Most books sold at the fair were cartoonsListen to this articleVisitors throng the 29th Book Expo Thailand at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok on Oct 10. Visitors were 63% female, 26% male while the remainder classified themselves as being part of the LGBTQQIP2SA community, the Pubat president said. Most books sold at the fair were cartoons (40%), followed by novels (30%) and psychology and emotional healing books (20%). The rest were textbooks, children’s books and books on investment and health. Each buyer spent an average of 600 baht on books, and many visitors returned to make more purchases.

Cambodia backs Thai-led 6-country single visa planListen to this articleArriving passengers snake through a long queue for immigration counters at Suvarnabhumi airport on Feb 10, 2024. The source said the Cambodian tourism minister supported Thailand's "6 Countries, 1 Destination" policy and agreed to discuss the issue further with Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, Customs Department and other relevant agencies. The "6 Countries, 1 Destination" initiative aims to promote tourism and economic collaboration between Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. The Thai government plans to begin policy discussions with Cambodia as a pilot project, with the goal of eventually expanding cooperation to other countries soon. The meeting also discussed various strategies to enhance tourism cooperation.

Royal barge rehearsal viewing spots on offerListen to this articleDesignated viewing spots will be available for people wanting to watch the full-dress rehearsal of the Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok today, according to the Public Relations Department. Gilded and garlanded: A worker decorates a replica of the royal barge ‘Suphannahong’ with flowers. The replica is displayed on Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue ahead of the Royal Barge Ceremony on Oct 27, which marks the royal ‘kathin’ ceremony. The procession starts from Wasukri Pier (Wat Rachathiwat Pier), passes under Rama VIII Bridge and Phra Pinklao Bridge, and ends at Wat Arun. The rehearsal will start at 3pm and the city has prepared viewing areas for the public with mobile restroom facilities at the following locations:

Boost seen from Thai Airways rehab exitListen to this articleThai Airways aircraft on the tarmac at Suvarnabhumi airport. The national carrier will undergo capital restructuring in this year's fourth quarter as part of its business rehabilitation plan. (Bangkok Post file photo)Creditors of Thai Airways International (THAI), especially Bangkok Bank (BBL) and Krungthai Bank (KTB), will receive a boost from the national carrier's planned exit from its rehabilitation plan in mid-2025 as the banks are being given multiple options for debt repayment, analysts say. The Central Bankruptcy Court is expected to approve its exit from the rehabilitation plan in May and the carrier's shares would then be able to resume trading on the SET by the end of June. Meanwhile, KTB's NPL ratio is forecast to drop from 3.85% to 3.59% and its NPL coverage ratio to rise from 181% to 192%, Mr Weerapat added.

Thai PM urged to track down Tak Bai massacre defendantsListen to this articleGen Pisal WattanawongkiriForty-three non-governmental organisations have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, along with the Interior Minister and national police chief, to make sure the seven defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case are brought to trial before the case's statute of limitations expires this Friday. "If the Tak Bai case is considered a crime against humanity or genocide, then the case won't expire," she said, referring to the Friday deadline. The incident took place after security forces dispersed a protest calling for the release of six detainees in front of a police station in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat on Oct 25, 2004. "Even Thaksin [Shinawatra] has said he has [almost] forgotten [about the massacre]," she said. Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said he felt uncomfortable seeing the Tak Bai case being used to portray the government as the villain.

PM urged to track down defendantsListen to this articleGen Pisal WattanawongkiriForty-three non-governmental organisations have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, along with the Interior Minister and national police chief, to make sure the seven defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case are brought to trial before the case's statute of limitations expires this Friday. "If the Tak Bai case is considered a crime against humanity or genocide, then the case won't expire," she said, referring to the Friday deadline. The incident took place after security forces dispersed a protest calling for the release of six detainees in front of a police station in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat on Oct 25, 2004. Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said he felt uncomfortable seeing the Tak Bai case being used to portray the government as the villain. Law enforcement agencies are doing their best to track these suspects and bring them to trial, but it isn't easy to accomplish the task, he said.

The Thai government is preparing for the second phase of its "Digital Wallet" support programme, offering 10,000 THB (300 USD) per person, following the first phase of cash handout to 14.5 million recipients. Thailand plans second phase of "Digital Wallet" programme (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai government is preparing for the second phase of its "Digital Wallet" support programme, offering 10,000 THB (300 USD) per person, following the first phase of cash handout to 14.5 million recipients. This second phase will allow those without smartphones to register at state-owned banks starting next month. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat stated that the first phase, targeting vulnerable groups, had successfully accelerated cash flow and stimulated the national economy. The 10,000 THB in the second phase will still be distributed in cash, not in digital currency.

Listen to this articleTourists visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. Narumon KasemsukThe Tourism and Sports Ministry plans to talk with the Finance Ministry about increasing the budget for the travel subsidy scheme aimed at mitigating the flood impact for tourism firms in the North. The meeting was held after Mr Sorawong visited Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, which were severely damaged by floods. He said during the meeting, the premier raised concerns over insufficient budget, questioning the effectiveness of the project because of the limited budget. Roughly 70% of the subsidy budget would be allotted to trips in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, with 30% for other provinces, he said.

