Day: September 4, 2023

Australia will increase its security force in the Solomon Islands to help ensure stability during the Pacific Games and next year’s national elections, according to the island country’s government.

The Solomon Islands, which has caused concern for the United States and Australia by forging closer ties with China, is expected to receive thousands of visitors in November for the 24-nation Pacific Games and also will hold its delayed national elections in the first half of 2024.

“The security support needed for both events is huge and Australia’s affirmative response will definitely fill security gaps,” the office of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said in a statement Monday.

The statement, without giving numbers, said Australia will increase personnel deployed in the Solomon Islands and extend the broader security deployment, which began in late 2021 in response to a domestic crisis, until the middle of next year.

The Solomon Islands, home to some 700,000 people, has become a focus of the U.S.-China competition for influence in the Pacific and has sought to benefit from the rivalry by securing more development assistance.

Sogavare’s government switched its diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 2019 and signed a security pact with Beijing last year that the United States feared could pave the way for a Chinese military presence in the region. China has bankrolled more than half the cost of hosting the 2023 Pacific Games including the construction of a 10,000 seat stadium.

Australia sent more than 200 police and troops to the Solomon Islands in December 2021 at the request of Sogavare following anti-China and anti-government riots in the capital Honiara. Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand also sent forces.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that “Australia is proud to be Solomon Islands’ primary security partner.”

A spokesperson for the department said additional security personnel will be sent for the Pacific Games in the capital Honiara and Australia’s contribution to the Solomons International Assistance Force–which is the bulk of that force–will continue until June 2024 to provide security for the national elections.

The statement from Sogavare’s office said the formal request for additional security assistance was made to Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in early August.

Australia also will provide support for an increase in security forces from Papua New Guinea, the statement said.

Papua New Guinea, meanwhile, is providing Solomon Islands with an electronic visitor processing system for the Pacific Games, according to a Papua New Guinea government statement last week.

Relations between Australia and the Solomon Islands appeared to dive in July when the Pacific island country signed a police cooperation agreement with China during Sogavare’s second visit to Beijing since 2019. Sogavare accused Australia of interfering in Solomon Islands’ internal affairs after it called for the police agreement to be made public.

Both China and Australia have been providing training and equipment to the Solomon Islands police, including weapons, sparking concern their rivalry could cause new instability in a South Pacific country that spiraled into chaos only two decades ago.

In November last year, China handed over two water cannon trucks, 30 motorbikes and 20 white utility vehicles emblazoned with the red China Aid logo to Solomon Islands police while Australia donated 60 MK18 rifles and 13 vehicles, some of which will be used in a new mobile protection unit for VIPs.

The Solomon Islands statement indicated that officials have been discussing security relations between Australia and the Solomon Islands beyond June 2024.

“PM Sogavare encouraged officials of both countries to continue discussions on a comprehensive security partnership,” it said.

Sogavare has previously said the existing security agreement between Australia and the Solomon Islands needs to be reviewed to take into account challenges faced by both countries.

Source: Radio Free Asia

Dressing up as revolutionary-era communist soldiers. Participating in military-style experiences. Visiting key spots where Mao Zedong consolidated his power during the 1934-35 “Long March.”

Hong Kong’s government is boosting a program of school trips to mainland China, adding iconic destinations linked to Communist Party history and boosting “revolutionary education.”

Meanwhile, the city’s universities are adding mandatory “national security” classes and sending students to absorb “red culture” at communist pilgrimage sites.

It’s all part of a concerted bid to change the mindset of Hong Kong’s young people, starting as young as kindergarten, to make them more amenable to authoritarian rule.

At its core is a program of Moral, Civic and National Education brought in to replace Liberal Studies in Hong Kong’s primary and secondary schools, which was blamed by Beijing for several waves of mass popular protest in the city since the 1997 handover to Chinese rule.

Authorities in Hong Kong have prosecuted hundreds of minors for taking part in the 2019 protest movement, with many already sent for “re-education” and military-style bootcamp training.

Secondary school students will now be able to take part in military-style experiences at a national defense education facility in the southern province of Guangdong, “cultivate patriotism and enhance national security awareness,” the Beijing-backed Wen Wei Po newspaper reported, citing a circular sent to schools by the Hong Kong Education Bureau.

Teachers in Hong Kong’s schools are also required from the start of this semester to report any “breach of laws and regulations or deviation from the moral standards generally acceptable to society” to the authorities.

The government has also stepped up “national security education” in universities, with mandatory classes and tests for students. Last month, photos of students from the University of Hong Kong dressed as revolutionary-era communist soldiers in the former Mao-era base at Yanan were posted to social media platforms last month.

