Karen need govt support
Karen need govt supportAs a working group on the plight of Bang Kloi ethnic Karen villagers evicted from their ancestral land in Kaeng Krachan National Park prepares to start its mission, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government must ensure that all threats and intimidation by state authorities cease and a solution to this long-standing problem is found that is both just and fair. The Karens' return on Jan 9 was met with a strong reaction from park officials who threatened to take legal action. Initially, the working group will inspect the relocation site and see how many Karen have missed out from the state's promises. The Karen villagers yesterday said they wanted to petition Gen Prayut at Government House to hasten a solution to their plight. He pledged to comply with the demands, and also to speed up finding a solution for the embattled ethnic people.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 23:15 UTC
Covid strategy needs jabs more than just masks
Covid strategy needs jabs more than just masksIsrael has given at least one shot of Covid-19 vaccine to more than one third of its 9.3 million population, the fastest in the world to roll out inoculation. Around the world, at least 160 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in 88 locations, according to the Financial Times. But then again, why did the government place an advance order for only 26 million doses -- enough for only 13 million people? After much criticism, the government said it had reserved another 35 million doses. Or do we just hang on to face masks as other people receive their jabs?
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 23:03 UTC
Thailand Tourism Standard to usher in new era of optimum Thai tourism
Thailand Tourism Standard to usher in new era of optimum Thai tourismThailand Tourism Standard was established by the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports to enhance Thai tourism competitiveness on the global stage. It covers all dimensions of quality tourism for entrepreneurs to utilise as a guideline for tourism development. The Department of Tourism strongly believes that applying Thailand Tourism Standard through responsible and sustainable tourism development is a key engine to ensure a positive image and maintain strong competitiveness of the Thai tourism industry in the global tourism arena. Thailand Tourism Standard Database is a Web-based Application which provides assessments and certified standards of Thailand Tourism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46vVbWma3SkFor more details, please contact http://tts.dot.go.th or "Thailand Tourism Standard" Facebook page.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 10:18 UTC
Cops under fire for 'attack' on volunteer | Bangkok Post: learning
More clips showed another man wearing what appeared to be a green volunteer medic's vest surrounded by police leading to the hashtag #policebeatingmedic trending on Thai language Twitter. Police fired gunshots into the sky to keep order as protesters "did not cooperate," according to the police. The city police chief denied that tear gas was fired by police, although tear gas cans were found at the scene. The People's Movement on Sunday reiterated its peaceful stance but said protesters had a right to retaliate against violence by authorities. A protester lies on the ground after witnesses said he was beaten by police near Sanam Luang on Saturday night.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 05:15 UTC
y in Q4, less than expected
Economy contracts 4.2% y/y in Q4, less than expectedFILE PHOTO: Customers exit Japan's Tokyu Department Store in Bangkok after the company decided to close its Thai operation following a wave of financial difficulties, on Jan 31, 2021. On a quarterly basis, gross domestic product (GDP) expanded a seasonally adjusted 1.3% in the December quarter, better than the 0.8% growth forecast by economists. In July-September, GDP declined 6.4% from a year earlier but grew a revised 6.2% against the prior quarter. In 2020, the economy contracted 6.1%, the sharpest fall since 1998, and compared with analysts' forecast of a 6.4% drop. The agency now predicts GDP will expand 2.5-3.5% this year, having previously forecast growth of 3.5-4.5%, after a fresh Covid-19 outbreak hit the economy in December.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 03:22 UTC
The charlatan among us
The charlatan among usA person who makes a mistake and is quick to correct it deserves our forgiveness. But, what about a person who repeats the same mistake many times and takes a long time to say sorry? The story only came to light after Kalamae went live on Facebook to sell her products and made more outrageous claims. Some even presented evidence that she actually got her new look from a beauty clinic and not her products. I hope that she will also take a serious look at her spiritual side and question her own sense of morality.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 00:22 UTC
Lese majeste law takes centre stage
Lese majeste law takes centre stageAn activist flashes a three-finger sign as he joins a demonstration calling for monarchy reform and charter amendments in Nonthaburi in December last year. In wake of the escalating political confrontation between opponents and proponents of the lese majeste law, the opposition Move Forward Party proposed to parliament a set of five bills, one of which is to amend the infamous law. It also seeks to make the Bureau of the Royal Household the only authority which can file lese majeste complaints with the police instead of anybody as in the case currently. The opposition party also seeks to remove the lese majeste law, or Section 112, from the chapter regarding offences against national security to a new chapter regarding offences against the honour of the king, the queen, the heir apparent and the regent. The group also accused the Move Forward Party of harbouring a hidden agenda against the monarchy.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 14, 2021 23:15 UTC
Bitcoin craze needs order
