Ekanit eager to help Thailand
Ekanit eager to help ThailandForward Ekanit Panya, who is nearing his full fitness, is ready to help Thailand in next month's World Cup qualifiers. "I have been trying to regain my fitness and should become fully fit soon," Ekanit said yesterday before Thailand left for the United Arab Emirates. "I hope I will be able to help Thailand in the upcoming three World Cup qualifiers. After five games, Vietnam lead the group with 11 points, followed by Malaysia (nine) and Thailand (eight). Meanwhile, the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be held from July 20-Aug 20, Fifa said.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 01:07 UTC
Tell all over Prasit links
Tell all over Prasit linksThe crackdown on the fraudulent businesses operated by Prasit Jeawkok this week not only exposed his investment empire that allegedly embezzled over one billion baht from his clients, but also left the military red-faced. Mr Prasit, who projected himself as a "model citizen" who pursued a number of charities as voluntary projects through business channels, faced complaints from his clients who massively lost out in the Ponzi schemes. Mr Prasit turned himself in to police on Monday, denying all charges. It appears that the army has distanced itself from Mr Prasit and the IO controversy. Another probe about the alleged role of Mr Prasit in military affairs should be launched.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 00:56 UTC
Now not the time for 'vaccine politics'
Now not the time for 'vaccine politics'Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, left, accept the first batch of vaccines from China. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)With the third wave of Covid-19 showing no signs of abating, the government's vaccination plans face hurdles prompted by a lack of unity among state agencies. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared mass immunisation against the virus to be a national agenda item, with the aim of inoculating 50 million people to achieve herd immunity. Take a look at the change from "walk-in" as proposed by Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, to "on-site'' registration as ordered by Gen Prayut. Which brings us to "vaccine politics" as parties attempt to use the current climate to score points against one another whether by trumpeting successes or pointing out failures.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 00:56 UTC
Govt hastens to plug border holes
Illegal Myanmar migrants are arrested on the pickup truck in Thong Pha Phum district of Kanchanaburi on early Thursday morning. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)Authorities have tightened border controls to prevent illegal entry and the spread of Covid-19 from neighbouring countries. Border patrol police have set up an additional 14 field hospitals for illegal foreign migrants who have been infected with Covid-19 to prevent the disease from spreading to local communities, she said. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said on Friday that the Centre for Resolution of Security Emergency Situation has been cracking down on illegal migrants and smugglers. Between Jan 1-May 20, a total of 17,627 Thais and foreign migrants from neighbouring countries were arrested for illegal entry.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 00:45 UTC
Fake news law nearly ready: DES
Fake news law nearly ready: DESA draft law authorising the Ministry of Digital, Economy and Society (DES) to order the collection of log files from data networks to deal with fake news will be completed by next month, the minister said yesterday. DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn was commenting after meeting committees on preventing and solving the dissemination of fake news. A working team is drafting a law on collecting data logs of internet providers and overseeing the registration of social media platforms based on foreign guidelines for identifying users of each digital platform. Of those 160 stories, 121 were deemed fake news, 24 were considered distorted, while only 15 were found to be accurate. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau says it has identified five social media users connected with fake news regarding Moderna Covid-19 vaccine registration at MedPark Hospital and 19 others for distorting news about the Pfizer vaccine.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 21, 2021 02:15 UTC
VIDEO: This Week's Top Stories May 21
VIDEO: This Week's Top Stories May 21A selfie tragedy, mafia shooting, Bangkok clusters and free cowsSeven Indonesians drowned after a boat capsized because of tourists taking a selfie. The boat flipped when all 20 passengers moved to the one side of the boat to take a group photo on a reservoir on Java island. Two policemen were shot and wounded at a luxury home near Pattaya, and a Chinese man was later arrested. Police were looking for evidence that a group of Chinese nationals who rented the house might be members of a mafia gang. The government warned of 23 Covid-19 clusters in 18 Bangkok districts.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 21, 2021 02:15 UTC
Can govt rise to jab roll-out challenge?
