Timely response by firefighters halts gas leak at NGV station in Bangkok
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022
Firefighters took about 20 minutes to halt NGV leakage at a gas station in Bangkok’s Thung Khru district on Thursday morning and averted a possible disaster.
Thung Khru Police Station chief Pol Colonel Ananchai Kamolrat and Thung Khru assistant director Prasart Phosrimart were informed about the leak at 9.15am.
Police then coordinated with the Thung Khru fire station to rush fire engines and firefighters to the PTT NGV station on Thung Khru Road along an elevated expressway.
Firefighters found that the leakage occurred at one of four trailer trucks that were filling gas there.
Staff at the station said they had tried to shut the valve of the gas tank of the truck but failed because the leaked gas formed a thick smog inside the building.
Firefighters took 20 minutes to dilute the gas using water hoses, after which the station staff were able to close the valve.
Thailand’s award-winning GranMonte wines to be served at Apec leaders gala dinner
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022
Wine from Khao Yai-based GranMonte Vineyard and Winery will be served to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders attending a key summit in Bangkok this month in a bid to promote Thai-made products.
GranMonte is located in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district. Its renowned winemaker “Nikki” (Visootha) Lohitnavy is general manager.
This Thai wine brand is internationally well known. For instance, its NV GranMonte Crémant Méthode Traditionnelle Extra Brut received a gold medal and an additional seven silver medals at Europe’s biggest wine competition, AWC Vienna 2022.
The 2020 GranMonte Orient Viognier, a super-premium full-bodied white wine, received a silver medal at the same competition.
“Nikki” (Visootha) Lohitnavy
The Crémant Méthode Traditionnelle Extra Brut and the Orient Viognier are among a number of top GranMonte wines selected for the Apec leaders gala dinner at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall.
The Apec Summit, scheduled to be held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on November 18 and 19, has been organised under the theme of “Open. Connect. Balance”.
Ratchadapisek Road to be closed to traffic for Apec Summit
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022
Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Road will be closed from November 14 to 19 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit and only those with a valid permit can use the route.
Thong Lor police station issued an announcement on Thursday stating Ratchadapisek Road, from Asoke Intersection to Ratchada-Khlong Toei Intersection, will be closed to general traffic from November 14 to 19.
The move aims to facilitate traffic and security management of the key summit, which will be held at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
The announcement, signed by Pol Colonel Duangchote Suwancharan, superintendent of the Thong Lor police, said motorists who wish to use the route during this period must first register for a permit with the police via this Google Form.
Registrants must provide their name, phone number, copy of ID card, licence plate number, type and colour of the vehicle along with photos, and specify the building/s they wish to visit on the closed-off route.
Motorists can then present the permit to police officers before entering the road.
BMA to hold major Loy Krathong events from Sunday to Tuesday
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022
Get your krathong ready: the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will hold major Loy Krathong events at two locations from this Sunday to next Tuesday with a focus on promoting krathongs made of environmentally friendly organic materials to reduce waste.
Loy Krathong, also called Thailand’s festival of lights, sees people releasing small floats called krathongs into waterbodies to “honour” the goddess of water.
During a press conference on Wednesday, deputy governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said the first event would be held at Ong Ang Canal in Phra Nakhon district on November 6 and 7. The fair will feature a live performance of traditional and modern music, a cultural performance, an open-air movie theatre, and booths selling products by community enterprises.
The second event will be held on the Thonburi side of Rama VIII Bridge in Bang Phlat district on November 8, the official Loy Krathong night this year. This event will feature a cultural performance on stage and a concert by popular singer Vid Hyper. There will also be an ancient-style market selling souvenirs, handicrafts, “Bangkok Brand” products from 50 districts and traditional Thai food.
“The Loy Krathong event at Rama VIII Bridge will commence at 5pm on Tuesday and go on until 10pm. We urge Bangkokians to use only krathongs made from organic materials so they don’t add non-disposable waste to the Chao Phraya River,” said Sanon.
“For those who cannot come to the bridge, the BMA will also let people float their krathongs at ponds in 33 public parks across the city, which will remain open until midnight.”
The deputy governor also urged people to float only one krathong per family instead of one per person to minimise waste.
Earlier this week the Culture Ministry announced it would hold separate Loy Krathong events under the banner of Bangkok River Festival 2022.
This festival will be held at the following 10 piers that have historical significance:
– The pier of Wat Pho, or Wat Phra Chetuphon
– Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn
– Wat Prayun
– Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan
– Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramahawihan
– Maharaj Pier
– Asiatique the Riverfront
– Lhong 1919 pier
– Sooksiam @ Icon Siam pier
– Guan Yu Shrine pier at Khlong San.
The events will be held from 5pm to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday and from 5pm to midnight on Tuesday, November 8, Loy Krathong night.
