FILE - China's Peng Shuai reacts during her first round singles match against Japan's Nao Hibino at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill, File)
The women’s professional tennis tour is ending its suspension of tournaments in China that was initiated in late 2021 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai’s well-being.
The WTA announced Thursday that it will return to competition in China this season, even though two of its key requests were never met: a chance to meet with Peng, and a thorough, transparent investigation of her sexual assault accusations against a high-ranking Chinese government official.
WHO IS PENG SHUAI?
Peng is a former pro tennis player who reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings in doubles in 2014 and made it as high as No. 14 in singles in 2011. In doubles, Peng won major championships at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014; her best Grand Slam showing in singles was a run to the semifinals at the U.S. Open in 2014. In all, she won 23 WTA titles in doubles and two in singles; she also represented China at three Summer Olympics. Her career prize money is listed by the WTA as more than $9.5 million. Now 37, Peng last competed at a tournament in Doha, Qatar, in February 2020.
WHY WAS THERE GLOBAL CONCERN FOR PENG’S WELL-BEING?
Peng dropped out of public view after saying in a social media post in November 2021 that former vice premier Zhang Gaoli forced her to have sex. Chinese authorities quickly removed the post. News of the first #MeToo case to reach the political realm in China was not reported by local media and online discussion of it was highly censored. “Where is Peng Shuai?” became a trending topic on social media as concern and outrage grew.
Peng eventually tried to recant her accusations, including in a controlled interview at the Beijing Olympics in February 2022, and she made some orchestrated appearances during those Winter Games. But there have not been reports of public sightings of her since then.
FILE – Supporters of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai hold up T-shirts ahead of the women’s final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard, File)
WHEN AND WHY DID THE WTA STOP HOLDING TOURNAMENTS IN CHINA?
The WTA, which is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, pulled its events from China in December 2021, saying it would not return until someone from the tour could meet with Peng and until her allegations were properly investigated. Neither of those things has happened. In the past, about 10 women’s pro tennis tournaments were held each year in China, generating millions of dollars in revenue for the WTA.
WHAT CHANGED?
WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in an interview with The Associated Press that “what has changed with it is that we have received assurances from people who are close to her, that we’ve been in contact with, that she is safe and living with her family in Beijing. … First and foremost, her safety is the first priority, and we do have assurances that is the case.” Simon also said he hopes “more progress can be made” by returning to China, because the current strategy of staying away “doesn’t make sense.”
ARE FEMALE TENNIS PLAYERS OK WITH THE RETURN TO CHINA?
Simon called it an “organizational decision” that included discussion and feedback with players and tournament officials. “We’ve got players from over 80 countries, so there’s no shortage of different views of the world and positions on issues and topics we have,” he said. “Through reach-out to us, as well as our reaching out to athletes to find out their positions, the great majority of the athletes were supportive and wanted to see a return back to the region and felt it was time to go back. … There’s certainly some that didn’t agree but the great majority did.”
WHEN WILL THE NEXT WOMEN’S TENNIS TOURNAMENT BE PLAYED IN CHINA?
A schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Play should begin in China in September, after the Grand Slam season ends with the U.S. Open in New York, and will include the WTA Finals in Shenzhen.
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Howard Fendrich, who covered this report, has been the AP’s tennis writer since 2002.
Peoples celebrate Songkran festival in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 13, 2023, (AP Photo/Nava Sangthong)
BANGKOK (AP) — Hordes of revelers toted colorful water guns Thursday as Thailand kicked off its exuberant three-day Songkran festival at full blast for the first time since 2019, hoping for a significant boost in tourism after the industry was devastated by coronavirus travel restrictions.
The New Year celebration’s signature water fighting — a major draw for tourists — had been banned or discouraged since 2020 to curb the spread of the virus, and its full-scale return was widely promoted. In Bangkok alone, there are 40 designated spots this year for public water splashing, including the touristy Khao San Road where vendors hawked food, clothes and water-fighting gear in the scorching heat.
A man sprays water at western tourists to celebrate Songkran festival in Prachinburi Province, east of Bangkok. Thursday, April 13, 2023, .(AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)A family celebrate Songkran festival in Prachinburi Province, east of Bangkok. Thursday, April 13, 2023, (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
The festival, which is also celebrated in neighboring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, falls at the hottest time of the year when temperatures can creep above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
While many tourists and locals congregate in the capital, millions of workers head home to rural provinces to see family and celebrate by cleansing images of the Buddha for luck, throwing water on each other, and washing the hands and feet of elders to pay respect and ask for a blessing.
