Thailand Live Tuesday 24 Nov 2015

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MICT invites people to give blessings to His Majesty the King through www.ourking.org

BANGKOK, 24 November 2015 (NNT) – Information and Communication Technology Ministry undersecretary Songporn Komonsuradej said the National Software Industry Promotion Agency (public organization) has organized an online system for the people to give blessings and loyalty to His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of His 88th birthday anniversary on December 5, 2015, through the website, www.ourking.org.

To express the people's gratitudes for His Majesty the King’s benevolence, the online system provides nine online cards under the concept of “Royal Initiatives”.

The people can start from entering www.ourking.org, choose the card patterns, choose a blessing message in the system and enter the first names and last names. People can also share the cards on social media.


-- NNT 2015-11-24

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ENVIRONMENT
Major ocean garbage field cleaned up
Salinee Prap,
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation


Divers remove garbage from the sea floor off Karon Beach in Phuket province yesterday during the cleanup operation.

Operation followed pictures of the 400 square metre site going viral online

PHUKET: -- AN underwater garbage-cleanup operation off Karon Beach in Phuket yesterday removed hundreds of kilograms of trash - including from a coral reef.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873142-major-ocean-garbage-field-off-karon-beach-cleaned-up/

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Kind cabbie drives two hours from Pattaya to Bangkok to return passenger's iPhone
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- While we’re all familiar with the bad behavior of taxi drivers, here’s a feel-good story to show us that not all taxi drivers are bad.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873049-kind-cabbie-drives-two-hours-from-pattaya-to-bangkok-to-return-passengers-iphone/

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POLITICS
Yingluck gets invitation to visit from EU Parliament
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT has invited former premier Yingluck Shinawatra to go to Europe to exchange views on the political situation in Thailand, which it considers "worrying" following the coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873143-yingluck-gets-invitation-to-visit-from-eu-parliament/

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UPDATE:

DEPORTATION
'We didn't know two men had UN status'
The Nation

Prawit defends Repatriation of Chinese dissidents, which us envoy says "should not have happened"

BANGKOK: -- THE UNITED STATES reaffirmed yesterday its "disappointment" over the repatriation of two Chinese activists to China, while Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan claimed the international community - notably the United Nations - understood the move.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873046-us-envoy-repeats-disappointment-of-repatriation-of-two-chinese-activists/#entry10113145

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Lecturers tell NCPO: Stop threats to academics and students
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION



A GROUP of lecturers yesterday called on the junta to stop threatening academics and students who express political views.

BANGKOK: -- The group, gathered under the Network of Lecturers Concerned for Detained Students, submitted a letter to chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Prayut Chan-o-cha through the government's public service centre. The letter carried signatures of more than 300 local and foreign lecturers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/872993-thai-lecturers-protest-against-alleged-military-intimidation-on-campus/page-4?p=10113147#entry10113147

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TOURISM
Envoys, Phuket governor discuss tourism
THE NATION



PHUKET: -- FIVE European ambassadors have asked the governor of Phuket to step up security and safety precautions for tourists and expatriates, while addressing other issues ranging from lack of standard tariffs for services to narcotics and crime problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873144-european-ambassadors-phuket-governor-discuss-tourism/

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LOY KRATHONG
BMA seeks to ensure safety during festival
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday inspected piers to ensure public safety ahead of the Loy Krathong Festival, which falls Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873145-bma-seeks-to-ensure-safety-during-loy-krathong-festival/

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Economy set for boost post-Paris attacks: NIDA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND COULD benefit from the Paris terror attacks as they could adversely affect European economies and result in an inflow of capital to Asia, according to the National Institute of Development Administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873146-thai-economy-set-for-boost-post-paris-attacks-nida/

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Slim growth seen for car industry in 2016
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE THAI AUTOMOBILE industry is expected grow only slightly next year as consumers' purchasing power continues to be weak, despite the government's injection of huge budgets into infrastructure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873147-slim-growth-seen-for-thai-automobile-industry-in-2016/

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UPDATE:

Bt2.1-trillion motorway plans likely to have multiplier effect on economy
SASITHORN ONGDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Department of Highways yesterday revealed its new Bt2.1-trillion 20-year plan to develop the motorway network, expecting these investments to have a multiplier effect by more than two times worth Bt5.7 trillion for the economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/872996-dept-of-highways-finalizes-20-year-freeway-development-proposal/#entry10113170

