The Silver Linings of Crypto in 2022

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The Silver Linings of Crypto in 2022

The Silver Linings of Crypto in 2022

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023

Bangkok (January 20, 2023) – “Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.” – Maurice Seitter

It’s been a tough year for crypto and blockchain. We’ve experienced severe breaches of trust, resulting in an adverse hit on the public and regulators’ perception of the industry. It’s already clear that recent events have rattled investor confidence and left long-term impacts that will require the industry to take significant steps and efforts to mend.

However, there are also silver lining for the crypto industry in the past year. Beyond the market fluctuations, we look deeper into what the crypto space has achieved this year in terms of building products and services, expanding their accessibility, introducing new solutions to old problems, and learning important lessons.

BUIDLing – The Prelude to Mass Adoption

Better scalability

For years, the industry has been trying to find solutions to address blockchain scalability for      higher speeds of transaction processing. Within what is described as the Blockchain Trilemma, scalability is one of a blockchain’s three desirable properties, the others being security and decentralization. 

In preparation for mass adoption, Ethereum transitioned from a proof-of-work consensus algorithm to one that uses proof-of-stake on September 15, 2022. This scaling solution, known as The Merge, is arguably the biggest scalability upgrade that the industry has seen since Bitcoin’s Taproot. Also, thanks to The Merge, Ethereum’s energy consumption dropped by an estimated 99.95%.
 

Increased accessibility of crypto services and resources

The lack of access to crypto is a barrier to adoption that the industry has been working hard to clear: without wide access, there can be no adoption. Therefore, Binance’s yearlong efforts to increase accessibility include expanding the languages supported on Binance to 40 languages, issuing 1.7 million Binance Cards in the EEA region, and supporting more than 100 fiat currencies with Binance P2P. Currently, we welcome more than 600,000 Binance NFT users weekly and process an average of $2 billion worth of crypto daily.

Security and compliance

It became glaringly obvious this year that, in order to push the industry forward, digital asset service providers must massively improve compliance and security measures to better protect users from bad actors in the crypto space. 

By the end of 2022, Binance bumped up the number of registrations, licenses, and authorizations it has secured to 14, which includes major economic hubs like Dubai and France. In order to strengthen our compliance operations, we’ve also grown our compliance team to over 750 experts, an increase of more than 500% compared to 2021. We also worked tirelessly on sharpening our security and identity verification protocols. Today, only users who have verified their identity via government-issued documents can transact in digital assets on the Binance platform – a strict yet necessary approach to make everyone in our ecosystem safer.

Global Adoption: What’s the Progress?

The Silver Linings of Crypto in 2022

Share of respondents who indicated they either owned or used cryptocurrencies. Source: Statista

Despite the challenging market conditions and setbacks in sentiment and trust, global adoption marches on, – both on the level of retail users and institutions adding blockchain-based tools and services to their arsenal.

Recent numbers from data hub Statista suggest steady growth in crypto ownership and use in the majority of the 56 countries surveyed compared to last year. Thailand had 44% of crypto ownership and use, ranking as the second-largest country following Nigeria. The growth rate is almost double compared to 2019. This result aligns with Hootsuite, a global social media management platform, which reported that Thailand is in the top five countries by the number of internet users aged 16 to 64 who own some forms of cryptocurrency. While Statista reported the number of users is expected to grow to 5.12m users by 2027.

The Silver Linings of Crypto in 2022

A study by Binance Research found that many traditional institutions were getting on the crypto bandwagon or continuing to leverage crypto and blockchain technology this year. These include the likes of JPMorgan, Rakuten, Tencent, Tesla, Instagram, PayPal, American Express, Nasdaq, McDonald’s, Google Cloud, Mastercard, Sony, Nike and many more. A glance at the plethora of sectors that continue to adopt blockchain technology is illuminating. The list of use cases – and ultimately intrinsic value – of crypto continues to grow. 

Key Learnings of 2022

The industry needs to remain agile and responsive to disruptive events.

Much of the industry’s focus has been on driving adoption and improving technology. This approach could lead many companies to overlook the possibility of disruptive events on the industry scale catching the flat-footed. In light of unforeseen crises in 2022, it’s clear that crypto platforms have to put in even more effort to mitigate critical risks from events and refine processes by being more transparent, optimizing risk management protocols, and enhancing user trust.

