Indiana Jones’ Box Office Destiny? A Lukewarm $60 Million Debut In North America

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3 July 2023, 09:22

Film Review - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny — This image released by Lucasfilm shows Phoebe Waller-Bridge, left, and Harrison Ford in a scene from "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny." (Lucasfilm Ltd. via AP)

Indiana Jones, and executives at the Walt Disney Co. and Lucasfilm, made a somewhat dispiriting discovery this weekend. Moviegoers didn’t rush to the theater in significant numbers to see ” Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and say goodbye to Harrison Ford as the iconic archaeologist.

The film, reportedly budgeted north of $250 million, came in on the lower end of projections with $60 million in ticket sales from 4,600 North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday.

AP23116615071325 — This image released by Lucasfilm shows Ethann Isidore, from left, Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a scene from “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” (Lucasfilm Ltd. via AP)

Including $70 million from international showings in 52 markets, “Dial of Destiny” celebrated a $130 million global opening. It easily earned the No. 1 title but was not the high-rolling sendoff for one of modern cinema’s most iconic actor/character pairings that anyone hoped. Disney is projecting that it will make $82 million domestically through the fourth of July holiday and $152 million globally.

“Dial of Destiny” is the long-delayed fifth installment in the Steven Spielberg/George Lucas-created adventure series that began in 1981, and the first Spielberg himself hasn’t directed. Veteran James Mangold stepped in to take the reins overseeing the Spielberg-approved script, which finds an older Dr. Jones retiring from his university job and swept up on a new adventure with his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge).

AP23177610947737 — Harrison Ford poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ on Monday, June 26, 2023 in London. (Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP)

“It’s impressive that a franchise that’s over 40 years old is No. 1 at the box office. But there’s no question there were higher hopes for the debut of this movie,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “This is Indiana Jones. This is a summer movie icon.”

The film made its splashy premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, with a fitting celebration of Ford, who has said this was his last time playing the character.

But then it was hit with lukewarm reviews. This was an unexpected and unwelcome hurdle, considering it was coming after the maligned fourth film, 2008’s “Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Another contributing snag was that a significant portion of the target audience, older viewers, don’t tend to buy many tickets on opening weekend for big blockbusters. But even “Crystal Skull,” budgeted at a reported $185 million, managed to gross over $790 million.

AP23116615098721 — This image released by Lucasfilm shows Harrison Ford in a scene from “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” (Lucasfilm Ltd. via AP)

“Sometimes reviews don’t matter, but the sentiment coming out of Cannes was very powerful,” Dergarabedian said. “It set off a narrative where people were already feeling disappointed and they hadn’t even seen it.”

Second place went to “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” with $11.5 million, bringing its domestic total to around $340 million. “Elemental” landed in third place with $11.3 million.

Aside from “Dial of Destiny,” the weekend’s other main new opener was the animated “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,” which debuted in sixth place with $5.2 million.

“Dial of Destiny’s” underwhelming debut comes just a few weeks after both Warner Bros.’ “The Flash” and Disney/Pixar’s “Elemental” had lackluster openings in North America. “Elemental,” like Indy 5, also premiered at Cannes to middling reception.

And yet, “Elemental” in its three weeks in theaters has held on much better than “The Flash,” which plummeted again to $5 million, bringing its domestic total to $99.3 million. Disney also saw similarly promising holds with “The Little Mermaid,” now at over $280 million domestically and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” which has grossed over $345 million. After the holiday, Disney will be responsible for nearly half of the summer box office earnings.

“The entire story isn’t told on the opening weekend,” Dergarabedian said.

Disney has a “clear weekend” ahead with no competing blockbusters, when studio heads can reasonably hope for more families and older audiences to buy tickets. But things will only get more challenging for “Dial of Destiny” in the coming weeks with a crowded July. “Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part I” opens on July 12, followed by “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” on July 21.

“The ups and downs at the box office are giving us whiplash,” Dergarabedian said. “And we’re still on the cusp of some of the biggest movies of the summer.”

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” $60 million.

2. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” $11.5 million.

3. “Elemental,” $11.3 million.

4. “No Hard Feelings,” $7.5 million.

5. “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” $7 million.

6. “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,” $5.2 million.

7. “The Little Mermaid,” $5.2 million.

8. “The Flash,” $5 million.

9. “Asteroid City,” $3.8 million.

10. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” $1.8 million.

