Thailand Live Thursday 8 Jan 2015

[webfact]

Obama issues 2nd veto threat in 2 days
DAVID ESPO, Associated Press
NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House issued its second veto threat in as many days Wednesday against top-priority legislation of the new, Republican-controlled Congress.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790178-obama-issues-2nd-veto-threat-in-2-days/

[webfact]

Manhunt launched for rapist-murderer in Nakhon Phanom

NAKHON PHANOM: -- Police in Nakhon Phanom’s Pla Park district have launched a manhunt for a rapist-murderer who raped and killed a nine-year old girl on January 3.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790179-manhunt-launched-for-rapist-murderer-in-nakhon-phanom/

[webfact]

Relatives won't doubt French’s death in Koh Tao



SURAT THANI: -- Relatives of a French tourist who hanged himself did not doubt the nature of his death, Surat Thani police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790181-police-relatives-do-not-doubt-suicide-theory-of-french-tourist-on-koh-tao/

[webfact]

Worst ever sea water invasion threatens orchid farms in Sam Pran district



BANGKOK: -- More than 3,000 rai of orchid farms in Nakhon Pathom’s Sam Pran district are hard hit by salty water caused by the invasion of sea water into the Tha Chin river basin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790187-worst-ever-sea-water-invasion-threatens-orchid-farms-in-sam-pran-district/

[webfact]

Surat Thani police arrest 140 gamblers

SURAT THANI, 8 Jan 2015, (NNT) - A combined force of Surat Thani military and police last night raided a gambling den, arresting more than 140 gamblers in the process.

The army organized the raid shortly after being informed by the police that a large number of gamblers had been gathering in the area under their jurisdiction.

The said gambling den was located in a field, well hidden by bushes, in front of Khothammapratheep Temple in the municipality of Thakham, Phunpin District, Surat Thani. The gathering was in fact in close proximity to the Region 8 Police Command Center.

The officials were able to arrest about 140 gamblers during the bust, confiscating about 46,000 in cash and several gambling tools.


-- NNT 2015-01-08

[webfact]

Motorists tank up after benzene takes another dip

YALA, 8 Jan 2015, (NNT) - Practically all service stations in the Yala have reportedly been crowded since this morning, when the new lowered benzene prices went into effect.

Motorists have been seen lining up before daybreak to fill up their gas tanks with Gasohol 91, Gasohol 95 and Gasohol E20, after the government announced a substantial gasoline price reduction yesterday, which has taken 60 satang off all benzene prices since 5 am. today.

Retail pump prices in Yala are currently as follows: Gasohol 95 is selling for 29.35 baht per liter, Gasohol 91 now costs 27.63 baht per liter, and Gasohol E 20 is now priced at 26.23 baht per liter. Diesel price, however, remains unchanged at 26.84 baht per liter.

Motorcyclists who regularly use Gasohol 95 said the drop in gasoline prices greatly helped lower their expenses. According to them, they normally have to pay about 100 baht to fill up the tank, but now it only costs them 75 baht to do so.


-- NNT 2015-01-08

[webfact]

National parks see facelift in preparation for AEC

BANGKOK, 8 Jan 2015 (NNT) – The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is set to improve facilities of all national parks across the country to promote eco-tourism after the emergence of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

According to the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, it will provide proper amenities at all national parks to accommodate all groups of visitors, particularly the elderly, who represent a large percentage of holiday makers, based on a recent survey

The Department earlier introduced a bike lane around Khao Yai National Park as part of the plan to build bike trails at all national parks countrywide. Apart from the bike lane project, all national parks will give their services a major facelift in terms of as accommodations, toilets, parking areas, campsites and first-aid units to enable people of different physical conditions to enjoy their stay at the parks.

Meanwhile, the Zoological Park Organization, under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, is also speeding up on the improvement of zoos’ condition and facilities across the country in preparation for the arrival of the AEC.

-- NNT 2015-01-08

[webfact]

BKK Authorities Undeterred By 'Curse' of Ratchapisek Road
By Khaosod English


Local residents have placed zebra dolls on the bridge above Ratchadapisek Road to ward off alleged malevolent spirits. 7 Jan 2015.

