New co-payment phase may expand
A sign is displayed in front of a shop participating in the Khon La Khrueng (half-half) co-payment scheme at Chatuchak weekend market. Pornprom SatrabhayaThe Finance Ministry is willing to expand eligibility for phase 3 of the Khon La Khrueng co-payment scheme beyond the original limit of 31 million people, says director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office Kulaya Tantitemit. Phase 3 of the scheme opened registration on Monday, when more than 20 million people signed up as of 2pm. Registration is open from 6am to 10pm and is programmed to close once the number of participants reaches 31 million. The other measure is the e-voucher handout scheme "Ying Chai Ying Dai" (the more you spend, the more you get), which is scheduled to begin next month.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 14, 2021 23:26 UTC
'King of fruits' is nothing to sniff at
'King of fruits' is nothing to sniff atMost people who have a functioning hooter will be well aware we are in the middle of the durian season. I got a timely reminder when my wife returned triumphantly from a day trip to the orchards of Nakhon Nayok last weekend laden with what is called the "king of fruits''. It is also the smelliest of fruits, prompting a brisk trade in T-shirts bearing the message "tastes like heaven and smells like hell". There have even been cases of durian vendors suffering heavy fines for selling unripe durian which was deemed to be "deception". But the durian was not to blame when strange odours prompted a spectacular raid by London police on a Thai restaurant in Soho in October 2007.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 12, 2021 22:18 UTC
Make the best of the re-opening
Make the best of the re-openingAfter much dilly-dallying, the national vaccination programme finally launched last week, with around 400,000 doses administered across the country on the first day alone. With the promised cure now being distributed, the public can now start to see the government's plan for reopening taking shape, improving the general mood and outlook across the country. For now, bars and clubs will remain closed after several clusters were traced back to such venues in recent weeks. If they really want these provinces to reopen to international tourism, those in power must realise there are many issues which need to be addressed first before any more reopening plan can be approved. From Hong Kong, for instance, authorities should know that even a traditionally compliant society can show extraordinary resistance to Covid-19 vaccination when trust in the government sinks to an all-time low.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 12, 2021 22:18 UTC
Covid-battered govt 'won't call early poll': pundits
Talk about an early general election was spurred last week after Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha told cabinet ministers to speed up their tasks as the government had about one year left in office. The Bangkok Post asked politicians, academics, and civil groups about their views on the chance of the much-talked early poll which could see the return of Gen Prayut to power. A source in the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) said political parties are not taking any chances and have already begun preparing for elections. If the issue is not fixed ahead of the next poll, Gen Prayut's chance of returning to power remains high. Based on the political situation he believed Gen Prayut would return to power.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 12, 2021 21:33 UTC
29 Covid deaths, 3,277 cases
(Photo by Somchai Poomlard)Health authorities reported 29 new Covid-19 fatalities on Saturday and another 3,277 new transmissions, bringing the accumulated toll to 1,431 deaths and 193,105 cases since the start of the pandemic. Bangkok reported 17 deaths, followed by three each in Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi, and one each in Pathum Thani, Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket and Udon Thani. Bangkok continued to log the most cases (858), followed by Samut Prakan (313), Nonthaburi (291), Samut Sakhon (188) and Pathum Thani (81). Of the new 3,277 cases, 2,356 were among the public, 892 in prisons and 29 imported. Global Covid-19 cases rose 411,614 in 24 hours to 176.04 million, The worldwide death toll went up 11,422 to 3.80 million.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 12, 2021 07:18 UTC
Lower hopes for Phuket
Phuket prepares to reopen the island to international tourists from July 1, though a longer quarantine period was recently added. The Phuket sandbox tourism scheme faces a chaotic approval process as the government is still struggling to fine-tune the balance between public health and the economy. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha reasserted that the reopening plan for the island, known as the Phuket sandbox, will start on July 1 after it was approved in principle by the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) on June 4. Some provinces trying to reopen may find local tourists shy away from their destinations," he said. This sandbox scheme was established as a test run, which means it is a gradual process where we determine the best practices to allow other destinations to follow suit," said Mr Yuthasak.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 12, 2021 02:21 UTC
Does govt fear 'fake news', or the truth?
Does govt fear 'fake news', or the truth? In this sense, legal measures are necessary to prevent the harm done by the spread of fake news. The legislation, known as the Computer Crime Act 2017, was supposedly enacted to prevent computer hacking, data theft, or spam or false data. The Public Assembly Act imposes severe restrictions on political assembly, leading to the subsequent arrests of a number of protesters. With its success in gagging free speech thus far, why does the regime feel it needs to resort to more oppressive measures?
