Central Thailand to get break from flooding as Pasak Jolasid Dam discharge reduces
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
Lopburi’s Pasak Jolasid Dam’s discharge rate has been reduced now that upstream runoffs have eased, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) said on Friday.
Runoffs from Phetchabun province have reduced significantly, so the dam’s discharge rate can be cut from 820 cubic metres per second to 650 cubic metres, RID said.
The reduction in discharge rate is expected to ease the flooding situation in downstream provinces.
The Central region, along the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin rivers, has been flooded recently due to runoffs from upstream provinces as well as rising tides.
RID also said on Friday that the amount of water discharged from dams will be reduced in line with the volume of rain and water runoffs from upper parts of the country. This will reduce flooding in downstream provinces. Members of the public have also been advised to closely monitor the water situation.
Earlier this week, RID reported that Pasak Jolasid was among 27 dams and reservoirs that had reached 80 per cent of their capacity. Now the dam has reportedly filled up to 114 per cent of its capacity.
Officials battle through chest-high floods to deliver relief supplies in Central Thailand
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
THE NATION
Local officials were seen wading through floods in Central Thailand on Thursday to hand out relief supplies to affected residents.
Flooding in Ayutthaya’s Bang Ban district was chest-high and officials opted for boats to get from house to house.
Bang Ban resident Prathana Khomsod, 37, said the flooding has made their lives miserable as she showed how she had to cook while standing in knee-deep water.
“I have to wade through water in my own home, cooking, washing clothes. It’s also difficult when going out to work, I have to get out via a boat. It would be fine if the house wasn’t flooded but they say this area is a basin, so this is where all the water flows to. It’s difficult.” Said Prathana Khomsod
“I want them (authorities) to release the water to other areas too, those that have always been dry. Like, in other areas like Sai Noi district, they were never flooded but they diverted the floodwater more than that side.”
The government has earmarked 23 billion baht to provide flood victims assistance and rehabilitation this year, though the inundation is a lot less severe than it was in 2011.
People in Ayutthaya have turned to catching fish to survive amid flooding that has prevented them from working.
Thirteen of the province’s 16 districts are flooded and nine have been declared disaster zones after weeks of heavy rain. Many residents are fighting a daily battle to prevent more water entering their homes as the Chao Phraya Dam upstream in Chain Nat opens its gates to relieve pressure.
The water flow through the dam has now increased to 3,154 cubic metres per second, according to the latest report. As a result, the amount of water flowing through Ayutthaya is rising increase continuously, including in the Noi River, swamping houses in the low-lying areas.
Inundation in Nonthaburi does not stop pious Buddhist man from donning saffron
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
Heavy flooding failed to deter a devout Buddhist in Nonthaburi province, who waded through 60 centimetres of water just to be ordained as a monk on Friday.
Thossaphol Thongjaras, 28, with his father Amnat, 58, and mother Nuchara, 55, lead a group of relatives through the inundated Wat Noi Nok temple in Muang district’s Bang Kraso area at 7am on Friday to complete his ordination.
Though the temple’s assembly hall or ubosot was dry because it is on higher ground, the rest of Wat Noi Nok has been under water since Thursday.
Attendees were seen wading through the floods, some in knee-high boots and others pushing boats carrying elderly relatives, monks and offerings.
The novice monk’s parents said their son had voiced his intention to ordain at this temple about a month ago when the floods had not yet reached Nonthaburi. However, the heavy flooding on Friday did not stop the family from going ahead with the ceremony.
Since Thursday, riverside communities in Nonthaburi were flooded by runoffs from the North, rising sea tides and an overflowing Chao Phraya. Parts of Rama V, Phibul Songkhram and Nakhon-In roads in Nonthaburi’s Muang district were under 50cm to 70cm of water. In addition to this, Lopburi’s Pasak Jolasid Dam upstream has increased its discharge, while rising sea tides are expected to push the water level at Nonthaburi Pier as high as 2.88 metres.
Motorists reminded of new rule regarding use of phone while driving
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
A government spokesperson on Friday warned motorists about the ban on the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving.
Deputy government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana said a new police directive in force from October 7 stated that motorists can use their mobile phones while behind the wheel only if they don’t hold the devices in their hands.
The Royal Thai Police decree, which is a new amendment to the Land Traffic Act, clarifies that car drivers can use a wireless phone or a Bluetooth device that allows them to speak without having to hold it. They are also allowed to attach their phones to the dashboard or windscreen in a manner that does not block their view of traffic.
Violators face a penalty of 400 to 1,000 baht.