BANGKOK — Officials at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) say they will go ahead with plans to remove offerings to "ghosts" on Ratchapisek Road, despite locals' claims that the offerings are needed to ward off a supernatural curse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790192-bangkok-administration-undeterred-by-curse-of-ratchapisek-road/

[webfact]

ASEAN COMMUNITY
Thai government sector not yet ready

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government sector is still unready to protect Thailand's national interest in the Asean Community, said former Asean secretary general Surin Pitsuwan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790194-asean-community-thai-government-sector-not-yet-ready/

[webfact]

TAT to promote 12 'Discover Thainess' routes

BANGKOK, 8 January 2015 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced the launching a new tourism promotion strategy for the 12 new destinations under the ‘Discover Thainess’ campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790196-tat-to-promote-12-discover-thainess-routes/

[webfact]

The Transport Ministry and 9 other agencies signed an agreement to crack down on lanterns and Bung Fai rockets that obstruct flights. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Brothers who stabbed, robbed Triam Udom student for iPhone arrested
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Two men who robbed a Mathayom 1 student for his iPhone 5s and stabbed him when he resisted last month have been arrested, police revealed in a press conference yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790201-brothers-who-stabbed-robbed-triam-udom-student-for-iphone-arrested/

[webfact]

Soldiers To Monitor Buddhist Temple's iPhone Charity Draw
By Khaosod English


Wat Ratchaburana in Mueang district will be giving away banknotes and five free iPhone 6 Plus devices after a religious ceremony on 9 January 2015.

PITSANULOK — Soldiers have been dispatched to maintain order at a temple in Pitsanulok province where monks have promised to give away five free iPhones to temple-goers tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790203-pitsanulok-soldiers-to-monitor-buddhist-temples-iphone-charity-draw/

[webfact]

Phuket International Boat Show 2015 biggest marine and lifestyle showcase yet


Picture from left: Mr. Apisit Chuenchompoo, President, Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (Thailand Elite); Mr. Gulu Lalvani, Chairman, Royal Phuket Marina; Mr. Andy Dowden, PIMEX Show Director; Mr. Nisit Jansomwong, Governor of Phuket; Ms. Kanokwara Anutarawatr, Senior Manager Exhibitions Promotion Section, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau; Ms. Anoma Vongyai, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790205-phuket-international-boat-show-2015-biggest-marine-and-lifestyle-showcase-yet/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,521.62 up 20.87; Bt/USD32.77; GBP49.33; AUD26.34; EUR38.62; CAD27.59; HKD4.21; SGD24.37; JPY27.27

[webfact]

Asian leaders denounce Paris attack
Asia News Network

BANGKOK: -- South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand join the world in condemning the attack on a French satirical weekly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790207-asian-leaders-denounce-paris-attack-on-charlie-hebdo/

[webfact]

Bangkok drew over 400,000 visitors during New Year

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok was the most popular destination during New Year holiday period with a number of 427,889 visitors, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Yet, according to its survey, hotels in Chiang Mai was the busiest, with the highest occupancy rate of 95 per cent against 90 per cent in Bangkok.

Visitors spent Bt5.4 billion during the 5-day holiday period in Bangkok.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Bangkok-drew-over-400000-visitors-during-New-Year-30251485.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-08

[webfact]

More drunk drivers arrested during New Year holidays

BANGKOK: -- More drunk drivers were arrested during the New Year holidays this year than last year, the Probation Department of the Justice Ministry announced Thursday.

The department said the court has made rulings in 4,059 drunk driving this year, compared to 3,797 cases last year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/More-drunk-drivers-arrested-during-New-Year-holida-30251487.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-08

[webfact]

Thai government to present results of human trafficking issue to US
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 8 -- The Thai government has approved setting up a committee to oversee policies on human trafficking and illegal trafficking in regard to fisheries, while appointing five subcommittees to handle specifics of the issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790212-thai-government-to-present-results-of-human-trafficking-issue-to-us/

[george]

MOBILE TECH

Apple Needs To Start Taking Xiaomi Seriously

Xiaomi, the upstart three year-old Chinese mobile phone company is taking the world of smartphones by storm. It is kicking butt and taking names. Seriously.

Full story: http://www.streetwisejournal.com/apple-needs-start-taking-xiaomi-seriously/4219/

[george]

MOBILE TECH

Did Samsung Screw up by focusing on Smartphones?

The numbers are in and they don’t look good for South Korean conglomerate and global consumer electronics powerhouse Samsung. Thanks to a continuous slide in its global share of the smartphone market, Samsung just logged its fifth consecutive quarter of sinking operating profits. How could this be?

