Anand calls for charter based on people's rightsFormer prime minister Anand Panyarachun (File photo)Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun has called for a new constitution to be drawn up to ensure full democracy and people's fundamental rights. He said there have been few positive changes in terms of people's rights, and the call for basic rights has not yet been answered in Thai society. "I want to see the government pay more attention to these matters and take serious action, not just pay lip service," Mr Anand said. "People can hold different opinions, but they must not be hostile towards each other," Mr Anand said. This will take a lot of time and effort," Mr Anand said.

Q1 GDP growth tops forecast but Ukraine war hits 2022 outlookTourism helped boost Thai economic growth in the first quarter. The government cut its 2022 economic growth forecast to 2.5-3.5% from 3.5-4.5%, due to higher prices and slower global growth linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Last year's expansion was revised to 1.5% from 1.6%, among the slowest growth rates in the region. On a yearly basis, gross domestic product (GDP) grew 2.2% in January-March, beating a forecast 2.1% rise, and after revised 1.8% growth in the previous three months. However, the numbers are still far below 40 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2019, before the pandemic.

Ukraine update: Rescue mission under way at AzovstalUkraine's defence ministry says its troops have regained control of territory on the Russian border. KYIV, Ukraine: Ukrainian authorities said a rescue mission to extract the last defenders of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol was under way on Tuesday, after hundreds of soldiers were evacuated in an earlier operation. Severodonetsk's mayor has said the city is almost surrounded by Russian troops and pro-Kremlin separatists. Russian shelling continued across the whole country overnight, with air sirens heard throughout Ukraine in the early hours of Tuesday. In a Facebook post, it accused Russian forces of using indiscriminate cluster munitions in the centre of Mykolaiv.

Riding her horse "Wall Street Jv", Patty scored 69.324 per cent, with two judges handing her a mark of over 70 per cent. This was the highest score among Thai and Asian equestrian riders during the competitionNot satisfied with topping the table of Asian riders in one category, Patty went on to win another third-place rosette in the competition's Intermediaire I category with a score of 68.129 per cent. Patty was participating to gather qualification points for the 19th Asian Games. The Asian Olympiad will take place in Hangzhou, China from September 10-25. In April, Patty won third place in the CDI2* Intermediate I Freestyle, fourth in the CDI2* Prix St Georges and sixth in CDI2* Intermediate I.

Schools do not have to close if anyone tests positive, but they must follow a plan accurately and quickly. The main goal is for students to be able to learn fully and reduce the learning loss problem. If a patient is found in a classroom, the room should be closed for cleaning for three days and classes should be held online, on-air, on-hand, and on school Line. Meanwhile, other classes can resume normally.

What is known about the main water transmission pipeline system for the east? The Treasury Department awarded a concession to Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Public Co, or East Water, to lease/manage the water transmission work. East Water has been hired by the Treasury Department to operate the water transmission work pending contract signing. When the water transmission work expanded, it was agreed that East Water should take over the management and operation of the other two pipelines. With the Dok Krai pipeline contract scheduled to end in December 2023, the Treasury Department called for bids in July last year.

The report said THAI and Thai Smile had 10,238 passengers and 10,870 passengers for domestic and international flights respectively for the first 10 days of May, compared to 4,929 passengers and 269 passengers, respectively, in October last year. The figures showed a significant increase in the number of passengers after the government relaxed travel restrictions, the report added. THAI said goods transportation by its planes has returned to 50 per cent of the pre-Covid level in 2019. THAI said it has increased frequency of THAI and Thai Smile flights from the second quarter of this year to respond to the increased demand following the easing of travel restrictions and the improvement in the Covid situation. THAI entered a court-supervised rehabilitation after reporting its worst-ever net loss of THB141 billion, hammered by the pandemic that began in 2020.

In fiscal 2024, Space Compass will launch an optical data relay service for high-speed transmissions via a satellite. This will carry a vast amount of diverse data collected in space, such as meteorological information. In fiscal 2025, it will launch a new mobile phone network using unmanned aircraft that will carry base stations into the stratosphere. By transmitting and receiving radio waves from high above, a communications network would become resistant to disasters on the ground. NTT President Jun Sawada said in late April that the company hopes to expand its business into the reaches of space.

