existing related links cna to lx Ed Sheeran made teh tarik and visited Lau Pa Sat before Singapore shows
Accompanied by content creator Denise Teo, Ed Sheeran spent Friday morning exploring Singapore... and talking about BTO?
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BANGKOK: The Myanmar junta requested permission for "special" flights to land in Thailand and repatriate Myanmar nationals, the Thai foreign ministry said on Monday (Apr 8), following clashes in a nearby vital border hub.
Myanmar's civil conflict has stepped up in recent months with forces opposed to the military – which seized power from a democratically elected government in a 2021 coup – making gains across the country.
Areas of Myanmar previously untouched by fighting are enduring conflict, with analysts saying the escalation is the biggest threat yet to the junta's regime.
Over the weekend there were local reports of intense fighting by anti-junta groups near Myawaddy town, across the border from the Thai town of Mae Sot.
Myawaddy is the third busiest land crossing, according to the junta's commerce ministry, with some US$1.1 billion in goods passing through over the last 12 months.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in a statement that a flight from Myanmar had landed at Mae Sot airport on Sunday, returning the same day, after a request was granted on "humanitarian grounds".
It said the embassy of Myanmar in Bangkok had asked for permission on Apr 6 for three "special" Yangon-Mae Sot flights to transport "passengers and cargo" over the coming three days.
A ministry spokesperson declined to give further details about the flight.
Following the Sunday flight the remaining trips were cancelled, the statement said. It did not give any further details.
Thailand was closely monitoring the situation on the Thai-Myanmar border and was "ready to take the necessary actions to maintain peace, order and the safety of the people", the statement added.
In a video taken by local media, Thai soldiers can be seen patrolling along the border, some in armoured cars, with tents and haphazard temporary shelters seen in the near distance.
Earlier Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was asked about the flight and he told reporters that "the flight was not about arms transport or military personnel".
He added the plane was only carrying "civilian workers".
AFP was unable to reach a junta spokesperson for comment.
In a separate post on her Instagram page, Teo shared that she gave Sheeran a birthday card which read: "Your music has shaped my life and taught me how to feel and love deeply...Hope you have the best time in Singapore and thank you again for letting me join you today."
During a streaming session on her Twitch page on Sunday (Feb 18), Teo further elaborated on her time spent with Ed Sheeran. She shared that she was given the offer to bring Ed Sheeran around Singapore "about a week" before the concert. She also revealed that Sheeran initially spilled some tea at Tarik while trying to pour it and that he loved the satay the most out of all the dishes they tried at Lau Pa Sat.
Speaking to CNA Lifestyle, Teo said that she "had a whole mix of feelings" when she found out she would get to spend a day with Ed Sheeran.
Speaking to CNA Lifestyle, Teo said that she "had a whole mix of feelings" when she found out she would get to spend a day with Ed Sheeran.
"I was in disbelief for the most part, and I was mainly nervous because I really wanted to represent and showcase Singapore well, while still being a friendly tour guide. I was also really doubtful, wondering how I ended up here, feeling incredibly undeserving of such an opportunity," she shared.
When asked about the most memorable part of her experience, Teo said: "It was the small, personal interactions that stuck with me the most: The first moment we met, he immediately thanked me for taking time off to spend it with him...These little moments are the ones I treasure the most."
She added: "He is as true and as genuine as they say. We shared several conversations that I would prefer to keep private as I felt that he shared them in confidence, but he did ask me if I had any kids or if I was married, which was funny – I'm not married nor do I have kids. And then we began talking about how BTO worked in Singapore, which he was quite fascinated by. Overall, I'm really honoured to have had the chance to spend the afternoon with him, and I hope that I was able to represent Singapore well."
