Category Archives: The Nation

Ticket for $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot sold in rural Maine town

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/world/us-canada/40024017

Ticket for $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot sold in rural Maine town

Ticket for $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot sold in rural Maine town

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

A single winning ticket for a Mega Millions lottery jackpot of at least $1.35 billion, the second-largest jackpot in US history, was sold in Maine, lottery organizers said on Saturday.

“Congratulations to the Maine State Lottery, which has just won its first-ever Mega Millions jackpot,” Ohio Lottery director Pat McDonald, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, said in a statement. “It’s the fourth billion-dollar jackpot in Mega Millions history.”

The winning ticket, which cost $2 and matched all six numbers, was bought at Hometown Gas & Grill convenience store in Lebanon, Maine. The ticket holder, yet to be identified, has the choice of a lump-sum payment of $723.5 million or an annual payout over 30 years.

Most winners go for the lump sum, which comes with a hefty tax bill, according to the Mega Millions website.

The winning numbers for the jackpot were 30, 43, 45, 46 and 61, plus the power ball 14.

Fred Cotreau, the owner of Hometown Gas & Grill, told Reuters when he got the phone call at 6 am he thought it was a scam, but soon realized it wasn’t.

“It’s been a really busy morning and we are anxiously awaiting to see hopefully it is somebody we know and we see often,” Cotreau said.

Half of the proceeds from the sale of each Mega Millions ticket remains in the state where the ticket was sold, where the money supports lottery beneficiaries, such as education or public employee pensions, and retailer commissions.

Cotreau stands to receive a substantial bonus for the ticket.

Reuters

Thailand tops online search list for Lunar New Year travel: Sojern

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/tourism/40024030

Thailand tops online search list for Lunar New Year travel: Sojern

Thailand tops online search list for Lunar New Year travel: Sojern

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

Thailand topped the destination list for online flight searches for travel in the region during the Lunar New Year, a company that focuses on digital marketing for the travel industry said.

Thailand moved from second to first place this year, accounting for 27% of all travel searches in the Asia Pacific region for the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, China-based Sojern said.

Thailand was followed by Japan (19%) and Singapore (18%) – which fell from first to third place – the Philippines (10%), and Malaysia (8%).

In terms of cities and resorts, Bangkok accounted for 22% of all searches. It was followed by Tokyo (15%), Manila (9%), Phuket (7%) and Taiwan (7%), according to Sojern.

In terms of flight bookings, the top two countries of origin for travel to or within the region for Chinese New Year are Singapore (16%) and the United States (12%), Sojern said, adding that the strong US dollar was likely a factor making travel to the region popular with US tourists. Thailand (9%), Taiwan (8%), and Japan (7%) took the third to fifth spots on Sojern’s list.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Sunday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was overjoyed that Thailand, according to Sojern, received the most attention from tourists in terms of flight searches.

Anucha said the government expected a surge of tourists from China and other countries to visit the Asia-Pacific region during the Lunar New Year holiday, and that this would help revive the tourism industry this year.

Thailand tops online search list for Lunar New Year travel: Sojern“The prime minister is happy that the government’s measures [to promote tourism] have become successful. The reputation and image of Thailand also creates confidence among foreign tourists, helping Thailand to retain its top spots among foreign tourists in all seasons,” Anucha said.

“The prime minister would like to thank all state and private agencies for holding interesting activities to attract tourists and help make Thailand a hotspot,” he said.

The spokesman added that Prayut has instructed all relevant government agencies to prepare to welcome foreign tourists during the Lunar New Year and ensure their safety.

Merging may be best bet for small parties in new two-ballot voting system: poll

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40024026

Merging may be best bet for small parties in new two-ballot voting system: poll

Merging may be best bet for small parties in new two-ballot voting system: poll

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

Most Thai voters support the idea of small political parties merging together to cope with the two-ballot electoral system, a new survey shows.

The two-ballot system means voters will be required to cast one vote for their constituency MP and another for their preferred party.

The new system also increases the number of constituency MPs from 350 to 400 and reduces party-list MPs from 150 to 100. Party-list MPs will be calculated from the percentage of votes cast for parties.

The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) from January 9 to 12 among 1,310 respondents nationwide. The respondents, aged 18 and above, came from different levels of income and educational backgrounds.

Here are some questions and responses:

What do you think small political parties should do to cope with the two-ballot system?

