Moderna Covid-19 vaccine enters final stage trial this month
Moderna Covid-19 vaccine enters final stage trial this monthA scanning electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2 (round blue objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. WASHINGTON: US biotech firm Moderna said on Tuesday it would enter the final stage of human trials for its Covid-19 vaccine on July 27, after promising early results were published in an influential journal. If they do get symptoms, the vaccine can still be considered a success if it stops severe cases of Covid-19. - 'Encouraging' results' -Moderna had previously published "interim results" from the first stages of its trial, called Phase 1, in a press release on its website in May. The Moderna vaccine belongs to a new class of vaccine that uses genetic material -- in the form of RNA -- to encode the information needed to grow the virus's spike protein inside the human body, in order to trigger an immune response.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 15, 2020 00:22 UTC
Holding on to happiness
Artist Suwannee Sarakana spoke to Life about her latest exhibition and the importance of following your passionSuwannee Sarakana and her solo exhibition 'Holding Onto Joy'. "Holding Onto Joy" aims to remind visitors that it's best to nurture and preserve whatever it is that makes them happy. If we want our happiness to stay with us longer, we should know how to hold on to it." And last October, some of her paintings from "Holding Onto Joy" were exhibited at Art Expo Malaysia. Life spoke to Suwannee about her latest collection "Holding Onto Joy", her life, and her experience in the art industry.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 23:37 UTC
Small but powerful
I find it very ironic that docking my notebook to a screen at work actually takes up more space on my desk than this Lenovo ThinkStation P330 Tiny. I really like how small the actual machine is and how easily it can be moved, both horizontally and vertically, to any corner of the desk. More importantly, the Lenovo ThinkStation P330 Tiny's incredible small form makes it easy to maintain an uncluttered desk. I think I have saved myself at least 1.5 hours a day of doing heavy-duty photo editing tasks as there is extraordinarily little wait time to export photos on this beast. Lenovo ThinkStation P330 Tiny LenovoThe computer is well-built and can be pushed to its limit speed-wise for a long time without it slowing down.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 23:37 UTC
BoT predicts two-year recovery path
The central bank believes that the economy will start to pick up this quarter after bottoming out in the second quarter, Mr Veerathai said. The government and regulatory bodies sought to strike a balance between fiscal and monetary policies to support recovery momentum and help affected parties through cash transfers and debt relief measures. Yet Bloomberg has reported that Thailand's economic outlook is the darkest in Asia. The process of reskilling and upskilling workers is necessary to prepare for the new working environment in the post-pandemic period, Mr Veerathai said. Employment will support domestic consumption and economic recovery after the outbreak comes to an end.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 23:27 UTC
SCB sets up insurance wing
SCB sets up insurance wingMs Poramasiri says the coronavirus crisis has sparked interest in buying insurance among many customers. The insurance subsidiary, called SCB Protect Co, was set up with 303 million baht in capital and is wholly owned by SCB. The company is in the process of recruiting 500 "protection consultants", one for each district in the country, by the end of the year. SCB Protect plans to launch official products in October, focusing on life insurance, health insurance, asset protection and savings protection in the price range of 1,000-2,000 baht a month or a paid insurance premium of 10,000-20,000 baht a month. The company's protection consultants can give suggestions to customers who are looking for multiple insurance segments (such as personal insurance protection, office insurance welfare and social welfare) and are confused about which benefits they can claim.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 23:26 UTC
Jazz seeks help from Tiger's putting coach
(AFP photo)DUBLIN: Jazz Janewattanond hopes a recent golf lesson with Tiger Woods' putting coach will lift his fortunes as he prepares for this week's Memorial Tournament and World Golf Championships-St Jude Invitational later this month. When Jazz discussed with his manager his putting woes, Killen's name was put forward and Jazz flew out to Nashville recently for a three-hour lesson in putting. Matt has taught me how to practice and perceive the putting greens when I get to a tournament site. With the PGA Tour observing strict protocols under its health and safety plan for tournaments to resume play, Jazz has felt at ease during the first two events. He is still determined to earn his card on the PGA Tour through the non-member FedEx Cup points list.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 23:26 UTC
Coffee Club shifts to locals
Coffee Club shifts to localsMs Nayada presents the menu at a Coffee Club branch. (Photo by Pitsinee Jitpleecheep)The Coffee Club Thailand under Minor Food Group has revised its business strategy, expanding its customer base to local consumers. The Coffee Club food truck will be parked at Siam Premium Outlets, selling drinks and burgers. The company will also open new Coffee Club branches in high-street areas and expand branch locations beyond the central business district. The number of Coffee Club branches is expected to reach 80 by 2024.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 23:26 UTC
A big Covid blunder
A big Covid blunderIt's not just the possibility of a second wave of infection that is looming for the government but arguably a more formidable crisis of confidence. If any personnel are found to have erred in their duties, they must be dealt with strictly. In the face of the blunders, the government and its main pandemic-fighting vehicle, the Centre for the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), faltered. The public at least needs to hear a full account of who let the group of Egyptian soldiers in. The government and CCSA must try harder to be more effective at the tasks entrusted to them and regain the public's confidence.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 23:15 UTC
