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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404344

Mae Hong Son governor clarifies on Myanmar refugees

NationalMar 31. 2021

By THE NATION

There are presently about 2,000 Karen refugees in Mae Hong Son’s Mae Sariang and Khun Yuam districts, with officials providing them with shelter and other necessities, provincial Governor Sithichai Jindaluang told a press conference on Tuesday.

The 2,000 Karen fled air strikes by Myanmar government forces. The strikes came amid the bloodiest week so far in the Myanmar junta’s crackdown on the civilian population, with 141 reportedly killed on Saturday alone.

“The refugees have been crossing the border since March 11 as the situation in Myanmar started to escalate, and there are now about 2,000 Karen refugees in Mae Sariang and Khun Yuam districts,” Sithichai said.

“Thai officials have not only provided shelter and other necessities to the refugees but are also negotiating with those who can return to Myanmar to leave voluntarily. We believe this particular group will return home within 1-2 days,” he told the media.

“As for those who refuse to return or are unable to do so right now, the province will treat them under guidelines to be issued by the Thai government,” he said.

“If the situation in Myanmar worsens and more refugees enter Thailand, the province may consider building a refugee centre, subject to approval by the Interior Ministry.”

Sithichai also said that seven refugees were injured while fleeing to Thailand. Five are being treated at Sobmei Hospital and one each at Mae Sariang and Sri Sangwan hospitals in the province.

“Once the injured have been cured they will either be sent back or sent to join other refugees in Thailand,” he added.

“The province has been following humanitarian principles and international laws in dealing with the Myanmar refugees,” the governor insisted.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404342

Survival tips for people falling into debt during Covid

NationalMar 31. 2021

By The Nation

Salaried workers can usually be confident of regular income, allowing them to plan ahead and pay their monthly debts on time. But not during Covid.

According to Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Centre, the average monthly household debt in Thailand is Bt30,262.50. More than two-thirds of that debt (34 per cent) is from credit cards or personal loans, says the Bank of Thailand (BOT).

Life-cycle theory states that people borrow more in times of low income and save when their income is high. Hence, young people beginning careers tend to have large personal loan and credit card bills. Those debts rise in middle age from auto and home loans, before declining as they approach retirement.

However, that smooth picture has been disrupted by Covid-19, as people’s plummeting income brings the risk of defaults and ultimately bad debts. Supachai Chanpaibul, a certified financial planner at the Thai Financial Planners Association, said the pandemic has shown us that to survive an uncertain future we need financial discipline – including a long-term retirement plan.

The key to that discipline, he said, is to divide our salary into three parts:

70 per cent on living costs – this money is to pay for everyday necessities such as food, water, electricity, gas, etc. Resist the consumerist temptation to spend it on that “must-have item”.

20 per cent for savings – the portion needed for career education/training, or for a long-term retirement plan. This money for saving or investing is important as it will have a long-term impact. It can be invested in bonds, debentures, GPF Fund, provident fund, RMF Fund, SSF Fund, life insurance, etc, said Supachai, with individual investors deciding which risk/return strategy is best for them.

10 per cent emergency money – invested to protect against economic uncertainty. Options here include health insurance, deposits, and savings accounts. Money market funds or short-term bond funds will also help, he said.

Supachai added that people who manage their finances skilfully are likely to survive even bad economic downturns without going broke or getting trapped in a cycle of credit card or personal debt.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404335

Asean Summit to discuss Karen issue as Thailand watches Myanmar situation

NationalMar 31. 2021Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai

By THE NATION

The Asean Summit in April in Brunei will address the issue of Myanmar’s ethnic Karen that have fled across the border to Thailand to seek refuge, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Tuesday, adding that Bangkok is closely monitoring the situation.

“I cannot reveal the details to be discussed at the summit [in Bandar Seri Begawan], but can say that we aim to bring peace to Myanmar and the Asean community as soon as possible, which is the ultimate goal of the summit,” he said.

On Monday about 2,000 ethnic Karen fled air strikes by Myanmar government forces to Mae Hong Son’s Mae Sariang district. The strikes came amid the bloodiest week so far in the Myanmar junta’s crackdown on the civilian population, with 141 reportedly killed on Saturday alone.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha vowed on Tuesday that Thailand would not push back the refugees fleeing the violence in Myanmar.

