Thailand Live Thursday 24 Dec 2015

[Jonathan Fairfield]

8 national artists for 2015 named



BANGKOK:-- Eight national artists for the year 2015 have been chosen by the National Cultural Committee and the Ministry of Culture on Wednesday.

The eight national artists are as follows: performance art category; Mr Somboonsuk Niyomsiri or Piak Poster (movies and television soap operas), Ms Wanika Bunnag (Thai classical dance) and Mr Santi Loonpae (modern music).

Visual Arts Category: Mr Krisda Rojanakorn (architecture), Professor Vichai Sitthirat (sculpture), and Professor Sermsak Narkbua (industrial design); Literature Category; Mr Thiparb Lohitkul (documentary) and Mr Pairin Khao-ngarm (poetry).

-- Thai PBS 2015-12-24

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Next senators to be indirectly elected from 20 professional groups

BANGKOK:-- The new batch of 200 senators will be indirectly elected from 20 professional groups and their term in office is five years in accordance with the draft constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881181-next-senators-to-be-indirectly-elected-from-20-professional-groups/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Drunken state blamed for British woman’s fatal fall from Phuket tuk-tuk

Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET:-- The man who was travelling in the back of the tuk-tuk with British tourist Elizabeth Corrigan when she fell and fatally struck her head on the road in Kamala early last Sunday morning says she was drunk, slipped and fell.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881182-drunken-state-blamed-for-british-womans-fatal-fall-from-phuket-tuk-tuk/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

District Officials continue to raid licensed establishments in Pattaya

PATTAYA:-- A team of over 50 District Officers and Police were on the hunt once again in the early hours of Wednesday in search of venues opened after their licensed operating hours or stores selling alcohol at times restricted by Thai law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881183-district-officials-continue-to-raid-licensed-establishments-in-pattaya/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

District Officials now using Drones in Pattaya crime suppression operations

PATTAYA:-- Banglamung District Officials have announced they are now using drones to gather evidence and catch those trying to escape from them when they conduct crime suppression operations in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881184-district-officials-now-using-drones-in-pattaya-crime-suppression-operations/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Security to be beefed up in capital for New Year festivities

Angsuma Sridokkham

The Nation

Metropolitan police chief assures no terrorist threat; concern over traffic

BANGKOK:-- POLICE are beefing up security across the capital, especially at key venues, for New Year 2016 celebrations, with walk-through metal-detecting scanners being installed at all entrances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881185-security-to-be-beefed-up-in-capital-for-new-year-festivities/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

DOUBLE MURDERS

Judgement in Koh Tao murder case due today

Pratch Rujivanarom,

Suwannee Bandisak

The Nation

Activist, lawyer say flaw in the prosecution will help myanmar defendants

BANGKOK:-- A KEY defence lawyer in the high-profile Koh Tao double-murder case expects good news for the two suspects, both Myanmar nationals, when the court deliver its verdict this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880411-koh-tao-verdict-expected-on-dec-24/page-5#entry10227507

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Politician among 17 charged in UFUN pyramid scam

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Police yesterday filed charges in the public fraud case based on UFUN’s alleged pyramid scheme against another 17 suspects. They included a former member of the Chart Thai Pattana Party, Sirichok Siriwannapa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881186-politician-among-17-charged-in-ufun-pyramid-scam/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

EDITORIAL

PM’s sentiment in song worth honouring

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- All eyes are on Prayut to stick to his road map and prove the coup was in some way justified

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has come up with a new song, offering it as a New Year gift to the people. "Proh Ther Kue Prathet Thai" ("Because You are Thailand") follows on the heels of "Returning Happiness to Thailand", the tune Prayut composed soon after seizing power in a coup in May last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881187-thai-pms-sentiment-in-song-worth-honouring/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

THAI TALK

If all ministers were required to be ‘honest and ethical’

Suthichai Yoon

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has adopted a new resolution: Cabinet members in the government after the next election must “possess honesty and ethics”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881188-if-all-ministers-were-required-to-be-honest-and-ethical/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand moves full steam towards regional integration

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Impressive facts derail any lingering rumours we are poorly prepared for the advent of the AEC this month

Big corporate names like Bangkok Bank, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Siam Cement Group and Thai Beverage - all representing different Thai industries - share a view that the domestic economy is becoming too small to meet their ambitions and so are venturing overseas to take advantage of growth opportunities that the Asean Economic Community (AEC) has to offer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881189-thailand-moves-full-steam-towards-regional-integration/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

BURNING ISSUE

The best New Year’s gift for Thai people

Chularat Saengpassa

PRETTY SOON, Thailand will enter a new period of “Seven Dangerous Days” with all the usual huge publicity to remind motorists they should help to promote road safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881191-the-best-new-years-gift-for-thai-people/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

CDC must open up to public participation: legal expert

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Calls are growing for the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) to allow more public participation in drafting the new charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881192-cdc-must-open-up-to-public-participation-legal-expert/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

BURNING ISSUE

The coming year promises a bumpy ride for the NCPO

ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK:-- POLITICAL ACTIVITIES have been effectively frozen since the military coup in May last year, at the order of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881193-the-coming-year-promises-a-bumpy-ride-for-the-ncpo/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

