Asean deserves the Nobel peace prize
In anticipation of this significant event, Chulalongkorn University recently organised the launch of the Thai-language version of an exceptional book, “The Asean Miracle: A Catalyst for Peace”, by Kishore Mahbubani and Jeffrey Sng, a comprehensive monograph initially published by the National University of Singapore Press. The book explains in detail how, on August 8, 1967, the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand struck a landmark agreement by signing the Bangkok Declaration, which is in fact the birth certificate of Asean. After 51 years and with five additional countries becoming members – Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei and Myanmar – this original alliance represents “one of the world’s most successful collaborations” and is forecast to become the fourth-largest economy on our planet by 2050. Asean has already offered the model of the only truly multi-civilisational regional organisation in the world, which achieved its crucial political objective of lasting regional peace and stability, which in itself is a vital accomplishment. This historic reality prompted the two authors to advance the proposal of awarding this regional institution the Nobel Peace Prize, which would attract global attention to a beacon of hope emerging on the world stageIoan VoicuBangkok
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 18:00 UTC
Leadership doubts leave ACT in disarray
But some political observers are confident that ACT is internally intact and that Anek would resurface to lead it. “After all, everyone knows who’s really running this party – the de facto leader – and what it’s here for. The leader who’s there for the formality doesn’t matter all that much.”But veteran political critic Sukhum Nualsakul begged to differ on the question of ACT leadership. Sukhum does not think the change will lead ACT on a different course. “Suthep has made it clear that ACT will be part of the government.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 18:00 UTC
Jewels for mum
Sleek, graceful and uncomplicated, the Venus Collection reveals linear patterns with a neat, beautiful style perfect for the well-dressed sophisticated mother. This classy fine jewellery collection is ideal for warm social functions or formal work gatherings, adding a certain sparkle to the irreplaceable maternal image. Beautifully crafted by Artinian artisans, each piece is made from superior gold and Artinian diamonds and can be found at Maison Artinian at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Owned and run by Suriyon Sriorathaikul, Napassanan Pannipa, Dr Chalermruth Narkvichien and Sheranut Yusananda, Beauty 24 also sells perfumes, skincare and hair care products. Two new styles are available: the HOVR Sonic and HOVR Phantom.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 18:00 UTC
BMA to ask Prayut to intervene in Khaosan spat over stalls
The BMA, however, has resolved to strictly regulate street stalls there to ensure orderliness but vendors are still calling for the ban to be lifted. One of the models is to let stalls run in the morning hours too and in return, we will make sure street stalls are tidier,” said Chonnapha Teansawang, a long-time vendor on Khaosan Road. When the news came out, tour-group organisers cancelled their plan to come to Khaosan Road,” she |said. “I think Khaosan stalls are attractive because of the diverse rang of products in the area,” she said. It is estimated that Khaosan Road has about 300 vendors.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 18:00 UTC
Thousands to be hit by Kaeng Krachan overspill
The Phetchaburi River, which runs into the Muang district at the heart of Phetchaburi, can hold about 150 cubic metres of water per second. Regardless of their efforts, it would be inevitable that thousands of people in communities in low-lying zones along the Phetchaburi River would face flooding, he said. Water volume in the Kaeng Krachan National Park, in the upper part of Phetchaburi province, has already exceeded its holding capacity. As of yesterday, water volume at two large dams – Nam Oun in Sakhon Nakhon province and Kaeng Krachan in Phetchaburi – exceeded their capacity. The Srinakharin Dam has now discharged 20 million cubic metres of water, the Vajiralongkorn Dam 43 million cubic metres of water, and the Mae Klong Dam 60 million cubic metres of water.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 18:00 UTC
Foggy focus among contentious issues
His claim that PETA wanted people’s pets set loose in the wild was a 100-per-cent blatant lie that he has never been man enough to apologise for, even after I proved him wrong over and over again. Since I know some of the people at PETA, when he writes horrible lies about them I take it very personally. Incidentally, I once tried to make a peace offering to Grant by praising one of his letters, and he responded by lying about what I wrote and went into another tirade against animal rights. Although my letter wasn’t even about animal rights, he never misses an opportunity to smear animal-rights activists. Many (not all) of my critics are typical bullies who can dish it out but they can’t take it.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 18:00 UTC
State agencies reshuffle of senior jobs approved
The Excise Department's director-general Kritsada Jinavijarana is being promoted to replace Kulit at the Customs Department. The Treasury Department's director-general Pajara Anantasilpa will replace Kritsada at the Excise Department. Amnuay Preemonwong, the deputy director-general of the Finance Ministry, is tipped to become the Treasury Department's director-general. The change would not affect the management of the Energy Ministry because the ministry has a system to accommodate a smooth transfer of officials, he said. On December 31, 2017, the transit authority had a total debt of Bt107.86 billion.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 18:00 UTC
True decides against bidding for 900MHz, 1800MHz licences
