Biden Aide Urges Bejing To Press Iran Over Houthi Attacks. China Warns US Over Taiwan Independence

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28 January 2024, 14:55

wangyi-sullivan — The combination of photos shows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, on Jan. 28, 2024, and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, on Jan. 26, 2024. Both met in Bangkok.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan pressed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during talks in Thailand to use China’s influence with Iran to ease tensions in the Middle East. The officials also agreed to work toward arranging a call between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The meetings Friday and Saturday in Bangkok, which followed up on the presidents’ discussions in November in California, took place after a ruling-party candidate opposed by Beijing won Taiwan’s recent presidential election and U.S. and Chinese military officials resumed a once-frozen dialogue. They played out as attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to threaten global shipping in the Red Sea.

wangyi sullivan2 — Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, holds talks with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

A senior U.S. official said Sullivan cited China’s extensive economic leverage over Iran and emphasized that the destabilizing effect of the Houthi attacks on international commerce. The official noted that China has publicly called for lower tensions, but said it was too soon to tell whether Beijing was using its diplomatic muscle to press Tehran on the matter. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the private conversations between Sullivan and Wang and spoke on condition of anonymity.

AP24027436647060 — A view of the oil tanker Marlin Luanda on fire after an attack, in the Gulf of Aden. (Indian Navy via AP)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wang said Washington should stand by a commitment not to support independence for Taiwan. Wang said Taiwan’s election, won by Lai Ching-te, the current vice president, did not alter the Chinese position that the island is part of China and that the biggest challenge in U.S.-China relations is the issue of “Taiwan independence,” according to a statement from the ministry.

Biden has said he does not support independence, but U.S. law requires a credible defense for Taiwan and for the U.S. to treat all threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”

The U.S. official said it was not clear when the next Biden-Xi conversation would happen, but that the officials hoped it would take place in the coming months.

AP23320113551773 — President Joe Biden greets China’s President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Wang and Sullivan previously met on the Mediterranean island nation of Malta and in Vienna last year before the Biden-Xi meeting in California.

In November, both sides showcased modest agreements to combat illegal fentanyl and reestablish military communications, keeping the relationship from growing any worse. The U.S.-China Counternarcotics Working Group is set to hold its first meeting on Tuesday. American officials say fentanyl and its precursors are largely manufactured in China.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown its displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by sending military planes and ships. Earlier Saturday, Taiwan’s defense ministry said China had sent more than 30 warplanes and a group of navy ships toward the island during a 24-hour period, including 13 warplanes that crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait — an unofficial boundary that’s considered a buffer between its territory and the mainland.

AP23255250379230 — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) conducts routine underway operations in the Taiwan Strait, on Sept. 9, 2023. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jamaal Liddell/U.S. Navy via AP)

Wang also said China and the U.S. should use the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year as an opportunity to reflect on past experiences and treat each other as equals, rather than adopting a condescending attitude.

The countries should “be committed to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, building a correct way for China and the U.S. to interact,” the statement quoted Wang as saying.

Taiwan has said six Chinese balloons either flew over the island or through airspace just north of it, days after the self-governing island held its election. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party largely campaigned on self-determination, social justice and a rejection of China’s threats.

Apart from cross-strait issues, Sullivan and Wang also discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Middle East, North Korea, the South China Sea, and Myanmar, the White House said. Sullivan and Wang talked about progress toward holding a dialog this spring between U.S. and Chinese officials on artificial intelligence.

Sullivan highlighted that although Washington and Beijing are in competition, both sides have to “prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation,” according to a White House summary of the meeting.

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Beijing Steps Up Military Pressure On Taiwan After The US And China Announce Talks in Bangkok

British Man Fails with Parachute from 29th-floor Pattaya Condo

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Khaosod English

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28 January 2024, 03:08

PATTAYA – A British man parachuted from a 29th-floor Pattaya condominium, but it malfunctioned and caused his death.

Pattaya Tourist Police Officer, Bang Lamung Police Station Officer, and Pattaya City Rescue Workers hurried to a condo in Na Kluea Subdistrict, Bang Lemung District, Chonburi Province, after receiving a report that a person had fallen from a height and died at around 7:30 p.m. on January 27.

