Thailand Live Wednesday 28 Jan 2015

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Thai exports shrink two years in row
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 27 -- Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion reported that Thai exports shrank by 0.41 per cent in 2014 contracing for the second consecutive year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795516-thai-exports-shrink-two-years-in-row/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,595.51, gains 5.70 points /MCOT

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Doubts emerge over Time report on police harassment
By Todd Ruiz


Image: Screenshot from Time.com

BANGKOK: -- Questions have emerged about a widely read account of misconduct by Bangkok police published online by Time Magazine last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795535-doubts-emerge-over-time-report-on-thai-police-harassment/

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Street beggar removal on its 3rd day

BANGKOK, 28 January 2015 (NNT)- The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will take to the street for the third time to take beggars off the streets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795536-bangkok-street-beggar-removal-on-its-3rd-day/

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A chartered bus carrying about 50 local administration officials and employees skidded and flipped over while it was on the way from Sakhon Nakhon to Nakhon Phanom before dawn Wednesday.

About 40 people were injured, five seriously, included the driver.

The accident was blamed on the driver who reported to be sleepy while was driving to Chonburi.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/84378


-- Thai PBS 2015-01-28

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Thai AirAsia X airline adds 7-Eleven convenience stores as tickets outlets, offering Bt200 discount for tickets bought at 7-11 stores. /The Nation

Taxi drivers at Suvarnabhumi airport threatened to cease service unless they are allowed to double cab surcharge plus suitcase-handling fee. /The Nation

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Mexico: Captured drug lord 'Chapo' Guzman to stay put
By MARIA VERZA

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Captured Sinaloa drug cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman will not be extradited to the United States anytime soon, Mexico's top prosecutor said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795540-mexico-captured-drug-lord-chapo-guzman-to-stay-put/

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US Charge d’affaires summoned in protest of its top diplomat’s statement

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry today summoned the US Charge d' affaires W. Patrick Murphy for a meeting to voice its uncomfortable stance and to demand clarification after its top diplomat's meeting with the former prime minister and his statement on the country's existing martial law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795550-us-charge-daffaires-summoned-in-protest-of-its-top-diplomats-statement/

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Dual track railway between Prajuab Khiri Khan and Chumpon to be completed in 2017

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 28 January 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Transport has said the dual track railway linking Hua Hin district and Chumpon province will be completed in 2 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795551-dual-track-railway-between-prachuap-khiri-khan-and-chumpon-to-be-completed-in-2017/

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LA jury awards $5 million to funk legend Sly Stone

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Funk legend Sly Stone was awarded $5 million on Tuesday in a breach-of-contract suit that claimed his business partners and his own company cheated him out of royalties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795554-us-la-jury-awards-5-million-to-funk-legend-sly-stone/

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UPDATE:

Foreign ministry clarifies US its need to have martial law in place

BANGKOK: -- The Thai deputy foreign minister today clarified the US charge d'Affaires of its reasons to stay the martial law, and its uncomfortable position with the US top diplomat's speech calling for the lifting of martial law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795550-us-charge-daffaires-summoned-in-protest-of-its-top-diplomats-statement/#entry8997084

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European Tourist Assaulted in BKK Old City
By Khaosod english

BANGKOK — A European tourist was hospitalized after being hit in the head with a beer bottle in Bangkok's historic quarter yesterday, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795563-european-tourist-assaulted-in-bangkok-old-city/

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UDD leader Jatuporn sentenced to 2 years in jail for defaming former PM Abhisit

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795565-udd-leader-jatuporn-sentenced-to-2-years-in-jail-for-defaming-former-pm-abhisit/

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UPDATE:

Thai 'Red Shirt' leader sentenced to two years in jail

AFP

BANGKOK: -- A Thai court Wednesday sentenced a leader of the opposition Red Shirt movement to two years in prison for defaming a former premier, in a move analysts said was the latest attack against critics of the military regime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795565-udd-leader-jatuporn-sentenced-to-2-years-in-jail-for-defaming-former-pm-abhisit/#entry8997465

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Suvarnabhumi van-taxis threaten to stop service
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The transportation revolt continues with drivers of van-taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport threatening to stop service if officials do not increase the surcharge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795583-suvarnabhumi-van-taxis-threaten-to-stop-service/

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Chiang Mai declares no-fly zones for sky lanterns



CHIANG MAI: -- Chiang Mai authorities today declared five districts where floating sky lanterns are definitely prohibited unless at festive season and with advance notice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795585-chiang-mai-declares-no-fly-zones-for-sky-lanterns/

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THAI-US RELATIONS
US statement 'wounded' Thailand, Deputy Foreign Minister says


Don//Photo by Adisorn Chabsungnuen

BANGKOK: -- Thailand on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the recent comments made by a US top official, saying the US is interfering with its domestic political situations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795586-us-statement-wounded-thailand-deputy-foreign-minister-says/

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UThai Thani to hold cultural festival

UTHAI THANI, 28 Jan 2015 (NNT) – Uthai Thani province has held a press conference to declare open its annual cultural festival, which will kick off tomorrow.

