Japan's Emperor Naruhito, fourth left, standing next to Empress Masako, in blue, and their daughter Princess Aiko, in pink, waves to audience members during his birthday celebration at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Crown Prince Akishino, third left, his wife Crown Princess Kiko, second left, and their daughter Princess Kako also stand next to him. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)
Japan’s Imperial Household Agency on Saturday established a formal press relations office to revamp its public outreach.
The launch comes after the agency in charge of the family’s affairs struggled with scandals and sharp, often slanderous, online reaction over former princess Mako’s engagement and 2021 marriage to her university sweetheart Kei Komuro.
The new office is expected to freshen its staid website, which has been the agency’s only direct interface with the public, and consider other options, including using social media, to proactively share information about the imperial family.
(From L) Princess Kako, her mother Crown Princess Kiko, her father Crown Prince Fumihito, Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko wave to well-wishers during the emperor’s 63rd birthday celebration at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2023. (Kyodo)
Led by Maiko Fujiwara, 44, who formerly worked at the National Police Agency, the office can have up to 10 people. It will first start with nine, one of whom was hired from the private sector.
“We would like to ensure giving in a timely manner a fuller picture than in the past about imperial members’ activities and personalities,” Yasuhiko Nishimura, the head of the agency, has said.
A senior official at the agency has said that “proactively giving correct information would help counter bashing” of the imperial family, although it remains wary to introduce social media, fearing direct posts by imperial family members may prompt unexpected reactions.
While overseas royals like the British royal family use a variety of social media tools, the agency’s website has consisted of Emperor Naruhito and other working family members’ schedules, images and speeches at events.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, with Empress Masako, waves to audience members during his birthday celebration at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP)
The limited communication with the public has been blamed by pundits as a factor behind the media reports, which could be considered libelous, over the Komuros, leaving former princess Mako with a stress-related illness.
Both her father, Crown Prince Fumihito, and her uncle, Emperor Naruhito, subsequently sought the media’s understanding of the need for accurate information about their family and building trust with the public.
“It is also important to communicate information about the imperial family at the right time and in a manner that is easy to understand in order to build relationships of trust with the public through repeated exchanges,” the emperor said on the occasion of his birthday on Feb. 23.
The crown prince also did not rule out the possibility of imperial family members turning to social media during a press conference before his birthday last year.
A screenshot of a post by 9Near on dark web Breach Forum selling personal records of 55 million Thai citizens. Photo: ExploitWareLabs / Facebook
BANGKOK — The government on Friday ordered internet service providers to block access to a website that threatened to reveal personal data of 55 million Thai citizens.
A hacker, who goes by the pseudonym of 9Near, said on their website they would release all the data to the public, as well as exposing the name of the government agency the data was stolen from and its security vulnerabilities, unless the agency reaches out to them by next Wednesday.
“Almost election, decide wisely,” the now-blocked website wrote. “We are not kidding.”
Digital economy minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said he does not believe the threat is credible and ordered authorities to arrest the hacker.
“No government agencies would have that much data since 55 million is almost the entire population,” Chaiwut said. “We are investigating where the data breach happened and how much data was leaked. We believe the hacker is someone living in Thailand and we will swiftly track them down.”
The minister said the data might have been stolen from the public or private sector and contained no sensitive information such as medical records.
NameSilo, a U.S.-based web hosting service, and Thai internet service providers were also instructed to block access to the website, he said, which is now inaccessible to most internet users in Thailand as of Friday evening. Users who attempted to access the website would be redirected to a government notice saying the content has been suspended due to cybercrimes.
The leak was discovered on Mar. 15 by cybersecurity page ExploitWareLabs, who posted a screenshot of a post by 9Near on Breach Forum, where they put on sale personal records of 55 million Thai citizens containing ID numbers, dates of birth, addresses, and phone numbers obtained “somewhere in government.”
The hacker, whose profile picture features an orange inverted triangle resembling the logo of the Move Forward Party, listed no price on the post, but potential buyers could choose to buy the whole dataset, partial dataset, or even data on a specific person in cryptocurrency.
Several TV personalities such as celeb news reader Sorayuth Suthassanachinda and Thairath TV anchorman Phakphoom Phansatit also reported Thursday they had received a SMS containing their personal information and a link to 9Near’s website.
