MP Thamanat: I am not connected to any Chinese involved in shady business
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Phayao MP Captain Thamanat Prompow insisted he has no connection with a group of Chinese investors who are believed to be behind shady businesses in Thailand, including illegal casinos and gambling dens.
In an audio clip released on Thursday, Thamanat, former deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives minister, was responding to media rumours that he has “close ties” with the Chinese investors.
“This year I turned 58. I have travelled to several countries and made acquaintances with people from various nationalities, including Westerners, Chinese, Indian and more,” said the MP from the Thai Economic Party.
“I was also engaged in different businesses before becoming a politician. However, I have never conducted any shady business with Chinese investors,” Thamanat maintained.
Thamanat said as a politician he is ready to be investigated as per the law’s requirements.
He asked the media not to associate him with shady individuals without proof, as it would only hurt his reputation. Instead, the media should focus on presenting news that benefit the public and is fair to all involved, he said.
“It’s better to present news based on verified information than to be later sued in court,” Thamanat warned, adding that he has recorded all evidence of possible defamation against him.
The news of shady Chinese investors caught media attention after a police crackdown on a drug party in Bangkok’s Sathorn area last month, with more than 200 Chinese nationals being arrested.
The so-called restaurant/karaoke joint is now being investigated for involvement in drug trafficking and money-laundering operations possibly being run by foreign gangs.
Thailand is ready to show progress in tackling climate change during the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said on Wednesday.
He made the remarks at Suvarnabhumi Airport before leading his team to participate in COP27 at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt from November 11 to 16. The conference began on November 6 and ends on November 18.
Varawut said Thailand has submitted its long-term plan until 2065 to the conference organiser, including measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Thailand from 388 million tonnes equivalent to 120 million tonnes.
“So far, Thailand has set up a plan to reduce greenhouse gas and enable people in Thailand to adapt themselves, especially the underprivileged, such as farmers and the elderly,” he said.
He said Thailand also aims to show an agreement on carbon credit trade, technology transfer and fund support with Switzerland.
“Thailand and Switzerland are the world’s first countries that carry on tackling climate change under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement,” he added.
“Even though Thailand was ranked 22nd among greenhouse gas emitters, we are willing to tackle this issue in cooperation between the government and private sectors.”
He pointed out that creating awareness among all groups of people in the country is most important to tackle climate change, especially among people at the grassroots level.
“All people should be aware of climate change’s impact over the past 10 years, such as rising sea level, the El Niño and La Niña phenomenon,” he said, adding that climate change was a result of people’s actions.
He said he also planned to win support from many countries after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared during COP26 in Glasgow on November 1 last year the goal to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 and reach net-zero carbon emissions in 2065.
Many countries had promised to support Thailand, through finance, work, technology and personnel development, he added.
“We don’t just talk. We will show the world that we are moving towards dealing with climate change,” he said.
“This is a matter that cannot be delayed any longer. We have to do it now,” he added.
During the Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) forum at United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok on Wednesday last week (November 2), Varawut said the Environment Ministry is working on a draft act on climate change to encourage entrepreneurs to take part in tackling climate change. It is expected to be proposed to the Cabinet by the end of this year.
He added that he would propose updated strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent within 2030 during COP27.
“The strategies are short term and long term, such as applying technologies, developing carbon credit trade mechanisms, both domestic and overseas, and increasing carbon capture and storage,” he said.
Thailand to partner UN initiative in facilitating country’s move towards a green economy
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Thailand’s energy ministry announced a green collaboration with the United Nations Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) aimed at accelerating the nation on the right green economy track.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Supattanapong Punmeechaow stated during his opening remarks on Thursday that this partnership would focus on putting plans and policies into action with the help of PAGE and its allies.
He noted that the Thai government has already prioritised the green economy as one of the key strategies for improving people’s lives and developing in a sustainable manner.
Despite the fact that the government has launched numerous green initiatives in recent years, the majority of them are still in the planning stages or are just getting started.
Therefore, he expected that joining PAGE and receiving support in both academic and concrete action with a proper budget would help the country move quickly towards its goal, especially, the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model.
He pointed out that the partnership would help the country leverage the BCG model by improving resource efficiency for natural assets, capitalising on the country’s strengths in biological diversity and cultural richness, and utilising technology and innovation to transform the economy into a value-based and innovation-driven economy.
“It is collaboration for investment and synergistic action. The alignment of implementation is to encourage and drive a green recovery that results in a sustainable green economy,” Thailand’s energy minister said.
