Thailand Live Thursday 22 Jan 2015

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NLA staff inspect Tak's progress in building second bridge across Moei River

TAK, 22 January 2015 (NNT) – Representatives of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) have paid a visit to Tak province to observe the construction of the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge across the Moei River which is aimed at boosting border trade.

Tak provincial governor Somchai Hatayatanti has assigned the mayor of Mae Sot Municipality to accompany members of the NLA’s sub-committee for public administration to the construction site of the new friendship bridge.

The bridge, which will link Tak province in Thailand to the city of Myawaddy in Myanmar, is being built in response to the government’s plan to set up special economic zones in border provinces.

Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-Ngam, Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong, Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya, NLA Vice-President Surachai Liengboonlertchai and other NLA members will also be visiting the bridge’s construction site between January 23 and 29. They are poised to discuss and lay down plans to develop the special economic zone and increase the border trade value in the area.

The government has set a target of 1.5 trillion baht for revenue from border trade across the country this year.


-- NNT 2015-01-22

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Phuket police seize beach furniture in Patong
Nattapat Tuarob

A police officer stacks confiscated beach furniture

PHUKET: Police swooped on Patong Beach January 20 and seized 178 sunbeds, 37 chairs, and 53 umbrellas piled along the edge of the beach. They announced that owners must come and retrieve them from the police station – if they dare.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793769-phuket-police-seize-beach-furniture-in-patong/

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Thai Junta Leader Deflects Concern Over Mass Surveillance Bill
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Thai junta leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has asserted his authority to pass a mass surveillance bill that would allow officials to inspect any form of communication without a requesting a court warrant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793805-thai-pm-deflects-concern-over-mass-surveillance-bill/

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Thailand-China begin discussion on rail cooperation

BANGKOK, 22 January 2015 (NNT) – The first joint discussion between Thailand and China on the railroad and infrastructure development project started today, with construction expected go ahead as planned according to the agreed time frame.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793806-thailand-china-begin-discussion-on-rail-cooperation/

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BOT: Thai exports in 2015 will be affected by GSP cut but not to a great extent

BANGKOK, 22 January 2015 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BOT) estimates that Thai exports in 2015 will see a growth of 1.0% following the GSP cut by the European Union which has been effective since January 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793807-bot-thai-exports-in-2015-will-be-affected-by-gsp-cut-but-not-to-a-great-extent/

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UPDATE:

All Skytrain stations to be installed with elevators
Kawin Praneetlekha
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- ALL 23 stations of the original Skytrain network will have to provide elevators for passengers within one year following a ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court, which overrode the verdict of its lower court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793703-court-orders-skytrain-to-accommodate-disabled-passengers/#entry8968240

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ANALYSIS
Country awaits vote with bated breath
The Nation

With the NLA set to decide tomorrow in the impeachment cases against Yingluck, Somsak and Nikom, many fear deepening of national divide

BANGKOK: -- The country is holding its breath for the vote tomorrow in the impeachment cases against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and former Parliament president Somsak Kiatsuranont and his deputy Nikom Wairatpanij, as the National Legislative Assembly concludes the debate on the cases today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793808-thai-analysis-country-awaits-impeachment-vote-with-bated-breath/

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ANALYSIS
NLA's military members hold key to Yingluck case
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation

Former PM may have sealed her own fate by dIsrespectIng assembly

BANGKOK: -- The political future of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra will be in the hands of military members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) when a vote is called tomorrow on whether she should be impeached over failure to stop corruption and losses in the rice-pledging scheme. The number of votes required for the impeachment of Yingluck is 132, or three-fifths.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793809-nlas-military-members-hold-key-to-yingluck-case/

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Digital bills 'will affect' media reform
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

Critics say law would strIp NBTC of Its freedom

BANGKOK: -- MEDIA ACADEMICS are warning that the proposed set of Digital Economy Bills would interfere with media development and reform, especially that of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793810-digital-bills-will-affect-thai-media-reform/

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Gloomy global outlook worries exporters
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE FEDERATION of Thai Industries (FTI) said yesterday that exporters are concerned about the World Bank and International Monetary Fund's downgrading of their forecasts for global economic growth, but that it has decided to maintain its projection for the country's exports to expand by 4 per cent this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793811-gloomy-global-outlook-worries-thai-exporters/

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EDITORIAL
Leave reconciliation out of impeachment decision
The Nation

Lawmakers must adhere to the rule of law when they vote tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly is scheduled to vote tomorrow on whether to impeach three politicians accused of wrongdoing by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. A decision to impeach would mean the politicians in question would be banned from holding political office for five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793812-thai-editorial-leave-reconciliation-out-of-impeachment-decision/

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THAI TALK
Who is trying to rock the Old Man's boat?
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- When Deputy Premier Wissanu Krea-ngam speaks, hardcore political observers listen with special interest, hoping to glean inside information and interpretation from what is hidden between the lines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793813-thai-talk-who-is-trying-to-rock-the-old-mans-boat/

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Cabbies who put up anti-Japanese sign warned they may lose licences



BANGKOK: -- The Land Transport Department has threatened to revoke the operating licences of any taxi drivers found to have put up a sign or a notice in their cars declaring their rejection of Japanese passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793815-thai-cabbies-who-put-up-anti-japanese-sign-warned-they-may-lose-licences/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Deadline looms for prepaid mobile users in Thailand to register

All users of prepaid mobile phones in Thailand will have to register the phone numbers before July 31st this year or face having their service suspended. That’s according to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC).

