Thailand Live Saturday 20 Dec 2014

[Lite Beer]

Gen Prayut and Ms Yingluck voted most outstanding government administrators by Isan people

KHON KAEN: -- Northeastern people have voted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the most outstanding male and female government leaders respectively, according to Isan Poll.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....by-isan-people/

[Lite Beer]

Prayut suggests chartered flights to fly Indian couples to get married in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha suggested that there should be charted flights to fly Indian couples to receive wedding services in Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ed-in-thailand/

[Lite Beer]

Rubber farmers threaten to protest after New Year

BANGKOK: -- Southern rubber and oil palm farmers have threatened to stage mass protest after the New Year if their demands, including the demand for rubber sheet price to be set at 80 baht/kg, are not met by the government.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....after-new-year/

[Lite Beer]

'Nation' editorial staff ready to fight against suspected takeover bid


Nation Multimedia Group chairman Suthichai Yoon addresses an urgent meeting of NMG

BANGKOK: -- Nation Multimedia Group (NMG) employees yesterday joined forces to voice their resistance to a possible hostile takeover attempt by Solution Corner (SLC) and its nominees, which they said might damage the group's media freedom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785525-nation-editorial-staff-ready-to-fight-against-suspected-takeover-bid/

[Lite Beer]

NBTC probe into large buy-up of NMG stocks
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Questions raised on Solution Corner's 12.27-per-cent acquisition and whether it violates cross-holdings rule

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785526-nbtc-probe-into-large-buy-up-of-nmg-stocks/

[Lite Beer]

People behind rice scheme will be sued to cover losses, Prayut says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Puts damage at Bt680 billion, with figure rising by Bt2 billion a month

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785527-people-behind-rice-scheme-will-be-sued-to-cover-losses-prayut-says/

[Lite Beer]

No ban on alcohol for the New Year period
The Nation

Young people from an anti-drinking network yesterday hold up banners supporting the proposal to ban the sale of alcoholic drinks during the New Year holidays.

BANGKOK: -- 367 people killed and 3,300 injured in week last year; minister defends panel's decision

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785528-no-ban-on-alcohol-for-the-new-year-period/

[Lite Beer]

GMS countries to focus on priority projects today
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gestures for his Chinese counterpart, Li Keqiang, to take a seat during their meeting at Government House yesterday. Both leaders witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding that involve the two countries cooperation

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785529-gms-countries-to-focus-on-priority-projects-today/

[Lite Beer]

Life on streets is difficult, but free, says anthropologist
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Though many would look down on the homeless, for those living on the streets this way of life may be difficult but it comes with a kind of freedom, Thammasat University anthropologist Boonlert Visetprecha said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785530-life-on-streets-is-difficult-but-free-says-anthropologist/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Thailand regional centre for drug dealing, ONCB admits
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has been the regional trade and distribution centre for narcotics, with heroin and marijuana mostly smuggled out and methamphetamines dominating the local market, Permpong Chaovalit, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, admitted yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785276-thailand-a-hub-for-drugs-in-asean-paiboon/page-3?p=8826732#entry8826732

[Lite Beer]

Myanmar embassy seeking defence witnesses for Koh Tao accused
Myanmar Eleven

BANGKOK: -- The Myanmar Embassy is trying to find defence witnesses for the two Myanmar nationals accused of the murder of two Britons on Koh Tao in September, the embassy's investigation team told the press in Yangon yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785531-myanmar-embassy-seeking-defence-witnesses-for-koh-tao-accused/

[Lite Beer]

Narathiwat hit by worst floods in years as Sungai Kolok River swells
The Nation

A high level of flooding remains in Narathiwat, with all 13 districts currently under water, and heavy rain continuing in the province and others in the lower South.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785532-narathiwat-hit-by-worst-floods-in-years-as-sungai-kolok-river-swells/

[Lite Beer]

CDC chief vows to look at all proposals, without bias
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A conclusion on whether the government head and cabinet should be directly elected will be made some time next week, as charter drafters have differing opinions, Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) president Borwornsak Uwanno said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785533-cdc-chief-vows-to-look-at-all-proposals-without-bias/

[Lite Beer]

Red and yellow figures oppose direct election of PM
THE NATION

Red-shirt leader Veerakarn Musigapong, second from left, proposes ideas to the Constitution Drafting Committee at Parliament yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt and former yellow-shirt leaders voiced opposition yesterday to the direct election of the prime minister and Cabinet members.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785534-red-and-yellow-figures-oppose-direct-election-of-pm/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Should 'political TV' make a comeback?
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Legislation must first address hate speech and dubious funding sources

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785535-should-political-tv-make-a-comeback/

[Lite Beer]

International Employment Scammer arrested by Pattaya Police

PATTAYA: -- With the assistance of a former work colleague, Pattaya Police arrested a female recruitment officer based in Jomtien on Thursday Night, accused of cheating prospective employees seeking jobs abroad out of money taken as admin fees.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785536-international-employment-scammer-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

[Lite Beer]

Victim’s anger at Police inaction over vicious assault in North Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- The victim of a vicious and apparently random assault which occurred in North Pattaya on 16th December has turned to the local media to highlight her case which she claims has yet to be investigated by Pattaya Police.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785537-victims-anger-at-police-inaction-over-vicious-assault-in-north-pattaya/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

FBI officially blames North Korea for Sony hack

The FBI has formally accused the government of North Korea for the hacking of Sony Entertainment Pictures.

