Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Worst Flooding in Decades Swamps Thailand
Follow the link below to see some images of the worst flooding crisis in Thailand in decades.
Worst Flooding in Decades Swamps Thailand - Alan Taylor - In Focus - The Atlantic:
'via Blog this'
Worst Flooding in Decades Swamps Thailand - Alan Taylor - In Focus - The Atlantic:
'via Blog this'
Flood-hit Thailand declined offer of help, says US Navy
Unbelievable:
WASHINGTON: The US Navy has withdrawn several ships sent to help with relief efforts in flood-hit Thailand after receiving "mixed" messages from the Bangkok government, a defence official said on Monday.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier and other ships were deployed to the area on October 16 for potential disaster relief work as Thailand faced massive flooding from monsoon rains, said Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander John Perkins.
But the US military never received a formal request from the Thai government and the three-ship aircraft carrier group along with a fourth ship, the USS Kidd, were released and left the area on Friday, said Perkins, spokesman for the US Pacific Fleet based in Hawaii.
"We are ready to help but we haven't got a request," said a US defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"There were two channels (in the Thai government)," the defence official told AFP. "One was saying 'Yes' and one was saying 'no.'"
The Thai capital on Monday was bracing for advancing and seemingly unstoppable floodwaters after residents in areas deemed most at threat were urged to leave.
Other parts of the country have been plagued by three months of heavy monsoon rains that have killed more than 350 people in Thailand and damaged the homes and livelihoods of nine million people......
Flood-hit Thailand declined offer of help, says US Navy - Channel NewsAsia:
'via Blog this'
WASHINGTON: The US Navy has withdrawn several ships sent to help with relief efforts in flood-hit Thailand after receiving "mixed" messages from the Bangkok government, a defence official said on Monday.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier and other ships were deployed to the area on October 16 for potential disaster relief work as Thailand faced massive flooding from monsoon rains, said Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander John Perkins.
But the US military never received a formal request from the Thai government and the three-ship aircraft carrier group along with a fourth ship, the USS Kidd, were released and left the area on Friday, said Perkins, spokesman for the US Pacific Fleet based in Hawaii.
"We are ready to help but we haven't got a request," said a US defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"There were two channels (in the Thai government)," the defence official told AFP. "One was saying 'Yes' and one was saying 'no.'"
The Thai capital on Monday was bracing for advancing and seemingly unstoppable floodwaters after residents in areas deemed most at threat were urged to leave.
Other parts of the country have been plagued by three months of heavy monsoon rains that have killed more than 350 people in Thailand and damaged the homes and livelihoods of nine million people......
Flood-hit Thailand declined offer of help, says US Navy - Channel NewsAsia:
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Govt sincerity on protecting the monarchy questioned
Govt sincerity on protecting the monarchy questioned: Supachai Jaisamut, a senior MP from the opposition Bhum Jai Thai Party, said the government's brief policy regarding the monarchy was mostly copied from the Constitution, without any detail as to how to deal with many websites with content insulting to the monarchy.
He said the websites were claimed to be the work of people in the red-shirt movement, which in turn is linked to the ruling Pheu Thai Party. "The government must have a policy that decisively deals with the problem and the government has to make it clear it has nothing to do with the red shirts who insult the monarchy," said Supachai, who is also the Bhum Jai Thai spokesman.
He called on the prime minister to make it clear that none of her Cabinet members would try to interfere with the justice process in a bid to help red-shirt figures facing legal action for allegedly insulting the monarchy.
Appeals Court acquits Pojaman
Appeals Court acquits Pojaman
No big surprises here. The government changes and high profile people who had been sentenced under the previous government are set free again. Now I don't want to make any judgement but this is definitely not a country where the courts decide freely and without any external influence.
Monday, August 15, 2011
DTAC to go ahead wIth 3G launch thIs week
DTAC to go ahead wIth 3G launch thIs week
And the last operator starts 3G finally. its about time. Now I just hope that they are able to manage the data capacity and not have every single 3G service slow down to a near still stand. Then the whole 3G thingy in Thailand wouldn't make much sense anyway.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Google brings games to Google+ -- Engadget
Google brings games to Google+ -- Engadget
Luckily Google lets you completely remove any game related updates from your main stream. Great decision. I hated that on Facebook.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Shinawatra's likely return good for Thaksin Inc but not for Thailand
All dressed up in riot gear and nowhere to go. Such was the plight of two dozen Thai police officers stewing in boredom last weekend near one of Bangkok's busier nightlife districts.