FDA warns consumers after discovering contaminated squid from China
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022
The Food and Drug Administration of Thailand (FDA) warned people to carefully check seafood packages after frozen squid imported from China was found to contain cadmium exceeding the safety standard.
The FDA announcement came on Wednesday after a random check at the Lat Krabang Food and Drug checkpoint in May this year. The Department of Medical Sciences had found a package of frozen whole squid imported from China to contain 3.27 milligrams of cadmium per kilogram, which exceeded the safety standard of less than 2mg per kg.
The seafood was manufactured by Fujian Minwell Food Industrial Ltd in China and was allegedly imported by M Global Sourcing, which is based in Samut Sakhon, the FDA said.
The 1kg packet of squid was manufactured on April 29 this year and had an expiration date of April 28, 2024, according to the FDA.
The agency said it had filed a charge against the importer for violating the Food Act of 1979: importing contaminated food for sale, which has a maximum fine of 50,000 baht or two years imprisonment, or both.
The FDA warned people to check frozen seafood packages and avoid buying products manufactured by the Chinese company.
For inquiries on food safety, contact FDA hotline 1556 or Line@FDAThai, or visit Facebook @FDAThai or E-mail: 1556@fda.moph.go.th.
Cadmium is a chemical element that can cause acute or chronic toxicity if consumed in high volumes through food, according to the National Food Institute. Symptoms of acute toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, muscleache, stomachache, shock or liver and kidney damage. Chronic symptoms include a loss of smell, weight loss, anaemia, having trouble breathing, yellowing of the teeth or liver and kidney damage.
Balancing act: Thailand faces challenge of keeping all sides happy at 2022 Apec Summit
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2022
With the world more divided than ever, will Thailand be able to successfully balance world powers at the upcoming Apec Summit? Especially with the Russia-Ukraine war in the background and President Vladimir Putin scheduled to attend.
The last time Thailand hosted Apec nations was in 2003, and it was a successful event. Leaders from across the world had gathered and made agreements on free trade and enhancing security. The Thai government is hoping for a repeat of that success this month, but the conditions are different. This time, Apec members are torn – facing differences and threats.
The biggest threat is the Russia-Ukraine war, which complicates Thailand’s role as summit host in many ways.
Russia – Ukraine War Russia is a key Apec member but is being condemned and sanctioned by many other Apec nations like the US, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand for invading Ukraine. On the other hand, other Apec members like China have rejected calls to condemn Russia for the invasion and have refused to join international sanctions against Moscow.
The question for Thailand as host of the Apec Summit now is: how will it balance these differences and ease tensions? If it makes the right moves, it could help with negotiations and bring peace to Ukraine faster. However, one minor mistake in the meeting with Russia, the US and China on the same table may result in an intensification of the war.
Though Thailand has taken pains to avoid condemning Russia directly, it shares the same hope as others that the war in Ukraine ends quickly. Hence, as Apec host this year, Thailand is not trying to isolate Russia from the rest of the world. The government has extended an invitation to Russia and is hoping Putin will attend. Thailand is hoping to balance negotiations with all sides and find the best solution for this conflict.
It also hopes there is no repeat of the incident at the Apec Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting on May 21-22 when representatives from five countries walked out. Representatives from Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Australia joined their US counterpart in walking out while Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov was delivering remarks.
Of course, Apec leaders are bound to clash over handling relations with Russia. Many members will try to exclude Moscow, but their efforts will most likely be blocked by China. Maintaining a balance between its neutral stance and being a capable host may put Thailand in an awkward situation.
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) / APEC 2022
Apart from balancing challenges over the war, Thailand also has to tackle potential confrontations between China and the US over trade competition. While the US is doing what it can to protect its interests and supremacy, China is looking for ways to get its hands on the pie. Hence, Thailand will likely find itself in a difficult position – balancing the US and China’s economic concerns and stance.
The world is far more divided this year than it was in 2003 when each Apec country had its own agenda and interests to protect.
Furthermore, this will be the first time Apec leaders come face to face in three years since the pandemic. Anticipation and expectations are high as the world watches to see if Thailand can play a good balancing act and is successful in hosting the Apec Summit again.
Enthusiastic response from Thais as bookings open for Chinese EV car
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2022
Thai customers turned out in large numbers from dawn on Tuesday, as bookings opened for the Chinese electric car, BYD Atto 3.
The car costs 1.199 million baht and got a strong reception for reservation and test driving.
Pratarnwong Phornprapha, the chief executive of automaker Rever Automotive, confirmed that the company will be able to deliver 5,000 cars this year.
The company drew interest by offering special promotions, including instalment payments over 48 months at an interest of 1.68 per cent per annum and one-year first-class insurance.
It also offers an eight-year warranty package for cars and batteries, free maintenance and emergency assistance, and chargers.
