Weakening Russian Ruble not affecting Thai economy yet

BANGKOK, 19 December 2014 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed an economic team to monitor the Russian currency crisis for fear that it would affect the Thai economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785308-weakening-russian-ruble-not-affecting-thai-economy-yet/

Daughter’s fight to bring father home after devastating Thailand bike crash
A daughter has made a desperate plea for help after her father was badly hurt in a motorcycle accident in Thailand.

THAILAND: -- Former police officer Bob Anthony was paralysed after breaking his neck in the accident and is now in hospital on a ventilator breathing via a tracheotomy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785311-daughters-fight-to-bring-father-back-to-uk-after-devastating-thailand-bike-crash/

Cairns stabbing: Children found dead in Australian home

CAIRNS: -- Eight children have been found stabbed to death at a house in the city of Cairns in northern Queensland, say Australian police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785313-cairns-stabbing-8-children-found-dead-in-australian-home/

Politician in murder-suicide in Phuket hotel
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A Trang politician and his girlfriend were found dead in a the Baan Ton Sai Garden Resort in Patong yesterday afternoon (December 18).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785319-politician-in-murder-suicide-in-phuket-hotel/

Remembering The Tsunami: Fathoming fate a decade on
The Phuket News


Lighting candles on Patong Beach has become a tradition since the first anniversary of the Tsunami – a simple and moving way for people to mark the event.

PHUKET: -- Next Friday, December 26, 2014 is Boxing Day, which marks 10 years since a series of fierce and fateful waves wreaked immense havoc across the Indian Ocean, including Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785321-remembering-the-tsunami-fathoming-fate-a-decade-on/

UPDATE:

Myanmar probe team says it has witnesses to prove two Myanmar suspects are innocent



BANGKOK: -- The spokesman of the Myanmar special committee said today that the committee now has some witnesses who were ready to prove the innocence of two Myanmar suspects accused of murdering the two British tourists on Koh Tao on September 15.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785185-myanmar-says-workers-innocent-of-murdering-britons-on-koh-tao/page-4?p=8823500#entry8823500

BMA and Coca Cola join in preserving environment

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Coca-Cola Thailand to accomplish a waste disposal scheme in its effort to preserve environment and reduce wastes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785324-bangkok-administration-and-coca-cola-join-in-preserving-environment/

S&P affirms BBB+ for Thailand



BANGKOK: -- American credit rating agency, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, has affirmed its ratings on Thailand with stable outlook.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785335-s-p-affirms-bbb-for-thailand/

Senior metropolitan police officers facing charges on street LED ads



BANGKOK: -- More than 70 senior metropolitan police officers are facing questioning after they were accused of allowing private companies to install LED advertising boards on state property with no authorisation and reap earnings for personal gains.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785337-senior-bangkok-metropolitan-police-officers-facing-charges-on-street-led-ads/

Russian survives deadly car plunge from cliff in Phuket

PHUKET: -- A Russian man escaped death after his car fell from a clifftop tourist lookout on Phuket and plunged into the sea.
He was rescued last night on rocks off the holiday island’s coast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785339-russian-survives-deadly-car-plunge-from-cliff-in-phuket/

New pier will speed up rescues at sea off Phuket
Nattapat Tuarob


The pier will jut out to the south from this point.

PHUKET: -- A new pier is to be built close to Rassada Pier, to the southwest of Phuket Town, to allow rescue services to react faster in the event of an emergency or disaster on the sea around Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785343-new-pier-will-speed-up-rescues-at-sea-off-phuket/

Flood levels in Yala recede

YALA, 19 December 2014 (NNT)-The flood levels have decreased in the heart of Yala province due to intermittent rain,; however, other areas remain flooded.

Yala reportedly saw less precipitation earlier this morning, and if it continued, the low lying areas of Muang District would soon return to normal.

Meanwhile, residents of Yupoh sub-district had to evacuate and move their belongings to higher grounds for safety as floods reached their homes.


-- NNT 2014-12-19

SET fell 3.67 to 1,513.12 at noon /Bangkok Post

Chiang Mai covered with fog Friday morning as mercury drops to 13 degree

Chiang Mai city was covered with fog Friday morning as the temperature on the lowlands of the northern province was 13 Celsius degree.

The temperature on Doi Inthanon mountaintop was measured at 3 Celsius degree. The Chiang Mai meteorological office said the temperature could further plunge to 11 degree next week.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Chiang-Mai-covered-with-fog-Friday-morning-as-merc30250220.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-19

5th Mekong Subregion Summit opens in Bangkok
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 19 -- The two-day 5th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit opened in Bangkok today with the private sector from member countries discussing investment plans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785385-5th-mekong-subregion-summit-opens-in-bangkok/

More trains scheduled for New Year travelers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 19 -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will deploy more carriages and trains to serve 112,000 passengers daily during the New Year festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785386-more-trains-scheduled-for-new-year-travelers/

Thai military chief invited to inspect Pakistan's defence industry
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 19 -- The new ambassador of Pakistan to Thailand on Friday invited the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Worapong Sanganetra to observe the national defence industry in his country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785387-thai-military-chief-invited-to-inspect-pakistans-defence-industry/

