Thailand Live Thursday 15 Jan 2015

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Female worker killed in firework plan explosion in Suphan Buri

SUPHAN BURI: -- A 50-year-old female worker was killed when a firework plant in Suphan Buri's Muang district exploded at 7:30 am Thursday.

The small plant of Samruay Firework Co Ltd had Yupha Phanmuk as the only worker. She was mixing gunpowder for distributing to nearby residents for assembling into fireworks when the gunpowder exploded, tearing her body.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Female-worker-killed-in-firework-plan-explosion-in-30251943.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-15

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Rights groups urge Thailand to end project that sends prisoners to sea
Amy Sawitta Lefevre
Reuters

BANGKOK: -- More than a dozen rights groups urged Thailand on Thursday to end a project to recruit prisoners to work on fishing boats, saying it would not address problems in the fishing industry and posed a serious threat to prisoners' rights.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792113-rights-groups-urge-thailand-to-end-project-that-sends-prisoners-to-sea/

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EDUCATION
Teachers in south call for educational reform

BANGKOK: -- Teachers in the deep southern provinces are calling for educational reform, saying better education will help restore peace and prevent violence in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792115-thai-teachers-in-south-call-for-educational-reform/

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Prayuth Vows to Bring "Smiles" To 2010 Crackdown Site
By Khaosod English


A parade-goer takes a photo a performer in the TAT's "Discover Thainess" parade in Bangkok on 14 Jan 2015.

BANGKOK — Standing a block away from the site of a bloody military crackdown on Redshirt protesters in 2010, junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha kicked off last night’s "Thainess" parade in Bangkok with a vow to bring smiles back to the capital city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792141-prayuth-vows-to-bring-smiles-to-2010-crackdown-site/

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Students Arrested For 'Bombing' Public Bus in BKK
By Khaosod English


The homemade explosive that technical college students allegedly threw at a public bus in Bangkok, 14 Jan 2014.

BANGKOK — Four students from technical colleges have been arrested for allegedly throwing homemade bombs at a public bus in Bangkok yesterday, injuring three passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792144-students-arrested-for-bombing-public-bus-in-bangkok/

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Rohingya problem should be treated an Asean problem



BANGKOK: -- Human trafficking of Rohingya people should be treated as an Asean problem so that there will be better cooperation from countries in the region to resolve this problem, said Mr Chumpol Chuenjitsiri, a law lecturer at Prince of Songkhla University.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792145-rohingya-problem-should-be-treated-an-asean-problem/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Parking Duck helps you find a parking space in Bangkok

Are you sick of driving around Bangkok looking for an elusive parking space? Or maybe you’ve got unused space and want to rent it out to make some extra cash? A new service from Thai company Parking Duck is looking to revolutionise the way we park…

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/parking-duck-parking-space-bangkok/2730/

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In Remote Thai Villages, Legacy of China’s Lost Army Endures
By AMY QIN

BAN RAK THAI, Thailand — At night, traditional Chinese red lanterns illuminate the hotels, shop fronts and Yunnanese-style restaurants lining the main road in this highland village of just over 1,000 people. On one recent evening, as the mist rose off a nearby reservoir, the mellifluous voice of the popular Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng could be heard wafting out from one of the village’s several tea shops.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792148-in-remote-thai-villages-legacy-of-chinas-lost-army-endures/

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Public Health Ministry launches diphtheria vaccination program

BANGKOK, 15 January 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health today kicked off a vaccination campaign against diphtheria to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s birthday on April 2nd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792150-thai-public-health-ministry-launches-diphtheria-vaccination-program/

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UPDATE:

NLA president: Impeachment cases to be closed on Jan 23

BANGKOK, 15 January 2015 (NNT) – The president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has said 3 impeachment cases currently under the NLA’s deliberation will be rested by January 23rd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792084-impeachment-process-against-yingluck-and-two-former-politicians-begins/#entry8941452

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Thai Constitutional Court Offers 'Democracy Course'
By Khaosod English


A worker cleans the vacant tribunal of the Constitutional Court in May 2007.

BANGKOK — The Thai court known for ousting a string of democratically elected political parties is now offering a course titled "Good Governance For Democracy."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792156-thai-constitutional-court-offers-democracy-course/

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Interior Minister expedites help for cold-affected people in 26 provinces

BANGKOK, 15 January 2015 (NNT) - Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda has reiterated to all related units to expedite the delivery of necessary assistance to people affected by the cold disaster.

Providing an update to the current disaster situation, the Minister said that since last November a total of twenty six provinces have been declared winter disaster zones, covering 23,779 villages in 2,066 subdistricts in 282 districts.

Twelve of the provinces are in the northern region namely Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang, Phayao, Uttaradit, Phrae, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Tak.

Another thirteen provinces are in the Northeast namely Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Surin, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Phanom, Loei, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Mukdahan, and Chaiyaphum. Kanchanaburi is the only province in the central region which has been declared the cold disaster zone.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Chatchai Phromlert, revealed that the DDPM has been providing aid to those affected by the weather especially the wide distribution of blankets and winter clothes. He said DDPM staff has kept on monitoring the weather conditions in order to adjust relief operations according to the prevailing weather situation. However, the public are suggested to prepare themselves for the cold weather.


