Mass jab hopes a crucial test for Prayut
Mass jab hopes a crucial test for PrayutA vial of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine with Gen Prayut's name on it. This notion, however, was dismissed by faithful followers of the prime minister. This was evident in the approval by the Food and Drug Administration of Biogenetech's application for registration of the Sinopharm vaccine. The prime minister has all the powers of a strongman which many of his predecessors would envy. June 7 is less than 10 days away and many are still questioning whether there will be enough vaccines for the mass vaccination programme.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 30, 2021 23:15 UTC
Academy leads way
Academy leads wayThe Chulabhorn Royal Academy's procurement of one million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine as an "alternative vaccine" for the country should be use as a model for the government in securing more such alternative vaccines. With the help of the academy, Sinopharm is set to be the first alternative vaccine for the people. Unfortunately, the academy says its imported Sinopharm vaccine, which will be sold at cost, might not be available to individuals. It is about time the government removed the red tape getting in the way of vaccine registration. Without Chulabhorn Royal Academy's vaccine plan, people will not know that the process of vaccine registration can be fast-tracked and sped up.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 30, 2021 23:15 UTC
Spieth clings to one-shot lead over Kokrak at Colonial
Spieth clings to one-shot lead over Kokrak at ColonialAmerican Jordan Spieth reacts after a birdie putt at 18 to take a one-shot lead through three rounds of the US PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge. LOS ANGELES: Jordan Spieth rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt at the 18th on Saturday to maintain his one-shot lead over Jason Kokrak heading into the final round of the US PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge. Kokrak, who had pulled level with a 14-foot birdie putt at 17, also signed for a 66 to remain one-back on 196. Spieth, a three-time major winner who snapped a four-year PGA Tour title drought in April, is chasing a 13th PGA Tour title on a course where he won in 2016. Spain's Sergio Garcia, who won his first US tour title at Colonial in 2001, was alone in third -- four shots behind Kokrak after a 68 for 200.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2021 23:48 UTC
The cuckoo-clock tune that went to No.1
The cuckoo-clock tune that went to No.1It was amusing to see that the UK entry to the Eurovision Song Contest last weekend attracted a grand total of zero votes. Her description of its "cuckoo-clock tune" was spot on. However, Puppet went on to make No.1 in the UK charts, which meant she had to perform it everywhere she went, not a total chore when you consider the money it was raking in. Another huge Sinatra hit was My Way, but at Caesar's Palace in 1978 he announced, "I hate this song. There has also been debate over Dylan's singing voice.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2021 22:52 UTC
Young need help with Covid blues
Young need help with Covid bluesThe effect of Covid-19 and lockdowns on the mental health of Thailand as a nation cannot be questioned or ignored, but who is paying attention to the nation's children and teenagers? We've had to sell all the possessions in our house, we're at the bottom of the sea -- there's nothing left." A preliminary police investigation linked Anuchit's death with mental stress caused by Covid quarantine. Any struggle with mental health is already a challenge for an individual. Because a society that doesn't take care of its children is a society creating problems for the future.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2021 22:41 UTC
Broad support for loan
He said the money must not be spent to drum up political support as social divisions would result. For example, if the government plans to inject money to help SMEs, these businesses should be required to help keep on staff and prevent soaring unemployment. Mr Prinn said the Covid-19 pandemic is unpredictable and the 500-billion-baht loan decree is needed to support the pandemic response. Spending to prepare for post-CovidTDRI senior academic Nonarit Bisonyabut voiced support for the loan decree to deal with the virus crisis and rehabilitate livelihoods during the third wave. However, he stressed the government must also think ahead and plan how to improve competitiveness after the Covid-19 pandemic eases.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2021 22:30 UTC
Ex-judge denies bribe tie
The Law360 report said federal investigators were seeking to establish whether TMT had paid a former Supreme Court president and a Supreme Court senior adviser to persuade the Supreme Court president at the time to accept Toyota's argument. The rulings by the Central Tax Court and the Appeal Court contradict each other and the case involves an international agreement Thailand is bound to uphold. The Central Tax Court, which is the first court, ruled in favour of TMT to revoke the tax authorities' order for TMT to pay additional tariffs and taxes. The Appeal Court reversed the ruling, requiring TMT to pay the sum. The decision whether the Supreme Court's ruling should be reviewed lay with the Supreme Court's Tax Case Division.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 29, 2021 22:18 UTC
JD charters Shenzhen flights for fast delivery
JD charters Shenzhen flights for fast deliveryThe charter flights between Shenzhen and Bangkok operate three times a week with a same-day return. Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has launched chartered cargo flights between Shenzhen and Bangkok to ensure deliveries within 48 hours as it aims to capitalise on growing cross-border e-commerce. This route facilitates delivery of goods from China to Thailand and vice versa within 48 hours, said Mr Huang. Korlarp Suwacharangkul, chief marketing officer of JD Central, said JD and JD Central plan to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to build business opportunities between China and Thailand. "We've seen cross-border e-commerce between the two countries has huge potential for expansion," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 28, 2021 23:37 UTC
