#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016708

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working hard to attract Chinese tourists after the Asian giant eased travel restrictions for nine of its southern cities.

TAT executive director for East Asia Chuwit Sirivejkul said on Thursday that the agency has been creating awareness among Chinese tourists in a bid to attract them to Thailand once their country fully reopens.

He believed China’s move to ease travel restrictions in nine southern cities – Dalian, Beijing, Chengdu, Nanjing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Fuzhou – would enable Thailand to draw Chinese tourists to the country.

Chuwit said many Chinese businessmen and students were allowed to request visas to travel abroad.

“Hence, TAT’s offices in China have held discussions with the business sector, educational institutions and the chamber of commerce there to draw Chinese tourists to Thailand,” he said.

Even though flight fares from Thailand to China have soared from 2,000 yuan (10,000 baht) to 40,000-60,000 yuan due to China’s policy to limit the number of flights per week, it means Chinese tourists can stay longer in Thailand, Chuwit said.

But he suggested they can fly to Thailand via Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong as the airline currently operates daily flights from there to Thailand priced at 2,000 yuan.

“The number of Chinese tourists to Thailand increased to 20,000 in May from the previous 300 per month,” Chuwit noted.

Chuwit Sirivejkul, TAT executive director for East Asia

He said 36,851 Chinese tourists arrived in the kingdom from January to May, more than 70 per cent being businessmen who visited the country for around two months, spending 6,118 baht each per day.

“If China eases travel restrictions further during the Communist Party National Congress in October, at least 500,000 Chinese tourists will visit Thailand this year,” he said hopefully, adding that the number of these visitors to the kingdom is likely to increase even more during Chinese New Year next year.

Chuwit said TAT offices in China aim to draw 4 million tourists to Thailand next year, or 40 per cent of 11 million in 2019.

The agency also aims to attract senior tourists who comprise 32 per cent of total Chinese visitors to Thailand, he added.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016703

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt made a surprise visit to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) traffic technology centre after morning showers led to traffic jams.

Chadchart went live on Facebook on Thursday as he visited the centre without advance notice after rain in some Bangkok districts, including Thonburi.

There were traffic jams in several areas but no reports of any floods on main roads.

Chadchart found several surveillance cameras were broken, had unclear images or could not zoom in to capture clearer pictures. He ordered officials to check which cameras were not working properly and even made a map.

The governor also asked officials to be prepared because he would visit the centre again without any notice. He told the officials that if he had any questions for them, they should be able to provide him with answers “immediately”.

Chadchart pointed out that all equipment was paid for by taxes so they must be in full operation to be worthwhile.

He said it would be a good thing if the cameras could be used to improve traffic flow, and wished everyone a safe commute especially during rain.

The BMA reported that there was “mild to moderate” rain on Thursday morning in Bangkok Yai, Thonburi, Bang Kho Laem, inner Phra Nakhon, Bang Khun Thian, Suan Luang, and Prawet districts.

Rain clouds had since moved to the North, while the precipitation at Phra Nakhon district was 19.5mm.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016697

Facebook page @FootpathThaiStyle on Wednesday shared photos of merchants brazenly using Pattaya’s Jomtien Beach to hawk their goods and services, notably renting out beach chairs, despite the Na Jomtien Municipal Office erecting a sign prohibiting use of the area for personal gain.

The photos, widely shared on social media, came in for stiff criticism by netizens, who called out the local merchants for their lack of respect for the law, saying it clearly presents a negative image for Thailand’s recovering tourism industry.

In one photo, a man was seen plonked on a rental canvas bed right in front of the warning sign, even using it as a shade.

The sign reads: “This beach is public property which every citizen can use. Any use for personal gain is a violation of the Land Code and Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country. Na Jomtien Municipal Office will take legal action against violators.”

Netizens condemned the merchants for monopolising the beach for commercial use, and urged the authorities to crack down immediately “before the image of one of Thailand’s most famous beaches is tarnished any further”.

