Hope returns for Phuket Old Town to be granted World Heritage status

By The Phuket News

 

Phuket Old Town might finally get global recognition for its role in regional culture and history. Photo: TAT

 

PHUKET: The Director of Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture has revealed that he is finally preparing the application for Unesco to consider registering “Phuket Old Town” as a World Heritage City.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1121955-hope-returns-for-phuket-old-town-to-be-granted-world-heritage-status/

Boris Johnson's brother quits parliament, torn between family loyalty and national interest

By William James

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Department and Education Department Jo Johnson is seen outside Downing Street in London, Britain, September 4, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s younger brother, Jo, has resigned as a junior minister and said he would also step down as a lawmaker, citing a conflict between family loyalty and the national interest.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1121946-boris-johnsons-brother-quits-parliament-torn-between-family-loyalty-and-national-interest/

Police launch manhunt for absconding Norwegian accused of murder

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

Phuket police have launched a manhunt for a Norwegian tourist accused of murdering a British national at the Centara Grand Resort in Karon Beach early on Wednesday (September 4) after he failed to keep his appointment at the provincial court.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1121962-police-launch-manhunt-for-absconding-norwegian-accused-of-murder/

Bangkok world snooker update: Gary Wilson spares England's blushes

 

Gary Wilson of England

 

Journeyman pro Gary Wilson was the last Englishman standing at the World Six Red Snooker Championships at the BCC Hall, Central Plaza, Lat Prao Bangkok last night. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1121986-bangkok-world-snooker-update-gary-wilson-spares-englands-blushes/

 

Banks seek deadline delay on switch of ATM cards

By The Nation

 

 

The Thai Bankers' Association (TBA) will ask the Bank of Thailand (BOT) for a postponement of the deadline on the switch from magnetic ATM cards to chip-based cards from December 31 to January 15, 2020, citing high usage over the year-end period.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1121990-banks-seek-deadline-delay-on-switch-of-atm-cards/

 

Thailand fares badly in business digitalisation: UNCTAD

By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation

 

 

Singapore and South Korea top the charts when it comes to companies receiving orders online, the Digital Economy Report 2019 released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) shows.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1121993-thailand-fares-badly-in-business-digitalisation-unctad/

 

Gem and jewellery exports up 29 per cent this year

By The Nation

 

 

The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) says the export value of gems and jewellery grew by 29 per cent in the past seven months despite a swarm of international trade conflicts and public protests in Hong Kong, a key hub for the sector.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1121994-gem-and-jewellery-exports-up-29-per-cent-this-year/

 

AOT to seek bids for duty-free concession at Don Mueang later this year

By THE NATION

 

 

The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is expected to launch the bidding for duty-free shops at Don Mueang International Airport later this year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1121996-aot-to-seek-bids-for-duty-free-concession-at-don-mueang-later-this-year/

 

Thai garment factory investigated by Starbucks after illegal wages expose

By Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

Workers show Starbucks aprons at a dormitory near a factory in Thailand's Mae Sot district in August 2019. Thomson Reuters Foundation/Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

MAE SOT, Thailand (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Garment factories in Thailand that supply to global brands such as coffee giant Starbucks and sports gear maker Bauer Hockey are under investigation after an expose found workers illegally underpaid in a region described as a "black hole".

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122001-thai-garment-factory-investigated-by-starbucks-after-illegal-wages-expose/

 

Siam Commercial Bank partners with Sea Group to expand digital lending

 

FILE PHOTO: People walk pass the logos of Siam Commercial Bank at an exhibition hall in Bangkok, Thailand, May 12, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's largest lender Siam Commercial Bank Pcl (SCB) <SCB.BK> announced a partnership with e-commerce and game developer Sea Ltd's <SE.N> Thai operations to provide payments and lending services as it seeks to increase revenues from digital banking.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122003-siam-commercial-bank-partners-with-sea-group-to-expand-digital-lending/

 

