Thailand Live Tuesday 2 Sep 2014

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Phuket mayor, seven others out on bail
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Pian Keesin, is scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon (September 2).

PHUKET: -- The Pisona eight – the former mayor of Patong, Pian Keesin, his two sons, Preechawut and Patawee, and five associates were released on bail early this morning (September 2).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756786-phuket-mayor-seven-others-out-on-bail/

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Provinces along Mekong River on alert for overflows

BUENG KAN, 2 September 2014 (NNT) Rising water levels in the Mekong River have prompted authorities in nearby provinces, including Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom, to be on the lookout for possible overflows of the river.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756789-provinces-along-mekong-river-on-alert-for-overflows/

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BOI repeats call for Thai SME entrepreneurs to submit investment promotion forms by the end of the year

BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 (NNT) – The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has repeated its call for Thai SME entrepreneurs to submit their BOI investment promotion forms by the end of the year in order to be exempt from engine and material import and corporate income taxes.

The Board Secretary of BOI has revealed that the board is improving the new investment promotion strategies; however, SME entrepreneurs must submit their investment promotion forms within 2014.

Four types of business to be exempted from engine and material import and corporate income taxes include agricultural value- added, industrial skills, creative, and tourism promotion and hospitality businesses.

Thai SME entrepreneurs who wish to submit the forms may contact the BOI at 02-553-8111.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

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Chonburi Administrative Officers Arrest Big Drug Dealer



PATTAYA – September 1, 2014 [Pattaya Daily News]; at 5.30 p.m., Mr. Sakchai Taenghor (Banglamung sheriff, Chonburi province) was informed that a drug dealer was selling drugs in the area so he commanded Mr. Phongthasit Pijjanan (Deputy District Chief of Amphur Banglamung)

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756790-chonburi-administrative-officers-arrest-big-drug-dealer/

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Japan tackles first dengue fever outbreak in 70 years

(BBC) Japan is battling its first outbreak of dengue fever in almost 70 years, with at least 22 people confirmed as being infected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756795-japan-tackles-first-dengue-fever-outbreak-in-70-years/

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Flash flood hits Lampang; thousands of Phichit paddyfields under floodwater; Chiang Mai municipality inundated by new round of flood /MCOT

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New vest for moto-taxis revealed
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Wassana Nannuam, Rama IX News

BANGKOK: -- The new motorcycle taxi vests are here, and you’ll have a hard time much difference.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756796-bangkok-new-vest-for-moto-taxis-revealed/

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Pink eye outbreak in Bueng Kan Province

BUENG KAN, 2 September 2014 (NNT) - Authorities are employing measures to deal with pink eye outbreak in Bueng Kan Province after more than 1,700 cases of the communicable disease are found.

Governer of Bueng Kan, Mr. Chalotorn Phahote has ordered local public health officers to urgently publicize pink eye precautions since the outbreaks typically occur most during the rainy season in big communities, crowded areas, schools, and nurseries.

Provincial public health officer, Dr. Paisarn Worasatit has revealed that a total of 1,751 cases of pink eye were reported during January1st to August 25th, or a ratio of 418.29 to 100,000 people. Of the total number, 983 are women while the rest are men. No deaths have been reported. Most cases are found in children aged 5-9, followed by those under 4 years old.

Members of the public are advised to avoid contracting the disease by washing hands often, avoiding rubbing eyes with dirty hands and not sharing towels with others.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

[Lite Beer]

Yala on full alert after insurgents torch power cables

YALA: -- Muslim insurgents torched power cables, car tyres and sprayed red paints at 10 locations in Banning Satar district of Yala Monday night in renewed terror campaign in the South.

Yala police commander Pol Maj Gen Songkiat Watakul said the unrest was the work of a new young generation of militants wanting to create terror in the area.

These new terrorists roamed the town of Bannang Satar burning power cables near bridges, in front of public health station, a masjid, and a 7-Eleven convenience store, and spraying red paints to declare their independent state.

Security was placed on full alert with the police, military and local administration tightening up security at six permanent checkpoints to check passing vehicles entering Gala, and 17 mobile checkpoints on highways leading into and out of the town to prevent the terrorists to cause troubles .

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/yala-full-alert-insurgents-torch/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-02

[Lite Beer]

Candidates for 250 NRC seats now surpass 5,670

BANGKOK: -- The latest figures of candidates to the 250-seat National Reform Council (NRC) until yesterday climbed to 5,672 with today being the last day for application.

Election Commission which acts as the secretariat of the NRC gave the breakdown of total candidates as 3,217 nominated to vie for the seats via non profitable organisations, and 2,410 via Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and provincial administrations.

Only yesterday, a total of 698 candidates applied to contest for NRC seats, with education reform attracting the most candidates to vie for participation in making reform, followed by social reform. Media reform drew the least interest of candidates.

Applications for the final day Tuesday will open until 4.30 p.m.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/candidates-250-nrc-seats-now-surpass-5670/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-02

[Lite Beer]

RT @191Thailand: 18-wheel truck kills motorcyclist in Samut Prakan

[Lite Beer]

RT @BPbreakingnews: PM and army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha indicated the government will not lift martial law soon.

[Lite Beer]

RT @W7VOA: Report launch and panel discussion today: “Justice in Thailand: Access Unavailable” here @FCCThai to be canceled.