• 46.26% Merge with other parties

• 37.56% Continue without merging

• 15.34% Leave politics

• 0.84% No comment

What’s your advice for small parties that choose to merge?

• 61.55% Merge with big parties

• 27.39% Merge with medium-sized parties

• 11.06% Merge with small parties

What’s your opinion on the newly merged Chart Pattana Kla Party? (More than one choice allowed)

• 46.87% It is a good match

• 30.99% The party will get more MPs in the upcoming general election

• 19.39% It is a temporary merger for the upcoming general election

• 14.50% It is not a good match

• 9.31% The merger will not help increase the number of MPs

• 5.80% Former Kla Party leader Korn Chatikavanij will benefit from this merger

• 5.34% Former Chart Pattana Party leader Suwat Liptapanlop will benefit from this merger

What’s your opinion on a possible merger between Thai Sang Thai and Sang Anakot Thai Parties? (More than one choice allowed)

• 50.15% It is a good match

• 31.76% Parties will gain more MPs in the upcoming general election

• 20.08% It is a temporary merger for the upcoming general election

• 14.35% It is not a good match

• 10.76% Thai Sang Thai Party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan will benefit from this merger

• 8.32% The merger will not help increase the number of MPs

• 3.66% Sang Anakot Thai Party leader Somkid Jatusripitak will benefit from this merger.

Related stories:

Pheu Thai kicks off campaign for votes with event in Udon Thani

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40024024

Pheu Thai kicks off campaign for votes with event in Udon Thani

Pheu Thai kicks off campaign for votes with event in Udon Thani

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

Pheu Thai Party is kickstarting its election campaign by holding its first event in the Isaan province of Udon Thani on Sunday.

The event, starting at 4.30pm at the Tung Sri Muang field, will see Paetongtarn Shinawatra presenting the party’s policies and hearing residents’ complaints.

Similar events will be held in other provinces, and once Parliament is dissolved to make way for the May general election, Pheu Thai will start campaigning in Bangkok.

The party is hoping to cash in on its popularity and win by a landslide.

Paetongtarn is tipped to become the next prime minister if her party wins the election, which is tentatively scheduled for May 7.

The youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra chairs Pheu Thai’s advisory committee on public inclusion and innovation and is head of the Pheu Thai Family project.

Related stories:

Thai beauty queen wins leadership award at Miss Universe pageant

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024027

Thai beauty queen wins leadership award at Miss Universe pageant

Thai beauty queen wins leadership award at Miss Universe pageant

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

Thai beauty queen Anna Sueangam-iam won the Transformational Leadership Award at the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans on Saturday night, even though she failed to make the final round of 16 contestants.

It was the first time the award was presented as a collaboration between the Miss Universe pageant and ImpactWayv, a global social impact platform that says it unites people, businesses and nonprofits to accelerate their collective impact.

Thai beauty queen wins leadership award at Miss Universe pageant

JKN CEO Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip presented the award to Anna.

JKN acquired the Miss Universe pageant on October 25 for 800 million baht. It announced plans to grow the brand by 40% as part of its effort to become a major player in the global content industry.

Thai beauty queen wins leadership award at Miss Universe pageant

American beauty queen R’Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe on Saturday night (Sunday morning Bangkok time) in New Orleans. Representatives from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, Amanda Dudamel and Andreína Martínez, were named first and second runners-up, respectively.

Gabriel was born in Houston, Texas to a Filipino father, Remigio Gabriel, and an American mother, Dana Walker. She has three older brothers.

She graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design. She now works as a designer creating eco-friendly clothing, and as a model.

Related stories:

Catamaran lost in Phuket found adrift near Indonesia

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024025

Catamaran lost in Phuket found adrift near Indonesia

Catamaran lost in Phuket found adrift near Indonesia

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

A catamaran that had gone missing late last month was spotted floating near Indonesian waters.

The Phuket Marine Office said on Saturday that the catamaran had been spotted by the captain of a fishing boat on the edge of Thai territorial waters.

The catamaran named Marcopolo had been reported missing by owner Marco Ceferin on December 30. Ceferin told Phuket’s Chalong police that the catamaran had disappeared from its dock in Nai Harn Bay.

Catamaran lost in Phuket found adrift near IndonesiaChalong police then called on the network of fishing boats in Phuket and nearby provinces to keep an eye out for the missing boat.

At 8am on Friday, the Phuket Marine Office received a call from the manager of a fishing boat, who said the boat’s captain had spotted the catamaran adrift near Indonesian waters.

