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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016184

Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched its “Plookganja” application on Wednesday for people who want to grow marijuana and hemp at home.

The two plants will be removed from the category 5 narcotics list on June 9.

“From June 9, all parts of marijuana and hemp will not be considered a narcotics substance as long as they have tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] of less than 0.2 per cent of weight,” said FDA deputy secretary-general Dr Withit Saritdeechaikul.

“People can therefore grow these plants at home without any restrictions or having to seek permission from the FDA. However, they are required to register with the FDA and notify the agency of the number of plants and the purpose for growing them.”

Those interested in doing should either log on to http://plookganja.fda.moph.go.th or download the Plookganja application, which is available for both iOS and Android devices.

“Once you register and detail the number of plants and the purpose for growing them, you will receive an electronic notification from the FDA and can then proceed with growing the plants,” Withit explained.

He said the purpose of registration is for the FDA to record the number of marijuana and hemp plants being grown countrywide, which will be valuable statistics for businesses that wish to manufacturer products with ingredients from these plants. This also corresponds with the government’s policy of removing them from the narcotics list: to make marijuana and hemp new “economic plants”.

For more information, contact FDA call centre via 1556 and press 3.

Published : June 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016175

The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) is promoting Pattaya as a film production centre under the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) to generate revenue for the community.

DASTA director-general Athikun Kongmee said on Tuesday that the agency would team up with 12 organisations to push Pattaya as a “City of Film” in five years – from 2022 to 2027.

It is expected to stimulate investment to create employment and generate revenue, which will in turn contribute to the overall Thai economy.

Athikun said Pattaya has suitable natural resources and city context because it possesses “cultural and tourism assets” and is an international tourist destination. It could easily welcome Thai and foreign film crews as well as additional tourists.

Thailand currently has five cities in the UCCN:

• Phuket – City of Gastronomy
• Chiang Mai – City of Crafts and Folk Arts
• Bangkok – Design City
• Sukhothai – Crafts and Folk Arts
• Phetchaburi – City of Gastronomy.

DASTA successfully pushed for cities such as Sukhothai and Phetchaburi to be included in the Unesco network, Athikun said.

This year, DASTA is promoting Suphanburi as a City of Music and Nan as a City of Crafts and Folk Arts, he added.

Published : June 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016174

Tourism in Chiang Mai is beginning to take off again after the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration eased travel restrictions on Wednesday to attract more foreign visitors.

From June 1, even unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers can enter the country but they need a negative rapid antigen or RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Chiang Mai Office director Watcharayut Kuawong said hotel and tourism operators are seeing improved business, rehiring staff to welcome an increasing number of visitors.

He expected at least 1 million tourists to visit the province during the green season between May and September, generating at least THB1 billion in revenue.

More than 2,000 venues have registered for SHA standards in order to operate their businesses in the current Covid-19 situation, Watcharayut said.

However, the office has instructed them to strictly adhere to Covid-19 prevention measures.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association president Pol Maj-General Pacha Rattanaphan said the association will intensify efforts to draw tourists to the province.

He said Chiang Mai has “limitations” in the number of international flights as currently there were flights only from Singapore and Malaysia.

The association will now seek and promote more international flights in order to stimulate tourism, Pacha added.

Maj-General Kochakorn Chaiyabutr, managing director of Khum Suea Trakarn, which operates two Tiger Kingdoms in Chiang Mai and one in Phuket, said many tourists have now visited the tiger centres in the two provinces.

However, she asked the government to seek more international flights to Chiang Mai in a bid to stimulate tourism, especially during the high season from October to January.

The Tiger Kingdoms are ready to welcome an influx of tourists under measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, she added.

Published : June 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016161

Chonburi police chief Atthasit Kijjahan on Wednesday issued an order to transfer four Sriracha station police officers to inactive positions at the Chonburi police operation centre effective immediately until further notice.

The order came after the four – an investigative inspector and his deputy and two senior sergeant majors – on May 30 arrested a 55-year-old woman at her house in Bang Phra subdistrict on a charge of growing marijuana without permission. They confiscated one marijuana plant weighing around 20 grams.

The woman said she had been growing the plant for personal use to treat her diabetes.

The bust came in for wide criticisism on social media, prompting the Chonburi police chief to take action.

Atthasit also said in the order that a committee would be appointed to investigate the incident and decide appropriate disciplinary action, and that he had ordered all police officers in Chonburi to use discretion and political science principles before making such arrests, as their actions could affect the image of the Royal Thai Police.

The Public Health Ministry’s directive decriminalising marijuana as a category 5 narcotics plant will go into effect on June 9.

Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in May that from June 9 people would be allowed to grow “as many cannabis plants” as they like in their homes.

The marijuana grown must be of medical grade and used for medicinal purposes only. Official registration is not required for growing the weed at home. However, large marijuana-related businesses must request permission from the Food and Drug Administration, he added.

