Ukraine under spotlight as Thailand attends European security summit
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
The crisis in Ukraine will be under the spotlight today as Thailand joins the 29th ministerial meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – the world’s largest regional security organisation.
Leading the Thai Foreign Ministry delegation in Lodz, Poland is special envoy Pornpimol Kanchanalak.
The ministry said it would use the meeting to share Thailand’s perspective on key situations of conflict and challenges facing the world and reiterate the importance of humanitarian assistance for all.
Thailand has maintained a neutral stance on the war between Russia and Ukraine in the face of sanctions imposed on Moscow by many of the 56 other OSCE members.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and resulting sanctions have triggered a global fuel and food inflation crisis.
Thailand would reaffirm its unwavering support for peaceful resolution through inclusive and constructive dialogue, said the Foreign Ministry ahead of the two-day meeting in Poland.
The OSCE Ministerial Council will gather today and tomorrow for its annual summit attended by 57 participating states and partners to review and identify areas of cooperation under the OSCE framework.
For Hanoi grannies, it’s “never too old to learn English”
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
Every Tuesday, 79-year-old Nguyen Thi Loc joins a group of grey-haired students to study English at a house in Hanoi, with the aim of socialising and keeping her brain sharp.
The informal classes are free and are taught by Phung Thi Yen, who trained as an English teacher but currently works as an office worker.
It comes as a growing number of scientific studies show the benefits of learning a language to maintain and enhance cognitive abilities, including for senior citizens.
Loc has never studied a foreign language before, but with her newly acquired skills she chants in chorus with her classmates: “Never too old to learn English”.
They read out loud, repeat after the teacher, and sing songs to try to perfect their pronunciation – one of the hardest parts of their work.
“The tongue twisters, words with muted letters, words that we have to curl our lips to pronounce: these things are very difficult for us”, Loc says.
Yen, 30, set up the classes four years ago with the aim of giving the elderly a place where they could meet, socialise and learn something new. The elderly in Vietnam typically live alone or with their children rather than in retirement homes.
With her employer’s support, Yen takes time off her day job to teach Loc’s class and several others. She and her group of volunteers are currently teaching 200 elderly students.
Yen says her students are working hard to learn the language. English is Vietnam’s most commonly taught foreign language after having become a mandatory subject at school in the 1990s.
“These grannies have been trying hard and made a lot of effort to get to where they are now. At the very least, they have built for themselves a sizeable vocabulary that they can utilise in their daily lives,” Yen says.
Loc says there have been moments of discouragement over the four years she has been taking the class, but it makes her happy to be able to understand her grandchildren when they practice speaking in English while doing their homework.
“Even though we are old, we should still try to study, because studying helps the brain,” she said, adding that thanks to this effort “we won’t be as forgetful or lose our way”.
Korean Air offers lie-flat seats for smaller A321neo planes
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
Korean Air, South Korea’s largest air carrier, will begin offering lie-flat seats in smaller aircraft, its recently received Airbus 321neo, in December, the company said Wednesday.
With the introduction of the A321neo, Korean Air will become the country’s first air carrier to have lie-flat seats in a narrow-body aircraft.
The A321neo, a single-aisle airplane with 182 seats, will operate on short-haul routes to China, Japan and Southeast Asia, according to Korean Air. Short-haul routes are those that typically last somewhere from 30 minutes to three hours.
“We are delighted to receive our first A321neo, which will be a great asset to our fleet, network and passengers,” said Lee Soo-keun, executive vice president and chief safety and operation officer of Korean Air. “This fuel-efficient, next-generation A321neo will bring our customers’ experience to a new level with the award-winning Airspace cabin and fully lie-flat business class seats.”
Of the 182 seats on A321neo, eight in the Prestige class have the 180-degree flat-bed function. The business class seats are equipped with a 44-centimetre personal monitor for on-demand services and a wireless smartphone charger, according to the company.
The seats in the economy class will offer 33-cm personal monitors, which are about 10 cm bigger than the existing models on Korean Air’s narrow-body aircraft. The overhead bins are 40 % larger than other aircraft in the same class, providing more space for passengers’ carry-on baggage. An adjustable headrest and individual coat hook are also installed for each seat.
Inflight internet will be available for purchase from the first half of next year, according to Korean Air.
“By adding the A321neo to its fleet, Korean Air will benefit from enhanced operational efficiency and the highest levels of in-flight comfort,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and head of Airbus International. “With the A321neo’s per-seat fuel improvements of at least 25 % compared with Korean Air’s previous generation same-sized fleet, the airline will reduce its operating costs significantly, as well as emissions at the same time.”
Korean Air said the introduction of the new Airbus aircraft is part of the airline’s fleet modernization plans. The company plans to receive a total of 30 A321neo aircraft by 2027.
