Police recall body of Rayong explosion victim
Police recall body of Rayong explosion victimBlack smoke billows after a tank of pyrolysis gasoline caught fire at Map Ta Phut Port in Rayong on Thursday morning. (Photo: Social Rayong Facebook)Police ordered a recall of the body of the man who died in an explosion at Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal (MTT) in Rayong province for a thorough autopsy to determine the cause of death and whether it was from falling or other causes. Nopporn's body was being transferred to his hometown in Chiang Rai, upon the request of his relatives, for a religious rite on Friday. The transfer of the body was halted by Rayong police, who asked that the body be brought back to the Police General Hospital for a post-mortem. Pol Maj Gen Pongphan Wongmaneethet, chief of Rayong Provincial Police, said the examination must be carried out thoroughly by forensic experts.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 12, 2024 17:21 UTC
Several killed as bus falls into river in Russia
At least three bus passengers died and several others were undergoing urgent treatment in hospital after their bus careered off a bridge and into the Moika river in the Russian city of St Petersburg on Friday, the local department of the emergencies ministry said.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 12, 2024 15:43 UTC
UK toddler regains hearing in gene therapy breakthrough
A UK toddler has regained her hearing after undergoing breakthrough gene therapy. Her parents, Jo and James Sandy, say Opal can hear soft sounds through the pioneering treatment, which can be used to help other children who have hearing loss through genetic conditions.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 12, 2024 15:43 UTC
Mainland gives Hong Kong tourism a lift
Eight more Chinese cities join scheme to allow solo travellers to visit territoryTourists take photos in front of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on April 29. (Photo: Reuters)HONG KONG - Eight more Chinese cities have joined a scheme allowing their residents to travel to Hong Kong on their own, rather than as part of a tour group, as part of efforts to boost Hong Kong’s economy. Fifty-one cities have already joined the programme and will be joined by Taiyuan in Shanxi, Hohhot in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Harbin in Heilongjiang, Lhasa in Tibet Autonomous Region, Lanzhou in Gansu, Xining in Qinghai, Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. “These eight cities are all provincial capital cities with large populations, significant economic growth and high spending power,” said Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee. The Hong Kong and Chinese governments have repeatedly said the security laws have brought stability.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 11, 2024 21:35 UTC
Retailers promote AI-enabled PCs in the second half
Retailers promote AI-enabled PCs in the second halfA display of notebooks and PCs on sale at a recent edition of the Commart fair. Leading IT retail chains are capitalising on artificial intelligence (AI)-embedded PCs to increase sales growth in the second half of 2024. Meanwhile, Advice IT Infinite Plc is demonstrating to consumers how AI PCs differ from conventional units. "AI PCs are not for everyone, but we can demonstrate how AI-based PCs and regular PCs differ," said Mr Nath. The company is demonstrating how AI-based PCs can outperform regular PCs at booths and IT retail outlets, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 11, 2024 14:32 UTC
Ploughing ceremony predicts abundance, prosperity
Ploughing ceremony predicts abundance, prosperityHis Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, presides over the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang yesterday. (Photo: Royal Household Bureau)Abundant food and water, growth in foreign trade and a prosperous economy were predicted during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok yesterday morning. This year, the sacred oxen chose to feed on grass and water, reflecting the prediction of abundant water. This is interpreted as transportation being improved and better foreign trade, leading to a prosperous economy in 2024. Two sacred oxen feast on grass, water and liquor during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, prompting a prophecy of abundant water and food as well as a prosperous economy.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 11, 2024 12:44 UTC
PORCELA Sees Surge in Eco-Friendly Tile Sales
PORCELA witnesses rising sales of eco-friendly tiles, in line with the sustainable development trend. The company continues to uplift the Thai real estate industry towards an innovative society following the Architect Expo 2024. This response has led to significant growth in the sales of eco-friendly tiles under the PORCELA brand. The popular eco-friendly and innovative tiles at the Architect Expo 2024 spanned various segments, including anti-slip tiles, anti-bacterial tiles, energy-saving tiles, and tiles made from natural material substitutes. Other popular tiles at the event included granito tiles, ceramic tiles, mosaic tiles, swimming pool tiles, and vinyl tiles.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 10, 2024 11:32 UTC
Thailand faces credit card default risks
The risk of default on credit card loans rose significantly in the first quarter this year in Thailand, driven by the Bank of Thailand (BoT)'s mandate for a higher minimum payment rate. Thailand faces credit card default risks (Photo:bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – The risk of default on credit card loans rose significantly in the first quarter this year in Thailand, driven by the Bank of Thailand (BoT)'s mandate for a higher minimum payment rate. During the pandemic, the central bank temporarily reduced the minimum payment requirement to 5% to alleviate the debt burden on borrowers. Surapol affirmed that with the notable surge in SMs for credit card loans, there is mounting pressure for higher NPLs in the country’s economy. Concurrently, more young people are applying for credit cards over the past few yearsNCB data revealed roughly 36,000 new credit cards were issued in the last two years, with 23,000 held by millennials aged between 27 and 44.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 10, 2024 03:00 UTC
