“House Speaker” Returns to Shake Move Forward-Pheu Thai Again

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22 June 2023, 18:29

Based on the timetable that the opening session of the House of Representatives and the election of the Speaker of the House would take place in early July, between 3 and 6 July, this has reignited the heated rivalry between the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties.

Rangsiman Rome, a spokesman for the MFP, said before that the MFP must be Speaker of the House of Representatives because the party has plans to move forward. So, it must be a process that needs to be talked about and completed.

However during the Pheu Thai party meeting on June 21, many felt that with a difference of only 10 seats between the two parties, it was not appropriate for a person from the Move Forward party with limited experience to hold the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Adisorn Piengket, a party-list member of the Pheu Thai Party, gave an interview on June 22 during his appearance at the Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives. He explained that the meeting on Wednesday was an internal party meeting that had been held regularly for 22 years. At such meetings, various issues were always exchanged and discussed. Whenever there are problems, they are raised and discussed at the meeting place, because the Pheu Thai Party adheres to democratic principles.

“First we heard about the quota of 14 ministers plus 1 prime minister for Move Forward and 14 ministers plus 1 Speaker of the House of Representatives for Pheu Thai. If it had come to that, we would have been happy because almost one hundred percent of our party members shared that view. But suddenly, the chief negotiator of our party decided to offer the post of Speaker of the House to the Move Forward party without consulting the MPs or the party assembly. This was a problem and led to heated debates. But this intensity is the language of democracy, the language of flowers for Pheu Thai. Should it entangle the Move Forward Party, I sincerely apologize,” Adisorn said.

adisorn2 — Pheu Thai party meeting on June 21.

Adisorn stated that if it is proposed within the party to give the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives to Move Forward, then there must be valid reasons for doing so. He advises supporters of both parties to keep a low profile and wait to see how the negotiations unfold. He believes that the public has entrusted both Pheu Thai and Move Forward with power to form a government together and give Thailand a prime minister named Pita Limjaroenrat.

Chalerm Yubamrung, a top MP from the Pheu Thai Party, said that the person who will be Speaker of the House must be neutral and a member of every party. If someone said they wanted the Speaker to be from their party, it would show that they don’t understand politics and are dumb.

Commenting on the possibility of a opposite member voting for a Pheu Thai member as Speaker of the House of Representatives, which could affect the formation of the government with Move Forward, Srettha Thavisin, the Pheu Thai candidate for Prime Minister, said that Pheu Thai and Move Forward must move forward together. As for someone from another party proposing a Pheu Thai candidate as speaker, he personally thinks it is “nonsensical”.

Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the leader of the Prachachat Party and former Speaker of Parliament, expressed similar sentiments, stating that he had never experienced a situation where the opposition had put forward a candidate from the government party.

CP Foods’s Chicken Gets Ready For Astronauts In The cMission

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Contributor

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22 June 2023, 17:36

CP Foods’s chicken gets ready for the space mission, improving Thai food safety standards for astronauts

(June 21, 2023) – Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) is embarking on a stellar new venture: sending their chicken into space as part of the Thai Food – Mission to Space program. The company is collaborating with two global partners, Nanoracks LLC, the US leading provider of space innovation, and mu Space and Advanced Technology Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of space technology solutions in Southeast Asia, to send chicken to space.

This spearheads a unique initiative to elevate Thai chicken’s safety standards to those required for space-grade food – some of the strictest known to mankind.

The chicken products associated with the project will be subjected to rigorous certification processes to ensure their compliance with stringent space safety standards, thus making them astronaut-friendly.

The realization of this endeavor will be an important milestone for CP Foods, solidifying the global recognition and compliance of their chicken’s safety standards with the demanding Space Food Safety Standards. This aligns with NASA’s uncompromising food safety requirements, boosting Thailand’s national pride for adhering to the most elevated safety standards worldwide.

Alongside this revolutionary initiative, CP Foods will host a forum titled “Thai Food – Mission to Space,” which will bring together international experts to discuss the elevation of Thai food to space-level safety standards. This forum will examine the significance of meeting space standards for Thai food, the innovations transforming the Thai livestock industry, and the sector’s future implications.

The forum’s speakers include former NASA astronaut Mr. Michael Massimino, former NASA’s food scientist Miss Vickie Kloeris, and several highly respected individuals from scientific, medical, and livestock development sectors.

