Thailand Live Friday 1 Jan 2016

[Jonathan Fairfield]

NEW YEAR
King sends good wishes to Thais for New Year

The Nation



BANGKOK:-- His Majesty the King yesterday wished all Thais happiness, prosperity and good health in the New Year.

On the occasion of the New Year, I wish to convey my best wishes for all the people to have happiness, prosperity and achievement according to their wishes," said a New Year statement broadcast by all television channels and radio stations.

"However in our lives, it is common that we will face both happiness and suffering, fulfilment and disappointment. Hence everybody should prepare themselves physically and spiritually for these situations," the monarch said, adding they should avoid being reckless.

"For the New Year, I wish that you all strengthen your health to be healthy with good spirit and consciousness in order to be able to bear unwanted situations."

The King's New Year card for Thai people shows his photo in a white-coloured jacket with the cartoon of a monkey. This year marks the lunar Year of Monkey.

The card says: " wish that [all of you] have happiness, prosperity, strong health, a stable spirit and clear conscience."

Tight security in Bangkok

People across the country yesterday joined New Year celebrations, with hundreds of thousands of revellers attending the countdown at CentralWorld in Bangkok, as the Army ensured there would be tight security in the capital.

The grand New Year celebrations were held at several locations across the city. However, some events - such as Thailand Countdown 2016 at the Temple of the Dawn and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) "Light of Happiness" gathering - were heavily criticised for their cost and lavishness.

Maj-General Chalermphon Suksawat, Second Cavalry Division King's Guard commander, stated during the security inspection at CentralWorld's New Year countdown venue yesterday morning that soldiers and police were in charge of providing security at celebrations city-wide.

"In total, 3,000 security officers will be guarding the New Year countdown at CentralWorld alone this year. This is in preparation for [the expected] more than 200,000 people coming to the New Year party at this venue tonight," he said. "The roads will be blocked in all four directions [around the venue] and no vehicles will be allowed in the area."

Bags would be inspected before anyone was allowed to enter the venue.

Chalermphon assured the public that personnel would provide sufficient security and people should trust and comply with the security procedures.

The outgoing year saw a deadly blast at the Erawan Shrine near CentralWorld and in 2006 there were bomb explosions in Bangkok on New Year's Eve, with CentralWorld a target.

In response to criticism of the lavish BMA light show at Bangkok City Hall, Deputy Bangkok Governor Amorn Kitchawengkul said this week that the Bt39.5 million spent on light decorations for the event was worthwhile and the event's budget was legally granted from an annual fund. Amorn said the event would inject more than Bt100 million into the economy. Warunee Dangsawang, who attended the event at Bangkok City Hall, commented on Facebook that the light decorations were very beautiful but the Bt39.5 million spent on them was way too much.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/King-sends-good-wishes-to-Thais-for-New-Year-30275976.html

-- The Nation 2016-01-01

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thai Bus Driver Flips Bus Killing 1 Injuring 29, trying to Pickup his Cell Phone

KHON KAEN – Pol Capt Pornchai Sangsila of Khon Kaen Highway police station has reported that one passenger has been killed and 28 others injured after the driver of an inter-provincial bus bent down to pick up his mobile phone in the foot-well and lost control of his vehicle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882990-tour-bus-overturns-in-khon-kaen-one-killed-28-injured/?p=10257968

[Jonathan Fairfield]

SOUTH CRISIS

‘Safety zone’ to be proposed in peace talks in South

JITRAPORN SENAWONG,

NARONG NUANSAKUL

THE NATION

BANGKOK:-- THAI CHIEF PEACE negotiator General Aksara Kerdpol has revealed that an agreement, which would include a proposal for “safety zone”, is being drafted for discussion with the separatists in the deep South, Colonel Banphot Phunphien, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883030-safety-zone-to-be-proposed-in-peace-talks-in-south/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME

Yingluck flayed for dragging her feet

BANGKOK:-- THE GOVERNMENT yesterday criticised former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for prolonging the legal process after she requested another 18 witnesses as part of her trial over the previous elected government’s rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883031-yingluck-flayed-for-dragging-her-feet/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

104 killed in road accidents on first two New Year 'dangerous days'

