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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011707

The Department of Health on Sunday urged agencies tackling the Rayong oil spill to watch out for health impacts on officials and residents.

After surveying the clean-up operation at the disaster zone on Mae Ram Phueng Beach, department chief Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai warned oil from the spill may cause breathing difficulties, headaches and vomiting.

“The oil spill could affect people’s kidneys, liver, digestive, reproductive, immune and nervous systems,” he added.

“Meanwhile, people who consume food contaminated with the crude oil’s heavy metals will be at risk of cancer.”

He advised agencies responding to the incident to monitor officials and residents for health impacts both in the short and long term, especially the elderly, pregnant women and children.

“Restaurants should inform agencies about the source of their seafood to ensure that their ingredients are not contaminated with oil-spill chemicals, thereby boosting customers’ confidence.”

He added that residents should also monitor the situation closely, avoid using beaches and water contaminated with oil, make sure their food is from a reliable source, and wear face masks to protect against oil vapours.

“Anyone who has a rash or skin inflammation should see a doctor immediately,” he said.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011706

An emergency plan to stop a huge oil spill from engulfing one of Thailand’s main holiday islands was being drawn up on Sunday, according to Thai press reports.

Koh Samet off Rayong province is threatened by the oil slick, which gushed from an undersea pipe in the Gulf of Thailand earlier this week.

On Friday, the oil began washing up on Rayong’s largest beach, the 12-kilometre-long Mae Ram Phueng, which was declared a disaster zone.

A massive clean-up operation has seen more than 500 officials collect about 15,000 litres of spilled oil in barrels, leaving about 1,000 litres still to clean up, said local reports on Sunday.

However, satellite images of tidal conditions show the oil slick heading to Koh Samet’s Ao Prao Bay – a popular beach resort area rich in corals and seagrass.

Leading the battle to prevent the slick from reaching Samet are three agencies – the Pollution Control Department, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa will issue instructions to tackle the spill after surveying the area on Sunday afternoon, said reports.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011705

Police advised motorists to avoid routes around Bangkok’s Victory Monument and Din Daeng intersection on Sunday, where anti-government protesters are holding rallies.

The Thalugaz group announced they would protest at Victory Monument from 4pm, while the Save Bangkloi group plan a 3pm march from Rajavinit Mathayom School in Dusit district to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and Victory Monument.

The police expect the rallies will affect traffic on Phaya Thai Road, Phahonyothin Road, Ratchawithi Road, Asok-Din Daeng Road, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and Din Daeng Expressway.

They advised motorists to avoid these routes and instead use Ratchadaphisek Road, Rama IX Road, Chaturathit Road, Rama VI Road, Pradiphat Road, Sutthisan Winitchai Road, Utraphimuk Expressway, Si Rat Expressway and Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011704

Star Petroleum Refining (SPRC)’s move to dispose of oil from a 60-tonne spill in the Gulf of Thailand could violate the law, an environmental group said on Sunday.

Stop Global Warming Association president Srisuwan Janya issued the warning as he surveyed the oil slick on Rayong’s Mae Ram Phueng Beach.

The beach has been declared a disaster zone and closed to visitors as officials clean up the oil, which spilled from an undersea pipe belonging to SPRC earlier this week.

Srisuwan said local residents including tourism operators and fishermen have filed complaints about the spill with his association.

“Our survey found that SPRC and government agencies have launched a joint effort to collect waste oil on the beach,” he explained. The waste oil has been earmarked for disposal at SPRC’s plant in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.

However, this move could be illegal as spilled oil is considered hazardous waste that must be collected and disposed of according to Industry Ministry rules, Srisuwan said.

Meanwhile, government officials who aid SPRC’s operation may be charged with negligence under Criminal Code Section 157, which carries one to 10 years in jail and/or a fine of up to 20,000 baht.

He added that the association would wait for the clean-up operation to finish before collecting evidence to back claims for government compensation for residents affected by the incident.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011702

The Finance Ministry will launch phase four of the “Khon La Khrueng” (Let’s Go Halves) shopping subsidy scheme a month early on February 1 (Tuesday), government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Sunday.

The move comes after the Cabinet approved a budget of 34.8 billion baht for the fourth phase, aimed at reducing living costs and generating revenue for small businesses. Under the new phase, which was originally due to launch on March 1, 29 million people will be eligible for a 50 per cent discount on products and services, capped at 150 baht per day and 1,200 baht per person. The subsidy scheme does not cover the lottery, alcohol or tobacco.

“About 27.98 million existing registrants can verify their eligibility via the Paotang app on February 1 from 6am onwards,” Thanakorn said.

The shopping subsidies will be available from February 1 to April 30. Registrants must use the scheme before 10.59pm on February 28, otherwise their registration will be transferred to others.

Meanwhile, up to 1 million eligible people who have not yet joined the scheme can register from February 10 on the Paotang app or at www.คนละครึ่ง.com, with subsidies available from February 17 to April 30, he said.