Highly popular Jomtien Beach is located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand about 165km southeast of Bangkok in Chonburi province and about 3km south of Pattaya City. The white sandy beach is well-known for its beauty, while the neighbourhood is chockablock with high-rise condominiums, beachside hotels and restaurants.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016694

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Thursday issued an order for schools under its administration to strictly follow nine measures to prevent and monitor the use of marijuana and hemp among students after the two plants were legalised last week.

The order, expressly signed by Governor Chadchart Sitthiphan, stipulated that all schools run by the BMA must follow these measures:

1. All schools must be marijuana- and hemp-free zones.

2. No selling of food, snacks or beverages with marijuana or hemp as ingredients.

3. No advertising of food, snacks or beverages with marijuana or hemp as ingredients.

4. School executives, teachers and staff must monitor students to prevent the use of the two plants in school, and set a good example for students.

5. Schools must provide knowledge and understanding of marijuana and hemp and the danger these pose through classroom learning for students at all levels.

6. The institutions must organise various academic activities based on students’ interests that emphasise the risks of consuming marijuana or hemp.

7. Schools must also run public relations campaigns to increase student awareness of the impact of marijuana and hemp on physical and mental health.

8. The institutions must coordinate with parents, surrounding communities and merchants in school areas to prevent the sale of food, snacks or beverages with marijuana or hemp as ingredients.

9. Schools must coordinate with public health offices and district offices in monitoring and preventing the use of marijuana and hemp among students.

On Wednesday Chadchart said he did not object to the national government’s policy to decriminalise the use of marijuana, but the BMA would have to be prepared in terms of medical services for any eventualities, and it would also have to report health issues related to ganja use to the Public Health Ministry.

He was referring to an incident in which a man died of cannabis overdose. An autopsy revealed the man died of heart failure and he had a record of marijuana use.

“The BMA has to be on the alert. The BMA has to follow the law; it does not contradict the government’s policy. However, as the implementer of the policy, we have to be careful and have our medical services ready,” Chadchart said.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016693

People in upper Thailand could experience flash floods and overflows from Sunday to next Tuesday due to the impact of the southwest monsoon, the Meteorological Department warned on Thursday.

The department forecast that from June 16-18, the southwest monsoon will weaken while the monsoon trough will shift across Myanmar and upper Laos.

During the period, less rain with isolated thundershowers are likely mostly in western Thailand.

However, from June 19 to 21, the southwest monsoon will strengthen and the monsoon trough will move down from across Myanmar and upper Laos. More rains are then likely in western Thailand along with isolated heavy showers in the North, the upper Northeast, the East and the South. During the period, people in upper Thailand should beware of severe conditions that may cause flash floods and overflows, the department said, adding that all transport should proceed with extra caution.

Additionally, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said that until June 20, the Chao Phraya River level at Phra Chulachomklao Fort in Samut Prakan province will rise to 1.7 to 2 metres due to high tide from 6pm to 3am.

The BMA advised people who live near the river in Bangkok and Samut Prakan to move their belongings to higher places and follow weather updates regularly via http://dds.bangkok.go.th

Here’s the weather forecast for June 16-21:

North: Thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the area during June 16-18, and 40-60 per cent of the area with gusty winds and isolated heavy rains from June 19 to 21; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees and highs of 31-37 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the areas June 16-18, and 40-60 per cent of the area with gusty winds and isolated heavy rains June 19-21; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees and highs of 32-37 degrees Celsius.

Central: Thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 22-27 degrees, highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the areas June 16-18, and 40-60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains June 19-21; temperature lows of 23-28 degrees and highs of 30-36 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-27 degrees, highs of 30-36 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-28 degrees, highs of 30-34 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the area June 16-18, and 40-60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains June 19-21; temperature lows of 25-28 degrees and highs of 31-37 degrees Celsius.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016691

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (June 16) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,153 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 4 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 17, while 2,512 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,269,478.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,492,913 – 4,441,305 of whom have recovered, 21,205 are still in hospitals and 30,403 have died.

Separately, another 7,807 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 14,830 their second shot and 47,197 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 138,843,082.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 542.53 million on Thursday, 517.83 million of whom have recovered, 18.36 million are active cases (36,333 in severe condition) and 6.34 million have died (up by 1,368).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 87.76 million, followed by India with 43.26 million, Brazil with 31.61 million, France with 29.98 million and Germany with 27.01 million.

