In this photo provided by Thailand's Foreign Ministry, Thai hostages, who were previously released, hug their newly freed compatriots at the Shamir Medical Center in Israel on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (Thailand's Foreign Ministry via AP )
BANGKOK – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday morning, November 27, thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for helping negotiate for the release of a dozen Thai hostages. Recently, 17 Thai hostages have been released, leaving 15 people still being held by Hamas.
The PM also flew to Kuala Lumpur to meet with Anwar to discuss various matters today, including asking for continued help for the left Thai hostages. He added that there’s only 24 hours of truce left, and he will try to get the remanding Thai hostages released within that period.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is on the plane travelling to Malaysia on November 27, 2023.
According the Associated Press report, the fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was back on track Sunday as the militants freed 17 more hostages, including 14 Israelis and the first American, in a third exchange under a four-day truce that the United States said it hoped would be extended. In turn, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.
Three more Thai nationals were released. Separately, Hamas said it released a Russian hostage “in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
A Red Cross convoy carrying Israeli and foreign hostages heads to Egypt from the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border crossing on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
The three Thai nationals were undergoing health checks at a medical center in Israel and brought the total number of Thai hostages released to 17, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said. Thais working in Israel are mostly employed as semi-skilled farm laborers, at wages considerably higher than those at they can earn at home.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued congratulatory statement on the third release of a third group of another three Thais.
The group is now at the designated medical center where the Royal Thai Embassy officials are on hand to contact their families. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warmly congratulates the recently released hostages and their families and thanks all parties involved in the efforts towards this latest release.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office Director General Yossi Shelley, and Thai Ambassador to Israel Pannabha Chandraramya, visit the special area at the Shamir Medical Center for the 14 Thai nationals, Sunday Nov, 26, 2023. (Israel Prime Minister Office via AP)
“For the remaining 15 Thai hostages, the Royal Thai Government continues to exert all efforts towards their safe release at the earliest opportunity, while preparing to bring back the now 17 Thais who have already been released, back to Thailand after their preliminary checks as soon as possible,” it stated.
According to Chakkraphong Saengmanee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Panpree Phitthanukorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, will travel with Air Marshal Wachira Ruengrit, Director of Military Intelligence, Royal Thai Armed Forces, to Israel on November 28.
They will bring Thai people back to Thailand within 2–3 days. It has already scheduled a commercial flight to pick them up. In terms of benefits, the Ministry of Labour will serve as the coordinator.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office Director General Yossi Shelley visit the special area at the Shamir Medical Center for the 14 Thai nationals and one Philippine national, who returned from the Gaza Strip after their having been abducted by Hamas, in in Be’er Yaakov, Israel, Sunday Nov, 26, 2023. (Israel Prime Minister Office via AP)
Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who played a role in negotiating with Muslim countries to release Thai hostages, praised all countries that assisted, including Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and others. Several organisations are represented. The hostage release was, therefore, a success.
“I am relieved that the hostages who were released are in good health,” he stated, adding that “they say Hamas looked after them well when they were captured.” Hamas is thought to have kept its promises.”
The Speaker also stated that the remaining 15–16 captives would be released within the next several days. Thailand is not for everyone; we are welcoming on all sides. As a result, Thai hostages would very certainly be freed as quickly as possible, within the early months of December.
JW Marriott embraces well-being and personal connections with a dynamic “Stay in the Moment” Asia-Pacific campaign. South Korean actor Lee Minho also joins this campaign.
BANGKOK – JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of more than 30 brands, today launched the “Stay in the Moment” Asia-Pacific campaign, featuring a K-drama inspired campaign video starring South Korean actor, Lee Minho.
“Stay in the Moment” captures the essence of JW Marriott, which invites and empowers guests to embrace fleeting yet profoundly meaningful moments in life with inspiring surroundings, mindful experiences, culinary artistry and inspired service.
The campaign video features characters that are framed by the luxury and timeless beauty of the surroundings, which symbolize contemplation and introspection as the story unfolds. The scenes underscore the beauty of human connections, and emphasize themes of self-discovery and strong familial bonds that are forged in unforgettable moments.
The visuals reflect the breath-taking natural landscapes and enriching experiences that are found in every JW Marriott hotel, which serve to replenish the mind, body and soul.
