It's likely to be Mercedes v Red Bull battle
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton leads Max Verstappen of Red Bull during a test in Bahrain this month. Will it be a two-horse race between Mercedes and Red Bull, and Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen? Testing suggests Red Bull have the upper hand but Mercedes always have the ability to adapt and do what needs to be done. But the cards seem nicely stacked for Max to bring that Red Bull and their A game. Checo [new Red Bull driver Sergio Perez] is not a driver who merely makes up the numbers so it will further spur the Dutchman [Verstappen] to raise his bar.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 24, 2021 02:23 UTC
A Korean coach with a Thai heart
Missing from his curriculum vitae as Thailand coach, however, is an Olympic gold medal. "I want to be a Thai, and not a Korean, when I win the Olympic gold medal for Thailand," he said. The beginningChoi took charge of the Thai national team in February 2002 after a stint in Bahrain. "Being Thailand coach helped me stand up and fight again," he said. "That's my best moment as coach of the Thai national team so far because it was Thailand's first Olympic medal in taekwondo," said Choi.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 23, 2021 23:03 UTC
Food for army thought
Food for army thoughtThe Thai army only has itself to blame for failing to reveal the truth clearly and consistently regarding the allegation that it supplied rice to Myanmar's armed forces. Last weekend, however, media reports emerged which claimed that the Thai army had supplied 700 sacks of rice to Myanmar's army units via the border in Sop Moei district of Mae Hong Son. The accusation was certainly damaging to the Thai army. In a statement quoted by Reuters, Maj Gen Amnat said the Thai army was not supplying the Myanmar army and there had been no contact from the Myanmar army requesting help or demanding any assistance. Are they provisions that Myanmar's army asked us to send through?
Source:Bangkok Post
March 23, 2021 23:01 UTC
Easing pandemic pain among the poor
Easing pandemic pain among the poorBang Bua Thong Market is eerily quiet on Jan 3 after Nonthaburi authorities ordered its closure to curb Covid-19. There are fewer control measures and restricted areas for the second wave, and they will probably be relaxed sooner too. It is unlikely, therefore, that the second wave of the pandemic will end as quickly as the first phase. The prolonged and severe economic impacts from the coronavirus pandemic will entail a myriad of social problems, especially on vulnerable groups. To help vulnerable groups heal from the scars of the pandemic, a properly designed social protection system is necessary.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 23, 2021 22:52 UTC
Mir, Quartararo top bets as Marquez's return remains unclear
Mir, Quartararo top bets as Marquez's return remains unclearIn an interview with the Bangkok Post via email, FOX Sports presenter Edward Russell gives his view on the new MotoGP season which starts in Qatar on March 28.Who do you think will win the title? That's one of the biggest questions of the year, and one reason why this season should be so intriguing. The first question that needs to be answered is when will he actually return? I'm expecting big things from Rossi this season as he makes the switch from the factory Yamaha side to Petronas Yamaha SRT. I don't think he'll be able to win the championship this year, but I definitely feel race wins are a possibility.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 23, 2021 01:07 UTC
Powers-that-be see no hypocrisy in their actions
Powers-that-be see no hypocrisy in their actionsIs it a case of split personality or mass delusion? Mentally, the base largely identifies with values of "good'' or "noble'' people as exemplified by His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. The reverence is such that portraits of the late King Rama IX are still seen at rallies by pro-monarchy groups. Indeed, the late King himself famously said in his annual birthday speech in 2005 that the monarch could be criticised. It shows that they do not regard the King as a human being," the late King said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2021 23:26 UTC
Govt has very short memory
Govt has very short memoryThe clash on Saturday night between police and a group of pro-democracy demonstrators which left more than a dozen injured again raises questions about the proportionate use of force by police officers. When the pro-democracy movement emerged in July, similar claims of disproportionate measures by the police triggered massive demonstrations. Gen Prayut should not be allowed to absolve himself of blame for the escalation of these demonstrations into near riots. Gen Prayut once said both the government and the pro-democracy movement should take one step back in order to avoid confrontation. What he is doing now is the opposite as a window of opportunity to foster national reconciliation closes.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2021 23:26 UTC
Rights chief optimistic despite UN cold shoulder
Rights chief optimistic despite UN cold shoulder(A charter change) will build public confidence in the NHRCT's performance of its duties," said Prakairatana Thongtiravong, acting chairperson of NHRCT. The downgrading of NHRCT means it can no longer submit reports on human rights in Thailand to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), nor actively participate in conferences organised by the UNHRC, diminishing Thailand's ability to promote its own human rights agenda with the international community. "This initiative is in line with the Paris Principles requiring a national human rights institution to enhance physical accessibility for the public, especially in remote areas," said Ms Prakairatana. 2560 and Section 26 (4) of the Organic Act on the National Human Rights Commission. This is unique among human international human rights institutions, Ms Prakairatana said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 22, 2021 23:03 UTC
Is Prayut's Covid jab enough to ease vaccine hesitancy?
