Thailand Live Wednesday 5 Aug 2015

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Severe crackdown in China on church crosses draws backlash

DIDI TANG, Associated Press

LOWER DAFEI VILLAGE, China (AP) About a dozen Catholics wept and sang hymns outside their church as a man climbed to the top of the building and sliced off its steel cross with a cutting torch. It toppled with a thud.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846031-severe-crackdown-in-china-on-church-crosses-draws-backlash/

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Pro tip: Expert advice on how to use escalators
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Following the horror scene at a Bangkok mall on Monday when shoppers were forced to run up a broken escalator to avoid getting stabbed by pieces of metal, the Elevator Association of Thailand has given its expert opinion on what caused it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846042-thai-expert-advice-on-how-to-use-escalators/

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Two consortiums bid for Krabi's power plant project



BANGKOK: -- Two consortiums have submitted their sealed bids for the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Krabi province on the first day of the bids submission held at the head office of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Nonthaburi Wednesday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846045-two-consortiums-bid-for-krabis-power-plant-project/

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TENTATIVE DATE
NRC may vote on charter draft on Sept 7
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Reform Council (NRC) whips Wednesday resolved to schedule September 7 as the date for the NRC to vote on the charter draft, whips' secretary Alongkorn Ponlaboot said after its meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846046-nrc-may-vote-on-thai-charter-draft-on-sept-7/

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16 provinces told to brace for flash floods

BANGKOK, 5 August 2015 (NNT) - 16 provinces across Thailand have been warned to brace for more heavy rains as monsoons gain strength in the North and South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846047-16-thai-provinces-told-to-brace-for-flash-floods/

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DGR groundwater drilling nears completion

BANGKOK, 5 August 2015 (NNT) – The Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR) has completed 99% of its groundwater wells, providing more than 350,000 cubic meters of water per day to drought-hit areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846048-thai-dgr-groundwater-drilling-nears-completion/

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Phuket taxi driver arrested, drug buddy teddy bear seized
Eakkapop Thongtub


Taxi driver Sakchai Niyomdacha was arrested and his drug buddy teddy was seized as evidence. photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Officials staging a drug raid in the central Phuket area of Tambon Thepkrasattri yesterday (August 4) arrested a taxi driver and his drug buddy teddy bear, stuffed with 171 meth pills.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846050-phuket-taxi-driver-arrested-drug-buddy-teddy-bear-seized/

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US Missionary Arrested for Smuggling North Koreans into Thailand
By Khaosod English


Korean-American Lee Isaac Byundo sits on the right at a police news conference Tuesday in Nong Khai province.

NONG KHAI — A Christian missionary from the United States was arrested Monday for smuggling seven North Koreans into Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846051-us-missionary-arrested-for-smuggling-north-koreans-into-thailand/

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Malaysian arrested in Chiang Mai with 19 fake credit cards
The Nation

Chiang Mai - Police have arrested a 32-year-old Malaysian man after he was found to have used fake credit cards in the northern capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846053-malaysian-arrested-in-chiang-mai-with-19-fake-credit-cards/

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Half of blacks say police have treated them unfairly
JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A majority of blacks in the United States — more than 3 out of 5 — say they or a family member have personal experience with being treated unfairly by the police, and their race is the reason why.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846062-us-majority-of-blacks-say-police-have-treated-them-unfairly/

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Flood recedes in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI, 5 August 2015 (NNT) – Floods in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province and Myanmar's Tachileik province have receded, but Mae Sai municipality remains on high alert.

Businesses on both sides of the Thailand-Myanmar border carried out clean-up operations in marketplaces today, after a flash flood muddied more than 200 outlets yesterday. Affected businesses were forced to close their shops temporarily. Trade activities are expected to resume in the afternoon.

Despite floodwaters receding, the Mae Sai district municipality has yet to remove flood walls, warning the locals to stay vigilant. Continued rainfall and high water levels in the Sai River have prompted fears of more flash floods.

In the northeastern province of Nong Khai, water levels in the Mekong River have risen by 84 cm, an annual high of nine meters. Consistent rainfall is likely to raise water levels further.


