Thailand Live Tuesday 24 Sep 2013

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Drunken Russia tourists learn Bangkok lesson in manners

The Phuket News


The aircraft was not damaged by the Russians’ wee protest. Photo Sergey Kustov

BANGKOK: -- A tale has emerged from Suvarnabhumi Airport of how police had to be called to control two very drunk and over-boisterous Russian passengers last week, after the duo held up the departure of their charter flight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670013-drunken-russia-tourists-learn-bangkok-lesson-in-manners/

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Astrologers Warn Of Impending 'Disaster' For Govt

By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- A number of astrologers have predicted that the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is about to face an unspecified disaster next month, according to their forecasts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/669882-astrologers-warn-of-impending-disaster-for-thai-govt/

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Phuket Viral: Rihanna sex show tweets put ball in police court
Phuket Gazette


Rihanna's social media accounts caused a media firestorm from Instagram posts to tweets about Phuket sex shows. Photo: badgalriri/Instagram

PHUKET: -- Officials were lambasted today after Rihanna tweets about Phuket sex shows went viral.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670015-rihanna-sex-show-tweets-put-ball-in-thai-police-court/

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32,000 Six Graders Are Illiterate: Education Official
By Khaosod Online


Students at Napuey School in Kon Khaen Province using tablets in their class

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Education is to renew a drive against illiteracy after national test result revealed that tens of thousands of Thai school pupils somehow cannot read or write, according to an official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670017-32000-thai-six-graders-are-illiterate-education-official/

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Sexual assault: Ex-policeman kidnaps, murders his victim
Khaosod English

PRACHUAB KIRI KHAN: -- A disgraced former police officer had kidnapped a woman who filed rape charge against him, and later shot her and subsequently himself to death after engaging in a high-speed pursuit with the police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670018-sexual-assault-former-thai-policeman-kidnaps-murders-his-victim/

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INUNDATION
Floods 'under control'
The Nation



Plodprasop says media coverage is causing undue panic; industrial estate operators remain confident; flooding hits 20 provinces

BANGKOK: -- While industrial estates and households along waterways are bracing for heavy water runoff, the authorities have soothed public fears, saying the situation will not be as bad as in 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670019-plodprasop-floods-under-control/

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UPDATE:
Democrats offer alternative to govt Bt2-tn infrastructure plan
Pimnara Pradubwit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE OPPOSITION Democrat Party launched a blueprint for investing in and reforming Thailand yesterday, offering a plan to rival the government's Bt2-trillion proposed infrastructure-development projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/669887-democrats-launch-parallel-spending-plan/#entry6855234

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SOCIAL NETWORK
Mae Wong battle goes online
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

Social media buzzing with campaign against Nakhon Sawan Dam project

BANGKOK: -- SOCIAL MEDIA is playing a key role in the battle waged by local residents against construction of the Mae Wong Dam in Nakhon Sawan. Over the past two weeks, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have been buzzing with messages, photos, info-graphics and video posted by anti-Mae Wong Dam campaigners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670020-mae-wong-battle-goes-online/

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Hornless rhino fossil found in Nakhon Ratchasima village
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- The remains of an ancient hornless rhino, thought to be over seven million years old, have been found in Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670021-hornless-rhino-fossil-found-in-nakhon-ratchasima-village/

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LAWS
Courts pose last real threat to government's agenda
SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SEVEN YEARS after the September 19, 2006 putsch that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai-led government - which is aligned with Thaksin - may not be worried about another military coup, but it must have concerns about the so-called judicialisation of politics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670022-courts-pose-last-real-threat-to-thai-governments-agenda/

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Brit v Brit Bar Brawl over unpaid bill in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police were called to a Central Pattaya Beer Bar in the early hours of Monday to deal with the aftermath of a fight between a British Customer and British owner of the Bar over an issue relating to an outstanding bar bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670024-brit-v-brit-bar-brawl-over-unpaid-bill-in-central-pattaya/

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Senate OKs alcohol tax rise

BANGKOK, 24 September 2013 (NNT) - The Senate has unanimously approved the alcohol tax increase with some Senate members expressing concerns that it might benefit entrepreneurs rather than the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670023-thai-senate-oks-alcohol-tax-rise/

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Maltese Tourist encounters thieving Ladyboy's on Pattaya Beach



PATTAYA: -- A 73 year old Maltese Tourist has vowed never to come back to Pattaya after he became the victim of a street robbery on Pattaya Beach early on Tuesday Morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670025-maltese-tourist-encounters-thieving-ladyboys-on-pattaya-beach/

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Bt2.28 bn seized from drug traffickers in two years
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Authorities have confiscated assets worth more than Bt2.28 billion from drug traffickers over the past two years, exceeding the target of Bt2 billion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670026-thailand-bt228-bn-seized-from-drug-traffickers-in-two-years/

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Woman and radio station
The Nation

KHON KAEN: -- A large amount of fake or illegal medicine has been seized after a series of raids in Khon Kaen recently - and the operators of an unlicensed radio station that advertised the drugs are facing legal action.