‘Read thousands of books’

Last month, Communist Party leader Xi Jinping wrote back to a class of secondary school students in Hong Kong, calling on them to “read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles to gain an in-depth understanding of the history, culture and current situation of their motherland, to deepen their patriotic feelings and hone their schools,” Hong Kong education secretary Choi Yuk-lin said in a statement.

“In the new school year, the Education Bureau will build on the good experience of the past few months, strengthen collaboration … and further expand and deepen the effectiveness of mainland China study groups … so as to implement the spirit of the Chairman’s reply,” Choi said in a reference to Xi’s letter.

Last year’s school trip itinerary included a trip to Zunyi, where late supreme leader Mao Zedong consolidated his power at the head of the Chinese Communist Party and the Red Army in 1935, during the Long March.

Choi said in a statement on Aug. 28 that more than 43,000 Hong Kong secondary school students have taken part in mainland China school trips so far under the program.

“In the new academic year, inland study tours will include routes outside Guangdong Province and with a larger number of days,” she said. “In a trial mode, students will be arranged to visit comprehensive practical activity bases in Guangzhou and Shanghai in part of the itinerary to participate in experiential learning activities in conjunction with the Civics curriculum, further broadening the scope of students’ vision.”

One website offering study camps for primary and secondary school students in China is run by the Beijing-based company SmartCamp.

Schools can book camps that include the teaching of “traditional Chinese culture, education in the revolutionary tradition, and education about the national situation,” according to its website.

Visits to tourist attractions, waste-processing facilities, ecological parks and industrial sites are also included, it said.

Longer trips

According to the Wen Wei Po, the number of compulsory field trips to mainland China will be increased from the previous 22 to 26, with students traveling further afield on longer, 4 to 5-day trips, including to Shanghai, Chongqing, Fujian, Hunan and Guizhou.

Wong Ching-yung, head of Scientia Secondary School, told government broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong that the one-day visits may soon get much longer.

“As we know, one-day tours are not that ideal. Even if you are going to the Greater Bay Area, transportation, meals, toilet breaks, getting on and off the car, and roll calls, actually took up most of the time,” he said.

“At this stage, one-day trips might be kept for another one or two years for schools that do not have much experience in holding mainland study tours to make the transition [to longer trips].”

Last month, “outstanding” University of Hong Kong students visited Yan’an, the “cradle” of the Chinese communist revolution, by invitation only, according to a report on their trip posted to the social media platform Weibo.

“After dinner, the students watched the first red-themed immersive play ‘Return to Yan’an,'” the report said. “In the new era, the younger generation feels close to red culture – many students couldn’t hide their tears when they watched it.”

“In that moment, everyone was deeply infected with the spirit of the Red Army,” it said.

The group went on to visit Zaoyuan, home to several former “proletarian revolutionaries” between 1943 and 1947.

“Every plant, every tree, every brick and every tile here carries the red gene,” the report said.

Source: Radio Free Asia

In its daily briefing on Chinese military activities around Taiwan on Monday, Taipei’s Ministry of National Defense said that just two People’s Liberation Army aircraft were in the air.

Just over a week ago, on the other hand, China sent a total of 32 military aircraft and nine naval vessels into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone and waters around the island over a 24-hour period.

An expert described it at the time as a mock “blockade.”

Speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military matters in the Taiwan Strait, another military analyst told RFA that “blockade” was too strong a word.

China, he said, was mostly carrying out “practice runs” on a non-invasive scale, but that didn’t mean that China was simply “saber-rattling.”

Even as the daily tallies of air and sea vessels encircling Taiwan and pressing at the country’s air defense identification zone are so routine as to barely raise an eyebrow in downtown Taipei, the notion of the threat of war is ever present.

According to Chinese-language media reports in Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense’s recent “2023 PLA Military Power Report,” which was submitted to Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, suggests that an invasion of Taiwan has become more likely during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s third five-year term.

Speaking to RFA Mandarin in late July after a high-profile shakeup of China’s rocket command, Yao Cheng, a former lieutenant colonel in China’s Navy Command who defected to the United States in 2016, said that Xi is determined to carry out a military invasion of Taiwan.

“He definitely wants to go to war,” said Yao. “Otherwise, he can’t realize [the goals of] his third term in office.”

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sees self-ruled Taiwan, or the Republic of China, as a province of China, even though the island has never been ruled by the CCP.

At the last meeting of the National People’s Congress Xi spoke of an “unwavering push for the reunification process of the motherland”, and Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Defense recently said that Taiwan’s future lies in national unification.,

Xi has ordered the PLA to “prepare for war” in his roles as General Secretary of the CCP and head of the Central Military Commission – the overall high command of the PLA – while U.S. President Joe Biden said at a Democratic Party fundraiser last month that China was a “ticking time bomb.”

