Bangkok, Thailand, 10 September 2024 – Caltex is proactively expanding its fuel service station network across the country, announcing a partnership with Pure Thai Energy Company Limited (Pure Thai) enabling them to operate their 78 fuel retail service stations under the Caltex brand. Caltex has also announced its success in achieving targeted fuel retail business performance, reflecting continued positive customer reception, with plans to continuously strengthen its fuel service station network. Caltex anticipates reaching 10% projected fuels retail business growth this year.
Mr. Shashank Nanavati, Executive Vice President, Commercial, Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC), the parent company of its subsidiary, Star Fuels Marketing Limited, which is the exclusive licensee of Caltex fuels in Thailand, said “The overall Caltex fuel retail business performance in Thailand during the past months reflects the company’s success in driving the business strategies and delivering on our commitment to offering consumers high quality fuel products and services. The higher sales volume growth in the first half of this year was also driven by the fuel service station network and non-fuel business expansion, fully integrated marketing initiatives and on-going promotional campaigns. Star Fuel Marketing Limited (the company) will continue to accelerate our growth in line with the strategic business plan by continuously expanding on the existing retail network of about 450 Caltex fuel service stations nationwide. Most recently, the company has entered into a partnership with Pure Thai, enabling them to operate 78 service stations under the “Caltex” brand in Bangkok and other provinces. The renovation and modification of those service stations into stations under the Caltex brand begin from September 2024 onwards and are expected to be completed by January of 2025.”
“After the partnership comes into effect and the renovation of all 78 service stations is completed, the number of Caltex fuel service stations will increase to about 528. The partnership represents a good opportunity for Caltex to expand the business, strengthen the brand positioning and broadly expand the customer base.
“We are confident that Caltex’s overall fuel retail business performance following the partnership with Pure Thai will continue to steadily grow, enabling Caltex fuel retail business to be on track to hit the 10% fuel retail growth target at the end of 2024 as well as widening the convenient access to quality Caltex fuels with Techron, the exclusive additive made available in Caltex fuels.”
Commenting on the company’s strategic retail business plan, Ms. Sompratana Chermsirivatana, Vice President, Retail Business Development, Star Fuels Marketing Limited (SFL), added “Apart from fuel service station network expansion, the company also places emphasis on expanding our non-oil offerings to enhance customers’ satisfaction by partnering with strategic retail partners including convenience stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and car repair and car care service centers. The company has planned to increase the number of retail outlets to cover 85% of all Caltex service stations by the end of 2025 from the existing 80%. We will also leverage this non-fuel offering expansion plan at several Caltex fuel service stations operated by Pure Thai as well.”
“Concurrently, the company has also developed a marketing and communication plan to comprehensively reinforce Caltex brand, striving to meet customers’ diverse needs. We sincerely hope that Caltex service stations will help create memorable experiences, allowing our customers to enjoy every journey”, concluded Ms. Sompratana.
Guests who book higher room categories – including suites and villas – from now until December 31st, 2024, will be treated to bonus points and exclusive benefits at hotels and resorts all across the kingdom
Thailand: September 10, 2024 – Marriott Bonvoy®, the award-winning travel program and marketplace from Marriott International, is inviting its members to enjoy elevated end-of-year escapes in Thailand with its popular “Stay Elevated, Stay Elite” promotion, which rewards travelers for booking a vacation in its premium rooms, suites and villas.
Newly extended for bookings and stays until December 31st, 2024, including the busy winter school holidays and festive period, this enticing offer is available in dream destinations all across the “Land of Smiles”, including vibrant cities, blissful beach resorts and elegant upcountry retreats.
Marriott Bonvoy members who book a higher accommodation category will be treated to a wealth of exclusive benefits, including thousands of bonus points from the first night onwards (up to a maximum of 10,000 points!), plus free stays and breakfast for kids (under 12 years old), or daily cocktails, creating attractive options for families and couples alike.
To further enhance the experience, every Marriott property will offer its guests one complimentary activity during their stay, such as chef’s cooking classes, mixologist-led cocktail making sessions, cultural arts & crafts activities and more! Then, at the end of their vacation, all travelers can relax and enjoy a late 4pm check-out (subject to availability).
