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Turtle shaped boat to house 60,000 people
source - Pending
Saudi Arabia's new project of turtle-shaped floating city could become the world’s largest boat A 60,000 person city is under consideration to be opened in the middle of the sea The future is here, and it looks like a multi-billion pound turtle. Italian design studio Lazzarini has proposed plans for a floating, turtle-shaped city that could accommodate up to 60,000 guests and will feature shopping centres, hotels, parks and a plane runway - all of which will be run on solar power. The floating city, which is named Pangeos and dubbed a ‘terayacht’, would take eight years to build and cost an eye-watering £6.8 billion. Check out Lazzarini's impressive concept video below: Pangeos would be a colossal 1,800ft long and 2,000ft wide and if building went ahead, the city would be the largest floating structure ever built. Lazzarini said in order for the concept to actually be built, an enormous shipyard would have to be created and funds for Pangeos would be raised throughout an NFT-related crowdfunding period. The design company shared: “The virtual spaces of the watercraft can also be purchased under an NFT collection, and users will be able to collect certain content and access in the virtual properties with their credentials.” Videoexternal link https://worldofvids.com/w/oA5eQeJu3SbdXa6d1TFHPi The future is here, and it looks like a multi-billion pound turtle. Credit: SWNS Credentials for virtual properties will also work as property deposits if Pangeos actually gets built. Lazzarini added: “A Terayacht needs a Terashipyard: the conception of a similar sized vessel, involves the realisation of a specific shipyard/dam infrastructure that floods to levitate the terayacht when it will be launched. “The imagined Terashipyard infrastructure is 650 metres wide and 600 metres long, providing direct access to the sea.” Pangeos' supersized hull will be subdivided into a handful of different blocks and feature nine different bows. Lazzarini explained: “Pushed from a jet drive transmission, the tera-structure will be able to cruise at a speed of five knots. “While sailing, the large wings will gain energy from the breaking of the waves and Pangeos will cruise perpetually without emissions around the planet Earth seas. Italian design studio Lazzarini has proposed plans for a floating, turtle-shaped city that could accommodate up to 60,000 guests. Credit: SWNS “Further, the rooftop area is lined with solar panels, which provide part of the necessary clean energy to power the terayacht.” Not only will Pangeos’ accommodation include apartments, houses and ‘super villas’, but there’ll even be royal palaces on board. As for the vessel’s name, Lazzarini revealed: “The terayacht proposal takes its name from Pangea, the supercontinent that existed millions of years ago during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. “If realised, the turtle-shaped vessel will become the world's largest floating structure ever built.” Social media users were bowled over by Lazzarini’s concept, with one person exclaiming: “Wow!” Other comments included: “Beautiful project,” “Amazing design” and “Unreal!” The Pangeos is an itinerant floating city, comprising various hotels, shopping centers, parks, ship and aircraft ports, and all other facilities needed to house up to 60,000 guests. The terayacht takes its name from Pangea, the supercontinent that existed millions of years ago during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. Reserve a seatPangeos extends its length for 550 meters (1,800 ft) and measures 610 meters (2,000 ft) at its widest point — the wings. Reserve NOW your " UNREAL ESTATE ": https://opensea.io/collection/pangeos
Turtle boat to house 60,000 people http://bit.do/TurtleBoathouse60000people
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30 Hilarious awkward Beach Photos
source - Pending 30 Hilarious awkward Beach Photos The beach is allegedly this relaxing place, but we're not convinced. From seagulls waiting to nab whatever you're eating to the sand that always manages to work its way into all the wrong places, there's more than enough to ruin the fun. Thankfully, these people managed to whip out their phones just as things started to go wrong at the beach. These hilarious photos will make you want to skip the ocean and just watch the Travel channel instead — but better wear some sunscreen just to be safe!
