Thailand Live Wednesday 4 Mar 2015

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Makha Bucha Day in Thailand on March 4



It was 9 full months after the Buddha got the Enlightenment, on the full moon day of 6th lunar month, 45 years before the Buddhist era. On the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month, Makha, of the year, 4 special events happened:

1. There were 1,250 Sangha followers, that came to see the Buddha that evening without any schedule.
2. All of them were “Arhantas’, the Enlightened One, and all of them were ordained by the Buddha himself.
3. The Buddha gave those Arhantas the principles of the Buddhism, called “The Ovadhapatimokha”. Those principles are: – To cease from all evil, – To do what is good, – To cleanse one’s mind;
4. It was the full moon day.

Another important event, which happened on the same days (the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month) 44 years later, the last year of the Buddha’s life, he decided to ‘Parinibbhana’, nirvana, leave the mind from the body or die. 3 months after that day (on the full moon day of the six lunar month — we known as ‘Visakha Bucha Day’).

Full story: http://news.thaivisa.com/thaivisa-news/makha-bucha-day-in-thailand-on-march-4-2015/33999/

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Five Frenchmen arrested for Phuket ATM skimming fraud 'in the millions'

Eakkapop Thongtub

Five Frenchmen arrested for Phuket ATM skimming fraud 'in the millions'

PHUKET: -- Five Frenchmen are in police custody while another suspect is at large, wanted for ATM skimming fraud in Phuket amounting to losses in the millions, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805392-five-frenchmen-arrested-for-phuket-atm-skimming-fraud-in-the-millions/

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Thailand’s Transport Ministry Plans to Build Two Cruise Liner Ports

Thailand’s Transport Ministry is planning to open two cruise liner ports with one in Krabi and the other in Surat Thani. A yacht show is also being scheduled

Thailand’s Transport Ministry unveiled their plans to build two cruise liner ports. A port will be built in Krabi and Surat Thani. The plans come as no surprise as Thailand is trying to boost their national revenue as much as possible this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805476-thailands-transport-ministry-plans-to-build-two-cruise-liner-ports/

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Coroner Declares Sisters Found Dead in Thailand Died of Pesticide

A Canadian coroner released her findings of two dead women found in a Thailand hotel in 2012. Their death has been attributed to pesticide intoxication

In 2012, two sisters from Quebec, Canada were found dead in their hotel room in Thailand. A coroner’s report recently released states that the sisters died from a pesticide. Responsible for two other deaths in Canada, the coroner believes that the pesticide, phosphine, is to blame for the girls’ deaths.

Full story: [/bhttp://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805474-coroner-declares-sisters-found-dead-in-thailand-died-of-pesticide/

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Beach Worker Protesters Take a Stand Outside the Prime Minister’s Office

Beach workers protest outside of the Prime Minister’s office in hopes of bringing beach chairs and some commercial activity back to the tourist hotspots.

Protests erupted outside of the Prime Minister’s office in Bangkok earlier today. A group of 200 beach workers protested current beach problems. Concerns over the recent control of the beach, granted to the governor of Phuket, were a hot topic of debate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805472-beach-worker-protesters-take-a-stand-outside-the-prime-ministers-office/

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Man arrested for stealing police trainees' underwear for sale

Nakhon Ratchasima: Phawit Burasit, 29, started it for his sexual gratifications. But after awhile he found out that he could make brisk trade with the male underwear pieces he has stolen – mostly from non-commissioned police trainees.

Phawit’s arrest was announced at a press conference at the Buri Ram Police head office at 11:30 am Tuesday by Pol Col Narong Sawek, the investigation chief of Provincial Police Bureau 3.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805431-man-arrested-for-stealing-police-trainees-underwear-for-sale/

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UPDATE:

Five French nationals arrested in Phuket

Phuket:- Five French nationals of African origin have been arrested in Phuket for allegedly using skimmer devices to steal ATM cards’ identities and stealing from accounts of their victims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805420-five-french-nationals-arrested-in-phuket/

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Smog linked to jump in heart attacks
Pratch Rujivanarom,
Aryuthai Nonnitirut
The Nation


Many Chiang Mai residents had to wear face masks outdoors yesterday because of severe air pollution.

