After wedding, birth and reality show, Thailand bids farewell to its last giant panda

13 Sept 10:54 Key points summarised by AI

Lin Hui, Thailand's last giant panda, passed away at 21 at Chiang Mai Zoo, concluding a two-decade-long presence of these beloved animals in the country.
She arrived in 2003 as part of a goodwill loan from China, becoming a national sensation alongside her mate Chuang Chuang, and famously gave birth to Lin Ping, the first panda born in Thailand.
Her death follows the return of Lin Ping to China in 2011 and the sudden death of Chuang Chuang in 2019, signifying the final farewell to giant pandas in Thailand.
While netizens speculated PM2.5 pollution as a cause, the zoo attributes her death to old age, with autopsy results from Chinese and Thai experts pending.

Holy basil registration will not restrict native varieties - CPRAM

Today 12:16 Key points summarised by AI

CPRAM registered four *newly developed* holy basil strains (Kaew Churee 01-04) for use in its ready-made food division, not to commercialize seeds or restrict existing varieties.
The company assures that registration *does not impact* the cultivation, sale, or use of over 300 native holy basil strains by farmers and vendors.
These registered strains are a result of joint research with Kasetsart University, developed for improved quality and yield, and are *distinct from* the native varieties widely grown in Thailand.
CPRAM emphasizes that developing new plant varieties aims to enhance agricultural competitiveness and *will not lead to the extinction* of native basil or force farmers to adopt new strains.