Tourists injured as tour boat hits yacht off Phuket

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The heavily damaged tour boat. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub
 

PHUKET:-- At least six tourists were injured as a tour boat collided with a yacht off near Koh Khai Nok, off Phuket’s east coast this afternoon (Dec 18).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139381-tourists-injured-as-tour-boat-hits-yacht-off-phuket/

 

Phuket hunt for fugitive Florida man continues

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

Search teams failed to find the American in the jungle just south of Chalong Circle. Photo: Chalong Police

 

PHUKET: Chalong Police today issued a wanted poster for 28-year-old Florida man Ezekiel Shilon Dolcide, who escaped police custody by running away while still handcuffed on Monday afternoon (Dec 16).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139315-phuket-hunt-for-fugitive-florida-man-continues/

Thailand holds key rate, cuts economic forecasts as exports stumble

By Orathai Sriring and Kitiphong Thaichareon

 

FILE PHOTO: The Bank of Thailand logo is seen in Bangkok, Thailand April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a record low on Wednesday, while it cut its growth forecasts for this year and next as exports take a hit from the Sino-U.S. trade war and a strong baht.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139327-thailand holds-key-rate-cuts-economic-forecasts-as-exports-stumble/

BMA ready to deal with surge in electric/electronic wastes at year-end

By The Nation 

 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) is working with the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to help citizens get rid of their electrical and electronic wastes during the New Year festival.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139372-bma-ready-to-deal-with-surge-in-electricelectronic-wastes-at-year-end/

Thai fruits buck the trend of slumping exports

By THE NATION

 

Auramon Supthaweethum

 

Thai fruits remain popular in the world market, defying the global economic slowdown and shrinking exports, Department of Trade Negotiations director-general, Auramon Supthaweethum said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139418-thai-fruits-buck-the-trend-of-slumping-exports/

 

FTI to push government on local procurement in EEC

By The Nation

 

 

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) will propose that the government lay emphasis on procuring domestic materials in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), suggesting up to 90 per cent in some areas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139419-fti-to-push-government-on-local-procurement-in-eec/

 

THAI to submit rehab, purchase plans in January

By THE NATION

 

 

State carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to submit a rehabilitation plan (2020-2025) to the board of directors in January, comprising twenty projects and four measures.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139420-thai-to-submit-rehab-purchase-plans-in-january/

 

MoU signed for lowering of green house gas emission

By The Nation

 

Somjin Piluek

 

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) today (December 18) signed an memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's Dowa Eco-System Co Ltd (DES) for the fluorocarbons (FCs) management project of the Ministry of the Environment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139421-mou-signed-for-lowering-of-green-house-gas-emission/

 

AOT panel gives nod for King Power's Don Mueang duty-free bid

By THE NATION

 

 

The revenue committee of Airports of Thailand on Wednesday (December 18) approved the bid of King Power group for the duty-free concession at Don Mueang International Airport, an AOT senior official said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139422-aot-panel-gives-nod-for-king-powers-don-mueang-duty-free-bid/

 

Negative factors drag down GDP growth of farm sector

By The Nation

 

 

GDP of the agriculture sector is expected to grow a mere 0.5 per cent this year and forecast to expand by 2 to 3 per cent next year, said the Office of Agricultural Economics which also expressed concerns on the strength of the Thai currency.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139423-negative-factors-drag-down-gdp-growth-of-farm-sector/

 

Pollution Control Department launches ‘No Car Wednesday’ initiative

 

©VisionPic

 

Thailand’s Pollution Control Department’s initiative, to urge its officials to use public transport instead of their own cars every Wednesday, kicked off today.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139424-pollution-control-department-launches-‘no-car-wednesday’-initiative/

 

Jazz salutes Thongchai, aims to end year on high note at Thailand Masters

By THE NATION

Pattaya

 

Jazz Janewattananond

 

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond paid tributes to the Kingdom's golfing legend Thongchai Jaidee for playing an instrumental role in his success as he prepares to tee off in his last event of 2019 at the Thailand Masters which starts on Thursday (December 19).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139425-jazz-salutes-thongchai-aims-to-end-year-on-high-note-at-thailand-masters/

