Nyheter från thailändska tidningar (Jo-Be citerar nyheter på engelska)

[JBK.Ltd.]

Science Ministry pursues Nobel-winning dreams
Writers: Chutima Inkam & Visarut Sankham. The Nation October 19, 2015

THE Science and Technology Ministry has decided to take up the ambitious goal of producing young talent who may one day win a Nobel Prize.

"We will organise many activities in the pursuit of this goal," Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj said this week. "For instance, we are already providing scholarships and opportunities for Thai students to learn from world-class scientists."

He added that his ministry had sent some top-graders to the Asian Science Camp and also sent some whiz kids to witness the Nobel Prize presentation ceremony in Sweden.

"We hope to produce world-class Thai scientists one day," he said.

He was speaking at an event held to promote the Nobel Prize and inspire Thai youth. Held at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, the event included several well-known Thai scientists as speakers.

Dr Thaweesak Ko-anantakool, president of the National Science and Technology Development Agency, said young people should be encouraged to develop skills in science, become more curious and begin implementing projects that are useful for other people.

"Efforts such as this would be hugely beneficial, not just for the country, but also for the rest of the world," he said. "One day in the future, a Thai will win a Nobel."

Takaaki Kajita and Arthur B McDonald both won a Nobel in Physics for solving a long-standing puzzle about neutrinos by creating a detector that shows these tiny, tiny particles shift shape and hence have mass.

Dr Saran Poshyachinda, deputy director of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), explained that Kajita's and McDonald's findings rescinded the original theory about neutrinos, which claimed that the particle had no mass and was able to go through all substances without any reaction.

Dr Chairat Uthaipibull, principal researcher at the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology National Centre, spoke about William C Campbell and Satoshi Omura, who shared the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Tu Youyou. Campbell and Omura won for coming up with a novel therapy against roundworm, while Tu won for her discoveries in the fight against malaria. The three scientists shared the Nobel grant worth more than Bt30 million.

Dr Danaya Pakotiprapha, a lecturer in Mahidol University's biochemistry department, spoke about Tomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar, who shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their studies on DNA repair. Their work could provide fundamental information on how living cells work and could be used to develop cancer treatment further.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Broke Nana tourist busted for robbing bank for ticket home
19 Oct 2015 WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS

An Australian man is held in police custody after his attempt to buy a plane ticket home with the money stolen from a bank failed. (FM. 91 Trafficpro photo)

A 23-year-old Australian man was arrested Monday after he allegedly held up Thanachart Bank with a BB gun in hopes of buying a plane ticket home. Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathavorn said 23-year-old Zachary Cronin was wearing a black Guy Fawkes mask and goggles when he stormed into the bank's Saphan Khwai branch at 8.45am today yelling ''Money!''

He said the man pointed the fake gun at the tellers, who handed over 170,000 baht, Mr Cronin made it only 200 metres before being cuffed. Pol Lt Col Aumnart Harnchana, deputy chief of Bang Sue police station, told Thairath Online, that a bank staffer hit the alarm, but a Bang Sue policeman was already inside the branch.

He and the bank's security guard chased down the Aussie, whose choice of getaway routes turned out to be a dead-end soi next to the bank. Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Sanit Mahathaworn told FM 91 Trafficpro radio that Mr Cronin said he was a tourist staying in the Nana red-light area on Sukhumvit Road and had spent all his money in a month. He then decided to rob the bank. "The suspect wanted to use the money to buy a plane ticket back to Australia," Pol Lt Gen Sanit said.

Mr Cronin travelled from Nana to Saphan Kwai by BTS Skytrain and spent five minutes scouting areas outside the Thanachart Bank before the robbery, he added. Pol Lt Gen Sanit told the Associated Press that Mr Cronin has been charged with robbery, which carries a punishment of up to 10 years in jail.

No date has been set for his court arraignment, which he said could happen in late November or early December.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/cri...urist-busted-for-robbing-bank-for-ticket-home.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Police arrest three foreigners on the run
19 Oct 2015 WRITER: POST REPORTERS

The Immigration Bureau announces the arrests of three foreigners on Sunday — Eduard Malkov, Yukin Evgeny and Trevor Yardley.(photo:Apichit Jinakul)

Police have arrested two Russian men wanted in their home country on charges of smuggling chemicals and fraud, and a convicted Australian paedophile who allegedly entered Thailand illegally. The arrests were announced on Sunday by the Immigration Bureau.

