Paetongtarn as PM would solve economic problems: pollThe Election Commission (EC) organised a meeting, attended by the general public, to promote knowledge and understanding of elections at the Chaeng Wattana government office complex in Lak Si district on April 11. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)Paetongtarn "Ung Ing" Shinawatra, a prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party, would be good at solving economic problems if she is chosen to take the position, according to an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll. Pita Limjaroenrat of the Move Forward Party would be good at solving corruption problems (20.91%) and promoting education (22.24%). Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha of the United Thai Nation Party would be good at promoting understanding between the people and the military (20.19%) and handling of religious affairs (16.24%). Pol Gen Sereepisut Temeeyaves of the Seri Ruam Thai Party would be good at narcotics suppression (34.90%).

Srettha Thavisin, one of Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidates, announces the 10,000-baht handout policy early this month. "We are getting to the digital economy, but not everyone will benefit from it. Mr Jadet said Pheu Thai's digital wallet policy is not about simply wooing voters ahead of the election, but the party's determination to address economic problems. The 10,000-baht digital wallet policy has struck the right note with small-time vendors interviewed by the Bangkok Post, although some are not quite sure how it works. However, Preeyapat Raksatsana, a student and first-time voter, poured scorn on Pheu Thai's digital wallet policy, saying it is not sustainable and is close to vote-buying.

Haaland at the double as City heap pressure on Arsenal, Villa extend streakManchester City celebrate John Stones' opening goal against Leicester. City, chasing a fifth Premier League title in six years, are on 70 points, three behind Arsenal with eight games to go -- the Gunners play West Ham on Sunday. "Like I said lately, it is win, win and win," said Guardiola, whose side have now won 10 consecutive games in all competitions. "It was important for us to win today to arrive for the 'final' we have against them in the next Premier League game." - Villa form -Aston Villa put themselves in the mix for a top-four finish by beating Newcastle 3-0 for a fifth straight league win as Tottenham also lost.

Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells Masters: organisersSerbia's Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Indian Wells Masters in California, organisers confirmed on SundayLOS ANGELES - World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week's ATP/WTA Indian Wells Masters event, organisers confirmed on Sunday with the Serb barred from entering the country. Djokovic is unable to enter the United States because he is unvaccinated against Covid-19, but he had petitioned US authorities for special permission to enter. The Indian Wells ATP 1000 event begins next week in the California desert and is followed by the prestigious tournament in Miami which Djokovic is now expected to miss unless US authorities have a change of heart. On Friday, both the US Tennis Association and US Open organisers voiced support for Djokovic's request to be allowed to enter the United States. "Novak Djokovic is one the greatest champions our sport has ever seen," the US Open wrote on its official Twitter feed.

Hong Kong airline worker shortage hits city’s push to reopenHong Kong’s goal to reclaim its spot as Asia’s premier financial hub is being tested by a scarcity of workers in the air industry that’s vital for re-establishing the city’s international links. Manpower constraints are making it tough for local start-up Greater Bay Airlines to add flights from Hong Kong, Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui told Bloomberg News this month. “We are now lacking hands, we need to fill vacancies,” said Yolanda Yu, vice-chair of the Board of Airline Representatives of Hong Kong. Like elsewhere during the pandemic, Hong Kong air industry workers were let go as demand for flights plunged. Yet Hong Kong was far slower than other international travel hubs in lifting its Covid restrictions, which were among the world’s most extreme.

(Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)KANCHANABURI: Security has been tightened along the border in Sangkhla Buri district as fresh fighting erupted in Myanmar on Saturday morning. They are about 200 metres away from the Three Pagodas Pass in Sangkhla Buri. People were not allowed to pass through the Nam Kerd security checkpoint in Nong Lu for their own safety. But security officers will remain on full alert along the border around the clock, particularly in vulnerable areas, to prevent possible intrusions. Sutthiporn Siwawetphikul, the Sangkhla Buri district chief, on Saturday assigned his deputy Damrongrat Suphaphan to inspect the border area and monitor the situation.

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.