C asean Forum: ASEAN Action Towards Circular Economy

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April 9, 2024 8:54 am

BANGKOK – C asean partnered with Thailand Supply Chain Network (TSCN) and the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD) to host the C asean Forum with the theme “ASEAN Action Towards Circular Economy: Move Forward with Extended Producer Responsibility” on March 28, 2024 at C asean on the 10th floor of CW Tower in Bangkok.

The C asean Forum was held to nurture collaborative and informed dialogues, inspiring actionable strategies for adopting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Thailand and throughout the ASEAN region.

The forum brought together a diverse array of perspectives and experiences from real practitioners and sought to develop a roadmap for integrating EPR principles into national policies, industry practices, and community initiatives. International experts, along with representatives from prominent Thai organizations that spearhead the implementation of EPR principles, shared their insights and real-world experiences on stage. The discussions underscored the significance of responsible practices throughout the lifecycle of their products, aligning with the principles of the circular economy.

During the opening remark, Ms. Tongjai Thanachanan, Managing Director of C asean, highlighted the importance of EPR in the transformation journey that ASEAN needs to take as it combats environmental challenges such as waste management and rapid resource depletion.

“Several ASEAN member states are considering or implementing EPR initiatives tailored to their context. By sharing best practices and experiences today, we can facilitate the development of practical and effective EPRs as more countries adopt these policies.

Today, we are honored to welcome leading experts in EPR and circular economy, who will share their insights and inspire us on how we can drive transformative change in our ASEAN region. We will hear from distinguished international speakers on topics ranging from an overview of circular economy for the ASEAN region to EPR learnings from EU experiences, as well as a panel discussion on how we can promote EPR in Thailand and across ASEAN countries.”

She continued, “Most importantly, we would like to thank the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue, or ACSDSD, as well as Thailand Supply Chain Network, which serves as a beacon of Thailand’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible resource management for their tireless collaboration to make this event happen.

We hope that our gathering today will mark the beginning of a collaborative endeavor that helps integrate EPR principles and learnings into our national policies, industry standards, and community initiatives. Let us all join hands together with determination and resolve.”

Mr. Patinya Silsupadol, Deputy Secretary General and Executive Board of TIPMSE commented, “EPR is a principle which encourages producers to extend their responsibilities towards their products throughout the value chain. In Thailand, we are not only focused on the retrieval, but also put much effort into product design, communication with consumers about post-consumption packaging, and the retrieval and sorting systems for post-consumption packaging.

Currently, the government is advancing EPR-related legislation and welcomes the private sector to participate in developing an effective retrieval system. With clear EPR legislation in place, we will demonstrate that the proper collection and sorting of wastes can input high-quality materials into the system, tremendously reducing production costs.

Without an adequate system, we may face shortages of materials or incur taxes and fees for waste management. This underscores the significance of EPR principles, which enable the private sector to collaborate in creating a circular economy and achieving favorable outcomes.”

In the morning sessions, Mr. Kai Hofmann, Program Head at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH shared his unique perspectives in a session titled “Circular Economy for the ASEAN Region.” Following this, Asst. Prof. Dr.Panate Manomaivibool, a partner of the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme, provided insights in a session titled “EPR Learning from EU Experiences.”

Dr. Panate later returned to the stage to participate in a panel discussion titled “Promoting EPR Across ASEAN,” alongside Mr. Carlo Delantar, Founder of Circular Economy Philippines; Mr. Rocky Pairunan from WRI Indonesia; and Dr. Anthony Pramualratana from ACSDSD.

The afternoon sessions commenced with the topic “Thailand National EPR,” presented by Mr. Patinya Silsupadol, Deputy Secretary General and Executive Board of TIPMSE. The session was followed by more intriguing topics, including “Financial Mechanism for Thailand’s Circular Economy: Regulatory Perspective” by Mr. Pavich Kesavawong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, and “Financial Mechanism for Thailand’s Circular Economy: Funding Perspective” by Reiko Kubota, Senior Environmental Engineer from the World Bank.

pawich — Mr. Pavich Kesavawong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Climate Change and Environment

Reiko Kubota, Senior Environmental Engineer from the World Bank.

