A trombone player of the military band is carried out on a stretcher after a faint during the Colonel's Review, the final rehearsal of the Trooping the Colour, the King's annual birthday parade, at Horse Guards Parade in London, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
LONDON (AP) — Several British soldiers were overcome by the heat on Saturday as they turned out in woolen tunics and bearskin hats to salute Prince William.
At least three guardsmen fainted during the military parade known as the Colonel’s Review, in which more than 1,400 soldiers of the Household Division and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery were reviewed by the heir to the throne, who is honorary Colonel of the Welsh Guards.
A trombone player of the military band faints during the Colonel’s Review, the final rehearsal of the Trooping the Colour, the King’s annual birthday parade, at Horse Guards Parade in London, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
The temperature in London on Saturday was due to hit 30 C (86 F).
Afterwards William tweeted: “A big thank you to every solider who took part in the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat. Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job.”
The event was a rehearsal for Trooping the Colour, an annual military parade held each June to mark the monarch’s official birthday. King Charles III will oversee the ceremony on June 17.
Britain’s Prince William attends the Colonel’s Review, the final rehearsal of the Trooping the Colour, the King’s annual birthday parade, at Horse Guards Parade in London, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)A trombone player in the military band faints during the Colonel’s Review, the final rehearsal of the Trooping the Colour, the King’s annual birthday parade, at Horse Guards Parade in London, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to 10 Downing Street after meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
LONDON (AP) — He was the mayor who reveled in the glory of hosting the 2012 London Olympics, and the man who led the Conservatives to a whopping election victory on the back of his mission to “get Brexit done.”
But Boris Johnson’s time as prime minister was marred by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and a steady stream of ethics allegations, from alcohol-fueled government parties that broke lockdown rules.
2001-2008: Serves as a member of Parliament in the House of Commons representing the constituency of Henley.
2008-2016: Serves as London mayor, overseeing 2012 London Olympics.
2016: Co-leader of the campaign to take Britain out of the European Union, in opposition to then-Prime Minister David Cameron, a fellow Conservative. Cameron resigns after voters approve Brexit in a national referendum on June 23, 2016.
Advocate to exit Europe Boris Johnson poses for a selfie photo before Thursday’s EU referendum vote, in Selby, north England, Wednesday June 22, 2016. Photo: Andrew Parsons / Associated Press
2016-2018: Serves as Foreign Secretary under Cameron’s successor, Prime Minister Theresa May. Johnson resigns in July 2018 in opposition to May’s strategy for a “soft” Brexit that would maintain close ties with the EU.
June 7, 2019: Theresa May resigns as Conservative Party leader over her failure to persuade Parliament to back the Brexit agreement she negotiated with the EU. The party is split between those who back May and hard-liners, led by Johnson, who are willing to risk a no-deal Brexit in order to wring concessions from the EU.
July 23, 2019: Johnson is elected Conservative Party leader in a vote by party members. He takes office as prime minister the next day, inheriting a minority government that relies on votes from Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party to pass legislation. Johnson insists Britain will leave the EU on Oct. 31, with or without a deal.
Aug. 28, 2019: Johnson announces he will shut down Parliament until mid-October, giving opponents less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit.
Britain’s Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Boris Johnson holds his dog Dilyn as he leaves after voting in the general election at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Sept. 3, 2019: Twenty-one rebel Conservative Party lawmakers support legislation requiring the government to seek an extension of Brexit negotiations if it can’t negotiate an agreement with the EU. The measure passes and the rebels are expelled from the party.
Sept. 5, 2019: Johnson asserts he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than ask the EU for another extension.
Sept. 24, 2019: U.K. Supreme Court rules government’s suspension of Parliament was unlawful.
Oct. 19, 2019: Johnson asks the EU to delay Brexit again. New deadline set for Jan. 31.
Nov. 6, 2019: Parliament is dissolved and early elections are set for mid-December as Johnson seeks a mandate for his Brexit strategy.
Britain’s Prime Minister and Conservative party leader Boris Johnson poses as he hammers a “Get Brexit Done” sign into the garden of a supporter, in Benfleet, east of London on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, (Ben Stansall/Pool Photo via AP)
Dec. 12, 2019: Johnson wins an 80-seat majority in the general election, giving him the backing to push through Brexit legislation. The victory makes Johnson the most electorally successful Conservative leader since Margaret Thatcher.
Jan. 23, 2020: The Brexit deal becomes law after approval by U.K. Parliament. European Parliament approves the deal six days later.
