Surviving Geopolitics: Thailand Should Take Bold Stance in ASEAN

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27 May 2024, 14:57

geopolitics matichon2 — Matichon Forum gathers scholars and experts in political science, economics, and geopolitics to lecture the topic "Thailand 2024: Surviving Geopolitics" at the 19th floor of Gaysorn Urban Resort, Bangkok, on May 24.

BANGKOK – Matichon’s editorial team organized the Matichon Forum “Thailand 2024: Surviving Geopolitics” to reflect on the current situation and ways to adapt under the influence of geopolitics affecting the world population, various sectors and Thai citizens politically, economically and socially.

Professor Dr. Surachart Bamrungsuk from the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University opened the forum with the topic “Thailand 2024: Surviving Geopolitics”,” highlighting three alarming issues: war, pandemics and climate change. However, “geopolitics” is seen as a “global risk”

Thailand Must Adapt Quickly

geopolitics matichon1 — Professor Dr. Surachart Bamrungsuk

The Ukraine war, which began in 2022 and will continue in 2024, is a major conflict reminiscent of the Spanish Civil War of 1936 — a precursor to the Second World War of 1939. The war in Ukraine is expected to last from the third quarter of 2024 to the second quarter of 2025. The conflict in Gaza will end, but how it ends, whether with an Israeli victory or a significant political defeat, remains uncertain.

Professor Dr. Surachart outlined several geopolitical challenges: the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza Strip, the Red Sea, the Taiwan Strait where China is conducting major military exercises, North Korea’s missile tests and the highly volatile South China Sea. If war does not break out in the South China Sea, it could happen in the Taiwan Strait. He emphasized the increasing fear of a possible third world war, especially after the turn of the year, which is reflected in the rise in gold prices.

He asked how Thailand would react to this by pointing out that the country’s bureaucratic system is slow to adapt compared to global trends. As a result, he said, Thailand has limited preparation to deal with these problems, like pushing a boulder uphill. He called on the Thai leadership to be understanding and far-sighted and warned that without adaptation, Thailand would find it difficult to compete with the major powers.

geopolitics matichon6 — Professor Dr. Surachart Bamrungsuk (right) opens the forum with the topic “Thailand 2024: Surviving Geopolitics” on May 24, 2024.

Professor Dr. Surachart also analyzed the trend of right-wing movements that have already won elections in many countries, both in Europe and Asia, which are moving towards electoral democracy. This year, more than 50 countries worldwide are holding elections, with more than 49% of the global population casting their ballots.

This includes the upcoming United States election in November, which is considered a global election as well, because if Donald Trump returns, there will be many more issues to follow.

However, the Thai right-wing groups do not follow the global trend of electoral victories. Instead, they are a backward right-wing that is fixated on a single idea: the endless dream of a coup d’état. Therefore, he believes that under the context of the volatility of Thai and global politics, coups remain an issue in Thai society due to anxiety and fear. Coups are considered a violation of international order, which the liberal world stage does not accept.

Clash of values of Superpowers

Assistant Professor Dr. Thanee Chaiwat, Chairman of the Political Economy Program, Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, gave a lecture on “The Frontline of Values in the Geopolitical Battlefield”

He said that people generally regard “China-America” as a symbol of Geopolitics, while the two superpowers have different values and the clash of values that influence Thai society’s thinking, leading to conflicts.

The conflicts between Eastern and Western values in Thai society are increasing, which also affects the way people from each culture conduct business.

geopolitics matichon7 — Assistant Professor Dr. Thanee Chaiwat

The Chinese culture is skilled in negotiation and adept at handling complexity, while the foundation of Western culture is to conduct business openly, not limited to just within the country, but they cannot handle complex businesses. Therefore, no one knows what is more suitable for Thailand, or it may be possible to combine them.

Four Paths and Two Axes: The Myanmar Game

Associate Professor Dr. Dulyapak Preecharush, from the Southeast Asian Studies Program at Thammasat University discussed Thailand’s need for its own geopolitical vision with a strategy that includes four paths and two axes:

Central relations with Myanmar: The Thai government should maintain close relations with the military government of Myanmar.
Border relations with Myanmar: Thailand should strengthen cooperation with ethnic armed groups and the democratic government.

Cooperation with major powers and global organizations: Cooperate with China, India, Japan, the United States and the United Nations.

geopolitics matichon3 — Associate Professor Dr. Dulyapak Preecharush describes the Myanmar map showing the area captured and controlled by the revolutionary forces.

Cooperation within ASEAN: Strengthen relations and information exchange with Laos, the ASEAN chair, and maintain relations with other ASEAN members such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

In terms of strategic defense, he said the first axis is the defense of Thailand’s sovereignty along its borders. The second axis involves establishing new zones outside Thai territory, especially in strategic areas in Myanmar, to proactively protect Thai interests and strengthen Thailand’s influence.

“Some areas that should be our zones of interest require a more proactive strategy rather than just being defensive. For example, investing in those areas, combating drug trafficking, and contributing to the promotion of human rights in surrounding regions. Instead of merely responding to problems, we should not confine ourselves to the Golden Axe territory alone,” Associate Professor Dr. Dulyapak said.

