One troop missing feared drowned while evacuating flooded villagers

NARATHIWAT -- An Army sergeant fell off a boat and went missing in the Su-ngai Kolok River the after his boat hit a bridge while he and other troops were on a mission to evacuate flood victims in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district at 11:50 pm Wednesday night.

As of Thursday afternoon, scuba divers could not yet locate Sgt Charnnarong Malichuen.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/One-troop-missing-feared-drowned-while-evacuating--30250129.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-18

Zebra foal born at Khao Khiew Open Zoo

BANGKOK: -- The Khao first Open Zoo saw the first zebra foal born there on December 7, the zoo director, Suriya Saengpong, announced Thursday.

He said the foal was born to a male zebra donated from Chiang Mai Zoo and the female zebra from Dusit Zoo. The father and mother zebras have been being raised by the zoo for several years.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Zebra-foal-born-at-Khao-Khiew-Open-Zoo-30250139.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-18

German, Thai Woman Shot By 'Jealous' Chonburi Official
By Khaosod English

CHONBURI — Police shot dead a local administrative official in Chonburi province after he fired a handgun at his girlfriend and her alleged German partner late last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785099-german-man-thai-woman-shot-by-jealous-chonburi-official/

Phuket Central underpass to be closed for two nights for repairs
Nattapat Tuarob

PHUKET: -- The Central Festival underpass will be closed for two nights starting tonight (December 18), for repairs to be made to the ceiling of the tunnel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785134-phuket-central-underpass-to-be-closed-for-two-nights-for-repairs/

SET index closed 1,516.79 up 36.59; Bt/USD32.78; GBP50.97; AUD26.50; EUR40.30; CAD28.05; HKD4.21; SGD24.88; JPY27.53

2014 Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show sets a new benchmark in sales and visitor turnout
Strong sales leads and prospects reported; record turnout of nearly 6,000 visitors


The line-up of boats in-the-water at the 2014 Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show was the best ever.

PATTAYA, Thailand – The 2014 Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show, held 27th to 30th November at South East Asia's largest marina, Ocean Marina, came to a close having set a series of new records. The largest exhibitor display (12,000 sqm) and the most exhibitors (104) ever, as well as the best quality line-up of boats in-the-water and 5,820 visitors to the Show made it the largest visitor turnout yet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785141-2014-ocean-marina-pattaya-boat-show-sets-a-new-benchmark-in-sales-and-visitor-turnout/

Two tons of narcotics incinerated
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 18 -- Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong today witnessed the incineration of 2,167 kilograms of narcotics worth Bt6.56 billion in Ayutthaya province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785144-two-tons-of-narcotics-incinerated-in-ayutthaya/

PM is confident of peaceful New Year holiday
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 18 -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is confident of peace and order in Thailand during the New Year celebrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785147-pm-prayut-is-confident-of-peaceful-new-year-holiday/

No holiday for Thai police over New Year's holiday
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 18 -- Bangkok's Metropolitan Police Bureau has ordered the city police to take no leave during the upcoming New Year celebrations, unless necessary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785168-no-holiday-for-thai-police-over-new-years-holiday/

Officials refuse to cut holy tree where 'elder ghost' lives
By Coconuts Bangkok



KANCHANABURI: -- Kanchanaburi officials say they cannot take down a century-old Bodhi tree which blocks a road linking two villages because it is home to a ghost – and lucky.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785174-kanchanaburi-officials-refuse-to-cut-holy-tree-where-elder-ghost-lives/

Inheritance tax bill sails through the first reading



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly today (Thursday) passed the first reading of the inheritance tax bill by 172 votes in favour of the bill against eight with seven abstentions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785174-kanchanaburi-officials-refuse-to-cut-holy-tree-where-elder-ghost-lives/

US judge overturns 1940s conviction of executed boy

(BBC) A judge has overturned the conviction of a 14-year-old black boy executed for murder more than 70 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785177-us-judge-overturns-1940s-conviction-of-executed-boy/

UPDATE:

Official Resurrects Proposed Ban On New Year Booze Sales
By Khaosod English


File photo of Khaosan Road, a popular nightlife destination in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — The director of Thailand's Alcohol Control Committee has vowed to push ahead with his proposal to outlaw the sale of alcohol on New Year’s Eve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785014-attempt-to-ban-sale-of-alcoholic-drinks-during-new-years-festival-renewed/page-3?p=8820539#entry8820539

Samui's terminally ill cancer lady turns out to be fraud



KOH SAMUI: -- The plight of the lady struggling to end her final days in Samui after discovering she had terminal cancer and wishing to die here, where she found happiness 11 years go on vacation took a dramatic turn today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785180-samuis-terminally-ill-cancer-lady-turns-out-to-be-fraud/

‘America has lost its first cyberwar’

Politicians and Hollywood stars slam Sony’s decision not to show The Interview

A former presidential candidate and leading hollywood actors voice concerns and disappointment at what some are calling ‘an act of war’.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/america-lost-first-cyberwar-politicians-hollywood-stars-criticise-sonys-decision-not-show-interview/

Myanmar says workers innocent of murdering Britons in Thailand

Reuters

Yangon

BANGKOK: -- Myanmar investigators said on Thursday they believe two Myanmar men accused of murdering two British tourists in Thailand are innocent, but witnesses who might be able to prove their innocence will not testify as they fear the Thai police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785185-myanmar-says-workers-innocent-of-murdering-britons-on-koh-tao/

POLITICS
Countries promise not to house anti-Thai government fugitives

BANGKOK: -- A number of countries have promised Thailand not to tolerate anti-Thai monarchy and anti-Thai government movements on their soil.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785229-countries-promise-not-to-house-anti-thai-government-fugitives/

DRUGS
Two tonnes of narcotics incinerated in a ceremony


Photo : Sukul Kerdnaimongkol

BANGKOK: -- About two tonnes of narcotics worth about Bt6.56 billion on Thursday were incinerated in a ceremony that was presided over by Deputy Prime Minsiter Yongyuth Yuthavong.

Most of the drugs were methamphetamines. The Court of First Instance confiscated the drugs from 1,059 narcotic cases and approved their elimination. The incineration was carried out at at least 850 degrees Celsius to prevent pollution.

Meanwhile Public Health Minister Dr Rajata Rajatanavin said it was the 44th drug incineration and that the drugs comprised about 19 million pills or 1,754kg of methamphetamine worth Bt5.85 billion, 318kg of "ice" or crystal methamphetamine worth Bt637 million, 86kg of heroin worth Bt68 million, three kilos of cocaine worth Bt10 million, 1,840 pills or 0.45kg of "ecstasy" worth Bt1.8 million, and 0.81kg of opium worth Bt25,000.

The incineration also included 2,933kg of illicit drugs worth Bt7 million from the police departments Narcotics Suppression Bureau and 2,546kg of marijuana from Ubon Ratchathani province.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Two-tonnes-of-narcotics-incinerated-in-a-ceremony-30250141.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-18

to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 19 Dec 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785269-thailand-live-friday-19-dec-2014/