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From Thai Enquirer What does it mean for us to excavate, understand, and retell the past? At what point do narratives become fiction, and how do we retell history? What does it mean for us to take on that role of a storyteller? Emma Larkin (pseudonym), award-winning author of several non-fiction books on Burma, tackles these issues in the process of making her fictional debut, “Comrade Aeon’s Field Guide to Bangkok.” Divulging on her writing, her career, and what it means to articulate a city as vast and immeasurable – and with as complicated a past – as Bangkok, Larkin explores different modes of memory and how we write history. Writing non-fiction has been Larkin’s strong suit: her memoir, “Finding George Orwell in Burma,” has won numerous awards. “Comrade Aeon” is a decisive step not only from Myanmar to Thailand, but also from non-fiction into fiction. Despite such a change, however, Larkin confidently strides into the new chapter of her career. “It’s liberating,” she says, “shifting from non-fiction to fiction.” In the process of writing non-fiction, there’s great responsibility in telling that story given the deeply sensitive political context of places like Myanmar: “someone’s given you their safety,” says Larkin. “Their safety is in your hands once they tell you their story. It can be quite constraining to the creative process.” Fiction, however, allows for exploring all sorts of topics with the aide of allegory and allusion, letting subtext fill in the gaps where something more explicit is too dangerous. “If you were writing a non-fiction book about Thailand, it would be very hard to tell a complete story,” she explains. “It’s always struck me that in places … where you have controlled access to certain aspects of the news, fiction plays an important role in all of our lives,” Larkin continues, “there’s rumours, there’s belief systems built around the lack of access to the truth, there’s all sorts of fictions that interplay in our day-to-day life and the way we perceive governments, each other, and history.” “Comrade Aeon” becomes a vehicle not just to tie together the different realities of Bangkok, but also to explore “the cycles of history” that Thailand is prone to. Though she chose to write about Black May, what Larkin is really interested in is how Thailand is haunted by “a recurring cycle of unfinished, incomplete stories.” “It’s quite spooky how there are so many unresolved issues in Thai history,” she elaborates. “Things happen that never get resolved and they just trail along across decades like ghosts.” Will we ever address our past? Can we? The answer remains perpetually unclear in the seemingly endless regimes of military dictatorships and media censorship that the country is constantly under. But if there ever were a time that we lay our roots bare, Larkin envisions it to be very similar to what unfolded in Myanmar in 2012, after elections are held for the first time since 1990. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29926/fiction-memory-and-reclamation-an-interview-with-emma-larkin/

From Bangkok Post Syn Mun Kong Insurance on Friday announced it was cancelling its Covid-19 insurance policies with customers, saying the rapidly deteriorating situation made the risk unmanageable. In a message on its Facebook page, the SET-listed insurance firm said Covid 2-1 insurance policies for all clients would be terminated 30 days after they receive a letter from the company officially notifying them of the change. The company would return any insurance premium insurers paid in the 15 days after the policy being cancelled, but would not give them back the money they had paid before the decision to terminate the product, the announcement said. The Syn Mun Kong announcement said the decision to cancel the insurance was due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in Thailand. The number of new infections continued to surge and put pressure on the public health system. The crisis made it impossible for the company to forecast an end to the problem and the pandemic affected its risk management, the company said. Customers rapidly aired their anger at the decision, both on the company's Facebook page and other social media platforms, with the Syn Mun Kong hashtag in Thailand topping Twitter. Many customers said they felt cheated by the company and had lost trust in the firm. "How could you do that? Don't expect people to buy other insurance from you from now," one said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2149979/syn-mun-kong-cancels-covid-insurance-cites-health-crisis ==================================== From Thai Enquirer Tighter Covid restrictions coming “very soon” Stricter Covid restriction measures are coming, the government said on Friday, as the latest steps have not stopped the latest surge of infections. “The results from five days of the current measures were discussed at the meeting, and led to the concern that there might be a need for stricter measures,” said Dr Apisamai Srirangson, the assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). “There might be a need to close down more businesses and as many as we can,” she added. She did not give a timescale for the new measures but said it would be “very soon”. The state-of-emergency decree to prevent the spread of Covid, which has been in effect since March 26 of last year, has also been extended for the 13th time and it will be in effect until the end of September. Nationwide, there were 9,692 confirmed cases and 67 Covid related deaths in the past 24 hours. https://www.thaienquirer.com/30016/tighter-covid-restrictions-coming-very-soon/ ============================== From The Thaiger Covid-19 visa end date extended to September 27 Contrary to the historically last-minute announcements regarding visas for foreigners in Thailand during the pandemic, the Covid-19 visa has been extended nearly 2 weeks before its current July 29 expiration date. The new extension on the Covid-19 visa allowing foreigners to stay longer-term in the country will allow people to continue on this special visa type until September 27. The Covid -19 visa was originally created to deal with the problem of foreigners who came to Thailand before the pandemic and then found themselves unable to travel home due to closed borders, flight cancellations, travel restrictions, or outbreaks in their home country. Many were stuck waiting for flight options to become available or restrictions at home to be lifted, so am amnesty was developed allowing foreigners to stay longer than the normal 30 or 60 day standards allowed by Thai immigration. Officials reminded that visa extensions can be requested up to 45 days before the current stamp’s expiration date, so there is no need to wait until the last minute and end up in long queues and crowds. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/covid-19-visa-end-date-extended-to-september-27

