Asiasoft spurred by boom in online gaming
no photo bylineThe online gaming industry is a major business sector that has gained traction during the pandemic, as more people spent extra time at home and engaged in online entertainment content. "During the lockdown, users spent more time engaging in online entertainment, such as video streaming, music and online games. As the pandemic persists, entertainment consumption is shifting further online from offline, making it a true trend, said Mr Pramoth. According to gaming research firm NewZoo, the 2020 global gaming market is projected to grow 19.6% year-on-year to US$175 billion. In 2021, the company plans to launch 8-10 mobile games, up from 2-4 mobile games per year in the past.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 23:42 UTC
High time for war on PM2.5
High time for war on PM2.5After a week of severe air pollution, the PM2.5 dust in Bangkok and nearby areas gradually receded to safe levels, thanks to an abrupt change in weather patterns, with wind blowing away the particles. Indeed, it has been almost three years since the capital city acknowledged there was a big problem with PM2.5 levels. In November, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang made a bold announcement that the city would ban lorries with more than six wheels from inner-city areas during the day. City districts with high levels of dust frantically engaged in "big cleaning" as if it were a photo op. That order might have given the image that the Bangkok governor was being tough in trying to reduce PM2.5 levels, despite the fact that construction activities are not the source of PM2.5, but rather the larger and less hazardous PM10 dust particles.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 23:37 UTC
Maybe pause for reflection is needed?
Maybe pause for reflection is needed? (Bangkok Post photo)The temporary break in the political rallies announced by firebrand protest leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak may give the impression that the pro-reform Khana Ratsadon movement is waning. Mr Parit said there will be no further rallies between now and next year to give protesters a chance to regroup and prepare. Although the movement has become inactive physically, the young demonstrators are still sticking to their three-point manifesto of demands -- Gen Prayut's resignation, charter amendment and monarchy reform. Without political support, there is no way for the process to take shape.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 21:45 UTC
One local infection among 16 new Covid cases | Bangkok Post: learning
One new local infection was among 16 new Covid-19 cases reported on Friday, raising the total to 4,297. The local infection was the 67-year-old owner of a stall at the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon. She was being treated at Samut Sakhon Hospital. The 15 other new cases were among people arriving from India, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. There were two cases from Switzerland, a 2-year-old girl and a 61-year-old man, both Swiss nationals.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 06:56 UTC
Justice minister signs order for release of Nattawut, other prisoners
(Photo: Apichart Jinakul)Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin has signed an order for the early release of 76 prisoners who received royal clemency, but they will have to wear electronic tags. Justice deputy permanent secretary Witthaya Suriyawong said the minister signed the document on Friday. Mr Witthaya said Mr Nattawut would wear a bracelet to monitor his behaviour in Bangkok after he leaves Bangkok Remand Prison. A group of his supporters were waiting outside Bangkok Remand Prison on Friday, expecting him to be allowed to walk out. Prisoners who are not being released but whose prison terms were reduced included former TV anchor Sorrayuth Suthassanichina and former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 04:52 UTC
Thailand eases travel restrictions | Bangkok Post: learning
Visitors would have a two-week quarantine period after arriving. While in quarantine, arrivals would undergo three Covid-19 tests, up from two required previously. Travellers from other countries not included in Thursday's announcement could still be eligible for a 90-day special tourist visa. The government is easing travel restrictions for citizens from 56 countries to boost tourism, though visitors still have a two-week hotel quarantine. Click "play" to listen to Thailand eases travel restrictions and "Download" to keep this file for educational purpose.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 02:26 UTC
Government considers shorter quarantine | Bangkok Post: learning
The government has adjusted its Covid-19 testing process to see if isolation can be shortened from 14 days to 10. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The government has changed its Covid-19 testing procedure for arrivals, and is studying whether quarantine can be shortened from 14 to 10 days. Earlier, each arrival was tested twice during 14-day quarantine, first 3-5 days after arrival, and then again on days 11-13. Health officials would then study the results and assess whether quarantine could be reduced to 10 days, Dr Thaweesilp said. However, attendees must have personal space of at least one square metre each and their number must be limited to 50% of the venue's capacity, Dr Thaweesilp said.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 02:15 UTC
Skips & sounds
