Giant leap for Thailand as S Korea joins space project
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
Thailand and South Korea have agreed to study the feasibility of building and launching a spaceport in Thailand, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency said.
“Aviation and aerospace are among targeted S-curve industries which will become new engines to boost Thailand’s economy in the future,” the agency wrote on its Facebook page, referring to technically advanced and innovative industries.
It will work with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute to help develop space technology in Thailand and had a signing ceremony for the partnership at the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry in Bangkok on Monday.
“This signing ceremony will lead to construction of a spaceport in Thailand,” the agency said, adding that Thailand is a suitable country for building a spaceport.
The agency began cooperating on space technology and research with the South Korean institute in May last year and the feasibility study will be completed in three years, it said.
The study will be conducted thoroughly, with intense focus on geographical suitability, the site for construction, avoidance of natural disasters, environmental impacts, infrastructure, facilities, rocket types, regulations, and a business model, the agency said.
The study also aims to generate confidence among investors interested in Thailand’s spaceport, the agency said.
“This will be an important step for Thailand’s space-infrastructure development to create jobs, generate revenue and improve people’s quality of life,” it added.
A spaceport is a site for launching or receiving spacecraft.
Thailand cuts the use of plastic bags by over 148,000 tonnes in three years
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) on Wednesday credited its campaigns among the public for the sharp reduction in the use of single-use plastic and plastic shopping bags, totalling more than 148,000 tonnes in about three years.
PCD director-general Pinsak Suraswadi said the department had launched the campaigns in cooperation with the Environmental Quality Promotion Department (EQPD) in 2018 with the aim of reducing single-use plastic bags and plastic shopping bags by 43% by 2021.
Pinsak said the campaigns had succeeded in reducing the use of plastic bags by 148,699 tonnes, according to an analysis by the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, or the Material Flow of Plastic Analysis, at the end of 2021.
Pinsak said the campaigns for the reduction of plastic bag use is being carried out under the roadmap from 2018 to 2030 with two major goals:
– To replace the use of plastic bags with environmentally friendly containers
– To recycle plastic garbage by 100% within 2027.
Pinsak said the PCD and the EQPD have been campaigning with the public to reduce the use of plastic bags since July 21, 2018.
He said the first campaign for reducing the use of shopping plastic bags and foam food containers in markets, shopping malls and convenient stores nationwide from July 21, 2018 to December 2019 led to the reduction of 3.414 billion pieces of plastic bags and foam boxes, or about 9,824 tonnes.
The two departments then carried out the second campaign targeting 90 large department stores, convenience stores and supermarkets. The second phase was carried out from January 1, 2020 to December 2022.
Pinsak said the second project reduced the use of plastic bags by 14.349 billion pieces, or about 81.531 tonnes.
After the first phase of the campaigns ended in 2022, the PCD has drafted a plan for the second phase from this year to 2027. The plan was approved by the National Environment Board and endorsed by the Cabinet on February 7, Pinsak said.
He said the second phase has three major goals:
– To reduce the disposal of plastic garbage in landfilling by 100%
– To recycle plastic garbage by 100%
– To prevent plastic garbage from polluting the sea by 50%.
Thai boy saved from flooded cave dies in UK accident
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
One of the 12 boys rescued from a cave in Chiang Rai in 2018 died in an accident in the United Kingdom, a monk and former teacher of the boy wrote on Facebook.
“May the soul of Duangphet rest in a good world. I hope Dharma accompanies you everywhere and you become my student again in a future life,” Supatpong Methigo wrote on Facebook.
Duangphet “Dom” Promthep was one of the 12 members of the Wild Boar football team trapped in Tham Luang Cave in 2018.
Thai-language media reported that the 17-year-old died from a head injury sustained in a fall.
Supatpong said Duangphet’s grandmother told him Duangphet had died. She gives him alms every morning, the monk said.
Duangphet was a good boy who studied hard, he said.
After being rescued from the cave, Duangphet went to Chiang Mai to study sports and later received a scholarship to study in England, the monk said.
