Virus efforts a shambles
Virus efforts a shamblesThe campaign by a group called "Mor Mai Thon", or Doctors Won't Tolerate This, to drive public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul out of office is gaining momentum and it's one that the government should take seriously. In a post on his Facebook page, the public health minister said he was only following orders and policies set out by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. It is understandable that the public health services would be stretched beyond limit as new infections and the death toll keeps on rising. The message that the campaign is sending to Mr Anutin, and the government, is clear. Unless the public health minister and the government behind him are able to upgrade their response, they should make way for others to fulfil the mission.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 27, 2021 22:41 UTC
Third wave's unpalatable reality
"The ban on alcohol sales has had little impact on us because almost 100% of our revenue comes from food." The ban on alcohol sales and the new operating hours have hit alcohol-based premises such as pubs and bars particularly hard. The aim is to prevent delivery services from exploiting restaurants and customers and setting unfair prices. Some consumers complained that home delivery services had increased their service fees for restaurants from 20% to as much as 40%. The Trade Competition Commission has now warned food delivery services they could be fined if they continue to charge for services at unreasonable rates.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 27, 2021 22:30 UTC
US orders staff to leave Kabul due to threats
US orders staff to leave Kabul due to threatsUS Marines place a chain at the entrance of the US embassy in Kabul shortly after the fall of the Taliban in December 2001. WASHINGTON - The United States on Tuesday ordered non-essential staff to leave its Kabul embassy, citing increased threats as Washington prepares to end its 20-year war. The State Department in a travel advisory said it had "ordered the departure from US embassy Kabul of US government employees whose functions can be performed elsewhere." Ross Wilson, the acting US ambassador in Kabul, said that the State Department took the decision "in light of increasing violence and threat reports in Kabul." The Biden administration will maintain limited forces in Kabul to guard the sprawling embassy.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 27, 2021 18:45 UTC
Change the only hope as Anutin flails with virus?
Change the only hope as Anutin flails with virus? If I can't handle it, I won't stay on," Mr Anutin said. It's the inability to reflect on one's self that makes Mr Anutin unfit to stay on as the man in charge of saving lives. And that is exactly the pitfall Mr Anutin, and by extension his boss Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and the entire government, has fallen into. As Mr Anutin continues his work, people are starting to despair.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 26, 2021 23:26 UTC
Asean in Myanmar crisis 'driver's seat'
Asean in Myanmar crisis 'driver's seat'Indonesian President Joko Widodo, centre, delivers a speech at the Asean crisis talks on Myanmar in Jakarta on Saturday. From now on, Asean will be busy managing the crisis in Myanmar as part of the regional process of settling disputes. Obviously, before any meaningful activities with other stakeholders, Asean has to agree on the formula of Asean special envoy. From now on, Asean will be busy managing the crisis in Myanmar as part of the regional process in settlement of disputes. All Asean leaders shared the sentiment that these conflicts would impact on Asean as well as peace and stability in the region.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 26, 2021 23:26 UTC
Indian ban over the top
Indian ban over the topFact: the Covid-19 situation is India continues to worsen. With such numbers, it is wise to exercise caution in opening our doors to Indian travellers -- but to succumb to hysterical fear? On Sunday, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Taweesilp Visanuyothin, announced that Thailand has temporarily stopped issuing entry certificates to Indian citizens, as well as other foreigners arriving from India. Authorities must ensure that such a blanket ban won't affect Thais living in India who have registered to fly back home. The decision seems to have been made without any regard to Thailand's ambitions to become the region's medical tourism hub.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 26, 2021 23:26 UTC
Ban on non-Thais coming from India starts May 1
Ban on non-Thais coming from India starts May 1Relatives react as a healthcare worker pulls a stretcher carrying the body of a person who died from the coronavirus in Ahmedabad, India, on Monday. The decision follows the huge surge of Covid-19 cases in the subcontinent. The embassy said it will not issue certificates of entry for non-Thai nationals until further notice. From May 1, only Thai nationals will be able to enter Thailand from India. The statement elaborated on the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Adminstration's decision announced on Sunday to temporarily ban arrivals of Indians and other foreigners travelling from India to Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 26, 2021 07:52 UTC
