Alcohol 'school safety zones' unnecessary, says Phuket poll
The Phuket News


Officials raid a night venue near an 'education institution' in Phuket earlier this year. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- The government campaign to ban the sale of alcohol anywhere near schools and other “educational institutions” is unnecessary, according to a huge majority of people who voted in the latest online poll by The Phuket News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880969-alcohol-school-safety-zones-unnecessary-says-phuket-poll/

Dengue vaccine approved in Philippines

MANILA -- Pharmaceutical giant, Sanofi Pasteur, announced Tuesday night the approval of the much-awaited dengue vaccine in the Philippines, making the country the first in Asia to grant license to Dengvaxia®.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880970-dengue-vaccine-approved-in-philippines/

Zimbabwe looks to Chinese yuan as legal tender
MacDonald Dzirutwe

Harare: Zimbabwe plans to make the Chinese yuan legal tender as part of a deal that will see about $US40 million in debt cancelled by Beijing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880972-zimbabwe-looks-to-chinese-yuan-as-legal-tender/

Laos expects over 4 million visitors this year

VIENTIANE: -- The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism expects that the number of foreigner visitors to Laos will reach 4.33 million this year, representing an annual increase of 4 per cent, according to Lao News Agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880976-laos-expects-over-4-million-visitors-this-year/

SET up 7.79 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Myanmar graffiti students released, vow to continue protest campaign



YANGON: -- Three of the four students jailed for spraying anti-government slogans on the grounds of their university were released from Mandalay’s Obo Prison on Tuesday morning, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880981-myanmar-graffiti-students-released-vow-to-continue-protest-campaign/

5th Russian-built submarine heads for Vietnam

HANOI: -- The fifth of the six Kilo-class submarines that Vietnam has contracted to buy from Russia left a Danish port on Sunday to head for Vietnam, according to Thanh Nien News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880984-5th-russian-built-submarine-heads-for-vietnam/

Government scores 7 on economic performance

BANGKOK: -- The government of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has performed satisfactorily on economy winning 7 scores out of 10, Dr Thanawat Polwichai, director of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC)'s Center for Economic and Business Forecasting.

Full story:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880985-thai-government-scores-7-on-economic-performance/

Happy campers: 99% of Thais 'satisfied' with govt, says govt poll
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- It's the kind of approval ratings Kim Jong-un would be proud of.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880987-happy-campers-99-of-thais-satisfied-with-govt-says-govt-poll/

Suvarnabhumi Airport will reopen its biking lane on Dec 26



SAMUT PRAKAN, 23 December 2015, (NNT) - Suvarnabhumi International Airport will reopen its bicycle lane, or 'Sky Lane,' on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880993-suvarnabhumi-airport-will-reopen-its-biking-lane-on-dec-26/

Malaysian cartoonist facing 43-year jail sentence for speaking out against government
Rohan Smith

SYDNEY: -- A MALAYSIAN man staring down the very real possibility of spending the next 43 years in prison says he won’t stop doing what put him in jail in the first place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880995-malaysian-cartoonist-facing-43-year-jail-sentence-for-speaking-out-against-govt/

Former Rohingya police investigator claims he was threatened by third party

BANGKOK, 23 December 2015 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police will investigate whether police in charge of Rohingya trafficking cases in the South were threatened by a third party.

Police Chief Pol Gen Sriwara Rangsipramkul is visiting the three southernmost provinces today to observe progress on human trafficking cases

He will make a stop in Songkhla province, after Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin, the former Deputy Commissioner of the Southern Border Provinces Police Operations Centre, claimed that officers investigating the Rohingya trafficking case were being coerced by an unidentified third party.

Pol Gen Sriwara said he was not able to reach Pol Maj Gen Paween, who was in the same graduating class at the Royal Police Cadet Academy. He urged Pol Maj Gen Paween to come forward and testify to the authorities.

-- NNT 2015-12-23

CCCIF urge Thai media to report accurately on illegal fishing

BANGKOK, 23 December 2015 (NNT) - The Command Center for Combating Illegal Fishing (CCCIF) has expressed concern over recent reports on illegal fishing, urging members of the press to ensure accuracy so as to avoid misunderstandings in foreign media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880999-cccif-urge-thai-media-to-report-accurately-on-illegal-fishing/

UPDATE:

Trump denies using 'vulgar' language to mock Clinton
By TOM COYNE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed reports that he used vulgarity in describing Democrat Hillary Clinton's primary loss to now-President Barack Obama in 2008.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880925-trump-uses-crude-language-to-mock-clinton/page-3?p=10224748#entry10224748

Kalasin beefs up anti-crime campaign ahead of Christmas & New Year

KALASIN, 23 December 2015 (NNT) – Security and administrative sectors in Kalasin province have jointly dispatched an anti-crime task force in preparation for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The task force consists of police officers, defense volunteers and emergency workers, who patrol bus terminals, the business district and tourist spots to ensure safety for both residents and holidaymakers.

Security personnel are to concentrate their efforts on robberies, assault and narcotics. The task force will be deployed until December 29.

Governor Winai Wittayanukul said the campaign is expected to boost public confidence, as the province holds a series of Christmas and New Year activities in four different venues between December 19, 2015 and January 9, 2016.


-- NNT 2015-12-23

Danish man caught with 1.6kg of heroin at Phuket Airport
The Phuket News


Danish national Peter Efferso, 46, was taken into custody after security staff found 1.6 kilogrammes of heroin wrapped around his waist during a routine pre-flight security check at Phuket Airport. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Security personnel at Phuket International Airport arrested a Danish man with 1.6 kilogrammes of heroin wrapped around his waist as he attempted to board a direct flight to Copenhagan to early this morning (Dec 23).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881029-danish-man-caught-with-16kg-of-heroin-at-phuket-airport/

Tax Deduction For Shoppers To Be announced Friday
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Central Chidlom in an undated, recent file photo.

BANGKOK — The year is set to end with big smiles on shoppers’ faces as a tax rebate for goods and services costing up to 15,000 baht will be given as a ‘New Year gift.’

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881031-tax-deduction-for-shoppers-to-be-announced-friday/

Chinese tourist drowned in Pattaya sea



PATTAYA: -- A 68-year-old Chinese tourist was drowned after swimming at Pattaya beach in front of Twin Palm Resort hotel yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881032-chinese-tourist-drowned-in-pattaya-sea/

Thai junta reaffirms will hand back power in 2017, entering second phase of reforms
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE AND PANARAT THEPGUMPANAT

BANGKOK: -- Thai prime minister and junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha gave a sweeping year-end speech on Wednesday in which he reiterated that the junta will hand back power in 2017 and that it was entering "phase two" of its reform plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881036-thai-govt-reaffirms-will-hand-back-power-in-2017-entering-second-phase-of-reforms/

UPDATE:

Dane busted for heroin smuggling at Phuket airport
Phuket Gazette


Danish national Peter Effersoe was hiding 1.6 kilograms of heroin under his shirt when he attempted to go through Phuket International Airport. Photo: Phuket AoT

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881029-danish-man-caught-with-16kg-of-heroin-at-phuket-airport/#entry10225177

Highway Police Prepare Three Helpful Projects for New Year
by CityNews



CityNews – Chiang Mai Highway Police have begun three projects to ensure safety of drivers, residents and tourists, including giving away free items to help drivers stay fresh, and encouraging cycling around the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881039-chiang-mai-highway-police-prepare-three-helpful-projects-for-new-year/

Seven soldiers hurt in roadside bomb attack in Narathiwat



NARATHIWAT: -- Seven soldiers were wounded as southern militants detonated a roadside bomb while they were returning to their base in two trucks shorty last night in Ruesor district of Narathiwat province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881040-seven-soldiers-hurt-in-roadside-bomb-attack-in-narathiwat/

