#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015437

Orders for charcoal stoves from a large factory in Trang province have risen sharply as fuel and cooking gas prices continued to rise.

Even though the Oil Fuel Fund Office has subsidised the diesel price to mitigate the impact on citizens, rising fuel costs have caused the price of many consumer products to increase, including cooking gas.

Kuan Thani charcoal stove factory owner Sirinya Luandee, 37, said the demand for charcoal stoves has risen sharply since the middle of April and it is likely to keep increasing.

She said the factory has increased its production capacity to 4,000 stoves per month from between 2,000 and 3,000.

However, she claimed that the factory cannot increase its production capacity further due to the limitation in the number of workers and production methods.

“The factory received almost 20,000 orders for charcoal stoves, forcing it to accelerate production to meet demand,” she said.

“Most customers are retailers who bought them for sale in Songkhla, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Phuket.”

Even though clay for producing stoves can be found locally, she said the factory had to raise the stove price to between THB100 and THB300 due to price increases of other materials, as well as transportation costs.

Sirinya expected charcoal stoves to become best sellers for up to 10 years amid trends in the higher cost of living and energy conservation.

Published : May 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015436

As Singapore has reopened its borders to fully-vaccinated travellers, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) kicked off the “SingapoReimagine” campaign on Tuesday in a bid to attract tourists to visit the country.

The campaign will enable visitors to enjoy experiences covering four pillars:

Sustainability, which focuses on Singapore as a City in Nature with sustainable offerings across attractions, accommodation, retail, dining and tours.

Wellness, which highlights Singapore’s urban wellness efforts through accessible and “must-do” experiences to allow travellers to relax, recharge and rejuvenate in Singapore.

Food and dining, which leverages unknown and/or unexpected elements to present the well-known food scene here in a fresh light and showcase how dining has been reimagined.

Novelty and excitement, which presents the first-of-its-kind, only in Singapore experiences.

STB’s executive director of Southeast Asia, John Gregory Conceicao, said Singapore’s tourism was affected by the Covid-19 between 2020 and 2021 similar to other countries.

However, he said the country’s tourism is now recovering as the number of tourists visiting the country continued to increase from 57,167 in January to 67,759 in February and 121,195 in March.

He expected the number of tourists to increase further and the country’s tourism to return to normal in 2024.

The number of tourists visiting Singapore in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic emerge, was 19.1 million, generating S$27.7 billion in revenue, he added.

“As we now prepare to welcome more visitors back to Singapore, we are excited for them to experience our new and reimagined experiences,” he said.

“We know the pandemic has permanently altered the way people travel and we are confident that our offerings will appeal to a wide variety of interests and passions.”

To drive visitor arrivals, he said the STB has also partnered with Singapore Airlines and AirAsia to instil travel confidence and drive consideration and bookings for trips to Singapore.

“Regional partnership between Klook, Traveloka, Trip.com was launched to increase visitor expenditure with new and reimagined activities,” he added.

He added that STB Thailand has continued to engage Thai travellers during the pandemic by dialling up social media engagement directly with consumers through localised content on Line and Facebook.

STB Thailand has also collaborated with influencers, English teachers, bloggers and illustrators to introduce new attractions and unknown activities in the country, he added.

“Through SingapoReimagine campaign, partnership and many activities, we hope to entice more Thais to rekindle their passion for travel in Singapore,” he said.

He added that many exciting events will be held from the second quarter onwards, such as “Avatar: The Experience” at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Night Festival in August, and Singapore Grand Prix 2022 from September 30 to October 2.

Published : May 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015434

In a bid to stimulate the economy and investment, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved a 50 per cent reduction in the 10-year long-term resident (LTR) visa fee for high-potential foreigners – from the previous THB100,000 to THB50,000.

The approval will come into effect 90 days after the Interior Ministry’s announcement is published in the Royal Gazette, said government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.

She said four group of foreigners – wealthy people, retirees, those who want to work in Thailand and experts – are eligible for the 10-year LTR visa.

“Up to four family members, including children up to 20 years, will be allowed to request this visa,” she said.

“These foreigners can also apply for work permits,” she added.

Published : May 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015431

Public Health Ministry reported on Wednesday (May 11) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 7,647 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, three of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 56, while 9,322 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,121,783.

Published : May 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015427

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal tradition observed in Thailand every year to mark the start of the rice-growing season.

The date for the ceremony falls on May 13 (Friday) this year and will be held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district as usual.

This ancient tradition, which dates back over 700 years in Thailand and was discontinued in the 1920s, was revived in the 1960s by King Rama IX.

The ceremony is held every year to forecast the rice harvest and whether the country will have abundant supplies of food. The event starts with two sacred oxen being hitched to a wooden plough and led by officials in ceremonial dress to plough a furrow. As the furrow is ploughed, the court Brahmins scatter rice to symbolise the start of the growing season.

The oxen are then offered different kinds of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, freshly cut grass, water and rice wine, and the harvest is predicted based on what the oxen choose.

Meanwhile, the Rice Department has been granted 1.7 tonnes of rice seeds by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn for distribution among farmers. The seeds are of six species, and the department has 245kg of Jasmine 105, 399kg of Pathum Thani 1, 125kg of Kor Khor 43, 70kg of Kor Khor 6, 300kg of Kor Khor 87 and 589kg of Kor Khor 85.

