#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019726

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Miss Universe Thailand 2022 Anna Sueangam-iam kicked off a pilot project to separate recyclable garbage on Sunday.

Chadchart and Anna joined Bangkok officials and private sector representatives at the launch event held at Lumpini Park’s food court. The governor and beauty queen pulled back a green curtain to unveil a new garbage truck painted green with the wording “Don’t put them together”. The new hydraulic compacting truck has been modified from normal trucks by adding a special bin at the back and two at the front for food waste.

The pilot project will launch in three districts – Pathum Wan, Phaya Thai and Nong Khaem – before being rolled out in three phases.

The first phase from this month to October will see two types of garbage truck ply one route per district. The other type is a non-hydraulic truck that will be used exclusively to collect food waste.

The second phase from November to December will see the special trucks service other main routes in the three districts.

Then from January to March, the garbage trucks will collect food waste from all areas in the three districts.

The food waste will be sent to the Mechanical and Biological Waste Treatment plant in Onnut district to make biogas used to generate electricity.

Phase one will launch in Bangkok’s 47 remaining districts next year.

Anna was chosen as the “face” of the campaign after she was not shy to reveal that her parents are still working as Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) garbage collectors.

Chadchart said separating rotting food waste from garbage would aid efficiency at recycling plants. He explained that although Bangkokians already separated garbage, it was mixed up again by the old-style BMA trucks.

“So, the process must start upstream with households separating the garbage, to the midstream BMA collectors, and downstream when the separated garbage is systematically disposed of,” he said.

He said the BMA spends over 10 billion baht per year for garbage disposal compared with just 4 billion baht for free education.

He said the new campaign would bring huge savings while also turning garbage into an asset.

Hailing the launch as a historic day for the BMA, he said the project would gradually roll out city-wide. He added that the three pilot districts were chosen because they covered all types of city zones, including communities, markets, offices, and condominiums.

“After we are confident in our new garbage collecting system, we will be able to expand to other districts quickly,” Chadchart said.

Inefficient garbage disposal worsened the greenhouse gas problem, he added, while savings made from the new collection process could be used to improve care for children and the elderly.

He said the BMA was also considering providing better tools for road sweepers as well as foldable garbage pens for Bangkok residents. It was also planning to introduce incentives for residents to separate food waste from recyclable garbage.

“For example, the BMA may reduce their garbage collection fees or give them free compost every month”.

However, those who failed to separate food waste might be slapped with higher fees in line with the polluter pays principle (PPP).

BMA officials explained that Pathum Wan was selected because it produces more garbage than most other districts, while Phaya Thai district was selected as it generates relatively little trash.

Published : September 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019721

Though fake news about Covid-19 has fallen off the top 10 list, false finance reports are still going viral, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry said on Sunday.

From August 26 to September 1, the ministry studied 266 social media posts and found 141 to be fake. Of them, only four were related to Covid-19.

“Fake news about Covid-19 may have dropped because more people are becoming aware of the issue and confidence in government reports is growing,” the ministry’s spokesperson Noppawan Huajaiman said.

However, she said, misleading reports related to finance are still spreading among netizens, with most related to dubious loans, investments and recruitment of staff.

She urged people to check the news thoroughly before sharing.

The top 10 fake reports shared on social media from last Friday to Thursday were:

1. Healthy teenagers’ blood pressure should be 120/80 and 140/90 for the elderly.

2. The Thai Meteorological Department predicts the Lionrock and Kompasu storms will hit 29 provinces.

3. People can apply for Government Savings Bank (GSB) loans worth up to 300,000 via Line application.

4. People can register on Line for loans of 5,000 to 300,000 baht from GSB and Krungthai Bank (KTB).

5. The GSB grants monthly loans.

6. KTB lets people apply for loans worth five times their income via the Line application.

7. Facebook and Line invite people to invest in high-profit schemes under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s supervision.

8. Text messages from the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation encouraging people to apply for loans online.

9. Drinking cold-pressed coconut oil helps balance the body and relieve muscular pain.

10. The Islamic Bank of Thailand recruits staff via Facebook.

People can provide clues or report fake news via the Anti-Fake News Centre’s website https://www.antifakenewscenter.com, Twitter https://twitter.com/AFNCThailand, Line account @antifakenewscenter or call the Government Contact Centre’s 1111 hotline extension 87.

Published : September 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019719

A knife-wielding Taiwanese man went on a rampage at a petrol station in Ayutthaya’s Uthai district on Saturday night before being overpowered and handed to police.

The drama began at about 9.30pm when the man walked into the petrol station on the outbound section of Highway 32 in Tambon Thanu.

