Thailand Live Monday 26 Oct 2015

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Tokyo courts foreign business



TOKYO: -- The mega-city of Tokyo — 37 million residents, an output (GDP) that compares to Mexico’s. The Japanese capital, which will host the 2020 Olympic Games, is clear about its new economic ambitions. Tokyo wants to overtake New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore to become the world’s top financial center.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865630-tokyo-courts-foreign-business/

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AP-GfK Poll: Republicans view Donald Trump as most electable
By STEVE PEOPLES and EMILY SWANSON

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican voters view Donald Trump as their strongest general election candidate, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll that highlights the sharp contrast between the party's voters and its top professionals regarding the billionaire businessman's ultimate political strength.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865631-ap-gfk-poll-republicans-view-donald-trump-as-most-electable/

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Kerry plan for Jerusalem site leaves many issues unanswered
By JOSEF FEDERMAN

JERUSALEM (AP) — John Kerry's latest Mideast mission has aimed for the modest goal of easing tensions around Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site — the focal point of more than a month of deadly unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865632-kerry-plan-for-jerusalem-site-leaves-many-issues-unanswered/

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Showdown in Houston over LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance
By JUAN A. LOZANO and DAVID CRARY

HOUSTON (AP) — After a drawn-out showdown between Houston's popular lesbian mayor and a coalition of conservative pastors, voters in the nation's fourth-largest city will soon decide whether to establish nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865633-showdown-in-houston-over-lgbt-nondiscrimination-ordinance/

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Congo votes in controversial referendum to allow president to stand again



CONGO: -- Congo’s long-serving president is waiting to see if he has won a controversial referendum after the country voted on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865635-congo-votes-in-controversial-referendum-to-allow-president-to-stand-again/

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Clashes in Cologne over anti-Islam rally



COLOGNE: -- German riot police used water cannon to keep left – wing radicals and anti-Islam protesters apart on Sunday as they held rival rallies in the city of Cologne.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865646-clashes-in-cologne-over-anti-islam-rally/

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Indonesia's haze crisis "crime against humanity"



JAKARTA: -- Indonesia's haze crisis continues to worsen, with over 43 million people already breathing in the toxic fumes from forest and peat fires, leading the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to describe it as a "crime against humanity of extraordinary proportions," The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865652-indonesias-haze-crisis-crime-against-humanity/

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New tourism management plan to be adopted at Phu Thap Boek

PETCHABUN, 26 October 2015 (NNT) - Tourism measures will be adopted to assure hill tribe communities at Phu Thap Boek remain undisturbed by modern Thai society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865654-new-tourism-management-plan-to-be-adopted-at-phu-thap-boek/

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Ho Chi Minh City may make sidewalks narrower in bid to reduce traffic jams

HO CHI MINH CITY: -- In an attempt to reduce traffic congestion, Ho Chi Minh City transport department is seeking the municipal government’s permission to expand some streets by narrowing the sidewalks, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865657-ho-chi-minh-city-may-make-sidewalks-narrower-in-bid-to-reduce-traffic-jams/

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SET up 12.44 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Naga Fireball Festival kicks off

NONG KHAI, 26 October 2015 (NNT) - Tourists have flocked to Nong Khai province to see the spectacular fireworks and light shows held every year as a local Buddhist tradition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865668-naga-fireball-festival-kicks-off/

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UPDATE:

Joint meeting to resolve influx of visitors to mountain tourist spot



PHETCHABUN: -- Visit to Thailand's famous northern mountain tourism spot Phu Thap Boek in Phetchabun province may be reorganised following influx of visitors over the weekend, causing one of the worst traffic jams on the single narrow mountain road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865654-new-tourism-management-plan-to-be-adopted-at-phu-thap-boek/#entry10004428

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Business Service Center to be set up to help SMEs

BANGKOK, 26 October 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Industry is expected to spend 630 million baht getting struggling small- and medium-sized enterprises back on their feet.

According to the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Industry, Arthit Wutkaro, the Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP) has been instructed to change the way Business Opportunity Center operates and make sure it reaches out not only to new businesses but also to existing ones.

The center will be renamed as Business Service Center (BSC), which will be fully functional next year. The BSC will provide business advice, useful information on various types of businesses and promote the development of online service for SMEs. The first 4 BSC offices will be set up in Bangkok while the other eight will be located regionally to help the 17,000 SMEs around the country.

The DIP will also seek a budget allocation of 630 million baht from the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion to assist SMEs affected by slow economy. Experts will be hired to look into the problems and offer solutions within a period of 3-12 days depending on the company's organizational structure.