Hilarious Beach photos http://bit.do/Hilarious-Beach-Pics-tb Related topicsOTHER TOPICS
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21 Actors as Children and Now
Source
What 20+ Actors, Who We Remember As Children, Look Like Now They say that kids grow too fast. And it’s hard to disagree. It is especially true for actors who rose to fame when they were still children. But they are adults now, and it’s not that easy to recognize them because of how different and mature they look. Isaac Hempstead Wright — Game of Thrones (2011–2014; 2016–2019) © Game of Thrones / HBO and co-producers, © Zegna / YouTube Wyatt Oleff — It (2017) East News, © Dominik Bindl / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images Griffin Gluck — Just Go With It (2011) East News, Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection / East News Thora Birch — Hocus Pocus (1993) © Hocus Pocus / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers, Invision/Invision/East News Katie Leung — Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) WARNER BROS. / CLOSE, MURRAY / Album / East News, © Katie Leung / Instagram Kodi Smit-McPhee — The Road (2009) East News, Invision/Invision/East News Eric Lloyd — The Santa Clause (1994) CAP/RFS/Capital Pictures/East News, © Eric Lloyd / Instagram Eliza Bennett — Inkheart (2008) East News, © Eliza Bennett / Instagram Tye Sheridan — The Tree of Life (2011) Fox Searchlight / Everett Collection / East News, Invision/Invision/East News Quvenzhané Wallis — Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) Supplied by Capital Pictures / East News, KENA BETANCUR/AFP/East News Asher Angel — Shazam (2019) Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/Everett Collection/East News, MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/East New Ella Purnell — Never Let Me Go (2010) face to face / Reporter / East News, Invision/Invision/East News Keisha Castle-Hughes — Whale Rider (2002) SOUTH PACIFIC / Album / East News, © FBI: Most Wanted / CBS Television Studios and co-producers Ed Oxenbould — Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014) Courtesy Everett Collection / East News, Courtesy Everett Collection / East News Brooklynn Prince — The Florida Project (2017) Everett Collection / Everett Collection/ East News, © Brooklynn Prince / Instagram Raven-Symoné — Dr. Dolittle (1998) East News, MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/East News Sadie Sink — Stranger Things (2017—) © Stranger Things / Netflix and co-producers, Invision/Invision/East News Madeline Zima — Mr. Nanny (1993) New Line Cinema / Courtesy Everett Collection / East News, Invision/Associated Press/East News Mayim Bialik — Blossom (1990–1995) Touchstone Television / Courtesy Everett Collection / East News, Invision/Invision/East News Luke Youngblood — Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) © Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone / Warner Bros. Pictures and co-producers, © Amanda Edwards / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images Maisie Williams — Game of Thrones (2011–2019) © Game of Thrones / HBO and co-producers, Berzane Nasser/ABACA/Abaca/East News Which of these child actors has changed the most? Share your opinion in the comments below. 21 Actors as Children and Now http://bit.do/21-Child-Actors-today Related topicsOTHER TOPICS
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2000 journalists at APEC Bangkok
More than 2,300 journalists covering APEC meeting in Bangkok
This picture shows the signage for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok on November 2, 2022. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) More than 2,300 journalists from around the world have registered to cover the Asia Pacific Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok on 18th and 19th November, according to a foreign ministry official. The senior official, who asked not to be named, told Thai PBS World that these journalists are from nearly 30 countries. There are 22 economies taking part in the AELM, which will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC). Senior officials from member economies have already begun their important deliberations on key outcome documents, ahead of the AELM meeting itself. The largest contingent of foreign journalists is from China,with more than 200 media staff, followed by Japan, with well over 100 journalists. There are fewer than 50 American journalists attending, due to the absence of President Joe Biden. Vice President Kamala Harris is representing him atthis important event. Nearly 500 local journalists are registered to cover the event, including several dozen bloggers. In a related developmental, November 16th through 18th have been declared public holidays, to facilitate the APEC meeting. There are 19 hotels near the QSNCC which are being used by the foreign guests. To mark this important occasion, a commemorative 20-baht coin and a 5-baht commemorative stamp will be issued. APEC 2022 Thailand is a year-long hosting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Thailand scheduled to take place in 2022.[ Thailand previously hosted APEC meetings in 2003 and 1992. The theme for 2022 APEC meetings is "Open. Connect. Balance. The summit is expected to return into an in-person meeting since the 2018 summit after the 2019 summit in Chile was cancelled due to the protests at the country and the last two editions were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the assassination of Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan, on 8 July 2022, security concerns were raised for the event that was only a few months away, which lead to heightened security measures being taken by Thailand. What is ApecWhat is Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation? The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. APEC's 21 members aim to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration. APEC has 21 members. The word 'economies' is used to describe APEC members because the APEC cooperative process is predominantly concerned with trade and economic issues, with members engaging with one another as economic entities.
