Fears for 'Super Saturday' as pubs reopen in England
Fears for 'Super Saturday' as pubs reopen in EnglandPubs in Northern Ireland began serving again on Friday while English pubs reopen on what is being dubbed 'Super Saturday'LONDON - Pubs in England reopen on Saturday for the first time since late March, bringing cheer to drinkers and the industry but fears of public disorder and fresh coronavirus cases. But the focus of the reopening is on pubs, which have played an integral part in British social and cultural life for centuries. Takings could be up nearly 75 percent to pound sterling210 million ($262 million, 233 million euros), according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, a think-tank. It predicted 6.5 million customers -- 1.5 million more than a usual weekend. In Newcastle, northeast England, where pubs are normally packed at weekends, just one in three city centre pubs, bars and restaurants will be open, the local council said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 04, 2020 02:26 UTC
Five ways Hong Kong has changed under China's security law
Five ways Hong Kong has changed under China's security lawBeijing says the new law will restore stability after a year of pro-democracy protests but it has already sent fear coursing through the cityHONG KONG - Beijing's new national security law for Hong Kong is the most radical shift in how the semi-autonomous city is run since it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. The law grants China jurisdiction in some national security cases and allows mainland security agents to set up shop openly in the city for the first time. - Central government control tightened -Hong Kong normally passes its own laws through a legislature. Article 22 of the Basic Law says the central government cannot interfere in the running of Hong Kong. "As I look down at the magnificence of Hong Kong from the airplane, this image has become one unforgettable scene in my mind," he wrote.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 04, 2020 02:03 UTC
Thai Airways to offer partial rehab plan in August
Thai Airways to offer partial rehab plan in AugustActing Thai Airways International president Chansin Treenuchagron: "The rehabilitation plan still needs some more time before it's ready." (Post Today file photo)Thai Airways International (THAI) will speed up the drafting of its rehabilitation plan to submit it to the Central Bankruptcy Court on Aug 17, when the court is scheduled to begin examining the airline's rehabilitation request, acting THAI president Chansin Treenuchagron said on Friday. The rehabilitation plan currently consists of short-term, medium-term and long-term measures that Mr Chansin believes will be successful if the airline's board, management, creditors and debtors cooperate well. As part of the draft rehabilitation plan, THAI is deciding on what to do with assets not worth holding, he said. There is a possibility that THAI will allow joint ventures with its non-performing assets.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 04, 2020 01:07 UTC
Early results reveal 31 MLB players tested positive for COVID-19
Early results reveal 31 MLB players tested positive for COVID-19A face mask sign on the door is the first thing visitors to the Texas Rangers training facility in Dallas see as they enter Globe Life Field. LOS ANGELES: A total of 31 players tested positive for the coronavirus in Major League Baseball's first round of mass testing to prepare for the start of the delayed season. The 31 players, and seven additional staff members, make up 1.2% of the 3,185 samples collected in the first set of results. The 1.2 percent positive rate compares favorably to the NBA which saw 5.3% (16 of 302) of its people test positive in announced results on June 26. MLB is not officially identifying individual players who test positive but the Cleveland Indians said Friday that American outfielder Delino DeShields tested positive.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 04, 2020 00:56 UTC
Hamilton on top in Austria as Mercedes survive protest
Hamilton on top in Austria as Mercedes survive protestBack in black: Lewis Hamilton steers his car to the day's top time. SPIELBERG, Austria: Lewis Hamilton began his quest for a record-equalling seventh world title by topping the times Friday as Formula One roared back with a full day's practice and an official technical protest of his Mercedes car at the belated season-opening Austrian Grand Prix. "It's great to be back," said Hamilton, who is seeking to draw level with seven-time champion Michael Schumacher in the record books. His Mercedes W11 car was also running in revised new black livery, instead of the team's traditional silver, with a message to 'End Racism' on the halo. This is why – it's the whole reason that the helmet has changed its colour and the suit and the car."
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:37 UTC
Northampton cruise at empty Wembley
Northampton cruise at empty WembleyIn this extraordinary football season another piece of history was made on Monday when the 90,000-seat Wembley stadium hosted its first-ever competitive game played behind closed doors. Curle, who in his playing days was a decent centre-half for Manchester City and England, conceded it was a "surreal atmosphere" at the deserted Wembley stadium. At the final whistle, there was no customary walk up the Wembley steps to receive medals from some dignitary. There was reportedly one London-based Northampton supporter standing outside Wembley, listening to the game on the radio. However, a 3-0 win in the return leg was enough to give Northampton their date at Wembley.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:26 UTC
'Angel jab' for 'devil virus'?
