Download the Thaivisa 2020 Calendar

 

All Thai holidays and no alcohol days included.

 

Get your copy here: https://forum.thaivisa.com/files/file/772-thaivisa-calendar-2020/?changelog=100

 

 

Thai court to decide on dissolution of opposition party in January

 

FILE PHOTO: Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party, gives a speech during his campaign rally in Bangkok, Thailand, February 22, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Constitutional Court said on Wednesday that it would rule on the dissolution of the opposition Future Forward Party on Jan. 21.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140399-thai-court-to-decide-on-dissolution-of-opposition-party-in-january/

 

Joint drive against drinking ahead of New Year festivities

By THE NATION

 

 

Thai Health Promotion Foundation’s chief executive officer Doctor Supreda Adulyanon, together with officials from related organisations, held a campaign against drinking during the upcoming New Year holidays, at Victory Monument December 25.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140400-joint-drive-against-drinking-ahead-of-new-year-festivities/

 

Abbot arrested for alleged molestation of child novices

By The Nation

 

 

The abbot of a temple in Samut Sakhon province has been arrested on five charges, including alleged obscenity and child molestation, after three novices allegedly claimed they had been sexually abused.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140402-abbot-arrested-for-alleged-molestation-of-child-novices/

 

Chinese hackers using Thailand as a base nabbed

By The Nation

 

 

On the instructions of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, local police on Tuesday (December 24) raided and a hotel in Ratchada area after being tipped off that a group of young Chinese were spending all their time in a room, calling room service for meals and refusing to allow maid service in to clean.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140403-chinese-hackers-using-thailand-as-a-base-nabbed/

 

MRT extends service hours for New Year

By THE NATION

 

 

The Bangkok Expressway and Metro Pcl (BEM) and Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) announced on Wednesday (December 25) that they will extend the service hours of the MRT Purple Line and Blue Line including the Hua Lamphong-Lak Song extension section from 6am on December 31 to 2am on January 1.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140404-mrt-extends-service-hours-for-new-year/

 

Rajabhat University researchers get funding to transfer knowledge to farmers

By THE NATION

 

 

The Science and Technology Centre of Uttaradit Rajabhat University (URU) has received funding support from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) to facilitate transfer of know-how on bio-char and biomaterial production to local farmers, the centre’s director, Assoc Professor Chanphen Chumsang, said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140405-rajabhat-university-researchers-get-funding-to-transfer-knowledge-to-farmers/

 

Exec clarifies closure of PCR as internet rumours swirl

By THE NATION

 

Wanich Boontang

 

In response to speculation on social media on what caused the closure of Pongpara Codan Rubber (PCR), senior manager Wanich Boontang said the company had ceased operation due to several factors, including over Bt100 million in loss last year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140406-exec-clarifies-closure-of-pcr-as-internet-rumours-swirl/

 

Monthly allowance for special needs people to be increased

By The Nation

 

 

The monthly allowance for those with special needs will be raised from Bt800 to Bt1,000, the Department of Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities’ committee decided at a meeting.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140407-monthly-allowance-for-special-needs-people-to-be-increased/

 

OIC launches ‘Seven Baht Plus’ micro insurance policy

By THE NATION

 

 

The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) officially launched its ‘Seven Baht Plus’ micro insurance policy on Wednesday (December 25), led by secretary general Sutthipol Thaweechaikan.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140408-oic-launches-‘seven-baht-plus’-micro-insurance-policy/

 

The Mall Korat hosts first out-patient unit in a department store

By The Nation

 

 

Suranaree University of Technology Hospital (SUTH) today (December 25) opened the country's first out-patient unit at a department store, in collaboration with The Mall Korat.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140409-the-mall-korat-hosts-first-out-patient-unit-in-a-department-store/

 

Durian smashing highlights alleged irresponsibility of Harley-Davidson

By The Nation

 

 

Uthen Luangsangthong, the Thai impersonator of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the manager of “Rich Neon Light”, a commercial sign company, December 25smashed a durian on the Haley Davidson motorbike he bought from AAS Harley-Davidson on June 2018, at the Ratchaprasong Intersection after encountering mechanical problems.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140410-durian-smashing-highlights-alleged-irresponsibility-of-harley-davidson/

The Christmas tree that you will one day be able to wear

By The Nation

 

 

Chiang Rai Province has plenty of Christmas trees decorated in a variety of colours as it joins the rest of the nation in celebrating the festive season and Singha Park is no exception. Its 29-metre-tall tree, however, does not boast pine needles either real or fake, but is made recycled plastic bottles.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140411-chiang-rai-the-christmas-tree-that-you-will-one-day-be-able-to-wear/

 

Canadian artist sets out to create jobs for low-income parents

By The Nation

 

 

Faisal Malik, a Thai-based Canadian designer and furniture maker, in partnership with Camillian Home for Children Living with Disabilities, is providing training workshops to Thai mothers raising children with disabilities.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140412-canadian-artist-sets-out-to-create-jobs-for-low-income-parents/

 

Social security extends age coverage from 60 to 65 for freelance, self-employed workers

By THE NATION

 

 

The Cabinet has approved the amendment of royal decree draft regarding the qualifications of social security candidates under article 40 of Social Security Act, government deputy spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said on Tuesday (December 24).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140413-social-security-extends-age-coverage-from-60-to-65-for-freelance-self-employed-workers/

 

More New Year gifts from Energy, Interior Ministries

By THE NATION

 

 

Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Tuesday (Dec. 24) that the Cabinet has approved proposals from two more ministries as a New Year gift to the public in addition to the Transport Ministry’s proposal for a lowering of public transport fees announced earlier.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140414-more-new-year-gifts-from-energy-interior-ministries/

 

Red flag raised on Chinese products in Thai e-commerce

By The Nation

 

