Pandemic an 'apocalypse' for restaurants in US
Pandemic an 'apocalypse' for restaurants in USGabriel Gordon stands behind the glass entrance door to his restaurant Beachwood BBQ, in Seal Beach, Californian, which he has been forced to permanently shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. But this weekend, Beachwood BBQ, which had become a staple in the community, permanently shut down -- yet another casualty of the carnage the coronavirus pandemic has unleashed on restaurants across the United States. "We were the first industry to shut down and we will be the last to recover from this pandemic. "Until that's restored, we are not going to see anything approaching normal business markets for the restaurants." "We anticipate that 30 percent of California restaurants will close permanently as a result of the pandemic," Shams told AFP.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2020 03:45 UTC
For Iraqi mothers-to-be, hospitals are pandemic no-go zones
For Iraqi mothers-to-be, hospitals are pandemic no-go zonesAn Iraqi volunteer works on building a 525-bed field hospital at a Baghdad exhibition centre in June to help fight the coronavirus outbreakKUT (IRAQ) - Iraqi midwife Umm Mariam used to help bring three babies into the world per day. Last year, she could have gone to a public hospital and paid a small, symbolic fee for the delivery. One of the nine public hospitals in Wasit province, where Kut is located, has been transformed into a coronavirus treatment ward. Hospitals are also facing a shortage of oxygen tanks for those severely affected by COVID-19's attack on the lungs. Still, they insist, going it alone is a better choice than catching COVID-19 in a dilapidated public hospital.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 02, 2020 02:26 UTC
A country for old men no longer
An ultraroyalist and also a doctor at the hospital, Maj Gen Rienthong first came to prominence in 2010 when he caused widespread outrage after calling on doctors not to treat pro-democracy protesters injured in a bloody state crackdown. However, both the government and Maj Gen Rienthong appear to have taken a rather loose approach to this remit. He argues that allowing those with beliefs that don't match his own to take prominent roles within the country will undermine Thailand's core values. However, with the dawn of social media and a switched-on and ever-growing number of young citizens, traditional efforts to prevent knowledge of the unfair practices of those in positions of power and prominence from spreading are no longer effective. This may be a revolution fought using smartphones and social media.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2020 22:07 UTC
August can be a very wicked month
August can be a very wicked monthMy goodness, we are already into August, but with the coronavirus it feels like the year has hardly got started. As a kid I used to look forward to August with a mixture of excitement and just a little trepidation. As August coincided with the English school holidays, in the 1950s and early 60s the month witnessed a mass migration to the coast for a couple of weeks by the working and middle classes. When they returned they would flaunt their new-found tans and start dropping French phrases into their conversation to show how sophisticated they were. From what I recall, most were war films like Reach For the Sky, The Dam Busters and The Cockleshell Heroes.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2020 22:07 UTC
Update urged on probe into Victoria Secret case
Update urged on probe into Victoria Secret caseAnti-human trafficking organisations have demanded an update on the progress of an investigation into a prosecutor's decision to drop charges against key suspects in last year's Victoria Secret brothel crackdown. The suspects are Nipa and Tanapol Wirathepsuporn, the wife and son of Kampol Wirathepsuporn who is believed to be the owner of the Victoria Secret soapy massage parlour. Chalirat Thimbut, coordinator of the Anti-Human Trafficking Network (ATN), said the network earlier called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to look into the case. The ATN coordinator said she came to ask about progress in the Victoria Secret case since they were concerned over the probe's results under the supervision of Mr Nate. The network demanded to know the reasons why the prosecutor acquitted the suspects in the Victoria Secret case and whether police were trying to bring them to court.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2020 21:56 UTC
Calls for reform following Boss case
Mr Vorayuth reportedly left on a private plane two days before he was due to face the charges. Three committees were set up successively to pursue police reform, though little progress has been made so far, Mr Kamnoon said. Regarding the reform on the investigation process that precedes court trials, Mr Kamnoon said the acquittal of Mr Vorayuth had exposed a major flaw in the criminal investigation process. EVIDENCE CONCERNSAtchariya Ruangrattanaphong, chairman of the Help Crime Victims Club, backed calls for reform to the police and the prosecution. "The government also has no intention to reform the police because the reform committee comprises police offices.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2020 21:45 UTC
SUNDAY Spotlight debuts today
SUNDAY Spotlight debuts todayThe Bangkok Post launches a new weekly section with today's Sunday newspaper, featuring curated articles from The New York Times. The branded section, titled Spotlight, features news, analysis and opinion selected by The New York Times' international weekly team and covers subjects ranging from global trends, business, science and technology, to arts and design. Suthikiati: Added content for our readers"The Bangkok Post has always stood for fair, balanced and quality journalism. "I am happy to be reaffirming that promise with the launch of Sunday Spotlight, featuring curated articles from The New York Times. "It is my honour to welcome the Bangkok Post to our family of international weekly publishers, a further strengthening of our long-term relationship," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2020 21:45 UTC
Microsoft ponders TikTok deal
A deal would give the American software giant a popular social-media service and possibly relieve US government pressure on the Chinese owner of the app. Washington has been investigating potential national security risks due to the Chinese company’s control of the app. TikTok, especially popular with young audiences who create and watch its short-form videos, has an estimated billion users worldwide. TikTok declined to comment on the reports of the forced sales, saying only: “We are confident in the long-term success of TikTok. “They could start censoring stuff.”India has already barred TikTok over national security and privacy concerns while other countries are reportedly considering similar measures.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2020 10:07 UTC
