<h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">Thailand's LGBT + community is eager for the passage of the Civil Partnership bill&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/UemC9GMCH_1610120800449.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/UemC9GMCH_1610120800449.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 4000px;">&nbsp;Recognised as one of the world’s friendliest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) destinations, Thailand should be proud of its gender diversity. Indeed, members of the LBGT+ community are not only well accepted within Thai societies, but are also recognised as talented and creative people in just about every field; whether as entrepreneurs, lawyers, filmmakers, singers, models, actors, journalists, athletes and politicians, with one even competing as a candidate for Prime Minister during the last election in 2019.Despite a delay in promulgating the Civil Partnership bill, Thailand is among the most forward looking societies in the world when it comes to equality for LGBT+ individuals. There is a growing popularity and appetite for LGBT- themed dramas – the so-called ‘Y-series’ – among young viewers of all genders. In terms of night life, the gay-friendly nightspot&nbsp;Silom Soi 4 has long been and still is a magnet for Thai and expat LGBT night owls. Thai society’ has always been open and accepting of the LGBTQ community who are seen as important contributors to the colourful and diverse scene in our contemporary culture.&nbsp;<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/nBnqCs4v5_1610121152370.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/nBnqCs4v5_1610121152370.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 700px;">2Gether The Series; One of the most successful Y Series in 2020&nbsp;From a legal standpoint, Thailand made major progress in July 2020, when the cabinet approved a civil partnership bill that would legalise same-sex marriages, granting them the same legal rights as other married couples. The bill is just pending the final nod from the parliament but if this passes and the law is enacted, Thailand will be the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions.In recent years, LGBT+ rights issues have been actively advocated by both government and opposition parties including the conservative Democrats, and liberal Move Forward and centre-left Kla parties. All agree in principle on the importance of equal rights for the LGBT+ community, and they also see an urgency to push for gender equality.&nbsp;<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/VClyNvkmd_1610121290064.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/VClyNvkmd_1610121290064.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 700px;">Pauline Ngarmpring &nbsp;(Photo Credit: IG Pauline Ngarmpring)&nbsp;</div>“In Thailand, conservative parties are not necessarily conservative in all aspects,”&nbsp;said Pauline Ngarmpring, a transgender politician.Pauline, who was a Prime Minister candidate for Mahachon Party in 2019, is living evidence that Thai politicians embrace the idea of gender diversity otherwise she would not have made it as the face of her party and become the second candidate for PM who openly campaigned as a transgender in the election race. Although she didn’t win, her candidature made an impact and put LGBT issues prominently in the spotlight. <h2 style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;Attempts to end discrimination&nbsp;</h2>Although Thailand is generally progressive on LGBT issues, barriers to achieving full equality in terms of legislation remain. LGBT+ people are very visible in Thai society and while sex reassignment surgery by qualified specialists are renowned worldwide, the country still has a lot of work to do on the legal front.However, the issue is recognised and being addressed, and the response has been positive. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has made efforts to increase the rights and freedom for the LGBT community and in July 2020, under the leadership of Juti Krailerk, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, 39 government agencies and private companies including education institutions jointly inked an MoU to reaffirm their commitments to prevent gender discrimination. Under the agreement, the parties will strictly follow the guidelines of the Thai Gender Equality Act to create work, education environments or opportunities that are indiscriminative and accessible to all. Under the MoU, they will:&nbsp;<ul type="disc"><li>Allow students or employees to dress according to their sexual orientation;&nbsp;</li><li>Provide public space that is safe and friendly for the LGBT community;&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure that job applications and candidate selections focus on ability and qualifications rather than gender;</li><li>Ensure use of words, gestures and documents that are appropriate for all gender identities, that do not stigmatise or label any gender that could lead to bullying or discrimination;</li><li>Be non-discriminate in the promotion and selection process of persons holding any positions in any agency, taking account of ability rather than gender;</li><li>Prevent harassment or sexual harassment in the workplace;</li></ul>&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;Authorities will continue to fine tune and update the MoU to address gender inequality to its core.&nbsp;</h2>The MoU demonstrates the determination of government in providing equal rights to all according to the intent of the Gender Equality Act BE 2558. As a result, society has responded with progressive changes, the LGBT+ community are able to dress according to their desired gender at universities and workplaces. A number of universities also allow LGBT+ students to dress according to their preferred orientation in classes and at the commencement ceremonies.&nbsp;Thailand’s Parliament also embraces members of LGBT+ community who enjoy equal footing in terms of status with other lawmakers. Some of them also don outfits of their preferred gender identity to the Parliament.&nbsp;LGBT+ members used to find it hard to get jobs outside a handful of fields such as tourism, entertainment and the media. Some still face prejudice and even abuse, prompting them to hide their sexual orientation at work. The MoU, the signatories to which include major Thai conglomerates Charoen Pokphand (CP), SCG, PTT Plc, Saha Pattana Piboon Plc, Krungsri Consumer Plc, Central Group and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and leading institutions Thammasat and Naresuan universities, will pave the way to more progressive changes and acceptance of LGBTQ issues in the general society.&nbsp;“The issue of gender diversity matters and therefore everyone in society should be entitled to stand with dignity in society regardless of their sexual orientation. My wish is to see the gender quality become a norm in society,” said Juti<h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">Legislation on Same-Sex Couples &nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>The passage of pro-rights bills pertaining to civil partnerships of same-sex couples has promoted greater rights for those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in Thailand.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/FlSm0F2OL_1610122240181.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/FlSm0F2OL_1610122240181.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;">The current civil partnership draft bill, proposed by the government, covers the registration and termination of partnerships between same-sex couples and the rules for property sharing, adoption and inheritance. However, the bill doesn’t yet fully grant rights in some areas, such as changing sexual identity, tax allowance and government-related benefits as a couple before the law. They involve amendments to other laws and will thus need to be done step-by-step. But since the draft law has already been proposed, the government should now only look to moving forward and continue to close gaps in the regulations in the future. “There is no going back”, according to Nareeluc Pairchaiyapoom, Director of the International Human Rights Division at the Ministry of Justice.&nbsp;<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/ZjBmCARS6_1610122269705.png" style="width: 400px;" class="fr-fic fr-rounded fr-dib"><span style='color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: "Bai Jamjuree"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>Dtac CEO Sharad Mehrotra&nbsp;&nbsp;<hr>Although the law has not yet provided a guarantee of full rights for LGBT+ couples, some companies have moved forward in assuring these for their own employees. In line with the employment policy of its Scandinavian parent company, telecom giant Dtac not only accepts and promotes gender diversity but also provides them with a non-discriminatory working environment. At the moment, Dtac is also working towards providing same-sex marriage welfare to their LGBT+ staff with common marriage rights, said Dtac CEO Sharad Mehrotra.</div></div><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><hr>&nbsp;</div>The country’s progress in the Civil Partnership bill for LGBT+ people is truly a huge step forward to ensuring LGBTQ rights and equality in Thailand. It’s only a matter of time for the passage of the bill that will grant them equal civil partnership rights and gender recognition in terms of legislation. When that comes, they can really claim the freedom and equal rights they so wholeheartedly deserve.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/knkVZID5__1610122577510.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/knkVZID5__1610122577510.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;">&nbsp;

Thailand's LGBT + community is eager for the passage of the Civil Partnership bill&nbsp;&nbsp;Recognised as one of the world’s friendliest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) destinations, Thailand should be proud of its gender diversity. Indeed, members of the LBGT+ community are not only well accepted within Thai societies, but are also recognised as talented and creative people in just about every field; whether as entrepreneurs, lawyers, filmmakers, singers, models, actors, journalists, athletes and politicians, with one even competing as a candidate for Prime Minister during the last election in 2019.Despite a delay in promulgating the Civil Partnership bill, Thailand is among the most forward looking societies in the world when it comes to equality for LGBT+ individuals. There is a growing popularity and appetite for LGBT- themed dramas – the so-called ‘Y-series’ – among young viewers of all genders. In terms of night life, the gay-friendly nightspot&nbsp;Silom Soi 4 has long been and still is a magnet for Thai and expat LGBT night owls. Thai society’ has always been open and accepting of the LGBTQ community who are seen as important contributors to the colourful and diverse scene in our contemporary culture.&nbsp;2Gether The Series; One of the most successful Y Series in 2020&nbsp;From a legal standpoint, Thailand made major progress in July 2020, when the cabinet approved a civil partnership bill that would legalise same-sex marriages, granting them the same legal rights as other married couples. The bill is just pending the final nod from the parliament but if this passes and the law is enacted, Thailand will be the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions.In recent years, LGBT+ rights issues have been actively advocated by both government and opposition parties including the conservative Democrats, and liberal Move Forward and centre-left Kla parties. All agree in principle on the importance of equal rights for the LGBT+ community, and they also see an urgency to push for gender equality.&nbsp;Pauline Ngarmpring &nbsp;(Photo Credit: IG Pauline Ngarmpring)&nbsp;“In Thailand, conservative parties are not necessarily conservative in all aspects,”&nbsp;said Pauline Ngarmpring, a transgender politician.Pauline, who was a Prime Minister candidate for Mahachon Party in 2019, is living evidence that Thai politicians embrace the idea of gender diversity otherwise she would not have made it as the face of her party and become the second candidate for PM who openly campaigned as a transgender in the election race. Although she didn’t win, her candidature made an impact and put LGBT issues prominently in the spotlight.&nbsp;Attempts to end discrimination&nbsp;Although Thailand is generally progressive on LGBT issues, barriers to achieving full equality in terms of legislation remain. LGBT+ people are very visible in Thai society and while sex reassignment surgery by qualified specialists are renowned worldwide, the country still has a lot of work to do on the legal front.However, the issue is recognised and being addressed, and the response has been positive. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has made efforts to increase the rights and freedom for the LGBT community and in July 2020, under the leadership of Juti Krailerk, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, 39 government agencies and private companies including education institutions jointly inked an MoU to reaffirm their commitments to prevent gender discrimination. Under the agreement, the parties will strictly follow the guidelines of the Thai Gender Equality Act to create work, education environments or opportunities that are indiscriminative and accessible to all. Under the MoU, they will:&nbsp;Allow students or employees to dress according to their sexual orientation;&nbsp;Provide public space that is safe and friendly for the LGBT community;&nbsp;Ensure that job applications and candidate selections focus on ability and qualifications rather than gender;Ensure use of words, gestures and documents that are appropriate for all gender identities, that do not stigmatise or label any gender that could lead to bullying or discrimination;Be non-discriminate in the promotion and selection process of persons holding any positions in any agency, taking account of ability rather than gender;Prevent harassment or sexual harassment in the workplace;&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorities will continue to fine tune and update the MoU to address gender inequality to its core.&nbsp;The MoU demonstrates the determination of government in providing equal rights to all according to the intent of the Gender Equality Act BE 2558. As a result, society has responded with progressive changes, the LGBT+ community are able to dress according to their desired gender at universities and workplaces. A number of universities also allow LGBT+ students to dress according to their preferred orientation in classes and at the commencement ceremonies.&nbsp;Thailand’s Parliament also embraces members of LGBT+ community who enjoy equal footing in terms of status with other lawmakers. Some of them also don outfits of their preferred gender identity to the Parliament.&nbsp;LGBT+ members used to find it hard to get jobs outside a handful of fields such as tourism, entertainment and the media. Some still face prejudice and even abuse, prompting them to hide their sexual orientation at work. The MoU, the signatories to which include major Thai conglomerates Charoen Pokphand (CP), SCG, PTT Plc, Saha Pattana Piboon Plc, Krungsri Consumer Plc, Central Group and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and leading institutions Thammasat and Naresuan universities, will pave the way to more progressive changes and acceptance of LGBTQ issues in the general society.&nbsp;“The issue of gender diversity matters and therefore everyone in society should be entitled to stand with dignity in society regardless of their sexual orientation. My wish is to see the gender quality become a norm in society,” said JutiLegislation on Same-Sex Couples &nbsp;&nbsp;The passage of pro-rights bills pertaining to civil partnerships of same-sex couples has promoted greater rights for those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in Thailand.The current civil partnership draft bill, proposed by the government, covers the registration and termination of partnerships between same-sex couples and the rules for property sharing, adoption and inheritance. However, the bill doesn’t yet fully grant rights in some areas, such as changing sexual identity, tax allowance and government-related benefits as a couple before the law. They involve amendments to other laws and will thus need to be done step-by-step. But since the draft law has already been proposed, the government should now only look to moving forward and continue to close gaps in the regulations in the future. “There is no going back”, according to Nareeluc Pairchaiyapoom, Director of the International Human Rights Division at the Ministry of Justice.&nbsp;Dtac CEO Sharad Mehrotra&nbsp;&nbsp;Although the law has not yet provided a guarantee of full rights for LGBT+ couples, some companies have moved forward in assuring these for their own employees. In line with the employment policy of its Scandinavian parent company, telecom giant Dtac not only accepts and promotes gender diversity but also provides them with a non-discriminatory working environment. At the moment, Dtac is also working towards providing same-sex marriage welfare to their LGBT+ staff with common marriage rights, said Dtac CEO Sharad Mehrotra.&nbsp;The country’s progress in the Civil Partnership bill for LGBT+ people is truly a huge step forward to ensuring LGBTQ rights and equality in Thailand. It’s only a matter of time for the passage of the bill that will grant them equal civil partnership rights and gender recognition in terms of legislation. When that comes, they can really claim the freedom and equal rights they so wholeheartedly deserve.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thai Society: A Rainbow of Diversity   

