Deeper Dive Thailand: Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes?

Over the past 20 times, fewer than 100 people have died from vaping, while more than 100 million people have died from smoking standard cigarettes. In Thailand, the cigarette death toll is 71, 000 people each time, and from vaping – low. So why are tobacco sold in all pleasure stores but not e-cigarettes?

In this Deeper Dive Thailand, Dave Kendall is joined by Asa Saligupta, chairman of Stops Cigarette Smoking Thailand, to help answer the following questions:

What are the health risks of smoking explosive smoking versus vaping?

How good is it that e-cigarettes will cause disease as vaping get older since they have just been around since 2004?

How well does vaping help people stop smoking or permanently avoid it?

How good is it that people will become addicted to nicotine from cigarettes before switching to smoking?

Should e-liquid with a tobacco flavor get treated differently from candy flavors that are specifically marketed to children?

-If e-cigarettes are significantly safer than cigarette smoking, and some smoking did had switched to vaping if it was lawful, what is the probable death toll from Thailand’s restrictions?

How many users who have returned to smoking during their stay here and who have a history of doing so since 2015, out of the hundreds of millions of foreign travelers who have visited since 2015, are likely to end up dead?

Click below to see the vodcast, or seek for” Deeper Dive Thailand” wherever you get your podcasts.

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Bangkok administration renovates Klong Toey Market

The pavement next to Klong Toey Market on Rama IV Road offers plenty of pedestrian space after the Lao Market was recently demolished. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
After the Lao Market was just destroyed, Rama IV Road offers lots of pedestrian place next to the Klong Toey Market. ( Photo: Somchai Poomlard )

After razing an extension market that had occupied the footpath for almost 20 years, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) is renovating a walkway at Klong Toey Market on Rama IV Road.

The street-side business, known as Rim Khlong Hua Lamphong Market, or Talat Lao for little, has long existed in the area.

By April, the road repairs around the industry will be finished, giving one of the city’s oldest new markets a cleaner and more organized appearance.

The Lao Market has a route of over 100 meters that has been occupied by Bangkok’s government, Chadchart Sittipunt, since 2005.

Following complaints that pedestrians were forced to walk on the road and losing accidents, the BMA implemented a plan to eliminate all stalls from the area.

Additionally, vendors were accused of dumping their waste directly into the river, making it a dump site, and infuriating the canal’s health.

The area was initially designated as a transitory vendor zone, with almost 100 stalls selling food and supplies, with a focus on northeastern cuisine.

On Aug 30 2018, the Klong Toey District Office fully revoked the momentary merchant rights.

Sellers continued to set up road stalls until December of last year when the district office mobilized more than 100 officials, including Klong Toey and near stations ‘ police officers, to regain the area after several months of stall owners were given several times to leave.

Before the road was destroyed, sellers occupied the space inside the Lao Market.

Before the road was destroyed, sellers occupied the space inside the Lao Market.

Officials properly eradicated the business structures and cleared the area. While most sellers agreed to leave and go back to their communities, others moved their businesses to Klong Toey Market.

Somjet Kaewklay, the head of the area law enforcement part at Klong Toey District Office, stated,” This is the beginning of an effort to improve the environment around Klong Toey Market, which is one of the governor’s methods for regulating city stalls.”

The BMA wants to make the road along Ratchadaphisek Road, from Klong Toey Intersection to Na Ranong Intersection, more peaceful and transfer the room to pedestrians.

According to him,” We will improve not only the road along Rama IV Road but also all streets around Klong Toey Market,” adding that fresh cement walkways and wheelchair-accessible stairs will be installed in accordance with universal design concepts.

” All road repairs will be completed by the end of April”, he confirmed.

” This job has cost only a few million baht, but the rewards will be important. Klong Toey Market will have more appealing landscaping and yet roads. He added that there will be designated parking lots that won’t block transportation, making it easier for both consumers and pedestrians.

Chaturon Hundee, 57, welcomed the changes, noting that the market’s outside had formerly been repulsive. My parents frequently took me to Klong Toey Market during the Chinese New Year as a child. We had to buy large quantities of poultry, duck, and bacon because the costs were so cheap. However, walking round was hard, and the floor was usually wet and dirty. I’m pleased to see these modifications– at the very least, it will be easier for commuters like myself to slip through”, he said.

Wittaya Saejung, a meat merchant at Klong Toey Market for over 30 years, expressed help for the repairs, although he sympathised with the suppliers forced to relocate.

He also emphasized the need for designated supply truck driving spaces to reduce place traffic.

