House session needs sincerity to succeed
House session needs sincerity to succeedAnti-government demonstrators turn on phone light during a rally at Ratchaprasong intersection last night. It is the first time the parliament has taken up such a role since it came together following last year's election. As the MPs set out for their debate, street demonstrations look set to continue. We don't have to look far for an example -- last year's charter rewrite debate didn't succeed as it showed the government was insincere about change. More importantly, Gen Prayut should know, a victory for the government or himself could be a loss for the country.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 23:15 UTC
Qatar 'forcibly examined' women, drawing angry diplomatic response
Qatar 'forcibly examined' women, drawing angry diplomatic responseThe invasive searches held up departure of one Qatar Airways flight to Australia for four hoursDOHA - Female passengers flying from Qatar were subjected to invasive searches after a premature baby was found abandoned in an airport bathroom, in an incident labelled "offensive" and "grossly inappropriate" by Australia's government. Airport officials have not denied the incident, saying women passengers "were asked to assist" with inquiries to locate the mother of the baby, who they say is still alive. - ' Unacceptable treatment' -An Australian government spokeswoman said the country was "deeply concerned at the unacceptable treatment" of the female passengers. The incident, first reported by Australia's Seven Network broadcaster, happened on October 2 and came to light after a number of affected Australian passengers spoke out. Qatar practices a strict form of Islamic law, with stiff penalties applied to women who fall pregnant or bear children outside marriage.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 22:41 UTC
'World-class' Vardy rocks Arsenal as Leicester go fourth
'World-class' Vardy rocks Arsenal as Leicester go fourthLeicester striker Jamie Vardy celebrates his goal at Arsenal. LONDON: Brendan Rodgers saluted "world-class" Jamie Vardy after he sealed Leicester's late 1-0 win as spluttering Arsenal crashed to a third defeat in their last four Premier League games on Sunday. The 33-year-old has made a habit of tormenting Arsenal and has now scored 11 goals in 12 Premier League games against them. "Our plan was always to bring Jamie Vardy into the game and he can stretch it," said Rodgers. "He makes the big contributions in the big games," he added after Leicester's first win at Arsenal since 1973.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 22:30 UTC
Thousands pack Ratchaprasong to call for Prayut to quit | Bangkok Post: learning
The shopping area was transformed once again into a rally site by student-led protesters seeking to end the military’s longstanding control of Thai politics. Jatupat Boonpattararaksa of the Dao Din group said the Ratchaprasong rally was to send a clear signal that Prayut’s time as leader of Thailand was over. Mr Jatupat said he had little hope that the crisis could be resolved in Parliament, and protesters would continue their peaceful demonstrations. Thousands of anti-government protesters filled Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection on Sunday, calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down. Protesters shine their mobile phone lights at Ratchaprasong intersection during a rally calling for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Sunday.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 17:37 UTC
Workers eradicate first nest of 'murder hornets' found in US
Workers eradicate first nest of 'murder hornets' found in USSven Spichiger, Washington State Department of Agriculture managing entomologist, displays a canister of Asian giant hornets vacuumed from a nest in a tree in Blaine, Washington state, US. LOS ANGELES: Agricultural department workers wearing protective suits have eradicated the first nest of giant "murder hornets" discovered in the United States, vacuuming them out of a tree in Washington state. The nest of Asian giant hornets was found on Thursday by Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) entomologists on a property in Blaine, near the border with Canada, the agency said. Canada also found Asian giant hornets in two locations in neighbouring British Colombia. "If it becomes established, this hornet will have negative impacts on the environment, economy, and public health of Washington State," the WSDA said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 25, 2020 07:07 UTC
Protesters plan action after PM ignores deadline to quit
Protesters plan action after PM ignores deadline to quitPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha arrives at Wat Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram to lead Buddhist prayers to save the country on Saturday. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakkul)Anti-government protesters said on Saturday they would hold demonstrations on Sunday and Monday after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ignored their 10pm deadline to resign. The protesters will gather at Samyan intersection at 5pm on Monday and walk to the German embassy, it added. He was among dozens of protesters arrested this month and was freed on bail on Friday. Since July, protesters have been demanding the departure of Gen Prayut and a new constitution.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 24, 2020 23:30 UTC
Matt's mega-lawsuit, what's up doc, flying pickup blues
The court has called both sides back for a decision on whether it will accept the case on Nov 3. Matt said many celebrities had made contact offering advice about her legal venture, as they too had been defamed online. However, staff were suspicious and called Phichit Hospital where the poster is on staff asking if he did in fact work there. Surachai Kaewhirun, director of Phichit Hospital, said staff had looked up the man's name on the staff database. Anirut Leknuan, 34, the owner, was sleeping at the time when the Isuzu D-Max pickup truck plunged into his home.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 24, 2020 22:18 UTC
Hong Kong students pledge loyalty to Thai protesters
