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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020375

Public Health Ministry will take over once CCSA is dissolved on Oct 1, says Satit

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

THE NATION

The Public Health Ministry will be the central agency overseeing Covid-19 management once the Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is dissolved on October 1, Deputy Public Health Minister Satit Pitutecha said.

Speaking on Friday after a meeting with the CCSA, Satit said the ministry has also proposed amendments to the Communicable Disease Act that will allow control measures to be implemented and give Covid-19 patients easier access to treatment. The amendments are being considered by the Council of State.

Apart from the dissolution of CCSA, which has been serving as a national Covid-19 taskforce since March 12, 2020, the emergency decree will also be revoked from October 1.

“CCSA thanks all government agencies, private sector and the general public for their cooperation and dedication which have helped us get through this difficult and complicated situation,” CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said after the meeting. “Our efforts in Covid-19 management have also been recognised and applauded by the global communities.”

Taweesilp added that from October 1, Covid-19 will be downgraded from a dangerous communicable disease to a communicable disease under surveillance. He asked all related agencies to make sure that the transition is smooth and appropriate disease control measures are maintained to keep the public safe.

On Saturday, Thailand recorded 607 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths over the past 24 hours, while 745 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

The number of cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,454,262 with 11,008 deaths.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020372

Heavy rain to batter North, Northeast of Thailand for most of next week

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

THE NATION

The North and Northeast of Thailand will be hit with isolated heavy to very heavy rain from Tuesday to Thursday due to the influence of tropical storm Noru.

The Thai Meteorological Department said the tropical depression over the Pacific Ocean to the east of the Philippines had developed into a tropical storm at around 1pm on Friday. The storm is expected to move to the centre of the South China Sea on Sunday and Monday before making landfall in upper Vietnam on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The department forecasts that the storm will bring isolated heavy to very heavy rain to the North and Northeast from Tuesday to Thursday. People in these areas have been warned of flash floods and runoffs, especially along the waterways near foothills and lowlands. They have also been advised to monitor the weather forecast.

The department also forecast that on Saturday and Sunday, a strong monsoon trough will lie across the lower North, Central and lower Northeast of Thailand, while a moderate southwest monsoon will prevail over the Andaman Sea, South and the Gulf of Thailand.

Abundant rain is likely over the country with possible isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the North, Northeast, Central region including Greater Bangkok, the East and the South over the weekend.

From Monday to Thursday, a strong southwest monsoon will prevail over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf, creating 2-metre-high waves in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf, which will be higher in thundershowers. Ships have been advised to proceed with caution and keep out of thundershowers.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020369

Student loan repayments plummet as relaxed terms expected soon

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

The Student Loan Fund (SLF) has seen a steep drop in repayments since last week, when the House of Representatives passed legislation freeing debtors from interest burdens, default fines and guarantor requirements.

SLF manager Chainarong Katchapanan remarked on the repayments slowdown on Friday.

He said it was likely SLF debtors were waiting for clarity on the legislation, which will be vetted by the Senate after the new parliamentary session starts on November 1.

Debt repayments have dropped from 50 million baht per day to 10 million per day recently, said the fund’s manager.

Repayments are made through automatic deductions from the debtors’ monthly salaries or by the debtors themselves.

Legislation to amend the Student Loan Fund Act was passed by 314 votes to three.

The current law imposes interest penalties and fines for defaults while also requiring third parties to guarantee loans.

Chainarong said the current default fine of 1 per cent and annual interest of 2 per cent are reasonable.

The bill would apply retroactively to borrowers and guarantors who sealed student loan agreements before it passed.

The SLF currently has assets of 370 billion baht and lends about 40 billion baht per year, with annual debt repayments of 30 billion baht.

Additional revenue of 6 billion baht per year comes from default fines and interest.

In the current academic year, a total of 638,132 students have secured SLF loans worth 38.8 billion baht.

Over the next five years, the SLF is expected to lend a total of 200 billion baht, against estimated repayments of 150 billion. With no interest and default fees, it would be deprived of some 6 billion baht in revenue per year.

Chainarong said that to stay afloat, the fund would have to rely on the discipline of debtors and perhaps a top-up budget from the government.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020362

Embattled telecoms regulator to issue rules governing True-Dtac merger on Oct 12

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

THE NATION

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will issue measures governing the merger between True Corporation and Total Access Communication (Dtac) on October 12.

The move comes after the Council of State ruled on Tuesday that the NBTC has no authority to approve or reject the merger but could only issue regulations to mitigate its impact on the public.

However, the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) said it had the right to sue the NBTC if the regulator allows the two telecom giants to merge resulting in damage to consumers. The TCC is concerned that the merger deal will bring market domination followed by higher prices.

