Pattaya police arrested two suspects for stealing a 20-gram gold necklace worth 60,000 baht from an Indian tourist.
PATTAYA – Tourist police officers, in collaboration with the investigation officers of Pattaya City Police Station, arrested two suspects for stealing a 20-gram gold necklace worth 60,000 baht from an Indian tourist.
CCTV footage shows one of the ladyboys hugged the Indian tourist before unhooking his necklace.
The two suspects are ladyboys named Malada or M, 34 years old, and Kachapapak or Nueng, 41 years old.
The theft occurred around 10:50 p.m. on May 9. The 50-year-old Indian tourist, Mr. Subhash, was sitting and relaxing on Pattaya beach, opposite the Elephant Market. The two ladyboys approached him, started a friendly conversation, and one of them hugged him. They took advantage of his distraction to unhook his necklace and flee.
Later, the Indian man realized his property was missing and was certain that the two ladyboys were responsible. He quickly went to file a complaint with the police, hoping they would help track down the culprits. The tourist police then inspected the crime scene and reviewed CCTV footage.
Once the police obtained the descriptions of the two ladyboys, they showed the images to the victim for confirmation. They then requested an arrest warrant from the Pattaya Provincial Court on charges of collaborating in nighttime theft, using a vehicle to facilitate the offense, and taking the property to evade arrest.
The officers tracked down and arrested both suspects at two locations on the night of May 15. They also seized the motorcycle used on the day of the incident before taking the two suspects to the inquiry officers at Pattaya City Police Station.
According to Thai Criminal Code Section 355, whoever dishonestly takes away the property of another person or property of which the other person is a co-owner, which is said to constitute theft by night, shall be punished with imprisonment of one to five years and fined 20,000 to 100,000 Baht.
The steadily remarkable progress of King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok has been recognized in the latest Times Higher Education Asia University Ranking for 2024. KMUTNB has secured the notable 5th position among Thai universities and was placed among the top 401 – 500 universities of Asia. KMUTNB climbs up to one hundred positions in the prestigious THE Asia University Rankings 2024.
Times Higher Education (THE) is the world leader in university ranking and it has released the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2024 on 30 April 2024. KMUTNB was placed at top 5th position out of 19 Thai universities joining this ranking and 27 Thai universities submitting information for the evaluation. Moreover, KMUTNB has emerged among the top 401 – 500 universities of Asia, while it was originally placed among the top 501 – 600 universities in 2023. This ranking included 739 Asian universities from 30 countries.
Notably, the scores in each performance indicator that KMUTNB has achieved in the Asia University Rankings 2024 reflects the university’s continuous development. Especially, KMUTNB has been placed at the 3rd position among the universities across Thailand for research quality. The achievement of the recognition for its outstanding research performance resonate the KMUTNB’s unceasing commitment and dedication towards the develop of research quality and impact.
Members of a pro-cannabis group gather at Public Health Ministry to oppose Thai government's plan to relist cannabis as narcotics in Nonthaburi province, Thailand, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) — Dozens of pro-cannabis advocates gathered Thursday at the health ministry on the outskirts of the Thai capital, Bangkok, to oppose the government’s plan to relist the plant as a narcotic, two years after it was decriminalized.
The rally came after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin last week said he would like the plant to be relisted as a narcotic again by the end of this year. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize it in 2022 for medical purposes, but in practice the market appears virtually unregulated, leading to public backlash and concerns over misuse and crime.
About 30 people came to the health ministry in Nonthaburi, just north of the Thai capital Bangkok, to petition minister Somsak Thepsuthin.
A staff member of a cannabis shop uses his mobile outside the shop in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Dozens of pro-cannabis advocates in Thailand gathered at the health ministry on Thursday to oppose the government’s plan to relist the plant as a narcotic, two years after it was decriminalized. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
The group’s representative, Prasitchai Nunuan, said they all agreed that cannabis should be properly regulated, but that doesn’t require the rescheduling of the plant as a narcotic, noting possible economic impacts on a budding industry.