5 red-shirt supporters acquitted of firing grenades at PDRC protesters

 

 

Five red-shirt members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), charged with firing six M79 grenades into the protest site of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee near the government complex in Chaengwattana five years ago, were today (Thursday) acquitted by the Criminal Court due to insufficient evidence.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122006-5-red-shirt-supporters-acquitted-of-firing-grenades-at-pdrc-protesters/

 

Government spokeswoman apologizes to PM for showing him eating from a plastic container

 

 

Government spokeswoman Mrs. Narumon Pinysinwat has apologized to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha for posting an image on social media showing him eating fast food from a plastic container, which drew criticism from many netizens.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122007-govt-spokeswoman-apologizes-to-pm-prayut-for-showing-him-eating-from-a-plastic-container/

 

NHSO allows gold card holders in flood-affected areas to use medical services at nearest hospital

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has allowed gold card holders in flood-affected areas to use medical services at the nearest hospital free of charge for convenience and continuous treatment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122008-nhso-allows-gold-card-holders-in-flood-affected-areas-to-use-medical-services-at-nearest-hospital/

 

ERC launches "ERC Regulates Happiness for Thai People Project"

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Office of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has marked its 12th anniversary by launching the ERC Regulates Happiness for Thai People Project.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122010-erc-launches-erc-regulates-happiness-for-thai-people-project/

 

Delay Brexit? I'd rather be dead in a ditch, says PM Johnson

 

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a speech during a visit to West Yorkshire, Britain September 5, 2019. Danny Lawson/PA Wire/Pool via REUTERS

 

WAKEFIELD, England (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised on Thursday he would never delay Britain's exit from the European Union, due on Oct. 31, saying he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than do so.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122012-delay brexit-id-rather-be-dead-in-a-ditch-says-pm-johnson/

 

Loch Ness monster might just be a giant eel, say scientists

By Makenzie Katz

 

FILE PHOTO: Urquhart Castle stands on the banks of Loch Ness near Inverness, Scotland, Britain March 8, 2019. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne -/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Scotland's fabled Loch Ness monster could possibly be a giant eel, scientists said on Thursday after an intensive analysis of traces of DNA in the Loch's icy waters.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122013-loch ness monster-might-just-be-a-giant-eel-say-scientists/

 

Man charged £55,000 for just one beer at a Manchester hotel

 

Peter Lalor had a very expensive night (Picture: Peter Lalor/PA)

 

If you thought London pints were expensive, you’d better not head to Manchester.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122014-aussie-charged-£55000-for-just-one-beer-at-a-manchester-hotel/

 

Pentagon chief suggests European allies replace funds diverted to border wall

By Idrees Ali

 

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper holds a news conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., August 28, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis

DOWNLOAD PICTURE

 

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that European nations should consider funding projects in their countries after the Pentagon diverted money to pay for a border wall with Mexico.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122019-pentagon-chief-suggests-european-allies-replace-funds-diverted-to-border-wall/

 

Iran takes further step to scale back nuclear commitments

 

FILE PHOTO: An Iranian flag flutters in front in Vienna, March 4, 2015. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran said on Friday it had taken a step to further downgrade its commitments to a 2015 nuclear deal with the world's most powerful nations, according to Iranian media, in retaliation to U.S. sanctions reimposed on Tehran.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122020-iran-takes-further-step-to-scale-back-nuclear-commitments/

 

Sharpie-gate continued: Trump doubles down on Dorian's aim for Alabama

By Jeff Mason

 

U.S. President Donald Trump stands in the Oval Office during a presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 5, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump, not someone who easily lets things go, doubled down on Thursday on his insistence that Alabama could have been hit by Hurricane Dorian and enlisted his top homeland security adviser to back him up.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122022-sharpie-gate-continued-trump-doubles-down-on-dorians-aim-for-alabama/

 

Video: Calm robber pulls out 9 mm gun and makes off with 3 million in gold

 

