Army 'sorry' for calling dead military cadet up for the draft
Army 'sorry' for calling dead military cadet up for the draftThe family of military cadet Pakapong Tanyakan at the Medical Council of Thailand in Nonthaburi province in August 2018, when they filed a complaint about the autopsy report on their son. (File photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)The army has apologised for sending a conscription notice to a military cadet who died in unusual circumstances three years ago, during his first year at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. Army spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree on Tuesday apologised for the hurt caused to the feelings of the young man's family. Media quoted Pichet Tanyakan, father of the late cadet, as saying the incident hurt the feelings of all the family. The first-year cadet died on Oct 17, 2017, a day after he returned to the school after a short break.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2020 07:07 UTC
Couple flee as SUV goes up in flames | Bangkok Post: learning
The SUV burns fiercely as emergency responders arrive in Pattaya, Chon Buri, early Tuesday morning. The driver and his girlfriend escaped, but suffered serious burns. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)A man and his girlfriend narrowly escaped death when their sport utility vehicle burst into flames in Pattaya early on Tuesday. When emergency responders arrived at the scene, the Totoya Fortuner was on fire. The couple in the car had narrowly escaped death, fleeing from the burning vehicle but suffering serious burns.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2020 06:56 UTC
Tuesday: 3 new Covid imports | Bangkok Post: learning
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said two of them returned from Russia on Aug 2 and were quarantined in Bangkok. They were found with the disease on their second test. The 62-year-old man returned on Aug 8 on the same flight as 17 previously confirmed cases. He was quarantined in Bangkok and tested positive on his second test while suffering from diarrhoea. Of the total cases, 3,198 recovered and 125 were at hospitals.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2020 05:15 UTC
Teen kills self after shooting mother and brother | Bangkok Post: learning
(Police TV photo)A 16-year-old boy is suspected by police of having shot and killed his mother and younger brother before turning the gun on himself at their home in Trang on Monday. The bodies of the mother and her young son, 14, were discovered in a bed. The husband then rang his wife's sister, who went to the family home to check on her. The woman's sister rang the doorbell but there was no answer. Police said the 16-year-old son appeared to have shot his mother and young brother before turning the gun on himself.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2020 03:11 UTC
Major education improvements planned | Bangkok Post: learning
Photo by Varuth HirunyathebThe Education Ministry on Monday announced plans to improve the standard of Thai education with a focus on developing a platform called Thailand Education Eco-System. Nataphol Teepsuwan, Minister of Education, said that in the past year he visited various schools and institutions across the country to receive feedback and opinions about issues concerning the education system. The problem is straightforward, Thai education has yet to move much at all," he said. Mr Nataphol said as the leader of education, the ministry will become an enabler by building an education system that answers the demands of a competitive labour force. The platform could "unlock" the potential of the Thai education system by bridging the gap between state education agencies and employers.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2020 03:00 UTC
Japan ramps up aid to Mauritius after oil spill
Japan ramps up aid to Mauritius after oil spillThe Mauritian government has vowed to seek compensation from the ship's Japanese owner and insurer for "all losses and damages" related to the oil spill disasterPORT LOUIS (MAURITIUS) - Japan is sending a second team of experts to help clean up more than 1,000 tonnes of oil that leaked from a Japanese-owned bulk carrier into pristine waters off the coast of Mauritius. "The oil spill has caused serious damage over the southeast coastal environment of Mauritius and will have an inevitable impact on the country's tourism industry as well," the statement said. Japanese firm Nagashiki, the ship's owner, has pledged to "sincerely" respond to requests for compensation over damage to the marine environment. And on Monday, Sebastien Lecornu, France's minister for overseas territories, said Paris would send three experts to help Mauritius determine what to do with the wreck. France had already sent military planes, ships and equipment to help contain the oil spill, which also threatens the French island of La Reunion southwest of Mauritius.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2020 01:25 UTC
'Hunger Games' salute back
'Hunger Games' salute backSocial media yesterday reported photos of students from different schools showing the three-fingered salute from the Hunger Games films, a form of silent resistance to the Prayut Chan-o-cha government. Students in many schools yesterday flashed the three-fingered salute during their morning assembly in front of flag poles and used white ribbons as a gesture against dictatorship. Photos and videos of students showing the three-fingered salute and white ribbons circulated online with the use of a hashtag against dictatorship. At some schools, teachers announced in front of the flag pole that the schools prohibited the three-fingered gesture. Education Minister Nathapol Teepsuwan gave an interview to the press on the three-fingered salute and the anti-dictatorship hashtag, saying he understood students' right of expression and accepted different opinions.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 23:48 UTC
Student protests herald winds of change
Student protests herald winds of changeAnti-government demonstrators led by the Free People group gather at Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Sunday. The authorities have arrested a few prominent leaders already who were hit with many charges including sedition and violation of the emergency decree. A former coup maker, PM Gen Prayut should know how steep the cost will be should it boil down to another coup. How about negotiation -- the so-called dialogue, workshop or forum that PM Gen Prayut mentioned during his televised address last week? With no legitimacy left in the eyes of the protesters, there is not much the government can do that will pacify them.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 23:15 UTC
Virus drills a necessity
Virus drills a necessityIn a bid to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 infections, the government has launched two days of drills for several state agencies in 11 vulnerable provinces, including Bangkok. The drills, which started yesterday, are being conducted by the Defence Ministry via teleconference ahead of the imminent re-entry of workers and tourists. Joining the drills are officials from the immigration police, the Public Health Ministry, local administrations, as well as the Labour, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Education ministries. No conclusion has been made as both Thai health officials and their Malaysian counterparts are still working together to find out where the man caught the disease. Yet, a senior Thai health official told the media recently that he would be "not surprised if the virus is still rampant".
