Football shirts usually cost about £12 (510 baht) to make, the UK newspaper said, citing garment industry experts.
Around £7.50 is the cost of materials while “cut, make and trim” (CMT) costs account for up to £3. Around £1.50 or 64 baht will go to the factory.
England shirts have been made for the last few years at the Hi-Tech Apparel factory in Bangkok.
Workers there said they earned what was then Bangkok’s minimum wage of 331 baht per day. In October, the minimum wage rose to 353 baht.
Mirror reporters said the factory refused to comment on its relationship with the FA and directed all questions to Nike. However, the newspaper said two anonymous workers confirmed that they make England shirts for the FA.
“We feel proud to be a part of the manufacturing of jerseys for a world-class team like England,” the Mirror quoted one worker as saying.
“The England team jerseys have been produced, patterned, and sewn here for quite some time since before Covid.”
The worker told the newspaper they usually work eight to 11 hours a day or 60 hours per week, with overtime pay and bonuses if they hit targets.
Another worker said there was no employee union to protect the workers at the factory.
“During working hours there is a no-phone policy. We are not allowed to use our mobile phones and there are no photos allowed,” they said.
The Mirror estimated that £80 (about 3,400 baht) from the sale of each £150 shirt is shared between Nike, the English FA and the retailer. Nike expects to make 10% to 15% net profit on each item, it added.
Nike earned £10.2 billion or about 436 billion baht in revenue last year and made £1.18 billion (50.4 billion baht) in profit.
When it signed the Nike deal in 2014, the English FA said: “The FA puts £100 million back into the game every year. It is through partners such as Nike that we are able to maintain that level of investment.”
Meanwhile, a Nike spokesperson said, “Nike is proud to have designed the England National Teams kits which combine high-performance innovation and sustainability.
“We produce jerseys at multiple price points, so consumers have a choice. Pricing is influenced by many factors including costs of performance materials, R&D, design, manufacturing and selling.
“In addition, Nike is committed to ethical and responsible manufacturing. We believe world-class manufacturing begins with respect for people and the environment.
“While Nike does not own or operate manufacturing facilities, we strive to work with suppliers who share our commitment to making products responsibly and sustainably.”
Court accepts lawsuit against Anutin for decriminalising marijuana in Thailand
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022
The Central Administrative Court has accepted a lawsuit filed by a doctor and opposition MPs seeking to nullify the Public Health Ministry’s directive that decriminalises marijuana.
On November 10, Smith Srisont, a member of the Medical Council and president of the Forensic Physician Association of Thailand, filed a lawsuit naming Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) as co-defendants.
The court accepted the case and set up a panel of judges to deliberate on it. One of the judges has been assigned as an advocacy judge.
The court has not yet decided whether to issue an injunction on the directive as requested in the lawsuit.
Other co-plaintiffs are Pheu Thai party-list MP Sutin Klungsang, Parchachart Party’s secretary-general Tawee Sodsong, Move Forward party-list MP Nattawut Buaprathum, deputy Seri Ruam Thai Party leader Varit Varotsirin and Palang Puangchon Chao Thai Party leader Nikhom Boonvises.
The lawsuit asks the court to nullify the Public Health Ministry’s directive dated February 8, 2022, that removes marijuana from the list of Category 5 narcotics.
The directive went into effect in early September and decriminalised marijuana despite warnings from doctors who fear young people will consume marijuana freely in the absence of a governing law.
Anutin issued the directive in line with Bhumjaithai’s 2019 electoral promise that it would get marijuana decriminalised so it can be used for medical and as a cash crop.
Skytrain operator releases another video, reminding BMA of THB40 bn accumulated debt
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022
Skytrain operator BTS on Monday stepped up pressure on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to pay up the accumulated debt of 40 billion baht the city administration owes the operator for running the Green Line extension.
Bangkok Transit System Corporation (BTSC) once again played a video clip, featuring BTS Groups Holdings chairman Keeree Kanjanapas, reminding the BMA of the debt, which he said has accumulated to over 40 billion baht. BTSC is a company under the group.
The clip was repeated inside trains of the Green Line and at all BTS Skytrain stations.
A source from BTSC said the clips would be played for 15 consecutive days.
