Kamala on Fox News on Wednesday

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Surat Thani rubber growers meet governor, urge goverment to help shore up rubber prices /MCOT

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ISIS recruits: Cooking and cleaning is the reality facing fighters

SYDNEY: -- LAST week Indian student Areeb Majeed was just one of several recruits who found out the hard way what life fighting for IS is really like.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782669-isis-recruits-cooking-and-cleaning-is-the-reality-facing-fighters/

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Global oil prices tumble more than 4% to fresh five-year lows on mounting oversupply worries as global economic growth slows /MCOT

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Leave them kids alone: Thais balk at junta's '12 Commandments'
Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's military rulers are pushing a new behavioural code on schoolchildren emphasising love for the monarchy and deference to authority, in a move critics say typifies the junta's authoritarianism and the country's stultifying education system.

Every morning, pupils at Satriwithaya girls' school in Bangkok's historic heart shuffle into the assembly hall to sing the country's royal anthem.

"I prostrate with my head and heart to your majesty," they chant from their orderly rows.

It is a scene that has long been repeated across a country where the 87-year-old king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, enjoys widespread devotion -- a love burnished by a personality cult that hands him semi-divine status.

But now an additional round of compulsory patriotic propaganda has been added to the school's curriculum in a widening campaign by the junta to tighten the narrative supporting its coup, as well as shape public morality.

Since the new school term started in November, every pupil aged eight to 18 has been asked to master the "Twelve Values" Thailand's generals want the country's youth to embody.

They are fresh dictums of love for King Bhumibol -- the world's longest serving monarch -- and obedience towards the royalist establishment, which includes the military and swathes of the Bangkok-based elite.

"Adore the nation, religion, and His Majesty the King," reads the first commandment, a mantra reflecting the long-established three pillars of Thai society.

The seventh urges pupils to "understand properly democracy headed by His Majesty the King" -- a phrase with resonance following the May coup, which toppled an elected government -- while the final commandment urges work for the "the nation's benefit rather than one's own".

But not all students have bought in to the junta's vision of remoulding Thai society from its classrooms.

Some view the tweaked curriculum as a form of brainwashing aimed at inoculating a new generation of Thais against critical thinking.

"It does not suit the 21st century education to force every student to believe the same values," says one female student from the campaign group Education for Liberation of Siam, who are raising the issue across social media.

"You can't live in a society that has the same robots that are programmed with the same software," the student, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, added.

- Defining 'Thainess' -

Yet ideas reinforcing a widely understood, if loosely-defined, notion of "Thainess" are also popular, after nearly a decade of political battles that have bitterly divided Thai society.

Devotion also runs deep to the Thai king, who is seen as a unifying force during a six-decade reign scorched by political upheaval and repeated coups.

"He is the centre of everything for Thai people," says 15-year-old Satriwithaya student Napatsorn Bunyaphate.

The values received big-screen treatment over the weekend when a dozen, ten-minute short films were screened for free across the nation.

The project mastermind is Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the former army chief-turned premier who says he was forced to seize power after months of anti-government protests left nearly 30 dead and hundreds more wounded.

Prayut has muzzled dissent, imposed martial law and overseen a surge in charges and convictions for royal defamation -- a crime which carries up to 15 years in jail.

Anti-coup protesters have been arrested, including several students last month who raised the three-fingered salute inspired by "The Hunger Games" movie, which has become an unofficial symbol of resistance to the coup.

Critics accuse the military of using its claims to be the monarchy's ultimate defender as an excuse to entrench power at a time when it feels threatened by the rise of democracy.

The junta and its allies among Bangkok's elite are implacably opposed to the family of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whose affiliated parties have won every election since 2001 on the back of votes from the poor but populous north and northeast.

Analysts have joined rights groups in accusing Prayut of a clumsy thought-control campaign.

They also say fiddling with an already weak education system is likely to cramp the kingdom's political and economic prospects.

Despite spending around 20 percent of its budget on education -- one of the highest regional figures -- Thailand fairs poorly compared to many of its neighbours in the various international measurements of academic prowess.

According to a World Economic Forum index, it ranks 87th out of 144 countries surveyed for the quality of its higher-education system -- and, despite calls for reform, learning by rote remains the primary teaching method.

"The default viewpoint is 'You should not question the authority' and that is strongly reflected in the educational system," explains Dr Atipong Pathanasethpong, from Khon Kaen University in northeastern Thailand.

The junta, he adds, is "only compounding the problems".


