Pandemic's hidden dangers
With the shortage of staff and vehicles for trash collection, contaminated waste is now piling up in many provinces, including Nonthaburi and Rayong. "We have issued guidelines to reduce infectious waste in field hospitals, quarantine facilities, and patient waiting centres. "Infectious waste incinerators must operate at 760C and have air pollution control devices but there are not enough facilities. "If it is lower than threshold temperatures, it will release carcinogenic dioxins because infectious waste is made of plastic. "If it is not implemented, trash collectors can't take legal action against households that mix up infectious waste with other rubbish.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 01:07 UTC
Vaccine conundrum
Vaccine conundrumDespite shortages of vaccines and people struggling to get access as they look forward to resuming normal life, not everyone is eager to get vaccinated. Why are some people more afraid of getting vaccinated than catching Covid-19? Some think the risk of getting Covid is quite low, especially if they're staying home most of the time. Of course, if you're going to inject millions of people with a vaccine, someone somewhere is going to have an adverse reaction. The hard truth is that if you decide not to get the Covid vaccine, you are robbing someone else of their right to live a healthy life.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 01:07 UTC
Crypto craze
The central bank also expects the currency to become an alternative means of payment that partially acts as a substitute for cash. Firstly, a Retail CBDC would increase access to digital financial services and reduce cash management costs. The central bank is considering the format and criteria for participation in both tracks. However, he recommends the central bank sets a clearer target for Retail CBDC development beyond cash replacement because mobile banking accomplishes that now. "The regulator is paying too much attention to financial stability, rather than what people want when developing Retail CBDC," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:56 UTC
State expedites border checkpoint talks
State expedites border checkpoint talksThe government pledges to accelerate talks with neighbouring countries to reopen as many border checkpoints as possible to boost cross-border trade, which has experienced robust growth the first seven months. According to Mr Jurin, responsible agencies and the private sector are also pushing for reopening the Buketa and Tak Bai border checkpoints in Narathiwat. Border trade rose by 18.3% for the period to 513 billion baht, with transit trade totalling 458 billion, up 48.9%. Transit trade involves the passage of goods through more than one country. For border trade, Laos became the biggest partner by value.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:56 UTC
India pinpointed for TAT tourism bonanza
Indian tourists throng Humayun's Tomb. They are a major source market for Thai tourism. (Photo: Dusida Worrachaddejchai)Thailand should grant Indian tourists permission to visit after Covid infections on the subcontinent improved significantly, as pent-up demand is starting to flood into other countries, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). She said the Indian market was the third largest for Thai tourism in 2019 as it logged nearly 2 million tourists and 80 billion baht in receipts. The TAT has to make Thais better understand the current environment in India, said Mr Vachirachai.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:56 UTC
Osmep, Silpakorn focus on digital SMEs
Mr Veerapong says the digital content industry can help jump-start the economy. Director-general Veerapong Malai said Osmep focuses on helping SMEs by enhancing their business efficiency and competitiveness in the international market. SMEs are regarded as the country's core segment and Osmep supports them, he said. Osmep organised activities to support digital content ventures for three consecutive years in collaboration with Silpakorn University, including business matching events. According to Mr Veerapong, the digital content business has the potential to help drive domestic economic growth.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:56 UTC
IRPC sets out growth vision
IRPC sets out growth visionIRPC's oil refinery facilities in Rayong's Muang district. The IRPC board is expected to approve the new business vision by next month, following several discussions about the new initiative, said Chawalit Tippawanich, president and chief executive of IRPC. The move is in line with a global trend and PTT's plan to speed up growth of the group's new businesses. Under the new business vision, IRPC wants to generate earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) from new businesses at a rate of 25% by 2025, up from zero at present. The company also plans to upgrade its refined oil production under its Ultra Clean Fuel project to meet the Euro 5 emission standard.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:56 UTC
EconThai backs easing of lockdown
EconThai backs easing of lockdownSiam Square remains empty amid the ongoing pandemic. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)The Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) welcomes the government's easing of lockdown measures starting on Wednesday because relying on a lockdown alone will not flatten the Covid-19 infection curve. The group does not want to see the government resort to drastic lockdown measures again because they are not always a guarantee for a sharp reduction in daily new infections of Covid-19. The only thing they guarantee is a heavy blow to the economy, he said, while easing the lockdown is a cure for financial ills. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) also agrees with the decision to ease the lockdown.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:56 UTC