“Whenever it is relisted as a narcotic, cannabis will be put in jail again,” Prasitchai said as health minister Somsak stood listening to the group’s demands.
Decriminalization of cannabis in 2022 was spearheaded by the Bhumjaithai Party, whose stronghold is in the impoverished northeast where it promised farmers cannabis would be a new cash crop.
Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul became health minister of the previous government, pushing through an amendment to the Narcotics Law, dropping cannabis from the list of controlled substances.
Cannabis smoking equipment on right, at Cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin said Wednesday, May 8, 2024 that he wants cannabis to be officially classified as a narcotic drug, a rollback from the complete decriminalization of the plant two years ago. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Somsak, who was appointed as health minister in last month’s cabinet reshuffle, responded that he would take the demands into consideration. The minister said that his standpoint has always been that cannabis should be used for medical purposes only, not recreational.
Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka, a cannabis shop owner and activist, said that the government’s u-turn on the policy appears to be more political than scientific.
“I think the word stigma hasn’t actually been erased out of cannabis, even with the legalization,” she said.
A tourist sits outside a cannabis shop in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Dozens of pro-cannabis advocates in Thailand gathered at the health ministry on Thursday to oppose the government’s plan to relist the plant as a narcotic, two years after it was decriminalized. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Police officers arrested Mr. Solomon, a 53-year-old Nigerian national believed to be the kingpin of the drug trafficking ring in Phuket.
PHUKET – Phuket Immigration Police announced the arrest of a major drug trafficker and three accomplices in the province. The suspects, all foreign nationals, were caught with a variety of illegal drugs including cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine. The total value of the seized drugs and assets is estimated at 4.9 million baht.
The investigation began in early April after police received a tip-off from a group of foreign nationals that a Russian national named Denis was involved in car rental and cryptocurrency exchanges. Undercover police officers approached Mr. Denis and he was offered cocaine at a price of 4,000 baht per gram.
After the transaction, Mr. Denis was arrested and found to be in possession of 0.99 grams of cocaine. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Denis had purchased the cocaine from two Nigerian nationals, Mr. Harison and Mr. Ogadinma. Police then arrested both men after finding 1.4 grams of cocaine hidden in their car.
An Immigration Police officer explained the investigation that started with the Russian suspect and led to the Nigerian kingpin of the drug trafficking ring in Phuket.
The investigation led police to a bungalow in Chalong, Phuket, where they arrested Mr. Solomon, a 53-year-old Nigerian national believed to be the kingpin of the drug trafficking ring. A large quantity of drugs was seized from the bungalow, including 855 ecstasy pills, 470 grams of cocaine, and 127.8 grams of methamphetamine.
According to police, the street prices for drugs in Phuket are as follows: Ecstasy: 1,000 – 2,000 baht per pill, Cocaine: 4,000 – 5,000 baht per gram, and Methamphetamine: 1,500 – 2,000 baht per gram
The total value of the drugs seized from Mr. Solomon’s bungalow is estimated at 4 million baht. In addition, police seized two cars and 900,000 baht in cash, bringing the total value of the seized assets to 4.9 million baht.
Inside the illegal daycare in Moo 4, Ko Pha Ngan subdistrict, officers found 10-15 foreign children aged 1 to 3 years old.
KOH PHANGAN – Tourism police and local officials raided on Wednesday an unlicensed nursery on Ko Phangan in Surat Thani province. This is the third such raid in recent months, following similar actions against nurseries run by Americans and Israelis.
The day care center was located in Moo 4, Ko Pha Ngan subdistrict. The officers observed several foreigners dropping off children at the house. They then raided the house and arrested Ms. Anastasia, a 26-year-old Russian national, and Ms. Moe, an 18-year-old Myanmar national, who were acting as caregivers.
Inside the house, officers found 10-15 foreign children aged 1 to 3 years old. The premises also had a playground, classroom, teaching materials, tables, chairs, and food for the children.
The house was used as a day care center for foreign children.
Ms. Anastasia said she was on a tourist visa but had been working at the nursery for three months without a work permit. She was hired by Ms. Iryna, a Belarusian national who owns the nursery.
