Thailand Live Thursday 5 Feb 2015

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Thai stocks opened Thur, at 1,595, down 4.50 pts, 0.28% Thur; Asia stocks mixed on People's Bank of China's stimulus, uncertainty in Greece. /The Nation

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Offerings dedicated to monks to come under tightened check



BANGKOK: -- Wrapped offerings dedicated to monks will now be a serious issue taken for deliberation by relevant state agencies following complaints that some expired items were mixed in the packs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797775-offerings-dedicated-to-monks-to-come-under-tightened-check/

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Leader: Australia tried to stop 2 executions in Indonesia
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's prime minister on Thursday said his government had done everything it could to save the lives of two Australian heroin traffickers on death row in Indonesia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797780-abbott-australia-tried-to-stop-2-executions-in-indonesia/

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Local authorities to propose DSI handle land intrusion on Koh Lipe Island



BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Region Three will propose the Minister of Justice to designate the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to take over investigation of land intrusion on Koh Lipe Island after finding influential authorities and civilians were involved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797782-local-authorities-to-propose-dsi-handle-land-intrusion-on-koh-lipe-island/

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UK urges Indonesia to spare life of drug smuggler
Hans Nicholas Jong, Ina Parlina and Ni Komang Erviani
The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA: -- Just three days after a British newspaper revealed the suspension of a diplomat for allegedly having an affair with a drug convict in Bali, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond came to Jakarta on a mission to save the life of British drug trafficker Lindsay Sandiford, who is on death row.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797783-uk-urges-indonesia-to-spare-life-of-drug-smuggler-lindsay-sandiford/

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Backstreet Boys dates confirmed
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The Backstreet Boys, who are now in their 30s and 40s, will prove to Bangkok fans they can still sing pop tunes and bust some hip moves on stage at their Bangkok stop of the In a World Like This Tour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797785-backstreet-boys-dates-confirmed/

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Recent visit by US top diplomat strains relation



BANGKOK: -- The recent visit to Thailand by a top US diplomat to strengthen the over 180 years old relations between the two countries was a failure and even strained the relation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797826-recent-visit-by-us-top-diplomat-strains-thai-relation/

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Phuket serial burglars nabbed
Eakkapop Thongtub


Prasert (seated, left) and Saroj meet the press this morning.

PHUKET: -- Two men from Pa Khlok were arrested yesterday (February 4) for a months-long burglary spree in the area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797828-phuket-serial-burglars-nabbed/

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Bangkok ranked among world’s top 10 cities with worst traffic



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok was ranked eighth among the world's top 10 cities having the worst traffic, according to a new study by British motor-oil company Castrol.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797829-bangkok-ranked-among-worlds-top-10-cities-with-worst-traffic/

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Thai Red Shirt leader accuses junta of looking for a 'fight'

AFP

BANGKOK: -- The leader of Thailand's opposition "Red Shirts" on Thursday accused the junta of trying to provoke them into a "fight" as the movement falls under suspicion for a bomb attack and the circulation of a forged document on the revered king.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797830-thai-red-shirt-leader-jatuporn-accuses-govt-of-looking-for-a-fight/

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Public Health to train 350 epidemiologists in 10 years' time

BANGKOK, 5 February 2015 (NNT) -- The Ministry of Public Health has set a target to train 350 epidemiologists within 10 years' time in order to effectively deal with emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in the future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797834-thai-public-health-to-train-350-epidemiologists-in-10-years-time/

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Poll says bombing is politically motivated



BANGKOK: -- Dusit Poll revealed its latest survey on the double bomb explosions at Siam Paragon and BTS Siam station with the majority believing it be as politically motivated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797835-poll-says-siam-paragon-bombing-is-politically-motivated/

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Chinese tourists reportedly flock into Thailand to celebrate Chinese New Year

BANGKOK, 5 Feb 2015, (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has projected that Thailand will welcome nearly 900 flights from China during the Chinese New Year celebration from February 18th to 24th, bringing in over 53,000 Chinese tourists this month alone, an increase of 49% on-year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797837-chinese-tourists-reportedly-flock-into-thailand-to-celebrate-chinese-new-year/

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Power cut in Phuket Town tomorrow

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797840-power-cut-in-phuket-town-tomorrow-6-february/

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Six arrested in Phuket with kratom leaves
Saran Mitrarat


The first three man were arrested following a raid at address on Prabaramee Rd.

PHUKET: -- Following tips-offs, Kathu police on Tuesday (February 3) carried out raids on two premises in Patong which were believed to house kratom dealers. The raids resulted in the arrest of six people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797842-six-arrested-in-phuket-with-kratom-leaves/

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Families of 2010 Crackdown Victims Demand Progress From NACC
By Khaosod English


A Redshirt demonstrator sits atop one of armored vehicles left behind by the military after a failed crackdown on the protesters on Ratchadamnern Avenue in Bangkok, 11 April 2010

BANGKOK — Family members of victims killed in the 2010 crackdown on Redshirt demonstrators have submitted a letter of protest to Thailand’s anti-graft agency for failing to take legal action against those responsible for the military operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797845-families-of-2010-crackdown-victims-demand-progress-from-nacc/

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UPDATE:

Unconfirmed reports British woman missing in Bangkok found
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A British woman reported missing earlier this week in Bangkok may have been found, according to unconfirmed reports online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797355-british-mother-appeals-for-help-finding-missing-daughter-in-bangkok/page-9?p=9032166#entry9032166

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12 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima declared drought disaster zones

KORAT: -- Twelve out of 32 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima have been declared drought disaster zones, Nakhon Ratchasima chief disaster prevention and mitigation officer Sombat Traisak said Thursday.