The incident happened near the exit of Building B, where officers discovered the body of Mr Nathy Odinson, 33, a British national, on the floor. A blue, circular parachute was attached to the deceased. Mr. Nathy’s friends and condominium residents were shock as they watched.

Kanet Chansong, a 33-year-old condominium employee said he heard something strike the floor. He thought it was simply a broken branch. But as a woman walked by and screamed, he ran to investigate and saw a person fall, hit a tree, collapse on the ground, and die. When he regained his calm, he promptly informed the authorities.

condo british2 — A blue, circular parachute was attached to the British body.

The condo employee also revealed that Mr. Nathy had secretly entered this place by parking outside when there were no other people around. He walked up to the 29th-floor condo and skydived from the top while his friend recorded footage.

“I’d seen him creep up and jump many times before. It’s as if they’re creating some kind of VDO content, but this time the parachute failed, causing him to fall against a tree and strike the ground before dying.” Kanet stated.

Police Lieutenant Kamolporn Nadee, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Bang Lamung Police Station, summoned the deceased’s friend, who filmed the video, to come in for questioning. The investigators also inspected a CCTV camera and worked with police from the Forensics Division, District 2, Chonburi Province, to investigate the case.

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Beijing Steps Up Military Pressure On Taiwan After The US And China Announce Talks In Bangkok

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Associated Press

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27 January 2024, 16:23

China Defense — In this photo released by the U.S. Navy The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) prepares to come alongside Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14) in the East China Sea, on Jan. 21, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stack/U.S. Navy via AP)

China sent more than 30 warplanes and a group of navy ships toward Taiwan, the island’s defense ministry said Saturday.

The military pressure comes on the heels of an announcement that senior American and Chinese representatives were expected to meet in the Thai capital as the two countries seek to cool tensions. That summit meeting was seen as an effort to patch up frayed relations due to quarrels over a range of economic and geopolitical issues.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed that Wang Yi plans to meet with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, he said the Chinese foreign minister “will make clear China’s position on China-U.S. relations and the Taiwan issue, and exchange views with the U.S. on international and regional issues of mutual concern.”

AP24027147632971 — FILE – This combination of photos shows U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, left, in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 16, 2024 and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, on Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army sent 33 aircraft, including SU-30 fighters, and six navy vessels around Taiwan, between 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. Of these, 13 warplanes crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait — an unofficial boundary that’s considered a buffer between the island and mainland. Taiwan has monitored the situation and employed its own forces in response to the activities.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown is displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by sending military planes and ships. Taiwan said six Chinese balloons either flew over the island or through airspace just north of it days after the self-governing island elected Lai Ching-te as the new president. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party largely campaigned on self-determination, social justice and a rejection of China’s threats.

United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were both in Bangkok for talks, though it wasn’t clear when the meeting would take place or if it already had.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of a summit in November in an effort to patch up frayed relations due to quarrels over a range of economic and geopolitical issues. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the planned meeting in Bangkok continues the commitment Biden and Xi made “to maintain strategic communication and responsibly manage the relationship.”

During talks, Foreign Minister Wang would make clear China’s position on Taiwan and on U.S.-China relations, and discuss international and regional concerns, ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Friday.

An immediate international concern to both countries is tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid the Suez Canal. Beijing said it has been making positive efforts to de-escalate the situation in which Iran-backed Houthi rebels have fired missiles at international ships.

Ukrainian-born Miss Japan Rekindles An Old Question: What Does It Mean To Be Japanese?

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Associated Press

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27 January 2024, 11:04

TOKYO (AP) — Crowned Miss Japan this week, Ukrainian-born Karolina Shiino cried with joy, thankful for the recognition of her identity as Japanese. But her Caucasian look rekindled an old question in a country where many people value homogeneity and conformity: What does it mean to be Japanese?

Shiino has lived in Japan since moving here at age 5 and became a naturalized citizen in 2022. Now 26, she works as a model and says she has as strong a sense of Japanese identity as anyone else, despite her non-Japanese look.

