Factory blaze a wake-up call
Factory blaze a wake-up callAs of press time yesterday, a massive blaze which began early yesterday morning at a plastic factory in Samut Prakan finally showed some sign of easing up. Authorities will need to do more than provide short-term medical treatment for rescue workers and those injured by the fire. After the explosion was reported around 3.10am yesterday, about 30 firetrucks from the local administration, aided by brave volunteer rescue workers, rushed to the scene. Volunteers in T-shirts ran the firefighting operation, so many rescue workers suffered skin irritation and breathing difficulties. And has the ministry and local administration prepared adequate safety protocols for local communities to follow to ensure their safety in the case of accidents?
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2021 22:54 UTC
Prayut self-isolates after Phuket exposure
Prayut self-isolates after Phuket exposureVeerasak Pisanuwong, the Surin Chamber of Commerce chairman, poses for a photo with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during the Phuket reopening ceremony on Thursday. (Photo from Veerasak Pisanuwong Facebook account)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will stay at home for a week after he came into close contact with a person who later tested positive for coronavirus during events held to mark the reopening of resort island Phuket to vaccinated foreign tourists. “The result are not known yet since tests have just been conducted on him,” Mr Anucha said in a statement. The decision came after Veerasak Pisanuwong, the Surin Chamber of Commerce chairman, confirmed he had tested positive for the virus after attending the Phuket reopening ceremony with Gen Prayut on July 1. Gen Prayut and several of his cabinet ministers were in the resort island on that day to welcome the first group of vaccinated foreign tourists, who will not be required to quarantine.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2021 11:48 UTC
50 die, over 6,000 more contract Covid
50 die, over 6,000 more contract CovidHealthcare staff take a break from administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to senior citizens at Bang Sue Grand Station on Saturday. In its afternoon briefing, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said 17 fatalities had been registered in Bangkok, nine in Nonthaburi, six in Samut Prakan and three in Chachoengsao. Nakhon Pathom, Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Samut Sakhon logged two deaths each, while one fatality was detected in each of Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Sawan, Rayong and Suphan Buri. The capital also registered most new transmissions on Sunday with 1,729 cases, followed by Samut Prakan (411), Samut Sakhon (389), Pathum Thani (352) and Songkhla (318). Authorities also found infections in 12 Thai returnees, 10 of them from Cambodia and two from Myanmar, according to the CCSA.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2021 08:03 UTC
GET ME PAMPERED AT AMARANTH SPA BY HARNN
GET ME PAMPERED AT AMARANTH SPA BY HARNNJune may be coming to a close, but we refuse to let Pride party end at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. That's why we put together the best spa day offer with a 60-Minute treatment at THB 999++ per person. The treatment package comprises feel-good warm oil foot massage followed by soothing foot reflexology with your choice of HARNN signature lotion. Pick your favourite lotion scent and enjoy your spa pampering moment. amaranth spa by HARNN is open daily from 10:00AM - 10:00 PM.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2021 03:45 UTC
Huge explosion, fire at chemical factory, 21 injured
Huge explosion, fire at chemical factory, 21 injuredAn explosion and fire levels Ming Dih Chemical Co factory in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan on Monday morning. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and Bang Phli district office ordered the urgent evacuation of all people within a five-kilometre radius. There are five or six warehouses in the factory compound, where 50 tonnes of chemicals were reported to be stored. The explosion occurred about 2.50am at the Ming Dih Chemical factory in Soi King Kaew 21 at Moo 15 village in tambon Rachathewa. Taiwanese-based Ming Dih Chemical Co set up the factory in 1998.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2021 02:53 UTC
Missed opportunity to challenge insularity of Thainess
Photo by courtesy of Kantana Motion Pictures. Due to their fame, the term "Siamese twins" is used to describe conjoined twins. Photo by courtesy of Kantana Motion Pictures. Public resistance to the marriage between the Siamese twins and Caucasian sisters shows the fear of miscegenation. I think the series will make an impressive debut on the streaming platform but it could have done more to challenge the insularity of Thainess.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2021 00:56 UTC
Why and how we need to reskill at scale
This means new capabilities now must be grown at scale in your existing people, not brought into the organisation. The pandemic has provided a very clear answer to why we need to think differently about development at scale. They also need to develop new capabilities for more people, more quickly and more cost-effectively than ever before. We discovered that if you look forward, and look at where you are, you can plan to develop capabilities in a better, faster, cheaper and wider-scale way. Henkel started by asking managers in different disciplines to identify skills needed in the immediate future.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 04, 2021 23:26 UTC
Public trust in govt is quickly eroding
