Barkar Nash – Page 889

Siriraj providing knee surgery in Nepal

On: September 1, 2023

PUBLISHED : 2 Sep 2023 at 05:00

Siriraj Hospital will provide free joint replacement surgery for underprivileged people in Lumbini, Nepal.

According to Apichart Asavamongkolkul, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, the project, named The Buddha’s First Step, is part of a hospital corporate social responsibility project called Love for Humanity.

It is expected to contribute to a charity fund started by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and the late king, King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. It was supported by many influential figures in Buddhism, added Dr Apichart.

Lumbini is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Maya gave birth to the Buddha around 566 BCE. It is now considered a Buddhist pilgrimage city.

Dr Apichart said 35 members of the Department of Orthopaedics, including surgeons and nurses, will travel to Lumbini to provide the underprivileged with knee replacements at Siddhartha Hospital.

Patients will receive the most modern surgical methods that not only leave a small wound but also enable them to return to work the first day after surgery.

Siriraj Hospital also hosted a forum to exchange knowledge with Siddhartha Hospital regarding modern orthopaedic know-how. This included advances in spinal injury care and physical malformations in children, said Dr Apichart.

Since it opened 135 years ago, Siriraj Hospital has developed treatment methods, supported medical research, pioneered medical innovations, and provided the latest medical technology for not only Thai patients but also those in need around the world.

“We abide by the motto of Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of Songkla, considered the father of modern Thai medicine, which says that true success lies not in learning but in its application for the benefit of mankind,” said Dr Apichart.

Shooting oneself in the foot

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Shooting oneself in the foot

The Move Forward Party (MFP) has had a series of setbacks of late, many of which were blamed on what some attributed to poorly screened election candidates.

The MFP’s resounding election victory may be the only positive it has enjoyed since the May 14 polls. The biggest party has gone downhill after it failed to garner enough votes in parliament to make its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, prime minister.

However, a source reckoned the party’s regression predates the polls, which is taking its toll on the MFP’s credibility.

In fact, the source said the MFP fell short in conducting effective “quality control” on some of its members who went on to win party primaries, become election candidates and eventually capture House seats.

In a matter of weeks, at least three MPs, one shortly after another, found themselves in the crosshairs.

The party may have felt it was stabbed in the back by Seri Ruam Thai Party leader Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves when he let slip in the middle of a live political talk programme that the MFP harboured an MP with a criminal past.

The identity of the MP in question was later revealed to be that of Nakhonchai Khunnarong, who represented Rayong. Seri Ruam Thai was one of eight parties in the pro-democracy bloc headed by the MFP, which tried in vain to put together a new government.

Pol Gen Sereepisuth, however, fell out with the MFP after it was seen as dragging its feet before handing over the right to form a government to Pheu Thai, the second largest party, following its failure to do so.

Mr Nakhonchai quit as an MP after admitting he had been convicted of theft and served 18 months in jail 24 years ago. However, his resignation has done little to contain the damage to the MFP’s image.

According to the Election Commission, Mr Nakhonchai’s background should have been checked thoroughly before he was accepted as a poll candidate, citing Section 98 of the constitution setting eligibility criteria that include a ban on those who have a criminal conviction.

If a candidate runs in a general election despite knowing they are ineligible, it constitutes an offence under the MP election law. They must also be held responsible for any costs incurred in holding a by-election to find their replacement.

Mr Nakhonchai’s crime harks back to October 1999 when he was 20 years old. He was partying with a group of friends when he found a woman’s wristwatch on a table, it was reported.

He was taking the watch to have it “examined” when the police showed up and arrested him and his friend, who later confessed to stealing the wristwatch. He denied any part in the theft.

However, at the police station, he said he unknowingly signed a confession. He was sentenced to three years in jail, but the sentence was cut in half due to his confession.

The second MFP politician whose conduct divided opinion was Chorayuth “Tonkla” Chaturapornprasit, MP for Bang Kholaem-Yannawa in Bangkok.

He was involved in an altercation at a Bangkok restaurant on the night of Aug 11. A video clip from CCTV was circulated on social media showing Mr Chorayuth in a confrontation with another man at the eatery in Ekamai.

