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
Patron of Art and Culture
With her many talents in art, culture and sports, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya graces the Bangkok Post's Women of the Year list as one of Thailand's most recognisable female leaders. One needs to keep their eyes wide open and to be knowledgeable in various art forms," said Princess Sirivannavari. The youngest daughter of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, the Princess' passion in art and design has long been evident. As a patron of the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO), Princess Sirivannavari has since 2016 bestowed an opportunity for the RBSO to perform her compositions at her fashion shows. In the sports arena, Princess Sirivannavari has also been known as a talented horse rider in dressage.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 01, 2021 00:00 UTC
Anti-coup crackdown takes fatal turn
Anti-coup crackdown takes fatal turnProtesters run to contain tear gas fired by security forces in an attempt to disperse them during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon yesterday. In response to the shooting of unarmed civilians, Myanmar's special envoy to the UN called on the international community to bring the authorities to justice for "crimes against humanity". At the very least, he said Asean should consider suspending Myanmar from Asean, if they do not abide by the rules. On this day, when Myanmar experienced the worst violence in its tragic history since 1988, attention clearly shifts to the international community. "While the world and Myanmar waits to see the result of international negotiations, we must maintain political pressure, economic pressure and international pressure on the generals, " said Dr Sa Sa.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 23:26 UTC
BMA to give Green Bridge a revamp
BMA to give Green Bridge a revampThe second Chao Phraya sky park at Sarasin intersection in Pathumwan and Khlong Toei districts is anticipated to open this year to respond various needs of people. The project -- dubbed "Bangkok Green Bridge" -- is a planned redevelopment of a two-decade old, 1.3-kilometre bridge between Sarasin intersection near Lumphini Park and Benjakitti Park in Khlong Toei district, which currently serves as a pedestrian walkway and bicycle lane. "The governor has wanted to pursue the Bangkok Green Bridge since 2019 as part of the area's green development masterplan, but it was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic," said deputy Bangkok governor Sakchai Boonma said. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has already earmarked 260 million baht to reinforce the bridge's structure and other landscaping works. "The [Bangkok Green Bridge] project will give a new lease of life to the bridge," Taiwut Khankaew, the director of BMA's Public Works Department, told the Bangkok Post.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 23:15 UTC
WOMEN SHAPING TOMORROW
WOMEN SHAPING TOMORROWWith the past year dominated by the global pandemic which has challenged almost every aspect of human life, inspiration, motivation and ideas to shape the future are crucial to society. To mark International Women's Day on March 8, 24 extraordinary women inspiring change in their communities and areas of expertise have been named as the Bangkok Post 's Women of the Year. The women we have chosen to honour represent a wide range of fields, from national and international leadership, fashion, retail, arts and culture, finance and security, the digital realm, food, media, hospitality, real estate, science and sport. They were chosen under the core criteria that they are helping shape our tomorrow, providing an inspiration, driving policy or social movements, and dedicating themselves to advancing knowledge. Starting today, the women whose lives we are showcasing as the Bangkok Post's Women of the Year will be profiled in the newspaper and on the website in a specially designed microsite every Monday this month.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 23:15 UTC
Elephants fail to halt rise of Thong Thin Thai
"There are around 120 wild elephants in Chanthaburi. Three districts -- Khaeng Hang Maeo, Khao Kitchakut and Soi Dao -- are battling with the elephants raiding plantations," Mr Jaruk said. We call all of these efforts to prevent wild elephants the "Chanthaburi Model" which I believe will be 100% effective,'' Mr Jaruk told Bangkok Post. Rumour has it that he would move to many other political parties before he joined the Thai Local Power Party, known in Thai as Palang Thong Thin Thai Party, which is led by Siam Rath newspaper owner and business tycoon Chatchawal Kong-udom. The veteran politician was with the Pheu Thai Party before switching to the now-dissolved Future Forward Party and the Thai Local Power Party.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 23:14 UTC
Movie Preview: Raya and the Last Dragon
Movie Preview: Raya and the Last DragonPhoto courtesy of Walt Disney (Thailand)Dragon faces a monster problemLong ago in the world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in peace. But when monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the last dragon in order to finally stop the Druun for good. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than dragon magic to save the world—it’s going to take trust as well. Enjoy the fun when Raya and the Last Dragon opens in cinemas on March 4.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 15:56 UTC
Containers piled outside barracks to block protesters
Containers piled outside barracks to block protestersContainers are piled on inside lanes of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road outside the 1st Infantry Regiment in Bangkok to impede a rally against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Sunday. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)Police have piled shipping containers outside the 1st Infantry Regiment in Bangkok to block pro-democracy protesters from approaching the barracks on Sunday in their latest rally against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The containers were laid out on the inside traffic lanes of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road where it passes the military compound ahead of a protest march from Victory Monument. Barbed wire forms a barricade on a pedestrian bridge over Vibhavadi Rangsit Road outside the 1st Infantry Regiment in Bangkok on Sunday. The containers are blocking traffic on the inside lanes of the road and Pol Maj Gen Piya said the protesters would not be allowed to occupy other lanes open to traffic.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 09:43 UTC
A lesson in letting sleeping dogs lie
A lesson in letting sleeping dogs lieAs the mug-shot for this column might suggest, I do have a certain empathy for dogs and generally get on well with our furry friends. We were in Isan at the house of Thai relatives and were leaving just as dusk was falling. My relatives were full of apologies and blamed the dog, but I explained it was not Fido's fault. This is not exactly hi-tech weaponry and apart from being sadly ineffective, one suspects that the "elastic band defence" would only irritate the dogs even more. It brought to mind the old music hall song Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me A Bow Wow, with its splendid chorus "I've got a little cat, I'm very fond of that, but I'd rather have a bow wow wow."
