The latest easing of entry restrictions aims to make international travel more convenient and has been welcomed by both businesses and visitors. What are the new travel entry rules? Thailand's reopening to foreign travellers marks a significant milestone as pre-travel and on-arrival RT-PCR tests are no longer needed. Once vaccinated travellers pass through immigration checkpoints, they are free to travel anywhere in Thailand. Thailand was suffering from a Covid outbreak in early 2021, prompting cautious authorities to enforce stringent rules for international arrivals.

Rush for weed licences ahead of narcotic delisting in June(Bangkok Post file photo)Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received some 4,700 applications for licences from people and organisations to import, possess, grow and produce cannabis and hemp. FDA deputy secretary-general Withid Sariddeechaikool said on Tuesday that the delisting of cannabis and hemp from the narcotics list will come into force on June 9. The move follows a policy initiated by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to allow people to use them for medical and economic purposes. The general public and organisations have filed 4,712 applications with the FDA, seeking licences related to the use of either as an ingredient or product. Licences were approved for both cannabis and hemp extracts to be used in cosmetics, as well as traditional medicines and supplements, he said.

Global growth engines sputteringThe International Monetary Fund's revised World Economic Outlook (WEO) is sobering. It is rare for the organisation to revise down sharply its projections for economic growth just one quarter into the calendar year. Yet in this case, it has done so for 86% of its 190 member countries, resulting in a decline of almost one percentage point in global growth for 2022 -- from 4.4% to 3.6%. The IMF does not expect its significant downward revision in global economic growth for 2022 to be offset in 2023. The IMF's report offers an important reminder to policymakers that they need to focus much more attention on generating innovation, improving productivity, and strengthening the other drivers of robust, inclusive economic growth.

Former Democrat Party MP Watchara Petthong said on Tuesday that the incident took place at 5pm, adding that the complex could get flooded even without rains. He blamed the flooding on defective construction, and warned that such incidents would expose people to risk of electrocution.

Tanupat "Por" Lerttaweewit• Negligence causing death in violation of Section 291 of the Criminal Code. • Violating Section 172 of the Criminal Code by providing false testimony to the police. • Violating navigation law by driving a boat without a licence. Nitas "Job" Kiratisoothisathorn• Violating Section 184 of the Criminal Code by helping others to escape the criminal penalty and destroying evidence. Idsarin "Gatick" Juthasuksawat• Violating Section 184 of the Criminal Code by helping others escape the criminal penalty or destroying evidence.

Poon said the risk-averse market and Covid-19 situation in China could add more downward pressure on the baht. He projected a key resistance level at 34.15 to 34.20 per dollar. If the baht weakens past 34.20, importers might scramble to buy dollars which would trigger significant further weakening of the Thai currency, he added. Poon advised close monitoring of foreign investors amid a lull in foreign outflows after sell-offs of Thai assets were triggered by heavy increases in the US and Thai 10-year bond yields. He advised businesses to use hedging tools such as options to manage risks in the highly volatile currency market.

Calls for over-the-top video industry to be self-regulatingThe economic impact of employment in the OTT video industry is valued at 27 billion baht, or 0.17% of Thailand's total GDP. The economic impact of employment in the OTT video industry is valued at 27 billion baht, or 0.17% of Thailand's total GDP. Unlike traditional media that has limited time for advertising and limits consumer choice, OTT video platforms give viewers the option to watch adverts. "OTT video services should not be regulated under the traditional law due to the different business models," said Mr Suthikorn. "If Thailand adopts such an approach to oversee the OTT video industry, it is necessary to address these issues in order to have more effective governance," he added.

Dr Cholnan said opposition parties will meet today to finalise the strategy for the censure debate and whether to target the entire cabinet or individual ministers. He said he expects the no-confidence debate will prompt some 30 government MPs to cross floor and cast a vote of no-confidence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday pledged to try and resolve problems for people during a visit to Songkhla and Phatthalung. The prime minister received a warm welcome from Songkhla residents with many of them pledging to support him returning as prime minister after the next election. Gen Prayut also urged voters to make the right choice at the polls, noting that when people elect MPs, they are also voting for a prime minister because a prime minister must receive the endorsement of MPs in parliament.

