Thailand Live Friday 2 Nov 2012

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Police recover B2.5mn from Phuket bank heist

Phuket Gazette

Officers found the 2.5 million baht stashed in a black plastic bag behind the house. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Police hold up a poster of Anusit Kaewmookda, 31, from Nakhon Ratchasima, who is now wanted for carrying out the armed robbery. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Police this morning recovered 2.5 million baht in cash believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery of a suburban bank branch in Phuket on Wednesday.

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PM chairs first meeting of new cabinet

BANGKOK, Oct 31 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra chaired a meeting of her new cabinet at Government House today after leading the appointees for their swearing in ceremony before His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/595226-yingluck-leads-new-ministers-in-oath-taking-ceremony-before-king/#entry5806631

[Lite Beer]

Hotels and guides in Bagan swamped as tourists pour in to ancient city

Pix : Bagan//wikipedia.com

This may be the season to be happy but local hoteliers and tourist guides are finding it hard to manage the foreign tourists flocking in droves to Myanmar's ancient city of Bagan, Eleven Media online reports.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/595292-hotels-and-guides-in-bagan-swamped-as-tourists-pour-in-to-ancient-city/#entry5806717

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Chalerm first deputy PM

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Friday reassigned responsibilities to her deputies and made Chalerm Yoobamrung the first deputy prime minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said he became No-2 deputy prime minister.

Surapong said Kittiratt Na-Ranong became the third deputy prime minister.

-- The Nation 2012-11-02

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Yingluck in charge of security affairs

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is now in charge of security affairs by herself, Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council, said Friday.

He said Yingluck replaced Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapha to supervise the security affairs after Yutthasak has been removed from the Cabinet.

Yingluck reassigned responsibilities to her deputies Friday and decided to be in charge of the security affairs by herself.

-- The Nation 2012-11-02

[Lite Beer]

October Consumer Confidence Index rises in all categories; first time in 4 months

BANGKOK, Nov 2 - Thailand's Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rose in all categories in October for the first time in four months.

Thai Chamber of Commerce University's Economic and Business Forecasting Center director Thanawat Polvichai said the increase was due to fewer worries about floods, improved tourism, reduced interest rates and lower oil prices.

The CCI last month stood at 77.8, compared to 77 in September, while the Business Sentiment Index was at 68.1 in October, increasing from 67.5 the previous month.

The confidence index of current economic conditions stood at 58.7 in October, the highest growth in the past 13 months, while the index of future economic conditions reached 77.5, also the highest increase of this category in four months.

However, Dr Thanawat said consumers are still worried about the ongoing troubled world economy and domestic political situations, particularly the anti-government rally of the Pitak Siam--the Protecting Siam group--led by retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, set to be held again later this month.

The Economic and Business Forecasting Center also lowered Thailand's projected GDP slightly from its previous forecast of 5.5 per cent. More detail is to be provided next week.

According to the centre director, exports are expected to grow 3-5 per cent this year, given improved indications in September, while tourism will be lively with estimated revenue to be generated in circulation at Bt800 billion this year and Bt1 trillion next year. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-02

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Prime Minister Highlights the Importance of the Rule of Law

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has stressed the importance of the rule of law, saying that it is the foundation of domestic legal order that helps support social stability.

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300,000 claim new car tax rebate

BANGKOK, 2 November 2012 (NNT) -The Ministry of Finance has reported that more than 300,000 people have filed claims for the government’s first-time car buyer tax rebate scheme and that it will likely cost an excess of 30 billion baht by year's end.

Deputy Finance Minister Tanusak Lek-uthai said since the program was launched in September last year, the total number of claims had added up to 29 billion baht. The ministry has estimated that by the end of this year, the rebate claims would exceed the government’s estimated figure of 30 billion baht.

Tanusak disclosed that about 10,000 applicants had already received the tax rebate worth a total of 849 million baht.

In the 2013 fiscal year, the Ministry of Finance is expected to pay another 18 billion baht in tax refunds under the policy. The deputy minister said 7.5 billion baht has been allocated by the ministry and the Comptroller General's Department has sought the remaining amount from the central budget.

The scheme allows first-time car buyers a rebate on actual excise tax paid of up to 100,000 baht for cars priced at no more than 1 million baht.

The ministry has announced that from next month onward the tax rebate payment would be made only once a month instead of twice. The change is intended to allow officials more time to examine the validity of tax rebate claims.

-- NNT 2012-11-02

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Ex-PM Thaksin to meet Myanmar leader next week

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 2 - Noppadon Pattama, legal advisor of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, confirmed today that the former prime minister is scheduled to meet Myanmar President Thein Sein in Naypyidaw next week.

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Destitute British man in death plunge

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A financially destitute 64-year-old British national took a plunge from a radio mast at the Phuket Tourist Police Station in Phuket Town yesterday morning.

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PM to attend Asia-Europe meeting in Lao PDR on Monday

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 2 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit the Lao capital of Vientiane on Nov 5 and 6 to attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9).

ASEM 9 will provide an opportunity for the Thai premier to reiterate the government’s policies and priorities connected with the shared interests of both regions, particularly policy to mitigate the impacts of the eurozone crisis and the promotion of sustainable development.

With these issues on the table, Thailand’s role as an active and constructive partner for all Asian and European partners as well as a bridge between the two regions will be reaffirmed, according to a Thai foreign ministry statement .

