NASA Scrubs Launch of New Moon Rocket After Engine Problem

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30 August 2022, 15:30

The NASA moon rocket stands ready at sunrise on Pad 39B before the Artemis 1 mission to orbit the moon at the Kennedy Space Center, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Photo: Joel Kowsky / NASA via AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA called off the launch of its mighty new moon rocket on its debut flight with three test dummies aboard Monday after a last-minute cascade of problems culminating in unexplained trouble related to an engine.

The next launch attempt will not take place until Friday at the earliest and could be delayed until mid-September or later.

The mission will be the first flight in NASA’s Artemis project, a quest to put astronauts back on the moon for the first time since the Apollo program ended 50 years ago.

As precious minutes ticked away Monday morning, NASA repeatedly stopped and started the fueling of the Space Launch System rocket because of a leak of highly explosive hydrogen, eventually succeeding in reducing the seepage. The leak happened in the same place that saw seepage during a dress rehearsal in the spring.

The fueling already was running nearly an hour late because of thunderstorms off Florida’s Kennedy Space Center.

Then, NASA ran into new trouble when it was unable to properly chill one of the rocket’s four main engines, officials said. Engineers struggled to pinpoint the source of the problem well after the launch postponement was announced.

Mission manager Mike Sarafin said the fault did not appear to be with the engine itself but with the plumbing leading to it.

Complicating matters, as engineers were trying to troubleshoot that problem on the launch pad, yet another hydrogen leak developed, this one involving a vent valve higher up on the rocket, Sarafin said.

“This is a very complicated machine, a very complicated system, and all those things have to work, and you don’t want to light the candle until it’s ready to go,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Referring to launch delays, he said: “It’s just part of the space business and it’s part of, particularly, a test flight.”

The rocket was set to lift off on a flight to propel a crew capsule into orbit around the moon. The six-week mission was scheduled to end with the capsule returning to Earth in a splashdown in the Pacific in October.

The 322-foot (98-meter) spaceship is the most powerful rocket ever built by NASA, out-muscling even the Saturn V that took the Apollo astronauts to the moon.

The dummies inside the Orion capsule were fitted with sensors to measure vibration, cosmic radiation and other conditions during the shakedown flight, meant to stress-test the spacecraft and push it to its limits in ways that would never be attempted if humans were aboard.

Asked about the possibility of another launch attempt on Friday, Sarafin said, “We really need time to look at all the information, all the data. We’re going to play all nine innings here.”

Even though no one was on board, thousands of people jammed the coast to see the rocket soar. Vice President Kamala Harris and Apollo 10 astronaut Tom Stafford were among the VIPs who arrived.

Assuming the shakedown flight goes well, astronauts will climb aboard for the second Artemis mission and fly around the moon and back as soon as 2024. A two-person lunar landing could follow by the end of 2025.

The problems seen Monday were reminiscent of NASA’s space shuttle era, when hydrogen fuel leaks disrupted countdowns and delayed a string of launches back in 1990.

Later in the morning, NASA also officials spotted what they feared was a crack or some other defect on the core stage — the big orange fuel tank with four main engines on it — but they later said it appeared to be just a buildup of frost in a crevice of the insulating foam.

Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and her team also had to deal with sluggish communication between the Orion capsule and launch control. The problem required what turned out to be a simple fix.

Even if there had been no technical snags, thunderstorms ultimately would have prevented a liftoff, NASA said. Dark clouds and rain gathered over the launch site as soon as the countdown was halted, and thunder echoed across the coast.

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Story: Marcia Dunn.

Pakistan Floods Leave Wrecked Lives, Half Million in Camps

By

Associated Press

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30 August 2022, 15:00

Army troops evacuate people from a flood-hit area in Rajanpur, district of Punjab, Pakistan, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Photo: Asim Tanveer / AP

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Nearly a half million people crowded into camps after losing their homes in widespread flooding and the climate minister warned Monday that Pakistan is on the “front line” of the world’s climate crisis after unprecedented monsoon rains wracked the country since mid-June, killing more than 1,130 people.

The rains stopped more than two days ago, and floods in some areas were receding. But Pakistanis in many parts of the country were still wading through waters that filled their homes or covered their town’s streets as they struggled with how to deal with the damage to homes and businesses.