What Does APEC Do? APEC ensures that goods, services, investment and people move easily across borders. Members facilitate this trade through faster customs procedures at borders; more favorable business climates behind the border; and aligning regulations and standards across the region. For example, APEC's initiatives to synchronize regulatory systems is a key step to integrating the Asia-Pacific economy. A product can be more easily exported with just one set of common standards across all economies. Sustainable and Inclusive Asia-Pacific APEC works to help all residents of the Asia-Pacific participate in the growing economy. For example, APEC projects provide digital skills training for rural communities and help indigenous women export their products abroad. Recognizing the impacts of climate change, APEC members also implement initiatives to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainable management of forest and marine resources. The forum adapts to allow members to deal with important new challenges to the region's economic well-being. This includes ensuring disaster resilience, planning for pandemics, and addressing terrorism. APEC's 21 member economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam. APEC Process APEC: Cooperation and Consensus APEC operates as a cooperative, multilateral economic and trade forum. Member economies participate on the basis of open dialogue and respect for views of all participants. In APEC, all economies have an equal say and decision-making is reached by consensus. There are no binding commitments or treaty obligations. Commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis and capacity building projects help members implement APEC initiatives. APEC's structure is based on both a "bottom-up" and "top-down" approach. Four core committees and their respective working groups provide strategic policy recommendations to APEC Leaders and Ministers who annually set the vision for overarching goals and initiatives. The working groups are then tasked with implementing these initiatives through a variety of APEC-funded projects. Members also take individual and collective actions to carry out APEC initiatives in their individual economies with the assistance of APEC capacity building projects. APEC Capacity Building Projects Capacity building projects play an important role in helping translate APEC's goals into reality. By enhancing members' capacity through skills training and technological know-how, APEC-funded projects strengthen members' readiness to adopt new initiatives from electronic customs processing to regulatory reform. APEC projects also target specific policy areas from enhancing small and medium enterprise competitiveness to facilitating the adoption of renewable energy technologies in the region. The APEC Project Management Unit oversees APEC-funded projects in collaboration with working groups. Funding for projects is made possible by contributions from APEC members. The APEC Policy Support Unit provides policy research, analysis and evaluation to assist in the implementation of APEC's agenda. The APEC process is supported by a permanent secretariat based in Singapore. Apec Bangkok Thailand 2022 http://bit.do/ApecBangkok2022 Related topics2022 Thailand Priorities Open . Connect . Balance Connect in all Dimensions Two years into the pandemic, disrupted connectivity remains one of the pressing unresolved issues in the region. To revive growth, APEC 2022 will focus on restoring connectivity by resuming safe and seamless cross-border travel, reinvigorating tourism and the services sector, facilitating business mobility as well as increasing investment in health security.
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Thai transgender buys Miss Universe org $31 million
Thai transgender activist buys Miss Universe organisation for $31 million Chakrapong “Anne” Chakrajutathib has starred in reality shows in her home nation of Thailand.(Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha) Thai transgender activist buys Miss Universe organisation for $31 million A Thai business tycoon and transgender activist has purchased the Miss Universe Organisation for $US20 million ($31 million), her company has announced. Key points:
Chakrapong "Anne" Chakrajutathib controls JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd and is a celebrity in Thailand who has starred in reality shows. JKN said it acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC, a sports, talent and events marketing company which has held the Miss Universe Organisation since 2015. Former US president Donald Trump was part owner of the pageant rights from 1996 until IMG's purchase. In a statement on Wednesday, Ms Chakrajutathib described the purchase as "a strong, strategic addition to our portfolio". JKN, which is involved in content distribution, beverages, food supplements, beauty and consumer products, said the Miss Universe name will be used to promote its consumer products. Ms Chakrajutathib also said she wants to use the beauty pageant to inspire women like her. "It's a universal platform… I can become the aspiration for so many people, in particular women, LGBTQ, so they can transform," she said. Ms Chakrajutathib has been outspoken about her experience as a transgender woman and also set up the Life Inspired For Thailand Foundation to advocate for the rights to dignity and opportunities for transgender people. The last Miss Universe pageant was held in the Red Sea resort of Eilat, Israel.(Reuters/Ronen Zvulun) "I learned to get through pain, therefore I prepared myself to be ready all the time … I turned pain into power," she said. A profile of Ms Chakrapong in the Bangkok Post newspaper earlier this year said in her youth, she studied at an all-male school where she was harassed for identifying as female. After attaining financial success, she spent 40 million baht ($1.6 million) on sex reassignment surgery and other procedures, the newspaper reported. Thailand enjoys a positive international reputation when it comes to the rights and lifestyles of LGBTQ communities. Despite this, the absence of a procedure for transgender people to change their legal gender, coupled with insufficient legal protections and social stigma, limits transgender people's access to services and exposes them to daily indignities, New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a report last year. Thai transgender activist buys Miss Universe organisation for $31 million https://lnkd.in/gfhxav7K Related topics
