Thailand Live Friday 25 Jul 2014

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Police told to step up suppression against dark influence and hire gunmen

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police will focus its energy on eliminating dangerous influential figures and hire gunmen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745956-thai-police-told-to-step-up-suppression-against-dark-influence-and-hire-gunmen/

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Australian Defense officials meet Thai counterparts

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) - Acting Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Australian Department of Defense, Brigadier John McKenzie, has paid a courtesy call on General Worapong Sa-nganetr, Deputy Supreme Commander at the Armed Forces Headquarters.

The call was part of Brigadier McKenzie’s visit to Thailand to attend a conference on security cooperation between the two countries from July 23rd to 25th.

Thailand and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation which includes combat drills, logistic supplies, educational training, and enhancement of capabilities of army personnel.

The MoU aims at forging a tight relationship between the armies of the two nations.


-- NNT 2014-07-25

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UPDATE:

THAI aims for better in business revival plan



BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International's three-year business revival plan with focus on cost cutting, generating higher revenues, and early retirement offer has received initial approval by the National Council for Peace and Order's economic affairs chief, acting THAI president Air Chief Marshal Siwakiat Jayema said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745879-thai-maps-up-3-year-rehab-plan/page-2#entry8149865

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Complaints against taxi and bus services in Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Refusal to accept passengers ranks the most complaints against taxi drivers whereas reckless driving tops the complaints against public bus service in Bangkok during the past six months of this year, according to the Land Transport Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745968-complaints-against-taxi-and-bus-services-in-bangkok/

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Hua Hin Jazz Fest 2014 on Saturday


The legendary Koh Mr Saxman

HUA HIN: -- The popular Hua Hin Jazz Festival returns to the charming beach resort on Saturday (July 26) – still plenty of time to make your way to the popular coastal resort destination for one of Thailand's favourite music events.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745969-hua-hin-jazz-fest-2014-on-saturday/

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District Officials arrest suspected drug dealer in Central Pattaya

PATTAYA:--Early on Thursday Morning a team of officers from the Banglamung District Narcotics Unit, conducted an undercover operation in Central Pattaya which led to the arrest of a 34 year old man, suspected of selling class 1 drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745972-district-officials-arrest-suspected-drug-dealer-in-central-pattaya/

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Painter killed in East Pattaya, 4 Cambodian Work Colleagues on-the-run

PATTAYA:--Police are currently searching for 4 Cambodian Laborers who are wanted in connection with a suspected case of murder at an East Pattaya house which is thought to have occurred in the early hours of Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745973-painter-killed-in-east-pattaya-4-cambodian-work-colleagues-on-the-run/

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UPDATE:

More than 15,000 complaints lodged against taxi drivers

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has reported that more than 15,000 complaints have been made against taxi drivers via the hotline 1584 during the first half of 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745968-complaints-against-taxi-and-bus-services-in-bangkok/#entry8150057

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Moody's: Economic reforms needed to maintain Thailand's credit rating

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) – Global credit-rating agency Moody’s Investor Service warned that Thailand’s credit rating could slip further, if the country’s economic reforms are not quickly implemented.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745978-moodys-economic-reforms-needed-to-maintain-thailands-credit-rating/

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Thailand clarifies its roadmap to democracy to Malysia

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) --The Thai Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs has met with the Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister in a bid to convince the latter that Thailand is setting the course of general election.

Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow met with Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Dato' Hamzah Zainudinset in the 20th ASEAN - EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, Switzerland on Wednesday.

Sihasak said he had explained to the Malaysian minister that the National Council for Peace and Order had set a roadmap to return democracy to all Thais no later than the end of next year.

According to Sihasak, Dato' Hamzah Zainudinset expressed hope that Thailand would be able to play a leading role in the region in every aspect including politics, and that Malaysia was ready to cooperate with Thailand in the Southern peace process which has been stalled for months.


-- NNT 2014-07-25

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Body of Thai labour casualty in Israel arrives Bangkok on Monday
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, July 25 -- The body of a Thai ethnic minority worker killed earlier this week after being hit by a rocket launched in Gaza will be flown and arrive in Thailand next week, according to an elder sister of the victim.