Eduard Malkov, a 44-year-old Russian, was wanted by Russian authorities and Interpol for smuggling steroid-based chemicals into Russia and jumping bail, bureau chief Nathathorn Prousoontorn said. He was sentenced to three years in jail in Russia for transporting the chemicals, but he appealed against the decision and then fled the country after he was granted bail. Russian authorities put out an international arrest warrant for Malkov through Interpol's "red notice" system, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said. The bureau found Mr Malkov living in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, working in a bakery shop.

Another Russian man, Yukin Evgeny, 39, was also wanted under an international arrest warrant issued by Russian authorities and Interpol. Mr Evgeny allegedly forged documents from a Russian company so he could transfer money into his bank accounts, costing the company 2.5 million baht, police said. Police arrested him in front of a Big C Supercentre in Pattaya, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said.

Trevor Yardley, a 71-year-old Australian, who was jailed for seven years in Australia for sexually abusing two children, was caught in a house belonging to his Thai wife in Udon Thani. Australian authorities asked their Thai counterparts to monitor Yardley after he started transferring money to a Thai bank account. When he was arrested in Udon Thani, Yardley did not have an entry stamp for Thailand in his passport, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said.

The bureau chief said Interpol, the Royal Thai Police (RTP)'s Central Information Technology Centre, the Immigration Bureau and the Foreign Affairs division were called for a meeting Sunday to discuss ways to notify Thai police immediately when an international arrest warrant has been issued by Interpol.

After the meeting, Interpol agreed to allow police to use the agency's database of international arrest warrants, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said. A memorandum of understanding will be signed by the RTP and Interpol at a later date.

He said the information link will help prevent foreigners on the run from entering Thailand and going into hiding in the country.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/734076/police-arrest-three-foreigners-on-the-run.

 

[Glimten]

Ska man hem så ska man väl det, men det måste ju finnas bättre sätt än att råna en bank , men nu lär han nog få gratis bostad och mat ett tag fram över

 

[Anonym]

Police arrest three foreigners on the run
19 Oct 2015 WRITER: POST REPORTERS

The Immigration Bureau announces the arrests of three foreigners on Sunday — Eduard Malkov, Yukin Evgeny and Trevor Yardley.(photo:Apichit Jinakul)

Police have arrested two Russian men wanted in their home country on charges of smuggling chemicals and fraud, and a convicted Australian paedophile who allegedly entered Thailand illegally. The arrests were announced on Sunday by the Immigration Bureau.

Eduard Malkov, a 44-year-old Russian, was wanted by Russian authorities and Interpol for smuggling steroid-based chemicals into Russia and jumping bail, bureau chief Nathathorn Prousoontorn said. He was sentenced to three years in jail in Russia for transporting the chemicals, but he appealed against the decision and then fled the country after he was granted bail. Russian authorities put out an international arrest warrant for Malkov through Interpol's "red notice" system, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said. The bureau found Mr Malkov living in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, working in a bakery shop.

Another Russian man, Yukin Evgeny, 39, was also wanted under an international arrest warrant issued by Russian authorities and Interpol. Mr Evgeny allegedly forged documents from a Russian company so he could transfer money into his bank accounts, costing the company 2.5 million baht, police said. Police arrested him in front of a Big C Supercentre in Pattaya, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said.

Trevor Yardley, a 71-year-old Australian, who was jailed for seven years in Australia for sexually abusing two children, was caught in a house belonging to his Thai wife in Udon Thani. Australian authorities asked their Thai counterparts to monitor Yardley after he started transferring money to a Thai bank account. When he was arrested in Udon Thani, Yardley did not have an entry stamp for Thailand in his passport, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said.

The bureau chief said Interpol, the Royal Thai Police (RTP)'s Central Information Technology Centre, the Immigration Bureau and the Foreign Affairs division were called for a meeting Sunday to discuss ways to notify Thai police immediately when an international arrest warrant has been issued by Interpol.

After the meeting, Interpol agreed to allow police to use the agency's database of international arrest warrants, Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said. A memorandum of understanding will be signed by the RTP and Interpol at a later date.

He said the information link will help prevent foreigners on the run from entering Thailand and going into hiding in the country.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/734076/police-arrest-three-foreigners-on-the-run.

Jag blir så jäkla nöjd när jag läser sådana här nyheter. In med svinen bakom lås o bom.

 

[Anonym]

Här sitter man och tragglar igenom olika nyhetssidor, för att i slutänden lägga upp dessa här för er att läsa. Sen har ni mage och säga ni bara läser rubrikerna, sickna svikare!!

