China’s EVs driving world into the post-carbon energy era – Asia Times

Electric cars made up more than 50 % of all vehicles sold in China last year, making it China’s largest EV market by much.

The EV and NEV market expansion is having a good effect on the air quality in major Chinese cities. Significant improvements have been made to the Air Quality Index ( AQI ) in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other major Chinese cities.

Chinese EV producers are quickly expanding abroad. 80 % of all Vehicles produced in China were sold globally next year. Some EVs from illustrious manufacturers like Ford, Nissan, and Kia are produced in China or depend on Chinese manufacturers for essential components like batteries. China accounts for 75 % of the country’s power battery manufacturing capability.

In the past ten years, the Taiwanese government has provided more than US$ 200 billion to support its EV sector. The purchase was a part of China’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The government also uses incentives to boost the development of chargers, wind turbine, solar panels and other natural software. More renewable energy sources are developed than combined by the rest of the world.

The Taiwanese and international auto industries are being transformed by the EV sales explosion. Sales of most legacy ( internal combustion engines ) car makers are cratering, in some cases by over 10 % a year.

Manufacturing facilities and showrooms for a number of Chinese manufacturers of internal combustion engines ( ICE ) vehicles are closing. Yet renowned brands are struggling. Porche is closing 35 of its 138 showrooms in China.

Share of New Energy Vehicles ( NEVs ). Some researchers predict that in 2030, ICE’s share of the market will become smaller. Image Copyright © Berylls.

China’s EV sector was created wholly using Chinese manufacturing technology. The sector is diagonally integrated, and freelancing is minimized. Horizontal inclusion leads to considerable advantages in excellent power, speed, and price. Foreign EVs are, on average, half the price of EVs produced in international markets.

China’s top-selling model Ford has taken vertical connectivity to a new stage. From the transportation of vehicles across the world to the mine of raw materials, the auto giant has control. The business owns sodium mines, manufactures battery packs, and runs an EV insurance provider that covers every aspect of the supply chain for electric vehicles.

Earlier this month the firm launched the BYD Shenzhen, its fifth auto ship. The vehicle has a power of 9, 200 electrical cars.

BYD vehicle ship with a power of 9, 200 vehicles. Photo © BYD

International disruption

The electricity of freedom, the biggest disruption in the background of the car industry, is shaking up the global auto market. While Foreign EVs are rapidly expanding worldwide, opening factories abroad, or transferring existing businesses from tradition makers, almost all other car manufacturers are experiencing difficulties. &nbsp,

BYD, which recently acquired a Ford shop in Brazil, is building new crops in Hungary and Turkey. Chery Auto, a joint venture between China and EV Motors, started producing Vehicles in Barcelona. Prior to that, Great Wall Motors purchased General Motors vegetation in India and Thailand.

Japanese manufacturers are also in surrender. Due to the rapid shift toward electric vehicles and increased competition from nearby automakers, a number of Chinese automakers have stepped down or shut down operations in China. Nissan halted production at its Foreign flower, and Mitsubishi withdrew from the Chinese market. In addition to reducing its production power, Honda is facing declining sales in China.

According to unverified press accounts, Chinese EV designers also have their eye on Germany, the center of German car manufacturing. In 2027, Volkswagen intends to stop producing goods at its Dresden and Osnabruck plants. Chinese automakers BYD, Leapmotor, and Chery Auto are said to be looking into possible acquisitions for the European species.

Foreign car manufacturers would have better access to EU production facilities to avoid International tariffs on imported electric vehicles from China and increase their presence there. The EU Commission announced tariffs of up to 37 % on Chinese cars last October in addition to the already 10 %.

Given German concerns about the culture, it is ironic to raise the cost of Chinese electric vehicles in the EU, but it is also a repeat of the earlier car conflicts with Japan. In the 1980s, some European countries and the US resorted to” Voluntary Export Restraints” to offer Western carmakers time to catch up with Japan’s” Just-In-Time” manufacturing systems.

In October next month, Brussels raised the stakes with Beijing. It made new regulations that may involve the transfer of technology between Chinese EV manufacturers based in EU countries. A significant role reversal occurs when international companies investing in production systems are required to reveal their systems with their Chinese partners in the 1980s.

