SpaceX all-civilian orbital crew completes historic mission
SpaceX all-civilian orbital crew completes historic missionThe first all-civilian crew to orbit the Earth, inside the SpaceX Dragon capsuleWASHINGTON: Four SpaceX tourists returned to Earth safely on Saturday after spending three days in space, successfully concluding the first orbital mission in history with no professional astronauts on board. They were next headed for the Kennedy Space Center, where their mission had begun on Wednesday. The Inspiration4 crew bonded over the course of six months' training, compared with years for professional astronauts. Unlike NASA astronauts, the members of the Inspiration4 mission did not go to the ISS but remained in orbit around the Earth. SpaceX is already planning further space tourism flights -- the next is scheduled for January 2022 with three businessmen on board.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 19, 2021 00:33 UTC
Danes show Thais no mercy in Davis Cup battle
Danes show Thais no mercy in Davis Cup battlebrave effort: Thailand's Kasidit Samrej hits a return against Denmark's August Holmgren. Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul and Palaphoom Kovapitukted lost their doubles contest as Thailand went down 3-0 to Denmark in their Davis Cup World Group 2 first round tie in Kolding on Saturday. However the Danish combination of Benjamin Hannestad and Frederik Nielsen proved too strong for the Thai players as they took the match 6-3, 6-1 and claimed an unassailable 3-0 lead. Thailand and Denmark had never met before in the Davis Cup. The teams playing in World Group 1 are bidding for a place in the 2022 Davis Cup qualifiers, a step closer to the Finals.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 19, 2021 00:11 UTC
2006 coup a success, claims mastermind Sonthi
2006 coup a success, claims mastermind SonthiThe Sept 19, 2006 coup against the Thaksin Shinawatra government was a success, former army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin claimed in an interview with the Bangkok Post to mark its 15th anniversary. The military-appointed Senate can join MPs in the prime minister's selection while the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) was formed to back Gen Prayut as the premier. The 2006 takeover pales in comparison to its successor as it lasted just 12 months before an election, which was ultimately followed by more political strife. He is accompanied by Gen Anupong Paojinda and Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, who held the rank of lieutenant general at that time. However, Gen Sonthi said the events should not be compared because the political contexts were different.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 23:03 UTC
Becoming Long John Silver just for a day
Becoming Long John Silver just for a dayImportant news. But In the 1950 film Treasure Island, Newton gave such an iconic performance as Long John Silver, the accent he used became a template for future swashbuckling films. He enjoyed the same role in a television series, The Adventures of Long John Silver, and it is no surprise he became the patron saint of the Talk Like a Pirate organisation. However, the truth is that no one really knows what accent pirates spoke and the real pirates probably would not understand a word Newton said. On the old ships the ropes that gave tension to the sails were called sheets.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 23:03 UTC
One ranger killed in attack by wild gaur
One ranger killed in attack by wild gaurA Khao Yai ranger was killed and an official injured during an attack by a male gaur, while on patrol in Khao Yai National Park in Prachin Buri province. The forest ranger, Nakorn Sriruang, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Chaopraya Abhaiphubejhr Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. At 1.10pm, as officials were searching for a source of water, the gaur charged at Mr Samluai, before attacking Nakorn. Nakorn suffered severe wounds to his right leg and lost consciousness due to blood loss, while Mr Samluai was left with chest injuries. Colleagues radioed for assistance and a helicopter was sent to take the pair to nearby hospitals.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 21:11 UTC
'Attack' hits Hungary primary polls aimed to challenge Orban: opposition
'Attack' hits Hungary primary polls aimed to challenge Orban: oppositionAfter years of bickering, the opposition is hoping to push long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orban from powerBUDAPEST - Hungary's first-ever primary elections to find a candidate to challenge right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban got off to a rocky start on Saturday with voting suspended due to what organisers said was a suspected cyber attack. "No matter what attack comes or where it comes from, there is no force capable of stopping this historical process," the six-party opposition alliance said in a statement. Electoral changes brought in under Orban handed Fidesz powerful parliamentary "super majorities" in 2014 and 2018, despite winning less than half of the vote. The primaries allow opposition voters to select single candidates to take on both Orban himself as well as Fidesz rivals in each of Hungary's 106 electoral districts. - Unpredictable general election -Polls so far indicate an unpredictable parliamentary election next April for the first time since Orban came to power.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 21:00 UTC
Hong Kong elite selects powerful new 'patriots only' committee
Hong Kong elite selects powerful new 'patriots only' committeeHong Kong's elites are set to choose a power committee that will elect the city's next leaderHONG KONG - Hong Kong's political elite will select a powerful committee on Sunday which will choose the city's next leader and nearly half the legislature under a new "patriots only" system imposed by Beijing. Ted Hui, a former lawmaker who moved to Australia, said Hong Kong's political system was now "a rubber-stamp game completely controlled by Beijing." That figure has now been trimmed to around 4,800 -- the equivalent of 0.6 percent of Hong Kong's 7.5 million population. Local media have reported that people linked to the city's powerful business tycoon families will wield less power. China promised Hong Kong would maintain key liberties and autonomy for 50 years after its handover.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 21:00 UTC
Inter crash six past Bologna to move top of Serie A
