Thailand Live Thursday 27 Dec 2012

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UPDATE

British boxer charged with killing US Marine in Thailand

BANGKOK, Dec 27, 2012 (AFP) - A British kickboxer who was extradited to Thailand could face the death penalty after being charged with the murder of an American on the resort island of Phuket, a court official said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....t/#entry5966169

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Remembrance of war: Thai-Japan Friendship Memorial Hall

By English News

MAE HONG SON: -- During the Second World War, the district of Kun Yuam in Thailand's northern Mae Hong Son province was a gateway which Japanese troops relied upon as a means to enter Burma (now called Myanmar). Not as well known as the infamous Thai-Burma Railway, but probably more important in Japan’s war effort against England, Mae Hong Son was very important for the transfer of troops and war materials.

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Phuket gifted 'zero death start' to Seven Days of Danger

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut (right) leads the way with the latest campaign to promote helmet use and road safety over the new year holidays. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket woke up to the first dawn of the annual "Seven Days of Danger" new year national road-safety campaign without recording a single death on the roads.

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Phuket tsunami memorial service sets Patong Beach aglow

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Patong Beach was set aglow last night as hundreds of local residents and tourists joined the annual Light Up Phuket memorial service to honor those who died in the tsunami that struck the island eight years ago.

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Phuket Island, a paradise for many, and hell for others

Seven years after the tsunami, Australians are all too carefree on Phuket, writes south-east Asia correspondent Lindsay Murdoch.

PHUKET: -- A scantily clad Russian dancer clings to a pole behind a second-storey street-front window of a nightclub called L'Amour.

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Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chonburi top venues for New Year celebration.

BANGKOK, Dec 27 - Thailand's economic woes have apparently played havoc with the country's New Year celebrants as half of the Thai people are now holding back from buying gifts for others and almost 70 per cent of Thais have decided not to travel upcountry during the New Year. holidays.

A survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) conducted Monday and Tuesday this week found that half - 49.6 per cent - of the total 1,247 respondents would buy gifts for others during this traditionally gift-giving season while 44.99 per cent would. not.

The poll result represents a decrease from last year's poll when 60.26 per cent of respondents said they would buy gifts.

Regarding upcountry trips to celebrate New Year, more than two-thirds decided to stay home. Almost 70 per cent (68.89 per cent) said they would not travel, 56 per cent said they will celebrate in other provinces and about one-third - 34.43 per cent - said they would return home.

The three most popular destinations for the New Year's celebrations are Chiang Mai, Phuket and Chonburi.

Half of the respondents said they would spend an average Bt6, 000 for their holiday travels. (MCOT online)

-- TNA 2012-12-27

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RT@RichardBarrow: Traffic jams already being reported on roads out of Bangkok as people leave early to celebrate the new year upcountry

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Road Safety Centre starts operation to reduce casualty during New Year festival

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 27 -- The Thai government's Road Safety Centre -- the centre which every year in this season swings into action to prevent and reduce the number of the road accidents, deaths and injuries during the 2013 New Year holiday period opened today.

Pol Lt-Gen Chat Kuldilok, Deputy Minister of Interior, presided over the the opening ceremony of the centre set up at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

The centre will also serve as headquarters to link all commands at all level, to solve immediate problems occurring from road accidents and to adjust traffic plan to response the needs arising.

Gen Chat said the centre will promote road safety and monitor the number of traffic accidents during the so-called “Seven Dangerous Days” from December 27, 2012 until January 2, 2013.

The government has a target to reduce the number of road casualties during this period by at least five per cent from the same period of last year, he said.

During last New Year, a total of 335 people were killed and 3,375 injured in 3,093 road accidents .

As usual, emphasis will be given to controlling speed, cracking down on driving while intoxicated, wearing helmets for motorcyclists and controlling pickup trucks carrying passengers.

The deputy minister said that checkpoints will be in place, especially at minor roads, to monitor risky behaviour.

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director General Chatchai Promlert said that daily press briefings on the death toll and casualty counts will take place between December 28th to January 3rd at 10am to inform motorists to be more careful when travelling and to strictly observe traffic rules. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-27

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Injured 2010 protesters want legal action against former key gov't leaders

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 27 – Twenty persons injured in Thailand’s 2010 political violence petitioned the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) today, seeking legal action against former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva and his then deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for attempted murder.

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SOUTH CRISIS

Investigators told to accept lot drawing for positions in south

The Nation

File photo: Adul

BANGKOK: -- The police chief said on Thursday commented that while it was understandable some police investigators were not happy with the system of random selection for deployment to the deep south, they should consider the task as serving their country.

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Princess leaves hospital for home

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 27 – Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, discharged from Chulalongkorn Hospital, arrived at Sa Pathum Palace this morning amid cheers from well-wishers on her way home.

She underwent surgery to remove calcium deposits from her chest – successfully conducted on Sunday.

A team of physicians said the princess is in good health with no complications. The princess was advised to refrain from her royal duties and engagements for a period.

Until this evening members of the public can sign their names in the book to wish the princess a speedy recovery and good health. The book is available at the Ananda Mahidol Building, Chulalongkorn Hospital. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-27

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RT @veen_NT: It's MR Sukhumbhan!! Democrat Party announced Bangkok Governor as its candidate for up coming #Bangkok Governor race.

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Democrat Party resolves to field incumbent Sukhumpand as candidate for re-election as Bangkok governor /MCOT

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Prosecutor indicts six PAD leading members for leading demonstrator intrusion into Government House compound during anti-government protest in 2008 /MCOT

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SET index closed at 1397.19, up 14.96; Bt/USD30.53; GBP49.14; AUD31.46; EUR40.27; CAD30.60; HKD3.93; SGD24.83; JPY35.4

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Hillary Clinton missing as GOP refuses to confirm Kerry as Secretary of State

WASHINGTON: -- Republican senators have refused to vote on Sen. John Kerry’s appointment as the new Secretary of State until the incumbent top foreign official, Hillary Clinton, testifies about the deadly attack on the US embassy in Benghazi.

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Narathiwat declares all 13 flooded districts disaster zones to facilitate emergency assistance to over 25,000 victims /The Nation

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 28 Dec 2012

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