Thailand Live Monday 4 Jan 2016

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Northern region most popular destination on NY holiday

BANGKOK, 4 December 2016 (NNT) - President of the Association of Domestic Travel Yutthachai Sunthonrattanawet has estimated that there were around 18 million people traveling in the country during this New Year long holiday with the northern region as the most popular destination.

Mr.Yutthachai said most of the travelers chose the northern region due to its diverse tourist sites and cold weather on the mountains. He however admitted that the economy which had not recovered yet made people more careful about their spending.

As for the government' tax break to persuade people to buy goods, the president said he believed that it would be able to help stimulate purchasing power in the short run.

Mr.Yutthachai added that the Thai tourism in 2016 would likely expand and predicted that the number of tourists would reach target. He also warned that decreasing exports, agricultural product price drop and the global economy might affect people's travel spending.


-- NNT 2016-01-04

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Road toll worse than last year on fifth day
THE NATION

Heavy traffic congestion is seen on the inbound lanes of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road yesterday as New Year holidaymakers begin returning to Bangkok.

BANGKOK: -- THE ROAD death toll passed last year’s figure on the fifth day of New Year’s so-called “Seven dangerous days” on the roads with nearly 300 people killed as of Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883585-seven-dangerous-days-road-toll-worse-than-last-year-on-fifth-day/

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GDP GROWTH
Analysts see better year for economy
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN
THE NATION

Thai GDP growth is expected to be better than in 2015; rosier forecast for exports as global situation improves.

BANGKOK: -- THE THAI economy heads into 2016 with a brighter outlook than last year, thanks to a stronger global economy and multiple measures taken by the government to reinvigorate various economic engines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883586-analysts-see-better-year-for-thai-economy/

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ANALYSIS
Somkid team reinvigorated the economy
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN,
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- MR PRIDIYATHORN Devakula, the former head of the government’s economic team, shunned most kinds of populist policies during his 15 months in office from May 2014 to August last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883587-somkid-team-reinvigorated-the-economy/

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Thai nurse's timely assistance saves German cyclist
THE NATION


Gunter Retsch, a German tourist flashes the V sign from his bed in a Surat Thani hospital with nurse Srikanya Chuarob, centre, whose timely resuscitation helped save his life after he had suffered a stroke.

BANGKOK: -- A GERMAN cyclist who collapsed after suffering a stroke in Surat Thani on Saturday was saved by a passing nurse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883588-thai-nurses-timely-assistance-saves-german-cyclist/

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Severe drought could be the biggest concern for this year
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION



Water stored in key dams is very low, government warns.

BANGKOK: -- NATURAL DISASTERS and more severe drought brought on by climate change should be one of the biggest concerns for Thailand in 2016, |academics said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883589-severe-drought-could-be-the-biggest-concern-for-2016/

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NEW YEAR SPECIAL
Vital for Kingdom to adjust, develop to be competitive
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- No matter how many free-trade pacts Thailand has already signed up to, or decides to negotiate in the future, of greater importance is how the country develops and adjusts to prepare itself for the "new normal" and changing landscape in an increasingly globalised economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883590-new-year-special-vital-for-thailand-to-adjust-develop-to-be-competitive/

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TRADE
Thailand needs clear strategy on trade pacts
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- During the ongoing difficult period for global trading, many countries have turned their attention increasingly to trade liberalisation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883592-thailand-needs-clear-strategy-on-trade-pacts/

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EXPORT
Thai exports ‘will return to growth this year’
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

This year, while Thailand’s exports remain at risk from several challenges

BANGKOK: -- Following a third consecutive year of contraction, the Commerce Ministry has projected Thai shipments will grow by 5 per cent to US$225 billion (Bt8.12 trillion) this year, while the private sector forecasts growth in the region of 2-4 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883593-thai-exports-will-return-to-growth-this-year/

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TPP-RCEP
TPP and RCEP ‘will be good for Thailand’
Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation


Joseph Incalcaterra

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will likely become a member of both the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as the two pacts are not in conflict, Joseph Incalcaterra, HSBC’s Asean economist and Asean Economic Community (AEC) expert, said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883594-tpp-and-rcep-will-be-good-for-thailand/

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Rice-pledging scheme helped the country, Wattana insists
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FORMER commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk yesterday defended the rice-pledging scheme against allegations that it distorted market forces and caused huge losses, saying it was a public policy aimed at stimulating the economy and domestic consumption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883595-rice-pledging-scheme-helped-the-country-wattana-insists/

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Check on who gave out Yingluck calendars
THE NATION

ROI ET: -- ROI ET Governor Anusorn Kaewkangwan yesterday confirmed that his office was looking into the distribution of calendars adorned with photos of the |former premiers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra during the New Year festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883596-check-on-who-gave-out-yingluck-calendars/

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Better economy tops Thais’ wish-list for 2016
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MOST people hope Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha can fix the nation’s economic downturns, rising living costs, and unemployment, according to a Bangkok poll result released yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883597-better-economy-tops-thais-wish-list-for-2016/

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Push for UNSC seat ‘not hurt’
NANTIDA PUANGTHONG
THE NATION


Don

BANGKOK: -- THE political situation only affected the country’s campaign for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a short time, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883598-thailand-push-for-unsc-seat-not-hurt/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Diplomatic test for 2016: avoiding contradiction, inconsistency
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s diplomats will face a tough time this year due mainly to contradiction and inconsistency manifested by the government, especially on abuses of civil and political rights.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883599-thai-opinion-diplomatic-test-for-2016-avoiding-contradiction-inconsistency/

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British exit from European Union: Are there lessons for Asean?

