Singaporeans need to make better consumption choices as three out of four common fish species consumed here are not responsibly caught, the World Wildlife Fund says.
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Majority of fish consumed in Singapore not responsibly caught: WWF
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Organisers of HolyCrit bike races sentenced to a week’s jail and fined S$5,000
Bike shop owner Eric Khoo Shui Yan and project manager Zulkifli Awab had pleaded guilty in August for promoting and conducting HolyCrit races without approval or a permit from authorities.
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Crackdown in Thailand to stamp out cheap tour packages from China cuts Golden Week arrivals
The attempt to stamp out cheap tour packages from China has stalled arrivals from that market during Golden Week, but the travel industry believes this will save them over the long haul.
“Since the government moved to crack down on ‘zero dollar tours’ nationwide, arrivals from China inevitably plunged not only in Pattaya but also all major destinations,” Sinchai Wattanasart-sathorn, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, said yesterday.
The number of Chinese visitors to Pattaya dropped by half during the Chinese national holiday that began on Saturday and ends this tomorrow Friday from the same season last year.
Suriya Sensuree, a speedboat operator in Pattaya, has witnessed a sharp drop in Chinese customers since authorities enforced strict controls on illegal or nominee operators and seized the assets of some big players in China’s markets.
However, tourism operators at the beach-resort city have discussed the problem and may soon launch some stimulus packages.
Varida Sae-ng, managing director of Pattaya Floating Market, is confident that the suppression of no-frills tours would help improve the entire tourism situation in the future and help the country gain more quality tourists.
In the North, Pornchai Chitnawasathien, president of the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, said about 25,000 Chinese would travel to the province during Golden Week, down about 5,000-10,000 from its earlier prediction.
That would generate less income.
Thai AirAsia predicts that tourist arrivals from China will slip by 10-15 per cent because of the measures to stop the exploitation of groups from that market, but the budget airline is keeping its target of 17 million passengers for this year.
The airline is also set to focus on the Indochinese market to substitute for the Chinese weakness.
Some media reported that 220,000 Chinese tourists would travel to Thailand during Golden Week, or 21 per cent short of the target of 280,000.
In that case, the total number of Chinese visitors to Thailand would decline from 10.1 million to 9.3 million and tourism income would fall by Bt2 billion (S$78.9 million).
Srisuda Wanapinyosak, deputy governor for international marketing Asia and South Pacific at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: the forecast number of Chinese increase from to last season “More than 4 million Chinese are expected to travel abroad during Golden Week and 220,000 will visit Thailand. They are expected to spend Bt7.8 billion in Thailand.”
Many charter flights will operate as usual and carry many Chinese to Thailand, meaning that the campaign against zero-dollar tours will not be reflected in China inbound travel from China, she said.
This year to date, 9 million Chinese have entered the Kingdom, up from 7.9 million in the same period last year.
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All pregnant women in Thailand to be tested in 16 'Zika provinces'
All pregnant women living in 16 provinces where Zika outbreak has been detected will be tested for the virus, Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said yesterday, as two babies from infected mothers were born with severe birth defects.
The newborns were diagnosed last Friday with microcephaly linked to the virus and had abnormally small heads, although that problem can be caused by many factors.
These babies were the first in Southeast Asia linked to this severe impact from the mosquito-borne virus.
The Zika virus has so far been found in parts of 16 provinces, the minister said, so testing is planned for the continuous public safety.
“The ministry will so have information on taking care of affected mothers and babies,” he said.
What is the Zika virus?
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Dr Piyasakol presided over a meeting of officials yesterday to discuss Zika and design more measures to combat it.
He said the ministry had been monitoring and controlling Zika and eradicating Aedes mosquitoes and having pregnant women tested to see if they have the virus.
Piyasakol said the ministry had also been formulating Zika healthcare guidelines for pregnant women in affected areas and babies born with microcephaly, an abnormal smallness of the head.
He urged people to turn this crisis into an opportunity to reduce the risk of Aedes mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever, by destroying mosquito breeding grounds.
Piyasakol said a report by the Disease Control Department Bureau of Vector-Borne Diseases showed there were 44,396 dengue fever cases in Thailand between January and September 27 and 33 cases were fatal.
The figure was 50.7 per cent less than the previous year, in large part due to people eradicating mosquito larvae, he added.
He said places with the highest number of Aedes mosquitoes were religious sites (60 per cent of sites), schools (41 per cent), factories (38 per cent) and hospitals (27.6 per cent).
The minister said people should check home water-storage containers to make sure they were not infested with mosquito larvae.
Fighting Zika: Which mosquito repellent to use
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The ministry had observed 10,000 suspected people in 16 Zika-risky areas and found more than 300 patients since early this year.
Meanwhile, authorities in Lop Buri province have reported a three-month pregnant woman suspected of contracting Zika. This led to officials spraying insecticide to eradicate Aedes mosquitoes.
