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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023911

Thailand ups effort to classify economic activities based on environment impact

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) says it is accelerating issuance of standards to classify economic activities based on their environmental impact, to help the country cope with climate change.

The so-called Thailand Taxonomy standards will aid green financing as companies transition to the government’s BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) economic model for sustainable development.

The new standards are being issued to combat increasing effects from global climate change, said Wipawin Promboon, BOT’s senior director of financial institutions strategy.

The Thailand Taxonomy will enable financial institutions to manage environment risks and offer businesses loans and other financial services to make their operations eco-friendly, Wipawin explained.

She said businesses should check whether they were environmentally friendly and find out how to adapt to green practises.

She added that the Thailand Taxonomy working team has been set up to ensure that the new standards meet the Kingdom’s context and international standards. The working team consists of representatives from the BOT, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, and the energy and transport ministries.

“We are currently in the first phase, starting with the energy and transport sector which are significant activities in Thailand’s economy and emit a large amount of greenhouse gas,” she said.

The SEC said it is also promoting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards to boost Thai capital market growth in a sustainable way.

The SEC has issued regulations on green, social and sustainability (GSS) bonds, said Tayakorn Jitrakuldhacha, director of the SEC’s bond department.

He added that more than 30 Thai businesses have issued a total 500 billion baht worth of GSS bonds.

He predicted the GSS bond market will grow as it accounts for only 3% of Thailand’s bond market and currently covers only a limited number of industries.

“We believe that Thailand Taxonomy will enable businesses raise funds in line with their context,” he said. “Meanwhile, it will enable fund managers to arrange their investment portfolio to meet investors’ demand.”

Ornsaran Manuamorn, from climate action organisation Climate Bonds Initiative, said Thailand Taxonomy will help determine which investments are environmentally friendly, boosting confidence among investors and other financial market players.

She said similar standards have been issued by the European Union, Malaysia, Russia and Mongolia and are currently being prepared in Thailand’s neighbours Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.

“Thailand Taxonomy will create transparency in environment-friendly investment, attract foreign investment, enable businesses to evaluate risk, and help the government promote sustainability and climate action,” she said.

Related stories:

• Carabao Group joins SET’s 2022 THSI list for the Pursuit of Sustainability
• Commitment to consumer well-being, sustainability vital to Osotspa’s success: CEO
• Bangkok’s annual light and digital art festival “Awakening Bangkok 2022” returns for its 5th edition to the Charoenkrung-Talad Noi neighborhood, aims to promote nighttime economy, social and economic sustainability, and festival tourism

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023910

Face-mask makers asked to increase output as tourists from China surge

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

Manufacturers of face masks have been asked to increase production as demand is expected to increase as the number of Chinese tourists surges since Beijing removed restrictions on international travel on Monday.

Department of Internal Trade director-general, Wattanasak Sur-iam, said on Wednesday that the department had notified face mask manufacturers to prepare for a sudden spike in demand and to increase their output to prevent a shortage.

A shortage of face masks could contribute to a new wave of infections in Thailand, Watanasak said.

The department estimates that a large number of Chinese tourists will enter Thailand to celebrate Chinese New Year on January 22, resulting in a surge in demand for face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

China’s National Health Commission on January 8 downgraded Covid-19 from a top-tier Class A infectious disease to Class B.

Earlier this week, the Department of Disease Control confirmed that visitors entering Thailand no longer have to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19. However, arrivals from China and India must have Covid insurance of at least US$10,000 during their stay in Thailand and it must extend an additional seven days after their date of departure.

The Department of Internal Trade will also monitor wholesale markets for unusual amounts of imported Chinese products – especially agricultural produce – to prevent them from flooding the domestic market, Wattanasak said.

In response to reports alleging that private hospitals were planning to raise their service fees due to increasing electricity costs, Wattanasak said his department has asked private hospitals to notify it prior to any price hikes. The department will then compile a list of hospital services and their prices and publish it on its website so that fees can be compared and consumers can make decisions based on their budgets.

