2 teens stabbed in brawl
PUBLISHED: 3 February 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
A 14-year-old boy was detained on Thursday night for allegedly stabbing two other students during a fight near their class in the Yan Ta Khao area of Trang.
The victims suffered severe weapon injuries.
According to Pol Capt Suwit Suwanrat, assistant research chief at the Yan Ta Khao authorities station, the incident took place on Trang- Palian Road in tambon Yan tao, about 100 meters from a renowned extra school.
When authorities arrived at the murder scene, they discovered a pool of blood. Now transported to Yan Ta Khao Hospital were the two injured individuals.
Both of the Mathayom Suksa 2 ( Grade 8 ) students, who were both 14 years old, sustained serious wounds. The first was stabbed near to his brain, while the next was struck on the right side of his neck, piercing the heart. Physicians moved them to Trang Hospital because of how serious their conditions were.
The sufferers and four other students were reportedly leaving the school on Thursday night when they came across five students from the same level and school, according to the police. About 100 meters from the university’s gate, close to the entrance of a restaurant, the two parties got into an argument.
A fight then ensued. The first victim was stabbed until he fell to the ground by one learner from the opposing team who pulled out a blade. The second prey rushed to help but was also stabbed by the same assailant. The attacker then rode off on scooters with his friends.
At a residence in the same neighborhood’s tambon Thung Krabue, authorities detained the alleged assailant. In an crude palm farm, a blood-stained weapon was discovered lying on the ground.
The perpetrator admitted to stabbing the two students after they were unable to resolve their disagreement, according to Pol Col. Poonsak Saengsae, commander of Yan Ta Khao police place.
Days after killing another student in Bangkok with a fruit blade stabbing him in the chest and abdomen, the attack took place.
Muay Thai experts to train Saudi army
PUBLISHED: 3 February 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
In an effort to promote the sport as an illustration of Thailand’s soft power, the state will give eight Muay Thai authorities to Saudi Arabia in April to teach the country ‘ military and national athletes.
The program, according to Pimol Srivikorn, a consultant to the prime minister and the president of the sports sub-committee in the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, has already brought Muay Thai trainers ‘ standards up to world-class levels and given them more chances to spread the sport abroad.
In order to create Muay Thai instructors and grant national certificates to qualified applicants, the Sports Authority of Thailand ( SAT ) will open higher-standard testing facilities in Chiang Mai, Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chon Buri, and Bangkok.
Additionally, a coordination center may be set up to assist in connecting Thai teachers with foreign customers who are interested in hiring them.
Mr. Pimol claims that preparations are also being made for international roadshows. In Europe and the Middle East, the roadshows may begin with well-known Muay Thai fighters and brief groups and seminars.
According to Mr. Pimol, the Thai consulate in Riyadh has requested that eight government-certified Muay Thai trainers—male and female—travel to Saudi Arabia in April to educate the country’s army and boxers.
Each instructor will receive between 80 000 and 120 000 ringgit per month.
Israeli ambassador presses need for ‘Holocaust education’
History is teach us to respect richness and compassion.
PUBLISHED: 4:00 on February 3, 2024.
For Thai kids, learning about the Holocaust is a crucial way to comprehend the significance of respecting richness and resisting injustice.
The Holocaust, according to Jewish ambassador Orna Sagiv, occurred more than 80 centuries ago, but it is still solid proof of the effects of intolerance and hatred for those who are different. Although it is regrettable that prejudice and hatred continue to rule the world, she claims that this can be resolved through Holocaust training.
” We must begin today by imparting lessons from the Holocaust if we want a better future for our kids and world.” People need to learn that it’s acceptable to sit with people who are distinct from you. It is acceptable to agree and to engage in issue, but it is unacceptable to resolve conflicts through violence, she said.
” Learning around and remembering the Holocaust is a good place to start.” How will the future be for us if we do n’t take lessons from the tragedies of the past, despite how cliché it may sound? Because of this, I think that children around the world still need to know about our dreadful past and how one person could wipe out six million people, even though Thai individuals live on the other side of the globe and, luckily, were not involved in the Holocaust.
According to her,” The Holocaust also teaches students how to be better people and to respect differences.”
The International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is observed on January 27 in honor of Holocaust survivors, was held at the ambassador on Wednesday.
Because the Holocaust serves as an illustration of the risks associated with hatred, according to Glen Chatelier, the chairman of international affairs at Assumption University, students in Thailand may be exposed to Holocaust education. For instance, compassion is a virtue and worth in Buddhism, and the Holocaust was an example of how this value was reversed.
When using social media, where there are many misleading messages, especially information that represent prejudice against differences, students should use the lessons learned from the Holocaust to improve their thoughts on being aware of their surroundings.
The moral and ethical ramifications of indifference, prejudice, and discrimination should be emphasized in Holocaust training, fostering a sense of obligation among individuals to stop such crimes in the future.
Individuals are inspired to recognize and support everyone’s rights, regardless of their background, by the Holocaust, which offers a poignant perspective on human rights. He continued,” It can also help to advance tolerance and diversity by urging culture to value diversity, diversity, and respect for all people.
Misinformation spreads in China on âcivil warâ in Texas
GLOBAL TIMESIn China, rumors have circulated that Texas has formally declared war on seceding from the US amid the intensifying borders conflict between Texas and the White House over illegal immigration.
Popular Chinese media outlets have been claiming that what happened in Texas has caused the US to be increasingly divided, to the point where unrest has become a dramatic reality.
Since the beginning of 2021, more than 6.3 million workers have entered the US improperly, setting record peaks that have heightened tensions between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden.
Mr. Abbott has attempted to prevent or deter entry into his state as part of Operation Lone Star, including by erecting razor wire barriers along the city of Eagle Pass for about 30 miles ( 48 kilometers ).
The Republican has vowed to put more knife line to stop what he calls an “invasion,” despite the US Supreme Court’s decision last month against Mr. Abbott.
According to recent social media posts in China, Mr. Abbott was getting ready to fight the US government.
On the well-known social network Sina Weibo, content with the meme# TexasDeclaresAStateOfWar have been viewed and shared thousands of times. There have been some articles from a person who has millions of followers.
The “biggest US related information on China’s online for the past few weeks is Texas government declaring conflict with the federal government, which did not happen in reality,” according to a Voice of America blogger Wenhao, who specializes in Chinese website propaganda.
The post continued,” Netizens are applauding what they refer to as America’s personal destruction.”
It appears that Weibo has taken steps to restrict for content. A disclaimer that reads,” Content on this topic may be displayed in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and polices,” can now be found in a search of articles with the hashtag# TexasDeclaresAStateOfWar.
On the well-known system, which has more than 600 million monthly active users, there are still a lot of content.
People are spreading images of the Texas Military Department flying a flag over its headquarters while yelling” Come and Take It,” which has given the public the impression that the state is promoting independence.
Additionally, ancient Fox News videos of vigilante groups “defending the border” while wearing camouflage are in circulation. Additionally, numerous films of military vehicles that are mistakenly attributed to Texas are being circulated from Chile.
Some Facebook users believe that China is at war because censorship makes it difficult for Taiwanese users to conduct their own fact checks.
Given that the two regions share a similar landmass, some have suggested that Texas could see an analogous condition to Ukraine, which is at war with Russia.
The idea of a civil war has become more plausible thanks to media messaging, as Chinese state media have frequently claimed that the US is on the verge of inner turmoil due to its polarized political landscape.
Since the mob on Capitol Hill in January 2021, the term” legal warfare” has been frequently used in Chinese newspapers.
Even though China has a strong ban on international media, information from those countries is frequently cherry-picked to raise concerns about US internal strife.
For instance, reports that Republican government of Florida Ron DeSantis is sending up to 1,000 National Guard members to Texas were read by Chinese social media users on Friday.
