Malaysia nets 56kg 'ice' on Thai fishing boat
Malaysia nets 56kg 'ice' on Thai fishing boatSATUN: A Thai fishing boat from this southern province boarded by Malaysian authorities near Langkawi island on Friday was found to be carrying 56.5 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, police said. The information came from Malaysian authorities on Langkawi island in Malaysia's Kedah Stat, said Pol Lt Col Bancherd Manaves, an officer of the Satun-based marine police. On Sept 25 at about 1am, a patrol boat of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a fishing boat from Thailand's Satun province in an area about 2.3 nautical miles east of Langkawi. In a search of the boat, authorities found two black suitcases containing 51 bags of "China tea" -- each bag actually containing about 1.1kg of ice. Pol Lt Col Bancherd said a police investigation revealed the two men on board the fishing boat were youths from Muang district of Satun province.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 28, 2020 09:56 UTC
Monday: 17 Thai soldiers among 22 new Covid cases | Bangkok Post: learning
Sixteen of the new cases were from South Sudan, four from India, one from Pakistan and one from the Philippines. The Centre for Covid Situation Administration (CCSA) said all 16 new cases arriving from South Sudan were Thai soldiers returning from a UN peacekeeping operation in the African country. A Thai male student from Pakistan, 13, tested positive in his second test on Saturday despite being asymptomatic. Three of them arrived on Wednesday and tested positive on Saturday -- a mother, 35, her seven-year-old daughter, and a businessman, 38. The fourth case was a 30-year-old man who arrived on Friday and tested positive the same day.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 28, 2020 07:30 UTC
Emergency decree extended, new tourist visas approved | Bangkok Post: learning
The Covid-19 panel extended the emergency decree for another month ahead of the government allowing some tourists to enter the kingdom. (Reuters photo)The government will extend the state of emergency through October and approve special tourist visas starting next month after a six-month gap, say ministers. The panel also approved special tourist visas for foreign tourists starting next month, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said. The one-month extension to the state of emergency would be the sixth since the initial order in March. The government wants some foreign visitors to return because they made up two-thirds of the country’s tourism receipts before the pandemic, and many businesses are struggling to survive a long period without foreign visitors.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 28, 2020 07:18 UTC
5kg of 'ice' found in bushes
5kg of 'ice' found in bushesDistrict officials show the five packages containing crystal methamphetamine, or ice as the handwritten sign says, found in Pak Pla district of Nakhon Phanom province on Monday morning. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai)NAKHON PHANOM: Five one-kilogramme packages of crystal methamphetamine were found hidden in roadside bushes in Pla Pak district on Monday morning. The drugs were discovered by villagers of tambon Pla Pak, who reported it to the district office. District chief Phumsak Khampu said local officials and soldiers from the local drug suppression team were sent to seize the five packages. The crystal meth, also known as ice, would have a street value of about 5 million baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 28, 2020 06:38 UTC
Darling launches “Sleepen”
“Darling is committed to leveraging innovative technology for manufacturing high-quality mattresses that provide more restful sleep. These products – the first antivirus mattresses in Thailand and Asia – have been launched under the new brand “Sleepen” by Darling Deluxe. “Sleepen” is set to be a healthcare mattress and bedding brand, featuring ergonomic designs and health benefits. Regarding export business, Darling can still export its products to some countries that are less affected by the COVID crisis. In fact, low-end mattresses generally use low-quality materials that may be unsafe.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 28, 2020 04:50 UTC
Onlookers to child beating face action | Bangkok Post: learning
Opec Secretary-General Attapon Truektrong on Sunday raised questions about the school's punishment for the teacher, saying a reprimand was not enough. He also said assistant teachers turning a blind eye to the incident was as bad as actually committing the offence themselves. He said the woman accused of beating the children had no teaching licence but the school hired her anyway. School officials have met the parents and are providing legal assistance to families taking action against the accused teacher. Click "play" to listen to Onlookers to child beating face action and "Download" to keep this file for educational purpose.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 28, 2020 02:28 UTC
Real-life drama is full of hatred
Real-life drama is full of hatredBesides anti-government rallies, renowned actors Sornram "Noom" Theppitak and Pirat "Mike" Nipitpaisankul also made big headlines this month after family issues regarding money came to light. However, in real life, not everyone gets to have a happy ending like what we see in a romantic drama. Her debt problems due to an online gambling addiction problem which Sornram said he could be no longer responsible for. However, his ex-wife apologised to the public and promised to improve and be a good mother after being criticised. Meanwhile, pop singer and actor Pirat has been gaining public sympathy as he fights against the mother of his son in court.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 28, 2020 00:33 UTC
Thai big media forced to rethink unwritten rules
