title: Carrie Lam

text: Lam also put forward a new Urban Renewal Strategy to lower the threshold for compulsory sale for redevelopment from 90 percent to 80 percent in 2010. Human rights organisations criticised the policy as benefiting the big real estate developers and violating the right to housing as recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as the bargaining power of the small owners would be undermined.


title: Carrie Lam

text: According to a report ("A decade of compression- Hong Kong nano-flat study 2010-2019") by Liber Research Community, in 2011, Lam oversaw amendments to the "Code of Practice for Fire Safety", which simplified the application process for building open kitchens in apartments instead of separated kitchens, enabling property developers to more easily create nano-flats, defined as flats below 260 square feet.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In recognition of her achievements as Secretary for Development, she was awarded honorary member of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, honorary fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Property Person of the Year in the RICS Hong Kong Property Awards 2012, honorary member of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, honorary member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, honorary fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists, and honorary fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.


title: Carrie Lam

text: During the 2012 Chief Executive election, Lam cracked down on the unauthorised building works of Chief Executive candidate Henry Tang who was contesting Leung Chun-ying. That scandal put paid to Tang's hopes of becoming Chief Executive. Leung was later found to also have unauthorised building works at his house. Lam was criticised for letting him get away with it.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In 2007, Lam wrote to the Heung Yee Kuk's then-chairman, Lau Wong-fat, reassuring him that villagers suspected of illegally transferring their ding rights would not be criminally prosecuted. The "Hong Kong Economic Journal" pointed out that it should not have been up to Lam and the Development Bureau to determine criminal prosecutions, but the Department of Justice instead.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In 2012, Lam led the Development Bureau in cracking down unauthorised building works largely found in the indigenous villages in the New Territories, though "SCMP" noted that Lam had turned a blind eye towards the issue in 2010. The change in law enforcement policy was opposed by leaders of rural communities and the Heung Yee Kuk, a statutory body representing rural interests. The Heung Yee Kuk staged protests against Lam and accused her of "robbing villagers of their fundamental rights". Lam also called to end the "Small House Policy" in 2012, which has been subject to abuse amidst a land crunch. The policy gives male indigenous villagers in the New Territories the right to build a house close to their ancestral homes but the policy has drawn criticism because in some cases, it has been abused for profit.


title: Carrie Lam

text: After hinting she would retire in the United Kingdom with her family, Lam received appointment to become the Chief Secretary for Administration under Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on 1 July 2012. Her popularity started to shrink as Chief Secretary as the Moral and National Education controversy sparked in the first months of the Leung administration, which saw Lam's popularity rating dipped two percentage points from 64 percent to 62 percent.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In October 2013, she became the head of the Task Force on Constitutional Development headed by Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen and Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam which was responsible for the constitutional reform consultation for the electoral methods for the 2017 Chief Executive election and 2016 Legislative Council election. After Hong Kong Basic Law Committee member Rao Geping explicitly ruled out any form of open nomination for candidates in the 2017 Chief Executive election at a seminar, Lam characterised Rao's statement as "setting the tune of the gong with a final hit" which received attacks from the pan-democrats that Lam had effectively put an end to consultation on the issue even before it has begun.


title: Carrie Lam

text: After the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) decreed the restriction on the 2017 Chief Executive election in August 2014, the pro-democracy suffragists launched a large-scale occupation protests which lasted for 79 days. In response to the occupations, Lam announced that the second round of public consultations on political reform, originally planned to be completed by the end of the year, would be postponed.


title: Carrie Lam

text: During the midst of the occupation protests, Lam also held talks in a televised open debate with student leaders on 21 October. In the talks, Lam obdurately resisted, stating that students' proposal of civil nomination falls outside of the framework imposed by the Basic Law and the NPCSC decision, which could not be retracted.


title: Carrie Lam

text: The political reform uproar caused Lam to lose her long-held title as one of the most popular government officials when her approval ratings in a University of Hong Kong poll plunged to its lowest level since she became Chief Secretary. The constitutional reform proposals were defeated in the Legislative Council in June 2015.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Lam sparked controversy when she was the only principal official not to offer an apology for the lead-in-water scandal, insisting that, "even though the commission’s hearings reflected an inadequate awareness by government departments and flaws in the monitoring system, it did not necessarily equate to particular officials not following laws or neglecting duties – because of that, they do not have to bear personal responsibility." She fought back pan-democrat legislators in a Legislative Council meeting, criticising the pan-democrats for politicising the scandal, stating that she could be as bold as she wants as "a government official with no expectation is always courageous". Her words were criticised for being arrogant.


title: Carrie Lam

text: She stirred another controversy when she, in a speech to open the Caritas Bazaar in 2015, Lam cited the eight Beatitudes, saying "Some said that the eighth blessing applies very well to me – it says, 'blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven' – there is already a place reserved for me in heaven." Senior cleric, The Reverend Thomas Law Kwok-Fai, told the media "No one would say that about themselves ... I won’t dare to myself", while a senior lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong said that Lam sounded arrogant.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In December 2016, Lam was under fire when she announced a deal with Beijing for the plans for a Hong Kong Palace Museum as the chair of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority without any public consultation and transparency during the decision-making process. She was also criticised for appointing architect Rocco Yim Sen-kee to start a HK$4.5 million feasibility study for building the museum and exhibition centre complex behind closed doors months before the authority board chose the architect as its design consultant. Lam linked the backlash to her announcement that she would "reconsider" running in the 2017 Chief Executive election after incumbent Leung Chun-ying said he would not seek a second term. Lam previously said that she would retire in the English countryside with her family after her term ended in 2017.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Lam formally announced her plan to enter the 2017 Chief Executive election after resigning as Chief Secretary on 12 January 2017, ending her 36-year government career. She also set out what she described as an eight-point "achievable new vision" with a call to play to "strengths with determination and confidence". The election rally with the campaign slogan of "We Connect" including the catchwords "We Care, We Listen, We Act" was attended by many pro-Beijing figures and tycoons from both the Henry Tang and Leung Chun-ying camps in the last election. She also revealed a campaign team, which included council of chairpersons and senior advisers consisting of heavyweights including senior pro-Beijing politicians and tycoons.


title: Carrie Lam

text: On 6 February, multiple media reports said National People's Congress (NPC) chairman Zhang Dejiang, who was simultaneously head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s Central Coordination Group for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, and Sun Chunlan, head of the party's United Front Work Department, were in Shenzhen to meet with some Election Committee members from the major business chambers and political groups. It was reported that Zhang told the electors that the CCP Politburo had decided to support Carrie Lam in the election.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In response to the criticism of not having a full election platform, Lam revealed her manifesto titled "Connecting for Consensus and A Better Future" on 27 February, two days before the nomination period ended. The platform focused on reforming the government structure and boosting the economy, but did not make any promise on relaunching the political reform or Article 23 legislation. Carrie Lam submitted a total of 579 nominations on 28 February, just 22 votes short of the final number needed to win the race. Lam dominated in the pro-Beijing business and political sectors, winning three-quarters of the votes in the business sector, but failed to receive any nomination from the pro-democracy camp.


title: Carrie Lam

text: On 26 March 2017, Lam was elected Chief Executive with 777 votes in the 1,194-member Election Committee, 197 more votes than she got in the nomination period. She is the first female leader of Hong Kong, the first candidate to be elected without leading in the polls and the first leader to have graduated from the University of Hong Kong. She pledged to "heal the social divide" and "unite our society to move forward" in her victory speech.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Lam received the appointment from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on 11 April 2017. Lam was sworn in by General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President Xi Jinping, on 1 July 2017, the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Special Administrative Region, becoming the first female Chief Executive.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In July 2017 weeks after Lam sworn in, four pro-democracy legislators Leung Kwok-hung, Yiu Chung-yim, Nathan Law and Lau Siu-lai who were legally challenged for their oath-taking manners by the then Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen were disqualified by the court. The event caused the quick deterioration of the relations between the pro-democracy camp and the government after the strained relations had been improved compared to Lam's predecessor Leung Chun-ying. Lam pledged she would not target more pro-democrats in oath-taking controversy.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In the 2018 Legislative Council by-election for four of the six vacancies left by the disqualified legislators, Demosistō candidate Agnes Chow was disqualified for her party's platform of calling for "self-determination". After the European Union issued a statement warning that banning Chow from the by-election "risks diminishing Hong Kong’s international reputation as a free and open society", Lam defended the returning officer's decision, but denied that she had anything to do with the returning officer, stating that "there are absolutely no grounds for that sort of accusation or allegation of pressure."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In the November 2018 Kowloon West by-election, the candidacy of the ousted legislator Lau Siu-lai was also disqualified by the returning officer as she advocated for "self-determination" on her 2016 electoral platform. Her ally and elected legislator Eddie Chu, who signed the same statement in the 2016 election, was also barred from running in the rural representative election in December 2018. Lam supported the Returning Officer's decision that "had been made in accordance with the Rural Representative Election Ordinance."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In July 2018, the Hong Kong Police Force unprecedentedly served the convenor of the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party Chan Ho-tin a notice under the Societies Ordinance and sought to ban the Party. The police claimed that the party has engaged in sedition and that the party may be banned on grounds of national security with respect to Chinese territorial integrity. The notice contained highly detailed surveillance material on the party leadership's public engagements. On 24 October 2018, Chan Ho-tin and party spokesman Jason Chow Ho-fai filed appeals against the ban with the Chief Executive and Executive Council but were eventually rejected.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In August, a controversy erupted in 2018 when the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) hosted a lunchtime talk with Chan Ho-tin on 14 August. A "Financial Times" journalist Victor Mallet, vice-chairman of the press organisation, chaired the session. The event was opposed by the governments of China and Hong Kong, because the issue of independence supposedly crossed one of the "bottom lines" on national sovereignty. Upon returning to Hong Kong after a visit to Bangkok, Mallet was denied a working visa by the Hong Kong government. He was then subjected to a four-hour interrogation by immigration officers upon his return from Thailand on Sunday, 7 October before he was finally allowed to enter Hong Kong on a seven-day tourist visa. Carrie Lam refused to make any comment, only stating that the Immigration Department was not obliged to explain individual cases.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In July 2017, the Lam administration proposed co-location arrangement of the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) has sparked concerns that it might constitute a breach of the Basic Law and undermine Hong Kong's autonomy of "One Country, Two Systems", especially regarding the immigration control issue. In January 2018, Carrie Lam slammed the Hong Kong Bar Association for its criticism on the "co-location arrangement" which would allow customs officers from Mainland China to set up checkpoints and exercise jurisdiction inside the West Kowloon station. The Bar Association criticized the arrangement for distortion of the Basic Law, stating it damages the rule of law in Hong Kong as Article 18 was clearly written and leaves no room for any interpretation which would allow Chinese law to apply in any certain part of HKSAR.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Lam defended the bill and responded by stating that "some Hong Kong legal professionals have an elitist mentality or double standards, that is, they think that Hong Kong’s legal system is supreme, and that the mainland legal system – a big country with a 1.3 billion population – is wrong." Her statement prompted widespread disbelief as she appeared to defend Chinese legal system being better than Hong Kong's legal system which is derived from British system, accusing her of hypocrisy as she herself is seen as an elite out of touch with society, damaging the One Country, Two Systems principle and for attacking the character instead of the arguments of Hong Kong's lawyers.


