Student protesters fearful over safety
However, young protesters refrained from revealing their names to the press. Their concern came to light after an anti-dictatorship group from the prominent Triam Udom Suksa School released a statement asking the press to protect young protesters from in-depth media coverage. "My parents don't forbid it, but don't support me either, asking me why I have to join protests. She said everybody should be allowed to express their political views unharmed. "Luckily, my parents and school give me freedom, but of course they worry about my safety.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 27, 2020 23:37 UTC
Cops plan to review Boss saga
The panel, which is headed by Pol Gen Satawat Hirunburana, has 15 days to complete the inquiry, he said. It emerged last week that the prosecution in June had dropped the final, most serious charge of reckless driving causing death. Prayuth Pethckhun, OAG's deputy spokesman, said yesterday the panel was expected to meet today and the panel head would set guidelines for the fact-finding inquiry. He declined to say whether the inquiry could change the prosecution's decision. Adm Sitthawat Wongsuwon, a senator who chaired the NLA's panel, said yesterday that Thanee Onla-iad, a senator and panel member, would clarify the matter later this week.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 27, 2020 23:26 UTC
Anti-govt rally held in Phuket
Anti-govt rally held in PhuketํMembers of the Phuket Liberation Group lead an anti-government demonstration in Phuket on Sunday. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)PHUKET: About 350 young people of the Phuket Liberation Group held a demonstration against the government in this southern island province on Sunday. They held aloft posters and banners with messages such as "Sovereign power belongs to the people", "Dissolve parliament. Chuvech Detditrak, a rally organiser, said on the stage that the gathering was for people to exercise their right to expression under the constitution. Rally leaders took turns to speak on the stage about politics and economic problems while the demonstrators repeatedly chanted, "Down with dictatorship.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 27, 2020 02:40 UTC
Prayut orders 'Boss' probe
Vorayuth Yoovidhya was arrested on Sept 3, 2012, hours after his black Ferrari rammed into a motorcycle, killing Pol Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor police station. Netizens were quick to point out that in April the Yoovidhya family donated 300 million baht for the government to handle Covid-19. It emerged last week that the prosecution in June had dropped the final, most serious charge of reckless driving causing death. Previously, forensic police had concluded that Mr Vorayuth had been driving at 177km/h. The Taling Chan court rejected both charges and accepted three others: drink driving causing death, reckless driving causing serious injury and drink driving causing property damage.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 26, 2020 23:26 UTC
Don't write off the 'Four Boys'
Of the four, Mr Sontirat has been the most visible of late. In fact, the former energy minister looked so full of energy some observers were curious as to whether he was out of a job or "between jobs". Mr Uttama and Mr Sontirat have accrued top-level policy management experience and economic expertise. The posts in question include the finance minister and energy minister, two of the most coveted seats in the cabinet line-up. Former deputy transport minister Pailin Chuchottaworn is also said to be touted for the sought-after role of energy minister.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 25, 2020 01:52 UTC
Public fury as 'Boss' allowed to walk free
According to the letter, "The Attorney-General has ordered the acquittal of Mr Vorayuth Yoovidhya on all charges" and "The national police commissioner did not object to the order. The officers who poorly handled the case in 2012 have already faced disciplinary action," Pol Col Kissana said. Pol Col Kissana said that before their decision, prosecutors had demanded additional interrogation from police, and police had met the demand. "Mr Vorayuth could now return to Thailand without any problem. He said he was confident that there was solid evidence against Mr Vorayuth.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2020 23:15 UTC
Six soldiers test positive on return from US drills
Six soldiers test positive on return from US drillsSix Thai troops returning from training in Hawaii this week were among 10 people who tested positive for Covid-19, according to the army. Gen Natthapon Srisawat, director of the army's Covid-19 situation administration centre, yesterday gave details about the soldiers after the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) yesterday announced 10 new confirmed cases including the Thai soldiers who had returned from the US. The soldiers were among 11 troops who were isolated and put under a Covid-19 observation programme at the army-run Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok after exhibiting suspicious symptoms. The remaining 140 have entered a state quarantine centre in a hotel in Pattaya. If they test negative, they will have another swab test on Aug 3 when the 14-day mandatory quarantine period ends.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2020 22:30 UTC
Tiwagorn out of hospital
Tiwagorn Withiton, the political and human rights activist recently hospitalised in Khon Kaen after speaking out about Wanchalearm Satsaksit's disappearance, was released on Wednesday. A Khon Kaen Psychiatry Hospital official told the Bangkok Post that Mr Tiwagorn, 47, had spent 14 days "receiving treatment". On July 9, Mr Tiwagorn was seized by six hospital personnel and handcuffed by a soldier from Internal Security Operations Command at his home. Earlier that day, Mr Tiwagorn had posted on his social media account that officials had come his house and asked many questions about his mental health. Since being released, Mr Tiwagorn has remained silent on social media.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2020 20:37 UTC