Over the past two years, regulatory compliance has been a core focus at Binance. In 2022, Binance’s compliance team grew from 500 to 750 people. This is part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its compliance capabilities. Recently, Binance announced that it has joined the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS), the world’s only organization bringing together sanctions compliance professionals. By joining the association, Binance will be leveraging the training materials, comprehensive databases, and deep networks within ACSS to further enhance the skills and expertise of its compliance team and continue setting the industry standard for security and compliance alongside other industry players.

What’s Next?

The crypto industry has grown unprecedentedly over the past few years. Regardless of the negative events that have transpired in 2022, we’ve achieved milestones that were unimaginable just a couple of years ago. As the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, Binance is responsible for ensuring our users’ safety. We continue to draw on past learnings, pursue dialogue with policymakers, and urge others in the industry to do the same to stay on track with sustainable and secure growth of the crypto industry.

Transformation Marketing Trends to Watch in 2023 by MTX

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40024185

Transformation Marketing Trends to Watch in 2023 by MTX

Transformation Marketing Trends to Watch in 2023 by MTX

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023

Farida Waller

Marketers need to rethink about​ doing marketing by cooperating the Client x Technology x Creativity as a framework in designing marketing strategies.

The suggestion came from the new marketing course “MTX by RISE“.

The course was organised by Saroj Laohasiri, head of marketing transformation at Bluebik GroupKornkanok Chaopricha, an entrepreneurial marketer, and Supachai Kid Parchariyanon, CEO and Co-Founder of RISE.

This course will focus on dismantling traditional marketing ideas with nine topics that will transform marketing thinking in every dimension – including marketing transformation, customer of the future, web3, and artificial intelligence – using experiential workshops and case studies.

More than 30 executives will give lectures.

Oliver Kittipong Veerataecha, group chief marketing officer at Dentsu Thailand, said: “It’s not about perfection but more about making the business interesting. New technologies pop up all the time, but understanding customer behaviour is still more important.”

Transformation Marketing Trends to Watch in 2023 by MTX

Sutirapan Sakkawatra, head of marketing at SCB Thailand, said: “Know your business model. What can be digitised must be digitised and what can be measured can be improved and replaced.”

Suthipa Panyamahasup, chief personal and healthcare business officer at Osotspa, said: “With today’s wide data reach, you need to know what is rubbish and what is a real diamond. You need to know how to choose and prioritise your information.”

The three will be guest speakers. They will talk about the importance of critical thinking, having a clear end vision, and the necessity for corporations to not stay still if they don’t want to fall behind.

Transformation in the organisation needs to be done before any recession to defend against loss. Cutting unnecessary expenses and increasing efficiency is one form of transformation, Suthipa said.

At the end of the day, it is about capturing the consumer’s attention and generating revenue, Sakkawatra and Veerataecha agreed.

“MTX by RISE” is a 10-week course starting on February 28 and running till May 18. Further information is available at mtx.riseaccel.com.

Farida Waller

Private clinics baffled by government move to restrict handing out of key AIDS medicines

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/40024201

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023

Private clinics baffled by government move to restrict handing out of key AIDS medicines

In December, the Health Ministry issued a decree that private clinics could no longer hand out PrEP and PEP medicines, which are used as drugs to reduce the chances of contracting HIV from sex or drug use. 

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The move by the ministry has created an obstacle for patients and added to the workload of many public hospitals.

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The Rainbow Sky Association is one of many private clinics providing healthcare services, such as blood tests for STDs and giving out PEP and PrEP drugs, following Thailand’s national strategy to end AIDS by 2030.

