Thailand Live Tuesday 29 Dec 2015

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FILM
Winning Films of 2015
PARINYAPORN PAJEE
THE NATION


Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Cemetary of Splendor

Independent Thai movies again ruled the roost while more-mainstream offering failed to excited

BANGKOK: -- Independent films once against out-classed mainstream movies in 2015 with two small films winning big at overseas festivals and the latest oeuvre of Palme d'Or 2010 awardee Apichatpong Weerasethakul delighting audiences in Cannes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882292-winning-thai-films-of-2015/

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No review of Koh Tao case, says Prawit



BANGKOK: -- Thailand won't review the Koh Tao murder case as it has passed the investigation process and now entered the judicial procedures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882159-no-review-of-koh-tao-case-says-prawit/

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KOH TAO MURDERS
Protests stirred up: govt
The Nation

Govt top leaders want to know if rallies in Myanmar over Kao Tao verdict were manipulated

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT yesterday hit out over Myanmar people upset at the Thai court verdict on the Koh Tao murder case, saying the protests in various towns could have been manipulated by bad elements. But people in the neighbouring country continued to demand that the case be reviewed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882294-koh-tao-verdict-protests-stirred-up-thai-govt/

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ECONOMY
Retailers attribute strong sales to tax incentive campaign
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- RETAIL SALES OF consumer products in Bangkok and other provinces have jumped by 5-20 per cent over the past few days, attributed to the special tax incentive offered by the government for year-end shopping.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882295-thai-retailers-attribute-strong-sales-to-tax-incentive-campaign/

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UPDATE:

TOURISM
Military shares New Year spirit
CHITRAPORN SENWONG
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE MILITARY is jumping |on the holiday spirit band-|wagon by offering New Year’s gifts to all Thais by opening |up its facilities nationwide as tourist attractions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882238-military-shares-new-year-spirit/#entry10245779

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UPDATE:

HEALTH
PM not to cut health scheme despite cost problems
The Nation


Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha receives a warm welcome from residents and officials while inspecting the Rubber City project in Hat Yai, Songkhla province yesterday.

Panel studies options to save universal healthcare scheme via copayment

HAT YAI: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha assured the public yesterday that there would be no abolition of universal health coverage (UHC) or other public-welfare services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882237-pm-not-to-cut-health-scheme-despite-cost-problems/#entry10245786

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Border crossing in Kanchanaburi opened after protest ends

KANCHANABURI, 29 December 2015 (NNT) - The Three Pagodas border crossing in Kanchanaburi has been opened after a protest in Myanmar against Thailand near the borders ended. The Thai embassy in Yangon has announced that its consular department will be closed for three days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882296-three-pagodas-border-crossing-in-kanchanaburi-opened-after-protest-ends/

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THAI seeks more experts as ailing carrier looks to turn around in 2016
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION


Charamporn Jotikasthira, president of Thai Airways International.

BANGKOK: -- THAI AIRWAYS International is recruiting more experts to push sales as part of its plan to stem the bleeding by next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882297-thai-seeks-more-experts-as-ailing-carrier-looks-to-turn-around-in-2016/

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UPDATE:

Slump in exports ‘worse than expected’ amid low oil prices
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- EXPORTS are now expected to contract by 5.5 per cent to US$215 billion this year, worse than the previous projection of a 3-per-cent decline, due to the continued slide in oil prices in the world market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882240-slump-in-exports-worse-than-expected-amid-low-oil-prices/#entry10245801

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UPDATE:

Bt400,000 award offered for tips on schoolgirl killer
The Nation

KALASIN: -- The Provincial Police Region 4 yesterday put up a Bt400,000 cash prize for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the man who killed an 18-year-old schoolgirl in a rape attempt in Kalasin’s Rong Kham district on December 23.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882234-bt400000-award-offered-for-tips-on-schoolgirl-killer/?p=10245807#entry10245807