Police charged Ms. Anastasia with working as a foreigner without a work permit. Ms. Iryna is still at large and is charged with hiring a foreigner without a work permit and operating an unlicensed nursery.
Ms. Moe said she had also been hired as a housekeeper. She had worked for over a year and was paid 500 baht a day. She was charged with failing to notify the Immigration Department of her employer, place of employment and type of work within 15 days of starting work.
Ms. Moe, an 18-year-old Myanmar national, was also arrested and charged with with failing to notify the Immigration Department of her employer, place of employment and type of work within 15 days of starting work.
On the same day, May 15, police also raided Back & Forth Wake Park, a nearby wakeboarding business that had been operating since December 2023. They arrested Mr. Vladimir, a Russian national who identified himself as the owner.
Mr. Vladimir said he was traveling on a tourist visa and did not have a work permit. He said he had hired Mr. Vladyslav, a Ukrainian national, and Mr. Artiom Ohrimic, a Moldovan national, to build a four-sided metal structure that would serve as a toilet for the wakeboard park. He had agreed to pay them once the construction was completed.
He was charged with working as a foreigner without a work permit and hiring a foreigner without a work permit. The two other foreigners found in the store were also charged with working as foreigners without a work permit.
All five suspects were taken to the Ko Pha Ngan Police Station for further legal action.
A Ukrainian and a Moldovan were also arrested, along with the Russian owner of the wakeboard park.
A worker packs durians at a processing factory in Chanthaburi, Thailand, April 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
CHANTHABURI – A worker stood atop a durian tree and cut the fruit with a knife, while his colleague caught the durian firmly with a sack under the tree. With the durian harvest season starting in eastern Thailand, farmers are busy organizing workers to cut durians off.
Sasitorn, owner of a durian orchard, has been in the business for over 10 years. Located in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province, Sasitorn’s orchard has more than 2,000 durian trees.
Chanthaburi province, about 250 km away from the capital Bangkok, is an important durian planting area in eastern Thailand.
“It is the harvest season for durians and I have hired more than 40 workers to cut durians every day,” said Sasitorn. She added that the durian production has decreased this year due to drought, but the demand in Chinese market is large.
Durians are seen at a processing factory in Chanthaburi, Thailand, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)
“We supply multiple varieties of durian, including kradum, which matures earlier, and Monthong, which is popular among Chinese people,” she said.
The durians picked at Sasitorn’s orchard were quickly transported to a nearby processing factory. Filled with fresh durians in the processing factory, dozens of workers are busy sorting, weighing, packaging and loading the durians.
Virachai, manager of the processing plant, told Xinhua that China is a very important market for them and currently all the durians from their factory are exported to China.
“Our factory has exported 23 containers to China so far this year,” said Virachai, adding that the durians mainly exported through three methods, of which air transportation accounts for 20 percent, sea transportation accounts for 40 percent, and land transportation accounts for 40 percent.
Workers transfer durians at a durian processing factory in Chanthaburi, Thailand, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)
Thailand is one of the world’s major durian producers and exporters. According to the data from China’s General Administration of Customs, China’s fresh durian import in 2023 was 1.426 million tons, of which Thai fresh durians were 929,000 tons, accounting for 65.15 percent of China’s total fresh durian imports.
Limited by transportation and warehousing conditions, tropical fruits produced in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) used to be difficult to enter the Chinese market due to its short shelf life.
With the deepening of the construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, the effect of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and a number of interconnection projects such as the New Western Land-Sea Corridor as well as the rapid development of cross-border cold chain logistics systems and e-commerce, durians and other fruits from ASEAN can be transported into Chinese market more efficiently and conveniently.
Workers pack durians at a durian processing factory in Chanthaburi, Thailand, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)
Youyi Port is a land border port with Vietnam in Pingxiang, South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In 2023, China imported 282,000 tons of Thai durians through Youyi Port, a year-on-year increase of 162.4 percent. In the first quarter of this year, China imported 48,000 tons of fresh durians through Youyi Port and among them, 13,000 tons of fresh durians were imported from Thailand.
