The Marine Police Division worked with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau to launch a large operation to raid and arrest an international drug smuggling gang.
CHACHOENGSAO – Police had to hunt down 13 Thai drug traffickers who went into the water to escape on Monday night in Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province, before confiscating the drugs. ICE, or crystal methamphetamine, weighs more than 2,000 kilogrammes.
The Marine Police Division worked with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau to launch a large operation to raid and arrest an international drug smuggling gang while preparing to bring the ship out to international waters to distribute drugs and send them on boats of various sizes to target countries such as the Philippines and Australia.
During this operation, police officers worked alongside the Matchanu Special Operations Team to keep an eye out for suspicious activity at the TNS Bangpakong jetty port in Bang Pakong District.
On December 4, around 9:30 p.m., it was discovered that drugs were being brought to board the Srimongkolsap, a huge tugboat. The police officers launched an instant operation to apprehend the smugglers. At the time, the drug smuggling crew leaped into the water and fled, but special operations officers pursued them and apprehended a total of 13 Thai individuals.
Police confiscate ICE, or crystal methamphetamine, weighs more than 2,000 kilogrammes.
A search of the boat revealed 90 boxes of crystal meth stashed beneath it, totaling 2,000 kilogrammes, all hidden and wrapped in bags of dried fruit. They turned over all of the suspects, as well as the seized items, to Narcotics Suppression Bureau detectives, and they will continue to extend the results to all parties concerned.
President Joe Biden pauses as he speaks to reporters in Nantucket, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Monday sent Congress an urgent warning about the need to approve tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance to Ukraine, saying Kyiv’s war effort to defend itself from Russia’s invasion may grind to a halt without it.
In a letter to House and Senate leaders and released publicly, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young warned the U.S. will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year, saying that would “kneecap” Ukraine on the battlefield.
She added that the U.S. already has run out of money that it has used to prop up Ukraine’s economy, and “if Ukraine’s economy collapses, they will not be able to keep fighting, full stop.”
“We are out of money — and nearly out of time,” she wrote.
A Ukrainian MSLR BM-21 “Grad” rocket launcher of the 95 Air Assault brigade fires toward Russian positions at the frontline near Kreminna, Ukraine, on March 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
President Joe Biden has sought a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other needs, but it has faced a difficult reception on Capitol Hill, where there is growing skepticism about the magnitude of assistance for Ukraine and where even Republicans supportive of the funding are insisting on U.S.-Mexico border policy changes to halt the flow of migrants as a condition for the assistance.
Meanwhile, the GOP-controlled House has passed a standalone assistance package for Israel, which is fighting a war with Hamas in Gaza, while the White House has maintained that all of the priorities must be met.
FILE – A man uses plastic to cover a broken window in his apartment following a Russian drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
Congress already has allocated $111 billion to assist Ukraine, including $67 billion in military procurement funding, $27 billion for economic and civil assistance and $10 billion for humanitarian aid. Young wrote that all of it, other than about 3% of the military funding, had been depleted by mid-November.
The Biden administration has said it has slowed the pace of some military assistance to Kyiv in recent weeks to try to stretch supplies until Congress approves more funding.
“We are out of money to support Ukraine in this fight,” Young wrote. “This isn’t a next year problem. The time to help a democratic Ukraine fight against Russian aggression is right now. It is time for Congress to act.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits to the front-line city of Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated in a statement Monday that House Republicans will insist on border policy changes as part of a Ukraine assistance bill, and he argued Biden has “failed to substantively address any of my conference’s legitimate concerns about the lack of a clear strategy in Ukraine, a path to resolving the conflict, or a plan for adequately ensuring accountability for aid provided by American taxpayers.”
The letter followed a classified Capitol Hill briefing on Nov. 29 for the top House and Senate leaders on the need for the assistance. Defense and other national security officials briefed the “big four” congressional leaders as Congress is debating Biden’s nearly $106 billion funding package, which includes $61 billion for Ukraine but has become snared by Republican demands for U.S.-Mexico border security changes.
“They were clear that Ukraine needs the aid soon — and so does our military need the aid soon,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told The Associated Press in an interview.
The Trio - Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and Gen Anupong Paojinda
BANGKOK – The former leaders of the “3P” military group in the 2014 coup era, Prayut-Prawit-Pok, who inherited a long 9-year government before they quit the government in the May 14, 2023 general election, were found to have substantial assets.
Prayut, the leader of the 3P group, was identified as the richest man with 130 million baht. Prawit came in second with 89 million baht, and Pok was third with 34 million baht.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) disclosed the assets and liabilities register of former political individuals in the former government.
