On Tuesday, October 3, a 14-year-old male gunman with long hair and a tight-fitting black shirt and camouflage trousers carried out a horrific attack in the heart of downtown Bangkok. He used a mock handgun to fire individuals inside the Paragon Department Store in the Siam Square neighbourhood, killing two people and injuring five others.
The two fatalities are foreigners: a Chinese woman was shot and killed at the scene, and a Myanmar woman was shot once in the neck and twice in the back and died in the hospital.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m. on the M floor, followed by the second and third floors, while tourists and shoppers were in the mall. On the fifth floor of the mall, actors, staff members, and entertainment reporters gathered for a Channel 3 television event promoting the launch of 13 dramas.
People were gradually evacuated from the Royal Paragon Hall on October 3, 2023.
People were evacuated from the mall following the gunfire. The Royal Paragon Hall door on the fifth level was shut for security. Later, they were gradually evacuated as the shooter fled to the Kempinski Hotel.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin acknowledged the occurrence and directed Police National Chief Torsak Suwimon to go to the scene during this time.
The incident concluded at 5:09 p.m. when the gunman dropped his weapon and kneeled. He was detained on the third floor of the Siam Campinski Hotel by police.
He told the police that he had heard someone command him to shoot.
The 14-year-old gunman was arrested on the third floor of the Kempinski Hotel.The 14-year-old gunman (black shirt) was arrested on the third floor of the Kempinski Hotel.
Crimes involving firearms are common in Thailand. This is due to the enormous number of citizens in Thailand who have access to firearms. According to the Small Arms Survey, there will be over 10.3 million firearms in Thailand by 2022, the highest amount in the ASEAN region, and it is currently ranked 13th in the world.
In addition, according to data from 2022, Thailand had 2,804 firearm-related fatalities, ranking 15th in the globe and equating to a gun death rate of 3.91 per 100,000 people.
However, mass shooting incidents are uncommon in Thailand. The most serious occurrence was a 34-year-old police officer’s slaughter in a children’s nursery on October 6, 2022. There were 38 fatalities, the most of whom were children.
The most violent shooting at a department store occurred on February 8, 2020, at Terminal 21 Mall in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. 30 individuals were killed by a soldier.
“The PARQ”, Thailand’s First development with LEED Gold® and WELL Certified™ Core Gold, responds to a Well-balanced Office
After years of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been changes that have come in the form of a ‘New Normal.’ Many people have started to pay attention to their health and well-being. These two topics have become widely trending. For new generations of workers, they look beyond the usual welfare benefits like annual health check-ups and group insurance. Their expectations cover the work environment, food and nutrition, and mental health.
Mr. Kamolnai Chaichanian, Executive Director, TCC Assets Thailand Co., Ltd., said, “Our aspiration is not limited to state-of-the-art architecture. We intend to make our design environmentally friendly and full of necessary utilities. We want the space to be well-balanced, serving both life and leisure to building users in a way that is unlike elsewhere. This is our core idea in developing The PARQ project.
According to the ‘Life Well Balanced’ concept, The PARQ was designed to serve today’s lifestyle and improve the quality of life, both directly and indirectly. The project is the first in Thailand certified by both LEED Gold® V.4 standard, which is an international standard for green buildings, and WELL CertifiedTM Core Gold, the latest international standard in the real estate industry. The PARQ pays attention to the environment and well-being since the design and construction processes. It aims at becoming a building that provides good health and reduces carbon emissions. The building also has an efficient environment resource management system.
Additionally, the WELL CertifiedTM Core Gold is not only a standard for health achievements but also for the well-being of those who work in the building. “With our design, the building’s exterior and interior are blended into one space, which is THE PARQ Workplace, which serves as an office space, and The PARQ Life, which functions as a retail lifestyle space. The design allows everyone to feel closer to nature.
Therefore, every part of the building gets natural lights, feels fresh air, and uses environmentally friendly materials that are good for both the environment and the people. We also have a huge green and open-air space.” Mr. Kamolnai Chaichanian added.
“Moreover, The PARQ presents art installations and hosts various events that support the mental health of those in this building. We believe that arts can tame stress and soothe exhaustion. At the same time, arts can give something to think about and offer mindfulness while boosting a relaxing and refreshing environment. The PARQ Collection is a set of art inspired by ‘nature’ and aims at connecting nature with the city lifestyle perfectly.”
