Thailand Live Saturday 20 Dec 2014

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Falling Russian currency will hurt Thai tourism industry

BANGKOK: -- The depreciation of the Russian ruble will eventually affect Thai tourism industry, industry analysts cautions.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785583-falling-russian-currency-will-hurt-thai-tourism-industry/

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Two committees to be established to handle human trafficking issues

BANGKOK, 20 Dec 2014, (NNT) - Two special committees will be set up to compile data on the improvement of the government's performance in relation to its efforts in eradicating human trafficking problems, which will be reported to the U.S. next month, says Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785586-two-committees-to-be-established-to-handle-human-trafficking-issues/

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Cold weather conditions persist in North and Northeast

BANGKOK, 20 Dec 2014, (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has warned locals in the North to prepare for harsh winter temperature, which is expected to drop 1-2 degrees Celsius further.

According to the department, the plunge in temperature in the regions is due to the strong high pressure which covers the areas, adding the hilly sides are likely to experience frost.

The agency has also predicted lower rate of precipitation in the Southern and 2-3 meter high waves in the Gulf of Thailand. Meanwhile, senior citizens in Khon Kean, are reportedly warding off the chilly weather by bathing in the sunlight for a couple of hours late in the morning, amid the persisting cold weather conditions. The temperature in the area has been below 15 degrees for several days.

In Yasothon Province, the provincial administration and the volunteer medical unit have launched a campaign to conduct health examination in Baan Chiang Peng, Pahtiew District; they also handed out 150 blankets to residents in the district.

-- NNT 2014-12-20

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Poll reveals political office most corrupt profession

BANGKOK: -- Political office holders are the most corrupt people, a poll by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University or Dusit Poll, reveals.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785595-poll-reveals-political-office-most-corrupt-profession/

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Tourists asked not to feed sea animals

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 20 December 2014 (NNT) – Some activities performed by tourists might have caused damage to the marine environment and should be avoided to persevere the ecology, said official in a press conference.

The Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) requested cooperation in a press conference in Nakhon Si Thammarat today, asking tourists to avoid activities that could harm the environment and marine animals.

He said that some activities unintentionally performed by tourists, or as falsely encouraged through rumors, can cause bad effects on the lives of marine animals and will eventually cause larger effect to the area's marine ecology.

One of the activities in particular is the feeding of the sea animal, such as feeding wild dolphins, can affect the habit of the dolphins by making them more engaged to humans and neglecting their regular hunting habits.

Being too engaged to humans can cause sea animals to be easier preys as they are not afraid of people, increasing the risk of extinction and could result in the destruction of the natural system of marine environment food chain.

However, some local vendors and tour companies are encouraging this action as tourism activity often cover the coastal areas.

The DMCR Director-General said that the department is seeking cooperation from the business sector and the media to inform the public to strictly refrain from performing these actions and to promote the awareness of conservation, which requires participation from all sectors.

Nakhon Si Thammarat province is famous for being the home to the Pacific humpback dolphins, or called Pink dolphins, which is a tourist attraction. The DMCR is now working with the locals to conserve and provide rescue efforts to sea animals in the area.

-- NNT 2014-12-20

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Phuket beach vendors allowed back, with restrictions

Nattapat Tuarob

Photo: Michał Sacharewicz/Flickr

Massage, umbrella and drink vendors are allowed once again on Phuket's beaches but with several restrictions, it was announced Friday (December 19).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785605-phuket-beach-vendors-allowed-back-with-restrictions/

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UPDATE:

Alcohol ban over New Year axed

BANGKOK: -- The Committee for National Alcohol Beverage Control on Friday (December 19) scrapped a proposal to ban all alcohol sales during New Year and Songkran holidays.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785528-no-ban-on-alcohol-for-the-new-year-period/page-2?p=8828328#entry8828328

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King’s improved condition is best and happiest news for 2014

BANGKOK: -- News of His Majesty the King's improved condition, stronger health, and his birthday anniversary celebration is the top and happiest news for 2014 of the Thai people, a poll by Bangkok University revealed today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785610-kings-improved-condition-is-best-and-happiest-news-for-2014/

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PM to officially visit China next week
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 20 -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will pay a two-day official visit to China early next week and is due to sign four agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) during his stay there, according to a government spokesman.

The spokesman said Gen Prayut, who will be accompanied by his wife and high-ranking officials, will leave Bangkok early Monday.