title: Carrie Lam

text: The long-debated plan was finally passed on 14 June 2018 in the Legislative Council by 40 to 20 votes after Legislative Council President Andrew Leung capped debate time for the bill at 36 hours to counter pro-democrats' filibustering. The cross-border Express Rail Link was opened on 22 September 2018, followed by the opening of another cross-border infrastructure Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge on 23 October 2018 by CCP general secretary Xi Jinping. Lam entering the venue side by side with Xi and ahead of Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui and First Vice Premier Han Zheng. The entrance raised eyebrows among those who saw it as a departure from protocol for her to walk in front of top mainland officials.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In October 2018, Lam launched a development plan in her second policy address which suggested the construction of artificial islands with a total area of about 1,700 hectares through massive land reclamation near Kau Yi Chau and Hei Ling Chau of the eastern waters of Lantau Island. The project meets with controversies and opposition for its high cost of estimated HK$500 billion (US$63.8 billion) – amounting to half of the city's fiscal reserves – as well as environmental concerns.


title: Carrie Lam

text: On 12 December 2018, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced it would not take any "further investigative action" against former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying over his receipt of HK$50 million from the Australian engineering firm UGL, ending the four-year marathon probe. The Department of Justice also issued a statement claiming there was "insufficient evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction" against Leung for any criminal offence.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Carrie Lam defended Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng who was strongly criticised for not following the conventional procedure of seeking external legal advice in the UGL case. Lam said Cheng had made a professional call and that she hoped the UGL saga, which had been a point of contention for four years, could finally end.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In January 2019, the Lam administration announced that the age threshold for elderly Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) would jump from 60 to 65, starting in February. She faced opposition from both the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy legislators, in which she responded that it was the Legislative Council who approved the change in the CSSA scheme, as part of the 2018 Budget. Her remarks attracted backlashes from the legislators as well as the public. On 18 January, Lam backed down by announcing that people affected would get a new employment support supplement that would cover the cut. The Lam government also made an U-turn by suspending the controversial plan to impose a HK$200 penalty on Hong Kong's senior citizens claiming welfare payments without joining a job programme.


title: Carrie Lam

text: The government was also under fire by the HK$4,000 handout scheme proposed in the Financial Secretary Paul Chan's 2018 Budget in which adult residents would get up to HK$4,000 if they do not own property or get government benefits. The application procedure was criticised for being too complicated. Applicants were initially required to provide an address proof. Facing the criticism, the government later waived the address proof requirement.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Amid the UGL case and the mismanagements, the average score of Carrie Lam further plunged to a new low in mid January to 50.9 in the poll by the University of Hong Kong, dropping 5.5 points from the previous month. Her net approval rating fell 21 percentage points to a new low. In another poll conducted by Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lam scored the lowest point of only 50.9 per cent – 1.8 percentage points lower than the previous month. Lam softened her tone after the widespread criticism. "The implementation of these measures has made people question the ability of this administration to govern," Lam said. "I completely accept this criticism."


title: Carrie Lam

text: The Lam administration first presented a cross-harbour tunnel toll plan in January 2019 to balance the traffic between the three cross-harbour tunnels by raising tolls at the publicly operated overused Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Tunnel, while lowering them for the privately run Western Harbour Tunnel which was underused because of its higher charges. But Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan abruptly withdrew it after strong opposition from the Legislative Council. The government made two changes to the motion in the hope of getting more support, but legislators across the political spectrum remained unconvinced. In March, Carrie Lam said her government has decided to shelve the plan for the second time as the government could not get enough votes in the legislature, symbolising the first defeat of the Lam administration.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In mid-2019, the Lam government introduced a bill to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance. This sparked opposition which expressed fears about the city opening itself to Mainland Chinese law and urged the government to establish an extradition arrangement with Taiwan only. Lam insisted that she would proceed with the bill and that the Legislative Councillors must still pass new extradition laws before their summer break. Lam also claimed that the bill controversy had been "escalated" by foreign powers, allegedly seizing the opportunity to attack the mainland's legal system and human rights record. She survived the first motion of no-confidence against her with the backing of the pro-Beijing majority in the legislature on 29 May. Democratic Party legislator Andrew Wan who moved the motion claimed that Lam "blatantly lied" about the bill.


title: Carrie Lam

text: The June 9 peaceful demonstration against the bill saw a new high number of over a million people marching in the streets as the organisers claimed, but the government issued a press statement, that it "acknowledge[s] and respect[s] that people have different views on a wide range of issues", but insisted the second reading debate on the bill would resume on 12 June. On the day of the second reading, the protest outside the government headquarters later descended into violent clashes with the police. Amid the clashes, Lam appeared in a TVB interview where she was in tears when asked if she betrayed Hong Kong, replying "I grew up with all Hong Kong people and my love for this place has prompted me to make many personal sacrifices." Instead of selling out Hong Kong, she said her husband had told her that after she became Chief Executive she had "sold herself to Hong Kong". She said she had done nothing against her conscience and would not withdraw the bill. However within three hours, Lam released another video with a change of the tone, strongly reprimanding protesters for the "blatant, organised riot" and condemning it as "not an act of love for Hong Kong."


title: Carrie Lam

text: After her tearful television interview failed to stop the intense violent clashes on 12 June, Carrie Lam announced a pause in the passage of the extradition bill on 15 June. On 16 June, nearly two million protesters, as claimed by the organisers, peacefully flooded the streets demanding a full withdrawal of the bill. In response, Lam apologised to Hong Kong residents, promised to "sincerely and humbly accept all criticism and to improve and serve the public", and repeatedly stated that the bill had already been suspended.


title: Carrie Lam

text: The protests took a dramatic turn on 1 July, the 22nd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong as a group of protesters stormed the Legislative Council Complex and vandalised the building, leaving graffiti such as "It was you who told me peaceful marches did not work." Lam refused to grant any of the five key demands requested by the protesters, namely the full withdrawal of the extradition bill, a commission of inquiry into the police misconduct, release and a possible amnesty of the arrested protesters, the retraction of the categorisation of the protests as "riots" and universal suffrage of the Chief Executive and Legislative Council. As the protests intensified and spread to different districts of the city, Lam saw her support in August 2019 fall to a record low of 17 per cent, with those opposed hitting 76 per cent, according to a survey released by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute. Satisfaction with the SAR government fell to 14 per cent, the lowest ever recorded in post-colonial times. Notwithstanding a 2017 pledge, she refused to resign, claiming the community needed her to "hold the fort".


title: Carrie Lam

text: On 2 September 2019, "Reuters" published a recording of a behind-the-door talk that Lam had given in late August 2019 to several businesspeople. Lam said that "for a Chief Executive to have caused this huge havoc to Hong Kong is unforgivable. It's just unforgivable. If I have a choice, the first thing is to quit, having made a deep apology, is to step down." She also said "the political room for [the Chief Executive who serve two masters, Beijing and the Hong Kong people] maneuvering is very, very, very limited." Lam responded that the leak was "very inappropriate", and that she had "not even contemplated tendering resignation". Shortly after that, on 4 September Lam formally withdrew the bill after three months of unprecedented anti-government protests, but gave no sign of stepping down or conceding to any of the protesters' other four key demands. She only repeatedly stated that the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO), a unit within the Police Force, and the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), a monitoring body, would still be able to handling the complaint cases as the accusations against police mismanagement, brutality and corruption mounted up, including the July 21 Yuen Long attack and August 31 Prince Edward station attack. Lam also held a dialogue session was held on 26 September as she pledged to communicate with the public, but no subsequent session has been held since then.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Attempting to curb the ongoing protests, Carrie Lam on 4 October invoked the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to impose a law to ban wearing face masks in public gatherings which was later declared unconstitutional by the High Court in November. Protests and citywide flashmob rallies against the anti-mask law and the invocation of the emergency ordinance persisted throughout the month.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In the November District Council elections which were seen as a de facto referendum on the persisting protests, Lam's pro-Beijing camp suffered from the largest electoral defeat in Hong Kong history with pro-democrats gaining more than 240 seats, over 80 per cent of the available seats, and controlling 17 of the 18 District Councils. Carrie Lam said that her government would "listen humbly" and "seriously reflect" on views expressed at the election and would set up an independent review committee to look at cause of social unrest, modelling on Britain's response to the 2011 Tottenham riots, fell short of the protesters' demand on an independent commission of inquiry. Shortly after the election, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act which was previously passed overwhelmingly in the United States Congress into law. Lam said she was disappointed by the passage of the Act, and said the Hong Kong freedom had not been eroded.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In December, 25 pro-democrat legislators tabled an impeachment motion to form an independent investigative committee to examine claims that Lam's conduct constituted a "serious breach of the law and dereliction of duty". Despite the motion being defeated, with 36 voted "no" and 26 voted yes, Lam received criticism from both pro-democracy and pro-Beijing legislators for mishandling the extradition bill and the protests.


