Thailand Live Wednesday 17 Dec 2014

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Labour Ministry to conduct customer satisfaction survey of Social Insurance system

BANGKOK, 17 December 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Labour has plans to carry out a comprehensive survey of the insured persons’ satisfaction over the Social Insurance Service and the Compensation Fund.

Mr. Noppadon Kannika, Advisor to the Labour Minister said that the survey is to begin this month with a survey result to be concluded in January 2015. It is aimed at collecting data for the reform of the national social insurance programs.

The survey will cover performances in five dimensions of the programs namely medical treatment, services, benefits, the image of the Social Security Office (SSO) and the efficiency of the SSO and its affiliated institutes.

A total of 1,000 sampling units will be randomly taken for each dimension from the 12 million insured persons including those registered for Article 33, 39 and 40. Data from the E-petition system on the SSO website will also be used in the survey.

Final results of the survey are to be presented to the committee working on Social Insurance and Compensation Fund Reform for their information. The data are expected to help them improve the programs' efficiency. After five to six months, another customer satisfaction survey will be conducted to ensure the efficiency of government hospitals.


-- NNT 2014-12-17

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'Push for Life' Button Program officially launched at Central World

BANGKOK, 17 December 2014 (NNT) – The first “Push for Life” Button has been installed at the Central World shopping complex and put to work today in a ceremony presided over by Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Ruangsak Jarit-ek.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784689-push-for-life-button-program-officially-launched-at-central-world/

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UPDATE:

Prayut promises fair trial for people who break security laws
The Nation


Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha holds a press conference after the meeting between the National Council for Peace and Order and the Cabinet at Government House yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also oversees the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has instructed relevant security agencies to use appropriate channels to prosecute people who violate the security law, junta spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784641-government-wants-lese-majeste-offenders-to-be-sent-home-to-face-justice/page-4#entry8813007

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UPDATE:

HIV network, govt offer to help end row
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

Residents of Chon Buri community say charity is driving tenants away

BANGKOK: -- THE THAI NETWORK of People Living with HIV/Aids (TNP+) - and a state health agency - say they are ready to try to resolve a conflict between a Chon Buri community and a charity organisation over a shelter for people with HIV.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784571-thai-village-evicts-48-hiv-patients/page-4?p=8813016#entry8813016

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Crime 'drains a trillion dollars a year from developing states'
The Nation

Thailand has featured prominently in two top-10 rankings of countries with staggering illicit capital outflows.

BANGKOK: -- One 2012 study involved 24 other countries that saw a record US$991.2 billion lost to crime, corruption and tax evasion. The other showed $6.6 trillion stolen from 25 countries in the developing world from 2003-12, according to Washington-based Global Financial Integrity (GFI).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784690-crime-drains-a-trillion-dollars-a-year-from-developing-states/

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NRC ponders free medical care and art funding
Nitipol Kiravanich
The Nation

Many people unable to access services under old charter, member says

BANGKOK: -- THE National Reform Council (NRC) spent a second day yesterday scrutinising proposals for the new constitution - from wider access to free medical care and social services, funding for art and cultural organisations, and issues concerning religion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784691-thai-nrc-ponders-free-medical-care-and-art-funding/

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DIGITAL ECONOMY
Nod to 'digital economy' draft
The Nation


Sommai Phasee

BANGKOK: -- THE CABINET yesterday approved a draft law setting up a national digital economy committee, and another for restructuring the Information and Communications Technology Ministry, as proposed by the ministry itself, said PM's Office spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784692-thai-cabinet-approves-digital-economy-draft-law/

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INVESTMENT
Thai hospitality sector draws attention of Mid-East investors
Suchat Sritama
The Nation
Dubai

BANGKOK: -- Investors from the Middle East are eyeing the hospitality sector in Thailand, and low-cost airlines and hotels in particular, in light of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) coming into effect next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784693-thai-hospitality-sector-draws-attention-of-mid-east-investors/

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Dept watching 30-40 suspicious companies
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Business Development Department will strictly inspect 30-40 companies that are at high risk of operating illegally, as they have high initial registered capital but show no business activity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784694-thai-business-development-dept-watching-30-40-suspicious-companies/

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SET slump won't last, BOT insists
Erich Parpart,
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation, Agencies


Prasarn Trairatvorakul

BANGKOK: -- Declining Global oil prices are the main factor for the decline of Thailand's and many other Asian stock markets over the past two days, but authorities insist this was only a temporary reaction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784695-set-slump-wont-last-bot-insists/

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EDITORIAL
Curtain up on cutthroat digital TV scene
The Nation

After a rough start, the stage is set for a new broadcasting platform in 2015

BANGKOK: -- After trials and errors, the coming year will see Thailand switch completely to digital broadcasting. There has been much talk about the quality and quantity that digital television will bring, but the underlying fact is that the birth of the platform marks the end of the monopoly-and-concession era. In 2015 Thailand's broadcasting industry will be a whole new ball game.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784696-thai-editorial-curtain-up-on-cutthroat-digital-tv-scene/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Mr "Now You See Me" dominates 2014
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- He's slippery and elusive, but he doesn't live in Dubai, in case you wondered. He's different things to different people. Politicians, the military, the media and social media activists all proclaim to be on his side but he more or less mocks them all.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784697-thai-opinion-mr-now-you-see-me-dominates-2014/