The afternoon concluded with a practitioner panel discussion focusing on the topic “Advancing Sustainable Recycling.” This panel featured Mr. Soonthorn Yongvibulsiri, the ESG and Sustainability Director at SCG Packaging Public Company Limited; Ms. Salinla Seehaphan, Corporate Affairs Director at Nestlé (Thai) Company Limited; Ms. Kitiya Santaveesuk, Head of Sustainability at Thai Beverage Can Ltd.; and Ms. Vijitar Supakong, Vice President – Sustainability and Risk Management at Berli Jucker Public Company Limited.

The C asean Forum was sponsored by Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, West Rock (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Starprint Public Company Limited.

Chiang Mai Begins 3 Days of Work From Home to Reduce PM2.5

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Khaosod English

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April 9, 2024 1:42 am

CHIANG MAI – The Governor of Chiang Mai, Nirat Phongsitthaworn, signed the Chiang Mai Provincial announcement on Monday to carry out measures for 3 days, April 9–11, to prevent and reduce the impact of micro dust particles PM 2.5 after they continuously exceeded the standard.

They require all government agencies to work from home and are requesting cooperation from businesses in considering enabling employees to use this method of operation as well.

Due to the high number of fires and dust in six Chiang Mai districts—Chiang Dao, Mae Taeng, Chai Prakan, Fang, and Phrao—Chiang Mai became the most air-polluted city in the world for several days in a row.

chiangmai fire3 — There were a high number of fires and dust in six Chiang Mai districts.

The Governor of Chiang Mai Province declared a disaster-affected area on April 6 and designated an area to provide assistance to those affected by fire emergencies and forest fires.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday said the government is not idle about the problem of PM2.5 in the northern region but urge everyone to help solve the problem. He has instructed both Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew and Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thai-saed to help out, particularly in Chiang Mai.

“I am well aware of the suffering of brothers and sisters who are affected by PM2.5 micro dust particles and is aiming to tackle the problem in a holistic way,” the PM said.

srettha wildfire — Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Nirat Phongsitthaworn The governor of Chiang Mai watched the operation of a helicopter transporting water from the Mae Ngat Sombun Chon Dam, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province, to go put out forest fires on March 16, 2024.

Forest fires and air pollution in Chiang Mai and other northern areas have raised serious public health concerns. Prof. Dr. Raviwan Olanratmanee, Dean of Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Architecture, died of lung cancer on April 3, after being diagnosed with the fourth stage of the disease in February of last year. The doctor diagnosed that it’s probably because PM2.5 causes genetic mutations.

Since March 2022, three non-smoking professors in Chiang Mai, including Dr. Kritthai Thanakritsombat of the Faculty of Medicine, have received diagnoses of lung cancer. Chiang Mai University, who died in December 2023 at the age of 29.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chalerm Liusrisakul, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, at CMU’s Faculty of Medicine. The northern region has had a problem with PM2.5 for more than ten years, and it is likely to worsen. As a result, during the PM2.5 dust outbreak, the number of hospital patients was steadily increasing.

This study looked at the death rates of lung cancer patients in the North, Northeast, and South from 2010 to 2021. It found that the North, especially Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces, had the highest death rates from lung cancer.

Dr. Sakarn Bunnag, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, indicated that the northern region had a higher rate of lung cancer than other regions. Each year, there are an average of 2,487 new cases of lung cancer, or approximately 7 cases per day, and 1,800 deaths from lung cancer, or around 5 cases per day. There are several significant risk factors. PM2.5 is a risk factor. However, it is not the only cause.

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Ethnic Guerrillas in Myanmar Look Set To Seize an Important Town on the Thai Border From Military

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Associated Press

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April 8, 2024 10:22 pm

Myanamr Conflict — File - A camp for internally displaced people in Myanmar is seen across the Moei river from Mae Sot, Tak province Thailand, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

GRANT PECK, BANGKOK — Guerrilla fighters from Myanmar’s Karen ethnic minority claimed Monday to be close to seizing control of a major trading town bordering Thailand, as soldiers and civil servants loyal to the military government appeared to be preparing to abandon their positions.

The occupation of Myawaddy town by the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Karen National Union, or KNU, appeared imminent as the guerrillas seized or besieged strategic army outposts on the town’s outskirts, a spokesperson and members of the KNU said Monday.