Prasit Boondoungprasert, CEO of CP Foods, asserted that this groundbreaking initiative showcases the company’s commitment to the safety of its chicken meat, positioning it among the world’s most trusted meat brands. The quest to achieve Space Food Safety Standards is anticipated to bring immense national pride to Thailand.

“At CP Foods, our top priority is food safety and quality. Our collaborations with experts like NANORACKS LLC and MU Space have cemented our readiness to demonstrate that Thai chicken adheres to space-level safety standards. Our chickens will be subjected to rigorous safety and quality standards checks, including exhaustive inspections for residues and contaminants as per NASA’s requirements,” said CEO Prasit.

Former NASA astronaut, Mr. Michael James Massimino, stressed the need for residue-free, safe food for astronauts due to its long-term health impacts. NASA food scientist Miss Vickie Kloeris praised CP Foods for adhering to stringent safety and nutritional standards, ensuring that CP chicken is free from antibiotics, chemical residues, and harmful pathogens.

“Thaifood Mission to Space is an excellent initiation. It not only ensures the astronauts’ well-being with a diverse and secure diet but also elevates global food safety standards, benefiting consumers worldwide. Additionally, it contributes to establishing Thai chicken meat as a reputable brand,” expressed Michael.

Not only will astronauts have access to safe and varied foods, but this will also ensure the safety of food for consumers around the world, thereby enhancing the international reputation of Thai cuisine,” said Michael.

Miss Vickie Kloeris, a food scientist with 34 years of experience working at NASA’s laboratory, stated that scientists ensure the food astronauts consume provides them with the highest level of food safety, along with a balanced supply of vitamins and minerals. The food must be free from contamination and undergo disinfection.

“I am very impressed with the standard of chicken meat production at CP Foods. The chickens are raised without the use of antibiotics and hormones, ensuring that Thai chicken meets NASA’s food safety standards. It is certainly a delight for the astronauts up there to experience the Thai chicken menu from Thailand.

As a space food scientist, I am thrilled for the pilots to embark on a gastronomic adventure and experience the tantalizing flavors of Thai cuisine,” Vickie enthusiastically remarked.

CP Foods sets course for space with its Thai chicken, it reiterates its dedication to safety and innovation. This venture isn’t just a mission; it’s an affirmation of Thailand’s capability to redefine global food industry standards.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve Debuts in China With a Resort in Jiuzhaigou

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Contributor

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22 June 2023, 17:22

Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Southwestern China, offers guests rare experiences and an immersive connection to the landscapes, culture, and traditions of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jiuzhaigou Valley

Ritz-Carlton Reserve Debuts in China With a Resort in Jiuzhaigou, Part of the Country’s Magical “Valley of Nine Villages”

HONG KONG, June 2023 – Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the latest resort in the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, was unveiled today in Jiuzhaigou, a valley on the edges of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau in China’s Southwestern Sichuan province.

The region is an area of exceptional natural beauty with spectacular alpine mountains soaring above a fairyland of forests, lakes, and waterfalls, and has been inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and World Biosphere Reserve.

In this spellbinding setting, Rissai Valley － its name a transliteration of the Tibetan word for “village” － is an intimate luxury hideaway that offers guests rare insights and immersive connections with the natural surroundings and culture of traditional Tibetan village life.

“We are thrilled to debut Rissai Valley, China’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Jiuzhaigou, one of the most stunningly beautiful and culturally rich areas of the world,” said Tina Edmundson, President, Luxury, Marriott International. “Rissai Valley is the sixth property in a rare portfolio of exclusive estates worldwide, offering an intimate and transformative experience rooted in heartfelt care and human connection. I cannot wait for guests to enjoy the ancient indigenous culture and traditions of Jiuzhaigou through a unique Ritz-Carlton Reserve lens.”

The Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area covers 72,000 hectares in northern Sichuan Province and is protected as a national nature reserve. The ancient forest ecosystems of Jiuzhaigou National Park are home to China’s beloved giant pandas and other rare species of plants, animals, and birds.

Visitors to the destination can hike in the national park, sample traditional Tibetan cuisine, and enjoy colorful cultural performances. Jiuzhaigou is located about 430 kilometers north of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, with daily connecting flights from Chengdu to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport. Rissai Valley is approximately 88 kilometers, or about a 75-minute drive from the airport.

Rissai Valley’s intimate 87 villas offer magnificent views of the snow-capped Minshan mountain range, forests, and ancient Tibetan villages. U.S.-based architectural firm WATG paid homage to the natural surroundings and Tibetan heritage with the use of traditional building forms and locally-sourced materials.

