More than 100,000 monks issued with smart ID cards

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PUBLISHED: 5 Mar 2024 at 05: 34

More than 100,000 monks issued with smart ID cards

More than 100, 000 Buddhist priests have been issued bright ID cards containing important information about their monkhood for quick tracing, according to Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad.

The monkhood tickets are being distributed to more than 280, 000 Buddhist priests around the country.

So much, over 100, 000 have received the accounts, which are linked to the membership database operated by the Interior Ministry, Ms Puangpet said. She was responding to a keyword filed by Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathaworn, chairman of the Senate committee on spiritual matters, in parliament on Monday.

The board chair urged the government to grip in rebellious priests, which says is a growing problem.

Ms Puangpet said religion is a sensitive issue, and the Sangha Council (SC ) was in charge of enforcing disciplinary rules on church members.

She said the ID cards are designed to provide information on the individual clergy ‘ history such as whether they were originally ordained and, if but, when and where. Information perhaps even share whether the monks ‘ conduct was controversial while they were laymen. The secretary said folks are ordained for a variety of factors, such as to atone for past crimes or to analyze Buddhism. Before they enter the monkhood, she said it is important that they undergo a background search for any previous criminal activity.

Ms Puangpet said it must be ascertained that individuals with an intention to utilize faith through aggressive methods are kept out of the monkhood.

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Contractors put on notice over expressway project

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PUBLISHED: 5 Mar 2024 at 04 :47

Contractors put on notice over expressway project

The state funds business may downgrade companies ignoring deadlines, design standards, and public health in the design of the Rama II Road expressway, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday.

Following a number of issues with the road, Comptroller General’s Department director-general Patricia Mongkhonvanit was summoned to meet with the prime minister on Monday to discuss the issue and consider penalizing accidental companies. Costs are approved by the Comptroller General’s Department for all state-related tasks.

” The issues arising from the difficulties in the design job on Rama II Road continue to have somewhat troubling effects on people. Before departing for Melbourne for the Asean-Australia conference, Mr. Srettha stated after the meeting that they must get fixed.

He claimed that any business that failed to meet job dates or whose work was subpar may get “downgraded.”

He said,” This proposed punishment will encourage them to pay more attention and assume greater accountability for their work on construction projects.”

Mr. Srettha did not specify what “downgrading” involved, nor did he specify whether the proposed consequence may apply to both big contractors and subcontractors. Building firms that win big projects typically contract large chunks of the work out to smaller ones, breaking it up into different divisions.

The Rama II Road, which connects Bangkok to the southern area, including the beach city of Hua Hin, is the main and most direct route. Both the current administration and its predecessor have come to terms with the fact that Rama II’s congestion has hurt tourism there because local and foreign tourists travel to different locations to minimize traffic jams.

Although the design of the road above the street from Bangkok to Samut Sakhon is intended to shorten travel times, delays in the construction, regular mishaps, and road closures have added yet more congestion, especially on the weekends and during long holidays.

In some design accidents, fatalities have been reported. The most recent incident occurred on January 18 when a crow’s raising box fell as a result of a rope breaking. A contractor was killed by a falling cement slab in May.

Construction of the new expressway is divided into 10 deals. Job began in February 2012, and it was scheduled to be finished in January of that year. The major contractor has already received a six-month extension.

According to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit on Monday, the work to increase Rama II Road may be finished by the new date, if not sooner, with ordinary follow-ups every two weeks.

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EC expects big rush for Senate seats

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Around 100,000 to compete in elections

EC expects big rush for Senate seats

At least 100,000 people are expected to seek election to the Senate in a process dubbed by the national poll body as the most complex in the world.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Itthiporn Boonpracong, said the election to pick 200 Upper House members from a range of professional groups, is expected to attract at least 100,000 applicants.

Unlike a similar contest which took place in 2018 when 10 professional groups elected representatives to form part of the current Senate, the upcoming election, to be held on May 11, will involve choosing members from 20 professional groups to fill the entire Senate.

The EC has invited qualified individuals to run for a Senate seat.

Candidacy applications will start 15 days after a royal decree is issued to hold a Senate election. Candidacy registration will be launched five to seven days after that.

Once registration ends, the intra-group election will be scheduled within 20 days.

Mr Itthiporn said the results may be known by July.

“We predict that no fewer than 100,000 will vie for places in the Senate,” the EC chairman said.

The election will be at two levels — districts and provinces.

Three successful applicants will make the cut in each professional group in each district, or 60 across 20 groups in a district. When multiplied by 928 districts nationwide, there will be 55,680 district-level applicants who will enter the provincial race.

A provincial, intra-professional group election will follow that will shortlist the applicants to two per group or 40 across 20 groups in each province, or 3,080 applicants across 78 provinces nationwide.