In one of the worst single incidents of the flooding, at least 11 people were killed Monday when a boat that volunteer rescuers were using to evacuate two dozen people capsized in the flood-swollen waters of the Indus River near the southern city of Bilawal Pur, media reported. An unknown number were still missing from the capsizing.

Climate Minister Sherry Rehman and meteorologists told The Associated Press that new monsoons were expected in September. Monsoons have hit earlier and more heavily than usual since the start of summer, officials say — most recently with massive rains last week that affected nearly the entire country.

Pakistan is accustomed to monsoon rains and flooding, Rehman said, but not like this.

“What we saw recently in the last eight weeks is unrelenting cascades of torrential rain that no monsoon has ever brought with it ever before,” she said.

The heavy rains are the latest in a series of catastrophes that Rehman said are exacerbated by climate change, including heatwaves, forest fires and glacial lake outbursts. The damage reflects how poorer countries often pay the price for climate change largely caused by more industrialized nations. Since 1959, Pakistan is responsible for only 0.4% of the world’s historic CO2 emissions. The U.S. is responsible for 21.5%, China for 16.5% and the EU 15%.

“Climate knows no borders and its effects can be disproportionately felt,” Rehman said. “When you see low pressure systems coming from the Bay of Bengal, they hit us before anyone is. So we’re on the front line of a global crisis.”

The National Disaster Management Authority said floods this summer have killed more than 1,136 people and injured 1,636 as well as damaging 1 million homes. At least 498,000 people in the country of 220 million are in relief camps after being displaced, it said. Many more displaced are believed to be living with relatives, friends or outside.

International aid was starting to flow into Pakistan, and the military was helping distribute aid to remote areas and evacuate those who had lost their homes. Authorities were starting the long effort of rebuilding roads and restarting railways. The floods destroyed more than 150 bridges and numerous roads have been washed away, making rescue operations difficult.

In the southeastern town of Shikar Pur not far from the Indus River, Rehan Ali dug up bricks from the collapsed walls of his home, nearly completely destroyed by lashing storms and waters that raged through. His family’s possessions were strewn around outside.

The 24-year-old laborer said he cannot rebuild without government help and can’t work now because of the turmoil. “I don’t even have anything to feed my family. I lost everything. I don’t know where to go. God help me,” he said.

Arif Ullah, an official at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, told the AP that more rains will continue to lash parts of Pakistan next month.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday said the rains so far have been the heaviest Pakistan has seen in three decades.

“I saw floodwater everywhere, wherever I went in recent days and even today,” Sharif said in the town of Charsadda in the northeast of the country. Some 180,000 people in the town have been evacuated after the Swat River overflowed and swamped nearby communities.

Sharif has said the government would provide housing to all those who lost their homes.

But many of the displaced have lost not just homes, but also crops and businesses.

“I am sitting with my family in a tent, and how can I go out to work? Even if I go out in search of a job, who will give me any job as there is water everywhere,” asked Rehmat Ullah, a flood victim in Charsadda.

Zarina Bibi said soldiers evacuated her by boat. She broke down in tears as she recounted how her house collapsed in the floods.

“We were given a tent and food by soldiers and volunteers,” she said. “Floodwater will recede soon, but we have no money to rebuild our home.”

At least 6,500 soldiers were deployed to help, and authorities said they were using military planes, helicopters, trucks and boats to evacuate people from marooned people and deliver aid to them.

However, many displaced complained they were still waiting for help. Some said they got tents but not food.

Pakistani authorities say this year’s devastation is worse than in 2010, when floods killed 1,700 people. Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan’s military chief, said Sunday that his country may take years to recover. He appealed to Pakistanis living abroad to generously donate to the flood victims.

Cargo planes from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates began the flow of international aid, landing in Islamabad on Sunday with tents, food and other daily necessities. The United Nations will launch an international appeal for Pakistani flood victims on Tuesday in Islamabad.

The flood wreckage has hit Pakistan at a time when the country faces one of its worst economic crises, narrowly avoiding a default. Later on Monday, the International Monetary Fund’s executive board approved the release of a much-awaited $1.17 billion for Pakistan, Pakistan’s Information Minister Maryam Aurangez told the AP. The announcement was a big relief for the country.

Pakistan and the IMF originally signed the bailout accord in 2019. But the release of a $1.17 billion tranche had been on hold since earlier this year, when the IMF expressed concern about Pakistan’s compliance with the deal’s terms under former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government.

