US to send more rocket systems to Ukraine, Moscow signals wider war aimsUS military personnel stand by a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) during Saudi Arabia's first World Defense Show in March 2022 -- Washington is sending four more Himars to UkraineKYIV: The United States on Wednesday promised to send more precision rocket systems to Kyiv, soon after Moscow signaled it was aiming to seize more Ukrainian territory beyond the eastern industrial region of Donbas. Russian forces, since invading Ukraine on Feb 24, have steadily advanced into each of those regions, wreaking destruction as they captured key cities and met fierce Ukrainian resistance. Lavrov also dismissed the idea of further peace talks with Ukraine, claiming that earlier rounds showed Kyiv was unwilling to negotiate in "earnest". Russian and Ukrainian delegations are nevertheless expected in Istanbul in the coming days for more talks on unblocking Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports. In its latest package of penalties Wednesday, the EU targeted gold exports and froze assets at Russia's largest bank Sberbank.

Nine dead after ferry sinks in IndonesiaA rescue team next to victim's bodies after a ferry sank in bad weather in waters off Indonesia's Ternate island. The KM Cahaya Arafah capsized in waters off Indonesia's Ternate island on Monday evening, prompting a search and rescue operation for 13 missing people. The KM Cahaya Arafah capsized in waters off Indonesia's Ternate island on Monday evening, prompting a search and rescue operation for 13 missing people. Rescuers found four bodies on Wednesday evening and five bodies on the fourth day of the search, the Ternate search and rescue agency said in a statement. In 2018, more than 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in one of the world's deepest lakes on Sumatra island.

Auttapol Rerkpiboon, president and chief executive officer of PTT Public Company Limited, stated during his opening speech at "Future Energy Asia Exhibition and Summit" on Wednesday that the energy giant aimed to make Thailand a liquified natural gas (LNG) hub in Asia over the next few decades. Although people worldwide realise the urgent need to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel energy, businesses and households at present have huge demands for any kind of energy to move on, said Auttpol. He explained that of the three categories of fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and LNG -- natural gas is the cleanest and most eco-friendly, and there is plenty to meet market demand. "We need natural gas, such as LNG, during this energy transition period from cancelling the use of oil and coal to using renewable energy, such as wind, solar cells, and electricity," Attapol added.

Nightrain members (band membership) will be able to book the ticket from July 26 from 11am to 11pm, while new Nightrain members will be able to book the ticket from noon to 11pm. Pre-sales for IMC Live Global fans will start on July 27 at 11am while sale for the public will start on July 28 at 11am. Fans have waited for around five years. The band last played in Thailand on February 28, 2017, at SCG Stadium. Many Thai fans welcomed them on the Facebook page while several fans in the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and even the US requested the band to play in their countries.

Six-time PM Wickrazemesinghe wins Sri Lanka presidencyFILE PHOTO: Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe gestures as he speaks during an interview with Reuters at his office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 24, 2022. (Reuters)Sri Lanka's six-time prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Wednesday overwhelmingly elected as president to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the crisis-wracked country and resigned last week. He said he hoped to be sworn in later Wednesday at a simple ceremony within the tightly guarded parliament building. With the elevation of the 73-year-old to the top job, the current cabinet automatically stands dissolved and he will choose a prime minister to form a new cabinet. "The eyes of the world are on us today as we elect a new president."

Lottery sellers go home with quota pledgeLottery ticket vendors from Loei province rally near Government House on Monday to demand for increased quotas for small-scale lottery retailers. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)Hundreds of individual lottery vendors from Loei have returned home after receiving an assurance from the Government Lottery Office (GLO) that it will allocate them ticket quotas on Aug 10. One of the vendors from Loei said he has sold lottery tickets for 30 years and never had a quota. Meanwhile, other small retailers lodged a complaint urging the Anti-Corruption Division to review the GLO's decision to cut quotas to 50,000 sellers as well as look into a new digital lottery ticket project. Prime Minister's Office Minister Anucha Nakasai said selling lottery tickets online is preferable as customers pay the right price.

Anutin: Disavows recreational useDeputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday defended the decriminalisation of cannabis, insisting the plant was legalised for health and medicinal purposes, not recreation. Mr Sutin said the cannabis policy violated the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, which Thailand ratified. I still think the country can have a law to effectively control cannabis use," argued Mr Anutin. But an asset management firm hired to manage Mr Anutin's assets holds shares in Sino-Thai and this could constitute a conflict of interests, argued Mr Sutin. Mr Anutin did not comment on the connection.

