Thailand Live Monday 22 Sep 2014

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,585.26 gains 0.35 points /MCOT

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Rayong province's Mae Ramphung beach hit by oil spill

RAYONG, 22 September 2014 (NNT) - An oil spill has hit a one-kilometer stretch of the Mae Ramphung Beach in Rayong province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762367-rayong-provinces-mae-ramphung-beach-hit-by-oil-spill/

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Three countries to test bus rental for tourists service

BANGKOK: -- Laos, Vietnam and Thailand will test bus rental for tourists service from Vietnam's QuangBinh, Laos's Khammouane, to Thailand's SakonNakhon and Nakon Phnom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762368-thailand-vietnam-and-laos-to-test-bus-rental-for-tourists-service/

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Bachelor’s Degree graduates face a bleak future for their careers

BANGKOK, 22 September 2014 (NNT) - College students in Thailand who are Bachelor’s Degree holders are unlikely to have a promising salary, as the employment market has been saturated with Bachelor’s Degree graduates.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762370-bachelors-degree-graduates-in-thailand-face-a-bleak-future-for-their-careers/

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Tony Blair on Islamic State: 'Don't rule out ground troops'

LONDON: -- Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that sending in combat troops to fight Islamic State militants on the ground should not be ruled out.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762382-tony-blair-on-islamic-state-dont-rule-out-ground-troops/

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Scottish Referendum: 'Two Scotlands have emerged'
By Allan Little
BBC News

(BBC) Questions of national identity have been raised after Scotland's referendum. BBC special correspondent Allan Little considers the campaign and its fallout.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762388-two-scotlands-have-emerged/

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Russian out-in visa runs 'same as other nationalities' – Immigration chief
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Photo Dmitry Dzhus

PHUKET: -- Pol Lt Gen Sakda Cheupakdee, Acting Commissioner of Thai Immigration, has confirmed that – theoretically – Russians can enter Thailand as often as they like.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762390-russian-out-in-visa-runs-same-as-other-nationalities-thai-immigration-chief/

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Southbound train service resumes

SONGKLA, 22 September 2014 (NNT) - The southbound train has resumed service after four days of intense repair by the State Railway of Thailand.

Local train from Sungai Kolok to Nakhon Si Thammarat derailed last Thursday between Tha Maeng Lak and Chana stations, injuring seven passengers and train staffers.

Train services between Songkhla province and the far South have been suspended over the weekend as railway employees removed the damaged tracks and bogeys.

Four morning train services continue to be suspended as repair work on tracks in southernmost provinces are being carried out.

Full service is expected to resume tomorrow as the rest of the derailed bogey and the engine will be transported to Hat Yai station within 2 days.


-- NNT 2014-09-22

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Transport Ministry, public transport operators to discuss fare hike
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 22 – Thailand’s transport minister will meet private and public transport operators late this month to discuss their planned adjustment of fares.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762414-thai-transport-ministry-public-transport-operators-to-discuss-fare-hike/

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Chinese businessman donates B34m to Phuket temple
Eakkapop Thongtub


Jang Jeang's supporters with the B30 million.

PHUKET: -- A mainland Chinese businessman in the software industry has donated B34 million to Wat Jareonsamanakit, a forest temple in Talad Yai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762415-chinese-businessman-donates-b34m-to-phuket-temple/

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Survey shows 81% of community leaders support NCPO
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 22 – Thailand's Master Poll survey showed Sunday that the popularity of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which seized power in Thailand in the May 22 bloodless military takeover, has risen to 81 per cent from 70.1 per cent earlier.

Assoc Prof Chet Ratchadapunnathikul, vice chairman of the Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association, disclosed results of the survey, conducted in 600 communities between September 13 -20, saying that 81 per cent of surveyed community leaders supported the NCPO while 17.2 per cent were still uncertain, and the rest opposed the military council.

The Master Poll has conducted seven surveys since the NCPO came to power.

Asked whether they watched the weekly TV programme conducted Friday evening by Prime Minister/NCPO Leader General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, 84.6 per cent of the respondents said “Yes” while the rest said they did not.

Community leaders gave a score of 8.8 points out of a possible 10 for the performance of Gen Prayuth’s government, Prof Chet said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-22

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Foreign Ministry to bring body of peace advocate home
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 22 (TNA) - Officials of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs are coordinating with concerned authorities to bring the body of Muslim peace advocate Ahmadsomboon Bualuang back to Thailand for religious ceremony, officials said Sunday.

Mr Ahmadsomboon passed away in Sweden on Saturday evening after developing a tight chest while he was travelling by train.

He was rushed to a hospital in Lund, but doctors were unable to save his life.

Ahmadsomboon left Thailand on September 15 on a mission to attend a peace meeting as a representative of the Thai civil sector.

The 64-year-old peace advocate was a member of the National Reconciliation Commission set up in 2005 by then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to solve the bloody violence in deep southern Thailand. The now-defunct commission was headed by ex-prime minister Anand Panyarachun.

Mr Ahmadsomboon was an important Thai figure engaged in trying to resolve the violence in the deep southern region.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Ahmadsomboon’s private residence in Pattani province, one of the three southern provinces affected by the violence, is filled with sorrow following his death. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-22

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Phuket park chief, fearing for his life, requests transfer

Darawan Naknakhon

Kitipat Tharapiban, pictured during the destruction of illegal restaurants at Sai Kaew Beach

PHUKET: The chief of Sirinart Marine National Park has requested a transfer, telling his boss that he fears for his life.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762427-phuket-park-chief-fearing-for-his-life-requests-transfer/

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Former Phichit MP dies of heart failure

BANGKOK; -- Adul Boonsert, former Pheu Thai MP for Phichit, died Sunday night of heart failure, his son said Monday.

