Thailand Live Monday 9 Mar 2015

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First debt collection law now announced in Royal Gazette



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's first debt-collection law has now been published in the Royal Gazette and will take effect within 180 days after its publication on March 6.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807014-thailands-first-debt-collection-law-now-announced-in-royal-gazette/

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Australian Embassy to hold Phuket outreach visit
Matt Pond


The outreach visit will be held on Friday March 27.

Phuket: -- The Consular Section of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok will conduct a Consular outreach visit to Phuket on Friday March 27 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807016-australian-embassy-to-hold-phuket-outreach-visit/

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VENUS' VISION
Home tax would have the poorer folks weeping
Veena Thoopkrajae
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- There's a saying: "Little birds build nests according to their size." But in big cities, you can't buy a nest for less than Bt1 million nowadays. That's why a proposed land and property tax is worrying many little birds. If it came into effect, it would mean virtually every homeowner would be subject to taxation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807017-thai-opinion-home-tax-would-have-the-poorer-folks-weeping/

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OCPB to step up measures against low quality products being offered in the SEZ markets

BANGKOK, 9 Mar 2015, (NNT) - The Office of Consumer Projection Board has dispatched officials to inspect items being offered at markets in the border areas. The move is to prevent low quality products from entering the Kingdom. .

The inspection will focus specifically on cheap items that do not meet safety standard which could potentially harm consumers, according to Ampol Wongsiri, the Board Secretary.

Mr. Ampol said many of the items were smuggled from abroad, which makes it difficult for authorities to track down, adding that the only thing officials can do is to inspect and identify the items that are potentially hazardous to consumers.

He urged the locals to help officers by informing his office of such items if they run into one. The Secretary also stated his office would enlist the help of the border customs office in screening these items from entering Thailand.

In addition, the measure would ensure fair trading, which is in line with one of the government’s SEZ) policies. At the moment, six areas in five provinces-- Tak, Mukdaharn, Songkla, Sakeaw, and Trad--have been designated as Special Economic Zones by the government.


-- NNT 2015-03-09

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NCPO not to remain in power after roadmap

BANGKOK - 9 March 2015 (NNT) - The Secretary-General of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has affirmed that its members will not seek to remain in power after the completion of the NCPO’s reform roadmap.

NCPO Secretary-General Gen Udomdech Sitabutr revealed that NCPO members as well as the government have repeatedly assured the public that they will only remain in power for the duration of the NCPO’s reform roadmap and have no intention to remain in power after the completion of the roadmap. The NCPO Secretary-General was speaking in response to criticism of the government's opposition to a proposal made by the Constitution Drafting Committee to bar members of the Cabinet, NCPO, NLA, NRC and CDC from seeking political office for 2 years after the completion of its work.

-- NNT 2015-03-09

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CDC Affirms It's Not Extending Power of Current Legislature

BANGKOK, 9 March 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has denied claims that a provision in the new constitution to establish a council to oversee national reform is a way of extending the power of the current legislature beyond its initial timeframe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807022-cdc-affirms-its-not-extending-power-of-current-legislature/

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PM says land and building taxes are necessary



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha stressed the need for the government to impose land and buildings taxes but said that the matter remains inconclusive and it may take months or even 1-2 years before the taxes come into force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807025-pm-prayut-says-land-and-building-taxes-are-necessary/

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PM says he will not bow to intimidation from ill-intent elements

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha announced today that he would not bow to intimidation by ill-intent elements in the aftermath of the latest bomb attack against the Criminal Court on Saturday night which said was aimed to create public disturbance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807026-pm-says-he-will-not-bow-to-intimidation-from-ill-intent-elements/

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CP, ThaiBev keen to invest in high-speed train projects

BANGKOK: -- The Charoen Pokphand Group and Thai Beverage Plc are keen to invest in the Bangkok-Hua Hin and Bangkok-Pattaya high-speed train projects, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Monday.