Näe! Ingen större fara, @Janne, tack för de uppmuntrande orden och jo, det tar lite tid att lägga upp intressanta (som jag tycker) artiklar/nyheter för er TS:are och försöka hålla er hyffsat uppdaterade om saker och ting som händer i vårt älskade LOS..

Jo lite dåligt samvete har man ju

 

[Kun Song]

Jag anser din tråd är den mest läsvärda på hela forumet, jag går in varje dag och läser alla inläggen du lägger fram.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Jag anser din tråd är den mest läsvärda på hela forumet, jag går in varje dag och läser alla inläggen du lägger fram.

Tack! Kun Song, det värmer, men snart är man på rätt sida av stängslet(LOS)

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Court extends detention of two Erawan Shrine bombing suspects
The Nation October 20, 2015

The military court yesterday extended the detention period of the two foreign suspects held in relation to the Erawan Shrine bomb attack.

The suspects, Bilal Mohammed and Mieraili Yusufu, can be detained till October 31 under the latest approval. They were nabbed for their alleged role in the two August bombings in Bangkok. The blast at the shrine killed 20 people and injured more than 100 others, while the bomb that exploded the following day at the Sathorn Pier caused no casualties.

Following the bombings, Bilal was arrested at an apartment in Bangkok, while Mieraili Yusufu was nabbed in a border province. Both have already made partial confessions, though investigators say they need more time to question witnesses and receive results of scientific tests.

The two suspects showed up at military court yesterday. They were handcuffed and remained expressionless.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Australian held for 'robbing' bank for his flight home
The Nation October 20, 2015

An Australian national was arrested yesterday after allegedly robbing a bank with a fake gun in Bangkok's Phaya Thai district. He managed to get away away with Bt158,000 after an alleged 12-second hold-up at a Thanachart Bank branch. But was captured shortly after by a couple of good samaritans and a patrolling police officer.
'
The 23-year-old Ice cream shop assistant, Zachary Adrian Cronin, was presented to the press with the cash, a mask, a fake gun and sunglasses. He was then made to re-enact the crime at six locations.

Cronin claimed that he has been in Thailand for a month and had spent all the Bt100,000 he had, so he planned to rob the bank so he could buy a ticket home. Apparently he had been scouting the bank two days before the robbery.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Krabi
Top honour for man for rescuing tourists
Writer: SITTHICHAI SIKHAWAT / THE NATION October 20, 2015

Chat Ubonjinda

A KRABI man who risked his life to rescue a Norwegian couple stuck in riverside mud will be conferred with a "Seu Samart" (honorary jacket) by HRH Princess Bajra Kitiyabha during a ceremony in Bangkok on Friday.

Chat Ubonjinda, 44, will also get a chance to meet with Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha during his trip to the capital.

But before Chat could board an Air Asia flight to Bangkok at around 4pm yesterday, officials from the Krabi Red Cross office had to provide him with medical treatment for his back pain, which he sustained when he let the couple step on his back to escape the mud.

To praise his good deed and sacrifice, the Krabi Provincial Electricity Authority will take care of a temporary electric meter shared by Chat's five adjoining family houses and a power bill worth almost Bt10,000 a month, while the Muang Krabi Municipality will build a public road leading to his home so that electricity poles can be erected.

Chat welcomed the initiatives as they would help his family save money since his work laying foundation pillars has dried up.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Police beef up security in Hat Yai for festival
Writers: Pares Lohasan & Santiparp Ramasutra / The Nation October 20, 2015

cars being checked after bombs in pattani; two killed, five badly injured

SECURITY has been beefed up in Songkhla's Hat Yai district where a large number of tourists have descended for the city's famous Vegetarian Festival, following two roadside bomb attacks in Pattani yesterday. Checkpoints were set up at three inbound routes - Petchkasem Highway, Kanchanawanit Road and Niphat Songkhro Road - to Hat Yai city to watch out for "suspicious" vehicles.

It was feared a Honda Click motorcycle had been strapped with explosives and was going to be used to hit an unconfirmed location, an informed source said. Ten policemen from each of the 15 other districts in Songkhla, had been sent to Hat Yai as security backup, the source said.

The first attack in Tambon Manang Dalam, Sai Buri district, killed two rangers and seriously wounded five others. A sixth ranger escaped unharmed. The he authorities believe explosives were packed into a 60kg to 80kg cooking cylinder buried in a pipe underneath the road.

