Don't take toxic air problem lightly
Don't take toxic air problem lightlyIf April is the month of Songkran, surely March is known for its pollution, especially in Northern Thailand, at its peak. With burning season in full swing, air quality readings in cities like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai have become rather unsettling -- yet not surprising. Over the past two weeks, Chiang Mai's average daily PM2.5 level has hit 172.6 µg/m³, according to aciqn.org. Just over 11 years after Thailand first started recording PM2.5 numbers, there is still no clear-cut approach about how to reduce bad air in the North. Moreover, forest fires in the region are especially problematic and hard to put out because of the steep terrain, which accelerates spread and slows firefighting efforts.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2021 23:37 UTC
Once upon a time at Windsor Castle
Just three years ago we were watching the happy couple tying the knot amid pomp and pageantry at Windsor Castle. Some of the hats adopted such strange angles it looked like they had crash landed on their respective aristocratic hairdos. Own goalAs a lad in the 1960s I remember playing a football match against a Windsor school team in a park adjacent to the castle. There was a brief flurry of excitement as a woman strode from the direction of the castle, but she turned out to be the mum of one of our opponents. Saved by a whiskerFeel-good stories are all too rare these days so it was refreshing to read of the four kittens rescued from a sinking trawler last week by the Thai Navy.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2021 23:37 UTC
Gearing up for a muted Songkran
Water spectacular: Silom Road overflows with revellers on the first day of the Songkran festival in 2018. People are already gearing up for Songkran, according to the TAT director. Regarding the province's famous Songkran celebrations on Khao Niao Road, Mr Khemchart said he had proposed to the municipal mayor that fairs and other tourism activities be arranged during the Songkran festival to spread revenue from Songkran to other areas in the province. Pattaya puts hopes on relaxationEkkasit Ngampichet, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, said the relaxation of Covid-19 measures for the Songkran festival would help stimulate tourism. Tourism in Pattaya was nonetheless showing positive signs as the vaccine rollout begins, quarantine periods are reduced and other restrictions eased ahead of Songkran festival.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2021 23:37 UTC
New coronavirus infections prompt Bang Kae Market closure in Bangkok
New coronavirus infections prompt Bang Kae Market closure in BangkokThe Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Saturday ordered the immediate closure of Bang Kae Market after 80 people there tested positive for Covid-19. The discovery renewed fears of a possible new cluster of infections as the country prepares to ease its coronavirus lockdown. Parnrudee Manomaipiboon, director of the BMA's Public Health Department, confirmed that an active case search was conducted yesterday at Bang Kae Market in the Thon Buri district. The search began at 9.30am with the testing of 1,400 people -- mostly visitors and vendors -- at Bang Kae and five nearby markets: Sirisetthnont Market, Kitti Market, Pasom Market, Wonder Market and Talat Mai Bang Kae Market. A provincial health office official told the Bangkok Post that the main carrier was a 64-year-old mother who went to Bang Kae Market to buy ingredients for her somtam shop.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2021 23:26 UTC
EU faces fresh shortfall of AstraZeneca
(AFP Photo)GENEVA: AstraZeneca on Saturday announced a fresh shortfall in planned vaccine shipments to the European Union, dealing another blow to the bloc's efforts to step up vaccinations. AstraZeneca started delivery of the vaccine to the EU in February, and still aims to deliver 100 million doses in the first half of 2021. AstraZeneca had initially agreed to supply three times as many doses in the first quarter, and 180 million doses in second quarter alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 100 million vaccine doses have been administered in the US, around 30 percent of the world's total of shots given so far. "Yes, we should continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said Friday, stressing that any concerns over safety must be investigated.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2021 11:48 UTC
Why 55 means so much to Gers
Why 55 means so much to GersRangers boss Steven Gerrard. During that time, Celtic took a stranglehold on the league and it was all rather boring unless you were a fan of the Hoops. But this season took on a special significance with Celtic gunning for a record 10 titles in a row. This season, Celtic performed poorly in the Champions League and the bad form continued in the Premiership. Since the Scottish League was formed in 1891, Rangers have now won the title 55 times and Celtic 51.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2021 03:22 UTC
French Oscars turn political over virus shutdown
French Oscars turn political over virus shutdownFrustrations were unleashed Friday over France's months-long shutdown of theatres at the country's annual celebration of cinema, Les CesarsPARIS - There was a fiercely political air at France's annual celebration of cinema, Les Cesars, on Friday as frustrations were unleashed over the months-long shutdown of theatres. The country has seen mounting protests in recent days over the closure of cultural sites, with several theatres occupied by activists and students. That frustration was centre stage at Friday's awards, with actress Corinne Masiero stripping naked with the words "No culture, no future" written across her front as she presented the costume award. - 'Played fairly' -This year's first awards signalled that the academy was keen to embrace calls for greater ethnic diversity, with the most promising actor and actress awards going to Jean-Pascal Zadi and Fathia Youssouf. There were no major controversies to match Polanski's inclusion last year, though some noted that much more work was needed on equality given the presence of only one woman in each of the best film and best director categories.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 13, 2021 00:56 UTC
