Without IMF bailout, is Lebanon heading for 'hell'?
Without IMF bailout, is Lebanon heading for 'hell'? Another Lebanese source familiar with the negotiations said IMF representatives have "not sensed serious commitment from the Lebanese delegation" towards reform. But without an IMF rescue, donors are unlikely to pump money into Lebanon, the Western source said. The Lebanese source agreed an IMF rescue would help Lebanon avoid the worst. "With a skyrocketing exchange rate that could reach 25,000 to 50,000 Lebanese pounds to the dollar and inflation increasing by the day, Lebanon, without the IMF, will plunge into hell," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 10, 2020 04:52 UTC
Mozza made it
Mozza by Cocotte, an overnight institution since it opened on the ground floor of the glorified community mall that is EmQuartier as recently as 2017, sustained both kinds courtesy of the Covid-19 game-changer. Kudos to Hospitality Management Asia (HMA), the brains behind not only Mozza by Cocotte, to give the upscale Italian trattoria its full handle, but nearby at EmQuartier Victoria by Cocotte, Cocotte Farm Roast & Winery, a steakhouse on Sukhumvit 39, plus restaurants in Phuket, Pattaya and Samui. Hence Mozza and cohorts were even somewhat prepared for the nefarious virus, having already developed a dynamic online ordering and delivery angle to the business. No worries, Mozza is opening at ground floor Siam Paragon later this year. Mozza by Cocotte*, G/F, EmQuartier.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 10, 2020 04:41 UTC
No regrets: wounded Hong Kong police vow to keep enforcing law
No regrets: wounded Hong Kong police vow to keep enforcing lawHong Kong policeman, who asked to be identified as Ling, was struck by corrosive liquid on October 1 when unrest swept through the city on China's National Day. HONG KONG - Nine months ago he was burned by corrosive liquid hurled during anti-government protests, but Hong Kong police officer Ling says he has no regrets and remains devoted to being a law enforcer. They chose to put their political views and prejudice towards Hong Kong police in front of our friendship," he said. Many Hong Kong officers have opened accounts on mainland China's heavily censored Twitter-like Weibo platform where they are lavished with praise from readers -- and even professions of love. "I've got more friends, friends who I've never met."
Source:Bangkok Post
July 10, 2020 04:41 UTC
Trio of Mars missions in the starting blocks
Trio of Mars missions in the starting blocksThe summer race to land a space probe on Mars is off to a hot start. The summer race to land a space probe on Mars is off to a hot start. The UAE's Hope Probe -- the first interplanetary mission by an Arab country -- launches on July 15. China plans to send its inaugural Mars probe, a small remote-controlled rover, between July 20 and July 25. A swathe of Mars lander missions over the past five decades have met with varying degrees of success since the Soviet Mars 2 and 3 probes launched in 1971.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 10, 2020 03:00 UTC
Immigration office to reopen at Muang Thong Thani | Bangkok Post: learning
Foreigners form long queues outside the immigration bureau office at the Government Complex in Bangkok in March, waiting to apply for visa extensions and other services after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted their travel plans. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Immigration Bureau will open an office at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi province from Monday, to relieve congestion at its government complex office on Chaeng Wattana Road. The deputy commander of Immigration Division 1 said on Thursday that services would be available at the Central Investigation Bureau in Muang Thong Thani housing estate in Pak Kret district from July 13. In March the Immigration Bureau opened an office at Muang Thong Thani, but it was closed when the Interior Ministry automatically extended stays for some categories of foreigners to July 31, to prevent crowding. The Muang Thong Thani office would help the many foreigners still unable to return home because of the airport closures in many countries.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 10, 2020 02:43 UTC
A dog's life: Scientists find new formula for canine age
A dog's life: Scientists find new formula for canine ageDogs, humans and in fact all mammals experience the same developmental timeline: birth, infancy, youth, puberty and death. Dogs, humans and in fact all mammals experience the same developmental timeline: birth, infancy, youth, puberty, adulthood and death. The scientists were able to devise a more complex formula that better matches the canine-human life stages -- but you'll need a scientific calculator to figure it out. The formula is "human age = 16 * ln (dog age) + 31," and you can also use Google to try it for yourself (remember it's l for "log" and then n for "natural," all lowercase). Labradors' average lifespan is 12 years, which also roughly corresponds to human life expectancy of 70 years.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 10, 2020 00:45 UTC
Line looks to influencer commerce
Line looks to influencer commerceMr Nadhakriz, left, and Ms Suvita celebrate the influencer marketing tie-up that promotes a new platform called Line Idol. Line Thailand is joining hands with Tellscore, a local influencer marketing startup, to embark on influencer commerce, hoping to help brands increase their sales during the economic downturn while attracting influencers to the platform. "We see the growing trend of influencer marketing playing an important role in buyers' decisions," said Nadhakriz Kanchanamantana, head of commercial content and media of Line Thailand. Influencers can use their personal Line accounts for Line Idol if they already have a certain number of followers on their Line Timeline. "We will focus on influencer marketing capacity as a way to boost customer awareness," said Mr Nadhakriz.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:26 UTC
Of plagues, genocides and the coronavirus
Of plagues, genocides and the coronavirusLast Sunday in the city of Baltimore, they tore down a statue of Christopher Columbus and threw it into the harbour. It was wrong because Columbus was not a slave owner -- no Europeans owned slaves in his time. In the Americas, however, farming cultures with dense populations and cities were thousands of years newer and they had no defences against Eurasian diseases. But the whole process is relevant to us because Covid-19 is just a current example of the same problem. New, highly infectious diseases are a chronic issue in mass societies like ours and always will be.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:26 UTC
Yesterday, today & forever
Guru was able to join a digital press conference where he talks about the parallels between World War II and how Covid has affected film-making. You have an impressive World War II filmography as an actor, producer and writer. Do you have any particular World War II navy films that have stuck with you over the years? Sulu you have the conn.' But the World War II movie itself as a genre was limited by the technology of the time. Ernie Krause has a little card from the Bible from the Book Of Hebrews that says "Yesterday, today and forever."
