Forest-fire crisis delays flights at Mae Hong Son Airport
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
Many areas in Muang district were covered in smoke from forest fires that was so thick on Sunday morning that several airlines rescheduled morning flights to and from Mae Hong Son Airport to the afternoon.
The Pollution Control Department reported that PM2.5 – particles of dust less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter – in Mae Hong Son’s Muang and Pai districts reached 90 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3) and 105μg/m3, respectively.
Thailand’s safety limit is 50 μg/m3. High levels of PM2.5 pose health risks, especially for people with chronic lung disease.
“Forest fires were spotted in 173 areas across the province on Saturday compared to 98 areas on Friday,” the department said.
The department said forest fires occurred around Muang district, especially in the mountain range on the western side of Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu.
“Fire-fighters have been deployed to extinguish forest fires, especially in areas near communities,” it said.
The department added that forest fires were found in 806 areas across Mae Hong Son from January 1 to February 11, with 252 occurring in Pai district alone.
Beware of Valentine sextortion, even by friends: police
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
Criminals are taking advantage of love to commit cyber crimes, including sextortion, and romance and hybrid scams, warned Colonel Siriwat Deepor, deputy chief of the Technology Crime Suppression Division.
In romance scams, criminals use sexy avatars to lure victims into sending them money, police said. Hybrid scams also use attractive avatars, but they differ from romance scams because they encourage victims to invest money in fraudulent schemes, police said.
Sextortion occurs when victims are encouraged to send nude photos or explicit video clips to criminals who subsequently use the images to blackmail them, Siriwat said.
Siriwat Deepor
“These crimes damage the reputation of victims and deprive them of money,” he said.
Sextortion is dangerous because friends and acquaintances of the victims are often the culprits, Siriwat said.
“We would like to ask people to be careful with nude photos or [sexually] explicit video clips as they could become victims of sextortion,” he said.
People can report possible sextortion via tcsd.go.th.
Govt to crack down on unpaid traffic fines from April 1
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
From April 1, motorists who have unpaid traffic tickets will not receive their annual vehicle registration tax sticker to display on the windshield, a government spokeswoman said on Sunday.
Motorists who fail to display the tax sticker to traffic police will be subject to a maximum fine of 2,000 baht and a one-point reduction of their driving score, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said.
Declining to issue the tax sticker to motorists with unpaid traffic fines is the latest step by the government to prompt motorists to obey traffic laws, Rachada said.
From April 1, motorists must pay all traffic ticket fines to get the tax sticker. If they don’t pay the fines they will not receive a sticker.
Previously, many motorists who received tickets for traffic violations by mail, refused to pay their fines. This prompted police to arrest some as a warning to the rest to pay their fines.
Still, some motorists refused to pay fines because they thought that the Land Transport Department’s database was not linked to the traffic police’s database and – as a result – it was not possible to determine which vehicles had been fined.
The Land Transport Department will be able to check vehicles to determine if their drivers have fines from April 1, Rachada said.
She added, however, that the measure would not be retroactive.
Thailand stepping up efforts in preventing multidimensional violence
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the new and ongoing conflicts, and the looming threat of environmental crisis create a growing sense of insecurity and polarization that increasingly translates into security threats to our societies.
The UNDPHuman Development Report 2021/2022 highlights that this rising insecurity is not limited to countries with low Human Development Index (HDI); even countries with high HDI show increased levels of anxiety and stress among their populations.
The report further highlights how more than 6 in 7 people at the global level have been feeling insecurity even before the Covid -19 pandemic.
But what is driving this trend towards increased anxiety, stress, and insecurity that can lay the foundation for radicalization and escalate to violence and extremism?
A closer examination of the root causes reveals a complex interplay of socio-political and economic factors, including growing inequalities, perceptions of injustice, corruption, discrimination, and marginalization of minorities.
The additional threats, many human-induced, to our ecosystems and questions regarding our ability and even commitment to sustainably manage them, add to these causes.
The role of media in normalizing violence, and spreading fake news thereby challenging trust, as well as psychological factors such as alienation and a search for identity, also play a crucial role that driving radicalization
At a global level, the member states of the United Nations have acknowledged that extremism has reached a level of threat and sophistication that requires concerted actions that go beyond just military and security measures to counter it.
To truly prevent extremism, addressing its root causes through promoting development, good governance, and human rights is imperative.
