Mahidol Shines Among Top 20 Globally in THE Impact Rankings, Leads in Thailand

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12 June 2024, 22:06

Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Times Higher Education (THE)

BANGKOK — The Times Higher Education (THE) successfully hosted the 2024 Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) in Thailand. This was the third year in a row they organized this event, following the first in England and the second in Saudi Arabia.

The congress took place from June 10-13, 2024, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. It was a joint effort with Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.

The congress aimed to encourage collaboration among universities to support sustainability goals. Alongside the event, THE published the 2024 “THE Impact Rankings,” which highlight universities that are actively contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These rankings assess universities in four main areas: research, university policies and practices, societal engagement at local and global levels, and teaching quality.

In 2024, 222 universities from Asia took part in the rankings. Thailand played a significant role as one of the world’s top contributors, with 77 Thai universities included in the rankings. This marked an increase from 65 universities in 2023 and 51 in 2022. The universities included public and private institutions, Rajabhat Universities, and Rajamangala Universities from various provinces.

Mahidol-Thammasat climb, Chula drop

The 2024 THE Impact Rankings have identified Western Sydney University in Australia as the top performer globally, followed closely by the University of Manchester, the University of Tasmania, Aalborg University in Denmark, and RMIT University in Australia.

Mahidol University stands out among Thai universities, achieving a global ranking of 19th overall in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings. It excelled notably in SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-Being, ranking third globally with a score of 94.5 points.

Additionally, Mahidol University performed strongly in Gender Equality (5th globally), Industrial Innovation and Infrastructure (9th globally), and Partnership for Goals (17th globally).

In contrast, Chulalongkorn University dropped to 43rd globally from its previous rank of 17th, while Chiang Mai University slipped to 75th from 74th. However, Thammasat University showed improvement, climbing to 81st from the 101-200 range.

Mahidol University is Thailand’s highest-ranked university overall, sharing the 19th position globally. It leads among Thai universities in five SDGs: Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Thailand boasts two universities in the top 50 globally, four in the top 100, and nine in the top 200 in the overall category of THE Impact Rankings. With 77 universities ranked, Thailand ranks seventh globally in university representation. Thai universities are prominently featured in the top 100 across 15 out of the 17 SDGs, with significant presence in SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 4 – Quality Education, and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, each having five universities in the top 100.

Climb the ladder

Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Times Higher Education (THE), outlined the pivotal factors contributing to universities’ success. He highlighted a comprehensive four-fold evaluation framework: research impact, teaching quality, university practices (stewardship) in implementing SDG-related research, and outreach initiatives fostering collaboration with society at local, regional, and global levels.

The rankings also reflect each university’s overall performance across the four frameworks. However, THE Impact Rankings go further by categorizing universities into 17 specific Goals, highlighting their unique strengths such as Gender Equality, Good Health & Well-Being reducing poverty, and Life Below Water. This approach helps showcase the diverse goals and capabilities of each university.

Therefore, when a university scores very well in one aspect but receives a bad overall score in the world rankings, it doesn’t mean that the university is not good on a global stage. For example, a university near the sea might focus on SDGs related to Life Below Water, demonstrating its specialized expertise in that area. THE Impact Rankings encompass all 17 Goals, allowing universities to emphasize their particular strengths and contributions effectively.

“This underscores how universities can leverage their unique strengths to contribute to global rankings.”

When asked about the benefits of being ranked in the Impact Rankings for Thai universities, THE highlighted the global importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), comparing them to the artificial intelligence. They explain that sustainability goes beyond just industries. it also includes education. Teaching sustainability is crucial for raising awareness and knowledge among future generations.

‘THE SDGs’ cover a range of issues such as environmental protection, gender equality, justice, hunger relief, and poverty reduction—each represented among their 17 goals. Therefore, universities recognized for their achievements in any of these areas play a vital role in preparing graduates who excel across various fields and contribute significantly to global sustainability efforts.

Local Strengths to Global Challenges

Baty continued, noting the enthusiasm among Thai universities that submitted data for the rankings, reflecting a strong desire to ascend global standings—a positive development. However, he acknowledged that the proportion of universities participating in the rankings versus those achieving rankings remains relatively small compared to other nations.

Regarding the role of university size and history in evaluations, Baty said that “THE Impact Rankings do not assess a university’s size, heritage, funding, or reputation. This ensures fairness for young & dynamic institutions with exceptional results.”

