Thailand Live Monday 5 Jan 2015

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Domestic travel on 2015 New Year holiday exceeds previous year

BANGKOK, 5 January 2015 (NNT) - The Association of Domestic Travel has reported that the overall tourism during the New Year festival this year was lively, generating around 30 billion baht nationwide.

Chairman of the Association of Domestic Travel Yutthachai Sunthonrattanawet said this year’s tourism during the New Year long holiday was better than the previous year, mainly due to decreasing energy prices which led to increasing spending for consumption. The association estimated that there had been 20 million Thai tourists traveling during the long holiday, generating around 25 - 30 billion baht. The northern region was still the most popular tourist destination, said the chairman.

As for the growth tendency of the tourism industry in the first quarter 2015, the chairman said he believed domestic travel would grow by 3% and increase to 10% in the second quarter, following activities to promote travel on Chinese New Year, Valentines’ and Song Kran days. The association also predicted that domestic travel in 2015 would expand by 10% with the number of Thai tourists traveling in the country standing at 155 million people, generating 800 million baht in the economic system.


-- NNT 2015-01-05

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OPINION

Thailand and the Coup Trap
By FORREST E. COOKSON and TOM F. JOEHNK

BANGKOK: — Fifteen billion dollars. That’s roughly the price tag of the coup d’état to date. And it’s the difference between the Thai economy, Southeast Asia’s second-biggest, stagnating, as it is now, or its chugging along at 4 percent, its average growth rate since 2001.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789113-opinion-thailand-and-the-coup-trap/

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Woman killed in cliff fall 'was not taking a selfie'
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE family of a Thai woman who died after falling off a cliff near Taktsang Monastery in Bhutan on Friday dismissed conjecture yesterday that she slipped while taking a "selfie".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788898-thai-tourist-dies-falling-from-cliff-in-bhutan/page-2#entry8893952

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Charter will be a key test for govt: experts
Pravit Rojanaphruk,
Nitipol Kiravanich
The Nation

Managing the economy could also be vital in government's survival, along with opportunities for dissent

BANGKOK: -- Experts say there are several possible flashpoints for conflict this year, with many agreeing that the key issues will be if the public finds the new charter acceptable, plus continued infringement on civil liberties under martial law, the state of the economy and more.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789162-charter-will-be-a-key-test-for-thai-govt-experts/

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CDC proposal seems to aim at containing political parties' power
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NEW political system proposed by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) seems to have demonstrated a clear intention to create a strong checks-and-balances system that focuses on containing the power and influence of political parties and politicians.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789163-cdc-proposal-seems-to-aim-at-containing-political-parties-power/

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Congestion returns as holiday ends
The Nation



BANGKOK: --MAJOR arteries in gateway provinces were clogged with vehicles all day yesterday, as the five-day New Year holiday break drew to a close and people made their way back to Bangkok by car or bus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789164-congestion-returns-as-thai-holiday-ends/

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Thai democracy ranked higher by website
AGENCIES

BANGKOK: -- DEMOCRACY Ranking measures the quality of democracy in countries around the globe every year |by referring to a broader conceptual understanding of democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789165-thai-democracy-ranked-higher-by-website/

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EDITORIAL
Democrats, Pheu Thai must aid reform
The Nation

Big sacrifices needed from the big parties' leaders

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's political reform will have at least three crucial phases. The first is a peaceful return to the ballot boxes and the second involves how to make a divided populace accept the results. If things go well, implementing measures to make the new government accountable and transparent will be next. As we can see, the first is the easiest step and the second and third phases are closely related. And while the onus is on the military rulers to deliver new fair ground rules for politics, the country's two biggest countries will need to help, if not make big sacrifices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789166-democrats-pheu-thai-must-aid-reform/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thai diplomacy faces uphill tasks
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As the Prayut government continues to concentrate on political reform and constitutional drafting throughout this year, the country's foreign policy will not receive much attention. For the past seven months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been the main government agency to explain what was going on inside the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789167-thai-diplomacy-faces-uphill-tasks/

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Bike Driver injured in collision with SUV in Jomtien

PATTAYA: -- Late on Sunday a motorbike driver sustained a serious head injury following a collision with an SUV. A fire then engulfed the motorbike and front of the SUV, whose driver and passenger, including a 3 year old boy were uninjured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789168-bike-driver-injured-in-collision-with-suv-in-jomtien/

