MILESTONES

Qualified: For Women’s World Cup 2019 in France, the Chaba Kaew. It’s the second World Cup in a row for the Thai women, who thrashed Jordan 6-1 on Monday and then defeated the Philippines on Thursday. Useful foreign phrase du jour: Elle lance et compte!

Purchased: By King Power for 14 billion baht most of the optical illusion-friendly MahaNakhon building. Current operator Pace Development Corp said it will use the money to buy out its partners, including the Asian arm of Goldman Sachs. Pace will retain a small portion of the 77-storey skyscraper. King Power will own the retail space, observation deck, the 154room Ritz-Carlton hotel and other major parts.

Jailed: For 22 years for sexually abusing children, serial paedophile Raymond Klunder. The 51-yearold Dutch citizen and former Hua Hin resident was a music teacher, real estate salesman and fondler of young children, such as the 10-yearold boy found at his home when he was arrested. Police raided his home after being tipped by Dutch police, where he is wanted on the same charge.

Rejected: By the International Criminal Court, a Japanese citizens’ group’s petition to indict North Korea’s Kim Jong-un on charges of kidnapping. A lawyer acting for the group cited many cases of abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea. The learned judges, at The Hague, said they can’t consider crimes committed before 2007 — which lets the Kim family and many others off the hook conveniently. Thai victim Anucha Panchoi was not mentioned in this suit.

Confirmed: By Toyota Motor Corp of Japan, the business plan to use Thailand as its worldwide base for making batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. The planned factory is to open at the beginning of 2020, according to the announcement.