From Books on Asia Podcast On this episode of the Books on Asia Podcast, sponsored by Stone Bridge Press, we have returning to the show Alex Kerr, author of such notable books as Lost Japan, Dogs and Demons, Finding the Heart Sutra and Another Kyoto. Today Alex is going to talk with podcast host Amy Chavez about his latest book "Another Bangkok" released July 1, 2021. He introduces Thailand’s capital city via its architecture, arts and culture, and shows us how they are similar to Japan.

From the Bangkok Post The timeworn sandstone lintel from Prasat Khao Lon is elaborately carved into leaf motifs surrounding a Kala face. A trip to the Bangkok National Museum is a great way to get some recreational activity in and learn about the country's prized lintel artefacts and ancient kingdoms. The exhibition "The Return Of The Lintels From Prasat Nong Hong And Prasat Khao Lon To Thailand" will chronicle their lengthy journey and allow future generations to appreciate the opulence of Thai cultural heritage. These two lintels were crafted to be significant architectural features for highly revered sanctuary compounds -- reminiscent of Khmer-style influence -- in Buri Ram and Sa Kaeo, according to a report on excavations of ancient monuments conducted by the Fine Arts Department in 1959 and 1960. The carved stone lintel from Prasat Nong Hong portrays god Yama (Shiva) riding a buffalo (Nandi bull) above the Kala face. "The notion of collecting antiques began in Europe and came to Thailand during the reign of King Chulalongkorn. At that time, the first museum was established but artefacts were still being exported as part of commerce, while foreigners who worked with various Thai authorities were frequently given art objects like ceramic ware as gifts. Furthermore, it's possible that some artefacts were taken out of the country during the Indochina War and Cambodia's civil war," said Prateep Phengtako, director-general of the Fine Arts Department. Sitting near Nang Rong Canal in Buri Ram, Prasat Nong Hong was first listed as a national ancient monument in the Royal Gazette, Volume 52, published on March 8, 1935, and the sanctuary's boundaries were registered in the Royal Gazette, Volume 99, part 155, on Oct 21, 1982. Dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, the site is home to three Khmer-style brick prangs on a laterite square base, whose south tower was once embellished with a carved stone lintel the depicting god Yama (god Shiva) riding a buffalo (the Nandi bull) above the Kala face. In Sa Kaeo, Prasat Khao Lon stands on its namesake hilltop atop Khao Lon and was designated as a national ancient monument in the Royal Gazette, Volume 52, published on March 8, 1935. The timeworn sandstone lintel is beautifully carved into leaf motifs surrounding a Kala face, according to a survey conducted by the Fine Arts Department's 5th Regional Office of Fine Arts in 1960. These two ancient lintels were stolen and reappeared in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, California. "Our mission focuses on ancient architectural elements in historical sites which no one can claim ownership over. It's different from other antiques like votive tablets and tableware that anyone can possess and pass down from generation to generation because they were exported goods during the Ayutthaya period," Prateep said. Ownership of antiques was legal prior to King Prajadhipok enacting the Act on Export of Antiques and Objects of Art in 1926 to regulate the export of artefacts. Following the Siamese Revolution of 1932, several laws were issued and amended, including the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums in 1934, which stated that the export of antiques and art objects out of the Kingdom required the permission of the director of the Fine Arts Department (FAD). This provision is still in effect today under the Act on Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums of 1961, as amended in 1992. After the three-month exhibition in Bangkok, the pair of historic lintels will be temporarily relocated to the national museums in Surin and Prachin Buri until the FAD and local authorities can find a safe place to store them. The Prapatphiphitthaphan building offers visitors a new visual experience. Continues with photos https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/2149083/a-stroll-down-history-lane The Bangkok National Museum is open from 9am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Admission is 30 baht for Thais and 200 baht for foreigners. For more information, call 02-224-1333.