Economy needs clear pathway: SomkidSomkid: Leadermust plan aheadA leader must have a clear vision to bring Thailand out of its economic crisis, said former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak at a public lecture on Sunday, his first since his exit from the Prayut administration in July 2020. Mr Somkid said the global community is faced with more risks and uncertainties, which will only become harder to predict. He noted the Covid-19 pandemic, which has caused widespread adverse impacts on the economy and people's livelihoods, is still not over. "These agencies must take bold steps and propose a budget plan [that suits] the unusual economic situation. Mr Somkid said budget and fiscal policy decentralisation have to be done to drive national development, so legal amendments must be expedited to achieve them.

Local tourists took 20 million trips last month, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to spur 80 million domestic trips in the first half this year as the downward trend in new Covid infections helps rebuild local travel sentiment. "The TAT aims to tally 40-50 million domestic trips in the second quarter, which will help secure 80 million trips in the first six months and keep the goal for the whole year of 160 million trips in sight," said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing. Even though the country was overwhelmed by the spread of the Omicron variant, local tourists still took 20 million trips in April. She said the "workation" segment remains vital to support domestic tourism as the agency has promoted the "Workation Thailand" project last year, targeting corporates and agencies.

Former PM Chavalit turns 90, unveils new partyFormer prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh celebrates his 90th birthday at his house on Sunday. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam)Former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday, has confirmed he is setting up a political party. However, Gen Chavalit said he has no ambition to run for prime minister and will not be the party leader. After the 2006 coup, Gen Chavalit offered to mediate between anti- and pro-Thaksin camps, calling his role the "middle ring of a chain". Gen Chavalit served as a deputy prime minister in the Somchai administration but quit after a police crackdown on People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators outside parliament.

Indian badminton heroics knock even cricket off front pagesIndia's Kidambi Srikanth hits a return against Indonesia's Jonatan Christie in the Thomas Cup finalNEW DELHI - India's historic first Thomas Cup crown was splashed across front pages Monday with some people saying it can be a turning point for badminton much like the country's maiden cricket World Cup title in 1983. "So I think expect that to happen for Indian badminton as well. "Unforgettable red-letter day for Indian badminton. What a day for Indian Badminton," Sachin Tendulkar tweeted. "A historic achievement and a massive moment for Indian badminton," Virat Kohli wrote on Twitter.

Worried parents told kids' jabs are safeThe Department of Health is urging parents to take their children for Covid-19 shots ahead of the new school term this month after figures showed that almost 29% of kids aged between five and 11 have yet to receive a single dose. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoen, the department's director-general, said yesterday concerns among parents about serious side effects were expressed in a department survey on April 22-May 11. According to the ministry, Thailand has 5.8 million eligible children, including 900,000 who are considered as vulnerable to infections. Dr Suwannachai said many parents are hesitant to get their kids vaccinated, with 77.2% of those polled worried about their kids experiencing adverse reactions and 55.3% saying they had safety concerns. "Parents should consider having their children vaccinated and seek doctors' advice if their kids have underlying health concerns," he said.

Similan stands for “nine” in the Yawi language, as it covered nine islands in the archipelago. Initially, Mu Koh Similan National Park comprised nine islands, namely Koh Huyong, Koh Payang, Koh Payan, Koh Miang, Koh Ha, Koh Payu, Koh Hin Pousar, Koh Similan and Koh Ba-ngu. Koh Bon and Koh Tachai were later added to the national park, bringing the number of islands under Mu Koh Similan National Park up to 11. The Similan Islands in the South of Thailand are popular among divers and can be accessed via Phang Nga province. The islands are closed during the monsoon season every year, though Koh Tachai has been closed to tourists indefinitely since October 2016.

BELOW Mr Pitsnu says the launch of smart vending machines like Tao Bin is considered positive for the country's vending machine industry. She said the group used to import vending machines to sell canned drinks and other items, but decided to adjust its business model to robotic vending machines and provide the service around the clock in response to changing lifestyles. He said Sun Vending plans to install 2,000 new Sun 108 vending machines and 400-500 cup vending machines this year. "We have almost 15,000 vending machines in the market now, 3,000 of which are smart vending machines," said Mr Pitsnu. "The number of Sun 108 vending machines is projected to reach 20,000 units next year, of which 15,000 will be smart machines."