Court asked to rule on poll formulaThe Election Commission (EC) yesterday asked the Constitutional Court to rule on the inclusion of non-Thai citizens in its formula to calculate the number of people represented by each MP, which will have an impact on the number of seats each party could win in the next election. Based on the EC's calculation, there will be one member of parliament per 165,226 members of the public, based on a total population of 66,090,475, as of Dec 31 last year. Constitutional Court officials yesterday spent about 30 minutes examining the EC's petition. According to a source, the Office of Constitutional Court is required to forward the petition to the court within two days of receiving the petition and the court must decide if it will accept it within five days. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said as the matter involves pressing legal technicalities, the court should not take too long to consider it.

Sentiment increases in January to 43-month highThe Thailand Industry Sentiment Index (TISI) rose to 93.9 points in January, the highest level in 43 months, up from 92.6 points in December last year as entrepreneurs benefited from the state "Shop Dee Mee Khuen" tax rebate, the tourism recovery and China's reopening. This scheme helped increase demand for goods, said Suchart Chantaranakaracha, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The January TISI is based on a survey of 1,321 enterprises across 45 industry clubs under the FTI. One measure is to sign more free trade agreements, including one with the EU, said the FTI. "This will enable Thailand to benefit from many trade pacts, similar to Vietnam," he said.

Fighting continued at key points along the long front as Russian forces sought to expand their hold on territory in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin-appointed Donetsk leader, Denis Pushilin, claimed Russian forces were advancing near Vugledar, a strategically valuable town southwest of Donetsk city. "The enemy doesn't count its people and, despite numerous casualties, maintains a high intensity of attacks," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said late Sunday. -At the White House, Biden said he was opposed to supplying American fighter jets to Ukraine. Macron had talks with Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who has already floated the idea of sending Dutch F-16s to Ukraine.

ChatGPT was built on GPT-3 (Generative Pretrained Transformer 3), a language processing AI model developed by OpenAI. It is not easy to make an AI tool that supports Thai language as it requires massive investment, he said. Some potential fields may be chosen to be supported by Thai language in AI, said Mr Panutat. Developers should leverage AI technology to create new innovation, he said. Questions students put to an AI tool can demonstrate whether they understand the subject.

(Photo supplied)Former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak, chairman of the Sang Anakhot Thai Party (SATP), will move to the Palang Pracharath Party to strengthen the PPRP's economic team, sources said. I believe Mr Somkid and Mr Uttama have the intention to serve the people's best interest, and they have asked to join the party. PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon on Friday met Mr Uttama and Mr Sontirat for talks about their return to the PPRP. Mr Uttama, who served as finance minister and Mr Sontirat, who was energy minister, also resigned from the cabinet. Mr Somkid, who was deputy prime minister in charge of the country's economic affairs at the time, also stepped down from the government, citing health problems.

In Europe, meanwhile, we see better growth prospects. Meanwhile, China's reopening has contributed to a better outlook for the European economy given that China is its biggest main trading partner. The figure could reach 6% or more if the expansion of the domestic economy is better than expected. In addition, the economic fundamentals of emerging markets are better than those of developed economies, and should continue to expand amid volatility this year. In summary, the investment outlook in China, Europe and emerging markets appears to be improving, but the US and Japan appear to be riskier.

Thai and Italian business leaders meet to enhance relationsBusiness leaders in attendance at the 8th Italian-Thai Business Forum which took place on Jan 12 in Chiang Mai. Business leaders have been participating in trade negotiations at the eighth edition of the Italian-Thai business forum. Busaba Chirathivat, co-chair of the forum, said Thailand and Italy have had a long and fruitful relationship based on trade, investment, and tourism. At the Italian-Thai business forum, the Italian delegation included Italmobiliare, CIS Sicily & Unicitrus, Cavagna Group Asia, CNH, Danieli, Ducati, Ferrero, Intesa Sanpaolo, Pirelli, SAIPEM, the Italian Export Credit Agency (SACE), and Vittoria. The Thai side was represented by Central Group, Bangkok Bank, Global Power Synergy, Innova Rubber, Merchant Partners Asset Management, Singha Corporation, Thai Summit, Betagro, PTT, SCG Logistics Management, Thai Airways International, Thai Vivat Insurance, Allied Metals, and Graphene Creations.

