Thailand Live Wednesday 16 Dec 2015

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This is what happens when the Arctic warms twice as fast as the rest of the planet
By Darryl Fears
The Washington Post

WASHINGTON: -- For a second straight year, the Arctic is warming faster than any other place in the world, and walrus populations in the area’s Pacific and Atlantic ocean regions are thinning along with the ice sheets that are critical for their survival, researchers reported Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879082-this-is-what-happens-when-the-arctic-warms-twice-as-fast-as-the-rest-of-the-planet/

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Battle for 4G licences now over 63 billion baht and still rising



BANGKOK: -- The price battle for two fourth generation or 4G mobile phone licences on the 900 MHz spectrums took another break at 6 am Wednesday morning with the bid prices jumping to 31,862 million baht each, or 63,724 million baht for both.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879083-battle-for-4g-licences-now-over-63-billion-baht-and-still-rising/

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Britain considers silly laws, from salmon handling to armour wearing
Stephen Castle

London: It is not a great idea to carry a plank of wood down a busy sidewalk. Nor should you ride a horse while drunk, or handle a salmon under suspicious circumstances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879088-britain-considers-silly-laws-from-salmon-handling-to-armour-wearing/

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Chiang Rai to hold ASEAN Flower Festival 2015

CHIANG RAI, 16 December 2015, (NNT) - The northern province of Chiang Rai will organize the 'Chiang Rai ASEAN Flower Festival 2015' under the theme 'Miracle Flower of Lanna,' as the province steps up its tourism campaign ahead of the ASEAN Economic Community due to commence at the end of this month.

The event aims at promoting tourism in Chiang Rai, preserving its cultural heritage and Lanna traditions, as well as stimulating local economy.

Officials said event-goers will have a chance to see various winter flowers, such as tulips, lilies, and cyclamens. The festival's highlights include a light tunnel, a display of fantasy lanterns, and fireworks. It will also showcase OTOP items made by Chiang Rai locals.

The festival will be held from December 24 to January 10 at the Circle of Culture along the province's Kok River. Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya is scheduled to officiate the event on the opening day, December 24, from 6:00pm onward.

-- NNT 2015-12-16

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Smartphone Freedom Fuels Rise of Social Media in Myanmar Politics
Myanmar Now

YANGON — Soon after polls closed in Myanmar’s November 8 elections, photos of the ink-stained fingers of proud voters were plastered across the country’s Facebook pages. Overnight, the “purple pinky”, used as a means to determine who had voted, became a badge of democratic honor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879090-smartphone-freedom-fuels-rise-of-social-media-in-myanmar-politics/

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Robber Calls Clerk A 'Terrorist' Before Shooting Him In The Face
Kim Bellware
Reporter, The Huffington Post

The robber reportedly said something along the lines of "I shot people like you overseas"

GRAND RAPIDS: -- A Michigan store clerk is recovering after being shot in the face and called a "terrorist" by an armed robber who may have perpetrated a hate crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879092-robber-calls-michigan-store-clerk-a-terrorist-before-shooting-him-in-the-face/

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Por's condition worsens



BANGKOK: -- Famous television star Tridsadee “Por” Sahawong's condition remains critical today and still needs close monitoring by doctors.

According to the latest Announcement 17 issued today by the Ramathibodi Hospital, his right lung infection has spread, thus worsening the oxygen exchange in the lungs.

This prompted the necessity for doctors to increase antibiotic dose and to monitor his condition closely.

The announcement said in case of any change in clinical treatment, doctors will inform his condition to the public from time to time.

Announcement 16 issued on December 14 said the patient still had significant complications from dengue fever, with serious infection on the right lung, air leak in left lung, and occasional bleeding in the digestive tract.

The patient still has acute liver and renal failures, and needs to have continual extrarenal purifications.

The 37-year-old actor became a household name after he was crowned CLEO Magazine’s “Most Eligible Bachelor” in 2004.

Por was widely praised for his lead performance in the classic drama “Pooyai Lee and Nang Ma” in 2009, which propelled him to super-stardom.