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Source:Bangkok Post
April 26, 2021 03:45 UTC
The Covid conundrum
From the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Thailand has been a relative success story with low infection rates. So, it's almost as if we've been told by the government that this time around, it's every man for himself. However, with the latest situation, it is indeed sad, especially since neighbouring countries seem to be weathering the crisis better. The shortage of Covid-19 vaccines is also a major problem. However, while vaccines can greatly reduce the effects of the virus, they do not guarantee safety from infection.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:26 UTC
Asean speaks out on coup
Asean speaks out on coupThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has reached another important milestone after the bloc's leaders reached a consensus on Saturday to end the crisis and violence in Myanmar. Nevertheless, Asean leaders did not show their full bravery to act against the military crackdown in Myanmar in which more than 700 civilians were killed. Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG) said it welcomed "encouraging" news of a consensus among Asean leaders in dealing with the crisis in the country. Myanmar junta leaders have seldom offered any face-saving concessions to Asean envoys. How Asean will proceed with its "encouraging" consensus to firm action is what the world community looks forward to seeing.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Latest city closedown comes too late
Latest city closedown comes too lateBetter late than never. About a week before, the nationwide infection rate, blamed on Bangkok nightspot clusters, was already steadily rising. Just take a look at these figures: April 7, 334 cases; April 8, 405 cases; April 9, 559 cases; April 10, 789 cases; April 11, 967 cases and April 12, 985 cases. With the long holiday, people in Bangkok, including many upcountry folk, left town in their hundreds of thousands to head home to visit their families or for recreational trips in case of Bangkokians. I feel heavy-hearted and uncomfortable because I know these measures will affect everyone to some extent, particularly low-income earners.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Poor left out while rich get priority
Poor left out while rich get priorityThong Lor residents queue up for Covid-19 tests after the area is declared as a virus epicentre. Soon after the clip went viral, the public health authority sent an ambulance to pick up the two survivors and collect the deceased. He explained the hospital transfer, which was regular practice, was done by hospital staff. Poor people are left out in the cold, while the rich takes all. But during the pandemic, such privilege takes away public health resources that should prioritise critically-ill patients -- like the three old women.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Leaders hold their breath
If the government spends 50-100 billion baht on the scheme, it can bolster economic activities by 100-200 billion, said Mr Thanavath. Traffic at Yaowarat Road and Sampeng Market is sparse during the third wave of Covid-19 in Bangkok. Though the government would lose around 10 billion baht in tax revenue, it could stimulate spending worth up to 50 billion baht, said Mr Thanavath. On the fiscal side, the government still has about 250 billion baht of the 1-trillion-baht fiscal stimulus available. The country still has about 380 billion baht available in funds to implement additional economic stimulus measures, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Covid spreaders should own up
Covid spreaders should own upIf Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha thinks his national address on Friday night will restore public confidence in the government's handling of the latest wave of Covid-19 infections, he is dead wrong. He also talked about vaccines that have been ordered and attempts to get vaccines from other sources. The violations by those venues and other areas were possible as police and the authorities turned a blind eye. Yesterday, it was reported that local authorities in 42 provinces stiffly enforced the measure, slapping hefty fines, a 20,000 baht maximum, against those appearing in public places without masks. Such a rule, with enforcement, may allow the country to avoid an absolute lockdown that destroys the economy.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 24, 2021 23:15 UTC
New passport, pity about the mug shot
New passport, pity about the mug shotA fortnight ago I picked up my new British passport. The only downside of the new passport is the scary mug shot which claims to be me. Of course I've gotten used to non-flattering passport "portraits" which have changed considerably over the years and not for the better. The first passport went on to host dozens of immigration stamps befitting an overland journey from England to India and beyond. Shoeless and cluelessThe uninspiring nature of the stamps in my passport reflects a certain lack of adventure in recent times.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 24, 2021 22:52 UTC