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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024263

PM2.5 alert: Dangerous air pollutant exceeds safe level in half of Bangkok

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

Levels of PM2.5 air pollution exceeded the safe limit in half of Bangkok’s 50 districts on Monday morning.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported that PM2.5 had risen above the safe limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) of air in 29 spots covering 25 districts of the capital.

PM2.5 is fine dust that penetrates deep into the lungs and can pass to other organs. It is associated with premature death from lung and heart conditions, especially in vulnerable people such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

The BMA’s Bangkok Air Quality website showed PM2.5 readings had breached the safe limit at the following 29 monitoring stations between 5am and 7am on Monday:

– Nong Khaem district (Ma Charoen Road Intersection): 68µg/m3

– Nong Chok district office: 67

– Lat Krabang (Lat Krabang Hospital): 65

– Min Buri (Rama IX Commemoration Park): 64

– Klong Sam Wa district office: 64

– Pathum Wan (in front of Samyan Mitrtown mall): 58

– Prawet (in front of Seacon Square mall): 58

– Lat Krabang (Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Park): 58

– Bang Khen district office: 57

– Khan Na Yao (Siam Park entrance): 57

– Bueng Kum district office: 57

– Bang Sue district office: 56

– Thawee Watthana (Thonburi Market, Sanam Luang 2): 56

– Taling Chan district (Buddhamonthon 1-Borom Rajchonnee Road): 55

– Bang Phlat district office: 55

– Bang Bon district (Suk Sawad Market): 55

– Nong Chok district office: 55

– Wang Thong Lang (Soi Lat Phrao) 95: 55

– Phasi Charoen (in front of Siam University): 54

– Sai Mai district office: 54

– Don Muang district office: 54

– Pom Prab (Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council): 54

– Thawee Watthana (Thawi Wanarom Park): 54

– Thon Buri (Mahaisawan Intersection): 54

– Bangkok Yai (Tha Phra Intersection): 53

– Bang Na (in front of Central Bang Na mall): 53

– Bueng Kum (Seri Thai Park): 52

– Yan Nawa (near Bank of Ayudhya headquarters): 51

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024261

New XBB.1.5 subvariant will soon take over, predicts infectious diseases expert

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

The latest Omicron subvariant, XBB.1.5, is highly transmissible and may infect many people, a top virologist said in a Facebook post on Monday.

Citing a report published last week on GitHub, Chulalongkorn University’s Assoc Prof Dr Thira Woratanarat said XBB.1.5 will become the main subvariant in the United States by mid-next month.

The variant has already been found in 5% of Covid-19 patients in Europe and due to its easy transmissibility, it can soon become the main subvariant there by the end of February, he said.

Thira, who is chief of Chulalongkorn University’s Information Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, said XBB.1.5 will not be the only subvariant affecting people as countries have started reopening their borders, which is also allowing the spread of other subvariants.

Among them are the XBF found in Australia, CH.1.1 found in New Zealand and the UK and the BQ.1* + S:346T + S:144, which has been common in Denmark, France and the UK.

The trend of a variety of subvariants will also be seen in Thailand, due to the influx of foreign tourists during the high season, which will continue until April, he said.

Though the XBB.1.5 subvariant has been found to be five times more contagious than other variants of the virus, it has not been found to create very serious symptoms in most patients. However, there are still concerns about vulnerable people.

As many as 128,373 new Covid-19 infections were reported globally with 635 deaths on Sunday. So far, 673,294,559 people have contracted Covid-19 across the world and 6,746,068 have succumbed to the disease. Countries that reported the highest number of infections on Sunday were Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Russia and Mexico, respectively.

In Thailand, the Public Health Ministry reported that 627 Covid-19 patients had been admitted to hospital in the week of January 15 to 21, or about 90 persons per day, with a total of 44 people succumbing to the virus during the said period.

