New tool to speed up vial filling: Chula
New tool to speed up vial filling: ChulaThe Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, the Medical Sciences Department and the private sector are developing a new automation tool to speed up the vaccine-filling process to keep up with high demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and officials yesterday attended a demonstration of a vaccine-filling machine to help health personnel sort out and fill vaccine vials. The AstraZeneca vaccine is produced as a multi-dose vial, where one vial will be used for 10 doses at 0.5ml per dose. For a 6.5ml bottle, about 11-12 doses per bottle can be drawn by health personnel using low-dead-space syringes, specifically designed to minimise any wasting of the doses. "The machine is able to drain the vaccine from the bottle more precisely and quickly, which eases the workload of health personnel.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2021 21:11 UTC
For all mankind
When US astronaut Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon, his small step became "one giant leap for mankind". Chukiat said the bill will lay the foundation to new space activities and govern the use of outer space because it involves substantial benefits. Regarding the scope of application, Prasit said the draft bill stipulates that space activities require authorisation and supervision. It is in line with Article 6 of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 that requires state parties to monitor space activities. Prasit said the draft bill aligns with the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 03, 2021 23:48 UTC
Phuket tourists urged to stay on
(Reuters photo)PHUKET: Authorities will help tourists under the Phuket sandbox scheme who have stayed in the province for 14 days but could not go elsewhere due to new Covid-19 restrictions. Nanthasiri Ronsiri, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Phuket office, said the tourism office would consult with the Phuket governor and the provincial transport office on how to help the tourists who wanted to go elsewhere. For its part, the tourism office wants them to continue to stay in Phuket. Private operators in Phuket have arranged express bus services to take the tourists to Suvarnabhumi airport during Aug 4-16. As of Monday, 15,169 tourists visited Phuket under the sandbox scheme, which began on July 1, bringing in revenue totalling 818 million baht, said Ms Nanthasiri.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 03, 2021 13:51 UTC
How employers can temporarily shut down their businesses to weather the COVID-19 situation
Some have temporarily reduced employees' wages, while others have resorted to a complete or partial halt to operations. (If it is deemed force majeure, an employer may be able to withhold all wages—more on this below.) As mentioned above, force majeure events that prevent business operations may enable an employer to withhold all wages from employees. Force majeure essentially refers to damage from an unpreventable devastating event. In 2020, a regulation was enacted under the Social Security Act which also related to the definition of force majeure under section 75 of the LPA.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 03, 2021 08:26 UTC
Auto giant Stellantis posts strong profit in inaugural first half
Auto giant Stellantis posts strong profit in inaugural first halfStellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares hailed the new company's first half earnings as "very strong". PARIS - US-European auto giant Stellantis, formed by Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler, posted a sizeable net profit in the new company's first six months of existence even as a global chip shortage cut its production. Stellantis, whose brands also include Maserati and Jeep, said on Tuesday its net profit totalled 5.8 billion euros ($6.9 billion) in the first six months of the year. The company had an adjusted operating income margin -- or operating income divided by net sales -- of 11.4 percent. The company performed well in North America, with strong sales of its Ram pickup trucks and Jeep hybrids.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 03, 2021 07:41 UTC
The passing of a great
Kassav put French Antillean music (that is to say, music from Martinque and Guadeloupe) on the map. In this way, the band created a new dance style, zouk, the French Antillean creole word for an action-packed all-night party. At the height of their fame in the 80s, Kassav was the best-selling French band in France, easily able to outsell big acts like Prince. They embarked on several world tours, taking their music around the world (I saw them perform in Tokyo). Also highly recommended are two albums from their peak years: Vini Pou (1987, which includes the international hit Soleil) and Majestik Zouk (a double album released in 1989).
