Serving the PM a dose of reality
A leader must not get carried away by flattery which can poison his mind and alter his perception of reality, said Bhumjaithai Party spokesman, Paradorn Prisnanantakul. In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Paradorn said he did not regret being forthright on the matter. As a private person, Mr Paradorn said he initially struggled with the public nature of his job. While a spokesman is expected to be the voice of the party, Mr Paradorn said initially his views didn't always reflect the party line. But it's the truth," the Bhumjaithai spokesman said, adding his critics should have supported his decision to be vocal about the app's weaknesses.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 23, 2021 23:48 UTC
Think twice before swiping right
According to police, Mr Ratchaphol worked as a salesman of electrical appliances in Samut Prakan. Unlike Mr Ratchaphol, Mr Denphum usually posed as a gay modelling agent to deceive pretties, telling them they would be paid to entertain his clients. Police said Mr Denphum, who was released from prison on April 6 after spending 45 days in jail over drug offences, also recorded the abuses. Over 10 women have filed complaints against Mr Denphum, but the police believe there may be dozens more who have not stepped forward. "Mr Ratchaphol, meanwhile, wanted his victims to praise him."
Source:Bangkok Post
May 23, 2021 23:48 UTC
17 Covid fatalities, 3,382 new cases
17 Covid fatalities, 3,382 new casesA fruit vendor at Simummuang Market in Pathum Thani province sprays his workspace with disinfectant to decrease the risk of Covid-19 infection on Thursday. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Public Health Ministry reported 17 new Covid-19 fatalities and 3,382 cases, bringing the toll to 776 deaths and 129,500 cases. It said of the new cases, 2,922 were in the general population and 460 in prisons. -- More to follow --
Source:Bangkok Post
May 23, 2021 01:41 UTC
Unearthing the true meaning of tea money
Unearthing the true meaning of tea moneyThanks to readers for their entertaining comments and emails on last week's PostScript concerning the delights of drinking tea. There were assorted inspiring tales of eccentric tea ladies, quirky tea-time habits and important song lyrics I had overlooked. I was also reprimanded for not mentioning "tea money", something I'll attempt to address immediately. Then in 1937 Binnie recorded A Nice Cup Of Tea, which became popular during the war. The president noticed that although the prince kept picking up the cup, he never actually drank any tea.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 22:30 UTC
Save big cities in Asia from sinking
Save big cities in Asia from sinkingEarlier this month results from a study by consultancy firm Verisk Maplecroft deemed densely populated Asia as the most environmentally at-risk area in the world. Other highlights included: India had the most cities that fared the worst, China had the largest proportion of cities, and East Asia was the most prone to natural hazards. In Southeast Asia, Jakarta and Bangkok are sinking fast. In fact, Bangkok, located 0.5–2 metres above sea level, is sinking at a rate of 2–3 centimetres each year. Is it not worth trying to save a sinking city instead of just moving the capital elsewhere and ignoring the problem?
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 22:30 UTC
Coup is seven years old
During the past seven years, the country has been bogged down in political conflict while social injustice besets the country, he said. "The street demonstrations that took place late last year and early this year represented the first public movement in seven years since the coup. "Under the NCPO's five-year rule, we got the constitution, national reform plans and the 20-year national strategy, and the senate. It was met with opposition from many in the industry, while the civil service system has not undergone any reform, Mr Sutin said. Several bills have been prepared to push for political reform and tackle graft, though it is up to parliament to prioritise matters, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 22:18 UTC
Thais in Israel urged to relocate
Recent violence between Israel and Palestine was a matter of concern for the ministry, Mr Phairoj said. Israeli employers have been urged to help their Thai workers relocate to a safer place. Most importantly, the ministry had put a hold on sending Thai workers to employers in the Gaza Strip. Thais working abroad are members of a fund that provides assistance for Thai workers in foreign countries. "Thais working in the agricultural sector in Israel can benefit Thailand since Israel is advanced in agricultural technology and innovation.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 22:07 UTC
Bleak prospects on 7th coup anniversary
Gen Prayut, pledging to “return happiness to the people”, said an election would be held as soon as conditions stabilised. With the support of 250 senators, Gen Prayut was viewed as a safer choice by smaller parties, in particular the Democrats and Bhumjaithai. “Seven years after the coup has been a period when the country and Thai people lost development opportunities,” the exiled former premier wrote. “Has Gen Prayut fulfilled his promise of returning happiness to the people? Gen Prayut is widely expected to secure an even bigger win.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 13:18 UTC
Ekanit eager to help Thailand
