Thailand Live Monday 30 Mar 2015

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KBank's this week’s economic outlook

BANGKOK, 30 Mar 2015, (NNT) - Kasikorn Research Centerhas said the key factor affecting local stock this week is the prospect of the government lifting martial law and replacing it with Section 44 of the interim constitution.

The center said other domestic factors included this month's inflation rate, and other economic figures from February.

On the other hand, international key driving factors for this week’s stock market are the Greek debt restructure plans, the US' real estate and agricultural sector indexes, and American employment rate outside of the agricultural sector. The US’s labor market data, production index, March Consumer Confidence Index, and factory’s order figures are also to be monitored.

The center has predicted this week's stock’s resistance to be between the range of 1,510 and 1,524 points, and support level at between 1,474 points to 1,482 points.

Meanwhile, the baht is predicted to move within in the range of 32.50 - 32.70 baht against the greenback.


-- NNT 2015-03-30

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BMA to further develop 'not so' smart taxi stands

Bangkok:- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has admitted that its Smart Taxi Stands project has failed but the stands will not be demolished.

Traipop Khantayaporn, director of the Traffic System Development Davison of the BMA’s Traffic and Transport Department, said the stands will be further developed to be put in good use for public services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813128-bma-to-further-develop-not-so-smart-taxi-stands/

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SE Asia 'moving away' from death penalty: OHCHR

JAKARTA: -- Southeast Asia appears to follow global trends in "moving away" from capital punishment while facing complex challenges, according to the latest publication on this matter by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for Southeast Asia, as reported by The Jakarta Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813142-se-asia-moving-away-from-death-penalty-ohchr/

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Drug traffickers kill two police officers

BANGKOK: -- A drug trafficking gang lured a police narcotic team into a rubber plantation and opened fire, killing two police officers and wounding another seriously.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813144-drug-traffickers-kill-two-thai-police-officers/

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SET up 6.29 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Nok Air flight faces technical problems, delayed six hours

SONGKLA, 30 March 2015, (NNT) - Nok Air flight DD7105 from Hat Yai to Bangkok was delayed for six hours due to a technical issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813149-nok-air-flight-faces-technical-problems-delayed-six-hours/

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SRT remains inconclusive on two train collision in Ayutthaya



BANGKOK: -- The State Railway of Thailand remains inconclusive if human error was the cause of two train collision in Ayutthaya province last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813150-srt-remains-inconclusive-on-two-train-collision-in-ayutthaya/

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Phuket Nikki Beach Club promises, 'No more elephants'
Alasdair Forbes


The photos which were posted on Facebook have drawn criticism from many.

PHUKET: -- Nikki Beach Club – faced with a rising storm of criticism after it posted pictures on Facebook of a baby elephant being ridden by beer-drinking customers – has vowed not to use elephants at the club again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813153-phuket-nikki-beach-club-promises-no-more-elephants/

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4G licences to go for auctions in November

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) will put on auctions its fourth generation mobile phone services for its 1800 MHz and 900 MHz spectrums starting November this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813157-4g-licences-to-go-for-auctions-in-november/

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Loxley and Vanguard Supermarket to sell Thai SME products in Hong Kong

BANGKOK, 30 March 2015, (NNT) - Loxley Public Co., LTD. and Vanguard Supermarket in Hong Kong are joining hands in bringing products by Thai small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to the nation.

Loxley’s Deputy Managing Director Suraphand Bhasitnirandr said that four branches of Vanguard Supermarkets have established ‘Thai Corners’, an area in the store have have offered Thai SME products since March 23. The ‘Thai Corner’ campaign is sponsored by Office of SMEs Promotion and Thai Airways International.

Mr. Suraphand said the first phase consists of about 80-100 SME operators participating in the campaign for a total of 200 products. He added that items being offered include snacks, herbal drinks, and skin care products. The program began on March 23 and will go on until September.

Vanguard Convenient Stores VanGo and the Ole Department Stores supermarket network, which is a subsidiary network under the China Resources Vanguard Company Limited, has more than 4,000 stores in Hong Kong and China.

The Loxley executive claimed it is a golden opportunity for SMEs, given Vanguard Supermarket’s position as a major player in Hong Kong’s retail market. Mr. Suraphand expected the campaign to generate at least 100 million baht in exports.

Loxley has also been planning to expand similar campaigns with other ASEAN member countries and the China Resources Vanguard Company in China.


-- NNT 2015-03-30

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UPDATE:

Thai airlines face bans after safety review
By Coconuts Bangkok


ABOVE: A Thai Airways jet crash landed on Sept. 8, 2013. The next day the airline ordered the logo painted over to try to "hide" its identity. Photo: Wings magazine

BANGKOK: -- Authorities are scrambling to get a ban of new flights by Thai airlines by Japan lifted as Korean officials consider the same measures due to safety concerns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/812826-thai-airlines-face-bans-over-possible-safety-issues/page-4?p=9247662#entry9247662

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Former Israeli premier Olmert found guilty in bribery case
DANIEL ESTRIN, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was found guilty Monday of fraud and breach of trust in a retrial on corruption charges, three years after being acquitted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813194-former-israeli-premier-olmert-found-guilty-in-bribery-case/

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Japan's chartered flight ban from Thailand is hurting tourism business



BANGKOK: -- Japan's banning of increased chartered flights from Thailand has not only affected Thai tourists but also Japanese tourists planning to visit the country during the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813195-japans-chartered-flight-ban-from-thailand-is-hurting-tourism-business/

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Asia leads fastest Internet speeds, Thailand on the rise



In its latest State of The Internet Report, Akamai reveals that Asia leads the world and claims the top three positions for Internet speeds during 2014. Thailand ranks 45th overall in the world, but is making progress with faster broadband compared to the previous year.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/asia-leads-worlds-fastest-internet/7973/

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Five essential Internet safety tips from Google



Everyone knows that it’s important to consider security and safety whenever you’re browsing the Internet. But with constant news of viruses, hacks and other security breaches, what can you do to stay safe online? Justin Schuh from Google has described five simple pieces of advice that everyone should try and follow.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/five-internet-tips-google/7962/

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402 children drown in summer each year

BANGKOK, 30 March 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Public Health has warned parents to keep a close watch on their children, as an average of 402 children drown each year during summer months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813206-402-children-drown-in-summer-each-year-in-thailand/

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Buriram police offer free 'drive home' services

BURIRAM, 30 March 2015, (NNT) - In a bid to prevent road accidents from drunk driving, the Buriram Provincial Police, Office of Land Transport, Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and other related units have set up extra parking and free taxi services for holiday-makers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813210-buriram-police-offer-free-drive-home-services/

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Police to make anti-human trafficking top priority

BANGKOK, 30 March 2015 (NNT)-The Royal Thai Police is expected to propose to the Prime Minister a move to make anti-human trafficking efforts a national agenda.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813226-thai-police-to-make-anti-human-trafficking-top-priority/

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Satellite information used to predict future wildfires

BANGKOK, 30 March 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Science and Technology is planning to use satellite technology to forecast wildfires.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813227-satellite-information-used-to-predict-future-wildfires/

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Speeding bus causes 5-vehicle pile-up crash at intersection

Three people were injured when a speeding bus crashed into the rears of vehicles stopped at a traffic light, causing five-vehicle pile-up.

The accident happened at 5:30 am at the Palathikarn Intersection on the inbound Phaholyothin Road in Bangkok's Sai Mai district. The bus driver claimed the bus's brakes mulfuntioned.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Speeding-bus-causes-5-vehicle-pile-up-crash-at-int-30257047.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-30

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UPDATE:

ACCIDENT
Hundreds of children drown during the summer months

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has warned parents to keep a close watch on their children as an average of 402 children drown each year during summer months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813206-402-children-drown-in-summer-each-year-in-thailand/#entry9248158

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UPDATE:

Transport Minister fears domino effect from Japan’s ban on Thai chartered flights



BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Prajin Juntong today expressed concern that the poor rating of the Thai Civil Aviation Department’s control of air safety measures by the International Civil Aviation Organisation may backfire out of control in a domino-like effect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813195-japans-chartered-flight-ban-from-thailand-is-hurting-tourism-business/#entry9248197

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Phuket man found hanging from door handle
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A 42-year-old man was found hanging from the door handle of his house this morning (March 30). Family members told police they believed the man hung himself due to his father nagging him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813234-phuket-man-found-hanging-from-door-handle/

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Govt to improve Hua Hin railroad crossing's safety

Hua Hin:- Relevant authorities are now spending Bt20million on improving safety at a railroad crossing in Prachuap Khiri Khans Hua Hin district.

The crossing at the Bon Kai intersection will be equipped with railway signaling system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813244-govt-to-improve-hua-hin-railroad-crossings-safety/

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UPDATE:

AVIATION
PM promises fast ending to aviation hurdle
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that he had discussions with Japan and South Korea's leaders on the countries' ban of new flights from Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813195-japans-chartered-flight-ban-from-thailand-is-hurting-tourism-business/#entry9248369

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Dead turtle washes up on the shores of Koh Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- On the 29th of March 2015 the Samui Rescue team were called to the stretch of beach in front of the Samui Orchid Resort Moo 2 Maret after a tourist informed them of a large dead turtle they had come across on the beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813268-dead-turtle-washes-up-on-the-shores-of-koh-samui/

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UPDATE:

Invoking Section 44 to replace martial law draws mixed reactions



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha' s statement that he would lift martial but invoke Section 44 of the interim Constitution as a tool to maintain peace and order in the country drew mixed reaction from politicians and activists with some fearing even worsened power abuse while some questioning its practical and effective enforcements.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813085-absolute-power-move-could-haunt-prayut-nhrc/page-2?p=9248418#entry9248418

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SF Cinema to defy court order and show Fast & Furious 7
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- SF Cinema insists it will show Fast & Furious 7 on release day Wednesday despite a court order essentially banning the film from Thai cinemas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813272-sf-cinema-to-defy-thai-court-order-and-show-fast-furious-7/

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Phuket tour company 'cheated of more than B1m'
Nattapat Tuarob


Arinrada Sirirak (right) with her mother, who is a partner in her company.

PHUKET: -- The owner of a Phuket tour company has filed an embezzlement report with local police after a freelance sales representative acting on behalf of the company allegedly diverted more than B1 million in tour fees into his own pocket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813278-phuket-tour-company-cheated-of-more-than-b1m/

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Despite economic slowdown, tourism is booming with sharp increase in arrivals



BANGKOK: -- Most economic figures from VAT and exports to consumers’ confidence index for the month of February were on the decline with the exception of tourism industry which saw a sharp increase of 29.6 percent of tourist arrivals number 2.69 million.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/813284-despite-economic-slowdown-tourism-is-booming-with-sharp-increase-in-arrivals/