Workers in central Cape Town are putting the finishing touches on the 54-room Hemp Hotel, which is due to be completed in June. Hemp bricks are becoming increasingly popular in the construction world thanks to their insulating, fire-resistant and climate-friendly properties. - Carbon credits -Afrimat Hemp is now preparing to produce its first blocks made only with South African hemp. "We see this as a bit of a lighthouse project," Muller says of the Hemp Hotel. Hemp Hotel has been ranked the "tallest building to incorporate hemp-based materials in the world" by Steve Allin, director of the Ireland-based International Hemp Building Association.

Nuttachart Mekmasin, executive director of the research department, said the brokerage expects the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index to improve in the first half of May due to internal and external factors. Pornprom SatrabhayaAsia Plus Securities (ASPS) said buying is more likely than selling this month with fund flows especially after the general election. "Statistically, in the years that the SET index fell in January-April, selling is unlikely in May. The SET index stands at around 1,500, lower than the first-quarter average of 1,645. ASPS expects the SET index to be around 1,610 points with limited upside.

The bid followed a number of reports about foreign tourists who possessed or consumed cannabis without knowing they could face harsh punishment. However, amid a strong resumption of tourism, Mr Yuthasak said existing tourism products should be adequate to strengthen the industry without relying on cannabis. Mr Yuthasak said over the past several months the TAT didn't seriously promote cannabis tourism. Chotechuang Soorangura, vice-president of the TTAA, said foreign arrivals of almost 40 million in 2019 proved that Thai tourism can prosper even without promoting cannabis. Mr Chotechuang said the public outcry against cannabis legalisation stemmed from loopholes in the legislation related to the plant's control.

(Photo: AFP)NEAR BAKHMUT, Ukraine: Near the frontline city of Bakhmut, members of a Ukrainian tank unit say they are all set for the expected spring offensive against Russian forces in the country's east. Surrounded by trees on an overcast day, crew chief Oleksandr and three other soldiers use a special six-metre rod to clean the cannon of their T-72 tank. Ukraine says that for months it has been preparing an offensive aimed at repelling Russian forces from the territory they currently hold in the east and south. Analysts regularly cite those southern areas as potential backdrops to the Ukrainian forces' spring offensive. But for Ivan, a 24-year-old mechanic busy cleaning his tank machine gun, the offensive "will not change things as quickly as everyone wants".

TDRI questions party stimulus plansElection campaign posters are seen along the Asoke-Din Daeng Road. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has warned major political parties that their main election campaign projects might not be necessary as a stimulus since the economy is not in recession. A TDRI report published on Monday aims to study and analyse political parties' budget management and provide some suggestions for them to adapt future strategies. The analysis was based on the policies of six leading political parties -- Pheu Thai, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, the Democrat Party, the Bhumjaithai Party, and the Move Forward Party (MFP). The TDRI study also voices caution over budget management plans the six parties declared to the Election Commission (EC).

Wealthy tourists unfazed by pricey tripsPedestrians cross an intersection in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. (Photo: Bloomberg)Increased hotel room prices and living expenses in Japan will not significantly affect tourists with high purchasing power as they usually demand premium services, but the outbound market could slow based on seasonality. Chotechuang Soorangura, vice-president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said expensive room rates have been an issue in many countries, not only Japan. The outbound market from late May until August is expected to slow as this period is usually a low season for Thai tourists. While the local tourism industry faces a labour shortage, he said the outbound market is fine as Thai tour guides with Japanese language skills are sufficient.

Thaksin says he'll be back soon after Paetongtarn gives birthRed-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supporters hold a birthday party for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra in Bangkok on July 26, 2016, when he turned 67 years old. (File photo)Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra wrote on social media that now his seventh and youngest grandchild has been born, he will be back soon because at 73 years old, he wants to care of his grandchildren. Thaksin on Monday morning wrote on Twitter that he was delighted with the news that his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra had just borne his seventh grandchild. See you soon," Thaksin wrote. Ms Paetongtarn, a prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai Party, wrote on Instagram that her son was named Phruethasin Suksawat and his nickname was Thasin.

Thailand's Achitpol Kirirom shrugs off a challenge from Singapore's Nicky Melvin Singh during their opening Group B game on Sunday. The War Elephants were denied the gold medal in the previous two editions of the Games by arch-rivals Vietnam. Thailand started off well in their first Group B game with a Leon James shot being warded off by a Singapore defender in the opening minute. The War Elephants will play their second Group B game against arch-rivals Malaysia on Saturday at the same venue. Chaba Kaew confidentThe Thai women's football team left for Cambodia on Sunday morning to take part in the 2023 SEA Games.

