THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Dec 2020

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2021 countdowns can be held under Covid-prevention guidelines: Anutin

By The Nation

 

Anutin Charnvirakul

 

In this era of Covid-19, New Year countdowns can only be held under the government’s laws and regulations, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196729-2021-countdowns-can-be-held-under-covid-prevention-guidelines-anutin/

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Road accidents claim 67 lives during long weekend

By THE NATION

 

(File Photo)

 

Sixty-seven people were killed and 388 injured in road accidents over the December 10-13 long holiday weekend, according to the Transport Ministry on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196723-road-accidents-claim-67-lives-during-long-weekend/

 

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Residents of Bangkok advised to avoid out-door activities as air quality worsens

 

 

People living in Bangkok have been advised to suspend out-door activities, to go outdoors only if necessary and to wear face masks all the time while they are outdoors, as the amount of PM2.5 in 58 areas in Bangkok and surrounding provinces has exceeded the 50-micron safety level, reaching as high as 70-90 microns in at least ten areas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196750-residents-of-bangkok-advised-to-avoid-out-door-activities-as-air-quality-worsens/

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Hundreds of suspected corruption cases in Khon La Khrueng stimulus scheme

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

Around 700 cases of suspected corruption in the Khon La Khrueng (Let's Go Halves) stimulus scheme are being investigated, said the Finance Ministry on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196800-hundreds-of-suspected-corruption-cases-in-khon-la-khrueng-stimulus-scheme/

 

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Netizens say music festival shut down for pro-democracy content, not Covid

By The Nation

 

 

Netizens have questioned the order to shut down the weekend’s Big Mountain music festival, saying it may be linked to the government crackdown on pro-democracy activists.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196802-netizens-say-music-festival-shut-down-for-pro-democracy-content-not-covid/

 

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Thailand’s Central Bank assures new banknotes are counterfeit proof

 

 

The Bank of Thailand has assured the public that the new 100-baht and 1,000-baht banknotes, issued to commemorate HM the King’s Coronation last year, are printed using advanced technology to prevent counterfeiting.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196803-thailand’s-central-bank-assures-new-banknotes-are-counterfeit-proof/

 

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Kamala death deemed suicide due to depression

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Rescue workers at the scene. Photo: Rescuers 8105

 

PHUKET: The death of a man found hanged in a rented room in Kamala this morning (Dec 14) has been accepted by his family as suicide due to depression, Kamala Police have reported.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196804-kamala-death-deemed-suicide-due-to-depression/

 

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Office confirms Thailand’s public debt manageable

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) has addressed concerns and criticism of the amount of public debt the country currently has after massive loan taking by the government, while confirming that national public debt is still within the limits of fiscal discipline.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196806-office-confirms-thailand’s-public-debt-manageable/

 

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PMs Office Permanent Secretary orders officials to address PM2.5

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - As a number of areas, particularly in Bangkok, are dealing with higher levels of particulate matter of 25 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5), the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, Teerapat Prayoonsit, has visited Bang Khun Thian district, Bangkok, to look into the cause of the dust problem, and has instructed related units to address the issue jointly.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196807-pms-office-permanent-secretary-orders-officials-to-address-pm25/

 

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Arsenal to host Southampton behind closed doors as London moves to Tier 3

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 8, 2020 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match Pool via REUTERS/Andy Rain

 

(Reuters) - Arsenal will host Southampton in Wednesday's Premier League game behind closed doors after London was placed in the toughest tier of COVID-19 restrictions following a sharp rise in coronavirus infection rates.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196808-arsenal-to-host-southampton-behind-closed-doors-as-london-moves-to-tier-3/

 

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Cech makes return with Chelsea's developmental squad

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Reading v Chelsea - Madejski Stadium, Reading, Britain - July 28, 2019 Chelsea technical and performance advisor Petr Cech Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

 

(Reuters) - Veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech returned to action for the first time since May 2019 after he was named in Chelsea's developmental squad for Monday's Premier League 2 game against Tottenham Hotspur at the Kingsmeadow stadium.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196809-cech-makes-return-with-chelseas-developmental-squad/