Picture: Daily News

 

CCTV footage from a gold shop at a department store in Thonburi showed a cool, calm and collected gold robber steal 159 baht weight in gold worth 3 million baht and 40,000 baht in cash. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122023-video-calm-robber-pulls-out-9-mm-gun-and-makes-off-with-3-million-in-gold/

 

Hurricane Dorian skirts U.S. coast, soaking the Carolinas

By Nick Carey and Amanda Becker

 

Police officers survey the increasingly rough surf as Hurricane Dorian approaches, in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, U.S., September 5, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake

 

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - The howling west flank of Hurricane Dorian soaked the Carolinas on Thursday, flooding coastal towns, downing trees and whipping up occasional tornadoes a couple of days after reducing parts of the Bahamas to rubble.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122024-hurricane-dorian-skirts-us-coast-soaking-the-carolinas/

 

Songkhla: Thai man neglected his dogs and cats after his wife left him

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A Thai man gave the excuse of having broken up with his wife and lost his job for abandoning almost 40 dogs and cats at a house in Songkhla, southern Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122026-songkhla-thai-man-neglected-his-dogs-and-cats-after-his-wife-left-him/

 

Woman found murdered in Pathum Thani apartment 

By The Nation

 

 

A woman living alone in an apartment room in Pathum Thani’s Thanyaburi district was found dead on Thursday night and police are treating it as murder.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122027-woman-found-murdered-in-pathum-thani-apartment/

 

Video: Motorcycle taxi thief picks on the wrong guy - a ex-boxer who knocks out his teeth!

 

Thai caption: Nantha Chujanthong - former boxer

 

A motorcycle taxi rider made a bad mistake when he decided to rob a man carting around vegetables on another bike with a sidecar. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122029-video-motorcycle-taxi-thief-picks-on-the-wrong-guy-a-ex-boxer-who-knocks-out-his-teeth/

 

Man's son cuts his tongue on glass in the food at "famous" store

 

Thai caption: Shard of glass in the food

 

Sanook reported on a Facebook post by a man called Pichet Lakdee who said that there was a shard of glass in his son's food at a famous shopping center in Lat Prao, Bangkok. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122030-mans-son-cuts-his-tongue-on-glass-in-the-food-at-famous-store/

 

Khon Kaen: Hackers arrested after selling codes for cheaper fast food online

 

Image: INN

 

Crime Suppression Division police announced the arrest of two young hackers from Khon Kaen in north east Thailand who were selling codes for cheaper fast food. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122032-khon-kaen-hackers-arrested-after-selling-codes-for-cheaper-fast-food-online/

 

Hong Kong braces for weekend protests as leader fails to appease activists

 

People take an escalator next to posters and sticker notes supporting the anti-government protest movement near the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong, China September 5, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

 

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong is bracing for more demonstrations this weekend, with protesters threatening to disrupt transport links to the airport as embattled leader Carrie Lam's withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill fails to appease some activists.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122033-hong-kong-braces-for-weekend-protests-as-leader-fails-to-appease-activists/

 

Asia's Beaches Go Quiet as Chinese Tourists Stay Home

By Randy Thanthong-Knight , Harry Suhartono , and Xuan Quynh Nguyen

 

-- The Chinese travel boom in the region is now in reverse gear

-- Hotel and tourism investments face prospect of overcapacity

 

File photo

 

From quiet beaches in Bali to empty rooms in Hanoi’s hotels, pangs from China’s economic malaise and weakening yuan are being felt across Southeast Asia’s vacation belt.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122036-asias-beaches-go-quiet-as-chinese-tourists-stay-home/

 

Video: Urinals according to "size"? Why size matters in the Thai gents!

 

 

Thailand was in hysterics after it was revealed that urinals at an Esso gas station on the way to the Hat Yai airport in the south of Thailand were rated according to size.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122038-video-urinals-according-to-size-why-size-matters-in-the-thai-gents/