Myawaddy, in Kayin state, is Myanmar’s most active trading post with Thailand, and its fall would be the latest in a series of shock defeats suffered by the army since last October, when an alliance of three other ethnic rebel groups launched an offensive in the country’s northeast. Over the past five months, the army has been routed in northern Shan state, where it conceded control of several border crossings, in Rakhine state in the west, and is under growing attack elsewhere.

AP24099517021843 — Members of the Karen National Liberation Army and People’s Defense Force examine two arrested soldiers after they captured an army outpost, in the southern part of Myawaddy township in Kayin state, Myanmar, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/METRO)

The military government under Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has acknowledged it is under pressure, and recently introduced conscription to boost its ranks.

The nationwide conflict in Myanmar began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.

Three residents of Myawaddy town, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they fear being arrested by either warring side, told The Associated Press by phone that they had heard no sounds of the fighting outside since Sunday afternoon. They said most residents were working as usual, while others were preparing to flee to Mae Sot, just across the border in Thailand. Two of them said they had not seen any members of the government’s security forces since Sunday.

The situation was highlighted Sunday night when a Myanmar plane made an unscheduled flight to Mae Sot from Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. Thai media reported that the plane had received permission from Thai authorities to evacuate people fleeing Myawaddy. It was not clear if those fleeing, described as military and civil servants loyal to Myanmar’s military government, had already crossed into Thailand over the river that marks the border.

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry on Monday confirmed that approval was given for three flights on a Yangon-Mae Sot route to transport passengers and cargo, one each day on Sunday through Tuesday. Myanmar’s government later canceled its requests for the remaining two flights.

The Thai government was closely monitoring the situation along the border, and is ready to take all necessary measures to maintain peace and order, and to keep the people along the border safe, the Thai ministry said.

In times of fighting along the frontier, Thailand has generally granted temporary shelter to Myanmar villagers. There are also about 87,000 living in nine long-term refugee camps.

The KNU, which is the leading political body for the Karen minority, said in a statement posted on Facebook that its armed wing and allied pro-democracy forces on Friday had seized the army base on the road to Myawaddy at Thin Gan Nyi Naung. It had served for nearly six decades as the military’s regional headquarters.

It said that 617 members of the security forces and their family members had surrendered. The KNU posted photos of the weapons that it claimed to have seized and captured military personnel and their family members given shelter in a school.

AP24099517046408 — Members of the Karen National Liberation Army and People’s Defense Force collect weapons after they captured an army outpost, in the southern part of Myawaddy township in Kayin state, Myanmar, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/METRO)

Two Karen guerrillas involved in their group’s offensive told AP on Monday that they have surrounded an army garrison about 4 kilometers (3 miles) to the west of Myawaddy that is in charge of the town’s security, and an artillery battalion to the south. Negotiations were underway for their surrenders, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to release information.

They also said the Karen have control of about 60% to 70% of Myawaddy township, and are almost certain to capture the town itself after the two bases surrender or are overrun.

The Karen, like other minority groups living in border regions, have struggled for decades for greater autonomy from Myanmar’s central government.

Fighting between the army and Karen armed groups intensified after the military seized power in 2021. Several ethnic rebel groups including the Karen have loose alliances with pro-democracy militias after the military takeover, and also offer refuge to the civilian opponents of the military government.

Chinese Man Arrested for Trading Ex-Padaeng Mine Cadmium Waste

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Khaosod English

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April 8, 2024 9:07 pm

BANGKOK – The Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM) has uncovered the source of 13,400 tons of “cadmium waste”, a carcinogenic substance from zinc mining, found in warehouses of at least three factories, two in Samut Sakhon province and one in Chonburi province. They came from the Padaeng Industry mine in Tak province.

Adisak Wasinon, director general of the Ministry of Primary Industries and Mines, told Prachachat Business that cadmium waste is a type of heavy metal produced during the mining of zinc, lead and copper. In the past, there was a zinc mining and metal processing plant of “Padaeng Industry Public Company Limited” in Tak Province. And of course the waste comes from this mine.

Padaeng Industry ceased mining operations in 2017 and changed its name to “Bound and Beyond Public Company Limited” in 2021. The company has now turned to the hotel business, while the zinc business is fully recycled.

According to 360 Industry Research, the cadmium market is expected to grow significantly during 2024–2032, owing to various business drivers like the increasing demand for NiCd batteries, pigments, coatings, and others that are also responsible for driving the market’s growth.

