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Ramadan Bazaar at Singapore’s Kampong Gelam is Back and Worth a Visit

Photo by Pravit Rojanaphruk

SINGAPORE — Ramadan Bazaar at Kampong Gelam (also spelled Kampong Glam), the religious and cultural centre of Singaporean Malay Muslims, has been going from strength to strength, attracting not just local Muslims but Singaporean of other ethnic groups, as well as foreign tourists.

Last year saw 1.1 million people visited the bazaar, with its diverse food stalls and shops, 30 percent being foreigners, said Mr Zaki Ma’ Arof, Chairman of One Kampong Gelam during a recent interview with a small group of ASEAN journalists.

 Ma’ arof, an affable community leader of this historic Malay district in Singapore (the other two historic and cultural districts being Singapore’s Chinatown and Little India) told us he would be happy to retain the same number of visitors to the bazaar this year, which runs now until the end of the month of Ramadan, or March 25 to be exact.

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Photo by Pravit Rojanaphruk

Properly known as 2025 Gemilang Kampong Gelam, or 2005 Glorious Gelam Village Ramadan Bazaar, the festivities include 120 F&B stalls and shops, cultural performances, games, and the four-minute captivating Sultan Mosque light show every Friday to Sunday evening, stamp rally, mystery treasure hunt, with up to 8,000 Singaporean dollars cash prize to be won weekly, and more.

Kampong Gelam, with the vibrant Haji Lane shops and bars, Turkish and Middle Eastern Food in the vicinity of the Sultan Mosque and authentic Malay food, means many, including foreigners will just come for the exotic and delicious food and ambience. You don’t need to be a Muslim, or a Malay Muslim, to enjoy.

ramadan bazaar
Photo by Pravit Rojanaphruk

In fact you will probably enjoy the experience, eating and people-watching, more if you are not Singaporean, Muslims, or ethnic Malay, because everything will then be more exotic. Sample Malay or Middle Eastern foods, or even fusion food such as fried satay (yes, you read that right), tacos with beef burger patty, smash burger, or traditional beef rendang, the choice is greater that you can enjoy in a single evening visit alone. It’s most recommended after 7pm onwards, or after Muslims ended their fast, and everything is even more lively.

While there is an exhibition educating non Muslims visitors about Ramadan and Islam, it is not something in your face. They are not there to try to convert you. In fact while this writer was loafing along the hip Haji Lane, a narrow and historic lane which was once filled with inns for Muslims to gather and prepare themselves before departing on a long journey for hajj pilgrimage in Mecca,he encountered two young American Mormon men looking for proselytizing opportunities.

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Photo by Pravit Rojanaphruk

“Tourists bring revenue to the country. In the end, the country will gain, everybody will gain,” Ma’ arof told us, a small group of ASEAN journalists including this writer, who were invited. I asked about last year’s Ramadan Bazaar there, when as a self-financed tourist, I visited the area when the bazaar was very lively one Friday evening in March 2024 and saw a number of zagat boxes, or donation boxes, to help the Palestinian civilians who were displaced, maimed, and killed by the Israeli military, and whether there would also be these boxes again this year.

 “We stand neutral. We are [a] very small [country]. Just a red dot,” he said, referring to Singapore as a red dot on the world map, and added that he doesn’t want the Ramadan Bazaar and celebrations here to become politicised.

It’s been six years now since the Singaporean government has stepped in to help to partly fund and promote the bazaar. On February 21, when the bazaar was launched ahead of the Ramadan month, the opening ceremony was graced by National Development Minister Desmond Lee who said heritage businesses, including those at Kampong Gelam, will get more government support to grow and a new task force, which was set up, will help keep traditional trades and crafts alive.

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Photo by Pravit Rojanaphruk

The minister added that heritage businesses in Singapore face numerous challenges including increased competition, rising costs, as well as changing consumer preferences. Indeed, Ma’ arof also mentioned about the kampong cultural tours, popular among students and foreigners alike. He added that Singaporean Malays numbered around 820,000 while the total Singaporean population is 5.9 million. This means maintaining Malay heritage and culture is even more vital.

The area, stressed Ma’ arof, is also relatively affordable compared to other parts of Singapore. There are guest houses as as as four to five star hotels, Our group stayed at

ParkRoyal on Beach Road, just steps away from the Bazaar which is next to Sultan Mosque and was very comfortable.

