2014/2557 Thai Holidays

Wednesday 1 January - New Year’s Day
Friday 14 February - Makha Bucha Day
Monday 7 April - Substitution for Chakri Day (Sunday 6 April)
Monday 14 April - Songkran Festival
Tuesday 15 April - Songkran Festival
Thursday 1 May - National Labour Day
Monday 5 May - Coronation Day
Tuesday 13 May - Visakha Bucha Day
Tuesday 1 July - Mid Year Closing Day
Friday 11 July - Asarnha Bucha Day
Tuesday 12 August - H.M. the Queen’s Birthday
Thursday 23 October - Chulalongkorn Day
Friday 5 December - H.M. the King's Birthday
Wednesday 10 December - Constitution Day
Wednesday 31 December - New Year’s Eve

Cold Spell To Continue - with some improvement

By the end of the week nighttime temperatures are forecast to only fall to about 16C.
Meanwhile 36 provinces have been hit...

Thirty-six provinces have been declared as cold disaster zones, including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Uttaradit, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Tak, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Lamphun and Uthai Thani in the north.
Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Sakon Nakhon, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Nong Khai, Si Sa Ket, Bung Kan, Yasothon, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Surin, Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeast are in the zones. Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, and Kanchanaburi in the central region complete the list


READ MORE AT BANGKOK POST

Where Next???

Election Commission pleads for govt to postpone polls

READ MORE AT BANGKOK POST

Din Daeng residents slam use of tear gas

READ MORE AT THE NATION

Baht falls to 4-year low

READ MORE AT THE NATION

Price of diesel set to soar to 40 baht - Excise tax subsidy due to expire this month

The pump price of diesel may reach 40 baht next year if the caretaker government fails to seek cabinet approval for the extension of the fuel's excise tax subsidy, which expires at the end of this year.

READ MORE.

Muay Thai - Lords of the Ring

By Patrick Cusick

Muay Thai - World Champions and Greatest Heroes
The chronicles of Muay Thai from ancient battlefields to 21st century warriors

available from smashwords

About Patrick Cusick

Patrick Cusick is a journalist, editor and specialist writer on Asian cultures and human nature. During a 30-year career in mainstream media he edited newspapers and magazines in Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand and became a popular presenter for lifestyle programs on cable television networks including CNBC and Star TV. As a scholar of naturopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine he spent several years travelling the world researching and writing while studying ancient cultures including alchemy and cosmology, as well as interviewing the leading scientific pioneers of new physics and quantum mechanics.

New Year Offers At Crystal Hill Garden Resort

No Snow....

There is no chance it will snow in Thailand soon, as meteorological conditions and the low altitude of most of the country would not permit it, experts said yesterday.

Their prediction came in the wake of speculation that the Kingdom could see snow following a sharp drop in temperatures across the country, and snowfalls in Egypt and Vietnam in the past few days.

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Temperatures in North, Northeast expected to fall further

WITH DOI INTHANON in Chiang Mai blanketed with frost and temperatures at -2 degrees Celsius early yesterday, the weather bureau issued a warning of thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail as well as an 8 to 10-degree Celsius drop in temperature until Sunday in upper Thailand.


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It's getting Cold

Night time temperatures set to fall to 9C midweek,.  Next they'll be forecasting a white Christmas

Thailand targets 50% reduction in Road Fatalities by 2020

A good idea, if there were any specific plans.  Maybe enforcing current laws on seat belts and wearing motorbike helmets would start.

First on the list of ideas is to get all agencies to work together to get a better estimate on the number of fatalities...

According to TTR

Thailand will introduce measures to cut road fatalities by 50% by the year 2020, as part of a road safety campaign that has been placed on the national agenda.
In theory, national agenda status means all ministries must co-operate and coordinate efforts to reach the objectives of road safety projects or campaigns.

Ministry of Interior deputy permanent secretary, Panadda Diskul, said Thailand, as a member of the United Nations, needed to push harder to promote road safety to lower road accidents.

READ MORE

e san food

House dissolved

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday morning announced that the House of Representatives has been dissolved to pave way for fresh elections.

READ MORE AT BANGKOK POST

Thai Lion Air makes maiden flight. To add Udon Thani next year

The two cities represent the TLA's first international foray, and scheduled services bound for Kuala Lumpur at one daily and to Jakarta twice daily were confirmed to commence on Dec 18.

On the Thai domestic front, TLA has decided to begin flights to Hat Yai and Krabi in February and March next year, to be followed by Udon Thani and Ubol Ratchathani.