With stylish rooms and stunning suites at an exceptional collection of hotels in Bangkok, plus premium accommodation at seafront properties in Pattaya, Rayong and Hua Hin, chic suites and private pool villas at beachfront resorts in Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi and Koh Samui, or spacious stays amid the cool mountains of Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, all travelers – including couples, families and friends – can elevated their end-of-year escape in Thailand!
To book an unforgettable vacation in Thailand with Marriott Bonvoy’s “Stay Elevated, Stay Elite” promotion, visit www.marriott.com/offers/stay-elevated-stay-elite-in-thailand-off-117438. Marriott Bonvoy members who register for the Global Promotion today – November 12, 2024 and stay for 2+ nights within November 26, 2024, will earn 2,000 bonus points on each stay. Learn more here. : https://www.marriott.com/sign-in.mi?returnTo=%2Floyalty%2Fpromotion.mi%3Fpromotion%3DSN24
FILE - James Earl Jones poses with his honorary Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen has died at age 93, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, “The Lion King” and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
His agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed Jones died Monday morning at home in New York’s Hudson Valley region. The cause was not immediately clear.
The pioneering Jones, who in 1965 became one of the first African American actors in a continuing role on a daytime drama (“As the World Turns”) and worked deep into his 80s, won two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Center Honors. He was also given an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. In 2022, a Broadway theater was renamed in his honor.
He cut an elegant figure late in life, with a wry sense of humor and a ferocious work habit. In 2015, he arrived at rehearsals for a Broadway run of “The Gin Game” having already memorized the play and with notebooks filled with comments from the creative team. He said he was always in service of the work.
FILE – James Earl Jones accepts the special Tony award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre at the 71st annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP, File)
“The need to storytell has always been with us,” he told The Associated Press then. “I think it first happened around campfires when the man came home and told his family he got the bear, the bear didn’t get him.”
Jones created such memorable film roles as the reclusive writer coaxed back into the spotlight in “Field of Dreams,” the boxer Jack Johnson in the stage and screen hit “The Great White Hope,” the writer Alex Haley in “Roots: The Next Generation” and a South African minister in “Cry, the Beloved Country.”
He was also a sought-after voice actor, expressing the villainy of Darth Vader (“No, I am your father,” commonly misremembered as “Luke, I am your father”), as well as the benign dignity of King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King” and announcing “This is CNN” during station breaks. He won a 1977 Grammy for his performance on the “Great American Documents” audiobook.
“If you were an actor or aspired to be an actor, if you pounded the pavement in these streets looking for jobs, one of the standards we always had was to be a James Earl Jones,” Samuel L. Jackson once said.
Some of his other films include “Dr. Strangelove,” “The Greatest” (with Muhammad Ali), “Conan the Barbarian,” “Three Fugitives” and playing an admiral in three blockbuster Tom Clancy adaptations — “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger.” In a rare romantic comedy, “Claudine,” Jones had an onscreen love affair with Diahann Carroll.
LeVar Burton, who starred alongside Jones in the TV movie “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones,” paid tribute on X, writing, “There will never be another of his particular combination of graces.”
FILE – James Earl Jones, left, greets the press along with his wife Cecilia, center, and son Flynn, right, at the premiere of “The Lion King” in Los Angeles, June 12, 1994. Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen has died at age 93, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Tara Farrell, File)
Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958’s “Sunrise At Campobello” and would win his two Tony Awards for “The Great White Hope” (1969) and “Fences” (1987). He also was nominated for “On Golden Pond” (2005) and “Gore Vidal’s The Best Man” (2012). He was celebrated for his command of Shakespeare and Athol Fugard alike. More recent Broadway appearances include “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Iceman Cometh,” and “You Can’t Take It With You.”
As a rising stage and television actor, he performed with the New York Shakespeare Festival Theater in “Othello,” “Macbeth” and “King Lear” and in off-Broadway plays.
Jones was born by the light of an oil lamp in a shack in Arkabutla, Mississippi, on Jan. 17, 1931. His father, Robert Earl Jones, had deserted his wife before the baby’s arrival to pursue life as a boxer and, later, an actor.
