Fairer welfare threatens the status quo
Fairer welfare threatens the status quoHundreds of people wait at a Krungthai Bank branch in a city superstore to register for financial aid under the Rao Chana scheme. Thai people already enjoy a number of social welfare programmes of a more permanent type. To put it coarsely: what deserves more money -- welfare or weapons? As I see it, the real obstacle to a more humane welfare system is not money. Because a humane welfare system is a threat to the patronage system as it necessarily leads to reduced inequality and a fairer society.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 23:48 UTC
Pyrrhic win means little
Pyrrhic win means littleWith a majority in parliament, the coalition government led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha looks set to survive when members of the House cast their votes today following this week's no-confidence debate. A minimum of 244 votes is needed to win the debate, the second of its kind since the government took office in 2018, after opposition efforts to extend the debate to Monday failed. Wirach Ratanasate, Palang Pracharath MP and chief government whip, has boasted that the coalition has 270 votes in its pocket and will likely win hands down. In addition, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin raised eyebrows with his odd claim that "it's the best for the country to have only one vaccine brand, instead of 20 brands shared among the population". A lack of parliamentary rules obliging more transparent answers effectively reduced the four-day debate to a meaningless political charade.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 23:48 UTC
BG Pathum warned about Bangkok United's attack
BG Pathum's Diogo Luis Santo (top) in action against Port during their Thai League 1 match on Wednesday. Runaway Thai League 1 leaders BG Pathum United have another tough assignment on Saturday when they host Bangkok United. He warned his players to be careful about Bangkok United's attack and said they must play with patience. Fifth-placed Bangkok United hope to move up the table for a spot in the AFC Champions League. The Football Association of Thailand is reportedly trying to bring the remaining Group G games to Buriram United's Chang Arena.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 23:25 UTC
Red Bull heir still on radar, says OAG
Red Bull heir still on radar, says OAGVorayuth Yoovidhya. The search for the Red Bull scion in order to have him stand trial has been moving at a snail's pace since he fled Thailand eight years ago. Mr Vorayuth postponed attending his court hearing more than five times before fleeing abroad in 2012. The second charge -- reckless driving causing death -- remains valid until 2027, although the OAG initially dropped the charge before subsequently deciding to pursue it again. It recommended an ethics probe into the delay and intentional derailment of the justice process against the wealthy energy drink heir.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 20:37 UTC
VIDEO: This Week's Top Stories Feb 19 | Bangkok Post: learning
Everyone in Thailand - including expats and migrant workers - will have access to Covid-19 vaccines. The government statement did not give details of the timing or cost of the vaccines. The National Office of Buddhism will send a letter to Supreme to protest against its use of the image. The man left his room three times to meet his partner who was not in quarantine but had booked a room in the same hotel. A video clip online showed officers chasing a man with at least one beating him as he fell to the ground.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 07:29 UTC
One Covid-19 death, 130 new cases Friday | Bangkok Post: learning
The province logged 22 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, when 130 new infections were reported nationwide. Dr Panya Hanphanitphan, 66, the latest death, had treated three patients at his clinic in Maha Sarakham province before they were confirmed infected with Covid-19. The 130 new cases reported in the previous 24 hours comprised 116 local infections and 14 imported cases. Pathum Thani reported 22 (12 Myanmar and 10 Thais). New cases confirmed on Thursday also included two in Nonthaburi, 10 in Nakhon Pathom and four in Ayutthaya.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 06:33 UTC
Thousands of cops on standby | Bangkok Post: learning
A group of anti-government demonstrators clash with riot police near parliament building who prevented them from reaching the building last November. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)More than 12,000 crowd control officers will be deployed to handle anti-government demonstrations planned in Bangkok this weekend. A Facebook page named "Mob Fest" on Thursday also posted a message urging supporters to rally outside parliament at 5pm on Friday. Arnon Nampa, a co-leader of the Ratsadorn Group, took to Facebook to urge demonstrators to avoid using violence when confronting authorities. Police expect the protesters to gather at Democracy Monument and outside parliament.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2021 03:09 UTC
Fuel U-turn unfortunate
He explained on Monday that the decision to delay the switch to E20 fuel was taken as biofuel ingredients have gone up in price, putting a strain on the nation's Oil Fuel Fund. This move showed the ministry places the Oil Fuel Fund's balance sheet and market prices firmly ahead of the environment. For instance, when palm oil prices plunged due to oversupply in 2019, the state ordered power plants managed by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to switch to palm oil as a fuel. The Energy Ministry has been praised for using the Oil Fuel Fund to help solve environmental problems and improve the quality of petrol. Such a legacy should not be abandoned only to maintain the Oil Fuel Fund's balance sheet.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 23:15 UTC
