New Bangkok massage parlour manager held for running unlicensed entertainment venue
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
The manager of a new Bangkok massage parlour was arrested on Friday night for allegedly running an entertainment venue without permission.
However, he was released on a 50,000 bail guarantee and police confirmed on Saturday that no prostitution charges were filed because no evidence of such activity was found during the raid.
Lalisa massage parlour in the Sutthisan area was raided on Friday night.
During the raid, a customer and a “masseuse” were found inside a room, along with a receipt and a basket containing bathing supplies.
Refurbishments are apparently underway at the massage parlour and the only room ready was the one being used, a source said.
The unidentified manager told police during questioning that the customer had been invited by a new “promoter” to try the services, police said.
Hershey’s ‘SHE Cares’ campaign sheds light on struggles of Thailand’s ‘angel of strays’
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
The first Thai to become part of Hershey’s SHE Cares campaign says it costs her nearly 1 million baht a month to look after some 1,900 strays.
Affectionately called “Auntie Tim”, Kawiporn Vinijthaopathom told The Nation that she ended up selling her house in Saraburi and a plot of land in Chonburi for 25 million and 16 million, respectively, to fund her animal shelter.
The 73-year-old runs the CHSAThai Stray Animal Shelter – also known as “Angel’s Home of Strays” – in Saraburi and has 1,300 dogs and 600 cats under her wing.
Kawiporn said the shelter has been getting a monthly donation of 100,000 baht and animal feed from His Majesty the King since September 2021. However, she said, the actual bill runs up to about 1 million baht a month with staff salaries, vaccinations, sterilizations other medical expenses.
Kawiporn began rescuing animals in December 2003. At the time, her concrete mixing business was flourishing, with some 280 trucks running the show. Eventually, she had to sell all but 10 of these trucks to fund her shelter.
Kawiporn’s son Ananthon said he received a phone call late last year from a Hershey’s representative, saying his mother would be featured in a campaign honouring women who contribute to society.
He said Hershey’s did not offer any money, but “if we get better known due to this campaign, I hope we will get more donations to help my mother feed her strays”.
Kawiporn, meanwhile, also does not have great expectations, adding that she does not think too many people will buy the Hershey’s chocolate featuring her on the wrapper because she is not famous.
However, she said she hopes this campaign will make her shelter better known. “We can’t abandon the animals in our care, while our daily costs continue rising,” she said.
The chocolate featuring the “angel of strays” will hit the shelves on March 8 to mark International Women’s Day.
How the Doi Tung project is changing lives in Isaan
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
Nongluck Ajanapanya
The Doi Tung project has shown itself to be a successful model that has created sustainable communities and economies, joining in the transformation of Isaan as a smart modern part of the country.
The model was displayed during a seminar as part of the first sustainable innovation expo ever held in Thailand’s Northeast in mid-December 2022.
The central idea behind this model is to simply provide tactical incentives, opportunities, and jobs for locals to truly access equal prosperity.
The model, according to ML Dispanadda Diskul (Duke), Chief Executive Officer of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage, is part of an inclusive economy concept that aims to increase people participation, reduce income gaps, increase natural resources, and improve sharing.
Doi Tung has always believed in the good power in people since its inception, he said, adding that in addition to eradicating opium and poverty in northern Thailand, where the majority of stateless people reside, the Doi Tung Foundation has always prioritised empowering people.
He said that if people are strong, they will be able to live and protect their own local economy and natural forests.
“Our Princess Grandmother, Doi Tung’s founder, always said that nobody wants to be a bad person. It’s just that they don’t have the opportunity to do good.”
All Doi Tung does is educate people and provide them with tools to manage and exploit their local resources and forest in a sustainable manner.
“If people can live, then forests can survive,” he said.
As actions speak louder than words, Dispanadda showed some examples of how Doi Tung had transformed into an inclusive social enterprise that genuinely spread prosperity to local communities over several decades.
One of the undertakings is a forest preservation project in which locals will take the lead in protecting their own forest. Doi Tung would share knowledge with them as part of a business partnership.
