Kenyan Muslims shield Christians in Mandera bus attack

NAIROBI: -- A group of Kenyan Muslims travelling on a bus ambushed by Islamist gunmen protected Christian passengers by refusing to be split into groups, according to eyewitnesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880645-kenyan-muslims-shield-christians-in-mandera-bus-attack/

Out of court surrogacy talk between American father and Thai surrogate mother enters litigation



BANGKOK: -- An out of court mediation to end the dispute between a Thai surrogacy mother and her American hirer failed to reach agreement when the mother insisted to hold the baby.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880648-out-of-court-surrogacy-talk-between-american-father-and-thai-surrogate-mother-enters-litigation/

Krabi marine office warns of high waves and strong winds in the sea this week



KRABI: -- The marine officials in Krabi today warned tourist boat operators of dangers from strong winds and high waves this week and advised them to be well prepared before sailing into the sea with tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880649-krabi-marine-office-warns-of-high-waves-and-strong-winds-in-the-sea-this-week/

PM: EPPO to lay down 20-year energy plan

BANGKOK, 22 December 2015, (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has indicated that the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) is laying down a 20-year energy plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880666-pm-prayut-eppo-to-lay-down-20-year-energy-plan/

SpaceX launches rocket 6 months after accident, then lands
By MARCIA DUNN

WASHINGTON: -- SpaceX sent a Falcon rocket soaring toward orbit Monday night with 11 small satellites, its first mission since an accident last summer. Then in an even more astounding feat, it landed the 15-story leftover booster back on Earth safely.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880669-spacex-launches-rocket-6-months-after-accident-then-lands/

Trump calls Clinton a 'liar' over video claim
TOM COYNE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump on Monday accused Hillary Clinton of lying when she said the Islamic State group used videos of his comments about Muslims to recruit militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880670-trump-calls-clinton-a-liar-over-video-claim/

Min of Interior to organize OTOP CITY 2015

BANGKOK, 22 December 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Interior will organize OTOP CITY 2015 from December 23 - 30 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, under the theme 'OTOP Next V.2.0'.

According to Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda, the event provides an additional channel to sell OTOP products, stimulating local economy. The minister expects OTOP CITY 2015 to attract at least 600,000 visitors.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of Interior Krissada Boonrat said a large number of OTOP producers and related agencies have joined the fair, boasting a wide selection of locally made products. OTOP CITY 2015 also features an exhibition on His Majesty the King and local cuisine from across the country.

The event highlight is a 2.5-million-baht ornamental carp that was handcrafted in Chanthaburi province.

-- NNT 2015-12-22

Pre-Christmas crime blitz nabs armed Patong man
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- A raid by no less than 12 police officers at a home in Patong yesterday afternoon (Dec 21) resulted in the arrest of one man with an illegal homemade handgun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880674-pre-christmas-crime-blitz-nabs-armed-patong-man/

Today is the longest night and shortest day of the year



BANGKOK: -- If today you woke up a little bit late, thinking that it was still dark and the sun didn't rise yet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880680-today-dec-22-is-the-longest-night-and-shortest-day-of-the-year-in-thailand/

Min of Commerce forecasts 5% export growth in 2016



BANGKOK, 22 December 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is confident the government’s economic stimulus measures will push export growth to 5% next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880682-thai-commerce-min-forecasts-5-export-growth-in-2016/

American ambassador promotes closer economic ties with Thailand

BANGKOK, 22 December 2015 (NNT) - The US Ambassador to Thailand has met with Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to bolster bilateral cooperation on trade and investment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880687-us-ambassador-davies-promotes-closer-economic-ties-with-thailand/

Google Thailand appoints Ben King country manager
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Google Thailand has appointed Ben King as the country manger in charge of business and operations in the kingdom, the company announced on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880699-google-thailand-appoints-ben-king-country-manager/

PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO - Surin beach, body canal, fishing slavery, Koh Tao murder

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880702-phuket-xtra-video-surin-beach-body-canal-fishing-slavery-koh-tao-murder/

EC to promote democracy at schools



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission has sought cooperation from the Education Ministry to play "Polamuang Penyai" (Citizens are Great) song before the morning national anthem song at all primary, secondary and pre-university schools to implant democracy ideology in the young generation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880703-ec-to-promote-democracy-at-thai-schools/

Phuket readies for tsunami memorial, 11 years on
The Phuket News


Each year, thousands of people turn out at the traditional ‘Light Up Phuket’ candle-lighting ceremony at Patong Beach to dig holes in the sand and place lit candles within to remember the tsunami victims. Photo: The Phuket News / file

PHUKET: -- Religious activities and memorial exhibitions are being prepared across the island as Phuket gets ready to mark the 11th anniversary of the 2004 Asian Tsunami on Saturday, December 26.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880705-phuket-readies-for-tsunami-memorial-11-years-on/

Road-Raging Van Driver Accused of Attacking Reporter with Knife
Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Photo of the van driver attempting to knife Thai PBS reporter Bancha Eiammeechai as provided by Bancha to the police.

