BANGKOK (NNT) – The government is ready to help businesses affected by a giant container ship blocking the Suez Canal in Egypt as the supply chain in many countries is beginning to suffer hardship from the blockage.
Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has followed the situation closely to find ways to help Thai exporters and importers affected by the blockage.
She said the prime minister has acknowledged the private sector’s concerns, but believes a resolution will be swift due to the coordinated salvage effort.
Ms Rachada was also allaying concern about oil shortages, saying the country has imported oil from several suppliers and oil companies have sufficient stockpiles to last.
Government Is Ready to Help Businesses Affected by Suez Blocking
CAPM targets sugar factories and crop burning in Uthai Thani
UTHAI THANI (NNT) – The Center for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) has taken action on the problem of PM2.5 released from sugar factories and resulting from sugarcane crop burning in Uthai Thani.
Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, Teerapat Prayoonsit as chair of the subcommittee in charge of providing air pollution information to the public, today followed up on the PM2.5 dust particle problem generally in Uthai Thani province. He first visited Baanrai Sugar Industry, a company which has a specific project to buy sugar cane leaf from farmers for biofuel and to help prevent the need for crop burning.
The company also aims to raise the unburnt sugarcane purchase rate to 100%, so that farmers no longer need to burn -off crops.
The permanent secretary said that it is necessary to undertake eco-friendly agriculture as it helps prevent damage to the environment and human health.
In addition, CAPM has already requested cooperation from related authorities, the private sector and the public, to be part of PM2.5 problem solving.
According to CAPM, Uthai Thani has been implementing agricultural burning solutions and enforcing laws since 2018.
Local authorities and the sugar industry have launched projects to support the policy such as purchasing sugarcane leaf and raising the price of unburnt sugarcane. The projects have been receiving good compliance from the farmers as they gain a better sales price and achieve better air quality for the community.
TCC Pledges to Help Accelerate Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution
BANGKOK (NNT) – The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) vows to help revitalize the economy in 99 days under its “Connect the Dots” policy, focusing on faster Covid-19 vaccine distribution.
Newly Appointed TCC chairman Sanan Angubolkul said the chamber will work as a focal point to connect the state and private sector and individuals to jointly drive economic rehabilitation in the 99-day period.
He said Thailand is slow in distributing vaccines, which will result in a slow economic recovery. Speeding up Covid-19 vaccination is the core policy as fast vaccination will restore business confidence and supports the state plan to reopen the country from July.
Mr. Sanan added that the chamber is proposing the “Buy 1, Give 1” vaccine campaign to help the government speed up the vaccination. Under the campaign, every dose of a vaccine a company buys for its employees, the company will give a free dose to individuals
ONWR urges faster drought action in northeastern region
BANGKOK (NNT) – The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) is now in the process of mitigating the drought in the northeastern region, with projects in place to improve water reservoir efficiency, and ensure the availability of clean water for all people.
The ONWR’s Secretary General Somkiat Prajamwong has inspected the ground water distribution center of Khok Sung Samphan Subdistrict Municipality in Khon Kaen province, following up on water shortage prevention and mitigation provisions, and expediting projects under the agencies responsible for promoting water security and sustainability.
This dry season, the ONWR plans to ensure that people in all locations have a supply of clean water available, with plans to build groundwater distribution centers along main roads across the country.
With fewer water sources available in the upper part of the northeastern region, water management plans, and precipitation from recent storms, have resulted in a total of 3.145 billion cubic meters of water flowing into dams, which has led to a greater reserve of water available for the 2020-2021 dry season.
No provinces in the northeastern region have been declared drought disaster areas so far this year, however 430 sub-districts in 11 provinces are being monitored as potential drought disaster areas.
A monitoring zone for shortage of consumption water has been drawn, including in area not served by the provincial waterworks authority, as well as a monitoring zone for water shortages for farming within and outside irrigation areas.
The ONWR has ordered all related agencies to make action plans to prevent water shortages, and to follow up, evaluate, and raise awareness of water saving measures.
THAI airways to sell training center building to raise more funding
THAI airways is selling its Laksi training center building, in the Bangkhen district of Bangkok, its Nok-Air shares, its Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services (BAFS) shares and Boeing 737- 400 engines, after the bankruptcy court gave the go-ahead to do so.
THAI airways has been hit hard by limited travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which comes as they were entered bankruptcy protection and sit on the verge of liquidation.
The acting director of THAI airways, Chansin Treenuchagron, said that the funding derived from this sales of assets is for the business operations and investment in projects which can create further income, or to be used as permitted by law.
Potential buyers can contact THAI airways for the Terms of Reference, or access more details on its website’s “Property for Sale” page.
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Thailand Museum Pass opens window on Thai culture through art and history
Bangkok, 22 March, 2021 – Thailand is rightfully known for its world-famous Thai food, stunning temples, beautiful white sandy beaches, and aquamarine seas. And now its wide-ranging museum landscape has surprisingly become another can’t-miss attraction in its own right with a burgeoning contemporary art scene along with some quirky niche exhibits, complementing a wealth of cultural and historical museum attractions.
All of this makes the Thailand Museum Pass, or Muse Pass, an essential addition to any visitor’s travel portfolio. No longer relegated to just escaping the rain or sweltering sun, it is an economical way to visit 64 museums and multiple learning centres across Thailand.
The Thailand Museum Pass costs 299 Baht and offers visitors entry to museums around the country for one year.
