Thailand Live Wednesday 20 Aug 2014

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Met. Dept. forecasts heavy rains in Thailand’s North and Northeast

BANGKOK, 20 August 2014 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has warned residents living in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions to brace for heavy rains on August 20-21.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753257-met-dept-forecasts-heavy-rains-in-thailands-north-and-isaan/

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Ikea to open 'pickup point concept' store in Phuket


Lacia Sherlock.

PHUKET: -- Ikea, the giant Swedish furniture and home furnishing company, is to open a showcase store in Phuket as part of plans to will speed up its expansion in Thailand, which will also include online service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753258-ikea-to-open-pickup-point-concept-store-in-phuket/

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Military use big stick to tackle land tangle at Phuket beach
The Phuket News


Not such a happy new year: the owners of Rotcharin Restaurant have already bowed to the inevitable.

PHUKET: -- About 100 troops and officials including National Park officers and local government offices held an open-air meeting yesterday (August 19) to allow people with businesses along Nai Yang Beach to prove they have the right to be there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753261-military-use-big-stick-to-tackle-land-tangle-at-phuket-beach/

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Ayutthaya starts landscape improvement plan at its key tourist spot

AYUTHAYA, 20 August 2014 (NNT) -- The central province of Ayutthaya announced to reorganize a shop zone in the city's key tourist attraction spot with an aim to improve landscape of the ancient city.

According to Col. Ronavuth Raungsawat, deputy chief of Ayutthaya's Internal Security Operations Command, there are more than 300 shops operating without any permission in the peripheral of Phra Mongkhonborphit Viharn which is the key tourist spot of the city.

He said these shops obstructed the view of the beautiful old temple and its peripheral. They will be moved out and settle down in a new place near the old spot within two months. It is a part of Ayutthaya landscape improvement, aiming to attract more tourists to the city. According to Col. Ronavuth, more than a million tourists visit Phra Mongkhonborphit Viharn every year.


-- NNT 2014-08-20

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Lawyer slams Phuket Freedom Beach land inquiry
Suthicha Sirirat


The owner of the land, Eakachai Sae’iew (right) and lawyer Ake Srisamuth.

PHUKET: -- A lawyer for the owners of the land next to Freedom Beach yesterday (August 19) slammed the Land Department for setting up a committee especially to examine the land titles, pointing out that the matter is already before the court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753270-lawyer-slams-phuket-freedom-beach-land-inquiry/

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UPDATE:

Deputy police chief Pol Gen Somyot approved as new police chief

BANGKOK: -- Junta-installed National Police Policy Comission on Wednesday selected Deputy Police Chief Gen Somyot Poompanmoung as the new police chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753194-aek-somyot-in-tight-race-for-national-thai-police-chiefs-job/#entry8271024

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NLA holds meeting ahead of PM vote

BANGKOK, 20 August 2014 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly held a meeting this morning ahead of tomorrow’s vote for a new prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753275-nla-holds-meeting-ahead-of-pm-vote/

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UPDATE:

More heavy rains today and tomorrow expected



BANGKOK: -- People living in North and the Northeast are warned to brace for heavy rain storms from today until tomorrow as monsoon is now flowing past the two regions as the southwesterly monsoon still prevails in the and a man Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, according to the Meteorological Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753257-met-dept-forecasts-heavy-rains-in-thailands-north-and-isaan/#entry8271127

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Girl, 13, goes missing from Phuket Town home
The Phuket News


Nong Guy's photo, from her Thai ID card.

PHUKET: -- The mother of a 13-year-old Phuket girl missing for four days has appealed to the public to keep an eye out for her.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/girl-13-goes-missing-from-phuket-town-home-47955.php

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Reasonable chance' of finding MH370 in new search: Australia PM

SYDNEY - A new underwater hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 had a "reasonable chance" of finding the plane, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Wednesday, adding that searchers would not give up easily.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753293-reasonable-chance-of-finding-mh370-in-new-search-australia-pm/

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Young girl survives 9 years after abandoned by ghost-fearing parents
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: MCOT

BANGKOK: -- Nine years ago the Ngogsuk family received the terrifying news. According to a local shaman, they were haunted by a rampaging, flesh-devouring ghost. The family hastily fled their village in rural Ubon Ratchathani. But not all of them. They chose to abandon their 3-year-old daughter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753314-young-girl-survives-9-years-after-abandoned-by-ghost-fearing-parents-ubon-ratchathani/

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Industry confidence index rises for third month



BANGKOK: -- Industry confidence index rose for the third consecutive month to 89.7 in July from 88.4 in June, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman Supan Mongkolsuthree said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753324-thai-industries-chairman-industry-confidence-index-rises-for-third-month/

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Thai junta chief tipped to become PM

BANGKOK, August 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's coup leader is expected to be picked as prime minister by the kingdom's new army-dominated national assembly, junta sources said Wednesday, cementing the military's hold on power in the politically turbulent nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753317-thai-junta-chief-tipped-to-become-pm/

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Eye infections increase during the monsoon season

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 20 August 2014 (NNT) – The Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 5 has warned members of the public to be aware of eye infections over the monsoon season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753325-eye-infections-increase-during-the-monsoon-season-in-thailand/

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Seven treated for ammonia inhalation after ice factory blast
The Nation

