Kamala Harris: Balancing Loyalty and Change in Her Bid for the Presidency

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Farang robs Pattaya exchange shop

Pattaya, Chon Buri: - An English-speaking man robbed a money exchange shop in Pattaya Sunday night and made off with Bt200,000 in Thai bank notes, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798770-farang-robs-pattaya-exchange-shop/

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Transport Co promises free, clean toilet rooms at all bus terminals

Bangkok: - Transport Company board chairman Anusorn Saengnimnuan has promised to stop collecting fee for toilet usage at all bus terminals and to make the facilities clean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798778-transport-co-promises-free-clean-toilet-rooms-at-all-bus-terminals/

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THAI: Loaders on strike yesterday not its employees

BANGKOK, 9 Feb 2015, (NNT) - An official statement of the national carrier Thai Airways International said the loaders who staged a strike on Sunday are not its employees, and the airline has managed to replace the trouble-causing workers and resumed its operation at 2 pm.

According to the Thai Airways, the loaders’ strike closely resembles a strike staged by loaders of other airlines on Saturday, resulting in delays of several flights.

After finding substitute employees, the airline told the media that it did not involve in the conflict, which was a dispute between the loaders and their respective company. The national carrier stressed that the incident had nothing to do with its internal restructuring plan.

The airline hires a third party company to manage the conveyor belt. Thai Airways reiterated that it could find a substitute party to replace the one that failed to do its duty, as demonstrated in yesterday’s case.


-- NNT 2015-02-09

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Princess Maha Chakri inaugurates “Building 2” of the Bank of Thailand

BANGKOK, 9 February 2015 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Sunday (Feb 8) presided over the inaugural ceremony of a newly refurbished building of the Bank of Thailand at its headquarters in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.

The renovated ‘Building 2’ used to serve as the Bank of Thailand (BOT)’s headoffice during 1982-2009, after which renovation was made to modernize the building, making it ready to cushion the central bank’s increasing tasks in accordance with the national economic growth.

The BOT’s Building 2 is nine floors high with a combined utility space of 40,000 square meters. It comprises operational rooms to handle the nation’s economic stability, a huge conference room to facilitate meetings of economic leaders at both local and international levels, and a press conference room. The building also houses several other units such as the banknotes division.


-- NNT 2015-02-09

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The Phu Du-Paklay Thai-Lao border crossing has been upgraded to int'l border crossing in preparation for AEC 2015 /The Nation

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798788-thailand-laos-international-border-point-opens-in-uttaradit/

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Jordan says it launched 56 airstrikes against Islamic State
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan has launched 56 airstrikes against Islamic State group weapons depots, training centers and military barracks since militants released a video of them burning a Jordanian pilot to death, Jordan's air force chief said Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798783-jordan-says-it-launched-56-airstrikes-against-islamic-state/

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UPDATE:

Caught with their pants down



BANGKOK: -- Two American women were deported yesterday and banned from returning to Cambodia for four years after they were caught snapping partially nude photos at one of the historical sites, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798407-us-sisters-arrested-for-nude-photos-at-cambodias-angkor/?p=9047658#entry9047658

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Thailand - Laos international border point opens in Uttaradit



UTTARADIT, 9 February 2015 (NNT) – The Phu Du - Paklay border crossing has been upgraded to an international border crossing in preparation for the integration of the ASEAN Economic Community.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798788-thailand-laos-international-border-point-opens-in-uttaradit/

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O-Net exam went well with no report of cheating

BANGKOK, 9 February 2015 (NNT) - The National Institute of Testing Service (NITS) revealed that no cheating has been reported in the university entrance exam held over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798790-o-net-exam-went-well-with-no-report-of-cheating/

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Malfunction forces AirAsia X to abort flight, return to KL



BANGKOK: -- Technical difficulty forced an AirAsia X flight bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to return to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) earlier yesterday, New Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798792-malfunction-forces-airasia-x-to-abort-flight-return-to-kl/

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Bird flu outbreaks help boost Thai chicken exports: Kasikorn think tank
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 9 -- Thailand is expected to export more chicken this year following outbreaks of bird flu in several countries since late last year, according to a report issued by Kasikorn Research Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798812-bird-flu-outbreaks-help-boost-thai-chicken-exports-kasikorn-think-tank/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,610.14, falls 3.49 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Yingluck’s request for overseas trip takes longer consideration
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 9 -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) must take longer to consider overseas travel requests by former prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra because she is now facing criminal charges on the rice-pledging scheme in which is tainted with massive corruption, said an NCPO spokesman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798630-reports-yingluck-barred-from-leaving-thailand/page-5?p=9047886#entry9047886

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Cancellation of Europe-bound flights only temporary: THAI president
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 9 -- National flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) confirms that it has cancelled some flights to European destinations in line with its two-year strategic corporate restructuring programme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798816-cancellation-of-europe-bound-flights-only-temporary-thai-president/

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White Temple temporarily bans Chinese tourists for potty misconduct
By Coconuts Bangkok


ABOVE: The White Temple's "Golden Toilet" has become a destination it its own right. Photo: Thanate Tan

BANGKOK: -- An acclaimed national artist briefly banned Chinese tourists from his famous “White Temple” in Chiang Rai last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798820-white-temple-temporarily-bans-chinese-tourists-for-potty-misconduct/

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UPDATE:

Army chief says Ms Yingluck disallowed to leave the country



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr admitted Monday that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has prohibited former premier Yingluck Shinawatra to leave the country as she is facing trial in connection with the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798630-reports-yingluck-barred-from-leaving-thailand/page-6?p=9048136#entry9048136

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Drought crisis exacerbates

BANGKOK, 9 February 2015 (NNT) - Drought crisis has worsened in many provinces while the temperature begins dropping again in the upper part of Thailand.

