Bangkok Post - Gender not important
Gender not importantRe: "Robbery done to 'fund revenge plot'", (BP, Jan 6). In regard to your recent article about a "transgender woman" robbing a gold shop in Sadao district, I fail to understand why her gender identity is an important issue. This is especially unfortunate in the article's final sentence which mentions that the police "obtained clues about her whereabouts, confirming her transgender identity". What does this even mean, and again, why is it important? This is the same problem with headlines that read, "Hmong man robs store", when there would never be a headline about "central Thai man robs store".
Source:Bangkok Post
January 08, 2024 12:42 UTC
Thaksin's daughter denies she will soon join cabinet
Thaksin's daughter denies she will soon join cabinetPheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra inspects universal healthcare service at Chaturaphakphiman Hospital in Chaturaphak Phiman district of Roi Et on Sunday. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Sunday denied that she would be appointed a cabinet minister amid speculation about a cabinet reshuffle. The Pheu Thai leader also declined to comment about cabinet posts involving three Pheu Thai ministers who were speculated to resign as list-MPs. She said the matter should be addressed by the prime minister because she had nothing with this matter. Deputy Prime Minister and Pheu Thai heavyweight Phumtham Wechayachai on Sunday reiterated that there would be no cabinet reshuffle to include Ms Paetongtarn in the cabinet or nominate her as the prime minister.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 07, 2024 13:32 UTC
Indian solar mission reaches destination
The Aditya-L1 solar probe is seen at an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facility prior to its launch. (Photo: ISRO)BENGALURU - India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, has reached its destination within the anticipated four-month timeframe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. Named after the Hindi word for the sun, the mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) follows the first successful landing of any kind on the moon’s south pole, after a Russian attempt failed. The mission to study the sun is among several projects that ISRO has lined up through the year. Key among them is its first human space mission and a low-Earth orbit observatory system jointly developed with NASA, called Nisar.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2024 23:01 UTC
NTT Data renews vow for Asian leadership
NTT Data recently introduced its new operating model, effective from April 2024, along with a new executive. The company said the merger of NTT Data with NTT Ltd highlights its commitment to maintaining leadership in the IT and technology sectors. This approach enables NTT Data to combine global capabilities with local expertise, fostering close proximity and strong client relationships, he said. The merger also turned NTT Data into a financial powerhouse, gaining access to both capital and lots of cutting-edge innovation, Mr Dubey said. MARKET LEADERThailand holds a significant position as a top 15 market globally for NTT Data and its business overseas.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 06, 2024 11:42 UTC
Bangkok Post - Covid strikes again
As so many have noted, the total fatalities in these holiday periods are no more or less than the annual average. Figures for the number of drunk driving detections are listed, but with no information on whether those drivers were allowed to continue their journey or locked up. It is a troubling acceptance of this ongoing tragedy that many Thais seem to equate road deaths with the randomness of lightning strikes. We paid for my Thai wife's daughter to do a one-week course, which included a mere 1.5 hours on trafficked roads. In Australia, learner drivers have to do 120 hours of logged driving in all conditions with a fully licensed driver.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2024 23:03 UTC
National Telecom investigating new business opportunities
State telecom enterprise National Telecom (NT) is eager to join the smart meter project operated by Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) by providing the two state enterprises with data communications services. According to the state enterprise, creating new revenue streams is one of its critical goals this year. New chairman Nattapon Nattasomboon said NT approached MEA and PEA regarding their guidelines for the development of the smart meter project. Mr Nattapon said NT would optimise its 700-megahertz spectrum network capacity to provide the connectivity to support the smart meter project. Telecom operators have to pay a rental fee to the single last mile provider at the standard rate.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2024 13:04 UTC
Govt military budget slammed
"But when I look at the Defence Ministry's budget allocations, I wonder whether the armed forces will be able to reshape themselves," he said. He said the Defence Ministry has requested 198 billion baht, an increase of 3.8 billion baht from the 2023 fiscal year. A breakdown of budget spending shows that spending on military personnel alone was increasing every year and was now 55% of the total, and in particular, the army has spent about 64% of the total budget, he said. According to sources, the Defence Ministry's budget allocations were often slashed during past economic crises. Mr Aekkarat also criticised the Defence Ministry's secret budget, saying the law does not allow parliament to scrutinise this budget.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2024 10:05 UTC