ANN news highlights: Fri, Jan 20, 2023

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/world/asia-pacific/40024198

Friday, January 20, 2023

Friday, January 20, 2023

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023

Check out what’s hot in the region as The Nation puts together headlines from members of Asia News Network (ANN). Click to read more:

ANN news highlights: Fri, Jan 20, 2023
Bringing Asia Closer

WEF Davos
S Arabia-China
S.Arabia: China vital to help boost global economic growth | China Daily

Malaysia
Intel Corp reiterates its investment commitment in Malaysia: Minister | The Star

S Korea I
Yoon stresses solidarity, reaffirms nuclear power drive at Davos – Korea Herald

S Korea II
‘Salesman’ Yoon meets global CEOs – Korea Herald

Philippines I
BBM says family’s ’survival’ prompted entry into politics; their exile, ‘dark days’ for PH Inquirer

Philippines II
BBM: South China Sea issue keeping me ‘up at night, day, most of the time’ | Inquirer

Unlock HK
HK to scrap isolation for people with COVID-19 from Jan 30 | China Daily

Travel Japan
Overseas Visitor Numbers Increase for First Time in 3 Years – The Japan News

BBC India
India rejects BBC docu on Modi, terms it ‘biased propaganda piece’ – The Statesman

Media India
Proposal akin to censorship: editors | Reuters for The Daily Star

Cambodia-Indonesia
Phnom Penh names two streets in honour of Indonesian statesmen | Phnom Penh Post

Pakistan-Sri Lanka-China
Opinion: Will China rescue Pakistan and Sri Lanka?  – Kathmandu Post

Expat China
China welcomes more foreign experts, Li says – China Daily

Airport Cambodia
Deal reached to move work forward on Koh Rong airport Phnom Penh Post

Nato allies pledge more arms for Ukraine, Germany holds out on tanks

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Nato allies pledge more arms for Ukraine, Germany holds out on tanks

Nato allies pledge more arms for Ukraine, Germany holds out on tanks

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday said he was “expecting strong decisions” when dozens of defence ministers meet at an airbase in Germany on Friday.

“We are expecting a powerful military aid package from the US,” he said in his nightly video address.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization and defence leaders from roughly 50 countries will confer at Ramstein Air Base, the latest in a series of meetings since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly 11 months ago.

The focus is expected to be not on what the United States will provide, but on whether Germany will send its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine or at least approve their transfer from third countries.

Polish PM ‘pessimistic’ about German permission for Leopard tank transfer to Ukraine

Poland’s prime minister said on Thursday he was “moderately pessimistic” about Germany giving other countries permission to re-export Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

“I am moderately sceptical, moderately pessimistic because the Germans are defending themselves against this like a devil protects himself against holy water”, Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters.

Fearing winter will give Russian forces time to regroup and unleash a major attack, Ukraine is pushing for the Leopard battle tanks, which are held by an array of Nato nations but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Germany’s approval.

A German government source said Berlin would lift its objections if Washington sends its own Abrams tanks.

Poland and Finland have already said they would send Leopards if Germany lifts its veto. In a sign of mounting frustration, Poland suggested it might do so even if Germany tries to block it.

Fear of nuclear war is the reason for Scholz’s hesitancy to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine – analyst

Enormous fear of a nuclear war is the reason why German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far blocked allies from sending its Leopard 2 tanks, a military analyst and former Austrian defence ministry official Gustav Gressel said on Thursday.

Speaking to Reuters in Berlin, Gressel said “the chancellery” believed it was the “prime target. I don’t know how this strange perception came about.”

“I have a bit of an impression that Scholz has lost sight of the fact that Germany is actually a part of the Nato alliance. He’s mentally not Westbound,” said Gressel who served five years in the Austrian Armed Forces.

Washington and many Western allies say the Leopards – which Germany made in the thousands during the Cold War and exported to its allies – are the only suitable option available in big enough numbers.

A German government source said Berlin would lift its objections if Washington sends its own Abrams tanks. But US officials say they have no plans yet to send the Abrams, which runs on powerful turbine engines seen as using too much fuel for Kyiv’s strained logistics system to supply at the front.

Tanks important for Ukraine to match enemy, Nato military chief says

A senior Nato military commander said on Thursday that tanks were important for Ukraine to be a match for Russia, amid protracted discussions among Western allies over whether to supply German-made tanks to Kyiv.

“I think in terms of matching what the enemy has it is important for the Ukrainians,” the head of the Nato Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer told reporters after a two-day meeting in Brussels.

Fearing winter will give Russia time to regroup and launch a major attack, Ukraine is pushing for Leopard battle tanks.

Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, said that Western technology was outperforming Russian technology in the war but cautioned that tanks alone were not the solution.

