Prayut, Prawit disagree over candidates for cabinet reshuffle
Prayut, Prawit disagree over candidates for cabinet reshufflePrawit: Hoping for PPRP promotionsPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is said to be at loggerheads with Prawit Wongsuwon, his deputy PM and leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), over the imminent cabinet reshuffle. A source has told the BangkokPost that Gen Prayut wants to bring in professional experts but Gen Prawit is hoping to hand the coveted posts to members of his party. A cabinet shake-up appears inevitable after three ministers were jailed on Wednesday and lost their posts as a result. The next day, Gen Prayut was asked if only the three posts left vacant by the prison sentences would be affected. Mr Wirach said Gen Prawit had not known about that but played down the reports.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 26, 2021 20:48 UTC
Driver finds human body trapped under car | Bangkok Post: learning
Police and rescue workers inspect the human remains found caught under a holidaymaker's car, at a petrol station in Trat's Khao Saming district on Friday morning. (Photo: Jakkrit Waewkraihong)Horrified holidaymakers found part of a human body caught under their car when they stopped at a petrol station in Trat on Friday morning. After entering Trat province, they took a break at the petrol station. One of his friends noticed what looked like a body of some sort under his car, Mr Saharat said. Earlier, rescue workers went to the scene of a reported road accident nearby at about 4.30am on Friday.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 26, 2021 07:30 UTC
BoT preps new asset warehouse programme
BoT preps new asset warehouse programmeMs Chayawadee says the hospitality sector has endured a slowdown for almost a year. The Bank of Thailand is preparing an additional measure to help the struggling hospitality and property sectors through an asset warehousing programme. The government, financial authorities and the private sector have been deliberating on an asset warehousing programme to aid SMEs, hotels and the property sector. A buy-back agreement within a specific time frame would also be embedded as a condition in the asset warehousing programme. "The asset warehousing programme would help contain non-performing loans in the banking industry and prevent asset auctions and asset devaluation, along with cushioning the impact on employment," she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 23:15 UTC
Ouster of DES minister likely to complicate NT operations
Ouster of DES minister likely to complicate NT operationsMr Buddhipongse wanted NT to support the Thailand 4.0 scheme, provide telecom infrastructure for others with a neutral stance, and spin off its retail business for effective operation. The source said the ouster of Mr Buddhipongse could have a big impact on several operations, especially at NT, which was officially launched in January. NT board chairman ML Chayotid Kridakon was selected by key figures in the government, not by Mr Buddhipongse, the source said. "The ouster of Mr Buddhipongse means this new planned balance of power would be derailed," the source said. The source said NT's 5G investment and strategy now appear uncertain following the ouster of Mr Buddhipongse.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 23:03 UTC
State muzzle for NGOs
State muzzle for NGOsThe cabinet this week approved a bill considered by many as a mechanism to muzzle non-governmental organisations and/or people's organisations that are critical of the government. The bill on the promotion and development of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) was proposed by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. Under the bill, NGOs are required to register with the state. Minister of Social Development and Human Security Chuti Krairiksh insisted there is a need to regulate NGOs' performance and the bill will serve that purpose. Amid escalating polarisation, the state and some extreme right elements have attempted to discredit a few NGOs with claims they receive foreign donations.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 23:03 UTC
Prayut to get jab on Sunday | Bangkok Post: learning
(Photo by Somchai Poomlard)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will get the first shot of Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca on Sunday. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will receive the vaccine from Sinovac. The delivery of 117,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine came as a surprise since there had been no mention before of that make being imported. The delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine was a back-up plan in case the other company failed to come through, Mr Anutin said. The balance of vaccines for Thais in 2021 will be AstraZeneca's, made locally by Siam Bioscience, with 26 million doses to be available from May to June and a further 35 million doses afterwards, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 22:41 UTC
Huawei advances APAC tech ecosystem to accelerate digital transformation
Huawei advances APAC tech ecosystem to accelerate digital transformationHuawei opened its first Digix Lab in the Asia Pacific in Singapore to empower developers and partners for the HMS ecosystem. This is one of the programs that the leading global tech company initiated to cultivate a diverse tech ecosystem and accelerate the digital transformation in the region, Huawei Asia Pacific spokesperson told the media on 25 February during the MWC Shanghai 2021. Headlined “Connected Impact,” MWC Shanghai 2021 showcases how the entire digital ecosystem continues to transform our lives towards a safer and better world. To cultivate the 5G ecosystem, Huawei plans to invest 475 million baht (about $1.5 million) to support the 5G Ecosystem Innovation Center (EIC) in Bangkok. The rapid development of the digital economy also means a potential shortage of ICT talent in the Asia Pacific region.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 15:11 UTC
Thailand is home to integrative cancer care
Modern specialists such as Miskawaan Integrative Cancer Care heal people by targeting their tumours, relieving the symptoms, reducing side effects of treatments, and treating the underlying causes. The good news is that there's an effective alternative to conventional oncology known as Integrative Oncology. Director at Miskawaan and Chief Medical Dr. Johannes Wessolly, is fond of saying, "The most effective cancer treatments target the tumour without damaging the rest of the body." Rejuvenating recovery for body, mind, and spiritThe personalised therapies for breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer can be delivered in state-of-the-art clinics in Bangkok. Seeing that radiation and chemotherapy sometimes reduce a cancer patient's quality of life even further, Dr. Wessolly knew he had to do something to improve existing cancer protocols.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 08:58 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Double standards | Bangkok Post: learning
Earlier this month, the third episode of Angkarn Kloompong removed scenes of two women kissing. So, men kissing? But can two women kiss on Thai television? Where can you stream the scene of two women kissing? The Nithan Pan Dao TV show is about a gay soldier.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 07:07 UTC
72 new Covid-19 cases Thursday | Bangkok Post: learning
People receive food handouts in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic at Wang Som community in Bang Kapi district, Bangkok, on Wednesday when the country confirmed 72 new Covid-19 cases. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)The government on Thursday reported 72 new Covid-19 cases - 63 local infections and nine imported - raising the total to 25,764. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said 43 cases were confirmed at hospitals and 20 were found through active testing in communities. Of them, 27 were confirmed at hospitals (14 Myanmar and 13 Thais) and three Myanmar cases in communities. Pathum Thani found 18 new cases -- 16 at hospitals (11 Thais and five Myanmar) and two cases at hospitals (Thai and British nationals).