The prosperous import and export trade benefits from the tariff-free policies and improvement of customs clearance efficiency. Huang Feifei, a customs officer from Youyi Port, said the customs department has continuously upgraded intelligent supervision facilities, deepened the construction of special channels for imported durians, and implemented a series of customs clearance facilitation measures such as green channels for imported fruits to ensure that imported fruits can be passed quickly.
Workers transfer durians at a durian processing factory in Chanthaburi, Thailand, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)
Located in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Haijixing Market, hailed as the largest wholesale fruit market of Guangxi, thrived with an animated atmosphere as people were unloading truckloads of durians from Thailand.
Mo Jiaming, a fruit dealer in Nanning, has been shipping about 50 tons of durians from Thailand to Haijixing Market every day. The fresh durians attracted many dealers and would be sold to the domestic market through various channels such as large supermarkets, fruit retail stores, and e-commerce platforms.
A worker transfers durians at a durian processing factory in Chanthaburi, Thailand, May 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)
“Since this year, we have imported approximately 1,800 tons of durian. Thanks to the facilitation of customs clearance and cold chain preservation technology, the durians from Thai orchards can be transported to our domestic market as fast as three to five days,” said Mo, adding there are more transportation options to import durians, which can be transported by road, sea, air and rail.
Mo has been engaged in the durian import trade for six years and believes that China’s durian market still has huge potential.
“As China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation continues to deepen, the consumer market continues to rebound and improve. With a series of favorable policies and measures, I believe that durian and other fruits from ASEAN will have a broader prospect in the Chinese market in the future,” said Mo.
Supporting the BKK Food Bank Center Project to Address City’s Poverty Challenges and Setting Aside Space to Host Complimentary Exercise Classes, Aiming to Foster a Healthier Community
Bravo BKK: Fit and Fun Mall is dedicated to sustainable development and inclusivity. The mall actively strengthens the community and promotes sharing by supporting the BKK Food Bank Center project in Huai Khwang District. This initiative aims to alleviate food shortages among vulnerable groups and the urban poor. Additionally, Bravo BKK allocates space on the property’s first floor for free dance and yoga classes, encouraging a healthy society through concrete actions.
Levy Li Su Lin, Executive Director of BRAVO BKK, emphasized the company’s commitment to conducting business with social and environmental responsibility. Regarding their involvement in the BKK Food Bank Center project in Huai Khwang District, he said BRAVO BKK has been actively engaged in this initiative since its inception. The project serves as a model for assisting vulnerable groups in Bangkok. It contributes by supplying dry food items such as rice, vegetable oil, milk, and others to the project to be distributed to vulnerable groups in the area, improving their quality of life.”
The BKK Food Bank Center project is part of Bangkok’s sharing city policy, implemented in partnership with network partners from the public and private sectors. The project aims to address economic challenges faced by vulnerable groups in Bangkok, including bedridden patients, low-income individuals, and those without dependents, for instance. The project also provides an opportunity for individuals who wish to contribute and show kindness to the recipients directly. District offices serve as the central agency for establishing their BKK Food Bank Center, which operates in a supermarket-like format. This allows those in need to use points they earn each month to exchange for desired products. The pilot project encompasses four districts: Huai Khwang District, Bang Khun Thian District, Bang Phlat District, and Phra Khanong District. BRAVO BKK, which is committed to establishing sustainable communities, collaborates with Huai Khwang District, where it operates, and has consistently supported the initiative.
To support its goal of creating a healthy ecosystem and promoting a balanced lifestyle for Bangkok residents, BRAVO BKK has launched the FIT & FUN Zone on the 1st floor. This area offers free yoga and Dancercise activities in collaboration with Fitwhey Gym. Free Dancercise classes are available every Tuesday from 6:00-7:00 p.m., and free yoga classes are offered every Friday from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Equipment is provided for participants to use during the classes at no cost. The concept behind this initiative is “Fit by Day, Fun by Night,” aiming to inspire everyone to prioritize self-care and embark on a journey to good health through exercise. Those interested in the free yoga and Dancercise activities can find more details on Facebook: BRAVO BKK or call 02-111-5555.
