PM assures priority on tackling women’s problems
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has today (March 8) affirmed the government’s priority being stressed on solving women’s problems including elevating their roles in Thai society.
On Sunday, March 8, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva addressed the government’s stance on dealing with women’s problems during the weekly “Having Confidence in Thailand with PM Abhisit” program on the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) channel as the date is marked as International Women’s Day. He admitted that Thai women still today remain inferior in society and are vulnerable to unrelenting abuses.
Therefore, Mr. Abhisit firmly stated that the government has put its utmost attention on tackling the issue and is preparing to adjust various regulations for an enhanced protection of women. He added that higher participation from women would be encouraged at all levels of administration in order to create true gender equality as well as to utilize the individuals’ abilities for propelling the nation forward.
In addition, the premier pleaded for cooperation from the media to exercise caution when presenting information pertaining to violence against women and also to promote positive attitude towards them.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
Sunday, March 08, 2009
PM assures priority on tackling women’s problems
Airport shift protested
Airport shift protested
Don Mueang residents and demonstrators rally in protest of the move of Thai Airways International's flights from Don Mueang Airport, requesting the government to revise its plan and hold a referendum.
Don Mueang residents and representatives from State Enterprises Workers Relations Confederation (SERC) gathered in front of domestic terminal of Don Mueang Airport, calling for the Government to revise its plan to move THAI flights from Don Mueang Airport back to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The airport shift is the result of the Government’s single airport policy, allowing flights to be operated solely at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Protesters pointed out negative effects from the airport shift, which include immediate unemployment of staff and entrepreneurs working in Don Mueang Airport as well as residents dwelling near the airport.
Mr Pruekpong Premsiri, a former Don Mueang member of Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) said that the gathering was to request the Government to hold a public hearing through public discussions. Then, people will have opportunities to express their opinions towards the move while the Government will be able to use the referendum as a part of decision-making process.
Today, the protesters collected names of people disagreeing with the policy. Then, the names and the objection will be submitted to Transport Minister Sopon Zarum to postpone the airport shift.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
UNESCO, Southern Municipal Leagues to host seminar to eliminate discrimination in the society
UNESCO, Southern Municipal Leagues to host seminar to eliminate discrimination in the society
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Southern Municipal League will host an academic seminar to strengthen community and eliminate discrimination in the society.
Mayor of Thakham Sub District, Surat Thani Province Thanongsak Thaweethong, revealed that an academic seminar on the topic of ‘Strengthening the Community and Eliminating Discrimination in Asia and the Pacific Region’ would be organized on 9 March 2009 at Diamond Plaza Hotel, Surat Thani province.
The seminar is organized by UNESCO, the National Municipal League of Thailand and the National Municipal League of Southern Thailand.
The seminar is meant as an academic forum of discussion and opinion exchanges in economic, social, cultural and other aspects. In addition, the seminar is to develop and seek for strengths in forming policies to be used as a role model for future operation.
The model will help strengthen the community and eliminate discrimination to achieve a harmonious coexistence in the society.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
PMO Minister visited people in Sukhothai
PMO Minister visited people in Sukhothai
Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Virachai Virameteekul today (March 8) visited Sukhothai to acknowledge the needs and problems of people and to confirm government assistance.
Mr. Virachai joined Sukhothai Governor and government officials to visit and listen to problems of Sukhothai people. The government had policies dealing with tourism promotion, drought, and village fund of Sukhothai province.
Moreover the Minister visited the village fund office of Tambon Ban San in Si Samrong District and the drought-stricken area of Tambon Na Khunkrai.
Mr.Virachai said the biggest problem to be urgently solved in Sukhothai was drought. People lacked water for agriculture. He affirmed that the government knew the problems and was ready to help.
As for tourism, he thought that the project to renovate ancient ruins called Inlet-Outlet Development was good and he would bring the proposition to discuss further in the Cabinet’s meeting.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
3rd Army Support Command help drought-affected people
3rd Army Support Command help drought-affected people
The 3rd Army Support Command is ready to provide assistance to drought-affected people in Phitsanulok Province.
Commander of the 3rd Army Support Command Major General Wichean Chaiyapakorn revealed that his force stood ready to provide assistance to people facing water shortage.
To support local administration agencies in Phitsanulok, the 3rd ASC has set water tankers and officers available to help people round the clock. Drought-stricken people who need help can contact 3rd Army Support Command at 085-524-2851 and 085-525- 8455.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
DSI believes ID counterfeit gang collaborated by government officials
DSI believes ID counterfeit gang collaborated by government officials
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announces its arrest of identification card (ID) counterfeiters and the case will be investigated, while government officials are believed to be involved with the case.
Deputy Director-General of DSI Police Colonel Suchart Wongananchai announced the arrest of ID card counterfeiters in Nakhon Phanom, which was used to benefit financially, while government officials are suspected as collaborators.
DSI issued arrest warrant of five suspects who were related to the case on charges of making, using or showing the counterfeit document for putting their own names or other people’s name in the house registration certificate illegally.
