The 12 were made up of eight mobile banking system crashes, three in the ATM and CDM system, and one system crash at a CIMB branch office.

Most of the mobile banking crashes were in Krung Thai Bank’s system, while CIMB crashed twice. The remaining three affected Bangkok Bank, Thai Military Bank (TMB), and Tisco Bank.

The three ATM system crashes were at Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank, and Kiatnakin Bank.

BOT assistant governor of payment systems policy and financial technology group, Siritida Panomwon Na Ayudhya noted the decrease, especially in Krung Thai Bank’s system, which had suffered many problems in the past.

“Most of the system crashes in the third quarter were caused by a twofold increase in transactions” she added.

As transactions are highest in the fourth quarter, BOT is urging commercial banks to closely monitor systems affected by increased use, “BOT has already spoken to those banks about creating a long-term plan to stabilize their systems,” she added.

Kornrawee Sitthichivapak, Deputy Director-General for Operations, said on Monday that 43 provinces in the north, northeast, and central regions, would be the most affected, and that the most crucial period would be January and February as water reserves are low. There was unlikely to be any rain until May, the beginning of the rainy season, as high temperatures and the climate condition known as El Nino prevail.

The lowest rainfall ever recorded was in 1979. This year is likely to be worse than in 1995 and in 2015-2016, when it was so intense that water needed to be drawn up from the aquifers and people in central Bangkok and metropolitan areas were affected and competed for water, roads cracked, banks collapsed and saltwater seeped into Pathum Thani affecting the use of raw water for tap water production for Bangkok residents.

When the officers arrived, they found 15 workers arguing with owner Frenchman Michael Chour, 50, and his wife Tanyanun, 35.

Savoey, 41, who is employed by the kennels told police that the shelter has a staff of 15 looking after the dogs and that between them they take care of 15 to 20 canines, feeding, bathing and exercising them for a monthly salary of Bt10,000. While they are satisfied with the salary, they have to put up with Chour’s frequent angry outbursts. “It’s getting harder and everyone is bitten often but Michael will not let the workers go to the hospital until their shifts are finished at 6.30pm and they have to pay for the treatment themselves,” she claimed.

She went to the police after the owner ordered the staff into the kennel and refused to let them leave as a punishment for talking outside. Because the only water was outside, they became dehydrated,

Tanyanun, the Frenchman’s wife, admitted that her husband had a quick temper but said the workers must do the jobs for which they are paid. “If the dogs don’t get enough care, he gets mad,” she said. “But the claim that they were detained is untrue. The doors weren’t locked so they could have gone out anytime they wanted.”

According to the Public Health Ministry, consumers regard the non-alcoholic drinks as an alternative to other drinks as they are considerably cheaper due to the lack of tax.

The makers are also able to distribute samples at educational institutes as they are labelled as non-alcoholic.

The department has now completed the HS code and tax rate for the 0-per-cent beers, which will be taxed at more than 14 per cent (regular drinks) but at less than 22 per cent (beer containing alcohol). The draft proposal will now be submitted to the cabinet for approval. The draft includes other products related to alcoholic drink such as beer tablets.

The director claimed that the tax rate will not affect the retail price since the 0-per-cent alcohol beers are being sold for almost the same price as ordinary beers but without the high taxes.

The run, which came to an end with Sunday’s 10.4-kilometre run, was the final stage in the “Kao Khon La Kao” charity run campaign for Northern region of Thailand which started on December 19 in Uttaradit province and crossed Phrae, Lampang and Lamphun on its way to Chiang Mai with total distance of approximately 300 km.

Athiwara was welcomed by Muang district chief Weeraphan Dee-on at the stadium together with his running buddies, many of whom are celebrities and singers, such as Kong Sorawit, Top Daraneenuch, Pub Potato, Aot Pramote, DJ Art and more.

The rock star said the campaign has raised more than Bt18 million from participants and the public who wired money in, which will later be donated to 7 hospitals in Northern region to buy medical equipment.