From Bangkok Post AstraZeneca has asked Thailand to extend the timeline for the delivery of 61 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine by five months, a deputy minister said on Thursday, a move likely to disrupt further the country's sluggish vaccine rollout. Deputy Health Minister Sathit Pitutacha said AstraZeneca currently had the capacity to produce 15 million doses of vaccine per month at its production facility in Nonthaburi and that capacity could expand in the future. The company has promised to deliver 40% of what is produced there inside the country, the deputy health minister said, adding that the government will ask the company for more doses. "We must negotiate with them because in this situation we need more vaccine," Mr Sathit said. "We want 10 million doses because the original plan was 10 million doses," he said referring to the previous monthly delivery target. A day earlier, the government said it was considering imposing limits on exports of locally manufactured AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to fight its own outbreak. The country is suffering its worst outbreak yet and reported a record 98 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, taking total fatalities to 3,032 since the pandemic began last year. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration also reported 9,186 new coronavirus cases, bringing total infections to 372,215. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2149195/astrazeneca-seeks-to-extend-delivery-timeline-for-61m-vaccine-doses ================================= From PBS World / Thaiger Thailand to purchase another 120 million vaccine doses for next year Thailand’s National Vaccine Committee has approved the purchase of an additional 120 million vaccine doses for 2022. However, it has yet to approve a draft announcement on the export of AstraZeneca doses manufactured in Thailand, due to concerns over insufficient doses for Thai citizens. Thai PBS World reports that Nakorn Premsri from the National Vaccine Institute says the extra 120 million doses are earmarked for those who have yet to receive a dose, as well as those in need of booster shots. The plan is also to keep some doses in reserve, in the event of a further outbreak. He adds that the NVI will also work with the Department of Disease Control to purchase up to 100 million vaccine doses, as new daily infections approach the 10,000 figure. It’s understood the NVC wants officials from the DCD and NVI to meet with AstraZeneca and its local supplier to make changes to the number of doses planned for export, as well as those reserved for local use. Thai PBS World reports that such a move will mean amending the agreement between the government and Siam Bioscience, the local manufacturer. Siam Bioscience is expected to produce 180 million doses of AstraZeneca this year, with Thailand currently set to receive a third of those. Meanwhile, government spokesman Anucha Burapachai says the plan is still to combine vaccines from different manufacturers, in an effort to combat the highly contagious Delta variant. However, there has been no confirmation of when the policy might come into play. The proposal has prompted concerns among the Thai public, following a warning from the World Health Organisation regarding what it describes as the “dangerous trend” of combining vaccines when there is insufficient safety and efficacy data. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thailand-to-purchase-another-120-million-vaccine-doses-for-next-year

From Pattaya Mail At least 400 Pattaya-based foreigners have already taken advantage of the Astra Zeneca free inoculation scheme on offer at Bangkok’s Ban Sue Central Station, currently a government-run vaccination center. The scheme invites people of any nationality aged 75 and over to walk-in, without prior registration, any day in office hours until the afternoon of Sunday July 18. Customers can live anywhere in Thailand and need take only their current passport and proof of address, such as their driving licence or house registration paperwork, without any copies being necessary. There is a strict check on age: the walk-in service is not now available to younger expats under 75 (although it was briefly last week). There is a blood pressure test which has a generously high-limit of around 170/100 to allow for nerves or the “white-coat syndrome.” Following a registration process, the first-dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine is then administered by nursing staff who require the patient to sit in a reserved area for 30 minutes’ rest before being allowed to exit the building. There is nothing to pay. The organization is very good and the whole experience on site is normally two hours or less. Wheelchairs are available and there are friendly Thai staff on hand to assist, if and when necessary. Carers are usually admitted but will not be vaccinated unless qualified by age. Continues with photos https://www.pattayamail.com/news/hundreds-of-elderly-pattaya-expats-take-advantage-of-free-walk-in-covid-vaccination-363380

