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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021883

No Blue Line train services to Queen Sirikit Convention Centre station during Apec Summit

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will close services of its Blue Line railway to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) station during the Apec Summit next week, it announced on Wednesday.

The MRTA said on its website that the Blue Line electric train will not stop at the QSNCC station from 12.01am on November 16 until 6pm on November 19, as part of security measures during the summit in Bangkok.

It said the closure of the QSNCC station was part of resolutions of the subcommittee in charge of keeping security and management of traffic in Bangkok during the summit.

The MRTA said commuters using the Blue Line train can board and leave the trains at all other stations as usual.

Passengers who want to enter the area near the QSNCC can use shuttle buses on Ratchadapisek Road to be provided by the Foreign Ministry during the period, the MRTA announced.

It said the shuttle buses will halt at four spots:

– In front of Modena by Fraser Bangkok Hotel

– Bus stop in front of FYI Centre building

– In front of QSNCC

– In front of Exchange Tower Building.

The MRTA said it will also close its parking ground near the QSNCC station from November 16 to 19.

Passengers of electric trains can park their cars at other nearby car parks of the MRTA, such as the car park at the Phetchaburi station, and the car park at the Samyan station, the MRTA added.

The MRTA added that it has instructed Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc, the concessionaire of the Blue Line and Purple Line trains, to get ready to cope with overwhelming number of passengers during the period – especially at Lak Song, Hua Lamphong, Silom, Sukhumvit, Chatuchak, Bang Sue, Tao Poon and Bang Yai stations.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021879

15 tonnes of krathong garbage retrieved from Chiang Mai river

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Workers of the irrigation department retrieved some 15 tonnes of krathong floats garbage from the Ping River in Chiang Mai on Wednesday, an official said.

Prompong Boriphan, head of the maintenance division of the Chiang Mai Irrigation Office, said only three per cent of the retrieved garbage were floats made of foam and the rest were degradable natural materials.

The retrieved krattong had been floated on the Ping River in Chiang Mai’s Muang district on Lok Krathong night on Tuesday.

Prompong said officials have made panels to direct all the floated krathong to flow to the Ping Pa Daed watergate to make it convenient for workers to retrieve them from the river. He said officials started pulling out garbage from the river late on Wednesday morning.

He said Chiang Mai would be celebrating another night of the Loy Krathong festival on Wednesday and his division expects 10 more tonnes of garbage to be collected on Thursday morning.

The degradable garbage would be used to make compost while the foam garbage would be disposed of separately, he said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021878

Thailand can reduce emissions by 40% if it receives help: ONEP deputy chief

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Jarupong Krisanaraj

Laws, technologies, finance and cooperation will all help Thailand achieve its net-zero carbon emissions by 2065, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the “EGCO Group Forum 2022: Carbon Neutrality Pathway” at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, ONEP deputy secretary-general Jiravat Ratisoontorn said agriculture, tourism, public health and natural resources have all been affected by climate change.

“Even though Thailand’s carbon emissions accounted for only 0.8 per cent of global emissions, Bangkok was ranked 9th among cities most affected by extreme weather events,” he said.

Thailand will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 if it receives cooperation from other countries, Jiravat pointed out.

Jiravat Ratisoontorn

He said ONEP has drawn up a road map to enable the country to achieve net-zero carbon emissions covering renewable energy, transportation, industry, waste management, and agriculture.

The road map focuses on the implementation of policies and laws, carbon capture system development, finance and investment, carbon credit market mechanism development, increasing carbon storage facilities and promoting cooperation, he explained.

The draft act on climate change will cover greenhouse gas reduction targets, carbon credits, financial mechanisms and carbon tax, Jiravat said.

“The draft act on climate change is currently under review for regulatory impact assessment and other related issues,” he said, expecting the draft act to be proposed to the Cabinet next year.

Kiatchai Maitriwong

Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation executive director Kiatchai Maitriwong said Thailand is putting all efforts into gaining momentum between greenhouse gas emissions and storage.

He expects the country’s emissions to reach its peak in 2025 before declining, adding that a new department would be set up to promote Thailand on greenhouse gas reduction and adaptation.

“Several measures are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as promoting the use of electric vehicles, the carbon capture system and a Bio-Circular-Green economy model,” Kiatchai said.

The government is also promoting nature-based solutions by restoring forests to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he said.

Kiatchai warned that companies that fail to undertake greenhouse gas reductions will come under pressure by consumers, investors and financial institutions as increasing attention is being paid to the issue.

“Carbon neutrality will help boost Thailand’s competitiveness in a low carbon economy,” he added.

