Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Jul 2014

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TOT to focus on online services

BANGKOK, 15 July 2014 (NNT) - TOT Public Company Limited has committed to continue delivering high quality service to customers despite a revenue drop and will shift its focus to online services to customers during the remaining period of 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742899-tot-to-focus-on-online-services/

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JSCCIB predicts Thai economy to grow 4.2 percent during latter half of 2014

BANGKOK, 15 July 2014 (NNT) - The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has predicted that the economy will grow 4.2 percent during the second half of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742901-jsccib-predicts-thai-economy-to-grow-42-percent-during-latter-half-of-2014/

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Military junta monitors budget allocations of local administrations to ensure no corruption and kickbacks



BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is steadily making progress in its efforts to tackle budget allocations for local administrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742908-thai-junta-monitors-budget-allocations-to-ensure-no-corruption-and-kickbacks/

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Several sectors meet on the direction of national reform

BANGKOK, 15 July 2014, (NNT) - Several representative sectors of the nation yesterday met on the direction of national reform with an emphasis on public participation.

Attending the meeting were representatives of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the Anti-corruption Organization, the 10 Organization Network, and other entities. The seminar is being held from now until Thursday in the 1st floor hall of Central World Department Store.

The meeting is aimed at setting a course for national reform, creating unity & reconciliation, and building a strong foundation for relationships among the people, by welcoming participation from all parts of the nation.

Addressing the corruption issue was also on the meeting’s agenda, as the problem greatly affects the public. The Prime Minister’s Advisor, Kittipong Kittayarak, voiced his opinions, saying that public participation would lead to a people-centric and universally accepted reform.


-- NNT 2014-07-15

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Thailand on alert for flooding
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 15 -- Thais in many provinces braced themselves for flooding due to persistent rains while the Meteorological Department warned of heavy downpours in some areas in the next few days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742910-thailand-on-alert-for-flooding/

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Evacuation prepared for Thai workers in Israel, Libya and Kenya
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 15 -- Thai authorities were arranging for the evacuation of Thai citizens from Israel, Libya and Kenya, where rising unrest has caused insecurity and the loss of livelihood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742912-evacuation-prepared-for-thai-workers-in-israel-libya-and-kenya/

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Murderer and colleague to be prosecuted tomorrow



BANGKOK: -- The police said they will finish investigation of the rape murder case of the 13-year-old girl and prosecute the murderer and his colleague in the Criminal Court on Wednesday with confidence that evidence they have are substantial to punish them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742916-murderer-of-13-year-old-thai-girl-to-be-prosecuted-tomorrow/

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UPDATE:

Budget airlines acquiring planes ahead of ASEAN integration
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 15 -- Low-cost airlines are quickly acquiring planes and launching new routes ahead of the formation of the ASEAN Community.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742837-bangkok-based-nok-air-awaits-new-turboprops-from-bombardier/#entry8101881

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Private sector optimistic about 3-4% economic growth



BANGKOK: - The private sector is more optimistic about the economic recovery in the second half of this year after the military junta's road map is making progress with prediction of 3-4.% growth in economy.

Source: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742901-jsccib-predicts-thai-economy-to-grow-42-percent-during-latter-half-of-2014/#entry8101909

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Special Report: NCPO asks TAT to find campaigns boosting tourism industry

BANGKOK: -- Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) General Prayuth Chan-ocha has stressed the need for relevant agencies to launch marketing activities to boost tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742926-ncpo-asks-tat-to-find-campaigns-boosting-tourism-industry/

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BB-gun rampage leads one big-mouthed man from freedom to solitary
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A real hothead caused mayhem with a BB gun and a big mouth yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742927-bangkok-bb-gun-rampage-leads-one-big-mouthed-man-from-freedom-to-solitary/

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Smog from Indonesia blankets Yala

YALA, 15 July 2014 (NNT) - Thick haze and smog has reportedly drifted over from Indonesia to cover parts of the southern province of Yala.

