Thailand Live Sunday 15 Dec 2013

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NATION ANALYSIS
PM escapes the woes of Bangkok
Jintana Panyaarvudh
The Sunday Nation:

Embattled caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra receives roses from supporters during her visit to a royal project in Chiang Mai yesterday.
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BANGKOK: -- Yingluck cheered by welcome from supporters in home town; returns to face the music today

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689206-pm-escapes-the-woes-of-bangkok/

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'Corrupt politicians should face death term'
The Sunday Nation


Suthep urges military to side with the people to press for reforms before poll

BANGKOK: -- Politicians convicted of corruption should face the death sentence or life imprisonment and those convicted of vote-buying should face a life-time political ban, the People's Democratic Reform Committee proposed yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689208-corrupt-politicians-should-face-death-term/

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Base language for protesters 'will backfire'
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The use of lewd homophobic and misogynistic expressions against opponents on both sides of the political divide by people on rally stages, and on social media, reflects the lack of democratic culture by those individuals, gender experts say.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689209-base-language-for-protesters-will-backfire/

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Airport rail link announces record number of passengers
The Sunday Nation:

BANGKOK: -- Airport Rail Link Co yesterday revealed a new record of 69,608 passengers for its city line and 1,473 passengers for the express line as of December, totalling 71,294. In November, there were 47,597 city line users and 1,473 express line passengers, totalling 49,070.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689210-airport-rail-link-announces-record-number-of-passengers/

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Siam Paragon the 'most popular on Instagram'
The Sunday Nation:

Siam Paragon shopping mall is the location that was posted most on Instagram this year and Bangkok the second most popular city among users of the network around the world.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689211-siam-paragon-the-most-popular-on-instagram/

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Charity car rally promotes eco-tourism in Khao Yai
The Sunday Nation

KHORAT: -- The Criminal Reporter and Photographer Association of Thailand kicked off its 150-car charity rally from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district yesterday.

Called "Khon khao Atchayakam Terksum Hainong 2013" (Crime reporters sharing happiness with children), the rally was launched by police chief Gen Adul Saengsingkaew and will bring stationary, teaching materials and sports equipment to school children in Pak Chong, as well as promote eco-tourism in Khao Yai National Park, said the association's president, Pairoj Tesniyom.

Proceeds from the rally will also go towards Phayathai Babies Home; Home for Children with Disabilities in Nonthaburi's Pak Kred district, as well as a scholarship fund for the association members' children

-- The Nation 2013-12-15

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Event to boost volunteer spirit
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Khon Thai Foundation is joining forces with the Thai Health Foundation and other groups to organise the second "Khon Thai Khor Meu Noi" project at Bangkok's CentralWorld shopping mall on March 1 and 2. The project aims to boost active citizenship.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689214-event-to-boost-volunteer-spirit/

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Protest guards arrested for carrying firearms
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three protesters acting as security for the anti-government movement were arrested yesterday and charged with carrying firearms, the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689215-protest-guards-arrested-for-carrying-firearms/

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Civil servant charged with falsifying information
The Sunday Nation

KANCHANABURI: -- Legal action will be taken against a temporary worker who allegedly falsified the dates of birth of nine immigrants included in the stateless persons' identification registration system, Kanchanaburi's Muang district chief Sattha Khachapalayuk said yesterday.

He added that district clerk Worakorn Pattanawibul had already filed a police complaint against the accused worker, Sasima Ardsungnoen. A disciplinary probe was launched against Sasima following the discovery of nine illegal applications. She has reportedly confessed to changing the dates.

Sattha said further legal action would be taken against any officials found to be involved in falsifying immigrants' personal details

-- The Nation 2013-12-15

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-- The Nation 2013-12-15

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Joining hands to strengthen women's role
The Nation

Siam Makro staff give disabled women tips on how to become successful entrepreneurs.

