DeSantis Pushes Back on Climate Change’s Role in Stronger Storms

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More permanent border crossings raises trade in farm products
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 20 -- Thailand's Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) reported that the permanent border crossing operations at Ban Pu Nam Ron village and Three Pagodas border pass in Kanchanaburi province created trade in farm products worth nearly Bt500 million.

Tawatchai Prayoonsin, director of the 10th OAE branch based in Ratchaburi province, said that after the opening of the Ban Pu Nam Ron border crossing on June 12, 2013, to promote business and tourism in addition to the Three Pagodas border crossing, the export of Thai farm products through both channels was estimated at Bt450 million.

Key exports there include dietary supplements, milk, alcoholic drinks, seasonings, palm oil, teak seedlings, farm machines, live pigs and fertilizers. Most exports are consumer products because Myanmar’s manufacturing of such products is still insufficient for local consumption.

Thai products are popular among Myanmar consumers for their quality.

The import of agricultural products through the border crossings is estimated at Bt57 million.

Key imports include live cattle, bamboo, seafood, sawdust, ornamental fish and black sesame.

The value of live cattle imported has grown 18 per cent annually there in the past five years from Bt25 million in 2010 to Bt45 million last year as Myanmar cattle are cheaper than local cattle.

Seafood importing has risen since the opening of the Ban Pu Nam Ron border crossing as Myanmar is an abundant source of seafood and Thailand can import it to make processed products for export. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2015-02-20

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RICE-PLEDGING CASE
Decision on Yingluck trial set for March 19
THE NATION



EX-PREMIER WILL 'FIGHT RICE CASE TO THE END AND NOT FLEE THE COUNTRY'

BANGKOK: -- PUBLIC PROSECUTORS indicted ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday for negligence and filed criminal charges at the Supreme Court, in a case that could result in a jail term of up to 10 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801896-decision-on-yingluck-trial-set-for-march-19/

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Thailand’s first mobile pizza shop launched by two Italians

Bangkok:- Two Italian chefs have launched their mobile pizza shop, which has become the first in Thailand.

The mobile pizza shop is a large truck modified as a pizza kitchen with a wood-powered stove and a kitchen desk. One of the chefs prepares the dough while the other bakes it. They also piles up woods beside the stove, adding classic look to the kitchen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801841-thailands-first-mobile-pizza-shop-launched-by-two-italians/

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Some 2,000 Chinese tourists flock to Krabi per day

Krabi:- Some 2,000 Chinese tourists have been arriving at Krabi in 12 direct flights from China each day since Tuesday and they are expected to generate some Bt340 million of revenue for the southern seaside province during the Chinese New Year, an official said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801849-some-2000-chinese-tourists-flock-to-krabi-per-day/

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PM seeks public opinion on controversial oil-concession plan
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he wanted to seek public opinion on whether the government should go ahead with the 21st round of bidding for petroleum exploration concessions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801897-pm-prayut-seeks-public-opinion-on-controversial-oil-concession-plan/

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Chao Phraya walkway to be ready in 2017
TANATPONG KONGSAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- BANGKOK RESIDENTS may be able to utilise a new walkway and park areas along the Chao Phraya River by the end of 2017, city governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801898-bangkok-chao-phraya-walkway-to-be-ready-in-2017/

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UPDATE:

Four-nation taskforce tackles Mekong triangle drug trade
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- IN ITS FIRST two operations aimed at suppressing the drug trade in the Mekong triangle, a four-nation taskforce has seized 30 tonnes of chemical precursors that could potentially produce 300 million amphetamine tablets, the secretary-general of the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801774-oncb-94m-amphetamine-pills-sized-in-one-month-safe-mekong-operation/#entry9093149

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Drilling equipment reaches oil well site
Jitima Janphrom
The Nation



