Not only protesters, even pets affected by tear gas
Chanon Wongsatayanont
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- While many people suffered the effects of tear gas used by police in clashes with protesters near the Metropolitan Police Bureau last Tuesday, pets, as well as stray cats and dogs in the area, also suffered the affects with varying severity.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687365-not-only-protesters-even-pets-affected-by-tear-gas/

Rally at make or break stage
The Sunday Nation:


Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban in pensive mood at the protest command inside the Government Complex yesterday. He has called for a last-ditch effort tomorrow to topple the government, vowing to surrender to the authorities if his actions fail.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687369-rally-at-make-or-break-stage/

Relatives of slain red shirts seek peaceful solution
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Sunday Nation:

BANGKOK: -- Family members of the three red shirts killed during the latest round of political violence said they hoped no more people will end up being killed and urged all sides to seek a peaceful resolution for the country. Their deaths come even as none of the killers involved in the political violence of 2010 have been apprehended yet.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687370-relatives-of-slain-red-shirts-seek-peaceful-solution/

Social media sites abuzz as protesters plan for 'D-Day'
Asina Pornwasin
The Sunday Nation

Some of the new profile pictures adopted by Thai users on Facebook and Twitter, after Monday was declared by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban as D-Day

BANGKOK: -- Many social media users in Thailand have changed their profile pictures, especially on Facebook and Twitter, to show their support for tomorrow's "D-Day" - a call by anti-government rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban for a "people's uprising" against the so-called Thaksin regime.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687371-social-media-sites-abuzz-as-protesters-plan-for-d-day/

Waters receding in 7 southern provinces; some still flooded
The Sunday Nation:

Narathiwat residents whose communities have been affected by flooding are given bags of relief items by the royally sponsored Rajaprajanugroh Foundation yesterday.

Narathiwat residents whose communities have been affected by flooding are given bags of relief items by the royally sponsored Rajaprajanugroh Foundation yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687372-waters-receding-in-7-southern-provinces;-some-still-flooded/

UN declares December 5 as World Soil Day
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The United Nations, acknowledging the importance of His Majesty the King's works, has declared December 5 as World Soil Day. The UN has also set 2015 as the International Year of Soils to celebrate soil as a critical component of the natural system and a vital contributor to agricultural development, nutrition, and food security amid the increasing world population.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Information chief Sek Wannamethee yesterday said Norachit Singhaseni, the Thai ambassador to the United Nations, had reported that the UN had decided on Friday to observe December 5 as World Soil Day.

Following the 17th World Congress of Soil Science hosted in Bangkok in 2002, where some 60,000 members worldwide learned about the King's soil development projects, the ministry had worked with the Agriculture Ministry to push for a World Soil Day and an International Year of Soils, he said.

-- The Nation 2013-12-08

Northern-route train tickets 'fully sold out'
The Sunday Nation:

Train remains a popular mode of transport for passengers and northern-route train tickets were fully booked in Lamphun until the New Year despite the December 2 derailment, acting Lamphun train station head Parachai Praisri yesterday.

The northern train service was resumed fully on December 2 after the 263.9km-long railway section from Uttaradit's Sila-art Station and Chiang Mai Station was closed for 75 days for track repairs and sleeper upgrading using a Bt2.8-billion budget. The project has not been fully completed.

-- The Nation 2013-12-08

Tourist suspected of bringing cocaine
The Sunday Nation,
Samut Prakan

Suvarnabhumi Airport Custom officials arrested a 52-year-old Romanian tourist allegedly carrying cocaine reportedly worth Bt13 million in street value.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687375-tourist-suspected-of-bringing-cocaine/

Supachai named EC chairman
The Sunday Nation:

BANGKOK: -- The five commissioners-designate of the Election Commission yesterday elected Supachai Somcharoen as the new EC chairman.

They held their first meeting yesterday after the Senate voted to endorse them as new EC commissioners on November 25. Their appointments have to be approved by a royal command.

However, the new commissioners-designate are unlikely to take over from the incumbent EC commissioners in organising the by-elections in eight constituencies scheduled for December 22, according to a source familiar with the matter. Pravich Ratanapien, one of the five commissioners-designate, said they have allocated responsibilities among themselves.

-- The Nation 2013-12-08

'No snipers' in Ramkhamhaeng clashes
Jessada Jantharak
The Sunday Nation


Assistant national police chief Pol Gen Jaramporn Suramanee points to a map of Ramkhamhaeng University and the adjacent Rajamangala Stadium, during a press conference yesterday about the deaths of five people over the weekend

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687376-no-snipers-in-ramkhamhaeng-clashes/

University groups trying to mobilise huge crowd
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters from or affiliated with four top universities in Bangkok are using social network sites to mobilise more people for tomorrow's protest.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687378-university-groups-trying-to-mobilise-huge-crowd/

-- The Nation 2013-12-08

Yasothon sets up adhoc center to cope with cold weather

YASOTHON, 7 December 2013 (NNT) – The cold spell has covered many parts of the country. The Yasothon provincial authority therefore set up an adhoc center to help people cope with the cold.

While some residents are not prepared for the cold winter, the government offices have been setting up adhoc centers in many places in the north and northeast. In Yasothon, Governor Prawat Teethakaew set up the adhoc center to prepare necessities such as warm clothes, blankets, and other equipment to help people cope with the cold.

