Farmers are reluctant to stop using toxic weed killers

13 Sept 06:26 Key points summarised by AI

Thai farmers strongly oppose the government's plan to phase out three widely used toxic weed killers (paraquat, glyphosate, chlorpyrifos), citing their critical role in ensuring high crop yields and managing large farms amidst labor shortages.
The transition to organic farming is hampered by the lack of effective, scalable alternatives to chemical weed killers and the lower market demand and prices for organic produce compared to conventional crops.
Local officials and organic farming advocates suggest that the government implement strong incentives and comprehensive educational campaigns to inform farmers about the health and environmental risks of chemicals and the benefits of organic methods.
Starting October, new regulations will require farmers to register and undergo training for proper chemical use, while vendors must obtain sale permits, indicating a transitional approach to managing the use of these chemicals.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Today 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.