Following a new path
Weeraya Yamansabeedeen working on his upcoming project Last Christmas, which is inspired and influenced by da Vinci's The Last Supper. "While humans say they desire peace, they go on to create war, creating enough violence in the process to maim and kill other humans. I aspire to encourage society to follow the path of peace when it comes to us to make a choice. Like a number of trans people, the cool-and-collected artist was never comfortable with the gender he was assigned at birth. The determination and hard work Weeraya put into making a success of himself have today paid off handsomely.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 23:18 UTC
Student protesters must be respectful
Student protesters must be respectfulIn this Aug 10 file photo, pro-democracy protesters flash a three-finger salute against dictatorship during a rally at Thammasat Rangsit campus. Apichit JinakulThe sudden announcement of a 10-point demand for reform of the monarchy at a student protest at the Rangsit campus of Thammasat University on Aug 10 was, indeed, unprecedented, daring and shocking for many Thais. Even the core opposition Pheu Thai Party which is supportive of the student movement's protests to demand a new constitution, parliament's dissolution and a stop to government harassment against student activists hastily distanced itself from this new demand. The arrest of three protest leaders, namely Parit "Penquin" Chivarak, a Thammasat University student, human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa and Panupong Chadnok have nothing to do with the Thammasat protest, but are related to previous protests. The Progressive Movement, led by the threesome of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and Pannika "Chor" Wanich, came out later to back the students' demand after having realised the political temperature has cooled off somewhat.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 22:52 UTC
Boss case shatters public confidence
Instead, the case has dragged on for eight years, with charge after charge meeting their statute of limitations, as the public watched on in dismay. But this time, the 20 officers may not be that lucky as the case is still fresh in the public eye. Such a conclusion suggests strongly that those incompetent officers handled the case on their own without the RTP chief's supervision. Has anyone noticed that immigration police were quick to lift a travel ban for Mr Vorayuth, almost right after the OAG dropped the case? If the panel calls a spade a spade, public trust in justice could be restored.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 22:52 UTC
Police are defying govt
Police are defying govtWhile the government and authorities should respect students' freedom of expression and be open-minded towards their demands, the students movement also needs to respect the law to justify its moves. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he is ready to hold talks with them to hear what direction they want to see the country move in. In fact, the protesters' demands floated on July 18 are fine and debatable. Some critics believe the police move is intended to threaten young protesters after their rally at Thammasat University, Rangsit campus, on Aug 10, "crossed the line". Only peaceful, constructive and innocent protests can protect the students and justify their actions and demands at this critical time.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 22:52 UTC
Students press demands
Anti-government demonstrators led by the Free People group gather at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Thatthep Ruangprapaikitseree, the leader of the Free People group -- the new name of the Free Youth group -- announced on Sunday that the group will stand by its three demands. The move comes after a group of Thammasat University students expanded their demands to include reform of the monarchy last week. About 60 royalist demonstrators converged at the Democracy Monument in an attempt to counter the anti-government rally on the opposite side of Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The royalist camp's leader, Sumeth Trakulwoonnu, said earlier it would closely watch speakers at the anti-government protest to see if they attacked the high institution.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 22:41 UTC
Phuket sets sail for recovery
As Phuket tourism has started to pick up, the provincial administration hopes to expedite the recovery by calling on tourism services, such as transport services, to give tourist discounts. Apart from foreign tourists, he said many hundreds of foreign students had expressed their wish to visit Phuket to study. The provincial administration must also make it clear how it would respond in the case of local transmission if foreigners were allowed in. In the long run, the provincial administration plans to use the strength of Phuket as a centre of industry. However, it does not mean that Phuket will shy away from the tourism sector, but that Phuket tourism in the Covid-19 era will focus on health and wellness instead.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 22:41 UTC
Massive student-led protest asks govt to quit | Bangkok Post: learning
Pro-democracy protesters use mobile phones as torches as they attend a huge anti-government rally at Democracy Monument in Bangkok. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)More than 12,000 student-led protesters gathered at Bangkok's Democracy Monument on Sunday to ask the government to quit. The organisers will read out a statement near the end of the protest repeating the three demands. They will also reiterate their opposition to a coup or the formation of a "national unity" government to end the political impasse. The new round of anti-government protests started on July 18 before spreading into several provinces, particularly at school and university campuses.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 18:45 UTC
Massive student-led protest calls on govt to quit
Massive student-led protest calls on govt to quitPro-democracy protesters use mobile phones as torches as they attend a huge anti-government rally at Democracy Monument in Bangkok. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)As darkness fell at Bangkok's Democracy Monument, the numbers of student-led protesters calling on the government led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to quit swelled well past 10,000. The organisers will read out a statement near the end of the protest repeating the three demands. They said their protests have expanded beyond students to include a wide cross-section of the population. The new round of anti-government protests started on July 18 before spreading into several provinces, particularly at school and university campuses.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 13:02 UTC
