TISTR in talk with Sydney University’s Plant Breeding Institute for agricultural technology collaboration
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) under Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) makes a progress on the Campaign of Driving Area-based Economy Using Innovation which is sponsored by the Office of Permanent Secretary of MHESI and aimed to create an international collaboration network for the Innovative Agriculture.
The delegations from TISTR and MHESI visited Australia and discussed with Plant Breeding Institute, an organization under the University of Sydney together with the Rust Project Research Team joined, to exchange and learn the Research and Development in Agricultural Technology, especially Crops and Ornamental Plants, as well as the future collaboration between both organizations.
The Thai delegations was led by Dr. Chutima Eamchotchawalit—Governor of Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), along with Dr. Rochana Tangkoonboribun—Director of Expert Centre of Innovative Agriculture (InnoAg). Led by Prof. Richard Trethowan—Director of the Plant Breeding Institute, the University of Sydney, there was also Prof. Robert Park—Research Team Leader of Rust Project—joined the meeting.
The meeting was started by Dr. Rochana Tangkoonboribun—Director of Expert Centre of Innovative Agriculture (InnoAg) with a presentation of the overall operation of the Expert Centre, and the introduction to the Malaiwittayasatan (Malai Academy) Project. After that Prof. Robert Park—Research Team Leader presented the Rust Research Project of the Institute which has been being operated for more than 100 years. The institute discovery includes more than 15 diseases from Wheat. To prevent the diseases from spreading onto other commercial plants, the institute was relocated to Sydney because the city is not a significant agricultural area of Australia. The institute is proud of Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram—a researcher of the institute who received a world’s honored award, the World Food Prize.
The executives of Plant Breeding Institute took the delegations of TISTR to visit the Rust Research Program and another Institute Research Project of Agriculture and Crop Cultivation. There are the Missions to promote the research to improve the Plant Genetics both Crops and Ornamental Plants for benefits, profits, and sustainable production with the best technology. The research focuses on the Genetic Development of Cereal and Crops, the Development of Food Quality and Farming System, the Agricultural Digitalization, and the Adjustment for Climate and Natural Change.
Dr. Chutima revealed that the operation of the Plant Breeding Institute of the University of Sydney has a very close direction to the Missions regarding Agricultural Research of TISTR. Therefore, the delegations of TISTR had seek for a further collaboration or a co-research project among institutes in the future, and now the institute is waiting for a reply from the Plant Breeding Institute of Australia.
Ericsson & depa Join Forces to Drive 5G Digital Transformation in Thailand
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
Ericsson and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate towards driving 5G-based digital transformation in Thailand.
The collaboration entails sharing best practices, advanced understanding and Ericsson‘s state-of-the-art technology to accelerate Thailand’s journey towards becoming a digital economy.
As part of the MoU, Ericsson and depa will establish an innovation lab (Innolab) in depa’s Thailand Digital Valley in Chonburi province that will serve as a 5G testbed and service centre for trials of new wireless and network technologies, spectrum sharing, as well as new applications and services in Thailand.
“Ericsson will continue to work closely with key stakeholders to drive the vision of Thailand 4.0 and support the development of the 5G ecosystem. As the global 5G technology leader, Ericsson will bring its state-of-the-art technology and solutions together with our global experience and expertise to realize Thailand’s goal of becoming a digital economy and society,” states Igor Maurell, Head of Ericsson Thailand.
“We will be working with Ericsson as our strategic partner in driving the ecosystem development in Thailand. Our key mission is to partner with stakeholders in the industry to come up with strategic plans to enhance the digital economy together with fostering innovations that are relevant to depa’s goal of creating better living and bolstering the competitiveness of the country,” said Asst. Prof. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, depa’s President & CEO.
The collaboration also aims at creating new opportunities for business development, capability and skill development and encouraging foreign direct investments, while strengthening the role of Thailand Digital Valley in the development of next-generation 5G products, services, and applications.
Both organizations share their common goal of supporting 5G-based innovation and applications across sectors ranging from manufacturing, service, smart city, and agriculture to social development. They also aim to bolster knowledge sharing and develop training programs in terms of technology, applied cases and regulations.
“Digital infrastructure plays a critical role in our society, with communication technologies helping to address social, environmental, and economic challenges all across the globe,” Igor said. “We are working to ensure that the robust 5G network platform of today continues to evolve towards the 6G era, delivering new capabilities and superior performance.”
Ericsson is a global 5G leader and today powers 134 live 5G networks in 59 countries with 17 live 5G standalone networks across the world.
