Time to root out Bangkok's rogue cabbies. Bangkok Post/Bangkok Jack

Time to root out Bangkok's rogue cabbies

July 23, 2022

Whether you're a local or tourist in Bangkok, hailing a meter taxi is a game of cat and mouse. Will you get an honest cabbie who goes by the meter? Will the driver return your full change at journey's end?

Certainly, Bangkok's taxi drivers have a reputation for unscrupulous behaviour. In just four months from October 2015 to January 2016, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) received 15,000 complaints about taxi drivers. Despite the economic doldrums between October 2020 to September 2021, the DLT reported to have received 10,066 complaints from riders.

What was the top grievance? Refusal of service. But last week, one cabbie crossed the line by wielding a knife at two Singaporean tourists over a dispute about a fare to the airport. Fortunately, the row happened at the airport and police were nearby to defuse the situation. In the end, the tourists paid what they had agreed to.

This isn't the first time taxi drivers have resorted to physical threats, and likely won't be the last either unless the government steps in to stamp out bad conduct at its roots.

Back in June, another driver reportedly beat a Chinese tourist with an iron bar over a fare dispute. The incident was caught on camera and the 44-year-old driver later surrendered to police.

Go back further in time and similar incidents and reports will surface. Clearly, some taxi drivers don't fear the repercussions of the law.

Until now, the government's approach to stamp out this rot is to urge riders to report troublesome drivers, but it's had little effect. This begs the question: Why do taxi drivers act this way and what changes can be made to make the taxi experience more safe and pleasant?

Some segments of the population excuse drivers' behaviour citing rising costs of living and diminishing profits. A Thailand Development Research Institute study in 2018 shows each driver makes 400 baht daily, apart from the pain of fuel and the taxi rental fee.

Yet, are the low-income earnings of Bangkok cabbies really the true cause of their frustration?

During the Covid-19 crisis, many residents quickly noted that as customers dwindled, the attitudes of taxi drivers also improved. When demand for their service is high, it seems drivers are emboldened to misbehave as there are plenty of chickens to catch.

With the city returning to its old ways, it seems the taxi drivers are too. So what can be done? Better training and screening of cabbies should be the first step. If the ride-sharing platform Grab can ensure all drivers pass a background and security check, why not do the same for meter taxi drivers?

Next, a government-backed ride-hailing app could help. A previous effort, Taxi OK, which allowed the DLT to track taxis and passengers to review drivers, similar to Grab, failed to take off and no effort has been made to revive it. Nowadays, many meter taxi drivers are on Grab's platform, but they have to pay a commission for each trip.

It's fair to say most cabbies in Bangkok are honest and hardworking, but a few bad apples really do spoil the bunch. What is needed is background checking and a performance appraisal system to reward good drivers and make sure bad apples are discarded. – Bangkok Post

#Thailand recorded 2,390 new #COVID19 infections and 30 more deaths today. PBS World





Fleeing monkeypox patient caught in Cambodia. Bangkok Post



The symptoms on the face of the Nigerian monkeypox patient are displayed on a slide during a media briefing in Phuket on Friday.

Police in Cambodia have arrested a Nigerian man who fled there from Thailand after being diagnosed with monkeypox — the first known case in the country — earlier this week in Phuket.

The arrest took place on Saturday afternoon at a market in Phnom Penh, the Khmer Times reported, quoting Keut Chhe, the deputy governor of the Cambodian capital district.

After his arrest, the 27-year-old man was handed over to the Cambodian Ministry of Health. Because he represents the first monkeypox case in Cambodia, officials there have urgently begun tracing to find out where the man has been and who he has had contact with since entering the country.

The man was believed to have crossed into Cambodia on Friday after his mobile phone signal was detected in a Thai border province, said Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control.

Speaking at a briefing earlier on Saturday, Dr Opas did not name the province or the neighbouring country but his presentation showed the location as Sa Kaeo, which borders Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia.

