China-North Korea trade zone fails to get off the ground



DANDONG: -- It is supposed to be a key economic gateway to reclusive North Korea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882830-china-north-korea-trade-zone-fails-to-get-off-the-ground/

Russian ruble scrapes new low, no happier for 2016



MOSCOW: -- The Russian ruble on the last currency trading day of the year has hit a new 2015 low against the US dollar, at one point falling to 73.20 to the greenback.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882831-russian-ruble-scrapes-new-low-no-happier-for-2016/

Turks, Belgians report foiling plans for holiday attacks
SUZAN FRASER and JOHN-THOR DAHLBURG

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) With less than 48 hours left in 2015, Turkey on Wednesday became the latest country to announce the foiling of a holiday attack plot, detaining two suspected Islamic State militants believed to be planning suicide bombings during New Year celebrations in the capital city's heart.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882828-turks-belgians-report-foiling-plans-for-holiday-attacks/

Security measures heightened as Europe's cities prepare to hold New Year's Eve celebrations



PARIS: -- “Operation Sentinel” is in evidence on one of the most beautiful avenues in the world, the Champs Elysees in Paris. Security is tight ahead of celebrations to welcome in the New Year in the City of LIght.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882832-security-measures-heightened-as-europes-cities-prepare-to-hold-new-years-eve-celebrations/

Court in Indonesia delivers setback in government’s fight against forest fires



JAKARTA: -- A court in Indonesia has delivered a setback in the government’s bid to punish companies allegedly responsible for the country’s annual forest fires.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882833-court-in-indonesia-delivers-setback-in-governments-fight-against-forest-fires/

Court papers: NYC postal worker dumped 1k pieces of mail

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal court papers say a postal worker was so overwhelmed by the holiday season workload on his delivery route that he dumped 1,000 pieces of mail in the trash.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882834-nyc-postman-dumps-1000-pieces-of-holiday-mail/

UPDATE:

'Silent bomber' couple jailed for London terror plot

LONDON: -- A husband and wife who plotted a terror attack in London have been jailed for a minimum of 27 and 25 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882690-british-couple-found-guilty-of-bomb-plot-and-supporting-isil/page-2?p=10254460#entry10254460

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican official says that mother of fugitive Ethan Couch has been deported to US.

Ukraine crisis: Minsk peace deal extended into new year



The Minsk peace accord on Ukraine has been extended into 2016

MOSCOW: -- The Kremlin says it was agreed following a phone call between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882842-ukraine-crisis-minsk-peace-deal-extended-into-new-year/

Russian Man Resurrects Just in Time to Join Friends Holding His Wake

VLADIVOSTOK: -- A resident of Vladivostok “came back” to life in a morgue after doctors mistakenly reported him dead the night before, according to the local newspaper Khasanskie Vesti.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882849-russian-man-comes-back-from-the-dead-to-join-friends-holding-his-wake/

Jeb Bush abruptly cancels TV time to send staff into the field

Washington (CNN)Jeb Bush's campaign is drastically shifting its resources from the airwaves to the field, scrapping large advertising buys in early-voting states in hopes of reviving his floundering bid for the presidency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882852-jeb-bush-abruptly-cancels-tv-time-to-send-staff-into-the-field/

Turbulence causes injuries on Air Canada flight
By Phil Gast and Artemis Moshtaghian, CNN

(CNN)Twenty-one passengers were hospitalized after a Toronto-bound Air Canada flight from China was hit by turbulence and diverted, officials said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882854-turbulence-causes-injuries-on-air-canada-flight/

Trump spokeswoman wears bullet necklace on TV
Patrick Begley

ATLANTA: -- Donald Trump's national spokeswoman has defended her decision to wear a necklace made of bullets on television.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882857-trump-spokeswoman-wears-bullet-necklace-on-tv/

Kathu officials hand out nasal inhalers to promote driving alertness in Phuket New Years traffic
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Kathu officials hand out nasal inhalers to promote driving alertness in Phuket New Years traffic

PHUKET: -- Kathu municipality officials joined with Thung Thong policemen and a Phuket Vice Governor to hand out aromatic, menthol-infused nasal inhalers to promote traffic alertness among drivers at a checkpoint on Pha Phuket Keaw Rd yesterday (December 30).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882861-kathu-officials-hand-out-nasal-inhalers-to-promote-driving-alertness-in-phuket-new-years-traffic/

Toys R Us closes flagship store: Ferris wheel, T-Rex and all
JAKE PEARSON, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — For decades, children visiting New York City savored one stop above all: a trip to the kind of toy store that existed only in their imagination. Now they'll have to keep dreaming.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882864-toys-r-us-closes-newyork-flagship-store-ferris-wheel-t-rex-and-all/

Phuket Police seize 11 kilos of brick weed, other items from 22-year-old pot dealer
The Phuket News



PHUKET: -- Police last night seized nearly 11 kilogrammes of low-grade bricked marijuana, a smoking device, digital scale, knife, dozens of sealable plastic bags, a home-made gun, bullet, two codien pills, an Iphone 5 smartphone and a Kawasaki Ninja motorbike from a 22-year-old drug dealer in Phuket City Municiaplity's Talad Yai sub district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882868-phuket-police-seize-11-kilos-of-brick-weed-other-items-from-22-year-old-pot-dealer/

