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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022715

Unconscious US passenger on Chiang Mai flight revived in time

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

A 63-year-old US national was safely transported to the hospital after losing consciousness on a flight while it was landing in Chiang Mai.

Airport officials were alerted of the unconscious passenger on board Bangkok Airways PG225 while it was landing on Friday at 1.30pm.

Details of the rescue operation were provided by the airport on Saturday.

Airport officials said the man was immediately taken out of the plane and given CPR. However, he eventually regained consciousness after his heart was restarted with an automated external defibrillator.

Upon gaining consciousness the patient was rushed to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital for a check-up.

One of the rescue officials said the man may have suffered a cardiac arrest, though his chance of survival is high because he was resuscitated in time.

The airport’s manager said on Saturday that this incident highlights the importance of prioritising passenger safety and providing first aid promptly in case of emergencies.

The governing body, Airports of Thailand (AOT) said it is providing continuous training to emergency medical teams at all airports under its jurisdiction.

AOT manages six airports, namely Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Mae Fah Luang Airport in Chiang Rai.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022713

Main expressways will be toll-free for two upcoming holidays

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

Three major expressways will be toll-free to celebrate public holidays on December 5 and 10 and prevent traffic jams as Bangkok residents who travel for the long weekends return to or leave the capital, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) said on Saturday.

Monday, December 5 is King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s birthday as well as Fathers’ Day, and Saturday, December 10, Constitution Day, marks the beginning of another long weekend, as the following Monday is a substitute holiday.

The three expressways that will be toll-free are Sirat, Chalerm Maha Nakhon and Udon Ratthaya. They are the primary routes Bangkok motorists use to exit and enter the capital.

Motorists can zip through all 60 toll booths on the three expressways on both days. The toll-free days have two goals, EXAT said. Traffic jams at toll booths will be reduced and travellers can save the cost of tolls, the expressway operator explained.

For more information contact EXAT through its call center (1543) or its mobile app (EXAT Portal).

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022711

Thailand moves up in list of best countries for retirement

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

The latest US News & World Report has ranked Thailand as the 28th best country in the world and the 19th best place for retirement.

The survey covered 17,000 respondents worldwide from April 30 to July 13, ranking 73 countries across several metrics including adventure, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, open for business, social purpose and quality of life.

Thailand won an overall score of 47.7 and stayed at No 28.

Switzerland, meanwhile, rose up to the top of the list from 4th place last year, scoring 100 points.

Germany moved up one rank to the second place with a score of 98, while Canada fell from the top spot to No 3 this year with an overall score of 97.8.

As for the list of best countries to retire in, Thailand moved up one place from last year to the 19th position, while it holds the top spot in the Asean region.

This ranking is based on seven attributes, namely affordability, favourable taxation, friendliness, “a place I would live in”, climate, respect for property rights and a well-developed public health system.

The top five countries for retirement in 2022 are New Zealand, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Australia, respectively.

“Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is delighted with the ranking and has highlighted Thailand’s many positive qualities, including abundant resources, favourable climate, friendly population and economic potential,” government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Saturday.

“PM Prayut thanks all related parties for working hard to make Thailand an attractive destination among global citizens.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022708

Hospitals told to repay fees charged for ‘gold card’ treatment

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

Hospitals that have charged gold card holders after providing treatment will have to repay their patients with interest, National Health Security Office (NHSO) deputy secretary-general Dr Yupadee Sirisinsuk said.

“Hospitals that have collected money from gold card holders will be forced to pay it back, plus 15% interest per year,” Yupadee said, urging gold card holders who have been charged extra fees to contact the NHSO hotline (1330), saying it can be used around the clock every day of the week.

Her comments follow joint research by the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and the NHSO into more than 3,300 complaints filed to the NHSO over the past five years by patients charged by hospitals for treatment despite having gold cards that entitle them to free healthcare.

The TCC said that 3,329 complaints have been filed since 2018 and that when combined the total fees charged to gold card holders were 35.7 million baht.

“Many people do not know that gold card holders must not be charged for medical treatment in any case,” TCC secretary-general Saree Ongsomwang said on Friday.

“The council and NHSO have been working to return the money that some patients have already paid to the hospitals, but we will try to prevent such cases from happening,” she said.

Saree has submitted a letter notifying Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the problem and urging the ministry to take action to prevent the wrongful charges.

According to the TCC’s investigation, gold card holders are often charged when hospitals provide extra treatment or services beyond treatment for the original illness the patient sought treatment for. Gold-card patients are also charged transfer fees when moved between hospitals.

