Blooming shame: Pandemic, Ukraine war hurts orchid industry
Blooming shame: Pandemic, Ukraine war hurts orchid industryFarmer Somchai Lerdrungwitacha inspects orchids at his orchid farm in Nakhon Pathom province on April 7, 2022. But times are tough: Mr Somchai has been dipping into his savings for two years to keep paying his 50-odd employees. Adding to his woes are dramatically falling sales: pre-pandemic China bought 270 million orchid stems annually from Thailand -- a figure that dropped to 170 million last year. Before the pandemic, the company was delivering 3.6 million orchids a month to China, Japan, Vietnam and the United States. Now, only 1.2 million flowers leave the warehouse, and he has had to let go of half of his staff.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2022 16:42 UTC
Thai uniform supplier sets up sharing rack for underprivileged
The store’s owner Sittichok Pao-in said on Sunday that this is the second year the handout has been organised. A similar event was held last year when many parents donated old school uniforms to help out. “The store is accepting old uniforms to help other children,” he said.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 08, 2022 14:08 UTC
Egat offers to clean another 30,000 aircons to reduce power bills
Sutthipong said that though the date for the third phase has not been set, it will offer 10,000 rights and people should be able to register for it in June at participating air-conditioner shops. Meanwhile, the regulations for registering for the Phase 2 are:• One right per household to clean one air-conditioner• Applicable only for a wall-type air-conditioner with a capacity of no more than 24,000 BTU. • Those who have used their right under Phase 1 are ineligible. What is required:• Identification card• An electricity bill for any month in 2022The spokesman said those who win the right can make an appointment for the aircon cleaning service at the site of registration. People who have used up their rights in either of the two phases cannot register for the third phase.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 08, 2022 11:48 UTC
Cactus feels the heat of climate change
CASSIDY ARAIZA/nytThe hardy cactus -- fond of heat and aridity, adapted to rough soils -- might not seem like the picture of a climate change victim. The study looks at 408 cactus species, or roughly one-quarter of all known cactus species, and how their geographic range could shift under three different trajectories for global warming in this century. "There are a lot of these tipping points and thresholds that are very fragile and responsive to changes in the environment, land use and climate change." There's no real reason, so we think it might be climate change." "As adaptation is a slow process and current climate change is occurring rapidly, it is likely that many species will be lost."
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2022 10:31 UTC
Southeast Asia stock markets stand out as geopolitical heaven for investors
Southeast Asia stock markets stand out as geopolitical heaven for investorsA computer monitor displays passengers’ body temperatures and face masks as they walk through a screening checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi airport on April 29, 2022. Foreign funds have been net buying Southeast Asia shares every month of this year, with total inflows of US$10 billion so far, Bloomberg-compiled data show. The broader Southeast Asia gauge is on track to outperform the MSCI All Country World Index for a second straight quarter. The impact of any policy tightening will at least seep through to earnings for financial firms, which make up almost 40% of the Southeast Asian benchmark. International investors’ rotating out of China allocations “has indirectly benefited select Southeast Asian markets,” said Sid Choraria, global equities portfolio manager at SC Asia.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 08, 2022 04:58 UTC
No hype! Thai brands go viral with promise of ‘ordinariness’
Brands are going viral with Facebook adverts showcasing the “ordinariness” of their products – defying Thailand’s obsession with luxury and exclusivity. The trend took off on Friday when Thai apparel manufacturer Double Goose flew in the face of advertising wisdom by showcasing its "ordinary" shirts for ordinary people's needs. Thai shoe manufacturer Nanyang quickly jumped aboard the honesty bandwagon, replying that its shoes were "ordinary" as well.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 08, 2022 03:50 UTC
Alcaraz downs Djokovic in thriller to reach Madrid final
Alcaraz downs Djokovic in thriller to reach Madrid finalSpain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning against Serbia's Novak DjokovicMADRID - Carlos Alcaraz became the first player to defeat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the same tournament on clay as he stormed into the Madrid Open final on Saturday. - Djokovic cuts hand -Djokovic staved off three break points on his serve in game four of the decider, digging deep for a 2-2 hold. Two more break points came and went for Alcaraz on his opponent's serve as Djokovic battled to hold for 3-3. The crowd went wild as Alcaraz blasted a forehand winner to get his first match point. Djokovic saved a second match point for 5-6 but Alcaraz was third time lucky, claiming a statement three-hour 35-minute victory with yet another forehand winner -- his 35th of the match.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 07, 2022 19:02 UTC
Thai schools to reopen under four-point Covid prevention strategy
The first measure is to ensure that at least 60 per cent of students aged 15-18 are fully vaccinated with two doses, said Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha. The second is to ensure all schools score at least 95 per cent in evaluations by provincial public health offices using the Thai Stop Covid Plus standard. The third is to screen symptomatic and at-risk students with antigen tests. The fourth measure is an emergency plan to ensure schools remain open even if infections are found. Classrooms where students test positive must be cleansed, after which classes can continue as normal.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 07, 2022 11:45 UTC
Russia steps up Ukraine assaults ahead of Victory Day
