Govt cracks down on foreign nominees
Govt cracks down on foreign nomineesThe Business Development Department is planning to lodge police complaints against seven Thai nationals it accused to be acting as nominees for foreign real estate and tourism companies in Thailand. The complaint follows the department’s probe into the matter, which was launched earlier this year, Business Development Department’s directorgeneral, Thosapone Dansuputra, told Bangkok Post. The investigation found two tourism businesses and three real estate developers in Chon Buri and Prachuap Khiri Khan used Thai nominees, said Mr Thosapone. The director-general said the department will expand its investigations to target fruit brokers in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, Krabi, Chon Buri, Rayong, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi and Bangkok. Mr Thosapone said the department will ramp up inspections next year and educate both Thai and foreign businesses to obey investment laws.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 22, 2020 20:48 UTC
Govt threatens unity: KPI
Mr Stithorn said it was possible the protesters didn’t feel the need to ramp up their protest because the government didn’t take harsh actions against them. The government should apply a political science [rather than harsh legal enforcement],’ ’Mr Stithorn said. Mr Stithorn said that the KPI has presented two models for a reconciliation committee to parliament President Chuan Leekpai. Mr Stithorn said Mr Chuan initially opted for the second model and invited former prime ministers to be part of the panel. Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political science lecturer atSukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said that the reconciliation panel will not succeed without a climate of mutual trust.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 22, 2020 20:48 UTC
Angry protests won’t solve issues
Angry protests won’t solve issuesFrankly speaking, this is one of the few times that I agree with political scientist Kasian Tejapira of Thammasat University, despite our political differences, albeit for a different reason. But his warning to the protesters appears to be out of concern that they may lose support from the people. Commonsense dictates that, in order to solve a problem, one has to look at its cause and not just its effects, can that incident be ignored or must it be addressed if use of the lese majeste law is to be avoided. If this is a peaceful and acceptable act, how about someone splash paint on theprotest leader’s house or car? Violence by the protesters − or by their opponents or the authorities − is unacceptable as it will only fuel more violence.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 22, 2020 20:48 UTC
Chasing quick cash
Chasing quick cashOn Sep 16, I could have been a lucky birthday girl had I bought the lottery with five and seven as the last two digits. Finding clues for lucky numbers often features in news reporting. The seminar also revealed that Thais spend around 200 billion baht on government lottery tickets every year. Currently, the GLO is preparing to hold a hearing on the online sale of lottery tickets, a project opposed by ticket vendors and distributors. Planned to start at beginning of next year, the public hearing will provide a clear idea of the feasibility of the online lottery project.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 22, 2020 20:48 UTC
BTS bid must bring benefit
BTS bid must bring benefitTransparency and public interest must be a priority when the government decides whether or not it will extend Bangkok Mass Transit System’s (BTSC) concession for the skytrain’s Green Line. Last week, the cabinet withheld its approval to extend BTSC’s concession for 30 more years, as proposed by Interior Minister, Anupong Paojinda, following strong opposition from the Transport Ministry. The Green Line, meanwhile, saw from 800,000 to one million passengers a day before the Covid19 pandemic. One may argue that the Transport Ministry, which is under the Bhumjaithai Party, has its own agenda in objecting to the proposal. It must assure that all proceedings were carried out in a transparent manner, with public benefit as the goal, if it decides to approve the proposal.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 22, 2020 20:48 UTC
Ray of charter hope for end to unrest
Ray of charter hope for end to unrestPro-democracy protesters hold up at the three-finger salute at Democracy Monument during an anti-government rally in Bangkok earlier this month. (Photo by Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Progress in the charter rewrite process, with parliamentary endorsement of two draft bills proposed by the government and the opposition, gives a ray of hope that there could be a peaceful solution to the ongoing political conflict. The two bills passed on Nov 8 stipulate the formation of a panel tasked with rewriting the charter. The charter passed in a referendum that was organised under tight military control, with 61%:38%, or 16.8 million votes against 10.5 million. The 2017 charter contains a number of non-democratic clauses that enable the regime to gain political advantages over its opponents.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 20, 2020 23:37 UTC
NLD prepares for new era of changes and reform
NLD prepares for new era of changes and reformMyanmar's ruling National League for Democracy's electoral victory has emboldened its leaders to press on with major changes, including at the very top of the government. Suu Kyi: Governs behind the scenesSo far the NLD leadership -- and the government -- are remaining tight-lipped on the changes that may be in the pipeline. But hints nevertheless are beginning to point to potential changes, and certainly a fundamental shift in approach and policy. Some ministers and chief ministers would be reappointed, according to party insiders. This was a bone of contention between the NLD party leaders and the cabinet last time.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 20, 2020 22:52 UTC
Friday: new Covid-19 cases from 3 countries | Bangkok Post: learning