Digital economy minister Chaiwut warned those who illegally break into computer systems and access protected data are punishable under the Computer Crime Act and Personal Data Protection Act. The former carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
FILE - Shoppers visit a popular retail street in Beijing on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
BANGKOK (AP) — Developing economies in Asia have mostly regained ground lost during the pandemic but are seeing their recoveries stall as productivity lags, the World Bank said in a report released Friday.
The report forecasts that growth in the region including China will pick up pace this year after the world’s No. 2 economy relaxed pandemic restrictions on travel and other activities. But recoveries elsewhere in the region, excluding China, will moderate as pressures of inflation and growing household debt slow consumer spending, it said.
Across the Asia-Pacific, economies are expected to grow at a 5.1% annual pace this year, up from 3.5% in 2022, the report said. But not including China, growth is expected to slip to 4.9% in 2023 after a rebound from the worst of the pandemic of 5.8% in 2022, it said.
Major Asian economies like Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam will see their recoveries slow and meanwhile face risks from weakening global growth, spillover from the war in Ukraine and climate change disasters.
Demand for exports from the region has slowed as the Federal Reserve and other central banks have targeted inflation by hiking interest rates, making it more costly to buy on credit or get mortgages.
Meanwhile, China’s economy has slowed significantly in the longer term, even as it bounces back from the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Friction between the U.S. and China over trade and technology are “the most immediate challenge” for the region, the report said.
Chinese shoppers stand near a sale advertisement on July 10, 2016, at a shopping area in Beijing. Photo: Ng Han Guan / Associated Press
Sanctions and other restrictions imposed by each side have to a certain extent diverted trade to other countries. While China lost market share in exports to the U.S. in recent years, countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia have gained share. But geopolitics can disrupt trade and limit sharing of knowhow while also preventing other countries from attaining the scale of operations to serve global markets, the report said.
Private economists have also cut their forecasts for growth in the region this year, citing the possibility that the tighter monetary policies may bring on recessions in the U.S. or other major economies. Many countries in the region are grappling with onerous debt loads after spending heavily during the pandemic, while households also borrowed heavily.
FILE – In this June 10, 2019, file photo, a man walks past a money exchange shop decorated with different banknotes at Central, a business district of Hong Kong. Photo: Kin Cheung / AP File
“Once pent-up demand from post-lockdown fades, we think that Asian economies will settle at lower GDP growth and higher inflation than our pre-pandemic forecasts,” Sung Eun Jung of Oxford Economics said in a report.
The region has made huge strides in alleviating poverty but progress toward higher incomes and reducing inequality has stalled due to a slowing of reforms and productivity gains, the World Bank report said. But countries need to address longstanding needs for reform such as investing more in education and public health to improve productivity and spur sustainable growth.
“Most major economies of East Asia and the Pacific have come through the difficulties of the pandemic but must now navigate a changed global landscape,” World Bank East Asia and Pacific Vice President Manuela V. Ferro said in a statement. “To regain momentum, there is work left to do to boost innovation, productivity, and to set the foundations for a greener recovery.”
People stand around a structure built over an old temple well that collapsed Thursday as a large crowd of devotees gathered for the Ram Navami Hindu festival in Indore, India, Thursday, March 30, 2023.. (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI (AP) — Thirty-six bodies have been found inside a well at a Hindu temple in central India after dozens of people attending a festival fell into the muddy water when its cover collapsed, officials said Friday.
Video of Thursday’s collapse at the temple complex in Indore in Madhya Pradesh state showed chaos afterward, with people rushing away. An excavator pulled down a wall of the decades-old temple to help people flee.
Nearly 140 rescuers, including army personnel, used ropes and ladders to pull the bodies from the well after pumping out the water. A narrow path and debris in the well made the task difficult.
“We have recovered 36 bodies and everybody is accounted for now,” Pawan Kumar Sharma, commissioner of the local municipal corporation, told The Associated Press.
Thirty-six bodies have been found inside a well at a Hindu temple in central India after dozens of people fell into the muddy water when the well’s cover collapsed. (AP Photo)
The secretary of the temple board was among the dead and the president is recovering from injuries, Sharma said.
Police brought a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, but no arrests have been made so far, he said.
Witnesses said a large crowd of devotees had thronged the temple to perform a fire ritual and celebrate the festival for the deity Rama.