Subsequent reports in Cambodia suggested the man might have been heading for the seaside resort town of Sihanoukville. However, it now appears that he instead made his way to Phnom Penh, which has a large Nigerian expat community, according to the Khmer Times.

Dr Opas said the 27-year-old Nigerian fled with help from other people, adding that police would be asked to take action against anyone who facilitated his escape.

Public health officials have not identified the man by name out of respect for medical privacy, but it has been widely reported in both social and mainstream media.

Pichet Panapong, the deputy governor of Phuket, said all he knew was that the man had left the island.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Department of Disease Control had tracked down those who had close contact with the patient.

"As of now, new monkeypox cases have not been reported," he said on Saturday. "People have no need to worry as every member of the at-risk group is being closely monitored by the department."

The man reportedly boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET0618 to Suvarnabhumi airport on Oct 21 with a non-immigrant visa to study language at a university in Chiang Mai until Jan 18, according to the Public Health Ministry.

Phuket officials said the man went to a private hospital on the island on July 16 a week after he developed a fever, coughing, a sore throat and runny nose. He also had a rash and lesions on his genital area that spread to other parts of his body and face.

The doctor suspected the man may have been infected with monkeypox so samples from the patient were sent for verification. A PCR lab test by the Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre on Tuesday confirmed monkeypox. This was later confirmed by tests arranged by the Department of Disease Control.

Later the hospital tried to contact the man to tell him to receive treatment at the state-run Vachira Phuket Hospital, but he had turned off his mobile phone. Officials went to his apartment in Kathu district to arrange treatment but he was not there.

Mr Pichet said two people who had been in close contact with the Nigerian patient had their blood samples tested and the results came back negative. A taxi driver who took the infected man to various places in Phuket was being taken for blood tests on Saturday, the deputy governor added.

About 100 cannabis saplings have mysteriously been planted in the grounds of Thailand’s parliament complex, without being noticed by security guards or officials. PBS World

About 100 cannabis saplings have mysteriously been planted in the grounds of Thailand's parliament complex, without being noticed by security guards or officials.

Aroon Laiphongpaew, parliament's security chief, was alerted yesterday (Friday) by Watchara Petthong and Somboon Thongburan, two former Democrat MPs, about the presence of the plants, in pots or planted in the ground around several big trees in the front courtyard of parliament.

The plants were neatly arranged in a circle around each of the trees.

All of the saplings were later removed and disposed of, as parliament president, Chuan Leekpai, declared that the parliament building and its compound to be a cannabis-free zone some time ago.

The plants were found during the censure debate, in which the subject of the legalisation of cannabis was raised by the opposition as it challenged Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose party, Bhumjaithai, has championed the decriminalisation of cannabis and hemp as a flagship policy.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has established two new field hospitals with a total of 500 beds to treat Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Wednesday (July 20), met with non-governmental organizations such as the Zendai Foundation and Sai Mai Tong Rod group to improve guidelines on how hospitals should best manage the rising number of Covid-19 patients. NNT

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has established two new field hospitals with a total of 500 beds to treat Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms.

#breakingnews Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the 10 targeted ministers sailed through the no-confidence vote on Saturday. The votes were: Read More: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018064





Sa Kaeo, Thailand- According to multiple other Thai media and law enforcement sources, a foreign man identified as Thailand’s first case of monkeypox has fled to Cambodia through natural channels illegally. First, get caught up on the story from yesterday involving the foreign man who was on overstay since last year, here. Phuket Express

Thailands first case of monkeypox, a Nigerian man on overstay, believed to have fled to Cambodia by swimming across Sa Kaeo river

Goongnang SuksawatSaturday, 23 July 2022, 8:55

Sa Kaeo, Thailand-

According to multiple other Thai media and law enforcement sources, a foreign man identified as Thailand's first case of monkeypox has fled to Cambodia through natural channels illegally.

