A powerful earthquake has caused significant damage in southeast Turkey and Syria. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southeastern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 4,000 people.. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.
Civil defense workers and residents search through the rubble of collapsed buildings in the town of Harem near the Turkish border, Idlib province, Syria, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
On both sides of the border, residents jolted out of sleep by the pre-dawn quake rushed outside on a cold, rainy and snowy winter night, as buildings were flattened and strong aftershocks continued.
Rescue workers and residents in multiple cities searched for survivors, working through tangles of metal and giant piles of concrete.
People try to reach trapped residents in a collapsed building in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, early Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Mahmut Bozarsan)
In the Turkish city of Adana, one resident said three buildings near his home collapsed. “I don’t have the strength anymore,” one survivor could be heard calling out from beneath the rubble as rescue workers tried to reach him, said the resident, journalism student Muhammet Fatih Yavus. Further east in Diyarbakir, cranes and rescue teams rushed people on stretchers out of a mountain of pancaked concrete floors that was once an apartment building.
On the Syrian side of the border, the quake smashed opposition-held regions that are packed with some 4 million people displaced from other parts of Syria by the country’s long civil war. Many of them live in decrepit conditions with little health care. Rescue workers said hospitals in the area were quickly filled with the injured.
Syrian citizen search through the wreckage of a collapsed building, in Azmarin town, in Idlib province north Syria, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
“We fear that the deaths are in the hundreds,” Muheeb Qaddour, a doctor, said by phone from the town of Atmeh, referring to the entire rebel-held area. Raed Salah, the head of the White Helmets, the emergency organization in opposition areas, said whole neighborhoods were collapsed in some areas.
People and rescue teams try to reach trapped residents inside collapsed buildings in Adana, Turkey, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 (IHA agency via AP)
The quake, felt as far away as Cairo, struck a region that has been shaped by more than a decade of civil war in Syria. Millions of Syrian refugees live in Turkey. The swath of Syria affected by the quake is divided between government-held territory and the country’s last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by Russian-backed government forces. The quake was centered about 90 kilometers (60 miles) from the Syrian border outside the city of Gaziantep, a major Turkish provincial capital.
At least 20 aftershocks followed, some hours later during daylight, the strongest measuring 6.6, Turkish authorities said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that “search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched” to the areas hit by the quake.
People gather around a collapsed building in Pazarcik, in Kahramanmaras province, southern Turkey, early Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.(Depo Photos via AP)
“We hope that we will get through this disaster together as soon as possible and with the least damage,” he wrote.
There were at least 6 aftershocks, and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu urged people not to enter damaged buildings due to the risks.
“Our priority is to bring out people trapped under ruined buildings and to transfer them to hospitals,” he said.
Tallies from various officials put the toll at at least 38 dead in Turkey and 62 in Syria.
At least 130 buildings tumbled down in Turkey’s Malatya province, neighboring the epicenter, Gov. Hulusi Sahin said. In the Turkish city of Diyarbakir, at least 15 buildings collapsed. Rescue teams called for silence as they listed for survivors in a toppled 11-story building.
A collapsed building is seen following an earthquake in Pazarcik, in Kahramanmaras province, southern Turkey, early Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. A powerful earthquake has caused significant damage in southeast Turkey and Syria and many casualties are feared. Damage was reported across several Turkish provinces, and rescue teams were being sent from around the country.(Depo Photos via AP)
In northwest Syria, the opposition’s Syrian Civil Defense described the situation in the rebel-held region as “disastrous” adding that entire buildings have collapsed and people are trapped under the rubble. The civil defense urged people to evacuate buildings to gather in open areas. Emergency rooms were full of injured, said Amjad Rass, president of the Syrian American Medical Society.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered about 33 kilometers (20 miles) from Gaziantep, a major city and provincial capital. It was centered 18 kilometers (11 miles) deep, and a strong 6.7 aftershock rumbled about 10 minutes later.
Rescue workers and medical teams try to reach trapped residents in a collapsed building following and earthquake in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, early Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Mahmut Bozarsan)
Syria’s state media reported that some buildings collapsed in the northern city of Aleppo and the central city of Hama.
In Damascus, buildings shook and many people went down to the streets in fear.
The quake jolted residents in Lebanon from beds, shaking buildings for about 40 seconds. Many residents of Beirut left their homes and took to the streets or drove in their cars away from buildings.
The earthquake came as the Middle East is experiencing a snowstorm that is expected to continue until Thursday.
Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes.
Some 18,000 were killed in powerful earthquakes that hit northwest Turkey in 1999.
