Their Majesties greet world leaders at Grand Palace during Apec Summit
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2022
Their Majesties the King and Queen granted an audience to world leaders attending the Apec summit, at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall in Bangkok’s Grand Palace on Friday.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya was also at the Throne Hall to greet leaders and senior officials from countries around the world.
Significant figures from countries including China, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, France, and Canada met with the royal family ahead of the last day of the summit, where delegates are seeking to forge an Asia-Pacific free trade area.
Earlier on Friday, police clashed with hundreds of protesters gathered near Democracy Monument about eight kilometres from the summit venue.
Police fired rubber bullets to prevent the demonstrators from marching to the venue and delivering their petition to protest Apec trade deals and call on PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign.
HM the King’s father, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, hosted world leaders at the two previous Apec summits held in Thailand, in September 1992 and October 2003.
Road closures in Bangkok for last day of Apec Summit
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2022
Several Bangkok roads and expressways will be closed on Saturday (November 19) to facilitate travel of participants in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit, the Metropolitan Police Bureau said.
The following sections of these roads will be closed from 7.30am-9.30am and 11am-1pm on Saturday:
– Ploenchit Road (Ratchaprasong Intersection to Ploenchit Intersection)
– Sukhumvit Road (Ploenchit Intersection to Soi Sukhumvit 22)
– Ratchadamri Road (Ratchaprasong Intersection to Sala Daeng Intersection)
– Wireless Road (Ploenchit Intersection to Witthayu Intersection)
– Duang Phithak Road
– Ratchadapisek Road (Asok Intersection to Rama IV Intersection)
– Rama IV Road (Sala Daeng Intersection to Rama IV Intersection)
– Sathorn Road (Witthayu Intersection to Narinthon Intersection)
The following sections of these expressways will also be closed during the same period on Saturday:
– Entrance of Surawong Expressway and exit of Silom Expressway
– Phaya Thai Elevated Road to Makkasan Elevated Road
– Makkasan Elevated Road to Ploenchit Expressway and entrance and exit of Rama IV-2 Expressway
Police advised motorists to avoid these routes on Saturday. Traffic police have been deployed to direct motorists to detours instead. For inquiries, contact the 1197 police hotline. Maps of detour routes can be viewed at facebook.com/1197Callcenter.
Thai TV broadcasters fear World Cup lockout by CP, ThaiBev channels
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Thai broadcasters on Friday insisted Fifa World Cup matches must be shown on all stations, after three giant corporations contributed money to buy the broadcasting rights.
On Thursday, the Sports Authority of Thailand announced it had reached a deal to broadcast all 64 matches of the 2022 World Cup for 1.4 billion baht thanks to help from three private conglomerates.
The government fund to buy the rights was topped up by True Corporation, which contributed 300 million baht, PTT Oil And Retail (150 million baht) and Thai Beverage (100 million baht).
Smaller companies also contributed 30 to 50 million baht each.
The tournament is expected to screen on channels owned by CP Group – TNN, True4U, and TrueID – and ThaiBev’s AmarinTV.
ADTEB president Suparp Kleekhajai said, however, that all digital television channels must be offered the broadcasts since the government spent 600 million baht to buy the rights.
Digital television operators should not have to pay any more because the “must carry” rule was created to give poor people equal access to the tournament, he added.
Apec leaders ‘captivated by Thai food and culture’ at gala dinner
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn on Friday praised the delicious Thai dishes and cultural performances arranged for the Apec leaders’ gala dinner on Thursday in an appealing display of Thailand’s soft power.
He said attending leaders from foreign countries were impressed by the taste and beauty of the Thai dishes served. They also expressed interest in the cultural shows performed during the dinner, he added. Khon mask dance was among the traditional Thai performances the leaders witnessed. Leaders from 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathered at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall for the gala dinner on Thursday night. They are in Bangkok to attend the 29th Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
“I am happy to see Apec leaders satisfied with the taste and beauty of Thai food. And they paid attention to the majestic cultural performances that reflect our unique Thai culture,” Chaiwut wrote in his Facebook post. “This is Thailand’s soft power that we should be proud of,” he said. The minister also praised the Thai government, the country and his compatriots for hosting Apec 2022 together.
2023 Apec summit in US will also focus on sustainability: Godec
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
When the United States hosts the Apec summit next year, it will further focus on the issues of sustainability highlighted at Apec 2022 in Bangkok, US Ambassador Robert F Godec said.
