Thailand Live Thursday 25 Sep 2014

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Prayut to continue weekly TV programme

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday he will continue his weekly television programme as it is important thing to inform people the direction of the government.

"Making people understand what the government is doing is very important. We want to explain people where we lead the country to," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-to-continue-weekly-TV-programme-30244073.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-25

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UPDATE:

Hunt for killers of British tourists in Koh Tao continues

SURAT THANI, 25 September 2014 (NNT) - Police are still on the hunt for the murder suspects responsible for killing two British tourists in Koh Tao. Meanwhile, a former village headman has pleaded for justice after his family has been accused of being involved in the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763253-koh-tao-headman-offers-bt1m-cash-if-evidence-proves-his-family-implicated-in-the-tourist-murder/page-3#entry8435771

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Customs warns of sting to seize smuggled iPhones at MBK
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Customs officials announced yesterday they will take a secret trip to MBK Center and randomly arrest merchants selling illegally imported, and highly demanded, iPhone 6 smartphones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763293-customs-warns-of-sting-to-seize-smuggled-iphones-at-bangkoks-mbk/

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Flashflood and landslides warning in North, Northeast today



BANGKOK: -- The National Disaster Warning Centre today warned residents in nine northern and northeastern provinces of facing high risk of flash flood and landslides during September 25-26 from heavy rains.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763295-flashflood-and-landslides-warning-in-north-isaan-today/

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Thai Air Force chief proposes ASEAN Search and Rescue Centre
By Digital Content



NAY PYI TAW, Sept 25 -- Thai Air Force commander Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong proposed establishing an ASEAN Search and Rescue Centre today at the 11th ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference in the Myanmar capital today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763297-thai-air-force-chief-proposes-asean-search-and-rescue-centre/

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2015 to be promoted as year of Thai Way of Life and Community Tourism

BANGKOK, 25 September 2014 (NNT) -- The Thai government has designated 2015 as the year of the 'Thai Way of Life Tourism Experiences', aiming to boost the much-needed revenues for the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763298-2015-to-be-promoted-as-year-of-thai-way-of-life-tourism-experiences/

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Deputy PM Pridiyathorn says PM Prayuth will soon announce stimulus package to boost economic growth, to support SMEs, to raise money via stock market /MCOT

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American Matthew Miller starts North Korean prison sentence; photo released
By Will Ripley and Madison Park, CNN

(CNN) -- The American held in North Korea, Matthew Miller, begins his six-year sentence of hard labor on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763303-american-matthew-miller-starts-north-korean-prison-sentence/

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Forest Communities Can Help Thailand Fight Climate Change: Experts
By Evan Gershkovich

Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Empowering local communities to take care of the country's forests is necessary to combat the increasingly devastating effects of climate change in Thailand, forestry experts and academics say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763305-forest-communities-can-help-thailand-fight-climate-change-experts/

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ADB trims Thai GDP growth to 1.6 percent this year



BANGKOK: -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has trimmed its growth forecast for Southeast Asia this year, citing factors such as political turmoil in Thailand earlier in the year and weaker commodity export prices in Indonesia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763306-adb-trims-thai-gdp-growth-to-16-percent-this-year/

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Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon ordered nationwide CCTV installation in the wake of the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao island mid this month. /Bangkok Post

Thailand must urgently boost foreign direct investment in high value/growth sectors to be competitive amid rising competition in Asean,SCB bank said. /The Nation

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Traces of water detected on distant planet

LONDON: -- This marks the first time that an exoplanet smaller than the size of Jupiter has been revealed to feature traces of water, according to the findings first published in the latest edition of the journal Nature.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763314-traces-of-water-detected-on-distant-planet/

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Watch the video: Skydiver in death-spin over England

LONDON: -- Student skydiver Eugene S. was recently having a training session when he spun from the standard ground-facing position and was sent into a dangerous ‘death-spin’.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763315-skydiver-in-death-spin-over-england-video/

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Woman Orders iPhone, Gets Underwear Instead
By Khaosod English


Roongnapa Champasri, 40, received a package of underpants in the mail instead of the two iPhones she ordered, 25 Sept 2014.

PATHUM THANI — A woman in Pathum Thani province is seeking help from police after she received a package of underpants in the mail instead of the two iPhones she ordered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763317-thai-woman-orders-iphone-from-a-facebook-page-gets-underwear-instead/

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Blasphemy case: Scot shot in Pakistan jail

(BBC) A 70-year-old Scot jailed in Pakistan on blasphemy charges has been shot and wounded by a policeman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763319-scot-shot-in-pakistan-jail-blasphemy-case/

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Apple apologises for iOS 8 update bug

(BBC) Apple has apologised after an update to its mobile operating system left some owners of its new iPhones unable to make or receive calls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763322-apple-apologises-for-ios-8-update-bug/

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TOURISM
Phuket to welcome 13 million visitors this year: KResearch
The Nation


Tourists on a Phuket beach

BANGKOK: -- Phuket is expected to welcome a total of 13 million visitors this year, thanks to the gradual recovery in the overall tourism industry as well as monthly activities in the island province, said Kasikorn Research Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763324-phuket-to-welcome-13-million-visitors-this-year-kresearch/

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UPDATE:

Bangkok Suspect Cleared of Connection To Britons' Murder
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK – Police say they have cleared another primary suspect from connection to the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao island that took place over a week ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763253-koh-tao-headman-offers-bt1m-cash-if-evidence-proves-his-family-implicated-in-the-tourist-murder/page-5?p=8436552#entry8436552

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Prawit orders installation of security cameras at tourist destinations nationwide

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan Thursday instructed the Interior Ministry, Royal Thai Police and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to install security cameras at tourist destinations around the country following double murders of British tourists on Koh Tao.

