A photograph of an Indian peacock species captured in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary has caused great concern among Thai National Park Department officials.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s National Park Department officials have been ordered to eliminate a white ‘Indian peacock’ and a suspected hybrid peacock, which have been foraging among a flock of about 10 Thai peacocks within the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, near the Pong Chang Pueak wildlife observation tower (also known as the Peacock tower).
This order comes after attempts to capture them alive have been unsuccessful.
Attapon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed to Matichon Online that if these two peacocks continue to breed, they will compromise the genetic integrity of the Thai peacocks in Huai Kha Khaeng, which are already in a near-extinct status.
A photograph of a hybrid peacock species captured in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary has caused great concern among Thai National Park Department officials.
“The general public might see this as a minor issue concerning just one peacock, but it has significant implications for large-scale ecological changes. Experts have suggested that if we can’t capture them, we should euthanize or kill them outright. This is a practice followed in many countries. I don’t want to do it, but we must consider the potential negative consequences first,” Attapon stated.
However, officials within the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary estimated that the Indian peacock species that had been photographed had likely already been killed by predators.
Phermsak Kanittachart, a Forest Technical Officer and Head of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, reported from observations at the Peacock Tower near Pong Chang Pueak:
The green peacock suspected to be a hybrid has not been seen since June 23, and the white Indian peacock has not been observed since June 28.
Patrol officers conducted a survey of the surrounding area to search for both peacocks. They found feather fragments of the white Indian peacock along with blood traces, but no carcass was discovered. It is suspected that the peacock may have been attacked or eaten by an unknown predator. When officials had previously observed the white Indian peacock, it appeared to be less cautious than the Thai peacocks, potentially making it an easy prey for predators.
The Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is in Uthai Thani and Tak provinces, Thailand. The park was established in 1974 and is part of the largest intact seasonal tropical forest complex in mainland Southeast Asia.
Coupled with the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, it was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1991. Together, the two sanctuaries occupy 622,200 hectares.
The green peafowl (Pavo muticus), also known as the Indonesian peafowl, is a species native to Southeast Asian and Indochinese tropical forests. This bird, which serves as Myanmar’s national symbol, was once widespread throughout Southeast Asia. However, today only a few isolated populations survive, primarily in Cambodia and neighboring areas of Vietnam.
BANGKOK – Factorytalk, a leading digital solutions provider and consultancy for the life sciences industry, is thrilled to announce the successful upgrade and enhancement of Thailand’s electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD) submission management solution.
Since 2013, Factorytalk has been working with the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to digitally transform Thailand’s submissions away from paper and manual processes by bringing in the latest technology. The solution streamlines the submission process, and centralises the administrative functions while adhering to eCTD requirements.
Regulatory submissions have always been a daunting yet compulsory process for the life sciences industry, the efficiency of which has significant impact on the overall pipeline of medical products introduced to the country.
Thai FDA first introduced eCTD submissions in Thailand with cooperation with Factorytalk to alleviate the problem, and through this major update, we aim to lessen the complexity and time it takes to register pharmaceutical products. The project prioritizes tackling three critical pain points to the benefit of all parties involved.
Firstly, reducing the length of the submission review process overall, which was longer than desired. The new digital workflows implemented reduce manual and redundant processes, and an upgraded eCTD review tool has been made more accessible to alleviate previous constraints and bottlenecks. As a result, the industry can expect a significant reduction in the time submissions take pending approval.
Secondly, to improve visibility. Not only for the industry but also for the regulator themselves. Since there are several tools required to manage the whole Regulatory Management System, all systems are now integrated to ensure communication among the tools is done in real-time, without having to rely on manual data management. As the data is now synchronised, administrators can track progress from a centralized interface. Meanwhile, the industry will get a notification automatically whenever their submission’s status changes.
And the last (but not least) pain point, improving accessibility to the eCTD submission publishing tool itself. After listening closely to industry feedback highlighting frustrations with the queuing time to access submission stations, the number of stations has been doubled providing an immediate solution, with other long-term improvements initiated and in the pipeline.
Factorytalk’s aim is to help eradicate the reliance of paper from the whole life sciences industry. As relying on paper prevents companies transforming digitally towards Industry 4.0 and capitalizing on the improvements real-time data, process automation, and data driven decision making brings. As well as improving environmental sustainability by reducing waste from physical paper, printing, and the associated operational inefficiencies.
