Air Travel Demand Seen Soaring 28% To Near Pre-pandemic Level In 2023

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18 June 2023, 21:51

plane world — Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows planes in parking slots at Tokyo's Haneda airport on April 30, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo)

Global air passenger traffic is expected to soar 28.3 percent to 4.35 billion people in 2023, returning to near the pre-pandemic level of 2019 with Asia-Pacific airlines benefiting from a sharp recovery in demand, according to estimates by an industry body.

The projected passenger number is higher than 3.39 billion fliers in 2022 and represents about 96 percent of the 4.54 billion fliers four years ago, owing to the removal of COVID-19 border control measures, the International Air Transport Association said in a recent report.

Air travel demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs, is expected to rise across the world. Airlines based in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to enjoy the highest growth of 63 percent in demand as every country in the region has ended their pandemic travel restrictions, the association said.

“China lifted COVID-19 restrictions earlier in the year than anticipated,” putting the industry on track to improve profitability more quickly, Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general said in a release.

Carriers based in Africa and the Middle East are forecast to see rises of 30.1 percent and 20.8 percent, respectively, in air passenger traffic. Those from Europe will have 19.6 percent growth in air travelers, while North America will see a 16.5 percent jump.

The upbeat air travel demand helps the industry beat IATA’s earlier profit estimate for 2023, said the group that represents some 300 airlines comprising 83 percent of global air traffic.

Combined industry net profits are expected to reach $9.8 billion in 2023, more than double the December forecast of $4.7 billion, the association said. The industry suffered a total net loss of $3.6 billion in 2022.

North American carriers are expected to lead the way with $11.5 billion in net profit, up 26.4 percent from 2022, and net profit at European carriers is projected to soar 24.4 percent to $5.1 billion.

Total revenues are forecast to grow 9.7 percent to $803 billion, or almost 96 percent of the 2019 level, the association said.

Still, there are some economic and geopolitical risks to the industry outlook.

Aggressive interest rate hikes by major central banks to fight inflation pose the risk of recession, while an escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine “would likely have negative prospects for global aviation,” IATA said.

Nearly 100 Die As India Struggles With A Sweltering Heatwave

By

Associated Press

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18 June 2023, 20:48

India Heat Wave — A nomadic family rests in shade outside their tent on a hot summer afternoon in Lalitpur district in northern Uttar Pradesh state, India, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — At least 96 people died in two of India’s most populous states over the last several days, officials said Sunday, with swaths of the country reeling from a sweltering heatwave.

The deaths happened in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and eastern Bihar where authorities warned residents over 60 and others suffering various maladies to stay indoors during the daytime.

All the fatalities in Uttar Pradesh, totaling 54, were reported in Ballia district, some 300 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Lucknow, the state capital. Authorities found out most of those who passed away were over 60 years old and had preexisting health conditions, which may have been exacerbated by the intense heat.

AP23169401009245 — A man drinks water on a hot summer afternoon in Lalitpur district in northern Uttar Pradesh state, India, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

S. K. Yadav, a medical officer in Ballia, said in the past three days, some 300 patients were admitted to the district hospital for various ailments aggravated by heat.

Due to the gravity of the situation, authorities canceled leave applications of medical personnel in Ballia and provided additional hospital beds in the emergency ward to accommodate the influx of patients.

Officials said most of the admitted patients are aged 60 and above, exhibiting symptoms of high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties and heart-related issues.

R.S. Pathak, a resident of Ballia who lost his father on Saturday, said that he witnessed an increased flow of patients at the hospital’s emergency ward while attending to his father.

“This has never happened in Ballia. I have never seen people dying because of the heat in such large numbers,” he said. “People fear venturing out. The roads and markets are largely deserted.”

Ballia, along with central and eastern Uttar Pradesh, is currently grappling with oppressive heat.

AP23169405584099 — A nomadic woman walks eating a fruit on a hot summer afternoon in Lalitpur district in northern Uttar Pradesh state, India, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

On Sunday, the district experienced a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celsius, surpassing the normal range by five degrees. The relative humidity was recorded at 25%, intensifying the effect of the heat.

Atul Kumar Singh, a scientist from the India Meteorological Department, or IMD, said temperatures across the state were presently above normal. He added, “no relief is expected in the next 24 hours.”

The IMD issued an alert saying heatwave conditions would last until June 19 in parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The state’s health minister, Brijesh Pathak, said that they have opened an investigation into the cause of death of “so many people” in Ballia.

