Thailand Live Monday 12 Jan 2015

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Princess Chulabhorn pays a 2-week visit to the US

BANGKOK, 12 January 2015 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn leaves for the United States this morning on a fortnight visit to observe medical research and development in that country.

The Bureau of the Royal Household announced last night that Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn would board a Japanese airline flight no. JL 708 at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 8.15 am this morning (Monday) to fly to the United States for a visit from 12th-26th January.

While in the United States, Her Royal Highness will observe research and development on artificial medicine at the Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado State. Her Royal Highness will return to Thailand on 26th January, arriving at Suvarnbhumi Airport at 11.15 p.m.


-- NNT 2015-01-12

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UPDATE:

Huge rally against terror attacks in Paris

Agencies

World leaders joined by relatives of those killed over past week

PARIS: -- Hundreds of thousands of people joined by world leaders flooded through Paris yesterday in a historic show of defiance and solidarity against terrorism following this week's Islamist attacks in the French capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790984-world-leaders-join-paris-march-of-millions-for-attack-victims/#entry8926053

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UPDATE:

IMPEACHMENT
Yingluck urged to answer NLA's questions in person
The Nation

Impeachment committee wants to know why the former premier failed to stop the rice pledging scheme after she had been warned about huge losses, graft

BANGKOK: - Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra would help her case considerably by personally answering questions and delivering her closing statement at her impeachment hearing related to her administration's rice-pledging scheme, a key National Legislative Assembly member advised yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790965-nla-panel-receives-over-20-questions-for-grilling-yingluck-so-far/page-2#entry8926059

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SPECIAL REPORT
Private schools on shaky ground
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation



Almost 400 have closed in the past decade; relatives of founders don't want to run them.

BANGKOK: -- YEAR AFTER YEAR, Thailand has seen many of its private schools going out of business. And with this trend, there is a possibility that perhaps half - if not more - of existing privately-run schools will shut down in the near future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791091-private-schools-in-thailand-on-shaky-ground/

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Microchips to be removed from three dugongs off Trang
The Nation, Trang



TRANG: -- OFFICIALS HAVE agreed to remove microchips from three wild dugongs after fishermen protested over the move, saying cables for the tags make it more difficult for the sea cows to feed on marine grass and increases their risk of getting caught.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791092-microchips-to-be-removed-from-three-dugongs-off-trang/

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Investors reap huge gains from PP share deals; SEC urges probe
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Investors with deep pockets repeatedly bought private placement shares issued by six companies over the past few years - actions found to be linked to the alleged Solution Corner (1998) stock manipulation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791093-investors-reap-huge-gains-from-pp-share-deals;-sec-urges-probe/

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Nation Group getting words of support from all regions
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- GROUPS AND figures in the North, South and Northeast yesterday came out in support of Nation Multimedia Group and expressed concern about a possible hostile bid by Solution Corner (1998) Plc and its affiliates to take over NMG, which includes The Nation newspaper, and how that may compromise editorial integrity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791094-nation-group-getting-words-of-support-from-all-regions/

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Oil price plunge spurs hope
ACHARA DEEBOONMEE,
SOMLUCK SRIMALEE
THE NATION

GOVT HAS OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN INFRACTURE: BANDID

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S economic prospects are on the up this year and beyond thanks to plunging oil prices, but much depends on the government's capability to make full use of the windfall, a former central banker said last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791095-oil-price-plunge-spurs-hope-in-thailand/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Are Thai-US relations warming up slowly?
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- After he left Bangkok on April 8 2014, Daniel R Russel, US Assistant State Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, was confident Thailand would be able to handle domestic political turmoil in the foreseeable future - anything short of a military coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791096-are-thai-us-relations-warming-up-slowly/

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Car Racing Gang members arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police received information of a gathering of modified cars on the Sukhumvit Road in Jomtien on Saturday Night and reports suggested they were there to race each other on the public street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791097-car-racing-gang-members-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

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UPDATE:

Russian Stabbed by fake watch seller at Starbucks next to Pattaya Police Station



PATTAYA: -- A 22 year old Russian Tourist is currently in a serious but stable condition in Hospital after he was reportedly stabbed by a fake watch seller at the front of Starbucks Coffee at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790769-russian-tourist-attacked-for-not-buying-watch/page-4#entry8926104