Mercedes-Benz: Luxury cars to help drive economy
Mercedes-Benz: Luxury cars to help drive economyA local version of Mercedes-AMG model helps the German luxury carmaker increase its sales during the Covid-19 crisis. In Thailand, despite the two outbreaks, the company "get through the year well," said Mr Folger, believing the luxury car market will remain a driving force for the global and local economy. "Mercedes-AMG is a brand for performance cars that can be used daily, so customers chose AMG brand above other models," Mr Folger told the Bangkok Post. In a luxury van segment, known as V-Class, its sales surge resulted from efforts to "promote our models progressively throughout the year," said Mr Folger. "For this year," Mr Folger said, "we will put all models on the digital platform.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 13:07 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Too expensive to ride | Bangkok Post: learning
Electric train fares hurt the average city residentTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. Nevertheless, this is only the beginning when it comes to the city's public transport problems. As part of the scheme, Green Line fares were divided into four brackets. From Phra Ram 9 to Min Buri, the electric train fare is more than twice the van fare. However, only 30-40% of the population in Bangkok uses public transport and reducing ticket fares is not …10…,” Sumet said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 07:41 UTC
Domestic tourism to surge this year
Na Satta Light Festival 2021. (Photo courtesy of Na Satta Cultural Park)Thailand welcomed 6.7 million international visitors last year, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Total earnings also dropped by 82% from 1.6 billion baht to 332 million baht. The largest group of visitors were from China (1.25 million tourists), down 88.63% from 10.99 million in 2019. According to Kasikorn Research Centre, domestic travel will play a crucial role for the tourism industry this year.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 07:30 UTC
150 new Covid-19 cases Thursday | Bangkok Post: learning
People wait for testing in Pathum Thani on Wednesday, when the country logged 150 new cases. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The government on Thursday reported 150 new Covid-19 cases, comprising 142 local infections and eight imported, raising the total to 25,111. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said 104 cases were found in communities and 38 cases at hospitals. Pathum Thani had 45 new cases, 42 in communities (24 Myanmar, 17 Thais and one Lao national) and three Myanmar cases confirmed at hospital. Hospitals in four other provinces also diagnosed new infections - Maha Sarakham, Tak (a restaurant owner), Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya (a Myanmar worker).
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 06:33 UTC
KIMPTON MAA-LAI BANGKOK: DOING THE RIGHT THING, LOCALLY
KIMPTON MAA-LAI BANGKOK: DOING THE RIGHT THING, LOCALLYKimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok has teamed up with entrepreneur and digital marketing philanthropist Matt Hunt, Director of ‘Neato’, to give back locally. "As a small business owner, I know the value of support from the community and that is why I created the #ShopLocalThailand campaign. I want to build community and help local businesses grow while also building philanthropy for a cause that is important to me, as well as Thai people." This particular effort sees the purchasing of material from Bangkok suppliers that have been damaged by the Covid-19 situation. Employing haberdashers locally here in Bangkok, and developing the washable face masks to sell at a nominal fee, and giving back the proceeds to Elephant Heaven Sanctuary in Chiang Mai.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 00:33 UTC
Seeking light
From left, Attasit Pokpong, and his Woman With The Red Lips, Uttaporn Nimmalaikaew and Narakorn Sittites. Well simply because humans seek light to illuminate themselves and so does the Moon. La Lanta Fine ArtThe artworks in each of their presentations shine a light on the trials and tribulations people face during life's journey. "This is a portrait of my son," Uttaporn said of his artwork Monsoon Life. Narakorn, whose idol is the acclaimed Thai artist Chatchai Puipia, finds purpose in seeking meaning from his personal memories and life experiences.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 18, 2021 00:11 UTC
Hacking the future: Operation Speedboat
Hacking the future: Operation SpeedboatA number of global companies have adopted what is known as speedboat strategy, an analogy which refers to the craft's advantage, agility and pace. These speedboats use the stratagem of entering the future and hacking out a path for the mother organisation. The earliest instance of a speedboat strategy being deployed could be IBM's experience. CREATING A SPEEDBOATBefore deploying the speedboat strategy, the organisation leader must develop the right mindset in recognising that Operation Speedboat is a long-term investment. Without a speedboat strategy and a clear mission, many large corporations find it difficult to attract digital talent, especially champions.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 17, 2021 23:15 UTC