Thailand Live Friday 2 Jan 2015

[Lite Beer]

Dutch scientists use smell to recreate JFK, Diana and other famous death scenes
AFP

Princess Diana

Dutch scientists are recreating the deaths of some of the world’s most famous personalities by reconstructing their last moments using scents and sounds.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788542-dutch-scientists-use-smell-to-recreate-jfk-diana-and-other-famous-death-scenes/

[Lite Beer]

16.6 million Thais join praying countdown nationwide: Culture Ministry

BANGKOK: -- The Culture Ministry reported Friday that 16.66 million Buddhists joined praying ceremonies to welcome the New Year at 6,577 temples nationwide.

The number excluded tourists who joined praying rites at major national parks. In Bangkok, 798,500 Buddhists joined the praying rites at 204 temples, the ministry added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/16-6-million-Thais-join-praying-countdown-nationwi-30251098.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-02

[Lite Beer]

Gold prices unchanged at B18,550 /Bangkok Post

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Australian journalist jailed in Egypt asks to be deported: family

Australian journalist jailed in Egypt asks to be deported: family

Brisbane: Lawyers for jailed Australian journalist Peter Greste have applied to have him deported from Egypt, his family said Friday, describing it as their "best option" after a court ordered a retrial of the Al-Jazeera reporter and two colleagues.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788385-imprisoned-al-jazeera-reporters-face-egypt-appeal/#entry8882533

[Lite Beer]

Fire rages electronic part plant in Ayutthaya

AYUTTHAYA: -- A huge big fire broke out at an electronic part plant of Shin-Ei Precision (Thailand) Co Ltd in Rojana industrial estate in Uthai district of Ayutthaya causing damage of over 10 million baht.

The fire was first spotted at 10:30 am Thursday at the plant located on the estate’s Project 2, and quickly spread.

More than 20 fire engines were rushed to fight the fire and took about an hour to contain it from raging other adjacent plant.

Police said the fire destroyed the building, its machinery, and electronic parts, with initial damages estimated at about 10 million baht.

Nobody was hurt as the plant was closed on New Year.

However some machinery were still operating automatically, particularly the paint coating operations.

Police suspected this might be a cause of fire.

But they have yet to wait for the Japanese executives of the company for joint inspection of the plant today.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/fire-rages-electronic-part-plant-ayutthaya

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-02

[Lite Beer]

Man survives sleeping car crash at Phuket's Heroines Monument
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A 40-year-old man who totaled his vehicle near the Heroines’ Monument traffic circle after falling asleep at the wheel late last night, emerged from the wreckage with only a few bruises and scratches.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788556-man-survives-sleeping-car-crash-at-phukets-heroines-monument/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Hunt goes on for fake bomb planter in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- A fake bomb planted near the French consular office in Chiang Mai yesterday prompted security authorities to hunt down the ill-intention people who they said intended to destroy the happiness of people celebrating the New Year festival.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788533-fake-bomb-found-in-heart-of-chiang-mai/#entry8882729

[Lite Beer]

Princess Sirindhorn gives New Year gifts to wounded soldiers

BANGKOK: -- Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn yesterday visited Phra Mongkutklao Military Hospital to present gifts and and give moral support to wounded soldiers.

The Princess visited 39 wounded soldiers at their beds, mostly injured in counter insurgency operations in the Southern and along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Many of the wounded soldiers have their legs amputated because of bomb blasts and ambushes by insurgents.

Their treatment and physical rehabilitation usually takes several months.

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

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/princess-sirindhorn-gives-new-year-gifts-wounded-soldiers

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-02

[Lite Beer]

New Year death toll rises to 190 on third 'dangerous' day

BANGKOK: -- The death toll of road accidents during the so-called seven dangerous New Year holidays rose to 190 on the third day on New Year day, the Road Safety Centre announced Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788583-new-year-death-toll-rises-to-190-on-third-dangerous-day/

[Lite Beer]

190 killed, 1,782 injured in 1,737 road accidents in first three days of seven-day road accident monitoring period for New Year holidays /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Angry jumbo charges at truck on Khao Yai park

KHAO YAI: -- An angry wild elephant yesterday charged at a pickup truck after an impatient driver honked the horn to scare away the jumbo while driving in Khao Yai national park Thursday afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788511-khao-yai-national-park-visitor-honks-at-elephant-gets-car-thrashed/page-3#entry8882925

[Lite Beer]

Interior Minister thanks officials for keeping roads safe during holidays

SARABURI, 2 January 2015 (NNT)- More than 1,000 people have volunteered nationwide to keep holidaymakers safe for the public during the New Year celebrations.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788592-interior-minister-thanks-officials-for-keeping-roads-safe-during-holidays/

[Lite Beer]

Activists call for stringent measures on alcohol sales

BANGKOK, 2 Jan 2015 (NNT) – Activists have urged the government to come up with more effective measures regarding alcohol sales.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788593-activists-call-for-stringent-measures-on-alcohol-sales/

[Lite Beer]

Northern region will be colder

BANGKOK, 2 January 2015 (NNT) - Temperatures are forecast to drop by 2 - 4C further in the northern region of Thailand from 1 - 3 January due to a strong high pressure system from China. An average temperature in the northern and northeastern regions will be below 15C.

The Meteorological Department said there would be fog in the morning and strong winds in the northern region. The lowest temperatures will be around 12 - 15C in the upper part of the region. The lower part will be slightly warmer and frost will be found on some mountain tops.