It hit an armoured vehicle with the seven patrolling paramilitary rangers and volunteers at about 7.20am on Sai Buri-Kapor Road in Ban Manang Dalam Moo 1. The explosion caused a 2.8-metre-wide and 1.2-metre-deep crater and killed ranger volunteers Pipatpong Chuayboonsong and Muhama Kaning. The explosion knocked the vehicle over.

Corporal Boonyameen Jehsani and ranger volunteers Ronnachai Chupan, Kiattisak Chaisit, Sarawut Khuiyoksui and Boonrit Kanchanarat were rushed to Crown Prince Sai Buri Hospital. Another roadside bomb targeted the nine-strong "Wasukri" police special operations team as they travelled in a pickup truck en route to the first bomb attack.

The bomb exploded when they were about three kilometres from the scene but no one was hurt. Police suspect that the attacks were either carried out by insurgents or drug traffickers. An informed source said there had been more than 10 bomb attacks on Sai Buri-Kapor Road.

While the Islamic funeral for Muhama was carried out yesterday, Pipatpong's body underwent the bathing rite at Wat Suwannakorn in Nong Chik district before being transported by helicopter to his hometown in Nakhon Si Thammarat for the funeral.

In Narathiwat's Rangae district, Ban Kujing Leupa Moo 4's assistant village headman Saman Salae, 51, was shot dead yesterday afternoon while riding his motorcycle home from a fruit orchard. Two men on another bike ambushed him and police suspect this was part of the ongoing unrest.

Meanwhile, Kirati Sani, 40, an assistant village headman in Mai Kaen district in Pattani, was shot and seriously wounded on Sunday night while riding a motor-|cycle back from a shift at a local administrative organisation office. His attackers also rode on a motorcycle.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Thailand's roads second-deadliest in world, UN agency finds
20 Oct 2015 \ WRITER: BOB JAMES AND AFP

Five people were hurt when this truck smashed into cars at a red light in May. Thailand this year posted the second-highest road-fatality rate in the world, the World Health Organization said. (Bangkok Post file photo)

A lack of key safety standards and poor enforcement of laws already on the books have combined to give Thailand the second-highest road-fatality rate in the world, according to a new World Health Organization survey.

In its 2015 Global Status Report on Road Safety, the UN health agency said 14,059 were killed on Thai roads and highways in 2012, translating to a road-death rate of 36.2 people per 100,000, a rate only surpassed by war-torn Libya, where 73.4 people per 100,000 died that same year.

Thailand's traffic-death rate was only even approached by Iran (32.1 per 100,000), Togo (31.1) and nine African
countries that posted rates between 30 and 35. Furthermore, the Who concluded, road fatalities in Thailand were far higher than reported. Based on its models, the agency estimates 24,237 actually were killed in 2012, 42% more than stated by the Public Health Ministry.

Worldwide, the Who said some 1.25 million people are killed in traffic accidents each year. And while many countries have stepped up efforts to improve their situations,
including law changes and making vehicles and roads safer, low- and medium-income countries like Thailand lag behind.

A full 90% of global road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, even though they count only 54% of the world's vehicles. "Road traffic fatalities take an unacceptably high toll, particularly on poor people in
poor countries," Who chief Margaret Chan said in a statement reported by AFP. The lack of standards is particularly
noticeable in Thailand, which lacks a child-restraint law, performs no safety audits for new road-construction projects, carries out no regular inspections of road infrastructure, and has no policies to separate motorists from pedestrians and cyclists.

The Who also noted that Thailand's national seat-belt law does not apply to all passengers in a car. The agency also gave poor marks to enforcement of existing laws, giving the country's traffic police a three on a scale of 10 for their enforcement of speed limits.

Police earned sixes for enforcement of drink-driving and motorcycle-helmet laws. Yet the status report said only 52% of motorbike drivers -- who accounted for 70% of all road and highway fatalities - wore helmets and only 20% of pillion passengers. That mark, however, was a significant increase from the 3% recorded in 2007.

As for drink-driving, 26% of all road deaths can be attributed to alcohol, the Who said. Thailand lags world Worldwide, nearly half of all those killed in traffic are either walking or on two wheels, the new report showed, with pedestrians accounting for 22% of all deaths, motorcyclists making up 23%, and cyclists 4%.

"Decision makers need to rethink transport policies," Etienne Krug, head of Who's disability, violence and injury prevention unit, told AFP, warning that "the lack of policies aimed at vulnerable road users is killing our people and harming our cities."