At the national level, the 3,080 applicants will go into an inter-group election. Ten applicants with the highest number of votes in each group or 200 across 20 groups will become senators.

He reiterated the need to impose a ban on senators being affiliated with political parties, saying the law intends to keep the Senate, to be at least indirectly elected by the people, impartial.

He warned of swift punishments against applicants and parties violating the ban.

Poll commissioner Pakorn Mahannop admitted background checks on two issues — whether the applicant owns shares in media business or have criminal records, which bar them from contesting the election — would be tedious.

The EC will be pressed for time as it only has up to seven days to check on media share ownership and up to five days to check for a criminal record.

“Imagine the workload associated with running checks on 100,000 people,” he said.

EC secretary-general Sawang Boonmee, meanwhile, called the Senate election “the most complex” contest of its kind in the world.

He urged media outlets to produce an infographic illustration to help educate voters about the system.

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Yingluck a step closer to home?

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Top court acquits her in roadshow case

Yingluck a step closer to home?
Yingluck: Might return this year

The latest acquittal of fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in another lawsuit has brought her one step closer to returning home, according to a political analyst.

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Holders of Political Positions on Monday acquitted Yingluck and five others of malfeasance and collusion in the awarding of a 240-million-baht campaign to promote her government’s 2-trillion-baht infrastructure projects.

Thanaporn Sriyakul, director of the Political and Public Policy Analysis Institute, said that regulations regarding parole and the detention of inmates outside prison issued by the Department of Corrections will benefit Yingluck.

“I believe that this will be the main factor that Yingluck will consider and decide whether it is the right time to return to Thailand.

“Yingluck is expected to follow the same course of action as Thaksin. But first, she must show her willingness to return and face punishment before proceeding to request a royal pardon,” Mr Thanaporn said, referring to the rice-pledging case.

“Afterwards, it depends on the Justice Ministry and the Department of Corrections. This may be the right time for her return as the government is stable… I believe she will return home this year,” he said.

The court on Monday voted unanimously, 9-0, for acquittal. It ruled that it did not see any intention to favour any party in the implementation of the PR project. The court also revoked the previously issued warrant for Yingluck’s arrest in this case.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission earlier accused Yingluck, former PM’s Office minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, Yingluck’s then-secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva, Matichon Plc, Siam Sport Syndicate Plc, and Siam Sport director Ravi Lohtong.

They were indicted in connection with the allocation of 240 million baht to fund the “Roadshow to Thailand’s Future Thailand 2020” campaign to promote transport infrastructure development projects in 2013.

According to the lawsuit, from late August 2013 to March 2014, the first three defendants — Yingluck, Mr Niwatthamrong and Mr Suranand — allegedly abused their authority by omitting to call public tenders for the work, to favour the companies who won the contracts, named as the fourth and the fifth defendants.

Without a bidding contest, the first three defendants contracted the fourth to implement the government campaign in 12 provinces to promote infrastructure projects that Yingluck’s government planned to borrow 2 trillion baht to fund.

When the Constitutional Court ruled that the proposed legislation to allow the government to borrow the sum was unconstitutional, the roadshow was cancelled. The 240 million baht spent on the campaign was wasteful, according to the NACC.

In an official statement released later on Monday, the Supreme Court said government organisations and the cabinet at the time had approved the Yingluck government’s transport infrastructure projects, and the Budget Bureau agreed that she, as the then-prime minister, could allocate a contingency fund for the PR project.

The project was implemented when Yingluck could not have known how the Constitutional Court would rule on the planned 2-trillion-baht borrowing, the Supreme Court said. The court also found no evidence that Yingluck, Mr Niwatthamrong or Mr Suranand favoured the fourth and the fifth defendants as the contractors of the PR project.

A previous investigation confirmed that budget allocation for the project complied with the procurement regulations of the PM’s Office, the court said.

As Yingluck, Mr Niwatthamrong and Mr Suranand were found innocent, the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants did not appear to support any wrongdoing in the case, the court said.

In December 2023, the Supreme Court acquitted Yingluck in her 2011 transfer of a National Security Council secretary-general.

Yingluck, 57, has been a fugitive since August 2017, when she failed to appear in court for the reading of its ruling on a charge of dereliction of duty in a rice-pledging programme that ran up at least 500 billion baht in losses.

She was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison. A warrant for her arrest in the rice-pledging case remains active.

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Singapore may publicise images of litterbugs to catch offenders

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Singapore does make pictures of offenders in open spaces open so that members of the public can identify them in a crackdown on litterbugs.

According to the National Environment Agency ( NEA ), identified offenders will face legal consequences, including being fined or charged in court.