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-12-09

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Health officials looking out against chickenpox; outbreaks likely during cold season

BANGKOK, 9 December 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is monitoring possible outbreaks of chickenpox during the cold season, in response to the numerous cases of the disease reported since the beginning of the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782683-thai-health-officials-looking-out-against-chickenpox;-outbreaks-likely-during-cold-season/

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Bus crash kills driver, injures 15

BANGKOK: -- A tour bus driver died and 15 passengers injured when a Bangkok-Krabi inter provincial bus hit at the rear of a container truck on Phetkasem highway in Phetburi province before dawn Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782704-bus-crash-kills-driver-injures-15-on-phetkasem-highway/

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Alcohol beverages ban triggers outcry



BANGKOK: -- A proposal by the director of the Office of the Alcoholic Beverages Committee Dr Samarn Futrakul to ban all alcohol beverages sales during the New Year holiday and Songkran festival is stiring up outcry with many business operators voicing strong opposition saying that it will severely affect their business and affect tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782705-alcohol-beverages-ban-during-new-year-and-songkran-triggers-outcry/

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Phuket villagers counter encroachment claim by 'businessman'
Nattha Thepbamrung


Villagers from Soi Kingkaew arrive at Phuket Town police station.

PHUKET: -- Another case of rich-versus-poor land problems came to a head on Thursday (December 4) when more than 50 villagers from the Soi Kingkaew community gathered at Phuket Town police station after a “businessman” reported to police that they encroached on and damaged private land.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782707-phuket-villagers-counter-encroachment-claim-by-businessman/

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Nana Murder Suspect Identified
Published by Stickboy BKK



BANGKOK: -- In the past 48 hours the identity of the main suspect that police wish to question relating to the murder of Rainbow 4 bar girl Laxami “Pook” Manochat has been disclosed to the lead investigating officer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782709-nana-murder-suspect-identified/

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Appeals Court upholds jail sentence for redshirt leader with no suspension

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court today upheld 12-month jail sentence for redshirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong with no suspension after finding him guilty of defaming former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in October 2009.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782714-appeals-court-upholds-jail-sentence-for-redshirt-leader-arisman-with-no-suspension/

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Predawn fire at hotel on Silom road

BANGKOK: -- A predawn fire broke out at a boutique hotel in Silom business district on Tuesday morning sending mostly foreign guests fleeing for safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782716-predawn-fire-at-boutique-hotel-on-bangkoks-silom-road/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

British politician caught out playing Candy Crush

Popular block-matching puzzle game Candy Crush Saga has hit the headlines again this week, after British politician Nigel Mills was filmed playing the game during a Commons committee hearing.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/british-mp-candy-crush/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Massive surge in demand for iPod Classic’s and old Nokia phones

Just two months after Apple announced it was to discontinue the iPod Classic, the devices are now selling online for as much as four times the original sales price.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/massive-surge-demand-ipod-classics-old-nokia-phones/

[Lite Beer]

SET fell 2.94 to 1,572.61 at noon /Bangkok Post

[Lite Beer]

Protesting Thai rubber farmers defy martial law

Bangkok: --AFP. Thai rubber farmers defied a law banning political gatherings Tuesday as the industry reels from record low prices and tests the junta's resolve to end the kingdom's subsidy culture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782733-protesting-thai-rubber-farmers-defy-martial-law/

[Lite Beer]

Prayut to visit China Dec 22-23 to sign railway MoU

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit China later this month to sign the memorandum of understanding on the double-track railway construction, Government Spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said Tuesday.

Yongyuth did not say the dates of the visit but a well-informed source from the Government House said the visit would be made on December 22 and 23.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-to-visit-China-Dec-22-23-to-sign-railway-Mo-30249428.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-09

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Thailand speeds up drafting peace talks framework
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 9 -- The drafting of the framework for peace negotiations with Thailand's southern insurgents is being accelerated along with development of the southern border provinces, according to National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Anusit Kunakorn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782738-thailand-speeds-up-drafting-peace-talks-framework/

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PM is satisfied with Thailand’s improved transparency rating

BANGKOK, 9 Dec 2014 (NNT) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his satisfaction with the Kingdom’s improved transparency rating which is now ranked 3rd among the ASEAN member countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782742-pm-is-satisfied-with-thailands-improved-transparency-rating/

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Economists say exports still play vital roles to Thai economy

BANGKOK, 9 Dec 2014 (NNT) - Economists have predicted that exports would play a vital role in Thailand’s economic growth in 2015, while strongly suggesting the Government to disburse funds for its investment project in order to ensure confidence in the private sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782745-economists-say-exports-still-play-vital-roles-to-thai-economy/

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Tambon councillor shot dead in Pattani

PATTANI: -- A local Tambon councillor was shot dead Tuesday while he was riding home in his motorcycle on the road from Mayo to Thung Yangdaeng in Pattani.

Identified as Saidee Yusor, 59, a councillor of Mayo Tambon council, police said he was shot with M16 assault rifle and fell from motorcycle to his death on the road.

Investigation revealed that he was riding to his first wife’s home after visiting his second wife.

A car followed him and the gunman inside the car opened fire with the assault rifle amid eyes of several passers-by as the area is a community.

