Infected politicians 'should face probe'
"In this latest outbreak, those ministers behaved improperly, and this reflected a chronic problem regarding politicians' ethical behaviour,'' Mr Mana said. Mr Chuvit posted. Mr Chuvit said people are now experiencing hardships because of restrictions imposed by the government. Mr Chuvit previously aimed his anger at politicians who have been accused of visiting pricey bars -- the Krystal Club and Emerald Club in Thong Lor. Both places -- known as hangouts for politicians and billionaires -- were closed after scores of staff were found infected with Covid-19.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 23:37 UTC
Mandalay and other magical places
Mandalay and other magical placesThanks to many readers who came up with their own memories in response to last week's column about places that sounded quite magical as a kid. There is wealth of literature that made the city of Mandalay sound exotic, starting with Rudyard Kipling's poem Mandalay, from which came the expression "road to Mandalay". Louie LouieToday is International Louie Louie Day -- not a lot of people know that. The celebration marks the birthday of Richard Berry who wrote the original Louie Louie song back in 1955. Unfortunately he only knew the opening line and kept repeating "Louie Louie oh no, me gotta go" in his magnificent Geordie lilt.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 23:37 UTC
Vaccine a help but no panacea
Vaccine a help but no panaceaFor a couple of weeks prior to the flop that will be this year's Songkran holiday, the stage truly looked set for the triumphant return of domestic tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on travel plans all over Thailand. Then a third wave of coronavirus poured cold water on all the excitement, just as it was about to heat up. Stimulus cheques were disbursed to kick-start the economy's recovery, travel subsidies were approved, and plans were drafted to restart tourism on a bigger scale. At least five other provinces are planning to scrap quarantine requirements for inoculated foreign arrivals, starting on Oct 1. Public cooperation will be needed to prove that the island's tourism model is replicable elsewhere, which will bode well for the country's effort to reopen to foreign tourists.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 23:37 UTC
China hits Alibaba with record $2.78bn fine
Alibaba in particular has been under scrutiny since last October, when co-founder Jack Ma criticised Chinese regulators as being behind the times. (AFP Photo)SHANGHAI: Chinese regulators hit the e-commerce giant Alibaba with a record 18.2 billion yuan (US$2.78 billion) fine on Saturday over practices deemed to be an abuse of the company's dominant market position. The fine appeared to cap a government crackdown on major Chinese tech platforms, and Alibaba in particular, over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and misuse of consumer data. The State Administration for Market Regulation said it assessed the fine after concluding an investigation into Alibaba that began in December. The size of the penalty was determined after the market watchdog decided to fine Alibaba four percent of its 2019 sales of 455.7 billion yuan.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 06:14 UTC
Public key to cleaner air
Public key to cleaner airThe decision by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to ditch two clean air bills this week came at an ill-opportune time. Chiang Mai, the country's top tourist destination, was recently named the province with the worst air pollution. What the country needs is the kind of clean air legislation that many countries already have and use it to manage air pollution at a structural level. The Chiang Mai Administrative Court yesterday ordered the National Environment Board to designate Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun as pollution control zones within 30 days. It's also hopefully a sign that, with enough public support, the Clear Air Regulatory Bill might just squeeze through.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 02:48 UTC
Diversifying service amid a pandemic
According to Ms Sittharmanin, the money-changing industry has been damaged almost as much as the tourism sector because of the close links between both businesses. Roughly 20-30% of the company's existing clients have requested cross-border money transfers, so there is demand, she said. STR Forex made digital payments available via mobile banking, QR code and credit card for forex transactions as of last year. If the forex business were to normalise, the company has no plan to open more brick-and-mortar branches, said Ms Sittharmanin. "With a lean organisation and offering new businesses, we expect to book a profit this year, albeit an insignificant amount," said Ms Sittharmanin.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 09, 2021 23:23 UTC
Saksayam must come clean on Covid
Saksayam must come clean on CovidPeople turn up in droves to get Covid-19 tests near the Bar Bar Bar pub in the Thong Lor area of the capital yesterday. More specifically, Mr Saksayam is a key member of BJT, the party that oversees public health issues. One day before taking the Covid test, Mr Saksayam told the media he did not visit the club. It's necessary for Mr Saksayam to come clean and tell the truth. There must be a probe into Mr Saksayam, and if he is guilty, he must give up his cabinet position and face legal action.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 09, 2021 23:21 UTC
CK Power and Post support children
