Thais deserve a clean House
In a clip obtained by parliamentarians and some media outlets, Mr Mongkolkit is allegedly heard attempting to extort the sum in exchange for help in preventing the publication of negative news about the company. Mr Mongkolkit admitted that the voice was his but claimed the audio was "doctored and aimed at discrediting" him and was also made a long time ago. Social activist Srisuwan Janya yesterday filed a complaint with the NACC against the Thai Civilized Party leader over the allegations. The CCTV scandal follows a complaint by a senior state official about attempted extortion by politicians in a House panel vetting the 2021 budget. These failures to take a proactive approach hint that Mr Chuan, and the House in general, are content with merely paying lip service to accusations of malpractice.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 22:30 UTC
BoT warns of tourism meltdown | Bangkok Post: learning
Foreign arrivals to Thailand reached 40 million in 2019, with revenue generated from the tourism industry contributing almost 20% of GDP. With inbound flight restrictions still in place, the ratio of foreign travellers is expected to shrink by 100% year-on-year between April and December, said Mr Don. He said the government should consider looking into proper measures to allow foreign travellers to return to stir tourism and economic growth momentum. The government should strike a balance between tourism measures and outbreak containment," said Mr Don. Photo by Arnun ChonmahatrakoolClick "play" to listen to BoT warns of tourism meltdown and "Download" to keep this file for educational purpose.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 22:30 UTC
WHO urges 'dialogue' with virus protesters
WHO urges 'dialogue' with virus protestersA protester wrapped in black-white-red imperial German flag stands in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin during a demonstration called by far-right and Covid-19 deniers to protest against restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. GENEVA: The World Health Organization urged governments Monday to engage with people demonstrating against Covid-19 restrictions and listen to their concerns, but stressed protesters needed to understand the virus was dangerous. "We should engage in an honest dialogue," he told reporters, stressing though that demonstrators have a responsibility to ensure protests are safe. "The real important thing to do is to enter into a dialogue with groups." One major thing countries could do to control the virus is prevent so-called "amplifying events" like filling stadiums with sports fans, large religious gatherings or packed nightclubs.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 18:45 UTC
Wissanu: Charter 'clear' on Thepthai's MP status
Wissanu: Charter 'clear' on Thepthai's MP statusDemocrat Party MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat Thepthai SenpongDemocrat Party politician Thepthai Senpong has lost his MP status because of his conviction for poll fraud, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Monday. Mr Wissanu, a legal expert, said that it was clearly spelled out in the charter that Mr Thepthai's circumstances warranted the loss of his MP status. Mr Wissanu explained that Mr Thepthai's case mainly concerns sections 96 and 98 of the constitution. Mr Wissanu said the stripping of Mr Thepthai's MP status was justified by Section 96. That said, Mr Wissanu added, Mr Thepthai would have lost his status as MP anyway, because according to the constitution imprisonment is grounds for loss of MP status.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 12:45 UTC
y, current account turns to surplus
July exports fall 11.9% y/y, current account turns to surplusThailand's current account surplus was $1.79 billion in July after a deficit of $247 million in the previous month, the central bank said on Monday. Exports declined 11.9% in July from a year earlier after tumbling 24.6% in June. Imports slumped 25.4% in July from a year earlier, resulting in a trade surplus of $4.11 billion for the month.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 07:07 UTC
Raising the Pride flag
Alongside anti-government demonstrations, protesters are raising their voice for equality and LGBTI gender rights. IG: mimi_taoLives as Thai trans womenWhat is it like to be a Thai transgender woman in 2020? Let's have a look at the lives of three transgender women who found themselves in the news this month. First, it's time for celebration for Mimi Tao, a Thai transgender model who is making it big abroad. Employment discrimination is sadly nothing new even though it's a violation of the Gender Equality Act 2015.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 00:56 UTC
Shouldering the burden
The newly formed Center for Economic Situation Administration wants to create 1 million jobs for new graduates and laid-off workers. While the move to sustain employment and create new jobs has good intentions, it could come at a cost as public debt balloons from relentless stimulus via fiscal policy. The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) expects Thailand's ratio of public debt to GDP to rise to nearly 58% as a result of government spending to mitigate Covid-19 impact and lower revenue collection. If the government borrows the full loan amount, this will increase the ratio of public debt to GDP to 52.4% in 2020, according to the PDMO. With this scenario, public debt is expected to increase to 52-54% of GDP this year, up from 42% last year, then expanding further to 57-60% next year, Ms Nattaporn said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 00:33 UTC
Putting unis to work
The academic-turned-politician stressed that higher education teachers should conduct research and design their teaching in alignment with research and innovation. This is one of the goals of higher education under Dr Anek, who graduated from Columbia University. Success in the higher education sector can be measured by its practicality. The minister asserted that, for it to succeed, higher education must prove to be beneficial to the country's development. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation was asked by the premier to oversee the development of Lampang and Loei provinces.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 00:33 UTC
