Thailand Live Tuesday 28 Aug 2012

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RT @ASEAN_NEWSROOM: Myanmar lifted a ban on entry for 2,082 of 6,165 blacklisted nationals living abroad, including media men &urged them to return home: DPA

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NACC resolves to not indict ex-PM Thaksin, ex-transport minister Suriya on Suvarnabhumi airport CTX bomb detector scandal; citing no clear evidence /MCOT

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Taxis that reject customers will be fined

BANGKOK, 28 August 2012 (NNT) – From September 1st onwards, taxi drivers who refuse service to passengers will be fined, while the Traffic Police will give a warning to taxis that violate traffic codes for the first time, instead of issuing citations.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/580158-crackdown-on-cabbies-who-refuse-to-take-passengers/page__st__75#entry5612645

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RT@RichardBarrow: PICTURE: Alleged scam artists on Wireless Rd telling tourists that the Vietnam/US Embassy is closed (Pic @beejoir) http://t.co/7jCyXcoA

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Special Report: Seminar on Thailand's preparation for AEC held to commemorate Women's Day

BANGKOK: -- On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Thai Women’s Day, the National Council of Women of Thailand (NCWT), in collaboration with the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), hosts a seminar on the country’s preparation for its inclusion in the ASEAN Economic Community.

The event has been held to recognize the role of Thai women in the world of business , given several international surveys have suggested that Thailand ranks first in providing opportunities for women to climb the corporate ladder. The seminar is aimed at informing business leaders of coming changes.

This year’s seminar comprises representatives from the private, public, education, and retail sectors who exchange views on the upcoming formation of the AEC and its impact on Thailand. High on the agendas at the seminar are the expected free flow of goods, services, investment, capital, and labour among ASEAN members as well as challenges small businesses will likely face given a more competitive climate.

Presiding over the opening ceremony was Industry Minister MR Pongsawat Svastivas who delivered a keynote speech on the government’s policy initiatives and goals in anticipation of the AEC in 2015. The main goals, he said, were to build up competitiveness, promote connectivity and support the establishment of the region-wide community.

SET President Charumporn Chotikasathien also disclosed that the Thai bourse is joining hands with Malaysia and Singapore’s stock exchanges in October as part of a collaborative framework known as ASEAN Exchanges. Guided by the AEC blueprint, ASEAN Exchanges is a collaboration of seven stock exchanges from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam which aims to jointly promote the development of ASEAN as an asset class.

He added that the ASEAN Exchanges would provide an easily identifiable reference for investors in the form of the ASEAN Stars which represent 180 top ASEAN blue-chip stocks.

To facilitate the expansion of regional markets and to better compete in the global economy, the Stock Exchange of Thailand(SET) has also recently amended its listing rules to enable holding companies whose main business are abroad to list on the SET, which highlights the SET’s commitment to matching right financial opportunities for Thais' overseas business.

-- NNT 2012-08-28

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Women from Ghana and Thailand ‘most unfaithful’: study

Women from Ghana and Thailand landed the top spots as the world’s most unfaithful lovers in a new survey.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/580258-women-from-ghana-and-thailand-most-unfaithful-study/#entry5612779

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Village people file complaint over Phuket pub noise

Phuket Gazette –

Prapan Kanprasang (left), chief of the Damrongtham Center (ombudsman’s office) at Phuket Provincial Hall, receives the complaint. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: Villagers in Baan Tha Rua in Srisoonthorn, just north of Phuket’s famed Heroines’ Monument, yesterday filed a group complaint against one entertainment venue in the area for noise pollution and closing after the regulated trading hours.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....e/#entry5612794

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Tour company offers compensation for capsized speedboat ordeal

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket Tourist Police officers console one of the tourists rescued from the capsized speedboat yesterday. Photo: Tourist Police

British tourists (from left) Eimear Connaughton, Rowena Butterworth, Robert Scott and Samantha Chappell (not pictured) have mixed feelings about getting on another speedboat anytime soon. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/580266-tour-company-offers-compensation-for-capsized-speedboat-ordeal/#entry5612817

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Flooding affects 100 homes in Trang

TRANG, Aug 28 – About 100 houses in the southern province of Trang have been hit by flood.

Trang governor Niphan Sirithorn on Tuesday inspected flooding in Ban Huay Rieng village in the provincial seat. About 70 houses have experienced floodwater intrusion with water one metre deep in some areas.

A portion of road leading to a village, about 40 acres of rubber and oil palm plantation and fruit orchards, have been inundated.

It is the fourth time this year that the village has been flooded as it is located in a low-lying area near several canals.

