Champions of net neutrality no more
Champions of net neutrality no more'Many, while performing the foulest deeds, use the fairest words." How fitting that a quote by Greek philosopher Democritus can still describe the hypocrisy of big tech (Facebook in this case) today. But the big tech debate is not always political. If one thing is clear, it is that big tech needs some sort of shake-up. And at the rate this year has started for big tech, it promises to be a turbulent one.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 07, 2021 01:26 UTC
A song that takes you off the beaten track
A song that takes you off the beaten trackSurfing through YouTube this week, I came across the novelty Australian song I've Been Everywhere, which I haven't heard for a long time. In all there are 94 place-names and much of the song's appeal was that most were off the beaten track. Tony recalls, " I felt honoured to accompany him on the voyage." Final voyageI last met Harold at a gathering of "golden oldies" at a Bangkok hotel a couple of years ago. For all the adventures experienced in his remarkable life, Harold was never one to boast about his exploits.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 07, 2021 00:22 UTC
Sparkling Spieth shares Phoenix Open lead with Schauffele
Sparkling Spieth shares Phoenix Open lead with SchauffeleAmerican Jordan Spieth reacts to a birdie on the 16th hole in the third round of the US PGA Tour Phoenix OpenLOS ANGELES - Former world number one Jordan Spieth, seeking a first victory in more than three years, fired a scintillating 61 at TPC Scottsdale on Saturday to share the Phoenix Open lead with Xander Schauffele. Spieth had 10 birdies in his 10-under par 61, tying his career-low round on the US PGA Tour for an 18-under par three-round total of 195. Spieth finished in the top 25 in just four of his 17 PGA Tour starts in 2020 and last led or share the 54-hole lead in a tournament at the 2018 British Open -- when he was tied with Schauffele. He kept in touch with Spieth with birdies at the 13th, 14th and 15th, and regained a share of the lead with a seven-foot birdie at 17. The leading duo have a three-shot lead over American Scottie Scheffler and South Korean Lee Kyoung-hoon, who both carded 66 for 198.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2021 23:37 UTC
Faux pas by govt critics
Several government MPs were outraged at the mention of the institution in the censure motion as critics were under the impression that the monarchy was being possibly dragged into the business of politics, which they insisted would be uncalled for. In this case, an injunction may be sought to halt the censure debate pending the court's ruling on the matter. According to Mr Witoon, as a senior party figure, he expected to be placed high on the party-list. Both apparent snubs left him without a job in the party, according to Mr Witoon. Mr Witoon is known to have close ties with Chada Thaiseth, the Bhumjaithai MP for Uthai Thani.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 06, 2021 02:48 UTC
Kerry Express paves way for logistics firms
Kerry Express set an ambitious goal to increase its delivery-handling capacity to 3 million parcels a day by 2023. According to research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, Kerry Express Thailand had a compounded annual growth rate of 135% for parcel volume during 2014-19. "We are turning Kerry Express from a company to a corporation, and we will definitely diversify," he said. Apart from express delivery services, other affiliated services and products may be needed, which could be a promising opportunity for Kerry, said Mr Ng. Kerry Express set an ambitious plan to reach a delivery-handling capacity of 3 million parcels a day by 2023.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2021 23:15 UTC
Look to strong earnings prospects for selective buys
Look to strong earnings prospects for selective buysThe SET Index will likely extend its gains this month, moving in a trading range between 1,440 and 1,530 points. With reporting continuing until March 1, we expect heavy speculation on stocks that are expected to report strong results and/or those with a brighter outlook for 2021. All of this means the global economic recovery remains fragile, with implications for equities. All of this means the global economic recovery remains fragile, with implications for equities. We recommend selective buying, focussing on stocks of companies that are expected to report strong earnings results and/or those with a brighter outlook.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2021 23:15 UTC
Stipend cases are immoral
Stipend cases are immoralIt has been two weeks since the controversial recalling of elderly stipends came to light. The problem exposes how messy state databases are and also the negligence of officials tasked with disbursing state welfare. Under Thai law, elderly people entitled to a state pension are disqualified from obtaining other state stipends. After these cases triggered public outrage, the government pledged to correct the problem. These past weeks saw Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Finance Minister Arkhom, all showing sympathy with these elderly people.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2021 22:18 UTC
Thai army still region's top usurper
Thai army still region's top usurperIn less than a month, we have witnessed two intriguing -- or one could say diametrically opposite -- political events. A developing democracy has been crushed in the blink of an eye, and a military dictatorship has returned. In this regard, the Thai military is the more experienced. There are valuable lessons for the Myanmar Tatmadaw to learn from their Thai brethren. The problems that may concern a military dictatorship are a popular uprising and the economy.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2021 22:18 UTC