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Human trafficking suspect handed over to Myanmar
The Nation

RANONG: -- Thailand yesterday handed over a Myanmar national to authorities in his home country over charges of allegedly being involved in human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882298-human-trafficking-suspect-handed-over-to-myanmar/

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UPDATE:

Seizure of drunks’ cars may become official policy
The Nation



Decision to depend on success of latest new year holiday scheme

BANGKOK: -- THE SPECIAL New Year measure to seize vehicles from drunk motorists might be made permanent if it proves successful.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882158-100-vehicles-impounded-so-far-from-drunk-drivers/#entry10245813

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Reconciliation 'relies on govt'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE charter drafters’ reconciliation sub-panel has come up with a framework that will be proposed during a review of the draft early next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882299-reconciliation-relies-on-thai-govt/

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NRSA to consider laws
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THINNAPAN Nakata, chairman of the National Steering Reform Assembly (NSRA), will call a meet-|ing with several ministries to help expedite the process of national reform.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882300-thai-nrsa-to-consider-laws/

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Corruption courts to take a tough stance on those who jump bail
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AFTER MEETING strong resistance from politicians, newly proposed corruption courts meant to ensure speedy convictions are being toughened according to guidelines laid out by the military-installed government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882301-corruption-courts-to-take-a-tough-stance-on-those-who-jump-bail/

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NLA takes exception to senators being shorn of the right to impeach lawmakers
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE National Legislative Assembly (NLA)’s constitutional study panel yesterday submitted its opinions on the draft charter to the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) for consideration, the panel’s chairman Surachai Liengboonlertchai said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882302-thai-nla-takes-exception-to-senators-being-shorn-of-the-right-to-impeach-lawmakers/

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EDITORIAL
Thirty days to shore up Thai justice
The Nation

The appeal period for the Myanmar accused in the Koh Tao case affords a chance to overcome public suspicion

BANGKOK: -- Myanmar commander in chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has taken the unusual step of asking Thai authorities to re-examine the case against two Burmese men convicted of rape and murder on Koh Tao, which represents another blow to international confidence in the Thai justice system. It also provides a test for relations between these two countries, at a time when both are engaged in a process of democratic reform.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882303-thirty-days-to-shore-up-thai-justice/

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STREET WISE
New Year dreams will be nothing without action
Achara Deboonme

New Year naturally inspires us to dream of a better future

BANGKOK: -- Fuelled by energy and innocence, some youngsters will be imagining the world famously described by John Lennon - one without religion or borders. That vision seems more vital than ever, as humanity tears itself apart over religious beliefs and national boundaries. If there were no borders, young Koreans would not be facing each other across a notional line that divides a people who share the same history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882304-new-year-dreams-will-be-nothing-without-action-thai-opinion/

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Major Pattaya Drugs Bust by Banglamung Police



PATTAYA: -- On Monday afternoon a press conference was held at Banglamung Police Station to announce the arrest of a 4-man drug dealing gang and the seizure of class 1 drugs, a gun and two cars.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882307-major-pattaya-drugs-bust-by-banglamung-police/

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We meet Pattaya KFC worker seen feeding foreign disabled customer



PATTAYA: -- On Monday we met the KFC Worker who was photographed helping a disabled foreigner to eat at her restaurant in Central Pattaya last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882308-we-meet-pattaya-kfc-worker-seen-feeding-foreign-disabled-customer/

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VIENNA (AP) - Russian diplomat: Russia completes removal of low-enriched uranium from Iran under nuke deal.

