More Covid-19 insurance options for foreign tourists
AFPForeign tourists are likely to have more insurance options to cover hospitel and hotel isolation expenses in Thailand as the government is trying to solve the problem of Covid-infected tourists refusing to pay for medication or running away from hotels. Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, said the government is discussing with the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) offering Covid-19 insurance options for vaccinated tourists whose travel insurance does not cover medical expenditure for hospitels or hotel isolation for mild asymptomatic cases. A new ruling from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) last week stipulated that if a tourist's insurance doesn't cover all medical expenses for Covid-19 infection, they are responsible for such expenditure themselves. The CCSA subcommittee still needs to discuss in detail insurance options and punishment. "Insurance options will help cover expenditure in case tourists become infected with Covid-19 or have high-risk contact that requires isolation," she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2022 16:18 UTC
FTI club launches EV component plan
FTI club launches EV component planAn electric car is connected for charging at Motor Expo 2021, held in December at Impact Challenger 1-3, Muang Thong Thani. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Federation of Thai Industries' (FTI) auto parts club is working to help 2,500 auto parts manufacturers accustomed to producing parts for internal combustion engines (ICE) to shift towards electric vehicle (EV) technology by launching an EV component development plan. EVs are expected to replace oil-powered cars, threatening to disrupt auto parts production in the future, said Pinai Sirinakorn, chairman of the club. The EV component development plan aims to help auto parts manufacturers shift their businesses to better suit the new market. According to the FTI, auto parts companies in Thailand are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), supplying products to domestic and global markets.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2022 10:41 UTC
Defence Council okays cuts
Defence Council okays cutsThe Defence Council has approved proposals to support the continued restructuring of the military with aim of trimming the country's armed forces by 5% over four years, according to the Defence Ministry. He said the number of armed forces personnel must be trimmed by 5% by the 2027 fiscal year, and when units are merged or dissolved as part of restructuring, the number of armed forces and expenditures must not increase. Col Wanchana said the Defence Ministry has already begun downsizing the military. The programme includes cuts on enrolment at all military schools including armed forces-related academies and technical schools, the hiring of civilians in the Defence Ministry and the early retirement programme. He said the trimming of the armed forces is in accordance with restructuring plans by the Defence Ministry for 2017-2026, which will allow the ministry to better respond to emerging threats.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2022 07:35 UTC
What will your 2022 story be?
Circumstances and jobs now change so quickly that no one can understand what individuals need, faster or better than the individual. I know you are busy, and I know your company signs you up for development events of varying quality and usefulness. For example, I have had to learn things that younger members of my organisation would consider extremely basic concerning technology — things they learned in school. Ask yourself what small things you could learn that could improve your performance or results. Once you understand where things are going, you can start immediately and ensure your future success and relevance.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2022 03:39 UTC
Hyundai sweeps Best Cars for the Money awards in US
The Hyundai winners include: the Elantra hybrid, Tucson hybrid, Kona subcompact SUV, Tucson compact SUV and Santa Fe 2-row SUV. Its smaller sibling Kia Motors’ Telluride also topped the best 3-row SUV for the money category. The award covers a total of 11 automotive categories and the scores are based on safety and reliability data as well as the collective opinion of the automotive press. “We are greatly honored to win more 2022 US News Best Cars for the Money awards than any other automotive brand,” said Olabisi Boyle, vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai Motor North America. “The Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson, Elantra Hybrid, Tucson Hybrid and Kona are just a few of the superior products that we offer, and we are pleased that US News recognizes their collective excellence.”
Source:The Nation Bangkok
January 24, 2022 01:55 UTC
Govt blinded by science
Govt blinded by scienceThe government's axeing of two science and math projects, despite a total cost for both of only 700 million baht, raises doubts about how serious it is about improving science and technology education. Last week, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) announced it would suspend its 25th Junior Science Talent Project (JSTP) programme due to a lack of budget. It has been reported that the project requires 300 million baht a year to educate 200 researchers in the science and technology fields. Meanwhile, the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) said last week it would suspend grants under its Promotion of Science and Mathematics Talented Teachers (PSMT) project, likewise due to budget constraints. The amounts required for these teacher development projects should not be an issue if the government is serious about improving the country's science and technology ability.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 23, 2022 23:09 UTC
Blinken says has 'no doubts' Germany is resolute on Ukraine
Blinken says has 'no doubts' Germany is resolute on UkraineUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought to tamp down concerns about Germany's commitment to opposing Russian aggression against Ukraine, expressing confidence that the Germans were aligned with NATO and Washington. WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday he has "no doubts" Germany is maintaining a united front with NATO on the Ukraine crisis, after Berlin faced pressure to toughen its stance against potential Russian aggression. The top US diplomat also dismissed the idea of slapping punitive sanctions on Russia now, before any potential invasion of the former Soviet republic Ukraine, saying sanctions should be used as a means of "dissuading" Moscow from an attack. Germany was in the hot seat at the weekend after its navy chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach said Russian President Vladimir Putin deserves respect and also suggested it was "nonsense" to think Russia was ready to pour troops into Ukraine. That includes beefing up defenses in Ukraine with more military assistance, Blinken said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 23, 2022 22:15 UTC
