Foreign Driver Crashes Car into Motorbike and Minivan in Patong

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Bomb defused from a hijacked tanker found to be a dud

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Navy’s bomb demolition squad has successfully defused a bomb planted on the bridge of a hijacked Thai oil tanker but the bomb was found to be a dud minus the explosives.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800915-bomb-defused-from-a-hijacked-tanker-found-to-be-a-dud/

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AirAsia’s business model under strain
BY KATHY CHU, GAURAV RAGHUVANSHI AND MEGUMI FUJIKAWA

WHEN Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes bought the struggling AirAsia in 2001, his goal was to build a budget airline group that could take advantage of the explosive travel growth he saw coming in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800923-airasias-business-model-under-strain-growth-is-slowing/

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Tourists Protest Patong's Beach Chair Ban

Tourists at Patong Beach are protesting the “no chair” policy, vowing never to return to Phuket. A call for a compromise has been made to address the problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800966-tourists-protest-patongs-beach-chair-ban/

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New Law Will Slash Bureaucratic Red Tape in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- New law will create one-stop service centers to slash bureaucratic red tape for citizens. The new law will take effect in 180 days, but challenges will be faced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800965-new-law-will-slash-bureaucratic-red-tape-in-thailand/

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China Takes Interest in Thailand, Invests $1.2b in Industrial Zone

Workers install roof sheeting for factory on December 9, 2013 in Siam Eastern Industrial Estate Rayong Thailand.

China’s investment in Thailand continues to grow, with $1.2b now invested in the Rayong Industrial Zone. A third of the industrial zone was completed in 2013, which is now home to over 60 manufacturers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800963-china-takes-interest-in-thailand-invests-12b-in-industrial-zone/

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Full Metal Dojo brings MMA to Bangkok on Feb. 21
By James Goyder


ABOVE: Muay Thai legend Jomhod Kiatadisak to step into the cage for 'Full Metal Dojo.'

BANGKOK: -- Mixed martial arts is big in Thailand with training camps set up in Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai, and there will be a chance to see some of the top fighters in the kingdom in action next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800973-full-metal-dojo-brings-mma-to-bangkok-on-feb-21/

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MARCH 16.
New deadline for oil and gas concession bids
WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG
THE NATION


Activists gather in front of a complaint-receiving centre near Government House yesterday to submit an open letter to the premier demanding that he halt the new round of bidding for oil and gas exploration and production concessions.

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Energy Policy Council yesterday extended the closing date to apply for the 21st tender of oil and gas exploration and production concessions by four weeks - till March 16.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800974-new-deadline-for-oil-and-gas-concession-bids/

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RECONCILIATION
Thaksin 'ready' for talk, but not Prayut
THE NATION

Ex-PM keen to speak to someone with power

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday rejected a call for him to have talks with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as part of the efforts to achieve national reconciliation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800975-thaksin-ready-for-talk-but-not-prayut/

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CDC accused of scepticism
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

Politicians voice concern over drafters' '13 principles' in forum on politics

BANGKOK: -- MAIN POLITICAL parties have voiced concerns about charter drafters' proposals on "the political system, politicians and political parties", saying the drafters' scepticism in relation to political parties and the voting system could do more harm than good.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800976-cdc-accused-of-scepticism/

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Security deployed for oil-drilling firm
Chularat Saengpassa
Jitima Janphrom
The Nation


About 200 soldiers, police and volunteers show up to help Apico Khorat transport drilling equipment to its petroleum well in the Northeast amid protests from locals on Saturday.

Khon Kaen villagers oppose search for oil and gas

KHON KAEN: -- SOLDIERS and police joined a group of men wearing hoods and volunteers to clear the way for drilling equipment to be taken on an oil well in the Northeast yesterday morning, to the anguish of protesting villagers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800978-security-deployed-for-apico-khorat-oil-drilling-firm/

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Travel agency suspected of breaching FBA with nominee
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A Bangkok travel firm is suspected of breaching the Foreign Business Act by having a Thai nominee to hold a majority share in the company, according to the Business Development Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800979-bangkok-travel-agency-suspected-of-breaching-fba-with-nominee/

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Ichitan plans to expand world footprint
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION


Tan Passakornnatee, president and chief executive of Ichitan, yesterday launches the company

BANGKOK: -- ICHITAN Group has set a five-year plan to become a branded player in Asean and raise its income from overseas operations to at least 30 per cent of the total, from nothing today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800980-ichitan-plans-to-expand-world-footprint/

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EDITORIAL
The myth of neutrality in Thai politics
The Nation

The government has embarked on another empty quest for an impartial third party to mediate the conflict

BANGKOK: -- Thai citizens can be forgiven for feeling sceptical at the proposal from Constitution Drafting Committee chief Borwornsak Uwanno that a national reconciliation committee be set up to resolve ongoing political disputes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800981-the-myth-of-neutrality-in-thai-politics/

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STREETWISE
Just passengers on Thailand's runaway train projects?
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- After prime minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha inked the Bangkok-Nong Khai railway deal with Beijing, Thailand has again become a target for foreign suitors interested in rail contracts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800982-just-passengers-on-thailands-runaway-train-projects/

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SUV driver in Kamala Hill smash may face reckless driving charge
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- A Chevrolet Captiva SUV and a Toyota mini-van collided on Kamala hill on Valentine̕s Day night (February 14) leaving three injured people, two of whom were Russian tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800983-suv-driver-in-kamala-hill-smash-may-face-reckless-driving-charge/

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Boonsong's case files on fake G-to-G deals received by the OAG



BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Monday delivered the case files on fake government-to-government rice deals implicating former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom and 20 other associates to the Office of Attorney-General for consideration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800984-boonsongs-case-files-on-fake-g-to-g-deals-received-by-the-oag/

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SURVEY

What Area/City Is the Best Place for Foreigners to Live?

