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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022721

Coral gets a breather as porcelain frames help create new reefs in Thai seas

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

As rising sea temperatures pose a new threat to coral and the reefs they create for aquatic life, Thai marine biologists are turning to expired porcelain electrical insulators to create artificial coral reefs and new habitats for marine life.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) last week donated another 500 sets of interconnected porcelain insulators to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. They will be dropped into the seabed where they can be used by coral to form new reefs.
The latest batch of insulators will be used to create artificial coral reefs in the Andaman Sea, off Phuket province’s Mai Thon Island.
The structures serve as frames for coral to grow on, and attract fish that use them – like natural coral reefs – for resting spaces and breeding grounds.
Egat deputy governor Somkiat Panuschai said that the agency has contributed to many projects to build “fish houses” in several coastal provinces, including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pattani, Narathiwat, Chon Buri, and Phuket. It has already donated more than 3,600 sets of insulators to serve as artificial frames for coral to grow on, he said.

The goal is to help create new nursery grounds for small fish and restore marine diversity, Somkiat explained.
Climate change is creating new challenges for aquatic ecosystems, especially rising seawater temperatures. High temperatures bleach algae cells on coral, which prevents their growth. Since most fish find shelter and reproduce in the nooks formed by coral reefs, their loss leads to a decline in marine life.
According to research by Prince of Songkla University, porcelain insulators do not damage marine life or the quality of seawater.
Paitoon Panchaiyaphum, a director at the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, said that recent surveys by divers found that coral is growing well on structures made from Egat’s porcelain insulators.
The artificial reefs have become feeding grounds for many fish and other aquatic life, Paitoon said, adding: “This is a good sign for improving the diversity of marine life long-term.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022720

Shoppers flee in panic after brief fire at Central World

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

Frightened shoppers ran for their lives after a fire broke out on the second floor of Central World mall in Bangkok late Saturday afternoon.

Frightened shoppers ran for their lives after a fire broke out on the second floor of Central World mall in Bangkok late Saturday afternoon.

There were no reports of injuries and the fire was quickly extinguished.

The Pathum Wan Police Station was alerted about the fire at about 5.45pm, police said. Witnesses said they saw flames behind an escalator in the mega mall’s Groove zone – a dining and beverage area.

Many of those inside the mall said they did not hear a fire alarm. Instead, they were told by Groove zone staff to leave the mall.
Many panicked and fled through fire exits, while others rushed to drive their cars out of parking areas.

The fire was extinguished quickly. Police are investigating its cause.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022718

PM urges holiday travellers to drive safely to avoid road accidents

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has called on motorists to strictly follow traffic rules and be extra cautious during the three long weekends that occur this month.

Prayut also instructed relevant state agencies to strictly enforce traffic laws and regulations to reduce road accidents during the holiday breaks, deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Saturday.
In addition to the three-day weekend this week, which includes Fathers’ Day on Monday, next weekend is a long weekend due to Constitution Day, while the final weekend of the month also lasts three days with the addition of New Year’s day on January 1.
The prime minister has instructed the Transport and Interior ministries as well as the Royal Thai Police to ensure convenience for holiday travellers while preventing behaviours that can cause road accidents, such as drunk driving, Traisuree said.

She said that Gen Prayut also asked motorists to be extra cautious and make the necessary preparations for long trips. They should be physically prepared for long drives. Safety belts must be fastened and motorcyclists must wear helmets.
The PM also urged motorists and motorcyclists to comply with speed limits and respect traffic laws and regulations to reduce road accidents.
Road accidents are a major cause of death and disability in Thailand,Traisuree said. According to the Road Safety Centre, 13,042 people were killed in accidents on Thai roads between January 1 and November 23 this year. Another 145 people were disabled and more than 834,130 people were injured, according to the centre.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022717

Freight train to Malaysia derails in Songkhla, investigation underway

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

Nobody was injured when a freight train fell off the track in Songkhla’s Sadao district on Saturday afternoon.

Investigators are checking to see if it was an accident or an attack by insurgents in the South.

Train No 707 from Songkhla’s Hat Yai district to Padang Besar in Malaysia was reportedly derailed at 12.50pm on Saturday. The incident resulted in 11 of its 20 containers falling off the track, which was also severely damaged.