When Jones was 6, his mother took him to her parents’ farm near Manistee, Michigan. His grandparents adopted the boy and raised him.
“A world ended for me, the safe world of childhood,” Jones wrote in his autobiography, “Voices and Silences.” “The move from Mississippi to Michigan was supposed to be a glorious event. For me it was a heartbreak, and not long after, I began to stutter.”
Too embarrassed to speak, he remained virtually mute for years, communicating with teachers and fellow students with handwritten notes. A sympathetic high school teacher, Donald Crouch, learned that the boy wrote poetry, and demanded that Jones read one of his poems aloud in class. He did so faultlessly.
Teacher and student worked together to restore the boy’s normal speech. “I could not get enough of speaking, debating, orating — acting,” he recalled in his book.
At the University of Michigan, he failed a pre-med exam and switched to drama, also playing four seasons of basketball. He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955.
In New York, he moved in with his father and enrolled with the American Theater Wing program for young actors. Father and son waxed floors to support themselves while looking for acting jobs.
True stardom came suddenly in 1970 with “The Great White Hope.” Howard Sackler’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play depicted the struggles of Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight boxing champion, amid the racism of early 20th-century America. In 1972, Jones repeated his role in the movie version and was nominated for an Academy Award as best actor.
Jones’ two wives were also actors. He married Julienne Marie Hendricks in 1967. After their divorce, he married Cecilia Hart, best known for her role as Stacey Erickson in the CBS police drama “Paris,” in 1982. (She died in 2016.) They had a son, Flynn Earl, born in 1983.
“You can’t think of an artist that has served America more,” director Kenny Leon told the AP. “It’s like it seems like a small act, but it’s a huge action. It’s something we can look up and see that’s tangible.”
Citing his stutter as one of the reasons he wasn’t a political activist, Jones nonetheless hoped his art could change minds.
“I realized early on, from people like Athol Fugard, that you cannot change anybody’s mind, no matter what you do,” he told the AP. “As a preacher, as a scholar, you cannot change their mind. But you can change the way they feel.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook talks on the stage during an announcement of new products at Apple headquarters Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada)
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple squarely shifted its focus toward artificial intelligence with the unveiling of its hotly anticipated iPhone 16 along with a slew of new features coming with the next update to the device’s operating system. While the new phone lineup headlined Monday’s showcase, the tech giant also shared updates to its smartwatch and AirPod lineups.
Here are all the biggest announcements from Apple’s “Glowtime” event.
Apple Intelligence
Apple’s core artificial intelligence offerings are being packaged and billed as Apple Intelligence — first revealed at the company’s developers conference in June.
These features include the ability to search for images in your library by describing them, creating custom emojis, summarizing emails and prioritizing notifications. Apple Intelligence will also upgrade Apple’s virtual assistant Siri to get it to better understand requests and give it some awareness of on-screen actions taking place on the phone, hopefully making it more useful.
The new iPhone 16 is displayed at Apple headquarters Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada)
What sets Apple apart from what’s being offered by rivals Samsung and Google? It is trying to preserve its longtime commitment to privacy by tailoring its AI so that most of its functions are processed on the device itself instead of at remote data centers. When a task requires a connection to a data center, Apple promises it will be done in a tightly controlled way that ensures no personal data is stored remotely.
Most of Apple’s AI functions will roll out as part of a free software update to iOS 18, the operating system that will power the iPhone 16 rolling out from October through December. U.S. English will be the featured language at launch but an update enabling other languages will come out next year, according to Apple.
iPhone 16 and the camera button
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will offer slightly bigger displays and feature variants of the powerful A18 chip, which gives Apple the computing power its devices need to run AI functions.
The iPhone 16 “has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up,” CEO Tim Cook said during Monday’s event.
On the other end of the spectrum, the biggest physical change to the iPhone 16 lineup comes in the form of a dedicated camera-control button. The button responds to clicks and gestures, allowing users to quickly snap pictures, preview a shot or start video recording.
