NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES
Merit-making activities in major cities around the country
The Nation

Buddhists offer alms to monks at Chonprathan Rangsarit Temple in Nonthaburi on New Year

BANGKOK: -- While many Thais celebrated the New Year with merit-making activities yesterday, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra led city officials and members of the public to offer alms to 189 Buddhist monks at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788495-merit-making-activities-in-major-cities-around-the-country/

Bill set to outlaw torture and abduction
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Expected to take effect after public hearing soon if approved by Cabinet

AN IMPORTANT bill against torture and abduction - allegedly condoned by some state officials when dealing with criminals - will go into effect soon after passing a public hearing this month.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788498-bill-set-to-outlaw-torture-and-abduction/

UPDATE:

Murder-suicide suspected in death of five family members in Thon Buri
Kamonchanok Thikhakul,
Supachai Petchthewee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police suspect a murder-suicide in the deaths of five members of one family found at a rented house in Thon Buri in Bangkok on New Year's Eve.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788300-bangkok-five-family-members-found-dead-in-apparent-suicides-murders/page-3?p=8881610#entry8881610

Journalist group outlines goals for 'Year of Media Reform'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Journalists Association has named 2015 the "Year of Media Reform", calling for all parties to join in solving problems related to the news media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788503-journalist-group-outlines-goals-for-year-of-media-reform/

Top brass deny giving up military posts for Cabinet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The three Cabinet members who have retained their seats in the armed forces yesterday dismissed rumours that the would give up their military posts soon in order to focus on their government job.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788504-top-brass-deny-giving-up-military-posts-for-cabinet/

UPDATE:

128 killed over first two days of New Year
Wattana Khamchoo,
Noppadol Srithaweekard,
Thanongsak Supakarn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The first two of the New Year period's "seven dangerous days" have seen 128 people killed and 1,158 others injured in 1,133 accidents nationwide, the Road Safety Centre said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788345-first-two-days-of-7-dangerous-new-year-holidays-see-128-killed-1158-injured/page-2?p=8881645#entry8881645

Media invited to monitor drafting of new constitution from Jan 12
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Local and foreign media will be allowed to monitor most of the proceedings of the Constitution Drafting Committee but not to broadcast sessions live.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788506-media-invited-to-monitor-drafting-of-new-constitution-from-jan-12/

NLA to consider proposal on 'morality' panel
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will meet on Tuesday to consider whether it should endorse the proposal for establishing a "National Confederation of Morality" to help push for concrete results on national reform.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788507-nla-to-consider-proposal-on-morality-panel/

Thaksin, family in Beijing for 2015 countdown
The Nation

BEIJING: -- Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family took part in a New Year countdown party in Beijing on Wednesday night, Chinese online medium Ifeng News reported.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788508-thaksin-family-in-beijing-for-2015-countdown/

No nicknaming of politicians this year
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Reporters on the Parliament beat have decided to skip their annual custom of nicknaming lawmakers and parliamentarians this year because of the May 22 military takeover.

In a statement released yesterday, the reporters said it was their practice to avoid nicknaming lawmakers after important political events, such as the 2006 coup and the dissolution of the House of Representatives in 2013.

This policy is aimed at preventing possible abuse of the monikers the press give - usually out of goodwill - for political advantage, the statement said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/No-nicknaming-of-politicians-this-year-30251093.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-02

EDITORIAL
We, as a society, need to grow up
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- For Thailand's democracy to be successful, our bureaucracy requires capable people

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788509-we-as-a-society-need-to-grow-up/

Phuket bus crash driver succumbs to her injuries


Ms Tantima's Ford car was severely damaged in the collision with the bus

PHUKET: Tantima Thaworn, 37, died today (January 1) of injuries she received in a road smash on Tuesday (December 30).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788510-phuket-bus-crash-driver-succumbs-to-her-injuries/

HRH Princess Sirindhorn visits wounded soldiers on New Year’s Day

BANGKOK, 2 January 2015 (NNT) - On the occasion of the New Year’s Day, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday went to Phra Mongkutklao Military Hospital to present gifts and moral support to soldiers who were wounded during counter-insurgency operations.

Upon her arrival, the Princess was presented with a bouquet of flowers by a representative of wounded soldiers in their show of gratitude to the Princess for her constant visits to wounded soldiers every year.

The Princess visited 39 wounded soldiers at their beds on the day, mostly injured by serving the country in the southernmost part of Thailand and along the Thai-Cambodian border. Many of them have become amputees because of bomb blasts and ambush of insurgents. Their treatment and physical rehabilitation usually takes several months.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness chatted with the soldiers and their doctors, asking about the progress of their treatment and gave them encouragement and New Year blessings.

-- NNT 2015-01-02

Khao Yai National Park visitor honks at elephant, gets car thrashed

PRACHINBURI, 2 January 2015 (NNT) – A pickup truck driven by a a tourist on a visit to Khao Yai National Park in Prachinburi came under attack by a wild elephant on Thursday after the driver honked his horn at the jumbo.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788511-khao-yai-national-park-visitor-honks-at-elephant-gets-car-thrashed/

GH Bank prepares 5 billion baht to fund low-interest loan for home buyers

BANGKOK, 2 January 2015 (NNT) – The Government Housing Bank (GHBank) is allocating five billion baht towards providing low-interest loans for home buyers, in an initiative the bank has branded as a New Year's gift to the public.

