Thailand Live Tuesday 6 Jan 2015

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PRD executives make new year greetings to two ministers



BANGKOK, 6 January 2015 (NNT) - Mr.Apinan Juntarungsri, Director General of the Government Public Relations Department (PRD) led the deputy director general and high-ranking officials of the PRD in making a greeting of the New Year to two ministers.

Gen Chatchai Sarikulya, the Commerce Minister, was visited first at the Minister's office at Sanambin Nam.

Gen Chatchai personally believed that civil servants will work more happily this year because they're not working under the influence of politicians. Thus, on the occasion of the New Year, he requested all governmental units to pursue their working ideals with their best efforts for the maximum benefit of the public.

After leaving the Commerce Minister, the PRD representatives moved to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to make another greeting of the New Year to the Minister, Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew.

Mr.Apinan revealed that his greeting today was intended to demonstrate the implementation of seniority respectfulness which is one of the twelve core values.

Both ministers emphasized the importance of public relations to the success of the government’s policies and projects. They asked the PRD to take an active role in promoting the government's works to the public for better mutual understanding. At the same time, the public can also direct their opinions back to the government.


-- NNT 2015-01-06

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Soldiers Break Up Rescue Worker Brawl in Bangkok
By Khaosod English


Soldiers were forced to assist police in stopping a fight between rival groups of emergency responders at Lam Pak Chee Police Station on 4 Jan 2015.

BANGKOK — Soldiers were forced to assist police in stopping a fight between rival groups of emergency responders in Bangkok early Sunday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789419-soldiers-break-up-rescue-worker-brawl-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Man rescued after falling off cliff in Prachuap
The Nation



PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: -- A Thai tourist was rescued yesterday after plunging off a cliff in a national park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province and being stuck there for 18 hours.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789318-man-rescued-from-cliff-in-prachuap-khiri-khan/#entry8898497

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Thai archbishop among 20 new Catholic cardinals
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THREE SOUTHEAST Asian Catholic priests, including a Thai, are joining the world's list of cardinals - the so-called princes of the Catholic Church.

They are Archbishop Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Thailand, Archbishop Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar and Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Hanoi.

Pope Francis named 20 new cardinals on Sunday. His choices reflect a change in church demographics, which have shifted towards Africa, Latin America and Asia in the past century.

Myanmar and Vietnam, for example, for the first time in their history have now seen their nationals appointed cardinals.

Christianity celebrated its 500th anniversary in Myanmar, home to about 700,000 Catholics, last year.

"Let compassion become the common religion of humanity. We can make poverty history," Yangon Archbishop Charles Maung Bo said as he reflected on his country's situation, according to Myanmar Eleven.

He noted that 2014 was a significant year for Myanmar, marking 500 years of Christianity's journey there.

In his radio speech to mark the New Year, he placed his focus on poor education and health services in the country. The archbishop also mentioned modern slavery, extending concerns to the children of migrant workers. He also urged the end of attempts to start wars.

The archbishop went on to highlight the need for justice and peace in the country. As Myanmar is to hold a national election this year, he said the Church's role was to preserve human dignity and raise voices on behalf of the voiceless.

He spoke up just before being named a new cardinal.

In the Roman Catholic Church, cardinals are a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes.

The new cardinals will be officially installed in a ceremony on February 14. Pope Francis, along with the new cardinals, will celebrate a joint mass the following day. Once these new members of the College of Cardinals are officially installed, there will be 228 members, including 125 who can vote in conclaves.

Kriengsak, archbishop of the Bangkok archdiocese, is one of the new 20 cardinals. However, he is not the first Thai to achieve this high rank. The first Thai cardinal was Michael Michai Kitbunchu, now 86.

Born on May 27, 1949, Kriengsak is 66 and may still be young enough to join the next conclave to elect the Pope's successor.

In announcing the new cardinals, Pope Francis said they came "from 14 countries from every continent [and] manifest the indissoluble links between the Church of Rome" and churches around the world.