Ukraine embassy, Spanish arms company receive letter bombs
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
Police in Spain are examining a possible link between two letter bombs sent to the Ukrainian ambassador in Madrid and another to an arms company that manufactures rocket launches donated to Kyiv, they confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.
In the first incident, an officer at Ukraine’s embassy in Madrid was injured when he opened a letter bomb addressed to the ambassador, prompting Kyiv to order greater security at all its representative offices abroad.
The letter, which arrived by regular mail and was not scanned, caused “a very small wound” on one finger when the officer opened it in the embassy garden, Mercedes Gonzalez, a Spanish government official, told broadcaster Telemadrid.
Hours later, an arms company in Zaragoza, northeastern Spain, received a similar package, police confirmed.
The government representative in Zaragoza, Rosa Serrano, said in an interview with the SER station that the two envelopes appeared to have the same sender since the same e-mail address was written on the back of both of them. Serrano said the packages came from Ukraine and this is what alarmed the arms company, which called the police.
The arms company is Instalaza, the manufacturer of the C90 rocket launcher that Spain donates to Ukraine.
After the first incident, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba ordered all of Kyiv’s embassies abroad to “urgently” strengthen security and urged Spain to take investigate the attack, a ministry spokesperson said.
The Ukrainian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the second incident.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Madrid, Serhii Pohoreltsev, told TVE later that he was working as usual at the embassy “with no fear”.
“We have instructions from the ministry in Ukraine that given the situation we have to be prepared for any kind of incident… any kind of Russian activities outside the country,” he said.
Russia invaded Ukraine nine months ago in what it calls a “special military operation” that Kyiv and the West describe as an unprovoked, imperialist land grab.
The ambassador declined to give details of how the letter had been handled but said the injured worker had followed protocol and that the embassy would look into improving the system.
Spain’s High Court has opened a probe into the attack as a possible case of terrorism, a judicial source said.
Police carried out a contained explosion in the factory and the incident reported no damage, according to the same media.
The envelope that was sent to Zaragoza was 10 x 15 cm and an X-ray showed the explosive charge with a wireline ready to be activated when the envelope was opened, Serrano said.
Correos, the Spanish state-run postal company, told Reuters it is cooperating with the investigation.
The residential area surrounding the embassy in northwestern Madrid was cordoned off and a bomb disposal unit was deployed to the scene, as well as the area around the Zaragoza factory.
Bangkok’s biggest floral fair bursts into bloom at Rama IX park
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
Bangkok’s largest green space explodes into colour from today as Rama IX (Suan Luang) Park lights the fuse on its annual flower show.
The winter fair known as “Phanmai Ngam Aram Suan Luang Ror Kao” (Beautiful Flora at Suan Luang Rama IX Park) is back after Covid-19, running daily, 8am to 7pm, until December 10.
This year’s highlights include displays of rare lotuses and tulips, music performances, traditional shows, firework displays, exhibitions, and booths selling handicrafts and traditional snacks.
Fireworks shows to mark the opening and closing of the festival will be held tonight and on December 10 at 7pm.
Among the musical treats are performances by the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Police bands, shows by Surasak Montri School’s award-winning marching band, and a performance by Kasetsart University musicians.
For spectacular sights of tulips and other winter flowers, check out the “PTT in Wonderland” display at Gate 4. Meanwhile gardeners will want to dig into the market for plant and gardening tools at Gate 6. Here, you will also find beautiful specimens vying for prizes in the plant contest.
Ratchamongkol Hall in the heart of the park is holding exhibitions and performances to showcase Thai arts and craftsmanship, as well as the royal projects of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX).
The park can be reached via public buses Nos 40, 133, 145, 206, 207, 145, 206 and aircon bus No 15. Skytrain users can take a free shuttle bus from BTS On Nut and Udom Suk stations to Central Bangna, where public vans connect to the park.
Thaksin’s youngest daughter to take centre stage when Pheu Thai launches election campaign next week
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
The main opposition Pheu Thai Party will launch its election campaign during its party caucus next Tuesday where the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will speak about her vision for Thailand’s future, Pheu Thai leaders said.
The event was announced at a joint press conference held by Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, party secretary-general Prasert Chanruangthong and party spokeswoman Teerarat Samretwanich.
The party will hold its caucus from 10am on Tuesday at its head office and will use the opportunity to launch its election campaign, Cholnan said, adding that Pheu Thai – which means “For Thais” – will run under the slogan “Think Big, Act Smart, For All Thais”.
The highlight of the event will be a speech delivered by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, head of Pheu Thai Family Project and chief advisor of the party’s committee on participation and innovation. She is expected to focus on Pheu Thai’s readiness to lead Thailand to a better future.
An election candidate selection committee will be elected in the afternoon, and vacant seats will be filled, Cholnan added.
