Thon said plastic waste is a global issue, as is climate change, and is in fact globally critical, particularly where plastic in the seas is concerned.

If left unattended, it is predicted that plastic waste would increase to over 10 billion tonnes, requiring a load of management.

Thailand, he said, has become the sixth among countries worldwide for dumping plastic into the seas, most of it single-use plastic. And the Mekong River, he added, is ranked among the top 10 rivers polluted by plastic and a major source of plastic waste flooding into the seas, according to Germany’s Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research.

The trend worldwide is to try to reduce plastic from single usage, and Thailand – under the 20-year strategy – will also focus on the three prime actions of reducing, reusing and recycling plastic waste, Thon noted.

However, he also hopes to see the problem being tackled at the source, which is production and consumption.

“We also want to see responsibility being placed on users and producers – it’s the most effective way to deal with the problem,” said Thon, who is a member of the national strategy committee on sustainable growth and environmental sustainability.

Officers from all national parks in the southern region attended a three-day workshop in Krabi arranged by the KMUTT and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) from April 27 to 29, to learn about renewable electricity generation and to survey the power consumption of each national park.

They also went on a field trip to Koh Hong Island at Bokkharani National Park in Krabi to survey operations at one of the pioneering renewable electricity generation stations designed by a KMUTT research team.

Usa Boonbumroong, head of the KMUTT research team, said that the workshop for officers from 54 national park offices was a preparation for the renewable energy action plan being drafted in order to facilitate cleaner and cheaper power generation at all national parks.

“This workshop is our first move to work on the plan with the DNP to change electricity generation at all rural national parks that do not have access to the Provincial Electricity Authority’s power line, from polluting basic diesel power to the cheaper and cleaner hybrid micro-grid system,” Usa said. The KMUTT research team has developed a hybrid small-scale power generation unit, which combines solar cells for main power generation and a diesel electric generator as a backup system, he said. The system is already in operation at 15 locations across the country, he said.

He pointed out that with this renewable small-scale power generation unit, the parks can ensure a healthy environment as solar power does not cause pollution. Moreover, the cost of electricity generation is also much lower than the traditional diesel generator.

“The estimated cost of electricity from the hybrid solar-and-diesel generator is only around Bt10 per unit (1,000 watts per hour), compared to Bt20 per unit for purely solar power generation and up to Bt60 per unit for diesel power,” Usa said.

“The price can be even lower, as each area has different power generation potential. For instance, national parks that have waterfalls can install small hydropower generators, which can reduce the cost of electricity to only Bt1.5 per unit.”

The hybrid small-scale power generator costs around Bt2.5 million per set.

KMUTT rector Sakarindr Bhumiratana said that the workshop to draft a renewable energy action plan for national parks in the southern region at Krabi is only the first step. Within the course of this year, KMUTT, the ERC, and the DNP will arrange similar workshops at national parks in every region to aid in the switch to cheaper and cleaner electricity generation.

A public hearing was held yesterday at the River Kwai Hotel in the western border province to hear the views of local residents. The event was presided over by Kanchanaburi Governor Jirakiat Poomsawat.

Almost 52 per cent of local residents backed a proposal by a national committee on the protection of cultural world heritage sites to have the railway line recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site, according to results of a survey by the province’s Cultural Office and Rajabhat Kanchanaburi University.

A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties.

The proposal, which got the backing from the Fine Arts Department, was first made in February 2014 by the national committee, which resolved to seek Unesco recognition for Death Railway and 10 other sites around Thailand, said Pisun Chansilp, Kanchanaburi’s chief cultural official.

Following yesterday’s public hearing, the relevant authorities will next prepare a report to apply for the recognition of Death Railway as a World Heritage Site, said Tharapong Srisuchart, director of the Office of Archaeology.

He added that a survey by his agency had discovered train parts and structures on the route.

The 415-kilometre Death Railway, also known as the Burma Railway, was built during World War II by Japan, with forced labour from Allied prisoners and Southeast Asian civilian labourers.

The line originally linked Thailand’s Ratchaburi and Thanbyuzayat in Burma, which today is known as Myanmar. It was closed in 1947, but the section between Nong Pla Duk in Ratchaburi and Nam Tok in Kanchanaburi was reopened 10 years later.

One of the most notable portions of the entire railway line is the world-famous Bridge on the River Kwai, which crosses Khwae Yai River and is a major tourist attraction.

“Kwai” is a corrupted spelling of the Thai transliteration “Khwae”, which means tributary.

Officers from all national parks in the southern region attended a three-day workshop in Krabi arranged by the KMUTT and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) from April 27 to 29, to learn about renewable electricity generation and to survey the power consumption of each national park.