Thai big media forced to rethink unwritten rulesWith the rise of the student-led pro-democracy movement, the topic of the monarchy, which was once a taboo, now has more space in public discussion. His statement came so abruptly that, worried about the consequences, most mainstream media pulled the plug on their Facebook Live reporting at the demonstration. It's clear the Thai media is finding it difficult to adjust to this sudden change, and to convey the students' message properly. This is because the stakes are high for established news organisations if they were to face lese majeste law charges. It's time for Thai media organisations to sit down and discuss a practical approach to covering the subject before their audiences lose confidence in them forever.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 23:48 UTC
Protest fails to win over silent majority
Protest fails to win over silent majorityProtest leader Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul flashes a three-finger salute against dictatorship during the Sept 19 rally at Sanam Luang. The plaque was, however, removed the next day by the police to be used as evidence against protest leaders. So, the protest leaders opted for Plan B to stay put at Sanam Luang. That the protest leaders have broken the wall of silence on such a sensitive issue is significant, and I admire their courage. The protest leaders must change too if they are to win support from the silent majority.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 23:48 UTC
CPW, AIS to launch A-Stores
CPW, AIS to launch A-StoresSET-listed digital product distributor Copperwired (CPW) says it is working with Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS), Thailand's largest telecom operator, to open A-Store shops in universities to target students purchasing mobile devices and accessories. CPW operates .Life shops that provide digital lifestyle products and Apple brand shops, called "iStudio by copperwired". He refused to discuss the revenue-sharing structure with AIS, saying: "AIS will focus on mobile packages. MAI-listed SPVi, one of the authorised resellers of Apple products, has also partnered with AIS to run A-Store shops at Srinakharinwirot University and Prince of Songkla University. According to him, as A-Store shops are to be established only at university sites, it remains difficult to find space for the shops.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 23:44 UTC
Parcelling out logistics
"We don't see this as merely parcel delivery service, but a whole service ecosystem. The parcel delivery service began about a decade ago to fill space on transport vehicles and in response to customer demand. Half of the staff work on mail and parcel delivery services. "I want to see a lean company with reduced costs, that is more agile and digitally transformed," said Mr Korkij. All these issues may require an industry regulator as more players enter the market, Mr Korkij said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 23:44 UTC
Toying with Covid peril
Toying with Covid perilA fresh proposal to halve the state quarantine for foreign tourists to seven days could damage trust in the country's health system if it is implemented without thorough consideration. The ministry proposes shortening the period to seven days in mid-November if the first two groups of 300 foreigners complete their 14-day quarantine on Oct 15 and Oct 21 without a positive case. Mr Phiphat's move is understandable as he is keen to ensure the health of a tourism sector vital to economic recovery. The proposal to cut the quarantine to seven days in Thailand is shorter than the guidelines of the World Health Organization which maintains a recommendation of 14 days. Any proposal concerning visits by foreign tourists which exposes locals to a higher risk of infection needs thorough and cautious consideration.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 23:33 UTC
No end in sight: Bangkok's flood problem to persist
After the 2011 flood, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) launched its "Flood Prevention Masterplan". Yet the BMA went on to the other two projects: the "Bueng Khubon Flood Catchment" in Kanna Yao district and the "Bang Chan Flood Catchment" in Min Buri district. The Bang Chan Flood Catchment facility is going through a public consultation process and has a 93% approval rating from residents in the district, he said. "If the BMA moves too late, this flood catchment project might be grounded like the previous four." BMA did not rule out the possibility their fifth flood catchment plan might hit a snag.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 23:26 UTC
Royal farming model off to running start
In essence, the Khok Nong Na model refers to the application of indigenous farming wisdom to produce a modern-day farming method intended for the kingdom's new generation of farmers. "We are trying to encourage large farms to adopt the Khok Nong Na model," Mr Suttipong said. "With the Khok Nong Na model, we believe that everyone in society will be happy and the country will prosper." The director-general reiterated that the Khok Nong Na model could solve almost all problems related to agriculture in Thailand such as drought and flooding. "The Khok Nong Na model is friendly to the environment and respectful to nature," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 23:26 UTC
Alert for migrants buying up fever pills
Alert for migrants buying up fever pillsThe Department of Disease Control is urging pharmacies nationwide -- particularly in provinces along the Myanmar border -- to keep an eye out for migrant workers who buy suspiciously large amounts of pain and fever medications as a part of its effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country. In light of the worsening Covid-19 outbreak in Myanmar, Sopon Iamsirithaworn, the director of DDC's Bureau of General Communicable Diseases, said pharmacies across the country have been asked to alert local health officials if they see foreign migrant workers with flu-like symptoms purchasing large quantities of fever medications. Reporting the migrants, even if they cross back across the border, might help track down sources of the virus, observers said. Dr Sopon said Covid-19 infections in Myanmar have continued to climb rapidly with 880 new cases confirmed on Saturday -- bringing the total to 9,991. Last month, there were fewer than 400 confirmed cases and six deaths from the disease in the entire country.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 23:26 UTC