Regional News

EMS 1669 Hotline Inundated Over Calls About UK Variant of Covid-19

The phones at the 1669 hotline call centre in Thailand have been ringing off the hook over the new wave of the UK variant of covid-19. The new wave of the UK variant of covid-19 is by far, the deadliest wave of Covid-19 infections which began earlier this month in Thailand.

Since the new outbreak of the UK variant of covid-19, officers at the 1669 call centre have been working around the clock from concerned members of the public, seeking advice on how to care for themselves during the pandemic.

Recently, many calls have been of a desperate nature, as the coronavirus variant first found in the UK is behind the latest uptick in infections is making many people, many of them elderly, much sicker and deadlier.

With limited space to accommodate the growing number of patients at hospitals, many relatives are turning to the hotlines to look for assurance. Above all as they wait for authorities to pick up and transfer sick family members in their households to a proper treatment facility.

It is the 1669 hotline officers’ job to coordinate with medical facilities to arrange patient transfer, while at the same time soothing anxious relatives.

In each shift, 20 officers would man the phones inside the 5 meter x 15 meter room, noting patients’ conditions, addresses and coordinating with hospitals. The first question they ask is always whether there are still hospital beds available.

EMS 1669 manpower shortage

If so, they will place another call to the centre’s emergency division to have vans, converted into ambulances, collect the sick at their homes. Porntep Saeheng, director of the centre, said the Erawan Centre has operated the 1669 hotline for a long time.

It was originally opened to receive calls about general emergencies, from traffic accidents to health issues.

However, it wasn’t until recently that City Hall ordered the 1669 hotline centre to act as one of the main contact centres for those affected by Covid-19.

“We are duty-bound to locate hospitals which are ready to take in [Covid-19] patients for treatment. [Our task] is to send vehicles to bring patients to the hospital in a safe and secure manner to prevent the spread of the virus,” Dr Porntep said.

The officers manning the 1669 hotline were recruited from City Hall’s Medical Services Department, as they have the basic medical training required to run the operation. The centre, Dr Porntep said, is mainly run by full-time officers, who are also supervising part-time employees hired to make up a manpower shortage.

Before the centre was directed to take Covid-related calls, it accepted 1,500 calls each day on average. These days, Dr Porntep said, call volumes have doubled. In an average day, the centre refers around 250 emergencies to hospitals — between 5-10 of which are Covid-related cases.

While Dr Porntep admitted the centre is unable to answer all calls due to the growing number of inquiries, he maintained the call centre’s officers, who are working eight-hour shifts, are doing their best to respond to Covid-19 emergencies.

“We have the resources and manpower to refer patients [to hospitals] although this may take some time,” he said.

Hotline get many prank calls

In response to the recent spike in daily Covid-19 infections, the Ministry of Public Health and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have opened several emergency numbers, but callers frequently report wait-times of more than 30 minutes.

This prompted the BMA to instruct the centre to extend its hotline to accept Covid emergencies which can help ease the burden on other hotlines. The 1669 hotline, however, is known to be particularly busy from 8am to 4pm.

Generally, the centre will advise callers on what to do prior to leaving their homes for the hospital — but in cases where the patient is unable to safely bring themselves to a treatment centre, the local district office will step in as they have been authorised to transfer patients with mild symptoms.

Dr Porntep noted that not all calls require urgent action, as many came from individuals who suspect they may have caught the virus, or were merely seeking information about Covid-related symptoms.

“Unfortunately, about 20% are prank calls, which are a waste of our time,” he told the Bangkok Post.

He said people should contact 1669 only in cases of emergency, as officers are needed to help find and reserve hospital beds for Covid-19 patients.

Less urgent calls, he said, should be directed to other hotlines run by the Department of Disease Control, National Health Security Office, and Department of Medical Services. “We run a tight ship around here, and our officers are working constantly,” he said.

Responding to criticism about long waits for hospital beds, Dr Porntep said such difficulties are not out of the ordinary given the nature of the Covid-19 crisis. “It takes a bit of time to screen urgent cases from the calls,” he said.

“I’ve also reminded hotline officers to be professional in carrying out their duty, as they may come across angry callers from time to time.”

“We have to empathise with those who are in distress, and explain calmly that we are doing our best to find beds for them.”

Eight City Hall-run hospitals are taking in Covid-19 patients, according to City Hall’s Department of Medical Services.