The Nation

The Road Safety Centre reported that besides the 104 deaths, the first two days of the New Year accident-monitoring period saw 1,080 injuries from 1,029 road accidents. All three statistics were down from last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883033-104-killed-in-road-accidents-on-first-two-new-year-dangerous-days/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thousands converge on Pattaya to celebrate the New Year

PATTAYA:-- It appears that many made last minute plans to celebrate the New Year in Pattaya as all major traffic routes into the City were heavily congested on New Year’s Eve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883034-thousands-converge-on-pattaya-to-celebrate-the-new-year/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Pattaya leaves 2015 with a bang at Countdown Festival

PATTAYA:-- A spectacular fireworks display at the Pattaya Countdown Festival at the Bali Hai Port, welcomed in the New Year and said goodbye to 2015 in-style as thousands converged on the Port area to celebrate the start of a New Year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883035-pattaya-leaves-2015-with-a-bang-at-countdown-festival/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

NCPO

Article 44 invoked for street races

BANGKOK:-- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha is using his absolute power under the interim charter’s Article 44 to crack down on street racers and drunk public-transport drivers, according to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) order No 46/2558 published on the Royal Gazette website on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/882978-article-44-invoked-for-street-races-drunk-drivers/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Belgium: More arrests in alleged New Year’s Eve terror plot

BRUSSELS:-- A court in Brussels has ruled that two Belgian nationals arrested earlier this week on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in the city on New Year’s Eve can be held in custody for a further month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883036-belgium-more-arrests-in-alleged-new-years-eve-terror-plot/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Storm Frank claims first victim in Scotland with more rains due on New Years Day

Swathes of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England remain on flood alert after Storm Frank wreaked havoc causing businesses to close,evacuations and power cuts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883037-storm-frank-claims-first-victim-in-scotland-with-more-rains-due-on-new-years-day/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Which country will supply Crimea with electricity – Russian President Vladimir Putin orders an opinion poll

At least a quarter of the power on the contested peninsula of Crimea was lost on Wednesday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883038-which-country-will-supply-crimea-with-electricity-russian-president-vladimir-putin-orders-an-opini/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Angela Merkel outlines the challenges the migrant crisis will bring in 2016

Thousands of migrants and refugees have been streaming into the Presevo reception centre in southern Serbia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883039-angela-merkel-outlines-the-challenges-the-migrant-crisis-will-bring-in-2016/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Hard-fought legal battles expected in the Bill Cosby case

MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bill Cosby's lawyers went on the attack Thursday after the comedian's arrest, calling the sexual assault charges a flawed, politically motivated case that will not hold up in court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883042-hard-fought-legal-battles-expected-in-the-bill-cosby-case/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Despite fears and huge Dubai fire, New Year revelry rolls on

SYLVIE CORBET, Associated Press

KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press

JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press

On a New Year's Eve haunted by fears of terrorism, a spectacular fire in one of Dubai's tall towers captured the world's attention. With few exceptions, the celebrations rolled on, and while fire still raged, the Dubai Media office declared on Twitter: "New Year celebrations in Dubai will continue as scheduled."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883043-despite-fears-and-huge-dubai-fire-new-year-revelry-rolls-on/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Dubai New Year fireworks kick off while nearby tower blazes

JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A 63-story luxury hotel was engulfed in flames even as a massive New Year's fireworks display kicked off at the world's tallest skyscraper nearby, while tens of thousands of people whistled and cheered at early Friday's pyrotechnics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883026-fire-engulfs-dubai-hotel-ahead-of-new-year-celebrations/?p=10258077

[Jonathan Fairfield]

George Lucas apologizes for calling Disney 'white slavers'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — George Lucas has apologized for criticizing Disney's handling of "Star Wars" and saying he had sold his characters to "white slavers" in a recent interview with Charlie Rose.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883044-george-lucas-apologizes-for-calling-disney-white-slavers/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Source: Obama to act next week on gun background checks

KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama is expected to take executive action next week to expand background checks on gun sales, according to an individual whose gun control advocacy group has been briefed by administration officials about the timing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883045-source-obama-to-act-next-week-on-gun-background-checks/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