The incident occurred just after a curve in Moo 2 of the Tha Pho area. The two train drivers, a mechanic and a brakes operator escaped unscathed.

Witnesses said they heard an explosion before the derailment, which has prompted security officials to investigate if this was an attack by insurgents.

State Railway of Thailand officials believe the Hat Yai-Pedang Besar route will remain closed for several days due to the extensive damage.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022716

Factories, farms, forests: Targets for Thai agency in PM2.5 battle

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

With fine dust in the air worsening this year, the Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) has announced that it will introduce comprehensive measures to curb PM2.5 particles in the air.

Pollution Control Department (PCD) director-general Pinsak Suraswadi, who also heads the CAPM, said these measures will cover the three key areas where PM2.5 fine particles are created, namely cities, farming areas and forests.
PM2.5 stands for particulate matter that is a mere 2.5 microns or less in width.
Pinsak said that in cities, PM2.5 mainly comes from traffic and factories, so solutions will focus on these areas.
The public and private sectors will be instructed to ensure their vehicle engines are well maintained to ensure they do not emit any fine particles.

Public buses and commercial vehicles will also be checked regularly to ensure those that emit dark exhaust smoke are kept off the streets.
As of October, a total of 896 factories that may cause pollution have been shortlisted for regular inspections all year to ensure fine particles are kept at a minimum.
In agricultural areas, PM2.5 is mainly caused by the burning of farm waste, Pinsak said, adding that farmers will be told to stop clearing their fields with fire.
The initial target is to cover 17,640 farmers in 62 provinces, with the goal of cutting down “hot spots” by 10%.
In the forests, PM2.5 is mainly caused by wildfires. Pinsak said that to combat this, at least 3,000 tonnes of combustible materials will be collected from the forests in a bid to reduce hot spots by 20%.
He said that in Thailand, the concentration of PM2.5 fine particles often worsens around the late and early periods of the year when the country is covered by high-pressure ridges from China.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022715

Unconscious US passenger on Chiang Mai flight revived in time

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

A 63-year-old US national was safely transported to the hospital after losing consciousness on a flight while it was landing in Chiang Mai.

Airport officials were alerted of the unconscious passenger on board Bangkok Airways PG225 while it was landing on Friday at 1.30pm.

Details of the rescue operation were provided by the airport on Saturday.

Airport officials said the man was immediately taken out of the plane and given CPR. However, he eventually regained consciousness after his heart was restarted with an automated external defibrillator.

Upon gaining consciousness the patient was rushed to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital for a check-up.

One of the rescue officials said the man may have suffered a cardiac arrest, though his chance of survival is high because he was resuscitated in time.

The airport’s manager said on Saturday that this incident highlights the importance of prioritising passenger safety and providing first aid promptly in case of emergencies.

The governing body, Airports of Thailand (AOT) said it is providing continuous training to emergency medical teams at all airports under its jurisdiction.

AOT manages six airports, namely Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Mae Fah Luang Airport in Chiang Rai.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022713

Main expressways will be toll-free for two upcoming holidays

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

Three major expressways will be toll-free to celebrate public holidays on December 5 and 10 and prevent traffic jams as Bangkok residents who travel for the long weekends return to or leave the capital, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) said on Saturday.

Monday, December 5 is King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s birthday as well as Fathers’ Day, and Saturday, December 10, Constitution Day, marks the beginning of another long weekend, as the following Monday is a substitute holiday.

The three expressways that will be toll-free are Sirat, Chalerm Maha Nakhon and Udon Ratthaya. They are the primary routes Bangkok motorists use to exit and enter the capital.

Motorists can zip through all 60 toll booths on the three expressways on both days. The toll-free days have two goals, EXAT said. Traffic jams at toll booths will be reduced and travellers can save the cost of tolls, the expressway operator explained.

For more information contact EXAT through its call center (1543) or its mobile app (EXAT Portal).

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Three expressways free on Sunday

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022711

Thailand moves up in list of best countries for retirement

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

The latest US News & World Report has ranked Thailand as the 28th best country in the world and the 19th best place for retirement.

The survey covered 17,000 respondents worldwide from April 30 to July 13, ranking 73 countries across several metrics including adventure, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, open for business, social purpose and quality of life.