In June 2018, the world was transfixed for 17 days as an elaborate international mission unfolded to rescue 12 members of the Wild Boars football team and their coach after they were trapped by rising water in the Chiang Rai cave system.
The 200-metre-deep Chamber 1, which visitors use to enter the complex, was the command centre for a rescue operation led by Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn and Thai Navy Seals. Duangphet was part of the second group of boys carried out of the cave on July 9.
The Wild Boars have since become celebrities, depicted in a series of films and documentaries about their ordeal.
Duangphet received a scholarship to study at Vachiralai Bee School in Chiang Mai’s Saraphi district. He became a member of Chiang Mai’s youth football team.
In August last year, he used Instagram to announce that he won a football scholarship in England.
Duangphet said his dreams had come true after being accepted by the prestigious Brooke House College Football Academy, located about 150 kilometres north of London.
The academy nurtures talented footballers aged 12-19 for professional careers at clubs in England and globally.
Duangphet thanked the Sports Education Foundation, Zico Foundation, and Brooke House for granting him the scholarship.
He also thanked Vachiralai Bee School, Thai football manager and ex-player Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang, for their support, saying:
Meet Sierra and Sahara – Thailand’s search-and-rescue stars in Turkey
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
Two Golden Retrievers from Thailand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team are playing a starring role in the international mission following the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria.
The death toll from the 7.8-magnitude quake and aftershocks that hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6 rose to more than 41,000 on Wednesday, with millions more affected in both countries.
Thai female sniffer dogs Sierra and Sahara quickly became social media stars after starting their mission on Saturday in Hatay, a southern Turkish province on the Mediterranean coast that borders Syria.
Both come from the Environmental and Social Foundation. Its director, Alongkot Choukaew, said the seven-year-old Sierra and six-year-old Sahara had passed training certified by the International Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO).
Thailand’s sniffer dog organisation
Alongkot said the National Rescue Dog Organisation (NRDO) was established a year after the tsunami hit Phuket on December 26, 2004. The organisation grew out of its predecessor, K9 USAR Thailand.
NRDO went international when it began working with the United Nations’ USAR project three years ago.
For their latest mission, Sierra and Sahara have joined 40 human members of Thailand’s USAR team in Turkey and Syria.
Why Golden Retrievers?
Alongkot explained that Thailand’s USAR team launched with first-generation sniffer dogs trained by two foreign expert handlers decades ago.
However, the first-gen dogs died of old age,” he said.
Sierra and Sahara arrived from Sweden six years ago as Thailand’s second generation of sniffer dogs.
“We have trained these dogs since they were puppies in line with IRO standards,” he said. “They have worked as sniffer dogs for three years now.”
Temperatures have dropped below freezing in parts of the disaster zone, but Alongkot said people shouldn’t worry as Sierra and Sahara can adapt to the cold.
Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland, where winter temperatures often drop well below zero.
“We are confident that these dogs are ready for this mission,” he added.
Other dogs in Thailand’s USAR team
Alongkot said Thailand’s USAR team currently has six sniffer dogs in total. Four are currently on standby back home. He added that nine handlers are taking turns accompanying the dogs on their mission in Turkey.
“International rules limit the time human rescuers can spend on search and rescue missions to 10 consecutive days,” he explained.
Alongkot said special safety shoes have been designed for sniffer dogs to wear in disaster zones. However, Sierra and Sahara had not worn the shoes during the first two days of their mission in Turkey as they had to climb and jump around the rubble of collapsed buildings.
“If we put safety shoes on the sniffer dogs, they wouldn’t be able to keep their balance while climbing.”
He added that the shoes are designed to protect the dogs from sharp objects as they search the rubble.
They are worn only on their front paws, to protect them as they land after jumping through the piles of masonry and glass left after buildings collapse.
Mexican dog’s death underlines dangers
The dangers were underlined when a search dog from Mexico died after rubble collapsed on top of him in Turkey.
Alongkot said he had joined the mourning for the dog, named Proteo, who was crushed while trying to help earthquake victims.
“The death of the Mexican dog has heightened the need to evaluate each situation.”
