Celebrate the King's birthday through online art exhibition
Some of the paintings to mark the King's birthday. photos courtesy of Office of Traditional ArtsThe Office of Traditional Arts at the Fine Arts Department is holding an online exhibition to mark the 69th birthday of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, via its Facebook page, until Aug 20. They were created by the artisans of the Office of Traditional Arts as a tribute to the royal institution, which plays a major role in preserving Thai arts. The Office of Traditional Arts has a duty to promote and provide knowledge on Thai arts as well as preserve arts and culture for students and interested members of the public. It's a source of craft knowledge and also an information centre of national fine arts that takes care of the designs of Thai arts.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 00:22 UTC
Finding joy in helping others
He named his restaurant "Im Jung Khao Kaeng", meaning I'm full [with] rice topped with curry or other side dishes. In his restaurant, Banjerd hangs a big vinyl sign showing his motto which reads "loss is profit". He and his friends self-funded the first Im Jung Khao Kaeng streetside restaurant. Today, Im Jung Khao Kaeng has expanded to nine branches, including two in Bangkok. During the Covid-19 pandemic, each Im Jung Khao Kaeng restaurant has a shelf where people can grab packed meals for free.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 00:11 UTC
Cloud kitchens are here to stay
Temporary cloud kitchens are meant to serve delivery demand, which has become the sole sales channel for several eateries. "I announced on Instagram our desire to rent space to open temporary cloud kitchens. To lower the company's losses, he hurried the opening of cloud kitchens outside of malls. Zen Corp is scheduled to open three cloud kitchens of its own on Srinakarin, Chaeng Wattana and Phetchaburi roads today, and plans to team up with 10 brands to open a new cloud kitchen later in August. Food Passion is now operating as many as 20 temporary cloud kitchens, including some located at Bangchak petrol stations, in addition to three cloud kitchens of its own.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 00:00 UTC
The curious case of Binance
Binance may be the most popular cryptocurrency exchange in the country, surpassing its competitors such as Bitkub based solely on anecdotal evidence. "All my friends use Binance," said Kittivit Kanokwanvimol, a local cryptocurrency trader based in Bangkok. "Binance does not currently have exchange operations in Thailand nor do we actively solicit Thai users," said a Binance spokesperson in an email to the Bangkok Post. Before the direct deposits, Binance users in Thailand had to deposit baht with a local exchange, convert it into cryptocurrency and then send it to Binance. By his own estimate, Mr Patikorn said about 90% of Thai traders use Binance, with the other 10% scattered around local exchanges.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 00:00 UTC
Shooting messengers won't solve crisis
Shooting messengers won't solve crisisDES minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn on May 21 talks about the arrest of 18 social media users accused of disseminating fake news on Covid-19. Pattarapong ChatpattarasillThailand is doing better than other countries in curbing the Covid-19 pandemic. But the government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha can handle the situation effectively, and you all can trust his dream team. A much-criticised government Covid measure is its vaccine policy -- all that heavy leaning on the AstraZeneca brand and failing to join Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax). The government failed to do so, arguing that Covid-19 vaccine development was in an early stage, and it did not want to take risks with the programme.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 23:48 UTC
Massive 2.5bn-baht missile agreement put on ice
Massive 2.5bn-baht missile agreement put on iceThe army has been denied next year's fund to buy Javelin missiles and related equipment worth some 2.5 billion baht from the United States, according to an army source. The government, it said, has inked an agreement to buy 300 Javelin FGM-148 missiles and 50 Javelin Command Launch Units (CLU). Also included are Enhanced Producibility Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) Technical Assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office Technical Assistance; contractor lifecycle support; spares manuals. On Sunday, the army source said the missiles were to be paid for in instalments until 2024. The source said the army had not objected to the cut though it planned to re-submit the request for funds next year.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 23:37 UTC
Thailand 2031: A Glimpse into the Future
Thailand 2031: A Glimpse into the FutureWhy 2031? We will either be submerged in it and get left behind, or ride the wave towards a better future," said Mr Sethaput. EA has projected future demand and made a large investment in renewable energy development projects. Mr Somphote admitted the costs of renewable energy development remain high, but they should decrease in the future, allowing competition with fossil-based electricity generation. Peering into the future, Mr Somkiat highlights four major issues that will have significant implications in shaping the country's landscape as he discusses key challenges and opportunities in the coming years.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 06:33 UTC
Luxury looks homeward as Covid curtails travel
