'Bangkok Post' snapper wins pic award
'Bangkok Post' snapper wins pic awardBangkok Post photographer Wichan Charoenkiatpakul poses with his 'Safe Love' photo which won Best News Photo of the Year from the Isra Amantakul Foundation and the Thai Journalists Association, announced on Thai Journalists Day yesterday. (Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Bangkok Post photographer Wichan Charoenkiatpakul has won the Isra Amantakul Foundation and the Thai Journalists Association's (TJA) Best News Photo award for his Safe Love photo. The announcement was made yesterday during an event marking Thai Journalists Day. Accumulating more points from the committee than the other 49 pictures, Wichan won the prize, which included a trophy and 100,000 baht. Other stories included the hit-and-run case of Red Bull scion Vorayuth Yoovidhya, Covid-19, political protests and online investment scams.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2021 23:03 UTC
Asset warehouse scheme predicted in 2 months
Asset warehouse scheme predicted in 2 monthsThe asset warehousing programme is expected to be implemented in the next two months amid calls urging the Bank of Thailand to expand the assistance scope to cover low-cost airlines, says the Thai Bankers' Association (TBA). The TBA completed the asset warehousing programme framework after discussions with commercial bank members. A buy-back agreement within a specific time frame would also be embedded as a condition in the asset warehousing programme. Mr Payong said the time frame for the asset warehousing concept could possibly be in a range of 3-5 years. The government is mulling either waiving or subsidising transaction fees and relevant taxes under the asset warehousing programme, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 03, 2021 23:26 UTC
SMART VISA ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TALENTS
SMART VISA ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TALENTSAiming to attract international talents whose expertise can play an important role in driving digital and tech startups and all other targeted industries towards using modern smart technologies,the Thailand Board of Investment is granting its “Smart Visa” to qualified professionals. Those applying for the Smart “Executives” Visa program must receive a minimum monthly salary of 200,000 baht and have at least ten years of experience in their profession. Persons eligible for the Smart Visa type “O” are the spouses and legitimate children aged 18 years old or under of Smart Visa holders. Current residents or experts who wish to enter Thailand on the Smart Visa program can submit their applications via the “Smart Visa Online” system at http://smart-visa.boi.go.th with the results due within 30 business days after the completed application has been received. With the mission of driving innovation and tech startups in Thailand, the NIA has collaborated with the BOI in supporting the Smart Visa program.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 03, 2021 06:45 UTC
Let's hear Chana truth
Let's hear Chana truthIn a bid to find a solution to the Chana Industrial Estate controversy in Songkhla -- a key part of the Southern Economic Corridor which faces stiff opposition from local residents -- Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Monday called a meeting with all agencies involved in the project. Mr Wissanu's move followed a dispute between southern authorities and Deputy Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow who proposed suspending the scheme on Feb 22, citing a breach of regulations. He came to the conclusion after visiting local communities in Chana district, where the industrial estate, that will involve at least 200 private investment projects, will be located. The government, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu in particular, must communicate better with the public, especially locals who will be affected by the estate. There is no need to fear loss of face if the decision is for the benefit of Chana residents.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 02, 2021 23:03 UTC
The 'first shot' drama shows up a sickly govt
The 'first shot' drama shows up a sickly govtWhat was the fuss all about regarding who would take the first Covid-19 shot? The PM earlier volunteered to be the first to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. It had been well-known that the first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines to arrive in the country would be from the Chinese firm Sinovac. Mr Anutin weighed in again saying Gen Prayut would get the first shot of a Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca on Sunday. The repeated cancellations make it seem the government is churning out "false advertisement" featuring Gen Prayut as a stooge.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 01, 2021 23:03 UTC
Timebombs lie in wait
Timebombs lie in waitClashes between police and activists on Sunday night left many injuries on both sides. Observers have also cautioned of escalating violence since young pro-democracy activists decided to hit the streets around this time last year. Of course, the government's victory in the no-confidence debate last month may also contribute to a growing and risky sense of complacency. Those protests plunged the country into a political abyss and ended with the coup led by Gen Prayut, then army chief. The recent confrontation is a symptom of mistrust and the government must be aware that unless it is more transparent numerous political timebombs lie in wait.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 01, 2021 23:03 UTC
Patron of Art and Culture
With her many talents in art, culture and sports, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya graces the Bangkok Post's Women of the Year list as one of Thailand's most recognisable female leaders. One needs to keep their eyes wide open and to be knowledgeable in various art forms," said Princess Sirivannavari. The youngest daughter of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, the Princess' passion in art and design has long been evident. As a patron of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO), Princess Sirivannavari has since 2016 bestowed an opportunity for the RBSO to perform her compositions at her fashion shows. In the sports arena, Princess Sirivannavari has also been known as a talented horse rider in dressage.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 01, 2021 00:00 UTC
Who wants a child amid such instability?