The Apple iPhone 16 is displayed during an announcement of new products at Apple headquarters Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada)
The button also allows owners to use something called Visual Intelligence, which will tell the iPhone 16 to automatically search on things you take photos of.
The phones will start shipping Sept. 20. The iPhone 16 will retail for $799, with the Plus model going for $899. The iPhone 16 Pro will cost $999, while the Pro Max will sell for $1,199.
Apple Watch upgrades
The Apple Watch Series 10 features a larger, and brighter, wide-angle OLED display that will allow users to better view the watch at an angle. But Apple focused much of its presentation on the device’s ability to detect signs of sleep apnea.
The new device is also being offered in a titanium finish for the first time, joining a longtime trend in the watch industry of offering a tougher, more lightweight, and perceived higher-quality, alternative to traditional materials.
The Series 10 watch starts at $399 and will be available on Sept. 20.
Apple Watches are displayed at Apple headquarters Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada)
Airpods lean toward being a listening device
The new AirPods 4 series will come with an upgraded chip for better audio quality, and will feature more active noise cancellation.
If you frequently lose your ear buds, the new AirPods will also play a sound when you locate them through the Find My app.
In a medically focused update to the AirPods Pro 2, Apple said it will upgrade the devices so they can act as an over-the-counter hearing aid. A free software update will provide the upgrade and also include options to help protect hearing and the ability to administer a clinical-grade hearing test.
The AirPod 4 model costs $129, while the version with active noise cancelling will cost $179. They both ship on Sept. 20.
AirPods are displayed during an announcement of new products at Apple headquarters Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Cupertino, Calif. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada)
BANGKOK — Department of Tourism aims to tap into the “Bollywood-Hollywood” film market in Mumbai, hoping to attract more Indian film productions to Thailand.
A Bollywood movie filmed in Thailand
On September 10, the Department of Tourism, through the Thailand Film Office (TFO), plans to participate in the Thai Film Festival 2024 in Mumbai from September 12-15, 2024, at the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai, India, to attract more Indian film productions to shoot in Thailand.
The Thai Film Festival 2024 in Mumbai is a collaboration between the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai, the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the Film Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India.
The event aims to promote Thailand’s soft power and showcase the potential of the Thai film industry to government representatives, film industry professionals, and the Indian public.
Jaturon Phakdeewanich, Director-General of the Department of Tourism, revealed that India’s film market is large, with many consumers of movies, series, and entertainment media. According to statistics on foreign film productions in Thailand for January-August 2024, 35 films from India were shot in Thailand, with an investment of over 265 million baht ($7.8 million), ranking second among all foreign film productions in the country.
Jaturon Phakdeewanich, Director-General of the Department of Tourism
“This is an excellent opportunity for the Department of Tourism to build confidence and invite Indian film productions to shoot in Thailand, which has long been a favorite location for Indian filmmakers. It reinforces that Thailand is ready to accommodate Indian film crews, especially with the incentive measures offering cash rebates of 15-20%, which will be a significant factor in choosing Thailand as a filming location,” he said.
The Department of Tourism hopes that more film productions from India will come to shoot in Thailand, generating income for the country, creating jobs for people in the film industry, and promoting Thai culture and soft power to movie audiences, potentially leading to film tourism.
ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries. The headquarters is based in Germany with operations in more than 50 countries. ZEISS products were introduced to Thailand before 1917 by the company B.Grimm. Until May 3th, 1991, Zeiss and B.Grimm established Carl Zeiss Co., ltd. , a joint venture company and opened the office in Bangkok. With the rapid growth, ZEISS office expanded from 668.12 sqm to about 1,000 sqm, which can accommodate over 300 employees.
On August 27, 2024 – The opening ceremony day of Zeiss new office located on Rachadapisek Road in Bangkok.
The opening of the new office is driven by ZEISS’ growth ambitions in Thailand and its commitment to providing a modern, collaborative, and welcoming environment for its employees and clients. The goal is to create a workspace that fosters collaboration, engagement, and well-being for the 300 employees in the Bangkok office.
