THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Dec 2019

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PM seeks revision of sentence-reduction system amid serial killer case

By The Nation

 

 

After the case of serial killer Somkid Pumpuang, dubbed Thailand’s Jack the Ripper, being released and going on to allegedly commit another murder last Sunday, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha ordered the justice minister to overhaul the sentence-reduction system to prevent another serious case of a prisoner gaining freedom and then committing another crime. 

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139201-pm-seeks-revision-of-sentence-reduction-system-amid-serial-killer-case/

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Thousands of Thai fishermen protest against tough industry regulations

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

Family members in the fishing industry sit at a protest outside the Agriculture Ministry, calling for amendments to a 2015 law aimed at addressing international concerns over combatting illegal and unregulated fishing, in Bangkok, Thailand December 17, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Several thousand Thai fishermen protested outside the agriculture ministry on Tuesday over strict regulations aimed at combating illegal and unregulated fishing which they say are driving them out of business.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139197-thousands-of-thai-fishermen-protest-against-tough-industry-regulations/

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Family of Thai woman thought abducted by North Korea encouraged by Japanese response

 

 

The nephew of a Thai woman, believed to have been kidnapped and held captive in North Korea 42 years ago, has been in Japan attending an international meeting of relatives of people believed to have been abducted by North Korea.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139199-family-of-thai-woman-thought-abducted-by-north-korea-encouraged-by-japanese-response/

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10 recommended locations where you can ring in the New Year

By The Nation

 

 

With 2020 New Year celebrations around the corner, here are 10 exciting locations where you can party 2019 away and welcome in the New Year:

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139194-10-recommended-locations-where-you-can-ring-in-the-new-year/

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Pheu Thai plans no-confidence debate against ministers

By The Nation

 

Chalerm Yubamrung

 

Chalerm Yubamrung, a core member of Pheu Thai party, made a statement today (December 17) that the opposition is considering tabling a motion of no-confidence against the government on January 6-10, 2020.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139235-pheu-thai-plans-no-confidence-debate-against-ministers/

 

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Auto firms ahead of state units in bonus payments 

By The Nation

 

 

Ten giant companies announced their annual bonus payments to employees this year, led by companies in the automotive industries, state enterprises and agricultural businesses.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139237-auto-firms-ahead-of-state-units-in-bonus-payments /

 

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Political situation to cause only short-term pressure on stock market: top official

By THE NATION

 

Kobsak Pootrakool

 

Kobsak Pootrakool, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister for political affairs, said he personally believes the current political situation would cause only short-term pressure on the stock market.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139239-political-situation-to-cause-only-short-term-pressure-on-stock-market-top-official/

 

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MPC could maintain policy interest rate at 1.25%: Kasikorn Research Centre

By Kasikorn Research Centre

 

 

Kasikorn Research Centre expects the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to possibly maintain the policy interest rate at 1.25 per cent at its last meeting of 2019 on December 18, the reasons being the state of the economy, the US-China trade agreement, and a thumping election win by the Conservative Party in Britain.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139240-mpc-could-maintain-policy-interest-rate-at-125-kasikorn-research-centre/

 

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PM complains of fake news about his wife’s religion

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has complained about the spread of fake news on social media, one item of which recently related to his wife.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139241-pm-prayut-complains-of-fake-news-about-his-wife’s-religion/

 

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Srisuwan to ask EC to investigate Future Forward party over protest rally

 

 

Political activist Srisuwan Janya will file a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) Wednesday demanding an investigation into the Future Forward party’s staging of an anti-government protest at the Pathumwan skywalk on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139242-srisuwan-to-ask-ec-to-investigate-future-forward-party-over-protest-rally/

 

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Nakhon Pathom Airport project market sounding

 

   

NAKHON PATHOM (NNT) - The government has announced a plan to construct a new airport in Nakhon Pathom to alleviate congestion at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports and serve western Bangkok population. The Department of Airports today held a market sounding seminar with potential co-investors prior to expected construction in 2023.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139243-nakhon-pathom-airport-project-market-sounding/

 

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PM Prayut urges people to promote Thai massage

 

   

BANGKOK(NNT) - The Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, observed several exhibits from the Outstanding Technologist Awards and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum 2019. The Prime Minister also had a traditional Thai massage and encouraged everyone to support the Thai massage business, which is part of the tourism industry.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139244-pm-prayut-urges-people-to-promote-thai-massage/

 

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Trump squeezes Thailand in trade row over chemicals ban

Kingdom's reversal reveals vulnerability to 'America First' pressure

MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writer

 

Farmers spray a rice field in the province of Nakhon Sawan, north of Bangkok.   © Reuters

 

BANGKOK -- On Nov. 27, Thailand surrendered to the U.S.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139245-trump-squeezes-thailand-in-trade-row-over-chemicals-ban/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Two sites shortlisted for new airport in Nakhon Pathom

By THE NATION

 

Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam

 

The Department of Airports has shortlisted two locations, after a study of ten potential sites, for the construction of Nakhon Pathom Airport. The project aims to ease heavy traffic and delays at existing airports, where demands have exceeded capacities, especially from private jets, said Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam on Tuesday (December 17).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139243-nakhon-pathom-airport-project-market-sounding/?do=findComment&comment=14868534

 

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Trump administration may not hit 2020 border wall goal, official says

By Ted Hesson

 

FILE PHOTO: Construction site of the first border wall in Texas since President Trump took office as seen near Donna, Texas, U.S. December 8, 2019. REUTERS/Veronica G. Cardenas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration may fall short of its promise to build 450 miles of wall along the U.S. border with Mexico by the end of next year, a top official said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139246-trump-administration-may-not-hit-2020-border-wall-goal-official-says/

 

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Pope abolishes 'pontifical secrecy' for sex abuse investigations

