Thailand
Thai senior and disabled citizens will receive 2,000 baht handouts

While the government’s economic stimulus packages continue to roll out, there is also a concern for the disabled and senior citizens who are excluded from the criteria to get benefits from the government’s major aids at this stage. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security plans to distribute 2,000 baht handouts to that demographic of the Thai population.
According to the MSDHS Permanent Secretary, the ministry has allocated the budget to help those underprivileged groups who are excluded from the main national relief measures. However, at the initial stage, the handouts will be distributed on a case-by-case basis with the help of reports from the community development volunteers about the actual situation of each affected household.
SOURCE: NNT
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Thai industry representatives push government on vaccine passport policy

Industry representatives are urging the Thai government to press ahead with the adoption of a vaccine passport scheme to re-ignite international tourism. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking is also pushing for Thailand to form travel bubble arrangements with countries where Covid-19 infection rates are low to moderate.
Kalin Sarasin from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and a JSCCIB member points to the Digital Green Pass being introduced by the EU, which allows vaccinated people to travel more freely. He believes Thailand should introduce something similar.
“JSCCIB is confident a vaccine passport would boost economic sentiment. Many countries have already started mass vaccination regimes for their people.”
(Video below about the current world and Thailand Covid travel situation)
He adds that private companies should be allowed to purchase and distribute vaccines to employees in order to accelerate the national vaccine rollout.
The push for a vaccine passport scheme follows confirmation from the Thai PM that he has ordered a study into the idea. However, Prayut Chan-o-cha points out that nobody knows how effective such a scheme would be. The idea does have its critics, particularly among rights’ groups and doctors, who say there is not yet enough data to show that vaccines prevent transmission.
A limited number of Covid-19 vaccines have arrived in Thailand and have been distributed to 13 priority provinces. Healthcare workers and vulnerable groups are among the first people to be inoculated.
Supant Mongkolsuthree, a JSCCIB member from the Federation of Thai Industries, says a vaccine passport policy is one more way to restore tourism and, as vaccines are rolled out in the Kingdom, the economy has a chance at recovery.
“JSCCIB believes the economy is recovering. The vaccine will gradually build up confidence among business people.”
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
Cannabis could generate 8 billion baht for Thai pharmaceutical industry by 2025, expert says

Cannabis could become a major cash crop in Thailand. An expert says the cannabis-based medicinal products could generate up to 8 billion baht for the Thai pharmaceutical industry by 2025. Medical cannabis has been legal in Thailand for the past couple years, but recently the government agreed to allow parts of the plant with very, low traces of the “high-inducing” component tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, to be in medicinal products and food.
Cannabis-based medicines have been used as palliative treatment for some cancer patients in Thailand. Last year, nearly 1 million patients used cannabis-based medicines, according to an economist at Kasetsart University’s Agricultural and Resource Economics Department, Ravissa Suchato.
Around 1.2 billion baht worth of medical cannabis was consumed last year, according to Ravissa, who led a recent study on the economic impact of commercial cannabis cultivation in Thailand. If the average consumption rises as expected, medical cannabis could generate 8 billion baht within the next 5 years.
“We believe marijuana has great potential as a cash crop because more patients will start using marijuana-based drugs soon.”
In the past, Thai officials have discussed the opportunity to tap into the global cannabis market by exporting medical cannabis, but Ravissa says Thailand still has a way to go.
“Globally, the recreational use of marijuana has risen a lot faster than pharmaceutical use, so the prospect of exporting marijuana-based medicines from Thailand is still a long way off.”
Parts of the cannabis plant that are rich in THC, like the buds, are still illegal and classified as a Category 5 narcotic. Trafficking the plant is still heavily criminalised. Just over the past few days, border patrol police in the Northeastern province Nakhon Pathom seized hundreds of kilograms of dried, compressed cannabis believed to have been trafficked across the Mekong River from Laos and destined for the South, possibly to Malaysia.
SOURCE: Thai PBS
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
The social media giants in battle with ‘old’ media and world governments | VIDEO

“The rules signal greater willingness by countries around the world to rein in big tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter that the governments fear have become too powerful with little accountability.”
India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social.
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The companies are also being made to publish a compliance report each month with details about how many complaints they’ve received and the action they took.
They’ll also be required to remove ‘some’ types of content including “full or partial nudity,” any “sexual act” or “impersonations including morphed images”
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told.
The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Protests4 days ago
Thai anti-government group to reach outskirts of Bangkok after 250 kilometre walk
- Opinion2 days ago
Americans tend to misuse the Buddha image, but a Florida nightclub takes it too far – OPINION
- Food Scene2 days ago
Bring on the heat… here’s our list of the spiciest Thai food
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
OPINION – Vaccinating against Covid-19, why wouldn’t you?
- Thailand2 days ago
Why Thai locals make homes for the spirits
- Chiang Mai4 days ago
Thailand to introduce “area quarantine” for international visitors from April
- Thailand3 days ago
Updates on international travel to Thailand
- Cambodia4 days ago
Cambodian dog slaughterhouse shut down, owner says he is “ashamed”
Toby Andrews
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 4:09 pm
Oh no. Walking Street go Go bars will be full of senior citizens.
Er. I suppose they are already.
Ferang senior citizens.
William
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 6:33 pm
Do you get paid for your comedy act?
Bon jovi
Friday, January 22, 2021 at 3:18 pm
@William Toby is a Soiboy…. he is not soo smart ?
Toby Andrews
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 3:47 pm
No Soi dog.
Fred glue
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 4:17 pm
I have read the story above 3- times. And I do not understand it. The way I read it is come forward and you shall receive, but if you have got (20) baht in your pocket. Get back too the end of the line. My schooling is not the best, past my bed time, good night..
Issan John
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 4:30 pm
A “case by case basis” decided by “community development volunteers” is a recipe for corruption and nepotism in any country.
Totally unnecessary and just creating corruption and obstruction.
The MSDHS already know who the “elderly and disabled” are because they’re already getting a monthly allowance from the MSDHS because they’re elderly or disabled.
Just give them the 2,000 baht each and get on with it – it could hardly be simpler.
Toby Andrews
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 6:02 pm
Making it simpler would deny officials of an option to skim the money.
Sebastian
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 5:10 pm
I am a “community development volunteers” and can assure you that the only vulnerable people getting that 2000 baht will be the ones giving me a brown envelope containing 500. Simples.
Steve
Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 7:33 pm
I can see an 80 year old getting on the back of a mororbike wizzing off to get her 2000 Baht!
Ian
Friday, January 22, 2021 at 2:41 am
Looks like issan johns getting 2000 baht oh damn he’s not Thai he’s a visitor on a yearly visa he disrespects england on a daily basis throw him to the lions
Issan John
Friday, January 22, 2021 at 5:32 pm
Respect is earnt, Ian.
Being born British may be the only thing you have to be proud of, but we’re not all in the same boat.
Toby Andrews
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 3:54 pm
If love all things Thai, and hate all things British, why do you not renounced your British citizenship, and become naturalised Thai?
You will not because you do not really trust the wonderful Thais, and would not relish being subjected to the nasty treatment the Thais experience form the authorities.
Ian
Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 6:03 pm
Once again Toby he won’t answer because the uk is still his get out from this dictatorship he just constantly knocks UK from his shack in issan so sad