Last week, the United Nations in a statement said that it has allocated $3 million for U.N. aid agencies and their partners in Pakistan to respond to the floods and this money will be used for health, nutrition, food security, and water and sanitation services in flood-affected areas, focusing on the most vulnerable.

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Story: Munir Ahmed. Associated Press writers Mohammad Farooq in Shikar Pur and Riaz Khan in Peshawar contributed to this story.

Why is Cybersecurity important in IoT?

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Contributor

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30 August 2022, 11:29

Why is Cybersecurity Important in IoT?

The internet of things, or IoT, is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. IoT cybersecurity is highly important because while all of the ‘things’ in the Internet of Things will constantly be transmitting and receiving data, this information can also be compromised. Not only is there more data being shared through the IoT, but more sensitive data is being shared and as a result, the risks are exponentially greater.

Cyber risk

As an example of the risks that come with IoT, imagine a smart home with a garage door opener. This garage door opener has the added functionality of being able to deactivate the home alarm upon entry. While this might be convenient for the homeowners, there is now the problem that the alarm system can potentially be deactivated when only the garage door opener is compromised. There are a broad range of connectable home devices, including TVs, thermostats, door locks, home alarms, smart home hubs, garage door openers, and so on. This creates a myriad of connection points for hackers to gain entry into IoT ecosystems.

The IoT ecosystem is made up of many different elements, from the IoT device itself, or the endpoint, to gateways and routers, communication protocols, platforms and APIs and on to the cloud, with data moving in both directions. Each layer in the IoT stack can be difficult to secure because there is a lot of fragmentation across different elements. Security is not a one-touch task but an ongoing measure that requires constant monitoring and updates to apply any needed security patches.

Standardization

IoT has come a long way from its proof-of-concept decade. Organizations have seen success in IoT and rapid adoption might begin to occur across the industrial, healthcare, and asset-management sectors. A large area of excitement in IoT is automation through machine learning and artificial intelligence, where people can begin to place trust in intelligent machines acting without human intervention. Top-level security is moving from a must to an absolute necessity.

The GSMA, a global organization with the goal of unifying the mobile ecosystem, has developed the IoT SAFE initiative. This creates the ability to have device-level security by making the SIM card the trusted source of security. If devices coming off the factory floor are already built with security in place through an IoT SAFE SIM card, then organizations and end users have a good head start in securing the entire technology stack.

The Decade of IoT coming ahead has the potential to see innovation that supports initiatives for sustainability, quality of life, and so much more. Security should grow and innovate alongside it, it is a collaborative effort. Stakeholder buy-in is required, from device manufacturers to cloud service providers. Reducing the fragmentation is essential to see ultimate success.

Pressure Group Asks Telecom Regulator to Stop True-DTAC Merger Deal

By

Khaosod English

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30 August 2022, 06:00

Representatives of Citizens for Freedom in Communication group submit a petition against the True-DTAC merger deal to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission on Aug. 28, 2022.

The group of Citizens for Freedom in Communication, travelled to the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to submit a letter of complaint to Clinical Prof. Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, Chairman of the Commission, as well as the entire NBTC, in the case of NBTC sending a document to the Prime Minister for the Council of State to consider its powers in considering the merger of these two businesses for the second time.

This showed its intentions and attempts to escape fulfilling its obligations as an independent organization under the Constitution by consenting for the executive branch to have an interfering role in controlling NBTC’s exercise of its powers, which is clearly in conflict with the Constitution.

The group broke blue and red SIMs to demonstrate their position and opposition to the amalgamation of the True and Dtac businesses. Representatives of the Citizens for Freedom in Communication group said that NBTC, as an independent organization under Section 60 of the Constitution, must protect the interests of the general public, the nation and business operators, which is not protecting the interests only of business operators.

They must not be dominated by the power of the executive branch, after NBTC sent a document to the Council of State on 12 May 2022, of which the board of the Council of State already responded on 27 July 2022 that they could not accept the request to consider it, because it was a matter subject to litigation in court.

Therefore, NBTC should not have sent the document to the Prime Minister for the Council of State to consider NBTC’s powers in considering the business merger for the second time. This action was in conflict with the Section 60 of the Constitution, with the result of debasing the office of the Prime Minister and the risk of actions in violation of the law.

