Is Prayut's Covid jab enough to ease vaccine hesitancy?
The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier listed "vaccine hesitancy" among the 10 most pressing global health threats in 2019. These 63 million doses mean 31.5 million people will get two doses each. When the first batch of the Covid-19 vaccines -- 317,000 doses from Sinovac and AstraZeneca -- arrived in Thailand late last month, people were thrilled. Vaccine development is an arduous process and normally takes 10-15 years on average, yet, the Covid-19 vaccines took far less time than that. Therefore, in order to solve the lack of confidence towards Covid-19 vaccines, education is key.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 23:37 UTC
Weed policy is still hazy
Weed policy is still hazyAfter parts of the cannabis plant were taken off the country's narcotics list, the commercial prospects of cannabis-related products have become promising. Companies have announced a variety of cannabis-related projects, from cannabis leaf-infused food and beverages, healthcare and cosmetic products, indoor growing kits for cannabis, to weed plantations. Cannabis-infused products have garnered popularity but most consumers seem to lack an understanding of cannabis properties and the government's legalisation policy. Some consumers have been misled into thinking that cannabis leaves also contain active contents and can have medical and recreational purposes. This is why products blended with cannabis leaves are so popular despite the leaves not containing any substantial active contents.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 23:26 UTC
Thai superiority complex harms Karen
Thai superiority complex harms KarenA Karen woman at Lower Bang Kloi Village holds a rice basket on her head ahead of 'kwan khao', on Feb 7. TransbordernewsTaking the case of Bang Kloi Karen villagers, there is no further proof needed that indigenous people in Thailand have a hard life. The Bang Kloi issue emerged earlier this year when a group of Karen left their relocation site at Lower Bang Kloi village to return to their ancestral land in upper Bang Kloi village, or Jai Paen Din village, which they were forced to leave in 2011. I have observed a similar attitude among bureaucrats sent to the community to solve the land rights issue, and whose sense of superiority can be overwhelming. Park officials and civil society help to promote farming products to the market.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 23:26 UTC
Laughter a tonic for success
Ms Pimpicha is the second generation of leaders at Banlue Publications, which has run Thailand's iconic comic Kai Hua Ror (Laughter for Sale) for five decades. We also created the Kai Hua Ror page on Facebook to make gags about current situations. The collaboration between Kai Hua Ror and Baan Lae Suan is to share content and specialities. The Kai Hua Ror universe is based on four pillars -- the power of drawing, storytelling, creativity and a sense of humour," she said. Apart from Kai Hua Ror, Banlue Publications also runs the news website The Matter and publishing houses, Banlue Books and Salmon Books.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 23:15 UTC
Dozens injured after Saturday rally near palace
Dozens injured after Saturday rally near palaceRiot police raise their shields as they restrain a demonstrator during clashes at an anti-government protest at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on Saturday. (Reuters photo)More than 30 civilians and police were injured in anti-government protests, an emergency medical centre said on Sunday after police used water cannon, teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the rally the night before. Thirteen police officers and 20 others were injured, the Erawan Medical Centre said. Police said on Sunday their actions were in accordance with international standards and that 20 protesters were arrested for breaking public gathering laws and insulting the monarchy. An anti-government protest this month saw over 20 protesters injured.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 06:56 UTC
Holding those behind the haze to account
As a cardiologist at Chiang Mai University, he has been raising awareness about the severity of the pollution issue for a decade. GOVERNMENT ROLEDue to the predictability of the annual northern haze, many assume that local governments are doing too little about the issue. "We work with different groups including universities, utilising satellite data in mapping out the relationship between haze pollution and maize production. One third of haze pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion comes from maize production," Mr Tara said. "Singapore came up with the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in relation to the companies based in Singapore that are causing forest fires and haze pollution across the border," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 00:10 UTC
Pornpawee eyes All England glory
(AFP photo)Pornpawee Chochuwong will vie for the All England Open women's singles title after reaching the final of the sport's oldest tournament in Birmingham, England, on Saturday. The Thai sixth seed defeated fifth seed Pusarla V Sindhu 21-17, 21-9 in 45 minutes in the semi-finals at Utilita Arena. The 23-year-old will face Nozomi Okuhara after the Japanese second seed rallied to defeat Ratchanok Intanon 16-21, 21-16, 21-19 in the second semi-final match. Pornpawee became only the second Thai player to reach the All England Open final. Second seed Okuhara knocked out another Thai hope Busanan Ongbamrungphan in three games on Friday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2021 23:48 UTC
Govt must build on splashing ban
