Barkar Nash (Page 55)

A committee will propose a “no-cane” bill for the House’s approval. If it succeeds, Thailand will become the second country in the Asean region to outlaw corporal punishment.

Weeraphat Khantha, spokesman of the committee, said the law allows parental figures to punish their children by means including caning. The law, which takes the form of a Civil Procedure Code, was implemented 89 years ago.

Citing the Thailand office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), the Social Development and Human Security Ministry found 38.6% of children aged 1–14 years old punished by their parents in 2022 suffered physical abuse.

With this in mind, the committee pushed to amend the law to promote positive child-raising methods. The amended law is expected to improve the domestic situation and encourage a more welcoming atmosphere, which should be more beneficial to children’s development.

“The change is expected to promote a better relationship between parents and children and lessen children’s trauma,” said Mr Weeraphat. If the amendment receives House approval, Thailand will be the second country in Asean to implement a no-caning law, and the 68th globally, Mr Weeraphat added.

CHIANG RAI: Thailand’s northernmost province has officially kick-started its tourism campaign aimed to attract local and foreign tourists in the wake of the recent flood disaster – and keep them coming until Songkran Festival next year.  

The campaign – named “Chiang Rai Prom Tiew” (Chiang Rai Ready for Visits) – provides an appealing six-month line-up of festivals and events in a bid to stimulate the province’s economy, revive its tourism and trade, and restore visitors’ confidence.  

Some of the campaign’s highlights include the upcoming Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals, Lanna Winter Wonderland, the annual flower festival (to be held at Haad Nakhon Chiang Rai Park from Dec 21 to Feb 16, 2025), Music in The Park, a food festival, Music Festival & New Year’s Countdown, New Year merit-making events and the Songkran Festival in April next year.    

Chiang Rai mayor Wanchai Jongsutthanamanee affirmed that the situation in Chiang Rai had returned to normal after the deluge last month and post-flood rehabilitation. 

“I want to thank all stakeholders, both the public and private sectors as well as local people and those from nearby provinces, for helping restore Chiang Rai to its pre-flood condition,” Mr Wanchai said.        

Deputy permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry and Chiang Rai’s acting provincial governor Chotinarin Kerdsom, who presided over the launch of the campaign, said tourist numbers at numerous attractions in Chiang Rai had started to pick up recently, notably at Walking Street held every Saturday in the downtown area.

 Most Thai people are of the opinion that the government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra will be able to last until the end of its mandate in four years’ time, but some believe it will collapse before the year’s end, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The survey sought to sample public opinion on the prospect of the government’s survival until the end of its four-year term in 2027. The answers were as follows:

• 41.68% believed the government would survive political challenges ahead and be able to complete its term in 2027

• 19.08% thought it would last about two years (2026)

• 16.87% thought it would last about a year (2025)

• 11.99 believed it would last nearly until the end of its term

• 9.77% thought it would collapse before the New Year

• 0.61% had no answer or were not interested 

Asked what they thought would trigger the government’s collapse before its four-year term of office ends, the answers were:

• 34.43% failing to improve the country’s economy as promised and below the public’s expectations

• 32.52% activists filing petitions against Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party

• 29.47% crises due to Ms Paetongtarn’s mismanagement of national affairs  

• 28.85% activists filing petitions against the premier and the Pheu Thai Party

• 19.77% corruption as a result of imprudent administration

• 17.25 conflicts among coalition parties

• 16.64% nothing would prevent the government from completing its four-year term

• 10.92% political turmoil caused by protest rallies

• 9.62% proposed amendments to constitutional provisions governing the ethics of holders of political positions

• 9.08% scrutiny by the opposition parties

• 8.24% proposing an amnesty bill on sensitive issues

• 8.09% the Tak Bai massacre case

• 6.95% a coup d’etat

The poll was conducted on Oct 21-22 on 1,310 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country.

                         

                       

                         

                       

                         

                       

The Meteorological Department warns of rains and strong winds due to Tropical Storm Trami which is expected to land in central Vietnam on Sunday.

