DMS to cut quarantine time. The Department of Medical Services (DMS) is planning to revise its Covid-19 guidelines to allow asymptomatic patients to isolate for only five days. The news came from DMS director-general Dr Somsak Akksilp on Sunday. However, he said the duration for patients with severe symptoms required to be treated in hospital will be decided by doctors, he said. Bangkok Post

DMS to cut quarantine time

A health professional prepares necessities for people under home quarantine for Covid-19 infection in Bangkok. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

The Department of Medical Services (DMS) is planning to revise its Covid-19 guidelines to allow asymptomatic patients to isolate for only five days.

The news came from DMS director-general Dr Somsak Akksilp on Sunday. However, he said the duration for patients with severe symptoms required to be treated in hospital will be decided by doctors, he said.

Currently, Thailand has a 5+5 policy (five days of quarantine and five days of observation) for asymptomatic patients, he said.

Hospitals in the provinces may decide whether patients must be isolated for up to seven days amid bed shortages, he said.

Afterwards, patients are monitored and must comply with the department's safety rules, which require the regular washing of hands, wearing of face mask and social distancing, until the 10th day, he said.

However, Dr Thira Woratanarat, lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine, said five days is not enough to curb transmissions of the coronavirus.

Dr Thira on Facebook also said the 5+5 policy is not based on academic principles.

Although the policy will benefit the economy, the outcome will have a widespread impact on society, including businesses, amid further infections, he said.

In addition, a patient may suffer long-Covid symptoms and bear high medical expenses, he said.

Citing research from the Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States and the Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, he said being quarantined for only five days poses a 50–75% transmission risk, compared to 25-35% for seven days and at 10% for 10 days.

A total quarantine period of 14 days is confirmed safe, he said.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Sunday reported 1,968 new cases, taking the total number to 63 million. It reported 27 deaths.

The CCSA said that 2,252 patients stopped showing symptoms, while 19,624 others were still being treated, with 446 of whom were dependent on ventilators.



Dengue fever cases in Thailand nearly double in past month. Almost half of all dengue fever cases recorded this year occurred in the past month. The Thaiger

Taking extra measures to prevent mosquito bites is advised in Thailand, where cases of dengue fever have nearly doubled in the past month. Health authorities have voiced concerns about the threat of dengue fever this monsoon season.

On July 11, Thailand's Department of Disease Control (DDC) recorded 9,473 cases of dengue fever since the beginning of the year. By August 16, the number of cases since the beginning of the year had shot up to 17,412.

In July, the DDC reported a total of eight dengue fever deaths in Thailand this year. By August 16, the death toll had risen to 14.

In respective order, provinces with the highest number of cases are Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Tak and Si Saket. The department reports that the illness is mostly found among adults.

The department expects intensified dengue fever outbreaks in accordance with the disease outbreak cycle, which usually surges in rainy season.

Dengue fever symptoms include two to seven days of high fever, headaches, body aches, rashes and small red spots on the skin. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach ache and loss of appetite. Special care is required once the fever starts to go down, with most recorded deaths occurring at this stage from shock, says the DDC.

If a fever occurs for longer than two days and cannot be brought down by fever-reducing drugs, than dengue fever is suspected and the patient should see a doctor. The DDC warns against treating dengue with aspirin or ibuprofen.

Dengue is spread by bites from infected Aedes mosquitos, also known as Asian tiger mosquitos, which are easily identifiable by their black and white stripes.

Director-general of the DDC Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong recommends removing mosquito breeding grounds from homes by keeping the home tidy, storing items in an orderly manner and increasing sunlight. Anything that stores water, such as vases, should have lids on and the water should be changed every week, recommends the doctor.

Mosquito bites can be prevented by using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers and by burning mosquito-repelling incense, which is available to buy at 7-Eleven.

