Thailand Live Thursday 21 May 2015

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Banks fined more than $5B, to plead guilty to market rigging
By KEN SWEET and ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Four of the world's biggest banks agreed Wednesday to pay more than $5 billion in penalties and plead guilty to rigging the currency markets — a rare instance in which federal prosecutors have wrung an admission of criminal wrongdoing from a major financial institution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826791-banks-fined-more-than-us5b-to-plead-guilty-to-market-rigging/

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US state lawmakers vote to abolish death penalty
GRANT SCHULTE, Associated Press

LINCOLN, Nebraska (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval on Wednesday to a bill abolishing the death penalty that would make it the first conservative state to do so since 1973 if the measure becomes law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826792-us-state-lawmakers-vote-to-abolish-death-penalty/

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6.9-magnitude earthquake hits the Solomon Islands, no Tsunami warning issued /Skynews

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Israeli prime minister calls off West Bank bus segregation
JOSEF FEDERMAN, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday canceled a plan that would have banned Palestinian laborers from riding on the same buses with Jewish settlers in the West Bank, just hours after it was announced — an embarrassing about-face that reflected the tensions enveloping Israel's new government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826801-israeli-prime-minister-calls-off-west-bank-bus-segregation/

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Fried chicken chain KFC resurrects Colonel Sanders for ads

NEW YORK (AP) — KFC is bringing back Colonel Sanders as the fried chicken chain seeks to refresh its image by harkening back to its past.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826809-fried-chicken-chain-kfc-resurrects-colonel-sanders-for-ads/

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Transport Min. reviews Suvarnabhumi's 2nd Phase development plan

BANGKOK, 21 May 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport is reviewing the development plan of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, says Airport of Thailand (AOF).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826811-transport-min-reviews-suvarnabhumis-2nd-phase-development-plan/

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SET: Foreign investors interested in government's infrastructure projects

BANGKOK, 21 May 2015, (NNT) - Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) President Kesara Manchusri has said foreign investors are interested in the Thai government’s infrastructure projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826812-set-foreign-investors-interested-in-governments-infrastructure-projects/

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Legion of foreign fighters battles for Islamic State
By JOHN-THOR DAHLBURG and MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI

PANKISI GORGE, Georgia (AP) — One day this April, instead of coming home from school, two teenagers left their valley high in the Caucasus, and went off to war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826813-legion-of-foreign-fighters-battles-for-islamic-state/

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Minister of Tourism and Sports issues eastern provinces tourism development policies



CHONBURI, 21 May 2015 (NNT) -The Minister of Tourism and Sports has announced tourism development policies for four Eastern Provinces focusing on the integration of the work of all departments while promoting sustainable tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826815-thai-tourism-min-issues-eastern-provinces-tourism-development-policies/

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PM: Substandard rice mills will be closed down



BANGKOK, 21 May 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the Ministry of Commerce to inspect rice mills nationwide. Substandard rice mills will be shut down immediately and replaced by cooperatives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826816-pm-prayut-substandard-rice-mills-will-be-closed-down/

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49.44 per cent happier under junta's rule: NIDA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration found that 49.44 per cent of the respondents feel they are happier under the rule of the post-coup Prayut administration during the past year.

NIDA found that 40.72 per cent said their life has not changed and 9.68 per cent said they are less happy. The survey was carried out among 1,250 people on Monday and Tuesday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/49-44-per-cent-happier-under-juntas-rule-NIDA-30260584.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-21

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US says willing to take in Rohingya boat people
MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) The United States is willing to take in Rohingya refugees as part of international efforts to cope with Southeast Asia's stranded boat people, the State Department said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826819-us-is-willing-to-take-in-rohingya-boat-people/

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SET up 3.84 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Thai govt denies Navy forcing Rohingya boat to leave at gunpoint
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Government Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd denied that a Navy ship had threatened to fire at a Rohingya boat on May 14 to force it to leave Thai waters.

Sansern said the allegation was unfounded and discouraged the Thai Navy that has been providing humanitarian help to Rohingya boats in the sea. He said reporters witnessed the Navy ship providing food and water to the boatpeople before the boat continued to its sail to Indonesia.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thai-govt-denies-Navy-forcing-Rohingya-boat-to-lea-30260585.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-21

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UPDATE:

Malaysia, Indonesia agree to shelter 7,000 migrants



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to allow the 7,000 migrants stuck on boats near the two countries to come ashore – but with strict conditions, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826648-malaysia-indonesia-to-scrap-policy-of-turning-away-asylum-seeker-boats/#entry9429242

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More action on counterfeit goods urged

BANGKOK: -- Private intellectual property rights protection group yesterday called on concerned governments agencies to get tough on copyright violators after authorities swooped on several shops in Bangkok's commercial district and confiscated large number of imitation goods displayed for sales.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826836-more-action-on-counterfeit-goods-urged/

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Thai government denies firing shots to deter Rohingya boats away

BANGKOK, 21 May 2015 (NNT) - The Thai government has insisted the Royal Thai Navy did not fire shots to deter a boat load of Rohingyas away from entering the Thai territory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826837-thai-govt-denies-firing-shots-to-deter-rohingya-boats-away/

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Thai police are working with Malaysian counterparts in preventing trafficking of Rohingyas

BANGKOK, 21 May 2015 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police has been working closely with the Malaysian police to intercept the trafficking of Rohingyas and prevent new influx from using Thailand as transit to third countries.

