Heavy rains throughout next weekThe Meteorological Department predicts heavy rains in the western parts of the North, the Central Plain and the South from April 20 to 26 due to southwesterly winds and low pressure areas. Kornrawee Sitthichivapak, director-general of the department, said on Sunday that heavy rains were possible during the period from Monday to Sunday because southwesterly winds would be more powerful in the Andaman Sea, the country and the Gulf of Thailand from Monday to Thursday. Low pressure areas would cover the Gulf of Martaban from Wednesday to Sunday, she added. She warned people in the western parts of the North, the Central Plain and the South to be prepared for possible flash floods and run-off. Waves in the Andaman Sea could be two to three metres high from Tuesday to Sunday.

Court may suspend PM pending ethics rulingPrime Minister Srettha ThavisinPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin may face suspension from duty if the Constitutional Court accepts a petition from a group of senators accusing him of violating a code of ethics over the appointment of a PM's Office Minister. On Friday, 40 senators asked the court to rule on the status of Mr Srettha and PM's Office Minister Pichit Chuenban after the latter was appointed to the post in a recent cabinet reshuffle. According to a source at the court, judges usually meet on Wednesdays, but the upcoming Wednesday is a Visakha Bucha public holiday. If the court accepts the petition, judges may order Mr Srettha and Pichit to be suspended from duty pending a ruling, the source said, adding the pair will then have 15 days to submit their defence. A source in cabinet earlier said Pichit's imprisonment in the 2008 contempt of court case did not render him ineligible to be appointed as a cabinet minister.

Join Pongdet Chamdoung on a coffee journey, starting with simple moka pot brews shared with everyone. His discovery of Omkoi coffee inspired him to develop unique roasting methods and equipment.

The popular decimation of India's democracyPolice stand near a display of Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, during a campaign rally in Mumbai. Yet Mr Modi has the backing of educated, urban, aspirational youth. These defections contribute to a decline in reported political corruption, but the actual extent of the problem is another story. By blocking investigations of questionable business deals involving BJP leaders, the government effectively grants those it favours a kind of "sovereign guarantee" of impunity. By lending credence to BJP hype, Western business leaders, politicians, and media have become complicit in the hollowing out of India's democracy.

School director, retired teacher nabbed for buying sex from student, 12Police from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) announce the arrest of five suspects in a child sex abuse in Khon Kaen. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)A director of a primary school in Khon Kaen and a retired teacher were arrested for allegedly buying sex from a 12-year student in this northeastern province. The investigators then arrested two resort owners – Mr Sitthiporn and Ms Daoruang -– in Khon Kaen. Subsequently, arrest warrants were issued for Mr Poj, school director, and Mr Wichai, a retired teacher. The girl studied at the school where Mr Poj was the director.

Somchai's shift from AIS to PTT's OR could enable allianceMr Somchai says he was approached to lead several firms. Mr Somchai said several companies have approached him to assume a leadership post after his term at AIS expires later this year. Changes to PTT's and OR's board of directors present an opportunity for Mr Somchai on the OR board. Later, Mr Somchai was nominated the new chairman of OR's board and a director by the nomination and remuneration committee. "My term at AIS ends this year, but a clearer picture is up to the board director," said Mr Somchai.

Foreigners arrested for illegally running daycare, wakeboarding centreTourist police pose with the Russian woman, seated, who was arrested on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, on Wednesday. (Photo: police)SURAT THANI: Several foreigners were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly operating a daycare facility and a wakeboarding service centre on Koh Phangan. Tourist police reported that a 26-year-old Russian woman and a Myanmar woman, 18, were arrested at a house while receiving foreign children for daycare. The Myanmar woman said she had been working there as a helper for over a year. A Russian man was arrested for illegally operating the shop, which opened in December last year.

Chileans are bundling up with more clothes and clutching cups of hot coffee as the country faces the most intense cold snap in nearly 70 years, bringing winter weather in the middle of autumn. University of Santiago climatologist Raul Cordero says it's, "the longest cold snap ever recorded" in the capital Santiago.

Townhouse revenue dropped by 17% to 793 million baht, with the majority of revenue coming from units priced at 24 million baht and above. The key driver was condo transfers at The Extro Phayathai Rangnam project, with units priced from 7.4 million baht. Revenue from low-rise houses was generated from transfers of single detached houses priced at 40 million baht and 80 million baht a unit. This substantial increase led to its consolidated revenue tripling to 2.1 billion baht from 731 million baht. This decline was primarily influenced by a 42% year-on-year drop in revenue from residential sales which fell to 3.4 billion baht.

Centel claims robust Q1 performanceCentral Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel) has announced a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2024, reporting a net profit of 756 million baht, a 20% increase from the same period last year. The increase has been attributed to the robust performance of both its hotel and food businesses. The company's hotel business was robust in the first quarter, with 3.24 billion baht in revenue, a 15% increase from the previous year. Centel expanded its food business with a net addition of 19 outlets, bringing the total to 1,618 outlets. The company expects SSS for its food business, excluding joint ventures, to grow by 3%-5% and TSS by 8%-11%.

Thailand’s cabinet has approved a special 10-year visa for executives and experts working in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to support the development of targeted industries in the country. Thailand okeys 10-year EEC visa for foreigners. Deputy government spokeswoman Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri said the cabinet passed the proposal from the EEC Office for the EEC visa, aiming to attract specialists in various fields to work in the corridor. There are four categories for the EEC visa: specialists, executives, professionals, and spouses and dependents. The EEC is located in three provinces in eastern Thailand including Rayong, Chonburi, and Chachoengsao.

At least two French prison guards were shot dead and three others seriously injured on Tuesday (May 14) after heavily armed men ambushed a prison van to free an inmate, French police said, triggering a major manhunt. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told the National Assembly the attackers "will pay".

Cannabis contains cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD, which can be used to treat many ailments. Gunkul earned 4 million baht from the cannabis business last year and expected to make 100 million baht in 2024. The firm posted revenue of 10 million baht in the first quarter. Gunkul saw a sign of the policy flip-flop after a bill to control cannabis usage could not be passed by parliament. The U-turn on state policy could cause cannabis product retailers to stop investment and even shut down their businesses, said Ms Sopacha.

Govt wants to sell all old ricePhumtham: 'Better than letting it rot'Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday insisted that the government wants to sell the last stocks of decade-old rice so the money gained can be returned to state coffers. Responding to concerns about aflatoxins in the decade-old rice that can cause cancer, Mr Phumtham claimed that if the quality of the rice is improved using modern technology, it will be safe for consumption. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang on Monday denied a report that his ministry would buy the decade-old rice to feed soldiers. In a speech to new recruits there, Mr Sutin assured them that good-quality food would be provided for every soldier. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said earlier that the government will send samples of the decade-old rice for lab tests to ensure its safety.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai said on May 13 that the government wants to sell the last stocks of decade-old rice. Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai said on May 13 that the government wants to sell the last stocks of decade-old rice. Responding to concerns about aflatoxins in the decade-old rice that can cause cancer, Phumtham claimed that if the quality of the rice is improved using modern technology, it will be safe to eat. PM Srettha Thavisin said earlier that the government will send samples of the decade-old rice for lab tests to ensure its safety.