The seeds of soft power'Soft power" is becoming a new catchphrase in Thai society. The National Soft Power Strategy Committee (NSPSC) -- a national super board designed to promote the creative economy -- held its first meeting this week at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With many working groups, soft power projects coincide with various other goals. But this time, it is hoped that the government -- or the soft power super board -- define their objectives and cascade tasks in a way that prevents any redundancy. The soft power industry is also unlike the tech industry or modern agriculture.

US auto workers union reaches preliminary deal with FordUAW President Shawn Fain, shown at a Chicago rally earlier this month, hailed a tentative agreement with Ford as an historic win. (Photo: AFP)NEW YORK - The auto workers union in the United States reached a tentative agreement with Ford late Wednesday, a breakthrough in a 41-day stoppage on Detroit's "Big Three" car manufacturers. The deal, which rank-and-file workers must still approve in a vote, includes a 25% wage increase for hourly employees, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union said. "For months we've said that record profits mean record contracts," said UAW President Shawn Fain in a statement. But in a twist, the UAW said Ford workers would return to their shifts to apply pressure to GM and Stellantis.

Stock markets globally also dropped heavily as geopolitical anxiety intensified, said Pakorn Peetathawatchai, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The SET Index has declined 16% for the year to date and is one of the worst performers in the region, but the fundamentals of the Thai stock market remain solid, he added. “Like other markets, the Thai stock market was pressured by external factors,” said Mr Pakorn. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is preparing to lead a roadshow in Singapore next month to restore confidence among regional investors in the Thai stock market. Discussing a possible extension of SET trading hours, Mr Pakorn said the study was still at the public hearing stage and no conclusion has been reached.

Tourist areas eyed for 4am closing of entertainment venuesNeon lights illuminate Khao San Road, one of the popular tourist destinations in Bangkok. (Photo: Government House)The meeting agreed in principle for the Interior Ministry to formulate a ministerial regulation outlining criteria for local administrations in areas with tourism potential. The administrations could then submit requests for permission to allow entertainment venues to stay open until 4am. The Interior Ministry would consider the requests and grant permits based on the set criteria for each area, Ms Traisuree said. She said Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had acknowledged the agreement and had instructed concerned offices to draft the ministerial regulation.

Tata sees short-term impact from conflictSteel wire rods produced by Tata Steel Thailand (TSTH). TSTH believes the Israel-Hamas conflict could cause oil prices to fluctuate, affecting the operating costs of manufacturers. The Israel-Hamas conflict is expected to cause a short-term negative impact for the steel industry, which is experiencing a cyclical downturn, says Tata Steel Thailand Plc (TSTH), a unit of India's largest steelmaker. The Russia-Ukraine war caused an surge in global crude oil prices last year, driving up energy costs among steel factories. The quantity of steel wire rods from China continues to increase in Thailand and in other Asean member states, TSTH said.

Just 180 active 'influential people', 10 provinces have nonePolice display weapons seized during a nationwide crackdown on illegal firearms, at the police training centre in Nonthaburi in July. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The House committee on administration announced on Wednesday it had learned there are just 180 active "influential people" in the country, and 10 provinces are totally free of them. Mr Chada oversees the government's nationwide campaign to suppress influential people (a metaphor for influential crooks) and is also from Bhumjaithai. Mr Korawee said Mr Chada's delegation told them 180 influential people were still active and officials also listed 625 former influential people who had already agreed to stop coercing others. Mr Chada said the department reported that influential people were operating in 66 provinces, but the other 10 provinces were free of them.

In the international segment, international exhibitions generated the most revenue, reaching 17.7 billion baht, which was higher than the level recorded in 2019, said Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, director of exhibitions at TCEB. He said this trend would continue as the agency anticipates 10% growth in international exhibitions in 2024, generating around 19.5 billion baht. While China was previously the country providing the most international visitors in this segment, this market would not regain the top spot in the near future, as economic challenges were still disrupting travel demand there, he said. In 2023, domestic Mice attracted 16.5 million visitors, generating 50 billion baht. Mr Chiruit said the domestic Mice market rebounded more slowly than expected, as the majority of exhibition suppliers and organisers pivoted to international events instead.

Sri Lanka approves free tourist visa for Thailand, 6 other countriesA surfboard is seen in the middle of an empty beach, near hotels at Unawatuna beach in Galle, Sri Lanka. The scheme is part of attempts by Sri Lanka to boost tourism recovery and hit a target of 5 million arrivals by 2026, the statement added. But the tourism industry is seeing a turnaround in 2023 with Sri Lanka clocking a million arrivals by September, for the first time since 2019. A group of tourists walks inside the main market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Oct 20, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)India is the largest source of tourists with 200,310 arrivals, followed by Russia with 132,300, latest data from the Sri Lanka Development Authority showed.

Petrol price cut next weekMotorists queue to fill up at a service station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. (Bangkok Post photo)The cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle a 2.5 baht per litre reduction in the pump price of gasohol 91 for three months, probably from Oct 31, the energy minister said. Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said the price cut would come from a reduction in excise tax of 2.5 baht per litre. The price cut, through a reduction in excise tax, would reduce state revenue by about 1 billion baht, the energy minister said. Mr Pirapan, also a deputy prime minister, said the Energy Ministry would find ways to also reduce the pump prices of other kinds of petrol.

Afghanistan send Pakistan crashing to shock World Cup defeatCaptain fantastic: Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi celebrates after hitting the winning runs against Pakistan. CHENNAI (INDIA) - Afghanistan put on a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup on Monday. The defeat leaves Pakistan's World Cup campaign in disarray with three defeats in five games and a formidable South Africa to face at the same venue on Friday. On a spin-friendly Chidambaram Stadium pitch, Afghanistan fielded four slow bowlers with 18-year-old left-armer Noor Ahmad grabbing a career best 3-49 on his World Cup debut. Ahmad then dismissed Pakistan's top scorer in the World Cup, Mohammad Rizwan, caught sweeping in his next over to leave Pakistan on 120-3.

Srisuwan petitions for ethics probe of Thaksin's doctorsFormer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets supporters when he arrived at Don Mueang airport on Aug 22. Mr Srisuwan said that he will submit the petition at 10am on Tuesday at the TMC's office in Nonthaburi, according to his announcement. Mr Srisuwan said the director-general of the Department of Corrections' (DoC) decision to approve Thaksin’s stay extension was suspicious, suggesting the department is giving Thaksin special privileges. The public can demand the TMC conduct an ethics investigation against them, said Mr Srisuwan. Pichit Chaimongkol, a group member, said that the group wants factual information about Thaksin’s illness, as well as his expected date of discharge.

Asean, GCC meet amid Mideast crisisThe summit between the leaders of Asean and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Saudi Arabia last Friday was the first time the two regional organisations collaborated in what is developing into a divided and fast-changing global environment. For years, Asean has taken an unwavering position on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, but this time, the leaders from Asean and GCC could meet face-to-face and jointly firm up their commitment. Indeed, their bilateral ties could have been better had there not been a lack of preparedness by Asean and GCC members. Meanwhile, GCC members were also caught in a dilemma because of the internecine squabbling among their members. After a heated debate, Asean senior officials agreed that despite individual Asean members' divergent views, they would stress their common positions.

Committee probes new frigate dealThe opposition-controlled House committee on national security has vowed to carefully scrutinise the navy's decision to accept a frigate in lieu of a submarine it had ordered from a Chinese shipbuilder, saying the deal puts the government at a disadvantage. Rangsiman Rome, committee chairman and Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, said yesterday a probe will be launched into the decision. He said any contractual changes must be agreed by both parties, in this case, the Royal Thai Navy and the Chinese shipbuilder. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang chose the frigate option, saying a new frigate would bring the navy closer to its target of having at least eight frigates capable of defending Thailand's maritime territory. Also, if the navy is looking for a frigate, it should shop around with manufacturers in other countries, Mr Rome added.

Nutthawat WichieanbutA national agency dedicated to addressing poverty should be established, according to the Program Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMUA) under the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry. Such an agency would make poverty alleviation efforts more effective because various government agencies, especially under the Interior Ministry, have their own projects and self-defined indicators, resulting in fragmented and uncoordinated efforts, said Kitti Satjawattana, director of PMUA. "The vital mechanism to address poverty is to increase collaboration with universities and local administrative organisations," he said. "PMUA believes this should be led by local administrative organisations, employing poverty mapping, while universities should work to analyse household situations. "This is necessary because poverty in Thailand takes various forms, such as 'absolutely poor', chronic poverty, debt-driven poverty and vulnerable poverty.

Thai injury toll in Israel rises to 18Thai vocational students (wearing black) arrive from Israel at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province on Sunday. (Photo supplied)The Foreign Affairs Ministry reported two more injured Thais in Israel while the death toll and the number of abducted Thais remained unchanged there. Meanwhile, the death toll and the number of abducted Thais remained the same at 30 and 19 respectively. On Sunday seven Thai vocational students were among the returnees as they and their guardians decided to end their internships early in Israel for safety's sake. Seventy-one other vocational students remained in Israel to complete their internship courses, according to the Education Ministry.