After three days, a rash started to develop on his left arm and he also tested positive for Covid-19 on the same day. He was detected with the monkeypox virus, the BA 5.1 subvariant of Covid-19, and HIV-1 (with a viral load of 234,000 copies per millilitre of blood) on the following day. His antigen test result for Covid-19 was negative after two days in home isolation. There was no information on whether monkeypox from him could have spread to other people within 29 days. Researchers deduced that the patient was infected with monkeypox first and caught Covid-19 during the monkeypox’s incubation period.

(Xinhua photo)JAKARTA: The Indonesian popular resort island of Bali continued to revive its tourism sector from Covid-19 pandemic despite the ongoing foot and mouth disease (FMD) re-emergence in the Southeast Asian country. International tourists have started returning to Bali since February after a hiatus of more than two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. The disease has spread across 24 provinces with more than 500,000 livestock animals infected and more than 6,000 animals killed, according to the country's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). However, the warnings did not prevent holidaymakers from those countries from visiting Bali, one of the world's best travel destinations. Pemayun said that Bali authorities continued to accelerate the vaccination program on livestock animals and carried out lockdown measures since the disease has severe consequences on animal health and trade.

Coups, courts, protests and Prayut: a Thai timelinePolitical groups opposed to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha take part in a protest near Government House ahead of a Constitutional Court decision on when his eight-year PM term ends, in Bangkok on Tuesday. Following the court's decision, here is a brief look at the past two turbulent decades in Thai politics. 2010 - More than 90 people are killed as army forces commanded by Gen Prayut open fire on pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" protesting in downtown Bangkok. A snap 2014 election is annulled and the military -- led by Gen Prayut -- seizes power. - Reform and delays -2016 – Gen Prayut oversees a crackdown on dissent and wins a referendum to change the constitution.

Cabinet approves B2.92bn EV subsidy packageThe cabinet on Tuesday approved spending worth 2.92 billion baht to subsidise electric vehicle (EV) purchases, aiming to drive Thailand to become the region's EV production base and increase the competitiveness of its EV manufacturing industry. According to government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri, the subsidies offered for the purchase of passenger cars, pickup trucks and motorcycles range from 18,000 to 150,000 baht per unit. CKD pickups priced less than 2 million baht with a battery size of more than 30 kWh will be entitled to a 150,000 baht subsidy per unit. Meanwhile, electric motorcycles priced up to 150,000 baht will receive an 18,000 baht subsidy per unit for both CKD and CBU units. Duangjai Asawachintachit, secretary-general of the Board of Investment, said the board is upbeat that overall EV production will reach 900,000 to one million units by late this year or early next year.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House on Tuesday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)All eyes are on whether the Constitutional Court will on Wednesday accept a petition filed by the opposition bloc seeking a ruling on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's eight-year tenure. Speaking after Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the court will meet today and it remains to be seen whether it will accept the petition for consideration. The Secretariat of the House of Representatives on Monday forwarded the petition signed by 171 opposition MPs to the court. "If the court accepts it, it will then make a decision about whether to suspend Gen Prayut temporarily [until the judges rule on the issue].

The study also found that shoppertainment could unlock $1 trillion (36 trillion baht) in market value for brands in Asia Pacific (APAC) by 2025. As for Thailand, shoppertainment is projected to grow from $3.4 billion in 2022 to more than $12.4 billion by 2025. Therefore, connecting with consumers through shoppertainment — with entertainment first, commerce second approach — is a must. Shoppertianment will redefine the formula of success for brands," said Sirini. Titled "Shoppertainment: APAC's Trillion-Dollar Opportunity", the report surveyed markets across six countries with high potential growth in the Asia Pacific region, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.

Deputy government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul said the Malaysian minister has expressed interest in Thailand’s policy to use ganja and hemp for medicinal purposes and for generating revenue for the country. Malaysia has also announced its policy to use marijuana for medical treatments. She said Anutin and his Malaysian counterpart would discuss Thailand’s draft marijuana law, the obstacles, problems and restrictions in implementing the policy on using cannabis for medical treatment and as a cash crop. She said Anutin would also lead a Malaysian health delegation to observe plantations of hemp and ganja and observe the process of making medicines and cosmetics from the plants.

