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PolyU scholar receives Clair C. Patterson Award for outstanding achievements in environmental geochemistry

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 22 February 2022 – Professor Xiang-dong LI, Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was honoured with the Clair C. Patterson Award 2022 in recognition of his innovative and dynamic work in environmental geochemistry, including research in the fields of regional contamination, urban air PM2.5 pollution, and the origin and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.

 

Professor Xiang-dong Li, Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was honoured with the Clair C. Patterson Award 2022 in recognition of his innovative and dynamic work in environmental geochemistry.

The Clair C. Patterson Award is presented to only one recipient annually by the Geochemical Society for an innovative breakthrough in environmental geochemistry of fundamental significance within the last decade, particularly in service to society.

 

Professor Li said, “I am very proud to be presented with this prestigious award. In addition to the international recognition, the award indeed acknowledges the dedication of the research team here at PolyU in making an impact in the communities we serve. By addressing real-world environmental problems, we hope our research will bring about practical benefits for Hong Kong and the rest of the world.”

 

Professor Li’s current research covers a wide range of topics including emissions, transport and environmental fate of metal and organic pollutants, contaminated soil remediation, and the environmental loadings and implications of emerging pharmaceutical-related contaminants in surface environments.

 

Over the years, he has published more than 250 papers, mostly in leading international journals. He has also been the principal investigator of numerous research projects funded by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

 

Professor Li is also the Director of the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development at PolyU.

 

Established in 1955, the Geochemical Society is a non-profit scientific organisation that aims to encourage the application of chemistry to the solution of geological and cosmochemical problems as well as to promote understanding of geochemistry through various programmes. Membership is international and diverse in background, and includes thousands of scientists and engineers from around the world.

#TheHongKongPolytechnicUniversity(PolyU)

KPMG’s strategic viewpoints from Singapore Budget 2022

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 22 February 2022 – Following Singapore’s “Charting Our New Way Forward Together” Budget announcement on 18 February 2022, KPMG has released a Singapore Budget 2022: Capturing opportunities at a new dawn publication, entailing our views on how Singapore will help businesses, residents and workers look forward to a prosperous and sustainable future.

Capturing opportunities at a new dawn

How will it prepare Singapore to harness growth in an economic sunrise?

FOREWORD

Optimism is in the air as most countries adjust their economic recovery strategies to live with COVID-19. Having weathered the crisis better than most – supported by high vaccination rates – the time is ripe for Singapore to position itself for the upturn and capture new opportunities for growth. Building on its core strengths and riding on new trends, Singapore has the potential to become a formidable regional leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and a global hub for top businesses and talent. Budget 2022 lays pivotal steps towards these aspirations. Not only does it chart a fairer post-pandemic social compact supported by progressive taxation policies, but it also outlines a vision of Singapore as a “bright green spark” for the world and a forerunner in innovation.

At the same time, fast-developing challenges remain. Amid a renewed purpose towards sustainability, countries are recognising that they will need to deliver on their environmental commitments with urgency. Businesses, too, are facing the heat from stakeholders to be more transparent, consistent, and accountable on their ESG targets. Singapore has made some bold climate-related commitments in Budget 2022. The most notable would be the acceleration of the net-zero emissions timeline to 2050.

Other challenges on the horizon include the new global tax rules that could kick in next year and growing concerns over inflation and the costs of living. Coupled with the pressure for growth and expansion, businesses could be squeezed on all fronts as they look to survive and thrive. Against this backdrop, Singapore should capitalise on its strengths and reputation as a hub for business and innovation. In the wake of a pandemic that has accelerated the move to a digital future, this means supporting businesses in their recovery and digitalisation efforts, while ensuring that R&D and innovation ecosystems here are being cultivated steadily. Singapore will also have to be cognizant of how its various tax and non-tax measures can attract large multinationals and fast-growing enterprises to anchor their operations here.

In the times ahead, enterprises will need to build greater agility and resilience amid unpredictability. Businesses will have to keep prioritising the development of digital capabilities in emerging areas and attract highly nimble talent who are able to transform disruption into growth.

Today, Singapore can stand proud as it holds the recipe for building lasting companies and societies that will make a positive mark on the world. It will be a pivotal year and Budget 2022 sets the stage towards an economic horizon filled with boundless possibilities.

