Computer-generated image of monks racing motorcycles. Image: 5didao / Facebook
The quixotic National Office of Buddhism is back on the news. This time they want the individuals behind a few AI-generated photos of naughty monks playing rock music, drinking alcohol, smoking and singing with beautiful ladies at a karaoke bar, and racing motorcycles literally behind bars – citing the Computer Crime Act.
Basically, the cybercrime act makes importing false information into a computer system a crime punishable by a maximum imprisonment term of five years. The National Office of Buddhism said earlier this week that these viral AI-generated images are degrading Buddhism in Thailand.
Like chasing “maya” (illusion) or a phantom, they will fail as even if the person behind the viral images is in prison, anyone outside the jurisdiction of Thai laws could simply come up with a new version of “naughty Thai monks.” What is more, perhaps they have never heard of this thing called “Streisand effect,” so they end up spreading the awareness about these otherwise harmless images by making sure it becomes news and more people end up becoming curious and wanting to see it.
PM Office Minister Puangpetch Chun-la-iad was more tactful when on Wednesday, she urged the public not to share these images. But then that was after many more Thais and foreigners read the news and became intrigued by the overt sensitivity of these people who supposedly vowed to defend Buddhism.
Not forgiving and trying to put others in prison for merely making such mocking images is basically un-Buddhist, but I do not think they are aware of the irony. They have to learn to let go and focus on what matters, instead.
For example, instead of being fickle and easily triggered, the National Office of Buddhism could better spend their valuable time meeting and talking to Thai youths who have simply become disinterested if not alienated by the predominant Thai-brand of Buddhism and ask them why and what can be done to reverse the trend.
Basically, they should organize a focus group with Thais, particularly young Thais, on what is wrong with the mainstream Thai Buddhism today. Truth be told, “real” monks having sex is not unheard of. Some “real” monks also drink booze and gamble. Then there is the inordinate focus on merit making, donating more and more money to monks and temples as if good karma is simply something that can be outrightly and conveniently purchased.
These are but some of the things that turn some Thais away from mainstream Thai Buddhism over the past few decades. Many young Thais may be classified as Buddhist on official papers but that is just about it.
The National Office of Buddhism can also spend their precious time making sure more Buddhist chanting by monks, mostly in an obsolete language called Pali from ancient South Asia, be widely translated into Thai language, so when people go to attend a funeral, for example, they will at least understand some of the teachings of the Buddha.
And since they chant repeatedly a few times during a funeral or merit-making ceremony, there is absolutely no reason why these monks and temples cannot make sure it is done alternately between Thai and Pali.
Also, it is likely that in the not-too-distant future, there will be no need for constructing more temples and even some temples will be abandoned as fewer young people are offering alms, donating money or ordaining. The question then, beside running a school or health clinic, or animal sanctuary, what else can the physical space of some of these Buddhist temples be used for or converted into? According to a stat by the 43,005 temples as of May last year, according to the Buddhist Monastery Department.
Should the land of an abandoned temple be deconsecrated and sold in order to raise money for education and health care?
These are some big questions that need answers and the National Buddhism Office and those Buddhists who care should spend more time mulling. Essentially, they should stop barking at the wrong tree and look at the big picture.
The baby elephant was discovered in Ban Taling Chan commune, Khonburi district, Nakhon Ratchasima province.
An elephant calf that had strayed into Ban Taling Chan commune in Khonburi district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, is now in the care of Thap Lan National Park officials.
The officials made the decision on November 10 to relocate an elephant calf that had strayed into Ban Taling Chan commune in Khonburi district, Nakhon Ratchasima province since November 7. The reason for this decision was that the calf’s herd was moving further and further away, and tiger tracks had been discovered near the temporary enclosure that had been built to protect the elephant.
A vet accompanied the elephant during the transport in the enclosure to alleviate any stress.
According to Saiprawat Chanthep, the head of Thap Lan National Park, “the suspected herd of the calf, with 30 elephants, moved far away from the point where officials discovered the calf. It is unlikely that the herd will return to rejoin the calf.”
To ensure the calf’s safety, the officials decided to remove it from the area immediately. A vet accompanied the elephant during the transport in the enclosure to alleviate any stress.
The transport was done by car from the forest area to a prepared boat crossing about 2 kilometers away. The enclosure was then loaded into a waiting car to travel the remaining 1 kilometer to the facility in Thap Lan National Park.
Transportation was by boat, crossing the dam, then loading into a waiting car to travel the remaining 1 kilometre to the facility in Thap Lan National Park.
