Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Feb 2015

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Warning as new Facebook malware affects over 100k users in two days

A leading Internet security researcher has warned Facebook users about downloading a fake Flash player upgrade which is in fact a dangerous piece of malware.

The malware tricks users by appearing in their newsfeed as a link to a porn video, which looks like it has been shared by one of their Facebook friends.

If you click on the link, you will then be redirected to a webpage which may look similar to a YouTube style video sharing site. You’ll then see the first few seconds of the video before being prompted to download a Flash update in order to watch the remainder of the smutty movie.

However, you really don’t want to download the ‘Flash update’.

If you do, your computer will be infected with the malware, which will take over your Facebook account and proceed to post porn links to your Facebook page, tagging 20 of your friends each time it posts.

The method of tricking users with an enticing post or link in order to infect computers with malware is of course nothing new, but the fact that this particular piece of malware tags friends of the victim has resulted in the malware spreading rapidly in a short period of time.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/warning-new-facebook-malware-affects-100k-users-two-days/3730/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Will my plane crash? “Am I Going Down?” app tells you the odds…

The old adage that “there’s an app for that” has never been more true. A new app has been launched to help people conquer their fear of flying by providing statistics on the likelihood that any particular flight will crash.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/plane-crash-app-am-i-going-down/3750/

[webfact]

Anger at secret moving of Rohingya
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Residents in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Hua Sai district were upset after the provincial office for social development and human security yesterday relocated 99 Rohingya people from the shelter where they had stayed for 22 days to elsewhere without advance notice, an informed source reported yesterday.

The relocation prevented media from taking photos. Police were notified but not local Muslim people who had provided the Rohingya with food and commodity products and raised funds to cover their wellbeing for three months. The source claimed that some Rohingya family members were separated in the move.

The Rohingya were divided and sent to three locations; 44 to the Nakhon Si Thammarat Shelter For Children and Families, 22 to the Songkhla's office for social development and human security, and 35 to the Surat Thani's office for social development and human security.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Anger-at-secret-moving-of-Rohingya-30253229.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-03

[webfact]

A draft on government procurement will double penalties for high-ranking officials and politicians found to be involved in corruption in the process. /Bangkok Post

The National Reform Council (NRC) on Monday rejected the first draft of legislation to establish an independent organisation for consumer protection. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Mental Health Department: More Thais are suffering from mental disorder

BANGKOK, 3 Feb 2015, (NNT) - The Department of Mental Health has revealed that more and more Thais are suffering from mental disorders caused by factors such as economy, politics, natural disaster and depression.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797197-mental-health-department-more-thais-are-suffering-from-mental-disorder/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Tourism Ministry expecting 28.5 to 29 million foreign tourists this year

BANGKOK, 3 February 2015 (NNT) – 28.5 to 29 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Thailand in the whole of 2015, said Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796927-28-million-tourists-expected-to-visit-thailand-in-2015/page-4?p=9021964#entry9021964

[webfact]

Japan invited to invest in dual-track linkages between Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar

BANGKOK, 3 February 2015 (NNT) – Ahead of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's official trip to Japan next week, the Japanese private sector has been invited to invest in the dual-track train linkages between Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797198-japan-invited-to-invest-in-dual-track-linkages-between-cambodia-thailand-and-myanmar/

[webfact]

Lampang offers 5,000 baht for clues leading to arrest of persons responsible for fires

LAMPANG, 3 February 2015 (NNT) – After experiencing a bout of thick haze, Lampang province is offering a 5,000-baht reward to anyone who informs the authorities of persons responsible for burning activities that add to the haze problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797199-lampang-offers-5000-baht-for-clues-leading-to-arrest-of-persons-responsible-for-fires/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

DPM Pridiyathorn: Siam Paragon blasts won’t hurt investment confidence

BANGKOK, 3 February 2015 (NNT) - The deputy prime minister in charge of economics is confident that the recent blasts in front of a high-end shopping area in Bangkok will not hurt investment confidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797158-siam-paragon-explosion-will-not-affect-tourism-in-the-long-term/?p=9022004#entry9022004

[webfact]

Thais continue flocking to Siriraj Hospital to sign well-wishing messages for HM the King

BANGKOK, 3 February 2015 (NNT) - More and more people continue traveling to Siriraj Hospital to sign their well-wishing messages for HM the King.

People from all walks of life as well as groups of representatives from various state and private agencies on Monday brought flowers and presented to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, where HM the King has been staying and receiving medical attention.

Well-wishers signing the books for HM the King yesterday traveled from across the country, including a civil boy scout group from northeastern Nakhon Phanom Province, a team of school administrators from Rayong Province on the eastern seaboard, and members of a community from Thonburi area in Bangkok.


