Thailand Live Tuesday 20 Jan 2015

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Drive to tax tutoring schools making progress

BANGKOK, 20 January 2015 (NNT) – The Office of the Private Education Commission has insisted that it will press ahead with its proposal for the government to tax tutoring schools, as it believes doing so would contribute to an improved standard for the establishments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793288-tutoring-schools-in-thailand-to-face-taxation/#entry8960076

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Thailand's 2 budget airlines, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia, saw their ticket prices fall continuously in a double-digit plunge over 21-month period to last Sept 30. /Bangkok Post

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Deadly Israeli strike deals painful blow to Hezbollah, Iran
By DIAA HADID and ZEINA KARAM

BEIRUT (AP) — Beating their chests in anger and chanting "Death to Israel," thousands of mourners marched Monday in a funeral procession for a prominent Hezbollah fighter killed with five other members of the Shiite militant group in an Israeli airstrike in Syria's Golan Heights.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793245-deadly-israeli-strike-deals-painful-blow-to-hezbollah-iran/

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S'pore to ban drinking in public places after 10.30pm
Lim Yi Han
The Straits Times

SINGAPORE: -- Drinking in public places, including parks and common areas in Housing Board estates, will no longer be allowed after 10.30pm under a new Bill introduced in Parliament yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793256-singapore-to-ban-drinking-in-public-places-after-1030pm/

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Hamas slams EU's appeal to keep it on terror list
English.news.cn

GAZA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Hamas movement on Monday slammed the European Union (EU) for contesting the decision of the EU High Court of Justice to oust the Islamic group from the world list of terrorist organizations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793259-hamas-slams-eus-appeal-to-keep-it-on-terror-list/

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Drinking water trucked into Montana city after oil spill
MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press

GLENDIVE, Montana (AP) — Officials said Monday that they were bringing truckloads of drinking water to the eastern Montana city of Glendive after traces of 50,000 gallons (189,000 liters) of oil that spilled into the Yellowstone River were found in the city's water supply.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793262-us-drinking-water-trucked-into-montana-city-after-oil-spill/

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No more Page 3? Report says UK's Sun drops topless models

LONDON (AP) — Has the sun set on the topless models of Britain's tabloid press?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793244-no-more-page-3-report-says-uks-sun-drops-topless-models/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,538.17, gains 2.80 points /MCOT

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Border economic zone investment will materialise this year
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 20 -- The government through its committee on special economic zone development resolved today to start investment in special economic zones in about 20 border provinces within this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793266-border-economic-zone-investment-will-materialise-this-year/

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RT @AP: BREAKING: IMF lowers global growth forecasts for 2015 and 2016 citing weakness in most major economies.

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Scam artists destroying image of Thai tourism

BANGKOK, Thailand - Reports of foreign tourists being ripped off by locals are destroying the image of the Thai tourism industry, and environmental activists continue pushing the authorities to drop its plan to build a coal-fired power plant in the South is also keeping tourists away.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793268-scam-artists-destroying-image-of-thai-tourism/

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UPDATE:

Bill to ban public consumption of alcohol tabled in Parliament



SINGAPORE: -- A new Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill was tabled in Singapore Parliament on Monday. If it is passed into law, drinking of alcohol between 10.30pm to 7am in public places will be banned, The Straits Times reported on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793256-singapore-to-ban-drinking-in-public-places-after-1030pm/#entry8959790

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Special economic zone committee agreed to include Nong Khai in 1st phase SEZ development in addition to other 5 approved sites. /The Nation

Economists see export sector remains downside risk to revive Thai economy amid global concerns over deflation in EU and Japan. /The Nation

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UPDATE:

All telecom fibre optic cabling must be laid underground



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok streets with overhead telecom fibre optic, and other ugly black fire-hose sized utility cable lines snaked between power poles will be slowly out of sight after the telecom regulator met telecom operators and the electricity supplier yesterday in attempt to get rid of this ugly scenes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793235-nbtc-to-put-telecom-cables-in-bangkok-underground-soon/#entry8959866

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No American apples with deadly bacteria found in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 20 January 2015 (NNT) – The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) says no imported apples distributed by American companies are found contaminated in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793273-no-american-apples-with-deadly-bacteria-found-in-bangkok/

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Iran confirms death of IRGC general in Syrian Golan: TV
English.news.cn

TEHRAN, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed the killing of one of its generals in an Israeli airstrike on the Golan Heights in Syria that also killed six members of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Press TV reported on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793274-iran-confirms-death-of-irgc-general-in-syrian-golan-tv/

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China toughens guns, explosives control ahead of festival
By Digital Content

BEIJING, Jan 20 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS began Monday a nationwide campaign to "eliminate public security risks linked to guns and explosives" weeks before lunar new year and China's parliamentary session in March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793277-china-toughens-guns-explosives-control-ahead-of-festival/

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Culture Ministry names 12 national artists



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Culture yesterday named 12 artists as national artists for 2014.

Among the artists named at the meeting of the National Cultural Commission, are leading actress and director Patravadi Meejudhon, classical music master Dusadee Banomyong, and acclaimed writer Chamaiporn Sangkrachang.