March 23, 2020: Johnson places U.K. in first lockdown due to COVID-19.
April 5, 2020: Johnson hospitalized and later moved to intensive care with COVID-19. He is released from the hospital on April 12, thanking the nurses who sat with him through the night to make sure he kept breathing.
Nov. 3-4, 2021: Johnson’s government orders Conservative lawmakers to support a change in ethics rules to delay the suspension of Owen Paterson, a Johnson supporter who had been censured for breaching lobbying rules. The measure passes. A day later, facing an angry backlash from lawmakers of all parties, Johnson reverses course and allows lawmakers to vote on Paterson’s suspension. Paterson resigns.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks during a press conference in London, Saturday Nov. 27, 2021, after cases of the new COVID-19 variant were confirmed in the UK. Photo: Hollie Adams / Pool via AP
Nov. 30, 2021: Allegations surface that government officials attended parties in government offices during November and December 2020 in violation of COVID-19 lockdown rules. The scandal grows to reports of more than a dozen parties. Johnson denies the allegations, but opposition leaders criticize the government for breaking the law as people across the country made sacrifices to combat the pandemic.
Dec. 8, 2021: Johnson authorizes investigation into the scandal, dubbed “Partygate.” Pressure builds for a leadership challenge, but fizzles.
Feb. 3, 2022: Johnson’s longtime aide, Munira Mirza, quits Downing Street, followed by three other top aides.
March 23: The government announces a mid-year spending plan that’s criticized for doing too little to help people struggling with the soaring cost of living. Then-Treasury chief Rishi Sunak refuses to delay a planned income tax increase or impose a windfall profits tax on oil and gas companies benefiting from rising energy prices.
From left, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrive at No 9 Downing Street for a media briefing on May 7, 2021. Photo: Toby Melville / PA via AP
April 9: Johnson meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, pledging a new package of military and economic support. The move helps bolster Johnson and his supporters, who argue the government should not focus on domestic political squabbles.
April 12: Johnson is fined 50 pounds ($63) for attending one of the lockdown parties. Opposition parties characterize him as the first U.K. prime minister in history shown to have broken the law while in office. Johnson apologizes but insists he didn’t know he was breaking the rules.
May 22,: Findings of the “Partygate” investigation are published, detailing 16 gatherings at Johnson’s home and office and other government offices between May 2020 and April 2021. The report details excessive drinking among some of Johnson’s staff, at a time when millions of people were unable to see friends and family.
May 26: The government reverses course on its tax decision on oil and gas companies and announces plans for a 25% windfall profits levy.
June 6: Johnson narrowly wins a vote of no confidence, with Conservative lawmakers voting 211—148 to back him. But the scale of the revolt — some 41% voted against him — shakes his grip on power.
FILE – Britain’sPrime Minister Boris Johnson reacts while leading a virtual news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in central London on Jan. 26, 2021. (Justin Tallis/Pool via AP, File)
June 15: Christopher Geidt quits as ethics adviser to Johnson, accusing the Conservative government of planning to flout conduct rules.
June 24: Johnson’s Conservatives lose two former strongholds to opposition parties in special elections.
June 29: Parliament’s cross-party Privileges Committee issues a call for evidence for a probe into whether Johnson misled Parliament over lockdown parties.
June 30: Chris Pincher resigns as Conservative deputy chief whip amid allegations he assaulted two guests at a private members’ club in London. Previous sexual misconduct allegations emerge about Pincher. Questions swirl about whether Johnson knew about the claims when Pincher was given the job.
July 5: Johnson apologizes for his handling of the Pincher scandal and says he had forgotten about being told of the allegations. Two of Johnson’s most senior Cabinet ministers, Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid, quit the government.
July 6: Some three dozen junior ministers resign from the government, attacking Johnson’s leadership.
July 7: Johnson resigns as Conservative Party leader, but plans to remain as prime minister while the leadership contest is held.
November 2022: Johnson begins stepping up speaking engagements that take him around the world from India to Nigeria to Singapore to the United States. During the current parliamentary term, he reports 2.7 million pounds ($3.4 million) for speaking engagements.
March 3, 2023: A U.K. parliamentary committee says evidence suggests Johnson repeatedly misled Parliament about his knowledge of lockdown-breaking parties at his Downing Street office.
