Daily news from Thailand

[ant]

 ανοιγει υποκαταστημα του υπουργειου εξωτερικων στο phuket στους επομενους 3-4 μηνες αυτο θα συμβαλει στην καλυτερη εξυπηρετηση των ξενων τουριστων οποτε οποιος θελει ν παντρευτει το τι λακ του δε θα χρειαζετε ν τρεχει σ bkk γατοι η ταυλανδοι

[Louis de Funès]

Φιλε που το εμαθες? Για δωσε λεπτομερειες...Τι εννοεις υποκαταστημα του υπ εξωτερικων? Μηπως εννοεις ελληνικο προξενειο?

[ant]

εχει αρθρο η εφημεριδα phuket gazette υ.εξ.ταυλανδης

[Louis de Funès]

http://www.phuketgazette.net/dailynews/index.asp?id=7075

[thailandgr]

Ladda Tammy Duckworth the Thai-American war veteran and politician's profile is nominated
as assistant secretary of veterans' affairs in President Barack Obama new administration

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth
http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/

[thailandgr]

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono greets Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya (L)
at the presidential palace in Jakarta February 11, 2009.
Thailand is willing to discuss the issue of the Rohingya migrants in top regional meetings
this month and next, Piromya told reporters on Wednesday.

[thailandgr]

Farmers and traditional medicine experts have reacted angrily to the listing of 13 widely used herbal plants
as hazardous substances, suggesting there is a hidden agenda that favours chemical companies.

The Industry Ministry listed the 13 plants as hazardous substances to control production
and commercialisation.

The plants are widely used among farmers as alternatives for expensive and toxic farm chemicals,
pesticides and herbicides.

The announcement on listing the plants as "hazardous substances type 1" under the 1992
Hazardous Substances Act was approved by Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang last month.
It took effect on Feb 3.

Proposed by the Department of Agriculture, which is a member of the hazardous substances committee,
the announcement requires growers, manufacturers, importers and exporters of pesticides,
herbicides and plant disease control substances made from the 13 herbal plants to follow safety and
quality control regulations issued by the committee.
Otherwise they will face six months in jail and/or a fine of 50,000 baht.

Farmer advocates yesterday said putting the herbal plants on the controlled list would hurt growers as
they could no longer produce, trade and use botanical pesticides and herbicides freely.



Farmers and producers of the organic substances might have to pay more for registration,
packaging and testing as required by the law, said Witoon Lianchamroon, of Biothai,
a non-government organisation working on organic farming.
He suspected the motive behind the listing.

Multinational chemical companies are expected to benefit once production and commercialisation
of the alternative substances is curbed, he said.
Large numbers of farmers have switched recently from imported chemicals to botanical
substances as they are much cheaper and safer, he said.
"Instead of tightening controls on these farmer-friendly herbal plants, the committee should crack down
on multinational companies who exploit Thai farmers by luring them into buying their
highly toxic and costly products," Mr Witoon said.
Tussanee Verakan, coordinator of the Alternative Agriculture Network, said the committee produced
the list in secret without consulting farmers who would be the hardest-hit.
"The government keeps promoting organic farming and reduction of chemical use," she said.
"Why did they put such heavy restrictions on organic substances which are the heart of organic farming?"
Department deputy chief Jirakorn Kosaisevi insisted the listing was aimed at protecting benefits for farmers.

"The announcement is not intended to protect chemical producers," Mr Jirakorn said.
"These botanical pesticides are widely used and traded. They should be controlled to ensure they are up to standard."
The new regulation would help promote herbal products, he said.

Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine deputy director-general
Prapot Paetrakas said the 13 plants were core materials in herbal medicines.
Controlling their manufacture and trade could affect the herbal medicine industry, he said.
The department will discuss the issue with legal experts and others on Friday

[thailandgr]

By: Sanitsuda Ekachai
Bangkok Post
Published: 12/02/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