“We teach them how to develop eco-friendly processes and products so that they can be self-sufficient in the long run. We’ll then help them with marketing and distribution. Meanwhile, we provide some incentive programmes through which they can earn extra income from nature’s carbon footprint by caring for their trees,” Dispanadda noted.
He added that the number of forest fires in a month is a good indicator of forest care quality. Doi Tung will assist the community in conducting audits twice a year so that locals can feel confident and be inspired to do better in developing their own green business and lifestyle.
Dispanadda stated that Doi Tung is currently a 100% zero-waste landfill social enterprise that is transitioning to a circular economy with the goal of increasing the proportion of renewable energy used as much as possible.
The project also intends to increase forest area under their territory from 100,000 rai (16,000 hectares) to 200,000 rai over the next 2-3 years.
“I hope our Doi Tung model will inspire you [Isaan people], and I hope I will have the opportunity to work with you to make Isaan a leading innovative bio-circular-green [BCG] economy region of Thailand,” Dispanadda concluded.
Doi Tung is a development project of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. The brand was created to aid in the advancement of development efforts.
This social enterprise has five business units: handicrafts, processed food, a café, agriculture, and tourism.
Since 2000, the brand has been self-sustaining and is regarded as a model business for assisting villagers in achieving self-sufficiency.
A portion of the profits from the Doi Tung social enterprise are returned to the villagers, while the remainder is used to improve public health, education, and the environment on Doi Tung.
Mitr Phol director unveils roadmap to transform Isaan’s economy
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
Nongluck Ajanapanya
An ambitious roadmap to transform Thailand’s northeast, or Isaan, from Thailand’s least economically developed region into a prosperous one is gaining greater attention since it was unveiled by Mitr Phol Group director Pichet Durongkaveroj in December.
Pichet’s roadmap aims to maximise the region’s core assets, which include its location, size and population.
Isaan has up to 1.5 million rai of agricultural land and one-third of Thailand’s population, Pichet said, adding that the region accounts for 60% of the agriculture industry and half of the labor force. Isaan generates 1.8 trillion baht in revenue a year, accounting for 10% of the country’s GDP, he said, adding that its growth potential was immense.
“With these advantages, I would say that Isaan is very ready to serve the growth of the Asean economy,” Phichet said, noting that Isaan’s potential to drive growth outside of Thailand would be highest in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Pichet unveiled his roadmap for Isaan at the Isaan BCG Expo 2022 in December. The theme of the largest ever sustainable innovation expo ever held in the region was “Collaboration: Living Together, Growing Together”.
The expo focused on the region’s development from 2023 until 2030.
Pichet was clear that Isaan faces many challenges, but the region also had abundant opportunities and the conditions to grow sustainably.
Area-based development via the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) model has become a major model for wealth distribution within the region, particularly in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, he said.
The BCG model can be the driving force for business development at the macro level due to its potential to spark innovation and growth in the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors, Pichet said. Isaan is also strategically placed to benefit from border trade, he noted.
“All we, the people of Isaan, require right now is concrete action plans, with inclusiveness and the Bio-Circular-Green economic model.”
Phichet shared his personal perspective on the issues Isaan residents should consider when developing their own sustainable development strategy.
The first step is to improve human resources. Isaan needs to improve its local educational institutions at all levels, as well as develop some mechanisms to upgrade local labour skills, particularly those in the agricultural sector, Pichet said.
Second, Isaan needs to make the best use of limited resources, whether it’s through recycling, upcycling, or using environmentally friendly materials and energy.
Third, Isaan needs to create an integrated water-management system that balances the use of water by households, agriculture, and industries.
Fourth, Isaan requires more digital technology and the knowledge necessary to adapt it to increase productivity and revenue.
Fifth, Isaan residents must use their cultural resources – local wisdom, history, and goods – to increase the value of their community.
Finally, Isaan must develop multi-modal transportation in which roads, ports, railways, and airlines are linked to form an international trade route.
“Creativity, further development, and sustainability will help empower Isaan local wisdom and culture by leveraging technology, creating opportunities, and strengthening academic and business cooperation between the public and private sectors in Thailand and other countries in [the Mekong region],” Pichet said.
Meanwhile, he hopes that his idea will assist Isaan in achieving tangible results and accelerating long-term business development based on the BCG business model.
Moreover, he mentioned some use-cases in which the BCG model can be applied in Isaan, such as food safety, food waste, bio pharmaceuticals, wellness, renewable energy, and traceability standards in agricultural products.
He urged local communities to encourage youth participation and collaboration, and said the people of Isaan should create a clear and concise plan for BCG development and submit it to the government and related agencies.
This will demonstrate Isaan’s readiness to be an important part of BCG and receive financial support from the central government.
Isaan BCG Expo 2022 was a collaboration between the Khon Kaen Innovation Centre, Mitr Phol Group, and 50 alliance networks from the public and private sectors. The expo is yet another effort to transform Thailand’s least economically developed region into a hub for bringing Thai economics to Asean through the BCG model.
Navy installs air-filtration machines throughout Bangkok
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
The Royal Thai Navy has installed 13 PM2.5 filtration machines around Bangkok to lower the level of fine dust in the air to a safe level, it announced on Saturday.
PM2.5 – airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter – can cause health risks, especially for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic lung disease. Thailand’s safety level for PM2.5 is 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3).
The navy said the machines, built at its Naval Dockyard Department, are based on the prototype developed by Rajaprajanugroh Foundation and were placed in 13 areas of the city that reported high levels of air pollution over the past few days.
Each machine can filter five cubic metres of air per second, the navy said. Lab results show that each machine can lower the PM2.5 level in an area of 144 cubic metres to below 50 μg/m3 in 30 minutes.
“The machines can also filter most germs, bacteria and viruses, including the Covid-19 virus, as well as aromatic hydrocarbons in nearby areas within 30 minutes,” the navy said, adding: “They have been tested for safety by the Naval Medicine and Naval Science departments.”
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on Saturday morning reported that the PM2.5 level in the past 24 hours ranged from 28 to 58 μg/m3 and that overall air quality was “good”.
The districts that reported the highest levels of PM2.5 – from 49-58 μg/m3 – are in eastern Bangkok. They are Nong Chok, Lat Krabang, and Bueng Kum.
Bangkok celebrating marriage on Valentine’s Day at district of ‘love’
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
Bangkok is inviting couples to register their marriage at the most popular district office to commemorate love on Valentine’s Day with its “Silom of Love @Bangrak” celebration, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt told a press conference on Friday.
Couples often register their marriage at the Bangrak district office on Valentine’s Day because of its name. “Rak” means “love” in English.
This year, the city is bringing the Bangrak district office to a more convenient location – the 17th floor of the United Center Building – to make it easier for more couples to marry on Valentine’s Day.
The “Silom of Love @Bangrak” event will start on Tuesday, February 14 at 7am and will last until 4pm.
Every couple registering their marriage at the event will receive a souvenir from the city.
Lucky draws will be held hourly to give away 10 golden marriage certificates. Other games and prizes are also awaiting newlyweds at the event.
“Silom of Love @Bangrak” is limited to 599 couples.
Thai nationals can register by scanning the QR code at facebook.com/BangkokBangRak/ before February 10 or until the quota lasts. Foreign nationals can register in person at the district office.
Thailand’s air-pollution crisis prompts new guidelines for school safety
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
The Ministry of Education on Friday issued an order to provincial education offices nationwide stipulating measures to tackle the PM2.5 crisis in schools as well as instructions on how students and school personnel can protect themselves from air pollution.
PM2.5 – fine dust in the air – poses health risks, especially to young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic lung disease.
The order, signed by permanent secretary Atthapol Sangkhawasi, designated the Disaster Coordination Centre for Educational Institutes – which has officials in every provincial education office – as the central agency for monitoring air pollution in their province.
The centre is also tasked with formulating short- and long-term measures to tackle the crisis.
The order also provided the following instructions on how students and school personnel can protect themselves from PM2.5:
– Avoid engaging in outdoor activities for a prolonged period of time.
– Properly wear face masks that can protect against fine dust when outdoors.
– Wear long sleeve shirts and apply skin cream or moisturiser before going outdoors.
– Take a shower or wash your skin after being exposed to polluted air.
– Stay healthy by having adequate sleep, exercising regularly, eating meals that combine the five food groups, especially fruit with high antioxidants, and drinking plenty of water.
– Use air purifiers that have a high efficiency particulate air filter.
– Consult a physician if you have respiratory symptoms or skin irritations.
The PM2.5 level in several areas of Thailand rose to dangerous levels over the past few days due to stagnant air, but started to ease on Saturday.
According to the website iqair.com, Bangkok’s average air quality index at 9am on Saturday was 95, or moderate. The average PM2.5 level was 33 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3), below Thailand’s minimum safety level of 50 μg/m3.
Thailand enhances regional cooperation through the Bay of Bengal Initiative
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of International Economic Affairs led a meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) earlier this week that established guidelines that will shape future cooperation among its seven country members.
The department’s director-general, Cherdchai Chaivaivid, chaired the 6th meeting of the group’s permanent working committee in Bangkok on February 1 and 2.
The department said the meeting successfully concluded four key documents: 1) Rules of Procedure for Core BIMSTEC mechanisms; 2) Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Sectoral Mechanisms; 3) Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC’s External Relations, and 4) Draft Terms of Reference for the Eminent Persons’ Group on the future direction of BIMSTEC.
These documents will guide the future direction of the group while also establishing standard operating procedures, which will create a more streamlined and consistent organisational structure, the department added.
Thailand began chairing the group in March 2022 and has already hosted two meetings of its permanent working group. Documents finalised at the meetings will be submitted to the 23rd senior officials’ meeting and the 19th ministerial meeting in March.
Member states and the group’s secretariat have complimented Thailand for helping foster a spirit of cooperation within BIMSTEC, which has seven South and Southeast Asian members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Titan CEO sues media mogul for libel, seeks US$30 million in damages
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2023
Businessman Tantai Narongkoon filed a libel lawsuit against firebrand media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul on Friday, demanding 1 billion baht (US$30 million) in damages for accusing him of involvement with criminal enterprises and money laundering.
Lawyers for Tantai, CEO of Titan Capital Group Holding, filed civil and criminal petitions against Sondhi on charges of libel and violation of the Computer Crime Act at the Bangkok Criminal Court and Civil Court.
The charges against Sondhi stem from recent comments he made on his Sondhi Talk programme.
Tantai’s lawyer, Nitisak Meekhuad, said Sondhi ruined Tantai’s reputation by alleging several times on his talk show that Titan Capital Group Holding and its affiliates laundered money derived from crimes.
Sondhi’s statements subjected Tantai to disdain and hatred, the lawyer said.
“Tantai decided to sue Sondhi so he can prove publicly that he is by no means involved in any illegal business, nor does he engage in any unlawful activities, including money laundering, as claimed by Sondhi,” Nitisak said.
Sondhi’s Manager Group operates several online news outlets. He is well known as the top leader of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy, which staged street protests against Thaksin Shinawatra’s government before the former PM was ousted in a coup in 2006.
Nitisak said additional petitions would be filed against Sondhi if he continued to defame Tantai, Titan Capital Group Holding, or its affiliates.
“We will take legal action against anyone for similar offenses and we will seek both civil and criminal damages,” the lawyer warned.
Titan, an investment firm, made headlines last December by winning a Department of Land Transport auction of a much-coveted license plate number – 9กก 9999 – for a record-breaking 45.09 million baht.
Hua Hin will be one of Thailand’s 30 smart cities, minister says
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2023
The seaside resort town of Hua Hin is among 30 locations across the country that will be transformed into “smart cities”, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said on Friday.
Initial investment of more than 60 billion baht from the public and private sectors will be spent on developing the smart cities, he said, adding: “More investment value will be created in the future.”
Thailand is developing its digital infrastructure to create smart cities to help the quality of life, the minister said.
Chaiwut and senior ministry officials travelled to Prachuap Khiri Khan province to discuss the Hua Hin Smart City project.
He met the provincial governor, Sathian Charoenrien, and representatives from relevant agencies to discuss preparations for developing Hua Hin Smart City, Chaiwut said. The project will promote equality among local residents and help the resort handle the rise in domestic and foreign tourists, he added.
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