The “Stay in the Moment” campaign focuses on the discerning luxury traveler who seeks well-being, mindfulness and profound connections－all the elements that speak to the spirit of the JW Marriott brand,” said John Toomey, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Asia Pacific (Excluding China), Marriott International.
“Lee Minho’s starring performance in the campaign video beautifully captures the JW Marriott experience, embodying the holistic and inspirational moments that shape our journeys and enrich our lives.”
“I personally appreciate and align with the JW Marriott brand’s seamless attention to people, nature and culture,” said Lee Minho, South Korean actor. “The ‘Stay in the Moment’ philosophy by JW Marriott inspires me as an actor as well. Embracing the present moment and cherishing special memories not only provides a comforting rest but also acts as a catalyst for personal growth.
Additionally, it sparks my imagination and allows me to breathe life into the characters I resonate, infusing them with more vibrancy than the script merely outlined.”
JW Marriott hotels invite guests to be inspired by the principles of mindfulness, and to pause and appreciate each moment. Through many holistic experiences that originate from a heritage of soul-nourishing wellness offerings, “Stay in the Moment” packages offer guests the opportunities to wonder, to relax, to create and to connect with those who give our lives true meaning.
Brand programs such as JW Garden, where lush greenery and idyllic nooks create a serene and timeless escape for guests to enjoy the multi-sensory pleasures of harvesting fresh herbs and vegetables, along with fun educational experiences for families.
Family by JW also offers experiences that appeal to every generation, enabling the whole family to come together in meaningful moments. Spa by JW is a tranquil sanctuary of indulgence designed to promote complete relaxation with luxury spa treatments. Guests can also enjoy elevated in-room dining with Savor by JW, which focuses on delicious, nourishing cuisine and the pleasures of healthy eating.
Personalized experiences capture the spirit of “Stay in the Moment”
“Stay in the Moment” packages are now available at JW Marriott hotels across Asia Pacific. Some of the popular JW Marriott destinations include Jeju City, Goa, Xi’an, Mussoorie, Singapore, Maldives and Gold Coast. “Stay in the Moment” experiences are also available in Thailand and Vietnam, inviting guests to explore JW Marriott’s hotels in vibrant cities such as Bangkok and Hanoi, and idyllic resorts in Phuket, Phu Quoc and Khao Lak.
In Thailand, JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok joins hands with PASAYA, a distinguished Thai brand specializing in sustainable home textiles and lifestyle products, to create nature-inspired themed suites, while JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa has introduced an exclusive package with a choice of uplifting activities such as Thai boxing, yoga, Pilates or personal training, plus a 60-minute massage, daily breakfast and one dinner.
At JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Khao Lak Suites, guests can explore the resort’s tropical beauty with a JW Garden Experience guided tour, complemented by a refreshing glass of JW Signature Elixir made from organic herbs grown onsite.
In Vietnam, visitors can elevate their next stay at JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi with a “Stay in the Moment” package that includes activities at the JW Lakeside Gardens, including a visit to the JW Greenhouse for herb planting and animal encounters, plus breakfast and afternoon tea.
Finally at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, an exquisite encounter includes a winter afternoon tea and the chance to explore the JW Garden with a private tour, complemented by a refreshing glass of organic hibiscus tea.
As part of the campaign launch, the “Stay in the Moment” video starring Lee Minho will be rolled out across various media platforms. A link to the video can be found here. For more information on JW Marriott, please visit www.jw-marriott.marriott.com
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios reacts after being crowned Miss Universe at the 72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Nicaragua’s increasingly isolated and repressive government thought it had scored a rare public relations victory last week when Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios won the Miss Universe competition.
But the “legitimate joy and pride” President Daniel Ortega’s government expressed in a statement Sunday after the win quickly turned to angry condemnation, after it emerged that Palacios graduated from a college that was the center of 2018 protests against the regime — and apparently participated in the marches.
Ordinary Nicaraguans — who are largely forbidden to protest or carry the national flag in marches — took advantage of the Saturday night Miss Universe win as a rare opportunity to celebrate in the streets.
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios participates in the evening gown category during the 72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Their use of the blue-and-white national flag, as opposed to Ortega’s red-and-black Sandinista banner, didn’t sit well with the government.
Palacios’ victory — along with photos she posted on Facebook in 2018 of herself participating in the protests — overjoyed Nicaragua’s opposition.