AP24026357742359 — Contestants including Carolina Shiino, who won the Miss Nippon (Japan) Grand Prix, center, pose for a photo after the contest in Tokyo, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 (Miss Nippon Association via AP)

“It really is like a dream,” Shiino said in fluent Japanese in her tearful acceptance speech Monday. “I’ve faced a racial barrier. Even though I’m Japanese, there have been times when I was not accepted. I’m full of gratitude today that I have been accepted as Japanese.”

“I hope to contribute to building a society that respects diversity and is not judgmental about how people look,” Shiino said.

But her crowning triggered a debate over whether she should represent Japan.

Some people said on social media that it was wrong to pick a Miss Japan who doesn’t have even a drop of Japanese blood even if she grew up in Japan. Others said there was no problem with Shiino’s crowning because her Japanese citizenship makes her Japanese.

missjapan ukraine2 — instagram/karolina0824

Japan has a growing number of people with multiracial and multicultural backgrounds, as more people marry foreigners and the country accepts foreign workers to make up for its rapidly aging and declining population.

But tolerance of diversity has lagged.

Chiaki Horan, a biracial television personality, said on a news program Thursday that she was born in Japan and has Japanese nationality, yet has often faced questions of whether she is really Japanese or why she is commenting on Japan.

“I’ve learned that there are some people who require purity of blood as part of Japanese-ness,” she said. “I wonder if there is a lack of an understanding that there may be people of diverse roots from different places if you just go back a few generations.”

Shiino is only the latest to face the repercussions of questions over what constitutes Japanese.

missjapan ukraine1 — instagram/karolina0824

Ariana Miyamoto, a native of Nagasaki who has a Japanese mother and an African American father, also faced fierce criticism when she was chosen to represent Japan in the Miss Universe pageant in 2015.

When tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games in 2021, she was lashed by nationalists on social media for not being “pure Japanese,” though she was also warmly welcomed by many.

Growing up, Shiino said she had difficulty because of the gap between how she is treated because of her foreign appearance and her self-identity as Japanese. But she said working as a model has given her confidence. “I may look different, but I have unwavering confidence that I am Japanese,” she said.

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Mari Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. AP video journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report.

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Nippon Paint Unveils 2024-2026 Strategy Targeting to Become the No.1

By

Contributor

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27 January 2024, 10:15

BANGKOK – “Nippon Paint” launches a 3-year strategy to become the leading manufacturer and distributor in Thailand with targets to achieve sales of over 15 billion baht by 2026 that become the No.1 paint and coatings brand in the Thai painting industry.

As a new beginning for the Year of Dragon, the company hosted a Dealer Conference meeting gathering nationwide distributors at the Conrad Bangkok Hotel, while proceeding with marketing strategies to create new movements for the painting market, reinforcing “the Inspired by You” concept with the new strategies. The company is confident that its sales in 2024 will break a new high once again.

Mr. Jon Tan Hon Yiu, Deputy Managing Director of Nippon Paint Malaysia Group (M Group), led the team in announcing the achievements and policies of the Nippon Paint Group around the world, as well as achievements in the Asian region and Thailand, showing its competency to move toward the new strategies, trading goals, and products development to the World Class Standard.

Mr. Watchara Siriritthichai, General Manager of Nippon Paint Decorative Coatings Thailand, a manufacturer and distributor of “Nippon Paint” in Thailand as Japan-based Asia’s number one paint brand and the fourth leading brand in the world market, revealed that in 2023 Nippon Paint Thailand achieved a total sale of more than 9.2 billion baht, or an increased by 12 percent, higher than the company’s target.

Positive factors contributing to the growth were mainly from the comprehensive adjusting of the company’s operating strategies covering marketing, sales, and market segments. Under the market strategy, the company has focused more on ‘Push Marketing’, making it possible to reach more targeted groups of customers.

It has also adjusted the sales structure by increasing the efficiency of sales staff to be able to respond to customers’ demand, while adjusting market segments to make them clearer and meet customers’ demand at the right targeted groups whether they are a group of Business-to-Business (B2B), Business-to-Customer (B2C) and Business-to-Government (B2G).

Regarding the operational strategy of “Nippon Paint” in the next three years (2024-2026), the company aims to become “the leading manufacturer and distributor in Thailand” under the concept of “Inspired by You”.