New cardinals also hailed from Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Tonga, and Latin America.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thai-archbishop-among-20-new-Catholic-cardinals-30251265.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-06

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Impeachment vote a hot potato
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

Whatever NLA chooses will make waves; could doom reconciliation: observers

BANGKOK: -- AS THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) edges closer to reaching its final decisions in the impeachment cases against allegedly malfeasant politicians, whatever it decides will undoubtedly cause great dissatisfaction among one group or another - resulting in a political time bomb for the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789421-thailand-impeachment-vote-a-hot-potato/

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Road toll suddenly lower on sixth day
Wattana Khamchu
The Nation



Road toll suddenly lower on sixth day toll of 302 dead is down from 334 a year ago: Govt

BANGKOK: -- THE SO-CALLED "seven dangerous days" of the New Year holiday period saw a rise in deaths and injuries for five straight days. But now the Road Safety Centre has surprised the public - with a report yesterday that road casualties on the first six days were actually lower across-the-board than the same period last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789422-road-toll-suddenly-lower-on-sixth-day-thai-govt/

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NATION ANALYSIS
Talk of some top brass quitting continues
The Nation


Paiboon

BANGKOK: -- Rumours about three high-ranking military officers in the Cabinet planning to abandon their positions in the armed forces, that spread over the New Year holidays, is continuing even though two of those involved have issued denials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789423-thai-analysis-talk-of-some-top-brass-quitting-continues/

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Anti-Graft Agency Petitioned To Investigate Junta's LINE Stickers
By Khaosod English


Srisuwan Chanya, chairman of Society for Defense of Thai Constitutions, met with NACC officials today to submit a letter accusing the junta of violating national budget procedures and "ethics" when it spent taxpayer money on the production of the virtual “stickers.”

BANGKOK — Activists have asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to launch an inquiry into the Thai junta's seven million baht project to produce a set of "stickers" for the mobile chat application LINE.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789425-thai-anti-graft-agency-petitioned-to-investigate-govts-line-stickers/

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NACC Stalls Over 'Difficult' Prosecution of 2010 Crackdown
By Khaosod English


A military sniper shoots at Redshirt protesters near Lumpini Park on 15 May, 2014.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s national anti-graft body is finding it "difficult" to bring charges against those responsible for the deadly crackdown on protesters in 2010 because of security officers' role in the violence, a spokesperson said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789426-nacc-stalls-over-difficult-prosecution-of-2010-crackdown/

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Oil price slide to further tame inflation
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

Cooked food price yet to see decrease

BANGKOK: -- Inflation is seen moderating even more this year to 1.8-2.5 per cent from 1.89 per cent last year thanks to benign oil prices and the restructuring of fuel costs, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789428-oil-price-slide-to-further-tame-inflation;-cooked-thai-food-price-yet-to-see-decrease/

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NEW YEAR SPECIAL
Thai media businesses riding a high
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Despite Thai media businesses facing a series of uncertainties last year, foreign media and content-production companies maintained strong confidence in the sector, with several big deals being inked over the course of the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789429-thai-media-businesses-riding-a-high/

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TOT and CAT set for new partnerships with private operators
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- TOT and CAT Telecom are expected to clinch new partnerships with private telecommunication operators this year as they try to survive market competition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789430-tot-and-cat-set-for-new-partnerships-with-private-operators/

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“Terrorist” from Pakistan arrested by Police & Army in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A Pakistan National who escaped from Prison in India where he was incarcerated in relation to a bombing which killed 18 people, including the Punjab Chief Minister, has been located and arrested at a house in East Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789431-terrorist-from-pakistan-arrested-by-police-and-army-in-east-pattaya/

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Three arrested in Sri Lankan theft and Swiss assault cases



PATTAYA: -- Police Colonel Supatee, the Pattaya Police Chief, announced on Monday, the arrest of three Thai Nationals who are suspected of committing crimes against foreign tourists in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789432-three-arrested-in-sri-lankan-theft-and-swiss-assault-cases/

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Fire at House in South Pattaya occupied by British family



PATTAYA: -- Police and Firefighters were called to a luxury home in the Pratamnuk Hill area in South Pattaya early on Monday Morning to deal with a house fire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789435-fire-at-house-in-south-pattaya-occupied-by-british-family/

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Elderly Norwegian man found dead in apparent suicide

SARABURI: -- A 73-year-old Norwegian man died of asphyxia at his home in Thailand’s central province of Saraburi in an apparent suicide, according to police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789438-saraburi-elderly-norwegian-man-found-dead-in-apparent-suicide/

