The Eastern Economic Corridor has linked up with PTT Plc and Rayong Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) to launch a project for price stability of durians in the eastern province.
EEC Policy Office secretary-general Kanit Sangsubhan signed a memorandum of understanding with Piya Pitutecha, Rayong PAO governor, and Charnsak Chuenchom, deputy managing director of PTT, on the price stability project. The signing took place at the Rayong PAO office on Thursday.
The ceremony was witnessed by representatives of concerned government agencies and representatives of major durian growers in Rayong.
Kanit said the project would guarantee that the price of durian in Rayong would have stability and would not fall too sharply when the markets are flooded with the fruit.
Kanit said the Rayong PAO would spend THB100 million to buy quality durians, which are fresh and safe for consumption, to be distributed to consumers around the country.
The PTT will assist the project by providing cold storage facilities that could freeze some 7,000 to 8,000 tonnes of durians in case they are oversupplied. The frozen durians would later be sold during the off-season so their prices would not fall too much.
Kanit said the EEC Policy Committee would help by finding market channels for the partners, such as checking with fruit processing factories to see if they need durians for their plant. The EEC Policy Office would also find market channels among tourism businesses in the eastern province, Kanit added.
He said durians are one of five major fruit clusters that the EEC Policy Office aims to develop in the eastern provinces.
The office will help the growers of durians to find markets and will assist them to use technology to add value or add products.
For example, the EEC Policy Office has joined hands with the National Science and Technology Development Agency to develop automatic watering system for durian orchards.
The office is urging durian growers to use Magik Growth polymer bags, developed by the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre, for wrapping durians. He said the wrapping bags helped durian peels to be some 30 per cent thinner, and the meat of the fruits increased by 20 to 25 per cent.
China has reopened all of its land Customs clearance checkpoints for Thai durians after closing them in the middle of this month, an adviser to the agriculture minister said on Friday.
Alongkorn Pollabutr said he had received a report from the Thai agricultural office in Guangzhou that China has allowed the import of Thai durians at the Pingxiang border checkpoint with Vietnam on Friday after it had earlier gradually reopened other border checkpoints to facilitate delivery of the fruit.
China had blocked Thai durians from April 12 to 14 after traces of Covid-19 virus were found in a fruit shipment at the Mohan border checkpoint.
Alongkorn, who is also chairman of the forward committee on solving problems related to Thai fruits, said the reopening of the Pingxiang checkpoint would speed up export of durians to China.
“All the major checkpoints have been reopened for Thai durians and other fruits, including the Youyiguan Border Gate, the Donxing Border Gate and the Mohan Border Gate,” Alongkorn said.
“This is good news for Thai farmers who grow durians and other fruits. But please make sure that your products will not be contaminated with Covid-19 virus again.”
China has a zero Covid policy and imported fruits are put through stringent tests, causing a big headache for Thai fruit exporters.
The Mohan border checkpoint in China had issued Thai durian exporters an ultimatum to resolve their Covid-19 problem in five days, starting Monday, failing which they will be banned, Sanchai Puranachaikiri, president of the Thai Fresh Fruit Traders and Exporters Association, said.
The Agriculture Ministry has also instructed all cold-chain storage operators to ensure their durians are certified under the zero Covid standard.
Last week, durian exporters in Chanthaburi province carried out a Big Cleaning Day to ensure durians from the province would not be contaminated again.
Though there are some good signs of recovery in the Thai tourism industry, hotel operators are afraid that they might not be ready to serve their guests due to a shortage in the workforce.
Speaking at the monthly conference, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotel Association, said that many of their members are desperately looking for workers.
“Domestic and international tourists are gradually increase in numbers but not hotel employees. Many of the workers are reluctant to return to work as there are concerned about some issues, such as wages, rent and healthcare,” said Marisa.
Weerasak Kowsurat, former Thai minister of tourism and sports, suggested during the conference that apart from launching more measures to stimulate the industry, the government should closely discuss with all parties in order to sort out the most suitable measure for each party.
He added that big-sized hotels and small-sized guesthouses have different demands and needs. Therefore, it would be better to find out what those entrepreneurs really needed so that the government budget is not wasted.
In his opinion, a problem that needs an urgent solution is workforce shortage in both quantity and quality.
“The government should help the entrepreneurs quickly create a well-trained labour force and support the owners to make the employees multi-skilled and having digital expertise,” said Weerasak.
The concerns were expressed as the government has scrapped the Test & Go scheme from May 1, and many experts and analysts are expecting a surge in the number of tourists arriving in the country.
