200-strong search team looks for missing French tourist
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
A large-scale search operation is underway in Surat Thani’s Khao Sok National Park for a French tourist who has been missing since last Saturday.
More than 200 people – about 100 of them abseilers – formed the search team that also included park rangers, police, military officers and rescue workers. They are focusing on an area on Phanthurat Mountain, where mobile-phone signals of the missing tourist – identified as 34-year-old Gollino Cyrit Tizzlano – were last detected. At about 10pm on Wednesday, some local residents reported hearing the sound of wood tapping in that area, but a two-hour-long search failed to find the missing tourist.
Before he disappeared, Tizzlano reportedly offered a local 2,000 baht to help him look for his lost drone. However, the local declined the offer because it was getting dark. The search area is in difficult terrain marked by high limestone cliffs and slippery elevations due to rain. Tizzlano checked in at Khao Sok Holiday Resort last Friday. The following day, he ventured into the forest alone with his drone after declining the offer of a guided tour.
Small groups defy police ban with sporadic protests on Bangkok streets
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Despite a police ban on protests near the Apec Summit venue and Government House, small groups of protesters tested police limits on Thursday morning by launching mobile and sporadic protests.
On Thursday morning, the Royal Thai Police reiterated the ban on gathering near Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) and Government House, but to no avail, as protesters threatened to rally there.
Late Thursday morning, a group of demonstrators tried to descend on Asoke Intersection near the QSNCC. They held banners demanding that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha resign.
The protesters gathered in front of the Terminal 21 shopping mall and attempted to approach Asoke Intersection, clashing with crowd-control police a few times.
Officers promptly seized protest symbols and signs and pushed back the demonstrators towards the shopping mall away from the entrance to MRT’s Sukhumvit subway station.
Police remained stationed at the intersection to prevent the rallyists from advancing on the MRT station and on to the QSNCC.
Meanwhile, at the Lan Khon Muang ground in front of City Hall, a group of so-called “Citizens Stopping Apec 2022” continued their demonstration for a second day. The group organised a seminar at 10am on how Apec governments have “damaged the environment”.
A moment later, a group of 20 protesters rode four pickup trucks to Democracy Monument, which is not far away from Government House.
The demonstrators put up a large cloth banner at the monument. But crowd-control police swooped in immediately and seized the banner. Officers gave the group an ultimatum: return to Lan Khon Muang or face arrest.
Later, at 10.30am, another group of rallyists demonstrated in front of Siam Cement’s headquarters to demand an end to the Apec Summit and call for the abrogation of the Bio-Circular-Green economic policy that the group claimed would benefit only investors.
It also painted protest signs on the road in front of the Siam Cement head office. Police later told them to disperse as they had not received permission to demonstrate there.
Earlier on Thursday, Pol Maj-General Artchayon Kraithong, spokesman of the security and traffic operations command for the summit, told a press conference that security forces would not tolerate protests in front of the QSNCC after threats from a protester group.
Artchayon said the Rassadorn 63 group and 13 networks would hold a “What is happening in Thailand?” protest and try breaking through police barriers to rally in front of the QSNCC.
He said the National Police chief had instructed officers not to tolerate any attempt by protesters to break through the barriers.
Police would also enforce the ban against demonstrations on Bangkok streets near 19 hotels where Apec leaders are staying, the spokesman added.
“If the protesters try to enter prohibited areas, police will have to enforce the law. Police have prepared forces and equipment to control the crowd, but we will use them in accordance with the situation,” Artchayon promised.
“Protesters will not be allowed to enter prohibited areas at all,” he made it clear.
Police will also not allow the demonstrators at Lan Khon Muang to move to Asoke Intersection, Artchayon said.
Officers will not block protesters from other provinces from entering Bangkok, but police will question them about their goals and destinations first as well as check their belongings, Artchayon added.
Exat warns it will take action against netizens for incorrect Apec sign, flags
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) has given netizens 24 hours to delete any edited pictures showing incorrect Apec welcome signs and flags before they get sued.
On Saturday, netizens shared the Apec welcome sign with a typo on Chalong Rat Expressway.
The sign said “Welcom to APEC 2022” and also showed flags of G20 member countries instead of Apec.
Exatsaid several people edited and shared the image, which features Exat’s logo. Whether it was done intentionally or unintentionally, it has caused damage to the department, Exat said.
Therefore, its legal department issued an announcement asking people to delete any fake pictures or messages within 24 hours or they will face legal action.
The department later clarified that it would proceed with legal action only against those “who edited the image with vulgar language or against morality”.
Trade, investments in focus as Jurin, Don kick off Apec Ministerial Meeting
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Thailand’s Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai jointly kicked off the 33rd Apec Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on Thursday morning.
