Baht’s fall may be limited if gold rebounds, predicts strategist
He added that the baht may fluctuate and weaken to test its resistance level at 35.40 to the dollar because foreign transactions are flowing out of the country. This is because the market is in a risk-off state, while the dollar is not weakening easily until the market is confident that the US Federal Reserve will not increase the interest rate too high. He added that the baht’s weakening may be limited if the gold price rebounds, which will encourage investors to sell gold. The baht may also not weaken to the new resistance level of 36 to the dollar unless a new lockdown is enforced in China, forcing investors to dump assets in emerging Asian markets. He speculated that the dollar may strengthen as the market fluctuates due to concerns over a recession.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
June 20, 2022 03:09 UTC
Millions stranded by monsoon in Bangladesh
Residents in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh are struggling to cope after they were hit with the worst monsoon floods in the country’s recent history on Sunday. Monsoon rains swamped huge areas of the country, leaving millions of homes underwater. Lorries and cars struggled on the roads, while journeys by rickshaw or motorbike journeys proved to be challenging for all but the bravest. Thousands of policemen and army personnel have been deployed to parts of the country to help search and rescue efforts. About 105,000 people have been evacuated so far but police officials estimated that over four million were still stranded.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
June 20, 2022 00:58 UTC
Cannabis site ban grows
MHESI Minister Anek Laothamatas signed an announcement aimed at controlling the use of cannabis on those premises, with immediate effect. University students and agency staff are not allowed to use cannabis recreationally, while university executives and agency chiefs are instructed to ban the sale of food and drinks with cannabis as an ingredient; the items also cannot be brought into universities and agencies, it said. The use of cannabis for medical purposes must be supervised by medical professionals and research on the plant must be closely monitored by university executives, according to the ministry. University executives and agency chiefs may also issue additional measures to prevent adverse effects of the use of cannabis. The use of cannabis and hemp as an ingredient is forbidden, as is the advertising of cannabis-based products, an announcement said.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 19, 2022 22:38 UTC
Subtle diplomatic dance
The SLD has long been regarded as one of the top security meetings in the Asia-Pacific region. Rather, Washington knows that it should opt for a subtle approach via diplomacy. No pressure: Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha walks with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Defence Council. In terms of political and military strategies, Thailand can create advantages for countries engaged in conflicts in the region. He denied claims about Thailand subscribing to the so-called "Nato 2" or "Nato of Asia" US-led military alliance.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 19, 2022 11:47 UTC
Most agree with removal of cannabis from narcotics list: poll
Most agree with removal of cannabis from narcotics list: pollA teacher at Ban Bang Kapi School in Bang Kapi district of Bangkok posts a sign reading the school is free of cannabis and hemp on Thursday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)A majority of people agree with the removal of cannabis from the Category 5 narcotics list, saying the plant can be used for economic gain and medical purposes, but are still concerned it can be inappropriately used by children and youths, according to an opinion poll. Asked how they viewed the removal of cannabis from the drug list, a move which has legalised cultivation and use of the plant with conditions, a majority - 58.55% - agreed with it. Of them, 34.81% strongly agreed, saying it is an valuable plant that can generate income and be used for medical purposes. Asked how Thai people would use marijuana in the future, 34.05% chose medical purposes; 31.15% recreational purposes; 22.21% for use in food and drinks; and 12.59% for various commercial products.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 19, 2022 07:10 UTC
Thailand launches bid to host 2028 Specialised Expo in Phuket
Thailand is competing with four other countries – the US, Argentina, Serbia and Spain – to host the expo. Specialised Expos are meant to respond to a specific challenge facing humanity and usually take place in the interval between two World Expos. Team Thailand will give the three-day presentation until Tuesday at the headquarters of the Bureau of International Exposition (BIE), the inter-governmental organisation in charge of organising non-commercial international expos.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
June 19, 2022 05:54 UTC
Ukraine's Zelensky visits war-torn southern city as battles rage
Ukraine's Zelensky visits war-torn southern city as battles rageThe European Commission spearheaded a powerful show of solidarity on Friday by backing Ukraine for EU candidate statusKYIV (UKRAINE) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the war-damaged southern city of Mykolaiv on Saturday for the first time since the Russian invasion as "fierce battles" raged again in the eastern Donbas region. Making a rare trip outside Kyiv, Zelensky surveyed a badly-damaged high-rise building and met officials in Mykolaiv, which has been holding the defence of the Black Sea coast against Moscow's troops. Zelensky has appealed for western support and weapons, and he hailed an announcement from Brussels on Friday that it backed Ukraine's EU membership drive as a "historic achievement." Ukrainian democratic habits have not lost their power even now," Zelensky said in a video address overnight. They (Russia) do not control the city entirely," the governor of the eastern Lugansk region, Sergiy Gaiday, said on Telegram.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 19, 2022 01:59 UTC
59 dead, millions stranded as floods hit Bangladesh, India
