PM candidate Pheu Thai Was Hospitalised

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9 April 2023, 00:42

Chaikasem Nitisiri, a Pheu Thai Party candidate for prime minister, was admitted to the hospital and spent the night in Nan province, northern Thailand after experiencing a headache, staggering, and unconsciousness during the election campaign on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Srettha Thavisin, another Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate, said that Mr. Chaikasem had felt a little exhausted in the afternoon during a visit to Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, a royal monastery, due to the hot weather.

pheu thai nan2 — Chaikasem Nitisiri (center) was visitingWat Phra That Chae Haeng in Nan province.

According to Pheu Thai Party sources, Mr. Chaikasem underwent a CT scan, and it was discovered that he had a dried blood clot in his brain. It is understandable that it has been a while. So far, there have been no significant complications, but the doctor advised him to get another complete evaluation at a Bangkok hospital. On Sunday, Mr. Chaikasem will return to Bangkok for treatment.

pheu thai nan1 — From left: Chonlanan Srikaew, a leader of the Pheu Thai Party, and three candidates for prime minister: Settha Thavisin, Phae Thongtarn Shinawatra, and Chaikasem Nitisiri.

The Pheu Thai Party has nominated three candidates for prime minister: Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra; Settha Thavisin, 60, a well-known businessman; and Chaikasem, 74, a former justice minister and attorney general. Pheu Thai Party has a huge lead, according to many opinion polls. But Thailand’s electoral system means contenders have to win by a wide margin to be sure of forming the government and claiming the prime minister’s position.

The Party has a huge lead, according to many opinion polls, but Thailand’s electoral system means contenders have to win by a wide margin to be sure of forming the government and claiming the prime minister’s position.

World Food Prices Decline for 12th Consecutive Month

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Xinhua News Agency

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8 April 2023, 22:53

food price1 — Photo taken on May 26, 2022 shows a vegetable booth at a supermarket in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Xinhua/Shadati)

FAO’s broad Food Price Index slipped 2.1 percent in March, and it is now down 20.5 percent since reaching its all-time peak a year ago after a big surge following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

(Xinhua) — World food prices declined for the 12th consecutive month in March, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported on Friday. It was the first time the index has fallen for a full year.

FAO’s broad Food Price Index slipped 2.1 percent in March, and it is now down 20.5 percent since reaching its all-time peak a year ago after a big surge following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Grains and cereals, the largest component in the index, was down 5.6 percent compared to the previous month and down 18.6 percent over the last 12 months.

food price2 — Eggs are seen at a local market in Budapest, Hungary, on Nov. 10, 2022. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Among grains and cereals, wheat prices fell the most, dipping 7.1 percent as exports from Ukraine via the Black Sea assuaged market fears. Corn prices were 4.6 percent lower due to strong production in South America, while rice prices were 3.2 percent lower, due to data from harvest prospects in India, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Prices for vegetable oils were down by 3 percent in March and a staggering 47.7 percent compared to March 2022. Dairy prices, meanwhile, were down by 0.8 percent, contributing to a decline of 10.7 percent compared to a year earlier, and meat prices inched 0.8 higher in March but were still down by 5.3 percent over the last 12 months.

FAO said that the softening demand and adaptations to global supply chains obstacles, such as increased competition between suppliers, were the main factors pushing prices lower over the last year.

food price3 — A trader serves customers at his stall at Mokolo market in Yaounde, Cameroon, June 21, 2022. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

The main exception to that trend was sugar prices, which rose by 1.5 percent in March, reaching their highest level since October 2016.

Despite falling prices, FAO officials have repeatedly warned in recent months that fuel supply issues and other market uncertainties threaten many of the world’s poorest nations.

FAO’s Food Price Index is based on worldwide prices for 23 food commodity categories covering prices for 73 different products compared to a baseline year.
The next FAO index is scheduled to be released on May 5.

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Half of Unmarried People Under 30 in Japan Do Not Want Kids: Survey

By

Kyodo News

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8 April 2023, 22:27

japan couple — File photo of a couple strolling in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district. (Kyodo)

Around half of unmarried people under 30 in Japan have no interest in having children, a recent survey by a pharmaceutical firm showed, with respondents citing economic concerns and the burden of childbirth and parenting as their reasoning.

