Bangkok New Year's Eve countdown is still on
Prince visits comatose elder princess sister
The 17-year-old brother of 'Princess Paht', HRH Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, visited the hospital room of his older sister 'Princess Paht'.
The prince, who lives in Germany, is considered to be the most likely next king.
There is no record of his visit with 'Princess Paht' - HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who fell unconscious on December 15 and never has awakened.
The prince's appearance at Bangkok's King Chulalongkorn Hospital drew a crowd of monarchy loyalists, and King Vajiralongkorn called for everyone to be served food and drink.
PHOTO: Prince enters King Chulalongkorn Hospital with flowers for 'Princess Paht'.
https://www.topnews.co.th/news/535742
New Year's Eve is still on...
but there's a movement to cancel all celebrations, mostly because of the state of Princess Paht.
On Tuesday, for example, the national police chief General Damrongsak Kittiprapas ordered police units nationwide
nationwide to cancel all New Year's Eve party plans -- as a show of respect towards the princess.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said planned celebrations could go ahead, but all parties and fireworks would require a licence from City Hall.
TRAVEL TOURISTS NEW YEAR
Top Party Spot? Try Bangkok again
Bangkok has been named by CNN among the top 10 destinations in the world to celebrate New Year's Eve this year as it booms back to life after the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/2469565/
Ung-ing's our girl
This week's NIDA Poll -- National Institute of Development Administration -- was a headline-making nationwide survey of likely voters, in case an election is held:
Who is your pick to be the next prime minister of Thailand?
Overwhelmingly, so far, it's the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, de facto leader of the popular Pheu Thai Party.
Paetongtarn "Ung-ing" Shinawatra: 34% of respondents.
Retired General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the incumbent, 14.4%.
Pita Limjaroenrat, effective leader of the progressive Move Forward Party 13.25%.
New Zealander dies after falling off Death Railway train
Kiwi visitor Patrick Ward, 45, leaned out too far as the slow train inched past Krasae Cave yesterday at noon.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2470114/
Bodies of two more drowned sailors from the sinking of HTMS Sukhothai found
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2470094/
It's hardly a breath-holding development but Prayut seems likely to put his plans to switch parties to the United Thai Nation Party until after the New Year's festivities.
CHINA TAIWAN WAR
Taiwan extends compulsory military service to from 4 months to 1 year amid China threat.
The rule will begin on January 1, 2024.
President Tsai In-wen also raised the monthly salary of draftees from NT$6,510 (US$212) to NT$20,320 - 23,000 baht in real money.
The question must be asked:
Is there a three-letter agency/institution in the United States that is not corrupt?
CBP delayed release of Biden border crisis numbers until Christmas weekend.
PHOTO: The Rio Grande unit
https://bit.ly/3WIvWtu
TECHNOLOGY
Starting today
Canada's westernmost province will block new cryptocurrency miners [Cryptoslate.com]
British Columbia will deny electricity to new crypto mining.
https://cryptoslate.com/canadas-western-province-bc-will-block-new-cryptocurrency-miners/
The Twitter Files, Part 6
You will need some time but this is an excellent description of the latest Twitter File: how Twitter Rigged the Covid Debate
http://ace.mu.nu/archives/402485.php
TECHNOLOGY
Fab giant TSMC celebrates 3nm chip production starting in Tainan, Taiwan. (9to5mac.com)
After TSMC and Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced its upcoming chip plant earlier this month in Arizona, mass production of 3nm silicon is kicking off in Taiwan with a celebration.
https://bit.ly/3jybi13
There is 'no chance' that overseas fabs will blunt Taiwan's semiconductor edge [FocusTaiwan.tw]
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) CEO C.C. Wei [photo below] said Saturday.
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202212170013
Rotten Tomatoes Say [Says?] That These Are The Top 10 Worst Hollywood Films Of All Time. Could be true. Probably is true.
https://tinyurl.com/5y4nn3bb
10. Dark Crimes (2016) – Rating: 0%, starring Jim Carrey
9. Jaws 4 – The Revenge (1987). “Chief Brody’s widow believes that her family is deliberately being targeted by another shark in search of revenge.”
8. The Last Days of American Crime (2020) – Rating: 0%. How could it miss, with this plos? Two men and a woman plan the heist of the century before a government-broadcast signal wipes out crime forever.”
7. Gold Diggers (2003)
6. Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004)
The Worst Five: Tomorrow, same time same place
"A little off the top, back and sides, keep the front."
