DEEP SOUTH: Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek has been appointed as a special representative for the Thai government in talks which are meant to resolve the ongoing strife in the region, it was announced yesterday.
Ms Rachada's task is to promote women's role in the southern peace process, said Traisuree Taisaranakul, deputy government spokeswoman.
The Thai delegation, led by Gen Wanlop Rugsanaoh, and representatives of Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), headed by Anas Abdulrahman, had met in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur earlier, and the meeting will serve as the basis for future negotiations, she said.
Ms Rachada has been actively working to promote women's rights in various capacities, including deputy chairwoman of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, executive of the Liberal International Human Rights Committee and member of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB).
Jabs for 5-11s to start on Monday
Covid-19: The first three million Pfizer vaccine doses for children aged 5-11 will be rolled out from Jan 31, the government said yesterday.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the three million are the first batch of ten million and will arrive tomorrow.
The vaccination drive will begin on Monday for children from vulnerable groups at the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health before being offered to other children.
Meanwhile, in Chiang Mai, rights activists and academics opposed to vaccinating children kicked off a 900-km cycle rally from the northern city to Bangkok to call on the Education Ministry to reconsider the child vaccination campaign.
Group spokesman, Natphobtham Phobthamcharoenchai, said the vaccinations are not proven to be safe for children. Also, forcing children in the 12-18 age group to be vaccinated by preventing them from returning to school or paying for ATK tests themselves was unfair he said.
MoU signed on dengue fever push
HEALTH: Takeda (Thailand) Limited yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with 11 partner institutions to support efforts to control dengue fever in Thailand.
Dengue fever -- which is commonly found in tropical regions where its vector, the Aedes mosquito, is endemic -- affects the health of more than 390 million people across the globe each ear.
Changes in weather patterns across Thailand could see cases surge beyond 130,000 this year, the company said, urging all public and private stakeholders to create a strong network to raise awareness so communities across the country can be better prepared against the disease.
Whistle-blower draft law gets nod
Graft: The cabinet has approved a draft law to protect whistle-blowers in corruption cases from gag lawsuits.
Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said the bill will protect people who expose corruption from legal harassment, she said.
Ms Rachada said the bill allows defendants in gag lawsuits to seek damages, while state officials found to use gag lawsuits will face disciplinary actions and removal from their position. Those found guilty of legal harassment face a 10-year jail term, a fine of up to 200,000 baht or both. If they are state officials, penalties are doubled, she said.