Of the 400 respondents between 18 to 29 years old, 49.4 percent said they do not want children, the highest percentage in any of the last three annual pregnancy white paper surveys conducted by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co.

By gender, it found that 53.0 percent of men and 45.6 percent of women are not interested in becoming parents, citing such reasons as the high cost and anxiety about Japan’s future, the Osaka-based company said in late March.

japan birth — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (far L) and others hold signs and letters spelling out “The Children and Families Agency” to commemorate its launch in Tokyo on April 3, 2023. (Kyodo)

The results of the online survey conducted in January came after government data showed the number of babies born in the country last year dropped below 800,000 for the first time since records began in 1899.

To reverse the trend of the declining birthrate in the rapidly aging country, the government in April launched the Children and Families Agency to oversee child policies, also including child abuse and poverty.

The company’s fiscal 2022 survey found that 48.1 percent of married men and women wishing to have children were cooperating with their partners’ fertility efforts, according to the study also covering 800 married couples aged between 25 and 44.

The figure marked a significant drop from 60.3 percent in the fiscal 2020 survey, with a company official speculating that people are spending less time with their partners as life gradually returns to normal following the coronavirus pandemic.

New agency to deal with children’s issues

On April 1, Japan launched a new agency for overseeing child policies as the government under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida struggles to reverse the country’s declining birthrate.

The Children and Families Agency, under the direct supervision of the prime minister, will tackle a wide range of challenges, including the perilously low birthrate, child abuse and poverty, as the “control tower” in compiling policies while eliminating sectionalism.

The agency, the first governmental body to be established after the Digital Agency in September 2021, brought together relevant departments from the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry as well as the Cabinet Office. Combined with people from the private sector and local governments, the agency has around 430 officials.

Yumiko Watanabe, a senior bureaucrat of the welfare ministry, heads the agency.

Its launch comes at a time the number of babies born in the country last year fell to below 800,000 for the first time since record-keeping began in 1899.

Kishida has warned that Japan is “on the brink” of losing its social function against a backdrop of the rapidly falling birthrate.

Thailand expects Michelin Guide to boost revenue ฿595bn

By

Khaosod English

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8 April 2023, 15:38

TAT together with Michelin work together on the Michelin Guide (Thailand) to increase tourist spending by about 10 to 20 percent which goes in alignment with the 3rd tourism development strategy (2023-2027) that aims to increase tourist spending from Thailand and aboard 5 percent and 7 percent annually, respectively.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), estimated that foreigners total spending in 2023 will reach THB 2.4 trillion (70.4 billion U.S.dollars). From that, about 25 percent, or around THB 595 billion (17.4 billion U.S. dollars), will come from food and beverages.

Chattan Kunjar Na Ayudhya, TAT deputy governor for marketing communications, told reporters that according to the 2022 survey of tourists in 23 countries, it was found that 76 percent of the respondents were aware of the Michelin Guide and 16 percent were aware of the Michelin Guide Thailand.

Of the 11.15 million tourists that came to Thailand last year, 8 percent or about 690,000 tourists were aware and had tasted Thai food from restaurants in Michelin Guide Thailand. About 11 per cent or 940,000 tourists came to Thailand with the influence of the Michelin Guide Thailand.

Total revenue per foreign tourist increased by 325 baht (9.5 U.S.dollars) per person per trip due to dining at Michelin Guide Thailand restaurants insisting on the programme’s worthiness. The profit was 7.98 times compared to the investment per tourist.

The additional revenue from the programme in 2022 was 223.34 million baht (6.5 million U.S.dollars), while the initial investment by the government was 28 million baht (820,000 U.S. dollars) per year.

Gwendal Poullennec, director of Michelin Guide International, said the Michelin Guide Thailand 2023 would expand its coverage to Koh Samui, Surat Thani, the country’s second-largest island after Phuket. It will also cover more restaurants in Surat Thani, the largest province in southern Thailand.