“It’s not just tank on tank, it’s the whole system, it’s the supplies, it’s the logistics system, it’s the maintenance system, it’s the target-finding capability and all of that comes together. So the complex of an army is much more important than any one of its individual parts,” he said.

Netherlands finalising Patriot system plan for Ukraine, to announce more support

The Netherlands is finalising plans to provide Patriot air missile defence systems to Ukraine with Germany and the United States and will announce further military support to Kyiv on Friday, Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren said on Thursday.

Dozens of Ukraine’s allies meet on Friday at a US army base in Ramstein, Germany, with billions of dollars in new weapons to be pledged.

“We are joining the United States, and Germany in their project to provide Patriots to Ukraine,” Ollongren told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “We are working out details and will provide details in Ramstein.”

When asked whether that meant the Netherlands would provide spare parts, missiles or the system, she said the details were still being debated.

“What they need right now in this phase of the war is weapons to push the Russians back from the invaded parts of the country and more air defence because these attacks are still going on,” she said, adding that the Netherlands would make announcements tomorrow.

A major question mark remains on whether German-made Leopard battle tanks, which are held by an array of Nato nations, but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Germany’s approval, will be on the table tomorrow. Germany has so far held back.

Ollongren said she was confident a solution would be found for supplying modern battle tanks, but that the Netherlands, which leases Leopard 2 tanks from Germany, would need a green light from Berlin before deciding whether to contribute.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned Nato on Thursday that a defeat of Russia in Ukraine could trigger a nuclear war.

“I’m not that much concerned about nuclear escalation. I think that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and the Russian leadership knows that if you go there, you accept the possibility of total destruction and I don’t think that’s a risk they want to take,” Ollongren said.

Estonia to send $122 mln arms package to Ukraine

Estonia will send military equipment to Ukraine worth some 113 million euros ($122 million) in its latest package of support for the war against Russia, the Baltic country’s defence minister said on Thursday (January 19).

“What Ukrainians need most is heavy weaponry”, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told a joint news conference with his British counterpart and others.

Estonia, Britain and nine other countries pledged a raft of new military aid for Ukraine, in a joint statement signed by Pevkur, British defence Secretary Ben Wallace and others on Thursday ahead of a crunch meeting on arms for Kyiv scheduled to take place in Germany on Friday.

Fearing winter will give Russian forces time to regroup and unleash a major attack, Ukraine is pushing for German-made Leopard battle tanks, which are held by an array of Nato nations but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Germany’s approval.

Lithuanian defence minister Arvydas Anusauskas said he supported a British offer of a squadron from its fleet of Challenger tanks and said he hoped other nations would follow suit, without naming any country directly.

Poland and Finland have already said they would send Leopards if Germany lifts its veto. In a sign of mounting frustration, Poland suggested it might do so even if Germany tries to block it.

Sweden to send Archer artillery system to Ukraine

The Swedish government announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine on Thursday (January 19) that will include armoured infantry fighting vehicles and the Archer artillery system.

The package is worth 4.3 billion Swedish crowns ($419 million) and will also include light, portable NLAW anti-tank weapons, mine-clearing equipment and assault rifles.

Sweden will send about 50 of its tracked and armoured Type 90 infantry fighting vehicles. It can be used to transport up to eight infantry soldiers and is equipped with a 40-millimetre automatic canon.

The government did not specify how many Archer systems it would supply.

Sweden has 48 Archer systems, which is a vehicle-mounted self-propelled gun-howitzer made by Bofors BAE that Ukraine has long expressed an interest in adding to its arsenal as it seeks to repel Russian forces.

Ahead of the package presented on Thursday, Sweden had announced around 5 billion Swedish crowns of military aid to Ukraine as well as several instalments of humanitarian supplies.

Hundreds more Canada-made armoured vehicles to arrive in Ukraine by summer

A Canadian company supplying battle-ready armoured vehicles to Ukraine plans to deliver the 200 vehicles Ottawa promised to Kyiv before summer, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer Roman Shimonov said on Thursday.

Ontario-based Roshel Inc builds armoured vehicles for government and commercial organizations, including the US State Department and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa).

