Tackling BTS fares at root cause
Tackling BTS fares at root causeHad it not been for the overwhelming opposition from all around, the BTS skytrain fares on the Sukhumvit Line would have risen to one-third of the country's minimum wage since February. The skytrain fares will not go down unless their root causes are addressed. A short-term solution to reduce the fares is to exempt station entry fees when connecting with different BTS lines. Lastly, the fares of the BTS lines are expensive because government and City Hall are not accountable to the people. When there is the political will to tackle the skytrain concessions, there is hope of bringing sky-high BTS skytrain fares back down to earth.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 13, 2021 23:02 UTC
Paragon's Beauty Hall gets a makeover
Photos courtesy of Siam ParagonFollowing a facelift, Paragon's Beauty Hall now accommodates more than 250 brands in a vibrant retail space spanning 4,000m². The relaunch introduces Albion, Charlotte Tilbury, Elemis, Gucci Beauty and Hermès Beauty as five of 12 exclusive brands. Its feel-good skincare products also deliver aromatherapy. The Charlotte Tilbury Beauty counter also features the Magic Skin Bar shelved with award-winning cream and other skincare formulas. These exclusive brands have joined the Beauty Hall Festival 2021, with the shopping campaign running till end April.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 13, 2021 01:07 UTC
End panic by educating
End panic by educatingWith the number of new Covid-19 infections increasing by almost 1,000 each day since the end of last week, the government is faced with the tough task of tackling the third wave of the virus which was linked to entertainment venues in Bangkok's Thong Lor area. Under such circumstances, an equally difficult (if not, more) difficult task that the government needs to tackle is controlling public panic, which, if allowed to go on, will make the fight against the coronavirus more complicated and costly. Over the past few days, there have been reports of people scrambling to seek Covid-19 test at public and private hospitals alike. Instead of rushing to hospitals, those who have come into contact with Covid-19 patients are supposed to self-quarantine for 14 days as a precaution. The government must strike a fine balance between promoting awareness and preventing public panic.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 13, 2021 00:56 UTC
Most elders 'don't need' outside help
Most elders 'don't need' outside helpA study carried out by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) has found that most senior citizens below the age of 69 can still take care of themselves. Furthermore, only 2% of Thais aged 80 and above depended on others for support, most owing to health problems. To prepare Thailand as it transitions to an ageing society, ThaiHealth is focusing on four areas, namely health, the economy, social and environment, Ms Porranee said. ThaiHealth had previously forecast that Thailand will be an ageing society in all aspects by 2022 and a super-aged society in 2033. Half of them have not received an annual health check, he said, before reminding people that regular check-ups can help prevent chronic diseases from worsening over time.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 13, 2021 00:45 UTC
Time for govt to show Karen some heart
Time for govt to show Karen some heartAfter struggling for survival on an empty stomach for days, Karen villagers who fled the war atrocities in Myanmar, from an area under the control of the Karen National Union, took shelter along the Salween River. It took them several days to negotiate with local authorities in Mae Hong Son's Mae Sariang district, who initially blocked passage of the items. Local authorities said they had to get permission from people higher up the chain. The activists decried attempts by local authorities to push the Karen back to KNU territory. Signing the petition were human rights activist Angkhana Neelapaijit, Adisorn Kerdmongkol from the Migrant Working Group, Eakpant Pindavanija, director of the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, and Darunee Paisanpanichkul, from Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Law.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 11, 2021 23:26 UTC
Senate jabs shame House
Senate jabs shame HouseThailand's vaccination programme has never been far from the spotlight since details first emerged. Thailand is among the counties with slow Covid-19 vaccine distribution. There is particular frustration due to the visibility of those in privileged positions receiving their jabs, particularly senators. There is now widespread speculation as to which member of the upper house could have secured vaccines for all senators. This is one of those rare chances for senators to prove their mettle through inaction, yet even that appears beyond them when it comes to the Covid-19 jabs.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 11, 2021 23:15 UTC
GSB: 3% growth this year likely
GSB: 3% growth this year likelyState-owned Government Savings Bank (GSB) forecasts the country's economic expansion may fare better than expected, driven by the reopening to foreign tourists. GSB president and chief executive Vitai Ratanakorn said 3-3.5% economic growth remains attainable as the government's plan to reopen the country from July 1 is likely to have a positive impact on the economy, creating growth momentum. Earlier in January, the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) under the Finance Ministry slashed the country's economic growth forecast to 2.8%, down from 4.5% estimated in October 2020, and compared with a 6.5% contraction in 2020. The lower growth projection was attributed to an expected decrease in foreign tourist arrivals given a second wave of coronavirus outbreaks since last year. The government's consumption stimulus packages also play a vital part in bumping up consumer spending, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 11, 2021 23:15 UTC
