Teargas lies taint police
Teargas lies taint policeThe Royal Thai Police have compromised their integrity by going back on their word after the use of teargas during the rally at Pathumwan intersection in mid-October. During a parliamentary hearing on Monday, deputy chief of the 2nd Crowd Control Division Chawalit Runsiri admitted that teargas was mixed in with water sprayed at anti-government demonstrators. At the time, officials reportedly brushed aside the claim that teargas was used as "fake news". Lt Col Chawalit insisted that riot police followed universal standards on crowd control and resorted to teargas only after the water cannon failed to force them to retreat. Police denials about teargas has brought into question its claim that the crowd control techniques are up to standards.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 10, 2020 23:15 UTC
King writes messages of love for nation | Bangkok Post: learning
Take care of the country, help each other protect our country with goodness for prosperity and protect Thainess," the King wrote in a message to the Udon Thani governor. On a picture of himself and the queen that was brought by one of the crowd of well-wishers, the King wrote: "Love the nation, love the people, cherish Thainess, real happiness." In brief remarks, he said "we love them all the same" and describing Thailand as a land of compromise. His Majesty the King wrote messages of national unity and love on Tuesday during a visit to Udon Thani two days after protesters sent him a letter demanding royal reforms that would curb his powers. His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, writes a message for a well-wisher at Wing 23 in Udon Thani before presiding over the opening of an office building at Udon Thani Juvenile and Family Court in Muang district on Tuesday.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 10, 2020 16:30 UTC
Tuesday: diplomat among 4 new infections | Bangkok Post: learning
Thai classical dancers perform at the Erawan shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok on Monday, when four new Covid-19 cases were confirmed. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Four new cases of novel coronavirus disease were reported on Tuesday - three quarantined arrivals and a diplomat who was infected locally - raising the total to 3,844. The man lived in Bangkok and tested positive on Monday, but was asymptomatic. The CCSA gave no further details about the source of the diplomat's infection, but the Hungarian foreign and trade minister tested positive on arrival in Bangkok on Nov 3. An Indian man, 38, who is a hotel employee, arrived on Saturday and tested positive right away.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 10, 2020 06:00 UTC
Yaowarat Road to get makeover | Bangkok Post: learning
People sit down to eat at food stalls along Yaowarat Road, one of Bangkok’s main street food attractions, last month. (Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Yaowarat Road in Bangkok's Chinatown will get a new look early next year, deputy Bangkok governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul said on Monday. The meeting, held in Samphanthawong district, was intended to inform business operators and local residents of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's plan to give the tourist destination a makeover. The BMA often clashed with vendors in their crackdown on unregulated street food carts, and in most cases the conflict resulted in closures and relocation of the vendors to BMA-approved locations. City Hall will allow food vendors on pavements along these two roads, if they follow sanitary and environmental rules.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 10, 2020 02:26 UTC
Quarantine alone 'not enough' | Bangkok Post: learning
Disease control officials guide arrivals at Suvarnabhumi airport to a quarantine process last month. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb)A top Ministry of Public Health official on Monday said that quarantine alone will not keep the country safe. "The most recent Covid-19 cases in Thailand were among returnees who appear to have been asymptomatic for long periods of time, possibly even the duration of their quarantine," said Dr Sophon. The doctor urged the public to maintain all health and safety practices adopted at the height of the domestic Covid-19 infection period. Low-risk contacts were advised to observe social distancing and, where possible, self-isolate until doctors give them the all-clear.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 10, 2020 02:15 UTC
Using force is no way to defend the monarchy
Using force is no way to defend the monarchyDo royalists really believe that the use of force, hate-mongering and pitching one protest against another are the best ways to defend the monarchy? The fear that a sea of change could occur or that the royal institution could be upended thus appear unfounded. As the student-led rallies zeroed in on monarchy reform, the backlash became stronger. For now, we can safely assume that the yearning for monarchy reform is real among some segments of the population. If royalists truly want to defend the monarchy, the best way is to engage with the dissenters and show them the institution is best left as it is.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 23:03 UTC
Coup talk must stop
Coup talk must stopAmid the intensifying political conflict, a group of self-proclaimed royalists have stepped up their calls for a coup. They also vowed to confront the anti-establishment movement, which has branded itself as the "People's Movement", in order to "protect the monarchy". The army chief -- who rose to power last month, replacing Gen Apirat Kongsompong -- immediately dismissed the possibility of a coup, saying that the chances were "below zero". Although the People's Movement has rejected the reconciliation panel, attempts must be made to bring them into the negotiations, albeit informally. Meanwhile, demonstrators need to refrain from using profanities in pushing their highly sensitive agenda, as it will only undermine their cause.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 23:03 UTC
No chance of coup, says army
