'Last Picture Show' director Bogdanovich dies aged 82
US director Peter Bogdanovich's "The Last Picture Show" is hailed as a classic of New Hollywood. LOS ANGELES: Peter Bogdanovich, the acclaimed New Hollywood director of "The Last Picture Show," has died at the age of 82, his agent said Thursday. Starting out as an influential film critic, Bogdanovich began directing with 1968's "Targets," before co-writing his ode to 1950s America "The Last Picture Show." I'll never forgot attending a premiere for 'The Last Picture Show,'" his contemporary, director Francis Ford Coppola, said in a statement to AFP. He birthed masterpieces as a director and was a most genial human," tweeted director Guillermo del Toro.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2022 23:54 UTC
Indonesia’s Covid cases reach 2-month high as Omicron looms
Indonesia’s Covid cases reach 2-month high as Omicron loomsA child reacts while receiving a dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease as the Omicron variant continues to spread, in South Tangerang, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. (Reuters)Indonesia added the highest number of Covid-19 cases in two months and breached a key threshold that could prompt tighter restrictions. The health ministry reported 533 infections on Thursday, the most since Nov 4, with seven people dying from the disease. More than half of the new cases were found in the capital Jakarta, which reported 267. The government has said it will enforce more stringent measures if the country’s caseload reaches 500 and 1,000 cases each day.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2022 22:47 UTC
Voting rules row simmers on
Any draft which passes a reading must have the support of more than half of all MPs and senators in the House. In its version, parties must submit its list of candidates under the constituency system before they can propose candidates for the party-list system. To date, a minimum number for constituency candidates has been set. The only difference, he said, is that their proposal does not require constituency candidates to share the same candidacy number as party-list candidates, Mr Paiboon said. Specifically, Pheu Thai will benefit from the changes more than the PPRP which is struggling with internal rifts, Mr Somchai said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2022 05:14 UTC
NGO bill rings rights alarm bells
A controversial draft law regulating non-profit organisations could muzzle freedom of expression, experts say. Saree: Checks exist alreadyThe authorities can audit the funding of non-profit organisations or require overseas sources of funding to report to them. Any non-profit organisations that break the law would have their activities suspended and be liable for criminal action. Suntharee Hatthee Sengking, a member of the NGO Coordinating Committee on Development, agreed the bill could cross the freedom line. The bill, if passed, would make it compulsory for non-profit organisations to function as a juristic entity.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2022 05:02 UTC
Jurin puts brakes on pig exports
Pork prices have shot up to as much as 240 baht a kilogramme. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has ordered the temporary suspension of swine exports to combat the skyrocketing prices of pork in the domestic market. Mr Jurin said pigs and piglets will be temporarily banned from export until April 5 so there will be enough pork for domestic consumption. Last year, 18 million pigs were supplied to the domestic market and one million were exported. This year, domestic supply is expected to fall to 13 million swine.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2022 00:00 UTC
BoT minutes: Omicron outbreak key risk to economic recovery
BoT minutes: Omicron outbreak key risk to economic recoveryA woman wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of Covid-19 walks past New Year calendars highlighting the year of the Tiger on display at Yaowarat market on Dec 24, 2021. Although, under the baseline scenario, the Omicron outbreak would not derail the overall Thai economic recovery, the outbreak situation remained highly uncertain, said the minutes. "The spread of the Omicron variant was a key risk that could hinder the economic recovery going forward, and thus warranted close monitoring," said the minutes. The country has recorded 2,062 cases of the Omicron variant, or 19.08% of total cases after reopening since Nov 1. The committee viewed that policy coordination among government agencies was critical to ensure that the economic recovery remained intact.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2022 16:24 UTC
Govt backs bill to police NGO income
Govt backs bill to police NGO incomeGovernment spokesman Thanakorn WangboonkongchanaThe cabinet has tentatively agreed to a bill requiring non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to declare their financial sources or risk prosecution. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday the cabinet agreed in principle with the bill after it was vetted by the Council of State, the government's legal arm. The cabinet has now assigned the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to conduct a public hearing on the bill. The bill would prohibit them from engaging in activities detrimental to national security or social harmony. Civil groups led by the People's Movement for a Just Society (P-move) say the bill reflects the government's aim to control the civil sector.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2022 04:06 UTC
B2tn plan to speed up 36 major projects
B2tn plan to speed up 36 major projectsThe Transport Ministry has pledged to speed up 36 mega-infrastructure projects with investments worth 1.98 trillion baht to stimulate economic development this year. Of the 36 projects, 11 are road transport schemes worth a combined 261 billion baht, 20 rail ones valued at 1.5 trillion baht, three aviation projects worth 80.6 billion and two maritime transport schemes worth 114 billion baht. He said investment in these projects will come from five sources: 217 billion baht from the state budget (11%); 111 billion baht from government revenue (6%); 1.11 trillion baht from loans (56%); 511 billion baht from public-private partnerships (26%), and 34 billion baht from the Thailand Future Fund (1%). About 1.64 billion was earmarked for the Department of Land Transport and the rest, worth 476.4 million baht, was for the Department of Rural Roads. Numerous highways and roads across the country were damaged by extensive flooding from May-October last year, according to the Transport Ministry.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2022 03:33 UTC