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NOTE: The Bazaar runs from 2pm to late at night daily.

The writer would like to thank One Kampong Gelam, and for the kind invitation. Special thanks to Muse & Motif for organising the trip and ParkRoyal on Beach Road for the accommodation.

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Nigerian Drug Dealer Arrested in Koh Phangan Major Cocaine Bust

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Police seize 25.71 grams of cocaine valued at approximately $7,000 from a black Mazda car during the arrest of a Nigerian drug dealer on March 1, 2025.

KOH PHANGANTourist police on Koh Phangan arrested a major Nigerian cocaine dealer in a carefully planned operation on March 1st. The suspect had been distributing drugs to foreign tourists across the popular island destination.

Following intelligence reports about a Black foreign national selling drugs to tourists on Koh Phangan, police conducted an investigation that identified Ugowma J. (surname withheld), a 37-year-old Nigerian national, as the suspect. Authorities monitored his movements before arranging a sting operation.

Undercover officers contacted the suspect via WhatsApp to arrange a cocaine purchase near the Pantip Plaza market in Moo 1, Koh Phangan subdistrict. Police surveillance teams positioned themselves around the meeting point while waiting for the suspect.

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Undercover officers apprehend a Nigerian drug dealer near the Pantip Plaza market on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province on March 1, 2025.

When Ugowma arrived at the designated location and handed over the drugs to an undercover officer, police confirmed the substance was cocaine before identifying themselves and immediately apprehending the suspect.

Evidence seized during the arrest included 25.71 grams of cocaine valued at approximately 240,000 baht ($7,000), a black Mazda 2 vehicle, and two mobile phones.

The suspect faces two charges: possession of a Category 2 narcotic with intent to sell, and illegal distribution of narcotics without permission. He was handed over to Koh Phangan Police Station investigators for further legal proceedings.

During questioning, investigators learned that the suspect was a major drug dealer on Koh Phangan who also distributed cocaine to other tourist destinations including Phuket and Krabi. He reportedly sold cocaine in 1-gram packages for 6,000 baht ($175) each, with additional charges for deliveries to other provinces. The suspect avoided using postal services to evade detection by authorities, instead employing couriers for deliveries.

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Swedish Man Grieves as Thai Girlfriend Dies in Pattaya Apartment

A police officer from Pattaya City Police Station investigates a death at a condominium in South Pattaya, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province on March 2, 2025.

PATTAYA — A 26-year-old Thai woman was found dead by her Swedish boyfriend in her Pattaya condominium after hanging herself. Earlier, she had told friends he “wouldn’t shed tears unless she was gone.”

On March 2 at 4:06 AM, police officers from Pattaya City Police Station investigated a death at a condominium in South Pattaya, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. At the scene, they found a Swedish man crying beside the body of his girlfriend, showing signs of extreme grief.

The deceased was identified as Ms. Sureethip, 26 years old, who had used cloth pants to hang herself from the door frame. The Swedish man had already moved her body to the floor before police arrived and remained crying by her side until officers consoled him and asked him to step away from the scene.

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The Swedish man remains crying by his girlfriend’s side as police arrive at their condominium on March 2, 2025.

A security guard at the condominium told officials that before the incident, the foreign man had sought help, saying his girlfriend was attempting suicide and had locked herself in the room. The security guard tried knocking on the door several times but received no response. With the foreigner’s permission, the guard climbed up to check the balcony out of concern for the woman’s safety, only to discover she had already passed away, prompting them to immediately call authorities.

A friend of Sureethip revealed that earlier that evening, the deceased had called to express her feelings, lamenting that her foreign boyfriend didn’t love her and saying, “If I don’t really leave, he probably won’t shed tears.” The friend tried to comfort her and rushed to see her, then called the Swedish man to watch over her.

However, late at night, the Swedish man went out for dinner, leaving the victim alone in the room. Upon his return, he couldn’t enter the room and notified security, which led to the discovery that his girlfriend had taken her life.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Sutheeraphan Thapsri, the investigating officer, thoroughly examined the scene and found no signs of struggle or assault. The body has been transferred for a detailed autopsy according to standard procedure.

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Forcing 40 Uyghurs in Thailand Back to China Was a PR Disaster for PR-Seeking Paetongtarn Gov’t

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A photo of ethnic Uyghurs repatriated to China, shared by the Chinese embassy on Feb. 28, 2025.