“Factorytalk’s mission in regulatory submissions: empowering both regulatory bodies and industry players to navigate drug registration seamlessly. Our firm belief in the advancement towards eCTD submissions align with the proven success of global standards over the past two decades.” said Mr. Teerapong Cheepchol, one of Factorytalk’s board of directors.
“The fact the Thai FDA uses the same solution trusted by regulators around the world including the US, Canada, EU, China, Australia, etc. ensures that the solution comes with best-in-class data security and integrity, as well as a solid development roadmap to further improve the submission process in the next 5 – 10 years such as eCTD template 4.0 that comes with much greater flexibility compared to the current version (3.2) that could potentially open up a lot of possibilities; or Substance, Product, Organisation, and Referential (SPOR) data management,” Mr. Teerapong added.
Factorytalk is currently providing a submission tool and services to almost 40 companies in Thailand to prepare and publish eCTD submissions. As Mr. Teerapong mentioned, Factorytalk is looking for more opportunities to support both industry and the regulatory body. This year, Factorytalk is planning to hold free training sessions on how to use the latest version of an eCTD submission tool, as well as developing more packages that could potentially fit all businesses.
The solution Factorytalk provides is used by thousands of organizations, regulators included. Their client can ensure that confidential data will be managed properly.
“We have been working with our life science customers for two decades. Therefore, we are committed to leverage our experience for any deliverables. Nevertheless, our growth-mindset keeps us being innovative and striving for improvements to meet the evolving needs of the industry,” Mr. Teerapong concluded.
Factorytalk are a leading digital solutions provider and consultancy for the GxP regulated life sciences industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, cell and gene therapy, medical device, herbal medicines, health tech, cosmetics, and F&B. Factorytalk has a team of experts operating across Asia, Europe, and the US from their offices in Bangkok, Thailand, and Manchester, UK.
The company engages with over 200 customers worldwide and has offered validation, consulting services, and systems implementation for GxP-regulated manufacturing companies, government organizations, and regulators
Pattaya City officials begin demolishing structures encroaching on public land in Phothisan Soi 6 from July 1, 2024.
PATTAYA — After the June 30 deadline for compensation to affected residents, Pattaya City has reclaimed public land and demolished structures encroaching on public right-of-way for over 30 years.
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet directed relevant local officials to follow up on progress in reclaiming public land in Phothisan Soi 6 since July 1. He explained that the city of Pattaya has dispatched officers to remove structures encroaching on public land for 30 years, including houses and rental buildings, according to legal procedures.
The process has been completed, and housing has been organized for 20 residents who were occupying public land. Of these, 18 residents have agreed to relocate. The Public Works Department has already dismantled the buildings and leveled the land in preparation for road construction.
Only two residents, who live at the beginning and end of the area, have refused to move. The city of Pattaya will begin further negotiations. If the residents continue to refuse to move, strict legal action will be taken.
The public land in Phothisan Soi 6 is part of a project to build a road to relieve traffic on Pattaya 3rd Road so that residents can share the area. This section extends approximately 300 meters from the Phothisan intersection to Phothisan Soi 6 and another 150 meters from this area to Phothisan Soi 8.
Regarding concerns that Pattaya City is only targeting poor residents and not the wealthy, such as in the case of reclaiming the land from Sukavadee House, Mayor Poramet clarified that Pattaya City has consistently worked to reclaim the public land from Sukavadee House, with some structures already being dismantled.
The areas that have been quickly reclaimed are those built directly on public roads, and the same legal action applies to other encroachments on public land.
“The actions to reclaim public roads and land are not based on the wealth of individuals, but on the maximum benefit to Pattaya City and its citizens,” Mayor Poramet said.
He explained that reclaiming public roads benefits the community by opening up more travel routes for residents and tourists, which in turn improves traffic efficiency in Pattaya.
"The first bag of your fertilizer comes with people's tears," said a member of the group campaigning against potash mining in Nakhon Ratchasima Province on July 2, 2024.
NAKHON RATCHASIMA — “The first bag of your fertilizer comes with people’s tears,” said a member of the group campaigning against potash mining to Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul as she handed over a letter opposing the project to the government.
This protest took place in front of the Rangsrit Auditorium of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, the venue of the mobile cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima province on July 2, 2024.
The protesters announced that they would burn the letter at the entrance used by ministers and the prime minister if the prime minister did not come out to receive their letter.
This prompted officials to change the entrance for the Prime Minister and other ministers, while Pimpatra herself came out to receive the protest letter.
The protesters said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin wanted to push ahead with the potash mining project, citing the need to offset 800,000 tons of imports. However, it was discovered that the government had already approved mining of more than 3 million tons. Government officials and private companies have been seeking mining concessions in Non Thai, Non Sung, and Mueang districts.
