Like it or not, wind of change is coming
Like it or not, wind of change is comingParit Chiwarak, second right, and student activists flash the three-finger anti-dictatorship sign during a press conference in which they vowed to go ahead with their rally today. Bangkok Post photoAll eyes are on the big event this afternoon at Thammasat University. Since issuing the edict to ban the rally, Thammasat administrators have kept mum even though the rally organisers have insisted that they have fulfilled all the requirements of the university. "Whether this group [student protesters] exists or not, change will come. If we can, it is then the duty of the powers-that-be to ensure that change occurs peacefully and smoothly."
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 21:33 UTC
Tourists must isolate in home countries | Bangkok Post: learning
Tourists take photos in Phuket (Photo by Dusida Worrachaddejchai)The Ministry of Public Health on Friday unveiled its latest plan to reopen to visitors from abroad with 2,270 foreign tourists already reportedly planning to visit Thailand. During their domestic quarantine, visitors must have been tested twice for Covid-19 at the beginning and end of the process. If both tests are negative for the virus, they will be allowed to travel to Thailand. The DDC said it planned to increase staff at international disease control checkpoints and allow people from low-risk countries to enter Thailand first. The Health Service Support Department said 735 medical tourists from China, Myanmar, Oman, Australia and Cambodia were receiving treatment in Thailand after they completed a 14-day quarantine.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 21:33 UTC
Prosecutors to indict 'Boss' on cocaine, reckless driving charges
(Bangkok Post file photo)Prosecutors have decided to indict Red Bull scion Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya on charges of cocaine use and reckless driving causing death, stemming from his fatal hit-and-run case in Bangkok in 2012. Although the charge of reckless driving causing death against Vorayuth was earlier dropped, a new investigation of the case found that the suspect had taken cocaine. Mr Ittiporn said there was also fresh evidence and key witnesses who could prove the reckless driving charge to the court. The statute of limitations on the reckless driving causing death charge is 15 years and will expire on Sept 3, 2027. It was not until April 27, 2017, that prosecutors finally charged him with reckless driving causing death and failing to help a crash victim.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 12:11 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: A peaceful paradise | Bangkok Post: learning
Calm waves slowly reach Ao Khao beach on Koh Mak, a tiny island in Trat. For those who want to avoid crowded places like the neighbouring island of Koh Chang, the island of Koh Mak is a great option where you can do nothing but rest. ISLAND HISTORYThe history of Koh Mak goes back to the period of King Rama V. It was a coconut plantation. It was at this time that Jakrapad Taveteekul, the great-grandson of Luang Prompakdi, developed part of his land to be Koh Mak Resort and built ten simple huts to welcome tourists. It was the first resort on Koh Mak before becoming one of the prominent resorts on the island today.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 08:26 UTC
Friday: 7 new Covid-19 cases | Bangkok Post: learning
Thailand logged seven new Covid-19 cases on Friday. (File photo)The government reported seven new cases of coronavirus disease on Friday, quarantined arrivals from four countries and including one person who has had it before. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said the five Thais and two foreigners had arrived from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Qatar and Pakistan. The fourth was a 50-year-old male worker who arrived on Sept 5 on the same flight as eight previously confirmed cases. Total cases were now 3,497, of whom 3,328 (95%) had recovered and 111 others remained at hospitals.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 07:17 UTC
Seven new Covid-19 cases, all arrivals
Seven new Covid-19 cases, all arrivalsPassengers wearing masks arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan province, and head for quarantine. Thailand logged seven new Covid-19 cases on Friday. (File photo)The government reported seven new cases of coronavirus disease on Friday, quarantined arrivals from four countries and including one person who has had it before. The fourth was a 50-year-old male worker who arrived on Sept 5 on the same flight as eight previously confirmed cases. Global Covid-19 cases rose by 316,058 over the past 24 hours to 30.35 million.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 06:33 UTC
Destination: Wellness
As for my daily wellness programmes, they were planned such that they incorporated fun and also enough downtime in between. I really enjoyed my time at the wellness sanctuary and would highly recommend trying an acupuncture session. The spa treatments were also top-notch (the 90-minute vital essence oil massage and the 60-minute Indian head massage are a must!). Going outThis wellness retreat is all-inclusive and has the intention of bringing you closer to equilibrium, in terms of both mind and body. Final thoughtsKamalaya is a place that really exemplifies the term "wellness retreat".