The forced returns of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand back to China this week was nothing short of a PR disaster for Thailand. Criticisms and condemnations from western nations and even the UNHCR rained down on the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration over the past few days. The Thai government was basically accused of sending these people back to prison, torture, if not death.

Even if you do not give much credit to Trump’s USA and its quickly diminishing international standing, when was the last time the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, last publicly condemned Thailand ?

“This is a clear violation of the principle of non-refoulement and the Royal Thai Government’s obligations under international law,” UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela was quoted as saying in a statement on February 27. “UNHCR calls on the Royal Thai Government to put an end to the forced return of individuals from Thailand.”

This was followed by warnings issued by both the US and Japan for their citizens in Thailand to be vigilant in anticipation of a possible revenge terror attack by some Muslim extremists. Thai police then beefed up security at key tourist and Chinese-related spots in Bangkok yesterday evening. As I type these words on Sunday, it’s unclear if there will be a significant impact on Thailand’s tourism industry.

One couldn’t help but wonder: what was the trade off with China? And was the deal worth it?

Coming under fire, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Friday admitted that Beijing made a request to have the 40 people returned during her visit to Beijing in early February to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping but denied there was any deal. On Friday, a senior executive at TikTok, the Chinese social media app giant which has ties to the Chinese Communist Party, met with the Thai PM at the Government House and announced a 3 billion baht investment in Thailand over the period of five years.

Perhaps it was just a timing coincidence. Perhaps deporting these Uygurs back to China was already on the to-do list so Paetongtarn could meet and greet the Chinese leader for a photo op? Some locals suggest that ex-convict-cum-former-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the PM’s father, is chummy with senior Chinese officials, and Thaksin fled first to Beijing to evade the Thai justice system back in 2008. So perhaps this is returning favour to China, or China’s soft power at work?

I will give the benefit of the doubt to both the PM and Thaksin.

Today, the Foreign Ministry reiterates that contrary to claims made by some, no foreign nation has expressed interest in  offering the 40 Uyghurs asylum before they were deported back to China. Nevertheless, that Thailand didn’t publicly ask other nations if they could take the 40, and was unable to resist China’s “request”, demonstrate how weak Thailand has become weak vis-a-vis China.

Even if there was no deal, it’s clear Thailand has suffered a PR disaster in the eyes of the international community as a result, not to mention a potential blow to the tourism industry. Disregarding possible secret deal, and disregard of the concerns for the possible safety, wellbeing and future of the 40 Uyghurs, it’s clear that the Thai government made the wrong move.

It diminishes Thailand’s international standing, and for some Thais, a wakeup call that perhaps the Paetongtarn administration has become too subservient to China, and risks turning Thailand into a satellite state of the Middle Kingdom. The fears have been around for years now and the latest development was just another reason to be more alarmed.

In the worst case scenario, these Uyghurs will soon face harsh punishment, long prison term, if not execution, after the international media’s spotlight dies down. On the other hand, the Chinese government may want to use them as a living propaganda tool to display to the world that the CCP is indeed merciful. Or if you believe the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, they will simply return to lead a “normal life” in Xinjiang – a happy ending, basically.

Opposition MP Kannavee Suebsaeng released three letters purported to be hand written by Uyghurs who have been detained in Thailand for 11 years. Clearly, they feel that even the detention under the Thai Immigration Police, dirty and crowded as it is infamously known, was better than going back to China, however.

A letter by IDC43 Uyghurs in English to PM Paetongtarn stated:

“[We] humbly ask you to help us to go to any country where we can start a new and happy life with our family.”

Another letter stated clearly that “We will be imprisoned or killed, and also our family.”

Again, the Chinese Embassy insists they are back in China to lead a normal life.

However, these people were transported out of the Thai immigration detention centre, inside six vans, with all windows covered with black tapes and police signs concealed, at 2am, with no other vehicles allowed to follow. This was not a normal way of transporting people to the airport to fly back to China to lead a normal life.

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Trump Signs Order Designating English as the Official Language of the US

President Donald Trump stands before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump signed on Saturday an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States.

The order allows government agencies and organizations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue to offer documents and services in language other than English.

It rescinds a mandate from former President Bill Clinton that required the government and organizations that received federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.

“Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society,” according to the order.

“In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream,” the order also states. “Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society.”

More than 30 states have already passed laws designating English as their official language, according to U.S. English, a group that advocates for making English the official language in the United States.

For decades, lawmakers in Congress have introduced legislation to designate English as the official language of the U.S., but those efforts have not succeeded.

Within hours of Trump’s inauguration last month, the new administration took down the Spanish language version of the official White House website.

Hispanic advocacy groups and others expressed confusion and frustration at the change. The White House said at the time it was committed to bringing the Spanish language version of the website back online. As of Saturday, it was still not restored.

The White House did not immediately respond to a message about whether that would happen.

Trump shut down the Spanish version of the website during his first term. It was restored when President Joe Biden was inaugurated in 2021.

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Foreign Tourists Who Stole Cannabis from Phangan Shop Still at Large

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CCTV footage from February 26, 2025 shows two tourists smiling as they leave Monkey's Dispensary on Koh Phangan, having stolen a container of cannabis flowers. The shop owner posted on March 1 looking for them to come back and pay.

KOH PHANGANPolice on Koh Phangan are struggling to locate two foreign tourists who stole cannabis from a local dispensary, as authorities lack identification details of the suspects.

On March 1, a Facebook post by Jariya Kamolrat on a Koh Phangan marketplace page alerted locals and sought information about two foreigners captured on security cameras: “Hello, if anyone sees these two thieves or has any information, please notify the shop. We’re still offering a reward.”

The incident occurred at Monkey’s Dispensary on February 26 at 10:18 a.m., according to the shop owner, who goes by the nickname “Fon.” Security footage shows two foreign men, approximately 25 years old, entering the cannabis shop on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province.

 

While the man in blue was paying for dried cannabis and the employee turned to make change, his companion in white snatched a container of dried cannabis flowers worth approximately 6,000 baht (about $170 USD). The man in blue then rearranged the remaining containers to conceal the theft before both left smiling and headed toward the pier, though they reportedly did not board any boat.

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Monkey’s Dispensary on Koh Phangan where foreigners secretly stole a container of cannabis flowers worth around 170 dollars on February 26, 2025.

“These two men had never visited my shop before,” Fon explained. “I was out shopping and had my housekeeper watching the store when it happened.” She filed a police report at Koh Phangan Police Station immediately after discovering the theft.

When Fon followed up with investigators on March 1, she was told they couldn’t pursue the case without names or identification details of the suspects. Frustrated, she turned to social media asking for public assistance in identifying the foreigners, requesting that anyone with information contact either the police or her directly.

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Music Review: Blackpink Star Lisa’s ‘Alter Ego’ Is an Ambitious, Chameleonic Solo Debut

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This album cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alter Ego" by LISA. (RCA Records via AP)

New York (AP) — Lisa, one-fourth of the K-pop juggernaut Blackpink, has officially stepped out on her own — releasing her first solo album “Alter Ego.” Across rap, dance and pop, the project shows off a versatile artist ready to embrace her time alone in the spotlight.

The Thai rapper is the second member of Blackpink to release a full-length solo project after Rosé’s sweet side-step from the band, “Rosie.” The album arrives as Lisa makes her acting debut in Season 3 of “The White Lotus” and prepares to perform at the Oscars — high-profile outings that will further her status as a global phenomenon.

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Lisa arrives at the season three premiere of “The White Lotus” on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, at Paramount Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

After a series of single releases, “Alter Ego” is the climax of those introductions — an evolution from the hip-hop-pop self-starter heard on her solo debut EP 2021’s “LALISA.” It’s an ambitious pursuit, with mostly successful results.

As the title suggests, Lisa creates space for experimentation by adopting separate personas — Roxi, Sunni, the ’00s pop-channeling Kiki, Speedi and the ferocious rapper Vixi — who appear across the high-concept songs. They allow the artist to jump between sonic languages, with varied attitudes of her vocals and productions.

Coupled with Blackpink’s history as a cross-genre powerhouse, Lisa’s genre-spanning foray into solo pop feels earned. And it works — mostly.

Like the band’s discography, the tracks are upbeat and self-assured, with edge unique to Lisa: “Elastigirl” and “Thunder” are sensual and bold, the former punchy and light to the latter’s moody groove. “F—- Up The World,” featuring Future, is quick and aggressive, with an empowered message akin to some of Blackpink’s hits. “Badgrrrl” assures that this Lisa isn’t to be messed with: “I can be your bad girl,” she raps. “Don’t treat me like a lady.”

