ROYAL FAREWELL
Grand cremation ceremony for Supreme Patriarch today
Jessada Jantarak
Prasit Tangprasert
The Nation



THE GRAND cremation ceremony for His Holiness the late Supreme Patriarch will be held today

BANGKOK: -- People can pay their last respects to the late monk by laying wood-shaving flowers, dokmai chan, as a last tribute to him at various temples across the country.HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will lay dokmai chan at Wat Thepsirintharawas at 4.30 pm today.

In Bangkok, dokmai chan laying will be held after 4.30 pm at various temples except Wat Bovoranives where the wooden flowers can be laid between 12.30pm and 3.30pm as well as between 6pm and 7pm only.

During his lifetime, His Holiness had stayed at the Wat Bovoranives.

Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Somdet Phra Sangharaja passed away in October, 2013, at the age of 100. He was the longest-living supreme patriarch of Thailand.

His passing brings great sadness to his devout followers as well as many other Buddhists.

People will wear black again today in mourning and out of respect to the late Supreme Patriarch.

Between 6am and noon, 24 roads in Bangkok were closed to facilitate the elaborate 1,383-strong 456-metre-long funeral procession, beautifully decorated according to Thai tradition, to bring the late highly revered monk's body to the Royal Crematorium at Wat Thepsirin-tharawas.

Thousands of people are expected to join the procession that will move from Bovoranives along Wat Phra Sumen Road, Phanfa Lilat Bridge, Lan Luang Road, and Krung Kasem Canal towards Wat Thepsirintharawas where the grand cremation will take place at 5.30pm.

Yesterday, the Crown Prince, together with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, attended a merit-making ritual in dedication to the late Supreme Patriarch at Wat Bovoranives.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Grand-cremation-ceremony-for-Supreme-Patriarch-tod-30275008.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-16

Leader of red shirts who burnt Ubon city hall given life sentence
The Nation

BANGKOK -- THE Supreme Court Tuesday handed down a life sentence to the leader of red-shirt arsonists who set fire to Ubon Ratchathani City Hall duringthe crackdown on red shirts in May 2010.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878959-leader-of-red-shirts-who-burnt-ubon-city-hall-given-life-sentence/

Another pedophile foreign teacher arrested in Thailand

Police today arrested a 67-year-old American national in Chiang Mai on a charge of possessing child pornography.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878921-another-pedophile-teacher-arrested-for-child-molestation-and-pornography/

UPDATE:

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
Cabinet shelves draft legislation on GMOs
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION



Battle rages on between academics, firms; panel to look at next steps

BANGKOK: -- ACADEMICS and private enterprises have called for the reversal of a decision to revoke the bill regulating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), saying that aborting the legislation would result in losses for the country in the long run.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878957-pm-orders-shelving-of-gmo-bill/#entry10197109

FORCED LABOUR
Thai Frozen Foods hits back at claims
Petchanet Pratruangkrai,
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE THAI Frozen Foods Association yesterday brushed aside an Associated Press report on the use of forced and child labour in shrimp plants exporting to the US market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878996-thai-frozen-foods-hits-back-at-claims/

CHINA: YUNNAN SPECIAL
Yunnan daily and 'The Nation' forge cooperation
Marisa Chimprabha
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- YUNNAN, one of the most visited areas of China for Thai people, is bringing itself closer to Thailand under a media cooperation deal with The Nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878997-yunnan-daily-and-the-nation-forge-cooperation/

UPDATE:

COURT
Red shirts leaders burning city hall given life sentence
THE NATION


File Photo

BANGKOK: -- THE Supreme Court yesterday handed down a life sentence to the leader of red-shirt arsonists who set fire to Ubon Ratchathani City Hall during the crackdown on red shirts in May 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878959-leader-of-red-shirts-who-burnt-ubon-city-hall-given-life-sentence/#entry10197129

NEW CHARTER
Premier to be chosen from parties' list of PM candidates
KHANITTHA THEPKAJORN,
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

CDC resolves parties must have 5 per cent of seats in House, but unknown if non-MPs eligible

BANGKOK: -- THE Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) resolved yesterday that the prime minister would be selected from lists of five candidates proposed by political parties in advance of a general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878999-thai-premier-to-be-chosen-from-parties-list-of-pm-candidates/

