Southeast Asia (Page 14)

Situations reported in nations that border Thailand after major outbreaks in the United States.

After more circumstances were discovered in neighboring nations following a new outbreak in the United States, public health officials are preparing to prevent the potential spread of bird flu in Thailand.

According to DDC director-general Dr. Panumas Yanwetsakul, the Livestock Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation have been working together to prevent any potential outbreaks.

Since 2006, there haven’t been any instances of bird flu in Thailand, but Dr. Panumas argued that the world scenario is concerning.

According to a recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 64 people in nine US claims were discovered to have contracted the H5N1 virus this year.

Of those, 39 had touched sick animals, 23 were attributed to exposure to sick animals and the other two were infected from mysterious options.

The World Health Organization ( WHO ) said 939 bird flu cases have been reported worldwide since 2003, with 464 fatalities in 24 countries.

In addition to the United States, bird flu has been reported this year in some of Thailand’s adjacent countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

Dr. Panumas argued that Thailand was at risk because of its central location in Southeast Asia, international traveling, and poultry farming as primary risk factors.

According to him,” The DDC has been working with several factions within the One Health system to stop any outbreaks from occurring in the nation.”

Dr Direk Khampaen, the DDC assistant director-general, said greater security measures were in area for facilities to protect against bird flu in humans. Hospital testing checkpoints and increased screening measures have been mandated by the department.

People who experience symptoms like coughing, muscle strain, or breathing problems, particularly if they have come into contact with animals or cows, are urged to call a doctor as soon as possible so they can arrange for a screening exam.

Additionally, the office instructed producers to immediately contact police if they discover any unusual deaths in their livestock, especially those of birds and cows.

Additionally, protective measures have been given precedence for those who may be more susceptible to the disease, such as veterinarians, animal managers, and parks and wildlife managers.

They are advised to get an annual flu shot because it lowers the likelihood of getting animal virus.

Dr. Direk claimed that the DDC is promoting improved immunization safety in the country by supporting local production of flu shots to lessen the need for imported vaccines and improve the country’s readiness to deal with emergencies.

Deals between Myanmar’s neighbors take place in Bangkok

The Foreign Affairs Ministry anticipates Is to” quickly” release four Thai fishermen who were detained last month off Ranong state in disputed waters in order to demonstrate its commitment to regional peace.

On Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa met with representatives from six nations in Bangkok to examine international crime and other issues.

He was accompanied by Laos Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Bangladesh Honourable Adviser for Foreign Affairs Touhid Hossain, Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs Than Swe, and Lao Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong.

After the conference, Mr. Maris praised the importance of the debate because they were the first time Myanmar and all five of its neighbors had met. This reflects the honesty and firm intention to make more efforts in addressing popular issues, he said. A split meeting will be held immediately under the Asean platform, he said.

Mr. Maris claimed that he was informed of the good news about the four sailors during corner discussions with Myanmar.

Than Swe’s official confirmation that the Myanmar government will soon transfer these four fishing has been confirmed to me.

He stated that Myanmar and Thailand both agreed to work together more closely to stop this from happening again in the future.

There are some steps that must be taken. We need to value the rights and treatments of each nation”, he added.

The owner of the fish vessel was sentenced to six years in jail and given a 200, 000 baht fine on Tuesday in Kawthaung Township, Myanmar, while the other three were given four years and a 20 000 baht fine.

Phumtham Wechayachai, the minister of defense, recently announced to the internet that the four Thai sailors would be released by January 4.

However, Mr. Maris reported to the media that the casual discussion between the six nations went well and that everyone involved engaged in a sincere and productive exchange. He said that if Myanmar and its neighbors were to solve the country’s turmoil, each party felt a need for clear communication.

The debate also helped neighbouring states understand Myanmar’s awareness, he said.

Mr. Maris noted that Than Swe likewise provided an update on Myanmar’s social programs and the progress being made with its election campaign.

Myanmar has conducted a community population, and 53 social events have registered, Mr Maris said, citing Than Swe.

He continued,” Than Swe also stated that Myanmar plans to encourage poll watchers from neighboring nations.”

Mr. Maris emphasized that Myanmar’s neighbors would like to see a steady, peaceful, and united country. He also urged all parties to refrain from using violence and rather engage in dialogue as a means of a peaceful resolution.

He claimed that Than Swe stated to the audience that his government had opened the door to conversations about quiet alternatives through a social process.

The representatives of the nations even discussed border protection with Myanmar, bringing up issues such as virtual scams, drug and human smuggling, and transnational crime.

” All six countries want to promote closer cooperation to address these issues,” he said.

As we try to help each other, we will have more data sharing and constitutional enforcement cooperation.

Additionally, Mr. Maris claimed to have spoken with India about the reopening of Asian Highway 1, which is impacted by the Myanmar issue.

