Tag Archives: 2561(2018)

Alert sounded on need for adequate retirement savings amid ageing trend

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Alert sounded on need for adequate retirement savings amid ageing trend

Economy December 21, 2018 01:00

By   PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT
THE NATION

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THAILAND’S ageing population will become a serious problem for the Kingdom if its people do not start making long-term investments to prepare for their retirement, warns Rapee Sucharitakul, secretary-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission |(SEC).

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has a market cap of up to 115 per cent of the nation’s GDP, he says, and “is one of the largest and most advanced stock market systems in the Asean region and globally”.

However, only 3.5 million Thais are registered in the stock market, a small fraction of the total population of approximately 69 million.

Rapee was speaking at the “Structure of Thai Stocks, Will it Plummet or Continue to Grow?” event, organised by Krungthep Turakij, a sister newspaper to The Nation.

Thailand’s population is rapidly ageing, with up to 17.1 per cent of Thailand’s population now seniors. As a proportion of the total population, this places Thailand’s elderly as the second highest in the Asean region, behind Singapore with 19.6 per cent and ahead of Vietnam with 11.1 per cent, he said.

“This not only increases the tax burden on the younger population as the number of taxpayers fall, but also leads to a financial problem |for the elderly population,” Rapee said.

Savings accounts in banks and purchasing government bonds will not suffice as a financial retirement plan, as the increase in their value over time from interest may not compensate for inflation. The interest-based approach would over time reduce the net wealth of individuals, he said.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general added that the average return from investing in stocks is at 10 per cent, making it a more viable option for long-term investment for retirement.

“For this reason, the SEC and SET have been introducing new programmes and initiatives to encourage more Thais to start making long-term investments in the stock market,” he said.

For example, the Supervision and Provident Fund Management programme aims to offer a life path-oriented plan for its members.

“The plan will adjust the members’ portfolios automatically and appropriately according to their age. It would change the nature of investments as members’ approach closer to retirement,” Repee explained.

The SEC has also launched “Wealth Advice for All” as another long-term investment service for the public.

It was kick-started at the beginning of this year and is now picking up steam, with up to 170 listed companies cooperating with the SEC to provide wealth advice, he said.

The service aims to provide the public with financial advice and financial planning as well as |promote the use of financial technology (fintech) as both a business tool and assistance for personal financial planning, said Rapee.

“Most Thais receive inadequate financial advice from banks as banks tend to only offer constant and flexible financial advice to private wealth investors. This is due to the lack of human resources to offer detailed financial advice [targeted for the personal situation of each] bank client,” he said.

“Hence, most Thais are misinformed about how to most effectively invest their capital. The ‘Wealth Advice for All’ project aims to address this, focusing on giving advice about long-term and sustainable investments for the public,” he explained.

BORDER TRADE TIPPED TO GROW 4% IN 2019

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BORDER TRADE TIPPED TO GROW 4% IN 2019

Economy December 21, 2018 01:00

By The Nation

The International Institute for Trade and Development forecasts that Thailand’s border trade will see growth of 4 per cent in 2019 compared with this year, reflecting sustained demand for Thai products from neighbouring countries, the institute’s director and secretary, Kamalinne Pinitphuvadol, said yesterday.

He said that from January to August this year, the border trade was recorded at Bt742.27 billion, up 4.33 per cent from the same period of last year. The figures represented the value of border trade with Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, he said.

Trade war to sap Thai growth

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Trade war to sap Thai growth

Economy December 21, 2018 01:00

By   THE NATION

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THE US-China trade war is expected to shrink Thai export growth by 0.5-1.9 per cent next year, while Thai SMEs should prepare to cope with the likely influx of Chinese products into Asean, including Thailand, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

Aat Pisanwanich, director of UTCC’s Centre for International Trade Studies, said the trade spat is expected to lower global gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.1-0.5 per cent with China suffering the heaviest loss , followed by the United States, the European Union, Japan and South Korea.

Thailand is projected to account for 0.2 per cent of the world’s estimated loss from the trade sanctions and the value of Thai export is expected to decline by US$1.18-$4.43 billion or a drop of 0.5-1.9 per |cent.