For The PARQ Life, this lifestyle retail will bring new experiences to visitors. All stores have been curated to be fit for office workers, visitors, and others. A wide range of cafes, restaurants, lifestyle stores, gyms as well as beauty and wellness services. The list includes popular spots like Tim Hortons, Mini by Peace Oriental Teahouse, Brave Roasters, and Boost Juice Bars. Japanese food lovers will find places like Hou Yuu, Sakae Shabu Shabu, and Gyu-Kaku & On-Yasai here. Food Street, a food court, is one of the highlights. Jetts Black Fitness, a Thai boxing gym MTM Academy, and a physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic F REHAB are all located in the building as well.
“According to today’s lifestyle, separating personal life and work can be challenging. However, what we can do is create a good healthy habit to have a work-life balance that allows us to find happiness in both our personal lives and work from a weekly well-organized system.
At JLL, we are creating not just a new way of work but looking at creating a new environment to enable our people to be the best version of themselves. Most important of all, we emphasize the well-being of our staffs and supporting them with many activities that are good for health and convenient for everyday life.
The PARQ has been certified by both LEED and WELL standards which value the well-being of everyone in the building and equipped with technology to support efficient uses and provide environment that enable us to embrace healthy habit for JLL staff. This is very important and is one of the reasons JLL has chosen this building.” said Mr. Michael Glancy, Country Head, Jones Lang LaSalle (Thailand) Limited (JLL).
The work-life balance trend is also among the top focuses for workers. Mrs. Wiyada Srinaganand, Country Head, 3M Thailand Ltd. said, “Our organization focuses on employees’ well-being which is the key factor to accommodate our employees to work happily with productivity. We have a policy that allows our employees to choose a work style that suits each individual along with choosing an office location that has an environment to supports our employees with work – life integration such as central location where employees can commute easily, close to public parks and a facility that provides a balanced lifestyle.”
Mr. Chaiyapat Paitoon, Chief Financial Officer, Minor International Public Co., Ltd., revealed, “Personally, I think that the notion of achieving a harmonious work-life balance is very important. So, I have been impressed by The PARQ’s vision since the start. I believe that a good environment can directly contribute to fostering a positive mindset and unlock the potential of our talent. Retail facilities, shops and restaurants within the building allow people to wind down and socialize after work hours, which helps promote a better quality of life.
Besides, the PARQ implements a comprehensive waste management system, from the encouragement of waste sorting before it undergoes recycling, to the transformation of waste into organic fertilizer. The building also provides EV chargers, which is another step to minimize environmental impacts. These initiatives align with our company’s commitment to sustainability, and further strengthen our dedication to preserving the environment.”
Mr. Karl Kongkham, Managing Director, Warner Music (Thailand) Ltd, is another executive who sees the importance of work-life balance. He added, “We look for a lively and modern workplace. That’s why I chose The PARQ because the space allows everyone in the team to enjoy working in a diverse community of leading professionals. The PARQ is in the city centre, a location that comes with a convenient commute.
Either getting off at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT Station or riding a bike, complete facilities are provided, including bicycle parking. In addition, The PARQ also has healthy restaurants, top-notch gyms, and a green space like Q Garden where all can relax. It is possible to create a work-life balance since the quality of work and the quality of life can be managed perfectly.”
According to the building’s highly efficient standards, The PARQ is the first development project in Thailand that has been certified LEED Gold® V.4 and WELL CertifiedTM Core Gold standards. The project is well-equipped with features that enhance work efficiency and quality of life while remaining environmentally friendly. These factors guarantee that everyone working in this building will get to work in a convenient environment that will boost their efficiency and attract top talents to organizations.
To emphasize this concept and celebrate the certified standards, The PARQ is preparing events to promote well-being all year. Examples include ‘LIFE IS…,’ an art exhibition that will heal your soul, and ‘CHILL AT THE PARQ,’ a happy festival organized annually towards the end of the year.
“Blue Tree Phuket” is set to introduce “Blue Tree SCHOOL’S OUT” to welcome the school break, offering a special starting price of just 99 baht from 1st Oct-19th Nov 2023.
With the semester break fast approaching, parents like us are gearing up!Blue Tree Phuket has organized an event that allows both kids and adults to have fun and celebrate the holiday together with the “Blue Tree SCHOOL’S OUT” promotion. Whether you’re a fan of leisurely activities or you prefer adventure, there’s something thrilling for everyone. Activities include the longest Superfly in Thailand, cliff diving, and much more. Families with young children under 6 can also enjoy the gentle Tarzan and Jane zone.
