Thailand Live Sunday 30 December 2012

[Lite Beer]

Thailand Live Sunday 30 December 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with Lite Beer

Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour. For breaking news, national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here... Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Saturday 29 Dec 2012

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608167-thailand-live-saturday-29-dec-2012/

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[Lite Beer]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

'Coup makers cannot be above the law'

Kanittha Thepphajorn,

Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul,

Somruitai Sapsomboon

The Nation on Sunday

Somsak

BANGKOK: -- Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranon says Article 309 of the Charter has to go

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608359-coup-makers-cannot-be-above-the-law/

[Lite Beer]

REDS

Rally outside court was outrageous, judge says

Kesinee Taengkhiao

The Nation on Sunday December 30, 2012 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- A rally by protesters who carried the body of a convicted red shirt to the front of the Criminal Court was outrageous, but the court may not take legal action against the group, Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Tawee Prachuaplarp said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608360-rally-outside-court-was-outrageous-judge-says/

[Lite Beer]

SEVEN DANGEROUS DAYS

Road deaths down over first two days

The Nation on Sunday December 30, 2012 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- The road accident casualties reached 71 deaths and 826 injuries in the first two days of the "seven dangerous days" of the New Year holiday period - lower than last year's records, the Road Safety Directing Centre said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608361-road-deaths-down-over-first-two-days/

[Lite Beer]

Chinese tennis player savours the fun of cooking Pad Thai

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Earlier in the morning yesterday, Li Na had to spare some time from her tennis to spend time in the kitchen. Li got a cooking lesson from Patrick Fournes, executive chef of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort on how to make delicious Pad Thai.

Although appearing awkward and reluctant, which suggested she hardly spent time in the kitchen, Li listened attentively to tips from the chef - from preparing the sauce to serving the menu to the local media.

"It's really my first time trying to cook Thai food. The last time I cooked was to make Sushi roll. It's quite different. I never cook at home. I have to travel all over the world, so I have no chance to cook at home," said the only Asian player to have won a singles Grand Slam trophy.

"Normally when I eat in Bangkok restaurants, I order Pad Thai, Thai curry chicken or Tum Yum Koong. If someone prepares everything for me like the sauce, then I can try. If I have to do all by myself, it will be a bit tough," she added.

On Friday night, Li and Azarenka joined 30 models on a catwalk in the Cruise Collection and Orchestra Thai Silk fashion show. Li wore a black gown while Azarenka was clad in a grey silver dress, both designed by Prapakas.

"I was very nervous in the afternoon when a guy taught me how to walk. It's a lovely dress but it's a bit long so I have to use my feet to push the back of the dress," Li Na told the host of the show.

The world No 1, who used to walk the ramp during the New York Fashion Week, was a bit more comfortable than the Chinese on the stage despite some slight slips. "This dress was completely different from the one that I wore the last time. The design is amazing. I really like it. It suits me well but it's a little bit long. I had to hold it to make sure I didn't trip over.

-- The Nation 2012-12-30

[Lite Beer]

Stolen army rifles among weapons found at rubber plantation in the far South

Santhiti Koejitme,

Narong Nuansakul,

Nakarin Chinworakomon

The Nation on Sunday

NARATHIWAT: -- Thai security officials have seized six M16 rifles and 50 other items including an AKA rifle, a pistol, 382 bullets and 20kg of urea fertiliser, suspected to have been hidden by an insurgent cell led by Masae Hayidiyohdiya at a rubber plantation in Narathiwat's Jor Airong district.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608362-stolen-army-rifles-among-weapons-found-at-rubber-plantation-in-the-far-south/

[Lite Beer]

PM urges unity in the coming year

The Nation on Sunday

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asked people yesterday to "think positively", be merciful and compassionate to others and listen to each other in order to welcome new opportunities and allow the country to achieve sustainable development.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608363-pm-urges-unity-in-the-coming-year/

[Lite Beer]

50,000 expected at Phuket 'mega-beach party'

