HM King Stresses Messages of 'Will' in 2015 New Year Card
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK - His Majesty the King has urged all Thais to have resolve and will in his New Year greetings card released to the public.

The card depicts a scene from the tale of King Maha Janaka, the previous life of Lord Buddha, who is praised for his iron will by swimming in the seas for days, after a storm sank the ship that was carrying him to the land of Suvarnabhumi.

"Have a pure will, sharp wisdom, and perfect physical strength," the text in the centre of the card says.

The card is decorated with rows of "smiley faces" emoticons on the side. The Royal Household Bureau unveiled the card at around 8 pm today.

King Bhumibol, who turned 87 on 5 December, has been presenting his New Year card to the Thai public since late 1970s. The King included different messages in the greeting card for each year.

The monarch is currently residing at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok where he is being treated for several illnesses. The king was rushed to hospital from his summer palace in Prachuap Kiri Khan province in October for what the palace said was "high fever."

His Majesty later underwent a surgery to remove his gallbladder.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1420040858&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2015-01-01

Hope for a better year
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- People pray and make merit at the City Pillar Shrine yesterday in the hope that 2015 will bring better things.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Hope-for-a-better-year-30251059.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-01

Farmers group demands action on debt relief
KAMPANART KHANTRAKUL
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AFTER BEING reportedly threatened by moneylenders or on the verge of losing their homes or farms, a 2,000-strong group from Phetchaburi and nearby provinces has called for the government to help them escape from their crushing debt load.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788275-thai-farmers-group-demands-action-on-debt-relief/

Don't delay polls too long, Banharn warns
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- FORMER PRIME minister Banharn Silapa-archa's New Year's wish is for the post-coup general election to materialise no later than next year

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788276-dont-delay-polls-too-long-banharn-warns/

Reform plan ready in 2015: NRC chief
The Nation

'MORALITY CONFEDERATION' FOR POLITICIANS PROPOSED; CHARTER MAY NOT NEED PLEBISCITE

BANGKOK: -- THE REFORM process may take 10 years to complete but the National Reform Council will finish its mission of laying the groundwork for the changes this year, NRC chairman Dr Thienchay Kiranandana said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788277-thai-reform-plan-ready-in-2015-nrc-chief/

First 'dangerous day' toll higher than last year's
PIYANUT TAMNUKASETCHAI,
JEERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRUNG
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FIFTY-EIGHT people were killed and 517 others injured in 508 road accidents nationwide on Tuesday, the first day of the New Year holiday period, the Road Safety Centre reported yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788278-first-dangerous-day-toll-higher-than-last-years/

FLIGHT QZ8501
Crashed jet found on ocean floor: rescuers
Reuters
PANGKALAN BUN/SURABAYA, Indonesia


Reuters

Victim with life jacket on raises questions about last moments; 7 bodies recovered from sea

JAKARTA: -- A body recovered yesterday from the crashed AirAsia plane was wearing a life jacket, an Indonesian search-and-rescue official said, raising new questions about how the disaster unfolded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788279-airasia-flight-qz8501-crashed-jet-found-on-ocean-floor-rescuers/

EDITORIAL
Let's all resolve to build a better Thailand
The Nation

Govt leaders, elected representatives and every citizen might consider an extra New Year's resolution, for the good of society

BANGKOK: -- As a new year begins, most people are counting on improvements in life for themselves and their families, while others are hoping for the best for the country as a whole.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788280-editorial-lets-all-resolve-to-build-a-better-thailand/

Phuket police respond to two motor accidents on New Year's Eve, one fatal
Eakkapop Thongtub


The scene of today's first and fatal accident.

PHUKET: -- Police were alerted to a motor vehicle accident in the early hours of this morning involving a Mercedes Benz and Honda motorbike.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788281-phuket-police-respond-to-two-motor-accidents-on-new-years-eve-one-fatal/

Phuket police checkpoints yield two hand-guns
Darawan Naknakhon



PHUKET: -- Two more potential murder weapons were seized by Phuket police at two separate checkpoints today, including a Walter .380 holstered by an 18-year-old, as well as a .45 Colt possessed by a 40-year-old.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788282-phuket-police-checkpoints-yield-two-hand-guns/

2 Chinese, a Thai accused in credit-card scam

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two Chinese men and a Thai man were arrested for allegedly using fake credit cards in Phuket's Muang district, police told the press yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788283-2-chinese-a-thai-accused-in-credit-card-scam/

Poll reveals top news items of the year
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In a Suan Dusit Poll, 86.58 per cent of the respondents found the May 22 military takeover the most outstanding news of the year, while the arrest of former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayaphan and his network was named the top social news item at 69.45 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788284-thai-poll-reveals-top-news-items-of-the-year/

Body shows up as floods subside in South
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- Subsiding flood waters in Narathiwat uncovered the body of Chon Buri-based Private Yeuaheng Jeh-ngoh, 21, yesterday in an abandoned pavilion opposite his home area in flood-hit Sungai Kolok district. The body has been submitted for autopsy to determine the cause of death.

As the rain stopped, floods in Sungai Kolok and Tak Bai districts, which affected 500 riverside homes, yesterday reduced to between 90 and 120 centimetres, though residents still had to use boats to get around.

