#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007500

Cuban Ambassador Héctor Conde Almeida and his family paid Chonburi’s Nongnooch Garden Pattaya a visit on Thursday to get a glimpse of copernicia fallaensis, the world’s most beautiful palm tree, which is thickest near the middle and can reach up to 20 metres in height.

Director Kampol Tansajja said copernicia fallaensis, which is endemic to Cuba, was grown on Khao Bandai Krit mountain.

He explained that the number of such palms in Cuba have declined as people commonly use the leaves for roofing.

“Way back between 1995 and 1998, Nongnooch Garden had dispatched two officers – Willie Kirsch and Inge Hoffman – to collect copernicia fallaensis seeds from Cuba,” he revealed.

“The garden now has 78 copernicia fallaensis, while more than 1,000 palm sprouts are under the care of officials,” Kampol proudly noted.

Cuban envoy checks out world’s most beautiful palm at Nongnooch

Related stories:

• Pattaya launches major vaccination drive ahead of November opening
• Nongnooch Garden Pattaya’s dinosaur valley named top attraction
• Nongnooch elephants join in royal occasion

Cuban envoy checks out world’s most beautiful palm at Nongnooch

Separately, Nongnooch Garden has extended the period for fully vaccinated people to visit the garden without any charges until the end of October this year in a bid to promote domestic tourism.

Cuban envoy checks out world’s most beautiful palm at Nongnooch

Cuban envoy checks out world’s most beautiful palm at Nongnooch

Cuban envoy checks out world’s most beautiful palm at Nongnooch

Published : October 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007501

The Thai Rice Growers Association called on the government to immediately reveal the price of the first installment of insured rice and pay farmers the money after promises were made that this would be done by October 15.

Chairman Suthep Khongmak was one of the members of the Rice Policy and Management Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
 

According to Suthep, the committee feels that the government does not have enough money to pay farmers.

Suthep said the panel approved a budget of THB89 billion for rice price insurance on August 23. He added that the insured price was still high compared to the current cost.

Suthep said he spoke to politicians and they told him the price would be revealed soon but could not say exactly when.

He said he knew “it was no use to rush them”.

Related News

ALRO to push farmers to grow herbs with export potential in the EEC

Smart farmers: The driving force for Thailand’s agricultural sector

Skin disease now killing cattle daily, say Korat farmers

Suthep claimed the prime minister actually said in the committee meeting that the Commerce Ministry and the Finance Ministry were responsible.

Suthep however believed there would be no problem because the scheme was approved by the committee. It was up to the Cabinet when to approve it.

Meanwhile, the Thai Farmers Support association said on Wednesday that the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has not yet revealed the price.

The DIT said the issue was sent to the Cabinet and the department was expecting the Finance Ministry to reveal the price on Thursday.

President Vichai Chitayawong said the price would have to be revealed before Thursday ends according to the committee.

The association warned it would hold a press conference if the government breaks its promise and does not reveal the price.

Vichai added that he believed Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit after Jurin gave “promises” to the association on the issue.

Published : October 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007497

The Public Health Ministry is rushing to solve the problem of flooded hospitals in Chanthaburi, Trat and Prachin Buri in a bid to provide much-needed services to those suffering from typhoon Kompasu. Meanwhile, local mobile medical units have been set up for flood victims.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary, Dr Kiattipoom Wongrachit said on Wednesday that many hospitals and medical facilities in Chanthaburi, Trat and Prachin Buri provinces have been damaged by floods after several days of heavy rains caused by the typhoon Kompasu.

Dr Kiattipoom said that the ministry has ordered the health departments to integrate with the local authorities to organise mobile medical units to provide services for the flood victims, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women and bedridden patients until the situation returns to normal. He also said that 3,000 sets of first aid kits had been delivered to the victims.
 
“As for King Prajadhipok Memorial Hospital (Prapokklao Hospital) in Chanthaburi province, there is flooding all over the hospital area. Some parts of the hospital building, personnel houses and vehicles were damaged. Preliminary, those who were affected by the floods have been temporally moved to the medical centre building.
 
Prachin Buri’s Ban Khok Udom Health Promoting Hospital and the staff’s houses were flooded with the 20-centimetre high water level. The water currently begins to recede and the situation is returning to normal.
 
Mueang and Khao Saming districts in Trat province, have been affected both traffic and almost 200 residences,” Dr Kiattipoom said.

Related news:

• Chanthaburi the latest to be hit by flash flooding
• Ayutthaya resort owner makes floods into a tourist attraction
• Rangers nab two armed men in Prachin Buri national park

Health Ministry striving to solve flooded-hospital problemHealth Ministry striving to solve flooded-hospital problem

Published : October 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007494

It was an elephantine task: more than 100 Wildlife Conservation Office staffers came together on Wednesday to transport wild elephant “Phlai Nga Ge” from Rayong’s Khao Chamao district to Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary.

