Blockchain could be game-changer for Thai farmers: ministry
Dec 29. 2020
By THE NATION
Thailand’s traditional farmers can break the cycle of low income and debt by harnessing the power of digital technology and big data, according to an official at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives.
Prinn Panitchpakdi, the ministry’s president of agribusiness, recently told a Bangkok seminar that traditional agricultural practices could be upgraded with technology that links them with the market.
Prinn explained that traditional farmers produce products before finding markets to distribute them, so they always face financial problems of low income and debt.
However, new technology now gives farmers the power to collect data on market conditions, meaning they can adjust their crops to meet demand.
Prinn gave the example of blockchain technology in the government’s new TraceThai.com platform, which is used to trace the supply chain of agricultural products sold to the market.
The blockchain system of recording information makes it practically impossible to change, hack or cheat, he added.
GSB to launch digital savings bond with lucky draws of Bt1 million each
Dec 28. 2020
By THE NATION
The Government Savings Bank (GSB) is set to give Thai people a “New Year gift” in the form of a digital savings bond to be sold via the MyMo application from January 11 until March 16, or until the total deposit reaches Bt20 billion, GSB president Withai Ratanakorn said.
“A lucky draw will be held on February 16 and March 16, with 10 random winners chosen at each event who will be given a Bt1 million cash prize each,” he said. “Anyone above the age of 15 can buy the bond at Bt20 per unit. Minimum investment is Bt200 with the maximum capped at Bt10 million per person.”
Withai added that lucky draws for digital bonds will be a separate event from the monthly draw, which is held on the 16th of every month for buyers of GSB bonds. The first prize in this draw is Bt3 million, and also includes prizes for up to five people as well as awards based on account numbers.
All draws will be broadcast live on Facebook @LiveNBT2HD.
“We hope the digital bonds will help promote savings and encourage people to spend money wisely,” he said.
Indorama Ventures listed in sustainability index for 6th year running
Dec 28. 2020Sasinotai Rochanutama, right, manager of sustainability at Indorama Ventures Plc, receives the award from Pakorn Peetathawatchai, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
By The Nation
Indorama Ventures (IVL), a leading global chemical producer, received a plaque from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to mark its sixth consecutive year (2015-2020) in the Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) 2020 index for the Industrial sector.
IVL was honoured as a listed company with a market capitalisation of more than Bt100 billion for achieving outstanding performance in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The award also reflects transparent disclosure of social and environmental policies and performance to stakeholders so that investors can make decisions based on responsible investment.
IVL is a global business committed to developing technologies and processes that use post-consumer PET and polyester waste materials as feedstock. As the largest producer of 100 per cent recyclable PET in the world, IVL said it intends to ensure all aspects of the circular economy come to fruition, reducing waste in the environment. The company is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
Despite a limited theatrical release, lukewarm reviews and social media chatter that can best be described as polarizing, “Wonder Woman 1984” opened to $16.7 million domestically at the box office this past weekend, beating all other three-day 2020 pandemic releases and boosting its worldwide total to $85 million. The film also debuted simultaneously on HBO Max and was viewed by nearly half of the streaming service’s subscribers on the day of arrival according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Warner Bros. studio chief Toby Emmerich announced on Sunday that the studio and DC Entertainment are moving forward with a third film, with director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot returning.
So the franchise has come out pretty well, all things considered. And the announcement puts it into rarefied air.
A trilogy has been an uncommon feat for DC Comics on film in the modern superhero cinema era that clocks back to Fox’s first X-Men movie in 2000.
There’s Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy. And that’s it.
Gone are the days of four Superman movies and four Batman movies that both marveled and disappointed from the ’70s to the late ’90s. Post-Nolan, DC has struggled to find respectability in the shadow of Marvel Studios’ decade-long reign, but salvation finally arrived with the first “Wonder Woman” film that wowed audiences to the tune of $822 million worldwide in 2017.
Gadot and Jenkins became DC’s true heroines, helping the brand become a legit contender for the crown of best superhero movie maker that was once theirs alone. Gadot had the gargantuan task of following in the footsteps of Lynda Carter, the world’s forever Wonder Woman. She passed that test memorably, and is equally impressive in “Wonder Woman 1984” despite not being handed as strong a script as in her first go-round with the Lasso of Truth.
Before the first film, Jenkins had the outsized expectations that came from telling a tale with not only DC’s top female superhero, but the female superhero, and had to make it work when DC was building a reputation for being too moody on screen. A movie had been devoted to Batman and Superman beating each other up, after all. Jenkins made a film full of light and hope. It’s DC’s best film post-Nolan, and set the franchise on firm footing, making it a good bet to join DC’s trilogy club.
