We expect all these food businesses to flourish under our alliance with OR, plus further opportunities to expand domestically and internationally." This vision includes identifying opportunities for inclusive growth and focusing on collaborations that strengthen businesses and help them to fulfil their potential. Kawswat added that OR's ultimate goal is to reach inclusive growth and success in all dimensions amidst the uncertain global economic environment. "Our alliance with DUSIT through Dusit Foods will enhance the potential of OR's lifestyle business, especially the food segment, which will benefit the outlets owned by OR and those we have co-invested in," said Kawswat. "One of OR's missions is to create an alternative food business model that facilitates convenience and comprehensively meets all the lifestyle preferences of multigenerational consumers.

"The metaverse has already happened, and it is expanding," said Anothai, regional director for US-based Dell Technologies. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that the fast-growing metaverse market will be worth US$783.3 billion (28 trillion baht) by 2024. Not surprisingly, businesses ranging from large corporations to SMEs are looking for a slice of this market, and the Thai private sector is no exception. Anothai said cloud technology will be key to the metaverse strategies of companies transitioning to the “next internet”. He explained that the metaverse is currently a patchwork of separate immersive pockets that will eventually be stitched together to form a seamless virtual platform.

The tech chief zeroed in on the benefits of blockchain, explaining that it would overcome various pain points for people thanks to its transparency, decentralised network and speed. The digital ledger technology is already spreading through diverse industries, including logistics, agriculture and healthcare. "Many people are now asking how to maximise the uses and benefits of blockchain in their business," he said. However, he said that given the fast pace of technological development, it was no surprise to see many businesses making mistakes or overlooking new tech’s potential. "In the next era, combining business and the metaverse will help companies to grow to a global level," he said, adding that companies should seek partnerships to expand in the metaverse.

Thailand’s first international metaverse exhibition – co-organised by Nation Group, Blockmountain and Metaverse XR – was visited by a group of 120 outstanding students from 16 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including 10 students from Thailand. The students got to test out technologies of the future, participating in activities offered at 30 booths and talks by over 50 local and international experts with a sizeable tech industry audience. They also took a deep dive into the metaverse courtesy of a seminar delivered on the main stage at CentralWorld in Bangkok. During their two-hour visit, they toured all three zones of the “Thailand Metaverse Expo” – the Experience zone, Showcase zone and Workshop zone. “We are very happy to be here because this event allows us to get a wider and better understanding of the metaverse,” the students were quoted as saying.

Somalis anxiously await news of loved ones as hotel siege endsThe attack was the biggest in Mogadishu since Somalia's new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in June. The hotel was a favoured meeting spot for government officials and scores of people were inside when gunmen stormed the property. Businessman Muktar Adan, whose brother was inside the hotel when the attack started, told AFP he was waiting for permission to enter the hotel and look for his sibling. A second explosion occurred just minutes later, witnesses said, inflicting more casualties as rescuers, security forces and civilians rushed to help those injured. Al-Shabaab has carried out several attacks in Somalia since Mohamud took office, and last month launched strikes on the Ethiopian border.

'Few hurdles' likely for revised cannabis lawAnutin: All parties had a sayThe bill to amend the present cannabis and hemp laws has been completed and will go before the House of Representatives for a second reading next week, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Mr Anutin on Satruday presided over a meeting on medical cannabis in Chiang Rai which was attended by the Public Health Ministry's executive officials, state agencies, the private sector and more than 1,000 people. Public Health Region 1 in the north -- comprising Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son -- has driven the cannabis policy, said Mr Anutin. For instance, Nakornping and Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospitals have launched cannabis clinics for onsite and online health checks while Pai Hospital in Mae Hong Son offers cannabis treatment with modern medicine for curing insomnia, he said. Phrae Hospital also developed an integrated registration and alert system for new growers and those suffering ill effects following cannabis treatment.

Thailand’s metaverse has started with fanfare at the “Thailand Metaverse Expo 2022” being held at CentralWorld shopping centre in Bangkok. The event offers new business opportunities in the global digital economy. Speakers at the event are experts and professionals from the worlds of digital assets, non-fungible tokens, virtual sports, startups, marketing technology, user experience and user interface (UX-UI). Sports Metaverse, one of the activities held at the event, drew many participating teams and spectators. In this video, The Nation introduces you to the participating athletes and their views on Sports Metaverse.

