If Trump is re-elected what does it say about the I.Q of the average American?

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Khao Yai National Park introduces bike lane

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 25 December 2014 (NNT) – Khao Yai National Park will tomorrow launch its first bicycle lane to promote eco-tourism in natural attractions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786805-khao-yai-national-park-introduces-bike-lane/

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New U-turn bridge on Highway no. 2 opens in time for New Year's travel period

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 25 December 2014 (NNT) – As part of the New Year's gifts to the public from the government, the Ministry of Transport has opened a new U-turn bridge on Mittraphap Rd. to facilitate commuters traveling between Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok.

Akom Termpittayapaisit (เติมพิทยาไพสิฐ ), transport deputy minister, presided over the ceremony to inaugurate the u-turn bridge on Highway no. 2, also known as Mittraphap Rd., in Sung Nern district, Nakhon Ratchasima, on Wednesday.

Located near kilometer marker 120, the U-turn bridge would make it safer and more convenient for those looking to turn their vehicles around to Saraburi or Bangkok. The opening is in time for the New Year's travel period, and is expected to help reduce accidents and improve traffic on Highway no. 2.


-- NNT 2014-12-25

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Big Bike motorcycles banned on Khao Yai



NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Big Bike motorcycles are now prohibited to enter the Khao Yai national park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786808-big-bike-motorcycles-banned-on-khao-yai/

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New Year gifts roll out now as part of giving happiness to the people



BANGKOK: -- The government is now working with the private sector to give the Thai people a New Year’s gift which will start from December 30 onward.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786810-new-year-gifts-roll-out-now-as-part-of-giving-happiness-to-the-thai-people/

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Jumping the shark: Mall-goers horrified as Spadenose leaps from tank
By Coconuts Bangkok



UBON RATCHATHHANI: -- A small Spadenose shark jumped out of its uncovered aquarium to the horror of a farang who thought it was going to eat his baby yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786811-ubon-ratchathani-farang-horrified-as-shark-leaps-from-tank/

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The King provides relief bags for southerners affected by floods

NARATHIWAT, 25 December 2014 (NNT) -- His Majesty the King today entrusted the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation to distribute bags of necessities and food to flood victims in southern provinces.

The Rajaprajanugroh Foundation under the King’s patronage led by its chairman Disathorn Vajarodaya, is today distributing royal relief bags to about 2,900 flood-affected families in Narathiwat and Songkhla.

The relief bags will be presented to people in three flood hit districts which are Si Sakhon, Muang Narathiwat and Saba Yoi.

Yesterday, the foundation delivered royal relief packages to about 3,000 families in five other districts also in the same province.


-- NNT 2014-12-25

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Floods create havoc across southern region



NARATHIWAT: -- Floods continue to cause havoc across the southern region as more rains are expected this weekend. Hardest hit now is reported in Narathiwat with water level rising.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786817-floods-create-havoc-across-southern-thai-region/

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CDC : Senators to to be selected from members from former high-ranking officials

BANGKOK, 25 December 2014 (NNT) - The Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) has reached a consensus that there should be no more than 200 senators and that they should be selected from 5 groups, including the military.

According to CDC spokesperson Kamnoon Sithisaman, the CDC has resolved that senators should be selected from 5 groups, which include former prime ministers, former members of the House of Representatives, former high ranking bureaucrats such as former military commanders, presidents of academic organizations and various other professions.

Furthermore, the CDC has agreed to increase the powers of the Senate to propose bills and reform measures as well as to scrutinize the background of elected prime minister and his or her cabinet before they are royally endorsed.