Thepparat Theppitak

Thepparat Theppitak, president of forum organiser Electricity Generating Pcl, or EGCO Group, said the company’s key drivers toward carbon neutrality include carbon tax, a carbon capture system, stakeholder sentiment and a transition to renewable energy.

EGCO’s electricity production capacity from renewable sources, such as solar, wind and hydro, is 1,424 megawatts accounting for 24% of its total production capacity of 6,079 megawatts, he said.

“The company aims to increase its electricity production capacity from renewable sources to more than 30% by 2030,” Thepparat said.

EGCO is focusing on expanding its renewable energy portfolio to work towards carbon neutrality, enhancing existing assets for sustainability, he said.

The company is also looking for alternative energy, such as hydrogen, solid oxide fuel cells, small modular reactors and wireless solar energy transmissions from space, Thepparat said.

He asked the government to support research and development of technology related to renewable energy in a bid to enable Thailand to move toward sustainability.

Poonsit Wongthawatchai

Krungsri executive vice president Poonsit Wongthawatchai said financial support is an important factor that encourages the business sector to work on greenhouse gas reductions.

He said the bank aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and cease financial support for coal powered plants by 2030.

“The bank will increase financial support by 50,000-100,000 baht to businesses for society and sustainability within 2030,” Poonsit said.

He added that the bank would continue promoting the development of a sustainable financial market in the country.

Related stories:

• Minister Varawut urges Thai representatives to promote mutual benefits of global communities at COP27
• Thai elderly and underprivileged affected by climate change, says Varawut
• PM stresses on path of sustainable growth through BCG model

Jarupong Krisanaraj

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021876

Suvarnabhumi Airport allows free parking during long Apec weekend

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Suvarnabhumi Airport will allow passengers to park their vehicles at its long-term car park for seven days to encourage Bangkokians to leave the capital ahead of the Apec Summit next week.

The airport management said free parking would be provided for 718 vehicles at the Zone C long-term parking area of its car park from 12.01am on November 15 until midnight of November 21, for seven days.

The management said the free parking facility aimed to support the government’s announcement of extra holidays from November 16 to 18 in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan provinces. The extra holidays are aimed at easing traffic in Bangkok during the summit.

The airport said it would provide A line shuttle buses between the Zone C parking zone and the passenger terminal around the clock.

The buses will leave Public Transport Centre every 15 minutes to the Zone C parking zone and drop passengers off at various stops including, Gate 3 on the ground floor of the passenger terminal and Gate 8 before returning to Zone C parking zone and returning to the transport centre.

The airport urged passengers of international flights to check in three hours ahead of departure and two hours ahead of departure time for domestic flights.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021873

NBTC approves THB600 million from its fund for acquiring World Cup broadcast rights

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has approved a budget of 600 million baht to acquire the broadcasting rights for the 2022 Fifa World Cup, which kicks off on November 20 in Qatar.

Trairat Viriyasirikul, acting NBTC secretary-general, said that the commission met on Wednesday to consider the matter. The session approved by a majority vote a budget of 600 million baht to purchase the broadcasting rights under the “must have” rule.

Trairat said the funds will come from the NBTC’s Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest.

The “must have” rule, created by the commission in 2012, mandates that several key sporting events, including the Fifa World Cup finals, must be made available on free television.

Other sport events covered by this rule are: the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, SEA Games, Asean Para Games, Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

The broadcasting rights for the quadrennial football extravaganza will cost 1.6 billion baht, according to media reports.

This year’s tournament is being hosted by Qatar from November 20 to December 18. Thirty-two national teams will play 64 matches in pursuit of the sport’s most prestigious trophy.

“The NBTC’s resolution by majority votes approved the purchase of live broadcast of all 64 matches of the 2022 Fifa World Cup final round, to allow all Thais to watch the matches on free TV without discrimination, especially the disabled, underprivileged people and low-income earners,” said Trairat.

A news source reported that the commissioners voted 4:2 to approve the budget. The two commissioners who voted against the move were Pirongrong Ramasoota, who opposed disbursing money from the public interest fund for a sports broadcast, and Suphat Suphachalasai, who believed the purchase should be handled by a market mechanism and not the communications watchdog.

Related Stories

FIFA World Cup will be free to watch in Thailand, says SAT

Thailand’s NBTC to decide on FIFA World Cup broadcast rights purchase

NBTC plan for public funding of World Cup broadcasts slammed

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021871

Thai woman condemned for eating bats on show

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Thai social networks and medical personnel cried foul over a video clip of a female reviewer of exotic dishes eating bats for her Facebook page and TikTok channel.

Netizens, a veterinarian and a medical technologist expressed fear that a new round of diseases might hit the country after the woman posted the clip on her Facebook page on Monday.