After all the excitement, recharge your energy with a variety of delicious foods and partake in numerous other activities. This means you can have fun, make the most of your holiday, and use your free time wisely during the term break.
Get ready and warm up your bodies to have a blast together, starting at just 99 Baht (for kids aged 7-12) from October 1st to November 19th, 2023, exclusively at Blue Tree Lagoon, Blue Tree Phuket. Purchase tickets at https://bluetree.fun/tickets/ or inquire for more details at 076-602435.
Please note:
Thai and resident children (aged 7-12) are priced at 99 Baht.
Thai and resident adults (aged 13 and up) are priced at 499 Baht.
Children under 7 years old and adults over 60 years old get in for free!
Tickets purchased are valid for single-day use and can be used until November 19, 2023
Senator Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, a Thai parliamentarian who was chased out of a Thai-owned restaurant in Iceland and verbally abused last week due to her political stance, has also been criticised for her photos of the Eldhraun moss fields taken during this trip.
The Eldhraun moss is a protected plant that cannot be entered, and there were warning signs in the area. Senator Khunying Porntip promptly deleted the said post and apologized afterwards.
Senator Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan
“I want to make it clear that it was a mistake on my part not to know the regulations and laws. In case you are wondering why I didn’t know, there was in-flight entertainment on the plane encouraging us to visit Iceland. There were people lying on Eldhraun Moss, so I didn’t think much of it, nor did I see any prohibition signs. However, there was a parking lot nearby, and there were other people parked there, so we went in. So I apologize for that,” said Senator Khunying Porntip.
However, this incident led to the emergence of two famous actresses, Bella Ranee Campen and Preem Ranida Techasit, who also visited Iceland and were photographed sitting and kicking on the Eldhraun moss. This controversy has sparked debate and discussion online.
Bella Ranee Campen
The fan clubs of the two actresses argued that they both visited Iceland in 2016, while the warning signs were not posted until 2018. This confirms that neither actress knowingly violated any rules. In addition, there have been numerous photos in the past of tourists standing or posing for photos on the moss-covered lava fields.
Earlier, Dr. Jetsada Denduangboripant, a biology professor at Chulalongkorn University, was one of the first to warn about Eldhraun Moss, sharing his knowledge via a Facebook page: “Don’t sleep on Eldhraun Moss in Iceland like Justin Bieber did”.
Preem Ranida Techasit
Iceland, the largest island nation in northern Europe, has a remarkable landscape to offer, including the Eldhraun lava field with its black lava rocks. It is located on the southern coast of the country and was formed by a major volcanic eruption known as the Lakagígar eruption in 1783-1784, which claimed more than 10,000 lives.
However, due to the long time that has passed since the volcanic eruption, the lava fields are covered with lush green moss and form a stunning and unique landscape.
Justin Bieber
Moss is a common plant in Iceland’s natural environment, but the fact that it covers an area of 565 square kilometers makes it particularly impressive. Moss has the ability to thrive in nutrient-poor environments and endure cold temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius. However, it is a delicate organism, and tourists are generally not allowed to walk on it. When the famous singer Justin Biener shot his music video and was seen lying on the moss, he was heavily criticized.
“The best way to admire the mossy landscape is to stop at the viewpoint located at the free parking lots near the main road,” Dr. Jetsada said.
The Autoreizen-Car Challenge – Extraordinary Avontuur group from Belgium and the Netherlands stopped by to explore the beauty of Phitsanulok province in Thailand. They visited and admired the exquisite Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of the most beautiful Buddha statues in Thailand and a heartwarming center for the people of Phitsanulok. This visit took place on October 2.
Phitsanulok Province organized a welcome performance for the tourist group, and the travelers enthusiastically participated in the festivities. In addition to the warm welcome, the province also presented the visitors with souvenirs, including a box of fried noodles, Meing Kam (a local snack), Mai Lai Ong bananas, a box of mango sticky rice, and a brochure about Phitsanulok in English.
Afterwards, the tour group had the opportunity to admire the breathtaking beauty of Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand and a unifying symbol for the people of Phitsanulok. Following the visit, the group explored the local stores around the temple, admiring and buying various local products and souvenirs.
