Thammasat bans Sept 19 rally | Bangkok Post: learning
The university said that the organiser had yet to comply with its guidelines on holding political activities on campus. "Although executives of Thammasat University will not allow the venue at Tha Prachan to be used for the gathering, we will still hold it at Thammasat because Thammasat belongs to the people, not to some dictators' lackeys," he wrote. Thammasat University on Thursday denied permission for an anti-government rally at its Tha Phra Chan campus scheduled for Sept 19. Students leaders flash the three fingers salute against dictatorship during a media conference on Wednesday at Thammasat University announcing a major anti-government rally on Tha Prachan campus. Photo by WICHAN CHAROENKIATPAKULClick "play" to listen to Thammasat bans Sept 19 rally and "Download" to keep this file for educational purpose.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 11, 2020 03:00 UTC
Govt plans quarantine hubs | Bangkok Post: learning
The ministry plans to hold discussions with employers in the border provinces who now need more migrant workers to work for them, especially in the agricultural sector, said the minister. The ministry is also considering using a Covid-19 quarantine programme for migrant workers being piloted in Chanthaburi as a model for other border provinces, he said. In this project, some fruit plantation owners are providing Covid-19 quarantine facilities for migrants they are hiring, he said. The government may temporarily turn border patrol police camps into Covid-19 quarantine centres, to accommodate migrant workers who have been permitted to come work in Thailand. Photo by PIYARAT CHONGCHAROENClick "play" to listen to Govt plans quarantine hubs and "Download" to keep this file for educational purpose.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 11, 2020 02:50 UTC
Covid-19: Call to sing off the same hymn sheet
In addition, international coordination to re-establish transatlantic travel would provide a vital boost to the travel and tourism sector. European travel and tourism is the ecosystem most affected by the coronavirus crisis due to insufficiently coordinated travel restrictions, declining traveller confidence and reduced consumer demand. Avoid imposing travel restrictions on passengers in transit. Follow a common structured and transparent process to publish clear, comprehensive and timely information about any travel restrictions where these are needed. Tourism ManifestoThe European Tourism Manifesto alliance gathers more than 60 European public and private organisations, including GBTA.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 23:37 UTC
Cops probe farming 'scam'
Cops probe farming 'scam'The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is to look into allegations of an investment scam that implicates local land officials. Yesterday, 30 residents, accompanied by Kachanaburi MP Somsak Wornpian, went to the Justice Ministry to submit their complaints. The MP said more than 300 residents had taken out loans to pay for investments which cost 30,000 baht per rai. They were promised there would be a market for the bamboo shoots and that they would make money from selling to designated food processing factories. However, the factories stopped buying after only a few months, leaving the residents with no money to repay the debts.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 23:15 UTC
US 'does not back protests'
US 'does not back protests'The United States embassy yesterday denied allegations that it had provided support for any of the pro-democracy protests in Thailand. The allegations stem from photographs of student leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak meeting former US ambassador Glyn Davies in 2016. The embassy issued its statement after the photographs were published on a blogsite. Such meetings do not imply endorsement of any views," the statement read. It stressed that Washington was not providing funds, nor any other kind of support, for the protests in Thailand, adding:"The United States does not support any individual or political party; we support the democratic process and the rule of law.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 23:15 UTC
Charter rewrite to take 2 years
Charter rewrite to take 2 yearsThe process of amending the constitution and making laws organic in the new charter is expected to be complete by July 2022. On Tuesday, the cabinet approved a draft bill to pave the way for a referendum on the rewrite of the charter. When the matter is cleared in court, the charter amendment bill will be submitted for royal endorsement -- a process which takes up to 90 days before the charter drafting body is formally set up and goes about its job. Mr Wissanu said Pheu Thai's version of the charter amendment bill calls for another referendum on the draft of the new charter. If the charter draft is approved by more than half of MPs, there is no need for a referendum.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 23:15 UTC
PM, axe this dam project
PM, axe this dam projectFor local residents in Phatthalung's Muang Takua community, a namesake dam project symbolises lack of transparency and misinformation, if not a downright lie. The villagers say the project does not sync with the local topography and was merely copied from another dam in northern Thailand, making it a project based on lies and deception. The prime minister refused to drop the controversial project, however, instead postponing it to next year. A House panel has anyway suspended funding for the controversial project to ensure that it is at least suspended. It must facilitate public hearings to avoid the appearance of a top-down approach and it should make sure that environmental impact impact studies are conducted.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 23:14 UTC
Supachai 'not approached' for finance minister role