The hashtags #PorThrisadee and #StrongerPor have begun trending on Twitter as fans and local media send their love and best wishes to the actor on social media.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pors-condition-worsens


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-16

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2.49 billion baht of Phuket park land to be reclaimed
Eakkapop Thongtub


Chief of the DSI’s Consumer and Environment Protection Division Lt Col Prawut Wongseenil.

PHUKET: -- Phuket’s Sirinart National Park is to regain land worth B2.49 billion following confirmation yesterday ( Dec 15) from Department of Special Investigation (DSI) that the land had been encroached.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879113-249-billion-baht-of-phuket-park-land-to-be-reclaimed/

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Colombian government and FARC rebels sign agreement



HAVANA: -- Representatives of the Colombian government and the leftist FARC rebels have signed an agreement which could put peace talks back on track to end the five-decade long armed conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879115-colombian-government-and-farc-rebels-sign-agreement/

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Britain's Prince Charles gets copies of cabinet papers



LONDON: -- Britain’s Prince Charles has been receiving copies of confidential cabinet papers for decades The news has come to light after a freedom of information battle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879117-britains-prince-charles-gets-copies-of-cabinet-papers/

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Selfie time: Thais spend more time on Instagram than any other global users
By Coconuts Bangkok


A young Thai man takes a selfie with the Christmas decorations at Central World.

BANGKOK: -- From snapping expensive meals and pets in ridiculous sweaters to simple selfies, Thai users spend more time than anyone else on Instagram.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879118-selfie-time-thais-spend-more-time-on-instagram-than-any-other-global-users/

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Budget flights launched from Thailand to Europe
By Coconuts Bangkok


File photo of a plane taking off from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Photo: Reuters

BANGKOK: -- Budget travelers can now hop on a cheap flight to Europe as low-cost German carrier Eurowings launches flights to Bangkok and Phuket this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879120-budget-flights-launched-from-thailand-to-europe/

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Phuket teenagers held over man stabbed, dead near Patong Hill
Eakkapop Thongtub


The body of Somparn Potakom, 25, was found by the side of the main road over Patong Hill. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Police are questioning three teenagers over the death of a man whose body was found by the side of the road near the base of the Kathu side of Patong Hill late last night (Dec 15). The man, identified as Somparn Potakom, 25, from Nakhon Sawan, had been stabbed once in the chest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879121-phuket-teenagers-held-over-man-stabbed-dead-near-patong-hill/

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Former BBC executives get six years for cheats in 1996



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court today sentenced three former executives of the defunct Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC) to six years and eight months each in prison after finding them guilty in a conspiracy to embezzle the bank's fund and to improperly lend money to private companies without thorough check of their credibility.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879122-former-bangkok-bank-of-commerce-executives-get-six-years-for-cheats-in-1996/

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Britain to support newly-formed Muslim nations' 'ground army' against Isil
By Richard Spencer, Middle East Editor, Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent, and Louisa Loveluck

UK facing the prospect of being dragged further into the war in Syria by providing command and control, intelligence and air support to troops from the new coalition of Muslim nations against Islamic State jihadis

LONDON: -- Britain faced the prospect of being dragged further into the war in Syria on Tuesday night, as it was poised to support a newly-formed "ground army" from Muslim nations who could attack Isil within weeks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879124-britain-to-support-newly-formed-muslim-nations-ground-army-against-isil/

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Min of Foreign Affairs hosts 5th Thai – U.S Strategic Dialogue

BANGKOK, 16 December 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State have co-organized the 5th Thai – US Strategic Dialogue, where delegates from both countries are looking to enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879125-min-of-foreign-affairs-hosts-5th-thai-us-strategic-dialogue/

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Star to be named after kinky crocodile king from Thai folklore
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The name Chalawan, the epithet of the evil Thai crocodile king who according to folk legend was killed for getting jiggy with a human woman, has won a global vote for naming a star near our solar system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879126-new-star-to-be-named-after-kinky-crocodile-king-from-thai-folklore/

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Britain salutes its space hero



