Thailand Live Friday 9 Jan 2015

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Children's Day activities from the Ministry of Culture



BANGKOK, 9 January 2015 (NNT) -- This year’s Children’s Day will be filled with lots of activities engaging youths in a mix of traditional and contemporary culture. The Ministry of Culture, one of the public sector to hold events for the festival has given a choice of five different venues for families and children to choose from.

Minister of Culture Veera Rojpojanarat said that this year, Thai youths will be able to see the museum without having to travel far as a mobile museum will go around hard-to-reach places and other provinces. Another thing not to be missed is a movie theatre inside a car showing historical stories of Thailand that will be the main attraction at the Government House from 8:30 AM to 3 PM.

Nuntiya Swangvudthitham, Director-General of the Department of Cultural Promotion said that many traditional games like Mon- Son- Pha and Ree-Ree-Khao-Sarn are being promoted this year so that Thai youths will continue to preserve the old culture of Thailand. The Thailand Cultural Center on Ratchadaphisek Road (opening from 9 AM to 3 PM) will feature a puppet show as well as demonstrate how to make a puppet and traditional toys in the ASEAN region.

Kids who like learning about different religions may also join in activities learning about Dhamma and other religious teachings held at the Sanam Sua Pa (from 8 AM to 12 AM). The National Library of Thailand will have many entertaining information and a contest to quiz children about the ASEAN region. The Bangkok National Museum which opens from 9 AM to 3 PM will also have lots of games such as music chair and balloon stepping competitions, and three legged running. Kids will be able to enjoy all these activities while learning to enjoy Thai culture without getting distracted by daily technologies.


-- NNT 2015-01-09

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Vigil For Charlie Hebdo Massacre Victims in BKK
By Khaosod English


Several dozen people gathered in central Bangkok to honor those killed in the deadly attack on a satirical magazine in France, 8 Jan 2015.

BANGKOK — Several dozen people gathered in central Bangkok Thursday evening to honor those killed in the deadly attack on a satirical magazine in France yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790335-vigil-for-charlie-hebdo-massacre-victims-in-bangkok/

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France reels under tragedy
Agencies
Paris



Wave of attacks across the country; hunt on for gunmen in northern french town

PARIS: -- France has been on edge following Wednesday's deadly assault by heavily armed gunmen on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, with more violence yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790336-france-reels-under-tragedy/

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Ousted Thai PM's impeachment hearing tests fragile calm

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

Thailand's ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra faces an impeachment hearing on Friday, proceedings that could see her banned from politics for five years and reignite the country's bitter divisions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790337-ousted-thai-pms-impeachment-hearing-tests-fragile-calm/

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MoU aims to end danger from sky lanterns, rockets
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 9 -- Thailand's Ministry of Transport signed a memorandum of understanding with a number of organizations to protect aircraft from sky lanterns and locally-launched rockets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790338-thai-mou-aims-to-end-danger-from-sky-lanterns-rockets/

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Reconciliation 'not sole aim of charter'
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chief charter drafter Borwornsak Uwanno said that a constitution cannot be written with the aim of reconciling political opponents, however, a "mediation" agency and process could be devised to "foster" reconciliation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790339-reconciliation-not-sole-aim-of-thai-charter/

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Charter clause to prevent media domination
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The new constitution will have a clause that is designed to prevent investor domination over media businesses through hostile takeovers, a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790340-thai-charter-clause-to-prevent-media-domination/

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Use reason and law, Nikom tells NLA
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION


The National Legislative Assembly yesterday convenes a session, with an opening statement on the impeachment case against former Parliament deputy president Nikom Wairatpanich for alleged constitutional offence over the proposed amendment of the 2007 charter

Responding to NACC charges, Parliament ex-vice president says he got no personal benefits from charter change

BANGKOK: -- Former Parliament vice president Nikom Wairatpanich yesterday defended himself against impeachment charges, telling the National Legislative Assembly that his management of the 2007 charter amendment was not unconstitutional and there was no hidden agenda nor personal benefits from changing the charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790342-use-reason-and-law-nikom-tells-nla/

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GOODS PRICE
Lower fuel costs have little effect on consumer goods
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The plunge in the cost of diesel fuel has had little downward impact on the retail prices of most goods, according to the Commerce Ministry's Internal Trade Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790343-lower-fuel-costs-have-little-effect-on-thai-consumer-goods/

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OVERDRIVE
France is wise in seeking an end to sanctions against Russia
Thanong Khanthong

France is a voice of reason amid deteriorating relations between the European Union and Russia.