Security camera footage posted by the Nation TV website

shows the man walking in and threatening two staff with a pocketknife as they collect money from the driver of a blue sedan car. The car quickly accelerates away.

The man then walks to a white Honda being refuelled, opens the rear left-side door and gets in. Driver Pasiwanut Singprae, 31, is seen fleeing the vehicle as the man gets in.

He later told police that the knifeman had sat down in the backseat and shouted “go, go!” Paswanut said he and his girlfriend were frightened so they grabbed the car keys and fled. He added that the assailant had scratched the vehicle with his knife in several places.

Footage then shows the man leaning through the window, pulling out the fuel pump nozzle and throwing it to the ground before closing the fuel cap. Station staff back away as he jumps into the driver’s seat and closes the door. Apparently realising that he cannot start the engine, he then exits the vehicle, gesticulates wildly at a passing motorcycle and grabs a fuel nozzle. However, fuel supply to the nozzle appears to have been remotely shut off by station staff. The man then walks around holding the nozzle in a state of high agitation before climbing up to sit on the Honda’s bonnet.

Saharat Homsukhon, a rescue official of a unit near the station said the man had earlier walked into his unit, wielding a knife and threatening rescue staff, who fled.

Saharat said the man was shouting crazily as he left the rescue unit and walked in the direction of the petrol station.

Rescue officials followed before confronting the man at the station. A fight reportedly ensued and the assailant suffered head injuries as he was overpowered by petrol station staff and rescue officials. Police arrived at the scene shortly afterwards to find the man complaining bitterly about being attacked. They handcuffed him and seized his pocketknife before rescue officials rushed him to a local hospital for treatment. Police said they would charge the assailant, adding they suspected he had been taking drugs.

Published : September 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019713

The construction of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)’s Orange, Yellow and Pink lines is more than 90 per cent ready, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Sunday.

He said the Yellow Line from Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district to Samut Prakan’s Samrong district is 94.56 per cent done, while the Pink Line from Nonthaburi’s Khae Rai area to Bangkok’s Minburi district is 90.55 per cent done.

“Trial runs of the Yellow and Pink lines will be conducted in October before they are officially opened next year,” he said.

Anucha Burapachaisri

He added that the Orange Line from Thailand Cultural Centre to Minburi was 95.94 per cent complete and was well ahead of schedule.

Anucha went on to say these projects aim to reduce traffic congestion in Greater Bangkok, support the city’s expansion and improve residents’ quality of life.

He added that related agencies have been instructed to keep an eye on the construction to mitigate impacts on the environment and traffic, as well as ensure people’s safety.

Published : September 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019712

The Land Traffic Act’s 13th amendment, which imposes stricter rules and stronger penalties to ensure road safety, will go into effect on Monday.

Under the amendment, the new penalties are as follows:

• Up to 4,000 baht fine for speeding, jumping traffic lights or refusing to stop at zebra crossings.

• Up to 2,000 baht fine for driving against the traffic, not wearing a helmet or not fastening the seat belt.

• Up to 1 year in prison and/or a fine of between 5,000 and 20,000 baht for driving without concern for others’ safety.

• Up to 1 year in prison and/or a fine of between 5,000 and 20,000 for the first instance of drunk driving.

• Up to 2 years in prison and/or 50,000-100,000 baht fine for repeat drunk driving violations.

The law threatens to slap motorists who meet for racing, unlawfully modify their vehicles or behave suspiciously with up to three months in prison and/or a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 baht. Shops that unlawfully modify vehicles also stand to face two-thirds of the penalty.

Race organisers and advertisers can face up to six months in prison and/or a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 baht.

Driver and front-seat passengers of pick-up trucks are required to fasten their seat belts and carry a limited number of passengers in the rear bed.

The Royal Thai Police and related agencies are still considering the correct number of passengers that can be allowed to sit in the rear of pick-up trucks. Regulations on the number of passengers in the rear of trucks and ensuring children under the age of six be placed in car seats will be stringently implemented from December 4.

Published : September 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019710

The Agriculture Department has designed a special machine to help farmers climb coconut trees so they no longer have to rely on monkeys.

This was in response to a 2020 report from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) accusing Thai coconut farmers of abusing monkeys. Peta has been pushing for a ban on the use of monkeys in the agricultural industry in many countries.

Rapeepat Chansriwong, the department’s director-general, said the climbing machine was created to mitigate the impact Peta’s report has had on Thailand’s coconut exports.

Adding that the machine was safer than the Indian prototype because it includes a belt to ensure the climber’s safety, he said this would bring the industry closer to being automated.

Rapeepat Chansriwong

“The machine weighs 5 kilograms on either side and allows the user to climb the tree at 0.14 metres per second,” he explained.