In eastern Bihar, scorching heat has engulfed most of the state, leading to 42 deaths in the past two days. Among the fatalities, 35 occurred at two hospitals in the state capital of Patna where over 200 patients suffering from diarrhea and vomiting were being treated.

Patna recorded a maximum temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

The main summer months — April, May and June — are generally the hottest in most of India, before monsoon rains bring in cooler temperatures.

AP23169384594985 — A cow takes shelter in shade outside a shop along with people on a hot summer afternoon in Lalitpur district in northern Uttar Pradesh state, India, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

But temperatures have become more intense in the past decade. During heat waves, the country usually suffers severe water shortages, with tens of millions of its 1.4 billion people lacking running water.

A study by World Weather Attribution, an academic group that examines the source of extreme heat, found that a searing heat wave in April that struck parts of South Asia was made at least 30 times more likely by climate change.

In April, the heat caused the death of 13 people at a government event in India’s financial capital of Mumbai and prompted some states to close all schools for a week.

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Biswajeet Banerjee reported from Luchnow, Indrajit Singh in Patna, India contributed to this story.

A Thai And A Cambodian Are Arrested For Smuggling Macaques

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Khaosod English

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18 June 2023, 20:01

Macaques continue to be transported and sold to neighbouring nations to be used as a bizarre menu and in laboratory experiments while police continue to apprehend wildlife trafficking gangs.

Sunday, June 19, officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division arrested Chum Phrae, 42, and Nang Keen, a Cambodian national, 38, for smuggling 33 macaques and the carcasses in a Ford Ranger pickup truck through the Si Prachan District of Suphan Buri Province, central Thailand, on Highway 340.

In addition, there are 41 unused anaesthetic darts, 44 green needles No. 21, and 100 used darts within the vehicle.

The two individuals admitted to pursuing macaques in Chom Bueng District, Ratchaburi Province, using plastic pipes as anaesthesia dart launchers to capture macaques to sell.

This group of monkeys is about to be delivered to customers in the province of Sa Kaeo, which borders Cambodia, in preparation for export to foreign purchasers. The officer then delivered the two suspects to the Sri Prachan Police Station for prosecution.

Previously, police investigatedd wildlife trafficking organisations apprehended in Thailand’s northeastern province of Udon Thani. The accused stated that there are orders from neighbouring countries for an unlimited number of macaques at a high price of 12,500 baht each to be sent at any time. They intend to extract and study the stem cells from these primate brains to develop a vaccine against cancer and Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

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Opinion: The Fear of Pita and Move Forward Gov’t Explained

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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18 June 2023, 15:01

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat waves to his supporters in Samut Prakan province on May 26, 2023.

The Move Forward Party is new, and it has never been in power before. The unknown factor has driven some to fear what is to come when (and if) the party is in charge, particularly if you are the elites and the upper middle class for the following reasons.

Imagine yourself being the owner or in charge of one of Thailand’s largest corporations. Your company, or conglomerate, has established all the connections with the old guards in the world of politics, the bureaucracy, and the top echelon of Thai society.

Your company, or conglomerate, has achieved a de facto oligarchy status in the market and you know how to deal with old-style politicians. Move Forward is an unknown quantity and has promised to spread wealth and create new opportunities for smaller businesses, as well as significantly increase the minimum wage, and suddenly you feel you are not sure on how to deal with them or whether your status quo can be maintained when they are in power or not.

This explains the reluctance or even opposition among some of the owners of big conglomerates in Thailand. Two weeks ago, Boonyasit Chokwatana, one of Thailand’s biggest tycoons and chairman of consumer goods giant Sahapat Group warned that Thailand risks becoming like Ukraine if the new government is in power, and that Pita is increasingly resembling Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Last week, when I asked Move Forward PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat about Boonyasit’s remark, Pita brushed it aside saying there was no need to defend himself to such comparison – (thus suggesting it is far-fetched).

It may be far-fetched, but perception is reality and for many of the established elite and big businesses, they fear the old and familiar system may be undermined if Pita becomes PM.

If you have no greater ideology of wanting to see Thailand becoming a more equitable society, why take the risk and embrace Pita and Move Forward government? Would not it be ‘safer’ to stick to the motto “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” even if many poor Thais are broke and some believe the system itself is also broken?

Even if you are just a member of the upper middle class, you may not want to see change under the Move Forward government as well, particularly if you’re not keen on wanting to see Thailand becoming a more equal society.

