THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 12 Dec 2019

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Australian man and former Nana nightclub owner acquitted of human trafficking

 

 

A Sudanese-Australian man who used to manage a nightclub in the Nana area of Bangkok has been acquitted of human trafficking and procuring women for prostitution

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138252-australian-man-and-former-nana-nightclub-owner-acquitted-of-human-trafficking/

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Russian tourist arrivals hit 1mn, overall arrivals reach 32.51mn

By Anton Makhrov

 

Russian are still heavyweights in Phuket's buoyant tourism industry. Photo: Miguel Discart / Flickr

 

PHUKET: Once again Russia became the first non-Asia tourist market to record 1mn visits to Thailand. Australia, the US and European countries are yet to make it.

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138215-russian-tourist-arrivals-hit-1mn-overall-arrivals-reach-3251mn/

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King Power lone bidder for duty-free concession at Don Mueang International Airport

By THE NATION

 

 

King Power Duty Free of King Power Group was the only company submitting a bidding price for duty-free concession at Don Mueang International Airport, a senior official of Airports of Thailand said today (December 11).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138233-king-power-lone-bidder-for-duty-free-concession-at-don-mueang-international-airport/

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Thai electronics firm compensates exploited workers in rare award

By Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

Migrant workers from Myanmar test the quality of monitors as they work on a TV assembly line at a factory in Bangkok, Thailand July 22, 2019. Picture taken July 22, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Burmese migrants who were illegally charged excessive recruitment fees to secure jobs at an electronics manufacturer in Thailand are being compensated in a rare award expected to spotlight a practice known to trap workers in modern slavery.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138286-thai-electronics-firm-compensates-exploited-workers-in-rare-award/

 

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Children of migrant labourers need govt assistance, says researcher

By THE NATION

 

 

A Chulalongkorn University researcher has called for government measures to assist the children of migrant labourers.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138289-children-of-migrant-labourers-need-govt-assistance-says-researcher/

 

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Thai sovereign credit rating raised to positive

By THE NATION

 

 

S&P Global Ratings revised its outlook on Thailand's sovereign credit rating to positive from stable.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138290-thai-sovereign-credit-rating-raised-to-positive/

 

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Economy to pick up on state enterprises' investment

By THE NATION

 

 

State enterprises' investment of around Bt100 billion in the current quarter will spur the local economy, said Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana yesterday (December 11) at an event hosted by Thansettakit newspaper.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138291-economy-to-pick-up-on-state-enterprises-investment/

 

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Lucky times in Hua Hin

By The Nation

 

 

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin brings its popular Chokedee Winter Market (Lucky Winter Market) back to town on December 26 and this year it is offering an even bigger and better line up of festive food, fun activities, fabulous merchants and free entertainment with a festive flair.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138292-lucky-times-in-hua-hin/

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Despite a few brilliant turns, Thailand fails to impress at the SEA Games

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam
THE NATION

 

Thailand sepak takraw team play against Malaysia.

 

Thailand fell short in their SEA Games mission, winning just 92 gold medals and will have to settle for third place behind Vietnam and overall winner Philippines as the curtain falls this evening on the 30th edition of the sporting event.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138293-despite-a-few-brilliant-turns-thailand-fails-to-impress-at-the-sea-games/

 

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Royal Forest Department and ALRO cannot agree which should proceed against Ms. Pareena

 

 

The Royal Forest Department and the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) are still at the loggerheads over which of them will take legal action against Palang Pracharat MP for Ratchaburi province, Ms. Pareena Kraikupt, over her illegal occupation of 109 hectares of Sor Por Kor land in Chom Boeng district of Ratchaburi province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138294-royal-forest-department-and-alro-cannot-agree-which-should-proceed-against-ms-pareena/

 

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Court orders AOT to remove all barriers blocking access to Central Village Luxury Outlet

 

 

Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court has upheld the ruling of a lower court ordering the Airports of Thailand Company (AOT) to remove all the barricades on Highway 370 blocking access to and exit from the Central Village Luxury Outlet.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138295-court-orders-aot-to-remove-all-barriers-blocking-access-to-central-village-luxury-outlet/

 

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Finance minister assures Thai economy not critical, just slowing down

 

 

Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana reaffirmed today that the Thai economy this year is just slowing down and is not in a critical situation, with the likelihood that it will pick up next year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138296-finance-minister-assures-thai-economy-not-critical-just-slowing-down/

 

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Another day of infamy for the EC – Piyabutr

 

 

Future Forward party secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul has called the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Future Forward party “another day of infamy” for this independent organization.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138297-another-day-of-infamy-for-the-ec-–-piyabutr/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thai election panel wants opposition party dissolved over loans from leader

 

 

FILE PHOTO: Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party, speaks during a news conference at the parliament in Bangkok, Thailand June 5, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's election panel asked the Constitutional Court on Wednesday to dissolve the opposition Future Forward Party, accusing it of infringing laws governing political parties by accepting multimillion-dollar loans from its leader.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138198-ec-petitions-charter-court-to-dissolve-future-forward-over-thanathorn-loan/?do=findComment&comment=14849080

 

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With Netanyahu's fate in question, Israel heads to new election

By Jeffrey Heller

 

FILE PHOTO: A combination picture shows Benny Gantz (left), leader of Blue and White party, at an election campaign event in Ashkelon, Israel, April 3, 2019, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu smiling at a polling station in Jerusalem, April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File photo, Ariel Schalit/Pool via REUTERS

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel headed on Wednesday towards a third national election in less than a year with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing the fight of his life for political survival after a criminal indictment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138300-with-netanyahus-fate-in-question-israel-heads-to-new-election/

 

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Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen seeks reduction in U.S. prison term

By Mark Hosenball

 

FILE PHOTO: Michael Cohen, U.S. President Donald Trump's former lawyer, leaves his apartment to report to prison in Manhattan, New York, U.S., May 6, 2019. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Michael Cohen, a former lawyer for Donald Trump who became a key witness against the president for House Democrats, is seeking a reduction in his current three-year prison sentence, an attorney for Cohen said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138301-former-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-seeks-reduction-in-us-prison-term/

 

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United Kingdom votes to decide the fate of Brexit, again

By Guy Faulconbridge and Elizabeth Piper

 

FILE PHOTO: A polling station sign is seen ahead of the forthcoming general election in London, Britain, December 11, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Voters go to the polls on Thursday in an election that will pave the way for Brexit under Prime Minister Boris Johnson or propel Britain towards another referendum that could ultimately reverse the decision to leave the European Union.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138302-united-kingdom-votes-to-decide-the-fate-of-brexit-again/

 

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U.S. House Democrats prepare for impeachment vote as Trump said to embrace short trial

By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell

 

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S., December 10, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives moved closer on Wednesday to impeaching Donald Trump, as the president and senior Republicans appeared to converge on the idea of a shorter trial once the charges come to the Senate in the new year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138303-us-house-democrats-prepare-for-impeachment-vote-as-trump-said-to-embrace-short-trial/

 

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Laguna Phuket Named DPE’s Honorable Contributor in Sports and Exercise

By THE NATION

 

Laguna Phuket was named Honorable Contributor in Sports and Exercise by Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Department of Physical Education (DPE) at its 86th anniversary celebration, held at National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

 

Presented by Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the prestigious award was exclusively presented to 7 organisations and 20 individuals selected by DPE’s judging panel from a rigorous nationwide award submissions. Laguna Phuket is the only awardee from Phuket Province in the organisations category.  

