Thailand Live Wednesday 1 Jan 2014

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HM the King wishes Thais happiness, prosperity, mutual concern
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 1 -- His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Tuesday conveyed his New Year greetings to his people, wishing happiness, success and prosperity to the Thai people, and peace to the country.

In his traditional televised New Year's address broadcast last night at 8pm, HM the King called on Thais to pay great attention to the country's collective interest and Thainess.

HM the King urged his loyal subjects to take take care of and keep their physical and mental health so that they could fully perform their duties to the best of their abilities.

The most important thing was to keep in mind the mutual regard and Thai ways so that personal tasks and national tasks could progress and successfully achieve targets smoothly, he said.

Meanwhile, His Majesty the King also presented a traditional personally made New Year's greeting card to his people.

The card depicts HM the King in a dark blue suit, and a white shirt with a light green necktie, sitting in a white chair in front of windows.

The photo was composed at Phra Tamnak Piamsuk in Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.

By His Majesty's side sits his favourite royal pet dog Khun Thong Daeng. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-01

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King asks Thais to think of public interest and the value of being Thai

BANGKOK, 1 January 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King, in his traditional New Year address broadcast on the New Year’s Eve, extended his wishes of happiness, success and prosperity for all Thais. His Majesty stated that everybody’s wish is all the same, hoping for happiness, prosperity and peace, both for oneself and for the nation.

In the New Year, His Majesty urged all his subjects to keep their mind and body in healthy and strong conditions so that they could perform their duties to the best of their ability.

Most importantly, everybody must always keep in mind the public interest and the value of being Thais. Then, all jobs both for individual and national purposes, will be executed smoothly and righteously and achieve their set goals of happiness, prosperity and peace, His Majesty said.

His Majesty the King called on the power of the Triple Gems and all that is sacred to protect his subjects and grant them happiness and good health in the new year.


-- NNT 2014-01-01

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63 nabbed for alcohol ads and drinks
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public Health officials have punished 63 of the 204 alcohol vendors inspected from December 27-30 in Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phetchabun, Loei and Chiang Mai - mostly for alcohol advertising and selling alcoholic beverages via prohibited promotional discounts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693341-63-vendors-nabbed-for-alcohol-ads-and-drinks-thailand/

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Bid to get around blockades in South
The Nation



Ruling party, others register at border police base at 3am but legal doubt over move

BANGKOK: -- Candidates in the South were once again stopped from registering for the February 2 election yesterday by members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) even though election officials agreed to host the registration at a police-run facility in one province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693342-bid-to-get-around-blockades-in-thai-south-feb-2-election/

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Thais opt for prayers, parties to see in 2014
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As an alternative to celebrate the New Year, temples nationwide offer "cross-year Buddhist prayer" for people who like to attend for good luck, while many others celebrated with friends and loved ones in cities or tourist destinations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693343-thais-opt-for-prayers-parties-to-see-in-2014/

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Drivers warned of dangers of booze, fatigue

BANGKOK: -- After four days of the so-called "seven dangerous days" of New Year, the 2013-14 holiday period has claimed 209 lives and injured 1,931 persons in a total of 1,818 road accidents, the Road Safety Centre reported yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693344-drivers-warned-of-dangers-of-booze-fatigue/

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EDITORIAL
Thailand's New Year resolution: get healthy for AEC
The Nation

Corruption and political crisis threaten our chances of benefiting from regional economic integration

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693345-thailands-new-year-resolution-get-healthy-for-aec/

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7.5kg of 'ice' inside woman's shoes
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A Khon Kaen woman was arrested by Nong Khai customs officials on Monday evening, allegedly with 7.5 kilograms of crystal meth or "ice" worth Bt30 million on the street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693347-75kg-of-ice-inside-khon-kaen-womans-shoes/

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Foreigners caught on camera posing as deaf people for Phuket 'donations'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693118-foreigners-caught-on-camera-posing-as-deaf-people-for-phuket-donations/

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Planned mass rallies to shut down Bangkok by anti-govt movement will infringe the rights of motorists,skytrain, subway commuters, caretaker Transport Minister said /The Nation

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North Korea's Kim Jong Un lauds purge of executed uncle Jang Song Thaek
By Jethro Mullen, CNN

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693374-n-koreas-kim-jong-un-hails-execution-of-powerful-uncle/

