Thailand Live Wednesday 22 Oct 2014

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Wreck of WWII German U-boat found off North Carolina
By Brad Lendon, CNN

(CNN) -- A World War II German U-boat, sunk during the Battle of the Atlantic more than 72 years ago, has been discovered off the coast of North Carolina, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770455-wreck-of-wwii-german-u-boat-found-off-north-carolina/

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NRC members are not obligated to declare their assets

BANGKOK, 22 October 2014 (NNT)-The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said National Reform Council (NRC) members do not have to expose their assets to the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770461-nrc-members-are-not-obligated-to-declare-their-assets/

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Golf Classic set to draw stars as Thailand's richest tournament
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The US$2-million Thailand Classic will become the Kingdom's biggest golf event when it tees off at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin from February 12-15 next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770466-golf-classic-set-to-draw-stars-as-thailands-richest-tournament/

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UPDATE:

UN Rejects Thailand From Rights Council
By Khaosod English


A delegate casts his country's ballot in the election of members for the Human Rights Council. [Photo: UN Photo/Evan Schneider]

BANGKOK – Junta-ruled Thailand failed to secure enough votes to join the United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday, losing to four other Asian nations that applied for the seats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770391-rights-body-challenges-thai-un-council-bid/#entry8568125

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Tourism Authority of Thailand to expedite restoration of foreign tourists confidence following murder of 2 British tourists at Koh Tao. /The Nation

Parents of Myanmar suspects in British tourists murder case to visit their sons, call for justice /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Foreign diplomats ask Thai media to respect social norms

BANGKOK: -- Ambassadors of European Union countries and Japan on Wednesday submitted a letter to media associations, calling them to do everything in their power to encourage media outlets to respect the feelings of families of the victims.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770477-foreign-diplomats-ask-thai-media-to-respect-social-norms/

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UPDATE:

Myanmar migrants retract British tourist murders confession

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Two Myanmar migrant workers accused of murdering a pair of British tourists on a Thai island have retracted their confessions and alleged they were tortured, lawyers said on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770369-koh-tao-murder-suspects-retract-confessions-interpreter-assaulted-us/page-8?p=8568496#entry8568496

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Farang husbands providing massive boost to economy in Isaan

KHON KAEN:-- A study recently carried out by Khon Kaen University has found that foreign men who are married to women from Isaan have boosted gross domestic product in the region by almost 9 billion baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770487-farang-husbands-providing-massive-boost-to-isaan-economy/

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Taxi drivers seek higher fare hike
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Stephan Rebernik

BANGKOK: -- A taxi drivers organization is demanding a fare hike twice that which was recently approved, claiming it insufficiently addresses their costs and won’t produce profits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770490-thai-taxi-drivers-seek-higher-fare-hike/

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UPDATE:

Myanmar suspects formally retract confession



BANGKOK: -- Two Myanmar suspects who earlier admitted to the killings of British backpackers David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in Koh Tao have spectacularly retracted their confessions, their lawyers say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770369-koh-tao-murder-suspects-retract-confessions-interpreter-assaulted-us/page-8?p=8568708#entry8568708

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European trade body criticizes Thailand's proposed alcohol health warning proposals

BANGKOK: -- A European trade body has levied criticism at the proposed use of health warnings on alcohol labels, they claim there are more effective measure to tackle issues that surround the abuse of alcohol.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770512-european-trade-body-criticizes-thailands-proposed-alcohol-health-warning-proposals/

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Mega transport projects get cabinet approval



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet yesterday approved the launch of several mass transit projects that it hopes will convince people to turn to public transport services from driving their own cars in their daily travels to work.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770513-mega-transport-projects-get-thai-cabinet-approval/

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NRC chairman determines to resolve conflicts in country
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 22 -- Thienchay Kiranandana, chairman-elect of the National Reform Council (NRC), said the main goals of the body were to resolve conflicts in the nation and draft a new constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770515-nrc-chairman-determines-to-resolve-conflicts-in-country/

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Interior Ministry sets up corruption claim center across Thailand

BANGKOK, 22 October 2014 (NNT) – Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda has set up a committee to investigate corruption cases throughout the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770517-interior-ministry-sets-up-corruption-claim-center-across-thailand/

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Parents of Myanmar suspects in British tourists murder case to visit their sons
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 22 -- The parents of two Myanmar suspects arrested for allegedly killing two British tourists on Ko Tao island of Surat Thani province arrived in Thailand today, and will visit their sons at Ko Samui prison.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770518-parents-of-myanmar-suspects-in-british-tourists-murder-case-to-visit-their-sons/