Padaeng cadmium — Padaeng Industry mine in Tak province

Industry Minister Pimpattra Wichakul said the investigation found that J&B Metal Co Ltd, the company in Samut Sakhon province where officials first found cadmium waste, smelted aluminum ingots and pellets from aluminum scrap and dross. The company stockpiled 2,440 tons of cadmium and zinc waste.

Later, on April 6, officials found large bags of cadmium scattered in a warehouse in Khlong Kiew sub-district, Ban Bung district, Chonburi province. They all came from the factory in Samut Sakhon and weighed about 6,720 tons. On the same day, another 1,034 tons were found in the warehouse of Sin Hong Cheng Inter Tech (2008) Co. Ltd., owned by Chinese national Zhang Chen Mao.

Officials have confiscated all waste and are preparing to urgently send it back to Tak Province within 7 days and bury it within 15 days to comply with environmental protection and mitigation measures and environmental quality monitoring measures.

The investigation against Mr. Zhang revealed that he had purchased 5,000 tons of cadmium waste from J&B Metal Co, Ltd. in Samut Sakhon province for 8,250 baht per ton, a total amount of 41 million baht. He planned to resell them to another Chinese man named Mr. Liu. Mr. Zhang claimed that he only received a small commission for the sale.

cadmium chinese1 — Police found another 1,034 tons of cadmium waste in the warehouse of Sin Hong Cheng Inter Tech (2008) Co. Ltd. owned by Chinese national Zhang Chen Mao.

The officers checked Mr. Zhang’s passport and found that his residence permit for the Kingdom had expired on February 26, 2019, more than five years ago. He was therefore charged with unlawful possession of a dangerous substance under the Dangerous Substances Act and residence of a foreigner in the Kingdom after the permit expired.

The defendant confessed to the charges and was brought before the Investigating Officer of Branch 5, Special Investigations Division for prosecution. A motion for detention will be presented to the court on Tuesday, April 9.

A background check on Mr. Zhang revealed that he has been living in Thailand since 1991. On May 29, 2013, he was charged with unlawful possession of a dangerous substance, namely lead sludge. The court later sentenced him to one year in prison and a fine of 120,000 baht. The defendant confessed to the charges and the court reduced the sentence to 6 months in prison and a fine of 60,000 baht with a 2-year suspended sentence.

Officials are in the process of tracking down the broker who introduced Mr. Zhang to J&B to locate other investors who may have purchased cadmium scrap from J&B in order to trace and fully recover it.

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Related coverage:

Missing Cadmium Waste Is Found in Chonburi’s Chinese Warehouse

QSNCC Launches Loyalty Program for Event Organizers Worldwide

By

Matichon Marketing

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April 8, 2024 4:29 pm

BANGKOK – The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) has leveraged cutting-edge technology to boost customer satisfaction with the launch of Loyalty Program, which will provide event organizers worldwide with a wide range of unrivalled benefits and lifestyle needs. The program seeks to set QSNCC apart by fostering further trust in its brand through word of mouth to expand its customer base.

QSNCC’s loyalty program operates on a web portal with a secure and convenient system for users and available both in Thai and English. Members can track their spending, reward points and status in real-time, as well as instantly redeem points earned without limit towards rewards and privileges. The system supports smartphones, tablets and laptops, allowing members to access it anywhere and anytime.

“Since its re-opening in 2022, QSNCC has continued to build up its credentials on its capacity to accommodate events of all kinds and all scales and it has been trusted by both local and international customers to organize many national and international events,” said Surapol Utintu, Chief Executive Officer of N.C.C. Management and Development Co., Ltd. the operator of QSNCC.

“Today we are deepening our relationships with our customers by connecting with them via a points collection system that offers a variety of privileges and value-added benefits to keep customers coming back when they seek for a perfect venue for their next event,” Surapol added.

Surapol Utintu scaled — Surapol Utintu, Chief Executive Officer of N.C.C. Management and Development Co., Ltd. the operator of QSNCC

The privileges will encompass all lifestyle needs, including rooms at partnering hotels, use of digital media and gift vouchers for services and restaurants at the convention center.