Citizens for Freedom in Communication group insisted that the business merger would have an impact on consumers who would have to take the burden of service fees increased by 2.03-244.50% (citing the NBTC’s own study), or there may not be an opportunity to reduce prices, as in the past when there was a high level of competition.

If the merger was approved, besides reducing choices for consumers, it was also giving more power to investors who were able to operate Cross-Industry, with management moved from shops and booths to 7-Eleven stores because it was no longer necessary to pay commissions to stores for selling products.

The group had the sincere hope that NBTC would be strong in carrying out its duties as an independent organization with the obligation to regulate competition to be free and fair, and not be the cause of reduced competition, which may affect the interests of consumers and the country as specified in the Constitution of Thailand.

Trairat Viriyasirikul, acting NBTC secretary-general, provided information in the case of Extremely Urgent document number Sor Tor Chor 2402 sent to the Prime Minister in the matter of requesting assistance for the Committee of the Council of State to consider giving an opinion on the legal issues.

“If the Council of State helps to consider this case, it will be information informing the considerations of NBTC. Sending the matter on the last occasion, the Council of State returned the principle that the matter was in the courts. On this occasion, we put the matter together for another consideration through the Prime Minister. It is uncertain as to whether he would have an order, of which it is hoped that the powers of the Prime Minister will order the Council of State to help provide an interpretation. If he assist us to interpret we will be very grateful. We are indeed an independent organization, but we like to hear the opinions of many parties, because this matter is a big matter. If he rebuffs us, it will not affect the time clauses of the Committee’s considerations.”

After that, Citizens for Freedom in Communication group travelled to the Trade Competition Commission Thailand (TCCT) to submit a document demanding TCCT to consider the merger between True and Dtac, which is an amalgamation of the two private companies.

Thailand is the first country in the world to approve a merger reducing three big operators to two, making the business merger into market monopolization, reducing service alternatives for the public, whether choice on price, choice on after-sales service or choice on service quality.

This was because previously, TCCT had the opinion that NBTC had its specific laws and was able to consider the merger for itself. It was saying that if it was a matter of service licenses, spectrum bands or technical matters concerned with the telecom business, it was NBTC’s obligation to regulate.

However, for impacts on competition in the market, TCCT was not able to exercise its powers and responsibilities, and such considerations would be in parallel with the considerations of NBTC.

Mr. Monyos Wanataput, acting secretary-general of the Trade Competition Commission Thailand, said after receiving the matter from the Citizens for Freedom in Communication group today.

“The Commission is familiar with this matter and is operating according to procedure after receiving the letter of complaint. The board is currently considering adding it to the considerations to decide on the merger between True and Dtac. We do not deny the responsibility of the obligation to deal with this matter. This is because, besides being a merger of telecom businesses, there are still other pertinent businesses in the production processes of this group, in which there are similar concerns to those submitted by this group of citizens.”

BSI grants the first-ever CPF Food Standard certification to Korat’s Chicken Processing

By

Contributor

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29 August 2022, 17:13

The British Standard Institution (BSI) presented “CPF Food Standard certification, PS 7818 : 2018” to Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited or CP Foods, for its products made in the Chicken business in Nakhon Ratchasima province. This new standard is aimed at assuring global consumers of a single standard on CP Foods’s product quality, safety and sustainability.

CP Foods has launched the pilot project at the Chicken processing plant in Nakhon Ratchasima province, dubbed as “Korat Model”, and became the first-ever operation that received the standard certification.

Speaking at the certification ceremony, Dr.Sommai Tachasirinugune, Executive Vice President of CP Foods, said the company joined hand with BSI, the world’s leading organization, in establishing a private standard by merging of multiple internationally recognized standards such as CODEX, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Good Hygiene Practices.

This “one standard for all” will be applied by CP Foods operations across the globe to conform standardize the food safety and quality, and concerning environmental and social responsibility, throughout integrated feed-farm-food operations. Subsequently, the product quality consistence and consumers’ trust will be established, allowing CP Foods’ products to be a globally-recognized and fulfilling the company’s “Kitchen of the World” vision.

Todd Redwood, Global Food and Retail Supply Chain Operations and Compliance Director at BSI Global, congratulated CP Foods’ for the successful application of CPF Food standard, will help

ensure quality and hygiene foods among partners, consumers and other stakeholders.

“Being certified CPF Food Standard demonstrates a commitment to improving food standards and deliver quality, safe and sustainable products with a single standard worldwide,” He said.