Pheu Thai Party Appears To Have More Choices But It Does Not

By

Khaosod English

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3 July 2023, 00:38

MFP-2july3 — Chonnan Srikaew, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and Pita Limcharoenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party

After struggling for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives all along, the two parties with the most victories in the House of Representatives, Move Forward and Pheu Thai, arrive for a week of determining if a united government will go all the way.

The parliamentary session starts on Monday, July 3, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and two Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives will be elected on July 4.

Pita Limcharoenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and PM candidate, presided over an eight-party meeting at the MFP office on Sunday, telling reporters that the MFP respected the Pheu Thai Party and understood that everything must be done gradually and step by step.

He requested that no new issues be raised because it could undermine the negotiations. He apologisesd if it has caused confusion in the public. They all have good intentions about forming a government and solving problems for the people.

Chonnan Srikaew, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, stated that this topic will be considered by the Pheu Thai Party by July 3. It will undoubtedly reach a favourable conclusion and be valuable in the formation of a democratic government.

Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, or Wan Nor, leader of the Prachachat Party, stated that the eight parties have been assigned to the MFP, and the Pheu Thai Party would spend the remaining 40 hours to make the people’s win; otherwise, non-democratic parties will intervene. We have been waiting, people have been waiting for 8-9 years. People may never forgive us again if something goes wrong.

Wan Nor’s views matched those of MFP supporters who had gathered at the MFP office prior of the meeting, yelling slogans and holding signs asking the Pheu Thai Party not to abandon their promise to form a government with the MFP.

The Pheu Thai Party was seen as having more option to merge with other parties, if it is unable to agree with the MFP. However, if Pheu Thai reverses its polarisation and joins with junta-aligned parties, it will face fierce opposition.

A merger of Pheu Thai with the Palang Pracharat Party (PPP) has been rumoured on several occasions. Many Pheu Thai members declined, as did General Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and candidate for Prime Minister of Palang Pracharat, who repeatedly denied meeting and negotiating with Thaksin Shinawatra abroad. There are not any secret deals.

Gen. Prawit dismissed the report again on Sunday at the Palang Pracharat Party, stating he had no discussions with any political party or organisation. He also said his party has made no mention of the vote for Speaker of the House of Representatives until July 4th.

Thammanat Phromphao, a prominent PPP MP, acknowledged that the party has values and manners and that it will not present anyone to compete for the Speaker of the House.

“We are in a standing stance. Consider the circumstances on July 4, the day of the election of the Speaker of the House. There will still be time to sit and discuss after that.” He stated.

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An Ailing Thai Elephant Returns Home For Medical Care After Years Of Neglect In Sri Lanka

By

Associated Press

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2 July 2023, 21:38

Thailand Sri Lanka Elephant Returns — Mahout ride "Sak Surin," an ailing elephant at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang province in northern Thailand on Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Nareerat Chaywichain)

By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI — An ailing elephant that Thailand had presented to Sri Lanka more than two decades ago returned to his native land for medical treatment Sunday following allegations that the animal was badly abused while living at a Buddhist temple.

The male elephant, known in Sri Lanka as Muthu Raja, or Pearly King, and as Sak Surin, or Mighty Surin, in Thailand, was flown directly from the South Asian island nation’s capital to Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand on a Russian Ilyushin IL-76 cargo plane.

A six-person team, including two veterinarians and four mahouts, or professional elephant trainers, accompanied the elephant on the flight, which took about six hours.

AP23181460655547 — Mahouts take Asian elephant Sak Surin, gifted by the Thai Royal family, towards a container at the national zoological garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

A special container was built to hold the 275-centimeter- (9-foot-) tall, 4-ton pachyderm. Several mahouts went to Sri Lanka in advance to accustom the animal to being caged so he wouldn’t panic during the trip to Thailand.

Video footage of his arrival in Chiang Mai showed the elephant conscious and appearing calm.

Thai Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa was at the airport and said the elephant landed in perfect condition. He said earlier that Thailand spent at least 19 million baht ($540,000) for the animal’s repatriation.

The pachyderm could be heard trumpeting from inside the container that was loaded onto a truck’s flatbed trailer to transport him to the government’s Thai Elephant Conservation Center in nearby Lampang province, where he will be quarantined for at least 30 days and stay for rehabilitation.