-- NNT 2015-08-05

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Egypt to unveil Suez Canal extension in hope of a new era
By BRIAN ROHAN

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt is to unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal on Thursday, a mega-project that has emerged as a cornerstone of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's efforts to restore national pride and revive the economy after years of unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846067-egypt-to-unveil-suez-canal-extension-in-hope-of-a-new-era/

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Phuket spa staffer found dead after leap from pier
Darawan Naknakhon


A crowd gathers on the beach as the body of Sriwan Saraphu, a 49-year-old staffer at a Phuket spa, is brought ashore. Photo: Rawai Municipality

PHUKET: -- Police have yet to discover why Sriwan Saraphu, a 49-year-old staffer at a Phuket spa, jumped off Rawai Pier into storm seas with waves surging up to two metres tall this morning (August 5). Her body was found two hours later.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846090-phuket-spa-staffer-found-dead-after-leap-from-pier/

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Western and southern provinces brace for harsh weather during 5-9 Aug

BANGKOK, 5 August 2015 (NNT) – The Minister of Interior has urged 15 provinces in the western and southern region to brace for disasters from harsh weather during 5-9 August 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846095-western-and-southern-thai-provinces-brace-for-harsh-weather-during-5-9-aug/

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Over 1,600 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease in Bangkok this year
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A total of 1,666 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease have been reported in Bangkok from January 1 to June 30 this year, a senior Bangkok Metropolitan Administration official said Wednesday.

Doctor Wongwat Siewlak, director of the Disease Control Division of BMA's Health Department, said 82.83 per cent of the patients were children under four years old.

He said Bangkok was ranked 26th of provinces with the disease. So far, no patient has died of the disease in Bangkok this year, Wongwat added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Over-1600-cases-of-hand-foot-mouth-disease-in-Bang-30265961.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-05

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Thai investments safe from Myanmar floods

BANGKOK, 5 August 2015 (NNT) - The Thailand–Myanmar Business Council has confirmed that Thai businesses in Myanmar are unaffected by the flood disaster.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846097-thai-investments-safe-from-myanmar-floods/

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Hotel Sues Singer Over Alleged Ghost Sightings
By Khaosod English


The website for the LJ the Emerald Hotel in Amnat Charoen province shows what it describes as "five-star" accomodations. Photo: LJ the Emerald Hotel

BANGKOK — The owner of a hotel in northeastern Thailand filed a libel complaint today against a celebrity singer for claiming the hotel is haunted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846102-hotel-in-thailand-sues-singer-over-alleged-ghost-sightings/

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UPDATE:

Arrest warrants to be issued in Chuwong’s case soon



BANGKOK: -- The police will within the next few days issue warrants for the arrest of some suspects in the case involving the death of construction billionaire Chuwong Sae Tang.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846030-national-thai-police-chief-indicates-unusual-share-transfer-may-link-to-chuwongs-death/#entry9701925

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Policy rate maintained at 1.5%
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee today agreed to maintain the policy rate at 1.5 per cent.

The committee were of the view that

monetary policy stance should continue to be adequately accommodative, the central bank said in a statement.

"(MPC) will stand ready to utilise an appropriate mix of available policy tools in order to support the economic recovery, while maintaining long-term economic and financial stability."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Policy-rate-maintained-at-1-5-30265964.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-05

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At least 24 killed, 300 survive after trains derail in India

NEW DELHI (AP) — Two passenger trains derailed minutes apart on flooded tracks on a bridge in central India, killing at least 24 people while more than 300 survived, officials said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846116-at-least-24-killed-300-survive-after-trains-derail-in-india/

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MONETARY POLICY
Policy rate maintained as expected
The Nation


Mathee Supapongse, secretary of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand today maintained the policy rate at 1.5 per cent as expected, citing that the current rate is accommodative to economic recovery and has sufficiently weakened the dollar/baht exchange rate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846117-policy-rate-maintained-as-expected/

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Founder of Nongnuch Park Pattaya dies



PATTAYA: -- Nongnuch Tansajja, the founder and owner of Nongnuch Park Pattaya died of old age at Samitivej hospital in Bangkok yesterday. She was 91 years old.

Her family will be holding a bathing rite for her at Wat That Thong at 5 pm today.

