Thailand Live Tuesday 24 Mar 2015

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Cruz targets conservatives as he starts White House run
By PHILIP ELLIOTT

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Launching his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas asked Christian conservative voters to imagine a United States without the IRS, Obamacare or abortion rights — and to imagine they can make that happen by supporting him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811404-cruz-targets-conservatives-as-he-starts-white-house-run/

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Tiger temple denies allegation about three missing tigers

Kanchanaburi:–Wildlife conservation authorities have started to check on and count the number of tigers being kept in captivity at Wat Pa Mahabua, also known as tiger temple, Saiyok district.

The temple spokesman is, meanwhile, denying the allegation that three of 143 tigers have been stolen or secretly taken from the temple.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811400-tiger-temple-denies-allegation-about-three-missing-tigers/

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Fried chicken with basil leaves emits highest carbon footprint

Bangkok: – Of the popular Thai dishes served on Thai Airways International flights, stir fried chicken with basil leaves has highest greenhouse gas emission and chicken massaman curry has lowest carbon footprint.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811402-fried-chicken-with-basil-leaves-emits-highest-carbon-footprint/

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Three farang tourists preyed on by pickpockets

Pattaya, Chonburi:- Police are stepping a manhunt for a lady boy and Thai woman who have allegedly stolen cash and valuables from a Danish and a German tourists within hours early Tuesday.

In another case, another German tourist also fell victim to two lady-boy pickpockets on Pattaya beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811415-three-farang-tourists-preyed-on-by-pickpockets/

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Central data center for all state agencies expected to be up and running in 1-2 years

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015 (NNT) – The government expects it will be able to set up a central data center for all state agencies within 1-2 years' time, in an effort to reduce redundancies associated with data center investments in the public sector.

According to Deputy Prime Minister M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, the promotion of the 'digital economy' model emphasizes five development areas, namely physical infrastructure, services, legal infrastructure, economic development promotion, and digital society development. Significant process has been made in all the five areas, according to the deputy prime minister.

M.R. Pridiyathorn indicated that all areas of the country will have access to fiber optic networks by 2017. Meanwhile, it will be 1-2 years before the databases of all state agencies can be merged into the central data center. He explained that the private sector will be invited to invest in the central data center.

-- NNT 2015-03-24

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KResearch trims economic growth projection to 2.8%

BANGKOK, 24 Mar 2015, (NNT) - Kasikorn Research Center yesterday cut its nation's economic growth projection from 4% to 2.8%, thanks to the slow economic recovery rate and shrinking exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811429-kresearch-trims-thailands-economic-growth-projection-to-28-percent/

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AP Analysis: Is Israel democratic? Not so clear
By DAN PERRY

JERUSALEM (AP) — Is Israel a democracy? The answer is not so straightforward, and it increasingly matters given the diplomatic fallout over hardliner Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811431-ap-analysis-is-israel-democratic-not-so-clear/

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Five killed in Cambodian nightclub fire

CAMBODIA: -- Five people were killed early Monday morning after an electrical fault sparked a fire that engulfed a nightclub in the eastern border town of Bavet, according to The Cambodia Daily.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811438-five-killed-in-cambodian-nightclub-fire/

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Turkey to deport 16 Indonesians allegedly trying to Join IS

JAKARTA: -- A group of 16 Indonesians, most of them women and children, arrested earlier this month in Turkey on suspicion of trying to cross the border to Syria to join militant group the Islamic State (IS) could be deported as soon as Tuesday, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811440-turkey-to-deport-16-indonesians-allegedly-trying-to-join-is/

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Sommai insists on his land and building taxes bill



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Finance will continue to push forward its land and building tax law in order to create parity between all parties. This however, contradicts the prime minister's earlier announcement to put on hold the effort so as not to put more burden on middle income earners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811441-thai-finance-minister-sommai-insists-on-his-land-and-building-taxes-bill/

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SET down 2.65 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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UPDATE:

Girls deceived into matchmaking and dating business after modeling shooting

CHIANG MAI: -- Several hundreds of women in Chiang Mai lodged complaint with the police saying they were deceived into a matchmaking and dating business by an agent after posing for pictures for personal profiles in modeling agencies. But in the end they found that their pictures ended up on a foreign matchmaking and dating website.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811239-15-chiang-mai-women-sue-dating-web-site-over-stolen-photos/#entry9223485

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Trial begins in Philippines of US Marine charged with murder
By JIM GOMEZ

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A U.S. Marine charged with murdering a transgender Filipino after allegedly discovering her gender when they checked into a hotel went on trial in a Philippine court Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811445-trial-begins-in-philippines-of-us-marine-charged-with-murder/

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Thailand: Where are the Russian tourists?

BANGKOK, Thailand - With THAI having already cancelled direct flights to Moscow and analysts expecting 100,000 fewer Russians to Pattaya and secondary Thailand destinations, the future is looking challenging.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811446-thailand-where-are-the-russian-tourists/

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Mandatory speed limit on main Phuket road 'is not mandatory'
Tanyaluk Sakoot


One of the new speed limit 'suggestion' signs, next to a warning about speed cameras.

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Highways Department has installed hundreds of signs along the bypass road and all the way south to the end of Rawai Beach – a distance of 22km – apparently limiting speed to 50 kilometres an hour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811449-mandatory-speed-limit-on-main-phuket-road-is-not-mandatory/

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All households in the country to have access to Internet services by 2017



BANGKOK: -- The government expects it will push forward the national broadband project into action to enable all households to access to the Internet service by 2017.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811466-all-households-in-thailand-to-have-access-to-internet-services-by-2017/

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Gen. Prayut: Tax structure revamp necessary to provide for future governments

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asserted on Monday that a revamp of the tax structure is necessary, while the government will only raise the VAT rate when the time is right.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811470-pm-prayut-tax-structure-revamp-necessary-to-provide-for-future-governments/

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AIS is interested in all frequencies of 4G

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015, (NNT) - Advanced Info Service (AIS), one of the biggest mobile phone service providers in Thailand, has expressed interest in all three 4G frequencies.

According to AIS Chief Executive Officer Somchai Lertsutiwong, the company will attend all three 4G concession auctions for the 1800 MHz, 900 MHz, and 2,600 MHz frequencies.

He said that AIS is waiting for the government to announce the baseline price for the auctions before making its next move.

The CEO also introduced AIS’s newest service, Beat Banking, a joint operation with CIMB Bank. He said the service would simplify bank transactions for its 44.3 million customers nationwide.

CIMB Bank revealed that Beat Banking utilizes the mPay digital banking mobile application to check account balances and transfer funds online 24 hours a day.

Customers of Beat Banking can deposit cash through 50,000 mStation cashiers nationwide, in addition to CIMB Bank ATMs, AIS stores, Telewiz outlets, Big C Department Stores, and Family Marts.


-- NNT 2015-03-24

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Legal action threatened over photo of family-not-dumped-by-taxi
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- One viral photo with a misleading caption has become a national police issue resulting in a lawsuit and possible criminal penalties for the person who first shared it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811471-legal-action-threatened-over-photo-of-family-not-dumped-by-taxi/

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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Official says gunmen in eastern Afghanistan open fire on highway, killing at least 13 people.

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GHB expects the real estate sector to grow 5% this year

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015, (NNT) - The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) under Government Housing Bank (GHB) has forecast that the real estate sector will expand by 5 percent this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811493-thailands-ghb-expects-the-real-estate-sector-to-grow-5-percent-this-year/

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Thailand announces water strategy on World Water Day

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015 (NNT) – Thailand has announced its water management strategy on the occasion of World Water Day to indicate that nation’s determination in solving water issues, says the DWR Director-General.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811495-thailand-announces-water-strategy-on-world-water-day/

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Teenagers Gang Fight in Chaweng – One Dead, One Injured

