Asia (Page 2,414)

Khon Kaen Zoo has, for the first time, succeeded in breeding black swans, with three cygnets born recently.

According to Thipawadee Kittikhun, the zoo’s acting director-general, a seven-year-old swan laid three eggs in December, which hatched on Feb 9–10.

The cygnets are now under the supervision of veterinarians, and their health is monitored closely. They are fed with minced vegetables mixed with swamp algae, which is high in protein and necessary minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, for strengthening bones, said Ms Thipawadee.

Black swans, which have a red bill, are common in the wetlands of southwestern and eastern Australia. They reach breeding age when they are about two years old.

The parents of the three cygnets were transferred from a regional private zoo to their Khon Kaen home in 2020. Their cygnets are set to be moved to a bigger aviary soon, Ms Thipawadee said.

Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong said the parole recently granted to convicted former prime minister Thaskin Shinawatra — who did not spend a single night in jail after his return to Thailand late last year — was in line with legal criteria.

He was responding to Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Bangkok, who raised the issue at a parliamentary meeting on Thursday.

Mr Nattacha asked the justice minister how Thaksin met the criteria for parole under the Corrections Act or regulations issued by the Department of Corrections (DoC).

Citing a DoC regulation, he said inmates who are eligible for parole must be seriously ill or older than 70 and cannot take care of themselves adequately.

They must depend on others for daily activities like eating, bathing, dressing and moving around, and be unable to control their bowel movements, Mr Nattacha said.

“How does Thaksin fit this condition?” he asked, adding he wanted to know the names of the two doctors who confirmed Thaksin had been seriously ill yet recovered within 180 days.

Col Pol Tawee said the National Health Act protects the confidentiality of people’s health-related data, meaning it cannot be revealed to others without their consent.

“The doctors who diagnosed Thaksin’s conditions are from the Police General Hospital [where he was detained]. His parole was in line with the law and related regulations and doctors’ criteria,” he said.

The opposition Democrat Party said it would not raise the issue at the next censure debate because it is not related to the government’s performance.

Deputy leader Chaichana Detdecho said key economic issues, including the lack of progress in the much-hyped digital wallet scheme, are much more relevant.

“Thaksin has returned home and been reunited with his family. The issue has come to an end. The concern now is the justice system. The public wonders if there are double standards. I would like to ask the director-general of the Department of Corrections to give a clear answer,” he said.

Mr Chaichana said the party expected a censure debate to take place before the end of the House session in April.

The Democrats intend to discuss the digital wallet scheme and the government’s policies to raise the minimum daily wage and salaries of graduates. The government has not implemented these policies yet, he said.

Users say system is costly, inconvenient

The government must consider subsidising all forms of public transportation in Bangkok to reduce travel costs for commuters in the city, a forum was told.

About 100 people, including residents, on Thursday attended a forum organised by the House committee on consumer protection, Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and the Foundation for Consumers. It aimed to garner consumer opinion on Bangkok’s public transport and how systems can improve.

There, residents of Bangkok and its surrounding suburbs said commuting in the capital using public transportation can be inconvenient.

Bhuntin Noumjerm, Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok and spokesman of the committee, said the quality of transport services in the city is rated as poor while fares are high.

He said the government should consider subsidising all forms of transportation in the capital, not only electric rail systems, which are now seen as the main mode of transportation.

Commuters also lack good, affordable transport services from the back roads and alleyways of where they live to connect to electric train stations, he said.

He said these opinions will be compiled and forwarded to the House of Representatives for consideration during the next deliberation of bills on public transport for communities.

Aphisit Mantri, the administrator of the Rotmaethai (Thai public buses) Facebook page, said the most common difficulty faced by commuters is insufficient operating vehicles, especially at night. This can cause long waiting times, he said.

There have also been passenger complaints about confusing changes to the numbering of some bus routes, he said.

Most commuters thought it didn’t make sense why the authorities changed a numbering system that was familiar to everyone, he said.

Khongsak Chuenkrailat, an assistant secretary to the TCC’s sub-committee on transport, said it is important to ensure that fares are affordable for all.

Users say system is costly, inconvenient

The government must consider subsidising all forms of public transportation in Bangkok to reduce travel costs for commuters in the city, a forum was told.

About 100 people, including residents, on Thursday attended a forum organised by the House committee on consumer protection, Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and the Foundation for Consumers. It aimed to garner consumer opinion on Bangkok’s public transport and how systems can improve.

There, residents of Bangkok and its surrounding suburbs said commuting in the capital using public transportation can be inconvenient.

Bhuntin Noumjerm, Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok and spokesman of the committee, said the quality of transport services in the city is rated as poor while fares are high.

He said the government should consider subsidising all forms of transportation in the capital, not only electric rail systems, which are now seen as the main mode of transportation.

Commuters also lack good, affordable transport services from the back roads and alleyways of where they live to connect to electric train stations, he said.

He said these opinions will be compiled and forwarded to the House of Representatives for consideration during the next deliberation of bills on public transport for communities.

Aphisit Mantri, the administrator of the Rotmaethai (Thai public buses) Facebook page, said the most common difficulty faced by commuters is insufficient operating vehicles, especially at night. This can cause long waiting times, he said.

There have also been passenger complaints about confusing changes to the numbering of some bus routes, he said.

Most commuters thought it didn’t make sense why the authorities changed a numbering system that was familiar to everyone, he said.

Khongsak Chuenkrailat, an assistant secretary to the TCC’s sub-committee on transport, said it is important to ensure that fares are affordable for all.