The US-China trade war, which started on January 22, 2017, was triggered by the the US trade deficit with China and accusations of China’s violation of intellectual property rights.

The US trade deficit with China widened from US$35.95 billion in January 2018 to $43.10 billion in October with its exports to China falling from $9.83 billion to $9.13 billion. Meanwhile, US shipments to China increased from $38.26 billion to $52.23 billion.

Based on the centre’s study on the trade war, Thailand’s export has not been adversely affected. Thai export edged up from $20.46 billion in January to $21.41 billion in October this year,

Thai shipments to the US also rose from $2.19 billion in January to $2.44 billion in October, led by chemicals, plastic products and textiles. However, Thai shipments of ready-to-eat food, furniture, leather and leather products, and processed fruits to the US declined.

Meanwhile, Thai shipments to China climbed from $2.44 billion in January to $2.63 billion in October, led by processed fruits, chemical and plastic products. However, Thai exports of medical equipment, rubber, wood and automobiles and parts to China posted a decrease.

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Amid the US-China trade spat, total Thai export fell by $351-$597 million or 0.1-0.2 per cent this year.

Based on the study, China and the US are expected to export more to Thailand while Thai shipments to China and the US will also rise, Anat said .

Given the expected drop in trade between US and China and lower Thai exports due to the country being a part of the Chinese |supply chains, Thai export is expected to expand in a range of 6.1-7.5 per cent to $271.41-$274.99 billion next year.

As a result of the trade war, China is expected to export 1-4.4 per cent more to the Asean market .

Aat said that Thai SMEs should take cautions and be prepared to cope with the likely influx of Chinese products into Thailand, adding that Asean countries may have to trade more with each other.

However, foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to flow into Thailand, particularly the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), he said. It will also present an opportunity for technology transfers.

Montri Socatiyanurak, a professor at National Institute of Development Adminstration, said impact from the ongoing US-China trade war on Thailand have affected the country’s supply chains as Thailand produces upstream products and exports them to China. Such products extend from computer, electronics and rubber-made furniture parts.

Indirectly, Thailand is expected to see lower purchasing power in China and the US and there could be impact on products which are not yet included in the list for higher tariffs , he said.

However, if the US-China trade war is prolonged, both may relocate their manufacturing bases to other countries, including Thailand and Vietnam, he said.

China has a free trade agreement with Asean and if Thailand accelerates investment in infrastructure, it will be easier for foreign companies to invest in the country, he said.

Increase in interest rate to hit consumers next year

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Increase in interest rate to hit consumers next year

Economy December 21, 2018 01:00

By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT,
WICHIT CHAITRONG
THE NATION

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THE Bank of Thailand (BOT) is likely to implement a modest interest rate hike again next year, and financial experts predicted that those feeling the pinch will be mortgage holders.

The warning came from experts at the central bank, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and Phatra Securities.

For the first time in seven years, the BOT hiked the interest rate by 0.25 per cent on Wednesday, boosting it from 1.5 to 1.75 per cent.

“If economic growth remains strong in 2019 and inflation levels are maintained, I believe the BOT will increase interest rates once more in 2019,” BOT senior director Don Nakornthab said.

He was speaking at a panel discussion, “Structure of Thai Stocks: Will They Plummet or Continue to Grow?”, organised by The Nation’s sister newspaper Krungthep Turakij.

The central bank has predicted that Thailand’s GDP will grow by 4 per cent in 2019 with 1 per cent inflation.

Don said one of the key risks in raising the interest rate again in 2019 is its likely impact on inflation. However, he added, general economic growth takes precedence over inflation, and if the former remains strong, the BOT is likely to hike the rate next year, though it is unlikely to do so more than once.

This is in line with a forecast from SCB’s Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC).

“We expect the BOT to increase interest rates in 2019,” concurred Yunyong Thaicharoen, first executive vice president and chief of the EIC. However, he said, the 2019 rate hike will be modest compared to the past two economic cycles. Previously, interest rates were often increased by 1 or 2 per cent but, given the slower economic growth expected in 2019 and low inflation due to falling oil prices, SCB expected the BOT to only hike the interest rate modestly, Yunyong said.