And no better place than Siem Reap, a place I’ve been to numerous times and yet never tire of it. What does hit you almost immediately is aptly named the resort is, as you enter and you’re almost in a different place. Though, the best place to start the day would be outside by the pool under a slatted roof taking tranquil mornings. The best foot massage I’ve ever had (and I live in Bangkok), the massage includes a foot scrub, cooler and massage. A 4.30am wake-up call and prompt 5am departure from Amansara via a remork will awaken you with fresh cool air.

Poll parties vow more money for the elderlyPolitical parties aim to win the hearts of elderly voters by granting them an old age allowance ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 baht, according to a policy dialogue organised by the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) and the National Health Commission Office. This would require a budget of 420 billion baht to cover around 12 million elderly people in the country. The PPRP also plans to form a health link to arrange local health volunteers to treat elderly and bedridden people in remote areas, and encourage the employment of elderly workers aged 60-65 in the private sector, Mr Sontirat said. Pisit Leeahtam, Democrat policy chairman, said the party will support elderly workers by giving 30,000 baht to elderly clubs in each community. Supachai Jaisamut, Bhumjaithai's registrar, said the party will set up a life insurance fund for elderly people over 60, with death benefits worth 100,000 baht.

Student pilot seriously injured during landing of trainer plane in Nakhon PathomThe CT-4E Airtrainer is a single-engine training plane manufactured by Pacific Aerospace Corp in New Zealand. (Photo supplied/Wassana Nanuam)An air force flight instructor was killed and a trainee pilot seriously injured when their plane crashed on landing in Kamphaeng Saen district of Nakhon Pathom on Saturday. The crash occurred at 11.52am when the CT-4E trainer was making a landing at the Kamphaeng Saen Flying Training School, said air force spokesman AVM Prapas Sornjaidee. The force of the crash killed flight instructor Flt Lt Supakit Inthachai and injured student pilot Plt Off Phurin Chana. ACM Alongkorn Vannarot ordered an air force medical team and an EC725 helicopter dispatched to the site to take the injured student pilot for medical treatment.

S112 charge restored for Rama IX postThe Appeals Court yesterday reversed a lower court's decision to acquit a suspect charged with lese majeste over remarks deemed offensive to the monarchy. On June 2, 2020, Mr Wutthipat posted the comment online about the passing of King Ananda Mahidol, or King Rama VIII, in 1946. On July 19, 2021, Siwaphan Manitkul, a private citizen, filed a police complaint accusing Mr Wutthipat of violating Section 112, as well as the Computer Crime Act. During the court's witness hearings on March 1-2 of last year, Mr Wutthipat admitted he had posted the comment and made a reference to King Rama IX, the younger brother of King Rama VIII, though he argued Section 112 did not cover past kings. The Samut Prakan Provincial Court dismissed the case, reasoning that even though the defendant had posted a comment referencing King Rama IX with offensive remarks, Section 112 only protects the current king, queen, heir to the throne and regent.

Record-hot summer has already peakedPeople use jackets and hoods as protection from strong sunlight in Bang Na district, Bangkok in early April. The department is expected to announce the end of summer and the beginning of the rainy season in the middle of next month, he added. Coupled with a high air temperature, the heat index there is usually higher than other areas, he said. In other words, the heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. If the air temperature is higher than 40°C, the heat index can be 45°C or higher, a level which can cause people to faint or be hit by heat stroke, he added.

(Photo: @MFPThailand Twitter)The country’s opposition bloc should stick together to dislodge the military from politics and form a government after the election in May, Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said on Saturday. Mr Pita made the comment on the sidelines of a campaign rally that drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters to Samyan Mitrtown in Bangkok. The May 14 election is shaping up as a contest between pro-military conservatives and the populist opposition led by the Pheu Thai Party and Move Forward. Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Pheu Thai and Mr Pita are the top two picks. Mr Pita said that support base complements Pheu Thai, backed by working people and farmers in the rural North and Northeast.

Authorities on Saturday warned residents across large swathes of the country, including Bangkok, to avoid going outdoors due to extreme heat. The department also warned of serious health impacts due to the persistent high heat. A heat index of between 41 and 54C is associated with a high risk of heat stroke in cases of prolonged exposure to the heat, she said, citing information published by the Department of Health. Bang Na in Bangkok, as well as the provinces of Chon Buri and Phuket, had a high heat index because of high humidity as they are very close to the sea, she said. This high heat situation is expected to continue until Sunday, while extreme weather, including thunderstorms, is expected from next Monday to Thursday.