Chadchart Told To Team Up With Govt To Halt Bangkok Floods
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
The Thai Sang Thai Party On Sunday Urged Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt To Collaborate With Government Agencies To Halt Flooding In The Capital.
Thai Sang Thai secretary-general Sita Divari said more than half of the issues causing flooding in Bangkok could be resolved if Chadchart seeks help from all government agencies.
Sita was speaking to reporters as he and Thai Sang Thai leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan delivered relief supplies to flood victims in the northern suburbs of Sai Mai and Bang Khen.
Sita said canalside residents of the two districts told him that floods this year were as bad as in 2011, when Bangkok was hit by massive flooding from upstream provinces.
He added that the floods can be tackled quickly if the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) effectively manages drainage of the city’s 2,600-kilometre-long canal network.
“If the governor coordinates with all government agencies concerned, he could solve more than half of flood problems we have right now,” Sita said.
He added that Chadchart’s record election win was a mandate to unlock problems that have been stalemated for 10 to 20 years.
Last week saw heavy flooding in the city’s eastern suburbs as Klong Prawet Burirom overflowed, leaving houses and routes in Lat Krabang district and Soi Pattanakarn 65 and 69 underwater for days.
Flood-hit residents complained that their pleas for help were ignored by Bangkok district offices. The offices said nothing could be done as Klong Prawet was already full to overflowing.
On Tuesday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said Chadchart called him on Monday to borrow high-power pumps from the Water Resources Department. Five of the pumps were installed at the Phra Khanong pumping station on Tuesday while the other was sent to the Srinakarin-Bang Na intersection. The six pumps began draining floodwater on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Channel 7 reporters visited flood-hit residents on Soi Pattanakarn 65 and 69, prompting Chadchart to visit the area on the following day.
Floodwater started subsiding on Saturday morning and the sois were drained by the time Chadchart made a follow-up inspection the same evening.
According to unconfirmed reports, a dispute between district offices prevented drainage of Klong Prawet, the main canal for eastern Bangkok. The Lat Krabang, Prawet and Phra Khanong offices reportedly blocked canal drainage to stop their districts from flooding. Sources said Chadchart learned of the problem and took control by ordering sluice gates between Lat Krabang and Prawet to be opened.
Sita said the Bangkok governor election had been friendly so Chadchart could take advice on flood management from his rivals, including Wiroj Lakkhanaaddisorn of the Move Forward Party and Suchatvee Suwansawat of the Democrat Party.
Suchatvee last week urged the BMA to speed up drainage of the Prawet canal while coordinating with the government to divert floodwater via the Bang Pakong River in neighbouring Chachoengsao.
Applying For Job Online Can Open Door To Identity Theft, Warns Cyber Police
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
Online Jobseekers Should Check The Authenticity Of The Advertisement With The Department Of Business Development Before Applying, As Their Identity Can Be Stolen To Open Bank Accounts For Fraudulent Activities.
Pol General Damrong Kittiprapas, deputy police chief and director of the Police Cyber Taskforce, on Sunday cited the recent case of a 12th grader in Saraburi. The boy ended up being served three summonses on fraud charges after he innocently provided personal information while applying for an online job.
Damrongsak said the student wanted a part-time job, so he applied to work as a Facebook page admin for a daily wage of 300 baht. His job was to oversee the selling of products via the page.
The student was tricked into providing his citizen ID card number, a copy of his ID card and a one-time password (OTP) sent to his mobile phone.
Damrongsak said once the boy provided all this information, he found himself blocked from the Facebook page.
Later, the boy began receiving messages complaining about goods not being delivered after payment. Shortly after, the boy was served with two summonses from Muang Chiang Mai Police Station and another from Chonburi’s Ban Beung Police Station to face fraud charges.
Damrongsak said the boy had been tricked into providing all the necessary data for opening a bank account under his name and this account was used to receive money from the victims.
Hence, Damrongsak said, jobseekers should be careful or they can end up becoming co-defendants in online fraud cases. He said jobseekers should use the following criteria to protect themselves:
• Do not provide personal data such as citizen ID card number and bank account number to any online acquaintance
• Do not allow others to use their bank account to receive payments even if the job requires it
• Do not share any OTP numbers
• Always crosscheck the name of the company offering the job at the Department of Business Development website: https://www.dbd.go.th/
Smoking Ganja In Public ‘Still Banned’ Despite Withdrawal Of Cannabis Bill
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
Rules On Cannabis Use – Including A Ban On Smoking The Herb In Public – Are Still In Force Despite The Withdrawal Of The Cannabis And Hemp Bill, The Government Said On Sunday.