The demonstrators then laid out salt from the rice fields affected by potash mining in front of Pimpatra and proclaimed three demands:
Revoke the second version of the Mineral Management Master Plan in relation to potash as it does not comply with the Mineral Act B.E. 2560 (2017) where there is no surveying and no zoning for mining areas.
Allow exploration and mining of potash in areas not zoned as mining areas.
Review the environmental impacts of potash mining development in light of changing conditions and demand for potash.
“The goal of mining has shifted from reducing imports to focusing on exports. The previous environmental impact assessment was carried out hastily, disregarding the balance of local livelihoods and adequate consideration of environmental and health impacts,” the statement reads.
Previously, on 7 November 2023, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered the operations of three potash mines with granted concessions in three areas: ASEAN Potash Chaiyaphum Co., Ltd. in Bamnet Narong District, Chaiyaphum Province; Thai Kali Co., Ltd. in Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; and Asia Pacific Potash Corporation Limited in Udon Thani Province.
This has caused concern among the Khon Rak Ban Kerd Dan Khun Thot Group, the local residents affected by the potash mining projects, who have called for a suspension of mining operations.
Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul receives a letter opposing the Potash Mining Project from protesters on July 2, 2024.
The protest representatives called on the government to immediately address the impact of potash mining in the Dan Khun Thot district of Nakhon Ratchasima province. Ignoring the problem or delaying action would indicate the Ministry of Industry’s inability to regulate and effectively manage mining.
“If the government continues to fail to address the problems, it shows that it does not really value people’s quality of life and is only focused on GDP figures. The continuation of potash mining in Isaan could irreversibly damage the region,” said the group’s representative.
After receiving the protest letter from the Minister of Industry, one protester said in a trembling voice and tears, “The first bag of your fertilizer comes with our tears. Take us with you instead; the first bag of your fertilizer is right here.”
The Khon Rak Ban Kerd Dan Khun Thot Group, local residents affected by potash mining projects, protest in January 2024 calling for a suspension of mining operations.
Minister Pimpatra stated that since the protests in 2019, several committees have been established to investigate the impacts on the public, both at the provincial and departmental levels. Multiple on-site fact-finding missions have been conducted. At this stage, the investigation results cannot conclusively determine whether the various impacts are caused by the potash and rock salt mining project of Thai Kali Company Limited, which has held a mining concession since 2015.
Currently, Nakhon Ratchasima province has appointed a new working group, focusing on the participation of community representatives in the area to examine the demands and impacts of the 2nd Mineral Management Master Plan. The review of the Mineral Management Master Plan will begin again in 2025, incorporating various demands and proposals regarding the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) into the plan’s revision.
According to an academic study by Suwit Kulabpong, a consultant for the Udon Thani Environmental Conservation Group, the construction of potash mines has a significant impact on the environment and local residents.
The main issues include problems with groundwater, competition for water resources, the high potential for salt leakage and the spread of salt dust within a 25 square kilometer radius of the mine. The continuation of the mining project may not be worth the associated environmental and social problems.
BANGKOK — Thailand has seen an enormous number of foreign tourists in the first half of the year (January 1 – June 16, 2567), substantially boosting the country’s revenue by around 1.1 trillion baht ($30 billion).
Regarding this year’s tourism revenue goal of 3.5 trillion baht ($95 billion), with 36.7 million foreign tourists expected, Minister of Tourism and Sports Sermsak Pongpanich expressed serious concerns about reaching the target.
The Ministry, therefore, implemented the tourism policy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to stimulate the market in the latter half of the year, particularly during the peak season, to generate an additional 2.4 trillion baht in tourism revenue and attract an extra 21.7 million foreign tourists to Thailand.
Up to 3 trillion baht is possible
The Chairman of Smart Tourism and Chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), Kitti Pornsiwajkit, who is also a member of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), estimated that Thailand has already reached the target of 17.5 million tourists in the first half of the year (January 1 – June 30, 2567). However, looking at the latter half of the year, Thailand’s tourism situation remains highly challenging, potentially leading to three scenarios:
Worst Case: estimated total revenue of 2.7 trillion baht ($73 billion), with 36 million foreign tourists generating 1.7 trillion baht and 200 million domestic Thai tourists contributing 0.9 trillion baht.
Base Case: estimated total revenue of 3 trillion baht ($81.5 billion), with 38 million foreign tourists generating 1.9 trillion baht and 220 million domestic Thai tourists contributing 1.1 trillion baht.