Tipanan said on Friday that the government had concerns about drivers who use their phones behind the wheel, as there were many fatal and destructive accidents. She added that multiple actions have been taken to tackle the issue.
“We ask for cooperation from motorists to comply with the law and help reduce road accidents, for your own safety and that of others,” the spokesperson said.
Prayut orders new strategy to deal with online investment fraud, scams
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
Websites and social media accounts found involved in investment fraud will get their access blocked as part of pre-emptive measures ordered by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said on Friday that the PM has instructed relevant state agencies to tackle the problem of investment scams operating on social media, illegal fund-raising efforts and fraudulent investment schemes that are not permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“The prime minister has ordered pre-emptive steps in which sites found involved will get access to their accounts and websites blocked to lessen the impact on the public,” Rachada said.
She added that the SEC and the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry have created a joint working group to tackle online investment scams.
Rachada also advised prospective investors to first verify SEC-authorised brokers and securities businesses on the SEC Check First mobile application.
“Carefully study the investment services or products offered. You may run into unauthorised or illegal service providers, who may scam or embezzle your funds,” Rachada warned.
She also said people with information on investment scams or fraudulent schemes should contact the SEC, DES or police. Complaints can be made through the 1212 hotline of the DES Electronic Transactions Development Agency, Facebook page DESMonitor, the SEC hotline 1207 or Live Chat on the SEC website or via Thaipoliceonline.com.
Five universities win Green Youth gold awards for making a difference with environment projects
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
THE NATION
Five out of nearly 60 universities nationwide were recently awarded the prestigious Green Youth Award at Gold Level by the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The department has been organising the Green Youth project annually since 2021 to reward university students and personnel who take part in outstanding environmental promotion campaigns under the university’s nature conservation or other eco-related clubs.
Environmental campaigns under Green Youth project must encourage positive environmental changes within the university through the participation of either students or university employees. The project’s scope should also be able to expand to surrounding communities and societies and promote the overall environmental policies of higher education institutes.
This year, 59 universities in Thailand passed the criteria of the Green Youth project. Five universities received Green Youth awards at Gold Level; 15 institutes received Silver Level awards, and 24 received Bronze Level awards. The other 15 universities have been granted a membership of the department’s Green Youth network.
The five winners of Gold Level Green Youth awards 2022 were chosen for the following environmental projects:
● Suan Dusit University, Bangkok, won the gold award for making flower pots from organic wastes. The flower pots passed the standard of structural integrity while their material also serve as fertiliser for potted plants. The project helps in adding value to organic wastes collected from the university and surrounding communities while promoting the planting of trees and other decorative plants in the university area.
● Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Bangkok, won the gold award for its “Recycle Bank” project. The project educates on correct practices for waste recycling and promotes participation of university students, personnel and surrounding communities, who can also benefit from additional income from selling recyclable waste.
● Uttaradit Rajabhat University won the gold award for their project that turns plastic and foam waste into pavement blocks and flower pots for walkways in the university.
● Roi Et Rajabhat University won the gold award for their project that expands green space in the university by promoting agricultural techniques, such as grafting and sowing of economic plants to replace trees that had been cut down to make way for construction projects in the campus.
● Ubon Ratchathani University won the gold award for the campaign to reduce single-use plastic in the campus by encouraging students and personnel to carry fabric bags and personal cups when buying products from the university’s shops. For every purchase that refuses single-use plastic, customers will be awarded a “Green Point” on a mobile application that can be exchanged for activity period credits and other eco-friendly gifts.
5 districts in Ang Thong province swamped as Chao Phraya breaks banks
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
The Chao Phraya River has broken its banks in Ang Thong province, affecting as many as 6,430 households in five districts.
Monks at Wat Phinitthammasan in Pa Mok district were spotted on Thursday sleeping on wooden scaffolds. They said their quarters have been flooded for over a week now, adding that a coffin even floated out of the crematorium when the floodwaters rose.
Abbot Phra Luang Ta Jaroon, 86, who has been with the temple for 26 years now, said on Thursday that he called on people to help put up makeshift structures in front of the temple for the monks to sleep on. He said he too spent his nights on one of these structures.
The abbot added that he was fine with rowing out to receive alms, and was not too bothered as everybody lent a helping hand.
Three patients travelling from Thailand test positive in Hong Kong for XBB variant of Covid-19
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
Hong Kong has reported that three people who had travelled from Thailand were found to be infected with the XBB variant of Covid-19.
Virologist Dr Anan Jongkaewwattana posted on his Facebook on Thursday the report from Hong Kong’s health department.
