Thailand Live Friday 14 Sep 2012

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RT @RichardBarrow: Aerial view of a riverside community in Ang Thong flooded by the run-off from up north @yoware http://twitpic.com/auckfk

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RT @tulsathit: Fin Min Kittiratt says govt's populist policies were well thought-out & they benefit the ppl & have economic practicality.

RT @tulsathit: Kittiratt: I'm proud to be working with a capable, determined prime minister who always has good intention.

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BoT urges financial institutions to revise policies for new competitions in AEC

BANGKOK, 13 September 2012 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has suggested that financial institutions should revise their policies in preparation for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community.

During a seminar entitled “Enhancing Thai Industries for the New Future under the AEC”, Dr. Veerapong Ramangkul, Chairman of the BoT, stated that the Thai financial institutions needed to speedily adjust their policies in order to minimize differences and prepare for rising competitions under the AEC. According to him, the 10 ASEAN members have different financial policies which could lead to a conflict when the AEC is formed. The BoT chairman therefore recommended Thai financial institutions to improve their policies in conformity with those of their counterparts at the international level.

He added that the currency and capital markets will have to be adjusted as well. Furthermore, some ASEAN countries do not collect taxes in some businesses like Thailand does, such as income tax on earnings from deposit interest.

He also said the corporate tax in Thailand was still higher than other ASEAN members, and this could be a disadvantage for Thailand when the AEC is introduced in 2015.

-- NNT 2012-09-14

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Quake rocks Indonesia's Mentawai islands

The Nation

JAKARTA: -- An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Indonesia's Mentawai islands Friday, but there were no immediate reports of damage.

The quake occurred at 11.51 am (0451 GMT) with the epicentre 162 kilometres south-east of the Mentawais, at a depth of 83 kilometres, the Meteorology, Geophysics and Climatology Agency said.

There was no threat of a tsunami, the agency said

-- The Nation 2012-09-14

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PTT prepares 800 million baht for expansion into Cambodia, Laos

BANGKOK, 14 September 2012 (NNT) – The PTT Public Company Limited is looking to invest 800 million baht in energy business expansion in Cambodia and Laos in the next five years.

The PTT planned to open 4-5 more gas stations in Laos and Cambodia each. The Thai energy giant already has 14 gas stations and 3 oil reserves in Cambodia. The new move is set to promote ‘PTT’ as a premium brand in the ASEAN region.

The company expected that the retail oil business in Cambodia will familiarize the PTT with doing business in the neighboring country before it invests more in the future.

Meanwhile, during the 30th ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Energy in Cambodia, Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon said the Thai government is placing an emphasis on developing green energy and is pushing for ASEAN to use the same alternative energy standard.

-- NNT 2012-09-14

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Villager shot dead in Pattani; mother and child injured

PATTANI, Sept 14 - A local resident was shot dead, while his wife and child were wounded in the latest violence in this restive south province on Friday.

Identified as Wichit Thongnak, 40, the victim was riding a motorcycle carrying his family, sending the child to school in Yarang district when two assailants on a motorcycle followed and shot him.

Mr Wichit died instantly but his wife and child were slightly injured as the motorcycle lost control and crashed. They were sent to Yala hospital for treatment.

Police are now investigation whether the attack was due to a personal conflict or if it is related to the insurgency. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-14

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RT @KentBKK: Just met with Royal British Legion colleagues who are doing fantastic job here in Thailand.

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Thailand gives Bt2 million financial assistance to Myanmar for flood relief. /MCOT

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Thailand gives Myanmar Bt2 million financial aid for flood relief

BANGKOK, Sept 14 - Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on behalf of the Thai government, presented financial assistance of Bt2 million to the Myanmar government to Tin Win, Myanmar ambassador to Thailand, to help relieve the effects of last month's flood.

Torrential rain in Myanmar caused flooding, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes and hundreds of thousands of acres of paddy fields were under flood water.

Mr Surapong told the Myanmar ambassador that Thailand is Myanmar's neighbour, sharing a common border, and that the financial assistance has underscored the close and cordial ties between the two countries.

Mr Tin Win said that the Myanmar government would consider allocating the financial assistance provided by the Thai government to the flood victims.

He has expressed sympathy for the Thai residents who were affected by the flood in Sukhothai.

Mr Surapong also said that on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month, Ms Yingluck and Myanmar President Thein Sein would hold bilateral talks on the progress of the Dawei deep sea port project.

Ms Yingluck and Thein Sein were scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly later this month and Ms Yingluck would deliver a speech at the United Nations headquarters on September 27.

The date for additional talks over the development of the project will be set after the two sides have concluded and the Thai premier will lead her delegation to follow up the project during the upcoming visit.

Ms Yingluck has earlier scheduled to visit Myanmar September19-21. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-14

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Thai police applicants told they cannot have genital implants

BANGKOK: -- There has been a lot of news recently of cheating going on for police entrance exams in Thailand. During the recent exams, everyone had to submit themselves to a pat down and go through a metal detector.

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Phuket taxis agree to standard fares

Phuket Gazette

Each taxi must carry this large sticker on both sides of the vehicle so complaints can be easily lodged about the conduct of the driver.

Each taxi must also be clearly marked with a unique identification number to make it easier for police to follow up on complaints.

PHUKET: -- More than 50 representatives from taxi organizations across Phuket have agreed to a schedule of standard fares to be charged island-wide.

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Bogus Phuket tour guides, gem rip-offs in firing line

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada to take stern action against Phuket’s illegal tour guides and rip-off jewelry shops. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Reputable jewelry stores were less likely to cheat customers as the harm done to their 'brands' would cost them business, said V/Gov Chamroen. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Phuket jewelry shops that overcharge tourists and tour companies that hire illegal guides are to be targeted by the latest campaign by provincial authorities to preserve a “billion baht” business, officials were told this week.

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Mexican killed, three Thais injured in Phuket head-on crash

Phuket Gazette

Police believe that Mexican national Christian Roth might not have been used to driving on the left in Phuket. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

The three men travelling in the black Toyota Altis were rushed to hospital for treatment. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A Mexican national died early this morning when the car he was driving, on the wrong side of one of Phuket’s most dangerous roads, struck an oncoming vehicle, injuring the three occupants.

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Full house fails urine test

By Staff Reporter

SATTAHIP: -- Neighbourhood Karaoke bar was a drugs den according to local residents who complained to police

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Convicts rob ladyboy

By Staff Reporter

PATTAYA: -- Patrolling police officers noticed a one sided fight involving 4 people in Nong Prue

What they found was a gang of three recently released convicts attacking a young ladyboy in Nong Prue, Pattaya, and demanding all her possession with the threat of even more violence.

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Highway robbers fail again

By Staff Reporter

PATTAYA: -- A 27 year old ex convict saw his luck run out again this week as he and a partner thought they had perfected the art of gold theft.

First they cruised the Naklua road, north of Pattaya City, in search of people wearing gold.

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MCOT chairman Sorajak becoming THAI president

BANGKOK, Sept 14 – Sorajak Kasemsuvan, chairman of MCOT Plc, was today selected as president of Thai Airways International, succeeding Piyasvasti Amranand, whose employment contract was abruptly terminated by the THAI Board of Directors last May.

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SET index closed at 1272.6, up 14.91; Bt/USD30.67; GBP49.53; AUD32.29; EUR39.81; CAD31.60; HKD3.95; SGD24.96; JPY39.30

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Phuket National Park chief lays to rest death threat rumor

Phuket Gazette

'Do I get scared? Yes, I do. I have family and people I love waiting for me,' Sirinath National Park chief Cheewapap Cheewatham admits. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Sirinath National Park chief Cheewapap Cheewatham has denied claims that he or any other officers investigating alleged encroachment onto national park land have received death threats.

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RT @RichardBarrow: Heavy rain in Bangkok is again causing flooding. Nearly halfway up car wheels (Pic @boatskyline) http://thai.vi/RW8IM9

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Former capital discharges water into paddy fields

AYUTTHAYA, Sept 14 – Water from the Noi River has been discharged into paddy fields in eastern Pak Hai district in this historic former capital, 67 km north of Bangkok, to spare communities on the riverbanks from severe damage, a senior provincial official said on Friday.

Ayutthaya deputy governor Natee Bosuwan said after a meeting to respond to flooding that water from the Noi River was being released at 100 cubic metres/second through a few sluice gates including at Lad Chado, Pak Hai and Lad Chid in order to relieve the burden to riverside residents.

He said discharged water into the Pak Hai fields will not affect farmers since they have finished harvesting.

The Noi is a small river branching out from the main Chao Phraya River in upper Chai Nat province. It runs through Singburi and Angthong provinces before rejoining the Chao Phraya River downstream in Ayutthaya.

Chaluay Ngam-rabiab, a village head in Bangban district, said about 150 homes in her village have been flooded and residents must commute by boat. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-14

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THAI to hire flight attendants up to age 60

THE NATION

Early retirement deals also offered to keep costs low

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI)'s board of directors Friday agreed to extend the age limit for female flight attendants hired under outsourcing contracts to 60 years from 45 years.

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Thailand Live Saturday 15 Sep 2012