Best Case: estimated total revenue of 3.5 trillion baht ($95 billion), with 40 million foreign tourists generating 2.24 trillion baht and 229 million domestic Thai tourists contributing 1.26 trillion baht.
Tourists photograph the beauty of Wat Arun’s prang, a landmark of Bangkok, in the evening on June 15, 2024 (Khaosod Photo/ Narin Niempradit)
President of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) Chamnan Srisawat informed “Prachachat Business” that the TCT estimated total revenue could reach 2.7 trillion baht in the Worst case scenario, with 36 million foreign tourists possible. In the Best case scenario, revenue could reach 3 trillion baht with 38 million tourists, and the domestic Thai tourism market could see 220 million trips per year.
6 Strategies to Pump ฿3.5 Trillion
Chamnarn stated that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident that global demand will drive the country’s tourism sector to generate up to 3.5 trillion baht as the government targets. Therefore, he proposed six strategies to drive the tourism sector towards the Best Case scenario, achieving revenue of 3.5 trillion baht.
1. Establish the Thailand Team by proposing that TAT use its 29 international offices, collaborate with knowledgeable partners in every market, and accelerate marketing activities aggressively during the post-pandemic recovery phase.
This seeks to quickly draw 4 million tourists and strengthen marketing activities in potential markets such as Central Asia, India, China, and Chinese descendants in Singapore, Hong Kong, ASEAN, and Australia, in order to boost the duration of stay and expenditure per trip.
“Currently, Central Asian tourists spend an average of 100,000 baht per person per trip. Accelerating the development of Arabic language infrastructure and providing training to offer information in the medical and wellness sectors will attract quality tourists. Including additional activities to improve tourist spots, health tourism, sports tourism, cultural tourism, etc., or enabling Thailand to become a world-class retirement destination, will extend the length of stay and boost tourism revenue,” he said.
Indian tourists participated in the colorful Festival of Colours (HOLI) Pattaya Thailand at Pattaya Klang Beach on March 11, 2023.
2. Use airport hubs, buses, and tour companies as distribution channels to disperse tourists to various destinations to meet the policy of promoting tourist cities. The government is requested to help address issues and obstacles, such as developing public infrastructure and repairing and constructing tourist attractions, to ensure that local tourism products are ready for sale in both domestic and international markets.
3. Urgently accelerate the “Thai Market to Travel Thailand” campaign during this third quarter. For example, implement a nationwide bus tour project across all regions for three months in this third quarter, such as supporting 5,000 buses at 10,000 baht per bus. Implement a government tour project across Thailand, helping civil servants to travel on regular days or local Thai travel projects to increase tourism income during the low season.
4. Request the government to allocate a budget from the Digital Wallet project to support the tourism sector with 20% or 100,000 million baht.
5. Repair and construct tourist spots to improve the capabilities of personnel and entrepreneurs to ensure that tourists have a good experience at every step of the customer journey and become a springboard for the tourism sector to grow strong and sustainable in 2025 and following years.
6. Enhance the long-term competitiveness of tourism to push the Travel and Tourism Development Index, or TTDI, from 47th to 25th in the world, using tourism funds to repair and build infrastructure and tourist spots, upgrade standards, security, clean bathrooms, signposts, in both public and private sectors for balanced and sustainable growth.
Pattaya
“In the past, the government has given much attention and support, pushing for numerous mega-events, encouraging foreign film production, granting visas to 93 countries and regions, and encouraging secondary cities to become popular travel destinations through tax measures. However, I would like you to consider the five proposals from the Tourism Council. If these can be implemented, this year’s target of 3.5 trillion in revenue is certainly achievable,” Chamnarn said.
4 Countries Set to Surpass 2019 Visitor Numbers
President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) Sittiwat Chivaratnaporn stated that the number of international tourists entering Thailand from January 1 to June 23, 2024, has reached almost 17 million. This represents the halfway point towards the target of 35 million. It is expected that more than 17 million tourists will visit in the remaining half of the year.
Particularly during the high season, the tourist season at the end of the year, it remains to be seen whether the government’s goal of 36.7 million will be reached.
“Four countries are expected to be among the top five sources of foreign visitors to Thailand this year, with trends indicating they will surpass their previous highs from 2019. These countries are Malaysia (ranked 2nd), expected to have 5 million visitors, up from 2.9 million; India (ranked 3rd), expected to have 2 million visitors, up from 1.4 million; South Korea (ranked 4th), expected to have 1.8 million visitors, up from 1.2 million; and Russia (ranked 5th), expected to have 1.8 million visitors, up from 1 million,” said Mr. Sittiwat.
Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak blocks a penalty kick by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) during a round of sixteen match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Epic penalties drama for Ronaldo ends with Portugal beating Slovenia in a Euro 2024 shootout
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A game of epic personal drama and tears for Cristiano Ronaldo ended with his Portugal making the European Championship quarterfinals after beating Slovenia in a penalty shootout on Monday.
The last-16 game went the distance because Ronaldo’s extra-time spot kick in the 114th minute was saved by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak — leaving him in tears and consoled by every teammate before restarting play. Regulation and extra time finished 0-0.
When they went to penalties, Ronaldo scored his and Portugal’s first, and teammate Diogo Costa saved all three of Slovenia’s kicks from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbič.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after a round of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also scored for Portugal to seal the shootout 3-0 with two kicks to spare.
“I was sad and now I’m overjoyed. This is what football gives you,” Ronaldo said in translated comments in a post-game interview. “You cannot explain it.”
Portugal will face France in the quarterfinals on Friday in Hamburg, a rematch of the 2016 final that Portugal won in Paris after Ronaldo went off injured early.
Costa had already made his first save when Ronaldo walked up to take Portugal’s first kick of the shootout, and placed it perfectly low beyond Oblak diving to his right.
Ronaldo looked apologetically to the massed Portugal fans behind the goal and put his hands together as if in prayer. The fans responded with a bellowing shout of “Siuuuu” – their soccer icon’s trademark goal scream.
Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa saves the ball during penalties of a round of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Costa answered the rest of those prayers with as good a penalty shootout as any goalkeeper ever had. Then he was in tears, too.
“This is probably the best game of my life,” Costa said in translated comments. “I focused as hard as I could. I breathed in several times and went with my gut.”
A half-hour earlier, Ronaldo was distraught and crying at halftime in extra time after his penalty was saved by Oblak, diving to his left to push the ball against a post.
“We all know that Cris is the hardest worker. I understand how frustrated he is,” Costa said. “For me, it’s an honor to play on the same team.”
The personal duel between Ronaldo and Oblak was compelling enough merely in regulation time.
Portugal players celebrate their win against Slovenia during a round of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
It was an intensely frustrating first 90 for Ronaldo, who was — remarkably — still looking for his first goal at Euro 2024.
After three free kicks and two mistimed headers, the Portugal star seemed sure to score with his first clear shooting chance in open play.
It came in the 89th, when he ran clear on goal with the ball passed perfectly into his stride. The left-foot shot was low and powerful but Oblak’s block was better. Ronaldo held out his arms in exasperation yet again.
The intense drama for the Portugal superstar almost overwhelmed the troubled evening for Slovenia’s emerging star.
Benjamin Šeško had golden chances to win the game, in the 62nd and 115th minutes, going one on one with Costa after racing past 41-year-old defender Pepe.
The first was a weak shot that screwed wide of goal, and the second was powerful and accurate but saved by the outstretched boot of Costa.
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Mbappé and France into Euro 2024 quarterfinals after Kolo Muani’s late goal beats Belgium 1-0
DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Another frustrating match for Kylian Mbappé. Another underwhelming performance by France at the European Championship.
Didier Deschamps isn’t concerned — his team is into the quarterfinals.
“It’s beautiful,” the France coach said after Les Bleus relied on the ninth own-goal scored at Euro 2024 to squeeze past Belgium 1-0 in the round of 16 on Monday.
A heavyweight match between neighbors and teams ranked No. 2 (France) and No. 3 (Belgium) failed to live up to its billing, and the nature of the only goal proved to be fitting.
Randal Kolo Muani, on as a second-half substitute, turned in the area and sent in a shot in the 85th minute that deflected off Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen and looped over stranded goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
“I was lucky enough to get my shot on target,” he said of his decisive intervention. “It was blocked but it went in. We’re very, very happy and very, very proud.”
Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels, right, allows an own goal by Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen during a round of sixteen match between France and Belgium at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
UEFA thought differently about the destination of Kolo Muani’s shot and put it down as an own-goal, the latest in a tournament full of them.
It’s the second own-goal earned by France while there has also been a penalty by Mbappé. It means a France player has yet to score from open play.
“Even if today that goal was enough to get us to the quarterfinals, we have the capability to score more,” Deschamps said.
France will play Portugal or Slovenia in the last eight on Friday.
