Seafood importers around the globe have been in a state of trepidation regarding potential radioactive contamination, following the discharge of wastewater from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant. These concerns have now been put to rest with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirming that seafood imports from Japan are devoid of harmful radioactivity levels. The FDA’s Deputy Secretary-General, Lertchai Lertvut, offered clarifying details. He stated that before the release of the treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean by Japan on August 12–more than ten years after the nuclear disaster–rigorous safety measures were enforced. Lertvut went on to elucidate that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation’s Office of Atoms for Peace collected a vast array of imported seafood samples, like squid, molluscs, and crabs, for testing. Scienstists evaluated for possible contaminant and potential radioactive elements, namely caesium-134 and caesium-137. Test results came back relieving. From 75…
Posts published in “Thailand”
The Si Thep Historical Park, nestled in Phetchabun, witnessed an exponential rise in tourism over the past weekend. This upsurge followed hot on the heels of the announcement on September 19 that the park had secured the prestigious World Heritage Site status from UNESCO. The rising waves of tourists flocking towards the park have led local administrative entities to turn towards the government with appeals for expanded facilities and accommodation options to handle the burgeoning influx of visitors. Sittichai Poodee, the visionary director of Si Thep Historical Park, reported on September 25 that more than 5,000 visitors had swarmed into the park on the previous Saturday. Adding to this number was a similar headcount at Khao Klang Nok, a neighboring site steeped in rich historical significance. This brought the combined total of visitor headcount over the weekend across both sites to a staggering 20,000, a number that greatly surpassed the…
With the aim of saving and potentially generating revenue, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is strategically focusing on maximizing the efficacy of waste management in the city. In a recent Facebook livestream, he shed light on the current scenario – about 9,000 tonnes of waste is transported to three waste management facilities – Nong Khaem, Sai Mai and On Nut, every day for disposal. The Nong Khaem Municipal Solid Waste Management Centre, one of the city’s primary waste disposal units, single-handedly processes almost 4,000 tonnes of waste each day. The cost for disposing of this waste oscillates within 649.50 and 970 baht per tonne. Chadchart Sittipunt emphasized on the need to decrease this cost, so the saved funds could serve other municipal needs. His statement came during a live broadcast from the Nong Khaem centre. Providing an instance of their successful efforts towards controlling spendings, the governor revealed how they managed…
In a strategic move set to invigorate the nation’s economy, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has launched the exciting visa-free policy which started earlier this week. The eagerly awaited policy, targeting Chinese and Kazakh visitors, is aimed at making Thailand a more desirable destination for international tourists, especially those originating from China and Kazakhstan. This exceptional initiative, the Quick Win proactive measure, sees the holder of Chinese and Kazakh passports benefiting from visa exemptions. With this strategic policy in place, an estimated five million Chinese tourists are speculated to make Thailand their choice destination by the end of the year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). This vehicular policy is scheduled to run until February 29 of the succeeding year as reported by Thailand’s Interior Ministry on September 18. On Monday, the day the policy kicked off, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made an exceptional appearance at Suvarnabhumi airport…
Recent reports from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) triumphantly announce that imported seafood from Japan is conclusively devoid of radioactive traces exceeding international standards, signaling a sigh of relief for food consumers worldwide. This auspicious news comes on the tails of mounting international apprehension regarding potential contamination of marine life due to last month’s release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which sadly fell victim to a cataclysmic tsunami. Lertchai Lertvut, the esteemed deputy secretary-general of the FDA, enlightened the anxious public about the stern safety measures that were dutifully implemented before Japan initiated the release of what they have labeled “treated radioactive water” from the Fukushima power plant on the fateful day of August 12. This event comes 12 long years after the sobering nuclear meltdown. In their commitment to ascertaining absolute safety, FDA operatives industriously collected 75 samples of imported seafood. Vibrantly slithering squids, quintessential…
Recent unexpected footfalls at the Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun province have set alarm bells ringing for local agencies, who implore the government to enhance infrastructure facilities. The sudden spike in visiting numbers followed Unesco’s announcement classifying the park as a World Heritage Site on September 19. Sittichai Poodee, the director of Si Thep Historical Park, reported a record-breaking number of over 5,000 visitors on a single day, with almost the same amount of tourists swarming to Khao Klang Nok, a historical staple neighboring the park. Collectively, both the sites witnessed an overwhelming influx of around 20,000 tourists over the weekend, a figure that significantly exceeds the expectations made by park officials. In order to address this tourism explosion, Mr. Sittichai has requested supplemental resources from local government bodies, such as additional public bathrooms and the installation of a tourist center. He also confessed to discussing plans with local…
As the rainy season casts its shadow, Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is raising the alarm over the widespread rise of respiratory diseases, primarily influenza. According to Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the resident secretary of the ministry, the number of patients grappling with these diseases has shot up exponentially since the mask mandate was lifted back in October of the previous year. In hard numbers, between January 1 and September 16, an estimated 185,216 cases were reported. This translates to roughly 279.9 cases per 100,000 population. A tragic four lives were also claimed during this period. In fact, Dr Opas highlights that over 12,000 cases were registered in the week spanning September 10 to 16 alone. This rate surpasses that of the same period in the previous year and even shatters the average of the last five years. To address this upward trend, Dr Opas has issued directives to public health offices…
A leading figure in global sustainable chemistry, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, declared their monumental achievement of recycling 100 billion post-consumer PET bottles since the dawn of February 2011 as of September 25th. This paramount undertaking has resulted in a stunning diversion of 2.1 million tons of waste from burdening our environment and shrunk the carbon footprint of product lifecycles by an impressive 2.9 million tons. Indorama Ventures has stayed true to its pledges, firmly devoted to contributing to the setup of a robust circular economy specifically designed for PET. In their bid to champion this cause, they have poured more than $1 billion into the collection of spent PET bottles over the last decade. Aloke Lohia, Indorama Ventures’ esteemed Founder and Group CEO, shared his thoughts. He stated, “As we celebrate the landmark recycling achievement of 100 billion PET bottles, our gratitude goes to consumers who have made recycling…
Reimagining gambling regulations, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin proposes the legalization of other forms of wagering, including football betting. His intention is to funnel additional tax revenue into improving the lives of those in dire need. Speaking from the Government House this Tuesday, Mr. Somsak provides an alternative perspective on the arrest of internet gambling suspects and the subsequent raid of suspected sites that transpired on Monday. Spearheaded by cybercrime units, a series of Monday crackdowns ensnared several locations in Bangkok. Notably, the dragnet caught the residences of Deputy National Police Chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, in its wake. These actions were part of an aggressive takedown of an expansive online betting ring. “Certainly, placing bets on cock and bull fights is entirely legal,” Mr. Somsak pointed out. “However, more traditional forms of betting, like those typically placed on football, have not been sanctioned. This leaves a significant amount of…
The globally acclaimed Si Thep Historical Park situated in the province of Phetchabun could potentially see restrictions on tourist access to its Khao Klang Nok ruins. Locals harbor a deep reverence for these pyramidal ruins, viewing them as both influential and sacramental. The influx of tourism following the UNESCO’s declaration of Si Thep Historical Park as a World Heritage Site has sparked concerns around the possible physical damage to the site and violation of local sensibilities. No sooner had the announcement by UNESCO been made on September 19, then the park found itself the recipient of an unprecedented torrent of visitors eager to explore and behold its history and beauty. This influx, however, has been the source of worry for many locals, primarily due to the volume of tourists scaling Khao Klang Nok. This historical landmark, ensconced within the confines of the park and a mere 2 kilometers from the…