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Dow rises 72.37 points or 0.4% to 16,576.66 as trading is light on the last day of the year /MCOT

Latvians will begin swapping their old currency (lats) in exchange for euros,making Latvia 18th country to join euro currency union /

Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher's condition improved slightly after a 2nd operation following a ski accident on French Alps; he remains in critical condition /

Category 3 tropical Cyclone Christine hit W. Australia w/ winds over 170 kph, heavy rain which cut power to several towns, uprooted trees, damaged homes. /

Global stocks closed 2013 at new 6-yr highs; benchmark bond yields posted 1st annual rise since 2009 /

Apple Inc said it never worked w/ US National Security Agency and is unaware of efforts to hack, monitor its smartphones /

A18m.rubber yellow duck exploded 11 days after it went on display at Keelung port, N.Taiwan just hrs before crowds arrive for New Year count down /

President Putin vowed to tackle terrorists after 2 deadly bomb attacks in Volgorad, S. Russia raising security concerns ahead of Winter Olympics /

U.S. consumers sentiment improves, but homes prices gains still slow /

Wall St closed 2013 at new highs; S&P 500 at 16 yrs high;Dow biggest gain in 18,yrs on improved consumers confidence,homes prices /

/The Nation

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Bangkok governor leads public giving alms to monks at City Hall; Thais nationwide make merit, wish for peace /MOCT

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RT @RichardBarrow: The meeting between Prem and the PM & military chiefs only lasted 15 minutes (Via @WassanaNanuam) http://t.co/mGDQBtLcmn

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Road Safety Centre: Road accidents kill 266 during first 5 days of New Year holiday, 2,502 injured; Korat records highest death toll at 15 /MCOT

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PM leads top brass to express well wishes to General Prem



BANGKOK: -- In her capacity as the defence minister, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday morning led top-ranking military officers and their spouses to pay a courtesy call on and to express their New Year’s well wishes to Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda at Ban Sisao Theves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693435-pm-yingluck-silent-after-meeting-with-prem/?p=7232338#entry7232338

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Three killed in scuffle at Mor Chit 2 bus terminal

BANGKOK: -- Three men were killed and at least eight injured in a free-for-all between motorcycle taxi drivers and residents of a community at Mor Chit 2 (Chatuchak) bus terminal on New Year’s day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693377-three-killed-in-scuffle-at-bangkoks-mor-chit-2-bus-terminal/

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Trang election director threatened with legal actions

BANGKOK: -- Candidates of coalition parties have threatened to take legal actions against election director of Trang province if they cannot register their candidacy on Wednesday which is the last day for the registration.

The 15 candidates from Pheu Thai, Bhumjai Thai, Chart Thai Pattana and Palang Sahakorn have, so far, unable to register their constituency candidacy because protesters from the People’s Democratic Reform Committee have laid siege to the election centre since December 28 preventing both the election officials and the candidates from getting in.

The group has submitted a letter to the provincial election director proposing that the venue of the candidacy registration should be shifted to Phrayarisadanupradit barrack in Huey Yod district.

The group cited the case in Nakhon Si Thammarat were the registration venue was changed to a border patrol police camp and a helicopter was used to fly candidates in and out of the camp.

But Mr Saneh Rakrong, the Trang election director, insisted that the Muang district’s municipal stadium would continue to be used as the registration venue despite the protests.

He said he could make the decision to change the venue and had to wait for an instruction from the Election Commission in Bangkok because holding the candidacy registration in an army camp might solicit criticisms and the process might be seen as not transparent.

Meanwhile in Nakhon Si Thammarat, protesters have blocked the entrance and exit of the Srinakharin border patrol police camp to prevent the remaining candidates to register.

There are nine constituencies in the province. Registration has been completed in seven constituencies with two still yet to be completed.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/trang-election-director-threatened-legal-actions


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-01

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Pakistan's Musharraf set for delayed treason trial

(BBC) Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf is due to go on trial charged with treason.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693383-pakistans-musharraf-set-for-delayed-treason-trial/

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Thai highway death toll reaches 266 on fifth of seven New Year's holidays
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 1 -- Two hundred sixty six people were killed in road accidents throughout Thailand during the first five days of the "seven high-risk New Year’s holiday days" from December 27 through January 2, according to the Road Safety Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693384-thai-highway-death-toll-reaches-266-on-fifth-of-seven-new-years-holidays/