The landscaping was led by John Pettigrew, who created the immaculate gardens with indigenous planting to reflect the extraordinary landscapes. The elegant interiors were designed by the late Indonesian interior design legend Jaya Ibrahim, who curated palettes of forest greens, emeralds, and icy blues to mirror the jewel-colored lakes and waterfalls of Jiuzhaigou, while celebrating the culture and heritage of the local villages with examples of artisanal Tibetan craftsmanship throughout the property.

Guests arriving at Rissai Valley are warmly welcomed with a Zhaxi Dele Tibetan blessing ceremony, and every new day brings opportunities to be immersed in experiences that provide insights into local heritage and life. Through a dedicated team of local Tibetan culturalist, artisans, chefs, and healers, guests are welcomed into an ancient culture to gain transformative insights along with genuine connections with the people of Jiuzhaigou and their families.

Each villa enjoys the services of a dedicated personal host, called a “Nieba”” in the local language, who takes care of every detail for guests, ensuring a seamless stay experience. In this idyllic setting, guests can discover the artistry of Tibetan folk dance and classical music, as well as discover calm and balance through the meditative practice of Thangka painting, a unique Tibetan art form. In the early morning, guests can also join on a leisurely hike into the pristine forests surrounding the property.

Dining at Rissai Valley offers memorable experiences complemented by the beautiful surroundings, from romantic al fresco dinners in a picturesque garden setting overlooking the forests, to memorable family picnics by crystal-clear streams or elegant cocktail events against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Bo Ri Village offers all-day dining in an idyllic ancient village situated opposite the Reserve. Refined Sichuan restaurant Cai Lin Xuan highlights local specialties, and at La Montagne, diners can select from a western menu and enjoy al fresco barbecues with breathtaking views. The Lobby Lounge offers a relaxing and intimate venue for afternoon teas or evening cocktails.

A true sanctuary dedicated to holistic wellness and peace of mind, the Rissai Spa invites guests to unwind through ancient healing modalities and treatments inspired by Tibetan philosophies. The spa offers a selection of healing practices and experiences based on centuries-old Tibetan wisdom for guests who seek serenity and balance, such as singing bowl sound therapy and yoga sessions by a cascading waterfall.

An expansive infinity swimming pool invites guests to take a dip in its clear blue waters, framed by a breathtaking view of a Tibetan village against towering mountain peaks.

For families, Rissai Valley offers experiences that will capture the imaginations of young guests, with dedicated indoor and outdoor facilities. At the Reserve Kids’ Club, Rissai Kids is an engaging and immersive program that encourages children to discover the wonders of Jiuzhaigou, focusing on connections to Tibetan culture through music and dance, and exploration of the indigenous flora and fauna surrounding the Reserve. Activities include fun guided outdoor adventures, treasure hunts, animal feeding, kite flying, and stargazing evenings.

“Rissai Valley is a truly magical place, nestled in the landscapes and surroundings of one of the most mythical natural wonders of the world,” said Marcel Damen, General Manager, Rissai Valley. “As the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in China, we look forward to welcoming guests to a place of marvelous beauty, and to experience the many curated experiences that connect guests with the rich local culture. A stay at Rissai Valley will inspire many memories that will last a lifetime.”

For more information on Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and reservation enquiries, please visit https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/jzhrz-rissai-valley-a-ritz-carlton-reserve/overview/

Dog Lovers! Don’t miss out this year’s “21st Thailand International Dog Show 2023”

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Contributor

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22 June 2023, 15:31

Attentions for Dog Lovers! Don’t miss out this year’s “21st Thailand International Dog Show 2023” bigger than ever at IMPACT, exclusive this year a FCI Grooming contest will be hosted, with a dressing up theme of “Dog Show Sahara” and with more than 250 vendors.

Ms. Kunwadee Jintaworn, Executive Director of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. revealed that IMPACT is preparing to hold a big event. Dog Show 2023 (SmartHeart presents Thailand International Dog Show 2023) for the 21st time, the fair will be held from 6 – 9 July 2023 at Building 5-6 at IMPACT.

Under the concept of entering the Pet Humanization era in response to the continuous growing trends of the pet industry. As a result, subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company aims to be an intermediary for the development of the pet industry, especially dog lovers.

