Thailand Live Thursday 12 Feb 2015

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Hall of Fame basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian dies in Vegas
By TIM DAHLBERG

LAS VEGAS (AP) — He couldn't stop fighting the NCAA any more than he could give up chewing towels courtside. Jerry Tarkanian built a basketball dynasty in the desert, but it was his decades-long battle with the NCAA that defined him far more than the wins and losses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799666-hall-of-fame-basketball-coach-jerry-tarkanian-dies-in-vegas/

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Taxi driver arrested for refusing to return tourist's suitcase

Bangkok: -- Tourist police arrested a taxi driver Wednesday for allegedly refusing to return a suitcase of a Chinese tourist and his family.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799672-taxi-driver-arrested-for-refusing-to-return-tourists-suitcase/

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Drought diminishes 30% of off-season rice farming in the Central Region

BANGKOK, 12 Feb 2015, (NNT) - The Thai Rice Exporters Association has disclosed that this year’s drought would likely diminish about 30% of the projected 5-6 million tons of off-season rice output in the Central Region during the 1st round of off-season farming. The issues may affect the nation’s plan to remain as the number-one rice exporter in the ASEAN Region and the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799680-drought-diminishes-30-of-off-season-thai-rice-farming-in-the-central-region/

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Mobile blue flag vendors to be launched on Feb 16th

BANGKOK, 12 Feb 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has set February 16th as the date to commence its blue flag caravan, going around the capital for a hundred days offering commodity products at discounted prices.

According to Minister of Commerce General Chatchai Sarakallaya, the prices of products being offered in the caravan of a hundred pickup trucks would be 20-40% lower than those being sold in the market. He said that his ministry would work with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Royal Thai Police in determining spots where the caravan would visit.

He ensured Bangkokian that the campaign would be held in every district. The minister said another meeting with related officials will be held tomorrow to determine which items should be included in the caravan. Initially the products include soaps, toothpastes, detergent, sugar, cooking oil and rice.

General Chatchai said he had instructed the ministry’s Inspector General to conduct more frequent random inspection on the commodity product prices, in a bid to prevent unfair trading and maintain appropriate prices. The project would commence on Saturday onward.

The General said he had also assigned related officials to formulate a plan to help drought affected farmers seek alternative means of earning income. He particularly suggested they produce OTOP or community products.


-- NNT 2015-02-12

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Songkhla students buying Valentine’s roses from Chiang Mai in droves

SONGKHLA, 12 February 2015 (NNT) – The loving atmosphere of Valentine’s Day is noticeable right now in Songkhla province, especially around school areas where students are flocking to buy roses from Chiang Mai province.

Yes, the Valentine’s Day spirit is in the air in Songkhla province, especially at schools such as Woranari Chaloem Songkhla School, in the Muang District of Songkhla province. Street vendors are selling roses of various colors, especially red and white ones, along with Valentine’s Day themed dolls. The students are buying the flowers to give to their close friends, graduating seniors and their beloved teachers to show their respect and love. As Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday this year, many are giving each other flowers and presents before the weekend starts.

The prices of these red and white roses from Chiang Mai province that are sold on the streets of Songkhla range between 10-15 Baht for the cheapest and can go up to 80-100 Baht. Most students tend to go for the lower price range ones, as they still are dependent on their parents for money and cannot afford the pricier flowers.


-- NNT 2015-02-12

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PM to open floating market near Government House
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 12 -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will preside over a ceremony to launch an 18-day floating market at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, a canal near Government House in Bangkok on Thursday, according to government spokesperson Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799685-pm-to-open-floating-market-near-government-house/

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Self-defence technique taught at schools to enable girls to counter sexual harassers



BANGKOK: -- In wake of rising sexual harassment crime cases against teenagers, in particular during the Valentine's Day, the Royal Thai Police now have set up a special team dubbed "Kong Roi Nam Wan" to train how girls can help to defend themselves from sexual harassers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799689-self-defence-technique-taught-at-thai-schools-to-enable-girls-to-fight-off-sexual-harassers/

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Two men arrested with over 1400 ya bah pills
Nattapat Tuarob


Two men arrested with over 1400 ya bah pills

PHUKET: -- Police are after a drug lord named Nai Hoa Boss after seizing 1,470 tablets of ya bah pills (crystal meth) during the arrest of two men in Thepkassattri last Sunday (February 8).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799693-two-men-arrested-with-over-1400-ya-bah-pills/

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Official says hostage takers shoot selves in Taiwan prison

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Six armed inmates who held a warden and guards hostage in a failed bid to escape a prison in southern Taiwan committed suicide early Thursday and all the hostages were unharmed, a top justice official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799695-official-says-hostage-takers-shoot-selves-in-taiwan-prison/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,608.87, gains 3.76 points /MCOT

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Roads and rail links to U-Tapao airport will be developed to support full commercial use of the airport, the Transport Ministry said. /The Nation

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Conditions set for free bus and train rides



BANGKOK: -- Free bus and train rides will soon be restricted to only aged people, war veterans, monks, nuns, and the handicapped when the seven-year-old populist policy is to be terminated end of July.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799706-conditions-set-for-free-bus-and-train-rides-in-thailand/

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National police to hold reform workshop at end of 2015



BANGKOK, 12 February 2015 (NNT) – The national police bureau is expected to hold a workshop on reform later this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799709-thai-police-to-hold-reform-workshop-at-end-of-2015/

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Ambassador asks Phuket authorities to take good care of Australian tourists

