ASEAN
Thailand is Falling Behind in Efforts to Eliminate Plastic Waste
BANGKOK – “Ending Plastic Pollution” has been set as the theme for World Environment Day on June 5, but Thailand is falling behind Asian and European countries in the fight against plastic waste.
Thailand is the world’s sixth biggest contributor of ocean waste, while China is the largest. Thailand generates 1.03 million tons of plastic waste per year, with over 3% of that finding its way into the ocean, Tara Buakamsri, Thailand country director for Greenpeace.
Of the country’s total waste, plastic accounts for 12%, higher than China’s at 11%. A survey by the government in 2017 found that on average Thais each use eight plastic bags per day, which equates to around 198 billion per year.
“Most people, especially the middle class people, know how to segregate waste, how to reuse and how to recycle, but because of how many products they use in their daily life, they just throw a lot away,” Tara said.
At a large food and beverage expo in Bangkok last week, plastic packaging was ubiquitous. Several food producers interviewed said they were willing to use environmentally friendly products, but the low cost and convenience of plastic made them reluctant to change.
“It comes down to what you see as more important. In Thailand we tend to consider price first, whereas in Europe and Japan companies prioritize the environment,” said a representative of a prominent family business who wished to remain anonymous.
He said the onus was on consumers to start recycling. But activists said there needs to be greater awareness first.
Thailand has some 400 recycling facilities around the country and it rewards rubbish collectors for sorting out recyclables. But in doing so, personal responsibility is taken away from consumers, who leave the problem to others to, literally, sort out.
Yai Yanee, owner of snack company Siam Delicious, said she is paid by a company that comes to her factory and sorts out her trash. She amasses about 200kg of waste every week, for which the company pays her 3,000 baht ($94).
“I don’t have time to sort the rubbish myself,” she said.
Geoff Baker, founder of nongovernmental organization Grin Green International, blames plastic bag producers and retailers for exploiting consumers’ ignorance. He pointed to cashiers at convenience stores who dish out bags for small and single-item purchases without thought.
7-Eleven convenience stores in Thailand, announced its intention to reduce and, eventually, to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags at all their stores throughout the country last year. – Photo Thaiger News
CP All Group, owner of the 7-Eleven franchise in Thailand, responded in a statement that it vigorously upholds policies in line with international environmental standards, and implements a “say no to plastic bags” campaign.
“It has been on the national agenda to raise awareness of the importance of using our resources efficiently and reduce the number of plastic bags, and lessen the impact we make on the environment,” according to the statement.
Still, with the country’s mini marts and convenience stores poised for aggressive growth around the country this year — CP All Group is set to operate 11,000 stores by the end of the year — changing people’s attitude to plastic will be vital.
Malaysian tourist Louisa Lausin, who was at the food expo, said Asian consumers see shrink-wrapped fruit and vegetables as a mark of freshness. She said that before her government imposed a ban on plastic bags in certain Malaysian cities, she had not bothered with recyling.
Other Asian governments have been similarly spurred into action. China recently reported a 66% drop in plastic bag use since a crackdown on free distribution began about 10 years ago. China has also banned imports of plastic waste.
Malaysia, Indonesia and India have all pledged to ramp up efforts to cut plastic bag use, either through bans, taxes or committing more money to clean up polluted waters.
The European Commission, which has the potential to pressure Thailand into raising its environmental standards, announced it was proposing new EU-wide rules to target single-use plastics. In the past, Thailand has capitulated to EC rules over its fishing industry, so the European body could force change on the government.
Since 2015, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has appealed to Thais to cut down on plastic bag use and to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Waste management is also part of his 20-year national strategy.
To some extent, those efforts have gained traction as recycling has increased, said Greenpeace’s Tara. Some cafes and shops in Bangkok also now offer refilling services for shampoo, detergent and other products.
But critics said that the government is just paying lip service, pointing to a China Daily report that claimed Thailand imported plastic waste from the U.K. this year for the first time. This is a seemingly regressive step given Thailand’s recycling infrastructure is barely capable of processing its own plastic, let alone any other country’s.