He said the drought has affected over 700,000 rai of farmland and 63,111 families. The provincial administration will dispatch 130 water trucks to deliver water to the affected areas upon requested.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/12-districts-in-Nakhon-Ratchasima-declared-drought-30253460.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-05

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Interpol hunts Brit over bar-girl killing


Brit Shane Kenneth Looker is believed top have crossed the border into Malaysia on November 24. Photo/Stickboy BKK

BANGKOK: -- Interpol has issued its equivalent of an international arrest warrant for a British man suspected of killing a Thai bar girl, stuffing her body in a suitcase and dumping it into the Mae Klong River in Kanchanaburi in November last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797856-interpol-hunts-brit-over-bar-girl-killing/

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Khon Kaen launches Ebola prevention workshop

KHON KAEN, 5 February 2015 (NNT) – The Khon Kaen office of disaster prevention and mitigation has launched an Ebola prevention workshop to prepare officials for an emergency case.

Participants at the workshop consisted of health and non-health officials from provinces across the northeastern region. The training focused on five major measures designed to detect the fatal virus, prevent it from spreading and provide treatment for those showing Ebola-related symptoms.

The disease has so far sickened more than 22,000 people and killed 8,800. The outbreak is currently rampant in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Although there have been no confirmed cases in Thailand, the country has not been complacent. More than 3,500 visitors from countries with reports of Ebola infections have been screened at the point of entry for the disease so far.

The continued Ebola prevention bids are also aimed at gearing officials up for future control measures against new types of epidemics, including novel coronavirus 2012, which could spread even faster due to the more convenient intercontinental transport.


-- NNT 2015-02-05

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SET index closed 1,607.92 up 8.11; Bt/USD32.48; GBP49.26; AUD25.13; EUR36.81; CAD25.77; HKD4.18; SGD23.98; JPY27.59

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Gov't pays 60m baht to solve water shortage in Pattani

PATTANI, 5 February 2015 (NNT) – A 60 million baht budget has been approved by the government to solve water shortage for the people in Ban Ton Yong Pao, Pattani province after suffering from decades of consumable water supply shortage.

The Pattani Provincial Irrigation Office Director Pornthep Boonyapaluek has revealed that the office has received a 60 million baht budget from the government to establish an irrigation system for Ban Ton Yong Pao in the Nongjik District of Pattani.

In a meeting chaired by Maj.Gen. Udomwit Anowan, the Director of the Fourth Region Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Forward Command Development Bureau, it was stated that the irrigation system's construction will begin in March and is expected to be completed by September 2015.

The irrigation project will supply consumable water to 8,000 people in Nongjik District, ensuring them with all-year access to water supply that is consumable, said the Pattani Irrigation Director.

The shortage of a consumable water supply has plagued the people of Ban Ton Yong Pao for decades, even after requests for royal assistance.

The Office of the Royal Development Projects Board has urged all related agencies to conduct field observations and conduct dialogue with the local public to gather information to their problems and respond to their needs.

The Director of the Fourth Region ISOC Forward Command Development Bureau confirmed that all sectors have agreed to fully support and supervise the construction. The construction project will be beneficial to the people and will help boost public confidence in government officials.


-- NNT 2015-02-05

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Deep South Banners Decry 'Siamese Colonization'
By Khaosod Engkish


Several banners were spotted in Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala on 5 Feb 2015.

PATTANI — Police say secessionist insurgents in southern Thailand have hung several banners accusing Thai authorities of human rights violations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797871-deep-south-banners-decry-siamese-colonization/

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Trips to Middle East losing popularity among Japanese

Tokyo (The Yomiuri Shimbun) -- The deadly hostage incident perpe-trated by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militant group is creating a great deal of anxiety for those planning trips to the Middle East.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797873-trips-to-middle-east-losing-popularity-among-japanese/

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Raid makes a THB100-million dent in illegal supplements racket
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A huge haul of illegal dietary supplements were seized by the Department of Special Investigations from several companies in Bangkok and neighboring Samut Sakhon province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797893-raid-makes-a-thb100-million-dent-in-illegal-supplements-racket/

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PARIS (AP) - French president says he, German chancellor heading to Ukraine today with new peace initiative.

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Body of Burmese worker found in Phuket elevator shaft
Eakkapop Thongtub


Police believe the body of the man had been in the shaft for at least two days.

PHUKET: -- The body of a male Burmese construction worker was found at the bottom of an elevator shaft on a resort construction site in Cherng Talay yesterday (February 4).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797898-body-of-burmese-worker-found-in-phuket-elevator-shaft/

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Operators believe Thai chicken export to jump 6-7% in 2015

BANGKOK, 5 February 2015 (NNT) – The Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association foresees a bright future ahead of the Thai poultry industry, believing it will enjoy an export jump this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797909-operators-believe-thai-chicken-export-to-jump-6-7-percent-in-2015/

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Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam expects the next general election to be announced in January next year as election-related laws can be prepared soon. /Bangkok Post

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Canadian found hanged in Phuket home. Suicide, police say

Darawan Naknakhon

Part of the rope remains in the bathroom after the Canadian was cut down.

PHUKET: A Canadian man was found dead this afternoon (February 5) in his Rawai home. Police have ruled the death a suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797939-canadian-found-hanged-in-phuket-home-suicide-police-say/