Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd yesterday disclosed that WHO director-general Dr Margaret Chan had applauded the Prime Minister Prayut for his project to encourage the country’s civil servants to exercise at least once a week – every Wednesday – and stated that the PM’s initiative was a good example for the other countries to follow.
“WHO thanks Thailand for promoting the importance of exercise and implementing the policy very quickly and it can be announced that it is the first step forward for the Bangkok Convention on exercising for a healthier world and sustainable development,” Sansern said.
He also stated that the government was drafting the strategy plan that aimed to encourage Thai people to increase their exercise rate from 68 per cent to 75 per cent in the next five years.
He said the strategy would focus on children, teenagers, working people, and the elderly and promote exercising in hospitals, offices, schools, parks, and bus terminals.
The government will support the initiative through research, audits, development, and advertising.
“The prime minister stated that our country has the potential and medical advancement, so the government is ready to further develop this course to let the people have healthier lives by exercise regularly in every population age group and decrease the chance for suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes,” he said.
“Therefore, the government would like to invite all civil servants to participate in Wednesday exercise sessions from 3.30pm to 4.30pm every week and encourage all the people to exercise regularly at the time and place that is convenient for them.”

Woman who confessed to being
‘royal importer’ granted bail

Kesinee Tangkhiew
The Sunday Nation

A WOMAN accused of fraud and pretending to be a royal descendant has been released on bail after being arrested for allegedly tricking people to pay Bt100,000 each to enter the Throne Hall and pay respects before the King’s Urn without having to queue.
Yesterday, police took Anoyapat Sitheeraphon, 27, the suspect in the fraud case, to the Criminal Court to seek permission for an initial period in custody. Anoyapat had already confessed to deceiving others to believe that she was a royal descendant and could offer them special seats at the Royal Funeral and get into the Throne Hall without queuing.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Anoyapat allegedly told 17 people that she was MR Mannaruemas Yugala and could use her title to get them a special visit to the Grand Palace to pay respects to the King’s Urn without having to queue, for a more exclusive visit than other mourners – if they paid her Bt100,000 each.
However, they later found out that Anoyapat was a swindler, so they told police about her fraud and police issued an arrest warrant for her on Thursday.
Later, police arrested Anoyapat on the allegations that she was an imposter involved in a fraud. They said she confessed to all the claims against her.
Yesterday, she asked the court for bail and was allowed to be released on the condition she paid bail of Bt100,000 and did not leave the country.
She said she intended to ask for mercy and a lesser punishment from the court, but would consult her lawyer about this first.