Thailand Live Wednesday 11 Mar 2015

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Thai economy in a bumpy ride

Bangkok: –Key economic indicators, particularly, decreasing purchasing power and rising household debt, paint a bleak picture of the economy, an economist said.

Montree Socatiyanurak of the National Institute for Development Administration has called for the policy rate to be kept at 2 per cent until the country could overcome the liquidity trap.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807580-thai-economy-in-a-bumpy-ride/

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Gov’t to unveil “final answer” to overpriced lottery

Bangkok: – The government will overhaul the sale and distribution system for lottery tickets aimed at capping the retail price at 80 baht per ticket.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has instructed the Government Lottery Office and relevant agencies to draft amendments to the lottery law within three months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807579-govt-to-unveil-final-answer-to-overpriced-lottery/

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BBC suspends 'Top Gear' host Jeremy Clarkson

LONDON (AP) — The BBC said Tuesday it has suspended "Top Gear" host Jeremy Clarkson following a "fracas" with a producer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807585-top-gear-host-jeremy-clarkson-suspended/

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Jury finds Pharrell, Thicke copied for 'Blurred Lines' song
By ANTHONY McCARTNEY

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury awarded Marvin Gaye's children nearly $7.4 million Tuesday after determining singers Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams copied their father's music to create "Blurred Lines," the biggest hit song of 2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807595-blurred-lines-jury-awards-marvin-gaye-family-us74m/

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Two villages in Prachinburi become pilot areas for Sufficiency Economy

PRACHINBURI, 11 March 2015 (NNT) -The Prachinburi Community Development Office has launched the Sufficiency-Economy Village Project in two villages in the province in the hope of using them as pilot schemes for the whole province.

In the opening ceremony under the name "Governor Meets the People in the Sufficiency-Economy Village”, the Prachinburi Governor visited the Sufficiency Economy Village Learning Center and a local market where farmers sell a wide range of their organically grown agricultural products.

The "Governor Meets the People in the Sufficiency-Economy Village” project is aimed at raising public understanding of the philosophy and keeping their participation on the right track.

The governor also took the opportunity to note any problems in either of the villages and give them precise advice. The results of her visit will be used in developing the two villages so that each can later transfer proven sustainable development methods to other villages across the province. The goal of the project is to develop the livelihoods of local residents to achieve three outcomes: an affordable life, a better quality of life and a prosperous life.

-- NNT 2015-03-11

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CDC to present NLA with 26 draft bills required by the new constitution

BANGKOK, 11 March 2015 (NNT) – The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) will present the drafts of 26 bills to the National Legislative Assembly as required by the new charter.

General Lertrat Ratanavanich, spokesperson for the CDC, said after Tuesday's meeting of the CDC that the revised draft of the new permanent constitution is expected to be completed by the end of this month. The draft will then be forwarded to the National Reform Council for the latter to offer its reflection. The Election Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Council will be invited to make their observations on the charter draft as well.

Meanwhile, the CDC will be presenting at least 26 draft bills to the National Legislative Assembly, 12 of which will be organic laws and 14 of which will be drafts of other acts. Among the draft bills are the draft of the National Virtue Assembly Act and the draft of the act on members of parliament election and Senate recruitment.

-- NNT 2015-03-11

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Gen. Prayut to attend World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan

BANGKOK, 11 March 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be in Japan on Friday and Saturday to attend the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

General Prayut indicated on Tuesday that he would attend the event to relay Thailand's experiences in dealing with the 2004 tsunami and flood disasters, in addition to re-asserting Thailand's commitment to supporting disaster risk reduction. Emphasis will be made on preemptive collaboration between the state and civic sectors on disaster prevention.

The World Conference in Sendai, Japan is expected to be attended by around 8,000 participants, with thousands more participating in events linked to the conference.


