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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403686

Living in polluted Chiang Rai inspires teen to invent green tech

NationalMar 18. 2021Phiyachon “Anthony” Phumwiphat

By The Nation

A 15-year-old student from Gainesville International School in Chiang Rai province, Phiyachon “Anthony” Phumwiphat, has caused a stir with his invention of green technology to reduce carbon emissions in the air .

The US$100-million “XPRIZE Carbon Removal” competition aims to tackle the biggest threat facing humanity, by fighting climate change and rebalancing the Earth’s carbon cycle. The competition was launched by co-founder and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company Elon Musk.

Anthony had posted a video clip on YouTube on February 3, proposing his invention to Musk on changing carbon dioxide into pure hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used as fuel. (Watch Anthony’s video clip here).

In an interview, he gives insights into his invention.

Q: What inspired you to propose your invention to Elon Musk?

A: I decided to propose the invention because I live in Chiang Rai where air pollution is a serious problem.

Q: Why are you interested in tackling air pollution?

A: Because I really want to solve the problem.

Q: Do you have a plan to further develop your invention?

A: I want to further develop my invention as it is still only a prototype.

Q: Do you have any words of encouragement for those who want to propose inventions to improve our world?

A: I think everyone can do it, so what they need to do is just be brave.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403861

Buakaw gives elite Army trainees a Muay Thai lesson

NationalMar 18. 2021

By The Nation

Muay Thai legend Sombat “Buakaw” Banchamek donned his Army uniform this week to teach martial arts to Thai special forces trainees in Lop Buri.

Known as Lt Col Buakaw after joining the Army in 2014, the world-famous warrior taught students how to use punches, knees and kicks to protect themselves against attacks from the enemy.

Trainees daunted at the thought of having to spar with Thailand’s biggest martial arts star were relieved to find he was friendly and helpful. The class went well with fun and laughter, as the next generation of elite troops learned martial arts from the best.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403858

Korat launches special fair to sweep up mountains of sweet corn

NationalMar 18. 2021

By The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima opened the doors to a special fair on Thursday to deal with mountains of sweet corn caused by the drop in orders due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Up to 20 tonnes of the 200 tonnes put up for sale were snapped up in 30 minutes and organisers also held workshops to share ideas on manufacturing corn-based products.

Another 100 Kg of corn, plus Bt500, was put up as a prize for a corn eating contest. The winner, 39-year-old Wichayaporn Thip-Utai, walked away with the loot after munching down 1.1 kilos of corn within four minutes.

The northeastern province, which also goes by the name Korat, is blessed with many kinds of cash crops and agriculture is the main occupation there.

Governor Wichien Chantharanotha said all sectors, especially the farming sector, have been affected by the pandemic. Farm products are flooding the market due to a drop in orders and limits in cross-border transportation, he said.

More than 12,000 rai is devoted to sweet corn in Soeng Sang, Khonburi and Nong Bunnak districts. About 3,000 rai of corn with an approximate yield of 9,000 tonnes is waiting to be harvested.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403857

Mother of student drowned in ‘wargame’ accuses school of negligence

NationalMar 18. 2021

By THE NATION

The mother of a Kalasin boy who drowned during a school outing on Tuesday has accused the school director of negligence.

The body of Noppakao Sita, 15, was discovered in a flooded swamp at 8pm on Tuesday. Police investigators believe Noppakao was forced to jump into the swamp even though he did not know how to swim, as part of the course provided by his Ban Na Kor Wittayakom School.

On Wednesday, the boy’s parents and schoolfriends plus representatives of the school were summoned by Huai Mek police for interrogation.

Noppakao’s friends told police the outing had featured a wargame in which students had to jump into the swamp to avoid “bombs” – stones aimed at them by their teachers.

The students added that no life jackets or rubber boats were provided for them in case of accident. Moreover the teachers failed to point out the shallow and deep areas of the swamp, the students said.

The school’s director, Suntara Kullasa, told press that Noppakao probably joined the event in the afternoon session, so his name was not added to the list of participants and teachers failed to notice he was missing.

The director also claimed that teachers did not force the students to join the activity.

Noppakao’s mother, Buachuen Sita, 48, said she contacted the school after he failed to return home on time on Tuesday but staff there had no answers and did not seem interested.

Instead, it was her neighbours and the village chief who began searching for Noppakao. When they failed to find him, they called the police, she added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403856

705 people get their first Covid jab in Bang Khae

NationalMar 18. 2021

By The Nation

As of Wednesday, 705 people at risk of contracting Covid-19 in Bang Khae district have been vaccinated, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced on Thursday.

The Public Health Ministry and BMA have launched a drive to inoculate 6,000 people facing the risk of infection due to the Bang Khae cluster. The vaccination drive will run until March 21.

Dr Chawin Sirinak, BMA’s deputy permanent secretary, said 705 of the 744 registrants have been vaccinated. Of them, 258 are Thai nationals and 447 migrant workers.

“The remaining 39 were disqualified due to chronic conditions such as high blood pressure,” he said.

Chawin said the BMA has set up more checkpoints and provided seating and fans for people’s comfort.

“Infectious waste is also disposed of more frequently in a bid to gain confidence among people,” he said. “Meanwhile, a Burmese interpreter from World Vision Foundation will help us communicate with Myanmar migrant workers as well.”

Chawin added that those who have been vaccinated will receive their second jab between April 7 and 11.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403855

Slow-moving turtle pulled to safety in Chiang Mai forest fire

NationalMar 18. 2021

By THE NATION

Firefighters working on extinguishing flames in Chiang Mai’s Si Lanna National Park on Thursday managed to get to a turtle in time.

Park officials along with local villagers and volunteers spent all Thursday morning putting up fire breaks to contain the fire that broke out inside the park, which covers 260,800 acres of mountainous area in Phrao, Mae Taeng, and Chiang Dao districts.

