FEATURE
Royal music in the air
Kupluthai Pungkanon
The Nation



The Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music keeps alive the vision of the late great royal patron

BANGKOK: -- The Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, founded two years ago in honour of the late royal patron of the arts, is accepting applications for its two upcoming courses until January 13 and March 16, with scholarships available for both.

The institute was conceived in 2007 to commemorate the 84th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, sister of His Majesty the King. When she died on January 2, 2008, efforts continued with an eye to bringing new audiences to classical music and raising more Thai musicians to international standards.

"The institute is the first such academy in Thailand offering only music studies in a four-year, full-time course leading to a bach?elor of music degree," says Associate Professor Khunying Wongchan Phinainitisatra, president of the facility and a close aide to the late princess for 37 years.

"Princess Galyani had a great passion for music ever since she was very young. She used to listen to the radio while doing her homework in Switzerland. When she grew up she became a true connoisseur and understood all kinds of music, though the classics were always her favourite. She liked to attend performances, and these were not limited to classical music.

"The Princess could play the piano a little, but her busy royal duties prevented her from pursuing it. She had a long-time wish to improve music studies in Thailand, though. She thought young people should be sup?ported and be exposed to music studies, as well as getting the opportunities to perform, just like in any sport programme."

Wongchan says the institute has embraced the Princess' philosophy "Musique de la vie et de la terre" ("Music of life, music of the land") - which in part alludes to Princess Galyani's family surname Mahidol, meaning "land".

As well as offering a degree, the institute maintains a Youth Orchestra and Community Choir and runs the projects Education Populaire and Audience Development. Students and professional musicians are welcome to participate and even members of the public who are just fans of music can find ways to learn and con?tribute.

Already 40 musicians have earned schol?arships, including the renowned Tasana Nagavajara and Jamorn Supapol and the institute's acting dean, Komsun Silokkunanant.

The Princess customarily interviewed applicants personally, often with their par?ents present, since studies involved consid?erable cost. She saw to it that talented young?sters didn't have to worry about money. A generous patron of musical organisations and activities, she tapped various sources of money, such as her Fund for Classical Music Promotion. Even while hospitalised in 2007, she attended a show presented by her school's inaugural scholarship winners at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

"Without Her Royal Highness' mercy and dedication to supporting the students, and without the funding she raised, we wouldn't have seen classical-music studies become as popular among young people as they are today," says Komsun.

"Music is part of our culture. Many musi?cians who studied and worked overseas have come back to support the development of music in their homeland, and now you see the number of orchestras increasing. I received my scholarship from the Princess in 2006 and performed many times while she was present."

The result of all this, Komsun says, is that the future is brighter and more varied for musical careers.

"At first you focus first being a good musi?cian and playing your best, but with more and more graduates, there should not only be more job available - composers, conductors and teachers - but also creative work, since music is all about communication. The insti?tute gives full support to its students' future, whether they'll be working at home or abroad. What we offer is a good starting point."

The bachelor programme lays the foun?dation for lifetime development. Its goal is to produce graduates with distinctive quality who have a profound understanding of the art of making music and are able to apply that knowledge for the good of society.

Approved by the Office of Higher Education, the course requires a minimum of 132 credits over four years for a passing grade. There are four modules.

"Core" enhances performance with a cur?riculum including Major Skills, Chamber Music, Practice Lab and Performing Musicianship. "Contextual" emphasises research and project-based activities. "Electives" are theoretical subjects that can be applied to practice. And "General" is designed for the conservatory style of stud?ies.

In 2014 the institute admitted 13 stu?dents. Last year there were 19. All of them received full scholarships. They need some musical skill at the outset, and not necessari?ly in Western genres. The aim is to teach the students how to perform their best, so they are constantly challenged, but in a creative environment of understanding and sharing.

"What I've found to be a distinct quality of all the scholarship students - what impresses me most - is that they're all very kind-heart?ed and down to earth, just like the Princess was," says Wongchan.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/Royal-music-in-the-air-30276093.html


-- The Nation 2016-01-05

Seven diving instructors arrested for working illegally off Phuket
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The seven were arrested when found working at Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Lay. Photo: Jeffry Ng Darwis/Flickr

PHUKET: -- Seven Phuket based diving instructors, six Chinese and one Swede, were arrested for working illegally at Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Lay on New Year’s Eve, (Dec 31) because it did not stipulate in their work permits that their work would take them away from the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883740-seven-diving-instructors-arrested-for-working-illegally-at-maya-bay-koh-phi-phi-lay/

