According to Ms Sittharmanin, the money-changing industry has been damaged almost as much as the tourism sector because of the close links between both businesses. Roughly 20-30% of the company's existing clients have requested cross-border money transfers, so there is demand, she said. STR Forex made digital payments available via mobile banking, QR code and credit card for forex transactions as of last year. If the forex business were to normalise, the company has no plan to open more brick-and-mortar branches, said Ms Sittharmanin. "With a lean organisation and offering new businesses, we expect to book a profit this year, albeit an insignificant amount," said Ms Sittharmanin.

Saksayam must come clean on CovidPeople turn up in droves to get Covid-19 tests near the Bar Bar Bar pub in the Thong Lor area of the capital yesterday. More specifically, Mr Saksayam is a key member of BJT, the party that oversees public health issues. One day before taking the Covid test, Mr Saksayam told the media he did not visit the club. It's necessary for Mr Saksayam to come clean and tell the truth. There must be a probe into Mr Saksayam, and if he is guilty, he must give up his cabinet position and face legal action.

CK Power Plc has joined hands with Bangkok Post Group to promote environmental conservation via the “Chairs for a Good Cause Project”. Using modern upcycling methods, the campaign creatively repurposes unwanted and discarded products and turns them into useful, functional equipment for use in schools and educational institutions across Thailand. Products co-made by both CK Power Plc and Bangkok Post employees as part of the project, include unique papier-mâché tables and chairs made from old newspapers and magazines collected by Bangkok Post Group. At Watkudeeprasit School in Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya province on March 31, the papier-mâché tables and chairs were received by Mrs Montha Ruktum, Director of Watkudeeprasit School. Attending the event were CK Power Plc’s representatives, led by Mr Woravudh Anuruxwongsri, Managing Director of Bangpa-in Cogeneration Co along with Ms Panchanida Jansongchai, Senior Vice President — Advertising Sales, Bangkok Post Plc.

Punish Covid rule violatorsVeteran politician Supachai Jaisamut of the Bhumjaithai Party was absolutely right when he said: contracting Covid-19 is not a crime. But deliberately concealing information regarding risky activities that result in new clusters or a new wave of Covid-19 is. Rumours spread like wildfire that the minister, together with a group of bigwigs, might have visited an entertainment venue in the Thong Lor area that has become the latest Covid-19 hotspot. Clips that went viral on social media show that at least one of the Thong Lor venues that serves the rich and powerful had bypassed all anti-virus measures. The government must ensure all laws are brought to bear against violators, regardless of their social or political positions, otherwise lessons will never be learnt.

Vaccines don't mean you can't infect others'Don't worry, I already received my first vaccination shot [against Covid-19]. I won't be infected," the taxi driver told me confidently, almost in a carefree manner, when I asked him to put his face-mask on. The taxi driver initially hesitated, saying the mask made him feel uncomfortable. Israel has the highest rate of vaccinated people in the world, with 59% of the population having had first jabs with 55% fully vaccinated. The taxi driver is in the minority at less than 1%, meaning several million more could be infected if people are careless.

Get the Covid act togetherAs the country teeters on the brink of yet another wave of Covid-19, timely, well-coordinated and sensible responses are called for. The same fate befell Education Minister Trinuch Thiengthong who met with a well-wisher who was later confirmed to have contracted Covid-19. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday that travellers from Bangkok and other at-risk areas will not have to quarantine when they head to other provinces. Yesterday's decision by the Public Health Ministry and other agencies under the Centre for Covid 19 Situation Administration (CCSA) not to designate red-zone areas may send the wrong signal about the new wave. It is appalling that after two waves of the disease, the country still hasn't set up an efficient tracing system.

Transport minister infected with Covid-19Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob (left) talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Bhumjaithai Party head office in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, is infected with Covid-19 and has been admitted to Buriram Hospital for treatment. In Bangkok, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai leader, confirmed that Mr Saksayam had been admitted for treatment at Buriram Hospital. Mr Anutin said he and Mr Saksayam were in close contact during a religious ceremony to mark the party's founding anniversary on Tuesday. According to Mr Supachai, Mr Saksayam went to Buriram Hospital about 4.30pm on Tuesday and took a Covid test.