” If feasible, there should be federal officials overseeing neatness, especially now that so many international visitors visit the business”, he suggested.

Jakkapan Phiewngam, lieutenant governor of Bangkok, who oversees city merchant policies, said that the BMA has a plan to progressively eliminate temporary merchant zones, especially on commuter walkways, to maintain cleanliness and order in the town.

” Nearly 20 years ago, there were 683 designated places where 20, 771 sellers operated city booths. Afterwards, the Metropolitan Police Bureau requested the destruction of all of these areas. By 2010, the BMA had safely cancelled the lot, leaving only 61 places with 3, 723 sellers. Yet, despite restrictions, 9, 996 suppliers continued to set up booths unlawfully in 323 spots”, he noted.

He continued,” We will proceed to restore public sidewalks to keep our town orderly and clear, just like we have done in the Klong Toey Market.”

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BMA renovates Klong Toey Market

The pavement next to Klong Toey Market on Rama IV Road offers plenty of pedestrian space after the Lao Market was recently demolished. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
After the Lao Market was just destroyed, Rama IV Road offers lots of pedestrian place next to the Klong Toey Market. ( Photo: Somchai Poomlard )

After destroying an extension market that had occupied the footpath for almost 20 years, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) is renovating a walkway at Klong Toey Market on Rama IV Road.

The street-side business, known as Rim Khlong Hua Lamphong Market, or Talat Lao for little, has long existed in the area.

By April, the market’s street repairs may be finished, giving it a cleaner and more organized appearance than one of the city’s oldest new markets.

The Lao Market has a route of over 100 meters that has been occupied by Bangkok’s government, Chadchart Sittipunt, since 2005.

Following issues about walkers being forced to walk on the road and risking accidents, the BMA implemented a plan to eliminate all stalls from the area.

Additionally, distributors were accused of dumping their waste directly into the river, making it a dump site, and infuriating the canal’s inhabitants with bad odours and health problems.

Nearly 100 stalls selling food and supplies, with a focus on northeastern cuisine, were previously designated as a momentary vendor area.

On Aug 30 2018, the Klong Toey District Office fully revoked the momentary merchant rights.

Retailers continued to set up road stalls until December of last year when the city office mobilized more than 100 officials, including Klong Toey and local stations ‘ police officers, to regain the place after giving stall owners several months to leave.

Before the Lao Market was destroyed, sellers occupied the road inside the building.

Before the Lao Market was destroyed, sellers occupied the road inside the building.

Officials properly eradicated the business structures and cleared the area. While the majority of sellers agreed to leave and go back to their homeland, others moved their businesses to Klong Toey Market.

Somjet Kaewklay, the head of the area law enforcement part at Klong Toey District Office, stated,” This is the beginning of an effort to improve the environment around Klong Toey Market, which is one of the governor’s methods for regulating city stalls.”

The BMA wants to make the road along Ratchadaphisek Road more peaceful and give back the space to pedestrians, starting at Klong Toey Intersection and ending at Na Ranong Intersection.

According to him,” we will improve not only the footpath along Rama IV Road but also all of the streets around Klong Toey Market,” adding that new cement walkways and ladders designed for wheelchairs will be installed in accordance with universal design guidelines.

” All road repairs will be completed by the end of April”, he confirmed.

” This job has cost only a few million baht, but the rewards will be important. Klong Toey Market will seem much more appealing and even have trails nearby. There will be designated park lots that won’t impede customers, making it easier for both consumers and pedestrians,” he continued.

Chaturon Hundee, 57, welcomed the changes, noting that the market’s outside had formerly been repulsive. My parents frequently took me to Klong Toey Market during the Chinese New Year as a child. We had to buy large quantities of poultry, bird, and pork because the costs were so cheap. However, walking round was hard, and the floor was usually wet and dirty. I’m pleased to see these modifications– at the very least, it will be easier for commuters like myself to slip through”, he said.

Wittaya Saejung, a meat merchant at Klong Toey Market for over 30 years, expressed help for the repairs, although he sympathised with the suppliers forced to relocate.

He also emphasized the need for designated park lots for supply vehicles in order to relieve place traffic congestion.

” If feasible, there should be federal officials overseeing neatness, especially now that so many international visitors visit the business”, he suggested.

Jakkapan Phiewngam, lieutenant governor of Bangkok, who oversees city seller policies, said that the BMA has a plan to progressively eliminate temporary merchant zones, especially on commuter walkways, to maintain cleanliness and order in the town.

