Thailand Live Thursday 30 Apr 2015

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Dozens of American Airlines flights delayed by map glitch
DAVID KOENIG, AP Airlines Writer

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — More than 50 American Airlines flights have been delayed in the past two days by a glitch in navigation-map software loaded on pilots' iPads.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821419-dozens-of-american-airlines-flights-delayed-by-map-glitch/

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BMA plans at least 12 cycling activities this year

Bangkok:- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to organize at least 12 major bike ridings in the capital this year to promote the use of bicycles and to discourage motorists from driving, a deputy BMA governor said.

Deputy BMA Governor Amorn Kijchawengkul said the planned riding activities are part of the BMA’s plan to make Bangkok Car Free Day 2015 sustainable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821425-bma-plans-at-least-12-cycling-activities-this-year/

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Disgruntled villagers build own road

Khon Kaen:- Residents of a remote village in Khon Kaen’s Waeng Noi district decided that enough is enough. They have been waiting for over 40 years for the government to build a decent road to their village.

Their request has gone repeatedly unheeded so they decided to raise their own fund to build a 2.5-kilometer-long concrete road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821433-disgruntled-villagers-build-own-road/

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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders: 'I am running for president'
By DAVE GRAM

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Promising to fight what he deems "obscene levels" of income disparity and a campaign finance system that is a "real disgrace," independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Wednesday he will run for president as a Democrat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821437-vermont-sen-bernie-sanders-i-am-running-for-president/

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Thousands in other cities protest death of Baltimore man
By AMANDA LEE MYERS and DAVID DISHNEAU

BALTIMORE (AP) — Thousands of people hit the streets in Baltimore and several other cities from Boston and New York to Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to protest the death of a black man who died of spinal injuries after his arrest by Baltimore police and to demand reforms to police procedures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821439-thousands-in-other-us-cities-protest-death-of-baltimore-man/

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Animal lovers warned of Facebook scam

Bangkok:- Many scammers have been preying on animal lovers’ sympathy on the Internet through calls for donations that they claim will go to the treatment of abused or injured dogs.

Thai Animal Guardians Association’s secretary general Roger Lohanan has told Post Today that some scammers could get up to millions of baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821438-animal-lovers-warned-of-facebook-scam/

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Tourism Ministry: Thai tourists in Nepal were all safe from deadly quake

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 (NNT) - The Tourism Ministry has confirmed that all tourists who visited Nepal before last weekend’s deadly earthquake were safe and unharmed by the disaster.

Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said that the ministry has been working with the Thai Travel Agents Association in verifying the number of Thai travelers who were in Nepal around the time the 7.8-magnitude quake hit the country on April 25.

According to Mrs. Kobkarn, it has been confirmed that 64 travelers belonging to two groups from Thailand were in the quake-hit country as of last weekend and all have confirmed that they were safe.

The Tourism Minister added that all travel companies that have been properly registered with the Tourism Department are required to take out insurance for each outbound traveler.

She went on to say that the ministry is now monitoring the development in Nepal before offering any assistance to the disaster-ravaged country.


-- NNT 2015-04-30

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Bud Light: Sorry for saying it removes 'no' from vocabulary
MAE ANDERSON, AP Business Writer


Source: internet

NEW YORK (AP) — Bud Light should have kept the word "No" handy in this case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821442-bud-light-sorry-for-saying-it-removes-no-from-vocabulary/

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Commerce Min to find solutions to low oil palm price

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015, (NNT) - Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya revealed that his ministry would today call a meeting of representatives of palm oil refineries, extraction plants, and oil palm growers to find a solution to low palm oil prices.

The Minister believed the issue would only be temporary, with about one million tons in excess produce to be extracted into 100,000 tons of crude palm oil.

Gen. Chatchai said the ministry is considering several approaches to boost prices of oil palm. Among the measures is for the Public Warehouse Organization and extraction plants to increase the amount of purchase from growers at the price of about 3.38-4 baht per kilogram, which is the production cost calculated by growers.

The Minister said results of today’s meeting, if agreeable to all sides, will be proposed to the National Oil Palm Policy Committee before being forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration.