From traditional Thai homes preserved in time to national museums, contemporary galleries, plus educational museums and children’s attractions, Thailand has something for every kind of connoisseur. It affords visitors the opportunity to discover Thailand’s rich history, ancient cultures, and far more through its art, while providing value for money by lowering the price of admission.
In addition to Museum Siam, other attractions in Bangkok covered by the pass include Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, the Queen’s Gallery, Museum at Wat Traimit, Phayathai Palace, Siam Serpentarium, the Golden Teak Museum, and the Coin Museum Thailand to name just a few.
Others like the Suan Pakkad Palace, a group of eight traditional teak wood Thai houses built centuries ago in Chiang Mai and transported to Bangkok, or the Jim Thompson House and Museum with six traditional teak homes in the middle of the city, provide historical examples of iconic Thai architecture juxtaposed with lush tropical landscaping.
While the Tooney Toy Museum in Nonthaburi is a top children’s attraction and has an impressive collection of over 100,000 toys from all over the world. There’s also a small cafe that sells strong coffee plus souvenirs for customers who might want to start their own toy collection.
The National Aviation Museum of the Royal Thai Air Force is also popular with kids, as it collects, restores, and preserves air force items of different periods, including equipment and aircraft dating from the dawn of Thai aviation up to the present time. Located behind the domestic terminal of Don Mueang International Airport, the Museum is small in size but large in quality of the exhibits on display, including rare aircraft; some that are the last known examples in existence worldwide.
For those heading a little further afield, the Muse Pass can also take visitors to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Pattaya, Chon Buri. The Museum features a collection of oddities from all over the world and the chance to discover over 350 amazing things. Also in Chon Buri is the Space Inspirium, Thailand’s first space museum and learning centre that provides an educational opportunity to young and old alike via the museum’s well-designed interactive platform.
For those visitors heading to Lop Buri, the Sap Champa Museum exhibits prehistoric, Indian-influenced artefacts from the city of Sap Champa, which dates back to over 3,000 years ago.
Even further away still is the Phuket Thaihua Museum that documents the island’s vibrant history from different perspectives, including its rich Phuket-China connection. While marine biology lovers should check out the Phuket Aquarium, which highlights Thailand’s rich biodiversity and the creatures from the country’s lakes, rivers and seas hailing from a variety of habitats including mountain streams, mangrove forests, and coral reefs.
In Thailand’s northern region, visitors are spoilt for choice with the Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum in Lampang and the Ja Thawee Folk Museum in Phitsanulok offering insight to real-life local Thai culture and history.
In Chiang Mai, the MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum is a small, modern museum exhibiting works of contemporary artists from Thailand and from other Asian countries. While the Royal Park Rajapruek, also in Chiang Mai, was built to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s accession to the throne.
In neighbouring Chiang Rai both the Mae Fah Luang Arboreum and Mae Fah Luang Garden are worthy of an afternoon out or half-day tour. Next to the garden is the Hall of Inspiration that tells the story of the Thai Royal Family and how they inspired other Thais in the service of their country.
For more information on the Thailand Museum Pass, visit: www.museumthailand.com/en/musepass.
*Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, international travel is discouraged at the moment. However, this article is meant to serve as an inspiration for future trips to Thailand once the pandemic has come to an end.
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NBTC eyes policy change to meet evolving broadcast tech
BANGKOK (NNT) – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is evaluating its performance as a regulator, in order to update its policies to meet the digital disruption of the media landscape, allowing broadcasters to implement new technology that best benefits their businesses.
The NBTC’s operations evaluation committee has hired consultants to track and evaluate the work of the NBTC as a broadcast regulator, in order to provide insights to NBTC’s planned policy update, to meet the technological disruption in the media industry.
Sitting as a member of the consultant panel, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University’s Communication Arts lecturer Monwipa Wongrujira said radio broadcasters in Thailand have started shifting to online broadcasting instead, which is something with which the NBTC, as a regulator, must catch up.
From her focus group interviews, Ms. Monwipa said most radio broadcasters are aware of their roles to help reduce broadcast offenses, such as running illegal advertisements for medicines and supplements. However, their shift to online platforms has caused more issues related to licenses, as these broadcasters don’t have an in-depth knowledge of computer-related laws.
The NBTC’s evaluation committee chair Napat Winitchaikul said modern technology has enabled a single radio frequency to be used for multiple services, which is significant for the broadcasting industry.
He said the NBTC’s policy as a regulator in the future will mimic those of foreign countries, while adapting to the needs of broadcast operators and the customs, traditions and behavior of Thai audiences.
The suggestions on policy changes made by this evaluation committee will be used to create an action plan for the new NBTC members.
Commerce Ministry Plans to Help Thai Businesses in Myanmar
BANGKOK (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry is planning to help Thai businesses in Myanmar as the prolonged political conflict is affecting their liquidity, productivity and goods transport.
Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamit said following a meeting with businesses and Thai-Myanmar border traders that he will suggest the Commerce Minister push ahead with relief measures including tax reduction and a new soft loan scheme.
He said Thai businessmen, mostly SMEs in Myanmar, are bearing the impact as many of them are facing a labor shortage. Goods transport is also disrupted and some entrepreneurs are facing liquidity problems.
Mr Boonyarit noted that if the political conflict escalates, becoming more violent and leading to further international sanctions on Myanmar, Thai businesses will face more problems.