Police geared up for the “Seven Dangerous Days” — taking into account the travel days on either end of Songkran — during which traffic-related casualties spike in a country where road traffic death rates ranked No. 9 worldwide in the WHO’s 2018 road safety report. Many accidents involve drunk driving, and motorcyclists account for a large number of the deaths.
A man sprays water at a policeman to celebrate Songkran festival in Prachinburi Province, east of Bangkok. Thursday, April 13, 2023, .(AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)A tourist, center, spays water gun to celebrate Songkran festival in Prachinburi Province, east of Bangkok, Thursday, April 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Nava Sangthong)
The Tourism Authority of Thailand projects this year’s Songkran festival will help generate more than 18 billion baht ($530 million) in revenue and bring in more than 300,000 international travelers for the holiday week — a 525% increase over the same period in 2022, but just 58% of 2019’s number from before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Although the country gradually eased up travel restrictions before fully reopening in October, local entrepreneurs remain concerned about the pace of recovery.
Thailand received about 40 million international visitors in 2019. That number decreased sharply to 6.7 million in 2020 and fewer than 500,000 in 2021, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
A man sprays water at a western tourist to celebrate Songkran festival in Prachinburi Province, east of Bangkok. Thursday, April 13, 2023, (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)Thai people splash water to celebrate Songkran festival in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, Thursday, April 13, 2023. Hordes of revelers toted colorful water guns Thursday as Thailand kicked off its exuberant three-day Songkran festival at full blast for the first time since 2019, hoping for a significant boost in tourism after the industry was devastated by coronavirus travel restrictions. (AP Photo/Wichai Taprieu)
Siam Paragon beats the heat of summer with Nickelodeon’s global icon SpongeBob SquarePants and friends collaboration at Siam Paragon Summer Ultrasonic “Feel the waves and beats” Feel the summer fun with a massive SpongeBob slide in the heart of Bangkok and concert from top Thai artists on April 12-23, 2023 at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon.
Siam Paragon, a world-class shopping destination, reinforces its positioning as the top-of-mind destination for Thai and international tourists with an extraordinary and fun-filled summer celebration, Siam Paragon Summer Ultrasonic 2023, “Feel the Waves and Beats.”
The event features a collaboration with Paramount Consumer Products featuring Nickelodeon’s global icon SpongeBob SquarePants, right here inBangkok.
SpongeBob SquarePants, the globally adored yellow sponge animated character and his buddy the pink starfish Patrick Star will ramp up the summer fun. Under the concept “Colorful DAY Playful NIGHT,” Parc Paragon at Siam Paragon will present art installations depicting the many expressions of SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends, and will feature a thrilling seven-meter-high slide, right in Bangkok’s city center.
The event will take place April 12-23 2023, thanks to a collaboration between Nestlé Pure Life by Nestlé (Thai) Company Limited and FWD Life Insurance Public Company Limited.
In addition, the summer fest offers entertaining experience with concerts from well-known Thai artists and SpongeBob SquarePantsand Patrick Star. The opening of Siam Paragon Summer Ultrasonic 2023 “Feel the Waves and Beats” on 12 April 12, 2023 at Parc Paragon two heartthrobs, “Gemini & Fourth“, will also perform a Special Show.
Thanaporn Tantiyanon, Group Head, Siam Paragon Business Unit, said: “Siam Paragon reaffirms its positioning as the top-of-mind destination among Thai and international visitors. We dedicatedly deliver multi-dimensional experiences that are above and beyond expectations and this grand summer celebration truly embodies our vision.
The Siam Paragon Summer Ultrasonic 2023 “Feel the Waves and Beats” is a collaboration between Siam Paragon and Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants from Paramount Consumer Products to offer a colorful vibe and fun experience.
Under the theme “Colorful DAY Playful NIGHT,” Parc Paragon brings joy and fun to the heart of the city with installation art inspired by the ocean including SpongeBob’s pineapple house, colorful jellyfish, complemented by a seven-meter-tall SpongeBob slide. During the day, visitors will enjoy the taking photos and various activities, while the evening offer a brilliant lighting display of the enchanting underwater world environment.”
“Popular Thai artists, including Nadol ‘Bonz’ Lamprasert, 8TURN, Nont – Tanont, Jeff Satur, URBOYTJ and 4EVE, each will be performing respectively from April 13-16, 2023, from 6.00 p.m. onward. Siam Paragon aims to provide an extraordinary experience for visitors who are celebrating the Songkran festival and the summer season.”
The Siam Paragon Summer Ultrasonic “Feel the Waves and Beats” features concerts and Meet & Greet with SpongeBob SquarePantsand Patrick Star, from 6.00 p.m. onwards at Parc Paragon.