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National Children’s Day celebrated around Pattaya City



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya, along with the rest of Thailand, celebrated National Children’s Day on Saturday, an annual event held on the second Saturday of January and known in Thai as “Wan Dek”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791099-national-childrens-day-celebrated-around-pattaya-city/

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Bull elephant causing strife at Khao Yai
Tanatip Chaiyos
Manit Sanubboon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- IN JUST 10 days, a wild bull elephant has damaged four vehicles and caused alarm among tourists at Khao Yai National Park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791101-bull-elephant-causing-strife-at-khao-yai/

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UPDATE:

Many teachers trapped in miserable jobs
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- EACH YEAR HUNDREDS of private school teachers try to switch jobs because of heavy workloads and little job security or continue to endure difficult working conditions, sometimes being taken advantage of.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791091-private-schools-in-thailand-on-shaky-ground/#entry8926138

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ANALYSIS
Rows over energy issues could reach boiling point this year
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation



Govt to push ahead wIth controversIal power plants as communItIes in South vow to protect theIr envIronment

BANGKOK: -- SEVERAL energy issues are threatening to trigger serious conflicts between the government and communities this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791104-thai-analysis-rows-over-energy-issues-could-reach-boiling-point-this-year/

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Public, media can watch charter drafters at work
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The public would be allowed to observe the drafting of the new constitution and the media would be allowed to broadcast portions of the event, the leader of the Constitution Drafting Committee has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791105-public-media-can-watch-thai-charter-drafters-at-work/

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Panadda urges Interior officials to disregard remark by EC's Somchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PM's Office permanent secretary ML Panadda Diskul yesterday urged the Interior Ministry to get over a comment made by an Election Commission member, saying he feared ill-intentioned parties may seek a chance to escalate conflicts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791106-panadda-urges-interior-officials-to-disregard-remark-by-ecs-somchai/

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British bicycle maker lands in Bangkok
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION


Brompton Bicycle

BANGKOK: -- THE BOSS of British folding bike manufacturer Brompton Bicycle hopes to encourage more people to enjoy the freedom, fun and fitness aspects of cycling after opening its first store in the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791107-british-bicycle-maker-lands-in-bangkok/

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Tourism Council of Thailand urges government to lift martial law

BANGKOK, Thailand - The Tourism Council of Thailand has urged the government to restore tourists' confidence and boost arrivals from key markets after targets were missed last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791108-tourism-council-of-thailand-urges-government-to-lift-martial-law/

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CHINA BUSINESS WEEKLY
Tropical fruit a sweet spot for Thailand and China
Suwatchai Songwanich
Chief executive Officer,
Bangkok Bank (China)

BANGKOK: -- The Chinese are enthusiastic consumers of fruit, downing about twice the world average. This is fortunate for Thailand, the source of half of the tropical fruit imported by China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791109-tropical-fruit-a-sweet-spot-for-thailand-and-china/

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Conservative wins Croatia presidential vote by slight margin
DUSAN STOJANOVIC, Associated Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — A conservative populist become Croatia's first female president Sunday after beating the center-left incumbent in a runoff election amid deep discontent over economic woes in the European Union's newest member.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791110-conservative-wins-croatia-presidential-vote-by-slight-margin/

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La Dolce Vita actress Anita Ekberg dies at 83
COLLEEN BARRY, Associated Press
MALIN RISING, Associated Press

MILAN (AP) — Anita Ekberg, the Swedish-born actress and sex-symbol of the 1950s and '60s who was immortalized bathing in the Trevi fountain in "La Dolce Vita," has died. She was 83.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791111-la-dolce-vita-actress-anita-ekberg-dies-at-83/

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Muslim man hailed for life-saving courage during Paris siege
By RAPHAEL SATTER

PARIS (AP) — At a kosher supermarket in Paris, a quick-thinking Muslim employee hides several Jewish shoppers in the basement before sneaking out to brief police on the hostage-taker upstairs. In the town of Dammartin-en-Goele, a poker-faced businessman fools a pair of gunmen into believing they're alone in the building before being allowed to leave unharmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791113-muslim-man-hailed-for-life-saving-courage-during-paris-siege/

