Got a pigeon problem? Time to break out the LASER!!!

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Bangkok to hold religious ceremony for bomb victims

BANGKOK, 20 August 2015 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced that it will be holding a religious ceremony for the Ratchaprasong bomb victims on 21 August 2015.

The Director-General of the BMA’s Culture, Sport and Tourism Department Pranee Sattayaprakop has chaired the preparatory meeting for the religious ceremony, which will be held in dedication to the victims of the bombing incident at Ratchaprasong Intersection that occurred on Monday night (17 August 2015).

The BMA, in cooperation with the government and private agencies, will be holding the religious ceremony of the five religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and Hinduism on 21 August 2015. The ceremony will begin by 7am at the Ratchaprasong Intersection, to consign merit to the deceased.

The ceremony will also attempt to regain the confidence among tourists traveling to visit Bangkok.


-- NNT 2015-08-20

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NBTC: Unregistered pre-paid numbers only allowed to register within this month

BANGKOK, 20 August 2015 (NNT) – Unregistered pre-paid mobile numbers that have been blocked have until the end of this month to register and regain services, the NBTC Secretary-General says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849729-nbtc-unregistered-pre-paid-numbers-only-allowed-to-register-within-this-month/

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'Facebook Prophet' Denies He Authored Online Augur
By Khaosod English


As police officials look on, the Bangkok press corps listens to Pongpob Boonsaree's account of how he came to post a Facebook message predicting an incident would happen in Bangkok days before Monday's deadly bomb attack.

BANGKOK — The man behind a Facebook post that purportedly predicted the deadly bombing in central Bangkok four days in advance met with police to affirm his innocence in the plot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849731-bangkok-bomb-facebook-prophet-denies-he-authored-online-augur/

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Pattaya joins the hunt for the Bangkok Bomber

PATTAYA: -- Images of what the suspected Bangkok Bomber may look like were issued by the authorities in Bangkok on Wednesday who are offering a 1 Million Baht reward for anyone with information which could lead to his arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849732-pattaya-joins-the-hunt-for-the-bangkok-bomber/

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Pattaya Tourist Police lead intensive Security Operation in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya’s Tourist Police are leading an around-the-clock security operation in the South Pattaya Entertainment Zone as maintaining security and safety for Tourists in Pattaya remains an absolute priority for Police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849733-pattaya-tourist-police-lead-intensive-security-operation-in-south-pattaya/

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NGV Fire on container truck in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- An NGV tank on a container truck ruptured causing a fire which burst a tire. No injuries and minimal disruption to traffic was reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849734-ngv-fire-on-container-truck-in-east-pattaya/

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Key blast suspect 'a foreigner'
THE NATION
AGENCIES


Police believe he had to accomplices; Somyot offers Bt1 million reward for info leading to arrest

BANGKOK: -- POLICE said yesterday that they believe the suspect of the deadly explosion at the Erawan Shrine is a foreigner and the two other men seen in CCTV footage near the scene are his accomplices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849735-bangkok-police-key-blast-suspect-a-foreigner/

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UPDATE:

CABINET RESHUFFLE
Somkid to take over from Pridiyathorn as head of economic team
JEERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRUNG,
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION


Somkid

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-ocha confirmed yesterday for the first time that former finance minister Somkid Jatusripitak would become his deputy and head the government's economic team tasked with spurring economic growth in a Cabinet reshuffle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849688-pm-almost-the-entire-economic-team-to-be-replaced/page-2#entry9755290

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AFTERMATH
Few visitors as Erawan Shrine reopens under a cloud of fear
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation



Foreign tourists still have concerns about Bangkok security

BANGKOK: -- THE ERAWAN Shrine reopened yesterday after Monday's deadly bomb blast with only a few tourists visiting the site, even as 48 victims were still undergoing treatment at 11 hospitals around Bangkok, 12 of them in critical condition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849736-few-visitors-as-erawan-shrine-reopens-under-a-cloud-of-fear/

