Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Feb 2015

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Thailand to boost Internet coverage to push up economic growth

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's military government plans to spend an initial 3.7 billion baht ($114 million) to make Internet broadband available to most of the population as part of plans to boost the economy, a minister said on Tuesday.

Greater use of the Internet and electronic commerce should help boost output at small companies and operators in the agriculture sector especially, Pornchai Rujiprapa, minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), told Reuters.

Each 10 percent increase in production would boost gross domestic product (GDP) by 1.3 percentage points, or almost 150 billion baht, Pornchai said in an interview.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801266-thailand-to-boost-internet-coverage-to-push-up-economic-growth/

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The Festival of India Kicks Off in Bangkok

The Festival of India in Thailand kicked off in Bangkok on Monday night with a sell-out concert. The music, dance and fashion festival will run through May 25.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801336-the-festival-of-india-kicks-off-in-bangkok/

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Government Gives Etiquette Manuals to Chinese Tourists

Thailand is handing out etiquette manuals to Chinese tourists who are traveling to the country during the new year period. The manuals hope to curb inappropriate behaviors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801335-government-gives-etiquette-manuals-to-chinese-tourists/

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Rayong hotel served ultimatum to demolish pier

Rayong:- A well-known hotel in Rayong has been issued an ultimatum to demolish its pier in the sea of the popular tourist-destination Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park in 30 days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801288-rayong-hotel-served-ultimatum-to-demolish-pier/

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Thai officials to allow condom sales in schools

BANGKOK: Thai education officials have reversed course and will allow condom vending machines to be placed in secondary schools, a report said Tuesday.

“We won’t argue if the machines are installed in schools where relevant parties and local communities believe they are needed,” Basic Education Commission secretary-general Kamol Rodklai said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801267-thai-officials-to-allow-condom-sales-in-schools/

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Koh Tao beach murders: Fund for Hannah Witheridge raises £3,000 so family can attend trial

Hannah Witheridge, 23, was murdered on the island of Koh Tao last September along with fellow backpacker David Miller, 24

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801277-koh-tao-beach-murders-fund-for-hannah-witheridge-raises-l3000-so-family-can-attend-trial/

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Thailand's Tourism Industry Affected By Military Coup, Says Report

BANGKOK: -- The political crisis that culminated in a military coup in Thailand last year has affected the country's tourism sector, says the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801282-thailands-tourism-industry-affected-by-military-coup/

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Australian traveller John Capretta tells of his holiday nightmare in Thailand

Australian traveller John Capretta tells of his holiday nightmare in Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801270-australian-traveller-tells-of-his-holiday-nightmare-in-thailand/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Yingluck faces suit over Bt600 bn losses
The Nation

NACC says Finance Ministry must sue her and others for damages from rice scheme

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission resolved yesterday that it will recommend the Finance Ministry to sue former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for about Bt600 billion in damages - for failing to stop massive losses to state coffers incurred by her government's controversial rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801341-yingluck-faces-suit-over-bt600-bn-losses/

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POLICY INTEREST RATE
No reason to ease monetary policy, central bank says
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand (BOT) says further easing of monetary policy will not guarantee an increase in the amount of loans granted for investment, as recent surveys show companies do not find the current interest rate an obstacle for doing business. Also, lowering the policy interest rate will not help boost the consumption of durable and non-durable goods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801342-no-reason-to-ease-monetary-policy-bank-of-thailand-says/

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CONSTITUTION WATCH
New body to oversee education reform: charter drafters
Nitipol Kiravanich,
Khanittha Theppajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A new body will become the main driving force for Thailand's educational reform when the new constitution comes into force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801343-new-body-to-oversee-education-reform-thai-charter-drafters/

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UPDATE:

CHARTER WRITING
CDC 'not aiming to weaken parties'
THE NATION

Charter bylaws will contain provisions on development of political parties, political system: committee chairman

BANGKOK: -- Sujit Boonbongkarn, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee's subcommittee on political leaders and institutions, yesterday denied claims that charter drafters' key agenda was to weaken political parties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801179-new-thai-charter-to-contain-built-in-mechanisms-to-prevent-parliamentary-dictatorship/#entry9085109

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NHRC criticises use of troops to get drilling rig to oil well
Chularat Saengpassa,
Natthapat Phromkaew
The Nation

Niran says oil firm has failed to hold forum as promised

BANGKOK: -- A NATIONAL HUMAN Rights Commission (NHRC) subcommittee will lodge complaints today |over the deployment of security |officials for an oil firm in Khon Kaen province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801344-nhrc-criticises-use-of-thai-troops-to-get-drilling-rig-to-oil-well/

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THAILAND
Southern Comforts
Phoowadon Duangmee
The Nation
Narathiwat


The kolae boat boasts vivid colours and unusual paintings.