To curb the risk of Covid-19 infections, those interested in receiving the seeds can scan the QR code below or register via https://rice.moac.go.th/.

Each applicant is entitled to two bags and they can be picked up at provincial or district agricultural offices from Friday.

Published : May 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015426

Almost one in five Thais (19 per cent) are incapable of understanding basic health information, a national health-literacy survey showed on Monday.

The Department of Health’s survey showed that only 65 per cent of Thais are health literate – lower than the target of 70 per cent.

Factors causing low health literacy among Thai citizens include old age, lack of opportunity to study, no community role, no access to internet and social media, hearing problems and inability to read and/or write.

Health literacy among respondents was lowest when it came to medicine and healthcare products, healthcare services, disease prevention, and health promotion.

Meanwhile, literacy regarding health-related skills was lowest when it came to accessing information about healthcare products and services, followed by reviews and questions about healthcare products.

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said in response that health literacy among Thais must be boosted.

He added that the national committee for health literacy promotion and communication would tackle the issue.

“This move aims to give Thais health literacy so they can take care of their health,” he said. “If Thais are aware of health issues, they will become healthier.”

Published : May 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015424

Thai Army chief General Narongpan Jitkaewtha insisted on Tuesday that he had banned Lazada in a move to protect the monarchy.

On Monday, Narongpan ordered all military units to stop buying goods on Lazada and stopped all Lazada delivery trucks from entering military complexes.

The Army chief’s action was in response to a controversial TikTok ad posted last week to promote Lazada’s 5.5 sales campaign. The ad was created by influencers Aniwat Prathumthin, also known as Nara Crepe Katoey, and Thidaporn “Nurat” Chaokuwiang. The clip – depicting a woman in a wheelchair being bullied by another character of noble birth – sparked an uproar on the net.

“I’m doing my duty as the Army chief to cherish, protect and defend the key institution of Thailand,” Narongpan said, adding that protecting the monarchy was every Thai’s duty.

“A person with a distorted body should not have a distorted mind,” Narongpan said in what is believed to be a reference to the transgender influencer.

He also indicated that the Army will not take any more actions other than banning the shopping platform because there are plenty of government agencies to take legal action against those involved.

The Army chief added that though the influencer was exercising her right to free expression, she should ensure that exercising her rights does not affect others.

Published : May 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015422

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a THB1.724 billion subsidy budget for power bills of households and small enterprises for four months.

Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the subsidies would be granted from May to August to houses and small private enterprises that do not use more than 300 units of electricity each month.

Government agencies and state firms will be ineligible for the subsidy, the spokesman added.

He said the money will be used to reduce the power bills by reducing the FT (cost floating time) tariff to 0.2338 baht per unit of power.

The rate of subsidy is in line with Cabinet resolutions passed on March 29 and April 19 this year, the spokesman added.

The Cabinet resolution is aimed at helping households and small enterprises survive the present economic woes, triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, the spokesman added.

Published : May 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015421

The Cabinet on Tuesday gave an initial nod to the Labour Ministry’s plan to amend the Social Security Act so retirees can choose between getting their pension in a lump sum or on a monthly basis.

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said the bill drafted by his ministry also seeks to allow beneficiaries to withdraw some of their pension in advance before retirement.

The amendment will also allow them to use their savings with the Social Security Fund as a guarantee for obtaining a loan from a commercial bank, he added.

Suchart said the Labour Ministry has come up with this proposal because certain rules of the fund do not correspond to the current situation, where workers and employees are suffering from financial problems due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The bill also seeks to extend the coverage period for people insured under Section 33, in which employers also contribute to the Social Security Fund.

The bill does not specify exactly at what age the coverage should stop, and will wait for the issue to be decided upon in a House debate.

Suchart said apart from allowing retirees to choose between receiving the pension in full or on a monthly basis, the bill also aims to extend help to beneficiaries by letting them withdraw their savings in advance or using it as a guarantee to obtain a loan.

The bill also aims to extend the compensation for women on maternity leave from 90 days to 98 days, as well as increase the compensation of workers who have been disabled on the job to 70 per cent of their salary from 50 per cent.

Published : May 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015420

Thailand Post temporarily suspended mail services to China from April 29 due to airline restrictions and stringent lockdown measures.

As of now, no parcels and letters can be mailed to China under either EMS World or ePacket services, the company said. Those wanting to send parcels to China can use Courier Post for delivery within seven to 10 days or Logispost World for delivery in three to five days.

Logispost World, however, will only deliver documents to Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui.

Dhanant Subhadrabandhu, Thailand Post’s chief executive officer, said China has put several areas under lockdown due to Covid-19 and many partner airlines are not able to deliver parcels normally. Hence, the company has decided to temporarily suspend these services.

He added that postal service to other countries depends on the situation in each area and that emergencies, disasters, epidemics and airline restrictions are uncontrollable factors that affect delivery.

For more details, call 1545 or visit https://www.facebook.com/thailandpost.co.th, or https://international.thailandpost.com.

Published : May 10, 2022

By : THE NATION