Reimagining a tougher UN system with Taiwan
Reimagining a tougher UN system with TaiwanAfter more than 200 million infections and over 4 million deaths and counting, the Covid-19 pandemic has raged across the globe. It is time for the global body to welcome Taiwan, as a worthy partner that stands ready to lend a helping hand. However, the absurdity of excluding Taiwan from the UN system also obstructs the participation of Taiwan's civil society. Taiwan is willing to pass on its experience and work with global partners to build a better and more resilient future for all. Taiwan knows this, and is working on the best ways to turn the challenges of carbon reduction into new opportunities.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:45 UTC
New land appraisals likely postponed
New land appraisals likely postponedAn aerial view of property and buildings in Bangkok. (Photo: Patipat Janthong)The Treasury Department is expected to ask the land appraisal committee to postpone the adoption of new appraisal prices by another year. The official appraised land price is the base for tallying the land and building tax, which people pay to the state every April. The current land price has been used since 2016. The use of the current land price for the time being will help ease the burden of taxpayers, said Mr Yuttana.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:45 UTC
Condo sector remains stuck in doldrums
Ms Neeranuch says Bangkok condos remain at the forefront of foreigners' minds for their second-home plans. According to the Real Estate Information Center, condo units transferred to foreigners during the first half this year totalled 4,358 units worth 20.5 billion baht, up 14.6% and 31% respectively year-on-year. Foreign agents in China and Hong Kong prefer good locations and condo projects with big potential. "The Bangkok condo market never experienced such a decline," she said. The number of new condo projects launched in 2021 is forecast to decline by 25-35% due to several factors, but mainly because a glut of unsold units remains on the market.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:45 UTC
Plea to give Karen a say in Kaeng Krachan forest
Park officers patrol the rice fields of Karen villagers near Bang Kloi Lang, in Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex. Pratch RujivanaromEnvironmental conservation must go hand in hand with the protection of local indigenous communities' rights in Thailand's newly inscribed natural World Heritage site, the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, experts say. However, the inclusion of Kaeng Krachan Forest as Thailand's third and newest natural World Heritage site was met with concern among local Karen communities. "We fear the park will enforce even stricter regulations to limit our presence in Kaeng Krachan Forest, which will only intensify the conflict," Mr Prasert said. Meanwhile, Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning vice secretary-general, Prasert Sirinapaporn, said the government has not ignored the suffering of Karen communities in Kaeng Krachan Forest.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:45 UTC
There's no denying the importance of caddies
There's no denying the importance of caddiesI had to smile the other day when I discovered that there's a Caddie Hall of Fame. The newest inductee is Jimmy Johnson, the former caddie of Nick Price and Steve Stricker who is currently carrying the bag of Justin Thomas. I saw and met caddies with dubious criminal backgrounds but who had a sense of humour second to none. I give this example of the fickle relationship players and caddies have because they perhaps mirror the ups and downs of everyday marital relationships -- that we all can identify with. Then the drama (and colorful language) unfolded when he received a two-stroke penalty for his caddie's mistake.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2021 00:33 UTC
Sandbox at risk of collapse after surge
Sandbox at risk of collapse after surgePeople are pictured at Karon beach in Phuket on Aug 14, 2021. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, president of the Phuket Tourism Council (PTC), said the latest cases were not caused by tourists but by local activities. It is essential to vaccinate as many local residents as possible to shield them from the virus. With the spikes in local infections, the prospects for the Phuket Sandbox scheme may look dimmer now than when it first started, he said. This is a life-and-death situation for the future of Phuket Sandbox,'' the governor said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 29, 2021 23:37 UTC
Net widens in probe into custody death
Net widens in probe into custody deathAn additional 13-15 people are implicated in the sting operation engineered by Pol Col Thitisan Utthanaphon and his seven accomplices, which ended in the death of a drug suspect, says deputy national police chief Pol Gen Suchart Theerasawat. The operation was ordered by Pol Col Thitisan, the former superintendent of Nakhon Sawan Muang police station. He insisted the record was genuine and disproved accusations of off-the-books transactions by Pol Col Thitisan. However, Pol Gen Suchart did admit the details may have been entered into the system later than usual. The incident drew widespread criticism that Pol Col Thitisan had received special treatment and could have adversely affected the case.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 29, 2021 23:37 UTC