Thailand Live Thursday 18 Dec 2014

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Over 200 monks from monk university in Ayutthaya rushed to hospitals

AYUTTHAYA: -- Over 200 monks were rushed from the Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University, Ayutthaya campus, to Wang Noi district hospital and nearby hospitals at 8:30 pm Wednesday after they suffered from food poisoning.

They were among 300 monks from Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand attending a 10-day programme at the monk university.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Over-200-monks-from-monk-university-in-Ayutthaya-r-30250108.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-18

[Jonathan Fairfield]

4G in Thailand: Dtac to start testing before New Year

Total Access Communication (Dtac) is to start testing Thailand’s long awaited 4G network at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports before the end of the year.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/4g-thailand-dtac-start-testing-new-year/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

The SMS message turns 22 years old

This month the text message actually turned 22 years old.

It was December 3 in 1992 that Neil Papworth (who was 22 at the time) sent the very first SMS that read “merry christmas”.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/sms-message-turns-22-years-old/

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UPDATE:

Cuba's Raul Castro urges US to lift trade embargo

(BBC) Cuban President Raul Castro has urged the US to end its trade embargo after the two countries opened formal talks on restoring diplomatic relations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784995-new-chapter-in-us-cuba-ties/#entry8818588

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Thanpuying Srirasmi ask reporters to stop monitoring her



RATCHABURI: -- Thanpuying Srirasmi Suwadee posted a hand-written note, begging reporters to stop monitoring her.

The note was tied to the gate of her house in Ratchaburi's Muang district. She thanked reporters for having concern about her and monitoring her. She said she and her family would like to practice Buddhist teachings peacefully and quietly in the house.

An army of reporters have been hounding her since she left the Royal Family status to return to live there.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thanpuying-Srirasmi-ask-reporters-to-stop-monitori-30250109.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-18

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Fewer than 1-in-20 taxis ready to charge new fares Monday
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Amanda W

BANGKOK: -- When new fares go into effect Monday, they'll be charged in fewer than one of 20 taxis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785045-fewer-than-1-in-20-taxis-ready-to-charge-new-fares-monday/

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Thailand and China to sign dual railway tracks agreement Friday



BANGKOK: -- Thailand and China will sign the dual track rail cooperation agreement and establish a joint committee to manage the project on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785047-thailand-and-china-to-sign-dual-railway-tracks-agreement-friday/

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UPDATE:

Japanese salesman hangs self

BANGKOK: -- A 62-year old Japanese salesman hanged himself to death at a condominium room in Silom in what Thung Mahamek police said stress is the cause of the suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785035-bangkok-japanese-man-found-hanged-in-silom-condo-room/#entry8818728

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Thailand to export 11 million tons of rice this year



BANGKOK: -- Thailand will surely regain the world's rice exporter champion after it is now confident to export 11 million tons by end of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785049-thailand-to-export-11-million-tons-of-rice-this-year/

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New basic education core curricula to be piloted in 2016

BANGKOK, 18 December 2014 (NNT) – The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is looking to pilot its new core curriculum for basic education in 2016, before schools nationwide adopt it the following year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785050-thailand-new-basic-education-core-curricula-to-be-piloted-in-2016/

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Malaysian contractor sentenced to death over murder of wife and two children
Andy Chua

SIBU - A teenage girl posted on her Facebook page on Fathers Day last year that her dad was an ordinary man but a "great" person.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785053-malaysian-contractor-sentenced-to-death-over-murder-of-wife-and-two-children/

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UPDATE:

OBEC to pilot new school curriculum that focus Thai folk culture in 2016



BANGKOK: -- The new school curriculum which gives emphasis on Thai folk culture and way of life will be introduced to schools nationwide for use in 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785050-thailand-new-basic-education-core-curricula-to-be-piloted-in-2016/#entry8818842

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Sydney academic Barry Spurr resigns over racist emails

(BBC) An Australian professor and government education advisor has resigned from the University of Sydney after a row over racist emails.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785054-sydney-academic-barry-spurr-resigns-over-racist-emails/

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At least 5000 taxis to begin charging higher fares as of Dec. 22 after passing vehicle inspection, fare meters adjusted. /The Nation

Activists showed 10,800 signatures and asked Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to sue the Yingluck Shinawatra government for causing B510bn rice scheme damage. /Bangkok Post

Authorities yesterday found 1.2 million meth pills and 32kg of crystal methamphetamine in a car left in front of Mae Sai Hospital in Chiang Rai province. /Bangkok Post

Persistent rains are expanding floods in Narathiwat province and adjacent Malaysian soil and the Sungai Kolok border checkpoint was closed this morning. /Bangkok Post

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Reindeer Populations Are Disappearing Worldwide
by Kelly Dickerson, Staff Writer

CHINA: -- Reindeer populations are in trouble around the world, and in China, the iconic animals are on the decline largely because of inbreeding, according to new research.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785055-reindeer-populations-are-disappearing-worldwide/

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UPDATE:

Bank of Thailand keeps key interest rate unchanged at 2%
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 18 -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) yesterday acted to retain the key interest rate unchanged at 2 per cent, according to MPC Secretary Mathee Supapongse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784830-thai-economy-no-change-to-policy-rate/#entry8819003

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Palestinian draft peace plan put before UN Security Council

(BBC) A draft resolution setting out a Palestinian timetable for a peace deal with Israel has been submitted to the UN Security Council.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785060-palestinian-peace-plan-put-before-un/

[Lite Beer]

SET rose 26.62 to 1,506.82 at noon /Bangkok Post

[Lite Beer]

A big thank you from Sisters on Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- We would like to thank all of you who came to the Christmas luncheon yesterday and congratulate all those winners from the fabulous raffle.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785069-a-big-thank-you-from-sisters-on-samui/

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Taxis return at least THB4 million in 2014
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- At some point, everyone leaves something behind in a taxi. Maybe it’s that shiny smartphone that slid out of your pocket or a handbag its Sangsom-wrecked owner failed to notice. But huge sums of cash?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785076-taxis-return-at-least-4-million-baht-in-2014/

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School to compensate family for running over boy after dropping him at home
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A Chonburi school is still negotiating a settlement after one of its school vans ran over a 4-year-old student in front of his home last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785079-thai-school-to-compensate-family-for-running-over-boy-after-dropping-him-at-home/

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'Biggest python in a decade' caught in Phuket
Darawan Naknakhon


While Sayan Thampan (second from left) holds the python's head, the family get a close-up look and pose for photos.

PHUKET: -- A six-metre-long, 80-kilogramme python – thought to be the largest found in Phuket for 10 years – was caught in Chalong early this morning (December 18).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785083-biggest-python-in-a-decade-caught-in-phuket/

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'Eco-makover' planned for Phuket’s national park
Nattha Thepbamrung


The debris left along the beaches by the demolition of illegal structures will be all cleared by the end of the year, Park officials say.

PHUKET: -- With demolition of encroaching structures along Phuket’s northern beaches now complete, Sirinart Marine National Park Office plans to ‘readjust’ the landscape and install facilities in the Naiyang Beach area to promote eco-tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785084-eco-makover-planned-for-phukets-national-park/

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Countries vow not to host anti-Thai government movements
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 18 -- A number of countries have promised Thailand not to tolerate anti-Thai monarchy and anti-Thai government movements on their soil, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785085-countries-vow-not-to-host-anti-thai-government-movements/

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Survey: Most people back tax collection from tutorial schools

BANGKOK, 18 Dec 2014 (NNT) – A recent opinion survey by National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) has found that most respondents agreed with the idea of taxing tutorial schools.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785086-most-people-back-tax-collection-from-tutorial-schools-thai-survey/

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FDA burns 2 tonnes of contraband drugs in Ayutthaya; drugs, seized in varied cases, have estimated street value of Bt6.5 million /MCOT

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Amnuay: Price of rubber would rise to 60 baht/kg before year-end



BANGKOK, 18 Dec 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Amnuay Patise is confident that his ministry will be able to raise the price of third-grade smoked rubber sheets to 60 baht/kg by the end of this year. The minister is also preparing to visit rubber planters to raise their understanding about the Government’s sincerity and capacity in dealing with the issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785087-amnuay-price-of-rubber-would-rise-to-60-bahtkg-before-year-end/

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National Police chief instructs urgent improvement of 191 emergency call center

BANGKOK, 18 December 2014 (NNT) - Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Somyot Poompanmuang has ordered an urgent improvement of the service of 191 Emergency Call Center by 29 December 2014, to ensure its handling of public calls during the New Year holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785089-thai-police-chief-instructs-urgent-improvement-of-191-emergency-call-center/

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Dissolution of the Royal Thai Police

From Matichon

Translation:

[Newspaper graphic describing what is, in effect, the dissolution of the power of Royal Thai Police. Rampant corruption in the system is only a secondary concern. The real intent is to break the back of the police as a force that has shown loyalty first to Thaksin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785090-matichon-dissolution-of-the-royal-thai-police/

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Red Cross calls for blood donation as New Year gift

BANGKOK, 18 Dec 2014 (NNT) – Thai Red Cross Society has urged the public to donate their blood before taking the New Year holiday during which time the number of people injured in traffic accidents is usually on a rise.

Thai Red Cross Society needs to stock at least 3,000 units of blood a day in case of emergency, in order to supply to hospitals throughout the country, which altogether need 5,000 units a day. The Society said saving a person’s life was one of the greatest merits, adding that donating blood was indeed an easy way to do so.

Health officials work particularly hard during long holidays, including the New Year, to deal with a large number of road accident victims, mainly as a result of drunk driving and speeding. According to the Road Safety Directing Center, more than 300 people lost their lives in road accidents during the previous New Year.

Those wanting to donate blood can go to Thai Red Cross Society on Henri Dunant road in Bangkok or provincial branches. The Bangkok headquarters will be closed between December 31 and January 1, 2015.


-- NNT 2014-12-18