Angkana Chaimanat, president of GH Bank, said the allotted money will fund low-interest loans for low- to middle-income home buyers to enable them to buy their own homes. The loans may be taken out for home purchase as well as for home construction, expansion and repairs. The borrower will only be charged 0.87% interest for the first year. The interest will rise 4.85% on the second year, after which the rate will be MRR plus 0.5% for the average loan taker. The adjustable-rate loan amount will be capped at 2.5 million baht per borrower.

Interested would-be borrowers may apply during March 5 and 30.

-- NNT 2015-01-02

Surat Thani's Pha-ngan Island attracts many more foreigners than Koh Samui for countdown

SURAT THANI, 1 January 2015 (NNT) – Tourists have visited Surat Thani province in droves for the countdown to the new year, with 500 million baht expected to be in circulation on Pha-ngan Island during the New Year's holiday period.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788512-surat-thanis-pha-ngan-island-attracts-many-more-foreigners-than-koh-samui-for-countdown/

Pandas in Chiang Mai Zoo enjoy New Year presents

BANGKOK, 1 January 2015 (NNT) - Chiang Mai Zoo is celebrating the New Year with an activity which allows zoo visitors to give presents to giant pandas.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788513-pandas-in-chiang-mai-zoo-enjoy-new-year-presents/

1st of 9 bodies from AirAsia crash identified
EILEEN NG, Associated Press
ROBIN McDOWELL, Associated Press

SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — A passenger aboard AirAsia Flight 8501 became the first victim of the crash to be returned to her family Thursday, one of many painful reunions to come, as search crews struggled against wind and heavy rain to find more than 150 people still missing.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788514-1st-of-9-bodies-from-airasia-crash-identified/

Italy rescuing more migrants in Mediterranean

ROME (AP) — The Italian Air Force is rescuing hundreds of migrants stranded on a cargo ship apparently abandoned in rough seas by smugglers in the Mediterranean.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788515-italy-rescuing-more-migrants-in-mediterranean/

Jeb Bush resigns from remaining board memberships
STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, has cleared a path toward a 2016 presidential campaign by resigning all of his board memberships.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788516-jeb-bush-resigns-from-remaining-board-memberships/

Gerrard set to announce end of Liverpool career

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is set to announce he will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788517-gerrard-set-to-announce-end-of-liverpool-career/

Fire destroys electronic parts factory in Ayutthaya

AYUTTHAYA: -- A big fire raged through a building of an electronic parts of Shin -Ei Precision (Thailand) Co Ltd in Ayutthaya's Rojana industrial estate at 10:30 am Thursday.

About 20 fire engines took about an hour to control the blaze. Police said the fire destroyed the building, the main machine and a lot of electronic parts, causing damage worth at least Bt10 million.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Fire-destroys-electronic-parts-factory-in-Ayutthay-30251095.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-02

Chiang Mai plans to set up bicycle lanes
Ayuthai Nonnitirat
The Nation

Chiang Mai sees salvation in opening up proper bike lanes amid worsening traffic and air pollution.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788505-chiang-mai-plans-to-set-up-bicycle-lanes/

St. Louis man charged with threatening police
Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A St. Louis man was charged Thursday with making threats against police and the St. Louis City Justice Center on Twitter.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788520-st-louis-man-charged-with-threatening-police/

Greece, Italy vary wildly on ferry missing numbers
PAOLO SANTALUCIA, Associated Press
FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press

BRINDISI, Italy (AP) — Greece and Italy have issued widely different figures for how many people are still not accounted for in the ferry fire that killed at least 11 people in the Adriatic Sea.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788521-greece-italy-vary-wildly-on-ferry-missing-numbers/

Fire destroys six houses in Klong Toey community

BANGKOK: -- A fire burned down six houses in the Klong Toey squatter community at 5:30 pm on Thursday, police said. Nobody was injured in the blaze.

Police said 15 fire engines took about 25 minutes to control the blaze. Police said the fire might be caused by a short circuit at a house whose owner was away.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Fire-destroys-six-houses-in-Klong-Toey-community-30251096.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-02

RT @RichardBarrow: Today is still a public holiday in #Thailand. Government offices like Immigration are closed until Monday.

Fake bomb found in heart of Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- Third Army Area Commander Lt Gen Sathit Pittharat said what appeared to be a bomb left on a roadside in front of the French consular office in Chiang Mai's Muang district turned out to be a fake bomb.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788533-fake-bomb-found-in-heart-of-chiang-mai/

Israel ex-minister: Settlement funding is corrupt

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's former finance minister on Thursday said the government's rush to allot tens of millions of dollars to West Bank settlements last month amounted to corruption, as he sought to link the secretive spending spree to a growing wave of scandals ahead of March elections.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788536-israel-ex-minister-settlement-funding-is-corrupt/

Numbers of tourists from Russia falling by the minute

The Phuket News

Sources: Ministry of Tourism and Sport and Kasikorn Research Centre. Phuket News Graphic

BANGKOK: -- Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) says the Russian economic crisis will cut Russian travel to Thailand by at least 9.3pc in 2014 and 24.6pc in 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788541-numbers-of-tourists-from-russia-falling-by-the-minute/