THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 11 Sep 2019

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Thailand's August foreign tourist arrivals up 5.6% year on year

 

FILE PHOTO: Tourists enjoy a swimming pool at a hotel in central Bangkok, Thailand, January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The number of foreign tourists arriving in Thailand rose 5.59% in August from a year earlier, with Chinese visitor numbers rebounding strongly, the tourism ministry said on Tuesday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122763-thailands-august-foreign-tourist-arrivals-up-56-year-on-year/

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Brit rescue volunteer in Patong snares two-metre cobra beside 7-Eleven

By The Phuket News

 

Vincent Modell holds up the cobra last night (Sept 9). Photo: Alec Brimacombe

 

PHUKET:-- A British volunteer who assists the Patong division of Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers snared a cobra measuring about two metres long in front of a 7-Eleven store on the beachfront road in Kalim, just north of Patong, last night (Sept 9).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122770-brit-rescue-volunteer-in-patong-snares-two-metre-cobra-beside-7-eleven/

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Arrest warrant out for cabbie who stripped Chinese passenger of Bt3.6m in valuables

By Suriya Patathayo
The Nation

 

File Photo

 

The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for a Bangkok cabbie who allegedly stole valuables worth Bt3.6 million from a Chinese businessman in the early morning of September 1.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122756-arrest-warrant-out-for-cabbie-who-stripped-chinese-passenger-of-bt36m-in-valuables/

 

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Contract on high-speed rail project closer to being inked

By The Nation

 

File photo /credit: EEC Office

 

The delayed high-speed rail project is getting closer to being inked by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and CP Holding’s joint venture once an agreement on some key details of this public-private partnership project (PPP) have been reached. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122804-contract-on-high-speed-rail-project-closer-to-being-inked/

 

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Cabinet approves steps towards "ease of doing business"

By The Nation

 

 

Among the key measures included in "Thailand Plus Package", a new package drawn up to attract foreign investment, is the easing of procedure for foreign investors in applying for visa and work permit.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122805-thai-cabinet-approves-steps-towards-ease-of-doing-business/

 

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Economist urges govt to spend more to shore up slow economy

By The Nation

 

Virabongsa, chairman of Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited

 

Virabongsa Ramankura, a former finance minister and noted economist, is urging the government to spend more as the economy slows down due to a trade war between the world’s two largest economies – the US and China. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122806-economist-urges-thai-govt-to-spend-more-to-shore-up-slow-economy/

 

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New digital trading platform to be made part of national agenda

By The Nation

 

 

Rachada Dhnadirek, deputy government spokesperson, said the Cabinet has approved the setting up of a National Digital Trade Platform and has assigned the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) to work with related agencies and the Joint Standing Committee of Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) to achieve this.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122808-new-digital-trading-platform-to-be-made-part-of-national-agenda/

 

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Oishi unruffled by rise in sugary taxes

By KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION

 

Nongnuch Buranasetkul

 

The doubling of taxes on beverages containing sugar in October will not have a significant impact on Oishi Group, the top producer of bottled green tea and beverage products, says Nongnuch Buranasetkul, the company's president and CEO.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122809-oishi-unruffled-by-rise-in-sugary-taxes/

 

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UTCC’s confidence index in Thailand drops by 46.5 points

By The Nation

 

 

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) Centre for Business and Economic Forecasting has announced that the confidence index has dropped to 46.5 points, the lowest in 19 months.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122810-utcc’s-confidence-index-in-thailand-drops-by-465-points/

 

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Dab Teng transferred and under disciplinary probe in connection with Billy’s murder

 

 

A police officer, accused of intimidating the wife of a former staffer of Kaeng Krachan national park in Phetchaburi province in exchange for sparing her husband possible prosecution over the murder of a Karen activist five years ago, has been transferred and is under disciplinary investigation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122811-dab-teng-transferred-and-under-disciplinary-probe-in-connection-with-billy’s-murder/ 

 

 