Decline our business reveal of European carmakers. Japanese manufacturers show a similar drop. Illustration Copyright © Bloomberg

With what appears to be an unsurmountable result, transferring or sharing technology would not be a problem for Chinese EV manufacturers.

Vehicle industry experts believe that Chinese EV manufacturers are 10 to 15 times ahead of the rest of the world, according to John Bozella, leader of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and Sam Evans of the Electric Viking website. It may create Vehicles in the Union with five-year-old technology.

The February elections in Germany may have a lot of impact. It would be difficult to stop Foreign output in Germany. European automakers have been operating plants in China for a long time. Ford, much the top-selling company in China, earns 50 % of its revenue in China. German’s premium models Mercedes Benz and BMW have also benefited from the Chinese business.

Energy move

Foreign companies addressed one of the last issues with EV batteries: the battery life and collection. CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, announced the production of an EV device that will last 15 years or one million yards.

CATL warrants that the device may have 85 % potential loyalty after the warranty expires and offers a 10-year or 600, 000-mile insurance. The batteries can be used again to store power in a home. &nbsp,

The need for petroleum products has decreased as a result of the explosion of the EV business. China’s refined oil consumption peaked in 2023, according to China National Petroleum Corporation ( CNPC ), and it is now anticipated to decline. The number of gas stations is declining, as is the need for fuel.

Shell, the world’s largest oil company, intends to shut down 1.000 of its petrol stations in China. The business installed 70, 000 people charging facilities in the nation by 2025 and built an EV charging station with 258 batteries in Shenzhen.

More than 20 000 charging facilities will be constructed in 420 Chinese cities in collaboration with Automotive manufacturer Xpeng. The latest (600-watt ) systems can charge car batteries in under 8 minutes.

Chinese EV makers export mostly mid-sized sedans but produce a wide range of EV vehicles, from micro cars with a price tag of under$ 10, 000 to high-performance” supercars” priced at over$ 200, 000 as well as electric bikes.

In Shanghai, the number of electric light riders reached over 10 million in 2022, which means that one in every 2.5 persons owns an e-bike.

EV microcar retailing for under$ 10.000 and an EV” supercar” with a price tag of over$ 200, 000.

To be sure, EVs are no cure for all of the nation’s economic issues. However, the world is quickly approaching the post-carbon power age, combined with the exponential rise in clean power generation.

China is the core of this natural change. China produces half of the world’s clean energy, in addition to leading the charge in thrilling mobility and producing green technologies like solar panels.

Western media has a habit of blatantly mentioning China as a source of global pollution while omitting the fact that Western businesses have been outsourcing their “dirty” production there for decades ( or that China’s population is twice that of the US and Europe combined ).

Green agreement

The EU Commission tussled with China over clean technology, including Vehicles, for almost a year before coming to the conclusion that China has “overcapacity” in green technology and that grants give it an “unfair benefits.”

The Commission could have just examined China’s federal environmental policies, which gave green technology equal priority over agriculture, as the EU did. &nbsp,

Despite its problems for the environment, the EU continues to support its agricultural industry. Agriculture is the main source of waste in Europe, according to the European Environment Agency, primarily due to its acid emissions, which are generally brought on by the use of livestock manure and fertilizer. &nbsp,

Between 2023 and 2027, the Union subsidized its agricultural sector with 264 billion dollars. The Union exports about 230 billion dollars in agricultural goods annually, more than its exports of 180 billion dollars. About 6 % of European agricultural “overproduction”, for about$ 16 billion annually, is exported to China.

Both parties can benefit from China upgrading European automobile manufacturing. China may expand its international footprints, and Europe may speed up its green revolution. Likewise, Europe gets access to manufacturing systems that will identify 21st-century flexibility. After years of outsourcing, car manufacturing is the last remnant of Europe’s mass production of consumer products.

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‘Excessive force’? Indonesia wants Malaysia to probe patrol officers’ shooting of migrants that left 1 dead

According to the Jakarta Globe, Christina Aryani, the deputy secretary for migrant workers security,” We are even assisting the families of the victims with legal help and arranging the relocation of the deceased’s system.” &nbsp, &nbsp,

Aryani even stated to the local media on Sunday that her government is arranging to meet with the Malaysian government to discuss preventative measures to prevent future tragedies. &nbsp,

She said the conference will discuss strategies for handling illegal Indonesian migrant workers while highlighting the importance of upholding human rights. &nbsp,

Aryani noted that at the time of the event, the five migrant workers were not traveling with identification cards or go records. &nbsp,

According to the New Straits Times on Saturday, Hussein claimed that the affair was being looked into in accordance with Sections 186 and 307 of the Penal Code for preventing civil servants from carrying out their duties.

The event may have involved up to 20 people, according to the police, some of whom may still be at big. Nonetheless, the boat did not possess any illegal or dangerous things, according to Hussein. &nbsp,

” Work are underway to observe the remaining offenders”, Hussein said on Saturday, as quoted by the New Straits Times.

He added that one of the four wounded foreigners ‘ remarks had already been recorded by the police as of Saturday.

Individually, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived in Putrajaya on Monday, for a state visit at the offer of Malaysian monarch, Sultan Ibrahim. &nbsp,

According to a media release from Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, Prabowo and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are scheduled to meet to discuss diplomatic participation and “regional and global issues of mutual interest.”

According to a statement from the local newspaper Malay Mail, Indonesia’s Minister of Migrant Workers Protection Abdul Kadir Karding will be one of the delegations Prabowo did accompany.

More monitoring by Denny Armandhanu&nbsp,

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Scammer in love scam involving Singapore actor Laurence Pang doctored photos of former Star Search finalist

In the days following the revelation that Singapore actor Laurence Pang had lost S$35,000 in a love scam, former Star Search 2019 finalist Vanessa Ho has shared that her pictures had been misappropriated and doctored by the scammers to cheat Pang.

The 25-year-old influencer said a friend had highlighted how the purported images of the scammer – used in an Instagram Reel by Singapore-based news outlet Mothership to report the love scam – resembled Ho’s.

According to Ho, one photo was taken from a mattress advertisement she did in May 2023. Another was from a lunch at a Japanese restaurant she posted in November 2023.

Ho initially accused Mothership of editing her pictures for their story. However, she later admitted on her Instagram Stories that Mothership wouldn’t have known better and apologised for her outburst.

Ho claimed that the initial copywriting by Mothership “was unclear” but thanked the outlet for making amendments.

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Mediacorp DJ Joakim Gomez reflects on Singapore Idol past, is at peace with being known as ‘failed singer’ from the show

One of the investigators, Stephanie Fam, started off by apologising to Gomez– saying she had been asking a extremely delicate issue. She went on to say that she “used to hate the tv DJ” in the past.

” I didn’t think you deserve to be in Singapore Hero in the first place”, said Fam. ” At least I didn’t believe you deserved to advance as far as you did.”

Then, when she inquired about Gomez’s response to her,” I would include hated myself on Singapore Hero as well,” he bravely responded,” I would have hated myself there as well.”

How can this awful Joakim Gomez singer get replaced with a better singer, not this one? asked Gomez.

He continued, praising his close friends and family for cheering him up when he was “very unhappy” and “felt the entire world was against]him.”

Gomez, however, refused to “victimise himself” and in addition to his support system, added that” therapy]was ] always available”.

Gomez was forced to answer concerns about his Hero days at other times throughout the season.

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Retrenchments in Singapore fall in 2024, employment growth slows: Advance estimates

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH SLOWED

Singapore’s full career continued to grow in 2024 although the progress slowed.

Total employment growth in 2024 is expected to be 45,500, lower than the 78,800 increase in 2023, when the number of work force buyers rose considerably.

After experiencing a decrease in the previous month, native work increased in 2024.

In 2024, more people were employed in higher-skilled areas including specialist services, financial solutions as well as in health and social services.

“On the other hand, non-resident career development moderated in 2024 compared to 2023, with getting in building driving up job of work permit buyers, ” said MOM.  

Total employment growth fell in the fourth quarter to 8,700 from 22,300 in the third quarter. However, this was still higher compared with the last quarter in 2023, when it was 3,900.

