Watchdogs! The strays trying to keep Thai streets safe
admin • September 5, 2017 • 5313
Meet the four-legged furry friends chosen to test run a prototype ‘smart vest’ which could turn stray dogs into heroes by spotting potentially unfriendly strangers and other dangers within a community.
“Our philosophy at work is to show how creativity and technology can be used together to help solve problems for the people or society,” said Satit Jantawiwat, chief creative officer at Chiel.
A hidden camera is attached to the collar of a dog’s vest and activated when its sensors detect aggressive barking noises, sending a live streaming video of what the dog saw in front of them to a central location.
The Phuket-base Soi Dog Foundation, a group formed over a decade ago to save street dogs and cats in Thailand, welcomed the initiative but deemed the vests to be in an early ‘trial and error’ stage.
“It’s too early a stage to actually say how practical the vests are. We really don’t know how they’re going to work. So, it’s going to be trial and error. We’re also going to be on a steep learning curve at the start and then we will iron out differences as we move forward,” said Soi Dog Foundation managing director Martin Turner.
The project began in March 2017 and the Cheil company said there will be more development before the project is introduced for a full trial run in the community. — Kath Dumaraos | UNTV News & Rescue
Hidilyn Diaz bagged 2 bronze medals at the 2019 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand on Friday (September 20).
Diaz competed for the 55kg category. She won her first bronze after lifting 121 kg in clean and jerk discipline. She lifted 93 kg in the snatch category, ranking in eight place and lifting a total of 214 kg.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) wants to look into research-based technologies to address the dengue problem in the country.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said the department has funded several research projects and programs to aid in addressing the different aspects of the disease.
“Through the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, we have funded a number of research projects and programs consistent with the multi-prong approach in the control of dengue that address different aspects such as diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
One of the researches supported by the DOST is the Biotek M which is a rapid diagnostic test for dengue. This kit can diagnose dengue as early as two to three days after the onset of illness.
They are also looking into a possible herbal medicine for dengue.
“Dengue research and development has always been one of the priority research areas in the country. This is stated in the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda led by the DOST,” said Sec. de la Peña.—AAC
Philippine Navy’s (PN) patrol ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) is now in a trilateral sail with Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel, KDB Darulaman (OPV-08) and Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) Pohang-class HQ-18 as they make their way to participate in the first ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise (AUMX) 2019 in the Gulf of Thailand. (Courtesy: Philippine Navy)
MANILA, Philippines – The United States of America and the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have begun its first-ever maritime drill in the waters of Thailand, the US Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday (Sept. 3).
The ASEAN-United States Maritime Exercises (AUMX), the ceremony of which was held at Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand on Sept. 2 and co-led by the US and Royal Thai navies, will consist of pre-sail activities in Thailand, Singapore and Brunei followed by a sea phase in international waters in Southeast Asia, including the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea.
The U.S. Embassy said the exercise will conclude in Singapore on Sept. 6.
The AUMX includes eight warships and four aircraft from seven countries, and more than 1,000 personnel from the U.S and ten ASEAN member-states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Philippine Navy has deployed its Del Pilar-class patrol ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) with around 200 sailors and marines for the maritime exercise.
While U.S. assets include the littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8), the guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), three MH-60 helicopters, a P-8 Poseidon aircraft and staff assigned to DESRON 7 and CTF 73.
“Our forces sail together during exercises throughout the year and have done so for decades,” said U.S. 7th Fleet commander Vice Admiral Phil Sawyer. “AUMX provides a new multilateral venue to work together on shared maritime security priorities in the region.”
Operating under the theme “Enhancing Shared Awareness and Interoperability in the Maritime Domain”, this maritime exercise aims to promote shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded commerce in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.
Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander of Task Force 73, who oversees the U.S. Navy’s security cooperation in Southeast Asia, noted that AUMX continues the trend of increased multilateral cooperation among navies in the Indo-Pacific.
“The U.S. Navy along with our partners and allies have long known the value of working together,” said Tynch. “AUMX builds greater maritime security on the strength of ASEAN, the strength of our navy-to-navy bonds, and the strength our shared belief in a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Throughout the exercise, ASEAN member states and U.S. forces will operate together under a combined task force structure, executing a variety of realistic scenarios designed to reinforce interoperability in areas such as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), maritime domain awareness, division tactics and maritime asset tracking.
The task force headquarters will be located onboard the Royal Thai Navy vessel HTMS Krabi (OPV 551), and include representatives from each ASEAN member state and the United States. An ashore support element in Singapore will also host representatives from each ASEAN member state.
The US Embassy said commercial vessels have been contracted to serve as the simulated target vessels for the VBSS portion of the exercise, which will focus on countering maritime threats.
“AUMX provides an opportunity to work together at sea during realistic training scenarios,” said Capt. Matt Jerbi, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 and deputy commander of the AUMX Task Force. “Training in areas such as maritime domain awareness, where we share information and integrate operations, helps each of us to operate together more effectively.”
While this is the first exercise of its kind with ASEAN, the U.S. Navy has conducted engagements, exercises and port visits in Southeast Asia for decades. In 2019, the 25th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise series commenced, along with the 18th Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) multilateral exercise.
The U.S. Navy also participates routinely in ADMM-Plus maritime security exercises, to promote peace and stability throughout the region.
For the Philippine Navy, its participation in this exercise is expected to advance its maritime operational capability to multilateral level, and increase readiness and interoperability.
UNTV is a major TV broadcast network with 24-hour programming. An Ultra High Frequency station with strong brand content that appeal to everyone, UNTV is one of the most trusted and successful Philippine networks that guarantees wholesome and quality viewing experience.