Somprawin Manprasert, first executive vice president and chief economist of the Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), said that it was a positive sign for the recovery of the tourism industry. With more Covid regulations relaxed, making it more convenient for tourists to visit the county, it is expected that around 5.7 million tourists will visit the country this year.
“Although the number is less than the 5.9-million estimate preceding the Russia-Ukraine war, and far from the pre-Covid 40 million, the projected number is still 10 times higher than last year,” said Somprawin.
Assoc Prof Somchai Pakkapartwiwat, an economics expert, is also positive about the Thai tourism industry. However, Thai tourism still facing some uncertainties and is fragile, and the government will have to offer some support to prop up the industry, he said.
Marisa pointed out that the private sector could not put all their hopes on the government alone while they do nothing. She said all the members of the association have agreed to help each other find a solution to the worker shortage.
Some of the solutions are, for example, holding a short training course for employed workers and discussing with local vocational universities to seek young workers or trainees.
Marisa also suggested that hotel operators improve themselves to become more attractive to new workers. Apart from offering enough incentives, the entrepreneurs should give more chances to their employees to upskill and reskill.
Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn recently revealed that the country plans to fully unlock and reopen no later than June. This movement will help Thailand welcome at least 1.3 million foreign tourists during the rest of the year and generate over THB700 million revenue.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on April 28 opened the 10th and 11th White Elephant Art Exhibition and gave awards to winners of the White Elephant Art Awards under the topics of “In the Dream” and “Thais Giving Each Other” on the 9th floor of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district.
HRH Princess Sirindhorn was welcomed by Khajit Chatchawanich, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration permanent secretary, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, President and CEO of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, President of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Foundation, Nitikorn Kraivixien, Director of Art and Culture Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, and organizer representatives.
The event will be open to the public with no admission fees from April 28 to August 28 every day except Monday from 10am to 7pm.
Moving towards Low Carbon Economy and Fully Applying BCG Economy Model
[PR News] Chaiwat Kovavisarach, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Bangchak Group, and Kittiphong Limsuwannarot, President and Chief Executive Officer, BBGI Public Company Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding for the procurement of raw materials, products, plant construction, and retail of Sustainable Biofuels with Tanawat Linjongsubongkot, Managing Director, Thanachok Oil Light Company Limited, Thailand’s leader in integrated vegetable oil business for over 40 years, as a preparation for the construction of a new production plant within Bangchak Refinery to manufacture Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil, and related biofuel products for domestic and international markets.
Initial plans will soon see the commencement of SAF production at a maximum capacity of 1,000,000 liters per day.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a GHG emissions reducing alternative captivating global interests due to the up to 80% reductions in carbon reductions through the entire product life cycle. Thailand’s yearly consumption of vegetable oil of around 900,000 liters, which is constantly growing, presents an opportunity of creating value from used cooking oil to address the demand for SAF, which is rising constantly, as well as reducing GHG emissions in line with Bangchak Group’s 2050 Net Zero GHG Emissions target, and fully integrating the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic development model emphasized by the government in action.
The CP Group has thanked its partners, both in the public and private sectors, for their support in the establishment and operation of “CP-WHA-CHG Field Hospital” in Samut Prakan province to care for Covid-19 patients.
Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group chief executive officer Suphachai Chearavanont recently said that the group has been cooperating with WHA Group and Chularat Hospital Group (CHG) in establishing a 600-bed field hospital called “CP-WHA-CHG Field Hospital” at WHA Mega Logistics Center in Samut Prakan province since September last year to provide treatment to Covid-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. The aim was to help the authorities control and prevent the spread of the virus.
“With usable area of 15,294 square metres, the CP-WHA-CHG Field Hospital has been treating Covid-19 patients in yellow category with the same standards as modern hospitals, and has helped alleviate the burden on the country’s public health system until today,” he said.
“CP would like to thank WHA, Chularat Hospital Group, Department of Medical Services, Public Health Ministry, Samut Prakan province, and our subsidiaries including CPF, CP All, True, Siam Makro & Lotus, for making this field hospital a reality and helping society in a time of crisis,” added Suphachai.
The establishment of the field hospital is part of the “CP for Good Deeds” campaign to celebrate Charoen Pokphand’s 100 years of operation in Thailand and to inspire the good deeds in remembrance of the royal kindness of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn towards Thai people when the country is facing a crisis.
The cooperation with private partners, including WHA Group and Chularat Hospital Group, will also likely warrant future business cooperation between industry leaders in their respective sectors.
