Nobel Peace Prize Given to Japanese Organization Nihon Hidankyo for Its Work Against Nuclear Weapons

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11 October 2024, 22:15

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, for its activism against nuclear weapons.

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said the award was made as the “taboo against the use of nuclear weapons is under pressure.”

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a shift in his country’s nuclear doctrine, in a move aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons. It appeared to significantly lower the threshold for the possible use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.

Watne Frydnes said the Nobel committee “wishes to honor all survivors who, despite physical suffering and painful memories, have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace.”

Hidankyo’s Hiroshima branch chairperson, Tomoyuki Mimaki, who was standing by at the city hall for the announcement, cheered and teared up when he received the news.

“Is it really true? Unbelievable!” Mimaki screamed.

AP24285359380302 — Toshiyuki Mimaki, right, president of Nihon Hidankyo, or the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, speaks to media members in Hiroshima, Japan, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, as he reacts to Ninon Hidankyo’s winning the Nobel Peace Prize. (Moe Sasaki/Kyodo News via AP)

Efforts to eradicate nuclear weapons have been honored before by the Nobel committee. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) won the peace prize in 2017, and in 1995 Joseph Rotblat and the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs won for “their efforts to diminish the part played by nuclear arms in international politics and, in the longer run, to eliminate such arms.”

Beatrice Fihn, who was the executive director of ICAN when it won the Nobel, said honoring Nihon Hidankyo was “quite emotional.”

“We are partners in this fight,” she told The Associated Press.

The survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki “know nuclear weapons the best. … They know how it feels like, how it looks like, how it smells when your city is burning from nuclear weapons use,” she said.

This year’s prize was awarded against a backdrop of devastating conflicts raging in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan.

“It is very clear that threats of using nuclear weapons are putting pressure on the important international norm, the taboo of using nuclear weapons,” Watne Frydnes said in response to a question on whether the rhetoric from Russia surrounding nuclear weapons in its invasion of Ukraine had influenced this year’s decision.

“And therefore it is alarming to see how threats of use is also damaging this norm. To uphold an international strong taboo against the use is crucial for all of humanity,” he added.

AP24285338365418 — FILE – Smoke rises around 20,000 feet above Hiroshima, Japan, after the first atomic bomb was dropped, Aug. 6, 1945. The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, for its activism against nuclear weapons. (AP Photo, File)

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X that “the spectre of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still looms over humanity. This makes the advocacy of Nihon Hidankyo invaluable. This Nobel Peace Prize sends a powerful message. We have the duty to remember. And an even greater duty to protect the next generations from the horrors of nuclear war.”

The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945, killing 70,000 people, three days after its bombing of Hiroshima killed 140,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression across Asia.

Nihon Hidankyo was formed in 1956 by survivors of the attacks and victims of nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific amid demands for government support for health problems.

“The atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, also known as the hibakusha, are selfless, soul-bearing witnesses of the horrific human cost of nuclear weapons,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a congratulatory statement.

“Nuclear weapons remain a clear and present danger to humanity, once again appearing in the daily rhetoric of international relations,” he added. “It is time for world leaders to be as clear-eyed as the hibakusha, and see nuclear weapons for what they are: devices of death that offer no safety, protection, or security.”

Alfred Nobel stated in his will that the peace prize should be awarded for “the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

Last year’s prize went to jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi for her advocacy of women’s rights and democracy, and against the death penalty. The Nobel committee said it also was a recognition of “the hundreds of thousands of people” who demonstrated against the “theocratic regime’s policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women.”

In a year of conflict, there was speculation the Norwegian Nobel Committee might opt to not award a prize at all. The prize has been withheld 19 times since 1901, including during both world wars. The last time it was not awarded was in 1972.

In the Middle East, spiraling levels of violence in the past year have killed tens of thousands of people, including women and children. The war, sparked by a raid into Israel by Hamas-led militants on Oct. 7, 2023, that left about 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians, has spilled into the wider region.

In the past week, Israel sent ground troops into Lebanon to pursue Hezbollah militants firing rockets into Israel, while Iran -– which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah -– fired ballistic missiles into Israel. Israel has yet to respond, but its defense minister vowed this week that its retaliation would be both devastating and surprising.