“The implementation of the Loyalty Program helps us create a more rewarding customer experience. This sets us apart and will lead to enhanced customer satisfaction, enriching our relationship with all our existing customers and attract new ones,” Surapol said.

The Loyalty Program is part of QSNCC’s key customer relationship management strategies. QSNCC continues to develop and create a variety of special benefits, search for new partners to enhance its service offerings, and listen to customer needs in order to deliver optimal customer experiences.

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Foreign Female Tourist Causes Trouble at Phuket Hotel in Rawai

By

Khaosod English

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April 8, 2024 2:09 pm

PHUKET – A hotel in Rawai, Phuket, Thailand, was forced to evict a foreign tourist after she caused a disturbance and disturbed other guests.

The tourist, a 30-year-old Ukrainian-born woman with Portuguese nationality named Nadiya, has a history of causing problems at the hotel. Recently, she threatened a cab driver with a knife and refused to pay the fare. The driver pressed charges and Nadiya was arrested.

After being released from court, Nadiya returned to the hotel in Rawai with her belongings and a small dog. She took over a sofa in the lobby and began sleeping, eating and smoking marijuana there.

Witnesses reported that Nadiya also refused to pay for a cab ride to the hotel and that she was seen entering other guests’ rooms and climbing onto their balconies. This behavior angered many guests, and some of them canceled their reservations.

portugese phuket3 — The Portuguese tourist threatened a cab driver with a knife and refused to pay the fare.

The hotel owner posted a message on social media asking for help, saying, “What can we do about this? We’ve already contacted the local police and the tourist police, but nothing has changed.”

On April 7, hotel staff gave Nadiya an ultimatum to leave the hotel. She left the hotel and spoke to a foreign man about her belongings, which the hotel had previously collected. Nadiya then asked the hotel staff for her belongings and left with the man.

Before leaving, Nadiya gave the hotel staff a phone number, claiming it was her brother’s number. She said, “If I’m not alive tomorrow, call my brother.” The staff are unsure whether Nadiya will return to the hotel and are asking the police to help resolve the situation.

portugese phuket2 — Miss Nadiya eventually left the hotel with a foreign man she had just met on April 7, 2024.

Myanmar Army in Myawaddy Asks Thailand to Shelter Its Officials

By

Khaosod English

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April 8, 2024 12:48 pm

BANGKOK – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed on Monday that he had given permission to a Myanmar plane that landed at Mae Sot Airport in Thailand’s Tak province at 10 p.m. Sunday. This plane was planned to carry an unarmed and unspecified number of civilians evacuated from the Burmese city of Myawaddy.

He added there were no soldiers or weapons onboard the flight as earlier reported by some Thai press. The people fled Myawaddy after it was overtaken by Karen National Union (KNU) and anti-junta forces.

The PM said all was done in accordance with the laws and he will discuss the situation in Myanmar with Foreign Ministry Panpree Pahittanukorn and military top brass tomorrow. Srettha said Thailand wishes to see peace in Myanmar but must be prepared as the kingdom shares over 2,000 kilometres of border with Myanmar.

srettha myanmar2 — Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gives an interview on April 7, 2024, to confirm a plane carrying an unarmed and unspecified number of civilians evacuated from Myawaddy to Tai Province.

The Myanmar opposition, which included soldiers from the Karen National Union (KNU) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF), has seized the largest Myanmar military camp in Myawaddy, including Myanmar soldiers’ tactical command at Ban Pang Kan, opposite Tha Sai Luat Subdistrict, Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand.

Civil servants from the Myanmar Military Administration Council, including Customs, Immigration, and other departments in Myawaddy Province, fled to Kogarek, which is Colonel Maung Chi Tu’s area.

Later, on April 7, the Myanmar government contacted the Thai government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting permission for the Myanmar military aircraft ATR 72-600 to land at the airport in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, as well as refuge for government officials who were waiting at the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge.

karen — The Myanmar military aircraft ATR 72-600 landed at the airport in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, on April 7, 2024. (Matichon Photo)

Jonathan Head, a BBC South East Asia correspondent, reported that the KNU announced on Friday that it had accepted the surrender of a battalion based in the town of Thanganyinaung, about 10km west of Myawaddy. It posted a video of its jubilant fighters showing off a substantial arsenal of weapons they had captured.

