A shopper heads home with plastic bags. Patipat Janthong
Plastic manufacturers under the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) are concerned about the increase of oxo-degradable plastics, which falsely claim to be environmentally friendly.
Oxo-degradable plastics are designed to break down into small fragments, but this causes microplastic pollution that harms ecosystems, including oceans.
Usage of plastic is increasing as a result of measures to curb Covid-19 infections, including travel restrictions and work-from-home guidelines. This has caused more people to order food, beverages and products online, resulting in more plastic packaging waste.
Even worse, some plastic makers who mix oxo-degradable additives in their products have alleged their plastics can decompose in a natural and environmentally friendly way, said Apiphop Phungchaikul, vice-chairman of FTI s Plastic Industry Club.
Chief executives who are members of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) demand additional measures to help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reduce their operation costs during the third wave of Covid-19.
The government is set to roll out a fresh 50% co-payment subsidy for the monthly salary of employees of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), its latest move to deter mass layoffs in the country.
Published: 03 June 2021
As shared by Thailand’s DPM Supattanapong Punmeechaow, the packages include a 50% co-payment subsidy on salaries for qualified SMEs, as well as 93bn baht in co-payments for consumer purchases to locals.
Earlier this week, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow announced several economic stimulus packages the Ministry of Finance will be launching, to help the country’s economy recover from the impact of COVID-19.
According to DPM Punmeechaow, there are mainly four measures, all of which provide stronger purchasing power for locals - especially those who are government welfare card holders, and those who need special assistance. Per a report in Bloomberg, these measures are:
Kobelco Millcon Steel Co (KMS), a joint venture between Thai and Japanese steelmakers, is increasing its supply of premium steel to 12,000 tonnes from 10,000 tonnes a month to meet growing domestic steel demand driven by the automotive industry.