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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024287

Air quality plummets in Bangkok, will worsen on Friday, Saturday

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023

The quality of air in 59 areas around Greater Bangkok fell to unsafe levels on Tuesday morning, reports from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) show.

PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) were in the range of 41-81 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3). Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 is 50μg/m3 or lower, while the World Health Organisation puts it at 12μg/m3 or lower.

Exposure to fine dust particles can be dangerous for people with chronic respiratory problems and can cause eye, nose, throat and lung irritation as well as shortness of breath among others.

As of 7am, the top 10 most polluted districts in Bangkok were:

• Nong Khaem: 81μg/m3

• Khlong Sam Wa: 76μg/m3

• Prawet: 70μg/m3

• Lat Krabang: 70μg/m3

• Bang Khen: 69μg/m3

• Bueng Kum: 69μg/m3

• Don Muang: 68μg/m3

• Lak Si: 66μg/m3

• Minburi: 66μg/m3

• Bang Sue: 66μg/m3

The BMA has also warned people in Greater Bangkok to be prepared for air pollution readings to surge on Friday and Saturday.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Monday that the air quality is bad because this is the cool season and there is little air circulation.

Hence, he said, people should wear a facemask, avoid outdoor exercise between 4 and 5am and check the air quality before stepping outdoors.

“The BMA is doing its best to eliminate the cause of air pollution, like reducing smoke from cars and factories,” he said.

He added that the BMA will also call on nearby provinces to take proactive steps in tackling air pollution.

The state of PM2.5 pollution can be monitored via bangkokairquality.com, the Bangkok Environment Department, Air Quality and Noise Management Division, the BMA Facebook page or the AirBKK smartphone application.

Related stories:

Bangkok beware! Heavy PM2.5 pollution expected next week

Air pollution has risen to unsafe levels in Bangkok, officials warn

PM2.5 pollution crosses safe levels in 19 Bangkok districts today

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024284

20 relatives of men who died in HTMS Sukhothai sinking to join Navy

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2023

Twenty family members of sailors who died after the HTMS Sukhothai sank in December have applied to join the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).

Seven heirs and 13 relatives have expressed an interest in joining the service, said RTN assistant commander-in-chief Admiral Suwin Chaengyodsuk on Monday.

Under Defence Ministry rules, families of those killed in the line of duty are given the right to join the armed services. Three families bereaved by the Sukhothai’s sinking waived their right. However, the positions will still be available should they change their mind in the future, Suwin said.

One of the bereaved families nominated a proxy after no heir or relative expressed an interest in joining up. The proxy can join the Navy after a court approves, Suwin added.

The corvette-class Sukhothai sank some 20 nautical miles (32 kilometres) off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district on December 18 in stormy weather with 105 crew onboard.

Seventy-six crewmen were rescued and brought safely to shore.

Twenty-four sailors from the ship were found dead while five remain missing.

The Navy said it is continuing to search the coastline of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon provinces for traces of the missing crewmen. However, no bodies have been found since December 29.

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Navy divers searching wreck of HTMS Sukhothai; 11 still missing

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5 crew members of doomed HTMS Sukhothai still missing

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024277

Belgian man collects trash to support boyfriend’s family in Singburi

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

A 61-year-old Belgian man, who goes by the name Willie, has been earning a living in Singburi by collecting empty bottles.

Willie lives with his 32-year-old boyfriend Cherdsak (surname withheld) and the boyfriend’s parents in Khai Bang Rachan district.

Apart from collecting bottles, the family also earns a living from gathering raintree leaves to be sold to fertiliser factories for 35 baht per bag.

Cherdsak said he met Willie three years ago in Pattaya, adding that the Belgian man left his country after being fed up with life as a family man.

He had been forced to marry a woman in his younger years and their son is now managing the family tour agency.

“Willie never returned to Belgium after leaving it six years ago,” Cherdsak said.

Meanwhile, Cherdchai’s father Ping said Willie is a good son-in-law as he works hard and helps with household chores. He added that Willie earns about 1,000 baht a month from collecting bottles, and this covers the family’s power and water bills.

“My son asked Willie to stop collecting bottles, but he does not listen,” Ping said.