Khon Kaen set to become transport hub
The second phase of the Sino-Thai high-speed railway (HSR) will help Khon Kaen realise its potential as a transport hub in the Northeast, according to provincial governor Somsak Jangtrukul. "When the high-speed trains are ready to roll, Khon Kaen will be [the region's] public transportation hub," said the governor at the second public hearing for the 365-kilometre long rail route, which will link Nakhon Ratchasima with Nong Khai through Khon Kaen and Udon Thani. About 500 people attended the second hearing on Tuesday, which was held at the Khon Kaen International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Khon Kaen already has a large elevated train station, as well as a fully operational double-track railway which serves both passenger and cargo services. Phase 2 of the project will see the construction of five stations along the line, namely Bua Yai Station in Nakhon Ratchasima, Ban Phai Station in Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen Station in the city centre, Udon Thani Station and Nong Khai Station.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 23:03 UTC
Dim view for second-half rice exports
Dim view for second-half rice exportsThailand's rice export prospects look murky in the second half of the year amid sluggish global demand caused by the coronavirus crisis. Charoen Laothammatas, president of Thai Rice Exporters Association, said overall Thai rice export activity is relatively quiet in July after the pandemic resulted in the collapse of Phoenix Commodities, one of the world's biggest commodity traders. "Phoenix Commodities' collapse affects almost all rice exporters in Thailand," Mr Charoen said. "Phoenix was a trading partner of many Thai rice exporters, particularly those who ship rice to Africa." According to Mr Charoen, Thai rice exports are now pricier than those from other countries because of the baht's relative strength.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 22:52 UTC
Fujitsu in first big WFH move
Fujitsu in first big WFH moveAs predicted, Fujitsu provided a great example when it announced the permanent closure of half of its office real estate in Japan. It also indicates the allowance of a higher degree of autonomy based on the principle of trust, Fujitsu announced. It is generally understood by those in the industry that many social media platforms collect all manner of information on their users. TikTok is a short form video, social media platform from China. Other reverse engineered social media apps had nowhere near the same amount of data collection.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 22:52 UTC
Motor show lifts makers' spirits
Motor show lifts makers' spiritsCars on display at the 41st Bangkok International Motor Show at Impact Muang Thong Thani. "I think things should improve after the government eased lockdown measures," Pongsak Lertruedeewattanavong, vice-president of MG Sales Thailand, said on Tuesday. He expects some good news later this year after "car sales in Thailand dropped 30-40% since early this year". He expects domestic car sales to reach 600,000-650,000 units this year, compared with 1 million units last year. "Toyota needs to carefully assess the situation every week," said Surasak Suthongwan, vice-president of Toyota Motor Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 22:52 UTC
Rayong locals irate over Covid case
People queue to be tested for Covid-19 at Passione Shopping Destination mall in Rayong province on Tuesday. These mobile units will be parked for 14 days directly in front of the Passione Shopping Destination, a shopping mall in the centre of Rayong province to allow local people to get tested. Among the angry locals was Jeerapong Wongsrikeaw, a 42-year-old factory worker who went to get tested with his mother and daughter. Rayong province has been damaged by the report of an infected Egyptian who broke quarantine instructions to stay in his hotel and sneaked out to visit the mall last week. But now, the shopping mall is closed again," said the woman, who asked not to be named.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 22:52 UTC
Govt pins blame on Egypt embassy
Govt pins blame on Egypt embassyTaweesilp: 'Egypt flights cancelled'The government said yesterday the Egyptian embassy dodged quarantine for its 31-strong military party visiting Rayong province, and 1,889 local people who went to the same mall as the Egyptian who tested positive for Covid-19 now face home quarantine. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), put the blame squarely on the Egyptian embassy in Thailand for arranging hotel accommodation for the Egyptian delegation instead of sending the visitors to a state quarantine facility. "Regulations required quarantine during their stay but the embassy contacted the hotel directly. Dr Taweesilp was referring to the 31 Egyptian military visitors who stopped over in the eastern province of Rayong on their way to China. The Egyptian embassy yesterday expressed its most sincere regrets and sympathies to all those who may have been adversely affected by this unfortunate incident.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 22:52 UTC
AP readies low-rise launches
AP readies low-rise launchesSET-listed developer AP Thailand is pinning hopes on the low-rise housing market in the second half, with a massive line-up of 26 projects worth 26 billion baht in Greater Bangkok and five provinces. "Our presales in the first half were largely driven by low-rise houses," he said. AP is likely to launch the largest number of low-rise projects in the industry in 2020. In the first half, AP recorded 15.08 billion baht in presales, comprising 12.8 billion baht from low-rise houses, representing 85% of the total, while 2.2 billion baht came from condos despite no new projects being launched. The remaining 42.9 billion baht was from the condo segment, with 15.6 billion baht to be realised in the second half.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 14, 2020 22:52 UTC