Even if the reviews for “Wonder Woman 1984” haven’t been as universally praising as the first film’s, it’s bright (maybe too bright, but it is the 80s) and shiny and very expensive, and helps add to a world that’s worth revisiting. Perhaps it is finally time to bring Wonder Woman to the present day, as Jenkins has hinted at previously, while keeping the character as far away from the Justice League as possible until that on-screen brand has been repaired.
But one question is when Gadot and Jenkins will have the time.
The daughter of a fighter pilot, Jenkins is scheduled to direct “Rogue Squadron,” a movie centered around the coolest pilots of the Star Wars universe. Gadot is also set to star as the queen of Egypt in “Cleopatra,” once again working alongside Jenkins.
This could be a situation reminiscent of the long four-year gap between Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises” that allowed him to film “Inception.” At that point Nolan had the power to do the projects he wanted to do. He didn’t need Batman. Batman needed him. Gadot and Jenkins are now in similar territory with Wonder Woman.
Another factor is: Will theaters return to their pre-pandemic audience levels by the time a new Wonder Woman film comes out? In his statement, Emmerich said Gadot and Jenkins would return to conclude “the long-planned theatrical trilogy.” The key word being theatrical. That makes it seem like Warner Bros. is betting on this movie arriving in a post-pandemic, vaccinated world a few years from now. Those words also give the vibe that a trilogy was always in the cards.
And then there are the optics to consider. Trilogies are old hat for Marvel Studios. Look at all the Avengers that have had three solo films. Iron Man. Captain America. Thor (with a fourth on the way). Heck, even Ant-Man has a third movie in the works. Seriously. It’s called “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.”
For DC to maintain respectability in the shadow of all that Marvel Studios has done, its superheroes need equal longevity on the big screen. And while other contenders at DC have arisen with trilogy potential (“Shazam,” the billion-dollar grossing “Aquaman,” a promising “Black Adam” franchise starring Dwayne Johnson that will soon be in production, and even “The Suicide Squad” with director James Gunn at the helm), DC’s current top hero on film was the obvious choice to begin a new trilogy streak.
However long it takes, we will see Princess Diana one more time. Warner Bros. and DC just need to hope the third time can charm like the first one did.
Rock-star Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai is on the way to recovery after being released from hospital on Monday, his girlfriend Rachwin “Koi” Wongviriya said on Instagram.
On December 14, lead singer of the group Bodyslam was rushed to Bangkok’s Phramongkutklao Hospital after suffering a bulging disc in his cervical vertebrae.
The 41-year-old rock star created history last year when his epic, 55-day run across the country raised Bt1.2 billion for cash-strapped public hospitals.
Cervical herniated disc is a recognised condition among athletes, though it is not known whether Toon sustained the injury through running.
A nephew of Aed Carabao, Toon founded Bodyslam with Thanadol Changsawek and Nathaphol Phannachet in 2002. The band have released seven hit albums so far, mostly under GMM Grammy.
Chinese players pull out of Thailand badminton events due to Covid-19
Dec 29. 2020Chen Yufei of China
By THE NATION
Chinese players have withdrawn from three BWF events due to be held in Thailand next month as they are prohibited from travelling outside their country due to Covid-19 concerns.
Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul
Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said the Chinese team had to cancel their trip to Bangkok to abide by the rules of the Chinese government against the pandemic.
“Through an online conference, the Chinese Badminton Association apologised for having to withdraw from the tournaments because of Covid-19 concerns,” said Patama, also a deputy president of the Badminton World Federation.
Thailand will host back-to-back Thailand Open events (Super 1000 level) from January 12-17 and January 19-24, each with $1 million prize money, and the US$1.5-million World Tour Finals from January 27-31 on the outskirts of Bangkok.
The absence of the Chinese players will deprive the tournaments of several stars, such as 2016 Olympic men’s singles gold medallist Chen Long, World Tour Final women’s defending champion and world No 2 Chen Yufei and women’s doubles No 1 Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan.
However, their withdrawals will give an opportunity for home talent, as six more Thai players will be entered into the draw to replace the Chinese. They will join the country’s other hopes, such as Ratchanok Intanon, world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn and mixed doubles specialist Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
Due to the new wave of Covid-19 outbreak in the Kingdom since early December, the three events will be held without spectators.
Sasinotai Rochanutama, right, manager of sustainability at Indorama Ventures Plc, receives the award from Pakorn Peetathawatchai, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Chen Yufei of China
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