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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019223

The second week of the Third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3) in Chiang Mai will be marked by many important APEC sub-fora discussions to promote free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

Aparticular focus is on driving sustainable economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, which is one of the key priorities for APEC 2022, under the theme of “Open. Connect. Balance.” with the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model as the overarching thinking.

One of the most important agendas for trade and investment in SOM3 is to carry on the refreshed conversation on the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) in the post-Covid-19 context. Building on the successful outcome of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in May 2022, the Committee of Trade and Investment (CTI) will convene a meeting on August 26-27 to discuss the development of FTAAP multi-year work plan, with a view to submitting it for endorsement at the APEC Ministerial Meeting in November. The FTAAP multi-year work plan will be an important achievement of APEC 2022. It will establish a long-term framework for APEC to continue advancing the FTAAP agenda, with an aim to promote free and open Asia-Pacific economy that offers trade and investment opportunities for all.
 

The CTI will also discuss FTAAP capacity building programmes, aimed at narrowing the gap between APEC member economies in different stages of development. CTI experts will plan a series of work programmes to exchange knowledge, best-practices and experiences among APEC members on important topics related to advancing regional economic integration, such as labour-related provisions in FTAs/RTAs, regulating solid waste trade for economic sustainability, promoting MSME engagement in e-commerce on regulatory procedures for low value shipments.

Knowledge and experiences sharing is a vital mechanism for APEC to carry out its role as an incubator of ideas conducive to sound economic policy options. In SOM3, many APEC sub-fora will organise workshops and dialogues for key stakeholders such as the business sector, academia and international organisations to discuss various topics instrumental to promoting sustainable and inclusive economic recovery. For example, last week, the APEC Investment Experts’ Group hosted a workshop on government strategies to attract green FDI and promote sustainable infrastructure. This week, the APEC Group of Services will organise a dialogue on women and services to promote inclusivity in this sector. It will also host a private-public dialogue on logistics services to exchange views on the challenges faced by firms operating in this sector, including express delivery, shipping, air transport and port operations. These workshops and dialogues allow an insight into first-hand experiences of private sector, which in turn enables APEC’s policymakers to respond to their real needs and address their challenges effectively.

Under the “Open” priority of APEC 2022, Thailand seeks to open the region to all trade and investment opportunities, where all businesses can benefit from a more open and conducive business environment. The FTAAP agenda and its multi-year work plan, which is the key deliverable under this priority, will contribute to advancing the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 for an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.

Published : August 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019222

The Public Health Ministry reported on Tuesday (August 23) that over the past 24 hours, 1,488 Covid-19 patients have been admitted to hospitals.

The death toll has risen by 26, while 2,394 patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals. 

The number of cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,413,764 with 10,383 deaths.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,637,199 – 4,587,221 of whom have recovered, 17,897 are still in hospitals and 32,081 have died.

Separately, another 1,365 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 2,003 their second shot and 10,607 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 142,481,893.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 601.81 million on Tuesday, 576.44 million of whom have recovered, 18.89 million are active cases (43,835 in severe condition) and 6.47 million have died (up by 1,244).

Thailand ranks 29th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 95.45 million, followed by India with 44.36 million, France with 34.36 million, Brazil with 34.29 million and Germany with 31.87 million.

Published : August 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019220

Pets are becoming an important part of our lives, as not only do they offer unconditional love but also help us deal with our hectic lifestyles. For many, their pets are like their sons, daughters or beloved family members and are treated likewise.  

Linda Pantanella Nilson, a pet lover turned entrepreneur, spotted this “oppawtunity” and launched MyFriend Your Pet’s app, an online app that caters to pets and pet owners’ needs by providing all kinds of information, ranging from tips on taking care of the pet to consultations and even throwing a party for your four-legged “son” or “daughter”. 

“The pet industry continues to grow in Thailand. According to a recent survey, Thailand has the highest pet ownership ratio in Asia [after Indonesia] with 75 per cent of Thai families having one pet or more. Falling birth rates in Thailand and change of mindset in millennials are also creating a high demand for pets,” said Mathieu Hervillard Le Peillet, co-founder and chief executive officer of Thai Innovative Technologies Co, Ltd – creator of the MyFriend app. 

Mathieu Hervillard Le Peillet

The Covid-19 pandemic also triggered a “loneliness epidemic”, with people becoming increasingly isolated while working from home or being quarantined as high-risk cases. Hence, demand for pets has risen as people need some company and moral support. 

