NAKHON RATCHASIMA – A car fire broke out on the highway as a 70-year-old Swiss man drove his Thai wife to a relative’s wedding in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
Nakhon Ratchasima Highway District 2 officials were notified of the incident shortly before noon on March 10 on Highway No. 6, or M6 Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima, near kilometre marker 133. They rushed to investigate and requested assistance from fire engines, volunteers, highway enforcement, and local government agencies.
A fire broke out in a red Ford car, a Fietta type with a Bangkok licence plate, in the blazing hot sun. It took officials around 5 minutes to spray water and put the fire under control. The federal property was undamaged.
The Swiss man and his Thai wife are safe.
Mr. Michael, 70, and his Thai wife, Mrs. Phonphan, 56, were unhurt but shocked. The Swiss man stated that he was transporting his wife to a relative’s wedding in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. He observed the gauge metre was at its highest temperature, and there was smoke in the car’s bonnet. So he slowed down, parked on the side of the street, and took the lugguges out. In less than a minute, the fire spread swiftly.
The officer investigated and discovered that this car was not modified to install gas. As a result, it was originally presumed that the problem was due to a malfunctioning cooling system.
LOPBURI – The monkey problem in Lopburi province has flared up again, with a woman filing a police report after being attacked and injured by a monkey.
Ms. Arikanta Kanchanasimetha, 36, from Tambon Thanon Yai, Mueang district, Lopburi, reported to Pol. Maj. Pipak Muangchang, an investigator from Tha Hin Police Station, said that she was injured by a monkey on her hip and knee at around 7:30pm on March 6, 2024 when she was walking past Phairoj Sports Shop in Tambon Tha Hin. She filed the report to claim medical expenses under the Protection Act.
In this incident, Mr. Prachaya Pepatrang, Deputy Governor of Lopburi, represented the governor in visiting the injured woman at Phra Narai Maharat Hospital. He presented 2,000 baht and discussed with the hospital director about providing special care for the victim.
However, the province has no power to interfere with the woman’s complaint, as monkeys are protected animals. The “owner of the monkeys” is the National Park Authority. The provincial administration has promised that the municipality will take care of the lighting in the area, as Ms. Arikanta said it was very dark and she did not see the monkey.
The deputy governor of Lopburi said that after the National Park Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Lopburi Municipality at the end of 2023 to relocate the monkeys to a well-maintained cage, Lopburi Municipality is currently improving the cage to make it more stable and stronger.
This will take time and money. It is expected that if successful, the number of monkeys can be greatly reduced. However, there will still be monkeys as a symbol of the province.
A sign prohibits feeding monkeys in the Lopburi city area. Violators are subject to a fine of 2,000 baht.
The deputy governor said the hot weather and lack of food sources could be factors that make the monkeys irritable and aggressive. They can bite each other, fight, destroy property, snatch things and attack tourists.
Mr. Chamroen Salachip, Mayor of Lopburi Municipality, who also visited Ms. Arikanta, said that in his opinion the memorandum of understanding with the National Park Authority was just an illusion as monkeys were still protected animals. He had told Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, during his earlier visit to Lopburi how to solve the problem.
“The solution is not difficult. It is to remove the monkey from the list of protected animals. Once the monkey is removed from the list, the area where the monkeys live should be handed over to the municipality for maintenance. The municipality should set up a budget for the care of the monkeys and manage them themselves. If a monkey bites or injures someone in their area, that area should be responsible,” Chamroen said.
The signing ceremony between the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation and Lopburi Municipality for a collaboration in management to address the monkey problems in the old city area took place on February 7, 2024.
Mr. Phadej Laithong, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said that the injured woman can sue the National Park Department. However, according to the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2019, although the crab-eating macaques are protected animals, the law only allows compensation for victims of elephants and gaurs.
In the past, there have been no lawsuits for damages caused by monkeys attacking people. However, in the future, there will be discussions on whether to add another animal, namely monkeys, to the list so that people can be compensated.