Throughout the journey, the calf showed signs of slight distress and occasionally made worried noises. However, its condition normalized again when it arrived at the new location. The calf is currently in good health and shows normal feeding behavior. However, there is concern about a leg injury to the right hind limb.
The vet used massage therapy to relax the calf, but refrained from direct medication to avoid possible side effects. Further investigations, including a definitive x-ray, are awaited before a decision is made on specific treatment.
Over the next few days, the veterinary team will provide the elephant with the best possible care to ensure its full recovery. The next step will be to check whether the calf can be reintegrated into its herd.
If this is not possible, options such as transferring it to an elephant camp in Chiang Mai or Surin provinces, where it will be cared for by experienced elephant carers, will be considered.
Palestinians flee to the southern Gaza Strip on Salah al-Din Street in Bureij, Gaza Strip, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Thousands of Palestinians sheltering from the Israel-Hamas war at Gaza City’s main hospital fled south Friday after several reported strikes in and around the compound overnight. They joined a growing exodus of people escaping intense urban fighting in the north — including near other hospitals — as Gaza officials said the territory’s death toll surpassed 11,000.
The search for safety across the besieged Gaza Strip has grown desperate as Israel intensified its assault on the territory’s largest city.
The Israeli army says Hamas’ military infrastructure is based amid Gaza City’s hospitals and neighborhoods, and that it has set up its main command center in and under the largest hospital, Shifa — claims the militant group and Shifa staff deny.
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
More than 100,000 Palestinians have fled south over the past two days, according to Israel, but they still face bombardment and dire conditions. Reported strikes on or near at least four hospitals in northern Gaza overnight underscored the danger for tens of thousands more who had crowded into the facilities, believing they would be safe.
BATTLES AROUND HOSPITALS
Early Friday, at least three strikes over several hours hit the courtyard and the obstetrics department of Shifa Hospital, according to Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson at the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
A video of the courtyard recorded the sound of incoming fire waking people in makeshift shelters, followed by shouts for an ambulance. In the blood-spattered courtyard, one man writhed, screaming on the ground, his leg apparently severed.
Palestinians wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip are brought to a treatment room of al Aqsa Hospital on Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Al-Qidra blamed the attack on Israel, a claim that could not be independently verified. The Israeli army said one strike at Shifa was the result of a misfire by militants targeting its troops nearby.
For weeks, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians — reaching as many 60,000 this week, according to the Health Ministry — have been sheltering in the Shifa complex.
The overnight strikes triggered a mass exodus of the displaced. About 10 a.m., large numbers packed up their belongings and began walking toward the south, five people who were among those who left told The Associated Press.
Al-Qidra told the Qatar-based satellite news network Al-Jazeera that more than 30,000 displaced people, medical workers and patients remain in the hospital.
Mainly those who could not walk or did not know where to go remained, said Wafaa abu Hajajj, a journalist who arrived in the south after leaving the hospital Friday.
“The strikes were hoping to scare people and it worked. … It became too much,” said 32-year-old Haneen Abu Awda, who had been at Shifa being treated for wounds from an earlier strike on his house.
At the same time, Shifa has been overwhelmed by thousands of wounded, even as it operates with minimal power and medical supplies.
In video released Friday by the Gaza Health Ministry, bodies of limp children are seen on stretchers across blood-stained floors in the hospital, some dead, some barely breathing. Other patients were strewn around the floor, unable to be treated for lack of supplies. One man is seen gasping for air.
The director of Shifa, Mohammed Abu Selmia, said Israel demanded the facility be evacuated, but he said there was nowhere for such a large number of patients to go.
“Where are we going to evacuate them?” he said, speaking to Al Jazeera television.
Palestinians flee to the southern Gaza Strip on Salah al-Din Street in Bureij, Gaza Strip, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
The Health Ministry said one person had been killed at Shifa and several were wounded. Another strike near the Nasr Medical Center killed two people, according to the ministry. Abu Selmia said at least 25 people were killed when a strike hit a Gaza City school where people were sheltered inside.
The strike on Nasr forced the shutdown of its children’s hospital, the only remaining specialized pediatric care in north Gaza, said World Health Organization spokesperson Margaret Harris. She said it was not known what happened to patients there, including children receiving dialysis and on life support — “things that you cannot possibly evacuate them safely with.”
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said Israel is “aware of the sensitivity” of hospitals and that forces were closing in on them slowly. Israel “does not fire on hospitals,” he said, but if militants are seen firing from them “we will do what we need to do” and kill them.