Related Stories

No vax needed for Thai travel but China arrivals must have Covid insurance

Disease Control Dept confirms Covid vaccination not needed to enter Thailand

Fresh-food demand heats up for Chinese New Year

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023908

One defence volunteer killed, two injured in Narathiwat bomb attack

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

A team of defence volunteers were ambushed by a bomb attack in Si Sakhon district in Narathiwat province on Wednesday morning, leaving one person dead and two injured, police said.

The homemade bomb was detonated at 8.05am on the Ban Iryaeng Road in Moo 3 village of Tambon Si Sakhon in Si Sakhon district just about 50 metres from the team’s base.

Humdee Makase, 32, died of multiple wounds caused by bomb shrapnel and Sergeant Manayee Samoh, 38 and Suding Dohloh, 49, were severely injured. Manayee was hit by bomb shrapnel on his left hip and Suding on his head.

The injured were rushed to Si Sakhon Hospital while the body of the deceased was sent for an autopsy to the same hospital.

Police said eight defence volunteers were returning to their base on four motorcycles after escorting teachers to the Ban Iryang School when suspected insurgents detonated the bomb.

One insurgent came out of hiding to snatch a rifle from the slain volunteer before fleeing the scene.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023907

Austrian man dies after falling from 4th floor of Bangkok hotel

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

An Austrian man fell to his death from the fourth floor of his hotel room in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district on Tuesday night (January 10).

The deceased, identified as Mario Fruhwirt, 49, an Austrian national, suffered fatal injuries to his head after he fell from his room on to the hotel’s awning and landed on the ground, Lumpini Police Station officials said.

Police found several empty cans of beer and a broken glass window panel in his room on the top floor of the four-storey hotel. Investigators speculated that the deceased might have been drunk and jumped through the window, breaking the panel.

A hotel staffer said Fruhwirt had checked into the hotel alone on January 3 and was scheduled to check out on Saturday.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage within the hotel to see if anyone had made contact with the deceased before his death. The Austrian Embassy has been informed to contact the deceased’s relatives to identify and take custody of the body.

Related Stories

US national falls to his death in Muang Thong Thani

Malaysian parents heartbroken over son’s death in Thailand linked to job scam

Romanian tourist was swimming at Samui waterfall before death plunge

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023905

Backlash surges online over ‘drunk’ millionaire’s car crash

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

The millionaire whose Bentley crashed into an SUV on an expressway may have been drunk at the time of the crash, according to a blood test administered several hours later, according to social media users who are accusing police of – once again – helping a millionaire avoid the consequences of illegal and socially destructive behaviour.

Police on Wednesday said the blood test conducted on businessman Suthat Siwapiromrat found a level of alcohol in his blood lower than the illegal amount. However, the test was conducted more than three hours after the crash, which occurred at 12.30am.

Blood alcohol levels can fall swiftly .

Suthat is an executive at seven companies and a well-known political donor.

The test – conducted sometime after 4am at Police Hospital – found that his blood alcohol level was 20 milligrammes per 100 mL, lower than the legal limit of 50 mgs per 100 mL of blood.

The accident occurred at 0:30 am on Sunday on Chalerm Mahanakhon expressway.

Police said Suthat had driven about nine kilometres from Suksawat to Din Daeng before rear ending a Pajero SUV that was carrying six members of a family. The force of the crash caused the SUV to overturn. Four members of the family inside it were injured.

Suthat refused a breathalyser test at the scene, sparking irate comments on social media accusing police of being lenient with the millionaire.

However, Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, had a more generous explanation. He said Suthat was suffering chest pains that were so severe he lacked the strength to blow into the device that detects alcohol in the breath.

As a result, police took him to the Police Hospital for a blood test at 4am.

This caused more criticism on social media as citizens accused police of helping Suthat avoid drunk-driving charges. Some posts noted that blood alcohol rates can drop between 15 to 20 mgs per 100 mL of blood per hour.