Therefore, the company has collaborated with partners such as The Kennel Association (Thailand), Thai Pet Products Industry Association (TPIA), Perfect Co., Ltd. and its partners are ready to host this grand event with more than 250 booths on an area of over 10,000 square meters. We also organize business matching activities with pet industry entrepreneurs from overseas. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the event, generating sales of up to 70 million baht over 4 days.

Mr.Woraphat Akkulkrailert, the President of the Thai Pet Products Industries Association (TPIA) said that in response to the growing pet trend, The association is committed to developing and providing information to producers and consumers to experience a deeper knowledge and understanding about the quality of pet products. The target market being groups who have been long-term pet owners or just starting, so they can be aware of the quality of a variety of pet products and services.

Although the market is competitive, there is still room for growth. The trend being dog owners are changing their behavior to become more like Pet Parents. The trend of raising small breeds of dogs has increased during and after the COVID-19 situation. Small dogs are easy to carry around and do not demand much space.

As a result, the pet products business market such as food, treats, supplies, pet supplies, and various Pet Friendly places that welcome dog lovers, has grown. Last year’s exports of pet food and snack products were high, the businesses related to various groups of pet products in the country generated exports of 96,000 million baht. (Figures from the Department of Livestock)

Mrs. Wanida Busakornnunt, the President of the Kennel Association of Thailand (KATH) said that the association has a long experience in organizing dog contests and strongly believes that Pet Humanization will drive more people to participate in the contest. Because in the market there are products and services that meet the needs of Pet Personalization, it has received a lot of positive feedback from owners who bring almost perfect looking dogs to this year’s event.

The association sponsored the Thailand International Dog Show and the national Championship, with a total of 4,000 dogs from 16 countries representing the Philippines, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, India, Russia, Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Belgium and Sri Lanka.

Pomeranians are expected to be the most submitted, coupled with the trend of dog contests being on the rise, thus the FCI Thailand International Grooming Examination contest was launched for the first time at this event. (For the first time in Thailand, we have received interest in dog grooming exams from many nations such as Thailand, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and India (This time, we invited experienced judges from Japan to judge the dog grooming exam). There will also be the FCI Agility Championship 2023, to find the ultimate most agile dog. Another sporting event with a variety of categories to compete in.

Mr.Supakrit Assavachaiporn Senior Vice President, Customer Relations, Perfect Company Companion Group Co., Ltd. the manufacturer, and distributor of SmartHeart products, said that SmartHeart has a vision to improve the quality of life for both people and pets. Through continuous care and product innovation, we can be confident that our products and services will help to build a good relationship between the dogs and its owners, along with the current expansion of the Pet Centric product line because dogs also have personalized needs, like its owners.

Additionally, there are many other activities at the Dog Show 2023 (SmartHeart presents Thailand International Dog Show 2023), such as the TPIA’s pet shop award 2023 ceremony, the Thailand Pitbull weight pulling competition, a find-mom race, good relationships with owners and their dogs / circuit activities for puppies / dog show with Sahara theme dress up activity and a chance to win 21 prizes for the event’s 21st anniversary to all customers attending.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a foundation that helps puppies under the project called “the 1-baht project for hungry pups” with an entrance fee costing 20 baht per person (children and pets are free of charge).

Join us at “SmartHeart presents Thailand International Dog Show 2023″, Thailand’s No.1 Dog Lovers Expo, during 6 – 9 July 2023 from 10.00-20.00 hrs. Building 5-6 of IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.

A special promotion for the early bird purchase: buy one ticket get one free ticket.

For event registration and more information, please visit website www.thailand-dogshow.com / Facebook Thailand International Dog Show/ or add Line @Dogshow

Street Food Vendors Are Targets of Extortion by Thai Officers

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Khaosod English

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22 June 2023, 14:52

Thai police are not only suspected of taking a 140 million baht bribe from online gambling operators but have recently made a name for themselves as the ones who extorted money from street food vendors who are trying to fight a stagnant economy.

In a recent case, Miss Atikan Phumlek, a 46-year-old fried banana vendor in Moo 13, Bang Mae Nang Sub-district, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province, was asked for money by people who looked like police officers as she hired a Burmese worker. The officers demanded a monthly payment of 3,500 baht from the shop in exchange for a sticker with a picture of a lion and a signature stating that it was for the month of June.

The case went viral when the seller’s elder brother posted the video evidence on social media, while the seller reported the case to the police.