Thai boxers, all 3,660 men were army officers led by boxing legend Buakaw Banchamek, performed the world’s largest gathering of Muay Thai reverential dance at Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin Monday as they attempt to have it recorded by Guinness World Records. It’s part of the Amazing Muay Thai Festival 2023 and was presided by PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
After the event, which was organized by the Army, Prayut thanks Buakaw and told top brass including Arny Chief Gen Narongpan Jitkaewthae to take good care of Buakaw. Representatives from several embassies were present including British, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia and Cambodia.
Buakaw said he was proud that everyone united to make a history with same heart. Today is a great reward for us.
Feb 6 is Muay Thai or Thai Boxing Day. The date coincides with the coronation of King Sanphet VIII of Ayutthaya who ruled from 1703 to 1709 and was the second ruler of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty. He is regarded as the promoter of what was to later become modern Muay Thai.
The event comes at a time when some Cambodians claim Thai boxing originated from Cambodia and the latter, as this year’s host of SEA Games, replaced Thai boxing competition with Khmer boxing (Kun Khmer) competition.
Buakaw said people should not focus on the argument with Cambodia but on ongoing attempts to list Muay Thai as an Olympic sport instead.
Two political hunger strikers Tawan and Bam are increasing frail and their kidneys deteriorating after 19 days, said Thammasat University Hospital director Paruhat Tor-udom on Monday. The two can still communicate and drink water, Paruhat said.
Their parents visited the two who insist they will continue the hunger strike in order to achieve their three demands. The demands are: judicial reform, bail for all two dozens political detainees and for all political parties to support the abolition of the Lèse-majesté and sedition laws.
Credit : Khaosod
According to Thai Lawyer to Human Rights, Tawan (Tantawan Tuatulanon) and Bam (Orrawan Phoopong) are two young women currently facing Article 112 charges for peacefully protesting in Thailand.
Although they were granted bail, they remained concerned about other politically detainees being denied the right to bail. On 16 January 2023, they revoked their own bail and have been on a dry hunger strike for nearly two weeks to call for the release on bail of all political detainees. They are currently hospitalized in the Thammasat University Hospital and their condition is very grave.
Thailand welcome Chinese tourists who travel in group tours on the first day that Chinese authorities allow group travel to 20 countries, including Thailand since February 6, 2023.
Chinese tourists have arrived through 3 main airports; Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports totaling 13 flights traveling from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xiamen, Nanjing and Nanning.
Phuket Airport
The first Chinese tour groups totaling 40 people from Guangzhou arrived at Don Mueang Airport with Spring Airlines fight 9C7419. Another 90 people are free individual travelers.
The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yuthasak Supasorn, told a reporter that all the tourists in these groups arrived on Spring Airlines from Guangzhou. He added that there are several Chinese tourists who want to visit Thailand, but the number of flights is limited.
Phuket airport
According to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, the number of flights from China to Thailand in 2023 is estimated at 36,896, up 227.6% year-on-year or double the number in 2022. The number of flights is expected to gradually increase in the second half of the year and return to the 2019 pre-COVID record in 2024.
The government expects 5 million Chinese tourists to visit Thailand this year and a full normalisation of Chinese tourist arrival by 2024.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has also instructed all agencies involved to facilitate travel for tourists. The ministry will hold an online meeting with the 6 airports under the umbrella of Airports of Thailand that are open to international travel to closely scrutinize the situation at each airport after China reopens and track baggage problems.
Thai Deputy Minister and Minister of Health Anutin Charnvirakul urged the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to facilitate travel and ensure that everything is done within the framework of preventive measures against COVID -19.
GSA management, led by Mr. Ratthaphol Cheunsomchit (4th from left), Chairman of the Board, join the groundbreaking ceremony for the new 20+ MW data center in Bang Phli, Samutprakan province.
From left to right:
Mr. Mark Chong, Board Member, GSA (Deputy CEO, AIS)
Mr. Ravi Kurmarohita, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, GSA (Chief International Business Officer, GULF)
Mr. Bill Chang, Board Member, GSA (CEO, Singtel Group Enterprise, and CEO, Regional Data Center Business)
Mr. Ratthaphol Cheunsomchit, Chairman of the Board, GSA (Deputy CEO, GULF)
Mr. Arthur Lang, Board Member, GSA (CFO, Singtel Group)
Mr. Andrew Lim, Chief Operation Officer, GSA
Mr. Weerayuth Panichkul, CFO, GSA
GULF, Singtel, and AIS commence the construction of the new 20+ MW data center, which will be operated by GSA Data Center Company Limited (GSA), the joint venture between the three companies. It is poised to be the best-in-class hyperconnected data center with state-of-the-art technologies, a high level of security systems, efficient energy management, and the incorporation of renewable energy to reduce its carbon footprint. The data center will serve the greater demands of enterprises and cloud service providers in Thailand and overseas, in line with the rapid growth of digital infrastructure in the region. The data center is scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2025.
