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The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
11 Indian students injured in Bangkok bus crash on Monday
Image: The Nation Thailand/ANN BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Eleven Indian students and a Thai tour guide were injured when a chartered bus transporting them on an educational trip crashed into a power pole in Bangkok's Don Muang district on Monday, police said. The accident occurred at around 11am on the outbound Phahonyothin Road, just before the Kor Por Or Intersection. Brake Failure Blamed for Crash The driver of the air-conditioned bus, Nikom (surname withheld), 48, told police he intentionally swerved into the power pole after the bus's braking system malfunctioned. Unable to slow down or stop, he said he chose to veer off the road to avoid crashing into vehicles ahead. Nikom added that he had been hired to transport 47 students from India from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the Asian Institute of Technology. As he approached the intersection, he realised the air brake system had failed, making it impossible to stop the bus. The eleven students were said to have sustained minor injuries and were taken to Bhumibhol General Hospital for treatment. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
The Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
An unforgettable Sunday for Thailand as their top model wins Miss World title as their shuttlers scoop two titles at Singapore Open
BANGKOK: The people of Thailand were rejoicing on Sunday and it was indeed many of them will not forget in a hurry as celebration was seen all over the country. First, Thai beauty queen Suchata 'Opal' Chuangsri, 21, was crowned Miss World 2025 on May 31, marking a historic moment in Thai pageantry. Then, their shuttlers won not one but two titles as the prestigious Singapore Open. World No.1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn proved his worth as the top player in the world after winning the men's singles crown while the mixed doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran also won in style. A True South-East Asian Beauty At the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, India, and the Miss World show was celebrated with great splendour as Suchata was judged as the fairest of them all. She was officially crowned by the 2024 winner, Ms Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic. The competition's final rankings saw Hasset Dereje Admassu of Ethiopia as the first runner-up, Maja Klajda of Poland as the second runner-up, and Aurelie Joachim of Martinique as the third runner-up. Miss World 2025 commenced with a dazzling parade featuring contestants in their national costumes, followed by an elegant showcase where each participant took the stage individually in breathtaking evening gowns, organised by continent. The competition, in its 72nd edition, then moved on to the announcement of the top 40 contestants, selected from 108 countries. These finalists were divided into four continental groups, with 10 representatives from each: the Americas and the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, as well as Asia and Oceania. Some of the contestants advanced automatically to the top 40 through fast-track events. Among them was Suchata, who secured first place in the Asia and Oceania Multimedia Challenge. The anticipation continued as the competition narrowed down to the top 20 finalists, featuring some of the strongest contenders of the year. The countries that made it through were: Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the United States and Martinique Africa: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Namibia, Nigeria and Tunisia Europe: Iceland, Italy, Poland, Ukraine and Wales Asia and Oceania: Australia, India, Lebanon, the Philippines and Thailand The announcement of the final eight contestants followed, featuring representatives from Brazil, Martinique, Ethiopia, Namibia, Poland, Ukraine, the Philippines and Thailand. The competition then entered its most challenging phase, where the final eight contestants had to respond to the question: 'Do you believe you deserve to be Miss World and the representative of Asia and Oceania?' Suchata delivered a heartfelt answer, as reported by The Nation Thailand/Asia News Network. 'For this question, I see it as tending to a flower garden. Anyone can water the plants, but to create a truly beautiful and sustainable garden, there must be someone who nurtures it consistently,' she said. She added: 'This mirrors the role of Miss Asia and Oceania. It's not just about presenting oneself with a title, but about making people truly feel that I am here for them, standing by their side. 'Through the Beauty with a Purpose programme, I have learnt that living a meaningful life means giving back dreams and hope to those who have lost them. That is why I stand here today – to be a beacon of hope, a source of strength, and to leave behind a legacy of purpose until my very last breath.' The four continental winners were then announced: Martinique, the winner from the Americas and the Caribbean; Ethiopia, the champion from Africa; Poland, who triumphed in Europe; and Ms Suchata from Thailand, who secured victory for Asia and Oceania. The final four contestants faced one last decisive question, with Ms Suchata being asked: 'How has this journey taught you about truth and personal responsibility in shaping the stories that are told?' Suchata's response was both eloquent and inspiring. 