Baht weakens after hitting Bt29/dollar

By The Nation

 

The Thai currency moved down to Bt 30.18/dollar this morning (December 2) after the weighted-average interbank exchange rate strengthened to Bt30.121 a dollar on December 30, a day before the New Year holidays, assistant governor of the Bank of Thailand Vachira Arromdee says.

 

The baht has retreated after passing the Bt30 mark to Bt29 level against the US dollar in the New Year period.  

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141408-baht-weakens-after-hitting-bt29dollar/

Thais told: If your young kid dies after letting them drive - YOU'VE MURDERED THEM! 

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A road safety expert has pulled no punches after a 12 year old died on New Year's Eve behind the wheel of a pick-up. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141369-thais-told-if-your-young-kid-dies-after-letting-them-drive-youve-murdered-them/

Starbucks sets D-Day for change to paper straws

By THE NATION

 

 

Starbucks Coffee (Thailand) today (January 2) that it will provide paper straws to customers at all stores nationwide ‪starting January 6‬, in a move to reduce usage of single-use plastic items towards Starbucks Coffee's global target of eliminating plastic straws from all its stores within 2020.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141430-starbucks-sets-d-day-for-change-to-paper-straws/

 

Govt to expropriate 50,000 rai of land for infra developments

By THE NATION

 

 

The government plans to expropriate up to 50,000 rai of mostly farm land for infrastructure development of the Eastern Economic Corridor and other parts of the country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141459-govt-to-expropriate-50000-rai-of-land-for-infra-developments/

 

Goodbye to plastic bags

By The Nation

 

 

People shopping for groceries will no longer be given single-use plastic bags.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141461-photos-goodbye-to-plastic-bags/

 

PM asks Opposition to focus censure debate on current government

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned the Opposition not to censure the performance of his previous administration and to concentrate on this government, which has been in the office for about five months.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141465-pm-asks-opposition-to-focus-censure-debate-on-current-government/

 

Central bank sees some hope on cloudy horizon

By The Nation

 

Central bank governor Veerathai Santiprabhob chaired the Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee final meeting of 2019 on December 18. File Photo

 

Thai economic growth this year could exceed the baseline prediction of 2.8 per cent, the central bank believes. Minutes of the Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee final meeting of 2019 on December 18, released on Thursday (January 2), included a unanimous vote to keep the policy rate unchanged at 1.25 per cent per annum.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141468-central-bank-sees-some-hope-on-cloudy-horizon/

 

Australian navy races to rescue thousands as new fire threat looms

 

Bushland burned out by bushfires surrounds the Princes Highway in Ulladulla, NSW, Australia, January 2, 2020. AAP Image/Heather McNab/via REUTERS

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Australian navy was racing on Friday to rescue thousands of people stranded on the east coast of the fire-ravaged country as a searing weather front was set to whip up more blazes across the states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141470-australian-navy-races-to-rescue-thousands-as-new-fire-threat-looms/

 

Lebanon receives Interpol arrest warrant for ex-Nissan boss Ghosn

By Samia Nakhoul and Kiyoshi Takenaka

 

FILE PHOTO: A video statement made by the former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn is shown on a screen during a news conference by his lawyers at Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo, Japan April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato - RC17F8879770/File Photo

 

BEIRUT/TOKYO (Reuters) - Lebanon received an Interpol arrest warrant on Thursday for former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, while Turkey launched an investigation into his daring escape from Japan via Istanbul.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141474-lebanon-receives-interpol-arrest-warrant-for-ex-nissan-boss-ghosn/

 

U.S. sees signs Iran or proxies may be planning more attacks - Pentagon chief

By Idrees Ali

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper leaves after a press briefing at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., December 20, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday there were indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks, warning that the "game has changed" and it was possible the United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American lives.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141475-us-sees-signs-iran-or-proxies-may-be-planning-more-attacks-pentagon-chief/

 

Binge drinking and heavy alcohol consumption may damage the heart

By Linda Carroll

 

 

FILE PHOTO: Men toast with their glasses of wine at a restaurant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, October 18, 2018. REUTERS/Samrang Pring

 

(Reuters Health) - Binge drinking and heavy alcohol consumption may directly damage the heart muscle, a new study suggests.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141476-binge-drinking-and-heavy-alcohol-consumption-may-damage-the-heart/

 

Taiwan's military chief among eight dead in helicopter crash

By Yimou Lee and Felice Wu

 

A rescue team searches for missing military officers, after a Black Hawk helicopter made a forced landing at a mountainous area near Taipei, Taiwan January 2, 2020. Yilan County Fire Bureau/Handout via REUTERS

 

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's top military official was among eight people killed on Thursday, after a helicopter carrying them to visit soldiers crashed in a mountainous area near the capital Taipei, the defence ministry said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141477-taiwans-military-chief-among-eight-dead-in-helicopter-crash/

 

Cabinet okays free dental implants for low-income earners

By THE NATION

 

 

The Cabinet has approved a scheme to provide 4,000 free dental implants to low-income earners.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141478-cabinet-okays-free-dental-implants-for-low-income-earners/

 

Upper Thailand remains cool and foggy

By THE NATION

 

 