He said the government have yet to discuss with the two groups in details about the nature of their possible investment.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/CP-ThaiBev-keen-to-invest-in-high-speed-train-proj-30255633.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-09

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WWF THAILAND'S CAMPAIGN
An elephantine task
Wiraj Sripong
Jintana Panyaarvudh
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- A committed environmentalist since her student days, Janpai Ongsiriwittaya has become known for her efforts in trying to save elephants and put an end to the ivory trade that causes thousands of pachyderms to lose their lives every year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807029-wwf-thailands-campaign-an-elephantine-task/

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Thai police blame Red Shirt 'network' for Bangkok blasts

AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thai police on Monday accused a network of "Red Shirt" supporters of the toppled government of trying to destablise the kingdom after the second small bomb attack to hit Bangkok in recent weeks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807031-thai-police-blame-red-shirt-network-for-bangkok-blasts/

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Prayut says election might be disrupted if conflict drags on

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha indicated that election might be disrupted if conflicts continues unabated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807026-pm-says-he-will-not-bow-to-intimidation-from-ill-intent-elements/#entry9164599

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Phuket News reporter scoops award
Matt Pond


The Phuket News' Tanyaluk Sakoot with her award.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807035-phuket-news-reporter-scoops-award/

[thai tech]

How a picture of a vagina posted on Facebook resulted a landmark legal ruling

A 149 year old painting of a vagina is at the centre of groundbreaking legal ruling in France regarding censorship on the social networking site Facebook.

Last week, the High Court in Paris has set a legal precedent by ruling that California based Facebook can be taken to court in France.

This followed the case of a French man whose Facebook account was suspended because he posted an image of a famous painting of a woman’s vagina.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/how-a-picture-of-a-vagina-posted-on-facebook-resulted-a-landmark-legal-ruling/6522/

[thai tech]

Is there such a thing as a great smart watch?



There are already a slew of smart watches available, but despite the industry’s best efforts, it’s debatable whether there are actually and great ones.

There are dozens of models available today from manufacturers like Pebble, Samsung, LG, Sony, and Huawei, each trying to stand out in a sea of mediocrity.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/is-there-a-great-smart-watch/6510/

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Swede dedicates his life to children in Thailand



BANGKOK: -- He started to fill up suitcases with things every time he visited Thailand. One day at the office in Sweden he thought; ‘Why not do something in a larger scale?’. Today he is transporting boxes with clothes, toys and hygiene products almost every month and his plan is to start a home for orphaned children later this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807042-swede-dedicates-his-life-to-children-in-thailand/

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NIAMEY, Niger (AP) - Resident: 200 military vehicles with Niger, Chad soldiers entering Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.

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Bangkok's boat piers to be reconstructed



BANGKOK, 9 March 2015 (NNT) -- The Marine Department has announced its plan to reconstruct all boat piers on the Chao Phraya River, the goal being to increase safety for commuters generally and also to offer a better service to the disabled.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807046-all-chao-phraya-piers-to-be-reconstructed/

[thai tech]

APPLE WATCH ANTICIPATION: Features, functions unveiled



SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Apple Watch. CEO Tim Cook is expected to unveil the company’s newest device and make the case for why it’s a must-have gadget at a San Francisco event later Monday.

Apple teased the smartwatch in September but has given few details. Scheduled to hit the market in April, industry watchers are eager to see if Apple’s version will be the tipping point for the sluggish smartwatch market. There was similar skepticism when Apple released the iPad in 2010, yet the company has successfully sold millions and its popularity has shaken up the PC market.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apple-watch-anticipation-features-functions-unveiled/6530/

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UPDATE:

No Stability, No Election, Prayuth Warns
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Speaking two days after a grenade was thrown at a court house in Bangkok, junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha warned that an election will not be held until the political climate is stable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807026-pm-says-he-will-not-bow-to-intimidation-from-ill-intent-elements/#entry9164799

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Two arrested in Phuket karaoke drug raids
Eakkapop Thongtub


Napaporn Tapowtong, 29 (left) and Sai, 26, from Burma are to be charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell. Sai will also be charged with living in Thailand illegally.