Source:Bangkok Post
June 11, 2021 23:30 UTC
Shed light on lamp row
Shed light on lamp rowComplaints about the procurement of overpriced street lamps have put the heads of two local administration agencies in Samut Prakan on the block. Reportedly, in the case of Racha Thewa, there was only one supplier truly involved -- other bidders offered cheaper proposals but their offers were not accepted. For example, Trang's Muang district used the sea cow, Saraburi's Tabkwang district used a deer and Samut Prakan's Bang Phli, where Suvarnabhumi airport is located, used aircraft. But the kinnaree and aircraft lamps issue seems a blatant example of how state funds are misspent, particularly in Bang Phli district. There are reports that the Racha Thewa tambon is planning to install even more decorative lamps.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 11, 2021 23:30 UTC
Govt: 8.3% of targeted Thais have received initial vaccination
Govt: 8.3% of targeted Thais have received initial vaccinationA woman gets a Covid-19 vaccine shot at a PTT petrol station on Rama II Road in Bangkok. She was among 223,315 Covid-19 vaccine recipients on Thursday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)The government said on Friday that 8.3% of the 50 million people targeted for vaccination against Covid-19 had received at least their initial dose, as of Thursday. She said 4.14 million were first doses, and 1.52 million people had also received their second jab. Of 50 million Thais targeted for vaccination to create herd immunity, 8.3% had now received their first jabs and 3.0% their second, Dr Apisamai said.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 11, 2021 09:20 UTC
27 Covid deaths, 2,290 new cases
27 Covid deaths, 2,290 new casesEducation personnel have their blood pressure checked before being inoculated against Covid-19 at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)There were 27 more Covid-19 fatalities and 2,290 new cases in the country over the past 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Friday morning. Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 189,828 Covid-19 cases. The 2,290 new cases over the past 24 hours included 1,966 community infections and 30 imported cases. India was second with 29.27 million cases, up 91,266, and 363,097 deaths, up 3,402.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 11, 2021 02:00 UTC
Four nabbed with 'ice' haul
Four nabbed with 'ice' haulSongkhla: Police arrested four people and seized a large quantity of crystal meth or ya ice worth 135 million baht that had been smuggled from Chon Buri and was destined for Narathiwat. The border patrol police nabbed four suspects -- Withoon Wichianpong, 23, Akkarawin Awat-aksornchuen, 22, Panupong Permcharoen, 32, and a woman, Orawan Thuenbamroong, 24. Police raided the room and found several sacks containing 135kg of ya ice. The police went on a hunt for them and later arrested Mr Withoon at the Samrong intersection on Kananavanich Road. Shortly after, police nabbed Mr Akkarawin at a convenience store in nearby Rattaphum district.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 10, 2021 23:15 UTC
Crackdown on workers moving between sites
Crackdown on workers moving between sitesSoldiers, police and thessakij inspectors will combine forces to keep an eye on construction camp sites in Bangkok after some workers were relocated despite orders for them to stay put, says the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Both Thai and migrant workers at several sites were found to be moving from one camp to another and spreading the virus, he said. Construction workers do not stay at one site for long. Bangkok has 409 construction sites, many owned by a few companies which shuffle their workers about, he added. Regular inspections of markets are conducted while Covid-19 testing of at-risk groups is being stepped up.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 10, 2021 23:03 UTC
Prawit scoffs at 'early election'
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Thursday brushed aside speculation that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha might call an early general election. If not, there is nothing,'' said Gen Prawit, who is also the leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Gen Prayut told cabinet colleagues on Tuesday that since the government only had one year left in office they should hurry up and implement projects of benefit to the people. Despite playing down talk of an early election, Gen Prawit would not categorically confirm that the government would be able to serve out its four-year term. A PPRP source has nevertheless told the Bangkok Post that Gen Prawit had instructed party MPs to prepare for an election, possibly early next year, without being specific about the likely date.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 10, 2021 22:52 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Come fly with me
TEST YOURSELF: Come fly with mePhoto courtesy of Guru MagazineGet an in-flight experience on the groundTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. Though Thai Airways has been selling some of their in-flight fare at Puff & Pie stores, this is the closest you'll get to flying on Thai Airways without actually being in the sky. But Na-Oh …8… serve airplane food, drinks or just pastries. Thai Airways. Thai Airways.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 10, 2021 05:59 UTC
Vietnam wants tournament to be deferred to next year
Vietnam wants tournament to be deferred to next yearThai Olympic official Thana Chaiprasit. The 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam could be postponed, a Thai official said yesterday. Only Vietnam and Myanmar want the 31st SEA Games to be postponed, Thana Chaiprasit, treasurer of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, said after the meeting. "It seems that Vietnam has decided not to organise the 31st SEA Games this year," Thana said. Vietnam reportedly wants to move the 31st SEA Games to next year.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 10, 2021 05:26 UTC