The demand for EVs surged after the government implemented EV incentives from 2022 to 2025, which helped slash the price of BYD Atto 3 by more than 200,000 baht.
EV Incentives include 40 per cent less import duty for CBU battery EVs priced at up to 2 million baht and 20 per cent less for those priced at 2 million to 7 million baht until 2023.
Excise tax on imported EVs has also been cut from 8 per cent to 2 per cent.
The incentives apply to 27 types of EVs and include:
Thailand EV sales soar 223% as buyers take advantage of incentives
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2022
Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Thailand rose 223 per cent in the first nine months of 2022 from the same period last year, according to the Energy Ministry.
Buyers took advantage of generous incentives to register a total of 13,298 BEVs in the year up till September, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said on Friday.
Overall EV sales also grew with 11.9 per cent of the total made up of buses, trucks and other non-car EVs.
Included in the latest purchasers’ incentive package is a 70,000-baht subsidy for an EV car with 10-30 kWh battery capacity for completely knocked-down (CKD) and CBU units.
The subsidy rises to 150,000 baht for an EV car over 30kWh.
An 18,000-baht subsidy is available for purchase of an electric motorcycle from eligible manufacturers until 2023.
The EV subsidy package is funded by 3 billion baht from the 2022 central budget and from the longer-term 40-billion-baht investment in the EV industry between 2023 and 2025.
Supattanapong said the subsidies came under the “30@30” scheme to boost EV production to 30 per cent of total cars and motorcycles production capacity within 2030. The scheme also aims to set up 12,000 charging stations around the country and 40mW of battery factories.
Incentives also include 40 per cent less import duty for CBU BEVs priced up to 2 million baht and 20 per cent less for those priced 2 million-7 million baht until 2023.
Excise tax on imported EVs has also been cut from 8 per cent to 2 per cent.
The incentives apply to 27 types of EVs and cover:
Port Authority turns Warehouse Stadium into huge parking space for Apec Summit
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2022
The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) said on Tuesday it had transformed its Warehouse Stadium in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district into a parking space and preparation area for the fleet of vehicles transporting international delegates taking part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
The meeting, scheduled for November 18-19, is part of the Apec Summit, which kicks off on November 14 at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
Besides serving as a parking space during the event, the stadium will be used as a training ground before the summit for officers guiding motorcades.
PAT said it is proud to support the country’s role as host of the Apec Summit, which aims to promote economic cooperation, free trade and investment across the Asia-Pacific region.
The authority also hoped its participation would help promote the Warehouse Stadium as a high potential commercial space and attract future investors.
Lewis ‘something special’ purrs Guardiola as he scores in big Man City win
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2022
THE NATION
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Rico Lewis following the 17-year-old’s goal on his full debut for Manchester City.
Lewis opened the scoring for City on the night as they came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-1.
Rafa Mir opened the scoring with a header from an Isco corner just after the half hour mark, but Lewis levelled things after half-time with a brilliant finish after he was played through by Julian Alvarez. Provider turned scorer in the 73rd minute as Kevin De Bruyne played a scintillating pass through to Alvarez, who rounded the ‘keeper and powered the ball into the roof of the net.
Riyad Mahrez put the icing on the cake and made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute with a curled finish. The win means that City qualify from the group with 14 points from six games.
“Well, we see him (Rico Lewis) every day. We we don’t give presents here. So, you know, not because he’s Manchester City fan, because he’s from the academy are going to play, he have to earn it.” Said Pep Guardiola
“But we see him since day one in the United States of America in pre-season where he played against few minutes against Bayern Munich, for example. And the training sessions always is. ‘Oh, this guy have something special.'”
Lewis opened the scoring for City on the night as they came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-1.Riyad Mahrez put the icing on the cake and made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute with a curled finish.
Q : why Jack Grealish was substitued at half-time ?
“Jack (Grealish) was the best player in the first half. The best one. The more direct. But he played tough, a real, real tough game in the last game, we need him, we need him for the next game. And we need a special left foot in left, the right foot the right being wider to make this cross and these crosses.”
Jack Grealish was substitued at half-time
“I would say there is no one person in the locker room today, staff, backroom staff and players is not happy today for him (Julian Alvarez). He’s a guy who’s a special guy, a work ethic. You saw the third goal, remember little bit Gabriel (Jesus) in terms of how aggressive is without the ball and make two assists and a goal, the goal is not easy to do it because the pass from Kevin (De Bruyne) again is exceptional.”
“Nikki” (Visootha) Lohitnavy
Russia – Ukraine War
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) / APEC 2022
APEC 2022 THAILAND
Lewis opened the scoring for City on the night as they came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-1.
Riyad Mahrez put the icing on the cake and made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute with a curled finish.
Jack Grealish was substitued at half-time
