Metaverse expo nurtures region’s top tech talents in Bangkok
Thailand’s first international metaverse exhibition – co-organised by Nation Group, Blockmountain and Metaverse XR – was visited by a group of 120 outstanding students from 16 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including 10 students from Thailand. The students got to test out technologies of the future, participating in activities offered at 30 booths and talks by over 50 local and international experts with a sizeable tech industry audience. They also took a deep dive into the metaverse courtesy of a seminar delivered on the main stage at CentralWorld in Bangkok. During their two-hour visit, they toured all three zones of the “Thailand Metaverse Expo” – the Experience zone, Showcase zone and Workshop zone. “We are very happy to be here because this event allows us to get a wider and better understanding of the metaverse,” the students were quoted as saying.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 21, 2022 20:02 UTC
Somalis anxiously await news of loved ones as hotel siege ends
Somalis anxiously await news of loved ones as hotel siege endsThe attack was the biggest in Mogadishu since Somalia's new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office in June. The hotel was a favoured meeting spot for government officials and scores of people were inside when gunmen stormed the property. Businessman Muktar Adan, whose brother was inside the hotel when the attack started, told AFP he was waiting for permission to enter the hotel and look for his sibling. A second explosion occurred just minutes later, witnesses said, inflicting more casualties as rescuers, security forces and civilians rushed to help those injured. Al-Shabaab has carried out several attacks in Somalia since Mohamud took office, and last month launched strikes on the Ethiopian border.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 21, 2022 12:20 UTC
'Few hurdles' likely for revised cannabis law
'Few hurdles' likely for revised cannabis lawAnutin: All parties had a sayThe bill to amend the present cannabis and hemp laws has been completed and will go before the House of Representatives for a second reading next week, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Mr Anutin on Satruday presided over a meeting on medical cannabis in Chiang Rai which was attended by the Public Health Ministry's executive officials, state agencies, the private sector and more than 1,000 people. Public Health Region 1 in the north -- comprising Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son -- has driven the cannabis policy, said Mr Anutin. For instance, Nakornping and Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospitals have launched cannabis clinics for onsite and online health checks while Pai Hospital in Mae Hong Son offers cannabis treatment with modern medicine for curing insomnia, he said. Phrae Hospital also developed an integrated registration and alert system for new growers and those suffering ill effects following cannabis treatment.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 20, 2022 22:18 UTC
Sports Metaverse: The excitement of sports in a virtual world You can take part as an athlete from anywhere in the world.
Thailand’s metaverse has started with fanfare at the “Thailand Metaverse Expo 2022” being held at CentralWorld shopping centre in Bangkok. The event offers new business opportunities in the global digital economy. Speakers at the event are experts and professionals from the worlds of digital assets, non-fungible tokens, virtual sports, startups, marketing technology, user experience and user interface (UX-UI). Sports Metaverse, one of the activities held at the event, drew many participating teams and spectators. In this video, The Nation introduces you to the participating athletes and their views on Sports Metaverse.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 20, 2022 16:33 UTC
At least 12 killed in Somalia hotel siege
At least 12 killed in Somalia hotel siegeMOGADISHU: At least 12 people have been killed in Somalia's capital Mogadishu after al Shabaab militants attacked a hotel leading to a siege that authorities are still trying to end, an intelligence officer said on Saturday. Sounds of explosions punctuated the night as government forces tried to wrest control of the hotel back from the militants, witnesses said. The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist group statements. Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple the Somali government for more than 10 years. The Hayat Hotel is a popular venue with lawmakers and other government officials but there was no immediate information if any of them had been caught up in the siege.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 20, 2022 14:38 UTC
Introducing Smilodo Mall: the NFT bringing eCommerce to the Metaverse
Forget about the boring Web2.0 online shops, and dive into the 3D world powered by the latest Web3.0 technologies. In 2021, Smilodo, a Swiss online shop builder launched the first iteration of its eCommerce SaaS Business by providing Web2.0 online shop services. Smilodo already has an operational Metaverse mall prototype that is linked to its existing eCommerce SaaS Business, and the company is launching a closed beta run of its mall in Q4 2022. To enter this closed beta the community needs to own a Smilodo Community NFT, which is, besides being the entry ticket, the user’s dynamic Avatar. After the closed beta run, Smilodo will prepare its Smilodo Mall space sale as a second NFT round in 2023.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 20, 2022 06:18 UTC
Soldier surrenders over fatal shooting
Soldier surrenders over fatal shootingCpl Manit Chanthaphinit, 33, wanted for shooting a private, 29, to death outside an army camp in Nakhon Phanom's Pla Pak district, surrenders to police on Friday night. According to police, Cpl Manit arrived on a motorcycle at the entrance of the army camp and started talking with Pvt 1st Class Watchara. His superior picked up him at a petrol station near Nakhon Phanom airport and escorted him to the police station. During questioning, Cpl Manit told police that the shooting stemmed from a personal conflict between him and Pvt 1st Class Watchara. Pol Col Natthawit Ratchakaew, chief of Muang Nakhon Phanom police station, investigators and military officers jointly interrogated the suspect.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 20, 2022 05:44 UTC
