Ex-abbot beats fund-theft rap
Ex-abbot beats fund-theft rapThe Appeal Court on Wednesday overturned a lower court ruling and acquitted the former abbot of Wat Sam Phraya and his aide of all charges relating to alleged embezzlement in a five million baht Buddhist education project. Phra Phrom Dilok: AcquittedAccording to the court, there was no evidence suggesting former Phra Phrom Dilok, whose layman name is Uan Klinsalee, and his secretary, the former Phra Atthakit Sophon, or Somsong Atthakit, were involved in irregularities. The alleged irregularities involved five million baht given to the temple by the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) to pay for the construction of a Phra Pariyatti Dhamma school. No Phra Pariyatti Dhamma school was ever built on Wat Sam Phraya's grounds. Annop Boonsawang, the defence lawyer, said yesterday that prosecutors had yet to decide whether to appeal the ruling.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 24, 2020 00:11 UTC
Stop the cyber bullies
Stop the cyber bulliesWhen Pacharaporn Chantarapradit, a young beauty contestant vying for the Miss Grand 2020 title, voiced support for the pro-democracy demonstrators during a question-and-answer session, she might have expected some criticism. Ms Pacharaporn, who won the title on Sunday night, was subjected to a torrent of cyberbullying for her answer that was quite untypical for a beauty contestant. "With my heart, I would choose the protesters' side," said the 22-year-old, when asked what she thought of the protests. Instead, there are allegations that they tend to only use the law to muzzle critics and political opponents of the government. The government, which boasts of existing through democratic means, must set a good example and provide its critics with protection.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 23, 2020 23:15 UTC
Govt pleads for charter support
(Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)The coalition government, whose version of the charter amendment draft is expected to receive support from parliament today, has called for senators to back it in order to defuse potential political conflict. "The charter amendment must not touch Chapter 1, on general provisions, and Chapter 2, on the monarchy," Mr Supachai said during a joint session of parliament. Student activists plan to gather again today outside parliament to put pressure on lawmakers to support charter amendments. Six charter amendment bills will be examined by the joint sitting of MPs and senators. He said the 2017 charter passed a national referendum and parliament could only make changes to it, not replace it.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 23, 2020 22:40 UTC
Arab leaders voice alarm at UN over Iran tensions
Arab leaders voice alarm at UN over Iran tensionsIraq's President Barham Saleh, who is warning of risks to his country, inspects an honor guard as he welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron (left) on September 2, 2020UNITED NATIONS (UNITED STATES) - Arab leaders voiced fears Wednesday before the United Nations of new conflict in the region as tensions soar between Iran and the United States. Two days after US President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on Iran in a widely contested move, leaders of Iraq and Saudi Arabia voiced concerns about the region. "We do not want Iraq to become a sort of playground for other forces that will kill each other on our territory," Iraqi President Barham Saleh said in his address. Iraq has attempted a delicate balancing act between neighboring Iran, which shares the Shiite faith of the majority in its Arab neighbor, and the United States, which invaded and toppled dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. - Saudis criticize Iran -Trump has vowed to squeeze Iran, imposing sweeping economic sanctions and leaving a 2015 nuclear accord that was negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 23, 2020 17:37 UTC
Three new Covid-19 cases, all returnees
Three new Covid-19 cases, all returneesVillage health volunteers attend a meeting on Covid-19 control in Nonthaburi province on Monday. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The government on Wednesday reported three new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019, all quarantined returnees from Japan and France, raising the total to 3,514 cases. Of the new cases, two were from Japan — a 39-year-old company employee and a 53-year-old maid, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Global Covid-19 cases rose by 276,367 cases in 24 hours to 31.8 million. The United States had the most cases at 7.1 million, up by 35,696, and the most deaths at 205,471, up by 965.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 23, 2020 05:55 UTC
Tour de France team leader denies doping
'Nothing to hide' - Tour de France team leader denies dopingNairo Quintana, 30, won the Giro d'Italia in 2014MARSEILLE - The leader of a Tour de France team caught up in a doping investigation said he had "nothing to hide" after two unnamed members of the French outfit were detained. Colombian rider Nairo Quintana, 30, leader of the Arkea-Samsic team and winner of the 2014 Giro d'Italia, said no drugs were discovered during the investigation. "No doping substance has ever been found," he said in a statement late on Tuesday. "I have nothing to hide and have never had anything to hide," Quintana added. Quintana finished the Tour in 17th place, more than an hour behind the winner Pogacar.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 23, 2020 04:52 UTC
Gold-card care set to widen
Gold-card care set to widenUniversal health care scheme gold-card subscribers will be able to access medical facilities anywhere in the country with the lower northeastern provinces piloting the project starting early next year, according to the Public Health Ministry. The card members currently obtain medical treatment and services at specific hospitals and medical facilities. The scheme will widen access for them, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. People shouldn't worry that it will increase demand for medical services at major hospitals and overstretch resources there," the minister said. Mr Anutin said the ministry is streamlining the gold-card healthcare system so subscribers can treated at any hospital or facility.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 23, 2020 00:33 UTC
K-Research: MPC unlikely to cut rate