BANGKOK: -- P&G, Siam Makro launch campaign to support disabled women; their carers

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689216-joining-hands-to-strengthen-womens-role/

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Phuket Governor pushes 'Visiting 3K Police Stations' project
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut inspected Karon Police Station yesterday as part of his “Visiting 3K Police Stations” campaign to promote Phuket as a safe holiday destination.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689220-phuket-governor-pushes-visiting-3k-police-stations-project/

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Phuket Opinion: Mixing danger
Phuket Gazette -

What goes on record tends to stay on record. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: The recent claim of drink spiking by a young British tourist who survived a two-storey fall from her Patong hotel room is just the latest in a long string of similar accusations by foreign tourists, the vast majority of which go unreported.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689223-phuket-opinion-mixing-danger/

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Thailand overtakes Myanmar's lead
Pathum Klinhom
The Nation

Determined shuttler Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk on Saturday ended the nation's 38-year men's singles gold-medal drought, as gallant pugilists took the lion's share of seven gold medals to help Thailand surge ahead hosts Myanmar to the top of the medal standing of the 27th SEA Games.

On a day when Thailand salvaged a 1-1 draw with the host side in the eye-catching men’s soccer competition, the Thailand athletes delegation fared well to jump to the pole position in the medal tally with an aggregate 93 medals including 33 gold, relegating hosts Myanmar (31 gold, 29 silver, 28 bronze) to the second place.

Indonesia are trailing in a close third spot with 30 gold, while Vietnam (29 gold) are in fourth position.

A total of nine Thai boxers including three women made it to the Saturday’s finals.

In the women’s division, flyweight Sopida Satumrun handed Thailand the first gold in boxing after beating Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Yen 2-1.

Team-mate Bantamweight Peamwiai Laopeam followed suits by thrashing Indonesian Ester Kalayuk 3-0 to capture gold.

However, it was an upset tale in the lightweight event when Sudaporn Seesondee failed in an effort of her title defence after losing 1-2 to Vietnamese Lu Thi Duyen.

The men’s division saw Thai boxers pit their expertise in all six finals. Flyweight Chatchai Butdee outpointed Myanmar’s Mg Nge 3-0 to win the Thailand’s third gold in the combat sport, while bantamweight Donchai Thathi struggled to hit form as he went down to Mario Fernandez 0-3. The off-form Donchai picked up silver, with the Filipino winning gold.

Lightweight Sailom Ardee snatched the fourth gold for the Kingdom following a narrow 2-1 win over Filipino Junel Cantancio, with light welterweight Wuttichai Masuk crushing Dennis Galvan of the Philippines 3-0.

The remaining two gold medals came from welterweight Apichet Saensit and light heavyweight Anawat Kongkratok.

Meanwhile, the SEA Games badminton competition saw four Thai players compete in three finals - men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles.

In the men’s singles event, world No.12 Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, bronze medallist in this year’s All-England, French Open and Denmark Open, made Thailand proud on Saturday when the 23-year-old shuttler narrowly beat world No.23 and Indonesia Open silver medallist Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka from Indonesia in a hotly-contested battle 22-20 21-17.

The Tanongsak’s scintillating win ended Thailand’s men’s singles gold-medal drought in the SEA Games. Bandid Jaiyen was the last Thai who won the gold in the 1975 edition.

Nevertheless, world No.18 and Dutch Open winner Busanan Ongbumrungpan had a disappointing contest in the women’s singles showdown when she was stunned 21-9 13-21 13-21 by Indonesian Bellaetrix Manuputty.

Thailand had another upset performance in the mixed doubles clash when Maneepong Jongjit and Sapsiree Taerattanachai were beaten 18-21 19-21 by Indonesians Muhammad Rijal and Debby Susanto.

Only five gold medals were at stake in the badminton competition, with Indonesia winning a majority three gold medals (women’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles). Thailand and Malaysia shared one gold apiece in the respective men’s singles and women’s doubles events.