GSA is the joint venture between Gulf Infrastructure Company Limited (the subsidiary of Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited; GULF), ST Dynamo TH PTE LTD. (the subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications Limited; Singtel), and AIS DC Venture Company Limited (the subsidiary of Advanced Info Services Public Company Limited; AIS), with equity stakes of 40%, 35%, and 25%, respectively. This collaboration increases the value of the data center company by capitalizing on the strengths of each partner. GULF is well-established in the energy and infrastructure business with a portfolio of green energy projects in domestic and international markets and an extensive business network, while Singtel has substantial technological expertise in the development and operation of hyperscale data centers and a diversified global customer base that includes hyperscalers. AIS has local expertise in domestic networks, developing and operating multiple locations of data center facilities in Thailand as well as experience in serving a significant number of enterprise customers.
Mr. Ravi Kurmarohita, Chief Executive Officer, GSA Data Center Company Limited, stated, “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks another milestone in GSA’s data center development and is considered an auspicious occasion to officially start the construction of the GSA data center. This state-of-the-art, high-quality data center is located in a strategic location near Bangkok. It seeks to integrate cutting-edge technology and renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance efficiency in energy management to support sustainable operations. With increasing demand from enterprises, particularly cloud service providers, the company therefore sees a strong growth potential of the data center business in a move towards digital transformation.”
The GSA data center will be constructed in compliance with world-class standards in order to obtain certifications such as TIA-942 Certification Rated-3, LEED Gold, Threat and Vulnerability Assessment (TVRA), and ISO 27001. The GSA data center is scheduled to begin commercial operations by 2025.
The 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony’s most decorated artist in history, but at the end of Sunday’s show it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year honor.
The Grammys spread its top awards among other artists, leaving Beyoncé off stage at the end of the night. But the superstar was a constant presence throughout the night, even when she wasn’t in the room, especially once she won her 32nd award and surpassed late composer Georg Solti in all-time wins.
Beyonce accepts the award for best dance/electronic music album for “Renaissance” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
“I’m trying not to be too emotional,” the superstar said after her historic win as her husband Jay-Z stood and applauded her. The singer thanked her late uncle, her parents, Jay-Z and her children for supporting her. “I’m just trying to receive this night. I want to thank God for protecting me. Thank you, God.”
The Grammys stage at the end of the night has eluded Beyoncé since 2010, when she won song of the year for “Single Ladies.” She added four trophies to her collection for her album “Renaissance.”
Beyonce appears in the audience at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Styles was emotional accepting his album of the year award, saying he was inspired by everyone in the category. “A lot of different times of my life, I’ve listened to everyone in these categories. It’s so important to remember that there is no such thing as best.”
The British singer-actor took home three awards Sunday. “It feels like validation that you’re on the right path,” said the singer backstage. “When we get in the studio and begin the record, we just make the music we want to make. It feels really nice to feel like ‘Oh, that’s the right thing to do.’”
Harry Styles accepts the award for album of the year for “Harry’s House” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Beyoncé missed being in the room when she tied Solti’s record early in the telecast. Host Trevor Noah said she was on her way to the ceremony but blamed Los Angeles traffic for not being in person to accept it.
Once Beyoncé — the night’s leading nominee — finally arrived, Noah presented her with the best R&B song award at her table.
Beyoncé won for best R&B song for “Cuff It,” dance-electric music recording for “Break My Soul,” traditional R&B performance for “Plastic Off the Sofa” and dance-electric album for “Renaissance,” which was nominated for album of the year.
Lizzo accepts the award for record of the year for “About Damn Time” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lizzo won record of the year for “About Damn Time,” delivering a rousing speech that brought many in the audience, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Adele, to their feet.
“Me and Adele were having a good time, rooting for our friends. This is an amazing night. This is so unexpected,” Lizzo said, dedicating her award to Prince.
“I wanted to make the world a better place, so I had to be that change to make the world a better place. Now, I look around and see these songs are about loving your body and feeling comfortable in your skin and feeling good.”