The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to send the bill back to a review committee instead of passing it at the second reading. Democrat and Pheu Thai MPs who voted against the bill complained that it promoted recreational use of marijuana.
However, Public Health Ministry announcements after cannabis was legalised on June 9 dictate that the herb should be used for medical purposes, government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Sunday. She gave the example of a June 15 announcement banning public smoking of cannabis, which carries punishment of up to one year in jail, a 2,000 baht fine or both.
She added that a June 17 announcement limits the amount of cannabis individuals can possess and bans sale of the herb to children and pregnant women. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs must get permission before using cannabis or hemp in foods, medicine or cosmetics.
“Although the cannabis and hemp control bill was sent back to the vetting panel, existing regulations will help control the use of the decriminalised herbs until the bill comes into effect,” she said.
She added that the cannabis policy integration committee, chaired by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, may launch more measures to ensure the decriminalised herb is used appropriately.
Thai Creations From Natural Materials Make A Mark At Hong Kong Fashion Expo
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
Thai Fashion Products Made From Natural Materials Were A Huge Hit At A Recent Exhibition In Hong Kong, The Department Of International Trade Promotion (DITP) Said On Sunday.
DITP director-general Phusit Rattanakul Seriroengrit said the products were showcased at the three-day event “Centrestage 2022” held in Hong Kong from September 9.
“Despite strict quarantine measures, DITP managed to bring 34 Thai brands to the exhibition,” he said.
Of them, 12 brands had been created especially to penetrate the Chinese market.
Chanunpat Pisanapipong, executive director of the Thai Trade Centre in Hong Kong, said more than 240 brands from 15 countries were participating in the exhibition, and Thai products received a lot of attention.
She said visitors, including importers and businesses, paid particular attention to clothes and accessories made from natural materials.
Chanunpat added that more than 30 business matches between Thai businesses and importers from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, India and the US had been made during the exhibition.
“In addition, Bernard Charnwut Chan, the chairman of the Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council, was appointed as the Commerce Ministry’s honorary trade adviser during the exhibition,” she said.
Hong Kong is Thailand’s 12th largest trade partner. In 2021, Thailand’s exports to Hong Kong came in at US$11.59 billion, up 2.65 per cent year on year. Of the total export, textile products accounted for $171.73 million, up 31.73 per cent year on year.
Thai Social-Media Users Falling Less For Fake News: DES Ministry
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
Thai Netizens Appear To Have Wised Up To Fake News And Are Not Sharing Any And Everything On Social Media, The Digital Economy And Society (DES) Ministry Said On Sunday.
Spokesperson Noppawan Huajaimun said the ministry has found that each of the top 10 fake news items over the past week had only managed to capture the attention of up to 100 Thai social networkers.
This is an indication that Thai netizens are now able to identify fake news, she said.
From September 9 to 15, the ministry checked 170 fake news items. Of them, the top 10 were:
• The Public Health Ministry has set up a website for people to register for Covid-19 compensation.
• Drinking alcohol for seven consecutive days will boost immunity, even for pregnant women.
• Stock Exchange of Thailand allows people to invest as little as 1,000 baht in East Coast Furnitech and the yields are high.
• The Government Savings Bank approves loans in three minutes.
• Typhoon Muifa will hit Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani.
• A new therapy has been invented for treating people choking on food or developing cramps.
• The Government Savings Bank and Krungthai Bank have joined private companies to provide loans of 5,000 to 300,000 baht via Line application.
• People suffering from chronic headaches and blood in their phlegm will be prone to strokes and partial paralysis.
• Four storms will hit the Northeast and Central region.
• Haemorrhoids can be cured by abstaining from meat for seven days and eating mushrooms frequently.
“It’s clear that people have caught up to fake news judging by the complaints placed via the www.thaipoliceonline.com website,” Noppawan said. “Five months after the website opened, complaints about fake news have dropped by 80 per cent.”
Kyrgyz Woman’s Death In Pattaya Leads Police To Chinese Gang, 1 Arrested
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
A 27-Year-Old Chinese National Was Arrested At A Condominium In Bangkok’s Rama IX Area On Saturday For Allegedly Running A Brothel For More Than Two Months.
The woman, identified as Rou Li, is reportedly part of a gang that lures Kyrgyz women into becoming sex workers.
The case came to light when Kyrgyz national, 30-year-old Anara Seitaleva, plunged to her death from the seventh floor of a luxury condominium in Pattaya on Friday.