Hong Kong students pledge loyalty to Thai protestersPUSH AND SHOVE: Police and protesters clash before a water cannon was deployed to disperse the crowd near Pathumwan intersection on Oct 16. Hong Kong students have pledged support for the pro-democracy movement in Thailand after the recent wave of anti-government protests has rocked the capital for over a week. On Monday, Hong Kong activists gathered at the Thai consulate in the city to show solidarity with their counterparts in Thailand. However, Ms Woo said Thai protesters stand a higher chance of success because they are challenging the state directly. "A lot of Hong Kong protesters wish Thais good luck because they have yet to achieve their five demands.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 24, 2020 22:07 UTC
Govt struggles with 'tech-savvy' protesters
Govt struggles with 'tech-savvy' protestersYoung anti-government protesters at Kasetsart intersection throw up the three-finger salute on Monday. They also raised concern about possible confrontations between anti-government protesters and pro-monarchy groups who are coming out to counter their demands for reform of the monarchy. On the contrary, unconstructive use of it could also become a double-edged sword and lead to unrest, Mr Suriyasai said. Mr Suriyasai said a weakness in these digital platforms is that they become a weapon rather than serving as a forum for discussion. As a result, pressure will shift back onto the protesters instead, Mr Suriyasai said, adding that conflict may also arise among protesters as their patience is wearing thin as the conflict drags on.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 24, 2020 22:07 UTC
When protesters wore duffel coats
When protesters wore duffel coatsThere seem to be daily protests going on around the world at the moment for multifarious reasons and it got me thinking about the first street demonstrations I witnessed first-hand in England as a teenager back in the Stone Age. There were also numerous sightings of duffel coats with all those toggles. He wore a green duffel coat and recalls plenty of repartee with onlookers. Fashionably warmThe aforementioned duffel coats were named after the Belgian town of Duffel where they manufactured the thick material. In addition to CND marches, duffel coats were widely used in World War II and Field Marshal Montgomery was frequently spotted wearing one.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 24, 2020 22:07 UTC
PM must embrace youthful ingenuity
This time, perhaps for the first time, those seeking a more transparent democratic process in the kingdom, among other significant reforms, also have the technological advantage. For all the 36 billion baht submarine deals struck by the navy, neither the armed forces nor those currently nervously pacing the corridors of power can match the present protest movement's mastery of social media and communications technology. With growing levels of support for the protest movement, no amount of "smart" city proposals can hide the need for the behemoths of Thai society and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government to become smarter themselves. The world has changed and Thailand is lucky enough to have a generation that is ahead of the curve in many respects. In other words, it's time for the government to realise that the kids really are alright.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 24, 2020 22:07 UTC
City struggles continue at West Ham
Manchester City keeper Ederson jumps to make a save during the club’s Premier League match against West Ham United at The London Stadium on Saturday. (AFP Photo)LONDON: West Ham United extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-1 home draw against struggling Manchester City in Premier League action on Saturday. The visitors were abject in the first half despite dominating possession, and in-form West Ham deservedly took the lead through Michail Antonio's acrobatic volley in the 18th minute. West Ham and City both have eight points and sit in 10th and 11th places respectively, although City have a game in hand. Saturday was the first time West Ham had faced City while sitting above them in the league table since March 2009.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 24, 2020 13:28 UTC
Victims of our success
If the CCSA and the government agree, the shorter quarantine policy is likely to commence almost right away next month. There must be a mobile app or system in place to let health officials trace where tourists go and locate them if infections do occur. Local health officials have tested over 4,000 villagers. Apparently, local officials and villagers know what to do. Otherwise, Thailand will not be able to step out from its cocoon and we will end up as prisoners of our own success, with low infection rates, but a completely battered economy.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 23, 2020 23:26 UTC
New rules needed as endgame nears
New rules needed as endgame nearsPro-democracy demonstrators on the front line during a rally at Tuek Chai intersection on Wednesday. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)Society is holding its breath as today marks the deadline of the anti-dictatorship movement's demand for embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign. Although he stood aside after the 2019 election, seeking only the DPM role, it will be a different story if Gen Prayut resigns. It should be noted that many would accept Mr Anutin in the role given his success with medical cannabis and links to the country's coronavirus fight. Although the intensity of the protests may subside if Mr Anutin rises to power, they almost certainly won't disappear altogether.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 23, 2020 23:26 UTC
'Trench warfare' in Liege, Europe's new virus front
'Trench warfare' in Liege, Europe's new virus frontBelgium is experiencing one of the worst second waves of the coronavirus pandemic in the worldLIEGE (BELGIUM) - Shell-shocked hospital staff, some of whom have tested positive for the coronavirus, are fighting a losing battle in the Belgian city of Liege against Europe's second wave of Covid-19. This repeat performance brings a quiet rage to those on the front lines in the medieval city's overwhelmed university hospital CHU Liege. We can see a tsunami coming," said the doctor, whose unit now has 18 virus patients in its 26 beds. - 'It's trench warfare' -In the intensive care ward, nurse Thomas, who gave only his last name, said he had worked after testing positive for the virus three weeks ago. "Now it's trench warfare", with the difference that "it's not bombs, it's a virus" and "it's the virus calling the shots, not us, not politicians, not scientists."
Source:Bangkok Post
October 23, 2020 11:26 UTC