Latest news with #Chai
Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Thailand-Cambodian clashes force 100,000 into Thai shelters
Desperate evacuees, huddled on plastic mats in a sports hall in Thailand, have described fleeing from thunderous artillery bombardments as heavy fighting has escalated between Thailand and Cambodia. The worst fighting in more than a decade between the neighbouring countries has forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate from their homes across four Thai border provinces by Friday. As artillery fire echoed on Thursday, thousands from northeastern Surin province abandoned their homes for makeshift shelters established in the town centre. Nearly 3,000 people crowded the sports hall of Surindra Rajabhat University, packed onto rows of plastic mats covered with colourful blankets and hastily gathered possessions. 'I'm worried about our home, our animals, and the crops we've worked so hard on,' Thidarat Homhuan, 37, told the AFP news agency. She evacuated with nine family members, including her 87-year-old grandmother who had just been released from hospital. 'That concern is still there. But being here does feel safer, since we're further from the danger zone now. At least we're safe,' she said. Thidarat was babysitting at a local school when she heard what she described as 'something like machinegun fire', followed by heavy artillery thuds. 'It was chaos. The kids were terrified. I rushed to the school's bunker,' she said. Inside the shelter, evacuees slept alongside one another beneath the gym's high ceiling, surrounded by electric fans humming and the quiet whispers of uncertainty. Elderly residents lay wrapped in blankets, infants slept in cradles, while children played quietly. Pet cats rested in mesh crates near the public restroom. This marks the first full activation of the university as a shelter, according to Chai Samoraphum, director of the university president's office. Classes were immediately cancelled, and within an hour, the campus transformed into a functioning evacuation centre. Evacuees from four border districts were distributed across six locations throughout the campus. 'Most of them left in a hurry. Some have chronic health conditions but didn't bring their medications, others only managed to grab a few belongings,' Chai told AFP. The centre, with assistance from the provincial hospital, is providing care for those with chronic illnesses and offering mental health services for trauma victims, Chai explained. The border fighting has killed at least 14 people in Thailand, including one soldier and civilians killed in a rocket strike near a Sisaket province petrol station, officials reported. One Cambodian has also been confirmed killed. As fighting continues near the border, evacuees face uncertainty about when they can return home. For now, the shelter provides safety and a place to await signals that it's safe to 'go back to normal life', Thidarat said. She already has a message for the authorities: 'I want the government to take decisive action – do not wait until lives are lost. 'Civilians look up to the government for protection, and we rely on them deeply,' she said. Across the border in Cambodia, about 20,000 residents have evacuated from the country's northern border with Thailand, the Khmer Times news organisation said, quoting officials in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.
France 24
6 days ago
- General
- France 24
Fear and relief in Thai shelter as Cambodia clashes rage
More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in four Thai border provinces amid the worst fighting between the two neighbours in over a decade. As artillery fire thundered on Thursday, thousands of people in northeastern Surin province fled their homes and sought refuge in makeshift shelters set up in the town centre. In the sports hall of Surindra Rajabhat University, nearly 3,000 people were packed tight on rows of plastic mats, scattered with colourful blankets and hastily packed personal belongings. "I'm worried about our home, our animals, and the crops we've worked so hard on," Thidarat Homhuan, 37, told AFP. She fled with nine other family members, including her 87-year-old grandmother who had just been discharged from hospital. "That concern is still there. But being here does feel safer, since we're further from the danger zone now. At least we're safe," she said. Thidarat was babysitting for a teacher at a local school when she heard what she described as "something like machine gun fire", followed by the heavy thud of artillery. "It was chaos. The kids were terrified. I rushed to the school's bunker," she said. Inside the shelter, evacuees slept side by side beneath the gym's high roof, surrounded by the hum of electric fans and quiet murmurs of uncertainty. The elderly lay bundled in blankets, babies dozed in cradles while youngsters played quietly. Pet cats rested in mesh pop-up crates near the public restroom. 'Worse than 2011' It is the first time the university has been fully activated as a shelter site, said Chai Samoraphum, director of the university's president's office. Classes were abruptly cancelled, and within an hour, the campus was converted into a functioning evacuation centre. Thousands of evacuees from four districts next to the border were placed into six locations across the campus. "Most of them left in a hurry. Some have chronic health conditions but didn't bring their medications, others only managed to grab a few belongings," Chai told AFP. With help from the provincial hospital, the centre is also caring for people with chronic illnesses and providing mental health services for those struggling with trauma, Chai said. Border clashes between the two nations have left at least 14 people dead in Thailand, officials said, including one soldier and civilians caught in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province. Thidarat said the current conflict feels more severe than the last major clashes in 2011. "It wasn't this serious back then. People's houses weren't damaged like this. There were no announcements about civilians being injured," Thidarat said. "This year is much worse -- the number of deaths and injuries is really devastating." As clashes go on near the border, there is no clear timeline for when people can return home. For now, the shelter provides a sense of safety -- and a place to wait for a sign that it's safe to "go back to normal life," Thidarat said. She already had a message for those in power: "I want the government to take decisive action -- don't wait until lives are lost." "Civilians look up to (the government) for protection, and we rely on them deeply," she said.