Read more at Bangkok Post

Democrat MP's to resign en masse. D Day set for tomorrow to oust the 'Thaksin Regime'

Democrat Party MPs to resign en masse : Abhisit  - More at The Nation

All roads lead to Govt House, Democrats resign en masse - More at Bangkok Post

Also..

Passengers advised to reach Suvarnabhumi Airport four hours earlier - More at the Nation

Thailand plans to overhaul English Teaching in schools

REGULATION WILL CAP CLASS SIZES AT 20, DITCH FOCUS ON GRAMMAR

The ministry also wants 40% of English-language teachers who do not hold a degree in English to pass B1, or intermediate, level next year, 60% in 2016, and 80% in 2018.


READ MORE AT BANGKOK POST

When shots rang out and five were killed around Ramkhamhaeng University last weekend, police were nowhere to be seen during 17 hours of terror.

Spectrum has learned that there were bloody confrontations in Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24 behind the university and stadium as red shirts, at least half a dozen believed to be armed, and students carrying bats...


READ MORE AT BANGKOK POST

Introductory fare from Nok for the Krabi route

Nok Air offers an introductory fare to support its newest route,  Bangkok -Krabi, due to start 1 January 2014.
The Bt1,299 one-way fare, inclusive of airport taxes and surcharges, is on offer for passengers departing Bangkok directly to Krabi including a Fly ‘n’ Ride option to Ao Nang Bay.

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Happy Fathers Day

Thais will celebrate a public holiday today to honour His Majesty the King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, on his 86th birthday.
Thai people will wear yellow a show of respect  because yellow is  the colour for Monday, the day the King  was born.

All public offices and homes will fly the national flag to signify respect and the deep loyalty all Thais feel for the monarchy.
READ MORE

The Bangkok Writers

The Bangkok Writers: Tales from the other City of Angels. There is another City of Angels apart from Los Angeles. It is Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Its Thai name, Krung Thep, means City of Angels. For many visitors Bangkok lives up to its name far better than LA. It is with great pleasure that I can introduce some of the best English language writers based in Bangkok . 

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE NOW

There is another City of Angels apart from Los Angeles. It is Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Its Thai name, Krung Thep, means City of Angels. For many visitors Bangkok lives up to its name far better than LA.

It is with great pleasure that I can introduce some of the best English language writers based in Bangkok over the last thirty years. Many of you will know of them already from their columns and articles in Bangkok’s English language press, the Bangkok Post, The Nation, the long gone Bangkok World and the many English language magazines that come and go.

Roger Crutchley was for many years the sports editor at the Post. On top of that he has had, and still has, a humourous Sunday column called PostScript. Over the years two collections of these columns were published. We have one available now as an ebook and another coming soon.

Staying with humourous columnists we have as ebooks the previously published books by Roger Beaumont and S. Tsow.
But the collection is more than this. In here you will find stories from S.P. Somtow who writes when he isn’t conducting orchestras and writing operas. You will come across Jim Newport, the leading expert on the vampires who live in this fascinating city. He has written a story of the Vampire of Siam exclusively for this anthology.

Excerpts from the published novels of Colin Cotterill and James Eckardt are included along with a story from William Page’s collection, The Nirvana Experiments. Not to be missed is a chapter on Thai proverbs from Mont Redmond’s recently republished in both print and as an ebook, Wondering into Thai Culture or Thai Whys and Otherwise.

You will find in this book both humour and pathos, so please sit back and enjoy.

All of the authors now have their ebooks available on the leading retail sites. Check at the end of the book for the titles and details.

The authors -
William Page
Roger Crutchley
Jim Newport
James Eckardt
S.P.Somtow
Colin Cotterill
S.Tsow
Mont Redmond
Roger Beaumont

By DCO
Published by Proglen
Rating: Not yet rated. 
Published: Dec. 02, 2013 
Words: 43,240 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9786167817224

British Ambassador Mark Gooding today launched 300 “GREAT” British tuktuks onto the streets of Phnom Penh.

Speaking at the launch, Ambassador Gooding said:

I am delighted to launch our GREAT British tuktuks today to raise awareness in Cambodia of GREAT Britain, a country that is both familiar and surprising, a small island with big ideas. Each tuktuk carries a vibrant image representing GREAT Britain’s diversity, its heritage, its innovation and its creativity.

GREAT Britain: a country that is both familiar and surprising

What do you see when you think about Britain? Our Royal Family and our love of pageantry and tradition? Iconic London landmarks like the Houses of Parliament or the Tower of London? The outstanding beauty of Snowdonia, the Scottish Highlands or the White Cliffs of Dover? Or one of our 28 World Heritage sites, such as the ancient monument of Stonehenge?

