducted by health officials of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The infection rate that surged after the Thong Lor cluster was detected in April remains in quadruple digits most days, while the death toll mounts. Without efficient handling, the Thong Lor cluster spilled over into Klong Toey, and that has proved to be a disaster. Gen Prayut may have to learn the hard way that sweeping powers come with sweeping responsibility too. The prime minister has survived his political challenges so far, but Covid-19 could prove be his undoing as what began as turbulence snowballs into a tsunami.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2021 00:11 UTC
WHO approves China’s CoronaVac
WHO approves China’s CoronaVacThe World Health Organization on Tuesday approved the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use — the second Chinese jab to receive the WHO’s green light. The UN health agency signed off on Sinovac’s two-dose vaccine CoronaVac, which is already being deployed in several countries around the world. “I’m happy to announce that the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine has been given WHO emergency use listing [EUL] after being found to be safe, effective, and quality-assured,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Last month Sinopharm became the first Chinese vaccine to be approved by the WHO. WHO has also given EUL status to vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and the AstraZeneca jab produced in India, South Korea and the EU, which it counts separately.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 07, 2021 15:45 UTC
Stay Longer, Pay Less at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
Stay Longer, Pay Less at Kimpton Maa-Lai BangkokTune your WFH vibe into a safe and delightful stay in the heart of the cityUpgrade your WFH space with a luxury hotel vibe at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. Take advantage of our “Stay Longer, Pay Less” offer created especially for the new trend of busy people looking for a short-long staycation as a contrast from home. Stay Longer, Pay Less PackageStay 5 nights or more and enjoy extra benefits with your extended stay. • Minimum stay 5 Nights, SAVE 20% + enjoy 10% OFF in-room dining and minibar*. • Minimum stay 8 Nights, SAVE 25% + enjoy THB 500 daily in-room dining credits**.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 07, 2021 09:00 UTC
CREATING ASEAN’S FULLY CHARGED EV HUB
CREATING ASEAN’S FULLY CHARGED EV HUBBOI incentives get set to propel Thailand’s EV visionImagine busy urban streets alive with battery-powered motorcycles, cars and buses but without the haze of exhaust fumes and the noise of whirring engines. While Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) have already become popular with Thailand’s car users, the country is forecast to see an increase in the number of more intensive battery-fuelled vehicle types of Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) on the road over the next few years. In terms of EV parts and batteries, the BOI granted investment incentives to 14 parts and 10 battery manufacturing projects with a total investment value of US$350 million. Manufacture of Battery Electric Motorcycles: 3-year CIT exemption* maximum total of 11-year tax exemption available if all requirements are met. Manufacture of Battery Electric Three-Wheelers: 3-year CIT exemption* maximum total of 10-year tax exemption available if all requirements are met.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 07, 2021 07:30 UTC
GPO cleared to make its own Favipiravir tablets
GPO cleared to make its own Favipiravir tabletsThe path has been cleared for the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to produce one million tablets a month of the antiviral medicine Favipiravir after the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) rejected a request by a company to patent the drug here. The GPO is developing its own version of Favipiravir to boost the kingdom's supply and reduce dependence on imports. The GPO will only be allowed to sell its own Favipiravir tablets when its formula is approved by the FDA. It then expects to be able to produce at least one million tablets per month and then expand its capacity to meet the rising demand. Dr Withoon yesterday received a further one million doses of China's Sinovac vaccine at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 07, 2021 04:52 UTC
Patty, Atthaya go low on sizzling day
Atthaya Thitikul shares the first-round lead at the Honda LPGA Thailand on Thursday with Patty Tavatanakit. CHON BURI: Young home stars Patty Tavatanakit and Atthaya Thitikul shot sizzling eight-under-par 64s in sweltering conditions to share the first-round lead at the Honda LPGA Thailand on Thursday. It is Patty's first appearance in the LPGA Thailand as a professional, having played in the tournament twice as an amateur. Atthaya, who like Patty is competing in her third LPGA Thailand and first as a pro, carded her career-best 18 holes on tour. No Thai has won the LPGA Thailand since it was launched in 2006.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 06, 2021 23:37 UTC
Thamanat saga a blight
Thamanat saga a blightThe Constitutional Court's verdict on the status of Capt Thamanat Prompow did not raise any eyebrows, nor did it bring the whole nation to a shocked standstill. The best barometer of public sentiment seems to be a wildly popular cartoon in Kai Hua Roh (Selling Laughs) -- a local kid's cartoon magazine that has poked fun at the scandal surrounding Capt Thamanat. The court ruling might prolong the meteoric political career of Capt Thamanat as a deal maker and de facto manager of the PPRP. All we can hope and pray for is that the government will not give Capt Thamanat the justice ministry portfolio that oversees the Office Of The Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). It is noteworthy that the probe was ordered by Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, a powerful figure in the government who is reportedly close to Capt Thamanat.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 06, 2021 23:37 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: A killer story
TEST YOURSELF: A killer storyPhoto © BBC One and NetflixThe Serpent, a Netflix crime drama series, was set in Bangkok in the 1970s. Test Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. The Serpent is based on the true story of serial killer Charles Sobhraj who lived in Bangkok. His beautiful two-storey wooden house in the film is an old house named Reun Manila in Ayutthaya province. "The production crew asked to film the …7… scenes in our hotel and use our hotel name in the series.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 06, 2021 08:03 UTC
Baby joy for Chiang Mai zoo
The greater kudu calf, right, seen recently at Chiang Mai Night Safari. (Photo © Chiang Mai Night Safari)Chiang Mai Night Safari has introduced a new member, a newborn greater kudu. Born on April 18, the calf is the ninth member of the zoo's greater kudu family. Originated in Africa, the greater kudu is a large antelope. The male greater kudu when mature will have long spiral horns which can grow 120-180cm.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 06, 2021 06:56 UTC
National parks closed again over Covid-19
More than 80 national parks have been temporarily closed due to the latest wave of Covid-19. The Department of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation which oversees 155 national parks has said that at present, 84 national parks are not allowing public visits, including Phu Hin Rong Kla, Phu Ruea, Chet Sao Noi, Khao Lak and Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet national parks. About 30 national parks have also closed access to some attractions or are not allowing overnight stays such as Khao Yai, Doi Suthep-Pui, Mu Ko Angthong and Namtok Phlio national parks. The Fine Arts Department has also announced the closure of national museums, the national archives of Thailand, national library and historical parks nationwide for 14 days. Visit facebook.com/NationalPark.Interpretation for more details about national park closures and finearts.go.th for virtual tours of national museums and historical parks overseen by the Fine Arts Department.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 06, 2021 06:56 UTC