In the body-building competition, muscular Jiraphan Pongkam proved that the consecutive two-time world championships he has achieved were no fluke. He satisfied the judges with his awesome muscles and amazing upper body to claim gold medal in the men’s 55kg event.

Meanwhile, mountain biker Vipavee Deekaballes took the women’s 1.5km downhill gold after crossing the finish line first in 2.37.191 minutes. Indonesian Risa Suseanty and another Thai, Sattayanun Abdulkaree, secured second and third places in 2.38.707 and 2.42.635 minutes respectively.

Suebsakun Sukchanya had to be content with bronze medal in the men’s event after clocking 2.24.125 minutes. Indonesian bikers made it a one-two finish.

Karate-do exponent Sutthichai Takiew also brought fame to the nation on Saturday when he clinched gold in the 84kg event. Thailand have never won the SEA Games gold in the karate-do contest since the 2007 edition.

In the equestrian competition, HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, riding Htate Kwet, scored 53.810 points to finish 10th place in the individual dressage event. Praveen Natr Mathavan from Malaysia on Sein Win Mal captured gold with an aggregate 67.405 points.

Medal Tally

G S B

Thailand 33 30 30

Myanmar 31 29 28

Indonesia 30 40 34

Vietnam 29 23 33

Malaysia 18 12 31

Singapore 12 10 19

Philippines 7 11 15

Cambodia 4 6 11

Laos 2 5 18

Brunei 1 1 3

Timor-Leste - - 1

-- The Nation 2013-12-15

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Govt's political reform forum, led by PM's Office Permanent Secretary, kicks off at QSNCC; many orgs joining except PDRC, Democrat Party /MCOT

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Suthep: No reform, no election
By English News

BANGKOK, Dec 15 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has repeated his unwavering stand insisting on national reform before the next general election is held.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689238-suthep-no-reform-no-election/

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Phuket Opinion: Pushing for an Old Town revival
Phuket Gazette -

Phuket native Don Limnun-thaphisit, 49, is the project leader of Lardyai walking street and the head of the Phuket Old Town community. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Prince of Songkhla University in the faculty of Science.

Here he talks about the need to revive Phuket Old Town and increase the popularity of the Lardyai street market with tourists.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689247-phuket-opinion-pushing-for-an-old-town-revival/

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Daily Weather Forecast Distribution On Sunday 15 December 2013 Time issued 0500 LST

General Situation

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

Northern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain with gust mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phayao. Minimum temperature 19-20 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 26-32 degree Celsius. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 5-10 degree Celsius. Westerly winds 15-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and isolated rain in the lower part.Minimum temperature 17-20 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 30-32 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 8-13 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Central Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and isolated rain in the upper part.Minimum temperature 20-21 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-32 degree Celsius. Cool to cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 13-18 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and isolated rain in the shore line.Minimum temperature 21-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-33 degree Celsius. Cool to cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 13-18 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Cloudy and widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung. Minimum temperature 22-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 29-31 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy and widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Trang and Satun.Minimum temperature 22-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 30-33 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cool with fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 22-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-33 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
Today : Maximum temperature 33 degree Celsius.
: Sun rises at 6.33 a.m. Sun sets at 5.52 p.m.
: High water at 7.45 a.m. and at 3.27 p.m.
: Low water at 0.05 a.m. and at 12.20 p.m.

-- NNT 2013-12-15

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Unrest deals new blow to Thai tourism industry - Focus

by Cat Barton

BANGKOK, December 15, 2013 (AFP) - From backpacker districts to high-end hotels, more than a month of opposition protests in the Thai capital are taking their toll on the kingdom's tourism sector, with hundreds of thousands of travellers staying away.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689254-unrest-deals-new-blow-to-thai-tourism-industry-focus/

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RT@ChadapornLin: Democrats to have new board of directors decide on party's stance for Feb 2 election

