The Covid conundrum
From the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Thailand has been a relative success story with low infection rates. So, it's almost as if we've been told by the government that this time around, it's every man for himself. However, with the latest situation, it is indeed sad, especially since neighbouring countries seem to be weathering the crisis better. The shortage of Covid-19 vaccines is also a major problem. However, while vaccines can greatly reduce the effects of the virus, they do not guarantee safety from infection.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:26 UTC
Leaders hold their breath
If the government spends 50-100 billion baht on the scheme, it can bolster economic activities by 100-200 billion, said Mr Thanavath. Traffic at Yaowarat Road and Sampeng Market is sparse during the third wave of Covid-19 in Bangkok. Though the government would lose around 10 billion baht in tax revenue, it could stimulate spending worth up to 50 billion baht, said Mr Thanavath. On the fiscal side, the government still has about 250 billion baht of the 1-trillion-baht fiscal stimulus available. The country still has about 380 billion baht available in funds to implement additional economic stimulus measures, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Asean speaks out on coup
Asean speaks out on coupThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has reached another important milestone after the bloc's leaders reached a consensus on Saturday to end the crisis and violence in Myanmar. Nevertheless, Asean leaders did not show their full bravery to act against the military crackdown in Myanmar in which more than 700 civilians were killed. Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG) said it welcomed "encouraging" news of a consensus among Asean leaders in dealing with the crisis in the country. Myanmar junta leaders have seldom offered any face-saving concessions to Asean envoys. How Asean will proceed with its "encouraging" consensus to firm action is what the world community looks forward to seeing.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Latest city closedown comes too late
Latest city closedown comes too lateBetter late than never. About a week before, the nationwide infection rate, blamed on Bangkok nightspot clusters, was already steadily rising. Just take a look at these figures: April 7, 334 cases; April 8, 405 cases; April 9, 559 cases; April 10, 789 cases; April 11, 967 cases and April 12, 985 cases. With the long holiday, people in Bangkok, including many upcountry folk, left town in their hundreds of thousands to head home to visit their families or for recreational trips in case of Bangkokians. I feel heavy-hearted and uncomfortable because I know these measures will affect everyone to some extent, particularly low-income earners.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Poor left out while rich get priority
Poor left out while rich get priorityThong Lor residents queue up for Covid-19 tests after the area is declared as a virus epicentre. Soon after the clip went viral, the public health authority sent an ambulance to pick up the two survivors and collect the deceased. He explained the hospital transfer, which was regular practice, was done by hospital staff. Poor people are left out in the cold, while the rich takes all. But during the pandemic, such privilege takes away public health resources that should prioritise critically-ill patients -- like the three old women.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Covid spreaders should own up
Covid spreaders should own upIf Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha thinks his national address on Friday night will restore public confidence in the government's handling of the latest wave of Covid-19 infections, he is dead wrong. He also talked about vaccines that have been ordered and attempts to get vaccines from other sources. The violations by those venues and other areas were possible as police and the authorities turned a blind eye. Yesterday, it was reported that local authorities in 42 provinces stiffly enforced the measure, slapping hefty fines, a 20,000 baht maximum, against those appearing in public places without masks. Such a rule, with enforcement, may allow the country to avoid an absolute lockdown that destroys the economy.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 24, 2021 23:15 UTC
New passport, pity about the mug shot
New passport, pity about the mug shotA fortnight ago I picked up my new British passport. The only downside of the new passport is the scary mug shot which claims to be me. Of course I've gotten used to non-flattering passport "portraits" which have changed considerably over the years and not for the better. The first passport went on to host dozens of immigration stamps befitting an overland journey from England to India and beyond. Shoeless and cluelessThe uninspiring nature of the stamps in my passport reflects a certain lack of adventure in recent times.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 24, 2021 22:52 UTC
Cops pick up pick-up man in pickup
Cops pick up pick-up man in pickupBUENG KAN: A 41-year-old man was arrested yesterday as he collected bags of speed pills and crystal methamphetamine that had been left by the Mekong River in Pak Khat district. Police only identified him as Sudkhate, a resident of Nong Khai. He was caught in possession of 2,114,000 meth pills, 58kg of crystal meth, and 489kg of another substance that looked like crystal meth, according to Thai media reports. Police estimated the the haul at about 200 million baht. A man in a boat left the drugs by the river in Ban Woendon and Mr Sudkhate was caught picking them up and loading them on to his pickup.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 24, 2021 02:11 UTC
