Thailand Live Friday 20 Feb 2015

[webfact]

Thunderstorms forecast in North and Northeast this weekend

BANGKOK, 20 February 2015 (NNT) – Twenty-five provinces have been told to brace for thunder storms predicted this weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802020-thunderstorms-forecast-in-north-and-isaan-this-weekend/

[webfact]

Some signs of tension emerge among Islamic State militants
By ZEINA KARAM

BEIRUT (AP) — As the Islamic State group tries to expand and take root across the Middle East, it is struggling in Syria — part of its heartland — where it has stalled or even lost ground while fighting multiple enemies on several fronts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802023-some-signs-of-tension-emerge-among-islamic-state-militants/

[webfact]

Cigarettes out but snacks allowed on Phuket beaches if waste-free
Nattha Thepbamrung



PHUKET: -- Addressing confusion stirred-up when local media reported this past week that eating was no longer allowed on Phuket beaches, Phuket Governor, Nisit Jansomwong has clarified that eating is in fact allowed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802024-cigarettes-out-but-snacks-allowed-on-phuket-beaches-if-waste-free/

[webfact]

A4.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Koh Yao district of Phangnga on early Friday afternoon, according to the Seismological Bureau /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Bangkok Airways Takes Delivery of ATR 72-600

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Airways has taken delivery of its latest ATR 72-600 aircraft.

The 70-seater ATR 72-600 aircraft is equipped with a new full-glass cockpit and features an improved layout with larger overhead compartments, offering extra comfort for passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802025-bangkok-airways-takes-delivery-of-atr-72-600/

[thai tech]

YouTube Kids app to launch on Android next week

YouTube is set to release a new app specifically designed for children at a conference for the children’s entertainment industry due to be held next week.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/youtube-kids-app-launch-android-next-week/5138/

[thai tech]

Is there a new Pebble watch coming on Tuesday?

Now that the Apple Watch is expected in April, the rest of the tech industry is busy releasing new smart watches like there’s no tomorrow. Even Pebble, the company which originally started the craze is getting ready for the next round…

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/new-pebble-watch-expected-tuesday/5129/

[webfact]

Thai Government Bans Commercial Surrogacy
By Khaosod English


Mitsutoki Shigeta, 24, at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok in 2013. Mr. Shigeta, 24, is under investigation by Thai police for having fathered a dozen babies in Thailand through a surrogate clinic in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s junta-appointed legislature has passed a bill outlawing commercial surrogacy in the Kingdom following a string of surrogacy scandals last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802028-thai-government-bans-commercial-surrogacy/

[webfact]

A moderate 4.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Ko Yao island of Phang Nga province in the Andaman Sea at 13.30 on Friday with the tremor felt by most residents in Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi.

There was no Tsunami warning when the quake was detected by the Seismological Bureau with its epicentre two kilometres under the sea off Ko Yao.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/88010

-- Thai PBS 2015-02-20

[webfact]

At least 10 injured in car bomb attack in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT: -- More than 10 people were injured and 20 shops were damaged when Muslim insurgents detonated a bomb hidden in a car in front of a karaoke shop in Narathiwat's Muang district Friday afternoon. The area is a bustling business area.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/At-least-10-injured-in-car-bomb-attack-in-Narthiwa-30254511.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-20

[webfact]

Talesun Plans New Facility in Rayong With 1 GW Solar Capacity

Zhongli Talesun plans to complete a 500 MW energy facility in Thailand by October of 2015 with expansion up to a 1 GW capacity in the next 3 years.

Rayong, Thailand’s Thai-China Industrial Park, is home to the new manufacturing facility of Zhongli Talesun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802029-talesun-plans-new-facility-in-rayong-with-1-gw-solar-capacity/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

International Schools in Thailand - An Inside Look

A Brief History of International Schools in Thailand

The first international school in Thailand, International School Bangkok (ISB), was founded in 1951 to provide children of American diplomats and expatriates with an American-quality education. At that time it was located in central Bangkok, on the land now occupied by NIST International School. Shortly thereafter, in 1957, Bangkok Patana School (BPS) opened to serve British nationals, and Ruamrudee International School (RIS) opened through its affiliation with the Catholic Church, and more specifically the Redemptorists.

Very few other schools were established until 1992, when ISB relocated to northern Bangkok and members of the UN, who did not wish to send their children so far, lobbied the government to open New International School of Thailand (changed to NIST International School in 2012). This marked the end of the first era of international education in Thailand.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800429-international-schools-in-thailand-an-inside-look/

[webfact]

4.0 magnitude quake hits Phang Nga



PHUKET: -- A moderate 4.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Ko Yao island of Phang Nga province in the Andaman Sea at 13.30 on Friday with the tremor felt by most residents in three western coast provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802033-40-magnitude-quake-hits-phang-nga/

[webfact]

EGAT launches forest fire prevention campaign around Sirikit dam

UTTARADIT, 20 February 2015 (NNT) - The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is prepared to curb forest fire in Uttaradit province this summer.