First, get caught up on the story from yesterday involving the foreign man who was on overstay since last year, here.

The 27-year-old-man from Nigeria had been traced to Sa Kaeo, on the Cambodia border, from his mobile phone signal according to Anutin Charnvirakul, Public Health Minister, who revealed the information late last night, July 22, at the National Assembly in Bangkok.

The patient had fled Phuket following his positive confirmation of monkeypox from a Phuket Hospital. He had been waiting for the results of his test at his condo and not escaped a hospital according to the Department of Disease Control, which is standard practice for these tests as the man had submitted for them himself.

It was unclear if the man fled due to being positive for monkeypox or due to concerns of his legal status due to overstay, which he reportedly was on since November of last year according to Royal Thai Immigration.

Following the statements from Mr. Anutin regarding the man being traced to the border of Cambodia in Sa Kaeo, multiple media sources are stating based on Thai law enforcement statements that the man swam across a river near Ban Khlong Luek, in Cambodia, and appeared to be heading towards Sihanoukville.

Mr. Anutin had also said that Thailand would be informing Cambodian authorities about the man and working with them on the situation.

A press conference expected to give more details about the case is scheduled for later today, July 23rd.

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The Pattaya News, owned by our parent company TPN media.



Found tonight in #Pattaya curled up behind a water tank. What would you do if you found this on your property? More in the morning. Pattaya News



#Thailand recorded 2,578 new #COVID19 infections and 29 more deaths today. PBS World





UPDATE: Thailand's first monkeypox case goes missing. The 27 year old man who tested positive for the monkeypox virus in Phuket has been missing since Wednesday July 20 at 9:05pm, according to Phuket police. | Thaiger

UPDATE: Thailand's first monkeypox case goes missing

By 

leah

Friday, July 22, 2022 12:27

UPDATE:

The 27 year old man who tested positive for the monkeypox virus in Phuket has been missing since Wednesday July 20 at 9:05pm, according to Phuket police.

Despite Thai media widely reporting that the man escaped from the private hospital in Phuket where he initially presented with symptoms, he was actually staying at Patong Princess hotel when he went missing. On Wednesday at 9:30pm, he placed his hotel keys on the front desk and left. CCTV footage pictures him driving away in a white car. His whereabouts are currently unknown.

The 27 year old Nigerian man started presenting with symptoms on July 9. He was tested on July 16 at a private hospital in Phuket and was told to isolate at his apartment at DCondo in Kathu. He received the positive test result two days later on July 18.

On July 18, officials went to the man's condo to pick him up and take him to the hospital for treatment, but he was not there. He had checked into a hotel in the Patong area on July 18, as later discovered by police. He paid with cash and booked to stay for 2 nights.

On July 19, the man rang the hospital and said he was going to go there for treatment in the evening. However, he never turned up to the hospital. In the evening of July 19 at 9:30, he left the hotel.

He checked into Patong Princess Hotel and stayed the night on July 19, unbeknownst by police. On July 20 at 9:05pm, he placed his keys on the front desk and left. CCTV footage shows him driving away from the hotel in a white car.

Police said he could still be in Phuket, or he could have left already. His whereabouts are unknown.

Police interviewed 142 people from two entertainment venues where the man went before he presented with symptoms at the hospital. Not one person said they had close contact with him, but 5 people reported symptoms such as a high fever, cough and sore throat, so they were tested for the monkeypox virus.

Two more people from the man's condo were considered at high risk of contracting the virus and were also tested. All 7 tests came back negative.

Police are still investigating whether there is anyone else who had close contact with the man and should be tested.

Phuket public health officials said the strain of monkeypox found by PCR test is not strong.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Thailand recorded its first case of monkeypox yesterday. During the night, the 27 year old Nigerian man allegedly escaped from a private hospital in Phuket and drove away in a white car. Officials are currently tracking him down but his whereabouts are unknown.