A woman who went to one hospital to give birth was charged a 10,000 baht fee when she was shifted to another, better-equipped hospital. In another case, a disabled man who had been receiving physical therapy at a hospital for three years was charged 40,000 baht despite having a gold card. The hospital said the gold card did not cover physical therapy for disabled people.

Yupadee said hospitals must not charge gold card holders after providing treatment. If there are extra expenses not covered under the scheme, they must notify the patient beforehand to prevent any misunderstanding and complaints.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022707

Graft busters probe purchase of street lights topped with mythical figures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s Samut Prakan office is investigating the nearly 70 million baht purchase of 727 street lights topped with mythical kinnaree figures following a complaint received by its Corruption Deterrence Centre.

It is investigating the purchase of the street lights as well as the purchase of about 50 million baht worth of surveillance cameras and emergency warning equipment by the Racha Thewa subdistrict administrative organisation in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province.

Officials from the commission on Friday surveyed Chamchuri 2 village in Racha Thewa subdistrict where 40 kinnaree-topped street lights will be installed.

Officials from the subdistrict administrative organisation explained that the lights were necessary because a large pond was located in the village adjacent to an area where residents exercise. They said they were concerned that some people might slip into the pond at night because some areas around it were poorly lit.

This is why the purchase of the lights was approved even though some will be installed in private areas, they said.

New surveillance cameras are being purchased to replace damaged cameras bought in 2014, subdistrict officials said. Others will be installed on King Kaeo road to monitor traffic, they said.

Officials from the commission advised subdistrict officials to weigh the appropriateness and public benefit of the purchase of kinnaree-topped street lights and the legality of installing them in private areas.

They also advised the subdistrict officials to ask experts to inspect existing cameras to determine whether it is best to repair or replace them and to consult with the public before making a decision.

Following the inspection, anti-corruption officials requested additional documents from the subdistrict for further investigation.

Related stories

• MEA dealing with exposed wire on King Kaew Road footpath
• One-of-a-kind Samut Prakan tower offers sweeping views of the Chao Phraya
• Makeshift dikes ordered for riverside communities

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022704

Commission dismisses senior prosecutor for ‘tampering’ in Red Bull case

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

The Public Prosecutors Commission has decided by a majority vote to discharge senior public prosecutor Chainarong Saengthong-aram for allegedly tampering with evidence.

Chainarong was accused of reducing the speed at which Red Bull scion Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya was driving his Ferrari in the 2012 hit-and-run case from 177km/h to less than 80km/h.

This reduction in speed prompted the former Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) director-general Nate Naksuk to drop the criminal case against Vorayuth.

The commission voted on November 23 to discharge Chainarong, though sources said on Friday that he had submitted his resignation earlier.

In May, the commission also unanimously voted to indict Nate for gross negligence in deciding to drop criminal charges against Vorayuth in July 2020. However, he was not charged with corruption or malfeasance, and disciplinary action against him was reduced.

As for Chainarong, the commission had established a disciplinary committee to investigate his action, and the panel concluded that tampering with evidence was a disciplinary offence. It recommended the harshest penalty of dismissal.

However, some commissioners disagreed and said he should instead be barred from promotions for three years instead of being dismissed.

This prompted the attorney-general, Naree Tantasathien, to step in and rule that Chainarong had committed a disciplinary offence, but since he had no prior offences, his punishment should be reduced from dismissal to removal from duty.

Both Chainarong and Nate will receive their pensions.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022702

Varawut praises business sector for its commitment to low carbon and sustainable economy

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa on Thursday (December 1) praised Thailand’s business entrepreneurs for their continued effort and commitment to improving the standard of business operations to promote the low carbon, sustainable and environmentally friendly economy.

He was speaking at the TBCSD Annual Event 2022 seminar hosted by Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development (TBCSD) at Centara Grand Hotel at Central Plaza Ladprao in Bangkok.

In his speech titled “Thailand’s climate change trend, heading toward low carbon society and sustainability”, Varawut highlighted the result of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), held last month in Egypt. 

“During the COP27, Thailand has declared to the global community its goal of becoming carbon neutrality by 2050 and achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065,” said Varawut. “We also announced the policies and strategies to attain such goals in a sustainable manner, to address the climate change issues faced by Thailand and other countries.”

Varawut said the cooperation between members of TBCSD, both in Thailand and overseas, is a crucial factor that drives forward the climate change operations, while at the same time promoting the country’s economic expansion. 

“We need to work together to create an impactful change,” said Varawut. “I believe that nothing is impossible under the power of working cooperatively, as I have always been saying: ‘Together is possible.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022696

Bad debts by household borrowers exceed THB1 trillion in Q3

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Bad debts from household borrowings have remained beyond the 1-trillion-baht mark in the third quarter of this year, despite dropping from the previous quarter, the National Credit Bureau (NCB) said.