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Phuket Tourist Police expat volunteer arrested on crystal meth charges
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Garry Halpin, a Phuket Tourist Police volunteer originally from New Zealand, has been arrested on ya ice drugs charges.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689269-phuket-tourist-police-expat-volunteer-arrested-on-crystal-meth-charges/

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Defence Ministry Perm Sec speaks at govt's political forum, affirms army supports for Feb 2 general election, soldiers to preserve democracy /MCOT

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NSC chief believes protest ambience will improve positively
By English News

BANGKOK, Dec 15 - National Security Council (NSC) chief said he believed the protest ambience will improve for the better, changing from confrontation to discussions and exchanging views.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689280-nsc-chief-believes-protest-ambience-will-improve-positively/

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TCC: Thai economy declines even without protests

BANGKOK, 15 Dec 2013, (NNT) Thailand's economy has been on the descending path even without the protests in the capital, says the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

According to Vice President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Wichai Assarassakon, the current state of national economy is fragile and the government has yet to address that problem. Unless the government is able to ease the ongoing intense political tension, the overall economic performance will be affected; the situation would be even worse should the general election be postponed or cancelled.

The private sectors, however, agreed that there needed to be a political reform before the general election took place. But the changes must conform to the Constitutional monarchy approach.

Mr. Wichai also said that the 7 Private Organizations stood firm against corruptions.

-- NNT 2013-12-15

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PM refrains from commenting on political issues

BANGKOK, 15 Dec 2013, (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is reportedly refraining from giving interview regarding the government-initiated forum on finding solutions to the current political stalemate.

The premier told the media yesterday during her brief interview that she did not wish to comment on politics matters, saying that the press should seek the latest tidings directly from the Center for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) as well as the national reform forum. She added she would post any important information in her official Facebook page.

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovijakchaikul will be responsible for making official announcement regarding the talks results and other related matters.

Prime Minister Yingluck is scheduled to head back to Bangkok today.

-- NNT 2013-12-15

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K-Research: Thai baht to be traded at 31.90 - 32.30 ฿/$

BANGKOK, 15 Dec 2013, (NNT) - Kasikorn Research Center expects the baht to be traded at 31.90 - 32.30 baht per U.S. dollars next week.

The K-Research's forecast is based on the result of the U.S. Federal Reserves' Federal Open Market Committee meeting, which will be held on December 17th - 18th.

The United States' key economic figures being discussed in the meeting include New York's Fed production survey, Philadelphia's Fed business survey, December's real estate market index, consumer index, second-hand home sales, home construction figures, the number of construction approvals, November's economic & industrial production indexes, October capital flow reports, and the third quarter GDP, as well as the number of weekly unemployment claims.

-- NNT 2013-12-15

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RT@AP: Guests arrive for South African state funeral for Nelson Mandela after long mourning period:

RT@cnni: 95 candles burning at Nelson #Mandela's funeral, representing his years on earth, his contribution to South Africa, says Cyril Ramaphosa

RT@FemiOke:Watching #MandelaSendOff?
Here's the funeral service programme so you know who's coming up next. pic.twitter.com/lKmy2Sbgr2

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Angry Australian Sets 3 Motorbikes On Fire

KOH CHANG:--An Australian tourist who was so angry that his motorbike was using too much petrol set fire to it causing damage to two other bikes after the renter would not refund him. The incident happened on Koh Chang island.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689289-angry-australian-sets-3-motorbikes-on-fire/

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UPDATE:

Tourist Police Volunteer busted for drug dealing in Phuket
Phuket Gazette -

Long-time expat and well-known Tourist Police Volunteer Garry Halpin confessed to dealing drugs. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689269-phuket-tourist-police-expat-volunteer-arrested-on-crystal-meth-charges/page-2#entry7163026

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Govt forum's messages will reach PDRC

BANGKOK: -- National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabut believed that the government-hosted reform forum's messages would reach the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

He said that though the PDRC does not join the Sunday forum, the messages would be observed.

-- The Nation 2013-12-15