Anutin: Don't be too concerned about cannabisPublic Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul defends his cannabis decriminalisation policy during a censure debate at parliament on Tuesday. (Screenshot)Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the House of Representatives on Tuesday that being overly concerned with cannabis use would only delay national development. In response, Mr Anutin told the House that he was only joking at the time. Mr Anutin insisted that cannabis abuse would not happen during the tenure of this government, and he hoped that a relevant law would be passed quickly to regulate cannabis use. The law would impose penalties against cannabis abusers and would also provide clearer regulations on cannabis-infused food, Mr Anutin said.

Rural doctors want end to govt monopoly on antiviral drugsThe Rural Doctors Society wants an end to the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation's monopoly on favipiravir and two other antiviral drugs, molnupiravir and paxlovid. (Photo: Komsan Jandamit)The Rural Doctors Society (RDS) wants the government to end its monopoly on antiviral drugs, to ensure the country has enough to treat Covid-19 patients and bring down the price. The RDS has proposed that the monopolies on favipiravir, molnupiravir and paxlovid be scrapped and the private sector be allowed to import these antiviral drugs. The monopoly was later extended to cover molnupiravir and paxlovid, resulting in a shortage of antiviral drugs to fight the coronavirus disease. "In fact, there is no global shortage of the antiviral drugs, but Thailand is facing a shortage because of monopolies," The RDS said.

During the four-day debate, the opposition party will have 11 hours daily to target the PM and his ministers, while the Cabinet and the ruling coalition party will have two hours daily to reply. The debate on Tuesday is focusing on two ministers — Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.

Bus firm to call on govt to provide financial supportThe operator of No.8 buses on Monday prepared a letter calling on the government to waive its 1.4-billion-baht debt and have the Department of Land Transport (DLT) renew its contract. Thiraporn Methisariyapong, manager at Thai Bus Transport, said her company, which runs No.8 buses, will file the letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. She said her company was granted a valid operations permit by the DLT valid from Sept 1, 2016–Oct 31 next year. In 2019, the DLT initiated a bus route reform plan, prompting bus operators to reapply for a permit. However, Ms Thiraporn said after doing so, the DLT told her that Thai Bus Transport did not meet standard requirements and was not granted a permit.

The first two days of the holiday, July 13 and 14, were Asalha Bucha and the start of the Buddhist Lent. A third day, July 15, was added so including the weekend people would get five days off. The extra day was granted in a bid to boost domestic tourism. Transport Co president Sanyalak Panyawatthanalikhit said some 2,600 buses brought more than 30,000 passengers back to Bangkok, while 25,859 buses travelled between the provinces over the five days. “The company thanks all employees and related agencies for making travel during the long holidays smooth and safe, and meeting the company’s goal of providing high quality, safe and affordable transport to people,” he said.

City Hall considers app use to fight corruptionBangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt is considering expanding the use of the Traffy Fondue application to take complaints about corruption following its success in dealing with public service complaints. Mr Chadchart said as of now more than 90,000 complaints have been made via Traffy Fondue and more than 40,000 of them have been addressed. They [BMA offices] just have to check the reported issues on the application and go fix the problems," he said. Due to the success of Traffy Fondue, he said the BMA will further expand its use in reporting on corruption. "City Hall needs to weigh up the pros and cons when the private sector offers land for use as public or green spaces, as City Hall does not get to use such land for free," he said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha speaks to reporters at Government House on Monday. (Government House photo)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday appeared unfazed by the upcoming no-confidence debate, despite uncertainties over how small coalition parties would cast their votes. Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut said he was ready to face the music as he had pure intentions. About 50 opposition MPs have signed up to speak in the censure debate, which kicks off today and lasts until Friday. Out of the 45 hours allocated to the opposition, 30 will be spent grilling Gen Prayut as head of the government.

Police were deployed to keep security in front of Government House and the Chamai Maruchet Bridge was closed to traffic. They said they had to seek the CIB’s help because the Central Administrative Court had rejected their lawsuit against the GLO for alleged unfair revocation of the quotas of the 50,000 vendors. The GLO said the 50,000 vendors’ quotas were cancelled because their tickets were found to be sold on the online platforms of some major investors at inflated prices. The Paotang digital lottery tickets are sold at the original price of 80 baht. They have proved so popular with the public that vendors are complaining they no longer have customers for their paper tickets.