By THE NATIONMen are bigger liars than women, 565 studies based on psychology and human behaviour show.
Researchers from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Human Behaviour and Technion and the Israel Institute of Technology got together to analyse the results of 565 studies on dishonesty and learned that 42 per cent of men and 38 per cent of women were liars.
Research also showed that youngsters, aged 20-29, tended to lie more than people aged 60 and above. The percentage of liars in each group was 47 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively.
Researchers also learned that people become more 0.28 per cent more honest each year.
Here are the four main reasons why humans lie:
• It is beneficial for them • They do not want to hurt others • They are afraid of disappointment • They want to protect themselves
However, telling the truth is sometimes a better option, especially in Thailand, where posting false news can result in five years imprisonment and/or a fine of Bt10,000.
Seniors aged over 60 can ride the MRT for free this Songkran (April 13 to 15).
Operators of the Blue and Purple lines have waived fares for seniors to encourage them to visit Bangkok attractions located close to MRT stations over the holiday weekend.
Seniors who show their ID card at an MRT booth will receive a free ticket.
Travellers are also invited to sprinkle water over Buddha figures on the ticketing floor at 19 Blue Line and 18 Purple Line stations from April 9 to 16.
Over Songkran, the MRT will also open more counters, extend the pick-up and drop-off period for passengers, and deploy security guards and dogs to ensure safety. Passengers are asked to obey Covid-control measures including temperature checks, social distancing, face masks and check-in/out via the Thai Chana platform.
For updates on Bangkok’s train service call the MRT Information Service Centre at (02) 624 5200 or visit “MRT Bangkok Metro” on Facebook and Twitter, “mrt_bangkok” on Instagram, or use the “Bangkok MRT” smartphone application.
Cats have always been masters, and humans have always bowed to their wishes.
That’s why nobody made a move when “Baisang”, who has made the Makkasan Police Station its home, decided to “preside” over the monthly officers’ meeting.
Images of the cat sitting regally on the conference table were shared on the “Maew Rong Pak” (police station cats) Facebook page, prompting questions about the feline’s rank. The page administrator responded by posting a photo of the cat relaxing on a chair with a major’s jacket draped over it.
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is making preparations to evacuate Thai nationals from Myanmar as the junta’s crackdown against anti-coup demonstrators intensifies.
RTAF commander-in-chief Airbull Suttiwan has instructed Wing 6 squadron to prepare aircraft for a mission to transport Thai nationals back from Myanmar.
Air Force spokesman Thanat Chanampai said on Thursday that the RTAF is on standby to pick up Thais from the neighbouring country if the situation worsens and the Thai government gives the go-ahead for an evacuation.
“The Air Force has been monitoring the situation in Myanmar since protests against the military coup emerged,” the spokesman said.
Phuket locals were queuing at five Covid-19 vaccination centres on Thursday as the holiday province prepared to reopen to foreign tourists on July 1.
The Centre for Economic Situation Administration last week approved the Phuket “tourism sandbox” trial scheme proposed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
From July 1, foreign tourists who have been inoculated and test negative for Covid-19 can fly into Phuket without having to quarantine. They will be free to move around Phuket for the first seven days, after which they can leave the province as long as they use a mobile location-tracking application.
The five centres where people in Phuket can get vaccinated are Phuket Airport (X-Terminal Building), Jungceylon Patong Shopping Centre, Angsana Laguna Phuket Hotel, Saphan Hin Gymnasium and Phuket Orchid Resort and Spa.
On Monday, Phuket governor Narong Woonciew said the province aimed to inoculate 100,000 people in April with two doses each.
“According to the government’s pledge, another 300,000 doses will arrive in May, 200,000 in June, and 260,000 in July, totalling 920,000 doses to be provided for Phuket,” he added.
In March, as Myanmar’s junta began the second month of its bloody crackdown, beauty queens from around the globe were gathering in Bangkok ahead of the Miss Grand International contest.
Among them was Myanmar’s own Han Lay, who watched in horror from her Bangkok hotel quarantine as reports showed junta forces slaughtering peaceful protesters on the streets of her homeland.
On March 11 she spoke out, appearing on camera in quarantine wearing a dress embroidered with an image of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s former leader who has been detained by the military since it seized power on February 1.
“I share the same indescribable sadness and sorrow as each and every one of us in Myanmar,” said Han Lay, praising the bravery of protesters – especially the women – who were being gunned down. “We must win the revolution,” she added, sobbing.
Fast forward to Saturday night, Han Lay found herself under the spotlight on the Miss Grand International stage in Bangkok as news came from across the border of the bloodiest day in the crackdown so far, with at least 114 people killed protesting against the coup.
Breaking the unwritten rule of beauty pageants – “no politics” – Han Lay stepped up to the microphone once more to make a tearful plea to the world.
“Today in my country, Myanmar, while I am going to be on this stage, there are so many people dying, more than 100 people died today. I am deeply sorry for all the people who have lost their lives.” She demanded democracy, as well as justice, for her Myanmar compatriots, in a speech that made headlines around the globe.
In response, Miss Grand International organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil told reporters he had taken Myanmar’s contestant under his care. Pointing out she could not return home as Myanmar airports were closed, he contacted the Immigration Bureau seeking permission for Han Lay to stay in Thailand.