“This is a serious setback for the military junta, which in recent months has also been driven out of large areas along the Chinese border in Shan State and in Rakhine State near the border with Bangladesh.

Thousands of soldiers have already either been killed or have surrendered or defected to the opposition, forcing the military to impose conscription on the population to try to make up the losses,” he stated.

AP21310236860186 — Soldiers stand to provide security near a road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Feb. 1, 2021. Photo: AP

Previously, according to the Associated Press report on U.N. officials, Myanmar’s escalating conflict and worst violence since the military takeover in 2021 have had a devastating impact on human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the basic needs of millions of people, as well as “alarming spillover effects” in the region.

Assistant Secretary-General for political affairs Khaled Khiari told the U.N. Security Council that “the civilian toll keeps rising” amid reports of indiscriminate bombing by Myanmar’s armed forces and artillery shelling by various parties.

The nationwide armed conflict in Myanmar began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.

Thousands of young people fled to jungles and mountains in remote border areas as a result of the military’s suppression and made common cause with ethnic guerrilla forces battle-hardened by decades of combat with the army in pursuit of autonomy.

AP23130322624441 — FILE – Myanmar military officers leave the venue during a parade to commemorate Myanmar’s 78th Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

Despite its great advantage in armaments and manpower, the military has been unable to quell the resistance movement. Over the past five months, the army has been routed in northern Shan state, is conceding swaths of territory in Rakhine state in the west, and is under growing attack elsewhere.

Myanmar’s main pro-democracy resistance group said Thursday its armed wing launched drone attacks on the airport and a military headquarters in the capital, Naypyitaw, but the ruling military said it destroyed the drones as they attacked. It wasn’t possible to independently verify most details of the incident, but the military’s acknowledgement that it had taken place in one of the country’s most heavily guarded locations will be seen by many as the latest indication that it is losing the initiative.

AP24095584714335 — FILE – A resident drives motorbike to Naypyitaw International Airport as security police stand guard, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Myanmar’s main pro-democracy resistance group said Thursday, April 4, 2024, its armed wing launched drone attacks on the airport and a military headquarters in the capital, Naypyitaw, but the country’s ruling military said it destroyed or seized more than a dozen drones used in the attacks. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

The crisis continues to spill over the borders and added that conflicts in key border areas have weakened security, Khiari said. The breakdown in the rule of law has enabled illicit economies to thrive, with criminal networks preying on vulnerable people with no livelihoods.

“Myanmar has become a global epicenter of methamphetamine and opium production, along with a rapid expansion of global cyber-scam operations, particularly in border areas,” he said. “What began as a regional crime threat in Southeast Asia is now a rampant human trafficking and illicit trade crisis with global implications.”

Senior U.N. humanitarian official Lisa Doughten said the ongoing escalation has left 12.9 million people — nearly 25% of Myanmar’s population — without enough food, stressing that children and pregnant women face malnutrition.

“Across Myanmar, the humanitarian community estimates that some 18.6 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2024 — a nineteen-fold increase since February 2021,” she said.

Both Khiari and Doughten echoed U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for a unified international response to the escalating conflict, and for neighboring countries especially to use their influence to open humanitarian channels, end the violence, and seek a political solution.

Khiari said Guterres intends to appoint a new U.N. special envoy for Myanmar soon to engage with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and other key parties toward those goals.

Opinion: The Debate About the Appropriate Place for Thai Monarchy in the 21st Century Continues

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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April 7, 2024 1:00 pm

The heated clash of views on whether it is appropriate for Chulalongkorn University students to carry the university’s emblem, known as Phra Kiew coronet and a symbol bestowed to the university by King Rama VI in memory of his then late father, Rama V or King Chulalongkorn, on the roof of a golf cart during the parade of the Chula-Thammasat Varsity Football Match on March 31 is emblematic of the deep persistence debate about the appropriate place and role of the monarchy in the 21th century.

Royalists found it highly inappropriate, and offensive, to the Thai monarchy since the coronet is a symbol of Thai royals and traditionally worn by princes and princesses, while a golf cart is just a very informal vehicle fitted for, excuse the pun, a golf course and totally lacking in decorum. They read the act as an attempt to downgrade the role of the monarchy, if not mocking it.