The organization continued,” Care may be exercised” in circumstances committed by younger kids, the elderly, or vulnerable groups.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng described the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment’s spending plans on Monday ( Mar 4 ) and noted that the rate of littering has increased by 15 % between 2022 and 2023 compared to the two years prior to the pandemic. &nbsp,

Officials did increase  the number of closed-circuit television operations by four times and 1,000 annually to improve the prevention of litter.

From 21 last year to more than 100 this year, the NEA intends to conduct more, larger, and more visible blitzes at” cleaning spots.”

In hotspots, remedial work orders will be issued in which recalcitrant offenders are required to clean open spaces for at least three hours. Between 2021 and 2023, approximately 1,600 preventative work orders were issued.

Mr. Baey&nbsp noted that Singaporeans are “generally civic-minded,” and that learning efforts and strategies have paid off.

” Yet, we continue to observe some persistent issues that call for us to go beyond simply public learning,” he said. &nbsp,

” We will be working more closely with the group this year and stepping up our efforts to&nbsp, target frequent pain points…” Although the pandemic may be over, Singapore needs a clean environment to remain well-equipped to deal with upcoming public health risks.

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More than 2.33 million crossings at Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints over Chinese New Year long weekend

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The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority ( ICA ) announced on Monday ( Mar 4 ) that almost 390, 000 people passed through Singapore’s land checkpoints daily over the Chinese New Year long weekend from February 8 to February 13.

Compared to the normal average of about 289, 000 people in the same time next year, this was a 35 % increase.

There was” continued large visitors at the land gates, with more than 2.33 million intersections,” according to ICA during the Chinese New Year long trip.

There was a lengthy tailback from Malaysian emigration, so some of those who left by car had to rush up to three hours before being cleared through immigration.

Before and during the school holiday period from March 8 to March 18, ICA predicted “very large traffic” at Woodlands and Tuas gates.

Travelers are advised to factor in more waiting time due to the March institution holiday, and they should make sure their passports have at least six months of validity.

Long-term go buyers should remind ICA or the Ministry of Manpower of any changes to their card details before re-entry Singapore. Singapore permanent people who have renewed their passports should ensure that their re-entry permit has been transferred to the new card.

Applications are no longer accepted at checkpoints to facilitate traffic flow, so drivers of foreign vehicles should make sure their vehicle entry permit (VEP ) is current.

” Motorists of foreign automobiles who do not have a valid Autopass cards, the VEP approval message from LTA or true plan may be turned back,” said ICA.

As Singaporeans who have excellent fines may be denied entry to the country, they may even resolve them.

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All HDB households to get S0 in Climate Vouchers to buy energy- and water-efficient appliances

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Singaporean and permanent residents who live in HDBs you use their Singpass accounts as of April 15 to submit their Climate Vouchers online at RedeemSG. &nbsp,

According to Dr. Khor, those in need of assistance can contact the National Environment Agency ( NEA ) via its hotline. Consumers must present proof of address at participating retail locations in order to unlock the tickets.

The participating merchants are Audiohouse, Bathroom Warehouse, Best Denki, Courts, FairPrice, Gain City, Harvey Norman, Mega Discount Store, Sheng Siong, and Hs Yong Trading.

Giant, Cold Storage, and Woodlands Domestic Electrical are the latest merchants to join the program this year, bringing the total number of participating stores to 14. They collectively have about 300 retailers scattered throughout the island.
 
In a joint press release released by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment together with NEA and national water agency PUB, households can reduce their energy ( and ) water consumption, lower their utility bills, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and play their part in slowing down climate change.
 
In one, two, and three-room HDB condos, homes received the first round of the Climate Vouchers in 2020.

The vouchers, which total S$ 225, included S$ 150 for refrigerators, S$ 50 for shower fittings, and S$ 25 for LED lights. These may remain in effect until Mar 20 of this year after expiring on November 28, 2020.
 
More than 141, 000 homes, out of more than 300,000, had registered for the first round of tickets as of January. According to Dr. Khor, 54, 000 tickets have been used.
&nbsp, &nbsp,
Authorities claimed that households choosing when to change their appliances contributed to the gradual take-up level.

The 10 item forms chosen for the increased program, according to them, account for 60 % of an average household’s energy consumption and about 90 % of its water intake.

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Iswaran allowed to remain overseas for 16 more days; former minister fell ill while in Australia

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Following an application by his lawyers on the final day of the initial approval window, former transport minister S Iswaran was given permission to stay outside of Singapore for an additional 16 days on Monday ( Mar 4). &nbsp,

Iswaran, who faces a number of corruption charges, was given authority next month to travel to Australia between Feb. 16 and Mar. 4 to assist his brother in getting into college.

In response to media inquiries, an Attorney-General’s Chambers ( AGC ) spokesperson said,” The defense filed an application to extend Mr. Iswaran’s permission to leave jurisdiction by 16 days, until Mar. 19, 2024, because he had fallen ill while he was in Australia.”