Thailand won an overall score of 47.7 and stayed at No 28.

Switzerland, meanwhile, rose up to the top of the list from 4th place last year, scoring 100 points.

Germany moved up one rank to the second place with a score of 98, while Canada fell from the top spot to No 3 this year with an overall score of 97.8.

As for the list of best countries to retire in, Thailand moved up one place from last year to the 19th position, while it holds the top spot in the Asean region.

This ranking is based on seven attributes, namely affordability, favourable taxation, friendliness, “a place I would live in”, climate, respect for property rights and a well-developed public health system.

The top five countries for retirement in 2022 are New Zealand, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Australia, respectively.

“Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is delighted with the ranking and has highlighted Thailand’s many positive qualities, including abundant resources, favourable climate, friendly population and economic potential,” government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Saturday.

“PM Prayut thanks all related parties for working hard to make Thailand an attractive destination among global citizens.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022708

Hospitals told to repay fees charged for ‘gold card’ treatment

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

Hospitals that have charged gold card holders after providing treatment will have to repay their patients with interest, National Health Security Office (NHSO) deputy secretary-general Dr Yupadee Sirisinsuk said.

“Hospitals that have collected money from gold card holders will be forced to pay it back, plus 15% interest per year,” Yupadee said, urging gold card holders who have been charged extra fees to contact the NHSO hotline (1330), saying it can be used around the clock every day of the week.

Her comments follow joint research by the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and the NHSO into more than 3,300 complaints filed to the NHSO over the past five years by patients charged by hospitals for treatment despite having gold cards that entitle them to free healthcare.

The TCC said that 3,329 complaints have been filed since 2018 and that when combined the total fees charged to gold card holders were 35.7 million baht.

“Many people do not know that gold card holders must not be charged for medical treatment in any case,” TCC secretary-general Saree Ongsomwang said on Friday.

“The council and NHSO have been working to return the money that some patients have already paid to the hospitals, but we will try to prevent such cases from happening,” she said.

Saree has submitted a letter notifying Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the problem and urging the ministry to take action to prevent the wrongful charges.

According to the TCC’s investigation, gold card holders are often charged when hospitals provide extra treatment or services beyond treatment for the original illness the patient sought treatment for. Gold-card patients are also charged transfer fees when moved between hospitals.

A woman who went to one hospital to give birth was charged a 10,000 baht fee when she was shifted to another, better-equipped hospital. In another case, a disabled man who had been receiving physical therapy at a hospital for three years was charged 40,000 baht despite having a gold card. The hospital said the gold card did not cover physical therapy for disabled people.

Yupadee said hospitals must not charge gold card holders after providing treatment. If there are extra expenses not covered under the scheme, they must notify the patient beforehand to prevent any misunderstanding and complaints.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022707

Graft busters probe purchase of street lights topped with mythical figures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2022

The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s Samut Prakan office is investigating the nearly 70 million baht purchase of 727 street lights topped with mythical kinnaree figures following a complaint received by its Corruption Deterrence Centre.

It is investigating the purchase of the street lights as well as the purchase of about 50 million baht worth of surveillance cameras and emergency warning equipment by the Racha Thewa subdistrict administrative organisation in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province.

Officials from the commission on Friday surveyed Chamchuri 2 village in Racha Thewa subdistrict where 40 kinnaree-topped street lights will be installed.

Officials from the subdistrict administrative organisation explained that the lights were necessary because a large pond was located in the village adjacent to an area where residents exercise. They said they were concerned that some people might slip into the pond at night because some areas around it were poorly lit.

This is why the purchase of the lights was approved even though some will be installed in private areas, they said.

New surveillance cameras are being purchased to replace damaged cameras bought in 2014, subdistrict officials said. Others will be installed on King Kaeo road to monitor traffic, they said.

Officials from the commission advised subdistrict officials to weigh the appropriateness and public benefit of the purchase of kinnaree-topped street lights and the legality of installing them in private areas.

They also advised the subdistrict officials to ask experts to inspect existing cameras to determine whether it is best to repair or replace them and to consult with the public before making a decision.

Following the inspection, anti-corruption officials requested additional documents from the subdistrict for further investigation.

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