The plenary session on “Balanced, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth” was held at Ballroom Hall 1-2 of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre ahead of the Apec Summit on Friday and Saturday.
In his opening speech, Jurin said the meeting would focus on trade and investments and it would allow Apec economic ministers to follow up on the operations of Apec throughout the year.
Jurin said the meeting would also define the direction of Apec to cope with the current global trade situation and the direction would attach importance to all sectors and would promote free trade and investments for open, sustainable, and connected trade and investments.
Jurin told the meeting that the Apec Summit was being held this year under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.” He said Thailand has operational plans to push economic cooperation under the theme.
For example under the “Open” theme, Thailand would push for open opportunities for trade and investments among Apec members and would propose economic cooperation to establish free trade agreements.
To show Thailand’s seriousness to push for open economic cooperation, Bangkok played a role in supporting a bilateral trade system and the role of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) during a meeting in May 2022 and during the WTO ministerial meeting in June 2022 in Switzerland.
Jurin said he hoped that the 33rd AMM would lead to proposals for development of Apec operations.He urged the participants to use the ministerial meeting as a chance to drive for continual operations of Apec this year and in the future.
Prawit welcomes French president as he arrives at Don Mueang
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron was welcomed by Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan after his entourage landed at Don Mueang International Airport on Wednesday night.
Macron was accompanied by France’s Foreign Minister and European Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna. The president’s 120-member entourage included reporters.
It is the first time in 16 years that a French president is making an official visit to Thailand.
Macron will be among the special guests to attend the Apec Summit this week.
He was scheduled to meet Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House. Prayut will also host a lunch in the French president’s honour.
After bilateral discussions, the two sides are expected to come out with a joint statement on cooperation, according to a road map for strengthening Thai-French relations.
The 2022-24 road map was signed by the two leaders in Paris on February 22.
It focuses on cooperation in politics, stability, economy, two peoples and global affairs to make the two nations strategic partners.
Chuwit: Big investors should fund World Cup broadcast
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Former politician and popular massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit suggested purchasing the broadcasting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with money from “big investors”.
Chuwit said the programme will “return happiness” to Thais after they have “been forced to watch unfunny politics” and with the country having been closed due to Covid-19.
He seemed to joke when he called on “big investors” to help with the remaining 1 billion baht as it “only needed five of them to pay 200 million baht” each because, he claimed, they “used to pay political parties, especially during the big election”.
However, when it came to bringing happiness to Thais, they ignored it, he said.
Chuwit stated that he did not extort money from anyone but has only spoken the truth.
On Wednesday, SAT invited related sectors to discuss financing and broadcasting of the World Cup.
Sustainable development a challenging balancing act, speakers at Apec CEO Summit say
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Maintaining a balance between the economy, society and environment is a challenge towards sustainable development, Peru’s First Vice President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra said on Thursday.
She was speaking during the session on “Building Sustainable Economies, Businesses and Societies” at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) CEO Summit being held at Athenee Hotel in Bangkok.
She said Peru is working on maintaining the balance between the three dimensions to prevent damage to the next generation, secure needs for the future and protect the environment.
On tackling inequality, she said Peru is working alongside the private sector and fostering partnership with foreign investors.
Given its high index of poverty, the country has developed social programmes to promote social inclusion, she added.
“Growth has to be with humans at its core,” she said.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric said balancing immediate needs with long-term ones are necessary for sustainable development.
He said democracy is a solution for balancing immediate needs as it can help build confidence among people and drive the country forward.
“Protecting and improving democracy, in my opinion, is the key to sustaining the people’s well-being,” he said.
Despite a stable economy, technologies, resources and renewable energy, he said it would be meaningless if there is no equal society.
“We need social reform, otherwise we will have social problems,” he said.
Suzanne Gaboury, director-general of Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Private Sector Operations Department, said the private sector should take a role in driving the economy towards sustainability.
She added that ADB is offering financial assistance to enable the Asia-Pacific region to become prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
“There is a need for the private sector to come in for ideas,” she said.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) president and CEO Hironori Kamezawa said digital transformation, sustainability and culture are three big topics for CEOs in these changing times.
He urged private banks to provide support for sustainable finance to enable CEOs to achieve their ambitious goals.
“We need innovation in sustainability-linked finance to help incentivise customers to reach goals,” he said.
‘Winning trust and mutual cooperation key to cope with current challenges’
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Rebuilding mutual trust is one of the most essential tasks for surviving current challenges and thriving for long-term sustainability, a group of leaders and experts said at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) CEO Summit.
