Ukrainian tour operators offer trips to war zone

UKRAINE: -- Opportunist tourism companies have sprung up in the Ukraine offering visitors trips to the war zone, with prices starting at 50 GBP and including a flak jacket.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747945-ukrainian-tour-operators-offer-trips-to-war-zone/

Drunk Russian attacks pregnant woman, cops

 

 

PATTAYA:--A drunk Russian was arrested for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman, molesting another and then attacking police.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747956-drunk-russian-attacks-pregnant-woman-cops/

 

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport to remain on high alert against Ebola virus

BANGKOK, 1 August 2014 (NNT) - Suvarnabhumi International Airport is set to strictly monitor all flights coming in from West Africa after there has been widespread panic that the deadly virus could spread to parts of Asia.

Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport Raveewan Netrakavesana revealed that the airport has increased its security measures in a bid to prevent Ebola from reaching Thailand.

All passengers traveling from Africa are required to have an official document showing proof that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever.

The airport director also stated that as of now, there are no direct flights between Thailand and Liberia, Guinea, or Sierra Leone, which are the three countries in West Africa that have been severely hit by the Ebola outbreak recently.

[nnt]2014-08-01[/nnt]

Military officers arrest nine suspects involved in loansharking activities

KHON KAEN, 1 August 2014 (NNT) - Military officers working under the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) in Khon Kaen province have arrested nine members of a loan shark gang.

Soldiers from the 8th Infantry Battalion in Siharat Dechochai Camp and their comrades from the ISOC in Khon Kaen province raided a house in the Khon Kaen Municipality District yesterday.

They arrested nine people in the raid, two of whom were businessmen, who were identified as 39 year-old Suthon Pintong and 31 year-old Kanda Jindapol, and seized a document listing the names of at least 500 clients.

The officers acted on a tip-off that this particular gang illegally offered loans at extremely high interest rates, charging their clients a flat rate of 20 percent a month in interest; with around 300,000 baht in circulation per day, and cash flow of around 5 million baht.

[nnt]2014-08-01[/nnt]

Train derails in Bangkok

 

BANGKOK: -- A Yala-Bangkok express train derailed near Bang Sue railway station Thursday afternoon but the mishap neither caused injury nor disrupted other rail  traffic because it happened on the double-track railway line.

 

The No 170 locomotive of the Bangkok-bound train from Yala  jumped the track near Bang Sue train station at about 3 p.m.

 

However it did neither flip over nor drag other passenger bogies to fall off the track. The locomotive just inclined  45 degrees and stayed just there.

 

The locomotive was four hours later put back on to the track at about 8.00 p.m.

 

It was kept under inspection for safety before being allowed to put back in service, railway officials said.

 

There was no delay for other train during the mishap as it was in on another track of the double-track section.

 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/train-derails-bangkok/

 

[thaipbs]2014-08-01[/thaipbs]

Central bank still confident of strong economy



BANGKOK: -- The central bank is confident that Thai economy will not dip to recession this year though first and second quarter showed contractions.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747972-central-bank-still-confident-of-strong-thai-economy/

Somjet confident NLA to nominate Prayuth as PM

BANGKOK: -- Newly-appointed member of the National Legislative Assembly Somjet Boonthan Friday expressed confidence the NLA would nominate junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha as the interim prime minister.

Somjet, a former senator, said Prayuth has already been working as the PM during the past two months and his performance was well accepted by Thais.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Somjet-confident-NLA-to-nominate-Prayuth-as-PM-30239995.html

[thenation]2014-08-01[/thenation]

Green tea, fruit juice drinks to face 10-20% excise tax



BANGKOK: -- The Excise Department is contemplating on imposing excise tax on green tea drinks after tea ingredient in the drink is very small that does not help tea farmers.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747982-green-tea-fruit-juice-drinks-to-face-10-20-excise-tax/

Thai musician jailed for 15 years for insulting royals

 

BANGKOK, August 1, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai musician has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for royal defamation, a court official said Friday, in the latest conviction under a controversial lese majeste law.

