Some of the 3,000 grammes of heroin were concealed in two baby powder bottles.
SUVARNABHUMI – Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat Lakboon, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, revealed on Wednesday the arrest of a Chinese national, 29, with 3,000 grammes of heroin at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The suspect was attempting to smuggle the drugs into Australia before he was arrested by officers from the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF), a collaboration between Customs, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), the Airport Security Police (ASP) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).
Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat said that on February 22, 2024, ONCB officers stationed in China (Beijing ONCB Beijing) received intelligence about a person suspected of smuggling drugs from Thailand to Australia. The AITF unit investigated the information and found that the suspect was scheduled to travel on February 26, 2024, from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Melbourne, Australia.
A Chinese man, 29, was arrested with 3,000 grammes of heroin at Suvarnabhumi Airport on February 26, 2024.
As the time of the flight approached, the AITF officers spotted a man who matched the intelligence report and identified themselves as ONCB officers to request a search. During the search, 3,000 grammes of heroin were found, divided into powder form concealed in two baby powder bottles and in stick form hidden in six books, all packed in a suitcase.
The officers arrested the suspect and charged him with “attempting to illicitly export a Type 1 narcotic (heroin) from the Kingdom of Thailand” and “illicitly possessing a Type 1 narcotic (heroin) for the purpose of trafficking and impairing national security” under the Narcotics Act B.E. 2021. The Chinese national will be transferred to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) for further legal action.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat said that according to ONCB statistics, the AITF has successfully intercepted and seized 85 cases of drug exports to Australia since 1 October 2022 to date, seizing a total of 116.116 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 116.147 kg of heroin.
A Cat Bus low-speed electric vehicle, inspired by the animation film "My Neighbor Totoro," is driven at Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 27, 2024. (Kyodo)
NAGOYA – Low-speed electric vehicles modeled after the Cat Bus from Studio Ghibli’s anime film “My Neighbor Totoro” were unveiled Tuesday by the prefectural government and are set to run in a central Japan park housing the “Ghibli Park” theme park.
Visitors will be able to ride the vehicles in the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, starting March 16. The roughly 10-minute route will take passengers through a section of the grounds inaccessible to pedestrians.
The prefectural park, built at a former World Expo venue, is home to multiple attractions comprising the Ghibli Park theme park, which recreates the worlds portrayed in the internationally renowned studio’s animated works.
The vehicle can carry up to five passengers. Five of the low-speed automobiles will service the park.
Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura (2nd from R) rides on a Cat Bus low-speed electric vehicle, inspired by the animation film “My Neighbor Totoro,” at Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 27, 2024. (Kyodo)
Hoping to evoke the charm of the magical character from the 1988 hit movie, the vehicles feature a front design shaped like the cat’s face, complete with illuminating eyes, and seats upholstered with a fur-like material.
Passengers will receive a commemorative card illustrated by the film’s director, Hayao Miyazaki.
His eldest son, Goro Miyazaki, a film director at the studio who supervised the construction of Ghibli Park, said he hopes visitors will take to the vehicles.
A theme park in central Japan featuring the films of Studio Ghibli on Wednesday unveiled its latest attraction based on the animations “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” (Kyodo)
Tickets cost 1,000 yen ($6.70) for adults and 500 yen for children from 4 years old to elementary school age.
The theme park in central Japan featuring the films of Studio Ghibli on Wednesday unveiled its latest attraction based on the animations “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service.”
Visitors will be able to purchase baked goods, including cannoli, at a replica of the bakery that protagonist Kiki, from her namesake film, works at. They will also get to venture inside Howl’s castle, which a few times an hour emits smoke and has parts of it that move.
Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to ride a carousel starring motifs from the studio’s films, while a flying machine inspired by a traveling fair will be available for children.
A theme park in central Japan featuring the films of Studio Ghibli on Wednesday unveiled its latest attraction based on the animations “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” (Kyodo)
Palestinians wait for humanitarian aid on a beachfront in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Essa)
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel would be willing to pause its war on Hamas in Gaza during the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan if a deal is reached to release some of the hostages held by the militants, President Joe Biden said in comments released Tuesday.
