Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Mar 2015

[Lite Beer]

Thai Military Govt to Publish PR Gazettes

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — The Thai military government says it will distribute 10,000 free pamphlets to the public explaining the works it has accomplished since seizing power in a coup nearly ten months ago.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807364-thai-military-govt-to-publish-pr-gazettes/

[Lite Beer]

SET down 6.29 to 1,553.42 at midday / Bangkok Post

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai opposes land and building taxes bill

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party today voiced strong opposition to the proposed land and building taxes bill saying it will inflict more hardship to the people. It proposes tax reduction instead to stimulate economy.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807374-pheu-thai-opposes-land-and-building-taxes-bill/

[webfact]

Taxi driver returns 4.7 million yen to Japanese tourist

BANGKOK: -- A 52-year-old taxi driver returned a suitcase containing 4.74 million yen in cash to a Japanese tourist at 10 am Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807378-thai-taxi-driver-returns-47-million-yen-to-japanese-tourist/

[webfact]

Criminal Court's bomb attack prompts security step-up for high profile officials

BANGKOK, 10 March 2015 (NNT)-Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed government security units to keep crowded areas under surveillance following a confession of the Criminal Court bomber.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807379-criminal-courts-bomb-attack-prompts-security-step-up-for-high-profile-officials/

[webfact]

TAXATION
Land and house tax to be submitted to cabinet this month

BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said on Tuesday that he has already adjusted the land and house tax rate and will submit this for cabinet approval before the end of this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807388-land-and-house-tax-to-be-submitted-to-thai-cabinet-this-month/

[webfact]

Abhisit Formally Acknowledges 2010 Crackdown Charge
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has formally acknowledged the "abuse of power" charge filed against him for his role in the deadly crackdown on Redshirt protesters in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807389-abhisit-formally-acknowledges-2010-crackdown-charge/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Good Samaritan cabbie rewarded for returning 1.3 million baht to a Japanese



BANGKOK: -- A Good Samaritan taxi driver who returned five million yen or 1.3 million baht in cash stuffed in a baggage that a Japanese businessman left in his car was rewarded 54,000 baht for his good deed by the Japanese.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807378-thai-taxi-driver-returns-47-million-yen-to-japanese-tourist/#entry9168321

[webfact]

AirAsia X flight makes emergency landing in Australia

SYDNEY (AFP) - An AirAsia X flight made an emergency landing in Australia on Tuesday after the aircraft developed a problem with its map navigation display, regulators said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807392-airasia-x-flight-makes-emergency-landing-in-australia/

[webfact]

Eight test positive in Phuket anti-drug campaign
Eakkapop Thongtub


Eleven people were tested in raids on four karaoke bars, nine tested negative and two tested positive.

PHUKET: -- 64 people were tested for drugs yesterday (March 9) after Phuket Governor, Nisit Jansonwong and Thalang District Chief, Veera Kerdsirimongkol led officials to carry out an anti-drug campaign in Thalang district. Eight of those tested had drugs in their system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807394-eight-test-positive-in-phuket-anti-drug-campaign/

[webfact]

American arrested in Bangkok over multi-million dollar US property scam

Joseph Arsenault: image supplied

BANGKOK:-- Joseph Arsenault, an American national and resident of New York, has been arrested in Bangkok for his involvement in a telemarketing scam, which netted fraudsters more than US$20 million from 290 victims in the US and Canada.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807393-american-arrested-in-bangkok-over-multi-million-dollar-us-property-scam/

[webfact]

Apple Watch available in April, has ‘all day’ battery life



You may already be sick of hearing about the Apple Watch (Jonathan, our tech writer certainly is), but it’s created quite a buzz this week, from the people who intend to purchase one, to the other people who can’t see the point. The new smart watch goes on sale on April 24th

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apple-watch-released/6603/

[webfact]

Apple announces totally revamped, insanely thin MacBook laptop



Apple just announced a new 12-inch MacBook for 2015, which totally redefines what the ultra-portable notebook category. The new machine was unveiled at the start of Apple’s Spring Forward event, which was mainly about the Apple Watch, but CEO Tim Cook and senior VP of marketing Phil Schiller also took some time to talk about the new Mac.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apple-new-thin-macbook/6592/

[webfact]

Chamlong, Sondhi, 8 others charged in court

BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors Tuesday filed charges against Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Suriyasai Katasila, Pipop Thongchai and six others for allegedly violating the state of emergency in February 2011 by organising a demonstration.