 

The dreamy “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)” interpolates alt-rock band Sixpence None the Richer’s 1998 hit “Kiss Me,” lyrics reimagined to depict a Paris romance for a Gen Z audience. Lisa’s “Kiss Me” is glittery and sweet — losing some of the charm of the original, but fitting for a young audience that seeks fresh, catchy soundbites and feels nostalgic for a time before their own.

On five of the tracks, Lisa and her alter egos are supported by the hit-makers of the genres they inhabit. Along with Future, Raye and Doja Cat appear on the lush “Born Again.” Megan Thee Stallion brings her confidence to “Rapunzal.” Rosalía adds Spanish verses and backup vocals on the catchy “New Woman” while Tyla offers her soulful vocals on “When I’m With You.” At their best, the impressive roster of international stars allows Lisa to show off her chameleonic adoption of styles, as she and her talented peers riff on top of interesting pop productions. But by being so feature-heavy, the album also muddies its own goal of introducing us to a Lisa that stands on her own.

And when she does make herself known, she succeeds. “Make way, make way, make way/Taking space up in the sky,” Lisa sings on “Thunder.”

“I’ll take my place up ahead.”

That’s the confident, independent Lisa we’re looking for.

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Green Climate Fund invests 4 Billion Baht to Transform Thai Rice Farming

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Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project aims to improve the skills of 253,400 Thai farmers in 21 provinces.

BANGKOKTogether with Thai partner networks, the BMZ Green Climate Fund is driving forward the reform of rice cultivation. A total of 118 million euros (approximately $127 million USD or 4.181 billion baht) is being invested as part of the “Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project.”

The aim is to improve the skills of 253,400 Thai farmers in 21 provinces and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.44 million tons of carbon by 2028.

Dr. Timo Menniken, Country Director of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Thailand, said that this project for climate-smart rice cultivation brings together a wide range of stakeholders. It is funded by the Green Climate Fund and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the develoPPP program, as well as contributions from international private sector partners such as Ebro Foods, Mars Food, Olam Agri and PepsiCo.

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Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project launch event held under the motto “Rice is More: More Visions, More Actions, More People Benefit” at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai on Feb. 26, 2025.

The project is also supported by various agencies, including the Rice Division and the Agricultural Extension Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and GIZ.

The initiative aims to shift rice cultivation in Thailand to new, climate-smart practices by introducing climate-smart agriculture technologies and guidelines for rice cultivation. This approach is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase agricultural production, increase farmers’ income, improve their quality of life and strengthen the market ecosystem in the rice sector over the five-year duration of the project (2024–2028).

One focus of the project is to give rice farmers access to 10 climate-friendly agricultural technologies and to use them in the cultivation of their rice fields. These include field-level water management, laser land leveling, alternate wet and dry water management, straw and stubble management, nutrient management, use of rice varieties suitable for specific areas and climates, dry seeding or no-till, integrated pest management, rice-focused cropping systems, and the use of weather forecast information for agriculture.

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Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project aims to improve the skills of 253,400 Thai farmers in 21 provinces.

These technologies not only help to increase efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also strengthen the capacity for sustainable adaptation to climate change — through agricultural extension and access to financial support channels that can benefit smallholder farmers, households, communities and the Thai rice sector in the long term.

The project launch event took place at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai under the motto “Rice is More: More Visions, More Actions, More People Benefit” The aim is to foster collaboration and build momentum to spread climate-smart agricultural practices in Thailand’s key rice-growing regions.

Participants from various sectors were invited to exchange ideas in policy discussions and explore opportunities for investment in Thai rice production, among others. The event brought together stakeholders in the rice sector and paved the way for greater collaboration.

The forum also served to set the vision and objectives for all parties involved and to create detailed operational plans for the project’s 21 target provinces , Thailand’s main rice-growing areas. Around 200 people from the government, private sector, farmer representatives and research institutions attended.

In his opening speech, Dr. Georg Schmidt, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand, emphasized the importance of partnerships in tackling climate change:

“I am pleased to see the Thai government, international partners, the private sector and farmer representatives coming together with a shared vision. No single agency can drive this change on its own. Achieving big goals that benefit both people and the environment requires shared solutions, knowledge sharing and commitment to long-term goals.”