Building Negotiating Power

Associate Professor Dr. Piti Srisangnam from the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University suggested that for Thailand to be a leader in ASEAN, it needs to strengthen its negotiating position so that all sides cooperate with Thailand. This includes adhering to international principles, avoiding interference in internal activities and playing a more proactive role. He emphasized the need for Thailand to:

Improve the efficiency of the production sector, taking into account the environmental impact, digitalization and financial sustainability.
Improve the quality of the workforce and open up labor markets.
Become a principled state in regional forums.

geopolitics matichon5 — Associate Professor Dr. Piti Srisangnam from the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University joins the forum by videocall from Indonesia.

“If Thailand wants to play a leading role in ASEAN, it must build negotiating power so that we do not have to choose sides, but instead, all sides come to negotiate with us. We need to adhere to principles, not interfere in internal activities, but accept international rules. We should take a more proactive role and reclaim our leadership in ASEAN. Several months have passed, and our leaders have still not visited all the ASEAN countries.”

Creating Agendas Instead of Just Responding

Independent scholar Khunakon Vanichvirun highlighted the importance of managing oneself amidst competing powers by setting agendas rather than merely reacting to events. He distinguished between the tangible aspects of geography and the imaginative constructs of political science, asserting that creating a geopolitical agenda is essential for Thailand’s positioning on the global stage.

“Political science is an imagination, a creation of human society, where humans believe in what they imagine. Therefore, if we have confidence in geopolitical figures and create an agenda within a geopolitical framework, we can achieve significant results as the traditional Thai state.”

geopolitics matichon44 — Khunakon Vanichvirun

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Opinion: An Open Letter to Cambodians Regarding the Repatriations of “The Golden Boy” Statue to Thailand

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Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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27 May 2024, 13:00

Visitors take photo of the Standing Shiva (also known as the Golden Boy statue) at the National Museum in Bangkok on May 23, 2024.

Dear Cambodian neighbors,

It saddened me to learn that over the past week, some Thais and Cambodians on social media heightened the level of toxic and degrading verbal and written attacks against one another as a result of the repatriation of “The Golden Boy” bronze statue from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City after many decades.

This should cause both Thailand and Cambodia to rejoice that this important and exquisite Khmer art bronze statue, which is around 900-year-old, has finally returned to the region where it belongs.

To my Cambodian friends, brothers and sisters, I say, much of what is today central and northeastern Thailand was once part of a great and accomplished Angkor civilization and you have all the reasons to be proud of your history and the historical and cultural facts that your ancient culture influenced much of what is today traditional Thai culture, arts, architecture, and even language. This should be the right attitude forward and a peaceful and friendly relationship and coexistence between our two nations.

It is without doubt that a lot of work remains to be done to counter or dissuade a growth of narrow nationalism and degrading views on the neighbors, both in Cambodia and Thailand. As a Thai citizen, I am sorry and would like to apologize for many degrading and narrow-minded remarks made on social media by some Thai extremist nationalists.

Sometimes I feel helpless and ashamed upon seeing the spread of these very toxic and reprehensible anti-Cambodian sentiment and all the derogatory words hurled against Cambodia, Cambodians, and Khmer culture, by these Thais. I feel the same upon reading similar anti-Thai and degrading remarks about Thailand and the Thai people and culture from extremist Cambodians online.

It is clear that some Thais and Cambodians have become prisoners of a narrowly interpreted history, real or imagined, which neglect the porous nature of cultural exchanges. Both nations, and not just our respective governments, have a lot of work to do to mitigate or at least prevent these sentiments from poisoning the relationship between the majority of the people of our two nations.

Ancient empires fall and split into more than one modern nation state – that is nothing uncommon. Thais will have to learn more about the depth of cultural debt they owe the great Angkorian civilization, but I hope Cambodian friends who are reading this letter should also recognize that Thai culture is also partly Angkorian culture although over the centuries we evolved in a slightly different directions (which is natural) – not unlike that of how traditional Japanese, Korean, and even Vietnamese cultures and architectures evolved from ancient Chinese culture and yet are distinct and different today.

Look at the beautiful temples in central Thailand and palaces and we see it is quite similar to those in your country, Cambodia, and yet different. We thank you for having influenced us in the past, to enrich Thai culture, and we look forward to cross cultural exchanges in the future.

Back to the Golden Boy statue, I wish one day the statue, which was originally found in Buriram province where many ethnic Khmer people reside, can be loaned to the National Museum in Phnom Penh. The problem is many Thais would likely say no as they do not trust that it will be returned. That is the alarming reality of the level of distrust. (If there is a consolation, please note that the description below the statue at the National Museum in Bangkok clearly stated both in Thai and English that the statue represents a “Khmer Art in Thailand”)

For both Cambodians and Thais who recognize the toxicity of our people-to-people relationship, particularly among extreme and narrow-minded nationalists, we have a lot of work to do to address the problem and to prevent it from causing a wider toxicity and hatred. The repatriation of the Golden Boy is a reminder of this troubled relationship, and mutual animosity among some on both sides of the border, but this might also be the golden opportunity if we recognize the wake call and try to address it before we risk losing a generation to this needless and petty mutual hatred and degradation.