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- General
- Int'l Business Times
Fear And Relief In Thai Shelter As Cambodia Clashes Rage
Sitting on plastic mats in a sports hall, desperate evacuees told AFP of fleeing in terror from thunderous artillery bombardments as Thailand and Cambodia clash. More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in four Thai border provinces amid the worst fighting between the two neighbours in over a decade. As artillery fire thundered on Thursday, thousands of people in northeastern Surin province fled their homes and sought refuge in makeshift shelters set up in the town centre. In the sports hall of Surindra Rajabhat University, nearly 3,000 people were packed tight on rows of plastic mats, scattered with colourful blankets and hastily packed personal belongings. "I'm worried about our home, our animals, and the crops we've worked so hard on," Thidarat Homhuan, 37, told AFP. She fled with nine other family members, including her 87-year-old grandmother who had just been discharged from hospital. "That concern is still there. But being here does feel safer, since we're further from the danger zone now. At least we're safe," she said. Thidarat was babysitting for a teacher at a local school when she heard what she described as "something like machine gun fire", followed by the heavy thud of artillery. "It was chaos. The kids were terrified. I rushed to the school's bunker," she said. Inside the shelter, evacuees slept side by side beneath the gym's high roof, surrounded by the hum of electric fans and quiet murmurs of uncertainty. The elderly lay bundled in blankets, babies dozed in cradles while youngsters played quietly. Pet cats rested in mesh pop-up crates near the public restroom. It is the first time the university has been fully activated as a shelter site, said Chai Samoraphum, director of the university's president's office. Classes were abruptly cancelled, and within an hour, the campus was converted into a functioning evacuation centre. Thousands of evacuees from four districts next to the border were placed into six locations across the campus. "Most of them left in a hurry. Some have chronic health conditions but didn't bring their medications, others only managed to grab a few belongings," Chai told AFP. With help from the provincial hospital, the centre is also caring for people with chronic illnesses and providing mental health services for those struggling with trauma, Chai said. Border clashes between the two nations have left at least 14 people dead in Thailand, officials said, including one soldier and civilians caught in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province. Thidarat said the current conflict feels more severe than the last major clashes in 2011. "It wasn't this serious back then. People's houses weren't damaged like this. There were no announcements about civilians being injured," Thidarat said. "This year is much worse -- the number of deaths and injuries is really devastating." As clashes go on near the border, there is no clear timeline for when people can return home. For now, the shelter provides a sense of safety -- and a place to wait for a sign that it's safe to "go back to normal life," Thidarat said. She already had a message for those in power: "I want the government to take decisive action -- don't wait until lives are lost." "Civilians look up to (the government) for protection, and we rely on them deeply," she said. More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in four Thai border provinces amid the worst fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade AFP Evacuees slept side by side beneath the gym's high roof, surrounded by the hum of electric fans and quiet murmurs of uncertainty AFP
Bangkok Post
22-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
THAI expects relisting, to resume trading in August
Thai Airways International (THAI) expects to resume trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) early next month, while reaffirming its commitment to the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) investment at U-Tapao Airport. CEO Chai Eamsiri said Monday the company is awaiting confirmation of the official relisting date this week. Although global markets have been affected by recent US tariff policies, THAI only anticipates a limited indirect impact. The company views its return to the SET as an attractive opportunity for investors, particularly with the high tourism season approaching. THAI remains confident in its financial stability following a successful rehabilitation, Mr Chai said. On June 16, the Central Bankruptcy Court officially lifted the airline's rehabilitation status after it met all conditions outlined in its restructuring plan. These included a capital increase to support equity restructuring; full compliance with debt repayment terms; achieving earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 40.3 billion