#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016741

The government has managed to talk operators of oil and gas refineries into contributing up to 8 billion baht per month from July to September to the Oil Fuel Fund.

“Increasing the Oil Fuel Fund’s liquidity will help ease people’s financial burden during the fuel price crisis, as it can continue providing a 20-billion-baht monthly subsidy,” Energy Ministry’s permanent-secretary Kulit Sombatsiri said on Thursday.

The government panel tasked with easing the impact of rising fuel prices and inflation met with operators of gas and oil refineries on Thursday. The committee is chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The meeting agreed that diesel refineries will contribute up to 6 billion baht per month, and benzine and gas refineries will contribute up to 1 billion baht each per month.

Kulit said this should immediately bring the price of benzine down by 1 baht per litre.

“Operators have agreed to fully cooperate with the government and there is no need to issue a ministerial announcement,” he added.

Separately, Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council, said the meeting on Thursday also agreed to extend subsidy measures expiring on June 30. This extension does not include the reduction of contributions to the Social Security Fund, which will be decided upon by the Cabinet next week.

Published : June 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016739

The scrapping of the Test & Go scheme from May 1 has given a significant boost to Thailand’s tourism industry, said Laura Marie Arens, Google’s chief of Travel Vertical Search for Asia-Pacific.

She was speaking at the Google Hotelier Summit 2022 held on Thursday at the Athenee Hotel in Bangkok.

Arens added that the number of Google searches for Thailand has also risen since May 1.

Marisa Sukosol Nunpakdee, Thai Hotels Association president, said in response to the industry’s recovery, demand for workers has also risen since more than half had been laid off during the Covid crisis.

“Hotels with enough capital are paying more to hang on to their staff,” she said.

However, she said, smaller properties with limited finance were unable to pay workers and had limited access to technology.

She also expects the number of business, leisure, wellness and individual tourists to rise in the future.

“New generation tourists will pay attention to experiences received from locals and a variety of products,” she added.

Published : June 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016734

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (June 17) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 1,967 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, one of whom has arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 19, while 2,123 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,271,445.
 

Published : June 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016730

People aged 20 and above are allowed to possess and use cannabis and its extract, the Public Health Ministry announced on Thursday.

The edict, which goes into effect on Friday, aims to ensure people’s safety and promote the use of cannabis sustainably.

The announcement, published in the Royal Gazette, also specifies that people cannot smoke weed or its extract in public areas or give access to pregnant women, nursing mothers or people aged below 20.

Physicians, however, can prescribe cannabis and its extract, and patients can possess and use this medication for 30 days.

Cannabis was legalised in Thailand on June 9.

Published : June 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016725

Students at Chaiyabhumbhakdeechumphon School in Chaiyaphum province made pedestal trays to support the LGBT movement and celebrate pride month.

Twitter account ‘@saliandking10’ posted this story on Twitter a few years ago to share the story of “Teacher Respect Day” as the user was impressed by the students’ action to support LGBT.

Photo Credit: Twitter account @saliandking10

The user was proud that it came from their school. The user added that it was clear that society is more open about LGBT than before.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016718

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has denied speculation its deal with a Chinese submarine maker would be cancelled or revised, as the company is unable to acquire the German-made diesel engines stipulated in the purchase contract.

Navy commander-in-chief Admiral Somprasong Nilsamai said on Thursday that negotiations with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) were still underway.

The Thai Navy has been firm in its demand for German-made MTU 396 engines to be installed in the 13.5-billion-baht S26T Yuan-class submarine it is buying from China, he said.

The RTN last week gave CSOC another 60 days to honour the agreement’s terms over the engines.

When asked if the Navy would cancel its agreement if the Chinese company could not obtain the stated engines, Somprasong said on Thursday: “There are steps [to be taken] and we still have time.”

When asked if the CSOC would refund the RTN’s advance, “We are not there yet. The talks are still ongoing,” said the commander-in-chief.

The German government has prohibited the export of the engines to China because of their use for military purposes, as Germany is bound by a European Union arms embargo imposed on China in 1989 after the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Published : June 16, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016716

All Covid-19 control zones across Thailand would be clubbed together as green zone (low surveillance) in a bid to enable people to go about their routine activities as usual in line with laws, the Public Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry will make this suggestion to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) during the meeting on Friday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

He said the ministry will discuss with the CCSA whether all entertainment venues, including pubs, bars and karaoke shops, should be allowed to reopen in line with laws.

Entertainment venues in 46 yellow provinces (high-surveillance) are still not allowed to reopen even though venues in 14 green provinces (low surveillance) and 17 blue provinces (tourism pilot) have been allowed to reopen since June 1.

He added that the ministry will maintain recommendations on wearing face mask to contain the spread of Covid-19, but the ministry also will evaluate venues where people can take off their masks.

Meanwhile, Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said people across Thailand would be allowed to go about their activities as usual in line with laws.

He said the Public Health Ministry is not worried about allowing all entertainment venues to reopen in line with laws.

He added that the ministry will monitor the number of Covid-19 patients who develop severe symptoms and Covid-19 deaths as well.

Opas added that there is still misunderstanding on whether face mask is compulsory or a recommendation because no one has been arrested for not wearing a face mask so far.

However, the ministry is still recommending wearing face mask, except when dining, living alone, or staying in well ventilated areas, he said.

