Thailand Live Monday 2 Feb 2015

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2 Australian ministers brush off leadership speculation
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Two senior Australian government ministers on Monday brushed off reports that they might challenge Prime Minister Tony Abbott's leadership as an opinion poll showed a further fall in his popularity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796926-2-australian-ministers-brush-off-leadership-speculation/

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28 million tourists expected to visit Thailand this year
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 2 -- Despite the ongoing enforcement of martial law, many foreigners seem to better understand the situation in Thailand and the number of foreigners visiting the kingdom in 2015 is expected to rise to 28 million, said Charoen Wangananont, secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796927-28-million-tourists-expected-to-visit-thailand-in-2015/

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BoT: private sector waiting for global economic recovery, state investment
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 2 -- Recovery of domestic consumption and private investment in Thailand is still slow as the private sector is still waiting for global economic recovery and massive government investment on basic infrastructure projects, said Don Nakornthab, director of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) Macroeconomic Policy Office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796928-bot-private-sector-waiting-for-global-economic-recovery-state-investment/

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Fire at Chon Buri tyre factory under control; six warehouses destroyed with Bt500 million damage, 3 persons injured /MCOT

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National Police Chief: 2 explosions at Siam Paragon are pipe bombs; one person wounded /MCOT

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,578.57, falls 2.68 points /MCOT

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MH370: Next-of-kins to receive compensation three weeks after documents are processed
By Digital Content

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 (Bernama) -- Compensation will be paid to next-of-kins of MH370 victims about three weeks after the documentation process and paper work have been completed, said MH370/MH17 crisis director Fuad Sharuji.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796947-mh370-next-of-kins-to-receive-compensation-three-weeks-after-documents-are-processed/

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Egypt antiquities showman tells the world it's safe to visit
By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA

KRUGERSDORP, South Africa (AP) — Egypt's best-known archaeologist is a passionate showman with an explorer's fedora who joined the last, doomed Cabinet of President Hosni Mubarak, then resigned in a swirl of corruption allegations after the 2011 revolution ousted his patron. Admired or reviled, he is once again a frontman for Egypt, exhorting international audiences to see the heritage of a country where unrest has hit tourism hard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796951-egypt-antiquities-showman-zahi-hawass-tells-the-world-its-safe-to-visit/

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Thailand: Land of smiles, land of ghosts

AFP

BANGKOK: -- From exorcism ceremonies to spirit houses and amulets claiming to make wearers bullet-proof, Thailand is a culture soaked in superstition -- an obsession critics say is holding the nation back.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796952-thailand-land-of-smiles-land-of-ghosts/

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UPDATE:

Prayut condemns bomb explosions at Siam Paragon



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning condemned the two bomb explosions Sunday night at Siam Paragon saying the perpetrators had no care of the lives and properties of others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796822-two-homemade-bombs-explode-in-front-of-siam-paragon/page-5?p=9018165#entry9018165

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Chinese tyre factory gutted in huge fire



BANGKOK: -- A huge fire broke out last night at a tyre factory inside the Hemaraj industrial estate in the Eastern Seaboard, burning down four godowns where finished tyres were stored.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796957-chinese-tyre-factory-in-eastern-seaboard-destroyed-by-massive-fire/

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Chinese tourist dries her delicates at Chiang Mai airport
By Coconuts Bangkok



CHIANG MAI: -- Photos of a Chinese tourist marking her territory with bra and panties in a Chiang Mai airport terminal spread across the social media last night to the collective head-shaking of netizens.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796959-chinese-tourist-dries-her-delicates-at-chiang-mai-airport/

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Royal Thai Police put bounties on 4 insurgent suspects in Deep South

BANGKOK, 2 February 2015 (NNT)-The Royal Thai Police Office has put bounties worth millions of baht on 4 suspects believed to have triggered violence in the Deep South.

According to the Thai police, the 4 bounties are worth more than 13 million baht altogether, with the highest one being 10 million baht. The others are 2 million, 1 million and 500,000 baht, respectively.