The operating concept is the integration of three business groups: Decorative, Auto Refinish and Industrial to promote strength and confidence, while truly responding to the demand of the Thai market. Moreover, within the next three years from now, the company is prompt to continue investing in innovation, technology, and product and service development, as well as drawing a 360-degree marketing strategy based on customer-centric.

“The year 2023 is considered one of the successful years for Nippon Paint. It can be seen from the exponential growth of more than 12 percent, while the total market grew only 5-6 percent, our growth is considered to be double the market’s expansion. This helps encourage the company’s confidence in continuing to penetrate the market. This year, Nippon Paint will return to focus more on investment and sturdy market penetration. We set to achieve sales of over 11 billion baht this year, a new high in sales in 57 years of Nippon Paint Thailand. Furthermore, we set to become the leading in manufacturing and distributing in Thailand (manufacturer and distributor in Thailand, excluding exports) with total sales of over 15 billion baht by 2026,” Mr. Watchara said.

Mr. Narongrit Malainual, Marketing Director of Nippon Paint Decorative Coatings Thailand, said that Nippon Paint is moving forward with a 360-degree marketing strategy, both Above The Line and Below The Line, to create awareness and build confidence among all targeted groups of customers, covering B2B, B2C, and B2G.

As a new beginning for the Year of Dragon, the company will organize a Dealer Conference Meeting, gathering nationwide distributors to the event, and will continue with its full competency marketing strategy in order to create a new movement for the paint market in Thailand.

“Nippon Paint moves forward with our business plan under the concept of “Inspired by You” consisting of “3C”: Customer Centric, Customized Solution and Concrete Innovation with customer-centric vision. Nippon Paint’s products and innovations have been created and developed from customer needs and problems experienced by customers. Nippon Paint creates innovations and resolutions that respond to and solve those problems directly to the point.

Previously, the company has focused on improving the efficiency of sales staff to help solve problems for customers, while also increasing distribution channels to cover both dealers and modern trade. At the same time, the company aims to move forward in promoting growth together with our business partners in every group by jointly developing products and services, and operations plans together. The company has no policy to open retail stores or sell products in the same direction as trading partners, making our partners confident that Nippon Paint is truly ready to thrive together with our partner,” Mr. Narongrit reiterated.

In 2023, All types of paint market industry have a total value of approximately 58 billion baht, with a growth of 5-6 percent. This year, it is expected to grow 5 percent. Factors to support the growth contribute to company marketing strategies and joint partnerships with business partners. The company also places importance on customers as a priority, while also increasing the efficiency of employees to have expertise in each segment.

Meanwhile, at the Dealer Conference Meeting, the event was honored by Mr. Arnut Kittikulmetee, Executive Vice President – Project Development Department (Low Rise), Sansiri Public Company Limited, Thailand’s leading real estate developer, as a guest speaker, giving a vision about the direction of real estate industry and the selection of construction materials in 2024.

“Sansiri places great importance on conducting business based on sustainability. Sansiri’s mission as Thailand’s first real estate company to set a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (Net-Zero) by the year 2050

One of the most important plans for this year is a commitment to deliver every new project of Sansiri with green home innovation or Green Living Designed Home under 3 concepts, starting from design-construction-to-delivery of a clean energy home. This is to ensure that our residents have a good quality of life.

Sansiri also pays great attention to the process of selecting business partners, who seriously care about environmental protection. We appreciate Nippon Paint for continuing to be an ally and business partner with Sansiri in delivering good quality housings with safety standards for residents, while also being environmentally friendly to reach our goal of reducing environmental impacts together,” Mr. Arnut said at the Dealer Conference Meeting.

A British Man Makes Up A Story Being Held For Ransom In Pattaya

By

Khaosod English

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27 January 2024, 04:52

ransom — Mr. Ian was arrested instead of being helped at a room in Soi Nong Prue 13, Pattaya City.

PATTAYA – Police officers deployed commandos to help the British man after being informed by his family in England that he was kidnapped and held for ransom But when they arrived, they found that the man had made up a story because he had run out of money, so he thought of tricking his family into sending money to him.

Police Lieutenant General Jirapop Phuridej, Commander-in-Chief of the Central Police Bureau, received a report from Mr. Ian’s family in England via Interpol that Mr. Ian had been kidnapped for ransom in Thailand. As a result, he directed the investigative team to the Crime Suppression Division to rush to help.

