THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 28 Dec 2018

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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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Tesla's Musk says cave rescuer's defamation case should be dismissed

By Jonathan Stempel

 

Tesla Inc. founder Elon Musk speaks at the unveiling event by "The Boring Company" for the test tunnel of a proposed underground transportation network across Los Angeles County, in Hawthorne, California, U.S. December 18, 2018. Robyn Beck/Pool via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - Elon Musk, Tesla Inc's chief executive, asked a U.S. judge to dismiss a lawsuit by a British diver who helped rescue a boys soccer team trapped in a Thailand cave and said Musk defamed him by calling him a pedophile and child rapist.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075034-teslas-musk-says-british-thai-cave-rescuers-defamation-case-should-be-dismissed/

 

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Fraud, child porn arrests among pre-holiday busts

By SURIYA PATATHAYO 
THE NATION

 

 

EVEN AS THE country is poised to celebrate the New Year, police continue to bust wrongdoers.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075013-fraud-child-porn-arrests-among-pre-holiday-busts/

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UPDATE:

 

NACC clears Prawit of any wrongdoing over watches

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

Anti-corruption watchdog finds luxury Timepieces were borrowed from now deceased friend, sniffs no graft.
 

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday cleared Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan of wrongdoing over a collection of luxury wristwatches, accepting his claim that the timepieces belonged to a now-dead friend.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1074995-hot-nacc-finds-prawit-innocent-in-relation-to-luxury-watches/?do=findComment&comment=13683207

 

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UPDATE:

Deputy PM, police at odds over Songkhla blast perpetrators

By THE NATION

 

A mermaid statue on Simila Beach in Songkhla province is examined after being by damaged by two bomb blasts on Wednesday night. The statue is a landmark for visitors to the beach.

 

THE GOVERNMENT’S security tsar General Prawit Wongsuwan linked the bomb attacks in Songkhla yesterday to local politics in the southern province, contradicting intelligence units on the ground who suspected the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) were behind the blasts, in an attempt to disturb the southern business hub.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075007-latest-prawit-links-songkhla-bomb-attacks-to-local-politics/?do=findComment&comment=13683210

 

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Thaksin’s ex-lawyer among those in running for Senate

By THE NATION

 

More than 2,600 candidates show up for the final round of voting for Senate seats. Ultimately, the NCPO handpick 50 of the candidates. // EPA-EFE PHOTO

 

200 senatorial candidates chosen in voting observed by US embassy officials.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075036-thaksin’s-ex-lawyer-among-those-in-running-for-senate/

 

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Prem advises Prayut to befriend enemies, critics

By THE NATION

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha leads Cabinet members and military commanders to offer New Year wishes to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda at the latter’s Sisao Thewet residence on Thursday.

 

THE PRIVY Council president on Thursday advised the junta chief to treat his critics and political opponents as friends – a move that he said would make his time in power smoother.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075037-prem-advises-prayut-to-befriend-enemies-critics/

 

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Daily wage changed to reflect skills standards

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

FROM JANUARY 1, the daily wage for skilled workers in 19 occupations will range from Bt345 to Bt858 so as to reflect current skills standards.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075038-daily-wage-changed-to-reflect-skills-standards/

 

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Medical price controls to be discussed by agencies in Jan

By THE NATION

 

 

THE COST of medical services is up for discussion at a meeting of the Commerce Ministry’s Central Committee on Prices of Goods and Services on January 9 as it considers applying price controls. Meanwhile, the cost of medical supplies will be discussed by stakeholders, who will make a future proposal to the central committee.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075039-medical-price-controls-to-be-discussed-by-agencies-in-jan/

 

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Lawmakers endorse only two out of seven nominees for NHRC

By KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN 
THE NATION 

 

 

THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday endorsed only two of the seven nominees for posts in the country’s human-rights agency.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075040-lawmakers-endorse-only-two-out-of-seven-nominees-for-nhrc/

 

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Fasten your seatbelts for a bumpy 2019

