Dengue fever in Thailand: 3 deaths from January 2019 in Bangkok

The dengue outbreak in Bangkok is still worrying with 4,903 people becoming infected with the virus and three dead so far this year, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration governor Aswin Kwanmuang said.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of senior BMA officials, Aswin said the BMA’s Health Department had given an updated on the dengue situation in the capital and the situation remained worrying.

The Health Department reported 4,903 people had developed the dengue virus between January and August and three had died, compared to ten deaths and 8,699 dengue patients in the capital in 2011.

Aswin said Huay Kwang, Nong Chok, Phyathai, Chatuchak and Yannawa had seen the highest rate of infection so would therefore remain under close watch.

The governor said he has instructed all 50 Bangkok district offices to carry out awareness campaigns on the prevention of dengue by encouraging residents to clean up their houses and eliminate water sources that could be breeding grounds of mosquitos.

The district offices were also instructed to hold major cleaning activities regularly to prevent outbreaks.

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Source: The Nation

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Leading Thai retailers to prevent the distribution of plastics

"This cooperation will help Thailand leave the list of major generators of waste and sea garbage," Varawut Silpa-archa, the environment minister told a press conference on yesterday.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had invited scores of partners yesterday to join the ministry's campaign to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags.

These partners represent giant retailers, major department stores, and titans in plastic manufacturing and trade associations.

Among the big names were Central Group, The Mall Group, CP All Plc, Robinson Plc, Bangchak Retail Co, Big C Supercenter Plc, Siam Makro Plc, Index Living Mall Plc, PTT Plc as well as trade associations such as Plastic Industry Club under the Federation of Thai Industries and Thai Retailers Association.

These partners have vowed to stop giving out single-use plastic bags to customers starting January 2020.

"So, consumers must prepare to bring their own bags to carry things. This type of campaign should have been done long ago. We have spent so much time trying to negotiate. At last, we made it," he said.

A campaign like this shows that Thailand, which is ranked sixth in the world for generating sea waste, is attempting to reduce plastic waste.

It is estimated that Thais use 45 billion single-use plastic bags per year.

Of this number, 13.5 billion – about 30% – is generated from department stores and 24-hour convenience stores.

Meanwhile, another 30% of plastic waste comes from mom-and-pop shops and the rest from street vendors and traditional fresh markets.

The environment minister said cooperation from these retail titans and department stores can help to reduce single-use plastic usage by 30%.

Meanwhile, by the start of 2022, a ban imposed on Styrofoam food packages and single-use plastic items, including lightweight plastic bags, straws and cups will also come in effect.

The ban is part of the government's roadmap on plastic waste management for the 2018-2030 period.

Apart from a ban on plastic food packages by 2022, the masterplan also sets a goal to have all plastic materials and waste in Thailand recycled by 2030.

In a related development, the environmental ministry said it is drafting a law that would govern the reduction, reuse and recycling of plastic materials and waste.

If adopted, this item of legislation will become the first law on waste reuse and recycling.

Part of the law will require garbage producers to bear responsibility in separating waste into different groups for recycling. [ Read original story here → ]

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