Survivors Are Found in Homes Smashed by Japan Quake That Killed 94 People

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5 January 2024, 16:02

WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — A woman was pulled carefully from the rubble 72 hours after a series of powerful quakes started rattling Japan’s western coast. Despite rescue efforts, the death toll Friday grew to at least 94 people, and the number of missing was lowered to 222 after it shot up the previous day.

An older man was found alive Wednesday in a collapsed home in Suzu, one of the hardest-hit cities in Ishikawa Prefecture. His daughter called out, “Dad, dad,” as a flock of firefighters got him out on a stretcher, praising him for holding on for so long after Monday’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

Others were forced to wait while rescuers searched for loved ones.

Ishikawa officials said 55 of those who died were in the city of Wajima and 23 were in Suzu, while the others were reported in five neighboring towns. More than 460 people have been injured, at least 24 seriously.

The Earthquake Research Institute at the University of Tokyo found that the sandy coastline in western Japan shifted by up to 250 meters (820 feet) seaward in some places.

The earthquakes set off a large fire in the town of Wajima, as well as tsunamis and landslides in the region. With some routes cut off by the destruction, worries grew about communities in which water, food, blankets and medicine had yet to arrive.

The United States announced $100,000 in aid Friday, including blankets, water and medical supplies, and promised more help would come. Dodgers major leaguer Shohei Ohtani also announced aid for the Noto area, though he did not disclose the amount.

Thousands of Japanese troops have joined the effort to reach the hardest-hit spots on the Noto Peninsula, the center of the quake, connected by a narrow land strip to the rest of the main island of Honshu.

Experts warned of disease and even death at the evacuation centers that now house about 34,000 people who lost their homes, many of them older.

AP24005196653760 — Rescuers conduct a search operation in Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. Monday’s temblor decimated houses, twisted and scarred roads and scattered boats like toys in the waters, and prompted tsunami warnings. (Kyodo News via AP)

Masashi Tomari, a 67-year-old oyster farmer who lives in Anamizu city in Ishikawa, said it was tough sleeping on the floor with just one blanket. There was no heating until two stoves finally arrived Thursday — three days after the 7.6 quake struck.

“This is a terrible, cold place,” he said.

Tomari felt at a loss thinking about his home, where broken glass and knocked over items littered the floor. It was pitch dark at night because the area was still out of power.

But Tomari and others were already thinking about rebuilding.

Sachiko Kato, who owns a clothing shop in Anamizu, put up a yellow notice as a warning inside her store where the walls have tipped slanted, and a red one for the shed in the back that was completely flattened.

“So many stores were on this street. Now, they’re all gone. Maybe we can work hard to rebuild,” she said.

As of Friday, running water was not fully restored in Anamizu. Kato had to get water from a nearby river to flush the toilet.

AP24005277606382 — A business building is seen fallen down in Wajima in the Noto peninsula, facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, following Monday’s deadly earthquake. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Dozens of aftershocks have rattled Ishikawa and the neighboring region in the past week. Japan, with its crisscrossing fault lines, is an extremely quake-prone nation. Weather forecasts called for rain and snow over the weekend, and experts warned of more aftershocks.

The region affected by the latest quakes is famous for its craftwork, including lacquerware, knives, ceramics, candles and kimono fabric.

Tsutomu Ishikawa, who oversees a resin company called Aras that makes fashionable plates and cups, said no lives were lost around him, but the atelier was seriously damaged.

He apologized for delayed deliveries and expressed determination to pick up and rebuild, while acknowledging the challenges. “We are feeling a deep helplessness that works we created with so much love are gone.”

Sachiko Takagi, who owns a kimono shop on a street lined with picturesque stores in Wajima, said she was lucky her 80-year-old store — inherited over generations — was still standing. Others were not so lucky.

“These people do not have the energy to start something from scratch,” she said. “I really wonder what will happen to this street.”

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At Least 62 Killed In Noto Quake, Rescuers Race To Find Survivors

Thai Wineries Fear Tax Cut Will Flood the Market With European Wines

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Khaosod English

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5 January 2024, 15:46

European wines — The GranMonte winery in Khao Yai

NAKHON RATCHASIMA – The GranMonte winery in Khao Yai worried that the government’s decision to lift import duties on foreign wines will lead to a flood of European wines that will crush the Thai wine market. They are calling on the government to take measures to reduce production costs and relax laws that hinder competition.