In the event that the increased bail conditions were met, the prosecution refused to element to the program.

Information of Iswaran’s condition were not included in the statement.

Iswaran may be required to call an investigation officer every day to get updates on his health condition and whether there will be problems with his return to Singapore on March 19 in accordance with the terms of the improvement.

Additionally, Iswaran’s bailiff must consent to the expansion of his remain in Australia.

On March 20, the former chancellor will have to turn in his id to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.

As long as Iswaran adhered to additional bail conditions, including an additional$ 500, 000 ( US$ 307, 000 ) in cash on top of his existing$ 800, 000 bail, the prosecution did not object to his initial application on February 8.

Iswaran was moreover required to give his travel plans and international addresses to an investigating agent, as well as remain in contact with the investigating officer at all times, aside from the extra cash loan.

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Singapore to ban formaldehyde in interior paints over health concerns from 2026

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Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, announced on Monday ( Mar 4 ) that Singapore will outlaw the addition of formaldehyde to buildings ‘ interiors starting in 2026.

The substance is already used as a preservative in some paints to stop bacterial and fungal growth. It is build up in enclosed spaces and be released into the air. &nbsp,
 
During the budget conversation for her ministry, Ms. Fu argued in parliament that “prolonged exposure to phenol can lead to negative health effects, such as breathing pain and an increased risk of some cancers.

The National Environment Agency ( NEA ) stated in a press release following Ms Fu’s announcement that short-term exposure can cause eye, nose, skin, and throat irritation while long-term exposure may increase the risk of asthma.
 
The condition stipulates that formaldehyde articles must not exceed 0.01 per share of the fat of the color because formaldehyde may still be present as an impurity in some natural materials used to create internal paint.
 
The color industry’s best techniques and guidelines from other countries have been evaluated and benchmarked against the limit, according to NEA.
 
Manufacturers and importers of color will be required to submit test reports beginning on January 1, 2026, to demonstrate that the measured full in-can formaldehyde content of each interior color product is within the permitted range.
 
Laboratory certifications, such as the Singapore Accreditation Council, is required to prepare the test accounts.
 
Industrial paints and paints made for outdoor applications that are sold in Singapore are excluded from the condition. These will need to be notified that they are only intended for professional or outdoor use and that they contain formaldehyde.
 
National will monitor the business to verify compliance with all paint products.

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Weather warning: summer storms, high temperatures

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Summer storms may bring weather to parts of the Northeast, Central, East and South over the next few days as a reduced- pressure system moves over the top part of the country, the Meteorological Department warned on Monday.

The lower- pressure front, which will be effective until March 7, combined with a strong, south- southerly wind will bring gloomy conditions and cause temperatures to hover around 38- 40 degrees Celsius. &nbsp,

The top may cause climate changes all the way to the South, with the ministry warning of possible showers and waves of up to one centimeter in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

Between March 8- 9, a warm front from China will shift towards the region, causing storms as it clashes with the prevailing lower- pressure, hot front across the country. &nbsp,

Those living in the North and the Northeast does expect windy conditions with big rain and lightning attacks during the time.

Waves of 1- 2 yards are expected across the South.

Individually, satellite images and files from the Geo- Informatics and Space Technology Agency ( Gistda ) showed that as of 8am on Monday, five counties had extremely high levels of ultra- good PM2.5 substances -&nbsp, far above the healthy threshold for exposure over a 24- hour period of 37.5 microgrammes per square metre set by the government.

Nakhon Phanom reported the worst fine dust pollution, with PM2.5 levels averaging 82.8 µg/m³, followed by Mukdahan ( 82.5µg/m³ ), Kalasin ( 76.5µg/m³ ), Phayao ( 76µg/m³ ), and Roi Et ( 75.6µg/m³ ).

Thirty- one regions reported toxic levels of good dust pollution.

Bangkok, however, has enjoyed fairly fine weather quality over the past several times, according to Gistda. Satellite pictures taken on Sunday showed 1, 015 flames areas across the country, 355 of them in forest resources.

Myanmar had the most hotspots in the region with 3, 963, followed by Cambodia ( 1, 686 ), Laos ( 1, 030 ), and Vietnam ( 335 ).

Due to a fire across the border, Preah Vihear ( Phra Viharn ) National Park in Sri Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district, on the border with Camboldia, will remain closed until March 8.

Park key Jit Ardsanjorn said that the smoke from the fire affected some areas in Thailand, particularly around Noen Nub Dao on the eastern slopes of Ha Mo E Daeng.

Park officials and soldiers from Preah Vihear Forest Fire Control Station and men were helping control the incident, making more firebreaks.

Extra firetrucks and crew were on backup if needed, Ms Jit said.

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