Thailand Live Thursday 12 Mar 2015

[Lite Beer]

SET down 5.43 points at midday / Bangkok Post.

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Phuket shrimp farms leaking contaminated water
Eakkapop Thongtub


A large number of fish at the lake at Wat Mai Khao have died from the contaminated water.

PHUKET: -- A team from the Royal Thai Navy Third Naval Area Command carried out raids on 15 shrimp farms Tuesday (March 10) after locals and the head monk from Wat Mai Khao complained that contaminated water was being released by the farms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808024-phuket-shrimp-farms-leaking-contaminated-water/

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New Constitution Enacted By 4 Sept: Govt
By Khosod English


The leaders of the "Five Rivers" organizations in Bangkok, 11 March 2015.

BANGKOK — Thailand's 20th constitution will be inaugurated by His Majesty the King on 4 September 2015, government officials announced on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808026-new-thai-constitution-enacted-by-4-sept-govt/

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Loxley to promote electric taxis and buses for Thailand
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A Bangkok-based technology and commerce firm which has worked on developing electric vehicle technology wants to see e-taxis and buses cruising the streets of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808029-loxley-to-promote-electric-taxis-and-buses-for-thailand/

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Thai travelers to Japan being turned away in record numbers
KUCHIKOMI MAR. 12, 2015 - 06:01AM JST ( 16 )TOKYO —

Japanese visa sticker. File photo.

TOKYO: -- During 2014, the number of Thai nationals refused entry into Japan exceeded 1,000 persons, the Sankei Shimbun (March 8) notes. This figure, according to Japan’s Ministry of Justice, began soaring following adoption of the visa waiver system enabling Thai citizens to enter Japan for stays of short duration, which went into effect from July 2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807988-thai-travelers-to-japan-being-turned-away-in-record-numbers/

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Major survey finds record low confidence in government
By EMILY SWANSON

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' confidence in all three branches of government is at or near record lows, according to a major survey that has measured attitudes on the subject for 40 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808032-major-survey-finds-record-low-confidence-in-us-government/

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1 Black Hawk crashed in fog, killing 11; Another turned back
By MELISSA NELSON-GABRIEL

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) — Searchers struggled Wednesday to find the seven Marines and four soldiers killed when a helicopter crashed, hampered by the same fog that plagued a nighttime training mission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808032-major-survey-finds-record-low-confidence-in-us-government/

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Minimum wage could be different in some parts of the country next year

BANGKOK, 12 March 2015 (NNT)-The central wage committee will in 2016 set various levels of minimum wage across the nation in accordance with the local economy in the area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808049-minimum-wage-could-be-different-in-some-parts-of-thailand-next-year/

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Poll: Criminal Court bombings politically motivated

BANGKOK, 12 March 2015 (NNT) – Last week’s bomb attack on the Criminal Court is believed by many Thais to be politically motivated, according to a recent survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808050-thai-poll-criminal-court-bombings-politically-motivated/

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Interior Ministry to ask BTS to delay fare hike

BANGKOK, 12 March 2015 (NNT)- In a bid to help keep the cost of living down for Thais, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has instructed the Ministry of Interior to urge the BTS train operator to delay raising its fares.

Deputy Spokesperson to the Prime Minister’s Office, Major General Sansern Keawkamnerd, said the move to increase the fares by Bangkok Mass Transit System Company Limited, the operator of BTS sky train, is in line with the contract it signed with the office of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in 1999.

According to him, the Prime Minister is worried that the new rates will drive up commuters' cost of living. The Ministry of Interior will try to negotiate with the BTS operator, asking it to delay raising the fares. However, if it does not succeed, the fare will be raised by only two baht.


-- NNT 2015-03-12

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Prayuth Offers to Ban Himself From Post-Coup Senate
By Khaosod English


Junta chairman and Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha on 10 March 2015.

BANGKOK — In an effort to assure the public that he will not hold onto power after the next election, junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has instructed the drafters of the new charter to ban him from serving in the senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808052-prayuth-offers-to-ban-himself-from-post-coup-senate/

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BMA to reduce skytrain fare for disabled on extended routes

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will lower the fare by the half for the disabled who ride the skytrain on the extended Sukhumvit and Silom routes, Wanchai Thanomsak, the director of the BMA's Town and Planning Department, said Thursday.

The BMA owns the extended sections of the two routes and it hires the BTS to operate the trains on the sections.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/BMA-to-reduce-skytrain-fare-for-disabled-on-extend-30255861.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-12

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Malaysia considers border fencing to deter human trafficking

Kuala Lumpur (The Star) -- Erecting security fences totalling 2,666km along the nation's borders is being considered as a measure to stop smuggling and people trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808060-malaysia-considers-border-fencing-to-deter-human-trafficking/

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Similian park may restrict visits to preserve its nature



PHUKET: -- The Natural Resources and Environment Minister has instructed the chief of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) to restrict the number of visitors to the Similan national park following the surge of visitors beyond its capacity to handle, thus threatening its natural environment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808062-similian-park-may-restrict-visits-to-preserve-its-nature/

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800 Muay Thai fighters from 60 countries to attend World Wai Kru Ceremony in Ayutthaya

AYUTTHAYA: -- A total of 800 Muay Thai fighters from 60 countries have registered to attend the 11th Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony, scheduled to take place on 17 March, 2015, as part of the Nai Khanomtom Day, which will be held from 15-20 March at Wat Chula Mani, Wat Maha That and Wat Langkhakhao in the Ayutthaya Historical Park as well as at the Ayutthaya Provincial Sports Stadium in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, about an hour’s drive north of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808065-800-muay-thai-fighters-from-60-countries-to-attend-world-wai-kru-ceremony-in-ayutthaya/

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Citizenship Granted to Thailand's Colonial Diaspora
By Khaosod English


Officials grant Thai citizenship to 24 representatives of those descendants, 12 March 2015.