Jazz singer Samara Joy won best new artist, shrugging off challenges by such acts as Wet Led, Anitta and Maneskin. The New Yorker was virtually in tears when she collected the award and noted that her little brother was her date. “I’m so, so grateful. Thank you.” She has released two albums as a lead artist and also won the Grammy for best jazz vocal album earlier in the night.
Samara Joy accepts the award for best jazz vocal album for “Linger Awhile” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Veteran singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt shrugged off big-name rivals like Adele, Swift and Beyoncé to win the song of the year award. “I’m so surprised. I don’t know what to say,” a visibly stunned Raitt said, adding that the song “Just Like That” explores organ donation. It capped a night when Raitt won two other Grammys — for best Americana performance and best American roots song.
A who’s who of hip-hop royalty took the stage for an epic, rousing 15 minute tribute to the genre’s 50th anniversary. The performance included Grandmaster Flash doing part of his seminal hit “The Message,” Run DMC, Chuck D and Flavor Flav along with Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes and Nelly all taking the stage.
Ranaan Meyer, front left, Nicolas Kendall and Charles Yang of Time For Three accept the award for best classical instrumental solo for “Letters For The Future” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
It ended with everyone on the stage and LL Cool J shouting “multi-generational! Fifty years!”
The performance was a crowd-pleasing moment for a ceremony that has long had a shaky history of not recognizing rap.
Bad Bunny opened the show with a festive, high-energy performance that brought many of the audience including Swift who rose to her feet and danced near her table at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
Sam Smith and Kim Petras won best pop duo-group performance for their song “Unholy.” Petras said Smith wanted Petras to make the acceptance speech because “I’m the first transgender woman to win this award.”
“I want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight,” said Petras, who made a reference to friend and Grammy-nominated musician Sophie, who died after an accidental fall in Athens, Greece in 2021. “You told me this would happen. I always believed in me. Thank you so much for your inspiration, Sophie. I adore you, and your inspiration will forever be in my music.”
Kim Petras, left, and Sam Smith, center, arrive at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Petras thanked Madonna for being a tremendous supporter of LGBTQ rights.
“I don’t think I could be here without Madonna,” Petras said. “My mother, I grew up next to a highway in nowhere Germany. And my mother believed me that I was a girl. I wouldn’t be here without her and her support.”
During the in memoriam segment, the Grammys recognized the lives of Loretta Lynn, Migos rapper Takeoff and Christine McVie with several star-studded performers paying them homage. The touching performances included Kacey Musgraves singing “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in tribute to Lynn; Quavo and the Maverick City Music hit the stage to honor his nephew Takeoff with the song “Without You;” and Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood and Bonnie Raitt performed “Songbird” to remember McVie.
Kendrick Lamar won sixth career trophy for best rap performance for “The Heart Part 5” and also won best rap album for his studio offering, “Mr. Morales & The Big Steppers.”
Cardi B, right, presents the award for best rap album to Kendrick Lamar for “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
“You know, as entertainers, we say things to provoke thoughts and feelings and emotions,” he said. “So making this record is one of my toughest. … I would like to thank the culture for allowing me to evolve in order to make this. I finally found imperfection with this album.”
Viola Davis emerged from Sunday’s show an EGOT — a term for those who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony — after her win for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording. The actor gave an emotional speech and emphatically said “I just EGOT” after she marched on stage to collect her award.
“Oh, my God,” she said. “I wrote this book to honor the 6-year-old Viola, to honor her, her life, her joy, her trauma, everything,” Davis said. “It has just been such a journey.”
The show made its return to Los Angeles after the pandemic first delayed, then forced the Grammys to move to Las Vegas last year. Noah hosted the ceremony as well, which saw Jon Batiste take home album of the year.
First Lady Jill Biden presents the award for song of the year at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
___
Winners Sunday in the top categories at the 65th Grammy Awards:
— Album of the year: “Harry’s House,” Harry Styles
— Record of the year: “About Damn Time,” Lizzo
— Song of the year (songwriter’s award): “Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt.
