Figures broke through the 100,000 level after a 47.93-per-cent rise in exports from December 20 thanks to increased supply of semiconductors and auto-parts. Thai auto exports increased to all markets – up 101 per cent to Australia and Oceania, 64.96 per cent to Europe, 54.99 per cent to North America, and 121.87 per cent to Central and South America – driven by the global economic recovery.

He acquired the two from the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection with the OpenSea platform which is the largest NFT marketplace. He paid 159.99 ETH, equivalent to around $521,000, for one of the illustrations, and 189.69 ETH or around $624,000 for the other. The purchase was done with the personalised wallet “EneJay” on the platform from his initials. He explained later on his Instagram that he had done it with two partners. Neymar’s Paris teammates Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti also reportedly paid a part of the sum but neither of them has posted any images on social media.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged parliamentarians to accept and pass two organic laws related to elections expected to be tabled before parliament next month, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said. The prime minister wants them to push through the Political Parties Act and the Election of MPs Act without delay, the spokesman said after a cabinet meeting on Monday. To reflect the changes to the charter, the two organic laws governing the election of MPs and political parties will have to be amended. However, Mr Wissanu said deliberation of the bills may not be completed during the current parliamentary session which ends on Feb 28. It stands ready to propose a special parliamentary session," Mr Wissanu said in answer to accusations the government is trying to stall the bills to remain in office for as long as possible.

Rachada said it was necessary to control the price of chicken, as it is an important source of protein. She added that so far, the Commerce Ministry has built a list of 56 price-controlled items and services, including chicken, egg, pork, shampoo, detergent, rice, garlic, instant food, school uniform and medical treatment. As part of the price-control action, the Central Commission on Prices of Goods and Services has set up the following measures for entrepreneurs, retailers and poultry farmers:• Farmers who have more than 100,000 chickens and slaughterhouse operators that have a production capacity of over 4,000 chickens per day must inform the relevant authority of stock volume, production cost and retail price every month. • Factories producing animal feed must provide information on stock volume, retail price, production capacity and cost every month. • Businesses, retailers and poultry farm operators must receive approval from the Department of Internal Trade before increasing retail prices.

Consumer product price rises, he noted, tend to be protracted and can trigger a chain reaction. He estimated the pork price fiasco might take as long as 18 months to solve, far outlasting the funds made available. Water and power bills should be subsidised for at least six months to ease the financial burden on people, he said. Citing a previous pork price spike in the US, he said the problem was alleviated after all sides in the supply chain came together for talks. Subsequently, pork prices dropped by 15-20% and other meats by 2%.

Legalisation of household cannabis, limited recreational useLamps for indoor cannabis cultivation are exhibited at the Thailand Science Park in Pathum Thani province last month. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drafted a bill to legalise the household cultivation and consumption of cannabis and its recreational use in some locations. Household consumption would be for medical purposes only. Regarding the recreational use of cannabis, Dr Paisarn said it could be done in some locations that had yet to be specified. "Of course, we won't go to the stage of cannabis cafés, but there are different models for its recreational use in other countries.

AFPForeign tourists are likely to have more insurance options to cover hospitel and hotel isolation expenses in Thailand as the government is trying to solve the problem of Covid-infected tourists refusing to pay for medication or running away from hotels. Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, said the government is discussing with the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) offering Covid-19 insurance options for vaccinated tourists whose travel insurance does not cover medical expenditure for hospitels or hotel isolation for mild asymptomatic cases. A new ruling from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) last week stipulated that if a tourist's insurance doesn't cover all medical expenses for Covid-19 infection, they are responsible for such expenditure themselves. The CCSA subcommittee still needs to discuss in detail insurance options and punishment. "Insurance options will help cover expenditure in case tourists become infected with Covid-19 or have high-risk contact that requires isolation," she said.

FTI club launches EV component planAn electric car is connected for charging at Motor Expo 2021, held in December at Impact Challenger 1-3, Muang Thong Thani. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Federation of Thai Industries' (FTI) auto parts club is working to help 2,500 auto parts manufacturers accustomed to producing parts for internal combustion engines (ICE) to shift towards electric vehicle (EV) technology by launching an EV component development plan. EVs are expected to replace oil-powered cars, threatening to disrupt auto parts production in the future, said Pinai Sirinakorn, chairman of the club. The EV component development plan aims to help auto parts manufacturers shift their businesses to better suit the new market. According to the FTI, auto parts companies in Thailand are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), supplying products to domestic and global markets.

