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Arnon named one of ‘Time 100 Next’ emerging leaders

NationalFeb 18. 2021

By THE NATION

Time magazine has named prominent Thai human-rights lawyer Arnon Nampa among its influential “Time 100 Next” list of emerging leaders who are shaping the future. Arnon is also one of the core leaders of the youth-led pro-democracy anti-government movement.

Time’s Charlie Campbell wrote: “Arnon has energised young Thais with his demands to strip political power from the historically sacrosanct royal family and shred the military-drafted constitution. As a result, he has been arrested three times in recent months and charged with sedition. But as Covid-19 continues to impact Thailand’s tourism-reliant economy, more young people are joining demonstrations that are already the biggest since the 2014 coup d’état, which experts say is pressuring the military-led government into a corner.”

Arnon told Time late last year that “people are sick and tired of living under a repressive regime”.

Arnon, along with three leaders of the pro-democracy movement – Parit Chiwarak, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk and Patiwat Saraiyam – is now being held at Bangkok Remand Prison in Chatuchak district.

The other individuals who have made the Time list include Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin; singer Dua Lipa; actor and former American footballer John David Washington; actor Regé-Jean Page; ‘Demon Slayer’ manga author Koyoharu Gotouge; and Amanda Gorman, the first person to be named a National Youth Poet Laureate.

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Public can now register until March 5 at GSB, BAAC for new cash-handout scheme

NationalFeb 18. 2021

By THE NATION

The Government Savings Bank (GSB) and the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) have joined Krungthai Bank in providing a registration service until March 5 for eligible candidates who want to avail of the government’s cash handout “RaoChana” (WeWin) campaign but do not own a smartphone, government deputy spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek wrote on her Facebook page on Wednesday.

Under the scheme, self-employed people, farmers and welfare cardholders whose savings do not exceed Bt500,000 will be given two monthly payments of Bt3,500 each in a bid to ease their financial burden during this Covid-19 crisis.

Registration could be done online, while people who do not have Internet access or a smartphone could register at Krungthai Bank nationwide, starting from February 15.

On Monday Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asked the Finance Ministry to extend the registration period for people who do not have a smartphone, after learning that Krungthai Bank branches nationwide were swamped with people, especially the elderly, waiting to register.

This has led to Krungthai Bank extending the deadline from February 25 to March 5.

“To reduce crowding at Krungthai Bank’s branches, the GSB and the BAAC will also set up registration booths at their branches nationwide starting next Monday [February 22],” Ratchada said.

“The Finance Ministry is confident that all qualified people will be able to register before March 5 to receive the handouts, while the money can be used at participating businesses until May 31,” she added.

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KResearch urges asset warehousing to protect Thai hotel operators

NationalFeb 18. 2021

By The Nation

Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch) has urged the government to use “asset warehousing” to protect hotel operators from the Covid-19 fallout.

The idea of asset warehousing was raised by the Thai Bankers’ Association last month as a way of managing finances of hoteliers who had curtailed or suspended operations.

The research house said the new virus outbreak had stalled recovery of the hotel business, which would take at least three years to return to normal.

The centre also cut its forecast of foreign tourist arrivals this year from 7 million to 4.5 million.

“Although a rise to 120 million domestic tourists is predicted this year, it cannot compensate for the loss of foreign tourists, who generate over Bt500 billion in revenue for hotel operators,” the centre said.

KResearch said at least 4,000 Thai hotels that rely on foreign tourists will be under pressure until the Covid-19 crisis is resolved.

“We believe that the government and financial institutions are seeking a solution to ensure that hotel operators will gain maximum benefits from the asset warehousing measure,” the centre added.

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Thai air traffic plummeted 40% in Jan after new outbreak

NationalFeb 18. 2021

By The Nation

Flights in January slumped by 40 per cent from December following the fresh Covid-19 outbreak, the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) said on Wednesday.

The agency said the second wave of Covid-19 caused airlines to adjust or cancel flights in line with tourism demand and virus-containment measures.

Air traffic volume in January totalled 23,536 flights. Of these, 5,244 were international flights, 10,170 domestic, 2,657 flights across Thai airspace and 5,465 military and government flights.

“Air traffic volume in January slumped by 15,970 flights or 40 per cent compared to December last year,” Aerothai said.

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Ratsadon leaders planning next protest after OAG delays case

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By The Nation
Photos by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

The Office of the Attorney General on Wednesday postponed an appointment with 18 Ratsadon pro-democracy protesters to March 8.

The protesters, including Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, Panupong “Mike” Jadnok, Jatupat “Pai” Boonpattararaksa, Chukiat “Justin” Saengwong, Attapon Buapat and Chaiamorn “Ammy” Kaewwiboonpa, were summoned to the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) on Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Road to hear charges over a rally held at Sanam Luang on September 19-20 last year. The charges include lese majeste and sedition.

Supporters who gathered to encourage the 18 protesters were met by a cordon of police at the OAG.

Both Panusaya and Panupong said they had faith in the fairness of the judiciary even though they had not been granted bail, adding that their anti-government protest was not over.

“We studied lessons from the violence during the protest in front of the Supreme Court on February 13, and we promise that security will be tightened at the next demonstration,” Panusaya said.

Meanwhile, the protesters’ lawyer, Kritsadang Nutcharat, said the OAG has also set an appointment date of March 25 for 13 protesters charged over a rally held at the Germany Embassy in October last year. 

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Thailand’s edible insects make leap into global market

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

The crunch of Thailand’s insect delicacies may soon be heard all around the world, after Mexico agreed to import Thai cricket products.