The middle class are not the majority in Thailand and the upper middle class are a tiny minority – say roughly among the top 10 percent of the Thai population. This means when you walk on an ordinary Thai pavement, anywhere that wealth is not particularly well concentrated, you could sense that you’re better off or ‘superior’ than nine out of 10 of the people who you walked pass.

Unlike in Japan, South Korea or the United States where the vast majority identified themselves as the middle and there is a pretense that everyone is more or less equal, no such pretense exists in Thailand. The car you drive, the way you dress, the school and university you went to and the part of Bangkok you live in will make sure you feel superior to 90 percent of the rest of the Thai population.

If you are keen on wanting to feel “exclusive”, by nature you have to exclude the mass. How can you maintain your self-perceived sense of superiority and exclusivity when more people are equal or like you? That is why the Move Forward Party’s logo is indeed disturbing – it is a slant pyramid and can be interpreted as suggesting the party’s goal is to ensure those at the apex of the society will have to make way and move a little bit lower while the masses move up.

That is already a concession from the logo of its original party, Future Forward, which was disbanded in 2019, and had a perfectly reverse pyramid as its logo.

Philippine Ferry With 120 People Onboard Catches Fire At Sea

By

Associated Press

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18 June 2023, 13:20

Philippines Ferry Fire — The coast guard personnel assist in putting out the fire on Philippine ferry M/V Esperanza Star at the waters off Panglao, Bohol province, central Philippines on Sunday, June 18, 2023. The Philippine ferry carrying up to 65 passengers and crew members caught fire at sea on Sunday and a coast guard vessel was deployed to rescue those onboard and try to extinguish the flames, coast guard officials said. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — All 120 passengers and crew members aboard a Philippine ferry that caught fire at sea on Sunday were rescued safely and the fire was extinguished, the coast guard said.

The M/V Esperanza Star caught fire at dawn while traveling from Siquijor province to Bohol province in the central Philippines with 65 passengers and 55 crewmembers, the coast guard said. It added that it deployed two vessels for rescue and to help put out the flames, which raged for more than five hours.

AP23169154043587 — In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a man pushes a boat beside a burning Philippine ferry M/V Esperanza Star as it caught fire at the waters off Panglao, Bohol province, central Philippines on Sunday June 18, 2023. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

Photos and video released by the coast guard show flames and black smoke billowing from two decks at one end of the ferry as coast guard personnel onboard another vessel used a water cannon to try to put out the fire. A fishing boat and one other vessel could be seen nearby.

None of the 65 passengers and 55 crew members could be seen aboard the burning ferry based on the photographs and video released by the coast guard.

AP23169154042656 — The Philippine ferry M/V Esperanza Star as it caught fire at the waters off Panglao, Bohol province, central Philippines on Sunday, June 18, 2023. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

Sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of frequent storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces.

In March, a fire broke out and raged overnight on a ferry carrying about 250 people and killed at least 31 passengers and crew members off the southern island province of Basilan, the coast guard said.

In December 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.

Father Admits To Fatally Shooting 3 Young Sons At Ohio Home, Prosecutors Say

By

Associated Press

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18 June 2023, 02:34

MONROE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man accused of fatally shooting his three young sons admitted to planning the killings and lined them up before executing them with a rifle, prosecutors said Friday.

Chad Doerman, 32, who is also accused of wounding the boys’ mother at the family’s home, has been charged with aggravated murder, authorities said.

Clermont County’s chief prosecutor of Municipal Court, David Gast, said during Doerman’s arraignment Friday that one of the boys tried to flee into a nearby field but Doerman “hunted” his son down and brought him back to their home before killing him.

man shot sons2 — Clermont County Sheriff’s Office shows Chad Doerman. Doerman, is accused of fatally shooting his three young sons on Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Monroe Township, Ohio. (Clermont County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

Doerman’s bail has been set at $20 million. Court records did not indicate whether he was represented by a lawyer at his arraignment. He is currently being held in Clermont County Jail.

Gast called the killings the worst crime he’d ever seen.

Deputies responded to the home in Monroe Township shortly before 4:30 p.m. Thursday after receiving a pair of 911 calls, one apparently from the mother who was screaming that “her babies had been shot” and another from a passing motorist who said a girl was running down the street saying her father was killing people, a news release from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office said.

The deputies found three boys, ages 3, 4 and 7, outside the home with gunshot wounds and tried to save their lives, but the children died at the scene.

“They held these children knowing there was nothing they could do,” Gast said. ”How do you unsee that sort of abomination?”

The boys’ named have not been released.