The ten defendants held a rally at the Chamai Maruchet Bridge although the Abhisit government declared the state of emergency and banned rallies. The ten were temporarily released after the charges were filed against them.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Chamlong-Sondhi-8-others-charged-in-court-30255708.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-10

[webfact]

Off season rice growing in North East declining due to drought crisis

SURIN, 10 March 2015 (NNT)-Off-season rice growing is on the decline in the central part of the Northeast of Thailand thanks to water shortage.

According to the Department of Royal Irrigation, the water that was normally released to Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi-et and Kalasin provinces from various dams has been withheld in order to keep ample supply of water for consumption until the rainy season arrives.

Around 60% of rice farmers in these provinces have stopped growing rice altogether, with the majority of farmers in Maha Sarakham-- nearly 94% of them-- deciding not to grow the crops. More than 178,000 rais of rice fields in the province will not see any rice saplings planted this year.

Only 35,000 rais of paddy fields in Khoan Kaen are expected to be used in growing off-season rice this year, and approximately 130,000 rais in Roi-et will serve the same purpose. However, almost 75% of farmers in Kalasin say they will continue to grow their rice as the water level in Lam Pao Dam is reportedly enough for farming.


-- NNT 2015-03-10

[webfact]

Milk producers in Thailand given support to increase their competitiveness

BANGKOK, 10 March 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is giving cattle farmers continuous support in an effort to increase the competitive edge of the Thai milk industry in the ASEAN market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807423-milk-producers-in-thailand-given-support-to-increase-their-competitiveness/

[webfact]

MOST to reveal innovative research on herbal treatment and nano-cosmetics

BANGKOK, 10 March 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) is scheduled to reveal the progress of its research on state-of-the-art herbal medicines and cosmetics on Wed, 11 March at its headquarters in Bangkok.

MOST minister Pichet Durongkaveroj said innovative medicines have been developed with the help of Thai local wisdom in using a variety of herbs as medicine.

Zingiber and Ginger, for example, are used as muscle relaxant to treat arthritis and bursitis. The herb-based medicines by the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) can save nearly two billion baht a year on treatment to those symptoms.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has planned to apply nanotechnology in cosmetics made by Thai SMEs and OTOP producers in order to add value to the products.

NSTDA is building a GMP-standard plant for producing those cosmetics for export, worth at least 21,200 million baht whereas extra vacancies in the plant will be open in the future.

The Thailand Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (Public Organisation) is moving on the development of a liquid rubber extract for hair and skin treatment. The extract can be further used as nutritional supplements and initial substance for medicine in cancer treatment in the future.


-- NNT 2015-03-10

[webfact]

Kitten rescued from 22-metre-deep hole

BANGKOK: -- A kitten fell into a 22-metre-deep hold bored for a pillar at a construction site in Pathum Thani Tuesday morning and was trapped inside for over four hours before being hauled to safety by a Portektueng Foundation rescuer.

A net tied to a rope was lowered into the hole and water was then poured in, startling the kitten and prompting it to hold on to the net.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Kitten-rescued-from-22-metre-deep-hole-30255711.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-10

[webfact]

NGO opposes no bidding for the right to operate Blue Line extensions



BANGKOK: -- The Association for the Protection of Thai Constitution has voiced its strong opposition to the cabinet’s recent decision allowing the current operator of the Blue Line to negotiate for the right to operate the extensions of the Blue Line from Hualampong to Bangkhae and from Taopoon to Tha Phra without an open bidding.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807426-ngo-opposes-no-bidding-for-the-right-to-operate-blue-line-extensions/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,531.04 down 28.67; Bt/USD32.53; GBP48.92; AUD24.69; EUR34.97; CAD25.61; HKD4.18; SGD23.37; JPY26.59

[webfact]

New CIB chief appointed

BANGKOK: -- The Police Commission Tuesday appointed Central Investigation Bureau Deputy Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Titiraj Nongharnpitak as the new CIB commissioner.