BBC says website knocked down due to apparent attack

LONDON (AP) — BBC says its main news website and other sites were knocked offline due to an attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883046-bbc-says-website-knocked-down-due-to-apparent-attack/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Opinion

Koh Tao debacle: Shoddy work from beginning to end

Thailand’s ludicrous official response to the outcry at the verdict

BANGKOK:-- The investigation into the murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao was, from the very start, a muddled affair. Yet, despite public revelations of mishandling of the case by the police and widespread doubt about the guilt of the accused, the authorities were caught by surprise at the international outcry that greeted last week's court ruling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883048-koh-tao-debacle-shoddy-work-from-beginning-to-end/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Police in Munich warn of 'imminent threat' of attack

KIRSTEN GRIESHABER, Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Police in Munich warned of a "serious, imminent threat" by Islamic State group suicide bombers wanting to commit an attack on New Year's Eve and asked people to stay away from the city's main train station and a second train station in the city's Pasing neighborhood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883082-police-in-munich-warn-of-imminent-threat-of-attack/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar abolishes anti-smuggling teams

YANGON:-- Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce has announced the abolition of its mobile task force teams, which aimed to clamp down on the country’s thriving illegal border trade, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883078-myanmar-abolishes-anti-smuggling-teams/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Indonesia sinks 10 illegal fishing vessels

Indonesian authorities on Thursday simultaneously sank ten foreign and local fishing boats caught operating illegally in the archipelago's vast waters, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883077-indonesia-sinks-10-illegal-fishing-vessels/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

EDITORIAL: Embracing the winds of change in 2016 and beyond

The Phuket News

PHUKET: Looking back at 2015, like every year in recent memory, many changes came for Phuket, which continues to discover its ever-evolving identity within the greater, globalizing planet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883081-editorial-embracing-the-winds-of-change-in-2016-and-beyond/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Prem urges news journalists to respect professional ethics

BANGKOK:-- Privy Council chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda today called on news journalists to present facts as facts, and have code of ethics while expressing confidence that election could be held by the time frame stated in the prime minister's roadmap to democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883118-prem-urges-news-journalists-to-respect-professional-ethics/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

New graft busting panel appointed

BANGKOK:-- His Majesty the King has appointed five new commissioners to sit in the 9-member graft busting panel replacing those whose terms had expired.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883119-new-graft-busting-panel-appointed/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand confident EU will be satisfied with its progress of IUU solutions

BANGKOK, 31 December 2015 (NNT) - The Command Center for Combatting Illegal Fishing has expressed confidence that the EU will be satisfied with the progress of Thailand’s solutions to illegal fishing. It stressed that the Thai government was urgently passing laws related to fisheries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883120-thailand-confident-eu-will-be-satisfied-with-its-progress-of-iuu-solutions/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thais welcome New Year

BANGKOK:-- Thai Buddhists across the country happily welcomed the New Year with thousands, tens of thousands in some provinces, join the ceremony to offer food to monks this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883121-thais-welcome-new-year/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Angelina Jolie’s visit to Phuket temple sparks Hindu enthusiasm

Hindus have jumped at the chance of getting Angelina Jolie more involved with the religion. Photo: Foreign and Commonwealth Office

PHUKET: Oscar winning actress Angelina Jolie has received a wave of support from members of the Hindu community, after they learned of her visit to a Hindu temple in Phuket a few days ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883122-angelina-jolies-visit-to-phuket-temple-sparks-hindu-enthusiasm/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Seasonably Chilly Weather Finally Arrives for the New Year

Tourists gather to watch and take pictures of the first sunrise of 2016 at Pha Tam National Park, Ubon Ratchathani province. It was reportedly 15-16C at the time.

By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee

Staff Reporter

Happy New Year 2016 and here’s hoping you will have some cooler weather throughout January.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883128-seasonably-chilly-weather-finally-arrives-for-the-new-year/

[rooster59]

Dubai’s Address Hotel smoulders after New Year’s Eve blaze

By Keith Walker

Dubai’s luxury Address Hotel was still smoldering on Friday morning (January 1). Flames spread up one side of the building as people gathered nearby for a New Year’s Eve fireworks display at the world’s tallest building a few hundred meters away.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883172-dubais-address-hotel-smoulders-after-new-years-eve-blaze/