THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 14 Jan 2020

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Giant fish takes bite of German tourist

By The Nation

 

 

A 75-year-old German tourist was attacked by an unidentified giant fish when swimming off Nang Thong Beach in Phang Nga province with his wife. The incident resulted in gaping wounds on his right leg and had to be immediately sent for treatment at a hospital in Phuket.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143119-giant-fish-takes-bite-of-german-tourist/

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Phuket Immigration re-confirms ‘embassy income verification’ letters not required after American expat given 30 days to leave Thailand

By The Phuket News

 

A foreigner has the stamps in his passport explained to him at the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town. Photo: The Phuket News / file

 

PHUKET:-- A year after the policy change was formally confirmed, Phuket Immigration today (Jan 13) again reconfirmed that letters from embassies are no longer required in order to confirm a foreigner’s income when applying for an extension to a non-immigrant permit to stay – as long as the relevant embassy no longer issues the “income verification” letters.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143110-phuket-immigration-re-confirms-‘embassy-income-verification’-letters-not-required-after-american-expat-given-30-days-to-leave-thailand/

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VIDEO: Rescuers rush to save Austrian man dangling from cliff in southern Thailand

 

Image: Thairath

 

Rescue workers on Monday were scrambling to try to free an Austrian man who was dangling precariously from the side of a cliff face in southern Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143081-video-rescuers-rush-to-save-austrian-man-dangling-from-cliff-in-southern-thailand/

 

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International issues to influence baht rate this week

By The Nation

 

 

The Bank of Thailand will hold a press conference on the monetary policy and baht exchange rate situation, amid concerns of the baht remaining strong.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143150-international-issues-to-influence-baht-rate-this-week/

 

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Pa Kia Highland becomes tourist draw

By Supachai Petchtewee
The Nation

 

 

Pa Kia Highland Agricultural Research Station under the Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, has become increasingly popular among tourists to Doi Luang Chiang Dao, even though the site is located in remote land high up in the mountain. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143151-pa-kia-highland-becomes-tourist-draw/

 

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Saksayam wants Highways Department to speed up budget spending

By THE NATION

 

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob

 

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob instructed the Department of Highways on Monday (January 13) to accelerate disbursement of its Bt115.8-billion budget under the 2020 fiscal budget.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143154-saksayam-wants-highways-department-to-speed-up-budget-spending/

 

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Drive for investment amid strengthening baht

By THE NATION

 

Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak, centre, and BOI secretary-general Duangjai Asawachintachit, right.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on Monday (January 13) instructed the Board of Investment (BOI) to work with the Finance Ministry on measures aimed at encouraging businesses to accelerate their investments in the next six months, taking advantage of the strong baht.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143156-drive-for-investment-amid-strengthening-baht/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Value of projects seeking tax privileges exceeds BOI target

By THE NATION

 

BOI secretary-general Duangjai Asawachintachit

 

The value of the projects applying for tax privileges at the Board of Investment (BOI) last year reached Bt756.1 billion, exceeding the Board's target of Bt750 billion.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143156-drive-for-investment-amid-strengthening-baht/?do=findComment&comment=14952956

 

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UTCC unit trims 2020 growth forecast to 2.8%

By THE NATION

 

Thanavath Phonvichai

 

The Centre of Economic and Business Forecasting under The University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has revised downward its forecast of the country's economic growth this year to 2.8 per cent from 3.1 per cent, citing a number of emerging negative factors.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143157-utcc-unit-trims-2020-growth-forecast-to-28/

 

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Driving at under 90kph in the right lane of highways may become an offence

 

 

Motorists who use the right lane of a highway, with more than four traffic lanes, and drive at a speed of less than 90kph will face charges similar to speeding, under a new ministerial regulation being mulled by the Transport Ministry.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143158-driving-at-under-90kph-in-the-right-lane-of-highways-may-become-an-offence/

 

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Independence Day: Queen Elizabeth agrees grandson Harry, wife Meghan can exit senior royal role

By Toby Melville and Gerhard Mey

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth departs from St Mary Magdalene's church on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

SANDRINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth has reluctantly agreed to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's wish for a more independent future after the British royal family held crisis talks on Monday to resolve a widening rift among the Windsors.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143159-independence-day-queen-elizabeth-agrees-grandson-harry-wife-meghan-can-exit-senior-royal-role/

 

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Pakistan court revokes coup leader Musharraf's death sentence, guilty verdict

By Mubasher Bukhari and Asif Shahzad

 

Supporters of Pervez Musharraf carry national flags and signs, after a Pakistani court sentenced the former military ruler to death on charges of high treason and subverting the constitution, during a protest in Karachi, Pakistan, December 19, 2019. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo

 

LAHORE (Reuters) - A Pakistani high court on Monday revoked a guilty verdict and death sentence handed down to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for treason, declaring that the formation of the court that sentenced him was unconstitutional, a government law officer said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143164-pakistan court-revokes-coup-leader-musharrafs-death-sentence-guilty-verdict/

 

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Nancy Pelosi poised to send Trump impeachment charges to U.S. Senate for trial

By Ginger Gibson and Richard Cowan

 

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) walks to her office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives is expected to formally send impeachment charges against President Donald Trump to the Senate this week, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to help acquit his fellow Republican.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143166-nancy-pelosi-poised-to-send-trump-impeachment-charges-to-us-senate-for-trial/

 

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Who wants to replace UK's defeated Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn?

 

Britain's opposition Labour Party Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer leaves the BBC headquarters after appearing on The Andrew Marr Show in London, Britain January 5, 2020. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party will elect a new leader after veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn said he would step down following his party's election defeat by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143167-who-wants-to-replace-uks-defeated-labour-party-leader-jeremy-corbyn/

 

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Pompeo says Soleimani killing part of new strategy to deter U.S. foes

By Humeyra Pamuk and Jonathan Landay

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks during a news conference in the Press Briefing Room at the State Department in Washington, U.S., January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said Qassem Soleimani was killed as part of a broader strategy of deterring challenges by U.S. foes that also applies to China and Russia, further diluting the assertion that the top Iranian general was struck because he was plotting imminent attacks on U.S. targets.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143171-pompeo-says-soleimani-killing-part-of-new-strategy-to-deter-us-foes/

 

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WikiLeaks founder Assange needs more time to speak to lawyer, court told

By Elizabeth Howcroft

 

WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in London, Britain January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is not getting the time he needs with his legal team to discuss his fight against extradition to the United States, causing delays to the case, his lawyer told a British court on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143172-wikileaks-founder-assange-needs-more-time-to-speak-to-lawyer-court-told/

 

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Canada's Trudeau: Iran plane victims would be alive had there been no regional tensions

By Steve Scherer

 

FILE PHOTO: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau attends a memorial service at the University of Alberta for the victims of a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed in Iran, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Candace Elliott

 

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that the victims of the Ukrainian airliner shot down in Iran would still be alive if the recent escalation of tensions in the region had not happened, according to a transcript of an interview with Global News TV.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143173-canadas-trudeau-iran-plane-victims-would-be-alive-had-there-been-no-regional-tensions/

 

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Hours of forewarning saved U.S., Iraqi lives from Iran's missile attack

By Kamal Ayash and John Davison

 

U.S. soldiers are seen at the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq January 13, 2020. REUTERS/John Davison

 

AIN AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (Reuters) - Nearly eight hours before Iran’s January 8 missile attack on U.S. forces at bases in Iraq, American and Iraqi soldiers at Ain al-Asad air base scrambled to move personnel and weaponry to fortified bunkers, two Iraqi officers stationed at the base told Reuters.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143174-hours-of-forewarning-saved-us-iraqi-lives-from-irans-missile-attack/

 

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Day five in hunt for callous gold shop robber: All the latest

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thai media continued to report extensively on every latest development in the hunt for the callous armed robber who shot and killed three people and injured four at the Aurora gold shop in Robinson's Lopburi last Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143181-day-five-in-hunt-for-callous-gold-shop-robber-all-the-latest/

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UPDATE:

 

Southern Thailand: Austrian parachutist rescued from cliff face after 8 hour drama

 

Picture: Daily News

 