Dozens of people fell into the water when the structure collapsed and were covered by falling debris, police Commissioner Makrand Deoskar said.
An accident victim is carried towards a waiting ambulance in Indore, India, Thursday, March 30, 2023.. (AP Photo)
Kantibhai Patel, president of a residents’ association, told reporters that authorities were slow to react and the first ambulance reached the spot an hour after the alert.
The structure apparently caved in because it could not handle the weight of the large crowd, said the state’s top elected official, Shivraj Singh Chauhan. He ordered an investigation.
A team of army rescuers joined the operation on Thursday night. The Times of India newspaper reported the rescue work was expedited after underwater cameras showed bodies floating in the muddy waters of the well.
Chauhan said 33 of the bodies had been identified. Sixteen of the people who were injured remained hospitalized Friday.
Sobbing relatives claimed the bodies of the victims and visited the hospital where the injured were being treated.
People wail as they watch rescuers work at the site of a structure built over an old temple well that collapsed Thursday when a large crowd of devotees gathered for the Ram Navami Hindu festival, in Indore, India, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo)
Temple authorities had stopped using the well years ago and covered the mouth with iron grills and tiles.
Municipal authorities in January ordered the temple owners to remove the covering of the well because it was an unsafe and unauthorized structure, but temple authorities ignored the warning, the newspaper said.
Building collapses are common in India because of poor construction and a failure to observe regulations.
In October, a century-old cable suspension bridge collapsed into a river in the western state of Gujarat, sending hundreds of people plunging into the water and killing at least 132 in one of the worst accidents in the country in the past decade.
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ASHOK SHARMA Associated Press reported from New Delhi
FILE - Lolita, a captive orca whale, during a performance at the Miami Seaquarium in Miami, March 9, 1995. (Nuri Vallbona/Miami Herald via AP, File)
MIAMI (AP) — More than 50 years after the orca known as Lolita was captured for public display, plans are in place to return her from the Miami Seaquarium to her home waters in the Pacific Northwest, where a nearly century-old, endangered killer whale believed to be her mother still swims.
An unlikely coalition involving the theme park’s owner, an animal rights group and an NFL owner-philanthropist announced the agreement during a news conference Thursday.
“I’m excited to be a part of Lolita’s journey to freedom,” Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “I know Lolita wants to get to free waters.”
Jim Irsay, CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, left, talks as Pritam Singh, Friends of Lolita, claps during a press conference to discuss the future of Lolita, an orca that has lived at the Miami Seaquarium for more than 50 years, Thursday, March 30, 2023, (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald via AP)
Lolita, also known as Tokitae, was about 4 years old when she was captured in Puget Sound in summer 1970, during a time of deadly orca roundups. She spent decades performing for paying crowds before falling ill.
Last year the Miami Seaquarium announced it would no longer stage shows with her, under an agreement with federal regulators. Lolita — now 57 years old and 5,000 pounds (2,267 kilograms) — currently lives in a tank that measures 80 feet by 35 feet (24 meters by 11 meters) and is 20 feet (6 meters) deep.
The orca believed to be her mother, called Ocean Sun, continues to swim free with other members of their clan — known as L pod — and is estimated to be more than 90 years old. That has given advocates of her release optimism that Tokitae could still maybe have a long life in the wild.
“It’s a step toward restoring our natural environment, fixing what we’ve messed up with exploitation and development,” said Howard Garrett, president of the board of the advocacy group Orca Network, based on Washington state’s Whidbey Island. “I think she’ll be excited and relieved to be home — it’s her old neighborhood.”
The agreement among Irsay; Eduardo Albor, who heads The Dolphin Company, which owns the Seaquarium; and the Florida nonprofit Friends of Toki, co-founded by environmentalist Pritam Singh; still faces hurdles to gaining government approval.
The time frame for moving the animal could be 18 to 24 months away, the group said, and the cost could reach $20 million.
The plan is to transport Lolita by plane to an ocean sanctuary in the waters between Washington and Canada, where she will initially swim inside a large net while trainers and veterinarians teach her how to catch fish.
The entrance to Miami Seaquarium is seen, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Miami. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald via AP)
She will also have to build up her muscles, as orcas typically swim about 100 miles (160 kilometers) per day, said Raynell Morris, an elder of the Lummi Indian Tribe in Washington who also serves on the board of Friends of Toki.
