Thailand Live Tuesday 24 Feb 2015

[thai tech]

LG unveils four new mid-range phones, aimed at users with selfie sticks

LG has announced it will unveil four new mid-range smartphones at the Mobile World Congress event which will be held in Barcelona next month.

The new devices – the LG Magna, LG Lean, LG Sprint and LG Joy – include variations of a number of key features found on the company’s existing flagship devices.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/lg-unveils-four-new-mid-range-phones-aimed-users-selfie-sticks/5355/

[webfact]

Greece readies new list of bailout reforms
By DEREK GATOPOULOS and RAF CASERT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Caught between its own defiant campaign pledges and pressure from creditors, Greece's left-wing government will deliver a list of reforms Tuesday to debt inspectors for final approval of extended rescue loans, officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803025-greece-readies-new-list-of-bailout-reforms/

[webfact]

US jury finds Palestinian groups liable for terror attacks
JENNIFER PELTZ, Associated Press
TOM HAYS, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority backed a series of terrorist attacks in the early 2000s in Israel that killed or wounded Americans, a U.S. jury found Monday in awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in damages at a high-stakes civil trial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803026-us-jury-finds-palestinian-groups-liable-for-terror-attacks/

[webfact]

Hong Kong man commits suicide in Samut Sakhon

Samut Sakhon:- A 51-year-old man was found dead inside a Toyota Altis sedan car with burned charcoal inside on a road in Samut Sakhon’s Muang d
istrict early Tuesday, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803037-hong-kong-man-commits-suicide-in-samut-sakhon/

[webfact]

BTS denies planning to change Prompong station's name

Bangkok:- The Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, the operator of BTS skytrain service, has denied it planned to change its Prompong station’s name to M District station.

It has been widely speculated among online social networkers that the Prompong station’s name would be changed to M District from February 28 because of cooperation between BTS, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and The Mall Group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803040-bts-denies-planning-to-change-prompong-statons-name/

[webfact]

BMA launches app to help beat notorious traffic

Bangkok: - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has launched an app for motorists to beat the notorious traffic congestions in the capital.

Thaweesak Lertpraphan, deputy director of the BMA’s Traffic and Transport Department, said the app, BMA Traffic, is available for both iOS and Android-based smartphones and tablets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803044-bma-launches-app-to-help-beat-notorious-traffic/

[webfact]

Phuket's Russian tour companies starting to feel the pinch
Nattha Thepbamrung


Nikorn Yatinunt (centre), a consultant for Pegas Touristik pictured last year.

Phuket: -- A sharp drop in the number of Russian tourist to Phuket and around the nation due to the decline of the Russian Ruble is now starting to have an affect on big Russian tour companies including Pegas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803049-phukets-russian-tour-companies-starting-to-feel-the-pinch/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

More controversy caused by Phuket tour company

Eakkapop Thongtub

A tourist is seen in the bottom of the boat which is moored at Ao Tonsai.

PHUKET: -- Yesterday afternoon, Marine police̕s Lt Col Anurak Parinyasatitrakul, together with a team from Krabi Marine and Phi Phi police located a tour boat they had been searching for which catches fish inside a glass tank in the hull of the boat for tourists to swim with.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803011-tourist-boat-fined-for-unauthorised-installation-of-undersea-aquarium/#entry9110205

[webfact]

PHUKET NEWS TV: 30 Day Countdown (video)

PHUKET: -- Surin Beach, post mid-2014 clearance, has survived and thrived. But now even the east-side buildings along the iconic foreshore are being given 'the final countdown'.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803057-surin-beach-the-final-countdown-video/

[webfact]

Private sector gets ready for AEC now



BANGKOK: -- The Thai private sector is now getting ready for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) formation at the end of the year with the country's retail giant expanding outlets at border areas to welcome more visitors, and call to speed up fourth generation mobile licence auctions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803058-thai-private-sector-gets-ready-for-aec-now/

[webfact]

SET up 4.40 points at opening /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

KMITL former rector Thawil faces five charges

BANGKOK: -- The Crime Suppression Division police today imposed five criminal charges on former rector of King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang after finding him guilty in connection with the embezzlement conspiracy of the institute's 1.4 billion baht savings in the Siam Commercial Bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803063-kmitl-former-rector-thawil-faces-five-charges/

[webfact]

Interior Ministry hands down policies to Tak, SEZ province, preparing for AEC

TRAT, 24 Feb 2015, (NNT) - Inspector General of the Interior Ministry Wichit Chartpisit has paid a visit to Trat Province, one of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

His visit was aimed at inspecting the progress of the preparation of the area for the establishment of the SEZ ahead of the coming of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of the year.

According to Mr. Wichit, the province is progressing smoothly with many of the key milestones met as targeted even though several projects, such as the construction of the Klongyai pier and the renovation plan for the highway number 3 linking Trat and Hadlek ( หาดเล็ก), have had minor hiccups; for example, the lack of clear demarcation line in some areas has sometimes made it difficult for the joint development project to progress as earlier planned, the Inspector General said.

Furthermore, the checkpoint at Baan-had-lek has become congested, given there are no separate screening points for traders and for tourists, making the inspection process lengthy.


-- NNT 2015-02-24

[webfact]

Alaska becomes 3rd state with legal marijuana
By MOLLY DISCHNER

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Smoking, growing and possessing marijuana becomes legal in America's wildest state Tuesday, thanks to a voter initiative aimed at clearing away 40 years of conflicting laws and court rulings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803066-alaska-becomes-3rd-state-with-legal-marijuana/

[webfact]

GOP leader offers immigration vote to try to resolve impasse
By ERICA WERNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Days from a Homeland Security Department shutdown, Senate Republicans sought a way out Monday by splitting President Barack Obama's contested immigration measures from the agency's funding bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803067-us-gop-leader-offers-immigration-vote-to-try-to-resolve-impasse/

[webfact]

Phuket Old Town Festival this weekend
Nattapat Tuarob


The Old Phuket Town is an event not to be missed.