The report said that 29 imported XBB cases were detected in Hong Kong on Wednesday — 24 tested positive on arrival while five cases were detected on the second day. Of the 29 cases, three patients had travelled from Thailand, 13 patients had travelled from Singapore, five from India, two from both the UK and Indonesia, while one case each was from the US, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Czech Republic.
Anan said that it was likely the XBB virus had been mixed up with Covid-19 patients in Thailand but was not detected yet.
However, he said that it was also possible that these three patients had travelled from other places and had transited Thailand before heading to Hong Kong.
Thailand’s Disease Control Department (DDC) had confirmed on Wednesday that the BQ.1.1 and XBB variants have not spread in Thailand, and most new cases were infected with the Omicron variant.
Renting forest space becoming popular among Japan’s city dwellers seeking nature time
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
A service that began in the village of Higashi-Shirakawa, the Gifu prefecture to rent out forest space on an annual basis is spreading across Japan.
The service connects the needs of city dwellers who want to enjoy the mountains — which has resulted in a camping boom during the coronavirus pandemic — with the needs of local residents who do not want the mountains to be neglected.
It is a business that has changed the conventional concept of forests as solely timber-producing areas.
In November 2020, Yamakyo, a forestry and lumber company based in Higashi-Shirakawa, started a service called “forenta” under which it leases portions of its forests.
President Fusakuni Taguchi, 45, first became aware of the potential of a forest rental business about six months prior. After seeing an entertainer on TV who bought a forest and was enjoying solo camping, he became convinced that forests could be a source of income for their space, not only as places to grow timber.
On the other hand, Taguchi was concerned about the future of forests that are purchased for outdoor activities, because after the boom is over, they may be left unattended.
He came up with the idea to rent out the company’s forests while retaining ownership and management responsibility.
As there was no precedent, Taguchi started by creating a system for the new service. The company-owned forests are divided into 17 plots of about 990 square metres each and leased on an annual basis. The rental fee is 66,000 yen (17,000 baht) including tax. He thought it would be a fair comparison with campground fees.
The forest spaces are leased as they are, with no water or electricity, and the only initial investment was for pickets for zoning each plot and the installation of portable toilets. Users are allowed to cut down Japanese cypress and cedar trees in the plots if they are less than 15 centimetres in diameter.
When Taguchi invited applications for the service, as many as 440 people applied, mainly from the Aichi prefecture but also from far away places like Tokyo.
According to Taguchi, most were in the generation of “fathers who enjoy solo hobbies”, and the renewal rate for the second year reached 90 per cent. The village government also asked Taguchi’s company to rent out the village-owned forests. Currently, there is a total of 77 plots available and there are no vacancies.
The service also brings great value to forest owners. The profit from logging Japanese cypress and cedar trees grown for 50 years in a one-hectare mountain forest is roughly the same as that earned from one hectare of the forenta service in a year.
Taguchi has also signed franchise agreements with forest owners in places including Takayama in the Gifu prefecture, the Shizuoka and Kyoto prefectures and Hokkaido. He taught them the details of the service and recruited people to lease their forests through the forenta website. The number of forenta plots outside the village has grown to about 70. “I want to have 10,000 plots nationwide,” he said.
Tomohiro Kimata, a senior consultant at Satoyume Co, who is well versed in the forest service industry, said: “The forenta service can coexist with the forestry industry because it does not need to develop mountains. Similar services have emerged, but I’d like to see these services move towards building new relationships in which users and local residents interact, rather than engaging in price competition among service providers.”
With about two-thirds of its land covered by forest, Japan is rich in this resource. But domestic timber has long lost ground to imported timber, prices and demand have slumped, and forestry workers have decreased by 70 per cent in the past 35 years.
Trees are only becoming bigger and the volume of planted forests, which make up 40 per cent of all forests nationwide, has increased about six times in about 50 years.
In seeking to reinvigorate the forestry industry and mountain villages, the central government has groped for ways to use forest spaces for areas other than forestries, such as health, tourism and education. In 2019, it named such efforts “the forest service industry”, and is working to develop the industry in close cooperation with local governments, companies and organisations.
In the Tokai region, the village of Shirakawa in Gifu prefecture was selected as a national model area in this regard, and the city of Gujo in the same prefecture was chosen as a sub-model area in 2020. Gujo accepts corporate training programmes that include forest and river experiences around the headwaters of the Nagara River. The Gifu prefecture is also preparing to establish a council to promote the forest service industry.
In the Mie prefecture, the “Wanko-no-Mori Asobi” programme started in 2019 in a man-made forest owned by Toyota Motor Corp in the town of Odai. This unique project, which was adopted by Toyota’s public offering, allows dogs and their owners to play together in the forests or in mountain streams.