AYUTTHAYA — A public van driver has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly chasing down a reporter who honked at him with a knife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880707-road-raging-van-driver-accused-of-attacking-thai-reporter-with-knife/

Swedish railway operator suspends services to Denmark over controversial ID checks
By Seamus Kearney



STOCKHOLM: -- The state rail operator in Sweden is suspending passenger services to and from Denmark, saying it can’t comply with new rules to carry out identity checks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880711-swedish-railway-operator-suspends-services-to-denmark-over-controversial-id-checks/

Porn Site's Poor-Taste 'Por' Scam Spreads
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter



BANGKOK — Thrisadee “Por” Sahawong is being mourned yet again online, thanks to a growing number of fake news hoaxes claiming he has died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880713-porn-sites-poor-taste-por-scam-spreads/

Traffic restrictions across northern Italy as pollution levels smash EU limits



ROME: -- Cities across northern Italy are on high smog alert due to unseasonably mild temperatures and low rainfall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880715-traffic-restrictions-across-northern-italy-as-pollution-levels-smash-eu-limits/

NEW DELHI (AP) - Official says all 10 aboard killed as Indian paramilitary plane crashes near New Delhi airport

Court issues arrest warrants for Kamnan Sia and his wife to hear verdicts



BANGKOK: -- Warrants have been issued by the Criminal Court for the arrest of former Democrat MP of Kanchanaburi Kamnan Sia and his wife for their failure to show up to hear the court’s verdicts in two separate cases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880717-court-issues-arrest-warrants-for-kamnan-sia-and-his-wife-to-hear-verdicts/

State of Palestine passports for 2016



ATHENS: -- On a visit to Greece the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said his administration could start issuing passports under the ‘State of Palestine’ as early as next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880718-state-of-palestine-passports-for-2016/

Actor Nicolas Cage returns stolen dinosaur skull he bought
NEW YORK | BY JOSEPH AX
REUTERS

NEW YORK: -- Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage has agreed to turn over a rare stolen dinosaur skull he bought for $276,000 to U.S. authorities so it can be returned to the Mongolian government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880719-actor-nicolas-cage-returns-stolen-dinosaur-skull-he-bought/

UNESCO dubs Phuket 'City of Gastronomy'
Phuket Gazette


Phuket Baba food combines recipes from Royal Thai Cuisine, common Thai dishes, Hokkien Chinese food and Malay cuisine. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) dubbed Phuket a ‘City of Gastronomy’ on December 11, honoring the island’s rich culinary history and unique cuisine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880720-unesco-dubs-phuket-city-of-gastronomy/

THAI receives EASA certification
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International today announced that it passed the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Third Country Operator (TCO) Audit and received authorisation for flight operations to countries in the European Union.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880724-thai-receives-easa-certification/

Thaivisa Video News 22 December



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

Foreigners detained as Tourist Police lead South Pattaya crime suppression raid



PATTAYA: -- The Tourist Police led an operation, involving over 100 Pattaya Police and Tourist Police Officers in the early hours of Tuesday in the South Pattaya entertainment zone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880747-foreigners-detained-as-tourist-police-lead-south-pattaya-crime-suppression-raid/

Pattaya Police Officer injured as gang violence erupts at Thai Pub



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday Pattaya Police were called to a violent incident which occurred outside of a Thai Pub which left a 22-year-old man with serious injuries and resulted in one Police Officer sustaining a neck injury after he chased those thought to be responsible.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880748-pattaya-police-officer-injured-as-gang-violence-erupts-at-thai-pub/

DRR to facilitate road users during holidays

BANGKOK, 22 December 2015 (NNT) – The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) will be facilitating motorists nationwide during the New Year holidays, with planned inspection and maintenance services of roads and related facilities.

The DRR Director-General Pisak Jitviriyavasin revealed the department has established a working plan for facilitating road users during the New Year holidays to ensure road safety. The department will be working with local agencies to prevent road accidents through the maintenance of roads and bridges.

The DRR has also established 18 coordination centers, Provincial rural road safety direction centers, public service centers, and fast response mobile units in 76 provinces, as well as placing road signs such as warnings and bypass suggestions nationwide.

The DRR director-general added that all road construction that can be halted will be temporarily put on hold from 29 December 2015 to 4 January 2016, in order to accommodate travelers and ease traffic congestion.


-- NNT 2015-12-23

GENEVA (AP) - Migration watchdog IOM says number of migrants reaching Europe this year tops 1 million.