He said lamps should also be installed as preventive measures. The deputy prime minister said the installations would be completed in two months.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prawit-orders-installation-of-security-cameras-at--30244089.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-25

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US appreciates Thailand's efforts to tackle human trafficking
By Digital Content



NEW YORK, Sept 25 -- The United States recognises Thailand's more serious attempts to solve human trafficking, said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, now in New York to attend the 69th UN General Assembly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763333-us-appreciates-thailands-efforts-to-tackle-human-trafficking/

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Thai representative presents domestic political assessment to UN
By Digital Content



NEW YORK, Sept 25 -- Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, is attending the 69th UN General Assembly in New York and will take the opportunity to explain Thai political developments to the international community.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763354-thai-representative-presents-domestic-political-assessment-to-un/

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BMA to reorganize Khao San street vendors on Oct 15

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763357-bangkok-to-reorganize-khao-san-street-vendors-on-oct-15/

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Counter-terrorism police make arrests in London

LONDON’S counterterrorism command has arrested nine men including radical preacher Anjem Choudary on suspicion of being members of banned groups and encouraging terrorism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763360-uk-counter-terrorism-police-make-arrests-in-london/

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Fugitive ex-US intelligence agent, Edward Snowden jointly awarded the Swedish human rights award for exposing state surveillance /The Nation

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SET index closed 1,591.99, up 0.10; Bt/USD32.14; GBP52.21; AUD28.13; EUR40.80; CAD28.81; HKD4.13; SGD25.20; JPY29.29

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US whistleblower Edward Snowden wins Swedish human rights prize

STOCKHOLM: -- Fugitive US intelligence agent Edward Snowden has been awarded a Swedish human rights award for his work exposing state surveillance programs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763361-us-whistleblower-edward-snowden-wins-swedish-human-rights-prize/

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Heavy rain hits Bangkok, many areas flooded: Ratchadapisek, Lat Phrao, Ratchaprasong, Sathorn; traffic heavily jammed /MCOT

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BTS rail switching system at the Sukhumvit Line malfunctions

BANGKOK, 25 September 2014 (NNT) - A malfunctioning rail track switching system between the Asoke and Phrompong stations caused major delays in the BTS electric train services early this morning.

A number of passengers were left stranded at the platforms since the operators had to operate the trains manually, and were forced to maintain a speed of 20 km per hour for the safety of commuters. Needless to say, a lot of people were upset with the trains arriving far behind their schedule.

Trains at the Sukhumvit Line had to remain at their platforms for a relatively long time since all the trains had to move at a very slow pace.

BTS President Anat Arbhabhirama ordered the trains from the Mo Chit Station to pick up passengers waiting at the Victory Monument, and those from the Bearing station to pick up commuters at the On-Nut station. The switching system was repaired and the the services resumed at 9.30 am.


-- NNT 2014-09-25

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More DNA samples collected from foreign workers over double murder case

BANGKOK, 25 September 2014 (NNT) – The Metropolitan Police Bureau is set to conduct DNA tests on 30 other foreign workers in a bid to find the culprit behind the murders of British tourists on Koh Tao.

The bureau said 171 workers had earlier been summoned to provide DNA samples as part of the ongoing investigation. So far, DNA samples have not matched that found on the crime scene.

Police assured the public that workers who have been called in to give DNA samples are involved with the case and the practice is not a discrimination against migrant workers.

Surat Thani police have also asked their Bangkok counterparts to hunt for another person of interest in the double murders last week.

The matter was upgraded to a national level when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he has emphasized to police that the culprits must be brought to justice.


-- NNT 2014-09-25

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Chiang Mai seals off 3 waterfalls due to risk of flooding

CHIANG MAI 25 September 2014 (NNT) – Three waterfalls in Chiang Mai have been closed off from the public due to forest runoffs that were triggered by heavy overnight rains.

Doi Suthep National Park officials have temporarily sealed off the Mae Sa waterfall from visitors, as the strong water currents pose a threat to the safety of the public.

Meanwhile, the Mae Klang and Mae Ya waterfalls in Doi Inthanon National Park have also been closed until the situation returns to normal. Officials will inspect the water levels and will inform the public of any changes to their opening time.

The Meteorological Department has reported that a high pressure cell from China continues to prevail over Thailand’s upper parts, generating more widespread rains and storms in the region.


-- NNT 2014-09-25