South Korea Christians cancel border Christmas tree plan

(BBC) A South Korean Christian group has cancelled plans to erect a Christmas-tree shaped tower close to the border with the North.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785389-south-korea-christians-cancel-border-christmas-tree-plan/

DMCR launches coastal conservation event



NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 19 December 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has launched the coastal conservation event aiming to sustainably preserve the mangrove forest and coastal resources in the southern region of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785393-nakhon-si-thammarat-dmcr-launches-coastal-conservation-event/

Three male drug suspects aged 20-29 kicked open the door of their jail truck and escaped on the way to a court in Songkhla province this morning. /Bangkok Post

Public Health Ministry is revamping 22-yr-old tobacco control law to covers electronic cigarettes and baraku (shisha); keep up w/ transnational tobacco firms' marketing strategies. /The Nation

Gen Prayut plans both criminal and civil lawsuits for loss-ridden rice subsidy schemes and thinks of reduction in rice cultivation to solve oversupply. /Bangkok Post

We're still rolling in Bangkok, embattled Uber says
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Uber sought to dismiss rumors it had ceased operations in Thailand following a government declaration it was operating illegally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785399-were-still-rolling-in-bangkok-embattled-uber-says/

Their Majesties grant urgent aid to Narathiwat flood vicitims

BANGKOK: -- Their Majesties the King and Queen have granted bags of necessities from the Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace to 3,900 flood victims in Narathiwat.

Their Majesties have instructed Lt Col Wichai Chaimongkol, the director of the palace, to urgently distribute the necessities.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Their-Majesties-grant-urgent-aid-to-Narathiwat-flo-30250226.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-19

Russian Tourists Are Cancelling Their Vacation Plans In Thailand
DINA SPECTOR

PATTAYA: -- Hard times have fallen on Pattaya, a beach resort about 60 miles southeast of Bangkok, as Russian tourists cancel their vacation plans amid the collapse of the ruble.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785408-russian-tourists-are-cancelling-their-vacation-plans-in-pattaya/

First batch of 5,000 taxies with adjusted meters ready for December 22



BANGKOK: -- The Land Transportation Department says taxies will begin to charge new rates from December 22.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785410-first-batch-of-5000-thai-taxies-with-adjusted-meters-ready-for-december-22/

'Jealous' Cop Kills Ex-Girlfriend Before Turning Gun On Himself
By Khaosod English


Police inspect the crime scene where Pol.Lt. Boonyarit Ruenyen, 37, reportedly shot his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend Rungnapha Tamool in Bangkok, 18 Dec 2014.

BANGKOK — A 16-hour manhunt for a police officer who murdered his ex-girlfriend came to an end this morning when he was found in his car with a gunshot to the head.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785413-jealous-thai-cop-kills-ex-girlfriend-before-turning-gun-on-himself/

Over 80% of Thais of 25-34 ages have smart phones



BANGKOK: -- Thailand is the country where more than 80% of population aged 25-34 own smartphones, a survey by IPG Mediabrands revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785416-over-80-percent-of-thais-age-25-34-have-smart-phones/

SET index closed 1,514.35 down 2.44; Bt/USD32.72; GBP51.10; AUD26.61; EUR40.06; CAD28.15; HKD4.21; SGD24.77; JPY27.30

NACC clears former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, former deputy PM Trairong Suwannakhiri and former commerce minister Porntiva Nakasai of past rice sale allegations. /Bangkok Post

Police arrest Thai soldiers for abduction of Ukrainian couple
Tanyaluk Sakoot

Some of the soldiers are brought into Chalong Police Station.

Ten men, five of them soldiers from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, have been arrested for taking a Ukrainian couple hostage overnight and then demanding half a million US dollars (B15 million) from them.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785471-police-arrest-thai-soldiers-for-abduction-of-ukrainian-couple/

Police Clear Reporters From Srirasmi's Residence

By Khaosod Eng.

RATCHABURI — Police have asked reporters to stay away from the residence of Srirasmi Suwadee, the wife of Thailand’s Crown Prince who resigned her royal status last week.

Reporters had been stationed outside of Srirasmi’s house in Ratchaburi province since the former princess relinquished her royal rank on 12 December. The following day, Srirasmi moved out of the Royal Palace in Bangkok and into her parents' home in Ratchaburi, a province west of Bangkok.

Srirasmi, who married the Crown Prince in 2001 and had a son with him, has not been seen in public since.

Yesterday, police asked reporters to leave the area after a housekeeper delivered a handwritten note from the former princess asking the media to respect her privacy.

All of the reporters left by the day's end, and police are now manning checkpoints in front of the residence and inspecting every vehicle that passes.

Srirasmi has recieved few visitors since she moved into the Ratchaburi home, aside from a handful of relatives and monks from a nearby temple.

One of the monks, Phra Kru Pisal Jariyapirom, told Khaosod on Wednesday that the former princess appears to be in good spirits.

Read More: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1418982219&section=11&typecate=06

-- Khaosod English 2014-12-19