“This was the man that everyday they woke up looking to for protection, love and guidance in all things, …” Gast said. “He was their world, he was their guardian and he executed them in cold blood.”

The sheriff’s office said the 34-year-old mother, who was not identified, was outside the home and had suffered a gunshot to the hand while trying to shield her sons from their father. She was transported to a hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening.

father shot sons — Photo of three children provided by family

Doerman was found sitting on a stoop at the home and was taken into custody without incident. He was arraigned on three counts of aggravated murder Friday.

Officials have not released a motive behind the shootings.

Neighbors in Monroe Township, which is about 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of Columbus, reported hearing several shots fired in what they said is usually a quiet, calm neighborhood.

“I was sitting in the garage, and all of a sudden, I hear ‘boom, boom’ and like five more, and I was like, ‘That’s seven shots,’” Alexis Spoonamore told WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. “I’m shaking. It was a lot. It was bad.”

How Many Times Does Yok, 15, Need To Climb Up to School?

By

Khaosod English

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17 June 2023, 11:59

Today, most schools close for the weekend, therefore Yok, a 15-year-old political activist who had previously been imprisoned under Article 112, would not have received media attention if she had attempted to access her school again by climbing over the fence of Triam Udom Suksa Phatthanakan School in casual wear. She did it on June 14, 15, and 16.

Despite having been expelled from school once before, on Friday Yok arrived before 8 a.m. to find that the school gates are firmly locked. Undeterred, she tries to climb over the fence, but a teacher threatens to report her for trespassing and obstructing the entrance.

yok climb1 — Yok found a way to enter the school on June 16.

Yok made a lightning decision, jumps through a window and successfully enters the school building. The police, both in uniform and plain clothes, also enter the school during the commotion.

The future of Yok’s education remains uncertain following the ongoing conflict with the school administration that led to her climbing over the school fence for three consecutive days.

school yok3 — There were police in the school.

Yok posted a message on the issue late in the evening of June 13, sharing that she had been expelled from school for her dyed hair and wearing casual attire. She also recounted the incident in which a teacher stressed that “from now on you are an outsider”

The school then issued a statement clarifying that Yok’s name was not in the registration database of the DMC system of the Ministry of Education. This was because she had not registered with her parents or guardian as required. The school again pointed out that Yok’s mother should accompany her on 10 June, because that was the deadline.

yok climb3 — Yok climbed over the fence of the school on Wednesday and Thursday.

In addition, the statement highlighted Yok’s failure to abide by school rules, such as wearing the prescribed school uniform, dyeing her hair, attending classes or appointments on time as requested by the students, and refusing to participate in activities such as home exercises, flag-raising ceremonies and other events. These actions were seen as a refusal to accept the school rules and a refusal to engage with the school’s procedures.

The issue surrounding Yok has sparked widespread debate on social media, highlighting the contrasting perspectives between conservatism and liberalism. It goes beyond the realm of school uniforms and authoritarianism to include political issues: it is claimed that the young generation is being brainwashed by political parties that promote radical expressions and demands for excessive rights, directly targeting the Move Forward Party, which recently won the elections.

yok1 — Yok showed a red rash on her back on the day she was released from jail. It was May 18, 2023.

Amphon Pinasa, the General Secretary of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), said he had discussed the matter with the school headmaster and the school committee. Both the school and the government are willing to allow Yok to attend classes provided she abides by the school’s rules. However, if Yok does not abide by these rules, she has the option of pursuing alternative education, such as homeschooling or studying outside the formal education system.

Sompong Chitradub, an education expert, revealed that he believes that both current and future educational institutions, especially schools and universities, have a lot to learn and adapt. As long as they hold on to rules, norms and authoritarian power, they will constantly face challenges from children who cross the boundaries and challenge the existing authoritarian processes.

school yok2 — The school placed a poster in front of the school to remind people to enter the venue dressed modestly.

“In Yok’s case, if the school understands the problem, recognizes the context and the child’s perspective, it should become a place that is gentle to Yok’s life. It should not only be gentle but also provide opportunities and restore the learning experience for the child. It should not push the child to be an outsider or claim that the child has no parents to answer to. What the school is doing with Yok shows that we are using rules, norms, authoritarian power and adults to manage a child who is different from other children,” Sompong explained.

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Myanmar Army Bombs Drive More Kayah Civilians To Thailand

By

Khaosod English

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17 June 2023, 01:39

Fighting erupted between the Myanmar Army and Karen Kayah militants in Mae Chae town, Bolakae district, Kayah state, near Mae Hong Son. This has been happening all week.