Isolated thundershowers, meanwhile, are forecast in the South due to an easterly wind across the Gulf and the South. All transport in the upper part of the country should proceed with caution in foggy areas.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:

Northern region: Cool to cold with fog in the morning, lows of 13-20 degrees and highs of 29-36 degrees Celsius. Temperature likely to drop to 5-12 degrees on hilltops.

Northeastern region: Cold with fog in the morning, lows 17-21 degrees and highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius. Temperature likely to drop to 10-14 degrees on hilltops.

Central region: Cool with fog in the morning; lows of 21-23 degrees, highs 34-36 degrees Celsius.

Eastern region: Partly cloudy with fog in the morning; lows of 20-24 degrees, highs of 32-36 degrees Celsius; wave height 1 metre.

Southern region (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thunder showers in 10 per cent of the area; lows of 21-24 degrees, highs of 30-35 degrees Celsius; wave height 1 metre, increasing to 1-2 metres during storms.

Southern region (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thunder showers in 10 per cent of the area; lows 22-24 degrees, highs 32-34 degree Celsius; wave height 1 metre, increasing to 1-2 metres during storms.

Bangkok and surrounding area: Partly cloudy and fog in the morning; lows of 23-25 degrees, highs 34-36 degrees Celsius.

The survey by the National Institute of Development Administration gathered the opinions of 1,277 Thai citizens aged over 18 on December 16 and 17.

Regarding people’s opinions on Thanathorn, 30.62 per cent of respondents said that Thanathorn has the freedom to hold a rally without violence, 16.76 per cent thought that the rally was for Thailand’s future, 16.60 per cent believed that the participants were supporting democracy and opposing dictatorship.

Meanwhile, 15.40 per cent said they were tired of rallies in public places and 14.57 per cent believed that it would lead to conflict.

Some 27.80 per cent supported the rally while 20.75 believed every citizen has the right to hold a rally.

However, 15.35 per cent were afraid that the rally might cause conflict and thought a legal approach should be used instead. Some 28.35 per cent believed that it would not change the country’s situation.

The Meteorological Department of Thailand has forecast that temperatures in upper Thailand will fall by 1-2 degrees Celsius with cool to cold weather likely in the North and the Northeast and clear skies during the day. The minimum temperature will range from 15-20°C, while the mountaintops will be cold to very cold with minimum temperatures in the range of 3-14°C. Isolated thundershowers are forecast for the South. All transport in the upper country should proceed with caution in foggy areas, the department said.

Bangkok will be partly cloudy with morning fog. Isolated light rains are possible. Minimum temperature will be 23-24°C while maximum will be 34-35°C.

General Yodyuth Boonyathikarn, chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, said that they had a meeting with Airports of Thailand (AOT) officials on December 19 and the committee acknowledged the urgent need for the expansion of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

After hearing information, the progress being made and obstacles facing the project, the committee told the AOT to hasten the decision since the capacities of both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports are not capable of meeting the needs of the travellers.

AOT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said that they had already gathered all documents and opinions sent them to the Transport Ministry and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council for approval.

If any further studies were required, AOT believes the draft could be proposed to the Cabinet within January 2020 while construction could be started after the Cabinet approves the design draft, which will take a year.

The plan has been delayed by a year.

Rawee Machamadon, member of Parliament of the New Palang Dhamma Party, said there were more than 10 organisations standing in the way of expanding the terminal project. He asked them to look at the original master plan. He also claimed that Nitinai was putting others under stress when mentioning or giving opinions on the project. Rawee suggested sending the matter to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and getting the related offices to find solutions to problems, as the project will cost a huge sum of money.

The cover of the new passport has been designed to reflect Thai art and culture. The latest technology is being used to protect personal identities. While the earlier passports used face and fingerprint recognition, the new passport will use the “Iris scan system”.

Busadee said the time taken to submit a new passport application would not take more than 12 minutes. Five hundred passport service points and 15 temporary passport offices nationwide will be set up.