Thailand Live Friday 16 Jan 2015

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Thai AirAsia (TAA), may waive fuel surcharge on its international flights in response to plunging fuel prices, says CEO Tassapon Jijleveld. /Bangkok Post

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'In Dog We Trust' rug to be auctioned for animal group
By TAMARA LUSH

LARGO, Fla. (AP) — Is "In Dog We Trust" your motto?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792332-in-dog-we-trust-on-us-sheriffs-office-rug-to-be-auctioned-for-animal-group/

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UPDATE:

Ambassadors praise Thailand for implementing national reform roadmap

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 16 -- The compliments came from the ambassadors of Russia, Australia, Switzerland and Canada who met Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792179-thailand-shows-reform-progress-says-canadian-ambassador/#entry8944369

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1 million meth pills seized in Chiang Rai
By Digital Content



CHIANG RAI, Jan 16 -- Police here arrested a drug trafficker with one million methamphetamine pills in a hospital carpark. They said the drugs were destined for Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792335-1-million-meth-pills-seized-in-chiang-rai/

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Bali nine pair to be executed together if Chan loses appeal
Jewel Topsfield
Fairfax foreign correspondent

SYDNEY: -- The Bali Nine members on death row will be executed together if Andrew Chan loses his clemency appeal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792337-bali-nine-pair-to-be-executed-together-if-chan-loses-appeal/

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Domestic tourism to be boosted this year

BANGKOK, 16 January 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Tourism and Sports welcomes opinions from the private sector hoping they would help determine the tourism policy.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has recently met with various tourism operators to decide how they would promote domestic tourism all year round.

According to Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, this year’s campaign is focused on traditional lifestyle tourism.

The 12 must-see cities will be advertised to attract a higher number of foreign tourists as well as domestic visitors.

The private sector wanted the Ministry to make tourist attractions more accessible to the elderly and people with disabilities so they could easily increase their market targets.

-- NNT 2015-01-16

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PTT, Bangchak cut pump prices by 20-60 satang per liter for all fuels

BANGKOK, 16 January 2015 (NNT) – PTT and Bangchak Petroleum have reduced the pump prices of all fuels by 60 satang per liter, except that of E85, which was reduced by 20 satang per liter.

The new prices came into effect at 5 am this morning. Owing to the price cuts, one liter of benzene 95 now retails for 34.36 baht in Bangkok. Gasohol 95 sells for 27.30 baht per liter, gasohol 91 is now priced at 25.98 baht a liter, E20 now retails at 24.58 baht a liter, E85 is now priced at 21.88 baht per liter and diesel now retails at 25.49 baht a liter.

Chavalit Panthong, PTT Plc.'s assistant president for oil business, said that owing to the continual decline in the global oil price, the cost of making engine lubricants has also fallen. The company is reducing, by as much as 5%, the retail prices of 15 lubricant products it offers. The new lubricant prices take effect today.


-- NNT 2015-01-16

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Discover Thainess 2015 fair at Lumphini proving popular

BANGKOK, 16 January 2015 (NNT) – Numerous visitors flocked to the Discover Thainess 2015 fair at Lumphini Park in Bangkok on Thursday to shop for food and to take pictures of tourism site replicas.

Most of the visitors to the fair on Thursday came with their family to shop for local delicacies from each province and souvenirs. Visitors were also able to watch cultural performances and take pictures of themselves with replicas of famous Thai tourism sites as background. The 'retro dance' activity, where participants pay 5 baht per round to join in, was reported to be the most popular of all the activities on offer.

The Discover Thainess fair at Lumphini Park will be held until Sunday. Those interested may visit the fair from 4 pm to 10 pm on each day.


-- NNT 2015-01-16

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UPDATE:

Six drug convicts to be executed Sunday: Indonesia’s attorney general



BANGKOK: -- The Jakarta Globe reported that Indonesia’s attorney general announced on Thursday that the country would execute six convicted drug traffickers on Sunday, five of whom are foreign citizens.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792337-bali-nine-pair-to-be-executed-together-if-chan-loses-appeal/#entry8944518

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,515.20, falls 8.18 points /MCOT

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Bank of Thailand sees overall bad loans expected to rise slowing this year on improved economic outlook; recovery momentum should boost annual loan growth 7%. /The Nation

Domestic gold prices Fri. at Bt19,116.76 per baht-weight (gold ornaments); Bt19,400 per baht-weight (gold bar) /The Nation

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TAT tells businesses to focus on quality, not worry about Russian decline

PATTAYA: -- With the number of Russian visitors to Pattaya continuing to fall, tourism officials are telling local businesses to stop focusing on stats and focus more on improving their offerings for tourists in other markets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792342-tat-tells-businesses-to-focus-on-quality-not-worry-about-russian-decline/

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PM invites UAE to join border investment



BANGKOK, 16 January 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has invited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to take part in economic development projects in border provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792345-pm-prayut-invites-uae-to-join-border-investment/

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Winter exacerbates in northern region

BANGKOK, 16 January 2015 (NNT)-The Meteorological Department has advised people to keep warm as the weather will remain cold for many days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792349-winter-exacerbates-in-thailands-northern-region/

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Former premier Yingluck Shinawatra has other former ministers answer the National Legislative Assembly's questions on her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. /Bangkok Post

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King endorses sacking of rector of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang



BANGKOK: -- The sacking of Mr Thawil Puengma from the rectorship position of the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) was royally endorsed and announced on the Royal Gazette Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792354-king-endorses-sacking-of-rector-of-king-mongkuts-institute-of-technology-ladkrabang/

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Pattani locals show support to Malaysian flood victims

PATTANI, 16 Jan 2015 (NNT) - The southern locals in Pattani yesterday donated various necessities and monetary assistance for victims of floods in Malaysia, in a show of moral support to their neighbors in Kelantan and other nearby affected cities.