Those who approve of the move meanwhile say it is just a symbol of a university and using an electric golf cart is in keeping with the change of time instead of having to have 50 or so students carrying the symbol of a palanquin like serfs or soldiers, just like how the royals would be carried when traveling until a century and a half ago.

Back to the royalist conservatives, or ultra-royalist side, one associate professor at Phramongkutklao College of Medicine posted on his Facebook earlier this week saying this batch of medical students from Chulalongkorn University need not apply to further their study with him as he found the move offensive.

The remark became big news in a climate where the mainstream media routinely censored themselves on anything mildly critical of the monarchy. At least they can report about the clash of opinions on how to treat a royal symbol without risk going to prison under the draconian royal defamation law.

The medical college soon intervened and instructed Assoc. Prof. Wipoo Kumnerdee to remove the post. The College’s PR Office also issued an apology to the public.

Two days after the March 31 parade, another royal-related debate was about to become public. This time it was Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the estranged son of His Majesty the King.

Vacharaesorn posted what seemed like a normal Birthday wish on Facebook to his aunt, Her Royal Highness Princess Sinrindhorn, who turns 69 on Tuesday, April 2. The thing which caught the eyes of some angry royalists is that Vacharaesorn chose a black and white photo of the princess in the message instead of a color photo.

Some royalists see it as highly inappropriate as black and white photos are normally used at funerals. (Truth be told, many funerals now use color photos of the deceased as well). That did not stop royalists from criticizing and attacking Vacharaesorn on Facebook to the point where the king’s estranged son, who’s now in Bangkok, had to change the photo of her aunt to a color one.

Vacharaesorn himself acknowledged that he has been attacked online by these royalists and defended himself in another Facebook post on Friday, April 5, that he has no malicious intention towards his own aunt. “I am innocent,” he wrote, adding he has to shut down the comment section on his Facebook anew.

It seems like good sense prevailed and the 42-year-old Vacharaesorn has since continued to allow for others to comment on his popular Facebook page, on other posts. The local media largely opted out from reporting about this issue, however, as they found it likely “too sensitive” to take the risk.

The two cases are just the tip of the iceberg on the on-going clash to arrive and an acceptable consensus for all sides on the role and place of the Thai monarchy in the 21st century – with many young Thais wanting a more relaxed, transparent, and less hierarchical monarchy and society, and the ultra-royalists, the opposite.

Despite, or due to the restriction under the lese majeste law, the clash of ideologies continues.

Mexico Is Breaking Diplomatic Ties With Ecuador After Police Stormed the Embassy in Quito

By

Associated Press

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April 7, 2024 1:03 am

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The Mexican president has quickly moved to break off diplomatic ties with Ecuador after police broke into the Mexican Embassy to arrest a former vice president who had sought political asylum there after being indicted on corruption charges.

In an extraordinarily unusual move, Ecuadorian police forced their way into the embassy in the capital, Quito, to arrest Jorge Glas, who had been residing there since December. Police broke through the external doors of the Mexican diplomatic headquarters in the Ecuadorian capital and entered the main patio to get Glas.

On Saturday, he was taken from the attorney general’s office to a detention facility in an armored vehicle followed by a convoy of military and police vehicles. People who had gathered outside the prosecutor’s office yelled “strength” as the vehicles began to move.

AP24097508117536 — Police and soldiers guard the detention center where former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas was held after police broke into the Mexican Embassy to arrest him in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, April 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

The raid prompted Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to announce the break of diplomatic relations with Ecuador Friday evening.

Glas has been convicted on bribery and corruption charges. Ecuadorian authorities are still investigating more allegations against him.

“This is not possible. It cannot be. This is crazy,” Roberto Canseco, head of the Mexican consular section in Quito, told local press while standing outside the embassy. “I am very worried because they could kill him. There is no basis to do this. This is totally outside the norm.”

Defending its decision, Ecuador’s presidency said in a statement: “Ecuador is a sovereign nation and we are not going to allow any criminal to stay free.”

López Obrador fired back, calling Glas’ detention an “authoritarian act” and “a flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Mexico.”

Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s secretary of foreign relations, posted on the social platform X that a number of diplomats suffered injuries during the break-in, adding that it violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

AP24097179430958 — Police break into the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, April 5, 2024. The raid took place hours after the Mexican government granted former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas political asylum. (AP Photo/David Bustillos)

Diplomatic premises are considered “inviolable” under the Vienna treaties and local law enforcement agencies are not allowed to enter without the permission of the ambassador. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange lived inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for seven years because British police could not enter to arrest him.