 

E-commerce accounted for only 3 per cent of Thailand's total trade, but the country is one of the main markets of Chinese e-commerce giants as Thai consumers are more likely to shop online while Chinese products are popular in the country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140415-red-flag-raised-on-chinese-products-in-thai-e-commerce/

 

Somkid outlines new tasks for economic and social development council

By THE NATION

 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on Wednesday (December 25) assigned new tasks to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) to push forward the economy.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140416-somkid-outlines-new-tasks-for-economic-and-social-development-council/

 

Govt revenue up 5 per cent in the first two months of fiscal year 2020

By THE NATION

 

Lavaron Sangsnit, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office

 

The government’s net revenue in the first two months of the current fiscal year -- October to November -- rose 4.7 per cent year on year to Bt413.6 billion, Lavaron Sangsnit, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, said on Wednesday. The revenue was 1.6 per cent higher than the target, he said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140417-govt-revenue-up-5-per-cent-in-the-first-two-months-of-fiscal-year-2020/

 

Retail petrol prices to come down by Bt1/litre

By THE NATION

 

Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong

 

Retail prices of all petrol types will be cut by Bt1 per litre from December 26 to January 10 next year, following a resolution of the Oil Fund's administration committee on Wednesday (December 25) to lower contributions to the fund.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140418-retail-petrol-prices-to-come-down-by-bt1litre/

 

Border trade drops 2.97 per cent in first 11 months of year

By The Nation

 

 

Border trade in the first 11 months of 2019 fell 2.94 per cent year on year to Bt1.23 trillion, the Department of Foreign Trade under the Commerce Ministry revealed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140420-border-trade-drops-297-per-cent-in-first-11-months-of-year/

 

UPDATE:

 

Constitutional Court accepts petition for FWP dissolution

By THE NATION

 

 

The Constitutional Court on Wednesday (December 25) accepted the petition from the Election Commission of Thailand for the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FWP), according to Section 72 and Section 92(3) of the Political Party Organic Law B.E. 2560.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140399-thai-court-to-decide-on-dissolution-of-opposition-party-in-january/?do=findComment&comment=14893568

 

UPDATE:

 

Thanathorn says he is not concerned that his party may be dissolved

 

 

Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said today (Wednesday) that he is not worried about the prospect of his party being disbanded by the Constitutional Court “because the Future Forward party is about the journey and the people.”

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140399-thai-court-to-decide-on-dissolution-of-opposition-party-in-january/?do=findComment&comment=14893572

 

Riverside Assembly boycotts 1st public hearing on Chao Phraya promenade project

 

©Chao Phraya riverside promenade project

 

The Riverside Assembly, an organization of 35 groups opposing the Chao Phraya riverside promenade project, boycotted a public hearing held yesterday (Tuesday) at the second City Hall office by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, promoter of the controversial scheme.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140421-riverside-assembly-boycotts-1st-public-hearing-on-chao-phraya-promenade-project/

 

Rawai Mayor clarifies response to claims that missing kayak couple hiding in Phuket

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos at the press conference today (Dec 25). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos held a press conference today (Dec 25) to clarify what has been done in response to claims that Polish tourist Mateusz Juszkiewicz, 26, and Thai national Werakan Siriprakon, 23, from Nakhon Sawan, who were last seen on a rented kayak off Yanui Beach on Dec 7, have been seen hiding in the southern end of Phuket.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140422-rawai-mayor-clarifies-response-to-claims-that-missing-kayak-couple-hiding-in-phuket/

 

Chinese tourist sentenced to life for killing wife at Phuket resort

By The Phuket News

 

An officer from the Kamala Police inspects the scene where Zhang Jia, 29, was killed last October. Photo: The Phuket News / file

 

PHUKET: A Chinese tourist arrested for drowning his wife in a resort-room pool in Phuket last October was handed down a life sentence by Phuket Provincial Court yesterday (Dec 24), reports Ecns.cn, the official English-language website of China News Service (CNS).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140423-chinese-tourist-sentenced-to-life-for-killing-wife-at-phuket-resort/

 

Two Thai soldiers face rare murder charges in restive south

 

File photo//REUTERS

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Two soldiers in Thailand's south have been charged with the murder of civilians, a military spokesman said on Wednesday, in a rare rebuke in the insurgency-torn region where rights groups have long demanded greater transparency.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140426-two-thai-soldiers-face-rare-murder-charges-in-restive-south/

 

SalamAir launches direct flights between Muscat and Phuket

By The Phuket News

 

The inaugural SalamAir flight from Muscat to Phuket touched down at Phuket International Airport yesterday (Dec 24). Photo: AoT

 

PHUKET: SalamAir’s inaugural direct flight from Muscat to Phuket touched down yesterday (Dec 24), marking the beginning of a three-times-a-week service between Phuket and the Oman capital.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140427-salamair-launches-direct-flights-between-muscat-and-phuket/

 

BOT says Thai Baht appreciation is manageable

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand’s (BOT) Deputy Governor on Monetary Stability, Mathee Supapongse, revealed that the BOT has been discussing the strength of the currency with the Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, saying that the BOT confirmed it can still manage the currency’s stability without requiring quantitative easing (QE), as the economy is not facing a crisis and cashflow is still sufficient. The central bank is however prepared to enforce additional measures if required.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140428-bot-says-thai-baht-appreciation-is-manageable/

 

PM Prayut follows up on water situation in Chaiyaphum

 

   

CHAIYAPHUM (NNT) - Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has visited Chaiyaphum province to meet the people and to follow up on the water shortage situation. He said the government is implementing a project to replenish and improve water sources to curb the problem of droughts and floods.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140429-pm-prayut-follows-up-on-water-situation-in-chaiyaphum/