THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 12 Dec 2016

[webfact]

Take a number: Phuket Airport immigration still overloaded 

Supatra Sutham

 

 

PHUKET: Tourists arriving at Phuket International Airport continue to have to wait hours to clear immigration, despite immigration officials saying they have more officers on duty during peak times.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958046-take-a-number-phuket-airport-immigration-still-overloaded/

[webfact]

Banks start giving cash handouts to low income-earners

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Three state-owned banks have started giving one-time cash handouts ranging from 1,500-3,000 baht to low income-earners in agriculture and non-farming sectors.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958083-banks-start-giving-cash-handouts-to-low-income-earners/

 

[webfact]

Legendary Look Thung song composer Khru Lop Burirat dies of lung infection

 

 

BANGKOK: -- National artist Wichien Kamcharoen who was better known under the name of Khru Lop Burirat died of lung infection on Saturday night at Chulabhorn Research Centre Hospital. He was 77.

 

Khru Lop was first admitted into Bang Po hospital on October 17 for treatment of lung infection, but blood tests of a big tumor in the liver showed that the tumor was 75 percent cancerous.

 

However, doctors at the hospital opted to treat lung infection as priority until the condition stabilized. The family later took him to Chulabhorn Research Centre Hospital for further treatment and it was discovered he was afflicted with recurring lung infection, resulting in difficulty in breathing.

 

Although conscious, Khru Lop was hospitalized in intensive care until until Saturday night when he died peacefully.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/legendary-look-thung-song-composer-khru-lop-burirat-dies-of-lung-infection/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2016-12-12

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

PM admires Toon Bodyslam for his Kao Khon La Kao charity run project

 

 

BANGKOK, 12th December 2016 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has expressed admiration for Toon Bodyslam's Kao Khon La Kao project, undertaken to raise funds to purchase medical equipment for Bang Saphan Hospital as a tribute to His Majesty the late King, praising him as a role model for doing good deeds in remembrance of King Bhumibol. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958007-toon-bodyslam-ends-charity-run-with-donations-soar-to-63-million-baht/?do=findComment&comment=11415037

 

[webfact]

Flooding in Nakhon Si Thammarat gradually eases up

 

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 12 December 2016 (NNT) - Improvements have been reported in the flood situation in Nakhon Si Thammarat province as drainage equipment and machinery are being deployed. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958084-flooding-in-nakhon-si-thammarat-gradually-eases-up/

 

[webfact]

Ombudsmen complete ethics code for court, independent organizations

 

 

BANGKOK, 12 December 2016 (NNT) – The Office of the Ombudsman has completed the draft of the ethical standards for judges of the constitutional court and persons holding positions in independent organizations, before revision with related agencies prior to submitting the draft to the assembly. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958085-ombudsmen-complete-ethics-code-for-court-independent-organizations/

 

[webfact]

DLPW warns potential fire hazard in at workplaces in winter

 

 

BANGKOK, 12 December 2016 (NNT) – The Department of Labour Protection and Walfare (DLPW) is concerned of the health of employers and employees due to the onset of the winter season, urging extra safety precautions at workplaces to the prevention of the potential fire hazards. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958086-dlpw-warns-potential-fire-hazard-in-at-workplaces-in-winter/

 

[webfact]

Yala holds event to urge child rights protection

 

 

YALA, 12th December 2016 (NNT) - Various agencies in the southernmost province of Yala have co-organized an event to raise the level of public participation in the protection of the rights of children in the far south. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958087-yala-holds-event-to-urge-child-rights-protection/ 

 

[webfact]

Alcohol Watch calls for probe of top cop
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- AN anti-alcohol network has called for an investigation of Bt50,000 monthly payments made to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt-General Sanit Mahathavorn’s since last year from a leading drinks firm.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958089-alcohol-watch-calls-for-probe-of-top-cop/

 

[webfact]

Hotels and Tourism Outlets Gear Up for 2016 Chiang Rai ASEAN Flower Festival

 

CHIANG RAI – The Tourism Authority of Thailand and tourism agencies have held a press conference on the upcoming 2016 Chiang Rai ASEAN Flower Festival at Chiang Rai’ s old City Hall.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958090-hotels-and-tourism-outlets-gear-up-for-2016-chiang-rai-asean-flower-festival/

