Taliban leader Mullah Omar has died, Afghan government sources say, but the militant group has not commented /BBC

UPDATE:

Eurotunnel: 37,000 migrant crossing attempts blocked
ELAINE GANLEY, Associated Press

CALAIS, France (AP) — Migrants rushed the tunnel linking France and England repeatedly for a second night on Wednesday and one man was crushed by a truck in the chaos, deepening tensions surrounding the thousands of people camped in this northern French port city. Eurotunnel said it had blocked more than 37,000 such attempts by migrants to reach Britain since January.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844168-2100-migrants-try-to-storm-eurotunnel-site-in-calais/?p=9676838#entry9676838

THAI continues Bangkok-Oslo services
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International announced Wednesday that it still operates flights to Oslo, Norway.

Rebutting a local report, it said in a statement that two schduled daily flights are maintained for the route: one from Bangkok to Oslo and the other from Oslo to Bangkok.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/THAI-continues-Bangkok-Oslo-services-30265487.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-29

SET index closed 1,417.49 up 9.42; Bt/USD34.79; GBP54.08; AUD25.06; EUR38.26; CAD26.66; HKD4.46; SGD25.28; JPY28.00

NRC hears report on consumer protection reform

BANGKOK, 29 July 2015 (NNT) - The National Reform Council (NRC) committee on consumer protection reform has delivered its report on raising the standards of Thailand’s consumer protection policies.

The committee’s main topics included reforming consumer protection agencies, policies dealing with products deemed unsafe for consumers, policies dealing with accountability for faulty products, reforming consumer protection in the media and information consumption, and policies dealing with those who have been affected by public services.

To reform consumer protection agencies, the committee proposed legislation on independent organizations to ensure adequate consumer protection.

To reform the country’s consumer protection information system, the committee has proposed legislation that would warn the public of unsafe products or product handling.

To reform the country’s compensation system, the committee proposed legislation on responsibility and compensation for products damaged during a transaction.

To compensate those who have been negatively affected by public services, the committee proposed legislation on compensation for those affected, legislation on the national health insurance scheme and social security.


-- NNT 2015-07-29

81% of water well-drilling projects nationwide completed, the rest to be finished this month

BANGKOK, 29 July 2015 (NNT) - The government has completed 81% of its urgent projects to drill and restore 891 groundwater wells nationwide. 721 wells are already in use, with 247,763 cubic meters of water being pumped up everyday for agricultural purposes, according to Deputy Director-General of the Groundwater Resources Department, Aranya Fuangswasdi.

Of the wells already in use, 511 are located in fifteen drought-hit provinces in the Chao Phraya River Basin covering the central region and the lower North of Thailand. The wells have helped revive rice plantations threatened by the dry spell, with 214,013 cubic meters of water being pumped up everyday. Ten more wells are still under construction and expected to be finished by the end of the month.

Apart from the new wells, 380 existing groundwater wells are being equipped with turbine pumping machines to improve their storage capacity. Out of that number, 225 already have the pumps installed and have been pumping up 33,750 cubic meters of water per day.

Aranya said the whole maintenance and drilling process is scheduled for completion at the end of July. By then, the water supply for agriculture will have increased to 350,000 cubic meters per day, helping restore 150,000 rai of farmland owned by 4,000 farmer families.


-- NNT 2015-07-29

Ukrainians ATM scam
The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- Three Ukrainians were arrested for allegedly using fake electronic cards to withdraw Bt1.5 million from ATMs in Chiang Mai's Muang district, police announced Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844342-ukrainians-arrested-for-allegedly-using-fake-atm-cards/

Prayuth: Stop Blaming America for TIP Report
By Khaosod English


Junta chairman and Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha speaking at the Ministry of Industry, 29 July 2015.

BANGKOK — Junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has asked Thais to stop blaming the United States government for awarding Thailand with a low ranking in its annual report on human trafficking around the globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844346-prayut-stop-blaming-america-for-tip-report/

New surrogacy law becomes effective as of July 30

BANGKOK: -- The new surrogacy law will become effective as of July 30 and those who are involved in commercial surrogacy services be they doctors, nurses, surrogate mothers and even brokers will face a jailterm of up to ten years and a maximum fine of 200,000 baht.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844361-new-surrogacy-law-becomes-effective-as-of-july-30/

to continue:

Thailand Live Thursday 30 Jul 2015

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844398-thailand-live-thursday-30-jul-2015/