From your neighbor in Bangkok, Thailand.

Yours sincerely,

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Thai Wife Reveals the Origins of the Look-Alike German John Wick

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Khaosod English

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27 May 2024, 12:26

johnwick3 — Andreas Kalias or Woonsen, who looks like John Wick, poses for a picture with his wife Kanchalee Phromma, or Tuk, at their house in Nakhon Ratchasima.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA – The person behind the viral clip has been found – a foreigner who looks like John Wick, a character from a Hollywood action movie played by Keanu Reeves, appeared in Thailand with a caption saying, “John Wick stopped killing people and turned to sell coffee and grilled squid.” The clip has over 4 million views and many comments, with many people wondering if it was the real Keanu Reeves.

On May 27, Khaosod Online reported that they found the person who posted this intriguing clip. Her name is Ms. Kanchalee Phromma, or Tuk, 49 years old, the owner of the account “tuktiklife,” residing in Moo 13, Klang Dong Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

johnwick4 — Andreas Kalias or Woonsen, who looks like John Wick, poses for a picture with his wife Kanchalee Phromma, or Tuk, and her family, at their house in Nakhon Ratchasima.

She is the wife of the man who looks like John Wick. In their home, there are also his parents and relatives who took group photos with him.

Tuk said that she met her German husband, named Andreas Kalias, through a dating app. They hit it off, and she nicknamed him “Woonsen,” which means “Glass Noodles” in Thai. Today, they have been married for 4 years without children. He loves family and is a real family man.

She also revealed that Woonsen used to have blond hair until one day in Germany, there was a carnival event with a celebrity look-alike costume contest. She dressed up her husband, dyed his hair black, and was surprised that he looked a lot like John Wick.

johnwick2 — John Wick stopped killing people and turned to sell coffee, grilled squid and wash noodle bowl.

Since then, wherever they go, people would come to take pictures with him. Many people said he looks just like John Wick, to the point that a television channel came to interview him. From then on, he became known for his resemblance, and event teams continuously contacted him for work. When she asked her husband if he liked being recognized as a celebrity look-alike, he said he did.

This time, they came to Thailand on May 13 and will return to Germany in 2-3 days. During this trip, people asked to take photos with him, thinking he was a celebrity. She took pictures of him riding a motorcycle, washing dishes, and selling squid, then posted them on TikTok, which got over 4 million views.

Woonsen, or Andreas, said he likes it when people come up to him and say he looks like a celebrity. Wherever he goes, both in Germany and Thailand, people recognize him and ask for photos. He doesn’t feel tired of it.

“Thank you to the Thai people for welcoming me. Thai people are lovely, especially my wife,” he said.

Earlier, Mr. Mark, a noodle stall owner in Bangkok’s Prachachuen area where the look-alike John Wick washed noodle bowls, told the press that he and his wife were “utterly stunned” when they saw the man approaching. His wife soon ordered the look-alike to help wash the noodle bowls at the stall. The man removed his black suit jacket and obediently complied, washing the bowls alongside him.

Thai Mother-In-Law of Malaysian Scammer Denies Involvement in 800 Million Baht Fraud

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Khaosod English

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27 May 2024, 00:35

motherinlaw scammer — A police officer read the arrest warrant from the Criminal Court to Ms. Kulsiria, a suspect of involvement in a scam operation worth up to 800 million baht.

SUPHAN BURI – A Thai mother-in-law of a Malaysian son-in-law has been arrested for her alleged involvement in a scam operation worth up to 800 million baht. She claimed her son-in-law borrowed her bank account.

On May 26, officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) under the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested Ms. Kulsiria, 49, in front of her residence in Moo 19, Don Kha Subdistrict, U Thong District, Suphan Buri Province. Investigations revealed that she was involved with a scammer gang.

Kulsiria was issued an arrest warrant by the Criminal Court on charges of “jointly defrauding the public, jointly committing fraud or deception by bringing false information into a computer system, knowingly using it to commit an offense, and participating in a transnational criminal organization.”

The investigation into this case began when police received reports that a group of fraudsters had posted on Facebook, inviting people to invest in foreign stocks through an application they had created. They impersonated well-known individuals in the stock trading industry to build credibility and offered high returns to create incentives.

However, in the end, no promised returns were paid, and investors were unable to withdraw their invested money. A total of 10 victims, who lost over 800 million baht, filed complaints with the ECD.

Authorities later learned that the criminals operated as a syndicate, with Chinese-Malaysian financiers behind the scenes along with a number of Thais. Evidence was gathered to request court warrants for the arrest of more than 50 people involved, and 20 suspects have been apprehended so far.

Kulsiria used a domestic bank account in Thailand to receive benefits from Malaysians. She denied any involvement in the fraudulent scheme but admitted to being the mother-in-law of one of the key Malaysian suspects, who had previously borrowed her bank account without her knowledge of its intended use.