He concludes by highlighting the unique strengths found in many Thai universities, whether they are in big cities or rural areas. He noted that while these universities excel in different areas, there’s a challenge in making local research recognized globally. This involves not just presenting research on an international scale but also making sure it’s widely shared and applied across borders—a difficult task for many Thai institutions.

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Wealthy Woman Falls Victim to $5.4Million Scam, 76 Suspects Involved

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Khaosod English

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12 June 2024, 21:30

PATHUM THANI — An elderly and wealthy woman in Kanchanaburi province, who had been a supplier management specialist at a prestigious college in the United States, was scammed and lost 200 million baht (5.4 million USD).

Cyber police investigated the case and found 76 persons involved, acting as mule account holders across the country. They collected evidence and applied for 69 arrest warrants at Nonthaburi Provincial Court, with 7 suspects turning themselves in.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Worawat Watnakornbancha, commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), said the woman was deceived by a group posing as government officials who falsely accused her of money laundering and threatened her to transfer money for verification. She believed them and transferred money to the criminals’ accounts 115 times, resulting in a loss of over 200 million baht.

Then, he sent the task force with an arrest warrant from Nonthaburi Provincial Court to apprehend Mr. Sombat Kaewmani, 31, a resident of Pathum Thani province. Mr. Sombat was one of the members of the gang who had opened the accounts for the money transfers.

The cyber police launched Operation “SAVING GOOD MAN” to dismantle this global call center fraud network. In the process, 40 suspects were arrested and 29 others are still being pursued. Mr. Sombat was arrested in the Khlong Sip Song area in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district.

He was charged with “conspiracy to defraud the public, conspiracy to impersonate another person to defraud, conspiracy to enter false data into a computer system whereby the public could be harmed, and allowing others to use their bank accounts, electronic cards or e-wallets without the intent to use them for their own purposes, knowing or having knowledge that they would be used for technological or other criminal offenses.”

Pol. Lt. Gen. Worawat added that during interrogation, Mr. Sombat confessed that he had applied for an online job via Facebook in late 2023. Someone contacted him, offering a salary of 8,000-12,000 baht. He was then picked up from Khlong Paet, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani, and taken to Poipet, Cambodia, via an illegal natural border crossing at Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province.

When he reached the border, an intermediary took him through a warehouse and across a river on a makeshift foam raft to a 25-story building in Poipet, near the Thai border. Mr. Sombat worked at the call center for about six months and was confined to the designated area. His job was to open bank accounts and scan his face for transactions of more than 50,000 baht to transfer money to other accounts.

He was paid 4,000 baht to open an account and 1,000 baht a day for face scans, with higher payments depending on the transaction amount. He eventually decided to flee back to Thailand before he was arrested by the police.

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Tragic Chatuchak Pet Market Fire Reveals Heartbreaking of Self-Biting Snakes

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Khaosod English

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12 June 2024, 13:44

Mexican-Black-Kingsnake-07 — Nitipoomthanat Mingrujiralai Facebook page

BANGKOK – One hundred eighteen shops were burned on Tuesday at a pet-and-ornamental fish center in Chatuchak Park Fish Market on Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road, Chatuchak Subdistrict, Bangkok. The fire resulted in the deaths of hundreds of pets, including snakes.

Nitipoomthanat Mingrujiralai posted a message on his personal Facebook page on June 12. He mentioned that when the fire broke out in a store, many snakes suffered, and some had to bite themselves.

The snake in the image that perished after biting itself is also recognized as a Kingsnake. It is a member of the Mexican Black Kingsnake (MBK) species and is not venomous. This serpent has an entirely black appearance and is renowned for its non-hostile demeanor. It is famous as a domestic animal, with costs varying from thousands to tens of thousands of baht. Moreover, it should be noted that snakes generally do not thrive in high temperatures.

When the picture was published, it caused a lot of emotional distress on social media. Many wondered why snakes die when they bite themselves. Is it self-harm or not?

chatuchak2 1 — Police officers inspect inside the pet market on June 12, 2024.

Mr. Nirut Chomngam, a respected reptile expert and the founder of the herpetology group, has addressed the issue, clarifying that the snake’s self-biting should not be interpreted as suicide.