Four of the hospitals have been designated for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients. Between them, they have a combined capacity of 1,650 beds: 1,000 beds at Bang Khunthian Hospital for the Elderly, 200 at Ratchaphiphat Hospital, 100 at Erawan 1 Hospital and 350 at Erawan 2 Hospital.

As of Friday, 717 beds in the four hospitals were occupied.

Regional News

Thai Immigration Police Detain Over 26,000 Illegal Migrant Workers

Thailand’s Immigration Police have detained approximately 26,000 illegal migrant workers from Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia during an eight-day operation in Bangkok and surrounding regions, according to a Royal Thai Police spokesperson.

Mr Adisorn Keudmeuangkhon of the Bangkok-based Migrant Working Group said the drive was in response to an increasing number of concerns about an influx of illegal migrant labor.

“Some Thai people see that many illegal workers are competing for their job positions in the past few months,” he told me. “That’s why the ministry has to take tougher action.”

Civil strife in Myanmar and the recent implementation of a military conscription have driven thousands of Burmese into Thailand, while severe inflation and limited job opportunities in Laos have also encouraged an influx of workers from that country.

Between June 5 and 12, officials detained and checked 20,111 Myanmar laborers, 1,659 Laotian migrant workers, and 3,971 Cambodian workers, according to the Ministry of Labor.

It marked the start of a 120-day campaign to audit workplaces and arrest unlawful migrant workers, according to the government.

Migrant Workers to be Deported

According to Keudmeuangkhon, undocumented workers face fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 Thai baht (US $136 to $1,365), deportation, and a two-year prohibition on re-entering Thailand.

Authorities did not intend to file criminal charges, he claimed.

Authorities raided 1,774 workplaces, according to Moe Gyo, chairman of the Joint Action Committee on Burmese Affairs, which advocates for Myanmar labor rights.

He stated that since the military junta activated conscription, there has been an upsurge in the number of arrests of Myanmar citizens in Thailand who do not have a work permit identity card.

All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 must serve in the military for at least two years. The first group of 5,000 conscripts summoned by Myanmar’s junta will start duty at the end of this month, military sources told AFP on Monday.

According to Keudmeuangkhon, the bulk of Lao migrant workers in Thailand work as fresh market shopkeepers, restaurant servers, and mall salespeople.

Most people visit Thailand as part of ASEAN’s visa-free policy for tourists, but they stay longer than the 30-day restriction once they find job.

“Employers like to hire Lao migrant workers in the service sector because they can speak fluent Thai,” he told me.

Immigration Police Detain Illegal Migrant Workers

The Thai Cabinet may approve an enhanced program for Thai employers to register their unauthorized foreign workers in July or August. Keudmeuangkhon explained.

Last month, the Thai Ministry of Labor’s Foreign Workers Administration office announced that 268,465 Lao migrant workers were officially working in Thailand.

Baykham Kattiya, Lao Minister of Labor, told Radio Free Asia earlier this month that there are 415,956 migrant workers in other nations, the majority of whom work in Thailand.

According to her, the Lao government believes that over 203,000 persons working outside of the nation lack proper work documents.

However, a Lao official familiar with the labor industry informed Radio Free Asia, a BenarNews-affiliated news station, on June 20 that the number of illegal Lao migrant workers in Thailand and abroad is likely significantly greater.

“They go to other countries as illegal migrant workers through different types of methods – as tourists or students,” said the politician. “Thus, it is hard for the immigration police to collect data on these people.”

Government Officials Responsible for Smuggling in Migrant Workers

Government Officials Responsible for Smuggling in Migrant Workers

News

High School Student Dies After Being Electrocuted By School Water Dispenser

14-year-old boy was electrocuted by a water dispenser: File Image

Thailand’s Office of Basic Education Commission has initiated an investigation into the electrocution of a 14-year-old student by a water dispenser in a high school. The event happened at noon on Friday, during the high school’s sports day. The victim was a Grade 8 student.

According to local media in Trang Province, the incident occurred when a teacher instructed the pupil to turn off a water dispenser amid a heavy rain.

According to a witness, the child collapsed while strolling with his friend near a water station. The friend claimed he attempted to assist but was also shocked by electricity.

According to reports, the friend then recovered, left the site, and requested assistance from teachers. A teacher ran to the scene and used a towel to pull the boy away by the ankle. He was taken to the hospital, but it was too late, they claimed.

The event sparked criticism from parents and netizens over school safety, as well as the slow response to aid the young youngster.