The sanctuary covers 643,750 rai of protected area spanning five provinces – Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Rayong and Chonburi.
 

The move came after villagers residing around Khao Chamao National Park filed complaints with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation that Phlai Nga Ge had wandered away from the park and had been trespassing on their lands to find food, leading to the community fearing for their safety.

Wild elephant transported from fearful Rayong community to sanctuary

At around 2am on Wednesday, officials used tranquiliser darts to subdue the 40-year-old pachyderm before performing a blood test and physical check-up on the animal.

They then used ropes to bind his four legs to prevent him from charging off and slowly pushed him onto a truck using an excavator.

The mission was completed at around 5am and the elephant was safely transported to Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary shortly after.

Wild elephant transported from fearful Rayong community to sanctuary

Related Stories

Wild elephant bulldozes his way into house in Hua Hin

Wild elephant found dead in Chachoengsao rubber plantation

Hope for Chiang Mai elephants going hungry during pandemic

Published : October 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007493

Employment rate of persons with disabilities has fallen 15 to 20 per cent due to Covid-19 situation, a recent survey by the Centre for Disabled Persons’ Rights revealed.

“The latest wave of Covid-19 outbreak since April has forced many businesses to downsize their workforce or even shut down, which has greatly affected the employment of persons with disabilities,” said Samrit Chaphirom, president of the centre on Wednesday. “The government must immediately provide assistance to people in this vulnerable group, as having a job is not only a source of income, but also helps them maintain the dignity of being able to provide for their family.”

Samrit further added that under the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, a business with more than 100 employees must hire one disabled person per 100 non-disabled staff, or they will have to contribute to the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Fund instead.

“From the statistics of all companies with more than 100 employees in Thailand, they must hire a total of 55,000 disabled persons to comply with this law,” he said. “However, in reality only around 30,000 disabled persons are being hired, while some companies have chosen to contribute to the fund instead, which does not help generating sustainable income for disabled persons.”

“We would like to urge entrepreneurs to consider hiring more disabled persons in your workforce, which will be beneficial for your business as the cost of hiring persons with disabilities is tax deductible,” he added. “Furthermore, nowadays many disabled persons have completed vocational training and can perform at the same level as normal persons in some capacities such as call centre staff, customer service staff, accountant, secretary, administrative officer and sales representative.”
 

Related Stories

Court grants THB5,000 to Bangkokians affected by lack of BTS lifts

Ministry builds database to ensure equal opportunities for disabled people

Disability rights activists join protests against govt

Published : October 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007484

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (October 14) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 11,276 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 134 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 112, while 10,407 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 1,751,704 – 1,625,750 of whom have recovered, 107,925 are still in hospitals and 18,029 have died.

Separately, another 343,822 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 219,841 their second shot and 20,331 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 62,579,803.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 239.94 million on Thursday, 217.30 million of whom have recovered, 17.75 million are active cases (80,653 in severe condition) and 4.89 million have died (up by 7,481).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 45.55 million, followed by India with 34.02 million, Brazil with 21.6 million, the UK with 8.27 million and Russia with 7.86 million.

Published : October 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Thursday (October 14) that the strong southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand while the monsoon trough lies across the lower North, the Central, and the Northeast into the tropical storm KOMPASU over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Thundershowers are likely over Thailand with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the Northeast, the East, the Central and the South’s west coast. People in risky areas should beware of severe condition and rain accumulation that may cause overflow and flash flood. 

Waves in the Gulf and the Andaman Sea are 2-3 meters high and over 3 meters high in thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers, while small boats should keep ashore.

The department also mentioned that the tropical storm KOMPASU over the Gulf of Tonkin was centered about 230 kilometers east of Vinh, Vietnam. It is expected to make landfall over upper Vietnam on October 14. It will downgrade into a tropical depression and an active low-pressure cell respectively.
 

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:

North: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees and highs of 30-34 degrees Celsius. 

Northeast: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy to very heavy rain; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees and highs of 27-30 degrees Celsius. 

Central: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy to very heavy rain; temperature lows of 24-27 degrees, highs of 27-32 degrees Celsius; waves 2-3 meters high and over 3 meters during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees, highs of 30-35 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and 2 meters during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 20-26 degrees, highs of 28-33 degrees Celsius; waves 2-3 meters high and over 3 meters during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 25-27 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : October 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Chiang Mai’s Pha Muang task force arrested 48 illegal migrants early on Wednesday. The migrants had travelled through natural channels from the Myanmar border, saying they were in Thailand to look for jobs.

Authorities promptly sent them for a Covid-19 test before undertaking legal procedures to do with illegal entry.

The arrests came after the Pha Muang task force detected the group walking away from the borderline at 00.30am on Wednesday.

Chiang Mai task force arrests 48 from Myanmar for illegal entry

A search found that the group consisted of 48 illegal immigrant workers – 16 men and 20 women aged between 15 and 79, along with 12 children aged 1 to 5 years.