title: Carrie Lam

text: The months-long anti-government protests and the alleged initial mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak cost Carrie Lam's substantial public support. A Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute survey in late January found 75 per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with the government's response to the outbreak, while Lam's support rating sunk to nine per cent in late February, the lowest on record for any leader. In February 2020, a confidential report by Carrie Lam to the central government revealed that Lam's attempt to win back the public trust and support by effectively handling the coronavirus outbreak in which she believed would serve as a political turnaround for the coming election.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In March 2021, Lam complained that the public was not working with her administration to get vaccinated fast enough, stating "now we encourage people to take the vaccines, people don't do that." Earlier in February 2021, the government gave the Sinovac vaccine an exemption from an earlier requirement of having to publish third phase trial data in a medical journal before being approved for use in Hong Kong. Also in March 2021, Lam condemned some medical workers, claiming that they were "smearing" and "spreading fake news, misinformation" about Sinovac.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In early August 2021, Lam announced that some sectors of workers would have to be vaccinated or otherwise pay for regular testing to continue to work. This measure has drawn criticism and approval. As of the date this announcement was made by Lam, only 36% of Hong Kong citizens had been fully vaccinated.


title: Carrie Lam

text: On the morning of 14 June 2022, Lam stated that anti-epidemic measures would not be changed in the near future, and that "having considered the situation and of course the need to maintain a more stable infection situation in Hong Kong, we have decided that we will maintain the status quo up to the 30th of June, 2022". Later in the day, the government reversed course and announced the tightening of anti-epidemic measures, requiring people who go to bars and nightclubs to present a negative test within the past 24 hours.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In May 2020, the Beijing authorities initiated a plan for implementing the national security law for Hong Kong which would prominently criminalise "separatism, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference", which many interpreted as a crackdown on civil liberties, government critics, and the independence movement. Carrie Lam welcomed the adoption of the draft decision on national security law, stressing that the SAR government will "fully cooperate with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) to complete the relevant work on legislation as soon as possible." The first concrete details of the legislation were announced on 15 June 2020, but by the time the NPCSC were approving final drafts on 29 June 2020, Carrie Lam had still not seen a draft of the law. In an interview with CNBC, last British governor Chris Patten called Lam a "lamentable and quisling figure in Hong Kong history" for mishandling the city's political crisis which led to the national security law which, in his view, undermined the city's rule of law and judicial independence, posing a threat to the cherished freedoms that have allowed Hong Kong to thrive.


title: Carrie Lam

text: On 14 October 2020, the United States Department of State released a report on 10 individuals who materially contributed to the failure of China to meet its obligations under the Sino–British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong's Basic Law. Lam was on the list.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In November 2020, Lam said that the national security law was "remarkably effective" and that "After a year of social unrest with fear for personal safety, Hong Kong people can once again enjoy their basic rights and freedoms according to the law." Also, Lam said that she did not feel guilty for sparking the protests, and that "I do not feel guilty. What wrong have I done? I have introduced a piece of legislation for very good reasons." In contrast to her opinion, activist Nathan Law said, after the expulsion of 4-pro democracy lawmakers from the Hong Kong Legislative Council, that "Erosion of Hong Kong's freedom has reached a new height."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In January 2021, Lam said that district councillors and all 1200 members of the Chief Executive Election Committee should be considered as "public officers" under the national security law, and therefore be required to take an oath to swear loyalty to the government.


title: Carrie Lam

text: On 25 January 2021, Lam claimed that the national security law protects people's rights and freedoms, and that "These important features have put our national security law on par with, if not superior to, similar national security laws in other jurisdictions, including the US." In August 2021, despite earlier claims, Lam said that rights and freedoms as guaranteed by the Basic Law may have to give way for "more important goals" such as national security, and said that "Human rights and freedoms are not absolute."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In March 2021, Lam said that authorities would be on "full alert" to make sure museum exhibits do not violate the national security law, and also said "Would the art pieces to be displayed there breach the so-called red line? With the national security law in place, we have to safeguard national security."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In January 2022, Lam said during the opening of the new legislative sessions under the "patriots only" election, that the government would broaden the crimes under the national security law, without specifying which offences would be included.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In March 2022, after two British non-permanent judges resigned from the Court of Final Appeal due to concerns their participation would be seen as supporting "an administration which has departed from values of political freedom, and freedom of expression", Lam said that "What I find very disturbing and I cannot accept is the association of their resignation with the implementation of the national security law or the practice of individual rights and freedoms in Hong Kong."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In June 2022, Lam said that "People think there's no freedom but it's not the situation... Hong Kong is as free as ever," including "freedom of expression, in the freedom of assembly, in the media, and so on". Additionally, she said that the government had done a poor job at explaining the legal matter but ultimately did "not think the government made a mistake in introducing this bill".


title: Carrie Lam

text: In August 2020, Lam and ten other officials were sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13936 by President Donald Trump for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy. The sanction is based on the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and Lam would be listed in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.


title: Carrie Lam

text: As a result of the sanctions Lam has lost all access to banking services. She told the Hong Kong International Business Channel "I am using cash every day for everything. I have piles of cash at home because the government is paying my salary in cash.” Because SWIFT and the U.S. dollar banking system is important to the international banking system not even Chinese state-owned banks would be willing to do business with sanctioned individuals.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In November 2020, following the expulsion of 4 pro-democracy lawmakers from the Hong Kong Legislative Council, Lam revealed that it was she who had requested the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) for help with disqualifying the lawmakers. Earlier on 18 August 2020, Lam made a contradictory remark at a press conference, saying "As the NPCSC has made this decision to let all members of the current Legco perform their duties, then they can just return and perform. I am not the one who can tell whether they will come back or not."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In November 2020, Lam said that when she first became Chief Executive, she "fantasised" about implementing democratic reform in Hong Kong, "but the bubbles burst quickly." Also, she claimed that democratic reform would only further divide society. In addition, Lam said that universal suffrage would not be implemented until Hong Kong's constitutional order and political system are "restored." In March 2021, Lam said that she was "quite certain" that Hong Kong could still move towards universal suffrage.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In September 2021, when speaking of Hong Kong's reforms to allow only "patriots" to serve in elections, Lam said that "In a way, it's a democratic system that suits Hong Kong better, because there are still elections."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In November 2021, Lam said it was "wrong" to think that Beijing "owes" universal suffrage to Hong Kong. She has also criticized the West's "so-called democracy", and stated that "We cannot copy and paste the so-called democratic system or rules of the Western countries."


title: Carrie Lam

text: Even though Lam introduced the failed Hong Kong extradition bill, Lam in November 2020 also said that the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests were partially due to the city's teachers, and that the government will take "stringent actions" against teachers deemed "incompetent or found misconducted." Additionally, Lam said that "We cannot bear to see that with the infiltration of politics into school campuses, students are drawn into political turbulence or even misled to engage in illegal and violent acts." In response, Ip Kin-yuen said there was no evidence to back Lam's claim that teachers fueled the protests.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In 2017, Lam promised in her election manifesto that she would extend Hong Kong's anti-bribery laws to cover the Chief Executive position. In December 2020, she reneged on the promise, stating that it would affect her "constitutional role." In contrast, former lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting said that such an exclusion is a loophole and that adding it would create a checks and balance system for the Chief Executive. Lo Kin-hei called the promise break "utterly irresponsible behaviour", asking "Are probity and honesty no longer important?"


title: Carrie Lam

text: In response to the Civil Service Bureau under Patrick Nip mandating that all civil servants pledge an oath of loyalty to the government, Lam in January 2021 stated that she did not believe such an oath would hurt morale for civil servants, despite civil service unions expressing concern that the terms of the oath are too vague.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In February 2021, Lam stated that Hong Kong would begin to enforce a previously written law that does not recognize dual nationality; those of Chinese descent who were born in Hong Kong or mainland China would be considered Chinese nationals, regardless of their other passports. Lam said that those with other passports "will not be eligible for consular protection, including consular visits, so that is very clear." Lam's husband and both of their sons have British passports; Lam has previously said that her husband and sons would not give up their British passports.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In February 2021, after Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong stated that only "patriots" could govern the city and that changes to the election system were needed to choose patriots, Lam defended the view that the mainland government had to intervene, and claimed "The central government is very worried and that's why it has to solve the problems to prevent the situation from worsening to a point where the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle can no longer be implemented in Hong Kong." In addition, Lam denied that her poor performance was to blame for the decision of the central government to get involved with the implementation of "patriots" ruling the government.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In March 2021, after the NPCSC approved changes to only allow "patriots" to serve in the government, Lam claimed that those with different political beliefs would still be able to run for election, as long as they are patriots and comply with the national security law.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In December 2021, during the first election cycle (2021 Hong Kong legislative election) under the new rule, Lam dismissed concerns of low voter turnout, stating that low voter turnout "does not mean anything" and could mean citizens are satisfied with the government. One of her secretaries, Erick Tsang, later provided a seemingly contradictory statement, saying that "Voter turnout could be affected by many factors. Some foreign forces or anti-Chinese elements have been befogging the minds of the people and urging them not to vote. We do not rule out that this could affect [people's enthusiasm]." Zhao Lijan, mainland China's foreign ministry spokesperson, also blamed low voter turnout on "anti-China elements bent on destroying Hong Kong and the interference of external forces".


