Doctor killed for 'overcharging' patient | Bangkok Post: learning
DenphumThe gunman who killed the director of a hospital on Saturday told police that he shot the doctor out of anger after thinking he was overcharged for his visit while under the influence of drugs. Police told the press that Denphum "Phum" Sangthong, 22, had confessed to the police that he had a personal grudge against the victim, Chumphon Decha-amphai, 58. Mr Denphum said he became sick last week and went to the hospital director's private clinic instead, police said. When he found out that he was charged 130 baht for a consultation, not 30 baht like at a public hospital, the suspect got angry and fired seven shots at the doctor, he added. Police ruled out reports which said the gunman was angry because the doctor intervened in his romance with a girl who had worked at the clinic.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 21, 2020 02:48 UTC
Empathy is needed to bridge conflict
Recently, I had the chance to watch a viral video on social media called Family Gathering. However, I can certify that any person from the older generation who saw this video probably thought about its message. While both sides mean well and are speaking honestly, one thing that they seem to lack is "empathy", which is also missing in the current conflict. Communication from both sides focuses only on their ideology and there is no empathy for the other side. For the older generation, which chooses traditional values over freedom of expression, institutions are like religion, or at least something they strongly believe in.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 21, 2020 00:00 UTC
Ushering in 'power of digital'
Ushering in 'power of digital'The Bangkok Post celebrates its 75th anniversary by heralding the launch of its "Power Digital Platform". As the country's leading English-language newspaper, the Bangkok Post has set out a vision to take to the global stage. Today, the Bangkok Post is followed by more than seven million people worldwide via our online and off-line platforms. The Bangkok Post has been part and parcel of society helping drive the country forward for 75 years. As we enter 2021, the Bangkok Post is capitalising on data journalism to elevate news presentation to a new and more exciting level.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 20, 2020 21:00 UTC
'Battle royal' headlines local polls
'Battle royal' headlines local pollsAgainst the backdrop of the Covid-19 outbreak in Samut Sakhon, people in the province and in other provinces, with the exception of Bangkok, went to the polls yesterday to elect chairpersons and Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) members. Charuchart later died in a motorcycle accident under suspicious circumstances in Chiang Mai province. Mr Jatuporn made clear that he didn't mind whether Mr Boonlert wins or loses in the election. Former Thammasat University lecturer Dr Likhit Likhitsomboon predicted that the Pheu Thai Party is likely to sustain substantial losses in these elections, noting that many of their local canvassers and politicians have been "sucked away" since the last coup. While it is natural for local politicians to bend with the wind and shift toward the powers-that-be that can assure state funding, the focus of the PAO elections was in Chiang Mai yesterday and was billed as a battle royal between Thaksin and Mr Jatuporn.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 20, 2020 21:00 UTC
Singapore's win shows street food scene needs push
Singapore's win shows street food scene needs pushSingapore has done it again! I'm sure many Thais would be jealous of their Asean neighbour, as they think their street food culture is second to none. The authorities seem to be fixated on the idea of street food being sold on the actual street, rather than establishing proper markets to facilitate food vendors and the millions of city dwellers who rely largely on street food, as well as improving hygiene. It has little, if any, idea that street food doesn't necessarily mean food sold on the street or by the street. In Singapore's case, street food or hawker food has been sold in centres where standards can be maintained.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 20, 2020 21:00 UTC
Phuket tourism chief leads fight against economic doldrums
Before the pandemic, 90% of Phuket's annual tourism income of 470 billion baht was generated by foreign visitors. In the previous four months, most of the foreign tourists allowed in Phuket travelled to the province by private jet or yacht. The Phuket private sector is also considering providing domestic charter flights from other regions such as the North and Northeast. On his outlook for next year's Phuket tourism, Mr Bhummikitti told the Bangkok Post that local transmission would be the main factor determining the tourism sector's recovery. "If the government can continue to keep the pandemic under control, tourism in Phuket will boom again.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 20, 2020 21:00 UTC
Voters must cast ballot, or else: EC
The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) on Saturday warned voters to exercise their duties in Sunday's provincial administrative organisation (PAO) elections, or else see some of their electoral rights revoked for a two-year period. Neither will they be able to run for provincial, local or village administration seats. In addition, the EC would also repeal the voters' rights to submit their signatures to remove administrators and councillors of provincial and local administrations from their offices. Nor will they be able to serve as high-ranking administrative staff or advisers to provincial and local administration offices. In addition, they cannot serve as president, assistant or even secretary to Tambon Local Administrative Councils.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 20, 2020 00:22 UTC