13 April 2023: Kicking off with concert from Nadol ‘Bonz’ Lamprasert, Korean boy group 8TURN and Nont – Tanont, a rising vocalist whose singing is sure to fill the hearts of fans with joy and cheer.
14 April 2023: Jeff Satur‘s, a remarkable vocal talents, the handsome young artist will gifts the crowd with a stunning musical performance.
15 April 2023: Rap music aficionados will have the chance to get up close and personal with URBOYTJ, the acclaimed rapper. The rap rhythms will undoubtedly elevate the temperature and energize the atmosphere.
16 Apri 2023, 4EVE, a popular Thai girl group, will bring a flourish to the chic summer, infusing Parc Paragon with the captivating energy and charm of the seven members.
Siam Paragon beats the summer heat and celebrates the summer with the Siam Paragon Summer Ultrasonic 2023″Feel the Waves and Beats.” The event will be taking place from 12-23 April 2023. To learn more, contact 02-610-8000 or find out more on Facebook at SiamParagon.
About SpongeBob SquarePants
Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the most-watched animated series for nearly 20 consecutive years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base.
SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount International history, seen in more than 170 countries, translated in 29+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every quarter.
SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.
About Paramount Consumer Products
Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio includes a diverse slate of brands and content from BET, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and SHOWTIME®.
With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. To view our range of consumer products and Paramount branded apparel, visit ParamountShop.com.
A TV screen is seen reporting North Korea's missile launch with file footage during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Thursday conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in a month, possibly testing a new type of more mobile, harder-to-detect weapons system, its neighbors said, in an extension of the North’s provocative run of missile tests.
The launch prompted Japan to issue an evacuation order on a northern island, and though it was later retracted, it shows the vigilance of North Korea’s neighbors over its evolving missile threats.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staffs said the missile launched on a high angle from near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and fell in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan following a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) flight.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff described the missile as having a medium or longer range. The United States National Security Council called it a long-range missile and Japan’s defense minister an ICBM-class weapon.
A TV screen is seen reporting North Korea’s missile launch with a file image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
South Korea’s military believes North Korea launched a new type of ballistic missile, possibly using solid fuel, a defense official said under anonymity because of office rules.
If the launch involved a solid-fuel ICBM, it would be the North’s first test of such a weapon. North Korea’s known ICBMs all use liquid propellant systems that require them to be fueled before launches. But the fuel in a solid propellant weapon is already loaded inside, allowing them to be moved more easily and fired more quickly.
A solid-propellant ICBM is one of the key high-tech weapons that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to build to better cope with what he calls U.S. military threats. Other weapons he wants to acquire are a multiwarhead missile, a nuclear-powered submarine, a hypersonic missile and a spy satellite.
Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the launch may have involved a new intermediate- or long-range missile powered by solid propellants, or be linked to North Korean preparation to launch a spy satellite.
U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the latest launch “needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.” Watson said the United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and South Korean and Japanese allies.
During an emergency National Security Council meeting in Seoul, officials condemned the launch and stressed the need to tighten three-way security cooperation with Washington and Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a Japanese NSC meeting to analyze the missile as well as Japan’s response to it.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, speaks to media at the prime minister’s official office in Tokyo, after North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan on Thursday. (Kyodo News via AP)
The top nuclear envoys of Seoul, Washington and Tokyo held a telephone conversation where they called for a “decisive and united international response” to North Korean provocations and stronger efforts to stem illicit North Korean activities that allegedly fund its weapons program.
North Korea commonly test-launches missiles toward the international waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. All its past ICBM launches were made in the area, but on elevated trajectories to avoid neighboring countries. South Korea and Japan typically don’t issue evacuation orders for North Korean launches unless they determine weapons fly in the direction of their territories.
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters the North Korean missile launched Thursday did not reach Japan’s exclusive economic zone. But Japanese authorities still urged people on the northernmost island of Hokkaido to seek shelter and temporarily suspended train, bus and subway services there. Local communities also activated alert sirens through community speakers, urging people to evacuate.
The government then corrected and retracted its missile alert, saying its analysis showed there was no possibility of a missile landing near Hokkaido.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that the government issued the alert based on an early missile path assessment by Japan’s Defense Ministry. Matsuno said the missile later disappeared from radar but authorities still issued an alert to prioritize the people’s safety. He said the government’s step was “appropriate.”
The alert suggested Japan was being cautious about North Korea’s evolving missile threats. Asked about the accuracy of Japan’s information dissemination in future North Korean launches, Kishida, the prime minister, said the government is checking related information including alerts.
