73,000 farmers to receive Covid-19 aid on appeal
73,000 farmers to receive Covid-19 aid on appealThe Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will on Wednesday transfer Covid-19 financial aid to some 73,000 farmers who have passed the appeal review process, said a top agricultural official. Agriculture and Cooperatives permanent secretary Anan Suwanrat said the ministry's appeal panel has examined almost 190,000 appeals lodged by farmers and approved 73,975, bringing the total number of farmers eligible for Covid-19 cash handouts to 7,596,747. Mr Anan said the farmers whose appeals have been successful will receive their payment tomorrow. The financial aid is transferred through the BAAC because up to 7 million farmers are customers of the state-backed farmers' bank. He said the scheme is intended to help farmers whose exports have been halted by the virus outbreak and local transportation restricted by the recent lockdown measures.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:37 UTC
Calls grow for budget refocus
The opposition will attempt to scale back funds earmarked for non-essential construction projects as well as defence spending during scrutiny of the 3.3-trillion-baht fiscal 2021 budget bill which passed its first reading in the House on Friday night. Likely to face drastic cuts are spending on construction, he said. "The budget bill was drafted in such a way that it would leave the people financially weak or bankrupt," he said. He said he doubted that the government would be able to collect the predicted 2.67 trillion baht in tax revenues for its 3.3-trillion-baht budget. He pledged to closely scrutinise the bill and ensure that it will address the public health crisis and its economic fallout.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:37 UTC
New drainage plan mulled
New drainage plan mulledPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said he will look into a water-management proposal focusing on efforts to prevent flooding in Bangkok and five surrounding provinces, said government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat. Under the plan prepared by the National Water Command Centre (NWCC), agencies concerned will speed up the dredging of canals and cleaning of sewer pipes by July 15 to boost their drainage capacity, she said. The NWCC will hold a meeting with officials from Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom to mete out flood control measures in flood-prone areas in these provinces. According to Ms Narumon, the centre has listed seven locations in Samut Prakan, 11 in Samut Sakhon, 24 in Pathum Thani, 26 in Nonthaburi and 38 in Nakhon Pathom as flood-prone areas. The scheme aims to expand irrigation through the construction of a series of dams, canals, and pumping stations at a proposed cost of 21 billion baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:37 UTC
Change your mind
For example, more than 8.3 million Thais are expected to lose their jobs, as estimated last week by the World Bank. Moreover, the World Health Organization also warned in May of "a massive increase in mental health conditions in the coming months". "In times of change like this, it is paramount to not be stressed out or pressured by the term new normal because some of the changes are only temporary. If bad emotions start to have a physical impact such as migraine, upset stomach or insomnia, it's time to seek professional advice." Here are some tips from the World Health Organization to help people look after their mental health.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:37 UTC
Emboldened by rule tweaks, retail investors flock to bourse
Emboldened by rule tweaks, retail investors flock to bourseAn electronic board shows the fluctuating prices of SET-listed shares to retail investors. "The growth of M2 is usually followed by a higher participation of retail investors," said Mr Nuttachart. During that period, foreign investors reported net sales worth 71.1 billion baht, while retail investors were net buyers of 23.5 billion worth of shares, followed by local institutional investors at 38.2 billion and brokerage firms at 9.45 billion. The trading portion of retail investors rose to 48% from 37% in early 2020. The SET's uptick rule also motivates retail investors to invest in equities as it eliminates the risk of a hard fall from short selling, said Mr Nuttachart.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:26 UTC
Depa proposes 100 smart cities
Chanat KatanyuThe Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) has set an ambitious goal to turn 100 cities nationwide into smart cities in two years to improve the economy and quality of life in line with the 20-year national strategy plan. Cities in six provinces plus Bangkok have begun the process of transforming into smart cities. The characteristics of smart cities under the planned development cover seven smart city dimensions: economy, mobility, energy, living, people, governance and environment. The goal of the smart city project is to answer diverse needs and distribute prosperity to citizens living in provincial areas, he said. They could serve as pilot models for smart city development for other areas across the country.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:26 UTC
Trio of priorities
Acting NBTC head is ready for the tasks at handTrairat Viriyasirikul, acting secretary-general of the NBTC. The newly appointed acting secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) says crafting a method to grant satellite orbital slots for interested bidders and approaches for the 3400-3700 megahertz spectrum auction are among his priorities. These three issues are among nine core policies and directives the NBTC office announced early this year, said Mr Trairat, who serves as acting secretary-general until the NBTC board members are appointed. Thaicom operates two satellites under a revenue-sharing based concession regime: Thaicom 4 or iPSTAR, a broadband satellite; Thaicom 6 is a broadcasting satellite. The NBTC office recently appointed four assistants to the secretary-general in line with the 2017 NBTC Act.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:26 UTC
Kind words not enough