Before Keeree’s long exhortation in the clip, the video started with a narrative that says:
“How long can we continue shouldering this debt? We work but don’t get paid. Our cost is rising every day while those in power pass the responsibility on instead of making a decision. It’s about time the problem is tackled. Don’t avoid it. Don’t let the private firm fight it alone. It’s about time to pay the debt of 40 billion baht for the Green Line [operations]. #DebtMustBeHonoured.”
In September last year, BTSC had filed a lawsuit against the BMA, suing the administration for the 12 billion baht it is owed for operating the Green Line extension and another 20 billion baht it is owed for the train operating system. The suit was filed after the BMA reportedly failed to pay the money owed within the April deadline. The debt amount reportedly rose because of the accumulated interest and the accumulated fees for operating the extensions.
In early September this year, the Central Administrative Court ruled in favour of BTSC in a case against the BMA and its business arm, Krungthep Thanakhom (KT). The court ordered the BMA and KT to pay the debt of 12.6 billion baht for operating the Green Line extensions since April 2017 within 180 days but Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the BMA would appeal against the ruling.
In the video clip, Keeree said the BMA or the central government, which supervises the BMA, “should pay what it should”.
“The amount is over 40 billion baht. The private firm that invested in the operation has to pay the cost every day. It has to pay salaries and the electric bills,” Keeree said.
“Those in power, the government, the BMA or politicians in power must take a look at this issue. The interest is increasing every day.
“Anyone in power must realise that we have to shoulder interest every day. I must be paid.”
Keeree said despite the rising cost because of the BMA or the government’s failure to honour the debt, the BTSC would not halt the Skytrain service as that would affect the people.
“I give my word that I won’t stop the trains because if I do it, the people will be affected,” Keeree said.
The BTSC reminded the BMA and the government to repay the debt after Chadchart late last month voiced opposition to the decision of the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order to extend the Green Line concession for 30 years from 2029 to 2059 for BTSC.
Chadchart said the Green Line operation should undergo a thorough selection procession under the Public-Private Partnership Act after the concession expires.
The governor also called on the government to pay for the infrastructure of the extension routes or take over the project from the BMA.
Covid infections surge in Thailand, 3,957 more patients hospitalised last week: DDC
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022
Severe Covid-19 infections have landed 3,957 people in hospitals and 65 patients have succumbed to the virus over the past week, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on Monday.
During the week of November 13-19, the number of Covid patients admitted to hospital averaged 565 patients daily compared to about 452 patients per day during the week of November 6-12.
DDC said the total number of Covid patients in Thailand this year stands at 2,478,895, while the death toll is 11,408.
In the week of November 6-12, 42 people succumbed to the virus or about six persons daily, compared to the daily average of nine people over the past week, DDC added.
Meanwhile, of the new patients, 432 have developed lung infections and 252 have been hooked up to ventilators.
The DDC said as of Saturday (November 19) 143.06 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered. Of them, 57.07 million were first doses,
53.56 million second doses and 32.43 million boosters.
Meanwhile, deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Monday that Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is concerned that Covid infections may surge during the cool season.
She said viruses spread more easily during the cool season, and many countries have eased their travel restrictions, while Thailand has opened its doors to tourists.
As a result, she said, Anutin has advised people to protect themselves by employing the universal hygiene measures of always washing their hands and wearing masks.
The minister also warned people in the 608 category, namely those who are 60 and above or with eight chronic diseases, to take Covid vaccines and booster doses.
She added that Covid vaccines are now available at most public hospitals.
The spokesperson said the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health near Victory Monument is also providing Covid-19 vaccines to children between the ages of six months and 18 years during the afternoon from Monday to Thursday and all day on Friday.
Thai farmers use derelict Cold War airbase to dry rice crop
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022
Farmers in the northeastern province of Yasothon province are drying their rice harvest on an abandoned Royal Thai Army airbase runway in a bid to prevent road accidents.
At least 100 farmers from Loeng Nok Tha district are turning up each day at the disused airstrip with loads of freshly cut rice.
Rice harvesting season often brings traffic accidents in rural areas as farmers have little choice but to use roads to dry their paddy.
Farmers at the old airbase are reportedly guarding their drying paddy at night to prevent it from being stolen.
Prayad Samerphak, head of Ban Khok Samran village, said farmers in Loeng Nok Tha district were lucky to have an old airbase in the area.
The Loeng Nok Tha airbase was built with the help of the British in 1967 as Cold War tensions mounted in Southeast Asia.