Thai elections tend to be anarchic affairs for the keepers of order, with protests often deteriorating into violence. This time was different; tear gas canisters sat unused after the victory of allies of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
...
Much is forgiven when an economy scores high growth rates. In 2010, Thailand grew the fastest in 15 years. Yet stability matters, too. The longer Thailand goes without it, the further it falls behind China. Just a decade ago, Thailand was a democratic oasis in a region of autocrats. Today, it's a political basket case.
That gets at a bigger question: why is Asia's democratic process so messy?
Thailand is Exhibit A; political demonstrations last year alone led to 91 deaths. What Thailand and its 67 million people prove is that elections aren't enough, says a report from the United Nations Development Program, titled Understanding Electoral Violence in Asia.
In recent decades, a view developed that untroubled contests were the ultimate prize. Yet, the report says, ''seeing elections as a test of democratic development, rather than a goal in themselves, provides a better conceptualisation of the processes that are needed to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections''.
read full article:
Shinawatra's likely return good for Thaksin Inc but not for Thailand
Thai elections tend to be anarchic affairs for the keepers of order, with protests often deteriorating into violence. This time was different; tear gas canisters sat unused after the victory of allies of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
...
Much is forgiven when an economy scores high growth rates. In 2010, Thailand grew the fastest in 15 years. Yet stability matters, too. The longer Thailand goes without it, the further it falls behind China. Just a decade ago, Thailand was a democratic oasis in a region of autocrats. Today, it's a political basket case.
That gets at a bigger question: why is Asia's democratic process so messy?
Thailand is Exhibit A; political demonstrations last year alone led to 91 deaths. What Thailand and its 67 million people prove is that elections aren't enough, says a report from the United Nations Development Program, titled Understanding Electoral Violence in Asia.
In recent decades, a view developed that untroubled contests were the ultimate prize. Yet, the report says, ''seeing elections as a test of democratic development, rather than a goal in themselves, provides a better conceptualisation of the processes that are needed to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections''.
read full article:
Shinawatra's likely return good for Thaksin Inc but not for Thailand
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Reuters Q&A: "How will Thai election outcome affect listed companies?"
The stock market jumped 4.7 percent on Monday and was steady on Tuesday. Here is a look at some likely stock market winners and losers under the new government.
WHICH SECTORS WILL WIN FROM POPULIST POLICIES?
Puea Thai plans easier access to credit, a jump in the minimum wage plus price subsidies that should spur consumption. This should boost the retail and property sectors.
Top convenience store chain CP All , whose shares hit a six-week high on Monday, retailer Big C Supercenter , Siam Makro and building materials supplier Home Product Center should benefit.
Puea Thai promises zero-percent mortgages, exemption from transfer and mortgage fees and a 50 percent cut in business tax for first homes priced below 4 million baht ($130,000).
Property firms will benefit as the policies will both boost demand and cut costs. Top homebuilder Land & Houses is among top picks and its shares hit an eight-week high on Monday.
Developers that focus on medium- to low-priced homes such as LPN Development , Supalai , Pruksa Real Estate and MK Real Estate could benefit the most.
Stronger demand and populist spending in rural areas should boost spending on house renovation, helping building material firms like Siam Cement and Siam City Cement .
Puea Thai is also expected to implement a policy of returning tax to first-time car buyers, which should stimulate demand and benefit car parts makers such as Somboon Advance Technology and AAPICO Hitech .
However, a big rise in the minimum wage will push up operating costs in labour-intensive industries. Hana Microelectromics , Star Microelectronic and Cal-Comp Electronics may be affected.
"If they try to introduce a 30 pct increase in six months, I think it's going to be very difficult for many, many businesses," Richard Han, chief executive of integrated circuit packager Hana, told Reuters.
"It will be a huge amount to absorb in that short space of time because manufacturers cannot improve their productivity to absorb that cost," he said.
read full Q&A here
WHICH SECTORS WILL WIN FROM POPULIST POLICIES?