Supporting the BKK Food Bank Center project and offering free exercise activities to Bangkok residents are part of Bravo BKK’s commitment to conducting business with social and environmental responsibility. In addition to these initiatives, Bravo BKK plans to engage in many more social projects and activities in the future, aiming for sustainable development alongside the community and society.
“The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation, supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Ministry of Culture—Department of Cultural Promotion, and B. Grimm Group Ltd., presents the RBSO 2024: Louis Schwizgebel, a Swiss pianist, plays Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25th, at the Thailand Cultural Centre, in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana.”
The performance will consist of four inspiring pieces conducted by returning British maestro Douglas Bostock, an internationally renowned conductor, Artistic and Principal Conductor of the pre-eminent Southwest German Chamber Orchestra.
Maestro Douglas Bostock
Douglas Bostock has conducted many of the leading European, North American, and Asian orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, the BBC orchestras, Royal Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Prague Radio Symphony, Prague Symphony, Aarhus Symphony, Munich Symphony, United Philharmonic Vienna, New Japan Philharmonic, Kyoto Symphony, Sapporo Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, National Chamber Orchestra, State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and the Calgary Philharmonic.
He has collaborated regularly with the RBSO in recent years and built up a strong relationship with the orchestra and audience alike. Maestro Bostock has well over 100 CD recordings of a broad repertoire to his name.
Douglas Bostock
Pianist Louis Schwizgebel
The RBSO, collaborating with the Embassy of Switzerland, has invited Pianist Louis Schwizgebel to perform. He has studied with Brigitte Meyer in Lausanne and Pascal Devoyon in Berlin, then later at the Juilliard School with Emanuel Ax and Robert McDonald and at London’s Royal Academy of Music with Pascal Nemirovski. At the age of seventeen, he won the Geneva International Music Competition and, two years later, the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York.
In 2012, he won second prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition and in 2013, he became a BBC New Generation Artist. Schwizgebel has played with the Philharmonia Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony, all BBC Orchestras, Oslo Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Bamberg Symphony, Orchestre National de France, Danish National Symphony, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Vienna Symphony, Tonkünstler Vienna, with Cincinnati Symphony, Richmond Symphony and Sacramento Philharmonic, and Singapore Symphony and Auckland Philharmonia.
Louis Schwizgebel
Louis will perform Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2. Its three movements showcase the composer’s ability to effortlessly blend serious themes with playful elements. This ability is evident throughout the concerto, which is structured more like a symphony and starts with a slow-paced movement featuring a Liszt-like solo cadenza.
The Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 by Camille Saint-Saëns, a French composer and pianist of the Romantic era, was composed in 1868 and is probably Saint-Saëns’ most popular piano concerto.
The entire programme will be exciting, starting with Hector Berlioz’s famous overture “The Roman Carnival”, which is nine minutes of dashing music intended as the prelude to the second act of his opera “Benvenuto Cellini”.
The overture seamlessly stitches together themes from the opera, including Celini’s luscious aria, now played by the cor anglais – and the wild saltarello, an Italian folk dance, which is the recurring element in the overture. Maurice Ravel’s “Valses nobles et sentimentales” is a suite of waltzes composed in 1911. The title pays homage to Franz Schubert’s collection of waltzes, entitled “Valses sentimentales”.
Ravel’s suite combines Impressionist and Modernist elements, showcasing his fascination with the waltz genre. Georges Bizet’s ever-popular L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 was arranged posthumously by contemporary composer Ernest Guiraud and shows Bizet at his most charming.
The music was initially written for a play named “L’Arlésienne” (The Woman from Arles), a play produced in 1872. The four movements contain some of classical music’s most beloved tunes, culminating in the famous “Farandole”, which ends the concert in a whirlwind of excitement.
Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA) hosted Thank you party event for customers, affirms readiness for the EUDR rubber.
Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Managing Director & Executive Director, Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA), the world’s leader and largest integrated natural rubber business operator and Thailand’s largest rubber glove manufacturer, revealed that the “STA Thank You Party 2024” has been held continuously for over 15 years.