“Many farmers gather at the airport to dry their paddy during harvest season every year,” she said.
She also thanked soldiers at the airport for allowing them to dry their rice crop for free.
Drone retrieves Bangkok jet skier’s body from Kanchanaburi reservoir
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022
The hunt for an 18-year-old who suffered a jet ski accident in Kanchanaburi’s Srinakarin Dam reservoir last month ended on Saturday when a team of divers finally located his body.
Mawin Netdecha, a tourist from Bangkok, was on a visit to the reservoir when fell from a jet ski being driven by a friend on October 24.
Rescuers began searching immediately but called off their mission on November 9 after finding no signs of the missing teen.
On Friday, a Navy team began searching the reservoir with underwater drones.
On Saturday morning, 20 dive teams from several provinces entered the water on a 48-hour search mission. At around 3pm, divers located Mawin’s body lying at the bottom of the reservoir at a depth of 70 metres. However, they were unable to retrieve it.
At 6pm on Sunday, the team launched an underwater drone, which finally brought the body to the surface at 7.05pm.
A medical team performed a basic autopsy on the corpse before it was sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok.
Activist steps up call for better management to make Thai roads safe for motorcyclists
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2022
An activist renewed her call for the government to put in place more effective measures to prevent road deaths, especially of motorcyclists, who she believes are victims of poor management.
Dr Chamaiphan Santikan made this call on the occasion of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR), which is marked on November 20 yearly.
Chamaiphan, who is a former WHO advisor in Asia on injuries and the handicapped, is now working with the so-called Motorcycle Safety Thailand project that was established in 2020.
She said motorcyclists in Thailand had become victims of poor management and unequal access to safe roads for more than 53 years now. This inequality, she said, makes Thailand one of the most dangerous countries to drive in with the biggest death toll of motorcyclists.
Chamaiphan said information from three databases of the Public Health Ministry’s national injuries monitoring system found that more than 17,000 motorcyclists had died from road accidents in 2019, double the number killed in 1995.
She blamed the fatalities on unaddressed issues related to people, roads and vehicles. One of the worst examples of bad management, she said, was the Transport Ministry’s decision to let 15 to 17-year-olds drive 110cc motorcycles instead of 50cc ones. She said this decision dates as far back as 2005.
In comparison, Chamaiphan said, other countries like the United Kingdom, Japan and the US use a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system to control inexperienced drivers and prevent accidents.
She said the GDL scheme reduced the deaths of young motorcyclists in the UK by 25%.
The GDL system also restricts young and inexperienced motorcyclists from riding at night, stops them from providing pillion rides and has their blood alcohol level regularly monitored, she added. These steps, Chamaiphan said, have reduced injuries among 15 to 19-year-old motorcyclists by up to 23%.
The activist added that Thai roads were built a long time ago without proper traffic engineering in mind or the prioritising of road safety.
For instance, she said, motorcyclists can ride as fast as motorists and there are no special lanes for their safety.
Dr Somkiat Tangkitvanich, president of the Thailand Development Research Institute, said on Sunday that Thailand has been losing more than 20,000 lives in road accidents yearly and motorcyclists account for 75% of deaths.
He said most of the motorcyclists killed were young people who should have lived to become an important resource for the country.
Separately, Thailand is introducing a point deduction system for traffic-related offences. In the system, each licence holder will start off with 12 points, which will be deducted for every traffic offence. If the points come to an end, the offender’s licence will be suspended for up to 90 days. This regulation is scheduled to go into effect from January 9.
Can Thai police stop multibillion-baht World Cup gambling? Don’t bet on it
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2022
Thai police have a tough few weeks ahead as they seek to stifle the country’s notorious appetite for gambling on the Fifa World Cup.
Gambling remains illegal in Thailand for all except the national lottery and horse racing. But that won’t stop Thais from betting about 57.2 billion baht (US$1.6 billion) on the World Cup, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Seeking to stem the tide, national police chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas has instructed his officers to step up monitoring for gambling on the tournament, which kicks off on Sunday at 11pm Thai time.
Underground gambling via illegal lotteries, casinos, cockfighting and Muay Thai is thought to be worth billions of baht per year in Thailand.
The wave of World Cup gambling has sparked fears that Thais desperate for cash after the Covid crisis will turn to betting and sink deeper into debt. Gambling has also been made easier in the past few years by the proliferation of betting websites.