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Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project launch event held under the motto “Rice is More: More Visions, More Actions, More People Benefit” at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai on Feb. 26, 2025.

Anon Nontree, deputy director general of the Ministry of Rice, added that the concept of “Rice is More” reflects the project’s commitment to improving rice yields, farmers’ livelihoods and the market ecosystem for Thailand’s rice:

“‘Rice is More’ is our vision to promote Thai rice. Rice is not only an economic crop, but also an important tool for building a sustainable future. We must ensure that Thai rice stands for quality, standards and innovation and provides economic opportunities for Thai farmers to compete globally.”

Dr. Timo Menniken from GIZ concluded that working with Thai and international organizations will ensure that climate-friendly rice farming methods become mainstream and common practice in the rice sector, increasing farmers’ incomes while mitigating global warming in the coming years.

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84 Indonesians Freed from Scam Centers in Myanmar Arrive Home

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Indonesia nationals who had worked at scam centers in eastern Myanmar sit in a waiting room upon arrival from Thailand, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Eighty-four Indonesians freed from scam centers in Myanmar arrived in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, late Friday, part of a massive repatriation movement that is straining regional resources.

They were among more than 7,000 people being held in the Myanmar border town Myawaddy following a crackdown on the scam centers by Thailand, Myanmar and China. Two buses carrying the Indonesians arrived Thursday in the Thai border city of Mae Sot, where the passengers had health checks, and their identities were verified.

The 84 Indonesians, which included 69 men and 15 women, were brought home on three commercial flights Friday. The first flight, carrying 38 evacuees, arrived at 8:05 p.m. local time. The evacuees, many wearing dark hoodies, red scarves, and face masks, declined to comment to the media following a briefing by Indonesian authorities.

They were escorted through a crush of reporters outside an arrival terminal at Soekarno-Hatta international airport into a waiting bus.

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Indonesia nationals who had worked at scam centers in eastern Myanmar walk into a waiting room upon arrival from Thailand, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

“They were healthy,” said Judha Nugraha, the foreign affairs ministry’s director for citizen Protection, who, along with Indonesian diplomats in Yangon and Bangkok had been in Mae Sot since Feb. 23 to coordinate with various parties in Thailand and Myanmar.

“This is a long repatriation process carried out by the Indonesian government in collaboration with authorities in Thailand and Myanmar,” Nugraha told reporters at the airport. He added that the government continues to communicate with Thai and Myanmar authorities to facilitate the return of more than 360 Indonesians who were stranded in Myanmar after leaving the scam centers. It was not immediately clear why only 84 were being repatriated.

Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have been lured to work in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, where they are forced to perpetrate global scams involving false romances, fraudulent investments, and illegal gambling. Many of the workers were recruited under false pretenses, only to find themselves trapped in virtual slavery.

Indonesia’s foreign affairs ministry said that approximately 6,800 Indonesians have fallen victim to illegal job scams in Myanmar and several other countries over the past few years.

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Thai soldiers provide security for the transfer of Indonesia nationals who had worked at scam centers in eastern Myanmar, on their arrival at Thailand’s Mae Sot, Tak province before being sent back to Indonesia on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The crackdown on the scam centers followed a meeting in Beijing in early February between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Chinese leader Xi Jinping where she said Thailand would crack down on the scam networks.

Thailand has cut off electricity, internet and gas supplies to several areas in Myanmar hosting scam centers along the border.

More than 600 Chinese nationals were repatriated last week. Earlier, some 260 people from 20 countries, including Ethiopia, Brazil and the Philippines, crossed from Myanmar into Thai custody. Many have returned home but more than 100 remain in Thailand awaiting repatriation, Thai officials said.

“This case is a valuable lesson for people to be careful in looking for work abroad,” Nugraha said, “We call on all Indonesian citizens to find jobs overseas in the right way, legally and according to existing procedures, for the sake of their safety in obtaining the welfare as expected.

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Niniek Karimi reported from Jakarta. Associated Press writer Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok, contributed to this report.

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Zelenskyy Leaves White House after Trump Cuts Short Talks Following Oval Office Blow Up

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President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the White House without signing a critical minerals deal with the U.S. that President Donald Trump had demanded and suggested was a condition for future support for Ukraine.