Roman Catholic Rev. Silvio Báez, one of dozens of priests who have been jailed or forced into exile by the government, congratulated Palacios in his social media accounts.
“Thank you for bringing joy to our long-suffering country!,” Báez wrote. “Thank you for giving us hope for a better future for our beautiful country!”
With clunky rhetoric reminiscent of North Korea, Vice president and First Lady Rosario Murillo lashed out Wednesday at opposition social media sites (many run from exile) that celebrated Palacios’ win as a victory for the opposition.
FILE – Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, lead a rally in Managua, Nicaragua, Sept. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga, File)
“In these days of a new victory, we are seeing the evil, terrorist commentators making a clumsy and insulting attempt to turn what should be a beautiful and well-deserved moment of pride into destructive coup-mongering,” Murillo said.
Thousands have fled into exile since Nicaraguan security forces violently put down mass anti-government protests in 2018. Ortega says the protests were an attempted coup with foreign backing, aiming for his overthrow.
FILE – Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, right, shakes hands with Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega during a photo opportunity at the G77+China summit in Havana, Cuba, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
The government has also outlawed or closed more than 3,000 civic groups and non-governmental organizations, arrested and expelled opponents, stripped them of their citizenship and confiscated their assets.
Palacios, who became the first Nicaraguan to win Miss Universe, has not commented on the situation.
During the contest, Palacios, 23, said she wants to work to promote mental health after suffering debilitating bouts of anxiety herself. She also said she wants to work to close the salary gap between the genders so that women can work in any area.
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios smiles after being crowned Miss Universe at the 72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
But on a since-deleted Facebook account under her name, Palacios posted photos of herself at a protest, writing she had initially been afraid of participating. “I didn’t know whether to go, I was afraid of what might happen.”
Some who attended the march that day recall seeing the tall, striking Palacios there.
The protests were quickly put down and in the end, human rights officials say 355 people were killed by government forces.
NAKHON RATSHASIMA – A shocking and tragic incident occurred during the wedding reception of a national para-swimmer turned spree killer.
The incident occurred on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25. At 11:25 p.m., the groom, Mr. Jaturong Sukkasuk, 29, turned violent at his bride’s house in Wat Nam Khiaw commune, Wang Nam Khiaw district.
Mr. Jaturong, known for his success in para-swimming, had a penchant for firearms. During his own wedding reception, at the dinner table, he got into an argument with Mrs. Kanchana, the 44-year-old bride, and toppled the table, scattering the food.
When everyone present fled, Jaturong took a 9mm CZ automatic pistol out of his car and went on a shooting spree. He shot like a senseless person, with a total of 10 rounds and 2 rounds remaining in the magazine.
They were supposed to celebrate their wedding, but it ended in fatal bloodshed.Relatives attend a ceremony to summon spirits at the bride’s home on November 26.
The groom’s mother, the bride’s younger sister, and the bride herself lost their lives, while two male associates also became victims, one of them fatally. Jaturong then turned the gun on himself, becoming the fifth fatality. Investigators found 10 shell casings and evidence at the scene, including a dropped firearm and shell casings.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Jaturong had previously served in the military before losing his right leg in a train accident. He later became a prominent Thai para-athlete, winning a silver medal in the freestyle swimming category at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games in Indonesia.
Neighbours reported that Jaturong occasionally visited his bride in the Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima district. Despite the age difference and the fact that she had children, the bride was described as attractive, which may have contributed to Jaturong’s infatuation.
Investigators found 11 shell casings and evidence at the scene, including a dropped firearm and shell casings.
Mrs. Kanchana divorced her husband and had two children before coming to associate with Chaturong, according to the investigation of key witnesses. She is a beautician, and they lived together for three years. The groom was preoccupied with the fact that he was crippled, needed a prosthetic leg, and was younger than her by 15. He misinterpreted another man’s feelings for his bride.
This incident highlights the pervasive issue of violence against children, women and family members, a significant social problem. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security’s Violence Information System reported 1,368 cases of family violence in 2023, with physical violence being the most common (1,068 cases), followed by verbal violence (352 cases) and other forms of intimidation and coercion (314 cases). Women were the main victims with 970 cases of violence.
The National Human Rights Commission emphasized that Thailand continues to face an ongoing crisis of violence against children and women. Shockingly, the country ranks among the top 10 countries in the world for violence against women and girls, both in terms of physical and sexual violence.
