Monday, 28 February 2011

Thailand

Tuesday, 22 February 2011

Dengue Fever

Thailand successfully produced the world's first dengue fever vaccine 
Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) is full of praise for a team of scientists who have successfully produced a vaccine against dengue fever, while showing confidence that the vaccine it will be ready for human treatment within the next 3 years.

According to Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Veerachai Veerametheekul, the vaccine has been developed with the collaboration of researchers consisting of Dr. Poonsuk Keerapang from the Chiang Mai University, Associate Professor Dr. Nopporn Sittisombut, the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and Associate Professor Dr. Suthee Yoklan from Mahidol University.

The success, funded by the NSTDA, has been hailed as the world’s first dengue fever vaccine; however, the vaccine has so far been proven effective in mice, and has yet to be tested on human. According to the report, the vaccine will be further developed and tested in human by Bio Net Asia Company Limited and is expected to be available in the next 3 years.

Red Shirts

Seven red leaders freed on bail

The Criminal Court on Tuesday approved the bail of seven red leaders on the conditions that they will not get involved in any disturbances and comply with a ban against travelling abroad.

 The seven are Nattawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Kokaew Pikulthong, Nisit Sinthuprai, Kwanchai Praipana, Vipoothalaeng Pattanaphumthai, and Yoswalit Chooklom. Each, except Yoswarit, put between Bt600,000 to Bt800,000 as guarantee for the temporary release. The bail approval followed the Monday's hearing. Yoswarit needed to put Bt1.6 million as a guarantee because he is also facing a lese majesty charge.


On Monday, the red-shirt lawyer presented Kanit na Nakhon, the chairman of the government-appointed Truth and Reconciliation Committee, and Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart as witnesses for the red-shirt leaders' bail applications.
Kanit and Sanan told the court that he did not think a court decision not to grant bail to the detained red shirt leaders would obstruct the plan for political reconciliation although he had called for their release.
Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, who had visited the detained red shirt leaders at the Bangkok Remand Prison, said during yesterday's hearing that their release would help improve the prospects of reconciliation and could end the ongoing political conflict.
The prison's commander, Sopon Thitithamphruek, told the hearing that the seven red shirt leaders have followed the prison's regulations, and had cooperated with officials without making any trouble during their remand period.
Last month, the court allowed Chaiwat Sinsuwong to be released on bail by posting Bt600,000 as a guarantee. Chaiwat is facing a terrorism charge related to the seizures of the two Bangkok airports.