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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023165

Followers of three religions to offer special daily prayers for speedy recovery of Princess

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

The leaders of three major religions in Thailand — Buddhism, Islam and Christianity — have organised prayers at their respective places of worship for Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati to recover soon from her illness.

Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana, the leader of the Thai Buddhist clergy, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT), and the Sheikhul Islam Office issued separate announcements on Thursday and Friday on the matter.

The Supreme Patriarch’s directive, issued on Thursday, instructed all Thai Buddhist temples in the country and overseas to hold special prayers in addition to their morning and evening chanting to bless the Princess with speedy recovery and good health.

The directive was issued through the Sangha Supreme Council, the Thai Buddhist clergy’s governing body which is chaired by the Supreme Patriarch.

On Friday, the CBCT on instructions of its chairman, Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisut, invited Christian priests and worshippers in Thailand to attend daily prayers for the Princess.

Meanwhile, the Sheikhul Islam Office announcement on Friday called on provincial Islamic councils and mosque committees across the country to ask for God’s blessings after their regular prayers for Princess Bajrakitiyabha to recover quickly from her illness and regain good health.

The Princess, who is the daughter of His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Soamsawali, is being treated at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.

She fainted while training her dog for a contest in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Wednesday evening, the Royal Household Bureau said on Thursday. The agency said in a statement that the Princess was given first aid for her heart-related health issue at a local hospital before being taken by helicopter to Chulalongkorn Hospital for further examination and treatment.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023163

Panda predicts Argentina will defeat France in Sunday’s World Cup finals

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

A red panda named “Tiger” at Chiang Mai Zoo has predicted that Argentina will win against France in the upcoming World Cup final, though France will lead in the first half, according to the zoo’s chief, Wutthichai Muangmun.

This is Tiger’s second World Cup prediction. On December 8, he correctly predicted that Argentina would defeat the Netherlands.

Zoo staff turned the forecast into an event.

They set up a table displaying the flags of Argentina and France, and then placed a set of food near each flag. The dishes included bananas, apples, grapes, food supplements, quail eggs and bamboo leaves.

After Tiger arrived on the table, he nibbled apples near France’s flag before settling in for a full meal near Argentina’s, Wutthichai said.

This clearly shows that Argentina will win the final match even though France will take the lead in the first half, Wutthichai said.

Zoo staff said they held the World Cup event to promote tourism and animal welfare.

Wutthichai said Chiang Mai Zoo pays close attention to the welfare of all animals in the zoo.

He also invited tourists to visit, especially during the upcoming New Year holidays. “Many activities are awaiting tourists,” he said.

The World Cup’s final between Argentina and France is scheduled to kick off on Sunday at 10pm (Thailand time).

Related stories:

• Russia unveils world’s first coronavirus vaccine for dogs, cats and other animals
• ‘Godzilla’ the obese macaque doing well in rehab
• Animal group launches call to save seized furballs from auction block

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023162

Princess Bajrakitiyabha receives second visit from Their Majesties

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

Their Majesties the King and Queen visited Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital again on Friday.

The Princess, who is the daughter of His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Soamsawali, is being treated for a heart-related issue.

The Royal Household Bureau said in a statement issued on Thursday that Princess Bajrakitiyabha fainted while training her dog for a contest in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Wednesday evening.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s health problem has been covered by international media, including Reuters, BBC and AFP, in addition to Thai media.

The Royal couple, who first visited her in hospital on Thursday, arrived at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital at 1.24pm in a car driven by the Queen. They were greeted by a large group of well-wishers, many of whom chanted “Long live the King”. His Majesty waved to the well-wishers.

Their Majesties left the hospital shortly before 3pm. On their way to the waiting Royal vehicle, they waved to the well-wishers lining the path. At one point, someone shouted, “Keep fighting, Your Majesty!” The King turned and waved to them.

Earlier on Friday, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya visited Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s aunts – Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess Chulabhorn Srisavangavadhana, and Princess Ubol Ratana – sent vases of flowers to her.

Meanwhile, the Thai Red Cross Society has arranged a place for well-wishers to write their messages of good wishes for Princess Bajrakitiyabha on the first floor of the hospital’s Bhumisiri Mangkhalanusorn Building. Well-wishers can do so from 8am to 4pm every day.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023158

Prayut leads well-wishing ceremony for Princess Bajrakitiyabha at hospital

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Cabinet offered their wishes for Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati to recover soon from her illness.

General Prayut, accompanied by his wife Naraporn, led a ceremony at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok before a large portrait of the Princess, who is the daughter of His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Soamsawali. The ceremony was also attended by other members of the Cabinet.

During the ceremony, the prime minister placed two vases of flowers on an altar before the Princess’s portrait — one on behalf of the Cabinet and the other from him and his wife. Naraporn placed another vase of flowers on behalf of the spouses of Cabinet members.

All participating Cabinet members and their spouses also wrote messages on provided books offering their wishes for the Princess to recover good health soon.

