BANGKOK (NNT) – Farmers from the Agricultural Safety Association and the Federation of Safe Agriculture met with the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Chalermchai Sri-on, to discuss revocation of paraquat and chlorpyrifos ban from August 29, as no alternatives have been provided.

The representatives asked the minister to send a memorandum to the dangerous substances committee, urging it to reconsider the banning of the chemicals and instead limit usage, as has been done with glyphosate, saying the approach would have less impact. At the same time, they asked that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Ministry of Public Health and Department of Livestock Development suspend their imports of the two substances immediately, rather than in June next year, as it would benefit certain businesses to the detriment of public health.

Agricultural Safety Association President Sukan Sangwanna expressed his belief that, even if paraquat and chlorpyrifos are taken off shelves, they would continue to be bought illegally as no replacements have been identified.

The Department of Agriculture has mandated that both chemicals be turned over by farmers within 90 days of August 29, and by retailers within 270 days or before February 25, 2021. Those who fail to comply could be fined 1 million baht.

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BANGKOK(NNT) – Thailand’s Prime Minister today joined the 3rd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Summit, held virtually via video conference, where leaders from the sub-region discussed economic cooperation to help with recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to all.

The Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has joined a video conference, from government house in Bangkok, with leaders from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and China in the 3rd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Summit, held under the theme of Enhancing Partnership for Shared Prosperity.

The summit was co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, and China’s Premier Li Keqiang. Both thanked the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation member states for multilateral help and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that such cooperation must be maintained to enable sustainable economic development.

The Prime Minister of Thailand has delivered his remarks, supporting cooperation between member states, stressing this crisis as an opportunity to further enhance cooperation and partnerships, increasing the wealth of the people without leaving anyone behind.

He stressed cooperation in several areas, starting with water management for the people along the Mekong river through the Mekong River Commission, and the holding of regular ministerial meetings on water resources to push for concrete results from the cooperation.

On security and public health, Thailand stressed its preparedness for international COVID-19 vaccine research and development cooperation, within the World Health Organization’s framework, while positioning itself as the region’s hub for medicine and vaccine production.

Thailand and all Mekong-Lancang Cooperation member states have agreed that once an effective vaccine has been developed, it should be accessible by all.

On the enhancement of connectivity within the Mekong sub-region, Thailand pledged to cooperate in all aspects to help distribute wealth to areas disconnected from economic corridors, and to promote connections between different economic corridors.

The Thai Prime Minister also urged member states to help one another stimulate economic activity, including border trade, tourism and travel, to help with the sub-region’s sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

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BANGKOK (NNT) – The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has unveiled its rainwater management plan for this year’s rainy season in the Chao Phraya River Basin, promoting a unified approach to water management.

Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, serving as the director of the national water command, has called for related agencies to put in place flood and rainwater management plans, covering the removal of garbage and debris obstructing water flow.

Related agencies have so far removed some 500,000 tons of debris from 143 locations, to improve flow capacity, and have prepared land in the Chao Phraya River Basin to serve as water retention areas, allowing for the storing of water for later consumption in the dry season.

The government has drafted 9 long-term plans to help mitigate flood disasters in the Chao Phraya River Basin, enhance water use for farming and solve related issues while promoting public participation by local communities to help ensure water security.

The ONWR Secretary General Somkiat Prajamwong said solutions to water issues require cooperation from all sides, in order to push for development and progress.

He said the ONWR has made long-term plans to solve flood issues inthe Chao Phraya River Basin, which will affect the Greater Bangkok area, which is considered a key economic area of the country.

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