Immigration chief: Don't scare the tourists away by being too strict - we need them and their money

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Immigration chief Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang has told his subordinates not to be too strict on tourists and scare them away from coming to Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137772-immigration-chief-dont-scare-the-tourists-away-by-being-too-strict-we-need-them-and-their-money/

 

That's not a frog in my throat - it's much worse!

 

Thai caption: Something scary stuck in his throat!

 

A Thai man woke from his nighttime slumbers and thought he must have a frog in his throat. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137773-thats-not-a-frog-in-my-throat-its-much-worse/

 

"Polite" 7-Eleven robber in custody after being nabbed for Ya Ba

 

Thai caption: When a nice "wai" is not enough.....

 

The Thai man who smashed a 7-Eleven staffer in the face then wiped up his blood and "wai-ed" him before stealing the contents of the till is now in custody. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137774-polite-7-eleven-robber-in-custody-after-being nabbed-for-ya-ba/

Pattaya: Foreigner and Thai girlfriend in hospital after motorcycle crash at Jomtien "Bend of Death

 

Thai caption: Bend of Death

 

Police and rescue services rushed to Jomtien Sai 2 after a foreigner and a Thai woman came off a motorcycle at a bend. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137775-pattaya-foreigner and-thai-girlfriend-in-hospital after-motorcycle-crash-at-jomtien-bend-of-death/

"Grab is welcomed" - changes to law expected early next year

 

Picture: Sanook

 

The head of Thailand's Department of Land Transport said that public consultation over ride and cab hailing application service Grab had met with a positive response. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137777-grab-is-welcomed-changes-to-law-expected-early-next-year/

 

Puppeteer who performed Sesame Street's Big Bird, Oscar, dies at 85

By Bill Trott

 

FILE PHOTO: Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer and voice of muppets on TV's Sesame Street poses with "Oscar the Grouch" as they arrive at the 33rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Hollywood, California, U.S., April 28, 2006. REUTERS/Fred Prouser/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who brought boyish vulnerability to Big Bird, the towering yellow-plumed character, during 50 years on the groundbreaking children's television show "Sesame Street" and even made garbage-loving Oscar the Grouch loveable, died on Sunday at the age of 85, the Sesame Workshop said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137779-puppeteer-who-performed-sesame-streets-big-bird-oscar-dies-at-85/

 

Democratic candidate Warren discloses details of past legal work, showing $2 million in compensation

By Humeyra Pamuk and Amanda Becker

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren holds a town hall event in West Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. November 25, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren released information on Sunday about her past legal work, showing nearly $2 million in compensation from dozens of clients, as a dispute intensified with her rival Pete Buttigieg over transparency.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137783-democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation/

 

Video: Giant Manta Rays delight tourists diving at Similan Islands

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported what they said was an uncommon event - the sight of Giant Manta Rays. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137785-video-giant-manta-rays-delight-tourists-diving-at-similan-islands/

 

Bad guys out: Big Oud says "Ciao" to Chao and Chow!

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Naew Na asked the public to keep the calls coming into immigration's 1178 report line under the auspices of chief Lt-Gen Sompong "Big Oud" Chingduang. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137786-bad-guys-out-big-oud-says-ciao-to-chao-and-chow/

 

"Sauce" of annoyance! Neighbors patch up differences after Nam Pla poured over parked car

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A Thai woman called Wiphawan, 26, was furious after a male neighbor poured fish sauce all over her Toyota Altis car parked in a housing estate in Sri Racha, Chonburi. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137789-sauce-of-annoyance-neighbors-patch-up-differences-after-nam-pla-poured-over-parked-car/

 

Pattaya: No wonder tourists aren't coming - pack of ten attack "just arrived" Irishman

 

Picture: Siam Chon News

 

Thai posters complained that it was no wonder tourists are not visiting Pattaya these days. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137792-pattaya-no-wonder-tourists-arent-coming-pack-of-ten-attack-just-arrived-irishman/

 

New Zealand volcano spews ash plume in eruption, several injured

 