China Flies Fighter Jets Near Taiwan After Leader’s US Trip

By

Associated Press

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8 April 2023, 13:52

China US Taiwan — Chinese fighter jet performs an mid-air refueling maneuver at an unspecified location. The Chinese military announced exercises around Taiwan on Saturday in a new act of retaliation for a meeting between the U.S. House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. (CCTV via AP)

BEIJING (AP) — China sent warships and dozens of fighter jets toward Taiwan on Saturday, the Taiwanese government said, in retaliation for a meeting between the U.S. House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.

The Chinese military announced the start of three-day “combat readiness patrols” as a warning to Taiwanese who want to make the island’s de facto independence permanent. The People’s Liberation Army gave no indication whether they might include a repeat of previous exercises with missiles fired into the sea, which disrupted shipping and airline flights.

AP23098213006998 — A Chinese fighter jet performs an mid-air refueling maneuver at an unspecified location. (CCTV via AP)

Speaker Kevin McCarthy held talks with President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday in California, adding to a series of foreign lawmakers who have met Tsai to show support in the face of Chinese intimidation. Beijing responded Friday by imposing a travel ban and financial sanctions against American groups and individuals associated with Tsai’s U.S. visit.

On Saturday, eight warships and 42 planes were detected near Taiwan, 29 of which crossed the middle line of the strait that separates the island from the mainland, the island’s Ministry of Defense said. The planes included Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-16 jet fighters, it said.

AP23098212849636 — A Chinese ships sail in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese military announced exercises around Taiwan on Saturday in a new act of retaliation for a meeting between the U.S. House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. (CCTV via AP)

Taiwan split with China after a civil war in 1949. The ruling Communist Party says the island is obliged to rejoin the mainland, by force if necessary. Beijing says contact with foreign officials encourages Taiwanese who want formal independence, a step the ruling party says would lead to war.

“This is a serious warning against the collusion and provocation between the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external forces,” said a PLA statement. The “Joint Sword” exercises are a “necessary action to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Taiwanese military said missile defense systems were activated and air and sea patrols sent to track the Chinese aircraft.

“We condemn such an irrational act that has jeopardized regional security and stability,” a Ministry of Defense statement said.

AP23098163767152 — FILE – House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., second from right, welcomes Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen as she arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on April 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File)

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government has stepped up efforts to intimidate the island by flying fighter jets and bombers nearby and firing missiles into the sea.

The United States has no official relations with Taiwan’s government but maintains extensive informal and commercial ties. Washington is required by federal law to ensure the island of 22 million people has the means to defend itself if China attacks.

Taiwan and the mainland have multibillion-dollar ties of trade and investment but no official relations.

“We will never leave room for ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities in any form and will definitely take resolute measures to defeat any foreign interference,” said a spokesperson for the Cabinet’s Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhu Fenglian, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

“Complete reunification of our country must be realized, and it can, without doubt, be realized,” Zhu was quoted as saying Friday.

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3 New ‘Star Wars’ Movies Coming, Including Rey’s Return

By

Associated Press

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8 April 2023, 00:23

LONDON (AP) — For “Star Wars” lovers, new entertainment is a little less far, far away — Lucasfilm announced three new live-action films in the franchise Friday.

The news, which includes the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey in one of the films, was revealed at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 in London by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and also on the Star Wars website. Directing the movies will be James Mangold, Dave Filoni and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Kennedy brought the directors onstage for the announcement.

AP23097524990944 — FILE – Daisy Ridley arrives at the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” on Dec. 16, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Mangold’s film will return to the dawn of the Jedi. Filoni’s will be about the New Republic, and “will close out the interconnected stories told in ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘The Book of Boba Fett,’ ‘Ahsoka,’ and other Disney+ series,” the announcement said. Obaid-Chinoy’s movie will focus on the events after “The Rise of Skywalker,” and feature Ridley back as Rey “as she builds a new Jedi Order.”

Mangold directed “Logan” and the upcoming “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” Filoni helmed “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka,” and Obaid-Chinoy directed “Ms. Marvel” and “Saving Face.”