 

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Guardiola wants Man City fit and firing for Gladbach test

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Manchester City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 12, 2020 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola before the match Pool via REUTERS/Paul Ellis

 

(Reuters) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes the fitness levels of his players in February could decide their fate in the Champions League knockout phase after they were drawn against Borussia Moenchengladbach in the last 16 on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196810-guardiola-wants-man-city-fit-and-firing-for-gladbach-test/

 

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U.S. Electoral College close to formally confirming Joe Biden's win

By Michael Martina and Julia Harte

 

FILE PHOTO: Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden points a finger at his election rally, after news media announced that Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., November 7, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

 

LANSING, Mich. (Reuters) -State by state, the U.S. Electoral College convened on Monday to formally confirm Democrat Joe Biden's victory as the next U.S. president and effectively end President Donald Trump's long-shot attempt to overturn the election results.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196812-us-electoral-college-close-to-formally-confirming-joe bidens-win/

 

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Georgia voters start early visits to polls in elections that will set U.S. Senate control

By Rich McKay and David Morgan

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler speaks at a campaign event at the Cobb County Republican Party Headquarters in Marietta, Georgia, U.S. November 11, 2020. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo

 

MARIETTA, Ga. (Reuters) -Hundreds of people lined up in a cold rain on Monday to cast ballots in a pair of U.S. Senate races in Georgia that will determine control of the chamber and influence Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's ability to enact his agenda.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196814-georgia-voters-start-early-visits-to-polls-in-elections-that-will-set-us-senate-control/

 

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Trump's conspiracies pose 'existential' threat to electronic voting industry -Smartmatic

By Raphael Satter

 

Antonio Mugica, CEO of Smartmatic, poses near the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, December 11, 2020. Picture taken December 11, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Conspiracy theories alleging that voting machines were used to steal the election from President Donald Trump pose a major threat to the worldwide market for electronic voting systems, the CEO of Smartmatic, a leading provider of such systems, told Reuters.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196815-trumps-conspiracies-pose-existential-threat-to-electronic-voting-industry-smartmatic/

 

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Kim storms back to win U.S. Women's Open

 

Dec 14, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; A Lim Kim poses with the championship trophy after winning the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Champions Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

 

(Reuters) - South Korean Kim A Lim birdied her final three holes to come from behind and win the U.S. Women's Open by one stroke and claim her first major title in Houston on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196816-kim-storms-back-to-win-us-womens-open/

 

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U.S. finds first case of coronavirus in wild animal, a Utah mink

By Tom Polansek

 

FILE PHOTO: Mink are seen at a farm in Denmark, November 6, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen via REUTERS

 

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday that it confirmed the first known case of the coronavirus in a wild animal, a mink.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196817-us-finds-first-case-of-coronavirus-in-wild-animal-a-utah-mink/

 

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U.S. sanctions NATO ally Turkey over purchase of Russian defense system

By Humeyra Pamuk and Tuvan Gumrukcu

 

FILE PHOTO: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan answers questions during a joint news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON/ANKARA (Reuters) - The United States imposed long-anticipated sanctions on Turkey on Monday over Ankara's acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems, further complicating already strained ties between the two NATO allies.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196818-us-sanctions-nato-ally-turkey-over-purchase-of-russian-defense-system/

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Airlines warned over safety as jets return from pandemic storage

By Jamie Freed

 

FILE PHOTO: Wizz Air Airbus A320-232 plane HA-LWE taxies to take-off in Riga International Airport in Riga, Latvia January 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Regulators, insurers and experts are warning airlines to take extra care when reactivating planes left in extended storage during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing potential pilot rustiness, maintenance errors and even insect nests blocking key sensors.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196819-airlines-warned-over-safety-as-jets-return-from-pandemic-storage/

 

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UPDATE:

 

U.S. Electoral College formally confirms Joe Biden's victory over Trump

By Michael Martina and Jarrett Renshaw

 

A small band of Trump supporters march with flags as electors gathered to cast their votes for the U.S. presidential election at the State Capitol complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 14, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst?