The biggest risk factor to the economy from the rate increase will be the impact it has on people who are in debt, he said.

“Household debt in Thailand poses a significant risk to the economy. The total value of household debt in the country now makes up 80 per cent of GDP,” Yunyong warned. “So even the slightest increase by the BOT may significantly increase the financial burden on consumers.”

Piphat Luengnaruemitchai, assistant managing director of Private Wealth Management Research at Phatra Securities, called hikes in interest rates “a double-edged sword”.

“While higher interest rates will discourage households from borrowing more, it will also hurt those who are already in debt. The number of debtors has been on the rise in recent years,” he said.

In a separate interview, Chatchai Sirilai, president of the Government Housing Bank (GHB), said his bank would do its best not to increase interest rates this year.

“We will wait to see the market in the first quarter of next year. If other banks increase their interest rates, we will have to follow the market trend because our funding costs will rise,” he said. However, he added, the bank will increase both lending and depositing rates to strike a balance.

He also said that, if GHB does decide to increase the interest rate, it would be only half of the BOT rate increase this year – no more than 0.125 per cent. He added that GHB would try to avoid increasing monthly instalments, though borrowers might find themselves having to repay debts over a longer period. However, he warned that some commercial banks could be forced to increase monthly instalments.

Chatchai added that GHB expects mortgage loans to rise by 7 per cent to Bt210 billion this fiscal year, though he admitted that higher interest rate trends next year and BOT measures to curb speculation might adversely affect mortgage lending next year.

Meanwhile, Chatchai Payuhanaveechai, president of Government Savings Bank, said his bank will increase interest rates for time deposits by 0.25 per cent from December 24. The previous time-deposit rates lie between 0.90 per cent and 2 per cent.

As for lending rates, he said, his bank would try to delay the increase for as long as it can.

Those who have taken loans on fixed rates should not be affected, while at least half of the 300,000 mortgage holders whose loans are on floating rates should not be affected for the time being, he said. Small business operators who have borrowed at a fixed rate of between 0.5 and 1 per cent will also not be affected for now, he added.

Boxer Stevenson out of coma girlfriend says

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Oleksandr Gvozdyk (R) fights with Adonis Stevenson during their WBC light heavyweight championship fight at the Videotron Center in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada on December 1, 2018.
Oleksandr Gvozdyk (R) fights with Adonis Stevenson during their WBC light heavyweight championship fight at the Videotron Center in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada on December 1, 2018.

Boxer Stevenson out of coma girlfriend says

sports December 23, 2018 07:46

By AFP

Former light-heavyweight world champion Adonis Stevenson has come out of a coma three weeks after a knockout loss to Oleksandr Gvozdyk, the fighter’s girlfriend said Saturday.

Simone “Sisi” God, issued a statement via social media saying the fighter was awake.

“Despite recent reports being leaked to media, I wanted to clarify that Adonis is awake,” God said. “He is healing from his injury in the private company of his family and his dedicated medical team.”

Boxing promoter Yvon Michel said on Thursday that Stevenson was still in a medically induced coma and on life support.

“He still needs mechanical assistance to breathe, and he has not regained consciousness,” Michel said. “When we visit him, we cannot stay with him for long, and the doctors do not venture an opinion on what lies ahead.”

God’s statement gave no indication of when Stevenson emerged from a coma. A spokesman for University Hospital of Quebec, contacted by AFP, said he was unable to confirm Stevenson’s condition.

Michel posted on Twitter Saturday saying “Great News” adding that he had spoken with God and “things have evolved enormously”.

Stevenson, a 41-year-old Canadian fighter of Haitian descent, was helped to the dressing room after losing the World Boxing Council crown in his 10th title defence over five years.

After unbeaten 31-year-old Gvozdyk finished him off with a crushing right hand that left Stevenson leaning awkwardly against the ropes, Stevenson was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

Doctors aid he suffered “severe traumatic brain injury” that required neurosurgery.

