Thailand Live Tuesday 24 Mar 2015

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Prayut pledges to lead country to high income economy

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said he would lead the country from middle income economy to high income economy by assisting farmers to sell their crops and push forward projects to lower their production cost.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811309-prayut-pledges-to-lead-country-to-high-income-economy/

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Tourism Min in search for ways to boost popularity of Thai brands

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to hold a workshop with an aim to find effective measures to promote Thai products to international visitors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811366-tourism-min-in-search-for-ways-to-boost-popularity-of-thai-brands/

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Surge in women being locked up
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

Overcrowding in women's prisons must be tackled first, researchers say

BANGKOK: -- RESEARCHERS at a forum on reform of women's prisons presented five policies yesterday on how to transform the "unpleasant conditions" in these jails into caring communities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811367-surge-in-women-being-locked-up/

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NMG to sue NBTC panel officials over SLC decision
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Nation Multimedia Group (NMG) will petition the Administrative Court against three members of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission's broadcasting committee for alleged dereliction of duty in deciding the legitimacy of SLC's stake in NMG.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811368-nation-multimedia-group-to-sue-nbtc-panel-officials-over-slc-decision/

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Cabinet meet in Hua Hin to go ahead
The Nation



Cache of explosives found 3km away not seen as a threat to officials

BANGKOK: -- THE MOBILE Cabinet meeting scheduled on Friday and Saturday in Prachuap Khiri Khan will go ahead despite the discovery of explosives and assault rifle ammunition about three kilometres from the venue, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811369-cabinet-meet-in-hua-hin-to-go-ahead/

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Reformers and drafters clash but 'we're not enemies'
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THERE ARE still many issues |that the National Reform Council's political reform committee and the Constitution Drafting Committee disagree on in the draft charter, NRC members said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811372-thai-politics-reformers-and-drafters-clash-but-were-not-enemies/

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Non-state sources to fund half of Bt-2tn transport upgrade
BUSINESS REPORTERS

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT will invest Bt2 trillion over eight years to upgrade the country's creaking transport networks for rail, road, airports and deep-sea ports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811373-non-state-sources-to-fund-half-of-bt-2tn-transport-upgrade/

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Prayut urges price war across borders
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION


Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presides at the Federation of Thai Industries' annual members meeting

PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday shared his manufacturing and marketing ideas with members of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), suggesting that farmers should bypass the middleman, while Thai producers sell their wares in neighbouring markets by offering the same quality but lower prices than those made in those markets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811376-prayut-urges-price-war-across-borders/

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JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's Netanyahu apologizes for offending Arab citizens with his comments during election.

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Gen Prayut to attend the state funeral of Mr Lee Kuan Yew on Mar 29

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015 (NNT) -- Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha will travel to Singapore on March 29 to pay his last respects to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, who died early Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811377-pm-prayut-to-attend-the-state-funeral-of-lee-kuan-yew-on-mar-29/

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STREETWISE
Subsidised Thailand: a fool's paradise all of us are funding
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's decision last week to order former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to stand trial on May 19 over her government's rice-pledging scheme was not unexpected. But rather than feeling sorry for her or satisfied with her demise, Thai society as a whole needs to ponder the big picture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811378-subsidised-thailand-a-fools-paradise-all-of-us-are-funding/

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Thai Airways to End Cargo Services and Downsize its Aircraft Fleet

Thai Airways is making major changes to its services and aircraft fleet. Restructuring within the company will put an end to its freighter operations. Next week, the airline will launch its final two 747-400BCF services.

The company will also stop A340-600 services. Four A330-300 aircrafts will also be decommissioned. By July, Thai Airways hopes to sell 22 of its aircrafts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811375-thai-airways-to-end-cargo-services-and-downsize-its-aircraft-fleet/

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Eagle - Thailand’s First Cat?

Bangkok:- Eagle has become the only cat that is allowed to enter and leave the Thai Kufah building which is the office of the prime minister at will, Matichon Online reported.