Prayut to visit Saudi Arabia to foster ties
The trip will mark the first Thai-Saudi high-level meeting since the 'Blue Diamond Affair'Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha walks in Government House on Jan 18, 2022. He will visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and Wednesday. (Government House photo)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit Saudi Arabia from Tuesday to Wednesday as a guest of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Government House announced on Sunday. A large number of the gems stolen by the janitor, Kriengkrai Techamong - including the rare blue diamond - are yet to be recovered. A year after the theft, three Saudi diplomats in Thailand were killed in three separate assassinations in a single night.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 23, 2022 18:13 UTC
Cop charged with reckless driving, causing female doctor's death
Cop charged with reckless driving, causing female doctor's deathA crowd control policeman has surrendered to police and admitted to driving a big bike that hit and killed a female doctor in Bangkok on Friday, according to media reports. He said Pol L/Cpl Norawich had surrendered to Phayathai police. Pol L/Cpl Norawich was initially charged with reckless driving, causing death. The investigators were waiting for the result of the examination and the autopsy report on Dr Waraluck. A funeral for Dr Waraluck is being held at Sala 3, Wat Phrasrimathat Mahavoraviharn, in Bang Khen district of the capital.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 23, 2022 12:26 UTC
Govt 'ready' to host 2022 Apec meet
"It is a crucial opportunity for Thailand to promote trade in the Asia-Pacific region," Mr Thanakorn said on Saturday. Gen Prayut said Thailand will host the Apec meeting this year under the concept of "Open. Mr Thanakorn said Gen Prayut also thanked state agencies and the private sector for their cooperation in preparing for Apec. Aside from Apec, Mr Thanakorn said that Gen Prayut was focused on solving the country's problems including the Covid-19 pandemic and soaring consumer prices. "Gen Prayut says everyone should be united to solve problems and should not play too much politics," said Mr Thanakorn.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 23, 2022 07:09 UTC
Officer suspended over child sex abuse claim refuses to talk
Officer suspended over child sex abuse claim refuses to talkTrang: A policeman accused of sexually assaulting two girls over an extended period has been charged with four counts of rape and suspended from the force, said the provincial police chief yesterday. Pol Maj Gen Santat Winson, commander of Trang police, said the 53-year-old officer, a deputy inspector, was arrested and charged on Wednesday, two days after a complaint was lodged. The victims, aged 12 and 16, were cousins of his girlfriend and the offences allegedly began in December 2020, weeks after the girls' mother was arrested on drugs charges by officers including the suspect. Ms Pavena said yesterday the policeman faced serious charges so she questioned their decision to grant him temporary release. The grandmother said the accused asked the girls' cousin to take the 12-year-old to live with them after her mother was arrested.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 23, 2022 06:54 UTC
4th jab for residents of Bangkok, Phuket and 8 other tourism pilot provinces
"People who received their third jab more than three months ago can get their fourth jab in February,” he said. Opas said a fourth AstraZeneca jab is recommended for those whose first two jabs were Sinovac and third AstraZeneca, while a Pfizer booster is recommended for those who received two AstraZeneca jabs and a Pfizer booster. He added that provincial Communicable Disease Committees are responsible for planning vaccine management, setting up vaccination stations and publicising the information. "We urge residents to follow the information provided by their local Communicable Disease Committee," he added. The 10 tourism pilot provinces include Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang Nga, Bangkok, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Kanchanaburi and Pathum Thani.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
January 23, 2022 03:42 UTC
Brave sister to the rescue, off his meds, sideline job
Her younger sister, "Bee", 15, who goes out with Mark's teenage son, Tee, 16, had called Bow asking to be picked up urgently. Bow, who lives in Pathum Thani, travelled to the remote area, accessible only by foot, to rescue her sister. Prakob 'Mark' SaekwoNeighbours say Mark, a former inmate who served a year inside for drugs, has been living at the rental place with his son Tee since his release. Internet pest strikesA department store worker has a sideline job where he chats up women on the internet, rapes and robs them, police say. At the police station Mr Aphiwat told her, "I am not scared...my dad will come and secure my bail."
Source:Bangkok Post
January 23, 2022 01:30 UTC
Impact of oil firms' exit from Myanmar limited
The French company announced in Friday that it would pull out of Myanmar. PTT Exploration and Production of Thailand (PTTEP) holds 25.5% and state-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) the remaining 15%. Revenue from MOGE is one of the largest sources of income for the military in Myanmar. Total and MOGE hold stakes in Moattama Gas Transportation Company (MGTC), which owns the pipeline linking the Yadana field and Thailand. Ultimately, Myanma Oil & Gas could end up with a larger share, a spokesman for the French company conceded.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 22, 2022 11:18 UTC
Omicron to totally dominate by month-end
Men in white: Officials from samut prakan’s Disaster prevention and mitigation Division spray disinfectant in an old community in tambon pak nam of muang district. Speaking at a press conference, Dr Supakit Sirilak, chief of the Department of Medical Sciences, said that the Omicron variant has now been diagnosed in every province, with 10,701 cases reported so far. The department cited that although there may be socio-cultural factors behind the present split, infections in the South will almost certainly follow suit. "Currently, the proportion of Omicron patients is up to 86.8%, and we believe that it will almost fully dominate the Delta variant by the end of this month. At that time, only six million people were vaccinated, but the virus ultimately saw deaths fall as the symptoms became milder.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 22, 2022 09:08 UTC