A northeastern monsoon at the southern region and the Gulf of Thailand will continue to be strong until 3 January 2015, causing strong winds and high waves in the lower part of the Gulf of Thailand or from Nakhon Si Thammarat province downward.

Temperatures in Bangkok and the vicinity will drop by 1 - 2C with strong winds. The lowest temperatures will stand between 18 - 19C and the highest between 29 – 30C with a northeast wind of 15 - 35 km/hr.

-- NNT 2015-01-02

[Lite Beer]

9 occupations could be required to undergo a test to gain employments

BANGKOK, 2 January 2014 (NNT)-The Department of Skill Development (DSD) will be testing workers for their skills in the jobs that could potentially be harmful to the public.

The Office of Skill Standard and Testing Development has proposed testing the skills of workers in 9 occupations that involve electrical appliances, metal wielding, construction and vehicles.

The DSD has accepted the proposal which dictates that these workers must be verified by the Office of Skill Standard and Testing Development first.

However, the DSD will later decide whether to make it a requirement for prospective workers to obtain skill verification by undergoing a test first.

Three working groups have also been set up to look into whether the proposed requirement should be made into a law. They are expected to come to a conclusion by the end of this month.

-- NNT 2015-01-02

[Lite Beer]

RT @RichardBarrow: Let’s hope this Mahachai-Nakhon Pathom bus doesn’t crash with the kid at the wheel (Pic @FireDept33) #Thailand http://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/550881430323355648/photo/1

[Lite Beer]

Hasbro to replace penis-shaped Play-Doh toy
MICHELLE R. SMITH, Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (AP) — It was an embarrassing Christmas for Nivea Cabrera after she was accused by her fiance's mother of letting her 5-year-old granddaughter play with a sex toy. A mortified Carbrera asked the child where she got the penis-shaped plastic cylinder.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788605-hasbro-to-replace-penis-shaped-play-doh-toy/

[Lite Beer]

Booming high seasons are but a memory for Pattaya hotels

PATTAYA:--It used to be that “high season” - the middle of October through the end of Songkran in April - was when Pattaya’s hotels were full, the beaches packed and shopping malls bustling. But high season hasn’t resembled what people remember for years.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788607-booming-high-seasons-are-but-a-memory-for-pattaya-hotels/

[Lite Beer]

Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Phuket remain hot destinations in 2015

BANGKOK, 2 Jan 2015 (NNT) – Leading hospitality and tourism agencies have predicted that Hua Hin, the southern province of Phuket and the northern province of Chiang Mai would gain even more popularity among foreign tourists in 2015 thanks to the birth of new attractions and the growth of budget airlines.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788612-hua-hin-chiang-mai-and-phuket-remain-hot-destinations-in-2015/

[Lite Beer]

Tourists finally arrive on Jomtien beaches

PATTAYA:--It took a while, but high season finally arrived at Jomtien-area beaches, with Jomtien, Yim Yom and Dongtan beaches swarming.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788611-tourists-finally-arrive-on-jomtien-beaches/

[Lite Beer]

Military, city begin reorganizing Pattaya Beach

PATTAYA:--Beach vendors were given a bit of a surprise as Pattaya and military officials began outlining new zones for beach chairs and umbrellas on Pattaya Beach as many operators didn’t realize they’d have to move from their established locations.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788609-military-city-begin-reorganizing-pattaya-beach/

[Lite Beer]

AAF says Thailand continuing as leading auto production
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 2 -- The ASEAN Automotive Federation (AAF) says Thailand continues to lead in the automotive production industry among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) due to the Eco Car Phase II programme.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788624-aaf-says-thailand-continuing-as-leading-auto-production/

[Lite Beer]

Two Cars Burn Down in New Year's Day Blaze

By Khaosod Eng.

CHIANG MAI — Two high-end cars were burned to crisp in Chiang Mai province on New Year’s day in a fire that police suspect was caused by a sky lantern or firework.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788625-two-cars-burn-down-in-new-years-day-blaze/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Three-day death toll now stands at 190

BANGKOK: -- The Road Safety Centre said Friday that death toll from road accidents in the three-day period of the seven dangerous days now reach 190.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788583-new-year-death-toll-rises-to-190-on-third-dangerous-day/#entry8883704

[Lite Beer]

Tak & Chiang Rai extend border-crossing hours

CHIANG RAI, 2 Jan 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Interior has decided to extend the border-crossing time in Chiang Rai and Tak provinces.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788635-tak-chiang-rai-extend-border-crossing-hours/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

IFTTT: Automate your online life…and then some

If This Then That (IFTTT) is a mobile app and online service that helps you simplify your life by automating regular tasks.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/ifttt-automate-online-life/

[Lite Beer]

Airborne lantern blown into Bangkok Airways plane arriving Chiang Mai; aircraft lands safely /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

NLA Prepares 163 Laws For The New Year

By Khosod Eng.

BANGKOK— The legislative body appointed by Thailand’s military junta has prepared 163 draft laws for consideration this year, state media reported.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788655-nla-prepares-163-laws-for-the-new-year/

[Lite Beer]

PTT, Bangchak cut all gasoline prices 50 satang/litre, except E85, reduced 20 satang/litre, effective Saturday /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

RT @BBCBreaking: Madrid's #Atocha train station evacuated after bomb threat but police say man claiming to be suicide bomber was not carrying explosives