A Korean man scattered over 100,000 baht of banknotes from the balcony of the room on the 8th floor.
PATTAYA – Police officers at Pattaya City Police Station received a report of a Korean man wielding a knife and threatening to jump from an 8-story luxury condominium building in Soi Buakhao, Pattaya Klang, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 26.
The Pattaya City Disaster Relief Unit and the Sawang Boriboon Foundation Rescue Unit, Pattaya City, were then called to the scene to prepare assistance equipment at the bottom of the building.
Rescuers were then called to the scene to prepare assistance equipment at the bottom of the building.
They saw a 41-year-old Korean man with the surname Jeong on the balcony of the 8th floor. He held a fruit-peeling knife in his hand. He was marching in circles on the balcony, shouting and making loud noises throughout the building, and would not allow anyone to approach him.
Meanwhile, officials are trying to find a way to stop the incident. A Korean man scattered over 100,000 baht of banknotes everywhere on the floor below. After an hour had passed, he walked back into the room. Later, when Mr. Jeong calmed down and opened the door to chat, tourist police arrived with a South Korean interpreter to talk and negotiate with him.
Rescuers were then called to the scene to prepare assistance equipment at the bottom of the building.
He claimed to have heart disease and had been in Pattaya for approximately a month. He has been distressed for the past few days because his Thai girlfriend duped him with his money to build a shop and then left him.
Later, he called a friend to whom he had lent money and was chastised. As a result, he was unable to suppress his emotions and went on a rampage.
The police then transported the South Korean guy to a hospital and called his relatives in South Korea to resolve the issue, fearing that he would provoke another incident.
A Red Cross vehicle carrying Thai hostages drives by at the Gaza Strip crossing into Egypt in Rafah on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
BANGKOK – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a congratulatory statement on the release of additional Thai hostages after receiving confirmation from the Royal Thai Embassy (RTE) in Tel Aviv as follows:
“A second group of four Thai nationals have been released from Gaza on November 26, 2023 and are being taken to the designated medical center in Israel for a check-up where the RTE will immediately contact their families in Thailand.
MFA extends its sincere congratulations to the families of the recently released today, including all parties involved in this latest development leading to the release of this second group of hostages.
A mini-bus transporting four Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and released, arrives at Shamir Medical Center in Be’er Yaakov, Israel Sunday Nov. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
In addition, RTE has received further information from the Israeli authorities that the number of abducted Thai nationals has increased by two (2) more people. This means that after the release of the second group today, it is estimated that there are still 18 Thai nationals abducted. The Thai government will continue to make every effort towards the safe release and return of those remaining Thai nationals.
As the hostages are being gradually released and have had the opportunity to speak with relatives in Thailand, MFA asks for the kind cooperation of the media who may have interviewed the relatives of the hostages not to publish it at this time as information regarding their detention which may be sensitive and affect the welfare of hostages who have not yet been released.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, right, talks to one of the freed Thai hostages at the Shamir Medical Center in Israel Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Thailand’s Foreign Ministry via AP )
MFA is in the process of coordinating with the Israeli side regarding related procedures to bring all of our recently released 14 Thai nationals to Thailand and their families as soon as possible.”
The Associated Press reported that Hamas militants on Saturday released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, from captivity in the Gaza Strip, while Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners in the latest stage of a four-day cease-fire.
The late-night exchange was held up for several hours after Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement. The delay underscored the fragility of the cease-fire, which has halted a war that has shocked and shaken Israel, caused widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip, and threatened to unleash wider fighting across the region.
A Red Cross vehicle carrying Thai hostages drives by at the Gaza Strip crossing into Egypt in Rafah on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
The war erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants in Gaza burst across the border into southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting some 240 others, including, women, children and older people. Israel immediately declared war, carrying out weeks of airstrikes and a ground offensive that have left over 13,300 Palestinians dead, according to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled territory. Roughly two-thirds of those killed in Gaza have been women and minors.
The cease-fire, brokered by Qatar and the United States, is the first extended break in fighting since the war began. Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners. All are women and minors.
Israel has said the truce can be extended by an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed, but has vowed to quickly resume its offensive and complete its goals of returning all hostages and destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, left, talks to one of the freed Thai hostages at the Shamir Medical Center in Israel Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Thailand’s Foreign Ministry via AP )
Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is also Chair of the government’s Soft Power Committee, recently announced the promotion of mu kratha (also spelled as mookata in English) as Thailand’s latest soft power dish.