FILE – Boris Johnson leaves his house in London, on March 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
March 22: Johnson insists “hand on heart” that he never lied to lawmakers about rule-breaking government parties, mounting a robust defense at a hearing that could damage or even end his tumultuous political career.
June 9, 2023: Johnson resigns his parliamentary seat after receiving report on lockdown plans.
Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows airplanes operated by Thai Airways (L) and Taiwan's Eva Airways that came into contact on a taxiway at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 10, 2023. (Kyodo)
Two planes came into contact at Tokyo’s Haneda airport Saturday morning, leading to the closure of one of its four runways, the Japanese transport ministry said.
The incident occurred on a taxiway at around 11 a.m. with no injuries reported. According to the ministry and the Tokyo Fire Department, the two planes involved were operated by Thai Airways and Taiwan’s Eva Airways, respectively.
Photo shows airplanes operated by Thai Airways and Taiwan’s Eva Airways that came into contact on a taxiway at Tokyo’s Haneda airport on June 10, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Eva Airways passenger)(Kyodo)
A passenger who was aboard the Eva Airways flight told reporters that there had been an “impact” while the plane was waiting for departure.
“Part of the wing of the Thai Airways plane was chipped,” the passenger said.
About 260 passengers and crew members were on the Thai Airways plane while about 200 were aboard the Eva Airways aircraft, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The affected 3000-meter Runway A has now been closed, it said.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Warawut Silpa-archa
Thai officers will transport “Plai Sak Surin” or “Muthu Raja,” a 30-year-old Thai male elephant who lived in Sri Lanka for 21 years, back to Thailand for treatment, but after that, it is not clear whether he has to be sent back to Sri Lanka or not.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Warawut Silpa-archa told reporters at a news conference that the Thai government has approved a budget of 19 million baht to bring Plai Sak Surin back to Thailand.
The Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft will transport Plai Sak Surin, who weighs 3.5 tonnes, to Chiang Mai Airport, Thailand, on July 2, 2023, and he will be sent to the Chang Lampang Hospital in the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre for treatment.
Mrs. Rungnapha Phatthanawibul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of National Parks, stated that the elephant’s cage will be finished on June 10. Department personnel will next train Plai Sak Surin to step into the cage in order for him to become accustomed to it. Because of his long tusks, the transport team will lock Plai Sak Surin’s legs during plane travel so that he can move just slightly to ensure safety.
The elephant’s cage for transportation
Assistant Director of the Institute of Animal Conservation and Research at the Zoo Organisation, vet Wisit Haidthammakul, said that the team didn’t even think about the anaesthetic. We don’t want to do it more than anything else. Because the risk is so high, it harms the heart, and when the air pressure goes up, elephants can die in the air.
The most recent sign of Plai Sak Surin is that the abscess on one foot is still big, but the other side is almost totally gone. There are still some signs of the wound, which is slightly anaemic and lower in protein. Overall, it’s nothing to worry about. As for the plane journey, we will make sure the elephant eats, poops, and drains waste for at least 6 hours. We will also keep an eye on its mental state by keeping a mahout close by at all times.
According to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Plai Sak Surin is one of two elephants that the Thai government gave to the Sri Lankan government in 2001 to train for the relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka’s annual relic parade. He is in charge of the Kande Vihara Temple in Aluthgama.
Last year, Ms. Kanjana Silpa-archa, who worked to help elephants, told the ministry that Plai Sak Surin was sick. So, the ministry is working more promptly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get Plai Sak Surin back to Thailand so he can get medical care. At the same time, the ministry sent a vet to treat the leg and foot injuries and illness caused by a big abscess. After that, he was taken to the Dehiwala National Zoo to keep getting care. The government came up with a plan to treat the elephant in Thailand.
Plai Sak Surin has long tusks.
When the reporter asked if Plai Saksurin was treated until he was healthy and if he had to be sent back to Sri Lanka again, Mr. Warawut said there would be a way to deal with Sri Lanka. Thailand gave the elephant to Sri Lanka in 2001, so it is now Sri Lanka’s property. So, if Plai Saksurin is brought to Thailand to live here permanently, Sri Lanka must agree to it first.
Plai Sak Surin now lives in Dehiwala National Zoo.
Mr. Warawut also stated that the ministry’s current policy is that elephants shouldn’t be sent to any other country, but they also need to work with the Ministry of Commerce, which is an agency that permits exports. At the moment, there are about 10 countries where Thai elephants are living. The Thai government is working with the offices in those countries to check on their health.