Mr. Sapa-ing Bazor and Mr. Mazae Useng are the most wanted on the list for their roles as leaders of the insurgent groups.

Two other key suspects wanted by the police are Mr. Adul Munee and Mr. Kareema Yalapae. All the four men have been charged with terrorism and treason.

People who are aware of their whereabouts are encouraged to report to the police at 1340, 073-340447 and 191. They can also contact the military unit near their homes.

The caller’s identity and personal details will be withheld, said the police.


-- NNT 2015-02-02

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Bomb explosions force BMA to close its one-stop service a week for repairs



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) today ordered the closure of its one-stop service at Siam station of the Sky train service a week for repairs.

The one-stop BMA Express Services booth provides all registration of city services for Bangkok people.

The explosion damaged its rolled steel wall and some office equipments. BMA civic works and Pathumwan district officials inspected the booth this morning band said it needs five days before it could be repaired and function as usual.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bomb-explosions-force-bma-close-one-stop-service-week-repairs


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-02

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2 cult members executed in China for McDonald's murder /AP

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Thai tourism operators projects rise in tourists from China of about 5.6 mn this year should help offset the drop in Russian tourists. /The Nation

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Line app launches online grocery shopping in Thailand

LINE, one of Southeast Asia’s most popular chat apps with more than 180 million users, plans to launch an online grocery service in Thailand on February 4th.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/line-grocery-sales-thailand/3671/

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Police thwart 13th attack by serial rapist
By Coconuts Bangkok



NAKHON PATHOM: -- Police confirmed a suspected serial rapist and murderer is still on the loose after the attempted assault of another elderly woman over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796968-thai-police-thwart-13th-attack-by-serial-rapist/

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Invention's Day exhibition kicked open at Impact Arena

BANGKOK, 2 February 2015 (NNT)- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is kicking open 'Invention’s Day Exhibition' at Impact Areana today in honor of His Majesty the King, a renowned and talented inventor.

NRCT Secretary General Dr. Suthiporn Jitmitrapab said the exhibition serves as a platform for students and amateur inventors to exhibit their inventions.

Visitors will get to see the royal family’s achievements displayed inside the exhibition, as well as more than 600 other Thai inventions with interesting ability, such as those that help save energy, preserve the environment and handle natural disasters; among many others.

The event also features over 100 award winning items from around the world. A seminar will be held later in the day on various topics including how to further improve the inventions for different market segments as well as how to increase their values.

Visitors are advised not to miss seeing how an invention for a smart phone can help forensic scientists solve crime or verify the authenticity of jewelry, and robots that can assist people with disability and the elderly, as well as building homes. The exhibition is open from 9 am – 6 pm daily until February 5th, at Impact Arena Muangthong Thani.


-- NNT 2015-02-02

[Lite Beer]

Terminal 2 at Don Mueang ready by August

Terminal 2 at Bangkok's Don Mueang airport should be ready for commercial operation in seven months following its renovation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796977-terminal-2-at-don-mueang-ready-by-august/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

BANGKOK: -- The huge fire at the Chinese factory, LLIT (Thailand) inside Hemaraj industrial estate that raged more than seven hours had left over US$ 40 million damages (1.2 billion baht ) to its car tyres in stocks, and six one-storey factory buildings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796957-chinese-tyre-factory-in-eastern-seaboard-destroyed-by-massive-fire/#entry9018804

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Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller advisory service.

The following Travel Advice has changed* Thailand

Current Advice Level: "High degree of caution"

Change Summary:

On 1 February 2015, two small explosions occurred outside a Bangkok shopping mall (see under Safety and security), and the Australian consulate in Phuket has reopened (see under Where to get help). The level of advice has not changed. We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand overall.

We continue to strongly advise Australians against travel to the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla due to high levels of ongoing violence in these areas.