They are also educating local residents in the area about the danger of Zika and what can be done reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
Lop Buri health official Pairoj Surattanawanich said 10 people – including a child – were being monitored for possible Zika infection, with nine of them from Muang district and one from Nong Moung district.
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From underweight teen to national platform diver
Q: What is your secret to looking fabulous?
A: Training to keep fit and trying to take care of my skin because it gets really dry from all the time in the water. I wash my face only once a day and I sometimes use a toner at night.
Q: Has there ever been a time when you were not fit and fab?
A: When I was 13, I was diagnosed with Grave’s disease – an autoimmune disorder which leads to an overactive thyroid gland, which is also known as hyperthyroidism.
It is hereditary and while none of my sisters or parents have it, my grandmother does.
I still have the condition and take medication to keep it in check. I also go for check-ups twice a year.
Because of the condition, I was severely underweight. I was about 1.53m tall and weighed 32 to 35kg.
I started taking medication and eating more as I was constantly hungry due to a high metabolism.
My thyroid function normalised after two years. I have since maintained a healthy body mass index range through regular check-ups and treatment.
Q What is your diet like?
A: I usually eat what I feel like eating at that point in time, but I try to make sure that there is a mix of carbohydrates, protein and vegetables at every meal.
Q: What are your indulgences?
A: I love coffee and I get a cuppa from any cafe whenever I can.
I also occasionally indulge in junk food like chips, ice cream, cake and biscuits, basically whatever I can find at home.
Q: What do you do to relax and how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A: To relax, I like to listen to music and take naps.
Balancing sports and studies is not so difficult as my family members are extremely supportive and understanding. My mum helps me a lot in terms of knowing when to prioritise studies and sports.
Q: What are the three most important things in your life?
A: God, family and friends.
Q: Would you go for plastic surgery and why?
A: I am happy with the way I look. I don’t think I would go for plastic surgery, though I am not against it.
I am a firm believer in doing whatever makes you happy.
Q: What’s your favourite and least favourite part of your body?
A: I like my eyebrows. I don’t like my bulky arms as they have a hard time fitting into the sleeves of many T-shirts.
Q: What are your must-dos before and after a competition?
A: I always visualise my dives a few times through the night before a competition.
Q: How important is it for you to keep up with your fitness routine?
A: It’s pretty important. Even when I was on holiday to visit my sister in the United States, I kept up with my exercises every day to stay fit.
I train five to six times a week now and each session is about four hours. If there are holidays or if it is the off-season, I will still be training but the sessions might be lighter.
Q: What is the most extreme thing you have done in the name of fitness or diet?
A: Nothing really, unless you count gaining 15kg within 11/2 years extreme. That was to get my body mass index range from severely underweight to healthy.
Q: How has your active lifestyle influenced your family and friends?
A: My two older sisters also do competitive sports, so my family is used to the commitments required. They help me manage my time and relieve some of my stress.
My friends also understand my commitments and came to support the Singapore diving team at the SEA Games held here last year.
Q: How extensive is your collection of sports-related paraphernalia?
A: My sisters and I have a collection of medals and trophies that my dad displays in the family room.
I have many swimsuits and a few wristguards, which I don’t use.
My equipment at home includes a massager, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine, a roller and a trigger ball to help loosen up my muscles.
I have a few pairs of sports shoes, which are more than I actually need.
Q: Among them, what is your most prized possession?
A: My transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine or the massager. I use them the most to help loosen my muscles.
This article was first published on Oct 04, 2016.
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Salaries in Singapore likely to rise 4% next year: Survey
After taking into account Singapore’s inflation forecast of 0.8 per cent, salaries in the city-state are expected to rise 3.2 per cent, according to a survey by professional services company Willis Towers Watson.
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Best haul at Asian Beach Games
From just four medals to a whopping 12, Singapore athletes have recorded their best medal haul at the Asian Beach Games, which concluded yesterday in Danang, Vietnam.
Silat exponents contributed 10 of them – two golds, two silvers and six bronzes – while muay thai fighters added a silver and a bronze to easily eclipse the nation’s previous best of two golds and two bronzes at the 2014 edition in Phuket.
A delighted chef de mission Clifford Wong said: “Across all sports, our athletes exhibited resilience and their best efforts in representing Singapore among some of the top athletes in the region.”
Some of the medallists were unexpected. For instance, muay thai fighter Cheryl Gwa earned a surprise bronze on her international debut at the Games.
Her performance in the women’s light-flyweight (45-48kg) division earned plaudits from Mervyn Tan, president of the Amateur Muaythai Association Singapore.
He said: “We fielded Cheryl because we wanted her to gain some international exposure, but she went a step further and won a medal. She may be new to the international scene but with further training, she will go far.”
Gwa admitted she had been “quite nervous” in her first international competition, but enjoyed the experience.
She said: “It was a good experience to compete and soak in the atmosphere of an international competition.
“I wasn’t expecting a medal, but I was hopeful – I just wanted to do my best and see how it worked out.
“I’m glad I managed to bring a medal back.”