Demand for residents in growth sectors remained strong, with employment increases in key sectors such as professional services, financial services, and health and social services.

” There was also an uptick in retail trade due to year-end seasonal hiring, following declines in earlier quarters,” it added.  

Similar to previous quarters, non-resident employment increased primarily as a result of employers ‘ inability to find enough permanent employees to fill positions.

Non-resident employment declined in outward-oriented sectors such as information and communications, and insurance services.

OUTLOOK 

With the improving economic environment, Singapore’s labour market is expected to maintain its growth trajectory going forward, said MOM.  

According to the ministry’s polls, the percentage of businesses anticipating hiring more workers increased from 43 % in September to 46 % in December.

About 32 % of companies polled in December said they planned to raise wages, up from 16 % in September.

” Nevertheless, given the sustained uncertainty in the global economy, employers and workers need to press on with transformation and upskilling to adapt to changes and seize new opportunities,” said MOM.  

It was pointed out that as the resident workforce ages and shrinks over time, employers must acknowledge the need for increasing manpower.  

There is only limited headroom for resident employment to continue growing, according to the ministry with an already high resident labor force participation rate by international standards and low resident unemployment.  

Employers must invest in human capital development to maximize the potential of their employees.

We will need to remain open to foreign investments and global talent, which will in turn lead to more opportunities for local businesses and high-quality jobs for Singaporeans, in order to maintain Singapore’s economic competitiveness and complement our resident workforce. “

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Malaysia turns away hundreds of Rohingya refugees amid local concerns

“CRISIS WITHIN A CRISIS”

Arfaat Mohammed Emran, a refugee from Rohingya, arrived in Malaysia nearly ten years ago after fleeing Maungdaw, a village in Rakhine State.

He is currently a teacher at a Langkawi group college that UNHCR has funded.

Despite not adhering to the UN convention on immigrants, the father of two is appreciative of Malaysia providing him and his family with momentary protection.

” We feel secure, but never for a long time”, he added. ” We have been waiting for UN account for any settlement, or if our country is at peace, we need to transfer to our country, like volunteer return”.

But the situation up home appears to be worsening with the military cutting off contact, he said. &nbsp,

Arfaat hopes that Malaysia’s leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) this year will help to highlight the suffering of Rohingyas and put an end to their persecution.

This year, Langkawi may host at least 30 Asian meetings.

” It’s a crisis within a crisis”, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science. &nbsp,

” On one hand, there’s a turmoil of the revolution and civil conflict that has to be resolved apparently, and ASEAN has a large, major role in that”, he added.

However, ASEAN also needs to consider the Rohingya crises in Rakhine State and work with the Arakan army to stop the Rohingya Muslims ‘ oppression within that problems.

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Putin’s obsession with total victory crimps Trump’s peace promise – Asia Times

Donald Trump has already refuted his claim that he will resolve the Ukraine issue within the first 24 hours of business.

Trump’s counselors have then acknowledged that the conflict in Ukraine can’t be easily negotiated, just as he once said he would fix the US medical problems quickly and then backtracked to saying “nobody knew that heath care was thus complicated.” Trump’s” skill of the offer” does not really work in the real world of conflict solution.

Trump’s original intention was to provide further military support to Ukraine to deter further Russian aggression. This may encourage it to bring up the topic of the board.

Stopping aid to Ukraine might be a different tactic to help it deal. Trump would demand that Ukraine surrender its territory and establish an 800-mile demilitarized buffer zone ( to be guarded by NATO or European troops ) once “peace talks” started.

Trump is friendly to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that joining NATO poses a menace to Russian protection. Therefore, Ukraine would have to give up on aspired to actually join the local security bloc.

Russia, in turn, may get big restrictions pleasure, while a portion of the proceeds from&nbsp, tariffs&nbsp, on Russian energy imports would become allocated to&nbsp, Ukraine.

Trump’s peace plan was engineered by Russia-Ukraine special envoy Keith Kellogg ( a highly decorated three-star general ), who recently canceled an upcoming trip to Kyiv. Trump has already indicated that he wants to speak with Putin in order to “get the war over with.”

The biggest challenge is that Putin does not really want to make a deal, despite the plan’s numerous obstacles. Yes, in October, Russia was losing 1, 500 troops a day and the country was, and still is, struggling to recruit men.

With the onslaught of severe sanctions and being forced to spend tens of billions of dollars on defense rather than other government services, the Russian economy has had to deal with a lot.

All of this is irrelevant because Putin is so obsessed with Ukraine and her eventual victory. Russia might even be in a recession, as has been predicted in 2025, but that would still not be enough to force it to accept any compromise.

Putin categorically opposes Ukraine becoming a sovereign state. He either wants to control or destroy it. A weaker or nonexistent Ukraine would be a major blow to the United States ‘ position as a strongman in Russia, as well as a positive one for Putin’s legacy.

Unsurprisingly, Russia has already rejected the US’s unofficial suggestions, despite the fact that it has not yet seen an official statement on the subject. Putin favors serving as president during the war, and many Russians are willing to accept this new normal when they are under attack by oppression and inspired by patriotism.

Russia’s lack of compromise

Russia doesn’t think it needs to compromise. Putin is aware that he is much more determined than the West to defend Ukraine.

There are undoubtedly indications of fatigue in Europe for continuing to support Ukraine. In a YouGov poll of seven European countries ( France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the UK, Sweden and Denmark ), continuing support for Ukraine until Russia withdrew was found to be as low as 31 % on average, compared with around 40 % for encouraging a negotiated end to fighting, even if Ukraine lost territory.

In addition, lawmakers and the general public are exhausted in the US. Therefore, Congress, which is currently largely governed by the Republican party, may object to the provision of additional weapons to Ukraine.

In 2023, Republican opposition to Ukraine’s support already caused enormous delays. And while Republicans in Congress have been waning in favor of keeping the aid levels in Ukraine despite the Biden administration’s recent announcement of a new tranche of US$ 500 million, which is a portion of a total of$ 175 billion since the 2022 invasion.

This largely reflects the sentiments of the American public. In a Gallup poll conducted in December 2024, 48 % of people support US aiding Ukraine in regaining control of the land lost to Russia, marking the first time this percentage has fallen below the majority.

Support for Ukraine is also incredibly polar, with 74 % of Republicans and 30 % of Democrats wanting to end the conflict right away. Additionally, 67 % of Republicans think the US is doing too much.

Ultimately, it is likely there will be no peace deal any time soon because Trump does not really care about Ukraine, and doesn’t understand foreign policy. Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman, recently claimed that Trump pursued foreign policy in the manner of a” three-year-old.”

Trump cares more about impressing Putin ( or being seen as a deal-maker ) than supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. His vice-president, J. D. Vance, has been more direct about it, stating in 2022:” I gotta be honest with you, I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another”. This view could have a devastating effect on willingness, and commitment, to negotiate.

According to analysis by US historian Robert Kagan, without US aid, Ukraine will lose the war within the next 12-to-18 months. Yet, for every square mile Russia gains, it loses 40 men – a heavy price to pay ( Ukraine’s total area is 233, 100 square miles ).

The initial proclamations that Trump would resolve the Ukraine crisis in 24 hours were campaign bluster that showed little awareness of the conflict’s intrusibility and the difficulties of establishing a new administration.

A few weeks ago, Trump stated that part of his plan “is a surprise“. The surprise factor extends beyond the general public. Perhaps Trump has no idea what his next steps will be when it comes to putting an end to this conflict. And that could play perfectly into Putin’s hands.

Natasha Lindstaedt is professor in the department of government, University of Essex

This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Jeju Air: Bird feathers found in engines of crashed South Korean jet

10 days before
Kelly Ng

BBC News

Reporting fromSingapore
Jean Mackenzie

BBC News

Reporting fromSeoul
EPA Firefighters remove tarpaulin sheets covering the debris of a Jeju Air passenger plane at Muan International Airport in Muan, southwestern South Korea, 13 January 2025, following its crash on 29 December 2024.EPA

According to authorities, they have found proof of a bird attack on a rider plane that crashed in South Korea in December and caused the deaths of 179 individuals.