KOH SAMUI: - At 5 a.m. on March 22, Pol.Lt. Yossakorn Thongnoon, the Samui District Police Station’s case officer, after being informed of a murder in the parking lot of a famous pub in Chaweng, went to investigate the crime scene with Pol.Col. Thavej Pleumsood, Pol.Col. Chaiyan Bandit, Pol.Lt.Col. Denduang Thongsrisook, Pol.Lt.Col. Apichat Chansamred, Samui Hospital medical team, and Samui Volunteer Rescue Unit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811511-koh-samui-teenagers-gang-fight-in-chaweng-one-dead-one-injured/

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Female Phuket restaurant owner shot to death
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A female restaurant owner was shot to death in Kathu yesterday (March 23). A man who was at the scene when police arrived admitted to the murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811512-female-phuket-restaurant-owner-shot-to-death/

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Two senior police officers in Udon Thani transferred to facilitate abbot murder probe

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police commissioner today ordered the immediate transfer of two senior police officers to the Police Operation Centre to facilitate a new team of investigators to probe into the murder of the abbot in Udon Thani early this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811513-two-senior-police-officers-in-udon-thani-transferred-to-facilitate-abbot-murder-probe/

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COURT
Former Democrat MP gets jail for appropriating state land

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced a former Democrat MP and his wife to 17 years in jail for appropriating and possessing state land in Kanchanaburi province without permission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811515-former-thai-democrat-mp-gets-jail-for-appropriating-state-land/

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CDC to Hold Public Forum on Mass Media Reform on Mar. 28

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) is scheduled to hold a seminar on Mar. 28 on provisions of the new constitution in hopes of creating public understanding and to open a public forum on mass media reform.

The event will be hosted by the CDC subcommittee on societal communication chaired by Prof Manit Suksomjit, who will also be delivering a speech on mass media reform and the rights and freedom of the press.

In addition, the seminar will feature a speech by CDC Chairman Bowornsak Uwanno on the overview of the new constitution.

The event will take place at the parliament building from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Useful feedback at the seminar will be incorporated into the constitution drafting process.


-- NNT 2015-03-24

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Law Reform Commission proposes law update for efficiency

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015 (NNT) – The Law and Justice System Reform Commission has proposed a judicial reformation framework to the NRC, ensuring efficient and timely principles that will eradicate inequality in case trials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811518-thai-law-reform-commission-proposes-law-update-for-efficiency/

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Utah's firing squad: How does it work?
By BRADY McCOMBS

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert on Monday gave his stamp of approval to a law that brings back the firing squad in the only state that has used it in the past 40 years — Utah.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/811520-utahs-firing-squad-how-does-it-work/

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Phra Pradaeng prepares for Songkran

BANGKOK, 24 March 2015 (NNT) – Phra Pradaeng Municipality, Samut Prakan province, together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is now ready to host this year’s Songkran Festival being organized at the Phlaeng Faifa Fort Archaeological Site.

The festival at the historic fort will emphasize Thai traditions and cultural uniqueness. First a Miss Songkran contest will take place on the 17th April. Meanwhile, between 17th and 19th April 2015, guests can see and experience traditional Thai children’s games such as, งูกินหาง Tail-Eating Snake, มอญซ่อนผ้า Hiding a cloth behind one' s back, and รีรีข้าวสาร Catching the last one in the line of people. So if you don't know how these fun games are played, you should visit the event, because they are what all Thais played when they were young. Besides games there will be special performances and also a demonstration of the making of traditional sweets called Thai Caramel or “Kalamae”.

On the 19th April 2015 the event will conclude as a merit making day, pouring water on Buddha images and respected elders, and also releasing birds and fish back into nature, as an auspicious start to the Thai new year.

Those who are keen to go to the event should travel to Samut Prakan and the Phlaeng Faifa Fort Archeological Site, next to Tessaban Pom Plaeng Faifa School, Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan province.


-- NNT 2015-03-24