<h2>&nbsp;How Bangkok is turning public spaces into cool, new hotspots for leisure&nbsp;</h2>Five years ago, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) introduced the 'reclaiming pavements for pedestrians’ plan with the goal of bringing cleanliness, safety and orderliness to the city. The urban authority faced many challenges including criticism of the effects on street vendors and other stakeholders. Bangkok has learned lessons from conflicts over public space over the years and has created a new approach that is responsive to individual city needs.Khlong Ong Ang (meaning pottery canal), an old town area of Bangkok, could serve as a regulatory model that has successfully transformed a dilapidated toy market and a severely polluted canal into a new recreational oasis attracting busy foot traffic from locals and foreign visitors alike.&nbsp;<img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/eK-5hWUtI_100697.jpg" style="width: 3000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/DnzwoFdpd_shutterstock_1863517978%20low.jpg" style="width: 3000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Once a scruffy market for toys and electronic gadgets enthusiasts, Klong Ong Ang is now Bangkok’s latest leisure hotspot for people from all walks of life after undergoing a major beautification.On the weekend, the waterfront transforms into a vibrant walking street from 4pm to 10pm, and appeals to urbanites for the cooling river breeze and a diversity of activities. This is the first time in 30 years that people can get close to the water in this particular klong and they celebrate in different ways.&nbsp;<img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/xhx8_RhYh_1609396503032.png" style="width: 3000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Families enjoying an evening strolls and taking selfies with the graffiti on the walls as the backdrop; youngsters kayaking and paddle boarding on the canal; young children munching street food and older folk enjoying live music – all are now common sights at Klong Ong Ang. The walking street is aimed to stimulate the community's economy and generate revenue from tourism. The walking street's event theme will be changed every week.The BMA couldn’t have asked for more. This was exactly the image the authorities had in mind when they started evicting hundreds of street vendors five years ago, and then dismantling the illegal structures, cleaning the canal water, and beautifying the walkways, turning the area into a new cultural destination for city dwellers. Naturally, the city faced harsh criticisms from the public, who felt nostalgic to leave behind the old charms of the side walk vendors, despite their many health and safety hazards to pedestrians. However, as Klong Ong Ang emerged, the public has now a better understanding and appreciation of the city’s visions and plans. After the demolition work in 2015, the 750m section between the Osathanon Bridge and the Damrong Sathit (Saphan Lek) Bridge went through a major revamp in 2018.As a result, the section, which is now called Klong Ong Ang, is spotless. The 1.5-km walkways on both sides of the waterfront, have been paved and are illuminated by street lamps while the canal has been cleaned and its sides reinforced with concrete. Artsy elements have been added on the walls along the section with graffiti depicting stories of bygone Bangkok. New drainage covers have been designed for the old town district. Cosplay is encouraged. A 6.4km route between Bang Lamphu and Klong Ong Ang has been designed for kayaking and paddle boarding.<img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/tAG0am5bO_shutterstock_1863724216%20low2.jpg" style="width: 3000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii">The beautified, well-lit section offering various activities has been dubbed Bangkok’s version of South Korea’s Cheonggyecheon or the Thai take on the Dutch Amstel. The area has undergone many changes over the last two centuries. Dug in 1783 at the order of King Rama I, the section was designed to connect the northern and southern parts of the Chao Phraya River, and sweeps its way through the bustling Chinese and Indian neighbourhoods of Yaowarat and Phahurat. The area was also a popular earthenware market.Thanks to strong commitment by government agencies, the complete demolition in late October not only marked success in reclaiming public space, but also brought back a place to float krathongs for the first time in decades during the Loy Krathong Festival in November.&nbsp;Since then, the area has become another Loy Krathong spot and a popular weekend destination. However, some have questioned if the facelift is only for show, pointing out that the revamped section is only a tiny part of 7km Klong Rob Krung (literally means canal around the old town) and the rest of the canal has been left in a poor state. More than a dozen mature trees were felled during the rehabilitation, the argument being that they could fall and cause damage to people’s life and property. The cultural elements, namely cosplay and graffiti, and activities like kayaking seem irrelevant to the local lifestyle.<img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/ZAr5i99Ug_1609403595284.png" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">With rapid urbanisation and socio economic challenges, the urban authorities have been calling for better public spaces, street design and vending permits. However, relocation of street vendors to designated market places is not the solution to managing public spaces.&nbsp;Bangkok is one of the world’s most famous destinations for street food, which is deeply rooted in the local culture. Therefore, the possibility of accommodating street vendors within the road infrastructure through street management is also being considered by authorities as an alternative future solution.&nbsp;At the end of the day, everyone should be able to access public space, whether for transportation, leisure, or earning a livelihood.<img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/LrdgjANsk_PLA_4353.jpg" style="width: 3000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii">

&nbsp;How Bangkok is turning public spaces into cool, new hotspots for leisure&nbsp;Five years ago, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) introduced the 'reclaiming pavements for pedestrians’ plan with the goal of bringing cleanliness, safety and orderliness to the city. The urban authority faced many challenges including criticism of the effects on street vendors and other stakeholders. Bangkok has learned lessons from conflicts over public space over the years and has created a new approach that is responsive to individual city needs.Khlong Ong Ang (meaning pottery canal), an old town area of Bangkok, could serve as a regulatory model that has successfully transformed a dilapidated toy market and a severely polluted canal into a new recreational oasis attracting busy foot traffic from locals and foreign visitors alike.&nbsp;Once a scruffy market for toys and electronic gadgets enthusiasts, Klong Ong Ang is now Bangkok’s latest leisure hotspot for people from all walks of life after undergoing a major beautification.On the weekend, the waterfront transforms into a vibrant walking street from 4pm to 10pm, and appeals to urbanites for the cooling river breeze and a diversity of activities. This is the first time in 30 years that people can get close to the water in this particular klong and they celebrate in different ways.&nbsp;Families enjoying an evening strolls and taking selfies with the graffiti on the walls as the backdrop; youngsters kayaking and paddle boarding on the canal; young children munching street food and older folk enjoying live music – all are now common sights at Klong Ong Ang. The walking street is aimed to stimulate the community's economy and generate revenue from tourism. The walking street's event theme will be changed every week.The BMA couldn’t have asked for more. This was exactly the image the authorities had in mind when they started evicting hundreds of street vendors five years ago, and then dismantling the illegal structures, cleaning the canal water, and beautifying the walkways, turning the area into a new cultural destination for city dwellers. Naturally, the city faced harsh criticisms from the public, who felt nostalgic to leave behind the old charms of the side walk vendors, despite their many health and safety hazards to pedestrians. However, as Klong Ong Ang emerged, the public has now a better understanding and appreciation of the city’s visions and plans. After the demolition work in 2015, the 750m section between the Osathanon Bridge and the Damrong Sathit (Saphan Lek) Bridge went through a major revamp in 2018.As a result, the section, which is now called Klong Ong Ang, is spotless. The 1.5-km walkways on both sides of the waterfront, have been paved and are illuminated by street lamps while the canal has been cleaned and its sides reinforced with concrete. Artsy elements have been added on the walls along the section with graffiti depicting stories of bygone Bangkok. New drainage covers have been designed for the old town district. Cosplay is encouraged. A 6.4km route between Bang Lamphu and Klong Ong Ang has been designed for kayaking and paddle boarding.The beautified, well-lit section offering various activities has been dubbed Bangkok’s version of South Korea’s Cheonggyecheon or the Thai take on the Dutch Amstel. The area has undergone many changes over the last two centuries. Dug in 1783 at the order of King Rama I, the section was designed to connect the northern and southern parts of the Chao Phraya River, and sweeps its way through the bustling Chinese and Indian neighbourhoods of Yaowarat and Phahurat. The area was also a popular earthenware market.Thanks to strong commitment by government agencies, the complete demolition in late October not only marked success in reclaiming public space, but also brought back a place to float krathongs for the first time in decades during the Loy Krathong Festival in November.&nbsp;Since then, the area has become another Loy Krathong spot and a popular weekend destination. However, some have questioned if the facelift is only for show, pointing out that the revamped section is only a tiny part of 7km Klong Rob Krung (literally means canal around the old town) and the rest of the canal has been left in a poor state. More than a dozen mature trees were felled during the rehabilitation, the argument being that they could fall and cause damage to people’s life and property. The cultural elements, namely cosplay and graffiti, and activities like kayaking seem irrelevant to the local lifestyle.With rapid urbanisation and socio economic challenges, the urban authorities have been calling for better public spaces, street design and vending permits. However, relocation of street vendors to designated market places is not the solution to managing public spaces.&nbsp;Bangkok is one of the world’s most famous destinations for street food, which is deeply rooted in the local culture. Therefore, the possibility of accommodating street vendors within the road infrastructure through street management is also being considered by authorities as an alternative future solution.&nbsp;At the end of the day, everyone should be able to access public space, whether for transportation, leisure, or earning a livelihood.