In search of broader horizons
In February, the British Council Thailand reported that the number of Thai higher education students studying overseas in the 2017/2018 academic year amounted to 15,738. Of that, 43% flocked to the UK, followed by 37% to the US, 16% to Australia, and 4% to Canada. "Among them are Manchester University, City University London (CUL), King's College London (KCL), University College London (UCL), and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Expanding horizonsMr Pranai said it is very demanding because top-tier universities require students to achieve high grades in specific subjects. All eight Ivy League colleges are: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 31, 2020 00:33 UTC
NXPO: Big need for S-curve workers
NXPO: Big need for S-curve workersNearly 180,000 new graduates are needed to meet demand for workers in the country's 12 key industries over the next five years, says the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO). The so-called S-curve industries are targeted as the main engines for the country's economic growth. The digital industry would see the largest demand for workforce over the next five years with 30,742 workers sought. Of them, 5,767 data scientists would be needed, followed by 5,287 full-stack developers, while 2,405 mobile developers would be wanted. In this industry, there would be demand for 2,697 data scientists, 1,869 robotic controls engineers and 1,862 mechanical engineers.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2020 23:15 UTC
Throwing paint is not peaceful protest
Throwing paint is not peaceful protestSupporters of pro-democracy activists break a police barricade around Samran Rat police station where the activists acknowledged charges relating the July 18 rally. The claim the singer made -- that the paint throwing was an artistic act of retaliation against the police for "painting" protesters as the bad guys -- appears to be a distortion of the "paint as protest" concept. After the blue paint was splashed on the officer, Mr Sombat offered him 5,000 baht for it because the uniform now had "artistic value". Whether or not paint throwing is classified as a non-violent act depends on the results of the act. As former national human rights commissioner Angkhana Neelapaichit asked: "What if the paint got into the eyes [of the police officer]?"
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2020 23:15 UTC
Don't rush to reopen
Don't rush to reopenIn an attempt to revive tourism, the government came up with a plan to reopen the country to foreign visitors under the so-called Phuket model, which was, at best, cautiously welcomed by businesses. He suggested the government delay reopening the country to foreign tourists for at least six months. Despite a series of state-driven campaigns, the number of local tourists in July was 27% lower than the same period last year, according to the EIC. The lack of clarity about the Phuket model has already been blamed for a surge in hotel cancellations by local tourists, citing concerns about Covid-19. The government cannot afford to ignore the grassroots' view and must work with locals if it decides to reopen the country to foreign tourists.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2020 23:15 UTC
Hatching a creative society
UNIVERSITY OF INNOVATIONSChulalongkorn University (CU) president Bundhit Eua-arporn said he has made it a mission to transform Thailand's oldest university into one seeking innovations for society. "Our vision is to be a world-class university which generates knowledge and innovation for the creative and sustainable transformation of Thai society. "For instance, Thailand is becoming an ageing society. "Transforming ourselves into a university of innovations will not just enhance society, but will also give us a better spot in the global rankings. He expected CU students to be multi-talented.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2020 23:03 UTC
Students find their voice
According to the Uncommon International Group (UNG), which encourages students to participate in social change, and the Association of Students in Thailand, there have been over 100 cases of students being intimidated by schools and teachers after coming out to protest against the government. UNG also asked the ministry to punish teachers and other education personnel who hit students for expressing their political stance. "Our group still receives more and more complaints from students being harassed or prevented from expressing their political views," he said. "Adults should respect the civil rights of students and realise that they have minds of their own," Mr Narubet said. "Unlike people of older generations, [students] have the technological means to find out what they want to know."
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2020 23:03 UTC
Ready, set, Zoom: India gypsy dancers take their art online
Ready, set, Zoom: India gypsy dancers take their art onlineKalbeliya gypsy dancer Aasha Sapera practices before hosting online dance classes in Jodhpur, IndiaJODHPUR (INDIA) - As a blackout plunged her desert dwelling into darkness, Suwa Devi, a dancer belonging to India's Kalbeliya gypsy community, asked her neighbour to turn on his jeep's headlights so she could continue teaching her Zoom class, outside. Lessons would often get cancelled because the connection was terrible," said Sapera, whose students span the globe from Japan to Brazil. They were also intimidated", said Belgian anthropologist Ayla Joncheere, one of the co-founders of Kalbeliya World, describing the dancers' initial response to the idea. The group's success has prompted other Kalbeliya dancers to follow in their footsteps, but with mixed results. Online classes, and the global reach they offer, could expand those possibilities, with Kalbeliya World planning to continue hosting lessons long after pandemic restrictions are relaxed.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 30, 2020 05:15 UTC