Paetongtarn, 37, is the youngest daughter of Thaksin, a populist billionaire who was elected prime minister in 2001 when his Thai Rak Thai (“Thais Love Thais”) party swept to power. Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006, following intense street protests against him, a deadly war on drugs, and allegations of massive corruption.
He has lived in self-imposed exile since then, but continues to dabble in politics through his female relatives. His sister subsequently served as prime minister before she, too, was ousted in a coup.
Paetongtarn is the top choice for Thailand’s next prime minister in every region of the country except the South and Bangkok, according to opinion surveys. She is also the most popular prime ministerial candidate, a nationwide survey.
Although Pheu Thai has not yet announced that she will be its candidate for prime minister, her rising popularity leaves little doubt it will, observers say.
Cholnan said the Pheu Thai will launch its election campaign at next Tuesday’s caucus after the Constitutional Court ruled the new MPs election bill was legal.
The court ruled Wednesday that the bill did not violate the charter as a group of 105 MPs and senators claimed. The ruling cleared all hurdles for the Election Commission to hold the next election – tentatively scheduled for May 7.
“The party’s caucus will clearly show to the public that if Pheu Thai becomes the coalition leader after the 2023 election by winning a landslide, the party will be able to bring significant changes to the country that will make the future of Thai children better,” Cholnan said.
Armed with its new slogan, “Pheu Thai will fill in its picture for Thailand’s future. The big picture will define how the country needs to be changed,” Cholnan explained.
The Pheu Thai leader said his party will run candidates in every constituency in the country’s 77 provinces.
He urged party supporters to watch the caucus live via its social network platforms.
Paetongtarn has been leading Pheu Thai teams to announce tentative election candidates in several provinces. She has urged party supporters to ensure Pheu Thai wins by a landslide so that it can form a government.
Pheu Thai needs an overwhelming majority to neutralise votes from senators when Parliament elects the next prime minister. Members of the upper chamber, who are appointed, are expected to vote for incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Apart from kicking off its election campaign, and electing new executives, Pue Thai will also amend several of its internal regulations to bring them into line with the new MPs election law, Prasert said.
He said the Pheu Thai would also introduce a series of experts in fields like economics, education and labour who will represent the party and talk to the media on policies relevant to their expertise.
“We are ready to enter election mode and enter the election arena. Our personnel and policies are ready. We’re ready to be the next coalition leader,” Prasert said.
Teerarat said the party’s committees have been working hard to draft the best policy platform for the people. The platform will be announced on Tuesday, he said, urging people to watch the event live.
Thai Parliament sees 23rd meeting collapse as opposition MPs stage boycott
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
Yet another meeting of the House of Representatives collapsed on Thursday after failing to achieve a quorum following a boycott by MPs.
Opposition MPs refused to join the debate on a bill for impeachment of local administrative officials, triggering the 23rd collapse of a meeting during this Parliament. Deliberations on the bill were interrupted last week following a disagreement between ruling coalition and opposition MPs. On November 23, the House voted 163-75 to support a minority-led committee’s version of a clause in the proposed law. Government deputy chief whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat (Democrat Party) then asked for a revote, arguing that some MPs had been confused by a speaker’s question before voting. Opposition MPs disagreed with a revote.
When the meeting resumed at 11am on Thursday, MP Julapun Amornvivat of the opposition Pheu Thai Party said opposition MPs would not register their attendance as they disagreed with a revote. House Speaker Chuan Leekapai duly adjourned the meeting shortly before noon after it failed to reach the minimum number of MPs required. The draft bill on impeachment of local administrators has now been tabled four times without success. This was the 23rd collapse of a meeting since this Parliament convened in May 2019.
Thailand Post launches digital post ID to improve its services
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Thailand Post has collaborated with the country’s Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES) to launch digital post ID, with the goal of improving its parcel delivery system by providing high-quality security and time savings.
DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn told a press conference at Thailand Post’s headquarters on Thursday that the digital post ID is a part of the “Digital Infrastructure Development Project for Location and Transportation”.
The project’s goal is to create an innovative solution based on the use of names and addresses to facilitate delivery while maintaining privacy and security, he stated.
He also indicated that the digital post ID can be used to benefit other activities, such as electronic transactions, future unmanned vehicle transportation systems, disaster relief support, telemedicine promotion, finding tourist attractions, managing agricultural areas, urban planning, natural resource management, and collection of voter information.
“However, of all these advantages, it immediately solves my pain point of frequently missing some parcels due to address changes,” Chaiwut said.
Thailand Post’s president, Danan Suphatthaphan, said that the digital post ID will assist post staff in delivering parcels to the correct location and person while protecting clients’ private information.
This will prevent scammers from using address information to commit fraud, he noted. The digital post ID will be an alternative to the five-digit postal codes that have been in use since 1982.