Sasivarn Sriphrom, president of the Tourism Industry Council of Phitsanulok, said that the Autoreizen-Car Challenge – Extraordinary Avontuur group’s trip to Phitsanulok is to help promote tourism in the province and introduce it to travelers worldwide.
This group of travelers traveled in private cars from the Netherlands through Asia, including India, Nepal, China, Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia, eventually reaching their destination in Australia. After their visit to Phitsanulok, they plan to continue their journey in Khon Kaen province.
The tour group also mentioned their intention to visit Phitsanulok again in the future, as they were deeply impressed by the warm welcome they received from the Thai people.
Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats bamboo in his enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Wearing a “I Love Pandas” t-shirt and clutching a panda-covered diary, Kelsey Lambert bubbled with excitement as she glimpsed the real thing. She and her mother, Alison, had made a special trip from San Antonio, Texas, just to watch the National Zoo’s furry rock stars casually munching bamboo and rolling around on the grass.
“It felt completely amazing,” Kelsey, age 10, said Friday. “My mom has always promised she would take me one day. So we had to do it now that they’re going away.”
The National Zoo’s three giant pandas — Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji — are set to return to China in early December with no public signs that the 50-year old exchange agreement struck by former President Richard Nixon will continue.
Visitors watch Giant panda Mei Xiang as he eats bamboo in his enclosure at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
National Zoo officials have remained tight-lipped about the prospects of renewing or extending the agreement, and repeated attempts to gain comment on the state of the negotiations did not receive a response. However, the public stance of the zoo has been decidedly pessimistic — treating these remaining months as the end of an era. The zoo just finished a weeklong celebration called Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell.
The potential end of the National Zoo’s panda era comes amid what veteran China-watchers say is a larger trend. With diplomatic tensions running high between Beijing and a number of Western governments, China appears to be gradually pulling back its pandas from multiple Western zoos as their agreements expire.
Dennis Wilder, a senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues, called the trend “punitive panda diplomacy,” noting that two other American zoos have lost their pandas in recent years, while zoos in Scotland and Australia are facing similar departures with no signs of their loan agreements being renewed.
Beijing currently lends out 65 pandas to 19 countries through “cooperative research programs” with a stated mission to better protect the vulnerable species. The pandas return to China when they reach old age and any cubs born are sent to China around age 3 or 4.
Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji plays at his enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
The San Diego zoo returned its pandas in 2019 and the last bear at the Memphis, Tennessee zoo went home earlier this year. The departure of the National Zoo’s bears would mean that the only giant pandas left in America are at the Atlanta Zoo — and that loan agreement expires late next year.
Wilder said the Chinese possibly could be “trying to send a signal.”
He cited a litany of Chinese-American flashpoints: sanctions imposed by the U.S. government on prominent Chinese citizens and officials; restrictions on the import of Chinese semiconductors; accusations that Chinese-made fentanyl is flooding American cities; suspicion over Chinese ownership of the social media platform TikTok; and the uproar early this year over the Chinese balloons floating over America.
Beijing, Wilder said, is convinced that “NATO and the United States are lining up against China.”
The panda-related tension has even spilled into the hallways of the U.S. Senate. Last week, Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman complained about China buying up American farmland and added, “I mean, they’re taking back our pandas. You know, we should take back all their farmland.”
That animosity has been at least partially shared by the public in China, where anti-American sentiments are on the rise. Those sentiments developed into a perfect panda storm earlier this year when Le Le, a male panda on loan to the zoo in Memphis, died suddenly in February at the age of 24. Pandas generally live 15 to 20 years in the wild, while those in human care often live to be around 30.
Le Le’s unexpected death prompted an explosion on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, with widespread allegations that the Memphis zoo had mistreated the bear and its female companion, Ya Ya. The campaign gained intensity when photos circulated on the Internet of Ya Ya looking dirty and gaunt (by panda standards) with patchy fur.
Visitor buys stuffed animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
An online petition on Change.org demanded Ya Ya be returned immediately, alleging malnourishment and deprivation of proper medical care. Slogans such as “the panda’s life matters” surfaced in China’s social media along with emotional memes pleading with authorities to rescue the bear. One particular meme depicts a miserable-looking Ya Ya gazing at a plane flying overhead with the caption: “Mama, I have worked away from home for 20 years. Have I earned enough for a plane ticket to return home?”
