Two former journalists from the now-defunct Stand News in Hong Kong were sentenced for sedition, marking a significant case in the city's press freedom landscape. Chung Pui-Kuen and Patrick Lam were found guilty of publishing seditious articles, with Chung receiving a 21-month sentence and Lam released on medical grounds. The case highlights the ongoing decline of press freedom in Hong Kong, with organizations like the Hong Kong Journalist Association and Reporters Without Borders expressing concerns over the risks faced by media workers. The sentencing underscores the broader political crackdown following the 2019 pro-democracy protests and the imposition of the National Security Law by Beijing.

The article critiques the widespread dissemination of misleading conversion optimization tips in the marketing industry, drawing parallels to a fabricated study on chocolate and weight loss that fooled reputable media outlets. It emphasizes the importance of skepticism and critical thinking when evaluating marketing advice, highlighting the potential for flawed experiments and false positives to mislead marketers. The author calls for more rigorous scrutiny and context in interpreting conversion optimization claims.

Adam Ryan, former president of The Hustle, now leads Workweek, a media company focused on innovative business content. The article highlights the importance of understanding the financial aspects of content marketing, including the payback period and ROI. Workweek is noted for its successful content initiatives like Tracey Wallace's Contentment newsletter and Nik Sharma's DTC Branding.

The article explains the concept of an owner's draw, which is a method for business owners to take funds out of their business for personal use. It contrasts this with paying oneself a salary and discusses the tax implications and considerations for different business structures, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. The article also outlines steps to understand the difference between draw and salary, the impact of business classification on compensation decisions, the role of owner's equity, tax and compliance implications, determining the amount to pay oneself, and choosing between salary and draw. QuickBooks Online Payroll & Contractor Payments and Intuit Payments Inc. are mentioned in the context of money movement services.

Thailand is on the verge of legalizing same-sex marriage, a move celebrated by many but also raising concerns about potential discrimination due to the bill's terminology. Activists are pushing for more inclusive language to ensure equal rights for LGBTQ individuals. The bill has widespread political support and, if passed, will make Thailand the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. Despite progress, challenges remain, particularly regarding legal recognition of transgender individuals and the need for a gender identity law.

The article provides a comprehensive guide on starting an ecommerce business, detailing five key steps: finding and evaluating products to sell, researching competition and writing a business plan, choosing a business name and logo and setting up an online store, selecting a shipping strategy and setting sales and marketing goals, and finally launching the business. It discusses various business models, such as dropshipping and direct-to-consumer, and offers tips on marketing, advertising, and link building. The article also outlines the potential costs of starting an ecommerce business, emphasizing the importance of experimentation and understanding the target audience for success.

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole after six months in a police hospital for corruption-related offences. His release, amid reconciliation between his populist movement and the conservative establishment, raises questions about his future role in Thai politics. Thaksin's return coincides with the Pheu Thai Party's coalition government formation. The Move Forward Party, blocked from forming a government, questions the justice system's double standards. Thaksin's release has sparked mixed reactions, with some seeing it as justice and others as special treatment. His future political influence remains uncertain, with ongoing legal issues and potential roles in the Pheu Thai Party.

Thailand has seen a significant increase in Chinese tourists following the removal of visa requirements, with hundreds of thousands visiting during the Lunar New Year. The Thai government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has implemented a bilateral visa waiver and aggressive marketing strategies to attract Chinese tourists. The Tourism Authority of Thailand reports a substantial rise in daily arrivals, nearing pre-COVID levels. Phuket and other popular destinations have experienced high occupancy rates, and officials are optimistic about meeting their target of over eight million Chinese visitors by the end of 2024. Despite some challenges, such as China's economic issues and domestic travel trends, the outlook for Thai tourism remains promising.

The article explores the anticipated transformation of advertising driven by emerging technologies such as web and mobile buy buttons, social buy buttons, near field communications, mobile wallets, smart TVs, and touchscreens. It argues that traditional advertising methods will become obsolete as these technologies enable direct purchasing without the traditional sales funnel. The piece highlights the increasing media consumption and declining attention spans, suggesting that seamless integration of content, marketing, and buying will become the norm. The future of advertising is envisioned as a blend of native commerce on various platforms, including social media, search engines, and even physical locations like malls and taxis, ultimately leading to a more efficient and engaging consumer experience.

Thousands of Russian tourists are flying to Thailand to avoid the war in Ukraine or considering relocating there. Thailand has become a haven for Russian tourists since reopening its borders and lifting COVID-19 restrictions in October. Russia is the third-largest source of visitors to Thailand after Malaysia and India. Many Russians are seeking new homes due to economic difficulties and fear of military conscription. Real estate purchases and long-term rentals by Russians have surged, with some properties experiencing significant price increases. Despite sanctions against Russia due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Thailand has not followed Western countries in imposing sanctions or banning Russian tourists. The real estate market in Phuket is so saturated that unlicensed agents are emerging, and some Russian visitors are reported to be working illegally as tour guides and taxi drivers.