Israel has produced video that it says is evidence that Hamas uses not only hospitals, but schools and mosques as well, as cover for military activities.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said on multiple occasions that Hamas uses civilians as “human shields,’’ while stressing that this does not give Israel free rein to target buildings where militants are hiding among civilians. He has pointed to international humanitarian law, which states that protection of civilians and hospitals, schools, and homes is paramount.
CIVILIANS FLEE SOUTH
Tens of thousands of new evacuees from the north, some from Shifa, flowed down Salah al-Din road — the central spine running the length of the Gaza Strip — and reached the central city of Deir al-Balah on Friday. With no fuel for vehicles, the crowds walked for hours as explosions echoed a short distance away. Among them were wounded and older people.
They arrived hungry, exhausted and with a stew of emotions: relief, rage, and despair.
Reem Asant, 50, described seeing bodies on the streets as he and others made their way out of Gaza City, trying to avoid shelling.
“We’re talking about children killed in a hospital,” shouted one man, Abu Yousef. “Hundreds of women killed every day. Houses collapsing on the heads of civilians. … Where are human rights? Where is the United Nations? Where is the United States? Where is the International Criminal Court? Where is the entire world?”
The Israeli military announced an expanded six-hour window Friday for civilians to escape northern Gaza along Salah al-Din, the route used since last weekend. It also announced the opening of a second route, along the coastal road, after an agreement announced by the White House a day earlier.
More than two-thirds of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have fled their homes since the war began. Israel estimates that more than 850,000 of the 1.1 million people in northern Gaza have left, according to military spokesman Jonathan Conricus.
The figure of a hand is marked with blood on the wall of a bomb shelter located in the Thai workers’ housing section of Kibbutz Nir Oz, Israel, near the Gaza Strip, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. The kibbutz was attacked on Oct. 7 by Hamas militants, who killed and kidnapped members of its community. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
RISING DEATH TOLLS
More than 11,070 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and minors, have been killed since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. Another 2,650 people have been reported missing.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that “far too many” Palestinians have died and suffered. While recent Israeli steps to try to minimize civilian harm are positive, he said, they are not enough.
Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf told U.S. lawmakers this week that it was “very possible” the death toll was even higher than the Gaza Health Ministry’s tally.
At least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mainly in the initial Hamas attack, and 41 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground offensive began, Israeli officials say. The Foreign Ministry had previously estimated the civilian death toll at 1,400, and gave no reason Friday for the revision.
An Israeli official told The Associated Press that the number had been changed after a painstaking weekslong process to identify bodies, many of which were mutilated or burned in the Hamas rampage. The final death toll could still change, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement.
Nearly 240 people abducted by Hamas from Israel remain captive.
Palestinian militants have continued to fire rockets into Israel, and an attack on Tel Aviv wounded at least two people Friday, said Yossi Elkabetz, a paramedic with Israel’s rescue services. Hamas claimed credit.
Chiang Mai provincial police investigators arrested a Russian man, who is charged with trespassing and damaging other people’s property. However, the complainant no longer wanted to sue him after he had paid compensation for a grilled chicken.
According to the investigation, Mr. Aleksei, the Russian man has applied for temporary residence in the Kingdom. He went to eat Thai-Isaan food at a restaurant near Wing 41 in the tourism area along Nimmanhaemin Road on the day of the incident, where he was accused of trespassing and damaging other people’s property.
After discovering the suspect’s presence at Nimmanhaemin Road, authorities conducted field investigations, gathered additional information and planned surveillance before arresting him on November 8.
The charges are trespassing on another person’s property with intent to take possession of it in whole or in part, disturbing peaceful possession and causing damage or depreciation, making it unusable for the owner or others.
However, since the Russian man has already compensated the restaurant for the property damage, which was merely a handful of grilled chicken. The restaurant owner has decided not to pursue legal action against him.
CHIANG MAI – At 09:40 on November 10, a normal tourist van traveling from Chiang Mai to Pai overturned on the Chiang Mai-Pai route near the OK Mini Mart before reaching the Mae Mod Coffee Shop in Pa Pae, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai. Rescue teams rushed to the scene where they found two foreign tourists dead outside the vehicle. One is a French woman, and the other is a Dutch man.
In addition, 10 injured tourists were taken to Mae Taeng Hospital in Chiang Mai. The Chiang Mai Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported that the van was traveling at a speed of 83 kilometers per hour according to GPS data.
The accident occurred on a downhill bend where the left front tyre burst. As a result, the van lost control, broke through the crash barrier and crashed into a tree about 50 meters away.