The heat grew so intense that the Memphis Zoo released a statement responding to what it called “misinformation” about its pandas and stating that Ya Ya has “a chronic skin and fur condition” that “makes her hair look thin and patchy,” and Le Le died of natural causes.
Even an official Chinese scientific delegation that visited Memphis and announced that Le Le was not mistreated and died of a heart condition failed to quell the outrage. Ya Ya was returned to China on schedule in April when the loan agreement expired and received a celebrity’s welcome at Shanghai’s airport.
Zoo worker monitors the Giants pandas in their enclosure at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
The Chinese government, which gifted the first pair of pandas — Hsing Hsing and Ling Ling — to the U.S., now leases the pandas out for a typical 10-year renewable term. The annual fee ranges from $1 million to $2 million per pair, plus mandatory costs to build and maintain facilities to house the animals. Any cub born to the pandas belongs to the Chinese government, but can be leased for an additional fee until it reaches mating age.
Over the 50 years of American panda loan agreements, the arrangement has hit more than one rough patch. In 2010, Daniel Ashe, then head of the federal Fish and Wildlife Service, traveled to China to help resolve a technical bureaucratic issue that was threatening the renewal of the National Zoo’s agreement. The problem was quickly resolved and the agreement extended.
“But the situation now is completely different,” said Ashe, now CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “What we’re seeing now is tensions between our governments at a much higher level, and they need to be addressed and resolved at that level.”
Observers are holding out hope that exactly this sort of 11th-hour high-level intervention will come through. Wilder pointed to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco in November as a potential forum for President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to make headlines by breaking the deadlock. And Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng has sounded semi-optimistic in his public statements.
“I will do my utmost to do that, and here, in Aspen, there also will be (pandas),” Xie said during the Aspen Security Forum in July in Aspen, Colorado.
Visitors watch Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji as he eats bamboo in his enclosure at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
But for now, panda-philes of all ages are making pilgrimages to Washington for a last glimpse at the bears. At the zoo last Friday, amid the chatter of children, was an adult couple with a baby on the way — each wearing matching panda-ears headbands. Colleen Blue and John Nungesser came from outside Philadelphia to see the pandas; this was Blue’s third time.
“I’ve been obsessed with them since I was little. I used to just bury people in panda facts,” she said.
Nungesser nodded, adding, “On our first date, she went on and on about pandas.”
Blue said she broke into tears and “had a temper tantrum” when she found out that Washington’s pandas would be leaving. The couple is already making plans, after their baby is born, to take the infant to see the pandas in Atlanta next summer before they leave.
And Alison Lambert, Kelsey’s mom, said she remains optimistic that both sides will work out an agreement simply because it’s mutually beneficial. And if they don’t, Kelsey is already developing Plan B.
“We could always fly to China,” she said. “That works, too.”
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Ashraf Khalil and Didi Tang from Washington. Associated Press reported writers Seth Borenstein and Rebecca Santana contributed to this report.
ONYX Hospitality Group Triumphs with Double Win at the HR Asia Awards:‘HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023’ and ‘HR Asia Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards’
Bangkok, Thailand – ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in Southeast Asia’s hospitality industry with over five decades of hospitality management experience, is thrilled to announce it has achieved double success in the HR Asia Awards: being included within the highly regarded ‘HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023’ as well as the ‘HR Asia Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards’.
These accolades hold immense significance across the Asian business landscape, with participation in the Awards from some of the world’s most renowned Fortune 500 companies.
These distinguished honors underscore ONYX Hospitality Group’s dedication to cultivating an exceptional corporate culture and creating an exemplary workplace environment – qualities that are instrumental in shaping the thriving business as it seeks “to be the best medium-sized hospitality management company in Southeast Asia”.
ONYX Hospitality Group prides itself on its ability to bridge the best of Asian hospitality practices with global business precision – with the brand promise ‘A Tailored Approach to Hospitality’. ONYX Hospitality Group operates a portfolio of diverse yet complimentary brands, including Amari, OZO, Shama, and Oriental Residence – each catering to the distinctive requirements of today’s business and leisure travellers. Each of its brands has a unique identity, ensuring clarity and differentiation in the highly competitive market, whilst upholding world-class standards, delivering exceptional service and creating unforgettable experiences.