According to Khaosod journalists in Mae Hong Son Province, on the night of June 16, around 8:00 p.m., a Myanmar military fighter jet targeted warehouses of Thai citizens who trade with Myanmar people in Huai Nam Mang and Ban Nam Mang, causing damage to the warehouses.

Later, 41 Myanmar refugees, both children and adults, came over to the Thai side to seek shelter when it was raining at Mae Ngao sub-district’s Khun Yuam district.

Previously, the Myanmar Army bombarded Mae Chae District, Kayah State, Myanmar, damaging over a hundred houses, but the people had evacuated and fled before entering Thailand at Ban Pha Khae, Mae Ki Sub-district, Khun Yuam District, Mae Hong Son Province.

bur3 — The Myanmar Army bombarded Mae Chae District, Kayah State.

There have been 556 refugees in Ban Pha Khae, bringing the total number of Myanmar refugees who have fled to Thailand to almost 3,000.

Last year, the Myanmar military dropped bombs on Karen people in the opposite Karen State, at Ban Tha Ta Fang, Mae Sariang District, killing many.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Part Ways With Spotify after less than a year of ‘Archetypes’ podcast

By

Associated Press

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16 June 2023, 23:56

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle — FILE - Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

The production company founded by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, is splitting ways with Spotify less than a year after the debut of their podcast “ Archetypes.”

It is unclear why the podcast, hosted by Meghan, is leaving the platform but Spotify and Archewell Audio said in a joint statement that the decision was mutual.

Archewell landed a multiyear partnership with Spotify in 2020 to create podcasts and shows that would tell stories through diverse voices and perspectives.

The podcast premiered in August last year with tennis great Serena Williams as a guest and it was an instant hit.

It topped Spotify charts in seven countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., and it won the top podcast award at the People’s Choice awards last year.

AP23137536808304 — FILE – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at United Nations headquarters, Monday, July 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

“I loved digging my hands into the process, sitting up late at night in bed, working on the writing and creative. And I loved digging deep into meaningful conversation with my diverse and inspiring guests, laughing and learning with them, and with each of you listening,” Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said at the time.

The show also had as guests Mariah Carey, Trevor Noah, Mindy Kaling and Paris Hilton.

Tech companies have been cutting costs in a rough economic environment and Spotify has not been immune. Six months after announcing that it would cut 6% of its global workforce, or about 600 jobs, Spotify said last week that it was trimming another 200 jobs.

The company said at the time that it would be combining podcast networks Parcast and Gimlet into its Spotify Studios operation.

Prince Harry has been at the High Court of London this month. He is accusing the publisher of the Daily Mirror of using unlawful techniques on an “industrial scale” to score front-page scoops on his life. The Duke of Sussex became the first senior member of the royal family to testify in more than a century.

The Eggs Were Left For 3 Days, And Then 21 Chicks Hatched

By

Khaosod English

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16 June 2023, 23:08

The owner of a viral video who found 21 chicks hatched from eggs she actually wanted to eat vowed never to buy such eggs again.

The eggs shown in the video were actually undeveloped called ‘Ha Hang eggs’ or ‘rice eggs’ that a certain group of people like to use for grilling or cooking. These eggs are fertilized but do not develop fully: the egg remains as embryos and is often consumed.

Narisara Kongsamoer, Noy, reveals to ‘Khaosod Online’ that her mother bought rice eggs on 9 June. However, the next day, 10 June, the family had to travel from Nakorn Ratchasima Province to relatives in another province. Therefore, they left three trays of eggs at home and brought the rest as gifts for relatives. When they returned home and opened the door, they were surprised to see chicks running around.

@tinkkywinkkyy กรรมของคนกินไข่ฮ่างฮังคือ… #ไข่ฮ้างฮัง #กรรมของกู ♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – ลุงเพชร แหลมเปี๊ยบ – ลุงเพชร คนโบราณ

Noy further mentioned that the tray of eggs given to the relatives did not produce the same result. The chicks hatched only from the trays that were left at home and all of them had hatched. At present there are about 21 chicks. She consulted with her father and they agreed to raise the chicks temporarily as they would soon return to another province. They planned to give all the chicks to her grandfather who already raises chickens.

Noy said that her mother usually buys rice eggs from a shop owned by her friend’s mother to give to relatives. Such an incident had never happened before. This was the first time. She recorded a video which she posted on social media for fun, not realizing that it would attract so much attention.

Since this incident, Noy no longer dares to eat rice eggs because she feels sorry for the chicks.

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