Thailand Live Tuesday 22 Oct 2013

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Temperature to drop 2-4 degrees during Oct 24-27

BANGKOK, 22 October 2013 (NNT) – The temperature is expected to drop between 2-4 degrees Celsius during October 24-27, as the high air pressure coming from China will cover the upper part of Thailand.

According to the Thai Meteorological Department, the high air pressure from China will blanket Thailand’s north and cause the temperature to drop. People in the central, east, and northeast regions will be in for morning fog, while the southern part of Thailand will experience more rains, thanks to the low air pressure coming from the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia.

The Meteorological Department has also revealed that during October 24-27, Thailand, mainly the northern region, will encounter a drop in temperature of 2-4 degrees Celsius.

Tourists travelling to Japan have also been warned of Typhoon Francisco, which is heading to Japan and expected to belt the country on October 25-26. However, the department has assured that the typhoon will not have any impact on Thailand.


-- NNT 2013-10-22

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Phuket Town drinkers take down armed robber
Phuket Gazette


Unfortunately for Mr Naruecha, Mr Ponlawat (back, left) is a community police volunteer, trained and registered under the Crime Suppression Division branch in Phuket. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Two men sitting in front of their house drinking in the early hours this morning made a citizen’s arrest, taking down a man who had just robbed a Phuket Town convenience store at knifepoint.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676350-phuket-town-drinkers-take-down-armed-robber/

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UPDATE:

Flooded Amata industrial park back to normal
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 22 – All factories at the Amata Industrial Estate in the eastern seaboard province of Chonburi have resumed operation after flood waters were pumped out, according to a company executive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676054-attempts-continue-to-keep-amata-industrial-estate-in-chonburi-dry/#entry6950514

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UPDATE:

Nattawut disagrees with amended amnesty bill

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikuar, a red-shirt leader, Tuesday expressed his disagreement to the version of amnesty bill that would provide blanket amnesty to protest leaders and leaders of the previous government.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676326-amnesty-bill-ignites-widespread-debate-in-thai-society/

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UPDATE:

Red shirts not against amnesty for Thaksin, but opposed to absolving of Abhisit, Suthep:

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676326-amnesty-bill-ignites-widespread-debate-in-thai-society/

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Phuket: Locals voice anger over planned Patong tunnel

The original plan envisaged approach roads at ground level. EXAT, however, thinks raised approach roads would be more efficient.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676358-phuket-locals-voice-anger-over-planned-patong-tunnel/

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Democrats likely to delay party reform: Alongkorn

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MP Alongkorn Ponlaboot has posted his Twitter message saying he would today propose the next month's party reform be pushed back.

Alongkorn said the main opposition party must pay utmost attention to oppose the amnesty bill.

The Democrats will fight the bill's passage to the fullest extent under the Constitution and relevant laws, he said.

-- The Nation 2013-10-22

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Red shirts to rally at Chatuchak to counter anti-govt demonstrators

BANGKOK: -- Some red-shirt groups will hold a demonstration at the Chatuchak Park to counter anti-government rallies at the Urupong Intersection.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676359-red-shirts-to-rally-at-chatuchak-to-counter-anti-govt-demonstrators/

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THAI-JAPANESE RELATIONS
Thai warned not to abuse visa waiver for Japan

BANGKOK: -- Japan has issued a warning to Thais not to stay in Japan beyond the 15-day visa free period or risk being banned for life.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676365-thais-warned-not-to-abuse-visa-waiver-for-japan/

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Govt boosts maize exports to stimulate prices
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 22 – Thailand's Commerce Ministry has targeted the export of 500,000 tonnes of maize by year-end in an attempt to increase the price of the animal feed, a senior official said today.

Somchart Soithong, Internal Trade Department director general, said six exporters who joined the ministry’s price intervention scheme have exported more than 40,000 tonnes of maize as animal feed and October exports should amount to at least 100,000 tonnes.

The Cabinet has approved a price intervention programme to purchase maize from farmers at no less than Bt7 per kilogramme with a purchase target of 1.8 million tonnes by December.

The Commerce Ministry has already bought 200,000 tonnes of maize, at a total of Bt1.5 billion, from farmers, he said.

Since the price intervention for the 2013/2014 harvest, maize price has increased to Bt8.10-8.20/kg – much higher than the guaranteed price at Bt7/kg.

The intervention may not be necessary if farmers could sell maize at higher price, he said.

Surachart Kahintapong, managing director of Thien Hong Trading Co – a major Thai maize exporter, said the export price has been slightly higher than those quoted by overseas competitors but demand in the global market remained high and quality was an important factor. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-10-22

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Body of fourth Thai victim in Lao Airlines plane crash recovered
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 22 - The body of one more Thai casualty in last week's Lao Airlines plane crash in the Mekong River has been recovered, while the bodies of the three victims found earlier are scheduled to be sent home this afternoon.

The latest recovered body was believed to be that of Yanyong Apanant, an employee of PTT, Thailand's oil and gas conglomerate.

As of today, 42 bodies out of 49 persons on board the ill-fated flight were found, with 26 bodies having been identified already.

