Central Retail sets out its stores to reflect the new normal
“We prepared ourselves in terms of risk and compliance as well as supply chain,” said Stephane Coum, CEO – Food, Central Retail. While the shelves are fully stocked in all its stores, should customers feel more comfortable with online shopping, they have that covered, too. As such, Central Retail supermarkets were the first in Thailand to offer “locked price” during these unprecedented times as many Thais cope with financial uncertainties. For customer’s safety, Central Retail has invested in additional tools and modern technology to take cleanliness and hygiene to another level, from smart thermo scanners to check the temperature of everyone visiting their stores to UV-C disinfection robots to sanitize the stores. “One of the main targets for us in Central Retail is to prepare all the employees to have a strong mind-set concerning change.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 06:56 UTC
Bahrain returnee covid-infected
Worshippers light candles for khao phansa, or Buddhist Lent, at Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram in Bangkok on Friday, when the government announced one more case of Covid-19 infection. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)The government on Friday reported one new case of Covid-19 infection, a quarantined returnee from Bahrain, raising the total to 3,180. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said the returnee was a woman aged 24 who arrived on Sunday and was quarantined in Chon Buri province. She had a sore throat and diarrhoea and tested positive for Covid-19 infection on Wednesday. Of the total cases, 243 were returnees detected during the quarantine process.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 06:00 UTC
Australia warns conspiracy theories thwarting COVID containment efforts
Australia warns conspiracy theories thwarting COVID containment effortsA coronavirus tester takes a swab sample at a drive-through testing station in MelbourneMELBOURNE - Coronavirus conspiracy theories are hampering frantic efforts to contain a steep spike in cases around the city of Melbourne, where more than 10,000 people have refused testing, Australian health authorities warned Friday. "Disappointingly however we have had more than 10,000 people who have refused to be tested," health minister Jenny Mikakos said. Describing the trend as "concerning" she said, "What I want to stress here is that coronavirus is a very contagious virus. In the last week, 160,000 tests have been carried out in the area and almost 100,000 doors have been knocked on, she said. Australia has recorded more than 8,000 coronavirus cases and just over 100 deaths in a population of 25 million.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 05:26 UTC
Gojek, the force behind GET
Gojek, the force behind GETWhat’s driving Gojek Super App’s success? It’s no secret that ride-hailing has forever changed the mobility industry and Gojek is one of the key drivers. Gojek has become the service provider of anything and everything that people need in their daily life and soon will be the household name among Thais, as the GET app, a popular platform providing motorcycle-taxi and food delivery services, will rebrand as Gojek. Gojek has been guided by its core belief that technology can provide solutions to a country’s most pressing problems. In successfully undertaking billions of transactions each year, Gojek is determined to further strengthen its presence, especially in Thailand.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 05:15 UTC
The battle for Bollywood: virus, streaming apps spark fears for cinemas
The battle for Bollywood: virus, streaming apps spark fears for cinemasWith Indian cinemas closed, Bollywood producers are turning to the likes of Amazon, Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar to release films onlineMUMBAI - A Bollywood actor's face tattooed on his arm, Sandeep Bacche's devotion shocks few in India where stars enjoy semi-divine status. But even here the hallowed silver screen may be losing its shine to streaming services and pandemic fears. With cinemas shut for months due to a coronavirus lockdown, and little prospect they will reopen soon, frustrated Bollywood producers have turned to the likes of Amazon, Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar to release films online. "Movie stars are not made on the small screen but on the silver screen," Siddharth Jain, INOX executive director, told AFP. - Virus measures -Vijay Subramaniam, Amazon Prime's director of content for India, insisted the company was not looking to put cinemas out of business.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 05:03 UTC
Long-distance bus crashes as tired driver falls asleep
Long-distance bus crashes as tired driver falls asleepThe overturned Charn Tour bus blocks the main highway in Sung Noen district of Nakhon Ratchasima early on Friday. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)NAKHON RATCHASIMA: An air-conditioned bus bound for Bangkok from Khon Kaen crashed onto its side on the main highway early on Friday morning, and the driver admitted he was tired and just fell asleep. Sung Noen police said the Charn Tour bus overturned on the Mittaphap Highway about 2.30am. Several passengers received minor injuries, but the exact number was not reported. Five passengers received minor injuries.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 05:03 UTC
Headline CPI down 1.57%
Headline CPI down 1.57%The headline consumer price index (CPI) dropped 1.57% in June from a year earlier, a less than expected decline, commerce ministry data showed on Friday. The core CPI index dipped 0.05% from a year earlier, the first drop in more than 10 years. The core CPI index, which strips out food and energy prices, dipped 0.05% from a year earlier, the first drop in more than a decade. In the January-June period, the headline CPI fell 1.13% year-on-year while the core index rose 0.32%, the commerce ministry said. It forecast the headline CPI to fall between 0.7% to 1.5% this year, Ms Pimchanok said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 04:37 UTC
You go, girl!