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Pattaya Guards Face Inquiry After Violent Clash with Foreign Tourists

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Khaosod English

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26 May 2024, 23:48

bar pattaya — Bar hostesses await customers in Pattaya, a popular tourist destination.

PATTAYA – Police officers in Pattaya arrested three entertainment venue security guards who used violence against two foreign tourists in the Pattaya Soi 6 area. The incident appeared in a clip on social media.

Two video clips of the incident were first published on the evening of May 26 on the Nui voice AnyWay page, with a message questioning, “Is it necessary to do this?” along with a message thanking the Thai women who tried to intervene and stop the incident.

This post garnered various criticisms and opinions about the appropriateness, violence, barbarism, and disturbance of the incident. Some people suggested looking at the root cause before the violent incident occurred.

In the clip, the group of guards rushed in to punch and jump-kick the foreign man in a white shirt until he fell to the ground, then followed up with more kicks. Before the tourist in a gray shirt could run to help, he was also punched and kicked relentlessly in the face by the group of guards until he fell unconscious and lay still. The guards then turned back to the man in the white shirt and continued to beat him, all in front of Thai and foreign tourists.

pattaya guards1 — Screenshots from clips capture the incident in which three entertainment venue security guards used violence against two foreign tourists in the Pattaya Soi 6 area.

After a group of beer bar service women intervened and the situation became less tense, the beer bar staff provided first aid to the foreigners.

Ms. Samorn, 38 years old, a cashier at the bar where the incident took place and a witness to the event, said that 3 foreign tourists came to drink at the shop. The first two paid their bills, while the other one had not yet paid and changed seats several times before walking out of the bar.

At this point, she asked the group of friends to collect payment. The tourist in the white shirt argued that he had already paid. She explained that the money she was asking for was from another person in the group who had not yet paid, and that there was no problem with his own bill.

guards pattaya add1 — The CCTV footage captured the incident from the moment the group of tourists were arguing with the guards and the situation escalated into violence.

However, he retorted with various profanities, claiming that the bar was cheating on the bill, and insisted that he would not pay. He then went on to assault other tourist who was going to call the police. The bar then called the guards, informing them that a customer was refusing to pay the bill and asking them to come and take a look. When the guards arrived, one of the tourists in this group agreed to pay the shop 2,800 baht.

Ms. Samorn also said that after the tourists had paid the bill, she thought everything would be alright. However, the tourist in the white shirt rushed to push the guard’s chest, which escalated into a chaotic situation in the middle of the street, as shown in the video clip.

“If the guards had not arrived in time to stop the incident, this group of foreigners might have assaulted me and other tourists who were customers as well” she said.

Later, at 23:36 p.m. on Sunday, Pattaya Police Investigation officers and Pattaya Tourist Police Investigation officers arrested the three guards: Mr. Ball, 27 years old, Mr. Tom, 36 years old, and Mr. Ice, 24 years old. They were brought in for questioning at Pattaya Police Station.

guards pattaya add2 — Three guards were brought in for questioning at Pattaya Police Station on May 26, 2024.

The three suspects confessed that they were the perpetrators as seen in the video clip recorded by tourists. Mr. Ball revealed that he was the first to be slapped and punched by a tourist, resulting in injuries to his nose bridge that required six stitches. This led to the chaotic situation seen in the clip.

They admitted that their actions were excessive and were done out of anger and lack of judgment. They apologized to Thai society for their actions.

Pol. Lt. Col. Nawin Thirawit, Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, said the police must proceed with legal action. He also reprimanded the suspects, stating that as security guards, their duty is to ensure the safety of tourists, not to cause trouble. Their actions have greatly damaged the image of Pattaya as a tourist city.

“As security guards, you should have exercised restraint and called the police to control the situation. Do not let emotions control your actions while on duty. Your role is to prevent incidents, not to harm others,” he told the suspects.

Meanwhile, the CCTV footage, which captured the incident from the moment the group of tourists were arguing with the cashier until the guards intervened and the situation escalated into violence, has been submitted to the inquiry officer as evidence for the case file.

guards pattaya add3 — Three security guards who assaulted two foreign visitors admitted that their actions were excessive, raised their hands performing the “Wai” gesture, and apologized to Thai society for their actions.

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Over 670 People Died in a Massive Papua New Guinea Landslide, UN Estimates

By

Associated Press

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26 May 2024, 22:35

Papua New Guinea Landslide — People cross over the landslide area to get to the other side in Yambali village, Papua New Guinea, Friday, May 24, 2024. More than 100 people are believed to have been killed in the landslide that buried a village and an emergency response is underway. (Benjamin Sipa/International Organization for Migration via AP)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The International Organization for Migration on Sunday increased its estimate of the death toll from a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea to more than 670 as emergency responders and traumatized relatives gave up hope that any survivors will now be found.

Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the U.N. migration agency’s mission in the South Pacific island nation, said the revised death toll was based on calculations by Yambali village and Enga provincial officials that more than 150 homes had been buried by Friday’s landslide. The previous estimate had been 60 homes.

“They are estimating that more than 670 people (are) under the soil at the moment,” Aktoprak told The Associated Press.