SOURCE: DDC

EC prepares to answer petition on PM's tenure. The Election Commission (EC) will answer a petition delivered by activist Srisuwan Janya seeking a Constitutional Court interpretation of when Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will have served his maximum eight-year tenure. Bangkok Post

EC prepares to answer petition on PM's tenure

The Election Commission (EC) will answer a petition delivered by activist Srisuwan Janya seeking a Constitutional Court interpretation of when Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will have served his maximum eight-year tenure.

EC chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong said yesterday the commission understands the issue has drawn public interest and the matter has been tabled for discussion tomorrow.

On Aug 5, Mr Srisuwan submitted his petition to the EC and the Office of the Ombudsman.

The latter rejected the petition on Wednesday on the ground that it has no authority on the matter.

Meanwhile, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, a former election commissioner, wrote on Facebook yesterday that if the court rules that Gen Prayut reached the eight-year tenure limit on Aug 24, the premier cannot assume the role of caretaker prime minister.

He was responding to comments by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam who said he saw no reason why Gen Prayut could not assume such a role unless a court separately ruled it out first.

Mr Somchai said if the court rules his tenure ends on Aug 24, it would preclude him from staying on as caretaker.

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was also not allowed to assume the role of caretaker after a court ruling of abuse of authority, he said.

The House must now proceed with section 41 of the State Administration Act 1991, he suggested, and choose one of the deputy prime ministers to take the role instead.

Meanwhile, across the floor, Pheu Thai Party MP for Ubon Ratchathani Somkid Chuekong also opposed the idea of Gen Prayut staying on, even temporarily.

"Taking the role of caretaker will only lead to disunity. Everyone knows that Gen Prayut has exceeded eight years," Mr Somkid said.

"I suggest Gen Prayut take this chance to leave his post with dignity."



'Few hurdles' likely for revised cannabis law. The bill to amend the present cannabis and hemp laws has been completed and will go before the House of Representatives for a second reading next week, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Bangkok Post

'Few hurdles' likely for revised cannabis law

Anutin: All parties had a say

The bill to amend the present cannabis and hemp laws has been completed and will go before the House of Representatives for a second reading next week, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Mr Anutin on Satruday presided over a meeting on medical cannabis in Chiang Rai which was attended by the Public Health Ministry's executive officials, state agencies, the private sector and more than 1,000 people.

Mr Anutin said the June 9 delisting of cannabis from the narcotics list had only ever been for medical purposes and there had been no intention to promote it for recreational use.

It is hoped the plant can become a cash crop and help generate income in the medical marijuana market tipped to top 10 billion baht in value in the next couple of years, he said.

"The bill has a total of 103 sections and I believe it will pass without any problems because it is the result of collaboration with every party," said Mr Anutin.

The bill is intended to limit abuse of the plant, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, at levels exceeding 0.2% will still be considered an illegal narcotic substance. In addition, advertising of cannabis-related products will be strictly controlled, he said.

Public Health Region 1 in the north -- comprising Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son -- has driven the cannabis policy, said Mr Anutin.

For instance, Nakornping and Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospitals have launched cannabis clinics for onsite and online health checks while Pai Hospital in Mae Hong Son offers cannabis treatment with modern medicine for curing insomnia, he said. Phrae Hospital also developed an integrated registration and alert system for new growers and those suffering ill effects following cannabis treatment.

The hospital also collaborated on research with other universities on the development of new cannabidiol (CBD) products such as soap and shampoo.



COVID-19 infections in 44 of Thailand’s provinces, including Bangkok, have been increasing, with an average rate of 31,148 cases a day between August 7th and 13th, according to Spokesman for the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin. Thai PBS World : August 19, 2022.

COVID infections on the rise in 44 provinces, over 30,000 new cases a day. August 19, 2022

COVID-19 infections in 44 of Thailand's provinces, including Bangkok, have been increasing, with an average rate of 31,148 cases a day between August 7th and 13th, according to Spokesman for the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin.

The death toll, during the same period, was 236, most of whom were people over 60, those with underlying diseases and pregnant women. There were also 853 serious cases, including 436 on ventilators.