CHIANG MAI: -- A CHIANG Mai University heart specialist has raised concern over rising heart attack cases amid the recent surge in serious air pollution in the North.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805480-chiang-mai-smog-linked-to-jump-in-heart-attacks/

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GOVT SPENDING
Reduced govt spending sparks fears of slowdown
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

Joint standing committee concerned about falling crop prices; calls for cut in policy interest rate

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s three most powerful private-sector organisations have expressed concern over delayed budget disbursement in the government sector, as well as falling crop prices, which could lead to an economic slowdown and low consumer spending.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805481-reduced-thai-govt-spending-sparks-fears-of-slowdown/

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Beware of 'democracy trap': Prayut
THE NATION



Says Thais cannot co-exist if new charter rejected, defends clause on unelected PM

BANGKOK: -- THAIS CANNOT co-exist if they reject the new charter, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha warned yesterday after reporters asked what would happen if the majority found the new junta-sponsored constitution unacceptable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805482-beware-of-democracy-trap-prayut/

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BUDDHISM PANEL
PM deflects criticism of NRC committee
Anapat Deechuay,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

Prayut says buddhism panel has good side, amid call for probe into top monk's assets

BANGKOK: -- OBSERVERS say Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has failed to give a positive response to calls for the National Reform Council (NRC) committee on the protection of Buddhism to be scrapped.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805483-pm-prayut-deflects-criticism-of-nrc-committee/

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UPDATE:

Prayut denies rumour of Cabinet reshuffle
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha denied rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle, saying he had issued no such orders and fully supported all ministers who have joined him through good and bad times over the past eight months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805412-pm-confirms-no-cabinet-reshuffle-for-now/#entry9142534

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FDA to impose limits on steroid sales
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will soon limit the amount of steroids that a pharmacy can sell, with a doctor's prescription, at up to 1,000 pills a month and require outlets to report details including steroid suppliers, plus the amounts procured and amount sold, deputy FDA secretary-general Prapon Angtrakul said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805484-thailands-fda-to-impose-limits-on-steroid-sales/

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DATA CENTRE
Tax incentives on the cards to spark Internet data centres
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

The government will offer tax incentives to encourage local and foreign partners to set up at least 40 Internet data centres this year.

BANGKOK: -- The move is part of the government's digital economy policy, Djitt Laowattana, an adviser to the state-appointed panel drafting the policy for the government, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805485-thailand-tax-incentives-on-the-cards-to-spark-internet-data-centres/

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BILATARALTRADE
Bangkok hopes to broaden ties with Laos by 150 per cent in three years
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government targets increasing bilateral trade with Laos by 150 per cent in the next three years through closer cooperation between border provinces in the two countries, as well as the plan to develop a special economic zone (SEZ) in Mukdahan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805486-bangkok-hopes-to-broaden-ties-with-laos-by-150-per-cent-in-three-years/

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HOUSEHOLD DEBT
Kenan Institute urges concerted effort to lift Thai financial literacy
Sirivish Toomgum
The Nation


Kenan Institute Asia chairman Piyabutr Cholvijarn (second from right) shares his idea about LIFT project.

BANGKOK: -- Kenan Institute Asia has called for state and private parties to act in tandem to improve financial-literacy education in Thailand in the wake of the country's ballooning household debt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805487-kenan-institute-urges-concerted-effort-to-lift-thai-financial-literacy/

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EDITORIAL
A battle we must all wage
The Nation

The fight for women's equality requires collective efforts to eliminate the prejudice and hypocrisy that are prevalent at all levels of society

BANGKOK: -- This Sunday marks the centenary of women's rights as an international concern. The day represents an opportunity to celebrate achievements made over the decades, but also to acknowledge that woman's battle for equality is far from won. The sad truth is that, after all these years, women around the world still cannot claim they enjoy the same rights as men.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805488-thai-editorial-a-battle-we-must-all-wage/

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STOPPAGE TIME
And the Thai political Oscars go to...
Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- I just reported on the 2013 Thai political Oscars yesterday, didn't I? Time doesn't fly; it takes shortcuts through wormholes and, before we know it, we find ourselves sighing "Youth is wasted on the young".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805489-and-the-thai-political-oscars-go-to/

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Russian arrested and accused of stealing Watch from Pattaya Market Vendor