In this photo released by Colombia's Armed Forces Press Office, soldiers and Indigenous men tend to the four Indigenous brothers who were missing after a deadly plane crash, in the Solano jungle, Caqueta state, Colombia, Friday, June 9, 2023. (Colombia's Armed Force Press Office via AP)
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Friday that authorities found alive four children who survived a small plane crash 40 days ago and had been the subject of an intense search in the Amazon jungle that held Colombians on edge.
The children were alone when searchers found them and are now receiving medical attention, Petro told reporters upon his return to Bogota from Cuba, where he signed a cease-fire agreement with representatives of the National Liberation Army rebel group.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Friday that authorities found alive the four children who survived a small plane crash 40 days ago and had been the subject of an intense search in the Amazon jungle. (Colombia’s Armed Force Press Office via AP)
The president said the youngsters are an “example of survival” and predicted their saga “will remain in history.”
The crash happened in the early hours of May 1, when the Cessna single-engine propeller plane with six passengers and a pilot declared an emergency due to an engine failure.
The small aircraft fell off radar a short time later and a frantic search for survivors began. The three adults were killed, and their bodies were found in the area.
FILE – In this photo released by Colombia’s Armed Forces Press Office, a soldier stands in front of the wreckage of a Cessna C206, May 18, 2023, that crashed in the jungle of Solano in the Caqueta state of Colombia. The discovery of footprints on May 30 of a small foot rekindled the hope of finding the children alive after their plane crashed on May 1. Soldiers found the wreckage and the bodies of three adults, including the pilot and the children’s mother. (Colombia’s Armed Forces Press Office via AP, File)
The Election Commission has resolved on Friday to investigate whether Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat knowingly violate election laws because he knew he was holding ITV media shares or not.
The EC voted unanimously with 6 votes earlier to reject three petitions to investigate whether Pita has prohibited qualifications by the constitution in applying for election despite holding 42,000 shares of ITV, due to statute time limitations.
Move Forward Party PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat visited Phuket on June 9, 2023.
However, the EC accepted the matter for consideration because it has enough information to investigate further under Articles 42 (3) and 151 of the election laws if Pita already knew that he had no right to run for election due to prohibited qualifications but still did it.
If found guilty, Pita would be disqualified and could face a prison sentence from 1 to 10 years, a fine of 20,000-200,000 baht and revoked election rights for 20 years.
The Move Forward Party won the May 14 election on a progressive agenda that resonated with a public weary of nine years of military-steered rule under PM Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha, who led the 2014 coup as army chief.
Pita Limjaroenrat, center, (white shirt) leader of Move Forward Party, waves to his supporters, in Bangkok, Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
Since then, Pita has been the target of the petitioners, suffering the same fate as Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Thanathorn was accused by the EC of possessing shares in the media company V-Luck Media when he registered as a candidate for the House of Representatives in 2019.
In the end, the Constitutional Court has ruled to disqualify Thanathorn as an MP until the party dissolved in 2020, even though V-Luck Media had not operated since 2018.
A file photo of Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit campaigning in March 2019.
Pita said with a smile on Friday that his situation was similar to Thanathorn’s. But it probably won’t end the way Thanathorn was treated. He believed that society had learned enough from history. A potential prime minister must be thoroughly investigated both before and after taking office. The system should work with the Prime Minister.
Members of the public photograph an art installation called "Double Ducks" by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman at Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Friday, June 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
HONG KONG (AP) — Two giant inflatable ducks made a splash in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor on Friday, marking the return of a pop-art project that sparked a frenzy in the city a decade ago.
The two 18-meter-tall yellow ducks by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman resemble the bath toys many played with in their childhood. Shortly after their launch, dozens of residents and tourists flocked to the promenade near the government headquarters in Admiralty to snap photos of the ducks.
People take picture of an art installation called “Double Ducks” by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman at Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Friday, June 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Hofman said he hopes the art exhibition brings joy to the city and connects people as they make memories together.
“Double duck, double luck,” he said. “In a world where we suffered from a pandemic, wars and political situations, I think it is the right moment to bring back the double luck.”
The inflatable ducks will stay in Hong Kong for about two weeks.
An art installation called “Double Ducks” by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is seen at Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Friday, June 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Many Hong Kongers at the promenade recalled the happiness his work brought to the shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui in 2013. Some were excited to see a pair of ducks on Friday instead of just one duck like the earlier exhibition.