UPDATE:

THAILAND FUTURE FUND
Green light for Bt100-bn Thailand Future Fund
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved the launch of the country’s first infrastructure fund, dubbed the Thailand Future Fund, with Bt100 billion in initial capital to help ease the government’s financial burden from the expected investment on infrastructure next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878960-junta-approves-100-billion-fund-to-build-rails-roads/#entry10197135

UPDATE:

NY RESERVE
Banks set NY reserve
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Five commercial banks announced yesterday that they would reserve a total of Bt226.77 billion in cash for ATMs and branch services for the upcoming New Year holidays, down from Bt233.70 billion they reserved for the same period last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878891-thai-banks-reserve-billions-for-cash-withdrawal/#entry10197139

INVESTMENT
Central cautious over 2016 expansion
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Central Group sees 2016 as another year to be more conservative with expansion, as the country’s largest retail operator is still concerned about weak domestic consumption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879000-thailands-central-group-cautious-over-2016-expansion/

Court rejects petition calling for FB 'offender' to be freed
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE Criminal Court yesterday tossed out a petition for the immediate release of a man held for sharing controversial information on Facebook on the Rajabhakti Park scandal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879001-park-scandal-court-rejects-petition-calling-for-fb-offender-to-be-freed/

Thailand seen as regional hub for nurses, accountants
VISARUT SANKHAM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- EXPERTS have suggested that Thailand become a hub for providing nurses and accountants to the region once the Asean Economic Community (AEC) kicks off

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879002-thailand-seen-as-regional-hub-for-nurses-accountants/

LOS ANGELES (AP) - House Intelligence Committee member says Los Angeles school threat is believed to be a hoax.

BALTIMORE (AP) - Freddie Gray jurors deadlocked in trial of officer, judge instructs them to keep deliberating.

MOSCOW (AP) - Russian military says cruise missile goes astray after launch, lands near town in NW Russia.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - State-run media: Turkey detains IS militant suspected of planning attack on US Consulate.

VIENNA (AP) - UN agency closes the books on decade-long probe of allegations that Iran worked on nukes.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Polish geology experts: No signs of a train found at site allegedly hiding Nazi gold train.

Doctors fail to ascertain why detainee died
Supitcha Rattana
The Nation

Family refused to allow full autopsy on Abdullayi after death in south

HAT YAI: -- A FORENSIC team from Songklanagarind Hospital found no signs of physical injuries on the body of Abdullayi Doloh, the suspect in a security case who died earlier this month while detained inside a military camp.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879003-thai-doctors-fail-to-ascertain-why-detainee-died/

BTS gives playground
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- BTS Group Holdings, operator of the Skytrain system, yesterday handed over a fully equipped playground to Wat Tanod School in Phasi Charoen district.

"The project at this school is the pilot project in Bangkok linking to the Bang Wa station. It's like this community is part of our 'Happiness Delivery Station campaign," BTS chairman Keeree Kanjanapas said.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra presided over the turnover ceremony for the 128-square-metre playground, as well as equipment and educational materials for students from kindergarten to Prathom six.

Keeree said the corporate social responsibility project was under the "Happiness Delivery Station" campaign designed to help develop remote areas and assist needy communities.

The CSR project was initiated to build a bond between communities and local Skytrain stations.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/BTS-gives-playground-30275013.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-16

UPDATE:

Cabinet okays 'gifts' for low-income earners
Erich Parpart
The Nation



THE Cabinet has approved 194 New Year gifts

BANGKOK: -- These include free use of motorways from the Transport Ministry and a boost from the Finance Ministry in the 4 per cent soft-loan budget for SMEs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878795-thai-government-to-give-new-years-gifts-to-the-people/page-2#entry10197165

Watcharapol elected NACC chief, denies being junta stooge
NATTHAPAT PHROMKAEW
THE NATION

Watcharapol

BANGKOK: -- A FORMER acting national police chief seen as close to the junta was yesterday elected as the new chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), leading to speculation of a stronger role for the anti-graft body.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879004-watcharapol-elected-nacc-chief-denies-being-ncpo-stooge/

BURNING ISSUE
China could learn from Japan’s vision for mutual benefit in SE Asia
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN

BANGKOK: -- THE multi-billion-dollar Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near the Thai-Myanmar border has inched closer to reality after years of uncertainty. This is thanks to Japan’s eventual commitment to a number of mega-infrastructure and investment schemes associated with the Dawei SEZ, which have the potential to transform the economies of Thailand and Myanmar. The schemes will also benefit corporate Japan, in a big way.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879005-china-could-learn-from-japans-vision-for-mutual-benefit-in-se-asia/

Present policies to be compared against old ones for govt's one-year record
Wasamon Audjarint
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- In a move to highlight the government’s achievements so far, a comparison between old and current policies will be made at the administration’s one-year presentation, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879006-present-policies-to-be-compared-against-old-ones-for-govts-one-year-record/

EDITORIAL
Let's elect an education 'tsar' to guide reform
The Nation

Thai schooling gets a failing grade because political gamesmanship ruins any chance of improvement

BANGKOK: -- Anyone tempted to blame the poor academic record of Thai students on the students themselves need only look at the system schooling them. Beneficial policies have been lacking for more than a decade while each change of government sees fresh improvement schemes involving massive investments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879007-lets-elect-an-education-tsar-to-guide-reform-thai-editorial/

STOPPAGE TIME
Things Prayut can learn from the Rajabhakti project
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Exhibit A for why it’s so difficult to combat corruption in Thailand is right under the nose of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Though frustrated by the controversy surrounding the Rajabhakti Park project, he hasn’t looked at it closely enough. If he had paid serious attention, the “scandal”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879008-things-prayut-can-learn-from-the-rajabhakti-project/

Brit dies in mysterious circumstances in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 28-year-old British man from Leeds died in mysterious circumstances on Tuesday Night and as part of the Police investigation, they initially detained 4 Ladyboys who are thought to have been somehow involved in the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879009-brit-dies-in-mysterious-circumstances-in-south-pattaya/

'Love Triangle' fatal stabbing at South Pattaya Apartment



PATTAYA: -- A 22-year-old Karaoke Bar worker was allegedly stabbed to death by a work colleague who was earlier caught secretly communicating with his Girlfriend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879010-love-triangle-fatal-stabbing-at-south-pattaya-apartment/

Mistaken Identity Arson attack on South Pattaya rented apartment



PATTAYA: -- Police and Pattaya Firefighters were called into action on Tuesday Afternoon to deal with a fire in a 3-storey commercial building in South Pattaya which was suspected of being started intentionally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879011-mistaken-identity-arson-attack-on-south-pattaya-rented-apartment/

Alleged 'flying' land document lands on Naka Noi Island
Phuket Gazette


Thai actor Puri Hiranpruk filed the complaint about the alleged encroachment on Naka Noi Island. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The Department of Special Investigations (DSI) yesterday investigated a complaint alleging that a 'Flying' SorKor 1 land document had managed to glide from Naka Yai Island to Naka Noi Island, just off Phuket's east coast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879012-alleged-flying-land-document-lands-on-naka-noi-island/

UPDATE:

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha Vows Punishment in Shrimp Trade Slave Labor
BY JACOB MASLOW



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stated that arrests are underway for seafood processing facilities that have failed to halt forced labor in the country. A report from the Associated Press found that Thailand’s thriving seafood industry utilizes forced labor for tasks, such as peeling shrimp.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878996-thai-frozen-foods-hits-back-at-claims/#entry10197236

Six narrowly escaped from a burning van



HAT YAI: -- The driver of a passenger van and five passengers narrowly escaped death after the vehicle rammed into the rear of a ten-wheel truck and caught fire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879013-six-narrowly-escaped-from-a-burning-van-near-hat-yai/

No gold and no Nazi train in Poland say experts



PARIS: -- Claims a Nazi train rumoured to be carrying gems and gold lies in an underground tunnel in Poland have been discounted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879014-no-gold-and-no-nazi-train-in-poland-say-experts/

Email threat forces schools closure in Los Angeles



LOS ANGELES: -- Schools out in Los Angeles. The streets empty, the classrooms of over 1000 public schools locked. But the threat sent by email which sparked the alert has forced the city authorities to defend their actions which many believe was a case of over reaction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879015-email-threat-forces-schools-closure-in-los-angeles/