An aeriel view shows smoke bellowing above the crater of Whakaari, also known as White Island, volcano as it erupts in New Zealand, December 9, 2019, in this image obtained via social media. GNS Science via REUTERS

 

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A volcano erupted in New Zealand on Monday, spewing a plume of ash thousands of feet into the air, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying tourists were among several people unaccounted for as emergency services mounted a rescue operation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137801-new-zealand-volcano-spews-ash-plume-in-eruption-several-injured-tourists-unaccounted-for/

 

KBank warns of baht volatility after sell-offs

By The Nation

 

 

The baht faced sell-offs early in the week in line with falling safe-haven currencies and assets, triggered by stronger-than-expected Chinese PMI (purchase managers index) data.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137804-kbank-warns-of-baht-volatility-after-sell-offs/

 

Jurin pushes for discounted goods to reduce cost of living

By The Nation

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce, Jurin Laksanawisit

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit has urged his ministry to coordinate with manufacturers, department store operators and entrepreneurs nationwide to discount the price of goods from 10 to 70 per cent in order to reduce people’s cost of living.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137819-jurin-pushes-for-discounted-goods-to-reduce-cost-of-living/

 

Netizens offer moral support to Thai beauty queen over tough question

By The Nation

 

Photo credit: PPTV

 

Thai Miss Universe contestant Paweensuda “Fahsai” Drouin, who finished in the top five, got the sympathy of netizens after being asked what they thought was a tough question by a pageant judge. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137823-netizens-offer-moral-support-to-thai-beauty-queen-over-tough-question/

 

Thai GDP growth forecast for 2019 slashed further

By THE NATION

 

 

Kasikorn Research Centre has revised downward its gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for 2019 to 2.5 per cent and projected that the Thai economy may grow 2.7 per cent in 2020.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137825-thai-gdp-growth-forecast-for-2019-slashed-further/

 

UPDATE:

 

New Zealand 'sudden' volcano eruption kills one, several others missing

By Praveen Menon

 

Combination photo shows Whakaari, also known as White Island, volcano shortly before and after eruption in New Zealand, December 9, 2019, in this image obtained via social media. GNS Science via REUTERS

 

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - At least one person was killed, up to 20 injured and several others reported missing after a volcano erupted off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island on Monday, spewing a plume of ash thousands of feet into the air.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137801-new-zealand-volcano-spews-ash-plume-in-eruption-several-injured-tourists-unaccounted-for/?do=findComment&comment=14840940

 

 

NCPO reveals names of 10 members of panel to recruit senators

By The Nation

 

 

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) filed documents to the official Facebook page of iLaw (Internet Law Reform Dialogue), a Thai human rights NGO, revealing 10 members of a committee to recruit senators.

 

Full show: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137838-ncpo-reveals-names-of-10-members-of-panel-to-recruit-senators/

 

Morocco praises Thai health system as a role model

By The Nation

 

Dr Abdeliah Boutaleb (Left) and Dr Sakchai Kanjanawatana (Right)

 

Morocco’s secretary-general of the Health Ministry paid a visit to Thailand to study how the kingdom manages its universal health coverage (UHC).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137842-morocco-praises-thai-health-system-as-a-role-model/

 

No adverse impacts on businesses from minimum wage hike, says expert

By THE NATION

 

 

An increase in the minimum wage by Bt5 to Bt6 will neither hike the cost liability for entrepreneurs nor increase inflation, Anusorn Tamajai, the director of the Economic and Business Research Centre for Reform at Rangsit University's Institute of Economics, said yesterday (December 8).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137848-no-adverse-impacts-on-businesses-from-minimum-wage-hike-says-expert/

 

UPDATE:

 

'Sudden' volcano eruption in New Zealand kills five, several missing

By Praveen Menon

 

A person injured by the White Island volcano eruption is wheeled into a waiting ambulance on a stretcher in Whakatane, New Zealand, December 9, 2019, in this still image taken from video. TVNZ via REUTERS TV

 