From BBC Travel For years, the Moravia neighbourhood of Medellín was the city's rubbish dump. But in recent years, this former landfill has blossomed into a thriving arts and cultural centre. Stroll through Medellín's working-class Moravia neighbourhood on any given morning and you'll see a hawker belting out "aguacates!" through a small loudspeaker while dragging a wooden wagon of gigantic avocados behind him. Scents of deep-fried cheese-and-dough fritters swirl from heated buñuelo displays. Glancing up amid the winding sea of humble brick-and-cement abodes, a grandma hangs her clothes out to dry on a thin wire on her balcony. Amid it all, motorcycles, delivery trucks and stray dogs do a delicate dance while navigating the narrow roads. This multisensory experience may not seem entirely out of place elsewhere in Colombia, but it was unfathomable here just years ago. That's because, not only was Medellín dogged by its reputation as the world's unofficial "murder capital" for years, but Moravia once had a particularly undesirable reputation within the city: it was its rubbish dump. Medellín is just three decades removed from its designation as "The Most Dangerous City" in the world by Timemagazine. In 1991, the homicide rate peaked at a world-high of 380 per 100,000 people as the country's drug war oozed into the streets and facets of everyday life. Today, those years appear to be long gone. The homicide rate is roughly one-fifteenth of what it once was, there's a genuine sense of revitalisation in the air and public projects are breathing new life into the city. The Morro de Moravia (Moravia Hill) enlivens the urban landscape of Medellin (Credit: Alcadía de Medellín) A squeaky-clean Metro system now whizzes above ground, cable cars string into hillside barrios, and public escalators wind through the once-unnavigable Comuna 13 neighbourhood. Each of these is not only a picturesque way for visitors to take in the city's skyline and sky-high Andes Mountains vistas, but they also connect those in some of Medellín's poorest and hardest-to-navigate neighbourhoods with the centre city and job opportunities. Medellín's central 'mountain' When viewed from above, beige-and-brick structures dot Medellín's landscape. The northern half of the city is enclosed by mountains, but there is one noticeable green heap in the centre of town just north of the Parque Norte amusement park: the Morro de Moravia (Moravia Hill), which is blanketed in grass, walking paths and gardens and is punctuated with a large greenhouse on top. Yet, walking up the mountain, you're greeted with large signs and historical photos showing what life was once like on this now-serene hill: black-and-white images reveal a vast landscape of dirt, hand-made shanties built from rubbish and locals picking through the city's dumped debris. When the Ferrocarril de Antioquia regional railroad connected Moravia with the surrounding countryside in the 1960s, it brought displaced families forced to relocate to the safer confines of the city. Their once-quiet lives outside Medellín had been made dangerous by right- and left-wing militarists engaging in a partisan war over land and goods. Settling in Moravia – which formed in the early 1900s as a linear settlement bordering the railroad and slowly expanded out from it – was a safer bet. In the 1970s, the city authorised the area to be used as a municipal landfill, which led this slowly new barrio to explode into a mountain of garbage. As a result, a number of the previously displaced families were relocated to the western hills of Medellín. Other families resisted further relocation as the trash began piling up all around them. Of the families that resisted and remained, many operated recycling operations out of their homes to make a living. Continues with photos https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210713-moravia-colombias-unexpected-green-oasis

From Thai Enquirer / WSJ The latest wave of the coronavirus outbreak caused by the Delta variant may be too contagious for existing social distancing measures, experts say. The latest data reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) this week adds to these findings, with researchers telling the paper that the Delta variant may be so transmissible that they are “worried the virus could leak out easier and require harsher lockdowns.” As of June 22, 2021, more than 4,500 sequences of the variant have been detected in at least 78 countries, including Thailand. Hotel quarantines, according to the WSJ article, may no longer suffice. Australia’s lockdowns Researchers cite a case in Australia where two people who quarantined in adjacent hotel rooms and opened doors within seconds of one another to fetch their meals was infected with the Delta variant. This led to another outbreak and lockdown Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest metropolis. Health authorities believe that those brief seconds of exchange from one hotel room to another could have been enough for the virus to spread via airborne transmission. On June 28, Australia locked down two more of its major cities – Sydney and Darwin – due to the Delta variant. Japan’s Olympic ban Japan, which is set to host this summer’s Olympics, is also going through another emergency due to the highly infectious Delta variant outbreak. Last Thursday, the organizers revised previous plans and said that the Olympics will now take place “without spectators” in Tokyo, as the country has once again declared a state of emergency in the capital. Citizens are also being told to not gather for events in public spaces such as the triathlon, although some venues outside the capital may allow some spectators. Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga explained that it was especially vital that Tokyo, where the Delta variant is now spreading rapidly, does not become the new epicentre of another outbreak. There are also concerns that with the rate of infections soaring in the capital right now, the virus could also spread to the rest of the country, the Prime Minister added. “We absolutely must avoid Tokyo being the starting point again of another spread of the infection,” Suga said. Israel’s new strategy Israel, for the majority of the past two years, was incredibly successful in containing the virus and rolling out the vaccine. The country has been at the heart of what analysts say is “one of the world’s fastest vaccination programmes.” But 10 days after it had ditched its mask-wearing policy and celebrated its no social distancing, Israeli authorities reversed course on June 24 on mask wearing due to the spread of the Delta variant. The recent surge of the Delta variant has had authorities concerned that even its vaccination drive, which was able to control the virus for the most part of the past year, may no longer work. With around 60 per cent of Israel’s population having received at least one jab of the Pfizer vaccine, the government has decided earlier this week that they will begin offering a third booster shot for those with compromised immune systems. With new daily Covid-19 infections running at about 450 cases a day in Israel, the Delta variant now makes up about 90 per cent of the cases. South Korea’s new wave South Korea, another Covid-19 success story, had managed to curb its hard-hit coronavirus outbreak since last year. However, authorities now believe that their encouragement for the country to “open” back up and for its inoculated citizens to go mask-free outdoors may have been premature — due to the latest surge in cases surrounding the Delta variant. On July 9, health authorities in Seoul announced that they will be ramping up lockdown restrictions throughout the city, urging everyone, vaccinated and not, to wear masks outdoors and limiting the size of gatherings. As of July 12, the country has imposed strict social distancing measures in Seoul and its surrounding regions. Schools will go remote, nightlife and entertainment venues will be closed, and evening social gatherings will be limited to only two people. Rallies are banned and only family members can attend weddings and funerals. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29793/delta-at-the-heart-of-new-infections-worldwide-may-require-new-lockdown-protocol/