Villagers in Khon Kaen continue calling on Govt to consider their concerns

BANGKOK: -- AFTER FOUR days, Apico (Khorat) completed the task of transporting its drilling equipment to the Northeast yesterday amid tight security, while residents from the neighbourhood kept urging the government to consider their concerns about the impact the drilling would have on their livelihood and the environment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801899-apico-drilling-equipment-reaches-oil-well-site-in-isaan/

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Reconciliation body 'will succeed where others have failed'
The Nation


Anek Laothamatas

BANGKOK: -- Constitution drafter Anek Laothamatas gave an exclusive interview to The Nation on Wednesday, explaining the details of the reconciliation process. The interview centred on the function of the reconciliation committee and its composition as well as the prospects of the reconciliation process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801900-thai-reconciliation-body-will-succeed-where-others-have-failed/

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EDITORIAL
Secret talks not solution to political crisis

HEALING THE RIFT IN SOCIETY SHOULD BE THE JOB OF EVERY CITIZEN

BANGKOK: -- Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha has rejected the possibility of talks with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is now reportedly willing to engage in high-level negotiations for the sake of national reconciliation. It would be wrong for a state official to negotiate with a fugitive from justice, explained Prayut, adding that he was in any case impartial to opposing sides in the political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801901-thai-editorial-secret-talks-not-solution-to-political-crisis/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
When one feels inferior, one does things that keep one poor
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- So said Sunil Mukhi, a theoretical physicist at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research. He was making a case in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's grand design to make India the new superpower in physics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801902-thai-opinion-when-one-feels-inferior-one-does-things-that-keep-one-poor/

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Man shot dead in front of former Pattaya Mayor’s Shop in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday, a 34 year old man was gunned-down in a drive-by shooting, outside of a Buddhist Amulet Shop in North Pattaya, owned by a former Mayor of Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801904-man-shot-dead-in-front-of-former-pattaya-mayors-shop-in-north-pattaya/

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Pork Ball Vendor stabbed in North Pattaya Constructors’ Campsite attack

PATTAYA: -- A foreign Pork Ball Vendor, who is thought to be Cambodian, was viciously attacked at a North Pattaya Constructors’ Campsite in the early hours of Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801905-pork-ball-vendor-stabbed-in-north-pattaya-constructors-campsite-attack/

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Slow Loris “Tourist Attraction” seized and owner arrested in Central Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Late on Wednesday Night Pattaya Police arrested a 23 year old woman who was offering pictures with a Slow Loris to tourists, in front of Central Festival Pattaya Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801906-slow-loris-tourist-attraction-seized-and-owner-arrested-in-central-pattaya/

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Laos and Thailand to Work Together Against Human Trafficking



Laos and Thailand are working together to put an end to human trafficking within Thailand. Earlier this month, 100 Laotians were saved as a result.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801903-laos-and-thailand-to-work-together-against-human-trafficking/

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Court acquits Sonthi of not guilty of insulting Thaksin



BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court today acquitted media tycoon Sonthi Limthongkun, former leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) of libel charge filed against him by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2008.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801908-court-acquits-sonthi-of-not-guilty-of-insulting-thaksin/

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Govt tells EC to fix responsibility for Feb 2 poll failure
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government has ordered the Election Commission to determine who should be held responsible for the Bt3.8-billion spent on the failed February 2 election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801909-thai-govt-tells-ec-to-fix-responsibility-for-feb-2-poll-failure/

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Military court amendment approved despite criticism
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) approved the proposed amendment to the 1955 Military Affairs Act despite concerns by critics both at home and abroad that the amendment could lead to the detention of civilians by military commanders.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801910-military-court-amendment-approved-despite-criticism/

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Government defends its anti-human trafficking record
THE NATION,
REUTERS

BANGKOK: -- THE FOREIGN Ministry yesterday expressed its disappointment over a recent report from the London-based Environment Justice Foundation (EJF), which said Bangkok's efforts to combat human trafficking were "wholly inadequate".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801911-thai-govt-defends-its-anti-human-trafficking-record/