The company will later apply this standard to other businesses operated by CP Foods such as duck business and ready-to eat meals accordingly.

INSECTOR appointed CHUNGNYEON FEED to be an exclusive distributor for insect-based protein’s pet products in South Korea

By

Contributor

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29 August 2022, 14:14

Ms. Natthaphorn Chaiwong, Director of INSECTOR Co., Ltd. and Mr. Minjae Lee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CHUNGNYEON FEED signed Memorandum of Understanding agreement (MOU) for appointing the exclusive distributor for insect-based protein’s pet products in Republic of Korea. In the MOU ceremony, there were Mr. Burin Hemthat, Mr. Athivach Pongsattasin and Mr. Natthachai Chanthip, the directors of INSECTOR Co., Ltd. as the witnesses.

INSECTOR is the leading insect-based protein producer for pets in Thailand who owns the brands, VETA and MERLIN, that contains high nutrients encouraging the pets to have good health and immune systems.

The name list in the photo from left to right:

Ms. Chonticha Sujitalom, Witness in MOU ceremony
Mr. Athivach Pongsattasin, Director of INSECTOR Co., Ltd.
Mr. Minjae Lee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CHUNGNYEON FEED
Mr. Burin Hemthat, Director of INSECTOR Co., Ltd.
Ms. Natthaphorn Chaiwong, Director of INSECTOR Co., Ltd.
Mr. Natthachai Chantip, Director of INSECTOR Co., Ltd.

MARRIOTT BONVOY CELEBRATES THE MAGIC OF THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL WITH MOONCAKES IN THAILAND

By

Contributor

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29 August 2022, 10:35

Six hotels in Bangkok reveal their festive collections, perfect for a daytime treat or presented in an elegant gift box for friends, family or business partners

Bangkok, Thailand – Marriott Bonvoy is gearing up for the Mid-Autumn Festival in Thailand with a series of mouth-watering mooncakes, elegant gift boxes and exclusive promotions at six of its outstanding hotels in Bangkok

The expert Chinese pastry chefs at Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, The St. Regis Bangkok, W Bangkok, and The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok have created a selection of classic and contemporary mooncakes that can be enjoyed as a sublime snack or as the perfect present for friends, family and colleagues.

Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse is telling the “Story of Mid-Autumn” with a choice of mooncake gift boxes from Yào Restaurant, where the expert chefs have crafted four classic baked mooncake flavors. Prices range from THB 169 for an individual piece to THB 599 for the Yào Box (two pieces) and THB 999 for the Premium Mooncake Box (four pieces).

Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park’s Pagoda Chinese Restaurant has created four traditional and three signature mooncakes, including an exclusive Araksa Earl Grey macadamia orange variety. Choose from the Individual Box, Duet Box, Classic Box and The Marquis Box, with prices ranging from THB 199 to THB 2,088. Early bird offers are available.

JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok symbolizes abundance and harmony this Mid-Autumn with four classic and contemporary mooncakes – Monthong durian & single egg yolk, lotus seed & single egg yolk, mixed fruit & nuts, and yuzu & macadamia – housed in a beautiful forest green and rose gold gift box. Boxsets including eight mooncakes can be purchased for THB 1,288 net.

The St. Regis Bangkok Celebrate family reunion and unity this Mid-Autumn Festival with The St. Regis Bangkok mooncakes featuring updated flavors and an exclusive new box design. Perfect for gifting, four assorted mooncakes – durian, mixed nuts, lotus seed, and yuzu & macadamia– are presented in a limited-edition carrying bag wrapped in soft vegan leather. THB 1,588 net per box of four mooncakes and THB 198 net per individual mooncake.

W Bangkok is honoring the Year of the Tiger with its “Illuminating Tiger” W Mooncake box. This trend-setting hotel has created three all-new mooncake flavors – blueberry cheesecake, peanut caramel, and yuzu jasmine – plus a long-time favorite with a twist: banoffee. Buy one piece from THB 179 or a box of four from THB 899, with discounts for bulk orders.

The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok has unveiled its luxurious mooncake collection for 2022 with four signature flavors, including a unique sea-salted caramel mooncake, and two classic varieties. A series of gift box options are available, including “Bouquet Per Vittoria” – an exclusive collaboration with floral artist Arianna Caroli and “Athenee Signature Box” with peony symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

Mooncakes are an inseparable part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated all across East Asia on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. These tasty treats can be enjoyed as a delightful daytime snack with loved ones, accompanied by a pot of tea, or presented to friends, family, colleagues or business partners as an auspicious gift.