Displaced Karen demand land back
Police seize a banner from activists outside the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry on Friday during a protest against the eviction of ethnic Karen villagers. The state was criticised for the removal of the Karen villagers, but some chose to stay. Officials from the Department of National Park burned down 90 homes and rice barns and forced 140 villagers from the land in 2011. In June 2018, the Supreme Administrative Court ordered the department to pay 10,000 baht to compensate six Karen villagers for destroying their huts. The evicted Karen villagers joined hands with rights activists in launching the #SaveBangKloi campaign on Jan 14.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2021 21:56 UTC
586 new Covid cases | Bangkok Post: learning
Worshippers wear the required face masks to protect against spreading Covid-19 while presenting offerings at Wat Mangkon Kamalawat in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool)The government on Friday reported 586 new Covid-19 cases, 573 local infections and 13 imported, raising the total to 22,644. Samut Sakhon province logged 548 new cases over the previous 24 hours - 522 cases (519 Myanmar and three Thais) found in communities, and 26 (12 Thais and 14 Myanmar) at hospitals. Bangkok had 18 new cases - 14 Thais and four from Myanmar. The 13 imported new cases were quarantined arrivals.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2021 06:11 UTC
AstraZeneca to send Covid jabs from Asia | Bangkok Post: learning
He did not confirm the exact date when the vaccines are due to arrive in the country. This is important as AstraZeneca was only approved by the Thai Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to import Covid-19 vaccines from its manufacturing facilities in Europe. The Public Health Ministry has secured an additional 35 million doses from AstraZeneca, which means the government now has 61 million doses in total, enough to inoculate just over 30 million Thais as planned, Mr Anutin said. AstraZeneca will ship 150,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Thailand from a manufacturing plant based in Asia, rather than from Italy, to avoid delivery delays, the government said on Thursday. NVI director Nakorn Premsri, left, joins Disease Control Department director-general Opas Kankawinphong, centre, and AstraZeneca Thailand president James Teak at a signing ceremony at Government House last November.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 05, 2021 01:52 UTC
Factory staff to be monitored | Bangkok Post: learning
Migrant workers are being discharged from a field hospital in Samut Sakhon province early last month. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool)Stricter measures will be used to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections among migrant workers in Samut Sakhon after tests at seven factories over many weeks found almost 8,000 positive cases. The "seal" method will apply to factories which have on-site accommodation -- workers will not be allowed to leave the premises. The "bubble" strategy will apply to factories which have no on-site accommodation, so their workers stay at dormitories off the premises. So far, testing has been conducted on 140,000 workers at 845 factories in Samut Sakhon.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2021 23:15 UTC
End eatery booze ban
End eatery booze banThe plea by business operators in the entertainment sector for the lifting of the alcohol sales ban in restaurants in the four maximum-control provinces deserves serious attention from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the government. The alcohol ban was largely lifted on Feb 1, except in Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan, where pubs and karaoke parlours remain closed. The strict ban is based on the assumption that alcohol consumption will worsen the Covid-19 infection situation. It's based on the same idea as the daily ban on alcohol purchases from midnight to 11am and 2pm–5pm, which is senseless. There is no reason not to relax the ban on drinking alcohol at restaurants as there have been no infection clusters there.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2021 23:14 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Seeing the light | Bangkok Post: learning
Lily, a third-grader, has found online learning during the second lockdown in Bangkok stressful. She found Learn to Light, an educational resource created for parents to teach their children about light through fun activities that can be carried out while at home. Learn to Light worksheets include play-based learning tasks that introduce young people to key scientific terms such as refraction, reflection, dispersion and shadow play. "We originally issued it in English but saw a greater use for it in Thailand because of the complexities of online learning here. Thai language was added to the site to help the country’s online learning.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2021 09:22 UTC
809 new Covid cases | Bangkok Post: learning
A monk wears a face mask while on his alms round in Bangkok on Thursday morning, when the country reported 809 new Covid-19 cases over the previous 24 hours. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool)The government on Thursday reported 809 new Covid-19 cases, 796 local infections and 13 imported, raising the total to 22,058. Over the previous 24 hours, Samut Sakhon province logged 786 cases - 750 found in communities (549 Myanmar and 201 Thais) and 36 (24 Myanmar and 12 Thais) at hospitals. Bangkok confirmed three new cases at hospitals, two Thais and one Myanmar. Samphanthawong and Saphan Sung districts were free of Covid-19 cases.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 04, 2021 05:48 UTC