Sukanyanee Yawinchan, acting director-general of the department, said early Sunday morning that the tropical storm was about 130 kilometres northeast of Da Nang at 4am on Sunday and would land in central Vietnam on the same day.

The storm would bring more rains, strong winds and heavy downpours in some areas of the North, the Northeast, the Central Plain and the East, she said.

Later the storm will move along the Vietnamese coast and return to the South China Sea. It will weaken on Monday and Tuesday and rains will decline in the upper parts of Thailand then.

From Sunday to Tuesday stronger northwesterly winds over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand will cause rains in the region.

The Meteorological Department predicted heavy rains in provinces as follows.

On Sunday

North: Phetchabun, Phichit and Phitsanulok provinces

Northeast: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon

Central Plain: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Greater Bangkok, Lop Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Sing Buri and Suphan Buri

East: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo and Trat

South: Phangnga, Phuket, Satun and Trang

On Monday

Northeast: Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani

South: Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Trang

On Tuesday

South: Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Trang.

The Meteorological Department warns of rains and strong winds in Thailand due to Tropical Storm Trami which is expected to land in central Vietnam on Sunday.

Sukanyanee Yawinchan, acting director-general of the department, said early Sunday morning that the tropical storm was about 130 kilometres northeast of Da Nang at 4am on Sunday and would land in central Vietnam on the same day.

The storm would bring more rains, strong winds and heavy downpours in some areas of the North, the Northeast, the Central Plain and the East, she said.

Later the storm will move along the Vietnamese coast and return to the South China Sea. It will weaken on Monday and Tuesday and rains will decline in the upper parts of Thailand then.

From Sunday to Tuesday stronger northwesterly winds over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand will cause rains in the region.

The Meteorological Department predicted heavy rains in provinces as follows.

On Sunday

North: Phetchabun, Phichit and Phitsanulok provinces

Northeast: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon

Central Plain: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Greater Bangkok, Lop Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Sing Buri and Suphan Buri

East: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo and Trat

South: Phangnga, Phuket, Satun and Trang

On Monday

Northeast: Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani

South: Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Trang

On Tuesday

South: Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Trang.

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) says eight dugongs have died and been washed ashore this month.

Marine ecosystem expert Thon Thamrongnawasawat estimated that only a few dozen dugongs will remain in the Andaman Sea in five to eight years.

The DMCR says four males and four female dugongs were found washed ashore between Oct 1 and 24 — two were in Phuket, one in Krabi, two in Trang and three in Satun.

They were all found dead except one that was found alive but died shortly later.

Five were juveniles, the other three were fully grown.

Initial findings showed three of them were emaciated and had empty or nearly empty digestive tracts, possibly linked to the deterioration of seagrass in their habitats.

One was believed to have become entangled in a fishing net from the rope marks observed around its body.

It was impossible to determine the cause of death for the other four due to the decayed state of their carcasses.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has told the DMCR to speed up deploying a special team, comprising academics, researchers and state officials, to monitor and survey dugong populations and other rare marine species as well as seagrass habitats along the Andaman coast.

Mr Thon, a marine ecosystem expert from Kasetsart University, posted on his Facebook page on Thursday warning that global warming has become a significant threat to dugongs.

Some 70 of them have died in just 22 months, exceeding the prior average of 20.25 per year.

Mr Thon said the population could drop to just a few dozen due to the lack of seagrass in just 5-6 years.

The public can report incidents regarding coastal or rare marine animal situations via the Forest and Marine Ranger hotline at 1362.

The main opposition People’s Party (PP) opposes the government’s proposal to introduce traffic congestion fees, arguing instead for prioritising a comprehensive public transport network to reduce urban crowding.

PP list-MP Surachet Praweewongwut said while congestion charges could help ease traffic, the current feeder system is inadequate to encourage people to switch from private cars to public transport.

Many commuters are already burdened with multiple costs, paying not only for electric train fares but also for motorcycle taxis to reach train stations.

Public buses, another primary mode of transport, are unreliable and of poor quality, he said, adding that water transport options are also limited.

Mr Surachet said the electric train and public bus systems operate independently without coordination, resulting in inefficiencies. “The government focuses on subsidising electric train fares, which are mainly used by middle-income earners, while lower-income commuters depend on public buses. I think the government has its priorities wrong,” he said.

Unless the government improves both electric train and public bus services to create reliable alternatives, collecting congestion fees will “bleed dry” those who have no choice but to use private vehicles, said the MP.

Mr Surachet also called for a restructuring of public transport fares, suggesting they should start at 8 baht and not exceed 45 baht per trip, regardless of transport mode.

He said integrated fare structures for different electric train lines need revision, prioritising commuter benefits over operator interests.

For example, taking 10 stations on the Green Line should cost the same as taking five stations on the Green Line, three on the Blue Line, and two on the Yellow Line, covering a total of 10 stations.

He added the government must assess which routes should be served by electric trains and which by buses, leading to better integration of bus networks with train systems.

He also insisted buying back the electric train systems would favour concession holders rather than the general public.

PP MP for Bangkok Suphanat Meenchainan said the government may have misplaced priorities. “It’s not that people don’t want to use the electric trains. Many find it inconvenient because they don’t live near major roads served by trains or buses,” he said.

He argued urban planning needs to address overcrowding, which worsens traffic congestion. Furthermore, the government lacks mechanisms to incentivise operators to relocate outside inner-city areas.

“The government must clarify its objectives — whether it’s to ease traffic congestion or subsidise fares. If the aim is to reduce traffic, it may fail because people lack alternatives.

“The funds from congestion fees would be better spent on expanding the transport network, particularly the bus system,” he said.

The main opposition People’s Party (PP) opposes the government’s proposal to introduce traffic congestion fees, arguing instead for prioritising a comprehensive public transport network to reduce urban crowding.

PP list-MP Surachet Praweewongwut said while congestion charges could help ease traffic, the current feeder system is inadequate to encourage people to switch from private cars to public transport.

Many commuters are already burdened with multiple costs, paying not only for electric train fares but also for motorcycle taxis to reach train stations.

Public buses, another primary mode of transport, are unreliable and of poor quality, he said, adding that water transport options are also limited.

Mr Surachet said the electric train and public bus systems operate independently without coordination, resulting in inefficiencies. “The government focuses on subsidising electric train fares, which are mainly used by middle-income earners, while lower-income commuters depend on public buses. I think the government has its priorities wrong,” he said.

Unless the government improves both electric train and public bus services to create reliable alternatives, collecting congestion fees will “bleed dry” those who have no choice but to use private vehicles, said the MP.

Mr Surachet also called for a restructuring of public transport fares, suggesting they should start at 8 baht and not exceed 45 baht per trip, regardless of transport mode.

He said integrated fare structures for different electric train lines need revision, prioritising commuter benefits over operator interests.

For example, taking 10 stations on the Green Line should cost the same as taking five stations on the Green Line, three on the Blue Line, and two on the Yellow Line, covering a total of 10 stations.

He added the government must assess which routes should be served by electric trains and which by buses, leading to better integration of bus networks with train systems.

He also insisted buying back the electric train systems would favour concession holders rather than the general public.

PP MP for Bangkok Suphanat Meenchainan said the government may have misplaced priorities. “It’s not that people don’t want to use the electric trains. Many find it inconvenient because they don’t live near major roads served by trains or buses,” he said.

He argued urban planning needs to address overcrowding, which worsens traffic congestion. Furthermore, the government lacks mechanisms to incentivise operators to relocate outside inner-city areas.

“The government must clarify its objectives — whether it’s to ease traffic congestion or subsidise fares. If the aim is to reduce traffic, it may fail because people lack alternatives.

“The funds from congestion fees would be better spent on expanding the transport network, particularly the bus system,” he said.