-- NNT 2015-02-03

[webfact]

Private bus operators (Bangkok) threaten to suspend service as they wait for govt to approve Bt3 fare hike request /The Nation

Draft on state procurement to double penalties for high-ranking officials / politicians involved in corruption. /The Nation

[webfact]

Most Chinese cities below air quality standard
By Digital Media

BEIJING, Feb 3 (Xinhua) -- Only eight of the 74 major Chinese cities subject to air quality monitoring met the national standard for clear air in 2014, official figures showed on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797202-most-chinese-cities-below-air-quality-standard/

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,594.22, gains 11.52 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Thai North ready to tackle haze
By Digital Content



CHIANG MAI, Feb 3 -- Thailand's northern region is preparing to tackle the haze problem, as this province's level of airborne small particulate matter has risen slightly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797205-thai-north-ready-to-tackle-haze/

[webfact]

BTS, Aeon join for co-branded card to provide extra services
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- BTS Group, the largest mass-transit operator in Bangkok, has partnered with leading retail finance company AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) to launch the AEON Rabbit Member Card, a new co-branded card aimed at giving cardholders additional financial services, quick access to mass transportation and easy payment channels at various retail outlets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797207-bangkok-bts-aeon-join-for-co-branded-card-to-provide-extra-services/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Police to seek warrants for arrest of two Siam Paragon bomb suspects



BANGKOK: -- The police will issue warrants for the arrest of two suspects they now gained evidence to charge them in connection with the bomb explosions in front of Siam Paragon shopping mall Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797157-hunt-for-siam-paragon-bombers/?p=9022366#entry9022366

[webfact]

Government says Announcement 13 is fake



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed concern over the release of a fake announcement on some websites and went viral on the social media and ordered security authorities to hunt down the responsible people for trial.

Government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Monday night that Announcement No 13 allegedly issued by the Bureau of the Royal Household was fake and asked the public not to be misled by the release which was totally false.

He said the government condemn the people who spread the fake announcement on the social media, and was investigating to bring all those responsible for trial.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/government-says-announcement-13-fake


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-03

[webfact]

UPDATE:

29 million tourists to visit Thailand this year



BANGKOK: -- Thailand forecasts 28.5 to 29 million foreign tourists to visit the country this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796927-28-million-tourists-expected-to-visit-thailand-in-2015/page-4?p=9022537#entry9022537

[webfact]

Pool bus operators threaten to stop city bus services unless 3 baht fare increase is allowed



BANGKOK: -- Pool-bus operators in Bangkok are demanding 3 baht increase of fares for warm and cool buses with threat to stop service if their demand is not met.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797229-bangkok-pool-bus-operators-threaten-to-stop-bus-services-unless-3-baht-fare-increase-is-allowed/

[webfact]

20-year-old Phuket man arrested with gun
Eakkapop Thongtub


Arthon tried to escape from police but was caught after a 10 minute search.

PHUKET: -- A 20-year-old man was arrested in possession of a .38 pistol yesterday (February 2) in Baan Meaung Mai following a swoop on the area by a police crime suppression unit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797235-20-year-old-phuket-man-arrested-with-gun/

[webfact]

Army chief says political motivation remains unclear at Siam Paragon bombings



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief and deputy defence minister Gen Udomdej Seetabutr said it remained unclear if the two bomb explosions in front of Siam Paragon was political motivated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797237-army-chief-says-political-motivation-remains-unclear-at-siam-paragon-bombings/

[webfact]

Government official: Canadian foreign minister to step down
By ROB GILLIES

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird will be announcing his resignation from the Cabinet on Tuesday, a senior government official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797239-government-official-canadian-foreign-minister-to-step-down/

[webfact]

Prayut bets with life to stop attempts to create rift in the country



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday bet with his life to stop and never allow any people to create rifts in the country again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797240-prayut-bets-with-life-to-stop-attempts-to-create-rift-in-the-country/

[webfact]

US asks for $8.8 billion to fund fight against IS

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama has requested $8.8 billion to fund the fight against the Islamic State group in his 2016 budget unveiled Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797258-us-asks-for-88-billion-to-fund-fight-against-is/

[webfact]

Khao Yai national park’s access road closes faster



BANGKOK: -- Khao Yai national park will close access to the park at the south entrance from Prachinburi province three hours faster to alleviate confrontation between wild elephants and motorists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797259-khao-yai-national-parks-access-road-closes-faster/

[webfact]

Bangkok dad shows off baby driver on Facebook
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Traffic Police

BANGKOK: -- A father who flaunted his 9-year-old son's driving skill online has been summoned by traffic police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797261-bangkok-dad-shows-off-baby-driver-on-facebook/

[webfact]

Cops raid Phuket massage parlours in anti-human trafficking drive: VIDEO
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- As part of a nationwide drive to clamp down on human trafficking, Phuket police last night (February 2) carried out raids on two massage parlours in the Phoolpon area of Phuket Town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797264-cops-raid-phuket-massage-parlours-in-anti-human-trafficking-drive-video/

[webfact]

Junta and Redshirts Deny Links to BKK Double Bombings
By Khaosod English


Police inspect the site of two bomb blasts near a luxury shopping mall entrance in Bangkok, Thailand, 02 February 2015.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s rival political factions are denying responsibility for the double bombings that targeted a high-end shopping mall in Bangkok on 1 February, as police work to track down suspects and establish a motive behind the attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797265-govt-and-redshirts-deny-links-to-bangkok-double-bombings/

[webfact]

Soi Dog Foundation to hold fourth mobile adoption event in Phuket
The Nation



PHUKET: -- The Soi Dog Foundation will be holding its fourth mobile event in Phuket on February 21 to offer puppies and kittens for adoption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797267-soi-dog-foundation-to-hold-fourth-mobile-adoption-event-in-phuket/

[webfact]

NRC calls for authorities to look into Dhammakaya pilgrimage



BANGKOK, 03 February 2015 (NNT) - A member of the National Reform Council (NRC) has asked the National Office of Buddhism to look into the pilgrimage of Dhammakaya monks in Bangkok, which caused severe traffic jam, saying such an event was done with self-promotional motives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797270-nrc-calls-for-authorities-to-look-into-dhammakaya-pilgrimage/