Man City stunned by Palace as Solskjaer works Man Utd magic

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Crystal Palace's English midfielder Andros Townsend (L) beats Manchester City's English midfielder Fabian Delph (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Crystal Palace’s English midfielder Andros Townsend (L) beats Manchester City’s English midfielder Fabian Delph (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

Man City stunned by Palace as Solskjaer works Man Utd magic

sports December 23, 2018 07:41

By AFP

Manchester City handed the initiative in the Premier League title race to Liverpool after slipping to a shock home defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began his reign as Manchester United manager with a buccaneering 5-1 win.

Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to Leicester in another surprise result, with Jamie Vardy’s winner allowing Arsenal to move level on points with their fourth-place London rivals after a 3-1 win over Burnley.

United are eight points back in the race for a top-four finish as goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and a Jesse Lingard double in the Welsh capital meant that for once this season it was a good day for the red half of Manchester.

Liverpool opened up a four-point lead at the top with a highly impressive 2-0 win at Wolves on Friday to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign.

And City failed to cut the gap as they dropped points at home for the first time this season in a 3-2 defeat at the Etihad despite going ahead through Ilkay Gundogan’s header.

Jeffrey Schlupp levelled for Palace against the run of play just after the half-hour mark and two minutes later Andros Townsend thumped a stunning volley into the top corner from well outside the area.

Pep Guardiola summoned Sergio Aguero from the bench soon after the break but City had a mountain to climb when Kyle Walker chopped down Max Meyer and Luka Milivojevic dispatched the resulting penalty.

“We cannot concede the penalty we conceded,” said Guardiola. “We have to try and avoid it. Football is like this. Three shots on goal and three goals.”

Kevin De Bruyne was also thrown on to try and turn the game around and his intended cross that flew in off the post brought City back into the game five minutes from time.

But despite incessant pressure, the champions could not find an equaliser, handing Liverpool a huge boost ahead of their trip to City on January 3.

“You don’t produce that sort of performance by waving a magic wand or having a five-minute team talk,” said Palace boss Roy Hodgson. “There’s a lot of work that goes into that structure and we were excellent.”

 

– Man Utd transformed –

 

The axe finally fell on Jose Mourinho’s time in charge of United on Tuesday with the 20-time champions 19 points off the top after just 17 games and the decision to sack the Portuguese was justified by a transformation in performance from the side beaten 3-1 at Liverpool last weekend.

Paul Pogba was restored to the starting line-up and played a role in all of the visitors’ first three goals as Rashford’s free-kick, a deflected long-range strike from Herrera and a brilliant team goal finished off by Martial put United in command before half-time.

Both sides benefited from dubious penalty calls as Victor Camarasa briefly halved Cardiff’s deficit in the first half before Lingard made it 4-1 after the break.

And another defence-splitting pass from Pogba freed Lingard to round off the scoring a minute from time.

Solskjaer, famous for the scoring the winner for United in the dramatic 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, is refusing to give up on a top-four spot and spoke of his pride at taking the helm as caretaker manager.

“We’re eight points behind — our job is to take one game at a time,” he said. “We always play well in the second half of the season, we always do.”

United scored five goals in a Premier League game for the first time since Alex Ferguson’s final match in May 2013.

“They are good players, they are very good players, talented players,” Solskjaer said. “They’ve approached the game properly, worked hard. A Man Utd team should never be outworked.”

Chelsea’s first defeat at Stamford Bridge under Maurizio Sarri allowed Arsenal pull level on 37 points after two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 3-1 win against Burnley, taking him to a league-best 12 for the season.

Mesut Ozil made his return to Unai Emery’s starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since November 11 and helped set up Aubameyang’s opener.

Watford moved up to seventh by beating West Ham 2-0 while Bournemouth are eighth as David Brooks’s double beat 10-man Brighton 2-0.

Southampton’s upturn in fortunes under Ralph Hasenhuettl continued with a 3-1 win at Huddersfield.

And Fulham remain rooted to the foot of the table despite avoiding defeat on the road for just the second time this season in a 0-0 draw at Newcastle.

Solskjaer makes instant impact as Man Utd thrash Cardiff

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Manchester United's Norwegian caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between between Cardiff City and Manchester United at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales.
Manchester United’s Norwegian caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between between Cardiff City and Manchester United at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales.