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday afternoon, Pattaya Police were called to a popular market in Soi Buakhao in Central Pattaya, after vendors had detained a Russian man accused of stealing a Watch from a market stall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805490-russian-arrested-and-accused-of-stealing-watch-from-pattaya-market-vendor/

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British Engineer re-united with wallet he lost in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- With the assistance of Banglamung Police and thanks to the honesty and kindness of a Minimart owner based in North Pattaya, a British Engineer, who works in Rayong, was re-united with his wallet which contained over 50,000 Baht in Thai and Indian Currency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805491-british-engineer-re-united-with-wallet-he-lost-in-north-pattaya/

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'Police Officer' involved in “gun” incident at South Pattaya Beauty Salon



BANGKOK: -- A man claiming to be a Banglamung Police Detective, is alleged to have pulled a gun, later confirmed as a BB Gun, on a man who accused his Girlfriend of ignoring a minor road crash moments earlier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805492-police-officer-involved-in-gun-incident-at-south-pattaya-beauty-salon/

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BURNING ISSUE
A high price is necessary to prevent military takeovers
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

BANGKOK: -- IT'S IRONIC when people like the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Borwornsak Uwanno say they hope this new "permanent" charter will be the last one for Thailand. After all, when there are legal experts willing to draft new charters in the wake of a putsch, future coup makers should feel secure that they can count on these people should they decide to tear up yet another constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805493-thai-politics-a-high-price-is-necessary-to-prevent-military-takeovers/

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BUDGET
Senior officials should fly in economy class : PM says

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has recommended that high-ranking government officials should travel in economy class of air travel so as to save the budget of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805496-senior-officials-should-fly-in-economy-class-pm-prayut-says/

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Marchers oppose coal power plants, call for EIA reform
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FIVE representatives from the Protect Krabi Network gathered yesterday to march in Bangkok, demanding an end to the use of coal for power at a new plant planned near the town plus immediate reform of the environmental impact and health assessment process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805497-marchers-oppose-coal-power-plants-call-for-eia-reform/

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Students surrender to police for dumping 'spooky' resin babies
Kittipong Maneerit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two fourth-year cinematography students at Mahidol University yesterday surrendered to police after allegedly dumping a garbage bag containing five replica infants made of resin, fake blood and pig guts in front of a salon in Bangkok's Bang Bon district on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805498-students-surrender-to-bangkok-police-for-dumping-spooky-resin-babies/

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PM approves 'gurudhayadha' teacher training project
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday approved the Education Ministry's proposal to revive the "gurudhayadha" teacher preparation project, which would offer full scholarships and guarantee students teaching jobs at their home provinces after graduation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805499-pm-prayut-approves-gurudhayadha-teacher-training-project/

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Netanyahu warns US 'bad deal' would put Iran on nuclear path
By DEB RIECHMANN and ARON HELLER

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a direct challenge to the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood before Congress on Tuesday and bluntly warned the U.S. that an emerging nuclear agreement with Iran "paves Iran's path to the bomb." President Barack Obama pushed back sternly, saying the U.S. would never sign such a deal and Netanyahu was offering no useful alternative.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805500-netanyahu-warns-us-bad-deal-would-put-iran-on-nuclear-path/

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Ex-CIA chief admits sharing military secrets with mistress
By MICHAEL BIESECKER and ERIC TUCKER

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former CIA Director David Petraeus, whose career was destroyed by an affair with his biographer, has agreed to plead guilty to charges he gave her classified material — including war strategy and the names of covert operatives — while she was working on the book.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805503-ex-cia-chief-admits-sharing-military-secrets-with-mistress/

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Agents target industry helping Chinese women have US babies
By AMY TAXIN

Federal agents enter an upscale apartment complex, Tuesday, March 3, 2015, in Irvine, Calif.... Read more

IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — Federal agents searched three dozen homes Tuesday in California during a crackdown on so-called maternity tourism operators who arrange for pregnant Chinese women to give birth in the U.S., where their babies automatically become American citizens.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805504-agents-target-industry-helping-chinese-women-have-us-babies/

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Officials: US report finds racial bias in Ferguson police
By ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Justice Department investigation found sweeping patterns of racial bias within the Ferguson, Missouri, police department, with officers routinely discriminating against blacks by using excessive force, issuing petty citations and making baseless traffic stops, according to law enforcement officials familiar with its findings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805505-officials-us-report-finds-racial-bias-in-ferguson-police/