Charter change must get back on track
Charter change must get back on trackMembers of parliament vote 366 to 316 to seek a Constitutional Court ruling on charter amendment on Feb 9. With two years remaining, the government -- with support from the Senate -- doesn't want the charter amendment to be completed so soon since the current charter enables it to make political advances using unfair rules. The 2017 charter, written with a goal to make amendment next to impossible, calls for two referendums: before and after the new charter is written. It wants the amendment to go back to square one, tossing the amendment process to a referendum. If this is the case, it will require at least three to four months for the amended bill to pass the first and second readings.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 12, 2021 23:26 UTC
Rail projects need reform
Rail projects need reformThe legal dispute between the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and the BTS Group over the bidding for the western extension of the Orange Line is getting nasty to the point that the government needs to step in to bolster trust in the state project. On Feb 22, the company filed a complaint with the Criminal Court accusing the MRTA of dereliction of duty. Yet, the government should not stop after probing the questionable Orange Line bidding. Meanwhile, the BTS Group has promised to lower fares if wins the 30-year renewal from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Both disputes speak loud and clear about the lucrative nature of the projects, and that stakeholders are ready to do anything to advance their interests.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 12, 2021 23:15 UTC
PR by OAG won't wash
PR by OAG won't washIn a bid to polish its tarnished image, presumably following the series of scandals surrounding the infamous hit-and-run case involving the Red Bull scion, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has formed four task forces to promote the agency's public relations campaigns. In the Isara report, the OAG promised to take legal action against anyone who distributes disinformation that taints its image. The panel recommended an ethics probe into the delay and intentional derailment of the justice process against Mr Vorayuth. The question remains of whether the OAG has followed the Vicha panel's recommendations, and if not, why not? It should be noted that Mr Ittiporn, now the spokesman of the OAG, is head of the public relations task force.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2021 23:16 UTC
Free detainees, govt tells junta
(Photo: AFP)The government has asked Myanmar to release detainees against the backdrop of intensified protests in which seven more protesters were killed. The junta reacted to international condemnation of its crackdown by claiming ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi had accepted hefty illegal payments. The military, which has defended its takeover by citing voting irregularities in November elections won by Ms Suu Kyi's party, held a rare news conference on Thursday accusing Ms Suu Kyi of corruption. In the capital Nay Pyi Taw, junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said the detained chief minister of Yangon had admitted giving Ms Suu Kyi US$600,000 (18.3 million baht) in cash, along with more than 11 kilogrammes of gold. Nobel peace laureate Suu Kyi, detained since the Feb 1 putsch, is already facing several criminal charges including owning unlicensed walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2021 23:03 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Homegrown heroes
TEST YOURSELF: Homegrown heroesPhoto by Varuth HirunyathebA Thai artist makes cute creaturesTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. When Himmapan Marshmallow -- illustrations of Thai mythical creatures -- went viral, artist Komkrit Tepthian loved the simple yet cute designs. Giant Twins was a combination of two figures -- a Thai giant and a Chinese warrior. The vending machine dispensed eight small models of Wat Arun's guardian statues in capsules which caused a long line at the temple. 13. vending machine.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2021 13:41 UTC
Choosing to challenge gender inequality in the post-COVID future of work
Beyond its more tangible impacts, COVID-19 has also upended the progress made in gender equality, with women in many countries disproportionately affected at work and home. The gender equality imperative for economies and companiesIt is not just women who suffer when progress on gender equality is derailed. Conversely, if action is taken to advance gender equality, up to $13 trillion could be added to global GDP in 2030. Actions that leaders can take nowApproaches to promoting gender equality will need to be tailored to country contexts. Some of the interventions that may prove beneficial are:- Encouraging companies to make gender diversity a core part of their hiring process.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2021 08:22 UTC
Overlooked no longer
Nam Tok Chet Sao Noi was one of the few national parks that I didn't want to revisit, mainly because it was overcrowded, dilapidated and poorly managed. Nam Tok Chet Sao Noi was upgraded from a forest park to a national park in 2016. None of them matches the new version of Nam Tok Chet Sao Noi. Contrary to popular notions, the falls of Chet Sao Noi boast running water all year round. Muak Lek stream feeds water to Chet Sao Noi falls.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2021 06:46 UTC
PM must temper anger
PM must temper angerWhen a person is highly agitated or angry, they might quickly lose their temper and probably resort to an inappropriate action. But Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is not just any person -- he is the leader of the country, a top public figure whose every action is closely watched. No matter how mad he might become, he must manage his anger and follow some social rules. As a prime minister, he is supposed to be a role model, and treat others with respect. Like it or not, the prime minister has to learn to handle media questions which may not be music to his ears.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 11, 2021 05:26 UTC