For more information and to order your mooncakes, please contact each hotel directly. Marriott Bonvoy members will benefit from exclusive discounts. Not a member yet? CLICK HERE to sign-up for free!

To learn more about Marriott International’s hotels and resorts in Thailand, please visit www.marriott.com.

Opinion: Was the Temporary Suspension of PM Prayut, Good News, Bad News, Or a Sick Joke?

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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28 August 2022, 11:00

Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha works as the defense minister at his office at the Ministry of Defense on Aug. 26, 2022. Photo: Ministry of Defense

The Constitutional Court on Wednesday suspended Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha as PM for up to a month while adjudicating whether he has reached his eight-year limit of term in office as stipulated by the junta-sponsored 2017 charter or not.

The process could take up to a month and Prayut was replaced by former deputy junta leader Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, who happens to also the First Deputy PM.

Is this good news? Bad news? Or just a sick joke? It depends on how optimistic, pessimistic or realistic you are.

Optimistically speaking, at least the rule of law is prevailing with Prayut and his dwindling supporters obeying the court’s order. Remember the Constitutional Court played no role to say whether a coup, led by Prayut back in 2014, was constitutional or not.

In an optimistic view, Thailand is assuredly moving in the right direction with a snap or general elections around the corner, so the latest development is something to be welcomed.

This is better than a specter of political street violence and yet another possible military coup. Whether Prayut eventually survives the court’s eventual ruling or not, people on all sides of the political divide will have weeks to calm themselves down and be prepared for Thailand’s next political chapter.

What’s more, the weeks ahead is a good opportunity for all political parties to start pre-campaigning and present the public with alternative PM for the next general election. Essentially the ruling will be good news, no matter what.

To others, the situation is bad news or even a sick joke for the following reasons.

First, there is no guarantee that Prayut will eventually be forced to end his term in office after the adjudication. Out of the nine Constitutional Court judges, the vote to temporarily suspend Prayut was hair splitting five against four.

The fact that deputy junta leader Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan has become the caretaker PM means more of the same. To make the matter worse, it offers the powers that be an opportunity to groom and introduce another conservative candidate for a possible post-Prayut Thailand.

In the worst-case scenario, it is bad news because the Constitutional Court could eventually rule that Prayut could stay many more years as PM since the current charter was promulgated only in 2017, so Prayut could be PM until 2025.

Or worse, the court could rule that the counting should start in 2019 when Prayut was voted by the parliament after the election as PM. This means he could serve as PM until 2027 since he was not a PM chosen by the parliament after the 2014 coup until 2019 – he basically decided to make himself PM after the coup.

Such ruling would in effect give Prayut a license to rule for years to come as long as gets voted back next year by the next parliament. Distrust runs deep. After all, all members of the current Constitutional Court were approved in the selection process by the junta-appointed senate. Some feel this could be nothing but a time-buying charade.

In such scenario, Thailand can expect more intense street protests, possible violent confrontation between both sides followed by a military coup. Then it is another round of vicious cycle where fundamental political rights of Thai citizens are being trampled again.

Dear readers: are you optimistic or pessimistic? Could the truth be somewhere between the best and worst case scenarios?

CHECK IN TO CURIOSITY: BANGKOK MARRIOTT MARQUIS QUEEN’S PARK LAUNCHES THE CURIOSITY ROOM BY TED

By

Contributor

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26 August 2022, 17:31

Industry Leaders Advance Longstanding Collaboration with Interactive Rooms, Available at Three Marriott Hotels Properties Around the World Including
Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Marriott Hotels, the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30 extraordinary hotel brands, furthers its partnership with idea engine TED through its award-winning educational arm TED-Ed, to debut their one-of-a kind immersive experience outside of a TED conference. Aimed at sparking curiosity and enriching the experience of global travelers, The Curiosity Room by TED features interactive, mind-bending activities integrated into the Marriott Hotels guest room design. Following the launch in San Francisco, California, the experiential interactive room experience will begin welcoming its first stays in Bangkok and soon, in London, with reservations for all three locations available now. From August 15 – November 15, 2022, guests can book this unique experience at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, the landmark five-star hotel in the heart of the Thai capital.

