QR code on traffic tickets can be used to pay fines online, ministry clarifies
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
People can pay fines online via Quick Response (QR) code on traffic tickets issued by traffic police, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry said on Monday.
The ministry made this remark after fake news went viral among netizens, asking people to avoid paying fines via QR code on traffic tickets.
“The QR code on a traffic ticket can be scanned to pay the fine,” DES Ministry spokesperson Noppawan Huajaimun said, citing the Royal Thai Police’s remark.
She added that traffic police will issue traffic tickets to the driver directly or put the ticket in front of vehicles in case they cannot find the driver.
“Hence, we would like to ask people not to believe and not share such fake news on social media,” she added.
Fake news can be reported at www.antifakenewscenter.com, AFNCThailand on Twitter, the @antifakenewscenter Line account or by calling the hotline on 1111 ext 87.
British artist creates pebbled portrait as tribute on King Rama IX’s birthday
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
A British artist on Monday displayed a “land art” portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great in Chiang Mai to commemorate the late monarch’s birthday and National Father’s Day.
Justin Bateman, 46, from Portsmouth, England, but now residing in Thailand’s northern province, said that this was the second year he had created “land art” in Chiang Mai by arranging multi-coloured pebbles into a portrait of King Rama IX.
Bateman said he had been collecting pebbles from different parts of the country to convey the idea that they represent each part of Thailand, especially the shining goldish pebbles he had fished out from Mekong River.
He said he used gold-coloured pebbles to signify the respect and love that all Thais have for King Bhumibol, who was often referred to as “Father of the Land”, that even a foreigner like him could feel it while residing here.
“This is the work that I am most proud of,” he added.
Just like last year, his work was displayed at a gallery on Nimman Road in Muang district. The artwork, which is 2m x 1.5m in size, four times larger than his work last year, took the artist four weeks to complete. Bateman said he intended to turn it into a permanent display.
The British artist had earlier made headlines in Thailand for creating a similar land art portrait of Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
Thais can now apply for a new passport at this year’s Red Cross Fair
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
The issuance of 70 passports daily will be one of the key highlights at this year’s Red Cross Fair.
The fair is being held as a hybrid event – both at Lumpini Park and online – from December 8 to 18.
Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said 70 passport applications will be accepted daily at the Foreign Ministry booth near Gate 3 of the park near Rama IV Road.
Queue numbers will be distributed from 1pm and applications will be processed until 8pm.
This service is only available to the general public, excluding diplomats, government officials, Buddhist monks and those seeking passports for the Haj pilgrimage, Rachada added.
Applicants can pay 1,500 baht for a 10-year passport or 1,000 baht for a five-year one, as well as 40 baht for their passports to be mailed to them.
Applicants below the age of 20 will need to have a parent with them, she said.
This year’s fair is being held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday and is themed “Nine Decades under the Queen’s Grace”. Rachada said the fair will mark Her Majesty’s work as Thai Red Cross Society’s president for 66 years.
Apart from activities honouring Her Majesty, there will also be mini-concerts, stalls selling products, games and even a fortune teller online, she said.
Blood donations can be made from 5pm to 9pm, and those who cannot attend the fair in person can visit online via http://www.งานกาชาด.com/
Lights, flowers and free haircuts as Thailand celebrates Father’s Day
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
Bangkok landmarks burst into bloom to celebrate Father’s Day and the birthday of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great on Monday.
More than 100,000 flowers and saplings have been planted around the Chitralada and Dusit palaces, Ratchadamnoen Road, Democracy Monument, Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and Bangkok City Hall, said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Residents and visitors can also admire the light displays set up at city landmarks for the festive season.
“The decorations commemorate the late King Bhumibol’s royal grace,” BMA deputy permanent secretary Khachit Chatchawanit said.
Agencies under the BMA including district offices are also organising activities to mark Father’s Day. Highlights include free medical check-ups and haircuts at Sanam Luang in Phra Nakhon district from 9am to 5pm.
Prayut, wife make merit in honour of beloved King Rama IX
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and spouse Naraporn presided over a merit-making ceremony marking the birth anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great on Monday.
The ceremony, which comprised the chanting of Buddhist verses and giving of alms to 189 monks, was held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district.
Also attending were ministers, government officials, military personnel and police officers, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said.
The PM and his wife are also scheduled to attend the royal merit-making ceremony in honour of the late beloved monarch at the Amarindra Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace at 5pm.
December 5, the birthday of King Rama IX, is also marked as Father’s Day in Thailand.
Stress, depression, money worries weigh down Thai university students: study
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
At least 40% of university students suffer from stress, while 30% are often or always depressed, a recent study conducted by Chulalongkorn University (CU) found.
The study covered several topics related to mental health and problems suffered by students.
Project adviser Dr Sirichet Sangkhaman told the press on Sunday that the study had uncovered interesting information about university students’ mental state. Nearly 40% said they were often or always under stress, while about 30% said they are often or always unhappy or depressed. Of both groups, 4.3% have been clinically diagnosed with psychological problems like bipolar disorder or manic depression.
The study also found that 4% of the respondents have thought of committing suicide, while 1.3% have harmed themselves more than once.
The survey also found that 40% of students smoke, 9% drink alcohol often, 0.4% consume marijuana often, 2% consume the herb occasionally.
About half (49.8%) of university students are burdened with debt, with 37.1% having borrowed from the Student Loan Fund, 8.3% from their relatives, 3.1% from financial institutions and 0.5% from loan sharks.
Up to 20% of the respondents said stress was the No 1 factor that affects their studies, followed by financial problems (10%), anxiety (10.7%), being homesick (9.3%) and insomnia (7.9%). About 5% admitted to being addicted to social media and online games, which pulled down their grades.
