Justice minister signs order for release of Nattawut, other prisoners
(Photo: Apichart Jinakul)Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin has signed an order for the early release of 76 prisoners who received royal clemency, but they will have to wear electronic tags. Justice deputy permanent secretary Witthaya Suriyawong said the minister signed the document on Friday. Mr Witthaya said Mr Nattawut would wear a bracelet to monitor his behaviour in Bangkok after he leaves Bangkok Remand Prison. A group of his supporters were waiting outside Bangkok Remand Prison on Friday, expecting him to be allowed to walk out. Prisoners who are not being released but whose prison terms were reduced included former TV anchor Sorrayuth Suthassanichina and former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 04:52 UTC
Thailand eases travel restrictions | Bangkok Post: learning
Visitors would have a two-week quarantine period after arriving. While in quarantine, arrivals would undergo three Covid-19 tests, up from two required previously. Travellers from other countries not included in Thursday's announcement could still be eligible for a 90-day special tourist visa. The government is easing travel restrictions for citizens from 56 countries to boost tourism, though visitors still have a two-week hotel quarantine. Click "play" to listen to Thailand eases travel restrictions and "Download" to keep this file for educational purpose.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 02:26 UTC
Government considers shorter quarantine | Bangkok Post: learning
The government has adjusted its Covid-19 testing process to see if isolation can be shortened from 14 days to 10. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The government has changed its Covid-19 testing procedure for arrivals, and is studying whether quarantine can be shortened from 14 to 10 days. Earlier, each arrival was tested twice during 14-day quarantine, first 3-5 days after arrival, and then again on days 11-13. Health officials would then study the results and assess whether quarantine could be reduced to 10 days, Dr Thaweesilp said. However, attendees must have personal space of at least one square metre each and their number must be limited to 50% of the venue's capacity, Dr Thaweesilp said.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 02:15 UTC
Skips & sounds
Sennheiser is known for delivering high-quality audio products, so upon the release of its latest bluetooth earphones, the Sennheiser CX400 BT True Wireless, I had pretty high expectations. THE PROSAudio quality has always been the name of the game for Sennheiser and on that end, the CX400 BT delivers flawlessly. Basses will have a stronger boom and vocals will sound more crisp depending on which way you tweak your sound. However, that's not the biggest drawback of the CX400 BT. Add the fact that you can tweak it to your liking and you've got yourself a high-quality sound performance.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 01:07 UTC
Unity panel hopes dim
Unity panel hopes dimA parliamentary move for reconciliation, with the formation of a panel tasked with fostering national unity, seems to be fizzling out as both government and opposition MPs do too little to make it materialise. Under Mr Jurin's initiative, the panel was to comprise representatives of all stakeholders, including the government, opposition, Senate, student-led activists, as well as academics. Six opposition parties, including the Move Forward Party which regards the move as useless, turned down the initiative right away. The government and its coalition parties, meanwhile, seem to not be attaching much importance to the process given their candidates for the panel. The government may think those charges will silence the leaders, forcing them to stay put, but it must also accept that such approach is making the reconciliation process bumpy.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 23:03 UTC
Politics heats up ahead of Sunday poll
A feature of the PAO poll is that a province is counted as one constituency, unlike the general election where several constituencies cover one province. The group is vying for PAO chairman and contesting member seats in 42 provinces. He added a leading figure in the party had a free hand in unfairly picking Mr Pichai over Mr Boonlert. Mr Boonlert will contest the poll as leader of the Chiang Mai Khunnatham group. Col Suchart is believed to be leading the race, having hit the PAO poll campaign long before his rival candidate who started canvassing only three months ago.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 23:03 UTC
Thailand eases curbs on travel
The revisions come as the tourism-reliant economy struggles to encourage more domestic activity, but an ongoing travel ban continues to keep most foreign tourists away. Earlier, each arrival was tested twice during 14-day quarantine, first three to five days days after arrival, and then again on days 11-13. Each arrival is now tested three times, on day 0-1, day 9-10 and day 13-14, Dr Taweesilp said. Health officials would then study the results and assess whether quarantine could be reduced to 10 days, Dr Taweesilp said. Asked about Christmas and New Year celebrations, Dr Taweesilp said the CCSA was in favour of festivities going ahead and not being banned, as in many Western countries.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 22:41 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Return to the void | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo courtesy of NetflixGeorge Clooney is back in spaceTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. Read the following story by Tatat Bunnag from the Bangkok Post. The Midnight Sky isn't the first film about a space mission that Clooney has featured in. FREEZING COLDApart from outer space scenes, there were also outdoor scenes which were shot in Iceland and England with massive snowstorms. Which Clooney space movie was released first?