Source: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

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Thai junta steps up security after Bangkok pipe bombs

AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's junta vowed Monday to tighten security after two homemade pipe bombs detonated near a Bangkok shopping mall, the first major disruption to an uneasy peace imposed under martial law since last May's coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796988-thai-govt-steps-up-security-after-bangkok-pipe-bombs/

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UPDATE:

BKK Bombing: Prayuth Orders Investigation of 'Anti-Govt' Elements
By Khaosod English


Thai bomb squad experts and forensic police inspect the site of two bomb blasts near a luxury shopping mall entrance in Bangkok, Thailand, 02 February 2015. The bombs were planted in an attempt to stir up political turmoil, the interior minister says. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK

BANGKOK – Thailand’s military leader has ordered police to determine whether anti-government elements were behind the double bombing outside of a high-end shopping mall in Bangkok last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796988-thai-govt-steps-up-security-after-bangkok-pipe-bombs/#entry9018852

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Residents complain about construction site in Phuket Old Town
Nattapat Tuarob


Plai Kasemwut is adamant that she wants her 4-storey building.

Phuket: -- A number of residents in Phuket̕s old town have complained to the Damrongtham Centre about a construction site in the area which has allegedly caused damage to nearby houses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796990-residents-complain-about-construction-site-in-phuket-old-town/

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Nana Murder Suspect Now Being Linked To Two Similar Killings
Published by Stickboy BKK



BANGKOK: -- The British man sought by Thai police for the murder of a Nana Plaza bargirl is being investigated for two similar murders in the north of Thailand, according to reports in an English newspaper.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796992-british-nana-murder-suspect-now-being-linked-to-two-similar-killings/

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UPDATE:

Siam Paragon Bombs 'Not Intended to Kill'
By Khaosod English


Police in front of Siam Paragon after 2 IEDs exploded in front of the mall on 1 Feb 2015.

BANGKOK A spokesperson for Thailands military junta said he believes the double bombing in front of a shopping mall in Bangkok last night was not designed to harm anyone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796988-thai-govt-steps-up-security-after-bangkok-pipe-bombs/#entry9019079

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UPDATE:

DPM: Trace found for Siam Paragon bomber

BANGKOK, 2 February 2015 (NNT) — Security measures are heightened nationwide, as authorities have found evidence that may reveal suspect behind the explosion at Siam Paragon shopping center, said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796988-thai-govt-steps-up-security-after-bangkok-pipe-bombs/#entry9019140

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Number of victims in deep south drops constantly

YALA, 2 February 2015 (NNT) — Deaths and injuries caused from incidents in the southern-border provinces has decreased by half due to the NCPO's policy, said the SBPAC Secretary-General.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797002-number-of-victims-in-thailands-deep-south-drops-constantly/

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Indonesian govt bans alcohol sales in minimarts

Singapore (The Straits Times) -- In another move by the Indonesian government to crack down on social ills, trade minister Rachmat Gobel signed a regulation that bans the sale of all alcohol at minimarts nationwide from April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797004-indonesian-govt-bans-alcohol-sales-in-minimarts/

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New Thai-Myanmar bridge under constriction

MAE HONG SON, 2 February 2015 (NNT) – The Myanmar government is constructing a new bridge across the Salween River at the Huai Ton Noon border point to support the growing economy in the Thai side.

The Commander of the 7th Infantry Regiment Taskforce and the Thai chairman of the Thailand - Myanmar Township Border Committee (TBC) Col. Jaras Panyadee observed the construction of the new Thai-Myanmar bridge as part of the 26th TBC Meeting in Myanmar on 30 January 2015.

Currently the bridge measures 1,260 yards in length and is 75 percent complete. Construction commenced since February 2013 with a budget of about 200 million baht.

Bridge construction is expected to be finished within this year to support the border economic growth from the Thai side, especial from the Huai Ton Noon border point in Khun Yuam District of Mae Hong Son province, said the Thai chairman of the TBC.

The TBC meeting was hosted by the Myanmar counterpart in the Bawlakhe District of Myanmar, where the Thai side has requested cooperation in wildfire and illegal deforestation prevention efforts.


-- NNT 2015-02-02