Woman slaps girl for not standing during national anthem | Bangkok Post: learning
the 45-year-old vendor, wearing red, slaps the face of the high school girl who did not stand up during the national anthem at Ayutthaya railway station on Tuesday. (Photo from เพื่ออยุธยา เพื่อประชาธิปไตย For Ayutthaya For Democracy Facebook page)A 45-year-old vendor has been charged with assault after slapping a girl who did not stand up during the playing of the national anthem at Ayutthaya railway station on Tuesday evening. A video of her assaulting the 15-year-old student went viral online, drawing heavy criticism of the woman's action. The vendor, identified only as Poo, became angry after the girl had failed to stand up for the 6pm national anthem on Tuesday. However, the girl's uncle explained she did not stand because she was having her period, not showing lack of respect for the anthem as alleged by the woman.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 29, 2020 01:30 UTC
'Tough task in store' for reconciliation committee
'Tough task in store' for reconciliation committeeDefusing the escalating political tensions through a panel tasked with forging national reconciliation will be a tough challenge given the extremely complex nature of the conflict, says the head of the King Prajadhipok's Institute, the organisation that has been commissioned to study the committee's set-up. The remark was made by Woothisarn Tanchai, the institute's secretary-general, after Parliament president Chuan Leekpai proposed establishing the reconciliation committee, and to hire the institute to study its composition as a possible solution to the current political conflict. Mr Chuan said parliament should rely on the institute to provide suggestions on who should sit on the committee and whether representatives of the youth-led, anti-dictatorship protestors should also be invited to join. Mr Woothisarn told the Bangkok Post that the committee has a very difficult task ahead of it. Mr Woothisarn said the current political climate is unlike any conflicts seen in the past.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2020 23:48 UTC
High-speed trains 'will boost the economy'
The Thai-Chinese high-speed railway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima will act as a major spur to the economy, the prime minister said on Wednesday. Also present were Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Deputy Transport Minister Atirat Ratanasate, acting Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Yang Xin and executives of China Railway International and China Railway Design Corporation. Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri later quoted Gen Prayut as saying the high-speed rail route was an important strategic asset that would increase the country's competitiveness and develop cities along it. The transport minister said the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, expected to be completed in 2025, was in line with the government's 20-year national development plan. It would also help equally distribute income and reduce inequality while allowing for knowledge and technological transfer from China, which has expertise in high-speed railways.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2020 23:23 UTC
Phangan voted 'third best' island
Phangan voted 'third best' islandHolidaymakers enjoy the sun at Than Sadet beach on Koh Phangan, voted the third best island in Asia in this year's readers' choice awards by 'Conde Nast Traveler' magazine. (Photo by Karnjana Ayuwatanachai)Koh Phangan in Surat Thani has been voted the third best island in Asia, according to the readers' choice awards by travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. Provincial governor Wichawut Jinto on Wednesday said that Koh Phangan has been hailed as one of the best islands in the world. The governor said Koh Phangan had more to offer than the full moon party. He said Koh Phangan also has other beautiful beaches -- such as Thong Nai Pan, Khuad and Yao beaches.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2020 23:16 UTC
Could quarantine facilities be slacking?
Could quarantine facilities be slacking? A week later, the Public Health Ministry vowed to streamline alternative state quarantine (ASQ) standards. How could she possibly catch the virus from a gym during quarantine if we are living in a "sealed" kingdom where Thai returnees are required to strictly observe a 14-day isolation in state quarantine facilities? I'm sure the standards and guildelines by the Ministry of Public Health have been strictly followed by Thai returnees staying at state quarantine facilities. A friend who landed earlier this month with her family stayed at state quarantine in Chon Buri.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2020 23:15 UTC
Hope for end to deadlock
Hope for end to deadlockA special joint House-Senate meeting that was wrapped up on Wednesday gave some hope that the country's political deadlock might be solved through democratic and parliamentary means. The Democrat Party proposed a reconciliation panel to be set up under House Speaker Chuan Leekpai. Gen Prayut affirmed his decision to stay on because he said the country faced a crisis. In fact, the country may have avoided today's strife had he and the government not thwarted the charter amendment process back in September. While the government has pledged to go ahead with the charter rewrite process, it has still failed to make its stance clear on the role of the Senate in accordance with the contentious Section 272.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2020 22:52 UTC
Masks and Covid-19: In the US, a patchwork of policies persist
Masks and Covid-19: In the US, a patchwork of policies persistMasks have become a common sight in the United States and across the world since springWASHINGTON - As the United States' Covid-19 infection rate hits an all-time high, calls are growing for a nationwide mask mandate to replace the current patchwork of state regulations. In the other 17, it's been left to local jurisdictions, like cities, towns and counties to decide for themselves. The problem with this method, which was also used in Texas and Oklahoma, is that it does not take into account the other behavior measures that often accompany mask orders, such as bar closures. But when the infection rate is soaring as high as it is, even a small fraction of people who don't mask are enough to sustain the spread. One of Trump's new coronavirus advisors, Scott Atlas -- whose expertise is heavily disputed by the scientific and public health community -- recently tweeted: "Masks work?
