Northern Thailand

Health Officials Struggle to Contain Covid-19 in Northern Thailand

Authorities in northern Thailand are struggling to contain a recent outbreak of the UK variant of the covid-19 coronavirus. Yesterday health officials confirmed 186 new Covid-19 cases raising the total this month to 381.

The new infections were believed to have been linked to entertainment venues, the source of most of the infections that have been spreading throughout the country in recent days.

Chiang Mai communicable disease control panel reports that timelines show that many covid-19 infected patients had travelled to several nightspots.

The panel was scheduled to release more details of the 186 new cases on Monday. The new figures were not included in the latest national covid-19 update announced earlier on Saturday by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)

Total infections this month in Chiang Mai have jumped to 381. That compares with just 69 in the first 12 months of the covid-19 pandemic.

A spokesperson for Chiang Mai’s governor told CTN News that more beds have been prepared at a field hospital recently set up to accommodate covid-19 infected patients. The site is at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre can accommodate more than 1,000 patients.

The Chiang Mai communicable disease control panel has urged those who travelled to high-risk places or came into contact with infected people to take Covid-19 tests at hospitals.

Covid-19 cases jump to Chiang Rai Province

Meanwhile, in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province health officials have reported 2 new confirmed cases of covid-19 that are linked to an entertainment venues in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. The patients are now in mandatory 14 day quarantine in hospital.

Most recently, Mr. Prachon Prachasakul, Governor of Chiang Rai Province, as the Chair of the Communicable Diseases Committee ordered those traveling from red zone areas to monitor and observe their symptoms for 14 days.

In the event that the person returning to Chiang Rai from a controlled area, must notify the village headman and community leader to coordinate the village health volunteers.

Returnees are to avoid contact with other people and avoid participating in large group activities

Those who come to Chiang Rai Province must strictly adhere to COVID-19 prevention measures, in case of abnormal symptoms or illness, seek immediate medical attention.

Any person or any establishment who violates shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht under the Communicable Disease Act B.E. 2557.

Northern Thailand

Tubers on Pai River Draw Anger Over Inappropriate Behavior

The Governor of Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has sought stricter rules for tourist tubing on the Pai River, following allegations of tourists sneaking into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police reports and considerable criticism online.

After a resort owner in Pai protested about the existing situation of tubing activities along the Pai River, the Governor became aware of the matter. According to the accusations, wine and beer are discreetly offered to tourists while disguised in plastic water bottles to prevent detection.

After their tubing adventures, these tourists, both men and women, would walk around Pai town in their swimsuits. Men often wear one pair of swim briefs, but most women wear two-piece swimsuits or bikinis.

This behavior was considered derogatory to local culture. Recently, there were instances of tourists slipping into resort areas to engage in sexual activities, which prompted police investigations and considerable online criticism.

Following the complaint, provincial governor Chuchip Pongchai requested a meeting of the police and allied authorities on July 16 to explore further tourism restrictions.

The province already restricts the selling of alcohol to tourists who go tubing, which involves floating down a river on inner tubes made of rubber tires. Most people observe the guidelines, but others, including some store owners, break them by concealing the alcohol by pouring it in water bottles.

According to TNA, Pai is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular tourist spots, attracting 40,000 visitors each year and strengthening Thailand’s economy.

Tubing in the Pai River has become a favorite activity among foreigners. However, the governor stated that the attitude of some tourists has jeopardised the province’s image.

Tourists Tubing on Pai River

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Girl 16 Arrested in Thailand for Defaming Royalty on Facebook

Northern Thailand

Pregnant Woman Goes Psycho Stabs Family Members in Phayao

Police in northern Thailand’s Phayao province have arrested a 40-year-old pregnant mother for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm.

Phayao Police report they were called after a woman and her daughter had been stabbed and beaten by a family member to a house number 206, Soi 7, Village No. 3, Ban San Nong Niao Subdistrict. Tom, Mueang District.

When officers arrived they found Ms. Chayada Chaiyawan, age 45, and her daughter Ms. Patida Chaiyawan, age 19, with injuries to their bodies and heads. Blood was spread all over the bedroom, and they found Mrs. Sakulkarn, aged 40 years, who was a relative living next door, tied up.

The police then transported all of them to Phayao Hospital for treatment. Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice. Both also sustained head injuries, according to Phayao police.

Ms. Chayada was stabbed thirteen times and her daughter twice

Ms. Chayada told police the incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. She was sleeping in the room with her young son, when she heard someone opened the bedroom door. She said at that time it was still dark and all she saw a shadow of a person lifting what she though was a hammer.

She said the got up and fought until she fell after being hit in the head and stabbed with a knife, in fear for her life she screamed for her daughter to come and help. When the daughter entered the room the assailant proceeded to hit her in the head and stabbed her also.

The assailant ran out of the room and was immediately restrained by a neighbour who heard the screaming and ran into the house to help. Mrs. Sakulkarn who was 7 months pregnant was tied up and police and rescue workers were called to the scene. The neighbour told police that all the time they were waiting for the police.

Police said Mrs. Sakulkarn is being held in Hospital and is under psychiatric care. Ms. Chayada and her daughter were treated for their injuries and sent home.

According to Thai Media, Police said charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to create bodily harm will be filed against Mrs. Sakulkarn after she is released from Hospital.

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Phayao Gets City-Class Air Purification Tower for Air Pollution

Northern Thailand

Train Crashes into Pickup Killing 5 in Phitchit Province

Five people were killed and two others badly injured when a pickup truck was hit by a north-bound train at an unguarded railway crossing in Phitchit province on Monday evening.

Phitchit police reported the horrific crash occurred around 6 pm at Moo 1 village in tambon Pak Thang of Muang district of Phitchit.

Police said the 201 passenger train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok approached the crossing, which was unguarded and had no safety barriers.

A four-door pickup truck plates drove across the tracks and into the path of oncoming the train which was was unable to stop or slowdown in time to avoid hitting the pickup truck.

The force of the crash drove the pickup about 30 metres down the railway crossing and off to the side. All passengers on the pickup were thrown from the vehicle.

Three women passengers died immediately and two more passengers died later at Phichit Hospital. Two others including the driver of the pickup were seriously injured.

Police investigators said truck driver Pratya Khongthat, 40, was taking relatives, including a 14-yea-old girl, to a funeral at Wat Ratchangkhwan in tambon Pak Thang, approximately one kilometer from the accident scene.