An Austrian parachutist who performed in the south for children's day continued his trip with his wife at an area known as Khao Ok Talu in Muang district of Phatthalung.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143081-video-rescuers-rush-to-save-austrian-man-dangling-from-cliff-in-southern-thailand/?do=findComment&comment=14953425

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Melbourne smothered in smoke as Australian bushfires burn despite cool change

By Kate Lamb

 

FILE PHOTO: A burning gum tree is felled to stop it from falling on a car in Corbago, as bushfires continue in New South Wales, Australia January 5, 2020. REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy/File Photo

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's devastating bushfire season is far from over despite cooler weather this week, Victorian state officials warned on Tuesday as Melbourne was blanketed by hazardous smoke.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143183-melbourne-smothered-in-smoke-as-australian-bushfires-burn-despite-cool-change/

 

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Chiang Mai: More than 120 secondary children taken to hospital after lunch at camp

 

Picture: Daily Newws

 

More than 120 M2 school children from the Montfort College were taken to hospitals in the San Sai area of Chiang Mai after developing stomach trouble after consuming lunch. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143184-chiang-mai-more-than-120-secondary-children-taken-to-hospital-after-lunch-at-camp/

 

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Why British dementia patients are being sent to Thailand

Gabriel Power

 

File photo

 

New research reveals desperate families seeking affordable care overseas for relatives with the disease

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143185-why-british-dementia-patients-are-being-sent-to-thailand/

 

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Video: Nasty foreign "guest" on police radar after cashier scams across several provinces

 

Thai caption: Warning! Nasty foreign "khaek". I've already paid you - I want my change".

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Police in Phetchabun are hunting what 77kaoded called a "nasty foreign khaek" who has been scamming restaurants and shops in three provinces. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143189-video-nasty-foreign-guest-on-police-radar-after-cashier-scams-across-several provinces/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Police find ‘important clue’ in Lopburi gold heist case

By THE NATION

 

 

Investigators have discovered an important lead from the gun used in the Lopburi gold heist case, which could lead to the identification of the suspect who killed three people on January 9, police said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143181-day-five-in-hunt-for-callous-gold-shop-robber-all-the-latest/?do=findComment&comment=14953617

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Russian tourist in coma after Patong hotel four-storey fall

By The Phuket News

 

Police inspect room at the hotel in Patong where Mr Solovev was staying. photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: A 23-year-old Russian tourist remains unconscious in the ICU at Vachira Phuket Hospital after falling from the fourth floor of a hotel in Patong on Sunday morning (Jan 12).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143193-russian-tourist-in-coma-after-patong-hotel-four-storey-fall/

 

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Bang Saen mayor blows a fuse! Tourist vandals may have annoyed the wrong person

 

Thai caption: Hunt on for table vandals

 

Thai media reported that the mayor of Saen Suk district responsible for Bang Saen district had blown a fuse on social media after vandals damaged a number of tables and seats at the beach. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143196-bang-saen-mayor-blows-a-fuse-tourist-vandals-may-have-annoyed-the-wrong-person/

 

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Gems and jewellery exports dazzle in 2019

By THE NATION

 

 

Gems and jewellery exports in the first 11 months of 2019 expanded 34.73 per cent year on year to US$14.97 billion (Bt453.6 billion), thanks to an increase in trading by foreign gold prospectors and the high demand for coloured gemstones in foreign markets, Deputy Commerce Minister Weerasak Wangsupakitkosol said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143198-gems-and-jewellery-exports-dazzle-in-2019/

 

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Thai tourism: Free visa is the answer for yet more Chinese and Indians in 2020, minister

 

File photo

 

Thai media BEC TERO said that tourism and sports minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn was preparing to meet with a ministerial committee to propose free visas for Chinese and Indian tourists.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143199-thai-tourism-free-visa-is-the-answer-for-yet-more-chinese-and-indians-in-2020-minister/

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Life lesson! Octogenarian - formerly wealthy - now works 11 hour shift at department store

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on a story from a Facebook poster about a man who used to own a boat business and now is a sales worker at a department store. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143204-life-lesson-octogenarian-formerly-wealthy-now-works-11-hour-shift-at-department-store/