Thai inspirations also tie the design together to create an inviting, warm, and hospitable environment through locally sourced furnishings and materials used in the workspace. “We wanted to create a space that welcomes our clients and guests while enhancing our employees’ collaboration and engagement,” said Ven Raman, Managing Director, ZEISS Southeast Asia. “This thoughtful design extends a warm atmosphere to our team each day while striking an ideal balance between ‘me’ and ‘we’ spaces. We expanded our communal area so that employees can enjoy lunch together and have a flexible space for collaboration and brainstorming sessions. This area can also transform into a versatile event space for both internal and external events, such as product launches and town hall meetings.”
Instead of a formal reception, a self-help kiosk and an open work café greet employees and guests, providing a welcoming atmosphere as they enter the office. To boost workplace morale and collaboration, communal areas were expanded to create a community space that can be used for brainstorming sessions, unwinding between meetings, or meals together. It also includes private focus pods, social zones, and a gaming area to encourage relaxation and team bonding.
New energy vehicles are displayed at the inauguration ceremony of BYD's new plant in Rayong province, Thailand on July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
CHENGDU — Gliding effortlessly through 1.6-meter deep water, an electric vehicle (EV) navigating the pool amazed onlookers with its impressive capabilities. Nearby, a flying car resembling a large drone hovered overhead, mesmerizing the crowd below.
These cutting-edge vehicles and technologies were showcased here at the 10-day Chengdu Motor Show 2024 in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, drawing car enthusiasts from around the globe to experience the latest innovations.
“The development potential of China’s EV market is unlimited,” Mark Rainford, founder of the YouTube channel Inside China Auto, told Xinhua at the motor show. “There’s no market anywhere in the world for EVs like China right now, and as those cars make their way to every corner of the world, they’ll drive innovation there too by default.”
SETTING SAIL FROM HOME
From Aug. 30 to Sept. 8, about 130 Chinese and foreign car companies participated in the motor show, displaying over 1,600 vehicles. On the opening day, 63 brand press conferences unveiled 73 new models, including 27 new models making their global debut.
These vehicles ranged from new energy-intelligent connected cars and plug-in hybrids to high-performance luxury sedans and striking concept cars. This diverse array of innovations provided a vivid snapshot of the Chinese automotive industry’s exploration and vision for the future of mobility, presenting customers with a wide range of choices.
An Xpeng X2 flying car is on display during Chengdu Motor Show 2024 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao)
“Today’s EVs are smarter, more economical, and eco-friendly. I’m considering buying one for my family. Plus, features like voice commands and in-car entertainment really make my kids happy,” Ms Shuai, a visitor at the show, told Xinhua.
Shuai’s decision reflects a broader trend among Chinese consumers. In July, the retail penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China exceeded 50 percent for the first time, reaching 51.1 percent. This milestone marks a shift in the Chinese automotive market, with NEVs officially surpassing traditional fuel-powered cars to become the new mainstream, signaling a new phase of industry development.
Today, both EVs and traditional fuel-powered cars are evolving toward greater digitization, connectivity, and intelligence. Noting that the NEV industry is at a pivotal stage of development, Lu Fang, CEO of Chinese NEV brand Voyah, said that the key transformation underway is “the shift from standard NEVs to intelligent, connected ones.”
The leap in smart technology by Chinese automakers not only meets the demands of the domestic market but also paves the way for their expansion into international markets, said Kurt Bachmaier, vice president of sales and marketing of Magna Steyr, an automobile manufacturer based in Austria.
“The electrification of the Chinese auto market is now leading the world,” said Kajikawa Shinya, vice president of GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.
WORKING IN TANDEM
In 2023, China exported 4.91 million vehicles, marking a year-on-year growth of 57.9 percent. Among these, 1.203 million were NEVs, representing a 77.6 percent increase. This milestone establishes China as the world’s largest automobile exporter for the first time, highlighting that China’s NEVs are earning strong recognition both at home and abroad.
Talking about the advantages of Chinese NEVs in the global market, Qin Lihong, co-founder and president of Chinese EV maker NIO highlighted China’s well-established supply chain and abundant engineering talent, enabling domestic companies to respond quickly to market demands. Additionally, Chinese NEVs excel in intelligence and user experience, making them highly competitive in the market.
