Chiang Mai air pollution sickened the entire Shinawatra crew
This is the Bulldog Edition of Fishwrap for Sunday 24 March, first day of Week 210 to flatten the curve.
14 Ramadan Holland (and Springfield) Massachusetts USA Fajr 0505 Sunrise 0648 Maghrib/Iftar 1904
THAILAND WEATHER
Hot And Humid -- and the annual April Showers are early.
The forecast by the Thailand Meteorological Department is Celsius degrees in Bangkok.
Thaksin's family ill after Chiang Mai outings
Several members of the Shinawatra family have fallen sick with respiratory illness after a three-day trip to Chiang Mai last week, Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, revealed. (She is on the right, masked, in above photo)
Everyone in the family seemed to have caught a cold while her son and daughter tested positive for Covid-19.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2763328/
THAILAND ALIEN INVASION
The current 'scientific battle' in Thailand over alien invasion is this tasty little fella
the black-chin tilapia.
It's not at all clear how the fish arrived from its native west Africa but it's so delicious there even are fish farms for them in the provinces southeast of Bangkok.
They're aggressive, and they're harmful to mangroves, that's one problem.
ASEAN Now: https://t.ly/7TyNP
The Nation newspaper: https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40036578
THAILAND GLOBAL POLLUTION
Click-bait headline du jour https://t.ly/ilvgF
”Only seven countries in the world breathe safe air. Three of them are in Europe.”
Also, scientists say that air pollution is a 'global health catastrophe'.
The worst-polluted areas right now in Thailand are seven provinces in the Northeast (Isan) and Bangkok.
https://www.posttoday.com/general-news/707056
THAILAND BANKING INDEPENDENCE
TDRI warns Thai government against meddling with the central bank.
The head of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) stood right up to Prime Minister Srettha warned Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday about it, citing Turkey as the worst current example.
TDRI president Somkiat Tangkitvanich cited the terrible results of a clash between the government and the Bank of Turkey.
In Britain, he said, former UK prime minister Liz Truss had to step down in less than two months after implementing several economic policies defying the advice of the Bank of England.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40036641
THAILAND SOUTH TERRORISM
The Thai and Malaysian governments continue to broadcast and peace in Thailand's Deep South is near.
However, overnight Thursday and on Friday morning, the key separatist-and-terrorist group launched at least 50 coordinated attacks by fire and left one person dead and dozens injured.
The heaviest attack in years hit across Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and part of Songkhla provinces. It's almost certain the attacks were the work of the National Revolutionary Front (Barisan Revolusi Nasional, or BRN).
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2763054/
TERRORISM RUSSIA MOSCOW
The Islamic State terrorist group aka ISIS, ISIL claims 'credit' for an attack inside a Moscow concert hall that killed more than 60.
The attackers stormed the hall, and set it ablaze, collapsing the roof. It appears and dozens of missing persons are trapped inside -- and likely dead.
The attack took place as crowds gathered for a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic.
The United States now claims that it warned Russia last month to expect a large terrorist attack against a large gatheering.
The U.S. National Security Council spokeswomanlady Adrienne Watson said the U.S. government "shared this information" with the Russians.
Russia's Investigative Committee said Saturday that more than 60 people had been killed, raising an earlier toll of 40.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-had-warned-russia-of-planned-terror-attack-a-month-ago-white-house-5294137
USA DIPLOMACY HAMAS
The United States drafted a new resolution at the United Nations Security Council that demands that Israel declare a ceasefire-without-end in its war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
The resolution is almost an exact copy of a demand made last week by U.S. senate leader Senator Cvck Schemer for a truce-without-end in the Gaza war.
The U.S. demand condemned Hamas, but made no demand that Hamas release its abducted civilian hostages, including eight Thai citizens.
so of course both Russia and China vetoed the U.S. call.
THAILAND OPINION MIDEAST HAMAS
The long-retired foreign minister of Thailand has thoughts on the above.
The middle path for US foreign policy
By Kasit Piromya
... Many Americans believe that the United States has a moral obligation to help the world and ensure that all can live in peace and prosperity.
The current President Joe Biden offers a return to the idea of "Manifest Destiny", the idea of the "white man's burden", and the forward defence concept.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2762974/
The best one-line movie review, ever.
Dr. Jekyll inhales white powder and becomes an obnoxious Southern Californian.
