Special Report: Consumer confidence rises as Thai economy recovers

BANGKOK: -- The Thai economy is starting to pick up and consumer confidence is improving because of clear political directions, since the political situation in Thailand has returned to normal.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749601-consumer-confidence-rises-as-thai-economy-recovers/

Anti-Corruption Commission investigates encroachment in national forest in Saraburi Province
 

 

SARABURI, 7 August 2014 (NNT)- Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission and Forest Protection and Fire Control officials yesterday inspected pieces of public land allegedly encroached on and sold by private investors in Saraburi Province.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749603-nacc-investigates-encroachment-in-national-forest-in-saraburi-province/

North Korea Scales Up Yongbyon Nuclear Site’s Activities – Report

MOSCOW, August 7 (RIA Novosti) - North Korea is expanding the operations of the Yongbyon nuclear site, renovating its 5 megawatt-electric (MWe) reactor to make plutonium for nuclear weapons and expanding the centrifuge plant, Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said in a recent report.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749604-n-korea-scales-up-yongbyon-nuclear-sites-activities-report/

Two surviving Khmer Rouge leaders, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, have been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity at UN trial. /Bangkok Post

Maj Gen Intarat Yodbangtoey has resigned as National Legislative Assembly member for lacking a qualification, acting NLA secretary-general Norarat Pinsen said. /Bangkok Post

NLA now has 197 members as another member resigns



BANGKOK: -- Another member of the 200-member National Legislative Assembly (NLA) resigned after he discovered that he was disqualified.

Maj-Gen Intarat Yodbangtoey, alias “Seh Yod”, said he has tendered resignation from the NLA since August 4 after he found he was not qualified for the post.

He said he was deprived of his electoral right when he was former deputy leader of the Matchima party since February 24 , 2008.

The current provisional constitution states the NLA members must not hold any political position, he said.

He said the Election Commission has double checked his qualification and found it was an error.

This prompted him to resign, he said, and added that he did not stick to the seat.
His resignation now put the remaining number of the NLA to197 after two others, Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn, and Mr Aziz Phitakkumphol, the Muslim spiritual leader, had resigned.

The official ceremonial opening of the NLA will be presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn at the Ananta Samakoma Throne Hall at 3.00 p.m. today.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nla-now-197-members-another-member-resigns/

[thaipbs]2014-08-07[/thaipbs]

Household debt falls as farmers get paid



BANGKOK: -- Household debt has decreased from 82.3% last year to 79.4% this year of gross domestic products (GDP).

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749614-thai-household-debt-falls-as-farmers-get-paid/

2005 Bali bomb convict released on parole



BANGKOK: -- After receiving a sentence cut for IdulFiri, 2005 Bali bomb convict Kholili on Wednesday was released on parole, the Jakarta Globe reported.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749617-2005-bali-bomb-convict-released-on-parole/

Police warn of scams using NCPO name

BANGKOK, 7 August 2014 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police has recently received reports of scammers using the National Council for Peace and Order’s name to camouflage their attempts to steal money.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749620-thai-police-warn-of-scams-using-ncpo-name/

Cambodia: Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan sentenced to life imprisonment  

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749600-nuon-chea-and-khieu-samphan-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment/

Lime prices plummet to 1 baht in Chainat province

CHAINAT, 7 August 2014 (NNT) - Limes are now selling at dirt-cheap prices in a local fresh market in Chai Nat province due to an oversupply of limes being released into the market.

Jumbo-sized limes that were once priced 3-5 baht a piece a couple of weeks ago have fallen to just 1 baht per fruit. A few vendors have even provided offered a few limes to their customers for free once they have purchased a certain number of limes.

Pranee Phuwong, a local lime vendor, said that the falling prices of limes were due to an overproduction of these fruits. She revealed that at least 2 tons of limes are saturating the market each day, forcing their prices to decline sharply.

Some vendors have also taken the initiative to make lime juice packaged in bottles, which will be sold to customers when limes are out of the market.

[nnt]2014-08-07[/nnt]

UPDATE

 

Rail officials suspend staff, see conspiracy in overnight thefts
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Twitter @joe_black317

BANGKOK: -- Six employees who staffed a sleeper carriage where passengers were possibly drugged and robbed have been suspended while police investigate the incident.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749555-forensic-experts-sought-to-help-probe-thai-train-robbery-case/#entry8210332

Internet use is now a daily fixture in Thai lives
 


BANGKOK: -- Thai people spend more than 50 hours a week on the Internet, chatting, catching up news , and searching for information, according to a recent survey conducted by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA).