title: Carrie Lam

text: After the election which had a record-low voter turnout of 30.2%, Lam stated that high turnout rates for voting was not always a positive thing, and that people should ignore her past comments which praised high voter turnout. Lam also stated that "So if you asked me today about what I said in 2017, 2018, 2019 as chief executive, I can tell you it's meaningless."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In July 2021, it was revealed that 3 senior officials in the government (Au Ka-wang, Hermes Tang, and Sonny Au) had broken social-distancing measures by accepting a free hotpot dinner at a private club. Government regulations state that officials "must avoid any lavish, unreasonably generous or frequent entertainment that may lead to embarrassment in performing official duties or bring the civil service into disrepute", to which Lam retorted that "There's no definition of what a lavish dinner is. There's no definition of what is being unreasonable. At the end of the day, it's a matter of judgement." Lam stated that people shouldn't be "too harsh" on the officials for their actions.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In December 2021, after "Stand News" was shut down by the government, Lam denied that there was any suppression of press freedom in the city, and claimed that "We are not targeting certain media outlets or those with a particular stance. But when these media outlets have committed certain acts that may fall foul of the law, we have to take action."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In January 2022, after "Citizen News" shut down and cited "vague" laws, Lam claimed there was no direct link with "Stand News" and "Citizen News" closing and the national security law's impact on press freedom. Lam also deflected and said "You name me which western country does not have national security law. They have national security legislation far more draconian than the Hong Kong national security law, which is very well-defined."


title: Carrie Lam

text: In April 2022, after the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) cancelled the 2022 Human Rights Press Awards over fears that it would violate the national security law, Lam claimed that it was an "isolated incident" and that press freedom in Hong Kong has always been upheld.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In January 2022, Lam criticized and summoned the CEO and chair of Cathay Pacific, after a former employee broke home quarantine rules and spread the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Hong Kong. Lam said "As senior management, they may not know every act of their employees, but this cannot be a liability-escape clause. As head of an organisation, just like me as the [Hong Kong] chief, I have to take responsibility for everything."


title: Carrie Lam

text: A few days later, after a Covid-19 cluster was spread at a birthday party hosted by Witman Hung Wai-man with 222 guests (many of them government officials), Lam was asked whether she should take responsibility for the government officials' actions. She changed her earlier opinion and said she would not take responsibility for their actions, and that the individuals would have to take responsibility.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Former official Raymond Young, in a letter to SCMP, revealed that Lam also attended a wedding banquet, hosted by a former trade association vice-president.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In July 2022, several lawmakers criticized the fact that Lam's new office would cost taxpayers approximately HK$22.3 million over the next 3 years.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In November 2022, Lam said that her future plans included promoting "One country, two systems" to Taiwan.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In 1984, Carrie married Hong Kong mathematician Lam Siu-por, whom she met while studying at the University of Cambridge. He obtained his PhD in Mathematics in 1983, under the supervision of Frank Adams.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Siu-por used to teach at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and retired to England, but has since taught some short courses at the Capital Normal University in Beijing. The couple have two sons, Jeremy Lam Jit-si and Joshua Lam Yeuk-hay, both of whom studied in the United Kingdom. Joshua is studying for a PhD in mathematics at Harvard University in the United States.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Their eldest son Jeremy joined Xiaomi, an electronics and software company in Beijing in April 2016. Her husband and both sons are British citizens, while Lam herself renounced her British citizenship to take up the principal official post in the Hong Kong government in 2007. Lam maintained her Catholic faith through her political career; she refused to join the Chinese Communist Party as it would mean renouncing her Catholicism.


title: Carrie Lam

text: In recognition of her "career achievements and contributions to the community", Lam was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2010 and 2016. In 2013 she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Social Sciences by Lingnan University and was made an Officier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government in 2015.


title: Carrie Lam

text: Lam also received an honorary fellowship from the Wolfson College, Cambridge for being "persons of distinction whom the College holds in high standing". In the 2019 anti-extradition bill protests, activists and politicians including three members of the House of Lords urged the university to revoke Lam's title, condemning her "hard line approach" against the protesters. On 15 August 2020, Lam announced on her Facebook page that she has returned her honorary fellowship as she states that, "I was very disappointed that the college slandered others in an unfounded and unreasonable manner. Therefore, it was difficult to persuade myself to continue to have any contact with Wolfson College, so I also returned the honorary academician title."


title: Carrie Lam

text: Wolfson College, which was already considering removing the title, responded that it had "raised concerns" about Lam's "commitment to the protection of human rights and the freedom of expression".


title: Nicole Narain

text: Nicole Narain (born July 28, 1974) is an American model, actress and Playboy Playmate of Afro-Caribbean descent.


title: Nicole Narain

text: She was chosen as "Playboy"'s Playmate of the Month in January 2002 and has appeared in numerous "Playboy" videos.


title: Nicole Narain

text: She has appeared in multiple music videos like R.L.'s song "Got Me a Model", LL Cool J's "Luv You Better", Mario Winans's "I Don't Wanna Know" and Fabolous' "Baby". Narain also competed on the NBC show "Fear Factor" Playboy Playmates Edition, but was eliminated in the first stunt.


title: Nicole Narain

text: In 2005, Narain was sued by the Irish actor Colin Farrell regarding a sex tape involving Narain and Farrell. This prevented the sale, distribution, or display of the tape. Nevertheless, it still became available on a number of internet sites. The lawsuit was eventually settled amicably.


title: Nicole Narain

text: On November 4, 2009, Narain appeared on "The Joy Behar Show" to discuss her sex addiction. This appearance was in conjunction with her casting on the reality-based show "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew".


title: Andrew Gold

text: Andrew Maurice Gold (August 2, 1951 – June 3, 2011) was an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer who influenced much of the Los Angeles-dominated pop/soft rock sound in the 1970s. Gold played on scores of records by other artists, most notably Linda Ronstadt, and had his own success with the U.S. top 40 hits "Lonely Boy" (1977) and "Thank You for Being a Friend" (1978), as well as the UK top five hit "Never Let Her Slip Away" (1978). In the 1980s, he had further international chart success as one half of Wax, a collaboration with 10cc's Graham Gouldman.


title: Andrew Gold

text: During the 1990s, Gold produced, composed, performed on and wrote tracks for films, commercials, and television soundtracks, such as "Final Frontier", the theme of the sitcom "Mad About You". Some of his older works later experienced newfound popularity: "Thank You for Being a Friend" was used as the opening theme for "The Golden Girls", and the children's novelty song "Spooky, Scary Skeletons" (1996) became an Internet meme in the 2010s. In 1997, Gold released a tribute to 1960s psychedelic music, "Greetings from Planet Love", issued under the pseudonym "the Fraternal Order of the All". He died in 2011 at age 59 from heart failure.


title: Andrew Gold

text: Gold was born on August 2, 1951, in Burbank, California, and eventually followed his parents into show business. His mother was singer Marni Nixon, who provided the singing voice for numerous actresses, notably Natalie Wood in "West Side Story", Deborah Kerr in "The King and I", and Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady"; his father was Ernest Gold, an Austrian-born composer who won an Academy Award for his score for the movie "Exodus". He had two younger sisters.


title: Andrew Gold

text: Gold began writing songs at the age of 13. While in school in the United Kingdom for one year, the 16-year-old Gold scored his first recording contract on the strength of a selection of demos he submitted to Polydor Records' London office. That contract resulted in the single "Of All the Little Girls", which was recorded with his friend and collaborator Charlie Villiers, and released in 1967 under the name Villiers and Gold.


title: Andrew Gold

text: By the early 1970s, Gold was working full-time as a musician, songwriter and record producer. He was a member of the Los Angeles band Bryndle, alongside Kenny Edwards, Wendy Waldman and Karla Bonoff, releasing the single "Woke Up This Morning" in 1970. He played a major role as multi-instrumentalist and arranger for Linda Ronstadt's breakthrough album, 1974's "Heart Like a Wheel", and her next two albums. After Ronstadt's "Hasten Down the Wind", Gold began a career as a solo artist. Among other accomplishments, he played the majority of instruments on "You're No Good", Ronstadt's only No. 1 single on the "Billboard" Hot 100, and on "When Will I Be Loved", "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave", and many other hits. He was in her band from 1973 until 1977, and then sporadically throughout the 1980s and 1990s, performing at some of her concerts.


title: Andrew Gold

text: In 1975, Gold debuted as a solo artist, with the album "Andrew Gold", and played most of the instruments on Art Garfunkel's solo hit "I Only Have Eyes For You" (which was a major hit in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Singles Chart), as well as several other cuts on Garfunkel's album "Breakaway".


title: Andrew Gold

text: Gold's second studio album, "What's Wrong with This Picture?," was released in 1976 and featured the hit single "Lonely Boy", which reached No. 7 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 in June 1977.


title: Andrew Gold

text: In 1977, Gold also played guitar on two cuts of Eric Carmen's album "Boats Against the Current", including "She Did It", a No. 23 hit that year.


title: Andrew Gold

text: Although "Lonely Boy" was the bigger radio hit in the States, the single "Thank You for Being a Friend" from Gold's third album, "All This and Heaven Too", peaked at No. 25 in 1978, later gaining popularity as the theme song for "The Golden Girls", performed by Cindy Fee.


title: Andrew Gold

text: Gold's biggest hit in the United Kingdom was "Never Let Her Slip Away", which peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart on two occasions, firstly by Gold himself in 1978 and again by dance-pop group Undercover in 1992. Freddie Mercury, a friend of Gold's, was an uncredited background singer.


title: Andrew Gold

text: Gold also toured with the Eagles, worked in the studio and toured with Ronstadt and Jackson Browne, recorded and toured with James Taylor, and was second engineer on part of Joni Mitchell's album "Blue".


title: Andrew Gold

text: Gold played on Cher's hit 1989 album "Heart of Stone" and, during the early '90s, wrote and composed hits for Trisha Yearwood as well as Wynonna Judd, for whom he co-wrote the No. 1 single "I Saw The Light" with Lisa Angelle. (Later, Gold would produce Angelle on her own album, which featured a number of songs on whose authorship and composition they collaborated.) He also produced singles for Vince Gill, wrote and produced tracks for Celine Dion, and arranged a cover of the Everly Brothers' hit "All I Have to Do Is Dream" that was sung by stars Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen in the 1984 science-fiction film "Starman."