Aedan Mordecai

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the European Union leaders summit in Brussels on December 17.

If UK leaves, it would have significant consequences. Could Asean face a similar situation one day?

SINGAPORE: -- Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron has spelled out his demands for remaining in the European Union, which he hopes to renegotiate with the union before the in/out referendum he promised the nation during the last general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883600-british-exit-from-european-union-are-there-lessons-for-asean/

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Imagine Bangkok 2016: Better city, less life?
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Bangkok from a bird’s eye view in a 2011 photo. Photo: digitalpimp./ flickr

BANGKOK — Each New Year comes with new expectations, and Bangkok always amazes us in some way. A lot of change happened during 2015 and, little by little, the City of Angels was gradually transformed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883601-imagine-bangkok-2016-better-city-less-life/

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TAT predicts booming tourism this year



BANGKOK: -- Tourism business for the year 2016 is expected to grow an average of 8 percent with anticipated revenue totalling 2.3 trillion baht compared to last year’s 2.21 trillion baht, said Mr Yutthasak Supasorn, governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand, on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883603-tat-predicts-booming-tourism-this-year/

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Two killed and three others injured in a road accident blamed on stoning



AYUTTHAYA: -- Two female passengers were killed and three males were seriously injured in a road accident in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district on Sunday which the van driver blamed on stoning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883604-two-killed-and-three-others-injured-in-ayutthaya-road-accident/

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Drink driving ban may be imposed during Songkran festival



BANGKOK: -- The government may impose drink driving ban during the Songkran festival after the ban which was enforced during the New Year’s festival has shown positive results, said Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman of the Government, on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883605-drink-driving-ban-may-be-imposed-during-songkran-festival/

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Myanmar man, 25, becomes fifth official Phuket traffic death during New Year's holiday break
Eakkapop Thongtub


Myanmar man, 25, becomes fifth official Phuket traffic death during New Year's holiday break

PHUKET: -- A full-face crash helmet was not enough to save a 25-year-old man from Myanmar when he crashed his motorbike into signs and an electrical post in Koh Kaew this afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883606-myanmar-man-25-becomes-fifth-official-phuket-traffic-death-during-new-years-holiday-break/

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Saudis cut ties with Iran following Shiite cleric execution
By AMIR VAHDAT and JON GAMBRELL

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Saudi Arabia announced Sunday it was severing diplomatic relations with Shiite powerhouse Iran amid escalating tensions over the Sunni kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883608-saudis-cut-ties-with-iran-following-shiite-cleric-execution/

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US government building in Oregon seized by armed group
By Keith Walker



BURNS: -- A US government building has been seized by an armed group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883609-us-government-building-in-oregon-seized-by-armed-group/

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ISIL step up suicide attacks after Ramadi setbacks
By Keith Walker



"God bless the soldiers that came and rescued us from the beasts. They are beasts with no humanity. What they do is not Islamic."

RAMADI: -- The US-led coalition supporting Iraqi ground troops in Ramadi said about 700 fighters from the group calling itself Islamic State (ISIL) are holed up around Ramadi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883610-isil-step-up-suicide-attacks-after-ramadi-setbacks/

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EU commissioner warns Poland on new media law: report



BRUSSELS: -- EU Commissioner Gunther Oettinger on Sunday threatened to put Poland on notice for infringing on common European values by passing legislation giving the government control of the state media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883611-eu-commissioner-warns-poland-on-new-media-law-report/

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Hong Kong: why are there fears over fundamental freedoms?



Five shareholders in a publishing house vanish
They produce books critical of Beijing
Protests follow appointment of pro-Beijing academic at leading university
Fears that fundamental freedoms are being eroded in the former British colony

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883612-hong-kong-why-are-there-fears-over-fundamental-freedoms/

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Snap election on the cards in Catalonia



CUP will not support Mas
Snap election likely to be in March
Echoes the scene playing out in Madrid
Recently-elected politicians in Catalonia have six days to save their coalition.

MADRID: -- The Catalan far-left party CUP has said it will not support acting regional head Artur Mas for another term as leader.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883614-snap-election-on-the-cards-in-catalonia/

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Vacation over, Obama looking at ways to reduce gun violence
By KEVIN FREKING

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hawaiian vacation over, President Barack Obama says he is energized for his final year in office and ready to tackle unfinished business, turning immediate attention to the issue of gun violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883615-vacation-over-obama-looking-at-ways-to-reduce-gun-violence/

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Trump brushes off militant recruiting video citing his words

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump won't be dissuaded from saying what he thinks simply because Islamic extremists use his words to recruit Muslims to their cause.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883616-trump-brushes-off-militant-recruiting-video-citing-his-words/

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A year of political pregame gives way to a sprint into Iowa
By THOMAS BEAUMONT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — It's been a year of town halls and weekend forums and lunchtime meet-and-greets for those who would be president, with nights spent sparring in televised debates and endless days fundraising to pay for TV ads, direct-mail fliers and organizers to get out the vote.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883617-a-year-of-political-pregame-gives-way-to-a-sprint-into-iowa/