As of 7am on Saturday (January 25), the average particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) in the air was around 16 to 46 micrograms per cubic metre, which is below the department’s safety standard of 50µg/m3. However, it is still over the safety standard of the World Health Organization of 25 µg/m3 in a 24-hour mean.

Charts from the PCD show that air quality in Bangkok is mostly in “blue” (excellent) and “green” (good) levels, while certain districts such as Wangthonglang and Bang Kho Laem were “yellow”, which means the air quality is at a moderate level. The department said that all outdoor activities are safe for all groups.

People can monitor the PM2.5 situation through Air4Thai.com, ‘Air4Thai’ mobile application, and bangkokairquality.com.

Nok Airlines Pcl (Nok) notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) that the company’s board of directors on January 23 had approved the proposal of its affiliate NokScoot Airlines Co.

According to the contract, the company agreed to pay back the loan within 12 months, or before December 11, at an interest of 6.30 per cent per annum, which is lower than the average 6.9263 per cent per annum (as of January 22, 2020) interest rate of commercial banks for first class customers.

Hathairat currently holds 757.63 million shares in Nok Airlines, or 24.37 per cent, and had granted loans to the company totalling Bt3 billion during 2018-19 in the form of promissory notes for 180 days at an interest of 7.715 per cent per annum. Nok has paid Bt215.25 million per year in interest alone.

Last week the company’s extraordinary meeting of shareholders decided to issue 888,147,358 ordinary shares at a face value of Bt1 per share to existing shareholders on rights basis at the ratio of one new ordinary share for 3.5 existing ordinary shares. The offer price is Bt2.50 per share, with combined value not exceeding Bt2.22 billion. The shares are expected to be offered from February 3-7.

The company’s decision to increase its capital is due to Nok’s substantially weaker financial status in the past few years. In the first nine months of 2019, the company had accumulated a loss of Bt9.55 billion and shareholders’ equity was negative Bt2.7 billion.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa was on hand for the initial “rehearsal” in Ban Chalo in Mae Fah Luang district and presented participants with the gear they needed.

“Forest fires and smog in the North occur every year during the dry season because farmers clear-burn crop fields to prepare the next planting,” Varawut said.

“The government has since 2015 placed a high priority on preventing these problems by cooperating with the relevant authorities on action plans that bring in all sectors to try and solve the problems at their origin.”

“The next measure is to promote gasohol E20, which is 20 per cent ethanol, as the most commonly used benzene fuel in the country,” he said.

“The aim is to increase the price of energy crops such as cassava and sugarcane, which are the raw materials for making ethanol. We also want to reduce the number of benzene fuels sold at petrol stations by removing gasohol 91 altogether.”

Cassava used to produce ethanol accounts for 27 per cent of total production, Sonthirat noted.

“If we can promote the use of cassava to produce ethanol, it will increase the value of agricultural products and improve the farmers’ quality of life.”

Tisco Research had predicted a slide in the SET index due to falling oil prices, outbreak of the coronavirus affecting tourism, and further delay to the annual budget for fiscal year 2020.

Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei Index closed at 23,827.18, up 31.74 points, or 0.13 per cent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 27,949.64, up 40.52 points, or 0.15 per cent.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange was closed ahead of the Chinese New Year on Saturday (January 25).

The car was put on auction on January 15, after which the new owner took it to a shop for a new coat of paint on the bumpers.

The stash, hidden in 11 wrapped boxes, was found by a worker who then notified the new owner and the police.

The previous owner of the car was arrested on April 10, 2019 for possessing 100,000 methamphetamine pills while some of his properties and the vehicle were confiscated.

Police have taken temporary possession of the vehicle.

Deputy Health Minister Satit Pitutacha announced on Friday afternoon (January 24) that the 33-year-old woman, who arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday with her seven-year-old daughter, had tested positive for the recently identified virus designated 2019-nCoV.

She’d sought treatment for mild fever, a runny nose and muscle ache.

She is being treated and closely monitored at Rajavithi Hospital.

The daughter appears to be well.

But they were worn more out of concern over the dense clouds of incense smoke than the still-hazardous PM2.5 air pollution.

The Chinese New Year Festival continues through Monday.

The Chao Por Pak Khlong Shrine near the Pak Khlong Market Flower Market was busy and billowing with smoke.

Administrators at Mangkon Kamalawat Temple, also known as Wat Leng Noei Yi, have this year banned a festival staple – the burning of silver and gold paper – in deference to efforts to reduce PM2.5 pollution.

Silpakorn University researchers were in the Yaowarat area, Bangkok’s Chinatown, checking both PM2.5 and noise levels.

They were happy to demonstrate the gadget they used for reporters and curious passers-by, explaining that the survey was a part of the university’s “Development of Artistic and Cultural Capital in Yaowarat” project.