Published : June 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016160

The Thai Meteorological Department issued a weather warning early on Wednesday that a strong southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, the South and the upper Gulf on Wednesday and Thursday.

Winds are expected to whip up 2-3-metre-high waves in the Andaman Sea and above 3 metres during thundershowers, the department said.

Meanwhile, waves in the upper Gulf are about 2 metres high and will be higher during thundershowers.

The department advised all ships to proceed with caution and keep away from areas experiencing thundershowers, while small boats in the Andaman Sea should remain ashore until Thursday night at least.

It also advised people in affected areas to follow the latest weather warnings at https://www.tmd.go.th/en/list_warning.php

Published : June 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016159

Entertainment venues including pubs, bars, karaoke joints and massage parlours are starting to reopen after more than two years of closure with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) lifting its shutdown order from today, June 1.

The venues were the first businesses ordered closed and now the last to reopen as they had a high risk of causing Covid-19 clusters due to close contact among customers and staff as well as poor ventilation.

Nation TV reporters surveyed massage parlours in Bangkok’s Arun Amarin and Uruphong areas on Tuesday and found some of them have put up announcements calling for massage therapists and masseuses as they prepare to reopen.

For instance, a cleaning worker at an establishment on Rama VIII Road said the business had been ordered shut since the first wave of Covid-19 in Thailand more than two years ago, leading to a loss of her job. She said she was recently called back to work for a “big clean-up” to prepare for the reopening on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a worker at a massage parlour on Uruphong Road said the parlour was preparing to reopen on June 3.

“We wanted to reopen on Wednesday, but Pathumwan district officials visited the place yesterday [May 30] and said we are still lacking Covid-19 preventive measures, including testing all employees and improving ventilation in guest reception areas,” he said.

The CCSA stipulated that customers to these entertainment venues must show a vaccine certificate of at least two doses, pass thermal scanners at the entrance, and check in via the ThaiChana platform. Face masks must be worn at all times in the establishments, except when drinking or eating.

Published : June 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016158

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (June 1) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 4,563 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in the country.

Death toll increased by 28, while 5,125 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,231,585.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,455,020 – 4,385,702 of whom have recovered, 39,271 are still in hospitals and 30,047 have died.

Separately, another 13,377 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 35,238 their second shot and 72,124 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 137,763,012.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 532.82 million on Wednesday, 503.89 million of whom have recovered, 22.62 million are active cases (37,406 in severe condition) and 6.31 million have died (up by 1,411).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 85.9 million, followed by India with 43.16 million, Brazil with 31.02 million, France with 29.52 million and Germany with 26.37 million.

Published : June 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016157

The telecoms regulator and police are launching a task force to combat scams related to Thailand’s new Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), which comes into effect on Wednesday (June 1).

The Thailand National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) announced the move on Monday at its public forum, “PDPA Law and the New Dimension of Scam Problem Management”.

NBTC chairman Pirongrong Ramasoota said tackling scams that exploit personal data would require cooperation from the NBTC, police, telecom providers, government agencies and civil society.

She explained that the working group would combat online fraudsters that exploit the process of storing, using and communicating information on various platforms.

“As legal authorities, we should not leave consumers alone to face the threat of fraudulent schemes, which constantly change over time. Both telecom operators and related agencies must seek proactive ways to prevent the problems now rather than treating them later,” said Pirongrong.

Preventive measures may include technology guidelines designed to protect the right to privacy (Privacy by Design), system and data management, legal action and effective public awareness campaigns.

Arthit Suriyawongkul, a member of Thailand Consumers Council (TCC)’s subcommittee on communications and information technology, said many organisations in both the public and private sectors currently require people to submit their personal data before receiving services.

Loaded with such requirements, people can’t remember which organisations they have allowed to access their personal information, he said. Hence, when they are contacted by criminal gangs claiming to be representatives of organisations, people easily fall into the trap.

“Scammers use psychological models based on personal data to build trust with victims … while creating fear by impersonating government officials and asking them to transfer money to escape [fake] allegations,” said Arthit.

Pol Maj-General Niwet Arphawasin, chief of the Technology Crime Investigation and Analysis Division, added that the PDPA was a good start but legal loopholes still existed when it came to compliance with the new law.

Currently, in the case of data leaks, the law does not penalise those who agree to sell their own data but instead blames the person who stored the leaked information.

Niwet said those applying the new law need to consider the local context. In Western countries there is no problem selling personal data obtained legally, but in Thailand, obtaining and selling personal data has been a legal grey area.

“People are being deceived every day. The challenge is how to warn people directly and immediately. If people understand and are alert to any kind of scam, they can avoid becoming victims. The law should also add a category to identify the person who disclosed the data,” said Niwet.

