BANGKOK — Ticket prices for the upcoming Post Malone concert are out, promoter Live Nation Tero announced Friday.
The American rapper will perform his first gig in Bangkok at Impact Challenger Hall on Sept. 14, 2023. Tickets range from 3,800 to 15,500 baht and can be purchased online from 10am on Jul. 15.
Bangkok will be the first Asia leg of Post Malone’s “If Y’all Weren’t Here, I’d Be Crying” tour before hitting Manila, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
Best known for his smash hits like “Circles,” “Sunflower,” and “Congratulations,” the genre-defying artist began his career as early as 2011, but shot to fame in 2015 with his debut single “White Iverson.” He is set to release his fifth album titled “Austin” on Jul. 28, Post Malone announced earlier in May.
Nauruzbek Tashripov, 32, is arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Jul. 7, 2023.
BANGKOK — Police on Friday arrested an Uzbek national who allegedly lured fellow nationals into working in the sex trade moments before he was about to flee the country at an airport in Bangkok.
Nauruzbek Tashripov, 32, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport while attempting to leave the country after a warrant was issued against him. The arrest followed a tip off from a victim who reached out to anti-sex trafficking organizations NightLight International and Operation Underground Railroad, commander of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division Saruti Khwaengsopha said.
Nuriddin Mamatkulov, Consul of the Consulate-General of Uzbekistan, also joined the press conference of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division on the arrest of an Uzbek suspect.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Saruti said the suspect and his fleeing accomplices enticed women from Uzbekistan to work in Pattaya, ostensibly as a chef assistant at a restaurant with paid travel and visa costs, but then forcing them to become prostitutes.
The women were forced to work from 6pm to 6am to pay back the debt of 175,000 baht and were threatened with violence if they did not comply with the captors, police said. They were also said to be provided just one meal per day, or none at all if they did not meet their daily target.
Two other Uzbek nationals linked to the ring managed to flee the country together with the rest of the victims to Bahrain, police said. The suspects were charged with colluding in human trafficking and prostitution.
Tourism in Mae Hong Son province confirms the need to suspend tube rafting, a popular tourist activity in Pai district, due to high water levels during the rainy season. The risks of forest water and flash floods pose a danger to tourists.
Panuwat Khadnak, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mae Hong Son Office, said that according to the measures to promote rubber rafting tourism on the Pai River, which will take effect from November 10, 2022, all entrepreneurs are required to stop rubber rafting activities on the Pai River for the safety of tourists.
Tipsy tubing activities on the Pai River
It is expected that the suspension of this activity will not have a significant impact on tourism in Pai district, as there are other alternatives during the rainy season. The area offers beautiful landscapes, including lush green forests, flowing rivers, and breathtaking seas of fog, earning it the nickname “City of Fog in Three Seasons”
In addition, there are natural attractions such as caves, waterfalls, and hot springs that offer tourists a variety of ways to explore the area and enjoy an extended stay.
“City of Fog in Three Seasons”
The Mae Hong Son Office has also developed a plan called “Green Season” to promote tourism during the rainy season. This plan aims to encourage tourists to explore the agricultural traditions of Mae La Noi district, such as terraced rice fields. In addition, soft adventure activities have been organized in line with the concept of “meaningful travel” to provide tourists with enriching and meaningful experiences.
The “Green Season” plan includes:
T – Tranquil: promotes relaxation and the quiet simplicity of nature during the rainy season. One of the events that embody this concept is the Pai Jazz and Blue Fest 2023, which will be held in Pai district from July 7 to 9, 2023. Another event is Mae La Noi Craftcamp 2023, a rainy season music event to be held at Herntai Resort in Mae La Noi. This event will be held on August 11 and 12, 2023.
The Pai Jazz and Blue Fest 2023The Pai Jazz and Blue Fest 2023
H – Homestay: experience the warmth of traditional “ethnic cuisine” in host families and enjoy local cuisine that reflects the lifestyle of local communities.