Royal Thai Police Spokesperson Police Lieutenant General Prawut Thawornsiri said the current prevention measures have been effective enough in keeping Rohingyas away from the Thai border and its waters.

The Royal Thai Police has also been working with the Royal Thai Army and local administrative authorities to stop such illegal entry. Malaysian police officers have been sent to work with Thai officers at the Provincial Police Region 9. However, it still remains equivocal whether Myanmar will enter the cooperation, said the Police spokesperson.

The Thai police recently proposed additional measures along with a list of individuals suspected of getting involved in human trafficking to Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan to be used as reference at the upcoming special meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean on May 29th in Bangkok.


-- NNT 2015-05-21

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UPDATE:

Thai Navy Denies Threatening Rohingya Boat With Guns
By Khaosod English


A boat of abandoned refugees from Myanmar found by reporters and naval officers off the coast of Satun province on 14 May 2015. [Photo: Royal Thai Navy]

BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Navy has denied threatening to shoot at a boat of Rohingya refugees in Thai waters last week, a government spokesperson said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826837-thai-govt-denies-firing-shots-to-deter-rohingya-boats-away/#entry9429380

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Samsung stops manufacturing TVs in Thailand
BY LARRY BANKS



The biggest television manufacturer in the world, South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, said today that it would cease production of televisions in Thailand this quarter, in order to streamline its global manufacturing footprint.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/samsung-tv-thailand/10967/

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UPDATE:

Police seize B15 million in fake designer goods
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Metropolitan Police

BANGKOK: -- Two foreigners and a Thai national were busted Tuesday with THB15 million worth of fake brand name products at their shop located in a Nana-area hotel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826836-more-action-on-counterfeit-goods-urged/#entry9429447

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NIDA Poll finds Thais still happy with NCPO

BANGKOK, 21 May 2015 (NNT) – A latest opinion survey by the National Institute of Development and Administration (NIDA) has found that Thai people are still happy with the leadership of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) over the past year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826847-nida-poll-finds-thais-still-happy-with-ncpo/

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TAT woos Chinese tourists, expects no less than 6 million this year

BANGKOK, 21 May 2015 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has forecast a total of six million Chinese tourists will visit the Kingdom this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826850-tat-woos-chinese-tourists-expects-no-less-than-6-million-this-year/

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UPDATE:

Thailand says shooting threat accusation is a pain but humanitarian assistance will continue



BANGKOK: -- Thailand today rejected as groundless claim by a Rohingya migrant aboard a vessel that landed in Indonesia's Aceh province last week that the Thai navy threatened to shoot at the migrants' vessel if it didn't leave.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826837-thai-govt-denies-firing-shots-to-deter-rohingya-boats-away/#entry9429576

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PM announces new education campaign at Ministry of Education

BANGKOK, 21 May 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the launch of a new campaign at the Ministry of Education, saying that knowledge should go hand in hand with discipline.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826851-pm-prayut-announces-new-education-campaign-at-ministry-of-education/

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Ministry of ICT urging Thais to use internet more creatively

BANGKOK, 21 May 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) has revealed that Thailand is the world’s 9th largest Facebook user.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826852-ministry-of-ict-urging-thais-to-use-internet-more-creatively/

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UPDATE:

Malaysian PM orders rescue of migrant boats

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Prime Minister Najib Razak said Thursday he had ordered the Malaysian navy and coastguard to conduct search and rescue operations for boats carrying stricken migrants including ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826648-malaysia-indonesia-to-scrap-policy-of-turning-away-asylum-seeker-boats/?p=9429702#entry9429702

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Bangkok's first electric bus route launches
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A sleek new fully rechargable bus is rolling out on Bangkok's first electric bus route.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826854-bangkoks-first-electric-bus-route-launches/?p=9429737

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Recycling factory on fire

Chonburi:-- A huge fire broke out Wednesday night at a plastic recycling factory in Chonburi causing damage to the factory building and living quarters of workers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826858-recycling-factory-on-fire/

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SET rises 5.12 to 1,525.23 at midday /Bangkok Post