title: Andrew Gold

text: In 1981, Gold produced, co-wrote, sang and played on three 10cc tracks that appeared on the hit-making pop-rock band's 1981 album "Ten Out of 10". Subsequently, Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman of 10cc invited Gold to become a member of the group. Although he had worked with them in the studio, business conflicts prevented him from joining their ranks.


title: Andrew Gold

text: In late 1983, 10cc broke up, and in the aftermath, Gold and Gouldman formed Wax. Wax recorded and toured for five years. They enjoyed international success, particularly in the UK, where the duo had several hits including "Right Between the Eyes" and their biggest hit, "Bridge to Your Heart". Wax broke up as a recording and touring entity in 1989, but Gold and Gouldman continued to write and record together whenever possible.


title: Andrew Gold

text: In the 1990s, Gold once again joined forces with ex-bandmates Karla Bonoff, Wendy Waldman and Kenny Edwards to re-form Bryndle and release their first full-length album, "Bryndle."


title: Andrew Gold

text: In 1996, Gold left Bryndle and released the children's Halloween-oriented novelty album "Halloween Howls", featuring the track "Spooky Scary Skeletons". The same year, he released the solo album "...Since 1951," and produced Stephen Bishop's "Blue Guitar" album. Thereafter, he recorded the psychedelic '60s tribute album "Greetings from Planet Love" under the pseudonym "The Fraternal Order of the All," releasing it on his own record label, "QBrain Records." This album was a multi-tracked solo affair with Gold essentially playing all of the instruments and singing all of the vocals on original songs in the style of Gold's favorite 1960s bands such as The Beatles, The Byrds and The Beach Boys.


title: Andrew Gold

text: He produced, composed, and/or wrote tracks for numerous films, such as the comedy "Rectuma" from director Mark Pirro, and contributed songs to many television soundtracks and commercials. Among his more high-profile gigs, he sang "Final Frontier," the theme song for the television sitcom "Mad About You". In a remarkable turn of events, his rendition of the song was used as the wake-up call for the Mars Pathfinder space probe in 1996.


title: Andrew Gold

text: In 2000, Gold compiled a Wax rarities album, "Bikini Wax", as well as recording and releasing a new solo album "The Spence Manor Suite;" this last was followed in 2002 by another solo collection, "Intermission". In the early 2000s, he formed a Byrds tribute band, Byrds of a Feather, which performed in the Los Angeles area.


title: Andrew Gold

text: He appeared in a 2006 concert with the classic rock group America, and singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop, and the performance was later released as a DVD titled "America And Friends – Live at the Ventura Theater". The show featured Gold performing "Thank You for Being a Friend," "Final Frontier," "Bridge to Your Heart" and "Lonely Boy," as well as accompanying America and Bishop on guitar and vocals. Gold had earlier produced America's "Holiday Harmony" Christmas album back in 2002, wherein he also played most of the instruments and co-wrote the track "Christmas in California."


title: Andrew Gold

text: In the early 2010s, Gold's song "Spooky Scary Skeletons" became the subject of Halloween-related Internet memes through its popularity on 4chan's video games board. Within a few years, the song turned into a viral phenomenon, with numerous highly viewed remixes and dance tutorials for it being posted on YouTube; it was described by "New York" magazine in 2019 as the "Internet's Halloween anthem". The YouTuber Dave Wave released a very popular remix of the song that was later published on Spotify by the Craft Recordings. The song also became highly popular on the social media site TikTok, with videos including it receiving several hundred million views. By 2019, the popularity of "Spooky Scary Skeletons" had inspired a deluxe digital release of "Halloween Howls". This version of the album included the addition of two extended electronic dance remixes of "Spooky Scary Skeletons."


title: Andrew Gold

text: In 2020, an early version of Gold's song "Savannah" was issued as a digital single. It was followed by "Something New: Unreleased Gold" – a posthumous compilation album of previously unavailable tracks, including some demos – in vinyl, CD and digital formats, along with two digital singles from the album: the title song and "Come Down to Me."


title: Andrew Gold

text: Gold's first marriage was to Vanessa Gold, with whom he had three daughters, Emily, Victoria and Olivia.


title: Andrew Gold

text: In the early 1980s, Gold was engaged to singer Nicolette Larson; this ended shortly after the completion of Larson's 1982 album "All Dressed Up and No Place to Go", which Gold produced.


title: Andrew Gold

text: Although Gold put personal references in the lyrics to "Lonely Boy" (including his year of birth), he said in an interview with author Spencer Leigh that the song was not autobiographical: "Maybe it was a mistake to do that, but I simply put in those details because it was convenient. I hadn't been a lonely boy at all -- I'd had a very happy childhood."