— Best new artist: Samara Joy
— Best pop solo performance: “Easy on Me,” Adele
— Best pop duo/group performance: “Unholy,” Sam Smith and Kim Petras
— Best rap album: “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” Kendrick Lamar
— Best dance/electronic album: “Renaissance,” Beyoncé
— Best R&B Song: “Cuff It,” Beyoncé
Shania Twain, left, embraces Beyonce in the audience at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
— Best country album: “A Beautiful Time,” Willie Nelson
— Best pop vocal album: “Harry’s House,” Harry Styles
— Best música urbana album: “Un Verano Sin Ti,” Bad Bunny
— Best rock album: “Patient Number 9,” Ozzy Osbourne
— Best rock performance: “Broken Horses,” Brandi Carlile
— Best rock song: “Broken Horses,” Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile gestures onstage while accepting the award for best rock song for “Broken Horses” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
— Best rap performance: “The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar
— Best rap song: “The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar
— Best melodic rap performance: “Wait For U,” Future featuring Drake & Tems
— Best R&B album: “Black Radio III,” Robert Glasper
— Best R&B performance: “Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
— Best traditional R&B performance: “Plastic Off the Sofa,” Beyoncé
— Best progressive R&B album: “Gemini Rights,” Steve Lacy
— Best alternative music performance: “Chaise Longue,” Wet Leg
— Best alternative music album: “Wet Leg,” Wet Leg
— Best audio book, narration and storytelling recording: “Finding Me,” Viola Davis
— Best traditional pop vocal album: “Higher,” Michael Bublé
— Best solo country solo performance: “Live Forever,” Willie Nelson
Taylor Swift arrives at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
— Best country duo/group performance: “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
— Best country album: “’Til You Can’t,” Cody Johnson
— Best music video: “All Too Well: The Short Film,” Taylor Swift
— Producer of the year, non-classical: Jack Antonoff
— Best comedy album: “The Closer,” Dave Chappelle
— Best musical theater album: “Into The Woods (2022 Broadway Cast Recording)”
— Best music film: “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story”
— Best song written for visual media: “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from “Encanto,” Lin-Manuel Miranda
— Best jazz vocal album: Samara Joy
Mary J. Blige performs “Good Morning Gorgeous” at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
— Best Americana album: “In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile
— Best Americana performance: “Made Up Mind,” Bonnie Raitt
— Best American roots song: “Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt
— Best dance/electronic recording: “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
— Best metal performance: “Degradation Rules,” Ozzy Osbourne featuring Tony Iommi
— Best engineered, non-classical album: “Harry’s House,” Harry Styles
— Best compilation soundtrack for visual media: “Encanto”
— Best score soundtrack for visual media: “Encanto,” Germaine Franco
___
AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy contributed to this report.
For more on this year’s Grammys, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards
A file photo of people arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
BANGKOK — The customs department on Monday said arriving travelers are no longer required to open their bags for inspection of personal belongings.
Customs spokesman Phantong Loykulnant said the new policy, which is now effective at all customs checkpoints, aims to provide convenience to tourists. Travelers may walk through the green channel without having to declare valuable items exceeding the duty-free allowance if they are bought in for personal use, he said.
“Customs officers will not conduct inspections of arriving tourists, even though they are carrying a luxury handbag or wearing a multi-million baht watch if these items are imported for personal use, not for commercial trade,” Phantong said. “We want to provide convenience, not to cause difficulties to tourists entering Thailand.”
Under the customs procedure, passengers are allowed to import personal belongings that are worth no more than 20,000 baht, a total of 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, and a liter of alcoholic beverages without having to pay for duty.
Still, inspections will be carried out if officials have a reason to believe the traveler is smuggling luxury goods for sale.
“If we are tipped off about the smuggling or we find it obvious that the tourist is not importing the items for personal use, we will conduct a search,” Phantong said. “One such instance is wearing multiple watches on their arms.”
The new policy would be applied to both Thai and foreign nationals, Patchara Anuntasilpa, head of the Customs Department, said Monday. He also warned that the absence of baggage screening does not mean illegal goods can be bought into the kingdom.
“We have a clear guideline that tourists are not to be searched if there is no obvious indication that they are importing valuable items for commercial purposes. This applies to both foreign and Thai travelers entering the country.” Patchara said. “The procedure for inspecting and investigating the smuggling of illegal goods remains in place as usual.”
Update: This story has been updated with a quote from the head of the Customs Department clarifying Thai nationals are also exempted from baggage inspection.
About 50,000 tourists are enjoyed the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan, Surat Thani on Sunday night, causing local speedboat operators to increase the number of their service trips.
Credit : Khaosod
Na Thon pier on Koh Samui, Surat Thani, had been crowded for days as hundreds of tourists were seen queuing for speedboat rides to Koh Phangan, where the Full Moon Party was held on February, 5. Koh Samui police were also deployed to maintain law and order.