Covid-19 to be declared endemic in October
Covid-19 to be declared endemic in OctoberDr Taweesilp Visanuyotin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, announces the decision of the CCSA meeting from Government House on Friday. (Screenshot)The government will declare Covid-19 endemic in October, and the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will then no longer be the main agency dealing with the disease. The decision to declare the disease endemic was based on the presently limited number of severe Covid-19 cases and related fatalities. "The goal is for people to be able to coexist safely with Covid-19 and live normal lives," Dr Taweesilp said. The incidence of Covid-19 would be similar to influenza, and there would be new cases all year long, Dr Taweesilp said.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 19, 2022 11:35 UTC
Thailand to allow foreign tourists to extend stay as Covid eases
Thailand to allow foreign tourists to extend stay as Covid easesTourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakan province, on Feb 6, 2022. Foreigners from 18 territories coming to Thailand under the visa on arrival category will be allowed to double their length of stay for up to 30 days, Dr Taweesilp said. Those from more than 50 places that currently get 30 days will be able to stay for up to 45 days. Between Jan 1 and Wednesday, the country gained 176.3 billion baht (US$4.93 billion) in revenue from 3.78 million foreign arrivals. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expects 8 million to 10 million arrivals this year, above an earlier forecast of 7 million, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 19, 2022 11:28 UTC
Torrential rain causes havoc in New Zealand, hundreds forced from homes
Torrential rain causes havoc in New Zealand, hundreds forced from homesThis handout picture taken on Wednesday by local media outlet Andrew App and released on Thursday shows a flood-inundated car and homes from the overflowing Maitai River in central Nelson on New Zealand's South Island. (Photo: AFP)WELLINGTON: Torrential rain hit parts of New Zealand for a fourth day on Friday, forcing hundreds of people from their homes as rivers overflowed their banks and waterlogged ground becomes unstable. (Photo: Reuters)The New Zealand Defence Force has personnel helping with evacuations and flood prevention work. A view of flooding in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand, on Friday. Landslide is pictured as a state of emergency is declared after severe flooding affected Nelson, New Zealand, on Thursday.
Source:Bangkok Post
August 19, 2022 11:05 UTC
Thousands of public transport drivers face action for traffic offences
Meanwhile, 66 drivers stand to have their licences suspended, while 63 have been told to undergo training and testing to learn about road safety, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) said on Thursday. Seksom Akraphand, DLT’s deputy director-general, said the department has introduced a points deduction system in a bid to raise awareness of driving safely. He also said that most public transport drivers face punishment for speeding or being impolite. He added that one driver lost his licence for taking drugs while driving.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 19, 2022 06:49 UTC
Man United closing in on Casemiro signing - reports
The Brazilian international, who spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Porto, has been at Real since 2013, winning three LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues with 336 appearances across all competitions. Man United sit bottom of the Premier League table after their 2-1 opening home defeat to Brighton was followed up with a 4-0 loss at Brentford in a disastrous start to Erik ten Hag’s reign as manager .
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 19, 2022 04:19 UTC
Thai travel agents urge govt to extend visa on arrival arrangements
“The most important measure is the Visa on Arrival (VoA) that allows foreign tourists from 19 countries to enter Thailand without having to get a visa beforehand,” he said. “This measure will expire on April 30, and we want the government to extend it to the end of 2020 to keep the flow of foreign tourists going.”Wichit added that Atta has also pitched the idea of granting multiple entry visas to Chinese tourists to Ministry of Tourism and Sports. “The Ministry agreed with this idea and is discussing it with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related agencies,” he said. “Once implemented, we can attract high-end tourists from China to come to Thailand several times a year. “Chinese tourists are still our biggest clients, with an estimated number in 2020 increasing by 500,000 to 1 million from this year's number, which is expected to stand at 11 million,” said Wichit.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 18, 2022 10:25 UTC
CCSA set to consider downgrading Covid to a surveillance disease
The ministry is asking the CCSA to downgrade Covid-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to a communicable disease under surveillance from October 1. Supot said that after the disease is downgraded, the CCSA will consider whether any special law or order is still required to control the situation. If not, the CCSA may be disbanded, he said. However, the emergency law is still needed for now although the situation has improved, the secretary-general said. Supot explained that the emergency law was still needed to control arrivals into the country and departures and to prohibit activity that would worsen the spread of the disease.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
August 18, 2022 09:06 UTC
Central Pattaya welcomes lovers of Japan
Published byThe Bangkok Postpublished : 18 Aug 2022 at 04:00 newspaper section: [Life](http://search.bangkokpost.com/search/result_advanced?category=news&xNewsSection=Life) Japanophiles in Pattaya take note. The “Japan Signature 2022” is taking a roadshow to Central Pattaya in Chon Buri from tomorrow to Aug 28. Presented by Central Pattana, this is an opportunity to enjoy a range of carefully selected authentic Japanese cuisine with deliciousness guaranteed in the atmosphere of Matsuri, or the Japanese festival of joy. Expect to indulge in legendary ramen recipes and ready-to-eat dishes cooked by chefs from many restaura…Read More
Source:Bangkok Post
August 18, 2022 08:01 UTC