The woman had filed a police complaint on Tuesday saying she was being chased by a man from Hong Kong and two women from China after she managed to escape last Sunday (September 11).
Police are now hunting for Hong Kong national Nin Wai Siu, 48, and Chinese national Song Qianli, 32.
Upon arresting Rou Li, police seized her passport, cash, credit cards and smartphones, before sending her to Pattaya City Police Station to face charges.
Earlier, Pol Maj-General Thitawat Suriyachai, chief of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau’s Sub-Bureau 4, said a man from Hong Kong had allegedly taken Seitaleva to Laos to serve as a sex worker as she could not work at a call centre.
Thitawat, who also helps oversee investigations into sexual abuse against children and women, added that Seitaleva was then brought to Thailand to allegedly work as a sex worker until she jumped to her death.
As of press time, there was no information on how many women had been forced into prostitution by this gang.
Four Banks To Suspend Mobile Services For A Few Hours This Month
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022
THE NATION
Customers Of Four Banks Are Advised To Be Prepared And Make Necessary Transactions In Advance As The Banks Plan To Suspend Mobile Services On A Few Days This Month To Improve Security And System Performance.
The four are Bank of Ayudhaya, or Krungsri; Krung Thai Bank (KTB); Government Savings Bank (GSB) and Tisco Bank.
The GSB announced it would suspend services on Wednesday from 11pm to midnight to improve its system.
The following services would be affected:
– MyMo MyCash withdrawals
– GSB debit card services in the country or abroad
– ATM and ADM (automated deposit machine) services
– Fast Funds services receiving money transferred from abroad.
Krungsri said it would halt its mobile and internet banking services for system improvements on Saturday from 2am to 4am and on Sunday from 2am to 4am.
The following services will be affected:
– Krungsri mobile application
– Internet banking via www.krungsrionline.com
– The “Kep by Krungsri” mobile banking service
– Credit card and debit card services at Krungsri’s ATM, CDM and RATM machines.
The KTB meanwhile said it would suspend services on Sunday from 1.30am to 6.30am to improve security.
The following services will be affected:
– Krung Thai ADM
– Krung Thai ATM
– Cash withdrawal cards
– A Money cards
– Nergn Tid Lor cards
– Withdrawals through AEON – Your Cash cards
– Withdrawals via JCB and UPI cards.
KTB added that it would also close its banking system to improve its Krungthai Next application on Tuesday, September 20, from midnight to 3am.
Tisco Bank announced it, too, would stop services on Saturday and Sunday and September 25 to improve system performance and service efficiency.
On Saturday, the bank will suspend services from midnight to 9.30am, which will affect:
– ATM machines, which cannot be used for PromptPay registrations or transfer services
– Tisco My Wealth service
– Tisco PromptPay service.
On Sunday, the bank will suspend services from 1.30am to 7.30am and on September 25 from midnight to 7am.
Manchester City And Wolves Pay Tribute To Late Queen As Premier League Returns
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
THE NATION
Manchester City And Wolverhampton Wanderers Paid Their Respects To The Late Queen Elizabeth II On Saturday (September 17) As The Premier League Resumed.
Players and fans held a minute’s silence at the Molineux Stadium as a tribute, followed by a rendition of the national anthem.
Last weekend’s games were postponed following the Queen’s death on Thursday (September 8), meaning that this is the first chance that these clubs and their fans have had to pay their respects at a match.
While the Premier League resumed on Friday night, a few fixtures needing extra policing will be postponed this weekend as the country prepares to hold a huge state funeral on Monday (September 19).
Amarin Again In Contention At Thailand Mixed @ Gasson Panorama
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
THE NATION
The Up-And-Coming Amarin Kravixien Once Again Put Himself In Contention In The Thailand Mixed Hosted By TrustGolf Following His Bogey-Free 65 At The Gasson Panorama Golf Club In Lamphun On Saturday.
The big hitter from Bangkok who came closet to winning his maiden professional win at the last Thailand Mixed series at Thana City Golf Club where he lost to Artiruj Winaicharoenchai by five strokes in the final round crafted seven birdies, five on the front and two after the turn, to lead on 16 under-par-200. That was one ahead of young-gun Ekpharit Wu and the only female in the top five Arpichaya Yubol, each with a 201.
“I can’t say that it was mistake free round because I knew I still left a few shots out there today, especially not being able to birdie the par 5 hole on the back nine. But overall, I’m really satisfied with my solid round today,” said the 26-year-old Amarin in his first appearance at par-72 Gasson Panorama.