Related stories:

Tax waiver for foreign actors in Thailand gets final stamp of approval

Hunt on for foreigner found catching parrotfish off Krabi

Netizens demand action against foreigner seen catching parrotfish

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024274

Thai immigration police arrest Chinese man wanted by Interpol for fraud

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

In response to a red warrant from Interpol, Thai immigration police have arrested a Chinese man over fraud charges, the Immigration Bureau announced on Monday.

Pol Maj-General Phanthana Nutchanart, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said the suspect was identified as Liu and arrested in Maha Sarakham’s Wapi Pathum district on Sunday morning.

He said the Immigration Bureau had been informed by the Chinese Embassy that Liu, 54, is wanted on an arrest warrant in China in addition to the Interpol warrant for public fraud. He said the bureau launched a manhunt upon learning that Liu was hiding out in Maha Sarakham.

Liu is accused by the Chinese government of lending money at exorbitant interest rates and causing damages worth more than 110 million baht to fellow Chinese citizens.

Phanthana said police learned that Liu is also linked to a triad in Thailand that lends money at unusually high interest to other Chinese people.

He said the Immigration Bureau is processing charges against Liu, so he can be extradited.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024273

Has your phone been hacked? Here’s how you can check

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

The Police Cyber Taskforce has released advice on how Android smartphone users can check to see if their phone is being controlled by hackers remotely.

The advice was issued on Monday in response to reports that many smartphone users had fallen prey to hackers.

This usually happens when a user unwittingly downloads an application that installs malware in their phone.

“These steps will protect people’s information and block hackers from breaking into their banking apps,” deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said.

Rachada Dhnadirek

Android users should take the following steps:

• Go to “Settings”, choose “Apps” and then tap the option menu (three dots in the top right hand corner) and press “Special Access”.

• If “Special Access” is not available and the system takes you back to the main screen, it means malware was installed in your phone.

• If this is the case, users are advised to cut internet access, backup all their important data and reset their smartphone.

Even though the iPhone’s iOS has strong protection against malware, the Central Investigation Bureau had earlier advised users to do the following:

• Go to “Settings”, choose “Battery” and check if any application is draining a lot of battery.

• Check if any unknown applications have been installed on your phone and delete them immediately.

• iPhone users are also advised to switch on “Fraudulent Website Warning” on the Safari app and remove calendar spam regularly.

Related stories:

Police warn people against falling for ‘Deepfake’ scams

Online criminals seeking donations on false pretences, police warn

Crackdown on foreign criminals in full swing

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024270

Free condoms for welfare card holders from Feb 1

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

Holders of the state welfare card can get 10 free condoms per week at health clinics and hospitals under the National Health Security Office (NHSO) from February 1, after they register via the Pao Tang application.

Those who do not have a smart phone can use their ID card to register at the state health facilities.

The move aims to reduce unplanned pregnancies and prevent sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, Aids, and cervical cancer caused by the HPV virus, NHSO secretary-general Dr Jadet Thammathat-Aree said on Monday.

He said the office has prepared 94.56 million condoms and lubricant gels to give out for free this year.

The NHSO provides four sizes of condom — 49, 52, 54 and 56mm.

The NHSO is also planning to introduce its free condom-dispensing machines in Pattaya City as a pilot project on February 14, which is marked as Valentine’s Day. The machines aim to help people who are too shy to go to health clinics or drug stores for condoms. To get free condoms from the dispensers, people must register via the Pao Tang application.

Related Stories

All Thais can still get free Covid treatment despite move to endemic

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024267

Pig saved from slaughter by a fall… and 5,000 baht

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

A Nakhon Nayok resident dug deep in her pocket to buy the life of a pig that fell off a truck heading to the abattoir.

The animal reportedly fell off the truck near Silathong Intersection in Muang district on Monday morning and retreated to a shopping mall’s parking lot nearby to rest.

Natthaporn (last name withheld), 46, was the first to spot the animal and gave it some water. She then told the police officers who were looking for the driver that she wanted to buy the pig from the owner.