The high-pressure system covering upper Thailand is weakening but the cold weather and light fog in upper Thailand will continue, the Thailand Meteorological Department forecast on Friday (January 3).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141479-upper-thailand-remains-cool-and-foggy/

 

Firework death: Half a kilo of gunpowder for 400 baht - but you need to stand 50 feet away

 

 

Amarin TV reported at length on the tragic death of Englishman Gary McLaren killed by a firework in Pattaya on New Year's Eve. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141480-firework-death-half-a-kilo-of-gunpowder-for-400-baht-but-you-need-to-stand-50-feet-away/

 

Darwin award latest! Tax evading Italian with 500 million baht watch planned to fly out same day

 

Thai caption: Evading tax

 

An Italian man was stopped at Bangkok's main airport carrying a 500 million baht diamond encrusted watch. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141482-darwin-award-latest-tax-evading-italian-with-500-million-baht-watch-planned-to-fly-out-same-day/

 

Plastic bags: New public enemy number one - but is blurring them out on TV really necessary!?

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported that things were going well in the war against plastic bags after Thailand started a ban on January 1st. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141490-plastic-bags-new-public-enemy-number-one-but-is-blurring-them-out-on-tv-really-necessary/

 

Phuket: Facing worst tourism crisis in three decades - half of hotel rooms empty in 2020 

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Thai media Manager painted a grim picture of tourism in Phuket in an article in which they quoted leading industry figures and analysts. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141495-phuket-facing-worst-tourism-crisis-in-three-decades-half-of-hotel-rooms-empty-in-2020/

 

Cabinet approves regulation of radiation generators; acknowledges World Cup proposal

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - A meeting of cabinet ministers Jan 2 approved three draft ministerial regulations on the possession of radiation generators for medical and diagnostic purposes, and acknowledged the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ proposal to bid for the FIFA World Cup.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141498-cabinet-approves-regulation-of-radiation-generators-acknowledges-world-cup-proposal/

 

U.S. strike kills Iran Quds Force commander Soleimani - Pentagon

 

FILE PHOTO: Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani stands at the frontline during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province March 8, 2015. Stringer via REUTERS/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. strike killed Iran Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani, the Pentagon said on Thursday, adding that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack Americans in Iraq and the Middle East.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141501-us-strike-kills-iran-quds-force-commander-soleimani-pentagon/

 

Hua Hin: Pervert leaves obscene message for spa employee - in pen on her knickers!

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A spa employee in Hua Hin is going to the police after she discovered an obscene message written on her knickers on the washing line. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141502-hua-hin-pervert-leaves-obscene-message-for-spa-employee-in-pen-on-her-knickers/

 

Video: Boy knocked down by car in housing estate - driver hands over 500 baht and leaves

 

Thai caption: So who's in the wrong?

 

Sanook said that Thai netizens were commenting in droves after footage of a little boy being knocked down in a housing estate was posted on the internet. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141504-video-boy-knocked-down-by-car-in-housing-estate-driver-hands-over-500-baht-and-leaves/

 

Pattaya: Drought crisis as reservoir runs dry - but lots of fish for dinner!

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

77kaoded said that residents in Bang Lamung were facing hardship after they visited a reservoir called Sak Nork and found it had virtually run out of water. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141505-pattaya-drought-crisis-as-reservoir-runs-dry-but-lots-of-fish-for-dinner/

 

Three interviewed by police after death of boy 

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Two teenage boys and a 26 year old man have surrendered to Pak Kret police after they chased rivals that resulted in the death of one boy and injury to another. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141508-three-interviewed-by-police-after-death-of-boy/

 

Pattaya: Hunt on for "foreign" motorcycle thief - video shows girlfriend swearing at police

 

video screenshot

 

Video footage posted on a Pattaya site showed what was described as a "foreign" man apparently stealing a motorcycle from near Soi 5 on Beach Road on Monday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141513-pattaya-hunt-on-for-foreign-motorcycle-thief-video-shows-girlfriend-swearing-at-police/

 

Pattaya motorbike fire: Ladyboy helps crack the mystery!

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

The Pattaya police have decided that there was no foul play after nine motorcycles were destroyed or damaged in a fire outside a beer bar off Soi Bua Khao. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141517-pattaya-motorbike-fire-ladyboy-helps-crack-the-mystery/

 

Bangkok cops raid Vietnamese party central

By THE NATION

 

 

Police raided a commercial building in Bangkok’s Suanluang district early Wednesday morning (January 1) and discovered an unlicensed bar where drinks were being served illegally to an almost exclusively Vietnamese clientele amid loud music and dancing.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141532-bangkok-cops-raid-vietnamese-party-central/

 

Licence fees could disappear to ease business’ burden

By The Nation

 

Ratchada Thanadirek, Deputy government spokeswoman

 

The government is poised to waive hundreds of licence fees in a bid to facilitate private firms doing business in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141535-licence-fees-could-disappear-to-ease-business’-burden/

 

Get set for meteor showers on January 4

By THE NATION

 

 

There will be a Quadrantids meteor shower on Saturday (January 4), which can be observed nationwide, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141536-get-set-for-meteor-showers-on-january-4/

 

Thai jewellers urged to explore US market

By The Nation

 

 

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) has urged Thai exporters to cash in on the demand for engagement rings in the US.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141539-thai-jewellers-urged-to-explore-us-market/