Ms Yingluck will also have bilateral meetings with a number of ASEM leaders, including Norway, Poland, Japan, Italy, Estonia, Bulgaria, Mongolia and the Lao PDR.

During the meeting convened under the theme "Friends for Peace; Partners for Prosperity," leaders and representatives from 27 European Union member states, 19 Asian states, the European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat will join this forum.

The official ceremony to welcome new members Norway, Switzerland and Bangladesh will be held. With the inclusion of the three new members, ASEM’s membership expands from 48 to 51. The objective of ASEM is to provide a venue for the leaders of Asia and Europe to constructively discuss economic, political, security and socio-cultural challenges commonly faced by both sides, the statement said.

They can also exchange viewpoints on current developments in Europe, Asia and other regions, as well as exploring new ways to enhance cooperation and to strengthen relations between Asia and Europe in the future.

An informal forum for dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe, the ASEM Summit, is the only platform that provides a bridge for all leaders from the two regions. It is held every two years, alternately in Asia and Europe. Thailand was host at its inception in 1996. The latest meeting, ASEM 8, was held in Brussels, Belgium, in 2010. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-02

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Ikea Bang Na enjoys good first year

KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- More than 3 million people have visited the Ikea store in Bangkok in its first year, local operator Ikano (Thailand) announced yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....t-year-bangkok/

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SET index closed at 1306.60, up 8.61; Bt/USD30.61; GBP49.12; AUD31.59; EUR39.28; CAD30.55; HKD3.94; SGD24.92; JPY37.93

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SOUTH CRISIS

Seven suspected insurgents arrested in Pattani, Yala

The Nation

Pattani//Photo : Pares Lohasan

PATTANI: -- Troops on Friday detained seven suspects in separate raids in Pattani and Yala provinces for their involvement in violent attacks.

Pattani Governor Pramuk Lamul gave details of the arrests of four suspected insurgents; Hapici Jehna, 22, Yawawi Hama, 22, Rohwe Salae, 23 and Aluesue Navae, 40, at a press conference.

The four are suspected of firing assault rifles at a gold shop on Sai Buri Road, Sai Buri district, Pattani on September 21. Six people were killed and 53 others injured in the attack.

They were charged with several offences including terrorism, attempted murder and having explosives and war weapons in their possession.

The governor said the four were members of the RKK separatist movement, which is known to be behind a series of violent attacks in the south. Arrest warrants have been issued for four other men - Kammesum Jehma, Maslan Malee, Madaree Taye and Abduloh Mudor - the governor said.

Meanwhile in Yala, police raided two separate houses in Raman district at about 5am after being tipped off that alleged insurgents were hiding there.

From the first house, police detained Usman Yakoh, 29 who had arrest warrants outstanding on him. During a search of two nearby houses, police found explosive elements and ingredients including five-kg fertilisers, benzene and diesel oil and two cell phones.

Meanwhile police also apprehended two suspects - Sakariya Yakoh, 30 and Marohning Lohma, 30 - in the raid at another house. They were wanted for alleged involvement in torching schools and several violent attacks in the area.

Officials believed that the suspects were in the area to prepare for attacks but local villagers tipped officials off to their presence.

-- The Nation 2012-11-02

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Swedish Embassy joins the 59th YWCA International Bazaar

For the first time, the Swedish Embassy participates in Bangkok's long-standing fund-raising event.

Sippachai Kunnuwong

BANGKOK: -- The YWCA International Bazaar will return for its 59th edition at CentralWorld LIVE on November 24-25. It also marks the embassies of Sweden and Germany's first-time participation in the event.

The committee behind the event is chaired by Madam Rosa Guadalupe Pena Perez Rea, the Mexican Ambassador's wife. Danish Ambassador's spouse, Madam Rattanawadee Hemniti Winter is also one of the committee members.

The annual bazaar, co-organized by Young Women's Christian Association of Bangkok (YWCA) and wives of the ambassadors from 41 countries, will be raising funds to help support various unprivileged groups of Thai society as part of YWCA’s social work.

This year's highlights at the bazaar include the Brazillian coffee, famed persian carpets from Iran, leather products from Italy, and cosmetics, perfumes and wine from France and many more.

The 2-day event will open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both dates.

The 59th YWCA International Bazaar will be held at CentralWorld LIVE on Nov 24-25.

Original news source: http://www.thairath....ent/life/302477

Source: http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?news_id=11425&coun_code=se

-- ScandAsia 2012-11-02

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Consumer confidence rises in October but may be short-lived

The Natio

BANGKOK: -- Thai consumer confidence is on the rise again, thanks to less concern about a repeat of last year's flood disaster and better sentiment arising from the current economic growth. However, this trend could be ruined early next year as worries about political stability escalate and higher wages affect some businesses.

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) Friday announced that the Consumer Confidence Index in October climbed for the first time in four months, to 77.8 points from 77 in September. Most subindices related to confidence also increased.

Increasing confidence was attributed to less concern about floods, a positive outlook on the country's economic growth, lower fuel prices, lower interest rates, and recovered export growth in September along with expected stronger growth to come.

-- The Nation 2012-11-02

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Burapha Nurse Outsmarts 'Black Money' Swindler

A 30-year-old nurse got duped by a man she met on Facebook. She sent him money he claimed was needed for chemicals to wash the dye from $3.5 million U.S. dollars, which was smuggled through Thai customs. She notified police, who later arrested a man with a safe of fake “black money.”

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Thailand Live Saturday 3 Nov 2012