Thailand Live Monday 22 Dec 2014

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SBPAC holds activity to create confidence in trade and investment in Thailand's South

PATTANI, 22 December 2014 (NNT) - The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) held activities in Pattani Province to build confidence in trade and investment in the southernmost provinces.

The activities, organised by SBPAC in collaboration with the Department of Trade Negotiations and the new business entrepreneurs group of the southern border provinces (known as YES), aimed to establish integration in trade and investment, which was initiated by local entrepreneurs, and can be further developed by central business operators, as well as serve as preparation for the arrival of the ASEAN Economics Community (AEC) in 2015.

Mr. Panu Utairat, SBPAC Secretary-General added that SBPAC is the main agency in the integration and development of the southern border provinces, one important goal is to optimise quality of life which will then lead to the highest objective of peace in the South. Today’s activities were part of a string of activities held in line with the Prime Minister’s policy of returning happiness to the southern people.

Activities were held at the C.S. Pattani Hotel, and included presentations on southern border provinces development projects, development guidelines for the Halal food industrial estate, establishment of Narathiwat special economic zone, and discussion under the title “A Crisis is an Opportunity, Southern Border Trade and Investment”. The activities were widely broadcasted to the public throughout the southern border provinces by Radio Thailand and SBPAC Radio.


-- NNT 2014-12-22

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ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Our moment of glory
The Nation

A large crowd gathers at the airport to welcome the triumphant team.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's football team made a triumphant return from Malaysia after ending a 12-year wait for the coveted Asean Championship title in the most dramatic fashion, with ten thousands of fans lining streets in Bangkok to cheer the team's open-top bus parade yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785894-asean-championship-thailands-moment-of-glory/

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2014 ASEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The long search is over
Kitinan Sanguansak
The Nation


A large jubilant crowd of Thai football fans welcome the national team back after their victory in the AFF Suzuki Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night.

New coach kiatisak is right stuff; succeeds after big-name appointments failed

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's triumph at the 2014 Asean Football Championship on Saturday night is the latest and most compelling evidence underlining the fact that former national striker Kiatisak Senamuang is the man the country has long searched for to bring back the glory days to Thai football.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785895-2014-asean-football-championship-the-long-search-is-over/

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Warrants for police over links to online gambling
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Arrest warrants have been issued for three suspects, including two police, in connection with an online gambling organisation allegedly run by an Indian businessman with ties to ousted crime-buster Lt General Pongpat Chayaphan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785896-warrants-for-thai-police-over-links-to-online-gambling/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Claims of substandard rice distorted: ex-deputy minister
The Nation

BANGKOK: - FORMER DEPUTY Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach yesterday voiced doubt over results of the government's audit of the rice-pledging scheme, saying they appeared to have been gravely distorted and that granary owners and surveyors should sue the panel in charge of verifying the state stockpiles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785897-claims-of-substandard-thai-rice-distorted-ex-deputy-minister/

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NRC SEMINAR
Examine ethics of teachers, say students
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

NRC REFORM FORUM HEARS A WIDE RANGE OF IDEAS FROM ENTHUSIASTIC STUDENTS

BANGKOK: -- IN A SEMINAR on the topic of "Uniting university students' power for reform" - held by the National Reform Council (NRC) yesterday - many students shared the view that teachers and university professors should be scrutinised on their moral and ethical outlook.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785899-examine-ethics-of-teachers-say-thai-students/

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EDUCATION
Narong aiming at reform priorities
HULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION



WANTS MORE THAN A STRUCTURAL CHANGE OF EDUCATION AGENCIES

BANGKOK: -- FRESH EFFORTS have started to reform the country's education. Although Education Minister Admiral Narong Pipatanasai has not ruled out the possibility of an overhaul of organisational structure, there is still hope that structural re-engineering will not be a focus this time around.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785901-thai-education-narong-aiming-at-reform-priorities/