Local officials had initially put the death toll on Friday at 100 or more. Only five bodies and a leg of a sixth victim had been recovered by Sunday, when an excavator donated by a local builder became the first piece of mechanical earth-moving equipment to join the recovery effort.

AP24147302244241 — Villagers search through a landslide in Yambali in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Mohamud Omer/International Organization for Migration via AP)

Relief crews were moving survivors to safer ground on Sunday as tons of unstable earth and tribal warfare, which is rife in the Papua New Guinea Highlands, threatened the rescue effort.

Around 250 additional houses have been condemned since the landslide because of still-shifting ground, leaving an estimated 1,250 people homeless, officials said.

The national government meanwhile is considering whether it needs to officially request more international support.

Crews have given up hope of finding survivors under earth and rubble 6 to 8 meters (20 to 26 feet) deep.

“People are coming to terms with this so there is a serious level of grieving and mourning,” Aktoprak said.

He said the new estimated death toll was “not solid” because it was based on the average size of the region’s families per household. He would not speculate on the possibility that the actual toll could be higher.

“It is difficult to say. We want to be quite realistic,” Aktoprak said. “We do not want to come up with any figures that would inflate the reality.”

AP24147299198752 — In this photo provided by the UNDP Papua New Guinea, villagers search through a landslide in Yambali village in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Kafuri Yaro/UNDP Papua New Guinea via AP)

Government authorities were establishing evacuation centers on safer ground on either side of the massive swath of debris that covers an area the size of three to four football fields and has cut the main highway through the province.

Beside the blocked highway, convoys that have transported food, water and other essential supplies since Saturday to the devastated village 60 kilometers (35 miles) from the provincial capital, Wabag, have faced risks related to tribal fighting in Tambitanis village, about halfway along the route. Papua New Guinea soldiers were providing security for the convoys.

Eight locals were killed in a clash between two rival clans on Saturday in a longstanding dispute unrelated to the landslide. Around 30 homes and five retail businesses were burned down in the fighting, local officials said.

Aktoprak said he did not expect tribal combatants would target the convoys but noted that opportunistic criminals might take advantage of the mayhem to do so.

“This could basically end up in carjacking or robbery,” Aktoprak said. “There is not only concern for the safety and security of the personnel, but also the goods because they may use this chaos as a means to steal.”

Longtime tribal warfare has cast doubt on the official estimate that almost 4,000 people were living in the village when a side of Mount Mungalo fell away. The count was years old and did not take into account people who had relocated to the village more recently to flee clan violence that authorities are unable to contain.

Local authorities on Sunday accepted the village population had been substantially more than 4,000 people when the limestone mountainside sheared away, but a revised estimate was not yet available.

Justine McMahon, country director of the humanitarian agency CARE International, said moving survivors to “more stable ground” was an immediate priority along with providing them with food, water and shelter. The military was leading those efforts.

AP24147302211216 — Villagers search through a landslide in Yambali, in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Mohamud Omer/International Organization for Migration via AP)

The numbers of injured and missing were still being assessed on Sunday. Seven people including a child had received medical treatment by Saturday, but officials had no details on their conditions.

Papua New Guinea Defense Minister Billy Joseph and the government’s National Disaster Center director Laso Mana were flying from Port Moresby by helicopter to Wabag on Sunday to gain a firsthand perspective of what is needed.

Aktoprak expected the government would decide by Tuesday whether it would officially request more international help.

The United States and Australia, a near neighbor and Papua New Guinea’s most generous provider of foreign aid, are among governments that have publicly stated their readiness to do more to help responders.

Papua New Guinea is a diverse, developing nation with 800 languages and 10 million people who are mostly subsistence farmers.

THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2024 To Catalyse Thai Business Opportunities

By

Contributor

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26 May 2024, 22:00

BANGKOK – DITP proudly presents the Export Clinic alongside an array of special activities and dedicated zones at THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2024, the premier destination for catalysing global business opportunities from May 28 to June 1 at IMPACT Challenger Halls 1-3 and IMPACT Exhibition Center Halls 5-12, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

Trade Days: May 28th – June 1st, 2024 | 10.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Public Day: June 1st, 2024 | 10.00 AM – 8.00 PM

THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2024, a joint collaboration between the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), and Koelnmesse (KM), is the event with “Beyond Food Experience” theme, transcending the traditional food and beverage showcase.

It offers a platform for food and beverage entrepreneurs, retailers, supermarkets, department stores, hotels, restaurants, and business-minded individuals to engage in fruitful discussions with both local and international stakeholders.

Moreover, the event features special activities and dedicated exhibition areas aimed at updating participants on the latest trends and consumer demands, sparking innovative business ideas. Participation in these activities is completely free of charge.

One of the highlights this year is the Export Clinic, where Minister Counsellor for Commercial Affairs from 58 countries worldwide will share invaluable insights into international trade with Thai entrepreneurs, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) seeking effective entry into international markets.

Additionally, there is the thrilling Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge 2024, a quest to discover top-tier chefs, both professional and youthful, adhering to global competition standards, making it the nation’s most prestigious culinary contest. Furthermore, the Future Food Experience+, which is the seminar program led by experts from Thailand and abroad sharing knowledge about the future of food, alongside tantalizing previews of future menu trends.