Unlike a postal code, which can only tell you where you are, a digital post ID can identify where you are by pinning. As a result, it can tell the vertical coordinates, allowing it to more accurately identify addresses of people living in tall apartment buildings and condominiums, he explained.
People must first register with Thailand Post in order to obtain the digital post ID, Danan said. Then they will be given a code that will be converted into a new QR Code each time they make a delivery. To prevent scammers from exploiting the QR Code, it will only be used once.
“I am confident that people will widely adopt digital post ID like they did PromptPay. It is because the digital post ID not only saves time but also provides great potential to protect their private information,” said Danan.
Rachawee Poonsawat (Right)
Rachawee Poonsawat, an e-commerce entrepreneur and owner of RIREW page, praised the project. She stated that as an online fashion-clothing seller, the digital post ID saves her time from having to write customers’ addresses, which the majority of them frequently mistype.
In the meantime, the digital post ID helps her avoid problems like sending a package to the wrong address or one that never reaches the recipient.
Thailand Post expects that by 2024, the majority of Thai citizens will have their own digital post ID, Danan said.
Thailand committed to its strategy to combat HIV/Aids, deputy govt spokeswoman says
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
Thailand aims to curb the HIV/Aids epidemic and lessen discrimination against those living with the virus by 2030 by continuing to implement a long-term plan guided by three goals: reducing infections, deaths and discrimination, deputy government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul said on Thursday, World Aids Day.
December 1 was designated World Aids Day by the World Health Organisation in 1988 to raise awareness about the pandemic and mourn lives lost to it. Since then, it has become a day on which governments and UN agencies, as well as NGOs, make announcements.
Trisulee was quoting Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha who said Thailand has been working toward the three goals since 2017. Moreover, the country has set three targets for 2030: fewer than 1,000 new HIV infections per year, fewer than 4,000 Aids-related deaths per year, and reduced discrimination against those living with the virus.
Traisulee said six long-term strategies have been implemented to combat the HIV/Aids in Thailand. They are:
Providing efficient healthcare to high-risk communities,
Improving prevention campaigns,
Improving treatment and social support for people living with the virus,
Increasing public understanding about Aids and its treatment to minimise discrimination against people living with the virus,
Investing in prevention and disease management at the regional and provincial levels, and
Promoting efficient access to data and research related to HIV/Aids.
Traisulee added that a UNAids meeting will be held in Thailand from December 13 to 16. The UN agency’s coordinating board will hold its 51st meeting in Chiang Mai. Representatives of 22 governments as well as nongovernmental organisations and other groups are expected to attend.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will chair the meeting and will highlight Thailand’s efforts to prevent new infections among youths, expand universal healthcare to cover people living with Aids, and reduce discrimination against people living with Aids, Traisulee said.
Police to start new driver points system from January 9 to cut road accidents
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022
A new score system for motorists aimed at boosting road safety and cutting road accidents will come into force from January 9, the National Police chief said on Thursday.
Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas told a press conference at the Royal Thai Police headquarters that each motorist with a driving licence would start with a credit of 12 points, and they will be docked penalty points depending on the severity of their traffic offence. Speeding, not wearing the seatbelt, riding a motorcycle without a crash helmet, failing to stop at a zebra crossing, and using a phone while driving will each cost a one-point deduction. Jumping the red light would be a two-point cut. Motorists will be docked three points for a hit-and-run offence, and four points for driving while drunk or under the influence of narcotics, and for involvement in illegal road racing.
Also, motorists who fail to pay their traffic fines will get their scores reduced, the police chief said. The points reduction will be carried out electronically through the Police Ticket Management (PTM) system, which records all traffic offences, he said. “If the driver’s score is zero, the driving licence will be suspended for 90 days. They will be notified in writing by the police,” Damrongsak said.
He added that those who drive during the suspension of their driving licence risk a maximum jail sentence of three months and/or a fine of up to 10,000 baht. “Three suspensions within three years will lead to a suspension longer than 90 days. Those with a fourth suspension may see their driving licence revoked,” the police chief warned. Docked points will be restored a year after the offence is committed, except in cases where all 12 points are deducted. Those with zero points are required to undergo and pass training by the Department of Land Transport in order to get all 12 points restored. Only two of such training facilities are available per year. Motorists may check their scores at the E-Ticket PTM website and the Khub Dee mobile application, according to the police chief. Traffic fines can be paid through the Paotang app. “The points system for motorists is based on the principle of transparency and equality under international standards. Offenders are allowed opportunities to correct their behaviour. The goal is to reduce road accidents and increase road safety for everyone,” said the police chief. The driver score system is a collaboration between the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Land Transport, Krungthai Bank, and National Telecom Plc.
Rachawee Poonsawat (Right)
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