Cryptomind co-founder and CEO Sanjay Popli, Token X CEO Jittinun Chatsiharach and Tokocrypto chief strategy officer Lai Chung Ying share views on the digital asset ecosystem and its future direction.

Ukraine claims Kyiv region as Russians pull back, bodies in nearby townsUkraine estimates 20,000 people have been killed in the war so farKYIV: Ukraine said Saturday it has regained control of the Kyiv region, with Russian troops retreating from around the capital and Chernigiv city, as evidence emerged of possible civilian killings in areas the invading forces have been occupying. As it withdraws from some northern areas, Russia appears to be focusing on eastern and southern Ukraine, where it already holds vast swathes of territory. "Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole Kyiv region were liberated from the invader," deputy defence minister Ganna Maliar said on Facebook, referring to towns that have been heavily damaged or destroyed by fighting. Dozens of buses carrying Mariupol residents who had escaped the city earlier arrived Friday in Zaporizhzhia, 200 kilometres to the northwest. "Today in Enerhodar, city residents gathered again for a rally in support of Ukraine, singing the anthem," Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova said on Telegram.

(AFP Photo)COLOMBO: Troops armed with sweeping powers were deployed in Sri Lanka on Saturday with the near-bankrupt country on edge after the president declared a state of emergency to quell escalating protests against him. Soldiers armed with automatic assault rifles had already been deployed for crowd control at fuel stations and elsewhere when the emergency was declared. In normal times, Sri Lanka’s military can only play a supporting role to police, but the state of emergency gives them authority to act alone, including to detain civilians. The emergency laws came ahead of planned anti-government protests on Sunday, when activists on social media have urged people to demonstrate outside their homes. A police official said authorities were considering a nationwide curfew to prevent an escalation of protests that have blocked traffic in many towns.

Meanwhile, BUUIC Dean Asst Prof Dr Parinya Nakpathom explained that the EASA Engineer Course is a basic training course Part 66 B1.1 & A1. He said it takes a total of six months to complete the EASA Engineer Course Part 66 B1.1 & A1 and students will receive a certificate to apply for work. Courses will commence in the third quarter of 2022, with the aim to produce 180 aircraft maintenance personnel in academic year 2022 and 400 people in 2023," he said. "We aim to produce at least 800 to 1,000 aircraft maintenance technicians within three years. Those who are interested in the EASA Engineer Course (six months course) can request more information at BUUIC: 038 102571-2 ext 126, email: [email protected], or [email protected], or visit http://buuic.buu.ac.th.

Services available would include a care centre for the elderly, palliative care, and rehabilitation centre, he added. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has praised the success of the Phuket Sandbox as a good sign for Thailand’s tourism sector and economy, according to the spokesman. The prime minister thinks the next focus should be on medical tourism and promoting Thailand as an international medical hub, Thanakorn said. “Covid-19 has severely affected Thailand’s tourism industry. The prime minister says the focus should be on turning the crisis into an opportunity,” the spokesman said.

If the PPRP is to support Gen Prayut for the same role once again, Ruam Thai Sang Chart will work in parallel to recruit more party members," Mr Seksakol said. "Voters can vote for either the PPRP or Ruam Thai Sang Chart. We are allies because we will join the PPRP to back Gen Prayut to serve another term," he said. "In the event Gen Prayut decides to wash his hands of politics, we will then look at other candidates." Meanwhile, Ruam Thai Sang Chart on Thursday held a general assembly to elect a new executive board.

No pre-travel Covid-19 tests for arrivals confirmedInternational visitors no longer need pre-travel Covid-19 tests before arriving in Thailand. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration confirmed on Thursday that travellers arriving in Thailand will no longer require pre-travel Covid-19 tests from April 1 onwards. Sumanee Wacharasint, a spokeswoman, said the requirement for pre-travel PT-PCR tests would end for visitors arriving under Test & Go, Sandbox and quarantine programmes, starting on Friday. People who enter the country through one of the programmes will be given an RT-PCR test on arrival. The number of provinces designated as blue zones and promoted for tourism was increased from eight to 10, with these including Chiang Mai and Phetchaburi provinces, said Dr Sumanee.

The Tobacco Authority of Thailand is inviting applications for the post of governor. Interested persons can register at the Tobacco Authority of Thailand during business days between 8.30am and 11.30am and between 12.30pm to 4pm from April 1 to 29, 2022. Documents are available for download here: http://www.thaitobacco.or.th

The awards were presented at a ceremony on Wednesday at Gaysorn Urban Resort in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district by online media The People. It has been organising the event for four consecutive years, with its eight editors picking ten people or entities from more than 4,000 for their outstanding work, performance or achievements in the past year highlighted on The People website and YouTube channel.

Consumption surges, but Ukraine hits confidenceThe Thai economy last month recorded growing private domestic consumption, especially for durable items, alongside support from export growth, according to Fiscal Policy Office adviser Wuttipong Jittungsakul. Private consumption grew last month, reflected by the collection of value-added tax (VAT) increasing 27.7% year-on-year. However, the consumer confidence index dropped to 43.3 from 44.8 in January because of concerns about the pandemic and the war in Europe. The Tourism and Sports Ministry is aiming for 7 million foreign arrivals this year, but only around 400,000 travellers visited Thailand during the first three months this year. If this low rate continues, there will be only 1.6 million foreign visitors this year, said Mr Arkhom.

Demand for major fuels on the increaseFuel consumption in Thailand is on the rise again after a decline last year caused by the pandemic. Demand for fuel increased by 13.9% to 153 million litres per day in the first two months of 2022, according to the Department of Energy Business. Diesel, accounting for the largest quantity of fuel consumed, grew by 18.1% to 77 million litres per day on average, up from 65.1 million litres per day. Demand for gasohol, a mix of gasoline and ethanol, rose by 2.1% to 29.51 million litres per day while consumption of unleaded gasoline fell by 14% to 0.61 million litres per day. Jet fuel consumption grew by 65.1% to an average of 6.88 million litres a day.

Jobbkk.com founder Thassanai Mhuansean said a change in the global labour market was due to digital disruption, an ageing society, climate change and influence from social media and big data. He said employers must adjust or adapt their organisations to cope with change and pay attention to building new employee skills. Boonlert said employees should be aware of skills necessary to meet labour market demand. Thammasat University’s Institute for Continuing Education and Human Resources director Surapit Promsit said the TU Next platform would enable people to learn anywhere anytime. The university will launch learning courses for top executives focusing on experience sharing and sustainable development, he said.

Thai Airways sells Airbus seats for B1mSeats originally from an Airbus 330 aircraft are sold by Thai Airways International via live streaming. The seats were sold in under one minute. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Cash-strapped Thai Airways International earned over 1 million baht in under a minute on Tuesday by selling passenger seats stripped from its decommissioned aircraft. The economy class seats, on sale at 35,000 baht a pair, were sold out in less than a minute. They were taken from a decommissioned Airbus A330-300.

Subsidy on premium diesel revokedCooking gas becomes pricier for some people after the state allows traders to hike prices from April 1. (Photo: Apichit Jinakul)The cabinet on Tuesday approved revoking the subsidy on premium diesel used in luxury cars, effective from April, in a move to save on budget expenses. Rachada Dhnadirek, deputy government spokeswoman, said the cabinet's move also aims to reduce the financial burden on the state Oil Fund, which currently subsidises the diesel price at 8 baht per litre. Domestic diesel consumption totals about 65 million litres per day, 1.4 million of which belongs to premium diesel. Ms Rachada said the government may need to support the Oil Fund in the event of an emergency to create confidence among financial institutions that extend loans to the fund for use in the government's oil subsidy scheme.

The announcement, signed by department director-general Saratcha Suriyakul Na Ayudhaya, stipulated that the 258 parks would be closed to visitors at different periods throughout the year in a bid to increase efficiency in park management, rehabilitate natural resources and ensure the safety of tourists in “dangerous” seasons. The names of 258 parks and the periods during which they will close can be downloaded at http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/073/T_0007.PDF