In Sikao district, about 30 houses have been intruded by about 20-50cm deep floodwaters.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department on Tuesday warned the public in Southern Thailand, especially on the west coast, to be alert to possible flash floods. More rain is likely with isolated heavy rain countrywide as the monsoon trough lies over the upper North and Northeast, with the strong southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-28

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Suthep denies troops fired during the day of April 10

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban has told the Department of Special Investigation that troops were not the ones that started shooting at red shirt protesters on April 10, 2010.

Speaking to reporters late Monday night after being questioned by DSI investigators for about 10 hours, Suthep said investigators had shown him a YouTube clip, which they claimed has been recorded during the day of April 10.

The clip showed what was purported to be troops firing at redshirt protesters with M16 and Tavor assault rifles.

Suthep said he told the DSI investigators that he had never seen the clip or learned of the shooting because operations to tighten security during the day of April 10 were closely witnessed by both newspaper and TV reporters.

-- The Nation 2012-08-28

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2010 POLITICAL STRIFE

Suthep denies troops fired during the day of April 10

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban has told the Department of Special Investigation that troops were not the ones that started shooting at red shirt protesters on April 10, 2010.

Full story:

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NBCT demands DTAC to explain about its frequent network failures, started about 10-11am across the country today. NBCT to take action; http://thai.vi/PXiAUO

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MULTI-COLOURED MOVEMENT

Leader alleges explosives left on his car

Dr Tul

BANGKOK: -- A multi-coloured leader filed a complaint with police on Monday after he found a paper bag hung on a side mirror of his car parked at Chulalongkorn Hospital where he works.

Full story:

[george]

UPDATE

NBTC plans to unveil result of talk with DTAC at 4pm today. Fine may reach 8 digits, or over Bt10 mn. /The Nation

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TELECOM

Dtac apologises for service disruption

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Total Access Communications (Dtac)'s clients today experienced service disruption, the fifth time so far this year.

Dtac executives were summoned for an urgent meeting today with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Board’s secretary-general. the press conference is scheduled at 4pm.

Full story:

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Transport Min plans on connecting Thailand with neighboring countries

BANGKOK, 28 August 2012 (NNT) – The Transport Ministry has drawn up a plan to connect transportation routes between Thailand and its neighboring countries before the introduction of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan has stated that the Ministry’s plan for the upcoming AEC is to focus on the basic infrastructure, especially roads and railways that connect Thailand to the neighboring countries. The plan is aimed to promote Thailand to be the hub of trade and investment when the AEC is established.

At this preliminary stage, the ministry will also focus on the development of Laem Chabang Port and 8 border checkpoints in an effort to facilitate people and business entrepreneurs traveling to and from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. The plan is expected to complete in September.

Mr. Charupong also mentioned the high-speed train system, saying the ministry is conducting a research on the project. There will be 4 high-speed rail lines in total, two of which will be built in the first phase of the project; they are the Bangkok–Phitsanulok Line and the Bangkok–Hua Hin Line.

-- NNT 2012-08-28

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Krung Thon bridge banned to trucks

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- City police on Tuesday issued an order banning sixwheel trucks and bigger vehicles from using the Krung Thon Bridge at any time due to its age and condition.

The ban was signed by Pol Maj Gen Worasak Nopsittiporn, deputy city police commissioner.

The bridge, which is known as Sang He Bridge, is more than 50 years old and the weight of heavy vehicles could affect its structure.

The ban on sixwheel and heavier trucks was issued following the decision taken by a subcommittee on traffic, which met on December 8, 2011.

-- The Nation 2012-08-28

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SET index closed at 1233.16, down 0.57; Bt/USD31.17; GBP49.09; AUD32.22; EUR38.90; CAD31.31; HKD4.01; SGD24.72; JPY39.43

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Higher foreign capital invested in Thailand

BANGKOK, 28 August 2012 (NNT) – The Board of Investment (BOI) has reported that the amount of foreign capital invested in Thailand during the first 7 months of this year has totaled 332 billion baht, up 62% year-on-year.

According to BOI Secretary-General Dr. Atchaka Sibunruang, the BOI’s support has been sought for 829 foreign investment projects during January-July this year, which is a 38% increase from the same period of 2011. The total investment capital is also worth more than last year’s by over 100 billion baht or 62%.

Out of the projects requesting investment support, 585 projects or 71% of them are intended for business expansions while the remaining 244 projects are new business ventures.

The industries which have attracted the highest number of investment projects are metal products, machinery and transport equipment, with 281 projects worth 122 billion baht.

The second most popular industries are electronics and electrical appliances, which have gained 171 projects worth 81.3 billion baht. Coming in third are the services and public utilities industries, which have 160 projects worth 54.7 billion baht. The paper, chemical and plastic industries have acquired 114 projects worth 31.5 billion baht while the lowest number of investment projects goes to the farming industry, with 43 projects worth 18.3 billion baht.