Related Stories

Thailand’s Covid-19 hospitalisations drop, but deaths rise in 2nd week of 2023

Thailand’s Covid-19 surge being driven by hidden infections: studies

Thailand stops procuring Covid-19 vaccine

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024260

Thai outdoor film tradition flickers to life among cemetery tombs

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

Dozens of locals settled down among the tombs for outdoor cinema at a cemetery in Phichit province, 350 kilometres north of Bangkok, on Sunday evening.

The Chinese New Year screening was organised by the Phichit Samakkhi Foundation Cemetery and Thai-Chinese locals to make merit for the 330 souls buried in the tombs.

In Chinese belief, the gateway to hell and heaven opens during the Chinese New Year to allow the deceased to receive merit from their descendants.

The event at the Muang district cemetery also featured a Chinese “Eng-Kor” dance of performers dressed as martial artists. The performers then sat down with locals and foundation officials to watch three films – two Chinese and one Thai – projected by outdoor screening company Booncherd Film.

Anusit Limsiriwong from Phichit Samakkhi Foundation said it had been organising the cemetery screenings for the past 58 years.

Mobile outdoor screenings were once a common sight in villages across Thailand but they largely disappeared with the arrival of cinemas and cineplexes in the late 20th century.

However, the annual Phichit cemetery event is keeping the spirit alive, with families chatting and chomping on barbecue for an evening of traditional Thai-style entertainment.

Anusit said the foundation laid on the feast of barbeque pork for Booncherd Film workers, Eng-Kor performers and the local audience.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024256

Yaowarat Road glitters with light and colour for Chinese New Year

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

Bangkok’s Chinatown was bustling with visitors on Sunday as hundreds of locals and foreigners arrived to enjoy Chinese New Year celebrations.

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the celebrations were organised to preserve culture and stimulate the economy in the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis.

Yaowarat Road was awash with colour on Sunday as most celebrants wore red, which is considered auspicious in Chinese belief.

“This year’s celebration was great!” the governor declared.

Meanwhile, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the ministry had cooperated with its Chinese counterpart and the Chinese embassy to organise the festival.

“Despite restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19, both countries still have strong ties,” he said, thanking Beijing for promoting Thailand as a top destination after almost three years of strict Covid-19 restrictions.

“Thailand is ready to welcome all Chinese people, and they can look at our country as their second home,” he added.

Apart from Chadchart and Phiphat, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn was also present at the celebrations, as were three Hong Kong celebrities – Michelle Yim, Yam Tat Wah and Roger Wu.

Thai alternative rockers “Paper Planes”, whose song “Bad Boy” was a big hit, also took to the stage to the delight of youngsters.

Yaowarat Road, meanwhile, will be sparkling with light and colour from 6pm to midnight every evening until February 15. On display is a 2-metre-tall rabbit at the Royal Jubilee Gate, as this is the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese astrology.

The two countries are marking the 48th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year, and TAT is expecting a steady influx of visitors from China.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024252

Kanchanburi’s Srinagarind Dam closed after tiger sighting

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023

The Srinagarind Dam in Kanchanaburi province was shut to tourists on Sunday after a tiger was sighted prowling nearby.

Dam director Charnnarong Chanmongkhol also ordered his officials to evacuate the area until the big cat is either captured or moves on.

The tiger was caught on a CCTV camera at around 2am on Sunday morning.

Erawan subdistrict mayor Kitthisit Thummas published the footage on Facebook on Sunday, warning villagers and tourists not to approach the area.

Officials from Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi said the big cat, thought to be an Indochinese tiger, was seen roaming around the dam wall. The dam wall is connected to an area of forest that will soon be declared as the Si Sawat Wildlife Sanctuary, they added.

Officials contacted Panthera Thailand, an NGO that studies tigers in Kanchanaburi, to help identify and capture the big cat so it can be returned to the safety of its usual habitat.

Over 20 officials scoured the area on Sunday afternoon but failed to locate the tiger, finding only its footprints, which were 20 centimetres in diameter.

There are thought to be no more than 200 tigers left in Thailand. Conservation efforts were hit by the killing of two tigers last January in Kanchanaburi. Poaching is driven mainly by demand from China and Vietnam for tiger parts used in Chinese traditional medicine.

