SRT increases train service on NY holiday

BANGKOK, 8 December 2015 (NNT) - The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will add extra trains during the New Year long holiday to prevent stranded passengers. Tickets of normal trains on all routes have been sold out.

The SRT on Monday reported that now there was no ticket left for all types of trains on all routes from 30 December 2015 to 4 January 2016. The SRT will therefore provide 16 more trains on the northern and northeastern routes for around 14,000 more passengers and two more trains/day on the southern route. Passengers can buy train tickets from 5.30 AM on their departure day.

The SRT will also increase security at train stations to facilitate passengers and prevent instigators of violence.


-- NNT 2015-12-08

Four Syrians 'not connected to IS'; one files lawsuit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Four Syrians whose photographs went viral on the Internet were found to have no connection with Islamic State (IS), national police spokesman Pol General Dechnarong Sutticharnbancha affirmed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876813-four-syrians-not-connected-to-is;-one-files-lawsuit/

UPDATE:

Students blocked from protest over park 'graft'
The Nation


Thammasat University student Sirawith Seritiwat gives an interview to the media at Thon Buri Train Station in Bangkok ahead of his trip MOnday to Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Military, police detain 38 activists while they were on their way to Prachuap Khiri Khan before releasing them

BANGKOK: -- AT least 38 student activists were taken into military custody yesterday after a failed bid to stage a political stunt to highlight alleged corruption in the construction of Rajabhakti Park and demand that the government take action against it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876618-rajabhakti-park-closed-for-renovation-monday/page-6?p=10165039#entry10165039

'Half a million students involved in gambling'
THE NATION

Academics call for help, want phone operators to block access to websites

BANGKOK: -- MANY university students are addicted to gambling and some use money borrowed from the Student Loan Fund (SLF) to fuel their habit, a network of academics who monitor gambling revealed during a seminar yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876814-half-a-million-thai-students-involved-in-gambling/

SPECIAL REPORT
'Awful' GMO legislation will open the door to problems, law professor warns
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Biological Safety Bill will allow genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to damage the nation's ecology and those who will suffer the most are farmers, a law professor warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876815-awful-gmo-legislation-will-open-the-door-to-problems-law-professor-warns/

Democrat pulls up BMA over purchase of musical equipment
NATTHAPAT PHROMKAEW
THE NATION

BANGKOK: DEMOCRAT Party member Wilas Chanpitak yesterday accused the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) of obscure procurement practices and alleged that specifications favoured certain firms. The allegation was about the Bt1.3-billion purchase of musical instruments for city schools, which he said had been bought at very high prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876816-democrat-pulls-up-bma-over-purchase-of-musical-equipment/

Reform Assembly to review its action plans
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE National Reform Steering Assembly has scheduled a review of action plans for its 11 reform priorities plus its special anti-corruption strategy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876817-thai-reform-assembly-to-review-its-action-plans/

BANK FEE
Banking fees to reflect cost of service in move to reduce the use of cash
SUCHEERA PINIJPARAKARN,
ACHARA DEBOONME
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- BANKS' fees are poised for a change to better reflect actual costs and pave the way for a cashless society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876818-banking-fees-to-reflect-cost-of-service-in-move-to-reduce-the-use-of-cash/

HOSPITALITY
Yangon hotelier with the Midas touch
Khine Kyaw
Myanmar Eleven
Yangon

YANGON: -- International hotel chains have descended on Myanmar but that has not deterred one local chain, Clover Hotels Group, from aiming to open 15 hotels in 10 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876819-yangon-hotelier-with-the-midas-touch/

DIGITAL ECONOMY
Govt to spend big on digital economy boast
Jirapan Boonnoon
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE INFORMATION and Communication Technology Ministry has said it will spend Bt3.7 billion next year on driving flagship projects of the digital economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876820-thai-govt-to-spend-big-on-digital-economy-boast/

Thailand needs biological safety bill to manage biotechnology: scientist
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- STANDING in the frontline of the battle to correct "misconceptions" about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), scientist Jessada Denduangboripant says GMOs cannot be "Frankenstein" creations, as many NGOs have claimed. They were an important and useful technology, he said, that could help farmers improve agricultural productivity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876821-thailand-needs-biological-safety-bill-to-manage-biotechnology-scientist/

Settlers may be banned near Phu Khieo
SUMALEE PHOPAYAK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- WITH its meat fetching at least Bt300 per kilogram on the black market, gaurs in the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary are not totally safe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876822-settlers-may-be-banned-near-phu-khieo-wildlife-sanctuary/

Plan to cap EIA/EHIA process to under a year 'would guarantee problems'
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ACADEMICS are concerned about reports the government plans to shorten the time span permitted for environmental and health impact assessments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876823-plan-to-cap-eiaehia-process-to-under-a-year-would-guarantee-problems/

BURNING ISSUE
It's time for Thai TV series to help advance society
Chularat Saengpassa


story from Hormones 3

BANGKOK: -- TV SERIES have always been the most popular programmes because they are an easily accessed source of entertainment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876824-its-time-for-thai-tv-series-to-help-advance-society/

