Private investment sought for new train services
Private investment sought for new train services(Bangkok Post file photo)The Rail Department has asked the private sector to jointly invest in two rail lines — Bangkok-Khon Kaen and Laem Chabang-Thapra — for passengers and freight. The department on Tuesday told the private sector it hoped they would fund train services on those key domestic and international routes. Director-general of the department Kittiphan Panchan said Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob wanted the private sector to jointly provide the services so as to maximise the use of railway infrastructure provided by the government. For freight services, the selected route is the 501km Laem Chabang-Tha Phra route, which transports 60,000-100,000 containers each year. The government will provide incentives to the private sector to take part in the pilot project, including soft loans and income guarantees.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2021 12:22 UTC
95 new Covid-19 cases Tuesday | Bangkok Post: learning
Workers clean the floor of Bang Yai market in Bang Yai district, Nonthaburi, in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19 on Tuesday when 95 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the country. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The government on Tuesday reported 95 new Covid-19 cases — 93 local infections and two imported cases — raising the total to 25,599. Pathum Thani found 28 new cases -- 25 in communities (15 Thais and 10 Myanmar) and three Thai cases at hospitals. Nonthaburi logged three cases -- two in communities (a Myanmar and a Cambodian) and a Thai at hospital. Also at hospitals, two Myanmar cases were found in Tak and one each (Thai) in Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2021 07:07 UTC
THAILAND RACES AHEAD IN THE GLOBAL DIGITAL REVOLUTION
THAILAND RACES AHEAD IN THE GLOBAL DIGITAL REVOLUTIONFacilitated by easier access to high-speed internet, the rise of Thailand’s vibrant digital industry over recent years has been underpinnedby the rich creativity and strong entrepreneurial spirit of Thailand’s tech-savvy digital generation. At the forefront of this brave new digital world, Thailand has seen its economy consistently prove its readiness to embrace the new opportunities presented by the global digital revolution. Committed to driving investment in digital transformation, Thailand is pursuing six key strategies: 1) efficient digital infrastructure; 2) digital business promotion; 3) the creation of equitable access through digital technology; 4) digital government; 5) workforce development and 6) improved trust in digital business1. Another initiative is True Digital Park, which serves a centre for digital innovations and startup operations. • Digital Technology Development for the development of targeted technology transfers in cooperation with academic researchers and development institutions through a ten-year Corporate Income Tax exemption.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2021 06:45 UTC
PM volunteers for first vaccine shot | Bangkok Post: learning
The prime minister's wish may not be granted, however, after health experts announced that priority will be decided according to age. The government has also purchased 26 million doses from AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical company. The government has come in for criticism for lagging behind its Southeast Asian neighbours Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore, which have already had shipments of the vaccine. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he is ready to be the first Thai to be vaccinated against Covid-19 with the China-made vaccine. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha confirms he is ready to receive a Covid-19 vaccine jab, at Government House in Bangkok on Monday.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2021 02:37 UTC
Bangkok bars reopen soon | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo by Wichan CharoenkiatpakulThe Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) yesterday allowed restaurants to sell alcohol and have live music, and bars can serve alcohol again from next Monday. In eight orange or control zones which include Bangkok, restaurants are allowed to sell alcohol and stay open until 11pm. Schools and tutoring institutions in the orange zones are allowed to provide normal teaching. Indoor and outdoor fitness centres and gymnasiums in orange zones can resume normal operations, while sports competitions can be arranged with limits on the number of spectators. Shopping malls and restaurants will be allowed to stay open until 9pm but schools and all types of gymnasiums and fitness clubs in the province must remain shut.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 23, 2021 02:26 UTC
Avert violence at Bang Kloi
Avert violence at Bang KloiViolence is looming at Kaeng Krachan National Park. One human rights defender was shot dead after fighting for the forest dwellers' rights. Then, Mr Varawut declared the watershed forest at Jai Paen Din was being razed by the villagers. The forest dwellers argued they were only clearing old farm plots to prepare them for crop rotation. Activists in Kaeng Krachan said some 100 armed personnel boarded helicopters and were heading for Jai Paen Din for a crackdown.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 22, 2021 23:15 UTC
Clubhouse wins race against old news elephants
Clubhouse wins race against old news elephantsWith the new audio chat application Clubhouse in town, who will still want to read a newspaper? But those may not be enough to pull the old media out of its downward spiral. On the other, the arrival of Clubhouse and its quick rise in popularity has reaffirmed the deadly weaknesses of the old media. They stop reading newspapers because there is the elephant in the room but the press wilfully ignore it. They stop reading newspapers or any media old or new because it's irrelevant.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 22, 2021 23:15 UTC
New dam to address Northeast drought
New dam to address Northeast droughtBoards featuring the masterplan for the Lam Nam Chi reservoir in Chaiyaphum are seen at the site of the project. The budget for the latter's construction was approved in 2018, and it was renamed Lam Nam Chi reservoir to celebrate the late monarch. Mr Sol said authorities plan to build the Upper Chi reservoir by 2024. Secretary-general of the Office of National Water Resources, Somkiat Prajamwong, said once completed, the Lam Nam Chi reservoir will be crucial to alleviating chronic water shortages in the country's Northeast. Meanwhile, increased soil salinity has been detected in some 10.48 million rai of farmland in the region.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 22, 2021 21:22 UTC