After an inquiry, it was found that the group had walked through natural channels on the Myanmar border to find work in Chiang Mai province. All were being tested for Covid-19 at Ang Khang District Health Promoting Hospital.

Related news:

• Cabinet approves immediate registration of illegal migrant workers to combat outbreaks
• Thai labour to fill vacancies caused by migrant workers unable to return amid Covid
• Chumphon launches Covid-19 testing for Thai and migrant fishermen

Chiang Mai task force arrests 48 from Myanmar for illegal entryChiang Mai task force arrests 48 from Myanmar for illegal entry

Published : October 13, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007458

The World Justice Project (WJP) today released the WJP Rule of Law Index® 2021, which evaluates rule of law in 139 countries or jurisdictions. The report is the first in this annual series issued since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, and it shows multi-year negative trends worsening during this period.

“With negative trends in so many countries, this year’s WJP Rule of Law Index should be a wake up call for us all.” said WJP Co-Founder and CEO Bill Neukom. “Rule of Law is the very foundation of communities of justice, opportunity and peace. Reinforcing that foundation should be a top priority for the coming period of recovery from the pandemic.”

The WJP Rule of Law Index® is an annual report based on national surveys of more than 138,000 households and 4,200 legal practitioners and experts around the world. The WJP’s framework for the rule of law covers eight factors:

Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice, and Criminal Justice.

Rule of Law in Thailand

Thailand’s overall rule of law score decreased 2.2% in this year’s Index. At 80th place out of 139 countries and jurisdictions worldwide, Thailand fell two positions in global rank. Thailand’s score places it at 10 out of 15 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region* and 22 out of 40 among upper-middle-income** countries.

Regionally, East Asia and Pacific’s top performer in the Index is New Zealand (7th out of 139 countries globally), followed by Australia and Japan. The three countries with the lowest scores in the region were the Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia (138th out of 139 countries globally).

In the last year, 11 out of 15 countries declined in East Asia and the Pacific. Of those 11 countries, 5 had also declined in the previous year.

Thailand ranked 80 out of 139 countries on rule of law, dropping two positions

Rule of Law Around the World

The 2021 Index shows that globally more countries declined than improved in overall rule of law performance for the fourth consecutive year.

In a year dominated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, 74.2% of countries covered experienced declines in rule of law performance, while 25.8% improved. The 74.2% of countries that experienced declines this year account for 84.7% of the world’s population, or approximately 6.5 billion people.

The declines were widespread and seen in all corners of the world. For the second year in a row, in every region, a majority of countries slipped backward or remained unchanged in their overall rule of law performance.

Thailand ranked 80 out of 139 countries on rule of law, dropping two positions

Over the past year, 82% of countries in the Index experienced a decline in at least one dimension of civic space (civic participation, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of assembly and association) and 94% of countries in the Index experienced increased delays in administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings.

The top three performers this year were Denmark, Norway, and Finland. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cambodia, and Venezuela, RB had the lowest overall rule of law scores.

The countries with the biggest improvement in rule of law in the past year were Uzbekistan (4.1%), Moldova (3.2%), and Mongolia (2.0%). The countries with the biggest decline in rule of law in the past year were Belarus (-7.5%) and Myanmar (-6.3%). Nigeria, Nicaragua, Kyrgyz Republic, and Argentina tie for the third biggest decline (-3.7%).


*Countries and jurisdictions measured in the East Asia and Pacific region: Australia; Cambodia; China; Hong Kong SAR, China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea, Rep.; Malaysia; Mongolia; Myanmar; New Zealand; Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; Vietnam

**Upper-middle income countries and jurisdictions: Albania; Argentina; Belarus; Belize; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; Bulgaria; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Georgia; Grenada; Guatemala; Guyana; Indonesia; Iran, Islamic Rep.; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kosovo; Lebanon; Malaysia; Mexico; Namibia; North Macedonia; Paraguay; Peru; Russian Federation; Serbia; South Africa; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Thailand; Turkey; Venezuela, RB
 

Published : October 13, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007454

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he doesn’t agree that tourists from only 10 “low-risk” countries should be allowed to visit Thailand when it reopens on November 1.

On Monday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced in a televised address that he had instructed the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Public Health Ministry to look into the reopening of the country on November 1.

Initially, tourists from 10 low-risk countries will be allowed to enter Thailand without having to quarantine, provided they are fully jabbed and test negative.

However, Anutin voiced disagreement. He said tourists from more countries other than the 10 “low-risk” nations should be allowed in, and they should all be required to take RT-PCR tests on entry and stay a night in a province they arrive. If the tests prove they are not infected, they can be allowed to travel in the country.

He also told the press that he had already discussed his opinions with other “relevant” individuals.

More details of the 10 countries will be proposed to the CCSA this Thursday.

Published : October 13, 2021