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 04:07 UTC
Ministry wants tourist arrivals by October | Bangkok Post: learning
Travellers seen at Don Muang airport in Bangkok in SeptemberThe Tourism Ministry has pledged to bring the first batch of international tourists to Thailand by October, with Bangkok as the primary destination. "Tour operators can start promoting long-stay packages via the special tourist visa (STV) to potential customers now," said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. After the Foreign Ministry approves all documents, it will issue a certificate of eligibility (COE) and STV to tourists to let them continue with travel plans. "If the visa process can be completed in time, tourists can visit the country by Oct 1," Mr Phiphat said. Bangkok is where the first visitors will undergo 14-day quarantine, as the city provides sufficient ASQ facilities.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 02:37 UTC
Access denied: COVID-19 pandemic complicates journalists' work
Access denied: COVID-19 pandemic complicates journalists' workA socially distant press conference with Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 16, 2020NEW YORK - While institutions, governments, elected officials, companies and sports federations are all having to adapt to new constraints under the coronavirus pandemic, experts say they are often using the health crisis as an excuse to restrict journalists' access. Cover-up attempts often involve information about the pandemic itself, which may shed unfavorable light on the management of the virus by government or local officials. In politics, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is regularly accused of shielding himself from the media under cover of the pandemic. When he takes questions, which is rare, his communications team designates the four or five journalists allowed to quiz him. In addition to restricted access, journalists have been subjected to censorship in several countries, a measure presented as a means of combating disinformation linked to the pandemic.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2020 01:30 UTC
Paw-ly in the pandemic: pets can catch virus from owners
Paw-ly in the pandemic: pets can catch virus from ownersThere is little evidence that pets play a significant role in spreading the virusLONDON - Cat and dog owners suffering from Covid-19 can pass their illness onto their feline and canine companions, according to a small study released Friday. The new coronavirus is a "zoonotic" infection -- meaning it has jumped into humans from animals -- and while there is little sign that pets play a major role in spreading the virus, there is growing evidence that cats, dogs and even tigers may catch it. In the latest preliminary research, which has not been peer reviewed, veterinary science experts in Canada tested the pets of a group of people with a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis. In a first group, they took swabs from 17 cats, 18 dogs and one ferret whose owners had a diagnosis within two weeks. Then they gave blood antibody tests to eight cats and 10 dogs, whose owners were outside the two-week window, comparing these to control samples taken from the same animals before the pandemic.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2020 23:37 UTC
FTI chairman meets Bangkok Post execs
FTI chairman meets Bangkok Post execsSupant Mongkolsuthree, fifth from right, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), delivers a souvenir to Suthikiati Chirathivat, chairman of Bangkok Post Plc. In the photo: from right, Khomsan Laosillapacharoen, FTI executive director; Suchart Chantaranakaracha, FTI vice chairman; Thawee Piyapatana, FTI vice chairman; and Worachai Bhicharnchitr, Bangkok Post vice chairman. From left: Narongrit Phanichewa, FTI executive director; Ronnachit Mahattanapreut, Bangkok Post executive director; Marty Lin Mahaplerkpong, FTI secretary-general; Ek-Rit Boonpiti, Bangkok Post executive director; and Chartchai Panichewa, FTI vice chairman. Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), led FTI executives in meeting the Bangkok Post's executive board and executives yesterday to exchange views on various issues ranging from the economic situation to politics. The Tisi slumped in April to 75.9 points from 88 in March on the back of the global lockdown.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2020 22:07 UTC
The In Between
Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel general manager Mark O'Sullivan said that the hotel has been looking at supporting LGBTQ equality in Thailand and this was the first step. Our rooftop bar, Seen, is also promoting LGBTQ events and in the next few months, we will open an LGBTQ venue in this building." An established artist with seven exhibitions to date, Surachai "Niam" Mawornkanong channels his passion for profound beauty into his moving pieces. I call my collection 'Ripples Of Identity' because when you look at water and if there are ripples you cannot see yourself. I have always worked with flowers, except that in this collection I have chosen two sides of the flowers.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2020 22:07 UTC
There is such thing as a stupid question
There is such thing as a stupid questionThey say there is no such thing as a stupid question. Idiomatically speaking, this adage may be true but, for Thai textbooks, there may be some, in a literal sense. The question next to her picture asks, "Students, do you think this culture [that inspired the outfit] appropriate for Thai people or not and why?" Also, back in the day didn't Thai women go topless as shown on temple murals and in old photographs? If we're going to be authentic about our roots, then shouldn't we advocate the #freenipples movement for Thai women?
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2020 22:07 UTC
Biden on Brexit: pro-EU and pro-Irish
Biden on Brexit: pro-EU and pro-IrishDemocratic presidential nominee Joe Biden voiced his support for the Good Friday AgreementWASHINGTON - Joe Biden, with his defense of the Northern Ireland peace accord, has issued a warning to Britain over Brexit and support for an EU bruised by Donald Trump while making it clear he would preside over the Atlantic alliance. "We can't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit," the Democratic presidential nominee tweeted. Nile Gardiner, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington, accused Biden of "recycling the anti-British talking points of the European Commission. "Brexit will not undermine the Good Friday Agreement," said Gardiner, a former aide to Britain's ex-prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Johnson, by pursuing his current course on Brexit, will "dramatically weaken the case for this approach," Wright said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2020 21:33 UTC
PM: We'll be gentle, but stay away from govt buildings
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha answers questions at Government House about the anti-government demonstration planned for inner Bangkok this weekend. (Photo: Government House Facebook page)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has promised protesters will be handled gently during this weekend's rally, but warned them not to attack government buildings, to avoid violence. He was responding to reporters' questions at Government House ahead of the anti-government rally planned to start at the Tha Prachan campus of Thammasat University in inner Bangkok on Saturday. The prime minister said that demonstrations could interrupt the government's efforts to bring back tourists to help the national economy. Demonstration leaders plan to rally at the Tha Prachan campus of Thammasat University on Saturday and stay overnight there before marching to Government House on Sunday.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2020 10:07 UTC