IEAT governor Somjin Piluek said the authority was concerned about the problem of flooding at industrial estates nationwide, adding that a method was devised using technologies to cope with the problem while, at the same time, take advantage of it.

“IEAT teamed up with JICA and Chichibu Chemical to develop PRSS to improve the efficiency of water management, as well as preventing inundation damages in the long term. Moreover, the rainwater stored in this innovation can help solve drought problems,” she said.

Meanwhile, JICA Chief Representative Katsura Miyazaki said JICA was pleased to be part of this project by sharing experience and knowhow with the Thai government.“JICA believed that industrial estates in Thailand would benefit from this project under the development guidelines of UN,” she said. Collaboration on the project started on May 9 this year and will end on May 31, 2021.

Plastic Rainwater Storage Structure (PRSS) or “New Pla-kun” was made from recycled plastic with a unique design for undeground installations, up to 10 stages. It can store a volume of rainwater over 95 per cent of its capacity for use of up to 50 years. The upper surface in which these products were installed can be utilised for a car parking lot, a playground, among other purposes.

PRSS is classified into two categories: the “permeable type” in which rainwater will infiltrate into the ground through the permeable sheet, while “impermeable type” can store rainwater and prevent inundation. The rainwater stored in these products can be utilised for various purposes by changing the outlet system. Also, it is easy to install and requires little construction machinery.

Somjin added that if the project proved successful, it will be expanded to other industrial estates in the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya area.

Thailand has signed FTAs with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Peru and Chile besides Asean members.

Total trading value with 18 FTA partners in the first 10 months of 2019 amounted to US$253.89 billion or 62.4 per cent of Thailand’s global trading value. Exports amounted to $128.27 billion and imports were worth $125.62 billion.

Asean tops the trading list with $90.737 billion, followed by China, $65.15 billion; Japan, $48.73 billion; Australia, $12.22 billion and South Korea, $11.29 billion.

Between January and September 2019, Thailand exported $50.31 billion to FTA partners (78.25 per cent) and imported $27.59 billion (52.25 per cent) from them. The top products are automobiles, spare parts, plastics, appliances and electronic devices.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit is pushing for FTAs with Turkey, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2020 to expand Thailand’s markets, decrease trading obstacles and increase competitiveness.

A commemoration service was held in the morning for the deceased student, while the fifth floor of the building where the incident occurred was closed. Classes which used rooms on the floor were moved to other buildings. The move was aimed at easing the stress and fear of students shocked by the killing.

In addition, educational activities of the deceased boy’s class were suspended until Monday. The school’s janitor has already cleaned blood stains at the alleged crime scene and performed a spiritual ritual for the dead boy’s spirit.

The school has requested netizens and social media users to stop criticising and denouncing the concerned students, as the tragedy had brought loss and pain to the families of both the alleged perpetrator and the victim.

“This kind of case is rare in Thailand, but can greatly affect students’ education and lifestyle,” Kiattiphum Wongrajit, the director-general of the Department of Mental Health, said on Wednesday.

The department will operate urgently through the MCATT with screening of basic mental health and mental health counselling. “The operational team will talk to those who were affected by the incident to strengthen their minds,” he added.

The department also planned to send those who were severely affected, especially with severe stress, to a psychiatric hospital. Those in the high-risk group suffering mental distress will get direct counselling from psychiatrists or psychiatric nurses.

The director-general added that bullying in school was the starting point of violence, physically and mentally affecting children. “Bullied students are always stressed and depressed. In case they are pressured acutely, they may decide to take revenge on those who bullied them,” he explained. Children who habitually bully others could become aggressive and resolve problems with violence.”

The counterfeits were smuggled in from China and stored at the houseware for retail distribution nationwide. The impounded lots, worth a total of Bt50 million, mostly included glasses, hats, and buckles, said DSI official, adding that a sum of Bt300 million was also sieged. Representatives of the brands’ right holders were present at the announcement.

Thailand has been stepping up the crackdown on fake brand products as they have a direct impact on the Thai economy, DSI Director-General Paisit Wongmuang.

Yala Governor Chaiyasit Panichpong said on Thursday (December 19) that preliminary reports from local officials revealed that more than 5,000 residents of 1,120 households in Yala province were affected by the floods, with approximately 50 rai of farmland being damaged. Three roads were cut off and several farm animals perished or went missing.

