Thailand Live Tuesday 6 Jan 2015

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400,000 tourists visited Chiang Mai in just 5 days of New Year Season

CHIANG MAI, 6 January 2015 (NNT) – As many as 400,000 tourists arrived in Chiang Mai during the five 'peak' days of the New Year's holiday period, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Wisut Buachum, director of the TAT's Chiang Mai office, said hotel rooms in the province were 95% full during the New Year's holiday. A portion of tourists had stayed at homes of friends or relatives, yet another portion camped out in tents inside national parks and other tourism sites. An estimated circulation of 1.4 billion baht is expected to have originated from the 400,000 visitors who chose to spend their New Year's holiday in Chiang Mai.

Mr. Wisut added that the current period is the best time to visit Chiang Mai because of the cool weather and the plethora of tourism-promoting activities. The next major attraction will be the Chiang Mai Flower Festival during February 6-8.


-- NNT 2015-01-06

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Chiang Mai authorities to curb sky lantern release after airliner grounded

CHIANG MAI, 6 January 2015 (NNT) – Authorities in Chiang Mai are set to meet on Friday to deliberate measures to curb the release of sky lanterns after as many as 206 landed inside Chiang Mai Airport during the night of New Year's Eve and the following morning. Some of the lanterns were also found inside the jet engine of an airliner at the airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789487-chiang-mai-authorities-to-curb-sky-lantern-release-after-airliner-grounded/

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South Korea keen to invest in dual-track project



BANGKOK: -- South Korea is keen to invest in Thailand’s infrastructure projects especially the 1.435-meter standard gauge dual-track railway construction, according to Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789509-south-korea-keen-to-invest-in-thailands-dual-track-project/

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Asean Open Skies set to go ahead despite year of disasters in 2014: Indonesia



JAKARTA: -- The recent crash of Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 in the Java Sea will not deter Indonesia’s aviation industry from embracing the opportunities offered by the Asean Open Skies policy, a scheme to liberalize the regional aviation market that came into effect on Jan. 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789515-asean-open-skies-set-to-go-ahead-despite-year-of-disasters-in-2014-indonesia/

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Son arrested in NYC hedge fund founder shooting
COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A 30-year-old man shot his hedge fund founder father to death inside his Manhattan apartment after the two argued over the son's allowance, police said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789517-son-arrested-in-nyc-hedge-fund-founder-shooting/

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No sign of E.coli outbreak in Malaysia, says Health Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Health Department director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there’s no sign of an E.coli outbreak in any states affected by floods so far, after news broke that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had been infected by the bacteria earlier Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789519-no-sign-of-ecoli-outbreak-in-malaysia-says-health-ministry/

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Lucky escape for French driver in burning Phuket car: VIDEO
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A French resident of Phuket escaped without a scratch yesterday (January 5) after the car he was driving burst into flames on Patong Hill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789520-lucky-escape-for-french-driver-in-burning-phuket-car-video/

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


In a file photo from 2013, Swedish Ambassador to Thailand Klas Molin (the tallest person) took part in the opening ceremony of the project "Ethanol ED95 Public Bus Line" at King Monkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT). Photo by Pichai Tinsuntisook

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 were two major Swedish bus manufacturers, Scania and Volvo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789521-bangkoks-new-bus-fleet-saga-why-scania-volvo-opt-out/

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US oil prices slipped below U$50/bbl for 1st time in over 5 years on news of record supplies from Iraq, Russia, surging U$ boost fears of global glut /The Nation

Transport Ministry mulls handing of entire Green Line train project to Bangkok Metropolitan Admin. /The Nation

Domestic inflation rate fell to 5-yr low in Dec. at 0.60%; rate for entire 2014 at 1.89%, according to Commerce Ministry /The Nation

Thailand will ask NZ about the progress of an inquiry into the status of Ekaphop Luera, or Tang Acheewa, a red-shirt suspect wanted on lese majeste charges. /Bangkok Post

Govt budget deficit likely for fiscal 2016, as the state needs to invest more in several development projects, Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said. /The Nation

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'Sonic the Elephant' goes on rampage, chases Trat villagers
By Coconuts Bangkok



TRAT: -- A wild elephant villagers refer to as “Sonic the Elephant” went on a rampage yesterday morning at Baan Ta Plai village of Trat province after villagers rudely put an end to him enjoying some downtime in a nearby canal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789524-sonic-the-elephant-goes-on-rampage-chases-trat-villagers/

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Ready to eat meal price surges due to the rise in ingredients

BANGKOK, 6 Jan 2015 (NNT) - Inspector General of the Ministry of Commerce Somkiat Trirattanapan revealed that prices of ready-to-eat meals are on the rise, while predicting this year’s inflation rate would be in the range of 1.8 - 2.5%.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789526-ready-to-eat-meal-price-surges-in-thailand-due-to-the-rise-in-ingredients/

