Must-visit cultural sites evoke pride | Bangkok Post: opinion
The Japanese-style Hinoki Land in Chiang Mai is among destinations that appear on the 10 must-see cultural sites. Bangkok Post photoThe 10 must-see cultural sites as announced by the Ministry of Culture have raised eyebrows and drawn criticism. Most notably, critics have set their sights on Hinoki Land, a tourist destination in Chiang Mai inspired by -- as the name strongly suggests -- Japanese architecture. Looking at the criteria, how could Hinoki Land not be on the list? Frankly speaking, I don't think that the Culture Ministry should list cultural sites based on their popularity or potential for income generation.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 23:03 UTC
Poll finds most Thais starving for holidays | Bangkok Post: business
Thai workers are the seventh most vacation-deprived globally, according to an Expedia study. According to the study, Thais unplug better while on vacation, but 74% say they would cancel a vacation due to work. Levels of vacation deprivation vary by industry, with those in agriculture (71%), marketing and media (67%), and food and beverage (64%) being the most vacation-deprived. In Asia, the biggest barriers to vacation are financial (54%), the desire to bank vacation days (23%) and the inability to get time off work (17%). Thai workers also report taking an average of two mental health days a year, which most feel should be considered vacation days (82%) rather than sick days (18%).
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 23:03 UTC
Draft windfall tax on EEC agenda | Bangkok Post: business
"We plan to discuss a tax draft, precluding exemptions for plots located in the special economic zone," Mr Kanit said. In July 2018, the cabinet approved a draft bill on the land windfall tax, a levy on inflated property prices driven by transport infrastructure projects. A draft bill on the land windfall tax caps the ceiling at 5% of the inflated price, but the applicable rate will be decided later. Mr Kanit said the office will talk with local villagers and administrative offices in the EEC provinces to allocate tax collection under the windfall gains tax draft as part of the local development budget in the future. "Moreover, two of the five projects are pending rulings by the Administrative Court over disputes between bidders and the EEC Office."
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 23:03 UTC
Central Village on track for August opening | Bangkok Post: business
Central Village, which bills itself as Thailand's first international luxury outlet, is nearing completion in Samut Prakan province. Central Village, a luxury outlet, is 70% built and is scheduled to open on Aug 31. The young and affluent group is defined as those aged 25-40 who are successful early in life and have a monthly income exceeding 50,000 baht. Located near Suvarnabhumi airport, Central Village will help travellers on their way to or from the transport hub. "World-renowned tourist destinations such as Britain, Japan and Hong Kong have their favourite outlets for tourists, and soon Thailand will be proud of Central Village.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 23:03 UTC
Polls open in climate-dominated Aussie election | Bangkok Post: news
Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative Liberals had closed a yawning gap on the opposition upstarts, but differences over climate may prove the difference. Final polls show the vote is going down to the wire, with Labor ahead roughly 51-49. If Shorten is elected, he would become the sixth prime minister sworn into office in a decade. Still, his relative lack of charisma was underlined Thursday by the death of much-loved former prime minister Bob Hawke, an Oxford-educated lovable rogue, equally at home chugging a pint or debating Keynesian economics. Polls opened at 8:00 am local (2200 GMT) and the first exit polls are expected around 10 hours later.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 22:30 UTC
Amazon buys US rights for Cannes hit 'Les Miserables'
Confirming a report in Variety, Amazon Studios, a subsidiary of the tech giant, said it was too soon to say if the film would get a wide release in US theaters. Some films produced or purchased by Amazon Studios are meant to be uploaded directly to Amazon Prime for streaming. This "Les Miserables" -- not to be confused with the musical based on Victor Hugo's historical novel -- takes place partly in gritty Montfermeil. Directed by Ly, a Montfermeil local, the rare debut feature film to make the Cannes best list sheds light on his community and steers clear of cliches. The only debut feature up for the Palme d'Or award this year, it was presented Wednesday in Cannes, as part of the official competition.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 17, 2019 22:18 UTC
Pope accepts resignation of Brazilian bishop | Bangkok Post: news
Pope Francis last week passed a landmark new measure to oblige those who know about sex abuse in the Catholic Church to report it to their superiorsSAO PAULO - Pope Francis on Friday accepted the resignation of a Brazilian bishop reportedly suspected of extorting priests and covering up sexual abuse, the Vatican said in a statement. The Vatican always announces when Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a bishop, but never explains why. It was a "sanitary measure taken urgently by the Pope," said Fernando Altemeyer Junior, a professor of theology at the Catholic university PUC Sao Paulo. The Catholic Church has been rocked by a global pedophilia scandal, with victims coming forward in countries ranging from Australia to Chile, Germany and the United States. "There have been no government or prosecutorial inquiries into the Catholic church or litigation (in Brazil)."