 

[webfact]

Phuket holds grand OTOP fair

 

 

BANGKOK, 12 December 2016 (NNT) - The Community Development Department organizes a grand regional OTOP fair in Phuket. This year’s event takes “The Treasure of Wisdom Parade” as its theme. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958091-phuket-holds-grand-otop-fair/

 

[webfact]

Palace allows every waiting mourners to enter each day

  

BANGKOK, 12 December 2016 (NNT) – The Bureau of the Royal Household be allowing all waiting mourners to enter the Grand Palace to pay their respects to the late King Rama IX until the last person each night. 

A huge number of people has come to pay their respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, resulting in long waiting lines, which the Bureau of the Royal Household is managing to provide all persons in the queue with entry each night. 

The bureau has announced it will grant entry to all persons even after the closing time at 9 p.m. due to the sheer amount of mourners. 

The mourning public are allowed to enter Sanam Luang area and form a queue each day from 4 a.m. onwards. 

Persons who wish to visit the palace in groups are advised to prepare documents including contact information, which will allow officials to provide them with a better service, especially for members of the mourning public who are children and elders.

 

-- nnt 2016-12-12

[webfact]

AIS moves to wean customers off 7-Eleven prepaid refill cards
By USANEE MONGKOLPORN 
THE NATION

 

An AIS Buddy shop in Chiang Rai province. AIS will expand the number of Buddy Shops where customers can buy prepaid refill cards and pay phone bills.

 

BANGKOK: -- ADVANCED INFO Service will expand the number of its traditional call-value top-up channels and encourage subscribers to refill call value online in its effort to depend less on 7-Eleven convenience stores for distribution of its prepaid refill cards.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958092-ais-moves-to-wean-customers-off-7-eleven-prepaid-refill-cards/

 

[webfact]

Thailand slips 3 points in development rankings
By USANEE MONGKOLPORN 
SIRIVISH TOOMGUM 
THE NATION 

 

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND’S ICT Development Index (IDI) ranking in 2016 from the International Telecom Union (ITU) fell to 82 this year from 79 last year, according to the ITU annual Measuring the Information Society Report.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958093-thailand-slips-3-points-in-development-rankings/

 

[webfact]

KBank sets up real estate service to target wealthy clients
By SUCHEERA PINIJPARAKARN 
THE NATION 

 

Jirawat Supornpaibul, head of Private Banking Business and executive vice president

 

KASIKORNBANK has taken another step to strengthen its private banking business by positioning itself as a real estate adviser to the hi-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958094-kbank-sets-up-real-estate-service-to-target-wealthy-clients/

 

[webfact]

Ambitious plans for Phuket
By SUCHAT SRITAMA 
THE NATION 
PHUKET 

 

 

PHUKET: -- NEWLY APPOINTED Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan has mapped out a security, resources and logistics plan for the famous resort-island, aiming to make it a safe destination for international tourists and replace the negative reputation it has in some quarters with a more positive image.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958095-ambitious-plans-for-phuket/

 

[webfact]

Fishermen in last-ditch bid to save Krabi’s rich marine life
By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation

 

Fishermen brave heavy rain to retrieve fish from the sea at Chong Leam Hin Channel near Ban Laem Hin in Krabi. Photo Pratch Rujivanarom 

 

PM scheduled to decide on disputed coal power plant in area next month

 

KRAI: -- IN a quest to protect their livelihoods and the environment, traditional fishermen of Ban Laem Hin village in Krabi have been engaged in a long-running battle to stop construction of the Krabi coal-fired power plant and coal-transporting pier.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958096-fishermen-in-last-ditch-bid-to-save-krabi’s-rich-marine-life/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Temple followers to petition King over ‘persecution’ of Dhammachayo
By Anan Wijitpracha, 
Pongsatat Rujiputthanyapat 
The Nation 

 

Ongart Thamnita, spokesman for Dhammakaya Temple’s followers, holds a picture of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn during a press conference yesterday. Photo Anan Wijitpracha

 

