RT@Biz_TheNation: Baht at 29.74,near 17-mth high amid speculation BoT may intervene as strong baht hurts exports

City election officially kicked off amid cheers, high hopes

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 21 – The Thai capital's City Hall was overwhelmed with hustle and bustle this morning as almost 20 candidates for the Bangkok gubernatorial election registered their candidacies for the March 3 poll.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/613351-bangkok-governor-race-2013-the-countdown-begins/#entry6038471

RT@RichardBarrow: The most expensive number plate in Thailand is “ญญ9999” with a price of 11 million Baht (Pic @uglypink) http://t.co/db12A8Qt

Police toughen law on high beams

BANGKOK, 21 January 2012 (NNT) - Traffic police are warning commuters that the illegal use of high-beam headlights can lead to a fine of 500 baht for each violation.

The announcement follows a flood of complaints from motorists that a number of drivers excessively flash their high beams on the streets or retrofitting their high beam bulbs, which impair approaching drivers' vision.

Deputy Traffic Police chief Police Major General Worasak Nopsitthiporn said the practice of illegal headlight flashing which can cause serious accidents is punishable by law. He added drivers should refrain from using high beams when streetlights are adequate, or when vehicles are approaching from the opposite direction.

In general, excessively bright high beams can cause “two-second blindness” for oncoming drivers and impair their judgement.

-- NNT 2013-01-21

Labour Ministry proposed 4 new criteria to social welfare entitlements

BANGKOK, 21 January 2013 (NNT)-The Ministry of Labor has disclosed 4 newly drafted criteria under Thailand’s social welfare system to help employees cope with disability, death, sickness and aging.

According to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor Mr. Somkiat Chayasriwong, the revision of the social welfare entitlements has been brought up for discussion with National Health Security Office and the Comptroller General’s Department several times.

The 4 criteria, he said, are part of a comprehensive social welfare benefit scheme, which will compensate employees in the form of financial support when they are not able to return to work due to the reasons of disability, death, health and ages.

Mr. Somkiat added that people seeking other types of compensation such as maternal leave and child support will be able to do so with one condition that they pay the amount required by the law. As for health services, those under the system will be entitled to the same privileges as before.

The Permanent Secretary stated later that the amount of funding of the new criteria has not yet been finalized, as the number of those entitled is still being tallied at present. The next round of discussion between relevant agencies, according to him, will commence again before the end of this month.

-- NNT 2013-01-21

RT@KristieKenney: Jan 21, the US celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr and also inaugurates President Obama for his second term.

VIDEO

The Epic Yi Peng Festival - Loy Krathong Chiang Mai - 2012

Army chief says "No" to Rohingya refugee camp

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 21 – Thai Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha today voiced opposition to the opening of a centre for Rohingya migrants on Thai soil, saying it will create chronic problems to Thailand in the long run.

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Snoop Dogg leaves knees shaking in Bangkok

By Shane Danaher

Rap legend Snoop Dogg rhymes into his specially bejeweled mic at the Together Festival in Bangkok last Saturday. Photos: Shane Danaher

BANGKOK: -- Snoop Dogg’s headlining performance at last Saturday’s Together Festival began with a bit of last-minute legend building: Before the rap star took the stage, a montage of his hit music videos played to the accompaniment of a bombastic background score. This forced aggrandizement proved unnecessary, however, as Snoop Dogg remains more than capable of justifying his own renown.

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Burmese refugees sold on by Thai officials

By Jonah Fisher

BBC News, Phuket, Thailand

An investigation by the BBC has revealed that Thai officials have been selling boat people from Burma to human traffickers.

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SET index closed at 1440.48, up 6.04; Bt/USD29.60; GBP46.85; AUD30.96; EUR39.29; CAD29.71; HKD3.81; SGD23.93; JPY32.9

Grounding of Boeing's Dreamliner worldwide forced All Nippon Airways to cancel 335 flights until next Sun.,48,000 passengers to be affected /The Nation

Cabinet approves Mae Sot as new special economic zone

TAK, 21 January 2013 (NNT) - The cabinet has approved plans to develop Mae Sot district of Tak province into a special economic zone to support burgeoning border trade with Myanmar.

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THAI agrees to strikers’ demands, employees back at work

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 21 – Thai Airways (THAI) management today bowed to employee demands for a pay hike and higher incentives, but stood firm that the one-month annual bonus remains unchanged.

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Thailand Live Tuesday 22 Jan 2013

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