Out of all the countries interested in Thailand, Japan is the biggest investor, with up to 474 projects and a combined investment value of 210 billion baht, an increase of 120% from last year.

-- NNT 2012-08-28

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NACC decides not to take legal actions against politicians in CTX bomb scanner case

The national anti-graft agency Tuesday resolved not to take legal action against the politicians involved in the CTX bomb scanner scandal, citing lack of evidence against them.

However, the National AntiCorruption Commission (NACC) would focus its investigation on six former members of the Airports of Thailand Plc executive board, according to NACC member Vichai Vivitsevi.

Vichai said the eight commissioners present at Tuesday's meeting voted not to pursue the legal case against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former transport minister Suriya Juengrungruangkit.

"We found that there was insufficient evidence to prove without doubts that the accused actually committed the alleged wrongdoing," Vichai said.

-- The Nation 2012-08-28

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Rousing bids for 750,000 tonnes of rice in government stockpiles

BANGKOK, AUG 28 – Representatives of rice trading companies eagerly showed up at Thailand's Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday to join bidding contests for rice under the government’s rice pledging scheme.

Manat Soiploy, director general of the Foreign Trade Department, called for bids in his capacity as chairman of the committee on releasing rice stockpiles.

Enthusiastic bidders included Tapioca Flour and Grain Co, Olam (Thailand) Ltd, Wanon Thanyakit Co and K.M.C. Inter Rice 2002 Co.

Akarapong Dipavajra, director of the Foreign Rice Trading Office, said it was the fourth bidding this year to release rice stockpiles, adding that the timing was right thanks to declining rice production and higher rice prices in the market.

He reaffirmed transparency in the bidding and the negotiations are based rice prices in the world market.

The committee on releasing rice stockpiles is scheduled to meet Wednesday to review bidder qualifications and negotiate prices with buyers before forwarding concluded deals to the Cabinet for approval. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-28

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Cabinet approved adintional funds to build flood walls

BANGKOK, 28 August 2012 (NNT)-The Cabinet has approved an additional fund of more than 700 million baht to expedite 3 water management projects, which are expected to keep Bangkok dry during the rainy season.

Minister of Science and Technology Prodprasob Surasawadee, who is also the chairman of the flood and water management committee, revealed that the budget allocation of 769 million baht has been approved following the request from his committee.

According to him, 263.7 million baht will be spent on completing the construction of a siphon at Bangchomsri water gate and another 334 million for the set up of a semi-permanent water pump station at the Rangsitprayurasak canal in Pathunthani province.

The move, the Minister said, will help keep the run off from flooding the areas in the north of Bangkok where several industrial estates are located.

Another 171 million baht has also been granted by the Cabinet to fund the flood prevention scheme for Thammasart University,the Asian institute of technology, and the National Science and Technology Development Agency.

Flood walls will be reinforced with concrete while more barriers made of soil will also be constructed around the university’s entrance and in the vicinity of a turnpike.

Mr. Prodprasob added that Thammasart Hospital must be protected as it would serve as an evacuee center.

-- NNT 2012-08-28

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Sukumpol says he seconded permanent secretary over embarrassing leak of military list

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat Tuesday said he had acted within his mandate to place his permament secretary General Sathian Permtongin on secondment in the wake of an embarassing leak on the military reshuflle list.

Sukumpol said the list was an internal affair which should be discussed in private between him and relevant officials, rebuking Sathian for airing his views in public.

"I find the leak very embarrassing," he said, arguing he was justified to exert his decisive leadership in order to ensure smooth functioning of his ministry.

-- The Nation 2012-08-28

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No visa needed for Thais travelling to Turkey and stay for less than 30 days as a result of the bilateral diplomatic agreement. via @akadej

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Fugitive Ex-PM Thaksin's brainchild, the Elite Card scheme will stay. Tourism Ministry agrees to recapitalise Thailand Privilege Card by Bt500mn /The Nation

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MP urges Thai women: Marry a farang for an easier life

By Coconuts Bangkok

Pheu Thai MP Sunai Julphongsathorn

BANGKOK: -- A Thai MP has gotten into hot water over his controversial suggestion for poor Thai women who want an easy life: “find a farang husband.”

Full story:

[george]

MAINTENANCE NOTICE:

Thaivisa will be down for maintenance Wednesday August 29 from 9pm onwards

Dear members and visitors,

Thaivisa Forum will be down for scheduled server maintenance and software upgrades on Wednesday August 29 in a 4 hour window between approx. 21.00 - 01.00 Bangkok time (GMT+7).

Total downtime is expected to be 2-3 hours.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thaivisa Admin

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 29 Aug 2012