Ban on new parties upheld for those shorn of rightsThe parliamentary committee scrutinising bills amending two election-related organic laws yesterday shot down a move to allow people whose election rights were revoked from setting up a political party. Panel spokesman, Akradet Wongpitakroj, the Democrat MP for Ratchaburi, said 24 members rejected a proposal seeking to allow those banned from politics from forming political parties. Mr Akradet said the committee voted to keep annual membership fees and life-membership fees for political party members at 20 baht and 200 baht, respectively. He said the two controversial issues of primary voting and calculation and distribution of party-list seats will be discussed at the next meeting on April 20. He said committee members have to make sure proposed changes still reflect the charter's intention and can be implemented by parties.

It is the first time such a request has been raised in an NBTC board meeting. Mr Prawit made the request in response to calls by NBTC management, the source said. The others were a request to seek a public hearing on the merger and a demand for a clear time frame for NBTC management and its subcommittee to scrutinise the planned merger. Five out of six NBTC board members attended the meeting on Thursday. Dtac's mobile arm dtac TriNet holds mobile licences from the NBTC office, while True's subsidiary True Move H Universal Communication operates a mobile business.

Published by The Street By Vidhi Choudhary This crypto evangelist wants ethereum to be used for buying more than just yachts, lamborghinis and Bored Ape NFTs. He first broke on to the crypto scene in 2013 when he wrote a white paper that led to the birth of the second most traded

Dispelling any myths, “Health Brings Wealth” hopes to give applicable advice based on scientific findings to put into daily practice in the long-term. In this book, perspectives based on different medical fields are combined with discussion and how everyday choices can impact overall health systems. Some key highlights from the co-authors and experts emphasise key advice based on their respective specialist areas and how these impact each health system. Prof Jiří Dvořák’s mainly specialises in neurology and spinal injuries and conditions, sports medicine and lifestyle medicine that promotes a healthy lifestyle through research on the impact of exercise. His expertise on brain diseases and tumours will emphasise the important duty of the brain and how to optimise brain health and wellness as you age to prevent degenerating diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

He said public hospitals have been overwhelmed with outpatient cases, so the NHSO has teamed up with the Pharmacy Council to use drugstores as a new channel for taking care of green Covid patients. Jadet said each drugstore will be given Bt700 per Covid-19 patient and the cost covers:- Medical advice for patients “to behave” during self-isolation;- Cost of green chiretta herb capsules and basic drugs for treating symptoms, and other medicines doctors may prescribe, as well as the delivery cost;- Service fee for providing advice on medicine use and for monitoring the patient’s condition for 48 hours;- The cost for coordinating patient transfer when their condition deteriorates and they need hospitalisation.

Bluedragon lawyer: cops abusing powerThe lawyer for the top executive of Bluedragon Lottery Co on Wednesday accused police of abusing their power under Section 157 of the Criminal Code. Speaking on behalf of Bluedragon's owner, Pachara Messiyaporn, lawyer Anantachai Chaidej shrugged off the charges against his client and accused police of attempting to silence the company. If other [lottery] platforms are not subject to legal action like Bluedragon, I will sue [the police] later on," he said. Mr Pachara denied all four charges and was released on bail after depositing a 100,000-baht cash surety. Mr Pachara further denied Ms Panrada was an executive of the company, as was stated on the arrest warrant issued for her.

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, centre, party MPs and guests attend the party's 14th anniversary at its head office in Bangkok's Chatuchak district on Wednesday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Bhumjaithai Party has shortlisted more than 200 potential MP candidates for the next general election and plans to be represented in all constituencies, party leader Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Mr Anutin said Bhumjaithai intends to field candidates in all 400 constituencies nationwide and to also name 100 party-list candidates. Bhumjaithai also planned to stand candidates in Bangkok, which is not among its traditional strongholds. Bhumjaithai secretary-general Saksayam Chidchob, who is also transport minister, said the party was well-positioned for the general election and confirmed it has potential candidates lined up already.