'Angel jab' for 'devil virus'? Thailand's medical expertise means it is well placed in current efforts to develop such a coronavirus vaccine. The kingdom's scientists are developing their versions, and if they succeed in making the jab affordable, the benefits to public health would be enormous. Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia are all striving to have their versions of a coronavirus jab made available to the public next year. If Thailand succeeds, its public health sector would benefit from huge improvements and prestige.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:26 UTC
US and Chinese economic figures cheer punters
US and Chinese economic figures cheer puntersRecap: Emerging market stocks were driven by strong economic readings across the globe, including Chinese factory activity and US payroll data. Institutional investors were net buyers of 16.2 billion baht and brokerage firms purchased 3.3 billion worth of shares. The British government has ditched coronavirus quarantine rules for travellers arriving from 75 countries including Thailand so that people can go on holiday, The Daily Telegraph reported. The European Union has moved to reopen its borders to visitors from 15 "safe" countries including Thailand, but not the United States, where new Covid-19 are spiking once again. They closed on Thursday at 60.50 baht in heavy trade worth 17.26 billion baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:26 UTC
Megaprojects to link economic zones with borders
Megaprojects to link economic zones with bordersA study is to be undertaken on eight motorway-railway projects linking economic zones with Thailand's border regions, the Transport Minister said on Friday. Saksayam Chidchob, defending the ministry's budget at Friday's parliamentary debate, said the study would be completed by next year. The double-track rail projects would be constructed to link the economic zones with border checkpoints around the country, said Mr Saksayam. The idea to construct motorways adjacent to the rail tracks was initiated while Arkhom Termpittayapaisith was transport minister. The minister said more than 7 billion baht had been allocated for maintenance of three highways in the South.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:19 UTC
Debate heats up over fire helicopters
Debate heats up over fire helicoptersInterior Minister Anupong Paojinda defends the 1.8-billion-baht procurement of two helicopters by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation for use in combating bush-fires during the first reading of the 2021 Budget Bill. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda on Friday defended the Interior Ministry's plan to purchase six wildfire-fighting helicopters, saying the ministry did not have any such helicopters and always had to rely on military choppers that weren't up to the task. Gen Anupong was responding to an objection to the ministry's helicopter purchase plan raised by the opposition during yesterday's House debate on the fiscal year 2021 budget bill. The ministry needed up to six wildfire-fighting helicopters because they had to be used in rotation to allow regular maintenance, he added. The Pheu Thai Party MP for Chiang Rai, Wisarn Techatheerawat, said the ministry's plan to purchase two helicopters for fighting wildfires this year at a cost of 1.8 billion baht wasn't worth it as the country already had more than 300 helicopters.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:15 UTC
Capital braces for monsoon season
(Photo by Apichart Jinakul)Monsoon season is here and even though the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is busy tackling the spread of Covid-19, it has spared no efforts to ensure the capital is well prepared. Pol Gen Aswin said flood drainage capacity had improved. The BMA has touted its giant tunnel project as an adequate flood defence system for the rainy season, which runs from May to October. Combined with three other tunnel projects, the upgraded drainage system is expected to handle the monsoon rains and alleviate flooding in 14 of Bangkok's 50 districts. Installed in a densely populated area, which has only narrow sewage pipes, this system helps increase the drainage capacity.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:15 UTC
'Female cook' braves slurs
Mr Somkid was known to have introduced Ms Narumon, professor at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), to politics. Of the allegation that she backstabbed her one-time friend, Ms Narumon told reporters: "That is only your interpretation of events." "I think Mr Somkid should go," Mr Chaiwut said, emerging from a PPRP meeting this week. Mr Somkid must have picked up the vibe of hostility early, and it apparently touched a nerve. On the other hand, individuals looking to replace them who are also inadequate for the jobs should stay away, Mr Somkid said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:03 UTC
Govt eyes medical tourism trips
Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said medical and wellness tourists would be welcomed from this month onward. "After completing required quarantine, tours can be arranged for them to visit anywhere in Thailand," Dr Taweesilp told the media in a press briefing yesterday. This is intended to attract wealthy tourists to help boost the economy through the medical and wellness programme, Dr Taweesilp said. They would have to arrive by air to ensure effective disease control, Dr Taweesilp said. Dr Taweesilp said these 1,700 foreign medical and wellness tourists are mandated to complete a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:03 UTC
THAI to offer partial rehab plan in August
THAI to offer partial rehab plan in AugustThai Airways International (THAI) will speed up the drafting of its rehabilitation plan to submit it to the Central Bankruptcy Court on Aug 17, when the court is scheduled to begin examining the airline's rehabilitation request, acting THAI president Chansin Treenuchagron said yesterday. The rehabilitation plan currently consists of short-term, medium-term and long-term measures that Mr Chansin believes will be successful if the airline's board, management, creditors and debtors cooperate well. "Of course, we want to complete it as soon as possible, but it involves many elements," Mr Chansin added. As part of the draft rehabilitation plan, THAI is deciding on what to do with assets not worth holding, he said. There is a possibility that THAI will allow joint ventures with its non-performing assets.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:03 UTC
An appointment three decades in the making
From her first days at KBank, CEO Kattiya Indaravijaya had the ultimate goal in sightMs Kattiya says she sees no glass ceiling at Kasikornbank. During her time in the US after winning a KBank-sponsored scholarship, Ms Kattiya saw several CEOs of American companies share their vision and leadership tips on TV shows. As a vice-president, Ms Kattiya recalls sleeping only a few hours a night. Ms Kattiya was among a minority who picked marketing, as most of her friends went with finance and banking. She climbed the corporate ladder to first senior vice-president in 2005, executive vice-president and chief financial officer in 2010, senior executive vice-president in 2014 and co-president two years later.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 23:03 UTC