Thailand Live Saturday 22 Dec 2012

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New Koh Samet Port Opens to the Public

The new port and bridge for Koh Samet island has just opened for public use, after construction was temporarily halted due a problem with building permits. Local officials presided over the grand opening. A budget of 170 million THB was designated to design and build the new facility.

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Royal Thai Navy admits website hacked, says only outdated information accessed; classified information safe, no impact on security, preventive measures being taken /MCOT

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26 CCTVs set afire in Pattani ahead of New Year festive season.

PATTANI, Dec 22 - Dozens of closed circuit televisions (CCTV) in this restive southern province were set on fire on Saturday, while concerned agencies stepped up security measures to prevent violence during the coming festive New Year season.

Superintendent of Sai Buri district police Pol Col Jeeraseth Daongerntrakool led combined forces of police, army and administrative officials to inspect three locations in Sai Buri district where 26 CCTV cameras were burnt.

Officials found materials used for setting fire at the scenes. They believe presumed insurgents aimed to destroy the equipment, as CCTV footage led to frequent arrests of suspects.

Security sources said, with the burning of the CCTVs, it is possible that insurgents were planning to launch attacks after the New Year celebrations.

Meanwhile, National Security Council secretary-general Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr said he has instructed relevant security agencies to tighten security during the festive season in the three southern border provinces, such as working through the holiday for security officials, stricter operations at checkpoints and more deployment. of security personnel in high-risk areas, particularly public party venues.

The NSC chief said officials will remain on alert to monitor the situation although, up to now, there are no reports of possible violence during the New Year celebration period. (MCOT online news).

-- TNA 2012-12-22

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Chiang Mai tops favorite destination during festive New Year season: ABAC poll.

BANGKOK, Dec 22 - The northern province of Chiang Mai topped the favorite destination wishlist of Thais during this coming New Year festive seasons, according to the latest ABAC Poll.

The ABAC Poll, released on Saturday, surveyed 2,231 Thais between Dec 10-21 on "Thai Society and Christmas, as well as the spending estimate during the New year celebrations.".

The poll which was conducted in the Buddhist-majority country found that most Thais, or 94 percent, know about Christmas, with about half of them - 44 percent - feeling that Christmas is a festive season, one of happiness and family gathering.

26.5 percent said they feel nothing special about Christmas.

Regarding activities of Thais during Christmas and New Year, the poll reported 41.8 percent planned to travel upcountry, while 38.4 percent said they will stay at home and relax.

The poll also conducted top ten favorite destination provinces during this festive holidays, Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North, ranked first on the list with 26.9 percent of respondents wanting to visit, followed by Mae Hong Son, also in the North, and Loei. in the Northeast.

An estimated Bt9.1 billion is expected to be circulated across the country during the Christmas and New Year period, according to the poll. (MCOT online news).

-- TNA 2012-12-22

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Thailand Live Sunday 23 Dec 2012

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/606890-thailand-live-sunday-23-dec-2012/