(Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital has announced that it cannot accept any more Covid-19 patients because all beds for critical coronavirus patients are fully occupied. We apologise for this inconvenience.”The 345-bed hospital is the private offshoot of the adjacent Siriraj Hospital, the country’s best-known public hospital, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Up until early April, about 20 Covid patients a day were seeking treatment at Siriraj Hospital. That prompted Siriraj Hospital to issue a clarification that the bed situation for Covid-19 patients there was still controllable and normal. The hospital was treating both patients with mild Covid symptoms and those with severe symptoms, said Dr Apichart Asavamongkolkul, dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.

OR prepares for oil price volatility later this yearOR is closely monitoring a possibility that major economies will enter a recession this year, which will weaken people's purchasing power. PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) is bracing for possible challenges caused by oil price fluctuations and a global economic slowdown that could affect the company in the second half of this year. "Global oil price fluctuations are calming down, but we are not complacent about the situation and are aware of risk factors that may affect our businesses," said Ms Wilaiwan. The lower volatility of global oil prices reduces the risk of oil stock losses or gains for the company. PTT estimates the Dubai oil reference price will range from US$80-86 per barrel through to the end of 2023.

Builder of high-speed railway to get more landMr Chula says the EEC Office is in talks with the contractor to jointly deal with their concerns in relation to the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Covid-19 pandemic, which dealt a blow to the business sector. The State Railway of Thailand will provide additional land to the builder of the high-speed rail system linking three airports by October, in a bid to speed up construction of this key transport infrastructure in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The State Railway of Thailand earlier provided the contractor with land stretching from Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan to U-tapao airport in Rayong. There is a 21-kilometre section from Don Mueang airport in northern Bangkok to Phaya Thai, a 29km section from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi airport, and a 170km section from Suvarnabhumi airport to U-tapao airport. The construction of the high-speed rail system earlier faced delays in giving some areas to the builder as authorities needed to deal with a land appropriation issue and the removal of electricity poles and tap water pipelines along the rail route.

Group urges ministry unity to reform supply chainsTourism and Sports Ministry officials scan the QR code of a Thailand Tourist Safety project launched on Feb 24 at Suvarnabhumi airport to help solve tourism-related problems, handle tourists’ complaints and promote tourist safety. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) expects the new government to strengthen collaboration between six ministries related to the tourism industry to improve supply chains. For instance, he said the Higher Education Ministry could help with studies and research on tourism development. However, Mr Adith said it is disappointing the two leading parties in the coalition government seem to be ignoring the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Mr Adith says several ministries need to collaborate to help the tourism industry.

Democrats defer electing new party leaderDemocrat Party key members attend a meeting to map out the party’s communication strategy at the party’s headquarters on March 27. At Wednesday's meeting of the party's caretaker board, the board was notified of Mr Jurin's resignation as party leader. In the new party leader election, the party has resolved to skip the standard process of sounding out the popularity of each nominated candidate before voting to select the winner, to avoid creating conflicts inside the party, said Mr Ramet. The rest of the party's board will include former party leaders and cabinet ministers, he said. It was also reported at Wednesday's meeting that over 89,000 Thais have applied for party membership.

Prayut allays fears over transfer of powerCurtain call: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha leaves a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where he promised a smooth transition to a new government. "As the country will have to move forward, we have to continue working to take care of people while still waiting for the new government to come," Gen Prayut said. However, Gen Prayut said that Thailand still has a good financial status despite some political uncertainties, and all sides should join hands in preventing them from developing into more serious problems. Gen Prayut also said the only thing he expects to see happening is peace in the country, and as he is the caretaker prime minister, he will try his best to perform his duty until the new government takes over. Asked if he had ever recently discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon their political future, Gen Prayut said he had not talked to Gen Prawit about anything other than their remaining responsibilities as the caretaker cabinet.

Ukrainian leader expects talks in Japan to bring 'increased cooperation for our victory'British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky meet during the G7 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima on Saturday. (Photo: AFP)HIROSHIMA, Japan: President Volodymyr Zelensky made a landmark visit to Hiroshima for talks with G7 leaders Saturday, after securing long-sought access to advanced US fighter jets for Ukraine’s war effort. But it was Zelensky’s arrival, and debate about the future of the war in Ukraine, that has dominated the summit. They are also a potent symbol of Western support for Ukraine, forestalling any talk of waning interest as the conflict grinds on. Zelensky also met separately with the Italian and British prime ministers, and talks with the French and US presidents are expected.

