Call for more baby bumps
Call for more baby bumpsAs the country's total fertility rate (TFR) hits a record low, with a plunge last year to below 600,000 or 1.51 against the WHO's ideal rate of 2.1, there emerges a need for solid measures to quickly boost the birth rate and stabilise demographic development. However, though the low birth rate has been an issue for decades, successive governments have tackled it half-heartedly. Existing labour law is less than ideal for persuading young couples to have children. The amended legislation from two years ago slightly extends maternity leave days, from 90 to 98 days; against the proposed 120-day leave (fully paid for a 90-day period, up from 45 days) as recommended by women's groups. The Prayut government is obliged to revamp its strategy and roll out better incentives, to encourage singles to start a family, and married couples to have children.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 17, 2021 23:15 UTC
Thailand losing B250bn per month as vaccine delayed, MP says
Thailand losing B250bn per month as vaccine delayed, MP saysMove Forward MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn speaks in Parliament on Wednesday. (Bangkok Post photo)Thailand’s economic losses from a slow vaccine rollout are seen at about 250 billion baht a month and the delay undermines a faster recovery from the pandemic blow, according to an opposition lawmaker. “The vaccination drive isn’t only just about preventing Covid-19, but also about ensuring faster economic recovery.”The country’s vaccine rollout is unlikely to gain momentum until June as it waits for shots produced by a local drugmaker under a partnership with AstraZeneca Plc. ‘Not Complacent’“We’re trying to distribute vaccines as soon as we can,” Mr Anutin said on Wednesday. That’s why we have the budget and resources allocated to all necessary agencies,” he told the parliament.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 17, 2021 10:52 UTC
Tourism going from bad to worse | Bangkok Post: learning
Aircraft of Thai AirAsia and Thai Airways International are parked at Suvarnabhumi airport. Photo by Wichan CharoenkiatpakulAirlines and hotels said the tourism situation this year is a worse crisis than 2020, leaving them hoping for help from the government. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand reported that the number of domestic passengers tumbled 27.1% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, while international flights dropped by 99.1% in the period. The Thai Hotels Association said the crisis this time is more difficult to deal with as it's hard to predict when business can get back to normal. The THA said 50% of hotels nationwide have been closed, while remaining hotel operators and their workforce struggle to survive.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 17, 2021 02:48 UTC
Capital needs a new approach to tree surgery
Capital needs a new approach to tree surgeryPictures of numerous chopped down tree trunks scattered near the walls of Wat Po in the Rattanakosin old town area were shared on social media and immediately triggered public outrage. Such a presumption was understandable as the agency has gained a bad reputation with its brutal treatment of plants and trees. In one accident, branches collapsed, crushing a parked car; in another, a whole ficus tree was uprooted by a storm, blocking the area. Some trees we believed to be nice street trees decades ago no longer suit the city. If that happens, it could mean the city would lose one-third or even two-thirds of its street plants.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 17, 2021 00:11 UTC
Govt relief causes 'havoc'
Govt relief causes 'havoc'The registration for the government's relief aid for people without smart phones or internet access was a resounding success -- if success means turning everyone involved into a loser. Who wins when the first day of the registration is described as "havoc"? The failure was perfectly captured in a video showing an old woman crying because she could not complete the registration process while being "scolded" by bank staff. The "havoc" caused by this offline registration process is not the first time such intense confusion has happened during one of the government's aid programmes. The failure of the Rao Chana offline registration has confirmed the fact that the government can no longer rely on its flawed and outdated processes.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2021 23:37 UTC
PM denies gambling ties | Bangkok Post: learning
photos by Chanat KatanyuPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha denied an allegation made during a censure debate that he had received benefits related to illegal gambling dens. "The people want a prime minister who cares more about them more than he does about retaining his power," Mr Sompong said. On the issue of illegal gambling dens, which are partly to blame for the second wave of Covid-19, Prayut said he has never supported any kind of gambling. Currently, there are several cases involving gambling dens in Rayong, Chon Buri, Chanthaburi, Trat, Samut Prakan, Bangkok, in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district, a cockfighting ring in Sukhothai's Thung Saliam district, as well as online gambling networks, Gen Prayut said. The prime minister urged the public to give information on gambling dens directly to him so action will be taken against them.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2021 23:15 UTC
Your horoscope for 19-25 Feb
Your spot-on horoscope for work, money, couples & singles from the Bangkok Post's famously accurate fortune teller. (฿) Even though you may earn more money, don't celebrate yet as you may have to pay for something that you don't see coming. Don't be too adventurous in bed from Feb 24-28 or else one of you may need to see a doctor. You may be tasked to do something that you don't feel confident about. (⚤) If you don't settle for anyone less than Ms/Mr Right, you may meet her/him after Feb 23.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2021 12:56 UTC
Briton faces jail after meeting fiancée during quarantine in Singapore | Bangkok Post: learning