There were five Thai passengers on board the Lao Airlines turboprop plane which plunged into the Mekong River, just eight kilometres from Pakse airport in southern Laos, last Wednesday.

The bodies of the three Thai victims will be returned to their homeland today by a Royal Thai Army C-130 aircraft, together with Thai rescuers earlier dispatched to join the search mission.

A fifth Thai man, Niphon Chaichanakuldee, also a PTT employee, remains missing.

The Lao authorities continue searching for bodies of the seven other victims, as well as working to retrieve the wreckage of the plane's fuselage from the river.

Insurance companies are now discussing compensation plans with the victims' families.

"First of all, on behalf of Laos, please let me send my sincere condolences to the victims' families. Lao Airlines and insurance companies will compensate the families of the deceased according to international rules," said Sommad Pholsena, Minister of Laos Public Works and Transport. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-10-22

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Whites Only: European-owned Citra offers cash to ‘whitest’ students
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Dark skin makes you stupid and undesirable, seems to be the message of a new campaign by Citra Thailand, who is putting its money where its pasty, bleached mouth is.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676371-whites-only-european-owned-citra-offers-cash-to-whitest-students-in-thailand/

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Angered By Her Husband, Woman 'Burns 42 Houses'
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Police have arrested a woman who allegedly burned down 42 houses following an argument with her husband.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676373-bangkok-angered-by-her-husband-woman-burns-42-houses/

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Embassy Urges DSI To Solve Murder Of Japanese Woman
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- The Embassy of Japan has urged the Thai authorities to speed up the investigation into the murder of a Japanese woman at a historic site of Sukhotai province 6 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676379-embassy-urges-thailands-dsi-to-solve-murder-of-japanese-woman/

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Fire occurs at Walking Street zone in South Pattaya /MCOT

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UPDATE:
Flooding in East worst in 50 years: Plodprasop

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676291-plodprasop-eastern-floods-to-disappear-end-of-nov/?p=6951149#entry6951149

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SET index closed at 1,457.36, up 8.82; Bt/USD30.99; GBP49.87; AUD29.78; EUR42.26; CAD29.96; HKD3.99; SGD24.87; JPY31.38

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Big fire blazing in South Pattaya



Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676363-black-smoke-fire-occurs-in-south-pattaya/

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Govt eyes land, property taxes to boost revenue
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 22 – The Thai government is mulling a bill on land and property taxes, and revising obsolete taxation laws, the director general of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676398-thai-govt-eyes-land-property-taxes-to-boost-revenue/

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14-day entry visa to be exempted for Thais, Myanmar people
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thais and Myanmar people will be exempted from an entry visa for 14-day stays when the two governments sign an agreement on the exemption in December, Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi announced Tuesday.

Teerat said the Cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft agreement on the visa exemption and added that the draft would be presented to the premiers of the two countries to sign when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visits Myanmar in December.

Yingluck will visit Myanmar on December 11 and 12 to participate in the SEA Games opening ceremony.

The draft contract was submitted to the Cabinet for approval in line with Article 190 of the Constitution but does not have to be approved by Parliament, Teerat said.

The exemption will apply to departures and arrivals at 23 airports. The airports are Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Nan, Phitsanulok, Mae Sot, Mae Hong Son, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi, Trang, Narathiwat, Ranong, Surat Thani, Hua Hin, Samui, Sukhothai and U-tapao.

Teera said the two countries reserve the right to deny entry to certain citizens or reduce their stay without having to inform them of the reasons.

The contract could also be suspended for security and public health reasons by informing the other country at least 15 days in advance. The contract can be annulled by informing the other country through diplomatic channels at least 60 days in advance, the spokesman said.


-- The Nation 2013-10-22

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Anti-Govt Protesters Flying 'Al Qaeda' Banner
A banner proclaiming allegiance to international terror network Al Qaeda has appeared in the anti-government protests encampment at Uruphong Intersection.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676443-anti-govt-protesters-flying-al-qaeda-banner/

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Thai court acquits Santika nightclub owner after deadly inferno

BANGKOK, October 22, 2013 (AFP) - The owner of a Bangkok nightclub destroyed by a fire that killed 67 people on New Year's Day in 2009 was acquitted of gross negligence Tuesday on appeal.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676459-thai-court-acquits-santika-nightclub-owner-after-deadly-inferno/

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UPDATE:

Unilever whitening brand defends cash prize for Thai students

BANGKOK, October 22, 2013 (AFP) - A Thai company owned by consumer goods giant Unilever on Tuesday rejected accusations of discrimination after its competition featuring a skin whitener and offering university "scholarships" was seen as favouring paler-skinned students.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676371-whites-only-european-owned-citra-offers-cash-to-whitest-students-in-thailand/page-4?p=6952324#entry6952324

[Lite Beer]

Stuart Hall to be stripped of OBE after conviction for sex offences

Former BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall is to be stripped of his OBE after he was jailed for a series of sexual assaults on young girls.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676461-stuart-hall-to-be-stripped-of-obe-after-conviction-for-sex-offences/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday Oct 23 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676520-thailand-live-wednesday-oct-23-2013/