-- NNT 2015-04-30

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NLA President calls for support for National Farmers’ Council

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 (NNT) - The President of the National Legislative Assembly has called for more support for the success of a farmers’ council.

NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai on Wednesday chaired the opening of a seminar on the benefits and the problems of the National Farmers’ Council, which was organised by the committee on agriculture and agricultural cooperatives.

Mr. Pornpetch told the seminar participants that while Thailand has always been recognised as an agricultural country, the sector has not been developed enough because of various limitations.

For some reasons, the National Farmers’ Council, which has been legally set up since November 2010, is still in its beginning stage, said Mr. Pornpetch.

He is calling on all parties involved to offer support and assistance to make this council an effective body that can pursue all policies and implement necessary mechanisms, while working with the Cabinet to solve all problems of farmers.

The NLA President also wishes that all opinions from the seminar will be helping Thai farmers become more involved in enabling Thailand achieve sustainable strength in the future.


-- NNT 2015-04-30

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Graft buster to consider indicting Yingluck cabinet of power abuse for compensation payment to political unrest victims



BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will consider whether to indict the Yingluck Cabinet of power abuse for paying of compensation to people who were slain and injured during political violence since 2005-2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821447-compensation-payment-graft-buster-to-consider-indicting-yingluck-cabinet-of-power-abuse/

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SET down 1.28 to 1.521.19 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Thai man found floating in Phuket canal
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- The body of a Thai man was found floating in a canal in Kamala Park near Kamala Beach yesterday morning. Police said that the man was reported missing on Tuesday (April 28).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821449-thai-man-found-floating-in-phuket-canal/

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Commerce Min: First batch of food assistance from Thailand reached Nepal

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has sent the first batch of food supply to quake-hit Nepal and is prepared to send 400 tons of rice to that country, according to its Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya.

The Minister said the supply of instant foods left the Kingdom on Tuesday on a Royal Thai Air Force plane. He added the ministry is currently preparing another 400 tons of rice to Nepal.

General Chatchai assured that the grain would be transported to the disaster-struck nation as soon as possible. He said the massive stock would likely be shipped on an Indian vessel which would take about 20 days to reach the destination.


-- NNT 2015-04-30

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Indonesia conveys condolences to families of executed convicts



INDONESIA: -- Indonesia's Attorney General H.M. Prasetyo gave his condolences to the families of the eight victims executed on Wednesday morning, saying their death was "not something to be happy about," according to The Jakarta Globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821470-indonesia-conveys-condolences-to-families-of-executed-convicts/

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US and Vietnam, 40 years after Saigon's fall, by the numbers
The Associated Press

Key numbers related to the Vietnam War and how Vietnam has changed in the 40 years since the fall of Saigon:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821471-us-and-vietnam-40-years-after-saigons-fall-by-the-numbers/

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Peace TV may petition King over station shutdown



BANGKOK: -- Redshirt-operated Peace TV may petition the King over the revocation of the station's operating licence by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication (NBTC) on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821477-peace-tv-may-petition-king-over-station-shutdown/

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Nepalese quake death toll rises to 5,489: official
Agence France-Presse
KATHMANDU

BANGKOK: -- The death toll in Nepal from a massive weekend earthquake has risen to nearly 5,500, according to a new tally by disaster management officials.

A total of 5,489 people are now known to have died in the 7.8-magnitude quake, according to an update from the National Emergency Operation Centre, while more than 100 others were killed in neighbouring India and China.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Nepalese-quake-death-toll-rises-to-5489-official-30259073.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-30

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Troops, police raid Peace TV to disrupt Chavalit's interview
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Troops and police raided the Peace TV satellite TV station at 11 pm Wednesday to end the broadcast of an interview of former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821481-troops-police-raid-peace-tv-to-disrupt-chavalits-interview/

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Money Expo to circulate 93 billion baht

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015, (NNT) - Chairman of the 15th Money Expo Santi Viriyarungsarit has expected the exhibition to circulate 93 billion baht.

Mr. Santi, who is also Group Editor of Money & Banking Magazine, said the fair will be held in Challenger Hall 2-3 of Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from May 7 - 10. He added that this year’s theme is ‘Beautiful ASEAN’, in recognition of the ASEAN Economic Community integration at the end of the year.