Smoke from forest fires on Sumatra is an annual dry season hazard that often affects neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand every year in June and July. The southern region is usually worst affected by the smog.

Locals reported that while the haze is causing skin and eye irritation, visibility on roads has not been impaired by it. Health offices in the province are on high alert and are keeping a close eye on the situation.

Residents with pre-existing respiratory conditions are urged to use face masks when they leave their homes. Masks are distributed each year by health office to those most at risk of respiratory problems such as the elderly and children.


-- NNT 2014-07-15

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Teenagers set homeless people on fire
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Two middle-aged homeless men were doused with petrol and set on fire in their sleep Friday night in Little India.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742929-bangkok-teenagers-set-homeless-people-on-fire/

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Three students shot after asking for girls' numbers
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Maybe this is why more men just hang together and wait for the ladies to approach them, although nine out of 10 probably wouldn’t get shot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742930-three-thai-students-shot-after-asking-for-girls-numbers/

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Planes in 'near miss' at Vietnam airport

HANOI, July 15, 2014 (AFP) - Two planes nearly collided at an airport in central Vietnam after a young intern was left in charge of directing a busy runway, aviation authorities said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742934-planes-in-near-miss-at-vietnam-airport/

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Thai youths win silvers, bronzes at IMO
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 15 -- Students representing Thailand in this year's 55th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) has returned to the capital amid a warm welcome from friends and families, bringing home their honours in the form of silver and bronze medals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742940-thai-youths-win-silvers-bronzes-at-imo-in-cape-town-south-africa/

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Survey shows Thai's mental health is in good shape

BANGKOK, 15 July 2014 (NNT) – Thai people’s mental health is said to be in good condition. However men are likely to have better overall psychological well-being, according to a survey from the National Statistical Office of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742942-survey-shows-thais-mental-health-is-in-good-shape/

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Isolated heavy rain continues in most parts of Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742910-thailand-on-alert-for-flooding/#entry8102423

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Swamp forest fire in South continues into third day
By Digital Content



NARATHIWAT, July 15 -- The peat swamp forest in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat has been on fire for three consecutive days.

The blaze, which broke out on Sunday, has engulfed a large area of the peat forests in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district, sending a swath of smoky haze some 25 kilometres wide across the region.

Journalists vewing the burning forest from a paramotor reported that the fires, spotted in five areas, have destroyed more than 100 rais of rubber plantation in a hillside area straddling Toh Dang swamp forest and Plak Pla village in Tak Bai's Kosit subdistrict.

The authorities have not yet sent emergency workers to battle the blaze, which is believed to have started after trees and undergrowth were cut down and burnt to prepare land for growing rubber and palm. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-15

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Royal assistance to victims of floods and mudslide

NAN, 15 July 2014 (NNT) - Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Srirasm have designated a royal representative to distribute bags of necessities to people who are suffering from flash floods and mudslide in Bo Klua district, Nan province.

Captain Paiboon Sukjetani of the Bureau of the Royal Household, brought royal bags of necessities to the hands of victims of the disaster at Ban Bo Yuak School in Tambon Bo Klua Nua.

Governor of Nan Ukrit Pheungsopa and military representatives in the district also assisted in distributing 1,000 royal relief packages to affected people and Buddhist monks. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also instructed a mobile medical unit to provide free medical checkups and treatment to people in the area.

Bo Klua District has faced flash floods and mudslide since July 7 after several days of heavy rain, causing several village roads inaccessible and hardship to hundreds of villagers.


-- NNT 2014-07-15

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Migrant workers flock to one-stop-service registration centres in Bangkok
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 7 -- Six one-stop-service registration centres for migrant workers in Bangkok started operations today for the first day and will run for a month.

A number of employers brought migrant workers to register with the authorities at the Thai-Japan Bangkok Youth Centre, the location of one of Bangkok’s six one-stop-service registration centres for migrant workers.

