at 18:30 (JST), October 04

Asian View
"Asian View" is a five-minute news segment broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN. It features the latest news and deep analysis from Japan and the rest of Asia. Listen to "Asian View" and get the latest information from a region that's playing an increasingly important role in the world.





https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/upld/medias/en/radio/news/20231004183000_english_1.mp3


Key words : two people
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231003_32/

Police in Thailand say a shooting at a luxury shopping mall in central Bangkok has resulted in the deaths of two people. They say a 14-year-old boy has been taken into custody.

Local media say police were notified shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday that the sound of gunfire had been heard at the Siam Paragon mall. Emergency services in the capital say four other people were injured and taken to hospital.

Police announced on social media the detention of the teenager.

Siam Paragon, opened in 2006, is among the largest commercial facilities in Bangkok and popular among foreign tourists. The mall houses high-end fashion brands and restaurants as well as an aquarium.

Key words : bangkok chinese myanmar
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231004_33/

People in Thailand are still reeling from a deadly shooting at a luxury shopping mall in central Bangkok.
A day after the tragedy, there are growing worries about how the incident could have happened, and what it means for the country.

The shooting occurred on Tuesday at a shopping mall in Bangkok frequented by overseas visitors.
Police say two women from China and Myanmar were killed and five others suffered serious and minor injuries.

Authorities are working to unravel the motives of a 14-year-old boy detained as a suspect in the shooting.
He was apparently undergoing mental health treatment, and had not taken prescribed medication on the day of the shooting.
"I was shocked, I didn't think this could happen so close by," said a female worker.
A male student said, "I wonder where he got the gun."

The incident took place after the Thai government began allowing visa-free entry for Chinese visitors last week.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the mall where the shooting occurred, and said the government would take action.

"We will make sure that it doesn't happen again," Srettha said. "We are doing what we can at the moment. I think we have the confidence of the tourists."

But shop owners are worried about how the incident will affect their businesses, as many depend on foreign customers.

"I'm concerned because sales have slumped following COVID, now this situation could cause business to worsen even more," said a souvenir shop owner.

Thailand is said to have the highest number of privately owned firearms among Southeast Asian countries. The weapons are sometimes sold illegally online.

In October last year, a former police officer killed 36 people, including many children, in a gun-and-knife attack at a daycare center.

The gun-related incidents have led to growing calls for stronger gun control. But concrete measures have yet to be implemented. People are watching to see what the new government does to ensure another incident doesn't happen again.

Key words : un humanitarian
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231003_23/

A UN humanitarian agency says ongoing conflict and monsoon floods continue to cause more people to become internally displaced in Myanmar, worsening the already dire situation in the country.

In its latest report released on Monday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says nearly 2 million people have been internally displaced across the country. It says the affected people need life-saving assistance.

The report explains the displacement is being driven by monsoon floods and the persistent conflict between the Myanmar military and pro-democracy forces. It also points out that an estimated 75,000 civilian properties, including houses, schools and religious structures have reportedly been destroyed in conflict-affected areas.

The report also says that casualties due to landmines have occurred in every state and region of Myanmar except Naypyitaw and Yangon.

Danielle Parry, Deputy Head of the OCHA Myanmar office says, "People are moving around in large numbers in areas that they're not familiar with. They may not know where there are dangers just lying beneath the ground. It' also an added risk during the monsoon season where there are flooding. Many of these landmines and other explosive devices are able to move around in the flood water."

The OCHA warns the humanitarian situation in Myanmar is worsening, and calls on the international community to provide more support for the Myanmar people.

Key words : afghan suspended
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231003_25/

The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi has suspended operations, two years after the Taliban regained power. The move is seen to put the future of many refugees and asylum seekers at risk.

The embassy in the Indian capital has been run by staff appointed by the previous Afghan government before the Taliban seized power.

A statement posted by the embassy on social media said it will cease operations from October 1st. The statement cited lack of support from the Indian government, as well as a significant reduction in both personnel and available resources.

It also says that the embassy fails to meet the expectations and requirements necessary to serve Afghanistan and its citizens.
The Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021.
The Indian government has not recognized the government appointed by the Islamist group. But it allowed the embassy in New Delhi to function solely as an extension of the previous government.

Thousands of Afghans living in the country rely on the embassy's services. They include refugees, students, and businesspeople.

Afghan consulates in the Indian cities of Mumbai and Hyderabad say they will continue operations.

The New Delhi embassy says it is keen to reach an agreement with the Indian government to ensure that the interests of Afghans living in India are safeguarded.

Key words : hundreds of trees
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/radio/asianview/interviews/202310031758/

PLAN TO REDEVELOP TOKYO PARK FACES OPPOSITION

A plan to cut down hundreds of trees in a historic park in the center of Tokyo has ignited a controversy. ICOMOS, an advisory body to UNESCO, is demanding that the plan be withdrawn. To learn more about the situation, we spoke with Ishikawa Mikiko, a professor at Chuo University’s Research and Development Initiative. She’s also the director of ICOMOS Japan.