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Pheu Thai, 3 smaller parties, petition Election Commission seeking extended constituency MP candidate registration /MCOT

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Man drowns after landing big catch while spearfishing off Phuket’s Bang Tao Beach

Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A 38-year-old man drowned at Bang Tao Beach after catching a 10kg fish while spearfishing. The large fish dragged him underwater, drowning him.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693405-man-drowns-after-landing-big-catch-while-spearfishing-off-phukets-bang-tao-beach/

[Lite Beer]

EC says no extension of candidacy registration

The Election Commission has rejected a proposal that the registration of constituency candidacy should be extended by a few more days because it is against the election regulation and may affect the election process.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693415-ec-says-no-extension-of-candidacy-registration/

[Lite Beer]

Proposal to ban buses entirely from Phuket’s Patong Hill
Wiparatana Nathalang

PHUKET: Banning buses from Patong Hill entirely, redirecting traffic through other parts of the island, straightening the road, and introducing motorcycle lanes and permanent checkpoints are some of the nine solutions proposed today (January 1) to combat the high rate of vehicle crashes on notorious Patong Hill.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693417-proposal-to-ban-buses-entirely-from-phukets-patong-hill/

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Non-EU citizens will be able to work in Britain after Bulgarian restrictions lifted
Hundreds of thousands of people from poor countries outside the European Union will be free to find jobs in Britain as a result of restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians being lifted
By Martin Evans, and James Kirkup

LONDON: -- Hundreds of thousands of people from poor countries outside the European Union will be free to find jobs in Britain as a result of restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians being lifted today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693418-non-eu-citizens-will-be-able-to-work-in-britain-after-bulgarian-restrictions-lifted/

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266 people die in road accidents within five days



BANGKOK: -- Death toll for the first five days of the safe driving campaign during the New Year’s festival has climbed up to 266 with 57 people killed and 571 injured in a single day on December 31.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693384-thai-highway-death-toll-reaches-266-on-fifth-of-seven-new-years-holidays/#entry7232099

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Phuket Police probe body washed up on Patong Beach
Phuket Gazette


The body, found washed ashore at Patong Beach this morning, was fully clothed but carried no identification. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Police are investigating the cause of death of a man whose body was found washed up on Patong Beach this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693427-phuket-police-probe-body-washed-up-on-patong-beach/

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Allegations of Pattaya Police Brutality involving Russian Female Tourist

PATTAYA: -- An incident involving a Pattaya Traffic Police Officer and a female Russian Tourist was caught on CCTV and then uploaded to You Tube and is currently going viral on Facebook, prompting an urgent investigation by the Pattaya Police Chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693429-allegations-of-pattaya-police-brutality-involving-russian-female-tourist/

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Lower personal income tax now effective

BANGKOK, 1 January 2014 (NNT) - The personal income tax reduction from 37% to 35% and the expansion of tax brackets from five to seven are already effective.

Net income of less than 300,000 baht is subject to 5% tax while income which exceeds 4,000,000 baht is subject to the highest rate of 35%. The first 150,000 baht of net income after deductions is still tax-exempt. The new personal income tax structure is applicable to calculations for the 2013 tax year, to be filed from January to March 2014.

Director-General of the Bureau of the Budget Manas Chaemweha said the old personal income tax was levied on the December 2013 salaries and pensions of both current and retired civil servants. The reason was that the bureau had finished processing the December 2013 salaries and pensions before the royal decree on the new personal income tax structure was published in the Royal Gazette. However, they would receive their overpaid tax money when they filed income taxes this year, the official said.

As for January 2014, the Bureau of the Budget will collect the withholding tax at the new rate before transferring the overpaid money to the civil servants’ bank accounts.


-- NNT 2014-01-01

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Pakastani arrested for passing counterfeit notes in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Phuket Immigration officers contacted Immigration officers in Bangkok, who moved in and made the arrest. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A Pakistani accused of passing counterfeit notes in Phuket was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday after police identified him from CCTV images taken along the road from Karon to Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693441-pakastani-arrested-for-passing-counterfeit-notes-in-phuket/

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8 Indian Tourists Hurt By BTS Escalator Fall
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- 8 Indian tourists have been reportedly injured by their fall from an escalator on Phayathai BTS station today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693442-8-indian-tourists-hurt-by-bts-escalator-fall/