The changing nature of Klong Ong Ang    

<h2>Innovative, state-of-the-art parks for a quirkier, greener, urban lifestyle</h2>Identified as one of BBC’s top 100 most inspirational and influential women of 2020, landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom’s inspiring story is definitely one that will be shared with many generations to come. Strongly determined to create a better environment for her hometown, Bangkok, and to mitigate the devastating impact from climate change, Kotchakorn fully utilised her profession’s expertise to build the landmarks of her dreams. She had foreseen the natural pathway to design urban parks that would not only carve out more green spaces in the urban city, but also heal the city and its people by letting them feel nature’s refreshing vibes and making Bangkok more resilient to climate change. Her unique landscape architecture master pieces have been acclaimed by the UN for their contribution to environmental conservation in the urban concrete jungle and include , the Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and Park, and the Chao Phraya Sky Park.&nbsp;<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/U3ozxC8EZ_1.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/U3ozxC8EZ_1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;">Kotchakorn Voraakhom&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Let’s explore Kotchakorn’s cool urban transformations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div>1. Chulalongkorn University Centenary ParkLocated at the heart of Bangkok with an area covering approximately 12 acres, Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park is the first park in the country to be designed by a female landscape architect. To commemorate Chulalongkorn University’s centenary, Kotchakorn reflected on what the university could leave to Thai citizens in another hundred years to come. At the time, society’s concerns with climate change inspired Kotchakorn to create a large scale innovative green park.&nbsp;The three-degree inclined park, or a park with a gentle slope, features as her main concept to help reduce risks of urban floods in surrounding areas. The park is designed to collect and to hold up to a million gallons of water. Its five components are a water retention pond, a constructed wetland, green roof, water retention lawn, and rain garden, all of which work harmoniously together to contribute to water retention in their own way.&nbsp;When it rains, the rainwater will be retained in the retention pond in front of the park, before being distributed to 300 varieties of plants and trees grown around the park. In addition to being a water retention centre and green park to help combat Bangkok’s air pollution, the park also serves as a leisure area for people to relax and exercise, and is a much-needed outdoor space in the current smog grey city of Bangkok. If you have the chance to visit this innovative park, you can also enjoy Bangkok’s world renown street food in the area.&nbsp; <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/ySTG9WiLo_1609761282678.png" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><strong style='box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: "Bai Jamjuree"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and Park</div> Now let’s move to the next green park in the suburbs of Bangkok, which is similarly located on university ground. This is the Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and Park (also known as the Puey Park for the People), located in Thammasat University, Rangsit campus with an area of approximately 60,000 square metres. The park was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Professor Puey Ungpakorn and hosts a 3-storey building resembling the letter “H” for “Humanity,” which represents equality, democracy, fraternity, and the freedom of Thai citizens. The park is designed to tackle climate change with the risk of food and water scarcity as its main concern. Its “Green Roof Urban Farm” is the largest of its kind in Asia and the third largest in the world, covering an area of approximately 7,000 square metres.&nbsp;As the park’s motto is to contribute to society and its citizens, the “Green Roof Urban Farm” is open to Thammasat University’s students, professors, and staff, as well as low-income citizens, to come and plant organic vegetables for household use, or for sale at the university canteen for extra income. The park is open to the public and acts as the “lungs” for people in the area, filtering out carbon dioxide. According to Kotchakorn, the man-made simulation of a rice terrace, whereby part of the concrete roof is covered with plants and trees, helps reduce the temperature inside the Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall, thereby reducing the use of electricity for air-conditioning purposes. &nbsp;<span contenteditable="false" draggable="false" style='box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: calc(100% - 10px); display: inline-block; float: none; vertical-align: bottom; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: "Bai Jamjuree"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; width: 3000px;'> <img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/gEMvCq7pg_3.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/gEMvCq7pg_3.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-style: none; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; width: 3000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><strong style='box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: "Bai Jamjuree"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>&nbsp;Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and Park&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Chao Phraya Sky Park The last masterpiece that I would like to introduce you to can be seen when driving across the Chao Phraya River on Phra Pok Klao Bridge and Memorial Bridge. Once here, you cannot miss the spectacular view of the innovative Chao Phraya Sky Park: the very first sky park in Thailand and the world spreading across a river. This park is unique in both its design and location. It emerged from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Urban Design and Development Centre (UDDC)’s Bangkok Master Plan 2017, which seeks to preserve and to restore historical parts of the city. The plan aims to render these historical areas more dynamic in line with the future development plan. With this objective in mind, an elevated but deserted structure across the Chao Phraya River, initially built for a skytrain three decades ago, was turned into another leisure area for Bangkokians, which we now call the Chao Phraya Sky Park.Despite being only 280 metres long and 8.5 metres wide, people can still enjoy strolling and relaxing in the park, while taking in the stunning scenery of the Chao Phraya River. The sky bridge is designed to be inclusive and accessible for disabled persons and the elderly, with elevators provided to facilitate their visits. If you have the chance to take this amazing walk across the river, you will also see many beautiful, historic structures across the city. For example, the stupa of Prayurawongsawas temple, Santa Cruz Church, the Kudi Jeen community of Portuguese descendants in Thailand, and the grand Pagoda of Wat Arun temple. All in all, this landmark sky bridge will take you on a memorable journey through Bangkok’s history and diverse cultural heritage.&nbsp; <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/Z1w_HbM_m_4%20low.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/Z1w_HbM_m_4%20low.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;">Chao Phraya Sky Park&nbsp; Kotchakorn has truly become a role model and one of the most well-known figures of 2021. She has proved that by standing firmly by her goals, she was able to thrive in developing her expertise and realising her dreams. All the three parks that I have taken you through have made a valuable contribution to mitigating the impact of climate change and providing Bangkok with much-needed green space and lungs to filter clean air. Kotchakorn’s unique landscape architecture has won praise from both the local community and international accolades, so don’t miss the chance to visit them when in Bangkok!&nbsp;</div>

Innovative, state-of-the-art parks for a quirkier, greener, urban lifestyleIdentified as one of BBC’s top 100 most inspirational and influential women of 2020, landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom’s inspiring story is definitely one that will be shared with many generations to come. Strongly determined to create a better environment for her hometown, Bangkok, and to mitigate the devastating impact from climate change, Kotchakorn fully utilised her profession’s expertise to build the landmarks of her dreams. She had foreseen the natural pathway to design urban parks that would not only carve out more green spaces in the urban city, but also heal the city and its people by letting them feel nature’s refreshing vibes and making Bangkok more resilient to climate change. Her unique landscape architecture master pieces have been acclaimed by the UN for their contribution to environmental conservation in the urban concrete jungle and include , the Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and Park, and the Chao Phraya Sky Park.&nbsp;Kotchakorn Voraakhom&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Let’s explore Kotchakorn’s cool urban transformations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1. Chulalongkorn University Centenary ParkLocated at the heart of Bangkok with an area covering approximately 12 acres, Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park is the first park in the country to be designed by a female landscape architect. To commemorate Chulalongkorn University’s centenary, Kotchakorn reflected on what the university could leave to Thai citizens in another hundred years to come. At the time, society’s concerns with climate change inspired Kotchakorn to create a large scale innovative green park.&nbsp;The three-degree inclined park, or a park with a gentle slope, features as her main concept to help reduce risks of urban floods in surrounding areas. The park is designed to collect and to hold up to a million gallons of water. Its five components are a water retention pond, a constructed wetland, green roof, water retention lawn, and rain garden, all of which work harmoniously together to contribute to water retention in their own way.&nbsp;When it rains, the rainwater will be retained in the retention pond in front of the park, before being distributed to 300 varieties of plants and trees grown around the park. In addition to being a water retention centre and green park to help combat Bangkok’s air pollution, the park also serves as a leisure area for people to relax and exercise, and is a much-needed outdoor space in the current smog grey city of Bangkok. If you have the chance to visit this innovative park, you can also enjoy Bangkok’s world renown street food in the area.&nbsp;Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and ParkNow let’s move to the next green park in the suburbs of Bangkok, which is similarly located on university ground. This is the Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and Park (also known as the Puey Park for the People), located in Thammasat University, Rangsit campus with an area of approximately 60,000 square metres. The park was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Professor Puey Ungpakorn and hosts a 3-storey building resembling the letter “H” for “Humanity,” which represents equality, democracy, fraternity, and the freedom of Thai citizens. The park is designed to tackle climate change with the risk of food and water scarcity as its main concern. Its “Green Roof Urban Farm” is the largest of its kind in Asia and the third largest in the world, covering an area of approximately 7,000 square metres.&nbsp;As the park’s motto is to contribute to society and its citizens, the “Green Roof Urban Farm” is open to Thammasat University’s students, professors, and staff, as well as low-income citizens, to come and plant organic vegetables for household use, or for sale at the university canteen for extra income. The park is open to the public and acts as the “lungs” for people in the area, filtering out carbon dioxide. According to Kotchakorn, the man-made simulation of a rice terrace, whereby part of the concrete roof is covered with plants and trees, helps reduce the temperature inside the Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall, thereby reducing the use of electricity for air-conditioning purposes. &nbsp;&nbsp;Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Hall and Park&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Chao Phraya Sky ParkThe last masterpiece that I would like to introduce you to can be seen when driving across the Chao Phraya River on Phra Pok Klao Bridge and Memorial Bridge. Once here, you cannot miss the spectacular view of the innovative Chao Phraya Sky Park: the very first sky park in Thailand and the world spreading across a river. This park is unique in both its design and location. It emerged from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Urban Design and Development Centre (UDDC)’s Bangkok Master Plan 2017, which seeks to preserve and to restore historical parts of the city. The plan aims to render these historical areas more dynamic in line with the future development plan. With this objective in mind, an elevated but deserted structure across the Chao Phraya River, initially built for a skytrain three decades ago, was turned into another leisure area for Bangkokians, which we now call the Chao Phraya Sky Park.Despite being only 280 metres long and 8.5 metres wide, people can still enjoy strolling and relaxing in the park, while taking in the stunning scenery of the Chao Phraya River. The sky bridge is designed to be inclusive and accessible for disabled persons and the elderly, with elevators provided to facilitate their visits. If you have the chance to take this amazing walk across the river, you will also see many beautiful, historic structures across the city. For example, the stupa of Prayurawongsawas temple, Santa Cruz Church, the Kudi Jeen community of Portuguese descendants in Thailand, and the grand Pagoda of Wat Arun temple. All in all, this landmark sky bridge will take you on a memorable journey through Bangkok’s history and diverse cultural heritage.&nbsp;Chao Phraya Sky Park&nbsp;Kotchakorn has truly become a role model and one of the most well-known figures of 2021. She has proved that by standing firmly by her goals, she was able to thrive in developing her expertise and realising her dreams. All the three parks that I have taken you through have made a valuable contribution to mitigating the impact of climate change and providing Bangkok with much-needed green space and lungs to filter clean air. Kotchakorn’s unique landscape architecture has won praise from both the local community and international accolades, so don’t miss the chance to visit them when in Bangkok!&nbsp;