Pheu Thai shrugs off complaints as 'political games'Listen to this articleThaksin Shinawatra, left, and his daughter and Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn ShinawatraA petition seeking to disband the ruling Pheu Thai Party is a political game with a friend-turned-foe pulling the strings, according to the party. Thaksin is not a Pheu Thai member, and coming under the influence of an outsider is against the Political Parties Act and punishable by party dissolution. The coalition parties named in the petitions are Bhumjaithai Party, United Thai Nation Party, PPRP, Chartthaipattana Party, and Prachachart Party. He added Pheu Thai will focus on rebutting the petitions as it has solid evidence to fight the case. Pheu Thai list MP Anusorn Iamsa-ard denied Thaksin dominates Pheu Thai, but the EC was duty-bound to investigate the complaints.

Fretting over peace in South, House speaker urges cops to catch Tak Bai suspectsListen to this articleThailand's House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha hopes police will be able to arrest suspects and defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case. (Bangkok Post photo)House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has expressed his concern over the conflict and insurgency in the far South now that police have little time left to arrest and prosecute defendants in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case. “They may be linked (with the Tak Bai statute end date), but not all of them. Probably because people in the far South wanted to express their desire for the authorities to be more active in tracking down and apprehending the subjects of arrest warrants,” the 80-year-old house speaker said. The situation could gradually improve,” the house speaker said.

Thailand's forest dept doubles its take from visitsListen to this articleTourists visit Koh Khai in Tarutao National Park in Satun in February. The topmost visited park is Khao Yai National Park, followed by Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, Khao Laem Ya-Mu Koh Samet National Park, Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, and Khao Khitchakut National Park in Chanthaburi. The DNP will also allow travellers to book accommodation inside national parks 60 days in advance, instead of the current 30 days. It will provide online tickets to six popular parks: Khao Yai National Park, Inthanon National Park, Ao Phangnga National Park, Mu Koh Similan National Park, Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, and Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi. The e-ticket sales system for all national parks would be ready within the next two years, he added.

The night I was eclipsed by the MoonListen to this articleI had planned to view the super full moon last Thursday night but unfortunately forgot all about it. So on the night in question I assembled the maid Ms Yasothon and her family who dutifully gathered in the garden to witness the eclipse. Moon in JuneIt is no secret that the Moon has for centuries inspired songwriters and there are hundreds of ditties with "moon" in the title. It will come as no surprise that virtually all of these moon songs are about love rather than the wonders of space. Anyway for what it's worth here are five of my favourite moon songs, in no particular order: "Moondance" (Van Morrison), "Harvest Moon" (Neil Young), "Walking on the Moon" (The Police), "Moonshadow" (Cat Stevens) and "Ticket to the Moon" (ELO).

Listen to this articleChemical fumes come out from HSMT New Material Technology (Thailand) Co factory in Sri Maha Pho district, Prachin Buri province on Friday afternoon, forcing evacuation of people in the area. (Photo: Prachin Buri Public Relations Office Facebook)A chemical leak occurred after an explosion at a factory in Prachin Buri's Sri Maha Pho district, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of people. The locals, including the elderly, were relocated to a community centre in tambon Tha Toom for their safety. Of these, 25 were transferred to Sri Maha Pho Hospital, and one was sent to Chularat 304 International Hospital. Authorities, including Prachin Buri's industry office and the Tha Toom TAO, have suspended the factory's operations.

Listen to this articleItthidet Thanetwattana, a representative of Thai and foreign victims living abroad, shows a document to reporters at the Central Investigation Bureau, where he filed a fraud complaint against The iCon Group on Saturday. He brought documents that included receipts for purchases of iCon products, photos of shops that had ordered products for sale abroad, and pictures of some victims having their photo taken with Warathaphon “Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, the founder and CEO of The iCon Group. Mr Itthidet said the 40 victims — 20 in Asia and 20 others in Europe — lost at least 20 million baht. (Story continues below)Itthidet Thanetwattana, representing Thai and foreign victims abroad, submits documents detailing alleged investment fraud to Pol Maj Gen Prinya Pala, deputy investigation chief of the Consumer Protection Police Division sub-division 1. Meanwhile, the total number of complainants against The iCon Group continues to rise.

A self-radicalised Singaporean had planned to attack non-Muslim males in an open space in Tampines using either a kitchen knife or a pair of scissors. He had planned to attack non-Muslim males near Tampines West Community Centre, during the school holidays in September. "He felt a sense of pride knowing that his planned attack, if successfully executed, would be the first terrorist attack in Singapore in recent decades." He was also inspired by Islamic State propaganda which glorified suicide knife attacks, which eventually led to his plan. Before his planned attack in Singapore, the teen also intended to travel to Syria to join Islamic State and engage in armed violence.