This proprietary in-depth study of natural ingredients identified that people are very excited about dragon fruit. In terms of consumer perceptions, dragon fruit triggers associations with adjectives like bold, exotic, exciting, impressive and fun. In fact, dragon fruit use in CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) is growing more quickly in foods than beverages, where innovations typically appear first. Jeff Schmoyer, Firmenich Global Head of Human Insights, commented: "Dragon fruit may be still a 'rare' fruit flavour for CPG food & beverage brands, but it is no longer rare to consumers. "For this reason, Firmenich believes that its flavour creativity will play a key role in amplifying the taste and celebrating combinations of dragon fruit with other flavours," Schmoyer concluded.

AFPOngoing travel restrictions and entry requirements in some countries are the most critical obstacles to expanding the tourism sector, according to the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA). Even though the seat capacity on flights to the country is only at 60% of pre-pandemic levels and airfares are extremely expensive, Thai tourists have continued to travel there since Japan's reopening in October. Travel flow is expected to remain strong until next year's Songkran festival, said Mr Charoen. He said if regional governments let tourists travel freely, with promotional campaigns to introduce unexplored destinations, tourist flows would be increased and countries that take part would benefit. Mr Charoen said given strong support from the local government, the number of Thai tourists visiting Kyushu could increase to at least 100,000 over the next year.

Kreetakorn Siriatha, chief of financial and strategy officer, The Minor Food Group Pcl, Sizzler's parent company, told a press conference on Tuesday that specialty is a food trend for 2023. There is a demand for premium foods that make consumers feel special, he explained. Many players are working hard to win over consumers' hearts in order to win over their loyalty, while newcomers are entering the market with new and amazing concepts. Though it is beneficial for customers to have more options, we must transform ourselves as quickly as their demand changes in order to stay on top of our customers' minds," Kreetakorn elaborated. Aside from being concerned about healthy food and its safety, they want something premium and unique that will add value to their experience.

Samsung, LG plan multi-billion-dollar additional investment in VietnamMotorcyclists pass restaurants and stores on a street near the Van Trung Industrial Park in Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province, Vietnam. (File photo: Bloomberg)HANOI: South Korean electronics giants Samsung and LG plan to pour billions of United States dollars of additional investment into Vietnam, state media reports and the Vietnamese government said on Tuesday. The announcement comes after Samsung cut smartphone production in Vietnam twice this year in response to weaker global demand. Samsung Electronics, the largest single foreign investor in Vietnam, will invest $2 billion more in the Southeast Asian country, raising its total to US$20 billion, Vietnamese state media said. The state media report and the government statement did not provide further details on the investment by the two companies.

The institute will coordinate research at the university, provide grants, assist course development and link students with alumni in the field. A Rakuten online donation site started in February has raised nearly ¥1.3 billion from over 70,000 contributors to support aid efforts in Ukraine. This includes HK$150 million to fund research at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Medicine and over HK$70 million to fight Covid-19. To date, it has granted over 1,600 bursaries totalling about S$1 million ($727,000) to students from primary school to pre-university levels. The foundation is also a longstanding donor to the Singapore Management University, to which it contributed S$3 million in April to set up the JLFO-LHF Scholarship.

INQUIRY LINES: UTN secretary-general says if Prayut joins new party, the PM must change how he worksThe United Thai Nation Party (UTN), also known as Ruam Thai Sang Chart, has been thrust into the spotlight as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is widely expected to join the newly-established party. "With former Democrats joining the UTN, the party may seem like a branch of the Democrat Party, but that is not the case," Mr Akanat said. We will make the party a political institution, not just an ad hoc party created for a specific purpose." Mr Akanat said he had a close bond with the Democrat Party, with his mother, Srisakul Promphan, being a former Democrat Party MP for Nakhon Ratchasima, while several of his relatives are also staunch supporters of the party. If the party secures seats in the upcoming election and continues to do so in future elections, then it is proven that that party is not an ad hoc party for Gen Prayut," he said.