“That’s not good because when bad folks have problems, they do bad things,” Biden added.

The U.S. president said that China was in “trouble” due to turgid growth and high unemployment.

Countdown to aggression

The Taiwan Ministry of Defense “2023 PLA Military Power Report” speculates that the likelihood of China attacking Taiwan and the risk of military conflict has increased.

Some experts, talking to RFA Mandarin, agree.

Yu Jie, a writer based in the U.S. and author of a recent Chinese-language book on how China might invade Taiwan, told RFA’s “Asia Wants to Talk” program that the CCP is currently moving in the direction of becoming a “global empire,” describing Taiwan as the final puzzle piece.

“The crisis is gradually approaching,” said Yu.

The author speculates that Xi’s timeline for invasion is likely to be five to 10 years – before his possible retirement.

“Xi hasn’t cultivated a truly legitimate successor, so when factions vie for power, one of the contenders might wage an external war to boost their prestige,” he said.

Last year, the New York times reported that an attack on Taiwan could occur as soon as 2025, when presidential elections will take place in both Taiwan and the U.S., a scenario that few military strategists regard as likely – but not outside the realms of plausibility.

Huang Pengxiao, a retired Taiwanese colonel and current affairs commentator, pointed out in RFA Mandarin’s “Asia Wants to Talk” last week that logically, China would eventually attack Taiwan.

But he added, “Unless U.S. hegemony declines, meaning the rise of the East and the decline of the West, the chances … of an attack isn’t imminent – there’s still a wait.”

Author Yu Jie said that the U.S. expectation that increased trade with China would lead to a more relatable, friendly China hadn’t happened, but the U.S. is appropriately changing the terms of engagement.

“Decoupling might take a decade or even longer, so I agree with the approach [the U.S. is taking] of talking on one hand and sanctioning on the other.”

A PLA analyst who asked to remain anonymous said that China’s current daily aerial and naval harassment of Taiwan could not transition into war overnight.

“We’d expect a whole lot more activity in the Taiwan Strait if they were transitioning to war,” he said.

As John Culver recently wrote in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, “China would have already started surging production of ballistic and cruise missiles; anti-air, air-to-air, and large rockets for long-range beach bombardment; and numerous other items, at least a year before D-Day.”

Source: Radio Free Asia

Many provinces in the south still have heavy rain and strong winds. In Trang Province, a large rambutan tree over 20 years old fell on villagers’ houses, causing damage, while in Krabi Province, a bridge was diverted over a canal. Damaged, more than 50 families in distress Must use a detour route

The condition of the house of Mr. Chusak, 52 years old, a villager in Village No. 1, Kuan Pring Subdistrict, Mueang District, Trang Province, was damaged by a rambutan tree that fell on it. Due to the weather conditions in Trang Province during this period, there is still heavy rain and strong winds. This caused a large rambutan tree, more than 20 years old, to fall and fall on the said house. But no one was injured or killed.

Meanwhile, rivers and tributaries began to overflow their banks and flood the homes of people in low-lying areas. From September 2, especially at Ban Khao Kaew Na Mueang Phet Subdistrict, Sikao District, and Ban Huai Riang, Na Toh Ming Subdistrict, Mueang Trang District, totaling more than 20 households, flood levels were 20-40 cm high, which yesterday (Sept. 3) decreased. down back to normal But throughout the past night there has been more rain. causing the villagers living in the flooded areas repeatedly Need to move things Including children and the elderly to a safe place. Because there is still rain falling continuously in the area.

Governor of Trang Province Issued a warning that small boats should refrain from leaving the shore throughout this week. and give agencies Both local administration, rescuers, and forest protection units at all 8 waterfalls in Trang Province are watching out for flash floods, mudslides, and flash floods. In order to provide assistance to the villagers in a timely manner

Mud struck the house twice in a row, completely flattening it.