The MP had stepped in to intervene as the man began to harass a woman sitting next to him. The man had visibly invaded her personal space and even placed his hand around her neck.

Mr Chorayuth can be seen brushing the man’s arm away from the woman, speaking to him and then being struck by him before the situation escalated. In the clip, the MP hit back at the man, who lost his balance and fell to the floor.

Mr Chorayuth this week said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he accepted any blame and apologised to the public. The MP insisted he was merely protecting the woman.

The woman also posted on her Facebook, saying she did not know who harassed her and who appeared drunk. The man hit Mr Chorayuth first, she said, adding that she thanked the MP for protecting her.

The incident drew mixed reactions from social media users, with one side commending the MP for coming to the woman’s aid. Others, however, felt that as an MP, he was expected to exhibit restraint and find a way to avoid a violent confrontation. They also asked whether the MP was still drinking even though it was believed to be past closing time.

The third MFP lawmaker in the spotlight was Deputy House speaker Padipat Suntiphada after a video clip of him drinking a craft beer raised a few eyebrows on social media.

Mr Padipat, an MP for Phitsanulok, is already the subject of an ethics petition lodged against him by activist Srisuwan Janya who also complained to the Office of Alcohol Control Committee under the Department of Disease Control.

Mr Srisuwan said the law bars politicians from committing any act intended to persuade people to drink alcohol by either overt or covert means. The offence is punishable by up to a year imprisonment, a maximum fine of 500,000 baht or both.

Mr Padipat said the ban on the advertising of craft beers had deterred local brewers from putting out word about their products. He denied he advertised the beer commercially and said it was an expression of cultural pride for a local product.

But Boonyu Khorpornprasert, a member of the sub-committee amending the Alcohol Control Act, said Mr Padipat has clearly tried to persuade people to consume alcohol via the clip. “If he disagrees with the act, he should push for the law to be amended. But in the meantime, he must obey it as it is,” he said.

Unlikely bedfellows?

Since parliament endorsed a new prime minister from Pheu Thai and ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s return from self-imposed exile, all the chatter has been about two former adversaries mending ties.

Prawit: Wanted to be PM

The outcome of the May 14 election was a big disappointment for Pheu Thai, which sought to score a landslide victory to return to power. The party came second behind the Move Forward Party (MFP), which had the mandate to form a coalition first.

The poll result did not bode well for outgoing prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, who wanted to complete what was left of the eight-year limit on his premiership with the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party. The party won only 36 House seats and decided not to compete with Pheu Thai for the prime ministerial job.

Pheu Thai stayed out of it until MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s second attempt to become prime minister failed. It broke away from the MFP-led bloc to forge a new alliance with the so-called conservative parties, including the Bhumjaithai Party, the UTN and the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).

By the time the UTN joined the Pheu Thai-led coalition, Gen Prayut had already announced his retirement from politics, giving Pheu Thai the excuse to team with the UTN and consolidate its government-forming effort.

So, Thaksin’s homecoming to face jail time that coincided with Pheu Thai’s rise to power with support from its arch-rivals spurred talk about Thaksin and Gen Prayut forging a pact to end the hostility between Thaksin supporters and the military that removed him in the 2006 coup.

According to observers, what happened — the allocation of cabinet seats and Thaksin’s very brief stay at Bangkok Remand Prison before reportedly being moved to the Police Hospital — suggested the agreement must have ensured pro-military parties would stay on in power and Thaksin would avoid the worst jail has to offer after his return.

Gen Prayut was expected to exit politics happy because the UTN, his political vessel, secured four key cabinet seats in the government.

But the same thing could not be said for PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon who has disappeared from the political scene since the prime minister vote. Gen Prawit did not even attend the vote in parliament on Aug 22.

It was rumoured the PPRP leader tried to block Srettha Thavisin, Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, from being elected and approached Gen Prayut for assistance in carrying out a sabotage plan on the eve of the vote.

It was an open secret that Gen Prawit longed to be prime minister. If the two generals colluded, they could easily prevent the Pheu Thai candidate from getting the top job due to their influence over the 250-member Senate.