Ukrainian tourist is charged with spraying anti-Russian graffiti in Phuket

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Khaosod English

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7 April 2023, 20:22

A 34-year-old Ukrainian tourist who sprayed paint in different places in the Wichit Subdistrict, Muang District, Phuket Province, was called in by police at the Wichit Police Station and charged.

She was charged with breaking Section 12 of the law, which says that no one can scrape, crack, scratch, write, spray, or make any mark on the wall next to the road, whether it’s text, a picture, or something else. On a road where a tree or part of a building is next to the road or in a public place.

Tourist woman says she just wants to say she’s against Russia invasion of Ukraine and doesn’t want to hurt Phuket’s reputation in any way. She has been in Thailand for about three months, and on April 10, 2023, she will go back to Ukraine.

She also promised that if she visits Thailand again, she will not make such a mistake.

Bangkok Governor: Let’s Wear Colourful Songkran Shirts

By

Khaosod English

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7 April 2023, 19:38

Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt gave a press conference on the Maha Songkran Festival in Bangkok 2023, encouraging people and all sectors to participate in Songkran activities, including wearing a colourful floral shirt all over Bangkok.

Wearing a Songkran shirt is also a way to promote the Songkran event in Thailand, which is being looked at by UNESCO for registration as an intangible cultural heritage.

Mr. Chadchart said that this year is the first time in four years that both the public and private sectors are ready to plan large-scale events in all areas. In the past, Songkran activities have been put on hold because of the COVID-19 issue.

Songkran Lan Khon Mueang (city courtyard) is celebrated between April 12 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with many activities, including:

a sacrifice ceremony and the Phra Paritramana Chanting Ceremony, in which participants receive holy water for the prosperity of the Thai New Year.
Alms Giving to Monks
Traditional Water Pouring and Blessing Ceremony for the Elderly
Presented are a temple fair, cultural and artistic performances, a traditional drama, and festive activities.
A display of Thai art and culture Distribution of Bangkok Brand and quality products in fifty districts

Songkran at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem transforms the canalside into a creative space for all. From 8 to 15 April, from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, there will be shopping, cuisine tasting, and performances at the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, Luk Luang Road, next to the Crown Property Bureau.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has also worked with MIT Urban Risk Lab and Collective Resilience Network Thailand to create a Nicemap.info application that displays all 198 Songkran festival locations in Bangkok.

This application displays the event’s format at each stage. Using filters, you can select your preferred area, activity type, and degree of wet demand for Songkran in order to bookmark or verify various information,” said Chadchart.

Additionally, there are notices for local incidents, he added. So that tourists and individuals can select a Songkran travel option that meets what they want. And played in the water without being confined to a single area. Furthermore, it improves festival travel safety, comfort, and simplicity.

As for transportation, BMA feeder electric vehicles are organised to provide free service to tourists and Songkran Festival attendees. By pausing to pick up and drop off passengers every hour along the route “Lan Khon Mueang-Khlong Phadung-Khao San Road,” traffic problems will be reduced and a large number of cars will not be brought into the main event area. During the ouh period, boat travel services will be suspended in Klong Phadung Krung Kasem.ฺ

The governor of Bangkok also requested the cooperation of Maha Songkran Festival participants: play Songkran politely, focusing on preserving the good culture and traditions of Thailand by adhering to the four principles, which are powder-free, high-pressure water gun-free, porn-free, and alcohol-free.

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Guide for Songkran Festival in Bangkok

Don’t miss last chance to join Thailand’s first ever world-class techno music festival at “DRUMCODE X BLUE TREE SONGKRAN” on 14-15 April at “Blue Tree Phuket”!

By

Contributor

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7 April 2023, 17:28

This Songkran, awaken your spirit with “DRUMCODE X BLUE TREE SONGKRAN”, featuring the ‘DRUMCODE’ stage and renowned DJs such as Kolsch, Joris Voorn, Teenage Mutants, Victor Ruiz, Juliet Fox, Bart Skils, Alex Stein, Tom Pooks, Nakadia plus many local DJs. Awaken the fun and party over 2 Days on 2 Stages with 2 Atmospheres on 14th-15th April 2023.