Some inception outputs were presented, including stocktaking to advance Inclusive Green Economy, Green Recovery Learning Needs Assessment, and Green Recovery Assessment on projects under rehabilitation fund.
The director of the PAGE programme in Thailand and Asia, senior environmental and labour specialist Cristina Martinez, praised the official beginning of this alliance.
She further committed to assisting Thailand in developing policies that would promote a green economy, enhance emissions trading, promote inclusive green development, and create financial mechanisms to sustain the green economy successfully.
Wichayayuth Boonchit, chairman of the PAGE Thailand National Steering Committee, stated that Page Thailand had put forward the inclusive green economy implementation in five areas:
reduction of carbon and pollution emissions
energy and resource efficiency promotion
enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation
increment of decent jobs
just transition of income and prosperity
These areas of actions are to overcome the challenges of poverty, social inequality, environment limit, and in return bring sustainable and efficient economic growth that is environmentally friendly and offers social justice, Wichayayuth noted.
“We would like to communicate and publicise our message through today’s launch event that Thailand is moving forward to actively greening its economic development, together with PAGE partners, and invite all key actors to join this drive synergistically into the path of an inclusive green economy,” he stated.
Sooksiri Chamsuk, deputy representative, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) shared that UNIDO is the lead coordinating agency for PAGE in Thailand.
The agency will coordinate technical assistance and share international experience from the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labor Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.
“With all stakeholders joining forces in putting green economic policy into action, we are creating a low-carbon society, analysing and improving resource efficiency, promoting clean production technology, and motivating green consumption, all of which contribute to long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability,” Sooksiri explained.
Supattanapong was hopeful that this action would serve as a networking platform for future collaboration among stakeholders on green economy, and green recovery policy and investment.
This would strengthen partnerships and cooperation for synergistic actions and implementation alignment to drive an integrated green economy towards sustainable development goals.
Twenty-two countries are involved with Page as of now.
Thailand was the 20th country to join Page in 2019 and began its inception phase in March 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Page is entering a three-year implementation phase, with a US$1-million budget from Page.
Thailand’s diplomacy guided by its national interest, says new Thai ambassador to the US
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
The newly appointed Thai ambassador to the United States asserted that Thailand’s diplomacy will safeguard its own interest, and that Bangkok would continue to work with Asean to diffuse tensions and violence in Myanmar.
Tanee Sangrat, former director-general, Department of Information, at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who has been appointed as Thai ambassador to Washington, DC gave an exclusive interview to The Nation Thailand. He insisted that Thailand continues to support the work and efforts of the Asean chair, which is held by Cambodia at present, followed by Indonesia.
Thailand also attaches great importance to the situation in Myanmar and is providing humanitarian assistance to the neighbouring country, including Covid vaccines, he said.
Over the past 30 years, Thailand has hosted close to 100,000 people fleeing the fighting in Myanmar, and provided temporary shelters for them along the borders.
Tanee said that some of the people have houses back home in Myanmar and many of them have returned voluntarily. “We continue to facilitate that but Thailand will not, as a policy, push back people to face danger in Myanmar. At the same time, Thailand continues to call for an end to the violence and fighting inside Myanmar,” he said. He rejected criticism of what has been called Thailand’s “bamboo diplomacy”. He said despite the pejorative, Thailand will safeguard its national interest and territorial integrity.
“Thailand is committed to safeguarding the benefits, interests and goals of the Thai people and not of any other countries,” he said, adding, “we also uphold international principles enshrined in the United Nations charter, in the Asean charter. So the interest of Thailand will guide all diplomacy.”
What the govt can do with the THB1.6 bn being spent for World Cup broadcast rights
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Several government projects – not to speak of various kinds of financial assistance – could be paid for with the 1.6 billion baht that is being spent on purchasing the rights to broadcast the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The games will be held from November 20 to December 18 and Thailand was reportedly the only country in Southeast Asia that had not secured the broadcast rights.
On Wednesday, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission approved a budget of 600 million baht for the purpose.
Some people disagree with the total expenditure, believing it is high and the money could instead be used on other things, such as investing in government projects, flood compensation, free student lunches, helping farmers and old age allowance.
Here’s what the government can do with the 1.6 billion baht:
14 Bangkok bus routes diverted to avoid Apec road closures
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022
More than a dozen Bangkok public bus routes will be diverted from Wednesday to Saturday (November 16-19) to avoid road closures around the Apec summit at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QNSCC).
Sections of Ratchadapisek, Duang Phitak, Ploenchit, Wireless and Ratchadamri roads will be closed to allow Apec leaders’ motorcades to travel between their hotels and the summit venue.
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) announced on Friday that 14 bus routes will use detours to bypass the closed roads.