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Some 30,000 Germans protest against anti-Islam rallies
DAVID RISING, Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — The square around the Cologne Cathedral was plunged into darkness Monday evening after the historical landmark in western Germany shut down its lights in a silent protest of weekly rallies in Dresden against the perceived "Islamization" of Europe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789439-some-30000-germans-protest-against-anti-islam-rallies/

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Euro sinks after Draghi gives another stimulus hint
PAN PYLAS, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — The euro slid to a 4-1/2 year dollar low Friday after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi indicated the bank could soon back a government bond-buying program to deal with alarmingly low inflation across the 19-nation eurozone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789440-euro-sinks-after-draghi-gives-another-stimulus-hint/

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US weighs cutting aid to Palestinians over court move
BRADLEY KLAPPER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration said Monday it was reviewing its annual $440 million aid package to the Palestinians because of their effort to join the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes charges against Israel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789441-us-weighs-cutting-aid-to-palestinians-over-court-move/

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'Don't fear night troop movements'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Army yesterday warned the public not to panic over the movement of military equipment and vehicles on Thursday, as it would be done in preparation for Children's Day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789442-thai-army-dont-fear-night-troop-movements/

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BURNING ISSUE
Junta may drop cases against politicians for sake of peace
KRIS BHROMSUTHI

BANGKOK: -- Moves to impeach former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanij and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, plus 38 former senators are expected to be decided by members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) by early next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789443-thai-politics-govt-may-drop-cases-against-politicians-for-sake-of-peace/

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Anusorn challenges Chuan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Anusorn Iamsa-ard, Pheu Thai Party acting deputy spokesman, criticised former Democrat Party leader Chuan Leekpai's statement that Thais do not understand democracy well enough.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789444-anusorn-challenges-chuan/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

iPhone storage space more efficient than Samsung, Google, Microsoft…despite lawsuit

In recent news, it emerged that Apple is being sued for leaving iPhone users with less storage space than advertised. However, it turns out that Apple is one of the most efficient users of storage space on its devices like the iPhone and iPad – much more so than Android phones, Samsung and especially Microsoft.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/iphone-storage-better-than-most/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Mandatory SIM registration for ALL prepaid phones in Thailand

Potentially important news regarding prepaid phones in Thailand.

New proposals by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will ask Cabinet to give the go ahead to make mandatory the registration of all prepaid phones in Thaila

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/mandatory-sim-registration-prepaid-phones-thailand/

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Two men face animal cruelty charges in Nong Khai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two men arrested in Nong Khai province were the first people to be charged under the new Animal Welfare Bill, which took effect on December 27, 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789445-two-men-face-animal-cruelty-charges-in-nong-khai/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

NBTC: Thailand 4G auction to commence this year

BANGKOK, 5 January 2014 (NNT) – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will be commencing the auction of 4G licenses for mobile carriers this year, while gearing up on the user registration of pre-paid mobile and WIFI services.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/nbtc-thailand-4g-auction-commence-year/

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Miami judge who overturned ban weds gays and lesbians
By CURT ANDERSON and TAMARA LUSH

MIAMI (AP) — Lesbian and gay couples were wed in Miami on Monday by the same judge who approved their marriage licenses, hours before Florida's coming-out party as the nation's 36th state where same-sex marriages are now legal statewide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789449-us-miami-judge-who-overturned-ban-weds-gays-and-lesbians/

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Powerful quake jolts Christchurch, but no damage or injuries

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — A powerful magnitude-5.6 earthquake Tuesday jolted awake many residents in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789458-powerful-quake-jolts-christchurch-nz/

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Police in California seek man who wounded 3, left baby dead
By GILLIAN FLACCUS

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Police pleaded for the public's help Monday to find a gunman who shot the parents and uncle of a 3-week-old baby girl who later was found dead in a trash bin near the Mexican border 120 miles from her home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789469-us-police-in-california-seek-man-who-wounded-3-left-baby-dead/

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UPDATE:

Relief on way for Etihad passengers stranded in Phuket
The Phuket News



PHUKET: -- With several hundred passengers of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways still stuck in Phuket, the airline has announced that relief is finally on its way.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789246-abu-dhabi-sandstorm-leaves-500-passengers-stuck-in-phuket-video/?p=8899206#entry8899206