THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 27 Dec 2018

[webfact]

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/

[webfact]

Chiang Mai overtakes Bangkok as New Year destination: website

By The Nation

 

 

Tokyo, Paris and New York City are the top destinations to bring in 2019, according to Agoda, an online travel agent.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074882-chiang-mai-overtakes-bangkok-as-new-year-destination-website/

[webfact]

PM’s office ‘solved’ 89.9% of complaints

By The Nation

 

 

The Office of the Prime Minister says it has received more than 140,000 complaints during the 2018 fiscal year with most surrounding traffic issues, such as parking nuisances and traffic jams, gambling dens and loan sharks.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074881-pm’s-office-‘solved’-899-of-complaints/

[webfact]

Anti-graft body skips date in Prawit watch case probe

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

File photo: Deputy Premier General Prawit Wongsuwan

 

NACC defers decision on deputy premier after commissioner calls in sick.

 

UNCERTAINTY over the fate of Deputy Premier General Prawit Wongsuwan continued yesterday after the country’s anti-graft watchdog failed to deliver its report on the probe into Prawit’s collection of luxury wristwatches.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074898-anti-graft-body-skips-date-in-prawit-watch-case-probe/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Premchai ruling to come March 16, while latest witnesses a no-show

By THE NATION

 

File photo: Premchai Karnasuta

 

A COURT in Kanchaburi province yesterday set March to deliver a ruling on the much-talked-about trial against a construction billionaire who is accused of poaching in a wildlife sanctuary.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074821-premchai’s-aide-ex-park-director-give-testimony-in-premchais-poaching-case/?do=findComment&comment=13680456

 

[webfact]

Tsunami survivors haunted by loss of their loved ones

By THE NATION

 

Thais and foreigners lay flowers yesterday at the Tsunami Memorial Park in Ban Nam Khem, Phang Nga province.

 

ON THE 14th anniversary of Thailand’s only known tsunami, relatives of those killed by the tidal waves gathered yesterday to remember their beloved.

 

Source: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074899-thailand-tsunami-survivors-haunted-by-loss-of-their-loved-ones/

 

[webfact]

Supachai hails return of ‘three musketeers’

By LERPONG AMSA-NGIAM 
THE NATION

 

Supachai Jaided

 

RISING STAR Supachai Jaided says he is thrilled at the opportunity to train alongside his childhood idol Teerasil Dangda for the upcoming Asian Cup, which begins on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074901-asian-cup-supachai-hails-return-of-‘three-musketeers’/

 

[webfact]

15-year-old denies her older sister pimped her

By THAVEEP SRISUCHAT 
THE NATION 
SAKHON NAKHON

 

 

A 15-YEAR-OLD girl has joined her mother to ask for justice for her older sister, who faces human-trafficking charges.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074902-sakhon-nakhon-15-year-old-denies-her-older-sister-pimped-her/

 

[webfact]

EC sets campaign spending limits for parties and candidates

 

 

The Election Commission has finally decided to set the limits of campaign spending for political parties and individual candidates in the upcoming election at 35 million baht and 1.5 million baht each respectively.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074904-ec-sets-campaign-spending-limits-for-parties-and-candidates/

 

[webfact]

Partnership bill may still not pass NLA

By KORNRAWEE PANYASUPPAKUN 
THE NATION

 

File photo // EPA-EFE PHOTO

 

OPINIONS are divided on the Life Partnership Bill, which is holding back some rights for same-sex couples, as the bill enters the final phase before becoming law.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074906-partnership-bill-may-still-not-pass-nla/

 

[webfact]

Cannabis move ‘a boon for pharma giants’

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

 

Activists say medication will become unaffordable for Thais, commerce ministry vows to review patents after holidays.

 

LEGALISING CANNABIS for medical use is a New Year’s gift to transnational pharmaceutical companies, not the Thai public, activists said yesterday. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074907-cannabis-move-‘a-boon-for-pharma-giants’/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Record sentences in record-breaking court verdict on Bt1 bn KMITL embezzlement case

By THE NATION

 

 

A FORMER bank manager and a university finance chief were each sentenced to more than 190 years in prison yesterday in a Bt1-billion embezzlement and money-laundering case involving King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074845-court-hands-down-heavy-jail-terms-for-ex-officials-of-kmit-lat-krabang-on-corruption-charges/?do=findComment&comment=13680501

 

[webfact]

Bangkok merely paying lip service to deep South autonomy

By The Nation

 

 

Government’s refusal to recognise legitimate separate ethnic identity of southern Malays is main obstacle to peace 
 

During his recent visit to Thailand, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed suggested Thai authorities should offer the ethnic Malays of the southernmost provinces some form of autonomy to undermine separatist ideology.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074908-bangkok-merely-paying-lip-service-to-deep-south-autonomy/

 

[webfact]

U.S. trade delegation to travel to China week of January 7 for talks -Bloomberg

 

FILE PHOTO: Shipping containers are seen at a port in Shanghai, China July 10, 2018. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. trade team will travel to Beijing the week of Jan. 7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074911-us-trade-delegation-to-travel-to-china-week-of-january-7-for-talks-bloomberg/

 

[webfact]

Fed chair’s job is not in jeopardy, White House economic adviser says

 

FILE PHOTO: Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during his news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, U.S., December 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Federal Reserve faces no risk of losing his job and President Donald Trump is happy with his Treasury secretary, a White House official said in an apparent attempt to calm Wall Street nerves frayed by Trump's criticism of the Fed.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074912-fed-chair’s-job-is-not-in-jeopardy-white-house-economic-adviser-says/

 

[webfact]

In a first, Trump makes surprise visit to U.S. troops in Iraq

By Steve Holland

 