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 22:18 UTC
Sudan protesters tear down roadblocks, want army to resume talks | Bangkok Post: news
Key international players voiced alarm and urged an immediate resumption of negotiations, which the ruling military council on Wednesday suspended with the protesters for 72 hours. But for the final talks to happen the military council chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, demanded that protesters dismantle roadblocks, open bridges and railway lines connecting the capital and "stop provoking security forces". The military council said roadblocks are "totally unacceptable", but the generals will allow barricades set up by protesters outside the army headquarters to remain and a sit-in there to continue. Talks between the two sides achieved significant breakthroughs on Monday, but were marred by violence which left five protesters and an army major dead. Civilian, Civilian," referring to the protesters' demand for civilian rule.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 22:07 UTC
Aussies head to the polls in climate-dominated election | Bangkok Post: news
Final polls show the vote is going down to the wire, with Labor ahead 51-49. "I don't think anyone... thought this is where the election would be the day before," Morrison said. If Shorten is elected, he would become the sixth prime minister sworn into office in a decade. Still, his relative lack of charisma was underlined Thursday by the death of much-loved former prime minister Bob Hawke, an Oxford-educated lovable rogue, equally at home chugging a pint or debating Keynesian economics. Polls open at 8:00 am local (2200 GMT) and the first exit polls are expected around 10 hours later.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 20:26 UTC
Trump lifts steel, aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico | Bangkok Post: news
President Donald Trump announced a deal to end US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico that had created friction between the neighborsWASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Friday announced a deal to lift US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico that had created friction between the neighbors and blocked a new North American free trade agreement. Canada and Mexico initially were exempted from the tariffs Trump enforced using a national security argument, as part of his hardline trade tactics. "Obviously these continued tariffs on steel and aluminum and our countermeasures represented significant barriers to moving forward with the new NAFTA agreement," he said, referring to the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. Some key members of the US Congress had said they would not agree to vote for the three-country free trade pact unless the Trump's metals tariffs ended. US tariffs on steel and aluminum from Europe remain in place, as does the EU retaliation.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 17, 2019 19:41 UTC
Man adopted by Belgians hunts for his Thai parents
Now a professional dancer in Belgium, Pisanu is quizzing people in Phitsanulok using a translation app because he cannot speak Thai. But he’s had help from residents including monks at Wat Sutsawat where he was left outside a wall 27 years ago. Pisanu’s adoptive parents knew about his birthplace and some other details and he decided to come to Thailand and search. He sought help from the abbot of Wat Sutsawat, Phrakru Prapatsotitikun, who said he was not the abbot at that time but was willing to help. Anyone who has information can contact Pisanu on his “Donnez Pisanu” Facebook page or via the shelter at (092) 269 4066.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 17, 2019 18:00 UTC
Quarter-finals the minimum target for shuttlers
They will compete in the same group as Russia and 2015 runners-up Japan. The initial stages see 12 teams competing in four groups of three, the top two in each progressing to the quarter-finals. Khun Ying Patama Leeswadtrakul“Our goal is to reach the knockout stage,” said Thai badminton chief Khun Ying Patama Leeswadtrakul. “If we are drawn to face a team that isn’t too tough, we may go even further in the tournament,” she said. China have won the most titles (10) while defending champion South Korea won four times, in 1991, 1993, 2003 and 2017.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 17, 2019 18:00 UTC
Point, shoot, relax
The depth camera provides the data for the main camera when used for the bokeh or blurred background effect. The 123-degree ultra wide camera lets you capture beautiful panorama scenes at the same angles as the human eye. It’s easy to switch from wide to ultra wide camera too –simply tap on the icons of two and three flowers, representing wide and ultra wide respectively. The main camera also has a Flaw Detection function that catches blinks, blurs and backlighting and lets you know so you can try and shoot again. And its 25W Super Fast Charging technology gets you fully powered and ready to go without being tied down.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 17, 2019 18:00 UTC
Nationwide clinics to help find Thailand’s best young players
The event, now in its eighth year, aims to prepare and develop under-12 players, the primary stage of Thai football, to pursue a career in football. Youngsters who take part in the programme will be trained with proper basic skills under the instruction of professional coaches. Only 60 will then be picked for the final round, at which further training will be conducted at Bangkokthonburi University in July. A squad of 24 players will travel to Osaka later this year to represent Thailand in the World Challenge. Last year the local boys won all their seven games in the three-day competition held at the Toyota Sports Centre in September.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 17, 2019 18:00 UTC
Fighting for life
But what future are these “regimes” holding out for mankind if we fail to stop this monstrous enterprise of outright perversion? Yesterday, the US state of Alabama passed an anti-abortion law, the first among 50 states, which is a breath of sanity and civilisation. The infamous pro-abortion law passed in 1973, Roe vs Wade, will now slowly but surely be annulled. It will take time, but one step at the time humanity regains its senses.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 17, 2019 18:00 UTC