He mentioned that snakes biting themselves can be caused by various factors such as stress, neurological symptoms, and a lack of self-control. This behavior may be triggered by an injury or feeling attacked or hurt, leading to a defensive reaction by biting themselves. Frequently, the bite may not be accurate, and they end up biting themselves unintentionally.

It is also mentioned that snakes are animals with a high level of toughness. When they are run over or hit by a car, they tend to have a lot of resilience and take a long time to die because they are cold-blooded animals, which means their brains require less oxygen compared to warm-blooded animals.

Sometimes, it can take a long time for a snake to die, and it may show signs of suffering during this period. These symptoms are beyond the snake’s control, causing it to twist and turn in agony. As a result, the snake may open its mouth, and anything that comes into contact with its mouth may get bitten immediately.

Another issue is related to the structure of the snake’s teeth. Their pointed tips are designed to hook into the prey’s body, making it difficult for the prey to escape once the snake sinks its fangs in. If the snake were to bite itself in distress, it would struggle to release its mouth due to the hooked teeth, leading to the unfortunate situation where the bite would remain until the snake’s death.

This is a truly distressing sight that has led to great sadness. Many people commenting online have expressed their wish for these animals to find peace.

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21 Indian Admins of Gambling Site Arrested in Pattaya, 100M Baht Circulated

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Khaosod English

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11 June 2024, 22:31

CHONBURI – After receiving information about an illegal cross-border online gambling website being operated from the premises, authorities took action on June 11. The Transnational Crime Suppression Center and the Immigration Police of Chonburi Province, carried with a search warrant from the Pattaya Provincial Court, inspected a house in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

Upon inspection of the large two-story house with a surrounding fence and a swimming pool, they found 8 Indian nationals on the ground floor working as admin staff for the online gambling website.

They were seated in front of computers, chatting with customers and controlling the deposit and withdrawal system. In the upstairs bedrooms, another 13 Indian men were found sleeping, bringing the total to 21 individuals.

india scam3 — Immigration Police of Chonburi Province inspected a house in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province on June 11, 2024.

The police invited all the Indian nationals downstairs to check their documents. It was discovered that 8 of the Indian men did not have passports, while the rest had complete passports with foreign student visas.

The authorities seized 8 laptop computers, over 100 mobile phones, numerous SIM cards, a notebook containing customer names, and papers with admin staff rules written in Hindi posted on the walls, which stated prohibitions against drinking alcohol during work, being late for work, and disturbing others.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatchai Surachethphong, Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, revealed that the arrest followed the Transnational Crime Suppression Center’s investigation, which found that the house had been rented by Indian nationals since August of the previous year.

Suspicions arose due to the large number of Indian individuals staying in the house, only appearing when receiving or buying cooking ingredients, and the electricity bill surging to 30,000-40,000 baht per month. After gathering evidence and obtaining a search warrant from the Pattaya Provincial Court, a joint force from relevant agencies conducted the raid.

It was discovered that this group of Indian nationals managed 7 online gambling websites, with a senior Indian member who is currently being sought for questioning. The websites had a circulation of over 200 million rupees, equivalent to approximately 100 million baht, through bank accounts in India. The location of the website servers is currently unknown and under investigation.

Initially, all 21 Indian nationals were taken into custody along with evidence to file an arrest report at the Pattaya City Police Station. The Chonburi Immigration Office was contacted to verify the legality of their entry and exit from the country, and they will be blacklisted and banned from entering Thailand.

india scam5 — all 21 Indian nationals were taken into custody along with evidence to file an arrest report at the Pattaya City Police Station.

Beggars Can Make 100K Baht, Gov’t Discourages Giving

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Khaosod English

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11 June 2024, 21:10

BANGKOK — The side effects of reopening the country to promote tourism have led to an increase in beggars in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok and the larger provinces.

Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), said in an interview on 11 June 2024 that the ministry is working with various agencies, particularly in Bangkok, including the Royal Thai Police and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. They conduct inspections five times a month as daily checks are not possible due to other commitments of MSDHS staff. Therefore, the public is encouraged to report sightings of beggars so that the ministry can respond immediately.

In terms of dealing with beggars, foreign beggars are repatriated while Thai beggars are sent to MSDHS shelters where they receive vocational training and work support. One reason some beggars return to begging is that the fines are less than their income and they can earn substantial amounts.