STA organized this annual celebration as a way to thank both Thai business partners and foreign business associates from countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, India, and various European Union nations, along with rubber customers from around the world most of whom are in the rubber tire industry.
Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Managing Director & Executive Director, Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited (STA)
The event, led by a group of company executives attending the event included Mr. Veerasith Sinchareonkul, Managing Director & Executive Director, STA Executive Directors Mr. Paul Sumade Lee and Mr. Vitchaphol Sinchareonkul, and Mr. Nattee Thiraputhbhokin, CMO & Executive Committee member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) accompanied by Mr. Nakorn Takkavirapat, the Governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), who honored the event with his presence.
Apart from offering a range of fun activities, entertainment, and educational content for all guests, the event provided updates on the current EUDR rubber situation, demonstrated the company’s readiness in production capacity and management, and prepared for the impending EUDR regulations expected to be implemented in the European Union by the end of the year.
Moreover, STA has been working intensively with rubber farmers and dealers to develop “Traceable Natural Rubber ” through “Sri Trang Friends Application” the one stop service for rubber farmer application that can provide geolocation details to identify the sources of origin and ascertain that their plantation areas are not involved in deforestation or degradation of forest land. This initiative not only elevates the standards of Thailand’s rubber industry but also enhances its competitiveness on the international level.
STA remains dedicated to maintaining the quality of its products and services, emphasizing continuous research and development, technological advancements, and human resources investments to maximize customer satisfaction.
The event was held at the Renaissance Ratchaprasong Hotel in Bangkok, providing a warm, enjoyable, and memorable experience for all attendees, and serving as an opportunity to thank customers, partners, and business allies for their enduring support.
Rescue workers take Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, to a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Jan Kroslak/TASR via AP)
PRAGUE (AP) — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.
The populist, pro-Russian leader, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of the capital where the leader was meeting with supporters, according to reports on TA3, a Slovak TV station. A suspect has been detained, the country’s president said in a televised statement.
A message posted to Fico’s Facebook account said that the leader “has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition.”
Bodyguards take Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in a car from the scene after he was shot and injured following the cabinet’s away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Radovan Stoklasa/TASR via AP)
It said he was being transported by helicopter to the Banská Bystrica, 29 kilometers (63 miles) away from Handlova because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure.
“The next few hours will decide,” it said.
Outgoing President Zuzana Caputova, a political rival of Fico, said in a televised statement: “A physical attack on the Prime Minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we’ve been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please, let’s stop it.”
President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, called the assassination “an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy. If we express other political opinions with pistols in squares, and not in polling stations, we are jeopardizing everything that we have built together over 31 years of Slovak sovereignty.”
FILE – Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico arrives to a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Media reports say on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)
There were reactions of shock from across Europe, and some were calling it an attempted assassination of the leader in the NATO state, although no motive for the shooting was immediately apparent.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg posted on the social media platform X that he was “shocked and appalled by the shooting.”
The shooting in Slovakia comes three weeks ahead of crucial European Parliament elections, in which populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc appear poised to make gains.
Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Slovakia’s Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said.
Slovakia’s major opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceled a planned protest against a controversial government plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give the government full control of public radio and television.
Police arrest a man after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and injured following the cabinet’s away-from-home session in the town of Handlova, Slovakia, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Radovan Stoklasa/TASR via AP)
“We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and today’s shooting of Premier Robert Fico,” said Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka. “At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension.”
President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” attack on the premier.
“I’m shocked,” Caputova said. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.”
Fico, a third-time premier, and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party, won Slovakia’s Sept. 30 parliamentary elections, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message.
Critics worried Slovakia under Fico would abandon the country’s pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico’s policies.
Condemnations of political violence quickly came from leaders across Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned what she described as a “vile attack.”
“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the incident “shocking,” adding “I wish the premier to get well soon. We cannot tolerate violence, there’s no place for it in society.” The Czech Republic and Slovakia formed Czechoslovakia till 1992.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on the social media network X: “Shocking news from Slovakia. Robert, my thoughts are with you in this very difficult moment.”
