Thailand Live Thursday 5 Nov 2015

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YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's Suu Kyi says she'll be 'above the president' if party wins poll, does not elaborate

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UPDATE:

Free trade pact with Chile now in effect



BANGKOK: -- Free trade agreement signed between Thailand and Chile in October 2013 took effect yesterday with tariff of more than 90% items of products traded between the two countries now cut to zero.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868298-trade-between-thailand-and-chile-to-double-as-fta-starts/#entry10042894

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Floating lanterns forbidden in 5 districts of Chiang Mai



CHIANG MAI, 5 November 2015 (NNT) - The Governor of Chiang Mai province has warned residents in five districts against releasing floating lanterns, which pose both a fire hazard and aviation risk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868385-floating-lanterns-forbidden-in-5-districts-of-chiang-mai/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar's Suu Kyi eyes post 'above the president'

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi says that if her opposition party wins historic polls this weekend she will take a post "above the president" to circumvent a constitutional ban on her holding the presidency.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868388-myanmars-suu-kyi-eyes-post-above-the-president/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

UN advisers raise alarm at hatred against Muslims in Myanmar

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Two U.N. special advisers expressed alarm Wednesday at reports of increasing advocacy of religious hatred against Muslims in Myanmar, especially ahead of upcoming elections.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868387-un-advisers-raise-alarm-at-hatred-against-muslims-in-myanmar/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Call of Duty' maker buys 'Candy Crush' company for $5.9B

BREE FOWLER, AP Business Writers

TOM MURPHY, AP Business Writers

NEW YORK (AP) — The company behind the hugely successful "Call of Duty" video games is launching an all-out attack on the mobile gaming market by shelling out $5.9 billion for the maker of "Candy Crush Saga."

http://tech.thaivisa.com/call-of-duty-maker-buys-candy-crush-company-for-5-9b/13327/

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UPDATE:

Promotion ads of green tea and soft drinks to face banning



BANGKOK: -- Promotion of green tea and soft drinks is now eyed by the Department of Health for banning after considering their high levels of sugar that is harmful to health, particularly children and adults.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868243-average-thai-consumes-26-teaspoons-of-sugar-per-day-officials/page-3#entry10043033

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Phuket Riot: Officers fear arrest retribution
Phuket Gazette


Phuket Provincial Police Commander Teeraphol Thipjaroen urges suspects to surrender. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Concerned about retribution, police have yet to arrest any of the suspects wanted for the Thalang Police Station riot, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Teeraphol Thipjaroen confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868394-phuket-riot-officers-fear-arrest-retribution/

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Phuket to pilot restructuring campaign in Patong Beach on Nov 6

PHUKET, 05 November 2015, (NNT) - The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization has introduced the “Phuket Beach Model” restructuring campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868395-phuket-to-pilot-restructuring-campaign-in-patong-beach-on-nov-6/

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'E.T.' screenwriter Melissa Mathison dies at 65
By LINDSEY BAHR

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Melissa Mathison, the screenwriter who crafted the enchanting worlds of iconic family films including "E.T. the Extra Terrestrial," has died. She passed away Wednesday at age 65 after a bout with neuroendocrine cancer, her sister, Melinda Mathison Johnson, confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868400-et-screenwriter-melissa-mathison-dies-at-65/

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UPDATE:

Excise chief says beer garden is permitted by law to operate and sell alcoholic drinks once a year

BANGKOK: -- The Excise Department made clear yesterday that beer garden operators are allowed to sell alcoholic drinks once a year and the business is not against the law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868309-dr-samarn-beer-gardens-are-against-the-law/page-8?p=10043132#entry10043132

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UPDATE:

Germany to step up economic, education operation with Thailand
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- New German Ambassador Peter Prügel made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Thursday and expressed his country's interest to cooperate with Thailand on the education and businesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868382-new-german-ambassador-pays-courtesy-visit-to-pm-prayut/#entry10043378

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NLA begins impeachment of Somsak



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) held a meeting this morning whether to sack former education minister Somsak Prisanananthakul on unusual wealth charge brought against him by the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) for not declaring his 16-million baht home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868411-nla-begins-impeachment-of-somsak/

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Six foreigners injured in high-speed Phuket taxi crash
Phuket Gazette


Police have yet to press any charges. Photo: Winai Sarot

PHUKET: -- Six foreigners were injured in a high-speed, three-car smash on Thepkrasattri Road yesterday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868413-six-foreigners-injured-in-high-speed-phuket-taxi-crash/

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Romania: Thousands join protests calling for political reform



BUCHAREST: -- The surprise resignation of Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta over last week’s deadly nightclub fire has done little to stem the anger of protesters in Bucharest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868418-romania-thousands-join-protests-calling-for-political-reform/

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UPDATE:

UK and US intelligence sources say Russian airliner was downed by a bomb



LONDON: -- There is growing evidence that a bomb was the likely cause of last week’s Russian airliner crash in Sinai which killed 224 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868321-sinai-crash-plane-may-have-been-brought-down-by-explosive-device/#entry10043529

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Thailand brushes up on measures to tackle IUU fishing after EU assessment

BANGKOK, 5 November 2015 (NNT) -European Union (EU) Representatives have decided not to remove Thailand’s yellow card status, after first assessment of the country’s efforts to tackle problems in the fishing industry. However, the EU is extending the deadline for Thailand to solve illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to the end of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868419-thailand-brushes-up-on-measures-to-tackle-iuu-fishing-after-eu-assessment/

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PM's secretary general defends plan to buy four luxurious cars
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PM's Secretary General Gen Wilas Aroonsri Thursday defended the project to buy four luxurious cars for Bt78 million, saying the project is necessary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868421-thai-pms-secretary-general-defends-plan-to-buy-four-luxurious-cars/

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Thailand stands at 82nd place in global creative ranking



BANGKOK: -- Thailand is ranked the 82nd as most creative among 139 countries with a global ranking of 38th in technology, 84th in talent, and 105th in tolerance, according to the Global Creativity Index 2015 compiled by the Martin Prosperity Institute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868441-thailand-stands-at-82nd-place-in-global-creative-ranking/

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Video of Thai man brutally assaulting wife sparks outrage

SAMUT PRAKAN:-- Footage of a man brutally beating his wife has sparked outrage on Thai news sites and across social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868446-video-of-thai-man-brutally-assaulting-wife-sparks-outrage/

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Real footage of pedestrian accidents aims to change Thai driving behavior (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok



This is what happens when you use a crosswalk in Thailand.

BANGKOK: -- A compilation video of pedestrians getting hit at a crosswalk is being used to send a powerful message to motorists to simply follow the law -- by stopping their vehicles when they should.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868447-real-footage-of-pedestrian-accidents-aims-to-change-thai-driving-behavior/

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Pheu Thai opposed to MMA electoral system
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party Thursday issued a statement opposing the new proposed electoral system of the charter writers, saying the system is neither in line with international norms nor suitable for Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868452-pheu-thai-opposed-to-mma-electoral-system/

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22,000 British tourists stranded in Sharm El Sheikh after UK Government ordered flights suspended

LONDON: -- The Egyptian Prime Minister is is currently visiting London. Egypt is showing full flag at the onLONDON: -- going World Travel Market in London at this time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868454-22000-british-tourists-stranded-in-sharm-el-sheikh-after-uk-govt-ordered-flights-suspended/

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Assassins Gun Down Shaman, Lucky Numbers Blamed
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


An investigator at the shrine of a shaman murdered last night in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — Chaiyuth Phetsringen had an uncanny ability to divine winning numbers, according to locals in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. So good was the 41-year-old shaman at foretelling winning digits, it might have killed him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868460-nakhon-si-thammarat-assassins-gun-down-shaman-lucky-numbers-blamed/

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Thaivisa Video News - 05 November 2015



News from around Thailand and the World. Weekday, daily news show from the biggest foreign media in Thailand - Thaivisa.com

view the bulletin here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868464-thaivisa-video-news-05-november-2015/

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5.2 million tourists mostly Chinese are expected to visit Thailand in November-December



BANGKOK: -- About 5.2 million tourists mostly Chinese are expected to visit Thailand during November and December bringing the total number of incoming tourist for the whole year to 29.5 million, said tourism and sports deputy permanent secretary Ms Wannaseri Morakul on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868466-52-million-tourists-mostly-chinese-are-expected-to-visit-thailand-in-november-december/

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Mexico court ruling sparks marijuana legalisation hopes



MEXICO CITY: -- In Mexico, supporters of drug reform have been celebrating a Supreme Court decision that could lead to the legalisation of marijuana.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868469-mexico-court-ruling-sparks-marijuana-legalisation-hopes/

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Ratchadamnoen Nightmare: Why Everyone Really Should Avoid Old Bangkok on Saturday
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


A image of a sign warning motorists of traffic on Saturday was posted online today by organizers of the Bangkok Criterium. Photo: Bangkok Criterium / Facebook

BANGKOK — Between a commercial cycling event and university graduation, traffic Saturday on Ratchadamnoen Avenue is expected to hit nightmare level, even by Bangkok standards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868475-ratchadamnoen-nightmare-why-everyone-really-should-avoid-old-bangkok-on-saturday/

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Somkid hints at another budget deficit in fiscal 2017
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs, Somkid Jatusripitak, has hinted that the 2017 fiscal budget will continue the deficit trend, in order to support the need for government investment in infrastructure and increase the country's competitiveness.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868478-somkid-hints-at-another-budget-deficit-in-fiscal-2017/

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