#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016538

Bangkok motorists have been advised to avoid using nine routes around Democracy Monument and Victory Monument on Saturday due to political protests.

“Pro-democracy protesters have announced on social media that they will start gathering at Democracy Monument at 2pm and will march towards Victory Monument at around 3.30pm,” deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsaeng-Ake said.

“We advise motorists to avoid using these nine routes and follow traffic updates closely from noon onwards until the rally wraps up.”

The routes expected to be affected are:

1. Rajdamnern Klang Avenue

2. Din So Road

3. Nakhon Sawan Road

4. Phitsanulok Road (Yommarat to Suanmisakawan intersections)

5. Phetchaburi Road (Yommarat to Ratchathewi intersections)

6. Phya Thai Road (Ratchathewi Intersection to Victory Monument)

7. Phaholyothin Road (Soi 3 to Victory Monument)

8. Ratchawithi Road (Soi 9 to Soi Senarak)

9. Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge

For updates, call the Metropolitan Police Traffic Control Centre’s 1197 hotline or visit Facebook @1197Callcenter

Published : June 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016532

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (June 11) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,501 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in the country.

Death toll increased by 28, while 2,917 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,258,954.
 

Published : June 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016530

Hundreds of Thai Muslims from Narathiwat embarked on their Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia on Friday, after diplomatic ties and direct flights were restored between the two countries earlier this year.

Atotal of 282 pilgrims took a direct Thai Airways flight from Narathiwat Airport in the southern province to Medina in western Saudi Arabia. The city houses the vast Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi), which is a major Islamic pilgrimage site.

Another 286 pilgrims from Narathiwat are scheduled to leave for Mecca on Saturday.

The 568 pilgrims from Narathiwat are part of the 1,580 Thai Muslims from southern provinces and 3,738 from across the country who will journey to the sacred Islamic site this year.

A large crowd of local residents and officials gathered at Narathiwat Airport on Friday to see off the pilgrims.

Pilgrimage to Mecca is considered the fifth pillar of Islam, and Muslims are expected to make their religious journey to the holy city at least once in their lifetime. Hajj commences on July 7 and ends on July 12.

Published : June 10, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016527

Demand for charcoal is increasing in Thailand as the price of cooking gas rises. Many eateries and households are now turning to charcoal as a cheaper way of fuelling their stoves.

The trend could signal bad news for Thailand’s chronic air pollution, as charcoal produces at least two times more CO2 and particulate matter when burned than cooking gas.

Phichit resident Thongkham Tocharoen, who produces charcoal for sale, confirmed that demand for her product has increased in recent weeks.

She sells charcoal at 300 baht per sack and said she had no plans to raise the price soon despite the rising cost of wood, her raw material.

Most of her customers are owners of local food shops who turned to charcoal after the cooking gas price began rising in April as the government cut fuel subsidies.

Rising fuel prices have also driven up transport costs, which has triggered a sharp rise in the price of vegetables and other basic goods.

Inflation in Thailand hit 7.1 per cent in May as the Russia-Ukraine war continued to impact global energy prices.

In Uthai Thani province, leeks were selling at 120 baht per kilogramme on Friday, up from 70-80 baht just weeks ago. Meanwhile the price of broccoli has risen from 80 baht per kilo to 120 baht, and bell peppers from 60-70 baht per kilo to 150 baht.

Bird’s-eye chillies (phrik khinoo suan) saw the highest price hike, from 150-170 baht per kilo to 250 baht on Friday.

Published : June 10, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016526

Responding to huge public demand, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opened a second website to register to cultivate cannabis at home or commercially.

Growers can now register at the newly opened https://plookganjaweb.fda.moph.go.th, in addition to the original registration portal at http://plookganja.fda.moph.go.th/.

The new channel was added after more than 200,000 people registered themselves as marijuana growers through the Plookganja website and mobile application.

The registration system has received more than 22.8 million visitors since it was opened on Thursday, when cannabis was removed from the narcotics list under Thai law.

As of Friday, the FDA has issued almost 300,000 electronic registration certificates for people to grow the herb.

Registrants are asked to provide their 13-digit ID number and date of birth, as well as specifying the purpose of marijuana use – personal, medicinal or commercial.

Registrants are allowed to grow and use cannabis and hemp for purposes of improving their own health, the preparation of traditional medicines, and commercial and industrial purposes, according to the FDA. They can also produce and process parts of the hemp and cannabis plants.

However, marijuana extracts containing more than 0.2 per cent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the compound responsible for the herb’s euphoric effects or “high” – are still legally banned as a narcotic.

Published : June 10, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016522

Thailand’s largest-ever trade fair in Malaysia has been a soaring success, with revenue six times higher than targeted, officials said on Friday.

The “Think Thailand Festival”, held by the International Trade Promotion Department (DITP) and Royal Thai Embassy, saw more than 30 Thai businesses showcase products and services at Tropicana Gardens Mall in Petaling Jaya from May 26 to June 6. Malaysian visitors were also treated to food from top Thai restaurants, massage from the Thai Odyssey chain, and even Muay Thai activities

The festival aimed to strengthen economic ties between the two neighbours and boost recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

It saw over 50 Thai exporters take part in on-site and online business negotiations, reaching deals worth about 30 million ringgit (237 million baht), according to Kuala Lumpur Thai Trade Centre director Worawan Wanwil.

The DITP also joined with online retailer Shopee to open the “Topthai” store offering Thai products from 800 operators to Malay shoppers at a special price.

