Correction to story 'Protesters hit Bangkok train stations'
Correction to story 'Protesters hit Bangkok train stations'In the article “Protesters hit Bangkok train stations” published in the print edition of the Bangkok Post on Oct 18, it was incorrectly stated that “anti-government protesters yesterday broke into smaller groups around Bangkok, utilising a new tactic that disrupted the capital’s key public transport services, including its entire electric rail system”. The Bangkok Post would like to clarify that anti-government protesters were not responsible for the decision to shut down the services. In fact, after the protesters announced they would gather at several areas including at electric train stations, the government's centre for jointly resolving serious emergency situations issued an announcement prohibiting the use of some areas and transportation services in Bangkok, including electric trains. Transport operators such as the BTS Skytrain, the MRT and Airport Rail Link accordingly announced the suspension of services “for passengers’ safety”. The mistake was made during the editing process.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 18, 2020 09:20 UTC
Early encounters with the Nite Owl
Early encounters with the Nite OwlA few words on former colleague Bernard Trink, who sadly passed away last week at the age of 89. Aside from his celebrated Friday Nite Owl pages, every week he would produce lengthy reviews of movies, restaurants and books, along with interviews with local celebrities. But he was best known for his Nite Owl column and if you walked into the Post on a Friday afternoon in the early 1970s you could guarantee all the sub-editors would have their heads buried into the words of wisdom from the Nite Owl. And of course he always finished Nite Owl with his famous catch-phrase: "But I don't give a hoot". There will never be a column quite like Nite Owl.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 17, 2020 21:22 UTC
Protesters rally as BTS, MRT shut down | Bangkok Post: learning
Demonstrators begin gathering on Phahon Yothin Road in front of the skywalk at the closed Lat Phrao station on Saturday afternoon. Rally participants were asked to go to the location closest to them: the Lat Phrao interchange, Udom Suk BTS station or the Wong Wian Yai roundabout. The biggest group was seen at Lat Phrao, where about 2,000 people had gathered. It said the shutdown was “due to an emergency decree announced by the government”. The moves were made in anticipation of a fourth consecutive day of protests in defiance of the emergency decree imposed this week.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 17, 2020 09:45 UTC
Protests end peacefully at three sites
Demonstrators on the front lines at the Lat Phrao station wear helmets and hard hats to guard against possible police action on Saturday evening, but the rally ended without incident. While rumours spread about imminent crackdowns — at Lat Phrao some front-line demonstrators passed around hard hats — the police presence was minimal. Authorities decided that Victory Monument and the Asok intersection were two likely spots, so they sealed off access completely. The fourth consecutive day of protests took place in defiance of the emergency decree imposed this week in the capital. Authorities have faced heavy criticism for their response, as the demonstration at the Pathumwan intersection was peaceful.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 17, 2020 08:45 UTC
AirAsia X 'out of money'
The tail of an AirAsia X plane is seen at the Garuda AeroAsia maintenance facility in Tangerang, Indonesia. (Reuters Photo)KUALA LUMPUR: The long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X Bhd has run out of money and needs to raise up to 500 million ringgit (US$120 million) to restart the airline, according to deputy chairman Lim Kian Onn. He said AirAsia X also needed to convince its lessors of its business plan, adding that an unnamed lessor recently took back one of the airline’s planes to convert it to a freighter. The airline plans to liquidate its small Indonesia-based carrier and has completely written down its stake in Thai AirAsia X, with the Thai carrier not part of the restructuring scheme, Lim told the newspaper. AirAsia X declined to comment beyond the details published in the newspaper article.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 17, 2020 07:52 UTC
'Critical' state of emergency not justified
'Critical' state of emergency not justifiedA person takes a photo of a crowd of protesters at Ratchaprasong intersection on Thursday evening. The declaration of the 'critical' state of emergency fuelled the anger of many Bangkok residents. There's even less justification for declaring a "critical" state of emergency in Bangkok. But then an incident took place, which the government seized upon to justify its declaration of the "critical" state of emergency. But if the government expected the state of emergency declaration to scare away the protesters, events have now shown they were dead wrong.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 23:15 UTC
IWF appoints 3rd leader in 3 days
(Photo: LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA)LONDON: The troubled International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has appointed its third interim president in as many days, with Britain's Michael Irani taking over from Thailand's Intarat Yodbangtoey. "I do not intend to stand as a candidate for the IWF president position in the future, so I will be able to focus fully on the reforms leading up to a clear and transparent IWF congress," Irani, 71, said in a statement. USA Weightlifting and the British Weight Lifting (BWL) issued strong statements after Intarat's appointment, accusing the IWF board of blocking reform. The IWF board elected Papandrea in January after 81-year-old president Tamas Ajan, a Hungarian, stepped aside during a corruption probe. Prachya Keeratinan was elected as Tawa president to succeed Boossaba in March.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 23:15 UTC