Kind words not enoughLast Wednesday, Thailand and China had good reason to celebrate: the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The Chinese embassy in Bangkok noted that the historical documents signed in Beijing opened "a new chapter in China-Thailand relations". The Chinese embassy said China-Thailand ties today had become more comprehensive, pragmatic and dynamic, with constant exchanges of contacts over the years. Those northerners have reason to fear that river management might lead to a repeat of last year's disaster. It is now time for China to back its kind words about enduring friendship with action and enable a mechanism for co-management of the river.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:26 UTC
Bank equities see plunge
Concerns are amplifying over the risks of a reduction in the ceiling lending rate for consumer loans covering credit cards, personal loans, leasing and title loans, which are directly regulated by the Bank of Thailand. Besides a direct impact on the banking sector, non-bank companies will undeniably experience a similar, if not more severe, impact. The new rates for revolving loans and instalment loans will be 25%, and auto title loans will carry a maximum rate of 24%. Krungthai Card Plc (KTC) charges a loan rate lower than the ceiling rate; around 25% for personal loans and 15% for credit cards. However, the impact on Srisawad Corporation Plc (SAWAD) will be greater as its current loan rate is much higher than peers.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:26 UTC
Engagement key to Sino-Thai ties
Engagement key to Sino-Thai tiesGone are the days when policymakers could sit back and relax to watch Sino-Thai relations moving ahead in autopilot mode. These days, Thailand and China have to intensify mutual engagement and consultation at all levels to ensure there is no room for misunderstandings that could lead to diplomatic wrangles. However, while this family is getting stronger by the day, ties within it are getting more complex and sophisticated. Security cooperation has also increased with other East Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, as well as Asean. Foreign Minister Don stated succinctly that for stronger and harmonious Sino-Thai ties, they must be guided by "three Ms" -- mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual benefit.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:15 UTC
Reshuffle may not be enough to stop rot
Reshuffle may not be enough to stop rotA recent poll shows the public wants Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reshuffle his cabinet. Old hands say a cabinet reshuffle is needed to freshen up the government's tired image and to shore up its sagging popularity. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, however, has insisted that a cabinet reshuffle is not on the cards. From the looks of it, a cabinet reshuffle will be sorely needed. With this old-style, new-normal politics still in the background, a cabinet reshuffle will not lift the government far above the rot.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:15 UTC
Doctor seeks plasma from ex-patients
One of Thailand's top virologist, Dr Yong Poovarawan, is asking recovered Covid-19 patients to donate more plasma in anticipation of a feared second wave of novel coronavirus infections. "Currently, we have over 250 bags of plasma, and we need more of it," said Dr Yong, virologist and paediatric hepatology professor at Chulalongkorn University. Dr Yong led Chulalongkorn University's research team in testing the efficacy of blood plasma treatments for the most severe Covid-19 cases. Thai doctors had previously used plasma retrieved from recovered patients, in conjunction with other treatments, to stimulate patients' immune response. In the absence of an approved treatment, many medical experts have turned to the use of plasma from recovered patients to treat Covid-19 patients.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 23:15 UTC
Jurin denies 'industrial' monkey use
(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Thailand does not use monkeys to harvest coconuts on an industrial scale for its export industry, insisted Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit on Monday. Peta has called for a boycott of Thai coconut products. Peta called for a boycott of Thai coconut products after it accused Thai farmers of snatching pig-tailed macaques from the wild to be used as "coconut picking machines". One of them said he would agree with the United Kingdom's move to ban Thai coconut products to protect animals' welfare as long as it does not discriminate. Some 70% of Thai coconut milk exported to the UK is distributed at supermarkets, restaurants and hotels operated by Asians.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 22:52 UTC
Fossil of giant 70m year-old fish found in Argentina
Fossil of giant 70m year-old fish found in ArgentinaThe fossilized remains of this Xiphactinus - similar to the one found in Argentina - was discovered in the US state of Kansas and sold at auction in 2010. BUENOS AIRES: A giant 70 million year old fossil of a fish that lived amongst dinosaurs has been discovered in Argentine Patagonia, a team of researchers said on Monday. Argentine paleontologists "found the remains of a predator fish that was more than six meters long," the researchers said in a statement. "The fossils of this carnivorous animal with sharp teeth and scary appearance were found close to the Colhue Huapial lake" around 1,400 kilometers south of the capital Buenos Aires. This fossil belonged to the Xiphactinus genus, "amongst the largest predatory fish that existed in the history of Earth."
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 19:52 UTC
Musk mocks Tesla short-sellers by selling short shorts
Musk mocks Tesla short-sellers by selling short shortsTesla's red satin with gold trim short shorts sell for $69.420 -- and provide founder Elon Musk a way to mock his doubtersSAN FRANCISCO - Tesla founder Elon Musk is ruthlessly mocking the carmaker's doubters who sell the company short by selling short shorts with the company logo. Musk on Sunday followed through on a threat made last week by offering red satin shorts for sale on the company website -- which promptly crashed from the volume of orders, or perhaps mere curiosity. "This item is out of stock," the Tesla site says, above the description of the athletic wear priced at $69.420. The irascible Musk, a frequent Twitter user, has regularly battled with skeptical investors who believe the company is overpriced and short Tesla stock, placing bets that the shares will fall. "Celebrate summer with Tesla Short Shorts.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 06, 2020 18:11 UTC