They also went on a field trip to Koh Hong Island at Bokkharani National Park in Krabi to survey operations at one of the pioneering renewable electricity generation stations designed by a KMUTT research team.

Usa Boonbumroong, head of the KMUTT research team, stated that the workshop for officers from 54 national park offices was a preparation for the renewable energy action plan being drafted in order to facilitate cleaner and cheaper power generation at all national parks.

“This workshop is our first move to work on the plan with the DNP to change electricity generation at all rural national parks that do not have access to the Provincial Electricity Authority’s power line, from polluting basic diesel power to the cheaper and cleaner hybrid micro-grid system,” Usa said.

The KMUTT research team has developed a hybrid small-scale power generation unit, which combines solar cells for main power generation and a diesel electric generator as a backup system, he said. The system is already in operation at 15 locations across the country, he said.

He pointed out that with this renewable small-scale power generation unit, the parks can ensure a healthy environment as solar power does not cause pollution. Moreover, the cost of electricity generation is also much lower than the traditional diesel generator.

“The estimated cost of electricity from the hybrid solar-and-diesel generator is only around Bt10 per unit (1,000 watts per hour), compared to Bt20 per unit for purely solar power generation and up to Bt60 per unit for diesel power,” Usa said.

“The price can be even lower, as each area has different power generation potential. For instance, national parks that have waterfalls can install small hydropower generators, which can reduce the cost of electricity to only Bt1.5 per unit.”

The hybrid small-scale power generator costs around Bt2.5 million per set. If the system is properly maintained, the power generator’s life span could be extended for more than 10 years while it is estimated that it would take 12 years to reach break-even point, he said.

KMUTT rector Sakarindr Bhumiratana stated that the workshop to draft a renewable energy action plan for national parks in the southern region at Krabi is only the first step. Within the course of this year, KMUTT, the ERC, and the DNP will arrange similar workshops at national parks in every region to switch to cheaper and cleaner electricity generation.

Sakarindr said the workshop would allow the national parks to analyse their power consumption and the potential for renewable energy generation. KMUTT would also train the national park officers on how to operate, maintain and repair the power generation system, so that they can take proper care of the system in remote areas.

Protected Area Regional Office 5 director Supot Purdpring noted that the hybrid small-scale power generation units would be very useful for the operation of most national parks, because these parks are situated in areas too far away to access the public utility, as a result these national parks currently have to rely on polluting and expensive power generation from oil.

“The DNP is working with the KMUTT to solve this issue by launching the renewable energy road map for all national parks in the country,” Supot said.

“I hope that the migration to cleaner electricity generation would be successful in every area and could adequately answer the need for power consumption, as these also let us achieve the goal of smart national parks as per the Thailand 4.0 plan.”

The People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) announced yesterday that they wanted to meet PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha or at least the ministers of related ministries to ensure that their problems related to land be truly and quickly resolved. They said they would extend their protest at least until the end of the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

P-Move coordinator Oranuch Phonpinyo revealed that as of yesterday the group had successfully reached an agreement regarding land rights issues of local people with the Interior, Transport, Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Natural Resources and Environment ministries.

However, Oranuch stated that the talks were limited to only officers on the practitioner level, hence P-Move would like to discuss the issues with those higher up the chain of command in the government to make sure that their problems would not be forgotten once the protesters returned home.

“We would like to meet with the PM, because he is the head of the government and can swiftly make decisions to solve our problems. So we will wait for the PM and his Cabinet to return from their mobile Cabinet meeting at Buri Ram,” she said.

As of now, the P-Move protesters have stationed themselves in front of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry at Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue.

Meanwhile, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army General Chalermchai Sitthisart stated that the Army understood the difficulties of P-Move protesters and that they had come to Bangkok because they were genuinely having problems. That’s the reason the Army had not blocked their protest.

However, Chalermchai stated that as the protesters intended to prolong their demonstrations in Bangkok, their decision could allow third parties to seize the opportunity and cause public unrest.

He urged the protesters to return home as soon as possible after they had achieved their goals.

“Tell them there must be peace in society if they want an election,” Prayut said. “Whether the election will happen or not isn’t up to me. It’s up to them. And I have already said it will happen in 2019. Stop this already. I’m so tired.”

The pro-election group led by young activists, including Rangsiman Rome and Sirawith Seritiwat, has planned to protest against the prolonged rule of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and called for the holding of an election within this year.

Rangsiman said that the demonstration would take place at Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan Campus from 4pm onwards. They would not march outside the campus, he said.

Besides the election demand, the leader said the group stood firm in its stance that the NCPO be a caretaker government that run the country only up to the election and that the Army must stop supporting the junta.

As May 22nd will mark the fourth anniversary of the coup, Rangsiman said the group would also line up activities and movements for this month.

