Cold wave over N,NE,central until New Year;NE monsoon brings rain to the South,strong wind,high waves in Gulf of Thailand /The Nation

Thai Airways got telecom regulatory board permit to offer Wifi service on its new fleet of wide-body jets /The Nation

Anti-government protesters started marching from Ratchadamnoen Avenue to Silom Friday morning to distribute PDRC statement to the public. /Bangkok Post

RT @RichardBarrow: Suthep & other protest leaders will lead the day long march to Silom & back (Pic @nongyangyang) http://t.co/1VDTPvQqCO

DSI requesting 30 banks freeze bank accounts of 18 anti-govet protest core leaders, 2 public donation support fund accounts /The Nation

Chartthaipattana: upcoming government may be short-lived



BANGKOK, 20 December 2013 (NNT) – The Chartthaipattana Party has indicated that a government yielded from the upcoming election may be short-lived, as it would exist mainly to serve the purpose of reforming the country and pulling it through the current political turmoil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690626-chartthaipattana-upcoming-government-may-be-short-lived/

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,345.91, down 0.72 points /MCOT

PTT unveils new 'Fill & Go' pump system

BANGKOK, 20 December (NNT) — PTT has unveiled its new “Fill & Go” electronic pump system, with a goal set for 200 stations to be installed with the gadget by the end of 2014.

PTT Plc assistant president for oil business Chavalit Panthong proudly introduced the new PTT Fill & Go system and provided service for the conglomerate’s first group of customers at one of its gas stations.

The system features Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) which is compatible only with vehicles with special rings attached to its fuel pumps. Microchips located inside the ring will record all the necessary information related to the user’s refueling habits, the kind of gasoline used, and even license plate numbers.

The new Fill & Go system coincides with the company’s mission in incorporating new and innovative technology in its services to better serve customers.

-- NNT 2013-12-20

Suthep leads anti-govt protesters marching across Bangkok on 2nd day, heading to Hua Lampong, Rama IV, Silom, Yaowaraj /MCOT

Democrat leader proposes reconsideration of Feb 2 election
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 20 – The opposition Democrat Party has warned that the government’s insistence on holding the February 2 general election will definitely lead to chaos.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690654-democrat-leader-abhisit-proposes-reconsideration-of-feb-2-election/

NBTC grants THAI Wi9Fi on-board license



BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has granted Type 1 wireless license to Thai Airways International (THAI) to provide WiFi service on board its new fleet of wide-body aircraft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690656-nbtc-grants-thai-wi-fi-on-board-license/

DSI to summon 30 activists and academics to hear charges



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will summon 30 more persons involving in making public addresses, storming and seizing government offices to hear criminal charges on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690658-anti-govt-protests-dsi-to-summon-30-activists-and-academics-to-hear-charges/

Suthep leads a rally Friday to invite people to join Sunday mass rally

BANGKOK: -- Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday led a march from Rajdamnoen protest site to solicit supports from people and to invite them to join the mass rally on Sunday.

Today’s route will see Suthep and his supporters walk to Panfa, Larnluang, Saphan Khao, Hua Lumpong, Rama IV, Silom. He will have lunch at Silom before marching to Si Phraya, Yaowaraj, Wang Burapa, Dinsor Road before return to Rajdamnoen rally site.

Yesterday, he also led a march to Asoke, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas. He will lead a mass rally on Sunday against Yingluck government and Thaksin Regime.


-- The Nation 2013-12-20

Phuket's three underpass projects 'on track' for completion by 2017
Khemin Wicheetthagoon


The view from the walkway connecting the main Central Festival to the new Central Festival East.

PHUKET: -- The island’s underpasses are on track for finishing on time – with all three expected to be completed by 2017 to hopefully go some way to solving the island’s traffic problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690662-phukets-three-underpass-projects-on-track-for-completion-by-2017/

Special Report:
Cold snap kills in Thailand’s North

BANGKOK: -- The cold weather has claimed another victim after a 68-year-old man was found dead in his home in Buriram province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690665-cold-snap-kills-in-thailands-north/

CAPO tightens security at 27 embassies



BANGKOK: -- The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) today tightened security at 27 foreign embassies in the capital as the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (DPRC) kicked off street marches from Democracy Monument to Silom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690667-dprc-rally-in-bangkok-capo-tightens-security-at-27-embassies/

Caretaker PM Yingluck to consult govt's legal adviser over poll delay
By Digital Content



ROI ET, Dec 20 – The government will consult with the Council of State and legal experts on the possibility of postponing the February 2 general election, according to caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690670-caretaker-pm-yingluck-to-consult-govts-legal-adviser-over-poll-delay/

Phuket prepares to remember Asian Tsunami 9th anniversary
Khemin Wicheetthagoon


The ceremony in Patong usually attracts large crowds.