From Thai Enquirer Twitter bans account of prominent Thai hospital administrator Twitter banned the account of a prominent Thai hospital administrator on Wednesday, although no reason was given for the ban. Dr Suwadee Puntpanich, a director at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital, was a prominent Twitter presence in Thailand with her account noted its criticism of the government’s Covid response and praised for finding hospital beds for hundreds of Covid-19 patients. Suwadee’s regularly tweeted updates about government vaccine policy and had criticized the government for now allowing private hospitals to bring in their own vaccine. Suwadee has also spent the last two weeks helping out Covid-19 positive patients on Twitter find a bed due to lack of hospital space in government facilities. Her activism has resulted in Troll campaigns mounted by unknown actors and has been the subject of criticism from government officials. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29849/twitter-bans-account-of-prominent-thai-hospital-administrator/

From Channel News Asia / Reuters TOKYO: Japan will make additional donations of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Taiwan and other Asian neighbours this week, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday (Jul 13). Japan will ship out 1 million doses each to Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam on Thursday as part of bilateral deals with those governments, Motegi told reporters. An additional 11 million doses donated through the COVAX sharing scheme will be sent this month to Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iran, Laos, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as well as various Pacific Island states, he said. This is the third batch of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines Japan has donated to Taiwan, taking the country's total donations to Taiwan so far to almost 3.4 million doses. "The friendship between Taiwan and Japan is unwavering. The Foreign Ministry once again thanks our partners in freedom and democracy for their warm assistance and strong support," it added. In a statement, Vietnam said it would receive a million doses from Japan on Friday in the southern business hub of Ho Chi Minh City, where it is fighting its largest outbreak yet after months of successful containment. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/japan-donate-1-million-more-covid-19-vaccines-astrazeneca-taiwan-15210604

From The Thaiger The Thai Immigration Bureau is warning foreign residents and the general public to be careful of people who are impersonating as immigration police officers and asking for bribes or other payments. Apparently, the people posing as immigration officers are approaching individual foreigners and are inspecting establishments like factories, which tend to employ migrant workers. If approached by someone claiming to be an immigration police officer, the bureau says to ask to see a police identity card. Immigration Bureau would like to inform you that if you see those with such behaviours or suspect someone is impersonating an immigration officer, please ask for a police identity card containing personal information such as a police rank, name, surname, organisation name for primary examination. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/public-warned-about-immigration-police-impersonators-asking-for-bribes

From Thai Enquirer The government will pass an emergency decree this week aimed at battling disinformation but critics say the act is open to abuse and could be used to silence dissidents. According to the government, this emergency decree, emergency order number 27, is meant to suppress harmful information that could cause the public to panic during the coronavirus pandemic. The government has said that misinformation about its policies have caused undue panic and unwarranted criticism, something it wants to cut down on. However, critics warns that the way the act is written means that the government could use it to silence critics and dissidents. “The new order is very vague,” said Yingcheep Atchanont, a leading activist at the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw). “The government does not define what kind of information could be deemed as information that is “creating fear amongst the public.” He said that a similar order which came out last year clearly identified fake news as news that would cause undue panic among the public. However, this new order changes the wording from “causing the public to panic” to “creating fear amongst the public” and they have left out the part which said that such information must not be real. The new order also bans information that would “detablise the state” which is broader than the previous order. “With the changes in the wording, the new order is even broader than the last one,” Yingcheep said. He said in a normal situation, a bill must pass the parliament’s scrutiny before it becomes law. However, the emergency decree allows the Prime Minister to come up with executive orders that bypasses the legislature. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29749/government-to-pass-new-information-decree-this-week-critics-calls-decree-problematic/