Following the death of the whale after experts tried for five days to save it, Jatuporn Buruspat, head of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, was quoted by Reuters as saying his ministry planned to raise public awareness of the plastic problem on World Oceans Day on June 8.
Thai Environment Day gives consumers a chance to show they care by waving off offers of plastic bags at a department store.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s major retail chains Tesco Lotus and Central Group have pledged to further reduce plastic use in their operations, and on a permanent basis.
The announcements drew praise from some environmentalists, but Greenpeace said the level of commitment remained inadequate to have the needed effect on Thailand’s plastic-waste nightmare.
A fundamental shift in consumer behavior was needed, it said.
Tesco Lotus corporate affairs director Salinla Seehapan said the chain would eliminate all “expanded polyethylene” packaging by the end of this month and switch to recyclable materials instead.
Tesco Lotus will also continue efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags, she said.
“We have been gradually reducing expanded-polyethylene packaging in all 2,000 outlets since last year and we are proud to announce that, by July, none of our stores will use it,” Salinla said.
“From now on, our food products will be packed in recyclable thermoforming plastic plate, which could reduce the use of expanded polyethylene by more than 400 tonnes a year.”
Cheap and lightweight, expanded polyethylene foam packaging remains in wide use for wrapping food, electronic and electrical goods, furniture and more, but it is considered non-biodegradable. Scientists say it will take thousands of years to fully break down.
Its lightness actually contributes to the waste problem, since the wind carries off discarded pieces, littering streets and often ending up in the sea.
There it can break up into micro-plastic easily swallowed by marine life, thus contaminating the food chain and posing a health hazard to consumers of seafood.
All 2,000 of Tesco Lotus’ stores across Thailand will replace their plastic bags with reusable paper ones. – Nation Photo
Salinla said Tesco Lotus would maintain its policy of banning plastic bags on the fourth day of every month in a bid to encourage customers to bring fabric bags or their own plastic bags to reuse.
The chain will also open a sixth plastic-bags-free outlet on Koh Chang in Trat by the end of the year where the bags are banned year-round.
Central Retail Corp president Nicolo Galante had earlier announced its ambitious goal to become Thailand’s first plastic-bags-free retailer by the end of this year.
Beginning on World Environment Day, Galante said, all of the chain’s outlets except its food markets would stop automatically placing purchases in plastic bags. Customers will have to specifically request a plastic bag or bring their own.
Greenpeace country director Tara Buakamsri said he was pleased to hear the two retail giants were taking stronger measures to reduce plastic waste, but warned that it’s still not enough to meet the national goal of abandoning expanded polyethylene food packaging completely by 2022.
Every retailer and every consumer must adopt more intensive measures to cut down on the use of all kinds of single-use plastic, Tara said.
“The big companies’ CSR [corporate social responsibility] campaigns alone cannot end plastic pollution,” he said. “The key to solving the problem is changing consumer behavior, and Thais are heavily addicted to plastic.
“So we should focus on lessening their reliance on single-use plastic by fostering different behavior and a fresh mindset.”
The Plastic Institute of Thailand estimates that, in 2015, more than 2.048 million tonnes of plastic were used in product packaging and more than 476,000 tonnes were used to make plastic bags.
Rutchada Suriyakul Na Ayutya, director-general of the government’s Environment Quality Promotion Department, said every Thai was generating 1.15 kilograms of waste a day on average through reliance on single-use plastic.
The result is more than 2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.
And only 500,000 tonnes of the waste was being properly managed and recycled each year, Rutchada said.
By The Nation, Nikkei Asian Review
Thailand has urged that three or more ASEAN member countries collaborate to engage with Myanmar’s military regime in order to alleviate the crisis and bring peace to the conflict-torn country, while keeping steadfast in its commitment to humanitarian aid and peace promotion.
Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said on Wednesday that Thailand had coordinated with Laos, the current Asean chair, to arrange what it terms Asean “Troika” and “Troika plus” talks to restore peace in Myanmar.
The Asean Troika is a community of foreign ministers from the bloc’s previous, current, and prospective chair countries [Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia]. The term “plus” refers to other Asean members who are interested in promoting peace or concerned about the problem.
Mr Nikorndej stated that the proposed meetings are most likely to take place in Thailand and restated the country’s willingness to mediate negotiations between Myanmar’s junta and resistance organizations.
He stated that the ongoing violence is not between Thailand and Myanmar, and that the Thai government will provide humanitarian assistance to all groups affected by the fighting in accordance with national security, international relations, and human rights standards.
He emphasized that the crisis impacts all countries, including Thailand, which shares a border with Myanmar.
“Thailand is a peace advocate, thus we must stress our role as an active promoter of peace. This is evident in our willingness to mediate negotiations between Myanmar’s conflicting parties. “If they agree, we’re ready,” he stated.
Border Trade Resumes
According to Mr Nikorndej, because the majority of the refugees have returned to Myanmar, the situation is not considered severe, and the consequences on Thailand are limited, affecting border trade only temporarily.
The government committee overseeing the situation along the Thai-Myanmar border, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, is considering forming sub-committees with the National Security Council (NSC) to make the selections.
He highlighted that the situation along the Thai-Myanmar border has improved over the last 48 hours, with no reports of firing from locals. However, the committee will keep an eye on the situation, which is fluid.
During Mr Parnpree’s visit to Tak’s Mae Sot area on Tuesday afternoon, he stated that there has been no fighting at the 2nd Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge since Sunday, and the majority of the refugees who left the fighting over the weekend have since returned.
He stated that the most important thing is that Thai residents be reassured that the government is taking steps to alleviate the effects of the Myanmar conflict on their livelihoods.
“Our agencies have response plans and people can rest assured that we are giving top priority to their safety,” he went on to say. When asked when the Mae Sot checks will reopen, he said they are expected to do so soon because both sides in Myanmar understand the importance of the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge as a crucial border commerce route.
Residents Return to Myanmar
Meanwhile, the final group of 658 Myanmar refugees who sought safety in Mae Sot on Wednesday voluntarily chose to return once the situation in Myawaddy eased, according to local officials.
They were provided needs, such as medicines, before crossing the Moei River back to Myawaddy. Local officials and charity workers escorted them away.
According to the most recent reports, the checkpoint at the 1st Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge reopened on Wednesday, and junta troops who had fled to the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge had returned to their barracks at the 275th Infantry Battalion.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported that a Myanmar rebel force has evacuated from Myawaddy following a military counteroffensive.
According to a spokesman for the Karen National Union (KNU), the “temporary retreat” from the town of Myawaddy occurred after junta soldiers returned to the crucial strategic location, which serves as a conduit for more than $1 billion in yearly foreign trade.
ASEAN’s Influence Over Myanmar
ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional intergovernmental organization made up of ten Southeast Asian countries. Founded in 1967, its mission is to foster economic, political, and social cooperation among its members. These countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
ASEAN plays an important influence in the area. It promotes economic integration through initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community, which improve trade and investment flows. The group also addresses security, climate change, and human rights. It has tried to create a single market, promote sustainable growth, and deepen ties with its international partners.
Despite obstacles such as managing divergent interests, ASEAN remains influential. Its combined market of approximately 650 million people, as well as its strategic location between India and China, lend it economic weight. The group’s goal is to maintain regional stability while furthering its members’ common interests on the global stage.
Thailand has urged that three or more ASEAN member countries collaborate to engage with Myanmar’s military regime in order to alleviate the crisis and bring peace to the conflict-torn country, while keeping steadfast in its commitment to humanitarian aid and peace promotion.
Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said on Wednesday that Thailand had coordinated with Laos, the current Asean chair, to arrange what it terms Asean “Troika” and “Troika plus” talks to restore peace in Myanmar.