It was unlikely that Pheu Thai would put forth Paetongtarn Shinawatra — Thaksin’s daughter and another of its three PM candidates — because of the political situation where Pheu Thai’s popularity was sliding.

It was assumed Gen Prawit would be nominated if Pheu Thai failed to make the cut as a ruling party, although that would involve him leading a minority and hugely unstable government.

Gen Prayut was reportedly not interested in the alleged scheme because the UTN had top-grade ministries in its pocket, including the energy portfolio that could help the party raise its political profile.

It was also believed key PPRP figures could not care less about Gen Prawit’s political ambitions, and it would suit their interests if the PPRP joined the Pheu Thai-led government.

PPRP secretary-general, Capt Thamanat Prompow, who is Gen Prawit’s right-hand man, was said to have secured the agriculture minister post and a deputy commerce minister post for his aide, Phai Lik.

Another PPRP figure, Santi Promphat, was said to be jockeying for a post through the Shinawatra family and was tipped to become a deputy public health minister. Mr Santi used to be a Pheu Thai member.

Even Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, who was tipped to be deputy prime minister and natural resources and environment minister, did not see eye to eye with Gen Prawit, his brother. Pol Gen Patcharawat believed it was best for Gen Prawit to step aside, according to a source close to the matter.

According to observers, although Gen Prawit is widely respected by PPRP members, he could not count on them to achieve his aim, and it was the senators who represented his interests. As it turned out, senators close to Gen Prawit abstained in the PM vote while PPRP MPs fully backed Mr Srettha.

Following Mr Srettha’s appointment, Gen Prawit is expected to fade away from the political scene and let Pol Gen Patcharawat, who was recently made the party’s chief policy adviser, take over.

“Gen Prawit’s political clout will remain, but now that Thaksin has returned, he will be overshadowed,” said one observer.

Study seeks to combat PM2.5

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 2 Sep 2023 at 05:00

Researchers will study the possibility of turning three herbal plants into medicines to fight chronic illnesses linked to exposure to hazardous ultra-fine PM2.5 dust particles.

The plants are fingerroot, green chiretta and the blue trumpet vine.

The project was announced recently by Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri and Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine at Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute in Samut Prakan.

While PM2.5 dust pollution is a cause of chronic illnesses, the plants could ward off the health impacts, said Assoc Prof Phisit Khemawoot, deputy dean for research at Mahidol’s Faculty of Medicine at the Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute.

The institute could support this research from laboratory to clinical trials, he said.

Suphaporn Pitiporn, secretary-general of the Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation, said the number of patients suffering chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high cholesterol, is rising and results in complications, which require high-cost treatments.

Among these complications are cancers which cost Thailand tens of billions of baht each year to treat with imported medicines, she said.

“We have to find a substitute to these drugs so that we can improve public access to treatments,” she said.

The properties of these three plants, particularly the fingerroot and the green chiretta, were evident when they were used on Covid-19 patients during the pandemic, she said.

This project would explore the plants’ medical properties and develop new medicines based on them, she said.

Navy ready to hold annual China drill

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 2 Sep 2023 at 05:46

China and Thailand will hold the “Blue Strike-2023” joint naval training exercise in the Gulf of Thailand and Chon Buri’s Sattahip district, with Chinese warships and submarines taking part.

The annual drill will be held from Sunday to Sept 10 in the upper Gulf of Thailand and Phra Maha Chetsadachao Camp of Marine Division in Sattahip, said a navy source.

Both are aiming to exchange naval knowledge to ensure their readiness to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, carry out naval operations as well as strengthen military relations, the source said.

The Chinese ships arrived at a training site on Thursday.

On Friday, navy chief Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, Chinese envoy Han Zhiqiang and Royal Thai Fleet commander Adm Adung Phan-iam welcomed RAdm Chen Weidong, deputy chief of the Chinese Marine Corps, at the Royal Thai Fleet HQ. They also welcomed special Capt Peng Peng, leader of a squad of Chinese navy trainees, and senior Chinese officers.