 

Ratchanok back after four years at Princess Sirivannavari Masters

By THE NATION

 

 

Thai badminton ace Ratchanok Intanon will return to the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters for the first time in four years along with other big names for the BWF World Super 300 event in January.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139426-ratchanok-back-after-four-years-at-princess-sirivannavari-masters/

 

Host Buriram all set for 'OR Thailand Grand Prix 2020'

By THE NATION

 

 

Thailand is ready to host 'OR Thailand Grand Prix 2020', a world-class motorsports event organised by Thais and sponsored by local companies, said Pipat Ratchakitprakan, Minister of Tourism and Sports.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139427-host-buriram-all-set-for-or-thailand-grand-prix-2020/

TAT to hold Amazing Thailand Countdown 2020

 

   

BANGKOK(NNT) - During the New Year holiday, the Tourism Authority of Thailand will be holding the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2020 events in Bangkok and six regional cities, expecting some 200,000 tourists and around 500 million baht in circulation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139428-tat-to-hold-amazing-thailand-countdown-2020/

 

Thousands in Poland protest against latest judicial reforms

 

Demonstrators hold a rally to protest against changes to Poland's judiciary planned by the ruling Law and Justice party in Szczecin, Poland December 18, 2019. Cezary Aszkielowicz/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS

 

WARSAW (Reuters) - Thousands gathered in cities across Poland on Wednesday to protest against a proposal by the ruling nationalists that would allow for judges to be fired if they question the legitimacy of the government's judicial reforms.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139429-thousands-in-poland-protest-against-latest-judicial-reforms/

 

'Defend democracy': Pelosi calls Trump 'ongoing threat' in impeachment debate

By Patricia Zengerle, Amanda Becker and David Morgan

 

Rep. Diana Degette, member presiding over the U.S. House of Representatives, pounds the gavel to open the session to discuss rules ahead a vote on two articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., in a still image from video December 18, 2019. House TV via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday called Donald Trump a threat to American democracy who left Congress no choice but to impeach him as bitterly divided lawmakers debated before historic votes on charges accusing the Republican president of abusing his power and obstructing Congress.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139430-defend-democracy-pelosi-calls-trump-ongoing-threat-in-impeachment-debate/

 

Hero cave-diver felt 'humiliated, dirtied and ashamed' by Elon Musk 'paedo' insult

Emotional Vernon Unsworth believes the billionaire 'set out to destroy him' after he helped save the 12 Thai boys and their football coach from a cave complex in 2018

By Kyle O'SullivanSenior TV Reporter

 

Vernon Unsworth felt humiliated by Elon Musk's insults (Image: ITV)

 

A hero cave-diver has confessed he felt "humiliated, dirtied and ashamed" after being branded a 'paedo' by Elon Musk.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139436-hero-cave-diver-felt-humiliated-dirtied-and-ashamed-by-elon-musk-paedo-insult/

 

Tobacco epidemic at turning point as male smoking rates stall: WHO

By Kate Kelland

 

FILE PHOTO: Discarded cigarette butts are pictured at the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, May 26, 2019. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The number of men who smoke and use tobacco has stopped rising and is on the turn for the first time, marking a shift in a global epidemic that has killed tens of millions of people over decades, the World Health Organization said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139438-tobacco-epidemic-at-turning-point-as-male-smoking-rates-stall-who/

 

UK urges China to open dialogue with Hong Kong on 1984 declaration anniversary

 

FILE PHOTO: Conservative Party candidate Dominic Raab (R) speaks after he was announced as the winner for the constituency of Esher and Walton at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Esher, Britain December 13, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Radburn

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain urged China on Thursday to open dialogue with Hong Kong protesters and respect the commitments it made 35 years ago in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139439-uk-urges-china-to-open-dialogue-with-hong-kong-on-1984-declaration-anniversary/

 

From Instagram to TikTok: Indians wage online battle against citizenship law

By Sankalp Phartiyal and Sachin Ravikumar

 

Abdul Rehman, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia university, uses his mobile phone to shoot video, which he later posted on social media such as Instagram, at the venue of a protest against a new citizenship law, outside the university in New Delhi, India, December 18, 2019. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