When the CIB found out that Mr. Ian was staying in a room in Soi Nong Prue 13, Pattaya City, they sent the special operations team “Hanuman” to the area to help the victim right away on January 26.

However, when the commando arrived, they discovered that Mr. Ian was taking drugs with three other Western foreigners: Mr. Damien, a French national; Mr. Darren, a British national; and Mr. Benjamin, a New Zealand citizen. The law enforcement officers found no evidence of being kidnapped, as alleged. They discovered firearms and drugs in the room.

As a result, an arrest was made on allegations of “jointly possessing category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine), jointly possessing firearms and ammunition, and being an alien whose permission to remain in the Kingdom has expired.”

According to the investigation, Mr.Ian and three other companions lived in Thailand for a long time until they ran out of money. So Mr. Ian made a scam to mislead people at home into believing he had been kidnapped and demanded ransom. He hoped his family would send money to him for his next trip. But the plan had been uncovered beforehand.

The officers then took the suspect to Pattaya City Police Station. Prosecution will continue.

Three Lion Pet News Stories Are Coming From The Same Farm

By

Khaosod English

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27 January 2024, 02:38

three lions — All the lions who made the headlines come from the same farm in Nakhon Pathom province.

NAKHON PATHOM – The cases of 4 lions who have been made headlines this week, led to extend an investigation that found all of them came from the same lion farm.

Mr. Yongyut Suanthong, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Pathom Province, led officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, including police officers, to inspect Mr. Kitt Techanilobon’s managed wild animal breeding farm “Krapong See Lion Zoo” in Thanon Khat Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Pathom province.

lion farm1 — Officers inspect Mr. Kitt Techanilobon’s lion farm in Nakhon Pathom province on January 26, 2024.

According to inspection, this farm owned 28 lions. A veterinarian randomly examined the microchips of five lions and discovered that they were correct as described in their possession.

This farm provided lions to be the pets in three cases. The first is a female lion cub riding in a Bentley limousine down a busy street in Pattaya, driven by a Sri Lankan man and owned by Miss Pupe, or Sawangchit Kosungnoen, a Thai woman from Ratchaburi Province.

The owner was later charged on January 25 for illegally owning the lion, and Mr. Kitt, the farm owner, was accused with transporting lions from Nakhon Pathom to Chonburi without first notifying authorities.

In the second case, two male and female lions appear in a video briefly coming out of a residence in Huai Yai District, Chonburi Province. Later, the inspectors discovered that they came from Mr. Kitt’s farm as well.

On Friday, the national park officers seized a lion couple from their Thai owner’s house in Chonburi province’s Huay Yai district. The process had gone through negotiations, and the owner did not want her pets to be anaesthetized for transfer, which could be endanger their lives. She confirmed that the lions were not aggressive.

lion farm6 — The national park officers seized a lion couple from their Thai owner’s house in Chonburi province’s Huay Yai district on January 26, 2024.

During the transport preparations, the owner, Ms. Charinyaporn Kaewsai, or Sky, 28, and her assistant were in tears because of their love and connection to the lions. The animals also appeared lost since they were separated from their owners. It took the officers approximately 15 minutes to load the truck. and head to the Bang Lamung Wildlife Breeding Centre (Khao Chi On), Chonburi Province.

Ms. Sky was subsequently charged with possessing a controlled wild animal, category A (lion), without informing the authorities.

The third case, announced on January 26, was Mr. Phumjai Tangsanga, also known as DJ Phum, a well-known figure in Thailand’s entertainment industry. He was playing with a lion cub named Leika, whom officials discovered was actually a lion from Mr. Kitt’s farm in Nakhon Pathom Province.

lion farm4 — The VDO clip in Tiktok shows DJ Phum playing with a lion cub.

Mr. Mana Permpool, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division Conservation Area Administration Office No. 3 (Ban Pong), reported the inspection results to the National Park Service. This lion belongs to Mr. Kitt, who reported it on January 8, 2024, and has been microchipped.

Mr. Kitt arrived to present proof requesting that the lion be moved on January 24, 2024, for a temporary display at Kon Hua Krua Company, Phaya Thai District, Bangkok, during January 24-26. This one has already been returned to Mr. Kitt’s farm on Friday.