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Late Night Fire At The 3Howw Hostel On Asoke
Published by Stickboy BKK



BANGKOK: -- Just after midnight on Monday morning a fire broke out in the seven floor 3Howw Hostel on Sukhumvit 21 soi 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789527-late-night-fire-at-the-3howw-hostel-on-asoke/

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UPDATE:

Tanks to roll in for Children's Day
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Army officials have moved to calm any fears people might have when they see a wide range of armaments roll into Bangkok on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789442-thai-army-dont-fear-night-troop-movements/page-2#entry8899986

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Mixed results in Phuket's Seven Days of Danger
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Mixed results. Phuket News graphic

PHUKET: -- The report card for the island during the annual Seven Days of Danger is mixed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789529-mixed-results-in-phukets-seven-days-of-danger/

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California governor sworn in for record fourth term
JUDY LIN, Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — Democrat Jerry Brown made history Monday when he was sworn in for his fourth term as the governor of California.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789530-us-california-governor-jerry-brown-sworn-in-for-record-fourth-term/

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Thai-Cambodian border trade exceeds expectation

SURIN, 6 January 2015 (NNT)-Trade over the Thai-Cambodian border in Surin province exceeded 133 million baht in November last year.

Surin Governor Thatchai Sisuwan said the border market, known as Chong Jom, has been doing well after its opening hours were extended to 22.00 hrs last year.

The longer period has resulted in a trade surplus of 99 million baht in the month mentioned. Out of the total trade value in November, 116 million baht came from exports. It was higher than October by 1.03%.

However, the import volume decreased by 20% to 17 million baht worth during the same period. The exports of commodities in almost all categories increased particularly gas, beer and fruit juice respectively.


-- NNT 2015-01-06

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Mekong water level recedes

CHIANG RAI - 6 Jan 2015 (NNT) - Mekong water level has reportedly receded after China reduced the volume of water released from Chiang Rung Dam from 1,400 cubic meters/sec daily to 1,200 - 1,000 cubic meter/sec daily.

Chiang Rai Marine Office authorities said that the changes were visible since January 1st, adding the depth of water at Chiang Saen Pier has recently reduced to 2.59 meters from the earlier 3 meters.

The Marine Office said it would contact the Joint Committee on Coordination of Commercial Navigation on the Lancang-Mekong River for the official words from China on latter’s policy and measures on the matter.

Nonetheless, one of the local travel agencies has revealed that the Marine Office in Guanlei, Chana issued travel warning on Mekong River as it would reduce the volume of water released from Chiang Rung Dam from January 1st onward to the current level. The Chinese officials would maintain the rate until further notice, said the travel agency.


-- NNT 2015-01-06

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Pornchanok, husband deny murdering Japanese teacher

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The couple accused of murdering a 79-year-old Japanese man before dismembering and dumping his body in a canal in September last year pleaded not guilty in their first appearance at their trial yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789535-pornchanok-husband-deny-murdering-japanese-teacher/

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Don't Oppose the Junta, Thaksin Instructs Redshirts

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — The de facto leader of the Redshirt movement Thakskin Shinawatra has reportedly advised his supporters to refrain from interfering with the missions of the military junta that seized power from the Redshirt-allied government last year.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789542-dont-oppose-the-junta-thaksin-instructs-redshirts/

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A total of 341 people were killed, 3,117 injured from 2,997 road accidents nationwide during the New Year from Dec 30-Jan 5 /Bangkok Post

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Princess Maha Chakri is paying a two-day visit to the Northeast

BANGKOK, 6 January 2015 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is paying a visit to the northeastern region of Thailand during 5-6 January 2015. Her itinerary includes Yasothon, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.

The Princess yesterday (5 Jan) proceeded from the reception house of Sirindhorn Dam in Ubon Ratchathani to two Border Patrol Police schools to observe royal projects aimed at improving the quality of education and children. Her Royal Highness’s first stop was Ban Si Sawat Border Patrol Police School in Loeng Nok Tha District, Yasothon. The school was built 32 years ago by the Border Patrol Police to help children who otherwise had to go to another school located farther away. Moreover, Ban Si Sawat village was previously in a terrorist-infiltrated zone. The school currently provides kindergarten and primary education to 86 children.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn found the school was progressing well with children having higher-than-standard educational records in the subjects of science and arts. The school has adopted eight royal projects for implementation including agricultural development for school lunch, vocational training and cooperatives development. The students have learned how to cook, develop plantations of kitchen vegetables, and making food preservation, all of which they can apply in real life.

The school was awarded last year as the first runner-up in the school cooperatives competition and won a commendation prize for its efforts to promote students’ savings. The competition was organized by the Cooperatives Group of Yasothon.

