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Plan to bring together accreditation agencies set to miss 2020 deadline

NationalDec 16. 2020

By THE NATION

The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards’ (ACFS) plan to combine accreditation bodies of four ministries and work together as one entity within this year is likely to miss its deadline.

Meanwhile, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has suggested that the timeframe be extended so related agencies can adjust their work process and strategy.

ACFS secretary-general Pisal Pongsapich said the plan is to bring together four accreditation entities, namely the Industry Ministry’s Thai Industrial Standard Institute; the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Medical Sciences; the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry’s Department of Science Service; and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry’s National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards.

“The merger was to be completed before the end of 2020, with the Industry Ministry as the main responsible agency,” he said.

“However, the project has yet to take shape as the four agencies have always worked independently.”

The objective of the merger is to cut down on overlapping procedures and create a single platform for the accreditation of all industrial and agricultural products, Pisal added. The new entity will work under the supervision of an executive committee, which will comprise high-ranking officials from the four ministries.

Pisal added that the NESDC has said this project requires further discussion among stakeholders and that more time should be granted to the different agencies so they can adjust their strategy and work procedures.

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Tak big bike, pick-up truck crash claims one

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

A pick-up truck and a big bike burst into flames when they slammed into each other in Tak province on Tuesday night.

Police were notified of the accident at about 8.30pm and arrived to find the two vehicles burning and the body of the motorbike rider on the side of the road.

The body has been sent to hospital for autopsy.

Police believe the driver of the pick-up managed to jump out in time, but the motorbike rider died from the impact of the crash.

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Police find huge cache of drugs awaiting shipment to Taiwan

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

Police found 300 kilograms of ketamine in a warehouse raid in Nonthaburi province on Tuesday, which led them to another location in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district where 228kg of heroin was hidden.

The Narcotics Suppression Bureau learned the drugs were to be shipped to Taiwan and arrested a 29-year-old woman named Saowapha Nasalee for possessing illegal substances with the intention the sell.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau.

The suspect has allegedly told police that the owner of the house in Huai Khwang had hired her to pack the drugs. Police have learned that this man lives near Prachachuen Road in Bangkok and will trace his connection to the drug trade.

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BTS Green Line extension, BMA Gold Line now officially open

NationalDec 16. 2020Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

By The Nation
Photos by Korbphuk Phromrekha

The BTS Green Line extension, from Phaholyothin 59 to Khu Khot station, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Gold Line from Krung Thonburi to Klong San stations were officially launched on Wednesday.

At the launching ceremony, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the Green Line extension was in line with his government’s target to make travel more convenient as well as to reduce the air pollution and traffic congestion.

“We hope people will enjoy using these services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said the BTS Green Line has been at the heart of Bangkok’s mass transit system for more than 20 years, since it was developed in 1999.

“This line connects with the Airport Rail Link, MRT Blue Line and BMA Gold Line, and is expected to accommodate more than 1.5 million people daily,” he said.

The Green Line will connect with the MRT Pink Line from Khae Rai to Minburi and the MRT Yellow Line from Lat Phrao to Samrong by 2022.

He added that rides on the BTS Green Line extension, from Phaholyothin 59 to Khu Khot stations, will be free from Wednesday 1pm to New Year’s Day.

“The BMA Gold Line will also offer free rides from Wednesday 1pm to January 15, after which fares will be set at Bt15,” he added.

The BTS Green Line extension covers seven stations, namely Phaholyothin 59, Sai Yud, Saphan Mai, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Yaek Kor Por Aor and Khu Khot.

The BMA Gold Line covers three stations, namely Krung Thonburi, Charoen Nakhon and Khlong San.

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15 Covid cases found in quarantine

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Wednesday reported 15 new cases in quarantine over a 24-hour period.

The latest cases are both Thai and foreigners from abroad undergoing quarantine in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Chon Buri:

> A stewardess, aged 29, and a male British adviser, 43, who arrived from the United Arab Emirates.

> A woman, 27, from Hong Kong.

> A 32-year-old male chef assistant at supermarket in Hungary.

> A male student, 28, and a man, 20, from the United Kingdom.

> A masseuse, 40, from Bahrain.

> A 42-year-old male tunnel construction worker, and an Indian businessman, 31.

> A female chef, 52, from the United States.

> A Brazilian man, 32, and a French female teacher, 48, who arrived from their respective countries.

> Three women, aged 24, 33 and 34, working at an entertainment venue in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, 28 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand has increased to 4,261 (1,267 in state quarantine). Of these, 224 are in hospital and 3,977 have recovered and been discharged. The death toll remains at 60.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am the number of confirmed global cases has risen to 73.8 million (increasing by 587,137). Of these, 51.81 million have recovered, 20.34 million are active cases (117,877 in severe condition) and 1.64 million have died (an increase of 12,635).

Thailand ranks a safe 152nd for most cases in the world. The US has the most number, with 17.14 million, followed by India 9.93 million, Brazil 6.97 million, Russia 2.7 million and France 2.39 million.

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Slight improvement in haze situation

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

The unhealthy haze situation in the capital has improved slightly, though records show that the level of PM2.5 dust particles in 39 areas exceeded the safety standard.

Bangkok’s Air Quality and Noise Management Division reported on its official Facebook page that a record at 7am on Wednesday revealed the dust content has lessened from previous days in which “still air” led to haze in the city.