Among the visitors was artist Laurence Lai, who brought paint brushes to make watercolors of the ducks. Lai said the city was full of negative vibes in recent years during the COVID-19 pandemic and that it’s time for the city to move on.
“With life returning to normal, the ducks can bring back some positivity,” the 50-year-old said.
Members of the public photograph an art installation called “Double Ducks” by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman at Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Friday, June 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Shenzhen resident Eva Yang and her young daughters were also happy to see the ducks, saying they made their sightseeing in Hong Kong more memorable.
“They’re spectacular,” Yang said.
In 2013, residents and tourists packed streets near the Tsim Sha Tsui pier to catch a glimpse of Hofman’s duck.
That duck’s stint in Hong Kong unintentionally turned political on the social media platform Weibo around the anniversary of Beijing’s Tiananmen crackdown in 1989. Chinese censors blocked searches for the term “big yellow duck” after netizens shared an image in which the tanks in the iconic ” Tank man” image were replaced with a line of oversized giant rubber ducks.
Hofman’s rubber ducks have been on a world tour since 2007.
The Future of Thai Cannabis Network, together with the Cannabis for Medical Use Network held a press conference on June 9 as the Thai Cannabis Day.
Cannabis advocates in Thailand organized a political movement on Thailand Cannabis Day, June 9, to advocate for the declassification of cannabis as a Class 5 narcotic and to allow home cultivation without a licence for medicinal purposes, as decided by the Food and Drug Administration on June 9, 2022.
The status of cannabis takes a turn after the general election when the 8 political parties forming a coalition government, led by the Move Forward party, sign an MOU expressing their mutual agreement to reintroduce cannabis as a controlled narcotic.
The Cannabis Association for the People, led by Ratthapol Saenrak, coordinator and committee, delivered a letter to the Move Forward party expressing their willingness to engage with party representatives in discussions on cannabis policy implementation.
The Cannabis Association for the People, led by Ratthapol Saenrak, coordinator and committee, handed a letter to the Move Forward party.
Ratthapol explained that the association has been advocating and actively campaigning for cannabis for about 10 years. The main position of the association is to oppose the reclassification of cannabis as a narcotic without proper support and regulation.
They believe that such a move could have far-reaching negative consequences for society beyond what many parties can imagine. Furthermore, it could lead to potential legal penalties, including imprisonment, for cannabis users and people involved in the industry.
The event of Thai Cannabis Day organised by the Future of Thai Cannabis Network
The association intends to present two demands: 1. There must be clear and transparent discussions and negotiations on how to proceed with the issue. 2. There may be a need to propose legislation that clearly differentiates between medical use and recreational use, implementing regulations that align with international standards.
Vorapob Wiriyaroj, a Move Forward Party MP, said that the issue of cannabis needs to be improved in two dimensions. There is a need to achieve a balance in terms of protecting children and young people while ensuring that those who use cannabis legally and responsibly can continue their activities.
On the same day, Prasitchai Nhunuan, the head of the Future of Thai Cannabis Network, together with the Cannabis for Medical Use Network, filed a motion with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Government Complaints Centre reiterating their intention not to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic.
They stated that from now on they will mobilize nationwide to collect the names of citizens who support this cause and hand them over to the new Minister of Public Health.
GULF, led by Mr. Boonchai Thirati, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Yupapin Wangviwat, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, welcomes shareholders at Uthai Power Plant in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
Gulf Energy Development Plc. (GULF) invites shareholders to visit the company’s operation at the Uthai Power Plant in Uthai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. The power plant has the total installed capacity of 1,600 MW and is one of the country’s Independent Power Producers (IPP). The shareholders also had the opportunity to sightsee the Thaicom Teleport & DTH Center in Lat Lum Kaeo, Pathum Thani.
The engagement allows shareholders to gain an in-depth perspective into of Gulf Group’s businesses, from power generation to the satellite technologies. It also enhances recognition of the company’s recent ventures, equips them with sufficient information to make sound investment decisions, and bolsters their collective ownership of the business.
The excursion at Uthai Power Plant was led by Mr. Boonchai Thirati, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Yupapin Wangviwat, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who presented an overview of the business and an updated progress on its current projects as well as its future undertakings in the pipeline. Following the presentation, the shareholders were guided through a tour of the power plant led by a team of experienced engineers who gave expert insights into the process of power generation and the technological side of the energy industry.