Attendees can expect to find attractive deals for private loans, credit cards, auto credit schemes, loans for small and medium-sized enterprises, and government & savings bonds.

Furthermore, the event chairman said several insurance companies will be offering insurance policies with both security and savings coverage.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Thailand will showcase its 500,000 baht banknote commemorating His Majesty the King's 50th anniversary on the throne. The central bank also minted 100 baht collectible banknotes commemorating Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's 5th cycle.


-- NNT 2015-04-30

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NRC proposes law to educate public on monetary affairs

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015, (NNT) - An NRC member has suggested that the new charter include a law mandating the government to educate citizens on financial affairs and investment knowledge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821483-nrc-proposes-law-to-educate-thai-public-on-monetary-affairs/

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Hotter temperatures forecast at the beginning of May

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 (NNT) - Thais can expect more precipitation before another heat wave grips the country at the end of this week.

Meteorologists have forecast that the upper part of Thailand will continue to experience thundershowers and gale winds until the beginning of May.

Winds are expected to move across the Northeast of Thailand from Laos, while the southeasterly wind from the Gulf of Thailand will bring high levels of humidity.

A low pressure system will begin to extend across the upper part of the country from May 1 – 4. Temperatures will rise significantly in this region.

Despite the weakening southeasterly wind from the Gulf of Thailand, most parts of Thailand will continue to have rains.


-- NNT 2015-04-30

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489 NGV buses to begin service in May

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 (NNT) - The Thai government has planned to improve accessibility in public transportation, as the Ministry of Transport prepared to roll out 489 buses in May.

The government has been working to improve accessibility in public transportation for children, the elderly and people with disabilities in Bangkok and its vicinity. It is one of several programs that the government is developing to narrow gaps in social equality.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has been instructed prepare new natural gas vehicle (NGV) buses along 34 routes in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces.

The first 489 NGV buses will begin service in May this year. The ministry has been verifying that bus routes and stops are equally convenient for all passengers.


-- NNT 2015-04-30

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“500 Startups” launches $10M “500 TukTuks” fund for Thai startups



500 Startups has officially announced the launch of a $10 million fund in Thailand, with the aim of nurturing early-stage startups in Thailand’s growing tech industry.

he micro-fund is called 500 TukTuks in reference to the 3-wheeled motorised rickshaws found in the country, and will be managed by two well known investors in the Thai technology scene – the founder of Ookbee, Natavudh Pungcharoenpong, and founder of Disrupt University, Krating Poonpol, who recently joined 500 Startups as Venture Partner.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/500-startups-thailand-2/9983/

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Section 44 cannot be used to call for public referendum

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 (NNT) - The President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has stated the government cannot call for a public referendum through the use of Section 44 of the 2014 interim constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821488-section-44-cannot-be-used-to-call-for-public-referendum/

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Checks on Phuket fishing boats find nothing untoward
Eakkapop Thongtub


Officials carry out checks on one of the three fishing boats.

PHUKET: -- Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong was part of a team who yesterday (April 29) carried out checks on three fishing boats looking for illegal workers and activities. 47 fisherman on board the boats were also screened for drugs. Nothing untoward was found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821492-checks-on-phuket-fishing-boats-find-nothing-untoward/

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Phuket police look for rock throwing thugs
Eakkapop Thongtub


Mr Jonas' wife managed to catch the two thugs on camera.

PHUKET: -- Police are currently looking for two men who, whilst riding a motorcycle through Kamala, threw rocks at a moving vehicle with a one-year-old child inside. Luckily, a passenger in the vehicle managed to photograph the two carrying out the attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821494-phuket-police-look-for-rock-throwing-thugs/

[Lite Beer]

SET rises 5.30 to 1,527.77 at noon / Bangkok Post.

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KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Rescuers pull out survivor from rubble five days after Nepal earthquake.

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UPDATE:

Army chief defends raid on Peace TV



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr today defended raid by police and military authorities at Peace TV while it was broadcasting a live interview of the former army chief Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, saying they performed duties within the boundary of laws.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/821481-troops-police-raid-peace-tv-to-disrupt-chavalits-interview/page-2?p=9357172#entry9357172