By Philip Pullella

 

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience at the Vatican, June 19, 2019. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo

 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday announced sweeping changes to the way the Roman Catholic Church deals with cases of sexual abuse of minors, abolishing the rule of "pontifical secrecy" that previously covered them.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139247-pope abolishes-pontifical-secrecy-for-sex-abuse-investigations/

 

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Trump accuses Democrats of 'attempted coup' on eve of impeachment vote

By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Guatemala's President Jimmy Morales in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., December 17, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the eve of his expected impeachment in the U.S. House of Representatives, President Donald Trump accused Democrats of pursuing an "illegal, partisan attempted coup" and declaring war on American democracy as they seek to remove him from office for pressing Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139248-trump-accuses-democrats-of-attempted-coup-on-eve-of-impeachment-vote/

 

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Poland could exit EU over judicial reform clash - top Polish court

 

FILE PHOTO: People gather in front of the Presidential Palace during the "Chain of lights" protest against judicial overhaul in Warsaw, Poland July 26, 2018. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo

 

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland could end up leaving the European Union because of plans by the ruling nationalists that would allow judges to be fired if they question the legitimacy of the government's judicial reforms, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139249-poland could-exit-eu-over-judicial-reform-clash-top-polish-court/

 

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Slain student caught in 'web' spun by Egyptian security services - Italian prosecutors

 

FILE PHOTO: A man holds a placard during a vigil to commemorate Giulio Regeni, who was found murdered in Cairo, in downtown Rome, Italy January 25, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

 

ROME (Reuters) - Giulio Regeni, an Italian student tortured and murdered in Cairo in 2016, was ensnared in a "spider's web" spun by the Egyptian security services in the weeks leading up to his death, Rome prosecutors said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139251-slain-student-caught-in-web-spun-by-egyptian-security-services-italian-prosecutors/

 

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Chinese leader Xi visits gambling hub Macau as nearby Hong Kong seethes

By Farah Master

 

Tourists visit the Ruins of St. Paul's in Macau, China December 17, 2019, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. REUTERS/Jason Lee

 

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping begins a three-day visit to the gambling hub of Macau on Wednesday to mark the 20th anniversary of its handover to China, with security tight as protests rock nearby Hong Kong.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139252-chinese-leader-xi-visits-gambling-hub-macau-as-nearby-hong-kong-seethes/

 

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Trudeau government planned 'no conspiracy' to get oil pipeline built - attorney

By Moira Warburton

 

FILE PHOTO: Steel pipe to be used in the oil pipeline construction of Kinder Morgan Canada's Trans Mountain Expansion Project sit on rail cars at a stockpile site in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada May 29, 2018. REUTERS/Dennis Owen

 

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - The Canadian government tried its best to consult indigenous groups about plans to expand its oil pipeline and undertook "no conspiracy" to ram it through the approval stage, a federal lawyer said in court on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139256-trudeau-government-planned-no-conspiracy-to-get-oil-pipeline-built-attorney/

 

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"Ripper" serial killer hunt: No arrest yet - he met latest victim on Facebook

 

Thai caption: No arrest yet

 

"Ripper" serial killer hunt: No arrest yet - he met latest victim on Facebook

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139257-ripper-serial-killer-hunt-no-arrest-yet-he-met-latest-victim-on-facebook/

 

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Deportation for Russian who wanted to teach at international school 

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Naew Na reported that immigration authorities in Chonburi had arrested a 30 year old Russian man who was on a blacklist. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139259-deportation-for-russian-who-wanted-to-teach-at-international-school/

 

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Keep calling!: Public urged to report on overstaying foreigners as Brit arrested

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Naew Na continued to quote immigration officials as saying that they were carrying out the orders of immigration chief Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang in ridding the kingdom of illegal foreigners. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139260-keep-calling-public-urged-to-report-on-overstaying-foreigners-as-brit-arrested/

 

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Video: Plucky 7-Eleven staffer won't open the till - robber flees with nothing

 

Thai caption: (He) didn't get a single baht.

 

CCTV footage from a 7-Eleven store in Lampang in northern Thailand showed the moment when a robber armed with a knife entered and threatened a woman behind the counter. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139264-video-plucky-7-eleven-staffer-wont-open-the-till-robber-flees-with-nothing/

 

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Pattaya: More bad news as resort blanketed in health threatening smog

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media reported that PM 2.5 particulate matter blanketed Pattaya yesterday afternoon. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139267-pattaya-more-bad-news-as-resort-blanketed-in-health-threatening-smog/

 

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Video: Two on "big bike" injured at Pattaya U-turn blackspot

 

Thai caption: U-turn car cuts in front

 

Footage from a helmet cam (lasting about one minute) showed the moment when a motorcycle collided with a car making a U-turn on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya around 10 pm on Sunday night. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139269-video-two-on-big-bike-injured-at-pattaya-u-turn-blackspot/

 

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North and Northeast remain cold, heat returns elsewhere

By THE NATION

 

 

The weak high-pressure covering Thailand and the South China Sea remains static, causing the North and the Northeast to remain cool to cold with the minimum temperatures ranging from 13-20 °C with morning fog and fair skies, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Wednesday (Dec 18).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139271-north-and-northeast-remain-cold-heat-returns-elsewhere/

 

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Household debts slow but remain high

By THE NATION

 

 

Commenting on the news that S&P Global Ratings had upgraded its outlook on Thailand's sovereign credit rating to positive from stable for the first time in 9 years, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (December 17):

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139272-household-debts-slow-but-remain-high/

 

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Thai tourism: TAT turn to fortune teller for help

 

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand have turned to a fortune teller to help promote the country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139273-thai-tourism-tat-turn-to-fortune-teller-for-help/