A TV shows J-Alert or National Early Warning System to the Japanese residents Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Japanese authorities issued a similar evacuation order in October when a North Korean intermediate-range missile flew over Japan in a launch that demonstrated the potential to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.
Thursday’s launch was the North’s first long-range missile test since the country tested its longest-range, liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 ICBM on March 16. Kim Jong Un reviewed his country’s attack plans Tuesday and vowed to enhance his nuclear arsenal in more “practical and offensive” ways.
North Korea has launched a total of about 100 missiles since the start of 2022, many of them nuclear-capable weapons that place the U.S. mainland, South Korea and Japan within striking distance.
The North’s testing spree is largely in protest of South Korean-U.S. military drills that it views as a rehearsal for an invasion. Some observers say North Korea uses its rivals’ drills as a pretext to modernize its weapons arsenal and pressure Washington and Seoul to make concessions such as the lifting of economic sanctions. South Korean and U.S. officials say their drills are defensive in nature and were arranged to respond to North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats.
North Korea unveiled a new type of nuclear warhead in late March, raising concerns it could conduct its first nuclear test in more than five years. Foreign experts debate whether North Korea has developed warheads small and light enough to fit on its more advanced missiles.
South Korean officials say North Korea has not been responding to South Korean calls on a set of cross-border inter-Korean hotlines for about a week. Communications on those channels are meant to prevent accidental clashes along the rivals’ disputed western sea boundary.
On Tuesday, South Korean Unification Minister Kwon Youngse, expressed “strong regret” over what he called North Korea’s “unilateral and irresponsible attitude” over the hotlines.
North Korea’s advancing nuclear arsenal is expected to be a major topic during a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden later this month in Washington.
Experts say the discussions between world leaders at Japan’s Group of Seven meetings in May could be crucial for maintaining diplomatic pressure on North Korea. United Nations Security Council permanent members China and Russia have blocked tighter sanctions on North Korea in recent months, underscoring a divide deepened by Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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HYUNG-JIN KIM, KIM TONG-HYUNG reported from Seoul, and Mari Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo.
This photo provided by the Kyunhla Activists Group shows aftermath of an airstrike in Pazigyi village in Sagaing Region's Kanbalu Township, Myanmar, Tuesday, April 11, 2023. (Kyunhla Activists Group via AP)
BANGKOK (GRANT PECK Associated Press) — Airstrikes by Myanmar’s military on Tuesday killed as many as 100 people, including many children, who were attending a ceremony held by opponents of army rule, said a witness, a member of a local pro-democracy group and independent media.
The military is increasingly using airstrikes to counter a widespread armed struggle against its rule, which began in February 2021 when it seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. More than 3,000 civilians are estimated to have been killed since then by security forces.
This photo provided by the Kyunhla Activists Group shows aftermath of an airstrike in Pazigyi village in Sagaing Region’s Kanbalu Township, Myanmar, Tuesday, April 11, 2023. (Kyunhla Activists Group via AP)
A witness told The Associated Press that a fighter jet dropped bombs directly onto a crowd of people who were gathering at 8 a.m. for the opening of a local office of the country’s opposition movement outside Pazigyi village in Sagaing region’s Kanbalu township. The area is about 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city.
About half an hour later, a helicopter appeared and fired at the site, said the witness, who asked not to be identified because he feared punishment by the authorities.
Initial reports put the death toll at around 50, but later tallies reported by independent media raised it to about 100. It was impossible to independently confirm details of the attack because reporting is restricted by the military government.
“I was standing a short distance from the crowd when a friend of mine contacted me on the phone about the approach of a fighter jet,” the witness said. “The jet dropped bombs directly on the crowd, and I jumped into a nearby ditch and hid. A few moments later, when I stood up and looked around, I saw people cut to pieces and dead in the smoke. The office building was destroyed by fire. About 30 people were injured. While the wounded were being transported, a helicopter arrived and shot more people. We are now cremating the bodies quickly.”
About 150 people had gathered for the opening ceremony, and women and 20 to 30 children were among the dead, he said, adding that those killed also included leaders of locally formed anti-government armed groups and other opposition organizations.
Witnesses and independent media reports said dozens of villagers in central Myanmar have been killed in an air attack carried out Tuesday by the Southeast Asian country’s military government. (Kyunhla Activists Group via AP)
The United Nations, United States and others strongly condemned the attack and pledged to work toward holding the military accountable.
‘This heinous act by the terrorist military is yet another example of their indiscriminate use of extreme force against innocent civilians, constituting a war crime,” the opposition National Unity Government said in a statement. The NUG calls itself the country’s legitimate government, in opposition to the army. The office being opened Tuesday was part of its administrative network.