“She was 4 when she was taken, so she was learning to hunt. She knows her family song,” Morris said. “She’ll remember, but it will take time.”
The orca would be under 24-hour care until she acclimates to her new surroundings.
Caretakers at the Seaquarium are already preparing her for the journey, officials said.
The Dolphin Company took ownership of the Seaquarium in 2021. It operates some 27 other parks and habitats in Mexico, Argentina, the Caribbean and Italy.
The legacy of the whale roundups of the 1960s and ’70s continues to haunt a distinct group of endangered, salmon-eating orcas that are known as the southern resident killer whales and spend much of their time in the waters between Washington and Canada.
At least 13 orcas died in the roundups and 45 were delivered to theme parks around the world, reducing the Puget Sound resident population by about 40% and helping cause problems with inbreeding that remain a problem today.
Today only 73 remain in the southern resident population, which comprises three familial groups called pods, according to the Center for Whale Research on Washington state’s San Juan Island. That’s just two more animals than in 1971.
Animal rights advocates including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have long fought for Tokitae to spend her final years back home in a controlled setting.
Activists often protest along the road that runs by the Seaquarium, which they’ve referred to as an “abusement park.” PETA says it doesn’t want Lolita to suffer the same fate as her partner Hugo, who died in 1980 from a brain aneurysm after ramming his head repeatedly into the tank’s walls.
Albor said Thursday that back when his company was acquiring the Seaquarium, he and his daughter visited as tourists. He said his daughter became upset while watching Lolita’s show, even as many other in the crowd were squealing in delight.
His daughter told him “this place is too small for Lolita” and made him promise to help the orca if his company bought the park.
“It has always been our commitment at The Dolphin Company that we place the highest priority on the well-being of the animals above all else,” Albor said. “Finding a better future for Lolita is one of the reasons that motivated us to acquire the Miami Seaquarium.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava called the relocation plan historic, saying, “So many have hoped and prayed for this result for many, many years.”
The Seaquarium opened in 1955 on Virginia Key east of downtown Miami. It features a variety of creatures including dolphins, sea lions, manatees, reef fish and sharks, and was the filming location for 88 episodes of the “Flipper” TV series as well as movies in the 1960s.
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FREIDA FRISARO reported from Miami and GENE JOHNSON reported from Seattle.
The temperatures at this time of year are harsh and lead to drought, affecting many wild animals. There are also forest fires in many national parks and conservation areas.
Pattarapol Maneeoan, Senior Expert Veterinarian, also known as Doctor Lot, from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said wild animals are scared during bushfires and uses instinct to survive by fleeing the fire. This leads to injuries, in some cases to the bones, in other cases, it can lead to death.
Some animals may also suffer from a lack of water and become dehydrated, while others may experience eye irritation. Some animals end up in the homes of local residents who live nearby.
So if members of the public see wildlife that has been affected or injured by bushfires, they can call the 1326 hotline.
Thai officers hvave tried to extinguish the forest fire in Chiang Mai.
At the same time, the national park officers said the drought continued from early December last year until March, affecting wildlife in Khao Yai National Park.
It is reported that the water level in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, continues to drop. The water level of the Lam Takhing River, the province’s main river that springs from the Haew Su Wat waterfall at the head of Khao Yai National Park, is also declining and has almost dried up in some parts of the river.
Khao Yai National Park,
The official expects several ponds to be dry by April, prompting wildlife to go in search of water and food and move to residential areas near the national park. Currently, there are some volunteers who take care of wildlife in Mu Si and Pong Ta Long sub-districts in case wild animals such as bulls or wild elephants attack local people’s crops.
Tanongsak Sinsaengsuk, head of Mu Si sub-district, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, said that while locals try to understand animals’ behaviour and save them, they need the authorities to solve the problems as every year several wild animals are hit and killed by a car and chased by people from other areas.
Khao Yai National Park,
The Tham Pratun No-Hunting Area, located at Thung Na Ngam sub-district, Lan Sak district, Uthai Thani, is an example of a case study where the authorities and people in the area are helping to find water for wild animals.
The officers, along with the volunteer group, help load water tanks into the 6-wheel lorry to fill water into several ponds around Kaung Chai Mountain and other mountains. This is to save wild animals like chamois, monkeys and birds suffering from dehydration by trying to replicate the water tanks into a natural pond.
