Thailand Live Monday 18 Aug 2014

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Shisha cafes must stop selling shisha, officials warn of crackdown
By Coconuts Bangkok



The powers that be want smokers to keep their puffing to cigarettes.

BANGKOK: -- After going after electronic cigarettes, officials will begin a crackdown on the sale of shisha, the illegally-imported-yet-widely-smoked tobacco, after junta chief Gen. Prayuth Chanocha expressed concern about its popularity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752741-shisha-cafes-must-stop-selling-shisha-thai-officials-warn-of-crackdown/

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VietJet to add round trips to Bangkok, increase its fleet
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: VietJet

BANGKOK: -- Vietnam’s first privately owned, budget carrier will add another round trip to meet increased demand for budget air travel between Ho Chi Minh and Bangkok starting Sept. 12.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752742-vietjet-to-add-round-trips-to-bangkok-increase-its-fleet/

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UPDATE:

Thailand avoids recession with 0.9 percent Q2 growth

BANGKOK, August 18, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand dodged recession as its economy grew 0.9 percent in the second quarter, data showed Monday, after the military ended months of political deadlock with a coup and promised to unshackle state spending.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752702-thailand-narrowly-avoids-technical-recession/#entry8260912

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UPDATE:

Russian tourist found dead in Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- A 29-year-old Russian tourist was found dead Sunday night in a condominium room in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752694-russian-tourist-found-dead-in-pattaya-condominium-room/#entry8260950

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Woman with Ebola Symptoms Dies in Abu Dhabi Airport - Reports

DUBAI, August 18 (RIA Novosti) - A woman flying from Nigeria to India for cancer treatment died in the transit zone of the Abu Dhabi airport and was diagnosed with Ebola-like symptoms, United Arab Emirates media reported Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752745-woman-with-ebola-symptoms-dies-in-abu-dhabi-airport-reports/

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Encroachment alleged on banks of Phuket waterfall
Suthicha Sirirat


A spider's web of pipes indicates why the amount of water coming over the fall is so pitiful, even in the rainy season.

PHUKET: -- Officers from the Royal Forestry Department (RFD) and the Royal Thai Navy yesterday (August 17) investigated three suspected cases of encroachment next to to the Wong Key On waterfall in Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752750-encroachment-alleged-on-banks-of-phuket-waterfall/

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TAK
Tak Man arrested for excess of cooking gas

TAK: -- A joint force made up of police, the army and customs officials on Monday raided a house in Tak's Mae Sot district and confiscated 55 tanks of cooking gas kept in the house.

It detained Athipat Uppakara, 33, owner of house for having more cooking gas than permitted by law with intent to sell in Myanmar.

The suspect was earlier arrested on the same charge.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Tak-Man-arrested-for-excess-of-cooking-gas-30241140.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-18

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Surin province warns residents not to catch fish during its spawning season

SURIN, 18 August 2014 (NNT) – The Surin Provincial Fisheries Office has prohibited local fishermen from catching fish during its spawning season, which lasts from April to mid-September of every year.

Somchai Jianthipvilai, a high-ranking officer from the office, revealed that authorities have prevented fishermen from deploying their fishing gears during this period as part of an effort to conserve freshwater fish species.

The move imposes bans to use various types of fishing gear including nets and long-lines that are wider than 2 meters. Violators will be fined between 5,000 to 10,000 baht or sentenced to one year in jail, if they refuse to comply with the law.

However, aquaculture or fish farming as well as fishing for academic purposes are still allowed.

-- NNT 2014-08-18

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JAPAN
Three Thais arrested in Japan for reckless driving

BANGKOK: -- Three Thais were arrested in Japan's Chiba prefecture last week after driving into two Japanese students, killing one and seriously injuring another.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752752-three-thais-arrested-in-japan-for-reckless-driving/

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Flower selling and beggar gang on Samui arrested earlier this month



KOH SAMUI: -- On 5th of August Mr. Poonsak, a police chief in Samui, along with social services representative Mrs. Rakanam and specialized staff from the Development and Human Security department from Surat Thani arrested a gang of child illegal aliens know to sell flowers at night in the Chaweng area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752770-flower-selling-and-beggar-gang-on-samui-arrested-earlier-this-month/

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Prayuth To Be Voted PM 'On 21 August,' Legislators Say
By Khaosod English

NCPO chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha met with foreign investors at the Thai Army HQ in Bangkok on 15 August 2014.

BANGKOK — A majority of Thailand's new legislators plan to elect the chairman of the military junta, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, as the interim government’s new Prime Minister, prominent members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752773-prayuth-to-be-voted-pm-on-21-august-legislators-say/

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Gold mining company to suspend operations in Loei province



BANGKOK: -- The gold-mining company in Loei province has agreed to suspend mining operations temporarily pending the official signing of an agreement with the protesting villagers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752781-gold-mining-company-to-suspend-operations-in-loei-province/

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Couple arrested for smuggling Kratom leaves at Samui ferry port



KOH SAMUI: -- On the 13th of August police in Koh Samui received a tip off that a consignment of Kratom was making its way from Donsak to Koh Samui.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752782-couple-arrested-for-smuggling-kratom-leaves-at-samui-ferry-port/

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70 Phuket ‘mafia’ taxi drivers get dates with court
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Taxis with a variety of plates – green yellow and 'black' – in the court car park this morning.