Dr. Taweesin said that he would like the public to continue to wear face masks while they are outdoors and among people, noting that not getting infected is the best means of protection.

CCSA advisor, Dr. Udom Kachinthorn said today (Friday), before the CCSA meeting, that the actual infection rate should, however, be between 60,000 and 70,000 cases a day, as many are not reported to the authorities.

He anticipates that the high infection rate will remain for about a month, after which it will steadily decline, with the number of hospitalisations reducing to about 1,000 cases a day and the COVID related death toll declining to about 10 per day.

Dr. Taweesin said restrictions on the procurement of anti-viral medication will be eased on September 1st, with private medical facilities being able to buy the drugs independently and pharmacies being able to sell the drugs directly to patients who have doctor's prescription.

State-run health and medical units can also procure the drugs themselves, without relying on the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), beginning October 1st, he added.

As of August 17th, there are about 4.9 million Favipiravir tablets, 6.7 million Molnupiravir tablets and 38,425 Remdesivir pills in the government's inventory.

Dr. Taweesin said that the stock of anti-viral drugs is enough to meet the demand, but they must be used reasonably and should be reserved for those who need them most.

He said that the CCSA did not discuss the state of emergency today, as they consider that there is still enough time to review the issue.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said, that the emergency decree is still necessary to control the spread of COVID-19 adding, however, that he is ready to scrap the law when the situation permits.

He insisted that the law is intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 and not for any other purpose.



Emergency decree to be lifted on Oct 1, CCSA to be dissolved #TheNation #breakingnews Read more https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019087



#Thailand recorded 1,773 new #COVID19 infections and 30 more deaths today. PBS World





THE CORRECTIONS Department said altogether 103,613 inmates have received royal pardon on the auspicious occasions of His Majesty the King’s 70th birthday on July 28, 2022 and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s 90th birthday today, August 12, 2022. - Thai Newsroom

Royal pardon for 103,613 inmates

August 12, 2022  TNR Staff

THE CORRECTIONS Department said altogether 103,613 inmates have received royal pardon on the auspicious occasions of His Majesty the King's 70th birthday on July 28, 2022 and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother's 90th birthday today, August 12, 2022.

Mr. Ayut Sinthapphan, the department's director-general, said 22,822 inmates are being released on parole while 80,791 others benefit from reduction of their sentence.

However three prominent prisoners, namely former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong, jailed  for two years for vote buying in 2014 local election, former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, jailed for 48 years for corruption in government-to-government rice contracts, and Pol. Col. Thitisan Uttanaphon, or Joe Ferrari, serving life in prison for the torture and killing of a drug suspect, were not among those pardoned.  

Ayut said they did not meet the criteria for a royal pardon to have served one-third of their sentence. It is clearly stated that inmates benefiting from the royal pardon must serve one-third of their sentence or eight years. Even if they are over 70 years of age they have to serve one-third of their sentence.

CAPTION:

Top: Three prominent prisoners, former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, centre, flanked by former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong, left, and Pol. Col. Thitisan Uttanaphon, or Joe Ferrari, right.

Front Page: Some inmates in their cell. Both photos: Matichon

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Also read: Prominent prisoners granted second royal pardon this year

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Death toll from Mountain B pub inferno rises to 18. The death toll from a fire at Mountain B pub in Sattahip district rose to 18, as one more seriously injured victim was pronounced dead on Friday night. Bangkok Post

Firemen put out the fire at the Mountain B pub in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province, on Aug 5, 2022. (Photo: @sawangrojana Sattahip rescue Facebook)

CHON BURI: The death toll from a fire at Mountain B pub in Sattahip district rose to 18, as one more seriously injured victim was pronounced dead on Friday night.

Siriwan "Mind'' Wongsuk, 17, of Sattahip district, succumbed to her injuries at Thammasat University Hospital in Pathum Thani province at 9.14pm.