Thai food exports expected to see 2% growth this year
Thai food exports expected to see 2% growth this yearPeople examine plant-based food at a previous edition of THAIFEX-Anuga Asia. Thailand expects to stimulate food export growth of 2% this year as it prepares for THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2024, Asia's leading food and beverage trade show. Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), said the food industry is one of the most important sectors contributing to exports. In 2024, it is expected that food exports will increase by around 2%, worth $40.6 billion or more than 1.4 trillion baht. THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2024 is scheduled to take place from May 28 to June 1 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 10, 2024 01:43 UTC
TCP Group banking on overseas growth
TCP Group, the manufacturer and distributor of Krating Daeng (Red Bull), views the foreign market as having high growth potential as it monitors rising costs. "The energy drink market grew only 4-5% in the first quarter this year as a result of the stagnant economy," said Saravoot Yoovidhya, chief executive of TCP Group. He said the Thai energy drink market competed mainly on cost differentiation as many new brands were launched on the market. In contrast, the overseas energy drink market has seen a minimal price war compared to the domestic market. "Vietnam is considered one of the markets with high growth potential," Mr Saravoot said.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 10, 2024 01:35 UTC
More economists speak up for BoT
Pursuing an independent monetary policy is vital for the country’s economic stability as it prevents the misuse of monetary policy for short-term political goals while keeping inflation in check, the Economic Society of Thailand said in a statement. That sparked speculation that the ruling coalition may seek to amend the central bank law guaranteeing autonomy. He also maintains that the country’s economic problems are structural in nature and stimulus alone will not achieve much. “Politicians shouldn’t act to threaten or put pressure on the central bank independence in public,” Nipon Poapongsakorn, head of the group of economists and distinguished fellow at the Thailand Development Research Institute, said in the statement. The central bank has kept borrowing costs at a decade high 2.5% since September.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 09, 2024 19:59 UTC
Chinese to visit for new round of sub negotiations
(Photo: Royal Thai Navy)A Chinese delegation, including military officials, will visit Thailand next Wednesday for a new round of negotiations in a bid to resolve a long overdue submarine purchase deal. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang said on Wednesday there are only two options left to discuss during the negotiations with the delegation. The other option is China's proposal to substitute the initially required German-made submarine engine with a Chinese-made engine and ask for a better compensation deal. China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC), the contracted submarine maker, earlier offered to fit Chinese engines on the submarines. The RTN initially rejected this offer but later agreed to the change and wanted the submarine procurement to continue.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 09, 2024 15:16 UTC
Truck hits clearance bar, causes traffic congestion
Truck hits clearance bar, causes traffic congestionDebris from a truck and a height clearance bar are scattered on Si Ayutthaya Road in Ratchathewi district, Bangkok, on Thursday. (Photos: Traffic Police Division)Traffic was nearly paralysed after a truck hit a height clearance bar at Phaya Thai intersection in Ratchathewi district of Bangkok on Thursday morning. Traffic police said the accident happened at 5.30am when a truck transporting tyres struck the bar situated in front of a flyover on Si Ayutthaya Road. The incident blocked two traffic lanes, and workers and police took several hours to clear the road. According to reports, the accident led to severe congestion spanning several kilometres from Phaya Thai intersection to Ramkhamhaeng Road.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 09, 2024 15:07 UTC
Peter Denman: From soap opera to boxing and charity fights
Muay Thai coach Peter Denman, a former Thai-Brit TV actor who turned down 50 million baht to star in films in China, discusses his career change, the charm of boxing, his students and his charity punching challenge.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 09, 2024 03:52 UTC
Govt, BoT spat may not be economic
REUTERSThe row between the government and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) over its "high" interest rate is all over the news. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin goes so far as to say that a "high" interest rate hinders economic development. Let me add that the US Fed's policy interest rate is 5.25%-5.5%; the UK's policy interest rate is 5.25%; and the EU's policy interest rate is 4.5%. By the way, the "high" interest policy rate in Türkiye at that time was 24.0%, not 2.5%. The public and even governments do not understand the job of a central bank and, more importantly, how a central bank manages the monetary system.
Source:Bangkok Post
May 09, 2024 00:42 UTC