Thailand Live Sunday 25 Jan 2015

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Five provinces to host second phase special economic zones

BANGKOK, 25 January 2015 (NNT) – The Office of the National Economic and Development Board (NESDB) has been ordered by the Prime Minister to turn five high-potential provinces into special economic zones in the second phase of 2015.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said in the national televised broadcast that he has ordered the NESDB to conduct a study in turning five potential provinces into special economic zones during the second phase of this year.

The five provinces are Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Phanom, and Narathiwat. These provinces' borders are connected with neighbouring countries and are considered important acgricultural manufacturing bases.

These provinces are eligible for more investments in many industries and businesses that will be an important mechanism to generate and distribute wealth. Many private companies have shown interest in investing and developing projects in the areas, said the Prime Minister.

Along wit the special economic zones, the PM also mentioned that developments of an inclusive logistics network, urban planning, and infrastructure must also be pushed forward in parallel with the regional economic development to sustainably enhance the trade value between the countries.


-- NNT 2015-01-25

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'British Gang' in Udon Thani Beats Up Frenchmen
By Khaosod English

UDON THANI — A "gang" of British men allegedly assaulted two French men in front of a bar in Udon Thani province early this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794581-british-gang-in-udon-thani-beats-up-frenchmen/

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Korean Tourist Bus Crash Leaves One Dead in Chiang Rai
By Khaosod English


A bus carrying tourists from South Korea crashed into an oncoming pick-up truck in Chiang Rai province on 24 Jan 2015, killing one person and injuring 16.

CHIANG RAI - A bus carrying tourists from South Korea crashed into an oncoming pick-up truck in Chiang Rai province this morning, killing one person and injuring 16.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794583-korean-tourist-bus-crash-leaves-one-dead-in-chiang-rai/

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Pheu Thai Bets on Junta's Amnesty For Yingluck
By Khaosod English


Yingluck Shinawatra answers to the questions of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) during impeachment proceedings against her, at Parliament House in Bangkok, Thailand, 22 January 2015. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK

BANGKOK — A top legal adviser to the Pheu Thai Party says he hopes the military junta will grant amnesty to former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and dissolve the impeachment verdict handed down to her.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794584-pheu-thai-bets-on-govts-amnesty-for-yingluck/

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Thais invited to watch comet Lovejoy next week
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 25 -- The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) is inviting the public to observe the comet Lovejoy with its glowing green tail on January 30 before it leaves on its 8,000 year journey

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794585-thais-invited-to-watch-comet-lovejoy-next-week/

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Defibrillators in public places for heart attack victims
THE SUNDAY NATION



BANGKOK: -- IN A MOVE to save more cardiac arrest patients, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) has joined forces with the private sector to install automated external defibrillators at public places frequented by high-risk individuals. The agency is also training people how to use the device.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794586-defibrillators-in-public-places-for-heart-attack-victims-in-thailand/

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Members in the dark on future of Pheu Thai
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE SUNDAY NATION

Party has come to a crossroads with the role of the Shinawatra family under a cloud

BANGKOK: -- PHEU THAI politicians are in the dark about the party's future following the impeachment of former premier Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794587-members-in-the-dark-on-future-of-pheu-thai/

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Digital economy bills 'must address public concerns'
Asina Pornwasin
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Drafters of the digital economy bills have admitted that the draft needs to be revised to better address public concerns before they become laws this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794588-digital-thai-economy-bills-must-address-public-concerns/

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Fugitive academic taunts Panthongtae
THE SUNDAY NATION

Former lecturer 'laughs off' alleged bid to stir protests

BANGKOK: -- FUGITIVE ACADEMIC Somsak Jeamteerasakul yesterday "laughed off" Panthongtae Shinawatra's apparent move to stir protests over the impeachment of his aunt, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794589-fugitive-thai-academic-taunts-panthongtae-shinawatra/

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UPDATE:

Taxi surcharge at airport could double
THE SUNDAY NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE LAND Transport Department is studying the feasibility of doubling the surcharge for taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport from Bt50 at present.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794474-transport-ministry-evaluating-proposed-rise-in-taxi-surcharge-at-suvarnabhumi/#entry8982260

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Lamphun study aims to deliver ecologically friendly plan
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- A JOINT research study by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) is underway in an attempt to improve conditions at various industrial estates in Lamphun while also tackling environmental issues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794590-lamphun-study-aims-to-deliver-ecologically-friendly-plan/

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CSR
Ikea's global agenda
ACHARA DEBOONME
THE NATION


Jonathan Spampinato shows soft toys and LED light bulbs

BANGKOK: -- Uniqueness and effectiveness could be the keywords that characterise CSR campaigns of Ikea, the Scandinavian furniture and accessories store.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794591-ikeas-global-agenda/

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American Teacher Jumped To His Death At Bangkok Condo
Published by Stickboy BKK



BANGKOK: -- A 69-year-old American school teacher jumped to his death on Saturday afternoon from his condo in the Prakanong area of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794592-american-teacher-jumps-to-his-death-from-bangkok-condo/

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Couple arrested for theft from Phuket tourist


Mitr and Prae took police to the location at Karon beach where they stole Mr Straforini's bag.

PHUKET: -- At around 11.30pm yesterday (January 23), Karon police arrested a couple who took part in the theft of an Italian tourist’s possessions at Karon Beach, and later at his hotel room at the Relax Garden Bungalow resort.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794593-phuket-police-arrest-couple-for-theft-from-italian-tourist/

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Phuket: RPM owner urges govt to relax rules on superyachts
Alasdair Forbes


RPM owner Gulu Lalvani (left) is seen pictured here with Phuket Governor, Nisit Jansomwong & Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.

PHUKET: -- The owner of the Royal Phuket Marina, Gulu Lalvani, has urged the government to make two changes to regulations which, he says, will create a boom in high-end tourism in Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794594-phuket-rpm-owner-urges-govt-to-relax-rules-on-superyachts/

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NCPO gets thumbs up for performance: poll
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Most people have been satisfied with the performance of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) over the past eight months after the coup in May last year, a public opinion survey has found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794595-ncpo-gets-thumbs-up-for-performance-poll/

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Police intensify hunt for serial rapist and killer
THE SUNDAY NATION



BANGKOK: -- POLICE ARE hunting for a man who had allegedly raped eight elderly or middle-aged women - two of whom were also killed - in Nakhon Pathom and Samut Songkhram provinces from 2010 to 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794596-thai-police-intensify-hunt-for-serial-rapist-and-killer/

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Live telecast of Prince Mahidol Award ceremony
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- People can watch the Prince Mahidol Award 2014 presentation ceremony held at the Grand Palace's Chakri Throne Hall on Wednesday via a live broadcast of the ceremony on Modern 9 TV, TV Channel NBT, and Radio Thailand, from 5.30pm, the National News Bureau of Thailand reported yesterday.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, on behalf of HM the King, will confer the Prince Mahidol Award 2014 to a Japanese researcher Dr Akira Endo in the field of medicine and an American researcher Dr Donald A Henderson in the field of public health.

Endo has been chosen for his discovery of the first anticholesterol statin called compactin, which has the capacity to reduce the amount of cholesterol in blood and effectively reduce cardiovascular disease, saving millions of lives around the world. In the field of public health, Henderson was the main contributor to the success of a Smallpox Eradication Campaign and his knowledge of smallpox elimination is also to be applied in the eradication of Ebola.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Live-telecast-of-Prince-Mahidol-Award-ceremony-30252617.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-25

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PM to sign condolence note at Saudi embassy
The Sunday Nation



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will sign a book of condolences on the passing away of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, at the Saudi Embassy tomorrow.

The Government Spokesman's Office announced yesterday that the prime minister will go to the Saudi Embassy, located at Sangthong Thani Building on North Sathon Road, at 11am on Monday to express his condolences in writing.