The donated items were given to the Provincial Administration of Pattani and the provincial Red Cross unit. The two agencies will be responsible for distributing the goods to recipients in Malaysia.

According to the Governor of Pattani, the Province and the Internal Security Operations Command have opened a center to receive donations both in cash and kind, since January 13th. He said a huge number of good-will locals showed warm response to the project by dropping necessary commodities and funds at the provincial hall.

The chief of Pattani’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office stated that Thailand would dispatch officials to hand the donated items to affected people in Kelantan tomorrow. The caravan will consist of 2 ten-wheel trucks, and a six-wheel truck.

The donated items have been packed and divided into 1,000 portable survival kits, ready to be distributed to the floods victims.


-- NNT 2015-01-16

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Yingluck skips NLA grilling



BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra refused to attend the meeting of the National Legislative Assembly Friday to answer questions but assigned her team of lawyers and minister to act on her behalf.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792362-yingluck-skips-nla-grilling/

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The 42nd University Games 'Nonsi Games' officially kicked off

NAKHON PATHOM, 16 Jan 2015 (NNT) - The 42nd University Games or ‘Nonsi Games’ officially kicked off yesterday at the Kamphaeng Saen Campus of Kasetsart University in Nakhon Pathom Province.

According to the University Sports Board of Thailand, the games were first hosted by Chiang Mai University 45 years ago. Since then various government universities have taken their turns hosting the prestigious competition.

The games are meant to develop students physically and mentally, highlighting sportsmanship and disciplines, as well as the code of unity. The organizer said the students can also use this opportunity to exchange experience, build bonds of friendship, and develop their athletic skill to the professional level.

A total of 111 universities from all over the Kingdom are participating in the games this year which features 33 sports and two demonstration competitions. The games will come to a close on January 24th.


-- NNT 2015-01-16

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Police arrested a Nigerian man and a Thai woman for allegedly forging emails of Thai SME in Chiang Mai to lure buyers into transferring money to their account. /Bangkok Post

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Seven people killed in van accident in Songkhla



SONGKHLA: -- A van driver and six Cambodian migrant workers were killed in a road accident before dawn today in Songkhla’s Jana district. Eight other passengers of the van who included two Malaysians, a Thai and Cambodians were also injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792363-seven-people-killed-in-van-accident-in-songkhla/

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Thai Culture Fair at Lumpini park draws interest from local and foreign visitors



BANGKOK: -- "2015 Discover Thainess" fair at Lumpini Park drew tens of thousands of Thais and foreign tourists visiting last night with curiosity to experience Thai cultures at one place in addition to shopping for food, local products and taking colourful pictures of tourism site replicas around the park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792367-thai-culture-fair-at-lumpini-park-draws-interest-from-local-and-foreign-visitors/

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Two Technical Students 'Assassinated' By Motorcyclist
By Khaosod English


Police inspect the crime scene where two teenage technical students were shot dead in Pathum Thani province on 15 Jan 2015.

PATHUM THANI – Two teenage technical students were shot dead in what police suspect to be an incident of gang violence in Pathum Thani province yesterday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792370-two-technical-students-assassinated-by-motorcyclist-in-pathum-thani/

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Woman raids 7-Eleven in her Mazda (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok



CHIANG MAI: -- A new driver powered her car into a 7-Eleven store in Chiang Mai yesterday, providing some delightful CCTV footage for the internet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792371-chiang-mai-woman-raids-7-eleven-in-her-mazda-video/

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The Son of the Village Headman Surrendered After Shooting a Policeman

KOH SAMUI: -- It has been reported that Mr. Suphot Champchearn, the son of the village headman in Koh Phangan shot Pol.Sub.Lt. Suriyan Ranjuan, an inquiry officer at Koh Pha Ngan Police Station while Pol.Sub.Lt. Suriyan was arresting the him for carrying weapons in a public place.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792377-the-son-of-the-village-headman-surrendered-after-shooting-a-policeman/

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UPDATE:

Energy minister to push ahead with oil concession bidding

BANGKOK: -- Energy Minister Narongchai Akaraserani has announced that he will not change his mind on the bidding of the petroleum exploration concession claiming that the concession system is most suitable for Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792287-thai-govt-decides-to-go-ahead-with-petroleum-concessions/#entry8945360

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SET fell 3.15 to 1,520.23 at noon /Bangkok Post

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Smartphone app allows you to rate Bangkok taxis

The Land Transport Department in Thailand is in the process of creating a smartphone app so the public can rate taxis before operators can increase fares for the second time in 6 months.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/smartphone-app-rate-bangkok-taxis/2806/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

US, Britain to stage cyber ‘war games’ later this year

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and the U.K. will stage cyber “war games” together, starting this year, to boost both countries’ resistance to cyberattacks, Britain’s government said Thursday.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/us-britain-stage-cyber-war-games-later-year/2829/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Funding boom shows power of tech startups, raises concerns

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Venture capitalists poured a whopping $48.3 billion into U.S. startup companies last year, investing at levels that haven’t been seen since the heady days before the dot-com bubble burst in 2001.

Software and biotechnology companies were the leading recipients of venture funding in 2014, which rose more than 60 percent from the previous year, according to a new report issued Friday.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/funding-boom-shows-power-tech-startups-raises-concerns/2835/