Briton Nigel Skea and partner Agatha Maghesh Eyamalai arrive at the State Courts after breaking Covid-19 quarantine regulations in Singapore, on Monday. (Reuters photo)SINGAPORE: A British man pleaded guilty on Monday to breaking Singapore's strict coronavirus rules by sneaking out of his hotel room to meet his fiancée during quarantine. Skea was also not wearing a mask, which is required in Singapore. The city-state requires most arrivals to undergo 14 days of quarantine. Quarantine violations carry a penalty of a fine of up to S$10,000 (226,037 baht) or up to six months in jail, or both.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2021 04:52 UTC
Govt considering 21-day quarantine for returnees from Africa | Bangkok Post: learning
(Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is considering a longer quarantine for returnees arriving from Africa. The longer quarantine would aim to stem the spread of a fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus that was first detected in South Africa. The South African variant, named "B1351", spreads more quickly, which could worsen the outbreak in Thailand, said the CCSA. The man returned to Thailand on Jan 29 and entered quarantine, where he tested positive for Covid-19 on Feb 3. However, it wasn't until Feb 12 that health authorities determined the man was infected with the variant of Covid-19.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 16, 2021 02:15 UTC
Karen need govt support
Karen need govt supportAs a working group on the plight of Bang Kloi ethnic Karen villagers evicted from their ancestral land in Kaeng Krachan National Park prepares to start its mission, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government must ensure that all threats and intimidation by state authorities cease and a solution to this long-standing problem is found that is both just and fair. The Karens' return on Jan 9 was met with a strong reaction from park officials who threatened to take legal action. Initially, the working group will inspect the relocation site and see how many Karen have missed out from the state's promises. The Karen villagers yesterday said they wanted to petition Gen Prayut at Government House to hasten a solution to their plight. He pledged to comply with the demands, and also to speed up finding a solution for the embattled ethnic people.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 23:15 UTC
Covid strategy needs jabs more than just masks
Covid strategy needs jabs more than just masksIsrael has given at least one shot of Covid-19 vaccine to more than one third of its 9.3 million population, the fastest in the world to roll out inoculation. Around the world, at least 160 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in 88 locations, according to the Financial Times. But then again, why did the government place an advance order for only 26 million doses -- enough for only 13 million people? After much criticism, the government said it had reserved another 35 million doses. Or do we just hang on to face masks as other people receive their jabs?
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 23:03 UTC
Thailand Tourism Standard to usher in new era of optimum Thai tourism
Thailand Tourism Standard to usher in new era of optimum Thai tourismThailand Tourism Standard was established by the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports to enhance Thai tourism competitiveness on the global stage. It covers all dimensions of quality tourism for entrepreneurs to utilise as a guideline for tourism development. The Department of Tourism strongly believes that applying Thailand Tourism Standard through responsible and sustainable tourism development is a key engine to ensure a positive image and maintain strong competitiveness of the Thai tourism industry in the global tourism arena. Thailand Tourism Standard Database is a Web-based Application which provides assessments and certified standards of Thailand Tourism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46vVbWma3SkFor more details, please contact http://tts.dot.go.th or "Thailand Tourism Standard" Facebook page.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 10:18 UTC
Cops under fire for 'attack' on volunteer | Bangkok Post: learning
More clips showed another man wearing what appeared to be a green volunteer medic's vest surrounded by police leading to the hashtag #policebeatingmedic trending on Thai language Twitter. Police fired gunshots into the sky to keep order as protesters "did not cooperate," according to the police. The city police chief denied that tear gas was fired by police, although tear gas cans were found at the scene. The People's Movement on Sunday reiterated its peaceful stance but said protesters had a right to retaliate against violence by authorities. A protester lies on the ground after witnesses said he was beaten by police near Sanam Luang on Saturday night.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 05:15 UTC
y in Q4, less than expected
Economy contracts 4.2% y/y in Q4, less than expectedFILE PHOTO: Customers exit Japan's Tokyu Department Store in Bangkok after the company decided to close its Thai operation following a wave of financial difficulties, on Jan 31, 2021. On a quarterly basis, gross domestic product (GDP) expanded a seasonally adjusted 1.3% in the December quarter, better than the 0.8% growth forecast by economists. In July-September, GDP declined 6.4% from a year earlier but grew a revised 6.2% against the prior quarter. In 2020, the economy contracted 6.1%, the sharpest fall since 1998, and compared with analysts' forecast of a 6.4% drop. The agency now predicts GDP will expand 2.5-3.5% this year, having previously forecast growth of 3.5-4.5%, after a fresh Covid-19 outbreak hit the economy in December.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 03:22 UTC
The charlatan among us
The charlatan among usA person who makes a mistake and is quick to correct it deserves our forgiveness. But, what about a person who repeats the same mistake many times and takes a long time to say sorry? The story only came to light after Kalamae went live on Facebook to sell her products and made more outrageous claims. Some even presented evidence that she actually got her new look from a beauty clinic and not her products. I hope that she will also take a serious look at her spiritual side and question her own sense of morality.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 15, 2021 00:22 UTC