Inundation in Nonthaburi does not stop pious Buddhist man from donning saffron
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
Heavy flooding failed to deter a devout Buddhist in Nonthaburi province, who waded through 60 centimetres of water just to be ordained as a monk on Friday.
Thossaphol Thongjaras, 28, with his father Amnat, 58, and mother Nuchara, 55, lead a group of relatives through the inundated Wat Noi Nok temple in Muang district’s Bang Kraso area at 7am on Friday to complete his ordination.
Though the temple’s assembly hall or ubosot was dry because it is on higher ground, the rest of Wat Noi Nok has been under water since Thursday.
Attendees were seen wading through the floods, some in knee-high boots and others pushing boats carrying elderly relatives, monks and offerings.
The novice monk’s parents said their son had voiced his intention to ordain at this temple about a month ago when the floods had not yet reached Nonthaburi. However, the heavy flooding on Friday did not stop the family from going ahead with the ceremony.
Since Thursday, riverside communities in Nonthaburi were flooded by runoffs from the North, rising sea tides and an overflowing Chao Phraya. Parts of Rama V, Phibul Songkhram and Nakhon-In roads in Nonthaburi’s Muang district were under 50cm to 70cm of water. In addition to this, Lopburi’s Pasak Jolasid Dam upstream has increased its discharge, while rising sea tides are expected to push the water level at Nonthaburi Pier as high as 2.88 metres.
Motorists reminded of new rule regarding use of phone while driving
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
A government spokesperson on Friday warned motorists about the ban on the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving.
Deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana said a new police directive in force from October 7 stated that motorists can use their mobile phones while behind the wheel only if they don’t hold the devices in their hands.
The Royal Thai Police decree, which is a new amendment to the Land Traffic Act, clarifies that car drivers can use a wireless phone or a Bluetooth device that allows them to speak without having to hold it. They are also allowed to attach their phones to the dashboard or windscreen in a manner that does not block their view of traffic.
Violators face a penalty of 400 to 1,000 baht.
Tipanan said on Friday that the government had concerns about drivers who use their phones behind the wheel, as there were many fatal and destructive accidents. She added that multiple actions have been taken to tackle the issue.
“We ask for cooperation from motorists to comply with the law and help reduce road accidents, for your own safety and that of others,” the spokesperson said.
Prayut orders new strategy to deal with online investment fraud, scams
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
Websites and social media accounts found involved in investment fraud will get their access blocked as part of pre-emptive measures ordered by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said on Friday that the PM has instructed relevant state agencies to tackle the problem of investment scams operating on social media, illegal fund-raising efforts and fraudulent investment schemes that are not permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“The prime minister has ordered pre-emptive steps in which sites found involved will get access to their accounts and websites blocked to lessen the impact on the public,” Rachada said.
She added that the SEC and the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry have created a joint working group to tackle online investment scams.
Rachada also advised prospective investors to first verify SEC-authorised brokers and securities businesses on the SEC Check First mobile application.
“Carefully study the investment services or products offered. You may run into unauthorised or illegal service providers, who may scam or embezzle your funds,” Rachada warned.
She also said people with information on investment scams or fraudulent schemes should contact the SEC, DES or police. Complaints can be made through the 1212 hotline of the DES Electronic Transactions Development Agency, Facebook page DESMonitor, the SEC hotline 1207 or Live Chat on the SEC website or via Thaipoliceonline.com.
Five universities win Green Youth gold awards for making a difference with environment projects
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
THE NATION
Five out of nearly 60 universities nationwide were recently awarded the prestigious Green Youth Award at Gold Level by the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The department has been organising the Green Youth project annually since 2021 to reward university students and personnel who take part in outstanding environmental promotion campaigns under the university’s nature conservation or other eco-related clubs.
Environmental campaigns under Green Youth project must encourage positive environmental changes within the university through the participation of either students or university employees. The project’s scope should also be able to expand to surrounding communities and societies and promote the overall environmental policies of higher education institutes.
This year, 59 universities in Thailand passed the criteria of the Green Youth project. Five universities received Green Youth awards at Gold Level; 15 institutes received Silver Level awards, and 24 received Bronze Level awards. The other 15 universities have been granted a membership of the department’s Green Youth network.
The five winners of Gold Level Green Youth awards 2022 were chosen for the following environmental projects:
● Suan Dusit University, Bangkok, won the gold award for making flower pots from organic wastes. The flower pots passed the standard of structural integrity while their material also serve as fertiliser for potted plants. The project helps in adding value to organic wastes collected from the university and surrounding communities while promoting the planting of trees and other decorative plants in the university area.
● Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Bangkok, won the gold award for its “Recycle Bank” project. The project educates on correct practices for waste recycling and promotes participation of university students, personnel and surrounding communities, who can also benefit from additional income from selling recyclable waste.
● Uttaradit Rajabhat University won the gold award for their project that turns plastic and foam waste into pavement blocks and flower pots for walkways in the university.
● Roi Et Rajabhat University won the gold award for their project that expands green space in the university by promoting agricultural techniques, such as grafting and sowing of economic plants to replace trees that had been cut down to make way for construction projects in the campus.
● Ubon Ratchathani University won the gold award for the campaign to reduce single-use plastic in the campus by encouraging students and personnel to carry fabric bags and personal cups when buying products from the university’s shops. For every purchase that refuses single-use plastic, customers will be awarded a “Green Point” on a mobile application that can be exchanged for activity period credits and other eco-friendly gifts.
5 districts in Ang Thong province swamped as Chao Phraya breaks banks
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
The Chao Phraya River has broken its banks in Ang Thong province, affecting as many as 6,430 households in five districts.
Monks at Wat Phinitthammasan in Pa Mok district were spotted on Thursday sleeping on wooden scaffolds. They said their quarters have been flooded for over a week now, adding that a coffin even floated out of the crematorium when the floodwaters rose.
Abbot Phra Luang Ta Jaroon, 86, who has been with the temple for 26 years now, said on Thursday that he called on people to help put up makeshift structures in front of the temple for the monks to sleep on. He said he too spent his nights on one of these structures.
The abbot added that he was fine with rowing out to receive alms, and was not too bothered as everybody lent a helping hand.
Their Majesties make merit on King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Day
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
THE NATION
Their Majesties the King and Queen performed religious ceremonies at the Grand Palace to make merit on His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Day on Thursday.
The King and Queen entered Amarindra Winitchai Throne Hall at 6.33pm, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, Princess Rajasarinisiribajra and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya.
Waiting to welcome Their Majesties at the throne hall were Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Princess Debaratana Rajasuda.
Their Majesties lit candles and incense sticks in front of a Buddha image, then presented offerings and paid respects to the royal urn of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
Their Majesties then attended prayers by a group of 89 Buddhist monks, after which they offered them alms and robes.
The King and Queen then paid respects to the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella, under which the royal urns of past Kings and royal families are situated, before leaving the throne hall.
His Majesty King Bhumibol the Great passed away on October 13, 2016 at the age of 88, after reigning for 70 years and 126 days, making him Thailand’s longest-reigning monarch. October 13 was enshrined as a national holiday to commemorate his benevolence and royal initiatives.
King and Queen visit Bangkok’s new public park to unveil King Rama IX statue
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
THE NATION
Their Majesties the King and Queen presided over a royal ceremony to mark the unveiling of a statue of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great at the new Chalerm Phrakiat Park in Bangkok’s Dusit district on Thursday evening.
October 13 is also King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Day to commemorate Rama IX’s passing on October 13, 2016.
Accompanying Their Majesties were Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, Princess Rajasarinisiribajra and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya.
After pressing a button to unveil the new statue, the King made an auspicious mark and placed a pedestal tray of flowers and a floral garland at the base, before lighting candles and incense sticks and paying his respects at the statue of his father.
The King then presented offerings to Buddhist monks before Their Majesties returned by car to the Grand Palace.
The new statue in Chalerm Phrakiat Park is 7.7 metres high, depicted wearing the official military attire of the King’s Close Bodyguard and faces Chitralada Villa Royal Residence in Dusit district. The statue stands on an elevated octagonal pedestal, each side of which is inscribed with details of the late King’s royal projects.
Over 7,000 people were at the park to greet Their Majesties and witness the unveiling ceremony, most of them wearing yellow shirts. The King ordered the Royal Thai Army to establish a kitchen on Phitsanulok Road by the park to deliver freshly cooked meals and beverages to all participants.
The 270-rai park, filled with thousands of trees to serve as a green lung for the city, is expected to open to the public at the end of 2024. However, the park will open the statue area for people to pay their respects daily from 8am to 7pm until Sunday.
Water runoffs, rising sea tides inundate Bangkok’s satellite provinces
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022
Riverside areas in Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom — Bangkok’s satellite provinces — were flooded on Thursday by water runoffs from the North and rising sea tides.
An overflowing Chao Phraya River inundated sections of Rama V, Phibul Songkhram and Nakhon-In roads in Nonthaburi’s Muang district, with floodwaters 50-70 centimetres high. Small vehicles were advised to avoid the areas.
Traffic congestion formed before noon on Thursday as vehicles were forced to move slowly on the flooded roads.