There was no immediate Israeli reaction to Biden’s comments on an emerging framework deal, brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, under which Hamas would free some of the dozens of hostages it holds in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and a six-week halt in fighting. During the temporary pause, negotiations would continue over the release of the remaining hostages and additional Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
A Hamas official played down any sense of progress, saying the group wouldn’t soften its demands.
The start of Ramadan, which falls around March 10, is seen as an unofficial deadline for a cease-fire deal. The month is a time of heightened religious observance and dawn-to-dusk fasting for hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world. Israeli-Palestinian tensions have flared in the past during the holy month.
People walk past a graffiti calling for the return of the hostages kidnapped during the Oct. 7 Hamas cross-border attack in Israel, in Kfar Saba, Israel, Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
“Ramadan’s coming up and there has been an agreement by the Israelis that they would not engage in activities during Ramadan as well, in order to give us time to get all the hostages out,” Biden said in an appearance on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers.”
At the same time, Biden did not call for an end to the war, which was triggered by the deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, when militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted roughly 250 people, according to Israeli authorities.
Biden, who has shown staunch support for Israel throughout the war, left open the door to an eventual Israeli ground offensive in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, on the border with Egypt, where more than half of the enclave’s 2.3 million people have fled under Israeli evacuation orders.
The prospect of an invasion of Rafah has prompted global alarm over the fate of Gaza civilians trapped there. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said a ground operation in Rafah is an inevitable component of Israel’s strategy for crushing Hamas. This week, the military submitted for Cabinet approval operational plans for the offensive, as well as evacuation plans for civilians there.
Biden said he believes Israel has slowed its bombardment of Rafah.
Palestinians bury a four-year-old Abdul Rahman Muamm, killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, during his funeral in Khan Younis, Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)
“They have to and they have made a commitment to me that they’re going to see to it that there’s an ability to evacuate significant portions of Rafah before they go and take out the remainder Hamas,” he said. “But it’s a process.”
Hamas official Ahmad Abdel-Hadi indicated that optimism on a deal was premature.
“The resistance is not interested in giving up any of its demands, and what is proposed does not meet what it had requested,” he told the Pan-Arab TV channel Al Mayadeen.
Hamas has previously demanded that Israel end the war as part of any deal, which Netanyahu called “delusional.”
Israel’s devastating air, sea and ground campaign in Gaza has killed more than 29,700 people, most of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which does not distinguish between fighters and noncombatants in its count.
The fighting has obliterated large swaths of the urban landscape, displaced 80% of the battered enclave’s population and triggered a humanitarian crisis that has left a quarter of the population starving, according to the United Nations, and sparked concerns of imminent famine.
The first and only deal in the war, in late November, brought about the release of about 100 hostages — mostly women, children and foreign nationals — in exchange for about 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, as well as a brief halt in the fighting.
Negotiations were still underway Tuesday in Qatar to hammer out the deal’s details. A senior official from Egypt has said the draft cease-fire deal includes the release of up to 40 women and older hostages in return for up to 300 Palestinian prisoners — mostly women, minors and older people.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the negotiations, said the proposed six-week pause in fighting would include allowing hundreds of trucks to bring desperately needed aid into Gaza every day, including to the hard-hit north.
Tatler Thailand Launches Tatler GMT for The First Time, Fostering the Luxury Watch Community in Thailand
BANGKOK – Tatler Thailand, the leading luxury media and platform under Tatler Asia, is set to launch Tatler GMT for the first time in Thailand, introducing a premier content and community platform tailored for watch enthusiasts and collectors. This historic debut is accompanied by a significant achievement as Tatler Asia unveils its partnership with luxury Swiss watch publisher GMT (Great Magazine of Timepieces).
Established in the year 2000, this Swiss media and premium watch platform serves as the official media partner for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Tatler GMT aims to showcase the best of watchmaking, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in horology.
This collaboration not only underscores Tatler Asia’s dedication to the world of fine timepieces but also establishes it as the exclusive media partner in Asia to collaborate with GMT, marking a groundbreaking achievement.