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2 arrested after necklace snatch, meters away from Pattaya Police Station



PATTAYA: -- Two Thai men aged 18 and 19 were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after they allegedly snatched a gold necklace from a female motorbike passenger, only meters away from Pattaya Police Station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789169-2-arrested-after-necklace-snatch-meters-away-from-pattaya-police-station/

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Manager of Popular Tourist Attraction in Pattaya killed in Rayong road crash



PATTAYA: -- On Saturday three people were killed as a pick-up truck collided at-speed with a Mercedes Benz car fitted with an LPG tank which exploded upon impact.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789170-manager-of-popular-tourist-attraction-in-pattaya-killed-in-rayong-road-crash/

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In search of a Boston jury to try marathon suspect
By DENISE LAVOIE

BOSTON (AP) — His accusers brandish a confession scribbled inside a boat during an intensive manhunt and a video they say shows him placing a backpack with a bomb a few feet from a little boy who died when it exploded seconds later.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789171-in-search-of-a-boston-jury-to-try-marathon-suspect/

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Mayor eulogizes officer as cops outside turn backs
By JONATHAN LEMIRE and MIKE BALSAMO

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of police turned their backs Sunday as Mayor Bill de Blasio eulogized an officer shot dead with his partner, repeating a stinging display of scorn for the mayor despite entreaties to put anger aside.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789172-ny-mayor-eulogizes-officer-as-cops-outside-turn-backs/

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Extremists kidnap 40 males in northern Nigeria

HARUNA UMAR, Associated Press

BAUCHI, Nigeria (AP) Boko Haram extremists have kidnapped about 40 boys and young men and killed scores of soldiers in a bold attack on a multinational military base in northeast Nigeria, according to fleeing residents and an intelligence officer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789173-boko-haram-extremists-kidnap-40-males-in-northern-nigeria-army-base/

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Prayers held as weather blocks divers from AirAsia site
By EILEEN NG

SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — Relatives of those who died in the AirAsia crash sought strength in prayer Sunday, one week after the disaster killed all 162 on board, as rough weather again prevented searchers from reaching a large object on the ocean floor believed to be the plane's fuselage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789175-prayers-held-as-weather-blocks-divers-from-airasia-site/

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General Chavalit confirms rumour of early retirement of three top officers



BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said today that the rumour that three top-ranking army officers were asked to step down before their mandatory retirement so that they could devote to work full time for the government was not groundless.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789177-general-chavalit-confirms-rumour-of-early-retirement-of-three-top-officers/

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Security stepped up for anniversary of notorious attack on Army camp when hundreds of firearms were stolen
The Nation



NARATHIWAT: -- Authorities have stepped up security for the 11th anniversary of the attack by a band of militants on a military camp in Narathiwat's Joh I Rong district in which four soldiers were killed and many weapons pilfered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789178-security-stepped-up-for-anniversary-of-notorious-attack-on-thai-army-camp/

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Actor will be asked to explain car deal: police
The Nation


Pakorn Chatborirak

PAKORN GOT LAMBORGHINI FROM KMITL SUSPECT

BANGKOK: -- POPULAR actor Pakorn Chatborirak will be summoned by police to give further statements about buying a Bt13.5 million Lamborghini from a man suspected of involvement in a high-profile heist of more than Bt1.5 billion from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lat Krabang, a senior policeman said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789182-thai-actor-will-be-asked-to-explain-car-deal-police/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Netflix blocks access by VPN from abroad...or does it?

The popular Internet movie streaming service Netflix has started blocking subscribers who use VPN software that enables them to bypass geographical restrictions.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/netflix-blocks-access-vpn/

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Migrant flow into US from Caribbean spikes
By JENNIFER KAY

MIAMI (AP) — Just starting a five-year sentence for illegally re-entering the United States, George Lewis stared at the officers staring back at him at Miami's federal detention center and considered whether he'd risk getting on another smuggler's boat — a chance that soaring numbers of Caribbean islanders are taking — once he's deported again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789203-migrant-flow-into-us-from-caribbean-spikes/

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Syria wants coordination with Lebanon on new visa rules
RYAN LUCAS, Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's ambassador to Lebanon called on Saturday for coordination with Lebanese authorities after Beirut announced plans to impose unprecedented restrictions on Syrians trying to enter Lebanon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789207-syria-wants-coordination-with-lebanon-on-new-visa-rules/

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Royal Flames granted to two students’ games this month

BANGKOK, 5 January 2015 (NNT) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn assigned Her Royal Highness Princess Siriwanwaree to deputize for him on Saturday (3 January) at the ceremony of lighting the ceremonial flame for the Local Administrative Organization School Games Championship of Thailand for the 2014 academic year.

At Sukhothai Palace, Her Royal Highness Princess Siriwanwaree granted an audience to General Anupong Paochinda, Interior Minister, who led the organizing committee of the 32nd Local Administrative Organization School Games Championship of Thailand to receive the Royal Flame for the games’ opening. The games will be held during 14-23 January 2015 at the Municipality of Kanchanaburi in Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province.

Later on, Her Royal Highness Princess Siriwanwaree granted an audience to Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, who led the organizing committee of the 36th National Students Games to receive the ceremonial flame for the opening of the games.

The 36th National Students Games will be held during 23-31 January 2015 at the Chiang Rai Provincial Stadium in Muang District, Chiang Rai Province.


-- NNT 2015-01-05

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Norwegian cargo ship sinks off Vietnam, 18 crew members missing

MANILA: -- A Norwegian cargo ship with 19 Filipino crew members sank off the coast of southern Vietnam with only one man known to have survived, officials said on January 4.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789212-norwegian-cargo-ship-sinks-off-vietnam-18-crew-members-missing/

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Udon Thani is confident no passengers will be left behind

UDON THANI, 5 Jan 2015, (NNT) - Udon Thani train station and bus station are preparing 13 extra carriages and an additional 100 buses, ensuring no passengers are left behind as the New Year holiday period comes to an end.

The Deputy Udon Thani Governor, Narong Polla-iad yesterday inspected the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) employees at the train station, working to facilitate the return of visitors to many destinations after the New Year celebration.

According to Mr. Narong, all locomotive drivers must pass an alcohol breath test before taking control of the train.

In order to make sure that some passengers aren't left behind, the SRT has for the three days from Jan 3rd increased the number of carriages on the free-of-charge train leaving Udon Thani for Bangkok from 4 - 7 bogies. It also added another 10-carriages to the free-of-charge train on the Nong Khai - Bangkok route. The route originally had only one 14-bogie train.

Meanwhile, the bus station in the province is buzzing with commuters returning home or to other destinations. This year the station enlisted an additional 100 buses to accommodate all the New Year travelers.

All employees on driving duty are also required to take the drug test.


-- NNT 2015-01-05

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,498.72, gains 1.05 points /MCOT

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French man found dead in Koh Tao – incident being treated as suicide not homicide

KOH SAMUI: -- The death of a 29 year old French Man found hanging from the balcony of his bungalow on January 1st is being treated as a suicide, not as a murder, despite social media speculation around the death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789218-french-man-found-dead-in-koh-tao-incident-being-treated-as-suicide-not-homicide/

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UPDATE:

1 rescued, 2 bodies recovered from sunken ship with all-Filipino crew



MANILA: -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday that one was rescued while two bodies were recovered from a cargo ship with an all-Filipino crew that sank off Vietnam Friday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789212-norwegian-cargo-ship-sinks-off-vietnam-18-crew-members-missing/#entry8894718

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Weeklong New Year holiday spurs 30 million baht spendings by 20 million Thais



BANGKOK: -- Weeklong New Year holiday spurs 30 million baht spendings by 20 million ThaisWeeklong New Year holiday spurs 30 million baht spendings by 20 million Thais

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789221-weeklong-new-year-holiday-spurs-30-million-baht-spendings-by-20-million-thais/

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AirAsia plane engine dies just before takeoff from Surabaya, passengers told to disembark



SURABAYA: -- In the latest incident to hit an AirAsia flight departing from Surabaya, the engine of a plane failed just before it took off from Juanda International Airport in the Indonesian city, The Straits Times reported, citing local news media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789223-airasia-plane-engine-dies-just-before-takeoff-from-surabaya-passengers-told-to-disembark/