GOOD SAMARITAN
King inspired me: heroine nurse
Suwandee Bandisak
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- AN OFF-DUTY nurse who made headlines after saving the life of a German tourist says she was inspired to act by King Bhumibol.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883824-king-inspired-me-heroine-nurse/

HEALTH
Hospitals fear major impact of legal advice
Pratch Rujivanarom,
Puangchompoo Prasert
The Nation

National Health Security Office to continue with current budgetary practices in bid to stem fallout

BANGKOK: -- MEDICAL service providers and patients stand to experience a huge impact from the State Council's ruling on universal health coverage, which could prevent its budget being used for hospital utility expenses and preliminary financial assistance in medical malpractice cases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883825-thai-hospitals-fear-major-impact-of-legal-advice/

POLITICS
Seizure of calendars upsets Pheu Thai
THE NATION


Photo from Facebook Yingluck Shinawatra

Party complains to PM over 'violation of rights' but govt defends governor

BANGKOK: -- PHEU THAI PARTY yesterday petitioned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over alleged discrimination and human rights violations committed by the Roi Et governor after he halted the distribution of calendars embossed with pictures of ex-prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883826-seizure-of-yingluck-calendars-upsets-pheu-thai/

DRUNK DRIVING
Prayut prefers to seize licences from drunk drivers
The Nation



Police say impounding cars was big success; it cut drunk-driver arrests by half.

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha vowed yesterday to continue measures against drunk drivers - but said he would rather seize drivers' licences instead of impounding their vehicles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883827-prayut-prefers-to-seize-licences-from-drunk-drivers/

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
No more witnesses for Yingluck trial
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court would not allow more witnesses to testify in the trial of ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over her government’s rice-pledging scheme, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883828-no-more-witnesses-for-yingluck-trial/

Thai hospitals at forefront of industry in Asean
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MAJOR THAI hospitals are expanding their presence throughout Southeast Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883829-thai-hospitals-at-forefront-of-industry-in-asean/

6,500 dead over 12 years of unrest
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AS security tightened for the anniversary of an insurgent-led raid on an Army camp in Narathiwat province in 2004, the Prince of Songkla University Pattani Campus’ Deep South Watch (DSW) Centre yesterday said last year saw the lowest rate of attacks in the deep South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883830-6500-dead-over-12-years-of-unrest-in-thailands-deep-south/

Army vehicles on the move
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE Royal Thai Army will move armoured vehicles on Thursday from units in other provinces to the Second Cavalry Division (King’s Guard) in the capital. The military transports are being moved in preparation for National Children’s Day on Saturday, Army spokesperson Col Sirichan Ngathong said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883831-thai-army-vehicles-on-the-move/

BMA earns tidy sum in fines
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- BANGKOK officials tore down 151,640 illegal advertising boards on power poles and trees across the city from October 2014 to September 2015. They also fined the people who put up the signs, collecting about Bt9.85 million in fines for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883832-bangkok-administration-earns-tidy-sum-in-fines/

UPDATE:

‘Container cells’ for felons set for release
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Corrections Department will next week seek Bt1.4Bt1.4 billionbillion from the Cabinet to build light-security sections at 17 prisons out of containers for convicts who are due to be released soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883731-justice-ministry-to-seek-bt17-bn-for-building-container-prisons/#entry10270898

Education commission to tackle Abac issue
The Nation


File Photo

BANGKOK: -- The Higher Education Commission will explore possible solutions to Assumption University’s prolonged management conflict at its meeting tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883833-education-commission-to-tackle-abac-issue/

UPDATE:

Rajabhakti team mum
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE Defence Ministry panel looking into the Rajabhakti Park scandal says it has no plans to release its investigation results to the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883702-no-white-paper-to-be-published-on-ratchapakdi-park-investigation/page-2#entry10270905

BURNING ISSUE
Children need a culture that boosts self-expression, self-confidence
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

THE upcoming National Children’s Day presents another opportunity for the country to contemplate how it has been shaping and cultivating its children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883834-thai-children-need-a-culture-that-boosts-self-expression-self-confidence/

Criminal record of candidates may be revealed
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE charter drafters are considering getting the Election Commission (EC) to disclose criminal records of Senate candidates as part of a “self-selection” formula to help voters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883835-criminal-record-of-thai-senate-candidates-may-be-revealed/

