Over half a million krathongs float down Bangkok’s waterways for festival
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
As many as 572,602 krathongs were floated on Bangkok’s myriad canals for Loy Krathong this year, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported on Wednesday.
“Citing data by the Environment Department, the number of krathongs floated on Bangkok canals this year increased by 42 per cent compared to 403,205 last year,” said BMA spokesperson Aekwaranyoo Amrapal.
He explained that almost all – 548,086 krathongs – this year were made of natural materials, while 24,516 were made of foam.
“However, the number of krathongs made from natural materials saw a slight drop – 95.7% – compared to 96.5% last year, while those made of foam rose 4.3% when compared to 3.5% last year,” he said.
Most Bangkokians floated their krathongs in Khlong Toei district – 27,776 – while Pom Prap Sattru Phai district saw the least – 122.
“As many as 1,140 krathongs made of foam were found in Prawet district,” he said.
Seven Bangkok districts – Lak Si, Din Daeng, Bang Rak, Sathorn, Chomthong, Bangkok Yai and Thawi Watthana – saw krathongs made only of natural materials.
This year’s Loy Krathong Festival fell on Tuesday (November 8). Dubbed Thailand’s festival of lights, the festival is marked by people releasing small, decorated floats called krathong to honour the water goddess on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month.
Thailand’s carbon dioxide emissions soar 67 per cent
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
Jarupong Krisanaraj
Thailand emitted 131.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from January to June this year, up 67 per cent year on year, Energy Ministry permanent secretary Kulit Sombatsiri said on Tuesday.
He made the remark during the “EGCO Group Forum 2022: Carbon Neutrality Pathway” at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.
Kulit said the rise in emissions was due to an increase in energy consumption as the economy recovers.
Of the total emissions, 42.8 million tonnes came from electricity generation, followed by 42.6 million by the industrial sector, 39.2 million from transportation and others, such as 7.2 million from household, agriculture and commerce, he explained.
Thailand’s reliance on fossil fuels has also posed a challenge in achieving the carbon neutrality target, Kulit said, adding that the proportion of internal combustion engine vehicles in the country is still much higher than electric vehicles.
“To achieve the carbon neutrality target, Thailand must increase the use of renewable energy,” he advised.
Kulit said the ministry’s Energy Policy and Planning Office is working on a National Energy Plan (NEP), which is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year.
The plan aims to help Thailand reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, boost entrepreneurs’ competitiveness and economic value, and reduce greenhouse gases in the long run.
“The NEP covers four policies: increasing renewable electricity production capacity by at least 50%, transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric ones, increasing energy efficiency by more than 30% and restructuring the energy business to support energy transition under 4D1E guidelines,” he explained.
4D1E stands for digitalisation, decarbonisation, decentralisation, de-regulation and electrification.
Kulit said the Energy Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation are working on applying the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage system for petroleum exploration and production in the Gulf of Thailand.
He added that Thailand is also working on using clean hydrogen fuel to cope with limitations in solar and wind energy.
“The National Energy Policy Committee recently approved a utility green tariff to collect fees on electricity produced from renewable energy, such as solar, wind, water, or biomass,” he said.
The demand for clean electricity is increasing despite the rising renewable energy price as many consumers are paying attention to climate change, Kulit said.
“All these efforts aim to help Thailand move toward the path of carbon neutrality,” he said.
Kulit expects the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt from November 6-18 to seek ways to help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as providing financial support, developing personnel and exchanging technology.
He said the Environment Ministry will participate in COP27.
Earlier, Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said he would propose updated strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 during COP27, which is currently under review.
During COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Thailand pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 and reach net-zero carbon emissions in 2065.
People enthusiastically flocked to canals on Tuesday night to celebrate Loy Krathong – the first time in three long years after the Covid-19 crisis.
Accompany The Nation as it steps out to take in the vibrant, colourful atmosphere as Thais and foreigners across the country, especially in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, float thousands of krathongs as a form of respect to the water goddess.
Ayutthaya’s Arts of the Kingdom Museum set to welcome Apec leaders’ spouses
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
The Arts of the Kingdom Museum in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-In district will welcome the spouses of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders on Friday next week (November 18).
The museum is a part of the Royal Project which showcases Thailand’s potential and achievements in sustainable development in line with sufficiency economy principles.
It exhibits art collections created by craftspeople from Queen Sirikit Institute, such as “Sivikakarn” or covered palanquin, “Suphannabhetra” or golden sampan and models of Royal Barges.
The second floor of the museum features an embroidered screen on the theme of Inao and models of thrones, such as Busabok Mala and the Triple-Spired Busabok Throne.
