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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017273

Thai exports of farm produce and agricultural products in the first five months rose over 28 per cent to more than 469 billion baht, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry reported on Friday.

In the period from January to May, Thailand exported 15.3 million tonnes of agricultural goods worth 469.2 billion baht.

That was a 28.6 per cent increase from the same period last year, the ministry added.

It attributed the export growth to the global economic recovery, Thailand’s reopening to tourists, and improvement in the Covid-19 situation.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s electronic phytosanitary certificate (e-Phyto) system was on Friday enforced to cover all agricultural exports, according to Department of Agriculture director-general Rapeepat Chantarasriwong.

He said the system could be used to trace supply chains back to farmers in Thailand, adding that an e-Phyto pilot project covering 22 farm products exported to China showed “much better results than expected”.

Published : July 01, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017272

Controversy over the custom of students prostrating before teachers has reignited as Thai schools and universities begin classes for the start of the academic year.

The Wai Khru ceremony has been described by many young Thais as an ugly relic that is out of place in modern times. But others, including many older Thais and foreign visitors, view it as a charming and essential facet of Thai culture.

The annual ritual — in which students pay homage by prostrating themselves at their teachers’ feet — takes place in schools, colleges and universities throughout Thailand on any Thursday in May or June, at the beginning of the first school semester.

For many people, the practice is a remnant of the Kingdom’s feudal era and deserves to be stamped out.

The student union of Ubon Ratchathani University recently announced it had banned self-prostration at the Wai Khru ceremony. Students could instead show gratitude to their teachers with a “wai”, placing their palms together at chest level, it added.

In a Facebook statement, the student union said, “Everyone deserves equality and mutual respect. Self-prostration reflects [the heritage of] Thailand’s vassal and slavery systems.”

The move led to a heated debate on social media between netizens who back the decades-old practice and those who denounce it. Many supporters of the tradition shared photos of Wai Khru ceremonies at international schools in Thailand.

Social media users who identified themselves as foreign teachers in Thailand also joined the debate, with a few even confessing they were moved to tears by the display of deep respect from their students.

Published : July 01, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017269

The National Security Council (NSC) is scheduled to set up a special team to tackle Thailand’s fuel and food crisis when it meets on Monday (July 4).

General Supot Malaniyom, NSC secretary-general, said the meeting, which will include several experts, will be presided over by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha.

He added that the panel will handle the crises in three phases and the plan will run throughout next year. He also said that related agencies have been instructed to come up with a parallel plan to deal with the crises.

“The plan will cover data preparation and readiness to tackle issues on a short and long-term basis, especially in terms of fuel which has an impact on many people,” he said.

The rising price of fuel is affecting the transport sector and worsening inflation, he pointed out.

He added that NSC has discussed plans to tackle the crises with economic agencies and representatives of the private sector before turning to related ministries for answers.

“NSC will focus on stability to prevent scarcity,” he said.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017263

Artist Kwanyuen Ketnoo became an overnight sensation on Facebook after he began posting images of his makeshift gallery on a road in Khon Kaen’s Si Chomphu district.

The photographs show his paintings, mostly of lush landscapes and green mountains, on easels placed on potholes with the caption: “My town has so many holes.”

The reason behind this makeshift gallery on the potholed Wang Pherm-Dong Land Road is that these potholes nearly cost the artist his life.

“I want to use my paintings to show people that local roads in Khon Kaen need immediate fixing,” he explained.

He added that there have been many accidents and deaths on this road, especially during the rainy season. These holes are not visible when they are filled with water in the rainy season, and with dirt in the dry season, he said.

“Hundreds of children use this road to go to school every day, it is used to transport food to and from big cities and take people to the hospital. Potholes indicate a lack of development, which diminishes the community’s quality of life,” he added.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017260

The Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) has banned Buddhist monks and novices from smoking or growing cannabis but permitted them to use it to treat illness.

The decision was made during the council’s meeting on Friday, according to National Office of Buddhism spokesman Sittha Moonhong.

The ban covers cannabis, hemp and kratom — all of which have been legalised following their removal from the Public Health Ministry’s narcotics list.

The legalisation of cannabis on June 9 led to concerns that monks and novices may start using the herb freely and even grow the plants in temples, Sittha said.

“There may be a misperception [among Buddhist monks] that doing so is no longer illegal and anyone can do it,” he added.

Therefore, the SSC has set guidelines for the Thai monastic order regarding marijuana, he said.

No Buddhist temples or monastic grounds can be used for planting cannabis, hemp or kratom, according to the new rules. Monks and novices are not permitted to consume cannabis, hemp or kratom, except as treatment prescribed by a doctor.

The SSC also instructed monastic administrators at all levels to ensure that monks and novices under their supervision comply with the guidelines strictly.

The SSC is the governing body of Thailand’s Buddhist order, serving as the ultimate authority on ecclesiastical matters.

Explaining the reason for the ban, Sittha said that although the Buddha’s teachings do not directly prohibit the use of cannabis, hemp or kratom, the plants have impacts on users’ mental and nervous systems. As a result of those impacts, users could act in a way that violated monastic precepts.

Published : July 01, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017259

The energy minister expects oil refinery operators to issue plans this month to help boost liquidity of the Oil Fuel Fund, which is suffering record debts from subsidising pump prices amid the global oil price crisis.

The Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO) reported on Monday that the Oil Fuel Fund deficit has hit an all-time high of 102.58 billion baht – 65.2 billion baht from the diesel-subsidy account and 37.38 billion baht from the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) account.

The fund currently has around 3.31 billion baht in liquidity to subsidise fuel prices.

Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow has for the last two weeks pressured refinery operators to help support the Oil Fuel Fund with the extra profit they are gaining from soaring energy prices. However, so far the operators have not responded.

“In a free market, it is hard to force business operators to do as you ask, so all we have been doing is asking for their cooperation,” said Supattanapong on Friday. “Even in the United States, the president is asking businesses for cooperation.”

The energy minister said he understood that refinery operators were discussing available options and would come up with tangible plans before the end of July.

“Companies cannot focus solely on earning the highest profits, they have to think about the people and society as well,” Supattanapong said, adding that staying rich was not “the way of sustainability”.

“The government is not asking for a donation, nor are we forcing them to comply. We will let them decide how they can help,” he insisted.

Kla Party leader and former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij last month claimed Thai refinery operators were “robbing” the Oil Fuel Fund and proposed imposing a “windfall tax” on their gross refinery margin. Refinery operators denied Korn’s claim they were profiteering.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017258

The Khaosan Road Business Association has proposed making Khaosan Road in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district a “cannabis hub” in a bid to attract foreign tourists.

The association and entrepreneurs got this idea after many retailers set up their stalls in the area to sell cannabis, drawing interest among Thais and foreigners, their president, Sanga Ruangwattanakul, said.

However, the cannabis hub will meet standards, such as buyers must show their ID card or passport before purchasing and retailers must refrain from selling cannabis to students, he said.

He added that rooms for smoking cannabis will be available in the area to ensure it won’t create a nuisance for non-smokers.

“In addition, products with cannabis additives, such as foods, desserts and cannabis oil, will be available in the area,” he said, adding that cannabis entrepreneurs must strictly follow standards and laws.

He believes that related agencies will agree to this proposal as it can stimulate the economy and tourism in the area.

Earlier, cannabis retailers on Khaosan Road had been advised to register at the Phra Nakhon district office before selling the decriminalised herb or they would be punished for violating the Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country BE 2535 (1992).

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017257

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will meet on July 8 to revise plans to declare Covid-19 endemic, as patients with severe symptoms are likely to rise.

The original plan was to declare the disease endemic from July 1, but this has been put on hold due to the arrival of new sub-variants.

General Supot Malaniyom, National Security Council secretary-general, said on Friday that the plan to declare Covid-19 endemic would also need to be adjusted in line with the easing of restrictions so far.

He added that the Public Health Ministry will be able to support severe Covid-19 cases as the bed occupancy rate is at 9 per cent – far lower than the 25 per cent expected.

General Supot Malaniyom

Supot said the ministry has also made preparations in case the bed occupancy rate rises beyond the limit.

“We must continue promoting Covid-19 vaccines, facemasks and other prevention measures so everyone can live safely,” he said.

He also called on the general public to have faith in Thailand’s healthcare system.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017256

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) will buy seven drones for around 4 billion baht from an Israeli company.

Vice Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin on Friday announced the winner of the tender for a drone system after Worakiat Rattananon, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence, signed the approval on Thursday.

Pokkrong said that the contract is being drafted and is expected to be signed within 30 days.

Israeli company Elbit Systems – Aerospace quoted a total price of 4.06 billion baht to win the bid.

Elbit Systems manufactures two unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) models — Hermes 900 and Hermes 450.

The Navy will receive seven Hermes 900 UAVs, according to the Defence Ministry.

The Royal Thai Army already has four Hermes 400 stationed at the 21st Aviation Battalion, Army Aviation Centre, in Lopburi province.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017253

National security-related agencies are closely monitoring the situation on the Thailand-Myanmar border following outbreak of hostilities between rebels and Myanmar forces, the National Security Office said on Friday.

The remarks came after a Myanmar fighter jet entered Thailand’s air space in Phop Phra district of Tak province on Thursday morning to launch air strikes on ethnic rebels in Myawaddy border town.

Local residents panicked and two local schools suspended classes over the Myanmar air force operation.

The office’s secretary-general, General Supot Malaniyom, said all military units have been instructed to strictly monitor the situation. He said this conflict was Myanmar’s internal affair.

Local government agencies have already prepared a plan to deal with Myanmar refugees entering Thailand to escape the battle between the Myanmar army and ethnic rebels.

“The battle has happened four to five times this year,” he said.

He confirmed that Myanmar had been told to avoid intruding on Thailand’s territory. He also believed that the Foreign Ministry is working on this issue as well.

Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) spokesman AVM Prapas Sonjaidee said on Thursday that a Myanmar jet had launched air strikes on ethnic rebels along the border and intruded into Thailand’s air space before it disappeared from the RTAF’s radar system.

“The Royal Thai Air Force deployed two F-16 fighter jets to conduct air patrols over the border district and ordered a military attache in Rangoon to coordinate with concerned agencies in Myanmar about the intrusion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Friday that Myanmar had apologised for intruding into Thailand’s air space.

He also asked citizens to be confident in the Thai army’s ability to protect national sovereignty.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION