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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021961

Ancient whale skeleton resurfaces near Bangkok after 3,000 years

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022

The skeleton of a whale discovered almost perfectly preserved more than 3,000 years after it last swam in the Gulf of Thailand was officially registered on Wednesday.

The 3,380-year-old Bryde’s whale fossil was unearthed in Samut Sakhon’s Ban Phaeo district just west of Bangkok and 12 kilometres from the current coastline, in November 2020.

Sea levels in the gulf have fallen several metres over the past few thousand years.

The 12-metre fossilised skeleton has been carefully conserved, dated and moved to the Golden Jubilee National Geological Museum in Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok, said the Royal Gazette on Wednesday. The fossil has also been listed by the Department of Mineral Resources, it added.

Archaeologists dug up a total of 141 bones of the ancient Bryde’s whale, including the skull that measured 3 metres long. The rare discovery was hailed as “a window into the past”, especially for research on sea levels and biodiversity.

The fossilised remains of the giant sea mammal were uncovered during work conducted by water management consultant Bright Blue Water Corporation.

Bryde’s whales are still occasionally spotted in the Gulf of Thailand today, though the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species lists their conservation status as “unfavourable”, adding that it “would benefit significantly from international cooperation organised by tailored agreements”.

Related stories:

• New fossil fish species found on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
• Songkhla farmers introduce ‘fossil durian’ that flourishes in lignite deposits
• Woman finds ‘fossils said to date back 250m years ago’ on farm

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021960

AOT shelves Phang Nga airport viability study for now

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022

The preliminary feasibility study for Phang Nga Airport will be put on hold until the management of three provincial airports is handed over to the Airports of Thailand (AOT).

A source said on Friday that a study on the viability of Phang Nga Airport will only begin once the Cabinet has approved the transfer of Udon Thani, Buri Ram and Krabi airports to AOT.

The transfer aims to maximise efficiency in commercial operations and the Cabinet is expected to give it a green light by December or January.

The airports are currently under the management of the Transport Ministry’s Department of Airports.

AOT initially planned to launch a preliminary feasibility study for an airport in Phang Nga province this year. Some 20 million baht has been allocated for the study, which includes the exploration of 8,000 rai (1,280 hectares) of land in the southern province’s Takua Thung district.

The source said the Phang Nga project has been put on hold because the proposed location is not too far from Krabi Airport.

“If a study is conducted before Krabi Airport is transferred to AOT, it will become irrelevant if there is a change in Krabi Airport’s administration policy after management has been shifted,” the source said. “Therefore, the AOT has agreed to postpone the study until the transfer has been approved by the Cabinet.”

The source added that once Krabi Airport is transferred to AOT, it will start looking into expanding the runway and building new terminals for domestic and international passengers. This expansion will most likely affect the number of passengers landing in Phang Nga.

The source said that though no land needs to be expropriated for the Phang Nga airport because all 8,000 rai is owned by the Treasury Department, people living near the area will be affected by sound pollution. The AOT will compensate those affected as per Cabinet stipulations, the source said.

Related Stories

AOT to start managing Udon Thani, Buri Ram, Krabi airports from 2023

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Suvarnabhumi to introduce faster, more efficient check-ins from Sept 1

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021948

Phuket’s Patong-Kathu highway reopens to 4-wheel vehicles after landslide

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022

The partially collapsed section of Phuket’s Highway 4029 running from Patong beach to Kathu was reopened to four-wheel vehicles on Thursday. The road should be open to all vehicles by mid-December, said provincial Governor Narong Woonciew.

The road was closed on October 19 after heavy rain triggered a landslide that ripped away a section of the outer lane. The Phuket District Highway Office launched urgent repair work on the highway, which is the gateway to Patong Hill and normally one of the tourism island’s busiest roads.

On October 24, the road was stabilised to allow pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists to use the lane hugging the hillside.

Narong reported on Thursday that repair work has progressed to allow one lane each way to open for cars and pick-ups.

“Large vehicles such as tour buses and trucks are still not allowed to use the route for safety reasons,” said the governor. Tourist buses heading to Kamala and Kata Karon beaches will have to detour via highways 4028, 4025 or 4030, which will take longer, he added.

