Bangkok will get 40 to 50 new pocket parks this year, says BMA
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2023
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will this year open 40 to 50 small public parks that will be just 15 minutes away for most communities.
A BMA source, who asked not to be named, said on Sunday that the city administration was taking steps to set up the parks in line with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s election promise.
Chadchart had promised to turn small unused plots in Bangkok into parks for locals to escape the heat and exercise.
The first such park will be developed by the Lat Phrao district office, which has been given a 400-square-wah plot (1,600 square metres) by a real-estate firm. The office said it will spend one to two months to turn the plot into a pocket park.
The BMA operates 40 main public parks and plans to add another 40 to 50 pocket parks by encouraging the private sector into giving up unused land, the source said. One of the incentives offered to private companies is waiver of land tax.
The BMA is also surveying deserted plots with no public access and space in front of large buildings to turn them into pocket parks. All pocket parks will be made clearly visible on Google Maps and other navigation apps, the source added.
Bryde’s whales are returning to marine park off Surat Thani
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2023
Three Bryde’s whales were seen frolicking in a marine national park off the coast of Surat Thani province on Friday, but park officials were only able to identify two of them by name.
They identified “Wandee” and “Wanrung” in the database of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources but were unable to identify the third.
Staff have been instructed to monitor the Bryde’s whale population since two were spotted in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park on February 1, national park chief Satit Tantikritya said on Saturday.
“Monitoring aims to record statistics of rare sea animals and prevent people from disturbing them,” Satit said.
Before the pandemic, one or two Bryde’s whales were seen in the marine park each year, but after tourism activities were suspended in 2020 and 2021, the number increased.
“Four Bryde’s whales – Wandee, Wanyud, Im-aim, and Prempree – were seen in the national park from February to March 2021,” Satit said.
He said six Bryde’s whales were spotted at the national park from January to February last year. Park staff were able to identify five – Prempree, Sakhu, Mesa, Sodsai and Sandee – but a sixth was not in the database.
“It is interesting to keep track of how many Bryde’s whales show up and how long they stay at the national park,” Satit said.
Their increasing visits signal that the national park’s marine resources are abundant, he added.
Satit urged local residents to follow the national park’s rules and recommendations for boating and tourism to ensure long-term preservation of the park’s spectacular marine life.
Chiang Mai struggles with dangerous PM2.5 readings for 5 days
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2023
Fine dust levels in the northern city of Chiang Mai have risen beyond safe levels for five consecutive days, the provincial authorities announced on Sunday.
Chiang Mai governor Nirat Pongsitthavorn said the concentration of PM2.5 particulate matter had risen beyond the safe level of 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3) mainly due to forest fires.
The Air4Thai app operated by the Pollution Control Department reported that the air quality in Chiang Mai Muang district’s Sri Phum area came in at 73μg/m3 on Sunday morning. Air quality in Hot district’s Hang Dong area measured at 90μg/m3.
The safe level of PM2.5 in Thailand has been set at 50μg/m3, though the World Health Organisation (WHO) sets it at 12μg/m3 or lower. PM2.5 stands for dust particles that are 2.5 microns or less in size and can severely affect people with chronic lung disease.
Nirat said several forest fires were detected on Saturday in the Doi Inthanon National Park by the weather satellite monitoring system. He added that though the park had managed to put out the fire, the fine dust was still lingering in the air due to accumulated smoke. The fire damaged 17 rai (nearly 3 hectares) of the forest on Saturday.
On Sunday morning, four hotspots were detected in forest reserves in Hot district, one in Chom Thong district and another in Om Koi district.
PM2.5 pollution has become a seasonal problem in the North of Thailand mainly due to forest fires and farmers burning scrub.
Thai delegation visiting UAE in major THB30-billion export push
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
The Commerce Ministry is leading a delegation of members from Thai private bodies on a two-day trip to the United Arab Emirates, aimed at boosting exports by at least 30 billion baht this year.
Private agencies joining the trip on Monday-Tuesday include the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thai National Shippers’ Council and Thai Logistics Service Provider Federation, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Monday.
“These private agencies would seek ways to penetrate the UAE market, which is considered new and important for Thailand,” he said.
Jurin Laksanawisit
He added that the ministry would meet the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade to discuss a trade agreement.
In addition, there would be a signing ceremony to set up a business council between Thailand and UAE in a bid to accelerate trade growth between the two countries, he said.
He added that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed between Thai logistics operators and DP World, an Emirati multinational logistics company which is connected to 78 seaports and 240 airports worldwide.
“This MoU will enable Thailand to export products to seaports and airports worldwide,” he said.
He expects Thai private agencies to generate at least 1 billion baht in revenue from selling goods during the two-day visit to the UAE.
“We expect this visit will help boost Thailand’s exports by at least 30 billion baht this year,” he said.
Exports from Thailand to the UAE include cars, air-conditioners, gems, wood, rubber, and canned and processed seafood.
Inflation in January falls to 9-month low as cost of living crisis eases
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
Thailand’s headline inflation fell to a nine-month low of 5.02% in January, from 5.89% in December, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) announced Monday.