From Bangkok Post Sinovac-produced antibodies 'halve every 40 days' Antibody levels in people fully vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine decline by half every 40 days, according to findings from a joint study between Thammasat University's faculty of medicine and the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotec). The findings were revealed by Anan Jongkaewwattana, director of Veterinary Health Innovation and Management Research Group of Biotec. Mr Anan wrote on Facebook that their study of 500 people, who received two doses of Sinovac, indicated that the level of antibodies drops by 50% every 40 days. The level of antibodies in people who received a second jab more than 60 days after the first was on average lower than that of those who got the second dose in less than 60 days, he said. Mr Anan said the vaccine potency within 60 days of the second shot is between 60%-70% against the original strain. The potency against the original strain declines to about 50% in those receiving the second shot for over 60 days. However, no data is available about the potency of two doses of Sinovac against variants, especially the highly contagious Alpha and Delta strains. The overall level of immunisation is likely to drop in older people, he said, adding those aged over 40 showed lower antibody levels than those younger. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2147667/sinovac-produced-antibodies-halve-every-40-days ===================================== Govt lambasted for wasting early success The government has mismanaged the Covid-19 pandemic and supply of vaccines, which has plunged the country into a crisis and stifled opportunities to recover, according to new research by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). The institute has also called for the setting up of an independent committee to study the mishandling of the pandemic with the aim of drawing up a blueprint to prevent similar mistakes occurring in the future as it evalues the government's performance after two years in office. Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the government will hold a press conference to respond to the TDRI's assessment on Tuesday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2147583/govt-lambasted-for-wasting-early-success

"I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel." That's the quote that registered with me right away and stayed with me. On my best days, I think that the situation will gradually stabilize and we'll soon return to life as it was before the virus. On my worst days, I feel that I'm witnessing the end of the world in slow motion. Even in the countries where much progress has been made, there are signs that that progress may only be a temporary phase. The video may be about the Klang Valley in Malaysia but it truth I think it's still possible that it could happen anywhere. There are simply too many unknowns. We need to see the world without nationalities, without borders, without prejudice. We all live in Klang Valley.

From BBC Culture Lil Nas X and pop's gay sexual revolution Lil Nas X has put his sexuality front and centre of his image, as part of a mission to help normalise queerness (Credit: Getty Images) The rise of Lil Nas X is representative of an era where gay sex is taking up more space in music than ever. Other younger pop stars who have put their sexuality front and centre in their work recently include Olly Alexander, the former frontman and now sole member of British band Years & Years. He also subverted the homophobic association between homosexuality and sin in the lyrics and video of his 2018 single Sanctify, a song about sex with a man who is still in the closet. Australian pop star Troye Sivan's 2018 album Bloom featured numerous references to sex with men. When it comes to female artists, meanwhile, Hayley Kiyoko has been described by fans as a "lesbian Jesus" for her sexy pop bops, while pansexual singer and actor Janelle Monáe's hyper-sexual, vagina-themed video for 2018 PYNK catapulted her to queer icon status. More recently, bisexual rapper Cardi B's record-breaking, joyfully lascivious WAP, contained the most-googled lyrics of 2020. Of course, the LGBTQ+ stars of today are part of a long lineage of gay pop icons, stretching back to the likes of Elton John, George Michael and Freddie Mercury. When these musicians first hit it big, it was a very different era: in the 1970s, disco had allowed queerness in pop to flourish for a brief moment with US acts such as Sylvester and The Village People, while in the UK punk group Tom Robinson Band released the seminal gay protest anthem Glad to be Gay in 1978. But as the Aids pandemic worsened in the 1980s, gay men became tabloid targets, and while speculation over stars' sexuality was rife, they remained in the closet, prevented from expressing their sexuality in their work in any overt ways. As critic Alfred Soto wrote in a 2016 tribute to Michael following his death, fans back then were "fine with queerness so long as the artists didn't ask or tell". David Bowie – who traded on an androgynous aesthetic and a hedonistic public persona – had found this out the hard way. He regarded coming out gay in 1972, then bisexual in 1976 (before re-assigning himself as a "closet heterosexual" later on) as one of the biggest mistakes of his career. Bowie said in a 2002 interview that bisexuality made things "a lot tougher" in the "puritanical" US and "stood in the way of so much [he] wanted to do". In a 2007 interview, Boy George also attributed the downturn of his career in the US with coming out as bisexual on television in the 1983, before coming out as gay years later. There were exceptions, who capitalised on controversy relating to their discussion of gay sex. Frankie Goes To Hollywood's iconic 1983 hit Relax, a song about anal sex with a video set in a leather club, was famously banned from TV and radio by the BBC, but it still became one of the best-selling singles ever in the UK. Meanwhile, British synth-pop trio Bronski Beat's successful 1984 debut album highlighted the unequal age of consent for gay men in the UK at the time. The group headlined the famous Pits and Perverts concert in London's Electric Ballroom to raise funds for campaign group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, an event which was portrayed in the 2014 film Pride. However while these acts were able to make a momentary splash as gay provocateurs, expectations were different for big-name artists hoping to carve-out long-term careers in the mainstream, whose public image was more tightly monitored by record label bosses. Continues at https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210708-pops-gay-sexual-revolution