-- NNT 2015-03-11

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Argentina probes copter crash as France mourns dead athletes
By NATACHA PISARENKO and PAUL BYRNE

VILLA CASTELLI, Argentina (AP) — Investigators picked through the wreckage of two helicopters Tuesday, removing cellphones, bits of paper and other charred and unrecognizable items, as France mourned the loss of prominent athletes in the dual crash in the Andean foothills.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807603-argentina-probes-copter-crash-as-france-mourns-dead-athletes/

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UPDATE:

Online lottery ticket sale endorsed by cabinet to solve overpricing



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet on Tuesday endorsed an amendment to the forty years old lottery law that will enable the Government Lottery Office to sell online lotto tickets that it is confident to curb overpricing on its normal lotto ticket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807579-govt-to-unveil-final-answer-to-overpriced-lottery/#entry9171450

[thai tech]

Trippino Hokkaido Makes Hokkaido Island Accessible to Tourists from Thailand



Trippino Hokkaido, launched on February 25th, is aimed directly at Thailand tourists visiting Japan’s Hokkaido Island.

The app connects tourists with access to all of the entertainment hotspots on the island. Tourists can find sightseeing spots, shopping centers, the best clubs and restaurants that have the best food.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/trippino-hokkaido-makes-hokkaido-island-accessible-to-tourists-from-thailand/6670/

[thai tech]

After all the fanfare and excitement, Apple Watch is just another smart watch



After expecting a game changer, the reality is the Apple Watch fails to excite and is just another addition to the fledgling and mediocre smart watch market.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/after-all-the-fanfare-and-excitement-apple-watch-is-just-another-smart-watch/6629/

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Indonesian govt urged take steps to curb Islamic radicalism



BANGKOK: -- The government of Indonesia has been urged to step up its efforts in fighting Islamic radicalism at home, in light of the recent disappearance of 16 Indonesian citizens in Turkey who are believed to have crossed over to Syria to join the extremist group Islamic State, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807607-indonesian-govt-urged-take-steps-to-curb-islamic-radicalism/

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Suriname leader's son sentenced to over 16 years in prison
LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The son of the president of Suriname received leniency Tuesday from a judge who ordered him to serve over 16 years in prison, about half of the 30-to-life term the U.S. government sought after he admitted that he offered a home base in his South American country to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807610-us-sentences-south-american-counterterrorism-official-supporting-hezbollah/

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Rescuers net-lift kitty who fell into deep hole
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A stray kitten was rescued from a 22-meter-deep hole dug for a pillar at a construction site yesterday north of Bangkok after it was trapped inside for four hours.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807613-poh-tek-tueng-rescuers-net-lift-kitty-who-fell-into-deep-hole/

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Prayut to attend disaster management in Japan Friday



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be visiting Japan on Friday and Saturday to attend the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807615-prayut-to-attend-disaster-management-in-japan/

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Australian expat stabs to death Phuket nightclub worker
Eakkapop Thongtub


Mark Penlebury is seen here being questioned by police at Kathu Police Station this morning.

PHUKET: -- An Australian expat was arrested in the early hours of this morning (March 11) after he stabbed to death a member of staff outside of the Tai Pan nightclub in Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807620-australian-expat-stabs-to-death-phuket-nightclub-worker/

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GrabTaxi user receives intimidation call from driver

Bangkok:- A female passenger has received an intimidation call from a taxi driver who joined the GrabTaxi service after she reported his reckless driving behavior.

Frightened, the Thai woman filed a complaint with police and posted her story on the popular online community Pantip.com.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807604-grabtaxi-user-receives-intimidation-call-from-driver/

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Three arrested in Phuket for selling counterfeit goods
Eakkapop Thongtub


Two of the three who were arrested for selling pirated goods in Patong.

