As the fifth wave of Covid-19 fades and life returns to normal, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) recently unveiled a revitalisation strategy to highlight Hong Kong's fresh views and open the door to travellers. "The HKTB has conducted extensive research in 16 markets and found Hong Kong is still well-loved by travellers worldwide. The HKTB will then launch extensive promotions, including the tactical 'Open House Hong Kong' campaign, to welcome back visitors when the time is right. The contemporary art museum M+ opened last year and the Hong Kong Palace Museum will welcome its first visitors this summer. Hong Kong International Airport will transform itself into an Airport City to enhance travel experiences with a variety of shopping, dining, entertainment and leisure options.

Covovax, developed by the Serum Institute of India in partnership with US-based Novavax, can be given to children aged 12-17, expanding from the FDA’s previous approval that allowed the vaccine to be administered to recipients aged over 18. The vaccine must be administered in two doses of 0.5 millilitres each, at an interval of three weeks, just like for adults. Meanwhile, Moderna’s Spikevax can be given to children aged 6-11, expanding from the previous limit of 12 and over. The vaccine must be administered in two doses of 0.25ml each – or half the dosage for adults –at an interval of four weeks. The Public Health Ministry reported that so far 54 per cent of children aged 5-11 have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and 17 per cent have got the second.

eatsHUB, which is now available for download through both Android and iOS systems, has been touted as the country's first national food delivery platform. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) has launched food delivery platform eatsHUB to help small and medium-sized eateries boost their earnings through digital channels. Touted as Thailand's first national food delivery platform, eatsHub charges vendors a commission fee, known as gross profit (GP), at a low rate of 8%, compared with the standard 30% collected by other major operators. "This is why the food delivery platform business has seen strong growth over the past two years." He said competition in food delivery services is intense, with the participation of various foreign operators.

Government urged to scrap workplace accident campaignSawit: Bosses pay lip serviceLabour groups have asked the government to scrap a campaign to reduce workplace accidents as many employers allegedly dodge the obligation to contribute to the Zero Accident fund. That means their employees must also refrain from using the Zero Accident fund. By not using the Zero Accident fund, the workers are deprived of welfare and benefits to which they are entitled. Boonsom Sikamdokkae, chairwoman of the network caring for workplace accident sufferers, said there remains a critical shortage of specialists in occupational health, considering there are more than 400,000 factories nationwide. The Zero Accident fund should look into whether the hospitals overcharged the workers, she said.

The department also forecast that this year’s rainy season, which normally ends around mid-October for upper Thailand and mid-January for the South’s east coast, will see 3 per cent more rainfall than normal, but overall rainfall will be slightly lower than last year’s. The department warned that a dry spell could occur from mid-June to mid-July, whereas August and September would see the most frequent rainfall. During August and September there is a high probability of tropical cyclones moving past upper Thailand, bringing heavy to very heavy rain in several areas. People in upper parts of the country are warned to expect flash floods, water runoff and bank overflows during this period. In addition, tropical cyclone Asani over the central Indian coast will not directly affect Thailand but cause moderate winds across the country, the Gulf and the Andaman Sea.

Sri Lanka's economy on brink of collapse as troops quell unrestSri Lankan police have been ordered to go on the offensive and use live ammunition to stop rioting, a top official told AFP. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's economy will "collapse" unless a new government is urgently appointed, the central bank chief warned Wednesday, as security forces fanned out on the streets to restore order after spasms of mob violence. He said political stability was vital to implement the reforms needed to address Sri Lanka's snowballing debt crisis and the acute shortage of foreign exchange to import essentials. With armoured personnel carriers and a heavy security presence, Sri Lanka's military chief addressed a press conference to deny speculation of a looming coup. "Don't ever think that we are trying to capture power," said Kamal Gunaratne, the secretary of Sri Lanka's defence ministry.

Malaysia c.bank raises interest rate in surprise moveTourists choose what to buy during a shopping spree along Khao San Road, a popular spot for foreign visitors in Bangkok, on May 5, 2022. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's central bank unexpectedly raised its benchmark interest rate from a historical low on Wednesday, as rising commodity prices, strained supply chains and strong demand conditions fanned inflationary pressures. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) raised its overnight policy rate to 2% from the record low of 1.75%. It was the first hike since July 2020, when rates were slashed to a historic low to combat the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. A Reuters poll of 18 economists had expected rates to remain unchanged this week, with the central bank likely to start tightening next quarter to avert rising inflationary pressures.