Its management considered that the company should not take part in the auctions of the licences to operate the 900MHz and 1800MHz frequencies for telecommunication business by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) on August 18-19. The company made the decision carefully, taking into account optimal benefits of its customers and investors, according to Vichaow Rakphongphairoj, True Corp’s co-president. Earlier, the NBTC had planned to offer only the 1800MHz licences in an auction set for August 4. It remains to be seen, however, whether either or both AIS and DTAC will submit bid applications by the August 8 deadline, which is only a day away. AIS shares closed at Bt199.50, unchanged from Monday, while those of DTAC finished the day at Bt40, down 2.44 per cent.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 17:03 UTC
Efforts should be made to devise strategy to reduce nuclear war risk
The United States, Russia, Britain, France and China are allowed to possess nuclear weapons under the NPT pact; India and Pakistan armed themselves with nuclear weapons in the 1990s. North Korea has continued to advance its nuclear development program, repeatedly ignoring the resolutions adopted against it by the UN Security Council. To pursue the ultimate ideal of nuclear abolition, an initial step that should be taken is to make sure North Korea abandons its nuclear weapons. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), adopted in July last year, bans the production, possession and use of nuclear weapons. With a view to seeking nuclear disarmament, Japan should serve as a bridge between nations with and without nuclear arms.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 14:37 UTC
Out of touch! Thai athletes to surrender phones at Asian Games
He said the players had agreed to comply by the rules and would have their phones returned after each match. “As they are professional enough, they are willing to let us take care of their phones,” added Worapoj. Meanwhile women’s team manager Nualphan Lamsam hopes to settle score with Vietnam to ensure a place in the knock-out stages. The top two nations in each group qualify for the quarter-finals. Charouck also predicted Thailand would win a maximum 17 golds at the Games, while the Sport Writers and Photographers Association of Thailand is slightly more optimistic.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 14:03 UTC
World mourns passing of leading wild cat expert and conservationist Alan Rabinowitz, age 64
His more than three decades of conservation work have also helped contribute to improve wildlife conservation here in Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. According to the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), whose Thailand programme is active in supporting wildlife conservation and management here, Rabinowitz helped to establish protected areas in Thailand. Rabinowitz also wrote a number of books about wild cats and conservation in Thailand, to boost knowledge about the country’s conservation among the public. Fearless and outspoken“Alan was a fearless and outspoken champion for the conservation of our planet’s iconic wild cats and wild places. “Dr Rabinowitz was a pioneer researcher on big cats and left many legacies for conservation in Asia.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 13:30 UTC
Wife of Japan journalist held in Syria pleads for his release
"As his wife, as his family, I want him... to set foot back on Japanese soil." Last week Yasuda and captured Italian national Alessandro Sandrini appeared in two separate videos that were similar in their staging. Myu, wife of Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda who went missing in Syria in 2015, speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on August 7, 2018. The wife of a Japanese journalist held captive in Syria for more than three years made an emotional plea for his release on August 7 after he sought immediate help in videos. In 2015 militants from the Islamic State group beheaded Japanese war correspondent Kenji Goto and his friend Haruna Yukawa in Syria.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 12:45 UTC
Govt official among 9 arrested after underage sex probe
Kornchai said the rescued boys were mostly from poor families, in which both parents were working and so they didn’t have time to oversee the kids. The police investigation found that a former convenience store employee, Nampol Som-ngam, 27, ran a Facebook page that allegedly offered to sell sex video clips featuring boys and sex services with underage boys. If customers expressed an interest in purchasing the sex clips or sex services, Nampol required them to pay a Bt300 membership fee each in order to be added to his Line chat group called Rak Dek (“love children”), police said. Nampol allegedly charged Bt1,500 – of which Bt500 was his commission fee – to arrange and send a boy to perform sex services for a customer. According to a police source, Nampol arranged the sex services for customers at hotels in the Charansanitwong and Bang Khae areas of Bangkok between March and July.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 12:45 UTC
On National Mother’s day, inmates given chance to pay respect
This year is also the 86th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The parole release comes as Thai prisons currently house more than 360,000 inmates, well beyond the capacity of 120,000. The plan allows inmates, including those with poor behaviour, to get visits from relatives. He said he hoped the opportunity would help inmates turn over a new leaf. "This makes us happy and, with our parents’ support, we are inspired to be better persons,” they said.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 12:11 UTC
All parties ‘must stand on equal ground’ when time is right for election campaigning, PM insists
“They will have to consider regulations by the National Council for Peace and Order,” Prayut said at his weekly press briefing. The junta has always insisted on the need to maintain order as the reason to legitimise prolonging the ban on political party activity, despite existing enforcement of the political party law. Prayut said on Tuesday that more relaxations should be seen once the MP election law is also in place. According to the Constitution, the election must be organised within five months of all four laws essential to the holding of a general election being in effect. This makes Prayut’s earlier promise of a national poll in February seem unlikely to be fulfilled, as the MP election bill should have been published no later than June in order to keep up with the timeline.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 07, 2018 12:11 UTC