Thailand: Govt launches schools protection programme as only one Covid-19 case confirmed


BANGKOK, July 20 (The Nation Thailand/ANN): The Education Ministry launched a “Student Protection and Help Centre” on Monday (July 20) to help students who have undergone physical and mental abuse.

Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan (pic) said schools are not just educational institutions, but also a second home for students, where they should feel warm and safe.

Sexual harassment goes completely against this principle, he said.He said in many sexual abuse cases, the victim was silenced out of fear, and this allowed the offender to go unpunished and repeat the offence over and over again, which in turn made schools unsafe.Nataphol added that his ministry does not want children’s second home to become a terrifying place.

Hence, he said, this centre has been created to protect and help victims, so they can reclaim their rights through the justice process.The centre has been opened under three principles, promoting immunity and protection, solving old problems and preventing new problems, and making students a priority.

Students who have been sexually compromised by government officials, personnel under the supervision f the Education Ministry or those facing sexual abuse at school can call (02) 700 0001 or the 1579 hotline. Students can also visit the Education Ministry’s Facebook page or show up at the ministry in person.

Meanwhile, there was only one new case of Covid-19 over a 24-hour period, the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration(CCSA) reported on Monday (July 20).

There has been no domestic case for 56 days.A 52-year-old asymptomatic male electricity machinist, who had returned from Singapore, tested positive on his 11th day in state quarantine on July 17, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, the CCSA spokesman, said.

As of July 20, the total number of confirmed cases in the country since the outbreak stood at 3,250 (313 in state quarantine) -- 96 are under treatment, 3,096 have recovered and been discharged, and there have been 58 deaths.

Globally, the total number of confirmed cases is 14.6 million, up by 217,010 on Sunday, 8.7 million have recovered while deaths stood at 608,000. Thailand’s rank stays at 101st among countries with most number of cases in the world. The US has the highest number of cases (3.89 million), followed by Brazil (2 million) and India (1.1 million ).

Following a recent incident of two imported cases, Rayong has tested 6,501 people of whom 6,287 are negative while 214 are awaiting results and Bangkok has tested 364 people, all negative, the spokesman said.

He assured that no foreign guest will be allowed to enter a condominium unit since the CCSA has announced that they will have to stay in alternative state quarantine, which are verified hotels.

A controversy had erupted last week over a foreign diplomat being blocked from entering her condo by the building authority. - The Nation Thailand/Asian News Network

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