Two bus routes will detour all day from November 16-19:
Motorcades of world leaders to hit Bangkok streets at 1-min intervals for Apec
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022
Motorcades carrying world leaders will leave their Bangkok hotels at one-minute intervals from 8.45am to get to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QNSCC) for the Apec Summit next Friday and Saturday (November 18-19), according to the Foreign Ministry.
Bangkokians can expect traffic disruption as roads are closed for the motorcades.
The Apec chiefs – 14 country leaders and 10 representatives – will stay at 20 hotels around the capital, the ministry told foreign embassies in a Friday briefing on summit arrangements.
Roads and the MRT subway station around QNSCC will be closed for the entire week of Apec meetings from November 14-19, bringing traffic disruption around the venue close to Sukhumvit Road’s Asok Intersection.
Friday’s briefing was joined by ambassadors from six Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members and representatives from 35 economies.
The 14 economies sending their leaders to the Bangkok summit are Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, The Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Chile.
Leaders’ representatives will be sent by Russia, South Korea, Malaysia, United States, Mexico and Peru.
Apec leaders and representatives will use three airports, namely Air Force Wing 6 (for private planes), Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi. The aircraft used by foreign leaders and their delegations will be parked at U-Tapao Airport in Rayong.
The summit – held under the concept “Open. Connect. Balance.” – will start with the Apec Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting on Monday (November 14), followed by the 33rd Apec Ministerial Meeting on November 17 and the 29th Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18-19.
Apec leaders are expected to endorse the Bangkok Goal Declaration on the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) economy as well Thailand’s declaration as host. At the end of the summit, Thailand will pass on the duty of hosting Apec 2023 to the United States.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will host a gala dinner for Apec leaders, representatives, and their spouses at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall on the banks of the Chao Phaya River in Bangkok on November 17.
Thailand looking to China to solve fertiliser shortage: Commerce minister
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022
Thailand will seek to solve its fertiliser shortage by securing bigger supplies from China at next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Bangkok, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Friday.
China’s President Xi Jinping will attend the summit along with leaders of Apec’s 20 other member economies. “If we get fertiliser from China at a special price, the shortage problem will be over,” the commerce minister said. However, China’s zero-Covid policy and its current restrictions on fertiliser exports could be hurdles to any deal, he said. Jurin, who doubles as deputy prime minister, said Thailand’s fertiliser shortage had been eased by 400,000 tonnes imported from Saudi Arabia despite the high price on the world market.
The fertiliser price soared after Russia, one of the world’s largest producers, was hit by sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine in February. Jurin said Thailand was now speeding up imports of fertiliser from Russia and Kazakhstan. He added that the price of fertiliser depends on the price of the fuel used to produce it. “If the price of oil and gas come down, the fertiliser price in the domestic market will get cheaper,” Jurin said. Meanwhile the Commerce Ministry would combat profiteering from fertiliser by enforcing the law against overpricing of controlled goods, which carries punishment of up to seven years in prison, he said.
Thailand lifts lid for World Toilet Day as one-third of loos fail hygiene test
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022
The Public Health Ministry sought to flush out Thailand’s hygiene concerns on Friday ahead of World Toilet Day on November 19.
Deputy Public Health Minister Satit Pitutecha lifted the lid on this year’s lavatorial awareness push by announcing its theme as “Making the invisible visible”.
“The campaign will encourage businesses to offer high-standard toilets, especially in tourist attractions, public transport stations and filling stations to welcome Thai and foreign tourists,” he elaborated.
One-third of public toilets checked at 99,814 venues across Thailand between 2019 and 2022 failed to meet international standards, according to a survey by his ministry.
Satit Pitutecha
Toilets at fresh-food markets are the worst culprits, judging from a separate survey by the Department of Health between October 14 and 21.
More than two-thirds of respondents (68.68%) wanted to see improvements at market toilets, followed by those at public parks (39.85%) and roadsides (38.48%).
Toilets in malls got the biggest thumbs-up for cleanliness (68.46%), followed by filling stations (55.30%).
Worryingly, only 35.82% of respondents were happy with toilets in hospitals.
“Cleanliness, safety and convenience are the main reasons that encourage people to use public toilets,” the department said, urging providers of the facilities to up their game.
“Apart from ensuring hygiene for toilet users, this also helps promote tourism and improve Thailand’s image,” it added.
Department of Health director-general Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai was on hand to explain that 40,000 households or 0.2% of people in Thailand still don’t have toilets.
He added that the department was working with relevant agencies and networks to ensure that every household in Thailand has a toilet.
Satit Pitutecha
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