DHAMMAKAYA TEMPLE’S followers are planning to petition HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn for help over what they believe are unfair actions against the temple and its current “honorary” abbot Phra Dhammachayo.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957843-dhammachayo-disciples-seeking-royal-help-to-avoid-possible-violence/?do=findComment&comment=11415118

 

[webfact]

Police to finalise inquiries into rape of Australian woman
By Kornkamol Aksorndej 
The Nation 

 

 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- POLICE are trying to complete their investigation into the rape of an Australian tourist within a week. The assault took place at a parking lot in Bangkok’s Taling Chan district last Monday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958097-police-to-finalise-inquiries-into-rape-of-australian-woman/

 

[webfact]

Thailand awaits Trump’s foreign policy team
By Kavi Chongkittavorn 
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Only 39 days remain for the US State Department to upgrade relations with Thailand after more than 942 days of a “You-do-as-I-say” campaign.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958099-thailand-awaits-trump’s-foreign-policy-team/

 

[webfact]

Trump dismisses reports of Russian meddling

Catherine Hardy

 

 

NEW YORK: -- US President-elect Donald Trump says he does not believe reports that intelligence agencies concluded Russia intervened in the presidential election on his behalf.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958102-trump-dismisses-reports-of-russian-meddling/

 

[webfact]

Boris Johnson defiant in Saudi Arabia

Catherine Hardy

 

 

RIYADH: -- Visting Riyadh, the UK’s foreign secretary has reiterated his country’s close ties to Saudi Arabia, days after making comments widely interpreted as critical of the conservative Gulf Arab country.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958103-boris-johnson-defiant-in-saudi-arabia/

 

[webfact]

Cairo attack: 25 dead, dozens wounded in Coptic cathedral bombing

 

 

CAIRO: -- A bombing at Cairo’s largest Coptic cathedral has killed at least 25 people and wounded nearly 50 others.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958104-cairo-attack-25-dead-dozens-wounded-in-coptic-cathedral-bombing/

 

[webfact]

Istanbul stadium attack: Offshoot of Kurdish PKK claims responsibility

 

 

ISTANBUL: -- An offshoot of the Kurdish militant group the PKK has said it was behind Saturday’s twin bomb attack outside a football stadium in Istanbul.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958105-istanbul-stadium-attack-offshoot-of-kurdish-pkk-claims-responsibility/

 

[webfact]

Syria: intense battle for ancient city of Palmyra

 

 

PALMYRA: -- An intense battle for control of Palmyra in Syria has reportedly been swinging back and forth between government forces and ISIL fighters.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958108-syria-intense-battle-for-ancient-city-of-palmyra/

 

[webfact]

Paolo Gentiloni to be Italy’s new prime minister

Catherine Hardy

 

 

ROME: -- Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni will be the country’s new prime minister.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958109-paolo-gentiloni-to-be-italy’s-new-prime-minister/

 

[webfact]

US says 2,000 IS fighters killed, gravely wounded in Mosul

By ROBERT BURNS

 

QAYARA AIR BASE, Iraq (AP) — Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces have killed or gravely wounded more than 2,000 Islamic State fighters in the battle for Mosul since October, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Sunday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958110-us-says-2000-is-fighters-killed-gravely-wounded-in-mosul/

 

[webfact]

For all his threats, Trump is seen by businesses as key ally

By JOSH BOAK

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has lost no chance to bash or threaten individual companies that cross him.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958111-for-all-his-threats-trump-is-seen-by-businesses-as-key-ally/

 

[webfact]

Nigerian church collapses, 160 dead, says hospital director

By HILARY UGURU and MICHELLE FAUL

 

WARRI, Nigeria (AP) — Mortuaries overflowed with bodies Sunday from a church collapse in southern Nigeria that killed at least 160 people, and worshippers said construction of the building had been rushed.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/958112-nigerian-church-collapses-160-dead-says-hospital-director/

 

[webfact]

Shoppers targeted by new Amazon scam designed to steal credit card details

BY STAFF WRITER 

 

 

As the holiday season approaches, shoppers are being targeted in a new online phishing scam.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/shoppers-targeted-by-new-amazon-scam-designed-to-steal-credit-card-details/18971/