Nonthaburi police decided to close the Rama V intersection to traffic due to heavy flooding.
Large volumes of water have been released from the Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri province upstream. Meanwhile, Nonthaburi was affected by rising sea tides on Thursday, when the maximum water level at Nonthaburi Pier was expected to reach 2.88 metres.
Its neighbouring province, Nakhon Pathom, was also flooded on Thursday, particularly in areas along the Tha Chin River.
A one-kilometre-long section of Salaya-Nakhon Chaisi Road was under 30-40cm of floodwater, making it difficult for small vehicles to pass.
A local resident who identified herself as “Thanpitcha” said that she had to wade through chest-deep floodwater for one km from her home to buy food after her housing estate had been flooded for many days.
A 2km-long section of Boromratchonni Road in Samphran district was heavily flooded on Thursday due to overflows from Tha Chin River caused by rising sea tides. Many cars broke down when passing a road section under 50-70cm of water.
Highway Police temporarily closed a 1km-long section of Buddha Monthon Sai 7 Road, causing severe congestion in the nearby Boromratchonni Road.
King Rama IX Memorial Park meant to be ‘more than just a public park’
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022
The King Rama IX Memorial Park will serve as a new “green lung” for Bangkok when its construction is completed in 2024.
The forest park, built in honour of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is designed to be a modern park, with the adoption of new technology and a modern-style layout that connects humans and nature.
It is meant to be “more than a public park”, encompassing a forest park serving as a “living museum”, a place for recreation and exercise, a tourist destination, and a learning centre about King Rama IX’s projects throughout his 70-year reign, according to the virtual design released by the Royal Household Bureau last November.
The park is located in Bangkok’s Dust district on a 279-rai (44.6-hectare) plot of land which formerly housed the Royal Turf Club of Thailand, also known as the Nang Loeng horse racecourse.
King Rama IX Memorial Park is the third biggest park in the city’s inner areas, after Lumpini and Benjakitti.
Their Majesties King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida are scheduled to preside over a ceremony to unveil the statue of the late King Rama IX at the new park at 5pm on Thursday.
The 7.7-metre-high monument is built near a lake and a bridge designed to look like the Thai number nine. The pond is intended to help retain floodwater for the city during the monsoon season.
When completed, the park will serve as a source of learning about the royal initiatives of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother and their contributions to forest and water resource management.
The park reflects the principles of sustainable water management and natural forest with more than 4,500 trees to create a sustainable ecosystem.
New law pushes state agencies to adopt electronic processes under digital government policy
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022
Thai citizens would no longer need to produce photocopies of their identification card or household registration to receive services from government agencies after a new law took effect on Wednesday, a government spokeswoman said on Thursday.
Deputy government spokesperson Trisulee Trisaranakul said the new Act on Electronic Performance of Administrative Functions of BE 2565 (2022) was published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday and has come into effect.
She said the act is aimed at prodding government agencies to use electronic processes to provide services in line with the digital government policy and bureaucratic reform.
However, she said the new act would not be enforced by all government agencies. The spokeswoman said agencies of the legislative branch and judicial branch as well as independent organisations under the Constitution and agencies under the Office of the Attorney-General would be exempted from the new act.
Among several provisions, the new act requires government agencies to provide an electronic channel for the public to communicate with them to receive services.
The government agencies must also have an electronic channel for communicating among themselves.
The act also requires government agencies in charge of public services to link their online databases and safeguard their databases so that they can provide public services faster with data security.
Among the highlighted provisions is Section 12 of the act that allows people to show just the real ID card or original documents to state agencies to receive services, Trisulee said.
If a government agency needs to keep photo copies of such documents, Section 12 requires them to make photocopies on their own without charging a single baht from the public, she added.
The spokeswoman said Section 7 also allowed public members to choose to file electronic application to the state agencies concerned when they seek permission or licence from the state agencies.
Section 7 will regard electronic applications as having the same status as paper applications, Trisulee added.
She said the second paragraph of Section 15 also required all government agencies in charge of providing public services to amend their law, directives and regulations that pose obstacles to the electronic services to the public and electronic document handling among government agencies.
Trisulee said Section 19 of the act also required government agencies concerned to jointly plan electronic functions and IT and electronic communications standards for linking their services for the Cabinet to approve within 240 days of the new act taking effect.
While the Cabinet has not yet approved the electronic methods, the government agencies can use their current electronic practices, the spokeswoman added.
She said Section 22 of the act also required government agencies to report the progress in the implementation of the act to the Cabinet every two months.
The agencies must also inform the public of the electronic channels and methods that they can use to obtain services, the spokeswoman said.
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