• Related: Pub owner detained, confessed charges

Her elder sister Sawaros Wongsuk, 27, said Siriwan had been transferred to the hospital two days after the inferno. Her younger sister had been on ventilator and did not respond to treatment on Friday. Siriwan died peacefully on Friday night, said Ms Sawaros.

The teenager had gone to Mountain B with two other friends on Aug 5. One of her friends, Phromporn Phoolsawat, 18, died at the fire-gutted pub. Siriwan sustained serious injuries and her other friend, 18, managed to escape the fire, according to Ms Sawaros.

The family would bring Sriwan's body for funeral rites at Wat Ransisunthorn in Sattahip. 

The nightclub caught fire about 1am. Thirteen people died at the blaze scene, and many were injured.

Now, 28 injured people remain at hospitals, with 11 seriously hurt with extensive burns and dependent on ventilators.

The death toll had increased to 17 on Thursday.

The number of Covid-19 infections has peaked in the rainy season and will be far lower in October, a top virologist said on Saturday. Omicron has peaked but Thailand needs long-term Covid plan: Dr Yong. The Nation

Dr Yong Poovorawan of Chulalongkorn University said Covid-19 Omicron cases will peak in the rainy season along with other respiratory diseases before starting to fall in September. The wave would subside further in October, in time for the reopening of schools.

However, it was impossible to tell the true number of Omicron cases because most had no symptoms, he added.

Yong also pointed out that vaccines cannot prevent infection but they do reduce the severity of the disease. He cited the US, where the infection rate has stayed level but the number of severely ill Covid patients has fallen.

He said that while previous infection offered natural immunity, hybrid immunity from also getting vaccinated gave more protection.

Meanwhile, the focus of efforts to combat Covid-19 had shifted from vaccine research to identifying how many people in Thailand are infected. Yong said that if 70-80 per cent of the population has already been infected with Omicron, the next dose could be administered next year or when a new variant emerges. Meanwhile, booster jabs were expensive so should be targeted at vulnerable groups.

Looking further ahead to how Thailand can control Covid-19 in the future, Yong said the country had spent a huge amount of money on vaccines in the hope of halting its spread but this was futile. He said Thailand would have to rely on its own knowledge rather than following other countries' disease-control policies.

Yong said his team would research the infection rate in each age group by checking Covid antibodies from samples of the population in one province. He is currently seeking funding for this project, which is awaiting official approval. Yong said the sampling project was urgently needed as part of Thailand's long-term plan to control Covid-19.

Thailand records 2,140 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 35 deaths on Saturday. Read more https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40018843 . The Nation



Covid19 update August 12th. PBS World

Another 2 deaths, resulting from the fire at the Mountain B pub in Chon Buri province last Friday, have been confirmed yesterday and today (Thursday), bringing the toll to 17. Read more: https://thaip.bs/20sZtPw PBS World



⚠️ Seat belts mandatory for all seated in vehicle from Sept 5 Police will begin enforcing the new traffic law requiring everyone in a vehicle to wear a seat belt from early next month. #BangkokPost 🔎 View full story at >> https://bit.ly/3p8XHg2 © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.



Thailand's hotel-based COVID-19 isolation facilities to be phased out from September. Beginning September 1st, all hotel-based COVID-19 isolation services will be phased out and private and state hospitals will get direct access to supplies of antiviral medication, as the country is transitioning into a post-pandemic period. | Thai PBS World

Thailand's hotel-based COVID-19 isolation facilities to be phased out from September

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Beginning September 1^st, all hotel-based COVID-19 isolation services will be phased out and private and state hospitals will get direct access to supplies of antiviral medication, as the country is transitioning into a post-pandemic period.

Prof. Dr. Udom Kachinthorn, chairman of the national reform committee on public health said today (Thursday) that both private and state hospitals can claim refunds from the government for the drugs prescribed to COVID -19 patients.

