The Tourism Council of Thailand recently called for greater relaxation of the country's entry rules to support the tourism industry. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)The tourism index in the first quarter remains depressed, while the risk of more unemployment still clouds the outlook for the next quarter, mainly attributed to the Omicron variant and the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT). "Tourism operators are still struggling to maintain business as the number of tourists has yet to fully rebound due to the current travel rules. Meanwhile, TCT's recent tourism confidence index in the first quarter this year stood at 44, considerably improving from 36 in the same period in 2021, but still declining from 47 in the fourth quarter last year. The index reflects weak tourism confidence as a reading below 100 indicates low confidence among the industry.

Rita MonteiroFor the first time in history, ordinary Americans realize that they have the opportunity to break free from high fuel prices. How do we know this? Well, the adoption rate of electric vehicles is at an all time high. But there is a catch: as people buy more EVs, America will not have enough charging

Huawei joins efforts to drive digital technologyMr. Abel Deng, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd.Powering sustainable, low-carbon ThailandAs the world moves towards the trend of net-zero carbon emissions for the future, the Thai government has set the goal of ‘Carbon Neutrality 2050’. This has led to climate change and global warming, which has become an urgent issue that requires all parties to come together to find a solution by utilising digital technology. In addition, Thailand’s Ministry of Energy has set its strategy with a mission to drive the Thai economy with support from Huawei Thailand to drive green development for the country using digital technology. Apart from playing a vital role in driving the digital economy, digitalization is also the key for green development. This is in line with the Ministry of Energy’s mission as well as the national agenda to drive the country towards carbon neutrality.

Photo © Gulf Energy Development PlcSetting net-zero targets has moved higher on many Asian corporate agendas. Many Asian developing countries with limited resources are likely to pursue a gradual transition path instead of a high-speed one. Its survey of executives in Asean finds that the lack of support from their organisations' investors presents the biggest barrier to their net-zero transition. "Supporting the efficient movement of capital and technology to reduce carbon emissions as fast as possible, without slowing development, is key," said Ms Harris. "To complement current renewable energy solutions and corporate net-zero solutions, an effective carbon credits market focused on quality, integrity and transparency is important."

Law undergoing 'transition'Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is urging police not to arrest people growing marijuana at home ahead of June 8, the day cannabis and hemp are officially delisted from the country's narcotics list. Khon Kaen police arrested two women for growing one cannabis plant each for medical purposes on Sunday. Both women spent a night in jail before being released on bail. Mr Anutin, head of the Bhumjaithai Party, promised to legalise cannabis in his 2019 election campaign. The law is undergoing a "transition period", which may lead to some confusion among law enforcers and people, Mr Anutin said, adding the Royal Thai Police should refrain from taking action against those who grow a few cannabis plants at home for medical purposes.

Lin Jih-shou was brewing tea last month in his popular breakfast joint when he heard the buzz of a plane – a rare sound on the remote Taiwan-controlled island of Dongyin near China's coast, which does not have an airport. Lin, 64, rushed outside, but only saw the shadow of what the government later described as a small, propeller-driven Chinese aircraft that most likely was testing Taiwan's military response. It was a stark reminder to residents of Dongyin and Taiwan's other islands off China's coast of the threat from their huge neighbour, which considers Taipei's democratically elected government illegitimate and Taiwan a rogue province to be taken by force if needed.

Supattanapong said 49 per cent of the budget (Bt39.52 billion) will come from the Oil Fuel Fund, while 44 per cent (Bt35.22 billion) will come from the Social Security Fund. For the rest, 5 per cent (Bt3.74 billion) will come from the central budget, while 2 per cent (Bt1.76 billion) will be contributed by state-owned oil firm PTT. Bt100 cooking gas subsidy for 3.6 million state welfare card holders. Bt100 cooking gas subsidy for 5,500 vendors with state welfare cards. Price of cooking gas to be regulated from April to June and subsidised through the Oil Fuel Fund.

Face recognition tech joins Ukraine warUkrainian firefighters work amid the rubble in the northwest of the Ukranian capital Kyiv, (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON: Ukraine is employing face recognition technology to identify invading Russian troops killed on its soil, a complex and unprecedented avenue for software already seen as problematic, experts said on Thursday. While this type of artificial intelligence could offer closure to families denied it by the fog of war or Kremlin secrecy, the potential for mistakes is considerable and consequential. Facial recognition arrives in the war as technology that has met with significant and sustained doubts, ranging from its intrusion on people's privacy to criticism it can make errors identifying people of color. Experts noted that face recognition could be particularly problematic when used on the dead, especially after battlefield wounds leave people looking very different than in a smiling, well-lit picture from a wedding, for example. "We can imagine a circumstance where the ability to reduce the number of people missing in action actually would help," he added, though he noted face recognition may not be the right solution.

