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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013497

The Thai Embassy in Laos has warned jobseekers not to work illegally in a special economic zone (SEZ) in the Golden Triangle across the Mekong River from Thailand’s northernmost Chiang Rai province.

Scammers are luring Thai nationals with attractive job offers in the Golden Triangle SEZ, located in Laos’s Bokeo province, but the victims often end up working illegally and suffering physically and mentally, the Thai mission in Vientiane said in a statement available on Thursday.

After crossing the border illegally into Laos, Thai jobseekers were made to sign contracts in a foreign language. They were forced to work illegal jobs they were not looking for, such as making fraudulent phone calls, scamming victims for money transfers, or working as prostitutes.

When they failed to meet the targeted revenue, their employers threatened them with physical assault while detaining them and seizing personal documents. Some of the victims were sold to other employers, according to the embassy.

The Golden Triangle SEZ operates largely beyond the reach of the Lao government, Radio Free Asia said in its report last December. The report quoted a United Kingdom-based non-governmental organisation as calling the Laotian SEZ “a lawless playground, catering to the desires of visiting Chinese gamblers and tourists”.

The embassy urged Thai residents living in border areas to take precautions when offered attractive jobs in the SEZ. It warned that they could be imprisoned and fined by Laotian authorities for illegal entry.

Those seeking assistance may contact the Thai mission in Vientiane by calling (+856)20 5551 2228 or emailing thaiembassy.vte@mfa.go.th.

Last week, Cambodian authorities handed over to Thai officials a group of Thai nationals rescued from Chinese call-centre scammers.

One of those rescued told Thai police she had been lured to work for a Chinese call-centre gang based in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville town. She claimed that after refusing to do the job, she was drugged and blood was drawn from her body although she was rescued before the gang could remove her internal organs for sale.

Published : March 17, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013495

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Wednesday decided to increase the fuel adjustment cost to 0.24 baht per unit during the May-August period, resulting in a 0.23 baht rise per unit in household electricity bills, or 4 baht per unit, for the first time.

The fuel adjustment cost, or “fuel adjustment cost at the given time”, also known as Ft, is a variable tariff derived from the Automatic Tariff Adjustment Mechanism. It reflects the change in the uncontrolled cost of utilities, such as the fuel cost and purchasing power which differ from the base tariff.

The ERC reviews the Ft every 4 months – in January, May and September.

ERC secretary-general Komkrit Tantrawanich said the adjustment was made in accordance with rising global energy prices due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict since late February. “Another negative factor that contributes to a raise in Ft is the decreasing output of liquefied natural gas from the Gulf of Thailand near the end of the concession contract,” he explained.

“The ERC had estimated the energy cost based on the current situation and concluded that the May-August Ft should be increased to 0.47 baht per unit to cover the cost,” said Komkrit.

“However, thanks to the commission’s energy cost management policies, which include the buying of electricity from Laos’s Nam Theun hydropower plant, the waiver of excise tax for B0 diesel and fuel oil used in electricity generation, and the energy pool price initiative, we can mitigate the rise in Ft to only 0.23 baht per unit.”

Under the ERC’s energy policy, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand covers the fuel cost when the energy price rises, and gradually increases the Ft in the following period when the energy price goes down to compensate for the loss.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013494

The secretary-general of the National Security Council on Thursday said the Russia-Ukraine war has so far had no security impact on Thailand.

NSC secretary-general General Supoj Malaniyom said the council has prepared measures to preserve national security and protect Russian and Ukrainian peoples who have been stranded in the Kingdom after the war erupted.

He said there is no security threat that needs to be closely monitored because of the war and he believed the situation in Ukraine was getting better with both sides participating in more talks.

“We hope the conflict will end soon,” Supoj said.

He dismissed fears of the stranded Russians and Ukrainians committing violence in Thailand.

He added that the Tourism and Sports Ministry is taking care of the stranded tourists and the Thai government has been cooperating with the embassies of the two countries so their people would not commit violent incidents or crimes in Thailand.

Supoj said the Russian invasion has led to international economic sanctions that has wide repercussions around the world and Thailand cannot avoid the economic impact.