“Citizens should remain cautious and monitor the flood situation closely in the next few days,” he said. “I have ordered related officials including police, military and rescue staff to stand-by 24/7 to give assistance to villagers affected by the floods, and evacuate them when necessary.”

Meanwhile, Abdulroning Salae, village headman of Talohalor subdistrict in Raman district, reported that his village is adjacent to Saiburi River which flows southward from Narathiwas province. “Last night [Wednesday December 18] the water overflowed the river banks and flooded the villages along the river of more than 60 households,” he said. “Currently around 180 people are evacuating to higher areas with the help of military personnel from Army Ranger 4102 Division.”

The race’s president Narong Chearavanont announced yesterday at the event at Hotel Grand Mercure Bangkok Fortune that was also attended by Pattaya deputy secretary, Sub-Lieutenant Pramote Tubtim, and the Racing Pigeon International Association’s president, Suntorn Jarumon.

The race is guaranteed by FCI Racing Pigeon Grand Prix, a world class pigeon racing organization.

“In the first year, 1,547 pigeons were sent to participate in the race, and then increased to 2,130 and 3,230 in the second and third races” Narong said. “In this latest tournament, we will see 5,095 pigeons from 38 countries worldwide.

“The race will make Thailand better known and will as ever be supported by Charoen Pokphand Group,” he added.

“The Art of Human Rights” exhibition, which continues at Bangkok’s Yelo House gallery through Sunday (December 22), features 13 original creations by young award-winning Thai artists, Nakrob Moonmanas and Naraphat Sakarthornsap and reflect their perspectives on freedom of expression, freedom from slavery and forced labour, gender equality, children’s rights, freedom of religion, and the right to non-discrimination, among others.

By using the universal language of art to communicate the importance of human rights, the Delegation of the European Union and the RLPD aim to foster constructive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders on the universality of human rights.

“The principle that human dignity is inviolable and human rights are universal is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and all other international conventions and treaties on rights and freedoms,” said Pirkka Tapiola, the EU’s ambassador to Thailand at last week’s opening. “With this art exhibition, we hope to generate a constructive dialogue on the universality of human rights and on how to ensure that every person’s rights and dignity are equally respected.”

Past celebrations of Human Rights Day by the EU Delegation to Thailand in partnership with the RLPD included a campaign in 2015 to promote a dialogue on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, and the Run4Rights charity run in 2017. In 2016, the EU also organised a campaign to raise public awareness of the challenges of being urban refugees and stateless people, whose rights are often neglected.

“We hope to continue working with all our partners to promote the principle of Human Rights for All,” added Mr Ruangsak Suwaree, director-general of the RLPD.

“The most significant task for us is to raise awareness beyond the centre of government – to all the regions, provinces and communities, in order to ensure that everyone is aware of their own rights and the need to respect the rights of others. Only with that knowledge will we be able to prevent and reduce human rights violations and generate sustainable harmony within society.”

Nakrob and Naraphat have used collage and installation techniques to echo the social and political discourse of their generation. Both have earned positive reviews from art followers and popular online media for their previous works touching on the subjects of LGBT rights, cultural rights and freedom of expression.

“An artist’s work reflects their observation of what goes on around them. But, sometimes, their work can motivate actions and inspire positive change in society,” said Nakrob, the Thailand winner of the 2012 Asean-Korea Multimedia Competition.

“The Art of Human Rights exhibition is our reflection on human rights issues. We hope it inspires people to feel the same way we feel about human rights and human dignity.”

“We thank the EU and the RLPD for giving us a platform to reflect on this important issue,” added Naraphat, winner of the Young Thai Artist Award 2016. “We hope our work will encourage more people to ask the question why human rights are the basic ingredient for human dignity and motivate them to respect the rights of others.”

The students from the Faculty of Architecture’s fine arts programme were taking part in a project called “Volunteer Community of KMITL United”.

In addition to portraying bees, syringes and pianos, some of the crossing indicate the function of the buildings to which the lead.

For example, mathematical formulae cover the crossing that connects to the Faculty of Engineering while the one leading to the canteen sports a fried egg design.

In 2018, World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Thailand top of 175 countries in terms of deaths and injuries number from road accidents.