As far as the deceased foreign tourists are concerned, it is assumed that they were not wearing seatbelts. The authorities are speeding up the identification process in order to inform the respective embassies. The van is insured and covers the occupants for up to 500,000 baht.
Supichai Tengprasert, Mae Hong Son Provincial Transport Officer, stated that even at 90 km/hr, which is the legal speed limit, driving on steep hills at 80 km/hr is unsafe. Drivers must be careful.
“Owner companies must carefully recruit drivers with expertise and a passenger safety conscience.”
Bangkok Matching – Leading and Longest Running Thai Dating Agency Shares 3 Techniques to Find a Partner Without Deception for the 11.11 Singles’ Day 2023.
Bid Farewell to Loneliness, Embrace Being Single for the Last Year.
It’s that time again for the 11th of November, also known as Singles’ Day. Bangkok Matching, the high-end matchmaking agency in Bangkok, Thailand, doesn’t miss the opportunity to share great dating tips for singles.
In reality, Singles’ Day didn’t just emerge as many might believe. It originated in the early ’90s, around 1993, with a group of four single Chinese university students who wanted to counter Valentine’s Day, the celebration of love. They came together and established Singles’ Day. The reason for choosing the 11th day of the 11th month was simply because these numbers, all ones, matched the status of the group members who were single. With such a simple reason, it became the origin of a widely popular celebration of singleness in Asia. Starting in China, it spread to Japan, South Korea, and our own country, Thailand.
In Japan, this day is called ‘Pocky Day,’ which originated in the Heisei era in 1999. The customary practice involves exchanging “Pocky” snacks to express love for each other. Moreover, on the 11th of November, Pocky experiences the most promotional offers in Japan, including price reductions, bundled items, and rewards to attract customers back for new purchases.
However, in South Korea, Singles’ Day falls on April 14th each year, known as ‘Black Day.’ Black Day is a special day for ‘singles’ in South Korea, particularly for those who endured the loneliness and didn’t participate in Valentine’s Day or White Day, where they received no gifts. Black Day is an opportunity for solidarity among singles, who dress in black attire and black accessories, gathering to eat Jajangmyeon (black bean paste noodles) or black bean sauce noodles together. The belief is that by eating this meal, they will soon find love. Besides Jajangmyeon, other black foods might also be included, such as chocolate cake.
This has prompted various businesses, both online and offline, to strategize marketing activities to cater to singles and stimulate sales. These include promotions like buy-one-get-one offers, discounts, and various freebies. As a result, Singles’ Day has become an important day for shopping to help forget loneliness.
Initially, traditionally, this day was for singles to come together and engage in various activities, like watching movies, dining, socializing, and singing karaoke to celebrate their singleness. It might sound like fun, doesn’t it? But for someone from Bangkok Matching, a company dealing with singles and relationship issues, helping eliminate singleness for many, it must be said that for ‘some people,’ having to celebrate Singles’ Day alone every year may not be enjoyable at all. If it is enjoyable, it might be mixed with bitterness. Don’t forget, after this November 11th passes, it’s December, a month filled with festive celebrations. Whatever the direction, it becomes a day for couples as usual, intensifying the sense of emptiness for those who have just passed a seemingly exaggerated festive celebration and truly feel their hearts empty.
Explore yourself through 5 reasons why you might still be single.
In reality, being perpetually single has its causes and reasons that are somewhat similar. However, many people often say, ‘I really don’t know why I’ve been single for so long.’ So, let’s look at whether it’s your personality or behavior that might be causing you to be single for so long.
Indifference to society, keeping to oneself, and appearing eccentric. Sometimes, we might have this aversion to being part of society, not wanting to meet new people, taking a break from relationships because of past hurts, and not desiring to start anew. However, once that phase has passed, you must be brave enough to reintegrate into society or meet new people. Being too closed off or not caring about societal norms can make it harder for us to rejoin society. When the world has moved on but we’re stuck in a self-imposed isolation, it becomes harder to engage with people, making it challenging to find someone to connect with.
Lack of charm or allure,without anything attractive. Don’t be angry when the advice is straightforward, such as ‘You might lack attraction.’ It doesn’t matter how attractive you are; lacking allure or sexual appeal, such as having a dull, uninviting way of speaking or behaving, or lacking flair in conversations makes it hard for others to be drawn to you. It’s something that can’t be taught but improved by developing various skills. Improving your speaking, listening, or making your opinions engaging are essential, as they significantly affect your ability to find a partner.