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 23:15 UTC
“It’s time to Vietjet!” from just THB 0
“It’s time to Vietjet!” from just THB 0Fly more conveniently to 10 domestic destinations from SuvarnabhumiThai Vietjet presents “It’s time to Vietjet!” special promotion with over 100,000 tickets priced from just THB0 (excluding taxes, fees) to fly on all the airline’s routes. The promotion is applicable for booking within golden hours 12:00 – 14:00 on 17 – 21 August 2020, with travel period from 15 September – 31 December, 2020 (excluding national holidays). It’s time to book and fly more conveniently to 10 domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi Airport! The tickets are available on all distribution channels including skyfun.vietjetair.com, www.vietjetair.com, mobile app “Vietjet Air”, via Facebook at facebook.com/VietJetThailand by clicking “Booking” tab, as well as travel agencies and booking office. Payment can be easily made with international debit and credit cards, including Visa/ MasterCard/ AMEX/ JCB/ KCP/UnionWith the commitment to providing further chances of affordable air travel with fun experiences for Thai passengers, Thai Vietjet has increased domestic flight frequency in response to the increasing travel demand.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 11:03 UTC
Malaysian visitor found infected after he returned home | Bangkok Post: learning
Dr Tanarak Plipat, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, updates the country on the Covid-19 situation on Monday. (Screenshot from CCSA)Health officials are investigating the case of a Malaysian visitor to Bangkok who tested positive for Covid-19 after he returned to his homeland. Dr Tanarak said the man had spent most of his time at his condominium room in Bangkok during his stay in Thailand. "It has yet to be confirmed where the Malaysian man caught the disease. He has been in quarantine for a long period and his travel record is still unclear," Dr Tanarak said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 08:15 UTC
Prawit affirms people's right to rally | Bangkok Post: learning
Gen Prawit was speaking at Government House in response to reporters' questions about the mass anti-government demonstration by the Free People group at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok on Sunday night. "The government is duty-bound to provide security for the demonstrators," Gen Prawit said. Asked why the government had not done anything, since the gathering contravened the emergency decree, which is still in force, Gen Prawit retorted: "What can we do?" Asked how he felt about seeing such a large number of anti-government demonstrators on Sunday night, Gen Prawit declined to answer and walked away. Anti-government demonstrators led by the Free People group gather at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Sunday night.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 06:56 UTC
BCG ECONOMY AS ANSWERS TO MANY CHALLENGES
BCG ECONOMY AS ANSWERS TO MANY CHALLENGESIn response to global economic challenges and international commitments to address the climate change, Thailand is promoting Bio-, Circular and Green Economy (BCG) as a model to drive the economic growth which is in line with development towards a value-based economy. These industries serve the development of BCG which leverages on the country’s robust agricultural sector, advancing competitiveness in biotechnology and growing pool of skilled workforce. Thailand’s competitive advantages in BCG is on an improving trend as the public sector is pushing ahead plans to promote BCG industries and accelerate large investment projects in bioeconomy including biochemical and biorefinery facilities and technological upgrade in the food industry. This trend represents a significant opportunity for Thailand’s BCG economy. BOI Measures Driving BCG EconomyThe BOI is offering an exemption of corporate income tax for up to eight years to a comprehensive range of the agricultural biotechnology industries.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 06:45 UTC
Monday: 1 new Covid case | Bangkok Post: learning
A man walks past a private clinic advertising a test for the Covid-19 coronavirus for 3,800 baht in Bangkok on Aug 11, 2019. Global Covid-19 cases rose by 222,549 over the past 24 hours to 21.82 million. The death toll rose by 4,359 to 773,032. Brazil ranked second with 3.34 million cases, up by 22,365, and 107,879 deaths, up by 582. India came third with 2.65 million cases, up by 58,108, and 51,045 deaths, up by 961.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 05:26 UTC
Q2 GDP shrinks 12.2% y
Q2 GDP shrinks 12.2% y/y, weakest in 22 yearsIn this handout file photo from the Royal Thai Navy taken and released on Feb 04, 2020 navy officials in protective suits stand beside a plane that brought Thai nationals back from Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, at the military U-Tapao Airport in Rayong. (AFP)The economy contracted the most in more than two decades, deepening its recession as the nation’s key drivers of trade and tourism remain hobbled by the global coronavirus pandemic. Gross domestic product shrank 12.2% from a year ago, the National Economic and Social Development Council said Monday, its biggest decline since the Asian financial crisis in 1998. The figure wasn’t quite as bad as the median estimate of a 13% contraction in a Bloomberg survey of economists. “We are concerned about the economy, especially employment, bad debts” and small and medium enterprises, said Thosaporn Sirisumphand, secretary general of the economic council.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 17, 2020 03:26 UTC