CK Power Plc has joined hands with Bangkok Post Group to promote environmental conservation via the “Chairs for a Good Cause Project”. Using modern upcycling methods, the campaign creatively repurposes unwanted and discarded products and turns them into useful, functional equipment for use in schools and educational institutions across Thailand. Products co-made by both CK Power Plc and Bangkok Post employees as part of the project, include unique papier-mâché tables and chairs made from old newspapers and magazines collected by Bangkok Post Group. At Watkudeeprasit School in Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province on March 31, the papier-mâché tables and chairs were received by Mrs Montha Ruktum, Director of Watkudeeprasit School. Attending the event were CK Power Plc’s representatives, led by Mr Woravudh Anuruxwongsri, Managing Director of Bangpa-in Cogeneration Co along with Ms Panchanida Jansongchai, Senior Vice President — Advertising Sales, Bangkok Post Plc.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 09, 2021 14:15 UTC
Punish Covid rule violators
Punish Covid rule violatorsVeteran politician Supachai Jaisamut of the Bhumjaithai Party was absolutely right when he said: contracting Covid-19 is not a crime. But deliberately concealing information regarding risky activities that result in new clusters or a new wave of Covid-19 is. Rumours spread like wildfire that the minister, together with a group of bigwigs, might have visited an entertainment venue in the Thong Lor area that has become the latest Covid-19 hotspot. Clips that went viral on social media show that at least one of the Thong Lor venues that serves the rich and powerful had bypassed all anti-virus measures. The government must ensure all laws are brought to bear against violators, regardless of their social or political positions, otherwise lessons will never be learnt.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 08, 2021 23:26 UTC
Vaccines don't mean you can't infect others
Vaccines don't mean you can't infect others'Don't worry, I already received my first vaccination shot [against Covid-19]. I won't be infected," the taxi driver told me confidently, almost in a carefree manner, when I asked him to put his face-mask on. The taxi driver initially hesitated, saying the mask made him feel uncomfortable. Israel has the highest rate of vaccinated people in the world, with 59% of the population having had first jabs with 55% fully vaccinated. The taxi driver is in the minority at less than 1%, meaning several million more could be infected if people are careless.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 07, 2021 23:15 UTC
Get the Covid act together
Get the Covid act togetherAs the country teeters on the brink of yet another wave of Covid-19, timely, well-coordinated and sensible responses are called for. The same fate befell Education Minister Trinuch Thiengthong who met with a well-wisher who was later confirmed to have contracted Covid-19. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday that travellers from Bangkok and other at-risk areas will not have to quarantine when they head to other provinces. Yesterday's decision by the Public Health Ministry and other agencies under the Centre for Covid 19 Situation Administration (CCSA) not to designate red-zone areas may send the wrong signal about the new wave. It is appalling that after two waves of the disease, the country still hasn't set up an efficient tracing system.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 07, 2021 23:15 UTC
Transport minister infected with Covid-19
Transport minister infected with Covid-19Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob (left) talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Bhumjaithai Party head office in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, is infected with Covid-19 and has been admitted to Buriram Hospital for treatment. In Bangkok, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai leader, confirmed that Mr Saksayam had been admitted for treatment at Buriram Hospital. Mr Anutin said he and Mr Saksayam were in close contact during a religious ceremony to mark the party's founding anniversary on Tuesday. According to Mr Supachai, Mr Saksayam went to Buriram Hospital about 4.30pm on Tuesday and took a Covid test.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 07, 2021 06:33 UTC
Thailand must help refugees
Thailand must help refugeesAs the Thai-Myanmar border situation becomes ever more tense, with more fighting between the Myanmar military and ethnic groups, particularly the Karen National Union (KNU), Thailand is bracing for another humanitarian challenge. As Thai authorities slammed the door shut on them, the Karen had to cross back over the Salween River. Given our porous borders, Thailand looks set to become the front-line state in taking care of those fleeing. Pictures showing the military blocking off an area with rows of barbed wire as Karen villagers approached last week drew international criticism. Thailand must do its best to help.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 06, 2021 23:15 UTC
Ethnic armies fight for a federal future
It was approved by the parliament, and was signed in front of many international witnesses, including China, explained Yawd Serk. "If they continue to shoot at protesters and bully the people, the ethnic groups cannot just stand by and do nothing." Many ethnic groups, not only those who signed the NCA, have not been cooperating with the military since the coup. The plan is to set up a Federal Council, Yawd Serk hinted to the Post. Most of the ethnic groups are expected to join, including the AA, KIO and TNLA, according to ethnic sources involved in the discussions.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 06, 2021 23:15 UTC
New motorway to open for holiday
New motorway to open for holidayThe Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima motorway runs along the scenic Lam Takong reservoir. A 35-kilometre section of the new motorway will be opened for trial use from April 9-19 to ease the busy traffic at Songkran. From April 14-19, the motorway would be open for Bangkok-bound vehicles. Motorists could join the motorway in Si Khiu district and exit at the Nakhonchai Buri stray dogs centre at Nong Phai Lom in Pak Chong district. The 196km motorway starts at the Bang Pa-in interchange, where Bangkok's eastern ring road adjoins Phahon Yothin Road in Ayutthaya.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 05, 2021 23:26 UTC