Mr. Chainarong Changrua, head of Trang-Krabi’s Secondary Educational Service Area Office, told local media on Sunday that forensic officers from Trang Provincial Police had visited the area. They discovered the blown breaker switch behind the water dispenser, he explained.

The breaker was burned out, thus the authorities assumed the disaster was caused by a short circuit that allowed energy to spill to a neighboring power pole. The student also appeared wet and was not wearing shoes when electrocuted.

According to the Office of Basic Education Commission, a probe team will complete its investigation this week.

The student’s father, Mr Pornchai Thepsuwan, 53, claimed he was saddened when he saw his son’s body. The boy (Wayu), was the youngest of two boys, he explained. He stated that following the tragedy, the school director and staff gave financial assistance to the families.

Mr Pornchai also said he would not seek charges against the institution because he believed it was an accident.

Electrical accidents in Thailand

Electrocution instances in Thailand have increased alarmingly in recent years. Many mishaps occur as a result of improper wiring and inadequate maintenance of electrical systems.

Public locations, such as schools and markets, frequently lack adequate safety precautions, putting individuals in danger. In rural areas, antiquated infrastructure exacerbates the situation, resulting in more frequent and serious events.

Although several high-profile cases have brought these challenges to light, genuine progress has been gradual. Furthermore, the rainy season heightens the likelihood of electrical accidents, as water and exposed wires do not mix well.

The government has made steps to strengthen safety standards, but enforcement is patchy. More education on electrical safety could help to reduce these accidents.

Unfortunately, better infrastructure and tougher rules may have prevented many of these incidents. The loss and injuries caused by electrocution are avoidable, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

Over 200 High School Students Facing Sedition Charges in Thailand

Over 200 High School Students Facing Sedition Charges in Thailand

News

Thailand’s Tourist Police Crackdown on Tourist Scammers in Pattaya

Tourist Police Pattaya: File Image

Thailand’s Tourist Police said it is collaborating with embassies from five countries to combat tourist scams and ten criminal gangs in Pattaya. The Tourist Police Bureau, convened a meeting on Thursday Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am told a press briefing.

Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, the Tourist Police bureau commissioner said the participants included ambassadors from South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, India, and Switzerland.

He told the briefing the he had ordered a crackdown on tourist frauds, such as fraudulent or low-quality tour operators and unfair sales of goods and services. Stepped-up operations began on June 19 and will continue until June 25.

He stated that the agency was working with numerous organisations to increase tourists’ confidence in visiting Pattaya.

Gen Saksira spent time on the famed Walking Street speaking with officers on duty and assigned them to seek for members of ten criminal groups known to operate in Pattaya.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will visit Chon Buri on Saturday to assess the tourism situation. He intends to visit the site of a future Formula One racecourse near Khao Phra Tamnak in Bang Lamung District.

Prime Minister Srettha recently met with Formula One organisers in Italy to examine the potential of including Thailand on the race schedule in the future.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister will pay a visit to Rayong’s U-tapao airport to discuss development on the airport’s land, with the goal of encouraging investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Police Chief Reinstated

In other police news, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol has been reinstated as national police chief following the conclusion of an investigation into a highly publicised quarrel, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s counsellor.

Mr Wissanu released the investigation’s findings on Thursday, after the prime minister formed a fact-finding committee chaired by Chatchai Promlert to investigate into the quarrel between Pol Gen Torsak and his deputy, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn.

The four-month study revealed conflicts and disorder at all levels of the Royal Thai Police, but it was unclear whether these issues arose from a single cause or several causes, according to Mr Wissanu.

The findings revealed that both Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate were involved, with each team contributing to the tensions, he noted.

Mr Wissanu indicated that Pol Gen Surachate was reinstated as deputy national police head on 18 April following his relocation to the Prime Minister’s Office on 20 March. A disciplinary committee was formed to investigate Pol Gen Surachate, and he was ordered temporarily suspended from the police force.

Because there were no further difficulties to explore, it was decided to restore Pol Gen Torsak. He plans to retire on September 30.

On March 20, Mr Srettha abruptly transferred both top police officers to the Prime Minister’s Office in an effort to address the growing schism within the police service.

Kitrat Panphet, Deputy National Police Chief, was subsequently named Acting Police Chief. According to sources, Pol Gen Surachate could face money laundering charges related to online gaming networks.

Source: Bangkok Post