Frost may return to hilltops in North as temperatures drop, flash floods threaten South

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Frost may return to hilltops in North as temperatures drop, flash floods threaten South

Frost may return to hilltops in North as temperatures drop, flash floods threaten South

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

Temperatures will drop in the North and Northeast while heavy rains will hit areas of the South from Sunday to Tuesday, the Thai Meteorological Department said today.

Temperatures in the North and Northeast will drop by 6-8 degrees Celsius from Sunday to Tuesday as a strong high-pressure front from China extends across the upper part of Thailand. Lows will range from 8-12 degrees, though temperatures could drop to as low as 2 degrees in mountainous areas, the department said.

Mountainous areas may see frost, it added.

Temperatures in the Central and East regions, including Greater Bangkok, are forecast to fall between 4 and 6 degrees, with lows ranging from 14 to 21 degrees Celsius.

The department is forecasting isolated heavy rains in lower areas of the South due to the strong northeast monsoon across the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

Heavy rains are forecast for Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces on Sunday and Monday, the department said.

It warned residents in the region of possible flash flooding and overflowing waterways, as well as surges along the coast as waves in both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea are expected to rise to 4 metres during thundershowers.

“All ships should proceed with caution, and small boats in the Gulf and Andaman Sea should be kept ashore until December 20,” the department said.

The 24-hour weather forecast for each region is:

North: Cool to cold with strong winds and a 1 to 3 degree drop in temperature, with lows of 15-18 and highs of 27-31. Temperatures on hilltops could fall to 6 to 12 degrees.

Northeast: Cold with strong winds and a 4 to 6 degree drop in temperatures, with lows of 10 to 15 degrees and highs of 25 to 28. Temperatures on hilltops could fall to 5 to 10 degrees.

Central: Cool to cold with strong winds and a 3 to 5C drop in temperature, with lows of 15 to 18 degrees and highs of 29 to 31 degrees.

East: Cool to cold with strong winds and a 3 to 5 degree drop in temperatures, with lows of 17 to 21 degrees and highs of 30 to 33 degrees. Waves will range between 1 and 2 metres along the coastline and about 2 metres further offshore.

South (east coast):

Upper part: Cool mornings with a 1 to 2 degree drop in temperatures.

Lower part: Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces.

Temperatures will range from lows of 19-24C to highs of 28-32C. Waves will reach 2 to 4 metres, rising further during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces. Temperatures will range from lows of 22 to 25 degrees to highs of 30 to 33 degrees. Waves will reach 1 to 2 metres along the coastline and 2 to 4 metres further offshore, rising above 4 metres in thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool with strong winds. Temperatures will drop 3 to 5 degrees, ranging between lows of 18 to 20 degrees and highs of 30 to 32 degrees.

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Need for masks may reduce by early next year, reckons virologist

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Need for masks may reduce by early next year, reckons virologist

Need for masks may reduce by early next year, reckons virologist

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022

By February most people in Thailand will have developed an immunity to Covid-19, a top virologist said, adding people will generally not need to wear face masks by then.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Dr Prof Yong Poovorawan said by early next year, most healthy people will not need to wear masks, though it is advised that people with respiratory diseases continue doing so.

He added that it was people’s choice whether they wanted to wear masks in public or crowded places, though he said they should be worn correctly to ensure maximum protection.

“There is no real need to wear masks in outdoor places like beaches or public parks,” said Dr Yong, who is the head of Chulalongkorn University’s Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology.

Need for masks may reduce by early next year, reckons virologist

“Hopefully, after February most people will have developed immunity from either vaccines or infection. The virus will be on a decline and people will be able to adapt better. Then the need to wear medical masks will drop,” he said.

The virologist also voiced concern about the massive amount of garbage being created by face masks, especially since they are made of synthetic materials and will only add microplastics to the environment.

Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023

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Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023

Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Thailand needs to invest more in cybersecurity, so its digital economy can remain at the forefront globally. This advice was given at the panel discussion on “Envisioning the Future of Digital Economy” at SiamScape in downtown Bangkok on Saturday.

Sharing their ideas were Finnish Ambassador Jyri Järviaho, Singapore’s minister counsellor and deputy chief of mission Harry Goh, and the US Embassy’s trade and investment officer Jonathan Kent.

The three-panel members shared concepts, ideas and examples on how digital economy is used in their countries.

The event was part of “HackaThailand 2023 #TheKickOff”, which is being hosted by the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry, the Digital Economy and Promotion Agency (depa) and their alliances in the public and private sectors.

