THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 21 Dec 2018

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Villa Market special offers 29 Nov - 26 Dec 2018

 

 

MORE OFFERS HERE > https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1071119-villa-market-special-offers-29-nov-26-dec-2018/

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Chinese visitors to Thailand hit 10 million for 1st time

 

 

BANGKOK, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Thailand has announced the arrival of the 10 millionth Chinese visitor in 2018 in Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, a milestone for the country's tourism industry.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074076-chinese-visitors-to-thailand-hit-10-million-for-1st-time/

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Bangkok gets pollution warning

By The Nation

 

 

Air pollution in Bangkok has been worsening, according to the Pollution Control Department (PCD).

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074080-bangkok-gets-pollution-warning/

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Hidden ‘drugs’ tunnel worthy of a Hollywood thriller

By THE NATION

 

Hidden ‘drugs’ tunnel

 

LIKE A scene from a film, an underground passage was discovered at an alleged drug kingpin’s house in the border province of Tak during a 6am raid on Thursday… but the man himself was nowhere to be seen. It recalled the WWII classic “The Great Escape”, in which prisoners built an underground tunnel to flee their PoW camp.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074104-hidden-‘drugs’-tunnel-worthy-of-a-hollywood-thriller/

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UPDATE: 

 

Bellies full, but who paid?

By THE NATION

 

Phalang Pracharat Party’s extravagant fundraiser on Wednesday night.

 

Legal cloud descends on Cabinet revelry at pricey Phalang Pracharat fundraiser.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074051-palang-pracharat-raises-650-million-baht-in-fund-raising-banquet/?do=findComment&comment=13665853

 

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Increase in interest rate to hit consumers next year

By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT, 
WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION 

 

 

THE Bank of Thailand (BOT) is likely to implement a modest interest rate hike again next year, and financial experts predicted that those feeling the pinch will be mortgage holders.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074127-increase-in-interest-rate-to-hit-consumers-next-year/

 

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New Year gifts to your health unwrapped by the NHSO

By The Nation

 

 

THE NATIONAL Health Security Office (NHSO) has some “gifts” for the holidays, including improved colostomy bags and hormonal medicines for premature puberty.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074128-new-year-gifts-to-your-health-unwrapped-by-the-nhso/

 

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Home borrowers likely to feel pinch as further BOT rate rise tipped

By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT, 
WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION

 

File photo: THE Bank of Thailand (BOT)

 

THE Bank of Thailand (BOT) is likely to implement a modest interest rate hike again next year, and financial experts predicted that those feeling the pinch will be mortgage holders.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074130-home-borrowers-likely-to-feel-pinch-as-further-bot-rate-rise-tipped/

 

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Thailand would benefit from home-sharing tourist economy: Agoda 

By   KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN 
THE NATION

 

Allen

 

THAILAND shows its potential in becoming a hub of home-sharing market in Southeast Asia, according to executives of travel company Agoda.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074131-thailand-would-benefit from-home-sharing tourist-economy-agoda/

 

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60 deaths a day still a stain on improved road toll ranking

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

THAILAND has seen fewer road casualties this year but remains the world’s ninth-most dangerous nation when road accidents are in the picture, according to a report compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074132-60-deaths-a-day-still-a-stain-on-improved-thai-road-toll-ranking/

 

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UN rights agency calls on govt to ensure new anti-torture law meets standards

By THE NATION

 

Photo credit: www.amnesty.or.th

 

THE UNITED NATIONS human-rights body yesterday urged the government to ensure that the proposed law against torture and enforced disappearance meets international standards fully.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074133-un-rights-agency-calls-on-govt-to-ensure-new-anti-torture-law-meets-standards/

 

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Court review buoys abortion reform advocates

By Chularat Saengpassa 
The Nation

 

Cr Rsathai.org

 

Decision to look into whether law should be eased is welcomed on safety grounds.

 

THE CONSTITUTIONAL Court has agreed to look into whether the criminal law barring most abortions is a violation of women’s rights. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074136-court-review-buoys-abortion-reform-advocates/

 

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500-strong ‘Say No to Drugs’ campaign hits Patong’s Bangla Rd

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

The anti-drugs campaign hit Bangla Rd late yesterday afternoon (Dec 20). Photo: Royal Thai Navy

 

PHUKET: About 500 police officers, Navy personnel, government officials and volunteers took to Bangla Rd in the heart of Patong yesterday evening (Dec 19) as a part of the country’s campaign to against drug use.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074137-500-strong-‘say-no-to-drugs’-campaign-hits-patong’s-bangla-rd/

 

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Bangkok battles to bridge trust gap with insurgency’s controller

By Don Pathan 
Special to The Nation 
Yala

 

 

Barisan Revolusi Nasional remains wary of peace talks after years of Thai military-backed ‘trickery’

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074138-bangkok-battles-to-bridge-trust-gap-with-insurgency’s-controller/

 

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Cyber-security bill marred by lack of oversight

By The Nation

 

 

Enforcing legislation that’s essential to the country’s future wellbeing looks likely to hit some snags

 

Two crucial cyber-security and data-privacy bills approved by Cabinet earlier this year are all set for enactment by the National Legislative Assembly to ensure that Thailand has sufficient legal safeguards to support the country’s fast-growing digital economy and digital society.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074139-cyber-security-bill-marred-by-lack-of-oversight-editorial/

 

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A Gala Dinner with Frank Bruno in Hua Hin

 

A Gala Dinner with Frank Bruno Ex-Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World. Bruno fought some of the best fighters from the modern era which included twice with Mike Tyson. 