Solskjaer makes instant impact as Man Utd thrash Cardiff

sports December 23, 2018 07:37

By AFP

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted having “good players” was the key to his instant impact as Manchester United caretaker manager in a 5-1 thumping of Cardiff on Saturday.

Not since Alex Ferguson’s final game in charge in 2013 had United scored five goals in a single Premier League game and the Red Devils looked a side transformed from the turgid football of Jose Mourinho’s final days in charge.

“They are very good players, talented players, they’ve approached the game properly and worked hard. A Man Utd team should never be outworked,” said Solskjaer.

The Norwegian has been put in charge until the end of the season after Mourinho was sacked on Tuesday and could not have asked for a better start in the Welsh capital.

As well as getting Solskjaer off to a flying start, victory also sees United crucially close the gap on the Premier League top four to eight points thanks to Chelsea’s 1-0 home defeat by Leicester earlier in the day.

“We’re eight points behind, so our job is to take one game at a time,” added Solskjaer.

“We always play well in the second half of the season.”

Paul Pogba was forced to watch the full 90 minutes from the bench last weekend as Liverpool inflicted the final blow to Mourinho’s time in charge with a 3-1 win that left United 19 points off the top after just 17 games.

The French World Cup-winner was restored from the start for the first time in four league games and looked far more like the player United splashed a then world-record £89 million ($113 million) on in 2016 than the one that clashed with his former boss off the field and disappointed on it for much of the past two seasons.

 

– ‘Nothing like’ United this season –

 

“The performance of the team was great and we are happy that the first game of the manager starts like this,” said Pogba. “It’s important now to carry on like that.

“We can not play like this and win with five goals and then the next game lose.”

The visiting fans enthusiastically chanted Solskjaer’s name throughout and were enjoying their side moving the ball around with a speed and accuracy more reminiscent of his days as a player at Old Trafford when United dominated English football.

“It’s nothing like they have been playing,” said Cardiff boss Neil Warnock. “We expected that from the teamsheet.”

Pogba was at the heart of United’s best work and having been fouled for the free-kick leading to Marcus Rashford’s opener, his intelligent pass picked out Ander Herrera, whose shot flicked off Greg Cunningham to loop over the helpless Neil Etheridge to make it 2-0 inside half an hour.

If Solskjaer’s side were fortunate then, it was Cardiff who got a break nine minutes later when the assistant referee adjudged Rashford to have handled rather than control the ball with his shoulder inside the area.

Victor Camarasa’s perfectly-taken penalty could have sparked a collapse for a team short on confidence in recent times.

Instead, United responded resoundingly with a fantastic team goal as a quick interchange of passes between Pogba and Jesse Lingard freed Anthony Martial to score his ninth goal of the season.

Lingard took responsibility from the spot just before the hour mark after another soft penalty was awarded for a foul by Sol Bamba on the England international.

And Lingard was the beneficiary of another defence-splitting pass from Pogba a minute from time as he rounded Etheridge and slotted into an empty net.

Thailand take 10-6 lead over Japan into final day

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Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ariya Jutanugarn (Photo credit to Naratip Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images)
Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ariya Jutanugarn (Photo credit to Naratip Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images)

Thailand take 10-6 lead over Japan into final day

sports December 22, 2018 18:55

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam
The Nation

Chonburi – Hosts Thailand will head into Sunday’s singles competition with a 10-6  lead over Japan after completing their foursomes and fourballs duel in the Amata Friendship Cup at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chon Buri on Saturday.

Thongchai Jaidee and Pornanong Phatlum (Photo credit to Naratip Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images)

Thailand, with a 5-3 lead after Friday’s play, won the morning’s foursomes 3-1 and drew 2-2 with the visitors in the afternoon’s fourballs as a huge crowd finally turned out for the inaugural mixed team golf event.

In the morning’s foursomes, the Kingdom conceded the first point when Thongchai Jaidee and Thidapa Suwannapura lost to Masahiro Kawamura and Erika Hara 2&3. This was the third point the 19-year-old Hara has won for her country.

“I am really enjoying the competition. This is my first overseas trip, so I’m really happy,” said the Japanese teenager who only turned professional this year.