The military government’s spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, acknowledged in a statement phoned to state television MRTV that the ceremony had been attacked, but accused anti-government forces in the area of carrying out a violent campaign of terror. He said the People’s Defense Forces — the armed wing of the National Unity Government — had terrorized residents into supporting them, killing Buddhist monks, teachers and other people, while the military sought peace and stability. He said there was evidence the attack had set off secondary blasts of explosives hidden by the People’s Defense Forces around the site.
In response to accusations of abuses, the military government often accuses pro-democracy forces of terrorism. But analysts for the United Nations and non-governmental organizations have gathered credible evidence of large-scale human rights abuses by the army, including the burning of entire villages and displacement of more than a million people, triggering a humanitarian crisis.
The death toll from Tuesday’s air attack, if confirmed, could be the highest in more than two years of civil conflict that began when the army seized power in 2021. As many as 80 people were killed last October in another government air attack in northern Myanmar on an anniversary celebration of the Kachin ethnic minority’s main political organization, which is also battling the military government.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army takeover triggered widespread popular opposition. After peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict.
The army has been conducting major offensives in the countryside, where it has faced some of the toughest resistance in Sagaing, in Myanmar’s historic heartland. The resistance forces have no defense against air attacks.
In videos of the devastated village seen by AP, survivors and onlookers stumble through the area of the attack amid clouds of thick smoke, with only the skeleton frame of one building still standing in the distance. The videos could not immediately be verified but matched other descriptions of the scene.
Some motorbikes remained intact while others were reduced to their frames or buried under tree branches. In one area, two victims lay close together, one of whom had only one arm still attached.
Another victim lay face down in a small grove by the roadside. A few meters (yards) away, a small torso missing at least one limb could be seen.
In January, Myanmar’s top leader told the military it needs to take decisive action against those opposed to army rule. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said at a military parade on Armed Forces Day that those who condemned his government showed indifference to violence committed by its opponents.
Resistance forces have been able to prevent the military from taking firm control of large areas of the country, but have a great disadvantage in weapons, particularly in countering air attacks.
Critics of the military government advocate banning or limiting the sale of aviation fuel to Myanmar to cripple the military’s advantage in air power. Many Western nations have imposed arms embargoes on the military government, and the United States and Britain recently enacted new sanctions targeting individuals and companies involved in supplying jet fuel to Myanmar.
The human rights group Amnesty International said in a statement Tuesday that “The relentless air attacks across Myanmar highlight the urgent need to suspend the import of aviation fuel. Amnesty reiterates its calls on all states and businesses to stop shipments that may end up in the hands of the Myanmar Air Force.”
It also urged the U.N. Security Council to “push through effective actions to hold the Myanmar military accountable, including by referring the situation in the country to the International Criminal Court.”
The United Nations said those responsible for the attack must be brought to justice, with U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric stressing that the injured must receive medical treatment, which is “often a challenge in these circumstances.” Myanmar’s government-run hospitals are short on staff and supplies, and opponents of the military avoid them for safety reasons.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “condemns all forms of violence and reaffirms the primacy of protection of civilians, in accordance with international humanitarian law and reiterates his call for the military to end the campaign of violence against the Myanmar population throughout the country” as called for by the U.N. Security Council in a resolution adopted last December, Dujarric said.
The U.S. would continue to work with the international community to hold the military government accountable for violations and abuses, the State Department said in a statement.
“These violent attacks further underscore the regime’s disregard for human life and its responsibility for the dire political and humanitarian crisis in Burma,” said Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson at the State Department, using Myanmar’s former name.
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Added Update:
The chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said Thursday that the group “strongly condemns” a recent airstrike by Myanmar’s military that reportedly killed more than 100 people, including civilians.
“All forms of violence must end immediately, particularly the use of force against civilians,” the ASEAN chair, which Indonesia holds this year, said in a statement.
“This would be the only way to create a conducive environment for an inclusive national dialogue to find a sustainable peaceful solution in Myanmar,” it added.
Kauan Okamoto, a musician also a former member of Japanese pop group Johnny's Junior, speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A former member of Japan’s top male talent agency and production company Johnny & Associates Inc. said Wednesday he was sexually abused on multiple occasions as a young teen by the firm’s late founder Johnny Kitagawa.
Kauan Okamoto, a 26-year-old Japanese-Brazilian singer and songwriter, claimed during a press conference that he had abused by Kitagawa about 15 to 20 times between 2012 and 2016, when he was still a member of the agency, adding he knew of at least three others who had gone through similar ordeals.