Its Roshel Senator armoured personnel carriers, built on Ford Motor Co’s F.N F-550 large pickup truck chassis with ballistic steel and fitted with mine-protection seats and other safety features, have been used by Ukrainian soldiers in their defence against the Russian invasion that began last February.

“Ukraine right now is in full-scale war … and they have to have a way to transport their personnel safely, and our vehicle provides them with this solution,” Shimonov said.

The Senators can be used as a medical evacuation vehicle or as a tactical combat vehicle, he said.

The company has established a “sophisticated” secure supply chain and has been shipping a few armoured vehicles every day, Shimonov said in an interview at Roshel’s assembly plant in Mississauga.

Canada has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in aid, including over C$1 billion in military supplies. Shimonov declined to share details but said Ottawa’s order of 200 armoured vehicles for Ukraine is expected to be delivered by summer. 

Reuters

Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan

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Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan

Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023

Samut Prakan’s Wat Dhammakatanyu (Xian Lo Dai Tien Gong Temple) burst into colour, light and sound on Friday evening to mark this year’s Lantern Festival.

The province has been holding this extravaganza as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations every year for the past 10 years. The Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, while the Lantern Festival runs until February 19.

Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan

The festival saw 5,000 lanterns of different shapes, sizes and colours decorating the temple’s central shrine that houses five Chinese gods carved from stone. The lanterns were specially imported from Taiwan for the occasion.

Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan

Wat Dhammakatanyu is also famous for its twin lions carved from jade guarding the gates. These are the largest in Thailand.

Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan

Entertaining visitors on Friday was a dragon show, the lion dance show and a variety of Thai-Chinese traditional stage performances. The devout also stopped at the shrine to pray for a healthy, wealthy and happy Year of the Rabbit.

Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan
Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan
Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan
Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan
Dancing dragons, bright lights greet the Rabbit in Samut Prakan

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Democrat credits party’s ministers for allocating funds to livestock farmers in deep South

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Democrat credits party's ministers for allocating funds to livestock farmers in deep South

Democrat credits party’s ministers for allocating funds to livestock farmers in deep South

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023

The allocation of 1.5 billion baht to a government project that encourages cow raising by residents of the southern border region is the brainchild of Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit and Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Srion, a Democrat Party official said on Friday.

Metee Arun, deputy spokesman of the ruling coalition member, thanked Jurin and Chalermchai for being instrumental in providing funding from the Department of Livestock Development’s Farmer Aid Fund to the Southern Border Cowboys project, which aims to have 50,000 cows raised in the southern border provinces.

The spokesman said that the project is a part of efforts to turn the Muslim-majority border region into a national hub for halal food.

“This will help improve the well-being of farmers and animal raisers in the southern border region, while increasing their incomes and upgrading their quality of life,” Metee said.

The spokesman said on Friday that when farmers have access to funds for raising cattle, they can earn a better livelihood. He said it was the Democrat Party’s policy to improve the quality of life of people in the southern border region, as well as throughout the country.

Jurin, who doubles as the commerce minister, is also the Democrat leader and Chalermchai is the party’s secretary-general.

Democrat credits party's ministers for allocating funds to livestock farmers in deep South

Two varieties of Thai rice get GI tags in Indonesia, boosting export potential

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Two varieties of Thai rice get GI tags in Indonesia, boosting export potential

Two varieties of Thai rice get GI tags in Indonesia, boosting export potential

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023

Indonesia has listed two varieties of Thai rice as Geographical Indications (GI), Thailand’s Commerce Ministry said on Friday.

The GI listing of Sangyod Muang Phatthalung rice and Thung Kula Rong Hai jasmine rice by Indonesia’s Law and Human Rights Ministry is expected to help boost Thai exports and farmers’ revenue, Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai said. He added that Thai GI products were considered the country’s soft power.

The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) is working on listing more Thai GI products overseas in a bid to gain intellectual property protection, especially for agricultural products, he said.

He added that Thai GI products had been listed in more than 30 countries, including India, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Two varieties of Thai rice get GI tags in Indonesia, boosting export potential

Thai GI products include Doi Chaang coffee, Isan indigenous Thai silk yarn, Lamphun Yok Dok silk, Phetchabun sweet tamarind and golden dried longan, he explained.