The unanimous opinion was expressed during an open forum discussion led by Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, president of the Philippines, Robert E Moritz, global chairman, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and Klaus Schwab, founder, and chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
They discussed “The Global Economy and the Future of Apec”, which primarily provided the audience with an overview of the current economic situation in the global and Asia-Pacific region, as well as the challenges that exist and how to move forward.
Climate change, supply chain disruption, and food security are the most pressing issues to address, according to the Philippine president, the chairman of PwC, and the WEF chairman.
Although each country prioritises those issues differently depending on its context, finding long-term solutions requires mutual cooperation.
“To get the best trust is to perform what you have said,” the leader of the Philippines stated, adding that in the political sphere if a leader wants to build trust, they must demonstrate by doing it.
Moritz advised everyone to pay close attention to what the other person is saying so they can all understand and reduce the chance of misinterpretation.
All of the pressing issues that they raised on stage are already on the agenda of many summits around the world including Apec CEO Summit 2022.
They are also the driving force behind this year’s summit concept of finding the right solution to address issues in the short term while also assisting each country in seamlessly transitioning to a more sustainable way with the help of digital technology.
In addition to rebuilding trust, Moritz advises countries to support people’s development and improve the country’s database.
“The database will not only allow us to make better and faster decisions, but it also will describe and enable the journey on how they will adapt for the future in order to gain public trust,” Moritz explained.
The Philippines’ president then concluded that the world needed peace and harmony right now. He noted that prosperity cannot exist in the world without peace.
The two-day Apec CEO summit brings together Asia’s top business leaders for discussions with Apec economic leaders, policymakers, academics, and CEOs. The summit is being held on November 17-18, at Athenee Hotel in Bangkok.
Thai, Japanese ministers discuss trade, commercial tie-ups
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Commerce ministers from Thailand and Japan discussed a boost in trade and commercial cooperation during a meeting on the sidelines of the 2022 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.
Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit met with Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura on Wednesday at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok.
Jurin said Nishimura presented a project to celebrate 50 years of ties between Japan and Asean under the concept “Co-create Vision”, with a highlight on building at least 100 networks of private Japanese and Asean firms by boosting business matching and joint investments across various industries.
Japan has earmarked a budget of 8 billion yen (2.1 billion baht) for the project.
Nishimura also affirmed that Japan would fully support the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which groups Thailand, Japan and 13 other countries. The RCEP is currently considered the world’s largest free trade bloc, said Jurin.
Japan also urged the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to continue its mission to establish economic relationships in the region among 14 member countries, including Thailand, Japan, the United States and Australia.
The IPEF was officially announced in May this year in Tokyo and, together, its members represent 40 per cent of the world’s GDP.
Jurin said he discussed the issue in which Thailand is currently exporting only 3 billion tonnes of banana to Japan under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, which actually stipulates a quota of 8 billion tonnes per year.
“We could not use the whole quota because the agreement has complex regulations that have made some of our products fall short of Japan’s import standards,” said Jurin, adding that he had asked Nishimura to coordinate with the Japan External Trade Organisation to help provide knowledge and necessary training to Thai farmers so they can improve their product quality to meet Japanese standards.
Jurin also asked Nishimura to consider supporting Phuket as host of the Specialised Expo 2028. The expo, which targets medical technology and promotes medical tourism, is supervised by the Bureau International des Expositions, which Thailand and Japan are members of. The bureau is scheduled to select the host in June next year.
In the first nine months of 2022, trade between Thailand and Japan was worth 1.55 billion baht, increasing 9.13% year on year. About 642 billion baht came from exports, which increased 10.7% year on year and included automotive components, processed chicken, machinery, computers, plastic pallets, copper and steel.
Muay Thai champ ready to teach Apec leaders a few powerful moves
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Thailand’s famous Muay Thai champion and martial artist, Buakaw Banchamek, wishes to teach Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders powerful punches and kicks of Thai traditional boxing.
The multiple times Muay Thai champion said after a demonstration and media workshop at the media centre on Wednesday:
“If I get the chance to teach them [the leaders] Muay Thai, I’ll show them how to punch, kick, and elbow. These are the fundamental but powerful and dangerous moves of Muay Thai,” he explained.
The demonstration was one of several special events organised by Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in collaboration with CP Group to promote the country’s culture.
He expressed his joy at being one of the Thais invited to the Apec Summit 2022.
“When it comes to Thai culture, Muay Thai is one of the best known in the world. When foreigners think of Thailand, they remember not only how beautiful we are, but also a martial art that has been inherited for a long time.”
Buakaw and his Lanna Fighting Camp team demonstrated many Thai traditional martial arts, beginning with a worship ritual, Muay Thai training, and a fighting and media workshop.
The event drew a lot of attention from Thai and foreign media, as well as Buakaw fans.