“I think almost everyone (who went to his house was a victim),” he said at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan. “I think everyone should speak out. It’s probably a shocking number of people.”
Kauan Okamoto, left top, a musician also a former member of Japanese pop group Johnny’s Junior, speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan Wednesday, April 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Kitagawa was one of the most revered figures in Japan’s entertainment industry, propelling numerous groups such as SMAP, Arashi and Hey! Say! JUMP to stardom before his death in 2019.
“One word by Johnny decided everything (about our future)” including appearing in TV dramas and commercials, Okamoto, who joined the agency in 2012 when he was in junior high school, recounted.
Okamoto at the time was part of Johnny’s Jr., a talent pool of male idols in training who have yet to make their debut in a unit or solo act.
They are often seen performing as backup dancers for the agency’s established acts.
Kitagawa was also the subject of numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. In 1999, Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun published a series detailing accusations of child abuse and sexual exploitation made by several boys under his wing.
He sued the magazine’s publisher for defamation and was awarded damages in 2002, but the judgment was partially overturned on appeal with the Tokyo High Court ruling the following year that the magazine had sufficient reason to publish the allegations of sexual misconduct.
A subsequent appeal by the talent manager was rejected by the Supreme Court in 2004, according to the magazine.
Kauan Okamoto alleged being sexually assaulted by Johny Kitagawa, a powerful figure in the Japanese entertainment world. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
“While I feel grateful that Johnny brought me up in the entertainment world I know now, it’s also terrible that he sexually abused the then 15-year-old me and other members,” Okamoto said, noting that he wants the current management of the company to acknowledge the misconduct.
A spokesperson for Johnny & Associates said Wednesday that the agency will “continue to make concerted efforts to ensure thorough compliance by management and employees and strengthen our governance with the help of unbiased experts.”
Shukan Bunshun published another series of allegations regarding the late giant earlier this year, which included Okamoto’s experiences.
Meanwhile, Okamoto admitted during the press conference that he had faked a claim on Twitter last month about being sued by Johnny & Associates in a bid to solicit donations through an online system.
The allegations surrounding Kitagawa have garnered the spotlight abroad after the BBC aired a documentary in March that included interviews with people besides Okamoto who said they had been sexually abused by the mogul.
Srettha Tavisin introduced The Digital Wallet policy during the Pheu Thai Party's campaign.
Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin, a former businessman, sparked a hot debate in society after he announced during the election campaign about digital wallet that he would give away money worth 10,000 baht to the public.
Srettha, who serves as the advisory chairman of the Pheu Thai political party, told reporters that many political parties were shocked at the policy because they could not have thought that Pheu Thai would come up with it and directly express itself in such a way.
He added that the criticism was fine with him because the more people speak out, the more the party can explain itself to the people.
The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) also has given the Pheu Thai Party until April 18 to clarify how they will fund policy pledges while Pheu Thai Party deputy leader Bhumtham Vecchayachai said the matter can be explained to the ECT and the party is not concerned about a petition.
Srettha explained that the Thai economy was currently growing at 2.6 per cent, lower than neighbouring countries which recorded 5 per cent growth. He said the country was in a bad situation, like a sick person in intensive care. Therefore, Pheu Thai’s policy is focused on boosting the economy’s recovery to generate more revenue for the country, he said.
According to Pheu Thai’s advisory chairman, Thailand has used about 11 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to boost the economy. However, spending measures were not efficient, such as previous government policies like the Chim Shop Chai (Taste Shop Spend) money giveaway, the Khon La Khrueng (co-paying scheme) government subsidy programme or the We Travel Together programme, where all programmes gave money to people in several batches, which he said was not the best strategy to boost the economy.
What is in the 10,000 baht giveaway?
The time period of the program is 6 months so shops, small and medium enterprises, and industries can prepare themselves for the demands which will drive the economy.
The plan proposes to set the location to within 4 kilometres of the person, aiming to boost the local economy, as the policy targets local shops rather than the big department stores or online shops.
However, when the party announced the plan, people complained that they could not find a shop within 4 kilometres of their house, so the party wants to introduce blockchain technology to improve the area.
In Thailand, there are about 50 million people over the age of 16. That means 500 billion baht in the budget per year. However, Srettha said this was a one-off policy, not an annual one.
He said if the party is elected to form the government, it will take some time to form a new government and spend money. In the meantime, if they give away money to the people, the people will start using the money, which will drive up the VAT tax and business tax and boost the economy by billions of baht.
Where will the money come from?
As to where the money will come from, Srettha said that there are 2 portions:
Tax revenue in 2024 will amount to 256 billion baht. (7.5 billion U.S. dollars) This share alone is more than half of the required budget.