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 06:56 UTC
Buri Ram woman gets her identity back, after 12 years waiting
Buri Ram woman gets her identity back, after 12 years waitingLamyai Thammada, 52, of tambon Salaeng Phan in Buri Ram's Lam Plai Mat district, shows her delight after learning she will get her ID card back in three days. (Photo: Surachai Piragsa)BURI RAM: A 52-year-old woman in Lam Plai Mat district whose identity card was wrongly issued to another woman 12 years ago is finally getting her name back, along with her lost rights to government assistance. A Soeng Sang district official suggested she contact the Lam Plai Mai district office, where her ID card was first issued. The 52-year-old woman had reported her card lost and filed for a replacement at Lam Plai Mat district office. Lack of an ID card has deprived her of the right to state health care and other social welfare benefits.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 06:38 UTC
FAD to help restore Wat Ratchapradit
The Fine Arts Department will restore the pearl engraved wooden windows and doors of a prayer hall in Wat Ratchapradit in Bangkok. (Photo courtesy of The Fine Arts Department)The Fine Arts Department (FAD) will repair the 156-year-old windows and doors inlaid with pearl at Wat Ratchapradit. It was built by King Rama IV in 1864 and the wooden windows and doors of its Viharn Luang or the main prayer hall were created in 1865 in Japan. The Japanese research team will travel to Thailand to work with the FAD for the task. To show support, visitors are ready to eat local food (67%), shop locally (64%), speak with the locals (61%), and get involved with local tours (48%).
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 04:30 UTC
Dept denies claims virus came from Thailand | Bangkok Post: learning
Customers visit pet shops at Chatuchak market in Bangkok last month. The department said it had tested various types of wildlife and found the claims were untrue. A Russian news agency reported there are bats in Thailand with a new coronavirus that matches the one that causes Covid-19. The new virus was found in the blood of five bats in eastern Thailand, the report said. The government insisted the coronavirus found in the bats doesn't cause any illnesses in humans despite its similarity to Covid-19.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 25, 2021 03:00 UTC
Natural born killers
At the Tropical Insect Sanctuary, you can get up close and personal with some cute cannibals and other captivating creaturesThe peacock mantis is among the top stars at the Tropical Insect Sanctuary this time of year. (Photos: Wissarut Sukhaket)'That's a peacock mantis," said Wissarut Sukhaket as he saw me observing a dull-looking little fellow in a nursery box at the Tropical Insect Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district. He noted that other than the peacock mantis, at this time of year visitors also can see flower mantises, including the pinkish orchid mantis. Wissarut and his colleagues at TISTR have been working on several projects that aim to seek eco-friendly solutions for farmers. There was so much to learn at the Tropical Insect Sanctuary and the Lamtakhong Research Station as a whole, the recent trip to Pak Chong was an eye-opening one for me.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 24, 2021 21:56 UTC
3 ministers get jail sentences | Bangkok Post: learning
(Photo by Chanat Katanyu)Three cabinet ministers were among 26 people who were on Wednesday given jail sentences for their roles in street protests that ousted the Yingluck administration. They were indicted on several charges including insurrection, criminal association, illegal assembly and obstructing others from casting votes during street protests between November 2013 and May 2014 to oust the Yingluck Shinawatra government. Mr Buddhipongse was sentenced to seven years; Mr Nataphol received seven years and four months and Mr Thaworn received five years. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Wednesday the cabinet ministers lost their posts as soon as the jail sentences were handed down. Besides the cabinet ministers, former PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban received five years; Democrat MP for Chumphon, Chumpol Julasai, received 11 years and Democrat list-MP Isara Somchai received eight years and four months.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 24, 2021 21:22 UTC