An audio guide system, lecture screen and touch screen displaying artwork information are also available at the facility.
The museum is open from 9.45am to 3.30pm daily, except on Monday and Tuesday. For more information, visit www.artsofthekingdom.com, or contact 0 3535 2995, 0 3535 5995 or 0 2283 9557.
Delectable fine-dining experience with local delicacies await Apec leaders
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
The gala dinner for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders attending a key summit next week will be organised under the theme “Sustainable Thai Gastronomy”, famed chef Chumpol Jangprai said on Tuesday.
Chumpol told Komchadluek he was honoured to be chosen as “Sustainable Food Ambassador” for the gala dinner at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall on November 17.
He explained that “Sustainable Thai Gastronomy” literally means sustainability among farmers, producers, consumers, countries and the globe.
“This concept will prove Thailand is ready to become the kitchen of the world no matter what the global crisis is,” he said.
Salad
Chumpol said all ingredients from Thailand will be cooked to meet the Apec concept of “Open. Connect. Balance”.
“Open” enables Apec leaders to experience the taste of Thai food in all aspects, such as sour, sweet, oily, salty, spicy, bitter or even bland.
“Connect” chooses ingredients from production sources across Thailand and proves the abundance of food in the kingdom.
“Balance” maintains a balance between nature and sustainable development to improve the quality of life in line with sufficiency economy principles.
The gala dinner consists of four courses – appetisers and starters, salad, the main course and dessert, Chumpol said.
Main course
Pork will not be included in all menus, but all dishes will feature various portions of meat, vegetables and herbs, such as caviar from Doi Inthanon Royal Project, organic vegetables from Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khiao district, chicken from Yala’s Betong district, painted spiny lobster and hybrid tiger grouper from Phuket, and Pone Yang Kham beef from Sakhon Nakhon, he explained.
Caviar from Doi Inthanon Royal Project
“Plant-based dishes using young jackfruit and various kinds of mushrooms are also available for Apec leaders who do not like meat,” he said.
Thai fruits
Jaggery and raw cane sugar will be used to make desserts in a bid to meet the concept of the Bio-Circular-Green economy model, Chumpol added.
Dessert
He revealed the snacks will be made up of foods from Thailand’s four regions:
North: Khao Soi Mee Krob (Thai curry crispy noodles)
Northeast: grilled Korat Wagyu beef with spicy tamarind sauce or grilled catfish with sweet fish sauce
Central: Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup) in croquette form
South: grilled Betong chicken.
Snacks
“The fine-dining snacks will enable Apec leaders to experience the taste of Thai food in all aspects,” he said.
Meanwhile, dinner tables at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall will be arranged in a crescent shape with seats sorted alphabetically, except for host country Thailand, which will be located in the middle, he added.
University prof wants NBTC adviser to be investigated over True-Dtac merger
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
A Suan Dusit University professor called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate an adviser to the NBTC commissioner over the True-Dtac merger.
Rungrawee Klaisuwan asked the NACC in a letter on Tuesday to investigate Prawit Leesatapornwongsa after he allegedly came out with “14 remedial measures for consumers” while they were being considered by NBTC’s board and before they were given authorisation to be revealed to the public.
Rungrawee said that revealing this secret information caused damage and effected NBTC neutrality while it performed its duty in considering the planned merger, while people were confused when they saw the news.
Therefore, she asked the NACC to investigate if Prawit’s action was a wrongful exercise as his job was an adviser to the NBTC commissioner, so he had a role in listening to opinions on the merger. He also had a special privilege and was able to access information at the NBTC, she said.
Rungrawee said she saw the news on online media with the headline “14 remedial measures for the consumer if NBTC gives a green light to the True-Dtac merger” while it was being considered.
She claimed Prawit is close to Saree Ongsomwang, secretary-general of the Thailand Consumers Council, which was of similar opinion in objecting to the merger. So she suspected the information of 14 remedial measures, which was supposed to be an official secret at the time, was passed on and published in the media without authorisation.
Rungrawee said the NBTC official’s behaviour was “suspicious”. She claimed he had given an interview several times to persuade people to object to the merger.
She added that his action reflected a lack of neutrality and might be wrongful.
Drones banned around Victory Monument from November 13 to 21
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
Drones are banned in the 19-kilometre radius around Victory Monument in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district from November 13 to 21, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced on Tuesday.
The measure aims to enhance security during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit and related meetings, which will commence on November 14 at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre and last until November 19.
CAAT’s announcement said the area called VT R1 Bangkok City, or 10 nautical miles (approximately 19km) radius of Victory Monument, from the ground up to a height of 3,000 feet will be a no-fly zone for unmanned, remote-controlled aircraft during the period.