As of Tuesday morning at 10.30am, about 450 migrant workers applied for registration at the centre.

Employment Department chief Sumet Mahosot said it is expected that about 100,000 migrant workers will register with the authorities at six centres in the capital which operate until August 14.

He said so far, about 86,000 migrant workers have registered at all 13 centres across the country. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-15

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Israel accepts Egypt proposal to end Gaza conflict

JERUSALEM: -- Israel has accepted a Egyptian proposal for a truce in the conflict in Gaza.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742948-israel-accepts-egypt-proposal-to-end-gaza-conflict/

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Demonstrators Burn Israeli Flags At Embassy Protest in Bangkok
By Khaosod English



Protesters rallied in front of the Israel Embassy in Bangkok today to voice their anger at Israeli air strikes in Gaza, despite the Thai military junta’s existing ban on public gatherings, 15 July 2014.

BANGKOK — Protesters rallied in front of the Israel Embassy in Bangkok today to voice their anger over Israeli air strikes in Gaza, despite the Thai military junta’s ban on public gatherings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742962-demonstrators-burn-israeli-flags-at-embassy-protest-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Court verdict on train rape case expected in four months
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 15 -- Police are about to conclude their investigation into the rape of a 13-year-old girl on a Bangkok-bound southern train and expect verdict from a court in four months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742916-murderer-of-13-year-old-thai-girl-to-be-prosecuted-tomorrow/?p=8102815#entry8102815

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Surat Thani introduces new tourism spot atop a cliff

SURAT THANI, 15 July 2014 (NNT) – Surat Thani province has unveiled its latest tourist attraction called the “Hin Pad” or the giant fan-shaped stone located atop a cliff.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742965-surat-thani-introduces-new-tourism-spot-atop-a-cliff/

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Tsunami survivors looking for Phuket couple who helped them
The Phuket News


Pitchat and Upin

PHUKET: -- Brother and sister Ben and Emily Willgrass survived the 2004 Asian Tsunami while staying in Phuket. Their mother Louise, sadly, died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742970-tsunami-survivors-looking-for-phuket-couple-who-helped-them/

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Four assailants reenact grenade attack at PDRC protest rally



BANGKOK: -- Commando police Tuesday escorted four of the seven suspects involved in the M79 grenade attack at Ratchaprasong intersection to reenact the crime they committed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742971-four-assailants-reenact-deadly-big-c-grenade-attack-at-pdrc-protest-rally/

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Philippines braces for Typhoon Rammasun / Glenda
By Shirley Escalante in Manila and staff

MANILA: -- Thousands of people living in coastal areas of the Philippines are evacuating as the first major storm of the rainy season barrels towards the archipelago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742975-philippines-braces-for-typhoon-rammasun-glenda/

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BOT: Thai Baht gains 1.3 percent first half of this year

BANGKOK, 15 July 2014 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has revealed that the Thai baht gained 1.3 percent during the first half of this year, while the outflow by foreign investors was valued at about US 3 billion dollars.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/742989-bot-thai-baht-gains-13-percent-first-half-of-this-year/

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34,000 confiscated guns destroyed by Royal Thai Police

BANGKOK, 15 July 2014 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police destroyed 34,000 guns today under the exacting watch of an Inspector General who gave assurances that none of the confiscated weapons will again be used to commit any crimes.

Pol Lt Gen Chaiya Siriamphankul, Deputy Chief of the Inspector General's Office, oversaw the inspection and destruction of the weapons in a process that was finalized today.

Over 34,350 guns that were seized in cases judged by the courts from year 2000 to 2013, were destroyed today. Each step in the process, from taking the weapons out of the warehouse and transferring them to a metal melting factory in Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakarn province, was conducted at the direction of the inspector's committee.

The authority also confirmed that there was no possibility of any of the weapons being spirited away for further use for any purpose.


-- NNT 2014-07-15