18 detained protesters deny charges
18 detained protesters deny chargesPro-democracy protesters converge outside the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road on Saturday. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)All 18 detained protesters have denied charges pressed against them in connection with fresh rallies against the government on Saturday. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights on Sunday posted a Facebook message saying the activists, including Piyarat "Toto" Chonthep, denied the charges after being informed by police. The Border Patrol Police Region 1 office in Pathum Thani, where 18 protesters are detained. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said all 18 refused to sign statements acknowledging the allegations against them.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 07, 2021 06:45 UTC
It's always 'bath' time in Thailand
Of course there is always the computer spell-check, which is not averse to changing "baht" back to "bath". He explained he had mistakenly given me a 500 baht note instead of a 50. Because the baht was always being misspelled some journalists suggested "bath" would be a grand name for this Asean money, with smaller denominations called "plugholes". Not surprisingly tourists on holiday in Thailand were taking back stacks of 10 baht coins to use in the vending machines. For many years a 10 pound note was named a "Pavarotti" after the popular Italian tenor (tenner).
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2021 23:48 UTC
Vital to preserve city's 'Green Lung'
Vital to preserve city's 'Green Lung'Bang Kachao in Samut Prakan -- dubbed Bangkok's "Green Lung" for its lush natural landscape that contrasts with the capital's high-rises and bustling ports which ring its banks -- will be redeveloped into a special zone for sustainable tourism. The proposed designation will be put to the cabinet later in the year, says Gp Capt Athikun Kongmee, Dasta's director. Attempts to alter the area's town plan and building restrictions -- which were set when back in 1992 when Bang Kachao was named a conservation area by then-PM Anand Panyarachun -- have been mounted before. First, the area where private development is permitted was increased to 10%, then the administration decided to allow private homes to be built in the highly-protected conservation zone. Any form of sustainable, community-based tourism must benefit the community, so care must be taken to ensure that principle is adhered to.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2021 23:37 UTC
New plan for hotel quarantine
If approved, visitors next month would only be required to spend three days in their hotel rooms. Visitors could leave their rooms after three days but they must not leave their hotel for 11 more days. The so-called Area Hotel Quarantine (AHQ) proposal targets at least five provinces considered to be the country's top tourist destinations: Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani and Chon Buri, a meeting was told yesterday. The government will also consider a plan to allow visitors who have received Covid-19 vaccinations to enter Thailand without having to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, the source said. Phisut Saekhu, president of the association of hotels in the eastern provinces, meanwhile, urged government officials to extend its State Quarantine programme, which is joined by 12 hotels operators in Pattaya city in Chon Buri province.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2021 23:26 UTC
Four rallies go ahead despite new ban
Three other politically themed rallies went ahead peacefully earlier in the day, but tensions were high at the protest staged by the group known as REDEM (Restart Democracy). “Release our friends,” the REDEM supporters shouted in unison as they gathered in front of the court building on Ratchadaphisek Road, which was surrounded by barbed wire. They asked supporters to join a larger march planned by the Ratsadon pro-democracy group on Sunday. The previous order applied the ban based on disease-control zones, which have changed as infection rates are declining in most places. Progressive Red: Lotus Rangsit-Government ComplexAlso in northern Bangkok, a pro-democracy group under the Ratsadon umbrella calling itself Progressive Red met at the Lotus Rangsit store at 1pm.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2021 12:22 UTC
WHA plans entry in digital health
WHA Corporation Plc, Thailand's largest developer of built-to-suit logistics facilities, plans to catch the global trend in healthcare this year by diversifying into digital technology for health businesses, including telemedicine. WHA operates four businesses, covering logistics, industrial estate development, utility and power businesses, as well as a digital platform business. These include WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4, WHA Industrial Estate Rayong and WHA Saraburi Industrial Land 2, all of which are in the expansion phase. Its 11th domestic industrial estate, the 1,280-rai WHA Rayong 36 located in the Eastern Economic Corridor, is now ready for sales. They are the WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone and the WHA Northern Industrial Zone in Thanh Hoa.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2021 23:26 UTC
TGH's chief takes firm to new terrain
The freshly installed boss wants to fully digitise operations and merge into a financial services groupTGH chief executive Thakorn Piyapan. Under the digital transformation plan, TGH's subsidiary wants to transform digital services structurally. In later stages, these services would be connected with the group's insurance business and gradually expanded to other financial services of the group. TGH could provide integrated financial services under TCC Group's umbrella in the long run, based on the former's digital transformation plan. More and clearer communication is necessary to collectively move towards digital transformation."