PHUKET: Seventy taxi drivers attended Phuket Provincial Court this morning (August 18) to hear when cases against them will be heard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752785-70-phuket-mafia-taxi-drivers-get-dates-with-court/

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Man confronts mall's 'VIP' misuse of disabled parking (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok



PATTAYA: -- A disabled man confronted a security guard in the parking lot of Central Festival Pattaya Beach after he found out the parking spaces reserved for handicapped visitors were full.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752788-man-confronts-a-pattaya-malls-vip-misuse-of-disabled-parking-video/

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Paiboon denies NCPO plans to pass amnesty bill for politicians
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Gen Paiboon Koomchaya, chief of justice affairs on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), denied Monday that the NCPO planned to conduct an opinion survey on amnesty for political cases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752789-paiboon-denies-ncpo-plans-to-pass-amnesty-bill-for-politicians/?p=8261765

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Another bitcoin trading Co. has obtained e-commerce registration to legally trade exclusively in Baht in Thailand amid doubts over legality of the virtual currency. /The Nation

President, vice presidents of National Legislative Assembly promise to restore democracy in the near future /MCOT

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Budget bill approved in first reading

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly Monday approved the 2015 fiscal year budget bill in the first reading with 183 votes.

Three NLA members abstained.

There are 197 NLA members and 192 registered their presence at the start of the budget bill debate. But when they cast the vote, only 186 were present.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Budget-bill-approved-in-first-reading-30241160.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-18

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Wikileaks founder Julian Assange says he plans to leave Ecuador embassy in London "soon" after two years of refuge /BBC

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EU raises humanitarian assistance to migrants in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The European Union is committing a further 125,000 euro (Bt5.1 million) to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants, currently being held in immigration detention centres (men) and social welfare facilities (women and children) in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752800-eu-raises-humanitarian-assistance-to-migrants-in-thailand/

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Thailand gets tough of jet ski scammers

BANGKOK: -- After years of pressure from tour operators and tourists alike, Thailand is finally getting tough on the infamous jet ski scammers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752804-thailand-gets-tough-of-jet-ski-scammers/

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SET index closed 1,542.36, down 4.26; Bt/USD31.72; GBP52.96; AUD29.39; EUR42.32; CAD29.02; HKD4.08; SGD25.36; JPY30.83

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Highways in 18 provinces damaged by severe floods

BANGKOK, 18 August 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Rural Roads has made known that highways in 18 provinces across the country have been damaged by ongoing floods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752811-highways-in-18-thai-provinces-damaged-by-severe-floods/

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Thousands to join Phuket parade against corruption
The Phuket News


Reject corruption: Graphic from an NACC anti-corruption pamphlet.

PHUKET: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Phuket Office will hold a seminar and parade on September 6 in Phuket to support Thai National Anti-Corruption day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752817-thousands-to-join-phuket-parade-against-corruption/

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Irrigation Department gathers ideas for water administration

BANGKOK, 18 August 2014 (NNT) –The Royal Irrigation Department is set to gather ideas from subcommittees of water administrations and public developments to clarify with people how best to cope with water problems.

Regional irrigation offices in north, central, and east of Thailand are scheduled to call for people’s opinions about water related developments and administration, from 8th to 12th September 2014.

The operational aspects of water administration include drought solutions, floods, and water quality exploration.

Mr.Lersak Rewtarkulpaiboon, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has also requested that committees determine water administration policies in the area and keep people informed of the water situation, problems and solutions in order to effectively undertake measures and achieve the greatest benefit. The purpose of this meeting was not only to provide information and gather comments from people, but also to get buildings and new constructions prepared for any kind of water emergency, said the Director of the Office of Project Management Dr. Somkiat Prachamwong.


-- NNT 2014-08-18

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Assange to leave embassy 'when UK agrees'
Julian Drape, AAP London Correspondent

LONDON: -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is not about to leave the Ecuadorean embassy in London despite media reports he was considering surrendering to British police due to health concerns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752839-assange-to-leave-embassy-when-uk-agrees/

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Thailand Detains Russian Citizen at Interpol’s Request

BANGKOK, August 18 (RIA Novosti) – A Russian citizen, accused of being part of a large criminal organization in Russia during the 1990s and 2000s, has been detained in the Thai coastal city of Pattaya, where he had been hiding for four years, a representative of the Russian Embassy in Thailand told RIA Novosti on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752840-pattaya-police-arrest-russian-citizen-at-interpols-request/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 19 Aug 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752938-thailand-live-tuesday-19-aug-2014/