A Female Lead Tackling Climate Change through Landscape Architecture    

<h2 class="fr-text-bordered">Key to the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Thai government has been seeking multi-faceted means to secure vaccines for the public, including a local vaccine that is affordable to all.</h2> Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha recently announced that the only solution to overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic is an adequate supply of vaccines. The government is therefore accelerating the procurement of vaccines from several different sources.&nbsp;Thailand has prioritised securing vaccine doses from UK drug manufacturer AstraZeneca.&nbsp;On November 27, the Thai government signed a THB 6 billion (US$200 million) contract to pre-order 26 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, which will cover 13 million people or 20 percent of population. Under the premarket purchase agreement, the vaccine technology will be transferred to Siam Bio Science to produce vaccines in the country.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/y4kHCRI6o_shutterstock_1852227817%20low.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/y4kHCRI6o_shutterstock_1852227817%20low.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;">COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca&nbsp; AstraZeneca and Oxford University have applied to the UK health regulator for permission to roll out their Covid-19 vaccine. Oxford University’s Regius Professor of Medicine expects that the vaccine could be approved “shortly after” Christmas. In addition, AstraZeneca also told Reuters that its vaccine candidate should be effective against the new coronavirus variant and said studies were underway to analyse the impact of the variant.</div>Meanwhile, the National Vaccine Institute is planning to set aside THB 2.93 billion (US$93.25 million) to purchase 66 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by next year, which will cover 33 million people or roughly 50 percent of the population.Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, said that Thailand aims to vaccinate as much as 70 per cent of population by 2022, which will be enough to achieve “herd immunity” against the disease.The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced that the National Vaccine Institute decided to secure the vaccines through two methods. The first is to reserve them from the global COVAX initiative, run by the Gavi vaccine alliance and the World Health Organisation (WHO). COVAX said earlier this month that all 190 economies that have agreed to participate in the programme will have access to doses in the first half of 2021.The second is to reserve from manufacturers already conducting third-phase human trials. In this regard, Thai officials are in talks with vaccines developers from several countries including China, Russia, India and the UK to secure viable inoculations against the coronavirus as soon as they became available.Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Disease Control Department (DDC), said the National Vaccine Board’s sub-committee on inoculation will soon come up with a plan to use the limited supply of vaccines with maximum efficiency.“For example, to minimise COVID-19 deaths, we may focus on high-risk groups first, and to minimise the spread we may prioritise those with a high chance of transmission. Healthcare workers will also be among the first to be vaccinated.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Progress on local vaccines &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the WHO, plant-based vaccines are among several different types of potential vaccines for Covid-19, which use recombinant proteins to safely generate an immune response. Today, only Thailand and Canada have shown success in the development of plant-based vaccine candidates.Baiya Phytopharm Co., Ltd., the first plant-produced biologics company in Southeast Asia, began the vaccine development from Nicotiana benthamiana leaves in February 2020. &nbsp; Baiya SARS-CoV Vax 1 has been successfully tested on mice and monkeys. The results showed that the vaccine stimulated the level of neutralising antibodies in the vaccinated animals effectively after just two doses.CEO and Co-founder of Baiya Phytopharm, Dr Waranyu Poolcharoen, revealed that the company is in the process of evaluating toxicology or side effects of the vaccine, which requires high doses. If the results show efficacy and safety of the vaccine candidate with low or no toxicity, the company will submit a proposal to Thailand's Food and Drug Administration and the Research Ethics Review Committee for Research Involving Human Subjects, Chulalongkorn University asking for their authority to undertake human trials. Baiya Phytopharm expects to begin human trials in the middle of 2021, with 6 months needed for the completion of third-phase clinical trial process. <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/9PhcZ-rBL_1609024553740.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/9PhcZ-rBL_1609024553740.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;"><span style='color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: "Bai Jamjuree"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>Suthira Taychakhoonavudh and Waranyoo Phoolcharoen, Baiya Phytopharm Co-founder&nbsp; Baiya Phytopharm Co-founder, Dr Suthira Dejkhunnavuth added that in phases 1 and 2, the vaccine will be given to volunteers in the country. For the final phase, the company might need to enroll volunteers in other countries if Thailand has low rates of infection. The National Vaccine Institute, Thailand is responsible for coordination in this regard.&nbsp;</div>In Phase 1, the vaccines are given to a small number of volunteers and generally tested in young and healthy adults.&nbsp;Phase 2 requires 200-300 volunteers to further assess its safety and ability to generate an immune response. There are usually multiple trials in this phase to evaluate various age groups and different formulations of the vaccine. In Phase 3, the vaccines are given to at least ten thousand people to ensure efficacy and safety.&nbsp;The two researchers are optimistic that the company will begin the production of the plant-based Covid-19 vaccines at the end of next year or early in 2022. In order that Thais are able to benefit from the vaccines, the company expects to set a price of THB500 (US$16.7) per dose, to make the vaccines as accessible as possible to all Thais. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the Thai government has signed a THB 6 billion deal to purchase 26 million doses of the vaccine which would be enough to vaccinate 13 million people. Siam Bioscience is ready to receive the technology developed by Oxford University to produce the vaccine in Thailand. Siam Bioscience has the capacity to produce 180 million to 200 million doses per year, enough to distribute throughout Southeast Asia, and help secure the region from the virus as soon as possible.It is planned to set up vaccination centres in more than 10,000 sub- districts so as to prevent overcrowding at hospitals. Medical staff, young children, elderly people and vulnerable groups will be first in line for the injections. The vaccinations will be free of charge at government facilities while private hospitals can purchase their own supply, according to DDC Director-General Opas Karnkawinpong.In addition, the Chulalongkorn University’s Centre of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development has been making considerable progress in its development of mRNA type called Chula-Cov 19<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/siwdvyCnp_2Nqw8PaQU_CV3.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/siwdvyCnp_2Nqw8PaQU_CV3.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;"><span style='color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: "Bai Jamjuree"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>Vaccine mRNA type called Chula-Cov 19&nbsp; The centre’s Director, Prof Dr Kiat Ruxrungtham, recently announced that following the success in pre-clinical trials, the centre placed an order with a US production facility in October 2020 to produce 10,000 doses of Chula-Cov 19. The centre anticipates beginning the first phase of human trials in April and the second phase in August.</div>Through the utmost efforts in making the vaccines available and widespread immunisations will strengthen Thailand in effectively containing the coronavirus pandemic. It is key to ensuring economic activity bounces back and to moving the country forward.&nbsp;

Key to the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Thai government has been seeking multi-faceted means to secure vaccines for the public, including a local vaccine that is affordable to all.Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha recently announced that the only solution to overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic is an adequate supply of vaccines. The government is therefore accelerating the procurement of vaccines from several different sources.&nbsp;Thailand has prioritised securing vaccine doses from UK drug manufacturer AstraZeneca.&nbsp;On November 27, the Thai government signed a THB 6 billion (US$200 million) contract to pre-order 26 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, which will cover 13 million people or 20 percent of population. Under the premarket purchase agreement, the vaccine technology will be transferred to Siam Bio Science to produce vaccines in the country.COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca&nbsp;AstraZeneca and Oxford University have applied to the UK health regulator for permission to roll out their Covid-19 vaccine. Oxford University’s Regius Professor of Medicine expects that the vaccine could be approved “shortly after” Christmas. In addition, AstraZeneca also told Reuters that its vaccine candidate should be effective against the new coronavirus variant and said studies were underway to analyse the impact of the variant.Meanwhile, the National Vaccine Institute is planning to set aside THB 2.93 billion (US$93.25 million) to purchase 66 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by next year, which will cover 33 million people or roughly 50 percent of the population.Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, said that Thailand aims to vaccinate as much as 70 per cent of population by 2022, which will be enough to achieve “herd immunity” against the disease.The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced that the National Vaccine Institute decided to secure the vaccines through two methods. The first is to reserve them from the global COVAX initiative, run by the Gavi vaccine alliance and the World Health Organisation (WHO). COVAX said earlier this month that all 190 economies that have agreed to participate in the programme will have access to doses in the first half of 2021.The second is to reserve from manufacturers already conducting third-phase human trials. In this regard, Thai officials are in talks with vaccines developers from several countries including China, Russia, India and the UK to secure viable inoculations against the coronavirus as soon as they became available.Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Disease Control Department (DDC), said the National Vaccine Board’s sub-committee on inoculation will soon come up with a plan to use the limited supply of vaccines with maximum efficiency.“For example, to minimise COVID-19 deaths, we may focus on high-risk groups first, and to minimise the spread we may prioritise those with a high chance of transmission. Healthcare workers will also be among the first to be vaccinated.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Progress on local vaccines &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the WHO, plant-based vaccines are among several different types of potential vaccines for Covid-19, which use recombinant proteins to safely generate an immune response. Today, only Thailand and Canada have shown success in the development of plant-based vaccine candidates.Baiya Phytopharm Co., Ltd., the first plant-produced biologics company in Southeast Asia, began the vaccine development from Nicotiana benthamiana leaves in February 2020. &nbsp; Baiya SARS-CoV Vax 1 has been successfully tested on mice and monkeys. The results showed that the vaccine stimulated the level of neutralising antibodies in the vaccinated animals effectively after just two doses.CEO and Co-founder of Baiya Phytopharm, Dr Waranyu Poolcharoen, revealed that the company is in the process of evaluating toxicology or side effects of the vaccine, which requires high doses. If the results show efficacy and safety of the vaccine candidate with low or no toxicity, the company will submit a proposal to Thailand's Food and Drug Administration and the Research Ethics Review Committee for Research Involving Human Subjects, Chulalongkorn University asking for their authority to undertake human trials. Baiya Phytopharm expects to begin human trials in the middle of 2021, with 6 months needed for the completion of third-phase clinical trial process.Suthira Taychakhoonavudh and Waranyoo Phoolcharoen, Baiya Phytopharm Co-founder&nbsp;Baiya Phytopharm Co-founder, Dr Suthira Dejkhunnavuth added that in phases 1 and 2, the vaccine will be given to volunteers in the country. For the final phase, the company might need to enroll volunteers in other countries if Thailand has low rates of infection. The National Vaccine Institute, Thailand is responsible for coordination in this regard.&nbsp;In Phase 1, the vaccines are given to a small number of volunteers and generally tested in young and healthy adults.&nbsp;Phase 2 requires 200-300 volunteers to further assess its safety and ability to generate an immune response. There are usually multiple trials in this phase to evaluate various age groups and different formulations of the vaccine. In Phase 3, the vaccines are given to at least ten thousand people to ensure efficacy and safety.&nbsp;The two researchers are optimistic that the company will begin the production of the plant-based Covid-19 vaccines at the end of next year or early in 2022. In order that Thais are able to benefit from the vaccines, the company expects to set a price of THB500 (US$16.7) per dose, to make the vaccines as accessible as possible to all Thais. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the Thai government has signed a THB 6 billion deal to purchase 26 million doses of the vaccine which would be enough to vaccinate 13 million people. Siam Bioscience is ready to receive the technology developed by Oxford University to produce the vaccine in Thailand. Siam Bioscience has the capacity to produce 180 million to 200 million doses per year, enough to distribute throughout Southeast Asia, and help secure the region from the virus as soon as possible.It is planned to set up vaccination centres in more than 10,000 sub- districts so as to prevent overcrowding at hospitals. Medical staff, young children, elderly people and vulnerable groups will be first in line for the injections. The vaccinations will be free of charge at government facilities while private hospitals can purchase their own supply, according to DDC Director-General Opas Karnkawinpong.In addition, the Chulalongkorn University’s Centre of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development has been making considerable progress in its development of mRNA type called Chula-Cov 19Vaccine mRNA type called Chula-Cov 19&nbsp;The centre’s Director, Prof Dr Kiat Ruxrungtham, recently announced that following the success in pre-clinical trials, the centre placed an order with a US production facility in October 2020 to produce 10,000 doses of Chula-Cov 19. The centre anticipates beginning the first phase of human trials in April and the second phase in August.Through the utmost efforts in making the vaccines available and widespread immunisations will strengthen Thailand in effectively containing the coronavirus pandemic. It is key to ensuring economic activity bounces back and to moving the country forward.&nbsp;