At present, no further details are available. Phuket governor Narong Woonciew will give an urgent press release on the matter at 11:00am. The Thaiger will update the story once more information is available.

The man recently travelled from Nigeria to Thailand and presented the following symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and skin lesions. His PCR test result came back positive for monkeypox virus.

A total of 15,378 cases have been reported worldwide since the start of the 2022 monkeypox outbreak.

SOURCE: Daily News



As the WHO’s emergency committee convened Thursday to consider whether to declare monkeypox a global crisis, some scientists said the striking differences between the outbreaks in Africa and in developed countries will complicate any coordinated response. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/who-again-considers-declaring-monkeypox-a-global-emergency/



#Thailand recorded 2,424 new #COVID19 infections and 25 more deaths today. PBS World





Nigerian man in Phuket confirmed as Thailand's first official case of monkey pox - The Phuket Express

Nigerian man in Phuket confirmed as Thailand's first official case of monkey pox

Goongnang SuksawatThursday, 21 July 2022, 20:53

Phuket, Thailand –

A 27-year-old Nigerian man in Phuket has been confirmed as Thailand's first official infection of monkey pox.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), this evening (July 21^st) stated they were notified from a hospital in Phuket that they have found a suspected case of monkey pox. The disease control team has been investigating the case since July 18th.

The male patient is Nigerian, 27, having arrived from Nigeria recently. He started to have symptoms one week before with a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, swollen lymph nodes, and a red rash starting from his genitals to his face, body, and arms.

It has been confirmed by Dr. Opas and the DDC this afternoon that the unnamed patient is the first confirmed case of monkey pox in Thailand. The disease control team in Phuket is tracking down close contacts from the patient. The exact current location of the patient was not immediately clear.

This is a developing story and we will provide more details as they are released. Dr. Opas has asked the public for calm at this time and not to panic, stating that the DDC has the situation under control.



British Airways continues to suspend its direct flights to Thailand until 2023 - The Pattaya News

British Airways continues to suspend its direct flights to Thailand until 2023

Nop MeechukhunThursday, 21 July 2022, 17:14

Thailand –

British Airways continues to suspend its flights to Thailand until at least 2023, the airline reported yesterday, July 20th.

The airline originally vowed last year to continue its London-Bangkok route after October 2022 but has now reviewed this decision.

They reasoned that Thailand is not top of BA's list for resumption, as it becomes low-yield tourist traffic due to price competition from other direct and indirect carriers. BA is also now selling Bangkok flights with a connection in Doha using Qatar Airways' services.

This will result in Thai Airways and EVA Air becoming the only two services to provide direct flights between Heathrow and Bangkok.



Bang Saen Beach near Pattaya to ban drinking and smoking | Thaiger

Bang Saen Beach near Pattaya to ban drinking and smoking

By 

Petch Petpailin

Thursday, July 21, 2022 11:24

Officials in Chon Buri province plan to ban the drinking of alcohol and smoking on Bang Saen Beach so they can develop the stretch as a model tourist attraction.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Saensuk Municipality of Muenf Chon Buri District, and the National Institute of Development Administration yesterday announced the project to upgrade Bang Saen Beach into a tourist destination free from alcohol and tobacco.

The Acting Director of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Roong-Aroon Liimhapunt, explained that the project aims to offer tourists a good environment, reduce the risks of passive smoke, and cut out chaos and violence from drunk people.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation revealed that 8,278 people died from receiving second hand smoke, and 25% of all road accidents are a result of drunk driving.

Rong-Aroon revealed that more than 1,000 students from Burapha University have volunteered to join the venture. They agreed to run a campaign to promote the project and make locals, sellers, and travellers understand the importance of the enterprise and cooperate.

The Permanent Secretary of Pattaya city, Pramoote Tubtim, reported that Bang Sean wanted cooperation from locals and visitors not to bring alcoholic drinks or cigarettes to the area. People who bring alcohol or smoke on the beach would be warned first. If those still fail to follow the rules, they face charges and penalties, to be outlined launched later.