In accordance with the Former Political Office Holders Act, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on December 4 disclosed the assets and liabilities register of General Anupong Paojinda, or Big Pok, who was formerly Interior Minister together with his wife Kulya’s assets, the total amounted to 34 million baht with no debt.
Excluding the assets of General Anupong’s wife, he had assets of 23.7 million baht. This amount included memberships and shares in 3 golf courses totaling 1.71 million baht. Other assets included Patek Philippe and DateJust watches as well as short and long guns totaling 21 guns.
The Trio leader “3P” – Pok-Prawit-Prayut
Big Pok does not currently hold a consultancy position and enjoys his free time playing golf with friends.
Earlier, on November 24, the NACC revealed that General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife are worth 130 million baht. Prayut owns nine guns, five cars, including a Porsche Panamera and a Mercedes Benz, and has deposited 13 million baht in cash.
He owns land in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phetchaburi. Prayut’s nine wristwatches are worth three million baht.
At present, General Prayut Chan-ocha has taken over as Prime Minister. On December 2, Their Majesties the King and Queen granted him an audience to take the oath of allegiance before he took office in the Amporn Sathan Throne Room at Dusit Palace.
The 3P leaders, when they are the junta government
General Prawit Wongsuwan, also known as “Big Pom,” the former deputy junta chief, who is single, has total assets of 89 million baht, including five cars, nine rings, three properties in Bangkok and Pathum Thani province and debts of 757 baht.
However, what has caused much laughter and ridicule on social media is the alleged fortune. He only owns a TW Steel brand watch worth 15,000 baht, having previously been criticized and asked to investigate his ownership of a luxury watch, the Richard Mille, when he took office after the 2014 coup. The cheapest Richard Mille watch available in Bangkok costs around 3 million baht.
Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan raises a hand to shield his eyes from sunlight Dec. 4, 2017, in a cabinet photoshoot at the Government House which launched a scandal over the many multi-million baht, ultra-luxury timepieces he often wears.
He had insisted that the watch was borrowed from a business associate and the diamond ring was a gift from his mother.
At present, General Prawit is the only person in the group who still holds a political position as chairman of the Phalang Pracharath Party. However, he does not hold a position in the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. .
He appears in public in a private capacity, such as presiding over the ordination ceremony at Wat Khao Samrong in Nakhon Phanom province and attending the Loy Krathong festival.
General Prawit Wongsuwan attended the Loy Krathong festival 2023.
However, he has not participated in any activities of the current government. Even when Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin invited the leaders of all coalition parties to a dinner at the Spider Collection NW303 restaurant on November 8, he did not show up. Instead, he sent his younger brother, Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and the party’s general secretary, Thammanat Prompao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives as his representatives.
The media suspect that he was disappointed not to have been appointed prime minister at the last election.
PHUKET – The owners of Project Artisan, a famous restaurant in Layan, Phuket, issued a statement on December 4, the day after a fire incident that destroyed the restaurant, saying they would close it temporarily and thank everyone for their moral support.
“Yesterday we were at the mercy of forces bigger than us. We are totally devastated as there is a significant amount of fire damage, but the main thing is that everyone is safe. It’s going to take us some considerable time to get back up and running, but we have the best team and we will be back stronger than ever!”
Michaela and Martin, and all the team at Project Artisan, also added, “Thank you for all the messages we have received and the help from our island community; it means so much. As you can imagine, we might not be able to respond straight away, but please know that we really appreciate the outpouring of love and support for us and Project Artisan.”
A fire broke out at the Project Artisan restaurant opposite Soi Khok Tanod Soi 6, Choeng Thale Subdistrict, Thalang District, on December 3, about 1.30 p.m. Eyewitnesses said they saw lights and smoke coming from the roof of the restaurant, so they rushed to see and saw fire burning inside.
There were foreign guests at several tables at the time. People panicked and fled the restaurant, while employees attempted to put out the fire. But the fire was raging. Consequently, the entire store was damaged.
The restaurant is built on a steel structure that stands roughly 15 metres tall. The fire burned the roof and spilled down onto the table, damaging different pieces of equipment and catching fire throughout the restaurant. Firefighters raced in to pour water and could control the fire in about 30 minutes. The initial impact is expected to be around 15 million baht.
Project Artisan restaurant in Layan, Phuket, is famous among foreigners.