POLITICS

Govt under pressure over economic issues

WASAMON AUDJARINT

THE NATION

BANGKOK:-- AFTER a year and a half in office, the government continues to face complaints of economic hardship from a diverse group of people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881194-thai-govt-under-pressure-over-economic-issues/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

POLITICS

Court accepts Thaksin’s complaint on passports

THE NATION

BANGKOk:-- THE CENTRAL Administrative Court yesterday accepted a complaint filed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra against the Foreign Ministry’s permanent secretary and the consular affairs director-general for revoking his passports, Thaksin’s lawyer said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881195-court-accepts-thaksins-complaint-on-passports/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

NEW CHARTER

Charter to allow relatives of MPs to run for the Senate

KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN

THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Commission (CDC) yesterday resolved to allow relatives of members of the House of Representatives to run in indirect senatorial elections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881196-charter-to-allow-relatives-of-mps-to-run-for-the-senate/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

PM wants to tackle root of problems

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

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881197-thai-pm-wants-to-tackle-root-of-problems/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

JAS, CAT in preliminary deal for telecom towers

USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION

JASMINE MOBILE Broadband has reached a preliminary deal with CAT Telecom to lease 1,000 telecommunications towers to provide fourth-generation wireless broadband service under its newly acquired 900MHz licence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881198-jas-cat-in-preliminary-deal-for-telecom-towers/

Edited December 24, 2015 by ubonjoe
corrected link

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Red Line auction to be completed by this govt, says Arkhom

THE AUCTION process for the trains and rail system for the Mass Rapid Transit’s Red Line (Bang Sue-Rangsit), which has been ongoing since 2010, will definitely be completed by the current government, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said yesterday. Meanwhile, private involvement in the construction and operation of the Pink and Yellow lines is being discussed within the ministry, after which proposals will be submitted to the Public-Private Partnership Committee, he said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881199-red-line-auction-to-be-completed-by-this-govt-says-arkhom/

Edited December 24, 2015 by ubonjoe
corrected link

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Amway changing format of its shops in 30 locations

KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN

THE NATION

AMWAY Thailand will spend Bt300 million over three years to transform its Amway Shops in 30 prime locations throughout the country into a new leisure and educational format that encourages visitors to linger longer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881200-amway-changing-format-of-its-shops-in-30-locations/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thai banks set to broaden overseas presence as AEC implemention nears

SUCHEERA PINIJPARAKARN

THE NATION

DESPITE the proliferation of technology, Thai banks still see a necessity to establish a physical presence. In this regard, Thailand’s largest bank, Bangkok Bank, is in the best position to cash in on the Asean Economic Community (AEC) with its presence in nine of the 10 countries in Asean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881201-thai-banks-set-to-broaden-overseas-presence-as-aec-implemention-nears/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Jetro to brief Thailand on adjustment to TPP

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION

THE JAPAN External Trade Organisation has agreed to share its first-hand knowledge of the Trans-Pacific Partnership with Thailand so that this country can make the necessary adjustments before joining the world’s largest trading bloc.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881202-jetro-to-brief-thailand-on-adjustment-to-tpp/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Istanbul: one person dead in Sabiha Gokcen airport blast

ISTANBUL:-- A blast at Sabiha Gokcen — Istanbul’s second-largest airport — has killed one person and injured another.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881203-istanbul-one-person-dead-in-sabiha-gokcen-airport-blast/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Amnesty International accuses Russia of Syrian war crimes

By Robert Hackwill

Amnesty International is accusing Russia of war crimes for its attacks in Syria. The NGO says airstrikes have cost hundreds of civilian lives and have targeted high density residential areas, markets and medical facilities, where no military targets have been apparent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881204-amnesty-international-accuses-russia-of-syrian-war-crimes/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Russia rejects human rights report which accuses it of possible war crimes in Syria

Defence officials in Moscow are dismissing an Amnesty International report on Russian strikes in Syria – saying it’s based on unfounded allegations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881204-amnesty-international-accuses-russia-of-syrian-war-crimes/?p=10227641

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Iraqi forces claim the battle for Ramadi is almost won

Iraqi police say government forces have recaptured more than 90 percent of Ramadi from ISIL militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881205-iraqi-forces-claim-the-battle-for-ramadi-is-almost-won/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Jean Asselborn fires warning to Poland

Jean Asselborn Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister has fired a warning to Poland’s ruling conservative Law and Justice party against going down the path of dictatorship.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881206-jean-asselborn-fires-warning-to-poland/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

UK: investment banks pay little or no tax, analysis shows

Seven of the biggest investment banks operating in London paid little or no tax in Britain last year, despite reporting billions of dollars in profits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881208-uk-investment-banks-pay-little-or-no-tax-analysis-shows/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thousands of US prisoners freed early because of computer glitch

More than 3,000 prisoners have been released early in Washington because of a computer glitch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881209-thousands-of-us-prisoners-freed-early-because-of-computer-glitch/