The accolades received by the HR Asia Awards reaffirm ONYX Hospitality Group’s standing as the foremost employer in the Southeast Asia hospitality industry. They underscore the Group’s dedication to providing an exceptional workplace and fostering an inclusive environment for employees.
The ‘HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia’ award, organized by HR Asia magazine, is an annual recognition that celebrates outstanding organizations known for creating workplaces where employees feel valued, inspired, and engaged. This accolade is bestowed following a rigorous assessment process that evaluates companies across various categories, contributing to enhancing employer brand, understanding employee needs, fostering sustainability, promoting organizational collaboration, and encouraging employee engagement through surveys.
“At ONYX Hospitality Group, our unwavering vision is to be the best medium-sized hotel management company in Southeast Asia. Central to this vision is our steadfast commitment to the well-being and professional growth of our valued employees. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and programs designed to enrich both their personal and professional lives, ranging from flexible work arrangements and wellness initiatives to ongoing training and team-building activities,” stated Ms. Saranya Wattanasirisuk, Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
“We are exceptionally proud to receive these prestigious distinctions as one of ‘HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work For in Asia’ and recipients of the ‘HR Asia Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards’. We consider it our duty to maintain a workplace that not only empowers our employees to achieve excellence in their careers but also nurtures a sense of belonging and collaboration within our organization to realize our vision. At ONYX Hospitality Group, our people are our most valuable asset, and these awards reflect our steadfast commitment to their well-being and growth,” Ms. Saranya added.
A key pillar of ONYX Hospitality Group’s human resource development strategy is hands-on learning, as evidenced by the Group’s collaboration with leading Thai universities. The ONYX Academy Programs provide an extensive array of educational and developmental initiatives, spanning general courses to advanced management and leadership training. Partnering with esteemed institutions such as Lobster Ink, LinkedIn Learning, eCornell, and Harvard Business School Online, ONYX Academy empowers the workforce with the knowledge and skills required to excel in their respective roles.
“ONYX Hospitality Group is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of service professionals through specialized training programs and educational internships for university students, creating equal opportunities and thereby strengthening the Group’s presence as a prominent player in the hospitality industry with deep Thai roots.
ONYX Hospitality Group prioritises building enduring business relationships and partnerships, collaborating closely with visionary partners who are also committed to sustainable growth and regional expansion, whilst ensuring the essence of Thai hospitality remains prevalent. Extensive in-market resources allow ONYX to optimize its connections and expertise, and alongside its valuable employees and know-how, create customized solutions to ensure partners achieve their overall goals.
Picture from lelf Khun Saranya Watanasirisuk SVP, Corporate Human Resources, Khun Yuthachai Charanachitta CEO, ONYX Hospitality Group
Carrier Thailand introduces its all new XCT8, a power-packed variable refrigerant flow (VRF) solution customized to deliver cooling for buildings. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
When it comes to any building, ensuring the comfort of its occupants is an absolute necessity. A key player in delivering that comfort is the air conditioning system. This is where Carrier’s XCT8 VRF with eight key features transforms the landscape of indoor climate control.
Carrier understands that no two buildings are the same and customers can choose the ideal fit for their unique needs. Therefore, the flexible Carrier XCT8 comes with numerous options for efficiency, space and cost, allowing customers to tailor the system according to their specific demands. With the ability to have 4,000 combinations, Carrier’s XCT8 boasts incredible flexibility and offers the industry’s highest capacity of up to 120 HP, with the possibility of connecting with 128 indoor units.
Carrier’s XCT8 allows customers to choose the most energy-saving combination, ensuring that a building operates at peak efficiency while keeping energy bills in check. Or customers can choose the most space-saving combination that makes the best use of the available real estate, allowing the user to optimize a building’s layout without sacrificing efficiency. It’s a win-win situation for building owners to maximize both comfort and spatial utilization.
“Carrier has been leading innovation since its invention of modern air conditioning 121 years ago,” said Victor Yu, Managing Director, Carrier Thailand. “We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations. With eight key features of Carrier XCT8, customers are not just investing in a cooling system but embracing a smarter, more sustainable future for their buildings.”
Easy installation and maintenance are top of mind, for reliable operation and building occupants’ comfort. Carrier XCT8 has several features to help installers save time on installation, commissioning and maintenance, including the Wave Tool Advance app which allows installers to access system information and start test runs using some smartphones. For installers wanting to collect and save rich data sets, a new service tool for use with laptop devices that are accessible from either outdoor or indoor locations.