There are 30 water points in total, holding about 150 to 200 litres per point.
Kaung Chai MountainA boy is carrying water to a well for the wild animals.
Bangkok – UOB Thailand, the exclusive bank partner of Michelin Guide, recently collaborated with two Michelin–starred chef, Chumpol Jangprai, to host an exclusive Sustainable Thai Gastronomy dinner for 60 Citi wealth segment customers. The event was designed to showcase innovative and creative dishes that highlighted the best of Thai cuisine while offering an unforgettable experience for guests.
Each of the five–course meal was crafted to align with the bank’s core strategy of promoting sustainability. The dishes featured locally sourced and combined traditional Thai flavours, textures and aromas with modern cooking techniques. This private dinner was held at the UOB Plaza Bangkok penthouse, providing a luxurious and intimate atmosphere exclusively for Citi wealth segment customers.
Mr Tan Choon Hin, President and CEO of UOB Thailand, said, “At UOB, we are committed to promoting sustainability in all aspects of our business, and this event is a reflection of that. We are excited to offer this exclusive experience for Citi wealth segment customers, partnering with Chef Chumpol Jangprai to showcase the best of Thai cuisine and sustainability.”
Chef Chumpol Jangprai added, “It was an honour to collaborate with UOB Thailand on this project and create a menu that not only tasted great but also had a positive impact on the environment. We hope to inspire others in the food industry to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.”
Picture shown (from left to right): Mr Supachai Buristrakul, Mr Yuttachai Teyarachakul, Head of Personal Financial Services,
Mr Tan Choon Hin, President and CEO, Mr Chumpol Jangprai, two Michelin–Star chef, Ms Vira–anong Chiranakhorn Phutrakul, Head of Retail and Brand, Ms Nida Buristrakul, Mr Nakhon Vorakanonta, Head of Sales & Distribution.
Members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church, also known as the Mayflower Church, leave from the Nongprue police station on their way to Pattaya Provincial Court in Pattaya, Thailand, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — More than 60 members of a Chinese Christian church have been detained in Thailand, supporters said Friday, raising fears they may be returned to their home country, where they face possible persecution.
Deana Brown, one of two American supporters detained along with the church members, told The Associated Press that Thai authorities in the coastal city of Pattaya detained the 63 church members, many of whom are children, Thursday.
Thirty-two adult Chinese nationals were charged with overstaying their visas, said Col. Tawee Kutthalaeng, chief of the Pattaya-area Nong Prue police station. Children were not charged, he said. The two American citizens were not placed under arrest, he said.
Members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church, also called the Mayflower Church, came to Thailand in 2022 seeking asylum. The current status of their request was not immediately clear.
They fled China in 2019 alleging that their members were being persecuted by government security forces, initially settling on South Korea’s Jeju Island. They left South Korea for Thailand after meetings with local and U.S. officials made it clear that prospects for refuge there were dim.
More than 60 members of a Chinese Christian church have been detained in Thailand, supporters said Friday, raising fears they may be returned to their home country, where they face possible persecution. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Brown, CEO of the Texas-based Freedom Seekers International, an organization whose mission statement says it seeks to rescue “the most severely persecuted Christians in hostile and restrictive countries,” said the group had been told that they would be given a court date later Friday.
Brown said she is working to resettle the church members in Tyler, Texas, where her organization is based, but that they had run into problems with their visas in Thailand. She said she assumed that she and the other American, a nurse, had been detained because they were there at the time the church members were taken into custody.
She said that as the group looked into renewing their visas, they had been told that there was a new requirement that any Chinese citizen renewing a visa in Thailand must report to the Chinese Embassy first.
“When they told us that we knew that nobody could get their visas,” said Brown, who was allowed to keep her phone while in detention.
“There was no way, because as soon as they walk into the Chinese Embassy they’re gone, we would not see them again. They’ve been hiding out since then.”
The press section at the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok did not answer its telephone and the embassy did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.
The U.S. Embassy said it had no immediate comment on the case.
Upon their arrival in Thailand, church members told reporters that they had been stalked, harassed and received threatening calls and messages even while they were in South Korea. They said relatives in China had been summoned, interrogated and intimidated.