RT @W7VOA: Organizers of event @FCCThai say they’ll comply with NCPO request after formal document is delivered here shortly. #ThaiCoup

RT @W7VOA: Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Cross Cultural Foundation & Amnesty Int’l had planned to unveil #Thailand human rights report. #ThaiCoup

[Lite Beer]

July rice exports reach record high in three years

BANGKOK: -- Rice exports in July this year surged to record high in three years since 2011 after almost one million tons of rice were shipped out.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756805-july-rice-exports-reach-record-high-in-three-years/

[Lite Beer]

Gen Prayuth says NCPO will ease its role after his policy statement address to NLA; to seriously reform country /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Floods continue in many northern Thai provinces
By Digital Content

CHIANG MAI, Sept 2 -- Flooding remains in many provinces in Thailand's North including Chiang Mai and Lampang while post-flood rehabilitation has yet to start in Chiang Rai province.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756789-provinces-along-mekong-river-on-alert-for-overflows/#entry8330633

[Lite Beer]

RT @Saiyai: Breaking: Jon Eddy Abdullah is no longer the CEO of dtac - Thailand's second largest telco. http://t.co/ArmIegHHJE

[Lite Beer]

RT @panuw: Organizers of the "Access to Justice in Thailand" event posted a letter in front of FCCT to say event canceled http://t.co/salokEgJIS

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Fish traps in Songkhla Lake to be dismantled

SONGKHLA, 2 September 2014 (NNT) - Songkhla provincial authorities are set to remove full-fledged fish traps that are lying around areas of the Songkhla Lake in a bid to restore the environment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756815-fish-traps-in-songkhla-lake-to-be-dismantled/

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UPDATE:

In A Historic Move, Police Start Enforcing Zebra Crossings
By Khaosod English


Pol.Maj.Gen. Nipon Charoenpol, deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau, said police will begin monitoring drivers’ behavior around zebra crossings in the financial district of Asoke.

BANGKOK — Drivers in Bangkok are now legally required to stop for pedestrians at zebra crosswalks following a new campaign launched by police yesterday.
Police announced last week that from 1 September onward, motorists who failed to stop at zebra crossings in Bangkok will face a fine of 500 baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756770-metropolitan-police-to-fine-jaywalkers-in-bangkok/page-2#entry8330777

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TELECOM
Sigve Brekke assumes Dtac's control
The Nation


Jon Eddy Abdullah, left, and Sigve Brekke as they jointly launched a new corporate campaign in March 2014.

BANGKOK: -- Sigve Brekke, former CEO of Total Access Communication (Dtac), will assume the old title on Jon Eddy Abdullah's resignation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756817-sigve-brekke-assumes-dtacs-control/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand’s Tourist Police is set to launch its own LINE account

BANGKOK:-- Thailand’s Tourist Police Division is set to launch its own LINE Official Account complete with messages for tourists in English & Thai and its own unique LINE sticker character.

Full story here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756820-thailands-tourist-police-is-set-to-launch-its-own-line-account/

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Prayuth insists martial law still needed

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha insisted on Tuesday that martial law is still needed to enforce for the time being to keep the country in order.

However, he had assigned First Army Area Commander LT General Teerachai Nakwanich to evaluate the overall situation before proposing to the National Council for Peace and Order to consider whether to lift the martial law or not.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayuth-insists-martial-law-still-needed-30242327.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-02

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Tourism tax rebate proposal draws split decisions from leading economists



BANGKOK: -- The tourism tax rebates to promote domestic tourism draws split decisions from leading economists, Bangkok Poll revealed Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756823-tourism-tax-rebate-proposal-draws-split-decisions-from-leading-economists/

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UPDATE:

British Labour Activist's Defamation Trial To Start In BKK Today
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — British labour activist Andy Hall is scheduled to go on trial in Bangkok today to fight charges of defamation for a report he wrote two years ago accusing a Thai food company of mistreating its workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756772-british-activist-goes-on-trial-in-thailand-for-defamation/#entry8330900

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Chula student sells sandwich to help cover his sick mother's medical bills

BANGKOK: -- Chula student sells sandwich to help cover his sick mothers medical billsChula student sells sandwich to help cover his sick mothers medical bills

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756830-chula-student-sells-sandwich-to-help-cover-his-sick-mothers-medical-bills/

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NCPO to reduce its role: Prayuth

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Tuesday that the National Council for Peace and Order will reduce its role to focus on security affairs now that the Cabinet is taking office.

Prayuth, who is currently NCPO chief, said the NCPO will from now on focus on security affairs and internal security keeping as well as protecting the natural resources and environment.

Prayuth said he will later announce the code of engagement between the NCPO and the Cabinet.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NCPO-to-reduce-its-role-Prayuth-30242332.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-02

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Appeals Court acquits Surapong of libel charge

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court today acquitted former foreign affairs minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul of defamation charge brought against him by a former Bangkok senator.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756838-appeals-court-acquits-surapong-of-libel-charge/

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Gambling den in Khon Kaen province busted by security forces

KHON KAEN, 2 September 2014 (NNT) - Army officers from the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) in Khon Kaen have arrested four people during their raid on a gambling den located in the province’s downtown area.

The officers have raided the “Hi-Lo” gambling den located inside a commercial building in front of the Chittavej Ratchanakharin Hospital in the heart of the city.

However, a lookout was able to spot the soldiers beforehand and alerted other patrons in the den, allowing 20 people to escape the scene.

Nonetheless, the officers managed to arrest four people and confiscate a number of items including 104 sets of dice, 5 sets of miscellaneous equipment, and a set of casino chips worth 50,000 baht.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

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A man and a woman were arrested in Loei province with 127 kilograms of heroin in their car believed to be on its way to a third-party country. /Bangkok Post