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Businessman of the year
BUSINESS DESK
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- NOBODY QUESTIONS Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth's business brains. Bangkok Airways and Bangkok Hospital Group have survived storms to become the country's largest private airline company in terms of revenue and asset and one of the largest private healthcare groups in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785903-thai-businessman-of-the-year/

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EDITORIAL
Jury still out on another year of turmoil
The Nation

2014 set to end with Thailand at a crossroads yet again

BANGKOK: -- Every year has its significance and 2014 will go down in Thai history as one to remember one way or other. Politically speaking, some may call this year another setback because of the military coup in May. Others may be more reluctant to brand the coup as the cause of all things evil in the country. Anyway, a remarkable year is drawing to a close and now is a time for reflection. Written history, after all, cannot be trusted 100 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785904-thai-editorial-jury-still-out-on-another-year-of-turmoil/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Time to get serious with the 'Asean Lane'
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation
Kuala Lumpur

BANGKOK: -- Last Thursday, the bosses at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) inaugurated an "Asean Lane" for the group's passport holders, amid colourful banners and balloons. The special lane, covered with orange carpet, immediately drew a long queue of enthusiastic visitors willing to wait as they were given a healthy dose of special treatment by the Asean feeling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785905-thai-opinion-time-to-get-serious-with-the-asean-lane/

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British Resident found dead at his North Pattaya home



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday afternoon Police and medics were called to a gated-village in North Pattaya where a British Resident was suspected of drowning in his private swimming pool.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785906-british-resident-found-dead-at-his-north-pattaya-home/

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Fatal Shooting by Tattoo Artist in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Saturday, Pattaya Police arrested a 40 year old Tattoo Artist who is alleged to have shot a man simply because he didn’t like the way he conducted himself in public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785908-fatal-shooting-by-tattoo-artist-in-south-pattaya/

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3 injured in drink-related road crash in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A driver, suspected of falling asleep at the wheel, was injured, along with his girlfriend and male friend as they returned home on Sunday Morning after an all-night party at a Pattaya Nightclub.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785909-3-injured-in-drink-related-road-crash-in-east-pattaya/

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Provincial Police raid “House Party” at Resort in Jomtien



PATTAYA: - Using a female Police Officer disguised as a waitress to gain entry to a Private “House” Party, Chonburi Provincial Police conducted a raid of the event in the early hours of Saturday due to suspicions that drugs were being consumed at the location.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785910-provincial-police-raid-house-party-at-resort-in-jomtien/

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“Bad Practice” Monks detained by City Hall Officers at South Pattaya Market



PATTAYA: -- City Hall Officials detained a total of 16 monks who were accused of bad practice at a South Pattaya Market just before daybreak on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785911-bad-practice-monks-detained-by-city-hall-officers-at-south-pattaya-market/

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70 arrested in Pattaya Beach pre-Festive Season clean-up



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Sunday, Pattaya Police conducted a clean-up operation along the entire stretch of Pattaya Beach to ensure that the area remains a safe place to go for Tourists who visit Pattaya over the Christmas and New Year period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785912-70-arrested-in-pattaya-beach-pre-festive-season-clean-up/

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Flood crisis to continue in Narathiwat until January
The Nation



NARATHIWAT: -- MASSIVE FLOODING in Narathiwat province is likely to continue until January, provincial Governor Natthaphong Sirichana warned yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785913-flood-crisis-to-continue-in-narathiwat-until-january/

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Russian tourist dies while scuba diving in Ratchaprapha Dam's reservoir

SURAT THANI: -- A Russian tourist died apparently of heart failure while scuba diving in the reservoir of the Ratchaprapha Dam in Surat Thani Sunday afternoon.