Maruko, the main character of the long-running anime series "Chibi Maruko-chan," whose voice was played by Tarako. (Photo courtesy of Fuji Television Network Inc.)(Copyright Sakura Production Co./Nippon Animation Co. via Kyodo)
TOKYO – Tarako, who lent her husky voice to the main character of the long-running Japanese anime series “Chibi Maruko-chan,” has died, her agency said Saturday. She was 63.
Tarako, whose real name was not made public, died Monday of undisclosed causes. She had been battling illness since the start of the year while continuing to work, the agency and Fuji Television Network Inc. said, adding it will air her last episode on March 24.
She played the role of Maruko for 34 years after being selected in an audition by the late Momoko Sakura, the creator of the manga on which the TV series was based. The series began airing in 1990.
The semi-autobiographical TV show starring a 9-year-old girl recorded a 39.9 percent audience share in October that year in Japan, one of the highest figures for an anime series.
The slice-of-life comedy depicts Momoko Sakura, nicknamed Maruko, her family and friends in the mid-1970s in what is now the city of Shizuoka in central Japan.
The anime series, whose creator died of breast cancer in August 2018 at age 53, is also popular among young people in other Asian countries, including China, where it is known as “Ying Tao Xiao Wan Zi.”
Before her signature work as Maruko, Tarako voiced characters in anime series such as “Mezon Ikkoku” and “Urusei Yatsura” in the 1980s. The Gunma Prefecture native was also a singer-songwriter, actor and narrator for TV programs.
BANGKOK – Ms. Jiraporn Sirikham, Deputy Director-General of Business Development, Acting Managing Director of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), revealed this week that they have successfully initiated the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the hydro-floating solar hybrid power plant, with a capacity of 24 megawatts, at the Ubonratana Dam in Khon Kaen province.
The main advantage of the floating solar hybrid power plant lies in the integration of three clean energy sources: Solar energy, hydropower and battery energy storage system (BESS).
This enables continuous power generation by utilizing solar energy during the day and hydropower from the existing dam during the night, together with the installation of a BESS to improve system stability during the transition between the two energy sources.
Additionally, an Energy Management System (EMS) and a Weather Forecast System are implemented to control and manage the power generation system, further increasing its reliability.
This hydro-floating solar hybrid power plant is the second of its kind under EGAT’s development plan for Thailand’s power generation capacity from 2018 (PDP2018 Revision 1), with a total of 16 projects across 9 dam sites, producing a combined capacity of 2,725 megawatts. This contributes significantly to Thailand’s clean energy goals and carbon neutrality targets.
Ms. Jiraporn emphasized EGAT’s commitment to improving the quality of life of the local fishing communities around the Ubonratana Dam. Initiatives such as the fish conservation’ project include the annual release of millions of fish and other aquatic species into the reservoir, the promotion of fisheries-related activities and the development of a fish processing industry.
There are also plans to establish solar-powered shrimp farms to create sustainable livelihoods and strengthen community self-reliance.
Ubon Rattana Dam, formerly known as the “phong neeb dam,” is a multi-purpose dam in Khok Sung sub-district, Ubonratana district, approximately 50 km (31 mi) north of Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen province, thailand. it was the first hydroelectric power project developed in Thailand’s northeastern region. the dam impounds the nam phong, which flows into the chi river and thence to the mun river, a tributary of the mekong river.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra welcomed Hun Sen, the former prime minister of Cambodia, who visited her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, at Ban Chan Song La, Thaksin’s residence in Bangkok, on February 21, 2024.
BANGKOK – The Thai government has come under political attack, claiming that Koh Kood is in danger of being claimed by Cambodia.
These attacks came after Hun Sen, the former prime minister of Cambodia, visited a close friend, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, at his residence in Bangkok on February 21, 2024.