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Thailand to lure wealthy foreigners with residency visas
Thailand joins global race to lure wealthy foreigners with residency visas ![]() As Covid-19 recedes around the world, many countries are granting special long-term visas for affluent foreigners in a bid to boost tourism and attract talented professionals to speed up their economic recovery. Thailand launched the updated Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa on September 1, joining Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates in granting long-stay rights to targeted foreigners – though terms and conditions vary from country to country. From last month, Thailand halved the fee for its LTR visa, which lasts for 10 years, from 100,000 baht to 50,000 baht to attract four groups of foreigners – wealthy people, retirees, those who want to work in Thailand, and experts. The government expects the LTR visa to bring in at least 1 million people per year, significantly boosting economic recovery after Covid. Specific conditions have been set for each group. Affluent applicants must have combined assets of at least US$1 million and an income of at least $80,000 per year. They must also invest at least $500,000 in Thailand, in property or other assets. Meanwhile, retirees and experts must earn at least $80,000 per year, while the latter must have at least five years’ experience working at a specialist level in a targeted industry. Those who want to work in Thailand must earn at least US$80,000 per year and also have a minimum five years’ experience working in legally registered companies with total revenue of $150 million in the past three years. The visa also covers up to four family members, including dependents under 20 years of age. Elsewhere, Japan has launched the High End Talent Visa to attract skilled labours in agriculture, construction and other fields where demand is high for foreign workers. Applicants must pass a language test and other relevant training. The visa has unlimited validity. Singapore plans to launch the Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) in January next year. The pass is valid for five years but can be renewed. Applicants must have at least 700,000 baht fixed income per month and must demonstrate that they have been working for an established company overseas for at least 1 year, or will be working for an established company in Singapore. Individuals with outstanding achievements in the arts and culture, sports, science and technology, and academia and research qualify for the ONE Pass, even if they do not meet the salary criterion. The UK launched its High Potential Individual Visa in May this year. The visa is valid for two years but can be turned into a long-term work visa if conditions are met. Applicants must have graduated with a degree from an eligible institute outside the UK in the past five years and scored B1 or higher in the English language test. A criminal record check is also required. The UAE, meanwhile, launched the five-year UAE Green Visa last month to attract highly skilled workers, digital nomads and investors. Eligible candidates must earn at least 150,000 baht per month and hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Business owners can also apply provided that their revenue exceeds 3.5 million baht in the past two years. Thailand to lure wealthy foreigners with residency visas https://lnkd.in/gUvfP68N Related topics
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The rush to cash in on Thailand's hazy cannabis laws
The rush to cash in on Thailand's hazy cannabis laws
It's a hot Sunday afternoon on tropical Koh Samui and tourists at a luxury beach club are relaxing on white sofas, cooling off in the pool and sipping expensive champagne. Some are also smoking cannabis joints, right out in the open. It's a startling sight in Thailand where, until a few months ago, people caught with the drug were often jailed. But cannabis, or "ganja" as it's known here, is no longer classed as an illegal drug in Thailand. In June, the south-east Asian nation took the plant off the banned narcotics list so people could grow, sell and use it for medicinal purposes. At a beach club on Koh Samui, waiters serve joints to visitors as they sit around the pool.(Foreign Correspondent: Craig Hansen ACS) Carlos Oliver (left), a British national on holiday in Thailand, says the country is like "the new Amsterdam" thanks to the sudden decriminalisation of cannabis.