Puea Thai plans easier access to credit, a jump in the minimum wage plus price subsidies that should spur consumption. This should boost the retail and property sectors.
Top convenience store chain CP All , whose shares hit a six-week high on Monday, retailer Big C Supercenter , Siam Makro and building materials supplier Home Product Center should benefit.
Puea Thai promises zero-percent mortgages, exemption from transfer and mortgage fees and a 50 percent cut in business tax for first homes priced below 4 million baht ($130,000).
Property firms will benefit as the policies will both boost demand and cut costs. Top homebuilder Land & Houses is among top picks and its shares hit an eight-week high on Monday.
Developers that focus on medium- to low-priced homes such as LPN Development , Supalai , Pruksa Real Estate and MK Real Estate could benefit the most.
Stronger demand and populist spending in rural areas should boost spending on house renovation, helping building material firms like Siam Cement and Siam City Cement .
Puea Thai is also expected to implement a policy of returning tax to first-time car buyers, which should stimulate demand and benefit car parts makers such as Somboon Advance Technology and AAPICO Hitech .
However, a big rise in the minimum wage will push up operating costs in labour-intensive industries. Hana Microelectromics , Star Microelectronic and Cal-Comp Electronics may be affected.
"If they try to introduce a 30 pct increase in six months, I think it's going to be very difficult for many, many businesses," Richard Han, chief executive of integrated circuit packager Hana, told Reuters.
"It will be a huge amount to absorb in that short space of time because manufacturers cannot improve their productivity to absorb that cost," he said.
read full Q&A here
The New York Times on Thai elections: "Shinawatras Pull Off Another Political Magic Act"
Once again the Shinawatra clan has pulled off an unlikely feat: One of the wealthiest families in Thailand has convinced the poor and politically disenfranchised that it understands their problems, feels their pain and will fight for their rights.
The paradox of a billionaire family winning Sunday’s election by championing the have-nots — a notion that flabbergasts its adversaries — was on full display here in San Kamphaeng, the Shinawatra family’s hometown.
In grubby market stalls and ramshackle shops, residents flew red flags that advertised their support for Thaksin Shinawatra and his younger sister, Yingluck, who is now in line to become Thailand’s first female prime minister.
“We are so happy and relieved,” said Somboon Kamduang, a 55-year-old resident who scratches out a living selling peanuts and beans in the market and singing in restaurants at night.
...
As Chinese immigrants who arrived in northern Thailand in the early 1900s, the family’s forebears were outsiders. But the family grew deep roots in the community, married local villagers, bought land, planted orchards, lent out money and soon became the overlords of the area.
Bangorn Auppara, 76, a resident who once worked for the Shinawatras, says the secret to the family’s success has been a mixture of hard work, resourcefulness, and “stinginess.”
The family became powerful in the area, she said, partly by lending out money and confiscating land when the borrowers could not pay back.
It’s hard to find someone here who has a bad thing to say about the family, partly because so many people in San Khampaeng work for them or rent property from them.
Most the buildings in town are owned by the various branches of the Shinawatra family, said Penphan Supittayaporn, 58, who sits behind the counter of the Shinawatra silk shop, one of the family’s businesses.
read full article here
The paradox of a billionaire family winning Sunday’s election by championing the have-nots — a notion that flabbergasts its adversaries — was on full display here in San Kamphaeng, the Shinawatra family’s hometown.
In grubby market stalls and ramshackle shops, residents flew red flags that advertised their support for Thaksin Shinawatra and his younger sister, Yingluck, who is now in line to become Thailand’s first female prime minister.
“We are so happy and relieved,” said Somboon Kamduang, a 55-year-old resident who scratches out a living selling peanuts and beans in the market and singing in restaurants at night.
...
As Chinese immigrants who arrived in northern Thailand in the early 1900s, the family’s forebears were outsiders. But the family grew deep roots in the community, married local villagers, bought land, planted orchards, lent out money and soon became the overlords of the area.
Bangorn Auppara, 76, a resident who once worked for the Shinawatras, says the secret to the family’s success has been a mixture of hard work, resourcefulness, and “stinginess.”
The family became powerful in the area, she said, partly by lending out money and confiscating land when the borrowers could not pay back.
