Phuket KBank robbed at gunpoint - again

Phuket Gazette

The suspect took 37 seconds to pull off the robbery and make off with a reported 260,000 baht. Image: KBank CCTV

PHUKET: -- An armed gunman entered the Kasikornbank (KBank) branch at the Tesco Chao Fa shopping complex on Chao Fao East Road at about 12:30pm today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....gunpoint-again/

Thailand ranks among the world's best places for North Americans to retire

By Coconuts Bangkok

Spend your golden years in clean, wholesome Pattaya.

BANGKOK: -- By this point, it can be widely agreed that knowledge doesn’t count unless it’s placed into a numerical list.

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Thai premier warns against politicising Thai-Cambodian dispute

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 7 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today called on nationalist groups to refrain from politicising the Thai-Cambodian dispute on the Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) temple, currently pending a ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

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SET index closed at 1415.32, down 1.34; Bt/USD30.33; GBP48.51; AUD31.60; EUR39.37; CAD30.55; HKD3.90; SGD24.48; JPY34.43

RT @KristieKenney: President Obama's 2nd inauguration is in two weeks. By coincidence, on the US holiday iho Martin Luther King, Jr.

NBTC sub-committee to investigate "Nua Mek" issue, with results expected for NBTC board's consideration next week. /The Nation

Bangkok governor to quit post Tuesday

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 7 – Incumbent Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra will resign from his four-year political position tomorrow to pave the way for a new bid in the gubernatorial election.

Opposition Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said today the governor will officially submit his resignation after appearing before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to acknowledge an allegation against him concerning the pre-emptive awarding of a 30-year concession extension to the Bangkok Mass Transit System Company (BTS) to operate the capital’s Skytrain.

The DSI charged Mr Sukhumbhand with breaching the law in signing the contract with BTS despite the fact the present concession remains valid for the next 13 years.

The Democrat Party earlier announced its decision to field Mr Sukhumbhand as the party's candidate in Bangkok’s election for a second term.

Mr Abhisit said the governor’s resignation will be in force on Wednesday, assuring that the DSI’s charge will not impact his candidacy in the city poll.

Mr Sukhumbhand is entitled to head the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) until Thursday but, according to Mr Abhisit, he os quitting earlier to enable a fair election and competition.

“Though the Democrat Party has been endorsed by Bangkokians to lead the BMA in the last two terms, we can’t take it easy,” he said.

The Election Commission is obliged to hold the gubernatorial election within 60 days after the BMA governor leaves his job. It has set March 3 as the tentative date. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-07

Thailand named ninth-best for retirees

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand ranks ninth in the world as a retirement haven, according to International Living.

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Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Jan 2013