Army chief Narongphan Jittkaewtae speaks to reporters on Monday. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasil)Army chief Narongphan Jittkaewtae has ruled out any chance of a military coup to end the ongoing crisis, saying political problems must be solved by political means. Asked on Monday about the chances of the coup requested by a group of royalists on Sunday, the army chief replied: "Below zero." Royalists had called for a coup after thousands of anti-government protesters again rallied in support of demands for reform of the monarchy. They later calmed down, instead opting to submit a petition giving the army their moral support in defending the royal institution.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 22:41 UTC
Adapting key to survival
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a heavy toll on many businesses, but ThaiNamthip Ltd has managed to weather the crisis by shifting its focus to at-home consumption, its online businesses and promoting strong partnerships. "That's why we have shifted from 'dining out' to also focus on 'at-home' consumption across all of our communications and marketing activities, with our key strategy focusing mainly on product repositioning, partner support and employee empowerment," he said. By pursuing this strategy of promoting at-home consumption and co-promotion with partners through online shopping channels to accommodate changes in consumer behaviour, the company has seen strong growth across multiple channels. Specifically, for the cola market segment, ThaiNamthip's market share has risen 0.6% to 48.2%. The company has also seen gains in the "No Sugar" segment, with its market share growing estimated to be around 58.5%, up 2.5% points from last year.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 22:41 UTC
Survey: 86% of Thais ready to buy on 11.11
Survey: 86% of Thais ready to buy on 11.11Up to 86% of Thais are planning to shop online on Nov 11, a popular day for deals on various e-commerce platforms, according to a survey by Marketbuzzz. The survey of 500 people also revealed the median amount shoppers plan to spend is 1,000 baht. For the event referred to as Singles Day, two out of three Thais plan to buy products for themselves, with the same percentage expected to buy items for their family. A much smaller proportion plan to buy items for friends or partners, only one in seven. "No doubt the promotions are going to play a critical role, as shoppers will be searching for the best bargains for the products they buy."
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 21:45 UTC
Charter bids 'illegal,' warn MPs, Senate
VARUTH HIRUNYATHEBSeventy-two senators and MPs on Monday asked parliament to seek a Constitutional Court review of three charter amendment proposals including the version sponsored by civil group iLaw before a vote is held. "So any action to allow for the writing of a new charter is deemed unconstitutional," read the motion. He also said the senators were concerned that they would face a malfeasance charge if they voted in favour of charter proposals that were later found to be unconstitutional. He said the iLaw draft, which was supported by more than 100,000 people, was also a cause for concern after the group admitted it had received financial support from overseas. Asked if the move would stall the charter amendment process, Mr Chusak said it would depend whether the court accepted the petition for consideration.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 21:33 UTC
Pfizer: Vaccine 90% effective in Phase 3 trial
Pfizer: Vaccine 90% effective in Phase 3 trialPfizer said the vaccine was a 'much needed breakthrough' in the fight against Covid-19. (AFP photo)PARIS: A vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was 90% effective in preventing Covid-19 infections in ongoing Phase 3 trials, the companies announced Monday. "The first set of results from our Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine's ability to prevent Covid-19," Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. Two Russian Covid-19 vaccines have been registered for us even before clinical trials were completed, but have not been widely accepted outside of Russia. Pfizer and BioNTech plan to submit data from the full Phase 3 trial for scientific peer-review publication.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 12:45 UTC
Army chief: No chance at all of coup
Anti-government protesters on a truck with the Grand Palace behind them, during the rally at Sanam Luang on Sunday. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Army chief Gen Narongphan Jitkaewtae has ruled out any chance of a military coup to end the political crisis fuelled by months of rallies by protesters whose demands include reform of the monarchy. Royalists on Sunday spoke of calling for a coup after thousands of anti-government protesters again rallied in support of demands for reform of the monarchy. (continues below)A firework thrown at police during the anti-government rally at Sanam Luang on Sunday. He admitted that soldiers wearing yellow were stationed behind police lines during the rallies, so they could help police or other people as necessary.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 10:18 UTC
From 'love' to 'thug': Biden win to change US-North Korea dynamic
From 'love' to 'thug': Biden win to change US-North Korea dynamicTrump and Kim met twice after their landmark summit in Singapore in 2018. On the campaign trail, Biden said he would not meet with Kim without preconditions and accused Trump of "emboldening" the North Korean leader. In the final presidential debate last month, the Democrat denounced Trump for befriending Kim, likening the North Korean leader to Adolf Hitler. "He's talked about his good buddy, who's a thug," Biden said of Kim. "North Korea hoped for Trump's re-election," he told AFP.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 07:41 UTC
Monday: 3 new foreign Covid cases | Bangkok Post: learning
FILE PHOTO: A man has his temperature taken as a preventive measure against the spread of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus at the border in Tak province, Oct 29, 2020. (AFP)The government recorded three new imported cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, bringing the accumulated total in Thailand to 3,840. The man and woman from Ethiopia arrived in Thailand on Oct 23 and tested positive two weeks later. The Omani man flew into the kingdom via the United Arab Emirates on Friday and tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival. Of the total 3,840 cases, 3661 have recovered while 119 are hospitalised inside the country.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 05:26 UTC