When the program kicks in, business owners will have to buy their goods and hire more employees to meet demand. This will increase government revenue. Meanwhile, hiring will increase individual income, which will later be returned by the individual tax by 20 per cent, or 300 billion baht
When asked why the party would use blockchain technology and not the Paotang application, Srettha explained that the program needs to limit where a person can spend the money and needs blockchain technology to do so.
The 10,000-baht voucher is sent to the digital wallet. You can redeem it within a day or on any day during the validity period of 6 months. After 6 months, the voucher will be expired.
“This coupon cannot be transferred. It cannot be traded on the market. It is not a cryptocurrency token. It is a coupon. But instead of giving a paper coupon, the government will send it on the phone. It cannot be speculated. 10,000 baht will remain 10,000 baht. There is no need to adjust the law as previous schemes like Khon-La-Khrueng or We-Travel-Together use the same law,” Srettha said.
Bangkok– Michelin-starred Blue by Alain Ducasse celebrates the changing of the season with a new menu that draws inspiration from the vibrant “Cuisine du Soleil” from the South of France. To complement the new menu, the restaurant is launching the Blue Journey – Sunset Experience package, which invites diners on a journey to discover the beauty of the majestic Chao Phraya River, followed by an unforgettable culinary experience.
Executive Chef Wilfrid Hocquet’s latest culinary curation returns to his roots, whisking diners away to the sun-drenched South of France, where he draws inspiration from his childhood and the region’s rich culinary traditions. The Cuisine du Soleil concept embraces a wholesome approach to cooking, featuring fresh ingredients such as tomatoes, lemons, olive oil, asparagus, green peas, rosemary, and thyme, harmoniously combined with seasonal delicacies including tender baby lamb, succulent pigeon, sumptuous turbot, and exquisite langoustine.
Some of the highlights of the new seasonal menu include succulent langoustines paired with pear and lemon verbena, a dish that embodies the essence of the region, and the earthy and highly sought-after seasonal morels. Diners can also enjoy the exceptional combo of squid sourced from the Gulf of Thailand, stuffed with aromatic herbs from the French Riviera – a creation inspired by Chef Hocquet’s childhood memories. French turbot is masterfully paired with white asparagus, zabbaion sauce and pink pomelo.
The menu also features baby lamb from the Pyrénées stuffed with Taggiasca olives and accompanied by crispy socca, a chickpea crepe sold on the streets of Nice, filled with eggplant, tomato confit, and mint. Finally, the Pigeon Pithiviers “à la Monégasque” is a nostalgic tribute to Chef Wilfrid’s time at Louis XV in Monaco and the Sunday lunches he shared with his grandparents as a child.
Diners can end their culinary journey with a curated selection of fine cheeses from France’s oldest and largest cheese affineurs, Les Frères Marchands. Executive Pastry Chef Christophe Grilo ups the dessert stakes by incorporating chocolate from the Alain Ducasse Manufacture in Paris with Kampot black pepper sourced from a French cultivator he encountered while travelling around Cambodia. He includes a local element with a special vinegar made from Thai mangoes.
Blue now offers diners a choice of two seasonal set menus– “Latitude” at THB 4,900++ and THB 5,900++ and “Voyage”, a signature tasting experience priced at THB 7,500++. A lighter set lunch menu “ Escale” priced at THB 2,950++, is also available everyday.
Complementing the new menu and the restaurant’s location, The Blue Journey – Sunset Experience package, launching in April, elevates the fine-dining journey to a new level. Guests can enjoy a breathtaking sunset cruise along the Chao Phraya River aboard a luxurious Hacker boat, sipping Champagne and admiring the Bangkok skyline before savouring the flavours of Chef Hocquet’s signature Voyage Tasting Menu expertly paired with wines.
The Blue Journey – Sunset Experience package is priced at THB 50,000 for two, with additional guests at THB 20,000 per person. In addition, a non-alcoholic package is available for THB 40,000 for two. All prices are net. The journey can be booked daily (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) with a 5.30 pm departure time from ICONSIAM or any riverside hotel.
The new seasonal menu and the Blue Journey – Sunset Experience package can be reserved through the restaurant’s website, www.blue-alainducasse.com or by contacting the reservations team at +66 (0) 6-5731-2346.
Chiang Mai held a merit-making ceremony to celebrate the 727th anniversary. The event was held to pay respect to the founders: King Mangrai, King Ngam Mueang and King Ram Khamhaeng. Thethree kings founded the city on April 12, 1296, which is the start of the Songkran Festival in Chiang Mai, which lasts until April 15.