Gen Damrongsak told a press conference that he has instructed the Police Cyber Taskforce and the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) to take charge of monitoring for online gambling on all 64 matches of the World Cup in Qatar.
The two agencies will work under the supervision of Gen Torsak Sukwimol, deputy police commissioner-general in charge of crime suppression.
Meanwhile, police stations will monitor for World Cup gambling at entertainment venues, hotels, bars, restaurants, Internet cafés and other places under their jurisdiction.
Any websites found advertising betting services would be blocked and their backers arrested, Damrongsak warned.
Those found guilty of organising football gambling would face a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 and/or a jail term of one year to 10 years, he added.
In 2021 two-way trade between Saudi Arabia And Thailand rose to over $7 Billion. Thailand’s import value stood at 4 billion US dollars compared to 2 billion dollars of its export value to Saudi Arabia.
At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and within the framework of the friendly relations between the two countries, and to promote mutual interests, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Saudi Arabia, paid an official visit to the Thailand during the period from November 17 to 18, 2022.
Recognizing the prominent roles of Saudi Arabia in the international arena, Thailand extended an invitation to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Forum as Chair’s guest with the firm belief that Saudi Arabia can play a constructive role in the Asia-Pacific region.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia was received by King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall on November 18, 2022, which represented a historic event as it was the first meeting between the Royal Families of the two kingdoms after the full normalization of bilateral diplomatic relations in January 2022.
The Thai Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Prayut officially welcomed Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, and both sides held an official meeting at Government House to affirm their keenness to enhance bilateral, regional and international cooperation in all fields.
In the spirit of cooperation and common determination to enhance friendly relations between the two kingdoms and their peoples, the two leaders welcomed the signing of the major bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, which are as follows:
Memorandum of Understanding regarding the establishment of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council.
Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation in the field of encouraging direct investment between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Energy of the Kingdom of Thailand in the field of energy.
Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Memorandum of Understanding between the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission of the Kingdom of Thailand in the field of preventing and combating corruption.
In the fields of political, defence and security cooperation, both sides discussed opportunities for cooperation on mutual interest, including the defence industry, combating transnational crimes in all their forms, such as combating terrorism, radicalism, and extremism, enhancing cyber security, building capabilities and exchanging information between the two kingdoms. The two sides also expressed their readiness to enhance cooperation on consular affairs for the benefit of both nations.
In light of the current global economic challenges, the two sides discussed the role of the two governments in supporting international efforts to effectively address them. Both sides also highlighted the importance of encouraging market access of both countries, as well as the strong interaction between their private sectors to increase investment opportunities, diversify bilateral trade, and increase the exchange of visits of trade delegations. In addition, both sides discussed cooperation between the public and private sectors of the two kingdoms in key potential areas, including building materials, petrochemicals, foodstuff, consumer products, digital economy, transportation and logistics, industry, mining, electric vehicle manufacturing, agriculture, luxury, and hospitality, as well labour cooperation, environmental cooperation, and climate change among others.
Both sides discussed ways and means to materialize investment opportunities in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Thailand and mega projects, such as the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia, based on the complementary nature and compatibility of Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Thailand expressed its readiness to support the “Saudi Green” and “Green Middle East” initiatives, in addition to cooperating with the Saudi Investment Fund to facilitate more economic cooperation in the future.
Both sides valued the importance of enhancing cooperation in energy fields such as supplying oil, petroleum derivatives, petrochemicals, clean technologies for hydrocarbon resources, biofuels, and renewable energy. In addition to exploring partnership opportunities and discussing joint projects in innovative uses of hydrocarbons in materials, transportation, and other potential forms of cooperation in the field of energy.
As for social and educational cooperation, both sides stressed the importance of strengthening communication between the two peoples. The Saudi side commended Thailand’s decision to exempt Saudi citizens from entering Thailand for tourism purposes for a period of 30 days. The two sides expressed their commitment to facilitate the exchange of visits at all levels. The Thai side praised the interest of the
Saudi side in facilitating the issuance of visas for businessmen and tourists from Thailand to enhance trade, investment, and tourism.
Both sides mutually recognized the importance of augmenting the level of scientific, research and educational cooperation between the two kingdoms. The two sides concurred on encouraging direct cooperation between universities, scientific and educational institutions, and the importance of education in times of crisis and to provide inclusive and comprehensive high-quality education.