“We saw wildlife running away from the flames, including this turtle that was trying to escape the fire that was consuming its home,” the national park chief, Phuphichit Chuaybamrung, said.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry on Thursday dispatched three helicopters to pick up water from Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam in Mae Taeng district to help put out the fire. It took more than 10 flights before the fire was put out.

As of Thursday Chiang Mai reported 48 hot spots caused by forest fires, of which 37 were in protected forest land and nine in conserved forests.

“Please stop setting fire to wooded areas to hunt wild animals because it can cause forest fires and worsen pollution,” Phupichit said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403854

Payment during maternity leave to become mandatory soon

NationalMar 18. 2021

By The Nation

Once the Social Security Act’s Article 67 is amended, it will become mandatory for employers to pay new mothers 50 per cent of their wages for the 98-day maternity leave.

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said that though maternity leave was extended from 90 days to 98 days in 2019, there are still some issues that need to be addressed.

Currently, employers have a choice when it comes to paying wages during maternity leave. The Social Security Fund pays 50 per cent of a woman’s wages during maternity leave, but no more than Bt15,000.

The minister said making it mandatory for employers to pay will take a while, but he will rush the proposal to Cabinet for approval.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403850

Phase 3 of travel subsidy campaign ‘will not be ready’ in time for Songkran

NationalMar 18. 2021Yuthasak Supasorn

By THE NATION

The latest phase of the government’s travel subsidy campaign “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) will not be ready in time for the Songkran festival, which features a 6-day-long holiday, from April 10 to 15, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said on Wednesday.

Under the campaign, eligible registrants can receive a 40 per cent discount on hotel rooms and restaurants. They will also receive an e-voucher when checking into a hotel, as well as a 40 per cent flight refund when they check out.

“The principles of phase 3 of the campaign were rejected by a Cabinet meeting on March 9, with TAT and Krung Thai Bank being asked to revise the details of the criteria to prevent fraud,” he said.

So far, more than 800 people have been prosecuted for defrauding the government under the scheme, which aims to stimulate the pandemic-hit economy.

“Even if the Cabinet were to approve the revised criteria at its next meeting on March 23, the approval of 2 million registrants under phase 3 will not be completed in time for the Songkran festival,” Yuthasak said.

“One of the anti-fraud measures is to force the applicants to book a room at least 2 weeks in advance, instead of three days, so officials will have enough time to detect any irregularity and stop the disbursement of money in time if possible fraud is detected,” he said.

“Krung Thai Bank is also considering using facial recognition technology to prevent the case of one person using another’s rights, but the system will need some time to be set up,” Yuthasak added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403849

One death, 92 new cases reported, mostly transmitted locally

NationalMar 18. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Thursday reported one death and 92 new cases, 14 of whom are returnees.

Of the new cases, 64 were exposed to the virus while visiting high-risk areas. Samut Sakhon again leads the list with 32 cases, followed by 20 in Bangkok, four in Nakhon Pathom, two in Suphanburi and one each in Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan and Mukdahan.

Proactive testing led to the discovery of 14 cases, eight of which were in Samut Sakhon, three in Phetchaburi and one each in Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok.

The 14 travellers found infected include five Thais, three Filipinos, one Malaysian, one American, one Briton, one Indian, one Turkish and one Pakistani who arrived from the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Sweden, Finland, Yemen, United States, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Pakistan and Belgium.

Meanwhile, 38 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 27,494. Of these, 24,537 had been contracted locally, including 15,324 that were found via proactive testing, while 2,957 were returnees. So far, 26,377 have recovered and been discharged, 1,028 patients are still under treatment and the death toll has risen to 89.

The most recent fatalities include an 88-year-old Bangkok resident who suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and chronic kidney disease. He is believed to also have infected his family members. He began developing a dry cough on February 20 and went to the hospital on February 27 after developing fatigue and having low oxygen readings. He tested positive for Covid-19 on March 1 and was immediately put on a respirator. He succumbed to the virus on March 16.

The 89th fatality from the virus in Thailand was a 65-year-old cancer patient in Samut Sakhon. On March 8, tests showed cancer had spread to his lungs. He was admitted to hospital the same day with a high fever and fatigue and died later in the day. Tests on the corpse showed he had contracted Covid-19.

According to Worldometer, the number of confirmed cases globally has risen to 121.82 million (up by 449,180), 98.21 million have recovered, 20.92 million are active cases (88,871 in severe condition) and 2.69 million have died (up by 9,712).

Thailand ranks 115th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 30.29 million, followed by Brazil with 11.7 million, India 11.47 million, Russia 4.41 million and the United Kingdom 4.27 million.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403845

Now 19kg of methamphetamine washes up on Koh Chang beach

NationalMar 18. 2021

By THE NATION

Koh Chang police in Trat province were alerted to suspicious packages that washed up on a beach in Tai subdistrict on Wednesday.

They rushed to the beach to investigate and found 19 one-kilogramme packages – all containing methamphetamine. The packages were scattered around the beach.

Police speculate that the drugs could belong to the same lot of 17 kilograms that had been found washed up on Koh Mak beach in Trat on March 7 another 17 kilograms found on a Koh Samui beach in Surat Thani last January as the packages looked identical – all were wrapped in yellow plastic with a logo of two red & white fishes and five red stars.

“Any locals who might have picked up any packages must contact police officers immediately and must not keep them as they are illegal narcotics. There is a high penalty for possessing such drugs,” said Somkid Saisang, chief of Koh Chang’s Tai district.

Koh Chang, also known as “Elephant Island”, is Thailand’s third largest island after Phuket and Samui and located in the Gulf of Thailand near the Cambodian border.