Nawat added that it was his humanitarian duty to help Han Lay.
On Wednesday, the Myanmar beauty queen spoke up again during a press conference.
“Before I came here, I was protesting … we want democracy right now. We are fighting for our people. So many people have died in Myanmar. That’s the reason why we [protesters] try to fight more and more.”
Han Lay also pleaded for international intervention to halt the crisis engulfing her homeland.
“Right now, citizens in Myanmar cannot stop the military. Now we are calling for help from the international community. We need the UN’s help right now.
“In Myanmar, all citizens are in a dangerous situation. I need to be worried about my country’s future, and the new generation’s future. And I am only the one who can contact the international [world] right now because I am in another country.
“I need to be strong for my family, for my people in Myanmar.”
This year’s April Fool’s treat from US Embassy? A food-delivery app
NationalApr 01. 2021Photo Credit: US Embassy in Bangkok
By The Nation
The US Embassy in Bangkok marked April Fool’s Day on Thursday by launching the so-called “Kin(Ameri)can” app, which offers American favourites at a huge discount.
The embassy promises its “delivery diplomats are ready to bring these treats to you, either on a trusty motorcycle or a new and exciting option, surfskate!”
Photo Credit: US Embassy in Bangkok
In the Facebook post, the embassy said its cafeteria chefs are on standby to serve up classics from Philadelphia cheesesteaks and Chicago deep-dish pizza to Louisiana’s fluffy beignets and lobster rolls from Maine.Photo Credit: US Embassy in Bangkok
The app can be “downloaded” at https://th.usembassy.gov/kinamerican-app/ and the code APR1LFOODS entered at checkout for a 50 per cent discount on all orders during this month.
On April Fool’s Day in 2016, the embassy had posted an ad for a “feline welfare specialist” who is fluent in Thai, English and Felinese (cat language). The advert on Facebook won a good response from netizens.
Monks of central Bangkok’s famed Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan (Traimit Temple) and temples nearby were vaccinated against Covid-19 by a Public Health Ministry mobile vaccination unit on Wednesday.
The first jab was received by the temple’s abbot, Thongchai Thammachayo, who is also a member of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand.
A total of 151 monks from Traimit Temple in Samphanthawong district and temples nearby were inoculated on Wednesday. Monks aged over 60 years old will receive the AstraZeneca jab while those aged 18 to 59 years will get the Sinovac jab.
After vaccination, they had to rest for 30 minutes to check for side effects from the vaccine. So far, no monks have reported side effects.
Deputy Public Health Minister Satit Pituthecha said that after being vaccinated monks must still maintain social distancing while conducting religious rites, and also continue to wear facemasks and wash their hands regularly.
Traimit Temple is home to Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakon, a 3-metre-tall gold Buddha image commonly known as Phra Sukhothai Traimit. The seated Sukhothai-era-style statue weighs 5.5 tonnes (5,500 kilograms) and was covered with stucco for two centuries to conceal its true value before being “rediscovered” in the 1950s.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday reported 26 new cases, with 21 infections contracted locally and five brought in from overseas.
Of the 21 local cases, 11 are in Samut Sakhon, followed by seven in Bangkok and three in Samut Prakan.
The five cases from overseas include four Thais returning from Myanmar, Sweden, Lebanon and Norway, and a Qatari national from their own country.
Meanwhile, 112 patients have recovered and been discharged.
As of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 28,889. Of them, 25,787 had been contracted locally, including 16,070 found via proactive testing, while 3,102 were returnees.
So far, 27,548 people have recovered and been discharged, 1,247 are still being treated, and the death toll remains unchanged at 94.
According to Worldometer, as of 10am, the number of confirmed cases globally has risen to 129.43 million (up by 639,599), of whom 104.38 million have recovered, 22.23 million are active cases (96,368 in severe condition) and 2.82 million have died (up by 12,249).
Thailand ranks 116th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 31.16 million, followed by Brazil at 12.75 million, India at 12.22 million, France at 4.64 million and Russia at 4.54 million.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has asked the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to allocate 40,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine so that aviation staff can be inoculated by July.
“The vaccine will be given to approximately 20,000 aviation personnel, who are expected to come into close contact with foreign tourists when selected provinces reopen starting this July,” CAAT chairman Suttipong Kongpool said on Thursday.
The Centre for Economic Situation Administration last week approved the Phuket “tourism sandbox” programme proposed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
From July 1, foreign tourists who can verify they have been inoculated against Covid-19 and test negative for the virus can fly into Phuket and move around freely without having to quarantine. The tourists, however, have to stay in Phuket for at least 7 days before leaving the province and must use a mobile application for location tracking.
“Targeted aviation personnel to receive the vaccine include pilots, flight crews and ground service staff who are employees of either CAAT or domestic airlines,” Suttipong said.
“The vaccinations will help reduce the risk of our staff contracting Covid-19, and also strengthen tourists’ confidence in safety from the virus while they travel in Thailand,” he added.
CAAT estimates that the first group of foreign tourists to visit Phuket this July will be from China, as the country has demonstrated “effective control” over the Covid-19 situation.
Photo Credit: US Embassy in Bangkok
Photo Credit: US Embassy in Bangkok