The Asean Troika is a community of foreign ministers from the bloc’s previous, current, and prospective chair countries [Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia]. The term “plus” refers to other Asean members who are interested in promoting peace or concerned about the problem.
Mr Nikorndej stated that the proposed meetings are most likely to take place in Thailand and restated the country’s willingness to mediate negotiations between Myanmar’s junta and resistance organizations.
He stated that the ongoing violence is not between Thailand and Myanmar, and that the Thai government will provide humanitarian assistance to all groups affected by the fighting in accordance with national security, international relations, and human rights standards.
He emphasized that the crisis impacts all countries, including Thailand, which shares a border with Myanmar.
“Thailand is a peace advocate, thus we must stress our role as an active promoter of peace. This is evident in our willingness to mediate negotiations between Myanmar’s conflicting parties. “If they agree, we’re ready,” he stated.
Border Trade Resumes
According to Mr Nikorndej, because the majority of the refugees have returned to Myanmar, the situation is not considered severe, and the consequences on Thailand are limited, affecting border trade only temporarily.
The government committee overseeing the situation along the Thai-Myanmar border, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, is considering forming sub-committees with the National Security Council (NSC) to make the selections.
He highlighted that the situation along the Thai-Myanmar border has improved over the last 48 hours, with no reports of firing from locals. However, the committee will keep an eye on the situation, which is fluid.
During Mr Parnpree’s visit to Tak’s Mae Sot area on Tuesday afternoon, he stated that there has been no fighting at the 2nd Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge since Sunday, and the majority of the refugees who left the fighting over the weekend have since returned.
He stated that the most important thing is that Thai residents be reassured that the government is taking steps to alleviate the effects of the Myanmar conflict on their livelihoods.
“Our agencies have response plans and people can rest assured that we are giving top priority to their safety,” he went on to say. When asked when the Mae Sot checks will reopen, he said they are expected to do so soon because both sides in Myanmar understand the importance of the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge as a crucial border commerce route.
Residents Return to Myanmar
Meanwhile, the final group of 658 Myanmar refugees who sought safety in Mae Sot on Wednesday voluntarily chose to return once the situation in Myawaddy eased, according to local officials.
They were provided needs, such as medicines, before crossing the Moei River back to Myawaddy. Local officials and charity workers escorted them away.
According to the most recent reports, the checkpoint at the 1st Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge reopened on Wednesday, and junta troops who had fled to the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge had returned to their barracks at the 275th Infantry Battalion.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported that a Myanmar rebel force has evacuated from Myawaddy following a military counteroffensive.
According to a spokesman for the Karen National Union (KNU), the “temporary retreat” from the town of Myawaddy occurred after junta soldiers returned to the crucial strategic location, which serves as a conduit for more than $1 billion in yearly foreign trade.
ASEAN’s Influence Over Myanmar
ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional intergovernmental organization made up of ten Southeast Asian countries. Founded in 1967, its mission is to foster economic, political, and social cooperation among its members. These countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
ASEAN plays an important influence in the area. It promotes economic integration through initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community, which improve trade and investment flows. The group also addresses security, climate change, and human rights. It has tried to create a single market, promote sustainable growth, and deepen ties with its international partners.
Despite obstacles such as managing divergent interests, ASEAN remains influential. Its combined market of approximately 650 million people, as well as its strategic location between India and China, lend it economic weight. The group’s goal is to maintain regional stability while furthering its members’ common interests on the global stage.
ASEAN
7 key things Changed for Indian Stock market Overnight – Gift Nifty, tech stocks rally to oil prices
(CTN News) – Indian stock market: The domestic equity market is projected to open lower on Tuesday, mirroring mixed global market cues ahead of global central banks’ monetary policy meetings.
Asian markets fell as US stock indices closed higher overnight, boosted by mega-cap growth stocks.
