dtac and Yara launch digital agriculture solutions in Thailand
dtac and Yara launch digital agriculture solutions in ThailandSharad Mehrotra, chief executive officer at dtac joined hands with Terje Knutsen, EVP Sales & Marketing at Yara in the announcement of a strategic collaboration to launch digital agriculture solutions in Thailand. 19 Feb 2020, Bangkok – dtac and Yara in Thailand are joining efforts to bring together agricultural knowledge and digital connectivity to deliver unparalleled access to agriculture information and resources to empower smallholder farming communities. The agriculture sector in Thailand is at a pivotal point in its digital transformation with the Thailand 4.0 strategy driving this shift through strategic and enabling government policies that support the advancement of farms with modern technologies, precision agriculture tools, and data-driven smart farming solutions. Together we can contribute to empower smallholder societies through digital solutions, bringing agronomic solutions and knowledge of balanced crop nutrition which help increase productivity, profitability and sustainability for farmers in Thailand,” said Terje Knutsen, EVP Sales & Marketing at Yara. Haakon Bruaset Kjol, Head of Strategy and Transformation Group at Total Access Communications Plc or dtac together with Terje Knutsen, EVP Sales & Marketing at Yara International ASA signed a collaboration agreement on digital agriculture.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2020 03:45 UTC
Two Japan virus-ship passengers die
Two Japan virus-ship passengers dieThe cruise liner Diamond Princess, in quarantine in Yokohama Port, near Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters)TOKYO: Two elderly passengers from the coronavirus-hit cruise ship moored near Tokyo have died, public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday, as a second group of passengers began disembarking after two-weeks quarantined onboard. NHK, citing a government source, said the passengers were both Japanese, a man and woman in their 80s. A passenger waves after leaving the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Yokohama Port, south of Tokyo, on Thursday. Disembarked Japanese passengers, however, face no such restrictions, a decision that has sparked concern.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2020 03:22 UTC
Eight slain in shisha bar shootings in Germany
Eight slain in shisha bar shootings in GermanyThe shootings late on Wednesday targeted bars in Hanau, Germany. HANAU, Germany: At least eight people were killed in two shootings at shisha bars in Germany, with an unknown number of attackers still at large, police and media said. The shootings late Wednesday targeted bars in Hanau, about 20 kilometres from Frankfurt, according to local media, where police launched a huge manhunt for the gunmen. Witnesses reported hearing a dozen shots, local media said. According to local media reports, three people were killed in front of the first bar and five in front of the second.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2020 03:00 UTC
A new dawn
The pleasant melody was like a welcome message to visitors wandering in the Sukhothai Historical Park in Sukhothai province. Sukhothai can learn from the success of other creative cities like Phuket, which was listed in the Unesco Creative City Network as the creative city of gastronomy in 2015. "Being known as a creative city will help bring sustainability to our community in the future," she added. It's the reason why Sukhothai gold ornaments are more attractive and more expensive than typical gold ornaments. Located not far from Sukhothai Historical Park, the museum exhibits a large number of ancient artefacts found in Sukhothai old town and its vicinity.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2020 00:18 UTC
GPSC allots B1.1bn for batteries
GPSC allots B1.1bn for batteriesGlobal Power Synergy Plc (GPSC) is developing the country's first production plant for semi-solid batteries in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, with a project worth 1.1 billion baht. "For vehicle batteries, GPSC plans to focus on public vehicles such as tuk-tuks and buses," he said. "GPSC plans to increase battery capacity to 2 gigawatt-hours in coming years, so the cost will fall below $100 per KWh," he said. The Eastern Economic Corridor and new smart city development will beef up demand for batteries and ESS technologies, said Mr Chawalit. "Once the regional market is established, GPSC plans to become an energy solution service provider for renewable energy and smart city developer," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2020 00:00 UTC
Industry Ministry eyes 2.2% gain in productivity in two years
Industry Ministry eyes 2.2% gain in productivity in two yearsThe Industry Ministry has set a target to increase industrial productivity by 2.2% by 2022 and raise Thailand's competitiveness by enhancing labour skills and leveraging technology and innovation. Kobchai Sungsitthisawad, the industry permanent secretary, said Thailand should increase productivity by using existing resources. The Industry Ministry plans to continue supporting productivity efforts in order to strengthen the nation's industry for sustainable growth and economic value creation. Phanit Laosirirat, executive director of the Thailand Productivity Institute, said it has expanded operations to cover other sectors apart from industry, such as services, government and processed agriculture, with the aim of increasing productivity in all sectors. Thailand aims to become a developed country by 2037 under a 20-year national strategy emphasising productivity gains.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2020 00:00 UTC
Takorn tenders resignation
Mr Takorn submitted the letter to NBTC chairman Gen Sukit Khamasundara, though his term is scheduled to end in September, the source said. Mr Takorn believes this brings a close to his working term. Mr Takorn declined to comment about the issue when asked by the Bangkok Post. Another source at the NBTC who requested anonymity said Mr Takorn has had enough of the frequent conflicts on the NBTC board. Takorn Tantasith (Second from right)Mr Takorn may also have resigned to leave the door open to be picked as a candidate for DES minister, the source said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 20, 2020 00:00 UTC
GM dealers await clarity
But 87 Thai Chevrolet dealers are still waiting for clarity from GM on after-sale services after the company's exit from the Thai market. The new retail price tags for three Chevrolet models -- Captiva, Trailblazer and Colorado -- were announced on Wednesday evening by Chevrolet Thailand, GM Thailand's local unit. "After the cars in stock are sold out, GM will not produce any more Chevrolet models," the owner said. There are close to 300,000 Chevrolet cars registered in Thailand. Suwat Techawatanawana, executive chairman of Kasikorn Leasing, said his company will continue to take care of existing customers who bought Chevrolet cars.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2020 23:48 UTC
Finance Ministry to unveil new aid package
Uttama: Jump-start growth momentumThe Finance Ministry is set to roll out a fresh stimulus package this quarter large enough to jump-start economic growth momentum, says Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana. The prospective measures will help bolster consumer confidence, the tourism sector and business operators, he said. The scene has prompted many research houses to slash their economic forecasts, with some putting Thailand's GDP growth below 2% this year. GSB Research recently predicted that Thailand could lose 170 billion baht in tourism income, shaving one percentage point off the country's 2020 GDP growth, if the virus outbreak takes six months to contain. The government aims to sustain the country's economic growth at its potential in the long run and foster inclusive growth, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2020 23:48 UTC
Delighted to be free of quarantine
A woman with her baby is assisted by nurses as she leaves the Covid-19 quarantine facility at the naval base in Chon Buri on Wednesday. CHON BURI: After being quarantined for 14 days at Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri, Yui -- aged 32, newly-wed and two months pregnant, was allowed to return home. Yui was among 137 "Wuhan returnees", whom the government airlifted from Wuhan in China, epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. Naval officers on Wednesday saw off the Wuhan returnees, who spent the past two weeks at the naval base after a 14-day quarantine period ended. Speaking from the naval base on Wednesday, Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said on Wednesday the quarantine of the returnees was successful.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2020 23:27 UTC
Thanathorn's mum faces investigation
Ms Pareena is also member of the committee on corruption. Ms Pareena first put the Somporn land issue to the committee in November last year. Ms Pareena seconded Mr Rangsikon's call for the committee to investigate how Ms Somporn came to possess the land. Mr Veera insisted he was not hired by anyone to do this job. But Ms Pareena later held a press conference where she accused Pol Gen Sereepisuth of preventing her from carrying out an investigation earlier.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2020 23:26 UTC
Israel ban irks Thailand
As a result of the ban, the Labour Ministry will have to postpone sending Thai workers to Israel under the employment cooperation project between the two countries. Previously, Israel's health ministry had imposed a 14-day house quarantine on visitors from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau. Thailand hoped Israel would review the ban after learning about the measures Thailand is taking to contain the virus, and given the good relations between the countries. The TIC project is jointly implemented by the Thai Labour Ministry, Israel and the International Organisation for Migration. Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said one other Wuhan returnee remained under observation at Chon Buri Hospital.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2020 23:24 UTC
Qantas cuts flights to Asia as coronavirus hits profits
Qantas cuts flights to Asia as coronavirus hits profitsQantas aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Melbourne International Airport in Melbourne. (Reuters file photo)Australian airline Qantas on Thursday announced a major reduction in flights to Asia as the deadly coronavirus outbreak that began in China impacts demand and eats into profits. The carrier said it would cut flights to Asia by 16% for at least three months, with flights to Shanghai suspended and those to Hong Kong and Singapore reduced. Its low-cost brand, Jetstar, would likewise reduce its Asia flights by 14% until the end of May, impacting routes to Japan, Thailand and mainland China. The company also plans to make small cuts to its domestic and New Zealand routes in response to lower demand.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2020 22:52 UTC
Ananda pares down launches for 2020
The solo project is Ideo Phahol-Saphan Kwai, a condo project launched last year then delayed because of a low sales rate. By the end of 2020, Ananda aims to have 20 billion baht in presales, comprising 3.4 billion from the new project and 16.6 billion from unsold, completed condo units. In other words, Ananda has an additional 12-13 billion baht as unsold, completed condo waiting for sales. Ananda expects to transfer 22 billion baht by the end of 2020, up 10% from 20 billion in 2019. Of the 2019 transfers, 12.2 billion baht (60%) was from sales of inventory, up from 26% of transfers in 2018, worth 8.7 billion baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2020 22:07 UTC
Prayut urges public to monitor debate
Prayut urges public to monitor debatePrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday urged the public to closely monitor the upcoming censure debate and decide for themselves who they should believe. Prayut: Decide for yourselfGen Prayut said the government has tried to address the country's problems over the past five years while laying the foundations for future generations. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, spokesman of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), said Gen Prayut is capable of defending himself against any allegations. Khunying Sudarat will meet party MPs at parliament today to help them rehearse the censure debate, said Mr Anudit. According to Mr Anudit, 14 MPs will speak in the debate and a few more may participate while the Pheu Thai team is led by Maha Sarakham MP Yutthapong Charassathian.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 19, 2020 22:07 UTC