For more information on XCT8, please visit carrierxct8.com/th or follow us on Facebook @CarrierHVACThailand.
Tass Sameupak, 29, who was accused of stealthily filming many women under their skirts for seven years, was arrested on October 1, 2023.
On October 2, Metropolitan Police officers and Police Cyber Taskforce Team 5 worked together to investigate Tass Sameupak, 29, who was accused of stealthily filming many women under their skirts for seven years. There were 873 recordings of 430 women and girls taking VDO under their skirts, and one computer PC was among the evidence.
According to the Criminal Court’s arrest warrant, he was arrested on Oct. 1 at a house in Thung Song Hong Subdistrict, Lak Si District, Bangkok, on the charge of “acting indecently against a person over fifteen years of age by threatening in any way by using violent force, that person being in a state of being unable to resist.”
He is also accused of recording images or audio of the obscene act for the purpose of gaining an illegitimate benefit for himself or others, regardless of the method used. which is bullying or oppressing others, causing others to feel humiliation, or creating a public nuisance.
There were 873 recordings of 430 women and girls taking VDO under their skirts.
Investigators received a report from a woman at a renown shopping mall in the Sam Yan area. He was photographed hidden beneath her skirt. Consequently, the investigation led to Tass’s arrest.
Tass admitted and stated that he comes from a good family and received his bachelor’s degree from a Bangkok university. He has an obsession with unusual pornographic films. After graduating, he was still unemployed, so he began to find a challenge by covertly photographing or filming young women in the bathroom or under their skirts on the internet.
He has been doing it for almost 7 years, doing it on a regular basis with breaks in between. He intended to find victims near numerous famous department stores and to follow the flyover on the route they took.
He would target ladies with good figures who wore skirts. He also looked at the surrounding scenario in a place where there are few people, such as the department store, including the escalator area, which is the easiest to record. He claimed he was convinced that his abilities could film any woman without the victim being aware of him.
“I apologise to the victims who were involved in this incident. I’m going to be more respectful and manly from now on,” Tass claimed. He was taken to Pathumwan Police Station, along with the seized things, to be prosecuted.
National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukwimon has directed that the data on the computer be recovered as soon as possible, since if these films become public, they will ruin the lives of hundreds of young women.
The accused was convinced that his abilities could film any woman without the victim being aware of him.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Commander-in-Chief, Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradej Thamsuthee, stated that officers still do not believe all of the claims made by the accused after uncovering evidence retrieved via data recovery from his computer. They believed there were over 430 victims, including over 160 students.
“We would like to advise parents to be cautious of their children. These crooks hide in shopping malls and like to commit their crimes in places where it is easy to snap images secretly. Please tell us on the IDMB Metropolitan Investigation Facebook page if you have been a victim of this individual. We have coordination officers on duty 24 hours a day because this situation has done a lot of harm to women,” he stated.
Two dead bodies, one male and another female, are in a decomposing state. They were discovered inside a shipping container on Monday morning, October 2, in the Lad Krabang area of Bangkok. The container was transported from the Philippines.
The container originated in the Philippines on September 24, landed at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi Province on September 28, and was transferred by rail into the ICD warehouse around 5:00 a.m. today, until warehouse personnel opened the container to clean it and discovered two dead. As a result, they summoned the police to conduct an investigation.
The container in which the bodies were discovered is owned by Evergreen Marine Corp., with a length of 6 metres, a width of 2.44 metres, and a height of 2.55 metres. It is two stories thick. The woman’s body was detailed with a gold ring. The man was dressed in shorts with no shirt. He has a tattoo on his chest, arms, and back. Officials believe they have been dead for roughly two weeks and did not die in Thailand.
Officials did not find any documents with them. The bodies showed no signs of struggle or wounds. They discovered a black t-shirt nearby. The fraternity’s name, “Alpha Kappa Rho, Vincit Omnia Veritas,” is written in a foreign language on a letter. It is a humanitarian group that was founded in the Philippines in 1973.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Narongrit Thongtawee, investigating inspector of Nopphawong Railway Police Station, revealed that he will call the owner of the van, the companies that transport each route, the administrators and relevant officials came for a thorough interrogation.
They will also collaborate with the Philippine Embassy to determine whether any people are missing. Officers collected all evidence at the spot and transported it to the police hospital for forensic examination.