Phongsak Thongratana, ThaiHealth’s director of Health Promotion in Organisations, said the agency will incorporate the findings with its knowledge base to design a suitable health policy to be implemented in educational institutes.
He added that a follow-up survey will be conducted continually using online questionnaires to monitor the trend in students’ health and allow each institute to address the immediate problems that students are facing.
Their Majesties attend Khon film premiere, exhibition at Siam Paragon
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
Their Majesties the King and Queen attended the movie premiere of “Hanuman White Monkey” at Siam Pavalai Royal Grand Theatre in Bangkok’s Siam Paragon mall on Sunday evening.
The King and Queen also viewed “Khon: The Milestone of the Reign”, an exhibition of traditional Thai masked dance being held on the sixth floor of the mall in Pathum Wan district.
The film and exhibition were organised by the Culture Ministry and Thai Media Fund to showcase the national art of Khon, which is based on Thailand’s Ramakien epic.
“Khon: The Milestone of the Reign” runs throughout this month at Siam Paragon.
The exhibition also commemorates the birthday of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great on December 5, National Father’s Day.
It highlights “Khon Luang” or royal-court style Khon, which is considered the peak of the art form thanks to its elaborate costumes, special effects, and dramatic staging.
Khon Luang was almost forgotten in Thailand before being revived in 2007 by the Support Foundation under Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who wished to preserve the beauty of this ancient Thai art form for future generations. Since then, a performance of Khon Luang has been held annually at the Thailand Cultural Centre.
“Hanuman White Monkey” is being screened at Major Cineplex and SF Cinema theatres from today.
Free check-ups for vehicles ahead of ‘7 deadly days’ at New Year
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
Motorists can have their cars checked for free until the end of this month in a Department of Land Transport (DLT) campaign ahead of the so-called seven deadly days of New Year traffic.
The “Free Car Checkup for Safe Driving” campaign runs until December 31.
The New Year and Songkran holidays are the two most dangerous times of the year on Thai roads, with accidents soaring as large numbers of people head to their hometowns to visit relatives. Between 300 and 400 people are killed in traffic accidents each year during the seven-day period.
Checking the condition of your vehicle before making a long trip is highly recommended as a way of preventing accidents, said DLT director-general Jirut Wisanjit on Sunday. “The department is therefore running a campaign with partners to offer free vehicle check-ups for motorists until year-end.”
Service centres that have a “Free Car Checkup for Safety Driving” banner are offering free checks by experienced mechanics on 20 items, including the brake system, tyres, engine, motor oil level, radiator, air filter, and lighting.
Partners in the campaign include the Thai Automotive Industry Association, Thailand Automotive Institute, Thai Motorcycle Enterprise Association, and leading manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, and MG.
Jirut also urged motorists to get at least eight hours sleep before driving long distances, and stop to rest in a safe area if they feel tired.
“Most importantly, do not consume alcohol while driving and obey the traffic laws,” he added.
E-shopping platforms warned to stamp out ganja sales
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
The Public Health Ministry said it will take legal action against online shopping platforms where cannabis buds are being offered for sale.
The ministry has instructed platforms to ensure their sellers comply with its directive banning the sale of buds to anyone under 20 and pregnant or nursing women.
The directive was issued last month amid growing opposition to recreational use of cannabis after online and offline shops proliferated following legalisation of the herb.
The buds of the plant contain high concentrations of cannabinoids, which are responsible for the intoxicating effect of cannabis.
The ban covers internet, electronic and vending-machine sales. Also, buds cannot be advertised for commercial purposes, government spokesperson Trisulee Trisaranakul said on Sunday.
Trisulee said the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine had been monitoring popular online shopping platforms and found some sellers were violating the directive. The department has issued warnings to platform operators, urging them to screen sellers or risk being taken to court alongside e-shops found offering cannabis buds for sale.
Separately, ongoing research on cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment for epilepsy in children has found that it helps reduce severe symptoms in young patients by 50%, Traisulee said.
The Department of Medical Services and the Child Neurology Association of Thailand will continue the research to ensure the safety and reliability of the drug. The department expects CBD to be offered as a hospital treatment for childhood epilepsy by 2024, Traisulee said.
The research project is being conducted with cooperation from the Neurological Institute of Thailand and Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.
90% of durians imported by China come from Thailand: Agriculture Dept
MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
Ninety per cent of durian imported by China now comes from Thailand, according to data released by the Department of Agriculture.
Thailand fed China’s huge appetite for the pungent spiky fruit by exporting 779,206 tonnes between February 1 and November 24 this year, generating 82.8 billion baht in revenue, government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said on Monday.
“All thanks to Thailand’s success in fruit export development,” he said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had also urged agencies and producers to help boost foreigners’ confidence in the quality of Thai durian, Anucha said.
The PM’s intervention comes after controversy over reportedly unripe and substandard durian being sent for export by Thailand.
Anucha advised to growers to check for three signs of ripeness:
1. The durian’s stem must be dark brown, swollen and rough.
2. The spikes should be spread out and springy when squeezed together, with dark brown, dry and brittle tips.
3. The interior fruit lobes or segmentation must be clearly visible.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 is also a concern after China briefly banned Thai durian shipments earlier this year following the discovery of virus-contaminated fruit.
Anucha hailed Thailand’s durian exports as yet another success for the Kingdom’s fruit quality, standards and export management.
These were part of Thailand’s five-year (2022-2027) fruit development plan covering production, transport and exports, he added.
“The plan also focuses on sharing information between related agencies to further develop and manage the Thai fruit trade in the future,” he said.
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