Thailand Live Wednesday 31 Dec 2014

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Chainat kicks off a 4-region OTOP fair

CHAINAT, 30 December 2014 (NNT) – Chainat is celebrating the New Year in style by cooperating with other provinces in holding a grand OTOP fair.

The fair was opened on Monday evening (Dec 29) by First Army Area commander Lt-Gen Kampanat Rutdith and witnessed by high ranking officials led by Deputy Governor of Chainat Province Chalermkiat Worawutputthapong. It is held at Phibun Witthayalai School in the central district of Lopburi.

The event is a cooperative effort between Chainat and the provinces of Lopburi, Ang Thong, and Singburi, all in the central plain, to boost an exchange of cultural identities of each province to promote unity and reconciliation among the residents, in line with the goal of returning happiness to Thais initiated by the National Council for Peace and Order.

Besides the trade fair, there are stage performances of cultural dances and concerts, and booths to promote tourist attractions in each province. The 4-Region OTOP Fair will continue until January 2.


-- NNT 2014-12-31

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UPDATE:

Two flights report problems, turn back to Bangkok
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A DOMESTIC FLIGHT of Thai AirAsia - and a long haul Bangkok-London flight of Thai Airways International - both made emergency landings yesterday due to technical problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787981-airasia-jet-turns-back-in-thailand-due-to-irregularity/page-3?p=8874061#entry8874061

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UPDATE:

AIRASIA FLIGHT QZ8501
Bodies recovered
Agencies
Jakarta


Members of an Indonesian Air Force crew carry what is believed to be an emergency slide from the AirAsia plane which was recovered during a search and rescue operation and brought to the military base in Pangkalan Bun in central Borneo yesterday.

JAKARTA: -- INDONESIAN RESCUERS searching for a missing AirAsia plane carrying 162 people pulled bodies and wreckage from the sea off the coast of Borneo yesterday, as relatives of those on board broke down in tears on hearing the news.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787996-40-bodies-have-been-recovered-in-the-search-for-the-missing-airasia-plane/page-5?p=8874073#entry8874073

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AirAsia pilot was one of military academy's best
The Jakarta Post
Asia News Network


Iriyanto

JAKARTA: -- The pilot of AirAsia Flight 8501, Iriyanto, 53, is described by colleagues and neighbours as a warm figure with an extraordinary performance as a jet-fighter pilot before taking early retirement to join commercial airlines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788075-airasia-flight-qz8501-pilot-was-one-of-military-academys-best/

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UPDATE:

Court gives driver life in prison for murder of Akeyuth
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI,
OPAS BOONLOM
THE NATION


Santiparb Pengduang

BANGKOK: -- THE CRIMINAL Court gave the death sentence to two of six defendants for murdering high-profile and outspoken businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr last year - but the penalty was commuted to life imprisonment because they had confessed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787970-thai-court-hands-down-death-sentence-for-two-men-convicted-of-murdering-ekkayuth/#entry8874089

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CHARTER WRITING
CDC's new political system slammed
The Nation

Critics see proposal as a move to extend junta's tenure; Prayut rejects claims

BANGKOK: -- The new political system proposed by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) is being slammed by critics who say it is only another way to destroy large parties and extend the tenure of General Prayut Chan-o-cha's government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788076-thai-charter-writing-cdcs-new-political-system-slammed/

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Centre to study road smashes, offer ways to cut toll
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE INTERIOR Ministry yesterday opened a Road Safety Centre to oversee road accidents during the New Year period (yesterday until January 5), analyse risk factors and recommend solutions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788077-thai-safety-centre-to-study-road-smashes-offer-ways-to-cut-toll/

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Asean open skies on track
Leong Hung Yee
The Star/ANN



BANGKOK: -- Three aviation tragedies involving carriers from Asean within a space of nine months will not stop the implementation of the Asean open skies policy that will kick off from January 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788078-asean-open-skies-on-track/

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Cabinet gives green light for merger of futures exchanges
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Cabinet yesterday gave approval in principle for the agricultural futures market to be merged with the futures market that relies on commodities and financial instruments - in a bid to help accommodate investors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788079-thai-cabinet-gives-green-light-for-merger-of-futures-exchanges/

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BoT projects Thai economy will pick up slowly next year
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 31 -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) expects the Thai economy will gradually improve in 2015 regarding consumption recovery in the private sector in November.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788080-bot-projects-thai-economy-will-pick-up-slowly-next-year/

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EDITORIAL
Baht-yuan swap agreement grabbing global attention
The Nation

The deal between Thailand and China could be the tip of the iceberg in a currency war

BANGKOK: -- No country is immune to the impacts of the ongoing currency showdown between eastern and western superpowers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788081-thai-editorial-baht-yuan-swap-agreement-grabbing-global-attention/

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Cambodian chokes on fried chicken and later dies in Jomtien



PATTAYA: -- A 27 year old Cambodian choked and later died after eating fried chicken pieces he purchased from the roadside in Jomtien on Tuesday Morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788082-cambodian-chokes-on-fried-chicken-and-later-dies-in-jomtien/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Apple dominates Christmas smartphone sales

This Christmas, Apple appeared to dominate the mobile popularity stakes according to data from mobile analytics company Flurry revealed in a report published on Monday. The statistics were collected between December 19 through to Christmas Day.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apple-dominates-smartphone-activations/

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Hundreds of fireworks seized by District Officials at North Pattaya Store



PATTAYA: -- Hundreds of fireworks worth an estimated 200,000 Baht were seized from a convenience store in the Naklua area on Tuesday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788083-hundreds-of-fireworks-seized-by-district-officials-at-north-pattaya-store/

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One girl killed and another injured in car-train crash



UDON THANI: -- One five-year old girl was killed and her uncle was seriously injured when a train crashed into their pick-up truck as it was trying to cross a railway track in Udon Thani province Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788084-udon-thani-one-girl-killed-and-another-injured-in-car-train-crash/

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UN rejects Palestinian resolution to end Israel's occupation
EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council rejected a Palestinian resolution demanding an end to Israeli occupation within three years late Tuesday, a blow to efforts to get the U.N.'s most powerful body to take action to recognize an independent state of Palestine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788086-un-rejects-palestinian-resolution-to-end-israels-occupation/

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Canada police: 9 dead in 3 crime scenes

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Nine people, including seven adults and two young children, were found dead at three separate crime scenes in what Edmonton's police chief on Tuesday called a "senseless mass murder."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788087-canada-police-9-dead-in-3-crime-scenes/

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AirAsia recovery to focus on bodies, black boxes
DAVID KOENIG, AP Airlines Writers
SCOTT MAYEROWITZ, AP Airlines Writers

NEW YORK (AP) — The divers who try to recover more bodies and debris from the AirAsia jet that plunged into the sea won't have to deal with extreme depths, but they will have to work carefully to preserve evidence from the Airbus A320 that dropped from the sky with 162 people on board.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788088-airasia-recovery-to-focus-on-bodies-black-boxes/

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S. Korean official arrested over nut rage incident

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors on Friday arrested a government official who allegedly leaked information about an investigation into former Korean Air Lines executive Cho Hyun-ah, who forced a flight to return over a bag of macadamia nuts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788089-s-korean-official-arrested-over-nut-rage-incident/

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2-year-old accidentally kills his mom in Wal-Mart
NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press

HAYDEN, Idaho (AP) — A 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his mother after he reached into her purse at a Wal-Mart and her concealed gun fired, authorities said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788090-2-year-old-boy-shoots-mother-dead-in-us/

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Groups want PM to stay for three years
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two media groups and a civic network yesterday urged Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to stay in power for a further three years to accomplish 10 major missions and lead the country out of danger.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788092-groups-want-thai-pm-to-stay-for-three-years/

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Crewman missing after cargo boat sinks near Phuket
Darawan Naknakhon


Bits of cargo float in the area where the boat sank while rescuers look for signs of the missing crewman.

PHUKET: -- Divers are looking for a missing crew member of a cargo boat that turned turtle and sank in heavy weather off Phi Phi island yesterday (December 29).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788095-crewman-missing-after-cargo-boat-sinks-near-phuket/

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O+ blood urgently needed for Phuket crash victim
Nattha Thepbamrung


Ms Tantima's car was badly crushed in the collision with the bus

PHUKET: -- Vachira Phuket Hospital has issued a call for donations of O+ blood for the driver of the Ford Fiesta car involved in this morning’s crash in which a tour bus full of Russians tumbled off the road near the Thavorn Beach Village.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788096-o-blood-urgently-needed-for-phuket-crash-victim/

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Phuket airport slaps New Year ban on private jets


A private jet lands – but not in Phuket. Photo David Precious

PHUKET: -- Phuket airport has slapped a blanket bar on private jets landing over the holiday season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788111-phuket-airport-slaps-new-year-ban-on-private-jets/

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KOH SAMUI
Myanmar migrant bike fines by Thai police 'excessive': NGO

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787977-myanmar-migrant-bike-fines-by-thai-police-excessive-ngo/

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BTS and MRT electric trains to run until 2 am on January 1 and 2

BANGKOK, 31 December 2014 (NNT) – The service hours of BTS and MRT electric trains in Bangkok will be extended to 2 am on the nights of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788122-bangkok-bts-and-mrt-trains-to-run-until-2-am-on-january-1-and-2/

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Cabinet approves sending of 272,000 bags of rice to flood-hit South

BANGKOK, 31 December 2014 (NNT) – The Cabinet has agreed to send rice to victims of the latest flood that has ravaged the country’s southern region.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said on Tuesday that the Cabinet resolved to approve the sending of 272,000 5-kg bags of rice to flood victims in southern Thailand.

The rice will be shipped to Narathiwat, Yala, Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammawat, Trang, Songkhla, Pattani and Surat Thani.

Mr. Yongyuth said that the Interior Ministry will be responsible for the distribution of rice as well as solving the flood problem through its collaboration with the military and other related units.

He added that the Cabinet also approved in principle the Agriculture Ministry’s proposed plan to boost revenue and develop the farming sector for farmers across the country who have been hit by drought.


-- NNT 2014-12-31

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Cabinet approves 108 billion baht water development projects



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet on Tuesday approved a total investment of over 108,000 million baht for the implementation of more than 4,000 water resource development projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788124-thai-cabinet-approves-108-billion-baht-water-development-projects/

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Thai exports value in Nov. 2014 dropped by 1.8% from Oct this year due to economic slowdowns in China, Japan, EU, Thai central bank said. /The Nation

Private sector invested more in machinery / equipment, 3G mobile phone networks, Bank of Thailand said. /The Nation

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Conviction of Putin foe sets off protest in Moscow
NATALIYA VASILYEVA, Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin's chief political foe was convicted along with his brother on Tuesday in a fraud case widely seen as a vendetta by the Kremlin, triggering one of Russia's boldest anti-government demonstrations in years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788131-conviction-of-putin-foe-sets-off-protest-in-moscow/