Thai government partners UN agency to help end violence against women
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has joined hands with the Thai government and partner organisations to stop all forms of violence and harmful practices against women.
The aim is to support the creation of an equal-opportunity society without leaving anyone behind.
The UNFPA reports that one-third of women worldwide have been physically abused by their husbands. The report confirms that Thai women are also increasingly likely to be subjected to violence.
In Thailand, violence against women and girls is a major cause for concern. Since its negative effects can have a direct impact on families’ capacities to function.
The Department of Disease Control, which sits under The Ministry of Public Health, reported that, between 2019 and 2021, 51 hospitals across the country found that on average 8,577 women were victims of physical abuse each year, having received more than 7 women per day as patients. Moreover, there were 30,000 complaints related to sexual violence each year, including requests for access to recovery programs.
Siriluck Chiengwong, UNFPA Head of Office said “The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health. It is committed to working with partner organizations, academics, the media, and the public sector to promote rights and choices in reproductive health and family planning. It works to end gender-based violence and to encourage teenage pregnancy mothers to reach their full potential. UNFPA is working to ensure that expectant mothers are safe throughout their pregnancy until childbirth.
Moving forward with the UNFPA Thailand 12th Country Programme (2022-2026), UNFPA aims to support the use of empirical data through its development frameworks ensuring Thailand be a society of opportunity that leaves no one behind”.
Asa Torkelsson, Country Representative Malaysia and Country Director of The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health, said “UNFPA held the event “Orange Night: Strategic Partnership for Rights and Choices for all”, and to thank and celebrate the achievements of UNFPA, to recognise its partner projects as well as sparking new partnerships”.
She said that “the new partnerships would support the organisation’s efforts towards strengthening all people’s rights and choices and unite all voices as one on the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence against women and girls’ campaign.” UNFPA joined together with supporters from allied organizations, governments, the private sector, media, and activists from across the Asia-Pacific region including from Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) along with other partners.
Torkelsson concluded that “It is important to focus on strengthening and developing human capital to keep developing people’s potential throughout life to support the growth of the country and support for diverse family structures as well as the expansion and development of maternal and reproductive health of working women. The promotion of quality educational opportunities and working conditions conducive to women and gender equality is paramount. In family settings, it is important to divide responsibility between women and men and provide more flexible employment.”
UNFPA works closely with UN Women and other partners. Together, They develop standards of services needed for victims of sexual violence including psychosocial therapy, law, housing and health consequences. These standards are derived from violence-related incidents such as unwanted pregnancies.
Thailand has an important legal framework for such pregnancies which is called the ‘Act on the Prevention and Solution of Adolescent Pregnancy Problems B.E. 2559‘. This framework promotes an integrated mechanism between various ministries together with all stakeholders including young people to ensure the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services to all women of reproductive age, including girls and adolescents.
According to NESDC, Thailand has a population of over 71 million and the world recognised that 8 billion people were living on the planet by November 2022. Fortunately, the number of children born in the digital age is decreasing which it is hoped will lessen the strain on human resources for better future development.
At the same time, while rapid urbanization has changed the traditional family structure, as in many countries, that structure is being further modified by an ageing society. Whilst the number of children and the population of working age is decreasing, the number of older people is increasing leading to a slowdown in the country’s growth. Thailand’s demographic structure is in a transition period too. Thailand has an ageing population which will affect both growth and economic development in the future.
Orange Night held a keynote event covering human rights and gender inequality. At the exhibition, the role of women fighting for women’s rights was exhibited. An inspirational talk was given to encourage committed women to achieve success and support sustainable development. Saysunee Jana, Paralympic Gold medalist in wheelchair Fencing and Christina Aguilar, Queen of Dance of Thailand discussed issues relevant to their human rights and to their achievements relating to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Saysunee Jana, a Paralympic Gold medalist in Wheelchair Fencing who has a mobility disability said that after an accident she made life-changing decisions which gave her the strength to fight again. She spoke of the importance of a government rehabilitation centre which supports and trains professionals in sports for people with disabilities. The centre enabled her to have the opportunity to become a professional athlete and win the first gold medal for Thailand.
Later, she became pregnant and had a family. Many people were concerned and recommended an abortion. “But we wanted to have children”, she said, “and were ready to accept everything that might happen. I kept taking good care of myself until finally, I gave birth to a healthy baby. It’s the most wonderful thing. I want to tell everyone that I have fought for motherhood. Everyone has the right to choose and the right to have equal access to opportunities for everyone.”
