Asia (Page 2,894)

Peru recently organised three Peruvian food and coffee cultural events for Thais with the aim of buoying bilateral ties.

They were held by the Embassy of Peru in Thailand. “Peruvian Food and Pisco” on Nov 11 welcomed the public to join a cooking demonstration of seabass ceviche and fish and shrimp tiradito by a Peruvian chef, and mix cocktails made with Pisco, a national spirit.

On Nov 13 the embassy held “Andean Elegance: A Pisco and Wine Affair” to encourage the public to taste Peruvian wine and liquor.

The following day at Promperu Asean, an event was held called “Peruvian Coffee Cupping: From Andean Beans to Thai Brews”.

Coffee lovers were urged to taste a variety of coffee beans grown in Peru, in collaboration with 11 Peruvian associations and communities. They were also invited to get to know the coffee scents better, by inhaling the aroma of the beans.

Peruvian Ambassador Cecilia Galarreta said the events were co-organised with the Peruvian Economic and Trade Office for Asean and supported by Thai and Peruvian enterprises to showcase the richness of Peruvian F&B in Thailand. “Peruvian cuisine, wine, and coffee are significant to Peruvian culture, representing a rich tapestry of flavours, traditions, and historical influences,” Ms Galarreta said.

“Peruvian cuisine is renowned for its diverse range of ingredients, owing to Peru’s varied geography, which includes coastal, Andean, and Amazonian regions. As an example, over 4,000 varieties of native potatoes thrive in the Peruvian highlands,” she added.

She said Peru is the oldest wine-producing country in South America with 500 years’ experience. Due to its diverse climate and geography, Peruvian wine is distinctively regional.

The country also has a long history of cultivating coffee, with beans from regions such as Cusco, Cajamara, Junin and Pasco offering diverse tastes and smells, she said.

“Peruvian cuisine, wines, and coffees are integral components of the country’s cultural identity, reflecting a harmonious blend of traditions [and] influences.”

Most Thais do not agree with the government’s plan to fund the digital wallet scheme with a 500-billion-baht loan but a slight majority still supports the policy, according to an opinion survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida).

The poll was conducted between Nov 13-16 on 1,310 people aged 18 years and over from various levels of education and income and a range of occupations nationwide, after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin outlined the programme in detail on Nov 10.

The 10,000-baht handout will be offered to Thais aged 16 and older who earn less than 70,000 baht per month and/or have under 500,000 baht in bank deposits. Based on these criteria, an estimated 50 million people will be eligible — down from 56 million originally.

Regarding the 500-billion-baht loan, 50.69% of respondents strongly disagreed, 18.7% disagreed, 14.89% moderately agreed, 13.35% strongly agreed and 2.3% either did not know or were not interested.

After listening to Mr Srettha’s remarks, 29.9% said they strongly disagreed with the scheme in general, 25.9% strongly agreed, 25.1% moderately agreed, 18.2% disagreed and 0.7% either did not know or were not interested.

Some 79.85% said they were eligible to receive the money, 11.6% were not sure of their status and 8.4% thought they were not eligible.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Sunday said he backs the handouts as long as the policy complies with the law.

Mr Anutin, who also leads the Bhumjaithai Party, said he believes the process of endorsing the policy is complicated but state agencies are working toward seeing the scheme through. Critics have asked about the extent of coalition support for the bill.

Adisorn Piengkes, a Pheu Thai list-MP and chief government whip, said the government is preparing to present a bill seeking a loan worth 500 billion baht to finance the digital wallet policy. The reading is expected to take one or two days, including a session for the opposition to ask about the bill.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has congratulated Anntonia Porsild, the Thai beauty queen who was named the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador yesterday, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said yesterday.

The 72nd edition of the international beauty contest was held at the Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador. The title went to Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua, while Ms Anntonia was named first runner-up — the best performance by a Thai representative since 1988.

“[Ms Anntonia] showcased Thailand’s culture, especially [by using] the Thai traditional dress that was inspired by the sculpture of Phra Mae Thoranee [‘The Earth Goddess’] which originated in the Ayutthaya Period,” said Mr Chai.

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild was named first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in San Salvador yesterday.  Photo By missuniverse instagram

“Even though she wasn’t crowned Miss Universe, she has made Thailand famous on the world stage. Thais are very proud of her.”

Mr Srettha also took to X, formerly Twitter, to congratulate Ms Anntonia, saying he would work with the deputy chairwoman of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee to figure out ways to further promote Thailand on the world stage.

The 27-year-old Nakhon Ratchasima native was born to a Danish father and a Thai mother. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication arts from Stamford International University in 2022.

Ms Anntonia wrote on her Instagram: “No words can describe the way I’m feeling right now. I put my all on the stage tonight for Thailand, for everyone who believed in me and was a part of my journey.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t bring the crown home for us, and I am eternally grateful for all of the love and support I have received throughout this journey.

“Without your support, I wouldn’t be standing here today. As I was once told, it’s not the crown and sash that is most important — but it’s what you do with the platform you have that matters most.

“I will continue to work towards my dreams and hope you will all come along with me on whatever path we go from here. I hope I can continue to be a guiding light to anyone who has a dream.”

A 4-magnitude quake struck Sangkhla Buri district early yesterday morning, causing tremors which were felt all across Kanchanaburi.

In the wake of the temblor, authorities ordered an inspection of all public buildings and infrastructure in the western province.

Kanrawee Sitthicheewapak, director-general of the Thai Meteorological Department, said the epicentre of the quake was near tambon Nong Lu, at a depth of about six kilometres.

The initial tremor was detected at 3.07am.

The Earthquake Observation Division said the quake was caused by tectonic activities along the Three Pagodas Fault.

Many people living in Sangkhla Buri district took to Facebook yesterday, saying the earthquake had woken them up as their houses shook.

Nataya Noomwatana, a local vendor, said that while her team was preparing their merchandise, she heard noises from the roof of her market and from the ground under her feet. The quake sent vendors at the market fleeing to safety, she said.

Two previous quakes have been reported in Sangkhla Buri in recent years — one on July 14, 2015, which measured 4.8 on the Richter scale, and another on Aug 20, 2015, which measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.

Tossapol Chaikomin, Kanchanaburi governor, has ordered Sangkhla Buri district chief Sutthiporn Siwawetpikul to survey the damage to buildings.