He added that the Thai USAR team will only deploy their sniffer dogs once they are confident the situation is safe.
Hope for survivors
Alongkot said there is normally only a slim chance of finding survivors 72 hours after the earthquake, but Thailand’s USAR team still has hope.
“Survivors were found in Syria after five days or more than 150 hours had passed,” he said.
Silence is golden
Alongkot said Sierra and Sahara have been trained to keep still and listen for sounds from the rubble.
“Teaching dogs to obey orders and be disciplined, as well as to live with happily both humans and other animals, are keys of dog training.”
Sierra and Sahara were disciplined because they had been trained since puppyhood, he said.
However, the dogs are also allowed to play and answer the call of nature under the supervision of their handlers.
“This obedience is a characteristic of Golden Retrievers,” he said.
Two cases of new Covid-19 subvariant found in Thailand
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
One Thai and one foreign national have been infected with a new Omicron subvariant – XBB.1.5 – that emerged from two lineages of the Covid-19 subvariant, the Medical Science Department announced on Wednesday.
Both have recovered and no one they came into close contact with contracted the new subvariant, Dr Supakit Sirilak, the department’s director-general, told a press conference.
The department has reported the two XBB.1.5 cases to GISAID, a global science initiative that provides access to genomic data of influenza viruses.
XBB.1.5 is a descendent in the XBB lineage, which is a recombinant of two BA.2 descendent lineages.
From October 26, 2022 to February 12, 2023, 33,219 sequences of the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant have been reported from 54 countries (excluding low-coverage sequences).
Most are from the United States (73.7%). Other countries reporting the subvariant include the United Kingdom (6.6%), Canada (5.3%), Denmark (1.0%), Germany (2.65%), Ireland (1.0%), and Austria (1.5%), the World Health Organisation said at the end of last month.
There have been no indications so far that XBB.1.5 – when compared to other subvariants – causes more severe symptoms or poses a greater public health risk, Supakit said.
XBB.1.5 has been spreading fast in the US since the beginning of December, he said.
In Thailand, the BN.1 subvariant is still the dominant virus, and it is unlikely that XBB.1.5 will replace it here, he said.
BN.1 is a descendent of the BA.2.75 Omicron subvariant, Supakit said.
He advised members of the public to continue to protect themselves by wearing face masks and washing their hands frequently.
Those who have not received a Covid-19 vaccine in the last four months should get a booster shot, especially the elderly and those with health conditions that make them more likely to get severe symptoms from a Covid-19 infection, Supakit said.
‘Benz Daemon’ arrested at Suvarnabhumi over Macau online gambling website
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
Businessman Chaiwat “Benz Daemon” Kajonboonthavornt was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday night for allegedly running an online gambling operation and money laundering.
He was arrested by immigration police on his return from Hong Kong.
The 38-year-old businessman is one of the four suspects allegedly linked to the Macao 888 online gambling website.
Chaiwat is the eldest of four brothers recently accused by actress Arisara “Due” Thongborisut in a Facebook post of running an online gambling website. In her post, she hinted that all the brothers had nicknames starting with “B”.
The suspect was taken to Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) office in Nonthaburi province at 11pm for more than an hour of interrogation.
The suspect’s lawyer, Phisit Chutipornpongchai, told the press after meeting with CCIB investigators at 12.30am on Wednesday that Chaiwat faced a hard time during interrogation on his alleged Macao 888 financial transactions.
“Chaiwat became stressed during the interrogation,” he said, adding that he was also suffering from an underlying disease.
He added that the police had not questioned Chaiwat about physical assault on Arisara, the suspect’s ex-girlfriend.
“Chaiwat denied being involved in the Macao 888 online gambling website,” he said, adding that the suspect is ready to fight the charges against him.
He added that there were no bail negotiations as it was a criminal case.
Bangkok on flood alert as heavy rain falls across 15 districts
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
Fifteen districts across Bangkok were hit by moderate to heavy rain on Wednesday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Flood Control Centre reported.
