Bangkok Poll: 73% of respondents are confident in PM, 51% believe government economic team will achieve transport development plan /MCOT

Thailand is now the largest producer or edible insects

BANGKOK: -- As the world discovers the culinary secrets that countries like Africa, Asia and Latin America have long known Thailand’s edible insects farming industry is taking off like never before.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763872-thailand-is-now-the-largest-producer-or-edible-insects/

Central bank projects 1.5% growth this year

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has projected the growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) this year at around 1.5 percent, whereas next year’s target will be lowered to 4.8 percent since export and tourism sectors are still not yet recover.

Mr Methee Supapong, assistant governor of the Bank of Thailand for monetary policy and secretary of the Monetary Policy Committee, said that this year’s GDP growth will be maintained at 1.5 percent, while next year GDP will expand less than the initial target of 5.5 percent to only 4.8 percent.

However, adjustments will be made if the interim government comes up with economic stimulus packages in the future.

GDP forecast cut next year is due to this year’s export that is likely missing its 3 percent growth target and next year it may expand to only 4 percent from the initial target of 6 percent.

Meanwhile, the country may have only 27 million tourist arrivals next year, plunging from initial target of 28.5 million, as a result of slow tourism recovery since travel warnings and advisories are still in place.

However, positive recovery is predicted next year, thanks to rising domestic consumption, private investments and government spending.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/central-bank-projects-1-5-growth-year/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-27

RT @RichardBarrow: Minister of Tourism, in the green shirt, presiding over opening ceremony of #ThailandOnly 77 Province Photowalk http://t.co/ktxRPrqXWu

UPDATE:

TAT boosts Thailand’s image among Japanese travellers at JATA Tourism Expo 2014

TOKYO: -- Thailand’s tourism operators in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are participating in the JATA Tourism Expo 2014, held during 24-28 September, at the Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Centre) in Tokyo, Japan.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763799-japanese-travel-agents-seek-official-assurance-of-safety/#entry8445741

RT @HuffingtonPost: JUST IN: Chelsea Clinton has given birth to a baby girl http://t.co/SsOPVTAR8Z

Forbes Media to organise awards ceremony in Thailand
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 27 -- After learning that the interim Thai government was determined to march towards a sustainable democratic system, Forbes Media LLC has decided to organise the 2014 ‘Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion Awards Ceremony and Dinner’ (BuB) in the kingdom.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763878-forbes-media-to-organise-awards-ceremony-in-thailand/

ASEAN FMs hold informal talks in NY
By Digital Content

NEW YORK, Sept 27 -- Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held an informal talks in New York, as Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragon stressed that the Thai government is determined to cooperate with fellow members in implementing ASEAN Community (AC) in 2015.

The informal talks, held on Friday and chaired by Myanmar Foreign Affairs Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, saw Gen Tanasak informing ASEAN foreign ministers that the Thai government realised the significance of ASEAN member countries' cooperation towards global issues and within the UN context.

The issues include sustainable development, disaster management, and tackling transnational crime, including illicit drugs and human trafficking.

They also exchanged ideas on developmental issues after the AEC is implemented and on benefits which would be obtained by people living in the region, such as public health services.

Gen Tanasak thanked his counterparts from other ASEAN member countries for their support for Thailand in applying for a non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council for the 2017-2018 term.

The informal talks by the ASEAN foreign ministers were held on the sidelines while they were attending the UN General Assembly annual meeting in New York. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-09-27

Tourism Minister to visit Koh Tao tomorrow

SURAT THANI, 27 September 2014 (NNT) – Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is scheduled to travel to the island of Koh Tao tomorrow after the murder of two Britons in order to ensure sufficient security measures for visitors.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763902-tourism-minister-to-visit-koh-tao-tomorrow/

US businessmen want ASEAN to reform customs
By Digital Content

NEW YORK, Sept 27 -- Leading US businesspeople want Thailand and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to undertake reform on customs procedures, reduce corporate tax and to enforce laws efficiently and with transparency.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763908-us-businessmen-want-asean-to-reform-customs/

Key witness says foreigner kills British tourists

KOH TAO: -- Eighth Region Police Command commissioner says police investigators have obtained a key witness who said foreigner killed the two British tourists in Koh Tao island.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763909-key-witness-says-foreigner-kills-british-tourists/

Thai PM Bemoans Divisive Soap Operas, Offers to Write Better Ones

BANGKOK: -- Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday criticized television soap operas for promoting violence and division in society and said he wanted scripts to encourage reconciliation. He said he would write them himself if he had to.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763912-thai-pm-bemoans-divisive-soap-operas-offers-to-write-better-ones/

UPDATE:

Farmers call for 10,000 baht per ton of rice

BANGKOK: -- Farmer representatives have called on the government to fix 10,000 baht for a ton of paddy, and to strictly set standard for moisture meters used at every rice mill.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763800-govt-refuses-rice-price-guarantee-but-will-help-cut-farmers-costs/#entry8446260

Poll reveals leading economists have confidence in PM’s economic team

Bangkok Poll revealed its latest survey showing more than half of leading economists have confidence in the high capable economic team of Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763915-poll-reveals-leading-economists-have-confidence-in-pms-economic-team/

Ayutthaya to propose waste disposal plan to the cabinet

AYUTTHAYA, 27 September 2014 (NNT) – Ayutthaya's Governor is proposing another waste disposal plan to the cabinet for reconsideration.

After the NCPO named Ayutthaya as a model province of waste management policy, the governor launched another plan using a budget from Pollution Control Department to move over 160,000 tonnes of waste from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District and 60,000 tonnes from Nakhon Luang District to dispose at the TPI Polene Public Company in Saraburi Province.

However, this measure was opposed to the Liquor Distillery Organization since they have planned to construct a liquor factory in this area. Therefore, the province has proposed a measure to Ministry of Interior for reconsideration.

-- NNT 2014-09-27

Transport Minister: no taxi fare hike planned, pending discussion on energy reform, to maintain MRT fare until end of this year /MCOT

RT @191Thailand: RT @Nicola_Caswell: Ceiling just collapsed at Emporium. Nobody hurt. http://t.co/wc9smB0wQd #Bangkok #Thailand

Phuket police arrest three Bulgarian ATM skimmers


The Bulgarian skimmers at this morning's press conference

PHUKET: A joint operation by police Phuket Provincial Police and officers from Patong and Karon resulted in the arrests early this morning (September 27) of three ATM skimmer suspects after police received more than 100 complaints from people whose bank accounts had been plundered.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764005-phuket-police-arrest-three-bulgarian-atm-skimmers/

to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 28 Sep 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764030-thailand-live-sunday-28-sep-2014/