PRACHUAP KIRI KHAN — Following decades of bureaucratic delays, Thai authorities have finally granted citizenship to descendants of Thais who found themselves without a formal nationality after the British Empire declared their homes to be in Burmese territory nearly 150 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808067-citizenship-granted-to-thailands-colonial-diaspora/

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Krabi to spend Bt100m to install bicycle parking racks

KRABI: -- The Krabi provincial administration will spend Bt100 million to install bicycle parking racks at 13 tourist-destination spots to promote bike tourism and bicycle riding, Krabi Governor Songpol Sawattham said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808091-krabi-to-spend-bt100m-to-install-bicycle-parking-racks/

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UPDATE:

38 former senators escape impeachment

BANGKOK: -- The 38 former senators, who were accused of breaching the previous constitution, escaped the impeachment Thursday when most members of the National Legislative Assembly voted against the impeachment proposal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807891-secret-nla-vote-today-on-ex-senators-impeachment/#entry9177524

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Teachers hand in wallet containing over B50,000 to Phuket tourist police
Eakkapop Thongtub


The teachers found the wallet containing over B50,000 in a petrol station bathroom.

PHUKET: -- A wallet containing B25,120 and 5,260 Chinese yuan (B27,564) was handed in to Tourist police yesterday (March 11) by a group of visiting teachers from the Chiang Rai province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808092-teachers-hand-in-wallet-containing-over-b50000-to-phuket-tourist-police/

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SET index closed 1,544.38 up 0.54; Bt/USD32.68; GBP48.92; AUD24.94; EUR34.58; CAD25.65; HKD4.20; SGD23.59; JPY26.88

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Royal Thai Police to set up ASEAN Center and provide multilingual service

BANGKOK, 12 March 2015 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is gearing up on the ASEAN Center's establishment and the development of a multilingual application along with bilingual police tickets for universality, says the RTP Deputy Commissioner General.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808093-thai-police-to-set-up-asean-center-and-provide-multilingual-service/

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MSDHS discusses with Lao Women’s Union on human trafficking issue

NEW YORK, 12 March 2015 (NNT) – The Minister of Social Development and Human Security met with the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) Vice President to discuss on solving the issue of human trafficking in women and children in a CSW session at UN headquarter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808096-thai-minister-discusses-with-lao-womens-union-on-human-trafficking-issue/

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Ayutthaya to incorporate Thai elephant studies in the curriculum

AYUTTHAYA, 12 March 2015 (NNT) – In a move to highlight the importance of Thai elephants, Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal and associated academics have signed an MOU which aims to include the study of Thai elephants in the school curriculum.

According to Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal, the idea of incorporating a study of Thai elephants in the curriculum at all levels was initiated by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

The new curriculum when completed, will include the place of Thai elephants in different subjects, such as history, economics, ethics and the arts. Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal said Thailand would be the first country in the world to encompass elephant studies in academic programs.

Since ancient times, elephants have played an important role in Thai culture. To underline their significance, the government declared March 13th Thai Elephants' Day. To observe the day, Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal will be demonstrating ancient rituals, and the annual feast for elephants will be held as a tribute to departed mahouts and their elephants.


-- NNT 2015-03-12

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Dow Boyer's deportation order is lifted


Source: Internet

PARK HILLS: -- It's been nearly a year since Komdown “Dow” Boyer’s life was turned upside down by the possibility of deportation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808098-thai-woman-wins-battle-against-us-deportation/

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UPDATE:

AYUTTHAYA
Ayutthaya to hold Thai boxing festival

AYUTTHAYA: -- Ayutthaya authorities and Tourism Authority of Thailand join hands to host a Thai boxing next week in which more than 800 Thai boxers from 60 countries will participate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808065-800-muay-thai-fighters-from-60-countries-to-attend-world-wai-kru-ceremony-in-ayutthaya/#entry9177714

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Prayut to meet UN secretary general in Sendai

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will meet the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon when the two attend the UN World Conference on Disaster Rick Reduction in Sendai, Japan, on Friday and Saturday.

The two are scheduled to hold a bilateral discussion Saturday afternoon.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-to-meet-UN-secretary-general-in-Sendai-30255870.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-12

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Road into Laguna Phuket to be overhauled
The Phuket News


Map showing the routes in and out of Laguna while the repairs are done.

PHUKET: More roadworks, this time around Laguna in Cherng Talay, may cause drivers irritation and delay for up to five months, as Lagoon Rd, the main way into and out of Laguna, is overhauled.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808122-road-into-laguna-phuket-to-be-overhauled/

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UPDATE:

Authorities Mull Limiting Visitors to Similan Islands
By Khaosod English

PHANG NGA — Authorities in Phang Nga province are considering limiting the number of tourists on the Similan islands to 250 people per day in an effort to stem overcrowding on the national park land.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808062-similian-park-may-restrict-visits-to-preserve-its-nature/#entry9177811

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 13 Mar 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808235-thailand-live-friday-13-mar-2015/