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Lottery sellers who ask for ‘service fee’ face fine, loss of permit

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By THE NATION

Lottery sellers are not allowed to ask for any fee on top of the standard price of Bt80 for a lottery ticket, the director-general at the Government Lottery Office (GLO), Boonsong Jantrisri, said on Sunday.

His remarks came after a social media post, showing a picture of a lottery stall asking for “service fee” of Bt10 to Bt20, went viral and was widely criticised by netizens since last week.

“Asking for additional fee constitutes price gouging and is punishable with up to Bt10,000 fine and revocation of permit,” he warned.

“The GLO recently increased the profit margin of registered sellers from 7 per cent (Bt5.6 per ticket) to 12 per cent (Bt9.6 per ticket). The profit should be enough for sellers to maintain their business and livelihood, and therefore asking for additional fees is inexcusable.”

Boonsong added that the GLO is offering a cash reward of Bt1,000 to citizens who provide information to officials on each case of lottery price gouging, while officials who catch wrongdoers will be rewarded based on the fine in each case, but not exceeding Bt2,000.

“The GLO has earmarked Bt8 million for cash rewards, which will be paid once the offenders confess to their crime and pay the fine,” he added.

According to GLO’s statistics, 6,047 lottery sellers were found guilty of price gouging in 2020 and their permits were revoked.

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Thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail forecast for upper Thailand

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday that the westerly trough is moving past Myanmar to cover the upper North of Thailand, resulting in outbreaks of thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail in some areas.

People in the North should beware of the severe conditions by keeping off open areas, big trees and unsecured billboards, while farmers should beware of damage to crop.

Meanwhile, the weak high-pressure system covering the Northeast and the South China Sea brings cool weather to the Northeast, the Central and the East with morning fog. The moderate northeast monsoon in the Gulf and the South leads to waves in the lower Gulf up to about two metres high.

The department also forecast that on February 8-9, thundershowers, strong winds and isolated hail will be likely over the upper country, followed by a 4-6 degrees Celsius fall in temperature in the North and the Northeast and a 2-4°C drop in other regions.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool weather with morning fog, thunderstorms in 40 per cent of the areas with gusty winds and hail in some areas; temperature lows of 16-21°C, highs of 29-36°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-15°C.

Northeast: Cool weather with morning fog; thunderstorms in 20 per cent of the areas with gusty winds and hail in some areas; temperature lows of 17-21°C, highs of 32-34°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-15°C.

Central: Cool weather with morning fog, thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas and gusty winds; temperature lows of 20-22°C, highs of 34-36°C.

East: Partly cloudy with morning fog and isolated light rain; temperature lows of 20-25°C, highs of 31-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 30-34°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 33-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with morning fog; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 34-36°C.

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Myanmar citizens in Thailand protest coup at home

NationalFeb 07. 2021

By The Nation

Myanmar people in Thailand gathered outside the United Nations Office on Bangkok’s Rajdamnoen Road on Sunday afternoon to protest the military coup in their country.

Nang Loeng Metropolitan Police officers allowed the protesters to hold the demonstration on a traffic island in front of the UN Office by setting up fences and screening checkpoints.

The protesters were required to wear face mask and wash their hands with alcohol-based gel as part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. Thai people were not allowed to participate in the demonstration.

The protest was called off at around 2pm. About 500-600 Myanmar people participated.

On Monday, Myanmar’s de facto head of state Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), as well as regional government leaders were arrested in early morning raids.

Later in the morning, a military-owned television station announced that a one-year state of emergency was being imposed under the authority of the commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

According to a Washington Post report on Saturday, Myanmar authorities restricted Internet connectivity and blocked more social media websites, as thousands of people protested in the first street demonstrations since the military took power from the democratically elected government in a coup.

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Online registration opens to join Military

NationalFeb 07. 2021

By The Nation

1,466 Thai men have registered online to join the military, Royal Thai Army deputy spokesperson Colonel Sirichan Ngathong said on Sunday.

Of the total, 365 men have registered in the 1st Army Area, 405 in the 2nd Army Area, 304 in the 3rd Army Area and 392 in the 4th Army Area. Most of the registrants were 18-20 years old.

The Army is allowing Thai men who have not been conscripted or recruited to join the military online via www.rcm64.rta.mi.th until February 28.

This is the first time that the Army is giving Thai men a chance to voluntarily join the services.

“The Territorial Defence Command has appointed military recruiting officers to publicise the online registration and facilitate registrants who contact recruiting offices nationwide,” she said.

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Asian king vulture lays an egg for the first time in 25 years

NationalFeb 07. 2021

By The Nation

After a wait of more than 25 years, the Asian king vulture has finally delivered in Thailand. “Nui” laid the first egg on January 30, after being nearly extinct for 30 years.

Nakhon Ratchasima acting zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy said it was a good omen for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

He said it was the first time in Asia that the vulture had laid an egg in her cage.

Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo has four vultures: a 19-year-old male vulture, Pocky; a 21-year-old male, Jack; a 12-year-old male, Tan; and a 10-year-old female, Nui.

The working team of the Condor Population Rehabilitation Project in Thailand has been waiting all year round.

The Asian king vulture is protected wildlife and only five are left in the country.

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Covid-19, US stimulus package could influence baht, SET next week

NationalFeb 07. 2021

By The Nation

The Covid-19 outbreak and the rollout of US economic stimulus measures would affect the baht and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index next week, Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch) said.