The war in Gaza has killed more than 42,000 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says more than half are women and children. In Lebanon, more than 1,400 people have been killed, with thousands more injured and around 1 million displaced since mid-September, when the Israeli military dramatically expanded its offensive against Hezbollah.

The war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s invasion, is heading toward its third winter with a massive loss of human life on both sides.

The U.N. has confirmed more than 11,000 Ukrainian civilian dead, but that doesn’t take into account as many as 25,000 Ukrainians believed killed during the Russian capture of the city of Mariupol or unreported deaths in occupied regions.

The Nobel prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million). Unlike the other prizes that are selected and announced in Stockholm, founder Alfred Nobel decreed the peace prize be decided and awarded in Oslo by the five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee.

The Nobel season ends Monday with the announcement of the winner of the economics prize, formally known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

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Operation Demolish Criminal Bridges: Thai Police Seize Large-scale SIM Boxes

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Khaosod English

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11 October 2024, 18:04

BANGKOK — Police officials have named their latest large-scale operation against call center gangs “Operation Demolish Criminal Bridges.” The goal is to cut off connection routes between criminals and the public, including phone signals, internet signals, ghost SIMs, money mule accounts, SMS, and social media platforms.

The Technological Crime Suppression Center believes that by cutting off these routes, scammers operating from neighboring countries will be unable to contact or deceive Thai people without SIM boxes or individuals helping to register SIM cards for criminals, or registration systems that facilitate anonymous registration by criminals.

Police General Kittirat Panpetch, the incoming National Police Chief and Director of the Technological Crime Suppression Center, led a press conference on October 11th. He stated that this operation took place from October 1-10, mobilizing police nationwide and receiving data support from the NBTC and network providers.

They searched 647 SIM box locations and small retailers across the country that sell and register SIM cards for criminals. The aim was to gather evidence, issue arrest warrants, and prosecute those who register SIMs for criminals.

So far, police have arrested and charged over 20 shops caught in the act. They seized evidence including 101,068 Thai SIM cards, 113 SIM box devices, 575 mobile phones, 23 computers, and documents such as copies of ID cards, passports, and work permits of foreigners used for phone number registration. These are crucial evidence for issuing arrest warrants for those involved and bringing them to justice.

Police General Kittirat said that the nationwide search of targeted SIM boxes revealed two gaps in the registration process:

(1) Criminals still hold large numbers of SIMs registered before the NBTC’s announcement limiting SIM ownership to 5 per person.

(2) The online SIM registration system cannot detect incorrect registrations, such as uploading photos that aren’t of the actual person or entering any text as a name. The Technological Crime Suppression Center will urgently discuss this with the NBTC and network providers to address these issues.

simcard1 — Police seize over 100,000 SIM cards.

Going forward, the Technological Crime Suppression Center will investigate phone numbers reported through the Thai Police Online system as being used by scammers to determine which SIM boxes registered them for call center gangs. They will take strict legal action.

“We warn all SIM box shops registering for scammer call centers, SIM card sellers, or anyone involved that this is equivalent to helping foreign scammer groups, supported by some Thai people, to deceive and steal assets from Thai people and send them abroad. Besides being unpatriotic, they will lose their freedom, be cut off from their families, and permanently lose their careers and businesses,” Police General Kittirat said.

On October 9, Police Lieutenant General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot led a press conference announcing scam equipment seizure, which was part of “Operation Demolish Criminal Bridges.”

The police arrested two suspects: a 68-year-old Thai man named Theeraphat and a 33-year-old Chinese man named Chen. They seized over ten thousand registered SIM cards and a large number of SimBoxes. The equipment found would have allowed criminals to make outgoing calls from approximately 3,000 numbers at a time.

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C.P. Vietnam Donates VND 5 billion in Aid to Vietnamese Storm and Flood Victims

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MC Marketing

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11 October 2024, 17:48

C.P. Vietnam Corporation (CPV) and C.P. Seeds Vietnam Co., Ltd. have donated cash and goods worth VND 5 billion (approximately THB 6.5 million) to support victims affected by Typhoon Yagi. This donation reflects the “Three Benefits” philosophy of Charoen Pokphand Group, which focuses on benefiting the nation, society, and the company. CPV is collaborating with the government and local communities to restore the lives and livelihoods of people impacted by the disaster.

The donation was made through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which will distribute goods to farmers in various provinces. The aid aims to support the recovery of livestock and aquaculture production in areas severely affected by the storm.

