Thailand Live Tuesday 19 Nov 2013

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Mobile cabinet meeting in Songkhla warned



BANGKOK: -- The National Security Council (NSC) chief Lt-Gen Paradorn Patthanatabutr warned of strong anti-government protest in Songkhla province if the government continue to hold its scheduled mobile cabinet meeting in Songkhla on November 29-30.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682694-mobile-cabinet-meeting-in-songkhla-warned/

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Alcohol key factor in fatal head-on collision in Phuket
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police suspect that alcohol played a critical role in the death of a 27-year-old woman who was in a head-on accident near the Thung Thong Police checkpoint early Saturday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682696-alcohol-key-factor-in-fatal-head-on-collision-in-phuket/

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Floating lanterns a threat to aviation



LAMPANG: -- Lampang airport today reported that more than 100 floating lanterns have fallen onto its runway during the past two days when people celebrated the Loy Krathong festival with the launch of thousands of floating lanterns into the sky.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682697-floating-lanterns-a-threat-to-aviation-in-northern-thailand/

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State Railway of Thailand speeds up retrieving Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani train derailed in Nakhon Ratchasima, services expected to resume afternoon /MCOT

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An about-face of a banana theft case

YALA: -- An impoverished woman who was caught by police for stealing two bunches of bananas for sale in order to help feed her four children had the charge withdrawn thanks to the kind-hearted owner who also gave her some money.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682707-an-about-face-of-a-banana-theft-case-in-yala-district/

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Family phony's hospital crime spree ends with arrest
By Coconuts



Handbags, sunglasses and wallets. Also bank cards, car keys and mobile phones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682709-thai-familys-phony-hospital-crime-spree-ends-with-arrest/

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Chalerm does not believe Constitutional Court will rule against Pheu Thai government

Bangkok, 19 November 2013 (NNT) – Labor Minister Pol. Cap. Chalerm Yubamrung does not think the Constitutional Court will rule against the Pheu Thai government ruling, on November 20.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682713-chalerm-does-not-believe-constitutional-court-will-rule-against-pheu-thai-government/

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Tour bus crushes teenager to death in Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682736-tour-bus-crushes-teenager-to-death/

[Lite Beer]

Security measures starving monks, claims temple resident
By Coconuts Bangkok

Monks at a temple near the prime minister's offices complain they're having to cook for themselves.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682737-security-measures-are-starving-monks-claims-temple-resident/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Defiant lawmakers to challenge Constitutional Court

BANGKOK: -- A total of 312 lawmakers today declared not to accept the judgment of the Constitutional Court which is scheduled to hand down its verdict on the amendment to the Constitution regarding the composition of the Senate tomorrow.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682713-chalerm-does-not-believe-constitutional-court-will-rule-against-pheu-thai-government/#entry7055873

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Plodprasob unperturbed by whistle-blowers

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasob Suraswadi said Tuesday that he was not angry with protesters who blew whistles in front of his face and would not take legal actions against them.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682636-plodprasop-run-out-of-hearing/page-2#entry7055914

[Lite Beer]

Thai Tourist police officer arrested for involvement with Russian ATM skimming gang fired; his commander questioned /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Ranger killed, sisters injured in gun attack

PATTANI : -- An Army trained ranger was shot dead and his two sisters injured when two gunmen arriving in a pickup truck sprayed several shots from their assault rifles at them this morning.

Pattani police said that the victims were sitting in front of their house in the town when the gunmen arrived, opened fire and then fled.

Killed was Abdulorhim Mali, 31, and injured were his two sisters.

Police said they did not rule out personal conflict although insurgency was also a probable cause.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ranger-killed-sisters-injured-gun-attack/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ranger-killed-sisters-injured-gun-attack

--Thai PBS 2013-11-19

[Lite Beer]

Somsak demands more documents on censure motion

BANGKOK: -- House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont on Tuesday demanded more documents related to an impeachment move and graft allegations from the opposition Democrat Party or else he will not put the no-confidence motion on the House's agenda.

The opposition party on Friday submitted the censure motion against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan for alleged mismanagement and abuse of power.

-- The Nation 2013-11-19

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POLITICS
Abhisit slams Pheu Thai for announcement it won't recognise court ruling
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday said he was taken aback to learn that the ruling Pheu Thai party would not accept the judicial decision on the charter amendment bill related to election of the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682754-abhisit-slams-pheu-thai-for-announcement-it-wont-recognise-court-ruling/

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Three foreigners to be expelled from Phuket
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan


Forrest Wayne (left) and Johan Daniel Wetzelmayr at Immigration this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682758-three-foreigners-to-be-expelled-from-phuket/

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Five foreigners involved in drug trafficking extradited

BANGKOK: -- Five accomplices of US drug dealer Joseph Manuel Hunter were extradited to United States on Tuesday where they will face punishment for their crimes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682760-five-foreigners-involved-in-drug-trafficking-extradited-from-thailand/

