“The plants that are still on the Category 5 narcotics list are opium, psilocybin mushroom and cannabis extract with more than 0.2 per cent of THC,” Anutin said. “Tomorrow [January 26] the Bhumjaithai Party will present the drafts of cannabis and hemp acts to Parliament. We hope all MPs will vote for these, after which they will be announced in the Royal Gazette and become effective in the next 120 days,” he said. “People who are interested in growing hemp and cannabis should wait until all the details of the two acts are finalised,” Anutin made it clear. “From now on growing them will be much easier, but growers still need to register with related authorities and follow the restrictions on growing volume and application,” he added.

China targets celebrities, fan groups in cyber clean-up campaignThis file photo taken on Nov 21, 2019, shows the logo of the social media video-sharing app Tiktok displayed on a tablet screen in Paris. (AFP)BEIJING: The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Tuesday launched a month-long "clean cyberspace" campaign, which it said would target online abuse, "chaos" in celebrity fan groups and "money worship", among other issues. CAC made the announcement on its official WeChat account on Tuesday, saying that it would closely look at content platforms and advertisements as part of the campaign over the Spring Festival period. China first launched a crackdown on its booming entertainment industry in summer last year, targeting celebrity behaviour and fan groups, and has signalled that tight oversight will continue. The Spring Festival period, also known as the Lunar New Year, is one of China's biggest holidays and is marked by a week-long holiday.

Prawit: PPRP stands firm on decision to expel 21 MPsAn interloper flashes a three-finger salute, a pro-democracy protest symbol, in front of Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwon, who was campaigning in Bang Bua Ruam Jai Pattana community, Bangkok, on Monday. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam)The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) will not reverse its decision to expel 21 MPs, including former secretary-general Thamanat Prompow, Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon said on Tuesday. It has been forwarded to the Election Commission," Gen Prawit said. Mr Somsak would have to find a new party, Gen Prawit said. On Jan 19, the PPRP executive decided to expel Capt Thamanat and 20 MPs in his faction, for causing divisions within the ruling party.

A massage shop in Chiang Mai has a sign put up for the co-payment scheme to attract more guests. (Photo: Dusida Worrachaddejchai)The business sector has hailed the government's fresh spending stimulus measures but says the cash handout under the fourth phase of the "Khon La Khrueng" co-payment subsidy scheme sounds lower than expected. The private sector is also asking for additional stimulus packages to boost consumers' spending power. "For the fourth phase of the co-payment subsidy scheme, I see 1,200 baht cash handout per person is slightly lower than we expect," he said. TIMELYBoonyong Tansakul, chief executive at Zen Corporation Plc, the operator of the Zen Japanese restaurant, said that the co-payment subsidy scheme seems to be the best economic stimulus campaign that the government has launched.

Figures broke through the 100,000 level after a 47.93-per-cent rise in exports from December 20 thanks to increased supply of semiconductors and auto-parts. Thai auto exports increased to all markets – up 101 per cent to Australia and Oceania, 64.96 per cent to Europe, 54.99 per cent to North America, and 121.87 per cent to Central and South America – driven by the global economic recovery.

He acquired the two from the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection with the OpenSea platform which is the largest NFT marketplace. He paid 159.99 ETH, equivalent to around $521,000, for one of the illustrations, and 189.69 ETH or around $624,000 for the other. The purchase was done with the personalised wallet “EneJay” on the platform from his initials. He explained later on his Instagram that he had done it with two partners. Neymar’s Paris teammates Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti also reportedly paid a part of the sum but neither of them has posted any images on social media.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged parliamentarians to accept and pass two organic laws related to elections expected to be tabled before parliament next month, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said. The prime minister wants them to push through the Political Parties Act and the Election of MPs Act without delay, the spokesman said after a cabinet meeting on Monday. To reflect the changes to the charter, the two organic laws governing the election of MPs and political parties will have to be amended. However, Mr Wissanu said deliberation of the bills may not be completed during the current parliamentary session which ends on Feb 28. It stands ready to propose a special parliamentary session," Mr Wissanu said in answer to accusations the government is trying to stall the bills to remain in office for as long as possible.

Rachada said it was necessary to control the price of chicken, as it is an important source of protein. She added that so far, the Commerce Ministry has built a list of 56 price-controlled items and services, including chicken, egg, pork, shampoo, detergent, rice, garlic, instant food, school uniform and medical treatment. As part of the price-control action, the Central Commission on Prices of Goods and Services has set up the following measures for entrepreneurs, retailers and poultry farmers:• Farmers who have more than 100,000 chickens and slaughterhouse operators that have a production capacity of over 4,000 chickens per day must inform the relevant authority of stock volume, production cost and retail price every month. • Factories producing animal feed must provide information on stock volume, retail price, production capacity and cost every month. • Businesses, retailers and poultry farm operators must receive approval from the Department of Internal Trade before increasing retail prices.

Consumer product price rises, he noted, tend to be protracted and can trigger a chain reaction. He estimated the pork price fiasco might take as long as 18 months to solve, far outlasting the funds made available. Water and power bills should be subsidised for at least six months to ease the financial burden on people, he said. Citing a previous pork price spike in the US, he said the problem was alleviated after all sides in the supply chain came together for talks. Subsequently, pork prices dropped by 15-20% and other meats by 2%.

Legalisation of household cannabis, limited recreational useLamps for indoor cannabis cultivation are exhibited at the Thailand Science Park in Pathum Thani province last month. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drafted a bill to legalise the household cultivation and consumption of cannabis and its recreational use in some locations. Household consumption would be for medical purposes only. Regarding the recreational use of cannabis, Dr Paisarn said it could be done in some locations that had yet to be specified. "Of course, we won't go to the stage of cannabis cafés, but there are different models for its recreational use in other countries.

AFPForeign tourists are likely to have more insurance options to cover hospitel and hotel isolation expenses in Thailand as the government is trying to solve the problem of Covid-infected tourists refusing to pay for medication or running away from hotels. Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, said the government is discussing with the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) offering Covid-19 insurance options for vaccinated tourists whose travel insurance does not cover medical expenditure for hospitels or hotel isolation for mild asymptomatic cases. A new ruling from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) last week stipulated that if a tourist's insurance doesn't cover all medical expenses for Covid-19 infection, they are responsible for such expenditure themselves. The CCSA subcommittee still needs to discuss in detail insurance options and punishment. "Insurance options will help cover expenditure in case tourists become infected with Covid-19 or have high-risk contact that requires isolation," she said.

FTI club launches EV component planAn electric car is connected for charging at Motor Expo 2021, held in December at Impact Challenger 1-3, Muang Thong Thani. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)The Federation of Thai Industries' (FTI) auto parts club is working to help 2,500 auto parts manufacturers accustomed to producing parts for internal combustion engines (ICE) to shift towards electric vehicle (EV) technology by launching an EV component development plan. EVs are expected to replace oil-powered cars, threatening to disrupt auto parts production in the future, said Pinai Sirinakorn, chairman of the club. The EV component development plan aims to help auto parts manufacturers shift their businesses to better suit the new market. According to the FTI, auto parts companies in Thailand are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), supplying products to domestic and global markets.

Defence Council okays cutsThe Defence Council has approved proposals to support the continued restructuring of the military with aim of trimming the country's armed forces by 5% over four years, according to the Defence Ministry. He said the number of armed forces personnel must be trimmed by 5% by the 2027 fiscal year, and when units are merged or dissolved as part of restructuring, the number of armed forces and expenditures must not increase. Col Wanchana said the Defence Ministry has already begun downsizing the military. The programme includes cuts on enrolment at all military schools including armed forces-related academies and technical schools, the hiring of civilians in the Defence Ministry and the early retirement programme. He said the trimming of the armed forces is in accordance with restructuring plans by the Defence Ministry for 2017-2026, which will allow the ministry to better respond to emerging threats.

Circumstances and jobs now change so quickly that no one can understand what individuals need, faster or better than the individual. I know you are busy, and I know your company signs you up for development events of varying quality and usefulness. For example, I have had to learn things that younger members of my organisation would consider extremely basic concerning technology — things they learned in school. Ask yourself what small things you could learn that could improve your performance or results. Once you understand where things are going, you can start immediately and ensure your future success and relevance.

The Hyundai winners include: the Elantra hybrid, Tucson hybrid, Kona subcompact SUV, Tucson compact SUV and Santa Fe 2-row SUV. Its smaller sibling Kia Motors’ Telluride also topped the best 3-row SUV for the money category. The award covers a total of 11 automotive categories and the scores are based on safety and reliability data as well as the collective opinion of the automotive press. “We are greatly honored to win more 2022 US News Best Cars for the Money awards than any other automotive brand,” said Olabisi Boyle, vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai Motor North America. “The Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson, Elantra Hybrid, Tucson Hybrid and Kona are just a few of the superior products that we offer, and we are pleased that US News recognizes their collective excellence.”