This has brought the birth rate down to 1.51, which is far below the World Health Organisation's recommendation of 2.1. Besides pregnancy and delivery, tuition fees for 20 years (kindergarten to bachelor's degree) are estimated at 240,000 baht to 15 million baht, depending on the type and quality of schools. Apart from saving plans, the government's welfare programme pays a monthly living allowance ranging from 600-1,000 baht, depending on age. Meanwhile, our child welfare programme is not inclusive. However, child protection advocates have called for expanding its programme to include all 4.2 million young children nationwide.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 01, 2021 00:00 UTC
Anti-coup crackdown takes fatal turn
Anti-coup crackdown takes fatal turnProtesters run to contain tear gas fired by security forces in an attempt to disperse them during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon yesterday. In response to the shooting of unarmed civilians, Myanmar's special envoy to the UN called on the international community to bring the authorities to justice for "crimes against humanity". At the very least, he said Asean should consider suspending Myanmar from Asean, if they do not abide by the rules. On this day, when Myanmar experienced the worst violence in its tragic history since 1988, attention clearly shifts to the international community. "While the world and Myanmar waits to see the result of international negotiations, we must maintain political pressure, economic pressure and international pressure on the generals, " said Dr Sa Sa.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 23:26 UTC
BMA to give Green Bridge a revamp
BMA to give Green Bridge a revampThe second Chao Phraya sky park at Sarasin intersection in Pathumwan and Khlong Toei districts is anticipated to open this year to respond various needs of people. The project -- dubbed "Bangkok Green Bridge" -- is a planned redevelopment of a two-decade old, 1.3-kilometre bridge between Sarasin intersection near Lumphini Park and Benjakitti Park in Khlong Toei district, which currently serves as a pedestrian walkway and bicycle lane. "The governor has wanted to pursue the Bangkok Green Bridge since 2019 as part of the area's green development masterplan, but it was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic," said deputy Bangkok governor Sakchai Boonma said. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has already earmarked 260 million baht to reinforce the bridge's structure and other landscaping works. "The [Bangkok Green Bridge] project will give a new lease of life to the bridge," Taiwut Khankaew, the director of BMA's Public Works Department, told the Bangkok Post.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 23:15 UTC
WOMEN SHAPING TOMORROW
WOMEN SHAPING TOMORROWWith the past year dominated by the global pandemic which has challenged almost every aspect of human life, inspiration, motivation and ideas to shape the future are crucial to society. To mark International Women's Day on March 8, 24 extraordinary women inspiring change in their communities and areas of expertise have been named as the Bangkok Post 's Women of the Year. The women we have chosen to honour represent a wide range of fields, from national and international leadership, fashion, retail, arts and culture, finance and security, the digital realm, food, media, hospitality, real estate, science and sport. They were chosen under the core criteria that they are helping shape our tomorrow, providing an inspiration, driving policy or social movements, and dedicating themselves to advancing knowledge. Starting today, the women whose lives we are showcasing as the Bangkok Post's Women of the Year will be profiled in the newspaper and on the website in a specially designed microsite every Monday this month.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 23:15 UTC
Elephants fail to halt rise of Thong Thin Thai
"There are around 120 wild elephants in Chanthaburi. Three districts -- Khaeng Hang Maeo, Khao Kitchakut and Soi Dao -- are battling with the elephants raiding plantations," Mr Jaruk said. We call all of these efforts to prevent wild elephants the "Chanthaburi Model" which I believe will be 100% effective,'' Mr Jaruk told Bangkok Post. Rumour has it that he would move to many other political parties before he joined the Thai Local Power Party, known in Thai as Palang Thong Thin Thai Party, which is led by Siam Rath newspaper owner and business tycoon Chatchawal Kong-udom. The veteran politician was with the Pheu Thai Party before switching to the now-dissolved Future Forward Party and the Thai Local Power Party.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 23:14 UTC
Movie Preview: Raya and the Last Dragon
Movie Preview: Raya and the Last DragonPhoto courtesy of Walt Disney (Thailand)Dragon faces a monster problemLong ago in the world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in peace. But when monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the last dragon in order to finally stop the Druun for good. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than dragon magic to save the world—it’s going to take trust as well. Enjoy the fun when Raya and the Last Dragon opens in cinemas on March 4.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 15:56 UTC
Containers piled outside barracks to block protesters
Containers piled outside barracks to block protestersContainers are piled on inside lanes of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road outside the 1st Infantry Regiment in Bangkok to impede a rally against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Sunday. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)Police have piled shipping containers outside the 1st Infantry Regiment in Bangkok to block pro-democracy protesters from approaching the barracks on Sunday in their latest rally against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The containers were laid out on the inside traffic lanes of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road where it passes the military compound ahead of a protest march from Victory Monument. Barbed wire forms a barricade on a pedestrian bridge over Vibhavadi Rangsit Road outside the 1st Infantry Regiment in Bangkok on Sunday. The containers are blocking traffic on the inside lanes of the road and Pol Maj Gen Piya said the protesters would not be allowed to occupy other lanes open to traffic.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 09:43 UTC
A lesson in letting sleeping dogs lie
A lesson in letting sleeping dogs lieAs the mug-shot for this column might suggest, I do have a certain empathy for dogs and generally get on well with our furry friends. We were in Isan at the house of Thai relatives and were leaving just as dusk was falling. My relatives were full of apologies and blamed the dog, but I explained it was not Fido's fault. This is not exactly hi-tech weaponry and apart from being sadly ineffective, one suspects that the "elastic band defence" would only irritate the dogs even more. It brought to mind the old music hall song Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me A Bow Wow, with its splendid chorus "I've got a little cat, I'm very fond of that, but I'd rather have a bow wow wow."
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 00:00 UTC