We expect all these food businesses to flourish under our alliance with OR, plus further opportunities to expand domestically and internationally." This vision includes identifying opportunities for inclusive growth and focusing on collaborations that strengthen businesses and help them to fulfil their potential. Kawswat added that OR's ultimate goal is to reach inclusive growth and success in all dimensions amidst the uncertain global economic environment. "Our alliance with DUSIT through Dusit Foods will enhance the potential of OR's lifestyle business, especially the food segment, which will benefit the outlets owned by OR and those we have co-invested in," said Kawswat. "One of OR's missions is to create an alternative food business model that facilitates convenience and comprehensively meets all the lifestyle preferences of multigenerational consumers.

"The metaverse has already happened, and it is expanding," said Anothai, regional director for US-based Dell Technologies. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that the fast-growing metaverse market will be worth US$783.3 billion (28 trillion baht) by 2024. Not surprisingly, businesses ranging from large corporations to SMEs are looking for a slice of this market, and the Thai private sector is no exception. Anothai said cloud technology will be key to the metaverse strategies of companies transitioning to the “next internet”. He explained that the metaverse is currently a patchwork of separate immersive pockets that will eventually be stitched together to form a seamless virtual platform.

The tech chief zeroed in on the benefits of blockchain, explaining that it would overcome various pain points for people thanks to its transparency, decentralised network and speed. The digital ledger technology is already spreading through diverse industries, including logistics, agriculture and healthcare. "Many people are now asking how to maximise the uses and benefits of blockchain in their business," he said. However, he said that given the fast pace of technological development, it was no surprise to see many businesses making mistakes or overlooking new tech’s potential. "In the next era, combining business and the metaverse will help companies to grow to a global level," he said, adding that companies should seek partnerships to expand in the metaverse.

Thailand’s first international metaverse exhibition – co-organised by Nation Group, Blockmountain and Metaverse XR – was visited by a group of 120 outstanding students from 16 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including 10 students from Thailand. The students got to test out technologies of the future, participating in activities offered at 30 booths and talks by over 50 local and international experts with a sizeable tech industry audience. They also took a deep dive into the metaverse courtesy of a seminar delivered on the main stage at CentralWorld in Bangkok. During their two-hour visit, they toured all three zones of the “Thailand Metaverse Expo” – the Experience zone, Showcase zone and Workshop zone. “We are very happy to be here because this event allows us to get a wider and better understanding of the metaverse,” the students were quoted as saying.

Somalis anxiously await news of loved ones as hotel siege endsThe attack was the biggest in Mogadishu since Somalia's new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in June. The hotel was a favoured meeting spot for government officials and scores of people were inside when gunmen stormed the property. Businessman Muktar Adan, whose brother was inside the hotel when the attack started, told AFP he was waiting for permission to enter the hotel and look for his sibling. A second explosion occurred just minutes later, witnesses said, inflicting more casualties as rescuers, security forces and civilians rushed to help those injured. Al-Shabaab has carried out several attacks in Somalia since Mohamud took office, and last month launched strikes on the Ethiopian border.

'Few hurdles' likely for revised cannabis lawAnutin: All parties had a sayThe bill to amend the present cannabis and hemp laws has been completed and will go before the House of Representatives for a second reading next week, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Mr Anutin on Satruday presided over a meeting on medical cannabis in Chiang Rai which was attended by the Public Health Ministry's executive officials, state agencies, the private sector and more than 1,000 people. Public Health Region 1 in the north -- comprising Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son -- has driven the cannabis policy, said Mr Anutin. For instance, Nakornping and Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospitals have launched cannabis clinics for onsite and online health checks while Pai Hospital in Mae Hong Son offers cannabis treatment with modern medicine for curing insomnia, he said. Phrae Hospital also developed an integrated registration and alert system for new growers and those suffering ill effects following cannabis treatment.

Thailand’s metaverse has started with fanfare at the “Thailand Metaverse Expo 2022” being held at CentralWorld shopping centre in Bangkok. The event offers new business opportunities in the global digital economy. Speakers at the event are experts and professionals from the worlds of digital assets, non-fungible tokens, virtual sports, startups, marketing technology, user experience and user interface (UX-UI). Sports Metaverse, one of the activities held at the event, drew many participating teams and spectators. In this video, The Nation introduces you to the participating athletes and their views on Sports Metaverse.

At least 12 killed in Somalia hotel siegeMOGADISHU: At least 12 people have been killed in Somalia's capital Mogadishu after al Shabaab militants attacked a hotel leading to a siege that authorities are still trying to end, an intelligence officer said on Saturday. Sounds of explosions punctuated the night as government forces tried to wrest control of the hotel back from the militants, witnesses said. The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist group statements. Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple the Somali government for more than 10 years. The Hayat Hotel is a popular venue with lawmakers and other government officials but there was no immediate information if any of them had been caught up in the siege.