Thailand Live Monday 3 Nov 2014

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TAT holds grand Loy Krathong celebrations in 7 provinces

BANGKOK, 3 November 2014 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organizes the Loy Krathong festival "Colors of the Rivers" in seven major provinces. The TAT invites people to join in the event and help conserve the Thai tradition.

TAT deputy governor Wilaiwan Thawitsri said the TAT would help promote Loy Krathong celebrations in the seven provinces as the tourism product, which could attract foreign tourists. From 4-6 November, there would be a grand event in an atmosphere of an old-time Bangkok at Nakhara Phirom public park in the capital. The event featured a parade of boats decorated with lights and a firework show in the middle of Chao Phraya river, said the deputy governor.

From 2-6 November, Sukhothai will celebrate the Loy Krathong festival at the Sukhothai historic park. In Chiang Mai, there will be an event at the Tha Phae gate featuring an environmental-friendly "Krathong" contest and a sky lantern release. Th other provinces with the Loy Krathong celebrations sponsored by the TAT include Tak, Ayutthaya, Samut Sakhon and Ratchaburi.


-- NNT 2014-11-03

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Illegal loggers target Khao Ang Ru Nai
Tanpisit Lerdbumrungchai
The Nation


Children take part in efforts to create manmade mineral licks inside the Khao Ang Ru Nai Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wildlife sanctuary in eastern region threatened by deforestation

BANGKOK: -- DEFORESTATION is threatening a wildlife sanctuary that is not just the most abundant forest zone in Thailand's eastern region but also home to more than a third of the country's wild animals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773404-illegal-loggers-target-khao-ang-ru-nai/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Curbing populism divides critics
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION


Paiboon

Academics and reformers split on how to counter policies such as rice scheme

BANGKOK: -- Academics, politicians and reformers yesterday lashed out at the political reform proposal to regulate "populist" policies promoted by parties during election campaigns, saying such a measure was impractical and anti-democratic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773406-thai-report-curbing-populism-divides-critics/

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South policy flaws exposed by violence
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation

Insurgents strike less-guarded targets

BANGKOK: -- ALTHOUGH VIOLENCE in the deep South seemed to decrease during June-September, it swept back ferociously in the month of October when six schools and two tambon administrative organisation offices were burned down. Most recently, four Pattani restaurants/karaoke bars were bombed in less than a week following the Tak Bai 10th anniversary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773407-thai-south-policy-flaws-exposed-by-violence/

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EDUCATION REFORM
Pressure on the ONESQA after negative external assessment
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation


Kamjorn

Education standards office accused of failing to reflect quality of institutions

BANGKOK: -- After evaluating so many educational institutes in Thailand for a long time, the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) now faces a tough time from a recognised external assessment of its performance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773408-thai-education-reform-pressure-on-the-onesqa-after-negative-external-assessment/

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TAT rolls out campaign to boost domestic travel
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is rolling out its "12 Cities...You Can't Say No" campaign to boost domestic travel next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773409-tat-rolls-out-campaign-to-boost-domestic-travel/

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POLITICAL REFORM
Suriyasai calls for wider public say in reform process
Nawakhun Manthati
The Nation


Suriyasai

BANGKOK: -- A "fragile country" like Thailand needs the participation of all citizens working for national reform and significant change - and that was a major reason for the formation of the Thailand Reform Institution (TRI), its director Suriyasai Katasila said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773410-thai-politics-suriyasai-calls-for-wider-public-say-in-reform-process/

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Japanese firms very interested in key sectors here
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


Masayasu Hosumi: Thailand now ranks second for Japanese investment after China.

BANGKOK: -- Many Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises have shown a strong interest in doing business in Thailand, in particular in the service and industrial-support sector, according to the president of the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) office in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773411-japanese-firms-very-interested-in-doing-business-in-thailand/

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EDITORIAL
Let's 'share' respect for victims' privacy
The Nation

The advent of social media has made it harder to protect the privacy of victims of gruesome crimes and their families

BANGKOK: -- A public appeal has been made and, on the surface, nobody can disagree with it. The plea for the Thai media and all social media users to be more considerate towards the victims of accidents or heinous crimes and their families cannot be disputed if one wants to be politically correct. However, this issue goes way beyond political righteousness. We cannot just say it or preach it; we have to act on it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773412-thai-editorial-lets-share-respect-for-victims-privacy/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thai-China ties destined for new level of strategic significance
Kavi Chongkittavorn

BANGKOK: -- Left unattended by the major Western powers following the May 22 coup, Thailand and China have quickly strengthened their relations - especially in longstanding defence cooperation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773414-thai-china-ties-destined-for-new-level-of-strategic-significance/

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British Tourist reunited with money and passport at Pattaya Police Station



PATTAYA: -- Late on Saturday Night, a British Tourist, who was about to begin his first ever trip to Thailand, was reunited with a bag containing his money and passport, which he had left on the back seat of a Bangkok Airport Taxi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773416-british-tourist-reunited-with-money-and-passport-at-pattaya-police-station/