At least 12 killed in Somalia hotel siegeMOGADISHU: At least 12 people have been killed in Somalia's capital Mogadishu after al Shabaab militants attacked a hotel leading to a siege that authorities are still trying to end, an intelligence officer said on Saturday. Sounds of explosions punctuated the night as government forces tried to wrest control of the hotel back from the militants, witnesses said. The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist group statements. Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple the Somali government for more than 10 years. The Hayat Hotel is a popular venue with lawmakers and other government officials but there was no immediate information if any of them had been caught up in the siege.

Forget about the boring Web2.0 online shops, and dive into the 3D world powered by the latest Web3.0 technologies. In 2021, Smilodo, a Swiss online shop builder launched the first iteration of its eCommerce SaaS Business by providing Web2.0 online shop services. Smilodo already has an operational Metaverse mall prototype that is linked to its existing eCommerce SaaS Business, and the company is launching a closed beta run of its mall in Q4 2022. To enter this closed beta the community needs to own a Smilodo Community NFT, which is, besides being the entry ticket, the user’s dynamic Avatar. After the closed beta run, Smilodo will prepare its Smilodo Mall space sale as a second NFT round in 2023.

Soldier surrenders over fatal shootingCpl Manit Chanthaphinit, 33, wanted for shooting a private, 29, to death outside an army camp in Nakhon Phanom's Pla Pak district, surrenders to police on Friday night. According to police, Cpl Manit arrived on a motorcycle at the entrance of the army camp and started talking with Pvt 1st Class Watchara. His superior picked up him at a petrol station near Nakhon Phanom airport and escorted him to the police station. During questioning, Cpl Manit told police that the shooting stemmed from a personal conflict between him and Pvt 1st Class Watchara. Pol Col Natthawit Ratchakaew, chief of Muang Nakhon Phanom police station, investigators and military officers jointly interrogated the suspect.

Covid-19 to be declared endemic in OctoberDr Taweesilp Visanuyotin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, announces the decision of the CCSA meeting from Government House on Friday. (Screenshot)The government will declare Covid-19 endemic in October, and the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will then no longer be the main agency dealing with the disease. The decision to declare the disease endemic was based on the presently limited number of severe Covid-19 cases and related fatalities. "The goal is for people to be able to coexist safely with Covid-19 and live normal lives," Dr Taweesilp said. The incidence of Covid-19 would be similar to influenza, and there would be new cases all year long, Dr Taweesilp said.

Thailand to allow foreign tourists to extend stay as Covid easesTourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakan province, on Feb 6, 2022. Foreigners from 18 territories coming to Thailand under the visa on arrival category will be allowed to double their length of stay for up to 30 days, Dr Taweesilp said. Those from more than 50 places that currently get 30 days will be able to stay for up to 45 days. Between Jan 1 and Wednesday, the country gained 176.3 billion baht (US$4.93 billion) in revenue from 3.78 million foreign arrivals. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expects 8 million to 10 million arrivals this year, above an earlier forecast of 7 million, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Torrential rain causes havoc in New Zealand, hundreds forced from homesThis handout picture taken on Wednesday by local media outlet Andrew App and released on Thursday shows a flood-inundated car and homes from the overflowing Maitai River in central Nelson on New Zealand's South Island. (Photo: AFP)WELLINGTON: Torrential rain hit parts of New Zealand for a fourth day on Friday, forcing hundreds of people from their homes as rivers overflowed their banks and waterlogged ground becomes unstable. (Photo: Reuters)The New Zealand Defence Force has personnel helping with evacuations and flood prevention work. A view of flooding in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand, on Friday. Landslide is pictured as a state of emergency is declared after severe flooding affected Nelson, New Zealand, on Thursday.

Meanwhile, 66 drivers stand to have their licences suspended, while 63 have been told to undergo training and testing to learn about road safety, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) said on Thursday. Seksom Akraphand, DLT’s deputy director-general, said the department has introduced a points deduction system in a bid to raise awareness of driving safely. He also said that most public transport drivers face punishment for speeding or being impolite. He added that one driver lost his licence for taking drugs while driving.

The Brazilian international, who spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Porto, has been at Real since 2013, winning three LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues with 336 appearances across all competitions. Man United sit bottom of the Premier League table after their 2-1 opening home defeat to Brighton was followed up with a 4-0 loss at Brentford in a disastrous start to Erik ten Hag’s reign as manager .