Thailand Live Friday 16 Jan 2015

[webfact]

Junta Chairman To Step Up PR Efforts
By Khaosod English


Gen. Prayuth speaking during his weekly televised address, a program broadcast on state channels called "Returning Happiness to the People."

BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is planning to launch a new PR blitz informing the public of what he has achieved since seizing power from an elected government last May, his spokesperson said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792378-pm-prayut-to-step-up-pr-efforts/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Dtac launches high-speed 4G network in Phuket

Dtac has already upgraded its mobile network in Phuket to provide 4G high speed mobile services, the first place outside of Bangkok to officially have access to the latest mobile technology.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792381-dtac-launches-high-speed-4g-network-in-phuket/

[webfact]

Bangkok governor presides over opening of National Teachers' Day in capital
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 16 - Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra today urged teachers to help provide knowledge and simultaneously shield youths at the time when capitalism and materialism from Western countries dominates the mind of young students in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792382-bangkok-governor-presides-over-opening-of-national-teachers-day-in-capital/

[webfact]

US will send 400 troops to train moderate Syrian opposition
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will send 400 troops to train moderate Syrian rebels this spring.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792385-us-will-send-400-troops-to-train-moderate-syrian-opposition/

[webfact]

Number of Chinese tourist to jump during Chinese New Year

BANGKOK, 16 Jan 2015 (NNT) – The Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (TCTA) has speculated that the number of Chinese tourists arriving in Thailand will jump during the Chinese New Year, generating at least eight billion baht in revenue for the tourism industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792387-number-of-chinese-tourist-to-jump-during-chinese-new-year/

[webfact]

Rayong inspects vessel for clue to last year’s oil leak incident

RAYONG, 16 Jan 2015, The Eastern Province of Rayong yesterday conducted an inspection on a vessel carrying 7,000 tons of asphalt ‘Tasco Amata’, looking for clues to the cause of last March’s oil at Mae Ramphung Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792388-rayong-inspects-vessel-for-clue-to-last-years-oil-leak-incident/

[webfact]

Underwater wedding in Trang to feature many activities this year

TRANG, 16 January 2015 (NNT)- The Trang Chamber of Commerce has said its underwater wedding will feature many activities for couples this year, hoping it will help boost tourism in the province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792390-underwater-wedding-in-trang-to-feature-many-activities-this-year/

[webfact]

Caramel apple recall by US firms prompt alert in the country

BANGKOK: -- Caramel apple recall by the United States from several countries it exported to, including Thailand, has prompted Thai health care and agricultural authorities to investigate to find if any of the imported contaminated fruits have arrived in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792391-caramel-apple-recall-by-us-firms-prompt-alert-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Commerce Ministry mulls palm oil import

BANGKOK, 16 Jan 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce will propose a plan to import palm oil to prevent a possible shortage , at the cabinet meeting next week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792396-thai-commerce-ministry-mulls-palm-oil-import/

[webfact]

SRT approves 400 million baht budget to build railroad crossing barricades



BANGKOK: -- The State Railway of Thailand has approved a budget of around 400 million baht to construct over 200 rail crossing barricades so as to ensure safe crossing by vehicles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792422-srt-approves-400-million-baht-budget-to-build-railroad-crossing-barricades/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Impeachment calls crescendo as D-Day nears for Thai PM

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- A Thai anti-graft official said ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra must face a "political punishment" for a costly rice subsidy scheme, as calls for her impeachment gathered steam Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792362-yingluck-skips-nla-grilling/page-2#entry8945736

[webfact]

UPDATE:

'Boat-Shooting' Cops Surrender To Police
By Khaosod English

PHANG NGA — The six police officers who allegedly shot at a fishing boat in the Andaman Sea last week finally turned themselves in today after a local police commander demanded they comply with the order.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/791215-ranong-thai-navy-rescues-fishermen-from-police-fusillade/#entry8945901

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Yingluck refuses to face inquiry in NLA

BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra refused to turn up in the National Legislative Assembly Friday to face inquiry by an NLA panel as part of the impeachment process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792362-yingluck-skips-nla-grilling/page-3#entry8945925

[webfact]

Thailand and Laos make good progress in joint technological developments

BANGKOK, 16 January 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Science and Technology and representatives from Lao’s People Democratic Republic have joined a meeting to promote joint cooperation on technology.

According to the report, the objective of the meeting is to straighten out the joint efforts between the two nations for the developments of 14 technologies.

They included those concerning the productions of bio-mass, renewable energy, the developments of electronic, computer, and space technologies as well as the construction of a botanical garden, among many others.

Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Weerapong Paesuwan said the meeting was in line with the agreement both countries made late last year.

Progress has reportedly been made in several areas, such as water management and synchrotron light technologies.


-- NNT 2015-01-16

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Ex-PM appoints former ministers as her defence
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 16 -- Former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has appointed her ousted ministers who were involved in the controversial rice-pledging scheme to give statements in defending her before an inquiry committee set up by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), her lawyer Norawit Lalaeng said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792362-yingluck-skips-nla-grilling/page-3#entry8946020

[webfact]

Cambodia, Thailand agree to develop border area
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 16 -- Cambodia and Thailand on Friday agreed to jointly develop their border area and turn it into a peace and prosperity zone as the neighbouring countries plan to hold activities celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792443-cambodia-thailand-agree-to-develop-border-area/

[webfact]

10 arrests in Paris, bomb threat closes train station
By ANGELA CHARLTON and RAF CASERT

PARIS (AP) — Paris police evacuated the Gare de l'Est train station Friday after a bomb threat, as authorities across Europe pressed on with efforts to prevent new violence after the worst terrorist attacks in decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792444-10-arrests-in-paris-bomb-threat-closes-train-station/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Severe cold hits Thailand's North, Northeast
By Digital Content



NAKHON PHANOM, Jan 16 -- A cold snap has hit much of northern and northeastern Thailand, leaving tens of thousands of people living in difficulty for lack of warm clothing, while many are suffering from respiratory and asthma problems, officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792349-winter-exacerbates-in-thailands-northern-region/#entry8946112

[webfact]

WND EXCLUSIVE
At least 20 sleeper cells ready to strike Europe
Intel document warns mosques helping to recruit
AARON KLEIN

TEL AVIV – Algeria’s intelligence services passed information to several European countries indicating there are at least 20 sleeper cells with a combined total of 120 to 180 jihadists ready to act in France, Germany and Belgium, WND has learned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792447-at-least-20-sleeper-cells-ready-to-strike-europe/

[webfact]

Italian among five held in Phuket for drugs
Eakkapop Thongtub


Kamnyaporn, Famondi and Wilai after their arrests.

PHUKET: -- An Italian was one of five people arrested in Phuket on Monday and Tuesday (January 12, 13) for drug offences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792449-italian-among-five-held-in-phuket-for-drugs/

[webfact]

Battered Phuket ATM refuses to yield to robbers
Eakkapop Thongtub


The bashed-up ATM and the hole in the wall where it used to be.

PHUKET: -- Police have potential leads on three thieves who apparently used a rope and a pickup truck to drag an ATM machine off the wall of a pharmacy in Baan Manik early this morning (January 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792450-battered-phuket-atm-refuses-to-yield-to-robbers/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,517.74 down 5.64; Bt/USD32.52; GBP49.30; AUD26.57; EUR37.70; CAD27.06; HKD4.18; SGD24.44; JPY27.77

[george]

World cyber war: 19,000 French websites hacked

Hackers have targeted about 19,000 French websites since a rampage by Islamic extremists left 20 dead last week, a top French cyberdefense official said Thursday as the president tried to calm the nation’s inflamed religious tensions.

France is on edge since last week’s attacks...

Full story: http://www.streetwisejournal.com/world-cyber-war-19000-french-websites-hacked/4796/

[Lite Beer]

Belgian authorities say 15 arrested in sweep
ANGELA CHARLTON, Associated Press
RAF CASERT, Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — More than two dozen suspects have been arrested in Belgium, France and Germany in continuing searches for suspected terrorists, authorities said Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792459-belgian-authorities-say-15-arrested-in-sweep/

[Lite Beer]

Don't Vote For 'Previous Politicians,' Prayuth Advises Nation

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — Thailand's unelected military ruler has asked the public to think of what is best for the nation when they vote, instead of relying on their "familiarity" with the candidates running in an election.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792467-dont-vote-for-previous-politicians-prayuth-advises-nation/

[Lite Beer]

VISA
Thailand ponders visa fee waiver for Chinese tourists
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai authorities are discussing whether the exemption of visa fees for Chinese tourists should be re-introduced, said Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792469-thailand-ponders-visa-fee-waiver-for-chinese-tourists/

[Lite Beer]

to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 17 Jan 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792535-thailand-live-saturday-17-jan-2015/