Tatler GMT Thailand is scheduled to officially launch in Thailand in collaboration with Siam Paragon, the leading shopping destination and ‘Luxury Watch Destination’ in Thailand, and UOB Privilege Banking, creating a Luxury Watch Community to reinforce its leadership in the realms of Luxury Destination and Money-Can’t-Buy Experiences. The event is set to take place on 1 March 2024, at Hall of Mirrors, Siam Paragon.
Alongside the launch, the inaugural edition of Tatler GMT magazine in Thailand will be unveiled. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the Watch Guru, Watch Collector, and Watch Enthusiasts in the watch industry, engaging in the panel discussion on the topic ‘Watch is not just a Watch.’ Mr. Suebwong Kaewthiparat, Editor in Chief of Tatler GMT Thailand, will lead the Panel Discussion, and there will be a showcase of rare pieces with captivating displays, representing the craftsmanship and innovation in watchmaking.
Thailand’s Luxury Watch Community Elevated by Tatler GMT
Tatler GMT’s digital content will be seamlessly integrated into the watch sub-vertical on tatlerasia.com, offering a comprehensive resource for enthusiasts to explore. Meanwhile, the print edition will be released quarterly across various markets, with the Thai edition set to captivate readers with its blend of insightful articles, interviews, and stunning visuals.
In addition to the launch event, Tatler GMT Thailand invites watch enthusiasts to join its luxury watch community on LINE OpenChat, where members can connect, share insights, and stay updated on the latest trends in the world of watches.
“We are thrilled to bring Tatler GMT to Thailand in partnership with GMT, offering a unique platform for watch collectors and enthusiasts to indulge their passion and connect with the luxury watch community in Thailand,” said Apinya Dolan, Managing Director at Tatler Asia (Thailand). “With Tatler GMT, we aim to elevate the watch community in Thailand by providing unparalleled access to premium content and exclusive events.”
Join Tatler GMT on March 1, 2024, at Siam Paragon for an unforgettable launch event, and be part of Thailand’s premier luxury watch community. Join Tatler GMT Thailand LINE OpenChat for event registration.
For more information, please visit tatlerasia.com Follow Tatler Thailand Instagram (@tatlerth) and Tatler Thailand Facebook, to stay tuned for more updates and exclusive insights into our upcoming launch events.
Miss Piyanuch, 23, a native of Sa Kaeo province, was arrested first in Poipet and taken to Sa Kaeo Immigration Police. She is then transported to Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for questioning.
BANGKOK – Pol. Gen. Thanee Chuwong, deputy commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, briefed on Tuesday the investigative progress in the case of a Taiwanese man, Mr. Shih Mou Chiang, who was murdered and whose body was dumped in an abandoned store in the Suvarnabhumi area of Samut Prakan Province, saying that the Cambodian police have already arrested one of five suspects in Poi Pet, Cambodia.
Miss Piyanuch, 23, a native of Sa Kaeo province, was arrested first in Poipet and taken to the Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for questioning. She is the tenant of the house in Soi Lat Pla Khao, as well as the owner of the red Mazda car in which Mr. Shih’s body was transported to be abandoned within the Suvarnabhumi area.
The house in Soi Lat Pla Khao, Lat Phrao district, Bangkok, where the murder took place, has been cordoned off.
According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirasan Kaewsaengaek, commander of Police Region 1, the murder took place in a village in Soi Lat Pla Khao, Lat Phrao district, Bangkok on February 25. Police now know the identities of all five suspects, four of whom are Taiwanese men and one Thai woman, and have applied for an arrest warrant for the suspects and coordinated with Cambodian police to track them down.
The remaining four accused are Taiwanese: Hau, Peng-Yuan, 43 years old; Wang, Hung-Teng, 42 years old; Chou, Yu-Fan, 24 years old; Lin, Kuang-Yuan, 36 years old; three of these people are reported to be hiding in Cambodia, while another has gone to Taiwan. The police are now working with Taiwanese officials to locate him.
“Although the murder was a violent crime committed by foreigners against each other in Thailand, the Thai police will speed up the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Pol. Gen. Thanee stated on February 27.