Zero Celsius: Grass literally frozen atop Doi Inthanon
By Coconuts Bangkok


It’s literally freezing up on Doi Inthanon. Photo: Doi Inthanon National Park

CHIANG MAI: -- While Thailand is widely mocked by its residents for having just two type of weather -- hot and very hot -- many travelers in Chiang Mai yesterday were excited to find that Doi Inthanon, the tallest mountain in the country, was covered in glaze ice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881043-zero-celsius-grass-literally-frozen-atop-doi-inthanon/

Police withhold key witness’s statement about Brit's deadly tuk-tuk ride
Phuket Gazette


Col Pattanachak said that officials have yet to rule the death as a murder, accident or result of reckless driving. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Police declined to reveal any information procured from the statement of the sole witness to a British woman’s death after she fell from the back of a tuk-tuk in Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881045-police-withhold-key-witnesss-statement-about-brits-deadly-tuk-tuk-ride/

PM announces administration's annual achievements



BANGKOK, 23 December 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha announced today the government’s achievements over the past year, while dedicating their work to the Thai people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881048-pm-prayut-announces-administrations-annual-achievements/

Happy shopping: Suan Lum Night Bazaar reopens tonight
By Coconuts


Suan Lum Night Bazaar reopens tonight. Photo: Facebook/ Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek

BANGKOK: -- Another hot spot for shopping and entertainment has hit Bangkok as the revamped Suan Lum Night Bazaar opens tonight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881056-happy-shopping-suan-lum-night-bazaar-reopens-tonight/

Thaivisa Video News 23 December



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

Iraqi forces storm Ramadi center, predict victory within days



RAMADI: -- Iraqi armed forces stormed the center of Ramadi Tuesday as their bid to dislodge Islamic State militants continues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881062-iraqi-forces-storm-ramadi-center-predict-victory-within-days/

French police foil plot to attack police and soldiers in city of Orleans
By Seamus Kearney

"Since November we know there's a handful of people ready to act against the population."

PARIS: -- Police in France say they’ve foiled a plot to carry out a gun attack on police and soldiers in the city of Orleans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881063-french-police-foil-plot-to-attack-police-and-soldiers-in-city-of-orleans/

Prachatai webmaster guilty of allowing lese-majeste posts
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In unprecedented ruling, the Supreme Court Wednesday found the webmaster of the Prachatai news website guilty of liability for failing to prevent readers from posting lese-majeste comments on the site.

The Supreme Court upheld the lower courts' sentence of a suspended eight-month jail term and a fine of Bt20,000 against Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the director of Prachatai.

Like the lower courts, the highest court found Chiranuch guilty of breaking Article 14 and Article 15 of the 2007 Technology Crime Act as alleged by public prosecutors for failing to promptly remove lese-majeste comments from the Prachatai website in 2008.

On March 31 2010, public prosecutors filed the charges against her in the Criminal Court. The suit alleged that Chiranuch, as the webmaster, intentionally supported or allowed others to post ten posts on her website from April 15 to November 3 2008 in defamation of the monarchy.

The suit alleged that as the webmaster, Chiranuch failed to carry out her responsibility to prevent the posting of false information on her website so she violated Article 14 and Article 15 of Technology Crime Act.

The Criminal Court found Chiranuch guilty on May 30 2012 and sentenced her to one year in jail and slapped a fine of Bt30,000 on her. But penalties were commuted by one third to eight-month jail term and Bt20,000 fine. The jail term was suspended for one year.

Both public prosecutors and Chiranuch appealed against the ruling - public prosecutors asked the Appeals Court to give Oranuch hasher penalties while she wanted the higher court to reverse the ruling.

On November 8 2013, the Appeals Court upheld the ruling and sentence of the Criminal Court. Chiranuch appealed against the ruling with the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court ruled that Chiranuch was in charge of the website so she definitely knew about the lese majeste posts on her site. Since she did not take action to remove them, her inaction was deemed as intentional consent to allow the information to remain on her website.

Like the lower court, the Supreme Court commuted the penalties from one-year imprisonment to eight months in jail and a fine of Bt30,000 to Bt20,000. The jail term was suspended for a year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prachatai-webmaster-guilty-of-allowing-lese-majest-30275519.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-23