— Rak Vorrakitpokatorn, President, Thai Credit Guarantee corporationLabelling himself both an undertaker and merchant of risks, Rak Vorrakitpokatorn has a mission to help comatose small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) survive profound hardships during this major economic crisis. But the new outbreak has shifted their attitude, as help from the TCG for loan guarantees is seen as a do-or-die situation. For instance, if an SME receives a loan worth 10 million baht, the TCG will insure 7 million. The lowest credit score issued by TCG is 65, in contrast with a minimum of 70 issued by banks. Normally loans provided to SMEs, filtered through banks' loan approval process, will turn into non-performing loans (NPLs) at around 5-6%.

Online learning prompts error messageIn this Jan 5 photo, a student and his mother drop by at his school in Samut Prakan to pick up educational material to study at home after the government ordered school closures in response to a new wave of Covid-19 infections. Even so, partial restrictions ordered by the government have caused hardship to ordinary people's lives as well as most small businesses. What the pandemic has revealed is that our system was unprepared to offer online learning on many fronts. But the most severe problem is inadequate levels of digital literacy among students, parents and even teachers and school administrators. In many cases, online learning means self-learning, not virtual learning.

Fares need govt oversightThe government, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and skytrain operator must settle the new fares of the Green Line service before Feb 16 to protect commuters. Last year, the BMA and the ministry were ordered to reach agreement on the Green Line ceiling rate. Over the past few years, commuters have complained loudly about overpriced train fares, but no state agencies have had the guts to address the issue. The issue of BTS Green Line fares emerged in November last year after the government turned down the BMA's request to renew the concession of the BTS Group. But the state needs to tackle the issue of overpricing as it is well-known that the country's train fares are high compared to the cost of living.

The ghost of strategist pastThe Pheu Thai Party's recent press conference on its preparations for the next election struck political observers as odd. The concept of "breaking a 1,000-baht note into smaller denominations" involves the role of smaller parties serving as branches that support Pheu Thai in future elections. The outspoken politician also took the opportunity to criticise some former Pheu Thai members for causing confusion by continuing to pursue close ties with existing members. "Those who turn their backs on Pheu Thai have nothing further to do with the party. "On the other hand, those [who chose to leave] should not get so involved with remaining Pheu Thai members.

‘King’s Bangkok’ shares 10 tips to make the world-class online learning experience‘King’s Bangkok’ shares 10 tips to make the world-class online learning experience, taking part in raising Thailand’s standard of education to an international level through qualified teachers who are dedicated to their students’ continuous development and their families’ wellbeing. They organise their lessons by applying expertise from the global network of King’s College School: King’s Wimbledon, King’s Hangzhou and King’s Wuxi. BANGKOK – King’s College International School Bangkok (King’s Bangkok) shares some methods and some positive feedback of learning from home, highlighting the concept of having an ‘Inquisitive Mind’. Professor Sakorn Suksriwong, DBA, Chairman of the Executive Committee of King’s College International School Bangkok, said, “King’s Bangkok has always worked closely with King’s Wimbledon, and this time we are lucky to be able to collaborate with another two King’s campuses in China. King’s Bangkok now welcomes applications for boys and girls aged 2–15 (Pre-nursery to Year 10) for the academic year 2021.

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin starts the daily Covid-19 update at Government House in Bangkok on Friday, and announces he himself has been put at risk of infection, albeit a low risk. (Screenshot from the briefing programme)The government's Covid-19 spokesman has gone into self quarantine, but his initial test was negative. Taweesilp Visanuyothin went straight to Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute after announcing that he was at "low risk" of having been infected. The CCSA spokesman said he had been in contact with the commentator, and was at low risk of infection. He would be tested for Covid-19, and would quarantine himself afterwards, he said.

(Photo: Apichart Jinakul)The government on Friday reported 309 new Covid-19 cases – 297 local infections and 12 imported - raising the total to 13,104. In the group of 80 new cases, 49 were found in Samut Sakhon province and eight in Bangkok. Active case finding found 212 cases in Samut Sakhon, including 196 migrant workers, and five Myanmar migrants in Bangkok. Samut Sakhon recorded 261 new cases in the past 24 hours and had 5,036 of the 8,302 cases found nationwide since Dec 18. Next week active case finding would be accelerated at factories in Samut Sakhon and adjacent districts in Bangkok, Dr Taweesilp said.