Coleman shocks Henderson
Coleman shocks HendersonLas vegas: Jenny Coleman pulled off the upset of the day at the LPGA Match-Play on Wednesday, knocking off world No.5 Brooke Henderson 1-up to open round-robin play at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada. Canada's Henderson, a 10-time winner on the LPGA tour, got off to a hot start, taking a 3-up lead with birdies at the first three holes. But Coleman pulled a hole back with a birdie at the fifth, won the 10th with a bogey and squared the match with a birdie to take the 11th hole. She kept her nerve after Henderson again edged ahead at 13 -- where the Canadian's bogey beat Coleman's double bogey -- nabbing birdies at the par-five 14th and 16th to take the lead. When she squared the match at 11, Coleman said, she wasn't really keeping track of how the match stood.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 27, 2021 23:15 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Welcome to the world of VTubers
TEST YOURSELF: Welcome to the world of VTubersYouTube rising stars aren't realTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. "Back in 2016, people were excited with Kizuna AI, which could act like a YouTuber. I think Kizuna AI was created for fun and its makers did not know that she was going to be such a big hit. The VTubers market has become extremely competitive. It was difficult in the beginning because people did not know what a virtual influencer or idol was.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 27, 2021 06:45 UTC
Robinhood set to extend reach into OTA services
Robinhood set to extend reach into OTA servicesThana Thienachariya, board chairman at Purple Ventures, the operator of RobinhoodOnline food delivery service provider Robinhood has vowed to double its investment budget to 300 million baht this year as it expands its reach into online travel agent (OTA) services. "We will use zero commission similar to online food delivery," he said. OTA service operators normally apply a charge of 15-20% to hoteliers. Robinhood aims to reach a market share of 10% among both food and hotel app operators. Srihanath Lamsam, managing director of Robinhood, said his platform has helped 90,000 small merchants to receive over 2.3 million orders worth over 500 million baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 26, 2021 22:18 UTC
XPG pursues digital licences from SEC as firm reshuffles
Move aims to meld old and new assetsSET-listed XSpring Capital (XPG), formerly known as Seamico Securities Plc, is applying for licences for all digital asset businesses except a digital asset exchange with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). XPG wants to become the first traditional securities firm to enter the digital business, bridging old and new financial markets. The company decided not to apply for a digital asset exchange licence because it believes the other licences are sufficient to serve customer needs. The future of XPG's business is to combine traditional securities and digital asset businesses." XPG is preparing to apply for additional licences for digital businesses, including to be a broker, dealer and for digital asset management.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 26, 2021 22:07 UTC
Mass jab plan on schedule, says government
Mass jab plan on schedule, says governmentA health official prepares a Covid-19 vaccine shot in Bang Khunthian district, Bangkok. (File photo: Apichart Jinakul)The government insists it will be ready to launch a large-scale Covid-19 vaccination programme as promised from early June using AstraZeneca's vaccine. Speaking after meeting with AstraZeneca representatives on Tuesday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul wanted to allay any fears over the company's readiness to deliver on its promise. "What we can say right now is that the company will be able to send its vaccine continuously every month," Mr Anutin said. AstraZeneca on Tuesday confirmed to the Bangkok Post it would be able to provide its vaccine to Thailand next month.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 26, 2021 02:15 UTC
Covid-related claims could hit B3bn as cases continue to rise
Covid-related claims could hit B3bn as cases continue to riseTotal claims from Covid-19 insurance could soar to 3 billion baht this year as daily infections continue to rise, says Thai General Insurance Association (TGIA) president Anon Vangvasu. The total amount of Covid-19 insurance premiums received as of May 15 stood at 3.5 billion baht from 9 million policies. However, the hike in Covid claims is unlikely to have a major impact on insurance businesses as Covid policies are relatively small with limited protection, he said. In the first quarter, Covid patients with insurance coverage tallied 10% of all cases, however that figure could rise to 20% in April, he said. The figure for accident claims is estimated to be below 62% of auto premiums received.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 26, 2021 00:45 UTC
Get vaccine act together
Get vaccine act togetherThe government must do a better job allaying fears about a shortage of vaccines while getting its act together before the mass vaccination rollout starts, supposedly next week. Announcements by several hospitals including Vachira Hospital and Chulabhorn Royal Academy delaying appointments for people who registered for AstraZeneca vaccines have sparked speculation about a shortage. The government bought 117,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines early this year. He said the delay is due to the government changing its plan, lengthening the period between administering the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the second from 10 to 16 weeks. It's time the government opens up about its vaccine procurement, providing full details about purchase agreements, terms and conditions.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 25, 2021 23:48 UTC