The unseasonal thunderstorm dumped rain in Lat Krabang, Min Buri, Khan Na Yao, Bueng Kum, Suan Luang, Bang Na, Prawet, Saphan Sung, Lat Phrao, Wang Thong Lang, Chatuchak, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Phasi Charoen and Taling Chan.
Lat Krabang recorded the highest rainfall of 62.5 millimetres.
Low to moderate rainfall is forecast in Bangkok and surrounding provinces of Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok and Chachoengsao until Friday.
The BMA said rain is expected in 60% of Bangkok and its environs, with strong winds in some areas.
Temperatures would range from 24-26C to a maximum of 30-32C, it added.
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a weather warning of thunderstorms in upper Thailand until Friday (February 17). It forecast temperatures will also fall by 1-3C. It cautioned residents to beware of large trees and unsecured billboards and advised farmers to prepare against crop damage.
Wind and waves in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea will also rise until Sunday (February 19).
Waves in the lower Gulf will rise from 2 metres to 2-3 metres in storms and ships are advised to proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers.
Areas covered by the weather warning:
February 15
North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Tak
Northeast: Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram and Surin
Central: Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok and its vicinity
East: Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat
South: Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon
February 16-17
North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai and Tak
“Plant Trees – Get Mushrooms” Strategy convinces farmers to save forests
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023
Chulalongkorn University successfully planted trees in the forests in Nan and Saraburi provinces through innovative seedlings with ectomycorrhiza fungi, motivating villagers and farmers to “plant trees and get mushrooms”, for extra income.
Thailand’s forests are sadly dwindling. Many of the areas in the country have been denuded and degraded forest areas where restoration seems to be impossible. Although many sectors have tried to campaign for reforestation, it has not been easy.
This is because reforestation takes a very long time and, most importantly, requires the cooperation of local villagers to continue the task of planting and maintaining the forests.
The Faculty of Science and the Center of Learning Network for the Region (CLNR) Chulalongkorn University have tried to find ways to motivate villagers to become a coalition of growers and forest guards.
The answer to this problem lies in Ectomycorrhiza fungi.
“We asked villagers to plant a forest with Dipterocarpaceae trees that will not only grow into forests but also produce many kinds of “mushrooms” around the base of the trees as by-products to help better the livelihoods of villagers and Thai farmers,” said Assistant Professor Noppadol Kitana, Director of CLNR, on the success of ecological restoration projects in forest areas in Nan and Saraburi provinces with a seedling innovation that has ectomycorrhiza.
Assistant Professor Noppadol Kitana, Director of CLNR
The Beginning of Ectomycorrhizal Seedling Innovation in Forest Restoration
Nan is one of the northern provinces that used to have abundant forests. But in recent years, as a result of modern development, the forest area has been encroached on and denuded. More than 2,000 rai (3.2 square km) of Chula’s property in Wiang Sa district, Nan province used to be a deciduous forest as well.
Assistant Professor Jittra Piapukiew, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University
CLNR reveals that the concept of forest restoration started in 2008 with a local science project to study applied environmental solutions.
At that time, Assistant Professor Jittra Piapukiew, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chula came to research and experiment with seedlings containing “ectomycorrhiza” to restore forests in Nan Province.
“We started with the culture of ectomycorrhiza in the laboratory and then propagated them to Dipterocarpaceae seedlings in the nursery. After 4-5 years of growing Dipterocarpaceae trees, mushrooms appeared on the base of the trees. Later in 2011, we expanded the research project to Chula’s property in Saraburi province, where there are degraded forests as well,” said Noppadol.
Mycorrhiza and trees – an inseparable relationship in ecosystems.
Jittra, an expert and researcher on ectomycorrhiza for more than 20 years, describes the uniqueness of “Mycorrhiza” fungi that the name is derived from the word “mycor” meaning “fungus” and “rhiza” meaning “root”.
Mycorrhiza, therefore, refers to the symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots. Mycorrhiza fungi find water and minerals, deliver them to plants, while plants photosynthesize them, and then create food, sending them down to the roots where fungal fibers abound.”
Apart from feeding the plants, fungi also keep plants healthy by preventing diseases from microorganisms. And it has been found that plants with mycorrhiza grow well, are drought and acidity resistant, resulting in a high rate of survival.”
