MILESTONES

Died: At 91 at Bang Pai Hospital in Bangkok, national artist Ajin Panjapan, a popular author. The Nakhon Pathom native wrote mostly for magazines and book compilations, most notably a collection of stories about life at mine faces. He was the founder of Fa Muang Thai, popular with now-elderly people.

Won: The triple crown of women’s golf for 2018, Bangkok’s Ariya Jutanugarn. At the year’s final tournament in Florida, she finished fifth to wind up a year where she won the US Women’s Open and two other tournaments. She is the World No.1 on points, holder of the CME Globe as low-scoring golfer of the year and LPGA Player of the Year.

Resigned: Because the United Nations lacks the guts to fire him, UN environment chief Erik Solheim, the Norwegian scold who has been telling you for 22 months to stop abusing your carbon emissions. This perfect entry in any dictionary’s definition of “hypocrite” spent $488,000 on travel, ie carbon-emitting first-class trips.

Banned: From the Bangkok Holiday Inn as the equally reprehensible relative of stinkyfruit, the completely innocent mangosteen. Both durian and mangkhut are banned, in English and Chinese, with the hotel claiming they will impose a fine of 6,000 baht.

Promised: By the Minister of Transport, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, a late New Year’s gift for 200 concession owners of Bangkok public buses, a fare increase. Mr Arkhom said the amount of the present would depend on his Department of Land Transport.

Overthrown: In a palace coup that saw him arrested and jailed in Japan, highly lauded auto executive Carlos Ghosn. The Brazilian-born French national was chairman of Nissan Motor, Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors.

Jailed: For four years for smuggling rhino horns through Suvarnabhumi airport, deputy public prosecutor Woraphas Boonsri and two accomplices. Flying in from Africa, Woraphas told the customs official he was important, then told him he was carrying wine, then tried to bribe him.