AP23183459051127 — A veterinarian gives water to “Sak Surin,” an ailing elephant who was returned to its home country and taken to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang province in northern Thailand on Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Nareerat Chaywichain)

The elephant was sent to Sri Lanka in 2001 when he was around 10 years old as a gift from the Thai royal family. He was one of three elephants that Thailand gave to Sri Lanka’s government for training as a carrier of religious relics. Mathu Raja was placed in the care of a Buddhist temple.

A Sri Lanka-based animal rights group, Rally for Animal Rights and Environment group, alleged in 2020 that the animal was in bad health due to years of hard labor and abuse, and needed urgent medical care. The group started a petition calling for him to be rescued and later called for the elephant’s return to Thailand after the Sri Lankan government allegedly ignored the activists’ complaints.

Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry released a statement in November 2022 saying a preliminary investigation was conducted by the Thai Embassy in Sri Lanka concluded that the elephant “was not in good health and was in poor living conditions.” The statement said Thailand would seek Sri Lanka’s approval to bring the elephant back for treatment.

AP23181457755369 — A veterinary surgeon attends to the Asian elephant Sak Surin, gifted by the Thai Royal family and named Muthu Raja or pearly king in Sri Lanka, at the national zoological garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

The elephant was reported to be underweight, have rough skin and abscesses on both hips, thinning foot pads, and a stiff left foreleg, making it difficult for him to walk and stand.

He was moved from the Buddhist temple to Sri Lanka’s National Zoological Garden for preliminary treatment and appeared healthier before his flight to Thailand.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told members of Parliament last month that while visiting Thailand in May he had expressed his regret to his Thai counterpart over what had happened to the elephant.

Thai officials have said the main purpose of bringing the animal back was for medical care and whether he returns to Sri Lanka remains a subject to be discussed with the Colombo government.

During a press conference in Bangkok last month, Thai Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said authorities would start surveying the health condition of other Thai elephants in foreign countries. He said exporting Thai elephants was already banned for conservation reasons.

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Opinion: Why Do Thais Continue to Debate About Their National Day?

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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2 July 2023, 17:00

Inauguration of Democracy Monument on June 24, 1940. The ceremony was presided by Prime Minister Field Marshall Plaek Pibulsongkram. Photo: National Archive.

The issue of the Thai National Day, or the lack thereof, depending on whom you ask, continues to trouble the psyche of some Thais.

Last week, on June 24, a group of activists submitted a letter to Move Forward Party, the party which is widely expected to lead the new coalition government, to reinstate June 24 as the Thai National Day.

From 1938 to 1960, June 24 was the Thai National Day and widely celebrated. There was even a beauty queen pageant on that day. The day marks the revolt on June 24, 1932, which ended absolute monarchy.

In 1960, however, military dictator Sarit Thanarat, who was fighting communism and supported by America, thought the focus should be on the king. So, Rama IX’s birthday, or Dec. 5, has since become the Thai National Day as well as Father’s Day in Thailand and that has not changed under the current King, Rama X.

Without doubt, those petitioners do not consider Dec. 5 Thai National Day. They do not feel it represents the whole nation – a king’s birthday yes, but national day no.

Amidst growing calls, particularly by young Thais, to reform the monarchy institution, amidst less and less people wanting to pay respect to the royal anthem before commercial theatre screen films, conservative royalists feel threatened.

Those opposing the reinstating of June 24 as Thai National Day include blueblood media commentator Nattakorn Devakula, who posted on social media last week that June 24 should not have even made Thai National Day from the start and highlighted the role of the monarchy institution over the centuries under absolute monarchy.

Nattakorn added in his Facebook post that Thailand copied Western democracy, which tends to lead to “illiberal democracy” and “liberal totalitarianism.”

“If we talk about the greatness of the Thai nation which occurred after 1932, that’s just a tiny slice of the long history … June 24 shouldn’t have been made Thai National Day from the beginning when the nationhood of the Thai people has been in existence for a long time since it was under absolute monarchy, which certainly was much longer.”

We can go on and debate whether what is ‘nationhood’ and sense of shared nation when most people were subjugated under absolute rule of kings. We can also debate whether June 24 truly deserves to be made National Day.

What is clear at the moment is that Thailand does not have a National Day that all, or at least most, can be proud of – there is no consensus as to which day should embody Thailand as a nation. (Among competing alternative dates could be November 6, the day King Taksin the Great, declared independence seven months after Burmese forces sacked and destroyed Ayutthaya.)

