Vote shakes up ministers
The future of three cabinet ministers hangs in the balance following the no-confidence vote in parliament on Saturday, despite the government surviving the motion, political analysts say. Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan and Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin received the least backing when MPs took a vote at the end of the four-day censure debate. Yet the number of no-confidence votes they received, as well as abstentions, is seen as a sign of trouble for the three ministers. Mr Jurin, leader of the coalition member Democrat Party, received 268 votes of confidence against 207 with seven abstentions. Mr Jurin did not fare well during the censure debate when addressing the opposition's questions about irregularities.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2021 23:48 UTC
Long in the tooth and fearing the pain
Long in the tooth and fearing the painEver since the horrors of the school dentist who had an uncanny knack of hitting the nerve, I have always regarded dental visits with some trepidation. But all that came to mind was a dentist with the unfortunate name of Dr Yankum, who once featured in a PostScript article about aptonyms. Dr Yankum immediately triggered memories of the school dentist, which only made me more nervous. Things rapidly deteriorated as all the scary surnames of dentists mentioned in the article raced through my head -- Hurter, Butcher and yes, even a Dr Pain. Of course, I shouldn't have worried, being in the good hands of Dr Somsak, a most accomplished tooth puller.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2021 23:26 UTC
Save our children from sexual abuse
The chilling question is: How many more children may have been subjected to this kind of abuse? The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said victims included Thai children as well as thousands of children from other countries. Studies show survivors of child sexual abuse are known to have reduced psychological and physical well-being throughout their life; they'll suffer problems with family and intimate relationships; they'll struggle in their education, careers and faith; and they are also two to four times more likely to become victims of sexual, physical or emotional abuse again in their lifetime, according to The UK Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. We sympathise with the parents and guardians who sent their children to Nene modelling. Although the seediness of many of Thailand's modelling agencies is generally recognised, when it comes to child modelling, there should be no negligence.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2021 23:26 UTC
Optimism builds for dividend season
Optimism builds for dividend seasonThe SET Index moved sideways this week, hitting a high of 1,531 at midweek and then correcting. The 2.2% dividend yield gap of the local market (5- and 10-year average 1 SD) reflects undemanding valuations. WIDER YIELD GAPMarket participants are expected to shift to dividend plays amid a wider dividend yield gap than the historical average as the dividend announcement season gears up. These dividend plays are mostly in the property and banking sectors. The most attractive sectors for dividend plays are Residential Property (six stocks with remaining dividend yields exceeding 4%) and Finance (three stocks with remaining yields exceeding 4%).
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2021 00:33 UTC
HP reworks services for SME clientele
HP reworks services for SME clienteleMr Teck says HP is committed to advancing innovation through personal systems and print, while racing to gain ground in the SME market. HP Thailand, the local unit of the global tech and computer giant, is gearing up for a subscription model, 3D printing services and tapping into the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) market for new business opportunities. These trends will be part of businesses' considerations for the customer experience, said Mr Teck. HP Thailand is committed to advancing innovation through personal systems and print, while racing to gain ground in the SME market, said Mr Teck. According to Mr Teck, SMEs need to develop digital-first mindsets.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 23:48 UTC
Fairer welfare threatens the status quo
Fairer welfare threatens the status quoHundreds of people wait at a Krungthai Bank branch in a city superstore to register for financial aid under the Rao Chana scheme. Thai people already enjoy a number of social welfare programmes of a more permanent type. To put it coarsely: what deserves more money -- welfare or weapons? As I see it, the real obstacle to a more humane welfare system is not money. Because a humane welfare system is a threat to the patronage system as it necessarily leads to reduced inequality and a fairer society.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 23:48 UTC
Pyrrhic win means little
Pyrrhic win means littleWith a majority in parliament, the coalition government led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha looks set to survive when members of the House cast their votes today following this week's no-confidence debate. A minimum of 244 votes is needed to win the debate, the second of its kind since the government took office in 2018, after opposition efforts to extend the debate to Monday failed. Wirach Ratanasate, Palang Pracharath MP and chief government whip, has boasted that the coalition has 270 votes in its pocket and will likely win hands down. In addition, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin raised eyebrows with his odd claim that "it's the best for the country to have only one vaccine brand, instead of 20 brands shared among the population". A lack of parliamentary rules obliging more transparent answers effectively reduced the four-day debate to a meaningless political charade.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 23:48 UTC
