Foreigners arrested for illegally running daycare, wakeboarding centreTourist police pose with the Russian woman, seated, who was arrested on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, on Wednesday. (Photo: police)SURAT THANI: Several foreigners were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly operating a daycare facility and a wakeboarding service centre on Koh Phangan. Tourist police reported that a 26-year-old Russian woman and a Myanmar woman, 18, were arrested at a house while receiving foreign children for daycare. The Myanmar woman said she had been working there as a helper for over a year. A Russian man was arrested for illegally operating the shop, which opened in December last year.

Chileans are bundling up with more clothes and clutching cups of hot coffee as the country faces the most intense cold snap in nearly 70 years, bringing winter weather in the middle of autumn. University of Santiago climatologist Raul Cordero says it's, "the longest cold snap ever recorded" in the capital Santiago.

Townhouse revenue dropped by 17% to 793 million baht, with the majority of revenue coming from units priced at 24 million baht and above. The key driver was condo transfers at The Extro Phayathai Rangnam project, with units priced from 7.4 million baht. Revenue from low-rise houses was generated from transfers of single detached houses priced at 40 million baht and 80 million baht a unit. This substantial increase led to its consolidated revenue tripling to 2.1 billion baht from 731 million baht. This decline was primarily influenced by a 42% year-on-year drop in revenue from residential sales which fell to 3.4 billion baht.

Centel claims robust Q1 performanceCentral Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel) has announced a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2024, reporting a net profit of 756 million baht, a 20% increase from the same period last year. The increase has been attributed to the robust performance of both its hotel and food businesses. The company's hotel business was robust in the first quarter, with 3.24 billion baht in revenue, a 15% increase from the previous year. Centel expanded its food business with a net addition of 19 outlets, bringing the total to 1,618 outlets. The company expects SSS for its food business, excluding joint ventures, to grow by 3%-5% and TSS by 8%-11%.

Thailand’s cabinet has approved a special 10-year visa for executives and experts working in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to support the development of targeted industries in the country. Thailand okeys 10-year EEC visa for foreigners. Deputy government spokeswoman Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri said the cabinet passed the proposal from the EEC Office for the EEC visa, aiming to attract specialists in various fields to work in the corridor. There are four categories for the EEC visa: specialists, executives, professionals, and spouses and dependents. The EEC is located in three provinces in eastern Thailand including Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao.

At least two French prison guards were shot dead and three others seriously injured on Tuesday (May 14) after heavily armed men ambushed a prison van to free an inmate, French police said, triggering a major manhunt. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told the National Assembly the attackers "will pay".

Cannabis contains cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD, which can be used to treat many ailments. Gunkul earned 4 million baht from the cannabis business last year and expected to make 100 million baht in 2024. The firm posted revenue of 10 million baht in the first quarter. Gunkul saw a sign of the policy flip-flop after a bill to control cannabis usage could not be passed by parliament. The U-turn on state policy could cause cannabis product retailers to stop investment and even shut down their businesses, said Ms Sopacha.

Govt wants to sell all old ricePhumtham: 'Better than letting it rot'Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday insisted that the government wants to sell the last stocks of decade-old rice so the money gained can be returned to state coffers. Responding to concerns about aflatoxins in the decade-old rice that can cause cancer, Mr Phumtham claimed that if the quality of the rice is improved using modern technology, it will be safe for consumption. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang on Monday denied a report that his ministry would buy the decade-old rice to feed soldiers. In a speech to new recruits there, Mr Sutin assured them that good-quality food would be provided for every soldier. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said earlier that the government will send samples of the decade-old rice for lab tests to ensure its safety.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai said on May 13 that the government wants to sell the last stocks of decade-old rice. Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai said on May 13 that the government wants to sell the last stocks of decade-old rice. Responding to concerns about aflatoxins in the decade-old rice that can cause cancer, Phumtham claimed that if the quality of the rice is improved using modern technology, it will be safe to eat. PM Srettha Thavisin said earlier that the government will send samples of the decade-old rice for lab tests to ensure its safety.

Turkish police arrested a man suspected of trying to smuggle valuable poisonous spiders and scorpions out of the country, with state media identifying the suspect on Monday (May 13) as a curator at New York's American Museum of Natural History.

Residents of Mexico City turned to fountains and pools to fight the high temperatures that hit not only the capital but much of Mexico on Monday (May 13).

DTP achieves rising UK hotel revenue in successful overseas investmentDTGO Prosperous Limited (DTP), an investment and financial manage-ment company within DTGO, posted results for its 17 UK hotels, operated by a Singapore-listed subsidiary, with strong growth and average occupancy now near 80%. Tourism has seen a rapid post-COVID rebound in the UK, one of the first countries to reopen to foreign visitors. Mr. Hansa Susayan, Business Group Chairman – Finance & Investment of DTGO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of DTP"Occupancy rates have returned to pre-COVID levels. ProsperCap operates, owns, and manages 100% of all the 17 UK hotel assets with a total of 3,383 rooms. DTP is going ahead with its plans to invest and raise funds domestically and overseas, said Mr. Hansa.

The arrest of the suspects was the result of an expanded investigation that saw police arrest five members of a call centre gang last year. Police also found that Mr Chen had a five-year visa as he was a member of the Thailand Privilege Card scheme, formerly known as the Thailand Elite card. "We are concentrating on criminals who enter the nation with Thailand Privilege Card visas. He said the Thailand Elite card was issued by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited, which is under the supervision of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). "Before being eligible for the privilege card, a background check on one's financial sources should also be required," he said.

At least 31 people died, 15 are still missing and over 40 people were injured following heavy rain that brought floods and landslides to Indonesia's province of West Sumatra, an official said on Sunday (May 12).

New push to let bankrupt people keep jobs in govtThe Strategic Transformation Office (STO) has proposed amendments to the bankruptcy law, which would allow someone declared bankrupt to hold an important position in the government sector. One proposal includes differentiating between "bankrupt" and "dishonest bankrupt" individuals in law and creating employment opportunities for those who are declared bankrupt. Both "bankrupt" and "dishonest bankrupt" individuals are required to notify the authorities in charge of appointments of their status without delay. In such cases, a "bankrupt" person must be reassigned to another role but can be reinstated after they are no longer bankrupt. The proposals suggest amending 13 other laws to change "bankrupt" to "dishonest bankrupt," as these laws prohibit "bankrupt" people from holding certain positions.