Checkpoints need checkingAfter months of suspension, police checkpoints are to resume across the country today as approved by police commander Suwat Jangyodsuk. Before setting up a checkpoint, officers will be required to seek permission from senior officers who oversee the areas. In any case, the police chief must guarantee there will be no illegal checkpoints with officers found to be setting up structures on a whim, without approval from their commanders. Undeniably, illegal checkpoints are associated with low salaries among rank and file police and poor welfare payments in the system. It's an open secret that such checkpoints are a source of extra income for the officers who mainly target truck drivers.

Thainess and surf-skating, a safe match? The MP boasted how the Thai costumes were part of an effort to promote Thai culture. This is not the first time the government has tried to promote Thai culture in a superficial way. A month later, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) followed suit, asking its officials to wear silk or Thai fabrics on Tuesdays and Fridays. In my opinion, one can't maintain Thai tradition by wearing Thai costume.

Company says rate above that of rivalsLine Man riders protest on March 26 in front of T-One Building. It affects food delivery riders in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. "We believe this new rate is still the best offer in the market," Yod Chinsupakul, chief executive of Line Man Wongnai, told the Bangkok Post. Line Man Wongnai was created through the merger of restaurant review platform Wongnai and on-demand and delivery app Line Man in September last year. Before the merger, Line Man partnered with instant delivery and courier service provider Lalamove to use the latter's fleet of riders.

A parallel govt emerges post-coupMyanmar's parliament building is seen in Nay Pyi Taw on March 14 as demonstrations by protesters against the military coup continue across the country. Myanmar's elected parliamentarians are set to declare a parallel civilian government in a challenge to the coup leaders. (Photo: AFP)Myanmar's elected parliamentarians are openly challenging the country's coup leaders by declaring a parallel civilian government in the next few days. They are also planning to establish a parallel administration throughout the country, challenging the military's coercive structures. After the formal announcement of the parallel unity government, all 14 states and regions will form their own equivalent CRPH -- the YCRPH and MCRPH for Yangon and Mandalay regions have already been formed.

Don't cosy up to juntaAs soon as Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said he did not understand in what way Thailand supports the Myanmar military junta, he exposed himself and the country to disgrace. The problem is not that people do not understand Gen Prayut's denials. It's imperative that Gen Prayut catch up with the awful reality on the ground of our western neighbour. As if it was not damaging enough to be seen to be cosying up to the Myanmar junta, PM Gen Prayut tried to defend the indefensible. PM Gen Prayut must come to terms with the situation.

Schoolgirl in coma, hit by large fireworkMedics perform CPR on Natcha “Nong Milk" Sawasdee, 10, a Pathom Suksa 3 student in Pak Thong Chai district, Nakhon Ratchasima, after she was hit on the head by debris from a large skyrocket. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A 10-year-old schoolgirl remained in a coma on Tuesday after being hit on the head by part of a large firework, a wooden skyrocket, launched during a cremation at a temple in Pak Thong Chai district. Rescue workers and medics were called and performed CPR before rushing her to Pak Thong Chai Hospital. (continues below)Debris from the skyrockets litters the ground near the crematorium at Wat Na Phrathat temple in Pak Thong Chai district. Pol Col Chanat Kaweekhaochalard, chief of Pak Thong Chai police station, said on Tuesday that two men who lit the funeral firecrackers were detained for questioning.

New city Covid cluster feared after two butchers test positiveAuthorities are bracing for a new cluster of Covid-19 infections centred around a wet market in outer Bangkok, after two butchers linked to the market tested positive for the disease. A 57-year-old lottery ticket vendor who worked near the butcher's stall also tested positive for Covid-19. Meanwhile, Kalasin reported its first case of Covid-19 since the nation's second wave of infections began -- a 35-year old department store shop assistant. The woman tested positive on Saturday and is currently hospitalised at Kalasin Hospital. The CCSA yesterday reported 39 new cases in Thailand, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 28,773.

