UPDATE:

AirAsia plane with 161 aboard missing in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An AirAsia plane with 161 people aboard lost contact with ground control on Sunday after takeoff from Indonesia on the way to Singapore, and search and rescue operations were underway.

The plane lost communication with Jakarta's air traffic control at 7:24 a.m., about an hour before it was scheduled to land in Singapore, the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement. The contact was lost about 42 minutes after takeoff from Indonesia's Surabaya airport, Hadi Mustofa, an official of the transportation ministry told Indonesia's MetroTV.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787404-airasia-flight-qz8501-from-indonesia-to-singapore-missing/page-2?p=8861659#entry8861659

A land bank is being mulled by Land Reform Office

The Office of Land Reform for Agriculture is considering turning the OLRA Fund into a land bank with an authority to redeem land pledged with commercial banks by farmers and to return the land plots to the indebted farmers on condition that they will have to pay back the Fund in instalments.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787415-a-land-bank-is-being-mulled-by-land-reform-office/

NIDA Poll shows most people support non-partisan premier during political crisis

BANGKOK: -- More than 46 percent of respondents support directly-elected prime minister and over 65 percent agree that the Election Commission’s powers need to be curbed whereas 72 percent support a non-partisan prime minister at a time when the country is embroiled in political crisis.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787416-nida-poll-shows-most-people-support-non-partisan-premier-during-political-crisis/

Two guards killed and one soldier killed self in Pattani

PATTANI: -- Two guards of a shrimp farm in NongChik district of Pattani were shot dead by gunmen on Saturday night whereas one soldier shot himself to death with his service rifle.

Police said that Roya Muser and Sukree Baepoh were on their way to the Apichart shrimp farm in Ban Ba Kong, Tambon Bangkhao, at about 9 pm when unidentified gunmen approached them and opened fire with unspecified weapons.

The two guards died at the scene. The motives of the attack are being investigated.

Meanwhile, police reported that PvtAneerutSuwannao, 27, who was attached to Pattani Task Force 24, used his own M16 rifle to shoot himself to death at his outpost in Tambon Bo Thong, NongChik district.

Police suspected that the soldier might suffer from extreme stress.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/two-guards-killed-one-soldier-killed-self-pattani

-- Thai PBS 2014-12-28

Government told to carry on populist policies

BANGKOK: -- The government should not be too worried with populist policies and should provide handouts to farmers as a means to stimulate the economy, said Sahapat Group chairman Mr Boonchai Chokewattana over the weekend.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787417-government-told-to-carry-on-populist-policies/

RT @RichardBarrow: The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra will be performing for free in Lumpini Park this afternoon from 5:30pm #Bangkok http://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/549074942340263938/photo/1

CDC still to decide on the structure of national police bureau

BANGKOK, 28 December 2014 - The Constitutional Drafting Committee is yet to find a resolution regarding the structure of the national police bureau following the reform process.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787439-cdc-still-to-decide-on-the-structure-of-national-police-bureau/

Thousands flock to national parks

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 28 Dec 2014 (NNT) – Thousands of New Year holiday makers are flocking to national attractions, resulting in all bungalows being fully booked.

Khao Yai National Park, however, confirmed that there was still enough space for up to 1,000 campers. The National Park chief has assured visitors of safety, saying the number of staff guarding the parking lot, the campsite and frequently-visited spots is twice the number of staff as work on normal days.

Regarding food and accommodation prices, all national park chiefs confirm that operators have been reminded to offer food and room services at prices specified on menus and in brochures. Any visitor spotting an outlet overcharging is advised to inform a national park official at the time.

National park chiefs have stressed that visitors are strictly prohibited from bringing alcoholic drinks into parks and making loud noises. This is to avoid causing a nuisance to others and to startling wild animals.

-- NNT 2014-12-28

Army chief inspects anti-drug operations in northern province

BANGKOK, 28 December 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army Gen. Udomdej Sitabutr has traveled to the northern province of Chiang Mai to evaluate the army’s drug suppression efforts during the New Year holidays.

The army chief on Sunday visited an army base in Chiang Mai and inspected a border area adjacent to Myanmar with the local army personnel. He also followed up on their anti-narcotic operations and gave moral support to them.

Gen. Udomdej then traveled to Mae Ai district to hand out blankets to residents in the mountain communities who were affected by the cold weather.

-- NNT 2014-12-28

UPDATE:

White House monitoring missing AirAsia situation
WASHINGTON

The White House said it was monitoring the situation surrounding an AirAsia plane that disappeared traveling from Indonesia to Singapore and that President Barack Obama was briefed on the matter.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787404-airasia-flight-qz8501-from-indonesia-to-singapore-missing/page-8?p=8862203#entry8862203

UPDATE:

AirAsia plane downed in Belitung waters: Reports
The Jakarta Post,

AirAsia flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore is believed to have crashed at the location 03.22.46 South and 108.50.07 East, in waters around 145 kilometers from Belitung, a National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) official has said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787404-airasia-flight-qz8501-from-indonesia-to-singapore-missing/page-8?p=8862264#entry8862264

Dropping oil price affects Thailand’s car exports

BANGKOK, 28 December 2014 (NNT) - Thailand’s export value during the past 11 months this year contracted by 0.4% compared to the same period in 2013 mainly due to continuous rubber price drop and disappointing car exports to major markets.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787451-dropping-oil-price-affects-thailands-car-exports/

Greece: Ferry ordered evacuated after fire

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A fire broke out on the car deck of a ferry carrying 466 people from Greece to Italy early Sunday, forcing authorities to order an evacuation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787474-greece-ferry-ordered-evacuated-after-fire/

RT @Ryn_writes: Fire broke out at Siam Square One, Skywalk bridge to Siam BTS station “@yokekung: 15.25 http://twitter.com/yokekung/status/549119407947931648/photo/1” #bangkok

RT @W7VOA: No injuries reported from Siam Square 1 fire in #Bangkok. @jigapu http://twitter.com/jigapu/status/549121649262358530/photo/1

RT @W7VOA: Bangkok Post: Airport Rail Link service between Bangkok and BKK airport suspended, apparently due to power cut. #Thailand

RT @W7VOA: RT @NST_Online: @AirAsia flight AK6242 from Penang to Langkawi turns back due to technical difficulties.

RT @veen_NT: 5.56pm: Airport Rail Link service resumes after problems caused by power cut.

to continue:

Thailand Live Monday 29 Dec 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787560-thailand-live-monday-29-dec-2014/