"If Russia cared about the humanitarian situation, it would stop bombing children and end their siege tactics. Ambassador Barbara Woodward told the council after the vote. A Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by Russia, China, Britain, France or the United States to be adopted. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused those who abstained on Wednesday of doing so "for political reasons." Explaining China's yes vote, Ambassador Zhang Jun said Beijing had a "strong expectation" that there should be an immediate ceasefire, but that while pushing for a halt to the fighting, the council should "also respond to the humanitarian crisis in a positive, pragmatic and constructive manner."

The stepped increases is the “Ft” tariff will last until April next year. The fuel adjustment cost, or Ft, is a variable tariff that reflects changes in the uncontrolled cost of utilities, such as fuel costs and purchasing power, which differ from the base tariff. The ERC reviews the Ft every four months – in January, May and September. ERC secretary-general Komkrit Tantrawanich said the commission had calculated the energy cost based on the current situation and concluded that the Ft for May-August should be increased to Bt0.24 per unit to cover the cost. This will result in household electricity bills rising from Bt3.76 to Bt4 per unit.

Thansetthakij newspaper surveyed markets in Bangkok and adjacent provinces last week and learned that several items have become more expensive. For instance:• 5kg bag of rice is now 100 baht, up by 5 baht• 15kg bag of rice is 330 baht, up by 10 baht• Can of sardines in tomato sauce is 25 baht, up by 2 baht• Can of condensed milk is 25 baht, up by 2 bahtHowever, the price of canned fruit, canned beverages and canned milk has remained unchanged. Next month, however, the price of Mama instant noodles is expected to go up from 6 baht to 7 baht per packet. The distributor Sahapattanapibul announced on Saturday that it is seeking government approval to adjust the retail price due to the rising cost of logistics.

Overshadowed by Ukraine war, Yemen on brink as pledges fall shortIn this photo taken on February 19, 2022, a doctor checks three-year-old Randa Ali, suffering from severe acute malnutrition, in a displacement camp in Yemen's northwestern Hajjah governorate. Overshadowed by the conflict in Ukraine, aid-starved Yemen -- already suffering the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN -- is on the verge of total collapse. The UN voiced disappointment after Wednesday's conference raised less than a third of the target to help 17.3 million of Yemen's needy. "A shortfall in funding means the needs of people will not be met," Auke Lootsma, the UN Development Programme's resident representative to Yemen, told AFP. We hope this will change," Erin Hutchinson, the Norwegian Refugee Council's Yemen country director, told AFP.

Russia fires hypersonic missiles as Ukraine presses for peace dealSeveral areas in Kyiv have been targetedKYIV - Russia on Saturday admitted using advanced hypersonic missiles for the first time in the Ukraine conflict as Kyiv's embattled leader Volodymyr Zelensky called for urgent peace talks. Ukrainian authorities said they had "temporarily" lost access to the Sea of Azov although Russia has effectively controlled the coastline for weeks after ringing Mariupol. "This is the time to meet, to talk, time for renewing territorial integrity and fairness for Ukraine," Zelensky said in a Facebook video. Russia's top negotiator said Friday that Moscow and Kyiv had brought their positions "as close as possible" on a proposal for Ukraine to become a neutral state. But Mikhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelensky taking part in the negotiations, said his country's position had not budged.

Burger King Russia partner 'refuses' to shut 800 shopsRestaurant Brands International Inc entered Russia a decade ago through a joint venture partnership with three entities. Burger King's parent company said on Thursday that it has not been able to close its 800 restaurants in Russia because its independent operator there "refused" to do so. Like Burger King, Starbucks does not own or operate its more than 100 cafes there. But unlike Burger King, it had a willing partner -- Kuwait-based Alshaya Group -- that immediately agreed to shut its Starbucks' locations in Russia and support its 2,000 employees. "Would we like to suspend all Burger King operations immediately in Russia?

Nadal thwarts Kyrgios to reach Indian Wells semi-finalsRafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory over Australian Nick Kyrgios in the ATP quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian WellsINDIAN WELLS: Rafael Nadal left Nick Kyrgios frustrated and fuming with a 7-6 (7/0), 4-7, 6-4 victory in the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells WTA and ATP Masters on Thursday. Serving for the set at 5-4, Kyrgios climbed to 30-15 only to wind up broken by Nadal. "I feel lucky to win that set because returning with 5-4 against Nick, the chances to win that set are, let's say, 10%, maybe less. "I played three bloody good matches ... and everyone will just remember that time where Kyrgios lost to Rafa at Indian Wells or the time that he threw the racquet." Alcaraz, who won the Rio de Janeiro title in February, is the second-youngest Indian Wells ATP semi-finalist ever after 17-year-old Andre Agassi in 1988.