She was married to Pisit Tansajja, a movie entertainment tycoon in the sixties and seventies who built Siam Square shopping centre.

The couple later bought 1,500 rai of land in Sattahip to make a fruit orchard. They later turned the orchard to recreational park which now become a famous tourist attraction in Pattaya.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/founder-of-nongnuch-park-pattaya-dies


-- Thai PBS 2015-08-05

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SET index closed 1,436.16 up 4.20; Bt/USD34.96; GBP54.24; AUD25.32; EUR37.75; CAD26.28; HKD4.48; SGD25.02; JPY27.93

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PM pleased with increasing water volume in dams

NAKHON NAYOK, 5 August 2015 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed satisfaction with the rising water levels in major dams following his visit to Nakhon Nayok province.

As part of his official visit to Nakhon Nayok, Prime Minister Prayut led relevant officials in an aerial survey of waterways and reservoirs within the province and its vicinity. He first observed the level of water at Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam in Mueang district of Nakhon Nayok before proceeding to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam located on the border of Lop Buri and Saraburi provinces as well as the Ayutthaya-Pathum Thani section of the Chao Phraya River.

The premier revealed that his stopover in Lop Buri and Saraburi was unplanned and was made spontaneously out of his concerns over the well-being of drought-affected residents. He said he needed to witness the water situation as it truly was, adding that he was most worried about the people in the Pa Sak and Chao Phraya River Basins.

However, Prime Minister Prayut said he was glad and relieved to hear from the provincial governors that the amount of water flowing into the dams has increased significantly due to continuous downpours. He, nonetheless, insisted that more water will need to be supplied constantly to the Central Plains to help the farmers.


-- NNT 2015-08-05

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China says has stopped construction in South China Sea

KUALA LUMPUR: -- China has stopped construction in the South China Sea, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday, at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers where the disputed waters have taken centre stage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846125-china-says-has-stopped-construction-in-south-china-sea/

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Mae Sai city begins clean up after flood water recedes

CHIANG RAI, 5 August 2015 (NNT) – People living in Mae Sai District are now beginning to clean the city, after flooding in the area has receded.

Business operators in Mae Sai District are now beginning to clean their stores, after flood water in the area has receded. Mud and dirt will have to be taken care of before businesses can resume on both the Thai and Myanmar sides.

The Governor of Chiang Rai Pongsak Wangsamer has assigned the district and local administration to continue to monitor the situation for flash floods in Mae Sai and 18 other districts, such as Mae Fah Luang, Mae Chan, Mae Suai, Wiang Pa Pao, and Chiang Khong.

The public residing along the river areas have been urged to relocate their belongings at high places as a precautionary measure for the time being, as the continuous rains are expected during this time.

The water level in Mae Sai River has already receded down to 2 meters, which is fairly below the critical level of 5 meters.


-- NNT 2015-08-05

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Thailand tourist arrivals in July up nearly 40% on year

BANGKOK: -- Thai tourist arrivals in July rose nearly 40 per cent on the year, the tourism minister said on Wednesday, as the industry continued to bounce back from a sharp fall in 2014 during months of street protests and a military coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846128-thailand-tourist-arrivals-in-july-up-nearly-40-pct-on-year/

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Debate Flares Over Adding 'Reform Before Election' Question to Voters
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Organizers of the upcoming referendum on what would be Thailand’s 20th constitution said they remain unsure whether to put a “reform before election” question onto the ballot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846129-debate-flares-over-adding-reform-before-election-question-to-voters/

[Lite Beer]

4G service providers must offer cheaper service charges than 3G charges

BANGKOK: -- Bidders of 4G spectrum will be required to offer service charges lower than those charged by 3G spectrum operators and to offer special packages for low income-earners and the disabled, said Mr Thakorn Tanthasathit, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846173-4g-service-providers-must-offer-cheaper-service-charges-than-3g-charges/

[Lite Beer]

NRC to vote on final draft charter tentatively on Sept 7

BANGKOK: -- The National Reform Council has tentatively scheduled September 7 as the date to cast votes for the endorsement or disapproval of the modified draft Constitution.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846175-nrc-to-vote-on-final-draft-charter-tentatively-on-sept-7/