World Gourmet Festival held in Bangkok to raise fund for Thai Red Cross

BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali yesterday (Sep 1) opened the 15th World Gourmet Festival at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok.

The hotel is hosting the culinary extravaganza from September 1 to 7 to raise funds to support Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali’s Save a Child’s Life from AIDS Project under the auspices of the Thai Red Cross Society.

The week-long festival features outstanding food and superb wines, with daily lunches, dinners and wine tasting presented by visiting master chefs from six countries namely France, Spain, Portugal, the United States, Australia and Hong Kong. The event is also an opportunity to boast Thailand as a world leader in cuisine and wine as well as a major destination for fine food lovers from around the world.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

'Photo of the Kingdom' Exhibition kicks off at Siam Paragon

BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday graciously opened the '2014 Photo of the Kingdom' Exhibition at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Pathumwan District, Bangkok.

The week-long exhibition is organized by the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, in cooperation with Thai Beverage Public Company Limited. The event features winning photographs of the 27th ‘Photo of the Kingdom’ contest which offers six trophies bestowed by Their Majesties the King and Queen, Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and the Princess Maha Chakri, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn and Princess Ubolratana.

On this occasion, Her Royal Highness the Princess Maha Chakri presented the six royal trophies to winners of the photo contest in six topics which she has designed namely ‘sunshine’, ‘diligent’, ‘wave’, 'heavy', 'my home' and 'ja-ay' (unexpected encounter). The competition has drawn nearly 6,000 entries from 1,237 photographers nationwide.

Interested public are invited to view selected entries and the winning photographs at the exhibition which will open until September 7, at the Siam Paragon.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

Thai Officials Eye Shisha And E-Cigarette Tax
By Khaosod English


Actress Sumontip "Gubgib" Leuangthai posted a photo of her smoking a shisha at a hotel swimming pool in August 2013. Despite the popularity of shisha in Thailand, no law exists to regulate it. [Photo from instagram]

BANGKOK — Thai authorities many soon regulate and levy taxes on shisha and electric cigarettes, officials at the Ministry of Finance said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756694-thai-officials-eye-shisha-and-e-cigarette-tax/

Bangkok canines to get their own park
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok dog owners can apply for a free pass to enter the 4.6 rai park under the Watcharapon Overpass in Bang Khen district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756695-bangkok-canines-to-get-their-own-park/

Prayuth's Cabinet
Foreign Minister Tanasak gets nod from diplomats
Supalak Ganjanakhundee,
Marisa Chimprabha
The Nation


Cambodia

But appointment of military officer could raise concern with some nations

BANGKOK: -- THE DIPLOMATIC community yesterday welcomed new Foreign Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, but reserved comment on his appointment until they can evaluate him and the government based on actions and progress made while in the position.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756696-thai-foreign-minister-tanasak-gets-nod-from-diplomats/

NBTC
Channel 3 no longer 'free TV'
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

Cable, satellite could be in breach of definitions if they air it

BANGKOK: -- The analog Channel 3 has officially lost its free-TV status but can still air its programmes via the cable and satellite networks, for now.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756698-nbtc-channel-3-no-longer-free-tv/

Bangkok Governorship

Sukhumbhand's Appeal Court ruling due on Friday

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Court of Appeals will deliver its verdict on Friday on whether to overturn the Election Commission (EC)'s yellow-card decision against incumbent Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756699-bangkok-governorship-sukhumbhands-appeal-court-ruling-due-on-friday/

Death of freshman

Tech college pupil 'did not die of injuries'

Anan Wichitpracha,

Kwanhatai Malakarn,

Supinda na mahachai

The Nation

But backlash over initiation continues

BANGKOK: -- PRELIMINARY autopsy indicates that a technical college student did not die from injuries found on his body while on an unsupervised initiation trip.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756701-death-of-freshman-thai-tech-college-pupil-did-not-die-of-injuries/

Reduced fuel prices to keep inflation low, ministry says

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Inflation should be lower in the remaining months of the year thanks to lower fuel prices, but the economy has not yet grown significantly this year, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756702-reduced-fuel-prices-to-keep-inflation-low-thai-ministry-says/

Streetwise

Assets declaration would help fill the trust vacuum

Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's new government has arrived on the scene exactly 10 months since the last round of political conflict started late last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756703-assets-declaration-would-help-fill-the-trust-vacuum-thai-opinion/

Chinese Tour Group Sex Show complaint to Pattaya Tourist Police

PATTAYA: -- The Tourist Police based on Walking Street, received a complaint from a group of Chinese Tourists in the early hours of Monday, who claimed to have paid money to a man who promised to take them to see a sex show which never took place as the venue had already closed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756704-chinese-tour-group-sex-show-complaint-to-pattaya-tourist-police/

Pressure on Pattaya Police to solve Boat and Body mystery

PATTAYA: -- On Monday a meeting was held at Pattaya Police Station led by the Deputy Commissioner of Region 2 Police who wants to ensure that everything is being done to solve the case of the Catamaran and the discovery of 2 bodies close to it off the coast of Larn Island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756705-pressure-on-pattaya-police-to-solve-boat-and-body-mystery/

Phuket Airport gives meter taxis unfettered access

Saran Mitrarat

The first 10 taxis line up at the airport after today's official opening of the new system.