We should not be in a big rush to force all to agree – the ongoing debate is healthy and part of Thailand and Thai people defining themselves. There would not be a Thai-version of the Fourth of July or Bastille Day anytime soon.

As long as rogue Thai generals have a penchant for staging military coups and some Thais do not accept election results, it means even the desired political system is still contested and the lack of a consensus on what ought to be the definitive Thai National Day is just another symptom of that disagreement.

Don Mueang Airport Travelator Accident May Have Caused By Faulty Parts

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Khaosod English

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2 July 2023, 16:00

Officials inspect the moving walkway at Don Mueang International Airport on Jun. 29, 2023.

BANGKOK — The operator of Don Mueang Airport on Saturday said an investigation is underway after a woman got stuck in a travelator and lost her lower left leg.

Airports of Thailand (AOT) president Kerati Kijmanawat said a committee, which includes engineering experts, the travelator manufacturer, and relatives of the victim, has been formed to investigate the accident with the results expected within 15 days.

All of the moving walkways in the airport, which have been in service for almost 27 years, were also closed for a month while safety inspection was being conducted, he said.

“The travelator was overhauled in 2015,” Kerati said. “They were regularly maintained. If there is a fault in the machinery or maintenance, the Hitachi company must be held responsible as the manufacturer.”

Experts believed the accident could have been caused by a broken yellow comb plate that typically covers the edge where the moving walkway ends.

“Something could have stuck the comb plate, causing the wheels of the suitcase to become trapped in the travelator and break the plate,” Boonphong Kitwattanachai, a mechanical expert from the Engineering Institute of Thailand said after inspecting the scene.

“The debris could have fallen into the mechanism and lifted up a pallet, opening a gap wide enough for a leg to slip through.”

Boonphong said the travelator was operating normally and regularly received maintenance checks, though it would take up to 20 seconds for the safety sensor to activate and halt the machine.

The son of the 57-year-old passenger, who was on her way to her Thursday morning flight to Nakhon Si Thammarat province, said his mother is recovering after a surgery was carried out. He hoped his mother would be able to walk again after rescuers had to have her leg amputated in order to remove her from the scene.

“My mother recovered from the first round of surgery, which went seemingly well,” Kit Kittirattana wrote on Facebook. “Her heart is getting stronger. She told me she will keep fighting. She will be able to walk again.”

While the family appreciated the airport’s pledge to compensate the woman for the partial loss of her left leg and bear her medical expenses, they questioned why the initial response was rather slow.

“My mother said she was walking normally, but when she reached the end of the travelator, one of the pallets collapsed and trapped my mother’s leg underneath it,” Kit said. “She saw it took quite some time until the rescuers arrived. If help came early, my mother would not have lost her leg.”

“Every second that she stuck in the machine was the most painful moment of her life.”

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Welcome Torito de Pucará Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands

By

Khaosod English

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2 July 2023, 12:44

Siam Piwat and the Embassy of Peru in Thailand Present “Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands” Art Exhibition June 28 – July 23 at Siam Discovery

Siam Piwat, a leading real estate and retail developer – the owner and operator of global destinations including Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, and a joint venture partner of ICONSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, joins forces with the Embassy of Peru in Thailand to curate an art exhibition titled “Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands.”

This unique showcase features painted artwork of Peruvian’s iconic ceramic bull that has been on a world tour and will be on display in Bangkok from 28 June – 23 July 2023 on the 5 Floor Siam Discovery The Exploratorium.

The exhibition celebrates the long-standing relation between Thailand and Peru, offering a great Oopportunity Platform’ for Thais to experience international cultural essence. The event strengthens Siam Piwat’s positioning as a trailblazer in delivering unparalleled experiences that exceed expectations. It stands proudly as a ‘Global Culture Destination’, a creative hub and global cultural exchange stage.

The “Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands“ exhibition is a cultural promotion initiative led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru in collaboration with the Puno Region Office, the Municipalidad Leal Villa Pucara, and 10 Pucara Artisan Associations.

From 2022, this program aims to showcase the rich heritage of the Peruvian Highlands through the collection of over 500 ceramic bull artworks crafted by skilled artisans who have been preserving the art of this ancient pottery tradition. These exquisite pieces will be exhibited in various countries worldwide.