Arrivals board their bus to a quarantine facility at Suvarnabhumi airport during a recent rain storm. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The government on Friday reported four new cases of novel coronavirus infection, women returning from the Czech Republic, Germany and Japan, raising the total to 3,892. Two patients from Czech Republic returned last Saturday. The case from Japan was a 24-year-old labourer who arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Wednesday with a fever, and tested positive right away. Of the total 3,892 cases, 3,745 (96%) had recovered including three discharged over the previous 24 hours, and 87 were in hospitals, the CCSA said.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 20, 2020 06:33 UTC
Prayut threatens protesters | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo by Apichart JinakulPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday declared that "all laws and all articles" will be enforced against protesters who break the law. Prayut gave his warning after street rallies by pro-democracy protesters demanding his resignation, as well as reform of the monarchy. However, the situation has showed no sign of easing, Prayut said. Many thousands of pro-democracy protesters descended on Ratchaprasong intersection during their huge rally on Wednesday night. The People's Movement protesters announced the next rally will be on Nov 25.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 20, 2020 02:37 UTC
From 'Grey's Anatomy' to 'This Is Us,' Covid infects TV plots
In the opening scenes of the latest season of long-running hospital drama "Grey's Anatomy," Meredith Grey enjoys a quiet moment alone on a beach. At a time when many Americans are "irritated with wearing a mask" and "disconnected" from the challenges facing hospitals, the latest season of "Grey's" offers "an opportunity to tell the story of how hard this is for our health care workers," she said. "Even if we're not doing Covid patient stories, the virus has profoundly changed protocols and procedures in the hospital." - To touch or not to touch -Outside of hospital settings, US network shows have also incorporated elements of the pandemic's impact. Darlene's son Mark is confronted at school by a boy whose family opposes Covid restrictions.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 20, 2020 01:30 UTC
Alro land rule will hurt poor
It, therefore, defeats the purpose of the Sor Por Kor land project," according to People's Movement for a Just Society (P-Move). Alro adamantly denied the new rule was designed to favour politicians and wealthy businessmen who illegally possess those land plots. It will let the business sector and investors become involved in Sor Por Kor land in supply chains. Claims the new rule is needed because some land plots are not appropriate for farming activities seem strange, given that those land plots used to be forest land under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department. If any group is to benefit from the land reform scheme, should it not be landless farmers?
Source:Bangkok Post
November 19, 2020 23:03 UTC
New S-curve industries get event airing
Chanat KatanyuThe Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has teamed up with Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) to accelerate the development of new S-curve industries in the post Covid-19 period. He was speaking at a press conference on Thursday to announce the launch of a virtual conference entitled "New S-curve Season 2". Five new S-curve industries being developed are digital, medical, robotics, aviation and logistics, and biofuel and biochemical industries, he said. The first five S-curve industries are next-generation automotive, smart electronics, affluent medical and wellness tourism, agriculture and biotechnology and food for the future. Sirima Limviriyalers, Senior Executive Vice President of Bangkok Post Plc, said the seminars on five more S-curve industries will benefit entrepreneurs, government organisations, academics and individuals interested in this topic.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 19, 2020 23:03 UTC
CP-Tesco merger spells pain for small businesses
CP-Tesco merger spells pain for small businessesThe decision by the government's competition watchdog to approve the merger of Charoen Pokphand Group and local retail business Tesco Lotus left me speechless. Even with the above-mentioned conditions, it's hard to believe that our market won't be monopolised, or the company won't compete with its own business partners or use them as market testers. Though the merger was successful, Edeka was only a giant supermarket operator, not a turnkey producer like CP. Going back to OTCC's decision, I'm not sure if a Thai conglomerate buying a retail business back from a foreign company will create opportunities for small businesses. The merger may boost economic growth, but what about its impact on small businesses?
Source:Bangkok Post
November 19, 2020 23:03 UTC
Port relish return to 'real home'
Port relish return to 'real home'Port coach Sarawut Treephan, left, and Suphanburi assistant coach Sathaporn Wajakum during a press conference. Title-seeking Port return to their "real home" PAT Stadium tonight as hot favourites to defeat a depleted Suphanburi side and close the gap on Thai League 1 leaders BG Pathum United. Port head coach Sarawut Treephan is confident that the return to PAT Stadium would have a positive impact on his team. Suphanburi assistant coach Sathaporn Wajakum said his men face a tough task at PAT Stadium this evening. Port will surely be extra keen to win on their return to their home ground.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 19, 2020 23:03 UTC
Aiming to be the social bank
We plan to concentrate on transforming into a full-fledged social bank," Mr Vitai told the Bangkok Post in an exclusive interview. The bank wants to transform itself to become a fully integrated social bank, says Mr Vitai. The retail segment is comprised of retail loans, housing loans, credit card loans, fund investment and high net worth individuals. "Being a social bank does not guarantee a bank will record losses. "My objective is to turn GSB into a social bank, not just a public relations campaign.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 19, 2020 23:03 UTC