Thai PM advised to stop the export of AstraZeneca vaccine for use domestically

13 Sept 09:54 Key points summarised by AI

Dr. Manoon Leeechawengwong urges PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to use emergency powers to suspend AstraZeneca vaccine exports for three months, diverting doses for domestic use.
This move is crucial to combat the accelerating COVID-19 spread, as current lockdown measures are ineffective, and a high vaccination rate (40-45 million Thais in 100 days) is necessary to prevent widespread infection and deaths.
Diverting Siam BioScience's monthly production (10-15 million doses) for three months could significantly reduce Thailand's COVID-19 death toll by 80% and substantially decrease hospitalizations.
A key challenge to this proposal is that Siam BioScience, while Thai-owned, functions as a production unit for AstraZeneca, not the owner of the vaccine, complicating a government-mandated export ban.

Six injured after car smashes into On Nut shopping mall

Yesterday 22:44 Key points summarised by AI

A 67-year-old woman drove her car through the glass frontage of a Bangkok shopping mall, injuring six people, including a six-year-old girl.
The driver claimed she accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake after being startled, causing the vehicle to surge forward.
She apologized to the victims, promising insurance coverage and additional financial aid, while police continue to gather statements before filing charges.