Cars are on display during Chengdu Motor Show 2024 in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao)
According to statistics from the Thai Automotive Industry Association, in 2023, the total number of registered EVs in Thailand reached approximately 76,000, accounting for 12 percent of all vehicle registrations. Notably, Chinese brands dominated the top four positions, and eight of the top 10 spots were also held by Chinese brands.
From exporting complete vehicles to building factories and establishing a presence locally, bringing benefits to local communities, China’s NEVs are venturing further.
This year, Chinese carmaker BYD’s factory in Thailand, regarded as a key automotive production hub in Southeast Asia, was officially completed and began production on July 4, with an annual capacity of about 150,000 vehicles.
Chinese automakers are leveraging their advanced technological expertise to establish factories and form joint ventures in Thailand, benefiting both the Thai people and the local automotive industry, said Suroj Sangsnit, vice president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand.
Sangsnit noted that China’s expansion into the Thai EV market not only provides Thai consumers with more choices but also brings advanced technologies, which will help Thailand establish a complete EV supply chain and create local jobs.
BYD
China’s leadership in the EV market not only fosters production collaboration between local Thai automotive companies and Chinese manufacturers but also accelerates the growth of supply chain industries such as batteries and charging stations, supporting Thailand in building a full-fledged EV ecosystem, said Rachanida Nitipathanapirak, vice president of the Strategic Department at the Thailand Automotive Institute.
“We need to be more cautious and share the future potential rewards and risks with partners,” said Qin, indicating NIO is not just focused on exporting products but is also actively seeking strategic partnerships and local production capabilities to enhance its presence in international markets.
To date, NIO has established 54 battery swap stations and 21 charging stations across five European countries — Norway, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Also, NIO leverages its four research and development centers in Europe, including the Research and Development (R&D) Innovation Center and the Design Center in Germany, to drive technological innovation and application, working in tandem with its domestic R&D centers to bring advanced technologies to market.
“We would say, and we’ve been very consistent in arguing, that China’s EVs could be beneficial for Europe. They could certainly be beneficial for the transition to e-mobility in Germany,” said Michael Schumann, chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade.
Noting that competition would accelerate progress towards objectives and benefit both the automotive industry and consumers, reduce carbon emissions, and facilitate the transition to EVs, Schumann said Germany should learn from the success of Chinese EVs, and that both sides should strengthen cooperation.
A staff member (L) introduces a NIO vehicle to a visitor at a NIO House in Berlin, capital of Germany, May 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
INDUSTRY FOR FUTURE
Energy transition has become a global consensus, with major economies around the world committing to achieve carbon neutrality by the mid-21st century. As the negative impacts of global warming on the environment and society become increasingly evident, reducing the carbon footprint has become a shared responsibility for governments and international organizations alike.
NEVs, by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, directly lower greenhouse gas emissions, playing a crucial role in meeting the global temperature control targets set by the Paris Agreement, not to mention the European Green Deal and China’s carbon neutrality goal.
The rise of EVs offers a promising path towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system. By reducing emissions, decreasing pollution, and promoting renewable energy, NEVs play a crucial role in the global effort to combat climate change and protect the environment, said Schumann.
Currently, many African countries are introducing policies to support green transitions and actively building related infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for the adoption of NEVs. For instance, the Egyptian government has implemented a zero tariff policy on EVs to boost sales, while the number of charging stations in the country has multiplied in recent years.
Similarly, Indonesia has rolled out various policies in recent years to encourage the development of EVs, guiding the automotive industry toward new energy solutions. Chinese automakers have actively expanded their presence in the Indonesian market, steadily increasing their market share.
This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2024 shows a vehicle on display at the booth of Chinese automaker Wuling during the Indonesia International Motor Show 2024 at Jakarta International Expo in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)
Developing the new energy industry and promoting green, low-carbon transitions are common goals shared by countries around the world. Only by collaboratively advancing the construction of a global green production and supply chain can people achieve an optimal global capacity structure and enhance the overall impact of global green development.