As part of the relief efforts, CPV has provided 10,000 chickens and 5 tons of animal feed to farmers in Tuyen Quang Province. A team of volunteers also joined activities to assist and restore agricultural production in the area.

Additionally, CPV has partnered with the government to organize chicken farming training for residents in Yen Bai Province. The company donated another 10,000 chickens, 5 tons of animal feed, farming equipment, and veterinary medicines. CPV also provided eggs and educational supplies to flood-affected households in the region. The company plans to continue supporting agricultural recovery and providing assistance to disaster-affected areas in the future.

Meanwhile, CP Foods and CP Vietnam remain committed to ongoing flood relief efforts. In Thailand, CP Foods has extended its aid to victims in the northern and northeastern regions through the “CPF Food from the Heart Against Floods” program. This initiative supplies fresh food and essential goods through government agencies, community kitchens, and foundations, helping flood victims access adequate food and boosting morale. CP Foods also provides support to its employees affected by the floods.

Middle East Latest: Thai Worker Killed by Missile in Northern Israel

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Khaosod English

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11 October 2024, 16:27

APTOPIX Lebanon Israel — A man uses his mobile phone as flames and smoke rise at the scene of buildings hit by an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon killed a young man from Thailand in the north of Israel early Friday, a day after Israeli strikes in Lebanon left dozens of people dead in Beirut and wounded two U.N. peacekeepers.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued an announcement for Thai nationals in Israel:

As of this morning (October 11, 2024), an anti-tank missile was fired into the Yir’on agricultural settlement in northern Israel near the Lebanese border, which is a closed military zone. This incident resulted in the death of one Thai worker and severe psychological trauma to another.

The Thai Embassy wishes to inform Thai workers who are still in closed military zones or other high-risk areas that they can contact the embassy for assistance in relocating from these areas.

The closed military zones, where residence and work are prohibited, currently include 11 locations: Metula, Misgav Am, Kfar Giladi, Dovev, Tziv’on, Malkia, Rosh Hanikra, Shlomi, Hanita, Adamit, and Arab al-Aramshe.

According to the Associated Press, at least 22 people were killed and 117 wounded in Israeli airstrikes that hit two areas in central Beirut, Lebanon’s health ministry said.

In southern Lebanon, meanwhile, the U.N. peacekeeping force said an Israeli tank fired on its headquarters in the town of Naqoura, hitting an observation tower and wounding two peacekeepers, who were hospitalized.

Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, who do not say how many were fighters but say women and children make up more than half of the fatalities. The war has destroyed large areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of 2.3 million people, often multiple times.

AP24285298149800 — Rescue workers search for victims at the site of Thursday’s Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

AP24285307195103 — Residents react in front of their destroyed apartment at the site of Thursday’s Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A year ago, Hamas-led militants blew holes in Israel’s security fence and stormed into army bases and farming communities, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. They are still holding about 100 captives inside Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israel is now at war with Hamas in Gaza and its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon, which began firing rockets at Israel on Oct. 8, 2023.

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UOB Thailand Offers Exclusive Dinner with Star Chef Motokichi Yukimura

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MC Marketing

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11 October 2024, 16:01

Bangkok, 11 October 2024 – UOB Thailand, in collaboration with Siam Discovery, proudly presents “KICHI KICHI WORLD’S TOUR,” offering UOB credit card holders an extraordinary culinary experience. For the first time in Thailand, renowned chef Motokichi Yukimura from KICHI KICHI restaurant in Kyoto has prepared his legendary omelet rice, providing an exclusive tasting opportunity for customers.

Ms Suporntip Pongsachamnankit, Head of Card Business, Card Payment & Unsecured Products, UOB Thailand said, “UOB Thailand is dedicated to continuously delivering unique experiences to our customers, particularly in the culinary arts. We invite world-class chefs to craft special menus and offer exclusive discounts at renowned restaurants across the country. This event, where we closed the restaurant for a private session, received an enthusiastic response from UOB credit card holders.”

The exclusive event took place on 19 September 2024, where UOB credit card holders could redeem 7,900 UOB Reward points to participate, with a total experience valued at 4,000 baht per person. This special occasion allowed attendees to be among the first in Thailand to savour Chef Yukimura’s exceptional skills.

