Industrial sentiment falls againPeople undergo proactive Covid-19 testing at the EnCo Terminal. The TISI decline resulted mainly from the prolonged Covid-19 outbreak and the government's decision to impose strict lockdown measures, including a night-time curfew, in 29 provinces in August, according to the FTI. "Vaccines are a key factor in driving forward the economy and the government must speed up vaccinations among factory workers," said Mr Supant. Mr Supant said authorities should also help entrepreneurs buy rapid antigen test kits for use amongst factory workers every 14 days, in order to quickly remove infected workers for treatment and prevent further transmission. He added that a debt moratorium, covering both principal and interest, should be implemented and last between six months and a year to relieve the financial troubles of businesses affected by lockdown measures.

In the past, Thais believed that owning an auspicious cat would bring fortune and prosperity to the owner. Samutphap Khlong Ruesi Dat Ton was first published in 2007 to celebrate the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday. Based on an ancient book written during the reign of King Rama III, Samutphap Sat Himmapan boasts 73 drawings of mythological animals from Himmapan forest. After that, visitors can enjoy a historic cruise through a pictorial manuscript of the royal barge procession during the reign of King Narai. It recounts the story of Supriti Dhammaraj, who gave his three sons to a Brahman in order to attain nirvana.

Mixed opinions on state's October reopening planBoonchai: Threat to 'good image'Boonchai Chokwatana, chairman of Saha Pathanapibul Plc, one of the country's leading consumer goods companies, has called on the government to reconsider its plan to fully reopen the country in October because of a higher risk of exposure to the coronavirus. Mr Boonchai said Thailand also risks losing its "good image" if there are reports of a surge in new infections. Therefore, we must go above and beyond to safeguard the programme and ensure its success,'' Mr Heinecke said. According to Mr Heinecke, 100% of residents of Phuket have to receive vaccinations urgently. Mr Heinecke also requested support from the government for the ailing hospitality industry.

Agencies urged to boost cybersecurityThe Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has urged all state agencies to raise their cybersecurity standards for data protection, especially provincial hospitals that need to connect their systems with the Computer Emergency Response Team for threat monitoring. He said all organisations, especially state agencies, need to bolster their online defence and provide cooperation in cybersecurity protection following an uptick in cyberattacks. State agencies and corporates should provide good care of their operations and boost staff awareness about cybersecurity as well as comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and other related regulations. The DES Ministry ushered in the personal data protection standard in July 2020, based on the PDPA. Data controllers must maintain minimum standards for data access and security measures and create staff awareness of personal data protection, he said.

Thai traders surge into crypto marketA representation of cryptocurrency Bitcoin is seen in this illustration taken on Aug 6. There are currently a total of 1,379,373 cryptocurrency trading accounts in the Thai market, less than half the number of stock market accounts, but with an explosive monthly growth rate. However, cryptocurrency trading can still be considered exclusive as most of the active traders are people in urban areas with high incomes and savings. Cryptocurrencies have been attracting more investors to the market and are expected to continue to rise in popularity. To reduce risk and create opportunities from investing in cryptocurrencies, investors and market authorities need both excellent financial literacy skills and in-depth knowledge of financial technology, Kasikorn Research stated.

Bangkok Post Plc names new chief executive officerBangkok Post Plc has appointed Ronnachit Mahattanapreut as chief executive officer. Ronnachit: Wealth of experience in managementThe board of directors of Bangkok Post Plc, operator of leading media under the brands Bangkok Post, Post Today, and Thai-language editions of Elle and Forbes Thailand, approved the appointment, effective on Wednesday. Dr Ronnachit, who earned his PhD in business administration, has extensive experience in finance and accounting, serving as senior executive vice-president of finance and administration or chief financial officer (CFO) for Central Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel) from Feb 1999–Aug 2021. He is also director of the boards of many businesses under Centel's umbrella including 27 subsidiary companies as well as a director of Bangkok Post Plc. Dr Ronnachit also served as director of several companies including Asia Wealth Holding Co, Asia Wealth Securities Co and the Small Business Credit Guarantee Corporation.

Hoteliers in Pattaya City have expressed concern over the feasibility of fully resuming under the city's reopening scheme, as the still serious Covid-19 situation may hinder efforts to draw foreign tourists back. Despite that, several groups of British, Chinese and Indian tourists have already expressed interest in coming to Pattaya. Chon Buri governor Phakkhathon Thianchai said Pattaya City and Muang and Bang Lamung districts of Chon Buri will be included in the government's next tourism reopening plan. "If cleared of Covid-19 infection, they will be allowed to travel more freely in zones and on routes prepared for the reopening programmes." About 80% of people in Pattaya have already been vaccinated against Covid-19, he said.