 

Info: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1068236-a-gala-dinner-with-frank-bruno-in-hua-hin/

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Drones paralyse British airport, grounding Christmas travellers

By Sarah Young and Kate Holton

 

Passengers wait around in the South Terminal building at Gatwick Airport after drones flying illegally over the airfield forced the closure of the airport, in Gatwick, Britain, December 20, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain sent troops to its second-biggest airport after an unprecedented attempt to cripple Christmas travel with large drones forced all flights to be cancelled on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074141-drones-paralyse-british-airport-grounding-christmas-travellers/

 

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Pentagon chief Mattis quits, citing policy differences with Trump

By Phil Stewart and Steve Holland

 

FILE PHOTO: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis speaks with the media before an enhanced honor cordon arrival of Greek Minister of Defense Panagiotis Kammenos at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S., October 9, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, a stabilizing force in President Donald Trump's Cabinet, abruptly announced his resignation on Thursday and said Trump should pick a successor whose views align more with his own.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074142-pentagon-chief-mattis-quits-citing-policy-differences-with-trump/

 

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Trump demands wall funding, increasing threat of U.S. government shutdown

By Steve Holland and Ginger Gibson

 

U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan speaks after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Young

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said border security must be part of legislation to fund the U.S. government, a position that raises the threat of a partial federal shutdown on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074144-trump-demands-wall-funding-increasing-threat-of-us-government-shutdown/

 

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U.S. considers significant Afghanistan troop withdrawal - officials

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. troops patrol at an Afghan National Army (ANA) Base in Logar province, Afghanistan August 7, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is considering significantly drawing down troops from Afghanistan, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday, in the latest sign his patience is thinning both with America's longest war and overseas military interventions, generally.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074145-us-considers-significant-afghanistan-troop-withdrawal-officials/

 

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Russia's Putin accuses U.S. of raising risk of nuclear war

By Polina Nikolskaya and Andrew Osborn

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during annual news conference in Moscow, Russia December 20, 2018. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the United States of raising the risk of nuclear war by threatening to spurn a key arms control treaty and refusing to hold talks about another pact that expires soon.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074146-russias putin accuses-us-of-raising-risk-of-nuclear-war/

 

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After the storm comes the honesty! Hero cabby gives back a whopping 300K to tourist

 

Picture: TNA

 

Following some negative press about the honesty of taxi drivers came a feel good story from Surat Thani. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074148-after-the-storm-comes-the-honesty-hero-cabby-gives-back-a-whopping-300k-to-tourist/

 

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Why are you making us study English at a Thai university? complain students

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A group of Thai university students and parents have complained to a leading Thai university that it is unfair to make them study English to enroll.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074149-why-are-you-making-us-study-english-at-a-thai-university-complain-students/

 

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Chiang Mai baht bus drivers criticized again by Thai media

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Thai media Sanook took a further swing against the infamous "Red Baht Bus" drivers of Chiang Mai.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074150-chiang-mai-baht-bus-drivers-criticized-again-by-thai-media/

 

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Now that's a padded bill! Phuket woman cries foul over 16,000 water charge at empty house

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A woman in Phuket has appealed to the government's Damrongtham watchdog amid claims that the provincial water authority are trying to rip her off. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074154-now-thats-a-padded-bill-phuket-woman-cries-foul-over-16000-water-charge-at-empty-house/

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Red Baht buses in Chiang Mai still ripping off passengers despite use of app

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Despite looking official and above board the "Red Baht Bus mafia" in Chiang Mai are still ripping off customers, said Sanook. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074158-red-baht-buses-in-chiang-mai-still-ripping-off-passengers-despite-use-of-app/

 

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Siamese fighting fish set to become national emblem

By The Nation

 

File photo: Siamese fighting fish

 

The Siamese fighting fish is set become Thailand’s national marine animal, once approved by the Cabinet, PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074159-siamese-fighting-fish-set-to-become-national-emblem/

 

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AOT gives green light to new Suvarnabhumi terminal

By The Thaiger

 

 

Following a few hiccups, the board of the AOT has now given the green light for the construction of the second passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi international Airport. In past months there have been demands from leading architects and engineers for the project to be scrapped.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074160-aot-gives-green-light-to-new-suvarnabhumi-terminal/

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Thais in Barcelona warned of protests by independence movement

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Thai nationals in Spain have been warned to avoid protests due to be staged by the Catalan Independence Movement on Friday. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074163-thais-in-barcelona-warned-of-protests-by-independence-movement/

 

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Weekly crackdown nets hundreds more foreigners

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Another 537 foreigners were arrested by Immigration police on Thursday after raids on 225 locations around the country targeting those living illegally in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074173-x-ray-outlaw-weekly-crackdown-nets-hundreds-more-foreigners/