PHUKET: -- Three people were arrested in Patong on Monday (March 9) for openly selling counterfeit goods on Taweewong Rd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807641-three-arrested-in-phuket-for-selling-counterfeit-goods/

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State agencies urged to join central gateway for internet applications



BANGKOK: -- The government has advised all government agencies and state enterprises that have created their own internet applications to report to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology so as to enable convenience to the public to access to state services and information through a single gateway.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807643-thai-govt-agencies-urged-to-join-central-gateway-for-internet-applications/

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The govt officially launched its hotline number 1111 to receive complaints from foreigners. Hotline staffs speaks English, Japanese and Chinese /Bangkok Post

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Most wanted drug trafficker Benz Thasai arrested



BANGKOK: -- Benz Tasai, a notorious drug trafficker who earlier challenged the police to hunt him down or else he would instead hunt them, was arrested today near the Thai Myanmar border in Kanchanaburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807647-most-wanted-drug-trafficker-benz-thasai-arrested-near-thai-myanmar-border/

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Srirasmi's parents sentenced two years and six months in prison



BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court today sentenced the parents of former princess Thanpuying Srirasmi Suwadee to two years and six months in prison with no suspension of jail term after finding them guilty of lese majeste.

They confessed to misusing royal connection to have their neighbour jailed on a bogus fraud charge 12 years ago.

Apiruj, 72, and Mrs Wanthanee, 66, were escorted to the Criminal Court to hear the verdict today.

The court at first sentenced them to five years in jail but commuted by half after their confession to the charge.

They were then given two and a half years each with no suspended jail term.

Both were later remanded to prison.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/srirasmis-parents-sentenced-two-years-and-six-months-in-prison


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-11

[Lite Beer]

House for sale in Indonesia -- with free wife

SLEMAN, Indonesia (AFP) - An advert for a house in Indonesia has gone viral online after the woman selling it offered to throw in an unusual extra feature for free -- her hand in marriage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807666-house-for-sale-in-indonesia-with-free-wife/

[Lite Beer]

Marijuana seized at border

NAKHON PHANOM: -- A Laotian porter was arrested and 200 kilogrammes of marijuana were confiscated after drug traffickers smuggled the cache across the Mekong river to the Thai border of Tha Utane district of Nakhon Phanom province yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807675-nakhon-phanom-marijuana-seized-at-border/

[Lite Beer]

SET down 2.68 points to 1,528.36 at noon / Bangkok Post

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Khaosan tattoo artist cries over family’s request for 70-year-old dad
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A tattoo artist on Khaosan Road said he teared up when a family brought in their 70-year-old dad to get a tattoo that had nothing to do with looking cool.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807676-khaosan-tattoo-artist-cries-over-familys-request-for-70-year-old-dad/

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BKK Court Grenade Attack Linked to Siam Paragon Bombing: Police
By Khaosod English


A suspect arrested in connection with the grenade attack on the Criminal Court house in Bangkok on 7 March 2015.

BANGKOK — Thai police say they believe the grenade thrown at a court house in Bangkok on Saturday was connected to the twin bombings at a major shopping mall last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807677-bangkok-court-grenade-attack-linked-to-siam-paragon-bombing-police/

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PM Office unveils emergency hot lines for foreigners



BANGKOK, 11 March 2015 (NNT) – In a bid to make lives in Thailand trouble-free for foreigners, the Office of the Prime Minister has launched two hotlines to handle international tourists' and residents' complaints.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807690-new-1155-and-1111-hotline-launched-for-foreigners/

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UPDATE:

FUGITIVE
American held in Thailand linked to Detroit housing telemarketing scam
Reuters

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.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807393-american-arrested-in-bangkok-over-multi-million-dollar-us-property-scam/page-7?p=9172585#entry9172585

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UPDATE:

Australian businessman charged with murder over death at Phuket nightclub
Lindsay Murdoch

Bangkok: An Australian businessman living on the Thai resort island of Phuket has been charged with murder after a Thai nightclub security guard died from stab wounds early on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807620-australian-expat-stabs-to-death-phuket-nightclub-worker/page-5?p=9172609#entry9172609