A – Adventure: take part in various eco-trekking activities, such as exploring community forests and admiring the terraced rice fields of Doi Pui Luang. Enjoy an inflatable boat ride on the Pai River and experience the thrill of riding an ATV.
I – Indigenous: Immerse yourself in the stories and share your experiences with indigenous communities. Choose from more than 9 ethnic groups and 13 tribes.
After learning that the Phoenix Fitness and Sauna Service Centre on Ratchada-Tha Phra Road, Mahaisawan Intersection, Bukkhalo Sub-district, Thonburi District, Bangkok, was a location of illegal prostitution, the Bangkok Metropolitan Police led the search at midnight Friday.
A 6-story commercial building housed the fitness centre and sauna. During the inspection, the police discovered 36 persons, including employees and male clients, living on separate floors, with some couples having sex.
The drug test results revealed that no one was involved. However, one customer, 25 years-old had an arrest warrant for the money laundering in the Krabi province area; therefore, he was held for prosecution.
Mr. Surasak, 33, was identified as the shop’s proprietor was charged with procuring prostitution and taken to the Bukkhalo Police Station. The other 34 persons were released.
Singer CoCo Lee performs during the closing ceremony of the fifth Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) in Beijing, capital of China, April 23, 2015. (Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang)
BEIJING – CoCo Lee, a Hong Kong-born pop star best known for her powerful voice and live performances, died by suicide at the age of 48 on Wednesday. The shocking news of her untimely demise has once again sparked concern over depression in China amid the country’s fast-paced growth.
The famous singer who started her career about three decades ago was battling depression for years, according to a statement posted by her sister on social media.
The tragic news quickly spread like wildfire, as her fans flooded social media platforms with grief and heartfelt condolence messages, with people expressing their profound astonishment and disbelief.
“You were always smiling like sunshine in the video. We can recall your laughter and your positive attitude towards life, but why would you leave us in this way?” commented a netizen on the Twitter-like Sina Weibo.
“This is so sad. She was always cheerful and happy. It just goes to show, people who appear to be the happiest often are battling the biggest demon,” wrote a YouTube user.
Raised in the United States, Lee had garnered a substantial fan base both within China and internationally. One of the standout moments in her career was her captivating rendition of the Oscar-nominated song “A Love Before Time” from the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
The stark contrast between her vibrant stage persona and her unfortunate suicide attempt at home sparked widespread discussions about depression among the general public.
THE HIDDEN DEMON
“Most people hold a stereotypical view of depression, assuming that only those who appear gloomy and disinterested in life are affected. However, it is important to understand that people who maintain a cheerful demeanor and are carrying on with their daily life normally can also be experiencing depression,” said Xu Tao, a senior doctor at the Hebei provincial mental health center.
Speaking to Xinhua, he explained that people suffering from depression might not even recognize their own condition or may choose to conceal their melancholic side, presenting a carefree facade to others. “This characteristic of the disease makes it hard to detect, often leaving the patient alone without help.”
According to the National Health Commission (NHC), the prevalence rate of depression in China was 2.1 percent in 2019, and that of anxiety disorders stood at 4.98 percent.
Xu attributed the rise in mental health cases partially to the rapid development of modern society, wherein individuals face heightened pressure and an overwhelming influx of information. “This has resulted in issues such as high blood pressure, heart problems, compromised immunity, and disrupted gastrointestinal digestion. At the same time, patients may experience insomnia, anxiety, and headaches,” he said.
Furthermore, due to a lack of public understanding, the illness often goes unnoticed. “The patients themselves may perceive it as a source of embarrassment, while their acquaintances dismiss it as mere sentimentality,” he added.
Recently, 35-year-old Xiao Yi (pseudonym) from Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan Province, was diagnosed with mid-stage depression. In reality, Xiao had been struggling for approximately a year, but initially, no one suspected depression due to his sociable and lively demeanor in public settings. However, when alone, Xiao felt overwhelmed by work-related stress and a lack of support from his family, causing him to feel suffocated.
