Thailand Live Wednesday 17 Jun 2015

[webfact]

Al-Qaida's No. 2 figure killed in US strike in Yemen
By MAGGIE MICHAEL

CAIRO (AP) — A U.S. airstrike has killed Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader, who commanded its powerful Yemeni affiliate, dealing the global network its biggest blow since the killing of Osama bin Laden and eliminating a charismatic leader at a time when it is vying with the Islamic State group for the mantle of global jihad.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833407-al-qaidas-no-2-figure-killed-in-us-strike-in-yemen/

[webfact]

Islamic State group loses key town on Turkish border
By ZEINA KARAM

BEIRUT (AP) — For more than a year, the Syrian town of Tal Abyad on the Turkish border provided a lifeline for the Islamic State group, allowing it to ferry foreign fighters to its self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa and sell oil on the black market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833409-islamic-state-group-loses-key-town-on-turkish-border/

[webfact]

Greek leader, top EU executive clash over austerity claims
DEREK GATOPOULOS, Associated Press
RAF CASERT, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's leader and a top EU official ignited a war of words on Tuesday, a rare public spat that highlights how tense the talks have become over how to save the country from financial disaster.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833411-greek-leader-top-eu-executive-clash-over-austerity-claims/

[webfact]

Palestinian president announces government will dissolve
MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the national unity government he formed with Hamas last year will dissolve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833412-palestinian-president-announces-government-will-dissolve/

[webfact]

UPDATE

Govt makes garbage disposal national agenda

Bangkok: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced garbage disposal as a national agenda and has assigned the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to draft a road map for sustainable disposal of garbage, Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833396-thai-govt-mulls-disposal-of-30m-tonnes-of-garbage/#entry9522463

[webfact]

Israeli archaeologists find inscription of name from Bible

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's antiquities authority says archaeologists have discovered a rare 3,000-year-old inscription of a name mentioned in the Bible.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833428-israeli-archaeologists-find-inscription-of-name-from-bible/

[webfact]

Dog rules to be enforced on popular Phuket beach
Nattha Thepbamrung


Two of Naiharn Beaches regular dogs enjoy the sunset. Photo: Facebook/Naiharn Beach Dogs

PHUKET: -- Those who take their dogs for walks along Nai Harn Beach are being asked to adhere to exisiting rules relating to what times dog walking is allowed. They are also being asked to ensure their dogs do not disturb beach goers on their visits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833430-dog-rules-to-be-enforced-on-popular-phuket-beach/

[webfact]

Low rice price may force rice millers to shutdown operations

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015, (NNT) - Thai Rice Mill Association President Manus Kitprasert has expressed concern that the prolonged low rice price in Thailand could force many rice mill operators to exit the market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833431-low-thai-rice-price-may-force-rice-millers-to-shutdown-operations/

[webfact]

Credit card spending continues to expand despite sluggish economy

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT) – Credit card spending continues to expand despite the slugging economic recovery, according to Krungthai Card Public Company Limited (KTC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833433-credit-card-spending-continues-to-expand-despite-sluggish-thai-economy/

[webfact]

HK’s day of reckoning comes
Timothy Chui
China Daily

HONG KONG: -- Hong Kong lawmakers are set to embark on their historic mission today (Wednesday) - debating the city’s constitutional reform package for electing its Chief Executive in 2017 by universal suffrage for the first time in the city’s history, with the outcome of the vote in the hands of only a few opposition legislators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833436-hong-kongs-day-of-reckoning-comes/

[webfact]

Novel sales methods employed by lottery ticket sellers amid crackdown on overpricing

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT) – Amid the government's crackdown on overpriced lottery tickets, several novel sales promoting methods were employed by lottery ticket sellers on the day of the lottery draw on Tuesday.

In Chiang Mai, each lottery ticket stall had a clear sign indicating an 80 baht price for each ticket. Some sellers were giving out to buyers one egg per each ticket purchased, while other sellers promised to buy back tickets after the draw for two baht each.

In Sukhothai's downtown area, many people were buying tickets ahead of the afternoon draw. A huge throng of people gathered around the stall of a seller who was selling at just 75 baht a ticket, under the condition that buyers pick their tickets randomly from a bowl.

In Uthai Thani and Yala, most sellers were found to be in compliance of the 80 baht per ticket policy. However, many reportedly were unable to sell tickets with undesirable numbers. Some resorted to offering discount on such tickets, to avoid incurring leftover tickets before the draw.


-- NNT 2015-06-17

[webfact]

Thai woman claims lured by farang to carry cocaine

Nong Khai:- A Thai woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 3.5 kilograms of cocaine into Thailand. She claimed that she was lured by a Canadian man she met online to carry the bag without knowing that it contained the drug.

Molsawan Thianyaem, 26, was arrested by customs officials at the Mueang Nong Khai border checkpoint on Sunday after she carried a large suitcase down a bus to the customs checkpoint for clearance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833438-thai-woman-claims-lured-by-farang-to-carry-cocaine/

[webfact]

5,500 bottles of liquor seized, destroyed in Indonesia's pre-Ramadan raids



JAKARTA: -- In pre-Ramadan raids across Indonesia targeting various kinds of social vices, about 5,500 bottles of liquor seized in Bengkulu were destroyed on Tuesday under the watchful eye of local administrators and police and military commanders, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833441-5500-bottles-of-liquor-seized-destroyed-in-indonesias-pre-ramadan-raids/

[webfact]

SET up 3.77 points at opening /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

UPDATE:

7% VAT to be extended another year



BANGKOK: -- The 7% value-added tax (VAT) will be extended for another year after it expires end of September if it is approved by the Finance Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833390-thai-revenue-department-requests-1-year-extension-of-7-vat-rate/#entry9522971