On January 5, 2024, Ms. Suvisut Lohitnavy, Director of Marketing and Public Relations of GranMonte Vineyard and Winery, a vineyard and wine producer in Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, expressed her opinion that the government’s recent measures that have reduced taxes on grape wines are a good thing, but that there are more concerns when looking at the big picture.

granmonte3 — Ms. Suvisut Lohitnavy, Director of Marketing and Public Relations of GranMonte Vineyard and Winery

With the new tax rates, import duties on foreign wines will also be abolished. Normally, many foreign wines that have free trade agreements with Thailand do not have to pay import duties, such as Australian, New Zealand and Chilean wines. These wines will only benefit from the reduction in excise duties.

However, wines from European countries such as France, Italy and Portugal, most of which are high-quality wines, were previously subject to high import duties of around 50-60 percent of the price. By waiving import duties, they benefit fully and also receive a double reduction in excise duties.

This has caused great concern among Thai wine producers. They fear that European wines will flood the Thai market and make it difficult for Thai producers to compete. European producers have cutting-edge technology, large production volumes and lower costs than Thai producers.

Wine production in Thailand is limited to a few producers who grow their own grapes. The GranMonte Winery in Khao Yai, for example, grows its own grapes and produces its wine exclusively using local methods. However, the cost of growing grapes increases every year as the prices of fertilizers, pesticides and fuel rise. The government has not taken any measures to mitigate the impact on Thai wine producers.

In addition, there are problems with various laws, in particular the laws on advertising and promotion in the media. In many countries there are not as many restrictions as in Thailand. In some countries, alcohol is even advertised. Japan, for example, which inspired Thailand’s OTOP program, openly promotes local alcoholic beverages.

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Ailing, 53-Year-Old Female Elephant Euthanized at Los Angeles Zoo

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Associated Press

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5 January 2024, 14:17

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 53-year-old Asian elephant has been euthanized at the Los Angeles Zoo after she was unable to stand up, the zoo announced Thursday.

Shaunzi, one of two female elephants at the zoo, was discovered unable to stand Tuesday night after she went down in the yard of her exhibit space.

“Animal care staff and zoo veterinarians responded quickly and worked through the night to help Shaunzi up. Despite the use of all resources and personnel available, the extraordinary efforts were ultimately unsuccessful,” a zoo statement said.

A “heartbreaking” decision was made to sedate and euthanize the animal on Wednesday, the statement said.

la thai elephant — Shaunzi the elephant came to the LA Zoo in 2017 after living more than 30 years at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Shaunzi was euthanized Jan. 3, 2024, after her health took a sudden turn, the LA Zoo reported. She was 53 years old. (Image courtesy of the LA Zoo)

It wasn’t clear why the elephant couldn’t stand up, and a necropsy was planned, zoo spokesman Carl Myers said.

Born in Thailand, Shaunzi spent her youth in a circus, came to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in 1983 and was sent to the Los Angeles Zoo in 2017.

The median life expectancy of female Asian elephants in human care has been estimated by various zoos, researchers and conservation groups as around 40 to 50 years. Elephants in the wild can live decades longer.

Asian elephants are considered endangered, and only about 40,000 of them remain in the wild. They are threatened by destruction of their habitat and by poachers who kill them for their tusks.

“Shaunzi lived a full life and was an ambassador for her species. She helped Angelenos learn about her wild counterparts and the challenges they face in their native range,” the zoo said. “She will be dearly missed by the Los Angeles Zoo staff, members, and the millions of visitors who come to the zoo each year.”

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Thai Seaplane to Expand Business with Flights to Andaman in 2024

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Khaosod English

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5 January 2024, 13:59

BANGKOK – Thailand’s aviation industry will see significant changes in 2024 as the industry recovers globally. Seaplane service providers intend to expand their operations, while authorities say several companies have applied for licences and imported 60 aircraft to take advantage of the 320 billion baht industry.

Kasinpoj Rodkho, CEO of Thai Seaplane Company (Avanti Air Charter), a seaplane service provider, revealed that his airline has benefited from international tourists traveling in the Andaman region. Infrastructure development projects at airports on the Andaman coast, including Phuket, Krabi and a second airport in Phang Nga, are expected to attract a significant number of passengers in the future.

“Even though the volume of business travelers is decreasing, tourists continue to travel, and there is a trend to combine travel and work known as workcation. This has prompted various airlines to increase their fleet size due to growing passenger numbers,” he explained.

