Gag order not a solution
Gag order not a solutionDES Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn at a press conference on the arrests of 18 social media users who allegedly disseminated fake news amid the Covid-19 crisis yesterday. Signed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, this new order issued in compliance with Section 9 of the Emergency Decree became effective yesterday. It is not the calling of a democratically elected government to gag the press to eradicate fake news. This media gag order has been used far too many times in Thailand; it has been popular among coup makers and autocratic governments desperately needing to navigate public opinion. The way to deal with misinformation and disinformation is not placing a gag order, but to have a cool head, open mind, good communication skills, and for this government especially, an insanely good PR team.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 30, 2021 23:26 UTC
Phuket sandbox bookings ease amid uptick
Forward bookings for the Phuket sandbox in August are decelerating as cases of Covid-19 mount on the southern island province. As of July 29, 12,599 international travellers entered the Phuket sandbox scheme, with 30 visitors testing positive for Covid-19. Of the total, 192,403 room nights were reserved for this month, 98,735 room nights are in August, and 7,720 room nights are in September. There have not been any reports of early checkouts from guests in the Phuket sandbox. However, commercial flights carrying passengers to the Phuket sandbox can continue to operate.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 30, 2021 21:56 UTC
True denies reported interest in buying DTAC
True denies reported interest in buying DTACA highly placed source at SET-listed True Corporation has rejected a media report suggesting it will acquire Total Access Communication (DTAC), the country's third largest mobile operator, from Norway-based telecom giant Telenor, insisting the story is baseless. "That's not true," the source told the Bangkok Post without further elaboration. According to the report, sources said True is understood to be holding discussions with Telenor regarding the potential acquisition of DTAC. The report indicated Telenor, which owns 65% of DTAC, is looking to exit the Thai market at a valuation of US$2 billion for its stake. These challenged our premise of how we can do business," Mr Brekke said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 30, 2021 21:22 UTC
Big Tech booms even as lockdown living wanes
Big Tech booms even as lockdown living wanesPowerhouses Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and Google parent Alphabet all reported higher second-quarter 2021 revenues even as they face heightened scrutiny from antitrust regulators for their growing dominance of key economic sectors. SAN FRANCISCO: Big Tech goliaths like Facebook and Amazon unveiled whopping profits this week, showing their dominance in lockdown lifestyles is on course to grow well beyond the pandemic. Regulators' wary gazeAlphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai credited long-term investments in artificial intelligence and cloud computing as powering the internet giant's performance. Google's cloud computing business competes with powerhouses Amazon and Microsoft, poising them to vie for virtual terrain in an immersive online world. Microsoft this week reported a jump in profits in the recently ended quarter, keeping strong momentum from accelerated gains in cloud computing during the pandemic.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 30, 2021 01:41 UTC
Recession fears mount as cases rise
Asoke junction along Sukhumvit Road, usually jammed with traffic, is dead as people work from home during the lockdown. However, the FPO expects the situation to improve in 2022 as the business sector gradually returns to normalcy, leading to economic expansion of 4-5%. That is weak considering it's a year-on-year comparison and in 2020 the Thai economy contracted 6.1%, the most in two decades. Total cases rose to 561,030, of which 95% have come since the latest wave began in April, official data show. "There's now increasing chatter the Thai economy will contract again this year," said Maria Lapiz, managing director of Maybank Kim Eng Securities Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 23:15 UTC
US 'here for Thais in time of need'
Michael Heath, Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Thailand, answered written questions, asking him about US support for Covid-19 vaccine distribution. The US is proud to donate 1.5 million safe and effective Pfizer vaccine doses to the people of Thailand. We have stood in solidarity with Thais by providing Covid-19 assistance since the start of the outbreak. In sharing Covid-19 vaccine doses, the US seeks to maximise and equitably share the number of vaccine doses available with the greatest number of countries. I'm proud to say that US and Thai health partners have been sharing lessons learned for over 60 years.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 23:03 UTC
Gem of a watch
With purple hues dancing and changing colour in the light, amethysts adorn the bezel and dial of the new Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 38mm. The bezel has been set with an array of baguette-cut amethysts that perfectly match the tones of the purple dial, decorated with a Grande Tapisserie pattern. This is achieved thanks to a new colour treatment that consists of applying multiple layers of purple PVD to the dial. The tones range from pink to purple, passing by all the different nuances of blue, depending on the angle of the watch and the play of light. Likewise, the caseback has been finished with a sandblasted and satin-finished decoration and features a "Royal Oak" engraving.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 21:33 UTC
Heaven on Earth