-- NNT 2015-10-26

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Biden opted out on 2016 Dem race because he 'couldn't win'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden says he decided against running for president because he "couldn't win," not because he would have had too little time to get a campaign up and running.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865671-biden-opted-out-on-2016-dem-race-because-he-couldnt-win/

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Canadian authorities: Whale vessel sinks, at least 3 dead
By JEREMY HAINSWORTH

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — At least three people died after a whale watching boat with 27 people on board sank off Vancouver Island and a rescue mission remained active late Sunday, Canadian authorities said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865676-canadian-authorities-whale-vessel-sinks-at-least-3-dead/

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Lasers may ease pain for 'napalm girl' in AP photograph
By JENNIFER KAY

MIAMI (AP) — In the photograph that made Kim Phuc a living symbol of the Vietnam War, her burns aren't visible — only her agony as she runs wailing toward the camera, her arms flung away from her body, naked because she has ripped off her burning clothes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865680-lasers-may-ease-pain-for-napalm-girl-in-ap-photograph/

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LARGE hail stones and damaging winds are expected to hit Sydney and parts of NSW on Monday afternoon /Herald Sun

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Macau high-speed ferry accident leaves more than 120 hurt
KELVIN CHAN, Associated Press

HONG KONG (AP) — More than 120 people were injured when a high-speed ferry traveling from the Asian gambling hub of Macau to Hong Kong slammed into an object floating in the water, authorities said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865686-macau-high-speed-ferry-accident-leaves-more-than-120-hurt/

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Subway train disruption brings morning rush hour traffic chaos at stations and on Ratchadapisek road



BANGKOK: -- The subway train service was disrupted and thousands of commuters were stranded at stations during the morning rush hour when a subway train stopped a few metres short of the platform doors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865689-subway-train-disruption-brings-morning-rush-hour-traffic-chaos-at-stations-and-on-ratchadapisek-road/

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Bangkok to host Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok, a city famous for its great food, will host the fourth annual awards ceremony of “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants,” one of the most prestigious awards in the culinary industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865690-bangkok-to-host-asias-50-best-restaurants-2016/

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Ao Phang Nga marine life rebounds during fishing ban

PHANG NGA, 26 October 2015 (NNT) - Starfish have reemerged in the Andaman Sea, after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) prohibited large fishing vessels from operating near coastal areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865696-ao-phang-nga-marine-life-rebounds-during-fishing-ban/

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UPDATE:

Nong Khai Readies for ‘Naga Fireballs’ (Photos)
By Khaosod English


A show at Wat Sri Boonruang in Nong Khai province Sunday night opened Naga Fireball season.

NONG KHAI — When the waxing moon hits full Tuesday, the nagas will come out and play.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865668-naga-fireball-festival-kicks-off/#entry10004800

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Mafia crackdown order to be announced in a day or two



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said announcement on the crackdown of Mafia-styled gangs will be officially announced either today or tomorrow after the prime minister pledged to root out mafias across the country in six months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865705-mafia-crackdown-order-to-be-announced-in-a-day-or-two/

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New-born pups left to die on motorway roadside
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Six tiny puppies were found dead on the roadside of a Bangkok motorway Saturday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865707-new-born-pups-left-to-die-on-bangkok-motorway-roadside/

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DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Police say they have arrested 3 suspects in last month's killing of an Italian in Bangladesh.

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Rethink ‘War on Drugs’, say Phuket pollsters
The Phuket News


Meih Luis, 21, and Zharn Nioh, 29, were arrested and their two cooked kratom leaves and pot were seized as evidence. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Nearly half the respondents to an online poll by The Phuket News have called for the government to rethink its “War on Drugs”, while more than 40 per cent called for police to target only “big fish” dealers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865711-rethink-war-on-drugs-say-phuket-pollsters/

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Thailand and Sri Lanka to discuss cooperation in various areas

BANGKOK, 26 October 2015 (NNT) – Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena is preparing to officially visit Thailand as a guest of the government from 1-4 November following an invitation from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865712-thailand-and-sri-lanka-to-discuss-cooperation-in-various-areas/

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Six killed when a pickup truck plunged into a roadside ditch



CHIANG MAI: -- The driver of a pickup truck and five passengers were drowned or killed when the speeding vehicle skidded out of Chiang Mai-Lampang highway and ploughed into a roadside ditch early Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865715-chiang-mai-lampang-highway-6-killed-when-a-pickup-truck-plunged-into-a-roadside-ditch/

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EU agrees on thousands of extra refugee places on Balkan migration route



BRUSSELS: -- European Union leaders have agreed to provide another 100,000 spaces in refugee welcome centres along the route from Greece towards Germany.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865717-eu-agrees-on-thousands-of-extra-refugee-places-on-balkan-migration-route/

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Argentine presidential forced to a surprise second round run-off



BUENOS AIRES: -- The pro-business opposition candidate Mauricio Macri has caused a major upset by forcing Argentina’s presidential election into a second round run-off.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865718-argentine-presidential-forced-to-a-surprise-second-round-run-off/