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AFTERMATH
The different theories considered, and why they are met with skepticism
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- So far, at least six theories have emerged in the aftermath of the deadly bombing at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine, which left up to 20 dead and over a hundred others injured. The theories range from the Uighur minority from the west of China, Islamic terrorists, the anti-government red shirts to separatists from the South and the military junta itself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849737-bangkok-bomb-the-different-theories-considered-and-why-they-are-met-with-skepticism/

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AFTERMATH
Blast sparks renewed interest in political violence insurance
SUCHEERA PINIJPARAKARN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DEMAND FOR political-violence (PV) insurance has been sparked again after Monday's bomb attack at the Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok, said Muang Thai Insurance (MTI), the market leader in this category.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849738-bangkok-bomb-blast-sparks-renewed-interest-in-political-violence-insurance/

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No significant drop in planned visits by Chinese
CHINA DAILY
ASIA NEWS NETWORK

BANGKOK: -- CHINA'S major tour operators are reporting no major cancellations of planned group trips to Thailand after explosions rattled Bangkok on Monday and Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849739-no-significant-drop-in-planned-thailand-visits-by-chinese/

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Bangkok hotels tighten security
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- HOTELS in Bangkok have stepped up security measures in the wake of Monday's bombing at the Erawan Shrine in the centre of the city, which killed 20 people and injured 130 others. The Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, which is located next to the shrine, said in a statement that the safety and security of guests was its top priority.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849740-bangkok-hotels-tighten-security/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
Theories full of holes versus the only thing that really matters
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Everyone seems to have his or her own idea of "who dun it". The conspiracy theories circulating out there, especially in the social media, would be enough to overwhelm even Sherlock Holmes. And while the official investigations are still ongoing, several private enquiries seem to have reached an "it's elementary, my dear Watson" conclusion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849741-thai-opinion-theories-full-of-holes-versus-the-only-thing-that-really-matters/

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EDITORIAL
Netizens emerge as heroes in aftermath of bombing
The Nation

But the response to Monday's attack in Bangkok also demonstrates the dark side of the social media

BANGKOK: -- Amid nationwide grief over Monday's deadly bombing at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, a slogan of solidarity among Thais has emerged. "Stronger Together" is now echoing across the social media, after it appeared on a banner at the candlelit vigil held at the shrine a day after the attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849742-netizens-emerge-as-heroes-in-aftermath-of-bombing-in-bangkok/

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THAI TALK
Why September will be the hottest political month of 2015
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Politically, September promises to be the hottest month of the year, with all of the most controversial issues being raised, debated and settled one way or the other. Whichever the political direction after that, one thing is certain: It won't be plain sailing for Premier Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849743-thai-talk-why-september-will-be-the-hottest-political-month-of-2015/

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Twenty Three Countries Issue Travel Warnings for Thailand

BANGKOK – In the wake of Monday’s Erawan shrine bombing, 23 countries have issued travel advisories with most advising caution rather than avoiding travel to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849744-23-countries-issue-travel-warnings-for-thailand/

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Phuket 'smuggler's island' raid nets armed attempted murder, drug suspect
Eakkapop Thongtub


Danai Homhown, 36, was taken into custody just after 11am. Photo: Veera Kerdsirimongkol

PHUKET: -- An armed militia of more than 50 personnel arrested a man wanted for attempted murder in a raid on a secluded island off Phuket’s east coast today (August 18).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849745-phuket-smugglers-island-raid-nets-armed-attempted-murder-drug-suspect/

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Phuket building permit checks ramped up for flood-prevention
The Phuket News


V/Gov Somkiet pointed that many residents suffered in the recent downpours earlier this month due to floodwaters not draining properly. Photo: The Phuket News / file