Choeng Thale Police Station officials have cordoned off the area and coordinate with Phuket Forensic Police in order to thoroughly examine the cause of the fire. Initially, they had suspected the heat from the pizza oven started the fire, which quickly spread to the insulation and up the roof.
However on December 4, the police revealed that Mr. Martin Marlik, the Slovakian owner of Project Artisan, and Mr. Wachara Chandra, the restaurant’s chef, noticed smoke coming from a ceiling-mounted range hood motor. Then there was a spark, and the fire had spread throughout the restaurant’s roof in less than 2 minutes.
Mr. Wachara Chandra, the restaurant’s chef, said he noticed smoke coming from a ceiling-mounted range hood motor.
This range hood normally gets used between 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and may be damaged or generate heat prior to sparking. Furthermore, the shop’s roof is composed of easily flammable materials, causing fires to burn and spread. The police concluded that the fire was not started by any individual, and the shop does not have fire insurance.
Project Artisan is built in an area of approximately 3–4 rai. The land is leased for an annual fee of one million baht from the owner in accordance with a long-term lease contract.
Motorists ride past by as Mount Marapi spews volcanic materials during its eruption in Agam, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Ardhy Fernando)
PADANG, Indonesia (AP) — The bodies of 11 climbers were recovered Monday a day after a furious eruption of the Mount Marapi volcano as Indonesian rescuers searched for 12 apparently still missing.
Marapi has stayed at the third highest of four alert levels since 2011, a level indicating above normal volcanic activity and prohibiting climbers or villagers within 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of the peak, said Hendra Gunawan, the head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation.
“This means that there should be no climbing to the peak,” Gunawan said, adding that climbers were only allowed below the danger zone, “but sometimes many of them broke the rules to fulfill their satisfaction to climb further.”
Mount Marapi spews thick columns of ash as high as 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) into the sky. (AP Photo/Ardhy Fernando)
About 75 climbers had started their way up the nearly 2,900-meter (9,480-foot) mountain on Saturday and became stranded. Eight of those rescued Sunday were rushed to hospitals with burns and one also had a broken limb, said Hari Agustian, an official at the local Search and Rescue Agency in Padang, the West Sumatra provincial capital.
All of the climbers had registered at two command posts or online through West Sumatra’s conservation agency before they climbed, Agustian said. It was possible others took illegal roads or local residents were active in the area, but it couldn’t be confirmed, he said.
Marapi spewed thick columns of ash as high as 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) in Sunday’s eruption and hot ash clouds spread several miles (kilometers). Nearby villages and towns were blanketed by tons of volcanic debris. Volcanic dust and rain smeared the faces and hair of evacuated climbers, according to video on social media.
Falling ash blanketed several villages and blocked sunlight, and authorities distributed masks and urged residents to wear eyeglasses to protect them from volcanic ash. About 1,400 people live on Marapi’s slopes in Rubai and Gobah Cumantiang, the nearest villages about 5 to 6 kilometers (3.1 to 3.7 miles) from the peak.
A woman sits outside a house as Mount Marapi spews volcanic materials during its eruption in Agam, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Ardhy Fernando)
Gunawan said that Sunday’s eruption was not preceded by a significant increase in volcanic earthquakes. Deep volcanic earthquakes were only recorded three times between Nov. 16 and on Sunday, while the deformation equipment or tiltmeter on the peak showed a horizontal pattern on the radial axis and a slight inflation on the tangential axis.
“This shows that the eruption process is taking place quickly and the center of pressure is very shallow, around the peak,” he said.
Marapi has been observed regularly erupting since 2004 with a gap of 2 to 4 years, Gunawan said.
“Marapi eruptions are always sudden and difficult to detect using equipment because the source is near the surface,” Gunawan said, “This eruption was not caused by the movement of magma.”
Motorists ride past by as Mount Marapi spews volcanic materials during its eruption in Agam, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Ardhy Fernando)
West Sumatra’s Search and Rescue Agency head Abdul Malik said rescuers found 11 bodies of climbers as they searched for those who still missing and rescued three others Monday morning.
“The evacuation process of the bodies and survivors are still ongoing,” he said, adding that rescuers are still searching for 12 climbers reportedly still missing.