Thailand, with the adoption in September 2022 of the “Guidelines on Strengthening Co-existence amidst Social Diversity” by Cabinet, is also acknowledging the importance and urgency of preventing extremism.
UNDP welcomes these Guidelines as a demonstration of Thailand’s support and alignment with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Plan of Action on Preventing Violent Extremism, itself based on a resolution of the General Assembly 70/254 of 12 February 2016.
The Guidelines promote a multi-sector approach to fostering social cohesion by involving all sectors of society, from the government and private sector to the general public and civil society and calls for the engagement of all relevant Ministries and Departments to tackle the individual and structural factors that can lead to hate-based and extremist ideologies.
As we mark on the 12th of February the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, UNDP calls on all sectors of the society in Thailand to converge efforts to jointly identify the solutions needed to strengthen social cohesion through trust-based dialogues and with the dose of empathy and solidarity that the uncertainties of our times require.
The upcoming election provides a pivotal moment for Thailand to come together and make a collective choice through a democratic process as to the way ahead.
Thai citizens have the opportunity to give power to decision-makers whom they trust will be able and willing to heal divides, tackle the pressing environmental threats, address complex social and economic challenges, bolster effective inclusive governance that incorporates Thailand’s vision for a Bio Circular Green Economy model and create an enabling environment where peaceful and cohesive societies can thrive
Rose farmers get Valentine’s Day gift – pre-Covid prices
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
Rose growers in Tak province say they have been so overwhelmed with orders that prices are rising to as high as nine baht for a single high-quality rose.
Rose growers in Phop Phra and Mae Sot districts started sending flowers to Pak Klong wholesale market in Bangkok ahead of Valentine’s Day on Sunday.
They are being paid eight or nine baht for top-grade roses, they said.
The prices are the highest since before the Covid-19 pandemic, said Thaweesup Poonwasinmongkol, a rose grower in Moo 3 village of Mae Sot’s Tambo Mahawan.
Phop Phra district is the biggest source of roses supplied to the Pak Klong market, said rose farmer Chawisa Suriya.
About half of the about 3,000 rose growers in the district stopped growing them during the pandemic because prices fell below costs, Chawisa said.
Many of them are growing roses again now that prices have risen, she said.
You can now kill mosquitoes with Covid-19 herb – Fah Talai Jone
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
The Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachinburi has created a mosquito spray from Fah Talai Jone, the traditional herbal medicine used by most Thais to ease symptoms of Covid-19.
The hospital, which specialises in developing alternative medicines from herbs, announced its success in creating the mosquito spray from green chiretta (Andrographis paniculate) on Saturday.
Dr Supaporn Pitiporn, chairperson of the Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation’s local Thai wisdom development committee, and Asapha Chaocharoen, a pharmacist from the hospital’s alternative medicine centre, held a press conference to announce the spray on Saturday.
Supaporn said the Fah Talai Jone spray was far safer than chemical mosquito sprays because it does not harm humans or the environment.
The hospital cited a study that said mosquitoes have started producing Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450s), which makes them more resistant to the chemicals.
Asapha said Fah Talai Jone spray overcomes this issue, adding that andrographolide extracted from the herb can stop mosquitoes from laying eggs, kill larvae as well as drive away and kill mosquitoes.
She said a study by the hospital found that the herb can drive away all mosquitoes, including dengue, malaria and chikungunya carriers.
Asapha said a test by the Medical Sciences Department found that the Fah Talai Jone spray can keep mosquitoes away for about 2.7 hours and the Dermscan Asia cosmetic testing centre found that the spray does not harm the human skin.
Sopaporn added that people can make their own Fah Talai Jone spray by grinding the leaves and mixing them in water with some kaffir lime oil.
Journey for love: Man walks 1,200km from Nakhon Nayok to Satun to propose
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
A besotted 56-year-old left his hometown in Nakhon Nayok on foot on January 14 with the aim of getting to Satun on Valentine’s Day to ask for his girlfriend’s hand in marriage.
“I want people who abuse their families and loved ones, as well as those who are unfaithful to their wives, to pay attention to this journey,” Suthep “Maew” Promjit said.
As of Saturday, he had covered 1,100 kilometres of his journey and arrived in Trang with his friend Niwat Thongwithi, 50, who has been accompanying him on a “saleng”.
Suthep is about 100km from his girlfriend Thanapa Khiaw-on’s home in Satun’s Thung Wa district and expects to get there by Tuesday.