The protest today is part of a series of rallies since late January. The series is in response to the amendment of the organic law governing the MP election that could delay the election by three months.

Rangsiman also said yesterday that the recent submission of the organic law governing the Senate could further delay the poll currently scheduled for February next year, too.

Authorities, meanwhile, said they were prepared for the protest and warned the protesters not to break the law.

Deputy police chief General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said yesterday the demonstration taking place inside a university, a private estate, would not violate the political assembly law.

But whether it was an infringement of the junta ban on political assembly of five people would be decided by the Army, he said.

However, officers had been prepared for any situation that could happen, the deputy police chief said.

If the protesters marched outside the campus or violated any laws, legal consequences would follow, he said.

Those who already had a police record or an arrest warrant would be arrested if they committed any crime today, Srivara added.

Officers and plainclothes officers would be deployed, he said.

They would keep watch on any interference by a third party that could provoke violence, he said.

Unrest has prevailed in the southernmost region for more than a decade and yesterday’s attacks underlined the fact that violence continues.

Unknown saboteurs bombed power poles and burned tyres on the roads in five districts of Narathiwat, one of the southern border provinces, early yesterday.

They also flew banners criticising the government.

Police said two power poles were felled by two homemade bombs on the Tak Bai-Narathiwat road in Moo 5 village in Tambon Praiwan of Tak Bai district.

Police found a third homemade bomb, which had not yet exploded, attached to another pole and disposed of it with a water cannon.

Police said the explosions occurred at about 4am, which was at almost the same time as similar incidents in Bacho, Rusoh, Sugnai Kolok and Sungai Padi districts.

In Rusoh, saboteurs also burned tyres and communication cables in Moo 2 village in Tambo Rusoh.

In Sugnai Padi, they set a roofed bus stop on fire in Moo 3 and Moo 4 villages in Tambon Tohdeng and hung banners attacking the government. In Sungai Kolok, tyres were burned on the Monoh-Sugnai Kolok road in Moo 3 village in Tambon Pasemus.

Two cellular towers were torched by suspected ethnic Malay insurgents in the southern border province of Yala, and tyres were set alaight simultaneous in eight different locations. Banners were also hung in several locations in the province.

Tyres burned

Police said the incidents occurred at nearly the same pre-dawn time in Muang, Bannang Sata, Krong Pinang and Than To districts. No one was injured.

TrueMove H towers in the Tambon Prom villages of Moo 2 and Moo 5 in Muang district were set on fire, damaging equipment.

The same two towers had been damaged in arson attacks in 2016.

The insurgents also set fire to tyres on a road in Ban Lam Mai village in Tambon Lam Mai in Muang district.

In Bannang Sata, tyres were burned in three locations in Tambon Tanoh Puteh |and a banner was hung condemning the government of “Siam” for stealing the resources of the “State of Patani” and using development projects as a form of permanent occupation.

In Krong Pinang, tyres were piled across roads and set afire in two villages in Tambon Sa-ae.

A message painted on one road said, “The people do not want troops. Soldiers must leave the independent State of Patani.” Tyres were also torched in Thanto’s Tambon Than To in locales about one kilometre apart and a banner was erected similar to that in Bannang Sata.

In the southern border province of Pattani, similar attacks were reported with phone poles being set alight.

Authorities have not provided information on whether telecom services are affected by the attacks.

Neither have they released the estimated cost of damages.

In the southern border province of Songkhla insurgents flew three banners attacking the government at three spots.

The Life Partnership Bill has become a fierce battleground between conservatives and progressives. A study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) found that old and conservative members of Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and Council of State are unlikely to approve this bill on the grounds that same-sex marriage would offend traditional moral and religious values.

The study also found that the young and more liberal generations are more supportive of homosexuals having the right to marry recognised, but LGBTIQ groups themselves criticised the bill for not encouraging equality. If the bill were to be passed, same-sex couples would still not have all the same rights as heterosexual couples.

This vast ideological difference between the two groups was also observed at the first meeting of the subcommittee to review the Life Partnership Bill at the Justice Ministry yesterday, where an intense debate raged on the issue of same-sex marriage legalisation in Thailand.

UN Development Programme officer for LGBTIQ rights Supanee Pongruangphan said that from the study of the Life Partnership Bill, it could be concluded that it was very hard to settle the issue to suit current Thai society.

Supanee pointed out that though conservative values in Thai society were not the only problem for passing this law, the opinion of the conservative members in the country’s law-making machinery was making it hard to get approval for same-sex marriage legalisation.

“Most of the NLA and Council of State members still disagree with same-sex marriage, as they are from the old generation who mostly have conservative ideas and they may believe that this law is not for the benefit of the majority in society,” she said.