Wanpen Ya-ood said she was informed by the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Consular Affairs Department that the body of Narakorn Kittiyangkul, an ethnic Hmong, will be sent by aircraft and will arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Monday.

Mr Narakorn, believing that his income as a Bangkok taxi driver was insufficient to support his large family, went to Israel only a month ago.

Ms Wanpen said the authorities would provide a van to carry the victim's body to his home in Nan where a Hmong religious rite will be performed.

She said the Consular Affairs Department had informed her that the Israeli government would compensate for his death while both the Israeli and Thai governments would ask Thai workers in Israel to evacuate to safer areas as violence is escalating.

Also, Thai workers wishing to return to Thailand on concerns of their safety will be provided transport while those who are killed or injured will receive compensation.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv estimated that are 4,276 Thai nationals living and working in risk prone locations. The embassy has already asked them to move to safer locations.

Mr Narakorn was killed Wednesday after being by a rocket which landed a greenhouse where he was working.

An Israeli Defence Forces helicopter flew him to the Barzilai Medical Centre in Ashkelon but he was pronounced dead at hospital, according to the Jerusalem Post. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-25

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McDonald's halts nuggets sales in Hong Kong

HONG KONG: -- Fast food chain McDonald's has suspended sale of chicken nuggets and some other products in Hong Kong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745982-mcdonalds-halts-nuggets-sales-in-hong-kong/

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Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian 'held in Iran'

WASHINGTON: -- An American reporter for the Washington Post and his wife appear to have been detained in Tehran, the newspaper said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745985-washington-post-reporter-jason-rezaian-held-in-iran/

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Ukraine May Soon Become NATO Military Partner – Ex-SBU Foreign Intelligence Chief

KIEV, July 25 (RIA Novosti) – The United States may grant Ukraine a status of NATO’s privileged non-aligned military partner soon, the former head of the SBU Foreign Intelligence told the UNIAN news agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745988-ukraine-may-soon-become-nato-military-partner/

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Australia to move detained asylum group onshore

CANBERRA: -- A group of 157 asylum seekers detained at sea will be brought to the Australian mainland for processing, Australia's immigration minister says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745990-australia-to-move-detained-asylum-group-onshore/

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Bangkok hosts seminar on ASEAN Security Community
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 25 -- Thailand's Ministry of Defense is hosting an international seminar to prepare military personnel for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) today.

Permanent Secretary for Defense General Surasak Karnjanarat presided at the international workshop at the Ministry of Defense this morning to exchange ideas and experience with assistant defense attaches of ASEAN member countries in Thailand and other parties concerned with regional security.

The seminar was held to prepare military personnel for the upcoming ASEAN Community (AC) in 2015 as the ASEAN Political-Security Community is one of the three AC pillars, along with the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Gen Surasak said the seminar would contribute to the integrated operations of the concerned parties and its results would be put into action plans to prepare Thailand and its military personnel for the APSC. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-25

[Lite Beer]

Suspects involved in the brutal attack of an Australian man have their passports confiscated by the Samui Provincial Court.

KOH SAMUI: -- At 7am on Thursday July 24th concerned mother Annie Hansen arrived in Koh Samui from Bangkok to continue her fight for justice for her son, Jack, who was badly beaten by two attackers in the Green Mango Nightclub in Koh Samui on the night of June 9th.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745998-suspects-involved-in-the-brutal-attack-of-an-australian-man-have-their-passports-confiscated-by-the/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Street racing faces crackdown

BANGKOK: -- Street racing motorcyclists will be the next to face crackdown by the police and the army as part of the National Council for Peace and Order’s new social order.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745809-junta-eyeing-street-racers/?p=8150595#entry8150595

[Lite Beer]

TPI Polene accused of forest encroachment

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Forest Department is considering legal action against TPI Polene Plc, the country's third largest cement manufacturer, on charge of encroaching on forest area in Kaeng Koi district of Sraburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746023-tpi-polene-accused-of-forest-encroachment/

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Frustrated Siam Map Company makes a dengue warning sign for stagnant water