Subsequently, on June 21, two officers of the Nonthaburi Provincial Police, namely Pol. Cpl. Jirawat Muangheet and Pol. Sgt. Sungsun Sriket, came to surrender, claiming that they had conducted a drug investigation based on the reports received.

extort banana4 — A sticker with a picture of a lion and a signature stating that it was for the month of June.

The two police officers were charged under Article 148 for abusing their authority and forcing or inciting persons to obtain property or other benefits for themselves or others. The offense is punishable by imprisonment for 5-20 years or life, a fine of 100,000 baht or the death penalty.

extort banana1 — Two police officers came to surrender.

They were also charged under Article 157 for performing or failing to perform official acts without authority. This offense is punishable by imprisonment for 1-10 years, a fine of 20,000-100,000 baht, or both imprisonment and a fine.

In another case, a Vietnamese man selling ground squid from a motorbike in Nonthaburi province told the Khaosod reporter that he and his girlfriend have been working in Thailand for a year, sending money to his mother and two children in Vietnam. He had to pay money to several Thai officials from different agencies for stickers with ducks and chickens as proof that he had paid the officials for protection and professional support without being arrested.

extort vietnam1 — A Vietnamese man selling ground squid showed the stickers from Thai officers.

The Vietnamese vendor said that he has been paying vignette fees for about 7-8 months. He has a total of 5 vignettes and has to pay about 8 to 9 different agencies every month, totalling nearly 6,000 baht per month. While his daily income after expenses is about 1,000 baht, he only makes a profit of 300 baht, which is barely enough for food and water.

“Every day feels like a compulsion because if I do not pay, they will arrest me and the fines will be substantial. So I have to accept and pay, otherwise I cannot survive,” he said.

The reporter noted that when they observed vendors selling peanuts, they have two more stickers with pictures of a tiger and a black panther on the back of their mobile phones.

31 Dead After Barbecue Restaurant Explosion In Northwest China

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Xinhua News Agency

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22 June 2023, 09:35

CORRECTION China Restaurant Explosion — The site of an explosion at a restaurant in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. A massive cooking gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in northwestern China killed dozens and injured some, Chinese authorities said Thursday. (Wang Peng/Xinhua via AP)

YINCHUAN, June 22 (Xinhua) — The death toll from an explosion which ripped through a barbecue restaurant in Yinchuan, capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on Wednesday night, has risen to 31, local authorities said Thursday.

The blast happened at around 8:40 p.m. on a busy street in Xingqing District of Yinchuan, due to a leakage of liquefied petroleum gas from the operating area of a barbecue restaurant.

The explosion resulted in 38 casualties, with 31 people confirmed dead despite rescue efforts, while seven individuals, including one in critical condition, are currently receiving medical treatment, according to Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday demanded all-out rescue and treatment of the injured and safety overhaul. He urged efforts to quickly determine the cause of the accident and hold people accountable under the law.

Xi also said all regions and related departments should address “all types of risks and hidden dangers” and launch campaigns to promote workplace safety.

A staff member in the emergency clinic at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University confirmed to the AP on the phone that some of the injured were receiving treatment at the hospital, but said she was not authorized to talk to media and declined to provide her name.

The Paper cited a woman identified only by her surname Chen saying she had been about 50 meters (164 feet) from the restaurant when she heard the explosion. She described seeing two waiters emerge from the restaurant afterward, one of whom collapsed immediately, while thick smoke billowed from the restaurant and a strong smell of cooking gas permeated the area.

AP23173179993949 — In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, firefighters work at the site of an explosion at a restaurant in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Wang Peng/Xinhua via AP)

The central government’s Ministry of Emergency Management said on social media that search and rescue work at the restaurant was completed early Thursday morning and investigators were working to determine the cause of the blast.

The Dragon Boat Festival is a national holiday devoted to eating rice dumplings and racing boats manned by teams of paddlers. While the majority of Yinchuan’s population is Han Chinese, a third are Hui people, or Chinese Muslims.

Industrial accidents of this type are a regular occurrence in China, usually attributed to poor government supervision, corruption, cost-cutting measures by employers and little safety training for employees.

At least nine people were killed in an explosion at a Chinese petrochemical plant, and three others died in a helicopter crash during the country’s May Day holiday.

In February, 53 miners were killed in the collapse of a massive open pit coal mine in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, leading to numerous arrests, and four people were detained over a fire at an industrial trading company in central China in November that killed 38 people.