Inter crash six past Bologna to move top of Serie AInter Milan ran riot against Bologna to move top of Serie AMILAN: Inter Milan bounced back from midweek Champions League disappointment on Saturday with a 6-1 hammering of Bologna which moved the reigning champions top of Serie A.Simone Inzaghi's side were sucker-punched in the last minute by Real Madrid in Wednesday's single-goal defeat but made no mistake this time at the San Siro. Bologna sit eighth on seven points after their first defeat of the season, made no better by Arthur Theate's late consolation goal. Denzel Dumfries made an almost instant impact on his first Inter start since signing from PSV Eindhoven last month, replacing Achraf Hakimi who moved to Paris Saint-Germain, as Inter ran riot in front of their delighted fans on a beautiful evening in Milan. Earlier on Saturday Fiorentina continued their strong start to the season with a 2-1 win at Genoa which briefly moved them level with Serie A's leading teams. They host Inter on Tuesday in what promises to be an intriguing match against two well-balanced teams defying pre-season expectations.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 21:00 UTC
DDC closes in on new dose target
(Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)The Department of Disease Control (DDC) is aiming to complete its inoculation target of giving the first Covid-19 vaccine shot to at least 50% of the population by the end of next month. It also hopes to provide 1 million doses in just one day later this month. "To mark a key public health event on Sept 24, we will provide one million doses on that day," he said. In Bangkok, about 94% of the population has received the first shot of the vaccine and 40% the second. The target for Bangkok before it can reopen is 70% having had the second dose by Oct 22.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 21:00 UTC
Healthy Ratchaburi man dies after receiving AZ booster shot
Healthy Ratchaburi man dies after receiving AZ booster shotA 40-year-old volunteer rescuer in Ratchaburi has died after receiving a third shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Prasong Boonkhian, a rescuer of the Pathom Borom Rachanusorn Foundation, on Saturday was found dead by his 64-year-old mother, Noi Boonkhian, in his room in Muang district at 2am. The man received his third booster shot at the hospital on Friday at 4.17pm. Somkuan Boonkhian, Prasong's 43-year-old brother, said he was healthy and rarely fell ill.After his vaccination, his brother began coughing at midnight. My son was healthy and I never thought he would die because of this.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 21:00 UTC
Sparse attendance at rally in support of US Capitol rioters
Sparse attendance at rally in support of US Capitol riotersDemonstrators gather for the "Justice for J6" rally in WashingtonWASHINGTON - A few hundred protesters turned up Saturday in Washington to rally in support of the pro-Trump rioters who ransacked the US Capitol on January 6, but they were outnumbered by a robust security presence and journalists. Pointing at the Capitol, he added: "That's our Capitol, for taxpayers, so we're allowed to go in there when we want." Officials say the mob assaulted 140 officers, with damage to the Capitol complex estimated at $1.5 million. Four people were arrested Saturday near the Capitol, including two for weapons charges. Capitol Police also said they separated groups of protesters and counter-protesters without incident.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 20:48 UTC
Expelling the family pest, killer 'mouse', brave canal hug
Thanaphat KongmaiPolice believe the killers used the bag to cover the head of Pol L/C Thanaphat Kongmai, 32, a former policeman in the southern border provinces, before they shot him. Pol L/C Thanaphat's body was dumped on Tamnan-Somkit Village Road, Tamnan, Muang district, on May 13 and found by rubber-tappers the next morning. While Ms Somjit and Mr Jittichai deny killing Pol L/C Thanaphat, they admit he caused problems for the family. Officers from Police Region 9, Phatthalung provincial station, and Muang police, who announced the arrests, said the suspects called Pol L/C Thanaphat and asked him to meet them. Charging the duo with jointly killing Pol L/C Thanaphat, police said they believe his drug-taking and abusive behaviour was more than the family could stand.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 20:26 UTC
Coup anniversary fizzer
Dawn of the coup: A soldier stands guard near Democracy Monument after the Sept 19, 2006 military takeover. Marking the 15th anniversary of the Sept 19, 2006 coup, the Bangkok Post asked political scientists to share their views on the event and how it has reshaped the political landscape. Mr Stithorn said the 2006 coup seems to have divided people into two camps. "It is clear the 2006 coup was a watershed event for the 2014 coup and today's coupmasters filled in the gaps seen in 2006 takeover," he said. Car mob rally to mark anniversaryNattawut Saikuar, a co-leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), will organise a car mob today to mark 15th anniversary of the 2006 coup.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 20:03 UTC
Foreign expats' lot a mixed bag
Foreign expats' lot a mixed bagIf the government hopes to entice wealthy expats and skilled professionals into making Thailand their second home, it must first improve the treatment of the millions of foreigners already living in the country. News of the plan to invite wealthy foreigners comes as the government attempts to revive the economy. It is not the first time the government has offered elite visas to wealthy foreign retirees. According to a study by Mahidol University, there were about 2.5 million foreign residents in the country in 2010, including about 1.8 million people from neighbouring countries and about 27,000 Westerners. There is so much to be done, it is doubtful the government can address all immigration issues before next year.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 20:03 UTC
France accuses Australia, US of 'lying' in escalating crisis
France accuses Australia, US of 'lying' in escalating crisisThe deal extends US nuclear submarine technology to Australia as well as cyber defence, applied artificial intelligence and undersea capabilities. PARIS: France on Saturday accused Australia and the United States of lying over a ruptured Australian contract to buy French submarines, saying a grave crisis was underway between the allies after Paris recalled its ambassadors. "There has been lying, duplicity, a major breach of trust and contempt," Le Drian said. France would make a priority now of developing a EU security strategy when it takes on the bloc's presidency at the start of 2022, he said. The move infuriated France, which lost a contract to supply conventional submarines to Australia that was worth A$50 billion when signed in 2016.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 19:41 UTC