From Bangkok Post Protesters shift aim to coalition parties A person flashes a three-fingered salute on the skywalk at Ratchadamri intersection in Bangkok in support of the "car mob" urging coalition parties to pull out of the coalition on Saturday. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul) A "car mob" has shifted its target to pressure coalition parties after several anti-government groups before it failed to urge the prime minister to resign. The anti-Prayut demonstrators, led by activist Sombat Boonngam-anong, on Saturday staged another car mob, called “Sombat Tour”, in Bangkok after one was held last Saturday. The caravan visited the headquarters of Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties in the afternoon. They urged the pair to pull out of the Prayut Chan-o-cha coalition government, reasoning their departures would undermine the government’s vote base in the House and trigger a chain reaction. They hope it would lead to the resignation of Gen Prayut, the dissolution of the House or at least a no-confidence debate that would pave the way for the nomination of a new prime minister. The protesters also visited Palang Pracharath (PPRP), the main party set up to support Gen Prayut, but did not leave a letter there like they had done at the offices of the Democrats and Bhumjaithai. Instead, they poured flour, a well-known symbol of shady activities involving Thamanat Prompow, the new secretary-general of the party. “We don’t have a letter for them and what we did here symbolises the party’s controversial image both at home and abroad,” they announced. Flour has over the past few years become the symbol of Deputy Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow, who had been convicted of drug-related charges in Australia in the 1990s. He had told Parliament during a censure debate on him last year that the substance that led to his imprisonment was not heroin. “It’s flour,” he had said. The demonstrators later went to the Ratchaprasong intersection where Mr Sombat gave a short speech. “Gen Prayut claimed the country had been in crisis so he had no choice but to stage a coup. He then promised he would not stay long. But seven years have passed and we wonder whether he has a clock in his house. Now it’s clear the one who instigated an unprecedented crisis is Gen Prayut himself,” he said. The prime minister had said on Friday that he would donate his salary for three months following criticism about his handling of the deteriorating Covid-19 situation where he has single command. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2146627/protesters-shifts-aim-to-coalition-parties

From The Thaiger Vaccines for foreigners: 105k AstraZeneca, 150k Pfizer While the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced increased testing, more field hospitals, quarantining at home for mild infections, community quarantines, and even the application of traditional Thai remedies to supplement modern medicine, vaccination is still the most effective solution to winning the battle against Covid-19. Their deputy spokesperson laid out the plans for the 1.5 million Pfizer vaccines en route, and the 1.05 AstraZeneca doses already arrived in Thailand as a donation from Japan. It had been announced earlier that the vaccines would be focused on the greater Bangkok area residents, especially those over 60 years old or at risk due to one of 7 designated health conditions but now included others including foreigners. The CCSA added frontline workers to the list of those most in need, and also people like students, diplomats, and athletes that need the Pfizer vaccine to travel abroad. And they singled out foreigners living in Thailand, especially those with cancer or chronic diseases, as in dire need of vaccines. And so the government gave some exact figures on distribution this week. They say 945,000 AstraZeneca vaccines will go to Thai people while 105,000 are earmarked for foreigners. Aside from Bangkok and the surrounding 5 provinces, some will be made available in Chonburi, Phuket, Rayong, and Chachoengsao. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/vaccines-for-foreigners-105k-astrazeneca-150k-pfizer

From Thai Enquirer Telecom surveillance orders just a part of growing digital authoritarianism in Myanmar larming orders from Myanmar’s Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD) back in June warned that senior executives of major telecommunications firms in the country would not be allowed to leave the country without the permission of the military junta. In pursuit of the junta’s goals of creating a digital surveillance state, telecom companies were told that they had until July 5 to implement technology on their systems that would allow government authorities to spy on calls, messages, and web traffic, as well as to track the whereabouts of users. While these recent initiatives by the military junta come as the country faces growing instability due to widespread public protests, a growing armed opposition, and economic upheaval, the broader strategy of digital authoritarianism predates the February 1 coup d’état. The implications of this strategy are far-reaching. Before February 1, the Tatmadaw not-so-covertly obtained technology that allows them to conduct surveillance on their own citizens through purchases that were sold under the guise of modernizing the country’s law enforcement agencies. With the former National League for Democracy (NLD) government out of the way and largely detained, the military government now has access to surveillance drones, electronic devices that can crack iPhones, and sophisticated software that can hack into computer systems and extract their data. In other words, the same technology that was designed to help modernize Myanmar during its democratization period is now being used to crackdown on civilians as well as gain control over some domestic and foreign corporations based in the country. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29694/telecom-surveillance-orders-just-a-part-of-growing-digital-authoritarianism-in-myanmar/