The bilingual (English/Thai) app offers pet parents an all-in-one service that allows them to voice their opinions, participate in discussions and share the latest trends. Pet parents can also “shop” for treats on the app and within this month, the app is expected to launch a pet-insurance scheme.  
Pet alerts and pet hotel bookings will be launched next month, and other exciting pet solutions will be launched before yearend. 
Call (02) 123 8744 or email info@myfriendapp.com, or download the app from the App Store and Google Play.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/royal/40019170

The metaverse is up and running but still lacks its key ingredient – creatives who will build its moneymaking new products. This was the message delivered by Metaverse Thailand co-founder Parin Sathianpagilanagorn at the “Thailand Metaverse Expo 2022” in Bangkok on Sunday.

Delivering a talk titled “Creative Productivity in Metaverse”, Parin declared that the metaverse is no longer about raising capital to build this virtual world. Instead, development has switched to the next step: creative efforts to forge the metaverse products that the world will use in the so-called Web 3.0 era.
 

The focus is now to increase productivity by implementing practical creative ideas and actions, he added.

Parin explained that productivity in this case was geared to income and covered any metaverse product or service that leads to widespread user adoption.

“Mass adoption by people is very important, especially at this time when the market value of the metaverse is falling in tandem with cryptocurrency,” he said.

The cryptocurrency meltdown had placed extra pressure on the companies seeking to set up metaverse infrastructure, he added. “This situation jeopardises the survival of metaverse businesses. So, creative productivity is what is required now.”

While admitting it was difficult to say what form metaverse creativity should take, Parin said there were guidelines to follow. Creative productivity should be easy to use and understand, entice people to participate, and be transparent.

He said that while the meltdown of digital assets may have shaken people’s faith in the metaverse, devising new uses for metaverse technology will undoubtedly generate fresh opportunities and benefits.

Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that the fast-growing metaverse market will be worth US$783.3 billion (28 trillion baht) by 2024.

The “Thailand Metaverse Expo 2022” is being hosted by Nation Group at CentralWorld in Bangkok until Sunday (August 21).

#ThailandMetaverseExpo2022
#ThailandMetaverseExpo
#TheNation

#TME
#NFTThailand
#Thailand #Metaverse

Published : August 21, 2022

By : Nongluck Ajanapanya

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019218

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Monday vowed to upgrade city clinics to care for an elderly population that has reached 1.2 million and is growing fast.

Chadchart was speaking at the “Health & Wealth Forum: Creating Happiness Before You Age, Live Well with Good Health and Wealth” organised by Nation Group at Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

Chadchart said Bangkok was now officially home to a “grey society” with seniors accounting for over 20 per cent of the 5.5 million registered residents.

He said the high proportion of seniors in districts such as Samphanthawong, Phra Nakhon and Pom Prab Sattru Phai was a cause for concern.

Even more worrying was the trend of children leaving their aged parents or grandparents alone in Bangkok as they sought better lives in other cities or countries, he added.

“In the future, Bangkok could turn into a city of the elderly,” Chadchart said, expressing concern over the shrinking proportion of working-age taxpayers as Bangkok’s elderly population expanded.

“The question is how to get capable new-generation people to stay in the capital now that they have the option to leave and live abroad. These capable people will drive society and become the key tax base generating funds to take care of the elderly,” he said.

The governor said 69 community clinics run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in the capital needed to be improved to provide better elderly care and relieve pressure on city hospitals.

Chadchart said BMA community clinics were like capillaries connecting to the main veins – 11 major hospitals – of Bangkok’s public health system. But weakness in these capillaries meant elderly patients were crowding major hospitals.

“So, we are witnessing scenes of elderly people queuing at Chulalongkorn Hospital from 4am when community clinics and hospitals, the capillaries, should be playing a better role in caring for them.”

The governor said community clinics and hospitals also had a poor reputation.

“No one believes in services at community clinics, so patients are concentrated in large hospitals run by the government and university medical schools.

“The BMA’s policy is to make the capillaries stronger,” he added

Chadchart said the BMA learned its lesson after its Klong Toey clinic was swamped by Covid-19 patients as it had only 48 staff to take care of about 100,000 residents.

He also noted that the BMA’s Bang Khun Thian Hospital specialises in elderly care but said its location in the southern suburbs made it inaccessible for many seniors.

“The BMA is now in the process of developing transport to shuttle the elderly to and from the hospital,” Chadchart said, adding that elderly care was among his 216 election campaign policies.