“Nobody is pointing guns to keep them out of the country,” Prayut said of the refugees. “This is a humanitarian problem and both sides need to find a solution together.”

Don said Thailand would accept the refugees temporarily but there would be no establishing any centre for them.

“When the situation returns to normal these refugees will be sent back, which is normal practice by any country that accepts refugees,” he said.

“I have talked with the authorities in Myanmar about the refugee problem and urged them to reduce the violence so that the situation can return to normal as soon as possible,” Don said.

“The Myanmar authorities acknowledged our request, but said they would adjust their actions based on the situation,” he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404334

Baht expected to weaken further

NationalMar 31. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 31.31 to the US dollar on Wednesday, weakening from its close of 31.25 on Tuesday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 31.20 and 31.35 during the day, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He mentioned that the dollar was still a major factor in the baht’s direction but the US currency did not weaken this time as investors were hopeful the US economy would recover more quickly than expected. Therefore, it was almost impossible for the baht to strengthen, he said.

Poon advised investors to monitor fund flows in the stock market.

He predicted that several foreign currencies would be purchased in the next months for the purpose of paying dividends, and the baht would weaken more from this financial activity.

The second quarter would see the baht weakening the most, he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404333

Police DUI checkpoints to come back April 1 after transparency overhaul

NationalMar 31. 2021

By THE NATION

Police will set up checkpoints for DUI – driving under the influence – that involves alcohol tests via breathalyser in some provinces including Bangkok starting April 1, deputy National Police chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said on Tuesday.

In October last year, National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk ordered a temporary halt to all kinds of police and security checkpoints, including alcohol testing checkpoints following several complaints of foul play against officers.

“To ensure transparent operations by officers at these checkpoints, police have started installing CCTV cameras at the points as well as body cameras on officers to record their interaction with road users,” Damrongsak said.

“Checkpoints in some provinces are now ready to operate again, such as in Bangkok, Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima,” he said.

“We want to start opening these checkpoints as early as April 1, as the Songkran festival is approaching and a high volume of traffic is expected. Having these DUI checkpoints will greatly help reduce road accidents caused by drunk driving.”

The checkpoints will sport a sign informing road users that CCTV cameras are installed, as well as the telephone number of the commanding officer in that area in case anyone wants to file a complaint.

“Besides installing CCTV cameras, we have established the TPCC [Traffic Police Checkpoint Control] database to list all checkpoints in the areas to reduce an overlap,” Damrongsak added. “Commanding officers can use this database to easily check if there is any unauthorised checkpoints in their areas.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404320

‘Godzilla’ the obese macaque doing well in rehab

NationalMar 31. 2021Photo credit: Tusave S’anyser

By THE NATION

An obese macaque named “Godzilla” has taken the internet by storm after the animal was seized from its owner last week.

The monkey was displayed by its owner at a market in Bangkok’s Minburi district, where it ballooned to over 20 kilograms in weight after being fed junk food by passers-by. An average full-grown macaque weighs only 10 kilos.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) decided to seize Godzilla from its owner last Thursday, concerned that the primate would die from obesity.

Photo credit: Tusave S’anyser

The macaque is now being cared for at a DNP facility.

Its owner, Manop Aimsawan, told reporters that the animal was among three macaques left behind by their previous owner, a fellow vendor at the same market.

One had been killed by a car and the other by street dogs, leaving only Godzilla.

Manop said he contacted a government agency about the monkey, but the agency told him he could raise the animal as his pet despite the fact it was unregistered.

The monkey was then kept chained in the market, where passers-by fed it with fruit and other food. Inevitably,

Godzilla grew fatter and fatter.After the photos of the massive macaque went viral on social media, the DNP stepped in and transferred the animal to a wildlife conservation centre in Chachoengsao province.

Photo credit: Tusave S’anyser

The story should have ended there, since Godzilla’s owner acknowledged that keeping a macaque without a special permit is illegal.

Macaques are a protected species under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.

However, after the owner posted a message online saying he was missing Godzilla, social media users sympathised and called on the DNP to return the animal.

Today, the DNP updated its Facebook page with a message that the monkey was safe and eating healthy food at the wildlife conservation centre.