 

LANSING, Mich. (Reuters) - Democrat Joe Biden on Monday won the state-by-state Electoral College vote that formally determines the U.S. presidency, all but ending President Donald Trump's floundering campaign to overturn his loss in the Nov. 3 election.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196812-us-electoral-college-close-to-formally-confirming-joe bidens-win/?do=findComment&comment=16082500

 

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U.S. Attorney General Barr steps down as Trump election defeat confirmed

By Sarah N. Lynch

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General William Barr attend the 38th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 15, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General William Barr will step down next week, he said on Monday, shortly after the Electoral College confirmed President Donald Trump's loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196821-us-attorney-general-barr-steps-down-as-trump-election-defeat-confirmed/

 

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Swedish inmate sentenced to death in Thailand turns writer

by Mette Larsen

 

Kim Eriksson Sirawan arrives at Arlanda Airport, 2019. Photo: Peter Wixtröm

 

Swedish Kim Eriksson Sirawan, 39, is no longer just known for having been sentenced to death for drug offenses in Thailand. Nowadays he can also call himself a writer.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196822-swedish-inmate-sentenced-to-death-in-thailand-turns-writer/

 

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Environment minister speaks up for marine life against selfie taking foreign divers

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thailand's minister of natural resources and the environment wants the full force of the law to be taken against people who tamper with marine creatures. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196823-environment-minister-speaks-up-for-marine-life-against-selfie-taking-foreign-divers/

 

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Bangkok Airways to launch three daily flights to Mae Sot from Bangkok

By The Nation

 

 

Bangkok Airways Pcl will launch a new route between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Mae Sot in Tak province, starting February 1, 2021.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196825-bangkok-airways-to-launch-three-daily-flights-to-mae-sot-from-bangkok/

 

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Local elections in Thailand: Booze ban in place this weekend

 

File photo for reference only

 

Pol Maj-Gen Yingyot Thepjamnong said at Royal Thai police HQ yesterday that RTP chief Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk had instructed the force to follow the statues of the election law prohibiting the sale and distribution of alcohol. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196832-local-elections-in-thailand-booze-ban-in-place-this-weekend/

 

 

 

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Victims of E-banking fraud file reports with Thai tech police

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Six victims of an online banking fraud that netted criminals 2 million baht went to Thailand's tech police for action yesterday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196834-victims-of-e-banking-fraud-file-reports-with-thai-tech-police/

 

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TAT partners with Tinder to target single tourists

Project launches with pilot tours in Bangkok, Phuket, and Lop Buri

TAT Newsroom

 

 

Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with Thai Smile Airways, leading online travel and lifestyle platform Drive Digital, and application Tinder have launched a collection of new ‘Single Journey’ tours around Thailand specifically designed for the single traveller.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196836-tat-partners-with-tinder-to-target-single-tourists/

 

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PTT vows no oil price hike during New Year holidays

By THE NATION

 

 

PTT will not adjust the price of all kinds of fuel during the New Year holidays from December 26 to January 3, despite the rising global oil price, to facilitate travel by people to their hometowns.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196838-ptt-vows-no-oil-price-hike-during-new-year-holidays/

 

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Chinese, Hong Kongers, Germans drive "Elite Card" residence for real estate purchase scheme

 

Picture: The Bangkok Insight

 

Thai media The Bangkok Insight reported that "big developers" were showing an interest in the Elite Card for residence scheme with 20 onboard. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196839-chinese-hong-kongers-germans-drive-elite-card-residence-for-real-estate-purchase-scheme/

 

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UPDATE:

 

'Government paranoia behind decision to halt Nakhon Ratchasima music festival'

By THE NATION

 

 

The government's move to shutter the Big Mountain Music Festival 2020 in Nakhon Ratchasima was unfair and motivated by the government’s fear of people expressing their opinions, the Move Forward Party said on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1196802-netizens-say-music-festival-shut-down-for-pro-democracy-content-not-covid/?do=findComment&comment=16083096