Explore dedicated product zones catering to every interest that includes:

· THAIFEX – ANUGA Halal Market: Discover a vast array of certified halal products.

· THAIFEX – ANUGA Organic Market: Delve into the world of organic produce and wholesome goodness.

· THAIFEX – ANUGA Future Food Market: Explore the frontiers of sustainable and innovative food solutions.

· THAIFEX – ANUGA Startup Zone: Uncover groundbreaking innovations from emerging food and beverage startups.

· THAIFEX – ANUGA Trend Zone: Stay ahead of the curve with insights into the latest industry trends.

· THAIFEX – ANUGA tasteInnovation Show: Marvel at award-winning food innovations.

· Thai SELECT Pavilion: Experience the culinary excellence of Thai SELECT-certified products.

· Thai Halal Pavilion: Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of halal cuisine.

Additionally, the exhibition includes the DITP Service Center for international trade consultations, the Food Arcade (Future Food) to raise awareness about future food trends, a showcase promoting herbal products, and “Thailand: The Land of Tropical Fruits” to spotlight Thai fruits.

Various government agencies and organizations such as the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN), Thai Food Processors Association (TFPA), and the Thai Heart Foundation are also participating.

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For inquiries, please contact the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) call center 1169. For more information and registration, visit www.thaifex-anuga.com

250 Man Utd Fans Enjoy Free BBQ in Khon Kaen after FA Cup Win

By

Khaosod English

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26 May 2024, 20:38

manu fan — Bank, a 38-year-old die-hard Manchester United fan, celebrates with the Red Devils fans who receive special promotion from his restaurant in Khon Kaen that provide 250 customers pork BBQ for free on Sunday night after their favourite football club won the FA cup trophy.

KHON KAEN – On Sunday, May 26, Manchester United fans in Khon Kaen province, wearing their club’s jerseys, lined up to receive free barbecue pork coupons for the first 200 people at the “Man Nua Moo Krata Buffet” restaurant on Chalermprakiat Road in Khon Kaen Municipality.

The restaurant owner, Anantakit Prem-asa, also known as Bank, a 38-year-old die-hard Manchester United fan, announced this special promotion to celebrate his beloved team winning the FA Cup on Saturday.

He scheduled to distribute the queue cards at 3:30 p.m., but the first Red Devils fan arrived at the restaurant as early as 1:00 p.m.

After the restaurant distributed the queue cards, it took only 13 minutes for the coupons to run out. Many people were almost disappointed, prompting Mr. Bank to add 50 more free meal queue cards, making them happy and grateful.

Bank stated earlier before the match that the first 100 customers who come to the restaurant on Sunday, May 26, will get to eat for free if Man United beat Manchester City in the final.

After United stunned defending champion Manchester City 2-1 to lift the FA Cup at Wembley, he said he was so happy to increase the number of people to the first 200 who come, with the condition that they have to wear a Man United jersey.

khon kaen manu3 — Anantakit Prem-asa, also known as Bank, a 38-year-old die-hard Manchester United fan, announced before the match that the first 100 customers who come to the restaurant on Sunday, May 26, will get to eat for free if Man United beat Manchester City in the final.

“Moo Krata” is a popular Thai-style barbecue dish. The term “Moo” means pork, and “Krata” means pan or skillet. In a Moo Krata restaurant, diners cook their own meat, usually pork, on a dome-shaped grill pan placed at the center of the table. The grill pan has a raised center for barbecuing the meat and a moat around the edge for boiling soup or cooking other ingredients like vegetables, noodles, or eggs.

Customers can choose their preferred items from a selection provided by the restaurant. They then cook the food themselves on the grill pan, allowing them to control the doneness of the meat and customize their meal according to their tastes.

Moo Krata is a social dining experience, where friends and family gather around the grill pan to cook, eat, and enjoy each other’s company. It has gained popularity in Thailand and other parts of Asia as a fun and interactive way to dine out. The Thai government has also recognized this dish as a form of soft power.

khon kaen manu2 — Mr. Chatchadanai, a partner in the restaurant and a Liverpool fan, wore his favorite team’s jersey while chopping duck to prepare a spicy duck salad (Larb Pet) menu to serve the Manchester United fans

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Mr. Chatchadanai, a partner in the restaurant and a Liverpool fan, wore his favorite team’s jersey while chopping duck to prepare a spicy duck salad (Larb Pet) menu to serve the Manchester United fans with a sense of humor. This is in line with how Manchester United fans often tease Liverpool fans by calling them “ducks” instead of “red birds.”

In Thailand, many football fans love Liverpool and Manchester United and always tease each other. This season, Liverpool finished 3rd in the Premier League and qualified for the UEFA Champions League next season. Manchester United, on the other hand, had an inconsistent performance and finished 8th.

However, winning the FA Cup gave the Red Devils a chance to compete in the UEFA Europa League. Moreover, in the just-concluded season, Manchester United did not lose to Liverpool in both home and away matches and even defeated Liverpool in the quarter-finals, making Manchester United fans especially delighted.