BKC Oracle is an important tool for developing smart contracts or dApps that bridges the data from off-chain to on-chain via smart contracts. This allows blockchain developers to connect the secure and up-to-date data on Bitkub Chain infrastructure more easily. Furthermore, BKC Oracle is a project developed by Loremboard team via the support from Bitkub Venture, a venture capital company under Bitkub Capital Group Holdings Co., Ltd.BKC Oracle will be the main infrastructure on Bitkub Chain connected the data from the real world to blockchain that supports blockchain developers to use the tools and platform more efficiently. The prominent usage example is “Data Feeds”, the leading feature on BKC Oracle that can extract cryptocurrency price data from off-chain in a real time within a couple minutes. In addition, BKC Oracle has a highly secure and flexible infrastructure to facilitate blockchain developers on Bitkub Chain’s ecosystem with the following features:Reliable and secure - BKC Oracle can securely connect the data from Bitkub Exchange to smart contract by trusted nodes, data and cryptographic proofs High speed transaction - BKC Oracle provides high data extraction throughput rate (an update for only per 1 to 2 minutes) Stability and safeguard backup - BKC Oracle can provide the steadiness of data extraction on the system with supporting backupFor latest updates on Bitkub Chain visit https://www.bitkubchain.com/ or Facebook @bitkubchainofficial

Motorcyclist Pol L/Cpl Norawich Buadok (masked), a riot control policeman, at the Office of the Attorney-General to hear the prosecutors’ decision to indict him on Feb 22. Pol L/Cpl Norawich was found to be driving at 108-128 kilometres per hour, well above the 80kph speed limit. He was jailed for 15 days for speeding and for driving without due regard for safety. The sentences were commuted to one year and 15 days in prison and 4,000 baht in fines because he confessed. They charge that Pol L/Cpl Norawich was on duty at the time and the Royal Thai Police Office is therefore responsible.

Arkhom told reporters on Monday afternoon that the Finance Ministry had not yet decided on whether to launch another phase of the subsidy scheme. “It has to be considered whether those who have regular income and those with daily income will have more income after the economy has improved. This is because when the economy has improved, this kind of stimulus measure will be reduced,” Arkhom said. “It will be Khon La Khrueng Phase 5. I didn’t say Khon La Siew.

The second is Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT), which invests in the stocks of lithium-ion battery manufacturers. Narongsak Plodmechai, chief executive of SCB Asset Management (SCBAM), said China will account for nearly 50% of global EV sales by 2025. China is already the world's largest EV market with about 1.4 million EVs sold in the country in 2020, accounting for more than 40% of global EV sales. Beijing has extended the country's subsidy programme for clean energy vehicles until 2022. The major obstacle is EVs' battery storage capacity and the inadequate number of charging stations.

Thailand has all it takes to evolve into Asia's leading hemp centre to tap into the US$15.8 billion in global hemp-related businesses estimated over the next five years. At least five nascent supply chains are being spurred by the hemp and cannabis legalisation in Thailand, namely, beverages, food, medicines and supplements, apparel, and personal care products. The plant also presents the kingdom with a significant opportunity to add new impetus to its medical tourism drive, with foreigners and locals seeking out affordable, hemp-cannabis related healthcare treatments. For that reason, the Global Hemp Innovation Collaboration Centre has been established in Thailand to help guiding the country towards achieving that aspiration. More specifically, the centre's mission is to bring science-based know how and experience from abroad to spur short-cut and fast-track development in Thailand, explained Dr. Aimon Kopera, founder and CEO of the US-based Geneomics Global.

Wimbledon's Russia ban faces battle of willsThe Wimbledon logo on a water feature at the All England ClubPARIS: WTA president Steve Simon warned Wimbledon that they face "strong reactions" to their decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players and the week ahead could see more twists in the controversy which has split tennis. As the Grand Slam tournaments are autonomous, possible sanctions by the ATP and the WTA could include a refusal to award ranking points at the June 27-July 10 Grand Slam tournament. "It's a measure which it seems applies only to tennis players -- other professionals of Russian and Belarusian nationality are able to continue their professional activity on English soil," she said. The ATP and WTA have already described the ban as "unfair" and "very disappointing". Some Ukraine players have not been convinced by opposition to the Wimbledon ban.

Somkid: Mounting a comebackFormer deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak has accepted an invitation to serve as a prime ministerial candidate of the newly established Sang Anakhot Thai Party (Building Thailand's Future). Party secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong said on Sunday Mr Somkid is willing to be the candidate after he was approached for the role. Mr Somkid, who was deputy prime minister at the time, also stepped down from the government, citing health problems. Mr Stithorn said Mr Somkid has established himself as a scholar well-versed in economics and also a well-connected figure with a great deal of clout. "The type of politician like Mr Somkid is rare,'' Mr Stithorn said.