Opened in 1980, Srinagarind Dam stretches 140 metres high and 610 metres long across the River Kwai in Si Sawat District. The hydroelectric dam has capacity to generate 720 megawatts. It also attracts tourists for its scenic lake views, a 30-rai of national park and a giant 32-metre-wide sundial.

Related Stories

Thailand, Laos tracking down another 30 smuggled tiger cubs

Rare white tigers revive zoo in Bangladesh

Wandering wild tiger forces temporary closure of two Kanchanaburi national parks

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024243

Thai films can shine globally but strategic thinking is required, experts say

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023

Jarupong Krisanaraj

Long-term strategies and goals are required to ensure that Thailand’s film industry shines globally, industry experts told a seminar at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre on Saturday.

The seminar was part of the three-day Bangkok Film Festival hosted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) as part of its strategy to promote Bangkok as a capital for creativity. The film festival wraps up on Sunday.

Thanwarin Sukpisit, member of the Thai Film Directors Association’s board of directors, said the emergence of video streaming services gave viewers more alternatives for watching films without diminishing the value of films.

Thanwarin Sukpisit

Thailand’s film industry must be developed with long-term thinking, and it should start with raising awareness of the arts among the general public because awareness levels are low, she said.

She used an analogy to explain that there was too much focus on literal interpretation. “For example, a student who draws an orange with durian skin may get zero points in art class without being given the chance to explain why they drew it that way,” she said.

Thanwarin also said that criticism of films was often based on a lack of awareness about the arts.

Censorship should be eliminated from Thailand so that people can think freely, she added.

Thanwarin also urged the government to provide more support for filmmakers, such as setting up a fund to support making films and helping filmmakers get permission to use locations for shooting.

Making films in Thailand is difficult due to complex regulations and it is not a financially lucrative profession, she said, noting that filmmakers have low incomes compared to other jobs.

She advised filmmakers to pay more attention to attracting audiences. Simply using films as tools to promote Thailand’s soft power by focusing on things like food and places risks making the films meaningless, she warned.

“We can set up our target [to promote Thailand among foreigners], but attracting [Thai] audiences must come first,” she said, adding that audiences will eventually be interested in Thailand’s soft power if the content of the films produced here is appealing enough.

Banjong Pisanthanakun

Thai filmmaker Banjong Pisanthanakun and Thai actress Manatsanun Panlertwongskul said they were facing a hard time careerwise due to the Covid-19 crisis and emergence of video streaming services.

“Thailand’s film industry can be developed similar to South Korea’s, but it must be developed carefully,” Banjong said, adding that the government and filmmakers must work together.

Thai films have the potential to shine globally if the industry receives government support, he said.

Manatsanun Panlertwongskul

Manatsanun said most Thai filmmakers decided to work with overseas agencies due to the complexity in filmmaking regulations and insufficient funds in Thailand.

“Thailand’s film industry needs more assistance in order to move ahead,” she said. The film industry can help promote tourist attractions and culture, as well as create jobs, she added.

Sanon Wangsrangboon

Deputy Bangkok Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said promoting Thailand’s film industry was part of the BMA’s plan to promote the capital as a city for everyone.

Sanon also vowed to cooperate with relevant agencies to promote Thailand’s film industry.

He said the BMA would set up a one-stop service to facilitate requests from filmmakers to shoot in specific locations and create a network to attract students to enter the film industry.

The BMA needs to talk with the Interior Ministry to set up a fund to support Thailand’s film industry, Sanon said.

Related stories:

• Documentary makers offer survival tips in the era of social media
• Bangkok Film Festival opens with seminars, screenings, shopping and shows
• Govt told to focus on film to magnify Thailand’s global appeal

Jarupong Krisanaraj

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024242

PM Office minister denies ordering ‘siren service’ for Chinese TikTok influencer

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023

A Cabinet member and the government spokesman denied on Sunday that they told police to provide VIP service to a Chinese TikTok influencer, including a police escort from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to her hotel in Pattaya during which a police vehicle used its siren to ensure swift transport.

The pair – PM’s Office Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana and government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri – were responding to a media report that quoted Tourist Police spokesman Maj Gen Apichart Suriboonya implicating a PM’s Office minister.

Apichart was quoted in a report broadcast by Channel 7 saying that one of the policemen involved in the scandal claimed he had been contacted by the driver of a PM’s Office minister and told to escort a Chinese woman and her mother from the airport to their Pattaya hotel.

Apichart, however, said on Sunday that he had never told any media outlet that the policemen in the viral clip implicated a driver of a PM’s Office minister.

The scandal erupted after a video clip of the incident went viral on Chinese social media. The video was posted by an attractive young woman who boasted about receiving special service from the Thai police.

Money can buy anything from the Thai police, she says in the viral video clip.

She arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport at about 10.00pm on January 19 on a Hong Kong Airlines flight.

She said a team of Thai policemen escorted her and her mother from the plane, whisked them through Immigration and Customs, carried their luggage to a taxi, and even opened the vehicle’s door for them.

They behaved like hotel bellboys rather than police officers.

The young woman claimed a police motorcycle subsequently drove in front of her taxi and used its siren to ensure swift travel to Pattaya.

A motorcycle escort costs 6,000 baht, while a police car costs 7,000 baht, she told her Chinese viewers. The service allowed her to avoid traffic and arrive at her hotel in record time, she noted.

When she bought her tour service, its operator asked her if she wanted to use a police escort service or not, she claimed.

Thanakorn said he had checked with his driver and aides and they knew nothing of the VIP service given to the Chinese tourist and her mother.

He said he would fully cooperate with any investigation. Thanakorn said he has also checked with Anucha and the spokesman said no one on his team was involved in the scandal.

Apichart said the incident was still under investigation and the three policemen in the video clip had yet to give their official testimony.

“We have not yet summoned them to testify because we are still in the process of forming a fact-finding panel,” Apichart said.

Apichart said the three policemen in the clip were Capt Sompol, a deputy inspector of Tourist Police Division 3 in charge of the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and two traffic policemen of the Metropolitan Police Bureau: Sgt Thanakorn and Gen Thanawat.

Apichart said a preliminary probe found that the motorcycle used to escort the influencer was not an official police vehicle. It was too big to be a police bike, so it had to be a personal motorcycle, he said.

Apichart said the three policemen might not face criminal charges but would face a disciplinary probe for alleged improper behaviour.

Police have to take care of all tourists equally and should not provide special care to particular ones, he explained.

On Saturday, Maj Gen Archayon Kraithong, Royal Thai Police spokesman, said national police chief Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas had learned of the video clip and ordered a probe as it had severely damaged the image of Thailand’s finest.

Archayon said a Cabinet resolution dated September 25, 2001 allowed police motorcades to be provided only for national VIPs, politicians or guests of the government.

In other cases, traffic police have to request permission from the traffic police chief and this can be given on a case by case basis, the spokesman added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024241

FDA warns against improper use of liquid nitrogen in sweets and snacks

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023

The Food and Drug Administration on Sunday warned Thai food shops and bakeries to be extremely cautious when using liquid nitrogen to decorate their treats.

The FDA made the warning after the Jakarta Times reported that more than 20 children in Indonesia suffered stomach burns after eating “chiki ngebul”, a street snack doused with frozen liquid nitrogen.

The children ate the snacks, also known as “dragon’s breath”, while participating in a viral TikTok trend.

Withit Saritdeechayakul, deputy FDA secretary-general, said owners of food shops or bakeries that used excessive amounts of liquid nitrogen that harmed consumers would face two years in jail and a fine of up to 20,000 baht.

Withit also advised consumers to avoid directly touching or inhaling liquid nitrogen because their skin or tissue could be damaged by it.

If they want to eat snacks or sweets topped with liquid nitrogen, they must wait for the substance to vaporise entirely before consuming the snack.