The report found that road safety had improved significantly in countries with laws regulating five risk factors: speed, drunk driving, and the use of helmets, seatbelts and child seats. Over the past three years, 17 countries, with a total of 409 million inhabitants, have adopted laws in at least one of these areas in line with international best practices, it said.

The Who recommends that maximum speed in urban areas should be set no higher than 50 kilometres per hour. But only 47 countries, representing 950 million people, respect that recommendation, the report found.

Thailand's maximum urban speed limit, by comparison, is 80km/h. Its rural and highway limits are even higher at 90km/h and 120km/h, respectively, although local authorities can set lower limits. The report also stressed the importance of banning drunk driving, noting that only 34 countries, with a total population of 2.1 billion, follow Who recommendations to limit permitted blood alcohol levels to below 0.05 grammes, and for younger drivers to 0.02g.
¨
"Twenty-one of these countries are in the European region, suggesting the need to extend good practice globally," the report said.

Thailand's national drink-driving law is a set 0.05g.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gen...ads-second-deadliest-in-world-un-agency-finds.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Lese Majeste charges
Noppawan acquitted
October 20, 2015

The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Noppawan Tangudomsuk on lese majeste charges, giving her the benefit of the doubt as there was no clear evidence that she had insulted the monarchy on the Prachatai webboard in 2008.

Noppawan was indicted in 2009 and charged under article 112 of the Penal Code and the law on computer crime for a post that appeared on the webboard on October 15, 2008. The primary court dismissed the accusation and freed her on the grounds that the IP address on the webboard was not enough to prove her guilty.

The appeal court, however, reversed the primary verdict, sentencing her to five-years in prison on the grounds that an IP address could be faked and that the comment was posted using an account name and password believed to belong to her.

The Supreme Court said that the IP address, account name and password failed to prove that it was Noppawan who posted the defamatory comments on the webboard. The court delivered the verdict in absentia as Noppawan did not show up at the court yesterday.

This is the second case the Supreme Court acquitted a lese majeste suspect.

 

[Glimten]

Helt klart en intressant tråd, dock måste jag säga att jag hinner inte läsa igenom alla inläggen, utan skummar igenom dom flesta om det inte är väldigt intressant artikel, då läser jag den. Men en ska du iaf ha

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

BMA starts clearing historic canal area
Writers: Tanatpong Kongsai, Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung & Natthapat Phromkaew
The Nation October 21, 2015 1:00 am

Vendors' plea for demolition to be held off for three months, pending minister's decision
IN A bid to reclaim the registered historic site of Klong Ong Ang and restore it to its past glory, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday began demolishing some parts of Saphan Lek Market and Saphan Han structures that have blocked the canal for more than two decades.

Meanwhile, the market vendors submitted a petition to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha via the public service centre at the PM's Secretary's Office yesterday asking for the demolition to be held off for three months till the result of an appeal to Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda is known. They said if structures were demolished and Anupong later rules against it, they would suffer irreversible damage.

The appeal to Anupong will be tabled at the Klong Ong Ang landscape improvement committee's meeting this afternoon. However, the vendors' hopes could well be dashed, as Anupong said earlier yesterday that it was time for the country to start doing the right thing, and that since Saphan Lek intruded upon a public canal which provides drainage for the city, it was illegal. He said the city had already been lenient by letting stalls stay along the road.

Deputy city governor Assawin Kwanmuang presided over the start of the demolition, as workers began tearing down structures obstructing the canal in the Panupan Bridge area yesterday morning. He urged people to cooperate with the authorities as they tear down structures left behind by 200 vendors who have already left, saying the procedure would be gradual.

An informed source said Klong Ong Ang had been registered as a historic site since 1976, but the area now has many permanent metal and concrete structures that intrude into the Canal. Also, some shops were built on the edge of the canal's sluice-gate dam, causing it to be damaged. Vendors also dropped waste into the canal and polluted the water, the source said.

The vendors around the canal may have violated several laws, including the Building Act, the Town Planning Act and the Ancient Monuments, Antiques and National Museums Act 1961. People convicted of damaging a registered historic site could face up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to Bt1 million, the source added.

There are 500 structures intruding into the canal in the area - 363 from Damrong Sathit Bridge to Panupan Bridge, 74 from Panupan Bridge to Saphan Han and 63 from Saphan Han to Bopitpimook Bridge. The Committee on Conservation and Development of Krung Rattanakosin resolved on July 28, 2000 to stop the city from collecting fees from vendors operating near Klong Ong Ang. But in August 2000, the BMA's City Market Office announced the cancellation of this market status and revoked vendors' renting rights.