Or do you think of a modern Britain? Vibrant London with new additions to its iconic skyline such as the Gherkin, the Orbit Tower or the Shard? Modern artworks, such as the Angel of the North? The latest attractions, such as the making of Harry Potter Studio Tour?

This juxtaposition of old and new permeates every aspect of British life. The country that gave birth to Elgar and the Beatles remains at the forefront of the music scene with Adele and Tinie Tempah. Our national museums and art galleries, which are free to enter, now hold some of the world’s famous old masters and antiquities, as well as the latest works by Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and even Banksy. The country that produced Shakespeare is also the country that lays claim to Irvine Welsh and Danny Boyle. Our famous universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, are some of the oldest centres of learning but lead the world in producing new ideas. It’s no surprise then that 10% of the world’s international students come to the UK to learn at our universities.

As a trading nation, Britain has embraced other cultures, quickly absorbing foods, traditions and words from overseas. We’ve always thrived on the exchange of goods, ideas and people. Our people are diverse, warm and welcoming. English is our national language, spoken by more than 600m people worldwide, but we’re also home to over 160 nationalities speaking over 300 different languages. They are united by a genuine passion for life – just visit any football, rugby or cricket stadium to see for yourself.

GREAT Britain: a small island with big ideas

Britain may be steeped in tradition, but we rarely look backward when it comes to business. We are a world-leading nation of innovators; from DNA to MRI to IVF, the UK has won 77 Nobel Prizes in natural and physical sciences and has the largest life sciences sector in Europe.

We are a trading nation and play a key role in the global marketplace. Britain today is the world’s second largest exporter of commercial services. Our business-friendly, stable political environment attracts investment from around the world – from 58 countries in 2010–12. Businesses come to take advantage of our thriving home market as well as using the UK as a springboard into the US$ trillion EU market. Entrepreneurs are attracted to the UK too, as it takes as little as 13 days to set up a business here.

Our successful business people are interesting, passionate and at times eccentric and subversive; we embrace Sir Paul Smith, Dame Vivienne Westwood and Sir Richard Branson. All iconoclasts and quintessentially British.”

For pictures of the launch, please go to our Facebook page UK in Cambodia

Note: The British Embassy Phnom Penh is advertising this GREAT campaign on 300 tuktuks, but these tuktuks do not belong to the Embassy.

Prepare for increases in Diesel Prices next year

The Energy Ministry plans to hike prices for diesel and natural gas for vehicles (NGV) gradually next year in preparation for the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Prime Minister says she will resign if it wil solve the problems

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has rejected the anti-government group's demand she hand power to an unelected "People's Council", but insisted she will do anything else needed to restore peace in the country.

Read more at the Bangkok Post

No more teargas: Metropolitan police chief promises

Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Khamronvit Thupkrajang promised Tuesday that police guarding his bureau would no longer fire teargases to fend off protesters.

He said he would allow the protesters to reach and seize the bureau.

The supreme protest leader, Suthep Thaugsuban, vowed to have protesters "seize" the bureau Tuesday.

Khamronvit said he has not been removed as the commander in charge of forces dealing with the protesters.

He said he had instructed police to open the line and clap to welcome the protesters when they arrive.

Thai Rath reported that Khamronvit inspected the police line at the First Army Division Intersection.

"There will be no clash today. If the protesters want to seize the Metropolitan Police, let them," Thai Rath quoted Khamronvit as saying.

"I've told my subordinates not to fire teargases. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."

READ MORE AT THE NATION

Off the tracks - again

A rail trip by State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Prapat Chongsanguan to show off the safety of the reopened northern track, following major repairs after a spate of derailments, instead became  a huge embarassment on Monday when the train carrying him derailed in Lamphun.


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The latest on Thailand

US, UK raise rally concerns


 Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday night gave Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra an ultimatum of two days to return power to people.

Descent into chaos

Rival groups clash in Chiang Rai, minor injuries result

December Special deals at Crystal Hill Garden Resort

Keep yourself up to date with the latest on the Bangkok Demonstrations

UK updates foreign travel advice for Thailand following shooting in Bangkok


One killed as 'V-Day' eve violence erupts SHOTS FIRED AS THOUSANDS OF RAMKHAMHAENG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND RED SHIRTS BRAWL - Bangkok Post

Soldiers enlisted to assist police - The Nation