Interesting topics / reads .

[Rooo]

Campaign to urge crash helmets for motorcycle travels begins



BANGKOK: -- Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP) Thailand says only 7% of 18 million Thai children and youths travelling on motorcycles with crash helmets.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760552-thai-campaign-to-urge-crash-helmets-for-motorcycle-travels-begins/

[Rooo]

STREETWISE
History as written by whom?
Achara Deboonme

The most popular section among newspaper readers is the obituaries.

BANGKOK: -- I was young when I first heard that fact and it straightaway struck me as weird. Why should we pay attention to the dead, when the present and future were what was most important? It took years before I realised why we still write obituaries and why they still have a large readership.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762644-thai-opinion-history-as-written-by-whom/

[Rooo]

Russian girl crowned 'Miss International Russia Thailand 2014'
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Margarita Stepanova was crowned the most beautiful Russian woman in Thailand on Friday night.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762647-russian-girl-crowned-miss-international-russia-thailand-2014/?p=8424021

[Rooo]

New Forum Introduction.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/197-home-country-forum/

[Rooo]

Fourth Army to regulate migrant workers in Koh Tao



BANGKOK: -- The Fourth Army Region will meet all service operators in Koh Tao in an effort to regulate all foreign workers in Koh Tao island.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763578-fourth-army-to-regulate-migrant-workers-on-koh-tao/

[Rooo]

Koh Tao murder probe 85% complete: Panya
The Nation

KOH TAO: -- The police investigation into the murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao, off the coast of Surat Thani, is 85 per cent complete, a police commander said yesterday.

Everybody who was in a 600-metre radius of the murder scene between 2am and 4am on September 15 is a suspect, said Pol Lt-General Panya Mamen, chief of the Police Region 8 command. The resort island comes under his jurisdiction.

He said the remaining 15 per cent of the case was classified, and "when overall progress can be revealed, arrests can be made".

Panya said the police probe was not complicated, adding that luck was on their side as leads and tip-offs about the killers were coming in continuously.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763792-koh-tao-murder-probe-85-complete-panya/

[Rooo]

Tourism Minister to visit Koh Tao tomorrow

SURAT THANI, 27 September 2014 (NNT) – Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is scheduled to travel to the island of Koh Tao tomorrow after the murder of two Britons in order to ensure sufficient security measures for visitors.

Surat Thani Governor Chatpong Chatphuti disclosed that during Ms Kobkarn’s visit to Koh Tao on September 28, the minister will be holding discussions with both state officials and private business operators in the area to hear opinions about the local crime problem and brainstorm solutions.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763902-tourism-minister-to-visit-koh-tao-tomorrow/

[Rooo]

Key witness says foreigner kills British tourists

KOH TAO: -- Eighth Region Police Command commissioner says police investigators have obtained a key witness who said foreigner killed the two British tourists in Koh Tao island.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763909-key-witness-says-foreigner-kills-british-tourists/

[Rooo]

Grand travel events planned for Ko Tao after murder case solved

BANGKOK, 28 September 2014 (NNT) - Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanawarangkun has traveled to Ko Tao island in Surat Thani province to follow up on the progress of the murder of two British tourists. The minister said she would arrange activities to boost confidence among tourists after the case was closed.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764111-grand-travel-events-planned-for-ko-tao-after-murder-case-solved/

[Rooo]

Koh Tao tourism tumbles


Sairee beach, Koh Tao. Photo David Sim.

BANGKOK: The Tourism Council of Thailand say the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao had caused bookings to fall dramatically in the short-term for this popular dive destination.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764315-koh-tao-tourism-tumbles/

[Rooo]

Thailand mulls ID wristbands, curfews for tourists

THAILAND: -- Thailand’s tourism minister said on Tuesday that identification wristbands would be distributed to tourists following the murder of two British backpackers earlier this month that has raised fresh concerns over tourist safety.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said she had approached hotels over the idea of handing out wristbands to help identify tourists that get lost or into trouble.