Ong Pang Thye

Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore

A NEW WAY FORWARD

 

Evoking how the Singapore spirit shone through the difficult years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Budget 2022 is positioned as a “new way forward together”. It includes tangible measures that businesses, residents and workers can look forward to improve their prosperity in the years ahead – and more fundamentally sets a comprehensive path towards national economic recovery and sustainable growth, aided by progressive policies on the taxation of income, consumption, and wealth. Here is KPMG’s analysis of three key themes:

 

Singapore as a key driver of ESG in the region

 

Budget 2022 details an ambitious vision for Singapore to help lead the world’s transition to a net-zero carbon future. Bringing additional risks of extreme weather events, climate change represents an existential threat to Singapore’s way of life and requires it to take decisive steps to overcome its lack of renewable energy resources.

Building on its commitment to halve peak emissions by 2050, as well as last year’s launch of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, Singapore will now seek to bring forward its achievement of net-zero emissions through a higher carbon price. A total of $35 billion in green bonds was announced to fund public sector infrastructure projects. The Budget also emphasises the government’s desire to minimise car use (including by phasing out internal combustion engines by 2040), incentivise the adoption of electric vehicles and boost the public transport network.

Introduced in 2019, Singapore’s carbon tax will be gradually increased from its current $5 per tonne of emissions to $25 per tonne by 2024; $45 per tonne by 2026; and between $50 and $80 per tonne by 2030. While these increases are higher than the rates many were expecting, they should not come as a major surprise to businesses given recent global trends, the greater urgency to address climate change-related issues and the general drive towards more sustainable solutions. Industries that are most affected can take some comfort from the fact that the first rise will not be effective until 2024, and that a “transition framework” is being drawn up which will provide allowances based on efficiency standards and decarbonisation targets. There will also be a support package for households to offset rising electricity prices.

Yet rather than intended as a revenue raising measure, the rise in Singapore’s carbon tax is positioned as part of a decisive economic restructuring towards decarbonisation. Budget 2022 makes an impassioned pitch for Singapore to become Asia’s go-to location for green finance, carbon services and an expert in areas such as sustainable aviation, marine fuels and tourism. Besides an increase in carbon taxes, there were also a range of green initiatives and incentives announced for Singapore to establish itself as a “green hub”. In building a more sustainable city, Singapore will also have to look at how it can create good jobs for Singaporeans in the green economy, together with the reskilling and upskilling of employees.

Overall, Singapore’s commitment to building a sustainable future has come across very strongly. The combination of increasing taxes and incentives should be an effective tool to encourage businesses to move towards greener solutions sooner rather than later.

Singapore as a choice destination for businesses

 

A second major theme of Budget 2022 is Singapore’s determination to be a strategic launchpad for businesses around the world that are looking to expand across Asia. Hence, even as new global tax rules come to the fore in the next 1 to 2 years, the country should consider the balance of tax and non-tax measures that are key in attracting multinational enterprises (MNEs) to continue locating their offices and headquarters in Singapore.

Singapore has a well-established reputation of a leading smart city. Budget 2022 has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support innovation and R&D – public investments in R&D is set at about 1 per cent of GDP – and the city-state is home to a thriving innovation ecosystem. In addition, the extension of the Approved Royalties Incentive (ARI) to 2028 will continue to encourage companies to leverage on state-of-the-art technologies to capture growth opportunities.

Singapore was also among the world’s first few nations to establish a standalone 5G network. Certainly, the pandemic has turbocharged the trends towards digital acceleration in all sectors of the economy. Budget 2022 has highlighted the need to keep upgrading broadband infrastructure and to invest in future technologies such as 6G. The ability of businesses to prosper and continue creating jobs and opportunities for their workforce, will require them to embrace this transition. As such, the Budget contains an additional $200 million to improve digital capabilities in businesses and workforces. It also commits to keep upgrading broadband infrastructure, invest in future technologies such as 6G – and to pursue new use cases in areas such as virtual and augmented reality and robotics that can generate innovation across the economy.

As we look at the current trend of Metaverse and the virtual world, we are seeing an exponential need for data streaming, high velocity and low latency data. New technology, such as 5G and in the future 6G, will drive the push for more creative ways to integrate immersive experiences within our real world and adjacent “worlds”. These provide opportunities for businesses to engage with consumers differently and market their products. To best capitalise on these emerging technologies, there will be a strong need to drive new ways of working, while encouraging lateral thinkers and problem solvers.

Budget 2022 also aims to anchor Singapore’s traditional strengths. The enhancement of the existing tax incentive schemes for funds managed by Singapore-based fund managers will further cement Singapore’s reputation as an asset management hub. In addition, the extension and rationalisation of various existing withholding tax exemption schemes will further boost Singapore’s position as an international hub for financial services, mediation and arbitration, maritime and aircraft leasing.