Netizens strongly criticised all three examples of why wild animals should not be kept as pets., particularly breeding lions. Especially if the owner is punished, the lions had to be separated from their owners, which was painful.

According to data as of January 23, 2024, 38 individuals statewide have acknowledged having 224 lions.

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A German Man Smiles At Patong Hotel CCTV Stealing Money

By

Khaosod English

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26 January 2024, 22:44

PHUKET – A foreign guy who turned and smiled at a CCTV camera while stealing money from a hotel in Patong, Phuket, was arrested.

On January 26, at around 5:30 p.m., police officers from Patong Police Station and Tourist Police apprehended Mr. Mohamed Yassine, a 22-year-old suspect of German nationality. The Phuket Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant against him for theft at night and damaging barriers designed to protect persons or property.

german smile2 — A 22-year-old suspect of German nationality was arrested for stealing money from Patong’s hotel.

CCTV footage shows that at around 3:00 a.m. on January 25, the suspect entered the hotel counter, opened the counter drawer, and took away an envelope containing 86,000 baht in cash.

At the time of the incident, the suspect turned to face the security camera. He seemed unconcerned about anything and turned to smile at the security cameras. Then he kept stealing money and walked out of the hotel. The culprit was not a guest at this hotel.

The officers then brought him to the Patong Police Station for prosecution.

Sinner Ends 10-time Champion Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open Streak, Faces Medvedev For The Title

By

Associated Press

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26 January 2024, 21:22

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Jannik Sinner ended one of Novak Djokovic’s perfect streaks in an Australian Open upset and then got to relax while Daniil Medvedev rallied from two sets down to beat Alexander Zverev after midnight to secure the other place in the final.

Just about everything went the self-described tennis fan’s way in the semifinals Friday.

The 22-year-old Italian broke Djokovic’s serve twice in each of the first two sets in a surprisingly lopsided 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-3 victory that ended the 10-time champion’s unbeaten streak in Australian Open semifinals.

AP24026263816632 — Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Djokovic had won 33 matches straight at Melbourne back since 2018 and never lost here after reaching the final four.

Almost an hour after saving a match point, that phenomenal sequence was over. Sinner converted his second match point to complete a third win in four head-to-heads since losing to Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon semifinals.

“I learned a lot from that,” he said, noting the turning point in their rivalry. Sinner won two of the next three — all in November — at the ATP Finals in Turin and in the Davis Cup semifinals.

“It gives you a better feeling when you know that you can beat one player,” he said. “The confidence from the end of last year has for sure kept the belief.”

AP24026262251900 — Jannik Sinner, left, of Italy is congratulated by Novak Djokovic of Serbia following their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Third-seeded Medvedev appeared down and out after two sets, and was two points from losing in the fourth, but he rallied to beat Zverev 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3 after 4 hours, 18 minutes.

“I was a little bit lost, but during the third set I started saying ‘If I lose this match, I just want to be proud of myself,’” said Medvedev, who has lost two finals in Australia, including the 2022 decider from two sets up against Rafael Nadal. “I’m proud of myself.”

Medvedev’s shanked chip forehand service return that just dropped over the net to earn a set point in the fourth-set tiebreaker clearly frustrated Zverev.

AP24026479303294 — Daniil Medvedev, right, of Russia is congratulated by Alexander Zverev of Germany following their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, early Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

“Tough luck for him, for sure, in this point,” Medvedev said. “Managed to make an ace after, but that’s what tennis is about.”

Five games later, Zverev got a warning for a code violation for smacking the net just before another service break.

“It’s more disappointing that at 5-4 in the tiebreak I didn’t serve it out,” he said. “The 5-all point was just purely unlucky.” Zverev’s run drew attention on and off the court after it emerged as the tournament started that a German court set a trial date in May over an assault allegation dating to 2020. The Olympic gold medalist has denied the accusations since last July when details of the case became public.

He said it wasn’t a distraction. Zverev got within a couple of swings of the racket of making a second Grand Slam final, extra disappointing after he blew a two-set lead to lose the 2020 U.S. Open final to Dominic Thiem.

