Urgent Covid testing starts in Tak | Bangkok Post: learning
Administrative and health authorities visit a cargo-handling yard in Mae Sot district, Tak, on Monday. All are residents of border communities seen as being at high risk of spreading the virus that causes Covid-19, said Thoetkiat Shinsoranan, mayor of Mae Sot City Municipality. The testing was carried out while residents were being warned to stay home and avoid travelling as much as they could, said Mr Thoetkiat. The two main fresh markets in Mae Sot district saw a significant drop in shoppers on Monday even though most shops were open as usual. An official said during a visit to Mae Sot district on Monday that none of the 1,500 people already tested was found to have the virus.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 13, 2020 00:56 UTC
Time up for SRT excuses
There were reports that there was no barrier at the crash site, which is also to be a blind spot. The SRT keeps trotting out the same line: those spots are illegal crossings, which the SRT has not approved, and the agency has no money. But those routes are necessary and the SRT has no choice but to make them safe by installing devices of a required standard. Recent media reports reveal the SRT had asked for state funds for the barriers but a House panel vetting the budget scrapped it. Its only hope is that the department can secure the budget, at least for the most dangerous spots, until the SRT can seek a regular budget for the installation for the rest.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 12, 2020 23:37 UTC
Twitter exposes army's feeble IO strategies
Twitter exposes army's feeble IO strategiesHas word reached the Digital Economy and Society Ministry that the earth is not flat? Twitter also published details about the 926 accounts that it said ''can reliably link to the Royal Thai Army (RTA)". Like a spoiled boy, he simply asked the social media company why didn't it do his bidding first. Lt Gen Santipong Thammapiya, the army's spokesman and deputy chief-of-staff, said the army does not engage in information operations and only uses social media constructively. "This was a relatively unsophisticated social media information operation with limited reach.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 12, 2020 23:37 UTC
As false info hits 'boiling point,' ads warn US voters
As false info hits 'boiling point,' ads warn US votersA computer screen displays voter public service announcements in this illustration photo taken in Arlington, Virginia on October 12, 2020WASHINGTON - Verify before you share. Disinformation threatens to mislead voters and undermine confidence in the election -- the first presidential contest since 2016, which was marred by Russian interference. His organization and the Open Mind Legacy Project, which produces educational television, are behind the four animated 30-second ads, in English and Spanish. The ads caution citizens against fake videos or efforts by "governments" and others "to trip us up" and prevent voting. Abbott's action has added to public confusion already caused by false information, said Benavides, whose volunteer network is registering and educating voters.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 12, 2020 19:18 UTC
Khon Kaen hospital staff rally around embattled director
Khon Kaen hospital staff rally around embattled directorKhon Kaen Hospital staff rally at the entrance on Monday in support of their embattled director, who has once again been transferred. (Photo by Chakkrapan Natanri)KHON KAEN: Hundreds of Khon Kaen Hospital personnel started wearing black on Monday as they protested a Public Health Ministry order to transfer their director again. Hundreds of health personnel at Khon Kaen Hospital rally against the Public Health Ministry' decision to transfer hospital director Charnchai Chanvorachaikul to Roi Et. Nurses display messages supporting Khon Kaen Hospital director Charnchai Chanvorachaikul. (Photo by Chakkrapan Natanri)Khon Kaen Hospital is one of the best in the country.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 12, 2020 10:41 UTC
MARRIOTT GRANTS GUESTS “SEVEN WISHES” TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE IN THAILAND
MARRIOTT GRANTS GUESTS “SEVEN WISHES” TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE IN THAILANDThe new “Free Dreams, Seven Wishes” promotion offers flexible stays and a series of additional extras – perfect for Christmas escapes and New Year breaks! After a challenging year, Marriott International is making the festive season come early for its guests in Thailand, by granting them “Free Dreams, Seven Wishes” for their next stay! Under this enticing promotion, guests have the opportunity to enjoy highly rewarding stays with seven sensational benefits included in their room rate. When guests book at any participating Marriott hotel or resort between 1 October 2020 and 4 January 2021, for stays taken before 31 March 2021, they will be offered the following exclusive extras, all for free! Whether you’re seeking a stylish city break, a fun-filled family holiday, an idyllic island escape or a captivating cultural retreat, Marriott International’s “Free Dream, Seven Wishes” promotion is a wonderful way to treat yourself and your loved ones to a well-deserved vacation.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 12, 2020 09:56 UTC
Girl, 2, among 5 infected returnees Monday
Girl, 2, among 5 infected returnees MondayA man walks along an empty Patong beach in Phuket which has seen a lack of tourists due to ongoing restrictions relating to the Covid-19 novel coronavirus, on Oct 1, 2020. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said the new cases had flown in from Hong Kong, Singapore, the US and the UK. A 20-year-old man returned from Hong Kong on Sept 29 and was found to be infected on his second test despite showing no symptoms. A 47-year-old man returned from Singapore on Friday and tested positive on arrival. The final two cases returned from the United Kingdom on Oct 5 and were found to be infected on Saturday.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 12, 2020 05:26 UTC
'Cancel classes so we can join rally': Thammasat students | Bangkok Post: learning
Protesters camp out during an anti-government rally at Sanam Luang on Sept 19, 2020. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)The Thammasat University Student Union is calling on the university to cancel classes for three days to allow students to take part in the anti-government rally slated to kick off on Wednesday. The union issued a statement on Monday urging that all classes be cancelled from Wednesday to Friday to enable students to join the protest at Democracy Monument in Bangkok. Protest leader Arnon Nampa on Sunday announced that after gathering at Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, protesters will march to Government House in a bid to oust Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The pro-democracy rally starts at 2pm and the organisers have not made clear when it will end.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 12, 2020 05:05 UTC
