Prayut warns police after gambling den shootout | Bangkok Post: learning
Prayut was reacting to the fatal shooting of Pol Maj Watthanaset Samniangprasert, an inspector at Samae Dam police station in Bang Bon district, and three other people, one of them a woman, at a gambling den in Yannawa district. His comment followed confirmation by Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Pakapong Pongpetra that a man of Chinese appearance had shot dead Pol Maj Watthanaset and two other people. The shooter was then himself shot dead by another man, who ran away, Pol Lt Gen Pakapong said. Pol Lt Gen Pakapong said on Tuesday Pol Maj Watthanaset was not in the room on duty and had not been assigned to bust the den. Pol Maj Watthanaset's superior said the officer had enjoyed gambling.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 05, 2020 01:29 UTC
Tisco: Listed firms set for 49% Q2 profit hit
An investor monitors share prices of SET-listed companies at a securities firm. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)Aggregate net profit of SET-listed companies likely fell by 40-50% year-on-year to 80-90 billion baht in the second quarter after lockdown measures crippled economic activity, analysts say. The banking sector and some listed firms have already announced their second-quarter operating results, posting an aggregate net profit of 41.2 billion baht. First-half net profit represents about 35% of full-year net profit. Apichat Poobunjirdkul, senior strategist at Tisco Securities, said 133 SET-listed firms under the securities house's coverage, representing 76% of total market capitalisation, will likely announce a 49% year-on-year drop in net profit.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 23:37 UTC
TNSC: 15% export decline if 2nd-half rebound falters
TNSC: 15% export decline if 2nd-half rebound faltersExports may contract by as much as 15% this year if the country averages just US$16.4 billion a month in the second half of the year, according to a group of Thai exporters. Ghanyapad Tantipipatpong, chairwoman of the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC), said on Tuesday that the council looks set to downgrade its shipment forecast if the overall export performance remains unimproved next month. In July, Thai shippers downgraded the country's export outlook to a 10% contraction, deeper than the previous forecast of an 8% drop, due to the coronavirus crisis and the strong baht. Weakening purchasing power and the ailing economies of key trading partners were key components in the TNSC's export forecast cut. "We are keeping the 2020 export forecast at a 10% contraction," Ms Ghanyapad said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 23:35 UTC
Two huge Beirut explosions kill 78 | Bangkok Post: learning
The aftermath at the site of Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port area, Lebanon. (Photo: Reuters)Two enormous explosions ripped through Beirut's port, killing at least 78 people and injuring thousands, and destroying buildings across the Lebanese capital. The second blast sent an enormous orange fireball into the sky, immediately followed by a shockwave that flattened the port and shattered windows across the city. Bloodied, dazed and wounded people stumbled among the glass shards and burning buildings in central Beirut. Lebanon already has an economic crisis that has left more than half of the population in poverty.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 22:41 UTC
Noppon seals 'biggest win of my life'
Thailand's Noppon Saengkham will meet Mark Selby or Jordan Brown in the second round at the Crucible. Having led 6-3 on Monday, world No.42 Noppon finished off the 2005 world champion 10-4 for what he decribed as the biggest win of his life. But it is still a long way for Noppon to match Wattana's semi-final spot at the Crucible in 1993. In the second round, Noppon will meet Mark Selby or Jordan Brown. "This is the biggest win of my life.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 21:33 UTC
Office market draws external investors
Office market draws external investorsA robust office market has attracted non-developer Thai investors and foreign investment groups, with a large amount of new supply being added in Bangkok after 2024, according to property consultant Colliers International Thailand. "During the past few years, those developing new office supply scheduled for completion in 2020-25 were mostly large investors," he said. "We see foreign investors and Thais from other sectors planning new office projects." According to Colliers, there are 28 new office projects -- both pure office towers and a mix of office, hotel and retail -- in the pipeline, which will be completed from 2025. Development, Origin Property, Property Perfect, Supalai, Frasers Property and Central Pattana.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 21:33 UTC
PM vows to change charter
Speaking after a cabinet meeting, the prime minister said his position has been to support the House committee assigned to study charter amendments. If and when the opposition submits a charter change bill to parliament, the government will also present its version, Gen Prayut said. He added that he has supported charter amendments where necessary. Key Pheu Thai figures told a press briefing on Monday that charter amendments should be wrapped up quickly and without a referendum after the changes are finalised. The present charter was approved in a referendum on Aug 7, 2016.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 21:33 UTC
No need for foreign troops
No need for foreign troopsIs a war breaking out nearby? Considering the situation, common sense would demand that military exercises be postponed. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) revealed on Monday that a special flight had landed at U-Tapao airport in Rayong carrying 71 US soldiers from Guam. Will it shoulder the consequences if a new cluster of infections occurs which demands more restrictions and damages the economy? Bringing foreign troops in during an outbreak carries far too high a risk for the army to take.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 21:33 UTC
Tuesday: 1 new Covid case | Bangkok Post: learning
