Putin 'very smart', says Trump, as Russia fails to retaliate to US 'hacking' expulsions

 

 

It’s goodbye for now for 35 Russian diplomats and their families who on Thursday (December 29) were given 72 hours to leave the US.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961238-putin-very-smart-says-trump-as-russia-fails-to-retaliate-to-us-hacking-expulsions/

The week that was in Thailand news: Out with the old, in with the old

 

 

New Year is supposed to be a time for looking forward with optimism to the future. But after a week of news on Thaivisa that fell into the “same old same old” category it was hard to be anything but pessimistic.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961248-the-week-that-was-in-thailand-news-out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old/

 

‘Smart’ micro power grids to be tested over next five years

By   PICHAYA CHANGSORN 
THE NATION 
MAE HONG SON

 

This 1.25 megawattMae Sariang hydro power station in Mae Hong Son province will become part of the Provincial Electricity Authority’s first micro grid project.

 

STATE-OWNED power utilities are expected to spend Bt5 billion for three to five pilot ‘smart-grid’ projects during the next five years, said Twarath Sutabutr, spokesman of the Energy Ministry and director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961285-‘smart’-micro-power-grids-to-be-tested-over-next-five-years/

 

Tourism still robust, despite cheap-tour crackdowns

By SUCHAT SRITAMA 
THE NATION  

 

DESPITE the government crackdown on illegal tourism businesses and cheap “zero-dollar tours”, China is expected to remain the strongest source for arrivals to Thailand, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.

 

Full story:  http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961286-tourism-still-robust-despite-cheap-tour-crackdowns/

 

Phuket frets over shorter peak season

By SUCHAT SRITAMA  
THE NATION 

 

PHUKET is experiencing a shorter peak season this year due to a change in the market, and it is a matter of concern for hospitality firms when it comes to the 2017 low season, according to Bill Barnett, managing director of the C9 Hotelworks consultancy firm.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961288-phuket-frets-over-shorter-peak-season/

 

Eventful year ahead in politics, with general election on horizon

By Kittipong Thavevong 
The Nation

 

 

The coming 12 months will be another exciting time for Thai politics, with the promulgation of the country’s new constitution and key organic laws that are necessary for the next general election.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961289-eventful-year-ahead-in-politics-with-general-election-on-horizon/

 

Lengthy criminal case against former PM Yingluck set to reach conclusion

By Kasamakorn Chanwanpen 
The Nation

 

Yingluck

 

The new year will see the end of the ongoing criminal case against ousted former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over her alleged negligence of duty in the rice-pledging scheme.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961291-lengthy-criminal-case-against-former-pm-yingluck-set-to-reach-conclusion/

 

Dhammachayo saga carries into the new year

By The Nation

 

 

The controversial Dhammakaya Temple and its fugitive “honorary abbot” Phra Dhammachayo will almost certainly remain in the spotlight for another year in 2017.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961292-dhammachayo-saga-carries-into-the-new-year/

 

Rail progress: Bangkok commuters set to benefit from more route options in 2017

By Sasithorn Ongdee 
The Nation

 

 

Next year could turn out to be a breakthrough one for commuters travelling between Bangkok and surrounding areas by rail, as many more options look set to become available.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961293-rail-progress-bangkok-commuters-set-to-benefit-from-more-route-options-in-2017/

 

Hilltribe man makes partial confession in drugs case

By Kesinee Taengkhiao 
The Nation

 

Laota (C)

 

Alleged drug baron Laota Sanli, arrested in October along with 20 kilograms of crystal meth, or ice, in Chiang Mai province, made a partial confession at a Bangkok court yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961294-hilltribe-man-makes-partial-confession-in-drugs-case/

 

Chinese tourist with serious heart condition found dead in Phuket hotel pool

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Friends stand by the hotel pool after attempts to resuscitate fellow Chinese tourist Dong Jian failed. Photo: Kamala Police
 

PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a 28-year-old Chinese tourist whose body was found in a hotel pool at Kamala early yesterday morning (Dec 30).

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961295-chinese-tourist-with-serious-heart-condition-found-dead-in-phuket-hotel-pool/

 

PM hopes people are happy and healthy

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha and other key figures yesterday extended New Year wishes to the public.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961296-pm-hopes-people-are-happy-and-healthy/

 

King expresses well wishes to the people on New Year’s Day

 

 

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun expressed his well wishes to the Thai people on the occasion of the New Year and thanked them for their friendliness and support in his performance of duties.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961298-king-expresses-well-wishes-to-the-people-on-new-year’s-day/

 

Casualties up on last year after 2 days

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

What is left after a fatal road accident in Surat Thani that left four people dead – all of them from the same family.