As of May 20, 14 green provinces (low surveillance) are: Chai Nat, Phichit, Ang Thong, Nan, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Nakhon Phanom, Lampang, Amnat Charoen, Buriram, Trat, Surat Thani, Surin and Udon Thani.

17 blue provinces (tourism pilot) are: Bangkok, Krabi, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phang-nga, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Rayong and Songkhla.

46 yellow provinces (high-surveillance) are: Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, Chaiyaphum, Chumphon, Trang, Tak, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nakhon Sawan, Bueng Kan, Prachinburi, Pattani, Ayutthaya, Phayao, Phatthalung, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Yala, Roi Et, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Loei, Lamphun, Sisaket, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Singburi, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016714

The Swedish Embassy in Thailand last week won pledges from 12 Swedish companies that they would allow their male employees to take paternity leave with pay for at least 30 days a year.

Jon Astrom Grondahl, Sweden’s ambassador to Thailand, disclosed the initiative of the embassy and the Swedish firms in Thailand during his interview with Krungthep Turakij.

The 12 Swedish firms operating in Thailand included Ikea, Volvo, ABB, Electrolux, AstraZeneca, and Atlas Copco.

The ambassador said the 12 Swedish firms gave the commitment voluntarily to allow their male staff to take leave to help their wives take care of their children for at least a month.

The ambassador said the paternity leave would promote sexual equality in line with the policy in his home country.

The ambassador said his country was the first in the world to enact a law that allows both parents to take leave with pay for up to 480 days when they have a child or adopt a child. The 480 days could be taken over a time until the child turns 8 years.

The ambassador recounted that he was born in 1975, a year after the law was enacted so his father was among the first group of Swedish men who took paternity leave.

The envoy said when his daughter was born, he also got the right to take six months leave to take care of her.

Ekachai Chakornsakul, human resources manager of Electrolux Thailand, said his company had consulted the employees before agreeing to adopt the paternity leave policy.

“This is a very good initiative. It’s good to have fathers take care of their children,” Ekachai said.

He said Electrolux supports sexual equality, so it welcomed the initiative.

Assoc Prof Dr Somporn Kamolsiripichai, a senior adviser to Global Bugs Asia, said allowing male staff to take paternity leave is a good incentive.

He said Global Bugs is a startup that works for community development in Hua Hin and the paternity leave policy had made local people interested in working for his company.

Sanjay Safaya, country manager of Atlas Copco Thailand, said Atlast Copco has branches in many countries and male staff at all branches can take paternity leave.

The ambassador denied trying to sell the idea of paternity leave to the Thai government, but said he had done so indirectly by telling the Thai government about Sweden’s law.

He said he hoped that the initiative by the 12 Swedish companies would prompt the Thai government and private sector to have more discussions about paternity leave.

The ambassador said the embassy would not have to monitor whether the companies would honour their word because they had given the commitment voluntarily.

“But the embassy will use soft power by promoting good deeds of the companies on our Facebook wall,” the ambassador added.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016711

A Commerce Ministry panel decided to retain price controls on 46 food and consumer products and five services for another year until June 2023, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit made it clear on Thursday.

The decision by the Department of Internal Trade’s Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services is aimed at delaying the potential impact of price increases for as long as possible, said Jurin, who doubles as deputy prime minister.

The price cap on instant noodles – popular fare for many Thais – will remain unchanged despite repeated requests from manufacturers for an increase due to higher costs, according to the commerce minister.

“No permission has been given for a price increase on instant noodles. I have to ask the manufacturers for their cooperation to retain the present price. You know well that [a price increase] will affect many low-income earners who rely on instant noodles,” he pointed out.

The panel also endorsed a proposal by the Food and Drug Administration for Covid-19 antigen test kits (ATKs) to become available for sale both online and offline for easier public access.

The 51 goods and services with controlled prices include food products, consumer goods, agricultural production merchandise, petroleum products, farm produce, online commerce and delivery services, as well as medical services.

Published : June 16, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016709

Thousands of motorists are flocking to automotive service shops to fit their cars with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems or electricity in a bid to escape the impact of rising oil prices.

Energy Reform president Surasak Nittiwat said the company has witnessed 200 per cent year-on-year growth as many people have used his company’s services to modify their cars to support LPG.

However, he said people who want to go in for the modification at his company have to wait at least one to two weeks due to insufficient components.

Meanwhile, EV Car (Thailand) managing director Paisan Tangyarit said a number of motorists are also interested in modifying their cars into electric vehicles amid the high oil prices.

He said electric cars are three times cheaper to operate than internal combustion engine vehicles and these modified vehicles have a range of more than 200 kilometres on a single charge.

However, Paisan said motorists who want to change to electric have to wait for one to three months due to service limitations.

Pajon Thongluea, owner of Pajon Service Ranong-Chumphon in Ranong province, noted that people have turned to LPG cars to escape the impact of rising oil prices and reduce the cost of living.

He said the modification to LPG costs between 16,000 and 40,000 baht depending on the system.

Pajon added that 80 per cent of modified cars were personal cars and 20 per cent were trucks.

As many as 1,249 cars which have dual compressed natural gas (CNG)-benzene systems were registered with the Department of Land Transport from January to May this year, followed by LPG-benzene cars (762) and cars which support only CNG (383).

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION