Thailand Live Friday 25 December

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Asean accepts Obama’s invitation for US summit

Asean leaders have accepted US President Barack Obama’s invitation for a summit in California in the first half of 2016, according to the White House National Security Council, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881565-asean-accepts-obamas-invitation-for-us-summit/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Arrested Uighur suspected to be preparing for suicide bombing

An ethnic Uighur arrested in a counterterrorism raid outside Jakarta on Wednesday was suspected by police to be preparing to carry out a suicide bombing, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881566-arrested-uighur-suspected-to-be-preparing-for-suicide-bombing/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

AWWW: Phuket newborns welcomed to world in Christmas clothes (PHOTOS)

By Coconuts Bangkok

Cute Christmas babies at Phuket International Hospital. Photo: Phuket International Hospital

PHUKET:-- While most Thai businesses goes only as far as sticking a plastic Christmas tree in their office to get into the festive mood, Phuket International Hospital went the extra mile and dressed up newborns in full Santa attire. Adorable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881567-awww-phuket-newborns-welcomed-to-world-in-christmas-clothes-photos/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Whoa, Nellie! Elephant Santas bring Xmas gifts to Thai school kids

AYUTTHAYA:-- Continuing the festive theme this holiday, Ayutthaya school kids were visited by special guests yesterday, on Christmas Eve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881568-whoa-nellie-elephant-santas-bring-xmas-gifts-to-thai-school-kids/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Transport to enforce strictest safety standards on public buses

BANGKOK:-- The Department of Land Transport announced that they will be strictly enforcing safety measures on public transport vehicles and their drivers as the New Year celebrations draws near.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881570-transport-to-enforce-strictest-safety-standards-on-public-buses/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

So fly: Check out cool drone footage of Thailand

What better way to explore a country than from the skies?

Videographer Nathan Bartling has released a cool compilation of 4K drone footage he captured throughout this year of Thailand.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/12/25/so-fly-check-out-cool-drone-footage-thailand

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Half fish is still alive and swimming

RATCHABURI:-- A video that shows a half fish that is still swimming and that has gone viral on Internet has now caught attention from fishery experts with confirmation that fish that is left with half body can still be alive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881569-fish-with-half-its-body-missing-still-alive-and-well-in-ratchaburi/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Exhibitionist model who posed naked in public to turn herself in

By Coconuts Bangkok

The viral naked photo that caused all the drama at a district office

BANGKOK:-- The model who posed naked in public wearing nothing but a few Thai traditional accessories is preparing to turn herself in after her nude shots went viral online, upsetting the officials of the district she was posing in.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881595-exhibitionist-model-who-posed-naked-in-public-to-turn-herself-in/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

28 cars taken in motorway racing bust

Highway and Taling Chan local police seized 28 cars and pickup trucks and detained over 20 racers and supporters after they blocked traffic on a section of Kanchanapisek motorway to race last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881596-28-cars-taken-in-motorway-racing-bust/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand hoping to attract wealthier travellers

The Nation

BANGKOK - It may have made its name as the ultimate backpacker destination but Thailand hopes to attract a more well-heeled kind of traveller in the future, its tourism minister said Friday, as the kingdom announced record arrivals for 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881598-thailand-hoping-to-attract-wealthier-travellers/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

PM: Army needs to manage budgets carefully

BANGKOK, 25 December 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has emphasized that the army should manage its budgets carefully and be ready for inspection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881599-pm-army-needs-to-manage-budgets-carefully/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Min of Foreign Affairs reports progress in diplomatic relations, tourism

BANGKOK, 25 December 2015 (NNT) - The Foreign Minister has reported on his achievements over the past year, which include developments in Thailand's foreign policy, national security, and economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881600-min-of-foreign-affairs-reports-progress-in-diplomatic-relations-tourism/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Actor Por still in critical condition after lung removed

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK:-- Popular actor Thridsadee "Por" Sahawong, who has been in a coma for over a month, remains in critical condition after he had a lung removed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881602-actor-por-still-in-critical-condition-after-lung-removed/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Banning Movie for Containing Sex Scene Was Lawful, Court Rules

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen

Staff Reporter

BANGKOK — The Administrative Court ruled on Friday, that the ban issued by the Film Censorship Board in 2010, for the movie “Insects in the Backyard”, which addressed sexuality and gender, was legitimate due to a scene in the drama showing sex organs and intercourse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881603-banning-movie-for-containing-sex-scene-was-lawful-court-rules/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar govt challenged by Koh Tao verdict

Myanmar Eleven

Bangkok, Yangon - The death sentence handed down to two Myanmar migrant workers without any strong evidence posted a challenge to the Myanmar government, said a special envoy from Myanmar embassy in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881458-thai-embassy-in-yangon-issues-alert-after-protest-following-koh-tao-ruling/page-3#entry10233968

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Protest outside Thai embassy in Myanmar against murder verdict

The Nation

YANGON - Hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside Thailand's embassy in Yangon Friday after two Myanmar migrants were sentenced to death by a Thai court for murdering two British backpackers, in a verdict that has sparked anger in their homeland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881458-thai-embassy-in-yangon-issues-alert-after-protest-following-koh-tao-ruling/page-3#entry10233972

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar govt vows to continue support for convicted Koh Tao duo

YANGON:-- The Myanmar government has vowed to continue assisting two migrant workers accused of murdering British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in Thailand, after the pair were sentenced to death by the Koh Samui provincial court on Thursday, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881458-thai-embassy-in-yangon-issues-alert-after-protest-following-koh-tao-ruling/page-3#entry10233974

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Well-known Turkish Luxury Car Dealer arrested by Pattaya Immigration

PATTAYA:-- A 46-year-old Turkish resident of Pattaya, who is well-known as a luxury car dealer and Property Management Consultant, was arrested by Immigration on Christmas Day as he attended there to renew his visa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881605-well-known-turkish-luxury-car-dealer-arrested-by-pattaya-immigration/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Man nabbed with Bt63m worth of drugs on Christmas Eve

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- POLICE have confiscated Bt63 million worth of crystal meth from a drug suspect who was arrested in Bangkok on Christmas Eve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881606-man-nabbed-with-bt63m-worth-of-drugs-on-christmas-eve/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

No police investigating trafficking of Rohingya threat

BANGKOK:-- A police investigation has found no evidence of intimidation against investigators working on the probe into the trafficking of Rohingya boat people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881607-no-police-investigating-trafficking-of-rohingya-threat/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Over The Moon: Rare full moon to bring joy on Christmas night

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK:-- Tonight space will give us a special gift that Earth hasn’t had since 1977 -- a rare, bright full moon on Christmas Day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881608-over-the-moon-rare-full-moon-to-bring-joy-on-christmas-night/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Breaking records: 30 million visited Thailand this year

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK:-- It may have made its name as the ultimate backpacker destination but Thailand hopes to attract a more well-heeled kind of traveller in the future, its tourism minister said today, as the kingdom announced record arrivals for 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881610-breaking-records-30-million-visited-thailand-this-year/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Patong restaurateur dies, crushed by garbage truck

PHUKET: The owner of an Indian restaurant at the food court of the Jungceylon shopping mall in Patong has died after his motorbike slammed into the back of a parked pickup truck and he was crushed under the wheels of a passing garbage truck.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881611-patong-restaurateur-dies-crushed-by-garbage-truck/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

VIDEO: Christmas, Phuket, more security, Myanmar protest

PHUKET XTRA - December 25

Merry Christmas. Additional security in tourist areas, protests in Myanmar over Koh Tao verdict and complaints over internet clampdowns.