Public trust in govt is quickly erodingThe Covid-19 pandemic chaos has worsened in Bangkok and its vicinity in the past week. Our prime minister did not answer and walked away. The prime minister again squandered a chance to prove he is a leader who can connect with people. With power concentrated in one person, we need a leader who can deliver good judgement and harness public trust. It is not too late for our prime minister to listen to critics and make decisions based on quality data.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 04, 2021 20:03 UTC
Provinces welcome back infected residents to control virus spread
Health personnel work at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. The hospital in Muang district of the northeastern province is being used to treat Covid-positive residents returning from Greater Bangkok. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)At least six provinces are welcoming back Covid-positive residents working in Greater Bangkok and other places with open arms in an attempt to keep new infections at bay. While residents can return for treatment in their home provinces, there are conditions -- including not using public transport, as that could spread the virus to other passengers. Nakhon Ratchasima is using Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital to treat infected workers from Bangkok.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 04, 2021 07:52 UTC
The heavy burden of reopening
Gen Natthapon told tourism operators the vaccine allocation should be ready for Pattaya whenever it receives approval from related authorities. "Pattaya tourism operators want to keep the initial timeline, but we are feeling the pressure as residents should have received their second jab two weeks before the reopening date. He said Thai tourism operators want the Phuket sandbox to succeed so other destinations can follow. NOT INCLUSIVEThaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourism Council, said reopening via a sandbox scheme is not a universal remedy for all stakeholders in the tourism supply chain. Woranate Laprabang, chief executive of Thai Vietjet, said only international airlines and Thai Airways can service the Phuket sandbox in the early months.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 02, 2021 23:37 UTC
'Uncaring' govt sees discontent mount
'Uncaring' govt sees discontent mountThe 'Thai Mai Thon' (Impatient Thais) group led by Jatuporn Prompan are calling for the resignation of the prime minister. Apichart JinakulThe poor performance of the state in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, with record numbers of infections almost every day, has stripped Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government of the public's confidence. The past few days have seen a sharp rise in criticism against the government from those in the middle class, especially among many typically classified as "politically neutral" or even supporters of the prime minister. His use of na ja' as a tease at the end of a press conference only made things worse. Several in the food industry are angry that the prime minister invoked the eat-in ban late on Saturday night, backtracking on earlier promises to the contrary.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 02, 2021 23:26 UTC
Govt oblivious to senselessness of Covid-19 curbs
Govt oblivious to senselessness of Covid-19 curbsWhen the whole country saw how the prime minister was nonchalantly teasing reporters and giggling in front of the camera last Friday, we didn't know that it was just the beginning of a series of mishaps. It turned out that the order, which aimed to keep workers contained inside the camp, ended up being counterproductive. To make it worse, the government that evening also issued another one-month eat-in ban on the food industry after midnight, also effective on Monday. Despite the outcry from restaurant operators, the prime minister appeared nonchalant. On Thursday, the prime minister and his health team were enjoying the sun, sand and sea in Phuket at the inauguration of the Sandbox scheme to welcome back tourists.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 02, 2021 23:26 UTC
Jab rollout lacks punch
Jab rollout lacks punchIt is not an exaggeration to say that the government is losing the battle against the latest Covid wave. Also yesterday, the Ministry of Public Health reported that four medical personnel succumbed to the disease after contracting it from patients. Public health services in Bangkok will collapse -- if they have not done so already. The Public Health Ministry needs to increase the number of hospital beds for patients in critical condition as soon as possible. The government must hunt high and low to secure more vaccine doses in the next three months before it is too late.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 02, 2021 23:15 UTC
Catch some Cannes on Netflix
The French resort of Cannes is buzzing again as the 2021 Cannes Film Festival returns next Tuesday. One of the world's biggest film festivals, the event was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Before the 74th edition kicks off next week, let's have a look at some of the past winners now available on Netflix. The film won Outstanding International Film from the 2020 Black Reel Awards and was nominated for a number of other film awards. When she meets the dark, handsome Thomas who falls for her instantly, it looks like her dream has come true.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 02, 2021 04:30 UTC
NEW! Learning LIVE STREAM
Learning LIVE STREAMLearn in real time LIVE on FacebookBangkok Post Learning has teamed up with Trainer Ben from Knowledge Hub to being you a weekly Live Streaming English class. Ben will choose one of the biggest news stories of the week, introduce some vocabulary and grammar, and give you phrases to use and learn when talking about the news. You can join the event on Facebook, and you'll be able to chat live with Ben during the 30-minute class. The Learning Live Stream is FREE, every Tuesday at 4.30pm. To join, click the Learning Facebook page or join the first event here.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 02, 2021 02:48 UTC