Catamaran lost in Phuket found adrift near IndonesiaThe manager was then advised to have the catamaran tied to her boat to prevent it from floating away. Nobody was found aboard the catamaran and the fishing boat crew confirmed it was Marcopolo.

The marine office has asked for the catamaran to be towed back to shore and has informed its owner to retrieve it on Sunday.

Loss of balance lands Bangkokian in muck and mud

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024023

Loss of balance lands Bangkokian in muck and mud

Loss of balance lands Bangkokian in muck and mud

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

It took rescuers more than half an hour to pull a heavy set man out of a muddy watercourse in Soi Samsen 28 in Bangkok’s Dusit district.

The victim, identified as 48-year-old Punarat Maneewong, reportedly lost his balance while crossing the small bridge on Saturday afternoon. The motorbike, which he tried to grab, then landed on top of him.

Loss of balance lands Bangkokian in muck and mud

Rescuers, led by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, first removed the motorcycle and then pulled Punarat up using a rope pulley.

Loss of balance lands Bangkokian in muck and mud

The man was later taken to Vajira Hospital for treatment.

Related stories:

8 injured as treat-filled helicopter gets dangerously close at Chanthaburi Children’s Day event

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024022

8 injured as treat-filled helicopter gets dangerously close at Chanthaburi Children’s Day event

8 injured as treat-filled helicopter gets dangerously close at Chanthaburi Children’s Day event

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

Eight people, five of them children, were injured when a tent in Chanthaburi’s Muang Tha Chang subdistrict collapsed under the rotor downwash of a helicopter that got too close.

The accident happened when a navy helicopter arrived to scatter flowers and treats during the National Children’s Day event on Saturday.

“Eight people were sent to hospital for treatment and six of them have been discharged,” Muang Tha Chang Subdistrict Municipality Office told the press on Saturday afternoon.

8 injured as treat-filled helicopter gets dangerously close at Chanthaburi Children’s Day event

The office apologised for the accident, as did the Royal Thai Navy.

Navy officials also visited the victims and handed them compensation. The local authorities have been advised to monitor the victims’ condition closely.

Related stories:

Cool temperatures in most of Thailand forecast for next week

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024020

Cool temperatures in most of Thailand forecast for next week

Cool temperatures in most of Thailand forecast for next week

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

A high-pressure system from China and the South China Sea will bring cold, strong winds to upper Thailand, pulling the temperature down by several degrees for most of next week.

“The temperature will drop by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in the Northeast,” the Thai Meteorological Department said on Sunday. Temperatures in the North, East and Central regions, including Greater Bangkok will drop by 2-4 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, isolated heavy rain has been forecast for the South as the northeast monsoon across the Gulf of Thailand and the South will strengthen. Flash floods and runoffs have also been predicted, while waves in the upper Gulf are expected to be about 2 metres high and higher in thundershowers.

Cool temperatures in most of Thailand forecast for next week

“In the lower part of the Gulf, the waves will be 2-3 metres high and higher during thundershowers,” the department said.

Cool temperatures in most of Thailand forecast for next week

People along the east coast of the South of Thailand have also been warned of inshore surges.

“Ships in both the Gulf and Andaman Sea should proceed with caution and small boats should stay ashore,” the department added.

Related stories:

Bangkok beware! Heavy PM2.5 pollution expected next week

Posted on by
Reply

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024014

Bangkok beware! Heavy PM2.5 pollution expected next week

Bangkok beware! Heavy PM2.5 pollution expected next week

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

Large areas of Bangkok will be hit by heavy PM2.5 fine dust on Monday and Tuesday due to the lack of breeze and airflow.

The city administration’s Environmental Office said on Saturday that the lack of wind and breeze in Bangkok essentially traps the pollution within the city.

The areas expected to be hit by high accumulation of PM2.5 are downtown Bangkok and the northern and southern zones of Thon Buri to the west of the city, the office warned. The unit comes under the jurisdiction of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

PM2.5 is fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter and can be hazardous to people with lung and respiratory problems. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the annual average level of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3).

Bangkok’s reading on Saturday was 24.8μg/m3, the BMA’s Air Quality Information Centre reported.

The BMA expects weather conditions in the city to improve between January 18 and 20, with stronger airflow brought by northeasterly winds.

The Thai Meteorological Department, meanwhile, said on Saturday that light breezes in Bangkok over the next few days are not good for the city’s air pollution problem, as fine dust will create a cloud of smog in the morning.