PTTEP to sell Australian gas field in 2023PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) is continuing to refocus its investments on new petroleum sites, with the latest plan to sell the Cash and Maple gas and condensate field in Australia. "If we shift to liquefied natural gas production, the business will not be viable because facility costs are too high." The sale of the Cash and Maple field is in line with PTTEP's plan to direct its investments to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In 2018, the company sold the Montara petroleum field in Australia to Jadestone Energy (Eagle) Pty. In another development, PTTEP decided to delay the development of an integrated gas-to-power project to generate electricity in Myanmar.

Weed bill sees rivals take high groundPublic Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attends a campaign in June to give away 1 million free cannabis plants in Buri Ram. REUTERSThe fate of the Cannabis Bill appears to be sealed now. Pheu Thai, for an example, is aiming high, with a landslide as its aim, and a grand ambition to form a one-party government. But the question is: Will this be acceptable to the Pheu Thai Party? The three "Por" comrades in arms, namely Gen Prawit, Prayuth and Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda, are now splitting, with Gen Prawit and Gen Prayut yearning for the same top executive post while Gen Anupong is yet to make clear his future political career.

Gain confidence by setting specific target for every shotPick out a very specific target for every shot that you hit. When you have a specific target in mind as you swing, you will be far more likely to stay committed to the swing at hand. It is always important to have a target picked out before you take your stance, so rather than aiming for the fairway in general, pick out a specific target in the distance that you can use to guide your swing. Before hitting any shot on the course, you are going to be faced with a series of choices. What are you going to use as your target for the shot?

Four more arrested in connection with alleged fraud centred on dietary supplementsSuspect Phitnari “Mae Primaya” Tantiwit has claimed that she was able to turn 6,000 baht into 15 million baht within three months. (Photo: Phitnari Tantiwit Facebook account)Four more suspects have been taken in for questioning by cyber crimes police about a fraudulent investment scheme centred on the owner of the dietary supplement brand Primaya. Lead suspect Phitnari Tantiwit, 28, more widely known as Mae Primaya, has denied all the charges against her. She was wanted on a warrant issued on Tuesday accusing her of fraud and putting false information into a computer system. The post generated complaints that she was attempting to attract victims into a Ponzi scheme.

Prayut to rally in ChumphonPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will speak on a pre-election campaign stage for the first time as a member of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party in Chumphon on Jan 28, a source in the party said. Chumphon has been chosen to debut Gen Prayut as the party's campaign speaker because the province is one of the UTN's strongest areas. The source added Gen Prayut planned to speak on a Saturday, as the law allows such figures to help political parties canvass for votes at weekends. Gen Prayut will fly to Chumphon on a commercial flight, where he is due to arrive at 8.45am before speaking on stage outside the Muang district town hall at 10am. Gen Prayut is scheduled to conduct official tours in Nakhon Sawan and Phichit on Jan 30.

The Thailand Industry Sentiment Index (TISI) decreased for the first time in seven months to 92.6 points during the festive month of December last year, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The December TISI was based on a survey of 1,303 enterprises across 45 industries under the FTI. The FTI is concerned economic contraction, especially in Europe, will affect Thai shipments and economic growth this year. The World Bank has already warned of a global recession in 2023 after central banks raised interest rates in response to high inflation. Global crude oil prices came first, accounting for 54.4% of the vote, followed by domestic politics (40.2%) and the domestic economy (37.7%).

(Police Photo)Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, commander of the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD), has vowed to turn the agency into a high-calibre unit combatting corruption. In the past, the ACD was dubbed "the graveyard" as officers who committed offences were banished there as a punishment, according to Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat. Some officers worked here because they wanted to add to their job credentials and then sought transfers to other units,'' Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said. As such, the level of efficiency was low," Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said. Even though he has brought many perpetrators to justice, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said he is still not happy with his performance.

PTTEP exits Brazil with new focus on AsiaThe Erawan gas field in the Gulf of Thailand. PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) has exited its petroleum exploration and production business in Brazil by dissolving its subsidiary Participations and Explorations Corporation (PEC), as the company aims to focus more on investments in Asia. PEC halted its business operations last month after PTTEP decided last September to sell another subsidiary – PTTEP Brazil Investment BV – and all its other investments in Brazil. PTTEP Brazil Investment owns a 25% share in the offshore Barreirinhas AP1 crude oil exploration and production project as well as a 20% share in the BM-ES-23 project. The divestment marks the withdrawal of all of PTTEP's investments from Angola.