(Foreign Correspondent: Craig Hansen ACS) But a law regulating its recreational use has not yet passed the parliament, leaving a legal grey area that many, from tourists to "ganja-preneurs", are now rushing to take advantage of. "There's a huge demand for cannabis," says the beach club's owner, Carl Lamb, a British expat who has lived on Koh Samui for 25 years and owns a number of resorts. Thailand's resorts were already flickering back to life after the pandemic but, according to Mr Lamb, the decriminalisation of cannabis has been a "game changer". "The number one call we get, the number one email every day is, 'Is it true? Is it correct that you can sell marijuana and smoke marijuana in Thailand?'" he says. "I haven't seen this kind of appetite for Koh Samui in 10 years." Technically, people can be charged with being a nuisance for smoking in public, with a maximum penalty of up to three months in jail or a $1,000 fine, or both. "We did have the police come in and visit us when it first started and we'd already done our research on what the laws were and they just reinforced it and reminded us of the laws," says Mr Lamb. Thai law currently restricts those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or under 20 from using cannabis. "And [the police said] if it bothers anyone then we have to shut it down immediately … We actually welcome some sort of regulation. We don't think it's a bad thing." Cannabis-infused food is now on the menu at a beach club in Koh Samui, Thailand.(Foreign Correspondent: Craig Hansen ACS) A box on the beach club counter contains joints for sale over the counter.(Foreign Correspondent) He says no one has complained here yet. "It's like the new Amsterdam," says Carlos Oliver, a British tourist at the resort, as he selects a ready-rolled joint from a black box. "We came [to Thailand] when marijuana wasn't available, then a month into our trip you could buy weed everywhere – in the bars, in the cafes, on the street. So we smoke it and it's like, how cool is this? It's amazing." YouTube Watch Foreign Correspondent's Thai High on YouTube. ConfusionConfusion after rapid decriminalisation Up in the capital Bangkok, new cannabis businesses are springing up every week. Kitty Chopaka still cannot believe she is allowed to sell real cannabis alongside the cannabis flavoured lollies in her colourful shop in the upmarket Sukhumvit area. "Oh my God, I never thought in my lifetime that this would actually happen," the passionate cannabis advocate says. Ms Chopaka admits there was some initial confusion for new dispensaries and curious customers, after the government insisted cannabis was for medicinal and therapeutic use only. Cannabis extracts must contain less than 0.2 per cent of the psychoactive chemical THC, but dried flowers are unregulated. And while the public nuisance law forbids smoking in public, there is no ban on smoking on private property. Kitty Chopaka now sells real cannabis alongside cannabis flavoured lollies in her shop on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok.(Foreign Correspondent: Craig Hansen ACS) "I never thought that Thailand would let something be delisted before they put in rules for it, but then again, Thai politics surprises me all the time," Ms Chopaka says. She has been advising the parliamentary committee drafting the new law, which has been delayed as stakeholders and politicians debate its scope. In the meantime, in some parts of Bangkok, a distinct smell wafts through the air and it seems easier to get a joint than a Pad Thai. Popular night-life strips like the famous Khao San Road now have cannabis shops of all shapes and sizes. Soranut Masayavanich, or "Beer" as he is known, was an underground grower and dealer, but opened a licensed dispensary in the city's Sukhumvit area on the day the law changed. When Foreign Correspondent visits his shop there is a steady stream of customers wanting different strengths, flavours and varieties. Shops selling cannabis have sprung up across Bangkok.(Reuters: Jorge Silva) The flowers are displayed in matching glass jars on the counter and Beer's staff speak with the same flair as a sommelier offering advice on a selection of wine. "It's like living the dream every day, I have to pinch myself," Beer says. "It's been a good ride, success. Business is booming." Beer started out in an entirely different direction in life as a child actor in one of Thailand's most popular sitcoms, but after being caught with cannabis he says the stigma ended his acting career. He started selling cannabis illegally, raking in thousands of dollars a month. "Those were the golden days – good sales, we don't have competitors, we don't have too much rent, we just did it on our phones," Beer says. "But I love [operating legally] more. This is my dream job. It's not business, it's personal." Beer's shop sells a variety of dried cannabis flowers in different strengths and flavours, with sommelier-like customer service to help buyers make a selection.(Foreign Correspondent: Craig Hansen ACS) They weren't golden days for everyone – Beer avoided jail but thousands caught with cannabis were locked up in Thailand's notoriously crowded prisons. For centuries, "ganja" used to grow wild in Thailand and was used in traditional medicine. But in the 1970s, as the US embarked on its global "war on drugs", Thailand classified cannabis as a "Class 5" narcotic and imposed hefty fines and jail terms. When it was decriminalised in June, more than 3,000 inmates were released from jail and their cannabis-related criminal records were deleted. Some even got their stash back. It was an unbelievable turnaround for a nation known for its aggressive zero tolerance policy. Tossapon Martmuang and Peerapat Sajjabanyongkij were serving a seven-and-a-half-year jail sentence for transporting 355 kilograms of "brick weed" in northern Thailand. But when the law changed four months into their incarceration, they were let out. Tossapon Martmuang and Peerapat Sajjabanyongkij were jailed for transporting 355 kilograms of cannabis. Months later, they were released when it was decriminalised.