The governor’s policies for the elderly include:

– ‘Active ageing’ clubs to maintain mental and physical health

– Promoting knowledge and education

– Establishing new day centres

– Upgrading sport and community centres to meet elderly needs

– Providing telemedicine

– Easier access to canal and river piers

– Better access to transport hubs

– Elevators at all Blue Line stations

“The challenge is to make Bangkok a better place to live, especially for the elderly, via policies covering nine aspects including the environment, transport, safety, health, green areas and economy,” Chadchart concluded.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019217

Thailand gave delegates attending the Apec Health Week on the opening day on Monday insights into its “Smart Families” policy to solve the low birthrate issue.

Department of Health director-general Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai said on Monday that the Public Health Ministry is prepared to cope with the issue by promoting “Smart Families”, enacting laws and formulating policies which are the second National Reproductive Health Development Policy and Strategy.

The policy aims to promote readiness for pregnancy, giving birth with full intention, and fostering the care of children for optimum growth with the full potential to become an important force for the country.

The ministry has also enacted an Act for Prevention and Solution of the Adolescent Pregnancy Problem to integrate relevant sectors to work together as a committee.

With this act, the birth rate among adolescents aged 15 to 19 is expected to decrease by nearly half within the next 10 years. By 2027, the ministry aims to reduce adolescent birth rate to less than 1.5 per thousand population.

The policy and strategy also will reduce the problem of disconnection from the education system and provide welfare to support adolescent mothers.

Suwanchai explained that Thailand’s population policy is divided into three phases.

He cited former prime minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram wanting Thai people to have more children so that the Thai population could increase from 14.5 million in 1937 to 26.3 million in 1960.

After that, however, Thailand supported family planning to reduce the birthrate when the population started to increase. The policy was launched in 1970 and was developed into the National Family Planning Programme and was recognised by foreign countries as a success, as contraception rate increased from 14 to 72 per cent.

Suwanchai said that the number and structure of the population in the third phase are more complex than in the past. It is a challenge for the new population policy because the fertility rate has significantly decreased.

There were several problems such as unprepared pregnancy, teenage pregnancy, unintended pregnancy, and unsafe abortion.

He revealed that Thailand is one of the countries with the lowest fertility rate, according to the World Population Prospect 2022. There were only 20 countries with a lower fertility rate than Thailand.

Speaking on the opening day of Apec Health Week, Thailand’s Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha on Monday said that 17 of 21 Apec members were facing a demography problem as the fertility rate is lower than the replacement rate, which could lead to reduction of the population and inflict long-term effects on the economy.

Sathit said that Thailand is also facing this problem as it is an ageing society and would soon become an aged society. He said that the total fertility rate in 2020 of 1.24 is lower than the required replacement rate of 1.6.

He mentioned that the number of newborns is decreasing every year. He revealed that there were around 700,000 newborns in 2017 but the number reduced to around 540,000 in 2021.

The birthrate is gradually decreasing and it would be near the mortality rate soon. If nothing is done immediately, the mortality rate would be higher and the Thai population might be reduced to half, he warned.

He said that the labour force will have to work for society, children and elders as their numbers will go down while their workload will increase.

Sathit speculated that the labour force would reduce by 15 million people in the next 40 years while the number of elders would increase by 12 million.

The change in demography is expected to affect Thailand’s economy, finance, and society.

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Health Week is being held at Millennium Hilton Bangkok in Thailand from Monday to Friday.

Apec members, including public health and family planning experts, civil society sector, educationql institutions, international organisations, and the private sector, are expected to exchange their opinions on various issues including population.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019215

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has allocated a budget of 5 million baht to subsidise tour bus operators, according to the private sector.

Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said each operator will get a subsidy of 10,000 baht per bus from the TAT. The measure is aimed at stimulating domestic tourism and softening Covid-19 impacts, he said.

The TAT measure will also cut costs for tour bus operators by subsidising employment of guides and drivers. The subsidies will apply for buses operating tours that last for at least two days.

Chamnan said the measure would allow operators to extend their bus tour services. He indicated the budget of 5 million baht could be raised if the project was successful.

“The tourism private sector believes this is one of the projects that will stimulate domestic travel in the third quarter of this year,” he said.

A total of 500 tour buses will be eligible for the 10,000-baht subsidy, according to Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) president Chaiyapruk Thongkam. He expects the subsidies to roll out from mid-September until October 31, followed by a second phase if the measure is successful.