In a recent interview with Krungthep Thurakij, Godec said the goal would be to make Apec a leader in sustainable food and farm systems by upgrading the digital and circular economy and adopting climate-smart agriculture. He explained that Apec is the United States’ main forum to push for economic policies that support free, fair and open trade and investment. Praising Thailand for its success in hosting Apec 2022, Godec said that Washington fully backs the forum’s “Open. Connect. Balance” theme. He added that as part of its aim for equality and sustainable growth, the US has taken action and implemented projects that promote openness and connection in the region.
As for balance, he said, the US is pushing for a greater representation of women and sustainability in Apec economies. Godec recently told the media that the US views Apec’s Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) as a forum to boost the potential of member economies on trade and investment to deal with the new challenges the world is facing. He also voiced support for Thailand’s bio-circular-green (BCG) economic model promoted at Apec 2022. He said the US has placed great importance on these issues while supporting sustainable growth in both the US and overseas. US President Joe Biden recently signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act, which sets aside $369 billion (13.2 trillion baht) for decarbonised economy and response to climate change. The legislation, signed in August, is described as the largest climate and energy spending package in US history. “This act includes $369 billion to take the most aggressive action ever … ever, ever, ever, in confronting the climate crisis,” Biden reportedly said when signing the bill. US Vice President Kamala Harris is attending the Bangkok summit on Biden’s behalf.
Tackling climate change a united battle, Varawut says at COP27
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Climate change affects every life on Earth, and to mitigate that, Thailand aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 to 25% by 2030.
This declaration was made at the 27th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Parties, or Conference of the Parties (COP 27).
The November 6 to 18 meeting is being held at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.
The target, announced in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) segment of the forum, will be met from three key aspects, namely energy and transport; industrial procedures and product usage; and community waste management.
Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will be in charge of meeting the NDCs by promoting investment in low-carbon industries such as renewable energy, electric vehicles and waste-to-energy systems. The aim will also be to ensure the public’s well-being by creating environmentally friendly infrastructure and green employment.
The ministry is also committed to enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness by promoting the government’s bio-circular-green (BCG) economy model as a key driver to sustainability and environmental preservation.
Thailand keeps its promise
As the country’s representative at COP27, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said Thailand had not arrived “empty-handed”.
“This year we entered COP27 with a fulfilled promise that we would submit a revised Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions Development Strategy [LT-LEDS] to the conference, which complies with the country’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality in 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2065,” he said.
“Furthermore, we added another goal to the NCDs – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% within 2030 under international support.”
Building international cooperation
At COP27, Varawut highlighted Thailand’s work on tackling climate change and environmental problems, as well as what it plans to do in the future.
“Though Thailand is not among superpower countries, we have full commitment in this aspect and have achieved several tangible results,” he said.
The minister added that Thailand is one of the first countries to tackle climate change under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. It has done this by recently signing a pact with Switzerland on carbon credit trade, technology transfer and fund support.
“In a sideline meeting during the COP27 conference, we also discussed with representatives from the Netherlands about the possibility of establishing a water-related cooperation under the ‘Water as Leverage’ concept,” Varawut said.
He said this effort aims to tackle flooding in the Chao Phraya River Basin due to rising sea levels, which is worsening due to climate change.
Varawut said the Netherlands has devised a successful water-management project that could be applied to Thailand.
“Many of their ideas, research, innovations and tools can be further improved to benefit Thailand,” he said.
He added that the COP27 stage also provided him with the opportunity to speak to the US special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry about the reduction of methane gas emissions in Thailand.
“Methane is 26 to 28 times more harmful than carbon dioxide,” Varawut said. “We agreed to work with the US in reducing methane emissions from the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors. Thailand will enter into an agreement with the US after discussing the details with the Labour and Agriculture and Cooperative ministries, and receiving a green light from the Cabinet.”
Setting up a loss and damage fund
Loss and damage was another key issue covered at COP27. This fund aims to get developed countries responsible for releasing most of the greenhouse gases to compensate poor countries suffering from climate change caused by these emissions.
Varawut said in the past few years, Thailand has been hit badly by the impact of climate change, especially by flash floods due to increased rainfall and droughts that are getting more severe. This has prompted the government to make increasing water conservation levels part of the national agenda, he said.
“I support the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund to help countries most affected by climate change,” Varawut said. “Even though Thailand was ranked 22nd among greenhouse gas emitters and is responsible for only 0.8% of global greenhouse gases, we are in the 9th place globally for countries suffering the most from climate change.”
He added that developed countries should contribute US$2 million (about 71.70 million baht) to the fund per year to help poor countries fight climate change sustainably.
Every party should change
Climate change will worsen floods, droughts and other natural disasters, and Thailand should be prepared and start changing under tangible operational plans, Varawut said.