Asset warehouse idea to win BoT nod
"The central bank is allowing banks to set up their own [asset] warehouse to manage NPAs, rather than setting up a centralised warehouse," said the source. "Such an asset warehousing model should shore up confidence for hotel business operators because the asset management is handled by their creditors." Business operators who transfer their assets to an asset warehouse and wish to buy them back at a later stage would want to generate liquidity to repurchase the asset, said the source. Under the asset warehousing model, there would be expenses in three core areas, said the source. The move would reduce principal and interest burdens shouldered by hotel business operators and beef up financial liquidity, according to the think tank.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 23:48 UTC
BG Pathum warned about Bangkok United's attack
BG Pathum's Diogo Luis Santo (top) in action against Port during their Thai League 1 match on Wednesday. Runaway Thai League 1 leaders BG Pathum United have another tough assignment on Saturday when they host Bangkok United. He warned his players to be careful about Bangkok United's attack and said they must play with patience. Fifth-placed Bangkok United hope to move up the table for a spot in the AFC Champions League. The Football Association of Thailand is reportedly trying to bring the remaining Group G games to Buriram United's Chang Arena.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 23:25 UTC
Red Bull heir still on radar, says OAG
Red Bull heir still on radar, says OAGVorayuth Yoovidhya. The search for the Red Bull scion in order to have him stand trial has been moving at a snail's pace since he fled Thailand eight years ago. Mr Vorayuth postponed attending his court hearing more than five times before fleeing abroad in 2012. The second charge -- reckless driving causing death -- remains valid until 2027, although the OAG initially dropped the charge before subsequently deciding to pursue it again. It recommended an ethics probe into the delay and intentional derailment of the justice process against the wealthy energy drink heir.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 20:37 UTC
VIDEO: This Week's Top Stories Feb 19 | Bangkok Post: learning
Everyone in Thailand - including expats and migrant workers - will have access to Covid-19 vaccines. The government statement did not give details of the timing or cost of the vaccines. The National Office of Buddhism will send a letter to Supreme to protest against its use of the image. The man left his room three times to meet his partner who was not in quarantine but had booked a room in the same hotel. A video clip online showed officers chasing a man with at least one beating him as he fell to the ground.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 07:29 UTC
One Covid-19 death, 130 new cases Friday | Bangkok Post: learning
The province logged 22 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, when 130 new infections were reported nationwide. Dr Panya Hanphanitphan, 66, the latest death, had treated three patients at his clinic in Maha Sarakham province before they were confirmed infected with Covid-19. The 130 new cases reported in the previous 24 hours comprised 116 local infections and 14 imported cases. Pathum Thani reported 22 (12 Myanmar and 10 Thais). New cases confirmed on Thursday also included two in Nonthaburi, 10 in Nakhon Pathom and four in Ayutthaya.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 06:33 UTC
Thousands of cops on standby | Bangkok Post: learning
A group of anti-government demonstrators clash with riot police near parliament building who prevented them from reaching the building last November. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)More than 12,000 crowd control officers will be deployed to handle anti-government demonstrations planned in Bangkok this weekend. A Facebook page named "Mob Fest" on Thursday also posted a message urging supporters to rally outside parliament at 5pm on Friday. Arnon Nampa, a co-leader of the Ratsadorn Group, took to Facebook to urge demonstrators to avoid using violence when confronting authorities. Police expect the protesters to gather at Democracy Monument and outside parliament.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 03:09 UTC
Fuel U-turn unfortunate
He explained on Monday that the decision to delay the switch to E20 fuel was taken as biofuel ingredients have gone up in price, putting a strain on the nation's Oil Fuel Fund. This move showed the ministry places the Oil Fuel Fund's balance sheet and market prices firmly ahead of the environment. For instance, when palm oil prices plunged due to oversupply in 2019, the state ordered power plants managed by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to switch to palm oil as a fuel. The Energy Ministry has been praised for using the Oil Fuel Fund to help solve environmental problems and improve the quality of petrol. Such a legacy should not be abandoned only to maintain the Oil Fuel Fund's balance sheet.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 23:15 UTC
Mercedes-Benz: Luxury cars to help drive economy
Mercedes-Benz: Luxury cars to help drive economyA local version of Mercedes-AMG model helps the German luxury carmaker increase its sales during the Covid-19 crisis. In Thailand, despite the two outbreaks, the company "get through the year well," said Mr Folger, believing the luxury car market will remain a driving force for the global and local economy. "Mercedes-AMG is a brand for performance cars that can be used daily, so customers chose AMG brand above other models," Mr Folger told the Bangkok Post. In a luxury van segment, known as V-Class, its sales surge resulted from efforts to "promote our models progressively throughout the year," said Mr Folger. "For this year," Mr Folger said, "we will put all models on the digital platform.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 13:07 UTC