Thailand Live Friday 5 Jun 2015

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SYDNEY (AP) - Alan Bond, Australian entrepreneur who funded historic America's Cup win, has died at age 77.

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SET up 1.37 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Strong earthquake hits Malaysia's Sabah



KOTA KINABALu: -- Tremors shook Kota Kinabalu and other parts of Sabah’s west coast on Friday morning after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit near Ranau district, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830579-strong-earthquake-hits-malaysias-sabah/

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Lottery board surveys market, finds vendors asking for tips



BANGKOK: -- The Government Lottery Office (GLO) board is now conducting survey to gather information for evaluation of the lottery price control, and will launch a 24-hour hotline to take complaints about unfair lottery ticket prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830580-thai-lottery-board-surveys-market-finds-vendors-asking-for-tips/

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OIE believes Thailand can still achieve industrial growth target of 2-3 percent

BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 (NNT) - The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) strongly believes that the annual industrial Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would reach 2 - 3 percent as predicted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830581-oie-believes-thailand-can-still-achieve-industrial-growth-target-of-2-3-percent/

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Thailand to push for export of 50,000 tons of white rice to Japan annually

BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 (NNT) - Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya said he would approach Japan to increase its imports of white rice from Thailand to 50,000 tons annually, instead of 20,000 tons.

The minister revealed the plan during his current visit to Japan. The trip is aimed at securing foreign trade partners’ confidence in doing business with Thailand and increasing the Japanese orders of Thai rice. Japan currently imports 700,000 - 800,000 tons of rice per annum, 260,000 tons of which are from Thailand.

General Chatchai said he had asked Japan’s biggest rice importer, Kitoku Shinryo Company Co. Ltd., to increase the annual import of Thai white rice from 20,000 tons a year to 50,000 tons annually beginning next year.

He said other export promotion plans are also set in motion for the nation’s signature products including Riceberry.


-- NNT 2015-06-05

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Australian entrepreneur, America's Cup winner Alan Bond dies
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Alan Bond, the polarizing global entrepreneur who became an Australian hero by bankrolling a historic America's Cup yacht race victory before going to prison over the nation's biggest corporate fraud, died on Friday. He was 77.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830585-australian-entrepreneur-americas-cup-winner-alan-bond-dies/

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Thailand discusses human trafficking in fishery industry with Myanmar and Indonesia



BANGKOK: -- Three ASEAN countries yesterday held talk to resolve human trafficking in the fishery industry, but avoid the Rohingya migrant issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830586-thailand-discusses-human-trafficking-in-fishery-industry-with-myanmar-and-indonesia/

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^{Baht buses to get safety upgrade}

PATTAYA:--Pattaya’s baht buses are to get a much-needed safety upgrade.

Chonburi deputy commander, Pol. Col. Trairong Piewphun kicked off the Safe Pattaya Baht Bus Project May 21 at Pattaya School No. 8.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830587-baht-buses-to-get-safety-upgrade/

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Jomtien Beach vendors summoned after tourist complaints

PATTAYA:--Following recent complaints that beach-chair vendors on Jomtien Beach were flouting Pattaya’s new rules governing umbrella rentals and food prices, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh brought traders in for a talk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830590-jomtien-beach-vendors-summoned-after-tourist-complaints/

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German demand rises for Thai pomelos

BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 (NNT) - The Department of Agriculture (DOA) has been trying to improve the quality of Kao Nam Pueng pomelos, due to an increase in German demand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830594-german-demand-rises-for-thai-pomelos/

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Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden wins sixth gold at Chelsea Flower Show 2015

BANGKOK, 5 June 2015, (NNT) - Thailand’s Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden defended its championship title at the Chelsea Flower Show held in London, England.

The event this year was held from May 19 - 23. Teams of gardeners and landscapers from more than 50 nations competed in the prestigious exhibition.

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden cooperated with the Muang Pattaya Administration and Tourism Authority of Thailand to send delegates to represent Thailand at the Chelsea Flower Show 2015.

The team’s garden, labeled ‘Thailand, Land of Buddhism’, captivated the audience and the judges, securing the Kingdom’s sixth consecutive gold medal. Nong Nooch Garden became the show’s regular champion in 2010.

The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual British flora exhibition that dates back 102 years. The fair aims to inspire creative gardening, while promoting rare floral breeds.


-- NNT 2015-06-05

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Flower & fish fair kicks off today at floating market

BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 (NNT) - People are invited to visit a flowers and fish fair located at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem starting today until June 28th.

Participants can expect an array of farm products from 60 agriculturalists, as well as various species of flowers and fish grown and raised by Thai farmers.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, goes from 10.00 – 19.00 hrs daily near the Government House.