Supachai 'not approached' for finance minister roleSupachai: Has a positive outlookSupachai Panitchpakdi, former director-general of the World Trade Organization and former secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, has denied being approached by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to become finance minister. Asked by reporters at Government House whether appointing a new finance minister is a matter of great urgency, Mr Supachai said that it was up to the government to make the decision. The former deputy prime minister said he believed the prime minister will choose the person best suited for the job. Mr Supachai currently serves as an adviser to the committee assigned to prepare for the implementation of the national strategy. When people still have their jobs, this naturally reinvigorates the economy," Mr Supachai said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 23:03 UTC
Rare white diamond up for auction in Hong Kong
Rare white diamond up for auction in Hong KongThe 102-carat white diamond will go up for auction on October 5, 2020 in Hong KongNEW YORK - A flawless 102-carat oval diamond will head to auction on October 5 in Hong Kong at Sotheby's. Quig Bruning, Sotheby's New York head of jewelry, said the house is "letting the market decide what the value of this diamond is." But it's not a record overall for a diamond: in April 2017, the giant "Pink Star" pink diamond sold for $71.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong. Collectors will be able to start bidding on September 15, with a starting price of only one Hong Kong dollar, or 13 US cents. The diamond will be offered in a stand-alone, single lot live auction in Hong Kong, which collectors will be able to attend in person.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 15:56 UTC
Thursday: new cases from Saudi Arabia, India | Bangkok Post: learning
Pedestrians wearing face masks use the skywalk at Victory Monument on Saturday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Seven new coronavirus cases have been confirmed among Thai returnees from Saudi Arabia and India. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said on Thursday the seven new infections brought the national total 3,454. The new cases included three men and one woman who arrived back from Saudi Arabia on Saturday. A woman and her 2-year-old son who returned from India also were positive.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 06:33 UTC
Dow-DMCR-IUCN takes mangrove conservation to the next level in the fight against global warming and marine debris
Dow-DMCR-IUCN takes mangrove conservation to the next level in the fight against global warming and marine debrisDow Thailand in collaboration with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently held a signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement on the “Dow & Thailand Mangrove Alliance”. To holistically address both problems, we have initiated and supported the Dow & Thailand Mangrove Alliance. The key objectives are to reduce global warming and eliminate plastic marine debris. The holistic project will take mangrove conservation to the next level and engage public and private sectors and surrounding communities. It will elevate Thailand's mangrove conservation to an international level."
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 03:45 UTC
Bangkok's treasures
The Culture Ministry has joined hands with Next To Be Company to launch the Treasure Trip Bangkok app. They will depart Bangkok at 8.30am (new flight), 2.40pm and 4.55pm. The return flights depart from Chiang Mai airport at 10.40am, 4.50pm and 7.05pm. It will depart Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 10.45am and the return flight from Ubon Ratchathani will be at 12.25pm. To celebrate the opening, the hotel offers a "Pre-opening Package: Be The First To Stay" promotion.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 03:33 UTC
Govt seeks to cut teen pregnancy rate | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo by NUTTHAWAT WICHEANBUTThe Bureau of Reproductive Health aims to reduce the number of teenage mothers from 31.4 per 1,000 people to 25 by 2026. Only 36.6% of general and local hospitals purchased medical supplies for semi-permanent birth control, such as contraceptive implants, according to Dr Manus. Support is provided free of charge for girls aged 10 to 19. To promote information about the service, the Bureau of Reproductive Health recently launched an official LINE account called "Teen Club" targeting teenagers to provide correct information about reproductive health, birth control and other useful information. Teen Club will also provide answers to teenagers' questions on reproductive health, birth control, and other useful information in an "open" and understanding" format, Dr Manus said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 02:59 UTC
TAT says country ready to reopen | Bangkok Post: learning
(Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Thailand will have to deal with new coronavirus cases when it reopens to international tourists, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The country can minimise the impact and avoid a high level of unemployment with risk management, the TAT said. If we keep delaying their entry, around 2.5 million jobs out of 4 million will be at risk," said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn. To reopen the country to tourists, the government should implement a careful plan and improve communications to avoid local opposition, said Mr Yuthasak. The current plan is to open the country to international tourists with a limited number of arrivals and locations.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 10, 2020 02:48 UTC
Time for a hike in VAT?
Time for a hike in VAT? This week Mr Sommai came up with a bold suggestion: the government should raise the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 7% to 10%. Such a tax increase may be inevitable as numerous relief packages have left the state loaded with debt. The Prayut government should study the possibility of raising VAT back to the 10% rate. Of course, there will be adverse effects from the increase, with more hardship for several sectors, but if the money is used prudently, the tax hike could offer an advantage eventually.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 09, 2020 23:48 UTC