BANGKOK: -- On January 6 its president, Francoise Hollande, called for the EU to end sanctions against Russia because they serve no one's interests. Once a timetable to end the Ukraine crisis is settled with Russia, the sanctions should be lifted. Yet most of France's European partners maintain a hard-line position against Russia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790345-france-is-wise-in-seeking-an-end-to-sanctions-against-russia/

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UPDATE:

Russian Couple attacked and injured at Helipad in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police and medics were called to a Helipad located on the Pratamnuk Hill in South Pattaya early on Thursday Morning to assist a Russian Couple who had chosen the remote location to enjoy a romantic evening together but were attacked and robbed by a gang of youths instead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790135-pattaya-robbers-crash-russian-tourists-romantic-evening/page-3?p=8913403#entry8913403

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UPDATE:

Pattaya Police arrest two men accused of Credit Card fraud



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police, in conjunction with their colleagues at Chonburi Police Headquarters, arrested two Thai men in the early hours of Thursday accused of using stolen foreign credit cards to purchase items of value in Pattaya shopping centers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790087-pattaya-two-arrested-for-using-stolen-credit-cards-of-foreign-tourists/?p=8913410#entry8913410

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M61 Grenade discovered outside of Pattaya Transport Company Compound



PATTAYA: -- Officers from the Royal Thai Navy Bomb Disposal Unit were called to a Transport Company located in the Northern outskirts of Pattaya after a live hand grenade was left at the entrance to the compound.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790347-m61-grenade-discovered-outside-of-pattaya-transport-company-compound/

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Parents of 42 year old man attacked in Thailand appeal decision to acquit his attacker



PATTAYA: -- The parents of Adam Pickles, a 42 year old man who was attacked in Pattaya almost three years ago have lodged an appeal with the Thai Government to overturn a decision to acquit his attacker.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790348-parents-of-adam-pickles-attacked-in-pattaya-appeal-decision-to-acquit-his-attacker/

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Police investigators seek justice from court over unfair scoring in promotion examination



BANGKOK: -- A total of 166 police officers of police lieutenant rank today petitioned the Administrative Court accusing the commissioner of the Royal Thai Police of unfair scoring in the recent promotion examination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790349-thai-police-investigators-seek-justice-from-court-over-unfair-scoring-in-promotion-examination/

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DSI summons SEC, SET officials over Solution Corner
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation has summoned officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Stock Exchange of Thailand to give statements in relation to stock price manipulation allegations levelled against prominent businessman Chai Bunnag and eight others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790350-dsi-summons-sec-set-officials-over-solution-corner/

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Cabinet cool on NHRC call for lifting of martial law
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has suggested that the Cabinet lift martial law throughout the country and selectively re-impose it only wherever necessary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790351-thai-cabinet-cool-on-nhrc-call-for-lifting-of-martial-law/

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BURNING ISSUE
Will Thai voters support an 'outsider' PM?
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- After the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) intentionally included an open clause for an "outsider" or non-elected person to become prime minister, suddenly thoughts of the public shifted to whether they were actually considering junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha retaining power in politics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790352-will-thai-voters-support-an-outsider-pm/

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Courts sentence 4,056 for drunk-driving
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The courts handed down guilty verdicts to 4,056 drunk drivers in the New Year holiday period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790353-thai-courts-sentence-4056-for-drunk-driving-in-the-new-year-holiday-period/

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Sharp fall in violence in the South
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- STATISTICS show that violence in the South has dropped almost 50 per cent, the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4 Front Command spokesman said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790354-sharp-fall-in-violence-in-the-south/