Compatriot Bryan Tee won a silver medal in the men’s light-flyweight (45-48kg) event.
While Gwa’s bronze was a pleasant surprise, Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin’s gold in the silat men’s Class H (80-85kg) competition was somewhat expected. After all, he is the reigning world champion in the Class J (90-95kg) event.
Yet, Farhan had his obstacles to overcome – in particular the challenge of competing on a sand pitch, instead of the usual competition mats.
Said the 18-year-old: “The sand was very unstable; I took one step and could feel my body sinking in, so it was quite hard but I’m glad I managed to adapt to it.”
His gold added to the gold in the women’s artistic category by Nurul Khairunnisa Azlani, and Farhan is eager to retain his world title at the 17th World Pencak Silat Championship in Bali from Dec 2-8.
He added: “I’m sure (retaining the title) is what everyone will expect of me, and it’s also what I’m expecting of myself. I want the gold.
“I know more people will be watching me this time, but I’m just taking it as another competition that I want to win, so I don’t feel any extra pressure.”
Apart from the silverware, silat chief Sheik Alau’ddin hopes his charges took home with them the motivation to train hard for future competitions.
He said: “At the Asian Beach Games, they could see that their opponents were all hungry for victory no matter what surface they are fighting on.
“This will be good momentum for our athletes as they work towards good results at the World Championships and next year’s SEA Games.”
This article was first published on Oct 4, 2016.
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Schooling to return for golf fund-raiser
Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling will be returning to Singapore next month. But instead of plunging into the pool, the swimmer will be heading for the fairways.
The 21-year-old 100m butterfly champion, who plays off a handicap of nine, will take part in a golf fund-raising event on Nov 22 at the Tanah Merah Country Club’s Garden Course.
Organised by the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA), the event hopes to raise $500,000 for the “SGP Fund”, which will be used to support the SSA’s plans to develop elite athletes.
Comprising a round of golf followed by a dinner, the event will be graced by President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who is the SSA’s Patron.
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Schooling, a student at the University of Texas, said in a statement released yesterday: “Winning Singapore’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in Rio was a dream come true, and I hope that this has inspired the aquatic community and shown them what we can achieve even against the world’s best (athletes).
“While Singapore looks to become a world-class aquatics nation… I’m glad to have the opportunity to give back to the cause through the upcoming fund-raiser, and look forward to meeting all involved in November.”
Besides excelling in the swimming pool, Schooling is proficient on the fairways and greens too.
He was introduced to the sport by his father Colin at an early age and earned his proficiency certificate when he was just six.
Crowds gather to catch glimpse of Joseph Schooling on victory parade
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His mother, May, promised that Joseph would have his game face on when he tees off next month.
She said: “He’s got the ball sense and he can excel in a variety of sports. He might not be the champion of those, but he can put up a good challenge.” She added that the family are looking to host this fund-raiser annually.
SSA president Lee Kok Choy said: “The support will go a long way in helping us enhance our high-performance systems for elite aquatic athletes.”
This article was first published on Oct 4, 2016.
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Thai teen hit by car is improving
A Thai teenager who was left in a coma and fighting for her life after being hit by a car here last month is now showing signs of recovery.
San Yu Adventist School Secondary 2 student Aroonrak Jattanathammajit was hit by a car after leaving her hostel in Balestier Road on Sept 18. She had been on her way to school for a programme involving needy residents of Moulmein.
“She can now move her hands and her legs slightly. She can now cough,” said her father, Mr Sarayuth Jattanathammajit,49, who flew here with his wife on the day of the accident. “Doctors say it’s a good sign,” he said through a translator.
After she was hit, the 16-year-old was taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) where she underwent two brain operations. She spent 10 days in the Intensive Care Unit and a day in the High Dependency Ward before being moved to a normal ward.
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Photo GalleryThai student fighting for life after accident on Balestier Road
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It is not known if the driver who hit her has been found. Investigations are ongoing. Her parents, who run a small rubber trading business in southern Thailand, have been with her every day since she was admitted and have set up a makeshift bed next to her.
Some members of the public have invited them to stay in their homes but they said they would rather be by their daughter’s bedside. “I am worried about her the whole day,” said her mother, Mrs Jiranee, 45.
Housewife Nicha Thang, 45, a family friend, said: “They’re at the hospital every day. There’s improvement but she is still unconscious.”
Staff and students of San Yu, as well as members of the Seventh- day Adventist Church, have been visiting Aroonrak daily and offering support to her parents.
The school is working with an insurance company to file medical claims. Under a Council of Private Education scheme, Aroonrak is insured for up to around $20,000 but her medical bills have already come up to about $70,000.
The foreign student is not entitled to medical subsidy. Her parents, whose business is not doing well, are grateful to KKH for not pressing them for payment so far.
The school plans to have a fund- raising drive in the middle of this month to help the family.
This article was first published on Oct 04, 2016.
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<p>A Thai teenager who was left in a coma and fighting for her life after being hit by a car here last month is now showing signs of recovery.</p>
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