PHUKET: -- A Thai woman and a Burmese worker were arrested for drug offences yesterday (March 8) after police raided two karaoke joints in Talad Yai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807051-two-arrested-in-phuket-karaoke-drug-raids/

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SET index closed 1,559.71 down 8.58; Bt/USD32.42; GBP48.73; AUD24.85; EUR35.11; CAD25.61; HKD4.17; SGD23.96; JPY26.72

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British Army May Shrink to Smallest Number in 250 Years

In the worst-case scenario, the UK defense budget would drop to 1.95 percent of GDP, which is below an obligatory two-percent commitment agreed at NATO level.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807071-british-army-may-shrink-to-smallest-mumber-in-250-years/

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BMA unperturbed by Klongthom vendors' protest

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will not cancel its on-going ban of street vending around Klongthom area despite a protest by the evicted vendors Saturday night, BMA spokeswoman Tridao Apaiwong said Monday.

She said BMA governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra also plans to extend the ban on road vending to other areas to make Bangkok tidier.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/BMA-unperturbed-by-Klongthom-vendors-protest-30255637.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-09

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NIAMEY, Niger (AP) - Chadian general: Chad and Niger forces have gone into northeast Nigeria to attack Boko Haram.

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Senate torture report: An exception in CIA oversight
By KEN DILANIAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — In February 2009, the Senate intelligence committee gathered in a soundproof room to learn the stomach-churning details of the brutal interrogations the CIA conducted with its first important al-Qaida prisoners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807084-senate-torture-report-an-exception-in-cia-oversight/

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Two Phuket properties destroyed by fire
Eakkapop Thongtub


It is estimated that the damage caused by the fire is in the region of B100,000.

PHUKET: -- Two houses in the Sapanruam Community in Talad Yai were totally destroyed by a fire this morning (March 9). Luckily there were no injuries reported but damage caused by the fire amounted to about B100,000 reporters were told by police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807086-two-phuket-properties-destroyed-by-fire/

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Abduction of Witness in CIB Case a Hoax, Police Say
By Khaosod English


The field where Chanita Ginnit, 38, was found on 6 March 2015.

BANGKOK — A woman who initially claimed to have been abducted because of her connections to Thailand’s former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief has retracted her story, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807087-abduction-of-witness-in-cib-case-a-hoax-thai-police-say/

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin's Cousin Denies Links to Bangkok Grenade Attack

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — A cousin of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has denied involvement in the grenade attack on the Criminal Court in Bangkok on Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807114-thaksins-cousin-denies-links-to-bangkok-grenade-attack/

[Lite Beer]

HM the King visits Royally-sponsored projects at Chitrlada palace

HM the King visits Royally-sponsored projects at Chitrlada palaceHM the King visits Royally-sponsored projects at Chitrlada palaceHM the King visits Royally-sponsored projects at Chitrlada palaceHM the King visits Royally-sponsored projects at

His Majesty the King left Siriraj hospital for a private visit of Royally-sponsored projects at Chitrlada palace this afternoon.
Looking fresh and healthy, the King was warmly greeted by many well wishers at the hospital and along the route that his motorcade passed through.

The King visited a model rice mill which was set up at Chitrlada Palace in 1971 and observed an exhibition about the use of solar energy in rice milling process.

The model rice mill was initiated by HM the King so that farmers could pool their financial resources together to set up their own rice mill without having to rely on rice millers who often suppress the price of paddy sold to them by farmers.

The King also took a look at Pinkaewmiling machine which was donated to the palace in 1973.

After the visit, the King took a rest at the solar energy guest house before returning to Siriraj hospital at about 5 pm.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/hm-the-king-visits-royally-sponsored-projects-at-chitrlada-palace

-- Thai PBS 2015-03-09