Suspension of Test & Go continues amid Omicron spike
Suspension of Test & Go continues amid Omicron spikeChinese tourists wearing protective suits arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport during the first day of the country's reopening campaign on Nov 1, 2021. (Reuters photo)Thailand continues the suspension of the Test & Go scheme for travellers, as the country is battling the spike in Covid-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant, a senior Public Health Ministry official said on Tuesday. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the country will not reimpose the quarantine-free programme due to the spread of Omicron. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was also concerned about the potential spike in Omicron cases, after many people returned from the long holidays, the spokesman added. Dr Supakit said Bangkok reported the most Omicron cases at 585, followed by 233 in Kalasin, 180 in Roi Et, 175 in Phuket, 162 in Chon Buri and 106 in Samut Prakan.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2022 13:37 UTC
New Covid-19 measures for schools nationwide
New Covid-19 measures for schools nationwideA student studies online from home in Phitasanulok province. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)The Education Ministry has announced new measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 in schools and other education institutions nationwide. The Covid-19 prevention measures, effective immediately, are:Each education institution is to make a thorough assessment of students and teachers who may be at risk of catching the virus. Each institution is to conduct a "Thai Stop Covid Plus" assessment, designed to help schools and businesses evaluate their Covid-19 control measures. If students and/or education personnel test postive for Covid-19, the institutions have to strictly follow disease-control protocols and closely coordinate with local health facilities.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2022 10:49 UTC
Remote working trends gradually make headway
Remote working trends gradually make headwayThe requirement for employees to be present in the office is vanishing, meaning the growing trend of "workcations" and rise in the number of digital nomads should be able to help Thailand's tourism industry to bounce back at a quicker rate. The MBO Partners "State of Independence" report shows there were 15.5 million digital nomads in 2021. These incentives target highly skilled foreign professionals and new digital nomads for five years. According to Mr Tanit, professions deemed "less hot" in the future job market are accountants, customer service assistants and administrative assistants. The vanishing demand and significance of these roles are attributed to advancements in technology and software that can automate a good portion of their work, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2022 07:53 UTC
New Thaicom chief to set out future plans
Before being promoted, he served as acting deputy chief executive and chief commercial officer at Thaicom, where he has worked for three decades. Mr Patompob said 90% of Thaicom's revenue is derived from satellite business, and 50% of its earnings come from the international market. Thaicom faces business challenges after its 30-year satellite operating concession ended in September 2021, requiring the company to think about new opportunities. Thaicom has been diversifying its business portfolio into digital solutions over the past couple of years in order to secure more revenue streams. Thaicom is also looking to engage in low-earth orbit satellite business.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2022 03:27 UTC
Provincial rail projects receive priority
Provincial rail projects receive priorityA test run is conducted on the Pink Line monorail at Min Buri station. The Chiang Mai light rail development project comprises three routes, with a total length of 40.6km. Three other light rail projects in Nakhon Ratchasima, Phitsanulok and Hat Yai are awaiting EIA and PPP studies. According to Mr Thanakorn, two high-speed rail projects with a combined 473km in length and a value of 404 billion baht are now under construction. He said Bangkok has two mass transit projects scheduled to start operation this year: the Pink Line and the Yellow Line.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2022 03:27 UTC
Tackling household debt high on govt's 2022 agenda
Tackling household debt high on govt's 2022 agendaTackling household debt is one of the main missions for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha this year. (Government House photo)The government has set its sights on hastening the economic recovery and marking 2022 as the year of tackling household debt, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in his New Year message. Public spending spurred by Phase 3, which ended on Friday, amounted to over 200 million baht, he added. The government is prioritising the kingdom's household debt problem, which has reached a crisis point, Gen Prayut said, adding the government hoped to resolve household debts through a variety of channels and mechanisms, including debt negotiations and restructurings. According to a Reuters, Thailand's household debt to GDP ratio stood at 89.3% in the third quarter.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 03, 2022 12:11 UTC
Anticipating the road ahead
A sharp rebound in consumer demand coupled with supply disruptions and depleted supplies have pushed up prices and shipping costs globally. CASHLESS SOCIETYThailand is using less cash for transactions because of collaboration by related parties to develop the county's digital payment platforms. The central bank also developed a digital payment platform for businesses under its Smart Financial and Payment Infrastructure for Business project. Newcomers in the domestic EV market, including Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor, have rolled out cars with novel designs, providing more choices for consumers. Industry analysts predict AI will become a common technology adopted by organisations to help make decisions and gain customer insights.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 03, 2022 10:51 UTC