“It’s not easy to change one person’s behaviour and their way of life, let alone changing those of an entire country,” he said. “All Thai citizens from all sectors, including agriculture, industrial and business, should work together on this front, and I will show the world our progress in dealing with climate change at COP28 in Abu Dhabi next year.”
Varawut added that Thailand was applauded at COP27 for taking a leading role in tackling climate change. This, he said, was only possible due to the dedication of both private and public sectors over the past few years.
“Everybody should be aware of the impact of climate change and work together on the environmental front. Creating a meaningful change is not one man’s job, as the impact of climate change will affect us all indiscriminately. However, we can all make small changes,” Varawut said.
“The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will continue being the central agency that promotes and coordinates cooperation from all parties, so we can survive this crisis together.”
Anti-government protesters arrested after five policemen injured in clashes
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Ten anti-government protesters were arrested on Friday morning after clashes with police officers guarding the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting site on Dinso Road in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district.
The clash left five police officers injured and several properties damaged, Pol Maj-General Archayon Kraithong, spokesman of the Joint Security and Traffic Operation Command Centre for the 2022 Apec Summit, said.
Archayon said about 350 protesters, who called themselves “Ratsadon Stop Apec 2022”, started gathering at Lan Khon Muang, an open space in front of the City Hall, early on Friday morning.
At around 9am, the protesters began marching towards the Apec 2022 meeting site at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, reportedly to submit a letter to international leaders attending the 2022 Apec Summit and to seek the ouster of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
As the protesters were entering Dinso Road, police issued warnings that leaving Lan Khon Muang is a violation of security regulations being enforced for the Apec Summit. The protesters ignored the warnings and allegedly threw rocks and other objects at police officers and their vehicles, Archayon said.
He said the police officers had to use force to protect themselves from the attacks. The clashes ended with officials arresting 10 protesters for violating the security order issued by the Samran Rat Police Station since November 17, prohibiting marches or mobilisation of people. Under the order, violators face a maximum of one year’s imprisonment, or 20,000 baht fine, or both.
The police spokesman said officers have been instructed to use negotiations as a primary tactic to ensure mutual understanding with protesters and use force only when necessary. “Officers will use rubber bullets only to deter attacks by protesters or to stop those who are committing a flagrant offence,” Archayon said. “All police tactics are in compliance with the laws and aim to maintain public peace and safety.”
Thai PM kicks off Apec Leaders’ Meeting with 60% of global GDP at stake
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha kicked off the 29th Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting with a welcoming speech for the bloc’s 21 members at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok on Friday.
Friday’s itinerary of the two-day summit focuses on balanced and sustainable growth driven by trade and investment across the economic bloc.
Apec comprises over 2.9 billion people and generates about 60% of global GDP.
Prayut will summarise the results of the Leaders Meeting on Saturday before handing over the host status for the next summit to the United States.
Roads around the venue in downtown Bangkok have been closed as part of tight security measures in and around QNSCC. All delegates and their belongings are being screened on entry, while police and Army personnel have been deployed to guard the venue.
Prayut and Xi exchange smiles, friendly chat at Bangkok Gala Dinner
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha sat close to China’s President Xi Jinping as he welcomed Apec leaders at the gala dinner in Bangkok on Thursday evening.
In his opening speech, Prayut welcomed “old and new friends” to the first in-person Apec leaders’ summit for four years.
He then invited his guests to savour the Thai cuisine and special cultural shows served up at the Navy hall. The menu was designed to showcase premium ingredients from Thailand’s four regions.
Guests were also invited to feast their eyes on the panorama of the Chao Phraya, introduced as Thailand’s lifeblood of trade, travel and development from ancient times to the present day.
Prayut pointed out to Apec leaders that their predecessors had sat in the same hall 20 years ago, when Thailand last hosted Apec in 2003.
The Thai PM and Xi then shared conversation and smiles during the dinner.
Prayut had travelled to airport earlier to welcome the Chinese leader to Thailand.
After dinner, guests were treated to traditional Loy Krathong floating lantern celebrations to mark the festival, which fell earlier this month.
Prayut meets Saudi PM with full military honours at airport
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha personally received Saudi Arabian PM HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Thursday evening at the Military Air Terminal 2 in Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport.
Both leaders are scheduled to discuss bilateral ties and exchange a memorandum of understanding before attending a dinner hosted by Prayut at Government House on Friday evening.
The crown prince is also scheduled to attend the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre as the government’s guest on Friday and Saturday.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the first Saudi royal to visit Thailand in an official capacity since bilateral relations were broken in 1989 over the Blue Diamond Affair when a Thai janitor stole priceless gems from a Saudi palace.
Prayut visited Saudi Arabia in January and successfully revived bilateral relations from several aspects, including economy, labour, tourism and sports.
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