Bitcoin craze needs orderBitcoin mania, which has driven its price to a record high above 1.4 million baht, has sent signals to authorities as to whether they are ready to handle the rise of digital currency transactions. His bitcoin investment has caused many investors to believe the digital currency could become a mainstream class of asset. Previously, Paypal said it planned to launch an exchange and payment service with bitcoin and other digital currencies this year. In Thailand, bitcoin is not very popular -- just yet -- but the opaque crypto market has attracted more and more investors. However, the skyrocketing bitcoin price will fuel the greed of people who are looking for profit without sufficient knowledge and could easily become the victim of scams.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 14, 2021 23:15 UTC
Monk killed by drunk man in Chiang Mai
Monk killed by drunk man in Chiang MaiCHIANG MAI: A man was arrested after a monk was punched in the face and died in Hang Dong district of this northern province on Saturday, Chiang Mai News reported. He was arrested shortly after the monk, Phra Somboon Suriyamai, 60, was pronounced dead. Asked what led him to attack the monk, Mr Den said Phra Somboon hit him first, and he punched the monk hard on the jaw in self-defence. The neighbour said Mr Den, known as Nai Ot, confessed he had accidentally killed the monk to several people in the area and then went to tell his family. Mr Den was initially charged with physical assault causing death.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 14, 2021 10:50 UTC
Cars damaged in Deep South grenade explosion
Cars damaged in Deep South grenade explosionAn SUV parking at a resditential building is damaged by a grenade explosion in Rueso district of Narathiwat on Saturday. (Photo by Waedao Harai)NARATHIWAT: Three cars in a car park belonging to a residential building for police officers in Rueso district were damaged in a grenade explosion early on Saturday night. Pol Capt Komsan Teekhakan, deputy chief investigator of Rueso police, said the incident occurred at about 7pm when a hand grenade was hurled across the wall from Rueso Withaya School in tambon Rueso Ok. The grenade landed near a rubbish bin in the police parking area and exploded. The explosion caused damage to a Honda City, an Isuzu Mu7 and a Chevrolet belonging to Rueso police.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 14, 2021 02:15 UTC
PCD needs clean sweep of its own
PCD needs clean sweep of its ownThe quick compromise which the Pollution Control Department (PCD) offered a sugar mill blamed for polluting surrounding communities in Nakhon Ratchasima's Phimai district with harmful levels of dust and noise over the past few years has left many with the impression that the agency has no teeth. The PCD on Feb 2 sent a team of officials to inspect the factory's operation and found the villagers' complaints had merit. The department instructed the factory to fix the problems and submit an environmental mitigation plan by last Monday. The PCD chief later insisted charges were withdrawn after the owners pledged to improve its environmental performance. As a large province and home to much of the country's heavy industry, Nakhon Ratchasima has many environmental problems.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 14, 2021 00:45 UTC
Beware the TV bookshelf backdrop
Beware the TV bookshelf backdropSince the arrival of Covid we have been accustomed to watching television programmes with pundits, politicians and celebrities interviewed in their homes, invariably with bookcases being the backdrop of choice. But it is the toilet brushes being raised with commendable symbolic fervour that have caught the eye. It has been prompted by allegations that President Vladimir Putin owns a huge palace on the Black Sea, which reportedly includes expensive gold-plated toilet brushes. It never crossed my mind that gold-plated toilet brushes even existed and I suspect the local 7-Eleven is not exactly overflowing with them. Alas I can't recall if the toilet brushes were gold plated.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 14, 2021 00:45 UTC
Confidence debate a scorcher, MPs say
The opposition parties have initially assigned about 40 MPs for the grilling. If it fails to provide a good explanation, all criticism will be directed at the prime minister," Assoc Prof Yuttaporn said. He expressed confidence that information the opposition parties have obtained is a potent weapon. As a result, coalition parties may withdraw from the government leading to the government's downfall, Mr Sutin said. "It is also up to coalition parties to decide whether they will need to make any changes.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 14, 2021 00:45 UTC
VIDEO: This Week's Top Stories Feb 13 | Bangkok Post: learning
Chulalongkorn University confirmed 16 staff had been found infected with Covid-19. The director of Thepha School in Songkhla, accused of raping a student and carrying a gun in public, has resigned. The Public Health Ministry said that more than 1.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be administered by April. The roll-out would be for at-risk groups including people aged 60 and older, in 10 provinces. Activists on Wednesday gathered in Bangkok for a second consecutive day to demand the release of their leaders.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 13, 2021 05:15 UTC
Ensuring good idea doesn't go to waste
Season-dependent operations, the engineering design of machines and public opposition to polluting power plants are often considered obstacles that block newcomers from starting in the business. WASTE CHALLENGEACE's first challenge was farm waste, which kept rolling in for years as the company's manufacturing output increased. At that time, there was no technology for garbage-fired power generation, she said. "We want to be a global model for clean power plants," said Mr Tanachai. ACE targets expanding renewable power generation capacity, including that from biomass, to one gigawatt by 2025, up from 449MW presently.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2021 23:42 UTC