Ekanit eager to help ThailandForward Ekanit Panya, who is nearing his full fitness, is ready to help Thailand in next month's World Cup qualifiers. "I have been trying to regain my fitness and should become fully fit soon," Ekanit said yesterday before Thailand left for the United Arab Emirates. "I hope I will be able to help Thailand in the upcoming three World Cup qualifiers. After five games, Vietnam lead the group with 11 points, followed by Malaysia (nine) and Thailand (eight). Meanwhile, the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be held from July 20-Aug 20, Fifa said.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 01:07 UTC
Tell all over Prasit links
Tell all over Prasit linksThe crackdown on the fraudulent businesses operated by Prasit Jeawkok this week not only exposed his investment empire that allegedly embezzled over one billion baht from his clients, but also left the military red-faced. Mr Prasit, who projected himself as a "model citizen" who pursued a number of charities as voluntary projects through business channels, faced complaints from his clients who massively lost out in the Ponzi schemes. Mr Prasit turned himself in to police on Monday, denying all charges. It appears that the army has distanced itself from Mr Prasit and the IO controversy. Another probe about the alleged role of Mr Prasit in military affairs should be launched.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 00:56 UTC
Now not the time for 'vaccine politics'
Now not the time for 'vaccine politics'Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, left, accept the first batch of vaccines from China. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)With the third wave of Covid-19 showing no signs of abating, the government's vaccination plans face hurdles prompted by a lack of unity among state agencies. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared mass immunisation against the virus to be a national agenda item, with the aim of inoculating 50 million people to achieve herd immunity. Take a look at the change from "walk-in" as proposed by Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, to "on-site'' registration as ordered by Gen Prayut. Which brings us to "vaccine politics" as parties attempt to use the current climate to score points against one another whether by trumpeting successes or pointing out failures.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 00:56 UTC
Govt hastens to plug border holes
Illegal Myanmar migrants are arrested on the pickup truck in Thong Pha Phum district of Kanchanaburi on early Thursday morning. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)Authorities have tightened border controls to prevent illegal entry and the spread of Covid-19 from neighbouring countries. Border patrol police have set up an additional 14 field hospitals for illegal foreign migrants who have been infected with Covid-19 to prevent the disease from spreading to local communities, she said. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said on Friday that the Centre for Resolution of Security Emergency Situation has been cracking down on illegal migrants and smugglers. Between Jan 1-May 20, a total of 17,627 Thais and foreign migrants from neighbouring countries were arrested for illegal entry.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 22, 2021 00:45 UTC
Fake news law nearly ready: DES
Fake news law nearly ready: DESA draft law authorising the Ministry of Digital, Economy and Society (DES) to order the collection of log files from data networks to deal with fake news will be completed by next month, the minister said yesterday. DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn was commenting after meeting committees on preventing and solving the dissemination of fake news. A working team is drafting a law on collecting data logs of internet providers and overseeing the registration of social media platforms based on foreign guidelines for identifying users of each digital platform. Of those 160 stories, 121 were deemed fake news, 24 were considered distorted, while only 15 were found to be accurate. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau says it has identified five social media users connected with fake news regarding Moderna Covid-19 vaccine registration at MedPark Hospital and 19 others for distorting news about the Pfizer vaccine.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 21, 2021 02:15 UTC
VIDEO: This Week's Top Stories May 21
VIDEO: This Week's Top Stories May 21A selfie tragedy, mafia shooting, Bangkok clusters and free cowsSeven Indonesians drowned after a boat capsized because of tourists taking a selfie. The boat flipped when all 20 passengers moved to the one side of the boat to take a group photo on a reservoir on Java island. Two policemen were shot and wounded at a luxury home near Pattaya, and a Chinese man was later arrested. Police were looking for evidence that a group of Chinese nationals who rented the house might be members of a mafia gang. The government warned of 23 Covid-19 clusters in 18 Bangkok districts.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 21, 2021 02:15 UTC
Can govt rise to jab roll-out challenge?
Can govt rise to jab roll-out challenge? Recently, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha belittled Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul by abruptly cancelling the walk-in vaccine plan which the minister had announced. Gen Prayut may have foreseen that public eagerness to get a jab could backfire if vaccine stocks were uncertain. The walk-in vaccine plan would also require large amounts of space to handle the crowds. The rollout plan is supposed to start in less than two weeks.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 20, 2021 23:37 UTC