Warawut also asked why the beggars’ income was so high that fines were worthwhile. The main sources of income for beggars are tourists and the general public, as Thai society is very charitable. New forms of begging often involve children or pets. If children are present, officials will check the relationship with the accompanying adults and take legal action if they are not relatives.

“In the last 10 years, we have picked up about 7,000 beggars, of whom about 30% were foreigners. However, the increasing number of beggars requires the cooperation of the public to stop giving alms.”

When asked about the income beggars receive from tourists, Warawut said there is no confirmation, but during the high season, especially in tourist-rich areas, beggars can earn nearly 100,000 baht per month. He speculated that this could be organized groups placing beggars in strategic locations. Even if a person earns 20,000 baht a month and pays a fine of 5,000 baht, that is still profitable from a beggar’s point of view. So giving money to beggars only encourages them to beg more.

Saenyakorn Unmeesri, director of the Bangkok Social Development Office (SDO), said the SDO provides social services (drop-in centers) for the homeless at two locations: under Phra Pinklao Bridge and in Soi Sakae. These centers offer counseling, health checks, mobile ID services, toilets, laundry and bathing facilities provided by the Mirror Foundation. The SDO has created a database of homeless people in Bangkok to categorize their problems and their need for help.

At the same time, SDO has worked with relevant government and private agencies to regulate beggars and homeless people in public spaces and continuously urge the public and tourists to stop giving money to beggars near BTS stations and public places in Bangkok.

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Phuket Officials Find Body of American Swept Away at Rawai Beach

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Khaosod English

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11 June 2024, 18:50

There were a lot of tourists at Rawai Beach when Mr. James Everett Du Bois, a 49-year-old American, was swept away on Sunday, June 9, 2024. The search team found his body just before midnight on June 10.

PHUKET — A 49-year-old American man who quit his job in the United States and moved to Thailand to be with his 3-and-a-half-year-old child was found dead. His body washed up on Rawai Beach, Phuket Province, after he was swept away on Sunday afternoon.

The search team officials found the body of Mr. James Everett Du Bois, a 49-year-old American, around midnight on Monday at Nai Han Beach.

Ms. Siriamorn, a 49-year-old American wife, said that the family usually goes to play in the water at Nai Han Beach every Sunday. At 4:00 p.m. on the day of the incident, the waves seemed slightly erratic. The father and child went swimming first while she went to change her clothes.

american found1 — The search team found the body of Mr. James Everett Du Bois, a 49-year-old American, just before midnight on June 10, 2024.

When she followed them into the sea, the water was normal. At that time, there were children playing all over the place, and they were in the same area. But after a while, waves suddenly started hitting her. When she regained her balance, she looked for her husband and child but couldn’t see them anymore. There were a lot of tourists at that time, and she asked the lifeguards for help. One person went in and brought her son back. She told them that her husband was still missing, but the lifeguards couldn’t find him.

Then, the officials from the Rawai Subdistrict Municipality organized a search team, including a team of divers. However, they had to face unfavorable weather conditions. The operation was suspended for two nights at around 10:30 PM. On Monday night, even though the search operation had been suspended, the rescue team still shone lights along the beach and finally found Du Bois’ body floating near the shore close to where he had disappeared.

After his wife confirmed his identity, the officials then took the body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a forensic autopsy.

Tatler Gen.T reveals the Leaders of Tomorrow, a list of the brightest young leaders who are shaping Asia’s future

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Contributor

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11 June 2024, 17:04

The 2024 list includes 28 groundbreaking changemakers from Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand – Tatler, the leading luxury media and platform under Tatler Asia, reveals the names of 28 Thai young leaders on the 2024 Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow –a list of those who are shaping Asia’s future and inspiring people as innovators, artists, designers, social entrepreneurs, athletes and more.

Tatler Gen.T is the definitive guide to Asia’s most promising young leaders, recognising and celebrating those who are driving change and creating a positive impact. Since 2016, Tatler Gen.T has acknowledged the achievements of over 3,100 individuals shaping the region’s future. These young leaders come from diverse backgrounds across 20 categories, including Education, Food and Beverage, Healthcare and Sciences, and Social Entrepreneurship, spanning six countries around Asia, namely Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

In Thailand, 28 enthusiastic young leaders have been selected for the 2024 cohort. Tatler Gen.T discovers, supports, and amplifies the impact of these individuals through its regional platforms and networks. The Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow is published annually in print and online at TatlerAsia.com, and celebrated at a series of events across Asia, where new members are welcomed into the expanding community each year.

Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow

Being recognised as a Leader of Tomorrow signifies a major milestone in a young leader’s recent efforts to create positive change.

A Leader of Tomorrow increases access to like-minded individuals, fostering connections, networking, and the exchange of ideas. Tatler Gen.T catalyses the impact of these honourees, also helping them to scale and grow. This recognition is the first step of the journey’s beginning with Tatler, which provides access and growth opportunities.

Leaders of Tomorrow benefit from media exposure, support, and connections through extensive community and Tatler Asia’s media platforms, enhancing their ability to amplify their positive impact and expand their professional and personal networks.

2024 Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow’ from Thailand

Architecture & Design:

○ Benyapa Sirisopon, Founder and design director, VAIR Design

The Arts area:

○ Darisa Karnpoj, Artist, Riety

○ Nisa Srikumdee, Artist, Crybaby

Education:

○ Kornvuthi Lapprathana, Founder and CEO, Tech Up

○ Pearadet Mukyangkoon, Co-founder and CEO, Cariber

○ Viracha Poolvaraluk, Founder, Vira Care

○ Parith Thiengtham, Co-founder, Edsy

Entertainment:

○ Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, Actress and model

○ Awat Ratanapintha, Actor

○ Pramote Pathun, Co-founder and CEO, Khotkool

Fashion & Beauty:

○ Pipatchara Kaeojida, Co-founder, Pipatchara

○ Chayadhorn Kitiyadisai, Founder, INGU

○ Thanisa Veerasaksri, Co-founder and CEO, Ravipa

Finance & Venture Capital:

○ Thiranun Arunwattanakul, COO, Monix

Food & Beverage:

○ Ronnaporn Kanivichaporn, Owner and Bartender

○ Sareen Rojanametin, Chef and Founder, Small Dinner Club

○ Dalad Kambhu, Chef, Kid Dee

Manufacturing & Energy:

○ Peerapatr Sirichantaropart, CEO, Sharge

Media & Marketing:

○ Sirima Chaipreechawit, CEO, The GroundControl

Public service & Law:

○ Pornphrom Vikitsreth, Advisor to the Governor and chief sustainability officer, Bangkok metropolitan Administration

Sports:

○ Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Badminton player, Pornphrom

Sustainability:

○ Varangtip Satchatippvarn, Founder & CEO, Ira

○ Parkpoom Kometsopha, Co-founder and director, Wonwon

○ Panalee Phatraprasit, Vice President, Simummuang Market

Technology:

○ Charlie Withayachamnankul, Co-founder and CEO, Resubae

○ Methawee Thatsanasateankit, Co-founder and CEO, Vulcan

○ Kulthirath Pakawachkrilers, Co-founder and CEO, Thailand e-Business Center

Transportation & Logistics:

○ Phraeophan Sarochwimolsin, Co-founder, 360Truck and 360Techx

Tatler Asia aims to foster communities and support the positive impact that young leaders strive to achieve. Additionally, for the eighth consecutive year since 2016, it has announced the new generation of leaders who are shaping the future of Asia.

#LeadersofTomorrow #TatlerAsia #TatlerGenT #TheNewTatlerThailand

#Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Leadership #Strategy #growth

Three Political Cases Trigger Thai Stock Plunge, Foreign Investors Sell Off

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Khaosod English

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11 June 2024, 16:41

srettha 11-06-2024 — Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin attended the regular Cabinet meeting on June 11, 2024.

BANGKOK — The current high uncertainty in Thai politics has prompted foreign investors to sell Thai shares worth a total of 24.4 billion baht for 13 consecutive trading days from May 21 to June 10, 2024, according to figures from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

The Thai stock market index plunged on June 10, reaching its lowest level in almost four years. Investors and analysts cited political concerns as the main cause.

Three major political cases are ongoing this June: former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is facing charges of lèse-majesté under Section 112, the Move Forward Party is set to be dissolved for lobbying for an amendment to Section 112, and the case against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in which 40 senators have petitioned the Constitutional Court to decide whether his term should be terminated due to the appointment of Pichit Chuenban, who has potentially disqualifying qualities as a minister.