Kathu mayor Chaianant Sutthikul said the road’s foundations have been strengthened with boulders and cement to prevent future landslides. Officials have been deployed around the clock to manage traffic at the site until repairs are completed in an estimated 40 days.

Related Stories

Phuket’s Patong-Kathu highway reopens to pedestrians after landslide

Phuket highway hit by landslide may be unrepairable in blow to tourism

Body of missing Russian tourist found in Patong Bay after a 6-day search

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021936

Prayut makes strong pitch for digital transformation, seeks unified moves to realise ‘digital Asean’

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday stressed the need for Asean member countries to work closely to achieve their common goal of making the regional grouping “digital-ready” by 2025.

He confirmed Thailand’s determination to help create an Asean digital community that is well-connected and all-embracing.
“We are ready for complete our digital integration to become a digital Asean and turn Asean into an important power in driving the economy of the region and the world for the benefit of our peoples,” he said.
Prayut was giving his keynote speech on the topic “Digital-Ready Asean” at the Asean Business and Investment Summit 2022 held in Phnom Penh.
The event was organised on the sidelines of the government leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, gathering in the Cambodian capital for the 40th and 41st Asean Summit and related meetings.

The Thai PM said that the global Covid-19 crisis over the past three years had underlined the necessity of digital technology for many sectors, particularly businesses.
He noted that in 2019, Asean realised the need for digital transformation, so it set a plan to make the community ready for digital technology in every dimension for future challenges.
“Asean’s digital economy has grown rapidly, with over 400 million internet users. The region’s digital economy is estimated to be worth over US$360 billion in three years,” Prayut said.
He called on Asean countries to prepare for digital transformation by improving the skills of the workforce and promoting strong digital startups, among others. He also said Asean countries should speed up the creation of digital infrastructure and logistics that would allow “seamless connection” between them. A common ecosystem of digital businesses is also necessary to realise Asean’s digital integration, he said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021922

With a hug and praise, Prayut and Hun Sen meet for first time in three years

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

The prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia praised closer bilateral ties and cooperation as well as increased trade between the two countries at their first meeting in three years on Thursday, Thai government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hugged his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen when they met in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital city, ahead of the summit of government leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member countries.
Cambodia is serving as the rotating Asean chair this year.
Phnom Penh is hosting a physical Asean Summit for the first time since the Covid-19 crisis struck in 2020.
During their meeting, Prayut congratulated Hun Sen on Cambodia’s success in chairing Asean and strengthening the regional grouping’s role in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

He also thanked him for agreeing to attend next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Bangkok as the host’s special guest, Anucha said on Thursday.
“[PM Prayut] is glad about the closer ties between Thailand and Cambodia. He thanked [Hun Sen] for his full support and attention, which has led to strong partnership for mutual benefits,” the spokesman said.
Hun Sen, meanwhile, praised closer ties and cooperation between the two countries. He also said Cambodia was prepared to work with Thailand in further boosting bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Both leaders voiced their satisfaction with increased trade between the two countries and promised to work closer together so that the target of US$15 billion in total border trade would be reached by 2025, according to the spokesman.
Prayut also suggested that both countries cooperate more in the digital economy and finance, as well as science and technology.
The Thai PM also thanked Hun Sen for the Cambodian authorities’ assistance in cracking down on call-centre scam gangs operating from Cambodia.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021921

DES minister attends 1st Asia-Pacific digital ministerial forum in S Korea

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn attended the first Asia-Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference in Seoul on Thursday.

The conference was jointly organised by South Korea’s Science and ICT Ministry and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap).

The conference, chaired by South Korean Science and ICT Minister Lee Jong, was attended by senior officials from Escap nations, including its secretary-general Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

Representatives of member nations discussed challenges and measures for the transition to a digital economy and society and how to provide digital cooperation in line with a Bangkok declaration that was reached during the 75th anniversary of Escap’s establishment.

The attendants also signed the “Ministerial Declaration on Digital Cooperation for Shaping Our Common Future”.

In his speech, Chaiwut talked about the significance of digital technologies that have helped Thailand survive the Covid-19 crisis.

Chaiwut said the pandemic had accelerated digital transformation around the globe and Thailand had drafted its own strategic plan for social and economic transformation to a digital economy and society.

Chaiwut also told the conference that the Thai government had been reducing the digital gap by providing cheap or free broadband Internet connection to rural areas.