TCC secretary-general Saree Ongsomwang also urged the NBTC to conduct a public hearing on its merger conditions, saying they may be too weak.

Separately, True minority shareholders have filed a lawsuit against the NBTC at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, accusing the regulator of illegally delaying the merger deal.

Lawyer for the shareholders Phetai Wattanasiri said the court is due to rule on whether it will accept the lawsuit on October 26. Phetai claims that no progress has been made since January 25, when True and Dtac submitted the merger request to the NBTC, even though the regulator can set up specific measures governing the deal.

He said shareholders also want compensation for losing the chance to purchase shares of Citrine Global and Citrine Venture SG under the merger deal.

“As of March 14, more than 80,000 True minority shareholders have suffered over 160 billion baht in damages due to a delay in the merger deal consideration,” he said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020360

Don meets Biden on sidelines of UN General Assembly

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.

Don, who doubles as deputy prime minister, was pictured with the US leader and his wife Jill Biden during a reception party for leaders of participating delegations.

A Thai Foreign Ministry source said Don and Biden discussed issues of common interest and confirmed the close ties between their two countries.

Don led the Thai delegation at the General Assembly in New York, where the Russia-Ukraine war and its fallout was the focus of talks among world leaders.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said on Friday that the Thai delegation discussed migration and population issues with their US counterparts. Thailand was upgraded to tier 2 in the latest US Trafficking in Persons report but does not fully meet minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, according to Washington.

The US side promised to help Thailand boost the ability of its state agencies in dealing with these issues, said Tanee.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020358

Isuzu Motors wins court battle over 1.8 billion baht import tariff

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

THE NATION

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the lower court’s verdict and dismissed the Customs and Revenue departments’ demand that Isuzu Motors (Thailand) pay some 1.8 billion baht in import duty.

The automaker had earlier slapped the two departments with a lawsuit for refusing to apply the discounted import tariff on the transmission gear sets it had imported from the Philippines between 1999 and 2002.

Isuzu said that under the Asean Industrial Cooperation (AICO) scheme, it was entitled to an import duty of 5 per cent. However, the two departments said Isuzu was not qualified for the discounted rate because the gearsets had been used in truck models not specified in the product certificate and hence must pay the full 42 per cent tariff.

The Supreme Court rejected the claim on Friday and upheld the lower court’s verdict, which said the details specified in the certification were just model numbers and did not affect the essence of the AICO scheme. Hence, Isuzu will only be required to pay the 5 per cent import duty.

The court also dismissed the two departments’ appeal, which claimed that the automaker had imported fewer transmission sets than the approved number. They also claimed that its subsidiary, Isuzu Engine Manufacturing (Thailand), also did not meet the requirements to export car engines under the AICO scheme.

The court, however, said the appeal was based on new facts that had not been raised when evaluating the import tax. Hence, using them would go against the procedure and would be unfair to the importer.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020355

Rajamangala Uni joins hands with auto firm to launch EV engineering course

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

A Thai university and an auto-parts manufacturer are collaborating to produce graduates in electric vehicle (EV) engineering to meet the higher demand for qualified personnel.

Thai Auto Tools Group and Rajamangala University of Technology’s Thanyaburi campus in Pathum Thani province signed an agreement to extend their cooperation for three more years, from 2022 to 2024.

The company’s chairman, Payung Sakdasawit, said that both sides would join forces in producing graduates in EV engineering with the knowledge and skills required for the fast-growing industry.

The cooperation deal covers providing education, training, research and development.

Students of the programme will get the chance to train with actual equipment used in making parts for electric vehicles, he said.

“The auto industry is fast shifting to electric vehicles. Thailand needs to improve its manufacturing capacity. In addition to the technologies, workforce quality is also the key,” said the chairman.

He added that the country has seen a shortage of personnel in mechatronics engineering and robotics and automation.

“Thai Auto Tools and our personnel are prepared to pass on our knowledge and experience,” Payung said.

Thai Auto Tools, established in 1993 and headquartered in Pathum Thani, is a Southeast Asian leader in the design and manufacturing of dyes, jigs and auto parts.

The university’s president, Assoc Prof Sommai Pivsa-Art, said that the agreement allows both sides to mutually use their existing resources, including scholars, specialists, data, information, tools and facilities.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020351

Over 1.5 million visitors expected as book expo returns to QSNCC

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

THE NATION

More than 1.5 million people are expected to visit the 27th Book Expo Thailand 2022, which will be held from October 12 to 23 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok.

The organisers, the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand, are calling this year’s expo “Booktopia”.

The theme is based on the idea that reading is the first step in creating a city. The event is filled with motivating events and showcases to foster creativity, self-identity, and community development, the organisers said.

The association expects the event to generate at least 300 million baht in revenue for the country’s book and publishing industry.