Thailand fought back when long-time friends Ariya Jutanugarn and young gun Jazz Janewattananond fired six birdies with no bogeys to beat PGA Tour RBC Heritage’s champion Satoshi Kodaira   and Sakura Koiwai 7&5.

“We got along very well and had the same game plan. We hit our shots first and fixed things up later. We were playing unbelievably, while the Japanese team could not bring their best form,” said the 23-year-old Jazz, from Hua Hin.

“Actually Ariya and I have been friends since the junior years. She has improved a lot and is probably the best player in the world right now. I’ve got to learn from her and from Satoshi who is PGA Tour champion.  I realised I have plenty of room to improve,” said the two-time Asian Tour champion.

Ariya also saw tremendous change in her old friend, winner of the 2017 Bangladesh Open and July’s Queen’s Cup.

“Jazz was playing so well that he could have played alone without me. He’s improved so much from the old days,” said two-time Major champion Ariya.

Thailand won the seventh point from amateur Sadom Kaewkanjana and Women’s British Open runner-up Pornanong Phatlum after they outclassed Yuto Katsuragawa and Mami Fukuda 6&5.

“I hit tee shots and approach shots most of the time on the front nine and left Pornanong to take care of the putts. She made great putts from everywhere on the greens,” said the 20-year-old Sadom who will turn professional after this tournament.

Jazz Janewattananond (Photo credit to Naratip Srisupab/SEALs Sports Images)

Prom Meesawat and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras wrapped up the morning’s session with another win for the home team, beating Ryuko Tokimatsu and Nasa Hataoka 1 up.

In the afternoon’s fourballs, it looked like Thailand would take full control again before two-time Japan Tour winner Kodai Ichihara and Mami Fukuda, ranked No 118 on the LPGA Tour,  fought back from one down after 15 holes to beat three-time Asian Tour No 1 Thongchai Jaidee and  Pornanong 1 up.

Thailand had to be content with two points from Jazz and Thai No 2 Moriya Jutanugarn and from Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ariya. Jazz and Moriya ousted Masahiro Kawamura and Fumika Kawagishi 2&1. Jazz is the only Thai player to win all three matches he played.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ariya produced the 10th point for the home team, beating Satoshi Kodaira  and Nasa Hataoka 2&1 in the group that draw the biggest crowd of the day.

In the last match, Prayad Marksaeng and Atthaya Thitikul were no match for the red-hot Hideko Tanihara and Yuri Yoshida who relied on their sharp putts to win 5&3.

A total of 12 points are up for grabs in Sunday’s singles, with the first nation to earn 14.5 points clinching the trophy. Despite a four-point lead, Thai captains Boonchu Ruangkit and Virada Nirapathpongporn don’t consider they are in the driver’s seats.

“Japanese players are quite strong physically, especially the women. But Thai players are fighters. There will be exciting battles on Sunday,” said Boonchu, 62.

Erika Hara 

Virada , the first Thai player to earn a full card on the LPGA Tour, said: “There’s no guarantee at this point as this is match-play competition. The momentum can shift anytime. All of the Japanese players putt well so they can be dangerous on Sunday.”

“We were leading but for the singles competition, the Japanese women hit further except for Ariya. Even if one side is three up, the other will still fight back and put up a fight until the end.

Japanese captain Joe Ozaki still believes his side can turn things around.

Even though we’ve fallen behind, it’s not a big lead. We still have plenty of points available to come back in the competition. Japan has good teamwork and will try hard to win.”

Saturday Foursomes

Thailand 3, Japan 1

Thongchai Jaidee and Thidapa Suwannapura lost to Masahiro Kawamura and Erika Hara 2&3

Prom Meesawat and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras beat Ryuko Tokimatsu and Nasa Hataoka 1 up, followed lop-sided wins

Jazz Janewattananond and Ariya Jutanugarn beat Satoshi Kodaira  and Sakura Koiwai 7&5

Sadom Kaewkanjana and Pornanong Phatlum beat Yuto Katsuragawa and Mami Fukuda 6&5

Saturday Fourballs

Thailand 2, Japan 2

Jazz Janewattananond and Moriya Jutanugarn beat Masahiro Kawamura and Fumika Kawagishi 2&1