May we know their names? May we ask, who are the people that are trying to kill not only
organic farming and herbal medicine in Thailand, but Thai food itself?
We simply cannot let them get away with murder by hiding themselves behind the faceless
entity of the Committee on Hazardous Substances, which has issued an outrageous regulation
that labels our common herbs as "toxic substances". So the neem, fragrant lemongrass, ginger,
galangal, turmeric, Chinese celery and chilli - all have suddenly become toxic substances.
Are they crazy?
Most probably not, because this announcement has the fingerprints of agro-chemical multinational
corporations all over it.
Four decades after the Green Revolution which introduced heavy use of farm chemicals to increase
productivity, it has become recognised wordwide how dangerous these chemicals are to our earth.
Apart from killing the soil and contaminating the waterways as well as underground water,
the toxic residues permanently stay in the natural environment, causing great damage throughout
the entire food chain.
While over-exposure to toxic chemical pesticides has killed countless farmers, the dangerous residues
are also believed to be one of the most important environmental causes for the dramatic rise in cancer worldwide.
Thailand is among the heaviest users of toxic farm chemicals in Southeast Asia.
And probably the most reckless.
Research shows that about 70 per cent of chemical pesticides used in Thailand are not allowed in the West.
They are also categorised by the World Health Organisation as highly hazardous, if not extremely hazardous.
In just two decades, Thailand's use of chemical fertiliser has increased four-fold and chemical pesticides six-fold.
As a result, 81 per cent of all reservoir water is contaminated with DDT and other toxic substances,
17% of farmers have pesticides in their bloodstream, and nearly all fruit samples have residuals higher
than safety standards, according to a study in 1994.
In the period 1988-93, pesticide-related illnesses also increased 17-fold.
Given these statistics, the past decade has seen the growth of farmers' and consumers' green movements
to reduce the use of toxic farm chemicals and to promote organic farming.
For the farmers, apart from a desire to restore their soil and their health, they have also realised that the
extremely expensive farm chemicals are the reason why they cannot make ends meet.
Hence their return to folk knowledge, to switch to herbal pesticides by using a variety of indigenous plants
to get rid of dangerous pests while keeping the good insects safe.
From individual use of herbal pesticides, the growing market for organic produce has led to commercial production
of herbal pesticides as a cottage industry in many locales.
Guess who is most unhappy about this?
For the agro-chemical giants, their challenge is how to stop this green pest-control trend.
No matter what the Committee on Hazardous Substances says, there is something fishy in its
regulation against 13 medicinal plants.
As if to avoid a storm of criticism - since these herbs are commonly used as food ingredients
and herbal medicine - the announcement says these medicinal plants are only toxic when used as pesticides!
We must not only find out the "why's" of this silly logic, but the "who" that will benefit from it.
Organic farming is already in the country's national development plan. How can this be carried out
when herbal pesticides are branded hazardous?
Apart from bullying organic farming, this crazy regulation also threatens Thai herbal medicine
which is crucial in our country's primary healthcare and medical self-reliance.
Those who enjoy Thai food might also think twice when common herbs in Thai kitchens
are branded hazardous - subsequently harming the export of Thai food products.
This regulation is far too toxic for the country's health to accept.
Getting rid of it is not enough.
We must review the closed system of state regulations and make it open to all stakeholders.
Otherwise, we will see no end to these crazy rules and regulations that serve only big business.




http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/11465/a-regulation-hazardous-to-the-health-of-our-country

[thailandgr]

Dusit Zoo shows grey Eastern Sarus Cranes, which are one of 15 protected animals.
The birds, which are known for sticking with a single mate for life, will be introduced to public on Feb 14,
which is Valentine's Day

The grey Eastern Sarus Cranes are known for sticking with a single mate for life.
"This bird will never abandon its better half," Sophon Dumnui, Zoological Park Organisation (ZPO) director,
said yesterday. "
They never cheat on their lovers."

A pair of grey Eastern Sarus Cranes from Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo is now roosting at Dusit Zoo.
"The pair will remain here for three months to mark the Season of Love," Sophon said.
 The Eastern Sarus Cranes are a protected species in Thailand. 

[thailandgr]

CHIANG MAI, Feb15 (TNA) – Some residents of Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai are on 24-hour security alert
for forest fires as more than 100 blazes have occurred in the first 45 days of this year, according to a senior
provincial forest fire control official.

Chiang Mai's Forest Fire Control Operation Division chief Surapol Leelavaropas said that from the beginning of the year,
111 forest fires already occurred, most of which believed to have been fires set by villagers who believe that the burning
and subsequent ash will stimulate wild mushroom growth and nourish a better crop for a higher yield.

According to Mr. Surapol, 240 acres of Chiang Mai forest and woodlands have been burned within the past month and a half,
mostly in Hang Dong and Hot districts. Wildfires have also caused smog and polluted air over the province during recent days.

Meanwhile, Hmong ethnic people living in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park area have carved out a 20-kilometre long
forest fireguards around their village. They also set up 13 patrol groups to monitor possible forest fires around the clock.

The authorities are also raising awareness among the Hmong and other local residents in the mountains of the danger
of forest fires, in an attempt to prevent further manmade fires being set off.

enews.mcot.net

[Louis de Funès]

Συνηθισμενο φαινομενο στην Τσιανγκ Μαι τετοια εποχη το νεφος απο τις "ελεγχομενες πυρκαγιες" για  προετοιμασια των εδαφων προς καλλιεργεια. Δυστυχως το νεφος παγιδευεται απο τους γειτονικους λοφους και παραμενει εκει μεχρι τις πρωτες βροχες. Φεβρουαριος και Μαρτιος ειναι οι χειροτεροι μηνες για επισκεψη οχι μονο στην Τσιανγκ Μαι αλλα και σε αρκετα αλλα μερη της βορειας Ταυλανδης που συνηθιζεται η καυση.