Trump: Federal agents to stay in Portland for 'cleanup'
Trump: Federal agents to stay in Portland for 'cleanup'Portland, in the state of Oregon, has been rocked by anti-racism demonstrationsWASHINGTON: US federal officers will stay in the protest-wracked city of Portland until local law enforcement officials finish a "cleanup of anarchists and agitators", President Donald Trump said. Trump tweeted late Friday: "Homeland Security is not leaving Portland until local police complete cleanup of Anarchists and Agitators!" Hundreds of demonstrators were still on the streets of downtown Portland on Saturday morning, without any federal law enforcement in sight. Attorney General Bill Barr has defended the use of federal officers, and rejected any suggestion of the political motivation. That's supposed to be done by local law enforcement," Trump added.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 01, 2020 06:22 UTC
Hundreds shocked to find themselves out of a job
Hundreds shocked to find themselves out of a jobWorkers arriving for the reopening of the Body Fashion (Thailand) factory in Muang district of Nakhon Sawan on Friday are shocked to see an announcement outside it with a list of more than 800 workers who have been laid-off. (Photo by Chalit Pumruang)More than 1,000 people at two companies have lost their jobs due to the ailing economy. The factory, in Muang district, had already laid off more than 2,000 workers, citing huge losses, and shut for three months. They later sought help from the Nakhon Sawan provincial labour protection and welfare office, where officials told them to complete the usual forms and wait for assistance. The new notice declared that the deal allowing Star Dome to use the golf course expired on April 30 so the operator, its employers and customers were henceforth all banned from using it.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2020 23:15 UTC
Thailand MotoGP called off
"The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports regret to announce the cancellation of the Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina, OR Thailand Grand Prix and Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2020," MotoGP said in a joint statement with the governing FIM and teams' association IRTA. The host venue in Europe has not yet been decided and will be confirmed on Aug 10. Promoter Dorna Sports added that the Thailand Grand Prix will remain on the MotoGP calendar until at least 2026 and that they had started work on discussing possible dates for races in Argentina and Malaysia next year. The third Thailand Grand Prix was originally scheduled for March but was postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis. Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit is the longest serving venue of the three and first hosted MotoGP in 1999.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2020 19:52 UTC
When is 'too much politics'?
Kla Party's reticence on student protests, Red Bull scion draws fierce criticism - PM-sponsored inquiry into why most serious charge against Vorayuth Yoovidhya was dropped seen as means to deter govt criticsThere is bound to be a debate on how much politics a political party is involved in is considered too much. Korn: Sticking to agendaOn the one hand, political parties are expected to play to their base and look the part of being heroic. However, not much has been heard regarding the two issues from the Kla Party led by former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij. The party had declared it was introducing a reinvented politics, one that promises a way out for people trapped in a labyrinth where those in power write or bend political rules to suit them, which fuels a seemingly perennial conflict that pits politicians against politicians, politicians against the people and people against people. Their statements along with a new speed test convinced the prosecutors to let Mr Vorayuth off the hook.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2020 19:52 UTC
Korn looks beyond 'new normal' as nation struggles back to its feet
In an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Korn shared his experiences in fighting Covid-19 and his perception of what a "new normal" will really entail. When asked about his political party, Mr Korn said he formed the Kla Party as Covid-19 hit Thailand at the beginning of this year. They have found that dining in, along with the many other activities that they can do at home such as online shopping, is actually comfortable," believes Mr Korn. Mr Korn said he thinks what is really important is credibility and trust. "Our country's public health strength will greatly benefit us in the future, particularly in terms of investment.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2020 19:52 UTC
Why Prayut’s key advisers are living in fear
Prof Dr Prasit WatanapaProfessor Dr Prasit Watanapa is intimately involved in the government’s efforts to tackle the Covid-19 crisis. The battle planLed by Prof Prasit, Siriraj Hospital’s medical team has issued clear Covid-19 guidance to best preserve public health. His medical team has closely monitored the feedback and comments from viewers and found the results very satisfying. He warned that even the scientific community does not fully understand the characteristics of the Covid-19 virus. Other telemedicine devices are also being developed, said Prof Prasit, and these would enable more precise examinations to be conducted during the course of the pandemic.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2020 19:52 UTC
Payoff probe goes nowhere
Payoff probe goes nowhereMore than two months after the government launched a probe into alleged extortion of hoteliers in Pattaya who wanted to turn their premises into state quarantine facilities, the investigation appears to have gone nowhere. It's not clear if the probe is still on. The government initially promised that the probe results would be quick. According to CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the average cost of a 14-day stay at state quarantine venues is about 14,000 baht, not including medicines. The government introduced compulsory state quarantine for all returnees in early April when infection cases soared.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 31, 2020 19:52 UTC