Luxury looks homeward as Covid curtails travelIt is the "upper middle class, the rich and ultra-rich untouched by the crisis" who could not travel and instead bought luxury goods, said Arnaud Cadart at FlornoyPARIS - The luxury sector has flashed back from the Covid-19 pandemic but the crisis is still putting a crimp in travel, a key part of the market. Industry giants have reported results that show the world's well-heeled are splurging on luxury goods as sales surpass even pre-pandemic levels. It is the "upper middle class, the rich and ultra-rich untouched by the crisis" who could not travel or eat out and instead bought luxury goods, said Arnaud Cadart at asset manager Flornoy. "There is a young generation in the United States that feels comfortable with luxury purchases," in particular among the African-American, Hispanic and Asian populations, he explained. The luxury market will nonetheless "remain dominated by local buyers for at least another year," Rambourg forecast.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 03:33 UTC
A year after the mushroom cloud, Lebanon still bleeds
But if one thing can outweigh what happened to Lebanon that day, it is what hasn't happened since. Some who donated money to help blast victims a year ago now find themselves recipients of food and cash handouts. Once known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East", Lebanon now has all the trappings of a failed state. "I really see it now as a dystopia, it's the only word I have to describe Lebanon... Lebanon is rudderless, penniless and sleepless, but for both Rantisi and Hage, not completely hopeless.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 02:15 UTC
Heed climate warning signs
Heed climate warning signsEmerging a little over a year-and-half ago, Covid-19 has been a collective shock on the human psyche. It has redefined how we live and view the future and although the crisis was largely unexpected, the same can't be said of climate change. The signs of climate change entering a human existential level, one that affects humans and not just ice sheets in frigid regions, are beginning to take shape. The study will highlight how climate change is affecting our planet and offer solutions that will likely be brought up in Glasgow in November at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26 meet. But regardless of what happens at COP26 and what new promises are made, it's time we not only discuss climate change mitigation but also prioritise practices that highlight climate change adaption, especially cutting emissions.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 00:11 UTC
Hour of truth for Thai boxers
(Reuters photo)Thai boxers Chatchai-decha Butdee and Jutamas Jitpong face make-or-break quarter-final bouts at the Tokyo Games on Sunday. Under the National Sports Development's bonus scheme, an Olympic champion will get 12 million baht, a silver winner 7.2 million baht and a bronze medallist 4.8 million baht. Thailand Boxing Association (TBA) president Pichai Chunhavajira announced on Saturday Bangchak Corporation and its allies will give bonus to medal winning Thai boxers -- 10 million baht for gold, three million baht for silver and two million baht for bronze. Now, I'm quite confident and I will try my best to get an Olympic medal," she said. Both golds were won by weightlifters but Thais were banned from taking part in the sport in the Tokyo Games due to doping.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2021 23:26 UTC
Army strikes back at coup 'fake news'
Army chief Gen Narongpan Jittkaewtae, unhappy with coup rumours, files a complaint against a Facebook user on Saturday. Army spokesman Lt Gen Santipong Thampiya on Saturday said the coup rumour was aimed at inciting unrest and discrediting the army. In the complaint, the army accused a Facebook user named Nathapong Akkara of spreading the fake news, the sources said. Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanich condemned those who spread the coup rumour, saying this only worsened the crisis besetting the country. "Stop spreading fake news.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2021 23:26 UTC
Six months post-coup: 'We only have ourselves'
Six months post-coup: 'We only have ourselves'Volunteers in protective suits carry a Covid-19 patient as they relocate patients from a flooded field hospital in the Karen state of Myawaddy in Myanmar during the week. These are among the survival skills that many people in Myanmar are using these days, six months after the February military coup. "Now I'm afraid of going outside and I dare not pick up calls from unknown people," said one schoolteacher who continues to stay away from her work with the government. THE PRESENT MOMENTBut it is the here and now that people live in -- and like the Covid-19 pandemic, an end to the crisis is not within sight. Even though I save money, not spending spend much money, I'm afraid that one day, I won't be able to make it."
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2021 04:41 UTC
Markets at the tip of your fingers
The second question came from a man who wanted a suggestion for mutual funds. "I want to help, but the questions were hard to properly answer," said Mr Chonladet. "The mutual fund market has huge growth potential compared with other Thai financial assets. The proliferation of smartphones and daily online activities are crucial factors to support mutual fund businesses in the long term, he said. Moreover, more than 60% of new accounts are millennials or people aged below 35 years, Mr Chonladet said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 30, 2021 23:37 UTC
Crisis of faith is reaching a crescendo
Crisis of faith is reaching a crescendoPrayut Chan-O-Cha gives his final speech in the run-up to 2019's general election which his Palang Pracharath Party won. Earlier this week, Gen Prayut expressed hope the pandemic will ease in 4-6 weeks with the vaccination campaign up and running more smoothly now. However, if Gen Prayut should become disheartened and decide to call it quits, here are some possible scenarios. Previously, Pheu Thai had enlisted Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan and Chadchart Sittipunt, but both have since gone their own separate ways. In fact, Pheu Thai is particularly ready.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 30, 2021 23:26 UTC