Hun Sen, who is now president of the Cambodian Council of Ministers, then invited Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter and leader of the Pheu Thai Party, to visit Cambodia on March 19-20. This visit gave rise to rumors and speculation that Koh Kood could serve as a bargaining chip in future negotiations over the disputed sea area between Thailand and Cambodia.
Koh Kood is a beautiful tourism attraction.
The 26,000 square kilometer maritime dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has remained stagnant since the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2001, agreeing to “negotiate the maritime border while jointly developing petroleum resources.”
It is believed that the disputed area in the Gulf of Thailand may contain 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, worth 3.5 trillion baht, and 500 million barrels of oil, worth 1.5 trillion baht. Both countries could benefit from sharing these resources.
However, political instability in Thailand, including military coups, has prevented progress in the negotiations.
With Paetongtarn’s rise to the leadership of the Pheu Thai Party, some believe that she can help revive the agreement that was initiated by her father.
Hun Sen walks together with Thaksin Shinawatra during a meeting at Hun Sen’s residents in Takhmua, Kandal province, Cambodia, Suaturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (Cambodia’s Prime Minister Telegram via AP)
However, this move is likely to face opposition from nationalist groups in both countries, especially in Thailand. The issue of Koh Kood has already been used to spread rumors that Thailand may cede part of the island to Cambodia in exchange for personal gain for the two families involved. However, Sutin Khlangsaeng, the Thai Minister of Defense, has dismissed this claim as impossible.
Somkiat Samatkarn, the president of the Natural Resources Conservation and Protection Association of Trat Province and advisor to the provincial governor, confirmed that Koh Kood belongs entirely to Thailand according to the 1907 Franco-Siamese treaty. At that time, Cambodia was a colony of France and did not dispute Thailand’s sovereignty over the island.
The number of tourists visiting the island has increased since the beginning of 2024.
The treaty states that the land border that extends into the sea towards Koh Kood is only meant to indicate the endpoint of the land border between the two countries at the sea, and does not constitute an overlapping maritime border.
Koh Kood is currently a popular tourist destination. Praiwan Sroisang, the District Chief of Koh Kood, said that the number of tourists visiting the island has increased since the beginning of 2024, especially during major holidays. All hotel rooms are already booked for the upcoming Songkran festival. Tourists who plan to visit the island are advised to check with the operators for available rooms.
Japanese animation series "Dragon Ball." (Photo courtesy of Toei Animation Co. Copyright Bird Studio/Shueisha Inc./Toei Animation Co. via Kyodo)
TOKYO – Akira Toriyama, a monumental figure in the Japanese manga and anime world best known for creating the “Dragon Ball” series, died of an acute subdural hematoma on March 1, the manga series’ publishing firm said Friday. He was 68.
Toriyama mesmerized the world with his “Dragon Ball” series that not only boosted the popularity of Japanese manga and anime internationally but also introduced a host of unique and adorable manga and game characters born from his imagination.
Initially gaining popularity with “Dr. Slump,” which featured a super-powerful girl robot, Arale-chan, a series that started in 1980 in a weekly comic magazine, Toriyama’s work also garnered success in anime adaption, spawning a range of merchandise.
A child reads a Chinese version of the Japanese manga “Dragon Ball” in a library in Beijing on March 8, 2024. (Kyodo)
Launched in 1984, Dragon Ball, which follows the adventures of protagonist Goku and his explosive supernatural battles with his adversaries, became a worldwide success, with the manga selling over 260 million copies and spawning a franchise that includes anime series, films, video games and toys.
Born in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, Toriyama debuted in 1978 with the manga series “Wonder Island,” and gained popularity following the release of his “Dr. Slump” series, which was serialized in the Shukan Shonen Jump weekly in 1980. He also worked as a character designer for the “Dragon Quest” video game series.
Photo taken in 1982 shows portrait of Akira Toriyama, the creator of the legendary manga series “Dragon Ball.”