-- NNT 2015-01-15

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World's newest airliner begins first commercial flight
By ABDULLAH REBHY and SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The world's newest jetliner, the Airbus A350, took to the skies Thursday carrying its first paying passengers from the Gulf Arab nation of Qatar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792159-airbus-a350-worlds-newest-airliner-begins-first-commercial-flight/

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Which country has the most public holidays?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792163-which-country-has-the-most-public-holidays/

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Saudi Prince says Oil will never reach $100 again
BY BEN MYERS


Tanks and port equipment. Ras Tanura oil terminal, Saudi Arabia

Saudi prince Alwaleed said recently that he believes global oil prices will never reach the $100 level again. Considering Alwaleed’s investment track record plus his inside track knowledge of petroleum policies, it would be foolish to ignore this man’s prognostications.

Full story: http://www.streetwisejournal.com/saudi-prince-says-oil-will-never-reach-100/4714/

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SET index closed 1,523.38 up 0.14; Bt/USD32.61; GBP49.58; AUD26.64; EUR38.29; CAD27.16; HKD4.19; SGD24.32; JPY27.60

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Charlie Hebdo Charlie Hebdo: Who's awake and who’s in bed?
BY J MASLOW


Charlie Hebdo

PARIS: -- On Thursday, January 8, France 3, the second-largest French public TV channel, reported the death that very morning of a police commissioner who had been investigating the January 7 attack on the French weekly satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Full story: http://www.streetwisejournal.com/charlie-hebdo-whos-awake-whos-bed/4745/

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Thailand shows reform progress, says Canadian ambassador

BANGKOK, 15 January 2015 (NNT) – The Canadian ambassador to Thailand has said that Thailand has shown positive reform process, while encouraging Thailand to return to the rule of democracy in the near future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792179-thailand-shows-reform-progress-says-canadian-ambassador/

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A study on airline tickets is under way to find out air fares can be further cut



BANGKOK: -- The Civil Aviation Department has been told by the Transport Minister Prajin Juntong to look into the costs of airline tickets to find out whether the air fares of airlines can be further adjusted downward.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792181-a-thai-study-on-airline-tickets-is-under-way-to-find-out-air-fares-can-be-further-cut/

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Thai PBS celebrates seventh anniversary today



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's first public station,Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS), today celebrated its seventh establishment anniversary with religious ceremony offering alms to monks.

Employees of the public TV station joined its managing director Somchai Suwanban, the station’ s policy committee and executive board to take part in offering alms to nine monks and listening to prayers.

The ceremony was also attended by guests who included representatives from the Royal Thai Navy, the Royal Thai Police, the Border Police Bureau, the Youth and Juvenile Court, the Ministries of Justice, Labour, the Thai Red Cross Society, as well as from the private sector.

The public TV station commenced its first new programming on February 1, 2008, consisting of documentaries and children’s programmes, commissioned by the Public Relations Department.

In the welcoming address, Thai PBS managing director thanked all guests coming to congratulate its seventh anniversary.

He said Thai PBS is now prepared to enter full scale digital service with the launch today of its revised new programming.

The first stage of the new programming from Monday to Friday will focus on news and documentaries, while Saturday and Sunday will be mostly family, youth and children programmes. There are also learning programmes to prepare for the launch of two digital channels in near future.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai-pbs-celebrates-seventh-anniversary-today


-- Thai PBS 2015-01-15

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Huawei sells 75m smartphones, ranks 3rd
China Daily


Attendees examine the Huawei Honor 6 Plus and Honor P7 smartphones, January 6, 2015 at the Consumer Electronics Show. /AFP

BANGKOK: -- Chinese technology firm Huawei's revenue increased about 20 per cent to at least 287 billion yuan last year, aided by its 75 million smartphone sales, according to the company's preliminary financial statement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792185-huawei-sells-75m-smartphones-ranks-3rd/

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UNSC
Vietnam supports Thai UN Security Council bid

BANGKOK: -- Vietnam will support Thailand as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, said Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Col Kongcheep Tantrawanit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792186-vietnam-supports-thai-un-security-council-bid/

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Impeachment rulings on Nikhom, Somsak, Yingluck set for Jan 23
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 15 -- Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), set the closing statements for the impeachment case against Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont for Jan 21 and the impeachment case against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for Jan 22.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792191-impeachment-rulings-on-nikhom-somsak-yingluck-set-for-jan-23/

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New zoning policy ensures more public space on Pattaya, Jomtien beaches

THAILAND'S nationwide beach clean-ups are continuing into the new year with Pattaya and Jomtien receiving a new zoning regulation to reduce the space for beach chairs and umbrellas so as to increase fun areas for holidaymakers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792192-new-zoning-policy-ensures-more-public-space-on-pattaya-jomtien-beaches/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Some 60 Laotian, Myanmar prostitutes rounded up in Suphan Buri

BANGKOK: -- Nearly 60 Laotian and Myanmar prostitutes were arrested at three karaoke bars in Suphan Buri following police raids on Wednesday night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792110-72-lao-women-rescued-from-prostitution-dens-in-suphan-buri/page-2#entry8942985

[Lite Beer]

Court Investigating Judge's Appearance At 'Naked Gym Party'

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — Thailand's central judiciary authority has launched an investigation into reports that a judge attended a raunchy party at a gym in Bangkok that has made headlines in recent days.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792216-court-investigating-judges-appearance-at-naked-gym-party/

[Lite Beer]

Pope on Charlie Hebdo: There are limits to free expression
NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis said Thursday there are limits to freedom of expression, especially when it insults or ridicules someone's faith.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792239-pope-on-charlie-hebdo-there-are-limits-to-free-expression/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 16 Jan 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792285-thailand-live-friday-16-jan-2015/