Bangkok
The best places to see 2020 Christmas lights in Bangkok

If you live in Bangkok and you’re a fan of all things Christmas, you won’t want to miss out on some of the best light installations in the capital. With the city alive with Christmas decorations, trees, and Santa installations, here’s a round-up of some of the must-see attractions.
Let’s Celebrate at Central Embassy
Santa Claus is everywhere at this shopping mall in the Pathum Wan district (during breaks between preparations at the North Pole). Big, small, and somewhere in between, Santa can be seen throughout the mall, but it’s the huge Christmas tree decorated with manmade snow that steals the limelight. An ice-skating park and a rotating candy tree that’s 14 metres tall completes the offering.
Bangkok Illumination 2020 at IconSiam
Another mall celebrating all things Christmas is IconSiam, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. A lighting installation that runs the length of the promenade marks the year end festivities and the mall’s second anniversary, with sparkling Christmas trees and decorations inspired by Thai architecture. Artwork from New York-based graphic designer Mike Perry is set to be the highlight of the display.
Awakening Bangkok 2020
The Awakening Bangkok spectacle is being organised by Time Out Bangkok and takes place in the Charoenkrung area of the capital. High-tech light installations will illuminate the neighbourhood’s attractions, including the Grand Postal Building, the Prince Theatre, the retail outlet O.P. Place, and the community arts space, Warehouse 30.
The EmQuartier & The Emporium
With candy canes and gifts everywhere, the focus at the Emporium shopping mall in the Khlong Toei district is on colour and magic. And while you’re in the area, a selfie by the huge tree in front of the EmQuartier is worth the trip alone. It looks amazing during the day and spectacular at night. Inside the twin Emquartier shopping zones are resplendent with pink-themed Christmas decorations. Definitely a festive theme for shoppers this year. There’s also a very-Christmassy crossway link between EmQuartier and Emporium.
Siam Paragon
One of Bangkok’s largest and swishest shopping malls, Siam Paragon, in the Pathum Wan district, is all lit-up for the festivities, including a huge tunnel of illuminated palm trees, to bring a touch of the tropics to Christmas. They always do Christmas well. You can walk straight into Siam Paragon from the Siam BTS station.
Or, really, any of the other large shopping malls, especially the ones along the Sukhumvit shopping strip.
SOURCE: Time Out | Thailand Tatler
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Thailand
BTS Skytrain’s Green Line maximum fare to rise, Rail Transport Department disagrees with the move

After the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agreed to raise the maximum fare on the BTS Skytrain’s Green Line from 59 baht to 158 baht, the Rail Transport Department is calling on city officials to suspend the maximum fare ceiling, saying it would put an unfair burden on passengers.
Bangkok Governor Aswin announced earlier that the maximum fare of 158 baht is to be imposed on February 16, but a discount to 104 baht is offered during the Covid-19 outbreak. The City Hall needs to increase the fare rate because it can’t pay the debt to Bangkok Mass Transit System.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says the BMA should halt its policy on the new BTS maximum fare and wait for other authorities to find proper solutions.
The Chairman of a House committee on transport, Sophon Sarum, a former transport minister, dismisses the BMA’s claim of its financial inability to repay the Green Line’s loans while suggesting the BMA to manage the Green Line’s finances by raising funds from banks and other financial institutions.
The Rail Department and BMA will meet to discuss the maximum fare ceiling this week.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post | Coconuts Bangkok
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Thailand
High demand for health insurance due to Covid-19 worries, premiums expected to rise

With the increasing demands for health insurance due to people’s worries over Covid-19, health insurance premiums are expected to grow 1.59% this year, according to the Insurance Commission.
Commission secretary-general Suthipol Taweechaikarn says total premiums will see 101 billion baht revenues this year, an increase from 99 billion baht last year. He adds that the Covid-19 situation is a major factor in higher demand for health insurance policies as medical expenses are likely to increase every year.
Some insurance companies in Thailand have also found an increasing demand for health coverage policies among their customers, especially those with high purchasing power.
Deputy CEO of Tokio Marine Life Insurance Thailand says the company will offer annual premiums starting at 15,000 baht.
“The company aims to increase health insurance premiums to 50% this year from 40% last year.”
Cigna Insurance CEO says the company will use digital technology for product and service development to meet customers’ demands in the new normal lifestyle.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Bangkok
Police to issue arrest warrants for 2 people allegedly involved in bombing outside Bangkok shopping centre

Police say arrest warrants will be issued for 2 people allegedly involved in the bombing outside Bangkok’s Chamchuri Square shopping centre following a rally protesting Thailand’s draconian lèse majesté law. The suspects allegedly drove together on a motorcycle on the Thai-Japanese Bridge and threw a “ping pong bomb” down on a group of police officers Saturday evening.
The smoky handmade explosive, which contained small nails, reportedly injured 4 people, including police officers and a reporter. Photos of the injuries are very small scratches. (See photos below.)
The explosion was sometime after a rally at Victory Monument where protesters demanded the release of 2 people who had been arrested on lèse majesté charges. Since November, 43 people have been arrested for insulting or defaming the Thai Monarchy which carries a punishment of up to 15 years in prison. Many have called for the Thai government to abolish the lèse majesté law, which is Section 112 in Thailand’s Criminal Code.
At the rally, protesters wrote messages on banners about the lèse majesté law. Some messages said “Thai education needs to be improved”, “Stop harassing people”, “A failed government, a divisive society” and “Covid-19 is an excuse”.
Protesters and police clashed on Saturday before the rally was broken up. Police said the public gathering violated the Emergency Decree and Disease Control Act.
Nation TV posted a video of the explosion. Click HERE to watch.

PHOTO: Tansettakij Multimedia

PHOTO: Tansettakij Multimedia
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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