 

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU (Reuters) - As protests rage across Indian universities against a new citizenship law, students have taken to social media to wage battle online and teach people how to organise demonstrations.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139440-from-instagram-to-tiktok-indians-wage-online-battle-against-citizenship-law/

 

U.S. appeals court sidesteps major Obamacare ruling

By Lawrence Hurley

 

FILE PHOTO: A sign on an insurance store advertises Obamacare in San Ysidro, San Diego, California, U.S., October 26, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court ruled on Wednesday that a component of the Obamacare law is unconstitutional, but dodged a major ruling by stopping short of declaring that the rest of the landmark 2010 healthcare statute must also be struck down.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139441-us-appeals-court-sidesteps-major-obamacare-ruling/

 

Pattaya: Bill dodging Austrian arrested by immigration on ONE day overstay

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Chonburi immigration acting on a warrant issued by the Pattaya court arrested a 60 year old Austrian.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139447-pattaya-bill-dodging-austrian-arrested-by-immigration-on-one-day-overstay/

In historic moment, U.S. House impeaches Donald Trump for abuse of power

By Susan Cornwell, Richard Cowan and David Morgan

 

U.S. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn as he departs for campaign travel to Michigan from the White House in Washington, U.S., December 18, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump became the third U.S. president to be impeached on Wednesday, as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139449-in-historic-moment-us-house-impeaches-donald trump for-abuse-of-power/

 

Still smiling: Thai serial killer back in Khon Kaen as villagers left disappointed

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Villagers in Kranuan district of Khon Kaen in Thailand's north east were left disappointed after serial killer Somkid Phumphuang was taken straight back to the cells last night. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139450-still-smiling-thai-serial-killer-back-in-khon-kaen-as-villagers-left-disappointed/

 

Parliament staff apologise the Future Forward kiss

By THE NATION

 

 

The House Speaker’s chief of staff Phongsri Tharaphum and secretary Tankhun Jit-Issara on Wednesday (December 18) hosted a press conference to address a recent event during another press conference in the room set aside for media briefings at Parliament when MPs from Future Forward Party locked lips.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139452-parliament-staff-apologise-the-future-forward-kiss/

 

Flights up/leave cancelled up as Thai immigration prepares big festive season welcome

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Naew Na reported that the Immigration Bureau were busy preparing for a huge influx of tourists at Bangkok's main airport yesterday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139453-flights-upleave-cancelled-up-as-thai-immigration-prepares-big-festive-season-welcome/

 

Where are the Europeans? Hua Hin/Cha Am tourism officials urged to look elsewhere for next wave of tourists

 

 

A meeting was held in Hua Hin yesterday called a "Market Briefing". The Tourism Authority of Thailand with responsibility for Europe, Africa and the Middle East and the Petchaburi and Prajuab Khiri Khan TAT invited business leaders, hoteliers, golf course people and wellness and spa reps. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139456-where-the-europeans-hua-hincha-am-tourism-officials-urged-to-elsewhere-for-next-wave-of-tourists/

 

Three Civilians Killed During Jungle Encounter in Thai Deep South, Army Commander Says

Matahari Ismail and Mariyam Ahmad
Narathiwat, Thailand

 

Matahari Ismail/BenarNews

 

Thailand’s southern army commander clarified an earlier statement and promised a fair investigation on Tuesday when he announced that three men shot dead by a security task force in insurgency-stricken Narathiwat province the day before were unarmed civilians.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139457-three-civilians-killed-during-jungle-encounter-in-thai-deep-south-army-commander-says/

 

15 years on, a look back at the Boxing Day tsunami

 

FILE PHOTO: Submerged buildings are seen near the pier at Ton Sai Bay in Thailand's Phi Phi island, December 28, 2004 after a tsunami hit the area. REUTERS/Luis Enrique Ascui

 

(Reuters) - December 26 marks 15 years since a 9.1 magnitude quake off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh province triggered a tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and nine other countries.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1139459-15-years-on-a-look-back-at-the-boxing-day-tsunami/