By The Nation

 

 

Thailand’s economy and workforce face greater turbulence in the new year as headwinds strengthen 

As we approach the end of 2018, this is a good time for a reality check on Thailand’s economic outlook for the year ahead. In 2019, economic challenges are likely to increase in severity compared to this year due to both domestic and international factors.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075041-fasten-your-seatbelts-for-a-bumpy-2019-editorial/

 

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Thailand shows interest in Russian helicopters

 

Russian Helicopters hopes Mi-171A2, Ansat models to be in demand in Thailand

 

Thailand has shown interest in Russia’s helicopters Ansat, Mi171A2 and Ka-32

 

BANGKOK, December 27. /TASS/. Thailand has shown interest in Russia’s helicopters Ansat, Mi171A2 and Ka-32, the CEO of the holding company Helicopters of Russia (an affiliate of Rostec), Andrei Boginsky, told TASS on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075043-thailand-shows-interest-in-russian-helicopters/

 

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U.S. Congress meets briefly, takes no steps to end shutdown

 

FILE PHOTO: Sun shines on the U.S. Capitol Dome as budget legislation deadlines loom for a potential federal government shutdown in Washington, U.S., December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Both chambers of the U.S. Congress convened for only a few minutes late on Thursday, but took no steps to end a partial federal government shutdown before adjourning until next week.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075046-us-congress-meets-briefly-takes-no-steps-to-end-shutdown/

 

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More Americans blame Trump for government shutdown: Reuters/Ipsos poll

By Chris Kahn and Ginger Gibson

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before he meets U.S. political and military leaders during an unannounced visit to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, December 26, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More Americans blame President Donald Trump than congressional Democrats for the partial U.S. government shutdown, a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Thursday found, as lawmakers returned to Washington with no quick end to the shutdown in sight.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075051-more-americans-blame-trump-for-government-shutdown-reutersipsos-poll/

 

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German army floats plan to recruit foreigners

 

A soldier of German army Bundeswehr sits in an armoured fighting vehicle as he participates in an exercise during a media day in Munster, Germany September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Struggling to fill its ranks, Germany's military is drawing up plans to recruit nationals from other European countries as part of a drive to beef up the armed forces.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075052-german-army-floats-plan-to-recruit-foreigners/

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Boston Marathon bomber appeals conviction, death sentence

By Nate Raymond

 

FILE PHOTO: A photograph of Djohar Tsarnaev, who is believed to be Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, is seen on his page of Russian social networking site Vkontakte (VK), as pictured on a monitor in St. Petersburg April 19, 2013. REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk

 

BOSTON (Reuters) - Lawyers for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Thursday asked an appellate court to overturn his conviction and death penalty sentence for helping carry out the 2013 attack, which killed three people and wounded more than 260 others.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075053-boston-marathon-bomber-appeals-conviction-death-sentence/

 

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Sticking it to foreigners - ice cream company backs down after "Thais only" promotion

 

 

An ice cream company operating at the newly opened Icon Siam in Bangkok was forced to issue a grovelling apology after they started a promotion that excluded foreigners. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075059-sticking-it-to-foreigners-ice-cream-company-backs-down-after-thais-only-promotion/

 

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Top stories of 2018

By The Nation

 

 

Here is a wrap-up of The Nation's top 10 news reports over the past year.

 

NACC absolution in watch scandal, a shot in the arm for Prawit

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075062-top-stories-of-2018/

 

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Now it's foreigners riding motorbikes on the footpaths - in the Thai jungle!

