The hit Thai film moving TikTokers to tears
In South East Asia, where TikTokers ‘ sad actions are going viral, a Thai movie about a younger person caring for his dying mother has resonated with viewers.
Since its release in April, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has topped field office sales all over the area.
The movie follows M, a college student who is plotting to inherit a sizable inheritance from his cancer-stricken mother, but as he gets closer to her, he begins to question his intentions.
Viewers have been posting heartfelt video of themselves both before and after the movie, which seems to have had a strong impact on the account.
” Running through to hug my mama right now!” Extremely touching film… I was moved even more by the video because it made me think about my own marriage with my grandmother,” wrote a TikTok user named ianjeevan.
Young people have written online about how the grandmother’s painful scenes and repeated appeals to her late relatives have “take me ] with them” and how they particularly moved them.
“I cried so much that all of my make up was gone after the movie,” one TikToker said, referring to those scenes.
Another, diariesofswan, said:” After the film, scream. Just cry, when you miss someone, whom you ca n’t even hug or hear their voice anymore”.
The film was inspired by screenwriter Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn’s connection with his mother. And it is chairman Pat Boonnitipat’s second film. He told the BBC he was “really surprised” by the enormous response, and that the show’s charm lay in its ability to plug into the” confused” nature of family ties.
Part- black comedy and part- rip- jerker, the story revolves around a destructive family that uses the rich matriarch’s cancer diagnosis to scheme for her inheritance.
M, played by 24- year- ancient singer- professional Putthipong Assaratanakul, is one of them. He moves in with his ailing mother, apparently to support treatment for her.
Well informed of her mother’s intentions, the queen – M’s mother, played by Usha Seamkhum – however loves and accepts her kids.
Ms Seamkhum, 78, has recieved rave reviews for her acting debut. Film critic James Marsh called her “absolutely sensational” as the “figurehead of this morally questionable rabble”.
Different than her, the figures are far from charming- Mr Marsh described them as “loathsome” also. However, it seems that many people were affected by this story of a plotting home and a beautiful aunt.
” We love them, we even hate them, but we also have to sit with them. And occasionally, we ignore them. According to chairman Pat Boonnitipat,” This film presumably reflects the many, many different perspectives of that richness of a large relatives.”
Some viewers said the movie brought back memories of their parents or their parents who had passed away, while others said it made them think of their loved ones.
One TikTok user advised users to “bring some boxes of tissue if you are going to watch this movie.” Some online clips really show viewers receiving tissues as they enter the theater.
GSC, Malaysia’s largest theatre, has promoted the movie as a “must-see for anyone who needs a great cry,” while SM Cinema in the Philippines has concession stands selling tissues outside theaters.
Ticket sales in Thailand crossed 250m baht ($ 6.9m, £5.3m ) in the first 14 days of its release, making it 11th highest grossing Thai film.
Additionally, it has become the highest-grossing Thai film in Singapore and Malaysia and the most popular Eastern film to hit theaters in Indonesia.
Court to hear Srettha, Move Forward cases on June 18
The same day, Thaksin is charged with a stability guess indictment.
Described: 12 Jun 2024 at 13: 35
The Constitutional Court announced on Wednesday that it would hear a event on June 18 that might result in the expulsion of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister due to an alleged legal violation.
Following a complaint filed by 40 military-appointed lawmakers in May, the case against Mr. Srettha was later accepted by the contract court. Pichit Chuenban, a politician, was chosen as a PM’s Office minister in a contentious situation.
According to Section 170( 4 ) and ( 5 ) of the charter, which regulates the ethics of cabinet ministers, the senators asked the court for their removal.
Pichit and two colleagues attempted to pay Supreme Court officers by handing them a paper bag with 2 million baht inside a breakfast field, and they were given a six-month prison sentence in 2008 and served period. Criticism of his position made him unfit for government ministership.
Just before the jury heard the complaint, which was seen as a plea bargain for Mr. Srettha, Pichit resigned just before the judge decided to grant it. The prosecutor has agreed to hear the case against Mr. Srettha, but Pichit’s was rejected because he has already resigned.
The Constitutional Court also scheduled a hearing on June 18 for a case requesting the dissolution of the opposition Move Forward Party ( MPF).
The Election Commission (EC ) requested a ruling in March on the dissolution of Move Forward in a petition to the court. The group’s efforts to change Part 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese qualifications law, showed an purpose to undermine the democratic monarchy, according to the court’s opinion released on January 31.
The EC argued in the mind that the organization had violated Political Party Section 92. The area grants the court the authority to break any organization that poses a threat to the constitutional monarchy.