Phuket:- The Australian ambassador to Thailand has asked relevant authorities to take good care of Australian tourists in Phuket following complaints from many that local operators of jet-ski rental services have extorted money from them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799711-ambassador-asks-phuket-authoritie-to-take-good-care-of-australian-tourists/

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Israel intercepts Gaza-bound shipment of materials for weapons making
English.news.cn

JERUSALEM, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Navy and Security Service (the Shin Bet) intercepted a shipment of materials for allegedly manufacturing weapons on its way to the Gaza Strip, the army revealed on Wednesday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799735-israel-intercepts-gaza-bound-shipment-of-materials-for-weapons-making/

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Finance Ministry invoking joint venture law for govt projects

BANGKOK, 12 February 2015 (NNT) - Public Private Partnerships (PPP) have unanimously agreed to enforce a public joint-venture law on large investment projects worth at least 5 billion baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799736-thai-finance-ministry-invoking-joint-venture-law-for-govt-projects/

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Chinese tourist dies in Phuket hospital after jet-ski crash in Phi Phi
Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- A Chinese tourists died in Bangkok Phuket Hospital on Tuesday (February 10) of injuries he sustained after crashing a jet-ski into a moored yacht in Lohdalum Bay, Koh Phi Phi, where jet-skis are actually banned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799738-chinese-tourist-dies-after-jet-ski-crash-in-phi-phi/

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Phuket Marine hub vision gains momentum
Nattha Thepbamrung


Ao Po Marina will move smaller boats to the more shallow area, to make room for more yachts and mega yachts.

PHUKET: -- The government’s grand plans to turn Phuket into a high quality marine hub is starting to gain momentum with various projects starting to see fruition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799739-phuket-marine-hub-vision-gains-momentum/

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Industries having their workers undergo skill tests ahead of AEC

BANGKOK, 12 February 2015 (NNT) - The Department of Skill Development (DSD) and the Federation of the Thai Industries (FTI) have co-organized skill examinations across 11 industries in Thailand ahead of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

DSD Director General M.L. Puntrik Smiti said the proficiency tests are being held for workers in 44 occupations across 11 sectors, including the electronics and auto industries.

Employees are able to apply for exam levels 1 and 2 until March 30th. They will be held in 9 provinces including Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakarn, Samut Songkhram, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Suphanburi, Lopburi and Chonburi.

More than 30 companies have expressed their interests in having their employees take the proficiency tests. Workers that qualify for these skill levels would benefit from higher incomes.


-- NNT 2015-02-12

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Phuket officials announce Valentine's Day events
Nattha Thepbamrung


Do something kind this Valentine's Day, donate blood. Photo Kumar's Edit.

PHUKET: -- Hey lovers out there, this Valentine’s Day Phuket officials have announced a pretty special line up of activities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799741-phuket-officials-announce-valentines-day-events/

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CBS: '60 Minutes' correspondent Bob Simon killed in crash
TOM McELROY, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Longtime "60 Minutes" correspondent Bob Simon, who covered riots, Academy Award-nominated movies and wars and was held captive for more than a month in Iraq two decades ago, was killed in a car crash on Wednesday. He was 73.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799744-cbs-60-minutes-correspondent-bob-simon-killed-in-crash/

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Chiang Mai fights seasonal haze problem

CHIANG MAI, 12 February 2015 (NNT) - The northern province of Chiang Mai has called for a meeting with several related agencies to find ways to tackle the seasonal haze problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799756-chiang-mai-fights-seasonal-haze-problem/

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Banpodj confesses to produce insulting clips alone

BANGKOK: -- The key suspect who identified himself as "Banpodj" has confessed to having produced more than 400 video clips deemed insulting to the monarchy, Royal Thai Police spokesman Pol Lt-General Prawuthi Thawornsiri said.

The man, Hassadin Uraipraiwan, was brought before a press conference to answer questions and make confession after he was arrested in a hotel room near Soi Soonwijai in Bangkok on Monday.

He was earlier escorted to the Military Court for permission of another 12 day extension for interrogation after facing lese majeste and breaching computer crime law.

He confessed to produce all the materials alone and spread them on the Internet using the name “Banpodj”.

He denied having connection with any political party or having any political motivation, affirming he did everything from editing, rewriting, and posting in the social media.

While admitting he is a Narcissist, certain political party tried desperately to convince him to join, but he refused.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/banpodj-confesses-produce-insulting-clips-alone

-- Thai PBS 2015-02-12

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SET down 4.79 points at midday /Bangkok Post

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AMLO now seizes Boy’s Lamborghini car

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has decided to seize the luxury Lamborghini car of TV actor Pakorn "Boy" Chatborirak after having considered that it was bought with laundered money and resold to the actor.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799768-amlo-now-seizes-boys-lamborghini-car/

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Samui Speedboat Madness



KOH SAMUI: -- Reports have come in to the Samui Times that tourist excursion speedboats based at the Lompraya jetty near Wat Napalarn in Maenam have recently started a dangerous daily activity in the Maenam beach area which is putting the lives of local swimmers at risk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799771-koh-samui-speedboat-madness/

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PM's reference to coup clarified
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 12 -- Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Thursday clarified Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's reference to a coup d'etat which concerns the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799773-pms-reference-to-coup-clarified/

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea court finds former Korean Air exec guilty of violating aviation safety law.

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Court finds former Korean Air exec guilty in nut rage case

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A Seoul court has found a former Korean Air executive guilty of violating aviation safety law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799774-court-finds-former-korean-air-exec-guilty-in-nut-rage-case/

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Australia's unemployment rate surged to 6.4% in Jan. 2015, a 12-yr high. /The Nation