Plan B to acquire AQUA units for B2.9bn
Plan B to acquire AQUA units for B2.9bnPictured from left are: Mr Pinijsorn, Mr Palin, Mr Shine and Pakorn Mongkoltada, AQUA's chief executive of operations. SET-listed Plan B Media, an out-of-home (OOH) media company, is to acquire media businesses from Aqua Corporation Plc (AQUA) for 2.9 billion baht in order to gain a strong leading position in the segment. Plan B's board on Tuesday approved the acquisition of two AQUA subsidiaries -- Aqua Ad Plc (AA), which makes signs, billboards and advertising media -- and Boardway Media Co (BWM), which provides billboard rental services. Mr Pinijsorn said Plan B's investment will add the advertising media of AQUA at 400 sites and 150 LED displays. AQUA will sell AA and BWM as well as its OOH brand Starlet to Plan B, and AQUA will take up 2% of the shares of Plan B, he noted.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 27, 2022 05:39 UTC
Wissanu: Kingsgate can resume gold mining if it complies with new mining law
Wissanu: Kingsgate can resume gold mining if it complies with new mining lawMembers of a civic group hold up official documents to show they are residents of Phichit affected by gold mining in the province, on Jan 22, 2018. (Bangkok Post file photo)Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam says Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd can resume gold mining operations if it strictly complies with four conditions under the new mining legislation. Mr Wissanu, a legal specialist, made his remarks after media reported the Australian mining company said it has now received from the Thai government four outstanding mining leases (MLs) required to operate the Chatree Gold Mine. Asked if the current international arbitration lawsuit would be terminated since Kingsgate would now be able to resume its gold mining in Thailand, Mr Wissanu said he was not certain. When the new legislation is in force, the mining firm can seek permission to resume its business.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 27, 2022 00:28 UTC
PTT believes oil price unlikely to hit $100 a barrel
PTT believes oil price unlikely to hit $100 a barrelA PTT petrol pump attendant on Phetkasem Road refuels a car. If these conflicts cannot be controlled, "we may see oil prices soar to $100, but that will only last for a short time", said Mr Auttapol. PTT is in agreement with other Thai oil firms forecasting global oil prices. He believes global oil supply will soon increase as problems that affected oil production in Kazakhstan, Libya and Nigeria ease. Additional oil supply can also come from producers drilling from oil shale rock fragments in North America.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2022 23:21 UTC
Reopening of Saudi ties means job opportunities for Thai workers
Reopening of Saudi ties means job opportunities for Thai workersLabour Minister Suchart Chomklin, right, during his meeting with Saudi Arabia's Human Resources and Social Development Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi, left, in Riyadh on Tuesday. (Photo: Government House)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's official visit to Saudi Arabia has reopened opportunities for Thai workers in the Mideast country, government deputy spokeswoman Ratchada Dhnadirek said. Mr Suchart thanked the Saudi minister, saying the visit had reopened opportunities for Thai workers in Saudi Arabia. He said Saudi Arabia operated an e-contract programme aimed at maintaining workers' rights and reducing conflict between employees and employers. Saudi Arabia was once a major destination for Thai workers.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2022 08:57 UTC
Digital assets banned for payment
The rules apply to digital asset exchanges, cryptocurrency and digital token brokers and traders, as well as cryptocurrency and digital token advisers. Digital asset business operators have expanded to cover services related to using digital assets as a means of payment for goods and services. Some have solicited businesses by offering to facilitate merchants and businesses in accepting digital assets as payment for goods and services, such as by setting up digital asset settlement systems, said the statement. The minister met with representatives of digital asset and fintech businesses on Tuesday to discuss their request for a tax exemption on digital asset trading for 3-5 years. Digital asset businesses could add great value to the Thai economy if they receive state support, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 26, 2022 05:30 UTC
Narcotics board greenlights marijuana, hemp legalisation
“The plants that are still on the Category 5 narcotics list are opium, psilocybin mushroom and cannabis extract with more than 0.2 per cent of THC,” Anutin said. “Tomorrow [January 26] the Bhumjaithai Party will present the drafts of cannabis and hemp acts to Parliament. We hope all MPs will vote for these, after which they will be announced in the Royal Gazette and become effective in the next 120 days,” he said. “People who are interested in growing hemp and cannabis should wait until all the details of the two acts are finalised,” Anutin made it clear. “From now on growing them will be much easier, but growers still need to register with related authorities and follow the restrictions on growing volume and application,” he added.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
January 26, 2022 02:36 UTC
China targets celebrities, fan groups in cyber clean-up campaign
China targets celebrities, fan groups in cyber clean-up campaignThis file photo taken on Nov 21, 2019, shows the logo of the social media video-sharing app Tiktok displayed on a tablet screen in Paris. (AFP)BEIJING: The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Tuesday launched a month-long "clean cyberspace" campaign, which it said would target online abuse, "chaos" in celebrity fan groups and "money worship", among other issues. CAC made the announcement on its official WeChat account on Tuesday, saying that it would closely look at content platforms and advertisements as part of the campaign over the Spring Festival period. China first launched a crackdown on its booming entertainment industry in summer last year, targeting celebrity behaviour and fan groups, and has signalled that tight oversight will continue. The Spring Festival period, also known as the Lunar New Year, is one of China's biggest holidays and is marked by a week-long holiday.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2022 23:10 UTC
Prawit: PPRP stands firm on decision to expel 21 MPs