title: Andrew Gold

text: Gold was diagnosed with kidney cancer and responded well to treatment. However, on June 3, 2011, he died in his sleep from heart failure at age 59 in Los Angeles.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Singapore Airlines operates a predominantly widebody fleet, until the re-introduction of the Boeing 737 in March 2021 following the merger with SilkAir. The airline also operates Boeing 747-400F and Boeing 777F freighters. As of 1 November 2022, there were 148 passenger aircraft and eight freighters registered in the Singapore Airlines fleet.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Singapore Airlines placed an order for thirty Airbus A350-900 aircraft in 2006, with another thirty ordered in 2013. The airline took delivery of the first of the aircraft in February 2016 and flew its delivery flight to Singapore on 2 March. The airline began operating regular A350 services on 9 May 2016.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: On 13 October 2015, Singapore Airlines announced that it had placed orders for seven Airbus A350-900ULR (Ultra-Long Range) aircraft, which will see the return of non-stop flights from Singapore to both New York and Los Angeles. The first A350-900ULR was delivered to Singapore Airlines in the third quarter of 2018, allowing the non-stop flights to New York (Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey) to resume on 11 October 2018. This was followed by a resumption of the non-stop flights to Los Angeles from 2 November 2018, with a new non-stop service to Seattle commencing in September 2019.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: A letter of intent for 7 A350 Freighters (with 5 options) announced on 15 December 2021, for delivery in Q4 2025.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Singapore Airlines became the first airline to operate the Airbus A380-800 on 25 October 2007, after a series of delays. The airline placed orders for nineteen A380s with six options. The first flight was a return trip from Singapore to Sydney, with a flight designation of Flight 380 to signify the first commercial flight of the A380. To mark this moment in aviation history, SIA auctioned all the tickets in a special agreement with eBay, beginning on 27 August 2007 for two weeks, and donated all the proceeds to charity. Close to $1.3 million was raised for charity through the auction.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: The airline also uses the A380 to serve commemorative or seasonal flights. Singapore Airlines became the first to operate commercial A380 flights into Beijing from 2 to 8 August 2008 to meet higher passenger traffic during the Beijing Summer Olympic Games, and operated the A380 seasonally to Osaka in August 2012. On 9 August 2015, a Singapore Airlines A380 took part in the Singapore National Day Parade as part of Singapore's 50th anniversary celebrations. The aircraft was painted with a special livery and operated a special Charity Flight on 29 May 2015.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In 2012, Singapore Airlines agreed to order five more A380s, to be delivered from 2017. They feature new Suites, Business Class and Economy cabins, as well as Premium Economy seats which were already being rolled out on existing A380s. In 2016, the airline confirmed that one A380 would be returned to its leasing company in October 2017 at the end of its ten-year lease, with a decision still to be made regarding retention of four additional A380 aircraft whose leases expire between January and June 2018. The first A380 was taken out of service in August 2017.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In November 2020, the airline announced that it would retire seven additional Airbus A380s due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation, leaving 12 aircraft to operate in its fleet post-pandemic. On 5 October 2021, two retired Airbus A380s were towed to Changi Exhibition Centre to be cut up for scrap.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Singapore Airlines operates two Boeing 737 variants - Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 - following the merger with SilkAir.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Nine Boeing 737-800 joined the fleet with services to Phuket from 4 March 2021. The aircraft were repainted into SIA's livery, without seat upgrades as 5 of the 9 737-800s were leased and is due to be replaced by MAX 8s by the time their lease expires.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: The existing six 737 MAX 8s that have been in service with SilkAir and the remaining 31 on order were transferred to Singapore Airlines. In all, Singapore Airlines will have 37 737 MAX 8s in the fleet. These planes will receive seat upgrades for economy class and will feature a new business class seat.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Singapore Airlines Cargo was established as a separate airline in 2001 to operate Singapore Airlines' cargo aircraft. Singapore Airlines Cargo ceased operations in 2018 and its fleet of seven Boeing 747-400F freighters was subsequently transferred to Singapore Airlines.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Singapore Airlines' 777-200ERs were the first to enter service, with the first delivered on 5 May 1997. While Singapore Airlines lists some of its 777-200ER jets as 777-200 aircraft, all of the supposed -200 series aircraft were all built with enhancements usually exclusive to the -200ER, with the single modification being the Trent 892 engines derated to the -884 spec used on the standard -200 aircraft, reducing the MTOW and thus aircraft fees at the airport when categorized by maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: The airline announced the order of 19 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in August 2004 with the order signed on 23 December 2004, during which an unused option for the Boeing 777 family was converted into an order for a Boeing 777-300ER. Singapore Airlines became the world's largest operator of the Boeing 777 when it took delivery of its 58th such aircraft, a Boeing 777-300, on 6 May 2005. It has since been surpassed by Emirates, which as of November 2017 has 159 examples in its fleet. The airline's Boeing 777-300ERs entered commercial service on 5 December 2006.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: On 9 July 2013, Singapore Airlines, in collaboration with two design firms, James Park Associates and DesignworksUSA, unveiled the next generation of cabin products for First, Business, and Economy class, that entered service in newly delivered Boeing 777-300ERs. The product was later extended to all Boeing 777-300ERs. Singapore Airlines also introduced its new Premium Economy product on 9 August 2015 on the Boeing 777-300ER with the refits completed by the end of March 2019.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Singapore Airlines placed an order for 20 Boeing 787-9 aircraft in 2006, choosing it over the initial Airbus A350 design. Later in 2012, when Singapore Airlines ordered the Airbus A350 the 787-9 order was transferred to its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In 2013, Singapore Airlines placed a new order for 30 Boeing 787-10 aircraft. On 8 February 2018, Singapore Airlines announced the Boeing 787-10 would initially be used on crew-training flights before commencing regular services in May 2018. On 28 March 2018, the new regional cabin product was unveiled following the delivery of the first Boeing 787-10.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In October 2018, Singapore Airlines converted two of its Boeing 787-10s on order to Boeing 787-8s and allocated the two aircraft to Scoot.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: On 9 February 2017, Singapore Airlines signed a letter of intent to purchase 39 aircraft - 20 Boeing 777-9Xs and an additional 19 Boeing 787-10s. The deal also includes options for 12 more aircraft. The proposed order, which is valued at US$13.8 billion based on published list prices, includes flexibility for the Singapore Airlines Group to substitute the 787-10 orders for other variants of the 787 family.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: On 23 October 2017, the deal was finalised at the White House and was witnessed by Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and U.S. President Donald Trump during a state visit. In February 2021, Singapore Airlines adjusted their 777-9 and 787-10 by reducing their 787 order by 14 and ordering an additional 11 777-9. This brings their overall orders for the 777X to 31 and 787-10 to 30. The Boeing 777-9s will be delivered to the airline from 2023 to 2024 financial year.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: On 11 March 2022, it was announced that Singapore Airlines will operate 5 Boeing 777 freighters on behalf of DHL Aviation. As part of the agreement, crew and maintenance will be provided by Singapore Airlines and SIA Engineering Company respectively.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: On 15 December 2021, Singapore Airlines announced that it had purchased seven Airbus A350F freighters to succeed its seven Boeing 747-400Fs. The order contained options for five more A350Fs, and included the swap for existing orders of 15 A320neos and two A350-900s. With the first delivery expected in late 2025, Singapore Airlines would be the launch customer for the A350F.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Since 1937, the predecessors of Singapore Airlines operated the Airspeed Consul, Boeing 707, Boeing 737, Bristol Britannia, Douglas DC-3, Douglas DC-4, de Havilland Comet 4, Fokker F27 Friendship, Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation and the Vickers Viscount.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: After its incorporation as Singapore Airlines Limited on 28 January 1972 after Malaysia–Singapore Airlines was split to form Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines, the airline acquired seven Boeing 707s and five Boeing 737s from MSA on 30 September 1972. Its first purchase since incorporation was for another second-hand Boeing 707 that was delivered on 1 October 1972.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: The first Boeing 747-200 for the airline was delivered soon after on 31 July 1973, which also marked SIA's first direct delivery of a new aircraft. Boeing 727s were delivered from 30 August 1977, Boeing 747-300s from 29 April 1983, and Boeing 757s from 12 November 1984.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: Having exclusively purchased Boeings since 1972, in 1977 SIA placed an order for four McDonnell Douglas DC-10s.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In 1979, the airline ordered A300B4s, its first aircraft from Airbus, which joined the fleet the following year. Other Airbus models flown include the Airbus A310 from 1984 and the Airbus A340-300 from 26 October 1996.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In 1977, and from 1979 to 1980, British Airways operated a Concorde (G-BOAD) which was dual-liveried with Singapore Airlines' livery on the port side and British Airways' livery on the starboard side. It was used on the London to Singapore via Bahrain service. The service was withdrawn for financial reasons and complaints about noise from the Malaysian government.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: The airline ordered five McDonnell Douglas MD-11s on 16 January 1990, to operate long-haul routes with demand deemed too thin for the Boeing 747. When it was revealed that the MD-11's performance was below expectations in terms of range and fuel burn, the order was cancelled in favour of the Airbus A340-300. The cancellation was seen as particularly damaging to McDonnell Douglas due to the company's reputation. Several years later Airbus, in turn, suffered a setback, however, when rival Boeing successfully negotiated to take SIA's existing A340-300 fleet as well as any still on order in exchange for ten orders for the Boeing 777 in 1999, with Airbus calling the move an "act of desperation" on Boeing's part.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In September 2009, the Airbus A380 marked a milestone with the airline when, with the tenth aircraft delivered, its fleet of A380s exceeded that of the Boeing 747-400 for the first time.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In January 2009, Singapore Airlines received the first of an initial batch of 19 leased Airbus A330. The aircraft were fitted with airline's then-latest cabin offerings in a two-class layout, with 30 seats in Business Class and 255 in Economy Class. It was intended for the A330s to support the carrier's capacity needs until its orders for the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 were delivered whilst replacing its older Boeing 777s. Used primarily on regional and medium-haul routes, Brisbane was the inaugural destination for the A330 on 30 March 2009. In 2011, the airline committed to leasing an additional 15 aircraft.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In January 2016, the airline confirmed its intention to eventually replace all A330s with A350s in a medium-range configuration. On 15 May 2020, it was announced the remaining A330s would be fully retired earlier by 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


title: Singapore Airlines fleet

text: In 1999, SIA made an order for five A340-500 with an option for five additional aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered on 15 October 2003. In 2008, the airline re-configured its A340-500s from 64 business class and 117 premium economy seats to an all-business configuration with 100 seats. The aircraft was used to launch non-stop flights from Singapore to both Los Angeles and Newark in 2004. On 24 October 2012, it was announced that the A340-500s would be acquired by Airbus and would see the cessation of such non-stop flights in 2013.


title: Saenchai

text: Suphachai "Saenchai" Saepong (born July 30, 1980), formerly known as Saenchai Sor. Kingstar (), is a Muay Thai fighter of Khon Isan descent. Saenchai won the Lumpinee Stadium title, which is widely considered the most prestigious title in Muay Thai, in four different weight divisions, while mostly fighting larger opponents. He is considered by many to be the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighter, and is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time. Saenchai would often give up weight to find worthy opponents in Thailand, and from 2003-2014 only lost two times in Thailand when the weights were equal, with all other losses happening when he was forced to have a weight disadvantage to make the fights more evenly matched. Against foreigners the gap in skill is so great he will go up as high as 147 pounds, which is 15+ pounds above his optimal weight class.


title: Saenchai

text: Since 2010 he has fought 88 times in 15 countries and is perhaps the most active international fighter. He is known for his excellent head movement, defensive footwork, unconventional kicks, and jumping attacks. His speed, athleticism, and the large variety in his unorthodox arsenal made him an exceptionally difficult opponent to prepare for. He retired from serious competition in Thailand in 2014 and now solely competes in showcase fights around the world against foreign, usually bigger opponents. Upon retiring from competition on the Thai circuit he was still able to make 130 pounds, with his final fight being forced to make 129 pounds.


title: Saenchai

text: Since 2014, Saenchai has frequently competed at the Thai Fight promotion, a Thailand-based promotion. He has often been the headliner at more recent Thai Fight events and has won four King's Cup titles with the promotion at 67 kg and 70 kg. He holds the promotion's records for most titles with 4 and all-time wins with 43.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai started learning Muay Thai when he was 8 years old. He decided to start learning Muay Thai in Jocky gym when his friend's elder brother received a prize after a bout. He debuted after training for only a week, and he won his first bout by decision receiving 30 Baht (≒$1).


title: Saenchai

text: He started fighting in Bangkok when he was 14 years old, then transferred to Kamsing gym owned by Somluck Kamsing. Kamsing paid 300,000 Baht as a transfer fee. This is the reason Saenchai's ring name was Saenchai Sor.Khamsing (แสนชัย ส.คำสิงห์).


title: Saenchai

text: In 1997 at age 16 Saenchai won the title of Lumpinee stadium championship at super flyweight. When he was 18, he won the title of Lumpinee stadium championship at bantamweight.


title: Saenchai

text: In 2002, Saenchai turned to boxing. He debuted as "Suphachai Saenpong" at featherweight. He fought against Rud 4K Kevkatchewon from Philippines to challenge for the vacant interim title of PABA on November 27, 2003, and he won the title by unanimous decision. In January 2004, he retained his PABA title against Rud.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai visited Japan twice to fight and Khamsing agreed at those times, but Khamsing disagreed the third time. Although Khamsing tried to stop Saenchai from going to Japan, he went there with some Muay Thai fighters from another gym. Because of this incident, Khamsing broke off relations with Saenchai, and Saenchai moved to Kingstar gym. At this time, Khamsing received 300,000 Baht from Kingstar gym as a transfer fee.


title: Saenchai

text: On July 3, 2006, Saenchai fought against Sang-Soo Lim from Korea in Japan. Saenchai was going to fight against Shinya Ishige but he was replaced two weeks earlier as he had been injured during training. Lim was 21 cm taller and 10 kg heavier than Saenchai but Saenchai knocked out Lim in 2R with a right hook.


title: Saenchai

text: On July 3, 2009, Saenchai fought against two Muay Thai fighters in the single bout at Lumpinee stadium. During 1 to 3 round, he fought against Petchboonchu FA Group. Petchboonchu tried to attack aggressively at 1R, but Saenchai carried throughout his stamina-saving style and broke Petchboonchu's balance several times. During 4 to 5 round, Saenchai fought against Sagetdao Petpayathai. Saenchai controlled his critical distance with front-kicks and middle-kicks and he threw telling blows more than Sakeddaow did. The referee announced Saenchai's victory with unanimous decision after 5R.


title: Saenchai

text: On March 14, 2010, Saenchai fought against Tetsuya Yamato from Japan to challenge the vacant world lightweight title sanctioned by Muay Thai Association of America (MTAA) in Los Angeles. Saenchai knocked out Yamato with left high kick at 1R, and won the MTAA title.