In 2000, Toriyama was part of the development team that accepted the grand prize for interactive digital art at the Japan Media Arts Festival, due to his contribution to character design for the game Dragon Quest VII. In 2006, Dragon Ball was ranked third out of 100 in the festival’s Japanese manga division.
Toriyama’s works “transcended national borders and were read and loved all over the world,” a statement by Dragon Ball’s publisher Shueisha Inc. said. “The charming characters he created and his overwhelming sense of design have had a great influence on many manga artists and creators,” it added.
Toriyama had been working on other projects before his death, including the anime “Sand Land: The Series,” which is due to be launched on a major streaming service later this month.
The news of Toriyama’s sudden death deeply saddened fellow manga artists and fans alike.
Masakazu Katsura, manga artist of “Zetman,” said he “felt weak and drained,” noting that he has been acquainted with Toriyama for some 40 years.
Japanese animation series “Dragon Ball Z.” (Photo courtesy of Toei Animation Co.)(Copyright Bird Studio/Shueisha Inc./Toei Animation Co.)(No reuse permitted)(Kyodo)
Toriyama was “a friend to me more than a great manga artist,” Katsura said. “It’s such a shame that I can no longer chat with him about stupid things on the phone.”
Japan’s top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi praised the author for leaving “a great mark across a range of media.”
“He played an extremely important role in spreading” Japanese culture, the chief Cabinet secretary told a press conference.
Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. said sales of merchandise related to Dragon Ball, including video games and toys, totaled 144.5 billion yen ($980 million) for the fiscal year that ended March 2023, up 16.9 billion yen from the previous year.
The company expressed shock and deep sadness at Toriyama’s death, which came to light on Friday ahead of the release in April of a game based on his manga series “Sand Land.”
Toriyama’s characters have also continued to inspire the next generation of creators.
Tourists touch a statue of a character from Akira Toriyama’s best-known work, “Dragon Ball,” in Tokyo on March 8, 2024. (Kyodo)
PHI PHI ISLANDS – Yutthaphong Damsrisuk, head of the Nopparat Thara Beach-Phi Phi Islands National Park in Krabi Province, revealed that park representatives filed a complaint with the Phi Phi Island Police Station regarding a group of tourists from the Quel Voyage George Town boat diving who removed a shell from the seabed around Koh Bida in the Phi Phi Islands that violated the law of the National Park Act.
The police are now investigating to seek the group of tourists to take legal action.
In this case, park officials received a complaint from a Facebook user who posted images of foreign tourists diving at Bida Island and went down to pick up one shell. Then, a group of authorities from Hat Nopparat Thara-Phi Phi Islands National Park studied photographs of the scenery’s distinctive features. Then they identified the name of the boat that entered the region on the specified date and time.
Yutthaphong stated that he would like to request that tourists visiting the National Park adhere to the following park tourism regulations:
1. Do not collect, remove, or do anything that harms corals, aquatic animals, and wildlife, including natural resources that affect the ecology and biodiversity.
2. Do not leave sewage, waste, or anything that could harm the environment.
3. Do not hunt animals, catch aquatic animals, or engage in any other activities that endanger all species in the national park.
Previously, in June 2023, two Chinese tourists were accused of taking photos while holding a starfish and stepping on coral reefs during their diving trip off Koh Racha in Phuket province.
Their actions violated a law prohibiting harm to the coastal environment which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a 200,000 baht fine.
Yingluck Shinawatra, the first female Prime Minister of Thailand and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai Party leader
BANGKOK – Two prominent Shinawatra female politicians highlighted International Women’s Day (March 8), urging people to be aware of the violence and discriminatory treatment of women in Thai society.
Yingluck Shinawatra, the first female Prime Minister of Thailand who is now living in exile, posts on social media that 30,000 Thai women each year report they face domestic violence while 87.4 percent do not report, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
She adds during her time as prime minister, the government established a One Stop Crisis Centre under the Public Health Ministry to assist women, children, the elderly and the physically handicapped people and she hopes it is still useful in integrating works from various agencies.