According to current research, it is known that mycorrhiza plays a very important role in forest ecosystems because the underground mycorrhiza fibers that spread throughout the forest are a network through which trees in the forest communicate with each other about food and various chemicals used for growth and survival.
This is also known as the “Wood Wide Web” which allows us to learn that the forest ecosystems communicate through these mycorrhiza fiber networks.
Mycorrhizae can be divided into two types: ectomycorrhiza, a fungus that grows around the plant root and the plant root cells, and endomycorrhiza, which is a fungus that grows in plant cells.
“Ectomycorrhiza is essential to the ecosystem as they cohabitate with the roots of forest trees such as Dipterocarpaceae genus, such as resin trees (Yang Na/Dipterocarpus alatus), Yang Daeng (Garjan/Dipterocarpus alatus), Hiang (Dipterocarpus obtusifolius), Ta-khian (Hopea odorata), Pluang (Dipterovarpus tuberculstus Roxb.), Payom (Shorea roxburghii), Teng (Siamese Sal/Shorea obtusa), Rang (Shorea siamensis), etc. Fagaceae trees, Pinaceae trees, and Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) trees.
Moreover, these fungi create mushrooms, which are the sexual reproductive structure from the right moisture and temperature as their flowers, creating spores to propagate and perpetuate in the circle of life,” explained Jittra.
Plant trees for mushrooms – a Strategy for Sustainable Forest Restoration
Jittra explains that after 4 years of planting Dipterocarpaceae plant seedlings with ectomycorrhiza there will be mushrooms around the trees. At first, there will be mostly the sickeners mushrooms (Russula emetica), and in the following years, when the trees become larger, the number of mushroom will decrease, but there will be more variety on a seasonal basis.
For example, barometer earthstar mushrooms (Astraeus hygrometricus) will be found in late summer, early rainy season, or around May. In the rainy season, the most common mycorrhiza mushrooms are various types of Amanita vaginata mushrooms, the sickeners, toadstool, bolete, chanterelle, etc., The moisture content in the soil determines the type and variety of mushrooms. In addition, when the forest is more fertile, other mushrooms that are not mycorrhiza are formed, such as Termitomyces, Lentinus polychrous, and Lentinus squarrosulus, etc.
“Barometer earthstar, Amanita vaginata, Russula emetica, etc. are mycorrhiza that are expensive because they cannot be grown, but only develop around tree roots in the forest. These mushrooms grow in deciduous forests with Dipterocarpaceae trees, so if you want mushrooms, you have to plant these trees,” said Jittra.
In addition to the northern region, Jittra said that the reforestation methods in this project can be applied to reforestation in many areas throughout Thailand.
For Jittra, Dipterocarpaceae is a “magical tree” that not only generates additional income for villagers but is also one of those trees that helps to cope with climate change as well.
Forest – Mushroom – Human in a symbiotic relationship
The villagers’ lives are already tied to the forest, and mushrooms are part of the community’s lifestyle. The villagers know mushrooms, the characteristics of edible mushrooms, the seasons for collecting mushrooms, where to find mushrooms, etc. It is not difficult to connect the knowledge of the villagers with forest conservation.
Noppadol said that CLNR has held workshops for the villagers on this topic on how to plant trees and then get mushrooms in 4 years. Moreover, the center also cultivates Dipterocarpaceae seedlings which are home to mycorrhiza mushrooms, and many villagers have obtained them to plant.
“We want the villagers to be able to live in harmony with nature. When they understand the relationship between fungi and trees, they will help to grow and preserve forests and benefit from the forest. Mushrooms can also be eaten and sold for a living,” concluded Noppadol.
Agencies and interested parties can contact for free seedlings containing Ectomycorrhiza! at the Center of Learning Network for the Region (CLNR), Khaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province, and Muang Nan District, Nan Province.
Valentine’s Day is not just a day of love for couples, survey finds
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023
A recent survey shows that most Thais believe Valentine’s Day is not just for couples, but also to express love for their family and friends.