Violators face up to a 40,000-baht fine or 1-year imprisonment, or both, under Section 78 (1) of the Air Navigation Act. Also, military officers will have the power to destroy any violating aircraft from the ground, in accordance with Section 10 (3) of the Act on Treatment against Aircraft Committing Wrongful Acts.
15 slightly hurt in Nakhon Phanom ‘shockwave’ after Loy Krathong fireworks explode
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
Fifteen people were injured when Loy Krathong fireworks exploded in Nakhon Phanom during a festive event on Tuesday evening.
The explosion reportedly occurred behind a stage prepared for the Nopphamat Beauty Queen contest shortly after deputy governor Chawanin Wongsathitjirakal opened the annual Nakhon Phanom Loy Krathong Festival at 6pm.
The festival this year was held at Phanom Nakha Plaza by the Mekong River in Muang district.
Witnesses said the explosion at the fireworks preparation area created a “shockwave” that “pushed staffers back about five metres”, while several people nearby were injured by fireworks shrapnel and small fires.
All 15 were rushed to Nakhon Phanom Hospital. A news source said most suffered only small injuries and can return home after treatment. There were no reports of any critical injuries.
Muang Nakhon Phanom mayor Niwat Jiawiriyaboonya said he was not sure who brought the fireworks to the event, which had been planned as a fireworks-free festival.
“The province is deeply sorry for the incident and will take care of all medical expenses and any other compensation for the injured,” he said.
Fireworks are traditionally part of the Loy Krathong Festival to show respect to Phra Mae Khongkha, the goddess of water. They are, however, banned in airport areas, or “air safety zones”, along with lanterns, balloons, laser lights, drones and other items that might damage aircraft or pose a problem to pilots.
Duped Thai masseuses in Nigeria to return at the month-end
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022
Ten of twelve masseuses conned into working in Nigeria will return at the month-end and beginning of December, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said while reporting on the mission to rescue the women.
Ambassador to the United States and ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said the Department of Employment had alerted the Department of Consular Affairs of the situation on November 2 after the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation received an appeal from relatives of eight of the 12 women who were in a “distressed” condition in Nigeria.
The foundation had set up a video interview with the victims and learned they had responded to job offers advertised on Facebook to work as masseuses in Nigeria for a monthly salary of 50,000 baht.
During the first few months, they were paid US$700 (25,870 baht) per month, after which the employers demanded $1,000 for visa extension fees and even deducted part of their wages for return tickets to Thailand, according to the foundation.
Tanee said the Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, is taking care of the 12 victims and has found no signs of abuse or detention against their will. The embassy also said the employer has contacted it and provided all information regarding the victims’ jobs to show “good faith”. The company said it would not oppose any move if the women wanted to return to Thailand.
The embassy is processing the women’s documentation to send them back to Thailand safely, Tanee added.
Five of the victims have their passports and plane tickets ready, while four have only tickets but no passports, so the embassy will issue new ones. One woman has her passport but no plane ticket.
Another, who has her passport, had reportedly applied for another job. However, one woman wished to continue working with the same employer in Nigeria.
Tanee said those who have their documents and plane tickets ready will depart for Thailand on November 26 and December 1.
Hong Kong promises full backing for Thailand’s Apec ambitions
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Hong Kong will fully support Thailand and contribute to the region’s economic recovery, a trade representative said ahead of the 2022 Apec Summit to be hosted next week in Bangkok.
Lee Sheung-yuen, director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, also applauded the “Open. Connect. Balance” theme of this year’s Apec Summit.
He said that with this motto, Thailand provides a critical set of values for guiding the Asia-Pacific community towards a balanced, inclusive and long-term post-pandemic recovery.
He also complimented Thailand for its efforts to steer Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) nations towards a sustainable recovery through its overarching bio-circular-green (BCG) economy concept and reviving discussions on a free-trade zone.
“Hong Kong will continue to work closely and constructively with Thailand to deliver tangible outcomes under the theme of ‘Open. Connect. Balance’ for Apec 2022,” Lee said.
He also emphasised the significance of Apec, stating that the group has implemented several business facilitation initiatives over the years, such as simplifying customs procedures and enhancing business mobility through the Apec Business Travel Card to improve the region’s business environment.
Trade between Hong Kong and other Apec economies accounts for roughly 80% of the island city’s total external trade. Hence, Hong Kong is seen as a key platform for cooperation between Apec countries on a variety of issues as well as serving as a global hub for trade and finance.
Salad
Main course
Caviar from Doi Inthanon Royal Project
Thai fruits
Dessert
Snacks
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