A visit to Narathiwat is like taking a step back in time

NARATHIWAT: -- "We should have gained more land beyond this temple when Siam and the British were discussing divisions," says our driver firmly as we enter the grounds of Wat Chothara Singhe, a Buddhist temple in Tak Bai - one of the southernmost districts of Narathiwat province in Thailand's Deep South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801345-southern-comforts-a-visit-to-narathiwat-is-like-taking-a-step-back-in-time/

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SURVEY
PwC's CEO survey ranks Thailand No 4
Sasithorn Ongdee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is ranked fourth this year, up from sixth in 2014, among the countries best positioned for economic growth over the next 12 months, according to the latest survey of chief executive officers conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The survey excluded the BRICs, comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801346-survey-pwcs-ceo-survey-ranks-thailand-no-4/

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ACT
Draft bills on tax changes ready soon
The Nation


Wisut

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry will propose the legal draft on a buildings and land tax and amendments to the customs and excise tax codes to the Cabinet by the end of this month, while the government's revenue collection was Bt1.1 billion above target for the first four months of fiscal year 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801347-draft-bills-on-thai-tax-changes-ready-soon/

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EDITORIAL
Where to draw the line for foreign visitors
The Nation

High-profile cases of tourist misbehaviour pose a dilemma for Thailand

BANGKOK: -- When in Rome, do as the Romans do" used to be the advice for anyone visiting another country, but times have changed. More and more travellers are ignoring the admonishment to fit in and instead enjoying the freedom to "be themselves".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801348-thai-editorial-where-to-draw-the-line-for-foreign-visitors/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Embattled Yingluck: Will she stay or will she go?
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Will it come down to the explosive issue of political asylum? Don't bet against it, although any foreign government will find that offering asylum to Yingluck Shinawatra is a far more complicated issue than making a statement or two denouncing the Thai coup. As a senior Pheu Thai member said, now is "too early" for her to be thinking of an escape plan - and that non-denial means all options are still on the table.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801349-embattled-yingluck-will-she-stay-or-will-she-go/

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Pakistan family arrested by Pattaya Tourist Police on suspicion of theft & deception



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday, Pattaya’s Tourist Police conducted a raid on a rented apartment in Jomtien where a family from Pakistan were thought to be staying.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801350-pakistan-family-arrested-by-pattaya-tourist-police-on-suspicion-of-theft-deception/

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Over-priced food on Pattaya Beach, investigated by Army & local Officials



PATTAYA: -- Following complaints on Social Media channels regarding the over-priced food being offered by vendors on Pattaya Beach, a team of local government officers and army personnel, conducted a spot-check on Monday to see if the claims were true.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801351-over-priced-food-on-pattaya-beach-investigated-by-army-and-local-officials/

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Police respond to shots fired outside of South Pattaya Pub



PATTAYA: -- A motorbike taxi driver was caught with a loaded gun outside of a South Pattaya pub on Tuesday Morning after he is alleged to have fired three times into the air as he was not permitted entry by security guards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801352-police-respond-to-shots-fired-outside-of-south-pattaya-pub/

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East Pattaya Late-Night Pub raided by District Licensing Officials



PATTAYA: -- Following on from complaints received in relation to a Thai Pub which was reportedly open until the early hours of the morning when it should have shut by midnight, District Licensing Officials and the Army raided the venue just after daybreak on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801353-east-pattaya-late-night-pub-raided-by-district-licensing-officials/

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Three French tourist injured after Phuket tour van flips
Eakkapop Thongtub


The three were lucky not to have suffered more severe injuries.

Phuket: -- Three French tourists were injured after the van they were travelling in crashed on the way to the airport (February 17).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801354-three-french-tourist-injured-after-phuket-tour-van-flips/

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Prawit back PM's insistence that Thaksin return home to face justice first
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is right to insist that fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra return to Thailand to face the justice system, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801355-prawit-back-pms-insistence-that-thaksin-return-home-to-face-justice-first/

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BURNING ISSUE
Continued imposition of martial law helps nobody in the end
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- Nearly all recent polls suggest that more Thais support the continued imposition of the draconian martial law, which has been in place for nearly nine months now.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801357-thai-politics-continued-imposition-of-martial-law-helps-nobody-in-the-end/

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Office probes officials accused of issuing fake ID cards
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Eleven people accused of unlawfully issuing special ID cards to more than 400 stateless people in Kanchanaburi province are being investigated by a fact-finding team set up by the Department of Provincial Administration's General Registration Office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801359-office-probes-officials-accused-of-issuing-fake-thai-id-cards/

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White House puts immigration plans on hold after ruling
By ERICA WERNER and JIM KUHNHENN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration put its new deportation-relief program on hold Tuesday on the eve of its launch, complying reluctantly with a federal judge's order that roiled immigrant communities nationwide and seemed to harden an already-tense stalemate on Capitol Hill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801361-white-house-puts-immigration-plans-on-hold-after-ruling/

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Chicago-area imam charged with sex abuse at Islamic school
By MICHAEL TARM

CHICAGO (AP) — The longtime head of a suburban Chicago Islamic school has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman who worked there, and a civil suit filed Tuesday accuses him of abusing that employee and three teenage students. The legal actions shed light on an issue Muslims say is too often pushed into the shadows within their communities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801363-chicago-area-imam-charged-with-sex-abuse-at-islamic-school/

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Comparisons to brother 'interesting challenge' for Jeb Bush
By THOMAS BEAUMONT

DETROIT (AP) — It's a question Jeb Bush gets often, and will surely get again, over and over.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801364-comparisons-to-brother-interesting-challenge-for-jeb-bush/

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France: Tracking 400 believed to be in terror sleeper cells
By LORI HINNANT and JAMEY KEATEN

PARIS (AP) — France is tracking hundreds of people believed to belong to possible sleeper cells for terror organizations like al-Qaida or the Islamic State group, the country's top security official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801365-france-tracking-400-believed-to-be-in-terror-sleeper-cells/