The sessions are one of a number of contentious court situations that have increased Thailand’s political uncertainty.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been on parole, will match with prosecutors on June 18 to experience an offence against the king.  ,
The attorney general made the announcement on May 29 that he would prosecute Thaksin on computer violence charges stemming from an exam conducted for a Asian paper on February 21, 2015, as well as Area 112 of the Criminal Code.
Indonesian ministry pilots four-day work week to test impact on productivity, well-being
JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Ministry of State- owned Enterprises has begun piloting four- time function weeks to strengthen the well- getting of its employees.
The program, which is being called the Compressed Work Schedule, was launched this week and will be piloted over the next two decades, according to media outlet Kompas.  ,
During the test, the agency’s staff properly apply to work four times a week every month. They may work a minimum of 40 hours per day, have tangible work productivity, and have their bosses approve their ask in order to qualify.  ,
The trial aims to determine whether four-day weeks increase the productivity of workers, according to the agency’s director Rabin Indrajad Hattari.  ,
It will also look out for professionals who are successful in using a four-day work schedule to manage team.  ,
The manager may be able to confirm that the team should have the opportunity to own a work-life balance, Mr. Rabin said as quoted by Kompas.
According to Mr. Rabin, a survey conducted by the government in January on workers ‘ stress levels revealed that a better work-life compromise was required.  ,
” This is one of the programs to strengthen the well- being of people”, Mr Rabin said.
Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir suggested the four-day workweek in March as a way to increase staff emotional health. According to him, 70 per cent of the region’s younger generation have mental health issues that affect performance.
Mr. Thohir claimed that having three days off does not imply that employees can be stupid; instead, the four-day week is merely an option they can choose for twice a month.
If another government ministries will participate in the test, it is not known. With about 400 people, the status- owned businesses department is one of the smallest among Indonesia’s 34 departments.  ,
But, Mr Thohir said formerly that condition- owned enterprises may consider the option. Indonesia’s 41 express- owned companies hire about 1.6 million individuals.
Extreme heat triggers novel payout for 50,000 women in India
A group of 50, 000 self-employed women in India have been named as the first recipients of a book insurance plan that pays out when temperatures reach certain ends. The people in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra all received a level US$ 5 pay as the heat increasedContinue Reading
Indonesia’s solar energy awakening: Overcoming coal dependence through strategic climate Investing
- Target 19- 21 % alternative energy by 2030, aided by US$ 20 bil climate finance package
- AC Ventures sees potential in neglected renewable electricity market, backing companies
For years, Indonesia’s power landscape has been dominated by fuel, a fossil fuel that now accounts for a staggering 60 % of the nation’s electricity mixture. However, a change is on the sky, driven by the need to address climate change and the enormous potential of solar energy in the largest archipelagogue in the world. In November 2022, the Just Energy Transition Partnership ( JETP ) was launched at the G20 Leaders ‘ Summit in Bali, mobilizing an initial US$ 20 billion in public and private financing to decarbonize Indonesia’s energy sector. The nation has revised its ambitious goals to achieve 19 % to 21 % of renewable energy by 2030, a significant improvement over its current dependency on fossil fuels.
One of the main problems is the distant landscape of Indonesia’s off- network areas, with about 40 % scattered across islands beyond Java. It’s unlikely that the national grid will soon achieve most of these locations, which will put pressure on infrastructure development and highlight the need to harness the region’s vast renewable resources.  ,
The promise of renewable energy, a nearly untapped resource in Indonesia, is at the center of this move. The country is a part of a region with staggering technical potential of 17 gigawatts of solar energy, more than 20 occasions the power needed to meet the net-zero emissions destination in 2050, despite having less than 1 % of its power from solar.
” The necessity to do something about culture shift is distinct, mainly in Southeast Asia”, says Helen Wong, Managing Partner at AC Ventures. Part of the issue, in particular, is that there has generally been an overinvestment in fuel, which has resulted in a glut of cheap electricity, “looking at Indonesia.”
Overcoming obstacles
Nevertheless, realizing Indonesia’s renewable electricity potential is not without its problems. Solar energy is still battling it out with subsidies that are still greatly favored by fuel, which is a distorted regulatory framework toward fossil fuels. Also, the state- owned utility company PLN, which manages the grid and serves as the sole off- taker for renewable energy, has been afraid to raise its purchases from renewable sources.
The early retirement of Indonesia’s coal plants, which account for a staggering 60 % of the local energy mix, is a crucial component of the JETP plan. An aggressive ramp-up in renewable investments is required to bridge the unbridled production gap, with a target generation of 36 gigawatts from solar photovoltaics alone, a sevenfold increase from investments in 2018 and 2021.
“PLN is not too keen to actually purchase more solar energy”, explains Wong. ” The grid needs to be upgraded to accommodate more sporadic sources of energy, such as solar, which will require significant investments.”
Despite these obstacles, investors like AC Ventures see immense potential in Indonesia’s solar energy market. Wong notes that the firm often encounters new ventures in three distinct categories: utility- scale projects, which require substantial capital expenditure, commercial and industrial subsectors, where companies can build or lease on- site renewable power plants for self- consumption, and residential projects, which are currently harder to scale.
Commercial and industrial space, according to Wong, is the most promising subsector in Indonesia’s solar energy market right now. Xurya, AC Ventures ‘ portfolio company and the largest player in this sector, is currently providing clean power to multinational corporations with a capacity of around 200 megawatts.
AC Ventures emphasizes important metric when evaluating solar energy projects, such as the internal rate of return and payback periods. Wong points out that subsidies can be beneficial, but that the decline in solar energy costs have resulted in less need for market-different subsidies.
Backing the winners
AC Ventures is optimistic about the potential for creative financing strategies to boost the solar energy sector, such as blended financing models with guarantees from organizations like the World Bank. The company wants to support the companies that succeed in this field by utilizing cutting-edge tools like solar yield optimization technology, trackers, and software to assess rooftop suitability.
” Increased grid connectivity between the nation’s main islands, likely achievable by 2028 at the earliest, is crucial for accelerating broad solar implementation across Indonesia”, Wong notes, emphasizing the over US$ 300 billion needed for renewable energy distribution and transmission upgrades.
We at ACV are eager to support the companies that succeed in this field and contribute to Southeast Asia’s looming energy transition as a whole as investors.
The road ahead
Indonesia’s enormous solar energy potential is an increasingly compelling solution as the country struggles to deal with the urgent need to address climate change and reduce its dependence on coal. With the right investments, regulatory support, and grid upgrades, solar energy could play a pivotal role in Indonesia’s energy transition, helping the country achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets.
For climate investors like AC Ventures, this transition is both a chance to promote sustainable change and a promising investment landscape with potential. By backing the winners in Indonesia’s solar energy market, firms like AC Ventures are positioning themselves at the forefront of a revolution, one that could unlock a brighter, more sustainable future for the nation and the region.
50% jump in call volume in 4 years: ACRES hotline no longer 24 hours over heavy caseload
In the last four years, the call volume and the number of animals treated have increased 50 %, according to the Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES ).  ,
In response to CNA’s questions about why it decided to end its hotline’s guarded function hours, ACRES stated on Wednesday that it needed to hire more staff in order to handle the growing workload.  ,
The animal welfare organization announced in a Facebook post on Sunday ( Jun 9 ) that it will no longer offer a 24-hour wildlife rescue hotline.
Otherwise, the line may be manned from 7am to 1am everyday, starting from Jun 15. It added that during autonomous hours, it will offer automated guidance via WhatsApp and other means of transportation for animals who require serious rescue.  ,
In FY 2023, ACRES received 15, 000 calling- around 1, 250 a fortnight- via its line, a large leap from the 9, 800 calling in FY 2019.
The organization only responds to calls to its line each month, performing an average of 375 animals rescues.  ,
Co-CEO Anbarasi Boopal outlined several ways that” we tried to manage the more work with various success, including encouraging participation and purchasing a quick response aircraft to supplement our save van.”
After some consideration, it decided to reduce the hotline’s guarded days to 18 days.
Since it receives fewer than 19 calls per month during this six-hour windows, ACRES has chosen to not support the line between 1am and 7am, according to Ms. Anbarasi.
During the autonomous hours, written advice and substitute save options may be provided via the line.
She continued,” Those who need assistance may also find online animals recommendations on the ACRES website,” in addition to the computerized guidance provided by WhatsApp.  ,
In a Facebook post, ACRES cited a lack of cash and a rise in the number of pets it rescues and rehabs as causes for discontinuing to operate a 24-hour wildlife rescue hotline.
As a charity, ACRES receives cash through donations, offers, and charges from solutions and programmes. Its most recent charity gala dinner in May raised S$ 310, 273 ( US$ 229, 373 ), according to its Facebook post on the event.  ,
When asked about the banquet, Ms. Anbarasi claimed that the targeted fundraising was intended to help fund efforts to return the non-native species it rescues.  ,  ,
The area that is crucial to its operations and rehabilitation efforts was recently disclosed to CNA as ACRES intended to increase its sanctuary in Sungei Tengah from its recent 0. 5 ha to 2 lol. In May, the animals save heart housed 125 wild types and was at , 95 per cent power for its pet inhabitants.  ,  ,
As our animal welfare organization grows, we may constantly assess our human resource requirements and raise money to hire additional staff to meet expected needs, according to Ms. Anbarasi.