Thailand near the finish line in securing Covid-19 vaccines  

Thai people don’t leave each other behind.&nbsp;Believe it or not, this motto may have been the driving force which has kept Thai civil servants motivated to repatriate Thais stranded abroad throughout the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Coming to work and just finishing what you have to do for the day is not the right approach when you work in civil service,” says Mr. Kittivudh Pinyowit, a Thai diplomat stationed at the Thai Embassy in Budapest. “Your goal at the end of the day is to bring home the people who have reached out to you as their last hope.” &nbsp; A Thai man was traveling alone through Montenegro in March 2020 when the country abruptly entered into one of the toughest lockdowns in Europe. According to the IMF, Montenegro preemptively chose to lockdown the country by closing its borders, schools, and non-essential businesses on March 13th&nbsp;2020 despite having no confirmed cases in the country. Its citizens were not allowed to travel to a number of European countries while ships were also barred from entering seaports.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/nZOUR7HA7_shutterstock_259595084%20low.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/nZOUR7HA7_shutterstock_259595084%20low.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;">Habour at Boka Kotor Bay, Montenegro, Balkan Region,The Balkan Region borders the Mediterranean Sea and offers a beautiful destination for those who like Romanesque stone bridges and aquamarine lake views which have famously been featured in spy films like Martin Campbell’s Casino Royale. As a result of lockdown restrictions, all flights out of Montenegro and any connecting flights from the neighboring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina were completely cancelled that day.&nbsp;The Thai man had little time left at his accommodation as well as depleting resources in the strict conditions of the lockdown that left him forlorn.&nbsp;With little options left to return home, the man reached out to the Thai Embassy in Budapest where Mr. Kittivudh received his call for help on March 14th&nbsp;2020. There is no Thai Embassy in Montenegro for Thais and instead the Balkan region was placed in the care of the representation in Budapest.&nbsp;Little did the man know that this would only be the beginning of a one-month long journey back to Thailand that would involve a transit between five countries.&nbsp;“It was a challenging situation,” says Mr. Kittivudh. “There were also no other viable forms of public transport which the man could have used to leave his location.” The Embassy in Budapest had already begun the repatriation process for Thais who wished to return home from Hungary at the time, but Montenegro was a location far out of reach. After seeking out all possible options for the man, the Embassy staff decided that the most viable solution was to rent a taxi to drive the man from his location to the border where he could enter Bosnia and Herzegovina on foot. &nbsp; Thailand at the time began implementing stronger travel restrictions which meant the man must now provide a health certificate issued by a doctor to be qualified for boarding his aircraft back home. While waiting for his taxi ride to be arranged, the man attempted to acquire the health certificate in Montenegro. Under the new public health restrictions, he had to self-quarantine for at least 28 days before local practitioners would allow him to get checked. This option therefore became unfeasible. Embassy staff later advised him that it would be more convenient to organize an appointment with a doctor in Budapest. &nbsp; The taxi would take the man across Montenegro to the Bosnian border where local immigration officers had already received a request from the Thai Embassy to let him through under exceptional circumstances. The Bosnian Ministry of Foreign Affairs kindly accepted the case and was very helpful towards coordinating their authorities according to Mr. Kittivudh. After traveling through Bosnia and Herzegovina, the man rented another taxi to take him across the entire length of Croatia in order to enter Hungary. At the border, Thai Embassy staff had already sent a car to take him to Budapest. His journey from Podgorica to Budapest encompassed a stretch of over 1,000 kilometers.&nbsp;<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/QoVIl77qY_shutterstock_1119049712%20low.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/QoVIl77qY_shutterstock_1119049712%20low.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 3000px;">Border crossing at Ivanica between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia “When he arrived here in Budapest, Thailand had already begun turning away commercial flights. Our job at this point was to send him to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam where he could board a KLM flight home with the documents that had a time limit on their validity,” says Mr. Kittivudh. The health certificate was to be no more than three days old before the passenger would board the plane according to the new measures that were changing by the day. The volatility of the circumstances rendered a number of the documents the man successfully acquired in early April invalid due to the postponing of travel plans.</div> &nbsp;“I personally felt very worried about this man’s case. For that entire month I woke up in the morning and the only thing I could think about was how the man was doing wherever he was on the leg of his journey,” says Mr. Kittivudh. When asked why he was so concerned, he says&nbsp;“I picked up his distress call myself- which at that point I was the man’s last hope. He would have no salary, nowhere to go, he’d be completely stranded in Montenegro if we do not succeed". &nbsp; After a few botched attempts to send the man home, all the documents were finally approved in line with the travel plans organized by the Thai Embassy. The travel route would involve numerous transits before making a final stop in The Netherlands where a seat on a repatriation flight was secured for the man. He first took a ride from Budapest to Vienna where he boarded a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt. From Frankfurt, he finally took a flight to Schiphol Airport Amsterdam and boarded his KLM flight to Thailand on April 19th 2020. The man’s journey from the starting point in Montenegro to Amsterdam took the man over 4 weeks and covered a span of 2,170 kilometers.<grammarly-extension style="position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; pointer-events: none;" class="cGcvT"></grammarly-extension><grammarly-extension style="position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; pointer-events: none;" class="cGcvT"></grammarly-extension><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/p3C3mRMPk_Montenegro-02.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/p3C3mRMPk_Montenegro-02.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;">The man's journey from Montenegro to Amsterdam took the man a month and covered a span of 2,170 Kilometers. Through the hard work of Thai Embassy staff as well as cooperation from local authorities in every respective country, all personnel involved contributed their efforts in pursuit of one common goal-to bring a fellow Thai back home. Such devotion is a hallmark of how civil servants would go above and beyond their mandates to fulfil their duty. <hr>Before I ended the call with Mr. Kittivudh, I asked if there were any limits to the solutions the Embassy could take to assist this man on his journey. He said “I find that this was feat beyond the best we could have done for him.”&nbsp;

Thai people don’t leave each other behind.&nbsp;Believe it or not, this motto may have been the driving force which has kept Thai civil servants motivated to repatriate Thais stranded abroad throughout the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Coming to work and just finishing what you have to do for the day is not the right approach when you work in civil service,” says Mr. Kittivudh Pinyowit, a Thai diplomat stationed at the Thai Embassy in Budapest. “Your goal at the end of the day is to bring home the people who have reached out to you as their last hope.”&nbsp;A Thai man was traveling alone through Montenegro in March 2020 when the country abruptly entered into one of the toughest lockdowns in Europe. According to the IMF, Montenegro preemptively chose to lockdown the country by closing its borders, schools, and non-essential businesses on March 13th&nbsp;2020 despite having no confirmed cases in the country. Its citizens were not allowed to travel to a number of European countries while ships were also barred from entering seaports.Habour at Boka Kotor Bay, Montenegro, Balkan Region,The Balkan Region borders the Mediterranean Sea and offers a beautiful destination for those who like Romanesque stone bridges and aquamarine lake views which have famously been featured in spy films like Martin Campbell’s Casino Royale. As a result of lockdown restrictions, all flights out of Montenegro and any connecting flights from the neighboring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina were completely cancelled that day.&nbsp;The Thai man had little time left at his accommodation as well as depleting resources in the strict conditions of the lockdown that left him forlorn.&nbsp;With little options left to return home, the man reached out to the Thai Embassy in Budapest where Mr. Kittivudh received his call for help on March 14th&nbsp;2020. There is no Thai Embassy in Montenegro for Thais and instead the Balkan region was placed in the care of the representation in Budapest.&nbsp;Little did the man know that this would only be the beginning of a one-month long journey back to Thailand that would involve a transit between five countries.&nbsp;“It was a challenging situation,” says Mr. Kittivudh. “There were also no other viable forms of public transport which the man could have used to leave his location.” The Embassy in Budapest had already begun the repatriation process for Thais who wished to return home from Hungary at the time, but Montenegro was a location far out of reach. After seeking out all possible options for the man, the Embassy staff decided that the most viable solution was to rent a taxi to drive the man from his location to the border where he could enter Bosnia and Herzegovina on foot.&nbsp;Thailand at the time began implementing stronger travel restrictions which meant the man must now provide a health certificate issued by a doctor to be qualified for boarding his aircraft back home. While waiting for his taxi ride to be arranged, the man attempted to acquire the health certificate in Montenegro. Under the new public health restrictions, he had to self-quarantine for at least 28 days before local practitioners would allow him to get checked. This option therefore became unfeasible. Embassy staff later advised him that it would be more convenient to organize an appointment with a doctor in Budapest.&nbsp;The taxi would take the man across Montenegro to the Bosnian border where local immigration officers had already received a request from the Thai Embassy to let him through under exceptional circumstances. The Bosnian Ministry of Foreign Affairs kindly accepted the case and was very helpful towards coordinating their authorities according to Mr. Kittivudh. After traveling through Bosnia and Herzegovina, the man rented another taxi to take him across the entire length of Croatia in order to enter Hungary. At the border, Thai Embassy staff had already sent a car to take him to Budapest. His journey from Podgorica to Budapest encompassed a stretch of over 1,000 kilometers.&nbsp;Border crossing at Ivanica between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia “When he arrived here in Budapest, Thailand had already begun turning away commercial flights. Our job at this point was to send him to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam where he could board a KLM flight home with the documents that had a time limit on their validity,” says Mr. Kittivudh. The health certificate was to be no more than three days old before the passenger would board the plane according to the new measures that were changing by the day. The volatility of the circumstances rendered a number of the documents the man successfully acquired in early April invalid due to the postponing of travel plans.&nbsp;“I personally felt very worried about this man’s case. For that entire month I woke up in the morning and the only thing I could think about was how the man was doing wherever he was on the leg of his journey,” says Mr. Kittivudh. When asked why he was so concerned, he says&nbsp;“I picked up his distress call myself- which at that point I was the man’s last hope. He would have no salary, nowhere to go, he’d be completely stranded in Montenegro if we do not succeed".&nbsp;After a few botched attempts to send the man home, all the documents were finally approved in line with the travel plans organized by the Thai Embassy. The travel route would involve numerous transits before making a final stop in The Netherlands where a seat on a repatriation flight was secured for the man. He first took a ride from Budapest to Vienna where he boarded a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt. From Frankfurt, he finally took a flight to Schiphol Airport Amsterdam and boarded his KLM flight to Thailand on April 19th 2020. The man’s journey from the starting point in Montenegro to Amsterdam took the man over 4 weeks and covered a span of 2,170 kilometers.The man's journey from Montenegro to Amsterdam took the man a month and covered a span of 2,170 Kilometers.Through the hard work of Thai Embassy staff as well as cooperation from local authorities in every respective country, all personnel involved contributed their efforts in pursuit of one common goal-to bring a fellow Thai back home. Such devotion is a hallmark of how civil servants would go above and beyond their mandates to fulfil their duty.Before I ended the call with Mr. Kittivudh, I asked if there were any limits to the solutions the Embassy could take to assist this man on his journey. He said “I find that this was feat beyond the best we could have done for him.”&nbsp;