Bakery and food shops must strictly comply with the FDA directive No 418 of 2020 and the Public Health Ministry’s directive No 281 of 2004 on food additives when they use liquid nitrogen in their menus, Withit said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024238

Confidence in police plunges amidst policing scandals, survey finds

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023

Most Thais lack confidence in the police, and less than 10% say they have plenty of confidence in them, according to a survey published on Sunday.

The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration from January 18 to 20 – amidst high-profile scandals involving Thai police.

The institute said 1,310 people aged 18 and above responded to the survey nationwide. They represent a range of income and educational backgrounds, the institute said. It released the following summary of the survey:

Do you have confidence in the police?

• 39.01% Little
• 26.72% None
• 25.34% Some
• 8.93% Plenty

How frightened of crime are you?

• 35.65% Moderately frightened
• 33.51% Very frightened
• 17.63% Not very frightened
• 13.21% Not frightened

What crimes are you most frightened of?

• 40.46% Cyber crimes
• 24.66% Narcotics
• 15.27% Murders
• 9.00% Scams
• 5.42% Sexual assault
• 5.19% Robberies

Have you used police services over the past year?

• 80.23% No
• 19.77% Yes

The 259 respondents who used police services over the past year were asked: Were you satisfied with the services?

• 34.75% Moderately satisfied
• 22.78% Strongly satisfied
• 22.01% Moderately unsatisfied
• 20.46% Unsatisfied

What is your favourite police division?

• 29.08% Crime investigation
• 27.02% Traffic management
• 22.06% Crime prevention and suppression
• 12.83% None
• 9.01% General inquiries

What characteristics should a good police officer have?

• 37.18% Ethics and transparency
• 25.73% Fast action without discrimination
• 17.86% Good behaviour
• 11.53% Strict law enforcement
• 3.74% Control their emotions and deal effectively with situations
• 2.05% Have knowledge and skills
• 1.91% Show leadership and be a good role model

Related stories:

• ‘Siren service’ for Chinese tourist lands 3 police officers in trouble
• Police chief orders probe into ‘siren service’ for Chinese tourist
• DSI gets new spokespersons to clear its name in wake of corruption scandal

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024237

German jumps off Krabi cliff to death after first suicide attempt was prevented

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023

A German tourist jumped to his death from a cliff in a national park in Krabi while park officers were escorting him down a trail from a mountaintop where an hour earlier they had prevented him from attempting suicide, police said on Sunday.

They said the tourist, identified as “Loo”, had been suffering from depression and that he jumped from a cliff at 6.30pm while being escorted down Khao Ngon Nak mountain.

The mountain is in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi’s Muang district.

Park officers were alerted by the man’s mother earlier on Saturday that he was suicidal.

Tikawut Sriburin, chief of the park, said Loo’s mother called the park office at 1.30pm on Saturday to inform officers that her son was suffering from depression and had called her to say he intended to commit suicide.

Park officers then checked the registry of entrants to the park and found that Loo entered at 11.12am. They requested a photo of the man from his mother and then began searching for him, Tikawut said.

Park officers located Loo at 5.30pm on the mountaintop. They spoke to him until he appeared calm and then agreed to follow the officers down a trail from the mountain, Tikawut said.

While descending the trail Loo answered a call on his mobile phone at 6.30pm. He then finished the call and apologised to the park officers, Tikawut said.

After apologising to the officers, Loo then sprinted to the edge of a cliff nearby and jumped, Tikawut said.

Park officers were shocked, he said, adding that the man ran so suddenly and quickly that they were unable to stop him.

Park officers did not say who Loo was speaking to on his final phone call or what he said.

Rescue officials took about two hours to reach the bottom of the rocky ravine Loo had jumped into. It was about 50 metres below the edge of the cliff he had jumped from.

It took rescue officials several hours to recover the man’s body.

Tikawut said the man’s body had been sent to Surat Thani Hospital. The German Embassy was informed of the man’s death and asked to contact his relatives.