Marking 50th Year, KMUTNB Table Tennis Club Hosts TASA Championships 2024

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MC Marketing

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11 October 2024, 15:51

The Table Tennis Club, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) Organized “INTERNATIONAL KMUTNB – TASA TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024”

The Table Tennis Club, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), in collaboration with Tasa Industrial Co., Ltd. Organized the competition named “INTERNATIONAL KMUTNB – TASA TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024”. Asst.Prof.Dr. Thaksin Sangsuwan, Assistant President for Student Affairs and Alumni Relations, gave an opening speech while Asst. Prof. Dr. Panuwat Pinthong, the club advisor, gave a report on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the KMUTNB Table Tennis Club and the 65th anniversary of the founding of the university. The international competition was held with participants from 6 countries: China, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Thailand. In addition, it included a senior team category, a young male category aged 13-15 years old, and a young female category aged 13-15 years old. The competition aimed to use table tennis as a medium of exercise and to develop the potential of the table tennis competition management system to meet international standards. Subsequently, it was to create good relationships among sports players and to be able to develop their own skills to a higher level of expertise. The competition was organized by students of the Table Tennis Club and Tassa Industrial Co., Ltd.

King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) has established the Table Tennis Club since 1974. The university sent athletes to compete in the World University Games in the Soviet Union. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Ranat Sirichote, a lecturer at the Faculty of Applied Science, had been the club’s advisor until 2019. After that, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Witthaya Wiphawiwat, former Vice President, was the club’s advisor. Currently, Asst.Prof.Dr. Panuwat Pinthong, a lecturer at the Faculty of Industrial Education, is the club’s advisor. The first TASA King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok Table Tennis Competition was organized in 1999. Throughout the past 25 years, we would like to thank Mr. Udom Suksudprasit for his continued support and making KMUTNB’s Table Tennis Club famous and recognized in the sports games. On the occasion of the club’s 50th anniversary, alumni and current students jointly organized the competition. This was the first time that an international competition was held at the Pradu Daeng Auditorium, KMUTNB, 28-29 September 2024.

“INTERNATIONAL KMUTNB – TASA TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024” has the following winners in various categories:

Senior Team Category: Champion: KMUTNB-TASA Team; 1st Runner-up: MBS Table Tennis Club Malaysia; 2nd Runner-up: ITC Thailand Team; 3rd Runner-up: SG Unite Red Singapore Team, totally 12 teams.

Young Male Category aged 13-15 years old: Champion: Michael Hartono from Indonesia;1st Runner-up: Jazzle Wahiu from Indonesia; 2nd Runner-up: Mr. Siriphop Phimkaew and Mr. Phakkanun Kaew-unruen from Thailand.

Young Male Category aged 15 years old: Champion: Mr. Apipum Laksana; 1st runner-up: Mr. Jakkapan Thongkham from Thailand; 2nd runner-up: Michael Hartono and Jazzle Wahiu from Indonesia.

Young Female Category aged 15 years old: Champion: Miss Phitsopha Chuea-in, 1st runner-up is Miss Phimlaphat Thirarot, 2nd runner-up: Miss Phattariya Phatthahira and Miss Naphaphat Woranopkun from Thailand.

The Table Tennis Club of KMUTNB and the organizing committee would like to thank the university and all sponsors for their great support, making this successful competition and achieving all of its objectives. See you again next competition.

2 Laotians, 7 Thais Arrested for Illegal Sex Toy Trade Worth Millions

By

Khaosod English

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11 October 2024, 15:31

sex toys1 — The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division police display some of the illegal sex toys from over 2,000 items seized during raids on 5 suspicious locations across 3 provinces on October 10, 2024

BANGKOK — In a recent case where police seized 2,580 illegal sex toys across 3 provinces, 9 suspects were arrested, including 2 Laotian nationals.

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) expanded their investigation from an earlier arrest involving the exploitation of minors under 18 for pornographic content. The suspects used sex toys to attract attention before selling clips on Telegram and illegal websites.

This group established private channels to distribute pornographic media, including child exploitation material. They also illegally sold sex toys and illicit aphrodisiacs. The group had over 90,000 members, including foreign participants.

