The drought-stricken Kwan Phayao Lake in Phayao province in northern Thailand in May 2023. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has said drought, floods and other extreme weather exacerbated by climate change could cause damage worth 36 billion THB (1 billion USD) to the Thai economy this year. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), a key member of the JSCCIB, stressed that water scarcity caused by drought is the committee's leading concern because it could have a massive impact on both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, hampering already sluggish exports. According to the Commerce Ministry's latest data, in the first four months of 2023 Thai exports decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to 92 billion USD, while imports fell by 2.2% to 96.5 billion USD, resulting in a trade deficit of 4.51 billion USD. drought , hoping to work with the … [Read more...] about Thailand forecasts huge losses caused by climate change
Idaho department of water resources
New task force promotes innovation, financing for plastic waste reduction in Vietnam
The move boosts innovative ideas and solutions to drive positive changes in plastic reduction, reuse and recycling and to unlock new sources of sustainable financing. A new task force was launched by the Vietnam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) launched to promote innovation and catalyze investment in effective solutions for reducing plastic waste and pollution in Vietnam. In collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi and its Commercial Section - Innovation Norway, the Task Force held its first meeting to discuss new technologies for Deposit Return Systems (DRS). The NPAP Innovation and Financing Task Force -- co-chaired by the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Natural Science and Environment (MONRE) and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste – brings together government agencies and domestic and international enterprises and organizations to boost innovative ideas and solutions to drive positive changes in plastic reduction, reuse and … [Read more...] about New task force promotes innovation, financing for plastic waste reduction in Vietnam
Kien Giang kick-starts military-civilian program in 2024
Themed “Kien Giang provincial armed forces together with the party organization, authorities, and people of Hon Dat district build new-style rural area,” the program will take place from June 2023 to January 2024. As planned, the program will facilitate the construction of 115 houses for needy households and seven rural bridges; present gifts to policy beneficiaries, poor and near-poor families; provide health examination, medicines, and consultation for locals. The organizing panel will present scholarships to needy students with good academic results; build electricity systems in rural areas; carry out environment projects; and hold artistic and sporting events and competitions. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Kien Giang provincial People’s Committee and head of the steering committee Nguyen Luu Trung evaluated that this mass mobilization model bears profound socio-political and humane significance, embodying the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its … [Read more...] about Kien Giang kick-starts military-civilian program in 2024
Hope Foundation starts building two school toilets in far northern province
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the toilets at Ta Phin Secondary & High School and Sinh Lung Primary & Secondary School on Thursday, Nguyen Van Chinh, vice chairman of the district, said local schools lack many facilities, especially toilets. "The 'School Hygiene' project is a gift that offers students good learning and living conditions, thereby improving the quality of education." Le Quang Hien, deputy head of the district Department of Education and Training, said in recent years the size and quality of schools have been improved, and the number of students attending schools has also increased. But the quality of school facilities, including toilets, remains low. Some schools completely lack toilets while others’ are dilapidated, lack water and are unsanitary, and this has a significant impact on the quality of life and learning of teachers and students, he said. Children use a makeshift toilet at a school in Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province. … [Read more...] about Hope Foundation starts building two school toilets in far northern province
Restrooms in Ho Chi Minh hotspots open to the public
Ho Chi Minh City has put into service four bathrooms built in prime locations to serve the needs of dwellers and tourists as part of a bid to address a dearth of toilets in the city. The city’s administration approved the building of makeshift toilets on four out of five vacant land lots in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment. They are located on Le Duan Boulevard, Hai Ba Trung, Nguyen Trung Truc and Nguyen Hue Streets. Each of these public toilets covers eight square meters and features a stall outside for selling goods. Earnings from this sale booth will be used to maintain the operation of these public bathrooms. The District 1 administration had earlier called on over 100 restaurants, eateries and coffee shops to offer gratis toilet service to residents and tourists. A bathroom featuring a shopping booth is open to the public free of charge. Photo: Luu Duyen / Tuoi Tre A … [Read more...] about Restrooms in Ho Chi Minh hotspots open to the public
Students in Hanoi sit for the 10th grade entrance exam
Many students are confident and comfortable when taking part in high school exams on the first day, though the entrance exam in Hanoi is a fierce competition. More than 116,000 ninth graders in Hanoi take three tests in their high school entrance exams for the 2023-2024 school year on June 10 and 11. The Hanoi Education Department has prepared nearly 5,000 examination rooms in 201 venues while mobilizing some 20,000 officials, teachers, and staff to supervise the exams. The municipal People's Committee has asked those in charge of all 201 examination venues to ensure the availability of disinfectants, provide guidance to students, and maintain contact with parents on exam days. Students will be tested in mathematics, literature, and foreign language, with a choice of either English, French, German, Japanese, or South Korean. The math and literature tests are written in 120 minutes, while the foreign language test is a combination of multiple choice and writing in 60 … [Read more...] about Students in Hanoi sit for the 10th grade entrance exam