Thai Seaplane sees an opportunity to meet the travel needs of tourists who want to travel between tourist areas with long travel times or difficult access. Therefore, the seaplane service will begin operations in the third quarter of 2024, offering flights in the Andaman region that take no longer than 1.30 hours. Possible routes include Phuket-Krabi (bypassing the airport), Phuket-Koh Phi Phi, Krabi-Koh Phi Phi, Phuket-Similan Islands and Phuket-Lipe.

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Siam Seaplane Company Limited is another company that expects to receive an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in the first quarter of 2024 and will begin flying routes from Phuket or Krabi to various islands such as Koh Lipe, Koh Yao Noi, Phi Phi Island, and Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province; and routes from Bangkok (Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi) to the Gulf of Thailand such as Rayong, Trat, and Pattaya.

Siam Seaplane CEO Worakanya Siripidej told Prachachat Business that her company’s goal is to carry 25,000 people each year on three aircraft. Thai premium mass tourists who desire to travel are the airline’s target market, accounting for 30-40% of total clients.

In terms of the foreign tourist market, the target customer group is a developing market group, which includes Southeast Asia, and we will seek to enter markets relevant to each location, such as the Russians in the southern zone.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), around 30% of tourists visiting Thailand are from luxury groups, or approximately 7 million individuals out of a total of 25 million foreign tourists. She is confident that there is still opportunity for growth in the Thai aviation industry.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is speeding up the approval process to allow airlines to acquire additional aircraft quickly and relax the relevant regulations. This is to enable airlines to meet the growing demand in the Thai aviation industry, which is constantly expanding despite the current lack of supply in the industry.

Eight additional airlines have recently received operating licenses (AOL). The airlines also plan to import another 60 aircraft by 2024. The Thai aviation industry is expected to return to pre-COVID-19 (2019) levels and it is predicted that Thailand will be the 9th largest passenger market in the world within the next decade.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday, December 5, he has invited Airport Organisation of Thailand director and minister of Transport and the ministry’s permanent secretary to discuss improving the quality of airports in order to better attract tourists. He added Thailand has the potential to be better.

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Microsoft’s New AI Key Is First Big Change To Keyboards In Decades

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Associated Press

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4 January 2024, 23:58

Computer keyboards are making room for an artificial intelligence chatbot button as Microsoft unveils its first major keyboard redesign in three decades.

Starting this month, some new personal computers that run Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system will have a special “Copilot key” that launches the software giant’s AI chatbot.

Getting third-party computer manufacturers to add an AI button to laptops is the latest move by Microsoft to capitalize on its close partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and make itself a gateway for applications of generative AI technology.

Although most people now connect to the internet — and many AI applications — by phone rather than computer, it’s a symbolic kickoff to what’s expected to be a competitive year as tech companies race to outdo each other in AI applications even as they haven’t yet resolved all the ethical and legal ramifications. The New York Times last month sued both OpenAI and Microsoft alleging that tools like ChatGPT and Copilot — formerly known as Bing Chat — are infringing on copyrighted news articles.

The keyboard redesign will be Microsoft’s biggest change to PC keyboards since it introduced a special Windows key in the 1990s. Microsoft’s four-squared logo design has evolved, but the key has been a fixture on Windows-oriented keyboards for about three decades.

The newest AI button will be marked by the ribbon-like Copilot logo and be located near the space bar. On some computers it will replace the right “CTRL” key, while on others it will replace a menu key.

Microsoft is not the only company with customized keys. Apple pioneered the concept in the 1980s with its “Command” key marked by a looped square design (it also sported an Apple logo for a time). Google has a search button on its Chromebooks and was first to experiment with an AI-specific key to launch its voice assistant on its now-discontinued Pixelbook.

But Microsoft has a much stronger hold on the broader PC market through its licensing agreements with third-party manufacturers like Lenovo, Dell and HP. About 82% of all desktop computers, laptops and workstations run Windows, compared to 9% for Apple’s in-house operating system and just over 6% for Google’s, according to market research firm IDC.

Microsoft hasn’t yet said which computer-makers are installing the Copilot button beyond Microsoft’s own in-house line of premium Surface devices. It said some of the companies are expected to unveil their new models at next week’s CES gadget show in Las Vegas.

South Korea Views The Young Daughter Of North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un As His Likely Successor

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Associated Press

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4 January 2024, 22:30

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The young daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seen as her father’s likely heir apparent, South Korea’s spy agency said Thursday, its first such assessment on the preteen who was unveiled to the outside world a little more than a year ago.

There has been intense outside debate and speculation about her, reportedly about 10 years old and named Ju Ae, since she made her first public appearance in November 2022, when she watched a long-range missile test launch with her father.