Full story: http://www.streetwisejournal.com/samsung-screw-focusing-smartphones/4217/

[webfact]

Kasikorn Think Tank: Negative factors impacting Thai exports to EU this year
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 8 -- The Kasikorn Research Centre warns of many negative factors impacting Thai exports to the European Union (EU) this year, especially being excluded from the EU's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), ending Thailand's tariff privileges worth US$252 million.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790213-kasikorn-think-tank-negative-factors-impacting-thai-exports-to-eu-this-year/

[webfact]

Policewoman shot by gunman in southern Paris has died of her wounds, police sources say, as manhunt for Charlie Hebdo magazine attackers continues. /BBC

[webfact]

Chiang Rai reveals plans for Golden Triangle regional cooperations



HOUAYXAY, 8 January 2015 (NNT) – The Governor of Chiang Rai yesterday attended the 8 Party Regional Border Area Cooperation Conference to report the previous accomplishments and proposed further cooperation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790216-chiang-rai-reveals-plans-for-golden-triangle-regional-cooperations/

[webfact]

Thailand to inaugurate “2015 Discover Thainess” with a spectacular procession

BANGKOK, 8 January 2015 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will hold a spectacular cultural procession in central Bangkok to inaugurate the “2015 Discover Thainess” Year on 14 January 2015.

The procession will include several extravagant cultural floats featuring beautiful identities of the country such as the Royal Barge of Suphannahong, Khon classical performance, the world’s famous Siam Wisdom Cuisine, Thai Boxing or “Muay Thai”, and dances from all regions of Thailand. Apart from the procession, there will be an amazing acrobatic show at Ratchaprasong Intersection which will be the highlight of this event.

On that day, the parade will start at 17.00 hrs from the National Stadium at the Pathumwan Intersection and wind its way along Rama I Road to the Ratchaprasong Intersection before turning into Ratchadamri Road and conclude at Lumphini Park.

It will be the first time in Thailand that a grand parade will move through main roads in the heart of Bangkok in order to showcase to tourists the hospitable characters of the Thai people and the many distinct cultural assets of Thailand that make it a unique tourist destination.

The grand opening celebration will take place in conjunction with the Thailand Tourism Festival 2015 to be held at Lumpini Park during 14-18 January. The festival will be open to the public from 16.00 to 22.00 hrs, except the weekend of 17-18 January which the opening time starts earlier at 12.00. For more information, please call 1678.


-- NNT 2015-01-08

[webfact]

National reconciliation expected in maximum four years
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 8 -- Key figures in the National Reform Council (NRC) expect to complete national reconciliation and national reform in no more than four years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790221-national-reconciliation-expected-in-maximum-four-years/

[webfact]

Government clarifying Thai human trafficking situation to international community
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 8 -- Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said that his government should be able to convince the international community of its efforts against human trafficking because it had done well on the issue and did straightforward reports on its attempts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790223-government-clarifying-thai-human-trafficking-situation-to-international-community/

[webfact]

NLA starts impeachment of Nikom, Somsak
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 8 -- Thailand's National Legislative Assembly (NLA) started the impeachment process against former Senate speaker Nikom Wairatpanij and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont this morning. Mr Nikom said he expected fair treatment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790225-nla-starts-impeachment-of-nikom-somsak/

[Lite Beer]

Migrant workers told to prove their nationalities before end of March

BANGKOK: -- Migrant workers in Thailand will have until the end of March this year to prove their nationalities, the Department of Employment (DOE) said.

According to the department, more than 1.6 million migrant workers and their families have been registered with the department.

But as of January 6 this year, only 36,000 Cambodians and 65 Burmese have their nationalities verified.

However, none of the registered Laotian workers have had their nationality verified yet.

The department said officials from Laos have already arrived in Thailand to begin the verification process today at the center in Samut Prakan and will continue their duty until the end of this month.

Laos is also planning to dispatch mobile teams to reach out to all Laotian workers across Thailand before the March 31st deadline.

The department stated further that almost 60,000 migrant workers who have already been registered are awaiting nationality verification at present.

There are four nationality verification centers in Thailand which are located in Samut Prakan, Chiang Rai, Tak and Ranong provinces.

For proper verification, employers of Burmese workers need to submit documents to the Burmese embassy through the employment offices in their respective areas.

Cambodia, meanwhile, has deployed its officials to several provinces of Thailand where there are Cambodian workers to provide them with the service.

(Photo : ThaiPBS file)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/migrant-workers-told-prove-nationalities-end-march

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-08

[webfact]

to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 9 Jan 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790333-thailand-live-friday-9-jan-2015/