Bárcena said that Mexico would take the case to the International Court of Justice “to denounce Ecuador’s responsibility for violations of international law.” She also said Mexican diplomats were only waiting for the Ecuadorian government to offer the necessary guarantees for their return home.

Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry and Ecuador’s Ministry of the Interior did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Mexican Embassy in Quito remained under heavy police guard late Friday.

A day earlier, tensions between the two countries escalated after Mexico’s president made statements that Ecuador considered “very unfortunate” about last year’s election, won by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.

In reaction, the Ecuadorian government declared the Mexican ambassador persona non grata.

AP24097164608195 — Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa waves upon his arrival with his wife Lavinia Valbonesi to Carondelet presidential palace in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, April 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Missing Cadmium Waste Is Found in Chonburi’s Chinese Warehouse

By

Khaosod English

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April 7, 2024 12:26 am

The police officers discovered and seized large bags containing cadmium waste in the factory area's warehouse in Chonburi province on April 6, 2024.

CHONBURI – On April 6, Chonburi Provincial Police officers and police officers of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division discovered and seized large bags containing cadmium waste from a factory in Samut Sakhon in the factory area’s warehouse in Khlong Kiew Subdistrict, Ban Bueng District, Chonburi province. There were 4,200 bags, with an estimated total weight of 6,720 tons.

Later, Mr. Liu Lu, a 38-year-old Chinese warehouse owner, was detained and questioned at the Khlong Kiew Police Station. Mr. Liu confirmed that he purchased all of Mr. Zhang’s cadmium waste and is waiting for distribution.

Cadmium2 — Mr. Liu, a 38-year-old Chinese warehouse owner arrives at the Khlong Kiew Police Station to be questioned on April 6, 2024.

The cadmium waste was firstly discovered on April 3 inside 100 bags at a warehouse in Samut Sakhon Province and believed to have been illegally transported 13,450 tonnes from Tak province which border on Myanmar. The area has been declared a disaster zone.

Samut Sakhon governor Phon Damtham on April 4 ordered a factory to send back within 7 days a large quantity of the waste back to Tak province and properly dispose of it in accordance with established procedures. Initially, Samut Sakhon Province has yet to find anyone harmed.

However, according to the Thai PR Government, this situation has raised serious environmental and health concerns, with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) pointing out the dangers posed by the cadmium waste. Stored in large bags susceptible to producing dust, this form of waste increases the risk of soil and water contamination.

Cadmium1 — The cadmium waste was firstly discovered on April 3, 2024 inside 100 bags at a warehouse in Samut Sakhon Province.

Health and environmental experts have warned of the severe risks associated with cadmium exposure, which can potentially lead to cancer through the consumption of contaminated food or air. As a precautionary measure, the Samut Sakhon governor has imposed a 90-day access ban on the factory and its surrounding area.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday ordered Minister of Industry Pimpatra Wichaikul to personally inspect the warehouse in Samut Sakhon to speedily oversee the handling of cadmium waste there.

“I have instructed the Minister of Industry to ensure measures controlling dangerous substance so it won’t happen again,” the PM said.

Minister of Industry Pimpatra announced on Saturday cadmium waste that were discovered in Samut Sakhon Province were just total 2,440 tons but 10,000 tons remained unaccounted for. Following that, the Department of Industrial Works’ speeded-up searching the waste until they found them in Chonburi Province.

cadmium4 — The authorities inspected the cadmium waste inside 100 bags at a warehouse in Samut Sakhon Province on April 4, 2024.

Cadmium (Cd) is a soft, pliable, blue-white metal found in zinc ores and, to a lesser extent, in greenockite. Nowadays, zinc byproducts and wasted nickel-cadmium batteries provide the majority of the cadmium production.

Rain or water exposure will cause cadmium waste to seep into the earth and transform into a carcinogen, a substance known to cause cancer. People who ate or inhaled contaminated food would suffer long-term health consequences.

The Tak Provincial Industry Office has since defended its actions, stating that the transport of the tailings was conducted in accordance with Department of Industrial Works regulations and that the Samut Sakhon factory operates under a valid license.

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