Members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church, also known as the Mayflower Church, leave from the Nongprue police station on their way to Pattaya Provincial Court in Pattaya, Thailand, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
At that time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the matter was “not a diplomatic question” and declined to comment further.
In China, Christians are legally allowed to worship only in churches affiliated with Communist Party-controlled religious groups, but for decades, the authorities largely tolerated independent, unregistered “house churches.” They have tens of millions of worshippers, possibly outnumbering those in the official groups.
However, in recent years, house churches have come under heavy pressure, with many prominent ones shut down. Unlike previous crackdowns, such as Beijing’s ban on Falun Gong, a spiritual movement it labels a cult, the authorities have also targeted some believers not explicitly opposed to the Chinese state.
Most members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church are young, married middle-class couples, with their children making up about half the group.
Bob Fu, founder of ChinaAid, another Texas Christian group helping the church, told the AP that American lawmakers were pressing the U.S. State Department to get involved.
In a statement on his website, Fu said that time was of the essence.
“Before the Chinese government demands repatriation, the international community can help prevent this tragedy from happening,” he said.
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TIAN MACLEOD JI and DAVID RISING reported from Bangkok. Dake Kang contributed to this story from Bo’ao, China.
Bangkok (March 31, 2023) – Siam Piwat Group, a leading real estate and retail developer, has reaffirmed its success in pioneering prototypes of world-class destinations as Siam Paragon was crowned the 2023 Thailand’s Most Admired Brand Award in the category of modern trade channels for shopping center business, and also won a special prize, Brand Impact Award, for its remarkably outstanding marketing activities and promotions. Meanwhile, ICONSIAM won Thailand’s Most Admired Company 2022-2023 Award in the category of Business Performance for shopping center business. The awards were presented at the 2022-2023 Most Admired Company & 2023 Thailand’s Most Admired Brand award ceremony held by BrandAge Magazine – Thailand’s leading business and marketing media, and were based on the votes from the customers.
The accolades reflect the confidence and trust that the consumers have in the shopping centers of Siam Piwat Group, the Visionary Icon that delivers unparalleled and unique customer experiences, and curates the best things for customers, enabling Siam Piwat to remain the top-of-mind brand among both Thai and foreign consumers.
Mrs. Thanaporn Tantiyanon, Head of Business Unit, Siam Paragon, stated that “I am very pleased and proud that Siam Paragon was voted as the most trusted brand by the consumers in the category of modern trade channel for shopping center business. It is also a great honor to be chosen as the winner of the special Brand Impact Award, which was a result of our outstanding achievements in successful marketing activities on all platforms,including events and product launches of several global brands. By being voted by the consumers, it demonstrates the consumers’ trust toward Siam Paragon brand, which is committed to developing a global landmark in the heart of Bangkok, which attracts ten million visitors a year. This year, Siam Paragon has forged ahead with a major transformation project to redefine the global landmark to new heights of excellence, showcasing all-encompassing and unique experiences that will meet new lifestyle needs of the future across all aspects.”
Mrs. Suma Wongphan,Executive Vice President, ICONSIAM Co., Ltd., said that “It is an honor for ICONSIAM to be voted No. 1 in the Business Performance category in shopping center business in the 2022-2023 Most Admired Company survey. This is another proof of our achievement and aspiration to establish ICONSIAM as a world-class landmark that attracts travelers from every corner of the world. ICONSIAM operates under the concept of Co-creation and Creating Shared-Value in collaboration with several partners from different fields of expertise, including government agencies, private sector, and communities. We have also actively launched several types of marketing campaigns, activities and world-class events to deliver more tailored and personalized services to meet customer needs. These altogether lead ICONSIAM to succeed in becoming a world-class destination and a symbol of prosperity that firmly sits by the side of the Chao Phraya River, while also boosting spending and driving business growth in the Thonburi area and Thai economy.”
BrandAge magazine’s Thailand’s Most Admired Brand survey is the firstbrand credibility survey project in the country that has been operated continuously for 23 consecutive years. The magazine organized the 2022-2023 Thailand’s Most Admired Company & 2023
Thailand’s Most Admired Brand event on March 30, 2023, to honor brands that are trusted by the consumers at Pullman Hotel, King Power, Bangkok.
Yap Mun Ching gave an interview to Khaosod English.
The AirAsia logo’s red and white colours have always been associated with positivity. Indeed, the major Asian airlines have clear green policies as well.
