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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020346

Most Thai political news reports believable, say Bangkokians

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

THE NATION

Bangkokians are relatively confident about political news reported by Thai media, the collaborative fact-checking network “Cofact Thailand” found in a recent survey.

The survey was conducted to gain insight into Bangkok residents’ attitudes, opinions and trust in political news reports produced by Thai media.

The aim of the survey was to also help Thai media outlets to improve their reporting guidelines to enhance professional standards, boost confidence among people and promote their role in mitigating conflict in society.

“Cofact Thailand will cooperate with related networks, especially media outlets, to develop media efficiency and perception in a bid to reduce fake or distorted reports that trigger conflicts in society,” the network said.

The survey – conducted between August 28 to 31 on 200 people from different backgrounds in 15 Bangkok districts – focused on those who follow the news via different platforms at least three to four times a week.

The survey was based on eight trust indicators that media outlets use as standards across the world. The indicators were created in the US.

In descending order, Bangkokians gave media outlets 3.42 points out of 5 for reporting methods, followed by 3.38 for journalistic expertise, 3.36 for diverse voices, 3.27 for sourcing locally, 3.26 for reference, 3.25 for labels, 3 for actionable feedback and 2.91 for best practices.

The survey also found that teens aged 15 to 19 had more confidence in Thai media outlets than people aged 20 to 45.

Respondents said they had more confidence in reporting methods as they believe Thai media outlets have access to solid news sources. However, they are not confident in Thai media outlets’ practises as they provide only one-sided news from sources like the government and influencers like politicians, celebrities and millionaires.

Respondents also found that Thai media placed too much weight on its own opinion and did not screen sources enough, which resulted in misinformation.

The survey also found that most respondents rely on online media and pay attention to personalities, like well-known reporters, moderators and newsmakers.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020332

Minister places high hopes on Thammasat AI Centre

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

The newly opened Thammasat AI Centre is expected to help boost Thailand’s potential in the research and development of artificial intelligence technologies.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said on Thursday that the new centre, a collaboration between his ministry and Thammasat University (TU), would serve as a knowledge source on AI for the Thai public.

The centre also has the duty of providing advice and conducting research on AI as solutions to business and social issues, in addition to applying new uses of AI, according to the minister, who was speaking at the opening ceremony of the centre.

He praised the Thammasat AI Centre as a good example of collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and academic institutions like TU.

Chaiwut said AI technology has high potential as it has impacts on the way of life and business in this digital age. Innovations based on AI technology have been created with massive economic potential, he added.

The DES minister noted that the global AI market is estimated to be worth US$15.7 trillion (565 trillion baht) by 2030.

“I am confident that the Thammasat AI Centre will contribute to the AI ecosystem and further development of the technology with new use cases,” Chaiwut said.

Meanwhile, Thammasat rector Assoc Prof Gasinee Witoonchart said on Thursday that the university was offering AI courses in its undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate studies in collaboration with more than 60 organisations. The aim is to produce more AI innovators and engineers and improve Thailand’s potential in the field.

She said that in addition to the AI centre, Thammasat also has three new projects — the Medical Valley medical innovation centre at its Pattaya campus, the 88 Sandbox startup ecosystem, and the TU Metaverse as the university’s fifth “campus” in the virtual world.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020327

Covid-19 emergency decree set to be revoked from October 1

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

The emergency decree in place since Covid-19 struck Thailand over two years ago will be revoked from October 1, if the CCSA agrees to a recommendation from its operations centre.

General Supot Malaniyom, operations chief of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Thursday that the operations centre resolved to suggest revocation of the emergency decree now that the Covid-19 situation in Thailand has improved considerably.

He cited a recent announcement by the Public Health Ministry that new domestic cases of Covid-19 have been on a constant decline, with fewer casualties and serious infections that require breathing aid.

The emergency decree has been in place since March 2020 following a severe local outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

General Supot said that if the CCSA board agreed with the operations centre’s recommendation at its meeting on Friday, the decree would be revoked with effect from October 1.

“If the CCSA agrees to the revocation of the emergency decree, the CCSA will be disbanded, along with all the units under it. All the orders issued by the CCSA will be rescinded,” he said.

The general also doubles as secretary-general of the National Security Council.

He said preparations have already been made for some time on the mode of operation after the emergency decree is annulled and the CCSA is dissolved.

In response to a media question, General Supot said the planned revocation of the emergency decree had nothing to do with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit that Thailand will host in mid-November.

“We look at the country’s general situation. What’s important is we want the country’s economy to recover and return to normal and people can make a living. Our tourist numbers are very good now despite international conflicts,” he said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020326

Indorama plant in Nakhon Pathom partially closed after chemical leak

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

THE NATION

Indorama Polyester Industries Plc was ordered by the authorities to partially suspend operations at its plant in Nakhon Pathom province following a chemical leak on Thursday morning.

The Nakhon Pathom Industry Office ordered Indorama to suspend operations in the area where the chemical leak had occurred until the problem was fixed and it was certified by an engineer.

The office cited Section 39 of the Factories Act to order partial suspension of the operation.

The Indorama factory in question is located in Moo 4 village in Tambon Khun Kaew in Nakhon Chai Si district of the province.

The authorities said the chemical leak occurred at 6am and workers managed to close a valve to stop the leak at 6.15am.

The smell of the leaked chemical spread in the vicinity.

Nakhon Pathom provincial Governor Surasak Charoensirichote and Nakhon Pathom chief industry officer Samruay Khemthonglang led officials from government agencies concerned to inspect the factory at 10am.

The officials found that the leakage had occurred inside the second plant that refined plastic.