He also revealed that the second phase of the “Tour Teaw Thai” tourism subsidy scheme was seeing 1,000 bookings per day, a big increase on the first phase. As of Sunday, a total of 114,455 subsidised packages were still available for travel from July 18 to October 31. “Tour Teaw Thai” offers subsidies of 40 per cent on packages worth up to 5,000 baht. The top five destinations in the scheme are Chantaburi, Betong in Yala, Phuket, Krabi and Surat Thani resorts.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019210

Bangkok motorists have been advised to avoid roads around Government House, Democracy Monument and the Lan Khon Mueang Town Square in Phra Nakhon district on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau made this announcement on Monday after several pro-democracy groups said that they will hold rallies at these three venues to demand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s resignation.

Among them is the “People’s Union Party” led by former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan and lawyer Nitithorn Lamlua, who have announced they will be protesting outside Government House on Tuesday.

Motorists have been told to avoid using roads near Government House from 6am on Tuesday until the protest ends. The roads affected will be Phitsanulok Road, Rama V Road, Luk Luang Road and Ratchadamnoen Nok Road.

Instead, police said, they can use Lan Luang Road, Krung Kasem Road, Chakkraphatdi Phong Road, Wisutkasat Road, Si Ayutthaya Road, Ratchawithi Road and Sukhothai Road.

Motorists have also been advised to avoid roads around Democracy Monument and the Lan Khon Mueang Town Square from 3pm on Tuesday until the protest ends. The roads affected include Ratchadamnoen Klang, Dinso, Bamrung Muang and the Somdej Phra Pinklao Bridge.

Instead, police said motorists can opt for Wisutkasat Road, Phra Sumen Road, Phra Athit Road, Tanao Road, Fueng Nakhon Road, Maha Chai Road, Worachak Road, Charoen Krung Road, Rama VIII Bridge, Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge, Asadang Road and Phra Pok Klao Bridge.

Bangkokians have also been advised to plan before leaving home and avoid using roads where protests will be held.

Call the Metropolitan Police Traffic Control Centre’s 1197 hotline or visit @1197Callcenter for updates.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019209

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will closely evaluate the situation before deciding to lift the emergency decree, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Monday.

He explained that CCSA’s announcement on Friday does not mean it is lifting the emergency decree right away. The decree will be in place until the end of September, he said.

He explained that the emergency decree was introduced to allow relevant agencies to collaborate effectively to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Thailand has been under a state of emergency since March 2020.

Anucha also confirmed that the emergency decree was not implemented for other purposes.

Pro-democracy protesters had previously claimed that the emergency decree was meant to stop them from holding anti-government rallies, especially since many protesters were arrested and charged for violating the decree.

“CCSA’s efforts have been lauded by many countries,” he said, adding that many governments were interested in applying these guidelines in their countries.

Anucha said CCSA has also discussed policies and guidelines for the transition of Covid-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to one under surveillance that allows people to coexist with the virus and live normally.

He said more than 90 per cent of people in Thailand have developed immunity against Covid-19, confirming that three jabs provide 90 per cent protection against severe symptoms and death.

Anucha said he hopes Covid-19 will soon become normal flu, which almost everybody gets yearly with mild symptoms, with the exception of the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases.

“Before October 1, CCSA will evaluate the situation and weigh the risks to see if any mechanisms are necessary to contain the spread and ensure effective management,” he said.

He added that people should wait until after CCSA meets at the end of September.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019208

Households that use less than 500 units per month will get big discounts on their electricity bills under the Energy Ministry’s latest proposal to soften impacts from rising fuel prices.

The Energy Policy Administration Committee will propose the measure to Cabinet within this month, said Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow on Monday.

Supattanapong, who chairs the committee, said the discounts would last from September to December.

Households that use 301-350 units per month will receive a 75-per-cent discount while those who use 350-500 units/month will get 15 per cent off their bill.

Meanwhile, the tariff for households using less than 300 units per month will drop by 0.9204 baht per unit.

The committee estimates the move will cost the government around 2 billion baht per month or 8 billion baht over the four months.

The ERC announced last week it would increase the fuel tariff from 0.6866 baht to 0.9343 baht per unit from September to December, which will see household power costs rise to a record 4.72 baht per unit. It said the rise was necessary to reflect higher LNG prices in Asia, driven by a fall in Thai and Myanmar gas production, slowing investment by LNG manufacturers, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION