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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023916

Newly discovered comet to be visible on Feb 1-2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

The comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is expected to be visible to the naked eye on February 1-2 this year, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) said.

In its Facebook post on Monday, NARIT said the comet will make its closest approach to the Sun on Thursday, and will get close to the Earth between February 1 and 2.

“If the comet continues to be bright, it could be visible in dark skies to the naked eye,” NARIT said, adding that people can observe the comet with binoculars or telescope if it fades.

Citing the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NARIT added that observers in the Northern Hemisphere will be able to find the comet in January, while it will become visible to observers in the Southern Hemisphere in early February.

The comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was discovered by astronomers Bryce Bolin and Frank Masci using the Zwicky Transient Facility survey on March 2 last year.

Astronomers initially identified the comet as an asteroid before realising it was a comet as its brightness has increased since November last year.

Related stories:

• Tourism campaign lures stargazers looking for dark skies
• Pre-dawn parade of five planets over Thailand on Friday, Saturday
• Rare ‘parade’ of 4 planets visible above Thailand next week

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023915

How to avoid falling prey to fake internet banking websites

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

People should personally type the uniform resource locator (URL) of internet banking websites to prevent internet criminals from obtaining personal information, the IT chief of a leading bank said on Wednesday.

Bangkok Bank’s head of Information Technology Security Management, Kitti Kosavisutte, advised people to avoid searching for internet banking website URLs via a search engine, as criminals could create fake URLs to obtain personal information, such as a one-time password.

The warning came after criminals managed to obtain internet banking users’ personal information by luring them to click a fake internet banking website URL via search engines. The fake URL is reportedly similar to the real one.

He made it clear that Bangkok Bank does not have a policy to ask for personal information or documents.

Kitti Kosavisutte

“Customers should be careful and observe the website thoroughly before typing in their personal information,” he cautioned.

He said Bangkok Bank is focusing on the development of technologies to ensure the safety of customers.

He added that people can request recommendations and assistance by contacting Bangkok Bank branches nationwide, call centre 1333 or 0 2645 5555.

Related stories:

• Police swing into action after 59,000 cybercrime complaints filed online in 4 mths
• Loan shark ads among 185 fake news items circulating: Digital Ministry
• Joint raids result in arrest of 74 Thai call-centre sharks in Cambodia

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023914

Hard to block gambling websites legal in neighbouring countries: minister

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said it would be difficult for Thai authorities to block access to gambling websites because they are legal in neighbouring countries.

After holding the first meeting of the national committee in charge of prevention and suppression of online crimes on Monday, Chaiwut said a lot of Thais have turned to use services of gambling websites opened in neighbouring countries, causing huge damage to the Thai economy.

He said the meeting agreed that there must be better ways to prevent access to such websites.

The meeting also discussed that pornography and human trafficking have become more rampant online, hence the committee saw the need to step up efforts to suppress online pornography and human trafficking.

The meeting resolved to have representatives from agencies in charge of suppression of human trafficking to sit on the committee, Chaiwut added.

The committee also acknowledged key statistics in suppression of online crimes during the past year:

• Arrest of 166 suspects in crackdowns on call-centre gangs in eight countries

• Blocking 118,530 telephone lines used for making fraudulent calls and sending SMS messages

• Freezing 58,463 bank accounts used by call-centre gangs and closing of eight social network groups who opened bank accounts for use by gangs

• 673 suspects arrested in 657 fraudulent online fund-raising cases

• 461 suspects arrested in 318 online gambling cases and 1,830 gambling websites blocked

• 270 suspects arrested in 263 fraudulent cases of online sales

Chaiwut said the meeting also acknowledged operations to block illegal websites during the past year:

• 4,035 URLs of lese majeste websites

• 1,830 URLs of gambling websites

• 35 URLs of pornography websites

• 76 URLs of websites or pages selling e-cigarettes

• 24 URLs of websites or pages selling lottery

• 24 URLs of websites selling medicine.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023913

Buriram Marathon to roll out Thai ‘paradise’ for 27,000 runners on Jan 21

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

More than 27,000 runners from dozens of countries will hit the start line for the 7th Buriram Marathon on January 21.

The “runners’ paradise” weekend will see participants compete on the Chang International Circuit which passes through star attractions in the Northeast province’s Muang district.

The day-night event features four categories to be held from 4pm to 2.30am: the marathon (42.195 kilometres), half marathon (21.1km), mini marathon (10km) and fun run (4.554km).

This year, 27,135 participants from 46 countries (59.89% men and 40.11% women) will run a course that features Huai Chorakhe Mak reservoir, the King Rama I monument, and Wat Klang Phra Aram Luang, which will be lit up with decorations to welcome athletes.

Thousands of participants and spectators will also find merchants selling athletics gear, souvenirs and local specialities.

With hotels in Buri Ram and nearby provinces booking up fast, local campsites are expanding to accommodate about 1,000 runners.

Shuttle vehicles will transport athletes and spectators from the airport, train station and bus terminal to the Chang International Circuit.

Last year’s Buriram Marathon attracted more than 26,000 runners and generated 531.94 million baht in revenue.

Related stories:

• Thailand’s Natthakritta wins the ticket to $1.7 million USD Honda LPGA Thailand 2023
• Thailand turn the tables on Malaysia to storm into AFF Cup final
• Rising MMA fighter Victoria Lee passes aged 18

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023911

Thailand ups effort to classify economic activities based on environment impact

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) says it is accelerating issuance of standards to classify economic activities based on their environmental impact, to help the country cope with climate change.

The so-called Thailand Taxonomy standards will aid green financing as companies transition to the government’s BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) economic model for sustainable development.

The new standards are being issued to combat increasing effects from global climate change, said Wipawin Promboon, BOT’s senior director of financial institutions strategy.

The Thailand Taxonomy will enable financial institutions to manage environment risks and offer businesses loans and other financial services to make their operations eco-friendly, Wipawin explained.

She said businesses should check whether they were environmentally friendly and find out how to adapt to green practises.

She added that the Thailand Taxonomy working team has been set up to ensure that the new standards meet the Kingdom’s context and international standards. The working team consists of representatives from the BOT, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, and the energy and transport ministries.

“We are currently in the first phase, starting with the energy and transport sector which are significant activities in Thailand’s economy and emit a large amount of greenhouse gas,” she said.

The SEC said it is also promoting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards to boost Thai capital market growth in a sustainable way.

The SEC has issued regulations on green, social and sustainability (GSS) bonds, said Tayakorn Jitrakuldhacha, director of the SEC’s bond department.

He added that more than 30 Thai businesses have issued a total 500 billion baht worth of GSS bonds.

He predicted the GSS bond market will grow as it accounts for only 3% of Thailand’s bond market and currently covers only a limited number of industries.

“We believe that Thailand Taxonomy will enable businesses raise funds in line with their context,” he said. “Meanwhile, it will enable fund managers to arrange their investment portfolio to meet investors’ demand.”

Ornsaran Manuamorn, from climate action organisation Climate Bonds Initiative, said Thailand Taxonomy will help determine which investments are environmentally friendly, boosting confidence among investors and other financial market players.

She said similar standards have been issued by the European Union, Malaysia, Russia and Mongolia and are currently being prepared in Thailand’s neighbours Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.

“Thailand Taxonomy will create transparency in environment-friendly investment, attract foreign investment, enable businesses to evaluate risk, and help the government promote sustainability and climate action,” she said.

Related stories:

• Carabao Group joins SET’s 2022 THSI list for the Pursuit of Sustainability
• Commitment to consumer well-being, sustainability vital to Osotspa’s success: CEO
• Bangkok’s annual light and digital art festival “Awakening Bangkok 2022” returns for its 5th edition to the Charoenkrung-Talad Noi neighborhood, aims to promote nighttime economy, social and economic sustainability, and festival tourism

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023910

Face-mask makers asked to increase output as tourists from China surge

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

Manufacturers of face masks have been asked to increase production as demand is expected to increase as the number of Chinese tourists surges since Beijing removed restrictions on international travel on Monday.

Department of Internal Trade director-general, Wattanasak Sur-iam, said on Wednesday that the department had notified face mask manufacturers to prepare for a sudden spike in demand and to increase their output to prevent a shortage.

A shortage of face masks could contribute to a new wave of infections in Thailand, Watanasak said.

The department estimates that a large number of Chinese tourists will enter Thailand to celebrate Chinese New Year on January 22, resulting in a surge in demand for face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

China’s National Health Commission on January 8 downgraded Covid-19 from a top-tier Class A infectious disease to Class B.

Earlier this week, the Department of Disease Control confirmed that visitors entering Thailand no longer have to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19. However, arrivals from China and India must have Covid insurance of at least US$10,000 during their stay in Thailand and it must extend an additional seven days after their date of departure.

The Department of Internal Trade will also monitor wholesale markets for unusual amounts of imported Chinese products – especially agricultural produce – to prevent them from flooding the domestic market, Wattanasak said.

In response to reports alleging that private hospitals were planning to raise their service fees due to increasing electricity costs, Wattanasak said his department has asked private hospitals to notify it prior to any price hikes. The department will then compile a list of hospital services and their prices and publish it on its website so that fees can be compared and consumers can make decisions based on their budgets.

Related Stories

No vax needed for Thai travel but China arrivals must have Covid insurance

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Fresh-food demand heats up for Chinese New Year

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023908

One defence volunteer killed, two injured in Narathiwat bomb attack

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

A team of defence volunteers were ambushed by a bomb attack in Si Sakhon district in Narathiwat province on Wednesday morning, leaving one person dead and two injured, police said.

The homemade bomb was detonated at 8.05am on the Ban Iryaeng Road in Moo 3 village of Tambon Si Sakhon in Si Sakhon district just about 50 metres from the team’s base.

Humdee Makase, 32, died of multiple wounds caused by bomb shrapnel and Sergeant Manayee Samoh, 38 and Suding Dohloh, 49, were severely injured. Manayee was hit by bomb shrapnel on his left hip and Suding on his head.

The injured were rushed to Si Sakhon Hospital while the body of the deceased was sent for an autopsy to the same hospital.

Police said eight defence volunteers were returning to their base on four motorcycles after escorting teachers to the Ban Iryang School when suspected insurgents detonated the bomb.

One insurgent came out of hiding to snatch a rifle from the slain volunteer before fleeing the scene.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023907

Austrian man dies after falling from 4th floor of Bangkok hotel

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

An Austrian man fell to his death from the fourth floor of his hotel room in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district on Tuesday night (January 10).

The deceased, identified as Mario Fruhwirt, 49, an Austrian national, suffered fatal injuries to his head after he fell from his room on to the hotel’s awning and landed on the ground, Lumpini Police Station officials said.

Police found several empty cans of beer and a broken glass window panel in his room on the top floor of the four-storey hotel. Investigators speculated that the deceased might have been drunk and jumped through the window, breaking the panel.

A hotel staffer said Fruhwirt had checked into the hotel alone on January 3 and was scheduled to check out on Saturday.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage within the hotel to see if anyone had made contact with the deceased before his death. The Austrian Embassy has been informed to contact the deceased’s relatives to identify and take custody of the body.

Related Stories

US national falls to his death in Muang Thong Thani

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Romanian tourist was swimming at Samui waterfall before death plunge

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023905

Backlash surges online over ‘drunk’ millionaire’s car crash

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

The millionaire whose Bentley crashed into an SUV on an expressway may have been drunk at the time of the crash, according to a blood test administered several hours later, according to social media users who are accusing police of – once again – helping a millionaire avoid the consequences of illegal and socially destructive behaviour.

Police on Wednesday said the blood test conducted on businessman Suthat Siwapiromrat found a level of alcohol in his blood lower than the illegal amount. However, the test was conducted more than three hours after the crash, which occurred at 12.30am.

Blood alcohol levels can fall swiftly .

Suthat is an executive at seven companies and a well-known political donor.

The test – conducted sometime after 4am at Police Hospital – found that his blood alcohol level was 20 milligrammes per 100 mL, lower than the legal limit of 50 mgs per 100 mL of blood.

The accident occurred at 0:30 am on Sunday on Chalerm Mahanakhon expressway.

Police said Suthat had driven about nine kilometres from Suksawat to Din Daeng before rear ending a Pajero SUV that was carrying six members of a family. The force of the crash caused the SUV to overturn. Four members of the family inside it were injured.

Suthat refused a breathalyser test at the scene, sparking irate comments on social media accusing police of being lenient with the millionaire.

However, Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, had a more generous explanation. He said Suthat was suffering chest pains that were so severe he lacked the strength to blow into the device that detects alcohol in the breath.

As a result, police took him to the Police Hospital for a blood test at 4am.

This caused more criticism on social media as citizens accused police of helping Suthat avoid drunk-driving charges. Some posts noted that blood alcohol rates can drop between 15 to 20 mgs per 100 mL of blood per hour.

Since his blood was tested more than three hours after the crash, his blood alcohol rate could have fallen by 45 mgs per 100 mL. Consequently, his alcohol blood level may have been higher than the legal limit when he plowed into the SUV, social media commentators said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023902

Disease Control Dept confirms Covid vaccination not needed to enter Thailand

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has confirmed that visitors entering Thailand no longer have to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

The updated DDC rules for foreign travellers were flagged up by government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul on Wednesday.

The DDC’s new rules, effective immediately, are as follows:

1. Vaccination against Covid-19 is no longer required.

2. Visitors from countries that require an RT-PCR test on return must have health insurance covering at least US$10,000 of Covid-19 treatment during their stay in Thailand, plus seven days. DDC officials at immigration checkpoints will randomly check visitors for proof of insurance. Those who cannot show proof will have to purchase health insurance before being processed by Thai immigration.

Flight crew, students, and others on special business can use a letter from their host or other forms of insurance to cover the requirement.

(China and India currently require travellers to take RT-PCR tests on return from Thailand.)

3. Thai passport holders and transit/transfer passengers are exempted from the health insurance check.

4. Airlines must comply with all regulations and guidance including asking passengers to wear masks at all times except during meals or emergencies.

5. Passengers showing symptoms of Covid-19 during travel will be advised to test on arrival.

Travellers seeking more information can contact the DDC on its 1422 hotline or via https://ddc.moph.go.th/index.php.

The DDC update accords with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)’s latest Notice to Airmen (Notam) issued on Monday.

The previous Notam, issued on Saturday, required airlines to check passengers for proof of at least two vaccine jabs and minimum health coverage of US$10,000 before boarding. These restrictions were cancelled after Thai tourism operators complained they had forced many travellers to cancel flights and bookings.

Related Stories

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