(Foreign Correspondent: Craig Hansen ACS) "It feels like winning the lottery, better than the first prize in the lottery," Mr Tossapon says. At the time of their arrest, police officers had paraded them in front of the media and posed for photographs with the large haul they had seized. It was an entirely different mood on their release – the media waited outside jails to capture happy family reunions and politicians were there offering congratulations while trying to shore up votes for next year's elections. PoliticsThailand's astonishing 180-degree turn on cannabis is, after all, fundamentally political. It was the current public health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, who changed the game by promising to put the plant back in the hands of the people. Government-controlled medicinal cannabis had already been legal for four years, but at the last election in 2019 his party's signature policy was that people could grow and use the plant at home as medicine. For farmers, it would be a new cash crop. Thailand's public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul harnessed popular support for cannabis decriminalisation for political advantage in the last election.(Reuters: Jorge Silva) The policy proved a handy vote winner – Mr Anutin's party Bhumjaithai became the second biggest in the ruling coalition. "I think [cannabis was] the thing that stuck out most, some people even called my party the cannabis party," Mr Anutin says. "All the studies that we were given clearly stated that if we used cannabis plants in the correct way, it would create lots of opportunities, not only [for] revenue, but also [for] the better health of people." The medicinal cannabis industry, which began in 2018, has flourished under Anutin and he expects it to be worth billions of dollars to the Thai economy in the years to come. "You can make revenue out of every part of this tree," he says. "So the first beneficiary will clearly be those farmers and people in the farming business." Thai farmers are having mixed success with the new cash crop. Sisters Jomkwan and Jomsuda Nirundorn run a successful cannabis farm in north-eastern Thailand.(Foreign Correspondent: Craig Hansen ACS) Sisters Jomkwan and Jomsuda Nirundorn's farm in north-east Thailand was known for its Japanese melons, then four years ago they pivoted to cannabis. Extroverted and smiley, the two young "ganja-preneurs" began by supplying plants high in the medicinal chemical CBD to a local hospital, before recently branching out to THC plants for the recreational market. "It started with 612 seeds and they all failed, then the second [lot] failed," Jomkwan says, rolling her eyes and giggling. It was a case of third time lucky. Within a year they had recouped their $80,000 set up costs and had expanded to grow cannabis in 12 greenhouses with the help of 18 full-time staff. A square metre of melons used to earn them about $20, but cannabis fetches close to $1,000. "So I think it's better than melons, right?" Jomsuda says with a smile. Out on the land though, others are finding growing cannabis harder than they expected. The Thai government handed out one million free cannabis seedlings the week cannabis was decriminalised, but for rice farmer Pongsak Maneethun, the dream was over in no time. "We tried to grow it, we planted the seedling, then when they grew we put them into the soil, but later they withered and died," Mr Pongsak says. Jomkwan and Jomsuda Nirundorn's cannabis farm now employs 18 full-time staff.(Reuters: Chalinee Thirasupa) He adds that neither the hot Thailand weather nor the soil in his province in the country's east are suitable for growing cannabis. "People who have money will want to join this experiment … but grassroots people like us, we wouldn't dare to invest, to take such a risk," he says. "And people are still scared of [cannabis] because it was a narcotic drug – they are afraid their children or grandchildren will use it and get addicted." FearsLots of people are worried about children. A national survey found the majority of Thais don't want them getting into "ganja" culture. The Dean of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine, Dr Chanchai Sittipunt, says there is data suggesting cannabis use among young people can have long-term cognitive effects. "Even if you are a grown-up man, if you use it long term, I still believe that there might [be] some side effects in the future," Dr Chanchai says. More than 1,000 Thai doctors have petitioned the government to suspend cannabis decriminalisation until the new law is finalised by the parliament. They are in favour of doctor-prescribed medicinal cannabis, but not the current situation that has led to unregulated recreational use. A tourist smokes a joint at a Koh Samui resort, where it's now legal to smoke cannabis on private property.(Foreign Correspondent: Craig Hansen ACS) Dr Chanchai says there is no doubt the world is watching how Thailand's experience with cannabis legalisation unfolds and whether it becomes the Amsterdam of Asia. "I don't want Thailand to be thought of as that destination, we don't want to be the cannabis haven of the world," Dr Chanchai says. Public health minister Anutin says his policy "doesn't advocate recreational cannabis use" and the existing public health law is strong enough to clamp down on smoking in public. "Thailand's cannabis policy focuses on medical and health purposes and nothing else," he says. And he has this warning for foreign tourists: "News that it's the land of free cannabis, that you can smoke freely everywhere on our soil, that is fake news and we don't welcome those kind of tourists". Whether the new legislation should ban recreational use entirely, as opposed to just discouraging it, is the question Thailand's politicians are still grappling with. "We can't go back now, they have to regulate it, they can't make it illegal," Ms Chopaka says. The genie is out of the bottle, she says. "That bottle is broken. It's gone." Did you know1. One hectare of cannabis releases as much oxygen as 25 hectares of forest. Cannabis grows in 4 months and trees grow in 20-50 years. 