Marapi has been active since a January eruption that caused no casualties. It is among more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
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RAHMA NURJANA reported from PADANG. Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Covermat Co.,Ltd. Signs the MOU with Diversey Hygiene (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. to Expand the Healthcare Business, Promoting the Innovative Products: Medical Disinfectants and Cleaning Products in One-Stop Services. Covermat Co.,Ltd. is the leading company in the market of green industry and consumable medical supplies and equipment. The Company is led by Mr. Nattawoot Leadrutdachakul
Founder & Chief Executive Officer for the Administrative Affairs (the 3rd person from the right), Mr. Vikas Mittal, Managing Director for Thailand, Indonesia & Indochina (the 3rd person from the left), together with the team of executives. Relevant persons have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Distributorship Agreement to push and expand the healthcare business forward, regarding the innovative products: medical disinfectants and cleaning products in Thailand. Covermat can ensure that this agreement will help customers to get access to the innovative products with high quality at the global level, and get services thoroughly. Moreover, the Company is confident that its whole-year revenues will grow more than 20%. Apart from efficiencies, Diversey products have packages and containers that use less plastics, complying with the Company’s business directions that are driven by the BCG Model.
Covermat has won the awards from the national forum: the Thailand’s Top SME Award 2023, on November 23, 2023. Covermat is highlighted in terms of the outstanding business operational methods in the world of new era. The Company gains trust and reliability in doing joint-business with the world’s various leading brands.
During the MOU Signing. Covermat has perceived the potentials of the healthcare products that are expanding at a high rate; it cooperates with the leading brand like Diversey. The Diversey’s Oxivir Excel CE Wipe and Spray products are the global products which meet the needs of the leading hospitals that may look for high quality products, to reduce risks from diseases, and save cost when buying cleaning products. In addition, the Diversey Team has qualified personnel who have sufficient knowledge and specialized expertise, so the Company believes that this cooperation will drive the businesses of the 2 parties forward, towards strong and sustainable growth.
Chang Chun-Fu, Representative of
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand
Chang Chun-Fu
Representative of
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand
___________
The rising concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has led to an alarming increase in global average temperatures, setting new historical records. This phenomenon has had a significant impact on countries like Thailand and Taiwan, which have experienced the effects of climate change at an unprecedented speed.
The occurrence of extreme weather threats has now become a shared challenge that we must address. Taiwan is working together with the international community toward the common goal of net-zero emissions. It is looking for opportunities to contribute its strengths in green and other technologies. With the world facing the threat of climate change, Taiwan is a trustworthy partner.
In the face of escalating climate change threats, countries around the world have been taking action towards achieving the “2050 net-zero emissions” target, among which includes members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In October 2021, ASEAN released the ASEAN State of Climate Change Report (ASCCR), emphasizing their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2065.
Thailand, in November 2021, also introduced its “Long-term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategy” (LT-LEDS), setting targets for carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. Taiwan is also dedicated to the transition towards net-zero emissions goal.
This February, President Tsai Ing-wen announced the enactment of the Climate Change Response Act, codifying the 2050 net-zero emissions goal into law. By elevating the net-zero target from a policy declaration to a legal requirement, Taiwan has demonstrated its determination to cut emissions. The government is setting up a carbon pricing mechanism and introducing financial incentives to guide businesses toward sustainable, low-carbon development.
In 2022, Taiwan published its Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050 and announced 12 key strategies for net-zero transition. Based on the twin governance foundations of technology research and development and climate legislation, Taiwan is stepping up energy, industrial, lifestyle, and social transition.
The first phase (2023 to 2026) of the net-zero science and technology programwill focus on five main development areas—sustainable and future-oriented energy sources, low-carbon and carbon reduction, negative carbon emissions, the circular economy, and humanities and social sciences. The program will promote net-zero technology research, development, and applications.
Taiwan has achieved outstanding results in energy transition. For the past 10 years, energy intensity has improved by an annual average of 2.9 percent. According to a 2022 report published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Taiwan’s energy efficiency has risen to eighth in the world, second only to Japan in Asia.
Over the last five years, Taiwan’s installed capacity of renewable energy has grown by an average of 21.9 percent each year. The global average is 9.1 percent. Taiwan has outperformed its Asian neighbors including the Republic of Korea, China, and Japan. In 2023, the combined capacity of wind and solar power installations in Taiwan reached around 13.9 gigawatts, a sevenfold increase from 2016.
A total of 264 offshore wind turbines have been installed nationwide. Renewable energy is expected to generate 10 percent of all Taiwan’s electricity this year. To ensure a stable power supply and reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, the government will continue to maximize the development of green power and future-oriented energy and further improve energy efficiency.
Through these efforts, together with complementary measures such as developing diversified energy storage and strengthening power grid resilience, Taiwan is steadily achieving energy transition.