Instead it will be 2021 U.S. Open winner Medvedev contending for a second major title in his sixth final. His run here included a grueling second-round win that finished at almost 4 in the morning. It makes Medvedev the first player since Pete Sampras in 1995 to register two comebacks from 2-0 down on the way to an Australian Open final.

AP24026475562547 — Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, early Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Sinner will be the youngest player to contest the men’s final in Australia since 24-time major winner Djokovic took his first here in 2008.

“He’s deservedly in the finals. He outplayed me completely,” Djokovic said. “Look, I was shocked with my level — in a bad way. There was not much I was doing right in the first two sets.

“This is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I’ve ever played — at least that I remember.”

Djokovic didn’t get a look at a break point at all — the first time he’s experienced that in a completed Grand Slam match.

“That stat says a lot,” Djokovic said. “There’s a lot of negative things that I’ve done on the court today in terms of my game. Everything … was just subpar.”

Sinner took the first two sets in under 1 1/4 hours, an astonishing start against a player who lost only one Grand Slam match last year — the Wimbledon final against Alcaraz.

Djokovic picked up his service percentage, cut down his unforced errors and upped the pressure in the third.

AP24026264084246 — Novak Djokovic of Serbia waves as he leaves Rod Laver Arena after his loss to Jannik Sinner of Italy in their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

He was serving at 5-5 when play was interrupted briefly while a spectator received medical help in the stands. Djokovic then held serve and saved a match point before taking the set in a tiebreaker.

But he was immediately in trouble again in the fourth.

He fended off three break points to hold in the second game but Sinner got a decisive service break to lead 3-1, winning five straight points from 40-0 down.

Continuous chants of “Nole, Nole, Nole, Nole” echoed around Rod Laver Arena between big points but didn’t get him across the line this time.

“I think you win the matches not only on that day, you win it because you feel prepared for a good fight,” Sinner said. “After last year, especially end of the year, gave me confidence that I could potentially do some good results in Grand Slams.”

Tensions Simmering in the South China Sea and Violence in Myanmar as Laos Takes Over Asean Chair

By

Associated Press

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26 January 2024, 19:51

Laos ASEAN — A boat moves across a bridge for the Chinese high-speed rail over the Mekong River, north of the Laotian city of Luang Prabang on Dec. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/David Rising)

BANGKOK (AP) — Simmering tensions in the South China Sea between China and several Southeast Asian nations now regularly spark direct confrontation. Fighting in Myanmar against the military government that seized power three years ago has grown to the point that most say the country is now in a civil war.

Hopes were high that Indonesia might be able to make significant inroads on both issues during its 2023 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, using its clout as the bloc’s largest country, but little progress was made. Now Laos, the bloc’s poorest and one of its smallest countries, has taken over the rotating chair.

As foreign ministers gather in Luang Prabang for this year’s first top-level meetings over the weekend, many are pessimistic that ASEAN can keep its biggest challenges from festering and growing.

AP24025364934023 — Loas people tour Xiengthong temple in Luang Prabang, Laos, on Dec. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/ David Rising)

“There were so many expectations when Indonesia started its presidency and some of those expectations fell short,” said Shafiah Muhibat, an expert with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Indonesia.

“So with Indonesia moving on to Laos, I think the expectations are quite low in terms of what Laos can actually do.”

After the military seized control of Myanmar in February 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, ASEAN — comprised of Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos — came up with a “Five-Point Consensus” plan for peace.

The military leadership in Myanmar has so far ignored the plan. At the same time, a humanitarian crisis is growing, with more than 2.6 million people forced from their homes due to escalating violence, according to the United Nations.

Indonesia, despite touting more than 180 “engagements” with stakeholders in Myanmar, was unable to achieve a breakthrough.

ASEAN’s plan calls for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties.

AP24010584655463 — Min Aung Hlaing, right, the head of ruling military council, talks with Alounkeo Kittikhoun, left, special envoy of ASEAN Chairman, during their meeting Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (The Military True News Information Team via AP)

“ASEAN actually has very little leverage on Myanmar; Myanmar doesn’t care about ASEAN at all,” said Muhammad Faizal, with the Institute of Defense and Strategic studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. “They don’t give a hoot about the five-point consensus.”

