Champagne and donuts: Virus-beating Melbourne readies reopening party
Champagne and donuts: Virus-beating Melbourne readies reopening partyChefs prepare meals for testing during a staff orientation day as Tiamo Bistro readies for opening in Melbourne after a gruelling lockdown. MELBOURNE: Melbourne on Tuesday achieved what elated residents called the "double donut" -- two days of no new coronavirus cases -- as bars in Australia's second city readied for a midnight reopening after a gruelling months-long lockdown. Melbourne and the surrounding state of Victoria has been the epicentre of Australia's second wave, with an outbreak that peaked at more than 700 daily cases in August. Greg Sanderson's inner-Melbourne bar Nick & Nora's launched just three days before counter-pandemic measures forced it shut in March. Fabrizio Succi, who jointly owns Melbourne eatery Tiamo, told AFP his team was scrambling to prepare for reopening after being given the green light on Monday.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2020 05:37 UTC
Tuesday: 3 new Covid cases | Bangkok Post: learning
The case who arrived from Qatar is a British engineer, 53, who had a family in Thailand. The case from Sudan is a Sudanese medical student, 19, who arrived via the United Arab Emirates on Oct 24. The case from the US is a 20-year American employee of the US Embassy who arrived via Qatar on Oct 23. All three new cases were asymptomatic, had been quarantined and were receiving treatment in Bangkok. Of the total 3,746 cases, 3,551 (94.79%) recovered, including eight discharged over the past 24 hours, and 136 patients were in hospitals.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2020 04:52 UTC
Charter change bill next week, says PM | Bangkok Post: learning
Anti-government demonstrators march along Rama IV Road from Samyan intersection to the German embassy on Sathon Road in the evening. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told a special meeting on Monday that the scrutiny process should be completed by December. He reminded MPs that his government had held talks on charter amendments with the leaders of the coalition parties on Oct 6. We are trying to solve as much as we can, as fast as we can." Mr Wissanu said if the military-appointed Senate didn't vote -- as demanded by the protesters -- candidates for prime minister might not receive enough votes to be elected.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 27, 2020 02:26 UTC
Reason key to resolving conflict
Reason key to resolving conflictI hardly express my political views, since I am aware that I am not an expert on political issues, but today I would like to offer a personal opinion as a citizen who is concerned about the current situation. Not to mention, those with different views may well be our friends or a family member. At least, we are fortunate that the ongoing conflict is about politics, not religion or race, which are far more difficult to resolve. Our society is at a crossroads and any missteps could trigger violence, causing losses and further dividing friends and families. At this difficult time, I think that only reason, compassion and tolerance of those with different views can help us avoid losses and move on.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2020 21:56 UTC
Blind devotion will only lead to fear, disgrace
Blind devotion will only lead to fear, disgraceWe love people who love and agree with us. Yesterday, a pair of popular twin actors well-known for their volunteer work came out to say they would not tolerate individuals who called for a monarchy reform. One of the twins said they are ready to slap anti-government protesters and pay the fine for breaking the law. But the kind of blind and fervent devotion that does not recognise dissent, even seeks to suppress it by violence or death, can only lead to fear and disgrace. As the protesters marched to the German Embassy yesterday, it's clear the demand for the monarchy reform has taken root.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2020 21:56 UTC
Only sincerity can end strife
Only sincerity can end strifeParliament, which saw a joint house-senate meeting begin yesterday, has one more day to find a solution to the political unrest. As the House convened, the street protests carried on unabated, with anti-government demonstrators yesterday converging at Sam Yan and marching to the German embassy. However, the government, with solid support from the Senate, and the opposition bloc remain at loggerheads over how to plot a course to a peaceful end to the situation. Once the special meeting wraps up later today, Prime Minister Prayut must pay heed to all the advice. With the clock now ticking, the prime minister must act quickly and, above all, he must act sincerely.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2020 21:45 UTC
Protesters march to German embassy | Bangkok Post: learning
The pro-democracy movement gathered at Samyan intersection about 5pm and started marching on Rama IV Road to the embassy on Sathorn Road. They said earlier that they would petition the German government through the embassy to look into whether the King had violated German sovereignty by exercising his power on German soil. The German embassy on Monday released a statement written on Sunday stressing the need for a peaceful gathering by the protesters and protection of its premises by the government. Protesters began marching to the German embassy on Monday evening, to ask Berlin to look into the matter of His Majesty the King living in Germany. Protesters march along Rama IV Road from Samyan intersection to the German embassy on Sathorn Road on Monday.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2020 12:33 UTC
RE.UNIQLO initiative aimed at encouraging customers to participate in giving unwanted clothing new life
Global apparel retailer UNIQLO will launch RE.UNIQLO, an initiative that collects UNIQLO clothing that is no longer needed by customers and gives them new life and new value. On November 2, Recycled Down Jackets will be launched in Thailand as the first offering from the initiative. It further develops the All-Product Recycling initiative that the brand started in 2006 to collect lightly used clothing from customers and donate them to refugees and others in need and promotes product-to-product recycling. Under the initiative, the company collects pre-worn UNIQLO items from customers to be recycled as part of new products. Through RE.UNIQLO, UNIQLO is uniting with customers in a drive to become a brand that is better for the environment and communities alike.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2020 10:30 UTC