“The export of Chinese electric vehicles will drive healthy competition worldwide, promote industry advancement and cost reduction, and ultimately improve the overall trajectory of the industry,” said Herbert Diess, chairman of the supervisory board of Infineon Technologies AG, Germany’s largest semiconductor manufacturer.
“We must commend China for its leadership in decarbonization industries. It is an inspiration and a path that we must follow,” former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Brice Lalonde said.
Lin Chia-lung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan, has written an article about how Taiwan should be included in the UN system to secure peace in the Indo-Pacific, as follows:
Taiwan is an indispensable partner in global supply chains, producing more than 90 percent of the world’s high-end semiconductors and a significant portion of the advanced chips that are driving the AI revolution.
Moreover, half of the world’s seaborne trade passes through the Taiwan Strait, making it a key international waterway. Large parts of the world—and billions of people—have enjoyed great prosperity thanks to the peace and stability that prevails across the strait.
In recent years, global leaders have used both bilateral and multilateral occasions—includingG7, EU, NATO, and ASEAN meetings—to highlight the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. However, despite being aware of the importance of reducing tensions in the region, the United Nations (UN) has yet to take action to address the challenges posed by the PRC or to incorporate Taiwan in the UN system.
As new approaches to engaging with Taiwan have emerged in the global community, yielding huge global benefits, the idea that there must be a choice between the PRC and Taiwan in the UN system is a false dichotomy. Now is the right time for the UN to evolve and to rethink its unjustified policies that exclude Taiwan.
The first and most urgent task that the UN must address is to stop succumbing to the PRC’s pressure and refrains from distorting UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971 any further. By willfully misrepresenting Resolution 2758 and falsely conflating it with its own “one China principle,” which differs from the “one China policy” adopted by many countries, the PRC has relentlessly suppressed Taiwan’s legitimate right to meaningfully participate in the UN and its specialized agencies.
Resolution 2758 merely addresses the issue of China’s representation in the UN. It does not mention Taiwan. It neither states that Taiwan is part of the PRC nor ascribes to the PRC any right to represent Taiwan in the UN system. In other words, the resolution has nothing to do with Taiwan.
Thankfully, in recent months, several senior US officials have criticized the PRC’s distortion of Resolution 2758 to justify its spurious claim over Taiwan.
Furthermore, on July 30, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international organization comprising over 250 members of parliament from 38 countries and the EU, demonstrated concrete support for Taiwan by passing a model resolution on Resolution 2758. To maintain international peace and security as outlined in the UN Charter, the UN must return to and encourage a correct interpretation of Resolution 2758 and explore means of resisting the PRC’s aggressive ambitions.
History has shown that democratic resolve must be demonstrated ahead of time—before it is too late. As the world’s foremost forum for international cooperation, the UN system is ideally positioned to address regional security challenges and support global economic stability.
The upcoming 79th UNGA and its Summit of the Future present a timely opportunity to address key security concerns while advancing the broader goals of global sustainable development and building a more resilient global community for current and future generations.
Over many decades, Taiwan has proven to be a responsible and reliable partner to those it has worked with. More recently, we have also made significant contributions to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Embracing Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system would undoubtedly be the UN’s best option for mitigating any potential regional crisis, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and spurring global prosperity.
Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue to play its part. Working with like-minded countries to maintain healthy and resilient global supply chains— particularly in the semiconductor industry—Taiwan is determined to help power the world forward for many more decades to come.
For a more secure and better world, the UN system needs to include Taiwan.
Dogs can eat kibble and drink milk even while wearing covers made from socks.
PATTAYA — Pattaya city officials inspected dogs in Naklua Soi after receiving complaints that over ten dogs had their mouths taped shut, potentially constituting animal cruelty. Upon investigation, it was found that this was not the case.
On September 9, officials from the Complaint Department of Pattaya City Hall and veterinarians from the Public Health and Environment Office of Pattaya City inspected dogs in Naklua Soi 12, Pattaya, Chonburi Province. This followed social media images and messages claiming that dogs’ mouths were taped shut, which led to widespread sharing and comments from animal lovers expressing concern for the dogs.