LONDON: -- A Soyuz space craft has successfully docked with the International Space Station. There was a slight delay due to a failure with the automatic docking procedure but it did nothing to dampen the arrival of the newest guests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879128-britain-salutes-its-space-hero/

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Govt to hold Thai-Cambodian leaders meeting

BANGKOK, 16 December 2015 (NNT) – The government is preparing to host an informal meeting between Thai and Cambodian leaders later this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879130-govt-to-hold-thai-cambodian-leaders-meeting/

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UPDATE:

North Korea sentences Canadian pastor to life in prison

BY BNO NEWS

PYONGYANG: -- Canadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim, who was detained in February during a humanitarian trip to North Korea, has been sentenced to life in prison for anti-state activities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879077-north-korea-sentences-canadian-pastor-to-life-in-prison/#entry10198853

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CCCIF holds briefing on Thailand's anti-IUU fishing efforts

BANGKOK, 16 December 2015 (NNT) - The Command Center to Combat Illegal Fishing (CCCIF) has held a briefing on its progress to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879131-cccif-holds-briefing-on-thailands-anti-iuu-fishing-efforts/

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Phuket driver yet to be charged for British woman's death
Phuket Gazette


The pick-up truck allegedly slammed into the two women on their motorbike as they exited a small soi onto the main road Photo: VR Patong

PHUKET: -- Police have yet to charge the truck driver who killed a British woman and injured her friend on Phuket’s infamous Patong Hill on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879133-phuket-driver-yet-to-be-charged-for-british-womans-death/

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Security stepped up in Yala
The Nation

YALA: -- Police, troops and provincial officials in Yala have stepped up security after an intelligence agency learned that insurgents have brought in a lot of explosive devices for launching more terror attacks, a source said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879136-security-stepped-up-in-yala/

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Pickup Falls From Central Festival Second Floor Parking Lot, Injuring Two
by CityNews



CityNews – Last night, December 15, police and rescue services were called to the scene where a pickup truck fell from the second floor of the parking lot at Central Festival Chiang Mai at around 10.30pm, injuring the driver and passenger.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879137-pickup-falls-from-central-festival-second-floor-parking-lot-injuring-two/

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Thaivisa Video News 16 December



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

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Mr. Heangjobshappylife Makelifebetter' ditches unique name after spelling trouble
By Coconuts Bangkok


A snapshot of Mr. Heangjobhappylife Makelifebetter’s legit ID card circulated online last year

BANGKOK: -- The Surin man who made headlines last year for failing to live up to his name, Mr. Heangjobhappylife Makelifebetter, when he got arrested for petty theft, has decided to ditch his unique name.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879140-mr-heangjobshappylife-makelifebetter-ditches-unique-name-after-spelling-trouble/

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UPDATE:

60-year-old pastor gets hard labour for life in North Korea



PARIS: -- North Korea’s highest court has sentenced a South Korea-born Canadian pastor to hard labour for life for subversion, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday (December 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879077-north-korea-sentences-canadian-pastor-to-life-in-prison/#entry10199117

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UPDATE:

AIRLINE
Eurowings leads in budget flights from Europe to SE Asia
Suchat Sritama
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Eurowings, Lufthansa Group’s long-haul budget airline, commences operations to Thailand this week, making it the first European low-cost carrier to link with Southeast Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879120-budget-flights-launched-from-thailand-to-europe/#entry10199133

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Supreme Court rejects Yingluck's request to leave kingdom again
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office Wednesday turned down request by former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to leave the kingdom to visit Japan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879152-supreme-court-rejects-yinglucks-request-to-leave-thailand-again/

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British man and Thai woman busted for suspected drug trafficking in Hong Kong
By Coconuts Hong Kong


Some of the evidence seized and the apartment where one suspect was apprehended. Photo: Oriental Daily / Google Street View

HONG KONG: -- A drug raid led by Mong Kok police last night busted one British-born building construction engineer and his female accomplice, reported to be a Thai national.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879154-british-man-and-thai-woman-busted-for-suspected-drug-trafficking-in-hong-kong/