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Russian found dead in Central Pattaya Hotel Room



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday Morning Police and medics were called to a Hotel in Central Pattaya to investigate the death of a 45 year old Russian man inside his Hotel Room.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784699-russian-found-dead-in-central-pattaya-hotel-room/

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Korean falls to his death from high-rise condominium in Sriracha



SRIRACHA: -- Police and medics were called to a hi-rise condominium in Sriracha District on Tuesday Night to deal with a 45 year old Korean who had fallen from the 18th floor to his death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784700-korean-falls-to-his-death-from-high-rise-condominium-in-sriracha/

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Social Media fraudster arrested by Police in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 22 year old Ladyboy was arrested by Nongprue Police on Tuesday Night accused of fraudulently obtaining money online from people who thought the Ladyboy was a female model.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784701-social-media-fraudster-arrested-by-police-in-east-pattaya/

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Woman injured in drink-related accident in North Pattaya Motel Room



PATTAYA: -- Rescue Workers were called to a North Pattaya Motel in the early hours of Tuesday to assist a woman who was heavily intoxicated and apparently slipped over onto a glass table and injured herself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784702-woman-injured-in-drink-related-accident-in-north-pattaya-motel-room/

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Frenchman 'sold chopped Phuket motorbike over Facebook'
Suthicha Sirirat


Alfano (yellow shirt, with police and the parts of the stolen bike he allegedly dumped.

PHUKET: -- A Frenchman who allegedly stole a motorbike, disassembled it and then built a new bike from the parts and those of another bike – and sold the “new” bike over Facebook – was arrested at 9am this morning (December 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784703-frenchman-sold-chopped-phuket-motorbike-over-facebook/

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Phuket Gov aims for fewer casualties in 7 Days of Danger
Nattapat Tuarob


Law-abiding tourists wear the life jackets. Those who don't risk a B500 fine.

PHUKET: -- Governor Nisit Jansomwong has set a target of reduced accidents and deaths on Phuket’s roads and seaways during the annual Seven Days of Danger around the New Year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784704-phuket-gov-aims-for-fewer-casualties-in-7-days-of-danger/

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RTP Spokesman: Tourists DO NOT Need To Carry Passports
Published by Stickboy BKK


Image via police.go.th

BANGKOK: -- Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, has said tourists DO NOT need to carry passports at all times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784706-thai-police-spokesman-tourists-do-not-need-to-carry-passports/

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NCPO presents consumer protection policy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order yesterday presented its comprehensive policy to protect consumers' rights and help out low-income earners, including a much-desired control of electric and water bills freely charged by owners on top of official rates against renters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784708-ncpo-presents-consumer-protection-policy/

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Differing opinions force NRC panel spokesman
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRASARN MARUKPITAK, spokesman for the National Reform Council panel on political reform, announced yesterday that he was step?ping down ahead of the NRC debate on political reform scheduled for today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784712-differing-opinions-force-nrc-panel-spokesman/

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NLA amends Article 277 to punish rapists



BANGKOK: -- Anyone who is less than 18 years old and who raped a minor aged 13-15 with his/her consent will be liable to punishment even if both are allowed to get married by the court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784714-thailands-nla-amends-article-277-to-punish-rapists/

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Sydney gunman was 'wanted in Iran'

(BBC) Iran says it requested 14 years ago the extradition of Man Haron Monis - the gunman behind the Sydney siege - but Australia refused to hand him over.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784715-sydney-gunman-was-wanted-in-iran/

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Methane 'belches' detected on Mars
By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News, San Francisco

(BBC) Nasa's Curiosity rover has detected methane on Mars - a gas that could hint at past or present life on the planet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784716-methane-belches-detected-on-mars/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Here are the top 10 most popular searches on Google in 2014

From Malaysia Airlines to ISIS and Ebola to Flappy Bird, Google has released its list of what you searched for most this year.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/top-10-popular-searches-google-2014/

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Teen plunges from overpass, possibly hit by car, survives
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A 15-year-old plunges from an overpass and into oncoming traffic, in a video posted yesterday of the nightmare incident. Despite appearing impossible to survive, don’t worry it’s not a snuff video: he survived the insane fall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784729-ratchaburi-teen-plunges-from-overpass-possibly-hit-by-car-survives/

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Army chief says Pakistan school raid killing at least 141 persons not linked to Thailand, but authorities are not negligent /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,464.64, gains 2.90 points /MCOT

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Bus crash in Surat Thani province injures 21 people, three seriously

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784740-bus-crash-in-surat-thani-province-injures-21-people-three-seriously/

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Thai food export this year to reach a trillion baht



BANGKOK: -- Thai food exports are expected to hit one trillion baht level by the end of the year, Phetchara Chinnabut, director of the National Food Institute (NFI), said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784742-thai-food-export-this-year-to-reach-a-trillion-baht/