The baht closed at 30.09 against the dollar on Friday despite the Monetary Policy Committee’s resolution to maintain the interest rate at 0.50 per cent. However, the baht was pressured by the strengthening dollar amid strong US economic data and US President Joe Biden’s signal to accelerate the rollout of economic stimulus measures and Covid-19 vaccination.

KResearch expected the baht next week to move between 29.90 and 30.30 to the dollar, advising investors to follow the rollout of US economic stimulus measures, the US Federal Reserve chairman’s statement and the Covid-19 outbreak.

The SET Index on Friday closed at 1,496.61, up 2.02 per cent compared to the previous week’s close with total transactions amounting to Bt78.30 billion, down 10.557 per cent compared to the previous week’s close, riding strong US economic data which was better than the market expectations.

The Market for Alternative Investment on Friday closed at 369.95, up 3.82 per cent compared to previous week’s close.

KResearch advised investors to follow the Covid-19 outbreak, SET-listed companies’ fourth-quarter performance in 2020, the rollout of US economic stimulus measures and US-China relations.

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FDA outlines requirements to apply for permission to grow hemp

NationalFeb 07. 2021

By The Nation

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clarified doubts on seeking permission to grow or import hemp on Saturday.

Earlier, the FDA allowed government agencies, private companies, farmers and the public to apply to grow hemp from January 29 after the Public Health Ministry removed the plant species from the category V narcotics list in November.

FDA vice secretary-general Supattra Boonserm said people can apply to grow hemp at the FDA’s head office and provincial public health offices, while those who wish to import hemp must apply at the FDA’s head office.

She said applicants must arrange house title deed, rental agreement or landlord permission letter for the application.

“We will consider the application to grow hemp within 135 days, and in 75 days for the application to import hemp,” she said.

“The FDA will arrange business matching between growers and buyers for applicants who do not have business partners.”

She added that the FDA is cooperating with the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to set up a central market for trading cannabis and hemp products.

She asked people not to believe in individuals who deceive them to apply for hemp seeds by paying Bt1,000 application fee and another Bt1,000 for buying shares.

For more information, contact 0-2590-7793-4, 0-2590-7339 or 0-2590-7756.

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Saint Louis BTS station to open from Monday

NationalFeb 07. 2021

By The Nation

After practising fire evacuation and emergency drills on Friday, St. Louis Station on the Green Line BTS train route will start service on February 8.

Saint Louis Station is located between Chong Nonsi Station (S3) and Surasak Station (S5) on North-South Sathorn Road at Sathorn Soi 12, in front of UOB Bank Sathorn Head Office and the Ascott Hotel. It is located In the Bang Rak and Sathorn areas.

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Amendment to abortion law comes into effect

NationalFeb 07. 2021

By The Nation

The Government Gazette announced on Saturday an amendment to Criminal Code sections 301 and 305, which would make it possible for women to terminate their pregnancy of up to 12 weeks.

The amended law reads:

Section 301: A woman who aborts a foetus that is older than 12 weeks shall be liable to no more than six months in prison and/or a fine of Bt10,000.

Section 305: The offender is not guilty if:

– The pregnancy puts the mother at risk physically or psychologically.

– The baby faces a significant risk of developing physical or mental disorder or disability.

– The woman has been impregnated due to rape.

– The mother-to-be is convinced there is no other option.

– The abortion of foetus that is older than 12 weeks but not exceeding 20 weeks is approved by a doctor or other health professionals as approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

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Poll shows support for legal gambling dens

NationalFeb 07. 2021

By The Nation

The majority of respondents in a Suan Dusit Poll encouraged the government to open legal gambling dens in Thailand.

The poll was conducted from January 27 to February 5 and surveyed 1,929 people.

Asked about issues which caused the spread of Covid-19 (multiple choice):

92.55 per cent blamed illegal workers sneaking into the country;

86.30 per cent blamed illegal gambling dens;

63.36 per cent entertainment venues;

61.84 per cent celebrities’ party;

60.58 per cent — travelling in crowded places.

Asked about legal gambling dens’ role in containing the spread of Covid-19:

51.63 per cent said it would not help;

30.12 per cent said it would help;

18.25 per cent said they were not sure.

Asked about the benefits of having legal gambling dens’ (multiple choice):

81.97 per cent said the government can collect gambling taxes;

62.15 per cent said it reduced the problems of extortion and mafia behaviour;

58.14 per cent said the government can monitor gambling dens easily.

Asked about the weak points of legal gambling dens (multiple choice):

69.22 per cent said it would create more debt;

63.27 per cent said it was deceitful;

61.79 per cent said it would develop bad habits in the youth.

Regarding the opening of legal gambling dens in Thailand:

50.70 per cent agreed;

36.70 per cent disagreed;

12.60 per cent said they were not sure.

Regarding the respondents’ interest in Thailand’s legal gambling dens:

83.14 per cent said they were not interested;

16.86 per cent said they were interested.

Pornphan Buathong, an analyst at Suan Dusit Poll, said the opening of legal gambling dens in Thailand is a controversial issue since long.

She added that the majority of respondents agreed on opening legal gambling dens, hence the government should study the strong and weak points thoroughly. Otherwise, it would be a big problem in the future.