Police Major General Saruti Khwaengsopha, commander of ATPD, stated that on October 10th, police arrested 9 suspects in 5 locations across 3 provinces: 3 in Bangkok, 1 in Nakhon Pathom, and 1 in Chonburi. They seized 2,580 illegal sex toys, 66 computers and mobile phones used in the crimes.

sex toys2 — The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division police display some of the illegal sex toys from over 2,000 items seized during raids on 5 suspicious locations across 3 provinces on October 10, 2024.

sex toys3 — One of the 9 suspects (left) arrested by police for possession of illegal sex toys.

The suspects include: Ms. Suchada (26), Mr. Anon (25), Miss Dokkeo (32, Laotian), Mr. Mongkol (40), Mr. Niksanh (30, Laotian), Mr. Chaiwat (31), Mr. Sukho (30), Mr. Ekkarat (29), and Mr. Wuttipong (25).

All confessed to operating illegal websites and Telegram groups to advertise sex toys for over 2 years, earning 100,000-200,000 baht monthly, with millions in circulation.

The suspects were charged with producing and distributing obscene materials, possession of child exploitation material, importing illegal data into computer systems, and working without permits for foreigners.

The most severe charge, possession of child exploitation material, carries a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and/or a 100,000 baht fine. Distribution of such material can result in up to 7 years imprisonment and/or a 140,000 baht fine.

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Mister Global 2024: A Historic Win for the Philippines and A New Era of Gentlemen with Essence

By

Contributor

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11 October 2024, 13:59

For the first time ever, Daumier ‘Dom’ Corilla from the Philippines made history by winning the Mister Global 2024 title for his country in the 10th edition of the Mister Global pageant. Held in Bangkok on October 6th, 2024 by Thailand-based TPN Global Group, the event brought together 33 contestants from around the world, culminating in Corilla’s groundbreaking victory.

A new tradition was also introduced this year, with the presentation of the Blazer of Fame, which was bestowed upon Corilla by Dr. Nalikatibhag Sangsnit, Advisory Chairman of the Mister Global Organization.

Dr. Nalikatibhag, also a Director of The One Enterprise PCL, a leading media and entertainment company in Thailand, noted that the Mister Global Organization has reached new heights in elevating this international platform to welcome “Gentlemen with Essence.” The organization aims to raise the standard of male pageantry by focusing on four key pillars: celebrating the dignity of gentlemen, fostering leadership qualities, supporting social impact projects, and maintaining an elegant and polished physical presence.

One contestant expressed heartfelt gratitude, praising the organization’s dedication to fairness and inclusion: “Your unwavering commitment to fairness, inclusion, and excellence has not only set a new standard but also shown the world that Mister Global is an organization that values integrity above all else.” This statement echoes the core values of Mister Global—providing an inclusive and fair platform that celebrates talent and effort without limitations based on race, culture, or borders.

Behind Daumier ‘Dom’ Corilla’s historic win lies a journey filled with perseverance and passion. Born and raised in the Philippines, Dom moved to the United States for college, where he took on various jobs before eventually finding success in modelling and acting. Despite the challenges along the way, his passion for basketball, movies, and his resilience led him to where he is today. Now, as Mister Global 2024, Dom will work alongside the Mister Global Organization over the next year to advance both the organization’s mission and his own personal goals.

Surin Elephant Museum: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Conservation

By

Khaosod English

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11 October 2024, 12:59

elephant museum100 — "Surin Elephant Museum" is located in Ban Ta Klang, Krapho Subdistrict, Tha Tum District, Surin Province

SURIN — A journey of lasting connection between humans and elephants, from the past to the present, is showcased at the “Surin Elephant Museum” in Ban Ta Klang, Krapho Subdistrict, Tha Tum District, Surin Province, under the management of the Surin Provincial Administrative Organization.

Built with ancient red bricks, the museum is located within the “Elephant World” project at the Elephant Study Center. Designed by Assistant Professor Boonserm Premthada from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Architecture, the museum’s structure is a testament to both form and function.

Over 45 million baht ($1.35 million) for the renovation, this complex features flexible curved walls that harmonise with the surrounding landscape, creating an open and inviting space for elephants and visitors, as a learning center about the way of life between humans and elephants.

elephant museum13 — Tourists visit the Surin Elephant Museum in Kra Pho Subdistrict, Tha Tum District, Surin Province on October 9, 2024.

The project was completed and officially opened on September 5, 2023. The Dr. Thiam Chokwatana Foundation, led by Boonkiet Chokwatana, Chairman of S & J International Enterprises PCL, and Boonchai Chokwatana, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saha Pathanapibul PCL, presided over the opening ceremony. Pornchai Mungcharoenporn, president of the Surin Provincial Administrative Organization, and over 10 corporate partners contributed to the event.