Ms. Yupapin Wangviwat, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, GULF, stated, “The decision to invite shareholders to visit the power plant has elicited positive responses. Now possessing a deeper understanding of our businesses, the shareholders express confidence in the company’s commitment in driving growth and generating steady returns to its shareholders in the long run.
GULF also puts emphasis on energy transition as the company strives to expand its far-reaching renewable energy portfolio in Thailand, the Southeast Asian region, and the overseas. This decarbonization strategy is in line with the global objective of achieving carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions, thus enhancing value not only for its shareholders, but for all its stakeholders.”
During the excursion at Thaicom Teleport & DTH Center, operated by Thaicom Public Company Limited (THCOM), Mr. Sakon Kittivatcharapong, Advisor to CEO for satellite engineering, provided a snapshot of the satellite industry, intriguing new satellite technologies, and incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in THCOM’s recent endeavors.
Meanwhile, Mr. Anuwat Sanguansappayakorn, Chief Financial Officer, shared financial highlights and gave a glimpse into the new space technology anticipated to contribute to Gulf group’s future revenue streams. Following the presentation, a team of satellite engineers conducted a tour through the satellite exhibition, the master control room, and the satellite control room. This allowed visitors to gain first-hand knowledge of how Thaicom Teleport & DTH Center operates and raised overall awareness and familiarity with space science.
THCOM is one of the leading satellite operators in Asia, with GULF holding a 41.1% equity stake in the company. Both GULF and THCOM will leverage synergies to steer potential collaborative investments in digital infrastructure, opening up avenues for business opportunities in the space economy and other pertinent sectors in the future. This strategic positioning by GULF and THCOM is highly anticipated to help lay the groundwork for Thailand’s continued technological growth and economic development.
For information on the shareholders activities, including the next scheduled site visit, please visit the company’s investor relations website at https://investor.gulf.co.th/en/home.
Mayon Volcano spews white smoke as seen from Daraga, Albay province, central Philippines on Thursday June 8, 2023. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised Thursday the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 due to "increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption." (AP Photo/John Michael Magdasoc)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine troops, police and rescue workers began forcibly evacuating residents near Mayon Volcano on Friday as its increasing unrest indicated a violent eruption of one of the country’s most active volcanoes is possible within weeks or days.
The area within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of Mayon’s crater is supposed to be off-limits due to possible volcanic emissions, lava flows, rockfalls and other hazards. But many poor villagers have built houses and tended farms in Mayon’s danger zone over the years.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said an evacuation of residents from the permanent danger zone was underway and promised to provide aid to the displaced until the crisis ended.
“Right now, what we are doing is preparing and moving people away from the area so that, should the time come, I hope it doesn’t happen…we’re ready,” Marcos told reporters. “But unfortunately science tells us that may happen because the lid or the cap on top of the lava is slowly rising.”
Authorities had raised the alert level for the volcano in northeastern Albay province Thursday after superheated streams of gas, debris and rocks cascaded down its upper slope, indicating activity below the surface that could precede a hazardous eruption.
Conditions have advanced a little bit more Friday, although lava hasn’t started to flow, Marcos said.
The numbers of residents being evacuated weren’t immediately available.
A tourist draw for its picturesque conical shape, 2,462-meter (8,077-feet) Mayon last erupted violently in 2018, displacing tens of thousands of villagers.
Government volcano experts raised the alert level around Mayon to the third of a five-step warning system Thursday after detecting an increasing number of rockfalls and at least two volcanic earthquakes in recent days.
Six brief volcanic gas and ash emissions streamed down the volcano’s southern gullies about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the crater Friday. Numerous rockfalls and thin ash and steam plumes that drifted south were also observed, the government volcanology institute said.
Mayon Volcano spews white smoke as seen from Daraga, Albay province, central Philippines on Thursday June 8, 2023. (AP Photo/John Michael Magdasoc)
Mayon is at “a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days,” the institute said in its latest update Friday morning.
Mayon is one of the most restive of two dozen active volcanoes across the Philippines.
Officials also were closely monitoring Taal Volcano south of Manila and Mount Kanlaon on central Negros island due to renewed signs of restiveness.
A number of villages in three towns near Taal suspended classes Wednesday due to thick smog emanating from the volcano and residents were advised to limit outdoor activities and wear masks for protection.
The Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the area around the ocean rim where tectonic plates meet that is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. A long-dormant volcano, Mount Pinatubo, blew its top north of Manila in 1991 in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing hundreds of people.