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A Belgian Kills His National Friend in Thailand, Claiming Being Extorted Never Stopped

By

Khaosod English

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26 May 2024, 17:48

Screenshot — Seka Police Station in Bueng Kan Province took Mr. Steve, a 42-year-old Belgian man, in for questioning on May 26 as the suspect in the murder of Mr. Christophe, a 49-year-old fellow Belgian.

BUENG KAN – Two Belgian men who lived in Bueng Kan Province, northeastern Thailand, had a dispute between them. One, who claimed he had been extorted by his friend, finally killed him. He had tried to hide the body by burning it but failed.

On May 26, Seka Police Station in Bueng Kan Province questioned Mr. Steve, a 42-year-old Belgian man residing with his Thai wife in Moo 9, Sang Subdistrict, Seka District. He was arrested on May 25 by police officers from Police Region 4 and charged with “intentional murder, possession of firearms, and ammunition without permission.

Bueng Kan belgian2 — Bueng Kan Forensic Police scooped out evidence at the site where the suspect burned the body on May 25, 2024.

The Belgian man confessed to using a .22 caliber firearm to shoot and kill Mr. Christophe, a 49-year-old fellow Belgian, at a house without an address number in Moo 10, Seka Tai Subdistrict, near the Kasa Reservoir. He then dragged the body and dumped it in an old pit just 50 meters from the house, and burned two car tires to conceal the corpse.

Seka Police Station then notified the Bueng Kan Forensic Police, Seka Hospital doctors, and the Theparak Seka Rescue Association to assist in finding evidence and witnesses in this case. Upon arriving at the site where the body was burned, they found flames and smoke still rising from the old 2-meter deep pit. The officers extinguished the fire and used equipment to scoop out human bone fragments and ashes, which they then sifted through for evidence.

Bueng Kan belgian1 — The Bueng Kan officers extinguished the fire and used equipment to scoop out human bone fragments.

Mr. Steve stated that the deceased, Mr. Christophe, often asked him for money regularly. On the day of the incident, near the evening of May 24, he refused to give 850,000 baht to Mr. Christophe, who allegedly threatened to harm his family and burn down his house.

The suspect said that he had heard these threats many times, which caused him and his family to feel stressed. His children couldn’t even go to school because they were afraid of being harmed by the deceased. In anger, he used a .22 caliber handgun to shoot Mr. Christophe 3 times until he collapsed and died on the spot.

Bueng Kan belgian3 — Bueng Kan Forensic Police tried to find evidence and witnesses at the site where the suspect burned the body on May 25, 2024.

Afterwards, he drove the victim’s motorcycle-carrying truck and dumped it over 60 kilometers across the provincial border. However, the Police Region 4 investigation team, who were there to apprehend drug suspects, found his behavior suspicious and approached him for questioning. In a panic, he tried to flee in the vehicle but was intercepted and arrested. He was then taken for interrogation.

Later, he led the interrogating officers to inspect the crime scene and pointed out where the firearm used in the crime was hidden. The police seized 1 handgun, 1 ammunition pouch, 6 bullets, and 3 shell casings as evidence.

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Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’ Wins Palme d’Or, the Cannes Film Festival’s Top Honor

By

Associated Press

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26 May 2024, 13:31

France Cannes 2024 Awards Photo Call — Sean Baker, winner of the Palme d'Or for the film 'Anora,' poses for photographers during the photo call following the awards ceremony at the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Sean Baker’s “Anora,” a comic but devastating Brooklyn odyssey about a sex worker who marries the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, won the Cannes Film Festival’s top award, the Palme d’Or.

The win Saturday for “Anora” marked a coronation for Baker, the 53-year-old indie filmmaker of “The Florida Project ” who used iPhones to make his 2015 film “Tangerine.” It’s also, remarkably, the fifth straight Palme d’Or won by specialty distributor Neon, following “Parasite,” “Titane,” “Triangle of Sadness” and last year’s winner, “Anatomy of a Fall.” Baker accepted the prize with his movie’s star, Mikey Madison, watching in the audience at the Cannes closing ceremony.

“This, literally, has been my singular goal as a filmmaker for the past 30 years, so I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with the rest of my life,” said Baker, laughing.

AP24143611099953 — This image released by Neon shows Mikey Madison in a scene from “Anora.” (Neon via AP)

But Baker, the first American filmmaker to win the Palme since Terrence Mallick in 2011 with “The Tree of Life,” quickly answered that his ambition would remain to “fight to keep cinema alive.” The director said the world needed reminding that “watching a film at home while scrolling through your phone, answering emails and half paying attention is just not the way — although some tech companies would like us to think so.”

“So I say the future of cinema is where it started: in a movie theater,” said Baker, who dedicated his award to all sex workers “past, present and future.”

The awards were chosen by the nine-member jury led by Greta Gerwig, who told reporters she was “forever changed as a filmmaker because of this experience.” Gerwig praised “Anora” as having the feeling of classical cinema, saying it felt like an Ernst Lubitsch or Howard Hawks film that lead in unexpected directions.