For additional interest rate clues, market investors will look to the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy choices later today and the US Federal Reserve’s policy this week. On Monday, the Indian stock market indices finished the turbulent day higher, powered by key metals and auto giants.
The Sensex rose 104.99 points, or 0.14%, to close at 72,748.42, while the Nifty 50 advanced 32.35 points, or 0.15%, to 22,055.70. “We expect the markets to consolidate in the coming days, while the broader market may remain subdued,” said Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Retail Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.
Here are significant worldwide market indications for the Sensex today:
Asian marketplaces
Asian markets fell on Tuesday ahead of the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy decision. After 17 years of negative interest rate policy, the Bank of Japan will likely cease it.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.5% at the outset, while the Topix remained steady. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.8%, while the Kosdaq dropped 0.4%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures showed a dismal start.
Gift Nifty Today
Today, the Gift Nifty was trading at 22,060, a markdown of nearly 70 points from the previous close of the Nifty futures. This indicates a gap-down start for Indian stock market indices.
US stock market indices closed higher on Monday, powered by mega cap growth stocks, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 75.66 points, or 0.20%, to 38,790.43, while the S&P 500 increased 32.33 points, or 0.63%, to 5,149.42. The Nasdaq Composite closed 130.27 points, or 0.82% higher, at 16,103.45.
Tesla shares rose 6.3%, while Nvidia shares rose 0.7%. Xpeng’s US-listed shares rose 1.9%, Boeing’s stock price fell 1.5% and Super Micro Computer’s stock dropped 6.4%.
On Monday, technology megacap stocks in the US soared, with the Nasdaq 100 gaining about 1% and the ‘Magnificent Seven’ tech megacaps rising twice as much.
Google’s parent Alphabet shares rose 4.4% after Bloomberg News reported that Apple Inc. is discussing incorporating Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence engine inside the iPhone. Apple shares rose 0.6%.
Nvidia’s stock price jumped 0.7% after CEO Jensen Huang unveiled new chips to extend the company’s supremacy in AI computing. Tesla shares rose 6.3% after the electric carmaker announced that it would shortly raise the price of its Model Y EVs in areas of Europe.
Indian stock market Oil Prices:
Crude oil prices rose further following Ukrainian drone assaults on Russian refineries and OPEC supply cutbacks. Brent crude, the global standard, rose 0.06% to $86.94 per barrel after rallying 1.8% on Monday to its highest closing since late October. West Texas Intermediate was trading 0.06% higher at $82.77.
Bank of Japan
The Bank of Japan is anticipated to abandon its eight-year negative interest rate policy on Tuesday and raise interest rates for the first time in 17 years. If the nine-member board deems the conditions are right, the BOJ will set the overnight call rate as its new objective and guide it in a range of 0-0.1% by paying 0.1% interest on excess reserves held by financial institutions at the central bank, according to Reuters.
Japan’s 10-year government bond rate increased by one basis point (bp) to 0.765%, while the two-year yield increased by one bp to 0.19%.
US Treasury Yields
The benchmark US 10-year Treasury yields rose to three-week highs on Monday, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s meeting this week. The yield on 10-year notes reached 4.348%, up nearly 5 basis points on the day and the highest since February 23. According to Reuters, two-year yields rose to 4.751%, the highest level since February 23. The yield curve inversion between two-year and ten-year notes narrowed by 2 basis points to minus 40.
Related CTN News:
-
News3 years agoLet’s Know About Ultra High Net Worth Individual
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Mabelle Prior: The Voice of Hope, Resilience, and Diversity Inspiring Generations
-
Health3 years agoHow Much Ivermectin Should You Take?
-
Tech2 years agoTop Forex Brokers of 2023: Reviews and Analysis for Successful Trading
-
Lifestyles2 years agoAries Soulmate Signs
-
Movies2 years agoWhat Should I Do If Disney Plus Keeps Logging Me Out of TV?
-
Health3 years agoCan I Buy Ivermectin Without A Prescription in the USA?
-
Learning2 years agoVirtual Numbers: What Are They For?