The museum is packed with educational exhibits, such as models depicting the long-standing relationship between humans and elephants, the traditional life of elephant doctors and the “Kru Ba Yai” (elder elephant masters) who captured wild elephants in the forest in ancient times, as well as the customs and traditions of elephant herders, known locally as “Chao Kui, who are known for their skill in capturing wild elephants.

Boonkiat and Boonchai Chokwatana — Boonkiet and Boonchai Chokwatana preside over the opening ceremony of the Surin Elephant Museum, on September 5, 2024.

In addition, the museum imparts knowledge about elephants from all over the world and tells the story of the different elephant species with both still images and animated displays. Visitors can travel back in time and see prehistoric elephants, including the rare elephant with four tusks. There are also large, movable elephant models that can make noises. The museum is divided into four air-conditioned areas to ensure visitors have a comfortable visit.

According to Worapoj Saendee, Assistant Tourism Development Officer of the Elephant Study Center, the museum is divided into five sections:

Zone 1: This section deals with wild elephants, royal elephants and domesticated elephants. It includes the history of the founding of Surin Province, the customs and traditions of Kui elephant keepers and the way of life between humans and elephants. Visitors can see a simulation of the elephant herd and elephant capture, and there are photo spots.

elephant museum11 — Worapoj Saendee, Assistant Tourism Development Officer of the Elephant Study Center

In this area you will also find a replica of the old elephant village, the ceremonial “Pra Kam” altar and offerings for the “San Don Ta” ceremony, a traditional custom of Surin province. Some historical photos of Surin are also on display.

Zone 2: In this area, you will find information about elephants around the world, including African savannah elephants, Sumatran elephants, Bornean elephants and Asian elephants. The story of each species is told through animated and still images, and children can play games on a large screen.

Zone 3: This area is dedicated to prehistoric elephants and presents nine different species. Visitors can travel back in time to learn more about these ancient creatures, including the four-tusked elephant. There is a large model imported from abroad that can move and make sounds, and a large projection screen for more information. A tour guide is available for those who want more information.

Zone 4: This section tells the story of the project founder and how older elephants were rescued from hard labor and chains and brought to Saha Pathanapibul Co. This heartwarming story highlights the help given to these elephants not only from Surin but also from other areas, including the provision of food and medical care.

In the Elephant Gallery, beautiful elephant-themed artworks are displayed in two areas. Gallery A features artworks by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as well as works by famous artists, businessmen and local artists from Surin and Northeast Thailand.

Gallery B is a rotating exhibition space for the display of artworks and for various events. The highlight is the large elephant models specially designed for the Surin Elephant Museum, reflecting the modern lifestyle of the world’s largest elephant-keeping village. The exit leads to a souvenir store.

The Elephant Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The morning session is from 9:00 to 12:00 and the afternoon session is from 13:00 to 16:00. The entrance fee for Thai tourists is 30 baht for children under 10 years old, 40 baht for children 10 years and older and 50 baht for adults. For foreign tourists, the price is 100 baht for children and 200 baht for adults.

For group visits, a letter must be submitted in advance to the chairman of the provincial administration organization. Groups of 20 or more people receive a reduced entrance fee. Separate fees are payable for entry to the “Elephant World” project. For more information, please contact the Surin Provincial Tourism Promotion Department at 065-4678488.

Pornthanet Boonpaeng, a visitor from Nakhon Ratchasima, mentioned that he had been following the work of the architect who designed the Surin Elephant Museum on Facebook and when the opportunity arose, he brought his family to visit. He was not disappointed as he was able to admire the construction and learn about the relationship between humans and elephants, the customs of Surin residents and the Kuay elephant keepers that have been passed down through generations.

Currently, the Surin Elephant Museum attracts 200-300 visitors per day. It is located 62 kilometers from Surin town and can be reached by car via convenient roads on the same day. In addition to the museum, visitors can enjoy elephant shows and elephant rides as part of the “Elephant World” project.

For those who want to visit the museum at a special time, the annual elephant show in Surin will be held on November 16-17, 2024.