'Standing here today is the greatest honour of my of the most profound lessons I have learnt from my time on the Miss World stage is the responsibility we hold in shaping how the truth is conveyed. 'The most significant action that I, along with all the contestants and everyone in this room, can take is to be role models – individuals whom others can look up to. I have always believed that no matter who we are, how old we are or what roles we take on in life,there is always someone who looks up to could be a child, a friend or even our parents. 'The best way to guide them is through leadership rooted in kindness and action, because our actions always speak louder than words. This is the greatest gift we can offer to those around us and to the world. Thank you and I wish everyone the best – remember to stay strong and let your actions speak louder than words.' With this answer, she won over the judges and was crowned Miss World 2025, making history as Thailand's first winner of the prestigious pageant. Suchata comes from a family with deep roots in the hotel industry in Phuket province. Despite not being of mixed heritage like many previous Thai beauty queens, she is fluent in English, having attended international schools from an early age. In addition, she is proficient in Mandarin, having graduated from Triam Udom Suksa School in Bangkok with a specialisation in the Chinese language. Suchata is pursuing a degree in international relations at Thammasat University's Faculty of Political Science. She harbours aspirations of becoming a diplomat in the future, a career goal that perfectly complements her new role as a global ambassador for Thailand. Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Thailand star to be propelled as the World No.1. - Photo: The Nation Thailand/Asian News Network Rising Stars of World Badminton Meanwhile, in Singapore, Thailand secured two championships on Sunday at the Singapore Badminton Open, with Kunlavut Vitidsarn winning the men's singles crown and the mixed doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran also triumphing. Second-seeded Kunlavut dominated the men's singles final, defeating China's Lu Guangzu 21-6, 21-10 in just 37 minutes. The victory marked Kunlavut's fourth title of the season and is set to propel him to the world No. 1 ranking in the men's singles when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) releases its latest standings next week. He will also become the first men's singles player born after 2000 to achieve the top ranking. Earlier, Thai mixed doubles stars Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran captured their title by defeating Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong, China, 2-0 in the final. China's Chen Yufei claimed the women's singles title, defeating compatriot Wang Zhiyi in straight sets for her fourth championship of the season. Notably, Chen ended the 27-match winning streak of reigning Olympic gold medalist An Se-young of South Korea in the quarterfinals. Since returning to competition in February following a three-month study break in Australia, Chen has regained her form and extended her own winning streak to 22 matches. In doubles action, South Korean pairs secured one gold and one silver medal. Kim Hye-jeong and Kong Hee-yong won the women's doubles title by defeating Japan's Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi 21-16, 21-14. However, Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik beat Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae 15-21, 21-18, 21-19.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Thailand's Covid-19 situation: JN.1 remains dominant strain as govt advises people continue to be cautious
BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences has reported on the ongoing surveillance of Covid-19 variants in the country, noting that the JN.1 variant remains the dominant strain, while the XEC variant is on the decline. Vaccines continue to be effective in preventing severe illness caused by these variants, while following preventive measures consistently is still crucial, said Dr Yongyuth Thammawut, department's Director-General on Friday. From January 2024 to May 6, 2025, JN.1 accounted for 63.92% of all detected strains in Thailand, in line with the global situation where JN.1 remains the dominant variant. On the other hand, XEC has decreased and now makes up 3.07% of cases, reflecting the global trend. The LP.8.1 variant (subvariant KP.1.1.3), which emerged in Thailand in January 2025, has also seen a reduction, with its proportion remaining under 10%. Yongyuth added that the Department of Medical Sciences continues to work with laboratory networks to monitor genetic changes in the virus, preparing for any future outbreaks. The genome sequences have been shared on the GISAID international database, with a total of 47,571 genome samples uploaded from January 2020 to May 6, 2025. He reiterated that consistent adherence to preventive measures, such as wearing masks, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and regular handwashing, remains essential to protecting against infection. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