Singapore as a magnet for top talent across industries

 

Thirdly, Budget 2022 contains a comprehensive plan to position Singapore as a global centre of talent. The pandemic has reduced worker and student mobility around the world, leaving nations facing skills shortages. However, as Singapore postures for economic growth, the key policy priority identified in the Budget is achieving a complementarity between luring overseas talent and investing in the local workforce. The Government has correctly recognised the need to expand educational opportunities for Singaporeans through initiatives such as SkillsFuture. It is also committed to the special reskilling challenges facing midcareer workers given their vulnerability to digital disruption and the transformation of local Institutes of Higher Learning.

At the same time, one of Singapore’s hallmarks is its ability to combine local and foreign workforces into diverse, high-performing teams. Changes in Budget 2022 slightly recalibrating eligibility to Employment Pass and S Pass Holders, and tightening the Dependency Ratio Ceiling, are designed to protect mid-level Singaporeans while not interfering with the nation’s ability to bring in professionals to address higher end skills shortages and to welcome talent from around the world. The slight increase in the top marginal personal tax rate to 24 per cent is also unlikely to adversely affect Singapore’s ability to attract top talent.

CONCLUSION

Singapore has the potential to shoot for an economic sunrise, and in doing so, also ascend to be a force for positive influence in the region and globally towards sustainability. But this is contingent on the country and its companies being clear in identifying what they want to be known for in the years ahead. In a world without borders, global competitiveness will also not just be about Singapore, but about ASEAN and the world as a whole. In laying a strong foundation for the country in the areas of sustainability, digitalisation and talent, Budget 2022 is a clear roadmap on the way forward and beyond.

#KPMG

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Laos Confirms 140 New Cases of Covid-19

Laos Covid-19 Update

Laos has recorded 140 cases of Covid-19 across the country today.

Young Lao Woman Takes On Phone Thief in Dramatic Smash

Brave or reckless young lao woman smashes into phone thief

A brave but reckless young Lao woman has gone viral on social media after smashing her scooter into the bike of a would-be phone thief.

The global recovery continues in 2022, but a bumpy road lies ahead – Coface Barometer Q4 2021

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 22 February 2022 – Two years after the onset of the pandemic, the global economy continues to recover, but still faces significant challenges. After the lull in the 3rd quarter of 2021, Omicron has highlighted the unpredictability of the pandemic and exacerbated one of the main factors affecting the recovery: disruptions in supply chains. The other major risk is the lasting inflation slippage. In this highly uncertain environment, Coface has made few changes to its risk assessments following the waves of upgrades in previous quarters. In total, four country risk assessments were upgraded, including Denmark, and two were downgraded. In terms of sector risks, Coface upgraded twelve assessments, notably in the paper and wood industries, where prices remain buoyant, and made five downgrades, mainly in the energy sector in Europe.



 

Wave after wave: the economy continues to slow down but to a lesser extent

 

The health situation has once again required the implementation of restrictions in many countries. However, although some European countries implemented partial lockdown measures, the measures were overall much less drastic than before. The direct economic effects were therefore less significant, even if the fallout remains negative for sectors such as air transport, tourism, hotels and restaurants.

 

Supply chain disruptions will run the extra mile

 

After initially affecting the automotive industry, supply chain difficulties have spread to most sectors, from manufacturing to construction. While the time of return to normality remains hard to predict, it seems that the consensus of a gradual easing from the 1st half of 2022 is overly optimistic and that disruptions and material shortages are likely to continue. This has led Coface to lower its 2022 GDP growth forecasts for several European countries, as well as for the US and China.

Furthermore, although the recovery is continuing, the number of insolvencies, which is still very low for the moment in most countries, including the United States, France and Germany, should gradually rise in 2022, as it is already the case in the United Kingdom.

 

Inflation, a key concern for all economies in 2022

 

The other major risk, inflation, is becoming increasingly important, particularly as the rebound in commodity prices continues, fuelled by short-term supply inertia and geopolitical tensions. This inflation is now also being driven by the prices of manufactured goods in many economies, as companies pass on increases in production costs to consumer prices.

 

These high commodity prices are benefiting the usual big winners. The Gulf region is expected to post strong growth performance in 2022. Norway has recorded its highest ever trade surplus thanks to buoyant oil and gas exports. Finally, many African countries, even those affected by armed conflict or political upheaval, have still benefited from high prices for energy, minerals, timber and agricultural products.