Since the first day of the CP-WHA-CHG Field Hospital opening on September 23, 2021, CP Group has poured in support and volunteers from its subsidiaries to ensure the smooth running of the facility, including providing the latest technology and innovation in patient care, as well as foods and drinks for all medical professionals and patients’ relatives.
CP Group also provided similar support to the government-operated Lerdsin Field Hospital in Bangkok’s Bangrak district, which treats patients in the red and yellow groups, and to Ramkhamhaeng Community Isolation Centre, which treats patients in the yellow and green groups.
Prasit Boondoungprasert, chief executive officer of Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl (CPF), said that CPF was proud to be a part of the establishment of CP-WHA-CHG Field Hospital. The company’s engineering team contributed to the design of the field hospital’s ventilation system and the installation of oxygenators and heart monitors that have saved lives of several Covid-19 patients.
“I believe there are opportunities in every crisis. We just have to work together and we will be able to overcome the Covid-19 crisis in no time,” he said.
Prasit added that CPF has also contributed foods and beverages to medical professionals and patients at other hospitals and field hospitals, as well as supplied foods and drinks to staffers and volunteers at 49 vaccination centres nationwide to ensure that all personnel are well-fed and ready to fight Covid-19.
CP All Plc acting chief executive officer Yuthasak Poomsurakul added that the company had donated medical supplies to 50 field hospitals, as well as necessities to temples nationwide to be allocated to people in vulnerable groups who have been affected by Covid-19 at community level.
“CP All has also reduced the price of several products during the Covid-19 situation to alleviate the cost of living of people, while our employees have volunteered to work with community leaders to make sure that all the assistance has been give to those in need,” he added.
Siriporn Dechsingha, chief corporate communication officer at Siam Makro Pcl, said that the company has donated medical equipment, PPE suits, and foods to the CP-WHA-CHG Field Hospital and other field hospitals during the outbreak with the help of volunteering Makro employees from 145 branches nationwide.
“Siam Makro is proud to be a part of the betterment of the society through volunteer work. We will continue to help and connect with local communities to ensure sustainable development as a leader in wholesale and retail,” she added.
Theeradej Damrongplasit, co-president of True Corporation Plc, added that the company has supported the implementation of smart technology in the CP-WHA-CHG Field Hospital to ensure that it operates as an international standards hospital, while all medical professionals are protected against the virus.
“With the 5G system being enabled throughout the hospital premises, patients can send message to medics when they require emergency assistance or to notify their symptoms. We have also installed comprehensive CCTV and intercom systems, as well as deployed state-of-the-art medical robots to let doctors diagnose and treat patients via a seamless telemedicine system,” he said.
“Ever since the Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand, True has been providing free SIM cards to patients in field hospitals and community isolation centres as well as to medical professionals so that they can communicate seamlessly. We will continue to help the society stay connected throughout the outbreak until we overcome this crisis together,” he added.
(PR News) Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (GULF) has been presented with 4 awards from the World HRD Congress, an independent organization recognizing achievements in human resources management, through three events: Global HR Excellence Awards, HR Tech Conference & Awards, and Employee Engagement Leadership Awards.
The achievement reflects GULF’s strong organizational management and excellence in human resources management.
The four human resources (HR) awards include: the Award for Career Fairs, Campus Recruitment Global from the HR Excellence Awards 2022, awarded for GULF’s consistent work with universities to raise brand awareness and invite university students to explore the corporate culture and career opportunities at GULF in order to attract new talent; the Best Learning & Development Strategy award and the Best Employee Engagement in B2B Sector award from the Employee Engagement Leadership Awards, which, respectively, reiterates GULF’s focus on developing employees’ skills to enhance their potential as well as retain talent within the organization for sustainable development and demonstrates GULF’s excellence in developing the employee experience and engagement; and the Best Use of Technology in HR from the HR Tech Conference & Awards, which reflects GULF’s success in implementing technology to promote effective HR management.
GULF strives to continuously develop its human resources to always be prepared in this era of transformation, focusing on developing new skills and enhance existing skills (reskilling & upskilling) and changing ways of working through new knowledge and skills, coupled with the use of technology to enhance employees’ knowledge and abilities so they are ready for future challenges and are able to keep up with the growth of the organization. Moreover, social responsibility is endorsed for all employees in order to develop the organization and society in the long run.
