According to a notice on the RTAF Recruitment Facebook page, applicants must be between 18 and 28 years old, at least 162 centimetres tall and hold a bachelor’s degree in any field with a 2.80 grade point average.

The applicants must also have a commercial pilot licence – aeroplane and must have passed level 4 of the ICAO English language proficiency test.

Interested women must apply in person at the RTAF Policy and Human Resource Office from Wednesday to April 5.

His Majesty’s letter expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the crash of the US-Bangla commercial flight in the accident at Kathmandu International Airport.

“I am deeply sad to hear that a US-Bangla plane crashed at the international airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, causing a lot of deaths and injuries,” the King wrote. “I send my sincere condolences to you and the those who suffered the grief and losses from this tragic incident.”

Areas affected include Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok and the Eastern Economic Corridor.

The government will also revamp the tax law to encourage start-ups to stay here instead of later moving to low-tax regime countries such as Singapore.

Kobsak also told an MIT/GSW-Sasin forum that there would be a new package of regulations to encourage regional R&D work by multinational companies.

The King said in the letter that he felt sorry for the loss of lives and damage caused by the quake on February 26.

The letter says: “I felt very sad to hear the report of the earthquake in the province of Hela, causing many deaths and injuries and causing widespread damage to properties and the infrastructure. I express my deep condolences to you and the people of Papua New Guinea who suffered losses because of this disaster.”

MIGRANT WORKERS, employers and NGOs have highlighted problems with the ongoing nationwide registration process and urged the Labour Ministry to extend the registration period.

As the current registration period ends next Saturday, as many as 900,000 migrant workers still have not registered for work permits and visas, prompting the Migrant Working Group to release an open letter last Friday urging the Labour Ministry to extend the period to avoid excluding many workers.

Migrant Working Group coordinator Adisorn Kerdmongkhol said yesterday that congestion at worker registration centres in the last week was not because workers and employers had been too careless to register early, but resulted from problems at the One-Stop Service (OSS) centres and confusion over the registration system.

“We have noticed problems since the early weeks of the registration period that there were problems with cooperation among the relevant agencies working in OSS centres, making migrant workers and employers confused about the registration, so they waited until everything became clearer,” Adisorn said.

“This problem is because the Labour Ministry allowed too short a period of time for the registration of nearly 2 million migrant workers, combined with a failure in providing clear information about the registration system. In the end, the ministry has to sort out the solutions for the problems at hand, but cannot solve the problems in the big picture.”

An employer of migrant workers in Bangkok, Phisit Jengsrivong, said even though he had only three migrant workers from Myanmar working for him, he had been working on their registration since early March.

Phisit said the OSS centre earlier had not really provided a one-stop service, as his workers had to go to the hospital for a health check-up, which wasted a lot of time there before they could go to an OSS centre to follow up with the registration procedures.

Problem provinces

Adisorn added that from an assessment of problems in registration, not all provinces had congestion problems and areas with the most severe issues were in provinces that had large populations of migrant workers, such as Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Chiang Mai.

He also said short-term measures recently announced by the Labour Ministry would not entirely solve the problem, as by his estimation there would still be many migrant workers who could not register in time.

He also warned that new registration procedures would still leave the problem for the future, because the police might arrest workers who still had not completed their registrations by the deadline, even though they had already reported to the Labour Ministry to finish their registrations later.

He asked the Labour Ministry to extend the registration period in the provinces that had problems to make sure that there would not be migrant workers who wanted to work legally in Thailand forced to work illegally.

However, Employment Department director-general Anurak Tossarat said the Labour Ministry would not extend the registration period, because that would merely prolong the problems because employers and migrant workers would procrastinate their registrations.

The Labour Ministry started it registration of migrant workers on February 5 and expected it to be completed by March 31. The registration is meant to enable migrant workers who have not come to Thailand under memoranda of understanding to legally register for two-year work permits.

Thailand has been the co-chair with South Korea of the OECD’s Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP) since a ministerial meeting in Tokyo on March 8. Deputy Foreign Minister Virasakdi Futrakul, who brought Thailand close to the organisation when he served as the ambassador to Paris between 2004 and 2006, attended the meeting.

The position, which has a three-year-term, aims to bring the “rich men’s club” to Southeast Asia under the banner of “Inclusive Asean”, said the Thai Ambassador to Paris Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Founded in 1961, the Paris-based intergovernmental economic organisation now has 35 members, but Asian countries are underrepresented in the group with only Japan and South Korea having joined.

Thailand wanted to join the OECD under the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, but projects and |engagements with the organisation have declined since the 2006 military coup. Political difficulties since then have kept Thailand away from the organisation, which prefers to associate with “like-minded” countries that prioritise democracy and human rights.

The relationship of Thailand and Asean nations with the OECD has slowly improved over the past four years after Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched the SEARP in 2014 to broaden the international role of Japan and focus on regional integration.

While the axis of global economic development has shifted to the region, no Asean members are members of the OECD. Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the OECD, has advocated for the organisation to work with the fast-growing countries in the region.

As Thailand undertakes reform, it would be timely for the world’s largest think-tank to put its resources to work to advance its reform agenda internationally, said Sihasak.