Can govt rise to jab roll-out challenge? Recently, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha belittled Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul by abruptly cancelling the walk-in vaccine plan which the minister had announced. Gen Prayut may have foreseen that public eagerness to get a jab could backfire if vaccine stocks were uncertain. The walk-in vaccine plan would also require large amounts of space to handle the crowds. The rollout plan is supposed to start in less than two weeks.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 20, 2021 23:37 UTC
Show where the cash goes
Show where the cash goesAfter insisting the government has plenty of cash to splurge on Covid-19 relief schemes, the truth about how the state purse drying up has been revealed. Some 30 billion baht will be used for procuring medical equipment and supplies to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. Early this month, the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) announced irregularities in eight projects costing up to 13 billion baht. In terms of budget spending, Covid-19 will require a plethora of public rehabilitation projects in the years to come. Don't make it worse by demoralising it further through blatant corruption under the guise of Covid-19 rehabilitation schemes.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 20, 2021 23:37 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Take a virtual holiday
TEST YOURSELF: Take a virtual holidayPhoto © cityintime.hk websiteSee the world from homeTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. For those browsing the internet and daydreaming about travel, taking virtual tours may be the answer. Meanwhile, the Singapore Tourism Board and Airbnb have teamed up on a programme called Singapore Virtual Trips. Back in Thailand, continue your virtual journey through the AR Smart Heritage application, created by the Department of Fine Arts. 11. virtual.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 20, 2021 05:48 UTC
Po leaves wood carving charity auction
Po leaves wood carving charity auction“Prosperity Po Leaves” exotic wall décorBangkok Post Foundation Charity AuctionDelicate hand-carved po tree leaf on jamjuree tree trunk handicraft (16 x 16 inches)Auction reserve set at 5,000 baht per pair. Auction proceeds benefit the Bangkok Post Foundation which helps underprivileged children with their education. Thank you for choosing the Bangkok Post Foundation as a bridge to serve and give back to society. DONATION: Please contact: Kusuma BekennMobile +66 (0) 8-1900-4922Bank transfer to “Bangkok Post Foundation”Savings Account No. Please email bank transfer to: edmger@bangkokpost.co.th
Source:Bangkok Post
May 19, 2021 18:00 UTC
Aeon postpones Yangon shopping mall construction after coup
Aeon postpones Yangon shopping mall construction after coupA slogan is written on a street in Yangon on Feb 21, 2021, as a protest after the coup in Myanmar. (Reuters photo)YANGON: Aeon Mall Co, a developer of shopping malls under major Japanese retailer Aeon Co, has postponed construction of a mall being planned in Myanmar's largest city Yangon, according to a source familiar with the project. The shopping mall developer had eyed this summer to start construction, but uncertainty has arisen over the project following a February coup in the Southeast Asian country. Aeon Mall has set up a joint venture with a local conglomerate with plans to open a shopping mall with the largest retail floor space in Myanmar in 2023. The Myanmar government had approved a $180 million project-related investment last year.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 19, 2021 11:22 UTC
U.S. and HK record setting climbers return from Mount Everest
U.S. and HK record setting climbers return from Mount EverestClimbers from the United States and Hong Kong who set new records as they scaled Mount Everest earlier in the month arrived back in Nepal's capital of Kathmandu on Sunday. - REUTERSPublished: 08:23
Source:Bangkok Post
May 19, 2021 08:15 UTC
In Covid era, more people find escape in campers
"You don't imagine travelling as before, on an airplane heading to a faraway destination," said Sibois, who recently spent 50,000 euros ($61,000) on his leisure vehicle. Record sales were also recorded in the United States in March while in Australia the number of registered leisure vehicles has reached 750,000. Julie Vignaux, whose company Nomadism rents luxury campers, said leisure vehicles can be "like a health bubble". - Millennial wanderers -Traditionally seen as a retirement vehicle, campers are now attracting younger customers. With new campers harder to find, some are turning to the used vehicle market or rentals.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 19, 2021 03:22 UTC
Flights down by 79%: CAAT
Flights down by 79%: CAATThe Covid-19 pandemic has continued to pound the aviation industry, with a 79% drop in air travellers in the first quarter, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). Even though the CAAT has permitted semi-commercial flights to operate, the volume of traffic in the first quarter dipped by 1.6% on the same period last year. In terms of air traffic, the first quarter saw a total of 78,600 flights, down 66% from 154,000 flights year on year. Of them, 15,900 were international flights and 62,600 domestic. The five airports with the heaviest flight traffic were Suvarnabhumi (29,000 flights), Don Mueang (17,000 flights), Chiang Mai (5,200 flights), Phuket (4,400 flights) and Hat Yai (3,500 flights).
Source:Bangkok Post
May 19, 2021 01:07 UTC
Get a grip on jab app mess
Get a grip on jab app messConsidering the confusion regarding the vaccination rollout, the government either has to fix its main Mor Prom registration platform immediately, or revamp the programme entirely. The seemingly disorganised, hectic approach of the current plan will become a major hurdle once the mass rollout does begin. The government recently invited people, especially priority groups aged 60 years and above and those with underlying illnesses, to make appointments for vaccinations through the Mor Prom application and official Line account. Also, the government last week announced that the general public will be able to receive vaccines on a walk-in basis starting in June. If it wants to keep the Mor Prom platform as the primary vaccination channel, it must fix the flaws immediately.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 18, 2021 23:37 UTC