He said a subcommittee in charge of international political conflicts has been monitoring the Russian-Ukrainian conflicts from the start and the panel has regularly briefed the prime minister on the situation, and the government in turn has been taking steps to mitigate the fallout on the Thai people and businesses.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013491

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) instructed the Office of the Alcohol Control Committee to look into a post by Facebook page BlackPink Thailand showing Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban with an alcoholic beverage.

Lisa reportedly appeared as an Asia spokesperson for the alcoholic brand.

Netizens questioned and argued if she was right in advertising for the beverage, and whether she would be charged like other artists.

DDC deputy director-general Kajornsak Kaewcharat said on Wednesday that he had instructed Niphon Chinanonwet, director of the Office of the Alcohol Control Committee, to investigate and explain the issue.

The office in turn ordered officers to investigate as Lisa’s action violated Section 32 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.

However, some countries do not have the same restrictions on alcohol advertising as Thailand so her action might not violate those countries’ laws, Kajornsak said.

The office will also summon the admin of the Facebook page for “violating the law”.

According to Section 32, “no person shall advertise or display, directly or indirectly, the name or trademark of any alcoholic beverage in a manner showing the properties thereof or inducing another person to drink”.

There is a Tobacco & Alcohol Surveillance System via the website https://tas.go.th through which people could complain about violations or related issues. For any questions, people can also call 0-2590-3342.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013490

Trade between Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar has been affected after a Myanmar anti-government group bombed a concrete bridge linking Myawaddy to Thailand’s Mae Sot on March 11.

The incident has led to a drop in the number of cargo trucks from Thailand transiting the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tak’s Mae Sot district.

A temporary bridge was constructed on Wednesday to facilitate Thai exports, but the weight of vehicles was limited to no more than 50 tonnes.

Meanwhile, the Myanmar Army deployed troops to ensure safety in the area and prevent a repeat of the incident.

Repairing the concrete bridge would take time as the bridge posts were severely damaged.

Apart from bombing bridges, anti-government groups in Myanmar have also ambushed and burned cargo trucks, believing that the products they transport could help strengthen the Myanmar government.

So far Thai cargo trucks have not been targeted.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013488

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has implemented measures to prevent call centre gangs from using international direct dialling (IDD) to deceive people.

NBTC acting secretary-general Trairat Viriyasirikul said the commission and the Royal Thai Police had instructed six IDD operators – AIN GlobalComm, Dtac TriNet, Advanced Wireless Network, Otaro World Corporation, True Move H Universal Communication and National Telecommunications – to effectively tackle the issue.

He said measures to deal with call centre gangs are:

• Dismissing international dialling using a home number format or three or four digits from Thailand.

• Cracking down on international dialling using country codes not authorised by the International Telecommunication Union.

• Checking international dialling via the Test Call Generator system to see whether the number has been modified.

• Applying the digits +66 in front of line identification numbers so people know the call is from abroad.

Trairat Viriyasirikul

“These measures will enable people to know the call is an international one so they can avoid receiving such a call from gangs operating call centres,” Trairat added.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013483

The quarantine period is likely to be reduced from 14 days to seven thanks to a decline in Omicron transmissions and the infection period, expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

He explained that Omicron transmissions had dropped as most people had received Covid-19 vaccine jabs.

Citing a study in Japan, he said the Omicron virus was often found in saliva in the throat or nasal cavity between the second and fifth days after infection, while the virus transmission period was around six to nine days.

However, he pointed out that transmission would be high during the first seven days, especially between the second and fifth days after infection.

“Hence, the quarantine period is likely to drop to seven days,” Yong wrote.

“After that, patients must strictly undergo measures to contain the spread of the virus, such as wearing a face mask outdoors, staying away from others and washing one’s hands regularly, for at least three days.”

Yong emphasised that everyone must coexist with Covid-19, so guidelines will be changed over time, while studies and research must be conducted in order to mitigate the impact on daily life.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013480

The Department of Internal Trade on Wednesday fixed the farm price of assorted chicken eggs at a maximum 3.2 baht per egg in a bid “to help farmers while not creating a financial burden for consumers”.

