15 school children escape with slight injuries after a school van turned one side up
Thai PBS

CHONBURI:-- Fifteen school children escaped with minor injuries after a school van in which they were travelling turned one side up as the driver tried to avoid a collision with a car.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881428-15-school-children-escape-with-slight-injuries-after-a-school-van-turned-one-side-up/

Media Reform Committee Considers a Crackdown on Online Media Using Article 44

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen

Staff Reporter

BANGKOK — A junta appointed media reform committee is considering a new measure to control online media that incites "social unrest."

Pol.Maj.Gen Pisit Pao-in, the former commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division who now oversees the government's 'reform' of online media, said on Dec. 24 that he would ask to use the power of Article 44 to crack down on online media, including content deemed to be affecting national security and/or defaming the monarchy.

After the talk between the media reform committee and police today, Pisit said representatives from Google are scheduled to meet the committee for a discussion on Jan. 14 and again on Jan. 21.

According to the officer, these meetings will be followed by further meetings with representatives from Facebook and the messaging app, LINE, at as yet unspecified dates.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1450955851

-- Khaosod English 2015-12-25

Thai Embassy in Yangon issues alert after protest

THE NATION

THE THAI Embassy in Myanmar has warned Thai nationals to take extra care while travelling in that country after some 30 people protested outside the mission following a court decision to give death sentences to two Myanmar migrants in the Koh Tao double-murder case of two Britons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881458-thai-embassy-in-yangon-issues-alert-after-protest-following-koh-tao-ruling

NLA gives green light to begging control bill

BANGKOK, 24 December 2015 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has accepted in principle two drafts of the begging control bill in hopes of solving social problems, particularly human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881459-nla-gives-green-light-to-begging-control-bill/

Money transfer fee waived on New Year

Thai Bankers Association's members will waive the fee for the transfers of money via the nationwide ATM network during December 31 and January 3.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881460-money-transfer-fee-waived-on-new-year/

Officer who allegedly threatened Navy lieutenant gets transferred

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: Lt Somphop Kamkana of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command confirmed that the Army colonel who was recorded allegedly threatening him earlier this month has been transferred to Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881461-officer-who-allegedly-threatened-navy-lieutenant-gets-transferred/

Foreign Affairs Operation Center opens in Phuket

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: A Foreign Affairs Operation Center was opened at the Region 8 Police Station in Phuket on Tuesday morning, in preparation of the Asean Economic Community starting (AEC) next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881462-foreign-affairs-operation-center-opens-in-phuket/

Grieving families of slain duo relieved after court verdict

THE NATION

BANGKOK:-- THE FAMILIES of the Koh Tao murder victims David Miller and Hannah Witheridge reacted differently to yesterday’s court ruling in the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881256-koh-tao-suspects-found-guilty-of-murdering-british-backpackers/page-31#entry10231996

Many Thais weighed down by debts

BANGKOK:-- PEOPLE IN 40 provinces are burdened by off-system debts worth up to Bt1 billion, the Justice Ministry’s Legal Aid Centre for Debtors and Victims of Injustice revealed recently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881463-many-thais-weighed-down-by-debts/

Kidnapped infant found in another hospital

WINAI WONGWIRAKHAN

THE NATION

ROI ET:-- AN INFANT abducted from the Roi Et Hospital’s delivery ward during a fire drill on Wednesday afternoon was allegedly found in the same province at a privately run hospital the same evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881464-kidnapped-infant-found-in-another-hospital/

Schoolgirl summoned for police interrogation

PRATCH RUJIVANAROM

THE NATION

Lawyer to seek postponement of interview, mine urged to drop lawsuit.

BANGKOK:-- POLICE ISSUED summons for a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Loei's Wang Saphung district after a gold-mining firm decided to file a libel suit against her in response to her televised "citizen reporting" piece.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881465-thai-schoolgirl-summoned-for-police-interrogation/

Bangladeshi fisherman testifies in human trafficking case hearing

KESINEE TAENGKHIEO

THE NATION

PUBLIC prosecutors yesterday brought a 23-year-old Bangladeshi fisherman to testify in the first session of the advance hearing into the human-trafficking case involving Rohingya and other migrants at Bangkok’s Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881466-bangladeshi-fisherman-testifies-in-human-trafficking-case-hearing/

EC urges the NCPO to lift its ban on rallies

THE NATION

ELECTION COMMISSION (EC) chairman Supachai Somcharoen said yesterday he would ask the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to relax restrictions, especially its ban on political rallies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881467-ec-urges-the-ncpo-to-lift-its-ban-on-rallies/

AIS has plans in place to keep 2G-900MHz subscribers from straying

USANEE MONGKOLPORN

THE NATION

BANGKOK:-- ADVANCED Info Service has several plans to hold on to around 11 million of its 2G-900MHz subscribers amid possible attempts by rivals to lure them away from AIS after its failure to win a licence on the 900-megahertz spectrum last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881469-ais-has-plans-in-place-to-keep-2g-900mhz-subscribers-from-straying/

