New passport office opens at SC Plaza



BANGKOK, 10 December 2015 (NNT) - The Department of Consular Affairs has moved the temporary Thai Passport Office from the Pinklao branch of Tesco Lotus to the second floor of SC Plaza, effective from December 9.

Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Apichart Chinwanno, along with Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs Thongchai Chasawath, presided over opening ceremony for the new temporary Thai Passport Office at the SC Plaza shopping center. Located on Boromratchonnani Road in Taling Chan district, the shopping complex also houses the Southern Bus Terminal.

The new office opened December 9 and operates everday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. On public and government holidays, services will be limited to passport payments and endorsements.

The department expects the office to render services to 1,200 people per day. Those wanting to place an order for a Thai passport can schedule an appointment online via the website www.passport.in.th.


-- NNT 2015-12-10

EASA
Aviation anxieties as verdict due
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION



Prayut bares his concerns but senior airline executives believe Thailand will pass safety inspection

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed concern over the possible outcome of the European Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) evaluation of Thai-registered airlines, which is due to be announced today, even though senior airline executives are confident of passing the latest safety inspection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877388-aviation-anxieties-as-easa-verdict-due/

RAJABHAKTI SCANDAL
Man taken into custody over his FB post on scandal
ANAPAT DEECHUAY,
SURIYA PATATHAYO,
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A COMPANY employee has been taken into military custody for posting an infographic showing key government and military officials involved in the Rajabhakti Park scandal, which has infuriated Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy General Prawit Wongsuwan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877389-man-taken-into-custody-over-his-fb-post-on-rajabhakti-park-scandal/

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
Farmers protest against bill on GMO farming
Visarut Sankham
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- OPPONENTS to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) turned up in full force at key sites in 47 provinces yesterday to demand that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha suspend the Biological Safety Bill until it is properly amended.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877390-thai-farmers-protest-against-bill-on-gmo-farming/

ELECTION COMMISSION
EC secretary general to appeal against termination
CHANIKARN PHUMHIRAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- ELECTION Commission (EC) secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong yesterday vowed to appeal against the commission's decision to terminate his employment because he failed his annual performance evaluation. The decision went into effect on Tuesday, and Puchong has 15 days to appeal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877391-ec-secretary-general-to-appeal-against-termination/

BIKE FOR DAD
Half a million to join the event
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- TOMORROW WILL see more than half a million cyclists in Thailand and 66 cities around the world joining the "Bike for Dad" celebration of the 88th birthday of His Majesty the King, the world's longest-reigning monarch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877392-bike-for-dad-half-a-million-to-join-the-event/

Govt to mull power offer from Laos
SOMLUCK SRIMALEE
THE NATION
HONGSA, LAOS



BANGKOK: -- THAILAND will consider a proposal to increase the memorandum of understanding on the purchase of electricity from Laos from 7,000 megawatts to 10,000MW after committing to buy 3,316MW this year, Energy Minister General Anantaporn Kanjanarat said yesterday. He was speaking after a ceremony to open Laos's first lignite-mine-mouth power-generation plant, the Hongsa Power Plant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877393-thai-govt-to-mull-power-offer-from-laos/

Windfall from new car-tax 'not the motive'
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- APART FROM protecting the environment and improving people's health, the Finance Ministry's Excise Department has estimated that the government will be able to collect around Bt7 billion to Bt8 billion more revenue next year from the restructuring of excise taxes on cars and trucks based on their emissions instead of engine size.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877394-windfall-from-new-car-tax-not-the-motive/

Police boost anti-drug measures
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police have announced they are installing X-ray scanners to detect illicit drugs and illegal items in the North and will introduce them to the East soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877395-thai-police-boost-anti-drug-measures/

UPDATE:

'Greying population needs to be addressed'
Erich Parpart
The Nation

World Bank warns of rising burden on state finances and setbacks to productivity

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and other countries in East Asia and Pacific are facing fiscal pressure due to an increasingly 'greying' population, and these nations should act now to avoid a rising burden on state finances and obstacles to productivity and economic prosperity, according to a new report by the World Bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877260-ageing-to-sap-working-age-population/#entry10173915

Senate can take care of national crises, NRSA says
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Senate should be assigned to take care of a national crisis and there is no need to establish any special mechanisms, chairman of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA)'s political reform committee said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877396-thai-senate-can-take-care-of-national-crises-nrsa-says/

BURNING ISSUE
For many Democrats, Bangkok governor is proving a worry
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK GOVERNOR MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has come under a heavy attack by a group of his Democrat Party colleagues

BANGKOK: -- It cannot be said that the party's management is unaware of this onslaught against Sukhumbhand. The Democrat politicians who are campaigning against him held press conferences at the party's headquarters. Because of the Democrats' strong party culture since 1997, it is unlikely that those politicians made their moves without a green light from the party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877397-for-many-democrats-bangkok-governor-is-proving-a-worry/

PM vows to let NACC work with no interference
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he would not interfere in the work of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) even though he could exercise his absolute power as allowed by the law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877398-pm-prayut-vows-to-let-nacc-work-with-no-interference/

EDITORIAL
We've gone too long without a people's constitution
The Nation

On this anniversary of Thailand's first charter, the public's voice remains constrained - and so too is progress

BANGKOK: -- Eighty-three years ago today Thailand was bestowed with its first constitution. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) signed the document and issued a brief statement. "I am willing to surrender the powers I formerly exercised to the people as a whole," he said, "but I am not willing to turn them over to any individual or any group to use in an autocratic manner without heeding the voice of the people."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877400-thai-editorial-weve-gone-too-long-without-a-peoples-constitution/