” Approximately 20 years ago, there were 683 designated areas where 20, 771 vendors operated street stalls. Later, the Metropolitan Police Bureau requested that all of these areas be eliminated. By 2010, the BMA had successfully cancelled the majority, leaving only 61 sites with 3, 723 vendors. However, despite restrictions, 9, 996 vendors continued to set up stalls unlawfully in 323 locations”, he noted.

” We will continue to restore public spaces to keep the city orderly and clean, just like we have done in the Klong Toey Market,” he continued.

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‘Rape’ MP made to wait

Chaiyamparwaan: Uncertain future
Chaiyamparwaan: Uncertain potential

Bangkok MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, who has been accused of raping a Japanese holiday in Chiang Mai, has been detained by the Thai Progressive Party, citing the need to wait before the prosecution decides whether or not to take his case to court.

The group on Sunday released a statement regarding Mr Chaiyamparwaan’s event, expressing its deep concern about the reported event.

” We are also aware that this problem has captivated attention and had a significant impact on the sentiments of some people,” said the group. The party may claim duty, but presently that]the believe has been charged], we will try our best to fix it according to the party’s operating procedures while adhering to principles of justice, fairness and the feelings of the people”, said the statement.

At a table conference on Saturday, the gathering decided to wait for the lawyer’s next walk before making a final choice on Mr Chaiyamparwaan’s potential.

The MP returned from a bar on January 9 and the alleged assault took place at a motel in Chiang Mai. He is currently under investigation.

The Thai Progressive Party apologizes to the general public for the event and accepts role. We did keep an eye on the situation to prevent another like it from occurring,” the group stated in a statement.

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Thai Progressive MP accused of rape still party member

Chaiyamparwaan: Uncertain future
Chaiyamparwaan: Uncertain potential

Bangkok MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, who has been accused of raping a Japanese holiday in Chiang Mai, has been detained by the Thai Progressive Party, citing the need to wait before the prosecution decides whether or not to take his case to court.

The group on Sunday released a statement regarding Mr Chaiyamparwaan’s situation, expressing its deep concern about the reported event.

” We are aware that many citizens ‘ feelings have been greatly impacted by this issue.” The party may claim duty, but presently that]the believe has been charged], we will try our best to fix it according to the party’s operating procedures while adhering to principles of justice, fairness and the feelings of the people”, said the statement.

At a table conference on Saturday, the gathering decided to wait for the lawyer’s next walk before making a final choice on Mr Chaiyamparwaan’s potential.

The MP returned from a bar on January 9 and the alleged assault took place at a motel in Chiang Mai. He is currently under investigation.

The Thai Progressive Party apologizes to the general public and accepts accountability for what transpired. In the speech of the group,” We will continue to ensure that this event does not occur again.”

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Phuket eyes B500bn in revenue for 2025

Island leaders focus on conservation

Tourists visit a walking street in the Old Town of Phuket. The island province expects to achieve 500 billion baht in tourism revenue this year. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)
In Phuket’s Old Town, visitors make a walking path. The island state hopes to generate 500 billion ringgit in commerce income this year. ( Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran )

Phuket expects to reach 500 billion ringgit in tourism profit this year, said Sophon Suwannarat, the region’s provincial government.

He added that last year, the location region’s tourism income was deemed to be profitable. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand ( TAT ), at least 13.14 million tourists visited, generating a minimum of 497 billion baht in revenue.

According to Mr. Sophon, the local jurisdiction has set a 500 billion bass objective for this year because Phuket continues to be one of the top tourist destinations, according to the TAT report.

” Of the 35.5 million international visitors past year, more than 13 million were in Phuket, making the area a very important place for generating revenue for the region, and second only to Bangkok”, he said.

” Phuket does not need too many tourists. 13 million tourists per year is regarded as appropriate. We want visitors to stay longer and spend more money around, he continued.

Phuket will host the World Sustainable Tourism Council meeting in 2015, and the area will implement initiatives and steps to address the effects of commerce, including the rise in trash and water pollution, in order to show its commitment to sustainable hospitality efforts, he said.

He likewise urged all visitors to respect local customs and traditions. He cited a recent incident where a drunken Russian visitor to the Phuket mayor’s office walked up to the office and allegedly stole a pair of shoes. The guest was imprisoned for nine months and given his visa suspended.

In the same year, immigration officials invalidated the visa of about 400 foreign tourists.

Regarding waste control, he noted that Phuket is now able to treat 85, 862 square feet of waste per day, although this does not cover the entire state.

Consequently, the province has collaborated with the China Water Environment Group ( CWEG ) on a feasibility study for installing additional wastewater treatment systems at 10 locations, including Muang district, Kathu and Patong.

