Ambassador Robert F Godec Remarks Cobra Gold 2024

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2 February 2024, 23:23

Ambassador Robert F. Godec remarks Cobra Gold 2024 at press conference on Friday, February 2, 2024, at reception room 11, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters.

“Sawatdee Khrap. Good afternoon, and thank you, General Thitichai for hosting the official announcement of Cobra Gold 2024 and for the longstanding Thai-U.S. security alliance. Thank you also to Royal Thai Navy Fleet Commander Admiral Chatchai– we appreciate you joining us today.

On behalf of the U.S. Government and the American people, I would also like to thank the Royal Thai Government and the Royal Thai Armed Forces for hosting Cobra Gold 2024 and welcoming all 30 participating nations.

This year caps the celebration of 190 years of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States. Our longstanding friendship is a tapestry woven of many threads, culture, trade, science, and people-to-people connections. And of course, our military and security ties, which have been a foundation of our enduring partnership.

This 43^rd iteration of Cobra Gold is a testament to the strength of our ties. These exercises and our partnership are ever more relevant and important with emerging challenges to regional security. These include the new frontiers such as cyber, space, climate, and health. And they cannot be addressed by a single country alone. Through Cobra Gold, we bring together the diversity, expertise, and cultural perspectives of many nations, united by a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Working together over these next few weeks, we will continue to provide a solid foundation for regional security, and inclusive prosperity for all.

The impact of Cobra Gold goes far beyond the opportunity to engage in military exercises. They benefit the citizens of Thailand, the United States and our partner nations. So, how does Cobra Gold better the lives of our students, farmers, office workers, and small business owners? Allow me to highlight some examples.

Up to 60 percent of the world’s maritime trade passes through the Indo-Pacific region. Cobra Gold maintains our shared readiness to secure the global commons, which is particularly relevant with piracy on the rise in key shipping routes around the world. Protecting Indo-Pacific maritime trade routes ensures the free flow of goods and services, which keeps transportation costs low, enabling Thai and American businesses to thrive and prosper and benefitting consumers through lower prices.

In Thailand, digital payments now account for 72 percent of total consumer purchases. Whether scanning QR codes at street food vendor stalls, or using payment apps, online transactions are the norm. Unfortunately, the rapid transition to digital technologies has been accompanied by an exponential increase in online scams and digital fraud. Partnership on Cyber Defense during Cobra Gold is an opportunity to tap into the most up-to-date cyber expertise and training to counter the growing sophistication of malicious cyber actors. Increasing our expertise in countering cyber threats helps us secure digital networks and protect our citizens.

This past year has also shown us again the importance of military readiness to assist our citizens living and working overseas when crises occur. For example: last April, when widescale armed conflict broke out in Sudan, the Royal Thai Air Force utilized lessons learned from Cobra Gold Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (or NEOs, for short) exercises. Three RTAF aircraft airlifted some 300 Thai citizens – including around 200 students studying there – to escape the violence. NEOs are a regular feature of Cobra Gold, where we share best practices to address security challenges.

This year, we welcome the news that the Royal Thai Navy and U.S. Navy will conduct a joint salvage operation for the HTMS Sukhothai. This salvage, which will be executed as part of Cobra Gold 2024, will hopefully bring some comfort and closure to the families of all the brave sailors and marines who were lost. We look forward to providing more information as the salvage operation develops in the future. Together we are committed to conducting a safe and thorough salvage operation.

For our own U.S. Military personnel, Cobra Gold always leaves indelible impressions. From previous exercises, we know this year once again they will forge friendships that last beyond careers. They will take home invaluable experiences of Thailand; and serve as ambassadors for Thai culture, for example by learning the ancient martial arts skills of Muay Thai.

Thank you again General Thitichai. I look forward to an excellent Cobra Gold 2024 and to continuing to weave the extraordinary tapestry of Thai-U.S. relations for the benefit of Thais, Americans, and people everywhere.

Khob Khun Khrap. Rao ja dern naa pai duay gun. Thank you, and we look forward to taking your questions.”

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Phuket Police Charge Five Russians with Extortion

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2 February 2024, 20:33

balarus extort3 — Phuket police investigators searched the house where the suspects are believed to have taken the Belarusian couple on February 1, 2024.

PHUKET – On February 2, Phuket police announced the progress of the case involving a gang of Russians who kidnapped a Belarusian couple and extorted money from them.

After questioning the 23-year-old Belarusian man and his wife, who had been abducted in Phuket, police investigators confirmed that the two were forced to transfer USD 801,200 in cryptocurrency to the Russians.

Phuket police investigators searched the house where the suspects are believed to have taken the Belarusian couple on Thursday. The house, which is less than 2 kilometers from the crime scene, is rented out daily.

balarus — Two Belarusians were observed being forcibly dragged into a black Hyundai sedan with a red licence plate.

About 50 meters from the house, police found a white Toyota Fortuner with Phuket red license plates. The car belonging to the suspects was parked near a public park. Inside the car, police found two knife boxes, a knife, three rolls of clear tape, a roll of straw rope and energy drinks in a red bucket. Police forensic technicians took fingerprints around the car.

After gathering evidence, the Phuket City Police Investigation Unit presented its findings to the investigator. They gathered evidence and filed an arrest warrant for the five Russian suspects: Mr. Zalim Nalchikov, 37; Mr. Oleg Bogdanov, 30, Mr. Azamat Nagofv, 36; Mr. Istam Abdokov, 29, and Mr. Aslan Abazov, 36.

All are charged, according to the indictment, with aggravated robbery and intimidation, extortion, coercing others to commit acts by use of force to such an extent that the coerced person must commit the act, joint commission of offences with five or more persons, conspiracy to kidnap or detain others, or acts that deprive others of their physical liberty and cause others to perform an act for the offender.

The Belarusian visitor and his wife were offered protection by the Tourist Police, Immigration Police and Phuket Metropolitan Police. The couple expressed satisfaction with the police’s handling of the case.

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CKPower Pushes Three-faceted Social Value Plan Project Hing Hoi

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2 February 2024, 17:03

CKPower pushes three-faceted social value plan Project Hing Hoi recognized at AREA Awards 2023 & The Asset ESG Corporate Awards 2023

Reinforces the success of the CSR Strategy Framework, which aims to provide social value through clean energy capability covering social, environmental and economic aspects as part of sustainable strategy: competency- co-creation-cooperation-connection

Building on these efforts, the company has partnered with Chulalongkorn University Radio to establish ECO School Revolution model, part of the Envi Mission, to share knowledge on renewables and instill environmental conservation ideas in over 80 secondary school students nationwide. This initiative also involves collaboration with the “Teach for Thailand Foundation” to encourage teachers to integrate renewable energy concepts in their teachings, particularly in schools around CKPower’s power plants

CK Power Public Company Limited (SET: CKP), one of the largest producers of renewables-based electricity with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the region, has set out a framework to create social value in five years’ time using its long-held strategy: competency-co-creation – cooperation-connection.

In a related development, the company’s Hing Hoi Project, designed to help improve the quality of life for people in society, including those living in communities around its power plants, received the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2023 (AREA Awards) for Social Empowerment for the second consecutive year from Enterprise Asia, a non-profit organization which promotes the potential of responsible entrepreneurs in Asia.

CKPower was selected for the award from among 3,367 organizations in 19 countries. The firm was also presented with The Asset ESG Corporate Awards 2023 for Best Initiative – Social Responsibility by The Asset, Asia’s leading finance and investment magazine. It is a further testament to the company’s successful operation in tandem with sustainable development.

Mr. Thanawat Trivisvavet, Managing Director, CK Power PLC, said, “We have set our corporate social responsibility strategy to look after local communities and society in measurable ways as we use our clean energy engineering capabilities to fulfill the communities in line with the United Nations’ SDGs used to set out our CSR Strategy Framework over a period of five years (2022-2027) covering social, environmental and economic aspects, all to achieve our three principal goals to

1. Renewable Electricity for A Better Quality of Life: improving access to renewable energy for a better quality of life.

2. Preserving Restoring Natural Resource: conserving, protecting, and restoring natural resources and the environment sustainably.

3. Co-creating Innovation to Enhance Opportunity to Communities: further enhancing innovations and creating opportunities of occupation development for communities.”

Under the company’s CSR Strategy Framework, CKPower is committed to its strategy to competency – co-creation – cooperation – connection.

The company’s interpretation of “competency” involves utilizing its clean energy engineering capabilities to benefit local communities, society and stakeholders; “co-creation” means advancing ideas, innovations and processes to ensure sustainability, while “cooperation” means employee involvement with stakeholders, which leads to “connection” meaning collaboration by all partners in the whole network to ensure sustainable development through the Hing Hoi Project over the past seven years.

The outcome is evident in the genuine contribution made to local communities and society, which has led to CKPower winning AREA Awards 2023 for Social Empowerment from Enterprise Asia for the second straight year and The Asset ESG Corporate Awards 2023 for Best Initiative – Social Responsibility – a source of pride and encouragement for everyone at CKPower.

The Hing Hoi Project was initiated in 2017 as a collaboration of CKPower’s employees, local communities and network partners to benefit local communities. The project aims to attract the largest number of young people in the company and the communities to ensure sustainable participation from generation to generation.

It reaches out to the communities around CKPower’s power plants and other communities through 41 public properties in Thailand and the Lao PDR, benefiting 1,753 children and youths who are given access to basic public utilities, while the communities learn about renewables through 8 learning centers staffed with 928 CKPower’s volunteers who work in collaboration with 20 alliance networks to achieve the United Nations’ SDGs.

“Outside of the Hing Hoi Project, to promote learning about renewables, we also partner with CU Radio to plan and design a model called ECO School Revolution as part of the Envi Mission program where over 80 secondary school students from around the country are invited to study renewables as we instill in them ideas about environmental conservation.”

Support is also given to the Teach for Thailand foundation to work in the areas around the power plants, encouraging teachers who are change leaders to apply knowledge on renewables in teaching the 400 students at Udomseel Witthaya School around our Bangpa-in Cogeneration Power Plant and Pakthongchai Chunhawan Wittayakarn School around the Bangkhenchai Solar Power Plant.

“We have also helped schools and communities around the Xayaburi and the Nam Ngum 2 Hydroelectric Power Plants in setting up renewable energy funds in Thailand and the Lao PDR to ensure that all the renewable energy projects will always be jointly taken care of. These are some of the activities to provide social value in line with our planned CSR Strategy Framework over five-year period.” said Mr. Thanawat.

“CK Power – Renewable Electricity for a Sustainable Future”

Travel Better in 2024 with Marriott Bonvoy’s New Global Promotion

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2 February 2024, 16:54

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program is bringing back its much-loved global promotion offering members bonus points and Elite Night Credits on each night of their stay.

From February 13 to April 29, registered members can earn 1,000 bonus points and one bonus Elite Night Credit on each night during the promotional earning period. Registration begins today and runs through April 15.

Marriott Bonvoy welcomes members to explore its extensive portfolio of over 30 hotel brands and earn up to 76,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points and 76 bonus Elite Night Credits. Once members are registered for the promotion, they can earn twice each night, starting on their first night.

Bonus points can be redeemed in an abundant of ways – through hotel stays across the unrivaled portfolio or through Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy stays as well as through unique experiences with Marriott Bonvoy Moments. Bonus Elite Night Credits accelerate earning toward elite status, enabling members to reach a higher Marriott Bonvoy membership tier more quickly. For example, with this promotion, a member can achieve Silver Elite status in just five nights instead of 10. With Silver Elite status, members can unlock new benefits such as late check-out and 10% bonus points on eligible future hotel stays.

Additional details listed below:

Registration is open here marriottbonvoy.com/1000timesyes now through April 15, 2024. The promotion earning period runs from February 13 to April 29, 2024.
Stays completed prior to registration are not eligible to earn with this promotion. Members must register before April 15, 2024.
With this promotion, members can earn unlimited bonus points and bonus Elite Night Credits during the 76-day earning period, up to 76,000 bonus points and 76 bonus Elite Night Credits.
A hotel must participate in Marriott Bonvoy at the time of the stay to qualify as a stay night under the promotional terms.
Members must book stays directly with Marriott on Marriott.com, in the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app or through a reservations center. Rates available through most third-party online retailers and select travel agency rates do not qualify for this promotion.
Stays at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, and owner-occupied weeks at Marriott Vacation Club®, Grand Residences by Marriott®, Marriott Grand Residence Club®, Sheraton Vacation Club®, Westin Vacation Club®, The Ritz-Carlton Club®, St. Regis Residence Club® and Luxury Collection Residence Club, are not eligible for bonus Points or bonus Elite Night Credits for this promotion.

CP Foods Enhances Quality Protein Meats and Safeguard Environment with Advanced Probiotics Solutions

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2 February 2024, 16:51

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) leads the way in sustainable livestock farming and food processing. Their comprehensive strategy enhances consumer health by producing high-quality, clean, safe, and nutritionally superior protein meats.

This is achieved by raising pigs, chickens, ducks, and shrimp on innovative probiotic-enriched diets. Such practices not only elevate the quality of a variety of meats, including pork, chicken, duck, and shrimp, but also demonstrate a profound commitment to environmental stewardship.

Recently, the company has achieved a breakthrough in developing innovative enzyme-based food for biogas systems. This advancement aims to increase waste management efficiency and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr. Pairat Srichana, Senior Vice President for Feed Technology Office of CP Foods, emphasizes the company’s dedication to all facets of animal farming. CP Foods is committed to researching and developing advanced technology and solutions to improve feed quality, thereby naturally enhancing animal health. This strategy results in eco-friendly, high-quality meats that align with the One Health principles, guaranteeing safe and sustainable food production.

The company adopts a “precise nutrition” approach, formulating specialized feeds tailored to the varying needs of animals at different life stages, in conjunction with animal welfare principles.

This includes rearing animals in closed systems and barns equipped with evaporative cooling, ensuring comfortable living conditions and minimizing the use of antibiotics for treatment. As a result, this practice yields high-quality, residue-free meat and lessens environmental pollution from nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

CP Foods has made significant progress in probiotics development, selecting beneficial microorganisms from their extensive lab database to boost animal immune systems and disease resistance. They have selected the top ten probiotic strains to use in their animal feeds, including those for pigs, chickens, ducks, and CP Pacific shrimps.

Their product range exemplifies their commitment to eco-friendliness. For instance, U FARM’s Cheeva Pork features Omega-3-enriched pork from pigs fed with superfoods like flaxseed, fish oil, and deep-sea algae, raised without the use of antibiotics and aiding in the reduction of nitrogen in pig waste. U FARM’s Benja Chicken is fed by brown rice and enriched with in Omega-3.

It meat has a distinctive pinkish-red color, more tender and juicier. It’s also NSF-certified, ensuring the chicken is raised without antibiotics and added hormones. Additionally, U Farm’s Chakkraphat Duck, a premium duck meat, is raised on a grain-based diet enriched with Omega-3, resulting in juicier meat compared to ordinary duck meat.

CP Foods plays a pivotal role in environmental stewardship. The company has innovated by introducing microorganisms into biogas ponds, enhancing the decomposition of organic waste in wastewater. This technique boosts methane gas production for electricity generation, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As of 2023, this method has been implemented in over 70 of the company’s pig farms throughout Thailand, enhancing electricity generation efficiency and lowering operational costs. The company is continually engaged in research and development to further refine this process for broader application.

US Navy and Thailand Will Explore HTMS Sukhothai During the Cobra Gold

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2 February 2024, 16:50

In this photo provided by the Royal Thai Navy, the HTMS Sukhothai corvette warship lists off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Thailand, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Photo: Royal Thai Navy via AP

The Royal Thai Navy has provided a statement on the collaborative effort with the United States Navy in the exploration of HTMS Sukhothai and the operation to search and remove hazardous objects.

Admiral Chatchai Thongsaad, Commander of the Royal Thai Fleet, stated on February 2 that the cooperation between the Royal Thai Navy and the United States Navy in exploring HTMS Sukhothai and conducting operations to search and eliminate hazardous materials.

He also informed that this action results from the strong relationship between the Royal Thai and US armed forces. The Royal Thai Navy and the United States Navy have discussed joint operation plans, with the United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT) confirming its support for this operation.

During the Cobra Gold 2024 exercise, there will be cooperation between the Royal Thai Navy and the United States Navy in conducting detailed underwater explorations of HTMS Sukhothai to confirm hypotheses regarding the cause of its sinking, examine evidence related to the investigation, explore for the lost sailors believed to be trapped inside the ship, and neutralized hazardous objects. The Royal Thai Navy will lead these operations, while the United States Navy will provide the supports.

Both nations’ forces will operate using the same standards for equipment and methods, benefiting from their continuous joint training. Both parties will prioritize safety measures, ensuring the smooth conduct of these operations. Planning for these joint operations is currently underway, as stated by the Royal Thai Navy’s spokesperson’s office.

5 New Species Discovered in Thailand, Both Plants and Insects

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2 February 2024, 16:36

BANGKOK – The National Science Museum Thailand (NSM), under the leadership of Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawin Raviwong, Director of NSM, held a press conference on Wednesday to announce the “Discovery of New Plant and Animal Species in the World”.

The annual discovery of new species is a result of collaboration between domestic and international organizations. These research findings are published in internationally recognized journals, bringing recognition to Thai scholars and contributing to the country’s reputation.

In 2023, the following new species were discovered:

Three types of earwigs:

Mongolabis chiangmaiensis Nishikawa & Jaitrong, 2023, found in the mountainous areas of Chiang Mai province, Mongolabis chantha Nishikawa & Jaitrong, 2023, found in Chanthaburi province, and Mongolabis siamensis Nishikawa & Jaitrong, 2023, found in Pua district, Nan province.

These three species are wingless and, unlike other earwigs, cannot fly. They are brown to dark brown in color and have male genitalia that are longer than they are wide. In addition to the three new species of earwigs, two species have also been recorded for the first time in Thailand. The type specimens of all five species are kept in the NSM’s insect collection.

Chomphuphuang Ant and Top Ant:

Dr. Weeyawat Jaitrong, a senior researcher at NSM, in collaboration with insect experts from the Department of National Parks and professors from Champasak College in Laos, has discovered and named two new ant species of the genus Plagiolepis. The findings were first published in the journal Far Eastern Entomologist, Volume 492, Issue 1, in 2024.

The first species was named in honor of Asst. Prof. Dr. Narin Chomphuphuang, Professor at the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen College, and leader of the biodiversity survey team in Champasak Province, Laos, named Chomphuphuang ant.

The second species was named Top Ant in honor of Varawut Silpa-archa, the former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and his family, who have worked to conserve biological resources in Thailand. Both species have similar characteristics, including a grooved head and long body hair, but the top ant has a rougher thorax than the Chomphuphueng ant.

Fish-egg Forest Ghost Flower

The scientific name is Kaempferia subglobosa Noppornch. & Jenjitt. This plant from the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) belongs to the genus Kaempferia L.

It was discovered by Dr. Natthapol Nopporncharoenkul, researcher at the NSM Division of Botany, in collaboration with Asst. Prof. Dr. Taya Jenjittikul, lecturer at the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Mahidol College, morphologically described and identified as a “new forest ghost flower species of the genus Kaempferia”.

Fish egg Forest Ghost Flower — Kaempferia subglobosa Noppornch. & Jenjitt

The results were published on January 18, 2024 in the journal Blumea – Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants (Q2), Volume 69. The fish egg forest ghost flower is a plant endemic to Thailand, currently found only in Ban Tak and Sam Nga districts in Tak province.

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Visa-Free Travel Boosts Thai Tourists to China; Japan Remains Top

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2 February 2024, 14:52

BANGKOK – Thailand not only seeks to encourage tourists from all over the world to visit the country, but more Thais are travelling overseas at the moment. Japan remains the top destination, with China moving closer, aided by the Thai-Chinese visa exemption agreement.

Charoen Wangananont, president of the Thai Travel Association (TTAA), said the association expects the total outbound travel market, or Thais traveling abroad, to total about 8-10 million people in 2023, an increase of about 5-10 percent compared to 2022, returning to a level similar to that of 2019 before the COVID-19 outbreak with about 10-11 million people.

The most popular destination for Thais traveling abroad this year continues to be Japan, with a high rate of repeat trips to both major cities and secondary cities. In 2024, an estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million Thais will travel to Japan, which is similar to the 2019 figure of around 1.3 million people and higher than the 2022 figure of around 1 million people.

AP23090198321914 — Visitors view seasonal cherry blossoms from a pedestrian bridge in the Roppongi district, Friday, March 31, 2023, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

The positive factors continue to be the weakening of the Japanese yen and the fall in airline ticket prices due to the increased number of seats on the market. Other markets that are growing significantly are China, Vietnam and Laos.