Sirikit Dam Deputy Director Worapot Worapong said the prevention campaign is usually underway from November – April to prevent forest fire in areas surrounding the dam.

EGAT recently set up an operation center at Sirikit dam which has successfully recruited local government officials and community members to help in constructing fire breaks around the dam and their own village.

Warning signs have been put up in villages while local radio stations are also cooperating in relaying warning messages about fire hazards and their consequences to public health and environment.


-- NNT 2015-02-20

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thailand bans surrogacy for foreigners after scandals
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has passed a law banning foreign couples from using Thai women as surrogates after a series of high-profile scandals tainting the image of the unregulated industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802028-thai-government-bans-commercial-surrogacy/#entry9095321

[webfact]

Suspicious man drops dead in Minburi after police saw him
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A suspicious man lurking behind an empty office in Minburi district suddenly dropped dead on his own yesterday after being spotted by police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802065-suspicious-man-drops-dead-in-minburi-after-police-saw-him/

[webfact]

Fears over 84-day detention without charge under new Thai bill

AFP

BANGKOK: -- Rights groups Friday expressed concern over a bill passed by Thailand's junta-picked parliament that they say could allow the military to detain civilians for up to 84 days without charge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802067-fears-over-84-day-detention-without-charge-under-new-thai-bill/

[webfact]

Dozen wounded as car bomb rips through southern Thai town

AFP

NARATHIWAT: -- Around a dozen people were wounded when a car bomb detonated by remote control ripped through a karaoke bar in Thailand's Muslim-majority deep south on Friday, officials told AFP.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802068-dozen-wounded-as-car-bomb-rips-through-southern-thai-town/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,603.45 up 3.49; Bt/USD32.43; GBP49.91; AUD25.15; EUR36.73; CAD25.87; HKD4.17; SGD23.76; JPY27.17

[Lite Beer]

Wanted Phuket drug kingpin busted with meth, pistol, M16 and ammunition

Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: A wanted Phuket drug dealer is in custody after police raided his Rassada home yesterday, seizing an M16 rifle, a pistol, ammunition and a substantial amount of Crystal Meth (Ya Ice) and Meth pills (Ya Ba).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802116-wanted-phuket-drug-kingpin-busted-with-meth-pistol-m16-and-ammunition/

[Lite Beer]

Oil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolved

BANGKOK: -- Oil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolvedOil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolvedOil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolvedOil concession discussion ends but issue remains far from resolved

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802123-oil-concession-discussion-ends-but-issue-remains-far-from-resolved/

[Lite Beer]

Reconciliation can only happen within principles of law: Prayut

BANGKOK: -- National reconciliation has to take into consideration the principles of law, otherwise Thailand will run into problems, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said in his weekly televised address Friday evening.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802124-reconciliation-can-only-happen-within-principles-of-law-prayut/

[Lite Beer]

F-16 Fighting Falcon crashes in Lop Buri, killing 1

LOP BURI, 20 February 2015 (NNT) – An F-16 Fighting Falcon has crashed in Lop Buri province, killing one person.

According to the Royal Thai Air Force spokesperson, the fighter aircraft, which belongs to the Air Force base in Nakhon Ratchasima, crashed during a training exercise in Chai Badan district. The pilot, identified as Flight Lieutenant Noppanon Niwasanon, is presumed dead.

The Lop Buri Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation disclosed that the F-16 fighter jet crashed on a hill which is quite remote from residential areas. Search and rescue teams have been sent out to inspect the crash site.

-- NNT 2015-02-20

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Manhunt ordered after car bomb explosion in Narathiwat wounds 13



NATATHIWAT: -- Security officials are now hunting for a group of southern insurgents after they set off a car bomb that exploded and injured 13 people, three of them seriously, in Narathiwat town Friday afternoon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802068-dozen-wounded-as-car-bomb-rips-through-southern-thai-town/page-2?p=9096825#entry9096825

[Lite Beer]

Pattaya, Chon Buri: A 42-year-old Dutch man wanted by Interpol for allegedly trafficking 100 kilograms of marijuana in Europe in 2010 was arrested in Pattaya early Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802127-dutch-wanted-by-interpol-nabbed-in-pattaya/

[Lite Beer]

to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 21 Feb 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802188-thailand-live-saturday-21-feb-2015/

[Lite Beer]

One hurt after bus crash in front of temple in Patong
Nattapat Tuarob

One hurt after bus crash in front of temple in Patong

Phuket: A motorbike driver was seriously hurt when a bus carrying 13 Chinese tourists crashed near the front of the Buddhist temple at the bottom of Patong Hill on Friday evening (February 20).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802133-one-hurt-after-bus-crash-in-front-of-temple-in-patong/