PHUKET: -- Ninety three drivers of meter taxis two thirds of the 139 meter taxis in Phuket registered this morning (September 1) to serve passengers at Phuket International Airport on the first day of the airports freedom meter taxi service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756706-phuket-airport-gives-meter-taxis-unfettered-access/

Flooding in North and Northeast

BANGKOK: -- Heavy downpours are causing havoc in many provinces in the North and Northeast as Thai Meteorological Department forecast more rains over the next several days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756707-flooding-in-north-and-isaan-thai-meteorological-dept/

Broken dreams: Parents file complaint against modeling agent

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Some parents claim they were duped into buying expensive fashion show tickets to see their childrens star moment, which never happened.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756708-broken-dreams-parents-file-complaint-against-thai-modeling-agent/

New ministers 'should give up other posts'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some people appointed to the Prayuth Cabinet, despite already having full-time jobs, have been urged to consider giving up some of their other positions to ensure they carry out their duty efficiently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756709-new-thai-ministers-should-give-up-other-posts/

Appointment of military allies hints at concern about security

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The 11 CABINET members with military backgrounds are close and trusted colleagues of Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and they can be divided into three groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756710-appointment-of-thai-military-allies-hints-at-concern-about-security/

Iraq crisis: Shia and Kurdish forces move against IS

(BBC) Iraqi Shia militias and Kurdish forces are continuing their advance against Islamic State (IS) militants, a day after breaking the siege of Amerli in northern Iraq.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756712-iraq-forces-push-against-jihadists/

Ukraine crisis: 'Russia has launched a great war'

(BBC) Ukraine's defence minister has accused Russia of launching a "great war" that could claim tens of thousands of lives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756713-ukraine-in-great-war-with-russia/

'Cloud' concerns after celebrity picture leaks

(BBC) Experts have raised concerns over the security of "cloud" storage sites following the leak of intimate pictures of celebrities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756714-cloud-concerns-after-celebrity-picture-leaks/

The Education Ministry has found 1.58 million online ads for homework help and services which it says threaten to undermine the country's educational system. /Bangkok Post

Biological father of surrogate twins born in Thailand charged with 10 counts of indecent dealing

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

SYDNEY: -- THE biological father of surrogate twins born in Thailand has been charged with 10 counts of indecent dealing and possession of child pornography.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756730-biological-father-of-surrogate-twins-born-in-thailand-charged-with-10-counts-of-indecent-dealing/

H5N6 bird flu reported in NE China

By Digital Content

BEIJING, Sept 2 (Xinhua) -- Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has reported an outbreak of the H5N6 bird flu virus in poultry, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756739-h5n6-bird-flu-reported-in-ne-china/

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,568.31, gains 2.96 points /MCOT

Volkswagen to build production facility in Thailand

FRANKFURT: -- German carmaker Volkswagen is expecting the go-ahead for a factory in Thailand, newspaper reports have claimed. The company aims to strengthen its position in markets with enormous growth prospects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756749-volkswagen-to-build-production-facility-in-thailand/

Metropolitan Police to fine jaywalkers in Bangkok


File photo

BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 (NNT) - Metropolitan police are set to take serious action against jaywalkers in Bangkoks Asoke-Montri Road area in a bid to regulate foot traffic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756770-metropolitan-police-to-fine-jaywalkers-in-bangkok/

UPDATE:

Australian father charged with abusing surrogate twins: report

SYDNEY, September 2, 2014 (AFP) - An Australian has been charged with sexually abusing twins he fathered with a Thai surrogate, reports said Tuesday, the second case in as many months to ignite debate about commercial surrogacy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756730-biological-father-of-surrogate-twins-born-in-thailand-charged-with-10-counts-of-indecent-dealing/#entry8329952

British activist goes on trial in Thailand for defamation
by Preeti JHA

BANGKOK, September 2, 2014 (AFP) - The defamation trial of a British activist began Tuesday in Bangkok after he co-authored a report alleging widespread labour abuses in Thailand's food industry, a prime supplier of cheap foodstuffs to Western supermarkets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756772-british-activist-goes-on-trial-in-thailand-for-defamation/

BTS Skytrain hits 2 billion riders

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Almost one-third of the entire world's population has now taken a trip on Bangkok's BTS Skytrain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756779-bts-skytrain-hits-2-billion-riders-bangkok/

'I can take Kiev in two weeks', Vladimir Putin warns NATO leaders

Ben Farmer

BRUSSELS: -- Vladimir Putin has boasted to European leaders that his forces could sweep into Kiev in two weeks if he wanted. The Russian President reportedly made the threat to the outgoing European Commission president during talks on the Ukraine crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756782-i-can-take-kiev-in-two-weeks-vladimir-putin-warns-nato-leaders/