“Even though many older generations are against the idea of gay marriage, it has been found that the younger generations are more open and liberal to this idea. So I suggest that the creation of a family law for the LGBTIQ group of people should be done on the foundation that the law should benefit the majority of the society, including the LGBTIQ group.”

Chumaporn Taengkliang, the LGBTIQ rights campaigner from Togetherness for Equality and Action Group, however, stressed that the current Life Partnership Bill was not sufficient to ensure gender equality, as same-sex couples would still not get the same rights as heterosexual couples if this law were passed.

Chumaporn said that there should be an amendment to the marriage law in Civil Code by changing the words indicating sexes to gender-neutral words. That would allow all persons to marry and be subject to the same marriage law regardless of their sex.

Meanwhile, Vitit Muntarbhorn, a lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Chulalongkorn University reflected on the international and domestic trends toward legalising same-sex marriage. It is more likely that Thailand will start with registering the life partnerships of same-sex couples, rather than amend the Civil Code to fully legalise same sex marriage, he said. That is because allowing life-partnership registration would have less impact on religious issues, he said, as it will not touch on the issues of having a child.

He suggested, the law on life partnership be carefully drafted to avoid future legal issues. The Life Partnership Bill is currently in the process of being reviewed by the relevant agencies and stakeholders, while the Rights and Liberties Protection Department has said it is working to complete the passing of the law by the end of this year.

THE COUNTRY needs to learn a lesson from the recent tragic fall of four unattended children from their rented apartment in Bangkok, experts emphasised yesterday.

Associate Professor Adisak Plitapolkarnpim, who heads the Mahidol University’s National Institute for Child and Family Development, said the tragedy could have been avoided had these children received help or proper training.

On Tuesday, four Thai-Swiss siblings fell from a fourth-floor balcony to the ground outside a five-storey apartment building. The accident killed one five-year-old boy and injured three other siblings, while their mother was out working. The mother had separated from their father.

The children were between five and 11 years old.

“The oldest is just 11 and she has to care of three younger siblings. In principle, the children will be able to live alone when they reach the age of 12 if they receive training,” Adisak said.

He pointed out that children, for example, should be trained about what to do in the event of an emergency and about how to avoid possible danger.

According to their grandfather, it is very likely the youngsters were trying to collect a dish that had fallen into a net next to the balcony when a section of the balcony gave way.

“Things would have been different had they not tried to collect the dish by themselves,” Adisak said.

He said his centre had conducted a project to equip children with safety skills starting from the age of 10 years. “Children should have been taught these skills in the event they have to stay home alone,” he said.

Adisak also emphasised that had teachers and neighbours alerted authorities about the children being unattended, they would have received help and the tragedy could have been prevented.

“Teachers should go visiting their students at home to see how they are doing. If they are alone at such a young age, give them help,” he said.

This expert also pointed out that relevant authorities must provide clear information to parents on how they could seek help when having to leave their children unattended.

“If you find children unattended at night, call 1300,” Adisak said.

He said parents were by law required to ensure a safe and sound environment for their children, in the event they had to leave their children unattended.

“Failure to do so is punishable by a jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of Bt30,000,” he said.

He added that parents who brought their young children to a nursery must not be complacent either.

“Check if your children have sustained any wound when they come back home. Call 1300 if you find a serious or suspicious wound,” he said.

Weerachai said the use of so many officers in the search was required as reflected in the 30 truckloads of evidence seized.

The officers also warned people not to obstruct their search as such an action would be punishable by up to two years in prison and up to a Bt40,000 fine.

Police on Thursday searched 107 shops – 90 of which were allegedly found selling illegal products – and six shops on Wednesday.

At one of the targeted locations on Friday, officers found a large amount of creams, cosmetics and soaps that were awaiting packaging, as well as cosmetics-making substrates and raw ingredients in a four-storey building near the market.

The place was rented by the owner of an unregistered company that has in the past two years taken orders to package 1,000 products from other companies for distribution nationwide, Weerachai said. Although the company owner denied making products for anyone, police found ingredients and tools there convincing them otherwise, he said.

The officers also seized a printer, some product labels and a book recording customers’ names and contact information. They found a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration number on facial gel labels that did not actually exist in the FDA system, Weerachai said. The labels also failed to indicate a manufacturing factory address and made an exaggerated claim of whitening skin within five days of use, he added. The products were seized for testing of prohibited substances by the Medical Science Department. Weerachai vowed police would continue the crackdown on illegal product makers and distributors at that market and in other locations.

He said police are investigating whether the Talad Mai Don Muang owner should face a charge in relation to the presence of controversial products. FDA deputy chief Prapon Angtrakul said FDA officials would randomly check products and, if any had label |information that didn’t match the information registered with the FDA, that product would |be removed from the FDA system and become illegal.