Titiraj, who will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, will replace disgraced former CIB chief Pongphat Chayaphan, who has been convicted in corruption and several other cases.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/New-CIB-chief-appointed-30255713.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-10

[webfact]

British man found dead in his Phuket home
Eakkapop Thongtub


Police and rescue workers were called to the house in Baan Manic at 3:30pm yesterday afternoon.

PHUKET: -- The body of a British was man found in his house in Baan Manic yesterday afternoon (March 9). Police have said that the man suffered heart failure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807429-british-man-found-dead-in-his-phuket-home/

[webfact]

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) - Ivory Coast court gives former 1st lady Simone Gbagbo 20 years jail for post-election violence.

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thai Cop Suspended for Beating Girlfriend's Suspected Lover
By Khaosod English


Neranchala Petchploy, 21, shows her injuries to the press, 9 March 2015.

TRAT — A high-ranking police officer in Trat province is under criminal investigation for allegedly assaulting a woman in a jealous rage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807200-police-officer-accused-of-love-triangle-jealousy-rage/?p=9168949#entry9168949

[webfact]

TAXATION
Tutoring schools ordered to pay tax

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to tax tutoring schools which is considered profit making operations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807459-tutoring-schools-ordered-to-pay-tax/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Abhisit disagrees with plan to collect text on houses

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Tuesday expressed opposition to the government's plan to collect taxes on houses whose prices are higher than Bt1.5 million.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807374-pheu-thai-opposes-land-and-building-taxes-bill/?p=9169123#entry9169123

[webfact]

Phuket Customs tightening up on duty-free rules
Nattapat Tuarob


Sound advice: If you have bought something expnsive abroad, wear it while going through Customs at Phuket International Airport.

PHUKET: -- The Customs Department in Phuket, as part of a nationwide drive to raise revenue, is tightening up on tariffs on imported goods, in line with the Customs Tariff Decree of 2530 BE (1987).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807463-phuket-customs-tightening-up-on-duty-free-rules/

[Lite Beer]

Ten PAD leaders indicted for 2011 rally over Preah Vihear temple

BANGKOK: -- Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Sonthi Limthongkul and eight other leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) were on Tuesday indicted by the prosecution in the Dusit District Court for staging a rally in 2011 over the Preah Vihear temple dispute with Cambodia in violation of the Internal Security Act.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807476-ten-pad-leaders-indicted-for-2011-rally-over-preah-vihear-temple/

[george]

UPDATE

American Joseph Arsenault held in Thailand linked to Detroit housing telemarketing scam

Immigration police arrest American Joseph Simon Arsenault at

PB Tower on Sukhumvit soi 71 in Bangkok on Monday. He is

wanted on a US arrest warrant for alleged telemarketing fraud.

(Photo: Courtesy of Royal Thai Immigration Bureau)

BANGKOK: -- Thai police have arrested an American suspected of being part of a group charged with operating a fraudulent Detroit housing telemarketing scheme that caused losses of over $20 million to nearly 300 people, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

New York resident Joseph Simon Arsenault was arrested in Bangkok on Monday after police acted on a request from the U.S. embassy in Bangkok, said Police Major General Warawut Thaweechaiyagarn, investigative commander of Thailand's Immigration Bureau.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807393-american-arrested-in-bangkok-over-multi-million-dollar-us-property-scam/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Lawyers for Abhisit, Suthep report to NACC

Former prime minister AbhisitVejjajiva and former deputy prime minister SuthepThaugsuban on Tuesday assigned their lawyers to report to the National Anti-Corruption Commission to hear charges against them in connection with the crackdowns on United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters between April 1-May 19, 2010, causing more than 90 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807389-abhisit-formally-acknowledges-2010-crackdown-charge/page-2?p=9169673#entry9169673