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Tiger mauls Australian tourist at Tiger Kingdom


Former Phuket News editor Jody Houton at Tiger Kingdom in 2013. Photo: The Phuket News

PHUKET: -- An Australian tourist was allegedly mauled by one of the tigers at the Tiger Kingdom park on Tuesday (October 21).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770520-phuket-tiger-mauls-australian-tourist-at-tiger-kingdom/

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UPDATE:

Wife admits ordering killing of Briton on Bali: police

DENPASAR, Indonesia, Oct 22, 2014 (AFP) - The wife of a British man found with his throat slashed and dumped in a ditch on Indonesia's resort island of Bali has admitted ordering the killing, police said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770208-australian-man-murdered-execution-style-in-bali/?p=8568979#entry8568979

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FTI cuts 2014 car production target 14% (100,000 units) to 2.1 million units; to export 1.2 million units /MCOT

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UPDATE:

UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Thailand loses bid to join UN rights body

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has failed to secure one of four vacant seats on the UN Human Rights Council , losing out to four others Asian countries, namely India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Qatar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770391-rights-body-challenges-thai-un-council-bid/page-2#entry8568996

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Switzerland leads 10 best countries for expats - here is the list

BANGKOK: -- Expat love Switzerland and nine other countries. What would be your country of choice when living abroad. Read this article and find out the latest top 10 list.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770539-thailand-switzerland-leads-10-best-countries-for-expats-here-is-the-list/

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Kuwaiti Man Beaten By Pattaya Bar Guards Over 'Sex Shows'
By Khaosod English

CHONBURI — A Kuwaiti tourist was beaten by security guards at a nightclub in Pattaya early this morning in a dispute over the club's false advertising for a “sex show,” police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770544-kuwaiti-man-beaten-by-pattaya-bar-guards-over-sex-shows/

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Thai Industries Sentiment Index drops
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 22 -- The Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) dropped for the second month in a row, and local sales and export of automobiles also declined.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770545-thai-industries-sentiment-index-drops/

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Phuket Super Cheap truck crashes into reservoir: VIDEO

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770548-phuket-super-cheap-truck-crashes-into-reservoir-video/

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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha assured LPG price will rise to its realistic level and there will be more waste-to-energy plants for better garbage disposal. /Bangkok Post

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29 land and sea plots are to be auctioned for oil exploration



BANGKOK: -- The National Energy Policy Committee today agreed to put on auction 29 land and sea plots for petroleum exploration and production.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770551-29-land-and-sea-plots-are-to-be-auctioned-for-oil-exploration-in-thailand/

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SET index closed 1,532.72, up 6.58; Bt/USD32.20; GBP51.67; AUD28.11; EUR40.83; CAD28.56; HKD4.14; SGD25.22; JPY30.00

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Energy consumption to be restructured for national need
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 22 -- After chairing a National Energy Policy and Planning Committee meeting at Government House today, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government will promote the energy production from garbage and energy crops to reduce the amount of imported gas and oil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770552-energy-consumption-to-be-restructured-for-national-need/

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Foreigners on Buffaloes Plow the Way to Restoring Thailand’s Public Image
By Khaosod English
(Isaan Record)


Local foreigners ride albino buffaloes as a part of this past weekend’s Foreigner Friendship Festival in Khon Kaen. [Photo: Isaan Record]

KHON KAEN - In an effort to restore Thailand’s image abroad after a May 22 military coup, a coalition of local organizations hosted its first Foreigner Friendship Festival last Sunday in front of Khon Kaen University’s Golden Jubilee Convention Hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770575-foreigners-on-buffaloes-plow-the-way-to-restoring-thailands-public-image/

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Warning for out-of-Phuket tour buses and overloaded trucks
Nattha Thepbamrung


Buses will be checked for mechanical condition at a new facility at the little-used Phuket Gateway. Photo Google Street View

PHUKET: -- Tour buses from other provinces parking in the wrong place and overloaded trucks will soon face heavy penalties, Vice Governor Jamroen Thippayapongtada has announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770578-warning-for-out-of-phuket-tour-buses-and-overloaded-trucks/

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Planned inheritance taxation prompted wealthy Thais to consider shifting some of their assets overseas, central bank said. /The Nation