“When tourists check-in to a hotel they will be given a wristband with a serial number that matches their I.D. and shows the contact details of the resort they are staying in so that if they’re out partying late and, for example, get drunk or lost, they can be easily assisted,” Kobkarn told Reuters.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764631-thailand-mulls-id-wristbands-curfews-for-tourists/

[Rooo]

Last total lunar eclipse of the year will occur over Thailand 8th Oct.

BANGKOK, 1 October 2014 (NNT) – A total lunar eclipse will take place on October 8 and be visible across Thailand. After this, the next total lunar eclipse is forecast for April 4, 2015.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764805-thailand-live-wednesday-1-oct-2014/#entry8464003

[PoorSucker]

Immigration raid targets Digital Nomads in Chiang Mai



Armed officers raid PunSpace, a popular ‘co-working’ space in Chiang Mai.
People on tourist and ED visas targeted.



CHIANG MAI:-- Up to 20 armed uniformed police and immigration officials raided a popular co-working space in Chiang Mai earlier today in an apparent crackdown on foreign nationals working illegally in the city.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764936-immigration-raid-targets-digital-nomads-in-chiang-mai/

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Links revealed between police and migrants on Koh Tao
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Nation
Koh Tao

BANGKOK: -- OUT OF more than 5,000 migrant workers living and working on Koh Tao, around 2,000 live illegally by paying police Bt500 a month to work there.

Those who own or use motorcycles on this tiny island in the Gulf of Thailand, without a rider's licence, pay another Bt500 each month.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765086-links-revealed-between-police-and-migrants-on-koh-tao/

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Tourists may be required to pay entrance fee for visiting Koh Tao

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765160-tourists-may-be-required-to-pay-entrance-fee-for-visiting-koh-tao/

[Rooo]

Thai Immigration boss warns of fake extension stamps

Immigration Bureau Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Sakda Chuenpakdee

BANGKOK:-- Today Police Lieutenant General Sakda Chuenpakdee, the Commissioner of The Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau, has through Police Colonel Voravat Amornvivat, Deputy Commander of Investigations, requestedThaivisa.com to give the following warning to all foreigners in Thailand:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765498-thai-immigration-boss-warns-of-fake-extension-stamps/#

[Rooo]

Myanmar murder suspects escorted to Samui court for extended detention

KOH TAO: -- Two Myanmar rape murder suspects were this morning escorted by the police from Phangan island to Samui island for permission from the court to detain them 12 more days for further questioning.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765779-myanmar-murder-suspects-escorted-to-samui-court-for-extended-detention/

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EDITORIAL
Koh Tao's other little secret: police extortion
The Nation

KOH TAO: -- Crackdown follows news that migrant workers without proper papers pay police Bt500 a month to work on the island

The brutal murder of two Britons on Koh Tao has shed light on a number of things that Thai authorities hate to discuss.

At the top, it revealed the attitude of the country's prime minister towards sex crime when he suggested that the rape and murder may have stemmed from how one of the victims was dressed. He later apologised for it and added that he was misunderstood.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765810-koh-taos-other-little-secret-police-extortion/

[Rooo]

Bangkok Airways to raise IPO shares

BANGKOK, 7 October 2014 (NNT) -Bangkok Airways PLC has planned to sell a 24.8 percent stake in an initial public offering (IPO).

Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, the president of Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited stated that Thailand's IPO market had gone through a lull since last year, due to political turmoil within the country.

The situation in Thailand is currently on a recovering process. The country's stability has revived its economy, brought back tourists and investor's confidence as well as boosted local equity market.

Thai full-service carrier Bangkok Airways PLC is going to sell 24.8 percent stake in an initial public offering (IPO) . The airline is aimed at raising approximately 11,960 to 14,040 million baht, which will be the largest listing in Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2014.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766350-bangkok-airways-to-raise-ipo-shares/

[Rooo]

Work permit, visa proposals get positive response
Erich Parpart
The Nation

• Procedures to be improved for foreign investors
• two-year visa for teachers
• online 90 day reporting
• improved procedure for work permit application

BANGKOK: -- The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking has given an update on its proposals to amend the country's visa and work-permit regulations, which it says have received a positive response - with some areas already having been fixed by government agencies.