“The use of violence also has implications at the policy level in Thailand and at the global level as it is an act that blocks us from achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 or SDG 5 focusing on gender equality”, said Christina Aguilar. “It is essential that we “end or eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls. In addition”, she said, “I would like to recognise all Survivors or those who have experienced violence for reasons of gender and reaffirm the view that Gender-based violence should never be tolerated – to any fellow human beings.”
Finally, UNFPA has announced a plaque of appreciation to partner agencies that have successfully implemented important projects this year, namely the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. National Statistical Office Ministry of Digital Economy and Society Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development Ministry of Social and Human Development, Department of Health and Ministry of Public Health.
In addition, it has announced a partnership with Reckitt to strive for and drive a world free from violence against women and girls. UNFPA will continue to campaign until the violence is eliminated.
“Singha”, German Embassy continue the “Dual Vocational Training” project to prepare Thai students for working in Europe
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
Boon Rawd continues the “Dual Vocational Training” project by joining the German Embassy and cooperating with the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce to increase the standard of education from Germany, a country with a vocational education curriculum that is recognized worldwide as a guideline for developing and enhancing the capabilities of Thai vocational children with Real-studying and Real-learning by being an internship with the factory “Pathumthani Brewery” to train a good foundation and get a German standard certification that indicates the ability to work in Germany and many other European countries.
Mr. Piti Bhirombhakdi, Duputy First Senior Executive Vice President, Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd., who leads the management of all Boon Rawd Brewery factories, informs that Germany is one of the world’s leading countries in industrialization and is also recognized for its high standards of vocational education. Over the past 3 years, Boon Rawd Brewery has worked with the German Embassy, the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, and the Don Bosco Technological College to jointly bring standards of knowledge to improve skills in vocational education. However, to develop Thai youths in the education system to have the capability to become professionals in the global job market. To get to that point, curriculums have been designed according to German standards along with real learning and working with Boon Rawd Brewery’s production plant to ultimately build Thai youths to become more and more talented. And at the end of the course, Thai youths will receive a certificate approved by the German Ministry of Education, which can be used as evidence when applying for jobs in Germany and Europe countries.
This year, the program has expanded the success from the previous year, developing vocational education and training courses in the Mechanic field. Previously, personnel were created for the High Vocational Certificate in Electronic control specialization. This is because it is a field that coordinates with the needs of the industrial sector and that expands in the future to increase the job opportunities for Thai vocational youths. More significantly, the company is also the first Thai private company in the ASEAN to receive Level A accreditation from the German Ministry of Education.
However, the training program endures for 2 years according to the standard of German education or GTDEE (German -Thai Dual Excellence Education) and Thailand. Besides, studying theory in the classroom, students will accomplish actual work training at Pathumthani Brewery Co., Ltd. in the Boon Rawd Brewery Group, an organization that has been in business for more than 89 years to gain experience, grow the knowledge and abilities of Thai vocational youths and international skills to ready for work in the future, specifically in Germany, which is a developed country and its industry is excellent advanced that it gains worldwide recognition.
For the production of vocational students who will become professionals under the training program “Dual Vocational Training” in 2023, up to 10 Thai youths will be enrolled for training and ready to join the Thai and European industries in the future.
Waiting for new Covid vaccines? There’s no point, says doctor
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
A respiratory specialist has advised people to protect themselves against Covid-19 with currently available vaccines rather than waiting for next-generation vaccines.
Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs of Vichaiyut Hospital explained on Tuesday that the Covid virus is mutating too quickly for next-gen vaccines to keep up.
The next-gen vaccines will target the current dominant strain in Thailand, but this will soon be replaced by new Omicron subvariants, such as BQ.1 and XBB, said Manoon on Facebook. The new-gen vaccines will not be as effective against these new subvariants, he added.
“People are still at risk of Covid-19 infection as new vaccines will not keep up with virus mutations,” he said.
However, both old and new vaccines reduce the risk of severe symptoms and death from Covid-19, he confirmed.
He also expects a vaccine that offers protection against up to four Covid strains to be rolled out in future.
Leading virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan has explained that the BA.1 Omicron subvariant that was dominant at the start of the year had since mutated to BA.2, BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.75 subvariants.
BA.2.75 has become dominant over the past two months, overtaking BA.5 which accounted for most cases in June, he added.
However, Yong expects BA.2.75 to be replaced as Thailand’s dominant strain by Omicron BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subvariants spreading from the West.
“The mutation is happening over time,” he said, confirming that genetic changes in the virus are occurring too quickly for vaccines to keep up.
