Thai Hostages Still Missing a Year After Hamas Attack

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Chinese women tourists beaten in Phuket robbery attempt
Eakkapop Thongtub


Ms Cheng (right) looks on as Ms Ren is fitted with a sling to support her shoulder, dislocated in the attack.

PHUKET: -- Two Chinese women tourists were beaten yesterday evening (October 1) by would-be robbers as they walked back to their hotel in Bang Tao.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671881-chinese-women-tourists-beaten-in-phuket-robbery-attempt/

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Transport Ministry to revamp free rail and bus passes

BANGKOK, 2 October 2013 (NNT) – After the Cabinet approved the extension of free bus and train services for another 6 months, Minister of Transport Chatchart Sittipan stated that the ministry will revamp how the free services will be provided.

Bar-coded identification cards complete with a picture of the cardholders will be issued to low-income citizens to entitle them to the free services provided by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority's 800 buses. The current free bus service will also be scrapped to resolve the problem of people with high income earners and tourists taking advantage of the scheme.

The ministry and the BMTA will work together in order to come up with a clear criteria in determining who should be classified as lower income earners. Furthermore, an efficient barcode reading system will be installed on all city buses, using the budget earmarked for the scheme, said the transport minister.


-- NNT 2013-10-02

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Industry Ministry promises flood-free industrial estates
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 2 – Thailand's Industry Ministry has given its assurances that industrial estates nationwide would be free from floods this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671885-thailands-industry-ministry-promises-flood-free-industrial-estates-nationwide/

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Thailand's inflation slows to 2.1-2.6% this year
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 2 – Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has lowered the consumer price index of inflation for this year from 2.8-3.4 per cent to 2.1-2.6 per cent due to the decline Dubai oil price, the strengthened baht and the government’s measures to reduce the cost of living.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671887-thailands-inflation-slows-to-21-26-pct-this-year/

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Men, step aside please: Woman-only taxis may launch in Bangkok
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Assanatai Rattanadilok na Phuket, the Deputy Director of Department of Land Transport, said recently that plans to launch a class of Bangkok taxis that will only accept female passengers is still in progress.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671889-woman-only-taxis-may-launch-in-bangkok/

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ADB lowers Thailand’s 2013 economic growth projection to 3.8%
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 2 – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered Thailand’s projected economic growth from 4.0 per cent to 3.8 per cent this year, its senior economist said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671892-adb-lowers-thailands-2013-economic-growth-projection-to-38-pct/

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SOUTH CRISIS
Two soldiers killed in bomb attack in Yala Wednesday

YALA: -- Two soldiers were killed Wednesday in bomb attack in Yala's Krong Penang district. Suspected Muslim rebels detonated a roadside bomb about 200 metres from the Ban Sa-ai school in the district.

Military spokesman Colonel Pramote Phom-in said the bomb explodedas a six-man army patrol was providing security for teachers and students arriving at the school. Three civilians and two soldiers were injured.

Colonel Pramote said the separatists are attacking Buddhists and Muslims alike, concentrating on those who cooperate with governmentauthorities, particularly teachers and security personnel.

"The level of violence has remained constant," he said."The number of incidents has decreased, but now the insurgents are using more powerful explosives."

More than 5,300 people have been killed since the rebels steppedup their attacks in 2004 in a campaign aimed at separating Thailand’sthree Muslim-majority southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat from overwhelmingly Buddhist Thailand.


-- The Nation 2013-10-02

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UPDATE:

Aussie taxi driver intimidates other drivers with gun, blade
Phuket Gazette


Aussie Garry Porting was not charged for being an illegal taxi driver, as he had no customers in the vehicle when police arrested him. Photo: Kathu District Officer

PHUKET: -- An Aussie allegedly illegally working as a taxi driver in Patong attempted to intimidate a female taxi driver yesterday afternoon with a bladed weapon and a gun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671846-armed-australian-black-taxi-driver-arrested-in-phuket/?p=6881880

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Constitution Court meets today on petitions against Budget Bill, charter change
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 2 – Thailand's Constitution Court today begins a hearing on a petition by senators and Democrat MPs seeking an injunction of the Budget Bill, which was passed in the final reading by Parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671903-constitution-court-meets-on-petitions-against-budget-bill-charter-change/

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Man Stabs Wife To Death For 'Denying Him Sex'
By Khaosod Online

CHIANG MAI: -- Police in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province, said a Lahu ethnic man stabbed his wife to death because she refused to have sexual intercourse with him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671904-man-stabs-wife-to-death-for-denying-him-sex-chiang-mai-province/

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POLITICS
Thaksin tells police chief to tackle police kickbacks

File photo : Adul

BANGKOK: -- In Facebook message, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has claimed to have played a role in tackling police kickbacks.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671906-thaksin-tells-police-chief-to-tackle-police-kickbacks/

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Thai Parliament Speaker Meets with His New Zealand Counterpart

BANGKOK, 2 October 2013 (NNT) – The Speaker of the Thai Parliament has extended a warm welcome to his New Zealand counterpart, whose his arrival in Thailand marks the beginning of his ASEAN trip.