MP's assets need scrutiny
MP's assets need scrutinyWith the mysterious disappearance of 10-billion-baht of debt from the asset list of Deputy Transport Minister Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol, a Bhumjaithai Party list MP, and his wife Yolada, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is left facing a major dilemma -- how to improve transparency among politicians. Eyebrows were raised after it was revealed that 10-billion-baht in debt had been written off within two years. Initially, the politician and his wife had declared the sum in the "assets and debts" category when he became a list MP in 2019. Mr Weerasak said that debt was incurred by someone else and he, as guarantor for that person, declared it accordingly. He could make a start by revealing to the NACC for whom he acted as surety for in that 10-billion-baht debt.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 23, 2021 23:15 UTC
Officials must boost public trust in jabs
Officials must boost public trust in jabsA man is injected with a Covid-19 vaccine at a city centre. The country has seen a surge in infections, surpassing 1,000 for about a week, while virus transmission has covered every province. It means only 13,000 vaccine doses are being administered each day. It is the duty of the government to boost public trust in vaccines -- that it is a major tool to keep us safe, the best available option and side effects are only minimal. However, the government has to admit that its own flaws in law enforcement have dented public trust.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 23, 2021 23:15 UTC
PM discourages Thais from jumping land border
PM discourages Thais from jumping land borderPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is reassuring Thais who overstayed in Malaysia that the government is looking for ways to bring them home. Rachada Dhnadirek, deputy government spokeswoman, said the PM has instructed government agencies to help the Thais return to the kingdom. Currently, Thais residing in Malaysia are allowed to return home via land border checkpoints on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, she said. Gen Prayut is discouraging Thais in Malaysia from sneaking into Thailand using natural passages, Ms Rachada said. The Thais reportedly told police they paid a Malaysian middleman 6,000 baht per person to cross the border.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 23, 2021 23:03 UTC
Stand firm on coup crisis
Stand firm on coup crisisTomorrow, leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will gather in Jakarta for a summit to discuss the crisis in Myanmar while the world watches on anxiously. The first attempt was on Feb 24 when Thailand brokered a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Myanmar's military-appointed Foreign Minister, Wunna Maung Lwin. It was followed by a meeting via video call on March 2 during which Asean called on the coup makers to release Aung San Suu Kyi. China has just hosted a meeting to discuss the crisis with four Asean members, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore in Fujian. It is understood that Asean has limited options in dealing with the crisis given its own non-interference principles.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2021 22:52 UTC
DMS to recruit virus hotline volunteers
DMS to recruit virus hotline volunteersThe Department of Medical Services (DMS) is recruiting more health workers to answer its Covid-19 Hotline, after a swathe of complaints about unattended calls. He said the hotline was only established two weeks ago to provide help to infected patients waiting for treatment. The hotline currently has 20 phone lines to provide help, Dr Somsak said. The DMS is attempting to increase the number of available phone lines to provide help across the country. The handle serves as an alternative to the DMS' hotline.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2021 22:49 UTC
Ministry offers advice to overstayers in Malaysia
Ministry offers advice to overstayers in MalaysiaTanee Sangrat, spokesman of the Foreign MinistryThe Foreign Ministry has urged Thais who have overstayed their visas in Malaysia to quickly apply for repatriation to avoid legal penalties. Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the Thai consulates in Penang and Kota Bharu have urged Thais who have overstayed since Jan 1 last year to register for repatriation on http://dcaregistration.mfa.go.th. Thais who are at risk of breaking the law are advised to join Malaysia's Recalibration Programme (Repatriation) and arrange to pay the fine of 500 ringgit. They will then be given a special pass to return to Thailand without being prosecuted in Malaysia. The deadline for leaving Malaysia under the repatriation programme is June 30, Mr Tanee said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2021 22:49 UTC
Infected village head failed to quarantine
Infected village head failed to quarantineNakhon Phanom governor Kaisorn Kongchalard, centre, collects details about the village head accused of failing to self-quarantine after returning from Pathum Thani, one of 18 high-risk provinces. Nakhon Phanom governor Kaisorn Kongchalard said on Thursday that the infected woman faces a fact-finding probe. The 55-year-old head of a village in tambon Nam Kam had visited her daughter in Pathum Thani province on April 9. Pathum Thani is one of 18 provinces declared "red" maximum control zones by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). If found at fault, the village head would face disciplinary action.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 22, 2021 05:15 UTC