Thailand Live Monday 28 Dec 2015

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Songkhla opens Thailand-Malyasia border gate in Sadao District

SONGKHLA, 28 December 2015 (NNT) – The southern province of Songkhla has inaugurated a new border gate and a border road in Sadao District.

Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presided over the inauguration ceremony of the Thailand-Malaysia border gate and the new road. More than 200 Thai and Malaysian people witnessed the event.

Chief of Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization, Nipon Boonyamanee said the project is aimed at easing traffic at the Sadao checkpoint and to prepare the city for the emergence of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

The Department of Rural Roads and Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization spent a joint budget of 200 million baht on city landscaping and the construction of the 30-kilometer border road.

Mr. Abhisit voiced his admiration for the vision of the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization, saying that the new border gate and road to the border would foster the growth of the city.
Information and Source


-- NNT 2015-12-28

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MAN OF THE YEAR
Kiatisak has lifted people’s spirits
Kitinan Sanguansak
The Nation



Coach of the national football team has overseen a dramatic renaissance, to top team in asean, after years of dismal results

BANGKOK: -- In a year when the nation was left shocked by the horrific scenes after the deadly blast at Ratchaprasong intersection, everyone needed someone who could lift people's spirits during such a traumatising period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882013-kiatisak-has-lifted-peoples-spirits/

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Myanmar military chief weighs in on Koh Tao murder case
The Nation


Buddhist monks and others congregate on the platform of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon yesterday to advocate for the release of two Myanmar men who were recently sentenced to death in the Koh Tao murder case, in a protest against the verdict of the Thai judge

Thai officials say death sentences are not final, as protests loom

BANGKOK: -- MYANMAR'S military commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing yesterday called for a review of the Koh Tao case in which two Myanmar men were sentenced to death for the murder of two British backpackers. The verdict had angered his compatriots in the neighbouring country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882014-myanmar-military-chief-weighs-in-on-koh-tao-murder-case/

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'No major change to health scheme'
The Nation

Meeting to discuss co-payment, but minister says universal scheme won’t be scrapped

BANGKOK: -- THE Public Health Ministry has denied that it is planning to scrap or drastically change the universal healthcare scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882015-no-major-change-to-thai-health-scheme/

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Udon Thani model a guide for tackling teenage pregnancy, sex issues
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation
Udon Thani



BANGKOK: -- THAILAND has one of the highest levels of teenage pregnancy in the world. A project to tackle this issue was launched in 2013 in the northeast province of Udon Thani, which ranked 40th in the country on a scale of births.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882016-udon-thani-model-a-guide-for-tackling-teenage-pregnancy-sex-issues/

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FACE OFF: COMPUTER CRIME LAW
A 'like' constitutes an act of conspiracy

BANGKOK: -- “Liking” defamatory content on Facebook sparks debate on whether acknowledging such posts should be considered a crime. On the one hand, authorities say the action is deemed as supporting dissent, but on the other, cyber-liberty advocates say Facebook “likes” only constitute support of the online record of a pre-existing act.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882017-a-facebook-like-constitutes-an-act-of-conspiracy/

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Thai firms warned to protect trademarks
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE INTELLECTUAL Property Department has warned businesses to register their patents, trademarks or copyrights before trading in markets, both local and international, as some Thai products have already been registered abroad and sold without the consent of the real owners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882018-thai-firms-warned-to-protect-trademarks/

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Malls ready to cash in on tax initiative
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MAJOR SHOPPING MALLS have launched campaigns to support the government’s tax-rebate initiative aimed at stimulating year-end spending by shoppers during the festive season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882019-thai-malls-ready-to-cash-in-on-tax-initiative/

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AIS deal to give TOT Bt10-bn revenue boost annually
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- TOT will gain around Bt10 billion per year from Advanced Info Service (AIS) during the initial period of their planned partnership to provide 3G wireless broadband service on the state agency’s 2.1GHz spectrum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882020-ais-deal-to-give-tot-bt10-bn-revenue-boost-annually/

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Thai investments rise in Asean
BUSINESS REPORTERS
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- FROM January to September this year, investments worth Bt242.9 billion have been channelled overseas, according to the Bank of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882021-thai-investments-rise-in-asean/

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YEAREND
Smog, drought, litter bugs and unpopular coal-fired plants take centre stage during an eventful year
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- DROUGHT Thailand suffered a severe drought in 2015, and many stories about arid paddy fields, empty dams and water shortages made the headlines. This was also the third year in a row that Thailand has faced such a drought.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882022-smog-drought-litter-bugs-and-unpopular-coal-fired-plants-take-centre-stage-during-an-eventful-year/

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Villagers fight a losing battle in 2015
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



Widespread land reclamation and environmental degradation enabled by govt programmes and complicit army authorities

BANGKOK: -- THE YEAR 2015 has been another tough one for victims of environmental degradation and exploitation. Experts say people suffering because of development projects and government policies are subjected to human rights violations and repression.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882023-thai-villagers-fight-a-losing-battle-in-2015/

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FACE OFF: COMPUTER CRIME LAW
‘Common sense’ approach to FB enforcement

BANGKOK: -- Pressing “like” on a defamatory message posted on Facebook is certainly not a crime, as such a message is only a record of past actions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882024-common-sense-approach-to-fb-enforcement/

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Computer crime law interpreted broadly
Wasamon Audjarint
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE 2007 Act on Computer Crime was, as the date says, enacted eight years ago under the previous junta government. Countersigned by the then-prime minister General Surayud Chulanont, the Act has been notably used by authorities to enforce laws on lese majeste, libel and defamation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882025-thai-computer-crime-law-interpreted-broadly/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Have Thai-US ties reached a 'new normal'?
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- “Diplomacy is a great business,” said a diplomat from the world’s most powerful country to representatives at a Young Southeast Asia Leaders’ Initiative, held recently in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882026-have-thai-us-ties-reached-a-new-normal/

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EDITORIAL
Role and power of Senate set for fresh debate
The Nation

Charter drafters try yet again to create an upper House that is a legitimate screening body of draft laws

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is back to debating whether the Senate is really relevant and, if so, what measures should be taken to enable it to play its supposed role for the country's best interest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882027-thai-editorial-role-and-power-of-senate-set-for-fresh-debate/

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Pattaya Police focus on drink-drivers over Festive period



PATTAYA: -- The Provincial Police Commander has confirmed reports that this year they are focusing heavily on punishing drink-drivers in Pattaya as ordered by Prime Minister General Prayut and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882028-pattaya-police-focus-on-drink-drivers-over-festive-period/

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Market Stall wars at Pattaya Port Countdown Event

PATTAYA: -- A market vendor, who was promised a prime pitch at a temporary market which has been constructed at the Bali Hai Port for the Pattaya New Year Countdown Event, was moved without notice leading her to report the issue to Police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882029-market-stall-wars-at-pattaya-port-countdown-event/

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American man, 54, dies from head injuries after post-midnight motorbike fall south of Patong
Eakkapop Thongtub


American man, 54, dies from head injuries after post-midnight motorbike fall south of Patong

PHUKET: A 54-year-old American man was pronounced dead at hospital after he sustained head injuries from a motorbike fall early this morning near Karon Noi Beach, just south of Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882030-american-man-54-dies-from-head-injuries-after-post-midnight-motorbike-fall-south-of-patong/

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'Inexperienced' Chinese tourists hospitalised after jet-ski collision off Patong Beach
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Two Chinese tourists, a 25-year-old male and a 26-year-old girl were treated for leg injuries this afternoon (Dec 27) after they collided the jet-skis they had rented for leisure off Patong Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882031-inexperienced-chinese-tourists-hospitalised-after-jet-ski-collision-off-patong-beach/

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Bus Crashes and Overturns in Phitsanulok Injuring 27 Passengers

PHITSANULOK: -- Holiday bus travelers were shaken up yesterday when their Khon Kaen-bound tour bus from Chiang Mai crashed while nearing Muang district of Phitsanulok province early on Sunday, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882032-bus-crashes-and-overturns-in-phitsanulok-injuring-27-passengers/

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Thai exports for the first 11 months contract about 5 percent



BANGKOK: -- Overall Thai exports for the past 11 months are expected to contract by about five percent largely due to global economic slowdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882033-thai-exports-for-the-first-11-months-contract-about-5-percent/

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Thai police defend Koh Tao murders investigations
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police Spokesman Pol General Dejnarong Sutticharnbancha Sunday held a press conference alongside investigators, forensic officials and forensic doctors to boost public confidence in the police investigation and gathering of evidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882034-thai-police-defend-koh-tao-murders-investigations/

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Science Min discovers way to dispose of insects in rice



BANGKOK, 28 December 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Science and Technology has opened an insect-pest management plant where radio frequency is used to dispose of insects and their eggs in rice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882036-thai-science-min-discovers-way-to-dispose-of-insects-in-rice/

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Border crossing temporarily closed due to protest in Myanmar

KANCHANABURI, 28 December 2015 (NNT) - Thai immigration officers in Kamchanaburi have temporarily closed the Three Pagodas border crossing after a group of Myanmar people protested against the death sentence of two Myanmar men.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882039-three-pagoda-border-crossing-temporarily-closed-due-to-protest-in-myanmar/

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Hospital choir beats Justin Bieber and tops UK Christmas chart
By Natalie Huet | With REUTERS, APTN



"Amazing. That is what Christmas is all about"

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882040-hospital-choir-beats-justin-bieber-and-tops-uk-christmas-chart/

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Iran's Rouhani urges Muslim countries to unite



"There is neither a Shiite nor a Sunni crescent. We have an Islamic moon"

TEHRAN: -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday (December 27) called on Muslim countries to unite and strive to improve Islam’s public image.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882041-irans-rouhani-urges-muslim-countries-to-unite/

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US-backed Arab rebel alliance captures Syrian dam from ISIL
By Keith Walker | With REUTERS



DAMASCUS: -- In Syria, the US-backed Kurdish Arab rebel alliance has captured a dam on the River Euphrates from the group calling itself Islamic State, or ISIL.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882042-us-backed-arab-rebel-alliance-captures-syrian-dam-from-isil/

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China officially ends one-child policy from January 1
By Keith Walker | With STRATFOR, REUTERS



BEIJING: -- China officially says goodbye to its one-child policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882043-china-officially-ends-one-child-policy-from-january-1/

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Hundreds evacuated amid northern England floods
By Natalie Huet | With APTN, THE TELEGRAPH, ITN



LONDON: -- Unprecedented flooding in northern England has forced hundreds of people to leave their homes over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882044-hundreds-evacuated-amid-northern-england-floods/