Asked about his game plan for Sunday, Amarin said: “I don’t have any specific thought for tomorrow apart from doing my thing. If I focus on what someone else is doing, then that means I’m not focusing enough on myself.”
Amarin is in search for his first key tour title after he won a Thailand Development Tour event in Nakhon Nayok back in 2019. He is confident he always has what it takes to win a tournament and makes his statement that he is here to win.
“I know I’m capable of getting it done but it still has yet to happen. I’m here to win. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow,” Amarin said.
Ekpharit who has a Taiwanese father benefitted from his hot driver and sharp iron to produce the week’s lowest score of 63 which propelled him to a tied second on 15 under-par-201 alongside Arpichaya.
“I couldn’t be happier by hitting nine under. I really served well and hit accurate approach shots to set up easy birdie chances,” said the 22-year-old player who is also eyeing on his maiden win.
“I’ve never played in the final group on the final day before. This is a new experience for me, but I will try to play my game and not to put myself under pressure,” he added.
Twenty-year-old Arpichaya, with eight birdies and one bogey on the 14th for a 65, stands a shot at claiming her second Thailand Mixed title after she won the inaugural Thailand Mixed event in February last year.
“My approach going to the final will be the same like what I did today. That is to relax out there, not thinking too much about winning,” the former Thai LPGA Tour No 1 said. Teenage rising star Sirapob Yapala fired a 69 to sit two back off the lead on 203 with Ronnachai Jamnong following two shots behind on 205.
Midway leader Kammalas Namuangruk was nowhere near his best as he had to bear with a 75 which included a double bogey on the 10th, three bogeys and two birdies for a total 206, the same score achieved by three-time champion Chanettee Wannasaen who carded a 69.
The Thailand Mixed is organised by TrustGolf, an indoor training center with advanced technology. It is supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Bangkok Bank, B.Grimm Company, Bond Holdings, AISPLAY, Bridgestone, Trust Pharmacy, Trust Live Streaming, Adidas Golf, Balance Golf Nutrition, Leborn, LMV, Longa, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration and Gatsson Legacy Golf Club in Lamphun.
Honda To Realize Carbon Neutrality For All Products
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
Honda Aims To Realize Carbon Neutrality For All Products And Corporate Activities Honda Is Involved In By 2050, It Announced.
During the press conference, Kohei Takeuchi (Director, Executive Vice President and Representative Executive Officer) and Yoshishige Nomura (Managing Officer) affirmed Honda’s goal to reach the carbon neutrality.
Their briefing heighligts:
1. Approach toward carbon neutrality of motorcycle products
To accommodate a variety of uses and needs of customers around the world, Honda offers a wide range of motorcycle products, from small commuter models to large fun models, which are used globally in both emerging and advanced countries. In emerging nations, especially, there is high demand for motorcycles, mainly commuter models, as a lifeline of people in their everyday life; however, popularization of electric models faces challenges such as heavier vehicle weight and higher prices. Also, demand for electric models depends largely on government incentives, regulations and availability of charging infrastructure in each respective market.
Considering these circumstances, Honda will accelerate the electrification of motorcycles as the primary focus of environmental strategies for motorcycle business, while also continuing to advance ICE, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s. Moreover, Honda will continue to lead the industry at the forefront of its environmental initiatives.
Continued Initiatives to Advance ICE In order to realize carbon neutrality while accommodating the wide range of customer needs and usage environments unique to motorcycles, Honda continues its initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions from ICE models, while also developing models compatible with carbon neutral fuels such as gasoline-ethanol blends. To be more specific, in addition to Brazil where flex-fuel (E100) motorcycle models are already available, Honda plans to introduce flex-fuel models in India, as well, one of the major motorcycle markets. The plan is to first introduce flex-fuel (E20) models beginning in 2023, and flex-fuel (E100) models in 2025.
2. Electrification Initiatives
Introducing electric motorcycle models to meet wide-ranging customer needs Anticipating market expansion, Honda will introduce electric motorcycles that accommodate a wide range of customer needs. Commuter models and fun models combined, Honda will introduce more than 10 new electric motorcycle models by 2025, with an aim to reach annual electric motorcycle sales of 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 million units (approximately 15% of total sales) as of 2030.