 

The 28-year-old was found guilty of posting insulting messages about the monarchy on Facebook between 2010 and 2011, said a court official from the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, without giving further details.

 

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 86, is revered by many Thais and protected by tough royal defamation laws.

 

Under the strict lese majeste rules anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.

 

The court sentenced the musician to three years each for nine counts of lese majeste and four months each for 12 counts of violating the computer crime act.

 

But after admitting to all charges his sentence was reduced to 15 years in jail.

 

"The suspect had repeatedly committed wrongdoings and in this case the judge has sentenced him with minimum penalties for both charges," said the court official.

 

Since seizing power in Thailand in May, the army has clamped down on any opposition to its takeover, with a crackdown on perceived slurs against the royals at the heart of its stepped-up online surveillance operations.

 

Under the rules, anybody can make a complaint about a perceived royal insult and police are duty-bound to investigate.

 

Before the coup, calls for reform of the lese majeste laws had grown following several high-profile convictions.

 

But academics urging greater debate are among hundreds of people who were summoned by the junta and temporarily detained in secret locations.

 

[afp]2014-08-01[/afp]

Former Interior Minister Jarupong to face three charges for video-clip against NCPO

 

BANGKOK, 1 August 2014 (NNT) - Former Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan has posted a 12 minute long video clip on his personal Facebook account declaring his stance against the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the interim charter, which has currently been enacted by the ruling military. 

 

Deputy National Police Chief Somyot Poompanmuang along with other top-ranking police officers have held a meeting to monitor the progress on this case by gathering witnesses and evidence to hold the former interior minister accountable for his actions. 

 

Police General Somyot revealed that Mr. Charupong, who is now the leader of the Seri Thai Organization, had violated three charges based on his message on the 12-minute long video clip. The former interior minister had violated the orders of the NCPO, committed an act of defamation, and has breached the Computer Crimes Act. 

 

Meanwhile, Colonel Apiwan Wiriyachai, who was a former Deputy House Speaker and a former member of the Pheu Thai Party is now facing a lese-majeste charge according to section 112 of the Criminal Code. 

 

The latest update reveals that Mr. Apiwan has already fled the country. At this point, the NCPO is coordinating with the foreign country where Colonel Apiwan is currently hiding, in order to extradite him back to Thailand. 

 

[nnt]2014-08-01[/nnt]

TrueVisions to suspend services Wednesday morning to upgrade system

BANGKOK: -- Subscription TV services of TrueVisions will be suspended Wednesday morning from Tuesday midnight until 10 am to upgrade the broadcast system, said Manat Manavutiveth, head of Commercial & Business Development for True Online and TrueVisions.

As part of the upgrade, TrueVisions will also relocate popular channels and HD channels to the Popular Zone, starting at channel 111, while the news channels will be relocated to channel 155 onward.

Other channels will remain at their current numbers. Signals will resume after 10.00, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/TrueVisions-to-suspend-services-Wednesday-morning--30239997.html

[thenation]2014-08-01[/thenation]

Tour buses create fear, loathing in Pattaya

 

 

PATTAYA:--Tour buses continue to generate fear and anger in Pattaya, with tourists frequently complaining at the speed and aggressiveness of bus drivers.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747954-tour-buses-create-fear-loathing-in-pattaya/

State Railway of Thailand launches ‘Lady Bogie’ today

BANGKOK, 1 August 2014 (NNT) –The first ‘Ladies and Children bogie’ is opened today to return confidence to train passengers after a recent disturbing report of a fatal assault on a young girl on train, according to Prasert Attanan, acting State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor.

The ‘Ladies and Children Car’ is especially reserved for women, girls and boys aged lower than 10. The special bogies are available on the northern route between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, northeastern route between Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani and southern route between Bangkok and Su-ngai Kolok.

 

All janitors and inspection officers on the car are women. Passengers can notice the Ladies and Children Car with a particular logo depicting a woman and child in pink and purple colors.

[nnt]2014-08-01[/nnt]

Craft Beer and Cider Evening at Thaivisa Lounge Bar Bangkok - Tonight from 7pm

 

 

Free beer tasting and food!