You go, girl! A call to stop forcing Thai students to have a certain type of haircut or having their hair cut by the teachers against their will. A pair of scissors was provided on her lap and next to her was a bin for the cut hair. They hide behind their keyboards and freely hurl hatred towards her as a girl, a student, and someone younger when her only crime is trying to make a point through a stunt. I hope Ploy's stunt awaken many to recognise a student's right to self-expression and what does education really mean.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 04:02 UTC
WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR
WHAT FRIENDS ARE FORIn times like we’ve been having since Covid-19 broke cover in January, you learn who your real friends areAmong the hardest hit of all sectors, upscale restaurants and bars were sent reeling. Diageo Reserve, the luxury portfolio of Diageo, focuses on luxury opportunities, bringing together brands built on strong legacies blended with craftsmanship and authenticity. Think Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Gold Reserve, Tanqueray, Ciroc vodka, Don Julio tequila, Bulleit bourbon, Tanqueray No. Meanwhile, Diageo, DMHT’s parent company, donated some seven million bottles of hand-sanitizer to front-line healthcare workers and staff directly fighting the virus world-wide. In addition, seven exclusive World Class Studios Zoom sessions gave over 200 bartenders who competed in the DIAGEO Reserve World Class competition new skills and ideas.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 03:56 UTC
Pandemic gives Prayut leverage to extend stay power
Pandemic gives Prayut leverage to extend stay powerPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha holds a press conference at Government House on Tuesday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)It is a year since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returned to power as a civilian leader, but his government already has its sights set on staying in power beyond the remaining three years of its term. The first 12 months have presented many challenges for the Prayut regime, including anti-government protests and the coronavirus pandemic, which has sent the Southeast Asian economy into a tailspin. Student-led anti-government protests are expected to continue but are unlikely to upend the political landscape, one of the sources said. He accused the government of using "various mechanisms to cling onto power" while trampling on society's basic rights.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 03:45 UTC
Hong Kong protest slogan illegal, city government says
Hong Kong protest slogan illegal, city government saysProtesters throw mock paper money during a march against the national security law on the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain, in Hong Kong on Wednesday. (Photo: Reuters)HONG KONG: The popular protest slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" connotes separatism or subversion according to the city's government, citing crimes that are covered under the new national security law imposed by Beijing. "The slogan 'Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times' nowadays connotes 'Hong Kong independence', or separating the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) from the People's Republic of China, altering the legal status of the HKSAR, or subverting the state power," the government said in a statement late on Thursday. The government has repeatedly said the security law won't affect freedom of speech and other rights in the city. It will also see mainland security agencies in Hong Kong for the first time and allows extradition to the mainland for trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 02:48 UTC
Bubble wrapped: Formula One's masked men keep their distance
Bubble wrapped: Formula One's masked men keep their distanceWorkers install a banner reading "Welcome to Spielberg" near the entrance to the Red Bull RingSPIELBERG (AUSTRIA) - In the unlikely scenario of Romain Grosjean sweeping to a podium finish at Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix, he demands forgiveness should he break the strict coronavirus health protocols put in place at the Red Bull Ring. The Formula One season, which suffered a dramatic false start in Australia in March, finally gets underway this weekend in Spielberg. On the ground at the Red Bull Ring, the sport's brave new world was very much in evidence on Thursday. Lewis Hamilton, chasing a record-equalling seventh world title, said he was getting used to life in the bubble. He will need to get used to it as the Red Bull Ring will also host the second race of the season next weekend.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 01:52 UTC
Post-crisis opportunities await
Post-crisis opportunities awaitPochara Arayakarnkul, chief executive of Bluebik Group said Thailand's service sector has taken a serious hit from the coronavirus crisis. Businesses need to gear up for digital transformation, cost reduction, cross-industry expansion and preparation for incoming related laws as a way to speed their recovery and explore new opportunities in the post-pandemic period, says the Bluebik Group consultancy. They should turn fixed costs into variable costs, such as outsourcing services provided by external vendors, Mr Pochara said. Businesses also need to take into account data governance principles and have a business continuity plan in place. Mr Pochara said businesses that are not ready to apply technological features to their operations should ask an assistant or a consultant to help.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 01:30 UTC
Pentagon: China military exercises will 'further destabilize' S. China Sea
Pentagon: China military exercises will 'further destabilize' S. China SeaMap showing disputed claims in the South China Sea. WASHINGTON - The Pentagon said Thursday it was "concerned" about Chinese military exercises around a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea, noting the maneuvers will "further destabilize" the region. "The Department of Defense is concerned about the People's Republic of China (PRC) decision to conduct military exercises around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on July 1-5," the Pentagon said in a statement. The exercises "are the latest in a long string" of Chinese actions "to assert unlawful maritime claims and disadvantage its Southeast Asian neighbors in the South China Sea." Washington rejects Beijing's territorial claim to much of the South China Sea, including the Paracels.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 03, 2020 00:11 UTC
Defence Ministry denies funds abuse
The Defence Ministry has rejected claims by the opposition that the ministry abused a budget earmarked for peace-keeping operations in the violence-plagued South. Of the budget, 5.2 billion baht has been earmarked for local development programmes and the rest for security. The budget will also pay for the improvement of intelligence operations and conflict resolution projects to forge peace in the region. However, he admitted some of the money to promote projects aimed at bringing peace had been cut and adjusted as it was deemed the projects required fewer funds. Mr Rangsiman said the project was given 17 million baht more than it was designated in the previous fiscal year.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 02, 2020 23:26 UTC