Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Dec 2015

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FAA requires drone owners to register by February 19 or face fines
BY BNO NEWS

WASHINGTON: -- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has announced a process that requires owners of small unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) to register their aircraft by February 19 or face fines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878764-us-faa-requires-drone-owners-to-register-by-february-19-or-face-fines/

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Boston University strips Bill Cosby of honorary degree over sex abuse allegations
BY BNO NEWS

BOSTON: -- Boston University has decided to strip Bill Cosby of a honorary degree it awarded to him last year, citing the legendary comedian’s sworn testimony after he was sued for sexual abuse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878765-boston-university-strips-bill-cosby-of-honorary-degree-over-sex-abuse-allegations/

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The ugly side of running in Thailand: Age category doping
by Murray Hunter

BANGKOK: -- DOPING is a serious issue in sport and Thailand has not been unaffected by this ugly side of competition. The Nuttapong Ketin doping case at the SEA Games earlier this year was seen as a great setback to Thai sport, which is feared could only be the tip of the iceberg.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878766-the-ugly-side-of-running-in-thailand-age-category-doping/

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Two Thai writers win ASEAN Young Writers Award

BANGKOK, 15 December 2015 (NNT) - The Office of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has held an award ceremony entitled ‘ASEAN Young Writers Award’ to promote reading among Thai youths.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878768-two-thai-writers-win-asean-young-writers-award/

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G2G rice export reaches record high this year



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's sale of rice on government-to-government or G2G contracts this year reached record high with 3.5 million tons worth 50 billion baht exported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878769-thailands-g2g-rice-export-reaches-record-high-this-year/

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UPDATE:

Saudi Arabia forms Islamic counterterrorism coalition
AYA BATRAWY, Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that 34 nations have agreed to form a new "Islamic military alliance" to fight terrorism with a joint operations center based in the kingdom's capital, Riyadh.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878763-saudi-arabia-forms-coalition-of-34-islamic-countries-to-fight-terrorism/#entry10194131

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Government to give New Year’s gifts to the people



BANGKOK: -- As the New Year is just a few weeks aways, the prime minister has advised heads of government departments to prepare gifts for the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878795-thai-government-to-give-new-years-gifts-to-the-people/

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King grants audience to civil and military court judges for oath-taking



BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King yesterday granted an audience to the President of the Supreme Court to lead civil and military court judges and provincial prosecutors for an oath-taking ceremony before taking offices.

The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Galyaniwatana Hall on the 14th floor of the Chalerm Phrakiat Building in the compound of the Siriraj Hospitalmat at 5.12 pm yesterday.

The ceremony was also attended by the president of the Constitutional Court, the defence minister, the Defence Ministry’s permanent secretary, the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, the commanders-in-chief of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, and the attorney-general.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/king-grants-audience-to-civil-and-military-court-judges-for-oath-taking


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-15

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UPDATED NOTICE TO MEMBERS POSTING IN THAILAND NEWS

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878797-updated-notice-to-members-posting-in-thailand-news/

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Thailand's top mobile firms expected to win second 4G auction
BY KHETTIYA JITTAPONG

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's biggest mobile operators began battling on Tuesday for more fourth generation (4G) mobile spectrum in an auction expected to net at least $2 billion for a military government struggling to revive economic growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878799-thailands-top-mobile-firms-expected-to-win-second-4g-auction/

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NZ confirms Silver Fern won flag referendum as final votes counted

WELLINGTON: -- New Zealand has confirmed that the black, white and blue silver fern design won a referendum to become a possible new flag, after the final votes were counted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878803-nz-confirms-silver-fern-won-flag-referendum-as-final-votes-counted/

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Swiss man arrested with bullets at Phuket airport
Eakkapop Thongtub


39-year-old Andre Steinemann was arrested when two bullets and a magazine were found in his luggage.

PHUKET: -- A Swiss man was arrested at Phuket International Airport (PIA) yesterday (Dec 14) when it was discovered he was carrying live ammunition in his suitcase.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878805-swiss-man-arrested-with-bullets-at-phuket-airport/

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EC defends its procurement of voting machines

BANGKOK, 15 December 2015 (NNT) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has defended its procurement of voting machines, following corruption allegations by former EC member Phuchong Nutrawong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878812-thailands-ec-defends-its-procurement-of-voting-machines/

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Flyer fee: International passengers must pay extra THB15 fee
By Coconuts Bangkok


File photo of Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Photo: Lurson Nateepitak

BANGKOK: -- On top of the THB35 background check fee that went into effect this month, international flyers now face paying another THB15 fee to subsidize the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878830-flyer-fee-international-passengers-must-pay-extra-thb15-fee/

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Canadian, Bulgarian arrested in Chiang Mai with 115 fake ATM cards
The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- A Canadian and a Bulgarian have been arrested in Chiang Mai for using fake ATM cards with data of bank customers in France to withdraw cash in the northern city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878831-canadian-bulgarian-arrested-in-chiang-mai-with-115-fake-atm-cards/

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Bangkok bus crashes into roadside trees, injuring 24
By Coconuts Bangkok


The bus landed on the roadside near Baan Tha Rae of Mahasarakham province. Photo: MCOT

MAHASARAKHAM: -- A bus traveling from Bangkok's Mo Chit Terminal to crashed into trees on the roadside in Mahasarakham province early this morning, injuring 24 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878832-bangkok-bus-crashes-into-roadside-trees-injuring-24/

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Watcharapol elected new NACC chairman
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Watcharapol Prasarnratchakij, one of five new members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, was Tuesday elected as the new NACC chairman.

He was elected with 7:2 votes in secret balloting.

Watcharapol and Preecha Lertkamolmart, one four existing NACC members before the appointment of the five new ones, were nominated for the chairmanship of the anti-graft body.

National Legislative Assembly President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai will be informed of Watcharpol's election so that he will seek royal endorsement of the new NACC chairman along with the four new NACC members.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Watcharapol-elected-new-NACC-chairman-30274961.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-15

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Spanish election debate descends into row ahead of Sunday's poll



MADRID: -- Spain’s prime minister has come under attack over corruption allegations in a live televised debate before Sunday’s general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878843-spanish-election-debate-descends-into-row-ahead-of-sundays-poll/

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Serbia takes first steps on the long road to EU membership



BELGRADE: Serbia is at the beginning of its journey to become a member of the European Union. On Monday, Prime MInister Aleksandar Vucic and representatives of the EU opened the first two of 35 stages of negotations for Belgrade to join the bloc.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878844-serbia-takes-first-steps-on-the-long-road-to-eu-membership/

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UK exit from European Union on a knife edge, as poll shows British public are now 50/50 over leaving
By Peter Dominiczak, Political Editor

LONDON: -- With David Cameron attending a crucial summit in Brussels this week, a poll finds the British public is now evenly split over the prospect of a British exit from the EU.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878847-uk-exit-from-european-union-on-a-knife-edge-poll-shows/

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UPDATE:

4G mobile licence auction kicks off today



BANGKOK: -- The planned three-day auction for two 4G mobile phone licences on the 900 MHz system kicked off this morning with four telecom operators competing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878799-thailands-top-mobile-firms-expected-to-win-second-4g-auction/#entry10194971

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UPDATE:

Actor Bill Cosby files defamation suit



BOSTON: -- Actor Bill Cosby, accused by more than 40 women of sexual assault, has filed a lawsuit claiming several of them lied about him for financial gain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878748-bill-cosby-sues-sexual-misconduct-accusers/#entry10194988

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Star Wars fans out in 'force' for world premier



LOS ANGELES: -- The countdown to the long awaited premier of the seventh Star Wars film has finally been completed. All sorts turned out for the red carpet event in Los Angeles from storm troopers to robots of every hue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878849-star-wars-fans-out-in-force-for-world-premier/

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Thaivisa Video News 15 December



watch the bulletin here: https://www.youtube.com/user/thaivisacom

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Reenactment of a murder case cancelled after victim’s relatives try to snatch suspects from police



KANCHANABURI: -- Two prime suspects alleged to be involved in the murder of an 19-year youth in Kanchanaburi province narrowly escaping linching Tuesday after dozens of the victim’s relatives and friends tried to snatch them from the police as they tried to stage a reenactment of the murder at the crime scene.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878859-murder-reenactment-halted-after-victims-relatives-try-to-grab-suspects/

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Temperatures expected to fall in North & Northeast with slight rain

THAILAND, 15 December 2015 (NNT) - Rainfall is expected at certain areas in Thailand’s northern region as temperatures continue to drop.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878879-temperatures-expected-to-fall-in-north-northeast-with-slight-rain/

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Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism coalition: the details



"Very strong efforts are needed to combat terrorism"

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878763-saudi-arabia-forms-coalition-of-34-islamic-countries-to-fight-terrorism/?p=10195395#entry10195395

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Banks reserve billions for cash withdrawal
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai banks have announced their cash management plan in preparation for withdrawals during the New Year holiday period which will run from December 31 through January 3.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878891-thai-banks-reserve-billions-for-cash-withdrawal/

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SET index closed 1,300.53 up 32.92; Bt/USD35.85; GBP54.07; AUD25.56; EUR39.32; CAD25.94; HKD4.60; SGD25.26; JPY29.46

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Fed interest rate hike expected to push down gold prices



BANGKOK, 15 December 2015 (NNT) - The Gold Traders Association (GTA) says the US Federal Reserve's interest rate hike this month will cause a drop in gold prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878905-fed-interest-rate-hike-expected-to-push-down-gold-prices/