It’s hard to find someone here who has a bad thing to say about the family, partly because so many people in San Khampaeng work for them or rent property from them.
Most the buildings in town are owned by the various branches of the Shinawatra family, said Penphan Supittayaporn, 58, who sits behind the counter of the Shinawatra silk shop, one of the family’s businesses.
read full article here
Is Sony Releasing the PlayStation 4 in 2012? [RUMOR]
The net is abuzz today about rumors of the Playstation 4 being produced in 2012 already. Sony has always stated in the past that he PS3 will be their top product until 2014 or 2015. The guess here is that another rumor was recently posted that said the next XBox will be introduced at next year's E3 exhibition. So Sony surely has to follow as they will be last in the Next Gen game again. Nintendo already annonuced their next system this year at E3. After how the Wii crushed the competition last time while being released much earlier will for sure alse be something Sony will not want to have happening again:
Is Sony Releasing the PlayStation 4 in 2012? [RUMOR]
Is Sony Releasing the PlayStation 4 in 2012? [RUMOR]
Monday, July 4, 2011
Thailand Election Results Graphic
Congratulations to Phua Thai Party for clearly winning the Thai elections. The below graphic still show the problem that Thailand has been facing for a long time: The nation is still very divided between North and South:
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google+ project: Real-life sharing...
Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google+ project: Real-life sharing...: "Update : For our international readers, this post is also available in French , German , Italian , Japanese , Portuguese , Russian and Span..."
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thaksin Shinawatra - Talk to Al Jazeera - Al Jazeera English
At below link you can find an interview with Thaksin Shinawatra by Al Jezeera. Pretty touch interviewer. Although I think Thaksin is doing much better in interviews now than he did in the past (I think he has learned a lot) I don;t think he did very well in this one as he doesn't admit any wrong doing nor does he admit using his power to benefit himself....then again if he would do that then that would mean he admits that he was in the wrong and that the Thai government was right in taking the money from him and the military was right in stating a coup a couple years back.
Thaksin Shinawatra - Talk to Al Jazeera - Al Jazeera English
Thaksin Shinawatra - Talk to Al Jazeera - Al Jazeera English
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Dummy's Guide To Thailand's General Election 2011
A primer to the upcoming Thai elections posted by the Bangkok Post:
Monday, June 13, 2011
The BTS Skytrain operator considers a unified ticket system for skytrain, ferries, public buses...
The below is an article from the Asian News Network. Now in general a unified ticketing system is a good thing but I think the most important linkup is strangely enough left of the article below: a link betwen the MRT and BTS systems. I wonder why and they have been talking about his since years...actually since the MRT opened up. So I really wonder whats holding them back to link up MRT and BTS. They both use smart card systems so it would just be a thing of changing the computer system, no additional or new machines required. Whereas with ferries and buses, who will pay for tall the new ticketing machines required? Here is the article:
The Bangkok Mass Transit System, the operator of the BTS Skytrain, expresses its support for a common ticket system for the skytrain, subway, ferries and public buses.
The Bangkok Mass Transit System, or BTS, Director Anat Arbhabhirama expressed his support for a common-ticket system between all forms of public transport system in Bangkok.
The common-ticket system has long been one of the development plans or campaign promises made by political parties hoping to win votes of city residents.
Anat said the BTS is more than ready to join the common-ticket system. Such a system would allow commuters to use one card to pay for all types of public transportation in the city, inclusive of the skytrain, subway, ferries and even public buses.
The Bangkok Mass Transit System, the operator of the BTS Skytrain, expresses its support for a common ticket system for the skytrain, subway, ferries and public buses.
The Bangkok Mass Transit System, or BTS, Director Anat Arbhabhirama expressed his support for a common-ticket system between all forms of public transport system in Bangkok.
The common-ticket system has long been one of the development plans or campaign promises made by political parties hoping to win votes of city residents.
Anat said the BTS is more than ready to join the common-ticket system. Such a system would allow commuters to use one card to pay for all types of public transportation in the city, inclusive of the skytrain, subway, ferries and even public buses.
More WikiLeaks cables on Thailand
Bangkok Pundit lists a few Thai cables that have recently been released on Wiki Leaks:
More WikiLeaks cables on Thailand | Asian Correspondent
More WikiLeaks cables on Thailand | Asian Correspondent
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