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"Rasta" Street Vendor caught selling drugs on Pattaya Beach



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday, a 41 year old street vendor was caught selling Marijuana during a Pattaya Police Undercover operation on Pattaya Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773417-rasta-street-vendor-caught-selling-drugs-on-pattaya-beach/

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9 year old seriously injured by firework at Central Pattaya campsite



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Night a 9 year old boy was rushed to Hospital suffering from serious injuries to his right hand caused by an exploding firework he purchased.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773418-9-year-old-seriously-injured-by-firework-at-central-pattaya-campsite/

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Bribe-taking investigation following a pub raid



BANGKOK: -- An investigation has been ordered by the national police chief, Pol Gen Somyos Poompanmuang, into alleged bribe taking by police from several units from a wellknown pub on Srinagarind road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773420-bangkok-bribe-taking-investigation-following-a-pub-raid/

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SOUTHERN INSURGENCY
3 gunned down in Songkhla
The Nation


Insurgents armed with M16 rifles fired into a group of villagers at a grocery shop in Tambon Thamuang, Songkhla

SONGKHLA: -- Three people were shot dead and seven wounded when four assailants armed with M16 rifles on two motorcycles fired into a grocery store in Songkhla's Thepa district on Saturday evening, police said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773421-3-gunned-down-in-songkhla/

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Guard finds suitcase with 'ice' worth Bt30 million
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A security guard at a factory in Ayutthaya found a suitcase with "ice" worth Bt30 million hidden in a thick bush near a road, police said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773422-ayutthaya-guard-finds-suitcase-with-ice-worth-bt30-million/

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2 dead and 10 injured after shooting at gambling den in Khon Kaen
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two gamblers were shot dead and at least 10 others wounded by a man who lost all of his money at a dice game in Khon Kaen early yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773423-2-dead-and-10-injured-after-shooting-at-gambling-den-in-khon-kaen/

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Canberra man reported missing in Thailand features in television series
Henry Belot

CANBERRA: -- The story of Canberra man who went missing in Southeast Asia earlier this year has been featured in promotions for a new television series documenting the work of Australian diplomats inside the Bangkok Embassy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773425-australian-man-reported-missing-in-thailand-features-in-television-series/

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UK: Man attacks 15-year-old poppy seller

An Army Cadet suffered burns in an unprovoked attack after selling poppies for Remembrance Day.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773426-uk-man-attacks-15-year-old-poppy-seller/

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Germany 'would accept UK exit from EU' to protect migration rules

(BBC) Chancellor Angela Merkel would rather see the UK exit from the European Union than compromise over the principle of free movement of workers, according to the German magazine Der Spiegel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773429-merkel-would-accept-uk-exit-from-eu/

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Transport Ministry mulls building separate depots for N, NE inter-provincial bus terminals to ease passenger overcrowding at Mor Chit 2 depot. /The Nation

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Let Australians live and work in Britain: London mayor Boris Johnson backs migration report
Nick Miller

SYDNEY: -- Australians would find it easier and cheaper to live and work in Britain under proposals in a new report backed by London mayor Boris Johnson.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773440-let-australians-live-and-work-in-britain-london-mayor-boris-johnson-backs-migration-report/

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Central Bank: Thai economy slowly recovering
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 3 -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) says that the Thai economy is picking up slowly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773452-central-bank-thai-economy-slowly-recovering/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,590.39 gains 6.23 points /MCOT

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Transport Ministry asks NCPO ban sky lanterns for safety
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 3 -- The Transport Ministry will ask the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to ban the release of sky lanterns that may jeopardize aviation and to increase the fine for violators to Bt100,000.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773455-thai-transport-ministry-asks-ncpo-ban-sky-lanterns-for-safety/

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Dan Singkhon border crossing upgrade under way
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 3 -- Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) has inspected the readiness along the country's Prachuap Khiri Khan province border with Myanmar and is considering upgrading the Dan Singkhon border crossing to permanent status.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773458-dan-singkhon-border-crossing-upgrade-under-way/

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Satellite-based teaching begins at small schools
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 3 - The Education Ministry is launching satellite-based teaching to about 15,000 small schools as the second school term of the academic year opens today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773459-satellite-based-teaching-begins-at-small-thai-schools/

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Thailand, Myanmar seal narcotics suppression pact
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 3 -- Thailand and Myanmar have reached an agreement on narcotics suppression in border areas, especially in the Golden Triangle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773462-thailand-myanmar-seal-narcotics-suppression-pact/

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China develops anti-drone laser
By Digital Content

BEIJING, Nov 3 (Xinhua) -- China has successfully tested a homemade laser defense system specially targeting small-scale drones flying at low attitude.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773471-china-develops-anti-drone-laser/

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Japanese man found hanged to death in Ekkamai restaurant
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A 37-year-old Japanese man was found dead inside an Ekkamai area restaurant Sunday, victim of apparent suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/773473-japanese-man-found-hanged-to-death-in-ekkamai-restaurant-in-bangkok/