THE WEEK AHEAD
MONDAY
Each of Thailand’s provinces is set to ordain 89 monks in tribute to the country’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October aged 89. SCG All Thailand Championships of badminton begin today at the Crown Property Bureau Badminton and Sports Science Training Centre, Nang Linchi Road. The final is on Saturday, but don’t look for Ratchanok Intanon, who won’t be playing in order to protect her own world points ranking. By the way, the Badminton Association of Thailand needs a foreign coach to take over a team blanked at the Rio Olympics.
Ukip, Britain’s anti-EU, anti-immigration, pro-Trump UK Independence Party, is to announce the winner (or is it loser?) of its leadership election.
TUESDAY
The World Bodybuilding Championships begin today in Pattaya, with raffle prizes from McDonald’s. It will take them until next Monday to decide the best posers of the lot.
A rare, regional food festival featuring the Chubu and Hokuriku regions of Japan ends today at Goschiso Space in Isetan. Minimum-wage workers in America are to hold “disruptive protests” today, including strikes at the country’s 20 largest airports. So if you’re flying to America, pack an extra sandwich in your carry-on. Emma Morano of Verbania, Italy, will celebrate her 117th birthday this evening, providing she doesn’t fall victim to the Curse of the World’s Oldest Person which has claimed so many over the years.
WEDNESDAY
All civil servants will quit work at 3pm today — for Exercise Wednesdays modelled on last week’s Prayut-led callisthenics, lasting for 90 minutes every week. Airlines have donated their excess barf bags.
Six young Thai golfers tee off this evening at the five-day, 90-hole LPGA Q-school tournament at Daytona Beach, Florida. Top finishers get a one-year card to play on the big girls’ tour. It’s the last day to register at the post office to receive a free royal postcard. It’s the last (official) day that shops in India will accept your 500- and 1,000rupee notes.
The same Opec that shocked us and took our money 40 years ago will meet in Vienna today to cut oil production, which they think will boost prices.
THURSDAY
The Grand Palace will be closed to mourners today and also tomorrow. It is a special day for Thailand, never before seen by 95% or more of Thai people. It also is freeloader’s hell, with all food distribution halted.
The trial of Spaniard Artur Segarra is scheduled to begin at the Criminal Court today. He is charged with killing, chopping into pieces and dumping in the Chao Phraya River and khlongs his countryman David Beernat last year. Today is also World Aids Day.
The Australia PGA tournament begins the winter tour at Gold Coast today.
The Gambia is having an election for president. The Gambia! Thailand is on the list of countries “not as advanced as The Gambia”.
FRIDAY
World champion Ariya Jutanugarn returns home from the golf tour for a well-deserved winter’s rest.
More Thai trains on more routes will have more modern carriages, beginning today. Passengers travelling today and later on the Bangkok-Nong Khai and Bangkok-Hat Yai routes may be booked into one of the 400-million baht carriages that bring the State Railway of Thailand up to 20th century standards.
The 19-day, 5,722-kilometre India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Car Rally ends in Bangkok today.
GMM 25 will carry the Mnet Asian Music Awards show live from Hong Kong this evening.
SATURDAY
The nation has a long weekend to celebrate the monarchy, especially Monday’s 90th birth anniversary of King Bhumibol — and Father’s Day.
Thailand play Malaysia or Myanmar tomorrow evening at Rajamangala National Stadium in the first leg of the Suzuki Cup semi-final. The deciding match is next Thursday, Dec 8. Other weekend events that will go on because Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul says “life goes on”: Jetski King’s Cup, with finals tomorrow off Jomtiem Beach, and the inauguration of the eight-day Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.
So Sofitel Bangkok is holding a free jazz night in tribute to King Bhumibol, tonight from 8.30. Athalie de Koning and Jazziam, one of the first foreign groups to record a song by His Majesty, are the hosts.