If we can trust the bureaucracy, pigs might flySoaring pork prices are another indicator of a sinking bureaucracy, a system that's both inefficient and increasingly becoming untrustworthy. According to news reports, the number of live pigs the country produced went down from about 19 million last year to just 13 million this year. To whom did the missing six million pigs belong to? Last May, Vietnam suspended a shipment of live pigs from Thailand, saying it detected ASF in them. The response is the usual reaction from bureaucratic authorities and it appears too little too late if six million live pigs have already disappeared from the system.

Korn wants Kla Party to go it alone"The reality is that we are up against money changing hands under the table to stop us," said Kla Party leader Korn Chatikavanij. The Kla Party is designed to be a platform for those professionals who want to contribute to society through the political arena. We choose our candidates very carefully so that they match what the party wants to do and wants to offer to society as a whole. If you want professionals who have a deep understanding of important and relevant issues, then the Kla Party should be your party. We, the Kla Party, particularly during the current by-elections, are often asked whose side our MPs would be on in the House?

Fear cases may hit 20k a dayPeople wait for booster vaccine shots against Covid-19 in Klong Toey district, Bangkok, last Friday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)New cases of Covid-19 could jump to 20,000 a day by the end of the month unless precautionary measures are taken seriously, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Monday. Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for the Public Health Ministry, agreed that most infections this month have been Omicron. He said that the Public Health Ministry had previously come up with three possible scenarios in light of the new threat posed by the Omicron variant. Thailand logged 7,926 new cases and 13 more Covid-19 fatalities during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry said on Monday.

I love you so much Bobby," wrote actor John Stamos, who played Uncle Jesse on the hit sitcom, on Twitter. "Bob Saget… Just the funniest and nicest…" tweeted comedian Jon Stewart. "Deeply saddened to learn of the untimely passing of comedian Bob Saget. RIP to friend, comedian & fellow Aristocrat," wrote comedian Gilbert Gottfried on Twitter. Novak tweeted: "I have always and will always love Bob Saget."

Commerce keeps an eye on price tagsThe Commerce Ministry's mobile commercial vehicle scheme links product distribution from producers directly to consumers. Chanat KatanyuThe Commerce Ministry has pledged to closely supervise the prices of products and services, using both legal and administrative measures while vowing to continue discount campaigns to reduce the cost of living for people nationwide. The department also promised to closely follow up on the retail prices of products and services to ensure their compliance with production costs. There are 231 items (208 products and 23 services) that warrant the Commerce Ministry's close supervision. The SL covers sensitive products and services that require close supervision of their situation and price movement every day.

However, Mr Pipat said the higher inflation rate would have an outsized impact on low-income earners and some business operators. Thailand's inflation remains subject to upside risks including higher global inflation and cost pass-throughs, said the minutes. Unlike the US, which saw inflation surge by 6.8% late last year, Thailand's inflation tends to be lower than 2% because living costs, notably most food prices, are not high, he said. "This is an important factor causing fresh worries over higher inflation rates around the world," he said. In fact, a moderate increase in inflation may be good for the economy as very low inflation reflects sluggish economic activities, said Mr Kriengkrai.

What might prompt the PM to dissolve the House? According to Assoc Prof Dr Jade Donavanik, former adviser to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Dhurakij Pundit University, it is likely Gen Prayut will choose not to dissolve the House as there would be little gain in doing so. At present neither of these are true," said Mr Jade. "Critics will get at him if he can't complete his term despite seizing power," Mr Jade says. In his view, Gen Prayut's term begun in 2014 based on provisional clauses included in the 2017 charter which differ from those of the previous 2007 document.

Most expect Prayut to stay in power throughout 2022: pollPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha look at reporters as he walks in the Government House compound on Dec 21, 2021. (File photo: Chanat Katanyu)Most people believe Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will remain in power throughout the year while the political situation will be as chaotic as in 2021, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. Respondents were asked how they expect the political, economic and Covid-19 situations to play out in 2022. Concerning the government under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, 45.36% believed Gen Prayut would remain in power throughout the year; 11.47% thought there would be a House dissolution to make way for a new election; 7.85% said there would be cabinet reshuffles; and 7.32% believed Gen Prayut would resign. Asked how the economic situation in 2022 would compare with 2021, 45.73% believed the situation would be worse; 34.04% thought it would be remain the same; and 20.23% believed it would improve.

