Day: April 12, 2024

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made an emphatic call Thursday for the United States to continue its "pivotal" role for global peace and stability, pointing to security challenges from China, North Korea and Russia. Kishida made the call during an address to a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, reiterating Japan's commitment to working with the U.S. "shoulder to shoulder" through the alliance of the two countries that he said are "essential to peace, vital to freedom and fundamental to prosperity." "The world needs the United States to continue playing this pivotal role in the affairs of nations," Kishida said during his address delivered in English. He said that America has championed freedom, democracy, stability and prosperity under the international order, while voicing concerns that the order faces "new challenges from those with values and principles very different from ours." The prime minister enumerated a range of regional and global changes, including those from North Korea, China a nd Russia. "There exists an imminent danger of nuclear weapons with nuclear weapons proliferation in East Asia: North Korea's nuclear and missile program as a direct threat," he said. "The issue of abductions by North Korea remains a critical issue." He added that Pyongyang's provocations have an impact "beyond the region," and that its export of ballistic missiles to Russia has increased the suffering of Ukrainian people. Kishida took a swipe at China's military actions. "China's current external stance and military actions present unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge not only to the peace and security of Japan, but to the peace and stability of the international community at large," he said. "While such a challenge from China continues our commitment to upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law as well as peace will continue to be a defining agenda going forward." The prime minister also touched on "economic coercion" in a thinly veiled criticism of China's p olicy. "There are growing cases of economic coercion and so-called debt trap diplomacy whereby the economic dependency of nations is exploited and weaponized." He railed against what he called Russia's "unprovoked and brutal war of aggression" against Ukraine. "As I often say, Ukraine of today may be the East Asia of tomorrow," he said. He pointed out that Moscow continues to threaten the use of nuclear weapons, which he said has contributed to "worldwide concern that yet another catastrophe by nuclear weapon use is a real possibility." "In this reality, close coordination between Japan and the U.S. is required more than ever to ensure that the deterrence (of our allies) remains credible and resilient," he said. Throughout the address, Kishida recognized America's heavy burden for its leadership role and stressed Japan's willingness to work with the U.S. "side by side." "I am here to say that Japan is already standing shoulder to shoulder with the U.S.," he said. "You are not alone. We are with you." Japan has steadily been pursuing a greater role in global security as seen in its decisions to double its defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product in fiscal year 2027, adopt "counter-strike" capabilities and ease arms export restrictions in a move away from its strictly defense-oriented policy. Source: Yonhap News Agency

Saraburi, Ang Thong Atmosphere of traveling back to homeland. During the Songkran festival Dense at both Phahonyothin and Mittraphap. In the middle of the night, a special channel opens. Last night, traffic on Phahonyothin Road Enter Nong Khae District Cars running in full lane But still not stuck, able to use speeds of 60-90 kilometers per hour. There was a slowdown at some points into Mueang Saraburi District. The car slowed down while going up Mittraphap Bridge. Because it is a bottleneck, alternating to a standstill, overall Phahon Yothin Road can still move smoothly. Meanwhile, Muang Saraburi Police Station along with the highway police A special channel has been opened under the Friendship Level Bridge. To help ventilate cars going up the level bridge. No need to get stuck on the bridge. And it is to facilitate traffic for people who use their cars to travel home heading towards the Isaan Gate. with volunteer staff from the Sawangrattantraithamsathan Saraburi Rescue Foundation Participate in facilitat ing traffic. As for Mittraphap Road, at km 19, Noen Thap Kwang, Thap Kwang Subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi District, vehicles slowed down while going up the hill until reaching Noen Sap Bon (Big Buddha), Thap Kwang Subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi District. Highway police and traffic volunteers provided assistance. Because there are a lot of vehicles filling every lane. Can use a speed of about 40 kilometers per hour. In addition, the car slowed down because it was an uphill section. Enter Muak Lek District While going up the hill in the middle of the forest The car slowed down because it was a hill. which is a joint Muak Lek District and Klang Dong Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province While at 9:30 p.m., Saraburi Highway District together with the highway police A rubber cone is placed. Open a special lane on Mittraphap Road, kilometer 24, Noen Sub Bon, of Thap Kwang Subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi District, to kilometer 43, Klang Dong Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Continuousl y dense along the Asian line to the north. More cars in every lane Expect cars to be full throughout the day. Officials recommend using a bypass to reduce traffic problems. Since last evening, the volume of vehicles using Highway 32 or the Asia route To travel up to the northern region in Ang Thong Province from the border area of Maharat District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. All the way to the boundary zone, Phrom Buri District, Sing Buri Province, there is a continuous increase in vehicle volume until it slows down in many places, such as at kilometer 52, the bridge over Khlong Bang Kaeo, Ban It Subdistrict, Mueang District, Ang Thong Province, which is a bottleneck. and the gas station area at Kilometer 59, Chorakhe Rong Subdistrict, Chaiyo District, Ang Thong Province, which is a rest stop with many people using the service. causing the car to slow down The extremely hot weather forced many trucks to park on the shoulder of the road to prevent engine and tire damage. Ang Thong police officers Peo ple traveling to the northern region are advised to use Road 33, Ang Thong - Suphan Buri, at the Pa Mok intersection, heading to bypass Suphan Buri to enter Chainat Province and meet the Asian Road again. Or use the old Ang Thong-Sing Buri Road 309 through Ang Thong Province. Enter Singburi Province and Chainat Province Source: Thai News Agency

