City trains not just for rich
City trains not just for richWith pressure from the cabinet, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang on Tuesday decided to delay the controversial Green Line fare hike that entailed a 104-baht ceiling which was due to take effect next week. This is because train fares in the capital city are unaffordable. That may explain why the ridership of city trains accounts for 10% of total travel, even though the BTS came into service some 20 years ago and the MRT 17 years ago. However, studies by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) demonstrate that urban train fares are lower in Paris (5% of daily expenses), Tokyo (9%) and Chinese cities (3.1%). The big question is: How many people will use these electric trains when it is cheaper to ride individual cars, motorcycles and public vans?
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2021 23:37 UTC
In our politics, time really can stand still
In our politics, time really can stand stillIn this photo from Tuesday, the Palang Pracharath party's motion to have the charter court rule if parliament can form a charter drafting panel sails through with 366 votes for and 316 against. Instead, the ruling party should be aware that the movement -- given the fact that their campaign issues like charter rewrite and political reform remain valid -- may rebound. The government's U-turn on a charter rewrite gives the movement justification to hit the streets once again. And this is unfortunate since the charter rewrite process seemed to be going well within the planned timelines. The time-buying tactic is ironic given the support the ruling party threw behind a national reconciliation committee set up as a solution to a national crisis.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2021 23:37 UTC
Samui tourism firms suggest faster vaccination scheme
Samui tourism firms suggest faster vaccination schemeHealth screening procedures and thermal scans are mandatory for tourists upon arrival at Samui airport following the outbreak. Tourism operators in Koh Samui are urging the government to speed up mass vaccination programmes to improve hopes for a tourism recovery by the third quarter. "Even though domestic cases are not that numerous, the slow start of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in Thailand will affect the confidence of tourists," said Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui. Last year Koh Samui welcomed 400,000 tourists, with the number pre-pandemic peaking in 2019 at 2.5 million, of which 17% were locals. Koh Samui has worked on health and safety measures for international travellers, including additional screening points run by officials of sub-district hospitals and provincial public health offices.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2021 23:37 UTC
Drugmakers Look for New Ways to Test Covid-19 Vaccines
Over time, such knowledge could also help determine how long protection from the vaccines lasts. Covid-19 vaccines are designed to work by inducing a person's immune system to produce antibody proteins that can neutralize the coronavirus. They plan to conduct similar analyses for other Covid-19 vaccines from J&J, AstraZeneca PLC and Novavax, which are being tested in trials run by the researchers' network. Pfizer and BioNTech are conducting their own analysis to determine the correlate of protection for their Covid-19 vaccine. There were relatively few cases of symptomatic Covid-19 in people who received the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in the large studies at the time they were authorized, making statistically significant comparisons difficult.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2021 23:26 UTC
Open Days and Scholarship Day in March 2021
Open Days and Scholarship Day in March 2021Mr. John Rolfe, Principal, of St. Stephen’s International School warmly invites you to our Open Days in the week of 01-05 March 2021, to find out how our outstanding learning programme and caring school community embraces the best of Eastern and Western cultures. For the Early Years (ages 2-5 years), please join us for a guided tour of the school on Wednesday 03 March, 09:00-12:00. For Primary (ages 5-11 years) and Secondary (ages 11-18 years), tours are available on request during 01-05 March. For your reservation visit: http://bit.ly/3psWtL3St. Stephen's is also pleased to offer substantial scholarships to English-speaking students from International and Thai schools wishing to enter the Sixth Form (ages 16-18 years) in August 2021. So if you would like to find out more about joining our outstanding Sixth Form to study for AS and A Levels, we look forward to welcoming you to our Scholarship Day on Saturday 13 March.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2021 08:15 UTC
Two million jabs by April | Bangkok Post: learning
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) said two million doses of two-jab vaccines would arrive this month. Of those, 1,934,000 doses would be administered to 967,000 people by April in 10 provinces designated as strict and maximum control zones, maximum control zones and areas where the number of infections continues to increase. The remaining 66,000 doses would be reserved for 33,000 people in provinces adjacent to the outbreak areas, said Mr Sopon. The priority 10 provinces are as follows: Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Rayong, Chon Buri, Chanthaburi, Trat and Tak. The Public Health Ministry on Thursday said that more than 1.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be administered to more than 960,000 people in 10 provinces by April.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 12, 2021 02:26 UTC
No excuse to stay idle
No excuse to stay idleAs the Move Forward Party (MFP) takes the bold step to seek an amendment to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, otherwise known as the lese majeste law, the ball is now in parliament's court. The legislature has no excuse to stay idle. Mr Warong claimed those calling for reform (through the lese majeste law amendment) want to topple the monarchy. The proposed amendment would make conservative people like Mr Warong unhappy but attempts to politicise the issue are unacceptable. Rationally consider the proposed amendment and enable the law to serve its purpose -- to uphold the king's honour.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 11, 2021 21:22 UTC
Mass tests to decide virus curb easing | Bangkok Post: learning