Feeling that you’re not good enough. A prevalent issue is the lack of self-confidence or self-love. Experiencing disappointment in past relationships can make us doubt our suitability for love, causing us to miss potentially regrettable opportunities. Hence, boosting self-confidence and believing in our worth to start afresh and be a good partner to someone can help us be more prepared to step into a relationship. However, being overly confident can also have adverse effects, as it might make you believe that you deserve better and continue to wait, thinking that no one is good enough, even though suitable partners do exist. So, having just the right amount of self-assurance is crucial.
Being too selective and having overly high standards. Many people refuse to accept or realize that they might have an excess of ‘picky-ness’. No man or woman in this world would want someone else to be the sole decision-maker and judge of everything. Therefore, being in a relationship means placing half of yourself down and creating a space in the middle for someone to step into. If you like to dictate or believe that love should follow specific guidelines until it becomes exhausting, it might be necessary to relax some of these behaviors.
Expecting prospects beyond reality. This problem is prevalent, especially in the current era, where everyone seems to look good and attractive. It makes some people mistakenly think that the beautiful idols and celebrities might actually walk into their lives, waiting for the perfect 100% match. If someone comes in, but their appearance or height doesn’t meet the expected criteria, or even for minor things that don’t align with the dream picture, choosing to reject without considering anything, reasoning ‘not the right fit,’ can be quite damaging. The person in your dreams versus reality are never going to be the same. Choosing someone who genuinely cares and feels good with you, ready to accept you as you are, is much better.
3 Techniques to Prepare Yourself for Love
I’ve explained the reasons in depth. Certainly, as a professional matchmaker at Bangkok Matching, we must provide good advice and dating techniques for all the singles out there to follow and develop themselves. If you don’t want to continue celebrating Singles’ Day next year, Bangkok Matching has the following guidance:
Adjust your mindset to be ready for a partner
Our thoughts dictate everything. Have you heard of the law of attraction? What we think, we attract. This applies to love too. If you constantly think of yourself as boring or that no one is interested, you’ll continue to be stuck in this loop, radiating negative energy. But if you think positively and look at the world in a good light, soon you’ll receive the appropriate love. It’s about receiving someone who understands, cares, and values you. The energy you emit attracts positivity. As the saying goes, ‘Your mind is the master, your body the servant.’ Whether we’re good or not is all in the mindset, the attitude, foremost.
Actions speak louder than complaints
In reality, I’ve encountered many cases where people dream but do not act. For instance, you may wish for new opportunities, unforgettable dates, or a genuine relationship, but you don’t make the effort. It’s not just about dreaming, you need to take action. Begin by taking care of yourself, dressing up, and then put yourself out there in social situations or use a premium matchmaking service like Bangkok Matching to find someone who can help fulfill your dreams. Don’t just wait for days to pass by.
Ways to Boost Self-Confidence
Enhancing self-confidence can be achieved in various ways. If I could advise, it starts with proper self-care, from head to toe. Some singles believe self-care is a waste or feel resistant to change, thinking, ‘This is who I am, and I don’t want to change just to attract someone.’ But it’s crucial to rethink this. Our body is the only thing that’s always with us. Therefore, taking care of personal hygiene, grooming, and choosing styles that suit our personality and facial structure has the primary advantage of improving our appearance. When you look good, it becomes another aspect that helps attract the right partner or date.
Realize that leaving the single status is not an impossible task. But first, you must thoroughly examine yourself, identify any issues or areas for improvement, and work on those. Then, immerse yourself in the community where you wish to find your potential date. For instance, engaging a premium matchmaking service like Bangkok Matching can elevate your dating experiences and the quality of potential matches. Their detailed services include:
Thorough background checks on work, financial status, education, and criminal records, ensuring no deceit.
Profiles and date selections tailored to meet your criteria regarding appearance, status, work, education, etc.
Various package options to suit your needs.
Personalized guidance from matchmakers on partner selection, dating and relationship coaching, and mediation, aiding in understanding and nurturing the bond between matches.
Through Bangkok Matching’s comprehensive matchmaking and dating coaching services, with over 18 years of experience and a success rate of over 80% in successful matches, it might be an excellent option to explore. Bangkok Matching can assist you in meeting and potentially marrying someone suitable, bidding farewell to your single status and celebrating Singles’ Day differently next year
ติดตามข่าวสาร โปรโมชั่นพิเศษ งาน Speed Dating และเทคนิคการหาคู่ ของ บริษัทจัดหาคู่ Bangkok Matching บน Social Media ได้ที่:
On November 10, Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Finance Minister, announced the results of a meeting on the policy to pump 10,000 baht into the economy through a large-scale digital wallet program. The summary shows that the government will invest a total of 600 billion baht into the economy, which will benefit 50 million people. Of this amount, 500 billion baht will be allocated to the digital wallet project and another 100 billion baht will go to the performance improvement fund.