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - At least five people were killed, up to 20 injured and several were reported missing after a volcano suddenly erupted off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island on Monday, spewing a plume of ash thousands of feet into the air.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137801-new-zealand-volcano-spews-ash-plume-in-eruption-several-injured-tourists-unaccounted-for/?do=findComment&comment=14841187

 

Car wrongly parked in handicapped space at shopping mall damaged by protester

 

 

A video clip of a damaged car, posted on the Facebook page of a man who has admitted that he had deliberately smashed the vehicle’s windscreen because it was parked in the zone reserved for disabled people, has triggered widespread debate online over whether his actions were justified.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137856-car-wrongly-parked-in-handicapped-space-at-shopping-mall-damaged-by-protester/

 

Premier reinforces anti-corruption drive

By THE NATION

 

Nation Photo: Korbphuk Phromrekha

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has called for an end to the patronage system and urged the public to come forward with information on corruption.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137869-premier-reinforces-anti-corruption-drive/

 

Explainer: Why have North Korea-U.S. denuclearisation talks stalled?

By Hyonhee Shin

 

FILE PHOTO - U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, South Korea, June 30, 2019. KCNA via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - Negotiations aimed at dismantling North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes have been at a standstill after a working-level meeting with the United States in October in Stockholm collapsed.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137870-explainer-why-have-north-korea-us-denuclearisation-talks-stalled/

 

Factory owner, manager nabbed after Indian capital's deadliest fire in 20 years

By Mayank Bhardwaj

 

A fire engine is seen near the site of a fire that swept through a factory where labourers were sleeping on Sunday, in New Delhi, India December 9, 2019. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

 

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Police in New Delhi have arrested the owner and manager at a factory where 43 people perished in the Indian capital’s deadliest fire in 20 years, a spokesman said on Monday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137871-factory-owner-manager-nabbed-after-indian-capitals-deadliest-fire-in-20-years/

 

Huawei to roll out Harmony OS to more products next year, but not phones and tablets

 

FILE PHOTO: The Huawei logo is pictured at the IFA consumer tech fair in Berlin, Germany, September 5, 2019. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

 

SHANGHAI/SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL] plans to equip more of its products with its Harmony operating system (OS) next year, and will promote them at home and abroad, a Huawei spokesman said on Monday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137873-huawei-to-roll-out-harmony-os-to-more-products-next-year-but-not-phones-and-tablets/

 

Rights groups launch Myanmar boycott ahead of Hague genocide hearings

By Anthony Deutsch, Ruma Paul

 

Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi departs from Naypyidaw International Airport ahead of her appearance at the International Court of Justice to defend the country against charges of genocide of its Rohingya Muslim minority, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, December 8, 2019. Myanmar's State Counsellor Office/Handout via REUTERS.

 

THE HAGUE/COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (Reuters) - Human rights campaigners supporting Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority on Monday called for a global boycott of the country, a day before genocide hearings begin at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137874-rights-groups-launch-myanmar-boycott-ahead-of-hague-genocide-hearings/

 

Tesco shares jump on possible sale of Asian business

By James Davey

 

FILE PHOTO: A company logo is pictured outside a Tesco supermarket in Altrincham northern England, April 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble/

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Shares in Tesco (TSCO.L) jumped nearly 6% at one point on Monday after Britain’s biggest retailer said it was considering a sale of its remaining Asian businesses, in Thailand and Malaysia, which analysts valued at up to $9 billion.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137760-britains-tesco-considers-asia-exit/?do=findComment&comment=14841799

 

Strong winds, waves sink fishermen’s earnings

By THE NATION

 

 

Strong waves three to five metres high in the Gulf of Thailand have hammered the coastal barrier in Ranot district of southern Songkla province.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137877-strong-winds-waves-sink-fishermen’s-earnings/

 

Erawan National Park gears up on safety, eco-tourism

By THE NATION

 

 

A record 600,000 domestic and international tourists have visited Erawan National Park, a popular destination featuring a 7-tier waterfall located in the Tenasserim hills of Kanchanaburi province, said Porayut Waiwong, chief of the park, today( December 9).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1137878-erawan-national-park-gears-up-on-safety-eco-tourism/