Police say they receive an average of 10,000 complaints of online fraud every month, totalling 1.5 billion baht in damages – or at least 10 million baht per day.Therefore, public awareness campaigns are an important protective measure. Authorities also advise that if you are transferring money to another party, ask for their phone number so you can verify they have a legitimate contact.

Thosaphon Tasanakulphan, chief of the Personal Data Protection Committee, said the most vulnerable and sensitive data is information citizens must disclose to government agencies to register for various rights such as welfare. Hence, these agencies should request the minimal amount of information needed, he said.

NBTC chairman Pirongrong concluded that the PDPA represented an opportunity for all sectors to solve the problem of personal data leaks in Thailand. To overcome this challenge together, all organisations and sectors should strengthen enforcement and also awareness of personal data issues, she added.

Published : May 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016155

The Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) has arrested six Taiwanese men in Bangkok for allegedly deceiving people in Taiwan to invest in cryptocurrency trading.

PCT chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapat held a press conference on Tuesday to announce the arrest of the six Taiwanese.

Damrongsak, also a deputy National Police chief, said the suspects were arrested at a rented shophouse in Prawet district on Friday following a tip-off.

Damrongsak said the PCT and Immigration Bureau had been tipped-off that two Taiwanese men, who were wanted under arrest warrants in their country, were allegedly carrying out suspicious activities at the rented shophouse.

Police monitored their activities for a while and found that the suspects mostly stayed in the shophouse without going out, so police obtained a search warrant from the Phra Khanong District Court.

Police searched the rented shophouse and arrested the six suspects. Two of them had arrest warrants issued in Taiwan.

Police seized seven notebook computers and 45 mobile phones from the suspects.

Damrongsak said PCT investigators checked records on the notebooks and found that the suspects had deceived Taiwanese people to invest in cryptocurrency trading and lost their money. They were also charged with unlawfully carrying on an exchange business without licence.

Damrongsak said four suspects were charged with being immigrants working without work permit while the fifth suspect was charged with using narcotics. The sixth suspect was charged with overstaying his visa.

Immigration Police chief Pol Lt-General Phakphum Phipat said the six suspects would be deported after their cases were finalised and they had received due penalties.

Pol Lt-General Kitrat Phanphet, assistant National Police chief and deputy PCT chief, said the PCT has received 30,029 complaints from the people from March 1 to May 29 this year.

Most of the more than 10,000 complaints were about deceptions by online traders, he said.

He said 3,666 complaints were about being deceived to work online and not receiving pay as promised. He added that 1,371 complaints were about hybrid scams in which victims were lured to fall in love and then invest in online trading and lost their money.

There were also 294 complaints in which victims were lured to fall in love and transfer money to the scammers, Kitrat said.

Published : May 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016152

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has received two surrogacy cases while there are around 10 pending cases and they might be related to human trafficking.

The Department of Health Service Support (HSS) signed a memorandum of understanding with the DSI on Tuesday for protecting a child born by medically assisted reproductive technology.

HSS director-general Dr Tharet Karatnairawiwong said that currently there is a law called Protection of a Child Born by Medical Technology Act 2015.

However, some people still tried to use the technology illegally for commercial surrogacy.

Previously, surrogacy cases were complex because there was no procedure on how to take care of these children and it could also be related to human trafficking.

Therefore, the HSS joined hands with the DSI to investigate the cases so that they would be solved faster while protecting these children through medical technologies.

Tharet said that he had discussed with the committee to amend the law so as to be in line with the current situation. They discussed several things, from allowing officials to work efficiently and allowing foreigners to get treatment because infertility is one of the diseases. Foreigners will be able to get a medical service legally if the matter has been clarified.

Meanwhile, DSI director-general Dr Trairit Temahiwong said that two surrogacy cases are under investigation. He said the alleged culprits worked as organisations of employers, operators, supporters, and utilisers.

He said it could be considered human trafficking as a lot of children were produced in many ways.

He explained that the employers were foreigners. Sometimes the sperm was imported from foreign countries to fertilise as embryos in Thailand or neighbouring countries. The culprits would take care of them until the children were born. These children stayed at a place for a while before they migrated.

He said these cases would be investigated to see if these children came from actual parents or were used for other purposes. They affected humanity, the economy, and the reliability of foreign countries, he added.

Trairit said that this cooperation would help get more clues so they could investigate quicker.

Children who were born would be under the care of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. The ministry will provide residences for them while their surrogate mothers will be witnesses in the case.

He revealed that the ministry is taking care of 19 surrogate children of an Asian employer but he refused to identify the nationality.

Trairit added that the department is investigating if doctors were involved in these cases. He said the Covid-19 situation had made it difficult for surrogate mothers to travel abroad. Some children had to be raised in Thailand until they were around one or two years old.

He added that violators could face a maximum jail term of 10 years and a maximum fine of THB200,000, or both.

Published : May 31, 2022

By : THE NATION