During the meeting, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont thanked his New Zealand counterpart, David Carter for choosing Thailand as the first country to visit. He expressed hope that the two countries would expand trade and investment cooperation in the near future. Mr Somsak also emphasized the importance of the Thai government’s 2.2 trillion and 350 billion baht loans to development the nation’s infrastructure system and water management.

Meanwhile, Mr Carter said Thailand and New Zealand should expand cooperation in every dimension. He also invited Thais to visit his country and expressed high hopes that Thailand would import New Zealand's high quality food and dairy products in the future.

The two speakers have signed a memorandum to set up a Thailand-New Zealand alliance, which focuses on promoting ties between the two nations’ parliaments.

-- NNT 2013-10-02

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Noppawan guilty of royal offence: Appeals Court

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court on Wednesday found Noppawan Tang-udomsuk guilty of offending the monarchy in 2008.

The appellate review cited the prosecution evidence to overturn the lower court's acquittal on grounds that Noppawan's IP address could not be fabricated.

The lower court dismissed the case for insufficient evidence to verify that Noppawan was responsible for posting the offensive remarks on Prachathai webboard.

-- The Nation 2013-10-02

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New map highlights Euro architecture of Bangkok and Ayutthaya
By Coconuts Bangkok

Hua Lamphong Railway Station, designed by Italian Mario Tamagno, is one of the most famous examples of European architecture in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671916-new-map-highlights-euro-architecture-of-bangkok-and-ayutthaya/

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RUBBER
Thai-Malaysian Rubber City in the pipeline
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and Malaysia agree to create the "Rubber City" along their border, to boost the rubber prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671925-thai-malaysian-rubber-city-in-the-pipeline/

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PM Yingluck vows assistance to flood-hit people nationwide
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 2 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today promised to look closely at the plight of flood-hit people who will be granted financial rehabilitation assistance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671931-pm-yingluck-vows-assistance-to-flood-hit-people-nationwide/

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Thailand analyses impact of US government shutdown
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 2 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra was assured today that the US government shutdown, which would probably affect the third quarter (Q3) American economy by 0.1 per cent, should ease up soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671935-thailand-analyses-impact-of-us-government-shutdown/

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SET index closed at 1,408.99, up 0.80; Bt/USD31.20; GBP50.37; AUD29.01; EUR42.04; CAD30.00; HKD4.01; SGD24.76; JPY31.86

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Court to read verdict on budget bill on Friday

BANGKOK: -- The Constitutional Court will read its verdict on the constitutionality of the 2014 budget bill on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671903-constitution-court-meets-on-petitions-against-budget-bill-charter-change/?p=6882646

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APEC SUMMIT
Flights affected by Bali's airport closure
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport will be closed for all commercial flights on specific times during October 5-October 9, to accommodate the arrival of many Heads of State to the APEC Summit in the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671939-flights-affected-by-balis-airport-closure/

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Garbage Collector Stabbed Dead By Colleague

Police in Mueang district of Samut Prakarn province said a garbage collecting worker had been stabbed dead by his colleague as they were performing duty earlier this morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671967-garbage-collector-stabbed-dead-by-colleague/

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POLITICS
Wiphuthalaeng threatens to sue Democrats

Photo : Wiphuthalaeng

Pheu Thai MP Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai on Wednesday said he might sue certain Democrat MPs for defaming him.

Wiphuthalaeng was commenting on the involvement of the Democrats in airing a controversial audio clip via Springnews television station.

The clip revealed Wiphuthalaeng's wife discussing the bank transfer worth Bt100 million from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to help the red shirts. But the funds were allegedly embezzled.

The Pheu Thai MP said the clip was doctored to discredit him and the red-shirt movement. He said he believed certain red shirts in London were responsible for the disinformation.

-- The Nation 2013-10-02

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 3 Oct 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672036-thailand-live-thursday-3-oct-2013/