EDITORIAL
An ugly clampdown on Rajabhakti protests

Determined to keep its investigation of alleged corruption in-house, the military is badly overreacting to public involvement

BANGKOK: -- The way the National Council for Peace and Order is dealing with the Rajabhakti scandal adds weight to growing complaints that it is failing in its stated mission of ridding the country of corruption. The junta, the government and the Army are investigating allegations of massive graft in the casting of statues for the military-owned Rajabhakti Park in Prachuap Kiri Khan - and blocking all independent efforts to scrutinise the matter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876825-an-ugly-clampdown-on-rajabhakti-protests-thai-editorial/

STREETWISE
In extreme times, moderation can be revolutionary
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- From time to time, oil companies offer freebies and prizes to lure customers into filling stations. The freebies include everything from bottled water, packets of tissues and snacks, to "points" to spend on fuel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876826-in-extreme-times-moderation-can-be-revolutionary-thai-opinion/

Police press conference with main suspect in Pattaya Abduction & Murder case

PATTAYA: -- On Monday at Police Region 2 Headquarters in Chonburi City, a press conference was held to confirm the arrest of the main suspect wanted in connection with the Australian ex-biker abduction and murder case from last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876724-key-suspect-in-death-of-former-sydney-hells-angel-bikie-in-pattaya-to-face-multiple-charges/#entry10165123

Teacher finds Oil Importer’s Money Bag at Pattaya Shopping Center



PATTAYA: -- A Teacher at a University in the North-East of Thailand was praised for her honesty and kindness by Pattaya Police on Sunday, after she discovered a money bag at a Shopping Center and thanks to the Police the bag was reunited with its owner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876828-teacher-finds-oil-importers-money-bag-at-pattaya-shopping-center/

UPDATE:

Police say four Syrians are not connected with ISIS



BANGKOK: -- Four Syrians who were held by police for questionings have been cleared of any suspicion that they might have links with ISIS, Pol Lt-Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy commissioner of metropolitan police bureau, said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876813-four-syrians-not-connected-to-is;-one-files-lawsuit/#entry10165110

Car bookings on December 5 increase 30 percent to over 4,000 units



BANGKOK: -- Over 4,000 cars were booked on Father’s Day on December 5 at the 32nd Motor Expo held at the Impact Arena.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876829-car-bookings-on-december-5-increase-30-percent-to-over-4000-units/

FBI arrest key Silk Road 'adviser' in Thailand

WASHINGTON: -- A man alleged to have helped run the notorious Silk Road drug marketplace has been arrested in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876830-fbi-arrest-key-silk-road-adviser-in-thailand/

Thailand Attracting 3D Printer Manufacturers
BY JACOB MASLOW

BANGKOK: -- Manufacturers of 3D printers all across the globe are making a push into the Thai market. The move is facilitating a tremendous growth cycle in Southeast Asia as a result.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876832-thailand-attracting-3d-printer-manufacturers/

Hillary Clinton: 'end the nexus of terrorism and technology'
BY LARRY BANKS



At the 12th annual Saban Forum hosted by the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings Institution, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about the need for Americas to defeat the likes of ISIS and talked about how tech companies can help in the effort:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876833-hillary-clinton-end-the-nexus-of-terrorism-and-technology/

US urges Ukraine to cut 'cancer of corruption'



WASHINGTON: -- America is urging Ukraine to cut what it describes as the “cancer of corruption.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876835-us-urges-ukraine-to-cut-cancer-of-corruption/

Venezuela: all you need to know about Sunday's historic vote



CARACAS: -- An opposition coalition has won an overwhelming majority in a legislative election in Venezuela.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876836-venezuela-all-you-need-to-know-about-sundays-historic-vote/

UK: flood defences criticised after storm leaves areas under water



"The people who have got to move out of their homes, we need to get their insurance claims done quickly, find them alternative accommodation"

LONDON: -- Insurers could have to pay out up to 345 million euros in claims, after Storm Desmond left swathes of northern England and Scotland under water.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876838-uk-flood-defences-criticised-after-storm-leaves-areas-under-water/

Migrants: fences, funds and claims of discrimination



VIENNA: -- Work is getting underway on a wire fence to control the flow of migrants from Slovenia to Austria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876839-migrants-fences-funds-and-claims-of-discrimination/

Deal or no deal? Crunch week for COP21 climate negotiations



"The decisions you make here in Paris will reverberate down through the ages. The eyes of the world are upon you"

PARIS: -- It is crunch time at the COP 21 in Paris – will efforts to reach a climate change deal bear fruit?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876840-deal-or-no-deal-crunch-week-for-cop21-climate-negotiations/

First-ever red alert for pollution issued in Chinese capital
By Seamus Kearney



"We will have to see how much effort the country is putting into tackling this issue"

BEIJING: -- Beijing has issued its first ever red alert for pollution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876842-first-ever-red-alert-for-pollution-issued-in-chinese-capital/

Five go on trial at the Vatican



"They are calling me a witch, here, where trials for witchcraft were invented"

ROME: -- The trial has opened in the Vatican into the alleged theft of confidential documents from the Holy See.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876843-five-go-on-trial-at-the-vatican/