Woods suffered traumatic injuries to his right leg in a car accident 14 months ago. But when asked at the press conference if he believed he could win this week, Woods said without hesitation, "I do!" The 86th Masters will be held from April 7 to 10. On Tuesday, the tournament also announced players' first-day groupings. Woods was assigned to Group 14 with a scheduled tee time of around 10:30am.

He claimed his online platform only provided a venue for some 39,000 vendors to sell tickets so buyers could shop "more conveniently”. Pachara also claimed his company received only Bt5 per lottery ticket as a scanning fee and providing the online platform service. Pachara said the scanned lottery tickets would be kept in a “strong room” of the company to prevent vendors from selling the tickets again after they are sold online. “So, the allegation that Bluedragon was the main cause for the overpriced tickets is not fair to the company. Bluedragon is also a main sponsor of Thai League 3 football apparently because of the profits earned from the online platform.

(Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Thailand's economy is expected to grow by 2.9% this year, down from a previous prediction of 3.9%, the World Bank said on Tuesday. Warunthorn Puthong, an economist at the World Bank, said the downgrade was mainly due to external risk factors such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which has sent domestic energy prices soaring. However, the World Bank believes the Thai economy is on the path to recovery this year. The World Bank expects 6.2 million foreign tourists to visit Thailand this year, she said. The war in Ukraine threatens an uneven recovery for developing East Asia and Pacific (EAP) countries, the World Bank said.

GLO director Lt-Colonel Noon Sansanakom explained that the 8,964 comprised 1,181 retailers, 181 associations and organisations and 7,602 buyers in advance. He said any sellers who jack up prices or sell lottery to others are considered a violation of the GLO contract. “The GLO will immediately revoke the rights of lottery sellers who violate the contract,” he warned. “Associations and organisations which violate the contract will be unable to sell lottery to their members.”

(Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Starting from April 1, visitors entering Thailand enjoy more relaxed conditions after authorities dropped a negative pre-arrival RT-PCR Covid-19 test requirement. The new rules, meant to resuscitate the battered tourism sector, still require travellers to undergo an RT-PCR Covid-19 test upon arrival, and then an antigen self-test on Day 5. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said there had been an increase in the number of overseas arrivals following the removal of the pre-arrival RT-PCR test. "After the lifting of the pre-arrival test, we are seeing a climb in international arrivals, but it is a very slow climb," she said. For other destinations, visitors can call +66 (2)-572-8442, +66 065-205-4247, +66 065-205-4248, +66 065-205-4249, or testgo@consular.go.th.

Case of missing activist rekindledThe Justice Ministry has pledged to follow up on the case of political activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit who was abducted while living in Phnom Penh in mid-2020 after going into self-exile and who remains missing. Sub Lt Thanakrit said as this criminal case occurred outside Thailand, it falls under the supervision of the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG). Sub Lt Thanakrit said he would coordinate with the OAG and pledged to do his utmost to get results. Her family will meet Sub Lt Thanakrit again on June 4 to receive an update on the progress of the case, as this will mark two years since her brother disappeared. At least eight Thai activists who fled after the 2014 coup and took refuge in Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam have disappeared.

“With THPD’s delivery potential and BAAC financial support, the NHSO will be able to deliver Favipiravir to Covid-19 patients quickly, resulting in a decline in risks of developing severe symptoms and death,” he said. THPD managing director Peera Udomkitsakul noted that the agency has been cooperating with the NHSO in taking care of patients under the social security system. The THPD has also delivered dialysis solutions, medicines and medical supplies to patients by post, he added.

TAT teams up with Thai AirAsia in push for toursMr Thanet, centre right, and Mr Santisuk, centre left, at a recent press conference. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to attract 1.75 million tourists from short-haul markets this year as more countries reopen, and will partner with Thai AirAsia (TAA) to bring in at least 18,000 package tours over the next few months. The goal is for Vietnam to account for 11,000 package tours, mainly from independent travellers and families with children, and 3,000 Singaporean tours, made up of millennials and young couples. Meanwhile, the campaign is also targeting the medical and wellness segments from Malaysia and Cambodia, which is expected to secure 1,000 package tours from each country. TAT will also launch the "Nang Fah Pa Tiew" campaign with local airlines between April and June by using air crew as micro-influencers to help promote tourism.