Cabinet okays B8bn package for sugarcane farmers
Cabinet okays B8bn package for sugarcane farmersA worker harvests sugar cane in Surin province. The mobile cabinet on Monday greenlighted incentives worth 8 billion baht for sugarcane farmers who agree to cut fresh sugarcane without burning the residue, a move aimed at helping reduce the amount of PM2.5 dust in the 2022/23 harvest year. Under the scheme, which is aimed at addressing the burning of the residue of their crop by sugarcane farmers, the government would offer farmers who agree to cut fresh sugarcane without burning the residue 120 baht per tonne. She also insisted the incentives offered for this project do not violate the agreements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), as they are designed to assist sugarcane farmers in promoting the cutting of fresh sugarcane, reducing air pollution and PM2.5 dust. Thailand's sugar cane output is estimated at 82.4 million tonnes in the 2023-24 crop year, with domestic sugar consumption projected at 25.7 million sacks, which represents 2.57 million tonnes.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 05, 2023 21:45 UTC
A silent menace
In factory farms, animals live in limited spaces and unsanitary and stressful conditions which can lead to illness and disease. Unfortunately, consuming meat containing antimicrobial resistant bacteria can increase the risk of acquiring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans. World Animal Protection (Thailand) surveys animal farms. "In contrast to factory farms, animals on sustainable farms can wander in outdoor areas and socialise with other animals. (Photo: World Animal Protection Thailand)Last month, World Animal Protection launched the "Rowing For Farm Animals" campaign.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 05, 2023 07:02 UTC
China's bamboo could replace high-emitting plastics, but tech bottlenecks are stunting growth
Bamboo, Escardo said, is deeply intertwined with Chinese history and culture, and can provide green jobs and economic opportunities for people in rural areas. This has made it the largest exporter of bamboo products, and overseas demand is increasing as the West pursues its own emission reduction efforts, Escardo said. Upstream, the industry also faces high costs due to a lack of mechanisation in the felling of bamboo, according to Wang Xian, founder of a bamboo plywood manufacturer from Taojiang county, Hunan province. The country began to reduce plastic consumption in 2008, banning supermarkets and shopping malls from providing disposable plastic bags for free to shoppers. Though bamboo is just one solution among many to curb the world's excessive consumption of plastics, Escardo said, "if we have many solutions together, the opportunity to compete with the plastic industry will be higher.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 04, 2023 09:38 UTC
Court ruling on Yingluck malfeasance case reset for Dec 26
Court ruling on Yingluck malfeasance case reset for Dec 26Former caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is surrounded by supporters in May 2014 after the Constitutional Court ruled to remove her from office over her transfer of Thawil Pliensri as National Security Council chief. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions has rescheduled Dec 26 for the reading of its ruling on an abuse of power case against fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra after two postponements. Mr Thawil filed a petition with the Supreme Administrative Court, which subsequently ordered the revocation of the transfer order. Moreover, the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously that Yingluck had abused her power by interfering in the transfer of government officials. She fled the country ahead of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ruling on Aug 25, 2017.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 04, 2023 08:42 UTC
Thailand ready to receive Myanmar war refugees
Thailand ready to receive Myanmar war refugeesPeople's Liberation Army forces fight Myanmar junta soldiers near Sagaing Region in Myanmar on Nov 23, 2023. (Reuters photo)The government is ready to build shelters along the border to receive refugees in the event that fighting in Myanmar escalates further, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. But from now on, if violence increases, there might be refugees going in all directions, not only towards Thailand," the foreign minister said. Mr Parnpree commented that he had not received any reports of a proxy war in Myanmar. Lt Gen Prasarn Saengsirirak, commander of the 3rd Army, said the ongoing situation in Myanmar were yet to have any impact on Thailand, but if refugees crossed the border, they would receive humanitarian aid.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 03, 2023 15:31 UTC
Taste of inflation from a reliable sauce
Taste of inflation from a reliable sauceI am not sure where Bangkok stands in the list of most expensive cities released by the Economist this week. More to the point, even my hallowed HP Sauce has not been spared. It received the ultimate seal of approval in the 1960s when the British satirical magazine Private Eye adopted the name HP Sauce for its political column. French dressingA curiosity in those days was that part of the HP label describing the sauce was in French. It includes the immortal lyrics: "I think it's only fair/to point out that despite its faults/England still has HP Sauce."