During its ASEAN chairmanship, Indonesia established an official office of the special envoy, increasing the resources for the position, and the veteran Laotian diplomat who assumed the role has already been to Myanmar and met with the head of the ruling military council and other top officials. To ensure continuity in dealing with Myanmar, Indonesia also established a troika mechanism made up of the past, current and next chair of ASEAN — currently Indonesia, Laos and Malaysia.

The troika will provide “capacity and support” for Laos during its year as chair, meaning the country won’t have to go it alone, said Peter Haymond, former United States Ambassador to Laos from 2020 to 2023 who is now with the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii.

“ASEAN only really carries weight if it’s able to speak as one group … so this troika is put together specifically by the ASEAN partners with Lao concurrence,” he said on the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Southeast Asia Radio podcast in November.

“I think Lao was looking for help.”

Still, it’s likely Laos will approach the situation in Myanmar from its own perspective as the first ASEAN nation since the military takeover to share a border with the country, Faizal said.

“They want to maintain the cross-border security cooperation with the Myanmar junta, and think that it is probably in their interest to make sure that the junta remains the authority in Myanmar. Though, in reality, that may not be the case,” he said in a telephone interview.

At the moment, the Myanmar military is losing ground to a concerted offensive launched in October by three powerful militias that have since been joined by several others around the country.

A view of Laukkaing city in Shan state, Myanmar, Nov. 20, 2023. (Kyaw Ko Lin via AP)

China is seen to be at least tacitly supporting the initial group, known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance, stemming partially from Beijing’s growing irritation at the flourishing drug trade and other criminality across its border with Myanmar. It also has strong influence with the country’s military rulers.

Communist Laos is one of the ASEAN countries with the closest ties to Beijing, so it will be interesting to see whether it tries to enlist Chinese support in resolving the Myanmar conflict, Faizal said.

“It’s quite obvious that both the junta and the other groups are trying to gain the support or the favor of China,” Faizal said.

Beijing maintains it will not interfere in the internal affairs of other states, so it’s unclear whether it would want to take on a greater role in trying to end the conflict in Myanmar, even if it were acceptable to other ASEAN members.

Many are locked in maritime disputes with China over its claims of sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, one of the world’s most crucial waterways for shipping.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, all have their own claims over islands, reefs and undersea resources in the region. Indonesia has also expressed concern about what it sees as Beijing’s encroachment on its exclusive economic zone in the waters.

AP23344167706154 — Tows Philippine navy-operated supply boat M/L Kalayaan after it’s engines were damaged due to water cannons from Chinese Coast Guard as it approached Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday Dec. 10, 2023. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

In 2012, China and ASEAN agreed to a declaration on conduct in the South China Sea, seeking to “enhance favorable conditions for a peaceful and durable solution of differences and disputes,” but there has been little sign of goodwill recently.

The decades long territorial dispute escalated between Beijing and Manila last year, sparking fears it could degenerate into a major conflict that could involve the United States, a longtime treaty ally of the Philippines.

Chinese coast guard ships and accompanying vessels used military-grade laser and water cannons against Philippine coast guard and supply vessels and undertook dangerous maneuvers near disputed shoals, prompting the Philippines to file a large number of diplomatic protests against China.

In December, China vowed to keep up its military pressure on the Philippines, and Philippine officials have grown increasingly discontented by what they see as a lack of support from other ASEAN countries.

AP24025364870462 — FILE – Chinese coast guard ships block Philippine coast guard BRP Cabra as it tried to head towards Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, at the disputed South China Sea during a rotation and resupply mission on Aug. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, file)

The situation is unlikely to change under landlocked Laos’ leadership, especially given its ties to Beijing, Faizal said.

During its past chairmanship in 2016, Laos was able to strike a balance between all sides, coming up with a compromise that officials later characterized as making everyone equally unhappy.

However, Laos, with a population of 7.4 million, has since grown increasingly beholden to its giant neighbor to the north, Faizal noted, with massive amounts of debt to Chinese state banks for multiple infrastructure projects, including a new high-speed rail line across the country.

“They will have come under a lot of pressure from China, because they’re basically dependent upon China for everything,” he said. “I believe they will probably just try to maintain the status quo — not doing more, but just maintaining what is there now.”

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