RAYONG: -- Seven residents of Rayong province suffered nausea and eyes and nose irritation after an ice-making machine near their community exploded on Wednesday morning, sending out ammonia fumes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753326-rayong-seven-treated-for-ammonia-inhalation-after-ice-factory-blast/

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Junta vows to clean up ivory trade
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A serious plan to take on the ivory trade was formally requested by the military junta at a meeting yesterday with relevant agencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753328-thailand-junta-vows-to-clean-up-ivory-trade/

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Thai teenagers throw homemade bombs on the streets of Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- At around 1am on the 19th of August police on Bophut received reports of some teenagers throwing homemade bombs on the road next to Moo 3 in Bophut.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753329-thai-teenagers-throw-homemade-bombs-on-the-streets-of-samui/

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Soldiers are trying to block 100 activists from marching to Bangkok from Songkhla to demand energy reforms. /Bangkok Post

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EDUCATION
Obec to cut school hours
SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE OFFICE of Basic Education Commission (Obec) will start implementing a policy to reduce classroom hours from this second semester, Obec secretary-general Kamol Rodklai said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753351-thai-education-obec-to-cut-school-hours/

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Distribution of digital TV coupons put off till end of September



BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has put off its scheduled distribution of its 690 baht coupons from September 15 to the end of September.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753357-distribution-of-digital-tv-coupons-put-off-till-end-of-september-nbtc/

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German Bar Owner Murdered On Koh Samui Island
By Khaosod English


The crime scene where a group of Thai teenagers allegedly stabbed a German bar owner to death, Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui 20 August 2014.

SURAT THANI — A group of Thai teenagers allegedly stabbed a German bar owner to death this morning on the popular tourist island of Koh Samui.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753359-german-bar-owner-murdered-on-koh-samui-island/

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SET index closed 1,550.77, up 7.92; Bt/USD31.81; GBP52.71; AUD29.40; EUR42.20; CAD28.92; HKD4.09; SGD25.36; JPY30.69

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DNA shows Japanese fathered 15 surrogate babies: Thai police

BANGKOK, August 20, 2014 (AFP) - A DNA test of a Japanese man embroiled in a surrogacy scandal in Thailand shows that he is the biological father of at least 15 babies, police said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753366-dna-shows-japanese-fathered-15-surrogate-babies-thai-police/

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EBOLA OUTBREAK
Myanmar tests local man travelling from Bangkok for Ebola

BANGKOK: -- A man traveled from Thailand to Myanmar has been suspected of catching the deadly Ebola virus, Myanmar's Ministry of Information reported Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753370-myanmar-tests-local-man-travelling-from-bangkok-for-ebola/

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Suphanburi asks farmers to increase crops’ values to compete in AEC market

SUPHANBURI, 20 August 2014 (NNT) - Suphanburi Deputy Governor has asked farmers to cooperate to increase the value of their crops through a mobile agricultural clinic under the royal patronage of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Suphanburi Deputy Governor Somchailert Pongphagorn presided over the opening ceremony of the mobile agricultural clinic under the royal patronage of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn at Bang Mae Mai Rattaratrungsarit school in Bangplama district, Suphanburi province.

The mobile agricultural clinic project was initiated to provide knowledge and help to solve the problems faced by farmers. In addition, the farmers are asked to cooperate by applying eco-friendly resources and establishing agricultural cooperatives to increase their power of negotiation not only domestically but in the coming AEC market.


-- NNT 2014-08-20

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Petchabun to approve 12 MB funding to 4 cooperatives

PETCHABUN, 20 August 2014 (NNT) – The Provincial Cooperative Development Fund Committee is considering approval of a budget of 12 million baht for cooperative groups in the province.

Petchabun Deputy Governor Suchart Rasdussadee, as the President of the Provincial Cooperative Development Fund Committee, said that the committee approved a budget of 2.5 million baht to three cooperative groups including Makhamwan cooperative for 1 million baht, Ban Nern cooperative for 1 million baht and Lom Sak cooperative for 500,000 baht in July. Meanwhile this month, there are four cooperative groups requesting funds totaling 12 million baht.

The committee has approved loans to 39 contractors with a total outlay of 69,380,125.35 baht so far. Of that, 85.70% have repaid their debt, however, two cooperatives failed to make their repayment before the deadline. The committee now needs to follow up with legal proceedings.


-- NNT 2014-08-20

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LION AIR
Co-pilot of budget airline passes out during flight and later dies

BANGKOK: -- A co-pilot of a budget airline collapsed during flight after taking off from Hat Yai for about 20 minutes to Bangkok on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753405-hat-yai-co-pilot-of-budget-airline-passes-out-during-flight-and-later-dies/

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UPDATE:
Co-pilot faints on flight to Don Mueang

BANGKOK: -- A co-pilot of Thai Lion Air fainted while on a flight from Hat Yai to Bangkok, forcing the pilot to return and make emergency landing at Hat Yai airport.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753405-hat-yai-co-pilot-of-budget-airline-passes-out-during-flight-and-later-dies/#entry8273721

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PHUKET NEWS TV: Airport Taxi Purge

There have been changes at the airport but now the taxi system is about to change BIG TIME. We report on the changes.

VIDEO: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753456-phuket-news-tv-airport-taxi-purge-there-have-been-changes-at-the-airport-but-now-the-taxi-system-i/#entry8273750

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to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 21 Aug 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753510-thailand-live-thursday-21-aug-2014/