Thailand Live Thursday 1 Aug 2013

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Phuket security guard chose wrong bag when he turned to crime
Phuket Gazette


Mr Surapol with his loot. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A Phuket security guard who turned to crime may have regretted his decision after the bag he stole turned out to contain nothing more than cosmetics, and CCTV images led police to his rented room the same day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657733-phuket-security-guard-chose-wrong-bag-when-he-turned-to-crime/

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Phuket DJ dragged 500m after smash
Eakkapop Thongtub


Terdpong “Bow” Putthapitak, a local DJ. Photo: Facebook.

PHUKET: -- Terdpong “Bow” Putthapitak, 27, a coordinator at Siangtai newspaper and a DJ/technician at Blue Wave FM radio, died after after his motorbike was hit at 2pm yesterday (July 31) by a pickup truck in front of the Sapam Inn Hotel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657736-phuket-dj-dragged-500m-after-smash/

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Phuket Video Report: 10 rescued from sea after waves swamp Phi Phi cargo boat
Phuket Gazette

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657696-cargo-ship-sinks-off-krabi-11-rescued/#entry6672273

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'Bombs' detonated at Phuket Airport drill
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A simulated terrorist bomb drill held at Phuket International Airport yesterday went off without a hitch, organizers said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657741-bombs-detonated-at-phuket-airport-drill/

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Nonthaburi organizes counter terrorism exercises

NONTHABURI, 1 Aug 2013 (NNT) - Nonthaburi province organized a counter terrorism exercise which was taken part by provincial police, military, administrative officials, medical personnel and rescue operators.

The drills, conducted at The Mall Ngamwongwan, simulated an insurgent attack on a local shopping center, based on real world incidents. The exercise began with a telephone call made to the mall, threatening to detonate bombs in several areas, followed by an attempt to seize the mall by an unidentified militant group, leading to armed clashes and fire gusting at the building. The supposed attackers also took people hostage, played by mall employees, demanding the release of an imaginary drug lord imprisoned in Bang Khwang corrections facility.

The next scene saw responses from the security force trying to negotiate for hostage release, followed by counter attacks after negotiation bids failed, with the help of combined forces of commandos, police and volunteers. The scenario ended with successful operations in containing the situation, rescuing hostages, and defusing bombs.

The drill was also observed by Nonthaburi Governor Vichien Putthivinyu who admired the officials participating in the event and urged them to address weak points found during the drill in order to ensure maximum efficiency of the plan in real-life situation.

-- NNT 2013-08-01

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RT@RichardBarrow: 1:40pm - RT @Ruairi82: Avoid expressway from Chaengwattana into town. Horrendous traffic, all lanes crawling along. Thammasat graduation

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Thailand’s first craft beer festival: the tipping point of the industry?
By Cole Pennington

This weekend Thailand is holding its first ever craft beer festival.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657759-thailands-first-craft-beer-festival-the-tipping-point-of-the-industry/

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Former House speaker Uthai advises amnesty bill be withdrawn for fear of unrest /MCOT

MP Worachai says he will ask PM to dissolve House if turmoil erupts /MCOT

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American Drug Dealing suspect caught by Pattaya Police

PATTAYA:--Early on Thursday Morning Pattaya Police conducted an undercover operation which resulted in the arrest of an American accused of selling class 1 drugs.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657762-american-suspected-of-dealing-drugs-apprehended-by-pattaya-police/

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UPDATE:

Hundreds gather as Thai king prepares to leave hospital
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, August 1, 2013 (AFP) - Hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers gathered near a Bangkok hospital Thursday as Thailand's revered but frail king prepared to move to his coastal palace after almost four years as an in-patient.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657575-their-majesties-to-return-to-hua-hin-palace-governor/page-2#entry6672861

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Breaking News: Explosion at Phuket Provincial Hall, bomb suspected
Phuket Gazette


Police inspect the scene of the explosion at Provincial Hall. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Gazette has confirmed reports of an explosion at the Phuket Provincial Hall complex in Phuket Town just after 2pm today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657800-explosion-at-phuket-provincial-hall-bomb-suspected/

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Chiang Mai Locals Complain Of 'Naked Farang Bikers'