Since his blood was tested more than three hours after the crash, his blood alcohol rate could have fallen by 45 mgs per 100 mL. Consequently, his alcohol blood level may have been higher than the legal limit when he plowed into the SUV, social media commentators said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023902

Disease Control Dept confirms Covid vaccination not needed to enter Thailand

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has confirmed that visitors entering Thailand no longer have to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

The updated DDC rules for foreign travellers were flagged up by government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul on Wednesday.

The DDC’s new rules, effective immediately, are as follows:

1. Vaccination against Covid-19 is no longer required.

2. Visitors from countries that require an RT-PCR test on return must have health insurance covering at least US$10,000 of Covid-19 treatment during their stay in Thailand, plus seven days. DDC officials at immigration checkpoints will randomly check visitors for proof of insurance. Those who cannot show proof will have to purchase health insurance before being processed by Thai immigration.

Flight crew, students, and others on special business can use a letter from their host or other forms of insurance to cover the requirement.

(China and India currently require travellers to take RT-PCR tests on return from Thailand.)

3. Thai passport holders and transit/transfer passengers are exempted from the health insurance check.

4. Airlines must comply with all regulations and guidance including asking passengers to wear masks at all times except during meals or emergencies.

5. Passengers showing symptoms of Covid-19 during travel will be advised to test on arrival.

Travellers seeking more information can contact the DDC on its 1422 hotline or via https://ddc.moph.go.th/index.php.

The DDC update accords with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)’s latest Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued on Monday.

The previous Notam, issued on Saturday, required airlines to check passengers for proof of at least two vaccine jabs and minimum health coverage of US$10,000 before boarding. These restrictions were cancelled after Thai tourism operators complained they had forced many travellers to cancel flights and bookings.

Related Stories

No vax needed for Thai travel but China arrivals must have Covid insurance

Thailand’s new regulations keeping tourists away, say tour agencies

Tourists need at least 2 Covid-19 shots to enter Thailand: Health Minister

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023890

Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers drop in first week of 2023

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

Thailand’s Covid-19 situation appears to have improved with the number of hospitalisations during the first week of this year falling by half from the previous week.

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said on Tuesday that 997 Covid patients had been hospitalised in the first week of January, averaging at about 142 per day. He said this was half the daily average compared to the last week of 2022, without elaborating.

As of press time, 382 Covid patients were in hospital for lung infections, while 242 of them were on ventilators. However, Tares said the number of lung infections and patients requiring ventilators has dropped by 28% and 30% respectively compared to the previous week.

In the first week of this year, 58 patients succumbed to Covid, averaging eight deaths per day.

All the deaths barring one were of people from the 608 group – 60 or older and those with any of the eight comorbidities.

Of the 58, 32 had received either one dose of Covid vaccine or had not been vaccinated at all, 16 did not get booster shots, while 10 had received a booster more than three months ago.

He said none of the people who had received a booster shot less than three months ago had died.

“Hence, the Public Health Ministry is encouraging people to receive at least four jabs, especially those in the vulnerable group,” he said.

Sopon Iamsirithaworn, DDC’s deputy director-general, said more than 149 million doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in Thailand.

Of them, 57 million were first doses covering 82.7% of the population, 54 million second doses covering 77.7% of the population, 27 million third doses and 6 million fourth doses. The remaining doses were used for the fifth and sixth doses.

He added that the Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiry date of Pfizer vaccines from nine months to 15 months.

The Public Health Ministry is also offering AstraZeneca vaccines for people reluctant to take mRNA vaccines, Sopon added. Both types of vaccines are available at public hospitals and clinics.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023887

Cabinet okay to be sought for new Bangkok, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi expressway link

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (ETA) will propose the first stage of the Chalong Rat-Nakhon Nayok-Saraburi expressway project this month once it gets the go-ahead from the economic advisory council on Wednesday.

ETA governor Surachet Laophulsuk was speaking to reporters on Tuesday after ETA completed a second public hearing on the first phase of the expressway project.

The plan is to build a 19.25-kilometre-long expressway linking the Chalong Rat elevated expressway to Bangkok’s third ring road dubbed MR10. The budget for this project is 33.4 billion baht.