“Several egg farmers who run small and medium-sized farms have told the department that they need to adjust the selling price of eggs as the cost of animal feed has been soaring following the impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict,” said department director-general Wattanasak Sur-iam.

Both Ukraine and Russia are one of the world’s biggest suppliers of corn and wheat, which are the main ingredients in animal feed.

“The Department of Livestock Development has confirmed that the average cost of egg farming is 2.94 baht per egg based on the current animal feed price and the frequency in which hens lay eggs during summertime,” he said.

“After discussing the issue with egg farmers, the department agreed to set the maximum price of assorted eggs at the farm at 3.2 baht per egg, which would make the retail price of size-3 eggs at markets 3.47 baht per egg,” Wattanasak made clear.

Eggs and meat are among the 18 consumer products and services that manufacturers cannot raise prices for without approval from the Department of Internal Trade. The other 17 are: instant noodles, canned foods, bagged rice, seasoning sauces, vegetable oils, carbonated drinks, milk and dairy products, electrical appliances, cleaning products, fertiliser, insecticides, animal feed, iron, cement, paper, drugs and medical equipment, as well as wholesale and retail shop services.

The Commerce Ministry is also working with relevant agencies to find measures to ease restrictions on wheat and corn imports from other countries to supply local animal-feed manufacturers and prevent a shortage of animal feed.

Related News

Agriculture, Commerce ministries call talks over soaring price of corn

Animal-feed may halt operations as ‘corn hoarding’ sends prices soaring

Producers push govt to remove animal feed from control list as corn, wheat prices surge

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013479

The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has come out with guidelines on insurance payment for treatment of Covid-19 policyholders under home isolation (HI), community isolation (CI) or hotel isolation.

The OIC announcement came after a meeting with the Thai Life Assurance Association, Thai General Insurance Association, and the Private Hospital Association (Thailand).

OIC secretary-general Suttipol Taweechaikarn said on Wednesday that they came up with two new guidelines:

1. For treatment of policyholders under HI, CI and hotel isolation, the insurance company concerned has to pay the actual treatment fees for outpatients up to the coverage limit.
For inpatients, the company must pay a treatment fee up to the coverage limit or up to a maximum 12,000 baht.

For policyholders with both outpatient and inpatient coverage, the insurance firm is required to pay the actual treatment fee up to the outpatient coverage limit.

If the fee exceeds the outpatient coveage limit, the insurance company must pay a treatment fee up to the inpatient coverage limit or up to a maximum 12,000 baht.

2. For daily/income compensation for policyholders under HI, CI and hotel isolation, the insurance company is required to pay daily/income compensation for each patient who needs a RT-PCR test and has one of the risk factors which require hospital treatment but could not get a room at the hospital.

The risk factors are:

• People aged over 60
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Other chronic lung diseases
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart and artery diseases, and Congenital Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Obesity (weight over 90kg or with a BMI exceeding 30 kg/m2)
• Liver cirrhosis
• Weak immunity
• Lymphocyte of fewer than 1,000 cells/μL.

The OIC will present these guidelines for enforcement under a registrar order and they will subsequently come into effect for two months. The OIC added that it would then monitor the situation periodically to adjust the guidelines.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013478

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chalermchai Sri-on has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply regarding agricultural cooperation between both countries.

“The cooperation will focus on exchanging of academic knowledge, research, training and seminars in agriculture as well as the transfer of agricultural technology in a tangible manner from now until 2030,” said Chalermchai. “It is expected to benefit the agricultural sectors of both countries and improve the bilateral relationship between Thailand and Brazil.”

Chalermchai went on that this MOU is the first official agricultural cooperation since Thailand and Brazil established a diplomatic relationship in 1959. “Although Thailand and Brazil are far away from each other, we both share the same tropical climate and geographical characters. Therefore, the know-how in agriculture of both countries is similar and can be adapted to each other,” he added.

Related News

Thai agricultural products enjoying export growth spurt

Agriculture, Commerce ministries call talks over soaring price of corn

Surge in global fertiliser price sparks fear for Thai agriculture

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION