Taiwan’s Indispensability in Preparing for Future Pandemics

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May 3, 2024 2:13 pm

This article is written by Mr. Chang Chun-Fu, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand.

According to the media reports, COVID-19 cases in Thailand have surged once again after this Songkran Festival, reminding us that the threat of the pandemic persists. Although COVID-19 is no longer classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the World Health Organization continues to warn about the threat of a Disease X pandemic. Therefore, enhancing global health governance becomes an important issue that Thailand, Taiwan, and governments worldwide cannot afford to overlook.

WHO and many countries began reviewing response strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weaknesses in the International Health Regulations (2005) as concerns managing this crisis were revealed. As a result, changes are afoot. Proposed revisions include enhanced surveillance, reporting, and information sharing; improved response readiness; and revised criteria for declaring PHEICs.

At the same time, there is vigorous debate around a new pandemic agreement, which aims to craft a robust global pandemic governance framework grounded in accountability, transparency, and equity. This agreement is expected to be approved at the upcoming 77th World Health Assembly scheduled from May 27 to June 1 this year.

Chang Chun Fu — Mr. Chang Chun-Fu, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand

Taiwan strongly supports the revision of the International Health Regulations (2005) and the approval of the new pandemic agreement. However, as Taiwan is not a member of the WHO, we cannot directly influence revisions to the IHR (2005) or drafting the new pandemic agreement is not possible. We call on WHO to include Taiwan as a signatory to these documents.

This inclusion would facilitate collaborative efforts in monitoring emerging virus strains, reporting and exchanging pathogen diagnosis data, and sharing novel vaccine and antiviral research or clinical trial results. By fostering collective global action against future pandemics, we could build a more resilient global society with effective disease prevention measures.

We urge WHO to support Taiwan’s inclusion in overseeing global health. Taiwan remains committed to participating based on the principles of professionalism, pragmatism, and making contributions. Taiwan seeks to cooperate with WHO to remedy geographic gaps in global health security and to construct a comprehensive global health framework.

The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a fundamental human right in their constitutions. Despite this, many nations have not passed and implemented relevant laws to ensure that their citizens have access to healthcare services. Taiwan has worked hard to reach universal health coverage and has consistently improved the quality of health care over the past few decades in line with WHO recommendations.

Taiwan has effectively integrated and allocated social welfare resources to enhance primary and oral health care for all, implement mental health programs, and strengthen the social safety net. Taiwan has put in place an agile and resilient healthcare system able to combat both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. We are improving health for all individuals over the course of their entire lives. Moreover, Taiwan is working to share its experience and expertise in achieving universal health coverage to help the international community realize health for all.

The theme for World Health Day 2024 is “My health, my right.” This is a way to advocate for every individual, everywhere, to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as enjoy safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.

Through a public-private partnership, Taiwan has been contributing to global efforts to realize the right to health in collaboration with partner countries and international organizations. We have improved medical care in South Pacific island nations, enhanced nutrition for women and children affected by an earthquake in Haiti, provided psychological support to Ukrainian refugee women and children in Romania as well as aid workers; bolstered climate change adaptability in the Caribbean; and improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene at healthcare facilities in Kenya.

Taiwan is committed to supporting the World Health Organization in implementing the principle of “ health as a human right “. Yet the rights of Taiwan’s 23 million people are disregarded by WHO for political reasons. We urge WHO and all relevant parties to recognize Taiwan’s considerable contributions to global public health and the human right to health. It is imperative for WHO to adopt a more open-minded approach and demonstrate flexibility, adhering to the principles of professionalism and inclusivity.

Taiwan should be included, as a matter of pragmatism, in the World Health Assembly and all WHO meetings, activities, and mechanisms, particularly those related to the WHO pandemic agreement. This would better empower Taiwan to collaborate with global partners to uphold the fundamental human right to health stipulated in the WHO Constitution and the vision of leaving no one behind espoused in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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CP Foods Wins Three International Awards for Innovative Vegan Cheese

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Matichon Marketing

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May 3, 2024 1:42 pm

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) announces its recent international recognition at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland. The company garnered three prestigious awards, highlighting its innovative prowess in the food technology sector. Among the award-winning innovations was the groundbreaking “Just-Cheese” made from Fermented Broken-Milled Rice, an exceptional vegan cheese alternative.

“Just-Cheese” is celebrated for its low-fat composition and high nutritional value, boasting a flavor profile comparable to traditional milk-based cheeses. This product serves as an excellent option for cheese enthusiasts and vegetarians alike, offering a viable alternative for those sensitive to cow’s milk.

Dr. Sudarat Ledlod, Alternative Protein Researcher at CP Foods’ R&D Center, spoke about the company’s dedication to integrating advanced technology and scientific research to produce food solutions that are beneficial for health and gentle on the environment. The development of the Vegan Cheese from Fermented Broken-Milled Rice is a result of collaborative efforts with culinary experts and various specialists, aiming to craft a product that is not only healthier with its low fat and lactose-free attributes but also rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins.

The Vegan Cheese innovation was recognized with the NRCT Honorable Mention Award by the National Research Council of Thailand and received two additional honors in Geneva: a Bronze award and a Special Prize from Portuguese Delegation. The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, renowned as the largest event of its kind worldwide, draws inventors and researchers from over 45 countries. This marks the second consecutive year CP Foods has been acknowledged on this global stage, reinforcing its role as a leader in sustainable and innovative food solutions that also support Thai agriculture.

Westin Hotels & Resorts Bolsters its ‘Best in Bed’

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Matichon Marketing

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May 3, 2024 10:12 am

Westin Hotels & Resorts Bolsters its ‘Best in Bed’ Reputation with the Global Debut of the Next Generation Heavenly® Bed

With sleep leading the broader health and wellness movement, Westin doubles down on the sleep conversation with its refreshed product, enhanced modern design and globally acclaimed wellness programming

Building upon its legacy of delivering deep, restorative sleep for guests, Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of more than 30 extraordinary brands, is unveiling its next generation Heavenly® Bed. Developed in collaboration with leading sleep experts, Westin associates and guests, the next generation Heavenly Bed fortifies the brand’s mission and 360-degree wellness approach, empowering discerning travelers to not only maintain but enhance their well-being while traveling.

As the preeminent wellness brand in hospitality, Westin has long recognized sleep as a cornerstone of well-being. Many travelers are now considering a restorative night’s sleep as a pivotal part of their overall travel experience, a subject in which Westin has served as an authoritative source for decades. This new prioritization in sleep quality has individuals seeking out new ways to optimize their sleep experience while traveling, as evidenced by the booming sleep sector which is expected to grow by over $400 billion through 2028. The legacy Heavenly Bed has not only paved the path for providing unparalleled comfort for travelers, but spurred consumers’ interest in bringing their sleep experience home, with more than 500,000 Heavenly Beds sold since its official launch on the Westin Store.

Energized by its enduring success and prestigious reputation, Westin embarked on a multi-year journey to invigorate guests’ sleep experience and enhance travelers’ well-being at its 240+ hotels and resorts globally.

“An industry benchmark was set with the launch of our legacy Heavenly Bed in 1999, and it now serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to provide the very best sleep experiences for guests around the world. In a culture that has long glorified busyness and productivity, Westin knows that a good night’s sleep is paramount to guests’ overall well-being, which is why our iconic Heavenly Bed has resonated with travelers for decades,” said Brian Povinelli, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Marketing and Brand, Marriott International. “Understanding the devoted fanbase the legacy bed has garnered over the years; our goal was to listen and carefully review every aspect of the guest and associate experience, ensuring each update was both intentional and impactful. We are confident that it will exceed the expectations of both loyal and future Westin guests across the globe and again raise the bar for the comfort of our guests.”

Aiming to set the new standard of excellence for restorative sleep on the road, Westin’s significant development process included testing thousands of products, hosting consumer focus groups and property listening sessions, and researching the evolution of sleep comfort and technology. It culminated in a new, top-of-the-line product with a modernized design and a wider commitment to continue to evolve and improve the Westin Sleep Well experience.

From the plush-top mattress and its innovative silver fiber weave to the added layers of temperature-regulating gel-infused memory foam, the next generation Heavenly Bed mattress offers a superior sleep experience further enhanced by the significant upgrades to bedding design and materials. All bedding components have been upgraded to hypoallergenic materials and the blended duvet insert was created with a unique mix of materials and wrapped in smooth cotton, which is designed to regulate temperature and keep guests cool for a better night’s sleep. Replacing the previous all-white aesthetic of the legacy bed with Westin’s new, modern design ethos, the next generation Heavenly Bed now includes a new charcoal blanket and full-frame piping on pillowcases to provide a warm residential feel and cloud-like appearance. The richly woven blanket features a tone-on-tone pattern inspired by the brand’s biophilic design principle and serves as both an added layer of warmth and a beautiful residentially inspired coverlet. Additional design updates include sateen linens with natural matte finish and the removal of the bed skirt and bolster pillow, reflecting a more modern sleep experience and guest input.

To learn more about The Westin Heavenly Bed and the brand’s 360-degree wellness experience, please visit www.westin.marriott.com.

Thai Housekeeper Inherits $2.7million and 3 Cats from French Woman in Koh Samui

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Khaosod English

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May 2, 2024 7:46 pm

Pa Tim (Aunty Tim), a Thai housekeeper, tearfully said on May 2, 2024, that she was shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Madame Catherine, who left her fortune and three cats to her.

KOH SAMUI – A French businesswoman, Madame Catherine, 59, who lived in a luxurious villa on Koh Samui in Thailand’s Surat Thani province, committed suicide by shooting herself. She left her 100 million baht, or about 2.7 million USD, fortune and three cats to her Thai housekeeper, known as “Pa Tim,” in her will.

Pa Tim (Aunty Tim), from Wanorn Niwas district in Sakon Nakhon province, tearfully said on Thursday she was shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Madame Catherine.

The Thai housekeeper said she had known Madame Catherine for over 17 years. She was introduced to Madame Catherine by a friend and started working as a housekeeper at Madame Catherine’s rental property. Mrs. Catherine then expanded her business from a rental property to a resort and villas, and Pa Tim continued to work for her throughout her career. She receives a salary of 22,000 baht per month.

thaimaid french2 — A villa of a French businesswoman, Madame Catherine, who committed suicide, is left to Pa Tim, her housekeeper.

Before the incident occurred, on April 28, Pa Tim went to clean the house as usual. During the afternoon, she informed Madame Catherine that she was going to take leave to go to the temple, as it was her birthday. Madame Catherine allowed her and then said “Happy Birthday to you”.

The next day, the pool cleaner called Pa Tim and told her that Madame Catherine was lying on the ground next to the pool, covered in blood. Pa Tim said she was so shocked and rushed to the house. When she got there, she found that her boss had died with a gunshot wound to her temple.

After checking her LINE messages, Pa Tim found a message from Madame Catherine indicating that there was a farewell letter in the safebox. She and Madame Catherine’s friend then opened the safe and read the letter together.

It starts with the word “Au revoir” or “Goodbye,” and says, “My journey ends here. I very sincerely believe that you are a person of integrity. That’s why I leave you my safe. The second copy is for Tim. I wish to be cremated and my ashes scattered, if possible, in Saparot.”

The letter stated that Madame Catherine was bequeathing her villa, along with the surrounding land, two additional acres of vacant land, luxury cars, jewelry, rings, diamonds stored in the safe, and all cash in the bank to Pa Tim. She was also giving two other villas to Mr. Vincent, Madame Catherine’s ex-husband. Additionally, the Frenchwoman requested that Pa Tim take care of her three beloved cats.

“I want her to stay with me. I didn’t want that to happen. I received so much from her, but I lost her. I’m heartbroken and miss her so much. I don’t want her to leave me. She was like a mother to me, taking care of me all these years. I promise I’ll do my best,” said Pa Tim.

The Thai housekeeper, who has four children, also revealed that Madame Catherine had transferred her salary, internet fees, water and electricity bills in full before her death. She had also transferred 500,000 baht to Pa Tim to cover her funeral expenses. Pa Tim promised to hold a proper funeral and never forget Madame Catherine’s kindness.

She still does not know what she will do with the villa in the future, but she is sure that she will not sell it. This also applies to the luxury cars that Madame Catherine left her, even though she can not drive.

Pa Tim believes that Madame Catherine’s decision to commit suicide may have been due to stress from her illness. She had hemorrhoids that eventually turned into cancer. She may have wanted to pass away peacefully.

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Death Toll Jumps to at Least 48 as a Search Continues in Southern China Highway Collapse

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Associated Press

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May 2, 2024 6:06 pm

China Highway — In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, an aerial photo shows rescuers work at the site of a collapsed road section of the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in Meizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Xinhua News Agency via AP)

BEIJING (AP) — The death toll from a collapsed highway in southeastern China climbed to 48 on Thursday as searchers dug for a second day through a treacherous and mountainous area.

One side of the four-lane highway in the city of Meizhou gave way about 2 a.m. on Wednesday after a month of heavy rains in Guangdong province. Twenty-three vehicles fell down a steep slope, some sending up flames as they caught fire. Construction cranes were used to lift out the burnt-out and mutilated vehicles.

Officials in Meizhou said three other people were unidentified, pending DNA testing. It wasn’t immediately clear if they had died, which would bring the death toll to 51. Another 30 people had non-life-threatening injuries.

AP24123306246100 — A firefighter sprays water on the remains of a car in the aftermath of the collapse of a highway section on the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in Meizhou, south China’s Guangdong Province on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Xinhua via AP)

The search was still ongoing, Meizhou city Mayor Wang Hui said at a late-afternoon news conference. No foreigners have been found among the victims, he said.

Search work has been hampered by rain and land and gravel sliding down the slope. The disaster left a curving earth-colored gash in the otherwise verdant forest landscape. Excavators dug out a wider area on the slope.

“Because some of the vehicles involved caught fire, the difficulty of the rescue operation has increased,” said Wen Yongdeng, the Communist Party secretary for the Meizhou emergency management bureau.

“Most of the vehicles were buried in soil during the collapse, with a large volume of soil covering them,” he said.

AP24123306246962 — Rescuers and excavators working at the site of a highway section that collapsed on the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in Meizhou, south China’s Guangdong Province. (Wang Ruiping/Xinhua via AP)

AP24122502493673 — A section of a highway collapsed early Wednesday in southern China, sending cars tumbling and leaving more than a dozen of people dead, according to state media. (Xinhua News Agency via AP)

He added that the prolonged heavy rainfall has saturated soil in the area, “making it prone to secondary disasters during the rescue process.”

Over 56 centimeters (22 inches) of rain has fallen in the past four weeks in the county where the roadway collapsed, more than four times as much as last year. Some villages in Meizhou flooded in early April, and the city has seen more rain in recent days.

Parts of Guangdong province have seen record rains and flooding in the past two weeks, as well as hail. A tornado killed five people in Guangzhou, the provincial capital, during rain and hail storms last weekend.

The highway section collapsed on the first day of a five-day May Day holiday, when many Chinese are traveling at home and abroad.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said that all of China’s regions should improve their monitoring and early warning measures and investigate any risks to ensure the safety of the public and social stability, state broadcaster CCTV said.

Utah Cat With a Fondness for Cardboard Takes Surprise Trip to California in an Amazon Box

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Associated Press

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May 2, 2024 5:42 pm

Cat Found Amazon Box — In this photo provided by Carrie Clark of Lehi, Utah, is Galena, a 6-year-old house cat. Clark says Galena went missing after jumping into a box being returned to Amazon without its owners noticing. (Carrie Clark via AP Photo)

Galena, a 6-year-old house cat from Utah, likes hiding and playing with cardboard.

Earlier this month, the combination of the two made for a stressful trip in an Amazon package, a feverish search, a California rescue and a tearful reunion.

Her family is still waiting to “reintroduce cardboard to her again,” owner Carrie Clark said Tuesday, because they don’t want to stress her out.

Clark got Galena as a kitten after her aunt rescued a pregnant feral cat. The American short hair with calico and Siamese coloring has been a constant companion and source of emotional support.

“I’ve been through a bunch of health things and she and I have gone through all of that together. And she’s she just has this extra great part about her personality that’s very loving. And she can tell when you don’t feel well,” Clark said. “And she’s just really, really special to me.”

So when Galena disappeared on April 10, Clark was beside herself.

AP24122020668681 — In this photo provided by Carrie Clark of Lehi, Utah, Carrie poses with Galena, a 6-year-old house cat. Clark says Galena went missing after jumping into a box being returned to Amazon without its owners noticing. (Carrie Clark via AP Photo)

They searched the neighborhood, put up flyers and posted notices on Facebook lost pet pages in Lehi, Utah.

“Not knowing what had happened to her was pretty excruciating,” Clark said, “I cried my eyes out for seven days trying to figure out what had happened.” Clark also ran through all the worst-case scenarios, wondering if the cat could have gotten out of the house and been nabbed by a predator or run over by a vehicle.

Clark said she received a “text that changed my life” on April 17, saying that Galena’s microchip had been scanned, so Clark knew she had been found somewhere. Soon after, she got a call saying her cat was near Riverside, California, after being found in a box along with steel-toed boots that had been returned to an Amazon warehouse.

Clark’s husband had ordered several pairs of boots, kept one and returned the rest in a large box on April 10.

“We realized that that our sweet kitty must have jumped into that box without us knowing,” she said.

Amazon employees knew just who to call when they found the feline — co-worker Brandy Hunter, who rescues cats, Clark said.

Hunter took the cat home and to the vet the next day, where the microchip was scanned.

Clark spoke with Hunter who “calmed me down and told me that my kitty was OK,” despite having spent six days in a cardboard box without food or water.

AP24121859160313 — In this photo provided by Carrie Clark of Lehi, Utah, is Galena, a 6-year-old house cat. Clark says Galena went missing after jumping into a box being returned to Amazon without its owners noticing. (Carrie Clark via AP Photo)

“I wanted desperately to be with her,” Clark said. She and her husband flew to California the next day, reunited with Galena at the veterinarian’s office and rented a car to drive home.

“We did what we needed to do because I just adore her,” Clark said.

It was an intensely emotional week.

“I went from hysterically laughing that she was stuck like that — we mailed our cat — you know … just the humor part of that, to hysterically crying all within like five seconds,” Clark said.

The family was lucky to get Galena back, Clark said, in part because the weather was not harsh during the time the cat was missing, the box was torn at a seam, allowing her to get more air, and because Hunter who took her to a vet and had her scanned for a microchip.

Since word got out, Clark has been sharing her cat’s story, with advice to microchip your pets and to double-check your Amazon boxes before returning them.

Galena is a quiet cat, Clark said.

“She didn’t meow,” Clark said. “We would have loved for her to meow so we knew that she was,” in the box.

B.Grimm Power Invests $3.39 Million to Enter the Middle East Renewable Energy Market

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Matichon Marketing

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May 2, 2024 5:40 pm

B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited announced a new investment to penetrate the clean energy market in the Middle East by investing over $3.39 million to acquire a 40% shareholding in ThreeEightSix Holdings Ltd, an independent power producer focused on Commercial & Industrial solar assets in the GCC region. This investment aims to meet the growing demand for renewable energy in the region.

This investment is driven by the potential seen in the Middle Eastern renewable energy industry, which aligns with various countries’ policies. For example, the UAE has plans to increase its renewable energy capacity from 3.7 gigawatts in 2023 to 19.8 gigawatts by 2030. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has committed to expand its renewable capacity from less than 1 gigawatt in 2022 to 58 gigawatts by 2030. Bahrain, although a smaller market, has set a clear renewable energy policy aiming to increase its capacity to 710 megawatts by 2035.

ThreeEightSix Holdings Ltd. Ltd has solar rooftop assets and solar energy sale agreements for a total capacity of 33.7 megawatts in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. The projects include five operating projects with a combined capacity of 4.1 megawatts and another ten projects in development and construction stages, aiming for an additional capacity of 29.6 megawatts. All projects are targeted for commercial operation (COD) during 2024 – 2025, meeting the increasing demand for renewable energy and marking B.Grimm Power’s new investment in the clean energy market of the Middle East through this Joint Venture. B.Grimm Power expects it as a small start to significant investments in the Middle East in the future.

Pattaya Rescuers Find 4 Missing French Visitors Stranded on an Island

By

Khaosod English

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May 2, 2024 4:18 pm

french pattaya2 — The four French tourists went out on a boat to go spearfishing at 7:00 a.m. on May 1, 2024.

PATTAYA – A group of four French tourists went missing at sea, unreachable since Wednesday morning. As a result, the Pattaya water rescue team frantically searched for them. Later, they found only an empty boat floating in the middle of the sea, fearing that they may have encountered a tragic accident. However, in the end, they were fortunate that the rescue team found them stranded on an island.

The four French tourists are Mr. Adrien, 38 years old, Mr. Mehdi, 47 years old, Mr. Vincent, 30 years old, and Mr. Stefan, 32 years old. They went out on a boat to go spearfishing at 7:00 a.m. on May 1. After that, they lost contact and disappeared. Both foreign and Thai friends were unable to contact them.

Later, a Facebook user named Supoj Chomdokmai posted a picture of a 1-engine speedboat named “VAZIMOLO” with a message saying, “Friends, please help share this. This boat went out at Na Jomtien this morning, May 1, around 7:00 AM. It has not returned to shore yet and is unreachable. There were 4 people on board. If anyone sees it, please contact me.”

french pattaya3 — “An internet user posted a picture of a boat on Facebook, saying ‘Did anyone’s friends or relatives go out fishing? I found the boat but not the people.'”

He posted again that someone found this boat floating aimlessly in the middle of the sea, about 11 nautical miles from Koh Si Chang, Si Racha district, towards the Bangkok channel, but no one was found on the boat.

After that, the water rescue operation team of the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation in Pattaya launched a speedboat from the Jomtien Pier, Moo 12, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, to search for them but could not find them.

Until 10:45 a.m. on May 2, the Sawang Rojanapattaya rescue team and the sailor Ek who posted the search message on Facebook found the four foreigners stranded on Koh Marawichai, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. They were all safe but in an exhausted and hungry state.

french pattaya1 — The French tourists posed in a wai gesture to thank the police and the rescue team for helping them.

The rescue team brought them back to Bang Saray Pier, Na Jomtien Subdistrict at 12:10 p.m. Pattaya tourist police came down to question them and follow up on everything that happened.

Mr. Adrien stated that they went diving at Koh Marawichai and anchored their boat. However, when they surfaced again, the anchored boat had drifted away, causing it to float far from the island. So they stayed on the island for one night before a rescue boat arrived. They then conveyed hand gestures for assistance.

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Thai-US Seizes 48 Lemurs and 1,076 Tortoises from Wildlife Trafficking Ring

By

Khaosod English

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May 2, 2024 3:11 pm

BANGKOK – The police officers arrested suspects in possession of 48 lemurs and 1,076 star tortoises at a hotel in Khun Krating sub-district, Muang Chumphon district,Chumphon Province, southern Thailand. They seized all the animals and took them to Bangkok.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Wacharin Pusit, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, along with representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, held a press conference on May 1 to announce the arrest of a major international wildlife trafficking ring at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok.

Six suspects were arrested in the operation: Mr. Pichitpol (also known as Game) Sriduangmaneechai, 31; Mr. Chitrin Phumali, 39; Mr. Ongarj Sriduangmaneechai, 29; Ms. Wiriyaorn Phumali, 39; Mr. Thaweepong Champathong, 43; and Ms. Chuthamas Chitchaeng, 33.

lemur1 — Police seized 48 lemurs and 1,076 star tortoises at a hotel in Khun Krating sub-district, Muang Chumphon district, Chumphon Province on May 1, 2024.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Wacharin said officials had received a tip-off about a group of international wildlife traffickers smuggling African wildlife into La-ngu district in Satun province before transporting them to Bangkok for onward shipment to third countries. Authorities from different agencies worked together and deployed forces to monitor different routes.

They spotted the six suspects entering Chumphon province in four pickup trucks matching the informant’s description. The officers tracked the vehicles to a hotel near the Khun Krating temple, the suspects’ usual stopover. Upon searching the vehicles, the officers discovered a large number of lemurs and star tortoises hidden inside.

The animals were confiscated as evidence and the suspects were taken into custody for questioning.

lemur3 scaled — Police seized 48 lemurs and 1,076 star tortoises at a hotel in Khun Krating sub-district, Muang Chumphon district, Chumphon Province on May 1, 2024.

While all six suspects denied the allegations, police have evidence that Mr. Pichitpol had previously been arrested for a similar offense. As the suspects are involved in a large international wildlife trafficking ring, the authorities have been monitoring their activities for several years.

The investigation yielded extensive evidence and further investigation revealed that the suspects had traveled to Madagascar and Indonesia to check on the condition of the confiscated wildlife. The seizure of hundreds of lemurs and star tortoises is the largest operation of its kind to date.

lemur2 — Pol. Maj. Gen. Wacharin Pusit, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, along with representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, held a press conference on May 1 to announce the arrest of a major international wildlife trafficking ring at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok.

According to the investigation, the lemurs and tortoises were caught illegally on Madagascar, an island off the African coast. They were then taken to the island of Sumatra in the Indonesian province of Aceh before being loaded onto a ship and brought ashore in the Langu district of Satun province.

The plan was to transport the animals to Bangkok, from where they would be shipped to Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, where they are popular pets and considered lucky charms. Star tortoises, which usually sell for 100,000 baht per animal in Thailand, fetch up to ten times as much in Hong Kong, where they are traded for 1 million baht or more.

The six suspects are initially charged with “possession of controlled wildlife without a permit” and “violations of the Customs Act” They will be transferred to the DNP’s Wildlife Crime Investigation Unit 5 for further court proceedings.

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JerHigh X Cullen & P’Jung Introduce Grain-Free Diets for Beloved Dogs

By

Matichon Marketing

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May 2, 2024 2:24 pm

JerHigh, a leading brand in the pet food sector, is introducing JerHigh MORE, a grain-free formula for dogs. Alongside this launch comes the introduction of its newest ambassadors, Cullen & P’Jung, well-known figures from the popular YouTube channel Hateberry.

Their ambassadorship reflects their purely love for pets, evident in their content, and serves as a platform to convey JerHigh’s dedication to providing top-quality products for pets.

Kitisak Limamphai, Managing Director of International Pet Foods Co., Ltd., shared the company’s commitment to collaborating with veterinarians to develop pet foods that meet the diverse health needs of dogs of all breeds and ages.

The latest offering, JerHigh MORE Grain-Free, is crafted without corn or soybeans, reducing allergy risks. It is also free from sugars and artificial colors, delivering complete and balanced nutrition to enhance coat health and skin condition.

“This year, JerHigh continues to delight pet lovers by partnering with Cullen and P’Jung, who share a profound affection for pets. Their travels always include JerHigh pet food and snacks, ensuring a joyful experience for their furry companions. We’re excited to collaborate with them and share the love for JerHigh with their followers,” said Kitisak.

Cullen and P’Jung expressed their enthusiasm for working with JerHigh, highlighting their genuine love for dogs. They noted JerHigh as their preferred brand for pet food, ensuring their pets’ happiness wherever they go.

JerHigh MORE Grain-Free offers various formulas suitable for dogs with different dietary needs, including chicken, chicken and liver, and salmon, suitable for all dogs aged three months and above. The products are available at leading supermarkets, convenience stores, and pet shops nationwide, as well as online through JerHigh’s official channels on Facebook, Line, and their website.

JerHigh serves as a conduit connecting pet owners with their beloved companions under the concept of “Feed me with love,” treating pets as integral family members. The company is dedicated to developing innovative pet food certified by AAFCO standards, equivalent to human food, utilizing modern technology and high-quality ingredients to ensure pets’ health and longevity.

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