baht -- well above the 20-billion-baht benchmark -- and returning to positive shareholder equity; and the appointment of a new board of directors. Despite the second quarter typically being a low season, Mr Chai said, THAI reported a solid performance. Passenger traffic from China has remained steady, mostly comprising independent travellers and transit passengers. The airline, meanwhile, has seen increased passenger numbers from Europe during this period. Regarding the MRO project at U-Tapao, Mr Chai addressed the recent cabinet resolution that revoked THAI's access to land in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), following its transition from a state enterprise. He said the company expects the EEC Office to either reopen the project for bidding under a public-private partnership model or offer the site under a lease agreement. THAI reaffirmed its commitment to the project, highlighting its potential to stimulate investment and economic growth.
The Sun
22-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
‘Offer engaging news to draw youths'
PETALING JAYA: As younger generations scroll past headlines in favour of snappy social media updates, an academic has called on traditional news outlets to rethink how they could connect with youths. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Communication faculty member Dr Chai Ming Hock said youth around the world are increasingly turning to social media for news, often preferring bite-size content over lengthy, in-depth articles. 'Social media platforms, with their rapid speed and interactive features, have proven to be a more attractive option for the youth, who tend to have shorter attention spans,' he said. He pointed to the education system as a contributing factor to the dwindling interest in in-depth news consumption, partly blaming it for the current situation. 'Children are taught to accept information without asking many questions. The result is a generation that doesn't necessarily engage with news on a deeper level,' he noted. To bridge this gap, Chai suggested that traditional news outlets should not attempt to compete with social media on its own terms such as chasing after clickbaits or viral trends. Instead, the former journalist said mainstream media should focus on providing in-depth analyses and investigative journalism that go beyond the surface level of events. 'Why would I pay for information that I can easily get for free on social media? Traditional media should differentiate itself by offering quality commentary and exclusive reports on serious issues, such as the performance of elected representatives.' However, he acknowledged the youth's preference for social media and recommended that traditional media outlets leverage these platforms to engage with younger audiences. 'Use social media to highlight news stories that matter. By reaching young people, traditional media can maintain a connection and attract their attention.' Despite that, news outlets should not be focused on competing with social media's pace or sensationalism, he added. 'Social media is perfect for quick consumption but traditional media has the opportunity to go deeper, offering context and analyses that are simply not possible in short, bite-size content,' he said. Chai also pointed out that traditional media must drop its arrogance and make more effort to engage with its readers. He recounted his own experience with a journalist from an English-language newspaper, whose response to an inquiry was dismissive: 'I have no time to entertain someone like you'. In another instance, a local Malay-language newspaper used the incorrect spelling of 'George Town' and defended it as a matter of 'house style'. Chia said this illustrates a broader issue of arrogance in some parts of the media industry. 'When readers take the time to write in with their concerns or corrections, it's a sign that they care about the publication. Media must be open to feedback and respond constructively.' He added that traditional media should create more reader-engaging initiatives such as talk shows, podcasts and forums for interactive discussions, which could be used to gather insights and feedback from readers while offering solutions to pressing social issues. 'Media outlets also need to invest in their journalists and encourage them to produce exclusive, investigative pieces that offer valuable insights to the public. This is where traditional media can truly excel.' He said while social media may provide the speed and accessibility that younger readers crave, traditional media outlets can continue to attract and engage readers by offering comprehensive analyses, engaging content and, most importantly, a commitment to respecting and engaging with their audience. 'Ultimately, the key to surviving in the digital age is not about competing with social media. It's about offering something that social media can't – which is in-depth, trustworthy journalism.'