As more countries commit to net-zero emissions, Taiwan has made structural reforms to consolidate its environmental authorities and strengthen administrative capacity. This August, the Environmental Protection Administration was restructured and upgraded to the Ministry of Environment (MOE).
Its newly established Climate Change Administration coordinates efforts to respond to climate change and reduce greenhouse gases. The results of scientific research on climate change and the implementation of adaptation actions have been published in the Adaptation Communication report.
Taiwan also set up an interdisciplinary team to compile the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan. The initiative promotes nature-based solutions and empowers vulnerable groups. These efforts aim to boost Taiwan’s overall capacity to respond to climate change, protect public safety, and promote national sustainable development.
Through the newly established Resource Circulation Administration under the MOE, the previous focus on controlling pollution has shifted to developing overall resource circulation, improving the efficiency of environmental governance, developing a circular economy, and introducing the concept of zero-waste.
Building on existing solid foundations, Taiwan has formulated three circulation strategies—using green designs for waste reduction at the source, recycling and reusing resources, and balancing and managing waste treatment capacity. A well-functioning circular network will be created in coordination with upstream, midstream, and downstream industries. Taiwan is also developing innovative technologies and systems to support resource circulation and accelerate progress toward the vision of zero-waste and net-zero emissions.
Taiwan is an export-oriented economy. Its business operations are heavily influenced by international conditions and regulations. With the global trends toward carbon border adjustment mechanisms and green supply chain requirements, the government has established an interministerial coordination mechanism to help companies understand and reduce the carbon content of their products and promote a carbon pricing system.
Taiwan’s Green Finance Action Plan supports the low-carbon transition of industry by steering capital investment to green or sustainable businesses; improving the environmental, social, and corporate governance of Taiwanese companies; and strengthening their sustainable development.
The Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange (TCX), established this August, creates incentives for enterprises to reduce carbon emissions through market trading and exchanges. The TCX also promotes low-carbon technology research and development, strengthens carbon market talent cultivation, and drives the virtuous cycle of the green economy.
As a force for good in the world, Taiwan continues to pragmatically seek opportunities to contribute to the international community, despite encountering multiple obstacles. Leveraging its advantages and strengths in green technology development, Taiwan can apply its expertise to programs in fields such as disaster relief, disaster prevention, the environment, medicine, public health, and green energy.
We look forward to the Taiwanese people gaining equal access to the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We hope that Taiwan will be able to join international cooperation mechanisms to address climate change, participate in negotiations related to the Paris Agreement, and take collective action with the international community to jointly overcome the climate crisis.
The German suspect shows video of money that he had bribed Thai officers (left) and the girl who he paid for the sex service.
NONG BUA LAMPHU – High-ranking Thai officials, including the Prime Minister, ordered an investigation into a German media documentary that claimed one of two foreign suspects involved in child prostitution paid a 1 million baht bribe and escaped.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Sunday, December 3, during his visit to Nong Bua Lamphu Province that he discussed and gave orders to the Ministry of Justice and the Royal Thai Police to carefully look at this matter.
“The incident mentioned in the documentary happened last year. But no matter when it happens, we have to fix it. Because it is our duty. As I said, tourism promotion policy is a big issue. We solved these problems together,” said the PM.
Deutsche Welle (DW) published a documentary titled “Sex Tourism in Thailand,” which showed the film team came across evidence of paedophilia crimes, even though the officials said there is no longer any prostitution of minors in the red-light district of Pattaya.
The documentary also mentioned a German national who is still able to leave the country shortly after his arrest under scandalous circumstances in 2022. This man told an interview in Frankfurt, Germany, that he had paid a one million baht bribe to leave Thailand for Germany.
A documentary titled “Sex Tourism in Thailand of DW
According to Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakphan, deputy national police chief, two foreign suspects bought the services of juveniles under the age of 18. One is British, while the other is German. They were later arrested. He also directed that the probe be expanded by the Pattaya Police Station.
It was later revealed that the foreign males had already been granted bail by the court. Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau has banned these two individuals since they are not permitted to leave the country. However, when the German guy asked the court for permission to leave the country, the court granted his request.
Thai police announced the arrest of individuals in child prostitution rings last year.
Pol. Gen. Surachet further stated in Nong Bua Lamphu that he is presently reviewing whether or not the Pattaya Police Station investigators follow the regulations, recognising that this is a serious concern. On December 5, he will hold a press conference.
Furthermore, in the instance of police officers accused of accepting bribes, Pol. Gen. Surachet stated that he has directed a team to do a thorough investigation, including the money pathway. If a crime is discovered, it must be prosecuted.
