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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019696

Over the past year, the Army has seized more than 220 million methamphetamine pills and arrested over 47,000 illegal immigrants, spokesman General Santipong Thampiya said on Saturday.

During the current fiscal year, which runs from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022, more than 221.2 million smuggled “yaba” pills have been seized by soldiers at the borders, Santipong said.

Other narcotics were also seized during that period, including 3,400 kilograms of crystal meth aka “ice”, 58kg heroin, 515kg ketamine, 61kg opium and 4kg of ecstasy pills.

The Royal Thai Army’s border forces also intercepted 47,420 foreign nationals trying to enter the country illegally, he said, adding that the arrests were five times more than last year.

No breakup of nationalities was available.

Santipong said the huge drug haul points to the Army’s efficiency in protecting society from dangerous narcotics that can bring negative economic and social impacts to the country.

Published : September 03, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019695

Phuket authorities have launched a probe after foreign tourists were seen being forced out of a van they had ordered via a ride-hailing app. Video of the incident went viral on Friday.

Taken by the van driver, the clip shows a man in a black shirt blocking the van and forcing four female tourists to get off the vehicle near Rassada Pier in Phuket’s Muang district.

The driver tries to negotiate with the man, who insists that the tourists use the taxi service at the pier. The stand-off ends with the driver asking the tourists to exit the van and apologising for not being able to provide them with transport.

On Saturday, Phuket transport office chief Atcha Buachan said the incident stemmed from a quarrel between the van driver and a taxi driver at the pier.

Atcha said the van driver had told the tourists via loudspeaker that he could not pick them up at the pier as there was a “taxi mafia” operating there. He asked the tourists to come to the van, which was parked outside the pier area. This angered the taxi driver, who approached the van, blocked its path and forced the tourists to get off.

Atcha said the taxi driver had been summoned to give a statement at the transport office on Monday. Muang Phuket police station has been notified and is helping to investigate the incident.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019693

A team of scientists from Thailand has won the top prize at an international eco-competition by harnessing microbes to manufacture biodegradable plastics.

The Mahidol University team was competing against 101 teams from China, Taiwan, India, Thailand and Vietnam in the semi-finals of the 8th Delta International Smart & Green Manufacturing Contest (Delta Cup).

Fifteen teams made it through to the final of the online competition last month, where the Thai team triumphed with their entry in the “Green Manufacturing” category.

Team Gaia from Mahidol University won the grand prize for their “Carbon Polymerising System”. The team developed an automated microbial system that transforms carbon dioxide into biodegradable plastics called Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). The system removes excess carbon in the atmosphere to create environmentally friendly plastics which biodegrade in a matter of days and leave no waste at the end of their lifecycle.

Two other teams from Thailand also won prizes in the contest.

Team Olo Plus from Kasetsart University won second prize in the “Energy-saving Machines” category with their “Re-electric Warehouse” project.

The team invented a system that converts the vibrations of industrial machinery into electric power. The power is then used to transport goods by conveyor to warehouses.

Team F-Embedded from Burapha University also won a second prize, this time in the “Green Living” category, with their “Smart Green Living” project.

The project helps to control a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system by collecting data on occupants’ usage and the building’s electricity usage.

The data is analysed by artificial intelligence to maximise the energy-saving efficiency of the HVAC according to the number of people in the building.

The Delta Cup is held every year by Delta Electronics (Thailand) as a way of seeking talent and innovation in eco-friendly technology.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019689

A 27-year-old naval officer succumbed to third-degree burns on Friday, becoming the 23rd person to die from the blaze at the Mountain B pub in Chonburi’s Sattahip district.

Junior Lieutenant Panupong Wongpakpaiboon succumbed after spending 28 days being treated in hospital for third-degree burns in 60 per cent of his body. He had initially been taken to the Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital in Sattahip district before being transferred to Rayong Hospital.

Panupong was stationed at Flotilla 2, Frigate Squadron 1 of the Royal Thai Fleet after graduating from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School in 2013.