The girl has since accompanied her father to a slew of major public events, with state media calling her Kim Jong Un’s “most beloved” or “respected” child and churning out footage and photos proving her rising political standing and closeness with her father.

A senior general knelt and whispered to her when she clapped while watching a military parade at a VIP observation stand in September. She was photographed standing in front of her father at one point during a visit to the air force headquarters in November, with both Kims wearing sunglasses and long leather jackets. In a New Year’s Eve celebration at a packed Pyongyang stadium Sunday, Kim Jong Un kissed her on the cheek and she did the same to her father.

AP23040145611629 — Daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Most of these scenes are something that had been unimaginable in North Korea, where Kim is the subject of a strong and loyal following that treats him like a god.

South Korea’s main spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Thursday that it sees Kim Ju Ae as her father’s likely successor, citing a comprehensive analysis of her public activities and the state protocols provided to her.

The NIS public affairs office told The Associated Press that it still considers all possibilities regarding the North’s power succession process because Kim is still young, has no major health issues, and has at least one other child. Kim turns 40 on Monday.

Earlier Thursday, lawmaker Youn Kun-Young said the nominee for the NIS chief position, Cho Tae-yong, had given him that assessment. In phone conversations with the AP, Youn, a member of parliament’s intelligence committee, said Cho’s written responses to his questions contained no other details about Kim Ju Ae.

The NIS has a spotty record in confirming developments in North Korea, one of the world’s most secretive nations. North Korea’s state media have yet to make any direct comments on the succession plan, including whether Kim Ju Ae has any siblings.

AP23040145009995 — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with his daughter attends a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Du Hyeogn Cha, an analyst at Seoul’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said that while the NIS currently sees a high possibility of Kim Ju Ae getting primed to become her father’s successor, few can predict whether she would eventually become the North’s next leader. Cha added that Kim Ju Ae lacks political achievements that he said are essential to be formally anointed as the country’s future leader.

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea, said that Kim Jong Un likely believes his daughter has the capacity and resolve to succeed him as leader. He said Kim Jong Un’s obesity appears so serious that “it won’t be surprising even if he collapses tomorrow.”

“By accompanying her father on major events, it’s like she’s learning kingship and building a human network at a tender age,” Cheong said.

NIS and officials from other parts of South Korea’s government earlier said it was premature to view Kim Ju Ae as her father’s heir, given Kim Jong Un’s relatively young age and North Korea’s Confucianism-influenced, male-nominated power structure. They had said the girl’s repeated appearances were more likely meant to shore up public support for Kim’s family and his plan to one day hand power over to one of his children.

Since its foundation in 1948, North Korea has been successively ruled by male members of the Kim family. Kim Jong Un inherited power upon his father Kim Jong Il’s death in late 2011. Kim Jong Il took over power after his father and state founder Kim Il Sung died in 1994.

AP23365016489007 — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a year-end plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party, which was held between Dec. 26, and Dec. 30, 2023, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The name of Ju Ae matched what retired NBA star Dennis Rodman called Kim’s baby daughter, whom he said he saw and held during a trip to Pyongyang in 2013. The NIS told lawmakers in a private briefing last year that Kim Ju Ae has an older brother and a younger sibling whose gender the agency hadn’t confirmed.

The NIS said at the time that Kim Ju Ae had never been enrolled in an official education facility and was getting homeschooled in Pyongyang, according to some of the lawmakers who attended the briefing.

Cheong, the Sejong Institute analyst, called the NIS intelligence on the older brother inaccurate, though he agrees that Kim Ju Ae has a younger sibling.

Revealing the young Kim Ju Ae came as a huge surprise to foreign experts because neither Kim Jong Un nor Kim Jong Il were mentioned in North Korean state media before they became adults.

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North Korea’s Kim Vows To Launch 3 More Spy Satellites And Produce More Nuclear

Starbucks Thailand Raises Beverage Prices Due to Production Costs

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Khaosod English

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4 January 2024, 19:39

BANGKOK – Starbucks (Thailand) announced on Thursday that it is raising the prices of its drinks by 5 baht starting January 4, 2024. This price adjustment has been effective in all channels, including storefronts and online orders through various platforms such as Lineman and Grab. The American coffee chain cited a higher production cost.

“This price adjustment is due to the current economic situation. Operating expenses and management have continued to increase throughout the past period. The company tries to keep costs consistent so as not to affect customers,” according to its statement.