Mbappé, again wearing a mask to protect his broken nose sustained against Austria in France’s opening match, had five of France’s 20 shots but none were on target. He played mostly on the left wing and was well-marshalled by a Belgian defensive set-up that included Kevin De Bruyne — the team’s most creative player — deployed as a deep-lying midfielder.
Kylian Mbappe of France challenges for the ball with Belgium’s Yannick Carrasco during a round of sixteen match between France and Belgium at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
De Bruyne had more clearing headers than incisive passes before being pushed further forward for the final half-hour of the game. Back in his favored position, he created Belgium’s best chance when he played through Yannick Carrasco, who took too long over a shot that was blocked by France left back Theo Hernandez.
The match-winner, instead, was Kolo Muani, whose last big moment at a major tournament came when he bore down on goal in the last seconds of extra time in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina. His shot was saved by Emi Martinez, when a goal would surely have won the title for France.
France’s overall display will do little to stop the growing dissent among many of its fans who feel more can come from a talented bunch of players headlined by Mbappé, playing on the day he officially became a Real Madrid player.
Deschamps, however, was happy with his pragmatic tactics, saying: “We were intelligent, playing the waiting game and not falling into their trap.”
Mbappé will be playing in his first ever quarterfinal at the European Championship, with France having lost on a penalty shootout to Switzerland in the last 16 at the last tournament in 2021.
As for the Belgians, they head home after a fairly miserable Euro 2024, during which the players were jeered loudly by their own fans following a 0-0 draw with Ukraine at the end of the group stage.
Against France, they were intent on not leaving the game too open for the quick French attackers and the deployment of De Bruyne in a deeper role helped in that regard, even if it limited the team’s attacking options.
The tactic would have been a masterstroke had Belgium won. Unfortunately for coach Domenico Tedesco, it didn’t.
“To go into detail tonight,” he said, “is difficult for me.”
Police investigate the scene of Friday nights shooting in Utica, N.Y., early Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Kenny Lacy Jr./Syracuse.com via AP)
On Wednesday, Nyah Mway finished middle school in the central New York city where his family moved about a decade ago as refugees from Myanmar, relatives said.
By Friday night, the 13-year-old was fatally shot by police who’d tackled him to the ground after he allegedly pointed what turned out to be a BB gun at them during a foot chase.
Struggling to comprehend his death, his anguished relatives and outraged members of their immigrant community called Sunday for justice for him and accountability for police.
“We came to the United States, finally, to get the education and to get the good jobs here” and hoping for a peaceful life after decades of strife and violence in Myanmar, said Lay Htoo, who identified himself as one of Nyah’s cousins.
People line Shaw Street during a vigil for 13-year-old Nyah Mway in Utica, N.Y., Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Daniel DeLoach/Observer-Dispatch via AP)
But instead of celebrating the teen’s ascent to high school, his parents were waiting for medical examiners to release his body and wondering what would become of the officers.
“They want them to be in prison forever,” the cousin said in a phone interview.
As the state attorney general and the Utica Police Department investigate the shooting, Nyah’s relatives and other local members of Myanmar’s Karen ethnic minority said they planned to meet Sunday afternoon with Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime. A message seeking comment was sent to the mayor’s office.
For now, the officers are on paid administrative leave.
The shooting happened Friday night in Utica, an old industrial city where thousands of refugees from various countries have settled in recent decades, creating a measure of revival in a faded Rust Belt hub. The city’s population of 65,000 includes more than 4,200 people from Myanmar, according to The Center, a nonprofit group that helps to resettle refugees.
According to police, Nyah and another 13-year-old boy were stopped Friday night because they fit descriptions of suspects in an armed robbery that had happened Thursday in the same area, and because one teen was jaywalking. The police department declined Sunday to release the armed robbery report and its suspect description, citing the ongoing investigation.
The body camera video shows an officer saying he needs to pat them down for any weapons. Then one of the teens — identified as Nyah — runs away, turns and appears to point a black item at them.
This combination of images released by the Utica Police Department shows a replica of a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun recovered after an officer fatally shot a 13-year-old boy who had been tackled to the ground after he ran from police and pointed the replica gun at them on Friday, June 28, 2024, in Utica, N.Y. (Utica, N.Y., Police Department via AP)
The officers believed it was a handgun, police said, but it was later determined to be a BB or pellet gun that closely resembled a Glock 17 Gen 5 handgun with a detachable magazine. Police released an image showing the device did not have an orange band on the barrel that many BB gun-makers have added in recent years to distinguish their products from firearms.
