Thailand Live Monday 15 Dec 2014

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Academics warn of impact of dwindling workforce on economic growth

BANGKOK, 15 Dec 2014 (NNT) - The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has revealed a concerning finding that Thailand may face a shortage of people at work in the near future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784199-thai-academics-warn-of-impact-of-dwindling-workforce-on-economic-growth/

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President Obama briefed as world reacts dramatic hostage situation in Sydney’s Martin Place

SYDNEY: -- THE US President and global leaders have been briefed on the hostage situation unfolding in Sydney’s Martin Place, as the dramatic siege makes headlines around the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784164-sydney-siege-gunman-takes-hostages-in-lindt-cafe/page-3#entry8804520

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Bangkok Airways to add 4 more int'l carriers to its extensive code-sharing partnership network. /The Nation

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Chinese tourists wounded in bus crash in Phang Nga

PHANG NGA: -- Seven Chinese tourists and three Thais were injured when a tour bus they were tiding in skidded off the road and flipped over in the southern province of Phang Nga Sunday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784155-five-chinese-tourists-severely-injured-in-phang-nga-bus-accident/#entry8804557

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Australian Police Calls Sydney Cafe Siege Armed Attack, Not Terrorist Act

Australian police announced that a single armed man took an unknown number of people hostage at a Sydney cafe in an incident that is not yet classified as a terrorist act

MOSCOW, December 15 (Sputnik) — A single armed man took an unknown number of people hostage at a Sydney cafe in an incident that is not yet classified as a terrorist act, Australian police told reporters Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784164-sydney-siege-gunman-takes-hostages-in-lindt-cafe/page-3#entry8804588

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Bangkok's bus fleet procurement: why Scania, Volvo opt out


Scania has demonstrated its ED95 bus on the streets of Bangkok in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade the BMTA to switch to more environmentally-friendly and sustainable ethanol-fueled vehicles. Photo: King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.

BANGKOK: -- The deadline for the submission of tenders to supply Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) with a new fleet of 3,183 buses, was finally scheduled for January 2015. Conspicuously absent from the race to secure the orders worth about THB28.9 billion to deliver natural gas-fueled public transport vehicles will be two major Swedish bus manufacturers, Scania and Volvo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784210-bangkoks-bus-fleet-procurement-why-scania-volvo-opt-out/

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NRC opinion center officially opens

BANGKOK, 15 December 2014 (NNT)-The Secretariat of the House of Representatives has officially launched the National Reform Council (NRC) Opinion Center, where people can voice their views about the national reform and the Thai constitution.

People can contact the call center at 1743 to voice their opinions or send them by fax at 02-244-1881 on weekdays from 08.30 – 16.30 hrs. They can also mail them to 999 House of Representatives Bangkok 10305 or via an email at [email protected].

Social media enthusiasts can also post their comments on the NRC Facebook or by adding a LINE account ‘nrc57public’. They are encouraged to visit www.parliament.go.th/publicopinion for more information.


-- NNT 2014-12-15

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China to punish noodle water-throwing tourists gone wild
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Weibo

BANGKOK: -- Two tourists who lost their shit because they couldn’t sit together on a flight got off easy after forcing their plane to return to Don Mueang, but Chinese authorities say they’re in for a world of hurt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784212-china-to-punish-noodle-water-throwing-tourists-gone-wild/

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Labor Ministry to spearhead human trafficking eradication

BANGKOK, 15 December 2014 (NNT)- The US has advised Thailand on how to prevent human trafficking and child labor, says Advisor to the Labor Minister Noppadon Kannikar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784213-labor-ministry-to-spearhead-human-trafficking-eradication/

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ISOC increases security during New Year celebrations in Deep South

PATTANI, 15 December 2014 (NNT) - The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) is getting ready to keep insurgency at bay in the Deep South during the New Year celebrations.

ISOC Deputy Director Major-General Noppawong Suravichai has instructed every unit involved in maintaining peace to be ready to safeguard the areas before and after the period of New Year celebrations.

Security will be enforced and thoroughly implemented in important areas to prevent infiltration by a third party. Their forces will be ready to respond to any emergency situation.

Meanwhile, the 4th Army Region Commander Lieutenant General Prakarn Cholayut said he would take every effort to bring peace back to the southernmost region.

He believed the situation would improve quickly as his policy underlines restoring the unity and law enforcement, instead of predominantly relying on using forces against suspects.


-- NNT 2014-12-15

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DLT: Taxis that do not pass inspection are not eligible for using new fare



BANGKOK, 15 Dec 2014, (NNT) – The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has stressed taxis that do not pass a quality inspection are not eligible for using the newly adjusted fare.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784215-dlt-taxis-that-do-not-pass-inspection-are-not-eligible-for-using-new-fare/

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Australian police are negotiating w/ Islamic terrorists who are holding about 20 people in a cafe in Sydney. /The Nation

Customs officials seized untaxed liquor worth Bt4 mn from a truck belonging to the army in Hat Yai. /The Nation

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Top 50 Billionaire Brands List 2014 revealed by Euromonitor
By Digital Content

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The top 50 Billionaire Brands list for packaged food in 2014 revealed that the long standing top players such as Danone, Campbell's and Barilla are starting to loose shares.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784219-top-50-billionaire-brands-list-2014-revealed-by-euromonitor/

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Thai consular office in Sydney closed following hostage situation