Nirat Pongsitthithavorn, the governor of Chiang Mai, who presided over the event, offered food to the monks along with locals and tourists at the Three Kings Monument in Mueang Chiang Mai district, Chiang Mai province.
Later, he opened the King Mangrai ceremony hosted by the Muang Rak Chiang Mai Community Network. There was a traditional parade with traditional dancers, attended by of more than 500 people aged from 4 years to 80 years in traditional costumes.
A young dancer joins the parade.
However, Songkran in Chiang Mai is overshadowed by the forest fire crisis this year. The Centre for the Prevention of Forest Fires, Smoke and PM 2.5 reported that 327 fire sources were found in the national forest area and protected areas.
Phrao district ranked first with 65 hot spots, and Chiang Dao district followed with 62 hot spots. Mae Chaem district had 31 hot spots. The total number of hot spots since 1 January 2023 is more than 10,587 points.
Officials of various departments have been directed to take care of forest fires in 25 districts in Chiang Mai and they will not take leave during Songkran.
ICONSIAM Joins Hands with Grab Thailand to Launch an Exclusive Campaign this Summer to Stimulate Thai Tourism and the Economy – Emphasizing as a Global Landmark that Wins the Hearts of Tourists Worldwide
Bangkok, Thailand – ICONSIAM, a global landmark on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, has announced a collaboration campaign with Grab Thailand, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp to provide exclusive travel and shopping experiences for customers with a special campaign “Make Your Magic Day,“
This campaign offers both travel discounts and shopping discounts to proceed in stimulating tourism in response to the high travel season this summer, and further emphasizes ICONSIAM as a destination that tourists from all over the world must visit, and is a tourist attraction in Bangkok which foreigners like to go the most, according to a recent survey of travelers who use Grab transport service from six Southeast Asian countries.
Mrs. Suma Wongphan, Executive Vice President, ICONSIAM Co., Ltd., revealed that at present, ICONSIAM is considered one of the most important global destinations for tourists, playing a vital role in fueling the economies of both Bangkok and Thailand by collaborating with partners from various sectors, including the government, private sector, hotels, and entrepreneurs along the Chao Phraya River. Driving the overall economic turnover, the company has planned to create experiences beyond expectations for both Thai and foreign customers through a variety of world-class events. This year, Grab Thailand is another partner that will join hands with ICONSIAM to deliver exceptional experiences to both companies’ customers this summer.
“This is a great opportunity for ICONSIAM and Grab to work together to stimulate Thai tourism and revitalize the country. In order to welcome the upcoming Songkran Festival, the “Make Your Magic Day” campaign will help promote the customer journey so that customers can travel more smoothly and conveniently. By using the ride-hailing service from Grab to ICONSIAM, customers will automatically receive a special travel discount and have a convenient pick-up point, and to make the experience even more special, once customers arrive at ICONSIAM, they will enjoy extra shopping discounts at ICONSIAM,” said Mrs. Suma.
Mrs. Suma continues, “For the details of the “Make Your Magic Day” campaign, customers will receive a special privilege for all GrabCar Premium/SUV customers and new JustGrab customers when choosing Grab service to travel to ICONSIAM by just entering a special discount code to receive an instant coupon for 25% off travel discounts (a maximum discount not exceeding 100 baht). Additionally, customers will receive another 100-baht discount coupon to shop at ICONSIAM for a minimum purchase of 300 baht per receipt at The Selected (2nd floor), ICONACTIVE (3rd floor), and ICONCRAFT (4th and 5th floors), for a total of 2,000 privileges. This campaign runs from April 10 to June 30, 2023.
Mr. Piya Chaowapanan, Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Grab Thailand, said: “The tourism industry in Thailand is rising again after the country reopening announcement, coupled with the support from China’s official opening up policy since the beginning of the year. More than 6.5 million foreign tourists arrived in Thailand in the first quarter, of which the top 5 countries that visited Thailand were Malaysia, Russia, China, South Korea, and India. Grab, as an app-based ride-hailing service provider certified by the Department of Land Transport, is committed to being a part of promoting tourism in Thailand by continuously developing technology and raising standard of the service to support foreign tourists. This includes a collaboration with ICONSIAM to organize a special campaign that helps stimulate tourism and facilitate tourists to travel to ICONSIAM, one of the most popular destinations for both local and international tourists.”
Come experience this exclusive experience at ICONSIAM with the “Make Your Magic Day” campaign, offering special discounts to customers when they choose to travel to ICONSIAM via Grab from April 10 to June 30, 2023. For further inquiries, call 1338 or contact us on Facebook: ICONSIAM