Officer Bryce Patterson caught up with Nyah, tackled and punched him, and as the two wrestled on the ground, Officer Patrick Husnay opened fire, body camera video showed. Utica Police Chief Mark Williams said at a news conference Saturday that the single shot hit the youth in the chest.
A bystander video posted to Facebook also showed an officer tackling the teen and punching him as two other officers arrive, then a gunshot ringing out as the teen was on the ground.
Under New York law, the attorney general’s office looks into every death at the hands of law enforcement. The police department’s own probe will explore whether officers followed policies and training.
Williams called the shooting “a tragic and traumatic incident for all involved, and his department said it released information and the body camera video in keeping with “our commitment to transparency.”
To Nyah’s cousin, Isabella Moo, however, the police narrative seemed like “trying to criminalize him a lot more and trying to protect the police officers.”
“The escalation of this should not have happened, and our police officers need to be trained a lot better or a lot differently,” she said in a phone interview. “The city needs to be held accountable, and this should not have been done to any child.”
People light candles on the sidewalk during a vigil for 13-year-old Nyah Mway in Utica, N.Y., Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Daniel DeLoach/Observer-Dispatch via AP)
Karens are among groups warring with the military rulers of Myanmar, the Southeast Asian country formerly known as Burma. The army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021 and suppressed widespread nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.
Nyah’s family fled about two decades ago from Myanmar to Thailand, where he was born in a refugee camp, and then immigrated through a resettlement program to the United States about nine years ago, Htoo said. He said the teen’s father works at a convenience store.
Htoo said Nyah was keen on math, soccer and spending time with friends when not caring for his younger siblings. Interested in learning, he sometimes attended Bible study with his friends, though his family are Buddhists, the cousin said.
The cousin said he’d been told that on Friday night, the boy informed his mother he was going to a store to buy something, and that was the last she saw of him.
She hasn’t slept since, except for 10-minute naps, her tears resuming every time she awakens, he said.
Meet Melinda Good, Thailand's new World Bank Director
BANGKOK — Melinda Good has been appointed by the World Bank as the new Country Director for Thailand and Myanmar, beginning July 1, 2024. Good takes up this role at a difficult time for both countries.
Thailand is planning to host the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Bangkok, coinciding with the country’s 75th anniversary of World Bank membership. This milestone signals the end of a seven-decade partnership aimed at promoting social and economic development.
In Myanmar, despite huge challenges, including recent crises, Good’s leadership will oversee the World Bank’s Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) approach. This includes providing strategic insights to help communities that are struggling.
“I am honored to take on this new position,” said Good, an American who has been with the World Bank since 2005, holding various leadership positions in South Asia, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. Her extensive expertise includes jobs with the Asian Development Bank and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, where she began her career as a private equity lawyer.
Melinda Good previously held various leadership positions in South Asia, including in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Good’s principal duties in accepting the position include overseeing World Bank projects in Thailand and Myanmar, as well as conducting World Bank policy discussions with civil society. Educational institutions, businesses, and other partnerships for Thailand.
Good will focus on implementing the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the fiscal year 2025-2029, which the World Bank will use as a blueprint to support Thailand’s transition to a sustainable high-income country. The framework for national development cooperation will align with the World Bank’s goal of reducing severe poverty. and growth in a livable society
In Myanmar, the World Bank’s initiatives include rigorous analytical research and knowledge sharing through platforms such as the Myanmar Monitoring Platform. Projects such as the Myanmar Community Support Project (MCSP), which is implemented in collaboration with the World Food Programme and the International Committee of the Red Cross, aim to improve food security and livelihoods in hit areas
Good’s tenure as Country Director provides a dedicated focus on attaining sustainable development and boosting robustness in Thailand and Myanmar in the face of growing global challenges, especially during the economic aftermath of COVID-19.
Atthaya Thitikul, left, and Ruoning Yin kiss their trophies after winning the Dow Championship LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul of Thailand made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole as she and Ruoning Yin of China won the Dow Championship on Sunday by closing with an 8-under 62 in the fourballs format.
Thitikul and and Yin, good friends who each briefly were No. 1 in the women’s world ranking, gave themselves a team nickname of “Jin and Ronic” and had every reason to celebrate.
They led by two on the back nine over Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho until Ewing nearly single-handedly rallied to tie for the lead. Ewing birdied the 14th and 15th holes at Midland Country Club and hit a tough chip to save par on the 16th to stay tied.