Moments later Pranee (surname withheld), 39, showed up claiming she had bought the pig for 13,000 baht from a farm in Ban Na district and was planning to have it slaughtered for meat. However, she said, upon learning that the pig had fallen off the truck, she decided she would let it live if it was ever found.

Natthaporn then paid Pranee 5,000 baht for the pig, saying that’s all she had on her. She said she would have the pig handed over to monks at Wat Wang Naka Baramee Tham in Prachinburi, where she often goes to pay merit. She added that the monks would be happy to take care of the rescued animal, before naming it “Baramee” or virtue/merit after the temple.

Pranee, meanwhile, said she was satisfied with the transaction and offered to transport the pig to the temple free of charge.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024265

Pink Line electric monorail ready, to be opened to the pubic this year

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

Construction of the Pink Line monorail electric railway is almost fully completed, a government spokeswoman said on Monday.

Deputy government spokeswoman Thipanan Sirichana said the 34.5-kilometre-long Khaerai-Minburi elevated straddle monorail railway will definitely be opened to the public this year but she did not give an exact timeframe.

Last month, Transport Minister Saksayam Chindchob said the Pink Line project will provide public service in August with 42 trains.

Thipanan said the Pink Line will link residents of greater Bangkok in Nonthaburi province in the Northwest of Bangkok to the eastern side of Bangkok, to Ram-Indra area and Minburi district.

The Pink Line has 30 stations and it will have six interconnection points with six other electric railways and one connection with a short railway link — the Impact Link.

The six other railways connected to the Pink Line are:

– Purple Line from Bang Sue to Bang Yai: Interconnected at Nonthaburi Government Complex 2

– Brown Line: Interconnected at Nonthaburi Government Complex 1

– Red Line (Bang Sue-Rangsit): Interconnected at Lak Si station

– Green Line: Interconnected at Wat Phra Si Mahathat station

– Grey Line: Interconnected at Vacharapol station

– Orange Line: Interconnected at Minburi destination

The spokeswoman said once the Pink Line was completed, commuters in greater Bangkok would have an alternative way of transportation that would help them save cost and reduce air pollution from driving.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024263

PM2.5 alert: Dangerous air pollutant exceeds safe level in half of Bangkok

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

Levels of PM2.5 air pollution exceeded the safe limit in half of Bangkok’s 50 districts on Monday morning.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported that PM2.5 had risen above the safe limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) of air in 29 spots covering 25 districts of the capital.

PM2.5 is fine dust that penetrates deep into the lungs and can pass to other organs. It is associated with premature death from lung and heart conditions, especially in vulnerable people such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

The BMA’s Bangkok Air Quality website showed PM2.5 readings had breached the safe limit at the following 29 monitoring stations between 5am and 7am on Monday:

– Nong Khaem district (Ma Charoen Road Intersection): 68µg/m3

– Nong Chok district office: 67

– Lat Krabang (Lat Krabang Hospital): 65

– Min Buri (Rama IX Commemoration Park): 64

– Klong Sam Wa district office: 64

– Pathum Wan (in front of Samyan Mitrtown mall): 58

– Prawet (in front of Seacon Square mall): 58

– Lat Krabang (Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Park): 58

– Bang Khen district office: 57

– Khan Na Yao (Siam Park entrance): 57

– Bueng Kum district office: 57

– Bang Sue district office: 56

– Thawee Watthana (Thonburi Market, Sanam Luang 2): 56

– Taling Chan district (Buddhamonthon 1-Borom Rajchonnee Road): 55

– Bang Phlat district office: 55

– Bang Bon district (Suk Sawad Market): 55

– Nong Chok district office: 55

– Wang Thong Lang (Soi Lat Phrao) 95: 55

– Phasi Charoen (in front of Siam University): 54

– Sai Mai district office: 54

– Don Muang district office: 54

– Pom Prab (Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council): 54

– Thawee Watthana (Thawi Wanarom Park): 54

– Thon Buri (Mahaisawan Intersection): 54

– Bangkok Yai (Tha Phra Intersection): 53

– Bang Na (in front of Central Bang Na mall): 53

– Bueng Kum (Seri Thai Park): 52

– Yan Nawa (near Bank of Ayudhya headquarters): 51