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749598-thais-spend-at-least-72-hours-per-day-using-the-internet/#entry8210419

Thailand Post gains from fast growing e-commerce business

BANGKOK, 7 August 2014 (NNT) – Thailand’s e-commerce has been growing rapidly in the recent years. The situation is a boon for Thailand Post Co. Ltd which has seen revenue surging, especially from parcel delivery service.

According to Thailand Post's president Anusara Jitmitraparb, the company’s parcel delivery services have experienced high growth due to the rising popular of e-commerce business in Thailand.

In the first half of 2014, the company has generated an income of 10.6 billion baht, and a net profit of 852 million baht. Most, or 46 percent of the income came from the company’s main business -- the letter and postcard delivery. Income from the parcel delivery and related business made up 43 percent of the total income. Ms. Anusara said parcel delivery would gain bigger ratio in the near future.

She expected that by the end of 2014, Thailand Post's profit would reach two billion baht due to economic recovery in Thailand in the latter half of this year.

[nnt]2014-08-07[/nnt]

Phuket: City officials offer help to fire victims
Suthicha Sirirat


The aftermath of the fire at Chokchai furniture shop. Photo Eakkapop Thongtub.

PHUKET: -- Phuket City officials have offered to help the families of the victims of the Chokchai furniture shop in Talad Yai, in which four people died in the early hours of August 2.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749651-phuket-city-officials-offer-help-to-fire-victims/

 Court of Appeals sentences Sondhi Limthongkul to 20 yrs prison for violating Securities&Exchange Act,falsifying documents used as collateral for loan /MCOT

'Soldier' Robs School Students of Cell Phones
By Khaosod English
 
 
A group of soldiers confiscating illegally harvested logs in Trat province, 5 August 2014. Soldiers have become a common sight in Thailand following the 22 May military coup.

PATHUM THANI — Six high school students in Pathum Thani say a man who claimed to be a soldier robbed them of their mobile phones last night.
 
Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749663-soldier-robs-school-students-of-cell-phones-in-pathum-thani/

NCPO to suppress drug abuse in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 7 August 2014 (NNT) –The head of legal affairs for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), Gen Paiboon Khumchaya today chaired a meeting with police officers, the Narcotics Control Board, Bangkok, the Ministry of Justice and relevant authorities to discuss the suppression of drug abuse in Bangkok.

Gen Paiboon said that 30% of the nationwide narcotics problem is found in Bangkok because the area of management is relatively complicated, and the suppression responsibilities of each authority have not been properly integrated. The management structure must be readjusted with a focus on prison drug dealing networks and subsequent rehabilitation of addicts.

Meanwhile, the meeting is a part of the NCPO’s policy to make Bangkok a city without the availability of illicit drugs, especially in schools.

[nnt]2014-08-07[/nnt]

24 more Thai Libya evacuees to arrive Bangkok today
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 7 -- Twenty-four Thai evacuees from Libya through departing through Tunisia will arrive in Bangkok today, while more than 160 others left Libya yesterday.

The 24 are among the 48 Thai evacuees who left Libya for Tunisia yesterday.

Of the 24, 13 boarded Emirates Flight EK376 set to land at 1pm, seven more on Emirates Flight EK418 to land at 6.10pm and four others on Flight EK372 to land at 7.15pm.

The rest are scheduled to take off from Tunisia today.

Yesterday, 65 Thais crossed the border from Libya to Tunisia and 81 others boarded aircraft from Libya to Tunisia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is arranging for commercial flights for their return to Thailand.

Sixteen other Thais boarded aircraft from Libya to Tunis thanks to assistance from their employer.

Yesterday a total of 162 Thai people left Libya. (MCOT online news)

[tna]2014-08-07[/tna]

Australia authorities track down Thai surrogate case father

 

PERTH, August 7, 2014 (AFP) - Australian authorities said Thursday they had finally contacted a man exposed as a convicted paedophile at the centre of a Thai surrogate baby scandal, as his son defended him as a changed man.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749666-australia-authorities-track-down-thai-surrogate-case-father/

UPDATE:

Sonthi gets 85 years but reduced to 20 years for loan guarantee coverup

 

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court today sentenced media tycoon Sonthi Limthongkul to serve 85 years in prison after finding him guilty of breaching the Securities and Exchange Act on 17 occasions involving the 1.078 billion baht loan sought from Krung Thai bank since 1996-1997.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749657-court-of-appeals-sentences-sondhi-limthongkul-to-20-years-prison/#entry8210998

Authorities cut down rubber trees encroaching on national park
By Digital Content
 

BUENG KAN, Aug 7 -- Thai authorities have were mobilised to cut down over 20 rais of rubber tree plantation, encroaching within the Phu Langka National Park in this province to restore the forest back to its full extent.