The association’s president, Thipsuda Sinchawarnwat, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic forced many publishers to adapt to online channels to sustain their operation in a challenging business environment. However, when it comes to a book fair, the online platform cannot offer the same sales and experiences as going to the event on-ground.

“In the past, the association has hosted book fairs at various locations. But the QSNCC was the venue that garnered the greatest feedback from the readers. Returning to QSNCC, therefore, responds to the voices of sellers and buyers as the venue is in the city’s centre, supported by easy accessibility and convenient public transportation. The newly renovated QSNCC also provides a spacious, cozy, and welcoming atmosphere.

She added that the fair will gather 306 publishers at 788 booths and will feature more than 100 stage events and seminars.

Statistics from the last five years show a declining trend in the number of visitors:
2017 – 1,635,256
2018 – 1,382,749
2019 – 937,877
2020 – 556,053
2021 – 103,312 (from online registration)

The exhibition is divided into six book zones: children’s books and educational books, general books, rare books, history and politics, literature, and fiction, comics and light novels.

Thailand Post is offering special pricing for their EMS services, starting from 50 baht, for readers to mail books home. Also, there will be a special and unique postal stamp collections for sale.

Meanwhile, the association has joined hands with partners to provide readers with special promotions such as discounts from publishers of up to 70 per cent, a free Bossini pouch on a purchase of 3,000 baht, and additional special discount deals totalling more than 2 million baht when ordering through Lazada, Shopee, ThaiBookFair.com, and Linemanmart.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020346

Most Thai political news reports believable, say Bangkokians

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

THE NATION

Bangkokians are relatively confident about political news reported by Thai media, the collaborative fact-checking network “Cofact Thailand” found in a recent survey.

The survey was conducted to gain insight into Bangkok residents’ attitudes, opinions and trust in political news reports produced by Thai media.

The aim of the survey was to also help Thai media outlets to improve their reporting guidelines to enhance professional standards, boost confidence among people and promote their role in mitigating conflict in society.

“Cofact Thailand will cooperate with related networks, especially media outlets, to develop media efficiency and perception in a bid to reduce fake or distorted reports that trigger conflicts in society,” the network said.

The survey – conducted between August 28 to 31 on 200 people from different backgrounds in 15 Bangkok districts – focused on those who follow the news via different platforms at least three to four times a week.

The survey was based on eight trust indicators that media outlets use as standards across the world. The indicators were created in the US.

In descending order, Bangkokians gave media outlets 3.42 points out of 5 for reporting methods, followed by 3.38 for journalistic expertise, 3.36 for diverse voices, 3.27 for sourcing locally, 3.26 for reference, 3.25 for labels, 3 for actionable feedback and 2.91 for best practices.

The survey also found that teens aged 15 to 19 had more confidence in Thai media outlets than people aged 20 to 45.

Respondents said they had more confidence in reporting methods as they believe Thai media outlets have access to solid news sources. However, they are not confident in Thai media outlets’ practises as they provide only one-sided news from sources like the government and influencers like politicians, celebrities and millionaires.

Respondents also found that Thai media placed too much weight on its own opinion and did not screen sources enough, which resulted in misinformation.

The survey also found that most respondents rely on online media and pay attention to personalities, like well-known reporters, moderators and newsmakers.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020332

Minister places high hopes on Thammasat AI Centre

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

The newly opened Thammasat AI Centre is expected to help boost Thailand’s potential in the research and development of artificial intelligence technologies.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said on Thursday that the new centre, a collaboration between his ministry and Thammasat University (TU), would serve as a knowledge source on AI for the Thai public.

The centre also has the duty of providing advice and conducting research on AI as solutions to business and social issues, in addition to applying new uses of AI, according to the minister, who was speaking at the opening ceremony of the centre.

He praised the Thammasat AI Centre as a good example of collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and academic institutions like TU.

Chaiwut said AI technology has high potential as it has impacts on the way of life and business in this digital age. Innovations based on AI technology have been created with massive economic potential, he added.

The DES minister noted that the global AI market is estimated to be worth US$15.7 trillion (565 trillion baht) by 2030.

“I am confident that the Thammasat AI Centre will contribute to the AI ecosystem and further development of the technology with new use cases,” Chaiwut said.

Meanwhile, Thammasat rector Assoc Prof Gasinee Witoonchart said on Thursday that the university was offering AI courses in its undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate studies in collaboration with more than 60 organisations. The aim is to produce more AI innovators and engineers and improve Thailand’s potential in the field.

She said that in addition to the AI centre, Thammasat also has three new projects — the Medical Valley medical innovation centre at its Pattaya campus, the 88 Sandbox startup ecosystem, and the TU Metaverse as the university’s fifth “campus” in the virtual world.