Politicians rebuke Meechai over ‘distortion’ comment
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PHEU THAI politicians have called on Meechai Ruchupan and his team of charter drafters to be held responsible if the constitutional draft fails to pass a national referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883836-politicians-rebuke-meechai-over-distortion-comment/

EDITORIAL
How Thailand missed the AEC boat
The Nation

Our lack of preparedness is evident to all, not least in the suppression, rather than the enshrining, of basic rights

BANGKOK: -- In marking the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) on December 31, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha missed the point in urging Thais to stay alert to new opportunities and improve their English-language skills. These are surely important, but they are not key values for regional integration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883837-how-thailand-missed-the-aec-boat/

STREETWISE
Thailand versus Singapore: Why long-term planning does matter
Dchara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- In mid-2013 I got the chance to visit the office of Singapore’s Urban Development Authority, which is housed in the same building as the City Gallery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883839-thailand-versus-singapore-why-long-term-planning-does-matter/

Pattaya Police 'satisfied' with New Year Road Safety Stats



PATTAYA; -- The Pattaya Police Chief announced on Monday the results of the “7 deadly days” over the New Year period, where Thailand records the number of road incidents dealt with over the New Year period and compares it with the year before.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883840-pattaya-police-satisfied-with-new-year-road-safety-stats/

Foreign New Year Reveler killed in Jomtien Beach Road Crash



PATTAYA: -- A 33-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of Laos, was driving home from a party in the early hours of Monday and died after his bike struck a parked coach on Jomtien Beach Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883841-foreign-new-year-reveler-killed-in-jomtien-beach-road-crash/

Teenage Bike Gang Fight Leaves one Dead
by CityNews



CityNews – On January 4, a gang of seven teenagers were arrested in connection with the murder of a Shan Man after a gang fight broke out on the way back into town from the Winter Fair 2016 in Mae Rim.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883842-teenage-bike-gang-fight-leaves-one-dead-in-chiang-mai/

Vietnamese Pickpocket Gang Busted
by CityNews



CityNews – On January 2, Chiang Mai police arrested five Vietnamese suspects in suspicion of theft around the Night Bazaar area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883843-vietnamese-pickpocket-gang-busted-in-chiang-mai/

PM keeps his promise to be less talkative with reporters



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has kept his New Year’s promise to be less talkative with the media by spending just 2.47 minutes with reporters at the Government House yesterday (Monday).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883844-pm-prayut-keeps-his-promise-to-be-less-talkative-with-reporters/

UPDATE:

Ex-PM Yingluck’s New Year’s merit-making trip in Khon Kaen marred by military intervention

KHON KAEN: -- Police and military personnel seized calendars featuring former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra and stopped Ms Yingluck from taking a car ride with her former Pheu Thai MPs through Ban Pai district of Khon Kaen to meet her supporters and to present them with New Year’s gifts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883826-seizure-of-yingluck-calendars-upsets-pheu-thai/#entry10270954

WASHINGTON (AP) - Justice Department, EPA sue Volkswagen over emissions-cheating software in 600,000 diesel cars.

Australian expat found dead in Phuket home
Phuket Gazette


Officers believe that Mr Anatoli was dead for about 10 hours before his body was discovered. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- An Australian expat was found dead in his Rawai home this morning, confirmed the Chalong Police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883845-australian-expat-found-dead-in-phuket-home/

UPDATE:

Former hotel employee confesses to attempted rape of 8-year-old tourist
Phuket Gazette


Wuttichai Srithai admitted to the attempted rape of an 8-year-old Russian tourist at a Karon hotel on Friday. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A Trang man confessed to police that he attempted to rape an 8-year-old Russian tourist on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883709-man-arrested-in-phuket-in-connection-with-attempted-rape-of-russian-girl-8/page-2?p=10270967#entry10270967

Five dead as Phuket races toward close of New Year road-safety campaign
Saroj Kueprasertkij


Five people have died and 69 have been injured on Phuket's raods since the Seven Days of Danger national road-safety campaign began. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- As Phuket barrels toward the end of its part in the nationwide “Seven Days in Danger” road-safety campaign, which concludes at midnight tonight (Jan 4), the death and injury toll stands at five dead and 69 people receiving hospital treatment of injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883846-five-dead-as-phuket-races-toward-close-of-new-year-road-safety-campaign/

Finance Ministry keen to reform income tax system
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE FINANCE MINISTRY is speeding up its effort to restructure the personal-income-tax system, with details of an amendment to the Revenue Code expected to be approved by the Cabinet in March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883847-thai-finance-ministry-keen-to-reform-income-tax-system/