Mr. Shih Mou Chiang, 44, a Taiwanese national had fled an arrest warrant from Taiwan on accusations of robbery and possession of firearms before fleeing and hiding in Thailand until his death.
The police have identified three main motives for the murder: Illegal business, drug problems and relationship problems within the group.
The police inspected the abandoned store in the Suvarnabhumi area of Samut Prakan Province, where the Taiwanese body was found on February 25, 2024.
An important witness in this case is a cab driver who made a connection between the suspects. The two suspects had hailed the cab to pick them up at the entrance of Soi Phus-Charoon at Phatthanakan Road 3. There, the suspects had parked their red Mazda after disposing of the body before hailing a cab back to the house where the murder took place.
This information is consistent with the testimony of villagers who said that a cab arrived around 8:00 a.m. on February 25 and two Chinese men got out of the car and went to the house where the crime took place to make preparations once again before fleeing.
They hired a van from Sa Kaeo province, which picked up the five suspects and took them back to the Khlong Luek border crossing to leave the country.
Tourists crowded at Suvarnabhumi Airport on February 25, 2024. (Photo by Pravit Rojanaphruk)
SAMUT PRAKAN – Keerati Kitmanawat, President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AoT), has unveiled plans to improve the quality of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Since the New Year vacation, the airport has seen a peak of 5,000–6,000 passengers per hour during peak hours.
This has resulted in passengers queuing for up to 1 hour and 10 minutes at the combined check-in and immigration checkpoints, with an average waiting time of 46 minutes. This still exceeds AoT’s target of achieving a total waiting time of no more than 30 minutes.
Keerati Kitmanawat, President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AoT), together with Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration 2, inspect the services of Suvarnabhumi Airport on February 25, 2024.
Urgent policies to improve quality and speed up service include:
Hiring 800 support staff for the screening process and airport assistance staff to provide convenience to passengers 24 hours a day, every day, by March 30, 2024. Coordinating with Immigration Bureau 2 (IB2) to have officers manning all immigration counters before peak hours and increasing the number of officers.
IB2 has already recruited 200 new officers who are currently undergoing theoretical training. They are expected to be able to start working from March 1, 2024 onwards. There is also a plan to request an additional 400 positions, bringing the total to 600 positions this year.
Installation of 80 additional automatic passport control channels for both arrivals and departures and updating of the system software to improve efficiency. The first 20 devices will be installed by June 15, 2024, and the entire installation will be completed by July 15, 2024.
Coordinating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to improve the efficiency of screening to match current travel patterns, such as screening power banks and reducing the need for passengers to remove their shoes.
AoT has introduced the Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) in the departure hall on level 4 of the passenger terminal.
To facilitate and speed up airline processing, AoT has introduced the Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) in the departure hall on level 4 of the passenger terminal, which includes several automated services. The system emphasizes self-service to reduce queues, such as the Common Use Self-Service Kiosk (CUSS) and the Common Use Baggage Drop (CUBD).
AoT has also partnered with 24 airlines to allow passengers to check in 4 hours before their flight, which will help reduce congestion in the departure hall.
Keerati said that in line with the government’s Aviation Hub policy, AoT is also pushing for major projects to expand its service capacity. These include the construction of a third runway to increase capacity from 68 flights per hour to 94 flights per hour, which is expected to be completed and operational by mid-2024.
The project is currently being redesigned and is scheduled to start construction in 2024 and be completed in 2027. Once completed, it will increase AoT’s capacity by a further 15 million passengers per year.
The Cobra Gold 2024 Opening Ceremony is taking place at the Royal Thai Naval Airbase, Royal Thai Air Fleet, in Rayong province.
RAYONG – On February 27, 2024, at 09.30 a.m., Thailand Chief of Defence Forces General Songwit Noonpakdee, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec and Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson presided over the Cobra Gold 2024 Opening Ceremony at the Royal Thai Naval Airbase, Royal Thai Air Fleet in Rayong province.
Also attending the ceremony were Ambassador of Singapore to Thailand, Ambassador of Indonesia to Thailand, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Thailand, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, and Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand.