The situation is expected to return to normal in five days, provided there is no more rain.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Body-shows-up-as-floods-subside-in-South-30251053.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-01

Insurgent killed in Narathiwat gunfight
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- Suspected insurgent Adeunan Masae, who is wanted for stealing arms from an Army base on January 19, 2011, was killed in a gunfight with Thai security forces in Narathiwat's Rangae district yesterday morning.

After reports that some members of Runda Kumpalan Kecil had set up camp in the mountainous area behind Ban Kujing Reupa School in tambon Chalerm, three security teams decided to inspect the area. Upon arrival, the officers encountered the armed group, which resulted in a 20-minute exchange of gunfire, in which Adeunan was killed, while other suspects fled.

Officers found a stolen M16 rifle, two grenades and a loaded pistol on the body.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Insurgent-killed-in-Narathiwat-gunfight-30251051.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-01

Report: 35 killed, 42 injured in Shanghai stampede

SHANGHAI (AP) — Thirty-five people died in a stampede during New Year's celebrations in downtown Shanghai, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported — the worst disaster to hit one of China's biggest cities in recent years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788286-35-killed-42-injured-in-shanghai-stampede/

2015 begins: Shanghai tragedy, fireworks elsewhere
The Associated Press

Revelers converged on the beaches of Brazil, the skyscrapers of Dubai and New York's Times Square to say good riddance to a turbulent 2014 marred by terror woes, Ebola outbreaks and a horrific series of airline disasters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788287-2015-begins-shanghai-tragedy-fireworks-elsewhere/

Palestinians to press war-crimes case against Israel
JOSEF FEDERMAN, Associated Press
MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Turning up the pressure on Israel, the Palestinians announced Wednesday that they are joining the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes charges against the Jewish state — a risky, high-stakes move that brought threats of retaliation from Israel and criticism from the U.S.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788288-palestinians-to-press-war-crimes-case-against-israel/

Last 4 on Maryland death row to have sentences commuted

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (AP) — Maryland's outgoing governor said Wednesday he will commute the capital sentences of the state's last four inmates on death row to life in prison, saying executing them "does not serve the public good of the people of Maryland."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788289-us-state-spares-four-on-death-row/

Internet companies may censor content in Thailand without approval

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Thailand now have the power to remove and censor online content without requiring approval from the authorities. In Thailand this applies to local Internet providers such as True, TOT, and 3BB.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/internet-thailand-censorship/

Spectacular start to 2015 in Sydney

Dubai Burj Khalifa show marks start of New Year 2015 with sparkle

Thaivisa Calendar 2015/2558

This is the 2015/2558 complimentary Thaivisa calendar and includes all public holidays. A very special thanks to all members who contributed photos.
Due to popular request, all photos that I have information on includes the location.

download here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788258-thaivisa-calender-20152558/

Five family members found dead in apparent suicides, murders

BANGKOK: -- A 64-year-old father, his 16-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son were found hung on the second floor of a rented house in Bang Yi Rua sub-district of Bangkok's Thonburi district Wednesday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788300-bangkok-five-family-members-found-dead-in-apparent-suicides-murders/

Two more shootings, a suicide attempt mark year's turning in Phuket


The scene of the fatal shooting last night near Phuket government offices.

PHUKET: -- The year turned over with two more violent shootings – in Phuket Town and Patong -- and a suicide attempt in the island’s premier party town late last night, early this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788302-two-more-shootings-a-suicide-attempt-mark-years-turning-in-phuket/

People to watch who may shift the US 2016 campaign
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the year that will pass before the 2016 campaign for U.S. president formally kicks off with the primary process, any number of candidates, donors, political operatives — and people who have nothing to do with American politics — will shape the race for the White House. Here's a look at people who will be worth watching in the next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788304-people-to-watch-who-may-shift-the-us-2016-campaign/

UPDATE:

Five Family Members Found Dead In Suicide Murder
Published by Stickboy BKK

BANGKOK: -- A very sad ending to 2015 for one Bangkok family after their landlord found all five members dead in a suicide murder

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788300-bangkok-five-family-members-found-dead-in-apparent-suicides-murders/#entry8878534

Phuket 2014: A look back at news over the year
The Phuket News


all that was left of the illegal Lotus restaurant on Bang Tao Beach after it was pulled down

PHUKET: -- As ever, it has been an eventful year in Phuket, featuring the good, the bad and the downright ugly, criminals, giant snakes, deadly fires and deadly accidents on land, on the water and under it. All human life is here. Here are the highlights, month by month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788307-phuket-2014-a-look-back-at-news-over-the-year/

13-year-old boy killed by firework in Ratchaburi

RATCHABURI: -- A 13-year-old boy was killed in Ratchaburi's Pakthor district on New Year Eve when he and friends lit fireworks to celebrate the New Year countdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788315-13-year-old-boy-killed-by-firework-in-ratchaburi/

Now Illegal To Refuse Breathalyzer
Published by Stickboy BKK



BANGKOK: -- A new amendment to the law that came into force on 31st December 2014 means that it is now illegal to refuse a breathalyzer test in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788318-now-illegal-to-refuse-breathalyzer-test-in-thailand/

PM addresses nation on New Year's day, urges all parties to work together move country forward, requests public patience /MCOT