He said that, as COVID-19 is to be re-classified as an "infectious disease under watch", instead of a "dangerous infectious disease" on October 1^st, pharmacies should have access to antiviral drugs as well, pending an announcement to be issued by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), adding that drug stores can dispense the medications to patients, but they need a doctor's prescription to prevent misuse.

TFDA Secretary-General Paisarn Dunkum said that they are working on a drug dispensing system, to be applied to pharmacies, under which they can dispense the drugs on doctor's prescription and they must keep a record of the drugs dispensed.

Dr. Tharet Karatnairawiwong, director-general of Health Service Support Department, assured the public that the phasing out of the hotel-based isolation facilities will not impact the increasing number of COVID-19 patients in Bangkok, as Thailand has already passed pandemic stage.

The number of hotel based isolation facilities has already dropped substantially in the past several months, due to the improving situation.

A ministerial regulation is expected to be issued shortly before September 1^st.

Several thousand new COVID-19 infections, found using rapid antigen tests, are being reported nationwide each day, but most of them are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms which do not require hospitalisation.



Academic tells Prayut to dissolve House to evade ruling on 8-year tenure. A NOTED ACADEMIC suggested today (August 10) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolve the House of Representatives later this month to circumvent a court ruling which might otherwise pinpoint his eight-year rule to end in a couple of weeks from now.- Thai Newsroom

Academic tells Prayut to dissolve House to evade ruling on 8-year tenure

August 10, 2022  TNR Staff

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

A NOTED ACADEMIC suggested today (August 10) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolve the House of Representatives later this month to circumvent a court ruling which might otherwise pinpoint his eight-year rule to end in a couple of weeks from now.

The National Institute of Development Administration's political and development strategies project director Pichai Ratanadilok na Phuket said Prayut could possibly opt to dissolving the House between August 19 and August 22 to preempt the judgement of the Constitutional Court that his eight-year tenure, maximumly provided by law, will end on the approaching August 24, the date on which he named himself head of a military-installed government in 2014 following a coup which he orchestrated as army chief that year.

If Prayut dissolved the House and called a general election in a 60-day time, he would not only remain as head of a caretaker government until a post-election government has been set up but have the craved opportunity to host APEC meetings, scheduled for November, the major international forum during which he has conspicuously yearned to rub shoulders with world leaders, according to the academic.

It might probably take several weeks for parties which may have won a large number of MP seats to join hands and form a coalition government of their own whilst the period of time during which a caretaker prime minister may run the country will not be construed by law as a tenure of his assuming the top government post.

Pichai cited minutes of meetings of the now-defunct Constitution Drafting Committee chaired by legal guru Mechai Ruchupan as advising that one's eight-year tenure of premiership get started from the year in which he or she has begun to run the country either before, during or after the year of the constitution's promulgation.

For that reason, the NIDA academic commented, the unelected Prayut's eight-year tenure maximuly provided by law has been definitely scheduled to end on August 24.

Nevertheless, a majority of the nine-judge Constitutional Court might possibly rule in favour of Prayut to the extent that his eight-year tenure not get started from 2014, the year in which he turned himself from the coup leader to the head of the military-installed government but from 2017, the year in which the constitution drafted by a military-installed committee was promulgated with lasting effect on the premier's maximum term.

In case that the constitution's organic law pertaining to the future election for MPs is finally aborted due to failure to sail through the legislative branch within a 180-day time as provided by law and scheduled to end on August 15, the Prayut government will be legally empowered to issue an executive decree with the use of the Election Commission's draft legislation to govern the next race to parliament.

The draft of the polling agency unequivocally recommends the mixed-member-majority system, better known as the divided-by-100 formula, for the making of 100 party-listed MPs apart from 400 constituency-based MPs.



Doesn’t the TAT want tourists here in Thailand? The extension would be effective from the date of approval and run through to December 31, 2022. Of course, the idea is that the longer they stay the more money they will spend. But surely if they really want to encourage tourism, why not increase tourist visas to longer periods and why limit it to December when the supposed high season still has 4 months to run. ASEAN NOW



 

OPINION

We reported this week that The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to propose extending the length of stay for tourist visas and visa on arrival (VOA) to a maximum of 45 days.

