Russian hurt during argument with protest leader in Pattaya | Bangkok Post: learning
The headbutted Russian shows blood on his hand from his bleeding nose. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)A 52-year-old Russian man was headbutted and suffered a bleeding nose during an argument with one of the leaders of an anti-government demonstration in Pattaya on Sunday evening. At one point, while Sirawith "Ja New" Serithiwat was speaking, a foreigner approached and began talking to the protest leaders. Mr Narathiwat was seen shoving the foreigner with his hands and headbutting the man in his face. Mr Narathiwat and the Russian, whose name was reported to be Vladislav, were taken to Pattaya police station for questioning.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 04:52 UTC
Infected man poses a 'high risk' | Bangkok Post: learning
Students wear masks during the SWU Open House 2020 on Saturday at Srinakharinwirot Univesity's Prasanmit campus in Bangkok. The university organises the event to promote its faculties for high school students to choose from. The man recently visited Krabi, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Sukhothai. He opened a restaurant with his wife on Koh Phi Phi," Dr Walairat said. On Oct 30, he went by taxi to Phuket Airport and flew to Chiang Mai, where he took another taxi to a bar.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 09, 2020 02:32 UTC
It never rains, but instead it pours
It never rains, but instead it poursAs the rainy season comes to an end, the population of Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces are readying to brave the return of PM2.5 dust particles that have been clouding the sky as reported recently by the Department of Pollution Control. While the pandemic is still causing trouble, a new enemy is now lurking near our doorsteps -- known universally as dust particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres. This group is one of the most vulnerable for Covid-19 and PM2.5 and both also happen to target the lungs. It seems that between the Covid-19 outbreak and now PM2.5, the world is really showing no mercy on Thailand at all. However, for now, let's just be kind to the environment and prepare for the next big headaches in years to come.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 23:48 UTC
Smarter trade deals needed
Smarter trade deals neededMany Thais rejoiced after Joe Biden won the US presidential election over the weekend. But certain concerns remain as the US changes its leader; in particular, challenges currently facing Thailand's international trade. What the Thai government must do is hasten the mapping out its of its international trade strategy, a process currently moving at a snail's pace. As several bilateral and multilateral trade agreements including trade deals with both the UK and EU, are pending, the government should look into a possibility to speed up the process. Of course, all trade agreements need careful consideration but the government must work harder on policy and strategy and rely less on the continued patronage larger historical trade partners.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 23:26 UTC
Small traders can pull their weight
Small traders can pull their weightA food vendor puts up a sign to show the business has joined the 50-50 co-payment scheme aimed at boosting the economy. VARUTH HIRUNYATHEBWhen the Prayut Chan-o-cha government announced the launch of a populist 50-50 co-payment scheme as part of an economic stimulus package, some people questioned its virtue. It offers consumers a co-payment of 3,000 baht each, with a maximum daily payment of 150 baht. Such ventures, which leave several SMEs in the cold, provide wealthy businesses more access to consumers. State favours to bigger businesses may derive from the belief that they can generate more growth, yielding impressive GDP figures.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 23:15 UTC
Commander Mu, master of Big Data
Commander Mu was born in Bangkok's Taling Chan district, the second of four children, to parents who were vegetable farmers in the area. "I am living proof that inquiry officials, not just detectives, can grow and thrive at this division," Commander Mu said with a big smile. With this Big Data project, we will bring data from various agencies together for use by the national police." "With the Big Data system, we are able to quickly search and retrieve data. After that, we will quickly search their address and match it with other data in our Big Data system.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 21:56 UTC
Palace march turns ugly
Police use a water cannon on protesters who were trying to break through a police cordon near the Grand Palace. (Photos by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Authorities on Sunday escalated tensions by using water cannon against the protesters who planned to march to the royal palace to submit a petition to His Majesty the King. A water cannon truck was positioned behind. However, at 6.20pm the protesters tried to push aside the buses that were impeding their progress to the palace. The deputy city police commissioner had called on protesters to stay at least 150 metres away from the palace under the Public Assembly Act.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 21:33 UTC
Police fire water cannon at protestors | Bangkok Post: learning
(Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Police fired water cannon at anti-government protesters to prevent them from marching to the Royal Household Bureau at the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Sunday. Four red post boxes were placed on Ratchadamnoen Nai Avenue for protesters to "post" their letters to the King. After the water cannon was used, authorities said they would not fire again as long as protesters stayed away from the barricade. The Erawan Medical Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reported that one police officer and two protesters were slightly injured when the water cannon was fired. The decision to use water cannon came after police had warned protesters to stay at least 150m away from the building.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 17:15 UTC