Necklace in ethical Fairmined-certified white and yellow gold featuring a rectangular-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond and set with diamonds of various cuts. Various gem-set species adorn the Dog necklace in ethical 18-carat white and rose gold set with diamonds and multicoloured pearls. Floral choker necklace in ethical Fairmined-certified white and rose gold with rubies, tsavorites, pink sapphires and amethysts. Various gem-set species adorn the Dog necklace in ethical 18-carat white and rose gold set diamonds and multicoloured pearls. Doe necklace in ethical Fairmined-certified white gold and titanium set with diamonds, peridot cabochons, tsavorites, a heart-shaped diamond and a labradorite cabochon.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 21:33 UTC
TSMC seeks ministry's assistance
TSMC seeks ministry's assistanceThe Thai Sugar Millers Corporation (TSMC) plans to ask the Industry Ministry to help Thai sugar millers pressure the Indian government as its price and export subsidies are suspected of affecting sugar prices in the world market. Thai sugar exports have been affected by price fluctuations due to the subsidies, which violates World Trade Organization rules, said TSMC. "TSMC believes subsidies for sugar prices cost the Thai sugar industry around 10 billion baht a year," he said. Australia claims the controversial subsidies have led to a surplus of sugar supply and India's exports have also decreased global sugar prices. Mr Pramode expects sugarcane output in the 2021-22 crop year to be only 90 million tonnes because drought continues to affect sugar farming.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 21:00 UTC
Boost virus case finding
Boost virus case findingAs the country fights the coronavirus, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed optimism in the pandemic situation, saying it will ease in four to six weeks, citing medical evidence. Earlier this week, Gen Prayut was frustrated with reports of infected people being left to die on the streets due to a lack of facilities to take them in. Take the active case-finding initiative -- a key measure in tackling the virus -- and isolation policy as examples. In Bangkok, active case finding does not exist -- not in reality. Without prompt isolation, it is impossible to contain the virus, as is the case right now.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 21:00 UTC
Clover aims to list 320m shares in IPO
Clover aims to list 320m shares in IPOA biomass power plant operated by Clover Power in the northern province of Phitsanulok. Clover Power Plc (CV), a renewable energy power plant developer and operator, plans to issue 320 million shares -- 25% of total common shares -- under its initial public offering (IPO). The company appointed Trinity Securities as a financial adviser to manage IPO shares and the listing of Clover Power on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Clover Power has three core businesses: renewable power plant development, energy-related businesses -- including maintenance services -- as well as engineering, procurement and construction services. Three are biomass power plants and the other is a waste-fired power plant, with a combined capacity of 26.2MW.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 21:00 UTC
First double-dip recession since 1998 looms
First double-dip recession since 1998 loomsA man walks at the empty Karon beach on Phuket Island on April 1 this year. The Finance Ministry on Thursday cut its 2021 gross domestic product forecast to 1.3% growth, from the 2.3% it expected in April. The ministry forecast the baht’s average level for the year at 31.48 per dollar. Total cases rose to 561,030, of which 95% have come since the latest wave began in April, official data show. The Public Health Ministry expects the current wave to begin easing by October.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 07:52 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Thais abroad share Covid stories
TEST YOURSELF: Thais abroad share Covid storiesPhoto by ReutersHow England, Russia and Australia are managing the pandemicTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. The Thai government should learn a few things from overseas countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, Thais living abroad say. His university has an NHS joint Covid–19 testing centre, so he had the chance to get tested twice a week for free. People can also test themselves with an RT–PCR test at home and send it back …10… post. England, Russia, Australia.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 29, 2021 05:03 UTC
Phuket to press on with sandbox
Phuket to press on with sandboxPhuket will persevere with its Phuket Sandbox tourism reopening scheme, despite escalating challenges associated with the rise in new Covid-19 infections, mostly infected locals who transferred from other provinces to receive treatment. "I insist the Phuket Sandbox will continue as what has happened still doesn't affect the scheme," said provincial governor Narong Wunsiew. "These stricter measures are crucial for ensuring continuity of the Phuket Sandbox, which has now brought about some positive signs for the province's economic recovery," he said. So far there have been no cases of Covid-infected tourists from the Phuket Sandbox programme passing on the virus to locals, he said. In most cases of infection, it was Thai tourists who visited Phuket in groups that spread the virus among them.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 28, 2021 23:37 UTC
New tactics to help migrant workers
Despite helping the Thai economy for so long, there is no clear policy and little assistance to support migrant workers during this pandemic. In this article, we would like to propose three changes in the management of migrant workers during Covid-19 as follows:Firstly, the government needs to resume active Covid-19 screening among migrant workers. According to the Foreign Workers Administration Office, Department of Employment, as of June 2021, there were 2,162,863 migrant workers in Thailand. By the end of May 2021, only 339,331 migrant workers had received Covid-19 tests, accounting for around 15% of the total migrant workers in Thailand. Considering that the previous and current rounds of outbreak happened in several communities of migrant workers, such as in construction camps, we would expect the number of Covid-19 tests among migrant workers to be higher.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 28, 2021 00:19 UTC