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Thailand may be removed from US human trafficking watch list: Labour permanent secretary
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682761-thailand-may-be-removed-from-us-human-trafficking-watch-list/

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Annual HIV infections down by a quarter in Asia-Pacific since 2001

BANGKOK: -- New HIV infections were down in 2012 by 26 per cent since 2001 in the Asia-Pacific region, to an estimated 350,000,clinching the region's reputation as an Aids-response success story, the United Nations said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682763-annual-hiv-infections-down-by-a-quarter-in-asia-pacific-since-2001/

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Loy Kratong Gone Wrong: Lanterns of hope rain fiery destruction
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Hopefully, as people released majestic Yi Peng lanterns into the sky on Loy Kratong, they didn’t wish for them to burn someone’s house down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682647-less-krathongs-this-year-but-fires-started-by-lanterns/#entry7056261

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TAXES
Individual income tax structure changed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet approved Tuesday big changes in the individual income taxation structure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682769-individual-income-tax-structure-changed-thailand/

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Chalerm assigned to head protest monitoring
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Tuesday that he has been assigned by the prime minister to monitor the anti-government protests by various groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682713-chalerm-does-not-believe-constitutional-court-will-rule-against-pheu-thai-government/page-2#entry7056384

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SET index closed at 1,412.44, down 11.52; Bt/USD31.44; GBP50.56; AUD29.52; EUR42.41; CAD30.04; HKD4.04; SGD25.16; JPY31.36

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Security chief doesn't expect 1 million at Democracy Monument rally
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 19 – Off-limits zones in the vicinity of Thailand's government centre will not be expanded despite a protesters’ announcement that they will escalate their demonstration to one million people on Sunday, a top security official said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682780-security-chief-doesnt-expect-1-million-at-democracy-monument-rally/

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PM urges public calm on charter court ruling; No House dissolution, no resignation
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 19 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today reaffirmed that she will not resign nor will she dissolve the House of Representatives as the Constitution Court is scheduled to rule on the charter amendment concerning electoral procedures and composition of the Senate tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682783-pm-urges-public-calm-on-charter-court-ruling;-no-house-dissolution-no-resignation/

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Boom tourism in North likely to draw Bt19 billion
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 19 – Up to Bt19 billion in tourist spending is expected as people head to major attractions in the North during the last two months of 2013, according to a survey by Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch).

KResearch estimates that the number of Thais visiting the North during November and December this year will reach 4.23 million, a 6.8 per cent increase from only 4 million last year, with the most popular destinations being Chiang Mai, Phetchabun and Chiang Rai provinces. The would-be tourists will likely spend Bt19.1 billion, a 7.1 per cent increase from Bt17.8 billion last year.

Based on the research, Chiang Mai remains the most popular destination to visit especially up on Doi Inthanon and Doi Ang Kang which overlook the sea of fog. Doi Pa Hom Pok and Huay Nam Dang also serve as Chiang Mai’s major attractions.

People also enjoy the view of a sea of fog at Kao Koh, Phu Tub Berg and Phu Hin Rong Khla mountains in Phetchabun province. While visiting there, they can also pay respect to the holy Phrathat Pa Son Kaew.

Chiang Rai province, meanwhile, serves as the third popular place that is visited by Thai tourists each year, with Phu Chee Fah and Botanical gardens up on Doi Tung and Doi Mae Salong mountains serve as major tourism sites.

The research centre however noted that political stability and rising costs of living are key factors which may influence people's purchasing power, their confidence as well as prospective travel plan. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-19

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Severe weather warning for 9 southern provinces (Tue-Sat) issued by Disaster Prevention,Mitigation Dept /The Nantion

weather forecasts for all provinces http://weather.thaivisa.com

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King to grant grand public audience on December 5 at Klai Kangwon Palace
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 19 -- His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will grant a grand public audience on his birthday, December 5, at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin, according to Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682788-king-to-grant-grand-public-audience-on-december-5-at-klai-kangwon-palace/

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Thai PM urges calm ahead of key court ruling

BANGKOK, November 19, 2013 (AFP) - Thai Premier Yingluck Shinawatra called for calm Tuesday before a Constitutional Court ruling that could force the dissolution of her party and inflame the country's bitter divisions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682783-pm-urges-public-calm-on-charter-court-ruling;-no-house-dissolution-no-resignation/#entry7056649

[Lite Beer]

Alleged contract killer's accomplices, arrested in Phuket, extradited from Thailand
Phuket Gazette -

Accomplices of Phuket hitman Joseph ‘Rambo’ Hunter (pictured) were extradited to the United States. Photo: Reuters

PHUKET: Five men arrested in Phuket in the same operation that snared the alleged contract killer and US drug dealer Joseph "Rambo" Hunter were extradited to the United States today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682837-alleged-contract-killers-accomplices-arrested-in-phuket-extradited-from-thailand/