Details of product launch plans follow:
(1) Commuter EVs As businesses are becoming more environmentally conscious, demand for business-use electric motorcycle models has been on the rise in recent years. To fulfill such demand, Honda has been offering the Honda e: Business Bike series models and accelerating the global launch of business-use electric motorcycles. In addition to providing a Honda e: Business Bike series model to Japan Post and Vietnam Post Corporation for mail delivery, Honda is currently conducting joint trials with Thailand Post Company Limited, and planning to begin production and sales of the Benly e: in Thailand before the end of this month. These Honda e: Business Bike series models are equipped with Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries, which are well-suited to business use such as the delivery of small packages and resolve issues of range and charging time, which are key challenges that need to be addressed to realize widespread use of electric motorcycles.
For personal use, Honda plans to introduce two commuter EV models between 2024 and 2025 in Asia, Europe and Japan. Envisioning the future market environment, uses and technological advancements, Honda is exploring a range of future personal-use models including ones equipped with a power source besides swappable batteries. (2) Commuter EMs / EBs Currently, EMs and EBs account for more than 90% of industry-wide global electric motorcycle unit sales (approximately 50 million units). In China, the world’s largest electric motorcycle market, EMs / EBs are widely adopted as a convenient form of everyday mobility, and Honda has been offering such products by leveraging its local supplier infrastructure and development / manufacturing operations. With the expectation that demand for EMs / EBs will be expanding globally, Honda plans to introduce a total of five compact and affordable EM and EB models between now and 2024 in Asia, Europe and Japan, in addition to China.
(3) FUN EVs In addition to commuter EVs, Honda is actively developing electrified models in the “FUN” category. Based on its FUN EV platform currently under development, Honda plans to introduce a total of three large-size FUN EV models in Japan, the U.S and Europe between 2024 and 2025. Honda will also introduce Kids Fun EV model, designed to pass on the joy of riding to the next generation.
High-efficiency “Monozukuri” that enables expansion of the electric model lineup and sales Based on its competitive “Monozukuri” (art of making things) know-how, amassed through the development and application of platforms for ICE-powered models, Honda will develop and apply electric motorcycle platforms that combine the three core components for electric vehicles – the battery, PCU and motor– with the motorcycle body. By fulfilling customer needs with highly efficient Monozukuri, Honda will continue to offer the joy of mobility with affordably-priced electric motorcycle models.
Regarding the battery, a core component of electric vehicles, Honda aims to equip its electric motorcycle models with an all-solid-state battery Honda is currently developing by making active use of its own resources.
3. Smoother and Smarter Use of Electric Motorcycles
Initiatives to enhance charging infrastructure and standardize batteries Enhancement of charging infrastructure and standardization of battery specifications are vital for the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles. As part of the enhancement of charging infrastructure, Honda is working toward popularization of battery sharing.
(1) Popularization of battery sharing – Honda has established a joint venture in Indonesia, one of the major motorcycle markets, to operate a battery sharing service utilizing MPPs and MPP-powered motorcycles. The JV is currently operating a battery sharing service in Bali. – In India, Honda is planning to begin its battery sharing service for electric tricycle taxis (so-called “rickshaws”) by the end of this year. Honda is also planning to expand its initiatives to popularize battery sharing to other Asian nations. – In Japan, in April of this year, ENEOS Holdings, Inc. and the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers jointly incorporated Gachaco, Inc., which will provide a sharing service of standardized swappable batteries for electric motorcycles and develop infrastructure for this service. The company plans to begin its motorcycle battery sharing service this fall.
(2) Standardization of batteries – In Japan, four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have agreed on common specifications for swappable batteries based on the JASO TP21003 guideline. – Honda is working toward the standardization of swappable batteries while participating in a battery consortium in Europe and working with a partner company in India.
Strengthening of the areas of software technologies To increase the added value of its electric motorcycles, Honda is aiming to transform its business from a focus on non-recurring hardware (product) sales business to a recurring business model combining hardware and software.
In the area of software development, Honda is working with its software subsidiary, Drivemode*9, to enhance new value creation for its electric motorcycle products in the connected realm. Starting with the commuter EV model scheduled to go on sale in 2024, Honda will offer user experience (UX) features that continuously enrich the quality of riding through connectivity, such as offering optimal route options that take into consideration remaining range, charging spot notification, safe riding coaching and after-sales service support.
Looking ahead, Honda will work toward the establishment of a connected platform where greater value will be generated not only by connecting its motorcycles, but by linking a wide range of Honda products and realizing connectivity beyond their product domains.
Considering these circumstances, Honda will accelerate the electrification of motorcycles as the primary focus of environmental strategies for motorcycle business, while also continuing to advance ICE, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s. Moreover, Honda will continue to lead the industry at the forefront of its environmental initiatives.
(3) FUN EVs