Parliament in crisis session as protest moves to German embassy | Bangkok Post: learning
Opposition leader Sompong Amornwiwat (standing) calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as parliament meets in joint session on Monday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)A special session of parliament on Monday opened with a call for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down, as protesters planned to target the German embassy. The prime minister should be open-minded to the young protesters' demands, he said. As MPs and senators met in joint session to try and find solutions to the problems, protesters plan to rally at the German embassy in Bangkok. The protesters wanted German authorities to look into whether His Majesty the King had violated German sovereignty by exercising his power on German soil.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2020 06:22 UTC
Schools told to prepare for second wave | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo by Arnun ChonmahatrakoolAcademics have said that schools need to prepare for a second wave of Covid-19 infections if they are to avoid further disruptions to the education of their students. "The pandemic denied many children, particularly those in rural areas, learning and self-development opportunities," Dilaka Lathapipat, Human Development Economist for the Education Unit of the World Bank based in Bangkok, said. He suggested education-related units must urgently address this problem while getting ready to deal with a possible second wave of Covid-19 infections more efficiently. The economist was one of the speakers during Friday's "My School and Covid-19" online discussion arranged by the Princess Maha Chakri Award Foundation, the Ministry of Education and education organisations. Students were also bullied at school more than other students in OECD countries.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 26, 2020 02:26 UTC
Time to look beyond tourism industry
A big majority of the affected population are from the hard-hit tourism industry, which since March has been wrestling to keep its head above water after Thailand closed its borders. Having worked as a head chef in a hotel for most of his life, he had a busy 24/7 schedule up until the Covid-19 pandemic hit and Thailand's famed tourism industry went bust. Reports indicate that in the first quarter of 2020, the tourism industry roughly contributed 5.65% to the gross domestic product (GDP). Such unprecedented times call for unique measures, especially when it comes to bolstering the country's tourism industry. We have heard little of any alternatives which is absolutely necessary at this time now that it is clear how unpredictable the tourism industry is when facing instability.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 23:48 UTC
Revolution is unlikely to succeed
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, of the Progressive Movement, who appears obsessed with the French Revolution, implied in a recent Facebook post that the monarchy has two choices -- either it agrees with reform or faces a revolution. A revolution by the people without military support has a remote chance of being successful as attested by the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Zoltan Barany wrote in the Journal of Democracy back in October 2011 that support of the armed forces is a necessary condition for a revolution to succeed. In Tunisia and Egypt, he said the military backed the revolution while in Libya and Yemen, the military was split. The military rebellion against Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos was also instrumental in the success of the People's People Revolution in 1986.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 23:26 UTC
Study looks at using EVs to power homes
Study looks at using EVs to power homesDendo Drive House technology lets a PHEV feed power back to a house. "This will be another business model that can help draw people's interest towards EVs," said Jakapong Pongthanaisawan, an EV researcher at Chulalongkorn University's Energy Research Institute. Mr Jakapong said the study is another attempt to promote EVs via the state and private sector, though both need to do more to popularise the vehicles. "I think it's impossible," said a car owner who requested anonymity. Motorists are charged for charging their cars and batteries may be used up, leaving nothing to power their houses, said the car owner.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 23:26 UTC
Rally retorts a childish tactic
Rally retorts a childish tacticPolitical tension has intensified and could escalate into violence unless all the parties show restraint. When Gen Prayut insisted that he would not resign as demanded, the protesters announced they would escalate their campaign. The childish tit-for-tat of organising one rally to counter should be beneath anyone whose job it is the govern the country responsibly as it would risk provoking confrontations and violence. On Thursday, a group of people wearing yellow skirmished with student protesters at Ramkamkaeng University in Hua Mark, Bangkok, causing some injuries. It is obvious the yellow-clad group is being organised to counter the student group.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 23:15 UTC
Rights education key to resolving conflict
"We have started to educate them about human rights. "That's why we have to make them understand what harassment, rights violation and human rights really mean," the director-general said. As a government body responsible for protecting people's rights, the director-general said his staff have worked with the National Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Education to publish a guidebook on human rights education for students, starting from the kindergarten level. The department has trained teachers on the human rights curriculum in universities and schools in 10 provinces across the country. "In pilot schools, secondary education students who have learned about human rights first asked their teachers about school rules and issues like bullying.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 23:15 UTC