Gene Simmons, left, Tommy Thayer and Paul Stanley of KISS perform during the final night of the "Kiss Farewell Tour" on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
On Saturday night, Kiss closed out the final performance of their “The End of the Road” farewell tour at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden.
But as dedicated fans surely know — they were never going to call it quits. Not really.
During their encore, the band’s current lineup — founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons as well as guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer — left the stage to reveal digital avatars of themselves. After the transformation, the virtual Kiss launched into a performance of “God Gave Rock and Roll to You.”
Gene Simmons, left, and Tommy Thayer of KISS perform during the final night of the “Kiss Farewell Tour” on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
The cutting-edge technology was used to tease a new chapter of the rock band: after 50 years of Kiss, the band is now interested in a kind of digital immortality.
The avatars were created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse Entertainment Group, the latter of which was co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus. The two companies recently teamed up for the “ABBA Voyage” show in London, in which fans could attend a full concert by the Swedish band — as performed by their digital avatars.
Tommy Thayer of KISS performs during the final night of the “Kiss Farewell Tour” on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, says this new technology allows Kiss to continue their legacy for “eternity.” He says the band wasn’t on stage during virtual performance because “that’s the key thing,” of the future-seeking technology. “Kiss could have a concert in three cities in the same night across three different continents. That’s what you could do with this.”
In order to create their digital avatars, who are depicted as a kind of superhero version of the band, Kiss performed in motion capture suits.
Paul Stanley of KISS performs during the final night of the “Kiss Farewell Tour” on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Experimentation with this kind of technology has become increasingly common in certain sections of the music industry. In October K-pop star Mark Tuan partnered with Soul Machines to create an autonomously automated “digital twin” called “Digital Mark.” In doing so, Tuan became the first celebrity to attach their likeness to OpenAI’s GPT integration, artificial intelligence technology that allows fans to engage in one-on-one conversations with Tuan’s avatar.
Aespa, the K-pop girl group, frequently perform alongside their digital avatars — the quartet is meant to be viewed as an octet with digital twins. Another girl group, Eternity, is made up entirely of virtual characters — no humans necessary.
Gene Simmons of KISS performs during the final night of the “Kiss Farewell Tour” on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
“What we’ve accomplished has been amazing, but it’s not enough. The band deserves to live on because the band is bigger than we are,” Kiss frontman Paul Stanley said in a roundtable interview. “It’s exciting for us to go the next step and see Kiss immortalized.”
“We can be forever young and forever iconic by taking us to places we’ve never dreamed of before,” Kiss bassist Gene Simmons added. “The technology is going to make Paul jump higher than he’s ever done before.”
And for those who couldn’t make the Madison Square Garden show — stay tuned, because a Kiss avatar concert may very well be on the way.
KOH SAMUI – On December 3, after spending all day trying, Samui police in Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand, found the body of a young French tourist who had fallen from the upper waterfall.
Radio Centre 191, Koh Samui Police Station, got information on a French tourist, Mr. Ryan Meghan, 20 years old, who might have fallen from Na Mueang Waterfall 2 in Na Mueang Subdistrict, Koh Samui District. So they went to investigate with Koh Samui District administrative officials while rescue workers at Koh Samui Hospital mobilised a team to hunt for him.
Three French female visitors, friends of Ryan’s, were present. According to the Koh Samui Tourist Police, the women and Ryan climbed up to the higher level of the waterfall, while Ryan went swimming elsewhere. They couldn’t see him after only 5 minutes. So they yelled his name, but there was no response.
They discovered Ryan’s slippers and mobile phone on the floor while walking around, leading them to suspect he had an accident and fell into a waterfall. So they went to seek assistance from the authorities.
The officials then took the team to the waterfall’s base, where they had to walk in. Due to weather conditions, the search was difficult. It was believed that the search team would be in danger when it got dark and there wasn’t enough light. As a result, the search had to be put on hold.
Later, around 8:40 a.m. on Dec. 3, officials arrived with various tools, equipment, and ropes to climb from the waterfall’s cliff to search amid the rocks and operate the drone to search from above. Ryan’s body was discovered in a crack of rocks in the pool on the third floor around 11:15 a.m. They assisted in the difficult removal of the lifeless body from the waterfall. It takes about three hours.
Following that, Koh Samui Police Station investigators took the body for an autopsy and stored it at Koh Samui Hospital. At the same time, notify the embassy and conduct more investigations on the cause.
