THURSDAY MORNING NEWS BRIEFS – All your local news in 3 minutes

We welcome Thursday and are enjoying the continuing good weather but know there’s a bit of possible rain on the way with a weakening tropical depression. From the TMD… “During 22-24 December, it is forecast as a tropical depression moving near Malaysia and the lower South of Thailand.”

Let’s check today’s main news stories…

Protesters threaten to go to BKK to SUPPORT Thepa power plant

Supporters of the Thepha coal-fired power plant project in Songkhla are threatening to protest in Bangkok if the government does not approve the project within 45 days, while denouncing opponents of the plan as “outsiders” who do not represent the local people.

Meanwhile, the group opposing the power plant released a statement saying the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is just manipulating locals to drum up support. The statement added that the 2,200-megawatt, coal-fired power plant was a serious issue that would affect many people both in and outside of Thepa district.

Fishing boats guttered off Songkhla

Six of seven impounded Vietnamese fishing trawlers have been guttered in a blaze, a seventh sunk. The fishing trawlers were moored two kilometres offshore at Songkhla.

Witnesses said the blaze started at about 2am but there were no fire-rescue boats to go to the spot. As the fire engulfed the trawlers, the ropes that bound them together broke and they were scattered along the coast by the current.

Shocking Thais to tackle their road casualties

A new video has been uploaded just in time for the approaching silly season which is one of the most dangerous times for being on the roads in Thailand. Also known as the seven days of danger. The video dramatically reveals a road accident and has been prepared in Thai and English. Using shock ads on TV, radio and at the cinema is a new tactic from the Thai Government to reign in the shameful road toll in the Kingdom.

EU says release Myanmar journalists immediately

Two Myanmar journalists working for Reuters, who have not been heard from since they were arrested last week, must be released immediately – this according to the EU. The 27 and 31 year olds were compiling stories for Reuters and reporting conversations they’d had with security forces who had been in Rhakine state, when they were arrested last week. Their families, lawyers and colleagues haven’t been allowed any contact with them.

Irish kiteboarder dies off Hua Hin

An Irish tourist has drowned at Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan after a kiteboarding accident in the rough seas along the Gulf Coast.

When Police arrived, they found the body of a 40 year old tourist of Irish nationality known only as “Jonathan”, who had already been brought back to the beach. Jonathan rented a board to surf alone. Not long after, tourists on the beach saw that he had made a hand signal asking for help, so shop employees rushed to save him. Sadly he was dead before they could get help.

Toon receives a marathon message

Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai’s cross-country fund-raising run got a mighty boost on Tuesday from a man who makes marathons his business – 2016 Olympic gold medallist Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya.

Kipchoge posted a picture of himself on Instagram holding a pair of running shoes with the messages “#Toon Keep inspired”, “#Toon Break 2191 KM” and “Keep goin, Toon! You’ve inspired us all with your epic run. I know you can #break2191k. We are all behind you! @artiwara #breakthrough”.

Laypang arrives at the Phuket Zoo

And Phuket’s most famous crocodile is now residing at the Phuket Zoo having being re-housed yesterday. Officials held a ceremony to welcome the 2.8 metre reptile. It took of team of more than 20 people to transport the reluctant reptile who, according to DNA tests, is a hybrid crocodile species and shouldn’t be released back to the wild.