Huge markup on imported foods. Why?

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JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesian officials say black box has been recovered from crashed passenger plane.

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UPDATE:

ERAWAN BOMB EXPLOSION
People flock to donate blood following bomb blast



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of people line up at the national blood donation centre at Thai Red Cross Society headquarters on Rama IV road following the fatal bomb blast on Ratchaprasong intersection near the Erawan Shrine on Monday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849150-bomb-explosions-in-bangkok-thai-red-cross-issues-urgent-plea-for-blood-donation/#entry9748079

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MOPH visits bomb victims in Ratchawithi Hospital

BANGKOK, 18 August 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has paid a visit to those who have been injured from the bombing at Ratchaprasong intersection.

The ministry affirmed it would shoulder all medical expenses of both Thai and foreign victims of the bombing. Public Health Minister Dr. Ratchata Ratchatanawin, Deputy Public Health Minister Dr. Somsak Chunharas and Director-General of the Department of Medical Services Dr. Suphan Srithamma traveled to Ratchawithi Hospital to pay a visit to nine victims being treated at the hospital.

Four patients have been discharged, while another five remain at the hospital. Of those in hospital, three are foreigners and two are Thais. Two of the patients are in critical condition in the ICU.

Those injured from the incident have been sent to approximately 21 different hospitals. For more details and information, contact the Erawan Center hotline at 1646.

-- NNT 2015-08-18

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UPDATE:

Prayut condemns bomb attacker a bad guy

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha vowed to bring the culprit who he condemned as a bad guy responsible for the bomb explosion at Ratchaprasong commercial district for punishment as soon as possible.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849282-pm-prayut-vows-to-quickly-find-bombers-in-bangkok-blast-that-killed-at-least-20/#entry9748141

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UPDATE:

Attack worst tragic incident in Thai history: Prayut

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Tuesday there were two motives behind the bomb blast on Monday evening.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849282-pm-prayut-vows-to-quickly-find-bombers-in-bangkok-blast-that-killed-at-least-20/?p=9748182#entry9748182

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Airport safety in Thailand raised to level 3

BANGKOK, 18 August 2015 (NNT)-The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has raised airport safety levels to level 3 for its 28 airports across the country, following the bomb attack in the heart of Bangkok last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849307-airport-safety-in-thailand-raised-to-level-3/

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SET tumbles 28.08 to 1,380.66 at noon /Bangkok Post.

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Government increases village fund to 1 million baht

BANGKOK, 18 August 2015 (NNT) - The government has increased the village fund to one million baht, in a bid to provide for sustainable growth of local communities.

The government has increased the state budget of the 79,000 village funds nationwide to one million baht each. Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered swift implementation over 2-3 months.

Village funds are meant to boost local economy by providing financial education for locals, giving out loans, as well as encouraging spending discipline.

However, some village funds were judged to have not met the standards for additional funding due to management issues. The government will designate officials to provide management assistance to such funds.

-- NNT 2015-08-18

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Sommai admits investors’ confidence will be affected by bomb blast



BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Sommai Phasee admitted Tuesday that the deadly bomb explosion at the Ratchaprasong commercial district would definitely shake the confidence of investors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849309-sommai-admits-investors-confidence-will-be-affected-by-bomb-blast/

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Ratchaprasong Intersection open for traffic at 12.35 PM. after bomb explosion at Erawan Shrine yesterday evening. /ThaiPBS

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Koh Tao murder trial reconvenes in Koh Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- After two lots of three day sessions in July today the 3rd session of court hearings in the Koh Tao murder trial commenced at the Samui Court where Burmese migrant workers Zaw Lin and Wei Phyo stand accused of murdering Brits Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in Koh Tao last September.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849310-koh-tao-murder-trial-reconvenes-in-koh-samui/

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Massive manhunt on the way for bomb suspect



BANGKOK: -- A massive manhunt is now underway by the police and the military for an Arabian looking man after a video footage of a surveillance camera showed him placed a shoulder bag inside the fence where hundreds of visitors to the Erawan shrine were worshipping, and explosion followed a minute after he left.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849311-massive-manhunt-on-the-way-for-bangkok-bomb-suspect/

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UPDATE:

PM vows to hunt down culprits
The Nation

BANGKOK: - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Tuesday that there were two possible motives behind the bomb blast on Monday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849282-pm-prayut-vows-to-quickly-find-bombers-in-bangkok-blast-that-killed-at-least-20/?p=9748587#entry9748587

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ERAWAN BOMBERS
Malaysian family killed in blast were scheduled to return home today
The Star
Asia News Network

Butterworth - Four Malaysians killed in the Bangkok bomb explosion were from the same family, the Star online reported Tuesday.

The four travelled with three other family members who were injured to Bangkok.

Their family in Malaysia has been informed of the deaths of their four members.

Businessman Visen Lim Gim Seong, 46, a close friend of the family, said they were supposed to return on Tuesday.

He said he has known the family for more 10 years and that they his neighbours.

"They left for Bangkok last Saturday by train and was supposed to return this morning," said Lim, shedding tears as he spoke to reporters outside the family's home in Taman Dedap.

Lim added that it was not uncommon for the family to travel together and they had done so many times in the past.

The other remaining family members were distraught and refused to speak to reporters.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Malaysian-family-killed-in-blast-were-scheduled-to-30266850.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-18

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BANGKOK: -- A powerful bomb was thrown into the Chao Phraya river beneath the Taksin bridge where ferries are operating services to passengers, but nobody was hurt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849317-powerful-bomb-thrown-into-chao-phraya-river-beneath-taksin-bridge/

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UPDATE:

Second Bangkok Bombing Hits Tourist Boat Pier

By Khaosod English

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849317-powerful-bomb-thrown-into-chao-phraya-river-beneath-taksin-bridge/#entry9748711

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Foreigners' safety assured
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has assured all foreigners in Thailand of safety measures following the deadly blast last night.

In his TV address, he said: "The government will protect lives and properties of all foreign expats, tourists in the Kingdom".

A score of foreigners were injured by the blast near Ratchaprasong Intersection.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Foreigners-safety-assured-30266856.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-18

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UPDATE:

Second bomb is similar to Ratchaprasong bomb



BANGKOK: -- A second bomb exploded beneath Sathorn bridge sending passengers and visitors running in panic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849317-powerful-bomb-thrown-into-chao-phraya-river-beneath-taksin-bridge/page-3?p=9749058#entry9749058

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Transcript of PM Prayuth's Address to Nation [Translation]
By Khaosod English


Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha addresses the nation in a national television broadcast on 18 August, 2015.

BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha addressed the nation at 3pm today, two hours after a second bomb attack targeting tourists hit the Thai capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849344-transcript-of-pm-prayuts-address-to-nation-translation/

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BANGKOK BLAST
Hong Kong says avoid Bangkok, others urge caution after bombing

BANGKOK - Hong Kong warned its residents on Tuesday to avoid travel to Bangkok while other governments in Asia advised citizens to be extra vigilant, after a bomb attack in the Thai capital killed at least 20 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849349-hong-kong-says-avoid-bangkok-others-urge-caution-after-bombing/

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Bangkok calls security meeting in the wake of bomb incident

BANGKOK, 18 August 2015 (NNT) – The Governor of Bangkok has called a meeting to raise the security measures to the maximum level, in the wake of the bomb incident that has resulted in injuries and fatalities on Monday night.

The Governor of Bangkok Sukhumbhand Paribatra, along with the executives of the related agencies of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) today wore black attire to mourn the casualties from the bomb incident last night, before attending the internal security meeting to discuss response procedures.

He revealed after the meeting that all BMA officials have been ordered to support the operations of security officials, especially the city's law enforcement officers and city cleaners, who have been assigned to monitor any suspicious activities.

The related agencies for emergency situation, such as the Fire and Rescue Department, and the Medical Service Department, will be put on standby. All suspicious objects detected will be reported to the authorities, who will coordinate with the security sector to provide an immediate response.

All BMA agencies have also been reminded to be careful when providing information to the media, that each agency should only disclose information directly related to their tasks, and each information should not be accompanied by any comments or speculation.

The Governor of Bangkok is scheduled to be visiting the injured persons from the incident later this afternoon.


-- NNT 2015-08-18

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UPDATE:

Bomb thrown from Taksin Bridge into Sathorn Canal
The Nation


Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police

BANGKOK: -- A bomb was thrown from the Taksin Bridge near the Sathorn pier into the Sathorn Canal linking the Chao Phraya River at noon Tuesday, causing a loud explosion that injured no one.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849317-powerful-bomb-thrown-into-chao-phraya-river-beneath-taksin-bridge/page-4?p=9749202#entry9749202

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No terrorism link in South's power blackout
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Energy Ministry clarified that the power blackout in parts of the South was not linked with any terrorist attack.

In a statement, it said that a breaker at the high-voltage power station in Hat Yai, Songkhla, exploded. This disrupted the electricity distribution from Chana power plant, causing outage that lasted 10-35 minutes. Experiencing the outage were Phuket, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Narathiwat and Yala.

The ministry added that the cause of the breaker explosion is being investigated. Yet, from initial investigation, it assured that it was not caused by a terrorist attack or a bomb.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/No-terrorism-link-in-Souths-power-blackout-30266863.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-18

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SET index closed 1,372.61 down 36.13; Bt/USD35.44; GBP54.94; AUD25.60; EUR39.02; CAD26.79; HKD4.54; SGD24.98; JPY28.31

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PM expresses gratitude to officials responding to bomb incident, urges vigilance

BANGKOK, 18 August 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his gratitude to all officials who have responded to the destructive bombing of the Erawan Shrine as well as stating his concern for Bangkok residents and tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849359-pm-expresses-gratitude-to-officials-responding-to-erawan-bomb-incident-urges-vigilance/

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BANGKOK (AP) - Thai police spokesman says man in yellow shirt with backpack is suspect in Bangkok blast.

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Min of Commerce calls on commercial attaches to contact foreign businessmen

NONTHABURI, 18 August 2015 (NNT) – The Minister of Commerce has appointed Thai commercial attaches worldwide to explain to businessmen in foreign countries, that the bomb incident in Bangkok will not affect upcoming trade expos, a ministry spokesperson says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849362-thai-commerce-min-calls-on-commercial-attaches-to-contact-foreign-businessmen/

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Thailand Research Expo 2015 opens normally despite last night's bombing in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 18 August 2015 (NNT) - Thailand Research Expo 2015 that is being held at Central World near Ratchaprasong Intersection - a scene of last night’s bomb explosion - is still accessible as Central World and Centara Grand Hotel opens normally.

People wishing to visit the Expo can enter the shopping complexes by car through Phyathai Road and then turn left at the back of Siam Paragon. BTS users can leave the train at Siam Station and then walk to Pathum Wanaram Temple exit. Any change will be informed to the public intermittently.

Thailand Research Expo 2015 offers opportunities for researchers, academics and graduates to present their studies at a national stage, hoping to develop research standard and build on academic networks.

Today's highlight of the Expo is a grand conference on the topic Building Thai Values with Researches to be given by the Permanent Secretary for Education, followed by a topic involving the ninth National Research Strategy (2017 - 2021) by a representative of the National Economics and Social Development Board Secretary-General. Other researches focus on digital economy, cyber security, agriculture and SMEs competitiveness in the ASEAN market.The event will continue until 20th August 2015.

-- NNT 2015-08-18

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Seven bodies still unidentified
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SEVEN bodies, one of them severely damaged, remain unidentified in the wake of Monday's bloody bomb blast.

The attack, described as the worst in Thai history, rocked the crowded Erawan Shrine at Ratchaprasong Intersection shortly before 7pm on August 17. The blast claimed 20 lives.

Of the people killed, authorities said yesterday they were still unable to identify seven. Four were women, one is a girl, and another is a man. The other could not be identified even by sex, as the body is beyond recognition.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Seven-bodies-still-unidentified-30266873.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-18

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BANGKOK BLAST
Compensation
The Nation

BANGKOK: - Rights and Liberties Protection Department's announcement in four languages - Thai, English, Chinese and Russian - said that the government will provide the victims up to Bt20,000 for medical bills and Bt200 per day for a period of one year in lost earnings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849371-bangkok-bomb-blast-compensation/