(PR News) Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Virtual Trade Fair (BGJF-VTF) — the globally acclaimed virtual trade show for gemstones and jewelry products — is set to shine again in 2022 with an array of new functions and special online activities. Through the online format, visitors and buyers are guaranteed the best of Thailand’s gems and jewelry industry while achieving their goals of negotiating businesses, networking, and trading.
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, the organizer of BGJF, stands firm on its posture to keep the pace of being one of the world’s most up-to-date gems and jewelry trading platforms equipped with virtual storefronts to facilitate buyers whose travellings are restricted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Its virtual nature will also allow them to have a first glance of the showcases and the products prior to the offline Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair — to be organized in September this year.
The BGJF Virtual Trade Fair will be launched on June 13, 2022 with all new features tailor-made for visitors, importers/exporters, sourcing agents, and jewelry enthusiasts from around the world. The online trading platform will feature products with latest innovations, many up-and-coming artisans and designers, exquisite pieces of supreme craftsmanship, and manufacturing companies. The website is equipped with several useful functionalities, including the arrangement of business matching sessions, the e-mail notification, and the face-to-face video conference with chosen exhibitors with an opportunity to view real products.
Online visitors are most welcomed to get themselves fascinated by the complete virtual exhibition of gold jewelry, gemstones, silver jewelry, diamonds, fine jewelry, pearls, costume & fashion jewelry, synthetic stones, and precious metals from as many as 300+ companies. The virtual fair will also be covering the entire supply chain with all kinds of gems and jewelry-related exhibitors showcasing jewelry parts, equipment, tools, machinery, display and packaging.
The website will also feature all special online activities: the exhibitor livestreaming, online business matching sessions, highlighted product trends, and seminars to keep you up to date about everything in the industry — all of them are free of charge. Once registered, the website will permit visitors to explore the fair, create their own lists of favorite products, and arrange for online trade negotiations.
The BGJF Virtual Trade Fair will be held between June 13-17, 2022. For traders, importers/exporters, and visitors, it is now time to register and explore Thai gems and jewelry industry. Visit www.bgjf-vtf.com to get inspired, before anyone else.
(PR News) VNU Asia Pacific, part of VNU Group, a globally operating exhibition company with offices in Utrecht, Shanghai, and Bangkok, is pleased to announce the staging of “Resilience on Emergency & Disaster Conference”, or REDCON Asia through a press conference which is held on April 27 at MBK Center, Bangkok.
The event is sponsored by MBK Public Company Limited.
REDCON Asia is a multi-stakeholder conference and exhibition that envisions to engage business sector leaders, governments, media, international agencies, and academia, among others, in the value chain of disaster and emergency management. It is set to take place on December 7-9, 2022 at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok.
With the Press Conference’s theme, “Bridging Cross-Sectoral Efforts for Disaster Resilience,” the event features speakers coming from different sectors as it aims to provide insights on the crucial role of multi-stakeholder partnerships on collaborative disaster risk management towards building resilience. Over 40 representatives coming from media, government, academia and other sectors were gathered at this event.
The highly acclaimed speakers include Mr. Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, Director of Research and International Cooperation Bureau, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Thailand; Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations ESCAP; Ms. Neeracha Malisak, Editor, The Nation; Dr. Peeranan Towashiraporn, Director of Geospatial Department, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC); Mr. Tam Hoang, Sustainable Urbanization Specialist, UN-Habitat; Ms. Anchalee Kongrut, Editorial Pages Editor, Bangkok Post; and Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Dean of School of Political Science, Thammasat University.
“We are excited to launch this much-needed platform in the region. Our mission is to gather the leading thought leaders, policymakers and cutting-edge companies on disaster risk reduction and emergency response here in Bangkok. We are convinced, that this event will spur cooperation from various sectors of the society for a more cohesive and decisive action when disasters strike,” says Mrs. Monika Baro, Project Manager of REDCON Asia.
“Cooperation” is our “salvation,” this is a key message in the opening speech of Mr. Saharat Wongsakulwiwat from DDPM Thailand. “Due to the world situation today, it is undeniable that all of us are facing more or less the challenges from the spread of COVID-19. This is a new challenge that the world is facing and we need to find solutions together.”
According to Dr. Sanjay Srivastava from UN ESCAP, REDCON Asia provides an avenue to capitalize on these three key opportunities to build a resilient Asia Pacific region: One, build policy coherence among multiple sectors to integrate disaster, climate and health resilience seamlessly into development planning; two, invest in integrated natural and biological multi-hazard early warning systems; and three, promote investments in climate adaptation and resilience.
