Thailand Live Sunday 28 Dec 2014

[Lite Beer]

Chiang Mai Governor warns traders not to take advantage of tourists

CHIANG MAI, 27 December 2014 (NNT) - Mr. Suriya Prasatbuntitya, Governor of Chiang Mai Province, has warned operators of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and buses in Chiang Mai not to take advantage of tourists as such a practice will send negative impacts to the good image of this age-old city with a high culture and history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....ge-of-tourists/

[Lite Beer]

CHARTER WRITING
CDC allays fears on outsider PM
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Says such a measure will be only in a crisis, and for a short term, with the strong support of Parliament

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787374-cdc-allays-fears-on-outsider-pm/

[Lite Beer]

10 YEARS ON
Tsunami survivors remember 'selfless help' of Thais


A foreign tourist yesterday walks past a fishing boat that was washed up in the December 2004 tsunami and is now built into a window of the wave shaped tunnel that forms the Tsunami Memorial Park in Phang-nga.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786884-10-years-on-thaivisa-remembers-the-boxing-day-tsunami-in-thailand/page-3?p=8860636#entry8860636

[Lite Beer]

Farmers' marketing boss to be summoned for explanation on huge stock of missing rice
The Sunday Nation

Yingluck

BANGKOK: -- The director of the Marketing Organisation of Farmers (MOF) has been summoned to explain to the government's newly-established National Administrative Centre against Corruption tomorrow about the disappearance of over 100,000 sacks of rice from the government stock.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787375-farmers-marketing-boss-to-be-summoned-for-explanation-on-huge-stock-of-missing-rice/

[Lite Beer]

Two more sought for KMITL embezzlement
Jessada Chantharak,
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two others taken to Min Buri Court, remanded in jail

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787376-two-more-sought-for-kmitl-embezzlement/

[Lite Beer]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Paiboon revives fund to assist poor people in justice system
Piyanut Tamnukasetchai
The Sunday Nation

Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya

BANGKOK: -- A STATE Justice Fund - set up in 2006 to help poor people facing legal charges but hampered by budget constraints and limited access for the public - is being improved to lessen inequity in the course of justice, Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787377-paiboon-revives-fund-to-assist-poor-people-in-justice-system/

[Lite Beer]

Pongpat has chest pain
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayapan was transferred to the Central Chest Institute of Thailand yesterday to seek treatment for tightness in the chest. It was suspected that the condition stemmed from his chronic heart disease.

Bangkok Remand Prison warder Ayuth Sinthanapun said Pongpat suffered from myocardial infarction since Friday night and had initially been admitted to the Correctional Hospital. However, his condition did not improve so doctors transferred him to the institute. Pongpat and his accomplices face various criminal charges, including lese majeste.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Pongpat-has-chest-pain-30250803.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-28

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Foreigners nabbed for thefts
The Sunday Nation

PHUKET: -- Two foreigners have been arrested for alleged robberies worth about Bt1 million cash in various currencies from safe boxes at four Phuket hotels or guesthouses.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787188-69-sighting-in-patong-leads-police-to-iranian-thieves/page-3?p=8860682#entry8860682

[Lite Beer]

PM to open 8km bike loop
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- An eight-kilometre-long bike-lane loop in the Rattanakosin Island area will be officially opened this morning in a ceremony to be presided over by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Prayut, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, military commanders, senior bureaucrats and cyclists will ride bicycles along the route after the opening ceremony, which is scheduled for 7am at the Maha Jessada Bodin Pavilion on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue.

The loop also passes Khok Wua intersection, Bamrung Muang Road, Interior Ministry, Sanam Chai Road, Rachinee Road, Phra Athit Road, and Bowornniwet Temple.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/PM-to-open-8km-bike-loop-30250805.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-28

[Lite Beer]

Bureaucrats want end to interference
Nitipol Kiravanich
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bureaucrats have voiced strong concern over interference by politicians in state agencies and ministries - and called for a more transparent process for recruiting government officials.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787378-bureaucrats-want-end-to-interference/

[Lite Beer]

NLA to hear statements on impeachment cases
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is to convene early next month to hear statements from relevant parties before deciding whether to impeach former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, former House speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont and former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanit in separate cases.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787379-nla-to-hear-statements-on-impeachment-cases/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Huge flood rocks the deep South as tsunami memorials held
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The power of Mother Nature can be shocking and brutal, but it can also bring out the best in us

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786884-10-years-on-thaivisa-remembers-the-boxing-day-tsunami-in-thailand/page-4?p=8860713#entry8860713

[Lite Beer]

Ivory outlets in Chatuchak market inspected today

BANGKOK, 27 December 2014 (NNT) – Officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) today inspected illegal ivory retail outlets in Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787380-ivory-outlets-in-chatuchak-market-inspected-today/

[Lite Beer]

Type 9 to send best wishes to the King

BANGKOK, 27 December 2014 (NNT) - The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) invites Thais to participate in the “Type 9 for Best Wishes to the King” campaign which has already begun today.

People can easily send their SMS by typing number 9 which symbolizes “Long Live the King” and send it to 4567999. All SMS senders regardless to their mobile networks will pay no charge.

The NBTC said it has initiated the campaign to allow Thais to extend their best wishes to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of the New Year’s Day 2015. It is also intended for Thais to show their loyalty, unity and appreciation to His Majesty the King who has dedicated his time and efforts since he came to the Throne for the betterment of Thai people.

The SMS also provides a medium for the people to return their wish to the King who has granted them every year a computer-generated New Year card created by himself to bless his subjects.

People can send the SMS until 4th January 2015.

-- NNT 2014-12-27

[Lite Beer]

Final goodbye: Roll call of some who died in 2014
BERNARD McGHEE, Associated Press


They each turned a moment of violence into a call to action. For James Brady, that moment came when he was shot and wounded by a would-be presidential assassin. For Chung Eun-yong, it was the killings of his two children during the Korean War.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787381-final-goodbye-roll-call-of-some-who-died-in-2014/

[Lite Beer]

Egypt reduces sentences in same-sex wedding case
SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian appeals court on Saturday upheld the conviction of eight men for "inciting debauchery" for appearing in an alleged same-sex wedding video, but reduced their sentences from three to one year in prison, a court official said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787382-egypt-reduces-sentences-in-same-sex-wedding-case/

[Lite Beer]

Death penalty states unmoved by botched execution
SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press

McALESTER, Oklahoma (AP) — Oklahoma's last execution went so badly that the state tried to cancel it before it was over. With the inmate writhing while the lethal drugs seeped into his body, his executioners drew the viewing gallery curtains, concealing what the warden later described as "a bloody mess."

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787383-death-penalty-states-unmoved-by-botched-execution/

[Lite Beer]

Prayut rides to open Ratanakosin bike-lane loop

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paripatra led senior military officers and government officials to ride on an eight-kilometre-long bike-lane loop in the Rattanakosin Island area to officially open it Sunday morning.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at 6:45 am at the King Rama III Memorial Park, Prayut asked motorists to share the roads with cyclists.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-rides-to-open-Ratanakosin-bike-lane-loop-30250816.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-28

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand a hub for ICT? No, really...

Thailand is doing well in ICT and telecommunications, according to a new report by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The report, entitled “Measuring the Information Society 2015″ which is now in its sixth year, covers the global developments being made in Information Communication Technology (ICT), as well as the cost and affordability of these services.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/thailand-information-communication-technology/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Hacker reveals why he took down Xbox and PlayStation

A hacker who claims to be responsible for the recent cyber attacks on the Xbox and PlayStation networks has revealed why he carried out the attacks.

Watch the video here: http://tech.thaivisa.com/hacker-reveals-took-xbox-playstation/

[Lite Beer]

Five southern provinces warned of continued heavy rains

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department Sunday issued a statement to warn residents of Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat to brace themselves for continued heavy rains.

The department said a strong northeast monsoon would also cause a very rough sea in the lower Gulf of Thailand so small fishing boats should not leave the shores.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Five-southern-provinces-warned-of-continued-heavy--30250817.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-28

[Lite Beer]

Prayut says no plan to dissolve local administrations

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Sunday that he has no plan to dissolve local administrations as feared by members of provincial administrative organisations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787401-prayut-says-no-plan-to-dissolve-local-administrations/

[Lite Beer]

2.2-magnitude quake hits Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI: -- The Meteorological Department reported that a 2.2-magnitude earth quake hit Mae Suay district in Chiang Rai t 4:24 pm Saturday.

The department said the quake's epicenter was about 4 kilometers underground.

A 6.3-magnitude quake happened in this northern province early May and hundreds of aftershocks followed.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/2-2-magnitude-quake-hits-Chiang-Rai-30250818.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-28

[Lite Beer]

RT @AFP: #BREAKING AirAsia flight from Indonesia to Singapore missing: airline

RT @vaitor: AirAsia flight QZ8501 had 162 people on board flying from Surabaya to Singapore

RT @vaitor: Officials say flight QZ8501 had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact - http://ara.tv/2gg8c

[Lite Beer]

AirAsia flight QZ8501 from Indonesia to Singapore missing

An Air Asia plane travelling from Surabaya, Indonesia to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control, Indonesia's Metro TV reported on Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787404-airasia-flight-qz8501-from-indonesia-to-singapore-missing/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Flight from Indonesia to Singapore loses contact

JAKARTA (Reuters) - An AirAsia flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore lost contact with air traffic control on Sunday, Indonesian media said, citing a Transport Ministry official.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787404-airasia-flight-qz8501-from-indonesia-to-singapore-missing/?p=8861457#entry8861457

[Lite Beer]

[News Update] AIRASIA INDONESIA FLIGHT QZ8501

AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control at 07:24hrs this morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787404-airasia-flight-qz8501-from-indonesia-to-singapore-missing/?p=8861508#entry8861508

[Lite Beer]

Pattani hands out food to flood victims

PATTANI, 28 Dec 2014, (NNT), Pattani Governor, his wife, and several governmental unit employees yesterday got together at the Governor’s Manor to prepare meals for distribution to flood victims in the province.

According to Pattani Governor Weerapong Keawsuwan, the campaign is organized to help out those affected by the current flood situation, as the inundation has damaged kitchens, preventing victims from cooking.

The Governor said a lot of the ingredients used in the assistance program such as drinking water, fresh fish, eggs, and vegetables, have been donated by members of the Private Sector, adding that the cooks are the governmental unit personnel and various volunteers.

He added volunteer rangers are helping distribute the food to victims in remote areas; residents whose homes are out of the reach of the local administration officials.

Those interested in giving a donation to the flood victims in Pattani can send their contribution to the province’s Flood Relief Center at the provincial City Hall. Donations of money can be transferred to Krung Thai Bank account number 907-0-36107-8.

-- NNT 2014-12-28

[Lite Beer]

5th Petchabun Fun Fly organized in Phuthabberg

PETCHABUN, 28 Dec 2014, (NNT) - Petchabun province yesterday organized the 5th Petchabun Fun Fly, promoting the province's tourism scene.

The fair, held at Phutubberg hill side in Lomkao District of the province, was presided over by Petchabun Sports Association President Wijit Pornparutipan. The aerial event was aimed at promoting the province’s tourism sector by combining Phuthabberg’s magnificent views and the sport of paragliding. Organizers also hope paragliding will become a national sport in the near future.

Mr. Wijit stated the event’s objective is not just competition, but rather to discourage carbon gas emission activities, and to give participating parties and spectators an enjoyable time at the open air event.

This year competition was divided into two skills; landing on a designated target area, and gliding the longest distance. Organizers reported that there were more than 70 competitors from 13 nations participating in the Petchabun event.

-- NNT 2014-12-28

[Lite Beer]

Most people support non-MP PM proposal

BANGKOK: -- Up to 72.47 per cent of respondents surveyed by the National Institute of Development Administration expressed support for the proposal to allow the next prime minister not be an MP.

The NIDA pollster found that 23.30 per cent of the respondents disagreed with the proposal and the rest had no comment. The survey was carried out among 1,253 people nationwide from Wednesday to Friday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Most-people-support-non-MP-PM-proposal-30250827.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-28