At the Frontlines of the Thai Repatriation Mission: Stranded in the Balkans during COVID-19 

<h2>Government agencies, private businesses and individuals are all making efforts to recycle and upcycle the plastic marine litter that is poisoning our environment.&nbsp;</h2>To recycle plastic waste or not should no longer even be a question. The statistics show an alarming rise in waste, especially plastic, and with Thailand now holding the unenviable position of being among the top five countries generating plastic waste in the oceans, recycling and upcycling simply can’t be ignored.According to the Pollution Control Department, Thailand produces around 28.7 million tonnes of waste, but only 12.6 million tonnes or around 44% are recycled. The department also notes that 64% of waste produced in the city is food waste. Of the waste, around 12% or some two million tonnes, is made up of plastic. Of all the plastic waste, only 0.5 million tonnes is recycled while the rest, most of which is single-use plastic, goes to landfill or for incineration. It’s also known that as much as 30,000 tonnes find their way into the ocean. What’s more, food delivery services have inevitably grown in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a 62% increase in plastic waste this year.&nbsp;<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/fiHUkNvWJ_shutterstock_1074166649%20low.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/fiHUkNvWJ_shutterstock_1074166649%20low.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;"><span style='color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: "Bai Jamjuree"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;'>Plastic pollution in ocean environmental problem. Turtles can eat plastic bags mistaking them for jellyfish&nbsp;But there is hope: The public and private sectors as well as individuals are not ignoring the situation. In the past decades, efforts to reduce plastic consumption and improve knowledge of waste separation as well as the recycling or upcycling processes have increased.</div>The government has earlier launched Thailand's Roadmap on plastic waste management 2018-2030, aiming to reduce and do away with single-use plastic by replacing it with environmentally-friendly products, and also make sure 100% of plastic waste becomes part of the circular economy.&nbsp;But the circular economy in Thailand doesn’t only involve recycling or process, rather, it starts with public awareness on the need for less plastic consumption and more waste segregation. An effort to reduce plastic consumption and increase recycling and upcycling can be seen every step of the way.&nbsp;On the national scale, there’s been an effort by the government to reduce plastic consumption. A ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect in major stores on January 1, 2020.&nbsp;The next phase of the ban affecting all stores across the country will start on January 1, 2021. The move also sees a ban on other types of waste, namely the cap seals of water bottles.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/Z1G5tSjn6_shutterstock_1365584777%20low.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/Z1G5tSjn6_shutterstock_1365584777%20low.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;">A ban of single-use plastic bags went into effect in major stores on January 1, 2020.The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has put the names of 124 listed companies with outstanding performance in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects on the Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) list for 2020, up from 98 last year and 51 since its inauguration in 2015. The increasing number reflects Thai listed companies' remarkable progress in embracing more sustainable development practices in their businesses.</div>The Thailand Responsible Business Network under the SET has joined with the public and private sector to build economic value from the first 500 tonnes of waste in its first year of cooperation.The revolt against single-use plastic is even stronger amongst certain groups of individuals and members of the private sector. On the individual level, we see people making an effort to use fewer single-use plastic items and reuse them in different ways as much as possible. Initially, people got creative and had fun after the single-use plastic ban was imposed by sharing photos of shoppers checking out purchased items in a bucket, washing pail, ceramic jar, or even a wheelbarrow. But within weeks, people understood the goal of the ban and started reusing plastic bags or bringing their own shopping bags.&nbsp;Amongst the private sector and civic groups, diverse individuals or companies have teamed up to provide&nbsp;knowledge on waste management and the green lifestyle as well as&nbsp;hold workshops to initiate recycling and upcycling at home and at a small industrial scale.For example, Won – the name means circular in Thai – welcomes all clean plastic bags and plastic film.&nbsp;They have tried to change people's perception towards used plastic from “plastic waste” to “used plastic waiting to be recycled”. To achieve their goal, the group not only works to convince people to send their clean, used plastic to the factory by post or through their stations at department stores and buildings in Bangkok and other cities, but also collaborates with their partners such as the World Wildlife Fund to organise workshops to educate the public on waste segregation.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/viCXKckM0_122062161_932417107283302_3672856171065577326_o.jpg" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/viCXKckM0_122062161_932417107283302_3672856171065577326_o.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 3000px;"><span style='color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: "Bai Jamjuree"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;'>Won's campaign at Koh Yao, Phan Nga (Picture Credit: Facebook Wontogether)&nbsp;Local business operators have also joined the trend by introducing campaigns to encourage more environmental awareness. Some supermarkets have discouraged single-plastic packaged products or encouraged fresh produce packaged in banana leaves. A local hypermarket recently launched its campaign, encouraging people to trade 10 used plastic bottles for one egg.&nbsp;</div>A local tube producer who manufactures tubes for personal care products, including toothpaste and facial cleansers sold in Thailand, Vietnam, Slovenia and Indonesia, has successfully come up with a laminate tube that can be fully recycled.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/v29SZwvom_shutterstock_1501277681%20low.jpg" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Kah Tao island, September, 2019: Plastics Free campaign&nbsp;Heavy consumption of single-use plastic has already become a thing of a past. The new trend in Thailand is the fun and creative ways to make any waste reusable, recyclable or able to be upcycled. This, and collective effects of major industries to upscale plastic waste will help ensure a greener, more sustainable environment for future generations to come.</div>

Government agencies, private businesses and individuals are all making efforts to recycle and upcycle the plastic marine litter that is poisoning our environment.&nbsp;To recycle plastic waste or not should no longer even be a question. The statistics show an alarming rise in waste, especially plastic, and with Thailand now holding the unenviable position of being among the top five countries generating plastic waste in the oceans, recycling and upcycling simply can’t be ignored.According to the Pollution Control Department, Thailand produces around 28.7 million tonnes of waste, but only 12.6 million tonnes or around 44% are recycled. The department also notes that 64% of waste produced in the city is food waste. Of the waste, around 12% or some two million tonnes, is made up of plastic. Of all the plastic waste, only 0.5 million tonnes is recycled while the rest, most of which is single-use plastic, goes to landfill or for incineration. It’s also known that as much as 30,000 tonnes find their way into the ocean. What’s more, food delivery services have inevitably grown in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a 62% increase in plastic waste this year.&nbsp;Plastic pollution in ocean environmental problem. Turtles can eat plastic bags mistaking them for jellyfish&nbsp;But there is hope: The public and private sectors as well as individuals are not ignoring the situation. In the past decades, efforts to reduce plastic consumption and improve knowledge of waste separation as well as the recycling or upcycling processes have increased.The government has earlier launched Thailand's Roadmap on plastic waste management 2018-2030, aiming to reduce and do away with single-use plastic by replacing it with environmentally-friendly products, and also make sure 100% of plastic waste becomes part of the circular economy.&nbsp;But the circular economy in Thailand doesn’t only involve recycling or process, rather, it starts with public awareness on the need for less plastic consumption and more waste segregation. An effort to reduce plastic consumption and increase recycling and upcycling can be seen every step of the way.&nbsp;On the national scale, there’s been an effort by the government to reduce plastic consumption. A ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect in major stores on January 1, 2020.&nbsp;The next phase of the ban affecting all stores across the country will start on January 1, 2021. The move also sees a ban on other types of waste, namely the cap seals of water bottles.A ban of single-use plastic bags went into effect in major stores on January 1, 2020.The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has put the names of 124 listed companies with outstanding performance in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects on the Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) list for 2020, up from 98 last year and 51 since its inauguration in 2015. The increasing number reflects Thai listed companies' remarkable progress in embracing more sustainable development practices in their businesses.The Thailand Responsible Business Network under the SET has joined with the public and private sector to build economic value from the first 500 tonnes of waste in its first year of cooperation.The revolt against single-use plastic is even stronger amongst certain groups of individuals and members of the private sector. On the individual level, we see people making an effort to use fewer single-use plastic items and reuse them in different ways as much as possible. Initially, people got creative and had fun after the single-use plastic ban was imposed by sharing photos of shoppers checking out purchased items in a bucket, washing pail, ceramic jar, or even a wheelbarrow. But within weeks, people understood the goal of the ban and started reusing plastic bags or bringing their own shopping bags.&nbsp;Amongst the private sector and civic groups, diverse individuals or companies have teamed up to provide&nbsp;knowledge on waste management and the green lifestyle as well as&nbsp;hold workshops to initiate recycling and upcycling at home and at a small industrial scale.For example, Won – the name means circular in Thai – welcomes all clean plastic bags and plastic film.&nbsp;They have tried to change people's perception towards used plastic from “plastic waste” to “used plastic waiting to be recycled”. To achieve their goal, the group not only works to convince people to send their clean, used plastic to the factory by post or through their stations at department stores and buildings in Bangkok and other cities, but also collaborates with their partners such as the World Wildlife Fund to organise workshops to educate the public on waste segregation.Won's campaign at Koh Yao, Phan Nga (Picture Credit: Facebook Wontogether)&nbsp;Local business operators have also joined the trend by introducing campaigns to encourage more environmental awareness. Some supermarkets have discouraged single-plastic packaged products or encouraged fresh produce packaged in banana leaves. A local hypermarket recently launched its campaign, encouraging people to trade 10 used plastic bottles for one egg.&nbsp;A local tube producer who manufactures tubes for personal care products, including toothpaste and facial cleansers sold in Thailand, Vietnam, Slovenia and Indonesia, has successfully come up with a laminate tube that can be fully recycled.Kah Tao island, September, 2019: Plastics Free campaign&nbsp;Heavy consumption of single-use plastic has already become a thing of a past. The new trend in Thailand is the fun and creative ways to make any waste reusable, recyclable or able to be upcycled. This, and collective effects of major industries to upscale plastic waste will help ensure a greener, more sustainable environment for future generations to come.