On September 28, the city posted an eviction order for all the vendors to move out within 15 days, but many didn't budge - so the city decided to start the demolition proceedings yesterday.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Dusit Zoo showcases black throat monitors
The Nation October 21, 2015

Kids are offered a chance to study the rare monitor closely.

Rare black throat monitor lizards await young audiences at Dusit Zoo, as part of the zoo's preparation to commemorate King Chulalongkorn Day on October 23.
Zoo director Banyat Insuwan noted that the rare monitors are a highlight of the event which would include academic and leisure activities.

Giant, the 13-year-old black throat monitor.

He said that there are fewer than 20 black throat monitors in Thailand. This reptile, originally found in South Africa, is tame and not dangerous to children. The exhibit will run until the end of this month.

The biggest of them is called Giant, which is loaned by a private owner. Aged 13, he weighs 15kg.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Don't let scandal overshadow ThaiHealth's excellent work
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN \ THE NATION October 21, 2015

OVER the past 14 years, Thai Health Promotion Foundation has proved its mettle in dealing with powerful Thai and multinational tobacco giants, as well as alcoholic beverage manufacturers.

Year after year, their multi-billion-baht interests in the lucrative Thai market have been more or less curbed by the well-intentioned efforts of several pro-health public campaigns and strategies implemented by ThaiHealth. That's the key reason for its existence. Yet, allegations on the misuse of public funds to the tune of billions of baht are no less significant.

Like all other public money, the use of 2 per cent of the so-called "sin tax" levied over an above the cigarette and alcoholic beverage taxes has to be transparent and accounted for. Over the past decade or so, ThaiHealth was given some Bt30 billion in combined tax revenue from this special levy, with a Bt4-billion provision for 2014 compared to Bt3.811 billion and Bt3.561 in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

One criticism is that some of the money has been allocated to projects not directly related to ThaiHealth's objectives, such as those related to mass media and its practitioners. Then there were allegations of conflict of interest involving recipients of funds who are either closely allied or associated with previous and current senior officials and policymakers at ThaiHealth.

The authorities are now investigating these allegations and their findings will be made public soon. Meanwhile, ThaiHealth manager Krisada Reung-areerat has tendered his resignation in the wake of these allegations so auditors and investigators can proceed with their probe.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation, ThaiHealth's work in fighting the powerful tobacco and alcoholic beverage giants must to remain intact - as society will lose substantially without its work.

In fact, ThaiHealth's performance over the years has proved to be innovative and relatively effective in countering negative health and social consequences of tobacco products and alcohol in the market economy, where profit maximisation via advertising, sales promotion and other tactics is key.

Compared to similar outfits in other Asean countries, ThaiHealth is undoubtedly among the leading anti-tobacco and anti-alcohol platforms in this part of the world. The pro-health policy objective is not very easy to achieve when society has to deal with the powerful lobby of cigarette and alcoholic beverage companies.

In Thailand's case, the state-owned Thailand Tobacco Monopoly is a major source of tax revenue for the government. In addition, there are several Western tobacco giants holding a significant market share in the country.
While the effectiveness of its work in cutting down the number of new smokers may be debatable, it is obvious that Thailand has some of the best pro-health, anti-smoke laws in the world.

These rules and regulations would not be practical if there were no effective strategies and public campaigns to educate the people. The same argument is valid for anti-alcohol strategies and public campaigns that have helped boost public health and reduce road and other accidents caused by intoxication.

Notable examples are the new rules and regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages in retail outlets, as well those governing the consumption of such beverages. Again, big businesses are behind the liquor and beer industry involving both Thai billionaire families and multinational players.

In this context, our society needs an equally powerful outfit to counter business interests - or consumers will not be served appropriately.

 

[JBK.Ltd.]

Dtac introduces 6-mth maternity leave policy
The Nation October 21, 2015

Starting next year, Total Access Communication's employees will be able to take a six-month paid maternity leave.
This is above the legal 3-month requirement in Thailand. The six-month paid maternity leave has been a policy of Norway’s Telenor, a major shareholder of the Thai telecom company.

In a statement, the company said that the new policy is aimed at strengthening its competitiveness and driving talent retention.

"This is about strengthening Dtac's competitiveness in the market. In order to do that, we rely on attracting the best talent from diverse backgrounds to drive innovation and better performance. With the goal of ensuring that our organisation better reflects the world we are, and in order to attract retain and develop talent. We consider it a highly strategic move and this will present a significant difference in the market," said Lars Norling, its CEO.