Because it connects South and Southeast Asia through Thailand, Myanmar, and India, “people from these three countries are essential to this bridge,” he said.

Pledges’prosperity for all the persons ‘

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra promised to reinvent Thailand’s coming by embracing its unique talents, exploring new possibilities, and harnessing technologies for the greater good.

Ms. Paetongtarn, who spoke at the Bangkok Post Forum 2024, expressed confidence in her ability to create a prosperous country.

” It is a promise to create shared prosperity for all– our people, communities, and the wider region,” the prime minister told the participants at the forum held yesterday evening at Centara Grand at CentralWorld, who included foreign dignitaries, business executives and politicians.

For decades, she said, Thailand’s growth relied on strategies which focused on mass production and heavy industries.

” These approaches brought progress, but in a world undergoing rapid changes, they are no longer enough,” she said.

” Thailand stands at a crossroads. We must find creative, bold solutions that match our individual strengths and distinguish us from others.

Our potential lies not in following other people’s paths, but in utilizing what makes us truly exceptional: our strategic location, plentiful natural resources, and the creativity of our people.

The prime minister said,” We can chart a new course toward prosperity and establish Thailand as a leader in an interconnected, dynamic world by embracing our identity and reimagining our future.”

Ms Paetongtarn went on to discuss Thailand’s unique strengths, which she said should be utilised to achieve shared prosperity.

She claimed that Thailand’s greatest asset is its geographic proximity because it is situated at the heart of Southeast Asia.

As a result, Thailand has the opportunity to become a hub for logistics, trade and exchange, connecting countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( Asean ) with the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

” With plans for high-speed rail, an aviation hub and improved cold-chain logistics networks, we can enhance the movement of goods, people, and ideas across borders,” she said.

Thailand can also act as a gateway between the East and the West, fostering international cooperation and mutual understanding.

” In an era of division, we can stand as a beacon of collaboration and shared prosperity,” she said.

Thailand’s second strength is its abundance of natural resources and cultural richness, which gives the country unparalleled opportunities.

” Thailand has long been known as the ‘ Kitchen of the World ‘, but now, it is time to elevate this legacy even further,” the prime minister said.

” With our agricultural resources, culinary expertise, and advanced technologies like precision farming and blockchain for traceability, we can transform traditional farming into a modern industry that prioritises quality, sustainability, and innovation,” she stressed.

The prime minister turned her attention to Thailand’s tourism sector, citing the need for urgent assistance in its development because it is more than just a tourist destination.

” With our renowned hospitality and cultural heritage, we are uniquely positioned to offer wellness tourism, from spa therapies to meditation retreats, and become a top destination for digital nomads and retirees,” she said.

The prime minister also urged the nation to prepare for a tech-driven future and stressed the importance of technology in changing the nation.

” This is Thailand’s next chapter,” she said.

We ask that you join us on this journey along with your friends and partners. “

‘ No enough info’ on upstream impact

The controversial Sanakham electricity project in Laos is being sued by activists who are urging the government to delay the public hear process in order to provide more details to the site’s developer.

The state is reportedly rushing into the nearby consultation process that is necessary for the project to continue despite its potential effect on provinces that border the Mekong River as a result of the call.

Laos must make sure the Sanakham hydropower project adheres to the Mekong River Commission’s ( MRC ) Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation, and Agreement ( PNPCA ) as stipulated by the project, as the project will restrict the flow of the river downstream of the dam.

Part of the process requires that the dam’s designer take into account the information gathered through public hearings held in nearby communities that will be impacted by the bridge. In Thailand, the procedure is overseen by the Thai National Mekong Committee, which is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong.

The Committee recently gave the Office of the National Water Resources ( ONWR ) the task of holding public hearings on the subject, with the first one scheduled for December 24 in Loei’s Chiang Khan district.

The government should not get too excited about the program’s development, according to Pianporn Deetes, campaign director of the International Rivers Southeast Asia program.

Ms. Pianporn said the whole PNPCA method should only start when the site’s designer has provided all the necessary information to the nearby committees tasked with organizing the open hearings, citing a suggestion made by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Ms. Pianporn urged the Thai commission and the MRC secretariat to hit the project’s developers for more details, particularly its assertion that the dam had a” not significant transnational impact.”

She said the engineer had previously requested more information from the secretariat, but she never did, before claiming that some academics and activists were surprised by the government’s desire to continue holding the public hearings.

The Sanakham bridge will be constructed between the Xayaburi and Vientiane provinces in Laos, according to data that was made available on MRC’s site. In the series of reservoirs that are proposed along the lower Mekong River, it is the fifth and fifth.

The job page lies about 25 miles inland of Sanakham region in Vientiane state, about 155km from Vientiane, and about 84km upstream of the Pak Lay job. The location is also about 2 kilometers from Loei’s Thai-Lao borders.