PHUKET: -- Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak has ordered the land allocation committee to be more strict and to inspect projects when granting building permits for Phuket housing development projects, including condominiums, for fear of flood damage to nearby communities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849746-phuket-building-permit-checks-ramped-up-for-flood-prevention/

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UPDATE:

NBTC may revoke 13 million unregistered and inactive SIM cards



BANGKOK: -- A total of 17.7 million pre-paid SIM cards have not yet been registered and, of these, about 13 million of them are inactive or barely active, said Mr Thakorn Tanthasathit, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849729-nbtc-unregistered-pre-paid-numbers-only-allowed-to-register-within-this-month/#entry9755375

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No long-term threat seen in Bangkok blasts: experts
BY ATSUSHI KODERA

TOKYO: -- Crisis management experts say Bangkok’s recent bombings do not pose a long-term threat in an otherwise relatively safe country. But they are nonetheless advising Japanese staying in the Southeast Asian city to exercise caution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849747-no-long-term-threat-seen-in-bangkok-blasts-experts/

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Some NRC members happy with revised charter draft
WASAMON AUDJARINT
KHANITTHA THEPKAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Representatives of National Reform Council (NRC) groups said they are satisfied with the revised version of the draft charter, which includes some of the changes they recommended.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849748-some-nrc-members-happy-with-revised-charter-draft/

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Bomb victims' families angry over 'red tape'
Jessada Jantarak,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

Forensic institute says process will prevent lawsuits

BANGKOK: -- SOME of the relatives of those killed in Monday's bombing at the Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok have already collected the remains of their loved ones from the Police General Hospital's Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849749-bangkok-bomb-victims-families-angry-over-red-tape/

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Bangkok bombings now believed to be internal conflict rather than international terrorism



BANGKOK: -- Security authorities now seem to give more weight in local conflict rather than international terrorism as stronger motive in the two bombing incidents at Ratchaprasong and Taksin bridge as investigation inched closer to persons masterminding the bombings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849750-bangkok-bombings-now-believed-to-be-internal-conflict-rather-than-international-terrorism/

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First bicycle road in the northeast under construction in Korat



KORAT: -- The first bicycle road for the Northeast is under construction in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima by the provincial rural highways office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849751-first-bicycle-road-in-the-northeast-under-construction-in-korat/

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Vendors lament loss of business
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- IT WILL BE A few months before the business of selling garlands, candles and incense picks up, said Thitaree Sua-nonmuang, one of the dozen garland sellers outside the Erawan Shrine, which was hit by a deadly explosion on Monday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849752-erawan-shrine-vendors-lament-loss-of-business/

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UPDATE:

Police free Frenchman after investigation shows he is not the wanted bomber

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849642-special-bomb-suspect-hunting-team-detain-a-frenchman-for-questioning/page-2#entry9755440

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IS beheads aging Syrian antiquities scholar in Palmyra
By ALBERT AJI and BASSEM MROUE

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The 81-year-old antiquities scholar had dedicated his life to exploring and overseeing Syria's ancient ruins of Palmyra, one of the Middle East's most spectacular archaeological sites. He even named his daughter after Zenobia, the queen that ruled from the city 1,700 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849753-is-beheads-aging-syrian-antiquities-scholar-in-palmyra/

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Israel suspends detention of Palestinian hunger striker
By MIRIAM BERGER

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended the detention order against a Palestinian prisoner who has been on a hunger strike for 65 days, releasing him while he receives medical care in a ruling that his relatives and supporters hailed as a victory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849754-israel-suspends-detention-of-palestinian-hunger-striker/

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AP Exclusive: UN to let Iran inspect alleged nuke work site
By GEORGE JAHN

VIENNA (AP) — Iran will be allowed to use its own inspectors to investigate a site it has been accused of using to develop nuclear arms, operating under a secret agreement with the U.N. agency that normally carries out such work, according to a document seen by The Associated Press.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/849755-ap-exclusive-un-to-let-iran-inspect-alleged-nuke-work-site/