Later, Interior Ministry permanent secretary Suttipong Juljarern and other senior officials from the ministry offered vases of flowers before the Princess’ portrait. They also wrote get-well-soon messages for the Princess.

On Wednesday evening, Princess Bajrakitiyabha fainted while training her dog for a contest in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the Royal Household Bureau said on Thursday.

The agency said in a statement that the Princess was given first-aid for her heart-related health issue at Pak Chong Nana Hospital in the northeastern province. She was later taken by helicopter to Chulalongkorn Hospital for further examination and treatment.

According to a Palace statement, Princess Bajrakitiyabha lost consciousness while she was preparing to take part in the Thailand Working Dog Championship organised by the Royal Thai Army. The event is being held at Military Dog Battalion in Pak Chong district from December 10 to 19.

Their Majesties the King and Queen went to Chulalongkorn Hospital to visit the Princess on Thursday afternoon as many well-wishers were gathering following news of her illness.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023155

Mercury to dive in North, Northeast Thailand from Saturday

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

The temperature in seven provinces in the upper part of Thailand is expected to drop by several degrees from Saturday to Tuesday.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation warned on Friday that Chiang Mai, Tak and Nakhon Sawan in the North, Loei and Nakhon Phanom in the Northeast, and Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Nayok in Central Thailand are under watch for “cold and very cold weather”.

The department, which falls under the Interior Ministry, has warned residents to keep warm at all times and safeguard against possible fires.

Meanwhile, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said on Friday that the mercury in the North and Northeast will drop as low as 6 degrees Celsius for the next four days due to a wave of cold air from China.

According to TMD, temperatures ranging from 8 to 15.9 degrees Celsius is deemed “cold”, while temperatures below 7.9 degrees Celsius can be considered “very cold”.

TMD said the temperature in the lower North and Northeast will range between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius, though the mercury can be as low as 2 degrees Celsius and frost can be expected on mountains.

In the East and Central region, including Greater Bangkok, temperatures will drop by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, ranging between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius, TMD said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023152

True widens access for viewing World Cup finals

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

True Corporation Plc will allow other operators of IPTV to broadcast the final and third-place matches of the 2022 World Cup Finals from Qatar, the company said on Friday.

The two matches are on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s match will see Morocco and Croatia battle for 3rd place, while France and Argentina will compete for first place on Sunday.

As the exclusive holder of broadcasting rights via the IPTV channel, True will allow operators of IPTV boxes to broadcast the matches via their platforms free of charge, True co-president Teeradet Dumrongbhalasitr said.

Operators are required to submit a written request to True and specify how they will prevent infringements of intellectual property, such as broadcasts via websites or mobile apps.

“True is willing to cooperate with IPTV operators, without demanding any compensation, to bring the matches to all Thai viewers who are waiting to see the last two matches of World Cup 2022,” Teeradet said. “True prioritises the protection of the intellectual property of content owners under international standards to maintain Thailand’s positive image and prevent being banned from broadcasting future world-class events,” Teeradet added.

True earlier said that it had signed a contract with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to purchase the rights to broadcast the 2022 World Cup final.

Under the contract, True contributed 300 million baht in exchange for exclusive broadcasting rights via cable, satellite, IPTV, Internet, mobile and OTT platforms. Broadcast via terrestrial transmission remains free to the public under the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)’s must-have rule of 2012.

This led, earlier this month, to the NBTC demanding that the SAT repay the 600 million baht it had provided the agency for purchase of World Cup broadcasting rights. SAT’s contract with True prevented other IPTV operators from broadcasting the signal, contradicting the aim of the must-have rule, the NBTC said.

Related Stories

True says it has signed contract with SAT for exclusive online World Cup broadcasting rights

NBTC demands return of THB600m it gave to SAT for World Cup broadcast rights

World Cup now available on all internet TV platforms as True loses exclusive rights

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023146

Public gets free entry to 10 aquariums in Thailand from Dec 30 to Jan 3

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

The Department of Fisheries is allowing free entry to its 43 learning centres and 10 public aquariums from December 30 to January 3 as a New Year present.

The aquariums allowing free entry are:

• Rayong Aquarium, Phe subdistrict, Muang district, Rayong (Call 038653741)

• Chalerm Prakiat Aquarium, Nai Muang subdistrict, Muang district, Phichit (Call 056611309)

• Satun Inland Fishery Research and Development Centre, Kamphaeng subdistrict, Langu district, Satun (Call 074775455)

• Thailand Tortoise and Terrapin aquarium, Kamphaeng subdistrict, Langu district, Satun (Call 074775455)

• Phitsanulok Inland Fisheries Research and Development Centre, Phrom Phiram district, Phitsanulok (Call 055369066)

• Giant Catfish Museum, Wiang subdistrict, Muang district, Phayao (Call 544311251)

• Bueng Boraphet Aquarium, Chae Yair subdistrict, Muang district, Nakhon Sawan (Call 056274503)

• Northeastern Freshwater Aquarium, That Choeng Chum subdistrict, Muang district, Sakon Nakhon (Call 042711447)

• The Sixth Cycle Birthday Anniversary Celebration Aquarium, Khlong Khut subdistrict, Tha Mai district, Chanthaburi (Call 039433216-8)

• Phang Nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development’s Aquarium, Thai Muang subdistrict, Thai Muang district, Phang Nga (Call 0 7643 2212-4)

The department is also distributing 100 bags of freshwater fish among farmers who visit local fisheries.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023143

Thailand signs MoU with French rail business groups to boost personnel, technology

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

The Transport Ministry’s Rail Technology Research and Development Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with leading French rail business groups at Renaissance Hotel in Bangkok on Thursday.