From Bangkok Post Sinovac dumped as second-dose vaccine in favour of AstraZeneca In a major policy change, the Public Health Ministry has decided to use the AstraZeneca vaccine for the second jab for those who received Sinovac as the first dose. Public Health Minister Anutin Chanvirakul announced the change on Monday. AstraZeneca would be administered as the second shot three or four weeks after the Sinovac inoculation. A combination of the two vaccines would provide a better defence against the Delta variant of the virus, he said. Mr Anutin did not say what people who have had two doses of Sinovac should do when the change in policy comes into force, or how it would affect people awaiting their first or second dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine. The change was announced after a meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee as part of measures to cope with Delta, the highly contagious variant of the virus first detected in India and rapidly becoming the dominant strain in Thailand https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2147511/sinovac-dumped-as-second-dose-vaccine-in-favour-of-astrazeneca

From AFP / BP Members of Myanmar's Karenni People Defense Force take part in military training at their camp near Demoso in Kayah state. KAYAH STATE, Myanmar: In their camp hidden in the forested hills of Kayah state near the Thai border, Myanmar anti-junta volunteers practice firing their homemade weapons, do physical training, and play guitar in between skirmishes with the military. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in February and launched a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests. In some areas civilians have formed "defence forces" to combat the State Administration Council, as the junta dubs itself, often using hunting rifles or weapons manufactured at makeshift factories. "I've been away from my family more than three months," one member of the defence force at the camp told AFP on condition of anonymity. "I will return home after this revolution." During that time the group of roughly 60 has fought around twenty skirmishes with the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw, he said. Communication is patchy in the country's eastern states, and AFP was unable to verify the number of clashes. Since the coup, fighting between Myanmar's military and rebel groups in the east of the country has displaced an estimated 100,000 people, the UN said last month. Locals in Kayah state have accused the military of using artillery shells that have landed in villages. That has only hardened resolve to take up arms. "We will never forget and forgive till the end of the world" reads a tattoo across the neck of one volunteer. The wooden rifle of another has "Spring Revolution" carved into the butt and barrel in Burmese script. In a mixture of combat camouflage and T-shirts, the volunteers go on patrol, navigating single track paths through the jagged hills. They practice firing their motley assemblage of weapons at a makeshift firing range. During downtime, one plays guitar on a bench while another resting inside a tent checks his weapon. More than 890 people have been killed by the junta's security forces since February 1, according to a local monitoring group. As well as the rise of local self-defence forces, analysts believe hundreds of anti-coup protesters from Myanmar's towns and cities have trekked into insurgent-held areas to receive military training. The civilian fighters are often outnumbered and outgunned in clashes with Myanmar's military -- one of Southeast Asia's most battle-hardened and brutal. But the volunteers are determined to fight on. "If we all fight, we will win," one told AFP. "I believe we can win." https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2146959/walking-with-myanmars-anti-junta-fighters

Again, the emphasis on illegal actions by the dead. You do indeed have much respect for what's illegal in your native land and I find that admirable. I'm sure you have equal respect for what's considered illegal in the LOS and never violate it.

Regardless of how you've tried to present it, you're still intent on making the 39 deceased complicit in their own deaths. You want people to believe that they all had a death wish. Apparently you'll rest better if everyone shares your viewpoint.

Oh, I get it. Your new plan is to prove them guilty my pretending that they never died. That gives you carte blanche to rewrite history and show just what true criminals the 39 actually are. I have to admit it's a compelling argument. Use alternative facts and presto: 39 felons instead of 39 bodies. It's a very Trumpian view (Biden wasn't elected, I was!). Very clever indeed, Peter.

Hard to believe, but you are making it abundantly clear that your prime objective is to show that the dead are guilty. Prepare yourself for a shock: as much as you wish to, you cannot prosecute the deceased. And I thought you might actually know that.

To believe that the victims suspected that they could end up dead as they reached their destination is a ridiculous assumption. That they paid traffickers to take them on a fatal mission is preposterous. You think you know what was in their minds? Read the transcripts of the cell phone messages left for their loved ones. Somehow they just don't sounds like scheming criminals to me. No one is against prosecuting all those connected with the the incident. You can't, however, prosecute the victims any more than they already have been. To try to do so here after they are no longer with us is particularly cruel. This discussion started with the false claim that they tried to "smuggle themselves" into the the UK. They didn't choose their manner of passport or agree to be locked in a sealed refrigerator from which they would never escape alive. Attempts to demonstrate their complicity in their own deaths only succeed in defiling their memory. Their bodies are now beyond further injury.