Thailand backs WHO initiative for international instrument on pandemic response | Thai PBS World

Thailand backs WHO initiative for international instrument on pandemic response

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Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed full support for the development of a legally binding international instrument, which is a combination of a treaty and other international texts serving as legal sources on pandemic preparedness and response, because it will strengthen the capabilities of the global community and individual countries to respond to a pandemic.

He said that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the need for a complete change in our thinking to survive and a WHO convention, agreement or international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response will help with that.

Anutin is in Geneva, Switzerland, attending a special session of World Health Assembly (WHA), scheduled from Monday through Wednesday, to consider the benefits of developing of a convention, agreement or international instrument.

In his address to the WHA special session, the Thai minister said that developed or developing countries should have a role in formulating innovations and technology and in sharing their knowhow in monitoring and coping with coronavirus, especially the new Omicron variant.

He said that he hopes, with better technologies and knowhow in the future, the world will be able to cope more effectively with new viral threats and reduce the impacts on the global economy and society.

With the emergence of the Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, numerous countries have imposed travel restrictions on people who are departing from Africa. Thailand is among the countries taking this precaution. NNT

With the emergence of the Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, numerous countries have imposed travel restrictions on people who are departing from Africa.  Thailand is among the countries taking this precaution.

Starting on December 1, Thailand is suspending the entries of non-Thai nationals who traveled from 8 countries in Africa.  Thais may still travel from the 8 countries and enter the Kingdom, with a Facebook post of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating that Ethiopian Airlines operate flights into Thailand every Wednesday from Addis Ababa. 

Thais arriving from the 8 nations will have to enter quarantine for 14 days.  They will need to register for a certificate of entry at the website https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/regis/newvirus although urgent requests may be possible through the Thai embassies in Pretoria and Maputo.

Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said the prime minister has ordered the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to closely assist Thai workers in Africa.  He said he wanted Thai workers and their families to not worry, as coordination is being made with the employers of 120 Thai workers whose contract terms were approaching the end date so the employers would still host the workers as they await their flights to Thailand.  Once each worker arrives, he or she will need to enter quarantine in accordance with the stipulations of the Ministry of Public Health.

Department of Employment Director-General Pairoj Chotikasathien said there were 253 Thai workers in Africa who have officially notified the department of their travel to Africa for work purposes.  221 were in South Africa, 31 were in Mozambique and 1 was in Lesotho.

 

Chulalongkorn University expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday that the Covid-19 Omicron variant can spread quickly according to several pieces of evidence: The Nation



There's evidence Omicron variant can spread quickly: Yong

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Chulalongkorn University expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday that the Covid-19 Omicron variant can spread quickly according to several pieces of evidence:

1. Its genetic code has a higher number of mutations when compared to the Delta variant. Yong said infections and the rate of spread for Omicron will surely be higher than Delta.

2. Omicron has spread quickly in the South African province of Gauteng. The number of patients there quickly increased in only two weeks and it was found in more than 10 countries. Also the number of people not tested in Africa might be much more, meaning there could be even more infections.

3. From throat examinations, the number of symptoms might be low but the amount of the virus is high so it has a tendency to spread easily.

Yong added that the Omicron variant would surely replace the Delta variant if it is spreading faster and easier

The TAT Newsroom TATNews.org has posted an update on their website about the rules for children under 18 travelling to #Thailand with their parents. Click here for full press release: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/11/covid-19-vaccine-guide-for-travellers-to-thailand

 



Thai Coronavirus Test Kits Will Detect Omicron, Or Perhaps They Won't - The Public Health Ministry can't make up its mind. Bangkok Herald

Thai Coronavirus Test Kits Will Detect Omicron, Or Perhaps They Won't

1 December 2021

Coronavirus test kits used in Thailand will detect the new omicron variant. Or perhaps they won't. The Public Health Ministry can't seem to make up its mind.

Following a report from Ramathibodi Hospital Centre for Medical Genomics, that its researchers had used PCR test kits approved by the World Health Organization to test 115 Omicron samples and found "some PCR test kits may give weakly positive or false negative" results, ministry officials fell over themselves trying to assuage the public that the virus "growth advantage" wouldn't allow it to sneak into the country undetected.

Fears of the variant doing just that prompted the Cabinet on Tuesday to cancel plans to allow international tourists to take a less-reliable antigen test upon arrival instead of an invasive, slower RT-PCR test starting Dec. 16. As a result, Thailand will maintain one day of quarantine, despite claiming its offering "no quarantine" entry.

On Monday, Department of Medical sciences Director-General Supakit Sirilak asserted that both RT-PCR and antigen test kits are capable of identifying Covid-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant.