-- NNT 2014-12-25

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Speeding Lamborghini hits 2, knocks out traffic light
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A Lamborghini with no license plate crashed into a traffic control box at Surasak intersection at 2am early this morning, knocking out traffic lights and injuring two men.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786821-speeding-lamborghini-hits-2-knocks-out-traffic-light-in-bangkok/

[Lite Beer]

Mystery surrounds deaths of Phuket cave divers at Khao Sok National Park
Kritsada Mueanhawong
Isaac Stone Simonelli

PHUKET: -- Two experienced Phuket cave divers died after a diving accident on technical rebreathers near the entrance of Tiger Cave in the Chio Lan Reservoir, Surat Thani, on Monday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786825-mystery-surrounds-deaths-of-phuket-cave-divers-at-khao-sok-national-park/

[Lite Beer]

Thailand struggles with dark side of vital fishing industry
Siraphob Thanthong-Knight

BANGKOK: -- The reputation of Thailand's 8-billion-dollar fishing industry is at stake after a series of human trafficking and illegal fishing allegations. The government's latest initiatives have not given much cause for optimism.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786826-thailand-struggles-with-dark-side-of-vital-fishing-industry/

[Lite Beer]

SET down 12.41 points at midday /Bangkok Post:

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Constitution drafters plan for 200 senators
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 25 -- The Constitution Drafting Committee is planning for the next Senate with 200 members and authority to check the backgrounds of minister nominees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786847-thai-constitution-drafters-plan-for-200-senators/

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Arrest warrants out for nine CSD police officers for taking bribes from online soccer bets



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police are now hunting for nine senior police officers attached to the powerful Crime Suppression Division (CSD) after gaining substantial evidences that they took bribes from online soccer betting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786853-arrest-warrants-out-for-nine-thai-csd-police-officers-for-taking-bribes/

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Prayut says wife, daughters cried when he staged coup

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said his wife and twin daughters cried when staged the coup on May 22.

He said he did not tell his family in advance about his decision to stage the coup.

Speaking during a press conference at the Government House held to announce his government's performance after three months in office, Prayut said he could not help but seizing power to tackle the political crisis.

"On 22 May, all in my house wept. I didn't tell anyone in advance. I told brothers [other generals] later. But I had to do it or else I would have been criticised after my retirement how I could had led the situation go on like that," Prayut said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-says-wife-daughters-cried-when-he-staged-co-30250639.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-25

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Government to distribute free land to poor farmers for living, farming



BANGKOK: -- Poor and landless families will be given land to farm and lead their lives, Natural Resources and Environment minister said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786863-thai-govt-to-distribute-free-land-to-poor-farmers-for-living-farming/

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UPDATE:

NEW CONSTITUTION
Prime minister could be non-MP : CDC

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister will not be required to be a House representative in the new charter. Khamnoon Sitthisaman, spokesman of the Constitution Drafting Committee said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786753-still-no-cdc-agreement-on-whether-thai-pm-should-be-elected-mp/#entry8850018

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DISCOVER THANINESS
Changes of bus routes for January event

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has announced the changes its bus services are due to the road closure for the 'Discover Thainess' tourism event on January 14.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786870-bangkok-changes-of-bus-routes-for-january-event/

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Prayut lambastes paper that picks on him
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Wednesday lambasted an unnamed newspaper, saying it criticised him everyday on every page.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786872-prayut-lambastes-paper-that-picks-on-him/

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The prime minister can be a non-elected person and senators will be authorised to screen ministerial nominees, according to the Constitution Drafting Committee. /Bangkok Post

The Constitution Drafting Committee resolved that there would be 200 senators, both appointed and indirectly elected, to represent all power groups in Thailand. /Bangkok Post

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Thailand joins Christmas Day festivity
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 25 -- Christmas comes with a joyful atmosphere in Thailand although it is not an official celebration in the country.

Hotels and shops are decorated with Christmas trees and multicoloured lights to welcome customers.

For example, Christmas is celebrated at many schools in Phitsanulok province.

At Rojanawit Malabiang School in the Phitsanulok provincial seat, students wear Santa Claus outfits and sing Christmas songs. They enjoy receiving sweets as Christmas gifts.

On the Phi Phi Islands in the Andaman Sea, hotels, shops and restaurants are decorated in Christmas fashion.

Christmas trees and colourful illuminations are displayed to welcome the large number of foreign tourists who arrive there to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

In Songkhla province, people are buying and exchanging gifts. Shops in Songkhla municipality are attracting customers with product discounts and quality as well as good services.