Three pillars that unite the nation
Three pillars that unite the nationIt's been almost three months since we have seen the three-finger salute gestured by pro-democracy students in a series of demonstrations to pressure Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government to step down. To add insult to injury, the issue was highlighted again at a major demonstration in Sanam Luang on Sept 19. However, we are now shaking our heads at the unreasonable actions by university students during protests where they are not only challenging the government but also offending the monarchy. What we find totally unacceptable is the scornful act against the monarch committed by that female student on that night. I believe that all Thais who truly love the nation are hoping that the students finally come to their senses and not repeat the same mistakes.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 11, 2020 23:37 UTC
Army should clear air on info ops claims
Army should clear air on info ops claimsWhile Twitter's discovery of pro-Thai army social media accounts is hardly a surprise, and public anger is simmering. This is the first time the giant social networking service has confirmed a state-linked network of information operations in Thailand. Its finding also confirms that cyberwar do exist, with the Royal Thai Army unjustifiably being part of it. Among those accounts, 926 were accounts partaking in information operations linked to the Royal Thai Army (RTA). Information from army units is under the control of a public relations working group of the army, he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 11, 2020 23:26 UTC
Endless din hinders rather than helps
Endless din hinders rather than helpsThis Wednesday is touted to be another day of mass protest by the "reincarnated" anti-establishment Khana Ratsadorn group, formerly known as the Free Youth Movement, Free People Movement and, lately, the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. Political protests are a numbers game -- the bigger the crowd, the louder the voice and the greater the bargaining power. Protest leaders have given assurances that rallygoers will not block the road. For the protest leaders, their courage in breaking the silence on the unspeakable issue is admirable. What they need is the right approach so that their demands can be heeded where appropriate, and this should involve endless noisy street protests.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 11, 2020 23:15 UTC
Vision to put Yala 'back on its feet'
Getting over the Covid crisis is the big challenge for mayor Pongsak YingchoncharoenMayor of Yala City municipality Pongsak YingchoncharoenMayor of Yala City municipality Pongsak Yingchoncharoen has more than 17 years of experience in managing the city once severely affected by the southern conflict. Combining the municipality's strengths, particularly its world-class city design, the mayor's experience and vision together, it would not be overly optimistic to say that Yala City Municipality will soon be back on its feet and stronger than ever. He said Yala City municipality had been affected by southern violence for more than 20 years before the situation became less tense a decade ago. "The Yala City municipality has a total area of 19 square kilometres with a population of 60,000 people [as of 2019]," he said. Yala City will represent Thailand to hopefully receive the Asean Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) Award 2021, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 11, 2020 23:15 UTC
School pledges scholarships for poor Muslim students
School pledges scholarships for poor Muslim studentsMuslim students at Sasanupatham School in Prawet district of Bangkok at the weekend attend a fund-raising event at the school for education of poor orphans in the deep South region. (Sasanupatham School photo)Sasanupatham School, a 38-year-old private Islamic school in Prawet district of Bangkok, is committing to provide scholarships to orphaned and underprivileged Muslim youths from Thailand's restive southernmost provinces for a third consecutive year. The fund covers underprivileged Muslim students in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun and some districts of Songkhla which have lost the family's breadwinner as a result of violence or come from an impoverished household. In addition to its fund for poor and orphaned students in the South, Satsanu Patham School also has the "Better Future for Poor Orphans" fund, a more general programme which provides scholarships to underprivileged Muslim students from all across the country. At present, 135 out of the 300 students at Satsanu Patham School are scholarship recipients.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 11, 2020 23:15 UTC
Firebrands need maturity
Firebrands need maturityA major rally of students and pro-democracy activists scheduled for Wednesday will be a major test of the country's prospects of further developing its democracy. In October 1973, students and pro-democracy activists also demanded a democratic constitution. Even though the level of public support differa greatly between now and the 1973 protests, nobody should underestimate the possibility that the current anti-government movement could escalate into another uprising. Both the government and protesters must do their best to mitigate the risks of violence and show their maturity to ensure peace and order. The prime minister should accept that his government failed to push for reform in several key areas as promised.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 11, 2020 23:15 UTC
Claiming Covid-19 'immunity,' Trump ready for election fight
Claiming Covid-19 'immunity,' Trump ready for election fightPresident Donald Trump rallied hundreds of supporters for a comeback event at the White House, and is planning back-to-back rallies in a bit to salvage his struggling campaign three weeks from the November 3 electionWASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Sunday declared himself immune from Covid-19 and ready for a fight as his White House race against surging rival Joe Biden enters its critical final weeks. "It looks like I'm immune for, I don't know, maybe a long time and maybe a short time, it could be a lifetime, nobody really knows, but I'm immune," Trump said in a Fox News interview Sunday. During his phone interview on Fox News, the 74-year-old Trump to suggest that his White House rival could himself be sick. The Biden campaign has been publishing daily coronavirus tests for their 77-year-old candidate since Trump tested positive on October 1 -- landing him in hospital for three nights and derailing his campaign. "There is no excuse for President Trump's reckless behavior," Biden tweeted again on Sunday.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 11, 2020 16:41 UTC