The temperatures in the province were around 17-18 degrees Celsius at night and in the morning.

-- NNT 2013-12-08

RT@RichardBarrow: 5:30am All is quiet in #Bangkok. No violent incidents overnight. Today is expected to be another peaceful day.

Phuket Opinion: Patong’s good-time juggernaut spins on
Phuket Gazette -

Once you opt for tunnel vision, don’t be surprised if you’re blind sided by reality. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: Reports that Patong Municipality hopes to install a huge Ferris wheel along the beach road have generated considerable interest within Phuket’s large and ever-growing expat community, and some skepticism with regard to the cost/benefit of such an erection.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687379-phuket-opinion-patongs-good-time-juggernaut-spins-on/

Daily Weather Forecast Distribution On Sunday 8 December 2013 Time issued 0500 LST

General Situation

The moderate high pressure over upper Thailand will weaken tomorrow leading to a rise in temperature and more fog. Still cool to cold weather is likely in the morning in the country.
The rather strong northeast monsoon remains over the Gulf and southern Thailand with wave 2-3 meters high in the lower Gulf. All ships should proceed with caution, and small boats in the Gulf form Nakhon Si Thammarat downward keep ashore during this period.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Sunday to 6.00 a.m. Monday

Northern Thailand Cool to cold with fog in the morning and thick patches in some areas. Minimum temperature 14-18 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 27-30 degree Celsius.Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 7-13 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool to cold with light fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 13-17 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 28-29 degree Celsius. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 5-10 degree Celsius.

Northeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr.
Central Thailand Cool with light fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 18-19 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 29-30 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 11-15 degree Celsius.Northeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cool with light fog in the morning.Minimum temperature 18-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 30-31 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 12-15 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and 1-2 meters off-shore.

Southern Thailand East Coast Upper part from Surat Thani northward: cool in the morning. Minimum temperature 20-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 29-31 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 20-35 km/hr. Wave height about 2 meters.Lower part from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.Northeasterly winds 20-40 km/hr. Wave height 2-3 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Trang and Satun. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-33 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 20-35 km/hr. Wave height about 1-2 meters and about 2 meters off-shore.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cool with mist in the morning. Minimum temperature 20-21 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 29-31 degree Celsius.Northeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.
Today : Maximum temperature 30 degree Celsius.

: Sun rises at 6.29 a.m. Sun sets at 5.50 p.m.
: High water at 12.01 p.m. and at 9.05 p.m.
: Low water at 5.08 a.m. and at 5.32 p.m.

-- NNT 2013-12-08

RT@RichardBarrow: [bangkok Post] Police have concluded that 19 violent incidents occurred in the Ramkhamhaeng area last weekend

Protesters march from Rajdamnoen to Rama VI road

A group of protesters on Sunday left Rajdamnoen rally site and marched to a destination on Rama VI road.

-- The Nation 2013-12-08

Thai civic groups ready for long march tomorrow
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 8– Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has repeated his call for Thai people to stand up and join a multi-pronged march to Government House on Monday in what he predicted as the biggest anti-government movement in Thai history.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687401-thai-civic-groups-ready-for-long-march-tomorrow/

RT@AJEnglish: Video: Thai army accused of taking part in protests aje.me/IK1hpS

7 leading Thai business institutes meeting tomorrow to help foster peaceful negotiation, suggest resolution for current political disputes /MCOT

Travellers advised to go to Suvarnabhumi airport 4 hrs before departure and to use Airport Rail Link service tomorrow due to planned protest /MCOT

RT@tulsathit: CAPO: Beware untoward incidents tomorrow. Govt will stick to compromise, non-aggression.

RT@tulsathit: CAPO: We fear third-party infiltration tomorrow. Hope public properties won't be occupied or seized.

RT@tulsathit: TV reports say massive gatherings begin today at key rally points, preparing for tmrrw's marches to converge at Govt House.

RT@tulsathit: RT @Ryn_writes: Marches from democracy monument, finance ministry and other assembly points besides Govt Complex to begin at 9.39 am.

Phuket Opinion: Quest to conquer island transport
Phuket Gazette -

Airport Bus: the hero of our tale. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: Mount Everest, K2, Cape Horn; the Sahara Desert – conquering these places represents the pinnacle of human potential and achievement.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687413-phuket-opinion-quest-to-conquer-island-transport/

CAPO warns all parties to be careful of untoward incidents, acts by ill-intentioned people; affirms intention to negotiate and avoid clashes /MCOT

The Chinese boom in Phuket
Naraporn Tuarob


Due to migrants, Phuket has a strong Chinese influence, such as the annual Por Tor, or “Chinese hungry ghost” festival held every August. Pictured is the parade on August 23 in Phuket Town.

PHUKET: It seems the boom in Chinese tourist numbers visiting Phuket is set to continue, after signals that China’s first consulate for the island could be opened as soon as next year.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687417-the-chinese-boom-in-phuket/

RT@RichardBarrow: Last chance today for the "Bangkok Street Show 2013" at Lumpini Park. Open from 3pm to 9pm. All shows are free pic.twitter.com/GmZ9RCaUqX

RT@Aim_NT:12.28pm PM Yingluck on tv pool announced she was ready to dissolve the House but there must be an election according to the law.