Pupaa Meepian, general manager of Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co, Ltd in Koh Samui, revealed that foreign tourists have poured back to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, since the Thai government lifted the travel restriction last year. And the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan has finally drawn back the number of pre-pandemic tourists in recent months.
Credit : Khaosod
In response to the rising demand, the company had increased numbers of speedboat trips to Koh Phangan, as more than 50,000 party-goers were expected to join the Full Moon Party at the famous Haad Rin beach at the weekend.
Koh Phangan’s Full Moon Party is one of a special party best known for both foreign and Thai revellers, thanks to the unique, yet colourful atmosphere, and beautiful scenery of the island.
Credit : Khaosod
The increasing number of tourists attending the Full Moon Party will help revitalise the economy as local businesses including restaurants, shops, hotels and accommodation on Koh Phangan are getting back on track.
Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring the opening goal during an English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
LONDON (AP) — Harry Kane became Tottenham’s outright all-time leading scorer with his goal winning 1-0 against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
The England captain’s milestone strike earned Tottenham a 1-0 win Sunday over Manchester City, which was looking for a victory to trim the gap to Premier League leader Arsenal to two points.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane is challenged by Manchester City’s Jack Grealish during an English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
It was the England captain’s 267th goal for the club — one more than the late Jimmy Greaves, who played for Tottenham from 1961-70.
Kane scored his first goal for Tottenham in December 2011.
He now has 200 goals in the Premier League, only the third player to do so after Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208).
EVERTON STUNS ARSENAL
Victory for Everton on Saturday was its first in any competition since October and ended a 10-game winless streak.
That run led to the sacking of manager Frank Lampard last month and the appointment of Dyche in a desperate bid to avoid relegation.
After 69 years in the top-flight, there is a lot riding on Everton’s latest managerial hire, which already looks like shrewd business.
Everton’s James Tarkowski, right, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
“It’s a start point. That one (win) doesn’t guarantee the next one,” Dyche said. “The way they have taken ownership and pride in what we have tried to do this week, I value that.”
Arsenal lost for only the second time in the league and will see its lead cut to two points if City beats Tottenham on Sunday. But the London club will have a game in hand.
Newcastle, however, failed to take full advantage of Arsenal’s loss when it was held by West Ham to 1-1.
MISERY FOR LIVERPOOL
Liverpool’s season is unravelling after a seventh league loss makes a bid for Champions League qualification look increasingly unlikely.
Wolverhampton inflicted the latest blow to a team that was chasing an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last term. A season later, and after one win from its last seven games in all competitions, Liverpool is searching for answers.
Liverpool’s Mohamad Salah, Stefan Bajcetic and Joe Gomez look on after Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves scores his side’s third goal of the game, during the English Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, at Molineux Stadium, in Wolverhampton, England, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (Tim Goode/PA via AP)
“We better change it. That’s true, 100%,” Klopp said. “I have no words for it really, I’m sorry.”
CASEMIRO SEES RED
Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford and was eight points behind the leader having played a game more.
However United has seen the heart of its team torn apart in the space of a week after Casemiro was sent off on Saturday just days after Christian Eriksen was ruled out for most of the rest of the season through injury.
Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes, center, argues with Manchester United’s Casemiro during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace, at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Erik ten Hag’s rebuild, which has seen United reach the final of the League Cup and a league title challenge reignited, has been heavily reliant on his overhaul in midfield.
But Casemiro will be suspended for three games after being sent off for violent conduct when putting his hands around the neck of Palace midfielder Will Hughes.
How well Ten Hag patches up his team while Casemiro is absent could be crucial to United’s chances of chasing down Arsenal.
For those of you who have always wanted to learn the harp, the most beautiful instrument, but never got round to it, the Tamnak Prathom Harp Centre is offering a special ten-day course (5,000 bahts) to get to know the harp-and perhaps learn a few songs at the end of this month.
The course will begin on February 25-26, and March 4-5, 2023 from 1 pm – 4 pm. at Tamnak Prathom Harp Centre 16 Sukumvit Soi 43, Bangkok, Thailand, 10110
We accept students from seven years up and no prior knowledge is necessary.
Call 02 2614777 (FAI) now only ten people will be accepted.
About Tamnak Prathom Harp Centre
Learn with a goal ! Not everyone can be harpist professional standard, but getting to know your harp well and able to play your favorite tunes for friends or your own pleasure is your choice.
We accept students from seven years old on and we have harps to buy as well as to rent, or even rent to buy. They come for all budget.
Our harps come straight from the factories of Camac of France, Lyon&Healy of Chicago, Salvi of Italy and Aoyama of Japan.