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet military personnel at the dining facility during an unannounced visit to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq December 26, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

 

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (Reuters) - President Donald Trump made a surprise Christmas visit to U.S. troops in Iraq on Wednesday, his first trip to a conflict zone nearly two years into his presidency and days after announcing a pullout of American troops from neighbouring Syria.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074913-in-a-first-trump-makes-surprise-visit-to-us-troops-in-iraq/

 

[webfact]

Magnitude 4.8 earthquake in Sicily causes damage, injuries

 

An house is seen damaged by an earthquake, measuring magnitude 4.8, at the area north of Catania on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, December 26, 2018. REUTERS/Antonio Parrinello

 

CATANIA, Italy (Reuters) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 hit an area north of Catania on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily early on Wednesday, damaging buildings and injuring about 30 people, officials said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074914-magnitude-48-earthquake-in-sicily-causes-damage-injuries/

 

[webfact]

U.S. Coast Guard searches for cruise ship crew member who went overboard

By Kanishka Singh

 

FILE PHOTO: The Harmony of the Seas ( Oasis 3 ) class ship leaves the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, France, May 15, 2016. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday it was searching for a British crew member who went overboard from a Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074915-search-for-british-crew-member-missing-from-cruise-ship-off-puerto-rico/

 

[webfact]

Thai cave rescue: The Cave film shares behind-the-scenes shots

By Helier Cheung

BBC News

 

The dramatic Thai cave rescue unfolded like a film. It involved a desperate search, selfless volunteers, an audacious rescue, and 12 boys and one man determined to survive against the odds.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074918-thai-cave-rescue-the-cave-film-shares-behind-the-scenes-shots/

 

[webfact]

Desperate to stay in Thailand "Overstay ALI" changes name to ALY

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A blacklisted Egyptian was so desperate to stay in Thailand that after he was deported in April he changed his name and got a new passport. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074919-desperate-to-stay-in-thailand-overstay-ali-changes-name-to-aly/

 

[webfact]

When a "stupid" taxi rip off is not enough! Now a US dollar is worth the same as a Euro!

 

 

A Facebook site posed a simple yet pertinent question...

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074926-when-a-stupid-taxi-rip-off-is-not-enough-now-a-us-dollar-is-worth-the-same-as-a-euro/

 

[webfact]

Worst traffic congested roads in Bangkok for 2018! And the winner is....

 

 

Sanook reported that the traffic radio station Jor Sor 100 had ranked the top five worst roads in Bangkok for traffic snarls in 2018. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074927-worst-traffic-congested-roads-in-bangkok-for-2018-and-the-winner-is/

 

[webfact]

UK couple die within hours of each other in Australia

 

Thousands of pounds has been raised to help the families of a British couple who died within hours of each other in Australia.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074928-uk-couple-die-within-hours-of-each-other-in-australia/

 

[webfact]

Famous Japanese marathon runner was no match for Thai roads - motorcycle mows him down

 

 

A well known and respected Japanese marathon runner who ran across the US was hospitalized after being run over by a motorcycle on a run in the south of Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074929-famous-japanese-marathon-runner-was-no-match-for-thai-roads-motorcycle-mows-him-down/

 

[webfact]

Our Person Of The Year 2018: Prawit Wongsuwan, Military’s ‘Real Power’

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

Top: Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan raises a hand to shield his eyes from sunlight Dec. 4, 2017, in a cabinet photoshoot at the Government House which launched a scandal over the many multi-million baht, ultra-luxury timepieces he often wears.

 

Deputy junta chairman Prawit Wongsuwan, aka Big Pom, sure gave his critics and the media a lot to talk about throughout 2018.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074930-our-person-of-the-year-2018-prawit-wongsuwan-military’s-‘real-power’/

 

[webfact]

Hua Hin and Cha-Am boom towns at New Year! 100% occupancy expected though less foreigners

 

Picture: Talk News

 

Talk News reported that a local tourism adviser was expecting 100% occupancy in Hua Hin and Cha-Am hotels at New Year. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074933-hua-hin-and-cha-am-boom-towns-at-new-year-100-occupancy-expected-though-less-foreigners/

 

[webfact]

Samila Beach mermaid statue damaged in explosions

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

The landmark mermaid statue at Samila Beach in Songkhla province was damaged by two explosions on Wednesday night.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074934-samila-beach-mermaid-statue-damaged-in-explosions/

 

[webfact]

On shutdown, Trump vows to wait as long as it takes for wall funding

By Steve Holland

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after holding a video call with U.S. military service members in the Oval Office on Christmas morning in Washington, U.S., December 25, 2018. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan

 

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he is prepared to wait as long as it takes to get $5 billion from taxpayers for his U.S.-Mexico border wall, a demand that has triggered a partial shutdown of the federal government that is now in its fifth day.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074935-on-shutdown-trump-vows-to-wait-as-long-as-it-takes-for-wall-funding/

[webfact]

Hotel room rates remain stagnant whilst Airbnb continues to grow in Thailand

By The Thaiger

 

PHOTO: Airbnb

 

As the head-scratching continues as to why traveller aren’t drinking expensive beers in girlie bars and avoiding ‘traditional’ tourist haunts, Airbnb has a record year in Thailand, signaling more problems for the hotel business as tourists seek alternative holiday experiences.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074936-hotel-room-rates-remain-stagnant-whilst-airbnb-continues-to-grow-in-thailand/

 

[webfact]

November economic figures positive

 

FILE photo

 

BANGKOK, 27th December 2018 (NNT) – Investment and consumption continued to drive the Thai economy in November with tourism numbers also positive. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074938-november-economic-figures-positive/