(AFP photo)The government on Tuesday reported one new case of Covid-19, a Russian woman in quarantine, and no new deaths. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported that the Russian woman arrived on July 20 and was staying in an alternative state quarantine facility in Bangkok. The death toll has remained unchanged at 58 since June 2. The death toll increased by 4,394 to 697,188. India ranked third with 1.85 million cases, up by 50,629, and 38,971 deaths, up by 810.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 05:37 UTC
Cocaine, reckless driving charges for 'Boss' | Bangkok Post: learning
Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya is at the Thong Lor police station in Bangkok after the crash on Sept 3, 2012. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)A panel of prosecutors on Tuesday recommended charges of cocaine abuse and reckless driving causing death for Red Bull scion Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya. Earlier a deputy attorney-general and an acting police chief decided not to arraign him on the charge of reckless driving causing death. Mr Prayut said that Nate Naksuk, deputy attorney-general responsible for cases with justice complaints, had initially made a sound decision against arraignment based on available evidence and witnesses. Regarding the alleged cocaine abuse, Mr Prayut said that a blood sample taken from Mr Vorayuth's blood on the day of the crash indicated that he had used cocaine.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 05:26 UTC
Police major among 4 shot dead in gambling den | Bangkok Post: learning
People clear the crime scene at the illegal gambling den off Rama III Road in Yannawa district, Bangkok, late on Monday night. (JS100 Radio photo)A police major was among four people shot dead at a gambling den in Yannawa district overnight, reportedly by a losing gambler. The den was operating on the ground floor of a four-storey commercial building surrounded by security cameras about 300 metres off Rama III Road in soi 66. Four people were killed - the police officer, another man and two women. Bangkok police chief Pol Lt Gen Pakapong Pongpetra rushed to inspect the scene, and left it without answering reporters' questions.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 04:32 UTC
US 'cloud' supremacy has Europe worried about data
US 'cloud' supremacy has Europe worried about dataFor European policymakers the 'cloud' may become ominous as it could allow the US access to European data and dependence on how to exploit itPARIS - Europe is sitting on a wealth of data that is the 21st equivalent of a precious metal mine during the gold rush. The cloud is a term for offering data storage and processing services externally so clients don't need to invest as much in costly gear. "The majority of European data is stocked outside of Europe, or, if stocked in Europe, is on servers that belong to non-European firms," it noted. "However we have very good firms offering cloud and data services," he added. The French and Germans unveiled in June the GAIA-X project that aims to develop a competitive European cloud offer.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 03:56 UTC
Student's leg plunges into hole outside Government House | Bangkok Post: learning
Rescue volunteers use a drill to widen the hole and free the girl's trapped leg, on Phitsanulok Road, opposite Government House, on Monday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Even a road outside Government House is not safe for pedestrians. A Mathayom 1 student on a school outing shrieked in horror as her right leg disappeared into a hole as she stepped off a kerb onto Phitsanulok Road, opposite Gate 4 of Government House, about 11.30am. She was left sitting on the roadside with her leg trapped in the hole, up to her thigh, for about one hour. Rescuers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation used a drill to enlarge the hole and finally free her leg.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 02:37 UTC
Injury, obesity, stress: eSports starts wising up to health problems
Injury, obesity, stress: eSports starts wising up to health problems"It's about time that in eSports we looked into all this," says Chris Chan, president of the Global Esports Federation, a new eSports governing body based in Singapore as concern grows over health of participantsSINGAPORE - Growing concern over health standards in eSports has prompted a new federation to pledge to address the problem, as players fall victim to conditions ranging from wrist injuries to obesity, stress and diabetes. The 23-year-old, hailed as an "icon" of the League of Legends game, stepped away from eSports in June, saying "chronic stress, obesity, irregular diet, staying up late and other reasons" had given him Type 2 diabetes. Chris Chan, president of the Global Esports Federation, a new body backed by Chinese gaming giant Tencent, said credibility was a problem, with health and wellbeing one area that needs attention. eSports' governance remains a confusing patchwork and the new body has several rivals, including the South Korea-based International Esports Federation. In eSports, publishers own the rights to games and set rules of play, with governing bodies playing only a limited role.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 02:26 UTC
UTCC: 11.4% contraction in GDP forecast for 2020
UTCC: 11.4% contraction in GDP forecast for 2020Thailand's economy is likely to contract by as much as 11.4% this year, its worst showing, attributed largely to the pandemic impact, volatile foreign exchange, widespread drought and the continued US-China trade spat. In April the university predicted the economy would contract by 3.4%-4.9%. The UTCC also revised its export forecast to a 10.2% dip this year from 8.8-12% contraction predicted in April. The university estimated the drought would cause 76.3 billion baht in losses to the country, mainly from sugar cane, off-season rice and tapioca. The UTCC predicted drought will cause sugar cane production to drop to 74.9 million tonnes in the 2019/20 main crop from 132 million tonnes year-on-year, with off-season rice tallying only 3.5 million tonnes of paddy from 7.4 million tonnes and tapioca falling to 28.2 million tonnes from 31.1 million tonnes.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 04, 2020 00:22 UTC