Lauding Thailand on its rapid development and adoption of the digital economy, the three speakers, however, said the Kingdom still needs to prioritise the strengthening of its cybersecurity systems.

Kent said the government and the business sector should continue developing a proper protection system, which is initially expensive but will prove to be worthwhile in the long run.

Jonathan KentJonathan Kent

“Ransomware, data theft, and online scams can cause enormous loss and damage,” he said. “The United States has felt that pain, and we do not want it to happen in Thailand.”

Supporting Kent’s idea, the Finnish envoy said that having a strong cybersecurity system would boost trust, especially since digital economy is the future of global trade and investment.

Järviaho also highlighted the importance of making data accessible to all parties. He said the free flow of data across state lines and borders will aid the growth of digital economy.

Goh, meanwhile, also stressed the importance of collaboration and partnership in both public and private sectors as well as between nations.

Cooperation, he said, will facilitate both domestic and international trade and investment.

He also said knowledge and cutting-edge technology can be exchanged among countries, which will help in educating, training, upskilling and reskilling of the workforce, which is essential to the digital economy.

Harry Goh (second from left), Jyri Järviaho (second from right)Harry Goh (second from left), Jyri Järviaho (second from right)

All three agreed that holistic education would help propel Thailand towards digital competitiveness.

The discussion served as a mechanism to optimise people’s digital skills in a bid to boost Thailand’s competitiveness and standards in parity with other countries.

HackaThailand’s aim is to bring digitally-driven people together to brainstorm future-focused solutions to enhance the country’s development, said Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, depa’s president/CEO. He added that the target is to strike a balance between development and sustainability.

DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, who presided over the event, said he hoped the discussion would help people get ready for digital transformation and disruption.

HackaThailand kicks off today and runs until Monday on the 9th and 10th floors of SiamScape. Organisers expect 45,000 people to participate in the event.

Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023
Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023
Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023
Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023
Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023
Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Police interrogate man seeking donations to hold ceremony for Princess

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Police interrogate man seeking donations to hold ceremony for Princess

Police interrogate man seeking donations to hold ceremony for Princess

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022

Police have summoned a 66-year-old man suspected of raising funds online for a religious ceremony to purportedly help HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha recover from her illness.

The man, who is allegedly an associate professor, posted on Facebook that he has collected more than 1 million baht in donations for the so-called ceremony.

Senior police officers showed up at his house in Bangkok’s Patthanakan area on Saturday to escort him to the Police Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau headquarters for questioning. The officers said they were acting at the instructions of deputy National Police chief General Torsak Sukvimol.

The Princess, who is the daughter of His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Soamsawali, is being treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.

She fainted while training her dog for a contest in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Wednesday evening, the Royal Household Bureau said on Thursday. The agency said in a statement that the Princess was given first aid for her heart-related health issue at a local hospital before being flown in a helicopter to Chulalongkorn Hospital for further examination and treatment.

Police interrogate man seeking donations to hold ceremony for Princess
Police interrogate man seeking donations to hold ceremony for Princess

PM2.5 pollution crosses safe levels in 19 Bangkok districts today

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PM2.5 pollution crosses safe levels in 19 Bangkok districts today

PM2.5 pollution crosses safe levels in 19 Bangkok districts today

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022

Air pollution in at least 19 of Bangkok’s 50 districts is well above safety standards, the city’s administration has warned.

The measurement of PM2.5 pollution on Saturday was higher than acceptable levels in the districts of Nong Khaem, Klong San, Pathum Wan, Thon Buri, Lat Krabang, Bang Sue, Yannawa, Bang Khen, Prawet, Taling Chan, Lak Si, Din Daeng, Nong Chok, Klong Sam Wa, Thawi Watthana, Sathorn, Bang Na, Wang Thong Lang and Bangkok Yai.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has advised residents to avoid outdoor activities and check the air quality before leaving home.

The readings in these districts stood between 37 and 58 micrograms per cubic metre of air (µg/m3) for the past 24 hours. If the level of pollution is 35µg/m3 or higher over a 24-hour period the air is considered unhealthy and can cause issues for people with existing breathing problems like asthma.

PM2.5 stands for fine particulate dust particles that are a mere 2.5 microns or less in width.