The woman identified herself as Khru (teacher) Jui, without saying which school she teaches at. She posted the controversial clip on her Kin Saeb Nua Nua (Eating it Delicious and Hot) Facebook page. The page had 392,000 followers as of Wednesday afternoon.

In the clip, she is seen eating an entire bat which was boiled in a spicy soup. She spread its wings before tearing it apart and eating the creature part by part.

“Jui” said it was the first time she had eaten a bat. She said she felt the nails on its feet and it smelled like a rat: the skin was quite sticky, not crispy. The taste was acceptable, she added.

She insisted she was “not introducing any coronavirus from bats to the people” as residents in her neighbourhood also ate bats.

However, many Facebook users found all this unacceptable.

In comments under the post, many criticised her strongly for risking an outbreak of new diseases from bats.

Some demanded that the Education Ministry punish her if she was indeed a school teacher.

“When you get infected and cause an outbreak who will be in trouble? Not just yourself. In China, Covid originated from this kind of dish,” a woman commented.

“If you want to die, just die alone, don’t put others in trouble as well,” another commented.

“You should have more intelligence in making video content,” yet another comment said.

“The Education Ministry and the school where this teacher belongs should conduct an investigation. Was this kind of conduct appropriate?” one Facebook user asked.

On Monday, Jui commented under her post, saying she was “still alive” and the clip was shot two days earlier.

A day later, on Tuesday, Kaset Sutecha, a lecturer at Kasetsart University’s Veterinary Faculty, said he had warned several times before against eating bats.

Kaset said such a practice could cause outbreaks of new diseases as more than 60 types of viruses have been detected in bats that can jump to humans.

He reminded everyone that the Sars-CoV-2 virus that originated in Wuhan and spread to humans also came from bats.

Moreover, the lecturer said, bats are protected under Wildlife Protection Act BE 2562 (2019).

On Tuesday, medical technician Pakpoom Deshasdin, who owns the popular Panda Lab Doctor, criticised the influencer “for not learning from the Covid pandemic”.

He said although the bats were cooked, there was still a chance the virus could spread from the winged creatures to humans.

Pakpoom said bats are known to accumulate more than 60 types of viruses. He exhorted the influencer to meet doctors and check her blood as soon as possible to see if she has caught any virus.

The strong criticism prompted the influencer to remove the clip and the post from her page. By Wednesday, the post had disappeared.

On Wednesday, popular Buri Ram property developer Kiatidamrong Pakaya, 47, who once ate bullfrogs on show, said he found it too much to eat bats.

In May, Kiartidamrong rose to fame when he ate an entire steamed bullfrog in front of the camera.

“I was startled by Khru Jui’s clip. I hold up a white flag. I dare not eat such things for fear that they could be dangerous,” Kiatidamrong said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021867

Thai, foreign devotees throng Erawan Shrine

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Many Thai and foreign devotees flocked to Erawan Shrine in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district on Wednesday to pay their respects as they marked the 66th anniversary of the enshrinement of the Hindu god of creation.

The ceremony was organised by the Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation in the morning.

Hundreds of devotees placed offerings before the Brahma statue, such as garlands, incense, candles and fruits.

Erawan Shrine, formally the Thao Maha Phrom Shrine, was built in 1956 as part of the government-owned Erawan Hotel to eliminate bad karma after the foundation was laid on the wrong date.

The construction of the hotel was hit by a series of mishaps, including cost overruns, worker injuries and even a loss of a shipload of fine Italian marble intended for the building.

Furthermore, Ratchaprasong intersection had once been used to put criminals on public display.

After the golden Brahma statue designed and built by the Department of Fine Arts was enshrined on November 9, 1956, the hotel’s construction proceeded smoothly without any further incident.

However, in 1987, the hotel was demolished and the site used for the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

The Erawan Shrine has since become well known among Thais and foreigners.

Some pay their respects to the Brahma statue, while others visit the site to witness a dance worshipping the Hindu god of creation.

Those interested in visiting Erawan Shrine can do so from 6am to 11pm any day of the week.

To make a wish at the shrine, devotees say their name and birthdate, followed by the words: “Today I have brought (specify the name of your offerings) for Lord Brahma to ask for (specify your wish).”

Related stories:

• Ratchaprasong: Home of the Gods
• Ubon Ratchathani’s grand candle procession lures thousands of spectators
• Seeking a Valentine’s soulmate at Bangkok’s Shrine to Love

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021865

Over half a million krathongs float down Bangkok’s waterways for festival

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

As many as 572,602 krathongs were floated on Bangkok’s myriad canals for Loy Krathong this year, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported on Wednesday.