He is now on medication under the guidance of qualified doctors and receiving psychological counseling.
Zhou Xuhui, director of the mental health department at the Hunan brain hospital, noted that there’s a concerning trend of increasing depression cases among younger people. “Their condition cannot improve without an outlet for the negative emotions and access to standardized psychological diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
Pupils attend a mental health course at the Experimental Primary School in Yuelu District of Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, May 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)
LIFTING PATIENTS OUT OF ABYSS
Many non-government organizations in China are actively working to support people like Xiao.
Ni Wenping works with one such organization named the “Hope Line,” a hotline set up to help people in distress. She told Xinhua that they have a total of 435 volunteers, including more than 200 operators. They receive an average of 300 phone calls every day.
“Some of these calls are from students who are experiencing difficulties in concentrating in regular schooling, while some are from relatives of the patients seeking help,” she said, adding that the helpline adopts a compassionate approach and volunteers try to listen patiently to the callers.
Ni noted that prompt intervention is important because those seeking help are mostly patients with relatively mild symptoms. “People with severe symptoms often struggle to seek help on their own,” she said. “We are trying to help them in preventing the disease from getting worse.”
China’s Ministry of Education and 16 other authorities jointly issued an action plan in May on enhancing mental health education at schools, colleges and universities. According to the plan, by 2025, 95 percent of schools, colleges and universities in the country are expected to have full-time or part-time mental health counselors.
The senior doctor Xu Tao emphasized the importance of offering greater understanding and care to people with depression and the need to avoid blind judgment. “Be a good listener, and encourage them to recognize their own strengths and personal worth and to seek professional help,” he said.
Lucas Harrington, age 7, cools off in a mister at Kauffman Stadium as temperatures approach 100 degrees fahrenheit before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Kansas City, (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Earth’s average temperature set a new unofficial record high on Thursday, the third such milestone in a week that already rated as the hottest on record.
The planetary average hit 63 degrees Fahrenheit, 17.23 degrees Celsius, surpassing the 62.9 and 17.18-degree marks set Tuesday and equaled Wednesday, according to data from the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer, a tool that uses satellite data and computer simulations to measure the world’s condition.
Children wearing sun hats and carrying an umbrella pose for a souvenir photo near the Forbidden City on a sweltering day in Beijing, Friday, July 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
That average includes places that are sweltering under dangerous heat — like Jingxing, China, which checked in almost 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) — and the merely unusually warm, like Antarctica, where temperatures across much of the continent were as much as 8 degrees Fahrenheit (4.5 degrees Celsius) above normal this week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday issued a note of caution about the Maine tool’s findings, saying it could not confirm data that results in part from computer modeling.
Tubers float the cool Comal River in New Braunfels, Texas, Thursday, June 29, 2023. The unofficial heat records come after months of unusually hot conditions due to climate change and a strong El Nino event. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)People enjoy high tide waves on the Arabian Sea coast in Mumbai, India, Thursday, July 6, 2023.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
“Although NOAA cannot validate the methodology or conclusion of the University of Maine analysis, we recognize that we are in a warm period due to climate change,” NOAA said.
Still, the Maine data has been widely regarded as another troubling sign of climate change around the globe. Some climate scientists said this week they weren’t surprised to see the unofficial records.
Robert Watson, a scientist and former chairman of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said governments and the private sector “are not truly committed to address climate change.” Nor are citizens, he said.
“They demand cheap energy, cheap food and do not want to pay the true cost of food and energy,” Watson said.
The San Antonio Fire spreads uphill west of Petaluma, Ca., Friday, June 30, 2023.(Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP)
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Seth Borenstein reported from Washington, and Isabella O’Malley from Philadelphia.
On the left is the "Popcorn Gunman," while on the right is a post by a netizen who opposes Matalada's director.