Prawit: PPRP stands firm on decision to expel 21 MPsAn interloper flashes a three-finger salute, a pro-democracy protest symbol, in front of Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwon, who was campaigning in Bang Bua Ruam Jai Pattana community, Bangkok, on Monday. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam)The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) will not reverse its decision to expel 21 MPs, including former secretary-general Thamanat Prompow, Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon said on Tuesday. It has been forwarded to the Election Commission," Gen Prawit said. Mr Somsak would have to find a new party, Gen Prawit said. On Jan 19, the PPRP executive decided to expel Capt Thamanat and 20 MPs in his faction, for causing divisions within the ruling party.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2022 19:35 UTC
Mixed reviews for latest stimulus
A massage shop in Chiang Mai has a sign put up for the co-payment scheme to attract more guests. (Photo: Dusida Worrachaddejchai)The business sector has hailed the government's fresh spending stimulus measures but says the cash handout under the fourth phase of the "Khon La Khrueng" co-payment subsidy scheme sounds lower than expected. The private sector is also asking for additional stimulus packages to boost consumers' spending power. "For the fourth phase of the co-payment subsidy scheme, I see 1,200 baht cash handout per person is slightly lower than we expect," he said. TIMELYBoonyong Tansakul, chief executive at Zen Corporation Plc, the operator of the Zen Japanese restaurant, said that the co-payment subsidy scheme seems to be the best economic stimulus campaign that the government has launched.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2022 09:29 UTC
Car exports hit 9-month high in December
Figures broke through the 100,000 level after a 47.93-per-cent rise in exports from December 20 thanks to increased supply of semiconductors and auto-parts. Thai auto exports increased to all markets – up 101 per cent to Australia and Oceania, 64.96 per cent to Europe, 54.99 per cent to North America, and 121.87 per cent to Central and South America – driven by the global economic recovery.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
January 25, 2022 07:48 UTC
Neymar among footballers investing in NFTs
He acquired the two from the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection with the OpenSea platform which is the largest NFT marketplace. He paid 159.99 ETH, equivalent to around $521,000, for one of the illustrations, and 189.69 ETH or around $624,000 for the other. The purchase was done with the personalised wallet “EneJay” on the platform from his initials. He explained later on his Instagram that he had done it with two partners. Neymar’s Paris teammates Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti also reportedly paid a part of the sum but neither of them has posted any images on social media.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
January 25, 2022 07:43 UTC
PM calls for speedy charter passage
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged parliamentarians to accept and pass two organic laws related to elections expected to be tabled before parliament next month, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said. The prime minister wants them to push through the Political Parties Act and the Election of MPs Act without delay, the spokesman said after a cabinet meeting on Monday. To reflect the changes to the charter, the two organic laws governing the election of MPs and political parties will have to be amended. However, Mr Wissanu said deliberation of the bills may not be completed during the current parliamentary session which ends on Feb 28. It stands ready to propose a special parliamentary session," Mr Wissanu said in answer to accusations the government is trying to stall the bills to remain in office for as long as possible.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2022 03:44 UTC
Govt adds chicken meat to list of price-controlled items
Rachada said it was necessary to control the price of chicken, as it is an important source of protein. She added that so far, the Commerce Ministry has built a list of 56 price-controlled items and services, including chicken, egg, pork, shampoo, detergent, rice, garlic, instant food, school uniform and medical treatment. As part of the price-control action, the Central Commission on Prices of Goods and Services has set up the following measures for entrepreneurs, retailers and poultry farmers:• Farmers who have more than 100,000 chickens and slaughterhouse operators that have a production capacity of over 4,000 chickens per day must inform the relevant authority of stock volume, production cost and retail price every month. • Factories producing animal feed must provide information on stock volume, retail price, production capacity and cost every month. • Businesses, retailers and poultry farm operators must receive approval from the Department of Internal Trade before increasing retail prices.
Source:The Nation Bangkok
January 25, 2022 03:43 UTC
B1.4bn boost 'no cure' for financial woes
Consumer product price rises, he noted, tend to be protracted and can trigger a chain reaction. He estimated the pork price fiasco might take as long as 18 months to solve, far outlasting the funds made available. Water and power bills should be subsidised for at least six months to ease the financial burden on people, he said. Citing a previous pork price spike in the US, he said the problem was alleviated after all sides in the supply chain came together for talks. Subsequently, pork prices dropped by 15-20% and other meats by 2%.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 25, 2022 03:32 UTC
Legalisation of household cannabis, limited recreational use
Legalisation of household cannabis, limited recreational useLamps for indoor cannabis cultivation are exhibited at the Thailand Science Park in Pathum Thani province last month. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drafted a bill to legalise the household cultivation and consumption of cannabis and its recreational use in some locations. Household consumption would be for medical purposes only. Regarding the recreational use of cannabis, Dr Paisarn said it could be done in some locations that had yet to be specified. "Of course, we won't go to the stage of cannabis cafés, but there are different models for its recreational use in other countries.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 24, 2022 22:52 UTC