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BURNING ISSUE
Process of reforming agencies introduces hiccups
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SETTING UP new independent bodies is relatively easy compared with reforming the existing ones, but dissolving an existing body is much harder and raises issues that could affect the national-reform plans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801912-thai-politics-process-of-reforming-agencies-introduces-hiccups/

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DSI to summon Dhammakaya abbot to explain 'donation'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will summon Phra Dhammachayo, the abbot of Dhammakaya Temple, to explain if he received money from a key suspect in the Credit Union Khlong Chan embezzlement case and the confirm if he is, in fact, still a monk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801913-dsi-to-summon-dhammakaya-abbot-to-explain-donation/

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Thai investors in London should look beyond their comfort zone
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- LONDON has long been the destination of choice for Thai investors looking overseas. However, Thais tend to focus on areas they are familiar with, namely those surrounding Hyde Park such as Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Kensington and the West End.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801914-thai-investors-in-london-should-look-beyond-their-comfort-zone/

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BMA accepts court ruling and vows to fix faulty piers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday said it accepted the Supreme Court's ruling on Wednesday to pay compensation worth Bt12.6 million to 14 people whose relatives were killed when a floating dock at Phran Nok ferry pier capsized in 1995. The BMA also said it would contact the Marine Department to help boost safety at all piers across the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801915-bma-accepts-court-ruling-and-vows-to-fix-faulty-chao-phraya-piers/

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Queensland on alert as Australia’s northeast braces for double cyclone hit
Reuters in Sydney

SYDNEY: -- Two cyclones bearing down on northeastern Australia dramatically intensified on Thursday as emergency officials warned residents to take shelter on higher ground ahead of torrential rain and flooding, destructive winds and massive seas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801916-queensland-on-alert-as-australias-northeast-braces-for-double-cyclone-hit/

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Woman arrested for locking up daughters 'for years': Swedish police
AFP

STOCKHOLM - Swedish police arrested a woman on Thursday on suspicion of keeping her daughters confined to an apartment amid media reports that they were locked away for a decade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801917-woman-arrested-for-locking-up-daughters-for-years-swedish-police/

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Prayut Chan-o-cha to Miss Petroleum Forum


Prayut Chan-o-cha will not be attending the Petroleum forum this Friday, but urges all opponents to go on with the discussion while he listens to the live broadcast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801918-prayut-chan-o-cha-to-miss-petroleum-forum/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Snowden leak: NSA helped British steal cell phone codes

WASHINGTON (AP) — Britain’s electronic spying agency, in cooperation with the U.S. National Security Agency, hacked into the networks of a Dutch company to steal codes that allow both governments to seamlessly eavesdrop on mobile phones worldwide, according to the documents given to journalists by Edward Snowden.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/snowden-leak-nsa-helped-british-steal-cell-phone-codes/5121/

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Greece drops key bailout demands, but Germany still objects
DEREK GATOPOULOS, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece heads to another round of negotiations Friday after dropping key demands for a bailout settlement, but still faced stiff opposition from lead lender Germany, which criticized Athens' latest proposals as a "Trojan horse" designed to dodge its commitments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801921-greece-drops-key-bailout-demands-but-germany-still-objects/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Microsoft’s Thai Innovation Center Will Assist Tech Start-Ups

Microsoft and the National Science and Technology Development Agency are joining hands to open a Microsoft Innovation Centre in Bangkok. The center will assist tech start-ups under Thailand’s digital economy policy.

The goal is to help entrepreneurs develop their innovation and digital skills. The center will also help support local businesses and students through information technology.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/microsofts-thai-innovation-center-will-assist-tech-start-ups/5114/

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Giuliani questions Obama's love of US; Democrats cry foul
By KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on Thursday assailed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for questioning President Barack Obama's love of country, and urged the potential field of Republican presidential candidates to rebuke him for his comments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801923-giuliani-questions-obamas-love-of-us;-democrats-cry-foul/