This advocacy is supported by Dr. Peeranan Towashiraporn from ADPC saying that, “we need to work not only with the public sector but also with the private sector. So given what are we facing, it is a right time to have the upcoming REDCON Asia Conference where we can bring both the public and the private sectors together under one roof.”
However, “such coordination will not be easy,” according to Mr. Tam Hoang from UN-Habitat. “Tackling the combined threats of the Twin C’s: Climate change and COVID-19, requires innovative approaches, along with a readiness to finance new infrastructure and technologies towards longer-term durable solutions across the humanitarian-developmental nexus.
Meanwhile, the crucial role of media in disaster risk and emergency management was highlighted by Ms. Anchalee Kongrut and Ms. Neeracha Malisak, representing Bangkok Post and The Nation respectively. “As media, I believe that we can play a productive role, and become part of the effort. Because disaster management is becoming more important –not just events to be covered. Climate change –or even recent and ongoing war will become mankind’s problem. All of us will be affected, so everyone needs to be on the team, so does media,” stresses Ms. Anchalee Kongrut.
The Nation’s editor, Neeracha Malisak-Lemire has also participated in a short speech for this Resilience on Emergency and Disaster Conference, focusing on the media role and its power in raising awareness about the natural disasters, emphasising the current challenges of making our world a better and more sustainable place to live for our own existence and for the future generations.
“The Nation believes, as media, that we play a crucial role in serving as a medium linking all parties – the government, private sector, the public, etc. – through communication to raise awareness and visibility of the problems. This communication helps provide better information and understanding so all parties are prepared to deal with any new problems that may arise. This also helps protect vulnerable groups like children, women, the elderly, etc. Clear communication and awareness will bring us together locally, regionally and internationally so we can build a better, resilient, sustainable world,” said Ms. Neeracha.
Dr. Tavida Kamolvej from Thammasat University represented the academia’s voice at this event, saying that “Extreme weather will definitely add uncertainty and complexity to disaster risks that need collective action from all mechanisms one society has. Environment disruptions require all actions to be proactive and synergized. As we gather today, the strong intention of concerting effort to make the region safer leading by government agency, universities, international organizations and alliance, and REDCON Asia, will guide us to better constructive practices to reduce all risks we shared.”
The program was concluded by Mr. Igor Palka, Managing Director of VNU Asia Pacific, saying that “VNU is grateful for the continued support of our partners and speakers for REDCON Asia in December 2022. Organizing it this year could not be more than timely and relevant as we, together, find the solutions to address the nexus of disease-disaster-climate change phenomena.”
PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) generated revenue of THB68.9 billion in the first quarter of this year, up from 66.2 billion, or 5 per cent, in the fourth quarter of last year, due mainly to higher oil prices, the company’s chief executive Montri Rawanchaikul disclosed on Thursday.
That translated into a net profit of THB10.5 billion in the first quarter, a slight decline from THB10.6 billion in the fourth quarter of last year, he said.
The CEO attributed PTTEP’s steady growth in its first-quarter operating results to rising petrol prices following spikes in global crude oil prices.
Meanwhile, PTTEP’s average sales volume in the first quarter improved to 427,368 barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from 420,965 in the previous quarter, due to the increased daily production and gas sales from its Arthit project.
However, the company recorded expenses from non-operating items in the first quarter, mainly a loss on oil price hedging of US$240 million (THB7.9 billion).
PTTEP takes part in managing greenhouse gas, solving global warming issues and supporting Thailand’s commitment in reaching carbon neutrality, according to Montri. He said the company has set a target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 in order to create share value for stakeholders and sustainable growth.
Together with its partners, PTTEP is undertaking feasibility studies on generating green e-methanol, a clean energy source, and pursuing the development of technology in carbon capture and storage (CCS) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, according to the CEO.
“PTTEP continues to execute our strategic direction with consideration to create the right balance of business, social and environmental aspects, for a low-carbon future and sustainable growth,” Montri said.
The company is collaborating with its Japanese partners Inpex Corporation and JGC Holdings Corporation to explore the potential development of a CCS project in Thailand. The collaboration involves identifying and evaluating facilities as well as procedures and technologies concerning CCS to accelerate the decarbonisation of Thai industries.
PTTEP recently signed a memorandum of understanding with five leading companies in the energy and logistics industries for collaboration on establishing a green e-methanol pilot plant to convert captured biogenic carbon dioxide into green e-methanol, a low-carbon fuel.
The Agriculture Ministry has also instructed all cold-chain storage operators to ensure their durians are certified under the zero Covid standard.
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