Matichon said Eagle appeared for the first time inside the Government House compound last month and the stray cat has become much loved by both Government House-beat reporters and Government House officials soon afterward.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811314-eagle-thailands-first-cat/

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Corn Farm Fires Responsible for Haze in Chiang Mai

Corn farm fires are responsible for Chiang Mai’s haze, according to the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce. The chamber states that five million rai of fields are being burned and asks businesses to take responsibility for their actions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811371-corn-farm-fires-responsible-for-haze-in-chiang-mai/

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Ireland Looking to Strengthen Investment Ties with Thailand

Ireland is looking to strengthen its ties with Thailand through investment, trade, education, services and tourism. Ireland sees a strengthened relationship with Thailand as an opportunity for both countries to expand into Asian and Europe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811374-ireland-looking-to-strengthen-investment-ties-with-thailand/

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Security Guard indecently assaults British Woman at East Pattaya Village



PATTAYA: -- On Monday afternoon a Security Guard working at a village of high-end homes in East Pattaya, was arrested after he is alleged to have indecently assaulted a 50 year old British woman, who rents a house in the village.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811383-security-guard-indecently-assaults-british-woman-at-east-pattaya-village/

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Russian Marijuana Mail-Order Business shut-down by Pattaya Police

PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police have shut-down an International Marijuana Mail-Order business allegedly run by 3 Russians.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811384-russian-marijuana-mail-order-business-shut-down-by-pattaya-police/

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Italian found dead in apartment above South Pattaya Restaurant



PATTAYA: -- Police and medics were called to a rented apartment located above a popular Italian Restaurant in South Pattaya on Monday afternoon, to investigate the death of a 64 year old Italian in a 4th floor room.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811385-italian-found-dead-in-apartment-above-south-pattaya-restaurant/

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Suspected murder of North Pattaya Minimart Owner



PATTAYA: -- Police were called to a Minimart located in the Takiendier area in North Pattaya in the early hours of Tuesday following the discovery of the body of the store owner who is suspected of being murdered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811389-suspected-murder-of-north-pattaya-minimart-owner/

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Technician mysteriously dies in front of North Pattaya building

PATTAYA: -- A cable technician aged 49, mysteriously died in front of a commercial building in the Naklua area on Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811390-technician-mysteriously-dies-in-front-of-north-pattaya-building/

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Crackdown on 'pirate fishing'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND is cracking down on human trafficking in the fisheries industry under a 180-day international protocol, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811391-thailand-is-cracking-down-on-pirate-fishing/

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Most complaints about police, Ombudsman's Office says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In a separate development, the Ombudsman's Office yesterday announced its achievements over the past 15 years and revealed that the Royal Thai Police were the subject of the most complaints - 5,818 from the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811392-most-complaints-about-thai-police-ombudsmans-office-says/

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Russians and Iranians nabbed in drug raids
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A RUSSIAN and three Iranians have been arrested along with 496.52 grams of crystal meth worth Bt1.5 million in Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri and Phaya Thai in Bangkok, the Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) announced yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811393-russians-and-iranians-nabbed-in-drug-raids-in-thailand/

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Police foil plans of five Vietnamese shoplifters
The Nation

FIVE VIETNAMESE were arrested in Chiang Mai's Muang district for shoplifting brand-name clothes worth hundreds of thousands of baht by stuffing them into foil-lined bags to fool the barcode detectors, police announced yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811395-chiang-mai-police-foil-plans-of-five-vietnamese-shoplifters/

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DNA to be collected from prisoners to help fight drug gangs, Justice official says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Justice Ministry permanent secretary Pol Col Dusadee Arayawuth has instructed officials to collect DNA samples of inmates to compare with SIM cards and cell-phones seized in jails in three southernmost provinces, in a bid to arrest members of gangs dealing in drugs outside.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811396-dna-to-be-collected-from-prisoners-to-help-fight-drug-gangs-thai-justice-official-says/

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Lads go for a pint and end up 7,000 miles away in Thailand
By Mieka Smiles


Hangover: The lads lived out their version of 'The Hangover' film in Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811397-lads-go-for-a-pint-and-end-up-7000-miles-away-in-thailand/

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Israel's Netanyahu apologizes to country's Arab minority
IAN DEITCH, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Israel's Arab citizens on Monday for remarks he made during last week's parliament election that offended members of the community.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811398-israels-netanyahu-apologizes-to-countrys-arab-minority/

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UK Premier David Cameron rules out 3rd term in office

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister David Cameron says he will serve a full second term if he's re-elected in May — but he won't seek a third.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811399-uk-premier-david-cameron-rules-out-3rd-term-in-office/

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Yemen FM: President Hadi calls for Gulf military, UN action
AHMED AL-HAJ, Associated Press

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemen's embattled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has asked Gulf countries to intervene militarily against Shiite rebels who have seized the capital and are advancing toward his new base in the south, his foreign minister told Saudi media Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811401-yemen-fm-president-hadi-calls-for-gulf-military-un-action/

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Alaska police discover four bodies, handgun near family home
By DAN JOLING

KENAI, Alaska (AP) — Authorities investigating the disappearance of an Alaska family missing for nearly a year have discovered four bodies and a handgun about a half a mile from their home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811403-alaska-police-discover-four-bodies-handgun-near-family-home/