A Chinese naval task force will participate in the drills using their Changcheng submarine, amphibious dock landing ship Siming Shan, guided-missile frigate Anyang, and comprehensive supply ship Chaohu.

Both sides will conduct land and sea training and practise sniping tactics, jungle survival and maritime search and rescue. There will also be learning sessions about chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence.

The training aims to enhance practical cooperation between the two navies and strengthen their capabilities of jointly addressing regional security threats, said the source.

Meanwhile, Adm Choengchai said yesterday he had approved the use of the Chinese-made CHD620 engine as a substitute for a German-made one for an S26T Yuan-class submarine being assembled in China by the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co.

The navy will also spend up to 200 million baht to salvage the sunken HTMS Sukhothai in Prachuap Khiri Khan, he said. It will spare 110 million baht from its budget and ask for an additional 90 million baht from the Budget Bureau for the mission, he said.

New start-up platform to aid students

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 2 Sep 2023 at 05:00

Chiang Mai University (CMU) has launched “Builds”, an entrepreneurial platform co-designed by the Stock Exchange of Thailand to help its students turn their research subjects into viable businesses.

CMU rector Pongruk Sribanditmongkol said the university wants to be an entrepreneurial institution and increase its contribution to the economy to 60 billion baht in four years.

“The platform will allow CMU students to improve their research, using the university’s technology to turn studies into business models that could provide jobs, make money and mobilise the economy to improve growth across the northern region,” Dr Pongruk said.

He said more employment opportunities for high-skilled workers are needed in the North. “This would offer local students the opportunity to seek jobs in the region rather than leaving to pursue a career in Bangkok.”

He said the Builds platform aims to create over 4,200 entrepreneurs and 240 firms by 2026, employing 3,600 high-skilled workers and making over 4.5 billion baht in revenue across the North.

Asst Prof Tanyanuparb Anantana, CMU vice rector, said the Builds platform offers five entrepreneurial programmes for students to try out.

Students can enrol on courses on the platform and join the education sandbox scheme, where they can receive study credits from business which count towards their graduation.

The platform also offers students the opportunity to join a start-up incubator programme, where they will study all aspects of business operations.

Builds also comes with a start-up club in which students can share their insights and experiences with the community and recruit potential team members.

Asst Prof Tanyanuparb added the university will provide financial support to subsidise students’ businesses. It is hoped the programmes will encourage students to turn them into business models while completing their degree.

South Korea’s new tourist magnets

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

South Korea has introduced new destinations to attract more Thai tourists as part of bilateral cooperation to spur tourism in both countries.

This year marks the 65th anniversary since Thai-Korean diplomatic relations were established on Oct 1, 1958. The countries have close economic, social and cultural ties through the soft power of their tourism, food and entertainment industries.

Before the onset of Covid-19 in 2019, around 570,000 Thai tourists headed to South Korea each year. After the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, South Korea expressed its readiness to welcome international tourists under its new “Travel to Korea Begins Again” campaign.

The top five international arrivals to Korea are from the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, with Thailand being the largest tourist market from this region.

Meanwhile, the number of South Korean tourists visiting Thailand during the first seven months of this year was 982,328, the fourth-largest market after Malaysia (2.5 million), China (2.02 million) and India (997,000).

Promoting second-tier cities

Besides popular destinations such as Seoul in the North and Busan in the South, South Korea also wants to promote Chungcheongnamdo (South Chungcheong province) and Chungcheongbukdo (North Chungcheong province) in the central region.

Chungcheong Region and the Korea Thailand Communication Centre (KTCC) recently hosted a familiarisation trip for the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) and media outlets to visit highlights of cultural and historical sites and modern attractions in Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk and Chungnam cities.

Kim Jung-soo, manager of Cheongju International Airport, told the Bangkok Post that since T’way Air, a low-cost airline, launched daily direct flights from Cheongju International Airport in Cheongju City, the capital of Chungcheongbukdo, on April 27 to Don Mueang International Airport, about 150-200 Korean tourists now visit Thailand daily.

With the low-cost airline link, he hopes more tourists from Thailand, especially group tours and those looking at medical or wellness tourism, will visit Chungcheong, he said.