Recent social listening research conducted on behalf of Marriott saw a significant year-over-year uptick in searches for #themedrooms (+106%) and “hotel rooms” + themed (+65%), suggesting consumers are craving more distinct and inspiring hotel experiences.

Recommended for families and friends aged seven and up, the immersive adventure starts immediately upon entry to the room, which is a puzzle waiting to be solved. Intriguing elements are seamlessly woven into the décor and travelers will be able to uncover hidden messages, hunt for missing pieces, and experience elements of the room in unexpected and exciting ways. The room also features a “Curiosity Journal” which serves as a guide to the in-room riddles, with hints available in case guests need a helpful hand. When the final challenge has been completed, guests receive a certificate and can celebrate with a complimentary dessert at the hotel’s restaurant.

“At Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, we have always sought to be a place where guests can be inspired at every corner of their experience and we are pleased to be one of the three Marriott Hotels properties in the world to launch The Curiosity Room by TED,” said Simon Bell, General Manager, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park. “The Curiosity Room by TED is a one-of-a-kind adventure, and it further fosters the notion for our guests to stay curious in their travels, opening their minds beyond a typical overnight stay and propel them to explore Bangkok as a destination with renewed desire to learn something new.”

Guests can now book their stay in The Curiosity Room by TED, starting at THB 15,960++, which includes a two-night stay for up to 4 guests, one dinner at Goji Kitchen + Bar, and a treat from the Siam Tea Room’s bakery. This offer is valid for stays taken from now to 15 November 2022, click here.

Marriott Hotels has a longstanding, global partnership with TED. The relationship began in 2016 by distributing TED Talks and TED Fellows Salons, blogs, and original quotes to hotel guests worldwide, and has continued to elevate every year with new elements of the partnership. Travelers staying at Marriott Hotels have access to custom content expertly curated by TED, with selected themes that are topical and relevant to guests including innovation, travel, entrepreneurship, and much more. Specifically, new TED-Ed content will now be available at hotels with video-based lessons that vary by subject and age.

To explore more, please visit TEDRooms.Marriott.com. Be inspired by following along with Marriott Hotels on Facebook, @marriott on Twitter, and @marriotthotels on Instagram as well as via #MarriottxTED.

For more information and reservations, please call +66 (0) 2059 5999 or stay connected via the following channels:

Website: www.bangkokmarriottmarquisqueenspark.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bangkokmarriottmarquis

CP Foods 27 operations receive CSR-DIW Continuous Award 2022, reflecting its commitment on sustainability

By

Contributor

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26 August 2022, 16:53

Ministry of Industry by Department of Industrial Works presented CSR-DIW Continuous Award 2022 to 27 operations of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited. The company has received the awards for 14 years in a row reflecting its strong commitment on social responsibility and sustainable development.

The awards were presented by Wanchai Phanomchai, Director General- the Department of Industrial Works to manufacturing plants nationwide conducting the business along with developing the society and environment to sustainability.

Rewat Hathaisattayapong, Executive Vice President at CP Foods,, said the company has been participating in the CSR-DIW project initiated by Department of Industrial Works since 2009. This year, 27 of the company’s manufacturing plants have been awarded the CSR-DIW Continuous Award, demonstrating their strong commitments to move forward sustainable business practices with regard to the mutual growth of society and environment, including participation in social development and living in harmony with the community as well as continuously complying with the industry standards.

“The company drives the sustainable development under “CPF 2030 Sustainability in Action” strategy which has been developed from our three pillars to Sustainability strategy comprising “Food Security, Self-Sufficient Society and Balance of Nature”. The company determined to drive a business that taking into account economic, social and environmental responsibilities,” said Mr. Rewat.

He added that the company’s operations are focusing on the optimization of resource according to the circular economy principle. Multiple activities aim to create a positive social impact along the value chain and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, it has initiated energy and water efficiency improvement projects throughout the production process.

To minimize environmental footprint, the company targets to become a Net-Zero Emissions Organization by 2050. The goal is to move forward to eliminating 100% of coal use for Thai businesses by 2022, replacing with Renewable energy like biomass, biogas, solar energy. In addition, the company aims at reducing the use of single-use plastics throughout the value chain as well as established Food Loss & Food Waste Policy in the production process and supply chain.

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