The central government has pledged stronger safety measures since an explosion in 2015 at a chemical warehouse in the northern port city of Tianjin killed 173 people, most of them firefighters and police officers. In that case, a number of local officials were accused of having taken bribes to ignore safety violations.

Gang Slaughtered 46 Women At Honduran Prison With Machetes, Guns And Flammable Liquid

By

Associated Press

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22 June 2023, 02:45

APTOPIX Honduras Prison Riot — Relatives of inmates wait in distress outside the entrance to the women's prison in Tamara, on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. A riot at the women's prison has left at least 41 inmates dead, most of them burned to death, a Honduran police official said. (AP Photo/Elmer Martinez)

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Gang members in a women’s prison in Honduras slaughtered 46 other women inmates by spraying them with gunfire, hacking them with machetes and then locking survivors in their cells and dousing them with flammable liquid, an official said Wednesday.

The carnage in Tuesday’s riot was the worst atrocity at a women’s prison in recent memory, something President Xiomara Castro called “monstrous.”

Relatives said inmates at the facility had been threatened for weeks by members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang.

Chillingly, the gang members were able to arm themselves with prohibited weapons, brush past guards and attack; they even carried locks to shut their victims inside, apparently to burn them to death. The intensity of the fire left the walls of the cells blackened and beds reduced to twisted heaps of metal.

“A group of armed people went to the cellblock of a rival gang, locked the doors, opened fire on them,” said Juan López Rochez, the chief of operations for the country’s National Police.

Miguel Martínez, a security ministry spokesman, said the attack was taped by security cameras, up to the moment the gang members destroyed them in what he called a “planned” attack.

“You can see the moment in which the women overcome the guards, leaving them helpless, and take their keys,” Martínez said.

Castro said Tuesday’s riot at the prison in the town of Tamara, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Honduras’ capital, was “planned by maras (street gangs) with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities.”

Castro fired Security Minister Ramón Sabillón, and replaced him with Gustavo Sánchez, who had been serving as head of the National Police.

But Castro but did not explain how inmates identified as members of the Barrio 18 gang were able to get guns and machetes into the prison, or move freely into an adjoining cell block. Initial reports suggested the doors to the gang’s cell block had been left open, facilitating the attack.

The amount of weaponry found in the prison after the riot was impressive: 18 pistols, an assault rifle, two machine pistols and two grenades — all of which were smuggled into the prison.

“Obviously, there must have been human failures,” López Rochez said. “We are investigating all the employees at the center.”

AP23171822206364 — Police guard the entrance to the women’s prison in Tamara, on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Elmer Martinez)

Sandra Rodríguez Vargas, the assistant commissioner for Honduras’ prison system, said the attackers “removed” guards at the facility — none appeared to have been injured — around 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Twenty-six of the victims were burned to death and the remainder shot or stabbed, said Yuri Mora, the spokesman for Honduras’ national police investigation agency. At least seven inmates were being treated at a Tegucigalpa hospital.

The riot’s death toll surpassed that of a fire at a female detention center in Guatemala in 2017, when girls at a shelter for troubled youths set fire to mattresses to protest rapes and other mistreatment at the overcrowded institution. The smoke and fire killed 41 girls.

The worst prison disaster in a century also occurred in Honduras, in 2012, at the Comayagua men’s penitentiary, where 361 male inmates died in a fire possibly caused by a match, cigarette or some other open flame.

There were ample warnings ahead of Tuesday’s tragedy, according to Johanna Paola Soriano Euceda, who was waiting outside the morgue in Tegucigalpa for news about her mother, Maribel Euceda, and sister, Karla Soriano. Both were on trial for drug trafficking but were held in the same area as convicted prisoners.

Soriano Euceda said they had told her Sunday that “they (Barrio 18 members) were out of control, they were fighting with them all the time. That was the last time we talked.”

Another woman, who did not want to give her name for fear of reprisals, said she was waiting for news about a friend, Alejandra Martínez, 26, who was been held in the ill-fated Cell Block One on robbery charges.

“She told me the last time I saw her on Sunday that the (Barrio) 18 people had threatened them, that they were going to kill them if they didn’t turn over a relative,” she said.

Gangs sometimes demand victims “turn over” a friend or relative by giving the gang their name, address and description, so that enforcers can later find and kidnap, rob or kill them.

Officials described the killings as a “terrorist act,” but also acknowledged that gangs essentially had ruled some parts of the prison.