The Star
23-05-2025
- The Star
Swiss man convicted in assault case against Phuket doctor
THAILAND (The Nation Thailand/ANN): A Swiss man has been convicted by Thailand's Appeals Court for assaulting a Phuket doctor in 2024. He was sentenced to one month in prison without suspension. The Region 8 Appeals Court has overturned a lower court ruling and found Urs Fehr, also known as David, a Swiss national and owner of a Phuket elephant camp, guilty of physically assaulting Dr Thandao Chandam, a physician at a hospital in Phuket. The initial incident took place on Feb 24, 2024, at a beachfront villa in Yamu, Thalang District. Dr Thandao was sitting on the stairs when David allegedly approached her, kicked her in the back, and verbally abused her with profanities. The altercation, captured on video, went viral and drew significant public attention. On September 3, 2025, the Phuket Provincial Court acquitted David, citing inconsistencies between video evidence and witness testimonies. The court also accepted expert testimony presented by the defence, which argued that Dr Thandao's diagnosis of PTSD was unsubstantiated, as it requires exposure to life-threatening events. Following the acquittal, former Democrat MP Nipit Intarasombat volunteered to represent Thandao and filed an appeal. The Appeals Court convened to deliver its verdict on April 20, 2025, but David failed to appear. The court deemed his absence an attempt to evade justice and issued a warrant for his arrest, rescheduling the verdict announcement for May 23, 2025. Today, the Appeals Court delivered its ruling, finding David guilty under Section 391 of the Thai Criminal Code for committing a serious act of physical assault. He was sentenced to one month in prison without suspension. Speaking after the ruling, Nipit thanked all parties involved—investigators, prosecutors, the judiciary, the original defence counsel, and the current defence team—for carrying out their duties professionally. 'We are not enemies, just people with different interpretations of the facts and the law,' he said. 'I congratulate Dr Thandao for her patience and courage in seeking justice." Nipit added that he took on the case pro bono, covering his own travel, airfare, documentation, and legal fees, out of empathy for Thandao, the people of Phuket, and all Thai citizens affected by the case. David is currently believed to have fled Thailand and is evading the court-issued arrest warrant. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Jailed Thai lawyer wins international rights award; first man from South-East Asian nation to win prestigious title
Arnon Nampa, 40, was named the Asia-Pacific recipient of this year's Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk, becoming the first Thai national to receive the honour. -- Photo: The Nation Thailand/ANN BANGKOK (AFP): A Thai lawyer jailed for criticising the monarchy has won an international human rights prize in recognition of his efforts to promote freedom of expression and democratic reform. Arnon Nampa, 40, was named the Asia-Pacific recipient of this year's Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk, becoming the first Thai national to receive the honour. He is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence following multiple convictions under Thailand's strict lese-majeste law, which criminalises criticism of the monarchy, as well as other offences. In a statement, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said Arnon was recognised for "his role in promoting and protecting human rights despite facing danger and serious risks to his own personal safety". The Front Line Defenders Award, presented annually by the Ireland-based organisation, highlights the work of activists around the world who operate under threat. In a letter read by a member of his family during the award ceremony in Dublin, Arnon called it "a profound honour" that gives him "strength for the road ahead". He described Thailand's political repression as a generational battle against the "old order" marked by suppression of dissent. Arnon rose to prominence during Thailand's 2020 youth-led pro-democracy protests, where he publicly called for reform of the monarchy and military-backed government. His taboo-breaking speeches and online posts have led to a series of convictions under lese majeste, or Section 112 of the Penal Code, which carries sentences up to 15 years in prison per offence. TLHR says his total jail term now amounts to 22 years, and he has been in detention since September 2023, with appeals against all convictions currently pending. In 2024 alone, he submitted at least 41 bail requests, all of which were denied. Rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned Arnon's imprisonment and called for his release. - AFP