Sansiri to set aside Bt27 bn next year for 21 home projects

SOMLUCK SRIMALEE

THE NATION

BANGKOK:-- SANSIRI PLC will allocate Bt27 billion next year

Half of its capital expenditure budget will come from internal cashflow and half from borrowing from banks and issuing debentures, Wanchak Buranasiri, chief operating officer, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881470-sansiri-to-set-aside-bt27-bn-next-year-for-21-home-projects/

Terrestrial-based Digital TV should take on wider role and responsibility in society, forum hears

WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP

THE NATION

TERRESTRIAL-BASED digital television should promote not only profits but also edu?cation, social responsibility, creativity and Thai culture, a forum heard yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881471-terrestrial-based-digital-tv-should-take-on-wider-role-and-responsibility-in-society-forum-hears/

Pattaya comes alive for Christmas Eve

PATTAYA:-- Thursday Night was Christmas Eve and we spent the evening on Walking Street where the atmosphere was fun and very festive with many making the effort and dressing for the occasion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881473-pattaya-comes-alive-for-christmas-eve/

Bethlehem: Christmas in the birthplace of Christianity

It’s the birthplace of Christianity, but Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem will be toned down this year. Security has been stepped up amid a wave of deadly violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881475-bethlehem-christmas-in-the-birthplace-of-christianity/

Belgian police arrest ninth Paris suspect in Brussels

By Robert Hackwill

Belgian police have arrested a ninth suspect on their soil suspected of being involved in the November attacks in Paris.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881476-belgian-police-arrest-ninth-paris-suspect-in-brussels/

Migrant tragedy: at least 20 people drown in the Aegean Sea

An overcrowded boat has sunk off the coast of Turkey, killing at least 20 people trying to make their way to Europe. The Turkish Coast Guard confirmed the death toll, which includes eleven children and one pregnant woman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881477-migrant-tragedy-at-least-20-people-drown-in-the-aegean-sea/

Unseasonal weather in Europe and elsewhere creates air pollution spikes

By Robert Hackwill

Air pollution is reaching record levels in many countries, particularly in China. At least 10 cities and one province are on “red alert”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881478-unseasonal-weather-in-europe-and-elsewhere-creates-air-pollution-spikes/

French ski resorts ask locals to stay away

With snow in short supply this year, some French ski resorts are asking locals to stay away from the slopes and give priority to tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881481-french-ski-resorts-ask-locals-to-stay-away/

Mounting concerns and protests over gas leak in California

Methane gas billowing into the sky from the hills above Los Angeles has been captured by an infrared camera to record images which are invisible to the naked eye.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881482-mounting-concerns-and-protests-over-gas-leak-in-california/

Arab League demands Turkey withdraw troops from Iraq

Foreign ministers of the Arab League held an emergency meeting in Cairo on Thursday at the request of the Iraqi government. On the agenda: finding a solution to Turkey’s ongoing military presence in Northern Iraq.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881483-arab-league-demands-turkey-withdraw-troops-from-iraq/

Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas message: Light can triumph

LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II will use her Christmas broadcast to emphasize that light can triumph over darkness after a difficult year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881487-queen-elizabeth-iis-christmas-message-light-can-triumph/

Israeli-Palestinian violence clouds Christmas in Bethlehem

DANIELLA CHESLOW, Associated Press

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Christian faithful from around the world on Thursday descended on the biblical city of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations at the traditional birthplace of Jesus, trying to lift spirits on a holiday dampened by months of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881488-israeli-palestinian-violence-clouds-christmas-in-bethlehem/

California governor pardons Robert Downey Jr. in drug case

DON THOMPSON, Associated Press

ANTHONY McCARTNEY, Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The governor of California pardoned Robert Downey Jr. on Thursday for a nearly 20-year-old felony drug conviction that led to the Oscar-nominated actor's imprisonment for roughly a year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881489-california-governor-pardons-robert-downey-jr-in-drug-case/

District besieged by Taliban still under Afghan control

LYNNE O'DONNELL, Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan forces backed by U.S. air strikes pushed back a Taliban onslaught Thursday in a strategically important district in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881490-district-besieged-by-taliban-still-under-afghan-control/

Police say 1 killed at crowded US mall after argument

STEVE REED, Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — A long-standing dispute sparked a shooting at a crowded North Carolina shopping mall on Christmas Eve, police said, and an off-duty officer fatally shot a man who pointed a gun in his direction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881491-police-say-1-killed-at-crowded-us-mall-after-argument/

Law and Order: Seeking asylum in Thailand

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: Last week, I met with an American who wanted to apply for a tourist visa for his Thai wife. The American has lived in Thailand for about four years. I asked him why he was living in Thailand instead of the United States with his wife. What he told me was a bit jarring.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881498-law-and-order-seeking-asylum-in-thailand/