The medicines were found to have been produced without a licence, or sold using fake labels indicating certification by the Food and Drugs Administration, according to FDA agents who conducted the raids with police.

The drugs included popular brands used by locals, such as M Gold plus 999, AG 2008 and B Beau Lady. FDA agents said the fake medicines contained a high level of steroids that could cause heart failure or stomach punctures.

Other brands sold illegally had authentic FDA labels, but many others were made by illegal drug manufacturers. Some 200 large cardboard boxes of medicine, worth around Bt1 million, were confiscated.

A woman at a warehouse on the day the raids were conducted was the only suspect. She was charged with four FDA-regulated offences. If convicted, she faces up to life in jail, plus a fine of up to Bt50,000.

At an FDA press conference in Bangkok, Supinya Klangnarong, a National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission member, said the radio station, on frequency FM95.40 megahertz, was ordered to close down. Operators also face charges for violating several NBTC regulations, such as advertising medicines without a licence, which carries a maximum fine of Bt100,000.


-- The Nation 2013-09-24

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Swiss Sheep Farm Cha Am

Full story: http://cha-am.thaivisa.com/swiss-sheep-farm-cha-am/

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All hostages evacuated from Nairobi shopping mall after raid by Kenyan special force on Somali militants /The Nation

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Nairobi attack: Kenya forces 'control all floors' of Westgate mall

NAIROBI: -- Kenyan security forces say they have taken control of all floors of the Nairobi shopping centre attacked by suspected al-Shabab militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670048-nairobi-attack-kenya-forces-control-all-floors-of-westgate-mall/?p=6855627

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Americans among Nairobi mall attackers, Kenyan official says

NAIROBI: -- One of the Islamist militants wore a white turban, others black head scarves, witnesses said. Most were dressed in civilian clothes, but a few had donned camouflage fatigues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670048-nairobi-attack-kenya-forces-control-all-floors-of-westgate-mall/#entry6855643

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UPDATE:

Phuket 7-Eleven teenage shooter claims self-defense
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Two teenagers charged yesterday with shooting dead an 18-year-old man outside of a 7-Eleven in Rawai claimed that the gun was fired out of self-defense.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/669817-18-year-old-waiter-shot-dead-in-drink-fuelled-phuket-gang-dispute/page-2?p=6855706#entry6855706

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,430.54, falls 6.14 points /MCOT

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US rules favourably for Thai frozen shrimp duties; more competition in view
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 24 – The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has ruled that subsidies for frozen warmwater shrimp from China, India, Malaysia, Vietnam and Ecuador have not materially injured the US industry, a senior Thai Commerce Ministry official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670059-us-rules-favourably-for-thai-frozen-shrimp-duties;-more-competition-in-view/

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UPDATE:

Thai Navy, state agencies, on full alert for flooding
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 24 – The Royal Thai Navy was ordered on 24-hour vigilance for flood response as Thailand braces for a new round of heavy downpours from a typhoon this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670019-plodprasop-floods-under-control/#entry6855768

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UPDATE:

PM Yingluck: Joint decision needed on Mae Wong dam
By English News

BANGKOK, Sept 24 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has stressed that public opinion is vital to the government’s decision on building the Mae Wong dam in Nakhon Sawan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670020-mae-wong-battle-goes-online/#entry6855943

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City Line mass transit project launched in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI, 24 September 2013 (NNT) – Chiang Rai province has announced the launch of the "City Line" mass transit project aimed at improving links to tourism sites and alleviating traffic problems in the city area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670061-city-line-mass-transit-project-launched-in-chiang-rai/

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Young Swede killed in tragic car accident in Rayong
BY WACHIRAPORN JANRUT



RAYONG: -- On September 22, police received a report from Phutasart rescue about a car accident which resulted in death of a young Swede named Mr. Jhon Olov Eddie Viding, 25, son of the Swedish businessman who owns Grand Silver Sea House on Mae Pim beach in Rayong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670064-young-swede-killed-in-tragic-car-accident-in-rayong/

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PM places emphasis on children and women

BANGKOK, 24 September 2013 (NNT) Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the first woman to lead this country, is keen on eradicating child and woman abuses in the society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670067-pm-yingluck-places-emphasis-on-eradicating-child-and-woman-abuse/

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UPDATE:

Phuket loris, ping pong crackdowns ‘just window dressing’
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: -- Patong Municipality councillor and president of the Patong Entertainment Business Association Veerawit Kruesombat says crackdowns on Patong’s loris touts and sex shows are a “flash in the pan” and will fizzle out within a month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670015-rihanna-sex-show-tweets-put-ball-in-thai-police-court/page-2?p=6856272#entry6856272

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Oman Tourist Tricked, drugged and robbed by Ladyboy

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670096-oman-tourist-tricked-drugged-and-robbed-by-ladyboy/

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4,025 villages in 114 districts of 21 provinces hit by floods, affecting 604,788 residents /The Nation