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana

Registrants under the “Shop Dee Mee Kuen” (Shop and Payback) scheme can also use privileges under phase four of Khon La Khrueng scheme.

The launch of phase four had been brought forward after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed concern over people’s living costs, Thanakorn said. The premier has urged agencies to ensure the scheme is ready to operate when it opens on February 1, he added.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011699

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s visit to Saudi Arabi will be beneficial for Thai trade and investment, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana quoted the premier as saying.

He said improved bilateral relations will also offer more export opportunities, especially since Saudi Arabia is one of the largest economies in the Middle East.

According to the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai exports to Saudi Arabia in 2021 accounted for about 45 billion baht or just 0.6 per cent of the country’s total exports.

If the proportion of trade with Saudi Arabia can be pushed up to 2.2 per cent, like it was before relations soured over the 1989 “blue diamond affair”, then Thailand’s export revenue can rise by 150 billion baht.

Improved ties will also boost opportunities for Thai businesses in the automotive and auto parts sector, clean energy industry, food and agricultural products, machinery, electrical equipment, building materials and medical sector to name a few.

Apart from export opportunities, improved ties will also allow skilled and non-skilled workers to return to Saudi Arabia. Before 1989, there were more than 300,000 Thai workers in Saudi Arabia, who sent home up to 9 billion baht yearly.

The Foreign Ministry also expects more Saudis to travel to Thailand and generate at least 5 billion baht per year. Saudis have high spending power and are being targeted for the health and wellness sector.

Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre has set up guidelines on how people and businesses in the South can benefit from improved relations.

A seminar titled “Opportunities and Potentials of the Southern Border Provinces after Thailand-Saudi Ties have been Restored” will be held in mid-February to collect opinions and listen to suggestions from religious leaders, local leaders, civil servants, Thai workers heading for Saudi Arabia and more than 500 people who have worked in the Middle East.

Information gathered at the forum will be compiled to develop new policies for bilateral ties and

will also be presented at an Islamic conference scheduled for March.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011698

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hailed the opening of Betong Airport in Yala province as a gateway to economic development in the South, after the first charter flight from Bangkok landed on Saturday.

The Don Muang-Betong route operated by Nok Air will boost business and tourism in Betong district, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said today.

The new airport is part of the government’s plan to develop the economy and security in the three southern border provinces, which remain under emergency rule aimed amid a two-decade-old separatist insurgency.

The airport will form a hub connecting the three provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala under the government’s regional development plan.

The plan categorises Pattani as an “Agricultural Zone”, Narathiwat’s Su-ngai-Klok district as the “Border Trade Connecting City” and Yala’s Betong district as a “Model Tourism City”. These three zones will be linked to boost development and create employment.

Airlines have been granted permission to fly two commercial routes to Yala.

These are the Don Muang-Betong-Don Muang route and the Hat Yai-Betong-Hat Yai route.

Betong Airport is also serving both government and private flights.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011696

As part of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, Thai government agencies will start providing services online very soon.

Relevant regulations passed on January 26 have been published in the Royal Gazette and will be enforced within 30 days.

Thai citizens who wish to use civil registration services online are required to sign an application form, provide documentation to prove their identity and set a password at the district registrar’s office, local registry office or other agencies as prescribed by the Central Registration Office.

Registration fees will be waived for the first year.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011695

Judging by satellite images and reports from fishermen, marine scientist Thon Thamrongnawasawat said the oil covering Rayong’s Mae Ram Pheung Beach can be categorised in terms of severity.

He said the state of the several-kilometre-long beach can be divided into four levels:

Dark red: Some 100 metres of the beach near Wat Chang Chon is covered in thick dark-red sludge.

Red: A slightly less dense sludge that is covering up to 200 metres of the beach near the dark-red area.

Orange: A film of oil covering about 2km.

Yellow: Faint blotches of oil running along almost all of the beach.

Thon also confirmed that the oil spill has started affecting marine life in the area.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011694

The agency in charge of cleaning crude oil that began hitting the shore of Rayong’s Mae Ram Phueng beach held a press conference on Saturday to provide updates.

Members of the Royal Thai Navy and pollution experts have been working hard to remove the sludge, with many boats sent out to spray dispersant chemicals, suck up the sludge and blot out the oil from the sand by using paper.

The latest satellite images show a 51-square-kilometre-large dark black stain in the area and a thin film of oil about 10km from the shore of Mae Ram Pheung Beach. Based on the images, the slick is believed to be moving in the direction of Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet National Park and Samet’s Ao Prao Beach, which is home to coral reefs and seagrasses.

An underwater pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining Plc (SPRC) sprung a leak early last week, and checks show that the leak may have been caused by problems with the flexible hose that is part of the equipment used to offload oil from tankers. At least 60 tonnes of crude oil is believed to have flowed into the sea before the leak was plugged.

Published : January 30, 2022

By : THE NATION