“Cheongju International Airport is in the centre of the country, so it has the advantage of being geographically excellent. International arrivals at Cheongju International Airport are increasing steadily because it is also easy to travel from the Chungcheong area to Seoul,” he said.

History, culture come alive

Pattama Raksakiat, general manager of KTCC, said one of the highlights of Chungcheong is the Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa.

The villa was built in 1983 by then-president Chun Doo-hwan, who attended the completion ceremony of Daecheong Dam in 1980 and was captivated by the scenery around Daecheongho Lake. It inspired him to have the villa built in the central region.

Cheongnamdae Villa covers an area of 1,825,000m² and features a main building, golf range, heliport, and fishing area. It has welcomed six presidents over the past 20 years. The residency was opened to the public in 2003. Today the villa is a popular tourist site, receiving more than 13 million visitors in 2022. Tourists will experience not only the presidential facilities but also nature walking trails and an observatory.

Beopjusa Temple on Songnisan Mountain in Chungcheongbukdo is one of Korea’s oldest and greatest Buddhist temples. Its history dates back around 1,500 years.

However, many of the original buildings were destroyed during a war in the 16th century and were rebuilt in 1624. The temple is well-known for its cultural heritage, including the 33-metre-tall gilded bronze Buddha statue, a five-storey wooden pagoda, and Daeungbojeon, one of three major Buddhist halls in Korea. The temple is also a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Ms Pattama said the temple area is beautiful during autumn (October and November) when the leaves of trees change colour to orange and yellow.

Another site is Sudeoka Temple, which is located at the foot of Deoksungsan Mountain in Chungcheongnamdo. The temple also has a long history and is believed to have been built in the 6th century. The temple is also home to Daeungjeon Hall, which is widely praised for its architectural beauty.

Modernised cities

Visitors to Chungcheong should also visit the world’s largest rooftop garden at the Government Complex Sejong, said Ms Pattama, adding that its total length is about 3.6km or about 11 soccer fields.

It features 187 different plant species and has a total of more than a million plants, including herbs, fruit trees, berries and vine tunnels. It is also a good viewpoint to look at Sejong Lake Park.

She said Daejeon is a popular place for shopping. The city is the fifth-largest metropolis in Korea and is known as a city of science and education.

It is home to the Expo Science Park, hot springs and Uineungjeongi Cultural Street. It is also known as a cutting-edge medical tourism city, which can be reached in only 50 minutes from Seoul by high-speed train.

“For those who’ve already visited Seoul and Busan, Korea also has other amazing places for them to discover, especially various cities in the central region,” she said.

‘Phi noi’ still a concern

Wachira Wichaiwatana, vice president of TTAA, said Korea has become a popular destination among Thais since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the first four months of this year, more than 500,000 Thais flew to Korea compared to before the pandemic, when about 570,000 Thais visited Korea each year.

“With South Korea wanting to promote second-tier cities, it will fit well with those who are not first-time visitors. We also see an opportunity to bring in tour groups from state agencies who may want to visit the Government Complex Sejong, as well as individual visitors looking for something new,” she said.

She said one of her concerns is the phi noi or “little ghosts”, referring to Thai job-seekers who exploit the opportunity to enter South Korea as tourists before slipping away from their group tours to take jobs in the grey economy.

She said the phi noi issue has affected some Thai visitors who may be denied entry to the country. Thai people can travel to Korea without applying for a visa, but they must register and receive Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation before arriving in South Korea.

“Some immigration officials may see Thais who live upcountry as potential illegal workers and deny them entry. We try to solve the issue and also work with the Korea Tourism Organisation [KTO] to fix the problem,” she said.

Surachart Boonviriyalai, managing director of Oscar Holiday Tour & Exhibition Ltd, said the Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa is attractive and will be a popular destination among Thais, while Daejeon City looks modern like Seoul. He believes the second-tier cities will appeal to Thai visitors.

K-culture a highlight

Young-Sook Yoon, Convergence Team director of the Daejeon Tourism Organisation, said Daejeon would like to welcome individuals and business travellers to its cities with activities and attractions.

“We [Daejeon City] are trying to attract more visitors from Asia, such as Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. Thailand is the number one tourist market in Korea, and we’d like to revitalise the Thai market, especially now we have daily direct flights from Bangkok to Cheongju,” she said.

She said the KTO plans to host a K-Culture festival and hold B2B meetings in Bangkok this month to promote tourism attractions and activities in second-tier cities.

She recommends a visit to Daecheongho Lake, a man-made reservoir covering an area of 72.8 km². It has scenic views and is a place to observe resident and migratory birds.

Another site is the Yetteo Folk Museum, where visitors can learn about traditional culture and arts in Daejeon.

“We would love to invite Thai tourists to visit us. You will experience another side of K-culture. We also have fun activities and festivals all year round.”

Royal pardon for Thaksin

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Ex-PM’s sentence cut to one year in prison

His Majesty the King has granted a royal pardon to jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reducing his combined jail sentence from eight years to one, according to an announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Friday.

The pardon, dated Aug 31, was countersigned by outgoing prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The pardon was granted one day after outgoing deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-gnam on Thursday received a petition seeking a royal pardon formally filed by Thaksin.

The 74-year-old inmate petitioned for a royal pardon not long after returning on Aug 22 after 15 years of self-exile abroad. On the day he returned, the Supreme Court ordered Thaksin to be jailed for eight years — a combined three years from two cases and five years in a third case.

In the first case, Thaksin had been sentenced in absentia to three years for conflict of interest. The court said Thaksin had ordered the state-run Export-Import Bank to lend 4 billion baht at a below-cost interest rate to Myanmar so that it could buy products from Shin Satellite Plc, a company owned by his family.

In the second case, Thaksin was convicted of illegally launching a two- and three-digit lottery between 2003 and 2006. This was an abuse of power as the scheme was not supported by any legislation, the court said.

In the third case, the court sentenced Thaksin, who made his fortune in the telecoms industry, to five years for malfeasance in connection with the handling of telephone concessions and conflict of interest from 2001 and 2006 during his two terms as prime minister.

The royal pardon announcement stated that when Thaksin served as prime minister, he made contributions to the country and the people. He was also loyal to the monarchy.

When he was indicted and the court handed down its jail sentences, “he respected the judicial process, admitted his guilt, repented and accepted penalties handed down by the court”, the petition added.

“Now he is old and has illnesses that need care from medical professionals.”

The petition asked that the former prime minister be pardoned so that he can “make use of his knowledge, abilities and experience to help and contribute to the nation, society and people in the future”.

According to the text published in the Royal Gazette, His Majesty acknowledged the petition and granted a royal pardon.

After the pardon was granted, Mr Wissanu said that Thaksin could no longer seek another royal pardon and the jail sentence reduced to one year could not be commuted further.

“Thaksin will have to serve one year in jail without any further reduction,” Mr Wissanu said, adding that Thaksin will still be treated as a normal prisoner.

“Once he recovers from his illness, he will be sent back to jail. If his condition does not improve, he will remain in hospital,” Mr Wissanu said.

According to a source at the Department of Corrections, Thaksin is classified as a medium-grade prisoner, so he is not eligible for parole. He must complete his one-year jail term.

Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter, said on Instagram: “I, Thaksin, and the Shinawatra family have greatly appreciated His Majesty the King’s kindness.

“Thaksin will use his knowledge, abilities and experience from his whole life to contribute to the country, society, and the people, as well as serve the royal institution. Long live the King,” she wrote.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday congratulated Thaksin and his family after he was granted a royal pardon. Thaksin returned to Thailand on Aug 22 the same day Pheu Thai’s Mr Srettha was elected prime minister in parliament.

Upon his return, Thaksin was sent to a quarantine area of Bangkok Remand Prison soon after the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison.

Within 13 hours, he was transferred to the Police General Hospital, suffering from chest pain, hypertension, and low blood oxygen saturation. He has remained there since.

Winyat Chartmontri, Thaksin’s lawyer, said that the next step is for the Department of Corrections to proceed to reduce Thaksin’s jail term in line with the royal pardon.