She continued,” We will be doing this in combination with the growth of the shelter and our campaign work,” adding that the general public can follow donation drives and make donations through the website of ACRES or volunteer.  ,
Man charged with paying children to drink at ordination
Discussed: 12 Jun 2024 at 13: 11
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A person who admitted paying a 13- year- older girl to drink alcohol at an ordination ceremony, leading to her collapsing into a coma, has surrendered to police to encounter charges.
Pol Col Thanaphat Phet- raj, chief of Nong Bunmak quotation fleas place, said on Wednesday that Jetsada Phongphatthanaporn, 26, of Pak Thongchai city of Nakhon Ratchasima, turned himself in on Tuesday afternoon.
He acknowledged being present at the priesthood meeting on Sunday as the person shown in a movie paying money to two 13-year-old boys and girls.
According to Jetsada, the child and the boy initially made an offer to pay for alcohol. He claimed that he had no desire to ask them to consume the entire drink.
Under child safety laws, authorities have charged him under charges that prohibit forcing, persuading, or enticing children to behave badly, hiring them to work or work in a way that might be harmful to the body, and selling or giving alcohol or cigarettes to children.
Under the Child Protection Act, the offences result in a maximum sentence of up to three months in prison and/or a fine of up to 30 000 ringgit. He reported to the authorities, and he was freed.
Pol Col Thanaphat said more witnesses may become questioned. As most were babies, child protection officers would also be present.  ,
On Sunday, the lady collapsed unconscious , after downing the third- bottle of liquor. She was taken to Nong Bunmak Hospital, where she spent the night before being transferred to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, where she was taken to the intensive care unit.
A neighborhood native captured men cheering on the woman and boy as they raised their containers and downed the alcohol in a film that was captured on camera.
The woman’s mother Oui Krapheenok, 72, said on Wednesday that her daughter was now out of harm and had regained consciousness. She could use a chair to sit up and speak with others, but her voice was still loud.
Picharn Trapakwaen, commander of Nong Bunmak region, on Wednesday held a meeting to discuss steps to support the woman’s family, after he visited the home at Mitsamphan community on Tuesday. The home is bad with 13 people, six aged between one season and 16. Two people had underlying diseases and were unable to support themselves, he said.
The home relied on state aid for the older and money sent each month by the families of those children.
Local government would build a campaign to raise awareness of the risks of drinking alcohol, aside from providing financial support to the girl’s family. Sales of cigarettes to children and alcohol use at schools and temples, especially during consecration or funeral ceremonies, were outlawed and the ban has been enforced,  , the city chief said.
Veteran Singapore stopper Hassan Sunny the toast of China after World Cup heroics
On social media platform Weibo, the tag” Singapore goalie owing Chinese fans”, accompanied by a quick picture of Hassan saying” Xiexie, China”, racked up at least 130 million opinions. The video received a lot of positive feedback from Chinese fans. ” Turns out the national player’s 12th man is actuallyContinue Reading
Near-finished Japan condo blocking Mount Fuji to be razed
After receiving protests from neighbors who claimed it obstructed a view of Mount Fuji, a Chinese house engineer has decided to dismantle a nearly finished, 10 metre apartment in Tokyo. Sekisui House, a company, announced in a statement late on Tuesday ( Jun 11 ) that it had “voluntarily decidedContinue Reading
Australia’s gas industry hangs by a Japanese thread – Asia Times
Without funding from Japan, many of Australia’s gas projects would n’t have gone ahead. Australia’s now-expensive fossil gas industry is being supported by large open loans from Japanese taxpayers. Japan is even gaining more business in the oil industry, and it exports more oil than it imports from Australia.
Japan is emerging as a fossil fuel hold as the earth transitions swiftly toward a clean energy potential. The world’s fifth- biggest market, Japan has long been dependent on foreign resources of fossil fuels. Japan has focused on fuel while China has filled its plains with solar fields.
These initiatives impede Australia’s ability to meet its climate targets and reverse the transition to clean electricity industries. These exporting industries are being impacted by new gas projects that threaten to deflect funding and workforce.
But this can alter. The government’s Coming Made in Australia policies include a significant investment in clean energy, green manufacturing, and natural exports, which could lead to a long-lasting partnership between the two countries.
Establishing new clean energy collaborations with energy-hungry Asian countries like Japan, China, and South Korea was increase climate assistance, foster fresh clean energy imports, and encourage investment.
Chinese funding, American gasoline
Worried about energy security, Japan is subsidizing new offshore gas projects in Australia which probably would n’t go ahead otherwise.
The largest producer of foreign public funds for fuel production in the world is Japan. Japan has maintained the flow of the funds despite various countries ‘ commitments, including Australia, to stop global fossil fuel financing.
For example, last month, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation provided Australia’s biggest gas corporation, Woodside, with A$ 1.5 billion ( US$ 992 million ) in loans to develop the Scarborough gas field offshore from Western Australia.
Japanese power utility JERA also received A$ 1.2billion ( US$ 794 million ) from the Japanese bank to acquire a 15 % stake in the project, gaining rights to a share of the liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) produced.
New oil projects would be more unlikely to continue without this kind of funding.
Another sponsors are unlikely to intervene, it is suspected. According to remoteness and higher operating costs, oil production in Australia is comparatively cheap. Over the past ten years, American gas projects have generally been delivered late and over budget, giving investors poor returns.
American gas projects will fight to deliver gas at prices that are competitive with those that are expected in the future. In 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a surge in demand for LNG. The world is currently dealing with a significant glut of oil.
In two years, significant new Gas volumes will be available from Middle Eastern, primarily Qatar, and North America, at the same time as oil demand declines in important markets. According to the American government’s personal analysis, the cost of producing LNG from these producers is significantly lower than the cost of producing it in Australia.
If we left it up to the business, Australia’s extremely weak gas imports would gain market share. But it’s not being left up to the business. To appear practical, Japan is underwriting fresh oil projects in order to make money-losing tasks seem attractive. And that makes it much more difficult for Australia to transition to a rewarding alternative business.
Tokyo’s bright lights will stay glowing
Yamagami Shingo, the embassy to Japan, claimed last year that American gas exports were essential to keeping Tokyo’s neon lights glowing.
In fact, Japan is then reselling more Gas to other Asian countries than it imports from Australia. Over the next ten years, Chinese gas companies have agreements to purchase more than Japan will use domestically, and they intend to sell the excess oil in other Asian markets.
This is a direct result of official policy, which supports Asian firms in supplying that need by providing financial support for oil transfer stations and gas-fired power vegetation and offering financial help for those that are in need of Southeast Asia.
This is not hidden. It’s an empty purpose. The Chinese government wants its companies to “handle” 100 million kilograms of LNG annually by 2030, which is far more than Japan will need to satisfy its energy needs.
Why? Maintaining impact in the region’s LNG market is crucial to Japan’s government’s individual energy security.
Solar offer Japan real energy security
The oil market has attempted to portray gas as being more eco-friendly than fuel or as a transition fuel. In truth, oil is a risky fossil fuel. It’s generally gas, 80 times more potent in heating the earth than carbon monoxide. Since the Industrial Revolution, metal has added almost a third ( 30 % ) of the extra heat building up.
Meg O’Neill, the head of Woodside, claims that American gas exports” you help Asia decarbonize by replacing coal.” However, fuel has a higher carbon footprint than coal. Leaks of metal are quite prevalent throughout the fuel supply chain. For pollution to be on par with fuel and gas, you just need a very small leakage.
Japan’s personal power grid is green while it purchases and sells Asian gas. The government then plans to double the part of biofuels– rising from 18 % of energy generation in 2019 to 37 % by 2030 – while gasoline- fired power drops.
Japan’s need for oil at home is now falling. It fell 18 % in the generation to 2022. In 2023 only, demand for oil fell by 8 %.
By reducing its reliance on imported oil, switching to renewable electricity would increase Japan’s energy security even further. By 2035, according to recent research, Japan may have a 90 % clean power system.
Without Chinese funds, Asian gas would become dwindling
In the five times to 2017, Australia’s gas market grew considerably. By 2019 Australia became the country’s largest LNG supplier. This is amazing given how isolated and comparatively little Australia’s oil reserves are, according to an analysis from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Australia’s transition to a fossil fuel giant was aided by foreign incentives, including Japan’s money. However, these subsidies wo n’t long serve our needs. The government wants to grow the green sectors for the future by continuing to permit discounted investment in new fuel projects, which divert investment, workplace, and supply chain capacity apart from these projects.
This does n’t mean turning our back on Japan. Japan has a great need for electricity. However, it may obtain it without using fossil fuels. Japan and Australia could work together to provide crucial minerals and green metals for batteries and renewable energy, clean ammonia for fertilizers and industries, and green gas for transportation and business.
Acknowledgments: Ben McLeod ( Quantitative analyst, Climate Council ) and Josh Runciman ( Lead analyst, Australian Gas, IEEFA ) provided data used in the article.
Wesley Morgan is Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University
The Conversation has republished this post under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.