The Saudi monarch died on Friday at the age of 90.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/PM-to-sign-condolence-note-at-Saudi-embassy-30252618.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-25

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GREEN TRAVEL
IATA environmental assessment scheme gathers momentum
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Five airlines have recently successfully completed stages of the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme, a voluntary two-stage evaluation process designed to drive airline environmental performance improvements through independent assessment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794597-iata-environmental-assessment-scheme-gathers-momentum/

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Japan, US condemn unverified video claiming IS hostage dead
MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press
ELAINE KURTENBACH, Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe angrily demanded Sunday that the extremist Islamic State group release a Japanese journalist it is holding hostage after a new online video purported to show that another hostage had been killed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794599-japan-us-condemn-unverified-video-claiming-is-hostage-dead/

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Obama to cut short India trip to pay call on Saudi Arabia
By JULIE PACE

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — President Barack Obama will shorten his trip to India and divert to Saudi Arabia, paying respects after the death of King Abdullah and meeting with the oil-rich nation's new monarch, the White House said Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794600-obama-to-cut-short-india-trip-to-pay-call-on-saudi-arabia/

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Rockets kill 30 in Ukrainian city as rebels launch offensive
By PETER LEONARD

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Indiscriminate rocket fire slammed into a market, schools, homes and shops Saturday in Ukraine's southeastern city of Mariupol, killing at least 30 people, authorities said. The Ukrainian president called the blitz a terrorist attack and NATO and the U.S. demanded that Russia stop supporting the rebels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794601-rockets-kill-30-in-ukrainian-city-as-rebels-launch-offensive/

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Dignitaries head to Saudi Arabia after King Abdullah's death
ABDULLAH AL-SHIHRI
AYA BATRAWY

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — World leaders and top dignitaries began arriving in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to give their condolences following the death of King Abdullah, who died early Friday at age 90 after nearly two decades at the helm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794603-dignitaries-head-to-saudi-arabia-after-king-abdullahs-death/

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Possible Republican candidates woo social conservatives
THOMAS BEAUMONT, Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A parade of potential Republican presidential candidates vied for attention Saturday at a gathering of social conservatives who will play a key role in next year's Iowa caucuses that kick off the battle for the party's nomination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794604-us-possible-republican-candidates-woo-social-conservatives/

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Edgar Froese, German pioneer of electronic rock, dies at 70

BERLIN (AP) — Edgar Froese, who founded the pioneering German electronic rock group Tangerine Dream in 1967, has died at 70.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794606-tangerine-dreams-edgar-froese-dies-at-70/

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No bombs found on planes in Atlanta after threat
RAY HENRY, Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Police who searched two airplanes in Atlanta found no bombs following online threats made against the aircraft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794607-us-bomb-threat-against-2-planes-at-atlantas-main-airport/

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Russia accuses Poles of 'mockery of history' over Auschwitz
VANESSA GERA, Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Russia has accused Poland of engaging in a "mockery of history" after the Polish foreign minister credited Ukrainian soldiers, rather than the Soviet Red Army, with liberating Auschwitz 70 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794608-russia-accuses-poles-of-mockery-of-history-over-auschwitz/

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NLA to deliberate more agendas during Jan 29-30

BANGKOK, 25 January 2015 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly is scheduled to deliberate more agendas before the end of January.

NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said that the legislature will have its eighth and ninth meetings of this year on January 29 and 30.

According to him, the agendas set to be discussed are the draft amendment of the Cosmetics Act, which was proposed by the Cabinet, the draft amendment of the Thai Professional Pharmacy Act and the draft amendment of the Community College Act as well as the review of the draft amendment to the Fishery Act.

The NLA President added that there will be also a debate on the conflict between the Public Health Ministry and the National Health Security Office, which was postponed from the previous scheduled on January 16.


-- NNT 2015-01-25

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NRC’s Sombat: Hybrid election system comes with risks

BANGKOK, 25 January 2015 (NNT) - The chairman of a National Reform Council committee has warned that a hybrid election system may come with a number of risks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794650-nrcs-sombat-hybrid-election-system-comes-with-risks/