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793816-deadline-looms-for-prepaid-mobile-users-in-thailand-to-register/

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French Pervert Arrested In Chiang Mai
Stickboy BKK



CHIANG MAI: -- A 37-year-old Frenchman was arrested after a young women reported him to police for filming her whilst she took a bath at a Chiang Mai guesthouse late on Tuesday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793817-french-peeping-tom-arrested-in-chiang-mai/

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NARCOTICS
Four Mekong nations join forces to tackle drug trafficking
Vientiane Times/ANN

BANGKOK: -- Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and China have agreed to beef up their coordination efforts to crack down on illegal drug trafficking along the Mekong River.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793818-four-mekong-nations-join-forces-to-tackle-drug-trafficking/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Microsoft shows off Windows 10 and ‘HoloLens’

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Microsoft on Wednesday took the wraps off a new version of Windows — and a new wearable 3D gadget it calls the HoloLens.

The company showed the new headset, which lets users view and interact with three-dimensional images, at an event where it also revealed new features coming to the company’s flagship operating software.

Executives said Windows 10 is designed to embrace the way people use computers today — offering a familiar experience as they switch back and forth from personal computers to tablets, smartphones and other gadgets such as gaming consoles or even holographic projectors.

While it’s designed to let apps work in similar fashion on all those devices, Windows 10 will also come with a new Web browser that will be closely integrated with Cortana, the company’s voice-activated answer to Siri. Microsoft is expanding Cortana to serve as a search engine and personal assistant, capable of answering questions and responding to commands such as “Play music” on desktop and laptop computers, as well as mobile devices.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/microsoft-shows-off-windows-10-hololens/3092/

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BURNING ISSUE
Are we missing lessons from the rice-pledging fiasco?
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- Tomorrow is "judgement day" for former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's political future. She is accused by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of negligence of duty leading to corruption, in connection with her government's rice-pledging scheme. That project is part of her Pheu Thai Party's campaign promise in the run-up to the 2011 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793820-thai-politics-are-we-missing-lessons-from-the-rice-pledging-fiasco/

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Impeaching corrupt politicians is the first major step toward national reform: NACC
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- While all sides delivered closing statements yesterday, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) reminded the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) that impeaching corrupt politicians was one of the most important steps toward national reform.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793821-impeaching-corrupt-politicians-is-the-first-major-step-toward-national-reform-nacc/

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Govt officials charged in rice deals told to leave
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Civil servants, who were among 21 people recently charged by the anti-graft agency for fraud in connection with the government-to-government rice deals, may end up losing their government jobs, a senior Commerce Ministry official said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793822-thai-govt-officials-charged-in-rice-deals-told-to-leave/

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Drafters mull changes to agencies, courts
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A clause has been inserted in the new charter that would result in a significant transfer of case deliberation and sentencing from the Election Commission (EC) and National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to the Appeal Courts, charter drafters concluded yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793823-thai-charter-drafters-mull-changes-to-agencies-courts/

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Sinh wearing campaign kicked off in Chaiyaphum
Sutthipong Settharangsi
The Nation



CHAIYAPHUM: -- In a bid to revive a traditional Thai lifestyle, the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum instructed all schoolgirls to wear "sinh," a long tube skirt, and to refrain from wearing short skirts or pants on Buddhist holy days, starting from January 27.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793824-sinh-wearing-campaign-kicked-off-in-chaiyaphum/

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UNHCR to help settle Rohingya
The Nation



NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) would coordinate with related parties to move some Rohingya refugees in Thailand on a voluntary basis to a third country, initially set as the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793825-nakhon-si-thammarat-unhcr-to-help-settle-rohingya/

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UPDATE:

No violation of privacy: PM
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation



PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday denied that the Digital Economy bills would violate people's privacy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793805-thai-pm-deflects-concern-over-mass-surveillance-bill/#entry8968386

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Thailand expects tourism boost after street protests
Reuters

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand expects around 27.8 million tourists this year, the government said on Wednesday, up 12.2 percent on 2014 when the capital was gripped by anti-government protests and the murder of two British tourists on a holiday island made headlines worldwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793827-thailand-expects-tourism-boost-after-street-protests/

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German anti-Islam leader resigns after Hitler, refugee posts
DAVID RISING, Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — The leader of a German organization against the perceived "Islamization" of Europe stepped down Wednesday after online posts surfaced in which he used derogatory language to refer to refugees and posed looking like Adolf Hitler.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793828-german-anti-islam-leader-resigns-after-hitler-refugee-posts/

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Boehner defies Obama on Iran sanctions, invites Netanyahu
By DEB RIECHMANN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defying President Barack Obama, House Speaker John Boehner announced on Wednesday that he's invited Israel's prime minister to stand before Congress and push for new sanctions against its archenemy Iran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793829-boehner-defies-obama-on-iran-sanctions-invites-netanyahu/

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Russia, Ukraine agree pullback line for heavy arms
FRANK JORDANS, Associated Press
VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press
MSTYSLAV CHERNOV, Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Separatist forces deployed more arms and manpower Wednesday to an emerging flashpoint in eastern Ukraine, hours before diplomats from Russia and Ukraine agreed on a dividing line from where both sides should pull back their heavy weapons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793832-russia-ukraine-agree-pullback-line-for-heavy-arms/

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American Express to cut more than 4,000 jobs
KEN SWEET, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — American Express said Wednesday it plans to cut more than 4,000 jobs this year, about 6 percent of its total workforce.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793833-american-express-to-cut-more-than-4000-jobs/

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Iraq war inquiry report delayed until after election
DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — The report of an inquiry into Britain's role in the Iraq war will be delayed until after a national election in May, its chairman said, provoking dismay from politicians of all parties Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/793835-britains-iraq-war-inquiry-report-delayed-until-after-election/