Police suspected personal conflict, but did not rule out insurgency because the gunman used assault rifle.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tambon-councillor-shot-dead-pattani


-- Thai PBS 2014-12-09

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Madeleine McCann: British police to observe questioning in Portugal

(BBC) British police investigating Madeleine McCann's disappearance in 2007 have arrived in Portugal to observe the questioning of 11 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782749-madeleine-mccann-british-police-to-observe-questioning-in-portugal/

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Baht's weakening in line with other regional currencies, BOT says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand says the weakening of the baht is in line with the depreciations of other currencies in the region caused by market speculation that the US Federal Reserve will be able to increase its policy interest rate faster than expected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782750-bahts-weakening-in-line-with-other-regional-currencies-bot-says/

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Interior Ministry adds 10 more channels for visa on arrival

BANGKOK: -- Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said Tuesday that ten more immigration checkpoints have been approved as channels for granting visa on arrival to tourists from 18 countries and one economic zone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782752-thai-interior-ministry-adds-10-more-channels-for-visa-on-arrival/

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Samui grated more Bangkok Airways flights

KOH SAMUI: -- According to a report in the Bangkok post Koh Samui has been granted permission to raise its flight frequencies, the move came about after the authorities were convinced the increase would not harm the environment, particularly the levels of noise.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782753-samui-grated-more-bangkok-airways-flights/

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Forbes thanks Thailand for support to "Forbes Asia’s Best under a Billion Award Ceremony”

BANGKOK, 9 December 2014 (NNT) - Vice Chairman of Forbes Media LLC, Mr. Christopher Forbes paid a courtesy call on General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to thank the Thai government for its support to the organizing of "Forbes Asia’s Best under a Billion Award Ceremony and Dinner 2014”, or BuB 2014.

Mr. Christopher Forbes expressed his thanks for the Foreign Ministry for co-hosting the award presentation ceremony which is organized for the first time in Thailand. BuB 2014 will be held this evening at Plaza Athenee Hotel in Bangkok from 5.00 to 9.30 p.m. with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presiding over the opening ceremony and giving a keynote speech.

The Forbes Asia’s Best under a Billion Award has been held by Forbes Media LLC since 2003 in order to congratulate outstanding small and medium-sized companies in Asia and the Pacific for their success in achieving annual revenues of between $5 million and $1 billion. The award provides a testimony for these companies of their crucial roles in the regional economy and the inspiration for new entrepreneurs.

In 2014, nine Thai companies have been qualified as ones of the 200 enterprises listed as "Best Under A Billion" companies. The companies comprise Asian Insulators Public Co. Ltd., Chularat Hospital PCL, Dcon Products PCL, Dhipaya Insurance Public Co. Ltd., Pylon Public Co. Ltd., Southern Concrete Pile Public Co. Ltd., STP&I Public Co. Ltd., VGI Global Media PCL, and Vibhavadi Medical Center Public Co., Ltd.


-- NNT 2014-12-09

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Commerce Ministry discusses with companies on trade strategy

BANGKOK, 9 December 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce has held a joint conference with private companies regarding the direction of trade strategies in 2015 to push Thai exports to grow by 4 percent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782754-thai-commerce-ministry-discusses-with-companies-on-trade-strategy/

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Prayut, foreign envoys to join 10th anniversary tsunami memorial rite

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will chair a rite at the tsunami memorial in Phang Nga's Ta Kua Pa district on December 26 to mark the tenth anniversary of the tragedy.

It is expected that about 1,300 Thais and foreigners, including envoys and relative of tsunami victims, would attend the rite.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-foreign-envoys-to-join-10th-anniversary-tsu-30249437.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-09

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'Predator' spotted selling Pad Thai in Pattaya
By Coconuts Bangkok



PATTAYA: -- It's a marketing scheme as old as rice noodles: Dress up in ridiculous, DIY cosplay to sell some Pad Thai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782757-predator-spotted-selling-pad-thai-in-pattaya-video/

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Homeworks Phuket investigating cause of shelving collapse
Saran Mitrarat


Central Festival Phuket General Manager Wilaiporn Pitimana’aree: 'The management of Homeworks is conducting a thorough investigation.'

PHUKET: -- The management of Homeworks held a press conference this morning (December 9) to explain their side of the situation after a family of four were injured by falling shelves in the store on Sunday (December 7) and to affirm that the incident is being investigated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782763-homeworks-phuket-investigating-cause-of-shelving-collapse/

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Winter in Chiang Rai continues to attract tourists

CHIANG RAI, 9 Dec 2014, (NNT) - Cold weather conditions have continued to attract tourists to the field of flowers in Petchaboon and the sea of fog in Chiang Rai’s famous Mae Fah Luang District.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782765-winter-in-chiang-rai-continues-to-attract-tourists/