SYDNEY: -- The Thai consular office in Sydney suspended its service Monday at the request of the Australian government following the hostage situation in the heart of the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784164-sydney-siege-gunman-takes-hostages-in-lindt-cafe/page-4?p=8804821#entry8804821

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NRC subcommittee on electricity suggests switching to TOU electricity meters

BANGKOK: -- The National Reform Council (NRC) subcommittee on electricity reform has proposed that the public switch to using Time of Usage (TOU) meters in order to reduce utility costs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784223-thai-nrc-subcommittee-on-electricity-suggests-switching-to-tou-electricity-meters/

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'Maeya Mania' falls short on Miss World's international stage
By Coconuts Bangkok



LONDON: -- Thai hope to win worldwide acclaim that our women are the most beautiful fell short last night as Maeya failed to lost the international beauty contest that Thais very much looked forward to.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784224-maeya-mania-falls-short-on-miss-worlds-international-stage/

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Three hostages run out of Sydney siege cafe: police
Agence France-Presse
SYDNEY

SYDNEY: -- Three people ran out of a Sydney cafe where a gunman has taken hostages and displayed an Islamic flag against the window, police said Monday, adding that no one has yet been harmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784164-sydney-siege-gunman-takes-hostages-in-lindt-cafe/page-4?p=8804900#entry8804900

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Chinese who attacked plane crew 'barbarians': state media

Beijing, China | AFP |

BEIJING: -- Chinese state-run media branded four unruly air passengers "barbarians" Monday after they scalded an air hostess and threatened to blow up a plane, in the latest embarrassment by the country's travellers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784212-china-to-punish-noodle-water-throwing-tourists-gone-wild/#entry8805179

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Declining global oil prices will not affect next petroleum concession

BANGKOK, 15 December 2014 (NNT)-The Ministry of Energy is confident the declining global oil prices will not affect the 21st petroleum concession.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784254-thailand-declining-global-oil-prices-will-not-affect-next-petroleum-concession/

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Five hostages run out of Sydney siege cafe

SYDNEY (AFP) - Five people ran out of a Sydney cafe where a gunman has taken hostages and displayed an Islamic flag against the window, witnesses and police said Monday, adding that no one has yet been harmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784164-sydney-siege-gunman-takes-hostages-in-lindt-cafe/page-5?p=8805230#entry8805230

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PM confident Sydney hostage incident has 'no links to Thailand's security'

BANGKOK, 15 December 2014 (NNT) – The Thai Prime Minister has confirmed the hostage incident in Sydney has no effect on Thailand’s security as Thailand is not in direct conflicts with any countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784255-pm-confident-sydney-hostage-incident-has-no-links-to-thailands-security/

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SYDNEY HOSTAGE
Thai Consul suspends services following Sydney siege

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Consulate General in Sydney has suspended services at the recommendation of Australian government following the taking hostage of a number of hostages Monday morning inside a central Sydney cafe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784255-pm-confident-sydney-hostage-incident-has-no-links-to-thailands-security/#entry8805362

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Volvo Group opens new headquarter in Bangkok


Photo: Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The new Thai-headquarter is the latest sign of Volvo Group’s multibillion baht investments in Thailand. The opening was visited by the Thai Minister of Transport and the Swedish Ambassador to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784257-volvo-group-opens-new-headquarter-in-bangkok/

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Thai PM opens ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting

BANGKOK, 15 December 2014 (NNT) – The Prime Minister of Thailand has stated the key principles in dealing with the Ebola outbreak is to be ‘alerted but not panicked’ at the ASEAN Health Ministers’ Special Meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784258-thai-pm-opens-asean-health-ministers-meeting/

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Kamnan and village headmen protest local administration reform



BANGKOK: -- Thousands of kamnan and village headmen in the South, the North, the Northeast rallied in front of city town halls to protest the proposed local administration reform that will see provincial governors coming from election, and positions of chief district officers relinquished.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784260-kamnan-and-village-headmen-protest-local-administration-reform/

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After 18 years, executed Mongolian man found not guilty
News Desk
China Daily

(ANN) A man who was executed in 1996 for raping and murdering a woman in a public toilet in Hohhot on April 9, 1996, has been found not guilty by Inner Mongolia Higher People's Court, according to CCTV.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784262-after-18-years-executed-mongolian-man-found-not-guilty/

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Two years on, still no sign of Laos' activist Sombath

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Rights groups on Monday urged Southeast Asian nations to turn up the pressure on Laos over the disappearance of prominent activist Sombath Somphone who vanished from the streets of Vientiane two years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784266-two-years-on-still-no-sign-of-laos-activist-sombath/

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SET plunges to 6-month low
The Nation, AFP



BANGKOK: -- Thai shares plummeted by more than 3 per cent on Monday, in line with regional movements as oil remained near five-year lows.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784271-set-plunges-to-6-month-low/

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Parade for same-sex marriage - Supporters for Equality
By Watsamon Tri-yasakda



BANGKOK: -- Ten couples and hundreds of supporters staged a “marriage parade” recently in traditional Thai style to call for marriage equality in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784273-parade-for-same-sex-marriage-supporters-for-equality/

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Medical experts from 13 countries in Bangkok to discuss Ebola
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 15 -- Some 50 medical experts from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and South Korea gathered in Bangkok yesterday and today to draft an effective policy to fight the deadly Ebola disease in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784258-thai-pm-opens-asean-health-ministers-meeting/#entry8805621