“Of course, democracy and human rights matter for them, but we make clear that we prioritise stability and our reform agenda indeed leads to democracy,” he said. “Democracy is the way to go but we need time and space for evolving to reach the goal.”

The OECD’s programme was not about money, but rather about policy and implementing a system that built confidence for investment and economic development, he said.

The unique role of the organisation was its “standard-setting” platform to promote international harmonisation and coordination, Sihasak said.

The MoU between Thailand and the OECD is a comprehensive programme with four pillars – public sector reform advancing good governance, investment and competitiveness, Thailand 4.0 and economic growth. There are 16 projects under each pillar for the country to push forward reforms, he said.

Prior to the signing of the MoU, the OECD had studied the government’s 20-year plan, national development strategy, Thailand 4.0 scheme and Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to propose platforms and plans consistent to the Thai context, he said.

“We have to insist that ownership would be with Thailand, so they have sent a delegation to consult with the government to help with study and analyses, as well as make policy recommendations,” Sihasak said. “They don’t have a development model for us to comply with.”

Asked if the latest engagement with the OECD would pave the way for the country to apply for membership in the organisation, Sihasak said: “We won’t rush to membership. At this stage, we want to have internationally recognised reform.”

All 50 people on board the coach were family members, friends or neighbours. The accident occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima last Wednesday as they were heading to Chanthaburi province for a leisure trip together.

In addition to the 18 deaths, more than 30 people were injured in the crash.

Sadness filled the air at the Dong Krayom Udomkhun Temple in Kalasin’s Muang district where five bodies were cremated at 2pm yesterday.

Some of the survivors of the crash attended the ceremony in wheelchairs and had to return to hospital for further treatment.

There were similar scenes at the Buddhamongkhon Forest Temple in Kalasin’s Muang district where other coach-crash victims were cremated at 4pm yesterday.

Because there were many victims, both temples arranged mass cremation on funeral pyres.

Sompong Preewilai, 51, lost his wife in the fatal accident, and was in tears at the funeral.

“I really don’t know what to do in the future. My whole family cannot yet cope with what happened. It’s too sudden,” Sompong said. “Whenever I think of my wife, tear runs down my face.”

The Mental Health Department has formed 12 teams to take care of people who lost family members in the crash.

“Some of them have become depressed and sleepless,” the department’s director-general, Sqn-Leader Boonruang Triruangworawat, said.

Coach driver Krissana Jutachuen has been charged with reckless driving that caused death and injury to others, fleeing the scene, and abusing drugs.

Krissana, who is now in detention, allegedly admitted to having taken methamphetamine before the trip.

“We may charge him with speeding, too, if tests confirm the coach was going beyond legal limits,” Provincial Police Region 3 commissioner Pol Lt-General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said.

Krissana’s employer would also be investigated.

Rattanaporn Thumkesorn, who survived the accident, said Krissana left the steering wheel before the crash occurred.

“I saw him running past me when the coach started to lose control. I saw him rush to open an emergency door and jump out,” Rattanaporn said.

She said the tour leader had tried to prevent the tragedy by immediately instructing her husband to rush to the steering wheel.

“But it was too late,” Rattanaporn lamented.

THE chances of winning government approval to ban paraquat, a toxic chemical widely used in agriculture as a herbicide for weed and grass control, are relatively slim, according to the BioThai Foundation.

The non-government organisation said in a statement that the subcommittee tasked with vetting the ban mostly represented agro-industrial interests, so there was only a 30 per cent chance a ban would be approved during its meeting tomorrow.

More than 40 countries have banned or restricted the use of paraquat due to its toxicity. In Thailand, the Public Health Ministry and a working group on high-risk chemicals used in agriculture have recommended the government impose a ban.

However, according to law, the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry is authorised to lead the decision-making process on whether to ban chemicals used in the farm sector.

The 14-member subcommittee tasked with deliberating on the paraquat issue is dominated by the agriculture ministry and related agencies, which are seen to represent the interests of the agro-industrial sector.

According to BioThai, public health, environmental protection and other related agencies generally have the authority in other countries to impose bans on the use of chemicals that have high public-health risks.

In the past, teams from Mahidol, Chulalongkorn and Naresuen universities have been commissioned to conduct research on the effects of paraquat residues in the environment.

At least two members of the subcommittee – the representatives from the Food and Drug Administration and Public Health Ministry – are expected to push for a ban on the herbicide.

Prokchol Ousap, coordinator of Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN), said while an outright ban is unlikely, the subcommittee may impose the “restricted use” requirement on paraquat.

In this event, according to BioThai, there would then be challenges over enforcement of the “restricted use” condition.

Prokchol urged the subcommittee to disclose the result of the vote publicly before it is forwarded to a multiagency committee in charge of controlling the use of toxic chemicals.

Over the past year, Thailand’s imports of paraquat have totalled about Bt1 billion.

According to the Anti-corruption Organisation of Thailand, an NGO, the paraquat issue has gained a lot of attention on social media.

A recent survey showed that it reflected public concern about alleged corrupt practices at the Agriculture Ministry.