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:26 UTC
PowerBuy, B2S merge
The marriage of PowerBuy and B2S stores at CentralWorld has resulted in a one-stop shopping destination for electronics, books and stationery. Influencers from DoMunDi TV joined the event, and explored the 6,000m² retail space, divided into 12 zones, such as Wireless World, Cooking Studio, Gaming Arena and Plearnground (Play & Learn). "Bringing more excitement and interactions to the shopping experience will make the PowerBuy x B2S flagship store more attractive and relevant to consumers. But our success will also be measured on our ability to service customers through different channels," said Pauze. Edwin Yap Hawson, Isareit Chirathivat, Supatra Chirathivat, Pichai Chirathivat, Laurent Pauze, Alexandre Hammel and Varawut Pongchinpak.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:26 UTC
Watch out for budget graft
More important still is the 3.3 trillion baht budget bill for the 2021 fiscal year which passed its first reading last week and will be further scrutinised in parliament. In Thai politics, budget scrutiny is also known as a bargaining process between government MPs and the opposition camps. But in some cases both sides could make a deal, colluding in the budget scrutiny process to get a slice of the budget cake. Hence, quite a few want to be House budget scrutiny members clearly with ill-intent. The opposition is also correct in criticising the 2021 budget for its heavy military spending which, despite cuts worth eight billion baht, still accounts for 220 billion baht of the total.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:26 UTC
Teacher apologises over 'ugly' haircut
Teacher apologises over 'ugly' haircutA teacher who forcibly gave a high school student an ugly haircut for a perceived infraction in Si Sa Ket has apologised after being reprimanded, according to the local education office. Chuchart Kaewnok, director of Secondary Educational Service Area Office 28, did not disclose the teacher's name but he said the incident took place at Yang Chum Noi Phitthayakhom School in Yang Chum Noi district on July 3. She said the teacher deemed the student's hair was too long and cut off one side, leaving an "ugly" haircut as punishment. He said the teacher had overstepped his authority, noting he has since accepted responsibility and apologised to the student and her mother. The teacher has been reprimanded and told not to repeat the act, Mr Chuchart said, adding teachers should be tactful and gentle in handling such issues.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:25 UTC
IPOs to revive in second half
IPOs to revive in second halfThe local IPO market is set to become active again in the second half if there is no second-wave coronavirus outbreak, says the Stock Exchange of Thailand. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)Thailand's IPO market is expected to become active again in the second half, with 16 companies already approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise funds from the public. According to SEC data, 36 companies have already applied to raise funds via IPO, and two others have requested public offerings. Companies that have been approved for fund mobilisation through the IPO process will enjoy good market timing to raise funds from the general public, Mr Manpong said. While the stock market remains volatile and sensitive to current events, investment in stocks still generates the most return on assets for the medium to long term, Mr Manpong said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:15 UTC
PPRP admits to quorum gaffe
PPRP admits to quorum gaffeThe ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) on Thursday admitted that Wednesday's cancellation of a House sitting on national reform for failing to achieve a quorum has damaged parliament's reputation, but added the mistake wasn't that serious. Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta, in his capacity as a PPRP executive, said party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon had stressed the need for all PPRP MPs to pay more attention to their duties. He said the party MPs missing from Wednesday's House sitting arrived at parliament late because they didn't think a quorum count would be called during a period reserved to acknowledge the minutes of a past meeting. A quorum count during such a period rarely occurs, said Mr Buddhipongse who was at Wednesday's sitting. He said he was surprised the quorum count was called at that exact moment.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:15 UTC
Activists urge rethink of estate plan
A group of activists against plans to set up an industrial estate in Chana district of Songkhla urged the government yesterday to call a forum to listen to dissenting views. On Wednesday, meanwhile, a rally was held in protest against Suphat Hasuwannakit -- director of Chana District Hospital -- who is a key opponent of the Chana industrial estate project, Mr Rakchat said. The police have accused him of being one of the key leaders of the protest movement against the Chana industrial estate project, which he denies. He said he is one of the people accused of being connected to the BRN simply because he is opposed to the Chana project. Chanathan Saengphum, deputy secretary-general of the SBPAC, insisted the Chana industrial estate project is aimed at creating jobs and improving security in the region.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 09, 2020 23:15 UTC