3. Trees make recyclable paper 3 times while hemp makes recyclable paper 8 times. Hemp paper is the best and most durable. 5. Hemp plants are a radiation trap. Cannabis plantations purify the air. 6. Hemp can be grown anywhere in the world, it needs very little water. Furthermore, because it can defend itself against parasites, it doesn't need pesticides. 7. Hemp textiles outperform even linen products in their properties. 8. Hemp is an ideal plant for the production of edges, ropes, bags, shoes, hats... 9. Cannabis is banned in Bulgaria. But technical cannabis does not contain a drug and can be grown freely. 10. The protein value of cannabis seeds is very high and two fatty acids contained in it cannot be found anywhere else in nature. 11. Growing cannabis is much cheaper than soy. 12. Animals that eat cannabis don't need hormone supplements. 13. All plastic products can be made from hemp, hemp plastic is environmentally friendly and fully biodegradable. 14. Hemp can also be used for thermal insulation of buildings, it is durable, cheap and flexible. 15. Hemp soaps and hemp cosmetics do not pollute water, so they are completely environmentally friendly. And about the benefits of medical cannabis in the treatment of many different conditions, one more time From the web The rush to cash in on Thailand's hazy cannabis laws https://thaibis.family/CannabisThailand
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Bangkok’s new green space forest skywalk
AboutBenjakitti Forest Park, is new landmark public park of central Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand. Benjakitti Forest Park, Bangkok’s newest and biggest public park is now welcoming tourists and locals alike. And if you are traveling to Bangkok from Hua Hin, the park is well worth a visit. Benjakitti Forest Park in Klong Toey district spans some 450 rai and is located on the former site of the factory belonging to the Tobacco Authority of Thailand. The development of the park was in accordance with the wishes of His Late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and is part of the government’s 30-year plan to create large city public parks. ![]() Costing more than 650 million baht, the park’s redevelopment has been part of a joint venture between the Finance Ministry Treasury Department and the Royal Thai Army, while the Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts has overseen the design. The plan was to enlarge Benjakitti Park in order to create the ‘lungs of the city’, which would see the park become a tourist attraction in its own right and a green space that people in Bangkok could enjoy. Opened in 1994, the original Benjakiti Park underwent its first phase of renovations in 2016, which saw the park expanded by a further 61 rai. Phases 2 and 3, which include the latest expansion, opened quietly in 2021 with the official opening set for later this year. Its expansion means that Benjakitti Forest Park will be the largest park in Bangkok once completed, dwarfing the famous Lumpini Park by almost 100 rai. The park comprises a 5.8 kilometer nature trail, a 2.8 kilometer running path, and a 3.4 kilometer cycling path, which are specifically designed to promote physical activity. Both the running and cycling paths in the park are separate tracks and also include a slow and faster lane for convenience and safety. ![]() There is also an auditorium made from giant tracts from the original tobacco factory and which can accommodate a total of 15,000 people. A building which was also once part of the tobacco factory will also be converted into an indoor sports centre and a museum that can accommodate up to 3,000 people. One of the highlights of the park is the forest area where students and members of the public will be able to learn about nature and different ecosystems. Once phase 3 is complete, the park will include a total of four ponds which can hold up to 128 million cubic meters of water. The ponds act like giant sponges to soak up storm water during the wet season. In addition the park is also able to double up as a water treatment plant, capable of producing up to 1,600 cubic metres of water per day. ![]() The area around the ponds will see 7,155 new trees planted, as well as mangrove and freshwater plants, evergreens and Thai flowers, including Banyan trees, Yangna (Dipterocarpus alatus, Lumpae (Sonneratia caseolaris), Lumpoon (Sonneratia ovate), Takhian (Hopea odorata), Sadao (Neem)and Kheelek (Senna siamea). The new trees are in addition to the 1,733 mature trees that already grow on the site, with the whole site set to become home to a wide variety of wildlife. Plans are also in place to upgrade the 1.3 kilometer elevated walkway which connects Benjakitti and Lumphini parks. As well as being a boon for visitors, the flowers, trees and wetlands in the park will help to remove pollutants including PM2.5 particles from the air in Bangkok. The official opening of the park is due to be held on August 12th to mark the Royal Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. Benjakitti Forest Park is open daily from 5am to 9pm and is located next to the Queen Sirikit Convention Center.
Tip:- The backdrop of skyscrapers from Bangkok’s business district that can be seen from the park’s lake make for an excellent photo opportunity.