Sennheiser is known for delivering high-quality audio products, so upon the release of its latest bluetooth earphones, the Sennheiser CX400 BT True Wireless, I had pretty high expectations. THE PROSAudio quality has always been the name of the game for Sennheiser and on that end, the CX400 BT delivers flawlessly. Basses will have a stronger boom and vocals will sound more crisp depending on which way you tweak your sound. However, that's not the biggest drawback of the CX400 BT. Add the fact that you can tweak it to your liking and you've got yourself a high-quality sound performance.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 18, 2020 01:07 UTC
Politics heats up ahead of Sunday poll
A feature of the PAO poll is that a province is counted as one constituency, unlike the general election where several constituencies cover one province. The group is vying for PAO chairman and contesting member seats in 42 provinces. He added a leading figure in the party had a free hand in unfairly picking Mr Pichai over Mr Boonlert. Mr Boonlert will contest the poll as leader of the Chiang Mai Khunnatham group. Col Suchart is believed to be leading the race, having hit the PAO poll campaign long before his rival candidate who started canvassing only three months ago.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 23:03 UTC
Unity panel hopes dim
Unity panel hopes dimA parliamentary move for reconciliation, with the formation of a panel tasked with fostering national unity, seems to be fizzling out as both government and opposition MPs do too little to make it materialise. Under Mr Jurin's initiative, the panel was to comprise representatives of all stakeholders, including the government, opposition, Senate, student-led activists, as well as academics. Six opposition parties, including the Move Forward Party which regards the move as useless, turned down the initiative right away. The government and its coalition parties, meanwhile, seem to not be attaching much importance to the process given their candidates for the panel. The government may think those charges will silence the leaders, forcing them to stay put, but it must also accept that such approach is making the reconciliation process bumpy.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 23:03 UTC
Thailand eases curbs on travel
The revisions come as the tourism-reliant economy struggles to encourage more domestic activity, but an ongoing travel ban continues to keep most foreign tourists away. Earlier, each arrival was tested twice during 14-day quarantine, first three to five days days after arrival, and then again on days 11-13. Each arrival is now tested three times, on day 0-1, day 9-10 and day 13-14, Dr Taweesilp said. Health officials would then study the results and assess whether quarantine could be reduced to 10 days, Dr Taweesilp said. Asked about Christmas and New Year celebrations, Dr Taweesilp said the CCSA was in favour of festivities going ahead and not being banned, as in many Western countries.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 22:41 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Return to the void | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo courtesy of NetflixGeorge Clooney is back in spaceTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. Read the following story by Tatat Bunnag from the Bangkok Post. The Midnight Sky isn't the first film about a space mission that Clooney has featured in. FREEZING COLDApart from outer space scenes, there were also outdoor scenes which were shot in Iceland and England with massive snowstorms. Which Clooney space movie was released first?
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 08:26 UTC
Thursday: 20 new Covid-19 cases | Bangkok Post: learning
(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Another 20 Covid-19 cases were reported on Thursday, quarantined arrivals from 10 countries, raising the total to 4,281. The two cases from Sweden are Thai women, aged 20 and 37. The case from the UAE is a Thai woman, 49, and from the US a Thai woman aged 54. The patient coming from France is a Thai man, 45, and from Germany, a German man, 79. The patient from Pakistan is a Pakistani man, 30, and from Kuwait a Thai man, aged 31.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 05:48 UTC
Free rides on new Gold Line and Green Line extension | Bangkok Post: learning
The new Gold Line from Krung Thon Buri to Khlong San stations opened for service on Wednesday - the country's first automated monorail. The BTS is offering free rides between Wat Phra Sri Mahathat and Khu Khot stations until Jan 1. Free travel on the Gold Line between Krung Thon Buri and Khlong San stations will continue until Jan 15. The 1.8 kilometre Gold Line is owned by Krungthep Thanakhom, a subsidiary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and operated by BTS Group Holding Plc. The Gold Line, the country's first unmanned monorail, is expected to carry 42,000 passengers a day.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 02:37 UTC
New Year parties 'could be split up' | Bangkok Post: learning
People pack Ratchadamri Road in Bangkok for a New Year countdown event last year. (Bangkok Post file photo)This year's New Year countdown celebrations may have to be divided into small zones with a limited number of participants, the government said on Wednesday. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will today discuss these and other proposals for the upcoming New Year festivities, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The PM said that splitting the New Year's Eve celebrations into different zones might be the best way of preventing any possible spread of the coronavirus. "I'm not intending to damage anyone's parties but [just to pick the best choice] to ensure total safety for this year's celebrations."
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2020 02:25 UTC