Salinee Prap

The Nation on Sunday

Authorities in Phuket have given Sydictive Element Co permission to host a New Year's Eve "mega-beach party" on Patong Beach from today through Monday, provided organisers meet 15 conditions.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/607520-sydictive-element-new-year-mega-beach-party-is-on-in-patong/page__st__25#entry5974135

[Lite Beer]

Democrats to hold talks in Northeast in March

Atapoom Ongkulna

The Nation on Sunday

The Democrat Party will hold a major seminar on its "blueprint" for the Kingdom in March, with further seminars to be held throughout the year. The party aims to attract more than 1,000 participants to each event, secretary-general Chalermchai Srion said.

He said the Democrats believe they are accepted by the people, and that party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva would be able to visit and stay overnight safely in any province in the Northeast.

The Northeast is the stronghold of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and of the red-shirt movement.

The seminar project is seen as a way of countering the government's plan for the Interior Ministry to hold talks on reconciliation and to promote a national referendum on charter change.

Chalermchai said that if the government proceeds with a vote on the third reading of the Constitution amendment bill that is still before Parliament without conducting a referendum, further political turmoil would occur. The people would protest and the law would have to be submitted to the Constitution Court again, he said, adding that the referendum was a way for the government to buy time.

-- The Nation 2012-12-30

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Drivers must be punished if they are found drunk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government needs to get serious to reduce the death toll on our roads

The New Year holiday season should mark a fresh beginning. Unfortunately, in Thailand, the holiday also marks the worst period for alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Thais will celebrate New Year in a festive mood, expressing their hopes for a bright future. But the number of road accidents usually rises during this long holiday because of drunk driving. Many drunk drivers get behind the wheel after a party, while some are not qualified to drive or are unable to cope with a long holiday journey on the road.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....re-found-drunk/

[Lite Beer]

Trade deals set to open new era for Asean, India

Nophakhun Limsamarnphun

The Nation on Sunday

Yingluck

India's "Look East" policy appears to have gained crucial momentum following the recent Asean-India Summit in New Delhi, marked by state visits by all but one of the Asean leaders.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who hosted the December 20 summit, hailed the conclusion of negotiations for the Asean-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreements at the summit as the latest milestone in economic cooperation between the two major trading partners.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was among the nine Asean leaders who took part in the 20th Commemorative Summit in the Indian capital. All 10 Asean leaders except the president of the Philippines were present at the summit, which was followed by the flag-down of the Asean-India car rally in New Delhi on Dec 21.

India and Asean countries will sign the historic comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) covering goods, services and investment around August 2013.

Each of the 10 Asean member countries' parliaments will have to ratify the Asean-India FTAs. Thailand's Parliament is expected to do so in April.

"The signing of these agreements will facilitate further economic integration between Asean and India, and also contribute to the overall East Asian economic integration," according to the Vision Statement issued following the summit.

India is currently Asia's third largest economy after China and Japan in terms of purchasing parity. Singh said the annual trade volume between India and Asean was expected to rise from this year's US$80 billion (Bt2.4 trillion) to $100 billion in 2015 and to $200 billion in 2020 as India looks towards Asean for closer economic cooperation.

Within the Asean-India FTA framework, there is a combined market of almost 1.8 billion people, with India's population totalling 1.2 billion and Asean's population around 600 million, as well as a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion.

"In the context of economic globalisation and regional integration, we are committed to advancing economic cooperation and engaging the emerging regional economic architecture, including organising multi-sectoral strategic economic dialogues," the post-summit statement read.

"We are committed to promoting private sector engagement and encouraging business-to-business relations, including through establishing a necessary framework to strengthen private sector engagement and public-private partnership (PPP) linkages.

"Recognising the important role of Small and Medium Enterprises [sMEs] in the region, we are also committed to encouraging collaboration in the SME sector."

Asean and India are also supporting sub-regional developments, including the Mekong-Ganga Coopera-tion and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Coopera-tion frameworks.

Other frameworks supported include the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area, Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area, Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle, Greater Mekong Sub-Region and Asean Mekong Basin Development Cooperation.

Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said in an interview that the latest summit represented a crucial "take-off" point for connectivity between India and Asean countries.

He cited the three-nation highway project linking India's northeast with Myanmar and Thailand as an example of land-transport connectivity.

Additional sections of the 1,300-kilometre highway near India's border with Myanmar and the Myanmar border with northern Thailand are under construction and will be joined with the existing route in Myanmar, where road conditions will be improved.

The cross-border highway is scheduled for opening in 2016.

The Indian foreign minister also cited the potential linkages of India's Chennai seaport with other ports in Asean countries, especially the planned Dawei port in Myanmar and Thailand's Laem Chabang deep-sea port as another example of connectivity between India and Asean countries.

From Thailand, the highways and seaports could be further linked with those in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, whose ports are in the South China Sea.

Yingluck said the Thai government would also support extending the trilateral highway to reach Laos and Cambodia.

At present, India and Thailand have a limited FTA in goods covering 84 items. Bilateral trade is worth about $9 billion per year.

The two countries are negotiating a much more comprehensive economic cooperation agreement covering trade in goods and services as well as investments to further upgrade economic ties.

-- The Nation 2012-12-30

[Lite Beer]

LIFESTYLE

Shorter Alternative : Better and Best in 2012

The Nation writers

BANGKOK: -- We got goosed by Gaga and danced the Gangnam. We thrilled to high voices and low husbands. It was quite a year

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608365-shorter-alternative-better-and-best-in-2012/

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RT@Aim_NT: 6.50am Traffic warning!! Garbage truck turned over on Motor Way km 4 (outbound). Only 2 lanes left. Via @MimyXP @js100radio

[Lite Beer]

Thailand Public Holidays 2013

List of public holidays in Thailand for the year 2013 is as follows:

*New Year's Day is on Tuesday, 1 January 2013

*Makha Bucha Day is on Monday, 25 February 2013

*Chakri Day (observed) is on Monday,8 April 2013

*Songkran Festival (Thai New Year) is on Saturday, 13 April 2013 and lasts till Wednesday, 17 April 2013

*Labor Day is on Wednesday, 1 May 2013 (not applied to the government sector)

*Coronation Day (observed) is on Monday, 6 May 2013

*Visakha Bucha Day is on Friday, 24 May 2013

*Asanha Bucha Day is on Monday, 22 July 2013

*H.M. Queen's Birthday is on Monday,12 August 2013

*Chulalongkorn Day is on Wednesday, 23 October 2013

*H.M. King's Birthday is on Thursday, 5 December 2013

*Constitution Day is on Tuesday,10 December 2013

*New Year's Eve is on Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister

[Lite Beer]

Surfer fights off shark attack off Australia's east coast, loses finger

2012-12-30 09:25:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

PORT MACQUARIE, AUSTRALIA (BNO NEWS) -- A surfer fought off an attack by a suspected bull shark off Australia's east coast on Friday but lost a finger in the process and suffered a serious bite to the thigh, paramedics said on Saturday. It follows a fatal attack in Western Australia in July.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608377-surfer-fights-off-shark-attack-off-australias-east-coast-loses-finger/

[Lite Beer]

Day two of Seven Days of Danger witnesses another road-death

Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Phuket’s road-death toll increased by one as the second day of the “Seven Days of Danger” came to a close at midnight on Friday, according to the official Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket branch (DDPM-Phuket) statistics.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608029-two-dead-in-phuket-on-first-day-of-new-year-road-safety-blitz/#entry5974448

[Lite Beer]

Aldhouse pleas ‘not guilty’ to Phuket murder charge

Phuket Gazette -

Lee Aldhouse was extradited from the UK to stand trial in Phuket. Though confessing to killing former US Marine Dashawn Longfellow, Aldhouse entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charge this week.

