THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 22 Oct 2019

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Thai central bank head warns of financial system risk from ultra-low rates

 

FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Central Bank Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob speaks during an interview with Reuters at the Bank of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, October 4, 2019. REUTERS/Matthew Tostevin

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Huge global capital flows and prolonged ultra-low interest rate policies of advanced nations have made it harder for emerging economies to protect their financial system, Bank of Thailand Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129687-thai-central-bank-head-warns-of-financial-system-risk-from-ultra-low-rates/

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Dean & Deluca owner, Thailand's Pace defaults on debt of $86 mln

 

Image: Wikipedia

 

BANGKOK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Thai property firm Pace Development Pcl, owner of the high-end grocer Dean & Deluca, said on Monday it was in default of 2.6 billion baht ($86 million) with one of the nation’s largest lenders as of Oct. 18, sending its shares down 25%.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129685-dean-deluca-owner-thailands-pace-defaults-on-debt-of-86-mln/

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, minus beard, appears in London court

 

Demonstrators hold placards during a protest outside of Westminster Magistrates Court, where a case management hearing in the U.S. extradition case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is held, in London, Britain, October 21, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

 

LONDON (Reuters) - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in a London court on Monday for a hearing on whether he should be extradited to the United States to face spying charges.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129690-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-minus-beard-appears-in-london-court/

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Army chief not keen on politics 

By NATTHAPHAT PHROMKAEW
The Nation

 

File Photo: General Apirat Kongsompong

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong must wait for two years after retirement to be eligible for the position of prime minister, while Apirat says he will not jump into politics.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129735-army-chief-not-keen-on-politics/

 

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Exports improve as Thai exporters adapt to the situation

By The Nation

 

Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office

 

In September, Thailand’s exports contracted 1.4 per cent year on year to US$20.481 billion (Bt319.88 billion), while imports contracted 4.2 per cent year on year to $19.206 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $1.275 billion.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129737-exports-improve-as-thai-exporters-adapt-to-the-situation/

 

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Thai Airways banks on food business to cut losses

By The Nation

 

 

The catering department of Thai Airways has teamed up with Amazon and LINE to expand Puff & Pine, its food delivery service, in a bid to cut losses.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129738-thai-airways-banks-on-food-business-to-cut-losses/

 

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Volunteers take a dive – to clean Similan ocean

By The Nation

 

 

Similan Islands National Park, Aquadive Mermaid Academy Thailand, Scuba School International, Love Andaman tour agency, and scuba dive instructor Asirawat Chuchote – who loves dressing up as a mermaid for the pleasure of tourists – teamed up to launch a campaign called Part of the Ocean, which brought together volunteers to collect marine debris caused by the monsoon.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129739-volunteers-take-a-dive-–-to-clean-similan-ocean/

 

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Kasikornbank sees drop in nine-month net profit

By THE NATION

 

The bank's president Kattiya Indaravijaya

 

Kasikornbank and its subsidiaries reported a combined net profit of Bt29.924 billion for the first nine months of 2019, representing a decrease of 4.78 per cent over the same period last year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129740-kasikornbank-sees-drop-in-nine-month-net-profit/

 

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Cyber security, fintech at core of Thai-Russian MoU on cooperation 

By The Nation

 

Bank of Thailand Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob(left) and Elvira Nabiullina, Governor of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

 

Bank of Thailand Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation with Elvira Nabiullina, Governor of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation on October 18 at the IMF-WBG annual meetings in Washington, DC.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129742-cyber-security-fintech-at-core-of-thai-russian-mou-on-cooperation /

 

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New artificial intelligence platform introduced to boost Thai healthcare sector

By Nophakhun Limsamarnphun

The Nation

 

 

Enterprise software firm Infor is focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) platform as a service to help customers make quicker and better use of new features, with Thailand’s healthcare and food sector among the firm’s top potential markets. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129743-new-artificial-intelligence-platform-introduced-to-boost-thai-healthcare-sector/

 

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Thailand, Myanmar agree to use baht, kyat for cross-border payments

By The Nation

 