Mandalay and other magical places
Mandalay and other magical placesThanks to many readers who came up with their own memories in response to last week's column about places that sounded quite magical as a kid. There is wealth of literature that made the city of Mandalay sound exotic, starting with Rudyard Kipling's poem Mandalay, from which came the expression "road to Mandalay". Louie LouieToday is International Louie Louie Day -- not a lot of people know that. The celebration marks the birthday of Richard Berry who wrote the original Louie Louie song back in 1955. Unfortunately he only knew the opening line and kept repeating "Louie Louie oh no, me gotta go" in his magnificent Geordie lilt.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 23:37 UTC
Infected politicians 'should face probe'
"In this latest outbreak, those ministers behaved improperly, and this reflected a chronic problem regarding politicians' ethical behaviour,'' Mr Mana said. Mr Chuvit posted. Mr Chuvit said people are now experiencing hardships because of restrictions imposed by the government. Mr Chuvit previously aimed his anger at politicians who have been accused of visiting pricey bars -- the Krystal Club and Emerald Club in Thong Lor. Both places -- known as hangouts for politicians and billionaires -- were closed after scores of staff were found infected with Covid-19.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 23:37 UTC
Vaccine a help but no panacea
Vaccine a help but no panaceaFor a couple of weeks prior to the flop that will be this year's Songkran holiday, the stage truly looked set for the triumphant return of domestic tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on travel plans all over Thailand. Then a third wave of coronavirus poured cold water on all the excitement, just as it was about to heat up. Stimulus cheques were disbursed to kick-start the economy's recovery, travel subsidies were approved, and plans were drafted to restart tourism on a bigger scale. At least five other provinces are planning to scrap quarantine requirements for inoculated foreign arrivals, starting on Oct 1. Public cooperation will be needed to prove that the island's tourism model is replicable elsewhere, which will bode well for the country's effort to reopen to foreign tourists.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 23:37 UTC
China hits Alibaba with record $2.78bn fine
Alibaba in particular has been under scrutiny since last October, when co-founder Jack Ma criticised Chinese regulators as being behind the times. (AFP Photo)SHANGHAI: Chinese regulators hit the e-commerce giant Alibaba with a record 18.2 billion yuan (US$2.78 billion) fine on Saturday over practices deemed to be an abuse of the company's dominant market position. The fine appeared to cap a government crackdown on major Chinese tech platforms, and Alibaba in particular, over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and misuse of consumer data. The State Administration for Market Regulation said it assessed the fine after concluding an investigation into Alibaba that began in December. The size of the penalty was determined after the market watchdog decided to fine Alibaba four percent of its 2019 sales of 455.7 billion yuan.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 06:14 UTC
Public key to cleaner air
Public key to cleaner airThe decision by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to ditch two clean air bills this week came at an ill-opportune time. Chiang Mai, the country's top tourist destination, was recently named the province with the worst air pollution. What the country needs is the kind of clean air legislation that many countries already have and use it to manage air pollution at a structural level. The Chiang Mai Administrative Court yesterday ordered the National Environment Board to designate Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun as pollution control zones within 30 days. It's also hopefully a sign that, with enough public support, the Clear Air Regulatory Bill might just squeeze through.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 10, 2021 02:48 UTC
Diversifying service amid a pandemic
According to Ms Sittharmanin, the money-changing industry has been damaged almost as much as the tourism sector because of the close links between both businesses. Roughly 20-30% of the company's existing clients have requested cross-border money transfers, so there is demand, she said. STR Forex made digital payments available via mobile banking, QR code and credit card for forex transactions as of last year. If the forex business were to normalise, the company has no plan to open more brick-and-mortar branches, said Ms Sittharmanin. "With a lean organisation and offering new businesses, we expect to book a profit this year, albeit an insignificant amount," said Ms Sittharmanin.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 09, 2021 23:23 UTC
Saksayam must come clean on Covid
Saksayam must come clean on CovidPeople turn up in droves to get Covid-19 tests near the Bar Bar Bar pub in the Thong Lor area of the capital yesterday. More specifically, Mr Saksayam is a key member of BJT, the party that oversees public health issues. One day before taking the Covid test, Mr Saksayam told the media he did not visit the club. It's necessary for Mr Saksayam to come clean and tell the truth. There must be a probe into Mr Saksayam, and if he is guilty, he must give up his cabinet position and face legal action.
Source:Bangkok Post
April 09, 2021 23:21 UTC