CHIANG MAI: -- Residents in Chiang Mai province complained to police they had spotted a number of naked foreigners riding 4 motorcycles along River Ping last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657801-chiang-mai-locals-complain-of-naked-farang-bikers/

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Anti-drug agency arrests drug syndicate members with 12 tonnes of chemical precursor components to produce drugs worth Bt80 bln, en route to Netherlands /MCOT

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At press briefing, PTT apologises, expresses sorrow for oil leak, to seriously solve problems, taking full responsibly for damage /MCOT

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Oil slick causes Bt100 million in damage on Samet Island: President of Tourism Council of Thailand /MCOT

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State lottery results Aug. 1: 1st prize: 356435; last 3-digits: 880, 451, 718, 329; last 2-digits: 82 /The Nation

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Airlines' ticket sales booths at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be moved from 4th fl. to the more spacious 6th fl of departure hall /The Nation

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ICT enforcing strict measures on cyber crime

BANGKOK, 1 August 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is stepping up strict measures against cybercrime, while revealing that 53 percent of online criminal offences reported in 2011-2012 were fraud-related.

During the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the ICT Ministry and the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap said cybercrime could be found everywhere and is a major threat to the nation's security, society, and economy, and organizations as well as individuals.

According to the statistics compiled by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency during August 2011 to July 2012, up to 53 percent of online crime was in relation to fraud, followed by intrusion attempts and information gathering; at 14 and 11 percent respectively.


-- NNT 2013-08-01

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Group of 40 senators against ISA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Group of 40 senators, led by Paiboon Nititawan, attacked the government for the enforcement of the Internal Security Act amid the absence of a political protest.

They said that the order may be illegal, as no political protest takes place and there is no sign that any upcoming protest would take a long time.

The ISA is enforced during August 1-10 for three districts in Bangkok.

Some of the senators are members of the Senate Committee on Corruption and Governance Promotion Studies. The committee plans to invite Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan for a testimony on August 8.

They noted that the public which is affected by the enforcement could file a petition to the Administrative Court.

-- The Nation 2013-08-01

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Rayong oil spill: Satellite photo shows oil cleared so far

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657823-rayong-oil-spill-satellite-photo-shows-oil-cleared-so-far/

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Govt plans tourism revival after oil spill off Samet Island
By English News



BANGKOK: -- The government is set to put in place measures to help the tourism sector in the aftermath of the oil slick off Rayong, forcing tourist cancellation, said Kittiratt Na Ranong, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657839-govt-plans-tourism-revival-after-oil-spill-off-samet-island/

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Temple Abbot Busted For Impersonating Police Colonel

BANGKOK: -- Police in Pathumthani province arrested a temple abbot who had been disguising himself high-ranking police officer when he drove his car along the highways. Religious rules dictate that Buddhist monks are not permitted to drive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657878-temple-abbot-busted-for-impersonating-thai-police-colonel/

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PTTGC loses over THB 36 billion in stock market from oil spill

BANGKOK, 1 August 2013 (NNT) - The stock value of PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) has dropped 36 billion baht in total since the leak of the company’s oil pipe in the Gulf of Thailand on 27 July.

PTTGC, which is responsible for the oil spill off the coast of Rayong province, has seen the price of its stock plummeting by 8 baht a share for three days in a row after the accident. PTTGC has its mother company PTT as its major shareholder holding more than 2.2 billion shares. As a consequence, PTTGC’s stock decline has contributed to PTT’s total loss of 17.6 billion baht.

The oil spill also has a psychological impact on people who invest in the stocks of PTT and all of its subsidiaries. The stock of PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) plunged by 6.50 baht on 31 July.

-- NNT 2013-08-01

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Coral reefs near Ao Phrao blackened after oil spill

RAYONG, 1 August 2013 (NNT) – Local authorities report that the majority of coral reefs near Ao Phrao Beach of Samet Island which has been devastated by the oil spill have turned black.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657893-coral-reefs-near-ao-phrao-blackened-after-oil-spill/#entry6674117

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to continue:
Thailand Live Friday 2 Aug 2013
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657937-thailand-live-friday-2-aug-2013/