Dr Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said antibody testing will be provided for those who previously tested negative for the virus. The province used the "seal and bubble" measure to curb the spread of infections among migrant workers. The Covid-19 antibody testing will determine if restrictions should be eased. Health officials in Samut Sakhon will launch mass Covid-19 antibody testing next week, as the authorities prepare to consider easing Covid-19 restrictions. Dr Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, is in a press conference at Government House on Thursday.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 11, 2021 21:22 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: A Korean space opera | Bangkok Post: learning
After months of delay due to the pandemic, Space Sweepers, one of the most anticipated high budget South Korean sci-fi action films of the year, has found a home on Netflix and is providing movie fans an opportunity to see what the first blockbuster Korean space opera looks like. "Well, this might be something obvious but in Space Sweepers, you will for the very first time see Korean people speaking in Korean in an outer space setting," said film director Jo Sung-hee at a recent online press conference for the film. The plot revolves around the crew of a space junk collection ship called The Victory, one of many that survive by finding space debris. The film is the first Korean film to be set in space. With its high budget …7… and stunning visuals and sound, Space Sweepers was originally …8… for theatrical release.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 11, 2021 07:52 UTC
PPRP charter move bizarre
PPRP charter move bizarreThe approval of the controversial motion by parliament that allows the Constitutional Court to rule on the charter rewrite is a harbinger of things to come and will lead to political difficulties. Mr Paiboon formed his own party which was later abolished before he joined the ruling PPRP. He is right, as it's bizarre parliament has so little confidence in its own power and has to seek charter court endorsement. But they forget that the movement's causes, particularly political reform through a charter rewrite, remains valid. Mr Paiboon and his PPRP colleagues may pretend not to see.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2021 23:15 UTC
Protests move to police station, tear gas fired
Protests move to police station, tear gas firedProtesters rally outside Pathumwan police station demanding the release of 10 demonstrators arrested at Pathumwan intersection. (Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Police fired tear gas as protesters rallied outside Pathumwan police station in Bangkok after some were arrested during a rally at Pathumwan intersection. The demonstrators gathered outside the police station after marching from the rally at the downtown intersection in the biggest pro-democracy rally this year so far. Protest leader Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul announced the march and led the rally to the police station, which is about one kilometre away. Ms Panusaya announced the end of the rally at around 9pm after all protesters detained earlier had been released.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2021 13:32 UTC
157 new Covid cases, one death | Bangkok Post: learning
(Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)The government on Wednesday reported one new Covid-19 death, raising the toll to 80, and 157 new cases - 144 local infections and 13 imported - bringing the total to 23,903. She had been in close contact with an infected family member who came from Samut Sakhon. Of the 157 new cases, 106 were found in communities and 38 confirmed at hospitals. Samut Sakhon recorded 132 cases - 104 in communities and 28 at hospitals. Bangkok logged eight new cases in a staff dormitory at Chulalongkorn UniversityThe 13 imported cases included eight quarantined arrivals - from India (1), the Philippines (1), Japan (1), the United States (2), Kuwait (1), Argentina (1) and Malaysia (1).
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2021 06:11 UTC
Thai vaccine human trials to begin in March
Thai vaccine human trials to begin in MarchFILE PHOTO: Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrives to a meeting to discuss the management of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak and vaccines in Bangkok, Jan 25, 2021. (Reuters)Thailand will begin clinical trials of a locally developed Covid-19 vaccine in March, making it the nation’s first inoculation programme to enter human trials. The programme, led by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, Mahidol University and the Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health, started its research mid-2020 and its animal testings showed good results, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday. We’re actively looking for ways to procure the shots, including producing them ourselves,” Mr Anutin said, adding that if the human trials are successful, the state drug manufacturer will be able to produce 25 to 30 million doses of the vaccines per year. “We’re not placing our bets on one horse, what we’re doing now is owning a whole stable,” Mr Anutin said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2021 06:11 UTC
Time running out for Indian workers trapped since glacier disaster
Time running out for Indian workers trapped since glacier disasterA dam along a river in Tapovan was severely damaged in the flash flood. TAPOVAN, India: Time was running out to save dozens of people trapped inside a tunnel three days after a devastating flash flood likely caused by a glacier burst in India's Himalayan north, officials said Wednesday. Many of the victims are poor workers from hundreds of miles away in other parts of India whose whereabouts at the time of the disaster may not be known. But miracles do happen," Piyoosh Rautela, a senior state disaster relief official told AFP. The disaster has been blamed on rapidly melting glaciers in the Himalayan region caused by global warming.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2021 05:03 UTC
Movie Preview: Shadow in the Cloud | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo courtesy of M PicturesMonsters take over an airplaneIn the middle of World War II, Captain Maude Garrett (Chloë Grace Moretz) joins the all-male crew of a B-17 bomber with a top-secret package. Caught off guard by the presence of a woman on a military flight, the crew tests Maude’s every move. Just as she is winning them over, strange happenings make the crew question her true mission. Trapped between an oncoming air ambush and an evil lurking within, Maude must push beyond her limits to save the crew and protect her mysterious cargo. Find out is she succeeds when Shadow in the Cloud opens in cinemas on Feb 11.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 10, 2021 04:30 UTC