PHUKET: British national Lee Aldhouse entered a plea of not guilty this week for the murder of former US Marine Dashawn Longfellow in Phuket in 2010.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/607728-british-kickboxer-lee-aldhouse-formally-charged-with-murder-phuket/page__st__125#entry5974496

[Lite Beer]

Unconscious Drunk Driver causes traffic chaos in Central Pattaya

PATTAYA:--A busy intersection on the Central Pattaya Road close to Big C Extra was brought to a standstill on Saturday afternoon by a suspected drunk driver who appeared to have fallen into an unconscious state due to severe intoxication, as he waited at traffic lights.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608381-unconscious-drunk-driver-causes-traffic-chaos-in-central-pattaya/

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RT@RichardBarrow: During the first 3 days of the new year holiday in Thailand, 148 people have been killed & 1,362 injured on the roads.

[Lite Beer]

Sydictive Phuket beach bash kicks off today – amid confusion and stringent rules

Phuket Gazette -

Sydictive Element President Vorachart Petnunthawong says the party in Patong is on. However, the Phuket Provincial Hall gave Dr Vorachart the 'house' party rules. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: The Sydictive Element Phuket beach party has jumped its last bureaucratic hurdle, and with the setup for the mega-event now said to be 90 per cent complete, it's finally “a go” for Patong Beach. However, the party organizers were handed a 15-point list of rules the party must adhere to or face the possibility of being shut down.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608393-sydictive-phuket-beach-bash-kicks-off-today-amid-confusion-and-stringent-rules/

[Lite Beer]

PM pledges to work at her fullest capacity without discouragement

BANGKOK, Dec 30 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday pledged that she will work to her fullest capacity without discouragement and insisted time would prove her performance, while urging all parties to end conflicts to help the country move forward.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608450-p-m-pledges-to-work-at-her-fullest-capacity-without-discouragement/

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RT@191Thailand: The main causes of accidents during the new year holiday were drunk driving and speeding.

[Lite Beer]

Prisoners held warden hostage in Ratchaburi

RATCHABURI: -- Three prisoners in a prison in Ratchaburi province held hostage a warden on Saturday after their plan to escape failed.

Police said the warden of Khao Bin Central Prison in Muang district was held after he found the prisoners were trying to escape from the prison.

The three prisoners were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and drug smuggling in the prison.

The prison's warder reportedly said the situation is under control and officials concerned are negotiating with the prisoners

-- The Nation 2012-12-30

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RT@RichardBarrow: 4:10pm Ratchada Road in #Bangkok looking almost like a ghost town (Pic @pong_evil) pic.twitter.com/J2kSiKJ9

[Lite Beer]

Two dead in Phuket motorbike crash

Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Police are attempting to identify a foreign man and a woman killed in a motorcycle accident in Cherng Talay, on central Phuket’s west coast, last night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608029-two-dead-in-phuket-on-first-day-of-new-year-road-safety-blitz/#entry5975588

[Lite Beer]

Bt1 billion to be circulated in Chiang Mai festive New Year season

By Digital Media

CHIANG MAI, Dec 30 - The northern province of Chiang Mai has welcomed a huge number of tourists during this festive New Year season, with all accommodations fully booked and about Bt1 billion expected to be circulated during the period.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608461-bt1-billion-to-be-circulated-in-chiang-mai-festive-new-year-season/

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Show some independence, PM told

The Nation

File photo : Prasarn

BANGKOK: -- Senator Prasarn Marukpitak asked the government and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to set example for the public in positive thinking - by being independent and not under influence of her brother, ex-PM Thaksin.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608363-pm-urges-unity-in-the-coming-year/#entry5975685

[Lite Beer]

Tourists enjoy holiday in North with lower temperature expected during New Year

By Digital Media

CHIANG MAI, Dec 30 - Tourists flocked to visit a national park in the northern part of Thailand during the festive New Year holidays, while the Northern Meteorological Centre said on Sunday that the temperature will continue to drop by 2-4 degrees Celsius until January 2.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608461-bt1-billion-to-be-circulated-in-chiang-mai-festive-new-year-season/#entry5975696

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Thailand Live Monday 31 Dec 2012