Sussex’s Netflix docuseries: Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/lifestyle/entertainment/40023169

Sussex's Netflix docuseries:  Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

Sussex’s Netflix docuseries: Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022

‘Again and again, Harry and his wife paint themselves as victims of an uncaring, chilly institution so intent on its own survival that it would do anything to maintain the status quo’.

The couple didn’t pull their punches in the final episodes of their tell-all docuseries, providing an extraordinary insight into why they left the UK.

After the first three episodes, released last week, touched on the early days of the couple’s relationship, the relentless media attention they’ve faced and what Harry referred to as “unconscious bias” within the royal family. 

Sussex's Netflix docuseries:  Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

The last three episodes saw prince Harry and his wife Meghan piled fresh criticism on the British royals in new episodes of their documentary series released on Thursday, accusing his elder brother Prince William of screaming and shouted at him when they met to discuss the Sussexes’ exit from royal life. He also claimed that at the meeting Sandringham his dad Charles lied while the Queen sat and said nothing.

Harry also accused his father, the then Prince of Wales, a fundamentally honest man, not only of lying but also conniving in the leaking of information about his own son. These are the gravest charges to have come out of Harry’s mouth in the three years of this unedifying royal soap opera, and it is hard to see how there can ever be a way back for him and his wife.

Sussex's Netflix docuseries:  Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

They amount to the most partisan attack on the Royal Family since Princess Diana’s Panorama interview 27 years ago. Then, it was Diana’s demolition of Prince Charles and her questioning of his suitability to be King. But hers was a strategic attack, staking out ground ahead of her divorce.

Sussex's Netflix docuseries:  Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

Cut to another egregious clip from Diana’s notorious interview, which she explains how Prince Charles had been consumed with jealousy at attention coming her way rather than his. Meanwhile, Meghan had inherited the late princess’s fame as a global icon. The unsubtle message was that it was Harry’s wife who was the royal superstar and, by implication, not his sister-in-law, Kate.

Sussex's Netflix docuseries:  Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

In another scene Harry accused royal insiders of “lying” to protect his brother in the trailer of the show. The Duke of Sussex said: “They were happy to lie to protect my brother. They were never willing to protect the truth to protect us.”
However, it did not explain who they were referring to.

Sussex's Netflix docuseries:  Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

Both Buckingham Palace and William’s office, Kensington Palace, have said they would not be commenting on the documentaries.

A royal source also said neither the palace nor representatives of William or other royals had been approached for comment for the series itself, contradicting a Netflix statement that said they had declined to comment.

Sussex's Netflix docuseries:  Shock bombshells made in the six episodes, Harry and Meghan being at war with royal family

Muay Thai takes a step closer to Olympic debut thanks to NSDF promotion efforts

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Muay Thai takes a step closer to Olympic debut thanks to NSDF promotion efforts

Muay Thai takes a step closer to Olympic debut thanks to NSDF promotion efforts

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022

The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) is working to promote Muay Thai in an effort to include the sport in the Olympics.

NSDF manager Supranee Guptasa said that the organisation, which has been tasked with promoting soft power in foreign countries, previously joined forces with the Sports Authority of Thailand to set up a sports tourism booth at the World Travel Market 2022 in London. 

Muay Thai takes a step closer to Olympic debut thanks to NSDF promotion efforts

The booth was very successful, thanks in part to the participation of Muay Thai star Buakaw Banchamek. 

Guptasa added that NSDF has allocated a budget to support Muay Thai at all levels, from the root to the professional level. 

Muay Thai takes a step closer to Olympic debut thanks to NSDF promotion efforts

In order for Muay Thai to be included in the Olympics, it is also important to create an identity for the sport that emphasises its non-violent nature and includes safety precautions.

Muay Thai takes a step closer to Olympic debut thanks to NSDF promotion efforts

Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast

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Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast

Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022

Cooler temperatures are increasing demand for dried buffalo skin, but with fewer people knowing how to prepare the Isaan delicacy customers have to drive further to find it, according to a vendor in Sakon Nakhon.

Pongsak Pia-arsa, 55, said demand for buffalo skin rises in the cool season when customers “addicted” to the delicacy come from far away to purchase a 40 baht serving.

Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast

Preparing buffalo skin is a lengthy process. First, the fat has to be removed and the skin cleaned. Then, it has to be salted and fermented in rice bran. Next, it has to be dried for two days.

Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast

Buffalo skin is more popular during the cool season because people like to roast it on a campfire, Pongsak said. Once roasted, they pound the skin with a pestle and then eat it with sticky rice.

Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast

The process of preparing buffalo skin is, like many Isaan traditions, being forgotten, Pongsak said, adding that because it is not a very popular dish year-round it can be difficult to find the spices required to prepare it.

Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast

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Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast
Cool season gives reprieve to buffalo-skin chefs in the Northeast

Cambodian minister wants compulsory drug testing of all job and student applicants

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Cambodian minister wants compulsory drug testing of all job and student applicants

Cambodian minister wants compulsory drug testing of all job and student applicants

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

A Cambodian minister has urged all ministries to do drug tests on candidates who wish to work for the state or in the private sector, as well as on students, and to reject their applications to work or study if they test positive.

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng made the remarks on December 14 at a ceremony to celebrate the achievements of Bavel High School, Lvea High School, and Svay Prey Primary School in Bavel district of Battambang province.

“Every citizen who wishes to serve as a police officer, run for village chief of a commune council, civil servant, become a member of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the National Military Police, or people seeking employment in the private sector should be tested for drugs. If they test positive, they should not be allowed to work. Teachers and students are no exception,” he said.

He added that drivers of all kinds of vehicles must be tested for drug use as well. If they test positive, they should not be allowed to drive, and they must have a certificate to prove their test is negative, and that documentation could be used as a factor in applying for jobs.

Sar Kheng urged all sectors to make it mandatory for jobseekers to have a negative test certificate.

He warned that any businesses, factories or manufacturing enterprises that employ staff without the certificate would be held accountable.

He admitted that the main impediment to implementing this policy is that the state cannot open enough centres or institutes to test everyone in society for drugs, and the task requires participation of the private sector. He also made clear that the state would not bear the cost of testing, and each individual applicant for any job or school would have to pay for it on their own.

Speaking on a separate issue, he made a strong case for community sentencing for mild offences as prisons nationwide are overcrowded. He believes such as step would help reduce public expenditure.

Prisons in Cambodia house more than 30,000 prisoners and suffer from overcrowding.

He added that to facilitate the work, he is discussing it with Sak Setha and Bun Hun, permanent secretaries of state at the ministry, to expand the use of community sentences.

“We already have the law. The Criminal Code covers community sentences. We already have legal principles but we just haven’t implemented this type of sentence yet. I ask for the support of the people and local administrations because they set obligations for perpetrators,” he continued.

This community sentence is a non-custodial sentence for mild crimes and the punishment is some type of community work.

He added that the mild crimes eligible for community sentences are minor theft.

“We allow them to sleep at home, but they have to fulfil some obligations …because we’ve made arrests and put them in prison now and we don’t know where to put them as our prisons have to offer rice and water,” Sar Kheng stated.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director for monitoring at rights group LICADHO, said civil society organisations working in this area have made recommendations for years to implement community sentences because it is also stipulated in the Criminal Code.

“So, the court should raise this point and implement community sentences for any minor offences because community sentences are good. First, we don’t spend state funds on feeding them in prison and second, they can live with their family members, and third, they can help with community work,” he added.

“But so far, we have seen that the ministries of interior and justice have held meetings and set procedures to implement community sentences, but so far they have not been implemented,” he said.

Sam Ath acknowledged that community sentence implementation is hard, but that if the government and authorities tried hard enough to implement them and educated the local people, it would be possible.

In a meeting with Japanese deputy Minister of Justice Hiroyuki Kada back in July, Sar Kheng had said that Cambodia has not been able to implement community sentences smoothly because it lacks the support of the people. He, however, pledged to pursue the idea in order to reduce state spending.

The Phnom Penh Post

Asia News Network

Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood

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Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood

Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2022

Installations and projections of light began transforming one of Bangkok’s oldest neighborhoods yesterday evening with the launch of the Awakening Bangkok festival, which will run from 6pm to 11pm daily till Christmas Day.

The festival aims to turn the Charoen Krung-Talad Noi area of Samphanthawong district into a canvas, organisers have said. It comprises 40 art installations and light projections onto historical buildings. The area includes Yaowarat, the city’s Chinatown.

Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood

The story of the area’s sustainability and how its residents adapted to Bangkok’s transformations is told with light projected onto iconic buildings on Charoen Krung Road, including the Patina Café, the renaissance-style East Asiatic Building, and the vintage 80s style Swan Hotel.

Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood

The festival is part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Colourful Bangkok campaign, which brings festivals to different neighbourhoods of the city.

Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood
Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood
Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood
Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood
Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood
Festival of light transforming Bangkok neighborhood

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