Nawin Boonsert, also a former Phichit MP, said his father died at the Paolo Memorial Hospital in Bangkok at 8:15 pm. He was 72.

Adul was considered an arch political rival of late Phichit MP Sanan Kachornprasart.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Former-Phichit-MP-dies-of-heart-failure-30243815.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-22

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UPDATE:

Police still waiting for DNA test results of speedboat driver linked to Koh Tao murder case

SURAT THANI, 22 September 2014 (NNT) - Koh Tao police are now waiting for the test result of the DNA of a speedboat who is believed to have been linked to the murders of two British tourists in Koh Tao.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762325-thai-police-question-speedboat-driver-over-british-murders-on-koh-tao/page-4?p=8420731#entry8420731

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UPDATE

Officials reassure safety for foreign tourists

SURAT THANI, 22 September 2014 (NNT)-The deputy governor of Surat Thani province has urged all responsible agencies to launch safety policies for tourists, following the brutal murders in Koh Tao.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762325-thai-police-question-speedboat-driver-over-british-murders-on-koh-tao/page-4?p=8420769#entry8420769

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Prawit warns academics to not ‘cross the line’ when expressing political views

BANGKOK, 22 September 2014 (NNT) - Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has urged academics to strictly abide by the law whenever expressing their political opinions in public, as the country still remains divided and reconciliation is needed to take place.

General Prawit made this statement following a case where 60 academics have together signed a petition to protest against the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s decision to cut short a forum titled “The Decline of Dictatorships in Foreign Countries.” The forum was held on September 18 at Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus.

He also stated that the NCPO only desires to maintain peace and order in the nation. Therefore, any political opinions that could cause misunderstanding or convey distorted information about the nation’s current political situation would not be tolerated.

The Defense Minister has said that the NCPO would not make any objections for academic forums to take place but these forums should not involve political issues.


-- NNT 2014-09-22

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New appointed Bangkok Council to hold first meeting Wednesday

BANGKOK: -- The new Bangkok Council with appointed councillors will hold its first meeting on Wednesday after all 30 appointed members hve reported to work.

The 30 councillors were not elected but were selected by a selection committee appointed by the National Council for Peace and Order.

The last of the 30 councillors, Doctor Pornthep Siriwanarangsang, reported to work at 7:30 am Monday, said Nanthana Pongphesat, acting secretary of the Bangkok Council.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/New-appointed-Bangkok-Council-to-hold-first-meetin-30243817.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-22

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12-year-old voyeur arrested
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A 12-year-old boy this morning was arrested by police after he was caught peeping on a teen girl in the shower and stealing her underwear.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762440-12-year-old-voyeur-arrested-in-nakhon-sri-thammarat/

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Confidence growing that Arab states will join fight against Islamic State in Iraq
Daniel Flitton

MELBOURNE: -- Confidence is growing that at least some Arab nations will join the fight against Islamist fighters in Iraq with "kinetic action" - a military euphemism for air strikes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762441-confidence-growing-that-arab-states-will-join-fight-against-islamic-state-in-iraq/

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Bangkok is among world's 11 best shopping paradises



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok was named one of the 11 best destinations in the world for shopping by the renowned travel website, Frommers.com, with the city’s range of markets and malls being singled out for praise.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762446-bangkok-is-among-worlds-11-best-shopping-paradises/

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BANKING
Traditional banks may not exist by 2025: PwC
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- New services by non-bank operators like Google, Alibaba, and mobile operators are threatening the existence of traditional banks, and without catchup in terms of technology these banks may not exist by 2025, said PwC.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762448-traditional-banks-may-not-exist-by-2025-pwc/

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Government Spokesman: PM orders probe into procurement of expensive microphone system for Government House; result to be concluded in 3 months /MCOT

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Deputy Police Chief Somyot says DNA test results of 30 Myanmar workers don't match with DNA found on victim, 2 suspects being interrogated /MCOT

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Search continues for killers of two British tourists on Koh Tao
By Digital Content



SURAT THANI, Sept 22 -- Police detained two friends of a drug-abusing speedboat attendant as they were suspected of being involved in the murder of two British tourists on Ko Tao last Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762457-search-continues-for-killers-of-two-british-tourists-on-koh-tao/

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Koh Tao murder a short-term impact on tourism, says tourism council



BANGKOK: -- Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) says the murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao will have a short-term impact on tourism to this southern sea island although tourism booking will slow down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762459-koh-tao-murder-a-short-term-impact-on-tourism-says-tourism-council/

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Phuket park officers file cases against encroachers, crooked officials
Darawan Naknakhon


Park chief Kitipat Tharapiban explains the case against a would-be encroacher to a Tah Chat Chai police officer

PHUKET: -- Sirinart Park Chief, Kitipat Tharapiban, has filed cases with the police against officials who allegedly had a hand in granting illegal chanote papers on 88 rai of land inside the park, and against an encroacher who attempted to get chanotes on two other plots in the park, totalling 176 rai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762483-phuket-park-officers-file-cases-against-encroachers-crooked-officials/

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Double homicide near to Koh Samui airport



KOH SAMUI: -- On September 20th police from Bophut police station received reports of a shooting in a private room close to Samui Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762485-double-homicide-near-to-koh-samui-airport/

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AirAsia to connect Chiang Mai with Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- AirAsia is launching a new service linking two of Thailand’s foremost tourist destinations – Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762486-airasia-to-connect-chiang-mai-with-samui/

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Social minister makes anti-human trafficking efforts his first priority
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 22 -- Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, sets solutions to human trafficking as the first priority of his urgent tasks and he expects to see their progress within six months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762488-thailands-social-minister-makes-anti-human-trafficking-efforts-his-first-priority/