Making plastic worth its while   

THE MICHELIN GUIDE 2021      

Thailand's Top 5 Features in The Global Best Country Ranking 

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6HLTqsft6M2uTpRJg5oEB9odP55_Z2v/view?usp=sharing"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/XTFx0SlqQ_FAQ%20Living%20in%20Thailand%20V.2%201%20S.jpg" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6HLTqsft6M2uTpRJg5oEB9odP55_Z2v/view?usp=sharing"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/sb5isq2FN_FAQ%20Living%20in%20Thailand%20V.2%204%20S.jpg" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6HLTqsft6M2uTpRJg5oEB9odP55_Z2v/view?usp=sharing"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/BVfWbPQX-_FAQ%20Living%20in%20Thailand%20V.2%202%20S.jpg" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6HLTqsft6M2uTpRJg5oEB9odP55_Z2v/view?usp=sharing"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/QwKoihInr_FAQ%20Living%20in%20Thailand%20V.2%203%20S.jpg" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6HLTqsft6M2uTpRJg5oEB9odP55_Z2v/view?usp=sharing">DOWNLOAD</a>

FAQ: LIVING IN THAILAND  

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m0aRrnwgjg-UMAQnlz7PwAlu11JlBygJ/view?usp=sharing"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/LMdCPzIg8_FAQ%20Business%20and%20Investment%20in%20Thailand%201%20S.jpg" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m0aRrnwgjg-UMAQnlz7PwAlu11JlBygJ/view?usp=sharing"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/wLpOXP1wx_FAQ%20Business%20and%20Investment%20in%20Thailand%202%20S.jpg" style="width: 3000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m0aRrnwgjg-UMAQnlz7PwAlu11JlBygJ/view?usp=sharing">DOWNLOAD</a>

FAQ: BUSINESS & INVESTMENT IN THAILAND

<img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/04ky6Eo-T_1607773105657.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/W4hoafIvm_line_30803901592143.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-rounded" style="width: 3000px;"><hr> The final session of the Children and Youth Assembly in Thailand was nearing its end and discussions on whether a clause should be added to the National Child and Youth Development Act BE 2560 (2017) that would allow for government officials to be punished should they fail to take action had reached an impasse. Not wanting to devote any more time to this subject, the host of the workshop announced that the proposals would be summarised then sent to each member to study and cast their vote.&nbsp;Frustrated at not receiving voluntary cooperation from some government officials in the field, the Children and Youth Council of Thailand (CYCT) had raised the idea of punishment as a way to encourage such officials to fully cooperate with them when they sought help. But while some participants felt that a punishment clause would be appropriate, others disagreed, pointing out that it could discourage the officials from taking any action and that in fact the law already allowed for sanctions if officials failed to do their duty.This final session, held on September 13, brought to a conclusion a three-day workshop that had gathered together and presented all the problems and challenges faced by the council in the past year. The proposals and demands for change that would improve the lives of children and young people were then put to the representatives of government agencies and non-profit organisations attending the meeting.&nbsp; <h2 class="fr-text-bordered" style="text-align: center;">“I’m satisfied with the result today,” said the CYCT’s president Suphaphit Chaiyadit after the assembly. Despite a temporary impasse, the meeting symbolised the Thai authorities’ readiness to work directly with stakeholders to improve its capacity and address any shortcomings.</h2>&nbsp;Suphaphit started to voluntarily work for the council in 2011. She was elected as the council’s vice president in 2018 and became the first female president in 2019.&nbsp;<img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/dCqNfeUbP_1607773106857.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/vGbaR-UB0_line_30773884591987.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-rounded" style="width: 3000px;">Suphahit led the council members from around the country in pointing out the problems to the workshop’s participants and proposed solutions and suggestions to improve the work. Everything at the assembly was meticulously arranged. The round table at which all participants sat ensured everyone was on the same level, implying equality, regardless of their age, gender or position.One of the priorities in which the council members had agreed was education reform, as they found the current school curriculum irrelevant and too impractical to be adopted or adapted to daily life.Suphaphit recalled her own experience at school. She went from an opportunity-expansion school at the primary level in a small district of Ranong where just one teacher taught all the classes, to a secondary school for gifted students in the province where all the subjects were taught in English. She then enrolled at a university in Bangkok but had no idea how to manage her life or finances without her family.&nbsp;“Despite my supportive family, I’d never been taught anything practical for daily life in school,” said Suphaphit. Like countless children whose parents didn’t receive much education, her hard-working parents were always supportive but couldn’t understand the education system or the modern job market.But times change as do people and the role of a teacher needs to evolve too, moving away from the perception of being a second parent to adopting the idea of becoming a mentor. Children don’t want to discuss certain issues like relationships or friendships or even, in her case, further studies, with their parents.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 class="fr-text-bordered" style="text-align: center;">“[Teachers] should act as a facilitator or a mentor, rather than a commander,” said Suphaphit. Students shouldn’t be taught just right or wrong because there are more than two directions in life. Trial and error should be the approach to teach students these days.</h2> Supatcha Suttipol, director-general of Department of Children and Youth of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, who was also at the assembly said the department would take all the demands into consideration.She recalled a situation in 2005 when the ministry tried to solve the street racing problem by providing a proper track for the young racers to do away with the nuisance factor and prevent road accidents.Supatcha felt the solution revealed that the ministry was trying to understand the teenagers but admits she was stunned when the adolescent street racers hit back, saying: “Why didn’t you ask us if we could join the races if they were held during the day when we have to be at school?”The director-general realised that the conventional top-down policy would no longer work. Officials and the older generation had to listen to the children and find out how they wanted problems to be solved.&nbsp;Suphaphit likened the demands for change to the different preferences of generations, noting that while parents may like a traditional-style house, the children may prefer a more modern abode that fits their lifestyle.The strategies calling for a change from the younger generation can be made both on the street and through the system, she added.To have a house in which people of different generations can live in harmony, Suphaphit compared the council to an architect who re-designs an old house that could fit both the parents and children while the protesters are the family members who are demanding that the house be immediately renovated.<img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/FPB1HZBLU_1607773106216.png" alt="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/Jk4NS71IR_line_30836427728606.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-rounded" style="width: 3000px;">The young woman, who completed her term as a president at the end of September has now established the Association for Social Development and Sustainability with friends who used to work for the council. A goal of the recently established association is to support the council both strategically and financially. The Social Administration graduate from Thammasat University is waiting to apply for a master’s degree course at the same faculty next academic year. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The final session of the Children and Youth Assembly in Thailand was nearing its end and discussions on whether a clause should be added to the National Child and Youth Development Act BE 2560 (2017) that would allow for government officials to be punished should they fail to take action had reached an impasse. Not wanting to devote any more time to this subject, the host of the workshop announced that the proposals would be summarised then sent to each member to study and cast their vote.&nbsp;Frustrated at not receiving voluntary cooperation from some government officials in the field, the Children and Youth Council of Thailand (CYCT) had raised the idea of punishment as a way to encourage such officials to fully cooperate with them when they sought help. But while some participants felt that a punishment clause would be appropriate, others disagreed, pointing out that it could discourage the officials from taking any action and that in fact the law already allowed for sanctions if officials failed to do their duty.This final session, held on September 13, brought to a conclusion a three-day workshop that had gathered together and presented all the problems and challenges faced by the council in the past year. The proposals and demands for change that would improve the lives of children and young people were then put to the representatives of government agencies and non-profit organisations attending the meeting.&nbsp;“I’m satisfied with the result today,” said the CYCT’s president Suphaphit Chaiyadit after the assembly. Despite a temporary impasse, the meeting symbolised the Thai authorities’ readiness to work directly with stakeholders to improve its capacity and address any shortcomings.&nbsp;Suphaphit started to voluntarily work for the council in 2011. She was elected as the council’s vice president in 2018 and became the first female president in 2019.&nbsp;Suphahit led the council members from around the country in pointing out the problems to the workshop’s participants and proposed solutions and suggestions to improve the work. Everything at the assembly was meticulously arranged. The round table at which all participants sat ensured everyone was on the same level, implying equality, regardless of their age, gender or position.One of the priorities in which the council members had agreed was education reform, as they found the current school curriculum irrelevant and too impractical to be adopted or adapted to daily life.Suphaphit recalled her own experience at school. She went from an opportunity-expansion school at the primary level in a small district of Ranong where just one teacher taught all the classes, to a secondary school for gifted students in the province where all the subjects were taught in English. She then enrolled at a university in Bangkok but had no idea how to manage her life or finances without her family.&nbsp;“Despite my supportive family, I’d never been taught anything practical for daily life in school,” said Suphaphit. Like countless children whose parents didn’t receive much education, her hard-working parents were always supportive but couldn’t understand the education system or the modern job market.But times change as do people and the role of a teacher needs to evolve too, moving away from the perception of being a second parent to adopting the idea of becoming a mentor. Children don’t want to discuss certain issues like relationships or friendships or even, in her case, further studies, with their parents.&nbsp;&nbsp;“[Teachers] should act as a facilitator or a mentor, rather than a commander,” said Suphaphit. Students shouldn’t be taught just right or wrong because there are more than two directions in life. Trial and error should be the approach to teach students these days.Supatcha Suttipol, director-general of Department of Children and Youth of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, who was also at the assembly said the department would take all the demands into consideration.She recalled a situation in 2005 when the ministry tried to solve the street racing problem by providing a proper track for the young racers to do away with the nuisance factor and prevent road accidents.Supatcha felt the solution revealed that the ministry was trying to understand the teenagers but admits she was stunned when the adolescent street racers hit back, saying: “Why didn’t you ask us if we could join the races if they were held during the day when we have to be at school?”The director-general realised that the conventional top-down policy would no longer work. Officials and the older generation had to listen to the children and find out how they wanted problems to be solved.&nbsp;Suphaphit likened the demands for change to the different preferences of generations, noting that while parents may like a traditional-style house, the children may prefer a more modern abode that fits their lifestyle.The strategies calling for a change from the younger generation can be made both on the street and through the system, she added.To have a house in which people of different generations can live in harmony, Suphaphit compared the council to an architect who re-designs an old house that could fit both the parents and children while the protesters are the family members who are demanding that the house be immediately renovated.The young woman, who completed her term as a president at the end of September has now established the Association for Social Development and Sustainability with friends who used to work for the council. A goal of the recently established association is to support the council both strategically and financially. The Social Administration graduate from Thammasat University is waiting to apply for a master’s degree course at the same faculty next academic year. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Adapting To Social Changes With The Young 