Kratom bill passes HouseThe House of Representatives yesterday approved a bill to regulate the sale and planting of kratom after it has been removed from the list of narcotic plants. The MPs voted 281 to zero with one abstention to pass the bill after the legislation was vetted by a House scrutiny committee. The bill dictates measures to regulate the imports and exports of kratom. The minister added the regeneration, planting and sale of kratom is permissible in most cases, although certain restrictions apply, which are listed in the bill. As a result, it has added a clause in the bill restricting the sale, advertising and consumption of kratom for those groups.

(Photos courtesy of WarinLabContemporary)Chiang Mai artist Thaiwijit Puengkasemsomboon has to stay inside his house during summer due to the air pollution caused by PM2.5. If previous generations had preserved natural resources for us, we probably would not encounter PM2.5 pollution today. Thus, air pollution did not reduce. The painting series, Stop Burning, Real Fine, Real Arrest, satirises a campaign against agricultural burning in Chiang Mai. "The PM2.5 pollution is a complicated issue that cannot be solved by only one person or even one group of people.

(Photo courtesy of Impact Exhibition Management)"LED Expo Thailand + Smartech Asean Online Networking & Knowledge Week", an online platform for the smart lighting industry and market, will take place from Sept 14-17. Held under the theme "Connected Lighting For Sustainable Life", the digital edition will focus on key segments such as "Energy Efficiency by Digitalization & Technology", "Smart, IoT & Connectivity", "Health & Wellbeing" and "Sustainability & Environment". The first is two days of online industry conferences and webinars featuring many topics in market trends. The last two days are reserved for one-to-one online business matching sessions where international sellers will have the opportunity to meet and demonstrate their products and solutions to pre-qualified buyers. Lined up with sellers from leading companies that can be interacted on the online platform will be Telensa Limited, Jumbo Electronics, Precise Electric Manufacturing, Beamever, Easson Energy (Thailand), Shenzhen ENM Electronic Technology, Zhejiang Fonda Technology, and Shenzhen Ishinelux Technology.

One of these products is made of water hyacinth and the other is of dried banana midribs. The idea to use water hyacinth stalks as packaging filler came to her two years ago when she started selling handmade macrame products online. Each group had their own method but we wrapped our egg with many layers of dried hyacinth stalks. At present, Chva can produce up to 1,000kg of dried hyacinth box filler per month. DRY BANANA MIDRIBS FROM SUKHOTHAIThe northern province of Sukhothai features one of the largest banana plantations in the country.

If you are considering buying a Samsung phone, there is plenty of choice from the top line S21 Ultra to the Z Flip 3. So there is no need to worry that the phone will not run smoothly regardless of which app you throw at it. Don't game on this phone too much though because there is one sacrifice the phone has to make to be this compact and that is the battery. Moreover, Samsung has also released another foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G, which is geared towards people that need to multitask on-the-go, but that's for another review. For people who are looking for a colourful phone which folds in half and want to stand out from the crowd of rectangular slabs, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G will not disappoint.

LOS ANGELES: The North American box office got a big boost as Disney's new "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," featuring Marvel's first leading Asian superhero, scored an unexpectedly strong $75.4 million opening, industry observer Exhibitor Relations said Tuesday. "Shang-Chi" stars Canadian actor, stuntman and erstwhile Deloitte accountant Simu Liu as Marvel's newest superhero, a former assassin in the shadow of an evil father. In third place this weekend was "Free Guy" from 20th Century, at $8.9 million ($11.2 million for four days). Disney's family adventure film "Jungle Cruise" came in fourth, at $4 million ($5.1 million for four days). And in fifth was Paramount animation "PAW Patrol: The Movie," also with a take of $4 million ($5.3 million for four days).

IRPC signs ultra clean fuel dealsMr Chawalit (top left) at the virtual contract signing ceremony for Ultra Clean Fuel Project. IRPC Plc, the petrochemical arm of PTT Group, is gaining momentum in its 13-billion-baht Ultra Clean Fuel project (UCF) to produce oil that meets the Euro 5 emission standard, with technical support from Chinese and South Korean companies. IRPC also signed contracts with Wison Engineering Co and Wison Energy (Thailand) Co, China's engineering service providers, for engineering, procurement and construction of a hydrogen manufacturing unit. IRPC also signed an agreement with Foster Wheeler Co (Thailand) to be its project management consultant. The upgraded oil refinery facilities are scheduled to operate from January 2024, with production capacity of 75,000 barrels per day.

Don't break up social media, bifurcate itAfter being celebrated for playing a central role in the Arab Spring, social-media platforms are now blamed for any outcome that traditional media outlets dislike. Growing disenchantment with social media has led to growing demands for regulation. While the printing press broke a monopoly, social media infringed on a cosy oligopoly. Before social media, everybody was free to speak, but not everybody had the right to a megaphone. Elected representatives who are reliant on social media to win re-election are not going to bite the hand that feeds them.