The artwork “Torito de Pucará” or “The Little Bull of Pucara,” showcased in Thailand is an exquisite collection immensely revered in many countries across the globe. Its origin is from the city of Cheka Pupuja in the Azángaro province of the Puno Region. The “Torito de Pucará” is a ceramic sculpture meticulously crafted in the shape of a bull, adorned with intricate hand-painted patterns and vibrant flowers, each carrying its own distinct symbolic meaning.

The creation of the “Little Bull of Pucará” is a true testament to the Peruvian artistic creativity, unwavering determination, and faith. Each step demands the utmost skill and dedication. Once the bull shape is formed, the artist proceeds to embellish it with additional intricate details. The sculpture is then left to dry thoroughly before being placed into the kiln. Next comes the painting and coating of the surface, and finally, the painted sculpture is placed back into the kiln for the final firing.

Even today, the ancient sculpture continues to be seen. This cultural treasure can be found in various southern cities of Peru, such as Cusco, Puno, Ayacucho, and Apurimac. Local communities use it as a decorative item in their homes or place it on rooftops. The sculpture holds great symbolic significance for the locals. It is regarded as a symbol of protection, ensuring the well-being of the family and safeguarding the herds. Furthermore, it is often employed as a decorative element at weddings and bury in the ground as an expression of gratefulness.

The exhibition at Siam Discovery showcases a collection of 20 sculptures of “The Little Bull of Pucará,” crafted by talented Peruvian artists. Adding an exciting twist, renowned Thai designer and illustrator, Spun Inthawong, has lend her creative touch to the design of the little bull through the work titled “Into the Rainbow: The Colors of Quechua.” It took inspiration from the captivating colors and patterns found in the weaving culture of Quechua, beautifully combined with the intricate geometry and floral motifs that are traditionally woven into Quechua clothing.

The exhibition also features sculptures that seamlessly blend the artistic influences of both Peruvian and Thai cultures, which are brought to life by the creative talents of Associate Professor Sukumarl Sarakasetrin, a lecturer at the Department of Creative Arts within the Faculty of Fine Arts at Chulalongkorn University. Inspired by the Torito de Pucará, Sukumarl’s creation intertwines the symbolism of Sacred Cows in Thailand’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony and the spout characteristic of Peruvian Moche pottery, resulting in a culturally significant sculpture, specially crafted for display for this exhibition.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors can also engage in a free workshop to paint and take home their very own little Torito bull made of stucco. The workshops are scheduled to take place on Saturday 8 July 2023, and Saturday 22 July 2023. Two rounds available, from 3.00-4.00PM and 4.00 – 5.00PM. for a limited number of 50 participants each. The workshops will be held on the 4 floor of Siam Discovery.

The extraordinary exhibition, “Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands,” will be held from June 28 – July 23. Mark your calendar and make sure not to miss this remarkable exhibition on the 5 floor of Siam Discovery.

Politics Is Seen As Interfering With Thailand’s Most Popular Sports

By

Khaosod English

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2 July 2023, 06:58

Two of the most popular sports, men’s football and women’s volleyball, are hot topics of politics at the same time that people who support and oppose Pita Limchareonrat and the Move Forward Party are closely watching whether he could be the 30th Prime Minister.

Pita did not attend the Women’s Volleyball National League 2023 match that Thailand lost to Japan on July 1 as he did on June 29 when he took photos with the team. Even though the pictures were similar to those shot with General Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister, in July of last year, the reaction was different.

pravit volley — General Prawit Wongsuwan and Pita Limchareonrat both had a photo taken with the Thai volleyball national team.

Conservatives, including well-known royalist Chulcherm Yugala, slammed a photograph of Ajcharaporn Kongyot flashing a three-finger salute, claiming that she and her teammate were too delighted to cheer for Pita and that they just used their might and not their brain. He even stated that she did not deserve to represent the country.

“It’s a personal right to like someone but it should be kept behind… I consider these people causing more division within Thai society,” the outspoken blueblood wrote on Facebook Friday.

pita volley4 — Chulcherm Yugala slammed a photograph of Ajcharaporn Kongyot flashing a three-finger salute without examining it.

Later that day, Chulcherm removed the post after learning that Ajcharaporn’s photo was taken at the match in Brazil on June 18 before Pita joined the frame with the athletes. In addition, the three-finger symbol represents a tactical communication to teammates.