Source:Bangkok Post
December 03, 2023 07:40 UTC
Call centre gangs exploit vulnerable victims
Call centre gangs exploit vulnerable victimsCloser look: Police officers examine items seized from a call centre scam gang after a raid in Bangkok in August. The items, marked as evidence, include mobile phones and cash worth altogether more than 10 million baht. But it was too late: within 30 minutes, she had lost 1.5 million baht in life savings. On Dec 1, the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women brought 16 victims of a call centre gang in Cambodia to report to police. As for victims who lost their money to call centre gangs, they tend to never get it back.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 03, 2023 07:17 UTC
Record drought could keep Amazon dry through 2026
A record-breaking drought has sapped the Amazon River and four of its biggest tributaries to their lowest levels in at least half a century, as scientists anticipate the next year could bring an even more intense drought.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 03, 2023 04:03 UTC
'Clean molecules' essential in meeting net-zero goals
The term clean molecules was coined by energy experts to focus on a group of clean fuels, including biofuel for cars and aircraft, and e-fuels. We need clean molecules to help us attain net-zero goals," said Mr Chaiwat. A visual note outlining the global energy situation and a path toward the net-zero goal through the use of clean molecules. The remainder comprises gaseous and liquid fuels, some of which could be generated by clean molecules. During the forum, Mr Chaiwat also mentioned electrofuels, also known as e-fuels, which are also a promising source of clean molecules.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 28, 2023 11:47 UTC
Curfew partially lifted in SLeone capital after clashes killed 13 soldiers
Curfew partially lifted in SLeone capital after clashes killed 13 soldiersSecurity forces clashed with unknown assailants for several hours in Freetown on SundayFREETOWN - Clashes that shook Sierra Leone's capital Freetown on Sunday left 13 dead in the ranks of the army loyal to the government, and were orchestrated by active and retired soldiers, the army spokesperson said Monday. Daily life began to resume amid a heavy security presence in Freetown on Monday, as the government partially lifted a curfew imposed after the clashes erupted in the city. Bangura told AFP eight more soldiers had been seriously injured in the clashes as they defended their barracks. "Certain members of the military are not loyal towards the government or the president, despite taking the oath," said Bangura. A curfew will be imposed from 9:00 pm (2100 GMT) to 6:00 am until further notice, the Information ministry announced, lifting a daytime curfew previously imposed.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 27, 2023 20:26 UTC
Indian army digs by hand to free 41 trapped tunnel workers
Indian army digs by hand to free 41 trapped tunnel workersThe Silkyara road tunnel in northern India, which partially collapsed on November 12. SILKYARA TUNNEL (INDIA) - Indian military engineers were preparing to dig by hand Monday to reach 41 workers trapped in a collapsed road tunnel for 16 days, a rescue operation hit by repeated setbacks. The 41 construction workers have been trapped in the Silkyara road tunnel since November 12. For the distraught relatives of the trapped men, it has been an ordeal without an imminent end in sight. Though trapped, they have plenty of space in the tunnel, with the area inside 8.5 metres high and stretching about two kilometres in length.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 27, 2023 19:50 UTC
SEC urges trading probe
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is asking the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to study and consider whether to review the use of trading programs, including high-frequency trading (HFT), to determine the current trading volume and whether they are appropriate for the Thai bourse. The SEC asked the SET to submit the results of a study on trading programs, which account for 35-36% of the total trading value, while HFT accounts for 10%-15% of the trading value. The volume generated via trading programs on the SET has greatly increased from previous years, though it is lower than in other regional exchanges and developed markets in the West, said Ms Pornanong. "We have to find out what is the most appropriate rate for the Thai stock market." Most market makers tend to use DW risk management by using trading programs or conducting arbitrage using HFT.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 27, 2023 11:18 UTC
Tours to Tham Luang cave rescue chamber to begin
Tours to Tham Luang cave rescue chamber to beginNavy Seals dive into the flooded Tham Luang cave during their exploration of ‘Chamber 3’ to try to locate the 13 missing team members in June 2018. (Photo: Thai Navy Seals' Facebook account)The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will on Dec 15 start bringing tour groups to Chamber 3 in Chiang Rai province's Tham Luang cave, the operations base for the rescue of the young "Wild Boars" footballers five years ago. The 13 were trapped by floodwater in the cave in Mae Sai district for 18 days in June and July 2018. Visitors will see first-hand how difficult the rescue was, including the installation of equipment and the transport of the victims out of the cave. Until now Chamber 3, which is about two kilometres deep from the entrance of the cave, was open only to researchers and experts.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 26, 2023 19:45 UTC
New charter referendum bill: B3bn
The changes being pushed include lowering the minimum votes required for passing a referendum. "We are also focusing on whether there will be a referendum and if so when it can be held. He said, however, the EC will need more money than in the previous referendum to finance a fresh round. A referendum is estimated to cost at least 3 billion baht, up from 2.7 billion baht spent on the previous referendum in which the majority of voters approving the current charter. Last week, Nikorn Chamnong, head of the hearing sub-panel, admitted he was concerned the Referendum Act might complicate the charter amendment process.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 26, 2023 05:01 UTC