Thailand Live Thursday 17 Oct 2013

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Swedish Tourist 'Scammed' Out Of 100,000 Baht

By Khasod Online

UDON THANI: -- A Swedish tourist has alleged that a Thai woman has stolen his wallet and withdrawn 100,000 baht from his bank accounts

Mr. Issa Barsoma, 60, told Udonthani Tourism police that his pocket was stolen by a Thai woman called Thidarat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675130-swedish-tourist-scammed-of-100000-baht-in-udon-thani/

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Large fire at Phuket SuperCheap, reports of explosions

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675082-large-fire-at-phuket-supercheap-reports-of-explosions/

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US Senate reaches debt limit deal
Senate Republican and Democrat leaders strike deal to end government shutdown and raise the nation's debt limit

/BBC

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UPDATE:
5 Thais among 49 killed as Lao Airlines plane crashes into Mekong
The Nation


File photo : EPA

VIENTIANE: -- FIVE THAIS were among 49 passengers and crew killed when a twin-engine Lao Airlines plane plunged into the Mekong River yesterday as it attempted to land at an international airport in Laos' Champasak province, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675073-at-least-5-thais-dead-in-laos-plane-crash-44-total-dead/page-3?p=6931947#entry6931947

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CONTROVERSIAL RICE SCHEME
Ministers dispute rice-pledging loss figure
NAKARIN SRILERT,
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THREE ECONOMIC ministers involved in the rice-pledging scheme yesterday came out to defend the government in the face of criticism by academics and a former minister over what they claimed was a massive loss to date.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675132-ministers-dispute-thai-rice-pledging-loss-figure/

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ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATION
Residents 'want protest stopped'
TANATPONG KONGSAI,
PHATHINYA IAMTAN,
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION


at Phyathai Police Station

Police say complaint field over Urupong rally

BANGKOK: -- POLICE YESTERDAY renewed efforts to have a group of protesters leave the Urupong Intersection and return to Lumpini Park, saying local residents had filed complaints against them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675133-bangkok-residents-want-urupong-protest-stopped/

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AVIATION ACCIDENT
Lao Airlines express condolences over Champasak accident

BANGKOK: -- Lao Airlines yesterday issued a statement of condolences over the accident of its flight in Laos' Champasak province that killed all 49 on board.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675073-at-least-5-thais-dead-in-laos-plane-crash-44-total-dead/page-3?p=6931961#entry6931961

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SOUTH CRISIS
Insurgent threats prompt SIM check
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Police Chief General Adul Saengsingkaew is urging agencies to help police check SIM card registration information linked to suspected insurgents. Phone sellers were also asked to check applicants' documents strictly for registration of phone SIM cards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675135-thai-south-crisis-insurgent-threats-prompt-sim-check/

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EDITORIAL
How much more DAMAGE can we afford?

The rice price-pledging scheme has cost the taxpayer billions of Baht and lost Thailand its position as the world's leading rice exporter; it's time to reverse this populist policy before its too late

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675136-thai-editorial-how-much-more-damage-can-we-afford/

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'Independent lawmakers must' for a fair govt
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A SENATE-ORGANISED seminar has suggested independent candidates be allowed to join the electoral race as a way to counter parliamentary dictatorship.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675137-independent-lawmakers-must-for-a-fair-govt/

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Icelandic Man self-harms at Central Pattaya Condominium



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday afternoon Pattaya Rescue Services were called to a Central Pattaya condominium to assist an Icelandic resident who had reportedly self-harmed and had lost a considerable amount of blood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675140-icelandic-man-self-harms-at-central-pattaya-condominium/

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Chinese Tourist injured after jumping off Baht Bus in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Just before 3am on Thursday Pattaya Police and medics were called to the Naklua Road in front of the Palm Garden Hotel to assist a 30 year old Chinese Tourist who reportedly jumped off a moving Baht Bus following an argument with her Chinese friend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675141-chinese-tourist-injured-after-jumping-off-baht-bus-in-north-pattaya/

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East Pattaya Frog Farm owner electrocuted as he cleans tank

PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Morning Police and rescue services were called to a Frog Farm in East Pattaya after the owner was found face-down in one of the tanks which was also full of dead frogs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675142-east-pattaya-frog-farm-owner-electrocuted-as-he-cleans-tank/

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Ministry eyes new prisons
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri yesterday revealed a plan to seek Cabinet approval for a Bt30-billion budget to build 42 new prisons nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675143-thai-justice-ministry-eyes-new-prisons/

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Private tow trucks
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police Bureau's upcoming measure to tow law-violating vehicles to impound lots would see some 500 privately operated tow-trucks aiding the police's existing 100 trucks, deputy city police chief Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675144-bangkok-private-trucks-to-tow-law-violating-vehicles-to-impound-lots/

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DSI presses for prosecution of firm in police-station fiasco
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation is still demanding criminal prosecution of the construction company involved in the scandal over police-station renovations, despite reports that the Office of the Attorney-General decided to drop the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675146-dsi-presses-for-prosecution-of-firm-in-thai-police-station-fiasco/

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UPDATE:

Cable-laying mishap disrupts tap-water supply
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Residents living along Bangkok's Ratchaprarop Rd and nearby areas were without tap water yesterday, after a backhoe damaged a section of pipe near the Makkasan intersection, causing the pipe to burst.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674927-bangkok-flooded-by-pipe-leak/page-2#entry6932054

