Published byThe Bangkok PostTwo big stars team up in The Man From Toronto, but the plot fails to impress with run-of-the-mill comedy and action published : 8 Jul 2022 at 04:00 newspaper section: [Life](http://search.bangkokpost.com/search/result_advanced?category=news&xNewsSection=Life) Patrick Hughes, the director who gave us the franchise The Hitman’s Bodyguard, has created a long-lost cousin with The Man From Toronto, an action-packed film starring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson as a screw-up salesman and the world’s deadliest assassin who run into each other, form an odd friendship, and set out on an adventure for an…Read More

Just one tendril of the crypto meltdownThe Voyager Digital app is visible on an iPhone screen on July 1 in San Anselmo, California. (Photo: AFP)Voyager Digital, a major cryptocurrency investment firm, declared bankruptcy on July 6 after crypto hedge fund Three Arrow Capital (3AC) defaulted on a US$650 million loan. Voyager Digital is a crypto lender that has multiple services, such as cryptocurrency or fiat currency deposits that provide high interest rates and loans. Large funds like 3AC have filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on their loans, including the $650 million loan from Voyager. Stephen Ehrlich, chief executive of Voyager, vowed the company will continue to operate despite the bankruptcy.

Prayut vows to speed up projects if he returns as PMPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, flanked by Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, right, and Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, pays his respect to the city pillar in Muang district of Kamphaeng Phet where he inspected water management projects on Thursday. (Government House photo)Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has vowed to accelerate government projects if he returns as prime minister after the next election. Gen Prayut was in the lower northern province to inspect a local water management programme and discuss new irrigated water sources. "Please know that the prime minister is impatient and wants to finish all the work quickly," he added. After Kamphaeng Phet, he took a trip to nearby Phichit and Nakhon Sawan where he also received a warm welcome.

Social networking sites also erupted when someone recently posted a video showing an ice cream of the Zhong Xue Gao brand remaining rock solid even after being left at room temperature (31 degrees Celsius) for an hour. Yet another video showed an ice cream of the same brand not melting even after being exposed to the flame of a lighter, triggering concerns about how safe it was for consumption. Therefore, more than 40 per cent of it is solid matter, 20 per cent higher than the national standard. Regarding carrageenan, the company reiterated what is common knowledge, that it is a natural extract from red algae and widely used as a thickening agent in ice creams and beverages. From the time it was established, China-based Zhong Xue Gao has been dubbed the "Hermes of ice cream" and holds a prime market position.

Consumer mood rises for first time in 6 months in JuneShoppers at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on July 2, 2022 (Bloomberg photo)Thai consumer confidence in June picked up for the first time in six months, bolstered by improved economic activity following an easing of Covid-19 curbs, but high living costs remained a worry, a survey showed on Thursday. The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce rose to 41.6 in June from 40.2 in the previous month.

The operators believe a visa exemption and longer stay would encourage more foreign tourists to visit Thailand and stay longer, and thus spend more in the kingdom. They also pointed out that the two proposals would support the government’s Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023 policy. “If the current rate of international arrivals continues, the number of foreign tourists will exceed one million per month. TAT expects about one million foreign tourists to arrive each month in the third quarter or from July to September. He said TAT expects about 9.5 million foreign tourists to visit Thailand this year – if there are enough flights for them.

Sudan's Burhan says army stepping back for civilian govtSudanese anti-coup protesters gather on a blockaded street during a sit-in outside al-Jawda hospital in the capital KhartoumKHARTOUM - Sudan's coup leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said Monday the army would make way for a civilian government and would "not participate" in national talks facilitated by the UN and regional blocs. In the weeks following the coup, the military and civilian leaders had promised general elections in July 2023. Sudan's main civilian players had boycotted the talks with military leaders launched under international auspices last month in an effort to restore the transition. - Ruling body dissolving -But Sudan's main civilian bloc, the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), which was ousted from power in the coup, and the influential Umma party refused to join. The new supreme council will only be in charge of "defence and security" issues, Burhan said.