Currently three suspects had been arrested, Tun or Mr.Weera Pakdee a Myanmar citizen disguised as a Buddhist monk for immigrating and then counterfeiting an ID card, Mr.Phonsri Sornphang and Mrs.Duangjai Lehkon who counterfeit ID card for aliens, charging them at 100,000 baht per person.
DSU Deputy Chief added that according to an investigation, there were more than 300 aliens with counterfeited ID cards, which was considered high, compared to the number of arrested suspects, therefore the gang should be quite large and government officials might have collaborated in the case.
However he said that disguising as a Buddhist monk for entering the country was a sensitive case, which might affect national security and Buddhism, therefore DSI would accelerate the investigation and promptly arrest the rest of the gang.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
Thai national artist invents first fiber glass-music instrument in the world
Thai national artist invents first fiber glass-music instrument in the world
Thai National Artist Manop Kaewbucha has invented Thai traditional music instrument, xylophone and gong made of fiber glass, as the world first such inventions, which help to reduce the use of natural materials and keeping the production prices down.
Mr. Manop, a National Artist in Sculpture 2006 said that in the past Thai traditional music instruments mostly were made of wood. At present, forest resources had decreased, therefore he had an idea to use fiber glass for the instruments in the place of wood.
The material used is a mixture of polyester resin and fiber glass, resulting in a strong, flexible, weatherproof, chemical substance-proof and light material, comparable to a reinforced concrete. It differs from plastic and is much cheaper than wood, therefore it would help popularize the Thai traditional music instrument more widely.
Such gong and xylophone made of fiber glass, had been invented for the first time in the world.
Permanent Secretary for Culture Weera Rojphotjanarat said that the invention was a good beginning to promote Thai classical music among Thai children and people. The Culture Ministry therefore fully support the use of fiber glass in the production of Thai traditional musical instruments. Moreover. it would help create jobs for artists and lower prices of musical instruments as well.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
Schools in Surin help reduce global warming
Schools in Surin help reduce global warming
Over 300 schools in Surin Province in the Northeast had their students grow trees to reduce global warming effects.
Surin Governor Pramote Sajjarak lauded Surin Educational Service Area Office and 300 schools under it which created an activity encouraging students to grow trees in the schools and public places, with each responsible for one tree, to help reduce global warming effects. Mr. Pramote said it was an admirable project and he wanted to see all schools in Surin initiate good projects such as this one.
He added that there were many ways to help reduce global warming such as growing trees in front of houses as one tree could absorb a ton of carbon dioxide throughout its life. Other means include the growing of bamboos as fences and the reduction of the use of plastic bags.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
90 per cen of Buri Ram SSO members registers to get 2000-baht allowance
90 per cen of Buri Ram SSO members registers to get 2000-baht allowance
90 per cent of Social Security Office (SSO) members in Buri Ram, who are qualified to receive the benefit, had registered to receive the 2000-baht allowance, while Buri Ram SSO accelerates the transfer of information to the headquarters in order to pay check before Songkran Festival.
Buri Ram SSO Chief Kalaya Phonwiset said that as of March 5, there were 31,000 SSO members or about 90 per cent of 32,814 SSO members, whose incomes were lower than 15,000 baht a month, had registered to receive the 2,000-baht allowance.
The office had sent the information to the headquarters already in order to be able to hand out checks to SSO members before Songkran Festival.
For workers who have not registered yet, the office is speeding up the calls for them to register as soon as possible.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009
PM receives WWUG’s request to help women workers
PM receives WWUG’s request to help women workers
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva accepted requests from the Women Workers’ Unity Group, promising to help create nurseries and solve social security funds’ problems.
A group of ‘Women Workers’ Unity Group’ (WWUG) demonstrators had rallied from in front of the Office of the United Nations on Ratchadamneon Nok Road to the Government House to mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.
Ms Plernpit Srisiri, the WWUG leader had filed a request to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, asking the Government to set up more nurseries in industrial areas and renovate the existing ones to suit the needs of users as government welfare.
He said the ratio of women taking part in the management of nurseries must also be clearly and fairly stated in the law.
Furthermore, the group asked the Government to make the International Women’s Day as an official public holiday too.
After receiving the request, Prime Minister Abhisit admitted that abuse and the use of violence against women workers are always one of the prime issues of the Government.
Mr.Abhisit said that apart from law enforcement, another priority would be to create a proper attitude towards women workers. The media would be an important player in this respect. Still, the premier confessed that it might be difficult to solve labor problem during the current economic slump.
The Prime Minister confirmed the creation of more nurseries and said tax privileges would be granted for such nurseries.
Regarding the requests for social securities, the Prime Minister said that the Government had strong intention to reform the social security funds and would try to cover unregistered workers outside the system.
The Government aims to give all kinds of workers equal rights to the social security funds. Anyway, Mr Abhisit said that the amendment of the law and procedures involved would be taken into consideration.
Meanwhile, the Labor Congress of Thailand (LCT) staged a demonstration and made speeches at gate 4 of the Government House. The group also submitted a request to the Government to oversee compensation to unemployed people and to extend the unemployment period guarantee from eight to twelve months.
LCT also called for justice for workers, especially women workers who are affected by the economic slump and become unemployed according to the section 75 of the Labor Protection Act.
National News Bureau of Thailand
08 March 2009