National Reform Steering Assembly calls on National Council for Peace and Order to restore the local election system

BANGKOK, 31 December 2015 (NNT) - NRSA spokesman Wanchai Sornsiri said on Wednesday that the reform assembly will likely be deliberate three urgent matters during its meeting on January 7 and 8, which are hoped to be completed within the next 18 months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882870-national-reform-steering-assembly-calls-on-ncpo-to-restore-the-local-election-system/

Fort St. John couple brutally mauled by 2 dogs in their home

Couple ravaged in bloody Christmas Day attack

FORT ST JOHN, B.C.: -- A man and a woman from Fort St. John, B.C., are in hospital with serious injuries after two dogs got into their home and attacked them and their pets inside on Christmas Day, say RCMP.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882871-canadian-couple-brutally-mauled-by-2-dogs-in-their-home/

Jittery world bids adieu to a year marred by terror
The Associated Press, Associated Press

NEW YORK: -- In Bangkok, police-flanked partygoers will ring in the new year at the site of a deadly bombing that took place just months ago. In Paris, residents recovering from their city's own deadly attacks will enjoy scaled-back celebrations. And in Belgium's capital, authorities anxious after thwarting what they say was a holiday terror plot have canceled festivities altogether.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882872-jittery-world-bids-adieu-to-a-year-marred-by-terror/

Constitution Drafting Commission confirms new draft charter will be completed as planned in the national reform roadmap

BANGKOK, 31 December 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has confirmed on Wednesday that the new draft charter will be completed within the deadline included in the national reform roadmap.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882874-cdc-confirms-new-draft-charter-will-be-completed-as-planned-in-the-national-reform-roadmap/

Buses, trains & planes packed with people returning home

BANGKOK, 31 December 2015 (NNT) – People returning home and other holiday makers have began leaving Bangkok on Wednesday, causing employees at bus terminals, train stations and the airport to have to work extra hard during this period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882875-buses-trains-planes-packed-with-people-returning-home/

Ancient boat parade held in Singburi to welcome 2016

SINGBURI, 31 December 2015 (NNT) - Holidaymakers are invited to visit Singburi province during the New Year Holidays to see a parade of 132 ancient boats in the Chao Phraya River.

It is the 21st time this event has been held in Singburi to welcome the arrival of the year 2016. In addition to the boat parade, visitors can also participate in the fish eating festival and buy locally made products.

Boats have been decorated to mimic fighting, coal and fishing boats of Thai ancient times. They will begin their trip from the former city hall to Bangrachan Bridge.

Public servants from various sectors in Singburi will also take part in dancing and singing contests. The year end celebrations will take place in front of the city hall.


-- NNT 2015-12-31

Seven Myanmar crewman stranded at sea off Phuket rescued by Royal Thai Navy
Darawan Naknakhon


The Myanmar crew were rescued by and brought back to Phuket aboard the HTMS Saiburi.

PHUKET: -- Seven Myanmar nationals stranded at sea were rescued last night by the Royal Thai Navy about 150 nautical miles off the west coast of Phuket were due to be brought safely ashore, to Phuket Deep Sea Port this morning (December 31)

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882879-seven-myanmar-crewman-stranded-at-sea-off-phuket-rescued-by-royal-thai-navy/

PEA plans to supply electricity to all households in 2016



BANGKOK, 31 December 2015 (NNT) - The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) aims to provide electricity to all households in the year 2016 while profits in 2015 have increased by 2 percent, an amount higher than the estimate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882881-pea-plans-to-supply-electricity-to-all-households-in-2016/

Curved toe geckos to become a protected species in Thailand



BANGKOK: -- The tiny curved toe gecko is facing extinction thanks to being widely hunted and sold in markets along the borders of Thailand and within markets such as Bangkok’s Chatuchak weekend market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882882-curved-toe-geckos-to-become-a-protected-species-in-thailand/

BOT: Local economy slowly reviving in November

BANGKOK, 31 December 2015, (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has reported that the local economy recovered slightly in November, weighed down by shrinking exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882885-bot-local-economy-slowly-reviving-in-november/

Custody dispute Neighbours actress Eliza Szonert can leave Malaysia

(BBC)A former Neighbours actress, held in Malaysia after snatching her child from her estranged partner at a restaurant, can return to Australia, officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882886-custody-dispute-neighbours-actress-eliza-szonert-can-leave-malaysia/

U.S. government officials confirm cordial Thai-American relations during courtesy visit to PM Prayut

BANGKOK, 31 December 2015 (NNT) - A group of government officials from the U.S. confirmed cordial relations between Thailand and the United States during a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday at Government House during an official trip to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882890-us-govt-officials-confirm-cordial-thai-american-relations-during-courtesy-visit-to-pm-prayut/

UPDATE:

Air Canada flight lands in Calgary after strong turbulence
CHARMAINE NORONHA, Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Air Canada says a flight en route from Shanghai to Toronto has been diverted to Calgary after emergency crews say heavy turbulence injured 21 passengers, including three children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882854-turbulence-causes-injuries-on-air-canada-flight/#entry10255434

PM holds private family prayers instead of public New Year appearance

BANGKOK, 31 December 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has chosen not to make a public appearance and instead led his family in privately held prayers to usher in the New Year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882892-pm-prayut-holds-private-family-prayers-instead-of-public-new-year-appearance/