Thongchai Jaidee and Pornanong Phatlum lost to Kodai Ichihara and Mami Fukuda 1 down

Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ariya Jutanugarn beat  Satoshi Kodaira  and Nasa Hataoka 2&1

Prayad Marksaeng and Atthaya Thitikul lost to Hideko Tanihara and Yuri Yoshida 3&5

‘Volcano’ tsunami kills at least 43 in Indonesia (Photos)

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ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/asean-plus/30360974

  • Photo : National disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho’s twitter.
  • A handout photo made available by the Indonesia’s national disaster management shows a ruined car that was rolled over after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait, in Anyer, Banten, Indonesia on December 23.//EPA-EFE
  • A handout photo made available by the Indonesia’s national disaster management (BNPB) shows the ruins of a house after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait in Banten, Indonesia on December 23.//EPA-EFE
  • A handout photo made available by BNPB shows displaced people taking gathering at a makeshift shelter after a tsunami hit Sunda Strait, in Anyer, Banten, Indonesia on December 23.//EPA-EFE
  • A long exposure photo shows lava erupting from Mount Anak Krakatau volcano as seen from Rakata Island in Lampung province, Indonesia, 19 July 2018 (reissued 23 December 2018). //EPA-EFE
  • A plume of ash erupts from Mount Anak Krakatau volcano as seen from Rakata Island in Lampung province, Indonesia, 18 July 2018 (reissued 23 December 2018). //EPA-EFE
  • Photo : National disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho’s twitter.

‘Volcano’ tsunami kills at least 43 in Indonesia (Photos)

Breaking News December 23, 2018 07:27

By AFP

Carita, Indonesia – At least 43 people have been killed and nearly 600 injured in a tsunami in Indonesia that may have been caused by a volcano known as the “child” of the legendary Krakatoa, officials said Sunday.

Hundreds of buildings were destroyed by the wave, which hit beaches without warning in South Sumatra and the western tip of Java about 9.30 pm local time (1430 GMT) on Saturday, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement.

At least 43 people died and 584 people were injured across three regions.

Authorities say the tsunami may have been triggered by an abnormal tidal surge due to a new moon and an underwater landslide following the eruption of Anak Krakatoa, which forms a small island in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.

“The combination caused a sudden tsunami that hit the coast,” Nugroho said, but added that Indonesia’s geological agency was working to ascertain exactly how it happened.

He added that the death toll would likely increase.

Video footage posted to social media by Nugroho showed panicked residents clutching flashlights and fleeing for higher ground.

Indonesian authorities initially claimed the wave was not a tsunami, but instead a tidal surge and urged the public not to panic.

Nugroho later apologised for the mistake on Twitter, saying because there was no earthquake it had been difficult to ascertain the cause of the incident early on.

“If there is an initial error we’re sorry,” he wrote.

– ‘It went dark’ –

The wave swamped parts of the coast around the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra island, but was most damaging in Pandeglang district, on Java’s western tip, where 33 people died and 491 people were injured.

At Carita beach, a popular day-tripping spot on the west coast of Java, 15-year-old Muhammad Bintang described a sudden surge of water that plunged the tourist spot into darkness.

“We arrived at 9 pm for our holiday and suddenly the water came — it went dark, the electricity is off,” he told AFP.

“It’s messy outside and we still cannot access the road.”

In Lampung province, on the other side of the strait, Lutfi Al Rasyid said he fled the beach in Kalianda city in fear for his life.

“I could not start my motorbike so I left it and I ran… I just prayed and ran as far as I could,” the 23 year old told AFP

Although relatively rare, submarine volcanic eruptions can cause tsunamis due to the sudden displacement of water or slope failure, according to the International Tsunami Information Centre.

Anak Krakatoa is a small volcanic island that emerged from the ocean half a century after Krakatoa’s deadly 1883 eruption.

When Krakatoa erupted in the 19th century, a jet of ash, stones and smoke shot more than 20 kilometres (12 miles) into the sky, plunging the region into darkness, and sparking a huge tsunami that was felt around the world.