Govt to offer B30bn of green bonds in August
Govt to offer B30bn of green bonds in AugustPatricia Mongkhonvanit, centre, the Public Debt Management Office director-general, briefs the media on the planned offer of green bonds, at the Finance Ministry on Friday. (Photo from @MoFNewsStationThailand Facebook account)Thailand will offer up to 30 billion baht of 15-year green bonds to investors next month to help finance coronavirus support measures, a Finance Ministry official said on Friday. They will be sold at Bangkok Bank, Bank of Ayudhya and Standard Chartered Bank Thai. The bonds were being offered in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), the MRTA and the National Housing Authority (NHA). The ministry said it also supports BAAC and NHA plans to issue green bonds by the end of the fiscal year.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2020 09:56 UTC
Heaven and hotel
The Heavenly Pavilion Lounge stands tall in white with mountains and surrounding forests as its backdrop. You see, the 221-room-and-villa hotel, which had its official launch in January on Kamala Beach, derives heavenly motifs from Buddhist cosmology Traibhumikatha to provide a "heaven-on-Earth" experience. First ImpressionThe hotel delivers the sense of arrival as you check into the very spacious open-air Pasutha lobby where walls and ceiling are covered with a diamond pattern. The hotel is divided into two zones, which I unofficially call the pavilion side and the beachfront side. Club InterContinental Lounge and Pool on right and Beach Pool on left.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2020 05:37 UTC
Friday: 10 new cases including returned soldiers | Bangkok Post: learning
Disease control officials greet the 151 Thai solders returning from a military exercise in Hawaii, at Suvarnabhumi airport on July 22. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)The government on Friday reported 10 new coronavirus disease patients, all returnees staying in state quarantine facilities. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Friday morning the new cases included one returnee each from Sudan, Pakistan, Germany and the Netherlands, and six soldiers returning from the United States. All were in state quarantine facilities. The soldiers had been on a military exercise in Hawaii on July 22.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2020 05:15 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Hoping for better days | Bangkok Post: learning
Nongluck is happy the government has reopened Bangkok nightlife venues. However, without warning, all of this changed when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the closure of nightlife venues. "This could start with changing the closing time for nightlife venues from midnight to 2am. Singer/songwriter Herve BongelaCH3 band's lead vocalistBesides performing at Novotel Bangkok in Phloenchit each night of the week, Bongela's career in the music industry was on a roll when he had to face Covid-19. 3. Who doesn’t mention midnight closing?
Source:Bangkok Post
July 24, 2020 03:56 UTC
Pompeo calls for 'free world' to triumph over China's 'new tyranny'
Pompeo calls for 'free world' to triumph over China's 'new tyranny'US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on other countries to help fight Chinese "tyranny"WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Thursday on "free nations" to triumph over the threat of what he said was a "new tyranny" from China. "If the free world doesn't change Communist China, Communist China will change us," he said at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California. "The free world must triumph over this new tyranny." - New Cold War -Pompeo made several references to the Cold War that saw Moscow and Washington face off, very tensely at times, around the globe for four decades after the end of World War II. The four were accused of visa fraud for allegedly lying about their ties to the People's Liberation Army and the Chinese Communist Party.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 23, 2020 23:26 UTC
Sealing virus loopholes
Sealing virus loopholesAs the country readies to welcome back migrant workers, state authorities are obliged to intensify measures to the maximum to seal the loopholes and prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections. Another 42,100 migrant workers are those who receive a so-called demand letter from prospective employers. Each day, there are reports of migrant workers being smuggled across natural borders. In doing so, the places must be inspected and receive approval from health authorities. It's undeniable that migrant workers will play a big role in restoring the economy, and that adapting to make quarantine for migrant workers affordable and manageable, with no compromise on virus prevention, must be considered.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 23, 2020 22:41 UTC
Thailand can handle second Covid wave, say health officials | Bangkok Post: learning
Suwannachai: Only 'sparks' likelyThailand will be able to handle and curb a second wave of Covid-19 as lessons have been learned from the first outbreak, say senior public health officials. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said on Thursday that a second wave of infections would be different from the first one because agencies involved and the public have learned from it. "Right now, we do not allow people from abroad to enter the country without proper management," he said. "People regularly wear face masks, wash their hands, and maintain physical distancing, which is different from the first wave. The government, the private sector and the public are experienced and well prepared for a second wave outbreak.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 23, 2020 22:41 UTC