In the area of Village No. 6, Mai Fat Subdistrict, Sikao District, Trang Province, there were villagers who complained to the media that heavy rain fell throughout the area. From the night of September 1, 2023, continuing until today (Sept. 4), causing mud from the mountain to collapse on the house until it was flattened. This is the second time. The first time on July 1, 2023, a request for assistance has already been submitted through the bureaucratic system. But there’s still no progress. The officer came down to inspect the area and told him to wait. Went to follow up with the district and was told that the matter had been sent to the province and asked to wait. There is only a school where the children Only students come to help. Come visit and give money to help relieve suffering, even though it’s not much, it shows kindness. Because he had already lost everything, and the second time was in the middle of the night on Sept. 1. In the past, there has been rain and mudslides coming down from the mountains again. Making the already damaged house even more damaged than before. But this time there were also logs from the mountain flowing down with the mud. from various conditions of logs causing doubt that What happened on the mountain? Makes the soil not hold together Until it collapsed and destroyed the house twice in a row, all agricultural equipment and electrical appliances were damaged. Now kept waiting for repairs. Because if you buy a new one, you won’t have any money. More than 100 rubber plantations were destroyed by water and landslides, and another 30-40 oil palm plants. Now he and his family, which includes himself, his wife, and two children, have temporarily evacuated to his mother and wife’s house. which the wife couldn’t accept Until having symptoms of depression Must see a doctor to take medicine So he asked for help. Because I can’t go on. Until having symptoms of depression Must see a doctor to take medicine So he asked for help. Because I can’t go on. Until having symptoms of depression Must see a doctor to take medicine So he asked for help. Because I can’t go on.

Heavy rains cause high flooding in the Plai Phraya area, Krabi Province.

Meanwhile, in Krabi Province, residents of the Ban Hat Tua community, Plai Phraya Subdistrict, Plai Phraya District, totaling more than 50 families, are still unable to travel through the bypass bridge over the Ipan Canal, a distance of 50 meters, after the bypass bridge was damaged by the currents yesterday. 3 Sep.) had to travel in a detour for more than 10 km. Villagers were already helping with repairs. but unable to proceed Because the tide has increased and continues to flow strongly. There was also no heavy machinery. Most recently this morning (Sept. 4), Plai Phraya District Chief Went to the area to survey the damage. and coordinate agencies with heavy machinery Hurry to repair the bypass bridge to allow villagers to travel through.

As for the said bypass bridge, it was a bridge that the villagers built together. Can only be used by foot and motorcycles passing by which is under construction of a concrete bridge across the canal According to the project of Krabi Provincial Administrative Organization

Laguna flooding continues, 4 schools closed

The flood situation in Satun Province has not yet been resolved. As the rain continues to fall heavily, especially in Langu District, villagers are still experiencing flooding for the second day. Today there are 3 schools flooded, namely Ban Dalam School. Ban Na Kha School, Khao Khao Subdistrict, Ban Kota School, Kamphaeng Subdistrict. There is also Nida Suksa School. which is a private school Had to close because it was also flooded. Including 4 schools experiencing flooding problems.

Deputy Director of Satun Primary Educational Service Area Office along with a team went to the area to survey schools and teachers’ residences that were flooded. There are 3 schools under the Satun Primary Educational Service Area Office that are affected, namely Ban Dalam School. Ban Na Kha School and Ban Kota School By adjusting to online learning instead. To prevent children from losing their studies Because it’s almost time for the exam. He also emphasized that teachers should be careful of children coming into the school to play in the water. for safety

Recently, there has been rain falling throughout the day. Covers the entire province The flooding area is in Langu District, 5 sub-districts, 21 villages, more than 500 households in distress, said the Acting Governor of Satun Province. Order all districts to be vigilant during 4-6 September and for people to be careful of dangers that may arise from flash flood conditions. Flash flood and flooding Especially at risk areas, Khuan Kalong District, Manang District, Khuan Don District and districts that receive water such as Tha Phae District.

Source: Thai News Agency

SET’s manager reveals that the Thai Stock Exchange has the highest IPO fundraising value in ASEAN. The mai market has grown 2 times over the past 5 years, reflecting the continuous improvement in quality of Thai companies. Accelerating the development of the capital market into a digital system Ready to keep up with sustainable investment trends

) mentioned “the importance of the capital market to the Thai economy. in a changing context” at the opening of the training “Knowledge of the investment world” under the capital market knowledge training program for the media for the year 2023, stating that the Thai capital market plays an important role in allocating capital resources. This gives entrepreneurs a variety of funding sources and is an important mechanism that drives the Thai economy. It is also an option for raising funds during crises and is an important mechanism for raising the capacity of the Thai economy to the regional level. The Thai Stock Exchange has the highest IPO fundraising value in ASEAN. and is at the top level in Asia and the world market It has continuously increased liquidity and in 2022 will still have the highest liquidity in ASEAN. Listed companies have expanded their business to various regions and the proportion of foreign income has continued to increase. In 2021, 317 listed companies disclosed total foreign income as high as 4.38 trillion baht.