AP24161135343108 — Former leader of Move Forward party Pita Limjaroenrat, right, talks to reporters during a news conference at the party’s office in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, June 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jintamas Saksornchai)

Prime Minister Srettha acknowledged that the political situation is one of the market’s concerns, but he believes that each case is individual. In the case of Thaksin Shinawatra, it is a personal matter. The case of the Move Forward Party will be decided by parliamentary mechanisms. As for his own case, he has already made his statement and will respect the decision of the Constitutional Court.

When asked whether the situation would improve if all three cases were solved, the Prime Minister said it was inappropriate to speculate about the future.

Chaiporn Nompitakcharoen, Managing Director of Securities Trading at Bualuang Securities Public Company Limited, explained that foreign investors sold more than 89 billion baht in Thai stocks in the first five months of 2024, the baht depreciated by 5.47 percent since the beginning of the year and the Thai stock market index fell by 6.2 percent.

thaksin pathum1 — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gives an interview to a group of reporters at the ordination ceremony in Pathum Thani Province on June 8, 2024

Meanwhile, investors are waiting for additional stimulus measures from the government, particularly the delayed approval of the 2024 state budget and lower than expected export growth, although listed company (SET) earnings rose 1.7 percent year-on-year in the first quarter.

He believes the Thai stock market remains unpromising in the second half of this year due to a lack of investor confidence caused by various risk factors. These include the slow recovery of the Thai economy in the second half of the year, delays in the implementation of new government measures and potential economic downturns.

Domestic consumption is also weakening, as evidenced by declining sales of durable goods such as cars, motorcycles, real estate and electrical appliances for several consecutive months. This increases the risk that this year’s GDP target will be revised downwards.

As for the Ministry of Finance’s idea to reintroduce the LTF (Long-Term Equity Fund), it is assumed that the tax deduction amount will not be that high because the government will have to use the funds mainly for the digital wallet project. Therefore, the reintroduction of LTF is estimated to be around 10-15 billion baht compared to the previous 20-30 billion baht.

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Pets in Chatuchak Market Need Help After Fire Kills Hundreds of Them

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Khaosod English

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11 June 2024, 16:06

Thailand's worst fire for pets occurred at 4:30 a.m. on June 11, at Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — “It’s heartbreaking. I never thought that we would see not only people as victims, but this time it’s the adorable pets. I don’t even want to look at the dogs that died because they were trapped in cages and couldn’t escape,” said Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok Governor, after inspecting the damage at Chatuchak Weekend Market, which caught fire before dawn on Tuesday.

Thailand’s worst fire for pets occurred at 4:30 a.m. on June 11. Most pet shop owners were away and unable to save their animals in time. All 118 units at the Sri Samrat Market, a center for pets and ornamental fish in Chatuchak completely burned down.

It took one hour to control the fire, and police suspected an electrical short-circuit as the cause of the fire.

chatchart cahtichak — Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok Governor, inspects the damage at Chatuchak Weekend Market, which caught fire before dawn on Tuesday.

There are no reports of human casualties, but the fire killed hundreds pets and exotic animals perished. Among those killed were many puppies such as poodles, Pomeranians, and Shih Tzus, as well as cats, monkeys, exotic birds including cockatoos, and fish.

In the afternoon while the officials were inspecting the scene, reporters noticed that there was one surviving chicken sitting glumly in a cage at a shop that had been burned down, while all the other chickens had died. They informed the officials, who then brought metal cutting equipment to cut the lock and open the door to finally rescue the chicken.

AP24163218026596 — A Thai rescuer carries a survived chicken from a fire at Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the most famous markets in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Hundreds of caged animals died Tuesday after the fire struck the market in Thailand’s capital. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Reporters also noticed that there was still a smell of smoke, and they heard the sound of building debris collapsing more than three times from morning until noon.

Mr. Chadchart said he had asked the State Railway of Thailand, the owner of the market’s land, to arrange a space for selling animals to relocate the surviving animals, such as fighting cocks, rabbits, hamsters, and snakes, as well as to provide electricity so that shops selling ornamental fish can have oxygen to keep the fish alive.

According to Ms. Mee Cha Lae Chae, 36, an employee at one of the shops, she was sleeping on the mezzanine above the shop, guarding rare birds, when she suddenly heard various pets making loud noises and the area was filled with smoke, making it difficult to breathe. She had to climb out the window and jump down from the upper floor to escape. The most expensive rare bird in the shop was a Pitta bird, priced at 30,000 baht.