Police said Dmitry Dokuchave, 46, was scuba diving with three friends at 2 pm while another friend was waiting on a boat on the reservoir when he passed out and came to the surface.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Russian-tourist-dies-while-scuba-diving-in-Ratchap-30250378.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-22

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BMA's Sunday walking street at Silom officially launched

BANGKOK, 22 Dec 2014, (NNT) -The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has officially launched its pilot project turning Silom Road into a walking street on Sunday, in the hope of spurring the economy and turning the venue into a tourist attraction on weekends.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785922-bmas-sunday-walking-street-at-silom-officially-launched/

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Most people support dissolution of Police Commission, Royal Thai Police

BANGKOK: -- An opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration found that 55.28 per cent of the respondents wanted to see the Police Commission and Royal Thai Police dissolved and replaced by the National Police Council in police personnel management.

The NIDA Poll found that 30 per cent of the respondents disagreed with the proposal. The survey was carried out among 1,250 people nationwide from Wednesday to Friday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Most-people-support-dissolution-of-Police-Commissi-30250342.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-22

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IS has executed 100 foreigners trying to quit: report

(7News) The Islamic State extremist group has executed 100 of its own foreign fighters who tried to flee their headquarters in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the Financial Times newspaper said Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785926-is-has-executed-100-foreigners-trying-to-quit-report/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,521.80, gains 7.45 points /MCOT

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Russian tourist dies scuba diving in Surat Thani's dam

SURAT THANI: -- A Russian tourist died while scuba diving in the reservoir of the Ratchaprapha dam in Surat Thani Sunday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785934-russian-tourist-dies-while-scuba-diving-in-surat-thanis-ratchaprapha-dam/

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Prayut makes official visit to China

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha left on a military plane from the Don Mueng military airport for a two-day visit to China at 9:30 am Monday.

He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn and Deputy Transport Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit. Among other things, the prime minister will hold a bilateral discussion with his Chinese counterpart.

He will also visit the train control centre and ride a high-speed train from Beijing to Tianjin.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-makes-official-visit-to-China-30250379.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-22

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Thai tourism launches selfie contest

BANGKOK, Thailand - Local travelers have been invited to enter the "Thailand Only Selfie Contest", which the Tourism Authority of Thailand hopes will help boost year-end tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785938-tat-launches-thailand-only-selfie-contest/

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Seeing the doctor, overseas: medical tourism booms in Asia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | AFP |

KUALA LUMPUR: -- The lines snaking into Bangladesh's overwhelmed hospitals are often so long, says Nusrat Hussein Kiwan, that they extend into the street outside -- too many patients seeking too few quality doctors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785959-seeing-the-doctor-overseas-medical-tourism-booms-in-asia/

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Yala helicopter crash injures four



YALA: -- An Army helicopter on a flood-relief mission crashed landing in flood-stricken Yala province Sunday, injuring four soldiers, including the pilot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785961-yala-helicopter-crash-injures-four/

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Deputy education minister visits Pattani to discuss security measures

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Education Minister Surachet Chaiwong held a meeting with Fourth Army Area Commander Lt Gen Prakarn Chonlayut and administrators of schools in southern border provinces at an Army taskforce in Pattani's Yarang district at 9 am Monday.

The meeting was held for all security agencies and schools to plan comprehensive measures to protect teachers and guard the schools against insurgency attacks.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Deputy-education-minister-visits-Pattani-to-discus-30250380.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-22

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Thai stock expected to 'move sideways' this week
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 22 -- The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is expected to move sideways this week after the US Federal Reserve opted to maintain low interest rates as investors were likely to cautiously monitor key US economic indicators and Thailand’s export data for November, according to a report issued by Kasikorn Research Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785962-thai-stock-expected-to-move-sideways-this-week/

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18 Myanmar Rohingya migrants injured in Thai South accident
By Digital Content



PHATTHALUNG, Dec 22 -- Eighteen apparently illegally trafficked ethnic Rohingya migrants, including three children, were injured yesterday when their pickup truck overturned in this southern province, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/785963-18-myanmar-rohingya-migrants-injured-in-thai-south-accident/