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☆ Myanmar villagers say army beheaded high school teacher
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

The slain teacher, Saw Tun Moe, was a longtime educator who had participated in anti-military protests before taking charge of a high school founded by the country’s pro-democracy movement in his native Thit Nyi Naung village. Saw Tun Moe also taught mathematics at his village school and another nearby alternative school and was involved in the administration of Thit Nyi Naung, where he lived with his family. She said Saw Tun Moe was taken to Taung Myint village, almost a mile north of Thit Nyi Naung, and killed there the following day. A villager from Taung Myint village said he saw Saw Tun Moe’s body at about 11 a.m. Monday after the soldiers had left. I immediately knew that it was Teacher Moe.

Last month, the Food and Agriculture Organization's global rice price index rose 2.2% to hit an 18-month high. "The international market has gone up and it will go up further," said Nitin Gupta, vice president for Olam India's rice business. Reuters GraphicsVietnam's unmilled rice output is forecast to hold flat to last year's 43 million tonnes, according to government data. Neighbouring Thailand is aiming to export 7.5 million tonnes this year, up about 7% from its previous target of 7 million tonnes, said Anucha Burapachaisri, a government spokesman. Meanwhile, Pakistan cannot capitalise on India's export curbs after severe flooding ravaged its crop.

☆ Thai telco regulator gives conditional clearance to True, DTAC merger
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Chayut Setboonsarng | Andres Gonzalez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Thailand’s telecommunications regulator cleared the merger of the country’s second and third largest mobile operators, True Corporation Pcl (TRUE.BK) and Telenor ASA’s (TEL.OL) Total Access Communication Pcl (DTAC) (DTAC.BK) with conditions. The combined entity will overtake Advanced Info Service Pcl (AIS) (ADVANC.BK), as market leader. True, DTAC and AIS did not immediately respond to requests for commentDTAC is backed by Norwegian firm, Telenor. Thai agri-industrial conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group holds a 49% stake in True Corp with China Mobile holding 18%, True’s website shows. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Susan Fenton;Editing by Elaine HardcastleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Bombing kills at least 8 at Myanmar’s Insein Prison
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

BANGKOK — A bombing on Wednesday near the front gate of Myanmar’s main prison for political detainees killed at least eight people, including visitors and prison personnel, local media and the government said. The entrance of Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar, after a bombing on Wednesday. The blasts occurred inside and outside the parcel reception office near the main iron gate of Insein Prison in Yangon, the country’s biggest city. It said 13 visitors, including a 9-year-old boy, and five prison personnel were being treated for injuries at Insein township hospital. The prison has been notorious for decades for housing political prisoners under various military governments.

Arkhom Termpittayapaisith in an interview with Reuters said that a weak baht was helping exports, which should grow 8% this year, and tourism. Arkhom said the Bank of Thailand (BOT)'s headline inflation target range of 1%-3% was still appropriate, despite consumer prices still exceeding the target. Last year's economic growth of 1.5% was among the slowest in the region, but the April-June period saw expansion of 2.5% from a year earlier and 0.7% from the previous quarter. Arkhom said third-quarter economic growth should be faster as more foreign tourists returned. Last month, the BOT raised its key interest rate for a second straight meeting, by a quarter point to 1.00%.

☆ U.S. Treasury's Adeyemo heads to APEC meeting with focus on trade, 'resilience'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Adeyemo, who has led work on U.S. sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, will represent the United States when the Asian Economic Cooperation (APEC) finance ministers meet in Bangkok on Wednesday and Thursday, Treasury said. He will also meet with Thailand's Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. The newly relaunched G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and U.S. efforts to build up supply chains with trusted partners were also on the agenda. "While the U.S. economy remains resilient in the face of these headwinds, the Deputy Secretary will work with partners to increase resilience in their economies," it said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Amazon to boost Thailand cloud infrastructure with $5 bln investment
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 18 (Reuters) - Amazon Web Services (AWS),the cloud computing division of Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O), said on Monday it plans to invest $5 billion in Thailand over the next 15 years to strengthen its infrastructure in the country. The investment would include construction of data centers and purchase of goods and services from regional businesses, AWS said in a statement. It also plans to set up an infrastructure hub in Thailand's Bangkok to help customers in the region securely store data, and serve end users better. AWS last month opened its first cloud data center in UAE and announced plans to setup a local hub in Mexico to boost bandwidth for clients. The edge locations help to deliver data, videos and applications at higher speeds to end users.