The immensely popular “Matalada” drama on Channel 3, which raises the issue of LGBTQ+, is currently trending on social media, as is the political controversy.
Netizens praised the drama for demonstrating that a transgender guy could be an excellent father who cares for his daughter. However, the drama’s director, Miew Pawanrat Naksuriya, used to speak in support of violence in the event that a gunman fired at a group of red-shirt protesters campaigning for elections in Lak Si area, Bang Khen, on February 1, 2014, as a fun talk on the PDRC stage.
Khaosod’s front page published news photos of the violence incident in Lak Si, Bang Khen, on February 1, 2014.
PDRC, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee or People’s Committee for Absolute Democracy with the King as Head of State was a reactionary umbrella political pressure group in Thailand. The group played a key role in the 2013–14 Thai political crisis and the lead up to the 2014 Thai coup d’état.
Following the incident, it emerged that Mr. Akaew Sae Liew, 72, a soft drink seller, was shot while looking for his daughter in the area. He was paralysed for seven months before dying in September of 2014.
The gunman, 28, who was called “Popcorn Gunman” due to the sound of bullets and the way he hid the gun in the bag, was sentenced to 37 years and 4 months in prison.
Netizens posted that they will ban the Matalada series until the director apologises for her conduct in the past.
Since then, the female director has been criticised for failing to apologise for her conduct. She came under fire again after the success of Matalada’s production. Some netizens remarked that they would not watch it because of the director.
“A series about an LGBTQA father and daughter from a director who laughs at a father who was shot for concerning for his daughter,” one netizen stated.
So some individuals have banned the drama, but others believe it ought not to be linked with the drama. Some ironically said that the more opposition there is, the more popular the drama will be. They posted on Friday a picture showing Matalada,” the recent Netflix most-watched series.
A picture showing Matalada,” the recent Netflix most-watched series.
Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt. Gen. Pakphumpipat Sajjaphan and Chonburi Police officials hold a press conference on July 6 at Long Beach Garden Hotel & Spa, North Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, on the arrest of foreigners in 5 significant cases.
The first case: Mr. Jonathan, 31 years old, Swiss citizen, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakan Province, according to INTERPOL Red Notice 2018, when he tried to flee to Vietnam for secretly shipping 2,000 ecstasy pills from Thailand to Zurich, Switzerland.
Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt. Gen. Pakphumpipat Sajjaphan and Chonburi Police officials hold a press conference on July 6, 2023.Mr. Jonathan, 31 years old, Swiss citizen, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport
The second case: Mr. Stefan, 45 years old, Swedish citizen, was arrested at his residence in Nong Prue sub district, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province, at the request of the Nordic Police Group. This man violated the rights of television signals in Sweden involving 3 companies by distributing them on YouTube and Facebook without permission.
The third case: 5 South Korean nationals aged 28-40 were arrested for illegally operating a travel business in a luxury pool villa in Pattaya and running a business-oriented tourism website offering travel bookings and packages to South Korean tourists. Their behavior resembles a zero-dollar tour.”
The fourth case: arrest of a group of 17 Vietnamese nationals in Bang Chalong sub district, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. They all worked behind the scenes as administrators of an online gambling website with Chinese investors. This website was also involved in the covert production of fake travel documents.
Arrest of a group of 17 Vietnamese nationals.
The fifth case: Mr. Jiang, 41 years old, Chinese citizen, arrested in Na Kluea Road, Soi Na Kluea, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. He is accused of unlawfully staying in the Kingdom for 2,160 days. The suspect is wanted for property crimes in China and fears prosecution upon his return. Therefore, he has escaped from the authorities in Thailand.
The police chief said the agency will closely monitor both Thai and foreign persons with arrest warrants and strengthen border controls.
Several weeks after the Move Forward Party’s election victory, it is still not certain whether party leader Pita Limjaroenrat will become Thailand’s next prime minister: will he get enough supporting votes? What the public does know for sure is that the prime minister vote will be held at 9:30 a.m. on July 13, 2023.