Officials met with Ms. Kanyarat, 38, and her son. They led the officials to verify the facts about the dogs appearing in social media images, asserting that it wasn’t animal cruelty but a measure to prevent the dogs from barking and causing problems for locals and tourists.
Ms. Kanyarat explained that these dogs were originally collected and bred by foreigners who then left the country. Her father continued to care for them, and as she raised them, she grew to love them and felt obligated to look after them. She believed her method wasn’t cruel, as it allowed both dogs and humans to coexist peacefully while preventing any negative impacts on others.
She mentioned that the area often has foreign tourists walking by, and the dogs, unable to distinguish between people, would bark at them. Some dogs also chase children playing in the area. Therefore, she devised mouth covers for them at night, made from old, loose school socks with the ends cut off, slipped over their mouths and tied at the neck.
The dog has socks put on its mouth around 10:00 p.m. and removed around 7:00 a.m.
They stated that they put the socks on the dogs’ mouths around 10:00 p.m. and remove them around 7:00 a.m. The dogs eat before the socks are put on, and can still eat normally even with the socks on. She uses socks instead of muzzles because muzzles still allow the dogs to bark all night.
Dr. Apichaya Thurangarn, a veterinary expert from Pattaya City, told reporters that upon inspection, they found the dog caretakers to be socially responsible. The use of socks might be misunderstood, making people think the dogs can’t eat or drink, but the on-site inspection showed that these dogs can eat and drink normally.
BANGKOK — Following the government’s decision to withdraw the reservation to Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which concerns the rights of refugee children, an online debate has arisen.
This led to misunderstandings in society as some believed that all foreign children in Thailand would automatically be granted Thai citizenship.
The controversy stems from a post by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) for Southeast Asia on Friday, in which it welcomed Thailand’s withdrawal of the reservation to Article 22 of the CRC, stating that this would significantly improve the protection of the human rights of refugee and asylum-seeking children in Thailand.
On September 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the withdrawal of the reservation to Article 22 does not mean that foreign children will automatically be granted Thai citizenship.
Instead, it ensures that refugee children receive adequate protection and humanitarian assistance, as the Convention states: “States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that a child claiming refugee status receives protection and humanitarian assistance, whether or not he or she is accompanied by his or her parents.”
Thailand has been a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child since 1988. It is one of 196 countries that have signed the Convention, making it the most ratified treaty in the world.
The withdrawal of this reservation follows a review of the legal framework and cooperation with other nations to find solutions for the accommodation and resettlement of refugees. The issue of granting nationality to foreigners remains subject to national law and is not related to the withdrawal of this reservation.
Previously, on August 30, 2024, the Department of Children and Youth announced that Thailand had made a formal declaration withdrawing its reservation to Article 22 of the Convention, which concerns the protection of refugee and asylum-seeking children. This reflects Thailand’s commitment to protect the rights of all children equally and without discrimination.
On July 9, 2024, the Cabinet approved the withdrawal of the reservation to Article 22 of the CRC, which concerns the protection of refugee and asylum-seeking children, as proposed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Thailand has continuously protected and provided services to refugee children in accordance with appropriate measures.
An undated photo of the Mae La refugee camp in Trat province. Photo: IOM / Courtesy
Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, addressed concerns raised by a content creator and the public on social media regarding the Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly Article 22, which states that a child has the right to care, including education, health care, food and proper development.
“There has been a misunderstanding that Thailand must grant citizenship to these children under Article 22, which is completely false,” he said.
Warawut explained that Article 22 of the CRC does not mention nationality at all. It focuses on protection and ensuring that a child can grow up physically and mentally with the care they deserve. Importantly, Article 22 has been implemented worldwide for over 40 years and has been ratified by more than a hundred countries.
“I want to make it clear to those who wonder why Thailand has to take care of foreign children and does not prioritize Thai children. We take care of all children. And when Thai children are in need abroad, these countries take care of Thai children as well as their own, but they do not grant citizenship to anyone,” Wara Wut said.
He reiterated that Thailand’s endorsement of Article 22 of the CRC does not mean that anyone will be granted citizenship. He urged the public to disseminate accurate information as misconceptions are widespread while accurate information is less common. He asked everyone to help disseminate the correct information.