Benjakitti Forest Park: Bangkok’s new green space is a must see https://lnkd.in/gW9zPhv7
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Visual Airlines by Fleet Composition
Visualizing Well-Known Airlines by Fleet Compositio How many airplanes do the world’s major airlines utilize in their fleets, and which models do they prefer? Some prefer newer planes, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which came into service in the 2010s. Others prefer large planes, like the Airbus A380 , the world’s largest passenger aircraft. A few carriers, like Air France–KLM, opt for variety. The airline uses 16 different active models. This contrasts with Southwest Airlines, which utilizes a single model in its fleet. This series of graphics visualizes some of the world’s most well-known airliners by fleet composition, using fleet data from Planespotters.net as of May 26, 2022. How Many Planes Are in Airline Fleets?Each plane in a fleet is tracked in meticulous detail, from its start of service date and age, to its registration number and current status. Above we visualized the parent airline’s current fleets, which includes planes that are either in service or parked for future service. They do not include retired planes (the historic fleet) or future planes on order. From conglomerates to flag carriers, here are some of the world’s most well-known airline fleets: U.S. based airlines were far and away the largest aircraft carriers, with American Airlines being the world’s largest airline by fleet size since 2019. Interestingly, Delta Airlines was the largest by revenue in 2020, despite a smaller fleet size. Asia’s largest airline has been China Southern, in both fleet size, revenue, and passengers carried. Together with China Eastern and the flag carrier Air China, it is part of China’s “Big Three” airlines. But smaller airlines aren’t any less important, or lucrative. The slightly smaller fleet size of International Airlines Group (IAG), which was formed from a merger between flag carriers British Airways and Iberia, includes planes that fly on the world’s highest grossing routes. They’re joined on the list by other smaller fleets including UAE airliner Emirates, Singapore Airlines (often ranked as the world’s best airline), and Air Canada. Boeing, Airbus, and Other Aircraft ManufacturersThe story of airline fleets usually breaks down to the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, Europe’s Airbus and America’s Boeing. By outlasting key competitors and mergers in a difficult industry, the duopoly has solidified a grasp on the commercial aircraft sector. In 2019, they were estimated to control a combined 91% of the global commercial aircraft market. Which manufacturers do the world’s popular airlines utilize? Here’s a breakdown of the same airlines from above, this time by manufacturer share: Notably, European and Asian airlines have emerged as slightly bigger Airbus customers, while American carriers favor Boeing. There are also standouts, such as Southwest Airlines’ utilization of just one make, the Boeing 737. And a few carriers used aircraft from other manufacturers as well. Brazil’s Embraer saw usage in IAG and Air France–KLM, making up 17% of the latter’s total fleet. Bombardier‘s CJR planes, formerly produced by the Canadian manufacturer but now owned by the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, saw use by IAG, Air France–KLM, and Lufthansa. The Airbus A220 was also originally a Bombardier plane before being acquired by the European manufacturer in 2018. China Southern Airlines was the only other airline to feature a different manufacturer’s plane in its active fleet, the ARJ21. Also known as the Xiangfeng (literally “soaring phoenix”), it was developed by Chinese state-owned manufacturer Comac and first introduced into service in 2016. What Will Airlines Use in the Future?Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbus was starting to outperform Boeing in market share. In 2019, the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX model after two crashes saw 387 active aircraft grounded and 1,200 canceled orders, a debacle that could go down as the most costly corporate blunder in history. Soon after, Airbus took the global market share lead in new orders, with the Airbus A320 becoming the world’s highest selling family of aircraft in October 2019. But the COVID-19 pandemic quickly followed and severely impacted the entire aviation industry. As countries, airliners, and manufacturers look to bounce back and recover, fleet compositions are sure to change in coming years. Related topicNEW TO TOWNif you like info, keep us going sponsor a coffee
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Thai Airways Launches “Time to Gold” Package
Thai Airways Launches “Time to Gold” Package Travelers who take advantage of the offer will receive Royal Orchid Plus Gold status for the next two years.
Photo: Thai Airways International Members of Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Plus loyalty program — which ranked among the top five frequent flyer programs in the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2022 — can look forward to greater perks in the coming months. The airline has just unveiled a brand-new “Time to Gold” package in response to growing demand for travel and Thailand’s further easing of entry rules for international arrivals. Loyal customers can buy a 350,000 THB (about US$10,195) air ticket cash credit voucher that’s valid until December 31, 2023, and receive a complimentary two-year Royal Orchid Plus Gold card with full status benefits. The package is now available on thaiairways.com, and this limited-time promotion runs only until July 31, 2022. Time to Gold is exclusively offered to Royal Orchid Plus members; Basic and Silver members can buy this package to elevate their status, while Gold and Platinum members will be awarded 6,200 bonus miles upon purchase, which can be given to other members as a gift. In addition, Gold and Platinum membership statuses that are expiring before the end of December are being automatically extended by Thai Airways for another year. Within the Asia-Pacific region, the special package is available to customers in Thailand, as well as those in Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Hong Kong. It also extends to members based in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The 350,000 THB cash credit can be redeemed for THAI and THAI Smile air tickets; terms and conditions apply. More information here. ![]() Related topicNEW TO TOWNif you like info, keep us going sponsor a coffee
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