Mexico’s National Food Safety and Quality Service has approved the import of Thai house crickets (Acheta domesticus) in the form of powder, reports the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS).

“Mexico’s approval … is the first step for Thai edible insects to penetrate the global market,” said ACFS secretary-general Pisal Pongsapich.

Pisal Pongsapich

He said Mexico’s decision came on February 12 after talks with Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, ACFS, the Department of Livestock Development, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Los Angeles, which has been actively promoting Thai edible insects in foreign markets.

To meet Mexican food standards, crickets must be raised on a closed farm with GAP (good agricultural practice) accreditation.

“Consumers in Latin America are already familiar with eating insects as food or snacks, while the Mexican market could serve as a gateway to North American markets for Thai cricket farmers,” said Pisal.

He added that farmers interested in obtaining certificates of export standards should contact the Bureau of Livestock Standards and Certification at the Livestock Development Office in their province, or the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards.

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Thais in Myanmar urged to follow new laws under junta regime

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By The Nation

The Thai Embassy in Yangon said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that all Thai nationals living in the country should observe Myanmar’s revised laws.

The post said that Thais who wish to shift house must inform the ward or village-tract administrators as per the Ward and Village Tract Administration Law, which was amended on February 13.

The embassy also said people should think before sharing messages, images or video clips as they may violate Myanmar’s Criminal Code, which was revised on Valentine’s Day.

“Thais should also avoid going to areas where protests are being held,” the embassy warned.

According to Bloomberg, Brig-General Zaw Min Tun, the lead spokesman for the State Administration Council, said on Tuesday the military’s action was in line with the 2008 charter and was “not a coup”. He said the regime was taking steps to fight Covid-19 and wanted to attract foreign investment. The new administration also sought to discredit protesters by releasing clips of them getting violent with security officials.

“To ensure democracy and prosperity, people should cooperate with us without being emotional,” Zaw Min Tun said in the military’s first official press briefing since the February 1 coup. He said the junta would proceed with an election according to its timeline while “trying not to be violent as much as possible”.

The remarks signal Myanmar’s army is looking to improve its image after tens of thousands of people have hit the streets in defiance for more than a week, drawing support from democracy activists in Asia and Western governments.

US President Joe Biden sanctioned coup leader Min Aung Hlaing and other top generals while foreign investors have reassessed plans to put money in the country.

Zaw Min Tun said the generals expected sanctions and dismissed their impact, saying it had experience of such things when Myanmar faced international isolation prior to its shift toward democracy a decade ago.

“We will make sure to keep good terms with the UN and all the countries,” he said. “Our council is trying to strengthen ties with all countries.”

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Minister urges Thais to use Clubhouse app ‘carefully’

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

The Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES) is calling on youngsters to be careful when using the “Clubhouse” social-media app, because they may end up involuntarily violating the law.

Clubhouse, an exclusive social-networking app, is suddenly all the rage among Thai netizens. This application became popular because it was launched during the Covid-19 outbreak when most people were forced to stay at home.

Its trendiness was also pushed by celebrity users such as Elon Musk, Jared Leto, Kanye West – and exiled Thai scholar Pavin Chachavalpongpun.

DES Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said he has learned that some political groups are using this voice-only app to “share fake news”, which is allegedly causing problems in society.

He warned people not to misuse the app unless they want to be charged with violating the Computer Crime Act.

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Mekong levels still falling in Thailand after China dam shut-off

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

Mekong River levels in northern Thailand are continuing to drop after China halted release of water from its Jinghong Dam in Yunnan.

The level of the Mekong in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Saen district has fallen from 2.5 metres to 1.84 metres over the past week (February 10-17).

Thai officials told the press they received no warning of the water situation from Jinghong Dam in Yunnan’s Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, about 400 kilometres upstream from Chiang Saen.

It is suspected that Thailand was given no warning about the drop in Mekong levels, since Chinese authorities have now closed the port in Xishuangbanna and few boats are travelling upstream from Chiang Saen to China.

Last Friday, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) said that water levels had dropped considerably since the beginning of the year due to lower rainfall, flow changes upstream, hydropower operations in Mekong tributaries, and outflow restrictions from Jinghong Dam.

On January 2-4, water levels at the Chiang Saen monitoring station plunged by about 1 metre.

Since then, levels at Chiang Saen have fluctuated wildly, rising and falling in a range of over half a metre. Downstream, the fluctuation between Chiang Khan in Thailand’s Loei and Vientiane in Laos has been even more severe, with the river rising and falling over a range of 0.82 metres.

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175 new cases reported, 74 in Pathum Thani alone

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Tuesday reported 175 new cases, including seven returnees from overseas who are in quarantine facilities.

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said the most cases, or 74, were found through proactive testing in Pathum Thani and were mostly related to main provincial markets, namely Suchart, Rangsit and Pornpat.

Meanwhile, of the returnees, five were Thai, including two from the United Arab Emirates, one from Myanmar and two from Japan. The remaining two were a Chinese national from the UK and a Kyrgyz from Austria.

Separately, 134 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 24,961, of which 22,304 had been contracted locally, including the 14,152 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,657 were returnees.

So far, 23,697 patients have recovered and been discharged, 1,182 patients are still under treatment, while the death toll remains at 82.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 110.03 million (up by 342,151), 84.87 million have recovered, 22.74 million are being treated with 97,231 are in severe condition and 2.42 million have died (up by 9,777).

Thailand ranks 114th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 28.38 million, followed by India with 10.93 million, Brazil 9.92 million, Russia 4.09 million and the United Kingdom 4.05 million.