 

video screenshot

 

Following recent criticism of Thais riding on the sidewalks in the cities comes news that a group of foreigners have been using a historical nature trail for off road riding.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075063-now-its-foreigners-riding-motorbikes-on-the-footpaths-in-the-thai-jungle/

 

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Nationwide sweep nets foreigners/Thais sharing indecent images of children

 

Picture: INN

 

The Department of Special Investigation carried out a nationwide sweep in twelve provinces.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075064-nationwide-sweep-nets-foreignersthais-sharing-indecent-images-of-children/

 

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Israeli ex-general, polling closest to Netanyahu, joins 2019 election race

 

FILE PHOTO: Israeli military chief Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz attends a news conference in Tel Aviv, Israel July 28, 2014. REUTERS/Nir Elias/File Photo

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A former Israeli armed forces chief who opinion polls show poses the toughest challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bid for reelection next year formally established a political party on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075066-israeli-ex-general-polling-closest-to-netanyahu-joins-2019-election-race/

 

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Actors "600 baht" walk in Chiang Mai ends in whitewash for red taxi mafia

 

 

The "rot daeng" mafia in Chiang Mai have been exonerated after a famous Thai actor admitted a "misunderstanding".

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075072-actors-600-baht-walk-in-chiang-mai-ends-in-whitewash-for-red-taxi-mafia/

 

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Taxi driver in lucky escape as crane topples over in Bangkok

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A taxi driver had a lucky escape after his cab was crushed when a derrick used for piling work toppled over in Bangkok. 

 

Source: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075073-taxi-driver-in-lucky-escape-as-crane-topples-over-in-bangkok/

 

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Cabbies gain with go-ahead on Bt10-bn soft loan plan 

By  THE NATION 

 

Taxi drivers queue to apply to hire-purchase loans provided by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand ahead of the formal of approval of the assistance scheme yesterday.

 

STRUGGLING taxi drivers have been heartened by a government decision to press ahead with a Bt10-billion soft loan scheme that will help the drivers own their cabs.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075074-cabbies-gain-with-go-ahead-on-bt10-bn-soft-loan-plan /

 

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Frozen wages compromising standard of living of workers across country

By WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

WORKERS ARE expected to reap some gains from political campaigns in the run-up to the upcoming general election, but most of them are still struggling to make ends meet due to both the economic slowdown and disruptions caused by technology, experts said. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075075-frozen-wages-compromising-standard-of-living-of-workers-across-country/

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New Year alcohol checkpoints in Pattaya - Thai netizens criticize the RTP!

 

video screenshot

 

Pattaya news published a story about the Pattaya police setting up alcohol checkpoints to prevent accidents caused by drink driving during the "Seven Deadly Days" at the resort. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075077-new-year-alcohol-checkpoints-in-pattaya-thai-netizens-criticize-the-rtp/

 

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Saudi king taps veteran finance chief as foreign minister to improve image

By Marwa Rashad and Katie Paul

 

FILE PHOTO: Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud signs documents during the 2019 budget meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 18, 2018. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

 

RIYADH/DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's king put a veteran former finance minister in charge of foreign affairs on Thursday, aiming to improve the kingdom's image after the crisis caused by the killing of a journalist and greater scrutiny of the Yemen war.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075081-saudi-king-taps-veteran-finance-chief-as-foreign-minister-to-improve-image/

 

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Corbyn: Labour bid to force general election matter of 'when, not if'

 

FILE PHOTO: Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, speaks at the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) annual conference in London, Britain, November 19, 2018. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

(Reuters) - British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn told the Independent newspaper the Labour party's attempt to force a general election by tabling a no-confidence motion was a matter of "when, not if."

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075082-corbyn-labour-bid-to-force-general-election-matter-of-when-not-if/

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Australia swelters through heatwave as records tumble

By Byron Kaye

 

Volunteer life guards from North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, keep an eye on swimmers enjoying Christmas day on Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, December 25, 2018. REUTERS/Jill Gralow/File Photo

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia looks set to sweat through one of its hottest Decembers ever, the national weather bureau said on Friday, prompting fire bans, health warnings and big crowds trying to cool off at beaches.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075085-australia-swelters-through-heatwave-as-records-tumble/

 

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Russian arrested for robbing compatriot

PATTAYA:--A Russian man was arrested for stealing a computer notebook from a compatriot.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1075088-russian-arrested-for-robbing-compatriot/