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UPDATE:

Millions rally for unity against terrorism in France
By ANGELA CHARLTON and THOMAS ADAMSON

PARIS (AP) — More than a million people surged through the boulevards of Paris behind dozens of world leaders walking arm-in-arm Sunday in a rally for unity described as the largest demonstration in French history. Millions more marched around the country and the world to repudiate three days of terror that killed 17 people and changed France.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790984-world-leaders-join-paris-march-of-millions-for-attack-victims/#entry8926253

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Searchers hone in on black boxes from AirAsia plane
By ACHMAD IBRAHIM

PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia (AP) — While Indonesia's navy said divers had not yet found the black boxes from the AirAsia plane that crashed into the Java Sea two weeks ago, searchers on Sunday honed in on intense pings detected amid a growing belief that the devices will soon be recovered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791115-searchers-hone-in-on-black-boxes-from-airasia-plane/

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The western runway at Suvarnabhumi airport will be closed for maintenance between 1-6am every day until Feb 14, says Aeronautical Radio of Thailand. /Bangkok Post

Construction plan for N1-N3 expressways and the Brown Line monorail would be concluded in the next two weeks, says Transport deputy permanent secretary. /Bangkok Post

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Video of Paris gunman raises questions of affiliations
By BRIAN ROHAN, LORI HINNANT and DIAA HADID

PARIS (AP) — Two days after his death, a video emerged Sunday of one of the Paris gunmen pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group, while his two fellow militants have claimed to be from al-Qaida — a fiercely rival extremist organization.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791123-video-of-paris-gunman-raises-questions-of-affiliations/

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Winter clothes in high demand in Khon Kean

KHON KEAN, 12 Jan 2015, (NNT) - Winter clothes, particularly sweaters and jackets, have been in high demand in Khon Kean Province, as cold weather persists.

The lowest temperature was recorded at 17 degrees Celsius yesterday, according to the media.

A large number of residents yesterday flocked to Banglamphu Market in the municipality of Muang Khon Kean to purchase sweaters and other winter clothing offered at affordable prices.

According to one of the vendors, she buys those winter clothes direct from a factory, and sell them at an average price of 80 baht apiece, adding that she can not sell them at a higher price given the local economy. She also said most of the a sweaters are made from quality yarn, which can be worn year round.


-- NNT 2015-01-12

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Over 2,000 runners join Mukdahan’s international marathon event

MUKDAHAN, 12 Jan 2015, (NNT) - More than 2,000 Thai and Laotian runners yesterday attended an international marathon in Mukdahan, which was held to promote the province's local tourism.

Mukdahan Governor Thawatchai Thamarux yesterday presided over the marathon, which started from Mukdahan Wittayanukul School in Muang District.

According to the organizer, the province is using the international running event as a means to promote Mukdahan’s highlights, while encouraging youths, the general public and foreign visitors to exercise more.

Participants were to compete in 4 different races, which are the 42.16 km marathon, the 10.5 mini-marathon, the 5km fun-run, and fancy-walk-and-run rally.

The organizer said the marathon drew approximately 2,000 runners, creating a friendly and lively atmosphere at the organizing venue.

The race saw all participants crossing the Second Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge, watching the sun rising over the horizon amid the refreshing early morning weather.


-- NNT 2015-01-12

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Singburi investigates the unnaturally low water level in Noi River

SINGBURI, 12 Jan 2015 (NNT) - Officials in Singburi’s Thon Samor Sub-district have been noticing that the unnaturally low level of water in Noi River has caused land subsidence in the area.

The officials said that collapses were reported along a riverside road on January 9th and 10th, and they have initially deployed heavy machinery to patch the rifts on the road. They indicated such an incidence had occurred around 10 times since the end of 2012 causing damages at different degrees, and foundation piles were installed as a temporary solution to prevent further soil erosion.

According to the officials, the water level in the Noi River has dangerously lowered during the past 2 days, damaging a house in Wihan Khao Sub-district and other structures next to the river banks.

Singburi Governor Chalothorn Phakhoat has recently visited the area and the affected residents, vowing to find measures to help them as soon as possible.


-- NNT 2015-01-12