Thailand Chief of Defence Forces General Songwit Noonpakdee, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec and Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson presided over the Cobra Gold 2024 Opening Ceremony at the Royal Thai Naval Airbase on February 27, 2024.
Cobra Gold is the largest and longest-running joint military exercise in Southeast Asia, co-hosted annually in Thailand by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. This year’s exercise is the 43rd iteration with seven countries participating in the main drills – Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Malaysia.
Two additional countries are joining the humanitarian assistance trainings – the PRC and India; and one additional country is joining the Command Post Exercise – Australia. Ten countries are joining the Multinational Planning Augmentation team (MPAT) – Bangladesh, Canada, France, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Fiji, United Kingdom, and Brunei; and 10 countries are joining the Combined Observer Liaison team (COLT) – Cambodia, Laos, Brazil, Pakistan, Vietnam, Germany, Sweden, the Hellenic Republic (Greece), Kuwait, and Sri Lanka.
Thailand Chief of Defence Forces General Songwit Noonpakdee, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec and Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lieutenant General Xavier T. Brunson presided over the Cobra Gold 2024 Opening Ceremony at the Royal Thai Naval Airbase on February 27, 2024.
There is a total of 30 participating countries and 9,590 participating personnel. The objectives of the exercise are to develop good military relations between participating allies; to enhance the capacity of conducting joint and multilateral operations by adapting mobilization in various emergencies; and to practice following standard operating procedures for a multinational force.
The exercises will be held from February 27-March 8, 2024, with the following main exercises:
1.The Command Post Exercise (CPX) is a total force training exercise to handle all domain operations – land, sea, air, cyber, and space. This year’s exercise is based on a completed operations order (OPORD) and concept of operations (CONOP) developed from the procedure which the director of the Joint Operations Division chose based on the Military Decision Making Process-Multinational (MDMP-M), a product of last year’s STAFFEX.
2.The Humanitarian/Civic Assistance (HCA) includes multipurpose building construction projects in five sites and the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Tabletop Exercise (HADR-TTX) which shows the role of the military in responding to natural disasters at regional and international levels. The HADR-Demo showcases station-by-station operations including search and rescue, emergency response, medical evacuation, chemical leak response, and firefighting.
3. The Field Training Exercise (FTX) includes cross-training exercises, and field training for the army, navy, and air force. These include an amphibious exercise, strategic airborne operations, non-combatant evacuation, and a live fire exercise.
Cobra Gold 2024 increases the capacity of participating troops from Thailand and allies though the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and military technologies. It increases the experience of joint and multilateral operations for the Thai and allied forces, and the capacity and efficiency of disaster management and mitigation.
It also strengthens bonds between soldiers from Thailand and other participating nations, as well as the locals in exercise locations. CG24 builds a good image of Thailand in the eyes of our allies and the international community.
Hino brings smiles to the society with the Hino Power of Blood activity, donating blood in collaboration with The Thai Red Cross.
“One person gives, many people receive. The more you give, the more you get.”
On February 14, 2024, Hino Group together with the National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross, by Ms. Yumiko Kawamura, President of Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) Ltd., Mr. Toru Matsukawa, President of Hino Motors Asia Ltd. Mr. Athikom Pothikanon, Senior Vice President of Hino Motors Manufacturing (Thailand) Ltd. with the honor of Ms. Sineenart Oota, Assistant Director of Blood Services, The National Blood Centre of the Thai Red Cross Society, participated in the opening ceremony of the 1st “Power of Blood” blood donation activity.
This was a collaboration among Hino Group to deliver benefits to the society. “One person gives, many people receive. The more you give, the more you get,”. The activity was held at Sakura Building, Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) Ltd. Head Office.
Blood donation activity “Power of Blood” was a collaboration of the Hino Group. It received great cooperation and supported from The Thai Red Cross Society, with Ms. Yumiko Kawamura, President of Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) Ltd. representing the Hino Group who said thank you to
The National Blood Centre of the Thai Red Cross Society for supporting personnel and equipment for the event as well as thanking all 3 companies from Hino Group for recognizing its importance and benefits of the cooperation for better results of the goals set.