THAI TALK
Why education reform must be driven by the private sector
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- When the country's top 25 business tycoons met Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last week, they probably discussed the full range of "opportunities" available to the government and business leaders. Which topics were discussed behind closed doors wasn't disclosed, though senior officials did "leak" one story.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877401-thai-talk-why-education-reform-must-be-driven-by-the-private-sector/

Pattaya Police investigate psychotropic drugging and robbery



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police were alerted to a suspected case of drugging and robbery of a 54-year-old woman, who claimed to have been brought to Pattaya from Sattahip by two women who used a psychotropic drug which saw the victim withdraw money from an ATM and give over her gold jewelry to the women.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877402-pattaya-police-investigate-psychotropic-drugging-and-robbery/

Burglary at East Pattaya House



PATTAYA: -- Nongprue Police were called to a 2-storey semi-detached house in East Pattaya on Wednesday Night by its owner who returned home to find it had been ransacked and items of value had been stolen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877403-burglary-at-east-pattaya-house/

UPDATE:

Foreigners Overstaying their Visa’s to Be Blacklisted from Thailand

BANGKOK – Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn Prausoontorn said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had approved the bureau’s proposal on Nov 27 to fine and ban over-stayers from re-entering the country for some years depending on the length of their overstay.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877278-overstay-blacklisting-starts-in-march/page-7?p=10173981#entry10173981

Guitar legend Santana to perform with Thailand’s own Carabao in Bangkok
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Carlos Santana

BANGKOK: -- Latin rock fans in Bangkok, get ready to go crazy: legendary musician and top guitarist Santana returns to the city next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877404-guitar-legend-santana-to-perform-with-thailands-own-carabao-in-bangkok/

Phuket movie museum slated for Karon
Saroj Kueprasertkij



PHUKET: -- The plans for the B40-million “movie museum” that failed to to gain consensus at Nai Harn has been well received by community leaders in Karon, and is likely to find a new home there, Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877405-phuket-movie-museum-slated-for-karon/

Jatuporn and Natthawut provide information about park scandal to justice minister



BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt co-leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Natthawut Saikua showed up at the Justice Ministry this afternoon (Wednesday) to provide information about suspected irregularities in the construction of the Rajabhakti park project to Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya in his capacity as head of the National Anti-Corruption Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877406-jatuporn-and-natthawut-provide-information-about-park-scandal-to-justice-minister/

Tourists leave behind almost 5 tonnes of garbage at Doi Inthanon during long holidays



CHIANG MAI: -- Almost five tonnes of garbage were left behind by holidaymakers at Doi Inthanon national park during the long holidays from December 4-7.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877407-tourists-leave-behind-almost-5-tonnes-of-garbage-at-doi-inthanon-during-long-holidays/

UPDATE:

Justice minister confident park’s culprits will be exposed



BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya is confident that the culprits in the Rajabhakti park scandal will be exposed and dealt with as a result of the ongoing investigation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877406-jatuporn-and-natthawut-provide-information-about-park-scandal-to-justice-minister/?p=10174006#entry10174006

Thailand's Automotive Industry Urges Trans-Pacific Agreement
BY JACOB MASLOW

BANGKOK: -- Automakers in Thailand are urging government officials to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to ensure prosperity in the long run. The industry believes that exports will be increased as a result of the partnership.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877408-thailands-automotive-industry-urges-trans-pacific-agreement/

SPECIAL REPORT
Solution to impasses still point of debate
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION


File Photo

EXPERTS DIVIDED ON PROPOSED ROLE OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

BANGKOK: -- DIRECTLY and indirectly, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has always signalled that the country needs a mechanism to cope with its never-ending political impasses - in the hope there will not be yet another coup and the constitution would not be torn up time and again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877409-solution-to-impasses-still-point-of-debate-thai-report/

Turkey accuses Russia of “ethnic cleansing” in Syria, Putin invites UK experts to examine Sukhoi black box data
By Robert Hackwill



PARIS: -- The noise of sabres being rattled continues to dominate Russo-Turkish relations. In Moscow President Vladimir Putin has received the flight recorder from the Sukhoi downed by the Turks, and is inviting British experts to examine its data. He is certain it will confirm his plane was not in Turkish airspace when attacked, and appears confident the data will support Russia’s claims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877410-turkey-accuses-russia-of-ethnic-cleansing-putin-invites-uk-experts-to-examine-black-box-data/

Mixed reactions to Time's choice for 'Person of the Year'



"She is disaster of the year for Greece"

PARIS: -- There has been mixed reaction in Europe to the news that Angela Merkel has been named Time Magazine’s person of the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877411-mixed-reactions-to-times-choice-for-person-of-the-year/

New flying EU border force proposed as Germany tightens entry procedures for refugees
By Robert Hackwill



BERLIN: -- Germany and France have proposed a new EU rapid response border control force. It could, in theory at least, be deployed in member states without their authorisation if their efforts to control migratory flows are deemed to be insufficient.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877412-new-flying-eu-border-force-proposed-as-germany-tightens-entry-procedures-for-refugees/

Climate change deniers 'out of touch with science' says Kerry



PARIS: -- US secretary of state John Kerry said on Wednesday that those who deny the effects of climate change are “out of touch with science.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877414-climate-change-deniers-out-of-touch-with-science-says-kerry/

Venezuelan opposition triumphs, economy needing urgent action
By Adrian Lancashire



CARACAS: -- Confirmed as the winners of a two-thirds super majority in Venezuela’s parliament, the victorious opposition draws a line under 16 years of ‘Chavismo’, the left-wing political ideology of the late president.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/877415-venezuelan-opposition-triumphs-economy-needing-urgent-action/