Alarm sounded for tainted fruit, vegetable imports
Alarm sounded for tainted fruit, vegetable importsA vendor sells vegetables at a fresh market in Bangkok. "Thailand continues to import fruit and vegetables contaminated by chemicals banned in many countries," said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI. One option is to increase the number of inspection officials examining imports of fruit and vegetables, said Mr Kriengkrai, which would build greater confidence among consumers. In January of 2024, the value of imported fruit and vegetables increased by 8.4% year-on-year to 13.2 billion baht, according to the FTI. Some of these products require inspection as they may not meet the required safety and environmental standards, the FTI noted.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2024 14:55 UTC
Overwhelmed by success
He said there is strong demand from Russians, Chinese, Eastern Europeans and North Americans seeking long stays in Phuket. WEAK STRUCTUREDespite booming private development, Phuket still lacks sufficient public infrastructure, as existing services have not caught up with the island's fast growth. "Phuket is no longer dependent on tourism, and that's probably a good thing, but we need infrastructure," Ms Prakaipeth said. Locals are awaiting airport development, as demand at Phuket airport outstrips capacity. "The government should support medical and wellness tourism in other provinces to boost the local economy," said Mr Kriengkrai.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2024 01:39 UTC
Suvarnabhumi can shine again
Suvarnabhumi can shine againWhen it was opened to the public in 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport reflected the mood and aspirations of the entire nation. Just four years after it was inaugurated, Suvarnabhumi was named one of the world's best airports, competing with the likes of Singapore's Changi, Doha's Hamad and Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports. In fact, the combination of all these gripes has led to Suvarnabhumi Airport being awarded the distinction of being one of the region's worst airports by Business Financing -- a UK-based financial consultancy website. As recently as last week, the premier pledged to help Suvarnabhumi reclaim its status as one of the world's top airports within five years. Gates will need to be expanded, too, now that Suvarnabhumi has been adapted to accommodate Airbus A380s.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 15:47 UTC
A-bomb survivor hopes 'Oppenheimer' stokes debate in Japan
Teruko Yahata was eight when the first atomic bomb was dropped on her home city of Hiroshima, knocking her unconscious and levelling swathes of the Japanese city. Now 86, she is eager to be among the first to see the film "Oppenheimer" at its delayed opening in Japan on March 29, hoping the biopic of the scientist who led the development of the bomb will reinvigorate debate over nuclear weapons.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 15:46 UTC
Masked dance at World Heritage site
The Fine Arts Department organised a masked dance of the Ramakien epic at Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya province on Saturday and Sunday. The ancient Buddhist temple stands in the Historic City of Ayutthaya, a World Heritage site listed by Unesco. (Video: Jetjaras Na Ranong)
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 14:53 UTC
Bangkok Post - It's known as extinction
Some 56 million years ago the earth underwent an extreme climate change event. A surge of carbon dioxide levels sent already warm global temperatures soaring. With sea levels 220 feet higher than now and temperatures 5-9 degrees warmer than during the peak greenhouse (Paleocene) period, a freshwater sea formed around the north pole. The nitrogen-fixing capability of Azolla and its symbiont Anabaena has led to its widespread use as a fertiliser, especially in parts of Southeast Asia. The plant has bolstered agricultural productivity in China for over 1,000 years and helps Thai farmers improve their rice production today.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 12:22 UTC
Woman arrested for alleged '3XL' sex service
Woman arrested for alleged '3XL' sex serviceA police officer reads a charge during the arrest of Sopang Thongdonmuean at a hotel in Bang Khen district on Saturday night. (Photo supplied)Bangkok police arrested an overweight woman for alleged prostitution in a sting operation after seeing an online advertisement for sex services by overweight women. According to the commander, arrested in the sting operation was Sopang Thongdonmuean, 49. It offered unlimited sex services in a party with overweight women with a 1,800-baht fee for each woman. She brought seven overweight women with her on Saturday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 10, 2024 11:46 UTC
Macaque assault victims to get compensation
Monkeys enjoy the annual buffet festival staged for them at Phra Prang Sam Yot in Lop Buri. A macaque attacked and injured local woman Arikanta Kanchanasinmetha, in Lop Buri, on March 6, as it attempted to take her food. Atthapol Charoenchansa, the DNP director-general, told officials to visit the injured woman in Lop Buri to assess her injuries. The macaque population in Lop Buri was 5,709 at the end of last year, Mr Atthapol said recently, including 2,206 in the municipality. She was sent to Lop Buri Hospital by rescue volunteers and discharged.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2024 23:22 UTC
Beijing needs a reset. Xi's got bigger problems
Xi's got bigger problemsChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing on Thursday. Mr Wang may bring a steady hand, but he's also quick to call Washington out over its policies, particularly around China's access to advanced chips. The episode highlighted the secretive nature of the party's inner workings but also shone a glaring spotlight on Mr Xi's personnel choices, given Mr Qin was his pick. A new foreign minister would go a long way to help explain Beijing's global viewpoint. The fact that he was not announced should tell you that the focus for Mr Xi is what's going on at home, not overseas.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2024 13:49 UTC
Airlines contend high fares are justified
Airlines contend high fares are justifiedThai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air jets sit at a terminal at Don Mueang airport. As consumers cry foul over expensive domestic airfares, Thai AirAsia says ceiling prices should not be slashed as airlines have carried a higher cost burden since the pandemic. However, airlines can help by increasing flights during Songkran to reduce average fares, said Santisuk Klongchaiya, chief executive of Thai AirAsia. He said Thai AirAsia will maintain appropriate prices, differing on each route based on seasonality and passenger demand. Thai AirAsia is targeting 15-20% revenue growth this year as it expands its fleet to 60 aircraft with a seat capacity of 23.3 million.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2024 13:43 UTC
Govt touts Land Bridge to top French firms
Govt touts Land Bridge to top French firmsThe government was due to meet with top-tier companies in France yesterday as part of its Land Bridge Road Show to draw firms to invest in logistics infrastructure in the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC). The environmental and health impact assessment (EHIA) for the Land Bridge megaproject is being conducted by the OTP, he said. Anan Phonimdang, SRT deputy governor, said rail routes along the Land Bridge are divided into two sections. The Land Bridge megaproject development consists of four phases. A route linking the two ports will cost 195 billion baht, with 6.2 billion baht in compensation for land expropriation.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2024 07:09 UTC
Bangkok Post - Target for cuts
It begs the question of the credibility of the Western news sources and their intentions. One example is The New York Times, which is facing questions about a sweeping investigative story it published on the Israel-Hamas war back in December. While the New York Times fired staff photojournalist Hosam Salam for being pro-Palestinian, three Jewish reporters were allowed to team up and write an article about Hamas. The last Chinese weather balloon article was published one week before the Pentagon stated that it held no spying equipment. As shown in many of the opinions from PostBag's contributors, these Western news sources are taken to be the Gospel truth.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 09, 2024 05:27 UTC