59 dead, millions stranded as floods hit Bangladesh, IndiaPeople wade along a flooded road following heavy monsoon rains in Sylhet, BangladeshSYLHET (BANGLADESH) - Monsoon storms in Bangladesh and India have killed at least 59 people and unleashed devastating floods that left millions of others stranded, officials said Saturday. Floods are a regular menace to millions of people in low-lying Bangladesh, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency, ferocity and unpredictability. "The whole village went under water by early Friday and we all got stranded," said Lokman, whose family lives in Companiganj village. More than four million people have been stranded by flood water," Hossain said, adding that nearly the entire region was without electricity. Forecasters said the floods were set to worsen over the next two days with heavy rains in Bangladesh and upstream in India's northeast.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 18, 2022 20:59 UTC
OR continues non-oil business expansion
OR continues non-oil business expansionOtteri Wash & Dry Co's launderettes are set to feature at PTT Oil and Retail Business's petrol stations countrywide. PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) has acquired shares in a laundry business to further expand its non-oil services, including the provision of launderettes at its petrol stations. The investment will lead to an expansion of launderette branches, both at the company's petrol stations and outside of them, according to OR. K-Nex operates 670 branches of Otteri Wash & Dry. Mr Kavin said K-Nex sees the potential to expand its laundry business to a wider area, including both petrol stations and overseas.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 18, 2022 10:28 UTC
Jail time for those who sell to minors
Jail time for those who sell to minorsA 'Cannabis and Hemp Free Zone' sign outside Bangkok's Ban Bang Kapi School. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Public Health Ministry has listed penalties for those found guilty of selling cannabis or cannabis-based products to minors and pregnant women following the decriminalisation of the plant. Dr Yongyos Thammawut, director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said the ministry issued the announcement to control the unhealthy use of the plant and prevent minors and pregnant women from accessing cannabis. Dr Yongyos said a Public Health Ministry committee has agreed that the restriction will cover all parts of the cannabis plant, including roots, stems, leaves and buds. "The Public Health Ministry has heeded concerns over the matter and will put forward proposals to parliament to improve the bill and close any loopholes," he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 18, 2022 10:20 UTC
Legalising cannabis is a journey into the unknown
The US still prohibits cannabis at the federal level; the UK considers cannabis an illegal drug. I am pondering if the police could differentiate between cannabis consumers and drunk drivers. People could enjoy the recreational drug without knowing that they might be driving under the influence of a drug. I would urge them to carefully evaluate and monitor cannabis use because there is no guarantee that everything will go according to plan. Chadchart Sitthipan, the Bangkok governor, has been quick to announce a ban on the use of this recreational drug in schools under the BMA supervision.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
June 18, 2022 08:51 UTC
Boy, 14, treated, recovers after using cannabis
Boy, 14, treated, recovers after using cannabisYoung ganja plants. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A 14-year-old boy who was admitted to a hospital after consuming cannabis and developing neurological symptoms quickly recovered and was discharged after treatment. Jiraruj Chomcheoy, a pediatrician speicalising in respiratory diseases at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, said on Friday that the boy was treated on Thursday for symptoms of depression and fever. Using cannabis and cannabis extracts would affect a child’s nervous system, both short and long term, he said. Dr Jiraruj earlier posted a message on his Facebook about the 14-year-old boy being treated at the hospital.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 17, 2022 19:11 UTC
Firms push for softer tourism rules
(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Tourism-related operators are encouraging the government to ease Covid-19 restrictions further to drive the economy as well as lift the state of emergency. The event was organised by the Public Health, Transport and Tourism and Sports ministries, with representatives from nine business associations. Nantida Atiset, vice-president of international marketing at Phuket Tourist Association, said the industry is at a crossroads in terms of welcoming back tourists, with success dependent on the removal of the Thailand Pass system. India has replaced China as a major tourism source market as the population size is similar, said Somsong Sachaphimukh, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand. Representatives from the Airlines Association of Thailand said airlines should not be responsible for collecting the 300-baht tourism tax as local and overseas airlines have different booking systems.
Source:Bangkok Post
June 17, 2022 14:43 UTC
THB2-million plan to replace Parliament police uniforms under fire
The plan calls for 200 new uniforms to be procured at 5,000 baht apiece by December, which requires a budget of at least 2 million baht. Parliament President Chuan Leekpai approved the plan to “improve the uniforms of Parliament police to suit the present time” on June 12, according to a source. The uniform upgrade covers shirts, pants, skirts, buttons, hats and insignia. However, some have questioned whether the change is necessary at a time when government budget is already stretched to the limit amid rising inflation.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
June 17, 2022 10:34 UTC
Temporary rules issued hastily to control use of legalised marijuana
Just a day before the directive was issued, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt had announced that all schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are off-limits to marijuana from June 15. Effective from June 9, marijuana is no longer considered a narcotic plant, except for its extract containing over 0.2 per cent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the psychoactive compound that makes people feel “high”. Unlike cigarette smoking, no law exists to prohibit smoking marijuana in public. So, health authorities plan to apply the Public Health Act of 1992, which prohibits any “act of public disturbance” caused by smoke and smell, for example. Separately, the Department of Health issued two directives on the use of marijuana as a cooking ingredient in food shops and on the storage of the plant.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
June 17, 2022 09:50 UTC