Mr Sanga says he hopes the new tourism and sports minister has a background in tourism and a clear vision to develop the sector. He said the sector hopes the new government will pay more attention to it as it is key driver of the economy. Mr Sanga said he hopes the new tourism and sports minister has a background in tourism and a clear vision to develop the sector. "The Tourism and Sports Ministry should not be a leftover quota choice after political parties finish picking up what they want." With the MFP pushing its Progressive Liquor Bill, he said tourism operators are hopeful it can change outdated regulations such as the prohibition against alcohol sales during the afternoon.

Vietnam PM issues power shortage warningA man carries an umbrella to shade from the sun along a street in Hanoi. (Photo: AFP)HANOI: Vietnam faces power shortages in some areas through late this month as electricity use rises due to a heat wave, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warned. The premier asked state utility Vietnam Electricity Group to negotiate temporary purchase prices with investors of completed wind and power projects that are ready to link to national grid. The ongoing drought has reduced water levels in hydropower reservoirs, raising the possibility of power shortage through May 25, Chinh said. Power plants using imported coals also face fuel shortages because of slow imports from Indonesia, requiring them to borrow fuel from other facilities.

She was released shortly after 4pm from the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Center for Girls in Nakhon Pathom, where she had been held since March 29. She is the only one to have been detained for such a long period, though she is not the youngest. The Central Juvenile and Family Court issued a statement last week in response to criticism of her detention. TLHR also took issue with the court’s contention that the accused had “rejected justice” when she refused to take part in court proceedings, turning her back on the judge. “Because Yok rejected only the justice system, she did not reject justice,” it said.

PTP faction eyes two cabinet seatsWeerasak Wangsupakitkosol, better known as Kamnan Por, centre, announces the election victory of "Pheu Thai's Korat family" and thanks voters for their support. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)A Nakhon Ratchasima-based political faction of the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) said it expects to be allocated two cabinet seats after winning 14 House seats in Sunday's general election. Mr Weerasak, a former deputy transport minister, said it was the first time a political party received more than 500,000 votes in the province. "We won several House seats, and I think we deserve two ministerial posts," he said. Mr Weerasak's group is also speculated to form a political partnership with the Pheu Thai Ruam Palang Party, which won two constituency seats in Ubon Ratchathani.

Lese majeste stance could sink Dems' PM votePita LimjaroenratThe Democrat Party are mulling over whether its members should elect Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister and whether any support should be conditional based on how the lese majeste law is to be handled. Chanin Rungsaeng, a former Democrat executive, said party members would have no problem electing Mr Pita as prime minister so long as the MFP promises not to abolish the lese majeste law. However, the MFP must give its word not to repeal Section 112 of the Criminal Code -- the lese majeste law. It might thwart what he sees as the Senate's illegitimate exercise of power to co-elect Mr Pita as prime minister. Alongkorn Ponlaboot, acting Democrat deputy leader, said he'd ask the party at its meeting next week to unconditionally support Mr Pita for the premiership.

Ceremony foretells ample water, food and prospering economyTwo sacred oxen are offered trays with an assortment of food and drink during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, on Wednesday morning. (Pool photos)Sufficient water, abundant crops and a prosperous economy were predicted during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen on Wednesday morning. Two sacred oxen chose to feed on grass and liquor. Soothsayers then predicted there will be plenty of water and food, transport will be more convenient, foreign trade will improve and the economy will prosper. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, also known as Farmers Day or simply the Ploughing Festival, officially marks the beginning of the rice-growing season.

(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Chiang Mai and Phuket tourism operators hope the new government led by the Move Forward Party (MFP) can solve the PM2.5 dust crisis, work to decentralise power, and allocate budget for regional development and restoring tourism competitiveness. La-iad Bungsrithong, board adviser for the Thai Hotels Association, said the election result reaffirms that Chiang Mai desires change. In addition, there was a delay in Covid-19 vaccine allotments, with Chiang Mai among the last to receive them despite being one of the major provinces in Thailand, said Mrs La-iad. Mrs La-iad said the new government should negotiate with neighbouring countries on a national scale and set annual targets with key performance indicators for related authorities. However, if a higher minimum wage can help the majority of society, tourism operators are ready to comply with a new rule, she said.

Exit poll shows Pheu Thai, Move Forward leading votePheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidates Paetongtarn Shinawatra (left) and Srettha Thavisin (right) leave after looking at live results on a screen at the party headquarters in Bangkok on May 14, 2023 after polls closed in Thailand's general election. A pre-election poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) showed the Pheu Thai party winning between 164 and 172 seats, the most of any party. The liberal Move Forward party came in second with between 80 and 88 seats, according to the Nida poll. A separate exit poll by Nation Group showed the Pheu Thai party, linked to influential former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, garnering 32.6% of the constituency vote, while Move Forward had 29.4%, together giving them a slim majority if those results hold. A third survey by university Suan Dusit, taken before voting began, showed Pheu Thai winning as many as 246 seats, followed by Move Forward at 106.