According to a preliminary research report released on Monday, the birds and body stains on both engines of the Jeju Air planes were caused by the Baikal purple, a species of migrant bird that files in big flocks.

The animal hit and a concrete structure at the end of the airport, which the planes crashed into, will now be the focus of the investigation into the fall, which is the deadliest on North Korean ground.

According to the report, the Boeing 737-800’s machines may be torn over and the concrete structure will be further examined.

The Jeju Air aircraft took off from Bangkok on December 29 in the morning and was headed for Muan International Airport in the south-west of the nation.

At about 08: 57 native time, three days after aircraft made contact with the airport, the control tower advised the team to be careful of “bird action”.

The captain reported that the aircraft had struck a bird at 08:59 and issued a call signal.

The captain therefore requested permission to make an emergency landing from the opposite direction, and during this time it belly-landed without the landing gear in place. According to the report, it overran the airport and exploded after crashing into the material structure.

A graphic shows the final moments of Flight 7C2216 with the aircraft touching down with landing gear up on the runway near the airport. The photo below shows the Jeju Air plane skidding along the runway. The bottom image shows the aircraft in a dark cloud of debris as it hits an embankment.

Authorities earlier said that flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the plane stopped recording about four minutes before the disaster.

Specialists who had flown the exact type of aircraft involved in the accident have even questioned the existence of concrete barriers along the airport, some claiming that the victim burden would have been lower if they had not been there.

The material composition holds a tracking system that assists airplane flights, known as a localiser.

According to South Korea’s transportation ministry, this system can be found at various airports in the nation and even abroad.

Last week, authorities announced that they will change the concrete barriers used for navigation at seven airports across the country. Seven airports will also have their runway safety areas adapted following a review.

The initial report has been sent to the aerospace company of the United Nations and to the governments of the United States, France, and Thailand.

A composite image with photos showing the embankment off the end of the runway at Muan International Airport, the wreckage of the plane that crashed, and a graphic showing the runway and the 250-metre distance to the embankment.

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Police summons motorcyclist who hit Korean on crossing

The moment when Kwanchai jumps the red light on Phaya Thai Road in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district on Jan 23 and struck a Korean man walking in a zebra crossing. (Screenshot from dashboard cam footage)
The incident occurred on January 23 when Kwanchai struck a Asian male while crossing a horse crossing on Phaya Thai Road in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi area. ( Screenshot from dashboard cam footage )

The motorist who used a pedestrian crossing on Phaya Thai Road last week to hit and injure a Vietnamese holiday has been called for questioning by the police to appear in court on Tuesday. &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

In the same location in 2022, a female physician was killed by a speeding motorcycle.

The motorist, who has only been identified as Kwanchai, will turn himself in to the Phaya Thai police station to report to them on suspicion of irresponsible driving, in violation of Section 390 of the Criminal Code, causing harm to people, and inflicting harm on another. &nbsp,

The neglect charge carries a fine of up to 10, 000 ringgit and/or one-month in captivity. A maximum sentence of three years in jail and/or a great of 60, 000 ringgit under Section 300 is imposed for reckless driving that causes severe injuries. &nbsp,

The arrest of Mr. Kwanchai had been delayed, according to Pol Col Watcharawee Thammasaema, the captain of the Phaya Thai authorities place, on Monday because he sustained minor injuries in the accident. &nbsp, &nbsp,

On the evening of January 23rd, a report camera footage from a auto showed Mr. Kwanchai and a 68-year-old Asian male hitting a motorbike with a rider passenger through a red traffic light.

In front of Bhumirajanagarindra Kidney Institute Hospital is the cross. The man fell to the ground motionless and was taken to Phyathai 1 Hospital, &nbsp,

On the same commuter cross, off-duty police officer officer driving a Ducati superbike ran down and killed Dr. Waraluck Supawatjakul of Chulalongkorn University three years prior. That event sparked nationwide indignation. &nbsp,

Pol Col Watcharawee said Mr Kwanchai’s body drinking test was negative. After this week, family of the damaged Korean who lives in Thailand would meet with police and speak on his behalf. They may claim compensation afterwards, through the judges, he said. &nbsp,

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