PHUKET: -- Commemorations to mark the ninth anniversary of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, in which some 800 people in Phuket died, will take place on December 26 in a variety of places as people remember the dead, with the main remembrances in Mai Khao and Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690671-phuket-prepares-to-remember-asian-tsunami-9th-anniversary/

Cold spell to continue till New Year



BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department said Thailand will experience dropping temperatures until New Year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690665-cold-snap-kills-in-thailands-north/#entry7183474

UPDATE:

Child’s skull found, may be that of missing Phuket girl Nong Dear
Eakkapop Thongtub


At the scene today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690619-skull-fragment-found-in-phuket-believed-to-be-of-missing-7-year-old/#entry7183536

Opposition Democrat Party warned govt's insistence on holding general election on Feb.2 could lead to violent unrest /The Nation

NBTC forecasts communication market expands 8.4% in 2014, valued at Bt460 billion, smart phone market grows 24% /MCOT

Sorajak Kasemsuwan will step down from Thai Airways president starting Jan 2 due to health reasons, THAI chairman says /Bangkok Post

Tourism industry eyes 12.1% growth in 2014

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Council of Thailand estimates the Kingdom would welcome 29.92 million foreign visitors in 2014.

The number shows an increase of 12.1 per cent from this year.

Tourism revenue should rise by 18 per cent to Bt1.35 trillion.


-- The Nation 2013-12-20

Democrat Party backs postponing Feb 2 gen election; will meet other political parties seeking chance for political reform before poll /MCOT

Court sentences former Ratchaburi MP two years in prison



BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court today sentenced former Ratchaburi MP Chawarin Latthasaksiri to two years imprisonment after finding him guilty of frauds.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690687-court-sentences-former-ratchaburi-mp-two-years-in-prison/

RT @RichardBarrow: 12:37pm Motorists should avoid Silom for the next couple of hours (Pic @kowit_js) http://t.co/OE1ya9cFfk

Democrats woo other parties' supports

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party's secretary general Juti Krairiksh will today visit other parties, to woo their supports for the postponement of the election date.

Democrat Party spokesman Chavanon Intharakomalsut announced Friday that he would be at Pheu Thai Party and other coalition parties. The Democrats viewed the election date should be postponed until there is a solution to the political impasse.

Chavanon also said that his party is ready to talk with any political parties, without any hidden agenda. He also urged all politicians to temporarily drop their hats.

-- The Nation 2013-12-20

Defence Ministry spokesman:PM at Defence Council meeting instructs personnel to remain neutral; all parties allowed to campaign in military areas /MCOT

Democrat party to meet coalition parties to discuss putting off February 2 poll



BANGKOK: -- The Democrat party will meet with the Pheu Thai party and the other coalition partners this Friday afternoon to discuss about the possibility of postponing the February 2 election.

Party spokesman Chavanond Intharakomalasut said the party supports the suggestion by the Election Commission that the election should be postponed in order to allow a blueprint for national reform to be put in place before an election is to be staged.

He said that party leader had assigned Ong-art Klampaibul, a deputy leader, to go to the Pheu Thai party this afternoon to discuss the EC’s suggestion. In the meantime, the other Democrats namely party secretary-general Juti Krairiksh and Chavanond will discuss the same issue with Chart Thai Pattana, deputy secretary-general Sirichoke Sopha to Bhumjai Thai party and Thepthai Senpong to Palang Chon party.

Chanvanond said that the Democrat party was willing to talk with all parties in order to find a way out of this political conflict without any hidden agenda.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/democrat-party-meet-coalition-parties-discuss-putting-february-2-poll/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-20

Pheu Thai rebuffs Election Commission



BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai party has rebuffed the Election Commission’s suggestion that the party should hold talks with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to have the February 2 election postponed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690692-pheu-thai-rebuffs-election-commission/

Two Thai women to explore South Pole

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690696-two-thai-women-to-explore-south-pole/