 

In the United States, inflation and supply-side issues have dampened the recovery momentum. While GDP growth is expected to remain solid in 2022 (+3.7%), these factors will continue to weigh on activity. In the 4th quarter of 2021, the annual inflation rate reached 7.0%, its highest level in 40 years. In response to this price surge, the US Federal Reserve has become more aggressive and has hinted at an imminent rate hike, triggering monetary tightening in some emerging countries.

 

In Europe, disruptions in supply chains, combined with strong demand, led to higher producer and energy prices. Germany has experienced the highest inflation in over 30 years. The situation is somewhat mixed in the rest of the euro area: inflation remains relatively moderate in France, while prices have soared in Spain. In the United Kingdom, inflation has risen to 5.4% and has led the Bank of England to become the 1st major central bank to raise its interest rate in December 2021, before doing so a 2nd time in early February.

 

Our central scenario remains one of near peak inflation, which will ease as energy prices and supply chain bottlenecks ease in the second half of the year.

 

Inflation is likely to exacerbate social pressures

 

This sharp rise in inflation risks exacerbates social pressures in emerging and developing countries, which had already been reinforced by the increase in inequality associated with the pandemic. In Africa, high energy & food prices, which weigh heavily on households, have limited consumption to the extent that food insecurity and poverty have increased. Fiscal support, already very limited on the continent due to public debt levels, has been withdrawn and unemployment is high in most countries. South Africa, Algeria, Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, DRC, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Guinea and Tunisia are examples of countries experiencing increasing social pressures as a result of the crisis.

 

China going against the grain

 

China’s slowdown deepened in Q4 2021, with an annual growth rate of 4.0%, the slowest pace since the peak of the pandemic in 2020. China’s economic recovery has been affected by the slowdown in the property market, the continuation of the “zero-COVID” strategy, which has weighed on household spending, weak investment growth and energy shortages. In 2021, Chinese GDP grew by 8.1%.

 

Heavily affected by the Delta variant in Q3 2021, the Asia-Pacific economies rebounded at the end of the year. Pacific economies rebounded at the end of the year, in line with the easing of restrictions. Most of the region’s economies had returned to their pre-crisis GDP levels by the end of 2021, with the notable exceptions of Japan and Thailand. However, the continued recovery could add to inflationary pressures, especially if labour markets tighten.

The full barometer is available here.

 

COFACE: FOR TRADE

With 75 years of experience and the most extensive international network, Coface is a leader in trade credit insurance and adjacent specialty services, including Factoring, Single Risk insurance, Bonding and Information services. Coface’s experts work to the beat of the global economy, helping ~50,000 clients build successful, growing, and dynamic businesses across the world. Coface helps companies in their credit decisions. The Group’s services and solutions strengthen their ability to sell by protecting them against the risks of non-payment in their domestic and export markets. In 2021, Coface employed ~4,538 people and registered a turnover of €1.57 billion.

Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/company/coface

Twitter : https://twitter.com/cofacehk

#Coface

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

DHL Express bolsters capacity between Ho Chi Minh and the U.S. as bilateral trade increases

  • The new route adds additional capacity to the existing Ho Chi Minh City-Hong Kong route for outbound shipment to the United States
  • Operated by Kalitta Air, the dedicated Boeing 777F cargo flight offers around 27% capacity increase to over 940 tons of weekly total gross payload

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 22 February 2022 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, introduces a new route between Ho Chi Minh City and the United States as bilateral trade increases. Operated by Kalitta Air, the dedicated Boeing 777F will serve the alternative route once a week along with the current Airbus A330 six times a week service from Ho Chi Minh City-Hong Kong.



 

Following the recent expansion on the intra-Asia and intercontinental airfreight capacity, DHL Express continues to expand its airfreight capacity to cater to rising shipment demand resulting from the e-commerce sector. The new route will offer up to 102 tons additional capacity for customers in Vietnam.

 

The new route will link Sydney, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh and Nagoya before arriving at DHL Express Cincinnati hub in the U.S. The new Boeing 777F cargo flight will also add up to 27% additional capacity bringing the weekly total gross payload to over 940 tons.

 

“We continue seeing strong express logistics services demand between intra-Asia and the U.S.,” said Ken Lee, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific. “With Vietnam’s continued rise as a manufacturing hub for semiconductors, garments accessories and materials, as well as electronics, we see an increasing demand for our services and we are confident that this additional flight will support our customers in growing their global footprint and entering new markets.”

