Thailand's elderly lag behind in vaccination drive
Thailand's elderly lag behind in vaccination driveA woman gets a shot of a coronavirus disease vaccine at the Central Vaccination Center as Thailand opens a walk-in for the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccination scheme for elders, people with a minimum weight of 100 kilograms and pregnant women amid the coronavirus outbreak in Bangkok on July 23 this year. In Indonesia, only 17% of the elderly have been fully vaccinated, but that is still higher than the 13% for the total population. The proportion of elderly deaths has risen, pointing to the possible impact of slow vaccinations. Critics of Thailand's vaccination policy blame it in part for a spike to more than 10,000 deaths in a country where fewer than 100 people died of Covid-19 last year. "They should have vaccinated the elderly right after health and frontline workers," said 18-year-old Thippawan Rodinthra, whose 78-year-old grandfather died of Covid-19 last month.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 12:22 UTC
Police say 3 groups plan to protest on Wednesday
Police say 3 groups plan to protest on WednesdayProtesters of the "Thalu Gas" group at Din Daeng intersection in Bangkok on Aug 23. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)Three groups of protesters plan anti-government rallies at different locations in Bangkok on Wednesday, Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai said on Tuesday. He said the Ratsadorn Taliban group planned to gather at Lat Phrao intersection at 2pm. The Ramkhamhaeng for Democracy group planned to rally at 3pm at Kiak Kai intersection in front the parliament,where a no-confidence debate is being held. Pol Lt Gen Piya warned that Bangkok is under maximum and strict Covid control, and rallies are prohibited.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 10:52 UTC
Six cops in alleged torture death give statements as witnesses
Six cops in alleged torture death give statements as witnessesPol Col Thitisan Utthanaphon is taken from the Crime Suppression Division to return to Muang police station in Nakhon Sawan on Thursday night. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Investigators handling the torture-death case against Pol Col Thitisan Utthamaphon have completed their initial interrogation of his six subordinates who are alleged accomplices. Crime Suppression Division commander Pol Maj Gen Suwat Saengnoom on Tuesday said the six policemen gave statements as witnesses to the alleged murder. Asked about a rumour being spread on social media that Pol Col Thitisan suffered from bipolar disorder, the CSD commander was noncommittal. However, Pol Col Thitisan first fled to Chon Buri, then surrendered at CSD headquarters on Thursday evening.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 10:30 UTC
Phu Nam Rom border crossing reopened for freight
Phu Nam Rom border crossing reopened for freightThe Phu Nam Ron border crossing in Muang district, Kanchanaburi, opposite Myanmar's Tiki checkpoint. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)KANCHANABURI: The Phu Nam Rom border crossing in Muang district will reopen from Wednesday for transport of cargo between Thailand and Myanmar. Governor Jirakiat Phumsawat, chairman of the provincial communicable disease committee, issued an order on Tuesday to open the Phu Nam Ron checkpoint, opposite Myanmar's Tiki checkpoint. The Phu Nam Ron-Tiki crossing is mainly used for movement of cargo between the two countries. The Phu Nam Ron and Dan Chedi Sam Ong checkpoints have both been closed repeatedly because of Covid-19.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 08:37 UTC
Ronaldo completes Manchester United return
Ronaldo completes Manchester United returnCristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United was completed on TuesdayMANCHESTER (UNITED KINGDOM) - Manchester United completed the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday for his second spell at Old Trafford for a fee that could rise to 23 million euros ($27 million) from Juventus. Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games during his first spell at United, winning his first Ballon d'Or and Champions League title, as well as three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups. "Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday. I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again," Ronaldo said in a statement from United. Ronaldo is expected to make his second United debut against Newcastle at Old Trafford on September 11.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 08:37 UTC
Paralympic silver, bronze for Thai wheelchair racers
Paralympic silver, bronze for Thai wheelchair racersPrawat Wahoram of Thailand appears dejected after winning silver and failing to defend his crown in the Men's 1500m T54 final at the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters)Thai wheelchair racers Prawat Wahoram, 40, and Putharet Khongrak, 26, won silver and bronze medals respectively in the 1,500m T54 event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on Tuesday. The Thai Paralympic squad had now accumulated six Paralympic medals - one gold, two silvers and four bronzes, he said. Prawat had won seven Paralympic titles and tried unsuccessfully to defend his crown in the 1,500m T54 race. The gold medalist was Swiss Marcel Hug, 35, who set a new world record in the men's T54 1,500m at 2:49.55 minutes.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 08:03 UTC
No jabs or test for dining in
No jabs or test for dining inStaff clean food stalls at a shopping centre in Bangkok to prepare for reopening on Wednesday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)People in dark-red zones will neither need to be fully vaccinated nor pass a Covid-19 test to dine in at restaurants, according to the Royal Gazette. The latest announcement contradicted earlier reports saying restaurants and eateries wishing to reopen would be required to restrict dine-in services to fully vaccinated patrons and/or those who have passed a Covid test before entering. A source close to the matter said the CCSA will provide more detailed guidance on the issue later. Beyond changes specific to restaurants, public gatherings of no more than 25 people will once again be allowed in dark-red zones, albeit with permission from authorities.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 08:03 UTC