Surachet said the ETA is confident the project will be endorsed by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) once it submits the public hearing results on Wednesday.

He said the project should be endorsed because it will help ease the traffic by also linking to the Highways Department’s Bangkok-Kanchanaburi motorway.

Once the project gets the NESDC okay, ETA will forward it to the Cabinet for approval before a royal decree is issued to expropriate land, Surachet said.

He added that the drafting of the royal decree will take about a month and its enactment will take another six months.

Meanwhile, land will be expropriated over 2024-2025 and construction will take 36 months.

Of the 33.4 billion baht earmarked, 7.3 billion baht will be spent on land expropriation, he said.

He added that the project’s net value at present is 29.47 billion baht and the benefit-cost ratio is 2.34 times, while its economic internal rate of return (EIRR) is 19.57%, much higher than the 12% EIRR requirement set by the NESDC.

The ETA governor added that the project’s environment impact assessment was also approved by the National Natural Resources and Environmental Commission last year.

A source from the advisory firm for the project said 950 rai of land will have to be expropriated for the first stage of the project.

The new expressway will link to the Chalong Rat elevated expressway at the Chatuchote gate across the Kanchanapisek eastern ring road, Hathai Rat and Nimit Mai roads before it returns to the ground level at the rest area of the expressway at kilometre marker 11+0404. The road will then elevate again across Klong Kao Road before turning north to connect with Lam Luk Ka Road near the lower Klong Kok Wa Road in Pathum Thani. The first stage will end at the linking point with the MR10 motorway at the Klong Sib subdistrict in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/thailand/general/40023886

Thailand’s latest population

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The current population of Thailand is 66,090,475 as of December 31, 2022, based on The Interior Ministry of Thailand.

Thailand ranks number 22nd in the world by population in the list of 235 countries/territories. 

Thailand’s population peak will be 2029 with 70.38 mn people after Thailand’s population will be decreased year by year. The Thailand population is projected to reach 70.35 million in 2030 and decrease further to 65.94 million in 2050 and 46.02 million by 2100. 

Total population as of December 31, 2022: 66,090,475
Men: 32,270,615
Women: 33,819,860

Thai citizenship holders: 65,106,481
Men: 31,755,032
Women: 33,351,449

Thais without citizenship papers: 983,994
Men: 515,583
Women: 468,411

Top 5 most populated provinces:
Bangkok: 5,494,936
Nakhon Ratchasima: 2,630,058
Ubon Ratchathani: 1,869,806
Chiang Mai: 1,792,474
Khon Kaen: 1,784,641

Top five least populated provinces:
Samut Songkhram: 189,453
Ranong: 194,226
Singburi: 202,797
Trat: 227,808
Nakhon Nayok: 260,406

Source: Interior Ministry

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023883

540 motorists caught short as Thailand enforces new point system

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The first day of the new point system on Monday saw 540 motorists getting their points cut mostly for not paying their annual vehicle registration fees in time.

Pol Maj-General Artchayon Kraithong, spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, said most motorists lost one point, though 68 were penalised with a cut of two points.

Artchayon said the top three violations were:

• Driving without proof of paying annual registration fee: 233 motorists

• Driving without a licence plate: 81 motorists

• Violating speed limit: 63 motorists

Artchayon said deputy National Police chief Pol General Roi Ingkhapairoj has been tasked with leading the enforcement of the point system by cooperating with the Land Transport Department, Krung Thai Bank and National Telecom to apply the online Police Ticket Management system to record traffic violations, resulting in point deduction.

The point system aims to encourage motorists to have more discipline and avoid violating the law repeatedly, the spokesman added.

Offences like speeding, riding a motorbike without a helmet, not wearing a seat belt, not slowing down at a crossing or using the mobile phone while driving will cost drivers one point each, he said.

Disobeying traffic signals, like jumping the red light, can cost two points, while fleeing the scene of an accident can cost three points and drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs can cost drivers four points.

Once all 12 points are exhausted, the driver’s licence will be suspended. Three suspensions in three years will result in the revocation of the licence.