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Pheu Thai MP seeks police protection after being assaulted by fellow MP in the parliament compound

 

 

Pheu Thai MP for Maha Sarakham province has sought police protection after he was allegedly assaulted by a fellow Pheu Thai MP in the office of party leader Sompong Amornvivat in the parliament compound this afternoon (Tuesday).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122812-pheu-thai-mp-seeks-police-protection-after-being-assaulted-by-fellow-mp-in-the-parliament-compound/

 

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Police probe online baby adoption service

 

 

Thailand’s anti-human trafficking police have been ordered to investigate a Facebook page which was allegedly offering an adoption service for parents who cannot afford to raise their baby, said Social Development and Human Security Minister Chuti Krairiksh today (Tuesday).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122813-thai-police-probe-online-baby-adoption-service/

 

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Trump fires foreign policy hawk Bolton, citing strong disagreements

By Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 27, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly fired his national security adviser John Bolton amid disagreements with his hard-line aide over how to handle foreign policy challenges such as North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Russia.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122814-trump-fires-national-security-adviser-bolton-citing-strong-disagreements/

 

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PM says he will handle the Opposition’s debate himself

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today (Tuesday) that he is not worried about the Opposition’s debate against him over the incomplete oath recital issue as he reiterated his innocent intention.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122815-pm-prayut-says-he-will-handle-the-opposition’s-debate-himself/

 

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NACC to prepare Billy’s disappearance-turned-murder case for DSI

By The Nation

 

File Photo: Karen activist Polajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen

 

The Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) resolved on Tuesday (September 10) to send the disappearance-turned-murder case of Karen activist Polajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen in Phetchaburi province to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), so the case can be compiled and submitted to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

 

Full: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122817-nacc-to-prepare-billy’s-disappearance-turned-murder-case-for-dsi/

 

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BOT urges banks to ease burden on flood victims

By The Nation

 

BOT assistant Governor Ronnadol Numnonda

 

Bank of Thailand (BOT) wrote to commercial banks and other financial institutions on Tuesday (September 10) asking them to ease the burden on flood victims, especially in the North and Northeast, assistant BOT governor Ronnadol Numnonda said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122818-bot-urges-banks-to-ease-burden-on-flood-victims/

 

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Israel's Netanyahu announces post-election plan to annex West Bank's Jordan Valley

By Jeffrey Heller

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention on Tuesday to annex the Jordan Valley, a large swathe of the occupied West Bank, if he wins a closely contested election just a week away.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122819-israels-netanyahu-announces-post-election-plan-to-annex-west-banks-jordan-valley/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Apple reveals triple-camera iPhone; $5 monthly streaming TV undercuts Disney

By Stephen Nellis and Noel Randewich

 

CEO Tim Cook presents the new iPhone 11 at an Apple event at their headquarters in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

 

CUPERTINO, Calif. (Reuters) - Apple Inc <AAPL.O> caught up with hardware rivals on Tuesday by revealing a triple-camera iPhone, and it rolled out a streaming TV service priced at $5 a month, undercutting Disney and Netflix.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1120894-apple-likely-to-unveil-latest-iphone-on-sept-10/?do=findComment&comment=14557416

 

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U.S. House panel debates gun control, Democrats pressuring Republicans

By David Morgan

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) hold a news conference with fellow congressional Democrats to demand that the U.S. Senate vote on the House-passed "Bipartisan Background Checks Act" passed by the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. September 9, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democrats, looking to heighten their profile on the hot-button issue of gun control, moved forward on Tuesday with new measures aimed at curbing gun violence, while President Donald Trump also planned to huddle with Republican leaders.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122822-us-house-panel-debates-gun-control-democrats-pressuring-republicans/

 

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Trump's 'very bad' Bahamian drug dealers? U.S. data shows little evidence

By Brad Brooks

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to address the 2019 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) week conference in Washington, U.S., September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