The eligibility criteria for receiving the 10,000 baht were outlined as follows:
Citizens aged 16 and above.
Monthly income not exceeding 70,000 baht.
Bank deposits not exceeding 500,000 baht.
Usable within the district according to the citizen’s ID card.
The spending period is 6 months.
Expenditure would be limited to the district level.
Only the purchase of consumer goods permitted in the initial phase.
The 10,000 baht digital wallet handouts cannot be used for the following transaction: alcohol, tobacco & marijuana, online products, services; gold & gems, debt payments; water, electricity and phone utilities, petrol and gas, and cannot be exchanged to cash.
Participating businesses were not required to register for VAT, but businesses that could convert the funds into cash had to be registered for VAT.
“This initiative was not a form of welfare for the impoverished, but a measure to inject money into the economy and allow citizens to play a role in the country’s economic recovery while maintaining financial discipline,” Srettha said.
The distribution of benefits would be facilitated by the existing digital wallet system, which already has 40 million registered users and over 1.8 million known companies. The use of blockchain technology was mentioned to ensure transparency and prevent various forms of corruption.
In addition, the government planned to introduce tax deductions for Thais, allowing them to reduce their personal income tax by submitting receipts for goods and services totalling up to 50,000 baht. Tax rebates would also be granted, making it a comprehensive program to boost the economy for those who are not eligible for the digital wallet program. An e-refund program was to be introduced from January 2024.
The digital wallet project was expected to take some time for consideration by the Council of State, and a proposal for a 500 billion baht loan was to be drafted and presented to the parliament by early next year. The funds should be available to the public in May 2024. The government will payback the 500 billion baht used in four years.
Another 100 billion baht that will go to support 13 key industries is scheduled to be implemented in June 2024. They include aviation, health tourism, agriculture and biotech, robotics, the new motor industry, future food, medical centres, security, and R&D.
Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, has been bestowed with the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star”, by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito for his role in promoting the Thai and Japanese economies.
The “Order of the Rising Sun” is the highest national decoration by the Japanese government to the private sector.
The award ceremony for foreigners for the autumn 2023 season took place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on November 8. The emperor presided over the ceremony while Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida presented the order to the recipients.
The Japanese government stated that Dhanin, senior chairman of CP Group and a Thai businessman, was awarded the order due to his vital role in promoting economic exchanges between Thailand and Japan. The senior chairman has also cooperated with several Japanese companies and helped further improved their businesses, strengthening the economic ties between the two countries for several years.
Furthermore, Dhanin has also played an important role in promoting Japanese culture through CP Group’s selling of Japanese food products in Thailand, which has led to the widespread development and promotion of Japanese culture in the country, the government said.
Quoting a report by Nikkei, a Japanese media organisation, the government said that CP was the Thai company that had revolutionised Japan’s dining table after it started exporting frozen chicken to Japan in 1973, being the first company to do so. The move has provided Japanese households an access to affordable, high quality source of protein over the years.
Dhanin, who heads Thailand’s largest private conglomerate, said he was honoured to receive the order, and he considered this achievement one of the proudest moments in his life.
“CP Group has maintained a positive relationship with Japan under our principle of ‘3 benefits’,” he said. “In any country that we invest in, CP Group aims to ensure that our businesses generate benefits in three aspects: To the respective country, its people, and lastly to the company.”
Dhanin said that after starting its frozen chicken export business with Japan in 1973, CP Group had established partnerships with leading Japanese corporations, including Itochu, Japan’s third-largest trading company and the fifth-largest on the Japanese stock market. The partnership has enabled Itochu to expand its various businesses in Japan as well as invest in Thailand’s food manufacturing sector.
CP and Itochu went on to partner with CITIC Group, one of China’s largest conglomerates with businesses in financial services, advanced intelligent manufacturing, advanced materials, new consumption and new-type urbanisation.
“This partnership of Thai, Japanese and Chinese conglomerates will strengthen the potential of the business sector in the Asian region to compete at the global level,” said Dhanin. “As for CP, we will use this joint venture to expand business opportunities in agriculture, industry, food, retail and international trade by using expertise of all parties. I am confident that this cooperation will help boost trading and investment in Thailand and across the region.”