Published : June 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016680

The so-called “comic islet” has become so popular that tourists have severely damaged the sole tree standing on the tiny piece of land in the sea off the coast of Trat province, officials said.

The tiny islet, just a few metres wide, has been called Koh Khai Hua Roh in Thai because it looks similar to drawings of funny scenes involving a man and a woman trapped on an island in the Khai Hua Roh (Selling laughter) comic book.

After a tourist posted on a Facebook wall that the islet is like the scene in the comic book, tourists have flocked to the site to take selfies and photos.

On Tuesday, the Koh Mak Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) led a team of reporters to observe the sole taban tree (Xylocarpus rumphii) on the islet and found that it has been badly damaged by tourists’ repeated visits.

Some small branches of the tree were broken off and its big root above the rock appeared to have to been repeatedly stomped on, peeling off the top cover. Officials said the tree trunk also appeared to be tilting more than it did a few years ago before the spot became a tourist destination.

Lertrob Saithongpu, the director of the maintenance division of the Khon Mak TAO, said tourists apparently even climbed the tree and broke off some small branches.

He said the TAO would study measures to restrict the number of tourists allowed to visit the islet and only in certain seasons to prevent the tree from dying.

He said the islet could accommodate just five tourists at a time but sometimes more than five times the number got on the islet.

He said the TAO would also launch a campaign to educate tourists to help conserve the tree.

Published : June 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016675

US retail store giant Walmart did not remove Thai products made from coconut milk from its shelves because it was pressured by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in a bid to ban Thailand for using monkeys to pick coconuts, said the Commerce Ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP).

It was responding to the rumour which has been circulating on social media.

“I have asked the commerce office in the US and was informed that the rumour is just not true,” DITP director-general Phusit Rattanakul Sereeruengsit said on Wednesday.

“Officials there reported that it is normal for retail stores to remove some of the products from their shelves during certain periods in accordance with consumer demand, which will vary upon seasons and market trends,” Phusit said.

“Walmart is still importing products from Thailand and the trade relationship between Thailand and the US is still strong,” he insisted.

Phusit said the department has been communicating with its trade partners after news that the United Kingdom banned monkey-picked coconut products from Thailand in mid-2020.

“We explained that only few communities are using monkeys to pick coconuts as a traditional way of life. No monkeys have been used to pick coconuts for export,” he clarified.

“We have also compiled a monkey-free farm list so that foreign importers can select only farms that comply with no-animal-abuse standards,” he said.

The DIPT reported that in 2021 Thailand exported ready-to-drink coconut milk valued at 26.58 billion baht worldwide, a 2.57 per cent decrease year on year, which indicated that the ban on monkey-picked coconut did not create a significant impact.

The United States market is responsible for about one fourth of total coconut milk exports.

Published : June 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016671

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered government agencies to study the pros and cons of lifting the mandatory mask-wearing measure and present their findings to a national Covid meeting on Friday.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the proposal to do away with mask wearing in public would be considered by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on the orders of the prime minister during its Friday meeting.

Thanakorn said Prayut, in his capacity as CCSA director, had instructed all government agencies concerned to analyse the current Covid-19 situation and study measures to cope with the improved situation if the CCSA decides to lift its mask wearing requirement.

He said the CCSA would listen to opinions from a number of experts and would make a decision with prudence by taking into account public health and safety.

Last month, Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit said his ministry would ask the CCSA to scrap mask-wearing in areas with low infection and high vaccination rates.

Published : June 15, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016670

Some 60 sea turtle eggs were found by ecstatic Similan Islands National Park officials early on Wednesday at Koh Miang beach, 63 kilometres off the Phang-nga coast in the Andaman Sea.

All 60 eggs were found in one nest. Officials are confident they belong to the endangered green sea turtle, which laid eggs on the beach during high tide before returning to the sea, judging from traces on the sand.

The park officials have moved all the eggs to a safe location and will watch over them until they hatch. The newborns will be sent to the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Published : June 15, 2022

By : THE NATION