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thousands refuse to flee from coughing Mt Sinabung

JAKARTA: -- Thousands of villagers living on the slopes of Mt Sinabung in Karo regency, North Sumatra, decided not to leave their homes and assets despite new warnings about the mountain’s increasing activities, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833225-indonesias-mount-sinabung-erupts-again-1200-evacuated/#entry9522985

[webfact]

FPO: Low tax collection drags down state revenue

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT) – The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has reported that the government missed its revenue target for the first eight months of the fiscal year due to disappointing tax collection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833465-thai-fpo-low-tax-collection-drags-down-state-revenue/

[webfact]

MOC: 840,000 tons of rice sold in the 3rd/2015 rice auction

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce reported that 840,000 tons of rice out of the 1.06 million tons worth 7.8 million baht in the government stockpile, were sold in the 3rd auction.

Miss Banjongjit Angsusingh, Deputy Director-General of the Department Foreign Trade, said 40 out of the 43 qualified business operators made offers this time. She said 107 out of 153 silos of rice had been sold, netting 7.8 billion baht in a 840,000-ton rice deal.

The Deputy Director-General said her department would forward the auction result to the National Rice Policy Committee before officially announcing it to the public and the bid winner in due course.


-- NNT 2015-06-17

[webfact]

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Hospital says former Turkish president Suleyman Demirel dies at 90.

[webfact]

Former Australian Olympic runner Ron Clarke dies

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Ron Clarke, one of Australia's greatest distance runners and the man who lit the cauldron at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956, died Wednesday at the age of 78.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833466-former-australian-olympic-runner-ron-clarke-dies/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thais still spend more via credit cards



BANGKOK: -- Despite the sluggish economy, spending by Thai people via credit cards remained high with average spending per person per month rising to 8,000 baht from 6,000 baht, according to a leading credit card operator.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833433-credit-card-spending-continues-to-expand-despite-sluggish-thai-economy/#entry9523104

[webfact]

AirAsia named 'World's Best Low Cost Airline'

PARIS - AirAsia has been named the World's Best Low Cost Airline and Asia's Best Low Cost Airline for the seventh consecutive year at the Skytrax World's Airline Awards held at the Paris Air Show.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833468-airasia-named-worlds-best-low-cost-airline/

[webfact]

5 injured in Future Park Rangsit ceiling collapse
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Five shoppers were injured last night when portions of a ceiling collapsed at the Future Park Rangsit shopping mall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833470-5-injured-in-future-park-rangsit-ceiling-collapse/

[webfact]

Prachinburi holds disaster prevention drill

PRACHINBURI, 17 June 2015, (NNT) - Prachinburi province yesterday held a disaster drill, preparing officials and local residents for any possible emergency in the future.

The event was presided over by the provincial Public Health Office chief and the Vice Governor. The exercise simulated building collapse, fire, and chemical spills. It was held at the SSDC (Tigertex) Co. Ltd. building in Sahaphat Industrial Estate of Kabinburi District, with the participation of the company's management and staff.

The drill yesterday aimed at preparing related officials for worst case scenarios, familiarizing them with related equipment, and responding appropriately to each disaster case. The practice also helped prepare factory workers for evacuation in cases of emergency.

Participating officials are expected to develop a deeper understanding about search and rescue operations in the event of a fire or chemical spill.


-- NNT 2015-06-17

[webfact]

Special task force to deal with street racing by “Dek Van” to be formed



BANGKOK: -- Motorcycle street racers, or known as "Dek Van" will now come under tougher enforcement of laws and police action under an agreement reached at a meeting of a total of 64 government agencies yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833473-special-thai-task-force-to-deal-with-street-racing-by-dek-van-to-be-formed/

[webfact]

Disaster mitigation agencies to be on high alert for monsoon on Jun 17-21

File photo. Source: Internet

BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has instructed disaster mitigation agencies to be on high alert in preparation for the southwestern monsoon expected to make landfall between June 17-21.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833482-disaster-mitigation-agencies-to-be-on-high-alert-for-monsoon-on-jun-17-21/

[webfact]

Private sector supports govt in tackling IUU fishing and human trafficking



BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT) - Private companies in the fishing industry have expressed their support for government efforts to eradicate illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833483-private-sector-supports-thai-govt-in-tackling-iuu-fishing-and-human-trafficking/

[webfact]

Min of Agriculture and Cooperatives only allows rice to be grown on 3.4 million rai for now



BANGKOK, 17 June 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has advised farmers that the irrigated water supply to over 3.4 million rai of rice paddies won't be affected by the decision to reduce the amount of water released from four major dams.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833487-thai-agriculture-min-only-allows-rice-to-be-grown-on-34-million-rai-for-now/

[webfact]

OPINION

Religious extremism looms over Myanmar

By David Scott Mathieson

(CNN)The impact of Myanmar's repressive policy toward Rohingya Muslims was made clear in recent weeks with scenes of desperate people crammed into boats, an escalation of a miserable maritime flight in which an estimated 90,000 people have fallen prey to smugglers and traffickers since early 2014. The United Nations estimates that around 1,000 people have died on the way.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833479-religious-extremism-looms-over-myanmar/

[webfact]

Tired of developer’s threats to leave their homes, Phuket residents plea for justice
Darawan Naknakhon


Ronham Songkhao holds up photos of a backhoe in action at the site. Photo: Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- Residents who have staved off months of threats allegedly delivered by henchmen hired by a developer ordering them to leave their homes filed a formal complaint at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (June 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833488-tired-of-developers-threats-to-leave-their-homes-phuket-residents-plea-for-justice/