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South Koreans Are Joyful After Han Kang Wins Nobel Prize for Literature

By

Associated Press

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11 October 2024, 11:28

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Koreans reacted with joy and astonishment on Thursday after learning that homegrown writer Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in literature, an unexpected moment that stoked national pride about the country’s growing cultural influence.

Han, known for her experimental and often disturbing stories that explore human traumas and violence and incorporate the brutal moments of South Korea’s modern history, is the country’s first writer to win the preeminent award in world literature.

Han’s triumph adds to the growing global influence of South Korean culture, which in recent years included the successes of director Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “Parasite,” the brutal Netflix survival drama “Squid Game” and K-pop groups like BTS and BLACKPINK.

AP24284471575416 — A TV screen shows an image of the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, South Korean writer Han Kang, during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

“I’m so surprised and honored,” Han, 53, said in a telephone interview posted on the X account of the Nobel Prize.

As the news spread in South Korea, some online bookstores temporarily froze following a sudden jump in traffic. South Korean social media were flooded with jubilant messages expressing admiration and pride. Some internet users found it meaningful that Han was the first Asian woman to win the award and portrayed it as a statement toward the country’s traditionally male-dominated literature scene.

“It’s always the women who do the big things,” one Facebook user wrote.

In South Korea’s parliament, multiple government hearings were paused as lawmakers cheered and applauded Han’s award.

While visiting Laos for a meeting of Asian leaders, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a statement, congratulating Han on her award, calling it a “great achievement in the history of Korean literature” and a “special moment for the nation.”

“You converted the painful wounds of our modern history into great literature,” Yoon wrote. “I send my respects to you for elevating the value of Korean literature.”

AP24284471473871 — A TV screen shows an image of the winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, South Korean writer Han Kang, during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Han, the daughter of renowned South Korean novelist Han Seung-won, made her publishing debut as a poet in 1993. She won the International Booker Prize in 2016 for the novel “The Vegetarian,” a story in which a woman’s decision to stop eating meat brings devastating consequences and raises concern among family members that she’s mentally ill. The book sold more than 100,000 in the U.S.

Another one of Han’s well-known novels is “Human Acts,” which is set in 1980 in her birth city of Gwangju and follows a boy searching for the body of a friend who was killed in a violent suppression of a student protest. South Korea’s former military government that year sent troops to Gwangju for a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that left around 200 people dead and hundreds of others injured.

“The decision came all too sudden. I could also describe it as a feeling of bewilderment,” Han Seung-won, Han’s father, told reporters Friday about the moment he heard the news that his daughter had won the Nobel Prize.

AP24285182356758 — Visitors and media gather at a special section for South Korean poet and novelist Han Kang at a bookstore in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, the day after she won the Nobel Prize in literature. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

He praised his daughter’s writing, which he described as poetic and exhibiting unique “fantastical realism,” and also commended British translator Deborah Smith, who translated “The Vegetarian” and “The White Book.”

“The translator has somehow managed to convey Han Kang’s sentences, bringing to life the delicate and beautiful prose and melancholic sensibility,” he said.

Han Kang’s award generated excitement among South Korean writers and critics, who in comments to local media expressed hope that it would bring more global attention to South Korean literature. But it remains to be seen whether Han’s stories would become widely popular among casual readers around the world, said Brother Anthony of Taize, a British-born scholar and prolific translator of Korean literature.

“It’s not always an easy read,” he said, describing how her novels are often complicated stories about communication failures, misunderstandings, “unhappy people and troubled relationships and pain.”

AP24284470555047 — A book store employee holds a book by the South Korean writer Han Kang in London, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. Kang has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

If Han’s works have anything in common with South Korea’s other cultural products that garnered international acclaim in recent years, it is that they often reflect the dark side of the country’s society. Both Parasite and Squid Game provided biting commentaries on the country’s deepening inequality and other problems that have many young and poor people describing their lives as a hellish nightmare.

South Korea has one of the largest gaps between rich and poor among developed economies and is grappling with decaying job markets, soaring household debt and a record-low birth rate as struggling couples put off having babies. The country also struggles to deal with the pains of its brutal transition from dictatorship to democracy.

“Korean society is rather dark and it’s probably the aspect that resonates,” Brother Anthony said.

Jung Yoon-young, a 49-year-old resident in Seoul, said Han’s triumph was a refreshing moment for the country during depressing times.

“It’s a miraculous event and really a breath of fresh air,” she said. “I’m grateful and proud.”

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