His family has said nothing about funeral arrangements.

Several victims are still in severe condition, with many on ventilators.

The nightclub caught fire at about 1am on August 5, killing 13 people on the spot and injuring scores of others.

The pub was operating without proper permits and had undergone illegal modifications.

The owner of the pub, Somyos Panprasong, 55, has been charged with recklessness causing death and injuries and operating an entertainment venue without permission.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019688

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has said it is aiming to turn Thailand’s southern border provinces into “world halal kitchens” by promoting the manufacturing of food along Islamic traditions.

Minister Chalermchai Sreeon said on Friday that the plan is part of the government’s economic stimulation policy for the southern economic corridor covering the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Songkhla and Satun.

Speaking at a meeting in Yala with ministry executives and provincial governors, Chalermchai said the 4-point plan for the border provinces covers the following:

• Boosting the manufacturing of agricultural products and halal food for consumption in the five provinces and for export to other Muslim countries.

• Improving the quality and standard of agricultural products and halal foods, as well as facilitating the halal certification process for new manufacturers.

• Exploring new markets for halal products and services via bilateral or multilateral cooperation.

• Promoting new marine livestock like jade perch, Betong tilapia and mahseer barb fish as well as sea crab.

Chalermchai said his ministry will also work with the Commerce Ministry in appointing a commerce ambassador in each southern border province to spearhead the promotion of halal products locally as well as across the border and overseas.

Chalermchai added that the Commerce Ministry has already laid the groundwork to resume trade ties with Saudi Arabia. It has also established a Thai Chamber of Commerce there, which will help facilitate the import of Thai halal products to Muslim countries in the Middle East.

“We will also offer privileges to attract private companies to invest in halal product distribution centres in the five provinces to maximise market coverage,” he added. “On the online front, the ministry will set up the Halal E-Park, an e-commerce platform that provides the know-how in halal product development as well as an online business match-up.

“The halal food market has a strong potential as there are more than 2 billion Muslims worldwide. We will promote the five southern border provinces to become food security areas capable of supplying halal food to this gigantic market and become one of the world’s key halal kitchens. This will also boost the country’s economy,” the minister said.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019687

Many parts of Thailand will be hit by heavy to very heavy rain from Monday to Friday, the Thai Meteorological Department said on Saturday.

An active monsoon trough will cover the lower North, upper Central and the Northeast for most of next week, while the southwest monsoon trough over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand will strengthen.

The department expects there to be more rain across the country, while there may be isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the North, Northeast, East, South and Central region, including Greater Bangkok.

It warned people to beware of flash floods and overflows, especially along waterways near foothills and lowlands.

Strong winds are expected to create 2-3 metre high waves in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand, which will rise even higher during thundershowers.

Waves in the lower Andaman are expected to rise about 2 metres high, and higher during thundershowers.

Ships have been advised to proceed with caution and avoid thundershowers, while small boats in the Andaman Sea and upper Gulf are advised to stay onshore from Monday to Friday.

The department added that the Hinnamnor typhoon is heading to South Korea and Japan, and will not affect Thailand.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019685

Images of Buddhist monks working out went viral on social media and sparked an uproar among netizens.

The photos were posted by Phra Paisalprachathon on the “ข่าวสารงานพระพุทธศาสนา” (Buddhist News) Facebook page on Friday, with the caption: “I understand that monks are prone to becoming overweight and developing NCDs [non-communicable diseases], so I invited health professionals to help the monks at my temple get in shape and take better care of themselves.”

Phra Paisalprachathon, who refers to himself as an abbot, did not say where these photos were taken in the original post.

On Saturday he said the photos had been taken at Wat Huay Pla Kang in Chiang Rai province, and that all the fitness equipment had been donated by devotees.

“The trainers were sent by the Chiang Rai public health office to teach monks how to use the equipment properly,” he added.

However, the photos sparked a myriad of negative comments with some netizens saying it was not suitable for monks to work out, pointing out that monks are expected to be calm and composed at all times. Others said monks’ duties did not include exercise.