As a reaction to European governments making critical remarks about China’s handling of problems in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, China frequently publishes for information. Focus on your own garden instead of telling us how to manage our state, it’s a way of saying.
Not just the US is affected by this. Media frequently amplify claims that Scotland is pushing for self-rule more and more while UK politicians criticize the Chinese Communist Party.
The Taiwanese government insists that it does not meddle in the inner affairs of other nations. This has always been a guiding principle in our international policy, and the global community acknowledges it, it stated recently.
Related Subjects
More information about this tale
-
-
November 17, 2023
-
âScam kitsâ for sale in underground markets
‘DeFi savings’ swindle follows a familiar script but with some new twists
Cybercriminals are selling the latest evolution of online scam schemes in ready-to-go kits on the dark web, lowering the barrier to entry for scammers around the world, according to a report published on Friday by the cybersecurity firm Sophos.
In traditional “pig-butchering” scams, which originated in China and blew up during the pandemic, criminals pretend to cultivate a romantic or personal relationship with victims through dating apps or social media. After gaining their trust over weeks of virtual conversations, the fraudsters manipulate them into investing in phony cryptocurrency investments.
Once the criminals squeeze as much digital currency as they can out of the victims, they take off with the funds, sometimes robbing innocent people of their life savings.
The name “pig butchering” refers to the process of fattening up victims with flattery and companionship before leading them to a potential financial slaughter.
“It gets people where they’re the most vulnerable because they’re trying to reach out to, to have contact with another human being,” said Sean Gallagher, principal researcher at Sophos’ threat research unit Sophos X-Ops.
Now, a type of swindle is being bundled and distributed for sale. Known as “DeFi savings”, it still depends on the fraudsters establishing a personal connection with the victims. In this instance, the financial fraud relies on well-known cryptocurrency apps since they provoke less scepticism among victims, Gallagher said.
The victims are persuaded to invest in a “DeFi savings opportunity”, by downloading a legitimate crypto wallet application and entering a malicious web address provided by the scammer.
Once users open the web page, it allows the fraudsters to access and steal funds from the victim’s wallet, according to Sophos.
DeFi (decentralised finance) savings scam kits include a web page that can connect to a victim’s crypto wallets through the Ethereum blockchain. Many of these web pages also include an installed chat feature, which the criminals can use to act as “technical support” for their victim, according to the report.
The commodification of these scam kits has allowed a wider array of fraudsters to get in on the action, the researchers said. In the past, swindlers could often be traced to Chinese-language crime rings in Southeast Asia. Now, they have started to emerge from web addresses in Thailand and West Africa, according to Sophos.
“It’s very simple for somebody to move over from doing an Instagram scam or some of the other types of social engineering scams that we’ve seen over the past decade, to convert into this type of operation,” Gallagher said.
With dozens of new kits popping up every day, DeFi scams are the fastest growing space in pig-butchering, Gallagher said. The DeFi savings scheme avoids some of the technical hurdles of more traditional techniques, such as installing a customised mobile app or wiring a deposit to the scammers, according to the report.
One DeFi ring studied by Gallagher brought in $3 million over a three-month period — an amount that took almost twice as long to steal by criminals who used more traditional techniques.
The job isn’t done once the scammers empty their victims’ wallet. Instead, the criminals will tell them that they can recover the funds by adding more money, according to Gallagher.
When a victim finally breaks contact, the criminals persistently ping them on other platforms, like Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram. Some do so by utilising generative AI to create more fluent and believable English messages, according to the report.
“They use ChatGPT to create a text message saying: ‘Why did you cut off contact with me? I miss you. I love you. Please come back’,” Gallagher said.
Soft power fashion panel quits en masse
Members say their job was finished, but some say elephant print pants stunt rubbed them the wrong way
PUBLISHED : 2 Feb 2024 at 20:56
A panel of fashion experts advising the government’s soft power committee has resigned en masse, with some sources speculating they were dismayed by a planned marketing stunt involving elephant-print pants.
The sub-committee had 23 members and was headed by Kamonnart Ongwandee, a leading designer, before all of the members resigned this week.
A Facebook announcement said they had decided to end their role, effective from Thursday, as they had completed the job they had set out to do. As well, it said, each member had individual commitments, which meant they could not contribute their time to the next phase effectively.
The resignations sparked speculation there had been discord between the sub-committee members and a state agency over work plans, and whether the upcoming event was a trigger.
On Jan 17, Ms Kamonnart posted on her Facebook account that her sub-committee had nothing to do with a Guinness World Record event that is scheduled to take place this month. She urged state agencies to consult with the soft power development committee as their projects would be funded by taxpayers’ money.
From Feb 21 to 27, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is staging light-hearted events intended to promote soft power. It will invite people to take part in five challenges — such as eating the most popcorn in one minute and bursting the most balloons with boxing gloves in one minute.
An event relating to fashion involves a challenge to put on the most elephant-print pants in one minute. Once a derided backpacker cliche, the garments have become trendy among locals as well as foreigners.
“I really want to see the faces of the people approving the budget,” Ms Kamonnart wrote on Facebook next to a picture of rows of students holding elephant-print pants. “We did not have the chance to oppose the idea. They did not consult us.
“What will you achieve after doing this? We volunteered and worked hard to frame ideas for fashion industrial development while the agency was to create a pop-up event. What value does it create?”
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday played down the drama surrounding the mass resignations.
He said there was no need to dramatise the situation and that new members would be nominated and appointed next week, as indicated by Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee.
On his X account, Dr Surapong thanked the sub-committee for their contribution and acknowledged their personal commitments.
He said he had approached several figures to continue the work and would nominate the new members when the national committee mets on Feb 9.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and deputy chair of the national committee, also thanked the fashion experts for their help.
200 more immigration officers to help over Chinese New Year
Busy times ahead for tourism as Thailand-China visa deal takes effect in March
PUBLISHED : 2 Feb 2024 at 20:42
The Immigration Bureau is planning to recruit 200 additional officers to help speed up services at international airports ahead of an expected influx of Chinese tourists this month.
Thailand since November has been offering visa exemptions to Chinese visitors on a trial basis. As a result, the number of Chinese nationals arriving in the country jumped by 34% in December and 23% in January, noted Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepho, deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police.
Thailand and China last weekend signed a mutual visa exemption agreement that will take effect on March 1, which is expected to further spur tourism.
Last year, a total of 3.7 million Chinese tourists entered the kingdom and this year authorities are forecasting an increase to about 8 million.
Pol Maj Gen Siriwat expects an increase in Chinese tourists this month to celebrate Chinese New Year, which takes place on Feb 10.
The Immigration Bureau will recruit 200 more officers this month to ease the workload and speed up the immigration process, especially at arrival halls at international airports, he said.
Volunteers will also help immigration police, and checkpoints will be increased, he said. Technology including bodycams and drones will be used to improve safety, he added.
Safety protocols will be stepped up in popular areas, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket, Pol Maj Gen Siriwat said.
Radklao Inthawong Suwankirim, a deputy government spokesperson, said more than 28 million tourists entered the country last year, making it the most visited country in Asean.
She said a new “One Destination” scheme — a collaborative policy proposed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during a recent Asean meeting — would allow tourists to travel to any country in the region, adding more economic value and spurring tourism.
New HDB flats, commercial facilities to be built next to Kembangan MRT station
OTHER FACILITIES IN THE PIPELINE
“There are plans to provide plaza spaces for residents’ recreational activities, and these could serve as additional activity areas for events organised by the People’s Association,” said HDB.
A planned jogging path, approximately 1.5 times longer than the current one, will link the neighbourhood and linear parks.
Also in the works are a dedicated cycling path along Jalan Kembangan and an enhanced Siglap Park Connector, giving cyclists better access to East Coast Park and Bedok Reservoir
As for commercial facilities, HDB noted that a supermarket, eating house and shops may be provided in the proposed development.
A preschool, residents’ network centre, and a kidney dialysis centre and outpatient healthcare facility may also be introduced as part of the facilities, it said.
To improve access to public transport, a sheltered linkway connecting the new development to Kembangan MRT station may be built.
The existing bus stop along Jalan Kembangan could also be upgraded to “incorporate a bus bay where buses can call at the bus stop without obstructing traffic along the road”, said HDB.
“These improvements will enable residents to access public transport nodes more conveniently.”
MEASURES TO REDUCE INCONVENIENCES
HDB said that measures will be put in place to reduce inconveniences stemming from the construction, such as installing interim covered linkways from Kembangan MRT station to Block 110 to 116.
It added that traffic wardens will also be placed to manage the incoming and outgoing construction traffic, as well as having holding areas in the worksite “to contain the construction vehicles so that they do not spill out onto public roads”.
High hoardings integrated with noise barriers will be installed to reduce construction noise and dust, HDB said, adding that site activities will be avoided in early mornings or late nights, with construction noise levels to be monitored.
24 tonnes of smuggled buffalo meat seized
Two trucks stopped in Prachuap Khiri Khan found to be carrying frozen meat that originated in India
PUBLISHED : 2 Feb 2024 at 18:58
Authorities seized 24 tonnes of frozen buffalo meat from two trucks in Thap Sakae district of Prachuap Khiri Khan early Friday morning. Two drivers were arrested.
A combined team of soldiers, police, livestock officials and local officials intercepted a 12-wheel truck and a six-wheel truck at the Huai Yang security checkpoint in Thap Sakae district around 5am on Friday.
The search found 17,000 kilogrammes of frozen buffalo meat in the 12-wheel truck with Phetchaburi licence plates, and another 7,000kg in the other truck with Ratchaburi plates. The meat was contained in cardboard boxes.
Two drivers identified only as Chanon, 27, of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Nadol, 63, of Bangkok, told the officers that they had transported the meat from Muang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat and were to deliver it to Muang district in Samut Sakhon. They failed to produce official documents about the transfer of animal carcasses when asked.
The two men were taken into custody and the frozen buffalo meat seized.
Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director-general of the Department of Livestock Development, said he had learned that the seized meat originated in India.
The two drivers were charged with transferring and smuggling animal carcasses without permission in violation of the Animal Epidemic Act, he said.
The department said it has been working closely with relevant agencies to strictly inspect vehicles to prevent the smuggling of live animals and carcassess.
Frozen buffalo meat, weighing 24 tonnes, is seized and two drivers arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan. (Photo: Department of Livestock Development)
(Photo: Department of Livestock Development)
Snap Insight: Najibâs reduced jail term isnât a full pardon, but his shadow still looms large in Malaysian politics
BOSSKU’S LASTING INFLUENCE
Najib’s age matters a lot here. If he does not receive any sentence reduction, he will be 81 years old when released in 2034. If Najib walks free in 2026, he will be 73 years old – not significantly older than the past four prime ministers when they assumed office.
However, the Pardons Board made no mention of the five-year ban from politics, as laid out in the constitution, that typically succeeds a prison sentence. Even if Najib is released on 2026, he has to wait till August 2031 before contesting in any election, guaranteeing him to miss at least one election cycle.
Of course, Najib’s influence is not only limited to elections. Returning in 2026 could already guarantee his place in UMNO, using his flagship “Bossku” (my boss) branding to reinvigorate his base.
The current UMNO president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, could now tell his party that he has fulfilled his promise of pursuing a pardon for Najib, and this is the fruit of his labour.
While this success could help him hold on to the presidency for a few years, the pressure for Najib to take over the reins will start to build. Mr Ahmad Zahid would have to make another political manoeuvre to keep Najib friendly but at bay.