Julissa Villanueva, head of the prison system, suggested the riot started because of recent attempts by authorities to crack down on illicit activity inside prison walls and called Tuesday’s violence a reaction to moves “we are taking against organized crime.”

“We will not back down,” Villanueva said in a televised address after the riot.

Gangs wield broad control inside the country’s prisons, where inmates often set their own rules and sell prohibited goods.

They were also apparently able to smuggle in guns and other weapons, a recurring problem in Honduran prisons.

“The issue is to prevent people from smuggling in drugs, grenades and firearms,” said Honduran human rights expert Joaquin Mejia. “Today’s events show that they have not been able to do that.”

AP23171822716900 — Police officers guard the entrance to the women’s prison in Tamara, on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Elmer Martinez)

Meanwhile, the grim task continued of trying to identify the bodies, some terribly burned. Officials on Wednesday began turning over some of the corpses to families for burial.

The wait for news was torture for many families of inmates. Dozens of anxious, angry relatives gathered outside the rural prison.

“We are here dying of anguish, of pain … we don’t have any information,” said Salomón García, whose daughter is an inmate at the facility.

Tuesday’s riot may increase the pressure on Honduras to emulate the drastic zero-tolerance, no-privileges prisons set in up in neighboring El Salvador by President Nayib Bukele. While El Salvador’s crackdown on gangs has given rise to rights violations, it has also proved immensely popular in a country long terrorized by street gangs.

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Marlon Gonzalez reported from Tegucigalpa. Elmer Martínez in Tamara, Honduras, and Maria Verza and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Tribute to “The Cave” Governor Who Led Rescue 13 Youth Mission

By

Khaosod English

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22 June 2023, 02:28

Ekapol Chantawong, or Coach Ek, a former Wild Boar Academy coach who was rescued from Tham Luang cave with 12 young footballers in 2018, led the tribute to “The Cave Governor,” Narongsak Osotthanakorn. He died at the age of 58.

Governor Narongsak was well-known for his role in the June 2018 search and rescue mission for 13 Wild Boar Academy Football Team youngsters trapped in Chiang Rai province’s Tham Luang – Khun Nam Nang Non cave.

15283 e1530936234375 — Former Chiang Rai Gov. Narongsak Osottanakorn speaks to reporters Friday night, July 7, 2018 outside Luang cave.

According to the Interior Ministry, he died peacefully on June 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok after receiving cancer treatment. His final position before his death was governor of Pathum Thani Province, yet he is still known as the “Wild Boar Governor.”

The Eakapol Academy page shared a video of their mourning with the caption, “Our hearts go towards the Governor’s family. Thank you for assisting us until we were able to survive. With love and condolences to the Wild Boar Governor, you will be forever in our hearts.”

cave governor3 — A screenshot from the Eakapol Academy page, which shared a video of a young footballer paying tribute to Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn,

Governor Narongsak was born in Plaeng Yao District, Chachoengsao Province, on June 1, 1965. In 1985, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Kasetsart University. In 1988, he received a Master’s Degree in Geometry and Surveying from Ohio State University in the United States.

In 2016, he was appointed as the inspector of the Ministry of Interior’s Office of the Permanent Secretary, and in 2017, he was appointed as the governor of Chiang Rai. He played a key part in the successful rescue of 13 people from the Tham Luang cave at the end of June 2018. It has been adapted into a number of films, television series, and documentaries.

Screen Shot 2018 08 06 at 11.13.26 AM — Officials face a massive media presence at a news conference held just after the operation got underway to rescue 12 boys and their coach from a cave in Chiang Rai province.

Following the Tham Luang incident, Narongsak was named governor of Phayao Province in 2018, then Lampang Province in 2019, before being appointed governor of Pathum Thani in 2021.

On September 17, 2022, the PR.Thailand Facebook fan page shared a photo of Governor Narongsak following his major operation at Siriraj Hospital, adding, “The governor may be a bit thin, but his body is getting better and better.” Thank you for your words of encouragement, which gave him the courage to fight. He’ll be ready to leave as normal soon.”

governor died2 — The PR.Thailand Facebook fan page shared a photo of Governor Narongsak on September 17, 2022.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters. His family will hold a prayer service at Bangkok’s Wat Phra Si Mahathat Bang Khen.

It is reported that His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has bestowed an octagonal funerary urn for the governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn and royal bathing water to be used in the royally sponsored funeral ceremony at Wat Phra Si Mahathat Bang Khen on June 22–24.