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2020 20:03 UTC
Your horoscope for 30 Oct
Your spot-on horoscope for work, money, couples & singles from the Bangkok Post's famously accurate fortune teller. (♥) Your partner may become jealous because you interact too frequently with a close friend online. ♍ VirgoAug 23 – Sept 22(⛹) You're able to get things done quicker and slack off at work a bit. (⚤) People you meet online may turn out to be insincere. You'll know who's the one within Nov.♓ PiscesFeb 19 – Mar 20(⛹) You have to work alongside people from different generations all the time.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2020 04:52 UTC
Hotel under investigation after Samui Covid case | Bangkok Post: learning
The French woman left the hotel on Oct 15 and returned to her home on Koh Samui, where she developed a fever on Oct 17. The two infected male patients tested positive on Oct 15 and Oct 19 respectively. The results will help us come closer to answering how the French lady became infected with the disease. We need a few days to carry out the genetic testing," Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, acting chief of the Department of Disease Control told media on Tuesday. The department announced on Tuesday that the Siam Mandarina Hotel would no longer be used for returnees.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 28, 2020 02:15 UTC
Big firms fuzzy on their AI thinking
Big firms fuzzy on their AI thinkingEverything you see these days is AI enabled in some way, or according to the marketing they must be. Software, fridges, cancer detection and lots of other examples are all based on some kind of AI implementation. Google, Microsoft and all the big players are heavily invested in at least the buzzword, but the proof of delivery as promised is elusive. This was widely reported by the media but to date, doctors in the field have not seen the evidence to back up those claims. Without the code and data, it is not possible to replicate and would take months to independently duplicate in any way.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2020 23:48 UTC
Justice for Chaiyaphum still undelivered
Justice for Chaiyaphum still undeliveredFamily and friends of slain Lahu activist Chaiyaphum Pasae hold a commemorative ceremony on May 18, 2017 to mark the killing of the activist near the site where he was shot dead in Ban Rin Laung in Chiang Mai's Chiang Dao district. For those who don't, Chaiyaphum, who was driving a car along the Chiang Dao-Chiang Mai road, was stopped at a military checkpoint in Ban Rin Laung, Chiang Dao district. Friends and colleagues said they did not believe Chaiyaphum had ever been involved with drug trafficking. Ratsada Manooratsada, the lawyer for Chaiyaphum's family, said the court judge had dismissed Chaiyaphum family's lawsuit as he believed the soldier acted in self-defence. Chaiyaphum's family told reporters that they were disheartened after fighting for justice for so many years.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2020 23:26 UTC
Blast must be explained
Unless the cause is quickly identified and action is taken to secure the integrity of the entire pipeline, public safety cannot be guaranteed. The huge blast shocked nearby residents and some of them were also injured in the ensuing panic. It set up an operation centre for people affected by the blast and provided them with accommodation and food. The company said it has assigned more staff and specialists to study the blast site to find out what caused the explosion. One factor that has been suggested as having possibly triggered the blast is soil subsidence.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2020 23:26 UTC
Mae Sot 'Covid-free', Samui transmission chances 'slim'
Mae Sot 'Covid-free', Samui transmission chances 'slim'Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anuting Charnvirakul, centre, observes Covid-19 testing in Mae Sot district of Tak last week. The Disease Control Department announced on Tuesday that Mae Sot was safe from the disease. A further 1,400 people were examined in Phop Phra and Umphang districts and everyone tested negative, Dr Opas said. "This means that Mae Sot is safe," he said. Officials found small traces of Covid-19 on exercise equipment in the hotel gymnasium, but 67 members of the hotel staff tested negative.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2020 10:41 UTC
Arnon released, re-arrested on fresh charge
Arnon released, re-arrested on fresh chargeArnon Nampha, centre, on the stage during the rally at Sanam Luang on Sept 20. (Photo: Amornthep Chotchalermpong)Protest leader Arnon Nampha was re-arrested after being released from Chiang Mai prison on bail and was taken to Pathum Thani and then to Chana Songkhram police station in Bangkok on Tuesday. On Monday, Mr Arnon was released from the Mae Taeng prison in Chiang Mai after the Chiang Mai Provincial Court approved bail with 200,000 baht cash collateral. His lawyer, Veeranan Huadsri, said since the arrest warrant was obtained by Chana Songkhram police, he should be questioned at Chana Songkhram police station. Mr Arnon was still in good, fighting spirit, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2020 06:11 UTC