Rapeepat explained that the Agriculture Department has set a monkey-free standard as part of its good agricultural practices in response to Peta’s report and is also selling small coconut-tree sprouts.

The climbing machines are being produced by three factories. Those interested in purchasing one can call the department’s Agricultural Engineering Research Institute at (02) 579 2757.

Published : September 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019701

Olympic champion Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit added another medal to her trophy cabinet with gold at the 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Prix.

Competing in Paris at the second of four Grand Prix events this year, Panipak won through to the 49kg final on Friday. She faced a daunting challenge in the showdown, going up against 2022 European Champion Merve Dinçel. However, the in-form Thai made short work of her Turkish opponent, winning the final 2-0 with a score of 6-0 and 11-6.

The victory also saw Panipak earn crucial qualifying points for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

She missed the opening Taekwondo Grand Prix in Rome earlier this year due to her tight competition schedule.

The third series of the Grand Prix will be held in Manchester, UK from October 21 to 23, followed by the Wuxi 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final in China from December 12 to 13.

Panipak was congratulated on winning the gold by government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri. He praised her performance after she made the weight at 49kg despite recently competing in the 53kg category.

“[The government] also urges Thais all over the country to encourage Thai athletes in other competitions”, Anucha said.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019700

The Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) has warned people to beware of a new scam involving a fake Revenue Department website.

The scammers phone prospective victims to offer an income tax return, PCT head and deputy national police chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas said on Saturday.

They then send victims a link for what appears to be the Revenue Department’s official website. Victims who click on the link are asked to register for a tax return by providing their personal information on the website, which is fake.

The scammers then ask victims to tell them the one-time password (OTP) that was sent to their phones. With the password, the scammers are able to take control of the victim’s phone remotely.

Victims have discovered that their bank accounts linked to mobile apps installed on their phones have been emptied by criminals using this method.

The cyber-criminals also threaten to expose “embarrassing secrets” found on the victims’ phones unless they pay more money, Damrongsak said.

Offering advice on how to prevent falling victim to cyber-scammers, he said people should double-check the website address to make sure it is official. The address of the Revenue Department’s official website is http://www.rd.go.th. He also urged people not to reveal their OTPs, especially to strangers. Damrongsak added that the Revenue Department does not handle tax-return cases by phone.

Published : September 03, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019699

Bangkok taxi fares will likely be increased later this year as the Transport Ministry is considering a request submitted by four groups of taxi drivers and service operators.

The last increase in taxi fares was approved in 2014.

Sorapong Paitoonphong, Transport Ministry deputy permanent secretary, said the proposed hike will be carefully considered, with the potential impact on taxi drivers, business owners and passengers taken into account.

“A fare increase will have to come with improved services for passengers,” Sorapong said.

He added that details on the increased taxi fare will be available in October, in time for a nationwide 5-8 per cent hike in minimum daily wages that will be implemented on October 1.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has appointed a working group to consider the proper rate along with possible impacts, said Sorapong, who chairs the panel.

The panel comprises representatives of the Transport Ministry, Department of Land Transport, Thailand Development Research Institute and Consumer Protection Board.

In their request, the taxi groups want the starting fare for the first kilometre to be increased to 45 baht from the current 35 baht and to 10 baht for each subsequent kilometre from 5.50 baht.

As for when the cab is stuck in traffic or moves slower than 25 kilometres per hour, they want the charge to be increased to 5 baht per minute from 1.50 baht.

They also want the 50-baht surcharge for rides to and from Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports to be increased to 75 baht for normal taxis and to 95 baht for larger taxis.

Published : September 03, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019698

Bangkok authorities have issued a flood warning for communities along the Chao Phraya River that are not protected by embankments. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) warned locals to look out for rising water levels until next Saturday (September 10).

BMA cited the National Water Command Centre’s warning of heavy rain from Saturday to Thursday in the North, Northeast and East.

The centre forecasts that the water flow through the Chao Phraya Dam will increase from 1,800 to 2,000 cubic metres per second.

The centre expects the water level downstream from the dam to rise by 0.4-0.5 metres, affecting communities outside embankments, including in Bangkok, until September 10.

The BMA has set up a centre to monitor flooding and will coordinate with the Navy’s Hydrographic Department, Royal Irrigation Department, Thai Meteorological Department, and the National Water Command Centre.

BMA said officials are being deployed to risk points and preparing flood defences and equipment such as sandbags.

BMA staff will also inspect embankments for the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok Noi, Maha Sawat, and Phra Khanong canals.

The BMA warned that communities outside embankments may also be inundated by waves from boat traffic, but this would be regulated by the Marine Department.

Meanwhile, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) and related agencies have mounted flood-prevention and relief efforts in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION