Ministry downplays Covid spike as virologist issues mask warning
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022
The Public Health Ministry downplayed concern over the spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths on Friday, saying infections would begin falling after New Year.
Confirmed infections in the week ending November 19 rose 25% from the previous week to 3,957 or an average of 565 per day, the Department of Disease Control (DDC)’s latest report showed. The death toll also rose to 69, up from 40 in the previous week.
“The recent rise in confirmed cases is within our estimates for a ‘small wave’ at year-end,” said DDC director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong.
Most new cases have mild or no symptoms and can be treated as outpatients, he said. The occupation rate of hospital beds has not risen significantly, he added.
The DDC expects more people to get Covid-19 jabs in the coming weeks amid concern over rising infection rates. It has asked provincial public health offices and hospitals to increase staff levels and notify the public of vaccination schedules to prevent crowding.
Opas said the Public Health Ministry has also deployed mobile vaccination units to reach people in remote areas, especially the elderly, those with chronic diseases and pregnant women.
Dr Yong Poovorawan, a Chulalongkorn University virologist, warned on Friday that the current Covid-19 strains have evolved to spread more easily.
“Now that most [disease] restrictions have been lifted, it will be even harder to evade this virus,” he said in a Facebook post.
“To stay safe from Covid-19, we should exercise regularly for strength, get adequate rest and eat hot, clean and nutritious meals.”
Yong advised everyone to get at least three jabs plus a booster every six months to maintain their immunity.
He also warned people not to stop wearing face masks and advised them to avoid crowded areas, and isolate for five days if they display symptoms or test positive.
Heavy rain to hit Bangkok, 44 provinces on Saturday: Met Dept
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022
The Thai Meteorological Department forecast that 45 provinces including Bangkok will be hit by heavy rain on Saturday.
The 24-hour forecast is for heavy isolated downpours across the lower North, Central Region including Greater Bangkok, East, and South.
The department warned people to beware of flash floods, especially along foothills, near waterways and in low-lying areas.
Waves in the upper Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea will be 1-2 metres, rising higher in thunderstorms. Ships have been advised to proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers.
The severe weather is being produced by a low-pressure cell in the upper Andaman and a monsoon trough across the upper South.
The department issued separate forecasts for each region.
North:
Cool morning with scattered thundershowers in upper North.
Isolated heavy rain in Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit and Phetchabun.
Minimum temperature of 21-24C, maximum of 29-32C. Falling to 9-16C on mountaintops.
Easterly winds 10-15kph.
Northeast:
Scattered thundershowers in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram and Surin
Minimum temperature 21-23C, maximum 30-34 °C. Falling to 14-18C on mountaintops
Southeasterly wind 10-20kph
Central:
Widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Ayutthaya, Suphanburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon
Minimum temperature 23-25C, maximum 30-33C
Southeasterly wind 10-25 km/hr
East:
Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
Minimum temperature 23-25C, maximum 30-33C.
Southeasterly wind 15-35kph.
Waves 1-2 metres, rising in thundershowers.
South (east coast):
Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Narathiwat.
Minimum temp 23-25C, maximum 30-33C.
Surat Thani upwards: Variable winds 15-35kph.
Wave height 1-2 metres and above 2 metres in thundershowers.
Nakhon Si Thammarat downwards: Southwesterly wind 15-30kph.
Waves 1 metre, rising in thundershowers.
South (west coast):
Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi and Satun.
Minimum temp 22-25C, maximum 30-33C.
Southwesterly wind 15-35kph.
Waves 1-2 metres, rising in thundershowers.
Greater Bangkok:
Widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain.
Anti-drug agency seizes alleged Chinese mafioso’s private jet in Hua Hin
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has confiscated a plane belonging to a Thailand-based Chinese businessman, who is believed to be running a drug trafficking ring.
Thanakrit Jitareerat, secretary to Justice MinisterSomsak Thepsuthin, said on Friday that ONCB officials had confiscated the plane registered to Chainat Kornchayanan, aka “Tuhao”, at Hua Hin Airport in Prachuap Khiri Khan province on Thursday evening.
He said Chainat will be given a chance to explain his ownership of the plane, otherwise, it will be auctioned off.
“That’s not all. More assets will be confiscated … wait and see,” Thanakrit told the press.
The ONCB move came after former politician and massage-parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit handed to the police a document detailing Chainat’s assets estimated at more than 1 billion baht.
Chainat, a naturalised Thai by marriage, surrendered to police on Wednesday after an arrest warrant was issued over alleged drug-related crimes and overseeing a drug trafficking ring. The suspect, whose wife is an officer at the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police, has denied all charges.
Chainat was arrested as part of a crackdown on suspected Chinese mafia bosses believed to be behind drug parties in Bangkok.
On October 25, more than 200 Chinese nationals were arrested during a police raid on what was believed to be a drug party at a restaurant-cum-karaoke joint in Sathorn area.
Chuwit later surfaced, claiming that he knew several Chinese mafia bosses running illegal businesses in Thailand, prompting the Royal Thai Police to step up crackdowns.
Proposal to let nightspots remain open till 4am rejected
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
The Alcohol Control Committee on Friday rejected a proposal for entertainment venues to stay open until 4am so that alcoholic drinks can be sold for 11 consecutive hours from 5pm.
They cited the findings of a study that extending the open hours of nightspots could increase road accidents by 27% and lead to 10-20 casualties every day due to drunk driving.
They also noted that records showed, despite police checkpoints and strict enforcement of the law, no more than 50% of drunk drivers have been intercepted.
Friday’s meeting of the Alcohol Control Committee was chaired by Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Opas Karnkawinpong and attended by representatives from the relevant agencies.
At present, the closing time for bars and nightspots is 1am.
Sales of alcoholic drinks in Thailand are allowed from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to midnight, according to a Prime Minister’s Office directive in force since 2015, which is a legacy of a 1972 order by coup-makers.
The panel also endorsed proposed measures to control alcoholic drinks during the upcoming New Year holidays under the “Driving without drinking, drinking without driving” campaign as part of a bid to promote safe driving and curb road accidents, according to Dr Opas.
He said the campaign would be implemented in three stages — before the New Year, during the long holiday, and after the holidays. In the first stage, the public and shops will be told to respect the alcohol sale time and follow the ban on sale of alcohol to people aged under 20.
During the New Year holidays, police checkpoints will be set up to check the alcohol content in suspicious motorists and the drunk driving law will be strictly enforced.
In the last stage, convicted drunk drivers will be put probation and administered treatment.
‘Beyond the Elephant in the Room’: MIT Media Lab Southeast Asia Forum co-hosted by KBTG and Bangkok Bank
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
As one of the globe’s top universities, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) conducts world-leading research in science, engineering, design and arts, creating cutting-edge technologies capable of changing the world. And now MIT is bringing its expertise to Southeast Asia.
This year, the MIT Media Lab, the institution’s interdisciplinary research lab, is bringing its latest research and insights to Bangkok at the “MIT Media Lab Southeast Asia Forum” from December 19-21. This three-day event will be co-hosted by KBTG and Bangkok Bank in collaboration with True, the MIT Alumni Association and MQDC.
With its mission to create a space to share transformative technologies, state-of-the-art research, and the use of emerging technologies to invent a better and more just future, the event will focus on co-creating new possibilities in Southeast Asia.
The knowledge-packed event will offer deep and immersive learning opportunities to inspire new generations of forward thinkers, open innovations, and spark creative thinking amongst people under the theme “Beyond the Elephant in the Room”.
Addressing ‘the Elephant’, or humanity’s greatest challenges that are often ignored, the event will focus on contemporary technology and the envisioned future that can bring about emerging technologies like Extended Intelligence (AI), Hybrid Realities (Xverse), Augmented Creativity, Cyborg Health, Smart Materials, Digital Currency, Space Exploration, and Sustainability.
A dozen leading experts from the MIT Media Lab, including its students and alumni, will join the event to cover several key topics.
Key Speakers • Dava Newman – Director of the MIT Media Lab, former Nasa Associate (2015-2017), Head of Aerospace Engineering and the faculty leader in Aeronautics and Astronautics and MIT’s School of Engineering for 28 years. Newman has played a key role in Nasa’s human exploration, especially in developing and connecting the human journey to Mars.
• Pattie Maes – Professor at the MIT Media Lab. Maes leads the lab’s Fluid Interfaces research group, researching the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction and Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on applications in health, well-being, and learning.
• Hiroshi Ishii – Professor at the MIT Media Lab. Ishii is recognized as a founder of “Tangible User Interfaces” (TUI) and the founder of the “Tangible Media Group”. His mission is to make digital tangible, by giving physical form to digital information and computation.
• Joe Paradiso – Professor at the MIT Media Lab. Paradiso is the leader of MIT’s Responsive Environments Group, which explores how sensor networks augment and mediate human experience, interaction, and perception.
• Mitchel Resnick – LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab. Resnick develops new technologies and activities to engage people (particularly children) in creative learning experiences.
• Deblina Sarkar – Assistant Professor at the MIT Media Lab and Head of Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek research group. Sakar and her group carry out trans-disciplinary research fusing engineering, applied physics, and biology, aiming to develop technology for nanoelectronics devices and to create new paradigms for human-machine symbiosis.
• Danielle Wood – Assistant Professor at the MIT Media Lab and Head of the Space Enabled research group. Wood is a specialist in aerospace engineering systems. She seeks to advance justice in Earth’s complex systems using designs enabled by space.
• David Kong – Director of the MIT Media Lab’s Community Biotech Initiative (CBI). As a synthetic biologist, Kong leads the CBI, whose mission is to empower society with biotechnology.
MIT’s Students and Alumni
• Pat Pataranutaporn – PhD Candidate – MIT Media Lab & KBTG Fellow
Pataranutaporn is the first Thai PhD student in the Fluid Interfaces at the MIT Media Lab and is an author of research on Human-AI Interaction, Bio-Digital Interfaces, and Personalized Education. Pataranutaporn explores the intersection of synthetic virtual humans and synthetic biology, specifically at the interface between biological and digital systems.
• Irmandy Wicaksono – PhD Candidate, MIT Media Lab
Exploring the creative interplay between art, design, science, and engineering, Wicaksono has been working closely with textile and flexible electronics factories, making a strong connection between research and manufacturing.
• Guy Zyskind – PhD Candidate, MIT Media Lab
Zyskind’s research in the Media Lab’s Human Dynamics group focuses on data, privacy, and Bitcoin He brings experience in co-developing multiple start-ups, along with being an instructor at MIT in engineering subjects covering Bitcoin/Blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
• Ziv Epstein – PhD Candidate, MIT Media Lab.
With interests in Computational Social Science, Epstein focuses on new challenges and opportunities that emerge from a digital society, particularly in the domains of social media and artificial intelligence.
This is an opportunity not to be missed, whether you are an engineer, designer, student, tech enthusiast, or working in the business world. You are cordially invited to attend the “MIT Media Lab Southeast Asia Forum” to envision the future together with leading experts.
Banpu NEXT and MAT mesmerised by winner of 31st J-MAT Award for Smart e-TukTuk
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
Banpu NEXT and the Marketing Association of Thailand (MAT) have announced the results of the 31st J-MAT Award Marketing Plan Contest organised under the theme of “Smart e-TukTuk, Driven The Future by GenNEXT”.
The contest inspired innovative ideas from the young generation.
Banpu NEXT has also unveiled a plan to create a Smart e-TukTuk platform to implement the award-winning idea in order to drive comprehensive EV adoption in response to the future transportation needs of smart cities and low-carbon society.
Electric vehicles are not just a trend. Rather, they are the future of modern mobility in which the world is gearing towards the goal of becoming smart cities and Net-Zero emissions. Banpu NEXT and MAT, therefore, join hands to inspire and encourage young people to broaden their experience and to be aware of the importance of the new approach to transportation.
With that said, Banpu NEXT’s “Smart e-TukTuk and service platform” was transformed into a challenge at the 31st J-MAT Award in which entries were submitted by a total of 239 teams from 69 institutions nationwide.
Throughout the contest, young participants had an opportunity to sharpen their critical thinking, planning, marketing strategy, identifying people’s pain points and analyzing needs of the target groups as well as professional marketing and budget allocation, risk management and future business plans. The contest allowed them to develop a new business plan as if they were professional entrepreneurs or startup operators.
This year’s contest was the first-time university students from various institutes were allowed to participate.
Here they worked as a team and incorporated various expertise and their own potentials into the development of creative New S-curve business plans which cover the first to the last process of the business.
Their ideas were able to executive microtransit transportation that responds to business requirements and pain points as well as promote sustainability value based on ESG principles and the low-carbon society mega trend. The winner’s marketing plan will further be implemented for the development of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) for Banpu NEXT in the future.
Based on unanimous results from experienced judges, the “Bannipuni” team which comprised students from Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University and Chiang Mai University, brought home the first-prize royal trophy from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and scholarship of 130,000 baht and a regional award for the northern region.
The “Natasha” team was crowned the first runner-up while also won the Creative Award.
The “Tuk Pui Mui” team, the second runner-up, bagged the Best Problem-Solving On Stage Award and a regional award for Bangkok and neighbouring provinces.
Honourable Mention went to the “Nang TukTuk Laew Hua Perng Tae Tha Pom Dueng Cherng Ah Tid Jai” team, the “TukTukOne” team, the “Banpu Drive to Future” team and the “e-TukTuk Buntuk Leader”.
First-prize winner the Bannipuni team, revealed, “This year’s competition was a real challenge because Banpu NEXT would like us to go beyond being just a marketer. Therefore, we needed to paint a bigger picture, focusing on the organizational management, mission and vision of Banpu NEXT in order to analyze how best we could respond to the challenge and fix problems at the right spot. The fact that we were given an opportunity to create a marketing plan for Smart e-TukTuk enabled us to expand our horizons with regard to clean energy.”
First runner-up the Natasha team, revealed, ” we would like to promote the transportation business so that it is widely recognized and becomes more than just an ordinary service for passengers but allows clean energy to create good experiences and memories for users. This will subsequently gear businesses and the world towards sustainability.”
The Ideal Activities for You in Hong Kong, According to Your Zodiac Sign
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
There are just so many things you can do when you holiday in Hong Kong. Take your pick from the bustling nightlife to mouth-watering dim sum, from artsy neighbourhood in West Kowloon to the down-to-earth vibes in Sai Kung, and from taking a spiritual height up Ngong Ping to souvenir shopping.
Are you feeling lost from the myriad of choices ahead of you? Plan your trip to Hong Kong in accordance with your zodiac sign to enjoy the best of what the city can offer!
ARIES (MARCH 21 – APRIL 19) The most energetic sign out of all, Aries would love to take part in lively and action-packed activities when they vacay.
Check out the newly opened Ocean Park Water World for a fun-filled day packed with adrenaline-pumping attractions such as Rainbow Rush, Skyhigh Falls, and Thunder Loop! Alternatively, explore Aberdeen Country Park and pick a scenic hiking trail that best fit your fitness level. Aries would definitely welcome the brief cardio-packed hiking amongst the lush foliage and beautiful nature.
Best Travel Companion: Leo
TAURUS (APRIL 20 – MAY 20) Taurus are not going to settle for anything less than amazing while on vacation. They want to be pampered while holidaying and being comfortable is a huge plus for them.
Take your pick and pre-book a pampering luxury spa. Stay in one of Hong Kong’s many luxury hotels and relish in the stunning views of the harbour comfortably from your room. Make sure to dine at Lung King Heen, the first Chinese restaurant in the world to be awarded three Michelin stars. You can even book a helicopter tour around Hong Kong!
Best Travel Companion: Pisces, Cancer
GEMINI (MAY 21 – JUNE 20) Geminis are natural explorers who love to check out new spots and experiences. They are the ones who love to engage their brains even while vacationing.
Go for a stroll around Old Town Central, an artsy district with a myriad of heritage buildings, beautiful architecture, and diverse street art. Get your culture fixed at Tai Kwun, Hong Kong’s Centre for Heritage and Arts, which offers the best heritage and arts experiences. Discover local art talents at PMQ where you can join workshops and even make your own dim sum candles!
Best Travel Companion: Sagittarius
CANCER (JUNE 21 – JULY 22) Cancers like to chill, preferring not to jampack every day with bustling activities but instead, enjoying the serenity while visiting new places.
You would definitely enjoy Sai Kung’s tranquillity while in Hong Kong. Feast on seafood with your loved ones while you are there, and spend a relaxing day hanging out on beautiful beaches. Explore Hakka culture at Yim Tin Tsai and check out the revitalized saltpans, which were the island’s most prominent industry of the past.
Best Travel Companion: Virgo, Pisces
LEO (JULY 23 – AUGUST 22) A true fire sign, Leos are passionate and driven even on holidays. They love having fun, going to swanky parties, and all the glamour and glitz.
Pull an all-nighter at Central, Hong Kong’s central business district, home to pulsating beats and top-class restaurants. A neighbourhood that never sleeps, take your pick from Lan Kwai Fong, home to more than 100 clubs, or SoHo, the fancier upmarket bar area. Start from the top of the hill and barhop your way down the L-shaped lane for the full experience!
Best Travel Companion: Aries
VIRGO (AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22) Virgos find it hard to unwind even while vacationing, but they relish in being engaged in new information and activities on holidays.
Take a ferry over to Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest island, where you can find a variety of impressive activities to engage in. Take Ngong Ping 360 and choose a glass-bottomed gondola to Big Buddha, the tallest seated Buddha in Hong Kong. Wisdom Path, Tung Chung Fort, and Tai O Fishing Village are your must-visits!
Best Travel Companion: Cancer, Gemini
LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22) A true social butterfly, Libras love to people watch and want to interact with new people while they are holidaying.
As an international event hub, Hong Kong hosts a plethora of global events and festivals, from arts to sports, food, culture, and seasonal celebrations. You will love to plan out your Hong Kong trip in advance to make sure you check out exciting events such as the Hong Kong Winterfest, Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, Art Basel, and Clockenflap.
Best Travel Companion: Aquarius
SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21) Scorpios work too hard and rarely know how to take a break. On occasions when they travel, they love taking their partner along to create precious memories together.
Take the newly revamped Peak Tram up to The Peak for that stunning panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. Remember to snap some photos with your partner to eternalize the experience. At the Peak, enjoy a romantic view at the highest 360 viewing terrace in town, lock your love with a love lock, and have fun at the world’s first monopoly theme park, Monopoly Dreams.
Best Travel Companion: Cancer, Taurus
SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 21) An adventurer, Sagittarius would be thrilled to explore new experiences and want to immerse in the destination’s culture when they travel.
Where else but in Hong Kong to learn more about Cantonese Opera? Go to XiQu Centre and treat yourself to a Cantonese Opera show at its tea theatre. Challenge yourself to Hong Kong’s highest peak, Tai Mo Shan, and be rewarded with breathtaking views. Round off with a trip to Duen Kee Chinese Restaurant for an authentic dim sum meal where you can pick your own dishes off pushcarts!
Best Travel Companion: Aries, Capricorn
CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19) Capricorns find it hard to just chill without plans even during vacations, and they cherish enriching holidays that keep their minds busy.
A paradise for art lovers, the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) offers various museum options, from experiencing gorgeous modern art at M+ to learning more about culture-rich traditional artifacts at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Plan for a picnic at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, backed by the magnificent Hong Kong skyline, during sunset.
Best Travel Companion: Sagittarius
AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18) Adventurous, Aquarius want to do everything, explore everywhere, and have an insatiable curiosity while they vacation.
Take a cycling tour with friends on Hong Kong’s longest bike route, a 60km super bike track from Tuen Mun to Ma On Shan. Take a pit stop at Lion Rock Country Park for a phenomenal view of the city at its peak or simply immerse in nature without hiking up. You can also take a breather and learn about Hong Kong’s culture and history at Hong Kong Heritage Museum.
Best Travel Companion: Sagittarius, Aries
PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20) The sensitive Pisces love to be able to do things at their own pace and are happy to go with the flow. Give them the space to have vivid daydreams and they will be the happiest.
Take a boat ride and spend a relaxing day on Cheung Chau Island admiring the historical architecture. Seek out quaint local shops in the backstreets before heading to Tung Wan Beach. Less crowded than beaches on the main island, Tung Wan Beach is a fantastic spot to sit and daydream or go for an invigorating swim. Finish your daytrip with a feast on seafood pair with a refreshing mug of cold beer.
Dairy Cows vs Samba: Strange Thai nicknames for World Cup teams
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
The creative nicknames that Thais give to national football teams might sound weird to foreigners.
Golden Thread, Dairy Cows, Ruthless, and Roaring Lions are just some of the names Thais have been calling national teams for decades.
Nicknames, not only for football teams but also people, were introduced mostly for newspapers where headline space is limited.
The language used in newsprint is different from standard Thai due to space and time limitations, so Thai journalists have to come up with interesting, eye-catching, and to-the-point nicknames to attract readers.
Here are a few interesting examples of Thai nicknames for national football teams;
Portugal: Foi Thong
Foi Thong (literally: golden thread) is the name of a Thai dessert with origins in Portugal.
A noblewoman named Thao Thong Kip Ma (Maria Guyomar de Pina) introduced the egg yolk-based sweet treats to King Narai’s court during the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767) – earning herself the nickname “Queen of Thai Desserts”.
England: Roaring Lions
The internationally recognised nickname for England’s national football team is The Three Lions. But this was stylised in Thai to “Roaring Lions” to create an emotional response in readers.
Brazil: Samba
Samba is an international icon of Brazil, made famous by the Rio de Janeiro carnival as well as ballroom dancers around the world.
Thai people are familiar with Samba dancing thanks to TV coverage of Brazil’s carnival season – and also goal celebrations.
The internationally recognised name for the Brazil team is “Seleção”, which means “selection”. But Samba better evokes the rhythm and panache of the most successful World Cup team, with five titles.
Uruguay: Ruthless
Uruguay’s nickname is inspired by their fierce playing style, which can spill over into violence. Silky skills combined with cutthroat tackling have earned the South American team two World Cup titles. However, their international nickname is La Celeste or Sky Blues, the colour of their team strip.
Argentina: The Sky Blue and White
Thai reporters and fans take their nickname for the Argentina team from its flag and home shirt. The Thai nickname is also a direct translation of La Albiceleste – Argentina’s globally recognised nickname.
Denmark: Dairy Cows
The actual nickname for the Danish team is De Rød-Hvide or the Red and Whites, from its flag and home jersey.
However, the Thai nickname came from the collaboration between Denmark and the Dairy Farming Promotion Organisation of Thailand. The company manufactures Thai-Denmark dairy products with the familiar cow logo that are available in supermarkets across the country.
There are plenty of other Thai nicknames for teams, inspired by their national icons.
‘It’s called football not soccer’: UK embassy teases Americans before England-USA clash
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
The British embassy in Bangkok has teased its United States counterpart across town ahead of the World Cup clash between England and USA.
The two sides will meet tonight (kick-off 2am, Thai time) in their second Group B match.
England won their first match 6-2 against Iran while USA earned a 1-1 draw against Wales.
England has a far longer football history, having invented the game in the 19th century before winning the World Cup in 1966. The United States only become seriously interested in football, which it calls soccer, in the 1990s after hosting the 1994 edition.
On Thursday, the British embassy tagged the US Embassy with a Facebook message reading, “Tomorrow team #ENG and #USA are going head to head in the #FIFAWORLDCUP 2022 in Qatar.
“U.S. Embassy Bangkok, hope you’re looking forward to the match as much as we are.
Good luck to the players and may the best team win!”
The sting in the tail was a banner with the words “Keep Calm and Cheer for England” accompanied by a message: “It’s called football not soccer :)”
The US embassy hit back with a post in Thai reading “United (States of America), let’s go!” and a picture with the message, “Go Team USA”.
No doubt diplomats at both embassies will be tuning in at 2am tonight when the match kicks off live on the True4U channel.
Nielsen’s Gracenote Projects Brazil and Argentina Will Prevail at World Cup 2022
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
Statistical model suggests South American giants will outperform European contenders in world’s most popular football competition
Gracenote, a Nielsen company, today released its World Cup 2022 forecast which identifies Brazil and Argentina as the two favourites most likely to triumph in Qatar.
Gracenote uses a proprietary football ranking system to estimate the chances of different results for every possible World Cup 2022 match through extensive simulations, to assess the chances for each team to reach different stages of the tournament.
Spotlight • According to Gracenote, Brazil is the favourite to win the 2022 World Cup with a 20% chance of lifting the trophy on December 18. Brazil is at the top of Gracenote’s World Football Ranking after losing just three times in 50 matches since being eliminated from the 2018 World Cup by Belgium.
• Argentina has a 16% chance of becoming world champions for the first time since 1986. Since losing to France at the 2018 World Cup, Argentina has lost four matches but the team is unbeaten for over three years, since a 2-0 defeat by Brazil in July 2019.
• If both Brazil and Argentina win their respective groups, they will enter the knockout phase in the same half of the draw and will meet in the semi-finals. Despite this, a World Cup final between Brazil and Argentina is currently the most likely match-up on December 18 according to Gracenote simulations.
• The leading European contenders for the trophy this year are Spain and the Netherlands, both with a 7% chance of lifting the trophy, and Belgium with a 6% chance. World Cup holders France are next according to Gracenote projections with a 5% chance of a repeat performance.
• The most likely 16 teams to qualify for the knockout phase of World Cup 2022 are Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Uruguay, Denmark, England, Germany, Switzerland, Ecuador, Croatia, IR Iran and Mexico.
• Morocco is the most likely African team to reach the knockout phase but begins the tournament as third favorites to progress from Group F, behind 2018 semi-finalists Belgium and finalists Croatia.
Simon Gleave, head of analysis for Gracenote Sports said, “Based on their dominance of international football since the last World Cup, Gracenote projects Brazil and Argentina to continue to outperform competitors in the upcoming tournament. No other teams have been anywhere near as consistent over the last four years as the two South American giants and this consistency means that there is a good chance of one of them prevailing in front of a global audience of fans.”
Most likely World Cup 2022 finals
Chance Match 3.2% Brazil v Argentina
2.4% Brazil v Belgium
2.3% Belgium v Argentina
2.0% France v Argentina
2.0% Spain v Brazil
1.9% Denmark v Brazil
1.9% Portugal v Brazil
1.8% Netherlands v Brazil
1.8% France v Brazil
1.7% Brazil v Uruguay
The Gracenote World Football Ranking Gracenote Sports originally developed its proprietary football ranking in 2002. The methodology based on the Elo system which is used for ranking chess players has been fine-tuned over the intervening 16 years. Every time two teams compete one “wins” points from the other depending on the result, the winning margin, who is at home and the relative strength of the two teams playing. Gracenote Sports also weighs the number of points which change hands by the importance of the competition, so World Cups and continental championships are the most important and friendlies the least important.
So, for example, if Brazil (ranked number one) wins a friendly on the neutral ground against 30th-ranked Costa Rica 1-0, Brazil will improve its rating by relatively few points as that result is more or less expected. If however, Germany beats Brazil 7-1 in Brazil at a World Cup in Brazil, Germany’s rating will improve considerably at the expense of Brazil’s as both are strong teams and the final result as well as the winning margin are something of a surprise.
The Gracenote World Cup Prediction The ratings within the ranking of football teams can be used to estimate the percentage chance of each match at the 2018 World Cup being a win, draw or loss for each of the teams. These percentages are then fed into a simulation of the World Cup which we run one million times to produce estimates of the chance that each team reaches a particular stage of the competition.
During the 2022 World Cup, the simulation will be run after each day’s results to produce a new forecast which takes account of the latest information.
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