For those who may not be familiar, mu kratha is basically cooked sliced meat, be it pork or beef as well as seafood and chicken and vegetables on a mountain-shaped pan, or skillet, with Thai sukiyaki sauce and lots of chili and garlic. It is mostly a communal dish as one would hardly dine alone.
The announcement has led to many debates over the past week. Some say it is superficial and not tangible, others say the dish is more Korean (bulgoki) or Japanese (yakiniku) than Thai. Others say the notion of “soft power” has been distorted in Thai language.
Defending her idea, Paetongtarn was quoted in a PPTV article on Nov. 19 she wants to promote the dish and make it cleaner, more delicious and more accessible to foreigners as it is relatively cheaper than the Korean or Japanese versions.
“We have a good product,” Paetongtarn said while visiting Uttaradit province. She adds that each province has its own version, and this means these provinces can take part and participate.
My take is that mu kratha has evolved, or mutated, so much from its Korean-Japanese origin over the past few decades it is now basically a Thai dish. When I was in Singapore earlier this month, I chanced upon a Thai mu kratha place at Clarke Quay, and it was popular. It is clear that even outside Thailand, they are being recognized as such – as distinct from the Korean or Japanese cousins.
Basically, mu kratha is as Thai as Japanese kare risu (Japanese curry rice) as it is already Japanized. It is as Thai as Korean ramen is Korean – no longer a mere copy of Japanese or Chinese egg noodles. I have no qualm about cultural mutation and adaptation, it is a way of life that should even be celebrated, and mu kratha has become something distinctly Thai over the past three to four decades.
Now, what the soft power committee can do is to set up a jury of culinary experts (get some foreigners on board as well please so we can better know what they like and dislike), perhaps hold a national mu kratha competition and highlight what is unique about mu kratha as compared to the Japanese and Korean versions.
Such competition would energize many mu kratha restaurants and encourage them to come up with new ideas to make the dish even more delicious. The competition can be held at regional level, culminating in the national one in Bangkok with a mu kratha fair where foreigners can sample and enjoy.
Thai embassies, consulates, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand can also promote the dish but be wary that in predominantly Muslim countries, no pork should be used and probably the word “mu” or pig and pork itself is offensive. Embassies can list places where one can savor moo kratha in various major foreign cities. The government could also give some modest financial support to those running mu kratha restaurants abroad or interview them on the Embassy’s and Tourism Authority of Thailand’s social media sites.
Culinary matters aside, the success or failure in promoting mu kratha will be used to judge Paethongtarn, whose ambition is to become prime minister in the future. I wish her the best of luck in this endeavor.
An escaped convict Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as 'Pang Na-nhoad' posted a video of himself saying he had left the mountain.
BANGKOK – An escaped convict named Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as ‘Pang Na-nhoad or Wealthy Pang, is not only a local influential figure in the southern region of Thailand; he is now also a well-known mocker of the Thai justice system.
He escaped simply from the authorities on October 22 while having treatment for which he pretended to be ill at Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital.
Since then, he has fled to the Banthat mountain range, located between Trang and Phatthalung provinces. A picture of him celebrating with close associates on the mountain has been shared online.
A picture of Pang Na-nhoad celebrating with close associates on the mountain has been shared online.
The Department of Corrections has increased the reward for his capture to one million Thai baht, while police mobilised a large number of forces to search for him on the mountain. There was a shootout on November 9. Initially, it was reported that Pang had been extrajudicially killed, but an official later stated that he had escaped.
Police suspected that a male dog named Mee (meaning bear), was the one who barked a warning to Pang so he could flee. Now the dog has stayed with the police.
On November 24, Pang posted a video of himself saying he had left the mountain. He praised everyone who assisted and supported him while at the same time criticising the legal process for accusing, arresting, neglecting, and mistreating him by prosecutors, military, police, and politicians.
Police suspected that a male dog named Mee (meaning bear), was the one who barked a warning to Pang so he could escape on November 9, 2023.
He asserts his innocence regarding drug charges while claims unfair treatment, lack of guarantees, and challenges the justice system. Therefore, he would not surrender if he did not bring the said group of people to justice.