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 23:37 UTC
Govt behind curve as Covid war heats up
The controversy about the donated Pfizer doses is noteworthy for a few reasons. The fact that there have been loud calls for full disclosure about who will receive the mRNA jabs shows the level of distrust that people have for the administration. The distribution of Pfizer vaccines should not have become an issue. Another point of contention regarding the donated Pfizer jabs has revolved around the 700,000 doses earmarked for frontline medical workers. The Pfizer vaccines arrived on Friday.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 21:56 UTC
Yet more lockdown
Yet more lockdownAs Covid cases scale new highs without any sign of slowing, the government has extended its partial lockdown for another 14 days and expanded tough restrictions to cover more provinces, up from 13 provinces to 29. The lockdown extension order was announced yesterday and takes effect tomorrow, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). It does not give a precise day when the extended lockdown will be lifted, as the decision will depend on daily caseloads. If the pandemic cannot be contained even after the extension of the lockdown, the economy will remain in a slump during the fourth quarter of this year and unemployment will rise. However, it seems that further economic stimulus is needed due to prolong restrictions and the outbreak.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 01:29 UTC
Celebrate the King's birthday through online art exhibition
Some of the paintings to mark the King's birthday. photos courtesy of Office of Traditional ArtsThe Office of Traditional Arts at the Fine Arts Department is holding an online exhibition to mark the 69th birthday of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, via its Facebook page, until Aug 20. They were created by the artisans of the Office of Traditional Arts as a tribute to the royal institution, which plays a major role in preserving Thai arts. The Office of Traditional Arts has a duty to promote and provide knowledge on Thai arts as well as preserve arts and culture for students and interested members of the public. It's a source of craft knowledge and also an information centre of national fine arts that takes care of the designs of Thai arts.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 00:22 UTC
Finding joy in helping others
He named his restaurant "Im Jung Khao Kaeng", meaning I'm full [with] rice topped with curry or other side dishes. In his restaurant, Banjerd hangs a big vinyl sign showing his motto which reads "loss is profit". He and his friends self-funded the first Im Jung Khao Kaeng streetside restaurant. Today, Im Jung Khao Kaeng has expanded to nine branches, including two in Bangkok. During the Covid-19 pandemic, each Im Jung Khao Kaeng restaurant has a shelf where people can grab packed meals for free.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 00:11 UTC
Cloud kitchens are here to stay
Temporary cloud kitchens are meant to serve delivery demand, which has become the sole sales channel for several eateries. "I announced on Instagram our desire to rent space to open temporary cloud kitchens. To lower the company's losses, he hurried the opening of cloud kitchens outside of malls. Zen Corp is scheduled to open three cloud kitchens of its own on Srinakarin, Chaeng Wattana and Phetchaburi roads today, and plans to team up with 10 brands to open a new cloud kitchen later in August. Food Passion is now operating as many as 20 temporary cloud kitchens, including some located at Bangchak petrol stations, in addition to three cloud kitchens of its own.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 00:00 UTC
The curious case of Binance
Binance may be the most popular cryptocurrency exchange in the country, surpassing its competitors such as Bitkub based solely on anecdotal evidence. "All my friends use Binance," said Kittivit Kanokwanvimol, a local cryptocurrency trader based in Bangkok. "Binance does not currently have exchange operations in Thailand nor do we actively solicit Thai users," said a Binance spokesperson in an email to the Bangkok Post. Before the direct deposits, Binance users in Thailand had to deposit baht with a local exchange, convert it into cryptocurrency and then send it to Binance. By his own estimate, Mr Patikorn said about 90% of Thai traders use Binance, with the other 10% scattered around local exchanges.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2021 00:00 UTC
Shooting messengers won't solve crisis
Shooting messengers won't solve crisisDES minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn on May 21 talks about the arrest of 18 social media users accused of disseminating fake news on Covid-19. Pattarapong ChatpattarasillThailand is doing better than other countries in curbing the Covid-19 pandemic. But the government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha can handle the situation effectively, and you all can trust his dream team. A much-criticised government Covid measure is its vaccine policy -- all that heavy leaning on the AstraZeneca brand and failing to join Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax). The government failed to do so, arguing that Covid-19 vaccine development was in an early stage, and it did not want to take risks with the programme.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 23:48 UTC
Massive 2.5bn-baht missile agreement put on ice
Massive 2.5bn-baht missile agreement put on iceThe army has been denied next year's fund to buy Javelin missiles and related equipment worth some 2.5 billion baht from the United States, according to an army source. The government, it said, has inked an agreement to buy 300 Javelin FGM-148 missiles and 50 Javelin Command Launch Units (CLU). Also included are Enhanced Producibility Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) Technical Assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office Technical Assistance; contractor lifecycle support; spares manuals. On Sunday, the army source said the missiles were to be paid for in instalments until 2024. The source said the army had not objected to the cut though it planned to re-submit the request for funds next year.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 23:37 UTC
Thailand 2031: A Glimpse into the Future
Thailand 2031: A Glimpse into the FutureWhy 2031? We will either be submerged in it and get left behind, or ride the wave towards a better future," said Mr Sethaput. EA has projected future demand and made a large investment in renewable energy development projects. Mr Somphote admitted the costs of renewable energy development remain high, but they should decrease in the future, allowing competition with fossil-based electricity generation. Peering into the future, Mr Somkiat highlights four major issues that will have significant implications in shaping the country's landscape as he discusses key challenges and opportunities in the coming years.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2021 06:33 UTC