Bangkok – Shake Shack, the iconic New York-based burger brand, announces its second location in Bangkok at THE EMSPHERE, the vibrant retail destination in the heart of Sukhumvit, with a dynamic installation by local artist P7 from November 8 – December 3, 2023.
Shake Shack X P7 Installation at BTS Phrom Phong Station
Leading up to the official opening, Shake Shack has tapped P7, a Bangkok-based artist and designer known for his distinctive hand-drawn street art graffiti, to create an eye-catching installation at BTS Phrom Phong Station, where a skywalk will soon connect all three malls in EM DISTRICT,including the soon-to-be-opened THE EMSPHERE.
As a tribute to Shake Shack’s origin, P7 recreated a New York Subway station in his own uniquely fun and playful style with the theme ‘From New York to THE EMSPHERE.’
The mural features P7’s signature surreal characters, representing the diversity of people in Sukhumvit, and the colors epitomize the ever-changing energy of the neighborhood. Keen-eyed observers might even spot hints of the menu items that will be launched at THE EMSPHERE Shack.
To celebrate this remarkable collaboration, Shake Shack invites fans to participate in exclusive giveaways and win Shack-themed swag items through their social media channels. To learn more about how you can win simply by visiting the installation, be sure to follow Shake Shack Thailand on Facebook and Instagram.
Elevated Versions of American Classics
Shake Shack will continue to serve elevated, modern and fun versions of American classics, with new additions coming to the second location. The menu showcases responsibly sourced premium ingredients with everything made-to-order. Signature items include ShackBurger®, Chicken Shack, ‘Shroom Burger, Crinkle-Cut Fries, Shakes, ShackMeister® Ale, Shack Red®, Shack White® and Shack Attack concrete in addition to Thailand exclusive items.
Shake Shack is working with Maxim’s Caterers Limited to open the second Shake Shack in Thailand, continuing its commitment to ‘Stand For Something Good®.’ This mission is shown through sourcing the best ingredients and by building connections with local communities, with the goal of creating a lively and friendly gathering place in Sukhumvit.
Location: Shake Shack The Emsphere, G & GM Floor , 628 Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
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About Shake Shack
Shake Shack serves elevated versions of American classics using only the best ingredients. It’s known for its delicious made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun milkshakes, house-made lemonades, beer, wine, and more.
With its high-quality food at a great value, warm hospitality, and a commitment to crafting uplifting experiences, Shake Shack quickly became a cult-brand with widespread appeal. Shake Shack’s purpose is to Stand For Something Good®, from its premium ingredients and employee development, to its inspiring designs and deep community investment.
Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC’s Madison Square Park, the Company has expanded to more than 500 locations system-wide, including over 300 in 32 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, and international locations across London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Mexico City, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Seoul and more.
About Maxim’s Caterers Limited
Founded in 1956, Maxim’s Caterers Limited (a company incorporated in Hong Kong) is one of Asia’s leading food and beverage companies comprised of Chinese, Asian and Western restaurants, quick service restaurants, bakery shops, coffee shops, Japanese chain restaurants and institutional catering, while providing a range of festive products, including the award-winning HONG KONG MX Mooncakes.
It is also the licensee of renowned brands including Starbucks Coffee, Genki Sushi and IPPUDO Ramen, The Cheesecake Factory and Shake Shack in various territories. Altogether, it has over 1,800 outlets in Hong Kong and Macau regions, Mainland China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, hugs a member of the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee member in celebration after a news conference at the SAG-AFTRA offices in Los Angeles on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Missed your favorite actors? After nearly four months of striking, they’re coming back. Wednesday’s deal between striking actors and studios and streaming services won’t immediately restore filming to its full swing. That will take months.
But the tentative agreement — which both sides say include extraordinary provisions — means that more than six months of labor strife in the film and television industries is drawing to a close. Soon, tens of thousands of entertainment sector workers could get back to work. And popular franchises, like “Deadpool,” “Abbott Elementary” and “The Last of Us,” will be a step closer to returning to screens.
Hollywood loves a happy ending. The actors strike might provide that, though there’s still the chance of strike sequels in the months ahead.
Striking actors hold picket signs outside Netflix studios, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Here’s some of what will happen next:
SO IS THE ACTORS STRIKE REALLY OVER?
Picket lines are suspended and the only rallies on the horizon are celebratory ones that the actors union is promising will happen.
There are a couple of steps that need to happen before the deal becomes official. On Friday, the national board of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists will review the agreement and could approve it. Then, the agreement’s details will be released and the guild’s full membership will vote on it.