The Federation of Farmers’ Safety has accused Puangrat’s research of causing damage and pressured her to resign from the state-owned Naresuan University before the end of this month.

“Show responsibility for the damages caused,” the federation has demanded.

Puangrat, the head of the Centre of Excellence on Environmental Research and Innovation at the university’s Faculty of Engineering, has recently disclosed alarming findings from a research project. The study showed that there are high concentrations of paraquat, a widely used herbicide that is harmful to humans, in some areas of Nong Bua Lamphu’s Suwannakhuha district.

After the findings were disclosed, the Public Health Ministry considered a plan to ban paraquat. Last year, at least 102 people in Nong Bua Lamphu came down with necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease. Six people died from it.

The Federation of Farmers’ Safety was established not long after the possibility of a paraquat ban emerged.

Thailand is the world’s fourth-largest importer of paraquat, with sales soaring past Bt1 billion a year.

It remains unclear whether the Federation of Farmers’ Safety has any direct link to herbicide-selling firms. However, the federation has apparently often joined activities alongside the Thai Crop Protection Association, which was founded by herbicide and pesticide sellers.

During an exclusive interview with The Nation at the height of paraquat controversy, Puangrat said she believed her research findings must have affected the businesses of some companies, as friction from the private sector had become intense.

On March 27, a subcommittee established by the Hazardous Substances Committee will conclude on whether to act on the Public Health Ministry’s suggestion that paraquat be banned.

She said firms had contacted her university and tried to prevent her from presenting her research findings to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and various government agencies.

“They reacted really fast. Initially, my university and I were caught off guard,” she said.

Puangrat said her university agreed to fund the research in Nong Bua Lamphu after Warangkana Inthalohith of the National Health Assembly raised concerns that flesh-eating cases in the northeastern province might be linked to farm chemicals. The research kicked off with the approval from the Nong Bua Lamphu Public Health Office.

The research team first collected samples from Tambon Boontun and interviewed residents there last December.

“Local people told me that they developed rashes and wounds one day after wading through local water. If they didn’t rush for treatment, a risk of amputation emerged within the next three to four days,” Puangrat said.

She said in Tambon Boontun, sugarcane growers had used herbicides at the amount three to four times higher than the recommended levels, and their plantations surrounded a closed reservoir.

“After samples were tested and analysed, I could not sleep for a week because the results were frightening,” she said. She said her team had re-examined the results to double-check them.

“After the results were confirmed, I decided to speak to the media with prior consent from the Nong Bua Lamphu governor,” Puangrat said.

She said she knew her research findings, when released to the public, could turn her into a target of efforts to discredit her.

“I faced such attacks before for research I did in Nan years ago,” Puangrat said, “Back then, several government agencies questioned the accuracy of my research. But eventually, time will tell the truth.”

In Nan, Puangrat found a local river contaminated with herbicides including glyphosate. Her research was initially questioned, but several other organisations later reported similar reports in Nan. Campaigns were then conducted to discourage the use of chemicals on farmland and to promote organic farming.

“I decided to speak up again no matter what … I know in the end the truth will prevail,” she said.

Puangrat said she hoped that relevant authorities would quickly fix the problems, instead of questioning the validity of her research.

She has maintained that her research was conducted strictly in line with proper standards. Funders such as the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) had closely monitored implementation to ensure the quality of her research, she said.

Puangrat added that she had often heard authorities’ complaints that research by Thai academics was usually “headed to the shelves” – that is, to be stored in a library but not put to practical use.

“Actually, we have already conducted useful research. But some authorities have simply ignored it,” she said.

Puangrat said she believed other researchers might have discovered high concentrations of paraquat in Nong Bua Lamphu before her team, but were reluctant to release their findings to the public.

“Even as a veteran in the field, I have still faced a lot of trouble,” she said.

The TRF named Puangrat as an outstanding researcher in 2014. In 2011, the Naresuan University also honoured her research efforts.

Puangrat said she was not the only researcher facing intense criticism and pressure after releasing findings that had possible significant ramifications.

Professor Pornpimol Kongtip of Mahidol University faced a similar fate after her research, titled “The Impact of Prenatal Organophosphate Pesticide Exposures on Thai Infant Neurodevelopment”, became public, Puangrat said.

“Like Pornpimol, I speak up to protect people in general,” she said. “But we are treated with doubt.”

Puangrat said she hoped research institutions would help communicate with the government, the private sector and the public about research processes and objectives.

“We have conducted research for you [policy-makers] to use,” Puangrat said.

She added that researchers usually provided recommendations that relevant parties should consider.

Local people in areas where she has conducted her research, such as those in Nong Bua Lamphu, have apparently wanted help, because they willingly cooperated with research teams.

Despite the many challenges Puangrat faces, several organisations have come forward to defend her.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia, FTA Watch, BioThai Foundation and the Foundation for Consumers are among agencies condemning the Federation of Farmers’ Safety for taking action against Puangrat.

“Academic freedom must be protected, particularly when academics use their knowledge and expertise to protect the quality of life among people,” they said in a joint statement.