Thailand Live Tuesday 29 Dec 2015

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House Secretariat to promote youth participation in democracy development



BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) – The Secretariat of the House of Representatives will hold a reconciliation and participation promoting campaign among the youth, to strengthening the democratic system of the country.

The House Secretariat is set to hold two seminars for high school, vocational education, and university students with the objective to instill an integrated set of knowledge to promote participation in the country's development progress from the public, through the network of the secretariat.

Students aged between 15-20 years are eligible to apply for the seminars, which will take place on 22-31 March 2016 and 19-28 April 2016, at the TOT Academy in Nonthaburi Province.

Candidates must show their interest or have participated in school activities before, such as being the president of student committee or club, possess the capability to do research for community benefits, and must not have participated in the Democratic Youth activity before. Participants are required to have strong health, and are able to join the entire 10-day activity.

Interested students can inquire for more information at the House Secretariat, Bangkok, tel 0 2244 2515 – 16, or 0 2244 2522.


-- NNT 2015-12-29

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Ministry of Energy inspects oil quality in gas stations nationwide

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Energy is inspecting the quality of oil in gas stations nationwide during the New Year holiday in an effort to prevent adulteration of oil products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882378-ministry-of-energy-inspects-oil-quality-in-gas-stations-nationwideministry-of-energy-inspects-oil-qu/

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Trat calls for strict alcohol regulation in holidays



TRAT, 29 December 2015 (NNT) – Trat province is now deploying special alcohol regulation units to strictly impose bans on gift basket with alcoholic products in the area during the New Year holidays, a public health official says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882384-trat-calls-for-strict-alcohol-regulation-in-holidays/

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PM says free public services will not be terminated as rumored



BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has denied rumors that his government will terminate free public services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882386-pm-prayut-says-free-public-services-will-not-be-terminated-as-rumored/

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Administrative Center for Road Safety tightens up measures during seven dangerous days



BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) – Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director General Chatchai Promlert has disclosed that the agency has focused on reducing risk factors to road accidents including people, vehicles, road conditions and environment along with the raising of public awareness of road safety measures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882391-administrative-center-for-road-safety-tightens-up-measures-during-seven-dangerous-days/

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Koh Tao verdict will be trialed further

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said there is no need to re-investigate the murders of the two British tourists on Koh Tao, as the trial process was carried out according to the legal system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882159-no-review-of-koh-tao-case-says-prawit/page-4?p=10247202#entry10247202

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UPDATE:

70 per cent of Phuket hotel rooms illegal, say experts
Phuket Gazette


Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul addresses members of the Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- More than 70 per cent of hotel and resort rooms in Phuket are illegal, a problem that is severely harming the industry, said experts in a complaint filed to the Phuket Governor this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882315-phuket-hoteliers-petition-against-92000-illegal-hotel-rooms/#entry10247246

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UPDATE:

KFC employee to be awarded for her kindness to a disabled man

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) - A KFC employee in Pattaya will be awarded a certificate for her kindness after a photo of her feeding food to a disabled man went viral on social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882308-we-meet-pattaya-kfc-worker-seen-feeding-foreign-disabled-customer/page-2?p=10247271#entry10247271

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Min of Tourism and Sports to hold New Year Celebrations at Siam Paragon

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT)-Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul says a New Year celebration campaign entitled ‘Siam Celebration 2016’ will increase the popularity of Thailand among globe trotters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882395-thai-tourism-min-to-hold-new-year-celebrations-at-siam-paragon/

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Thai export volume continues to decline 11 consecutive months

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT)-The Trade Policy and Strategy Office has revealed that Thailand’s export figure in November declined by 7.4%.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882397-thai-export-volume-continues-to-decline-11-consecutive-months/

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MOPH announces its New Year Gift to the People program

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) - Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayatorn has announced the ministry's New Year Gift to the People program, hoping to enhance public health and medical services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882398-thai-health-min-announces-its-new-year-gift-to-the-people-program/

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UPDATE:

Local jet-ski rental operators deny involvement in Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt’s son breaking leg in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are visiting Phuket on holiday with their six children. Photo: Nehrams2020

PHUKET: -- Jet-ski operators, Marine Police and international hospital staff in Phuket were unable to confirm the US Weekly report that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s 12-year-old son Pax, broke his leg while jet-skiing in Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882319-brad-and-angelina-jolie-pitts-son-pax-breaks-leg-while-on-vacation-in-phuket/#entry10247451

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MFA reaches out to Burmese counterparts regarding death penalty for Burmese murder convicts

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached out to Burmese counterparts, regarding the murder conviction and death penalty of two Burmese men by a Thai court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882411-mfa-reaches-out-to-burmese-counterparts-regarding-death-penalty-for-burmese-murder-convicts/