The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier listed "vaccine hesitancy" among the 10 most pressing global health threats in 2019. These 63 million doses mean 31.5 million people will get two doses each. When the first batch of the Covid-19 vaccines -- 317,000 doses from Sinovac and AstraZeneca -- arrived in Thailand late last month, people were thrilled. Vaccine development is an arduous process and normally takes 10-15 years on average, yet, the Covid-19 vaccines took far less time than that. Therefore, in order to solve the lack of confidence towards Covid-19 vaccines, education is key.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 23:37 UTC
Thai superiority complex harms Karen
Thai superiority complex harms KarenA Karen woman at Lower Bang Kloi Village holds a rice basket on her head ahead of 'kwan khao', on Feb 7. TransbordernewsTaking the case of Bang Kloi Karen villagers, there is no further proof needed that indigenous people in Thailand have a hard life. The Bang Kloi issue emerged earlier this year when a group of Karen left their relocation site at Lower Bang Kloi village to return to their ancestral land in upper Bang Kloi village, or Jai Paen Din village, which they were forced to leave in 2011. I have observed a similar attitude among bureaucrats sent to the community to solve the land rights issue, and whose sense of superiority can be overwhelming. Park officials and civil society help to promote farming products to the market.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 23:26 UTC
Weed policy is still hazy
Weed policy is still hazyAfter parts of the cannabis plant were taken off the country's narcotics list, the commercial prospects of cannabis-related products have become promising. Companies have announced a variety of cannabis-related projects, from cannabis leaf-infused food and beverages, healthcare and cosmetic products, indoor growing kits for cannabis, to weed plantations. Cannabis-infused products have garnered popularity but most consumers seem to lack an understanding of cannabis properties and the government's legalisation policy. Some consumers have been misled into thinking that cannabis leaves also contain active contents and can have medical and recreational purposes. This is why products blended with cannabis leaves are so popular despite the leaves not containing any substantial active contents.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 23:26 UTC
Laughter a tonic for success
Ms Pimpicha is the second generation of leaders at Banlue Publications, which has run Thailand's iconic comic Kai Hua Ror (Laughter for Sale) for five decades. We also created the Kai Hua Ror page on Facebook to make gags about current situations. The collaboration between Kai Hua Ror and Baan Lae Suan is to share content and specialities. The Kai Hua Ror universe is based on four pillars -- the power of drawing, storytelling, creativity and a sense of humour," she said. Apart from Kai Hua Ror, Banlue Publications also runs the news website The Matter and publishing houses, Banlue Books and Salmon Books.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 23:15 UTC
Dozens injured after Saturday rally near palace
Dozens injured after Saturday rally near palaceRiot police raise their shields as they restrain a demonstrator during clashes at an anti-government protest at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on Saturday. (Reuters photo)More than 30 civilians and police were injured in anti-government protests, an emergency medical centre said on Sunday after police used water cannon, teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the rally the night before. Thirteen police officers and 20 others were injured, the Erawan Medical Centre said. Police said on Sunday their actions were in accordance with international standards and that 20 protesters were arrested for breaking public gathering laws and insulting the monarchy. An anti-government protest this month saw over 20 protesters injured.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 06:56 UTC
Holding those behind the haze to account
As a cardiologist at Chiang Mai University, he has been raising awareness about the severity of the pollution issue for a decade. GOVERNMENT ROLEDue to the predictability of the annual northern haze, many assume that local governments are doing too little about the issue. "We work with different groups including universities, utilising satellite data in mapping out the relationship between haze pollution and maize production. One third of haze pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion comes from maize production," Mr Tara said. "Singapore came up with the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act in relation to the companies based in Singapore that are causing forest fires and haze pollution across the border," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 21, 2021 00:10 UTC
Pornpawee eyes All England glory
(AFP photo)Pornpawee Chochuwong will vie for the All England Open women's singles title after reaching the final of the sport's oldest tournament in Birmingham, England, on Saturday. The Thai sixth seed defeated fifth seed Pusarla V Sindhu 21-17, 21-9 in 45 minutes in the semi-finals at Utilita Arena. The 23-year-old will face Nozomi Okuhara after the Japanese second seed rallied to defeat Ratchanok Intanon 16-21, 21-16, 21-19 in the second semi-final match. Pornpawee became only the second Thai player to reach the All England Open final. Second seed Okuhara knocked out another Thai hope Busanan Ongbamrungphan in three games on Friday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 20, 2021 23:48 UTC