China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-4 is delivering supplies for its space station under construction. What is on board Tianzhou-4?

Two large producers of ceramic tiles -- SCG Ceramics Plc and Dynasty Ceramic Plc -- will open new stores and expand existing outlets nationwide as domestic demand recovers, following the country's reopening. "The ceramic business may not grow at a fast pace, but construction in the tourism sector will gradually resume in the medium to long term." In the first quarter of 2022, SCG Ceramics had year-on-year growth of 13% and quarter-on-quarter growth of 23% in sales of ceramic tiles, with a total volume of 20.1 million square metres. Maruth Saengsastra, chief executive of Dynasty Ceramic Plc, said exports to Myanmar doubled in the first quarter of this year as demand recovered. In the first quarter of 2022, Dynasty's average tile price rose by 5% to 151 baht per sq m, from 144 baht in the fourth quarter last year.

(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)Consumer sentiment plunged for the fourth straight month in April, hitting the lowest level in eight months, as consumers remained concerned about rising costs of living and high oil prices caused by the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to Mr Thanavath, the continuous rise in oil prices and expensive product prices had adversely affected both present and future consumer sentiment. The scheme aims to boost the economy and shore up consumer spending affected by Covid-19 outbreaks. "People say they are not able to handle continually rising product prices," he said. "We see the Thai economy as tending to slow down and have yet to see signs of recovery."

Prayut to hold talks with US Defence SecretaryMembers of Khana Ratsadon for the Repeal of (Section 112) on Tuesday gather in front of the US embassy to submit a letter to US President Joe Biden and Asean leaders asking them to pressure Thailand into freeing 11 political prisoners and abolishing the lese majeste law. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will hold talks with US Defence Secretary Lloyd James Austin during his visit to Washington DC for the US-Asean Special Summit on Thursday and Friday, a source said. The meeting has fuelled rumours that further talks will take place about the Royal Thai Air Force's (RTAF) bid to procure F-35 fighter jets. Gen Prayut said he will leave for Washington DC on Wednesday to attend the US-Asean Special Summit where US and Asean leaders are expected to announce their vision on how they will continue cooperating in the post-Covid-19 pandemic period. Ahead of the summit, Thai and US officials engaged in discussions at the US-Thailand Strategic and Defense Dialogue in Washington DC on Monday and Tuesday (May 9-10), according to a US embassy press release.

Parents are also worried about the Covid-19 situation despite students being vaccinated, but the number of daily new cases is still high. Some 56.8 per cent of parents are not confident because their children will have to study on-site amid a fast spreading Covid-19. In this situation, 82.6 per cent want the government to come out with support measures to help with education or other expenses. Some students might head back to tutorial schools but parents of others are worried about the Covid-19 situation. So they might reduce or cut tutorial help altogether until the Covid-19 situation and the economy fare better.

Deputy government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said on Tuesday that the DSD tests the working skill, knowledge, capability and attitude of workers in different fields. Those who pass the test and earn a certificate from the DSD will receive wages at the rates mentioned below:

After trillions in losses, Asia’s stock rout looks far from overFILE PHOTO: A man stands on an overpass with an electronic board showing Shanghai and Shenzhen stock indexes, at the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai, China, Jan 6, 2021. (Reuters)All signs point to more losses ahead for Asian equities after a four-month slump that has wiped out over $2 trillion in value. Fund OutflowsForeign funds have withdrawn a net $40 billion from shares in Asia excluding China this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “We are neutral Asia ex-Japan equities,” BlackRock Investment Institute strategists including Jean Boivin and Wei Li wrote in a note. Southeast Asian shares will also be boosted as regional economies reopen their borders to tourists.

Government agencies and state firms will be ineligible for the subsidy, the spokesman added. He said the money will be used to reduce the power bills by reducing the FT (cost floating time) tariff to 0.2338 baht per unit of power. The rate of subsidy is in line with Cabinet resolutions passed on March 29 and April 19 this year, the spokesman added. The Cabinet resolution is aimed at helping households and small enterprises survive the present economic woes, triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, the spokesman added.