However, it must ensure that social distancing and other preventive measures are conducted consistently in the coming months. A National Institute of Development Administration survey last week shows most respondents support the water splashing ban. After that, revellers usually hit the streets to celebrate the holiday by splashing water on each other. Water splashing is banned this year because it poses a disease transmission risk. While the ban on water splashing is a good start in preventing additional infections, the government must ensure that social distancing rules are followed by revellers during the Songkran holiday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2021 23:37 UTC
Full of beans, but feeling a bit guilty
Full of beans, but feeling a bit guiltyWith all the tasty food available in Thailand it might seem to be sacrilege that on occasions I am partial to tucking into a bland plate of baked beans on toast. It must be something to do with my heritage, because in Britain more than two million cans of baked beans are consumed every day. I admit to having a certain guilt complex about baked beans. Baked beans also have a royal connection, the words "baked bean" being affectionate cockney rhyming slang for queen. Captain BeanyThe baked bean is held in such esteem in Britain there is even a Baked Bean Museum of Excellence in Port Talbot, Wales.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2021 23:37 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: K-wave is here to stay
TEST YOURSELF: K-wave is here to stayPhoto © NETFLIXKorean TV has gone globalTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. The K-wave is unstoppable. The Silent SeaA sci-fi mystery thriller set in the future in which Earth has undergone desertification, the series follows members of a special team sent to an abandoned research facility on the moon. My NameThis series follows a mobster's daughter after she joins a cartel and becomes a mole to seek the truth behind her father's death. The K-wave, or Hallyu as we call it here in Korea, is a huge moment of …10… pride.”7.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2021 05:15 UTC
Regulator struggles with shifting sands
NO REST FOR THE WEARYThe SEC is being proactive, working fast and attacking each problem at its root, said Ms Ruenvadee. The organisation routinely analyses other markets around the world, and changes its regulations in line with international standards when necessary. Ms Ruenvadee wants the regulator to play a role in resetting old ways of thinking among market stakeholders and hopes to achieve this through the regulatory guillotine process that promises to scrap burdensome regulation. "The method of recruitment and work cannot follow the old ways of thinking," said Ms Ruenvadee. "I would never have thought to apply for this position, if it had not been the first place I ever worked," said Ms Ruenvadee.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2021 23:26 UTC
Schools must be made safer
It remains unknown why teachers did not immediately come to his rescue or what rescue actions were taken, if any. While the policy required all schools in Thailand to provide a swimming course, it lost momentum due to budget constraints and a lack of swimming pools in far-and-away areas. It remains unknown whether Thai students will ever receive the swimming tuition that may save their lives one day. But right now, what the Education Ministry can do to protect them is require schools to have adequate numbers of staff present and ensure that they are trained in safety procedures and rescue scenarios. After all, these are our children and our schools, not military training camps.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2021 23:15 UTC
Govt urges military rulers to hold talks with protesters
Govt urges military rulers to hold talks with protestersThe Foreign Ministry is urging Myanmar's military rulers to hold talks with political dissidents to end the conflict as Thailand prepares for a possible influx of refugees escaping violence there. Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said Thai authorities on the border were assessing the situation in Myanmar to make sure things don't get out of hand. "Some have already arrived," Mr Don said. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha discussed the issue with his deputies, Mr Don said. "We hope that peace will be restored soon or at least an avenue for dialogue should be kept open," Mr Don said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2021 23:03 UTC
Samut Sakhon governor discharged after virus fight
Governor Verasak Vichitsangsri announces his plans to return to Samut Sakhon after being discharged from Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok on Friday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)Governor Verasak Vichitsangsri returned to Samut Sakhon on Friday after battling the coronavirus for almost three months, during which he came close to dying. Governor Verasak Vichitsangsri returns a wai to well-wishers at the provincial hall in Samut Sakhon. Samut Sakhon has registered 22,170 infections since the new surge on Dec 18, according to CCSA figures. “Samut Sakhon must get back on its feet,” he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2021 12:11 UTC
Ratchanok gives no quarter to Wang
Fourth seed Ratchanok Intanon will play seventh seed Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark in the quarter-finals today. (Photo: AFP)Ratchanok Intanon cruised into the quarter-finals of the All England Open Badminton Championships in Utilita Arena in Birmingham yesterday. Ratchanok, who is seeded fourth at this week's US$850,000 tournament, will play seventh seed Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark in the last eight today. The Thai ace is hoping to win her first All England Open crown after finishing runner-up twice in 2013 and 2017. Momota became the first Japanese player to win the All England Open when he did so in 2019.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 19, 2021 02:59 UTC