However, one netizen saw sense in the exercise regime, saying it was good to see monks take better care of themselves as obesity has been a problem that plagues Buddhist monks due to their sedentary lifestyle.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019683

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has dismissed speculation that Thailand will see a repeat of the great floods of 2011 due to weather conditions so far this year.

Chompharee Chomphurat, TMD’s director-general, said on Friday that Thailand was hit by major floods in 2011 due to the La Niña phenomenon, which made the rainy season arrive sooner than usual. This was made worse by five storms that had hit Thailand that year, increasing the average rainfall by 27 per cent.

“The La Niña phenomenon has also taken place this year, resulting in rains arriving sooner than expected,” she said. “However, Thailand has not been directly hit by storms this year, while the average rainfall so far has been recorded 21 per cent above the normal amount.”

The department estimates that there will be around 10 per cent more rainfall than usual, rising slightly from 8 per cent more last year.

Chompharee said the weather is not the only cause for flooding, water-management strategies also play a key role. Several agencies in Thailand have learned their lesson from the 2011 floods and are therefore better prepared this year. Measures that have been implemented include accelerating the release of water from dams into the Gulf of Thailand during low tide and unblocking waterways near flood-prone areas.

She added that this year, only Ma-on and Mulan storms have touched Thailand in August, while the Hinnamnor typhoon will only hit Japan and South Korea with no direct impact on Thailand.

“However, the typhoon will strengthen the southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf next week. Heavy rains and gusty winds are forecast across Thailand from September 5-8 in about 60-80 per cent of the areas,” she said.

“People should not panic over rumours and fake news and only follow the latest updates from the department at https://www.tmd.go.th or hotline 1182,” Chompharee added.

Published : September 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019671

An award-winning project that uses drones to locate dugongs for tourist trips in the Andaman Sea was praised by the digital economy minister on Friday.

Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn was inspecting the project on Libong Island, Trang, which is famed for its herds of dugong, also known as sea cows.

The project is boosting local revenue by over 2 million baht per year and cutting costs for boats searching for dugongs by 196,000 baht per month, Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) president Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said on Friday.

In the past, tour boat operators relied on reports of dugong sightings to locate the creatures.

“Doing so didn’t guarantee accuracy and wasted a lot of energy,” Nuttapon said.

Now, the drones locate and photo the dugongs and send their coordinates back to a control centre on the island.

The photos are displayed on a screen at Libong’s tourist centre, which also allows disabled and elderly visitors who are unable to join boat trips to follow dugong sightings in real time, Nuttapon said.

The project, part of efforts to promote digital innovation on Libong, is a collaboration between Depa, the Community Organisations Development Institute and the island’s tourism and occupation development enterprise. It won a 2022 United Nations Public Service Award in June.

Minister Chaiwut, Nattupon and other ministry officials watched a drone locate dugongs off the island before the delegation was taken on boats to view them.

Chaiwut said that the project underlined the success of the ministry and Depa in promoting the use of digital technology to ensure sustainable development in local communities.

Published : September 02, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019669

The government is preparing a guide to living costs in all tourist cities across Thailand to help visitors plan their trips.

Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said on Friday that the National Tourism Policy Committee is collecting data to compile a cost-of-living index for popular destinations.

The idea was proposed by the Commerce Ministry as a way of controlling prices while also promoting tourism.

“The index will help tourists to better plan costs incurred during their travels,” Pipat added.

The index will cover the price of popular tourism goods and services in various destinations. The aim is to help tourists plan their trips according to their budgets while helping local authorities plan measures to promote tourism, the minister said.

The index will also act as a guide for the public and private sectors in designing measures to boost tourism.

In addition, it will allow authorities to control the prices of goods and services in tourist cities more effectively, the minister said.

Pre-pandemic tourism generated revenue of 3 trillion baht for Thailand’s economy in 2019, accounting for 17.8 per cent of GDP.

Published : September 02, 2022