The groups included Egis Rail (Thailand) Co Ltd, Alstom (Thailand) Ltd, Vossloh Cogifer SA, Systra MVA (Thailand) Co Ltd and Poma Sas and the MoU signing ceremony was co-chaired by Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou.

The aim of the MoU is to develop personnel in the rail sector, transfer rail technology and encourage the production of railway system parts and products in Thailand as part of the “Thai First” policy.

This cooperation also falls under the Roadmap for Thai-French Relations (2022-2024) which was co-signed by both countries’ foreign ministers in Paris in February. The objective of this was to establish a strategic partnership between Thailand and France by 2024.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023141

Thais warned drinking alcohol to ‘keep warm’ can lead to death from cold

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

The Public Health Ministry has warned people to avoid drinking alcohol to keep warm during the cold season.

“People in the North and Northeast often have a misconception that drinking alcohol warms the body during cold season,” Dr Manus Potaporn, deputy director-general of the Department of Medical Services, said on Thursday.

“In fact, drinking alcohol causes the capillaries under the skin to expand and make the body feel hot, but the body then cools down faster, causing hypothermia which can lead to organ failure and death.”

Alcohol also depresses the central nervous system, increasing the risk of falling asleep in cold weather without sufficient clothing to keep you warm, he added.

He also noted the negative impacts of alcohol on families and communities, especially drinking and driving, which is a leading cause of road accidents.

Dr Sarayuth Boonchaipanitwattana, director of the Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment, said people should take care of themselves during the cold season by wearing warm clothes, eating healthy foods especially vegetables and fruits, drinking warm water, taking exercise, and bathing in warm water to keep their body temperature up.

He also advised against drinking alcohol in groups during the current surge in Covid-19 infections.

Sarayuth said the New Year presented an opportunity to stop drinking or using drugs. He said those who wanted to quit the habits could contact the 1165 addiction hotline or visit www.pmnidat.go.th

Related Stories

Extending Thailand’s pub hours to 4am would cause carnage: expert

Alcohol consumption on upward trend as Covid measures relaxed

Chiang Mai allows alcohol at restaurants, dry Songkran celebrations

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023140

Christmas cheer for needy Bangkok children 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

“This Christmas is for everyone” — that’s the catchphrase for a project to help underprivileged children in Bangkok enjoy the festive season. 

Language school Progressive Language Arts is partnering with Bangkok Community Help Foundation (BCHP) to provide 200 gifts and 200 food packs to children in poor communities under its Gifts for Kids scheme. 

The school, based in Soi On Nut 70/1 in Prawet district, launched the Christmas project two years ago. 

The scheme has expanded to a value of 80,000 baht thanks to a sponsorship deal with BCHP, which was founded by Greg Lange, owner of Sunrise Tacos and Margarita Storm restaurants, and entrepreneur Friso Poldervaart during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.   

“Greg and Friso have been a huge help in expanding Gifts for Kids and are providing all the food packs this year,” said Progressive Language Arts chief executive Sarisa Raktham. 

“We have doubled the number of gifts and food packs from last year. Our long-term aim is to spread the scheme throughout Thailand and distribute hundreds of thousands of gifts.” 

A young girl receives a gift from Sarisa Raktham last Christmas

Greg Lange and Friso Poldervaart

Another sponsorship has come from the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand and Zervi, an automotive firm that is providing 200 reusable face masks to go with the gifts. 

Gifts and food packs will be handed out in the On Nut area on December 25 and in Klong Toey on December 26. 

BCHF was launched to provide cleaning, renovation, food distribution and construction projects for the betterment of the Klong Toey slum community and others in need. It has since expanded far beyond Klong Toey and has more than 500 volunteers from all over the world. 

Sarisa launched Progressive Language Arts in February 2020 with her American partner Chris Kayne, who got the idea for Gifts for Kids from his school days in the United States when he and the other students would receive Christmas presents from their local church. 

“Many of the children we help have literally nothing. It’s heartwarming to see their smiles when they receive their Christmas gifts,” said Kayne, the school’s marketing officer. 

“Our gifts have a scientific angle that allows children to play while learning.” 

Progressive Language Arts (www.progressivelanguagearts.com) teaches conversational and business English and Thai to students ranging from preschool to executives. Most are Thai children aged 4-12. The school also has corporate customers.