However, he said two of 104 RT-PCR test liquids approved by the Food and Drug Administration to identify the coronavirus by analyzing its signature "spike" protein "could be an issue".

On Tuesday, Supakit elaborated, saying an omicron-specific testing solution has not yet been developed, but that his department is on the tools to blend its own, and it should be ready in about two weeks.

Until then, Supakit said, officials will continue to use testing solutions for the alpha and beta variants to detect Omicron. If tests with both kinds of solution return positive, infection with the Omicron variant can be confirmed, he said.

Fifteen medical science centers were instructed to apply the technique as the mutation found in alpha and beta are similar to that found in omicron.

Those 15 labs, Supakit assured, will quickly discover an omicron samples as their priority has shifted to checking for the new, potentially more dangerous variant.

He said genome sequencing normally takes about a week and targeted sequencing of only part of the virus' genome only three days. However, the Thai labs are using an approach that can flag the omicron variant in one or two days.

As of Monday, the had yet to discover the variant among samples collected since Thailand's reopening to international visitors on Nov. 1. But he admitted only 83 samples had been sequenced.

The National News Bureau of Thailand and Thailand News Agency contributed to this report.

🔴 The Thailand Pass website has just been updated. People can now apply for arrival dates after 15th December. Please note, the RT-PCR test on arrival is still compulsory. ✅ Apply: https://tp.consular.go.th ✅ FAQ: https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/content/thailand-pass-faqs-2. Richard Barrow



Most face mask brands fail quality test standards. Only a fifth of 60 face mask brands available on the market passed Thai Industrial Standard quality tests, according to the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC). Bangkok Post

Most face mask brands fail quality test standards

Commuters on an electric train wear face masks to protect themselves from Covid-19 in Bangkok in July. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

Only a fifth of 60 face mask brands available on the market passed Thai Industrial Standard quality tests, according to the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC).

The result prompted the TCC to demand the Thai Industrial Standards Institute require that disposable face masks follow safety standard regulations, instead of this being done on a voluntary basis.

The TCC in July randomly selected for testing 60 face mask brands including 14 kinds of disposable face masks, 27 brands of surgical face masks and 19 different N95 face masks. Testing involved assessing their quality based on filter efficiency of 0.1 micron and 0.3 micron, air permeability and pressure difference to find whether each mask complied with the standard.

The tests were carried out after concerns over the quality of face masks were submitted to the Upper House's committee on human rights, freedom and consumer protection.

Dr Paiboon Choungthong, a committee member on products and services for the TCC, said that only three of 14 brands of disposable face masks passed the standard. They are LOC, Medicare Plus and Iris Ohyama. But the Iris Ohyama brand over-claimed the filter quality for 0.1 micron as the result showed its filter was only 97.47% efficient, not 99% as claimed. The following 11 brands failed to pass: Zion, Lepono, Bestsafe, I-Tec, 3M, Asproni, Fidens, Life Mask, Microtex, Lanzhi and Yamada.

Regarding medical and surgical masks, only three of 27 brands passed. They are Nam Ah, Double A Care and TCH. The others that failed are: Next Health, Union Beef, Fidens (dark pink box), Live SEF, Welcare, Nice Mask, Topvalue Bestprice, Medimask, Betex, Fresh Plus (blue box), Kenkou, G lucky, Hyguard, Hi-Care, Fresh Plus (green box), Fresh Plus (blue box), KSG (dark green sachet), KF (sachet), Miss Med, Exta, KF (box), Watsons, Nice Mask (light green box) and Betex.

For N95 masks, seven brands passed the test: Minicare, Snake Brand, One Care, 3M, Welcare Black Edition, Ease Mask Zero, and Pharmatex. The following six brands were not in line with the standard: Cuwin Mask, Cuwin Mask (True Shopping), Mini Care, Pharmatex, Nobel Mask, and Kowa.

Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the TCC, said the tests would help consumers buy better-quality products. However, the council was concerned that while medical and N95 face masks must pass a test by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), disposable masks are not in a compulsory category under Thai Industrial Standard regulations. Many of them have not been certified with the Thai Industrial Standard.

"The FDA and Thai Industrial Standards Institute should apply their standards to disposable face masks to ensure people's safety," she said.

PM eyes Omicron options. Lockdown may loom if variant detected. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will make a decision about whether Thailand will be forced back into another lockdown if the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is detected in the country. Bangkok Post

PM eyes Omicron options

People wait to get a Covid-19 vaccine at the Central Vaccination Centre at the Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok last Friday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will make a decision about whether Thailand will be forced back into another lockdown if the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is detected in the country.

However, the new strain has not been found in Thailand yet, according to health authorities.

Speaking after Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said the cabinet instructed relevant agencies to monitor the situation closely while the Public Health Ministry will assess the country's reopening in two weeks' time.

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha urged the public not to panic, saying the prime minister has ordered security agencies to intensify border surveillance to prevent illegal border crossings to help keep the virus at bay.

Mr Sathit stressed that officials who are found to be negligent of their duty will face severe punishment.

He told the Bangkok Post that the cabinet did not discuss a lockdown, but considered tougher measures to detect the virus.

The government was concerned about illegal migrants sneaking into the country via natural border crossings, Mr Sathit added.

"The situation will be monitored closely. Measures will be reviewed based on new information coming in. If the Omicron strain is found in Thailand, the country will have to face another lockdown," Mr Sathit said. "It is the prime minister's policy and he will make a quick decision as director of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration [CCSA]."

Mr Sathit also said that nightlife venues may be allowed to reopen on Jan 16if the Omicron strain is not detected, though he stressed the need to continue following DMHTT guidelines, referring to social distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing, temperature-checking and using the Thai Chana app.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand Index plunged by 21 points, or 1.32%, to close at 1,568.69 points on Tuesday amid concern of another possible lockdown following the emergence of the Omicron strain.

This prompted government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana to allay fears of another lockdown, saying the issue was not raised at the cabinet meeting.

"But if the new strain is found in Thailand, the prime minister will be informed straight away," Mr Thanakorn said, adding that the premier ordered all involved to keep a close watch on the situation.

He said the Public Health Ministry is monitoring all mutated strains of the virus and conducting proactive testing of 4,000-5,000 people every week. Strict measures remain in place to screen tourists entering by air, land and water, the spokesman said.

The prime minister also stressed the need for everyone to receive vaccine shots which helps prevent the worst effects of the virus, Mr Thanakorn said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that scientists worldwide are racing to develop vaccines to cope with the new strain and Thailand is following their progress.

Thai researchers are also developing local vaccines against the new variant, the minister said, adding that the ministry is working to ensure sufficient supplies of vaccines, medical equipment and personnel to prepare for any future emergencies.

Mr Anutin made the remarks as he was attending the special session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland which started on Monday and will end today.

The cabinet on Tuesday decided to suspend the CCSA's plan to allow international travellers to take an antigen test (ATK) instead of an RT-PCR test to enter the country over concerns surrounding the spread of the Omicron variant.

The relaxed requirements, which were supposed to take effect on Dec 16, would have applied to travellers from 63 countries and territories permitted to enter under the test-and-go scheme.

Prayut tells coalition partners to indefinitely put off partying . TNR

Prayut tells coalition partners to indefinitely put off partying 

November 30, 2021  TNR Staff

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha today (Nov. 30) told coalition partners in government to indefinitely put off partying among themselves in the wake of an Omicron variant.

During today's cabinet meeting at Government House, Prayut called for the indefinite postponement to the planned partying among all cabinet members and MPs attached to the coalition partners amidst reported spread of the latest Covid variant in foreign countries.

The get-together primarily designed to consolidate unity among the partners of the Palang Pracharath Party-led coalition government had been originally scheduled for Nov. 26 and then rescheduled for Dec. 3.

Prayut called on his cabinet to set a good example for the people in the sustained pandemic situation by skipping such social events.

A 10,000-baht reward offered to people who report traffic law violators, during the New Year's "7 Dangerous Days" holiday - The Pattaya News

A 10,000-baht reward offered to people who report traffic law violators, during the New Year's "7 Dangerous Days" holiday

Tuesday, 30 November 2021, 21:47

National –

The Royal Thai Police today, November 30th, announced a 10,000-baht reward for the public who captured traffic violators and reported to relevant officials during the New Year's "7 Dangerous Days" holiday period.

Police General Damrongsak Kittipraphat, deputy national police chief and director of the Public Road Racing Suppression Centre, told the press today that stricter traffic regulations had been implemented since November 15th. A total of 36 videos of traffic wrongdoers were reported by the public during this period that officials stated were "valid".

Violators from six cases were taken for prosecution so far and an amount of 2,000 baht was distributed to those who reported the clips, the deputy chief stated.

Moreover, officials would raise the prize up to 10,000 baht for clips reported of traffic violators every day during the seven dangerous days on New Year, from December 29th to January 4th.

TPN media notes that this was primarily a "prize giveaway" and not every traffic violation reported would lead to a cash payout, if at all. If indeed this was the case, one could likely make a healthy living simply by walking around local roads.

🔴 #COVID19 update on Wednesday: ⬆️ 4,886 new cases ⬆️ 43 deaths. Richard Barrow





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