KOH SAMUI: -- The Siam Map Company that is located on the lower part of the ring road in Moo 3 Bophut has been struggling with lack of drainage that causes a large puddle outside their office every time it rains. The water can often stay there for weeks at a time, becoming stagnant, smelly and mosquito infected, which is very dangerous when there is a dengue fever epidemic on the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746021-frustrated-siam-map-company-makes-a-dengue-warning-sign-for-stagnant-water/

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Thai police beef up security at Israeli embassy in Bangkok
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 25 -- Thai police have deployed three companies of officers to increase security and oversee conveniences at the Israel Embassy in Bangkok, while various groups of Muslims planned to gather to celebrate International Al-Quds Day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746024-thai-police-beef-up-security-at-israeli-embassy-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Thai Gunmen Kidnap & Rape 6 Illegal Migrants, Police Say
By Khaosod English


Police have arrested 3 men accused of abducting and sexually assaulting six Cambodian women after smuggling them into Thailand, 24 July 2014.

SA KAEO — Police say they have arrested three Thai men who confessed to abducting and sexually assaulting six Cambodian women after smuggling them into Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745941-police-arrest-thai-human-trafficking-gang-after-sexual-assault-is-exposed/#entry8150606

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Free snacks and pool at The Lounge Bar Bangkok every Friday from 7pm

BANGKOK:-- Starting tonight (25th July 2014) there will be free snacks and killer pool every Friday from 7pm at the Thaivisa Lounge Bar in Bangkok.

Find out more here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745986-free-snacks-and-killer-pool-at-the-lounge-bar-bangkok-every-friday-from-7pm/

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Two horse-race contest for national police chief's post



BANGKOK: -- Two contenders for the national police chief’s post have submitted their resumes and vision reports to the acting national police chief, Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnratchakit, for consideration by the Police Policy Commission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746027-two-horse-race-contest-for-national-police-chiefs-post/

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Thai exports rise 7.2 percent in June

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry revealed that Thailand's exports in June rose 7.2 percent from a year earlier due to improved global demand and government measures to boost trade.

In June, the volume of shipments is considerably higher due to a recovery in the world’s leading markets, especially the United States and Europe.

During the first five months of 2014, exports were down 1.2% from a year earlier. June's export value at US $20.47 billion was the highest monthly showing so far this year. Compared to the same period last year, the export value only reached US $9.09 billion.

The ministry also maintained a positive forecast by saying that Thai exports would grow 3.5 percent for the entire year of 2014.


-- NNT 2014-07-25

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Two Phuket firms raided for illegal possession of protected timber
Darawan Naknakhon


Officials inspect some of the huge slabs of timber found at Ayutthaya Atlantic.

PHUKET: -- Crime suppression officers from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment today (July 25) seized just over seven cubic metres of allegedly illegal timber from the Underwood factory on the bypass road and another 4.4 cu m from Ayutthaya Atlantic, also on the bypass road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746037-two-phuket-firms-raided-for-illegal-possession-of-protected-timber/

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Alleged Thai drug mule nabbed at Bukit Kayu Hitam
Oh Chin Eng
The Star Online
ALOR SETAR

ALOR SETAR: -- A Thai national was nabbed attempting to pass through the Bukit Kayu Hitam immigration checkpoint on Wednesday with two packets of syabu hidden in her backpack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746053-alleged-thai-drug-mule-nabbed-at-bukit-kayu-hitam/

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Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta prints front-page apology for MH17 disaster in Dutch

THE left-leaning Novaya Gazeta Russian newspaper has published a highly provocative apology — written in Dutch and splashed across its front page today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746071-russian-newspaper-prints-front-page-apology-for-mh17-disaster-in-dutch/

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BAHT
Baht under BOT watch as 'good news' draws funds
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand is closely monitoring the strengthening of the baht, which has been caused by the return of foreign funds to the Kingdom's capital and bond markets due to improved economic and political conditions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746072-baht-under-bot-watch-as-good-news-draws-funds/

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SET index closed 1,543.85, down 0.07; Bt/USD31.73; GBP53.80; AUD29.73; EUR42.61; CAD29.40; HKD4.08; SGD25.45; JPY31.04