☆ EU needs to up electric vehicle support to fend off Chinese competition, climate group says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-16 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaOct 17 (Reuters) - The European Union needs to provide more regulatory incentives for its carmakers to scale up fully electric vehicle (EV) production or risk losing market share to Chinese rivals, according to a study by climate group Transport & Environment. released on Monday, the group said that EV sales growth in the bloc had slowed, with fully-electric cars making up 11% of sales in the first half of 2022 when historical trends suggested they should have reached 13%. "The failure of EU carmakers to scale up...supply could result in foreign automakers offering affordable models and capturing a large share of the mass market in Europe," the report said. "If the EU is unable to efficiently regulate its own market, it risks losing its economic sovereignty in the automotive industry." Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting By Nick Carey; Editing by Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Harrowing scenes from the Jan 6 U.S. Capitol attack
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A total of 36 people including 24 children were killed in a knife and gun rampage by an ex-cop who later killed himself in Uthai Sawan, northeast of Bangkok in one of the worst child death tolls in a massacre by a single killer in recent history.

☆ Our Oddest photos of the week
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Taiwan welcomes back visitors after ending COVID quarantine rules
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Ann Wang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Travellers from Thailand on the first quarantine-free flight to Taiwan, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, receive a welcome by officials and the media at the airport in Taoyuan, Taiwan, October 13, 2022. REUTERS/Ann WangTAOYUAN, Taiwan, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan began welcoming back visitors on Thursday after finally ending mandatory quarantines to control the spread of COVID-19, with gifts of cuddly toy black bears for the first tour group that stepped off the plane shortly after midnight. Some rules remain, including a requirement for people to monitor their health for seven days after arrival and perform rapid tests on themselves. Prior to the pandemic, Taiwan was a popular tourist destination, mostly for travellers from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, attracted by the island's cuisine and natural beauty. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Ann Wang; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ California's parched landscape: Scenes from a prolonged drought
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Jeremy Schultz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

☆ French 'Spiderman' scales new heights
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Thai industrial sentiment at near 3-year high in Sept on tourism rebound
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said its industries sentiment index rose to 91.8 in September from 90.5 in the previous month. Sentiment was also boosted by a weak baht , which hovered at 16-year low against the dollar, FTI chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul said in a statement. An index that projects industrial sentiment over the next three month increased to 101.8 in September from 99.5 in August. "Entrepreneurs see the economy improving steadily mainly on a pick-up in tourism, but higher costs remain a risk," Kriengkrai said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Kitphong Thaichareon, Satawasin Staporncharnchai Editing by Ed DaviesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Thai rate hikes to be gradual, inflation to stay high through 2022 -c.bank minutes
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Thailand's rate committee raised its key interest rate late last month and noted that headline inflation was set to remain high through 2022, minutes of the meeting showed on Wednesday. Policy normalisation should be done in a gradual and measured manner consistent with the outlook for growth and inflation, the minutes said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterHeadline inflation would remain at a high level through 2022 and the outlook would still be subject to upside risks, the minutes said. The committee felt that potential labour shortage could affect the economic recovery and create upward pressures on wages in some business sectors, the minutes said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Orathai Sriring Editing by Ed DaviesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft collaborate on supply chain data platform
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Mercedes-Benz logo is seen at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 22, 2022. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaBERLIN, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) and Microsoft (MSFT.O) announced a partnership on Wednesday using Microsoft Cloud for a data platform intended to improve production efficiency at over 30 passenger car plants globally, the carmaker said on Wednesday. The data platform, called MO360, is already available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and will also be launched in the United States and China, the statement said. The aim is to gather data from across the production process from components to logistics to the assembly line to create a virtual replica that allows teams to identify potential supply chain bottlenecks more quickly. The collaboration should lead to a 20% increase in vehicle production efficiency by 2025 from 2022 levels, the statement added.

For several nights the sound of 34-year-old Panya Khamrap’s 9 mm pistol cracked the silence in the sleepy village of Tha Uthai, neighbours said. Another neighbour said that days before his rampage the village chief warned Panya about his behaviour. They argued and the village chief was afraid, said the neighbour, Suwan Tonsomsen. Another neighbour told Reuters he had seen Panya's mother with his degree certificate. Teachers in the nursery had put the children down for their nap by the time Panya arrived at around 12:30 p.m.

☆ Ukrainian authorities find mass grave in liberated eastern town
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Honda to build JV U.S. battery plant, retool Ohio plants
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaWASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) and LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) on Tuesday announced Ohio as the site of their planned $4.4 billion joint-venture battery plant. Honda will separately invest $700 million to retool three Ohio plants and add 300 new jobs, as it seeks higher electric- vehicle production. The plant is the latest in a string of battery plants announced as automakers race to shift gas-powered production to electric vehicles. President Joe Biden praised the Honda-LG announcement, saying the companies were "committing more than $5 billion toward electric vehicle battery manufacturing and factory retooling across the state." Honda plans to begin production and sales of EVs in North America in 2026, based on its new Honda e:Architecture.

☆ Honda, LG to locate $4.4 billion battery plant in Ohio
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Honda Motor logo is pictured at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 22, 2022. REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaWASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Honda Motor (7267.T) and LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) said on Tuesday they will build a new joint venture $4.4 billion battery plant in Ohio. Honda plans to begin production and sales of Honda EVs in North America in 2026, based on its new Honda e:Architecture. The joint venture is pending regulatory approvals. That announcement expanded on plans for GM to begin building two electric SUVs for Honda starting in 2024 - the Honda Prologue and an Acura model.

☆ North Korea launches greenhouse farm built on ex-missile test site
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Jeremy Schultz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Johnson pockets $18 million as inaugural LIV Series champion
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sep 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Dustin Johnson tees off from the 18th tee box during the final round of the Invitational Chicago LIV Golf tournament at Rich Harvest Farms. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports/File PhotoOct 10 (Reuters) - Twice major winner Dustin Johnson won $18 million after clinching the individual title in the LIV Series with a 16th-place finish at the latest event in Bangkok, Thailand, the Saudi-backed circuit said on Monday. "The first chapter of LIV Golf's history could not be written without Dustin Johnson's name," LIV chief executive Greg Norman said. From the start he's been an LIV Golf cornerstone. LIV tournaments do not count towards the world rankings, and players who compete in the breakaway series have been suspended from the PGA Tour.

☆ Thai PM orders tighter gun control, drugs crackdown after mass killing
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday ordered law enforcement agencies to tighten gun ownership rules and crack down on drug use following a mass killing by an ex-policeman at a daycare centre that left has the nation in shock. Thai authorities plan to recall guns from officials and police officers who have misused their firearms or have behaved aggressively on duty. Regular mental health checks will also be required for gun license applicants and holder, Police Chief Police General Damrongsak Kittprapas told reporters. Gun ownership is high in Thailand compared with some other countries in Southeast Asia. Illegal weapons, many brought in from strife-torn countries, are common.

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand recoiled in horror Thursday after at least 36 people were killed, at least 24 of them children, in a massacre at a child care center in northeastern Thailand believed to be the country’s deadliest incident of its kind. Among the dozens of victims are Panya’s wife and stepson, whom investigators say he killed before taking his own life. “He also used a knife to stab both children and staff at the center,” Paisan said. Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that the attacker “mainly used a knife” to kill the children. TPBS/ReutersMedics arrive at the child care center on Thursday, where more than 30 people, mainly children, were killed.

☆ Ritual piercings mark annual Taoist festival in Thailand
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A medium man with his mouth pierced is portrayed while in trance during the Kathu Shrine procession amidst celebrations of the annual vegetarian festival, observed by Taoist devotees from the Thai-Chinese community in the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, in Phuket Town, Thailand October 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge SilvaPHUKET, Thailand Oct 4 (Reuters) - Worshippers on Thailand's Phuket island have celebrated a nine-day Taoist festival, with many piercing their faces with metal spikes and walking on hot coals to show devotion to deities. The Nine Emperor Gods Festival, which was suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, drew thousands of people from the ethnic Chinese community, who marched from a temple in traditional costume. Devotees, who abstain from sex, alcohol, and meat during the festival, say the piercings symbolise repentance for sins and is meant to ward off evil spirits. The piercing is believed to have been influenced by the Indian Thaipusam festival.

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