China woos new digital yuan users ahead of Lunar New Year, Winter OlympicsA woman walks past a banner advertising the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Main Press Centre in Beijing on Thursday. The e-CNY wallet is also accessible through the electronic wallets of seven other major domestic banks, namely the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, Bank of Communications, Postal Savings Bank of China and China Merchants Bank. "I just tried the digital yuan app, and it's very easy to use," a Weibo user wrote on Thursday. Another user said he had yet to use the 25 digital yuan he was given during a bus ride. However, China has yet to announce a formal timetable for the nationwide launch of its digital fiat money, officially known as Digital Currency Electronic Payment.

More than 100,000 march in France against Covid vaccine requirementsSaturday's marches eclipsed last month's protests, with four times the numbers turning outPARIS: More than 100,000 people across France protested Saturday over what they say are government plans to further restrict the rights of the unvaccinated, days after French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to "piss off" those refusing the jab. The government has said it expects the new requirements to be implemented by Jan 15, although lawmakers in the Senate could now delay the process. Interior ministry officials said 105,200 people participated in Saturday's protests across France, 18,000 of them in the capital Paris, where police reported 10 arrests and three officers slightly injured. France recorded 303,669 new coronavirus cases on Saturday amid mounting pressure on hospitals. The Paris protesters, many of them unmasked, braved the cold and rain brandishing placards emblazoned with the word "truth" and "No to vaccine passes".

More than 30% of Covid-19 infections in Thailand are believed to be of the Omicron variant, says virologist Yong Poovorawan. "We must admit that the Omicron variant has been spreading in Thailand and other countries around the world," he said. Dr Yong said S gene testing would more effectively detect Omicron infections, but it was not included in Thailand's testing process, so it cannot be used. A study indicated that patients, especially those who were vaccinated but still contracted the Omicron variant, should now have sufficient immunity to neutralise a Delta infection. The DDC said most Omicron infections were asymptomatic, and the virus was mostly found in the windpipe.

Items on display at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) include air purifiers, car seat alarms and intelligent sun visors. CabinAir and Marelli also showcased car air purification systems that could be installed inside the cockpit or in a cup holder. After developing more ergonomic seats, auto suppliers have begun focusing on tools to help drivers get ahead of other health problems such as cardiovascular issues, and to maintain driver awareness. The Italian startup Filo developed an alarm system for children's car seats following a law in its home country intended to prevent kids from being left in the car on hot days. Other child-protection devices employ cameras, radars, vibration detection and weight sensors, said Mike Ramsay, a specialist in auto technology at consultancy Gartner.

(Bangkok Post file photo)A resort in Khao Yai has allegedly threatened one of its customers with a 3-million-baht defamation case for posting a bad review online. Lawyer Sittra Biebangkerd revealed yesterday that a female client was threatened for posting the bad review on travel booking platform Agoda on Dec 19. Afterwards, Ms Khing reportedly received a threatening call from the resort, claiming her review was defamation and had sullied the resort's reputation. Ms Khing insisted she was just a tourist and had no hidden agenda for criticising the resort. She even apologised to the resort, saying she posted the review in good faith hoping it would spur improvements.

Ministry jab plan for this year gets nodThe Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved the Public Health Ministry's vaccination plan for this year which includes the inoculation of 9.3 million people this month. The CCSA has also approved a fourth booster shot against Covid-19 for medical workers and people with underlying health conditions, according to CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin. Recipients of two doses of Sinovac and Pfizer as a third shot will receive Pfizer or Moderna as a fourth shot, with a three-month interval, according to the spokesman. The purchase scheme, which will be carried out by the Department of Medical Services, will be submitted to the cabinet for approval. The remaining are 2.1 million who are due to receive their second doses and 5.5 million who are scheduled to get a third booster shot.

The additional sandbox destinations are three islands in Surat Thani province — Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan — and the entire provinces of Krabi and Phangnga. He said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had given a guarantee that public health would not be imperilled. "The public health minister confirmed public health safety," he said. Travellers would be required to use only designated transport and routes and stay in designated hotels, the CCSA spokesman said. The provinces are:BangkokChon BuriKanchanaburiKrabiNonthaburiPathum ThaniPhangngaPhuketDomestic measuresDr Taweesilp said the CCSA decided to step up public health controls in 69 other provinces.