Protesters 'post' letters to King after police fire water cannon
Protesters 'post' letters to King after police fire water cannonProtesters drop letters to the King in symbolic post boxes at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Police fired water cannon at anti-government protesters to prevent them from marching to the Royal Household Bureau at the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Sunday. Four red post boxes were placed on Ratchadamnoen Nai Avenue for protesters to "post" their letters to the King. Protesters react after police fired water cannon at them at Sanam Luang on Sunday. The decision to use water cannon came after police had warned protesters to stay at least 150m away from the building.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 12:25 UTC
Joe Biden wins US election | Bangkok Post: learning
"This is the time to heal in America," Biden told supporters at an outdoor rally in his home city of Wilmington, Delaware. Acknowledging the disappointment of Trump supporters, Biden said of them: "They are not our enemies. They've delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory," Biden said. US President-elect Joe Biden promised Saturday to unite Americans and seek to heal divisions after what he called a "convincing" victory over Donald Trump. Presidential nominee Joe Biden celebrates onstage at his election rally, after the news media announced that Biden has won the 2020 election, in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 03:33 UTC
Size doesn't matter: NZ tips scales for smaller rugby players
Size doesn't matter: NZ tips scales for smaller rugby playersAuckland University Squids Matt Jones tackles Eden Lizards Matt Turner (C) during the U85 Club Cup Final at Eden Park. Taylor, who describes himself as "a comfortable 83kg", was unsure if he would still be playing rugby if the weight-restricted game was not an option. Henry said the focus for under-85kg players was on being part of the rugby community, rather than feeding into the elite tier of the sport. "Can you image a New Zealand under-85kg team playing a Japan under-85kg team? Lancaster said if the success of the under-85kg competition continued, NZR had "an open mind" about introducing further weight grades in the future.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 08, 2020 03:00 UTC
Youth inclusion a must in governing
Youth inclusion a must in governingAs Myanmar gears up to hold its second election since its transition to democracy began in 2011, the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) -- with its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi -- looks set to retain its majority in the quasi-civilian regime. In the lead-up to today's vote, several younger NLD members voiced their disappointment with how the party is run. One such faction is headed by former NLD lawmaker Thet Thet Khine, who now leads the People's Pioneer Party. To ensure the push towards democracy can be maintained, Ms Suu Kyi and the NLD's upper echelons need to realise their way of doing politics can no longer be sustained. This is what those in power in Nay Pyi Taw and Bangkok need to realise -- it is time to include youth in moving both countries forward.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 07, 2020 22:07 UTC
Unity panel risks being built on sand
(Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)The future of the proposed reconciliation committee aimed at resolving the political conflict still hangs in the balance as the anti-government movement has refused to take part while the position of opposition politicians remains unclear. A protest group under the banner of the People's Movement announced on Wednesday it would not join parliament's proposed panel, calling it a ruse to keep Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in power. The first would comprise representatives from seven groups while the second would see the panel made up of "neutral" representatives proposed by those involved. These two very distinct issues need different approaches and thus should be considered separately, Mr Abhisit said. Therefore, the first step should be to amend Section 272 of the charter, which allows the coup-appointed senators to join MPs in voting for a prime minister, Mr Abhisit said.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 07, 2020 21:56 UTC
The milkman who became a secret agent
It is an intriguing tale of an Edinburgh milkman who became the most famous fictional spy in the world. I was standing in a long queue that snaked around the Odeon cinema for the opening of the first James Bond film, Dr. No. It is hard to explain the impact of that initial Bond film to anyone who didn't experience the 1960s. It was also the first time I heard the simple but effective catchphrase, "The name's Bond… James Bond". My favourite Connery film was The Man Who Would Be King in which he co-starred with Michael Caine.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 07, 2020 21:56 UTC
MotoGP hopes for 'normality' in 2021
Riders take part in the 2019 Thailand Grand Prix at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram in October last year. (Post File Photo)The 2021 MotoGP season will feature 20 races, including the Thailand Grand Prix in October in Buri Ram, according to a provisional calendar, with organisers hoping for a “return to normality” after a coronavirus-hit year. The motorcycle racing season scheduled to start, as usual, in Qatar on March 8 and finish in Valencia, Spain on Nov 14. The Thailand Grand Prix, at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram, was originally scheduled to take place on March 22 but was postponed to Oct 4. Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP organisers Dorna Sports, said on Friday: “We will try to return to normality (in 2021).
Source:Bangkok Post
November 07, 2020 07:30 UTC