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138304-laguna-phuket-named-dpe’s-honorable-contributor-in-sports-and-exercise/

 

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Bangkok kicks off ‘City Lab Silom’ campaign

By THE NATION

 

 

Bangkok Governor Assawin Kwanmuang launched the ‘City Lab Silom’ campaign on Wednesday (December 11) in the grand opening ceremony for the landscape improvement project on Silom Road that it is implementing in partnership with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Faculty of Architecture of Chulalongkorn University and the private sector.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138307-bangkok-kicks-off-‘city-lab-silom’-campaign/

 

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Pattaya: Rogue estate agent ripped off Thais and foreigners to the tune of 45 million baht

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Pattaya police are investigating after a group of around 10 foreigners and Thais lodged complaints about a rogue estate agent (realtor) operating in the resort. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138310-pattaya-rogue-estate-agent-ripped-off-thais-and-foreigners-to-the-tune-of-45-million-baht/

 

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Keep calling Big Oud's hotline: German arrested on 218 day overstay

 

 

Naew Na repeated their request for the public to continue to call 1178 to help immigration with lawbreakers under chief Lt-Gen Sompong "Big Oud" Chingduang's clean-up drive.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138315-keep-calling-big-ouds-hotline-german-arrested-on-218-day-overstay/

 

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Phuket Tram project temporarily halted, more study needed

By THE NATION

 

 

Speaking in his capacity as president of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA)’s board, Department of Highways director-general Sarawut Songsiriwilai announced on Wednesday (December 11) that the board had agreed to temporarily halt the development of the Phuket Tram project and ordered MRTA to conduct a further study of the impacts across all dimensions.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138316-phuket-tram-project-temporarily-halted-more-study-needed/

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Slow treatment: Patient attempts to stab doctor in the neck with scissors

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

A patient in a Khon Kaen hospital angered about being made to wait attacked a doctor with a pair of scissors and got her in a headlock.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138319-slow-treatment-patient-attempts-to-stab-doctor-in-the-neck-with-scissors/

 

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KBank eyes banking fees from mid-income earners

By THE NATION

 

 

Kasikornbank (KBank) president Kattiya Indaravijaya said this week that the bank expects revenues from banking fees in 2020 to be in the range of minus 5-17 per cent due to customers’ preference for digital transactions and the new Thai Financial Reporting Standards (TFRS 9), which will be enforced on January 1.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138322-kbank-eyes-banking-fees-from-mid-income-earners/

 

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Pick-up for pick-ups girl: More details emerge about "Muay" on Jaumo dating app

 

Thai caption: She used a beautiful but fake profile picture

 

More details have emerged in the case of a 22 year old Chonburi woman who ripped-off at least a dozen men who acted as guarantors putting down payment on pick-ups. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138326-pick-up-for-pick-ups-girl-more-details-emerge-about-muay-on-jaumo-dating-app/

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Police report arson attacks, vandalism overnight in Hong Kong

By Donny Kwok

 

Protesters attend a Human Rights Day march in the district of Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, China December 8, 2019. Picture taken December 8, 2019. REUTERS/Laurel Chor/Files

 

(Reuters) - Hong Kong police said they arrested three people in connection with arson and vandalism in Kowloon late Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138328-police-report-arson-attacks-vandalism-overnight-in-hong-kong/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Scissors attack on doctor: Hospital want female patient charged with attempted murder

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Health officials and police met at Chumpae Hospital yesterday following the attack by a female in-patient on a 25 year old woman doctor. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138319-slow-treatment-patient-attempts-to-stab-doctor-in-the-neck-with-scissors/?do=findComment&comment=14849933

 

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The Cabinet approves the daily minimum wage hike by Bt5-Bt6

 

 

The Cabinet on December 11 approved the minimum wage increase according to the proposal by the National Wage Committee.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138331-the-cabinet-approves-the-daily-minimum-wage-hike-by-bt5-bt6/

 

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Mae Ya Nang Homage begins

By The Nation

 

 

Today, December 12, is a special day for Thailand, with the historical royal barge procession taking place on the Chao Phraya river. At 6.55 am, Admiral Luechai Ruddit, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, presided over the ceremony to pay homage to Mae Ya Nang at the Thonburi navy dockyard where all the barges are moored.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1138332-royal-barge-procession-mae-ya-nang-homage-begins/