Issara Wongkusolkij, president of the JSCCIB and chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, yesterday said the main amendment to the work-permit regulations proposed to the government concerned the separation of regulations for unskilled immigrant workers and foreign investors, in order to provide more support for investors, alongside the improvement of various business and foreign visas.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766600-thai-work-permit-visa-proposals-get-positive-response/?utm_source=newsletter-20141008-0733&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

[Rooo]

Don't miss the rare “Blood Moon” lunar eclipse tonight



BANGKOK: -- Sky watchers around the globe are waiting to watch the extremely rare cosmic sight when the total eclipse of the moon and the rising sun are to happen simultaneously tonight.

On this rare cosmic sight, the sun and moon are exactly 180 degrees apart in the sky. In a perfect alignment like this, such an observation would seem impossible. This event is what celestial geometry says cannot happen.

But thanks to Earth’s atmosphere, the images of both the sun and moon are apparently lifted above the horizon by atmospheric refraction. This allows people on Earth to see the sun for several extra minutes before it actually has risen and the moon for several extra minutes after it has actually set.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766627-dont-miss-the-rare-blood-moon-lunar-eclipse-tonight-thailand/

[Rooo]

Soldiers Accused Of Appropriating Drug Suspect's Car, Amulet

By Khaosod Eng.

SURAT THANI — A group of soldiers on Koh Samui island have been accused of torturing a man into confessing to trafficking marijuana and then seizing his belongings for their personal use.

Somkid Siriboon, from Bueng Kan province in northeastern Thailand, was arrested on the southern island in early September by army officers from the 25th Infantry Regiment for allegedly transporting 42 kilograms of marijuana.

According to a report released by the military at the time, Somkid intended to sell the marijuana to foreign tourists on the neighbouring Koh Pha Ngan island, the site of the monthly Full Moon Party.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/769338-soldiers-accused-of-appropriating-drug-suspects-car-amulet/

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Foreign diplomats ask Thai media to respect social norms

BANGKOK: -- Ambassadors of European Union countries and Japan on Wednesday submitted a letter to media associations, calling them to do everything in their power to encourage media outlets to respect the feelings of families of the victims.

The letter was signed by ambassadors of 21 countries, mostly European countries as well as Japan. "As ambassadors we have, on several occasions, had to plead with media to respect the privacy of tourists and their families. In particular, it is very distressing to see details of the passports of those who have lost their lives posted on media websites and social media. These contain personal information and add no value to any news story," read the letter.

Thepchai Yong, president of Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, received the letter on behalf of the assocations.

They cited the recent example of the Koh Tao murders in which two British nationals were brutally killed. "Families should be left to grieve at a time of emotional distriess rather than be subject to media harassment," the letter said..

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770477-foreign-diplomats-ask-thai-media-to-respect-social-norms/

[Rooo]

Consumer research: Europeans not revise planned visits to Thailand despite Koh Tao murders

BANGKOK, 22 October 2014 (NNT) – Most Europeans who have plans to visit Thailand do not rethink their visits after the murders of the two British tourists on Koh Tao, according to consumer research firm Envirosell.

The New York-based firm carried out a survey of European tourists' opinions about visits to Thailand, during October 13 and 16. 1,835 would-be visitors to Thailand were surveyed; 618 were British and the remaining 1,217 were from eight other countries in Europe.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770442-europeans-not-revise-planned-visits-to-thailand-despite-koh-tao-murders-survey/#entry8567678

[Rooo]

Full-moon party only at Haad Rin
Suwannee Bundisak,
Kornkamol Aksorndech
The Sunday Nation

KOH PHA-NGAN: -- All public parties in the Koh Pha-ngan district in Surat Thani province - except the full-moon party at Haad Rin - have been banned to "prevent crime and vices".