Cabinet set for King’s approval

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED : 2 Sep 2023 at 04:00

The list of new cabinet members was submitted for royal endorsement on Friday, and the incoming government is likely to deliver its policy statement before parliament next Friday, according to a source at Government House.

The new cabinet should be royally endorsed in the coming days and the Pheu Thai-led government will announce its policies before next weekend, the source said, adding the first cabinet meeting is due on Sept 12.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he would review the list one more time yesterday at 5.30pm before having it submitted for royal endorsement, after the Council of State was asked to verify the credentials of the candidates.

Mr Srettha said he would wait until the cabinet swears the oath of office before entering Government House. Until then he is scheduled to meet representatives from various sectors to hear their concerns.

Outgoing deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday he was told there were no problems with the qualifications of any of the cabinet ministers.

“We don’t know if they have any prior convictions, so they must verify themselves, and we’ve checked them out with the agencies concerned. But if their morality comes under question, it’s impossible for any agency to verify that. The individuals must verify that they are morally fit [for the job],” he said.

Pichit Chuenban, who worked as a lawyer for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has come under much public scrutiny.

He served jail time for contempt of court over the so-called “cash-stuffed paper bag” scandal representing Thaksin in a controversial land case in 2008. Mr Pichit is tipped to serve as the PM’s Office Minister.

Homegrown Covid vaccine nears approval

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Jab developed by GPO could be ready for use as a booster early next year

PUBLISHED : 1 Sep 2023 at 21:00

The development of Thailand’s first Covid-19 vaccine is in the home stretch and it could be ready for use as a booster shot early next year, according to the National Vaccine Institute (NVI).

Produced by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), the vaccine known as HXP-GPOVac is nearing the end of its third round of clinical trials, said Nakhon Premsri, the institute’s director.

About 4,000 volunteers recruited by Nakhon Phanom Hospital participated in the third stage, with each being given a 10-microgramme shot as a booster in December last year. The test results will be available in the middle of this month, Mr Nakhon said.

“If the test result (of Covid antibodies in volunteers) is satisfactory, the GPO will register the vaccine with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of this month,” he said.

Once it receives FDA approval, the GPO can start producing the vaccine to be given as a booster shot, with a target of 5-10 million doses a year.

Based on the current timeline, the vaccine could be ready for use on the general public around the beginning of next year, said Mr Nakhon.

“The GPO’s vaccine could be further developed to be a second-generation vaccine to fight against new strains such as XBB in the future,” he added.

HXP-GPOVac was developed using Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as a prototype. The egg-based production process is the same method used in developing the influenza vaccine, which has been in use for the past 60 years.

The first two phases of the study, from 2021 to 2022, showed that the GPO vaccine could stimulate Covid-19 antibodies while remaining safe to use, Mr Nakhon said.

Covid-19 booster shots are still highly recommended for high-risk groups, including the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.

Herbal remedies for pollution-related illnesses studied

By: Barkar Nash

On: September 1, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Earlier use of natural treatments on Covid patients showed promise, researchers say

PUBLISHED : 1 Sep 2023 at 20:49

Local researchers are studying the possibility of turning three herbal plants into medicines for use in fighting chronic illnesses linked to air pollution.

The plants are fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda), green chiretta (Andrographis paniculata) and the blue trumpet vine (Thunbergia laurifolia).

The research project is being carried out by Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri and Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine at the Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute in Samut Prakan.

While PM2.5 ultra-fine dust pollution is a cause of several chronic illnesses, the plants could ward off the health impacts of air pollution, said Assoc Prof Phisit Khemawoot, deputy dean for research at the Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute.

The institute will support the research from the laboratory stage to clinical trials, he added.

Among these complications are cancers which cost tens of billions of baht each year to treat with imported medicines, she said.

“We have to find a substitute to these drugs so that we can improve public access to treatments,” she said.

The properties of the three plants, particularly fingerroot and green chiretta, were evident when they were used on Covid-19 patients during the pandemic, she said.

The research project would explore the plants’ medicinal properties and develop new medicines based on them, she added.

Barkar Nash (Page 889)

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