North, Isan, South brace for floods
Pedestrians cross a street in heavy rain near Ratchaprasong intersection, which was sealed off by a huge security force yesterday evening. Apichit JinakulNakhon Ratchasima, provinces in the Northeast and the South of Thailand are facing floods as a storm approaches. The Meteorological Department warned the North, the Northeast, Central area and the East to brace for another storm from South China Sea, moving towards Vietnam yesterday. The department said that one depression moved from the South China Sea to Vietnam yesterday and caused downpours in the North, Northeast, Central region and the East. Pak Thong Chai district chief Banlang Waisiri sent people to distribute drinking water, food and other relief items to affected households.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 23:03 UTC
Zoo flaws need taming
Zoo flaws need tamingIt has been two weeks since the fatal shooting of Suriya Saengpong, head of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand (ZPOT), while on an inspection trip to Songkhla Zoo. Songkhla Zoo is never short of scandals. Songkhla Zoo officials could not give much of an explanation, only saying one of them was eaten by a python. The case of the missing animals at Songkhla Zoo is just the tip of a wildlife iceberg. The authorities should be aware that the fatal shooting of the zoo official in Songkhla was no ordinary crime.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 23:03 UTC
Protesters rally at Pathumwan intersection | Bangkok Post: learning
Come down," protesters urge people on the skywalk to join them on the streets at #Pathumwan intersection. Protesters in the streets at the intersection called out to people on the skywalk to join them on the ground. The nearby Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery shopping complexes announced they were closing because of the rally. A large crowd was building at the Pathumwan intersection in central Bangkok on Friday evening as anti-government protesters rallied for a third consecutive day. Anti-government protesters rally at Pathumwan intersection on Friday evening, calling on people on the skywalk to come down and join them.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 12:00 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: No room for child abuse | Bangkok Post: learning
The abuse case has raised issues on reforming the Thai education system. Bangkok Post spoke to three teachers about the abuse case. "It is unfortunate that Thai schools do not see the importance of training in basic early development in children. It's not seen as a big deal because it is common in Thai schools." I have seen how Thai teachers put fear in these children when they misbehave,” she added.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 10:30 UTC
Friday: new Covid cases from four countries | Bangkok Post: learning
Political protesters ignore social distancing rules during their rally at Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok on Thursday, when Thailand logged four new Covid-19 cases. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said the case from Nigeria is a Thai woman who arrived on Oct 9. The case from the UK is a Thai student aged 19. An Ethiopian woman, 37, who arrived on Monday from Addis Ababa for other medical treatment tested positive right away and is in a hospital in Bangkok. Of the total 3,669 cases, 3,467 (94.5%) had recovered, including four discharged over the past 24 hours, and 143 patients were in hospitals, the CCSA reported.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 06:11 UTC
'Wind of Memories' invitation
You are cordially invited to The Wind of Memories during 10th October – 1st November 2020Rewind and unwind the clock with an exclusive tea pairing experience by InterContinental Residences Hua Hin and TWG with local Hua Hin delicacies, live band and much more. One-bedroom starts at 7.89 MB. Register for reservation of Thai Afternoon Tea Set and more at www.intercontinentalresidenceshuahin.com or call us at 02 026 8999*Terms and conditions apply
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 03:45 UTC
New tropical storm to hit Thailand | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo by Disaster Response Associations ThailandThailand is bracing for a second tropical storm in two weeks, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The latest storm is expected to widen the damage caused by the previous one. In its storm update released at 11pm on Thursday, the TDM said a low-pressure cell east of the Philippines had intensified into a tropical depression. From Friday until Sunday, the depression is forecast to develop into a tropical storm, making landfall in the central region of Vietnam. The approaching storm, the second to hit the country in two weeks, is likely to dump heavy rain and bring strong winds in the North, Central Plains and Northeast and the eastern region.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 16, 2020 02:46 UTC
Huawei: ICT to form 30% of GDP by 2030
Huawei: ICT to form 30% of GDP by 2030Mr Deng says Thailand has the most attractive geographic location among Asean countries, as well as the best digital infrastructure. Huawei Thailand as a vendor appreciates the country's mobile broadband ecosystem development that makes Thailand a strategic market for Huawei Group, Mr Deng said. The ICT sector in the country is forecast to make up 30% of GDP by 2030, after which the sector's value is expected to climb 30% a year. In the US and Britain, the ICT sector contributes 50% to GDP, Mr Deng said. Regarding the current political conflicts in Thailand, Mr Deng said Huawei is still confident in the country's competitiveness, potential and security.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 15, 2020 23:37 UTC