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2021 23:26 UTC
Deadly roads add to toll
Deadly roads add to tollThere is no doubt that reckless driving is a major cause of road accidents, many of them fatal. Yet, two news reports this week have highlighted how poor traffic infrastructure provided by state agencies is contributing to this long-standing problem. The first story came from Buri Ram where a set of traffic lights at a busy intersection all turned green simultaneously on Monday, after having just been fixed by municipality officers. Yet, the death toll remains high as the state has ignored making the more expensive, but necessary, alterations to the roads themselves. The deaths on Thai roads are not all down to poor driving, and many responsible motorists lose their lives as a result of poor design and disrepair.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2021 23:15 UTC
'Bangkok Post' snapper wins pic award
'Bangkok Post' snapper wins pic awardBangkok Post photographer Wichan Charoenkiatpakul poses with his 'Safe Love' photo which won Best News Photo of the Year from the Isra Amantakul Foundation and the Thai Journalists Association, announced on Thai Journalists Day yesterday. (Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Bangkok Post photographer Wichan Charoenkiatpakul has won the Isra Amantakul Foundation and the Thai Journalists Association's (TJA) Best News Photo award for his Safe Love photo. The announcement was made yesterday during an event marking Thai Journalists Day. Accumulating more points from the committee than the other 49 pictures, Wichan won the prize, which included a trophy and 100,000 baht. Other stories included the hit-and-run case of Red Bull scion Vorayuth Yoovidhya, Covid-19, political protests and online investment scams.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 05, 2021 23:03 UTC
Asset warehouse scheme predicted in 2 months
Asset warehouse scheme predicted in 2 monthsThe asset warehousing programme is expected to be implemented in the next two months amid calls urging the Bank of Thailand to expand the assistance scope to cover low-cost airlines, says the Thai Bankers' Association (TBA). The TBA completed the asset warehousing programme framework after discussions with commercial bank members. A buy-back agreement within a specific time frame would also be embedded as a condition in the asset warehousing programme. Mr Payong said the time frame for the asset warehousing concept could possibly be in a range of 3-5 years. The government is mulling either waiving or subsidising transaction fees and relevant taxes under the asset warehousing programme, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 03, 2021 23:26 UTC
SMART VISA ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TALENTS
SMART VISA ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TALENTSAiming to attract international talents whose expertise can play an important role in driving digital and tech startups and all other targeted industries towards using modern smart technologies,the Thailand Board of Investment is granting its “Smart Visa” to qualified professionals. Those applying for the Smart “Executives” Visa program must receive a minimum monthly salary of 200,000 baht and have at least ten years of experience in their profession. Persons eligible for the Smart Visa type “O” are the spouses and legitimate children aged 18 years old or under of Smart Visa holders. Current residents or experts who wish to enter Thailand on the Smart Visa program can submit their applications via the “Smart Visa Online” system at http://smart-visa.boi.go.th with the results due within 30 business days after the completed application has been received. With the mission of driving innovation and tech startups in Thailand, the NIA has collaborated with the BOI in supporting the Smart Visa program.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 03, 2021 06:45 UTC
Let's hear Chana truth
Let's hear Chana truthIn a bid to find a solution to the Chana Industrial Estate controversy in Songkhla -- a key part of the Southern Economic Corridor which faces stiff opposition from local residents -- Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Monday called a meeting with all agencies involved in the project. Mr Wissanu's move followed a dispute between southern authorities and Deputy Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow who proposed suspending the scheme on Feb 22, citing a breach of regulations. He came to the conclusion after visiting local communities in Chana district, where the industrial estate, that will involve at least 200 private investment projects, will be located. The government, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu in particular, must communicate better with the public, especially locals who will be affected by the estate. There is no need to fear loss of face if the decision is for the benefit of Chana residents.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 02, 2021 23:03 UTC
The 'first shot' drama shows up a sickly govt
The 'first shot' drama shows up a sickly govtWhat was the fuss all about regarding who would take the first Covid-19 shot? The PM earlier volunteered to be the first to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. It had been well-known that the first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines to arrive in the country would be from the Chinese firm Sinovac. Mr Anutin weighed in again saying Gen Prayut would get the first shot of a Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca on Sunday. The repeated cancellations make it seem the government is churning out "false advertisement" featuring Gen Prayut as a stooge.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 01, 2021 23:03 UTC
Timebombs lie in wait
Timebombs lie in waitClashes between police and activists on Sunday night left many injuries on both sides. Observers have also cautioned of escalating violence since young pro-democracy activists decided to hit the streets around this time last year. Of course, the government's victory in the no-confidence debate last month may also contribute to a growing and risky sense of complacency. Those protests plunged the country into a political abyss and ended with the coup led by Gen Prayut, then army chief. The recent confrontation is a symptom of mistrust and the government must be aware that unless it is more transparent numerous political timebombs lie in wait.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 01, 2021 23:03 UTC
Who wants a child amid such instability?
This has brought the birth rate down to 1.51, which is far below the World Health Organisation's recommendation of 2.1. Besides pregnancy and delivery, tuition fees for 20 years (kindergarten to bachelor's degree) are estimated at 240,000 baht to 15 million baht, depending on the type and quality of schools. Apart from saving plans, the government's welfare programme pays a monthly living allowance ranging from 600-1,000 baht, depending on age. Meanwhile, our child welfare programme is not inclusive. However, child protection advocates have called for expanding its programme to include all 4.2 million young children nationwide.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 01, 2021 00:00 UTC