Showing 51 - 60 of 135
Mall rush woes: But where are Thais to relax?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/05/2020
» The country's second reopening on Sunday saw big crowds gather at department stores citywide amid fears that social distancing measures might be compromised. Most of the malls were full and Ikea in Bang Na had to close early in the afternoon as the number of customers exceeded the daily quota.
Vulnerable and struggling
Life, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/05/2020
» Suthat Namgasa is relieved to discover he still has one packet of instant noodles in his relief bag. He will eat tonight, but he has no idea how he will find the money to pay the next instalment on his taxi.
'Pantries of sharing' mustn't let dark side win
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 13/05/2020
» The "pantries of sharing" project -- a small charity scheme involving those who have more leaving behind food and other necessities for anyone who may need an item or two -- has become the talk of the town. Yet, a dark side has emerged with some people being too greedy, emptying all the shelves in one fell swoop.
Stop the booze witch hunt, ban the cigs instead
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 06/05/2020
» When the government lifted the ban on alcohol sales this past Sunday, netizens shared a clip showing people scrambling hectically at a hypermarket to buy alcoholic drinks. Most people condemned the act. They seemed to link the buyers with the underprivileged people who have struggled to get 5,000 baht in relief money.
Hands-off way of supporting hard hit
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 29/04/2020
» After five weeks of lockdown with strict measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, Thailand has made a lot of headway with a steady decline in infections. At the same time, there has been a rise in the number of suicides and failed attempts made by people who have slipped through the state's security net.
Easing Covid rules has to be a balancing act
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 22/04/2020
» With the government's partial lockdown having taken a heavy toll on the economy, with large numbers of people experiencing hardship, there are growing calls for the government to ease measures imposed to combat the coronavirus.
'Terminal' fears as Thais left in limbo abroad
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 15/04/2020
» On my last day of self-quarantine, a nurse from a public health centre in my neighbourhood called me, checking if I had any symptoms or signs of Covid-19. She was nice, trying to collect all the necessary information to make sure I am free of the virus. Afterwards, the centre will issue me a certificate saying that I've completed the home-quarantine and can resume my normal life.
Absurd disease controls show govt is clueless
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 03/04/2020
» As I checked in for my trip home at Brussels airport last Sunday, I wondered if it would be a once-in-a-lifetime flight. A THAI employee had told me I might end up being the only passenger on the Bangkok-bound plane that afternoon.
Govt's response to crisis fails to meet the mark
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 20/03/2020
» After following news about how Thailand and countries in Europe have been tackling Covid-19 over the past few weeks, I notice a big difference.
Quick fixes will not stop spread of Covid-19
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 07/03/2020
» When an elderly couple who tested positive for Covid-19 were found not to have told the truth about their visit to a virus hotspot before they got ill -- vitally important information in the midst of an outbreak -- the whole country panicked.