Apr. - The Prime Minister went to the Hua Hin market to buy sticky rice with grilled pork and sticky rice with mango from a regular shop. While in the afternoon there was a mission to the Hua Hin train station area. Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister, spent the Songkran holiday in Hua Hin District. Prachuap Khiri Khan Province This morning (April 12), the Prime Minister walked the Hua Hin morning market, made merit, offered alms to monks, stopped by to greet the people and bought grilled pork sticky rice and Ok Rong mango sticky rice. In the afternoon, the Prime Minister There is a mission to the area. Visit Hua Hin Railway Station Follow the story of tourism and people's travel during the Songkran festival Source: Thai News Agency

Bangkok: Pollution Control Department Revealing inspection results from finding cadmium and zinc residue. at Bang Sue District Cadmium levels were found higher than specific criteria from soil samples in the factory. But the soil outside the factory Nearby water sources and vapors in the air No contamination found Continuously watch out The Pollution Control Department (PCD) reports the results of its inspection in the case of finding cadmium and zinc residue. stored in factory Pracharat Road 1, Wong Sawang Subdistrict, Bang Sue District, which is operated in collaboration with the Health Department. Bangkok They found cadmium and zinc sludge piled up inside the factory building. According to the announcement of the officials in accordance with the Factory Act, B.E. 2535 and the Hazardous Substances Act, B.E. 2535, there are 99 bags, equivalent to 150 tons of such sludge. It was seized as a medium in legal proceedings under the factory law. In this regard, waste samples were randomly collected, consisting o f 2 samples of soil inside the factory and 9 samples of soil outside the factory in the community area at distances of 50, 100, and 500 meters. When analyzed with an Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence machine (Energy Dispersive Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) found that the tailings had a cadmium content higher than the TTLC value, which is considered a hazardous waste. The soil in the factory was found to be contaminated with cadmium higher than the criteria for soil contamination in the factory. As for the soil outside the factory, no cadmium contamination was detected. As for the results of measuring chemical vapors in the atmosphere at 3 locations: inside the factory, in front of the factory, and in a community 250 meters away from the factory, no hazardous substances were detected in the atmosphere. From wastewater sampling at two points inside the building and surface water samples from three points around the factory area, it was found that the initial water quality in both points was within normal limits because there was no activity in the cadmium waste storage area. water in business operations and no business operations found Previously, the Pollution Control Department attended a meeting of the cadmium waste problem solving committee of 6 agencies in accordance with the Prime Minister's order. with Mr. Natthaphon Rangsitphon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, as chairman. Ms. Preeyaporn Suwannakes, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, represented the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Meeting with Mr. Phon Damtham, Governor of Samut Sakhon Province, Mr. Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj Governor of Tak Province Dr. Yongchua Sirithaworn Director of the Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases Dr. Surawit Sakdanupap, Public Health Doctor of Samut Sakhon Province Ministry of Public Health Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Acting Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, Po lice Major General Watcharin Pusit, Commander for the Suppression of Crimes Related to Natural Resources and the Environment (Commander of Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division). ) The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry emphasized in the meeting that all 6 agencies will jointly work together on guidelines for cadmium waste management. According to the orders of the Prime Minister and will communicate to the public to understand and correctly understand that Cadmium waste in Tak Province It is obtained by smelting zinc ore which contains copper ore and cadmium ore. in a mine in Tak Province that has long been closed down and is safely buried underground in Tak Province. Cadmium residue found Stabilized Mixed with Portland cement, which is widely used around the world in construction work, to prevent leaching and diffusion into the air. Currently, more than 12,500 tons of cadmium waste have been found in Samut Sakhon Province. Chonburi Province and Bang Sue District Bangk ok It will search for cadmium residue in areas that have not yet been found. In dealing with the cadmium residue found The Department of Primary Industries and Mines has been assigned to plan and set guidelines. Including safety measures for moving. From origin to destination and prepare the area and environment to be safe Both before and after moving There is a way to return it to landfill at the original pond in Tak Province, which is a cement pond and lined with High-Density Polyethylene: HDPE plastic material produced by polymerizing under high pressure. Thickness 1.5 millimeters according to the environmental impact assessment. (Environmental Impact Assessment EIA) set.-512 Source: Thai News Agency

