Turkish police arrested a man suspected of trying to smuggle valuable poisonous spiders and scorpions out of the country, with state media identifying the suspect on Monday (May 13) as a curator at New York's American Museum of Natural History.

Residents of Mexico City turned to fountains and pools to fight the high temperatures that hit not only the capital but much of Mexico on Monday (May 13).

DTP achieves rising UK hotel revenue in successful overseas investmentDTGO Prosperous Limited (DTP), an investment and financial manage-ment company within DTGO, posted results for its 17 UK hotels, operated by a Singapore-listed subsidiary, with strong growth and average occupancy now near 80%. Tourism has seen a rapid post-COVID rebound in the UK, one of the first countries to reopen to foreign visitors. Mr. Hansa Susayan, Business Group Chairman – Finance & Investment of DTGO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of DTP"Occupancy rates have returned to pre-COVID levels. ProsperCap operates, owns, and manages 100% of all the 17 UK hotel assets with a total of 3,383 rooms. DTP is going ahead with its plans to invest and raise funds domestically and overseas, said Mr. Hansa.

The arrest of the suspects was the result of an expanded investigation that saw police arrest five members of a call centre gang last year. Police also found that Mr Chen had a five-year visa as he was a member of the Thailand Privilege Card scheme, formerly known as the Thailand Elite card. "We are concentrating on criminals who enter the nation with Thailand Privilege Card visas. He said the Thailand Elite card was issued by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited, which is under the supervision of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). "Before being eligible for the privilege card, a background check on one's financial sources should also be required," he said.

At least 31 people died, 15 are still missing and over 40 people were injured following heavy rain that brought floods and landslides to Indonesia's province of West Sumatra, an official said on Sunday (May 12).

New push to let bankrupt people keep jobs in govtThe Strategic Transformation Office (STO) has proposed amendments to the bankruptcy law, which would allow someone declared bankrupt to hold an important position in the government sector. One proposal includes differentiating between "bankrupt" and "dishonest bankrupt" individuals in law and creating employment opportunities for those who are declared bankrupt. Both "bankrupt" and "dishonest bankrupt" individuals are required to notify the authorities in charge of appointments of their status without delay. In such cases, a "bankrupt" person must be reassigned to another role but can be reinstated after they are no longer bankrupt. The proposals suggest amending 13 other laws to change "bankrupt" to "dishonest bankrupt," as these laws prohibit "bankrupt" people from holding certain positions.

More than 3,000 delegates from 211 member associations of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) are attending the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok from May 13 – 17. FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with President of the Football Association of Thailand (FA) Nualphan Lamsam (https://www.bangkokpost.com/)Bangkok (VNA) – More than 3,000 delegates from 211 member associations of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) are attending the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok from May 13 – 17. The Congress, presided over by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, is also attended by chiefs of all six continental football governing bodies. He also expressed his thanks to President of the Football Association of Thailand (FA) Nualphan Lamsam and her team for the warm welcome. Lamsam confirmed that with support from the government and private sectors, Thailand is ready to stage the sport's biggest off-field event.

Police recall body of Rayong explosion victimBlack smoke billows after a tank of pyrolysis gasoline caught fire at Map Ta Phut Port in Rayong on Thursday morning. (Photo: Social Rayong Facebook)Police ordered a recall of the body of the man who died in an explosion at Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal (MTT) in Rayong province for a thorough autopsy to determine the cause of death and whether it was from falling or other causes. Nopporn's body was being transferred to his hometown in Chiang Rai, upon the request of his relatives, for a religious rite on Friday. The transfer of the body was halted by Rayong police, who asked that the body be brought back to the Police General Hospital for a post-mortem. Pol Maj Gen Pongphan Wongmaneethet, chief of Rayong Provincial Police, said the examination must be carried out thoroughly by forensic experts.

A UK toddler has regained her hearing after undergoing breakthrough gene therapy. Her parents, Jo and James Sandy, say Opal can hear soft sounds through the pioneering treatment, which can be used to help other children who have hearing loss through genetic conditions.

At least three bus passengers died and several others were undergoing urgent treatment in hospital after their bus careered off a bridge and into the Moika river in the Russian city of St Petersburg on Friday, the local department of the emergencies ministry said.

Eight more Chinese cities join scheme to allow solo travellers to visit territoryTourists take photos in front of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on April 29. (Photo: Reuters)HONG KONG - Eight more Chinese cities have joined a scheme allowing their residents to travel to Hong Kong on their own, rather than as part of a tour group, as part of efforts to boost Hong Kong’s economy. Fifty-one cities have already joined the programme and will be joined by Taiyuan in Shanxi, Hohhot in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Harbin in Heilongjiang, Lhasa in Tibet Autonomous Region, Lanzhou in Gansu, Xining in Qinghai, Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. “These eight cities are all provincial capital cities with large populations, significant economic growth and high spending power,” said Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee. The Hong Kong and Chinese governments have repeatedly said the security laws have brought stability.

Retailers promote AI-enabled PCs in the second halfA display of notebooks and PCs on sale at a recent edition of the Commart fair. Leading IT retail chains are capitalising on artificial intelligence (AI)-embedded PCs to increase sales growth in the second half of 2024. Meanwhile, Advice IT Infinite Plc is demonstrating to consumers how AI PCs differ from conventional units. "AI PCs are not for everyone, but we can demonstrate how AI-based PCs and regular PCs differ," said Mr Nath. The company is demonstrating how AI-based PCs can outperform regular PCs at booths and IT retail outlets, he said.

Ploughing ceremony predicts abundance, prosperityHis Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, presides over the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang yesterday. (Photo: Royal Household Bureau)Abundant food and water, growth in foreign trade and a prosperous economy were predicted during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok yesterday morning. This year, the sacred oxen chose to feed on grass and water, reflecting the prediction of abundant water. This is interpreted as transportation being improved and better foreign trade, leading to a prosperous economy in 2024. Two sacred oxen feast on grass, water and liquor during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, prompting a prophecy of abundant water and food as well as a prosperous economy.

PORCELA witnesses rising sales of eco-friendly tiles, in line with the sustainable development trend. The company continues to uplift the Thai real estate industry towards an innovative society following the Architect Expo 2024. This response has led to significant growth in the sales of eco-friendly tiles under the PORCELA brand. The popular eco-friendly and innovative tiles at the Architect Expo 2024 spanned various segments, including anti-slip tiles, anti-bacterial tiles, energy-saving tiles, and tiles made from natural material substitutes. Other popular tiles at the event included granito tiles, ceramic tiles, mosaic tiles, swimming pool tiles, and vinyl tiles.

The risk of default on credit card loans rose significantly in the first quarter this year in Thailand, driven by the Bank of Thailand (BoT)'s mandate for a higher minimum payment rate. Thailand faces credit card default risks (Photo:bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – The risk of default on credit card loans rose significantly in the first quarter this year in Thailand, driven by the Bank of Thailand (BoT)'s mandate for a higher minimum payment rate. During the pandemic, the central bank temporarily reduced the minimum payment requirement to 5% to alleviate the debt burden on borrowers. Surapol affirmed that with the notable surge in SMs for credit card loans, there is mounting pressure for higher NPLs in the country’s economy. Concurrently, more young people are applying for credit cards over the past few yearsNCB data revealed roughly 36,000 new credit cards were issued in the last two years, with 23,000 held by millennials aged between 27 and 44.