The new price excludes the additional fee levied by the travel agency of Bt800 per visa. The new rate will be applicable for all 26 members of the Schengen group. Those who frequently travel in and out of Schengen countries and have a clean travel record can apply for a visa for a maximum period of 5 years. Furthermore, when the new rate becomes effective, travellers can apply for a visa up to six months in advance (from the previous three months). The 26 countries in the Schengen group are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Foreign investors drained $40 billion from emerging Asia last quarterRampant inflation, as well as aggressive central bank interest-rate hikes, saps the outlook for global growth. Global funds offloaded a net $40 billion of equities across seven regional markets last quarter, exceeding any three-month period characterised by systemic stresses since 2007. The steepest selling was in tech-heavy Taiwan and South Korea and energy-importing India, while foreign investors also made supersized outflows from Indonesian bonds. Indian shares saw $15 billion of sales, and South Korea reported $9.6 billion, also exceeding the earlier periods. Swaps are pricing in a further 150 basis points of rate hikes from the US central bank this year.

Police rushed to the scene to find 20-year-old racer Nattakit Chringjit lying unconscious with injuries and the dead body of 16-year-old spectator Monthol Chooyung. Ekkarat Littima, 59, said he was watching the race in front of his house while holding his two-year-old nephew in his arms. Suddenly, he said, the motorbike hit him, his nephew and another person nearby. Another spectator said the race was going smoothly until two motorbikes got locked and one went off track for 20 metres before hitting the crowd. The witness said the accident took place at a dangerous curve that had no barrier, adding that the announcer had warned racers to beware of this curve.

BCP sees Koh Mak as low-carbon havenSeagrass is the focus of a multi-pronged effort to make Koh Mak a low-carbon tourist destination. Unlike other resort islands that use beaches and the sea to attract visitors, Koh Mak is positioning itself as a low-carbon tourist destination. Located in Trat province in eastern Thailand, Koh Mak has long enjoyed a slow lifestyle with less modern entertainment than other resort islands. A memorandum of understanding to promote sustainable tourism on Koh Mak was recently signed by BCP, the state-owned Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), Kasetsart University, Koh Mak Tambon Administration Organization, Baan Ao Nid Integrated Agricultural Community Enterprise, and Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. Dasta is carrying out a Koh Mak tourism waste management campaign to improve waste collection and recycling.

Marijuana and hemp were removed from the list of banned narcotics on June 9. • Government officials cannot consume marijuana or hemp illegally or in a manner that can affect the image of state officials. • Governors, provincial public health offices and related authorities must provide knowledge and promote public awareness over the cultivation and consumption of marijuana and hemp as permitted by law. • Local authorities must educate people about the benefits and dangers of marijuana and hemp. The Defence Ministry issued a similar order last month, prohibiting its personnel from using marijuana or hemp on military complexes as well as from displaying inappropriate behaviour while under the influence.

Lack of flights, rising fuel costs hit tourismForeign visitors queue to check in for their flights at Suvarnabhumi airport. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Insufficient inbound international flights and surging airfares are challenging the recovery of the Thai tourism industry. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the number of international flights is at only 30% of the pre-pandemic level. This could happen during the fourth quarter as Korean Air and Air Canada have confirmed their schedules for non-stop services. Korean Air has said that it would resume flights to Thailand in the fourth quarter.

Former massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit speaks out in support of legalised gambling. He also said several illegal gambling dens operate right under the nose of police and with their knowledge. In the past, some illegal gambling dens offered money to certain state officials in exchange for their support. Workers in legalised casinos will pay taxes and be entitled to welfare benefits such as social security and health check-ups, he said. In reality, Thais are just three steps away from vices,'' Mr Chuwit said.

Sainz claims maiden F1 win in epic British Grand PrixFerrari celebrate Carlos Sainz's landmark winSILVERSTONE: Carlos Sainz claimed his first Formula One victory in his 150th race on Sunday when he drove his Ferrari to a spectacular triumph in a furious and crash-hit British Grand Prix. Verstappen remained ahead in the title race with 181 points, clear of Perez on 147, Leclerc on 138 and Sainz on 127. Amid this drama, Hamilton closed on Leclerc before Sainz pitted from the lead, Leclerc taking over ahead of Hamilton with the Spaniard rejoining third ahead of Norris. Hamilton pushed as Verstappen pitted again before Leclerc pitted on lap 25. Perez muscled his way to second, Leclerc and Hamilton fought and both Alonso and Norris closed to within a second, setting up a furious finale.