He proposed that Escap nations intensify cooperation to develop digital infrastructure among them.

On the sidelines of the conference, Chaiwut held discussions with Iran’s Information and Communications Technology Minister Eisa Zarepour.

The two exchanged experiences in digital technological developments in their respective countries and pledged increased cooperation on ICT and digital technology.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021919

Doi Inthanon sees frozen dew for third day as temperature drops to 3 degree

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Doi Inthanon witnessed “moei karb”, or frozen dew, for the third time this winter season as the temperature plummeted to 3 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

The coolest temperature of 3 degrees was recorded at Kew Mae Pan viewpoint – the lowest temperature so far this season.

On Thursday, the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail was packed with visitors who arrived to catch a glorious sunrise and click photos.

Some 2,728 tourists visited Doi Inthanon National Park on Wednesday. Of the figure, 1,733 were Thai and 995 foreigners.

Tourists also headed to Sui Tang camping ground at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park in Chiang Mai – where the temperature fell to 15 degrees – to see a vast sea of fog and a brilliant orange-tinged sunrise.

The Meteorological Department had advised people in northern Thailand to take care as a cold front descended across that region, which would result in cool-cold mornings with fog from November 9 to 15.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021917

There’s nothing to worry about on Apec security, assures police chief

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Security measures for the Apec Summit in Bangkok next week are 80-90 per cent ready, National Police chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas reported in a press conference on Thursday.

There is nothing to worry about, he assured everyone, as every aspect on security has been prepared and it is 80 to 90% complete.

He also mentioned that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha called for a focus on rehearsals and practice so the summit from November 14 to 19 goes off smoothly.

Damrongsak said the police have been “eliminating crime” from October 10 to November 8 and is continuing to do so, including getting rid of unregistered guns and other illegal items.

The police, the Army, the public health sector and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are working in an integrated manner while a joint operations centre will be established at Royal Thai Police Headquarters on Monday, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Damrongsak said.

When a reporter asked if there was any news of any political movement planned during the summit, Damrongsak answered that he hadn’t come across any such news but Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt had allowed protesters to use the Lan Khon Muang grounds opposite City Hall.

Damrongsak asked them to follow the law as the summit is an important international event which Thailand is hosting. It has taken the country around 20 years to host such an event.

The National Police chief said he wanted the summit to go off without any incident otherwise it would tarnish Thailand’s reputation because leaders of several countries, foreign reporters and international businessmen will attend the all-important event.
 

Related stories

• Roads closed for 2nd rehearsal of Apec dignitaries’ motorcades
• Thailand all set to host Apec Economic Leaders’ Week
• No Blue Line train services to Queen Sirikit Convention Centre station during Apec Summit

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021916

Power cables at Apec convention centre placed underground in landscape clean-up

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

The landscape at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok has changed dramatically after overhead electric cables were placed underground before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit.

Thailand will host the first in-person Apec Economic Leaders’ Week in four years from November 14 to 19.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) said on Wednesday that the operation aimed to maintain sustainable electric power and improve the landscape of the centre.

The MEA had teamed up with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and telecom operators to rearrange 23.5 kilometres of cables on roads across Greater Bangkok.

Cables on Ratchadaphisek, Rama IV, Wireless, Sathorn and Charoenkrung roads have been buried underground, the MEA said.

“These efforts aim to ensure safety, improve the landscape and boost sustainability in electric power,” it added.

Related stories:

• Roads closed for 2nd rehearsal of Apec dignitaries’ motorcades
• Thailand all set to host Apec Economic Leaders’ Week
• No Blue Line train services to Queen Sirikit Convention Centre station during Apec Summit

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021913

Prayut in Phnom Penh for Asean Summit

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha flew on an Air Force plane from Don Mueang military airport to Phnom Penh to attend the annual Asean Summit hosted by Cambodia.

The prime minister is accompanied by his wife.

He will be in Phnom Penh from today, Thursday, to Sunday.

Cambodia, which is the Asean chair until the year-end, has organised the summit under the theme of Asean Addressing Challenges Together.

The key points of discussion will be how Asean members can together cope with public health and economic challenges and build opportunities for sustainable development.

Asean leaders will also discuss peace and security in the region.