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UPDATE:

No confirmed injuries, deaths so far following Phuket SuperCheap blaze


The remains of SuperCheap this morning. Photo: Ekaphan Chantraphong

PHUKET: -- There are still no confirmed reports of people injured or dead following a large fire at the Phuket Town SuperCheap warehouse store on Thepkrassatri Road around 9.40pm last night (October 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675082-large-fire-at-phuket-supercheap-reports-of-explosions/page-2?p=6932428#entry6932428

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,474.77, gains 10.39 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Phuket mega mall blaze contained
By English News



PHUKET, Oct 17 -- Firefighters contained a Phuket hypermarket blaze this morning using a Thai navy helicopter to spray foam in areas of the sprawling complex which fire emergency equipment could not reach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675082-large-fire-at-phuket-supercheap-reports-of-explosions/page-3?p=6932520#entry6932520

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Suvarnabhumi Airport well-prepared for floods
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 17 – Suvarnabhumi Airport has been on 24-hour alert for floods and the anti-flood dyke around the airport has been checked regularly to prevent inundation of the facility, according to the Airport of Thailand (AoT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675165-suvarnabhumi-airport-well-prepared-for-floods/

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Transport Minister inspects flooding at Bangkok University



BANGKOK, 17 October 2013 (NNT) - Transport Minister, Chadchart Sittipunt, has been surveying the current flooding situation plaguing Bangkok, and reported that the Department of Highways is working hard to alleviate the problem.

Mr. Chadchart revealed on his Facebook page that after witnessing heavy downpours in the previous night, he decided to head out to inspect the area which was under the responsibility of the Department of Highways.

He further stated that an area that was always suffering from flood waters is right in front of Bangkok University. The land is relatively low in its location compared to the surrounding area. Water is thus constantly flowing into the roads, but unable to completely drain into the Khlongs.

The Transport Minister has spoken with local officials and initiated a resolution to add more water pumps as well as searching for more areas to build water detention basins to alleviate the flood.


-- NNT 2013-10-17

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Thai investors told to brace for foreign capital outflows
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 17 – Thai investors have been warned of expected volatility in the global capital market as the credit rating of US bonds and financial instruments will possibly be cut.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675171-thai-investors-told-to-brace-for-foreign-capital-outflows/

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UPDATE:

Phuket SuperCheap Inferno: Search for victims delayed as fire continues
Phuket Gazette

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675082-large-fire-at-phuket-supercheap-reports-of-explosions/page-4?p=6932859#entry6932859

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UPDATE:

Suvarnabhumi braces for future flooding

BANGKOK, 17 Oct 2013 (NNT) – Suvarnabhumi International Airport is bracing itself for floods. Airport officials have been ordered to monitor the situation around the clock.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675165-suvarnabhumi-airport-well-prepared-for-floods/#entry6932885

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Demonstrators threaten to move rally to Govt House if pressured

BANGKOK, 17 Oct 2013 (NNT) – Demonstrators at Urupong Intersection said they would move their rally back to the Government House if pressured police.

According to Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Adul Narongsak, who negotiated with the leaders of demonstrators gathering at the Urupong intersection, he asked them to relocate their demonstration site to Lumphini Park, as residents in the areas had sent a flood of complaints to the police regarding noises, and inconvenience caused by the demonstrators, as well as stench from the toilet trucks.

In response, the leaders told the deputy commissioner that they would stay put at the Urupong intersection, reiterating that they were carrying the demonstration in a peaceful manner and no weapons had been found among protesters.

The leaders also threatened to move their rally to the Government House if the police kept on pressuring them to relocate.

Activities at the demonstration site comprise speeches taking to task the government for its performance.


-- NNT 2013-10-17

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Thai-Danish 7-year-old to be deported from Denmark
BY SINE NEUCHS THOMSEN

BANGKOK: -- A seven-year-old girl, Im Nielsen, and her mother, Suthida Nielsen, have been ordered by Hjørring District Court to leave Denmark to move back to their native Thailand, TV2 Nord reports via The Copenhagen Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675210-thai-danish-7-year-old-to-be-deported-from-denmark/

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Patong's flood problem largely solved by 2014, Phuket Governor says
Phuket Gazette

Gov Maitri (pink shirt) and Kathu District Chief Veera, both pointing, during the tour of flood-prone areas of Patong on Tuesday. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675211-patongs-flood-problem-largely-solved-by-2014-phuket-governor-says/

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UPDATE:
One female reported missing after Phuket SuperCheap fire
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: -- A woman believed to be missing after the SuperCheap fire has her name put on a board at a support centre set up at Phuket Provincial Hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675082-large-fire-at-phuket-supercheap-reports-of-explosions/page-4?p=6933045#entry6933045

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AVIATION ACCIDENT
Recovery operation underway at Lao Airlines crash site

BANGKOK: -- Divers from Thailand have attempted to retrieve bodies of the passengers on the Lao Airlines flight that crashed into Mekong River and killed all 49 on aboard in Laos' Champassak province on Wednesday, the Vientiane Times reported Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675073-at-least-5-thais-dead-in-laos-plane-crash-44-total-dead/page-5?p=6933193#entry6933193