The Volleyball Association also released a statement stating that the Association, its executive committee members, coaches, referees, athletes, and staff have never been involved in politics or sought political gains. Political beliefs are personal freedoms.

pita volley3 — Pita attended the Women’s Volleyball National League 2023 on June 29.

However, the outspoken blueblood later added, The Thai team’s signalling is different from other national teams, using thumbs up behind one’s own back. It’s not a thumbs up in front to be misunderstood.

This excuse suggests that if it had been General Prawit, female athletes would not have been targeted in this manner.

However, General Prawit is now being criticised on another issue: that politics interfere in Thai football after he asked Somyot Poompanmoung to resign as President of the Thai Football Association in response to Thailand’s failure to win the SEA Games 2023 gold medal and the humiliating incident in which Thailand team staff quarrelled with the Indonesian team.

“I don’t want the country’s reputation to be damaged as a result of one sports organisation. Other organisations are impacted as well since they must share responsibility. Everything is ruined since the TV is transmitted live across the world. This is significant. It’s not a small issue. 70 million Thais feel extremely humiliated,” said Gen. Prawit.

Somyot then announced his resignation on Saturday, despite the fact that he has not officially submitted his resignation letter since he must follow the protocols, which include notifying FIFA of the situation. However, Somyot stated directly that he resigned on the orders of General Prawit, who issued a clear call on Friday.

This topic has sparked heated controversy among football fans, particularly in the case where FIFA previously banned Indonesia because of the government’s involvement. It was deemed to be in violation of FIFA Rules Articles 13 and 17, which declare that no country’s football organisation may be interfered with by politics. Although General Prawit is the president of the Thai Olympic Committee, he also serves as a deputy Prime Minister.

Natcha Boonchaiinsawat, Deputy Secretary-General of the Move Forward Party, urged General Prawit to correct the issue as soon as possible to avoid more damage. It must demonstrate that the process steps must not be interrupted or interfered with again by General Prawit.

thailose1 — Thailand lost to Indonesia in the SEA Games in May 2023.

The Dutch King Apologizes For His Country’s Role In Slavery On 150th Anniversary Of Abolition

By

Associated Press

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2 July 2023, 02:15

Netherlands Slavery — Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologised for the royal house's role in slavery and asked forgiveness in a speech at the slavery monument, greeted by cheers and whoops at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the country abolishing slavery in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Remko de Waal/Pool Photo via AP)

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologized Saturday for his country’s role in slavery and asked for forgiveness in a historic speech greeted by cheers and whoops at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery.

The king’s speech followed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s apology late last year for the country’s role in the slave trade and slavery. It is part of a wider reckoning with colonial histories in the West that have been spurred in recent years by the Black Lives Matter movement.

In an emotional speech, Willem-Alexander referred back to that apology as he told a crowd of invited guests and onlookers: “Today I stand before you. Today, as your King and as a member of the government, I make this apology myself. And I feel the weight of the words in my heart and my soul.”

AP23182471115173 — Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologized for the royal house’s role in slavery and asked forgiveness in a speech greeted by cheers and whoops at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the country abolishing slavery in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, July 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, Pool)

The king said he has commissioned a study into the exact role of the royal House of Orange-Nassau in slavery in the Netherlands.

“But today, on this day of remembrance, I ask forgiveness for the clear failure to act in the face of this crime against humanity,” he added.

Willem-Alexander’s voice appeared to break with emotion as he completed his speech before laying a wreath at the country’s national slavery monument in an Amsterdam park.

AP23182488616192 — Dutch King Willem-Alexander, far right, and his wife Queen Maxima leave after the King apologized at the slavery monument for the royal house’s role in slavery in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, July 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, Pool)

Some people want action to back up the words.

“Honestly, I feel good, but I am still looking forward to something more than just apologies. Reparations, for example,” said 28-years-old Doelja Refos.

“I don’t feel like we’re done. We’re definitely not there yet,” Refos added.

Former lawmaker John Leerdam told Dutch broadcaster NOS that he felt tears running down his cheeks as the king apologized. “It’s a historic moment and we have to realize that,” he said.

Slavery was abolished in Suriname and the Dutch colonies in the Caribbean on July 1, 1863, but most of the enslaved laborers were forced to continue working on plantations for a further 10 years. Saturday’s commemoration and speech mark the start of a year of events to mark the 150th anniversary of July 1, 1873.