Yong also said that the protection offered by new-gen vaccines targeted at Omicron strains was no higher than first-gen vaccines.
Thailand recorded 3,419 new Covid-19 cases and 113 deaths last week (December 11-17), according to the Covid-19 information centre‘s Facebook page.
Thais kick-off AFF Championship with 5-0 win over Brunei
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
Thailand’s national football team thumped Brunei 5-0 on Tuesday to win their opening match in the 2022 AFF Championship at Kuala Lumpur Stadium in the Malaysian capital.
Bordin Phala and Teerasil Dangda each scored once, while Peeradol Chamrasamee scored twice. Putera Yunos of Brunei was credited with a goal for Thailand after scoring against his own team.
Head coach Alexandré “Mano” Pölking said that he was satisfied with the performance in the first match of the championship, saying the Thai team kept possession of the ball for most of the game and created many scoring opportunities.
Captain Theerathon Bunmathan said that the game was difficult because it was the first match of the competition. He praised Brunei’s goalkeeper for stopping several chances.
He said fans should be proud that his team won three points and scored five goals and vowed they would do its best in the next match.
General manager Nualphan Lamsam said the team will receive a reward of 5 million baht if they reach the semi-finals.
Thailand will face the Philippines on Monday at 7.30pm at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani.
Argentina’s team abandon bus for helicopter at celebration parade
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
Reuters
Millions of ecstatic Argentines flooded onto the streets of Buenos Aires to cheer the country’s World Cup-winning soccer squad led by Lionel Messi on Tuesday with the heaving crowd bringing the open-top bus parade to a standstill and forcing players to get on a helicopter to keep on with the celebrations.
The players were unable to reach the central Obelisco monument as planned due to security concerns because of the size of the crowd, estimated by local media at four million people. They were transferred from their parade bus to helicopters.
Images captured by Reuters showed people all over the city, including those waiting around the Obelisco and on surrounding highways trying to catch a glimpse of their returning champions.
Roads started to clear after the players were airlifted out, with some people left disappointed not to see the team.
The Argentine capital has been in party mode since the dramatic victory over France in Sunday’s final in Qatar, which has helped mask economic woes in the South American nation battling one of the world’s highest inflation rates.
Millions had already congregated in downtown Buenos Aires, with major roads shut down for the parade. People held up banners of Messi and late icon Diego Maradona, played instruments or climbed lamp-posts or bus stops.
The government made Tuesday a national holiday to allow fans to celebrate the win.
Crowd of 100,000 awaits Argentina’s World Cup winners in Buenos Aires city centre
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
THE NATION
Thousands of ecstatic fans gathered in the Argentine capital on Tuesday (December 20) ahead of a parade to celebrate the World Cup winning team.
Local media estimated that there were already more than 100,000 people waiting for the players at the iconic Obelisk pillar by mid-morning, with more crowds joining from streets on all sides.
The Argentine capital has been in party mode since their dramatic victory over France in Sunday’s (December 18) final in Qatar, which gave the country its first World Cup win since Diego Maradona hoisted the trophy 36 years ago.
The players are expected to spend a few hours at the Argentine Football Association facilities near the airport before heading at noon to the huge Obelisk monument in the centre of town.
Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a scintillating 3-3 draw, with Messi scoring twice and France’s Kylian Mbappe netting three times.
Messi, 35, said the final would be his last match in the World Cup, though he intends to play a few more games for the national side.
Argentina fans are seen ahead of the victory parade
General view as a Argentina fan kisses a replica trophy ahead of the victory paradeArgentina fans are seen ahead of the victory paradeFans gather outside of the Association of Argentinian Football Headquarters ahead of the team arrival
ArgentinaLionel Messi with the trophy during the team
World Cup winner Lionel Messi on Tuesday (December 20) posted pictures of himself in bed with the famous golden trophy.
Argentina’s squad arrived at Ezeiza International Airport, on the outskirts of capital Buenos Aires, in the early hours of Tuesday (December 20).
The team were led from the plane by captain Messi, who scored twice on the way to Argentina beating France on penalties in Sunday’s final in Qatar, labelled by many experts as the best ever World Cup final.
Messi posted three pictures of himself in bed with the trophy on his Instagram account.
Argentina fans are seen ahead of the victory parade
General view as a Argentina fan kisses a replica trophy ahead of the victory parade
Argentina fans are seen ahead of the victory parade
Fans gather outside of the Association of Argentinian Football Headquarters ahead of the team arrival
Messi wakes up with World Cup trophy in his bed
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