Thailand Live Tuesday 18 Nov 2014

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World has 35.8 million slaves, report finds
By Euan McKirdy, CNN

(CNN) -- The second annual edition of the Walk Free Foundation's Global Slavery Index has found that globally, almost 36 million people are subject to modern slavery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777378-world-has-358-million-slaves-report-finds/

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PM wants 5 special border economic zones established before the end of 2014

BANGKOK, 18 November 2014 (NNT)-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wants the establishment of 5 special border economic zones in all parts of the country to be completed before the end of December.

General Prayut said after chairing a meeting of the Special Economic Zone Policy Committee that the meeting approved an initial budget of about 800-900 million baht for the project. The money would be spent on expansion of roads and development of land designated for the economic zones.

The Prime Minister said up to 50 billion baht would be needed to accomplish long-term development of the areas. He indicated however that he wanted processing factories for agricultural produces be established in those economic zones as soon as possible. Local investors would be encouraged to take part in the development of the zones.


-- NNT 2014-11-18

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UPDATE:

Bodies of nine soldiers pulled from chopper wreckage
Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

PHAYAO: -- Rescue workers have retrieved the bodies of nine soldiers -- including a senior regional commander -- after an army helicopter crash in northern Thailand, authorities said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777265-nine-army-officers-killed-in-helicopter-crash-in-phayao/page-2#entry8686822

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Interior Ministry encouraging Thais to make use of hyacinth

BANGKOK, 18 November 2014 (NNT)-The Ministry of Interior has instructed local administration offices to improve waterways as part of its creating smile and returning happiness campaign for Thais.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777379-interior-ministry-encouraging-thais-to-make-use-of-hyacinth/

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Swiss tourist's body washed ashore /Bangkok Post

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Swiss tourist's body washed ashore at Talay Ngam beach in Chumphon province 10 days after he went missing on Koh Tao's Sairee Beach /Bangkok Post

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Identification process underway for nine Army personnel killed in Phayao helicopter crash /MCOT

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Court approves arrest warrants for 2 Americans who allegedly stole body parts from Siriraj Hospital museum; suspects fled to Cambodia /MCOT

PM attends International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women activities; urges media to help stop violence /MCOT

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Simon Cumbers: BBC man's killer sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia

(BBC) A man who shot dead BBC cameraman Simon Cumbers in Saudi Arabia 10 years ago has been sentenced to death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777383-bbc-mans-killer-sentenced-to-death-in-saudi-arabia/

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Body of Missing Swiss Tourist Washed Ashore, Police Say
By Khaosod English

CHUMPHON — Thai police say they have found the body of the Swiss tourist who went missing in the Gulf of Thailand nearly two weeks ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777384-body-of-missing-swiss-tourist-washed-ashore-thai-police-say/

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BREAKING: Phuket Elephant stomps mahout to death
Eakkapop Thongtub


Watched by the elephant Por, once again chained, the mahout's body is taken away

PHUKET: A mahout was crushed to death this morning in Phuket by his elephant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777423-phuket-elephant-stomps-mahout-to-death/

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Vachira Hospital Phuket opens ebola lab
Nattha Thepbamrung


A technician demonstrates the new equipment installed at Vachira Hospital's new Designated Receiving Area

PHUKET: Vachira Hospital Phuket yesterday opened the region's first ebola testing lab and Designated Receiving Area (DRA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777424-vachira-hospital-phuket-opens-ebola-lab/

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'Four killed' in Jerusalem synagogue attack

JERUSALEM: -- At least four Israelis have been killed and seven injured in what police say was a "terrorist attack" at a Jerusalem synagogue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777425-four-killed-in-jerusalem-synagogue-attack/

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FBI probes into human parts case in Thailand

WASHINGTON: -- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigators are now trying to determine whether any laws were broken by two American tourists who the Thai police said tried to ship preserved human parts from Thailand to Las Vegas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777428-fbi-probes-into-human-parts-case-in-thailand/

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UPDATE:

Missing Swiss tourist body washed ashore in Chumphon beach

CHUMPHON: -- The body of Swiss tourist, Hanspeter Suter, 44, who went missing since November 8 from Koh Tao and believed drowned was found on shore in Lang Suan district of Chumphon this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777384-body-of-missing-swiss-tourist-washed-ashore-thai-police-say/#entry8687392

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Copter crash raises safety concern for remaining same aircraft



BANGKOK: -- The crash of the Bell 212 helicopter that killed nine Army officers yesterday in Phayao province has raised widespread concern in the social network of whether this model of rotorcraft is still safe as one of the victims posted a message on his Facebook just before airborne saying the aircraft was old.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777435-phayao-copter-crash-raises-safety-concern-for-remaining-same-aircraft/

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UPDATE:

STOLEN BODY PARTS
Americans previously in trouble at home for online movies


File photo : McPherson and Tanner

BANGKOK: -- Two Americans at the heart of attempted smuggling of body parts are notorious movie makers who had produced a series of online videos in which they paid homeless people to fight each other for money.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777428-fbi-probes-into-human-parts-case-in-thailand/#entry8687436

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70.1 per cent of foreign tourists unperturbed by martial law
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In an opinion survey undertaken by Bangkok University, 70. 1 per cent of foreign tourists said marital law did not affect their decision to choose to visit Thailand while the remaining 29.9 per cent said it did.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777437-701-per-cent-of-foreign-tourists-unperturbed-by-martial-law/

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UPDATE:

Investigation proceeding into army helicopter crash
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 18 -- Military authorities are collecting debris from the Bell 212 helicopter that crashed in Phayao province yesterday, even as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed his condolences for those who died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777265-nine-army-officers-killed-in-helicopter-crash-in-phayao/page-2#entry8687591

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Thailand to join International Nutrition Conference in Rome
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 18 -- Thai Minister of Public Health Dr Rajata Rajatanavin will attend the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) in Rome, Italy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777444-thailand-to-join-international-nutrition-conference-in-rome/

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Southern Separatist Banners Mock 'Happiness' Policy
By Khaosod Engkish


An EOD team looks for bombs near the banners.

NARATHIWAT — Police discovered four banners in Narathiwat province this morning that threaten to launch more attacks on Buddhist civilians and state officials in the insurgency-plagued region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777447-southern-separatist-banners-mock-happiness-policy/

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Falcons migrate from Siberia to Thailand to escape the cold weather

NAKHON NAYOK, 18 November 2014 (NNT) – Nakhon Nayok authorities have discovered an area where thousands of falcons have migrated from Siberia into the province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777448-falcons-migrate-from-siberia-to-thailand-to-escape-the-cold-weather/

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Cabinet approves inheritance tax bill

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday approved a bill seeking to collect 10-per-cent tax on inheritance that is execssive of Bt50 million.

The bill will be sent for the National Legislative Assembly for deliberation and it is expected the tax will take effect in about six months.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Cabinet-approves-inheritance-tax-bill-30248030.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-18

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Over 400,000 Thais 'enslaved'

An estimated 475,300 Thais are trapped in modern slavery, according to a survey.

BANGKOK: -- They are among some 35.8 million men, women and children around the world are today trapped in modern slavery, whether through human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, forced or servile marriage, or commercial sexual exploitation.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777450-over-400000-thais-enslaved/

Full story:

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Man arrested for wearing that shirt with those tattoos, among other things
By Coconuts Bangkok


ABOVE: Prapat “Bo” Roopsom appears in a police photo wearing a shirt that, while fashionably courageous, ultimately risks making his overall look a little “too busy.” Photo: Royal Thai Police

Are his harlequin eyes laughing or crying?

BANGKOK: -- When Prapat “Bo” Roopsom, 32, got magical tattoos protecting him from pretty much everything, he should have asked for the “protect my meth dealing from police” one.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777457-thai-man-arrested-for-wearing-that-shirt-with-those-tattoos-among-other-things/

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Foreign tourists consider Thailand safe destination
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 18 -- Some 70 per cent of foreign tourists queried said imposing martial law did not affect their decision to visit Thailand, while 86 per cent thought the country was safe for tourists, according to the poll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777437-701-per-cent-of-foreign-tourists-unperturbed-by-martial-law/#entry8687983

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Thailand to stay vigilant against bird flu through winter
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Nov 18 -- The Thai Ministry of Public Health has ordered all of its provincial offices to be cautious against all types of bird flu throughout the coming winter season, particularly in areas with history of infections and provinces along the border.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777463-thailand-to-stay-vigilant-against-bird-flu-through-winter/

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Royal Irrigation Dept. assures there is enough water for consumption

BANGKOK, 18 November 2014 (NNT) – The Royal Irrigation Department has said there is enough water for consumption and the ecosystem at present, after it has stopped supplying water to farmlands.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/777465-thai-irrigation-dept-assures-there-is-enough-water-for-consumption/

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NLA President welcomes Philippine ambassador to Thailand

BANGKOK, 18 November 2014 (NNT) – The Philippine ambassador to Thailand visited the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) President to strengthen closer ties between the two countries.

NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai welcomed Philippine ambassador to Thailand Her Excellency Mrs. Jocely S Batoon-Garcia. The ambassador delivered a note from a Philippine House of Representatives member His Excellency Mr. Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., congratulating Mr. Pornpetch for his newly appointed title as the NLA President.

Mr. Pornpetch expressed his gratitude for the visit and affirmed the ambassador that the NLA is working for the benefit of the Thai people. Therefore, he hopes the Philippine government would understand Thailand’s current situation as the country is pushing for a sustainable democracy.

Furthermore, the NLA President highlighted Thailand’s setting up of a Thai-Philippine fellowship association to enhance bilateral ties between the two nations in preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.


-- NNT 2014-11-18

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