Yap Mun Ching, Chief Sustainability Officer of Capital A, the holding company of the AirAsia Aviation Group, said in the last two years it has a lot of data and contents about environmental sustainability, but in the region awareness is very low. So this is the first interview in Thailand to provide more details about this.
“A lot of things that we want to do and what we need to do for environmental sustainability, we cannot only be done by AirAsia, it has to be done with regulators, with industries and with passengers as well,” said Mun Ching.
Yap Mun Ching, Chief Sustainability Officer of Capital A, the holding company of the AirAsia Aviation Group
In 2017, the global aviation industry came up with their own program to decarbonize in response to the Paris Agreement. The aviation sector contributed about 2 percent of the global total carbon emission. The plan aims to contribute to solving the problem according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
Before the pandemic, concern was mainly over the environmental impact of tourism but at the industry level, airlines have agreed on a plan that will be implemented from now until 2035, so the ambition is critical.
This plan sets emissions caps that will be reviewed every three years at the international level to see how we are doing. For the period between 2021-2023, the cap is set at the 2019 level of emissions. To date, the industry has not exceeded the cap because the Covid situation caused the travel industry to shrink. However, as recovery is proceeding quickly now, we anticipate that by 2024, emissions will exceed the cap, requiring airlines to take action to offset and reduce their emissions.
AirAsia Group’s net zero pathway identifies 4 ways to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The airline aims to align itself with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree Celsius policy to ensure that it contributes as little as possible to greenhouse gas emissions or achieves ‘net zero’ by 2050.
AirAsia will also be part of ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) program, which aims to reduce carbon emissions from international aviation to 85 per cent of the record 2019 emissions level by 2024.
Yap Mun Ching explained their 4 strategies which are:
1. Upgrade the airline’s entire fleet from Airbus A320 to A321neo by 2035 by increasing capacity per flight, resulting in cost savings and a 20 per cent reduction in emissions. The company will receive additional new aircraft in 2024, which will be operated in Thailand. They will also upgrade their software to achieve greater fuel efficiency.
2. Improve the fuel-saving system through green operating procedures, a series of procedures that pilots can employ to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, e.g. by reduce Flaps Landing, reducing fuel consumption by 12 litres per flight, which reduces emissions by 2,166 tonnes, and by using one Engine Taxi on Arrival to reduce fuel consumption by 7 litres/minute, which reduces carbon emissions by 1,432 tonnes.
In 2022, Thai AirAsia was able to reduce greenhouse gas by 7,066 tonnes, equal to planting 513,890 Loop-root mangrove trees and saving fuel of 2,237 tonnes, saving as much as USD 1.8m in cost by implementing green operating procedures.
3. Introduce aviation biofuel to replace fossil fuel in an increasing ratio by 2050. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) can help reduce greenhouse gases by up to 80 per cent. The main problem is that it is 2 to 3 times more expensive than aviation jet fuel and is available currently only in Singapore in this region.
However, AirAsia has started talking to fuel partners about supplying SAF. The company recently spoke to PTT Public Company Limited. It is estimated that the SAF invested by PTT will be ready for the market in the next 2 years.
4. Offsetting emissions through good activities such as plantings. It is a way of paying for others to reduce emissions or absorb CO2 to compensate for your own emissions. Anyway, there is a lot to do in ASEAN, because now Thai standards for certifying carbon credits are not yet accepted by ICAO.
“We are talking about how to convert the credit; for example, here in this region, they have a mangrove planting system that is good for carbon capture, but the U.S. and Europe do not have this standard. So it will take time before some of the local projects can be included in international standards. It is a long-term plan. Therefore, Air Asia is concentrating on the top two strategies now.”
When asked what the main obstacles were to reaching the target, the Chief Sustainability Officer at AirAsia Group said the industry is not ready. We want to use SAF, but SAF is not very available in the region. One thing is certain: There is a lot of money involved in financing all of this.
“What we are doing is what we can. We invest in efficiency programs, and we use the most efficient aircraft. A huge investment is coming from us in equipment and technology. But we cannot change all aspects. We cannot drive alone. We need the government to come in; we need the fuel producer to come in. We also need the public to understand there will be a cost to doing this.” said Mun Ching.
“If we care about the environment, we want to reduce carbon, so everybody has to do some part.” she added.