NCB chief executive Surapol Opasatien said on Friday that non-performing loans (NPLs) from household borrowers came in at 1.09 trillion baht in the third quarter, accounting for 8.4% of total debts. That was a tiny drop from 1.1 trillion in the second quarter, which made up 8.6% of all debts.

He said at the end of the third quarter, 25 million borrowers came under the NCB system. Of their total debts, 529 billion baht came from credit cards, 2.5 trillion from personal loans, another 2.5 trillion from vehicle loans, 4.7 trillion from home mortgages and 1 trillion from farming loans.

According to the Bank of Thailand, NPLs in the banking sector only accounted for 2.77% of bad loans at the end of the third quarter, down from 2.88% in the second quarter.

Records show that 3.88 million bank loan holders came under the central bank’s debt restructuring programme as of August 31, while 135,805 people sought 339 billion baht in new soft loans for business rehabilitation.

Surapol put the huge amount of bad debts on the Covid-19 crisis. He said NPLs caused by the fallout of the pandemic totalled 400 billion baht at the end of the third quarter, double the 200 billion seen in January.

That accounted for as much as 40% of the 1.1 trillion baht in bad loans during that period.

Of all household debts, the NCB chief said personal and vehicle loans were “the most worrisome”, as most of the borrowers were Generation Y (aged 25-42). This generation is believed to be responsible for the highest number of bad debts among all age groups – 340 billion baht in the first nine months of this year.

Gen Y borrowers secured 53% of all auto loans in the first nine months of this year, and 61% of all personal loans in the same period, NCB data showed.

As for home loans, 4% or 180 billion baht have turned into bad debts, while unpaid credit card bills have risen as high as 12.2%.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022694

Pattaya seeks solution to homelessness after 10-year-old filmed smoking ganja

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

The 10-year-old boy who was captured on a clip smoking marijuana in Pattaya has been returned to the shelter from where he had escaped, local officials said on Friday.

The youngster, identified only as “M”, was filmed smoking cannabis with a bamboo bong on the beach in South Pattaya in Chonburi’s Bang Lamung district.

The clip, which was widely circulated on social media, drew much criticism against authorities.

The boy was found sleeping about 100 metres from where he had been filmed smoking and taken to Pattaya police station. He was then interrogated by police for over two hours in the presence of social workers.

An official from the Social Development and Human Security Ministry said on Friday the boy is an orphan and had escaped from the Bang Lamung youth shelter. The official claimed the boy had refused to say anything about why he was smoking and that police officers had only asked him about his life and well-being.

The boy was taken to Bang Lamung Hospital for a check-up before being returned to the shelter.

Meanwhile, Pattaya’s deputy mayor Wuthisak Rermkijakarn said on Friday that local authorities have successfully dealt with the issue of homelessness, though swift enforcement of the law is being avoided over human-rights concerns.

He said the homeless, especially youth, were sent to relevant agencies for vocational training, but many manage to escape.

“Pattaya City should review its policy and a meeting of relevant agencies will be called late this month to find a solution that seriously addresses this problem,” he said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022691

Blueprint ready for Fruit Metropolis in Chanthaburi to boost Thai exports

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Thailand’s Fruit Board will be asked to approve a blueprint for the creation of a “Fruit Metropolis” in Chanthaburi province, the agriculture minister’s adviser, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, said on Friday.

Alongkorn, who chairs a working group on the Chanthaburi Fruit Metropolis project, said that his panel would seek the board’s endorsement at its next meeting expected late this month or early January.

The project aims to upgrade Chanthaburi and other fruit-producing provinces in the eastern seaboard — including Rayong and Trat — to become a global fruits hub, according to Alongkorn, a senior figure in the coalition Democrat Party.

He noted that Thailand is a leading global exporter of fresh fruits and fruit products, with exports exceeding 200 billion baht last year.

Alongkorn said the proposed Fruit Metropolis is planned to be located in Chanthaburi’s Na Yai Am and Tha Mai districts. Its construction will be carried out along with the upgradation of Chanthaburi Airport as a commercial airport.

The Fruit Metropolis area includes an e-commerce and online auction centre, exhibition and conference hall, fruit-processing centre, logistics centre and warehouse, cold storage, central laboratory, fruit sorting and packaging centre, fruit academy, and agri-tech and innovation centre.

He said the project is modelled after the Food Valley of the Netherlands and FKII of Japan.

Alongkorn said that the project will be a public-private partnership, with most investment coming from the private sector. A platform will be created to connect networks of cooperation between the public and private sectors, academics and farmers, as well as key export markets, including China, Japan, India, Asean countries, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, Alongkorn said.