Thailand Live Wednesday 7 Nov 2012

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Confirmed: Microsoft to retire its Messenger IM service in Q1 2013, moving 100M+ users to Skype in single act

Today Microsoft announced that its Messenger service will be discontinued in the first quarter of 2013. Part of that move is the integration of Messenger’s 100 million+ users – that figure confirmed to TNW by Microsoft this morning – into Skype’s network.

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BMA renovates Victory Monument landscape

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Wednesday started renovating Victory Monument by building new restrooms, installing security cameras and adding more green space. The renovatin is expected to be done in February 2013.

Bangkok governor M.R. Sukhumphan Boriphat presided over the ceremony to launch the project "Victory Monument Modern age make for people by heart". The project is aimed improvign the spot as a major bus transit point and improving landscapes around Victory Monument.

M.R. Sukhumphan said "the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration wants to improve landscapes and put all facilites on the four sides of the monument into order. The four sides are Ko Phayathai, Ko Rajavithi, Ko dindaeng, and Ko phaholyothin. In particular, restrooms will be rebuilt to be up to standard. We also will add green space for recreation, will organize stalls, set security camera, and add more lights and set up checkpoint municipal police. All missions will be finished in February 14, 2013."

-- The Nation 2012-11-07

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SET index closed at 1299.74, down 1.10; Bt/USD30.54; GBP48.88; AUD31.87; EUR39.20; CAD30.76; HKD3.93; SGD24.86; JPY37.87

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Court rejects petition against government's rice agreements

BANGKOK, Nov 7 - Thailand's Constitution Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition signed by 67 senators asking the court to rule whether the government-to-government agreements on rice sales need parliamentary approval as required by law.

The court explained its unanimous decision that the petition failed to incorporate any copies of the agreements for the court to consider, according to the court spokesperson.

Pimol Thampithakpong said the petitioners should submit all relevant documents for the court judges' deliberation as the judges themselves are not empowered to ask for those documents.

Senator Paiboon Nititawan lodged the petition to the court last month, pointing out that the government-to-government agreements to sell 7.32 million tonnes of rice worth more than Bt114 billion might damage national economic security as it could amass a significant loss and incur substantial public debt. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-07

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Obama victory positive for Thailand, Asia

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 7 – A senior Thai Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) official on Tuesday said the re-election of President Barack Obama will bring a positive economic impact to Thailand and Asia as a whole given the continuity of US policy.

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Thailand Live Thursday 8 Nov 2012