(Reuters) - President Donald Trump's concern the United States could open its doors to "very bad drug dealers" by easing immigration rules for the storm-hit Bahamas is undercut by administration data showing the Caribbean plays a small role in the narcotics trade.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122827-trumps-very-bad-bahamian-drug-dealers-us-data-shows-little-evidence/

 

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White House adviser plays down expectations for U.S.-China talks

By David Lawder and Susan Heavey

 

FILE PHOTO: White House trade advisor Peter Navarro gives a television interview on the driveway leading to the West Wing of the White House in Washington, U.S. December 10, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior White House adviser tamped down expectations on Tuesday for the next rounds of U.S.-China trade talks, urging investors, businesses and the public to be patient about resolving the two-year trade dispute between the world's two largest economies.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122829-white-house-adviser-plays-down-expectations-for-us-china-talks/

 

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North Korea unlikely to mourn 'war maniac' Bolton, but U.S. task no easier

By David Brunnstrom

 

FILE PHOTO: North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump attend the extended bilateral meeting in the Metropole hotel with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, White House national security adviser John Bolton, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and Kim Yong Chol, Vice Chairman of the North Korean Workers' Party Committee, during the second North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam February 28, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Among those unlikely to be mourning John Bolton's departure as U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser are officials in North Korea who have denounced him as a "war maniac" and "human scum" for his attempts to end Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122830-north korea unlikely-to-mourn-war-maniac-bolton-but-us-task-no-easier/

 

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What options are left for British PM Johnson on Brexit?

By William James and Kylie MacLellan

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Ireland's Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar (not pictured) in Dublin, Ireland, September 9, 2019. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson's options are narrowing to deliver on his promise to lead Britain out of the European Union on Oct. 31, with or without an exit deal to soften the impact of the split.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122831-what-options-are-left-for-british-pm-johnson-on brexit/

 

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Growing ganja in Thailand: Think again if you just want to get high

 

Picture:

 

The growing of ganja at home is on the verge of getting the green light. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122833-growing-ganja-in-thailand-think-again-if-you just-want-to-get-high/

 

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Thailand top of Group F but can the team beat Abu Dhabi?

By The Nation

 

 

Footballer Supachok Sarachat produced two brilliant shots to lead Thailand to a 3-0 win over Indonesia in their World Cup Asian Qualification Group F second round competition in Jakarta on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122834-thailand-top-of-group-f-but-can-the-team-beat-abu-dhabi/

 

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Rubber worker recounts bear attack in Buri Ram

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

A rubber worker currently in hospital has spoken to the Thai media about how he was lucky to escape death after a bear attack in a plantation in the north eastern Thai province of Buri Ram. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122836-rubber-worker-recounts-bear-attack-in-buri-ram/

 

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Hua Hin: "We didn't sell our baby online", harassed family tells Thai police

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

A family in Hua Hin has gone to the police to say that they didn't try to sell their five month old baby online.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122838-hua-hin-we-didnt-sell-our-baby-online-harassed-family-tells-thai-police/

 

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Bangkok businessman kills wife, turns gun on himself

By The Nation

 

 

 

A garage owner in Bangkok’s Ratburana district allegedly shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself Tuesday evening, police said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122842-bangkok-businessman-kills-wife-turns-gun-on-himself/

 

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Not again! Tourist in Pattaya comes off motorcycle at "badly lit" roadworks

 

Picture: The Pattaya News

 

Rescue services went to Thepprasit Soi 7 at 2.20 am this morning after a foreign tourist hit a sign at some pipe laying works and came off his bike. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122843-not-again-tourist-in-pattaya-comes-off-motorcycle-at-badly-lit-roadworks/

 

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How is life for 3 ex-Expats who have returned to UK?

By Dan Cheeseman

 

 

Chances are for many working expats that at some stage they will return back to their domestic countries, some via their own choosing and others just a shift  in market conditions giving them no alternative.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1122846-how-is-life-for-3-ex-expats-who-have-returned-to-uk/