AP23182310775955 — Clave, Monument for Slavery, by Alex da Silva, is seen in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. Dutch King Willem-Alexander delivers a speech in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, July 1, 2023.. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Research published last month showed that the king’s ancestors earned the modern-day equivalent of 545 million euros ($595 million) from slavery, including profits from shares that were effectively given to them as gifts.

When Rutte apologized in December, he stopped short of offering compensation to descendants of enslaved people.

Instead, the government is establishing a 200 million-euro ($217 million) fund for initiatives that tackle the legacy of slavery in the Netherlands and its former colonies and to improve education about the issue.

That isn’t enough for some in the Netherlands. Two groups, Black Manifesto and The Black Archives, organized a protest march before the king’s speech Saturday under the banner “No healing without reparations.”

AP23182504647975 — Dutch King Willem-Alexander lays a wreath at the slavery monument after apologising for the royal house’s role in slavery in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Remko de Waal/Pool Photo via AP)

“A lot of people including myself, my group, The Black Archives, and the Black Manifesto say that (an) apology is not enough. An apology should be tied to a form of repair and reparatory justice or reparations,” said Black Archives director Mitchell Esajas.

Marchers wore colorful traditional clothing in a Surinamese celebration of the abolition of slavery. Enslaved people were banned from wearing shoes and colorful clothes, organizers said.

“Just as we remember our forefathers on this day, we also feel free, we can wear what we want, and we can show the rest of the world that we are free.” said Regina Benescia-van Windt, 72.

The Netherlands’ often brutal colonial history has come under renewed and critical scrutiny in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in the U.S. city of Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

A groundbreaking 2021 exhibition at the national museum of art and history took an unflinching look at slavery in Dutch colonies.. In the same year, a report described the Dutch involvement in slavery as a crime against humanity and linked it to what the report described as ongoing institutional racism in the Netherlands.

The Dutch first became involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the late 1500s and became a major trader in the mid-1600s. Eventually, the Dutch West India Company became the largest trans-Atlantic slave trader, according to Karwan Fatah-Black, an expert in Dutch colonial history and an assistant professor at Leiden University.

Authorities in the Netherlands aren’t alone in saying sorry for historic abuses.

AP23182473188003 — Spectators react after Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologized for the royal house’s role in slavery and asked forgiveness in a speech greeted by cheers and whoops at an event to commemorate the anniversary of the country abolishing slavery in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, July 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, Pool)

In 2018, Denmark apologized to Ghana, which it colonized from the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century. King Philippe of Belgium has expressed “deepest regrets” for abuses in Congo. In 1992, Pope John Paul II apologized for the church’s role in slavery. Americans have had emotionally charged disputes over taking down statues of slaveholders in the South.

In April, King Charles III for the first time signaled support for research into the U.K. monarchy’s ties to slavery after a document showed an ancestor with shares in a slave-trading company, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

Charles and his eldest son, Prince William, have expressed their sorrow over slavery, but haven’t acknowledged the crown’s connections to the trade.

During a ceremony that marked Barbados becoming a republic two years ago, Charles referred to “the darkest days of our past and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history.” English settlers used African slaves to turn the island into a wealthy sugar colony.

Willem-Alexander acknowledged that not everybody in the Netherlands supports apologies, but called for unity.

“There’s no blueprint for the process of healing, reconciliation and recovery,” he said. “Together, we are in uncharted territory. So let’s support and guide each other.”

___

By AHMAD SEIR and MIKE CORDER reported from Amsterdam. Mike Corder reported from Ede, Netherlands.

Italian Painting Looted By Nazi Germany In 1940 Found In Japan

By

Kyodo News

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1 July 2023, 13:58

art nazi — Mainichi Auction Inc.'s Yoshiaki Onoyama attends a ceremony for the return of Alessandro Turchi's painting to Poland at the Polish embassy in Tokyo on May 31, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Polish cultural institute in Tokyo via Kyodo)

TOKYO – A valuable painting looted from a Polish aristocrat in 1940 by Nazi Germany has been discovered in Japan and returned to Poland, according to the Polish Embassy in Japan and a Tokyo-based art auction company.

While it is not clear how the painting, called “Madonna with Child” by Italian Baroque-Era painter Alessandro Turchi, came to be in possession of its former Japanese owner, the artwork was handed into the Polish Embassy in Tokyo in late May at no cost to Poland.