“However, beginning January 4, 2024, Starbucks Thailand is required to raise beverage pricing by 5 baht. Snacks, coffee beans, bottled drinks, drinkware, syrup, whipped cream, and various other items will retain their original prices. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. We reiterate our commitment to provide consumers with the finest Starbucks experience possible,” it added.

Starbucks began its operation in Thailand by opening its first coffeehouse at Central Chidlom in July 1998, after its first store opened in the United States in 1971.

According to the company’s managing director, Nednapa Srisamai, the target calls for 800 Starbucks outlets in Thailand by 2030, up from 465 stores with over 4,300 employees currently.

Starbucks Thailand has noted that the company is dedicated to making the Starbucks Experience a rewarding part of the day for all its customers in Thailand while contributing positively to the community through its sponsorship of sustainable coffee production with Thai hill tribes under the name of Muan Jai® (Thai blended coffee).

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A Thai Student Almost Smuggled Hidden Heroin to Australia

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Khaosod English

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4 January 2024, 18:12

NONTHABURI – Police officers from the Rattanathibet police station in Nonthaburi province are investigating a case in which a package containing a total of 15 sheets of sofa covers was hiding heroin.

This package were delivered to a Thai student who was studying in Australia. The student had posted on Facebook that she would return to Thailand in mid-January and offered to transport the package to Australia for a fee of 3,500 baht. However, she claimed not to know the contents of the package.

Mr. Wat, 53, the student’s father, was the one who found the drug. He became suspicious when he noticed the abnormal weight of the package. The father immediately notified the police, who examined the package together.

drugs package2 — A total of 15 sheets of sofa covers containing hidden heroin.

When the police officers opened the box, they discovered that the cushion’s covers contained white powder, which was probably a narcotic drug. It was later confirmed that the substances were 7.5 kilograms of heroin, which has a market value of more than 20 million baht in Thailand. If successfully transported to Australia, this value would increase considerably.

The investigating officers established that the seized drugs were linked to international drug trafficking. The drugs were secretly imported into Australia via a special channel to circumvent the strict controls of the Australian authorities.

Later, on the night of 3 January 2024, a 30-year-old stewardess went to the police station to provide information because her name and phone number were on the box. After extensive questioning, she left the station without giving an interview to the media.

drugs package4 — Several sofa covers containing illegal drugs were hidden in the box.

The police disclosed the findings of their investigation into the bank account used for the transportation fee. The account holder, a Laotian male, has been identified and his whereabouts are being investigated in order to take further legal action and extend the investigation into the origin of the drugs.

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CP Foods Accelerates Towards Eco-Friendly Future

By

Contributor

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4 January 2024, 17:53

CP Foods Accelerates Towards Eco-Friendly Future with Low-Carbon Products, Aiming for 40% Green Revenue by 2030

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) is actively advancing the development of low-carbon and carbon-neutral products. This commitment is a pivotal part of Thailand’s progress towards sustainable living and is in line with the global aim of attaining net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

With an eye to the future, CP Foods is steadfast in its dedication to transform its product portfolio, setting an ambitious target for 40% of its revenue to be derived from these environmentally friendly products by 2030.

Oraparn Mungmisri, a director at CP Foods, highlighted the company’s focus on ensuring food security by producing high-quality, safe, and nutritious products while maintaining an environmentally responsible business model.

CP Foods has successfully developed 880 products that have undergone carbon footprint assessments by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO), particularly in their pork, chicken, shrimp, duck, and egg product lines.

The company follows a comprehensive approach, assessing the carbon footprint across the entire value chain, such as in their shrimp products which include everything from shrimp feed to frozen shrimp and shrimp dumplings.

CP Foods boasts 56 low-carbon products that have been certified the Carbon Footprint Reduction Label, encompassing a diverse range of items like broiler feed, live poultry, and fresh meats. Notably, their Cage Free chicken eggs under the U Farm brand are Asia’s first carbon-neutral eggs, achieved through minimizing carbon emissions and offsetting the remainder with carbon credits.

In 2023, CP Foods added 62 new products to its portfolio that received the carbon footprint label from TGO, including innovative plant-based items like chicken nuggets and minced meat substitutes, further solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable product offerings in Thailand.

The company’s efforts have significantly contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with their certified products helping to cut down at least 2.34 million tons of carbon dioxide. CP Foods’ commitment to leveraging technology and innovation for green product development is unwavering, with a goal to have 38% of its revenue come from green products by the end of 2023, increasing to 40% by 2030.

Many of their low-carbon certified products already exhibit greenhouse gas emissions below the industry average, aligning with the growing global consumer demand for sustainable products.