“Citing data by the Environment Department, the number of krathongs floated on Bangkok canals this year increased by 42 per cent compared to 403,205 last year,” said BMA spokesperson Aekwaranyoo Amrapal.

He explained that almost all – 548,086 krathongs – this year were made of natural materials, while 24,516 were made of foam.

“However, the number of krathongs made from natural materials saw a slight drop – 95.7% – compared to 96.5% last year, while those made of foam rose 4.3% when compared to 3.5% last year,” he said.

Most Bangkokians floated their krathongs in Khlong Toei district – 27,776 – while Pom Prap Sattru Phai district saw the least – 122.

“As many as 1,140 krathongs made of foam were found in Prawet district,” he said.

Seven Bangkok districts – Lak Si, Din Daeng, Bang Rak, Sathorn, Chomthong, Bangkok Yai and Thawi Watthana – saw krathongs made only of natural materials.

This year’s Loy Krathong Festival fell on Tuesday (November 8). Dubbed Thailand’s festival of lights, the festival is marked by people releasing small, decorated floats called krathong to honour the water goddess on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month.

Related stories:

• Millions celebrate Loy Krathong
• 15 slightly hurt in Nakhon Phanom ‘shockwave’ after Loy Krathong fireworks explode
• Getting to know Loy Krathong, Thailand’s festival of lights

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021864

Thailand’s carbon dioxide emissions soar 67 per cent

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Jarupong Krisanaraj

Thailand emitted 131.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from January to June this year, up 67 per cent year on year, Energy Ministry permanent secretary Kulit Sombatsiri said on Tuesday.

He made the remark during the “EGCO Group Forum 2022: Carbon Neutrality Pathway” at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.

Kulit said the rise in emissions was due to an increase in energy consumption as the economy recovers.

Of the total emissions, 42.8 million tonnes came from electricity generation, followed by 42.6 million by the industrial sector, 39.2 million from transportation and others, such as 7.2 million from household, agriculture and commerce, he explained.

Thailand’s reliance on fossil fuels has also posed a challenge in achieving the carbon neutrality target, Kulit said, adding that the proportion of internal combustion engine vehicles in the country is still much higher than electric vehicles.

“To achieve the carbon neutrality target, Thailand must increase the use of renewable energy,” he advised.

Kulit said the ministry’s Energy Policy and Planning Office is working on a National Energy Plan (NEP), which is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year.

The plan aims to help Thailand reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, boost entrepreneurs’ competitiveness and economic value, and reduce greenhouse gases in the long run.

“The NEP covers four policies: increasing renewable electricity production capacity by at least 50%, transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric ones, increasing energy efficiency by more than 30% and restructuring the energy business to support energy transition under 4D1E guidelines,” he explained.

4D1E stands for digitalisation, decarbonisation, decentralisation, de-regulation and electrification.

Kulit said the Energy Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation are working on applying the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage system for petroleum exploration and production in the Gulf of Thailand.

He added that Thailand is also working on using clean hydrogen fuel to cope with limitations in solar and wind energy.

“The National Energy Policy Committee recently approved a utility green tariff to collect fees on electricity produced from renewable energy, such as solar, wind, water, or biomass,” he said.

The demand for clean electricity is increasing despite the rising renewable energy price as many consumers are paying attention to climate change, Kulit said.

“All these efforts aim to help Thailand move toward the path of carbon neutrality,” he said.

Kulit expects the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt from November 6-18 to seek ways to help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as providing financial support, developing personnel and exchanging technology.

He said the Environment Ministry will participate in COP27.

Earlier, Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said he would propose updated strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 during COP27, which is currently under review.

During COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Thailand pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 and reach net-zero carbon emissions in 2065.

Related stories:

• Minister Varawut urges Thai representatives to promote mutual benefits of global communities at COP27
• Thai elderly and underprivileged affected by climate change, says Varawut
• PM stresses on path of sustainable growth through BCG model

Jarupong Krisanaraj

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021862

Millions celebrate Loy Krathong

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

People enthusiastically flocked to canals on Tuesday night to celebrate Loy Krathong – the first time in three long years after the Covid-19 crisis.

Accompany The Nation as it steps out to take in the vibrant, colourful atmosphere as Thais and foreigners across the country, especially in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, float thousands of krathongs as a form of respect to the water goddess.

Related stories

• Getting to know Loy Krathong, Thailand’s festival of lights
• 15 slightly hurt in Nakhon Phanom ‘shockwave’ after Loy Krathong fireworks explode
• Chiang Mai will be Thailand’s Loy Krathong hotspot tonight: survey