These initiatives are intended to promote industrial growth and address environmental concerns that prevent the creation of world-class tourism locations.

” In March, we will signal an MoU with CWEG in China for the wastewater control project”, he said.

Thailand generates around 1, 100 kilograms of hesitate per day, of which 700 kilograms are processed.

In the Phuket City Municipality, a second furnace with a daily capacity of around 500 tons has been constructed. In consequence, Phuket will be able to to to deal with up to 1,200 tons of garbage daily.

However, more will be required, and he said waste management for another ten years will require the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization to create an extra oven that can process another 500 tonnes per day.

Phuket may continue to invest in equipment and other public service, as well as raise the security and standard of living for its residents and visitors.

He stated,” We hope these tasks will make Phuket a more tolerable city and effectively welcome visitors from all over the world.”

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Bid to axe NACC head gains pace

According to PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the main opposition People’s Party is close to gathering the necessary numbers of MPs to start a petition to remove Suchart Trakulkasemsuk from the helm of the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) president.

The group claims that the action is a retaliation against the NACC for considering accepting a situation in which 44 past Move Forward Party MPs are accused of supporting a plan to alter the der guess rules.

Mr. Natthaphong stated yesterday that the party only needs a select few more MPs to sign the petition and that the plan will be finished this year.

When completed, the plea will be handed over to Parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Mr Natthaphong said.

In light of Mr. Suchart’s campaign to remove Mr. Pale from his position as House president, Mr. Natthaphong said he does not believe Mr. Wan do stall or delay the plea once it has been submitted to him.

Following a leak of a video clip that purportedly showed a dialogue between Mr. Suchart and Mr. Wan about the NACC vote and Mr. Suchart’s worry over a problem that former assistant police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn had submitted to Mr. Wan, Mr. Suchart was appointé as NACC president.

Mr. Wan accuses Pol Gen Surachate of having a covert tracking of the discussion.

Mr Natthaphong said yesterday that if Mr Wan dragged his legs over the petition, congress may ask the Council of State, the president’s legitimate arm, to conduct a probe against the legislature leader.

” But we don’t want to over-speculate at this point”, he said. ” We’ll been watching how the plea turns out,” the statement read.

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Cops deny Pai locals have issues with Israeli tourists

MAE HONG SON: More than 1, 600 immigrants were arrested in Pai region last year, mostly for visitors and immigration breaches, and Jewish guests made up only 13 of those in the second group, according to authorities.

After rumors about Pai residents having had numerous issues with reportedly “unruly” Israeli tourists, Pol Maj Gen Songkrit Ontakrai, the captain of Mae Hong Son officers, made comments yesterday.

He said that over the previous month, authorities arrested 1, 634 immigrants in Pai for breaking traffic laws and 27 readers, including 13 Israelis, for immigration crimes.

According to Pol Maj Gen Songkrit, there are a full of 3, 257 apartments for rent in Pai, and conspiracy theories that were being circulated on social media that claimed there were more than 30 000 Jewish guests made absolutely no sense.

He claimed that the Pai district’s residents don’t have issues with the majority of Jewish travelers.

Yesterday, officers, officials, and officers checked tourist destinations and business areas in Pai and found that all nearby companies belonged to Thais.

According to him, they did not discover any Zionist or other forms of influence or power over organizations as social media reports had suggested.

” Authorities, administrators and related officials have examined all streets, car rental facilities, guesthouses, religious features, settlements and hotels. All companies belong to Thais, and no immigrants personal them”, the chief said.

During the checks, leaders also warned visitors not to cause a problem, smoking cigarettes or cannabis or consume drinking in public places, he said.

On Saturday nights, the captain led a guard on Pai Walking Street. During the guard, Pol Maj Gen Songkrit reported that authorities detained and fined ten citizens for using marijuana in a way that offended other people.

According to the captain, there are 84 qualified cannabis stores on Pai Walking Street.

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Thaksin says sorry for Tak Bai

PM’s uncle undeterred by bomb blasts

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, second from right, arrives at Narathiwat airport yesterday with Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, third from left, and Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, far left, to discuss various development issues, including security, education, and the economy. ABDULLOH BENJAKAT
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, second from right, arrives at Narathiwat aircraft yesterday with Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, second from left, and Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, much left, to explore different creation issues, including security, education, and the economy. ABDULLOH BENJAKAT

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra apologized yesterday for the tragic incident involving the Tak Bai slaughter in Narathiwat in 2004.

He said that while serving as prime minister, he was profoundly concerned for the people, but errors were made in work processes.

