Amnesty International concerned over webmaster guilty verdict

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- The Amnesty International Wednesday expressed concern that the conviction of the Prachatai webmaster in the Computer Crime Act would affect online freedom of speech.

The organisation was reacting over the conviction of Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the director of Prachatai, by the Supreme Court Wednesday.

Philip Luther, Amnesty International's acting Senior Director for Research, said in a statement that the ruling highlighted how the Thai authorities are using and abusing a range of laws to enforce direct censorship and impose a climate of self-censorship. Since the military coup in 2014, Internet service providers and media outlets have operated under increasingly sweeping restrictions. They are under pressure from authorities to cooperate and steer clear of comments deemed unfavourable."

"The Computer Crimes Act is a flawed piece of legislation that has become another weapon in the authorities' arsenal to silence dissent. It should repealed immediately or amended and brought into line with international human rights law and standards," Luther said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Amnesty-International-concerned-over-webmaster-gui-30275526.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-23

Van Driver Seen Stabbing At Reporter Surrenders, Gets Fined
Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter

Anan Charoenkham (left) apologized to his victim Bancha Eiammeechai yesterday at Ayutthaya Police Station (photo by Matichon)

AYUTTHAYA -- The public van driver who attempted to stab a TV reporter in Ayutthaya province with a knife for honking his horn at him hassurrendered himself to police and apologized to his victim.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881108-van-driver-seen-stabbing-at-reporter-surrenders-gets-fined/

A shot in the dark: More than 1 million people in Thailand will celebrate Christmas in darkness
By Ana Salv


A Tak province villager living in darkness. Photo: Ana Salvá

THAILAND -- Christmas has come to town and since late November, Bangkok has been increasingly filled with lights of all shapes and colors as part of decorations adorning balconies, streets and shopping centers. Many families and friends will also meet this Friday to celebrate the holiday over Christmas dinner.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881113-a-shot-in-the-dark-more-than-1-million-people-in-thailand-will-celebrate-christmas-in-darkness/

New Year Gift for Cyclists: Suvarnabhumi Bike Lane Returns Saturday
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter

A glimpse of the newly renovated sky lane that would be opened Saturday. Photo: Sky Lane Thailand / Facebook

SAMUT PRAKARN -- Airports of Thailand announced yesterday that their green bicycle lane will reopen Saturday after seven months of renovation.

Full Story:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880993-suvarnabhumi-airport-will-reopen-its-biking-lane-on-dec-26/?p=10226374

Thailand geared to increase foreign tourist spending
The Nation

BANGKOK -- The Finance and Tourism ministries have agreed in principle to five proposals of three retail associations, which include the opening of duty-free pick-up counters at all international airports.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881031-tax-deduction-for-shoppers-to-be-announced-friday/?p=10226393

Don Mueang’s Terminal Two to open partially for domestic passengers on Dec 24
Thai PBS

BANGKOK -- Domestic air passengers are advised to use Terminal Two of Don Mueang airport for check-ins beginning on Thursday as the terminal is open partially for use.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879393-dmk-terminal-2-to-re-open-christmas-eve/?p=10226418

Electricity bills lower through April
The Nation

THAILAND -- The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has given consumers a year-end gift by cutting their electricity bills by 1.57 satang perunit in thefuel adjustment tariff for the January-April period.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881145-electricity-bills-lower-through-april/

Thailand to welcome its 29th million visitor
By Coconuts Bangkok

File photo of Koh Phangan tourist. Photo: Humans of Phangan

THAILAND -- Thailand expects to receive its 29th million visitor today at Suvarnabhumi Airport, breaking the country’s target of 28.8 million for this year.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881147-thailand-to-welcome-its-29th-million-visitor/

Drink driving motorists will have their vehicles impounded until after New Year festival
Thai PBS

THAILAND -- The army means business in strictly enforcing drink driving ban during the New Year festival in a bid to reduce road accidents.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881148-drink-driving-motorists-will-have-their-vehicles-impounded-until-after-new-year-festival/

PM wants to tackle root of problems
The Nation

THAILAND -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha said Wednesday he had staged a coup in the hope of bringing about true and effective nationalreform after the country had been riding a political roller-coaster for 83 years.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881150-pm-wants-to-tackle-root-of-problems/

Surapong Tovichakchaikul: PM’s two songs should be added as an achievement
Thai PBS



THAILAND -- Former deputy prime minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul of the Pheu Thai party said Wednesday that the government should have designated the two songs written by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha as an achievement of the government for the past year.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881153-surapong-tovichakchaikul-pms-two-songs-should-be-added-as-an-achievement/

Cabinet delivers progress report on tourism & human trafficking policies
NNT

BANGKOK, 23 December 2015 (NNT) -- The government has released its progress report on tourism and human trafficking policies.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881155-cabinet-delivers-progress-report-on-tourism-human-trafficking-policies/

Govt. invites public to visit exhibition outlining its works
NNT

BANGKOK -- 23 December 2015 (NNT) - The government on Wednesday opened the exhibition showcasing its past, ongoing and future works to the public at Government House.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881158-govt-invites-public-to-visit-exhibition-outlining-its-works/

Road cave-in in Pathum Thani as klong water subsided
Thai PBS

BANGKOK -- About 50-metre stretch of rural road running parallel to a Klong 9 in Pathum Thani’s Nong Sua district has caved in about 1.2 metres deep aswater level in the klong has dropped to its bottom.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881159-road-cave-in-in-pathum-thani-as-klong-water-subsided/

PM to visit southern province
NNT

BANGKOK, 23 December 2015 (NNT) -- The Prime Minister is set to visit Songkhla Province to follow up on projects that were initiated on hisorder, while government officials will visit local areas more frequently, according to a spokesman.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881161-pm-to-visit-southern-province/

Thailand Live continued here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881179-thailand-live-wednesday-24-dec-2015/