Her Royal Highness then continued her trip to Ban Nong Yai Border Patrol Police School in Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket. The school was opened in 1995 to provide education in the kindergarten to primary levels. It currently has 72 students and has met a success in its teaching method as its Prathom Sueksa III students have earned high marks in the Ordinary National Education Test (O-net) in Thai, English and mathematic subjects.

Under the royal guidance, the school has sent its teaching staff for additional training in all subjects at a nearby university. It provides a weekly course in Cambodian language to students with the help of local scholars, to promote their contacts with people in neighboring Cambodia which shares the border with the province.

In the field of vocational training, students are trained in producing household utensils from natural materials available in the province such as making carpets from rubber seeds. They also learn accountancy, recording receipts and expenditure of their households. The school was awarded as a Model School for ‘wisdoms in cooperatives promotion’. It also succeeded in developing itself as a learning center of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in which children are taught to grow kitchen vegetables, and raise fish in school ponds as well as other farm animals. Surplus of the produce is sold to the market to raise fund for the School Lunch program.

The school won several prizes in 2013 such as the Outstanding School Lunch Management award, a health promotion school award, and the school with best lunch menu award. After a tour of the school, Her Royal Highness observed the work of the mobile medical team that accompanied the Princess on this trip and had conversations with villagers who turned up in full force to greet the Princess.

Her Royal Highness also presided over the opening of a multi-purpose building built with public donations for use as an indoor stadium and for other purposes. On this occasion, a number of Cambodian Kampong Chheuteal College students who are receiving educational grants from the Princess also put on display their activities to help Thai communities while studying in Thailand. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn founded กำปงเฌอเตียล College in 2002, and has been sending a number of Thai teachers to help teach at the college. The Princess provides 30 educational grants to Cambodian students each year to further their education at Thai universities. So far more than 200 Cambodian children have benefited from the grants.


-- NNT 2015-01-06

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NRC confident solar roof system will benefit Thais



BANGKOK, 6 January 2015 (NNT) - The National Reform Council (NRC) committee on energy reform is confident that the newly-approved solar roof system will benefit the people and the nation as a whole, while looking to get a cabinet approval on the proposal within this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789545-nrc-confident-solar-roof-system-will-benefit-thais/

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Alongkorn: Too soon to decide how NRC's suggestions will be included in new charter

BANGKOK, 6 January 2014 (NNT) - A member of the National Reform Council (NRC) said it is too early to tell how suggestions and opinions of the NRC will be incorporated into the new constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789548-alongkorn-too-soon-to-decide-how-nrcs-suggestions-will-be-included-in-new-charter/

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Buriram pawnshop business bustling after New Year celebrations



BURIRAM: -- Pawnshop business is doing well now in Buriram when a large number of people were seen pawning their things after the New Year festival yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789551-buriram-pawnshop-business-bustling-after-new-year-celebrations/

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UPDATE:

Criminologist doubts suicide theory of a tourist



BANGKOK: -- A criminologist has voiced his support for calls by media and relatives of a victim of suspected suicide by the police and forensic experts to look for more evidences to determine the exact cause of the death the victim.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789218-french-man-found-dead-in-koh-tao-incident-being-treated-as-suicide-not-homicide/page-7?p=8900725#entry8900725

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Chiang Mai netizens want NACC to take action against their mayor over fake snow



CHIANG MAI: -- A complaint was lodged with the Chiang Mai’s office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission today by a group of netizens demanding legal action to be taken against the mayor of Chiang Mai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789555-chiang-mai-netizens-want-nacc-to-take-action-against-their-mayor-over-fake-snow/

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'Seven dangerous' New Year holidays see 341 killed, 3117 injured

BANGKOK: -- The so-called seven dangerous New Year holidays that ended on Monday saw 2,997 road accidents happened, resulting in 341 deaths and 3,117 injuries, the Road Safety Center announced Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789556-seven-dangerous-new-year-holidays-see-341-killed-3117-injured/

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Thailand Asks New Zealand To Clarify Status of Thai Exiles
By Khaosod English


Ekapop Luara (L) and his alleged New Zealand passport. [Photo posted on Ekapop's Facebook account]

BANGKOK — Thailand's military government has asked New Zealand authorities to confirm whether a 23-year-old Thai charged with lese majeste has been granted asylum there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789557-thailand-asks-new-zealand-to-clarify-status-of-thai-exiles/

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UPDATE:

Floating sky lanterns need to be controlled seriously



BANGKOK: -- An independent academic in Southeast Asian Study called on concerned government agencies to educate business operators and tourists about the danger of floating the sky lanterns and to have a law to control it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789487-chiang-mai-authorities-to-curb-sky-lantern-release-after-airliner-grounded/

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Sign inside taxi explains why he won’t use meter
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A taxi passenger found out that even though people are handed tickets at the airport before they get into a taxi, some drivers still insist on charging a ridiculous fare.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/789559-bangkok-sign-inside-taxi-explains-why-he-wont-use-meter/