Right to left: Veerathai, U Soe Win and U Kyaw Kyaw Maung

 

Veerathai Santiprabhob, governor of the Bank of Thailand, and his Myanmar counterpart U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) on October 18 during the IMF-World Bank meeting in the US.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129746-thailand-myanmar-agree-to-use-baht-kyat-for-cross-border-payments/

 

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Govt to set up specific guidelines for Bryde's whales watching in Chon Buri

By The Nation

 

 

After the incident of more than 20 tourists driving jet skis on a whale-watching expedition in Chon Buri on October 15, which adversely affected marine animals and environment, the director of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources said measures need to be put in place to prevent such behaviour.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129747-govt-to-set-up-specific-guidelines-for-brydes-whales-watching-in-chon-buri/

 

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Egat gets nod for first time to import LNG

By THE NATION

 

Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong

 

The Energy Policy Administrative Committee on Monday gave the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) the go-ahead for the first time to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) totalling 130,000 tonnes.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129751-egat-gets-nod-for-first-time-to-import-lng/

 

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Branded goods not getting cheaper in Thailand any time soon

By THE NATION

 

The Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana

 

The Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana denied he has discussed the possibility of reducing tariff on branded goods to 5 per cent from the current 30 per cent with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129753-branded-goods-not-getting-cheaper-in-thailand-any-time-soon/

 

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National Office of Buddhism asked to warn temples not to fell precious trees for commercial gain

 

 

The Royal Forest Department has sought urgent cooperation from the National Office of Buddhism to remind temples that the department’s recent decision, to allow the felling or pruning of precious trees on privately-owned land plots, was intended to encourage people to grow precious trees for commercial purposes, but did not apply to fully-grown precious trees, some of which are over 100 years old.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129755-national-office-of-buddhism-asked-to-warn-temples-not-to-fell-precious-trees-for-commercial-gain/

 

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Future Forward party bans rogue MP from party activities

 

 

Future Forward MP for Chon Buri’s Constituency 7, Ms. Kavinnart Takhee, who twice voted against the party’s position, has been banned from engaging in party activities, pending a disciplinary probe.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129756-future-forward-party-bans-rogue-mp-from-party-activities/

 

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Warning of water shortages in 22 provinces

 

 

People living in 22 northern, north-eastern, eastern and southern Thai provinces are being advised to brace for shortages of water for consumption during the upcoming dry season. The dry season is due to start on November 1st and may last up to eight months.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129759-warning-of-water-shortages-in-22-provinces/

 

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REIC urges govt to stimulate property market

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai economic slowdown in accord with the global economic situation has affected people’s business confidence resulting in a sluggish overall housing market in the first half of the year. In Bangkok and its vicinity, more than one hundred and fifty thousand units remain unsold. Property sales are expected to shrink 5-7 percent this year. The government is being asked to take measures to stimulate purchasing power.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129760-reic-urges-govt-to-stimulate-property-market/

 

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More info on Sodium tax expected by year’s end

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - In addition to the doubling of sugar tax effective since 1st October, the Excise Department is also aiming to impose a sodium tax to encourage the general public to eat healthier food. The tax will initially be applicable to sodium used as seasoning, with more information expected by the end of this year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129761-more-info-on-sodium-tax-expected-by-year’s-end/

 

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Five arrested in separate Phuket drug busts in one day, petrol station dealer caught

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Before the five arrests in one day last Friday (Oct 18), Wimon ‘Pa’ Songkong, 29, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, was arrested with with 192 ya bah pills at a PTT petrol station on Thepkrasattri Rd in Tambon Thepkrasattri, Thalang, last Thursday (Oct 17). Photos ; Border Patrol Police 425

 

PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police led by Maj Pichit Thongtor arrested five suspects with a total of 265 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) in four separate drug busts on Friday (Oct 18).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129762-five-arrested-in-separate-phuket-drug-busts-in-one-day-petrol-station-dealer-caught/

 

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Man arrested for murder of Nai Yang hotel security guard

By The Phuket News

 