Mr. Sakda Banphachulchinda, 54, owner of TK Farm shop, said his shop is located across from the incident site and sells various exotic animals imported from abroad, ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of baht each, with a total value of tens of millions of baht in the shop. Fortunately, his shop was not affected by the fire. The market where the incident occurred sells similar animal products.

He said the fire started from a corner shop on the road that sells birds, which currently sells small dog breeds such as Poodles, Shih Tzus, and Pomeranians. The shop is run by the owner without any employees. At night, they leave fans on for the dogs all night long. It is suspected that an electrical short circuit caused the incident.

Initially, the Chatuchak District Office has set up a table for shop owners to register and assess the damage value of each shop. They are also waiting for officers from the Forensic Science Division to come and investigate the cause of the fire.

Mrs. Patkorn Sinsuk, Director of Chatuchak District, stated that the Bang Sue Police Station, along with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the Chatuchak District Office, and other relevant agencies, have come to provide assistance to the affected vendors.

As for the initial compensation for the victims, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will provide 11,400 baht per operator. Regarding the preparation of a new area for the vendors, it is the responsibility of the SRT, which is currently in the process of making arrangements.

As for the cause of the fire, the police forensic team is still at the scene, and it is not yet known where the point of origin was. Initially, no one is allowed to enter the area because there is still a risk of building collapse.

According to the Associated Press report, Chatuchak weekend market is a major tourist draw, bringing in shoppers from all over the world to browse its hundreds of shops and stalls for items ranging from food and drink to clothing, furniture, plants, books and pets.

Wildlife organizations have often accused some vendors of involvement in the trafficking of rare and endangered species, such as turtles, tortoises and birds.

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Singapore Airlines Offers Compensation to Passengers on Flight That Hit Extreme Turbulence

By

Associated Press

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11 June 2024, 11:54

Thailand Singapore Flight — FILE - The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Singapore Airlines, front, is parked after the SQ321 London-Singapore flight, that encountered severe turbulence, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, near Bangkok, Thailand, on May 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Singapore Airlines said Tuesday it has offered compensation to passengers of a flight that hit extreme turbulence last month, in a rare case that killed one passenger and injured dozens.

The Being 777 jet, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew from London to Singapore, ran into sudden turbulence over the Irrawaddy basin on May 20, hurling people and items around the cabin. The plane diverted to Thailand.

A 73-year-old British man died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were hospitalized including those with spinal, brain and bone or organ damages. Nineteen people remained hospitalized in Bangkok.

Singapore Airlines said it has offered $10,000 in compensation for passengers with minor injuries.

“For those who sustained more serious injuries from the incident, we have invited them to discuss a compensation offer to meet each of their specific circumstances when they feel well and ready to do so,” it said in a statement.

Those medically assessed to have sustained serious injuries, requiring long-term medical care and requesting financial assistance will receive an advance payment of $25,000 for their immediate needs, it said. “This will be part of the final compensation that these passengers will receive,” it said.

The airline said it will also provide full air fare refunds to all passengers on the flight, including those without any injuries. All passengers will also receive delay compensation in accordance with European Union or U.K. regulations, it said.

The airline added that it had already given all passengers 1,000 Singapore dollars ($739) each for their immediate needs, covered medical expenses of injured passengers, and arranged for their family members and loved ones to fly up to Bangkok where requested.

A preliminary investigation by Singapore’s Transport Ministry said the plane went through huge swings in g-force in less than five seconds, likely causing the injuries to people who weren’t buckled into their seats. It said the jet dropped 178 feet (54 meters) in less than one second, which “likely resulted in the occupants who were not belted up to become airborne” before falling back down.

Officials said the turbulence was believed to have struck when meals were being served and many people were not using seat belts. Passengers have described the “ sheer terror ” of the aircraft shuddering, loose items flying and injured people lying paralyzed on the floor of the plane.

It was unclear what caused the turbulence. Most people associate turbulence with heavy storms, but the most dangerous type is so-called clear air turbulence. Such turbulence can occur in wispy cirrus clouds or even in clear air near thunderstorms, as differences in temperature and pressure create powerful currents of fast-moving air.

According to a 2021 report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, turbulence accounted for 37.6% of all accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018. The Federal Aviation Administration has said there were 146 serious injuries from turbulence from 2009 to 2021.

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