According to Depa's latest study of the digital content industry in 2021, its value grew by 7% to 42 billion baht last year, buoyed by a flourishing gaming sector. Kasititorn Pooparadai, senior executive vice-president at Depa, said the study gauges the digital content industry by taking into account three categories -- games, animation and character. She said the country's digital content industry will continue to grow in the coming years. It is projected to hit 53.7 billion baht in 2022 and surge to 62.4 billion in 2024. Ms Kasititorn said Thailand still has a small number of key players in each sector of the digital content industry.

The partnership agreement signing ceremony between Bitkub and TRON was hosted on September 17, 2022 at the Bitkub M Social venue, The EmQuartier department store with Mr Sugrit Phutaviriya, Chief Marketing Officer of Bitkub Online Co., Ltd., Ms Liyawal Chakphatrapakin, Academy Business Manager of Bitkub Labs Co., Ltd., and Ms Rachel Hou, Marketing Manager of TRON taking commemorative photos to commence the partnership. Mr Sugrit Phutaviriya, Chief Marketing Officer of Bitkub Online Co., Ltd. provided insights to the partnership as follows:“Under this collaboration with TRON, we are determined to drive more than just marketing values. Bitkub has been aware of the influx of interest towards cryptocurrencies and digital assets since 2017, with many investors just entering the marketing lacking the essential knowledge to effectively invest in this highly volatile market. With this kept in mind, the company has moved forward with providing adequate tools to invest wisely to induce risk-awareness and education. This is indeed reflected in the provisions of learning airdrops under the NewTRON: Pitching Competition activity, hosted to stimulate targeted education amongst young investors and prepare them for upcoming market trends.”

Festival spending projected to hit B42.2bnVegetarian snacks for sale on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok's Chinatown during last year's annual vegetarian festival. According to the UTCC, spending during this year's festival is expected to increase by 5.2%. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Spending at this year's annual vegetarian festival, scheduled to run from Sept 26 to Oct 4, is expected to improve compared with tepid spending in 2021, when the pandemic was still raging. According to the latest survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), spending during the festival is expected to increase by 5.2% this year to 42.2 billion baht. "Yet overall spending sentiment has not returned to normal as most people believe the pace of the country's economic recovery remains relatively slow.

According to the Korea Power Exchange, renewable energy capacity totalled 27,103 megawatts as of September — 20.1 per cent of the total 134,719MW power generation facilities. Renewable energy includes solar, hydro and wind power as well as bio-backed generation. Data showed that liquefied natural gas accounted for the highest share of the total energy output with 30.8 per cent, followed by coal at 27.2 per cent, renewable energy with 20.1 per cent and nuclear power with 17.3 per cent. Electricity generation capacity by renewables first outpaced nuclear power generation in September last year and has since been growing. But nuclear power is likely to curb the growth of renewable energy in power generation again in the years to come as the incumbent Yoon Suk-yeol administration has made moves to nullify the previous government’s drive to phase out nuclear power.

Moscow-held Ukraine regions to vote on annexation by RussiaA Ukrainian serviceman handles a machine gun near the southern frontline in the Mykolaiv region. (Photo: AFP)KYIV (UKRAINE): Moscow-held regions of Ukraine will vote in the coming days on annexation by Russia, separatist officials said Tuesday, as Kyiv's troops wrest back territory captured by Moscow's forces. Authorities in the southern Kherson region of Ukraine also announced on Tuesday they would hold a vote over the same dates on annexation from Russia. - 'Sham' votes -"Ukraine will solve the Russian issue. Putin, she said, wants to threaten the full use of Russia's military, including nuclear weapons, in defending Russian territory, including newly annexed regions.

Boonsong granted temporary release to attend mum's funeralFormer commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, second from right, attends the funeral rite of his mother in Chiang Mai province on Monday. (Photo: Sarawut Saetiao Facebook Account)Former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom was granted temporary release from prison to attend his mother's funeral, Wuttichai Jenwiriyakul, director of the Klong Prem Central Prison, confirmed on Tuesday. The prison chief made the comment after photos of the convict showing up at his mother's funeral in Chiang Mai on Monday were shared online. Boonsong had filed a request for temporary release so that he could attend the funeral, and all procedures were properly followed, Mr Wuttichai said. Mr Somsak said he had not received any reports from concerned agencies about the former minister's presence at the funeral, although the Corrections Department chief has the authority to grant temporary release to prisoners.