Tak Myanmar Temporarily opening the second Myawaddy permanent border checkpoint to hasten the release of large numbers of Thai cargo trucks. Thai military officials are taking care of security. and strict inspection of trucks last morning Myawaddy Permanent Border Checkpoint 2, Myawaddy Province Myanmar There is an order to temporarily open the checkpoint. To hasten the release of many Thai cargo trucks. Remaining on the Myawaddy side after yesterday There is an emergency closure of the checkpoint due to the unrest situation in Myawaddy Province. As soon as the gate opened There is a convoy of Thai goods trucks. Slowly driving across the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge back to Mae Sot District without interruption. while at the foot of the Mae Sot border checkpoint There are military officers to take care of safety. and strictly inspect trucks To prevent the smuggling of illegal items. Source: Thai News Agency

Chiang Mai Every of every year is considered the anniversary of the construction of Ban Pang Muang Chiang Mai. This year marks the 728th anniversary. Chiang Mai people come together to make merit for good fortune and dance to pay homage. Before starting the city's New Year tradition or Songkran Chiang Mai Chiang Mai residents and tourists, including hundreds of dancers, will come together to pay homage to the Three Kings Monument today. which are beautifully dressed in traditional clothes Join together to make merit and give alms to monks. The area of the Three Kings Monument In the middle of Chiang Mai city on the day of the 728th anniversary of the construction of Chiang Mai city since morning. For good fortune Part of them made a wish for Chiang Mai to be free from smog and toxic dust. which Chiang Mai residents have been dealing with for many months Before Mr. Nirat Phongsitthaworn Governor of Chiang Mai Province The people of Chiang Mai will bring betel nuts and betel nuts as offerings as offerings al ong with hundreds of dancers who join in beautifully rolling their nails as a remembrance of the benevolence of the Eastern Lanna kings. Both King Mangrai Ruler of Chiang Mai King Ngam Muang of Phayao and King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai. Phra Phiya friends who together determined the city's Chaiyaphum in front was the Ping River and in the back was Doi Suthep before building Ban Pang, Mueang Nop Buri, Sri Nakhon Ping, Chiang Mai since 1839 or 728 years ago until it became Chiang Mai Province. It has prospered as the center of the economy and tourism of the northern region to this day. It is said to be a beauty of Chiang Mai people that has been passed down for a long time and is another charm that attracts tourists to come visit Songkran in Chiang Mai. Source: Thai News Agency