Russia steps up Ukraine assaults ahead of Victory DayRehearsing for Monday's Victory Day show of force, Russian MiG-29SMT jet fighters forming the symbol "Z" in support of military action in Ukraine. (AFP Photo)ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine: Ukraine hoped to evacuate more civilians from a besieged Mariupol steel plant on Saturday as Russian forces unleashed new bombardments across the country ahead of Victory Day festivities in Moscow. On Monday, Moscow and President Vladimir Putin will celebrate the World War II Soviet victory over Nazi Germany with a traditional Victory Day parade. But with Victory Day fast approaching, Ukrainian officials fear more intense missile and artillery bombardments and renewed assaults as Moscow scrambles for symbolic wins. Kherson in the south remains the only significant city Russia has managed to capture since the war began.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 07, 2022 10:48 UTC
No words to ease pain of Real defeat, says Guardiola
Premier League leaders City were two goals up on aggregate but Real scored in the 90th minute and equalised a minute later before winning in extra time through a Karim Benzema penalty to set up a final against Liverpool in Paris. "No words can help (for) what all of us feel," said Guardiola. "It is just a question of time, try to sleep as best as possible and think of the new target." Guardiola said the league focus remained the same and he would talk to the players on Saturday about who they were as a team, what they had achieved and how well they had played all season. He said, however, that he did not know whether the current group of players could win the Champions League or whether he was the manager to do it.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 07, 2022 07:17 UTC
Boehly-led consortium wins bid to take over Chelsea
Russian owner Roman Abramovich, now subject to sanctions by the British government, put the London club up for sale in early March following his country's invasion of Ukraine. Abramovich cleared the path for the takeover on Thursday after he dismissed reports that he wanted a loan given to the club, reportedly worth 1.5 billion pounds ($1.85 billion), to be repaid. The Boehly group, which also includes Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss and British property investor Jonathan Goldstein, were in exclusive negotiations to buy the club after a late bid from British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe was rejected. Groups led by Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca and former British Airways chairman Martin Broughton were earlier eliminated from the bidding process while a consortium led by Chicago Cubs owners the Ricketts family pulled out of the running. ($1 = 0.8106 pounds)
Source:The Nation Bangkok
May 07, 2022 06:16 UTC
Sri Lanka president declares state of emergency amid unrest
Sri Lanka president declares state of emergency amid unrestA demonstrator helps another as police use tear gas and water cannon to disperse students demanding the resignation of Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country's crippling economic crisis, near parliament in Colombo on May 6, 2022COLOMBO - Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Friday declared a state of emergency for the second time in five weeks, giving security forces sweeping powers as a nationwide strike demanding his resignation brought the country to standstill. A spokesman for the president said he invoked the tough laws to "ensure public order" after shops closed and public transport was halted Friday by unions blaming him for the unprecedented economic crisis, which has ignited weeks of unrest. The emergency gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects for long periods without judicial supervision. "The President used his executive powers to invoke emergency regulations to ensure the maintenance of essential services and public order," the spokesman said. Beleaguered Rajapaksa had declared an earlier state of emergency on April 1, a day after thousands of protesters attempted to storm his private home in the capital.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 07, 2022 05:48 UTC
PM affirms neutral Ukraine war stance
PM affirms neutral Ukraine war stanceThailand will not take sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, confirmed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in advance of a top-level US-Asean meeting that he will be attending in Washington DC next week. During a media briefing at Government House yesterday, Gen Prayut talked about his upcoming trip to America for the US-Asean Special Summit from May 12-13. Given Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there might be some opinions about it during the meeting, Gen Prayut said. I will put my best effort into it," said Gen Prayut. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon will be in charge of national affairs while Gen Prayut is away from May 11-15.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 07, 2022 05:42 UTC
Sri Lanka protesters tear-gassed again
Public anger has sparked sustained protests demanding the government’s resignation over its mismanagement of the crisis, Sri Lanka’s worst since independence in 1948. Officers fired a barrage of tear gas followed by water cannon from two trucks, but the crowd quickly reassembled behind police barricades set up to block access to the parliament. It was the second time police tried to disperse the crowd with tear gas, after an earlier unsuccessful attempt on Thursday afternoon. “We can pinpoint the policy blunders of the president that led to this very sorry state of our economy,” said trade union leader Ravi Kumudesh. Sri Lanka’s economic crisis took hold after the coronavirus pandemic hammered income from tourism and remittances.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 06, 2022 23:59 UTC
Crisis-hit Sri Lanka declares emergency after crippling strike
Earlier Friday, police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse students attempting to storm the national parliament demanding Rajapaksa resign. The emergency gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects for long periods without judicial supervision. But protests have escalated since then, fuelling Sri Lanka's worst crisis since independence in 1948. - Storming parliament -The students' attempt to storm the tightly-guarded legislature on Friday was their second in as many days. Sri Lanka's economic crisis took hold after the coronavirus pandemic hammered income from tourism and remittances.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 06, 2022 23:16 UTC