July exports rise, but Covid curbs hit activity
July exports rise, but Covid curbs hit activityBank of Thailand’s senior director for economic and policy department, Chayawadee Chai-Anant (Photo: Bank of Thailand)The economy in July was increasingly impacted by the country's worst Covid-19 outbreak and tighter restrictions that extended into August, but fiscal policy and exports lent some support, the central bank said on Tuesday. In July, the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the Thai economy became more apparent with weaker consumption due to the curbs, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) said in a statement. "While the relaxation of curbs from tomorrow allows activity to resume, in terms of people spending, we have to wait and see how much confidence will improve," she said. In July, private consumption fell 5.3% from the previous month and private investment dropped 3.8%, while tourism had yet to recover. Government expenditure increased 18% in July from a year earlier while exports rose 21.7% year-on-year.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 07:36 UTC
Stepping back into childhood
"'Reborn' was inspired by my favourite childhood characters. "We are busy working and do not have time to think about our childhood. The artwork Tom & Jerry On Monday Lunch has a structure that refers to attack and breaking," the artist explained. Tom & Jerry On Monday Lunch. I hope the exhibition will remind viewers of their childhood and that they like my childhood friends as much as I do.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2021 00:11 UTC
Enterprises turning to Tencent's cloud solutions
Enterprises turning to Tencent's cloud solutionsTencent aims to continually increase new data centres in each key market in which it provides cloud services. CLOUD ADOPTIONIn Asean, Singapore ranks first in terms of cloud adoption and market size, followed by Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, respectively. Thailand still embraces a basic cloud adoption, shifting from on-premise data storage to cloud services. E-commerce powerhouse Shopee capitalises on Tencent's cloud services to support its livestreaming feature for mega sale festivals so as to stimulate demand. In the financial sector, Tencent's cloud technology is used to support digital bank WeBank's operations, empowering its transaction handling.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 23:48 UTC
The unremovable Scratch
The reggae icon Lee "Scratch" Perry died in Jamaica on Sunday from an unspecified illness. As singer and visionary producer/studio owner, he was a key pioneer in the development of reggae and dub reggae music. His "Scratch" nickname came from a 1965 single, The Chicken Scratch. This innovation would influence not just the development of reggae music but also hip-hop and rap. His later work included tours with Swiss band Lee Perry and the White Belly Rats and with New York band Dub Is A Weapon.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 23:37 UTC
Green light for online action plan
Under the first phase of the action plan (2021-2022), the government aims to raise e-commerce revenue to 5.35 trillion baht next year, up from 4.03 trillion baht in 2019. The cabinet yesterday gave the go-ahead to the national e-commerce development action plan phase I, which spans 2021-2022 and aims to boost e-commerce revenue to more than 5.35 trillion baht next year. Rachada Dhanadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, said the Commerce Ministry's action plan will play a vital role in driving Thailand's digital economy and trade. Malika Boonmeetrakool Mahasook, an adviser to the commerce minister, said the action plan would help support the economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will promote the strength of Thai platforms and reduce the dependence on foreign platforms.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 23:26 UTC
Thai ace Prawat bids for eighth gold today
Thai ace Prawat bids for eighth gold todayWheelchair racer Prawat Wahoram will be gunning for his eighth Paralympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games today. Thailand aim to claim four to six gold medals at the Tokyo Paralympics. The Kingdom won six gold, six silver and six bronze medals at Rio 2016. So far, they have won one gold, one silver and three bronze medals at Tokyo 2020. Just 13 years later, she is rewriting swimming's record books and yesterday won her first Paralympics gold.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 23:26 UTC
Origin diversifies for growth
Origin diversifies for growthAt present, Alpha is developing the first project on a 24-rai plot on Bang Na-Trat Km 22. With a dramatic rise in e-commerce business, SET-listed developer Origin Property Plc has diversified into logistics and warehouses through a joint venture with JWD InfoLogistics Plc, planning to develop 200,000 square metres per year. Peerapong Jaroon-ek, chief executive of Origin, said the company would support the joint venture with potential land plots, development of logistics and warehouse facilities, and its partnership with Japanese and South Korean investors. Charvanin Bunditkitsada, chief executive of JWD, said the joint venture would help JWD expand the built-to-suit warehouse business and increase the number of self-storage facilities in housing projects. Earlier this year Origin and JWD set up a joint venture, Origin JWD Industrial Asset Co, which was last month renamed Alpha Industrial Solutions Co, with a registered capital of 1 million baht held 50:50 by the two partners.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 23:26 UTC
BBGI listing for biotech funds
BBGI listing for biotech fundsAn view of Bangchak's oil refinery facility, which is located in Bangkok's Phra Khanong area. Funds raised from the IPO will support BBGI's development of food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products under its plan to add value to its biofuel business. BCP injected 800 million baht under series B financing into Manus Bio through BBGI. Manus Bio and BBGI formed a joint venture to set up Win Ingredients to develop biotechnology business in Thailand. In the cosmetics segment, BBGI imports face lotion, based on astaxanthin ingredients, for sale.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 23:26 UTC