The average level of PM2.5 was in the range of 24-98 microgrammes per cubic metre, which means the air will mildly affect residents’ health.

However, some areas are still experiencing high air pollution, such as Nong Khaem district, where the air is not completely safe for breathing.

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Five million scramble to register for Khon La Khrueng phase 2 shopping scheme

NationalDec 16. 2020Kulaya Tantitemit

By The Nation

Five million people rushed to register for the second phase of the government’s “Khon La Khrueng” (Let’s Go Halves) subsidised shopping scheme by 8.06am after website registrations opened at 6am on Wednesday.

Fiscal Policy Office acting director-general Kulaya Tantitemit said the registration system was delayed since 6.40am as many jumped at the chance to register for privileges under the scheme.

She said the Finance Ministry would send a confirmation SMS to each registrant in two days as the ministry has to first check whether or not there are registrants who are also receiving benefits under the state welfare card.

“Once the registration process is completed, participants can spend with stores participating in the scheme via the Tung Ngern smartphone application to receive government subsidies of up to Bt150 per day, or Bt3,500 from January 1 to March 31 next year,” she said.

“Participants must start spending within 14 days after the registration is completed, otherwise they will be disqualified and unable to register for privileges under the scheme again,” she warned.

She added that the original participants can confirm their participation in the second phase of the scheme via the Paotang smartphone application and they will receive an additional Bt500 for shopping under the scheme on January 1, or New Year’s Day.

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Baht strengthens as investors advised to monitor capital inflows (nationthailand.com)

Baht strengthens as investors advised to monitor capital inflows

NationalDec 16. 2020

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30.03 to the US dollar on Wednesday, strengthening from 30.05 at close on Tuesday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.93 and 30.13 on Wednesday, predicted Jitipol Puksamatanan, senior director of the chief investment office at SCB Securities.

On Tuesday, some of the main global stock markets recovered. The S&P index increased by 1.3 per cent as investors hoped the US government would come out with a new economic stimulus package. The Stoxx 600 Index and the price of WTI crude oil and gold meanwhile rose by 0.3 per cent, 1.2 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively.

The risk-on state of the financial market helped the US Ten-Year Treasury yield increase by 0.91 per cent. The dollar weakened by 0.4 per cent, while the pound strengthened by 1 per cent amid hopes that the UK and the EU would finally agree on Brexit terms by the end of the year.

Jitipol reported that the baht has moved in a narrow range from the beginning of the week. He suggested investors monitor capital inflows into the market on Wednesday as this may pressure the baht to strengthen.

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Pork price to keep rising: CPF (nationthailand.com)

Pork price to keep rising: CPF

NationalDec 16. 2020

By THE NATION

The price of pork will continue to rise next year, said Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) Chief Executive Officer Prasit Boondoungprasert.

He explained that in the past few years there have been outbreaks of swine diseases in Asia, such as the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and African Swine Fever (ASF), for which there are still no preventive vaccines.

“This has affected swine farmers in several countries, such as China and Vietnam, and resulted in pork shortage in the global market,” he said.

“Many countries switched to importing pork from Thailand, which has caused the price of pork to keep rising. This trend will continue next year.”

Prasit also said it could take 2-3 years before pork producers in the region restore their production levels to that of the period before the ASF and PRRS outbreaks.

“By that time pork may no longer be a basic commodity,” he pointed out.

“Farmers who rush into raising a new batch of pigs might suffer a loss if they do not employ strict biosafety standards to protect their swine from the outbreaks,” Prasit said.

“This is why CPF has invested millions of baht in research and development to improve swine breeds to be more resilient to diseases, and design an efficient farm management system that is eco-friendly and at acceptable costs,” he said.

“The ability to protect pigs from diseases and have efficient cost management will be the key factors of success for the swine raising industry in the next few years,” he added.

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Three Chinese nationals nabbed over alleged phishing operation (nationthailand.com)

Three Chinese nationals nabbed over alleged phishing operation

NationalDec 16. 2020

By THE NATION

Immigration chief Pol Lt-General Sompong Chingduang on Tuesday announced the arrest of three Chinese nationals who illegally entered Thailand and were allegedly running a phishing operation to acquire personal data and one-time passwords (OTP) from victims and use the passwords to withdraw money from their victims’ bank accounts.

Yong Hua and Yue Dian were arrested at a house in Soi Charoenkrung 91 in Bangkok’s Bangkholaem district on December 12 along with 88 items including mobile phones, computers, ATM cards and bank passbooks, while Pei Hong was arrested at a house in Lat Phrao district the same day.

“Officials tracked down the gang, which had entered Thailand illegally from Taiwan,” Sompong said. “They had created a fake application mimicking the mobile banking application of Siam Commercial Bank called SCB Easy to siphon millions of baht from several victims’ bank accounts.”

According to the police, the suspects would send an SMS to a victim claiming that the bank’s system was undergoing maintenance and asking them to “update” their personal data by inputting their ID card number, telephone number and OTP that they received from the bank into the fake application.

When the suspects acquired this data, they would use it to withdraw money from the victim’s bank account via the real bank application and then change the money into United States dollars tether, a cryptocurrency.

“If you witness any crimes committed by foreigners in Thailand, please contact immigration police hotline 1178 or www.immigration.go.th,” Sompong added.