Atthaya Thitikul, of Thailand, right, and partner Ruoning Yin, of China, celebrate after a birdie on the 18th hole during the final round of the Dow Championship LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)Ruoning Yin, left, and Atthaya Thitikul, right, hold their trophies after winning the Dow Championship LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Thitikul and Ruoning played in the group ahead, and Thitikul hit a tee shot on the par-3 18th over water to 12 feet behind the cup. Her birdie putt was true all the way, and they were all smiles as they headed to the clubhouse to see if it would hold up.
“I was so nervous,” Thitikul said. “I knew this putt was for both of us. I wanted to make it so bad.”
The key to fourballs is to have two looks at birdies on every hole, and Ewing was having to carry the load down the stretch. Kupcho started misfiring off the tee and with her irons, and she was scrambling for par. Ewing kept them in the game with her steady play.
Knowing they needed birdie on the final hole, Kupcho made a shot that came up short and rolled back, spared from going into the water by a thick patch of rough. But it gave her a tough chip up a slope to the green, and she left it some 15 feet short.
Ruoning Yin, left, and Atthaya Thitikul, right, cross the bridge to the 18th green for the ceremony as they are introduced as the winners of the Dow Championship LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Ewing had about 25 feet below the hole for a birdie chance to force a playoff, but it was on the low side of the cup the whole way and they had to settle for par and a 64.
“We got off to a slow start, but we hung in there. It wasn’t easy,” Ewing said. “I think in these tournaments, if you get to hole 18 and you have a chance to win the golf tournament or force a playoff, that’s all you ask for.”
Ewing and Kupcho have been teammates in the Solheim Cup but never partners. That might change for this year, particularly in foursomes.
“It was a fun week with Jen, and it’s hopefully something we can do again at the Solheim,” Ewing said.
Kupcho won the Dow Championship two years ago with Lizette Salas as her teammate.
Atthaya Thitikul watches her tee shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the Dow Championship LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA Tour. Thitikul and Yin each get credit for their third career LPGA title, and each won $366,082. That was enough to push Yin over $1 million for the year with her first official LPGA win since the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship last year.
“We just had a lot of fun,” Yin said. “We keep each other accountable. For that (winning) putt, I had a feeling she’s going to make it. Just walk in.”
Then she looked over at Thitikul and said with a smile, “Good job.”
Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Nicole Broch Estrup of Denmark closed with a 63 and tied for third with the South Korea duo of Haeji Kang and In Kyung Kim, who shot a 65.
Lexi Thompson and Brooke Henderson had 14 teams in front of them when they started the final round and never had a serious chance. They shot 63 but still finished six shots behind in a tie for eighth.
The three institutions comprising KMUTNB, represented by the President Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Suchart Siengchin; BYD Company Limited, represented by Mr. Xun Meng, Deputy General Manager of BYD Human Resources Division; together with Henan Mechanical and Electrical Vocational College, as represented by Mr. Yao Yong, Secretary of HMEVC Party Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on academic cooperation on June 29, 2024.
The signing ceremony had the honor of being witnessed by the management of all Parties, comprising Prof. Dr. Teravuti Boonyasopon, Chairman of KMUTNB Council Committee; Dr. Somyos Keratichewanun, Distinguished Member of the University Council; alongside key administrators including Asst. Prof. Preecha Ong-aree, Director of KMUTNB Techno Park; Prof. Dr. Saowanit Sukparungsee. Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the executives from BYD and HMEVC.
The main purpose of this MOU is to promote continuous curriculum development and to enhance the links between 2 main paths of education, i.e. vocational education and higher education. KMUTNB offers qualified students from HMEVC the opportunity to pursue the Bachelor of Technology degree programs (B.Tech.) in Modern Automotive Technology and Automation, or other related courses.
Teaching and learning activities will be organized at KMUTNB Techno Park, Map Ta Phut, Rayong campus and at the Main Campus in Bangkok. Human resource development activities to help personnel develop their skills will be trained by faculty members of HMEVC. Additionally, BYD staff are offered the opportunity to attend KMUTNB’s international programs in various fields at the graduate level.
More importantly, a number of collaborative projects and joint activities will be carried out to foster mutually beneficial results.
A few examples of the activities include scientific research collaborations; research and innovation partnerships;
collaborative industrial development projects;
multi-technology information dissemination;
international conferences or seminars;
Sino-Thai cultural exchanges along with binational exchange programs for faculty and students;
training programs for personnel competency development;
conducting commercial research; development of EV products and manufacturing processes;
improving and boosting renewable power to keep up with the technological changes in the digital age;
fostering new and related knowledge which would contribute to innovation transfer of modern world knowledge, expertise and technology immersive experiences among the three institutions.