Somkiet Sala, 33, was taken into custody near Sakoo Police Station at 11:50am on Saturday (Oct 19). Photo: Sakoo Police

 

PHUKET: Police have arrested a man for the murder of a 52-year-old Nai Yang hotel security guard whose body was found in his rented room last Wednesday night (Oct 16).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129764-man-arrested-for-murder-of-nai-yang-hotel-security-guard/

 

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Phuket Governor inspects sites for proposed convention centre, sports complex

By The Phuket News

 

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana led an inspection tour of the two sites on Friday (Oct 18). Photo: PR Dept)

 

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana on Friday led an inspection tour of two sites in Phuket, one where the provincial government hopes to build an “international convention centre”, the other where the provincial government hopes to build a sports complex.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129767-phuket-governor-inspects-sites-for-proposed-convention-centre-sports-complex/

 

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Top rubber producer Thailand hit by fungal disease outbreak

Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

FILE PHOTO: Workers move baskets filled with rubber at the central rubber market in Nong Khai, Thailand, September 16, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A key rubber tree-growing area in Thailand has been hit by an outbreak of a fungal disease, which could halve the area’s output, the country’s rubber authority said on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129768-top-rubber-producer-thailand-hit-by-fungal-disease-outbreak/

 

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Johnson faces perilous Brexit ratification after deal vote blocked

By Kylie MacLellan and William James

 

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks ahead of a vote on his renegotiated Brexit deal, on what has been dubbed "Super Saturday", in the House of Commons in London, Britain October 19, 2019. ©UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/Handout via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a potentially perilous ratification of his Brexit divorce deal in the British parliament after the speaker refused to allow a vote on it on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129769-johnson-faces-perilous-brexit-ratification-after-deal-vote-blocked/

 

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Israel's Netanyahu gives up effort to form new government

 

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the swearing-in ceremony of the 22nd Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem October 3, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Benjamin Netanyahu gave up his effort to form a new government on Monday after failing to secure a majority coalition, creating an opportunity for centrist rival Benny Gantz to replace Israel's longest serving prime minister.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129770-israels-netanyahu-gives-up-effort-to-form-new-government/

 

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City residents respond to BMTA's cashless service

By THE NATION

 

 

Bangkok Poll has conducted a survey on the readiness of Bangkokians for cashless service on public buses with 51.7 per cent acknowledging that Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) had started the service on October 1, 2019.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129778-city-residents-respond-to-bmtas-cashless-service/

 

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Tollway fees to go up for the first time in 5 years

By THE NATION

 

 

Don Muang Tollway Public Company Limited, operator of the Uttaraphimuk Elevated Tollway aka the Don Muang Tollway, announced on Monday (October 21) that the company will raise tolls on its elevated tollway over the next five years from December 22, 2019 through December 21, 2024.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129780-tollway-fees-to-go-up-for-the-first-time-in-5-years/

 

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U.S. allows Chevron to drill for oil in Venezuela for three more months

By Timothy Gardner and Makini Brice

 

FILE PHOTO: The logo of Chevron is seen at the company's office in Caracas, Venezuela April 25, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday renewed a license allowing Chevron, the last U.S. operating energy company in Venezuela, to continue drilling in the country for another three months through Jan. 22.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129783-us-allows-chevron-to-drill-for-oil-in-venezuela-for-three-more-months/

 

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AmCham interested in EEC infrastructure projects, road safety

By THE NATION

 

 

Speaking on Monday (October 21), after a meeting with Heidi Gallant, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AmCham), Transport Minister Saksyam Chidchob said AmCham had expressed interest in investing in infrastructure projects in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129786-amcham-interested-in-eec-infrastructure-projects-road-safety/

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Murder in Khon Kaen: Jealous Thai businessman shoots Italian love rival in the back

 

Thai caption: Revenge on woman mixed up with a farang

 

A Thai businessman - a building contractor and a loan shark - has admitted murdering an Italian man who was having an affair with the same woman as him. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1129789-murder-in-khon-kaen-jealous-thai-businessman-shoots-italian-love-rival-in-the-back/