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

 

Rooster's Year in Review 2:  Pattaya, Scams, Weed and TM 30.....with a little Thai honesty for good measure!

 

 

Herewith part two of my review of a stupendous and fun-filled year on Thaivisa containing the second selection of stories and themes that have marked the last 12 months in Thailand. There are ten headings presented in no particular order. Following the review comes a topical selection of this week's best stories to round off 2019. Enjoy!

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140825-roosters-year-in-review-2-pattaya-scams-weed-and-tm-30with-a-little-thai-honesty-for-good-measure/

 

Year of the Rat: Despite bad signs key tourism figures remain optimistic

 

 

Image: Siam Rath

 

Two of the key players on the Thai tourism scene continue to be optimistic about the year ahead.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140854-year-of-the-rat-despite-bad-signs-key-tourism-figures-remain-optimistic/

 

Video: Chase of tanker through the Thai countryside - driver high on Ya Ba

 

 

Caption: Out of control 10 wheeler bursts through checkpoint

 

A video on the site of Ban Muang showed a police chase after a ten wheel tanker driver failed to stop for a routine licence check.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140856-video-chase-of-tanker-through-the-thai-countryside-driver-high-on-ya-ba/ 

 

Hua Hin: Chinese change strategy - creating "Chinatown Hua Hin"

 

 

Image: Ban Muang

 

Thai media has reported that the Chinese are increasingly buying up Hua Hin.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140858-hua-hin-chinese-change-strategy-creating-chinatown-hua-hin/

 

43 killed on first of '7 dangerous days'

By THE NATION

 

 

Forty-three deaths were reported and 466 people were injured in road accidents on Friday (December 27) on the first day of the year-end holiday travel.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140859-43-killed-on-first-of-7-dangerous-days/

 

Chiang Rai police prepares facilities for tourist influx

By The Nation

 

 

The police of the 327th border patrol police company in Chiang Rai province have made various arrangements for tourists during the New Year holidays.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140860-chiang-rai-police-prepares-facilities-for-tourist-influx/

 

20 false killer whales sighted in Phang Nga province

By The Nation

 

 

Some 20 false killer whales were sighted at Mu Koh Similan National Park in Phang Nga province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140862-20-false-killer-whales-sighted-in-phang-nga-province/

 

Samut Sakhon community offers rare eco-tourist attraction

By THE NATION

 

 

At merely an hour’s journey from Bangkok lies the Bang Ya Phrak community, an eco-tourist attraction in Samut Sakhon province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140863-samut-sakhon-community-offers-rare-eco-tourist-attraction/

 

Police hunt for man after laundry shop stabbing

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The police question Kornkanok Reukaew, who is the partner of the victim Mr Sombat, at the hospital last night (Dec 27). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Thalang Police are hunting for a man known as Mr Nu who stabbed the owner of a laundry store in Thepkrasattri subdistrict last night (Dec 27).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140864-police-hunt-for-man-after-laundry-shop-stabbing/

 

Phuket ‘Seven Days’ death ‘too early’ to be counted in New Year road-safety campaign

By The Phuket News

 

Two men escape serious injury in a motorbike accident last night (Dec 27). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai this morning reported that Phuket has so far suffered no deaths since the “Seven Days of Danger” annual road-safety campaign for the New Year began at midnight Thursday night (Dec 27).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140865-phuket-‘seven-days’-death-‘too-early’-to-be-counted-in-new-year-road-safety-campaign/

 

With floral and winter attractions, Phu Ruea prepares for tourist influx

By THE NATION

 

 

Loei is all set to welcome thousands of locals and foreign tourists to the Phu Ruea Winter Flora Festival.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140867-with-floral-and-winter-attractions-phu-ruea-prepares-for-tourist-influx/

 

SRT plans to buy 184 AC diesel trains

By THE NATION

 

 

The State Railways of Thailand (SRT) will propose to the board on January 16 a plan to procure 184 air-conditioned diesel trains at a budget of Bt20 billion.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140868-srt-plans-to-buy-184-ac-diesel-trains/

 

Thanathorn lauds supporters for standing up to ‘govt injustice’

By THE NATION

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit

 

Future Forward Party (FWP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit lauded his supporters for fighting for democracy while wishing Thais a happy New Year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140869-thanathorn-lauds-supporters-for-standing-up-to-‘govt-injustice’/

 

Egat receives 65,000 tonnes of LNG from Petronas

By THE NATION

 

 

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) on Saturday (December 28) received the first lot of liquefied natural gas (LNG) totalling 65,000 tonnes delivered by Malaysia's Petronas LNG.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140872-egat-receives-65000-tonnes-of-lng-from-petronas/

 

Uttama, BAAC chief discuss promotion of grass-roots economy

By THE NATION

 

 

Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana held a meeting with the chairman of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) on driving the Thai grass-roots economy at Ban San Thang Luang community, Mae Chan district, in Chiang Rai province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140873-uttama-baac-chief-discuss-promotion-of-grass-roots-economy/