The festival, taking place in January each year, is aimed at highlighting the uniqueness of the 3,000 year-old history of Uthai Thani province. The event will feature a mass ordination as a tribute to His Majesty the King, the local rite as homage to the goddess of rice, a cultural parade and performances, sports and singing competitions and an exhibition showcasing the local history and culture.

Aside from the cultural festival, Uthai Thani Deputy Governor Wisit Kurattanavet, who presided over the press conference, has also invited visitors to explore other interesting aspects of the province such as local food, the casual lifestyle of villagers, ethnic and cultural diversity and world-renowned Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary .

The event is a cooperative efforts of the Uthai Thani local administrative organization, the provincial cultural council and the public sector. The 10-day festival will be held between January 31 and February 9.


-- NNT 2015-01-28

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Deputy PM and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said NCPO reasonably summoned Pheu Thai's Surapong Tovichakchaikul for his division-provoking behaviours. /Bangkok Post

Police have announced a cash reward of 100,000 baht for evidence leading to the conviction of a serial rapist believed to have attacked 12 elderly victims. /Bangkok Post

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered National Council for Peace and Order to summon Pheu Thai's Surapong Tovichakchaikul for comments on impeachment and US reactions. /Bangkok Post

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Malaysia to release MH370 report one day before anniversary

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia will release an interim report on its investigation into Flight MH370 on March 7, a day before the first anniversary of the jet's mysterious disappearance, an official said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795589-malaysia-to-release-mh370-report-one-day-before-anniversary/

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Palestinian girl, 14, in Israel prison for throwing rocks
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

BETIN, West Bank (AP) — The fate of a 14-year-old Palestinian girl, tried before an Israeli military court for hurling rocks at passing cars in the West Bank and sentenced to two months in prison, has gripped Palestinians who say her treatment demonstrates Israel's excessive measures against stone-throwing youth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795593-palestinian-girl-14-in-israel-prison-for-throwing-rocks/

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UPDATE:

'What Would America Do?' Thai Junta Asks US Envoy
By Khaosod English


Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha (L) speaking with Gen. Thanasak Patimaprakorn after the latter's meeting with US State Dept official Daniel Russel on 26 Jan 2015.

BANGKOK — Thailand's military junta has denounced a speech made by a senior United States official that criticized the ongoing suppression of human rights in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795550-us-charge-daffaires-summoned-in-protest-of-its-top-diplomats-statement/page-2?p=8997716#entry8997716

[Jonathan Fairfield]

The Lost Souls of Thailand's Full-Moon Parties

Haad Rin is an idyllic beach on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand. But if its white sand and clear waters could speak, they would tell you stories of booze, drugs, and bodily fluids.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795594-the-lost-souls-of-thailands-full-moon-parties/

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Thais divided whether impeachment would affect reconciliation: survey

BANGKOK: -- A latest survey by Bangkok University found that 46.5 per cent of respondents do not think the impeachment of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra would affect the reconciliation efforts while 45 per cent said it would and the remaining 8.5 per cent are not sure.

The survey was carried out among 959 people nationwide.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thais-divided-whether-impeachment-would-affect-rec-30252852.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-28

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A suspect in noodle shop's fatal attack re-enacts crime



BANGKOK: -- A teenaged suspect allegedly involved in the murder of a noodle vendor’s son in Nakhon Pathom’s Nakhon Chaisri district was this morning escorted by police to the crime scene for re-enactment of the crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795597-a-suspect-in-a-fatal-attack-at-a-thai-noodle-shop-re-enacts-crime/

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No change to policy rate

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand has decided to maintain the policy rate at 2 per cent per annum at today's meeting.

The Monetary Policy Committee voted 5 to 2 to maintain the policy rate. Two members voted to reduce the rate by 0.25 per cent.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/No-change-to-policy-rate-30252853.html

-- The Nation 2015-01-28

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Govt tells agents to ID which immigrants not to deport
By ALICIA A. CALDWELL

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration has ordered immigration agents to ask immigrants they encounter living in the country illegally whether they might qualify under President Barack Obama's plans to avoid deporting them, according to internal training materials obtained by The Associated Press.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795602-us-govt-tells-agents-to-id-which-immigrants-not-to-deport/

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UPDATE:

DEFAMATION SUIT
Jatuporn sentenced to 2 years jail for insulting Abhisit

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court sentenced redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan for two years in jail for insulting former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in a speech five years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795565-udd-leader-jatuporn-sentenced-to-2-years-in-jail-for-defaming-former-pm-abhisit/page-2#entry8997932

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Japan to help Thailand construct high speed train
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 28 -- The Thai and Japanese governments have to build a hi speed railway linking Thailand's western and eastern regions to create more connectivity between Myanmar,Thailand and Cambodia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795605-japan-to-help-thailand-construct-high-speed-train/

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International buyers respond positively to Made in Thailand Fair
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 28 -- The Ministry of Commerce is sponsoring a Made in Thailand in Focus Fair to bring international buyers to seal business deals with Thai manufacturers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795607-international-buyers-respond-positively-to-made-in-thailand-fair/