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 08:26 UTC
Thursday: 20 new Covid-19 cases | Bangkok Post: learning
(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Another 20 Covid-19 cases were reported on Thursday, quarantined arrivals from 10 countries, raising the total to 4,281. The two cases from Sweden are Thai women, aged 20 and 37. The case from the UAE is a Thai woman, 49, and from the US a Thai woman aged 54. The patient coming from France is a Thai man, 45, and from Germany, a German man, 79. The patient from Pakistan is a Pakistani man, 30, and from Kuwait a Thai man, aged 31.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 05:48 UTC
Free rides on new Gold Line and Green Line extension | Bangkok Post: learning
The new Gold Line from Krung Thon Buri to Khlong San stations opened for service on Wednesday - the country's first automated monorail. The BTS is offering free rides between Wat Phra Sri Mahathat and Khu Khot stations until Jan 1. Free travel on the Gold Line between Krung Thon Buri and Khlong San stations will continue until Jan 15. The 1.8 kilometre Gold Line is owned by Krungthep Thanakhom, a subsidiary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and operated by BTS Group Holding Plc. The Gold Line, the country's first unmanned monorail, is expected to carry 42,000 passengers a day.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 02:37 UTC
New Year parties 'could be split up' | Bangkok Post: learning
People pack Ratchadamri Road in Bangkok for a New Year countdown event last year. (Bangkok Post file photo)This year's New Year countdown celebrations may have to be divided into small zones with a limited number of participants, the government said on Wednesday. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will today discuss these and other proposals for the upcoming New Year festivities, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The PM said that splitting the New Year's Eve celebrations into different zones might be the best way of preventing any possible spread of the coronavirus. "I'm not intending to damage anyone's parties but [just to pick the best choice] to ensure total safety for this year's celebrations."
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 02:25 UTC
Chiang Mai's blooming lovely
Pink flowers of Japanese cherry trees, or sakura, start to bloom in the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang, in Chiang Mai's Fang district. From September to October, Lumpini Park will be colourful with plumed cockscomb (dok soi kai), wool flowers (dok ngon kai) and pinkle-pinkle flowers. AIRLINE UPDATE- Thai Airways will resume two domestic routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Phuket, starting on Jan 1. The flight to Chiang Mai will depart Suvarnabhumi airport at 12.10pm and the return flight will depart Chiang Mai airport at 2.30pm. For the Phuket flights, the outbound flight will depart Bangkok at 12.05pm and the inbound flight will depart from Phuket airport at 2.20pm.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 02:03 UTC
OVEC aims for 200,000 robotics workers
OVEC aims for 200,000 robotics workersMr Katiya, centre left, and Mr Tawatchai, centre right, at the webinar on Wednesday. Somchai PoomlardThe Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) aims to teach 5,200 Thai vocational students per year the skills required to work alongside and maintain factory robots to meet the estimated demand of 200,000 robotics-trained workers by 2024. Under this scheme, the OVEC aims to train students in the skills required to work with robots in factories to meet the estimated demand for 70,000 workers at present and 200,000 workers by 2024. The goal of the scheme is to meet market demand for workers with basic robotics skills at a time when factories are moving to Thailand from China, and existing factories are upgrading their facilities with robotics. Katiya Kraikarn, honourable adviser to Electrical and Electronics Industry Allies from the Federation of Thai Industries, said robotics have the potential to greatly improve productivity, while still needing assistance from human workers.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 16, 2020 22:18 UTC
Moon mission moonshine?
Moon mission moonshine? Alas, Mr Anek's mission to the moon seems set for a troubled launch because of his own short-sightedness. Most people asked whether an investment for the space programme, if established, could be justified considering most people are still struggling financially. The problem with Mr Anek's moon vision is that it seems to have risen out of nowhere. To say the moon mission would lift Thailand up from "developing country" status also made it appear as if the minister was only seeking publicity.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 16, 2020 21:56 UTC
Masked parade celebrates the arrival of 2021 at Shangri-la hotel, Bangkok
Welcome the new year at Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok on the banks of the River of Kings. Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok comes alive under the magic of Christmas, from the sparkling Christmas tree in the Lobby to the delicious aroma of festive food. - Adult: THB 3,490 net- Child: THB 1,745 netSalathip RestaurantA special venue to celebrate Christmas Thai style. - Adult: THB 2,480 net- Child: THB 1,240 netVolti restaurant & barTake the pressure off on Christmas Eve by bringing along your friends and family for a delightful Christmas celebration at Volti. - Adult: THB 8,900 net- Child: THB 4,450 netNEXT2 CaféSee out 2020 with a bang and stunning fireworks.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 16, 2020 09:22 UTC