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thiefIn the mid-1970s, while travelling on the slowest train in the world from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, I recall reading a substantial chunk of John Le Carre's espionage novel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Even the names of the chief characters were intriguing -- George Smiley, Toby Esterhase, Percy Alleline (codename Merlin). A few years later the BBC produced a compelling TV mini-series starring Sir Alec Guinness who was masterful as always. For anyone who hasn't read Le Carre novels, he is well worth a try. However, the Le Carre books demanded commitment and patience, something I didn't always possess.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 19, 2020 22:52 UTC
E-banking scams take new guise
E-BANKING SCAMIn early December, 29 Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) customers received an SMS after they contacted its call centre. According to a PCT report issued on Dec 18, police had arrested suspects from at least three groups linked with fraud involving bank customers' credentials. This is the loophole that allows the culprit to get personal information from the bank's customers," Pol Maj Gen Phanthana said. On Dec 16, SCB warned customers on its website of fake SMS messages and links. The warning message said fraud has even taken the form of fake bank websites with a pop-up window to warn users of fraudulent activities.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 19, 2020 22:52 UTC
Local polls may have big impact
Local polls may have big impactToday's elections for Provincial Administration Organisations in the 76 provinces outside of Bangkok are the first local polls to take place since the 2014 coup and will be seen by many as a barometer of the mood inside a nation gripped by political unrest and economic downturn. It's said that the Palang Pracharath-led coalition government deliberately delayed local elections because it's unsure if it would emerge a big winner. According to the Election Commission (EC), 8,521 candidates registered for the PAO elections. To the untrained eye, that may seem like a perfectly logical response to the labyrinthine socio-economic hierarchies that hold sway over local constituencies in Thailand. In terms of the process itself, one can only hope that the polls are run as fairly as possible.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 19, 2020 22:52 UTC
India tops 10m cases but pace slows
After hitting a peak of nearly 98,000 daily cases in mid-September, daily infections have averaged around 30,000 this month. As a result, the gap has widened between India and the United States, the world’s worst affected country with more than 16 million cases and 200,000-plus new infections daily. India reported 25,152 new infections and 347 deaths in the past 24 hours, data from the health ministry showed. India took 30 days to add the last million cases, the second slowest pace since the start of the pandemic. India’s richest state was in dire straits back in September when its daily cases averaged 20,000 and hospitals ran out of beds and oxygen.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 19, 2020 08:37 UTC
Asiasoft spurred by boom in online gaming
no photo bylineThe online gaming industry is a major business sector that has gained traction during the pandemic, as more people spent extra time at home and engaged in online entertainment content. "During the lockdown, users spent more time engaging in online entertainment, such as video streaming, music and online games. As the pandemic persists, entertainment consumption is shifting further online from offline, making it a true trend, said Mr Pramoth. According to gaming research firm NewZoo, the 2020 global gaming market is projected to grow 19.6% year-on-year to US$175 billion. In 2021, the company plans to launch 8-10 mobile games, up from 2-4 mobile games per year in the past.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 23:42 UTC
High time for war on PM2.5
High time for war on PM2.5After a week of severe air pollution, the PM2.5 dust in Bangkok and nearby areas gradually receded to safe levels, thanks to an abrupt change in weather patterns, with wind blowing away the particles. Indeed, it has been almost three years since the capital city acknowledged there was a big problem with PM2.5 levels. In November, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang made a bold announcement that the city would ban lorries with more than six wheels from inner-city areas during the day. City districts with high levels of dust frantically engaged in "big cleaning" as if it were a photo op. That order might have given the image that the Bangkok governor was being tough in trying to reduce PM2.5 levels, despite the fact that construction activities are not the source of PM2.5, but rather the larger and less hazardous PM10 dust particles.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 23:37 UTC
Maybe pause for reflection is needed?
Maybe pause for reflection is needed? (Bangkok Post photo)The temporary break in the political rallies announced by firebrand protest leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak may give the impression that the pro-reform Khana Ratsadon movement is waning. Mr Parit said there will be no further rallies between now and next year to give protesters a chance to regroup and prepare. Although the movement has become inactive physically, the young demonstrators are still sticking to their three-point manifesto of demands -- Gen Prayut's resignation, charter amendment and monarchy reform. Without political support, there is no way for the process to take shape.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 21:45 UTC
One local infection among 16 new Covid cases | Bangkok Post: learning
One new local infection was among 16 new Covid-19 cases reported on Friday, raising the total to 4,297. The local infection was the 67-year-old owner of a stall at the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon. She was being treated at Samut Sakhon Hospital. The 15 other new cases were among people arriving from India, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. There were two cases from Switzerland, a 2-year-old girl and a 61-year-old man, both Swiss nationals.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 06:56 UTC