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 00:00 UTC
Mekong needs tough govt stance
Mekong needs tough govt stanceOn Feb 8, Charge d'Affaires of Chinese Embassy Yang Xin paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in which they exchanged Chinese New Year's wishes, looking ahead for warmer relations and closer cooperation. One topic was missing from their friendly talks: the fluctuating water levels of the Mekong River which has been dry since last month largely because of equipment testing at Jinghong Dam. Since the 1960s, China, Thailand and Laos have erected dozens of dams, and dozens more are being constructed. Yet real action has not been taken to address the issue of fluctuating water levels in the Mekong River. At the same time, Beijing must understand that the Mekong River belongs to everyone living along the body of water.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 28, 2021 00:00 UTC
Cops 'still buying top positions'
(Photo by Patipat Janthong)The Royal Thai Police (RTP) needs a major overhaul to tackle the long-standing problem of position buying among police. The opposition politician mentioned long-standing issues within the police force, including corruption and position buying as well as certain favours through what he called tua chang, or "elephant tickets". "Prices for positions vary, with the positions of police superintendents costing between 5-10 million baht,'' the sources said. "As long as there is no mention of clear criteria in the bill, public criticism of position buying will continue. However, some criteria have still been waived, paving the way for position buying among officers, Mr Chartchai said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 27, 2021 23:37 UTC
Promote police fairly
The opposition politician mentioned long-standing issues within the police, including corruption and position buying as well as certain favours through what he called tua chang, or "elephant tickets". The opposition politician lambasted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is chairman of the Police Commission, for allowing such irregularities to occur under his watch. Such malpractice had existed when Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon was overseeing police affairs. On Feb 22, the prime minister admitted that there were problems within the police force and he would tackle it. How many promises has the prime minister made when it comes to improving the police service -- promises that have yet to be turned into action?
Source:Bangkok Post
February 27, 2021 02:48 UTC
PDRC jailings reveal Ratsadorn's fate
PDRC jailings reveal Ratsadorn's fateProtesters display a banner outside the Criminal Court in Bangkok on Wednesday, during a demonstration calling for the release of pro-democracy activists held under lese majeste royal defamation laws. Although this court verdict can be appealed, it came as a shock given the strong connections between PDRC key figure Suthep Thaugsuban and Gen Prayut. The fate of the PDRC heavyweights, despite their political prowess, is a surprise even to their rivals, such as members of pro-Thaksin Shinawatra groups. Such a message also seems to apply to the Ratsadorn group -- and they should learn from the lesson given to the PDRC. In fact, jail terms have been handed down to all those involved in street politics, no matter what colour they were associated with.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 26, 2021 23:48 UTC
Democrat MP underlines failures
Only 128 billion baht from the 500-billion small and medium-size enterprise (SME) soft loan scheme has been disbursed. However, amendments planned for the Soft Loan Acts remove many of the obstacles, allowing even SMEs with bad debt to seek soft loans. Soft loans were issued to 75,300 SMEs in Thailand, with an average loan of 1.7 million baht. The Finance Ministry, the central bank and other regulatory bodies continue to adjust the 500-billion-baht soft loan scheme to ease conditions. These conditions include SME qualification, interest rates, soft loan maturity, credit guarantee restrictions and other factors, she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 26, 2021 23:40 UTC
Star's light extinguished
Shortly before the censure vote, Gen Prawit suggested party MPs put their differences aside and give equal votes to the 10 censure-targeted ministers. They had our back but we got problems," Gen Prawit was quoted as saying by the source. Gen Prawit said the Star faction's abstentions had been damaging to the PPRP's reputation and its members must face the music. The source said several participants at the executive meeting were stunned because they rarely witnessed Gen Prawit showing anger. According to political observers, prosecution and prison terms are nothing new to the PDRC leaders and supporters.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 26, 2021 23:26 UTC