According to the report, restauranteurs and shop owners along the beach agreed to the project even if they had to stop selling alcohol and cigarettes. The report said travellers also agreed with the enterprise, saying they would feel safer and more relaxed if alcohol and tobacco were banned.

Photo via Thai Health Promotion Foundation

SOURCE: Khaosod | Thai Health Promotion Foundation



#Thailand recorded 2,607 new #COVID19 infections and 23 more deaths today. PBS World



Overnight heavy rains wreak havoc in Bangkok with most area inundated leaving many stranded, Bangkok saw 163.5 mm of rainfall, one of the heaviest seen in years. Thai Enquirer

 





Covid cases in past 24 hours could number almost 100,000, Chula lecturer worries. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Chulalongkorn University Assoc Professor Dr Thira Woratanarat wrote: “2,886 > estimated 96,200.” The Nation

A Chulalongkorn University lecturer is worried that the actual number of new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours and announced on Wednesday is almost 100,000 even as the official report puts the figure at only 2,886.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Chulalongkorn University Assoc Professor Dr Thira Woratanarat wrote: "2,886 > estimated 96,200."

In an earlier post, he said the number of deaths in the country on Tuesday was 14th in the world and fourth highest in Asia.

Thira said Covid-19 is spreading "heavily" in Thailand, so wearing face masks properly is necessary to reduce the risk of getting infected.

The doctor also touched on the intensifying topic of the BA 2.75 subvariant, which was detected in Thailand on Tuesday. He said it hasn't spread widely to other countries as yet and most cases are in India.

Just being careful could reduce the risk of becoming infected from any variant, Thira advised.

He cited a study by University of Washington researcher John E Bowen and others titled "Omicron spike function and neutralising activity elicited by a comprehensive panel of vaccines".

The study said three doses of vaccines are actually enough to prevent infection from Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1 and BA.5.

Researchers used a sample from three doses of mRNA vaccines, two doses of Novavax along with one dose of mRNA vaccine, and two doses of Sinopharm with one dose of mRNA vaccine.

Thira said the study confirmed the significance of a booster dose to keep BA.5 at bay.

He also cited a study by King's College London research associate Emma Rezel-Potts and others titled "Cardiometabolic outcomes up to 12 months after Covid-19 infection – a matched cohort study in the UK".

The study mentioned that being infected with Covid-19 increases the risk of getting diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

It highlighted the importance of protecting oneself from being infected and how patients should treat themselves after contracting Covid to avoid these diseases.

Motorists beware! Points system in operation next year - lose all your points and licence suspended 3 months. Pol Lt-Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat told Daily News about the new points deduction system for drivers and other issues related to serious infractions on the Thai Roads. ASEAN NOW / Daily News

Picture: Daily News

 

Pol Lt-Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat told Daily News about the new points deduction system for drivers and other issues related to serious infractions on the Thai Roads.

 

Drunk drivers will face two years in jail and fines of 50-100,000 baht fines on committing a second offence within two years of the first. 

 

Baseline fines are being changed from 1,000 baht to 4,000 baht from September.

 

The issue of car seats and restraints for children under 6 is still being discussed. 

 

Regarding the points system drivers who lose all their points will have their licence suspended initially for 9 months. 

 

It comes in on January 9th 2023 when everyone will get 12 points. 

 

From one to four points can be deducted depending on the severity of the offence. 

 

It's one point for speeding, ignoring a Zebra crossing, not wearing a helmet or seatbelt or using a phone while driving.

 

Two points is for going through red lights or going the wrong way.

 

Three points is for street racers.

 

Four points is for drunk drivers.

 

After the 12 points are exhausted the driver is banned for three months and the points are only restored after one year. 

#BreakingNews Ramathibodi Hospital's Centre for Medical Genomics has discovered Thailand's first BA 2.75 case. Read more: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017948