Poll: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800550-survey-what-areacity-is-the-best-place-for-foreigners-to-live/

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Red shirts have little faith in reconciliation
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ALL EFFORTS to achieve national reconciliation will fail as long as the red shirts are not treated fairly and political rivals are not given a chance to iron out their differences, a red-shirt leader said at a public hearing in Udon Thani province over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800988-red-shirts-have-little-faith-in-reconciliation/

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CONSTITUTION WATCH
Charter section on reform and reconciliation 'will only last five years'
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE UNPRECEDENTED chapter on national reform and reconciliation, including agencies to be set up under it, in the new constitution will be in effect for only five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800989-thai-charter-section-on-reform-and-reconciliation-will-only-last-five-years/

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Foreign tourist arrivals up 18% year-on-year in first half of Feb
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

THE tourism sector bounced back in first half of February with an 18-per-cent surge in foreign-tourist arrivals and a 78-per-cent occupancy rate in the hotel sector thanks to several major events.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800990-foreign-tourist-arrivals-up-18-percent-year-on-year-in-first-half-of-feb/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Robin Hood banditry from $1 billion bank hacking

Hackers’ $1 billion bank theft may still impact consumers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The hacker gang that looted as much as $1 billion worldwide from banks was unusual: It stole directly from the banks, instead of ripping off their customers.

But this was hardly a bit of Robin Hood banditry that spared innocent account holders. Security experts say consumers still need to keep a close eye on their checking and savings, as epic computer breaches such as this theft — documented in a report issued Monday — are becoming all too common.

“Customers are still at risk,” said Sergey Golovanov, a researcher at the Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab that released the report. “Criminals had access to all banking infrastructure, so they were able to get any data about customers.”

Doug Johnson, senior vice president at the American Bankers Association, said there’s no evidence that any U.S. bank has been a victim of this particular breach. Still, the report found that some of the proceeds were deposited with banks in China and the United States.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/robin-hood-banditry-1-billion-bank-hacking/4855/

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First lot of Pongpat's ill-gained goods put up for auction
The Nation


An oil painting worth Bt50 million is among the first lot of about 2,000 items, seized from former crime-buster Pol Lt-General Pongpat Chayaphan and his corrupt officers, which will be sold at two auctions next month, the secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) said yesterday.

Seehanart Prayoonrat said the auctions would take place at a military barracks north of Bangkok.

BANGKOK: -- The first auction will be held from March 5 to 8, after a preview session from March 2 to 3 when bidders will be allowed to see the items, and the second auction is scheduled for March 23 to 26, after a preview from March 20 to 21.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800992-first-lot-of-pongpats-ill-gained-goods-put-up-for-auction/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thai businessman offers one billion Euros for Milan stake

A Thai businessman has offered former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi one billion euros ($1.14 billion) for a controlling stake in AC Milan, media reported on Monday.

The offer came from Bee Taechaubol, executive director of Thai Prime Company Limited, a south east Asian private equity group.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/news/world/thai-businessman-offers-one-billion-euros-for-milan-stake/15413/

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Obec drops opposition to condom vending machines
The Natonn

BANGKOK: -- The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has finally dropped its opposition to plans to install condom-vending machines in secondary schools, but a senior official said it would not encourage such machines being installed in schools under its jurisdiction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800993-thailands-obec-drops-opposition-to-condom-vending-machines/

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Riot bus looter gets jail for 5-years
The Nation

The Criminal Court yesterday handed a five-year jail term to Adisorn Seejanphong who was convicted of stealing a television from a torched bus in which a male teenager was found dead in Bangkok's Hua Mak area during the 2013 political turmoil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800994-bangkok-riot-bus-looter-gets-jail-for-5-years/

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Migrant children as young as 11 found working in factories in Tak province
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AT LEAST THREE textile and electronics factories in the western province of Tak were found to be using immigrant child labourers aged under 15, according to Labour Ministry official Peerapat Pornsirilertkit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800995-migrant-children-as-young-as-11-found-working-in-factories-in-tak-province/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Tourists uproar and confusion as beach beds outlawed in Phuket

Phuket:- Farang tourists became infuriated and cried foul after police prohibited them from putting up their own beach beds on popular beaches of Phuket, including Patong and Kamala.

Photos of police telling western tourists to clear the beds from Patong Beach and a video clip of tourists complaining about the rule were posted on Facebook pages, P news Phuket and Decha Sithidej, on Sunday.

http://www.thaivisa.com/news/thaivisa-news/farang-tourists-uproar-over-rule-of-no-beach-bed-in-phuket/15430/

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Army chief says amendment just to modernise military courts
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr yesterday reassured the public that the amendment to the jurisdiction of the military courts aimed only to modernise military legal procedures and it would not lead to basic human rights being violated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800996-thai-army-chief-says-amendment-just-to-modernise-military-courts/

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Tsunami advisory issued in N. Japan after 6.9 quake: agency

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan issued a tsunami advisory Tuesday morning following a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in northern Japan, the meteorological agency said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800997-tsunami-advisory-issued-in-n-japan-after-69-quake-agency/

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Monks plea for the return of stolen religious donation

Chon Buri: – A Buddhist monk has pleaded for the return of Bt400, 000 in religious donationstolen from WatNok, Phothong Road, Mueang Chon Buri district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800998-monks-plea-for-the-return-of-stolen-religious-donation/