She checked into her hotel and upon getting to her room, she said, she could not find toothpaste in the set of complimentary toiletries. Another example she cited was a tiny Thai business that sells bamboo toothbrushes, which have now caught the eye of many international five-star hotels. Duangkamol was among several local and foreign business representatives to share their thoughts on driving the Thai economy towards sustainability. She said green products and services are becoming popular because more and more people are concerned about the environment. She also said that the Bank of Ayudhya has come up with a funding model for green businesses and suppliers of green energy.

The fair is being held as a hybrid event – both at Lumpini Park and online – from December 8 to 18. Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said 70 passport applications will be accepted daily at the Foreign Ministry booth near Gate 3 of the park near Rama IV Road. Queue numbers will be distributed from 1pm and applications will be processed until 8pm.

Chinese cities relax testing rules as zero-Covid policy easesLocal authorities across China have begun a slow rollback of Covid restrictions that have governed daily life for years. BEIJING: Businesses reopened and testing requirements were relaxed in Beijing and other Chinese cities on Monday as the country tentatively eases out of a strict zero-Covid policy that sparked nationwide protests. And Zhengzhou -- home to the world's largest iPhone factory -- on Sunday said people will be allowed to enter public places, take public transport and enter their residential compounds without a 48-hour negative test result. The World Health Organization has cheered China's loosening of its zero-Covid policy, which came after hundreds took to the streets across the country to call for greater political freedoms and an end to lockdowns. "Students can't go to school without a 24-hour negative test," wrote a user on China's Twitter-like Weibo.

The ministry has instructed platforms to ensure their sellers comply with its directive banning the sale of buds to anyone under 20 and pregnant or nursing women. The buds of the plant contain high concentrations of cannabinoids, which are responsible for the intoxicating effect of cannabis. Trisulee said the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine had been monitoring popular online shopping platforms and found some sellers were violating the directive. The department expects CBD to be offered as a hospital treatment for childhood epilepsy by 2024, Traisulee said. The research project is being conducted with cooperation from the Neurological Institute of Thailand and Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.

The Urus Performante also highlights the usage of composite materials. This makes it the automobile with the most carbon fibre in its segment. The unique feature is that clients can select to display the carbon fibre design. A carbon fibre roof is also available, as with the Huracán Performante and Super Trofeo supercars. Rally: This new driving option offers strong off-road driving because of its anti-roll bars and shock absorbers.

Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, director of the 15th World Film Festival, has travelled around the world to choose interesting films. Are you excited by the line-up?

Association chairman Panya Charoenlarp said the festival was designed for both domestic and foreign tourists and that kite flying was not the only draw. The festival also includes a king mackerel fishing competition, a Thai ridgeback dog show, performances by artists, and a buffet of local cuisine and community-produced products. Related stories:

(Photo supplied/Assawin Pakkawan)Authorities say a bomb planted on the tracks was responsible for the derailment of a freight train in Sadao district of Songkhla on Saturday. The train derailed after a loud bang that sounded like a bomb blast occurred on the track, Thai media reported. A plan to salvage the derailed train and repair the damaged tracks would begin on Sunday after bomb disposal officers cleared the area. The Hat Yai-Padang Besar route may need to be closed for several days for repairs, said a source. Eleven of the 20 cars on the Hat Yai-Padang Besar line went off the tracks.

Julian Alvarez bagged Argentina's second from close range in the 57th minute after fatal hesitation from Ryan with the ball at his feet following a backpass. Australia, who did superbly to reach the last 16 and are ranked 35 places below the double World Cup winners, defended valiantly with the towering Harry Souttar prominent. They set up a nervy end after Craig Goodwin's shot was deflected into the net off Enzo Fernandez for an own goal in the 77th minute. The 35-year-old Messi's goal was his third in the Qatar tournament and his ninth at World Cups, one more than Maradona.