Mazars and FORVIS to Form Unique New Top 10 Global Network

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Contributor

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4 January 2024, 13:29

Mazars, the leading international audit, tax, and advisory firm and FORVIS, the eighth largest public accounting firm in the United States, today jointly announce they will create a new, top 10 global network[1], effective 1 June 2024.

The new network will position both firms for continued global growth by expanding their capabilities to serve clients, especially those with international needs.

The network will operate under a single brand worldwide, Forvis Mazars. With around €4.7bn ($5bn) in revenue[2], Forvis Mazars will be a new entrant in the top 10 global network rankings.

Uniquely formed of just two members, the network is designed to be agile, deliver consistency and have the global scale to meet clients’ needs. Both network members will remain owned by their current respective partnerships. Effective 1 June 2024, Mazars USA will join Forvis Mazars in the U.S.

“I am really delighted that Mazars and FORVIS have taken this transformational step and am excited about the opportunities it presents for both firms in serving our clients and supporting our people” says Hervé Hélias, Chairman of the Executive Board, Mazars Group.

“We’re proud to bring a pioneering new network model to our industry and are excited to continue this journey together. At Mazars, we are committed to helping our clients confidently build and grow their businesses, and forming this two-firm network with FORVIS complements our existing international integrated partnership and significantly advances Mazars’ international strategy.

We are proud to offer our clients the strength of our international integrated partnership in 100 countries and the benefits of FORVIS’ large national partnership in the U.S. that truly works as one firm across the U.S. It gives us the scale and expanded presence that we have been striving for in the U.S. and marks us out as a top 10 global network with extensive scale and coverage”.

“A two-firm network, operating under a single global brand, quickly advances our firms’ shared strategies. It’s an opportunity to better serve our clients, especially those with international needs and support our people on a path of continued growth. Our organizations know each other well, with a strong history of collaboration and very similar cultures of putting our people and clients first,” says Tom Watson, CEO, FORVIS.

“FORVIS has always been passionately committed to providing an Unmatched Client Experience® and unlocking the potential of both our clients and our people, and this opportunity allows us to do so on a strengthened global platform.”

“In Thailand Mazars is serving Accounting outsourcing, audit, taxation, legal and financial advisory services to wide range of clients active in different industries from various countries”, says Rob Hurenkamp Managing Partner at Mazars in Thailand. The formation of this network will strengthen our reach in the US market and our capabilities to service subsidiaries of US companies in Thailand. With the strong English communication skills of our teams, our strong knowledge of the local regulations, our technical capabilities and our understanding of international practices we are confident that we will service the US clients above their expectations.

Mazars, with offices in more than 100 countries and territories, has realised much success, rising in prominence and working with some of the most recognisable brands in the world. FORVIS was built on a 100-year legacy of providing an Unmatched Client Experience®, becoming a top 10[3] firm in the United States while looking toward an expanded global platform. At a time of major change for businesses worldwide and shifting market dynamics, the new global network will be agile with the scale, capacity, and coverage to support current and future clients’ needs worldwide with the highest levels of consistency and customer experience.

[1] Source: IAB World Network rankings, based on most recent rankings.

[2] 2023 revenues: FORVIS €1.6bn ($1.7bn), Mazars €2.8bn ($3bn).

[3] Source: Inside Public Accounting, based on most recent rankings.

About Mazars

Mazars is an internationally integrated partnership, specialising in audit, accountancy, advisory, tax and legal services*. Operating in over 100 countries and territories around the world, we draw on the expertise of over 30,000 professionals in Mazars’ integrated partnership to assist clients of all sizes at every stage in their development. Visit mazars.com to learn more.

*Where permitted under applicable country laws

About FORVIS

FORVIS, LLP is a professional services firm with a global reach and a passion to drive businesses forward. The firm’s 6,000 dedicated team members provide an Unmatched Client Experience® through the delivery of assurance, tax, and consulting services for clients in all 50 states and internationally. Ranked among the largest public accounting firms in the United States, FORVIS upholds an unwavering purpose to help those we serve unlock their full potential—including our people, our clients, and our communities. Visit forvis.com to learn more.

About Mazars in Thailand:

Mazars in Thailand is a leading, accounting, audit, tax, legal, and advisory practice comprised of over 350 professionals. The practice has Thai, British, Dutch, Indian, German, Japanese, Australian, Vietnamese, and Korean nationals among its senior advisers, which ensures that the company is well placed to function as a bridge between businesses operating in Thailand and related companies overseas.

For more information, visit www.mazars.co.th.

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