Move Forward MP Padipat Suntiphada overwhelmingly won the vote for 1st Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He received 312 votes, more than half of the House on July 4. However, prime minister voting will not be so easy, since a senator is involved.
Pita must secure 376 votes, which is two-thirds of the parliament. Measured against the current 312 votes received by the party, it is still 64 votes short.
Second Deputy House Speaker Pichaet Chuamuangpan said on Thursday if Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita fails to get the 376 votes needed to become PM on July 13, a second and even third voting will be held on July 19 and 20.
Pita Limjaroenrat and Second Deputy House Speaker Pichaet Chuamuangpan
Many obstacles that prevent Pita
Getting the support of senators is a hurdle for Pita because they were elected by Prayut Chan-o-cha when he was the leader of the coup. Many senators are also royalists and right-wingers who have stated that they will never vote for Pita if the party insists on amending Article 112 to reform the royal family.
Pita still faces legal complaints from the Electoral Commission regarding both Article 112 and the issue of ownership of shares in the ITV television station. Although the ITV television station has not operated as a media company since 2007, the Election Commission has accepted the complaint and will investigate whether Pita knew he was not eligible to be a candidate in the first place.
The Election Commission recently announced a 15-day extension for the investigation, which will begin July 3.
In addition, several opposition sides, both senators and MPs, have made gestures reflecting their hope that the two major parties, Move Forward and Pheu Thai, which have a 10-seat difference in parliament, will split. Some speculate that they might vote for a Pheu Thai candidate, if there is one. Others predict that Pheu Thai will eventually abandon Move Forward and join forces with the Palang Pracharath Party.
Scenario if Pita does not pass the first vote
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is from the compromise between Move Forward and Pheu Thai, responded to a question about the scenario that Pita would not pass the first vote.
from left: Pita Limjaroenrat, Padipat Suntiphada and Wan Muhamad Noor Matha
“I firmly believe that if we act appropriately to benefit the people, we will achieve our goals,” Wan Muhamad stated the session would immediately end that day (July 13) and a new session would have to be scheduled until a decision is made. The readiness of the members must be taken into account to ensure full participation of everyone in the meeting.
The new Speaker of the House of Representatives further mentioned that when the new session is scheduled, the Constitution does not prescribe whether the same person or a new person should be nominated. There are only provisions of the Election Commission that state that the candidate must have the required qualifications.
If all the lists of names submitted to the Electoral Commission have failed, the Constitution gives Parliament the option of proposing individuals from outside Parliament, but this process is lengthy and ultimately requires a vote of at least 376 members.
Therefore, it is difficult to make predictions. What is crucial, however, is that we have a prime minister and a cabinet that can effectively govern the country.
The site at an elevated bypass under construction in Shizuoka where a bridge girder fell from a height of some 9 meters is pictured from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 6, 2023. (Kyodo)
SHIZUOKA – A bridge girder slipped off a raised platform at a construction site in central Japan early Thursday, leaving two workers dead, police said.
Seven people were taken to hospital after the incident, which occurred at around 3:10 a.m., with two workers in their 50s confirmed dead and two others left seriously injured. Around 20 workers were building a multi-level bypass in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The police are investigating the incident and are considering charging those found responsible with professional negligence resulting in death.
The 65-meter steel frame, which weighs around 140 tons and formed the foundation of the elevated roadway, slipped from a height of some 9 meters, police said.
The employees were shifting the steel frame into a different position when the incident occurred, according to the Shizuoka National Highway Office.
The seven people taken to hospital are aged from their 30s to their 70s, according to police and firefighters.
“We have heard that many people have been injured. We take this incident seriously and we are very sorry,” said an official of Namura Shipbuilding Co., which said it was among a consortium that won the contract for the construction work.
The elevated bypass was being installed to alleviate traffic congestion, according to the highway office. The bridge is slated to open in the spring of 2026.