title: Saenchai

text: In 2011, Saenchai was signed by Yokkao founder, Philip Villa as a sponsored fighter of the Yokkao Fight Team. In the same year, Saenchai led the Muay Thai Combat Fan Expo in Rimini, Italy with Buakaw Banchamek, Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, Dzhabar Askerov and many others.


title: Saenchai

text: On January 21, 2012, Saenchai fought at "Yokkao Extreme 2012" in front of 12,000 attendees. He lost for the first time against a European in Muay Thai rules. The fight took place in Milan Italy against the foreign Thai boxer, Fabio Pinca. Saenchai had beaten Pinca years earlier. Despite the 12 kg weight difference, Saenchai put up a good fight. However, by the third round the size difference was starting to pay off for Pinca. He used his strength to tie Saenchai up and win a close but controversial decision. A headbutt by Pinca on Saenchai went unpunished as well as Saenchai's streak of 20 or more straight wins against foreign fighters was snapped.


title: Saenchai

text: He beat Pakorn Sakyothin by decision at "Super Showdown 4" in Glasgow, Scotland on November 10, 2012, and then took a points victory over Damian Alamos twelve days later at "Best of Siam 2" in Paris, France. Saenchai then defeated Liam Harrison for the third time at "Muay Thai Warriors" in Macau on December 9, 2012, taking a clear-cut unanimous decision.


title: Saenchai

text: He outpointed the bowl cut Diesellek Aoodonmuang at "Yokkao Extreme 2013" on January 26, 2013, in Milan, Italy.


title: Saenchai

text: He lost to 17-year-old phenom Yodwicha Por Boonsit on points at Lumpinee on May 10, 2013. The pair were set to rematch on June 7, 2013, but a lingering neck injury forced Saenchai out of the bout.


title: Saenchai

text: He debuted under Oriental kickboxing rules at "Hoost Cup: Kings" in Nagoya, Japan on June 16, 2013, and beat Yosuke Mizuochi by unanimous decision in a three-round fight.


title: Saenchai

text: He beat Rafi Bohic by unanimous decision at "Muay Thai Warriors: Dabble in Chiang Mai" on June 28, 2013, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai ran through a field of overmatched "farangs" to win the Toyota Vigo Marathon Tournament on July 24, 2013, in Phitsanulok.


title: Saenchai

text: It was reported that he would fight Mickaël Piscitello at the "WBC World Muay Thai Millennium Championship" in Saint-Pierre, Réunion on September 7, 2013. However, he denied ever being on the card.


title: Saenchai

text: He lost an extension round decision to Kong Hong Xing at the "K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship Tournament Quarter Finals - Part 1" in Foshan, China on December 28, 2013.


title: Saenchai

text: He lost to Petchboonchu FA Group on points at the last ever show held at the old Lumpinee Stadium on February 7, 2014.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai defeated Victor Nagbe by decision in a -65 kg match at "Yokkao 7" in Pattaya, Thailand on February 19, 2014.


title: Saenchai

text: He was scheduled for a March 8, 2014, meeting with Irishman Stephen Hodgers at "Origins IV" at Welterweight (-64.00 kg/141 lb) in Perth, Western Australia. Saenchai was unable to compete, however, as he did not meet certain criteria demanded by the Western Australia Combat Sports Commission and was replaced by Komkit Chanawong.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai beat Nong-O on points in a three-rounder at the grand opening of the new Lumpinee Stadium on February 28, 2014.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai defeated Shota Sato via unanimous decision at "Hoost Cup: Legend" in Nagoya, Japan on March 23, 2014.


title: Saenchai

text: He will rematch Yetkin Özkul in a fight for the WMC World Lightweight (-61.2 kg/135 lb) Championship at "Monte Carlo Fighting Masters 2014" in Monte Carlo, Monaco on June 14, 2014.


title: Saenchai

text: On September 24, 2014, Saenchai P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym made his debut on the Thai Fight stage, defeating the strong Scotsman Craig Dickson (Sumalee) under Kard Chuek rules (with rope bindings taking the place of gloves).


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai defeated Shan Cangelosi of Italy by decision in the main event at THAI FIGHT Turin on May 27, 2017, in Turin, Italy.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai took a unanimous decision against Spanish Jonathan Fabian at Yokkao 26 on September 11, 2017, in Hong Kong. Saenchai defeated Juan Salmeron by decision on September 30, 2017, at Thai Fight Barcelona.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai fought and defeated American Arthur Sorsor by decision at KHMER - THAI FIGHT on November 25, 2017 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai went the entirety of 2018 undefeated in Muay Thai competition. He spent the whole year fighting in the THAI FIGHT circuit, going a perfect 9–0.


title: Saenchai

text: On January 27, 2018, he defeated Henrique Muller of Brazil by KO in the 3rd round at THAI FIGHT Bangkok 2017 to win the 2017 THAI FIGHT 67 kg King's Cup title, his second THAI FIGHT championship.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai then stopped Iran's Ramin Moazzami by 1st-round KO on March 24, 2018 at THAI FIGHT Mueang Khon 2018.


title: Saenchai

text: On May 12, 2018, he defeated another Italian, Andrea Serra, by unanimous decision at THAI FIGHT Samui 2018.


title: Saenchai

text: On August 25, 2018, he defeated Russia's Nikita Surovezhkin by unanimous decision at THAI FIGHT Rayong 2018.


title: Saenchai

text: On October 27, 2018, Saenchai took a unanimous decision victory over Isaac Santos of Brazil at THAI FIGHT Chiang Rai 2018.


title: Saenchai

text: To close out the year, Saenchai faced Jamal Madani for the 2018 THAI FIGHT 67 kg title at THAI FIGHT Nakhon Ratchasima 2018 on December 22, 2018. After three rounds, Saenchai was awarded the unanimous decision victory and was crowned the 2018 THAI FIGHT 67 kg King's Cup Champion, claiming his third consecutive promotional title.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai began the year fighting at Yokkao 36 in Italy on January 26, 2019, where he defeated Cristian Faustino by unanimous decision.


title: Saenchai

text: He returned to the THAI FIGHT stage in time for the first event of the year, where he faced Firdavs Boynazarov at THAI FIGHT Phuket 2019. Saenchai went on to defeat Boynazarov by unanimous decision.


title: Saenchai

text: On March 8, 2019, Saenchai headed out for the UAE to compete at Fight Night Dubai to battle Valerii Abramenko of Ukraine, whom he defeated by unanimous decision.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai returned to THAI FIGHT once again on March 30, 2019. At THAI FIGHT Mueang Khon 2019, he knocked out Javad Bigdeli of Iran in the 2nd round after a series of knees to the body.


title: Saenchai

text: On June 29, 2019, he defeated Argentina's Cristian Pastore by unanimous decision at THAI FIGHT Betong 2019.


title: Saenchai

text: On August 24, 2019, Saenchai defeated Cem Deniz of Australia by unanimous decision at THAI FIGHT Kham Chanod 2019 in Udon Thani.


title: Saenchai

text: In September, 2019, Saenchai went on a Muay Thai seminar tour in the US with Spencer Brown, Yodchai and Kru Jack. They visited 20 gyms in 20 different cities over a 3-week period.


title: Saenchai

text: On October 26, 2019, Saenchai delivered a 1st-round knockout victory over Batjargal Sundui of Mongolia at THAI FIGHT Bangsaen 2019.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai was entered into the 2019 THAI FIGHT 70 kg King's Cup Tournament prior to THAI FIGHT Mae Sot 2019. On November 23, 2019, Saenchai defeated Alejandro Amicucci of Argentina via 1st-round KO in the THAI FIGHT 70 kg King's Cup Tournament Semi Finals at THAI FIGHT Mae Sot 2019, advancing to the Tournament Final.


title: Saenchai

text: On December 21, 2019, he would face Tophik Abdullaev of Georgia in THAI FIGHT 70 kg King's Cup Tournament Final at the THAI FIGHT finale of 2019: THAI FIGHT: Thai Fest in Patong. The fight would see a quick finish as Saenchai landed a knee in the clinch during the 1st round, claiming the KO victory. As a result, he would be crowned the 2019 THAI FIGHT 70 kg King's Cup Tournament Champion, his second title with THAI FIGHT.


title: Saenchai

text: At YOKKAO 45 & 46, Saenchai fought Shan Cangelosi for the YOKKAO Diamond Welterweight title. He won the fight by a unanimous decision.


title: Saenchai

text: After an eight month break, as no events were held during the COVID-19 pandemic, Saenchai returned at the Thai Fight: New Normal event against Rodrigo Freitas. He won the fight by decision. At Thai Fight Begins, he fought Esmail Ganji in the event headliner, winning the fight by decision.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai fought twice in November 2020. At Thai Fight Korat 2020, he fought Danilo Reis, and won by decision. Three weeks later, he scored a second-round knockout of Gabriel dos Santos.


title: Saenchai

text: Saenchai's first fight of 2021 came on April 3, at Thai Fight Nan, against Seth Grande. Saenchai won a dominant unanimous decision. Seanchai faced Omar Elouers at THAI FIGHT Khao Aor on December 19, 2021. He won the fight by a first-round knockout.


title: Saenchai

text: On August 2, 2022, it was announced that Saenchai had signed a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and is expected to debut in his native Thailand in late 2022. However, in October 2022 it was announced that Saenchai would face fellow Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek in a bare-knuckle muay thai bout in a BKFC event in March 2023.


title: Saenchai

text: In Muay Thai, professional boxers rarely perform under their birth name: After entering a training camp, they adopt the name of the camp as their last name, while (usually but not necessarily) keeping their first name. Throughout the career, they may change a training camp or a sponsor, changing their last name correspondingly. Saenchai used following 4 names as a professional fighter.


title: Philomena (film)

text: Philomena is a 2013 tragicomedy film directed by Stephen Frears, based on the 2009 book "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee" by journalist Martin Sixsmith. The film stars Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. It is based on the true story of Philomena Lee's 50-year search for her son and Sixsmith's efforts to help her find him.