Photo credit: Tusave S’anyser

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404332

Hot, hazy day forecast for upper Thailand, thundershowers in South

NationalMar 31. 2021

By THE NATION

Upper Thailand will experience a hot to very hot day with haze, while some some areas will see thundershowers and gusty winds as southerly and southeasterly winds bring humidity from the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday, advising people to beware of the severe conditions.

The department also said an easterly wind prevails over the Gulf and the South, causing scattered thundershowers in the lower South.

Fom March 31-April 2, a low pressure cell over the Gulf of Bengal will move into the Andaman sea, bringing more rain to the South. Waves in the west coast will be more than 2 metres high during thundershowers.

Here’s the weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot day with haze; temperature lows of 27-28 degrees, highs of 35-39 degrees Celsius.

North: Hot to very hot day with haze and thundershowers along with gusty winds in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-28 degrees and highs of 37-40 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Hot to very day with haze and thundershowers along with gusty winds in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 22-27 degrees and highs of 38-40 degrees Celsius.

Central: Hot to very hot day with haze and thundershowers along with gusty winds in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 25-27 degrees, highs of 37-40 degrees Celsius.

East: Hot day with haze and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 25-28 degrees, highs of 33-39 degrees Celsius; waves less than a metre high and 1 metre during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 32-36 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area and heavy rains in some areas; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees, highs of 33-36 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404319

Cabinet approves plan to reopen Thailand for foreign tourists

NationalMar 30. 2021

By The Nation

Ministers at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting approved the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s plan to reopen the country with seven-day quarantine for foreign travellers.

The plan reduces the quarantine period to seven days for fully vaccinated tourists in Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya and Chiang Mai, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.

From July 1, vaccinated tourists can visit Phuket without undergoing quarantine.

From October 1, the quarantine measure will be lifted in Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.

According to the plan’s timeline, Thailand will lift all quarantine restrictions on foreign travellers next year, Anucha said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404314

Andaman Sea ‘closed’ for 3 months of spawning season

NationalMar 30. 2021

By The Nation

Annual fishing restrictions have been imposed off Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Trang on the Andaman coast from April 1 to June 30 to allow stocks to recover.

The Department of Fisheries said the restrictions – which cover net-mesh size, fishing methods and sea conditions – have been put in place for the Andaman spawning season. The spawning season peaks in May with an average density of 690 fish per 10 square metres.

Statistics show the restrictions have been successful, with the annual catch in the lower Andaman steadily increasing from 207,236 tonnes in 2017 to 290,035 tonnes in 2020, said the department. Moreover, regulations covering the mesh size of shrimp and crab nets have also protected seafood stocks by restricting the number of undersized animals being caught.

The fishing ban covers an area of ​​5,000sqkm, spanning Cape Panwa in Phuket province to Laem Yong Star in Trang province.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404312

How Mahidol’s Music College hit a high note and broke into world top 100

NationalMar 30. 2021

By THE NATION

Mahidol University’s College of Music has revealed the secrets of its success, after being named among the top 100 universities in the field of performing arts earlier this month.

Mahidol became the first Thai university listed among the global elite for performing arts in this year’s QS World University Rankings.

“Obtaining the rank is considered difficult to some extent but to hold and make it even better is a challenge for me, the college and Mahidol University,” said Prof Narong Prangcharoen, dean of the college.

“However, if we continually prepare and develop ourselves, maintaining standards is not difficult,” he added.

Narong is the first Thai composer to win the Charles Ives Fellowship in musical composition from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

He explained that the QS ranking uses two main criteria: Academic reputation and employee reputation.

The college sets out three key areas to build its academic reputation. Firstly, it has built recognition overseas by participating in international events arranged by the Pacific Alliance of Music Schools, the International Benchmarking Exercise and the International Council of Fine Arts Deans.

Secondly, it has built exchange programmes with music institutions abroad, including partnerships with leading Chinese music institutes, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Central Conservatory of Music the leading in China.

Thirdly, the college has adopted international standards and the European Music Quality Enhancement (MusiQuE) accreditation for bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes.

“This demonstrates the quality of teaching and learning of our institution and makes it known even more internationally,” Narong said.

“Also, as a composer, I have my followers following the work at Mahidol University in the knowledge that I returned to Thailand and took the role of administrator here.”

Narong studied in the US, where he was composer-in-residence for the prestigious Pacific Symphony in Orange County, California.