The move follows the gruesome murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao, a nearby island, which are still under investigation.

Haad Rin is the original site on Pha-ngan Island where the world-renowned beach party has been held on full moon nights.

The province's Governor Chatpong Chatphuti consulted Surat Thani Army commander Maj-General Kleukul Inchan and related officials to find long-term crime-prevention measures. This lead to the district office cancelling all beach parties except the one event. With the country still under martial law, all sides - including business operators - reportedly agreed.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771385-full-moon-party-only-at-haad-rin/#entry8584767

[Rooo]

British stars speak out against dog-meat trade's cruelty
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Soi Dog Foundation has some of the biggest stars in Britain speaking out against the dog-meat trade in a video that starts with a warning about its "distressing" content.

Dame Judi Dench, Ricky Gervais and two of the stars of the international-hit series "Downton Abbey" - Laura Carmichael and Phyllis Logan - give voice to the "I Never Knew" campaign in the moving (and, yes, distressing) three-minute video that drives home what you probably didn't want to know. But of course you should know.

"I didn't know that these innocent creatures are crammed into cages so brutally that their bones almost break, so tightly that they can't move, and that they're trapped like this for the smuggled journey, which can take days," declaims Dench, the acclaimed star of stage and screen. Meanwhile you see footage of a truck loaded with dogs presumably on its way to the slaughter grounds.

"Many of them are stolen pets," explains Gervais, the comedian turned actor who hosted the Oscars a couple of years back. A lot of the pooches don't make it, of course, crushed, suffocated or dying of hunger and thirst along the way.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772486-british-stars-speak-out-against-dog-meat-trades-cruelty-thailand/

[Rooo]

Has anyone been asked to go to the wattana psychiatric hospital

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773082-has-anyone-been-asked-to-go-to-the-wattana-psychiatric-hospital/

[Rooo]

Releasing floating lanterns near airports may be punishable by death

BANGKOK, 5 November 2014 (NNT) - The Thai police gave a serious warning to the public that anybody found to be releasing floating lanterns or aiming laser beams into the sky near airports during the Loy Krathong Festival is susceptible to face the death penalty or lifetime imprisonment.

According to Acting Provincial Police Chief Region 1 Pol. Maj. Gen. Amnuay Nimmano, such action is deemed very dangerous to the safety of aircraft and is a violation of the Act on Certain Offenses Against Air Navigation B.E. 2521 (1978).

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774028-releasing-floating-lanterns-near-thai-airports-may-be-punishable-by-death/

[Rooo]

Time to sober up, Koh Pha-ngan
The Nation

The full moon parties draw hundreds of thousands to Thailand each year, but dangers are growing for locals and visitors alike

BANGKOK: -- Today brings the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, celebrated around the country as Loy Krathong. As Thais mark the occasion by releasing krathong (floats) on water and kom loy (candlelit lanterns) into the air, thousands of tourists from around the world will tonight gather on Koh Pha-ngan in the Gulf of Thailand for a "full-moon party".

The world-famous dance festival has been held on Haad Rin Beach every month at full moon for more than three decades. The parties attract hundreds of thousands of revellers each year and have spawned gatherings at other locations on Koh Pha-ngan throughout the month.

However, Surat Thani Governor Chatpong Chatraphuti recently ordered authorities to ban public parties at any location except Haad Rin Beach. He cited the need to prevent crime and vice. His order comes at a time when Thailand's tourism industry and image abroad are still reeling from the killings of two British tourists on neighbouring Koh Tao.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774313-thai-editorial-time-to-sober-up-koh-pha-ngan/

[Rooo]

Has anyone been asked to go to the wattana psychiatric hospital

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773082-has-anyone-been-asked-to-go-to-the-wattana-psychiatric-hospital/

Updated info:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/774521-upcountrydude-update/#entry8637341