It was approved by the parliament, and was signed in front of many international witnesses, including China, explained Yawd Serk. "If they continue to shoot at protesters and bully the people, the ethnic groups cannot just stand by and do nothing." Many ethnic groups, not only those who signed the NCA, have not been cooperating with the military since the coup. The plan is to set up a Federal Council, Yawd Serk hinted to the Post. Most of the ethnic groups are expected to join, including the AA, KIO and TNLA, according to ethnic sources involved in the discussions.

Thailand must help refugeesAs the Thai-Myanmar border situation becomes ever more tense, with more fighting between the Myanmar military and ethnic groups, particularly the Karen National Union (KNU), Thailand is bracing for another humanitarian challenge. As Thai authorities slammed the door shut on them, the Karen had to cross back over the Salween River. Given our porous borders, Thailand looks set to become the front-line state in taking care of those fleeing. Pictures showing the military blocking off an area with rows of barbed wire as Karen villagers approached last week drew international criticism. Thailand must do its best to help.

A puzzling lack of logic in govt vaccine strategyThe coronavirus stays alive and continues to spread because it is constantly changing. It keeps repeating that the AstraZeneca vaccine, which will be produced here under a technology transfer deal by the palace-owned biopharmaceutical company Siam Bioscience, is the country's best bet. The United States has also put Johnson & Johnson in charge of the plant that mixed ingredients for the J&J and AstraZeneca vaccines. He and the government are still banking on the AstraZeneca vaccine. While it is true that at this point the AstraZeneca vaccine is still approved for continued use by the WHO, the downsides are becoming apparent.

New motorway to open for holidayThe Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima motorway runs along the scenic Lam Takong reservoir. A 35-kilometre section of the new motorway will be opened for trial use from April 9-19 to ease the busy traffic at Songkran. From April 14-19, the motorway would be open for Bangkok-bound vehicles. Motorists could join the motorway in Si Khiu district and exit at the Nakhonchai Buri stray dogs centre at Nong Phai Lom in Pak Chong district. The 196km motorway starts at the Bang Pa-in interchange, where Bangkok's eastern ring road adjoins Phahon Yothin Road in Ayutthaya.

Ask public over promenadeThe Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been praised for two urban public park projects. These two projects have received a positive response for their creativity and the level of public participation involved. Critics have warned the flood wall and promenade structure will adversely affect the river's navigability, flood drainage, not to mention causing pollution that will hurt tourism instead of helping it. It also trashed the BMA's explanation that the public will lose out if the promenade and bicycle lane are scrapped. Otherwise, the Chao Phraya Riverside promenade will remain a pipe dream that turned into a nightmare.

35km of new Korat motorway to be open for SongkranA section of the Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima highway along scenic Lam Takong reservoir in the northeaster province. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A 35-kilometre section of the new motorway between Bang Pa-in and Nakhon Ratchasima will be opened for trial use from April 9-19 to ease expected traffic congestion during the Songkran festival. Mr Chitpol said about 200,000 vehicles use the Friendship Highway through Nakhon Ratchasima every day, on average, during the traditional Songkran festival. Opening the 35km section of the new motorway would accommodate about 40,000 vehicles per day, relieving the traffic problem during the festival, Mr Chitpol said. It runs parallel with the Phahon Yothin and Mitraphap highways and ends at the Nakhon Ratchasima bypass in Muang district.

An ounce of preventionMahatma Gandhi once said: "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver". Approaching World Health Day, which falls on April 7 every year, we can review how we have invested in our health -- the real wealth. I guess I have bad habits to break to get back on the road to good health, otherwise, I would have to pay a price for the neglect. This is addressed in the World Health Day 2021 campaign, themed "Building a fairer, healthier world". But above all, prevention is better than cure and maintaining good health through the Gandhian way of life is a self-reliant DIY project.

Pension fund must proceedWith the elderly population rapidly increasing, social security issues have become a major concern for the country. The cabinet last week approved a law to set up a national pension fund. Despite the cabinet endorsement, questions remain as to how soon the national pension fund act will come into effect. Of course the national pension fund or mandatory provident fund, if set up, would be a burden to business operators. Above all, the long-awaited pension fund will materialise only if the government has sincerity and pushes ahead with it seriously.