” If I made any mistakes that upset you, I apologise… Islamists are taught to love serenity and pardon, so I would like to apologise for the mistake”, Thaksin said during his visit to Narathiwat yesterday.

Seven Arab protesters were killed on October 25, 2004, at a rally held in front of the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat territory.

Another 78 people eventually passed away in Pattani territory, about 150 kilometers away, from asphyxia or tissue loss while being transported in vehicles to a military tent.

Before the distribution, activists had been demanding the launch of six inmates. The Dapat Bai horror occurred while Thaksin, the then prime minister, was in office.

In addition, Thaksin added that because four prior assassination attempts failed to intimidate him, he was not worried about bombings in the deep southern during his trip to the area. Only as his aircraft was about to land, he was responding to a string of attacks in Yala state on Saturday night and at Narathiwat aircraft yesterday morning.

” One might want to frighten me, but my heart is solid. Four past assassination attempt did not unfaze me. Despite of the kind of reception I receive, I can get it all”, Thaksin said in Narathiwat.

He characterized the Narathiwat airport bombing as a metaphorical action.

Thaksin claimed that the people in the southern frontier provinces gave him a warmer welcome during his visit yesterday than the anxious reception he had received at private schools in the area 20 years ago. He thought the local population’s present attitude was a good sign of the southern border provinces ‘ efforts to solve problems.

He even said international assistance to handle the region’s problems may increase, with Indonesia promising to help.

” I expect progress this time”, said Thaksin, who is the father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

He added that more global cooperation may help address the issue of people who have many nationalities who travel across the border to launch terrorist attacks. He added that negotiations may be held to urge criminals to return to Thailand and aid in the country’s development.

Weapons exploded in the southwestern border provinces simply before Thaksin’s explore yesterday. When a weapon went off in front of a mall in Bannang Sata area on Saturday evening, killing one human and injuring seven officers, in Yala state.

At around 8.20pm, seven regional police officers were circling the place on Highway 10 in front of a Mini Big C in the town of Moo 2 called tambon Bannang Sata.

According to Pol Maj Worawit Na Nakhon, an analytical investigator at Bannang Sata police station, the fire claimed the lives of a man named Tuan Ibrawheng Nimi and injured four other citizens.

As bomb removal experts and criminal officers gathered information, the area was cordoned off. Inside a hearth extinguisher, according to researchers who discovered the explosive was packed with metal debris. The effect even damaged many vehicles.

Just before Thaksin’s group landed in Narathiwat province yesterday morning, a bomb detonated on a firefighters ‘ pickup truck parked close to the air traffic control tower in Muang area.

The blast, which occurred at 8.50am– about an hour before Thaksin’s arrival– damaged four airports security guards. Before his getting, authorities removed all suspicious cars from the airport.

Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai are also present in Narathiwat. His second trip to the strong South in about 20 years was here.

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‘No need to worry’ about new coronavirus

No human infections have been reported as of yet, despite the Ministry of Public Health’s announcement yesterday that a novel coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, was discovered by a lab in China.

The disease discovered by a group of Chinese scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology is a variation within the Merbecovirus subgenus, according to Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, permanent director of the Ministry of Public Health.

It is not regarded as a new burden or mutated disease. Instead, it is a virus in the coronavirus family, which has many subspecies”, he said, adding that the research team found that HKU5-CoV-2 can enter human cells using the same gateway as the earlier SARS-CoV-2 ( Covid-19 ), prompting fears of another pandemic.

” Yet, there is now no outbreak or demographic data related to the HKU5-CoV-2 burden in people. So, the government does not need to care at this time”, he said.

Dr. Opas stated that Thailand is a key member of a robust global disease surveillance and control system that works to identify and track the development of virus strains that cause human disease. It has been quick to take action in this regard.

Now, the primary stress among Covid-19 people in Thailand remains Omicron JN. 1.

” Although the HKU5-CoV-2 strain does not yet appear to have spread, the recommended preventive measures are no different from other strains of viruses that cause respiratory diseases, such as influenza, Covid-19 or respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV)”, he said

Dr. Opas advises people to avoid crowded locations, wear a face if they have breathing symptoms, and usually wash their hands with soap.

He claimed that the dangers that coronaviruses have are being used to find new infections in owls, such as those found in China, Japan, and the United States, are due to their propensity to change.

Should there be a need to produce a vaccination once a new version is discovered, its properties are being studied. The risk of direct contamination from bat to people is also mild because bat typically have a small amount of virus that cannot be passed on, he said.

” Infection among people usually requires an auxiliary animal,” he said,” and the chances of folks coming into contact with bats is very small.”

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