On June 25–28, there will be a prayer ceremony, and on June 29, there will be a royal cremation ceremony at 4:00 p.m.

Phuket Thailand Congratulates Serbia To Host Expo 2027-28

By

Khaosod English

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21 June 2023, 19:38

The Thai team and the Phuket team were disappointed that Phuket did not win the competition to be the host country of the Specialised Expo 2027–2028. They congratulated Serbia, which won with two-thirds of the votes.

The host country of Specialised Expo 2027–2028, elected by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Member States, gathered in the 172nd General Assembly. All 154 countries that the BIE is a member of were eligible to vote.

Thailand’s candidature was for a Specialised Expo in Phuket between March 20 and June 17, 2028 under the theme “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”.

The Thailand team led by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, has tried hard before the third country presentation to propose Phuket as the host for the Specialized Expo 2028 in Paris, France on June 21, while the team in Phuket paid respect to the holy spirit of the city, securing the victory.

Amnuay Pinsuwan, Deputy Governor of Phuket, and the Board of Directors of the Local Government Organization paid respect to the Thep Kasatri and Si Sunthon Heroine Monument and other sacred, highly respected spirits of the city to encourage the motivation of the staff involved in the competition.

They also planned to set off a total of 200,000 fireworks at the 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit Park, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, if Phuket had won.

Thailand (for Phuket) competed with 4 other countries: United States of America (for Minnesota), Serbia (for Belgrade), Spain (for Malaga), and Argentina (for San Carlos de Bariloche). Each country has 20 minutes for the country’s presentation for Expo 2028. After that, the committees immediately cast their votes.

In the second round of voting, Serbia has 69 votes, followed by Spain with 48, the United States with 21, and Thailand with 15 votes. So Thailand did not go to the next round. Eventually, BIE Member States elected Serbia as the host country of Specialised Expo 2027–28, with 81 votes compared to 70 votes for Spain.

The Southern MICE Facebook page, which broadcast live voting, stated when votes were out with the message “Congratulations to Serbia”.

China Says Biden Comments Likening Leader Xi to a Dictator ‘Extremely Absurd and Irresponsible’

By

Associated Press

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21 June 2023, 18:28

BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday called comments by President Joe Biden referring to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator “extremely absurd and irresponsible.”

The new clash of words comes just over a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing that sought to break the ice in a relationship that has hit a historical low.

AP23170314349592 — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP)

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Biden’s comments at a fundraiser in California “go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on China’s political dignity.”

“It is a blatant political provocation. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition,” Mao said at a daily briefing.

“The U.S. remarks are extremely absurd and irresponsible,” Mao said.

Blinken’s visit, during which he met with Xi, was aimed at easing tensions between the two superpowers but appeared not to have achieved any solid results.

AP23170349200984 — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Monday, June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP)

Biden, at the fundraiser on Tuesday night local time, said that Xi was embarrassed over the recent tensions surrounding a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had been shot down by the Air Force over the East Coast.

“That’s a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn’t know what happened,” Biden said.

Mao reiterated China’s contention that the balloon was intended for meteorological research and had been blown off course accidentally.

“The U.S. should have handled it in a calm and professional manner,” she said. “”However, the U.S. distorted facts and used forces to hype up the incident, fully revealing its nature of bullying and hegemony.”

AP23156128057444 — In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the USS Chung-Hoon observes a Chinese navy ship conduct what it called an “unsafe” Chinese maneuver in the Taiwan Strait, Saturday, June 3, 2023 (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andre T. Richard/U.S. Navy via AP)

Blinken’s visit had been originally scheduled for February, but was put on hold after the balloon incident. While it marked a return to high-level contacts between the sides, China continues to refuse talks between their militaries.

In recent days, the U.S. says Chinese warplanes and naval ships have maneuvered in threatening ways to their U.S. counterparts in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, despite agreements between them on protocols for avoiding such incidents.

During Blinken’s visit, China reiterated its strong objections to U.S. support for the self-governing island democracy of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. The U.S. has also sought to block Beijing’s access to cutting-edge computer chip manufacturing technology that could be used for military purposes, and accused China of stealing American intellectual property.

After meeting with Xi on Monday, Blinken acknowledged entrenched differences. “We have no illusions about the challenges of managing this relationship. There are many issues on which we profoundly, even vehemently, disagree,” he said.

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