 

A TOTAL of 113 people were killed and 1,299 others injured in 1,204 road accidents nationwide during the first two days of the seven-day holiday period, despite a road-safety campaign.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961299-casualties-up-on-last-year-after-2-days/

 

Krabi prisoners released on Royal pardon

Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

 

PHUKET: Prisoners walked out of Krabi Prison yesterday morning as the Royal pardon instated to commemorate the beginning of the reign of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun came into motion.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961300-krabi-prisoners-released-on-royal-pardon/

 

Phuket stays death-free in New Year road-safety campaign 

The Phuket News

 

A foreigner wearing a helmet passes safely through the police checkpoint at Kathu. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot
 

PHUKET: Phuket has maintained its record of zero fatalities in the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign for the New Year holidays, the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) reported today (Dec 31).

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961301-phuket-stays-death-free-in-new-year-road-safety-campaign/

 

‘Army won’t interfere with next poll result’

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

General Chalermchai Sittisart

 

THE ARMY CHIEF has vowed not to interfere with the results of the next general election even if the previous ruling political party wins in the national vote.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961302-‘army-won’t-interfere-with-next-poll-result’/

 

Chelsea gets 13th straight win, Liverpool maintains pursuit

ROB HARRIS, AP Global Soccer Writer

 

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Chelsea fought off a dogged Stoke for a record-equaling 13th successive Premier League win as Liverpool maintained its pursuit of the leaders with a victory over Manchester City.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961303-chelsea-gets-13th-straight-win-liverpool-maintains-pursuit/

 

Chelsea defeats Stoke to claim 13th successive EPL win

 

LONDON (AP) — Willian scored twice as leader Chelsea overcame Stoke 4-2 to equal an English Premier League record for 13 straight wins in a single season.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961304-chelsea-defeats-stoke-to-claim-13th-successive-epl-win/

 

Klopp boosts Liverpool title push by edging Guardiola's City 

ROB HARRIS, AP Global Soccer Writer

 

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Juergen Klopp has turned Liverpool into credible English Premier League title contenders again.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961305-klopp-boosts-liverpool-title-push-by-edging-guardiolas-city/

 

Leicester ends winless streak with 1-0 win v West Ham

 

LEICESTER, England (AP) — Leicester moved six points clear of the relegation zone on Saturday after the struggling champions beat West Ham 1-0 for their first English Premier League victory in four matches.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961307-leicester-ends-winless-streak-with-1-0-win-v-west-ham/

 

Martial, Pogba score late as Man United beats Middlesbrough 

 

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Jose Mourinho's year looked like ending badly before his Manchester United team scored two goals in the closing minutes to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the English Premier League on Saturday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961309-martial-pogba-score-late-as-man-united-beats-middlesbrough/

 

At least 35 shot dead in Istanbul 'terror attack'

Sarah Joanne Taylor

 

 

A gun attack on Reina nightclub in Istanbul has left at least 35 people dead and more than 40 people wounded, according to the city’s governor. Ten people are said to be in a serious condition.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961310-at-least-35-shot-dead-in-istanbul-terror-attack/

 

 

Several hurt as car ploughs into crowd in Finland

 

 

When a vehicle ploughs into pedestrians in today’s Europe, fears of a terror attack are inevitable.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961311-several-hurt-as-car-ploughs-into-crowd-in-finland/

 

Greek ambassador death: Brazilian policeman admits to murdering 'his lover's husband'

 

 

In a plot-twist worthy of a telenovela, a policeman from Rio de Janeiro has confessed to murdering the Greek ambassador to Brazil, who is said to have been his lover’s husband.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961313-greek-ambassador-death-brazilian-policeman-admits-to-murdering-his-lovers-husband/

 

"Cinderella" opera written by 11-year-old Briton takes Vienna by storm

Robert Hackwill

 

 

She is only 11 but already words like “genius” are being used to describe the musical talents of London schoolgirl Alma Deutscher, who has just wowed the crowd in Vienna with the world-premiere of her self-penned opera “Cinderella”.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961314-cinderella-opera-written-by-11-year-old-briton-takes-vienna-by-storm/

 

Deadly double bombing at Baghdad market

 

 

Twin explosions in a busy market in central Baghdad on Saturday killed over 27 people and injured dozens more.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961316-deadly-double-bombing-at-baghdad-market/

 

Palestinian woman shot by Israeli police 'was attempting knife attack'

 

 

Israeli police say a Palestinian woman, shot and injured by security forces on Friday, had been trying to carry out a stabbing attack.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961317-palestinian-woman-shot-by-israeli-police-was-attempting-knife-attack/

 

New Year's fireworks see in 2017, from Auckland to Pyongyang

 

 

Millions of people have already been celebrating the arrival of 2017.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961319-new-years-fireworks-see-in-2017-from-auckland-to-pyongyang/

 

Tenth successive weekend protest against South Korea's president

 

 

For the tenth weekend running a large crowd turned out in Seoul on New Year’s Eve to protest against South Korea’s president, demanding her immediate resignation over a corruption scandal that has led to moves to impeach her.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/961320-tenth-successive-weekend-protest-against-south-koreas-president/