Pakistan seeks extradition of 29 prisoners
Pakistan seeks extradition of 29 prisoners(Bangkok Post file photo)Pakistan has sought the extradition of 29 prisoners from Thailand, citing problems over living conditions and health, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said. Mr Asim said he consulted Mr Somsak about the request for 29 Pakistani prisoners being detained in Thai prisons to be extradited to continue their prison terms in their home country. He, therefore, had consulted Mr Somsak whether it would be possible to send the prisoners to their home country under an extradition agreement between the two countries. So far the Corrections Department has released prisoners in minor cases not related to security with good conduct through royal pardons and paroles. Mr Somsak insisted that the Corrections Department has taken care of inmates to international standards.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 22, 2021 11:36 UTC
Banks’ bad loans may rise gradually amid outbreak
Banks’ bad loans may rise gradually amid outbreak - BoT(Bangkok Post file photo)Commercial banks' bad loans might rise further but lenders should be able to manage them, a senior bank of Thailand (BoT) said on Monday, as the economy deals with the impacts of the recent coronavirus outbreak. Non-performing loans (NPLs) rose to 3.12% of total lending at the end of last year from 2.98% at the end of 2019, she said. "Overall NPLs rose slightly as Covid-hit debtors received assistance from banks, she said. However, loans with a significant increase in credit risk jumped to 6.62% of total lending at end-2020 from 2.79% in 2019, Ms Suwannee said. In 2020, overall banks' lending rose 5.1%, after a 2% increase in 2019, led by large business loans.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 22, 2021 10:52 UTC
Car makers in race for chips | Bangkok Post: learning
(File photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)Domestic car manufacturers are racing to obtain semiconductors as result of a global chip shortage. A crucial control centre of modern cars and electrical appliances, semiconductors are now in short supply in Thailand, intensifying competition among businesses to purchase them. The chip shortage comes as importers and exporters are likewise struggling to deal with delivery delays owing to shipping container shortages. Ms Kanit expects the chip shortage will only cause a short-term impact because chip manufacturers will eventually increase their production capacity. However, the additional problem of container shortages at major ports requires urgent solutions as it not only causes shipping delays but also increases freight rates.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 22, 2021 03:45 UTC
A month to remember
US EMBASSYAs Americans celebrate their Black History Month in February, the Bangkok Post interviewed the US Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires Michael Heath on the occasion. Black History Month is one of a series of heritage months we celebrate in the US each year to better recognise the diversity that makes the US what it is today. I hope Thais who read about the lives of Black Americans featured this month will be inspired to share their own perspectives on diversity. In addition to being a time to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans, Black History Month is also a time to recommit ourselves to achieving the ideals of our nation's founding. This month, the US Embassy has organised a number of Black History Month activities open to Thais.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 21, 2021 23:37 UTC
Rao Chana not good enough
The government's financial aid scheme Rao Chana (We Win), which was supposed to provide 7,000 baht in subsidies to pandemic-stricken citizens, has come under criticism for being inaccessible to the neediest and for not providing a cash handout. Only one bank -- Krung Thai -- has been selected to handle offline registrations for the programme which opened nationwide last Monday. The resulting massive queues have left many people unable to register as the bank accepted only a few applicants a day. Like many, I have concerns regarding the latest announcement about the Rao Chana programme, in which 7,000 baht will be provided to 31 million people over two months. I understand that by taking this measure, the government does not want people in good standing to have the same opportunity to receive such assistance.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 21, 2021 23:37 UTC
Law change could quell waning protests
Law change could quell waning protestsPro-democracy protesters hold up the three finger salute as they take part in an anti-government rally near parliament on Saturday. One of the Ratsadorn core leaders, Ms Panusaya Sitthijirawattanakul, explained the small number of protesters present had something to do with concerns over Covid-19 infection. At the time, their core leaders, including former red-shirt guard chief Sombat Thongyoi, were negotiating with the police to allow them to go inside the pavilion to perform a ritual. Even Somsak Jeamteerasakul, the exiled mentor of the Ratsadorn core leaders, seems to have admitted the timing is not right for radical change as most Thais still revere the institution. This may turn out to be the beginning of a sensible and peaceful approach to a sensitive and divisive issue among Thais.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 21, 2021 23:26 UTC
Weed no trifling matter
Weed no trifling matterPolitical motives should be the last thing health authorities embrace in their move to promote the use of cannabis for food and drink. Researchers from Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), which is authorised to grow marijuana, together with a major coffee shop brand in Nakhon Ratchasima, last week launched cannabis-infused food and beverage menus. The Public Health Ministry eagerly promotes cannabis use for food and drink without clear safety guidelines. The rush to promote cannabis-infused food and drink without clear legal and safety guidelines has been criticised. Cannabis policy involves the health and safety of people.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 21, 2021 23:26 UTC