Government defends 20-baht fares
A sign promotes the 20-baht flat fare now in effect on Red Line trains at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. The two rail lines are therefore expected to start making profits soon, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Thursday. Before the 20-baht flat-rate fare was introduced, the two rail lines were losing about 6.9 million baht per day, said Mr Suriya. The Red Line is operated by the State Railway of Thailand, which already has debts exceeding 200 billion baht. They are the two most heavily used rail lines in the capital.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2024 04:42 UTC
PTT sets up logistics venture to tap BRI
PTT sets up logistics venture to tap BRIThe pilot transportation of agricultural goods from Thailand to China's Chengdu by rail. GML aims to help develop Thailand into a regional logistics hub to connect the local logistics system with global logistics networks, said Chansak Chuenchom, PTT's senior executive vice-president for engineering and infrastructure and chairman of GML. GML aims to transport goods through the rail system under the BRI that connects China with Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The company partners with Pan-Asia Silk Road, a logistics and cargo transport company, to transport goods via Laos to southern China. "Using a rail system for freight transport can save 20% of costs compared to road transport.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2024 12:00 UTC
Key reforms needed in Thailand
Bold reforms are now needed to make the recovery more solid and inclusive, according to a new report by the Organisation for Co-operation and Development (OECD). Private consumption is projected to remain strong, despite the gradual phase-out of government relief measures and high levels of household debt. Further policy action to raise productivity will be key to support convergence towards higher income levels amid a declining working-age population. Recent developments have high- lighted the need for Thailand to build a more comprehensive social safety net to support vulnerable households. Stronger incentives are needed for both domestic and foreign investment in higher energy efficiency, renewables and green innovation.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 03, 2024 11:40 UTC
Yellow alert: Another monorail mishap
Wheel falls off Yellow Line train and hits taxi, just 9 days after Pink Line conductor rail incidentPolice inspect the wheel that fell from a Yellow Line monorail train on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakan on Tuesday night. (Screenshot from Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda Kamakorn Khao Facebook page)A wheel fell off a Yellow Line monorail train and hit a taxi on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakan on Tuesday evening. It was reported that the Yellow Line service continued and the damaged train had already entered its depot. The 30.4-kilometre MRT Yellow Line serves Bangkok and Samut Prakan, with 23 stations along the Lat Phrao and Srinakarin Road corridors. The Yellow Line is operated by Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co Ltd and the Pink Line by Northern Bangkok Monorail Co Ltd.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 03, 2024 05:50 UTC
Booze tax cuts approved to spur tourism
(Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)The cabinet has approved tax cuts on alcoholic beverages, with wine prices set to fall significantly, in order to boost tourism. As well, the excise tax on entertainment venues would be halved to 5% of gross revenue to help operators still feeling the after-effects of the pandemic. The figure included 64.17 billion baht from alcoholic beverages, 86.5 billion from beer and 26.95 billion baht from other beverages. The current excise tax structure is divided into two tiers. However, excise tax is also applied to the volume and degree of alcohol.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 02, 2024 19:22 UTC
Rescuers rush to reach survivors of Japan's quake
At least 30 people were killed after a powerful earthquake hit Japan on New Year's Day, with rescue teams on Tuesday (January 2) struggling to reach isolated areas where buildings had been toppled, roads wrecked and power cut to tens of thousands of homes.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 02, 2024 07:38 UTC
2024: the year it got (really) hot
But 2023 ended up at around +1.4°C, with huge wildfires, massive floods and storms, killer heat waves -- and Dr Hansen says 2024, with the El Niño boost, will be much worse. Then after the El Niño finishes, it will drop back -- but it's not going to drop all the way back to 1.2°. Dr Mann responded to Dr Hansen's paper within a few days of its publication in November. Neither is very optimistic about our ability to deal with the climate threat: even Dr Mann, dismissing Dr Hansen's arguments, says "It's bad enough already." Dr Hansen has been kind enough to give us a tool.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 01, 2024 03:11 UTC