Thanapol Chiwarattanaporn, vice president of the TTAA and managing director of Quality Express Co, Ltd, a company specializing in tourism and tours at home and abroad, told “Prachachat” that the market that is very good for overseas travel by Thais and is the fastest growing is China. It has been noted that the number of trips has increased exponentially since the beginning of this year.

It is expected that after the application of visa-free travel between China and Thailand from March 1, 2024, the number of trips by Thais to China will increase significantly again.

It is estimated that the number of Thais traveling to China will double in 2024 compared to 2019 before the COVID-19 crisis, with around 600,000 to 700,000 Thais traveling to China. The number will be over 1 million people, roughly equivalent to the number of Thais traveling to Japan, which has long been a popular destination for Thais.

After the visa waiver agreement between Thailand and China was signed on January 28, 2023, it was found that on Trip.com Thailand, the search rate for related search terms in China increased more than four times compared to the previous day. The cities that Thai tourists searched for most frequently are Shanghai, Chengdu, Harbin, Shenzhen, Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing and Zhangjiajie.

Another market to keep an eye on is South Korea, which has been a problem market in the past due to group travel with registration through the K-ETA system. The South Korean government is expected to abolish the K-ETA system in the second quarter of this year. If it can be abolished, South Korea will probably be a popular market for Thais again.

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Thai Youth Are More Violent Due To A Weak Society, Say Experts

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1 February 2024, 23:41

stab youth1 — Six young adults were apprehended and transported to the Criminal Court, Ratchadaphisek Road on February 1, 2024 after being accused of fatally stabbing a student at a rival college in front of Bangkok's Pathumwan Institute of Technology late on January 26.

BANGKOK – Many social analysts agree that Thai society pushes children towards violence. Children can only express themselves through authority and norms and have little family support or understanding.

Several violent cases have recently occurred among younger people in Thailand, such as the case of a 14-year-old who opened fire in a shopping mall, resulting in the deaths of three victims; five children who assaulted and buried alive a 47-year-old homeless woman; a student who murdered a classmate with a wrench; and another student who fatally stabbed a classmate in front of a flagpole.

Sompong Jitradub, an education expert, said that Thai society is reproducing children in a way that will inevitably lead to the loss of society if the problems are not addressed. He suggests that it is not enough to simply enforce stricter laws. Instead, Thai society must prevent itself from producing fewer children of poor quality.

youth violence — CCTV footage shows five teens assaulting a 47-year-old homeless woman to death in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, on January 12, 2024.

He added that the current family system is weak. Parents are often too busy with their work and spoil their children with expensive gadgets like smartphones instead of spending time with them. Coupled with the inadequacies in the education system, where teachers are burdened with an excessive workload, children are neglected as individuals.

Public indifference or neglect towards these children stems from the normalization of teasing, bullying, and ridicule in the past. While such behaviors were once considered acceptable, they are now viewed as inappropriate due to today’s children having a stronger sense of individuality, intensified by the COVID-19 lockdown.

This isolation has led to excessive smartphone usage, exposing them to violent and inappropriate content. Additionally, easy access to drugs like marijuana, methamphetamine, and electronic cigarettes around schools further contributes to their susceptibility to violence.

youth stab3 — Police officers condoned the scene where a student fatally stabbed a classmate in front of a flagpole in Bangkok on January 29, 2024.

“As someone who has been working with children for 30 years, I can see that the new generation of children is gradually forming gangs, causing problems and unrest everywhere. This is because the school system lacks flexibility and space for children to express themselves and relax. It has become a space filled with authority and regulations. Therefore, it is impossible for any ministry or government department alone to address this issue. The government may need to take on the responsibility and tackle this problem seriously,” he said.

Causes of aggression

According to statistics from the Department of Children and Youth Protection, 12,000 cases of children and young people committing criminal offenses were reported in the period 2022-2023. More than half of the offenders had completed high school and most came from broken homes.

Assoc. Prof. Adisak Plitponkarnpim, director of the National Institute for Child and Family Development at Mahidol University, explains that aggressive behavior in children is typically divided into two categories: those who seek attention and those who respond to threats. The former often has to do with peer pressure and a desire for dominance, while the latter stems from feeling threatened and reacting violently.

youth violence2 — A group of teenagers attacked a 13-year-old student in the middle of a road in Lahan Sai District, Buriram Province. The offenders then took to social media late at night on January 13, 2024, to insult the rival school.

The causes of this aggressive behavior can be traced back to three main factors: genetic predisposition due to abnormal brain development, upbringing and external influences such as media, drugs and academic competition, which destroy the natural joy of childhood and hinder creative thinking.

“There are 700,000 – 800,000 children using electronic cigarettes compared to 70,000 last year”. This is a significant environmental factor that correlates with aggressive behavior and can occur in children growing up in affluent or poor families. There is currently an increasing trend of violent behavior among children, although some cases are likely to remain hidden and have yet to be uncovered.

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King Power Celebrates the Beginning of The New Year with A Dazzling “Kingdom of Dragons”

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1 February 2024, 17:33

“King Power Chinese New Year 2024”, an extravagant celebration event, takes place 1-18 February 2024.

King Power marks the beginning of the new year with festivities heralding a fresh start. The travel-retail giant unveils a spectacle commemorating the grandeur of the Chinese New Year, ushering in the auspicious Year of the Dragon, and bringing everyone into a joyous celebration of new beginnings through the event:

“King Power Chinese New Year 2024.
Power Your Luck, Power Your Life.“

Embarking on a journey towards good fortunes as part of the celebration for the Year of the Dragon through the ‘Kingdom of Dragons’ concept centered around the theme of ‘Luck, Health, Wealth, Love.’ Embrace the potent energy of the dragon that radiates only positive vibes of good fortune, prosperity, happiness, auspiciousness, and fulfillment for both Thai and international visitors.

This event serves as a unifying platform for everyone to gather together to take delight in delectable feasts, seek blessings, enhance personal fortunes, and revel in live concerts featuring renowned artists, along with selected special promotions.

Ascend to prosperity and join in this collective celebration of the power of the Year of the Dragon, spanning 18 days from 1 February to 18 February 2024, at the Crown Atrium at King Power Rangnam. The festivities commence with divine worship and an array of promotional events, from 1 February to 18 February 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.

Engage in highlighted activities scheduled from 6 February to 18 February 2024, between 12:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., set in the vibrant Fountain Square area. It’s an invitation for everyone to gather together, indulge in culinary delights, explore possibilities, make wishes, and relish live concerts featuring a diverse lineup of renowned artists.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 6 February 2024, commencing from 5:00 p.m. onwards. Witness the grandeur of five dragon parades, elegantly striding along the entire Rangnam Road.

Leading the procession will be admired artists, including PP-Krit Amnuaydechkorn, Win-Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, JJ-Kritsanapoom Pibulsonggram, Daneng-Kanyawee Songmuang, Daou-Pittaya Saechua, and Offroad-Kantapon Jindataweephol.

On 10 February 2024, be captivated by the show led by Yin-Anan Wong, accompanied by a special performance by Chamook-Suchanan Mahaphromwan.

On 11 February 2024, immerse in the excitement with Nont-Tanont Chumroen and indulge in the most spectacular live shows, featuring musical performances and a myriad of captivating acts from China.

During the event, everyone will have the opportunity to savor “Auspicious Cuisine from over 50 Renowned Restaurants.” Discover delectable dishes from more than 50 legendary and Michelin Guide-endorsed eateries, including Tang Jai Yoo Restaurant, Tang Jai Yang Michelin Red Pork, Cross BKK, Mott32, Khao Kha Moo Trok Sung, Chaffeine Bubble Milk Tea, Gui Chai Saphan Han, Hong Tae Crispy Fried Chive Pancake, Charm Noodle, Ba Bin Gusto, and many more.

All are welcome to partake in the festivities marking the beginning of the new year and attract positive energies throughout the Year of the Dragon. This underscores King Power as the premier destination for celebrating all festivals in Thailand. Come together to usher in the new year at the “King Power Chinese New Year 2024 Power Your Luck, Power Your Life” event taking place from 1 February to 18 February 2024, at King Power Rangnam.

Three types of earwigs:

Chomphuphuang Ant and Top Ant:

Fish-egg Forest Ghost Flower

Causes of aggression

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