The disaster killed more than 36,000 people.

Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, where tectonic plates collide and a large portion of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

Most recently in the city of Palu on Sulawesi island a quake and tsunami killed thousands of people.

In 2004 a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.3 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia killed 220,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean, including 168,000 in Indonesia.

Anak Krakatoa is one of 127 active volcanoes which run the length of the archipelago.

France’s ‘yellow vests’ block borders ahead of Christmas

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ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/asean-plus/30360969

A protester holds a burning flare during a road blocking demonstration by "Yellow Vest" (Gilets jaunes) anti-government protesters in Ifs, northwestern France, on the ring of the city of Caen, on December 22, 2018./AFP
A protester holds a burning flare during a road blocking demonstration by “Yellow Vest” (Gilets jaunes) anti-government protesters in Ifs, northwestern France, on the ring of the city of Caen, on December 22, 2018./AFP

France’s ‘yellow vests’ block borders ahead of Christmas

Breaking News December 23, 2018 01:00

By Agence France-Presse
Paris

Three days from Christmas, French “yellow vests” turned out in small numbers for a sixth Saturday of protests in cities and border points as a fatal road accident brought the death toll to 10 since the movement began last month.

Near the border between France and Spain hundreds of protesters disrupted traffic as they gathered around an autoroute toll booth.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the “yellow vests” who retreated to a bridge, throwing objects on the road, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

“The autoroute is now being cleaned to allow traffic to resume normally,” local authorities said.

France borders the Catalan region of Spain, and the French protesters were joined by dozens of Catalan pro-independence activists, also wearing yellow vests.

The separatists often block highways to protest against Madrid’s rejection of Catalonia’s independence referendum in October 2017.

Even though their goals are different, “this demonstration at the Boulou (toll booth) is symbolic, it shows the solidarity between the Spanish Catalans and the French,” said Marcel, a 49-year-old winegrower.

Roadblocks by protesters were also reported on autoroutes near the border with Italy and at a bridge in Strasbourg near the German border.

A driver died overnight when his car slammed into the back of a truck stopped at a roadblock set up by “yellow vest” protesters at an autoroute entrance in Perpignan on the Mediterranean coast, prosecutor Jean-Jacques Fagni told AFP.

There have now been 10 deaths related to the protests since they began on November 17.

– Macron effigy –

In Paris, the scene of violent clashes during previous demonstrations, around 800 protesters joined rallies scattered around the city, police said at mid-day.

But the French capital’s iconic Champs-Elysees avenue was calm, with most shops except for some luxury boutiques open for business in the busy weekend before Christmas.

David Delbruyere, 48, was one of about 20 protesters near the Arch of Triumph, the fifth time he has come to the French capital for a demonstration as he remains “disgusted” with conditions in France.

Paris police said 65 people had been arrested, including a “yellow vest” leader, Eric Drouet.

Authorities were also stationed at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris which has been closed to visitors over fears of unrest.

A Facebook event organised by Drouet had listed thousands of people “interested” in joining the Versailles demonstration but only around 60 have shown up.

Further demonstrations of several hundred “yellow vests” were reported in Lyon, Marseille, Rouen and Bordeaux.

And in Angouleme in southwest France, a puppet effigy of President Emmanuel Macron was decapitated Friday night during a “yellow vest” protest, regional authorities said Saturday.

Meanwhile, police stepped in with tear gas to disperse around 80 protesters who had gathered Saturday outside Macron’s home in the Channel coast town of Touquet.

The number of protesters has however fallen significantly since last week, when Macron, a pro-business centrist, gave in to some of their demands.

Since the peak on November 17 with 282,000 demonstrators, the turnout has fallen to 166,000 on November 24, 136,000 on the first and eighth of December and 66,000 on December 15.

The movement characterised by the high-visibility yellow vests worn by the protesters originally started as a protest about planned fuel tax hikes, but has morphed into a widespread demonstration against Macron’s policies and top-down style of governing.

On Friday evening, the French Senate approved Macron’s measures to help the working poor and pensioners — just hours after they were adopted by the lower house of parliament — which aim to quell “yellow vest” anger and should come into force early in 2019.