In the field of health, both sides affirmed their keenness to support global initiatives to confront current epidemics and prepare for emerging diseases. The two sides also resolved to cooperate and work towards recovery after the emerging Corona Virus crisis (Covid-19).
Both sides agreed to discuss opportunities in the fields of radio and television, news agencies, and the press, exchanging experiences, and coordinating mutual media visits to serve the development of the joint media field.
Both sides also sought to encourage cooperation on enhance cultural exchange and to discuss ways and means to enhance cooperation in various fields of sports.
The two sides stressed the importance of joint efforts to combat extremism and promote understanding, tolerance, peace, and security.
Prayut, valued the efforts made by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and , the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, in serving the pilgrims, praising the high level of coordination between the two countries to achieve the comfort of Thai pilgrims.
On international affairs, both sides exchanged views on developments in their respective regions, such as the situation in Yemen, Iran and Afghanistan. Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with international organizations and multilateral fora. The two sides reiterated their willingness to support each other in areas of common interest. In addition, both sides renewed their determination to continue coordinating and intensifying efforts to maintain international peace and security. They stressed the importance of all countries adhering to the Charter of the United Nations, the principles of international legitimacy, international law, the principles of good- neighbourliness, and respect for the unity and sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and pursue to resolve differences by peaceful means. The Thai side praised the active humanitarian efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to promote peace and prosperity in the Middle East region and expressed its appreciation for the assistance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Thailand within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud appreciated the support of Thailand in hosting the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh. The Thai Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its interest in supporting Thailand’s candidacy to host the Phuket Expo 2028.
At the conclusion of the visit, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to His Royal Highness and his accompanying delegation. The Prime Minister of Thailand expressed his best wishes for the health and happiness of His Royal Highness, and for the continued progress and advancement of the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Investigation into attack on reporters will be fair: Damrongsak
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2022
The National Police chief on Sunday promised a fair investigation into allegations of police officers injuring two reporters during a clash with protesters on Friday.
Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said if any police officers were found to have committed wrongdoing that led to the two reporters getting injured, they would be punished accordingly.
Protesters had gathered a few hundred metres from the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where the Apec Summit was being held and clashes soon broke out, with riot police shooting rubber bullets into the crowd.
Clips of a monk being pushed against a wall and a policeman reportedly attacking a reporter from the online news site, The Matter, went viral. The reporter was attacked even though he shouted out his credentials and showed his press armband.
A Reuters photographer also reportedly sustained minor injuries from hard objects being flung around.
Damrongsak said on Sunday that it would take investigators time to check photos posted on social media of riot police officers allegedly assaulting reporters.
He added that investigators will also check the photos and video clips recorded by police during the crackdown on protesters.
“I hereby affirm that the Royal Thai Police will be fair to all injured persons. If the probe concludes that police offers were excessively violent, they will be punished,” Damrongsak said.
He added that the injured reporters will also be compensated in line with regulations if investigators confirm they were injured by police officers.
The National Police chief added that it was difficult to protect media members during a crackdown because there were too many of them and they often get caught in the crossfire.
“But we will later set up a committee to review how reporters can work with police during such operations, so nobody gets injured,” Damrongsak said.
He added that a police officer will be assigned to coordinate with the media crew at all rally sites, but all reporters must clearly display their press badges.
The police chief also said that many so-called reporters were actually independent YouTubers or bloggers who had not registered with the police.
“We’ll raise this and other issues with the Thai Journalists Association later,” Damrongsak said, without elaborating when this discussion was to be held.
Anutin issued the directive in line with Bhumjaithai’s 2019 electoral promise that it would get marijuana decriminalised so it can be used for medical and as a cash crop.
In early September this year, the Central Administrative Court ruled in favour of BTSC in a case against the BMA and its business arm, Krungthep Thanakhom (KT). The court ordered the BMA and KT to pay the debt of 12.6 billion baht for operating the Green Line extensions since April 2017 within 180 days but Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the BMA would appeal against the ruling.
Keeree said despite the rising cost because of the BMA or the government’s failure to honour the debt, the BTSC would not halt the Skytrain service as that would affect the people.
He added that the injured reporters will also be compensated in line with regulations if investigators confirm they were injured by police officers.
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