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Supreme Court acquits five police officers of charges in missing human rights lawyer case



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court today freed all five police officers charged with robbery and abduction of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit ending over a decade long court trial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882412-supreme-court-acquits-five-police-officers-of-charges-in-missing-human-rights-lawyer-case/

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UPDATE:

PM assures he won’t scrap Gold Card scheme, but will make it better



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha affirmed that he would not scrap the 30-baht health scheme but would make it better.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882386-pm-prayut-says-free-public-services-will-not-be-terminated-as-rumored/#entry10247550

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Govt safety campaign held from Dec 29 - Jan 4

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Interior has ordered provincial governors to provide strict safety measures for motorists, as it opens its Road Safety Directing Center for the New Year holidays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882415-thai-govt-safety-campaign-held-from-dec-29-jan-4/

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Protest Prompts Officials to Postpone Dhammakaya Monks March
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


A pilgrimage (Dhutanga) organized by the Dhammakaya Buddhist sect in Pathum Thani as seen In this January 2014 photo published by Dhammakaya website. / www.dmc.tv

PATHUM THANI - A monk procession planned by the Dhammakaya sect in northwestern Bangkok metro, has been indefinitely postponed by local officials, following a protest from angry local Buddhist residents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882416-protest-prompts-thai-officials-to-postpone-dhammakaya-monks-march/

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Cumbrian floods could cost UK insurers nearly seven billion euros
By Robert Hackwill



LONDON: -- UK insurers are saying the bill for the latest floods in Britain could be north of 6.7 billion euros.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882420-cumbrian-floods-could-cost-uk-insurers-nearly-seven-billion-euros/

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France makes 200,000 World War II documents public



PARIS: -- Seventy years after the end of World War II, France has made public 200,000 documents from the so-called Vichy regime which helped Nazi Germany deport 76,000 Jews from France, including many children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882421-france-makes-200000-world-war-ii-documents-public/

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Record pollution forces Milan to take cars off roads



MILAN: -- Pollution in Italy’s industrial powerhouse Milan has got so bad the mayor is taking action, along with his counterpart in Rome and some other smaller cities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882423-record-pollution-forces-milan-to-take-cars-off-roads/

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Boko Haram keeps up Christmas offensive in Nigeria
By Robert Hackwill



LONDON: -- Details are now coming in of the latest deadly Boko Haram attacks in northern Nigeria which have left at least 80 people dead in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882427-boko-haram-keeps-up-christmas-offensive-in-nigeria/

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BRUSSELS (AP) - Belgian federal prosecutor: 2 arrested, suspected of planning holiday attacks in Brussels .

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PM meets Miss Thailand Universe at Government House before chairing cabinet meeting



BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha today chaired the last cabinet meeting of the year at Government House under tight security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882430-pm-meets-miss-thailand-universe-at-government-house-before-chairing-cabinet-meeting/

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Iraqi army retakes Ramadi from retreating ISIL
By Robert Hackwill



BAGHDAD : --Iraqi government forces are claiming total success with the retaking of the city of Ramadi from ISIL fighters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882431-iraqi-army-retakes-ramadi-from-retreating-isil/

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CDC reaches conclusion on minimum age of voters under new charter

BANGKOK, 29 December 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission has reached a conclusion on the minimum age of voters under the new charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882455-cdc-reaches-conclusion-on-minimum-age-of-thai-voters-under-new-charter/

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JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's Supreme Court reduces sentence for ex-Premier Olmert to 18 months, from 6 years.

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Israel's top court sends ex-PM Olmert to 18 months in prison
ARON HELLER, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Supreme Court on Tuesday reduced former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's prison sentence for a sweeping bribery scandal from six years to 18 months, partially accepting his appeal and clearing the ex-premier of the main bribery charge against him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882471-israels-top-court-sends-ex-pm-olmert-to-18-months-in-prison/

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Two Myanmar arrested over Koh Tao protest
The Nation

THAILAND -- Malaysian police have arrested two Myanmar nationals after they led a protest of about 500 Myanmar residents in front of the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur over the court's ruling on Koh Tao murders on Monday, Radio Free Asia online reported.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882491-two-myanmar-arrested-over-koh-tao-protest/

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Belgium arrests two over suspected New Year attack plot
The Nation

BRUSSELS -- Belgian police have arrested two people suspected of plotting attacks against landmarks in Brussels during New Year celebrations,prosecutors said Tuesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882494-belgium-arrests-two-over-suspected-new-year-attack-plot/

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Street racers get 3-month in prison and cars seized
Thai PBS

THAILAND -- The Taling Chan Provincial Court today sentenced 18 motorists three months in prison with no suspension, and seized 24 cars after finding them guilty of street racing.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882498-street-racers-get-3-month-in-prison-and-cars-seized/