THE WEEK AHEAD

MONDAY

Thai Air Asia launches three new domestic routes today, from Don Mueang to Nan, Loei and Roi Et, putting the airline directly up against Nok Air. The EU parliament begins a four-day meeting, four days more than some countries. The Pattaya Open for tennis begins today, sponsored by oil giant PTT and played on the outdoor hard courts of the Dusit Thani Hotel. The WTA tournament has US$250,000 (around 8.1 million baht) in prize money, with $43,000 to go to the singles winner. The world’s 21st ranking player Peng Shuai is seeded first, with Elina Svitolina (26) and Zarina Diyas (33) as seeds No 2 and 3. Thai veteran 37-yearold Tamarine “Tammy” Tanasugarn hopes to win her way onto the national team for the 2016 Olympics through her performance in Pattaya.

TUESDAY

Prime Minister and junta chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha arrives home today from a two-night stay in Tokyo. Unlike some nations, Japan has both criticised the coup and is doing business-as-usual. Gen Prayut was there to supervise the signing of three agreements: to get back into the Dawei project in Myanmar; to build a railway or three in Thailand, and to help the promotion of small and medium-sized Thai businesses inside Japan. At 7pm, Finance Minister Sommai Phasee speaks to a dinner crowd at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. Today is Safer Internet Day, everywhere on Earth. It seeks more responsible use of online technology, including by computers and smartphones. A Hong Kong court will announce its verdict this morning in the the terrible beating and torture of an Indonesian maid, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih. Her employer Law Wan-tung, 44, apparently thought the woman belonged to her, to do with as she pleased. In Kuala Lumpur, a completely independent court will announce the guilt of opposition Anwar Ibrahim on yet another sodomy charge.

WEDNESDAY

Prickly diplomacy grows a few new thorns today. The military-appointed National Legislative Assembly, which has absolutely no authority over foreign diplomats (where “absolutely” is an absolute word) has summoned ... okay, “invited” the senior US diplomat to explain what the hell that Daniel Russel fellow was so rude about the week before last. At press time, the most famous man in Thailand with a letter for a first name, charge d’affaires W Patrick Murphy, had not answered the invitation. If he goes, it will be ever so much fun for us news mavens. Rice out, but palm oil in. The cooking ingredient that too many people use to power their cars is in short supply. An import of 50,000 tonnes of the refined, bottled stuff will be completed today and Friday. Yunnan Lucky Air, a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, opens an unlikely yet imaginative route today, from Kunming to Krabi.

THURSDAY

The $2 million Thailand Classic of the 2015 European Tour begins today at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin. Thai Tour golfers Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat will be playing for home-country honours. Local golfers waived into the tournament include veterans Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng and two additional “kids”, Prom Meesawat and Chapchai Nirat. It takes an 800-baht ticket from ThaiTicketMajor.com to watch. It is Union Day in Myanmar, and it seems possible that the United Nationalities Federal Council, representing minorities, will sign a ceasefire agreement. There will be holdouts. The European Union will hold a summit today to discuss counter-terrorism. The International Institute for Strategic Studies will unveil its 2015 report on just how capable the Thai military is, compared with 170 other countries.

FRIDAY

It is Friday the 13th, all darned day. The Thai Premier League’s 2015 season begins today. In the opening match, at 6pm, Saraburi host Chon Buri. All other teams play Saturday or Sunday. Myanmar will mark the 100th birth anniversary of independence hero Aung San. The father of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi was assassinated by rivals shortly before Burma gained freedom from Britain’s colonialism.

SATURDAY

Guys? Men? Don’t forget, okay? Okay? If you forget, just for this one day, we can assure you she will never forget for every one from now on. It’s a DNA thing. Also, since it’s the weekend, lots of people will be getting a head start on Chinese New Year — the year of the goat. New Year’s Day is Thursday. The Cricket World Cup begins today in Christchurch and Melbourne. Once again, you will not be able to take a flutter on the Premier League — because the FA Cup has taken over. Crystal Palace-Liverpool is the best game, but doesn’t even air until half past midnight.