“DRUMCODE X BLUE TREE SONGKRAN” offers a unique experience with a techno music festival led by world-famous DJs. Plus, many local DJs. Double the fun with included access to the largest crystal lagoon in Thailand. There are a wide variety of slides and activities such as Super Fly, Zipline, Cliff Jumping, Fly Board, Rock Climbing Paddle Board, Aquatic Show, and much more.

The Thai techno iconic, Nakadia, who has achieved international success, will be one of the performers on the “DRUMCODE” stage. She’s excited to officially announce that the DRUMCODE stage will be in Thailand for the first time at the Blue Tree Songkran event. She would like everyone to come and join this amazing event as it promises to be the best two days ever. “See you!”, she says.

Tickets are available for 4,000 baht for online purchase at www.Bluetree.fun or www.Bluetreesongkran.com and for 4,500 baht at the event. The ticket is a Combo Ticket and inclusive access to all activities in the Crystal Lagoon on 14th-15th April 2023.

For more information, please call 076-602435 or visit https://bluetree.fun/

DJ Line Up Schedule on 14-15 April 2023

DRUMCODE STAGE @ Blue Tree Park

Alex Stein

Bart Skils

Joris Vorn

Juliet Fox

Kolsch

Nakadia

Teenage Mutants

Tom Pooks

Victor Ruiz

Dan Buri

Kolourone

Rui Tang

Vicky Kroon

Blue Tree Stage (Local DJs) @ Blue Tree Lagoon

Notto

Dennis Lee

Stixplanet

Radar Radario LIVE

Tam Bagerman

Note:

-Combo Ticket can be used for both days of the event inclusive of access to all water and activities in the Crystal Lagoon area (no single-day ticket sale)

– More information on Drumcode can be viewed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumcode_Records

#BlueTree #BlueTreePhuket

#DRUMCODE #DRUMCODEXBLUETREESONGKRAN

#Entertainmenthub #ThrillandChill #DayandNight

#Songkran #Festival #SongkranFestival

Hacker “9Near” Remains At Large, Minister Says

By

Khaosod English

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7 April 2023, 17:00

BANGKOK — The hacker accused of stealing and trying to sell personal data of almost every Thai citizen remains at large, the digital economy minister said Friday.

Despite earlier reports saying the hacker, identified as Sgt. Maj. Khemarat of the army’s transportation department, was arrested on Wednesday, minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said in today’s press conference that police are still looking for him.

“We haven’t caught the suspect yet,” Chaiwut said. “He is a soldier, so there is a court-martial procedure we have to follow. Police can’t just arrest him like ordinary citizens, they have to ask his commander to bring the suspect in. I’m confident that we will be able to find him if he’s still in Thailand.”

The hacker, who operated by the pseudonym of 9Near, had previously stated on his website that he would reveal personal data of 55 million Thai citizens by this past Wednesday unless the government reached out to him. He later withdrew his threat two days before the deadline, citing “sponsor conflict.”

ดิจิทัล — The digital economy minister, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn (centre), held a press conference on April 7, 2023.

Chaiwut also said it remains unclear where the data breach happened and what was the hacker’s motive. An arrest warrant was issued Sunday for Khemarat on disseminating false information changes, he said.

However, national police commissioner Damrongsak Kittiprapas said Friday the data was leaked from the government’s Mor Prom application, which was used by citizens for vaccination services during the coronavirus pandemic. He also dismissed reports that the hacker has close ties to an unspecified politician.

“I haven’t received any reports about it,” Pol. Gen. Damrongsak said.

Authorities had doubted the amount of data he actually possessed and ordered internet service providers to block access to his website last week. The website now appears to be offline and there have been no words from 9Near since the news of the alleged arrest broke as of publication time.

If the data was released, it would contain personal data such as full names, ID numbers, dates of birth, addresses, and phone numbers. The minister said no one has come forward to file a complaint against the hacker so far.

New agency to deal with children’s issues

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