He met his girlfriend, also 56, via the TikTok application five years ago and has decided to finally ask for her hand in marriage.
He said he has lost more than 17 kilograms in the walk and even though he only weighs 40kg now, he is happy because the walk proves how much he loves his wife-to-be.
Suthep added that he and his new wife will travel around Thailand once they are married.
Hunt on for 2nd Thai woman to go missing in Turkey
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023
A search has been launched for Wilairat Channual, a second Thai woman to have gone missing in the earthquake disaster that has devastated both Turkey and Syria, the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara said on Saturday.
A 7.8-magnitude quake and aftershocks hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday morning, leaving more than 28,000 dead as of press time and affecting millions more in both countries.
The Thai embassy has asked for clues about Wilairat and “the Thai rescue team at the scene has been informed of her”, an embassy official said.
The embassy is also cooperating with local agencies to bring the body of Chaiyaphum-native Chamaiporn Homsantia, 28, back to Thailand. Chamaiporn was among the victims killed when the hotel she worked in as a masseuse in the Turkish town of Iskendrun collapsed.
Embassy officials added that they have visited and handed out bags of supplies to Thai victims and is helping move them to safe zones or to return to Thailand.
“Foreign Minister Don Pramudwina expects the embassy and Thai agencies to be successful in the mission,” the embassy said. It also thanked Thai networks, volunteers and business operators in Turkey for helping Thai victims.
People are urged to follow the news closely and can contact the embassy via its 0533 641 5698 hotline and Facebook Messenger at any time.
As a key contributor to the Thai economy, the tourism industry requires a development approach that promotes sustainability, while raising public awareness of environmental impacts, said Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa.
Varawut was speaking at a luncheon organised by tourism nonprofit SKAL International Bangkok under the theme “The Environment and Thailand’s Tourism”. It was held on February 8 at the Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok.
“Thailand is full of natural attractions and interesting activities that can be developed using the BCG economy model,” he said, referring to the Bio-Circular-Green model.
“The model essentially focuses on promoting economic gains while ensuring sustainable management of natural resources and environment,” he said.
Varawut pointed out that Thailand has several attractions that have been classified as world heritage sites, which could help attract eco-tourists from around the world.
“The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex in the western region was Thailand’s sixth and latest site named as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2021, while Satun Geopark was the first site in Thailand that was named as a Unesco Global Geopark in 2018,” he said.
“The government is planning to propose the Andaman Islands and Korat Geopark to be considered as a Unesco World Heritage site and geopark in the future,” Varawut added.
His ministry has implemented several measures to promote eco-friendly practices at natural attractions, he said. These include using e-tickets and online reservations via the QueQ application to reduce crowding and waste, implementing a universal design for facilities within national parks, and granting green awards for national parks and hotels that demonstrate outstanding environmental-protection efforts.
“The ministry also promotes low-carbon tourism by banning plastic and foam packaging in national parks and prohibiting smoking at beaches,” Varawut said.
Inspector Sua’s link to online gambling will be investigated: CIB chief
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2023
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief promised a “straightforward investigation that is strictly in line with the law” into allegations of a senior police officer’s involvement in illegal online gambling.
CIB commissioner Pol Lt-General Jirabhop Bhuridej said on Saturday that the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), which is under his bureau, would carefully look into information related to 11 companies belonging to the officer in question.
“We will find out if any money is being laundered through these companies. We will also question Inspector Sua and other people if necessary. Things will be dealt with in line with the law,” Jirabhop said.
He added that an investigation team has been set up to collect evidence and find witnesses. “Legal action will be taken against anyone involved in wrongdoing,” the CIB chief said.
Earlier, high-profile whistleblower Chuwit Kamolvisit alleged that “Inspector Sua”, a police lieutenant colonel in the Royal Thai Police’s Logistics Office, was behind the operation of an online gambling platform. Chuwit named the senior policeman’s 11 companies that he claimed were involved with shady businesses.
The whistleblower – who previously owned six massage parlours before entering politics and becoming a media celebrity – also claimed that Inspector Sua was being protected by “General J”.
The CIB chief on Saturday also thanked Chuwit for the information and thanked the national police chief, Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas, for placing his trust in the CSD to deal with the case.
“I can confirm that we will do our utmost,” he said.
Siriwat Deepor
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