Defence Council okays cutsThe Defence Council has approved proposals to support the continued restructuring of the military with aim of trimming the country's armed forces by 5% over four years, according to the Defence Ministry. He said the number of armed forces personnel must be trimmed by 5% by the 2027 fiscal year, and when units are merged or dissolved as part of restructuring, the number of armed forces and expenditures must not increase. Col Wanchana said the Defence Ministry has already begun downsizing the military. The programme includes cuts on enrolment at all military schools including armed forces-related academies and technical schools, the hiring of civilians in the Defence Ministry and the early retirement programme. He said the trimming of the armed forces is in accordance with restructuring plans by the Defence Ministry for 2017-2026, which will allow the ministry to better respond to emerging threats.

Circumstances and jobs now change so quickly that no one can understand what individuals need, faster or better than the individual. I know you are busy, and I know your company signs you up for development events of varying quality and usefulness. For example, I have had to learn things that younger members of my organisation would consider extremely basic concerning technology — things they learned in school. Ask yourself what small things you could learn that could improve your performance or results. Once you understand where things are going, you can start immediately and ensure your future success and relevance.

The Hyundai winners include: the Elantra hybrid, Tucson hybrid, Kona subcompact SUV, Tucson compact SUV and Santa Fe 2-row SUV. Its smaller sibling Kia Motors’ Telluride also topped the best 3-row SUV for the money category. The award covers a total of 11 automotive categories and the scores are based on safety and reliability data as well as the collective opinion of the automotive press. “We are greatly honored to win more 2022 US News Best Cars for the Money awards than any other automotive brand,” said Olabisi Boyle, vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai Motor North America. “The Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson, Elantra Hybrid, Tucson Hybrid and Kona are just a few of the superior products that we offer, and we are pleased that US News recognizes their collective excellence.”

Govt blinded by scienceThe government's axeing of two science and math projects, despite a total cost for both of only 700 million baht, raises doubts about how serious it is about improving science and technology education. Last week, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) announced it would suspend its 25th Junior Science Talent Project (JSTP) programme due to a lack of budget. It has been reported that the project requires 300 million baht a year to educate 200 researchers in the science and technology fields. Meanwhile, the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) said last week it would suspend grants under its Promotion of Science and Mathematics Talented Teachers (PSMT) project, likewise due to budget constraints. The amounts required for these teacher development projects should not be an issue if the government is serious about improving the country's science and technology ability.

Blinken says has 'no doubts' Germany is resolute on UkraineUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought to tamp down concerns about Germany's commitment to opposing Russian aggression against Ukraine, expressing confidence that the Germans were aligned with NATO and Washington. WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday he has "no doubts" Germany is maintaining a united front with NATO on the Ukraine crisis, after Berlin faced pressure to toughen its stance against potential Russian aggression. The top US diplomat also dismissed the idea of slapping punitive sanctions on Russia now, before any potential invasion of the former Soviet republic Ukraine, saying sanctions should be used as a means of "dissuading" Moscow from an attack. Germany was in the hot seat at the weekend after its navy chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach said Russian President Vladimir Putin deserves respect and also suggested it was "nonsense" to think Russia was ready to pour troops into Ukraine. That includes beefing up defenses in Ukraine with more military assistance, Blinken said.

The trip will mark the first Thai-Saudi high-level meeting since the 'Blue Diamond Affair'Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha walks in Government House on Jan 18, 2022. He will visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and Wednesday. (Government House photo)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit Saudi Arabia from Tuesday to Wednesday as a guest of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Government House announced on Sunday. A large number of the gems stolen by the janitor, Kriengkrai Techamong - including the rare blue diamond - are yet to be recovered. A year after the theft, three Saudi diplomats in Thailand were killed in three separate assassinations in a single night.

Cop charged with reckless driving, causing female doctor's deathA crowd control policeman has surrendered to police and admitted to driving a big bike that hit and killed a female doctor in Bangkok on Friday, according to media reports. He said Pol L/Cpl Norawich had surrendered to Phayathai police. Pol L/Cpl Norawich was initially charged with reckless driving, causing death. The investigators were waiting for the result of the examination and the autopsy report on Dr Waraluck. A funeral for Dr Waraluck is being held at Sala 3, Wat Phrasrimathat Mahavoraviharn, in Bang Khen district of the capital.