 

“This new route between Ho Chi Minh City and the United States is a testament of our continued effort in keeping our air network and dedicated freighters responsive to the market demand. We continuously evaluate the volume in all our markets, and improve our routes to provide our customers with the most efficient, time-definite international deliveries despite the capacity crunch in the global supply chain,” said Sean Wall, Executive Vice President, Network Operations & Aviation, DHL Express Asia Pacific. 

 

Vietnam continues to become the 9th largest trading partner of the U.S. The U.S.-Vietnam trade turnover reached more than US$111 billion in 2021, an increase of nearly $21 billion compared to 2020. In 2021, Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. reached $96.29 billion, up 24.9% compared to 2020. The U.S. continued to be Vietnam’s largest export market, accounting for 28.6% of the country’s export earnings.

 

DHL Express’ Asia Pacific air network operates on a multi-hub strategy, supported by four main hubs – Central Asia Hub in Hong Kong, North Asia Hub in Shanghai, South Asia Hub in Singapore and Bangkok Hub, linking to 50 DHL Express gateways in the region. DHL Express operates over 280 dedicated aircraft with 15 partner airlines on over 2,200 daily flights across more than 220 countries and territories.

 

Read more about Vietnam’s rise as a manufacturing hub as manufacturers look at alternatives to China. For more insights about logistics, visit Logistics of Things.


DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivaled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air, and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility, and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 66 billion euros in 2020. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050.

#DHL

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

AIA Launches AIA One Billion to Engage a Billion People to Live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives By 2030

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 22 February 2022 – AIA Group Limited (“AIA” or the “Company”; stock code: 1299) today announced the launch of AIA One Billion, a bold ambition to engage a billion people to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives by 2030. As the largest pan-Asian life and health insurer, AIA is starting a movement to improve the health and wellness of individuals and help create a more sustainable future in Asia.

Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer, said, “For more than a century, AIA has strived to make a significant, positive impact for our customers and communities. Launching AIA One Billion extends our Purpose of helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives far beyond our immediate customer base. AIA One Billion underscores AIA’s commitment to engage, educate and inspire communities across Asia to improve physical, mental and environmental wellness while championing financial inclusion.

The pandemic has increased people’s awareness of the importance of health and wellness. Yet populations in Asia are seeing an increase in lifestyle-related diseases, accounting for more than 70 per cent of all deaths1. The World Health Organisation has warned that climate change will increase morbidity and mortality, especially in Asia2. It is critically important for AIA to play a positive role and be at the forefront of helping our communities address these issues.”

Melita Teo, AIA Singapore Chief Customer and Digital Officer, said, “As we double down on our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts as an organisation, the AIA One Billion ambition will build on our increased momentum to develop actionable plans across our ESG strategic pillars. We hope to invigorate the drive to keep minds, bodies and environments healthy nationwide, so we can shape a healthier future for Singapore with longer term and more sustainable outcomes.”

 

Through partnerships, events, community programmes and campaigns, AIA One Billion will encompass all our interactions across our communities to engage and encourage everyone from all walks of life to lead healthier lifestyles and help secure a healthier planet. As a first step to kick-start AIA One Billion, a regional social media campaign has been launched to invite people to ‘Join the Journey’. AIA ambassadors across the region will also support the initiative and rally communities to take action and drive broad positive behavioural change.

 

AIA has the ambition to become a global leader in ESG. AIA One Billion builds on our long-term strategy to make a difference to the sustainable development of our communities, and setting clear goals in line with our ambition to be a global leader in ESG. As part of its ESG reporting, AIA will track, measure, and report on progress towards the goal to engage one billion people by 2030 to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.

 

Find out more about AIA One Billion corporate website: AIA Group and AIA Singapore.

 

Visit AIA Singapore’s social media channels to find out more and ‘Join the Journey’:

Facebook: @Singapore.AIA

Instagram: @AIASingapore

LinkedIn: @AIA Singapore

About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR(1), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR(2), and a 49 per cent joint venture in India.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$330 billion as of 30 June 2021.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 39 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).

Notes:

1. Hong Kong SAR refers to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

2. Macau SAR refers to Macau Special Administrative Region.

#AIA

Thais Take to Social Media for Road Safety Revolution

Road Safety at Zebra Crossings in Thailand
Pedestrians cross at a zebra crossing in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Sanook).

Following several high-profile traffic deaths, including the death of a doctor struck by a motorcyclist in a protected pedestrian crossing, a surge of Thai citizens are using the hashtag #ThaiRoadSafety on social media to call attention to unsafe driving practices and to express concerns over preventable accidents.