It's not the first time Gen Prawit has caused an uproar with his crudity. Even before the second autopsy result was known, Gen Prawit defended the army and its controversial practice. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill, Gen Prayut admonished the media in between his half-hearted apologies. The Thai army denied the reports, but in an ambiguous, confused manner that further fuelled doubts instead of putting them to rest. Gen Prayut did emphasise, however, that the media should not blow a "minor" issue out of proportion.

Govt promises left unkeptWhen the Prayut Chan-o-cha government first invoked the emergency decree last March to curb the Covid-19 outbreak, it strenuously promised the draconian law, as well as other health legislation, wouldn't be used against the pro-democracy movement. There is no surprise, though, given the fact that this government has already broken so many promises. Like other political parties, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) made the amendment of the supreme law its election campaign promise. Gen Prayut made the promise in a nationally televised address, fully realising that the changes would help ease political conflicts. A member of Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) noted that keeping the emergency law in place given the low rate of Covid-19 is absurd.

Clear EV plan is a mustThe government is moving in the right direction after it announced that it will hasten the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and the development of supporting infrastructure. The move should be applauded, despite the fact the plan is steeped in challenges which will require clear action plans to succeed. Under the new plan, Thailand is to produce 1.051 million EVs by 2025, before jumping up to 6.22 million by 2030 -- far higher than the previous target of 750,000 units by 2030. The government has also set a goal to have 1.05 million EVs on the roads by 2025. The government's EV plan is good, but it is not enough.

The location itself, which is conveniently accessible via the metro system, may have been the biggest contributor to the increased turnout that day. The court has the discretion to grant or deny bail for the accused, depending on the behaviour of each individual. In exercising its discretion, the court can deny him bail on the ground that he is likely to reoffend if he is freed on bail. Why didn't they warn the two Ratsadon core leaders they were playing with fire and could get burned if they kept mocking or insulting the monarchy? What if she is thrown behind bars for reading the script in question while the actual writer remains scot free?

"I'm lucky to work with executives and colleagues who have given me the opportunity to bring out the best of my ability," said Ms Jiraphon. The oil and retail business requires detail-oriented people to help drive it forward, a role that matches her background as an accountant. "Fortunately I possess this skill as accounting jobs require people who pay close attention to small detail," said Ms Jiraphon. She worked in the oil retail business for almost three decades before it spun off PTT into PTTOR. "Retail is full of details," said Ms Jiraphon, offering a brief description of her work.

Don't worry, be happy … like the FinnsFor the second year running Thailand was ranked 54th in the UN-sponsored World Happiness Report which covers 149 countries. However, considering the Covid situation, one suspects there's not one country in the world that is particularly happy. So how do the Finns manage to be so happy? For the next 12 months we experienced happiness concerts, happy haircuts, happy noodles, happy policemen, happy hedgehogs and so on. It proved to be a big hit and the "happiness'' theme quickly caught the imagination of advertising circles, prompting a series of happiness ads.

The BMA's revamp of Bangkok's Klong Ong Ang won it a 2020 United Nations Human Settlements Programme Asian Townscape Award. Having won the award, Klong Ong Ang has now attracted even more people to visit the area and see what it's all about. However, after the Klong Ong Ang canal revamp, the BMA banned all use of canvas material and umbrellas. HAVING FUN: The canal-side promenade is packed with visitors looking for something to eat and fun activities to do along the transformed Klong Ong Ang. Other canals get upgradeApart from the Klong Ong Ang restoration project, the BMA is also developing other canals in the capital.

Egypt train collision kills 32Twisted metal juts from the wreckage of a train collision that killed at least 32 people and injured more than 160 in southern EgyptTAHTA (EGYPT) - A collision between two trains killed at least 32 people and left more than 160 injured Friday in southern Egypt, a country plagued by fatal rail accidents widely blamed on crumbling infrastructure and poor maintenance. The health ministry gave an updated casualty toll of at least 32 dead and 165 people hospitalised with injuries, 70 percent of them fractures. Dozens of technicians were working through Friday evening to remove five dislocated and damaged train wagons, an AFP correspondent on the scene said. We heard the collision, so we rushed and found the carnage," said one witness, speaking on condition of anonymity. One of the deadliest was in 2002, when 373 people died as a fire ripped through a crowded train south of Cairo.