Now Thailand is hit by La Niña phenomenon, but no storms to cause huge floods like 2011Thailand was hit by major floods in 2011 due to the La Niña phenomenon, which made the rainy season arrive sooner than usual. This was made worse by five storms that had hit Thailand that year, increasing the average rainfall by 27 per cent. The La Niña phenomenon has also taken place this year, resulting in rains arriving sooner than expected, however, Thailand has not been directly hit by storms this year, while the average rainfall so far has been recorded as 21 per cent above the normal amount.”There are estimates that there will be around 10 per cent more rainfall than usual, rising slightly from 8 per cent more last year. Causes of flooding in ThailandNatural causes:- Low pressure masses- Storms, such as depression and tropical storms and typhoons- Monsoon trenches- Southwest monsoon- Northeast monsoon- Dams collapsingMismanagement:- Disagreement between government and local administrations- Lacking capable officials to deal with natural disasters- Lacking coordination among government agencies- Ignorance of people in remote areas

Queen Elizabeth's coffin was taken from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London after the state funeral, where it was transferred to a hearse to begin its journey to Windsor. There, the procession travelled along the Long Walk past thousands of people. Queen Elizabeth's black pony Emma watched the monarch's funeral procession pass by on the grounds of Windsor Castle and the queen's two corgis, Sandy and Muick, were also brought out for the arrival of the coffin at the castle. Then Queen Elizabeth's coffin was lowered into a vault at Windsor Castle, her final resting place. As the congregation sang "God Save the King", King Charles, who faces a huge challenge to maintain the appeal of the monarchy as economic hardship looms in Britain, appeared to be fighting back tears.

As Ronaldo emerged, a young fan wearing a United shirt ran towards the five time Ballon d’Or winner. Ronaldo hugged the young boy and asked for a pen to sign the fan’s shirt. Fans were quick to jump on social media to show their appreciation towards Ronaldo. After the meeting with the young fan, Ronaldo started and scored in United’s 2-0 win over the Moldovan side.

Double-track lines to open this yearFive double-track railway routes, three of them to the South, are set to open this year with the aim of cutting journey times and increasing logistical efficiency, the government said on Monday. Mr Anucha said a double-track railway is not only safer but will reduce freight transport costs and improve the country's competitiveness. Seven double-track rail routes, 985km in all, are being implemented, one of which has been wholly completed -- the 106-km Chachoengsao-Klong Sib Kao junction-Kaeng Koi Junction route, which was opened in 2019. They are Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho (145km), Mab Kabao-Thanon Jira Junction (135km), Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin (169km), Hua Hin-Prachuap Khiri Khan (76km) and Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon (167km). Mr Anucha said that once open, a new line will also cut the Bangkok to Hua Hin travel time from five to two hours.

"If the Fed can tackle inflation effectively and people can get back to work, the situation may improve," Duitz said. He added that global stocks usually bounced back eventually from unprecedented shocks like the Covid-19 crisis, which has triggered supply disruption and inflation. He noted that many companies are still able to pay dividends despite the pandemic and rising prices. He also expects dividends to grow by an average of 7 per cent this year and 5 per cent next year.

Tourism 'near to pre-Covid level'Tourists crowd Yaowarat Road, Bangkok, on Sept 17. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Tourism is bouncing back close to pre-Covid 19 levels, with at least 10 million international tourist arrivals targeted this year, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri. Five million foreign tourists have arrived in Thailand since the beginning of the year. Mr Anucha said the government has set the target of welcoming at least 10 million foreign tourist arrivals this year. In Phuket, a strong tourism recovery is also evident.

Chevron, PTTEP vying for Gulf licencesUS-based Chevron Offshore (Thailand) and PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) are competing for new licences for offshore petroleum exploration and production in the Gulf of Thailand, according to the companies. The licences, to be granted under a 24th round of auctions covering three offshore areas, do not include the Erawan and Bongkot gas blocks, currently operated by PTTEP. Winners will be awarded petroleum exploration and production rights under production-sharing contracts, or PSCs. PTTEP told stock investors last month it was determined to secure the licences in the auctions. Chevron has recently announced it would bid for an exploration and production licence at G2/65 block.

He said the two agencies were taking action in line with their respective jurisdictions. Arkhom added that the central bank had also made moves to warn the public against being lured by forex scams. Some 9,000 complaints have been registered so far with the Department of Special Investigation, regarding losses of about 2 billion baht after investing in the Forex-3D scheme. On Monday, the SEC explained that it has no authority to supervise foreign currency exchange as the power belongs to the central bank.

However, Public Health Ministry announcements after cannabis was legalised on June 9 dictate that the herb should be used for medical purposes, government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Sunday. She gave the example of a June 15 announcement banning public smoking of cannabis, which carries punishment of up to one year in jail, a 2,000 baht fine or both. She added that a June 17 announcement limits the amount of cannabis individuals can possess and bans sale of the herb to children and pregnant women. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs must get permission before using cannabis or hemp in foods, medicine or cosmetics.