Anti-government protesters flock to Democracy Monument
Anti-government protesters flock to Democracy MonumentThousands of protesters occupy Ratchadamneon Avenue and the Democracy Monument in a rally against the government. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)At least 5,000 protesters rallied at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok on Sunday in what appeared to be the largest demonstration against the government since coronavirus restrictions were eased. More demonstrators were arriving at the protest scene as more than 300 police waited on standby near the monument to provide security. Pro-royalist leader Sumeth Trakulwoonnu said his group will not provoke violence, but is closely watching speakers at the anti-government protest to see if they attack the highest institution. Pol Maj Gen Somprasong Yenthuam, the deputy Metropolitan Police Bureau chief, said a total of 600 police have been deployed to provide security for up to 5,000 protesters.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 09:02 UTC
Pro-royalists disperse after countering student rally at Democracy Monument
Pro-royalists disperse after countering student rally at Democracy MonumentPro-royalists gather on Ratchadamneon Avenue near the Democracy Monument before walking to the monument on Sunday. (Photo by Arnun Cholmahatrakul)Pro-royalists have ended their rally near the Democracy Monument, leaving some members to observe the student-led demonstrations against the government. The nationalistic pro-monarchy movement, led by vocational students, dispersed from Ratchadamnoen Avenue around 4pm, but its leaders said some would remain to monitor the anti-government demonstration. Pro-royalists gather at the Democracy Monument ahead of a student-led rally at the same place to call for democracy to be restored. They demand the students not disrecpect the royal institution.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 07:07 UTC
Amid COVID-19 crisis, flu shot makers see record US production
Amid COVID-19 crisis, flu shot makers see record US productionPharmaceutical companies plan to increase the US supply of flu vaccines by 11 percent this yearWASHINGTON - Global influenza vaccine makers have produced a record number of doses for the coming flu season, as authorities try to ease the burden on hospitals ahead of an expected COVID-19 resurgence. In the US, pharmaceutical companies plan to make around 196 million doses to serve the population of 330 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Major pharmacy chain CVS, which administers flu vaccines without prescription, is ordering 18 million doses, double the amount in 2019. GSK did not respond to a request for its vaccine production plans. Gostin recently wrote an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association calling for a flu vaccine offensive, including potentially mandatory vaccines at schools.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 16, 2020 02:03 UTC
Just another case of terminal madness
He discovered at check-in that his name wasn't on the passenger list and was politely told he would be put on standby. The actor explained that he was one of the cast and was to appear on the stage before the film. The beach bumSome years ago actor Leonardo DiCaprio had a quirky experience while strolling along Malibu beach in his shorts. An amused DiCaprio accepted the sandwich, but thought he should explain "actually I'm an actor". One was from Ron Martin enquiring about Edith's whereabouts and the other from Constance Beasley who provided some answers.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2020 23:03 UTC
Water wastage feeds drought
Water wastage feeds droughtJust because there is a lot of rain at the moment, it doesn't mean that the country is out of the woods yet. In fact, water lost during distribution -- also known as non-revenue water -- is a real problem in Bangkok, where it was estimated that up to 25% of the water pumped to households is lost in the ageing and/or deteriorating distribution network, according to the MWA. That's water which could be distributed to the farms in the Central Plains and the Northeast, which employ at least 11 million people -- directly and indirectly. According to the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, in 2015 the average Bangkok resident consumed about 219.5 litres of water per day. Without comprehensive action which goes beyond building makeshift ponds to collect rainwater, the shortage will soon threaten more than just farmlands in the Central Plains.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2020 23:03 UTC
Senators crucial factor in constitutional change
In December last year, the House of Representatives voted to set up a committee to study constitutional amendments, with Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, adviser to the prime minister as its chairman. The committee comprises both government and opposition MPs, as well as experts from outside. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha recently reiterated support for charter amendments as it is part of the government's policy statement. Asked about the Senate's stance on charter amendments, Mr Wanchai said that generally, charter amendments should be an initiative of MPs from the government and opposition parties. "Personally, I am not against constitutional amendments.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2020 21:45 UTC
Russia starts producing vaccine
Moscow rejects criticism that it might be moving too quickly for safetyThe Russian coronavirus vaccine has gone into production at the Binnofarm pharmaceutical factory in the town of Zelenograd outside Moscow. (AFP Photo)MOSCOW: Russia said on Saturday that it had produced the first batch of its coronavirus vaccine, after President Vladimir Putin announced it had been first in the world to approve a vaccine. Putin’s announcement on Tuesday about the vaccine was met with caution from scientists and the World Health Organization who said it still needed a rigorous safety review. Western scientists were sceptical, with some warning that moving too quickly on a vaccine could be dangerous, but Russia denounced criticism as an attempt to undermine Moscow’s research. The Russian vaccine is called “Sputnik V” after the Soviet-era satellite that was the first launched into space in 1957.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 15, 2020 12:11 UTC