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French police detain 9 in massive hunt for 2 suspects
By LORI HINNANT and ANGELA CHARLTON

PARIS (AP) — Frightened yet defiant, French residents held a day of mourning Thursday for 12 people slain at a Paris newspaper. French police hunted for the two heavily armed brothers suspected in the massacre, fearing they might strike again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790355-french-police-detain-9-in-massive-hunt-for-2-suspects/

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Boston will be American bidder for 2024 Olympics
By EDDIE PELLS

DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Olympic Committee chose Boston to bid for the 2024 Games in an attempt to bring the Summer Olympics to America after a 28-year gap.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790357-boston-will-be-american-bidder-for-2024-olympics/

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US scales back troops at Europe bases to save $500 million
By LOLITA C. BALDOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon Thursday unveiled sweeping plans to consolidate its forces in Europe, taking thousands of U.S. military and civilian personnel out of bases mostly in the United Kingdom and Portugal, in an effort that will save about $500 million each year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790358-us-scales-back-troops-at-europe-bases-to-save-500-million/

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AirAsia plane's tail may be lifted to retrieve black boxes
By ACHMAD IBRAHIM

PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia (AP) — Strong currents and blinding silt thwarted an attempt by divers on Thursday to find AirAsia Flight 8501's black boxes, which are believed to still be in the recently discovered tail of the crashed plane.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790359-airasia-planes-tail-may-be-lifted-to-retrieve-black-boxes/

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US, Cuba to hold migration talks in Havana
By PETER ORSI

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban and U.S. representatives are set to meet in Havana for a new round of restarted migration talks on Thursday, a signal of the longtime Cold War foes' recent willingness to engage in areas of mutual interest but unlikely to be a harbinger of a major thaw in relations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790361-us-cuba-to-hold-migration-talks-in-havana/

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NRC chairman warns mobile phone firms to adopt per-second phone charge



BANGKOK: -- National Reform Council chairman Thienchai Kiranant has warned mobile phone companies to strictly follow the council’s resolution to charge telephone fees on per-second basis permanently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790363-nrc-chairman-warns-mobile-phone-firms-to-adopt-per-second-phone-charge/

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NEW YEAR SPECIAL
Another challenging year ahead for pay-TV players
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The arrival of digital terrestrial television last year radically changed the broadcasting landscape, including pay-TV business - and the year ahead looks set to be another tough one for subscription-based operators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790365-another-challenging-year-ahead-for-pay-tv-players/

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Thailand International Ornamental Fish Expo 2015 scheduled for 2-5 Jun

BANGKOK, 8 January 2015 (NNT) - The Department of Fisheries is scheduled to host Thailand International Ornamental Fish Expo 2015 (TIOFE 2015) during 2-5 June 2015 at Building B, of the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok.

Over two hundred species of ornamental fishes for export will be displayed such as fighting fish, goldfish, guppy and cichlidae. The highlight of the event will be the world's biggest ornamental fighting fish contest, which sees the highest number of contestants compared to all other competitions of the kind. Several million baht is expected to be circulated in the event.

The expo will also include an exhibition to celebrate Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's 5th Cycle (60th) Birthday Anniversary, 2nd April 2015.

TIOFE 2015 is to be held in line with the ornamental fish strategic plan for 2013-2016 which eyes to make Thailand the hub of breeding and trade of high-quality fishes in the world's market by 2016.


-- NNT 2015-01-09

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Brothers sought in French attack were on US no-fly list
By JOHN-THOR DAHLBURG and KEN DILANIAN

PARIS (AP) — The younger brother was a ladies' man who belted out rap lyrics before the words of a radical preacher persuaded him to book a flight to Syria to wage holy war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790375-brothers-sought-in-french-attack-were-on-us-no-fly-list/

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Survey: Sugar cane growers happiest of all types of farmers

BANGKOK, 9 January 2015 (NNT) – Sugar cane growers and farmers in the Northeast are the happiest groups of agriculturalists, according to a recent survey by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790377-thai-sugar-cane-growers-happiest-of-all-types-of-farmers-survey/