 

Find out more here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746192-craft-beer-and-cider-evening-at-thaivisa-lounge-bar-bangkok-1st-aug-2014/

Heavy rainfall in Thailand's Northeast, South
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 1 -- Thailand's northeastern and southern provinces are encountering heavy downpours while the Royal Irrigation Department has denied rumours that floodwaters have overflowed the Lam Nang Rong Dam in the northeastern province of Buri Ram.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748000-heavy-rainfall-in-thailands-northeast-south/

Thailand at low risk from Ebola
By Digital Content 
 

 
BANGKOK, Aug 1 -- Thailand is at low risk from the current spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa, and the public should not panic in response to unsubstantiated reports on social media, Dr Yong Poovorawan of Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medical Science warned today.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748001-thailand-at-low-risk-from-ebola/

UPDATE:

 

Thai Research Council: Thailand unprepared for oil spill response
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 1 -- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) finalised its report on lessons from the oil spill accident one year ago, pointing out that the public sector and relevant agencies must be prepared in all aspects in case such as incident reoccurs.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747869-oil-spill-expert-differs-with-report-on-koh-samet/#entry8183039

Shock and awe as fighter jet rolls down Sukhumvit Road 

 

 

SATTAHIP:--From bookcases on the back of motorbikes to pickups stacked twice their height with aluminum cans, we here in Thailand are used to seeing odd things on the roads, but a AV-8S Harrier jump jet rolling down Sukhumvit Road had everyone talking.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747950-shock-and-awe-as-fighter-jet-rolls-down-sukhumvit-road/

Tour buses from Malaysia, Singapore not allowed beyond Thailand's Songkhla

 

GEORGE TOWN (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Tour buses and vans from Malaysia and Singapore will no longer be allowed to operate beyond Thailand's Songkhla province beginning Friday.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748007-tour-buses-from-malaysia-singapore-not-allowed-beyond-thailands-songkhla/

Woman mauled by four 'hungry' pitbull dogs

BANGKOK: -- A 47-year-old woman was attacked by four pitbull dogs of her neighbour while she was entering her house in Prachuap Khirikhan Friday, Thai Rath Online reported.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748009-woman-mauled-by-four-hungry-pitbull-dogs-in-prachuap-khirikhan/

Phuket loan shark enforcers arrested
Eakkapop Thongtub


The four enforcers meet the press.

PHUKET: -- Four enforcers for a loan sharking operation in Patong were caught yesterday evening (July 31) by Tourist Police.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748011-phuket-loan-shark-enforcers-arrested/

Russian girl falls to death from 44-floor condo in Makkasan

BANGKOK: -- A 28-year-old Russian girl fell to her death from her rented condo room on the 34th floor, Makkasan police said Friday. She was identified later as Miss Svetlana Pokasova.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748016-russian-woman-falls-to-death-from-44-floor-condo-in-bangkok/

Police Nab Another Alleged Member of Redshirt Militant Group
By Khaosod English
 

Yongyuth Boondee at the police press conference, 1 August 2014 
 
BANGKOK — Police have arrested another member of the underground Redshirt group allegedly responsible for launching grenades at anti-government protesters earlier this year.
 
Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748039-police-nab-another-alleged-member-of-red-shirt-militant-group/

Police assure of fairness and equal treatment of Laotian girl's death case



BANGKOK: -- A senior Thai police said he will invite representatives of the Laotian Embassy in Bangkok to hear the latest finding of the probe into the death of an 18-year-old Laotian girl and will cooperate with the embassy to look into all possibilities they recommend so as to bring justices to the victim.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748040-thai-police-assure-of-fairness-and-equal-treatment-of-laotian-girls-death-case/

SET index closed 1,500.20, down 2.19; Bt/USD32.13; GBP54.09; AUD29.66; EUR42.88; CAD29.28; HKD4.13; SGD25.60; JPY31.07

to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 01 Aug 2014

 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748146-thailand-live-saturday-2-aug-2014/