Phuket: -- Class Act Media is proud to be a sponsor of this weekend̕s Old Phuket Town Festival which is being held from February 26-28 at Queen Sirikit 72 Years Chalearmprakiet Park. The event will feature parades and lots of performances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803083-phuket-old-town-festival-this-weekend/

[thai tech]

Internet use in Thailand reduces time spent reading books

A recent survey reveals that 88% of Thais read books, on average 28 minutes a day but a lot less than time on the Internet.

According to The Nation newspaper, it was revealed that a poll found Thai people spend just 28 minutes ready each day, lower than the 2013 report by the National Statistics Office that found Thais over 6 years old spent an average of 37 minutes a day reading.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/internet-thailand-books/5379/

[webfact]

Airport Rail Link adds two trains from Suvarnabhumi to cope with surge in passengers
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Nog

BANGKOK: -- The Airport Rail Link has added two trains to its late night service from Suvarnabhumi Airport to cope with the rise in passenger numbers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803087-airport-rail-link-adds-two-trains-from-suvarnabhumi-to-cope-with-surge-in-passengers/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Higher alcoholic drink and tobacco prices soon



BANGKOK: -- Alcoholic drink and tobacco prices will be higher by two percent possibly in March after Thailand Sports Act is announced in the Royal Gazette.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802993-sport-fund-levy-will-force-up-price-of-liquor-smokes/#entry9110617

[webfact]

Ranong to promote AEC with a bicycle race to Myanmar

RANONG, 24 Feb 2015, (NNT) - Ranong Tourism and Sports Office yesterday announced the province will promote the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) via a bicycle race to Myanmar, set for this weekend.

The event is a combined effort by the Provincial Tourism & Sports office, the Muang Municipality, the Provincial Administration Office, Ranong Chamber of Commerce, the province’s Civil Development Office, the Tourism Promotion Office, and Ranong Cycling Club.

The race is also aimed at promoting the tourism potential of both Ranong and Myanmar’s Maliwan, while preparing for the advent of the AEC later in the year.

The race will start from the Raksawarin Hot Springs on Saturday February 28th and head to the Phonrang Hot Springs. Racers will then bike to Baan Ngaw Market before visiting the provinces other tourist attractions.

The race would then move to Myanmar on Sunday, March 1st, the second day of the event. Bikers will race for 86 kilometers before stopping to visit Thai temples in Maliwan, and sharing a meal at an orphanage, before ending the the event by racing their bicycles back to Thailand’s Ranong.


-- NNT 2015-02-24

[webfact]

Teen Gangs Trade Gunshots, Burn Vehicles in Ranong Town Center
By Khaosod English


The scene of a gang fight in Ranong province on 23 Feb 2015.

RANONG — More than 40 teenagers belonging to two rival gangs clashed in the town center of Ranong province last night, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803118-teen-gangs-trade-gunshots-burn-vehicles-in-ranong-town-center/

[webfact]

Revenue collection target for 2015 adjusted down



BANGKOK: -- The Revenue Department has adjusted its collection target down from 1.97 trillion baht for fiscal 2015 to 1.81 trillion baht after large corporations reporting declining revenues, global oil price falls, and reduced import duties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803138-thai-revenue-collection-target-for-2015-adjusted-down/

[webfact]

Body of British man found floating in sea off Phuket


Police wait at Chalong pier for rescue workers to return with the body.

PHUKET: -- The body of an British man was found floating off of Koh Hae (Coral Island) yesterday afternoon (February 23). It is believed that the man had had a lot to drink the night before and had wondered into the sea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803140-body-of-british-man-found-floating-in-sea-off-phuket/

[webfact]

New 100-baht banknotes on circulation Thursday



BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand today unveiled the new 100-baht banknotes to commemorate and honour King Taksin the Great.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803143-new-100-baht-banknotes-on-circulation-thursday/

[webfact]

Palaeontologists to Investigate 'Naga Fossil'
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK —Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources will dispatch officials to investigate what locals in Uttradit province claim is a fossil of the mythical Naga dragon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803146-palaeontologists-to-investigate-naga-fossil-in-uttradit/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Reform shouldn't override rule of law
The Nation

In its eagerness to clean up corruption in politics, the interim govt may be eroding judicial norms

BANGKOK: -- In its eagerness to declare democratic reform as its main motive, the junta seems to have overlooked that elected governments have a democratic mandate to deliver their policies. And, if their policies do go awry, their only punishment should be a "political" one, meted out by voters at the next election

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803150-thai-editorial-reform-shouldnt-override-rule-of-law/

[webfact]

US names first global envoy for gay rights
JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is naming its first international envoy for gay rights.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803152-us-names-first-global-envoy-for-gay-rights/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Panel of nine judges formed to consider Yingluck's case

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court Tuesday set up a panel of nine judges to be in charge of the rice-pledging dereliction of duty against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802999-supreme-court-to-choose-panel-for-yingluck-case/#entry9111345

[webfact]

Targeted young Lao teens prohibited from entering Thailand

Vientiane (Vientiane Times) -- The Lao authorities have acknowledged Thailand's decision to ban Lao teens from entering the Kingdom, aimed at combating transnational human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803154-targeted-young-lao-teens-prohibited-from-entering-thailand/

[webfact]

Jakarta court dismisses death row Australians' legal challenge

JAKARTA (AFP) - An Indonesian court on Tuesday dismissed a bid by two Australian drug traffickers on death row to avoid execution by challenging the president's rejection of their pleas for clemency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803155-jakarta-court-dismisses-death-row-australians-legal-challenge/