Following an investigation, the FBI concluded that there could also have been Chinese involvement in the cyber attack.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/fbi-officially-blames-north-korea-sony-hack/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Obama says Sony wrong to cancel The Interview and vows response to North Korean cyber attack

President Obama has said Sony Entertainment Pictures “made a mistake” by giving into the threats of North Korean hackers and taking the decision to cancel the release of the movie The Interview.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/obama-says-sony-wrong-cancel-interview-vows-response-north-korean-cyber-attack/

[Lite Beer]

PM instructs officials to look after southern flood victims

BANGKOK, 20 Dec 2014 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed related officials to quickly provide aid to victims of the southern floods, expressing his grave concerns over the situation.

The revelation was made during the Friday night’s broadcast of the weekly TV program where he informed the public that the Royal Thai Army had already dispatched its troops to give assistance to the residents suffering from the floods.

Meanwhile, The Army spokeswoman, Colonel Sirichan Nga-thong stated the Army Commander in Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr has expressed his concerns over the situation and has ordered the Region 4 Army to monitor the event while giving necessary assistance to the locals to the best of its ability.

-- NNT 2014-12-20

[Lite Beer]

BMA invites all to the year-end prayer session

BANGKOK, 20 Dec 2014 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to hold a year-end prayer session, and a massive New Year alms making at Sanam Luang, in front of the Grand Palace.

The announcement was made by Deputy BMA Govorner Amon Kitchawengkul who said that the events are joint efforts among the Government, the private sector, and a myriad of associations.

The prayer session will be held on December 30th to January 1st with an emphasis on the preservation and promotion of Thai culture. Mr. Amon said that the organizers would parade a revere Buddha image ‘Phra Phuttanawaratchaborpit’ from the BMA Headquarters to the praying venue, Sanam Luang, for the public to pay respect on the occasion of the New Year.

He said the actual prayer session would start at 5 p.m. of December 31st and conclude in the morning of the next day when the alms making would take place.

The Deputy Governor said the alms making would kick off at 7 a.m., adding that there will be 189 monks participating in the event.

-- NNT 2014-12-20

[Lite Beer]

Inquest of Derby man found dead in Koh Tao

A FAMILY who think their son could have been murdered on holiday in Thailand want to launch a campaign to find answers over his death. An inquest into Nick Pearson’s death concluded today when acting senior coroner Louise Pinder said he drowned and recorded an open conclusion.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785549-inequest-of-derby-man-found-dead-in-koh-tao/

[Lite Beer]

BahtSmart - New Online Money Transfer to Thailand.

Bahtsmart is a new online money transfer from Australia to Thailand. We provide great rates, no fees and charges on a secure online web and mobile platform at www.bahtsmart.com.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785484-bahtsmart-new-online-money-transfer-to-thailand/

[Lite Beer]

Brunei, Thailand to sign agriculture pact

BANGKOK: -- Brunei and Thailand are finalising an agreement on agricultural cooperation which is expected to be signed during Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's visit to the Sultanate next month, according to The Brunei Times.

Outgoing Thai ambassador Apichart Phetcharatana said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) will cover a range of areas, including rice production, fisheries, livestock, land development and water management.

“I met with the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade last week and we went through all the pending issues.

“While waiting for the confirmation of our prime minister’s visit to Brunei, we are working with various ministries here to finalise (the MoU) so it will be ready for his visit,” Apichart told The Brunei Times.

The envoy said the agreement has been more than two years in the making, noting that agricultural cooperation represents the most important area of Thai-Brunei engagement.

According to an earlier report, Thailand proposed a joint-venture with Brunei to manufacture and export halal products under the Brunei Halal Brand. The project would utilise Brunei’s halal expertise and use Thailand as an export base for the products. Food security is also an area of concern for Brunei, Apichart said, with the Sultanate importing 95 per cent of its rice supply from Thailand.

An MoU would enable Thai experts to work closely with local rice farmers to boost harvests of locally-grown grains such as Laila.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/brunei-thailand-sign-agriculture-pact

-- Thai PBS 2014-12-20

[Lite Beer]

China to invest billions on Thai rail lines to be ready by 2022

BANGKOK: -- The long wait for new rail system investments ended on Friday (December 19) after Thailand and China signed an agreement to build new tracks to fulfil Thailand's ambition to improve its hapless train system.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785554-china-to-invest-billions-on-thai-rail-lines-to-be-ready-by-2022/

[Lite Beer]

RT @W7VOA: My breakfast chuckle, thanks to Bangkok Post & #ThaiJunta: http://twitter.com/W7VOA/status/546145881850781697/photo/1

[Lite Beer]

Army chief visits southern provinces, asserts peace talks progressing; to speed up measures to help flood victims /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Chao Phraya Express Boat service to cut fare by Bt1 in response to oil price decline, effective Monday /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Swedish youth jumps to death

BANGKOK: -- A 24-year-old Swedish youth jumped to his death from a rented condominium room on Soi Sukhumvit 13 before dawn Saturday, Lumpini police said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785560-swedish-youth-jumps-to-death/

[Lite Beer]

Measures to curb road casualties ready to put in action

BANGKOK: -- Three government agencies are now working closely to roll out measures that they believe could contain road mishaps during the long New Year holiday that starts next week.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785578-measures-to-curb-road-casualties-ready-to-put-in-action/