But when striking screenwriters — who started picketing May 2 — reached their deal in September, their guild allowed writing work to resume before full ratification of the contract was complete.
While it’s possible those votes scuttle the deal, the union’s negotiating committee unanimously approved the deal and called off picketing.
Striking actors picket outside Paramount Pictures studio, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
WHAT’S IN THE DEAL?
The exact terms of the deal won’t be released until later this week, but a few highlights are known.
The union says the deal is worth more than a billion dollars and they’ve “achieved a deal of extraordinary scope” that includes compensation increases, consent protections for use of artificial intelligence and actors’ likenesses and includes a “streaming participation bonus.”
The negotiation arm of the studios also says the deal includes historic provisions. The Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers said Wednesday the “tentative agreement represents a new paradigm.”
It said the companies are giving “SAG-AFTRA the biggest contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union, including the largest increase in minimum wages in the last forty years; a brand new residual for streaming programs; extensive consent and compensation protections in the use of artificial intelligence; and sizable contract increases on items across the board.”
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s executive director and chief negotiator, told The Associated Press the gains made the long strike worth it.
“It’s an agreement that our members can be proud of. I’m certainly very proud of it,” Crabtree-Ireland told The Associated Press in an interview.
WHAT WILL START FILMING FIRST?
The strike put an immediate stop to “Deadpool 3” with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, as well as Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” sequel. Those are likely among the first films that will resume production.
The resolution of the writers strike allowed script work to resume on shows like “Abbott Elementary,” “The White Lotus” and “Yellowjackets.” That head start might help those productions get back on the air sooner once their stars are cleared to work.
Television moves faster than movies, which once filming ends still face a lengthy editing and promotional process.
In recent weeks more shows and movies announced delays — Kevin Costner’s final episodes of “Yellowstone” won’t air until next November and the next “Mission: Impossible” film also delayed its release.’
Performers with Disabilities (PWD) join a picket line alongside SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America West outside Fox Studios in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
WHAT OTHER CHANGES WILL I SEE NOW THAT THE STRIKE’S OVER?
Actors, lots more actors, will be talking about their work again. Splashy premieres will resume with their stars, as well.
Movies like “Killers of the Flower Moon” and this week’s big release, “The Marvels,” have been without their stars to promote the film. Strike rules forbid actors from promoting work done for the major studios, which kept Leonardo DiCaprio, Brie Larson and many other actors from doing interviews.
That’s prevented many performers, like “Killers of the Flower Moon” breakout Lily Gladstone, from having some big celebratory moments. (For more examples of performances that didn’t get as much attention due to the strike, check out this list.)
Some projects have gotten exemptions, such as Michael Mann’s upcoming racing drama “Ferrari.” That freed stars Adam Driver and Patrick Dempsey to attend the Venice Film Festival — and also allowed Dempsey to do an interview with People when it named him its Sexiest Man Alive.
But as Hollywood heads into its award season, expect to see more glamorous red carpet shots and interviews with stars.
WHAT ABOUT AWARDS SEASON?
Well, it’s back on, and it’ll be supercharged.
One of the actors strike ripple effects was to push the Emmy Awards from September into January. It’ll now join the Grammys, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Oscars in Hollywood’s traditional awards season. Those shows will all air between Jan. 15 and March 10.
Plans for the Emmys, and the SAG Awards, which will appear on Netflix, were in jeopardy as the strike got closer to 2024.
Still in limbo is the Golden Globe Awards, which is trying to reinvent itself after years of scandal, but doesn’t yet have a U.S. broadcast partner.
AFTER TWO MAJOR STRIKES, WHAT’S NEXT?
Another actors strike — this one by video game performers — is possible. Negotiations for that contract are ongoing, but a strike has been authorized.
Actors who work on video games range from voice performers to stunt performers. They, too, have expressed concerns about the use of AI in their industry.
The studios in 2024 will also be negotiating with set workers and their guild, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. From building sets to controlling the lighting and even creating effects, IATSE members are crucial to film and television production. They been severely impacted by the filming shutdown and have joined the picket lines in the writers and actors strikes.
One of the key elements of the actors and writers strikes has been how much streaming has upended the industry, which could also be a key point in the set worker negotiations.
And other sectors of the industry have moved to unionize while this year’s dual strikes played out. Some reality television workers are calling for a union, while visual effects artists who work on Marvel films voted to join IATSE.
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For more coverage of the actors and writers strike, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/hollywood-strikes/