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Malaysia Airlines investigating a Christmas Day off-course flight
BY LARRY BANKS



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia Airlines is reportedly investigating a mix-up that occurred on Christmas Day that resulted in a plane flying in the wrong direction after it left New Zealand, according to a report in the Bangkok Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882309-malaysia-airlines-investigating-a-christmas-day-off-course-flight/

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KTB Projects Flat Corporate Loan and Retail Growth
BY BEN MYERS


Bangkok, Thailand - December 24, 2015: CDC shopping mall at night, celebrating Christmas Eve and New Year 2016 near Ramindra Road in Bangkok, Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Vorapak Tanyawong, president of Krungthai Bank, predicts that corporate loan and retail growth will be limited in the coming year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882310-ktb-projects-flat-corporate-loan-and-retail-growth/

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Suvarnabhumi introduces automatic check-in machines



BANGKOK: -- The Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday launched a campaign for air passengers to use its automatic check-in kiosks in a bid to reduce congestion during the New Year Festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882311-suvarnabhumi-introduces-automatic-check-in-machines/

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King’s favourite pet dog Khun Thongdaeng dies



BANGKOK: -- Khun Thongdaeng, His Majesty the King's favourite pet dog, died on Saturday at the age of 17 years, one month and 19 days, Kasetsart University's faculty of veterinary medicine announced in its report on Monday.

The report was signed by Professor Dr Apinant Suprasert, rector of the faculty of veterinary medicine of Kasetsart University.

The faculty had been assigned by His Majesty the King to take care of Khun Thongdaeng at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

According to the report, the dog died of old age after having sufferred a number of diseases on Dec 26 at 11.10pm at the Klai Kangwon Palace.

Distorn Watcharothai, an official of the Royal Household Bureau, said His Majesty the King has been reported of Khun Thongdaeng’s death.

Born on Nov 7, 1998, Khun Thongdaeng was a stray dog in Soi Soonpaetpattana on Rama 9 road. His Majesty the King saw the canine when he went to chair the opening of the Rama 9 medical centre and took it as his pet dog on Dec 13, 1998.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/kings-favourite-pet-dog-khun-thongdaeng-dies

-- Thai PBS 2015-12-29

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Rajabhakti probe result out on Dec 30



BANGKOK: -- Gen Chaichan Changmongkol, deputy permanent secretary for defence, will announce the result of the investigation into the Rajabhakti Park controversy on Dec 30, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882312-rajabhakti-park-probe-result-out-on-dec-30/

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EC's Somchai defends appointment of son as assistant secretary

BANGKOK: -- Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, a member of the Election Commission, has come out to defend the appointment of his son as an assistant secretary attached to the EC, saying that everything is above board.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882314-ecs-somchai-defends-appointment-of-son-as-assistant-secretary/

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Phuket hoteliers petition against 92,000 illegal hotel rooms
Darawan Naknakhon


Global online booking giant Agoda currently touts that it accepts bookings for 2,381 accommodation establishments in Phuket. Image: Website screenshot

PHUKET: -- Dr Kritsada Tonsakul, who heads the Phuket-based Southern Thailand chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, today (Dec 28) led a delegation of tourism and hospitality leaders in filing a petition calling for the government to take action against an estimated 92,000 illegal hotel rooms in Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882315-phuket-hoteliers-petition-against-92000-illegal-hotel-rooms/

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Patong jet-ski collision Chinese couple safe, compensation ‘limited’
Saroj Kueprasertkij


The Chinese tourists will have to pay no more than B15,000 each in compensation, the head of the Patong Jet-Ski Association said today (Dec 28). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- The Chinese couple injured in a jet-ski collision on Patong Bay yesterday remain recovering in hospital, but may leave within a week, The Phuket News was told today (Dec 28).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882316-patong-jet-ski-collision-chinese-couple-safe-compensation-limited/

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Phuket boat, ferry safety checks for New Year underway
Eakkapop Thongtub


Hordes of tourists board passenger ferries at Phuket's Rassada Pier, where safety checks for the New Year were conducted today (Dec 28). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Inspectors from the Phuket Marine Office today (Dec 28) carried our their annual safety inspections of ferries and other tourist boats operating out of Rassada Pier as part of a safety drive for the New Year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882317-phuket-boat-ferry-safety-checks-for-new-year-underway/