“On the day the police climbed up the hill for a confrontation and found a green lump of narcotics, that wasn’t mine. On that day, the police didn’t intend to arrest me, but instead to extrajudicially kill me, with an M79 grenade launcher firing over 10 rounds. I want to state that the Ministry of Justice, justice itself, is nonexistent. If it truly exists, please file charges against those involved, and I will surrender.” Pang stated.
Pang said “if justice truly exists, please file charges against those involved, and I will surrender.”
On November 25, every government agency that Pang had mentioned, including the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General, and the police, announced that they had immediately set up a team to investigate Pang’s allegations.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urged Pang to surrender to avoid escalating tensions. The PM expressed confidence in the police’s understanding of the situation and their commitment to due process.
Police National Chief, Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukvimol, has ordered an investigation into the video’s authenticity and content, emphasizing the importance of fairness for all parties involved. The police will examine if there are false accusations against any officers and will proceed legally based on evidence and witnesses.
Police had tried to search for Pang on the mountain.
The police chief also called on the public to use discernment when consuming social media content and assures that the police are ready to act in accordance with truth, discipline, and the law. If anyone feels unjustly treated, the police are open to coordination within the legal framework.
Pang has been in jail since January 2022 after he was found guilty of narcotics charges and sentenced to 20 years and 6 months in jail by the Phatthalung Provincial Court. He also has a case involving crimes against life and body, crimes against justice administration officers, and a police officer who was shot and injured.
The police’s search for Pang on the mountain ended up being unsuccessful.
Many additional crimes against him are being investigated, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and murders, involving the murder of the former deputy mayor of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organisation.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office seized his assets in Songkhla Province, which were left with his sister, worth 150 million baht.
Tourists take photos at the Grand Palace scenic spot in Bangkok, Thailand, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
BANGKOK – Thailand is striving to revive its vital tourism industry with the help of social media influencers and key technology partners from China, the largest source of visitors to the Southeast Asian country before the pandemic.
The Southeast Asian nation has received over 3.01 million visitors from China so far this year and hopes to raise the targeted Chinese tourist tally to 8.2 million in 2024, a Thai official said.
Tourists take photos at the Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has partnered with leading Chinese social media platforms, mobile payment providers, online travel agencies, and airlines to showcase its diverse attractions and promote quality tourism to travelers from China, said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT deputy governor, on Friday.
The TAT is implementing initiatives to attract Chinese tourists, including organizing roadshows and familiarization trips for Chinese media and travel agents, developing targeted marketing campaigns on Chinese social media, and offering special promotions for Chinese tourists, Chattan told a news conference.
Chinese tourists pose for photos at the Grand Palace scenic spot in Bangkok, Thailand, on Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
Focusing on user-generated content and first-hand travel experience to create the country’s positive image, Thailand hopes these efforts will help regain confidence in the Chinese market, Chattan said.
Thailand has received over 3.01 million visitors from China so far this year, he noted, adding that the Southeast Asian nation hopes to more than double the targeted Chinese tourist tally, from 3.5 million in 2023 to 8.2 million in 2024.
In pre-COVID 2019, Chinese tourists accounted for about 28 percent of the nearly 40 million foreign tourists to Thailand. Tourism, the key driver of the kingdom’s economic growth, contributes about 12 percent of its gross domestic product.
Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), shows a gift for Chinese tourists at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
A helicopter carrying hostages released by Hamas lands at Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas was preparing to release more than a dozen hostages Saturday for several dozen Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, part of an exchange on the second day of a cease-fire that has allowed critical humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and given civilians their first respite after seven weeks of war.
While uncertainty remained around the details of the exchange, there was optimism, too, amid the scenes of joyous families reuniting on both sides. On the first day of the four-day cease-fire, Hamas released 24 of the about 240 hostages taken during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison. Those freed in Gaza were 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and a Filipino.
In this photo provided by Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, ten of freed Thai hostages and an officer, fourth from left, pose for a photo at the Shamir Medical Center in Israel Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. .(Thailand’s Foreign Ministry via AP )
On Saturday, Hamas provided mediators Egypt and Qatar with a list of 14 hostages to be released, and the list has been passed along to Israel, according to a Egyptian official speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to talk about details of the ongoing negotiations. A second Egyptian official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the details.
Under the truce agreement, Hamas will release one Israeli hostage for every three prisoners freed. Israel’s Prison Service said earlier Saturday it was preparing 42 prisoners for release. It was not immediately clear how many non-Israeli captives may also be released.
Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners, during the four-day truce, all woman and minors.
Israel has said the truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed — something U.S. President Joe Biden said he hoped would occur.
Separately, a Qatari delegation arrived in Israel on Saturday to coordinate with parties on the ground and “ensure the deal continues to move smoothly,” according to a diplomat briefed on the visit. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details with the media.
An Israeli prison transport vehicle carries Palestinian prisoners released by the Israeli authorities from Ofer military prison near Jerusalem on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
The start of the truce Friday morning brought the first quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians reeling from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands, driven three-quarters of the population from their homes and leveled residential areas. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well.
For Emad Abu Hajer, a resident of the Jabaliya refugee camp in the Gaza City area, the pause meant he could again search through the rubble of his home, which was flattened in an Israeli attack last week.
He found the bodies of a cousin and nephew, bring the death toll in the attack to 19. With his sister and two other relatives still missing, he resumed his digging Saturday.
“We want to find them and bury them in dignity,” he said.
The United Nations said the pause enabled it to scale up the delivery of food, water, and medicine to the largest volume since the resumption of aid convoys on Oct. 21. It was also able to deliver 129,000 liters (34,078 gallons) of fuel — just over 10% of the daily pre-war volume — as well as cooking gas, a first since the war began.
In the southern city of Khan Younis on Saturday, a long line of people with containers waited outside a filling station. Hossam Fayad lamented that the pause in fighting was only for four days.
“I wish it could be extended until people’s conditions improved,” he said.
For the first time in over a month, aid reached northern Gaza, the focus of Israel’s ground offensive. The Palestinian Red Crescent said 61 trucks carrying food, water and medical supplies headed there on Saturday, the largest aid convoy to reach the area since the start of the war.
The U.N. said it and the Palestinian Red Crescent were also able to evacuate 40 patients and family members from a hospital in Gaza City, where much of the fighting has taken place, to a hospital in Khan Younis.
The relief brought by the cease-fire has been tempered, however, for both sides. For Israelis, by the fact that not all hostages will be freed. For Palestinians, by the brevity of the pause.
Palestinians walk through destruction in Gaza City on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, as the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect. (AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar)
FIRST HOSTAGES FREED
The freed Israelis included nine women and four children 9 and under. They were taken to Israeli hospitals for observation and were declared to be in good condition.
At a plaza dubbed “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv, a crowd of Israelis celebrated the good news but pressed for more. “Don’t forget the others because it’s getting harder, harder and harder. It’s heartbreaking,” said Neri Gershon, a Tel Aviv resident.
The hostages included multiple generations. Nine-year-old Ohad Munder-Zichri was freed along with his mother, Keren Munder, and grandmother, Ruti Munder, during the child’s visit to his grandparents at the kibbutz where about 80 people — nearly a quarter of community residents — are believed to have been taken.
The hostages’ plight has raised anger among some families that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was not doing enough to bring them home.
Hours later, 24 Palestinian women and 15 teenage boys held in Israeli prisons in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem were freed. In the West Bank town of Beitunia, hundreds of Palestinians poured out of their homes to celebrate, honking horns and setting off fireworks.
The teenagers had been jailed for minor offenses like throwing stones. The women included several convicted of trying to stab Israeli soldiers.
“It’s a happiness tainted with sorrow because our release from prison came at the cost of the lives of martyrs and the innocence of children,” said one released Palestinian prisoner, Aseel Munir al-Titi.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group, Israel is holding 7,200 Palestinians, including about 2,000 arrested since the start of the war.
Israeli army tanks maneuver near Israel’s border with Gaza, southern Israel, Saturday Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
A LONGER PEACE?
The war erupted when several thousand Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking scores of hostages, including babies, women and older adults, as well as soldiers.
Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar, said the hope is that momentum from the deal will lead to an end to the violence,
Israeli leaders have said they would resume fighting eventually and not stop until Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for the past 16 years, is crushed. Israeli officials have argued that only military pressure can bring the hostages home. But the government is under pressure from hostages’ families to make the release of the remaining captives the top priority.
The Israeli offensive has killed more than 13,300 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza government. Women and minors have consistently made up around two-thirds of the dead, though the latest number was not broken down. The figure does not include updated numbers from hospitals in the north, where communications have broken down.
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David Rising reported from Bangkok, Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writer Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