-- NNT 2015-06-05

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FLORENCE, Italy (AP) - Italy: China stymied money laundering probe; Chinese bank's commissions under investigation.

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60% of rubber trees in reclaimed plantations will be spared the chain saws

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830623-thai-govt-will-chop-down-60-of-the-rubber-trees-in-illegal-plantations/

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UPDATE:

Phra Suthep to leave monkhood, give up politics

BANGKOK: -- Phra Suthep Paphakaro says he will leave the monkhood and will never return to politics, either as a politician or as an activist.
But he declined to say exactly the time to leave the monkhood.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830442-suthep-to-leave-monkhood-and-return-to-activism/page-3?p=9484019#entry9484019

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Somyot rejects request for him to strip Thaksin of police rank again
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang Friday sent back a request for him to strip former prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra of his police lieutenant colonel rank to the police committee in charge of considering the issue.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830633-somyot-rejects-request-for-him-to-strip-thaksin-of-police-rank-again/

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SET bounces back to 1,500.66 at midday /Bangkok Post.

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Monk launches campaign in support for reforms before an election



BANGKOK: -- Activist monk Phra Buddha Issara has started a campaign on Friday to encourage members of the public to sign up in support for his call for a referendum to be staged to determine whether they want to have reforms before there is a general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830636-phra-buddha-issara-launches-campaign-in-support-for-reforms-before-an-election/

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PM says law must be applied step by step against pubs near campuses



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said Friday that shops or pubs that sell liquor which are located around campuses should be given some time to adjust themselves to abide by the law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830637-pm-prayut-says-law-must-be-applied-step-by-step-against-pubs-near-campuses/

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Mazda recalling 1.6 mn vehicles over exploding airbags

TOKYO (AFP) - Japanese automaker Mazda said it Friday it was recalling another 1.6 million vehicles equipped with airbags at risk of injuring or killing passengers, bringing its global total to an estimated 2.02 million.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830639-mazda-recalling-16-mn-vehicles-over-exploding-airbags/

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Seoul mayor declares 'war' on MERS after fourth death
By Lim Chang-Won

SEOUL (AFP) - South Korea reported Friday a fourth death from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as an infected doctor fuelled fears of a fresh surge in cases and prompted Seoul's mayor to declare "war" on the virus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830640-seoul-mayor-declares-war-on-mers-after-fourth-death/

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UPDATE:

Somyot rejects recommendation to strip Thaksin’s police rank, citing it lacks details



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police commissioner has again rejected a police committee's recommendation to strip Thaksin Shinawatra's of his police rank reasoning that it lacks details of his misbehaviours that could justify the action.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830633-somyot-rejects-request-for-him-to-strip-thaksin-of-police-rank-again/#entry9484283

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NLA inquires into Min. of Justice policy on ex-convicts

BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has inquired into the Ministry of Justice’s policy for ex-convicts on probation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830644-thai-nla-inquires-into-min-of-justice-policy-on-ex-convicts/

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GPO to produce nicotine withdrawal herbal lozenge

BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 (NNT) – The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) has joined hands with health agencies to produce an herbal lozenge for those wanting to quit smoking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830645-thai-gpo-to-produce-nicotine-withdrawal-herbal-lozenge/

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M.R. Pridiyathorn: 5% growth achievement of present govt.

BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula has claimed that the present administration had made the economy expand by 5% while pledging to prevent energy shortage in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830668-mr-pridiyathorn-5-growth-achievement-of-present-govt/

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UPDATE:

Buddha Issara Wants Prayuth to Stay 'Until Reforms are Completed'
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The ultra-conservative activist monk Buddha Issara is gathering signatures for a proposal that could keep junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha in power for several more years until widespread national reforms are completed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830636-phra-buddha-issara-launches-campaign-in-support-for-reforms-before-an-election/#entry9484411

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Money laundering investigation stymied by China, Italy says
By ERIKA KINETZ

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — As Italy's economy was heading off a cliff, police couldn't help but notice that the country's Chinese communities were booming. Luxury cars rolled past Chinese betting parlors and garment factories. Chinese immigrants were buying up Italian coffee bars and real estate. Their prosperity, however, was not reflected in local tax records.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/830671-money-laundering-investigation-stymied-by-china-italy-says/

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Police round up 104 street prostitutes in Bangkok
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police rounded up 104 prostitutes from several areas around Bangkok Thursday night. The arrest was announced at a press conference at the Metropolitan Police Bureau by the bureau chief, Pol Lt Gen Sriwarah Rangsipramkul.

They included ten men. They were charged with causing disturbance to others and committing shameful deed in the public.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Police-round-up-104-street-prostitutes-in-Bangkok-30261683.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-05

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BEIJING (AP) - China calls allegations of its involvement in hacking into US federal computers irresponsible.