As the development of the Thai capital market continues to grow. The net profit per share is higher than before Covid, although not in all industry groups. by the Stock Exchange Aiming to promote sustainability and develop the capital market by Committed to continuous development of products, services and infrastructure Adapting to support Digital Disruption occurs in many industries. In particular, the development of the digital system is extremely important. It also supports access to the capital market by SMEs and startups through the LiVE Platform, opens up new opportunities in the digital asset platform, and increases investment diversity to allow access to foreign investment with various investment products. The Stock Exchange Group focuses on sustainable mutual growth by taking into account all stakeholders.

For opportunities in the Thai capital market It is seen that the Thai economy is still likely to recover, especially in the tourism and related service sectors amidst various fluctuations around the world. The Thai economy has a different cycle than other countries, with not too high inflation and interest rates. Compared to the overall economic situation and the Thai economy, it has macro stability that can support various events in the past well. However, there are still issues that need to be followed up. That are both investment opportunities and risks, including the world economy, inflation, monetary policy, households, government policies, and geographic conflicts, as well as risks from environmental impacts.

In addition, sustainable investing is becoming a mainstream investment trend in the global capital market and the Thai capital market. Currently (July 2023), CG and ESG mutual funds have a total value of 47,935 million baht, an increase of 220% from 2017, while the company Thai listed companies that are selected to be members of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) will have higher returns. Co., Ltd. that is not a member For the future direction of the Thai capital market Developments in the Thai capital market have reshaped the Thai capital market, opening up new business and investment opportunities. Both in core assets and digital assets, in the past 5 years, companies listed on the MAI market have registered on the SET, approximately 5-600 billion baht, growing 2 times, indicating the quality of listed companies has developed. Continuously improving .

Source: Thai News Agency

Police, Mueang Buriram Police Station Call to acknowledge the allegation In the case of a van driver blocking an intersection and causing the van to run through a red light. until causing an accident He is considered to be in violation of the Traffic Act because he is not a traffic officer. unable to act

From the case of social media sharing a clip of two vans parked in the middle of the road. At the Phattharaphit intersection, Samet Subdistrict, Mueang District, Buriram Province, a van driver got out of his vehicle and stood to wave the signal to a convoy of more than 70 vans passing through the intersection and breaking the signal. Until during the time the van driver who came down to wave at the passing van train ran up and drove his own car. There was a black multi-purpose vehicle. that runs normally Because it’s a green light. But the van accompanying the convoy ran a red light and emerged. causing collision damage The incident occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. on September 2nd.

Reporters went to follow the progress at Muang Buriram Police Station. Police Lieutenant Colonel Setthaphong Meeklom, Inspector (Investigation) of Muang Buriram Police Station, the owner of the case, provided information that he now knows the driver of the van who was standing in the middle of the road waving, causing a car crash as shown in Already clipped and has already contacted him to come and find out about the allegation The van driver’s actions violate the Traffic Act because he is not a traffic officer. unable to act According to the law, there is a prison sentence not exceeding 1 month and a fine not exceeding 2,000 baht. In the case of a car accident, Initially, the fines for the van drivers who ran red lights were compared since the day the incident occurred. As for damages, both sides can agree.

As for the president of the van group “Sailom Club” who came out to explain via social media that That day there was a group of about 70 vans going to make merit at Wat Pa Khao Noi, Samet Subdistrict, Mueang Buriram District. Before that, a letter had been sent to Muang Buriram Police Station to request that staff be arranged to help facilitate traffic But police informed that the officers had to go to facilitate a graduation rehearsal at Buriram Rajabhat University.

In such cases, the superintendent Muang Buriram Police Station clarified that the van group had actually issued a notification letter. But because on that day the traffic police had to go on duty to facilitate traffic. Graduation rehearsal at Rajabhat University resulting in insufficient police force Therefore unable to facilitate the said group of vans, but according to the Traffic Act, the public is unable to do so.

Source: Thai News Agency

The barrier is rotten. A 16-year-old teenager went to a hot spring pond in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. He fell into a hot spring with temperatures as high as 80 degrees Celsius while boiling eggs. He was scalded all over his body and is in serious condition.

Male tourist, 16 years old, villager in Chiang Dao district. Go to Fang Hot Springs Pond Area in front of Ingdoi tent camping area In Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, eggs were boiled in a hot spring with a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and leaned against a wooden barrier at the edge of the pond, but the wood rotted due to being used for a long time. break the barrier Falling into the hot spring seriously injured Amidst the shock of the officials and tourists who were rescued before being taken to Fang Hospital and forwarded to Nakornping Hospital

Mr. Krissayam Kongsatri, Director of the Conservation Area Management Office No. 16, revealed that he will provide full assistance. Both medical treatment costs and assigned to Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park Coordinate with the injured family Also, let’s explore the barriers that have been in use for a long time. For the safety of tourists.

Source: Thai News Agency