A shopkeeper said many customers were buying health-conscious gift baskets. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-12-25

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Army officials urge narcotics prevention on New Year

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 25 December 2014 (NNT) – The Command Centre for Drugs Elimination of the North and Eastern Border (CCDE-NEB) is gearing up on the narcotics prevention measures for the New Year’s holidays, said an official.

The CCDE-NEB Chief Maj.Gen Thanya Kiatisarn has revealed the center’s narcotics counter measures during the New Year’s holidays.

According to the intelligence service of the Second Army Area, there is a reasonable amount of amphetamine pending to be smuggled to Thailand across border. The drugs are expected to be transported to the Bangkok area along with the inbound commute of people after the holidays.

For this matter, the Commander of the Second Army Area Lt.Gen Thawat Sookplang has urged all officials to perform their anti-smuggling operations more strictly, such as patrolling, person and vehicle inspections at border-crossings, placing checkpoints along the roads, as well as to perform intelligence operations more discreetly.

The CCDE-NEB has also asked the public to inform any trace of narcotics smuggling or abuse at P.O. Box 82 Chomsurang, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000

-- NNT 2014-12-25

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SET index closed 1,504.89 down 20.17; Bt/USD32.77; GBP50.84; AUD26.46; EUR39.88; CAD28.08; HKD4.21; SGD24.66; JPY27.18

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Prayut Govt receives due international recognition: Tanasak

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn said Thursday that the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has been receiving due recognition by foreign governments.

Tanasak was speaking during a press conference held to announce the government's performance after three months in office.

He said Prayut received due receptions like other countries' leaders when he made foreign visits.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-Govt-receives-due-international-recognition-30250659.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-25

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Survey: Bangkok ranks first among top New Year destinations

BANGKOK, 25 Dec 2014 (NNT) – A recent survey by Asia’s most popular online hotel booking website has found that the capital city of Thailand has been chosen by holidaymakers as no.1 must-go New Year destination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786878-bangkok-ranks-first-among-top-new-year-destinations-survey/

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UPDATE:

Kamnoon: the new Senate will be more powerful and the prime minister needs not be an MP



BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee has resolved to limit the number of the next senators at 200 but the senators will have the additional powers to check the backgrounds of people who are to be appointed into the cabinet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786753-still-no-cdc-agreement-on-whether-thai-pm-should-be-elected-mp/#entry8850413

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Dept PM presents Govt's economic accomplishments

BANGKOK, 25 December 2014 (NNT) – The Deputy Prime Minister today revealed government’s economic accomplishments in the past three months, expressed optimistic expectation on the national GDP growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786879-dept-pm-presents-thai-govts-economic-accomplishments/

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Motorists warned to drive carefully during New Year's festival



BANGKOK: -- Motorists were warned today to drive carefully at a speed not more than 100 km/hour on certain high-risk highways during the New Year’s festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786880-motorists-warned-to-drive-carefully-during-new-years-festival/

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Power cuts tomorrow around Phuket's Baan Manik
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The stretch of road affected by the blackout. Base map Google

PHUKET: -- The Provincial Electricity Authority has announced a sweeping scheduled blackout from 9am to 4:30pm tomorrow (December 26).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786883-power-cuts-tomorrow-december-26-around-phukets-baan-manik/

[Lite Beer]

Electricity price cut in Jan

BANGKOK: -- The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) agreed to cut the fuel tariff (Ft) on electricity for the January-Apri round by 10.04 satang per unit, due to plunging oil prices.

Veerapol Jirapraditkul, ERC spokesman, said after the commission’s meeting that the Ft rate, a variable electricity charge, would go down from 69 satang per unit to 58.96 satang per unit in the four-month period.

Dubai crude oil has plunged to below US$60 per barrel.

Veerapol said that the price should stay below $60 per barrel during January-April 2015.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Electricity-price-cut-in-Jan-30250680.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-25