Two varieties of Thai rice get GI tags in Indonesia, boosting export potential

Meanwhile, DIP director-general Wuttikrai Leeveeraphan said Thailand produced more than 8,000 tonnes of Sangyod Muang Phatthalung rice annually, generating more than 104 million baht in revenue for farmers.

The provinces of Roi Et, Surin, Sisaket, Maha Sarakham and Yasothon produced more than 24,500 tonnes of Thung Kula Rong Hai jasmine rice annually, generating more than 266 million baht in revenue for farmers, he added.

Related stories:

DSI gets new spokespersons to clear its name in wake of corruption scandal

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024204

DSI gets new spokespersons to clear its name in wake of corruption scandal

DSI gets new spokespersons to clear its name in wake of corruption scandal

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced on Friday that it has appointed a new spokesperson along with a deputy and two new members of the department’s spokespersons team.

Phitchaya Tharakornsanti was named DSI spokesperson and Pittayaporn Churat her deputy under an order signed by acting DSI chief Pol Maj-General Suriya Singhakamol.

Both Phitchaya and Pittayaporn are DSI’s expert-level special investigation officers.

DSI gets new spokespersons to clear its name in wake of corruption scandal

Suriya also appointed two unnamed officials from DSI’s Public Relations Department and Organisation Image Promotion Centre as officials of the spokespersons’ team.

It is speculated that the appointment of new spokespersons is part of the agency’s move to improve its image after it was tainted by corruption scandals, which prompted the transfer of the former chief.

DSI gets new spokespersons to clear its name in wake of corruption scandal

Last Wednesday, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin signed off on the transfer of DSI director-general Trairit Temahiwong to become acting director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, replacing Suriya, who became acting DSI chief.

Trairit told the Nation that he had personally asked to be transferred following a series of accusations of corruption against DSI officers.

Also on Wednesday, the Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for five DSI officers for allegedly demanding millions of baht from suspected triad members in exchange for their release. This was allegedly done during a raid on a home leased by a Nauru diplomat in Bangkok in December.

The DSI suspended the five officers and launched an investigation into their actions.

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Bangkok Film Festival opens with seminars, screenings, shopping and shows

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Bangkok Film Festival opens with seminars, screenings, shopping and shows

Bangkok Film Festival opens with seminars, screenings, shopping and shows

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023

Film buffs joined key Thai film personalities to launch the Bangkok Film Festival at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Friday.

The festival, which runs until Sunday, is part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s “Colourful Bangkok” campaign, which promises 12 art and culture festivals all this year. The aim is to promote the capital as a creative destination.

The event was opened by deputy Bangkok governor Sanon Wangsrangboon, who expressed hope that the festival will help upgrade the Thai film industry and contribute to the government’s goal of using soft power to fuel the economy.

Bangkok Film Festival opens with seminars, screenings, shopping and shows

After the opening, participants attended the “Thai Documentaries in Global Markets” seminar led by Chanin Chamachote, president of Thailand Documentary Filmmakers Association, and Yupha Phetcharit Rattanachan, producer of “Duck Academy” and “Lady Hornbill” documentaries.

The seminar concluded with the announcement of winners of the “Connecting Bangkok 2030” short documentary film competition.

Bangkok Film Festival opens with seminars, screenings, shopping and shows

The second half of the day saw the “How to Make Bangkok a Movie City” seminar led by former tourism and sports minister Weerasak Kowsurat, film producer Pornchai Wongsriudomporn, and director and writer Wisit Sasanatieng.

Sunait Chutintaranond, historian and writer of “Legend of Suriyothai”, also shared behind-the-scenes accounts in the making of the historic film, with a surprise appearance of Piyapas Bhirombhakdi who played Queen Suriyothai in the 2001 feature.

Bangkok Film Festival opens with seminars, screenings, shopping and shows

The event concluded with the screening of three award-winning films – “Legend of Suriyothai”, “Bad Genius” and “Blue Again” – in the open-air style theatre outside the centre.

Eventgoers also enjoyed live performances by six youth bands as well as a bonanza of bargains of products unique to each of Bangkok’s 50 districts.

Bangkok Film Festival opens with seminars, screenings, shopping and shows

Those interested in joining free seminars on Saturday and Sunday can register here.

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