Financial analysts predict that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will maintain the policy rate at 0.50% at Wednesday's meeting and discuss other tools for solving the business and household liquidity problem. Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research) said cutting the policy rate to near zero is unnecessary at the moment, as a lower interest rate may not appreciably help businesses and households access liquidity. "We expect that the MPC will maintain the policy rate at 0.50% until the end of this year if Thailand's economy has not significantly changed," K-Research said in a release. Wilasinee Boonmasungsong, vice-president for research at Globlex Securities, said she expects the MPC to maintain the policy rate at 0.50%, as it is already at a historic low and the policy rate is important for the debenture benchmark in the bond market. She said the central bank will have to come up with new policies to boost economic growth instead of relying on rate cuts.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2020 23:37 UTC
Fuzzy logic in party loans
Fuzzy logic in party loansThe decision of the Election Commission (EC) to clear 31 political parties of illegal borrowings could cause further confusion regarding the organic law on political parties. It must be noted first that the Political Parties Act neither specifically allows nor bars political parties from borrowing money to finance its activities. In the court's view, the FFP loans were considered an attempt to evade the limit on donations under Section 66 of the Political Parties Act. But how about the fact that the loans derived by the 31 parties carried no interest or below-market interest rates? It's understandable that the law governing sources of income for political parties must be fastidious to prevent undue influence.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2020 23:03 UTC
3 Thai cities honoured by Unesco
Atchoarena: Hopes to list more citiesThree Thai cities have joined the Unesco Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), along with 52 other cities from 27 countries that will also become lifelong learning cities. The new members bring the total number of cities within the Unesco GNLC to 230 in 64 countries. Would-be Unesco GNLC members had to demonstrate a clear vision for providing lifelong learning opportunities for everyone in the community. "I hope that their lifelong learning strategies and programmes will inspire other cities in Thailand and beyond." All aspects of those cities' city development have focused on their citizens, who are proud of where they live and their contribution to their cities' development.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2020 22:41 UTC
Cabinet nod for long holidays in Nov, Dec
Cabinet nod for long holidays in Nov, DecTravellers return to Bangkok at Hua Lampong railway station at the end of the long-weekend holiday early this month. (Bangkok Post file photo)The cabinet on Wednesday approved two long-weekend holidays, one in November and the other in December, proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to spur the economy. The first break is November 19-22, with Thursday the 19th and Friday the 20th to be declared special public holidays. which falls on Saturday -- is to be deferred to Friday the 11th instead in order to create a long holiday Dec 10-13. Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said before the cabinet meeting that he hoped the long holidays would help spur domestic tourism and the economy.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2020 08:15 UTC
Policewoman charged in love-triangle murder | Bangkok Post: learning
(Capture from video clip posted on rescue volunteer Chonyuen Wisutthipat Facebook page)An immigration policewoman has been arrested and charged with shooting dead another woman in a carpark at a temple in Bangkok on Monday momrning. The suspect surrendered to police, but during interrogation denied all charges. A black car was seen arriving at the carpark behind the woman. At 5.41am, a person looking like a tomboy and wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and a pulled-down cap emerged from the black car and fired four shots at the woman's head from behind her. The killer then left in the black car.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2020 07:07 UTC
Tuesday: 5 new imported Covid cases | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo by WICHAN CHAROENKIATPAKULThe government on Tuesday reported five new quarantined cases of the novel coronavirus, including a Thai national, as total cases rose to 3,511. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said that the Thai was a 44-year-old maid who arrived from Switzerland last Wednesday. The four other cases were Indian nationals who flew in from India. They arrived last Wednesday and were staying at an alternative state quarantine facility in Bangkok. Of the total 3,511 cases, 3,343 have recovered -- including one patient over the past 24 hours -- and 109 others were at hospitals.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 22, 2020 05:26 UTC
Little care for car-free day
Little care for car-free dayWhile many countries around the globe are planning to celebrate World Car Free Day today by promoting low- and zero-carbon footprint travel, the day looks set to pass with little, if any, attention from the public in most parts of Thailand. The fact of the matter is, the World Car Free Day is and has always been meaningless in Bangkok. This is in stark contrast to other world capitals, which would make no compromises about making the day actually car-free and are proud of it. Bangkok is different -- it is unfriendly to non-motorists, as the government sees the construction of roads and expressways as a solution to the city's traffic problems. It is naive to think that holding a car-free day once a year will improve the city's notorious traffic jams.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 21, 2020 22:52 UTC
Govt wary of foreign 'carriers'
Govt wary of foreign 'carriers'The Public Health Ministry on Monday claimed that foreigners, illegal migrants from neighbouring countries and asymptomatic carriers present the main threats for a second wave of Covid-19 infections in Thailand. In terms of asymptomatic Covid-19 carriers, he said people need to adhere to social distancing and strictly comply with preventive measures including wearing face masks and washing hands regularly. "If they are wearing face masks, when an infected and healthy person talks to another, the risk of transmission is just 1.5%," he said. "Although those who have had the virus might develop some immunity, reports from foreign countries suggest it may be short-lived. In the middle of June, the government lifted the ban on concerts and then, in mid-August, on sports events.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 21, 2020 22:52 UTC