[thailandgr]

This handout picture released on February 14, 2009 by Trang Chamber of Commerce shows
a Thai couple shows their marriage certificate during an underwater wedding in Trang province
on February 14, 2009.
Underwater wedding was held as part of the celebration of Valentine's Day in Thailand.

[labiko]

πωπω .... πριν λιγο γυρισα απο την βαρκιζα εκανα ενα μπανιο...
αρα το μονο που μου λειπει ειναι η γυναικα (να αντεχει το κρυο) και το πιστοποιητικο γαμου... χιχιχιχ
 

[thailandgr]

A Thai soldier demonstrates of how to catch cobra to U.S. Marines during a jungle survival training
at the 2009 Cobra Gold military exercise in Chonburi province, southeastern Thailand.
The two-week annual joint exercise involving nearly 12,000 soldiers from Thailand, the United States,
Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia, taking part in land, sea and air drill, is considered the largest
military operations in the Southeast Asia region. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)



A U.S. Marine drinks cobra's blood during a jungle survival exercise with Thai Marines as part
of "Cobra Gold 09" in Chonburi province. (REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang)

[thailandgr]

Briton takes life by hanging
                   
PATONG, PHUKET: Kathu Police are treating the death of a British man found in a
Patong guesthouse early Thursday morning as a suicide.

Kathu Police Duty Officer Jongserm Preecha identified the deceased as 36-year-old
Robert William Hilton.

The death was reported to Kathu Police at around 4 am by his girlfriend, 30-year-old
Srisaket native Sommai Deejai.

When police including Kathu Police Superintendent Grissak Songmoonnark arrived at the scene,
a room on the third floor of the Baan Siam Guesthouse on Soi Banzaan, they found Mr Hilton
dead from asphyxiation.

They estimated he had been dead for around three hours. There were no signs of foul play,
police said.

Mr Hilton’s body was sent to Patong Hospital by rescue workers.

Ms Deejai told police that she, Mr Hilton and a group of friends had been out enjoying the
nightlife on Soi Bangla earlier that evening when Mr Hilton left the group.

When she returned, she found his body suspended by the neck from the bathroom doorknob,
dressed only in black underwear.

Mr Hilton had used a red dog leash to take his own life, according to the report.

Ms Deejai quickly cut him down with scissors, but it was too late, she said.

“I admit we had been arguing with him, but not violently. I don’t know what was really bothering
him because he didn’t tell me,” she said.

Guesthouse owner Faneh Porter told the Gazette that Mr Hilton and Ms Deejai checked into
the hotel on January 24. He was happy and talkative during his stay, she said.

Mrs Porter confirmed that the couple were legally married. Although she did not know about
Mr Hilton’s mental state leading up to the apparent suicide, she thought it might have been related
to financial problems.

Mr Hilton’s death has already been reported to the British Embassy in Bangkok, who have notified
his next of kin, the Gazette has confirmed.

Phuket Gazette

Andaman News Tuesday 17 Feb

1: Governments relief measures for unemployed are to be introduced soon.
.
2: Patong Hospital is promised more doctors in April.
.
3: As the dry season is with us now, lets check out the water supply situation which
Phuket Irrigation confirms there is sufficient water.
.
4: TAT director in Phuket sees the Taiwanese wedding in Phuket as value added for visitors
while TAT Taipei office aims to promote Phuket as a honeymoon destination.
.
5: Phuket welcomed more charter flights from Italy.
..
6: & finally in local news, More trees added to mangrove in Paklok.

YouTube - Andaman News Tuesday 17 Feb: 6 items

Interview Toey & Juliet at Soi Dog clinic Phuket

YouTube - Interview Toey & Juliet at Soi Dog clinic Phuket

Phuket ready for ASEAN meeting

Phuket Governor Preecha Ruangjan affirms Phukets readiness to host the special Association
of South East Asian Nations or ASEAN plus 3 other Finance Ministers meeting during February 21-22nd.
The meeting will take place at Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket.
Saying that Phukets experience in handling many international meetings ensures that it is ready to
welcome the VIP participants of the meeting, in terms of accommodation, facilities, communications
and safety measures. Mr. Preecha welcomes the meeting hoping that it would help boost Phuket
tourism in the short and long term.
The special meeting of ASEAN plus 3 Finance Ministers will be a platform for South East Asian nations
ministers plus 3 other countries, namely China, Japan and Republic of Korea to discuss and encourage
greater financial cooperation in handling the global financial crisis. The meeting will also be attended by
the ASEAN Secretary-General and the president of the Asian Development Bank.
The conclusion will be presented to the ASEAN summit to be held at Prachuap Kirikan at the end of
the month (February 27-March 1).

YouTube - Phuket ready for ASEAN meeting