Read the following story by Arusa Pisuthipan from the Bangkok Post. To get them back on track towards education, we are highlighting some of the best Netflix documentaries and science programmes that can serve as food for the thought amid unwanted school breaks. Also streaming is Our Planet: Behind The Scenes, which reveals what took place behind the camera during filming and production. The Magic School Bus. The Magic School Bus.

The haze which has covered Bangkok over the past four to five days wasn't just caused by PM2.5 dust, as the amount of larger PM10 pollutants and greenhouse gases has also soared. The minister said he has asked provincial governors to ask farmers in their area to avoid burning farm waste. Schools will be allowed to delay their reopening if the haze problem in their area continues to deteriorate, he added. The drop in air quality across Bangkok over the past week is caused by an urban "dust dome" over the city. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool)Click "play" to listen to 'Dust dome' blamed for haze and "Download" to keep this file for educational purpose.

This traditional Thai massage parlour on​ Khao San Road​ was closed on Thursday, but is among 13 kinds of premises allowed to reopen in the capital on Friday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has approved the reopening of 13 kinds of premises, including game arcades and shops, from Friday. BMA spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang said its communicable disease control committee headed by Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang made the decision on Thursday after discussions with doctors and lecturers in medicine. Mr Pongsakorn said the BMA took a month to control Covid-19. The capital was now logging about 10 new cases a day, down from about 50 at the end of last year and early this month.

US President Joe Biden delivers his Inauguration speech after being sworn in as the 46th US President on Wednesday. (AFP photo)Joe Biden on Wednesday took office as the 46th president of the United States with a call for unity. On a cold but sunny day at the Capitol building that was assaulted on Jan 6, Biden was sworn in moments after Kamala Harris became America's first woman vice president, ending Donald Trump's four years. Biden -- vice president for eight years under Barack Obama -- appealed to supporters of Trump. At 78, Biden is the oldest-ever US president, a job he first sought in 1987.

Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantaranothai, centre, discusses disease control with provincial authorities at the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial hall on Wednesday. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)Several provinces have started to ease measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 after signs of an improved situation following the outbreak. Chiang Mai's governor signed an order to allow the reopening of boxing stadiums, but still prohibits boxing and boxing-related activities at schools. In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the provincial governor ordered all 927 schools to prepare for reopening under strict disease control measures. The Centre for the Covid-19 Situation Administration on Wednesday reported 59 new cases with one death, taking the country's tally to 12,653.

Above Thailand's Benyapa Aimsaard plays against Russia's Evgeniya Kosetskaya in the first round of the Toyota Thaialnd Open at Muang Thong Thani on Wednesday. World No.129 Benyapa defeated Kosetskaya, who is ranked 104 places above the Thai at No.25, in 52 minutes at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. In the second round, the 18-year-old will face compatriot Pornpawee Chochuwong, who breezed past Egypt's Hadia Hosny 21-6, 21-7 in just 19 minutes. Last week, Benyapa gave top-ranked Tai Tzu-ying a scare before losing 21-18, 26-24 to the Taiwanese in the first round. Second seed Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan comfortably defeated Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-16, 21-4.

Star Feminine Band. John ClewleyRiding high at the top of this month's Transglobal World Music Chart is the Isreali-Persian singer, songwriter and social activist Liraz Charhi. It's a terrific album that also not only has words set to McCalla's music but also snatches of Haitian music and Kreyol (creole) -- simply and beautifully presented. Transglobal World Music Chart:January 20211. Star Feminine Band · Star Feminine Band · Born Bad (17)9.

Keep virus guard up, and don't expect govt helpWhy are department stores allowed to stay open, but schools and universities aren't? The government and Covid-19 authorities often repeat the mantra that each and every one of us must cooperate and follow the instructions if we are to curb the disease. "Never let your guard down," the authorities keep reciting as they announce the number of new cases each day. What is the use of studying the timeline of confirmed cases when some visits were allegedly withheld to protect certain businesses? As the virus has spread to more than 60 provinces, there will be no safe place eventually.