TPSO director-general Wichanun Niwatjinda said the inflation slowdown reflected falling prices of energy and fresh foods.
The TPSO expects inflation to drop further this month.
Wichanun said headline inflation in January stood at 108.18 points, up 5.02% year on year but still the lowest for the past nine months.
Core inflation, which is calculated after deducting prices of fresh food and energy, stood at 3.04%, down slightly from 3.23% in December.
The TPSO expects inflation to rise but at a slower pace in February as the cost of fuel, electricity and cooking gas continue to impact the prices of food and other goods.
The Commerce Ministry forecasts an inflation rate this year of 2-3%.
Thai exports face hit as baht strengthens: Commerce Ministry
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
The strengthening baht will affect industries that rely on exports but import little or no raw materials, the Commerce Ministry has warned.
The baht has rapidly strengthened this year to 32-33 per US dollar, up from 35-36 in December, noted Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director of the ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).
“This will likely affect industries such as rubber products, canned seafood, processed food, and jewellery,” he said on Sunday.
“The stronger currency will slow these industries’ exports, their major source of revenue, while they will benefit very little from cheaper raw materials imported from overseas.”
However, the rising baht is having a far smaller effect on Thai industries than the global economic downturn that has reduced trading partners’ purchasing power, Poonpong added.
“A stronger baht will essentially make Thai [export] products more expensive, thus making it tough for them to compete with products from countries with cheaper currency,” he said.
The TPSO chief added that currency fluctuations are mostly due to investors speculating and thus hard to predict. He advised business operators to employ risk management strategies such as foreign exchange forward contracts with financial institutes.
“The Bank of Thailand will also monitor the currency market closely and employ monetary policies to prevent the baht from fluctuating too much.”
Poonpong added that stronger baht will however benefit import-reliant Thai industries, especially in energy, capital goods, raw materials, and semi-finished products, which are responsible for 83.8% of the country’s total imports.
The TPSO said there are currently no signs of imports flooding Thailand’s market to compete with local products, as import orders are usually placed at least three months in advance. The TPSO will continue monitoring the market closely, he added.
On Monday, the baht opened at 33.55 to the dollar, falling to a month-long low after closing at 32.96 on Friday.
Thai and Lao power agencies deepen telecom, energy cooperation
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2023
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has signed a memorandum of understanding with its Lao counterpart to enhance cooperation in the energy and telecom businesses.
Egat governor Boonyanit Wongrukmit said on Sunday that he signed the MoU with Chanthaboun Soukaloun, the director of Électricité du Laos (EDL) on February 1 in a ceremony in Vientiane.
The MoU calls for closer cooperation between the state electricity producers of the two neighouring countries for at least three more years, Boonyanit said.
The MoU covers the telecom business, operation and maintenance of hydropower plants, and smart energy solutions.
Egat and EDL will jointly develop the telecom business in Laos by optimising each side’s existing resources, especially the fibre-optic networks linking Thailand and Laos, Boonyanit said.
The two agencies will continue to cooperate on the operations and maintenance of hydropower power plants in Laos, especially the Nam Ngum 3 power plant project, Boonyanit said.
Egat will share its knowledge of smart energy solutions so that the EDL can efficiently manage its power production, he said, adding that the two agencies will identify potential smart micro-grid sites in Laos.
The Egat governor said Thailand and Laos have been cooperating on power production, electricity sales, and development of power transmission networks for 60 years.
Close cooperation between the two agencies will enhance their businesses, especially the telecoms, Chanthaboun said.
Laos’ fibre-optic network is linked to China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, so Egat and EDL will be able to cooperate to develop their joint telecom business, he added.
Laos has over 80 dams throughout the country that can generate electricity, so EDL needs cooperation from Egat to operate and maintain its hydro power plants and train its staff, Chanthaboun said.
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF)’s decision to start farming and selling jade perch as a new product has triggered concerns about whether this alien fish species will have an impact on Thailand’s ecosystem.
Jade perch is among 13 aquatic animals that the Agriculture Ministry has prohibited farming of since 2021.
Yet cooked and fresh jade perch products were introduced at the Kaset Fair 2023 on Friday. The fair is being held at Kasetsart University’s Bang Khen campus until Saturday.
Premsak Wanuchsoontorn, CPF’s manager for aquaculture research and development, said jade perch is popular in many countries including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia. He added that Vietnam and Malaysia have also started farming jade perch.
“The aim is to offer more alternatives to health-conscious people as jade perch has three times the amount of protein, collagen, docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and Omega-3 fatty acids than salmon,” he said.
He said CPF is growing jade perch in a closed aquaculture system to stop it from entering the ecosystem. He added that there are still problems in farming the fish as it is vulnerable to illness.
“We are studying the farming of this fish more closely and believe it will become another aquatic animal that generates good revenue for Thai farmers,” he said.
Sombat Siripanwarporn, senior deputy director of CP Vietnam Corporation, said jade perch was imported from Australia and needs to be artificially inseminated because it is not suited to the Thai ecosystem.
“However, we have invented an easy way to inseminate the fish to help farmers,” he said, adding that this fish has a lot of meat and is highly nutritious.
Chalermchai Suwanarak
However, Department of Fisheries director-general Chalermchai Suwanarak said CPF has only been given permission to study the aquaculture of jade perch since April last year. He said permission was given under the condition that jade perch farming only be conducted in “areas specified by the department” and “live fish cannot be moved to other areas without permission”.
He added that the department has allowed CPF to only sell processed products like frozen fish and only via company channels like CP Fresh Mart, Lotus’s and Makro.
CPF is also required to provide study results to the department periodically, he said.
He added that CPF’s move to advertise jade perch products commercially violated the department’s conditions.
The department has ordered CPF to suspend the advertisement of jade perch within three days, or face a ban on activities related to the fish, he added.
Vinij Tansakul, an independent academic in aquaculture development, said that even though the fish was imported legally, it is unclear whether it will have an impact on Thailand’s ecosystem because it is difficult to determine exactly what the fish consumes in this environment.
“Even though it is not predatory fish, it is known to consume a lot, and might harm other aquatic animals and plants,” he said.
Bangkok, Thailand – January 31, 2023: Follow your heart to Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok this February and celebrate the month of love. Let the cupids rekindle your romance now. Take advantage of this month dedicated to love by celebrating your love and spending quality time with your beloved by participating in some of the activities recommended by the hotel.
Designed to bring gourmet flavours to romantic alfresco settings exclusively for two, The One and Only Dinner promises to make your Valentine’s Day unforgettable. At a private dining table with flickering candles, the hotel will serve a five-course Valentine’s dinner along with a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of roses, complemented by panoramic views of the glittering Bangkok skyline. Amaze your one and only with this spectacularly unique dining experience this Valentine’s Day at Greenhouse Terrace.
Aside from the exclusive dinner, In2theterrace provides a slightly less formal, but equally tasteful, Valentine’s Day dining experience. Greenhouse Restaurant & Terrace’s ambient décor on the seventh-floor bathes diners in a candlelight-esque glow, while a refreshing breeze acts as nature’s own air conditioning. A live duo band will serenade the couples with ballads and love songs on this special night, while our chefs prepare a 4-course dinner with love.
In2theterrace 4-course Valentine’s Day Set Dinner
February 14 is the day that Cupid comes out to play, but the hotel knows that love can’t be confined to just one day a year. From February 11 to 14, 2023, the hotel’s ninth floor will be transformed into an open-air cinema with all the modern conveniences, harkening back to the days of old-school romance. The Deck, located on the hotel’s 9th floor, will prepare for a romantic evening, serving by serving canapes, popcorns, and a variety of drinks under a starry sky with a cool breeze.
Star Gaze Theatre
And the festivities don’t end there. Coming Up Roses Afternoon Tea is available to the hotel guests throughout the month of love. With an inventive menu showcasing novel creations such as the Dacquoise Ivory Mousse alongside traditional staples like the Classic Scone, these flower adorned desserts look almost too good to eat.
Coming Up Roses Afternoon Tea
The celebrations kicking off on the upper floors of Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok are surely taking the month of love to new heights this year. The time and price options for each activity are shown below.
The One and Only 5-Course Valentine’s Day Set Dinner
Date: February 14, 2023, from 6 pm onwards Venue: Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel’s 7th floor, Greenhouse Restaurant & Terrace Price: THB 6,000++ per couple includes a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of roses.
In2theterrace 4-Course Valentine’s Day Dinner
Date: February 14, 2023, from 6 pm onwards Venue: Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel’s 7th floor, Greenhouse Restaurant & Terrace Price: THB 2,400++ per couple
Star Gaze Theatre
Date: February 11-14, 2023, from 6.30 – 8.30 pm Programme: (Each programme has Thai subtitles for the English dialogue) Saturday, February 11, 2023: Bridget Jones’s Diary Sunday, February 12, 2023: Fast and Furious 7 Monday, February 13, 2023: Back to the Future Tuesday, February 14, 2023: Meet Joe Black Venue: Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel’s 9th Floor, the Deck Price: THB 900++ per couple
Coming Up Roses Afternoon Tea
Date: February 1-28, 2023, from noon – 4 p.m. Venue: Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel’s 7th floor Greenhouse Restaurant & Terrace Price: From THB 700++ per couple
Terms and Conditions:
• The rates are subject to a 10% service charge and an applicable 7% government tax. • Advance reservations are required.
For more information and reservation, please click at https://mhg.to/j13uz, contact Tel: 02-079-7555 or send an email to fbreservation.vsuk@avanihotels.com
Jurin Laksanawisit
Egat and EDL will jointly develop the telecom business in Laos by optimising each side’s existing resources, especially the fibre-optic networks linking Thailand and Laos, Boonyanit said.
The Egat governor said Thailand and Laos have been cooperating on power production, electricity sales, and development of power transmission networks for 60 years.
Chalermchai Suwanarak
In2theterrace 4-course Valentine’s Day Set Dinner
Star Gaze Theatre
Coming Up Roses Afternoon Tea
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