It is the first time that a work of art taken from Poland during the Nazi occupation has been discovered in the Far East, according to the embassy.

The painting had been missing since the 1990s after it was put up for auction in New York, according to Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

Mainichi Auction Inc. in Tokyo said it received a request from the painting’s former owner to sell it at an auction in the fall of 2021 and posted a photograph of it on their website, valuing the artwork at around 3 million yen ($21,000).

The company was contacted by the Polish ministry before the auction, which was scheduled for late January 2022.

Polish authorities had initially said some of the painting’s details did not match those shown in an old photograph of the looted artwork believed to be taken in 1939 or 1940, according to the company.

A Polish team of experts later visited Japan to confirm that the painting was authentic and that it had been looted during the Nazi occupation. An ultraviolet scan showed that part of the original had been painted over.

“Polish citizens, who give the highest acclaim to Madonna with Child, have once again become its owner,” said Yoshiaki Onoyama, Mainichi Auction’s official who negotiated with the former Japanese owner for the return of the painting.

“There was no financial incentive for us, but I think we got the job done.”

A Temple Elephant In Sri Lanka Will Be Airlifted Back To Thailand After Allegations Of Neglect

By

Associated Press

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1 July 2023, 03:58

Sri Lanka Thai Elephant — Asian elephant Sak Surin, gifted by the Thai Royal family and named Muthu Raja or pearly king in Sri Lanka, stands by a water pond at the national zoological garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

By KRISHAN FRANCIS, COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Veterinarians are preparing to airlift an Asian elephant from Sri Lanka back to its home country of Thailand this weekend after it spent more than two decades at a Buddhist temple where activists alleged it was abused.

The Thai royal family gave the elephant as a gift in 2001 to Sri Lanka’s government, which in turn gifted it to the temple where it was named Muthu Raja and given honored roles in religious processions.

AP23181455621938 — Kanchana Silpa-archa, advisor to the Thai environment ministry, stands by the Asian elephant Sak Surin gifted by the Thai Royal family and named Muthu Raja or pearly king in Sri Lanka at the national zoological garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

However, the activist group Rally for Animal Rights and Environment, or RARE, raised allegations it was being mistreated, including that it had a stiff leg from a long-neglected injury. It lobbied last year for the intervention of Thai officials, who asked Kande Viharaya temple officials to allow the animal’s return to Thailand for medical treatment.

“This is not the end, but the beginning of a new life for Muthu Raja,” RARE group founder Panchali Panapitiya said.

AP23181461347408 — Mahouts take Asian elephant Sak Surin, gifted by the Thai Royal family, towards a container at the national zoological garden in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

The temple agreed to transfer the elephant last November to Sri Lanka’s National Zoological Garden, where it has been receiving treatment and preparation for the airlift to Thailand planned for Sunday.

Madusha Perera, a veterinary surgeon at the zoo, said two big abscesses the elephant was suffering from when it arrived have mostly healed. However, the zoo has not been able to fully treat the animal’s leg because of a lack of facilities, she said.

“Once he gets back to Thailand the experts there will attend to the conditions so that one day we will be able to see him walk the normal way,” Perera said.

Visit Arsaithamkul, a visiting Thai veterinarian, said the treatment in Thailand could include hydrotherapy, laser treatment and acupuncture.

AP23181455643946 — Thai veterinarian Visit Arsaithamkul gestures as he stands by the container which will carry the Asian elephant Sak Surin. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

At the zoo, Muthu Raja’s morning routine has included veterinarian check-ups, bathing in a small pond and practice getting into the container that will carry him on the nearly six-hour flight to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The container is cushioned and has windows for feeding — which will include bananas, pumpkin and sugar cane. Zoo officials have hoisted the 9-foot-tall, 4-ton creature in trial lifts to test the container’s strength.

Muthu Raja will be sedated if needed, and two vets will monitor him during the journey. Three Thai and one Sri Lanka elephant tenders also will be on the plane.

Panapitiya said her group had unsuccessfully sought to raise the issue of Muthu Raja’s neglect with the Sri Lanka government for months before turning to the Thai government, and said the failure of Sri Lankan wildlife officials to act had brought “disrepute” to the country.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament earlier this month that he expressed his regret to the Thai prime minister over the treatment of the elephant during trip to Thailand in May.

Panapitiya said her group also is pushing for the release of another elephant at the Kande Viharaya temple.

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