The same situation is reported in the southern province of Phang-nga. Boh San residents are forced to store water in large containers as the water level in Boh San dyke has plunged so significantly that there is not enough water for consumption for the surrounding communities.

Crops in more than 3,600 rai of farmlands are now at risk of a water shortage.

As summer is approaching, rangers in Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, Uthai Thani Province, have been prepared to prevent and handle forest fires.

Meanwhile, the chilly weather has prompted Sakon Nakhon residents in the Northeast to look for firewood as the temperature has declined to as low as 14-18 degrees Celsius.

People living in Muang district have been particularly affected by the gusty cold weather. Many of them have to sit around campfires to keep themselves warm.


-- NNT 2015-02-09

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PM reiterates during Japan viist that govt is pushing democracy forward, will hold general election in 1 year; no human rights violations /MCOT

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KRC says Thai Baht will be 32.50-32.80 baht per US dollar this week

BANGKOK, 9 February 2015 (NNT) - Kasikorn Research Center (KRC) has forecast that the resistance levels in the Thai stock market this week will be around 1,624 – 1,650 points.

According to KRC and Kasikorn Securities Public Co. Ltd., the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) will also see support levels fluctuate between 1,592 to 1,571 points.

However, the fluctuations are also subject to several external factors, such as oil prices, Greece’s debt crisis, and the U.S. economy in terms of its employment rate and retail sales.

The Thai baht will likely vary between 32.50-32.80 to the US dollar this week.


-- NNT 2015-02-09

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Surfer killed after shark bites off legs in Australia
By KRISTEN GELINEAU

SYDNEY (AP) — A man was killed Monday after a shark tore off his legs while he was surfing off Australia's east coast, not far from the area where another surfer was mauled by a shark a day earlier, officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798829-surfer-killed-after-shark-bites-off-legs-in-australia/

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Explosion at a transformer in the Army Ordnance Department in Bangkok's Bang Sue district injured nine soldiers including one seriously wounded at about 11am. /Bangkok Post

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Many Chinese tourists on a learning curve
Victor Paul Borg
China Daily

(ANN) As the number of Chinese travellers taking trips abroad is projected to be greater than those travelling domestically during the upcoming Spring festival, we are likely to hear more about the antics of some Chinese tourists abroad in the media this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798832-many-chinese-tourists-on-a-learning-curve/

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BANGKOK: -- Nine soldiers were injured when a RPG rocket exploded while an ordnance official was repairing a rocket propeller at the Army Ordnance Department on Kiak Kai area.

Initial report said an RPG rocket which stuck inside the barrel of the propeller dropped to the floor and exploded while he was trying to get it out.

Ten ordnance officers in the room were injured, but no one suffered serious injuries.

They were all admitted to Phra Mongkut hospital, but all were released with only five were remained at hospital.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/86176


-- Thai PBS 2015-02-09

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NE district of Thailand provides Valentine photo props

Nakhon Ratchasima:- With St Valentine’s Day on the horizon, colorful flower fields and cool breeze in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khiao district promises to be a perfect setting for couples in love.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798846-ne-district-of-thailand-provides-valentine-photo-props/

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Thai Govt Orders Inspection of Hotels, Clubs on Valentine's Day
By Khaosod English


Teens buy roses for Valentine's Day in Bangkok on 13 Feb 2013.

BANGKOK – The Thai government is preparing its annual campaign to monitor nightclubs and hotels on Valentine’s Day to prevent incidents of rape or other illegal activities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798852-thai-govt-orders-inspection-of-hotels-clubs-on-valentines-day/

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Shoptopia: 25 new shopping malls to open in Bangkok
By Coconuts Bangkok


ABOVE: The Metro West Mall will open by April on Kanlapaphruak Road in the western Bangkok district of Phasi Charoen.
Photo: Think of Living.com

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok will have 25 more reasons to continue existing by next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798854-shoptopia-25-new-shopping-malls-to-open-in-bangkok/

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Police sting fines 21 taxi drivers who said 'no'
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Stephan Rebernik

BANGKOK: -- Taxi drivers yesterday were surprised to find 21 passengers who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798855-thai-police-sting-fines-21-taxi-drivers-who-said-no/

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Amid 'challenging' times, Thailand and US scale down drills
Reuters
NAKHON NAYOK

NAKHON NAYOK: -- The United States said on Monday its relationship with longtime ally Thailand was going through a "challenging" period as the two sides began a major military exercise, scaled down over Washington's concerns about the junta leadership.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798857-amid-challenging-times-thailand-and-us-scale-down-drills/

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Korea allows abused minors to sue parents

Seoul (The Korea Herald) -- The Supreme Court said Sunday it would allow children under 19 who suffered from domestic violence or child have abuse to sue their parents over parental rights as part of efforts to secure their rights and welfare conditions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798858-korea-allows-abused-minors-to-sue-parents/

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Tobacco bill opponents to issue white book



BANGKOK: -- Twelve tobacco farmers and traders associations are submitting their "white book" to the cabinet explaining why the tobacco control bill cannot prevent teenagers from smoking and why the public health policy is a failure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798859-thai-tobacco-bill-opponents-to-issue-white-book/