While “Anora” was arguably the most acclaimed film of the festival, its win was a slight surprise. Many expected either the gentle Indian drama “All We Imagine As Light” or the Iranian film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” to win. Both of those films also took home prizes.

It wasn’t the only jolt of the closing ceremony, though. Before George Lucas was given an honorary Palme d’Or, his old friend and sometimes collaborator Francis Ford Coppol a appeared to present it to him, reuniting two of the most pivotal figures of the last half-century of American moviemaking. Coppola, who earlier in the festival premiered his self-financed sci-fi epic “Megalopolis,” called him his “kid brother.” Lucas called Coppola “a big friend and a brother and a mentor.”

AP24146685058589 — George Lucas poses with the honorary Palme d’Or during the photo call following the awards ceremony at the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

“I’m just a kid who grew up in a vineyard in Modesto, California, who makes movies in San Francisco, with my friend Francis,” said Lucas. “It’s definitely a different world. I’ve actually never made a film in Hollywood as a director.”

“All We Imagine As Light,” about sisterhood in modern Mumbai, won the Grand Prix, Cannes’ second-highest honor. Payal Kapadia’s second feature was the first Indian in competition in Cannes in 30 years.

Afterward, Kapadia urged a wide understanding of Indian cinema, saying “there’s amazing work going on in our country.”

“Not just Bollywood,” said Kapadia.

AP24146680310231 — Payal Kapadia, second from right, winner of the grand prize for ‘All We Imagine as Light,’ poses with Kani Kusruti, from left, Chhaya Kadam, and Divya Prabha during the photo call following the awards ceremony at the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

The jury awarded a special prize to Mohammad Rasoulof’s “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” a drama made secretly in Iran. Days ahead of the film’s premiere, Rasoulof, facing an eight-year prison sentence, fled Iran on foot. His film, which includes real footage from the 2022-2023 demonstrations in Iran, channels Iranian oppression into a family drama. The Cannes crowd met an emotional Rasoulof with a lengthy standing ovation.

AP24146629983209 — Mohammad Rasoulof accepts the special prize award for the film ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ during the awards ceremony of the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 25, 2024 (Photo by Andreea Alexandru/Invision/AP)

Coralie Fargeat’s body horror film “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore as a Hollywood actress who goes to gory extremes to remain youthful, won for best screenplay.

“I really believe that movies can change the world, so I hope this movie will be a little stone to build new foundations,” said Fargeat. “I really think we need a revolution and I don’t think it has really started yet.”

Some thought Moore, who attended the awards ceremony, might take best actress. But that honor instead went to an ensemble of actors: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz for Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez,” a Spanish-language musical about a Mexican drug lord who transitions to a woman. Gascón, who accepted the award, is the first trans actor to win a major prize at Cannes.

AP24146595910250 — Demi Moore poses for photographers upon arrival at the awards ceremony during the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

“This award is not just for me. It’s for all people who are fighting for themselves and their rights,” Gascón told reporters. “We’ve been insulted, denigrated, subjected to a lot of violence without even knowing why. I think this is award is so much more than anyone could imagine.”

Explaining the jury’s unusual choice of giving best actress to an ensemble, Gerwig said each performer was a standout, “but together they’re transcendent.” “Emilia Perez” also won Cannes’ jury prize, giving it a rare two awards at a festival where prizes are usually spread around.

AP24146677029934 — Karla Sofia Gascon, left, winner of the award for best actress for ‘Emilia Perez,’ and Jacques Audiard winner of the jury prize award for ‘Emilia Perez,’ pose for photographers during the photo call following the awards ceremony at the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Best actor went to Jesse Plemons for Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness.” In the film, three stories are told with largely the same company of actors. Plemons, a standout in several chapters, didn’t attend the closing ceremony.

Portuguese director Miguel Gomes won best director for his “Grand Tour,” an Asian odyssey in which a man flees his fiancée from Rangoon in 1917.

“Sometimes I get lucky,” shrugged Gomes.

The Camera d’Or, the prize for best first feature across all of Cannes official selections, went to Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel for “Armand,” starring “The Worst Person in the World” star Renate Reinsve. Tøndel is the grandson of Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman and Norwegian actor Liv Ullman.

Last year’s top winners in Cannes went on to considerable arthouse success and awards-season runs through the Oscars. That included the Palme winner “Anatomy of a Fall” and the Grand Prix winner “The Zone of Interest.”

Whether this year’s Cannes lived up to that lineup was a regular conversation topic during the festival. But it was a notably eventful Cannes not just for the some of the films — including “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An America Saga” — that screened but for other surrounding dramas.

After stalling for years in France, the #MeToo movement gained momentum ahead of the festival following allegations by Judith Godrèche against two prominent French filmmakers. She brought her short “Moi Aussi” to the festival.

The wars in Gaza and Ukraine were sometimes referenced in press conferences and in subtly symbolic ways on the red carpet. Festival workers, seeking better protections, protested during the opening night ceremony. The Olympic flame, ahead of its arrival in Paris for the summer games, stopped by. Honorary Palmes were also given to Meryl Streep and the Japanese anime factory Studio Ghibli.

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