His departure early Friday afternoon came after Trump cut short talks over the deal and shouted at Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.

Trump berated Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful.” The pair had planned to sign an agreement and hold a joint news conference.

Untouched salad plates and other lunch items were being packed up outside the Cabinet room where the lunch between Trump and Zelenskyy and their delegations was supposed to have taken place.

 

The last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute engagement devolved into a tense back and forth between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Zelenskyy — who had urged skepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage.

It began with Vance telling Zelenskyy, “Mr. President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”

Zelensky tried to object, prompting Trump to raise his voice and say, “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”

“You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have,” Trump said.

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President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mstyslav Chernov)

It was an astonishing display of open antagonism in the Oval Office, a setting better known for somber diplomacy. Trump laid bare his efforts to coerce Zelenskyy to agree to giving the U.S. an interest in his country’s valuable minerals and to push him toward a diplomatic resolution to the war on the American leader’s terms.

Earlier in the meeting Trump said the U.S. would continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, but said he hoped that not too much aid would be forthcoming. “We’re not looking forward to sending a lot of arms,” Trump said. “We’re looking forward to getting the war finished so we can do other things.”

Trump suggested that Zelenskyy wasn’t in a position to be demanding concessions.

“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump said pointing his finger toward Zelenskyy. “With us you start having cards.”

He also accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” to the U.S.

“It’s going to be a very hard thing to do business like this,” Trump told Zelenskyy at one point, as the two leaders talked over each other about past international support for Ukraine.

“Again, just say thank you,” Vance interjected to Zelenskyy, blasting him for litigating “disagreements” in front of the press. Trump, though, suggested he was fine with the drama. “I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on,” he added.

“You’re not acting at all thankful,” Trump said, before adding, “This is going to be great television.”

The harsh words came at a pivotal and precarious moment for Ukraine. Zelenskyy had planned to try to convince the White House to provide some form of U.S. backing for Ukraine’s security against any future Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy is still expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the U.S. aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come.

The deal, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine’s security. Earlier in the meeting, before tempers flared, Trump said the agreement would be signed soon in the East Room of the White House.

“We have something that is a very fair deal,” Trump said, adding, “It is a big commitment from the United States.”

He said the U.S. wants to see the killing in the war stopped, adding that U.S. money for Ukraine should be “put to different kinds of use like rebuilding.”

Earlier, Zelenskyy called Russian President Vladimir Putin a terrorist and told Trump that Ukraine and the world need “no compromises with a killer.”

“Even during the war there are rules,” he said.

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President Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

As Ukrainian forces hold out against slow but steady advances by Russia’s larger and better-equipped army, leaders in Kyiv have pushed to ensure a potential U.S.-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country’s future security.

Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace — especially one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands — would allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.

According to the preliminary economic agreement, seen by The Associated Press, the U.S. and Ukraine will establish a co-owned, jointly managed investment fund to which Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from natural resources, including minerals, hydrocarbons and other extractable materials.

Speaking about the rare earths agreement, Trump said the U.S. is lacking in many such minerals while Ukraine has among the best on the planet. He said U.S. interests plan to take those reserves and use them on everything from artificial intelligence operations to military weapons.

Asked about long-term security guarantee to guard against future Russian aggression, Trump says once the agreement is signed that a return to fighting was unlikely.

Trump, a Republican, has framed the emerging agreement as a chance for Kyiv to compensate the U.S. for wartime aid sent under his predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden.

But Zelenskyy has remained firm that specific assurances for Ukraine’s security must accompany any agreement giving U.S. access to Ukraine’s resources.

This is Zelenskyy’s fifth White House visit, but his previous four came during the Biden administration. The Ukrainian president also was meeting with U.S. senators during his time in Washington.

Fears that Trump could broker a peace deal with Russia that is unfavorable to Ukraine have been amplified by recent precedent-busting actions by his administration. Trump held a lengthy phone call with Putin, and U.S. officials met with their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia without inviting European or Ukrainian leaders — both dramatic breaks with previous U.S. policy to isolate Putin over his invasion.

Trump later seemed to falsely blame Ukraine for starting the war, and called Zelenskyy a “dictator” for not holding elections after the end of his regular term last year, though Ukrainian law prohibits elections while martial law is in place.

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