Meanwhile Thai halal products with the TIHAS label were on show to tap rising demand from Malay importers. Worawan said the festival generated 40 million ringgit or 300 million baht over 12 days, surpassing the goal of 6 million ringgit.

Malaysia is Thailand’s largest trade partner in Asean with total trade value of about 837 billion baht last year.

Published : June 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016521

The Department of Livestock Development has denied rumours that fake eggs were being sold in Loei province, saying the misshapen eggs came from unhealthy hens.

Sorawit Thaneeto, the department’s deputy chief, said on Friday that abnormal eggs can be found in many forms such as soft, pale or butternut squash shaped. However, he said, these are usually separated in egg farms or egg-collection centres.

“These eggs are usually processed, used in baking or disposed of,” he said, adding that he suspects retailers may have bought these misshapen eggs at rock-bottom prices.

“These eggs can be consumed as abnormality in hens cannot be transmitted to humans. But they should be well-cooked before consumption,” he said.

He also advised consumers to check eggs to see if they are cracked or dirty, as well as the best-before date, before purchasing.

Sorawit said people can purchase fresh eggs from stores that have the “Livestock OK” label issued by the department.

More information can be found via the DLD4.0 application or by calling the (063) 225 6888 24-hour hotline.

Published : June 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016519

The Commerce Ministry has told the manufacturers of instant noodles – a popular food for many Thais – to maintain the retail price of a basic packet at 6 baht for as long as possible.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Friday that he will not permit a price increase any time soon despite manufacturers’ repeated requests over the past several months.

“The retail price will be maintained at 6 baht per basic packet of instant noodles. The Department of Internal Trade has not allowed a price increase yet,” he said.

Jurin, who also doubles as deputy prime minister, voiced sympathy for the producers of instant noodles who have been hit badly by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

He also noted that many are likely to suspend production if they are not able to make profits.

“But that will lead to a new problem of no goods in the market. We need to find a balance,” the minister said.

If a price increase is inevitable, it should have the “least impact” on consumers, the minister said.

He added that the Department of Internal Trade would negotiate with manufacturers so all parties involved are satisfied, “under a win-win model”.

Earlier, Saha Group had asked to increase the price of its popular Mama instant noodles because the cost of raw materials, especially wheat and palm oil, had risen significantly.

The group’s chairman Boonsithi Chokwatana said the current economic situation was worse than the 1997 Asian financial crisis when higher costs had forced Saha Group to increase the retail price of its products.

“It’s no different today. Saha Group needs to raise the prices due to the constant increase in the cost of raw materials,” he said.

According to Boonsithi, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was not as bad as the impact of the ongoing war, which does not seem to have an end in sight.

“Price increase is inevitable for Saha Group. We will minimise the impact on consumers and give them time to prepare,” he said.

Published : June 10, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016518

The Public Health Ministry and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have joined hands to reform Bangkok’s primary healthcare system.

Bangkok deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej said on Friday that the move aims to enable citizens to access necessary health services, as well as improve the quality of medical treatment to ensure citizens’ safety.

He said the ministry and the BMA have agreed to reform the primary healthcare system in seven aspects:

1. The Bangkok governor will set up a primary care system manager in each district across the capital with cooperation from the government, the public and private sectors.

2. The National Health Security Office, Social Security Office and Comptroller-General’s Department will design a financial system and propose budget disbursement methods to support the primary healthcare system, focusing on health promotion and disease prevention.

3. The Bangkok governor will promote public sector participation in the primary healthcare system.

4. The BMA, the Public Health Ministry and the Digital Economy and Society Ministry will develop electronic health information system and promote information exchange to develop health services and create awareness among people on how to take care of their health.

5. The Bangkok Health Department will develop public health volunteers using resources from the Public Health Ministry.

6. The BMA will set up sandbox areas to implement the primary healthcare system within three months before expansion to cover areas across the capital within one year.

7. The Health Systems Research Institute will cooperate with the BMA on academic cooperation to support operations on reforming the primary healthcare system.

Tavida also pointed out that difficulties in the public health system had caused an impact on the public sector, economy and quality of life.

Hence, we have to reconsider our limitations, such as manpower and treatment quality, as well as develop our standards, to gain confidence among citizens, he said.

He added that the BMA will groom public health volunteers to take care of citizens.

Published : June 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016517

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry on Friday began giving away free cannabis plants to people who have registered online with the Agriculture Department.

The ministry will give away one million marijuana plants to people who want to grow them at home after cannabis was removed from narcotics list on June 9, said Deputy Agriculture Minister Mananya Thaiset on Friday.

“Each household will be allowed two free plants, which means at least half a million households in Thailand will be growing marijuana,” Mananya said.

Also removed from narcotics list are hemp and kratom (Mitragyna speciosa). All three plants have been long used as Thai traditional herbs.

Mananya added that all growers must first register via the Thailand Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s “Plookganja” application or at http://plookganja.fda.moph.go.th/HOME/FRM_REGISTER to receive a digital certificate before they can start growing. Registrants must provide their ID card number, mobile number (for one-time password), and give their reason for growing cannabis and the number of plants they will cultivate.

Plants offered for free by the government are a Thai strain called Issara 01, developed by the Department of Medical Services and Department of Agriculture. Mananya said more Thai strains would be made available soon, including the Hang Karok (Squirrel Tail), Hang Sua (Tiger Tail), Tanaosri, and Phuphan.

“Legalisation will also spur development of new and improved strains,” she added.

The ministry aims to give away all 1 million plants before year-end, or 100,000 to 200,000 plants per month. People can pick up the plants at their local provincial agricultural office 30 days after their registration is approved.

Published : June 10, 2022

By : THE NATION