The survey, conducted jointly by the Culture Ministry and Suan Dusit Poll, covered 6,207 respondents from different income groups and educational backgrounds.
The aim of the study was to gauge the Thai public’s views towards the “Day of Love” and it showed that for many (35.72%) it is not that important. Many also advised the Culture Ministry to use Valentine’s Day to conduct community service, like planting trees or launching a blood donation drive.
The poll results released on Tuesday also showed that most respondents want children to also be taught about safe sex.
Here are some questions posed in the survey:
Who do you want to express love for on Valentine’s Day?
• 74.27%: Parents
• 43.21%: Girlfriend/boyfriend
• 40.13%: Friends
• 29.24%: Teachers
• 7.52%: Celebrities
• 3.46%: Others, themselves, the disabled
Who do you want to be most loved by?
• 46.88%: Parents
• 20.35%: Girlfriend/Boyfriends
• 8.78%: Offspring
How would you express your love?
• 64.35%: Through words
• 31.03%: With hugs and kisses
• 28.53%: Via social media
• 27.39%: With flowers
• 15.61%: With chocolate
What do you wish to get for Valentine’s Day?
• 66.14%: Words of love
• 32.14%: Hugs and kisses
• 27.66%: Flowers
• 26.23%: Loving messages on social media
• 16.90%: Chocolate
What is your preferred method of expressing love?
• 76.19%: Telling the loved one in person
• 46.75%: Via Line application
• 34.28%: Via Facebook
What activities do you think help strengthen love?
• 55.87%: Cooking and eating together
• 47.33%: Travelling
• 38.20%: Hanging out at home
• 27.80%: Going to the cinema
• 26.57%: Making merit
Who do you see as a role model for relationships?
• 73.70%: Parents
• 11.17%: Celebrity couple
• 7.96%: Grandparents
What words or phrases best express loving feelings?
• 88.96%: Love
• 7.22%: Stay with me forever
• 4.31%: I love you
• 2.48%: I miss you
• 2.31%: Thank you for loving me
Respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer for most questions.
Consumer products likely to cost more despite cut in diesel price
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023
The move by the Oil Fuel Fund Office to approve a reduction in the retail price of diesel by 50 satang per litre from Wednesday is unlikely to deter consumer goods makers from hiking prices.
President of the Thai Wholesale and Retail Trade Association, Somchai Pornratanacharoen, said manufacturers were forced to hike product prices as skyrocketing energy costs had affected their overall cost of production.
“The high energy prices last year pushed up the prices of items, such as noodles, soaps, and snacks,” he said.
The prices of many products have risen this year, such as adult diapers, “Lactasoy” soy milk and “Leo” bottled beer, he said.
“Some stores in provinces around Thailand have increased the retail price by 5 baht per item,” he added.
Snack manufacturers are itching to increase their prices, but they are waiting for potato chip companies to take the lead.
The popular “Carabao” energy drink has raised its price due to higher packaging costs.
“High inflation and increased energy prices are factors affecting production cost, while the economic slowdown has hit consumer spending,” said Nattha Piyawirojsathien, director of strategic planning at Mindshare, a global media and marketing services company.
Consumers are demanding that the government, the private sector, and manufacturers maintain their product prices, she said.
There is still a necessity to purchase food even though the prices have gone up, hence consumers are moving towards house brands and buying in bulk, according to Nattha.
She added that other countries are facing similar issues, but in Canada and the US, for instance, the original selling prices were maintained during the festive season.
“Consumers may not be able to buy the same quantities as before, but these factors don’t stop them from spending, because the pandemic has already forced them on a budget, “said Nattha.
“Spending will now be smarter and more rewarding,” she added.
He said the first campaign for reducing the use of shopping plastic bags and foam food containers in markets, shopping malls and convenient stores nationwide from July 21, 2018 to December 2019 led to the reduction of 3.414 billion pieces of plastic bags and foam boxes, or about 9,824 tonnes.
He said the second phase has three major goals:
Assistant Professor Noppadol Kitana, Director of CLNR
Assistant Professor Jittra Piapukiew, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University
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