In addition, Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) Ltd. in its capacity to take care of customers all over the country through cooperation with a network of distributors spread across all regions, also has a policy to create smiles for everyone in Thailand. Every smile of dealers, customers and society is our happiness. It is not just about getting good service from products and good after-sales service from Hino but also the happiness from co-creating good things with Hino that counts.
After completion in the first “Power of Blood” blood donation activity, The Thai Red Cross received a total of 72,800cc of blood donation. This will definitely help alleviate the blood shortage problem in the future.
Creating happiness for both the giver and the receiver, Hino Group continues to carry out this activity in various regions throughout the country. You can follow the schedule and participate in the activity free of charge according to public relations channels and Hino distributors.
There are still many activities this year with the Hino Smile Project and the Hino We Care Project. Social activities are continued to be implemented in order to conduct business together with social care. Also, Hino family creates sustainable growth together. For more information, activities, and latest updates, please visit www.hinothailand.com, Facebook: Hino Thailand Fan Club, Line: @hinoth, YouTube: Hino Thailand Official, and TikTok: @hinoth.
A black bicycle of a Swiss man was hit violently, and the back wheel was totally destroyed.
CHONBURI – According to police officers at the Na Jomtien Police Station in Chonburi Province, the driver of the car that struck the 73-year-old Swiss tourist’s bicycle has now surrendered.
On February 26, Mrs. Saranya, 49, of Huai Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, travelled to Na Jomtien to report to the police. She admitted that she had hit a foreigner’s bicycle.
She drove the car involved in the accident so that police officials could investigate it. It was a red Mazda, and the front window on the driver’s side was scratched by broken glass.
The car that crashed into the Swiss man when he was riding on Sunday night.
The accident occurred at 11:30 p.m. on February 25, and then police and rescue workers arrived on Sukhumvit Road on their approach to Sattahip. Before reaching the Caltex petrol station in Village No. 2, Na Jomtien Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, they discovered a 73-year-old foreign man named Mr. Frei Ernst, who was critically hurt and eventually died. There was a black bicycle nearby. It was hit and the back wheel totally destroyed.
This woman reported that on Sunday night, she was driving her car from Pattaya to her home in Huai Yai Subdistrict. She didn’t spot the foreigner riding his bicycle in the right lane while driving at high speeds, so she crashed into him violently. She drove home first, out of fear and shock, and then called the police and offered to surrender the next morning.
Initially, the police accused her with careless driving, resulting in the death of another person.
In this image taken from video, police are deployed outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, after an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force was critically injured after setting himself ablaze outside the diplomatic compound. (WJLA via AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) — An active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force has died after he set himself ablaze outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., while declaring that he “will no longer be complicit in genocide.”
The 25-year-old airman, Aaron Bushnell, of San Antonio, Texas, died from his injuries, the Metropolitan Police Department said Monday.
Bushnell had walked up to the embassy shortly before 1 p.m. on Sunday and began livestreaming on the video streaming platform Twitch, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Law enforcement officials believe the man started a livestream, set his phone down and then doused himself in accelerant and ignited the flames. At one point, he said he “will no longer be complicit in genocide,” the person said. The video was later removed from the platform, but law enforcement officials have obtained and reviewed a copy.
The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
In this image taken from video, police are deployed outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, after an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force was critically injured after setting himself ablaze outside the diplomatic compound. (WJLA via AP)
In a statement Monday, the Air Force said, “The individual involved in yesterday’s incident succumbed to his injuries and passed away last night.” The Air Force said it would provide additional information a day after military officials complete notifying his next of kin.
The incident happened as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking the cabinet approval for a military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah while a temporary cease-fire deal is being negotiated. Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, however, has drawn criticisms, including genocide claims against the Palestinians.
Israel has adamantly denied the genocide allegations and says it is carrying out operations in accordance with international law in the Israel-Hamas war.
In December, a person self-immolated outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta and used gasoline as an accelerant, according to Atlanta’s fire authorities. A Palestinian flag was found at the scene, and the act was believed to be one of “extreme political protest.”