They found that about 30 litres of a chemical used for a cooling system called hot oil dowtherm DT1. The chemical is made of biphenyl and diphenyl oxide.

Officials said as the chemical is light, it spreads easily across a wide area. Inhaling it can cause inflammation in the respiratory system hence people living in nearby areas were advised to wear masks and to stay in the areas with good ventilation.

Indorama Polyester Industries manufactures polyester chips, polyester staple fibres, polyester pre-oriented yarns, polyester filament yarns and fully-drawn yarns The company makes about 127,000 tonnes of polyester products a year.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020315

Senator confident arrested Myanmar business partner not involved in drugs

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

THE NATION

A Thai senator on Thursday gave the benefit of the doubt to his Myanmar business partner Tun Min Latt, who was among suspects arrested in Bangkok for alleged drug trafficking.

Senator Uppakit Pachareeyangkun made the comments after more than 100 police from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Division 2 raided five spots to arrest drug suspects, including Tun, on September 17.

Uppakit said he needed to study the details of the case after which he would hold a press conference on Friday.

He admitted that he had business dealings along the border with Tun but he believed the Myanmar man was not involved in drug trafficking.

Uppakit added that he was involved in a hotel business with Tun and he used to report this business to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, but he has stopped doing the hotel business since 2015.

The senator said Tun was an agent of a weapons trader from Israel, and represented the firm to deal with the Myanmar government. Uppakit said he was not involved in the weapons business because it went against his religious belief.

“Since my parents passed away, I have entered Buddhism to make merit and I have stopped taking the lives of animals, so I’m not interested in this kind of business,” Uppakit said.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020313

Schools closed as chemical leak at Nakhon Pathom factory pollutes air

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

THE NATION

Some schools in Nakhon Pathom suspended classes for a day on Thursday after chemical leaked from a factory in Nakhon Chai Si district.

The Phraram 199 emergency radio centre reported at 9am that the leak occurred at a facility in Tambon Khun Kaew, and an offensive smell spread across a wide area, including to adjacent Thawi Watthana district.

District firefighters and rescuers rushed to the factory to help get workers to safety and plug the leak.

According to the Thawi Wattana district office, the factory was Indorama Polyester Industries on Phetkasem Road in Tambon Khun Kaew.

The office said the factory managed to shut the valve to stop the leak, but the chemical that had already seeped out had caused a stench across many areas, as well as those adjacent to Bangkok.

Officials said the chemical was sulphur dioxide and the seepage occurred from a leaked oil coil of a machine.

The leakage prompted Mahidol University, located in Tambon Salaya of Nakhon Pathom’s Buddha Monthon district, to warn its students to stay inside buildings and wear face masks all the time to prevent possible respiratory issues.

The university advised its students and personnel to meet doctors immediately if they developed any breathing difficulty.

Mahidol Demonstration International School, Phra Tamnak Suan Kularb School and Kanchanapisek College announced they had suspended classes on Thursday for the safety of students and teachers.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020310

Allowing venues to open till 4am will eliminate ‘under the table’ deals: Chadchart

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

THE NATION

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt believes that extending the opening hours of entertainment venues to 4am will eliminate any “under the table” deals and put everything under the eye of the law.

Chadchart was answering press queries after speaking at a seminar titled “Bangkok’s Vision in Tourism and the Hospitality Industry”, hosted by the Thai Hotels Association on Wednesday.

“Extending the hours will put everything that is under the table on the topside [of the table]. Operators can no longer bribe officials to look the other way while they exceed the closing hours,” Chadchart said.

He pointed out that these “under the table” deals could be a safety loophole as officials would skip inspecting these venues for safety and legal compliance.

“Once these deals are gone, officials can fully inspect these venues,” he said. “I personally do not oppose the move, as long as it does not affect surrounding communities or businesses.”

The move to extend the opening hours of entertainment venues to 4am was proposed in August by Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who eyes Bangkok’s Khao San Road as a pilot area to test out the measure.

The move is aimed at boosting tourism and helping entrepreneurs get back on their feet amid an economic downturn.

The 4am closing will be allowed only on weekends – Friday, Saturday, Sunday – in selected zones in eight tourist destinations, namely Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.

The ministry is working with authorities to draft regulations to control any noise so these businesses don’t become a nuisance to surrounding communities, said Phiphat.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020307

Govt helped almost 100,000 settle legal disputes over debt in 8 months

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

THE NATION

The Justice Ministry has helped nearly 100,000 people settle legal disputes regarding debt repayments in eight months of 2022, saving them legal expenses of nearly 7 billion baht.

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin said on Wednesday that the ministry had organised 78 debt settlement fairs so far this year in several provinces, in line with government policy that 2022 would be a year for fixing household debt problems.

During the fairs, creditors and debtors were invited to settle disputes in front of ministry mediators, who helped them reach terms acceptable to both parties.

In the eight months of 2022, precisely 92,531 people successfully settled their debts amounting to 22.28 billion baht.

“The ministry’s efforts have saved people from paying legal expenses of 6.95 billion baht had the cases been taken to court,” said Somsak.

So far this year the ministry had also disbursed 382 million baht to 7,540 crime victims under the Damages for Injured Persons and Compensation and Expenses for the Accused in Criminal Cases Act, and disbursed 310 million baht under the Justice Fund Act to pay for legal consultation for 2,458 people who could not afford such fees during trial, he said.

The ministry is also pushing for an amendment of a law to prevent recidivism, especially for serious or sexual offences, the minister said.

One of the planned measures is to use electronic monitoring bracelets for up to 10 years.

“This is also a year in which the ministry has taken concrete action against drug sellers, with total assets seized from suspects exceeding 10 billion baht so far, much higher than the average of 600 million baht annually in past years,” Somsak added.

THE NATION