Thailand Live Monday 25 Feb 2013

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RT @ReutersIndia: FLASH: Earthquake shakes buildings in Tokyo: witnesses

RT @ReutersIndia: Japan earthquake has preliminary magnitude of 6.2, no tsunami warning issued - TV

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Finnish Group Accuses Thai Tuna Canners Of Labor Rights Violations
BY SIPPACHAI KUNNUWONG



BANGKOK: -- A Finnish non-profit research group is accusing two Thai tuna canneries of “serious violations of basic human and labor rights.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621767-finnish-group-accuses-thai-tuna-canners-of-labor-rights-violations/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Alcohol department at Tesco Lotus barricaded to stop people buying beer on this Buddhist holiday http://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/305948486023651328/photo/1

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All 8 districts of Lamphun declared as drought disaster zones; 85,000 residents and 20,000 acres of farmland affected /The Nation

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Bottlenose dolphin, rare in Phuket, found dead
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A bottlenose dolphin was found dead on Bang Tao Beach this morning, the first to be found beached in Phuket in years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621789-bottlenose-dolphin-rare-in-phuket-found-dead/

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RT @annnation_nt: RT @veen_NT Thai Red Cross is in need of O Rh- blood group (found in only 3 in 1,000 Thais). @ShareThis

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UPDATE

Four killed in Northeastern temple explosion

By Digital Media

MAHA SARAKHAM, Feb 25 - Four persons, including two police officers, were killed as a bomb exploded during a religious festival in this northeastern province late Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621681-four-killed-32-injured-in-blast-in-nakhon-phanom/?p=6148822#entry6148822

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Six Songkhla districts on alert for possible attack
By Digital Media

SONGKHLA, Feb 25 - Six districts of this southern Thai province were put on higher security status on Monday following intelligence reports of possible violent incidents.

Songkhla Governor Kritsada Boonrach ordered officials responsible for the six districts to specially monitor the situation and step up security measures as intelligence reports said insurgent attacks are likely in four districts which are adjacent to the three restive southern provinces.

The four districts targeted for possible attacks are Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi, and Saba Yoi.

The governor said the vulnerable targets are government offices and schools, as well as local communities.

Apart from government security forces, Mr Kritsada said village heads and village protection units will be the main security units to protect their communities, combined with about one hundred defence volunteers for each district.

For the commercial district of Hat Yai and the provincial seat, the governor said he has asked the military and border police to help screen suspected persons and devices in crowded locations such as tourist areas to ensure safety for the public.

Hat Yai District Chief Seree Panichyakul said Songkhla province and the Region 4 Internal Security Operations Command will conduct a security exercise at Lee Gardens Hotel area tomorrow.

He said the exercise is a monthly ISOC monthly practice in order to ensure rapid and efficient rescue operations in case of any emergency. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-02-25

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New Zealanders make Phuket flight despite multi-vehicle crash
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Three tourists from New Zealand made their flight out of Phuket today despite a concrete truck hitting their limousine and sending it careening under the bed of a parked 10-wheeled truck on Thepkrasattri Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621840-new-zealanders-make-phuket-flight-despite-multi-vehicle-crash/

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Thai insurers will face tough competition from Singapore, Malaysia
By Digital Media

VIENTIANE, Feb 25 – Thailand’s insurance industry must become more competitive to compete with businesses in Singapore and Malaysia after the Southeast Asian region is liberalised and integrated as the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, a leading Thai business operator said today.

Krittavit Sripasutha, director and advisor of Viriyah Insurance, a leading Thai company, said Thailand's doors will be wide open for foreign insurance companies to penetrate the Thai market in two years, and that Singapore and Malaysia are seen as the strongest players in the regional insurance industry.

The Thai insurance sector is not strong enough to expand into neighbouring countries, but more Malaysian and Singaporean insurance firms will operate in Thailand, he said.

At the same time, on the brighter side, Thailand’s auto and health insurances have a high potential to penetrate to other countries in the region given their strength and successive growth.

He said it is quite possible that foreign insurance companies will hold more shares in Thai companies.

Though foreigner ownership in a Thai insurance company is limited at 49 per cent, the law allows Thai ailing companies to seek permissions from the Office of Insurance Commission and the finance minister to extend the ceiling beyond 49 per cent.

Mr Krittavit said tougher competition will benefit consumers while insurance companies that fail to improve their competitive edge may have to close down. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-02-25

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Phuket Amcham seminar to address US expatriate tax
Alasdair Forbes

PHUKET: -- If you are a US citizen and are baffled by the US tax regime as it applies to expatriates, the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) has a seminar for you on March 8 at the Holiday Inn Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621841-phuket-amcham-seminar-to-address-u-s-expatriate-tax/

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UK increases visa fees from April 6, 2013

More info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621863-uk-visa-fees-increase-from-6th-april-2013/

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Three Phuket residents die on journey to make merit
Phuket Gazette -

The Honda Civic slammed into a road safety sign warning of a dangerous curve, flipped and landed in a nearby pond. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621865-three-phuket-residents-die-on-journey-to-make-merit/

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2 Turks drugged and robbed from their North Pattaya Hotel rooms

PATTAYA:--Two Turkish friends on holiday in Pattaya were drugged and robbed on Monday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621866-2-turks-drugged-and-robbed-from-their-north-pattaya-hotel-rooms/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 26 Feb 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/621920-thailand-live-tuesday-26-feb-2013/