The others include actor Sa-ard Piempongsarn, paint artist Chavalit Sermprungsum, urban architect Nit Hincheeranant, artist Boonchuey Hiranwit, shadow puppet master Narong Janpoom, folk song master Pongsak Jantarukkha, Thai classical musician Sirichaichan Fakjamroon, architect Charoon Angsavanont, and artist Panya Vijinthanasa.

The twelve national artists represent the fields of visual, literary and performing arts.

They will be presented with royal trophies and badges from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the National Artists Day on February 24.

Mrs Patravadi, or widely called Khru Kek, is a leading actress, director and playwright known as one of the most-respected performing arts trainers in Thailand.

The Patravadi theatre in Bangkok was founded by her in 1992 and became known for its outdoor stage, large-scale theatre and well-trained performers in various arts.

The theatre, however, was closed following the great flood in 201 and she later founded Patravadi High School, a boarding school in Hua Him.

Mr Panya, an art lecturer from Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts, is renowned for his murals at Suvarnabhumi airport and his signature “gazing down” Buddha.

Mrs Chamaiporn is former president of the Writers’ Association of Thailand.

National artists will have right for a monthly salary of 20,000 baht and for medical welfare services of no more than 100,000 baht, and other financial assistance in case of suffering public disaster.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/culture-ministry-names-12-national-artists


-- Thai PBS 2015-01-20

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UNHCR urged to help Rohingyas in South of Thailand

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 20 January 2015 (NNT) – The Muslims for Peace Foundation is planning to ask the UN Refugee Agency to help Rohingyas falling prey to human traffickers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793285-unhcr-urged-to-help-rohingyas-in-south-of-thailand/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Windows 10 will be unveiled tomorrow – will you make the switch?

Microsoft will announce more details about its long-awaited operating system, Windows 10, tomorrow. Will it live up to the considerable hype, and more importantly will it restore confidence in the software giant after the debacle that was Windows 8?

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) sent invitations out last month for an event which takes place on January 21, entitled Windows 10: the next chapter, where it’s expected that more details will be revealed about the latest version, and a look at how it works on tablets and smartphones.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/windows-10-unveiled-wednesday/2959/

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Statue randomly emerges from ground so crowds assemble to worship it
By Coconuts Bangkok



RATCHABURI: -- Bit by bit, a statue of a hermit is slowly rising from the ground each day in the front yard of a Ratchaburi family, who cannot be happier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793289-ratchaburi-statue-randomly-emerges-from-ground-so-crowds-assemble-to-worship-it/

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UPDATE:

18 students injured in old Chinese bomb explosion



BANGKOK: -- A buried old Chinese M79 grenade exploded at an outdoor army shooting range in Nong Bualampoo province injuring 18 students, four seriously.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/792819-18-students-injured-in-bomb-explosion-while-receiving-military-training/#entry8960201

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Yasothon shows off its sufficiency economy projects

YASOTHON, 20 Jan 2015 (NNT) - Yasothon’s Public Relations Office yesterday invited the press to observe projects promoting the sufficiency economy philosophy of His Majesty the King in the province and neighboring Surin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793292-yasothon-shows-off-its-sufficiency-economy-projects/

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Irishman fined after getting stuck in roof

SYDNEY: -- An Irishman couldn't walk into a bar, so he tried to get in through the roof.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793297-irishman-fined-after-getting-stuck-inside-australian-nightclub-roof/

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Suvarnabhumi bans taxi driver singled out in Japanese man's rant
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Koki Aki

BANGKOK: -- Suvarnabhumi Airport officials have taken steps to insure airport taxies use their meters and blacklisted a taxi driver who was among many complaints in a widely circulated rant by a Japanese expat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793299-suvarnabhumi-bans-taxi-driver-singled-out-in-japanese-mans-rant/

[Lite Beer]

Two workers die at separate Fukushima nuclear plants: operator

TOKYO (AFP) - A worker at Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant died Tuesday after falling into a water tank, the country's nuclear operator said, the second fatal accident to blight efforts to stabilise the tsunami-battered facility.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793302-two-workers-die-at-separate-fukushima-nuclear-plants-operator/

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IMF cuts growth forecasts, citing sluggish EU, Japan, BRICS
ELAINE KURTENBACH, AP Business Writer

TOKYO (AP) — The International Monetary Fund lowered its forecasts for global growth over the next two years, warning Tuesday that weakness in most major economies will trump gains from lower oil prices. The IMF's report was released as China reported its slowest growth in 24 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793312-imf-cuts-growth-forecasts-citing-sluggish-eu-japan-brics/

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Japan, Thai firms invest $10.4 billion in China's Citic

Tokyo, Japan | AFP |

TOKYO: -- Japanese trading house Itochu said Tuesday that it is teaming up with Thai agricultural giant Charoen Pokphand Group to invest $10.4 billion in Chinese conglomerate Citic Group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793313-japan-thai-firms-invest-104-billion-in-chinas-citic/

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Police Clamped Down On Slot Machine Plant In Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Pattaya police cracked down on a plant which smuggled and produced slot machines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793311-police-clamp-down-on-slot-machine-plant-in-pattaya/

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UPDATE:

MYSTERIOUS CONDOMS
Condoms intended for recycling, owner claims

BANGKOK: -- A 38-year-old woman has claimed ownership of 1,500-kilograms of condoms abandoned on an empty plot in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793212-thousands-of-large-unused-condoms-dumped-in-an-empty-field-in-ayutthaya/page-2#entry8960759