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&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Held Biannually and organized by the Thailand Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Bangkok Gems &amp; Jewellery Fair (BGJF) is unarguably one of the biggest and most notable jewel Fairs globally. The maiden edition of the Gems and Jewel Fair was held in 1983.The 15 million USD Jewellery and Gems Industry ranks as the third-highest most exported commodity in Thailand and generates millions of jobs for Thai people. The Fair which holds annually in February and September helps to provide a common rendezvous for all the major players in the gems and jewellery industry to network, source and trade.&nbsp;The BGJF is part of the Thai’s government effort to make Thailand one of the biggest and most attractive destinations for the manufacture, sourcing and trading of jewellery and gems in the world.The 2020 February edition of the Fair attracted almost 10,000 visitors across the world, with visitors from India, China, USA, and France amongst the highest number of attendees. Some of the best-selling products include gemstones, silver jewellery, pearls and machinery.Besides top Jewellery brands showcasing some of their best work, the BGJF also hosts several other activities. In a striking exhibition of contemporary silver jewellery known as the Siam Silver showcase, a brilliant display of some of the latest and fashionable silver jewellery are displayed to showcase the long history and versatility of Thailand’s burgeoning silver industry and the creative talent of Thai artisans.The Fair also hosts a special networking reception, held under the theme of ‘Bangkok Gems &amp; Jewellery Elite Club’ or an exotic and vintage atmosphere of the 50s. The networking reception features an exhibition of the best luxurious jewellery collections from some of the biggest brands, modelled by celebrities or models in a live musical performance. The reception also presents an avenue for some of the biggest traders and personalities in the gems and jewellery business to form new business networks and strengthen old ones.Some of the newest and most talented entrants into the industry across Thailand also showcase their gem and jewellery collections in The New Faces section of the Fair, where they can connect with potential buyers and network with notable figures in the industry. The Fair also hosts various seminars, demonstrations and workshops relating to products, markets, designs, and the use of social media and e-commerce in the gem and jewellery industry.Biannually, the Bangkok Gems &amp; Jewel Fair hosts one of the grandest exhibitions of jewellery and gems in the world. The Fair not only showcases Thailand as one of the best destinations for precious stones and metal, but it also highlights the tremendous versatility, artistry and history behind the gems and jewel Industry in Thailand. Event Date: 23 – 25 February 2021 (Special Edition) Online, visit <a href="https://bkkgems.com">https://bkkgems.com</a> for more details&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Powered by <a href="https://www.froala.com/wysiwyg-editor?pb=1" title="Froala Editor">Froala Editor</a>

Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair 

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px; line-height: 1.8em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-family: Galibier, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: justify; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The most exotic leg of the series, L'Étape Thailand takes you around the stunning scenery of Songkhla. Participants will gather for an unforgettable race through totally unique surroundings: from idyllic beaches to tropical forests and breathtaking views.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px; line-height: 1.8em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-family: Galibier, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: justify; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/RQnJZGWAS_1608474398242.png" style="width: 2000px; margin: 5px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Credit Picture:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.letapebyletourdefrance.com/">https://www.letapebyletourdefrance.com/</a>

L’ETAPE Thailand by Tour De France

Thailand’s Amazing Water FestArguably the biggest festival in Thailand, Songkran is an important event in the Southeast Asian country that ushers the start of the traditional Thai New Year. Songkran is a Sanskrit word that means ‘movement.’ The festival is a magnanimous annual event that is from the 13th to the 15th of April.Culturally, the Thais regard water as a spiritual source of purification. The widely celebrated festival originated from locals gathering water that had been used to cleanse Buddha statues. Thereafter, this water served as a source of spiritual purification where it was poured over village elders and elderly family members in several communities.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/8GPNK4dgt_shutterstock_620416109%20low.jpg"></figure>But like with every major cultural and historic festival that is now awash with a sense of merriment, Songkran has morphed into something of an aquatic splendour enjoyed by both adults and children alike. Fortunately, the festival coincides with one of the hottest summer months in Thailand, doubling the fun and excitement.The first day of the festival kicks off with a joyous celebration marked with country-wide processions of people with various Buddha images. Highlighting the importance of entering into a new year in a pious state, Thai people conduct strict sanitation of their houses in preparation for the traditional New Year.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/I11u9FETb_shutterstock_185658689%20low.jpg"></figure>Similarly, Thais also engage in various visits to Buddhist monasteries, giving charitable donations to monks and praying for forgiveness and better luck in the coming year.&nbsp;The spectacle of the festival is staggering in places like Chiang Mai – the northern capital is host to one of the biggest, longest and wildest celebration of Songkran. Likewise, the Khao San Road – an absolute backpackers’ delight – is the heart and soul of the modern exhibition and celebration of Songkran.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/ub87_kkXK_shutterstock_321151781%20low.jpg"></figure>Thais and foreigners alike parade the festival with pressure hoses, varieties of gigantic water guns, and huge cooler boxes ready to splatter water in any direction. According to Thai culture, only Nuns, Monks, and the elderly can excuse themselves from the pizzazz of the Songkran Festival.If you enjoy the abundant gush and splash of water in summer, a colourful, grand and cultural celebration teeming with drenched people, music, food, and excitement, then the annual Songkran Festival in Thailand is definitely one to experience.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/1J2qafcC8_shutterstock_1053661421%20low.jpg"></figure>

Songkran Festival 2021

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; word-break: break-word; line-height: 24px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Roboto; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">World-class Architectural Technology and Building Materials Exhibition The Architect Expo has a long history since its first exhibition in 1968. Last year, Architect'19 Expo ended on a positive note after bringing together over 442,106 visitors from Thailand and abroad recorded high attendance. Meanwhile, 88% of the exhibitors survey genuinely believe that taking part in this expo is exceptionally crucial to their business, as it offers a unique opportunity to meet new potential buyers and establish business alliances while promoting their new products. Marked the upcoming 34th edition with the new concept 'REFOCUS HERITAGE', Architect'21 Expo will take place at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Bangkok Thailand, during April 27 - May 2,2021.<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: sans-serif, Roboto; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Highlights</h2><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Roboto; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">ASA Forum &amp; Seminar</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">ASA International Design Competition</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">ASA Activities &amp; Workshops</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Smart Building Showcase</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Inno-Talks</li></ul>

Architect'21 Expo

&nbsp;Thailand’s Fascinating Rocket FestivalThe Boon Bang Fai festival is a colourful and vibrant traditional celebration held in honour of Phaya Thaen, the god of rain. The three-day rocket festival is held anywhere between May and June in northeast Thailand.The word Boon Bang Fai translates into a “fiery tube” in English and is an apt description of the gunpowder fuelled bamboo rockets that soar high into the sky on the third day of the festival. The first celebration of the Boon Bang Fai festival dates back centuries ago.&nbsp;Typically held just before the annual monsoon season, the festival is believed to be part of a Buddhist fertility ritual celebrated to remind Phaya Thaen of his promise to send down the rains every year before each farming season.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:98.66%;"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/amd98Jetm_image.png"></figure>It is largely believed that the festival will precede abundant rainfall for the next rice planting season. Likewise, the festive period also serves as a holiday for the locals before the rigours and hard work of the next planting season begins.Boon Bang Fai is usually held on weekends, where celebrations climax on Sunday, with spectacular rocket launches, accompanied by widespread partying, music, and street parades in between.The first day of the event, called Wan Sook Dib, which means Raw Friday, is marked by wild and joyous performances called Mor Lam Sing, dedicated to exalting fertility. The activities of the first day can get raunchy as symbols of giant phalluses, vulgar songs, cross-dressing and flirty teasing of strangers and friends are all enshrined into the fun, dancing, and music.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:92.7%;"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/qO0_kkzfn_image.png"></figure>The first day of the event, called Wan Sook Dib, which means Raw Friday, is marked by wild and joyous performances called Mor Lam Sing, dedicated to exalting fertility. The activities of the first day can get raunchy as symbols of giant phalluses, vulgar songs, cross-dressing and flirty teasing of strangers and friends are all enshrined into the fun, dancing, and music.The partying, garish street parades and buoyant festivities trickle into the second day of the festival where people march in a vibrant procession across the streets. These performances are eventually succeeded by a Buddhist-merry making ceremony, where locals pay homage to the gods at the city pillar shrine.On the third day of the festival, people work in different groups to create and design rockets. These amazingly decorated homemade bamboo rockets can stretch as long as 7 meters with a 12-meter tail that can store up to 120kg of gunpowder. The competition is also held for the highest-launching and finest rocket on show for the day. Groups with the best rockets win prizes as part of the fun.The Elegant Boon Bang Fai festival also includes themed floats and an exuberant display of traditional music, dancing, costumes, and local delicacies. If you love a proper and grand cultural celebration, then the three-day Boon Bang Fai spectacle promises enthralling excitement that will leave you in complete awe.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://thailandnow-dev.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/production/Pf-JPB7gv_shutterstock_292674326%20%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%84.jpg"></figure>&nbsp;When: Boon Bang Fai is typically held between May – Jun, various by local areas. The most popular ones are in Yasothorn (second week of May) and Roi Et (first week of June).&nbsp;

Boon Bang Fai 2021

If you’re fascinated by Thailand and want to learn more, you’ve come to the right place.Thailand NOW brings information on all aspects of Thai life, culture, current events and facts you can’t find anywhere else - real Thai facts written by real Thai people. All carefully laid out in a format that always puts you within a click of what you need to know. Thailand Now means Thailand right now! So, start your journey now!Thailand Now... Insightfully Thai &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Thailand Now means Thailand right now! So, start your journey now!

If you’re fascinated by Thailand and want to learn more, you’ve come to the right place.Thailand NOW brings information on all aspects of Thai life, culture, current events and facts you can’t find anywhere else - real Thai facts written by real Thai people. All carefully laid out in a format that always puts you within a click of what you need to know. Thailand Now means Thailand right now! So, start your journey now!Thailand Now... Insightfully Thai &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

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CONTENT

Thailand Now : Discover Thailand In A Click

Thailand Now : Discover Thailand In A Click

EVENTS NOW

Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair

22

24

L’ETAPE Thailand by Tour De France

19

21

Songkran Festival 2021

13

15

Architect'21 Expo

26

01

Boon Bang Fai 2021

01

30

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Thailand Now : Discover Thailand In A Click

Thailand Now : Discover Thailand In A Click

EVENTS NOW

Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair

22

24

L’ETAPE Thailand by Tour De France

19

21

Songkran Festival 2021

13

15

THAILAND NOW

Living in Thailand

Thailand Lifestyle

Business & Investment in Thailand

Thailand Facts

SOCIAL NETWORK

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