According to TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn, a proposal will be presented to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) at a meeting due to be held on August 19.

The proposal will call for the period of stay for tourist visas to be extended from the current 30 days to a maximum of 45 days, while the period of stay for visa on arrival extended from 15 days to a maximum of 45 days.

The extension would be effective from the date of approval and run through to December 31, 2022.

Of course, the idea is that the longer they stay the more money they will spend.

But surely if they really want to encourage tourism, why not increase tourist visas to longer periods and why limit it to December when the supposed high season still has 4 months to run.

 

Tourist visas or visas on arrival .....it is still confusing at the moment, so hopefully they will make it all clear soon.

 

Vietnam is proposing expanded visas

 

Over in Vietnam, their tourism minister was reported on Monday to have proposed expanding visa exemption for tourists from the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India to boost sector recovery.
 
He also suggested the government consider simplifying immigration procedures to attract foreign tourists as Vietnam reopened after over two years of border closure, he said in a report submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Tuesday.
 
Tax Cuts too
 
The minister is also proposed extending tax cuts to tourism businesses until the end of 2023 to help them recover after the pandemic crisis.
 
Though Vietnam reopened tourism and lifted most Covid restrictions, Hung said travel firms and those working in the tourism industry are grappling with difficulties and have not really benefited directly from current policies.
 
The country welcomed 954,000 foreign arrivals in the first seven months this year, up nine times year-on-year.

 

Singapore

 

According to online information, the period of stay permitted is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer upon arrival at the Singapore Changi Airport. It is normally between 14 to 30 days.

 

There is strictly no extension of visa validity or change of visa type. 

 

However, you can submit a fresh application upon the expiry or upon utilisation of your current visa. But please note that each visa application is assessed on its own merits.

 

 

SE Asia is competitive

 

Bottom line is Thailand is competing with Vietnam, Singapore and Cambodia and other countries in the region, so they need to make it easy for tourists to come here.

 

Make the entry simple for passport holders and they should be able to decide whether they want a 30, 60 or even a 90-tourist visa on arrival.

 

Even with flexible return tickets there should not be an issue.

 

The idea of tax cuts for the tourist industry could potentially be a life safer for many small Thai businesses, especially those attractions that still have daily running costs whether one tourist or 50 arrive to say go on an elephant trek or safari. 

 

Bottom line is the TAT and government should have offered these longer visas long ago, but better late than never.

 

People need to plan holidays in advance so the sooner the Government confirms any new regulations the better, then travel agents around the world can start confirming their clients' bookings.

🇹🇭 THAI NEWS REPORTS: #COVID19 on Thursday ⬇️ 2,316 new cases in hospital ⬆️ 35 deaths ⬆️ 21,304 active cases ⬇️ 919 serious cases. Richard Barrow / TNR



Another Mountain B nightclub fire victim dies, raising death toll to 16 while 16 people remain intubated Tanakorn PanyadeeWednesday, 10 August 2022, 17:06. Pattaya News

Sri Racha —

Another Mountain B fire victim died at Chonburi Hospital, raising the death toll to 16 people, while 16 of the 30 hospitalized victims are hanging onto a respiratory machine.

The Chonburi Provincial Public Relations Office has announced today, August 10th, the death of Mr. Sittichai Ouilert, 23, at Chonburi Hospital, bringing the Mountain B fire death toll to 16 people.

Mr. Sittichai passed away around 4:21 PM yesterday, August 9th, due to his severe injuries. 16 of the 30 hospitalized victims remain intubated while 9 patients have fortunately been discharged so far and are making a good recovery.

🇹🇭 THAI NEWS REPORTS: #COVID19 on Wednesday ⬆️ 2,335 new cases in hospital ⬇️ 32 deaths ⬆️ 21,099 active cases ⬇️ 928 serious cases. Richard Barrow / TNR