Gen Prayut is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang soon after his arrival in Beijing and then witness the signing of four agreements and MoUs, said the spokesman.

The four accords are: an MoU which would allow a debt settlement in the form of China’s yuan currency; an extension of existing agreement on the exchange of yuan and the Thai baht; an MoU on academic cooperation on water resources and irrigation; and an agreement on cooperation between the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the People’s Bank of China.

Gen Prayut plans to take a high-speed train ride from Beijing to Tianjin on his last day of the visit and pay a courtesy call to Chinese President Xi Jinping before returning home.

China and Thailand signed an MoU in Bangkok on Friday in which China would construct Thailand’s first dual rail track which would link with rail lines from China to Laos. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-12-20

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Koh Phangan’s First Ever Waterpark Gets Wet ‘N Wild

The famous party island gets some new toys to amuse adults during the day.

Koh Phangan: Until recently, crowds have flocked from all over the world to experience .Koh Phangan’s famous parties, all of which took place after dark. Now a new groundbreaking waterpark has opened to provide daytime entertainment for those looking to do more than just laze on the beach until sunset.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785616-koh-phangans-first-ever-waterpark-gets-wet-n-wild/

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UPDATE:

PM proposes 10-year development plan at 5th GMS Summit
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 20 -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on Saturday proposed a 10-year development plan comprising seven strategies for developing countries lying along the Mekong River basin.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785529-gms-countries-to-focus-on-priority-projects-today/#entry8828671

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RT @veen_NT: About 3 hours to go before #AFFSuzukiCup 2nd-leg final kicks off in Malaysia. Live broadcast on Ch7.

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PM raises happy news for Thais on TV

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last night raised several good news that bring happiness to the Thai people but also didn't miss to reiterate his anti-corruption policy with warning for government officials to adhere to transparency in implementing government projects, otherwise drastic penalty be taken against them.

He began his weekly TV programme aired Friday nightly saying the best news was that His Majesty the King’s condition has improved, and has regained his physical strength, can eat more and sleep well.

But he urged that if Thai people could cooperate to bring unity back to the country and offer as New Year wishes to the King, he believed the King would recover from sickness respectively.

Other good news that made Thai happy and won applause from abroad he raised was a motorcycle taxi driver in Hat Yai who picked up a lost bag with cash and important document and later returned to its Norwegian tourist.

He said although there was not much cash in the bag, but this good deed has impressed foreign communities that would mean the country’s good image.

He praised two school students in Satin and Chonburi who woke up early in the morning to help their sick mothers doing house chores befoire going to schools.

He said this was a great gratitude that children have to do for their parents, and this gratitude is also among the 12 Thai Values which his government is promoting among youths.

Another happy news he mentioned was the victory of the Thai national football team over Malaysia in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014.

He thanked the team for making Thais happy because of their impressive performance.

He then urged Thais to cheer for and support the team in the second leg of the championship match Saturday evening.

He also admired Thai Rath newspapers for publishing an article about a project on how to grow Hom Mali rice

With the publication, he said farmers now can learn about how to prevent mutations, regulate the paddy and manage the produce from the project.

“This is better than paying interest only on celebrity and social gossip news,” Gen Prayut stated.

Touching on tourism boost, he said as Thailand is a popular destination for Indian couples looking to get married, special flights should be arranged for them to fly here.

He said Indian couples are increasingly flying into Thailand as it is renowned for our talents in organising beautiful weddings, special flights should be arranged.

Thailand and India are very common in terms of culture and traditions. The idea of Indians getting married in Thailand could be an important boost, he said.

On the upcoming New Year festivals, he urged that motorists drive carefully and avoid drinking alcohol as authorities will get tough on drunk driving.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-raises-happy-news-thais-tv

-- Thai PBS 2014-12-20

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RT @ThaipbsEngNews: Thailand crowned #AFFSuzukiCup 2014 Champions in Malaysia http://twitter.com/ThaipbsEngNews/status/546303690437431299/photo/1

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Football: Chappuis, Thai Messi break Malaysian hearts

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Late strikes from Swiss-born Charyl Chappuis and Chanathip "Messi Jay" Songkrasin broke Malaysian hearts as Thailand won their fourth Southeast Asian title in a dramatic AFF Suzuki Cup final on Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/783137-aff-suzuki-cup-2014/#entry8829968

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 21 Dec 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785727-thailand-live-sunday-21-dec-2014/