 

Asean committed to its goal of Universal Healthcare Coverage

By THE NATION

 

 

Asean leaders have recognised the role of Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) in improving health conditions and the well-being of their people, a senior Thai official said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140874-asean-committed-to-its-goal-of-universal-healthcare-coverage/

 

 

 

Truck bomb kills at least 90 in Mogadishu: international organisation

By Abdi Sheikh

 

Somali security assess the scene of a car bomb explosion at a checkpoint in Mogadishu, Somalia December 28, 2019. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

 

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - At least 90 people were killed when a bomb-laden truck exploded at a busy checkpoint in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday, an international organisation working in the country said, in the deadliest attack in more than two years.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140875-truck-bomb-kills-at-least-90-in-mogadishu-international-organisation/

 

Australian PM announces compensation for volunteer firefighters

By Will Ziebell

 

FILE PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The Australian government announced on Sunday it would compensate volunteer firefighters in the state of New South Wales (NSW), as the country's intense bushfire season rages on.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140876-australian-pm-announces-compensation-for-volunteer-firefighters/

 

UK honours recipients' addresses accidentally leaked online

 

 

FILE PHOTO: Olivia Newton-John performs before the 85th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles,California,U.S. November 27, 2016. REUTERS/Phil McCarten/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The British government accidentally published online the addresses of the New Year's Honours 2020 recipients, it said on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140877-uk-honours-recipients-addresses-accidentally-leaked-online/

 

Newly face-lifted Big Ben will ring in London New Year

 

 

FILE PHOTO: British Union Jack flag flies in front of the clock face of Big Ben in London, Britain August 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Big Ben bell in parliament's landmark clock tower will ring at midnight on New Year's Eve, marking the start of a year for the first time since its new face was revealed from under scaffolding halfway through restoration work.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140878-newly-face-lifted-big-ben-will-ring-in-london-new-year/

 

West Ham's Pellegrini sacked, Leicester back on track

By Martyn Herman

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Norwich City - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 31, 2019 West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini gestures Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

 

LONDON (Reuters) - West Ham United sacked manager Manuel Pellegrini on Saturday after a 2-1 home defeat by Leicester City put the Foxes' distant pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool back on track.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140880-west-hams-pellegrini-sacked-leicester-back-on-track/

 

Public Health Ministry, Justice Ministry to remove cannabis, kratom from drugs list

tewit kemtong

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Drugs Act of B.E. 2562 which was published in the Royal Gazette last February keeps cannabis and kratom off the drugs list, to allow them to be trialed for medical use. The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Justice now plan to remove both types of plant from the drugs list.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140670-kratom-leaves-dropped-from-narcotics-list/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-14903994

 

Commerce Ministry increases e-commerce monitoring

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The boom in online retailing has resulted in numerous complaints from customers via the Department of Internal Trade’s 1569 hotline, regarding consumer exploitation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140881-commerce-ministry-increases-e-commerce-monitoring/

 

Lampang opens medical cannabis pilot field

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

LAMPAMG (NNT) - Travelling north to Lampang....a research project is taking place to study and develop medical cannabis cultivation. Five related agencies have joined forces to open the first pilot area in Thailand to study legal cannabis farming.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140882-lampang-opens-medical-cannabis-pilot-field/

 

Many people leave for home provinces during New Year season

tewit kemtong

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Many people have left Mor Chit 2 bus terminal for the provinces during the New Year season. The Transport Co. has provided more bus services to leave no passengers stranded.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140884-many-people-leave-for-home-provinces-during-new-year-season/

 

Ex Office of Buddhism chief given 20 years in prison for temple fund graft

 

 

Former director of the National Office of Buddhism (N.O.B.), Panom Sornsilp, was sentenced to 20 years in prison today (Friday), after being found guilty by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases of corruption in connection with temple funds.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140885-ex-office-of-buddhism-chief-given-20-years-in-prison-for-temple-fund-graft/

 

Bangkok tap water may turn brackish as seawater intrudes into Chao Phraya

 

 

The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) is keeping a close watch on the intrusion of seawater into the Chao Phraya River, to the extent that it may affect the production of tap water.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140887-bangkok-tap-water-may-turn-brackish-as-seawater-intrudes-into-chao-phraya/

 

Thanathorn vows to fight for the basic rights of Thailand’s ethnic minorities

 

 

The opposition Future Forward party will, next year, press for state recognition of the basic rights of Thailand’s ethnic minorities, which include rights of access to state welfare and ancestral land rights, says Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140888-thanathorn-vows-to-fight-for-the-basic-rights-of-thailand’s-ethnic-minorities/

 

Digitalization prompts Thai commercial banks to remodel their business

 

 

Once dubbed as a sleeping partner, Thai commercial banks are set to experience numerous challenges next year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140889-digitalization-prompts-thai-commercial-banks-to-remodel-their-business/