title: Philomena (film)

text: The film gained critical praise and received several international film awards. Coogan and Jeff Pope won Best Screenplay at the 70th Venice International Film Festival, while the film was also awarded the People's Choice Award Runner-Up prize at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was nominated for four Oscars at the 86th Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress (for Dench), and Best Original Score. It was also nominated for four BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.


title: Philomena (film)

text: London-based journalist Martin Sixsmith has lost his job as a government adviser. He is approached at a party by the daughter of Philomena Lee. She suggests that he write a story about her mother, who was forced to give up her toddler son Anthony nearly fifty years ago. Though Sixsmith is initially reluctant to write a human interest story, he meets Philomena and decides to investigate her case.


title: Philomena (film)

text: In 1951, Philomena became pregnant after having sex with a man she did not know at a county fair, and was sent by her father to Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea in Ireland. After giving birth, she was forced to work in the convent laundry for four years, with little contact with her son. The nuns gave her son up for adoption without giving Philomena a chance to say goodbye. She kept her lost son a secret from her family for nearly fifty years.


title: Philomena (film)

text: Martin and Philomena begin their search at the convent. The nuns claim that the adoption records were destroyed in a fire years earlier; they did not, however, lose the contract she was forced to sign decades ago forbidding her from contacting her son, which Martin considers suspicious. At a pub, the locals tell Martin that the convent burnt the records deliberately, and that most of the children were sold for £1,000 each to wealthy Americans.


title: Philomena (film)

text: Martin's investigation reaches a dead end in Ireland, but he receives a promising lead from the United States and invites Philomena to accompany him there. His contacts help him discover that Anthony was renamed Michael A. Hess, who became a lawyer and senior official in the Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations. When Philomena notices Martin in the background of a photo of Michael, he remembers that he met him years earlier while working in the US. They also learn that he has been dead for eight years.


title: Philomena (film)

text: Philomena decides she wants to meet people who knew Michael and learn more about him from them. They visit a former colleague of Michael's and discover that Michael was gay and died of AIDS. They also visit his sister Mary, who was adopted at the same time from the convent, and learn that they were both emotionally and physically abused by their adoptive parents, and hear about his partner Pete Olsson.


title: Philomena (film)

text: After avoiding Martin's attempts to contact him, Pete agrees to talk to Philomena. He shows Philomena some videos of his life with Michael. To Martin and Philomena's surprise, they see footage of Michael, dated shortly before he died, at the Abbey where he was adopted, and Pete explains that, although he never told his family, Michael had privately wondered about his birth mother all his life, and had returned to Ireland in his final months to try to find her. Pete informs them that the nuns had told Michael that his mother had abandoned him and that they had lost contact with her. He also reveals that, against his parents' wishes, he had Michael buried in the convent's cemetery.


title: Philomena (film)

text: Philomena and Martin go to the convent to ask them where Michael's grave is. Despite Philomena's pleas, Martin angrily breaks into the private quarters and argues with an elderly nun, Sister Hildegarde McNulty, who worked at the convent when Anthony was forcibly adopted. He accuses her of lying to Anthony and denying him the chance to finally reunite with Philomena, purely out of self-righteousness. Hildegarde is unrepentant, saying that losing her son was Philomena's penance for having sex out of wedlock.


title: Philomena (film)

text: Martin demands an apology, telling her that what she did was un-Christian, but is speechless when Philomena instead chooses to forgive her of her own volition. Philomena then asks to see her son's grave, where Martin tells her he has chosen not to publish the story. Philomena tells him to publish it anyway.


title: Philomena (film)

text: In addition to the main cast, Sophie Kennedy Clark plays a young Philomena, Kate Fleetwood plays a young Sister Hildegarde, Simone Lahbib plays Kate Sixsmith, Cathy Belton plays Sister Claire, Charlie Murphy plays Kathleen, Amy McAllister plays Sister Anunciata, Sean Mahon plays Michael, Philomena's son, and Peter Hermann plays Pete Olsson.


title: Philomena (film)

text: "Philomena" grossed $37.7 million in the United States and Canada, and $62.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $100.1 million, against a production budget of $12 million.


title: Philomena (film)

text: On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 90% based on 198 reviews, with an average rating of 7.74/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Based on a powerful true story and led by note-perfect performances from Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, "Philomena" offers a profoundly affecting drama for adult filmgoers of all ages." At Metacritic, the film received a weighted average score of 77 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.


title: Philomena (film)

text: In "The New York Times", Stephen Holden described the film as "so quietly moving that it feels lit from within." He wrote: "That [Dench] makes you believe her character has the capacity to forgive provides the movie with a solid moral center." He found the film's political viewpoint particularly sophisticated:


title: Philomena (film)

text: Kelly Torrance of "The Washington Times" found that the film "ultimately feels false", with the filmmakers succumbing to the temptation to focus on the "lessons" the story holds at the expense of the human story itself. Justin Chang, of "Variety", called the film a "smug but effective middlebrow crowdpleaser." While noting Dench's "fine, dignified performance", he observed that much of the humor here comes at the expense of Dench's character. "[I]t's hard not to wonder if the writers are simply scoring points off [Philomena]."


title: Philomena (film)

text: Rex Reed of "The New York Observer" gave the film a glowing review and named it the Best Film of 2013, saying: "It's profoundly moving and thoroughly mind provoking, but despite the poignant subject matter, I promise you will not leave "Philomena" depressed. I've seen it twice and felt exhilarated, informed, enriched, absorbed and optimistic both times. This is filmmaking at its most refined. I will probably forget most of what happened at the movies in 2013, but I will never forget "Philomena"."


title: Philomena (film)

text: The "New York Post"s film critic Kyle Smith judged the film "another hateful and boring attack on Catholics." He called it "90 minutes of organized hate" and wrote that: "A film that is half as harsh on Judaism or Islam, of course, wouldn't be made in the first place but would be universally reviled if it were." Philomena Lee responded to Smith with an open letter that said:


title: Philomena (film)

text: Producer Harvey Weinstein took out a full-page colour advertisement in "The New York Times" that quoted some favourable reviews and part of Smith's review accompanied by an excerpt from Lee's letter, and invited the public to make its own decision. Smith had accused several other films that were produced by Weinstein of anti-Catholicism, including "The Magdalene Sisters" (2002), "The Butcher Boy" (1998) and "Priest" (1995).


title: Philomena (film)

text: The film and its cast and crew have earned several award nominations, including four Academy Award nominations and four British Academy Film Award nominations. Dench and Coogan received nominations for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, at the British Independent Film Awards. Dench also garnered nominations for Best Actress from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, London Film Critics' Circle, Satellite Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. "Philomena" garnered three nominations at the 71st Golden Globe Awards, and also won the David di Donatello for Best European Film.


title: Philomena (film)

text: The film employs artistic licence with the real-life events. The visual blog "Information is Beautiful" deduced that, while taking creative licence into account, the film was 70.9% accurate when compared to real-life events due to "the (understandable) dramatic insertion of journalist Martin Sixsmith into the main plot line and big liberties with what Philomena actually knew and didn't know about her lost son". Philomena did not accompany Sixsmith to Washington to find her son, and her son's partner was keen to meet her and flew to the UK where they met in Sixsmith's house.


title: Philomena (film)

text: The film's principal antagonist, Sister Hildegard McNulty, existed in real life but the movie took broad artistic liberty to portray her in a negative light. The final scene in which McNulty chastises Philomena for carnality from her wheelchair is fictional. McNulty died in 1995, nine years before Sixsmith began his investigation into the Abbey; the two never met in real life. Sister Julie Rose, the order's assistant congregational leader, said: "We do feel that the film, even though it is not a documentary, does not tell the whole truth and in many ways is very misleading." An archival 1986 RTÉ interview of Sr Hildegarde depicts a woman weeping over many of the mothers who were in her care.


title: Philomena (film)

text: In a 2009 article for "The Guardian", Sixsmith claims that in mid-twentieth-century Ireland, the Catholic church forced unwed mothers in their care to give up their children for adoption. Following pressure to do so, a Commission was formed by the Government of Ireland to investigate Mother and Baby Homes in 2015.


title: Philomena (film)

text: Sixsmith has said that Coogan's portrayal of him shared his "intolerance of injustice in all walks of life", and his admiration for a woman like Philomena who has the strength to rise above this. However, he is less angry than his on-screen version and is an agnostic rather than an atheist.


title: Asma al-Assad

text: Asma Fawaz al-Assad (née Akhras; born 11 August 1975) is the First Lady of Syria. Born and raised in London to Syrian parents, she is married to the 19th and current President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad.


title: Asma al-Assad

text: Assad graduated from King's College London in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in computer science and French literature. She had a career in investment banking and was set to begin an MBA at Harvard University when she married Bashar al-Assad in December 2000. She resigned from her job in investment banking following the couple's wedding and remained in Syria, where their three children were born. As First Lady, she played a major role in implementing governmental organisations involved with social and economic development throughout the country as part of a reform initiative which was halted due to the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War.


title: Asma al-Assad

text: As a result of the ongoing Syrian Civil War, a conflict which began in March 2011, Assad is subject to economic sanctions relating to high-level Syrian government officials, making it illegal in the European Union (EU) to provide her with certain material assistance, for her to obtain certain products, and curtailing her ability to travel within the EU. In the UK, she is currently part of a preliminary inquiry within the War Crimes unit of the Metropolitan Police with allegations including "systematic approach to the torture and murder of civilians, including with the use of chemical weapons."


title: Asma al-Assad

text: Assad was born Asma Fawaz Akhras on 11 August 1975 in London to Fawaz Akhras, a cardiologist at the Cromwell Hospital, and his wife Sahar Akhras (née Otri), a retired diplomat who served as First Secretary at the Syrian Embassy in London. Her parents are Sunni Muslims and of Syrian origin, from the city of Homs.