“In the end, if we value ourselves, we won’t let anyone devalue us. Happy International Women’s Day ka,” Yingluck wrote.
Yingluck Shinawatra greets her supporters in front of the court on Aug. 1, 2013.
Meanwhile, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, joined the stage at UNESCAP, Thailand’s United Nations organisation, to convey her vision for women’s roles in politics.
Female Pheu Thai Party representatives, including Ms. Puangpetch Chunlead, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office; Ms. Jiraporn Sinthuprai, Roi Et MP and Deputy Leader; and Ms. Chayika Wongnaphachan, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, were also present.
Yingluck’s niece, who entered politics after her father and her aunt delivered a speech on the topic “Investing in Women in Politics to Accelerate SDGs,” said that she would like to consider herself a woman who has been invested in politics, as the goal of this talk aims at.
“In recent years, the world has progressed a lot more towards the stronger rights of us, women, thanks to the SDGs advocacy by the UN and its partners worldwide, including Thailand. However, progress does not equate perfection and many women in Thailand still suffer from unfairness in workplace, discrimination, domestic violence, or gender bias. This has to change,” said Paetongtarn.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, joined the stage at United Nations ESCAP, Bangkok on March 8, 2024
As the female leader of a political party, she said she always holds the significance of investing women in politics in mind. In the last election, the party gained quite a number of female MPs, which amounted to 20% of our all-elected seats, which is above the average number of female Thai MPs in parliament.
“Yet, we know this is not good enough. Hence, in the next election, we aim to reach the global average proportion of women in parliaments, which is 26.5%. Also, we will sustain our tradition of gender equality in the party as the model for all political parties in Thailand.”
Paetongtarn explained her party’s policy to promote women’s rights and bridge the inequality gap via various tangible policies, such as the Women Empowerment Fund, the One Family One Soft Power or OFOS Policy, the Marriage Equality Bill, and the Free Cervical Cancer Vaccination.
Last but not least, the Ending Violence Against Women Policy as Thailand has reigned as one of the highest rates of violence against women, with 30,000 cases per year, and at least 7 Thai women are being subjected to physical, mental, or social abuse per day.
“Soon, the Pheu Thai Party will propose the Family Protection Bill to stop this unfairness and ill-treatment towards women, granting them the political ground to stand firm as proud women like me today,” she stated.
David, a 45-year-old Swiss national, signed a document authorising his representation to appeal the revocation of his permission to stay in Thailand to the Immigration Commission on the night of March 7, 2024.
PHUKET – The “David Kicks the Doctor” case, which occurred on February 24 near the beach of Phuket Province, has had far-reaching consequences, including inspections of beach land, foreigners who come to work in Thailand, and even the procession of firearms.
On March 8, 2024, immigration officials announced that Swiss national Mr. Fehr, also known as David, had posted bail of 100,000 baht to fight a case involving the assault of a Thai doctor and the revocation of his visa. However, he might be faced with more accusations.
The Immigration Bureau has granted bail to Mr. Fehr for 30 days on the condition that he live in approved housing, report to authorities every 15 days, not accept employment or engage in illegal activities, and not leave the country. Mr. Fehr also authorised a representative to appeal the revocation of his visa to the immigration authorities.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Itthipol Itthisarnronnachai, the Chief of Immigration Police, based the visa revocation on Mr. Fehr’s disruptive behavior, which has had multiple negative impacts on society and indicates potential danger.
On Thursday, March 7, 2024, David the Swissman apologised to an ambulance driver for acting inappropriately towards him.
In the case of firearms, David possesses two firearms, a handgun, a Glock, and a rifle, and has a Grade 4 licence to own and use firearms after seeking authorization for buying and possessing them in the name of the foundation.
Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Interior, stated that foreigners do not have the right to seek for a licence to carry a firearm, which was considered wrong from the beginning, and the charge against David must be added.
When asked about David’s visa appeal to the Ministry of Interior, Anutin indicated he would absolutely not accept it. He has not agreed that David should have a visa to continue fighting the case in Thailand.
Due to a conflict between locals and land claimants over a previously public area, particularly in Phuket Province. Besides the Yamu Beach incident, where villagers protested against Mr. Fehr and demanded access to the public beach, similar incidents occurred in other areas.
Anutin said he had directed authorities from the Department of Provincial Administration and the Land Department to thoroughly check the region, not only in Phuket but throughout the seaside provinces.
Residents of Ratsada and other areas in Phuket protested to reopen access to Lam Ngha Beach on March 7, 2024.
Residents of Ratsada and other areas in Phuket protested on Thursday to reopen access to Lam Ngha Beach, which according to the new land owners, had been blocked by a steel fence for several years because garbage was stored there and residents used this spot for hanging out. However, the road had been used by the villagers for generations until the ownership changed.
Nakarin Yorsangrat, mayor of Ratsada subdistrict, informed the assembled residents that after negotiations, the landowners had agreed to reopen access to the beach within 15 days until the area was landscaped and the garbage removed.
However, some residents expressed their dissatisfaction and demanded immediate access to the beach, calling the mayor a puppet of capitalism.
In addition, the “David kicks the doctor” case led to increased scrutiny of foreigners working or secretly doing business in Phuket, resulting in several arrests.
Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) is unwavering in its dedication to environmental stewardship, working towards achieving its Net-Zero target. The company is actively engaged in the construction of green buildings for its operations nationwide, utilizing sustainable construction materials and implementing measures to reduce energy consumption. The initiative begins with the development of five green buildings, contributing to the advancement of a low-carbon industry.
Peerapong Krinchai, the Head of Engineering at CP Foods, said the company is striving to meet global environmental standards with the objective of achieving a net-zero emission by 2050.
This goal is being realized through the adoption of cutting-edge methods to ensure CP Foods’ construction initiatives are in line with Thai’s Rating of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (TREES), established by the Thai Green Building Institute.
These standards advocate for the use of environmentally friendly construction practices and sustainable energy consumption. Achieving certification requires a building design and construction approach that focuses on the use of green materials and excludes the use of CFC refrigerants.
From 2023 to 2024, CP Foods initiated pilot projects to construct five green buildings, including a range of facilities like office buildings, pig processing and slaughtering plants in Khon Kaen and Sisaket provinces respectively, an Advanced Pharma laboratory and office dedicated to aquatic animal operations, and the Five Star Business Factory in Nakhon Ratchasima, as well as the Nong Chok Engineering Building.
These initiatives are projected to cut over 1,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, which is akin to the environmental impact of planting 100,000 trees, and to achieve an electricity cost saving of over 15% by utilizing eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient air conditioning systems, and improved construction management practices.
CP Foods’ efforts to protect the environment extend beyond its building projects, including partnerships with industry giants like the SCG group to drive innovation in green construction materials usage. To date, the green building project in Khon Kaen has been completed, with three others in progress, all expected to receive green building certification by early 2025. The Nong Chok Engineering Building stands out, targeting the esteemed Platinum level in green building certification and setting a high standard for energy saving within CP Foods.
Furthermore, in 2023, CP Foods and SCG initiated a pilot project to integrate CPAC green concrete into CP Foods’ construction activities, marking a crucial move towards reducing carbon emissions. This includes the implementation of the Ban That broiler chicken farm as a pioneering example of modern, sustainable farm management, employing 100% eco-friendly concrete and expanding the use of materials accredited with Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization.
Through these extensive efforts, CP Foods is not just progressing towards its aim of reducing the carbon footprint of its construction projects but is also aiding in the pursuit of a sustainable, low-carbon future for society at large.