Local administrative officials, soldiers, and police joined together in cutting down 1,700 rubber trees, between 4 and 10 years old in a 24 rai area inside Phu Langka National Park, in this northeastern province.

The authorities plan to replace the rubber trees with perennial plants to return the park back to its natural state.

Article 22 of the National Park Act 1961 was used to justify the operation after the finding that rubber plantation encroached into the national forest.

However, no one has claimed ownership to the plantation or tried to stop the felling of the rubber trees. (MCOT online news)

 

[tna]2014-08-07[/tna]

PRD arranges ‘10th Music in the Garden’ on Mother’s Day 2014

BANGKOK, 7 August 2014 (NNT) –The Public Relations Department has arranged the 10th Music in the Garden, event, with a performance of royal musical compositions on the occasion of HM the Queen’s birthday celebration 12th August.

The concert will be held at the PRD auditorium on the special theme of ‘Music in the Garden on Mother’s Day’.

The songs to be performed at this event are the royal songs composed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, such as Magic Beams, H.M. Blues, Falling Rain, A Love Story, and other favorites, performed by many renowned artists.

The activities will start at 4 P.M. at the Public Relations Department, Soi Ari Sampham, Bangkok. The performance is free of charge and open to all.

[nnt]2014-08-07[/nnt]

Ebola: emergency UN meeting underway as death toll surpasses 900
By Khaosod English

UN News Center

NEW YORK – The UN health agency today began an emergency meeting of international medical and health experts in Geneva to review the current Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa amid reports that new cases and deaths continue to be reported in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749707-ebola-emergency-un-meeting-underway-as-death-toll-surpasses-900/

UPDATE:

 

Anti-Graft Crusader and Yellowshirt Founder Convicted of Fraud
By Khaosod English


Sondhi Limthongkul, the founder of the “Yellowshirt” political movement that campaigned against government corruption, was convicted of fraud and falsifying loan documents today, 7 Aug 2014.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749657-court-of-appeals-sentences-sondhi-limthongkul-to-20-years-prison/#entry8211207

SRT Lady Passenger Car popular among passengers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 7 -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said that since the agency has started to provide the 'Ladies and Children Car', service compartment, it has become quite popular among train passengers.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749719-srt-lady-passenger-car-popular-among-passengers/

Thailand to push for greater ASEAN role in world security issues
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 7 -- Thailand wants the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which becomes the ASEAN Community in 2015 to enhance its roles in regional and global security issues, a senior Thai foreign ministry official said on Thursday.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749724-thailand-to-push-for-greater-asean-role-in-world-security-issues/

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn inaugurates NLA session

BANGKOK: -- His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the inauguration ceremony of the National Legislative Assembly at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall at 3:40 pm Thursday.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/HRH-Crown-Prince-Maha-Vajiralongkorn-inaugurates-N-30240448.html

[thenation]2014-08-07[/thenation]

AFTERMATH
Philippine Airway gave tip for visitors to post-coup Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Philippine Airline's inflight magazine offers passengers a range of tips for visiting Thailand including not wearing red and how to take a selfie with soldiers.

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/749731-philippine-airlines-inflight-magazine-offers-tips-for-visitors-to-post-coup-thailand/

Samut Sakhon constructs artificial reef to revive Gulf of Thailand's marine ecosystem

SAMUT SAKHON, 7 July 2014 (NNT) – Samut Sakhon province has organized an event to restore coral reef areas as a part of the celebrations of H.M. the Queen Sirikit's 82nd birthday.

Dubbed as "Return Corals to the Sea, Revive the Gulf of Thailand", the event has been held today at the city's waterfront. Many local residents, students, and government officials have attended the event.

Three old fishing boats were sunk into the bottom of the sea and 1,190 artificial reefs were planted on the ocean floor in an attempt to attract new colonies of fish. Meanwhile, about 3 million shrimps have also been released into the sea.

The new artificial reef area is about 20 kilometers from the shore and occupies a space of 25 square meters under the water.

[nnt]2014-08-07[/nnt]