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After 21 years, court winds up multi-million-baht swindle case
Kesinee Taengkhieo
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AFTER more than two decades, the 1994 Blissher holiday time-sharing case - in which 24,189 people were swindled out of Bt826.26 million - has finally concluded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873148-after-21-years-court-winds-up-multi-million-baht-swindle-case/

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South Korean held over drug charges; police seek to link him to murder
Dethawee Theewarangkool
The Nation
CHON BURI

BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday apprehended a South Korean national over drug-possession charges, while also trying to find evidence linking him to the death of a so-called South Korean gang member, whose body was discovered inside a car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873149-south-korean-held-over-drug-charges;-thai-police-seek-to-link-him-to-murder/

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SEZs may lead to 'labour shortage, local conflicts'
Visarut Sankham
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE plan to create special economic zones (SEZs) in five provinces could lead to a labour shortage that will hit efforts to boost labour-intensive industries, a leading academic has warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873150-sezs-may-lead-to-labour-shortage-local-conflicts/

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'People with political ties plotting to create unrest'
The Nation



Suspects summoned for questioning, Prawit says; man held over Facebook post

BANGKOK: -- THE authorities have discovered a plot to incite unrest, as people with political connections are making moves aimed at provocation, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873151-people-with-political-ties-plotting-to-create-unrest-dpm-prawit-says/

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CDC mulls composition of charter court and 'indirect election of senators'
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CHARTER drafters have been mulling over the composition of the Constitutional Court after having agreed that it would be made part of the courts of justice and no longer an independent body.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873152-cdc-mulls-composition-of-charter-court-and-indirect-election-of-senators/

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Building period for new Parliament complex extended by over a year
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE House of Representatives Secretariat yesterday extended the construction period for the new Parliament building, with Sino Thai Engineering and Constriction given another 387 days and two extension options.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873153-building-period-for-new-thai-parliament-complex-extended-by-over-a-year/

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BURNING ISSUE
We're winning slowly, but many still don't understand HIV/Aids
Chularat Saengpassa



BANGKOK: -- WORLD AIDS DAY is coming. Observed across the globe on December 1 since 1988, this day is dedicated to raising and uniting efforts in the fight against Aids.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873155-thai-politics-were-winning-slowly-but-many-still-dont-understand-hivaids/

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Foreigner Seriously Injured in Central Pattaya Road Accident



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday, a foreigner was seriously injured in a high-speed road accident which occurred in Central Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873156-foreigner-seriously-injured-in-central-pattaya-road-accident/

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PARIS (AP) - Official: Explosive belt found south of Paris contained bolts, same explosives used in attacks.

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B10mn cocaine bust at Krabi airport



KRABI: Two Thai women were arrested for their alleged role in the smuggling of cocaine worth Bt10.4 million into Thailand, Customs Department's Investigation and Suppression Bureau (ISB) and Police's Narcotics Suppression Bureau announced in a press conference yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873157-10-billion-baht-cocaine-bust-at-krabi-airport/

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UPDATE:

Phuket security, safety, jet-skis under fire during ‘Five Ambassadors’ visit
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The ambassadorial delegation raised serious concerns about jet-skis at Phuket's beaches. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: Tourists and foreign residents’ personal security, safety, beach tourism sustainability, jet-skis, taxis and tuk-tuks were all highlighted as ongoing issues of concern by five European ambassadors in talks with Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada today (Nov 23).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873144-european-ambassadors-phuket-governor-discuss-tourism/?p=10113223#entry10113223

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Lone robber escapes with 1.5 million baht from TMB bank

BANGKOK: -- A lone black-clad robber walked into a bank in Chachoengsao’s Bangpakong district brandishing a pistol, held up stunned bank staff and escaped with about 1.5 million baht in cash.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873158-lone-robber-escapes-with-15-million-baht-from-tmb-bank/

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Satun police chief removed after a soccer match violence



BANGKOK: -- The chief of Satun provincial police was abruptly moved to an inactive post at the 9th region provincial police bureau after soccer fans attacked four referee and linesmen during a Second Division soccer match between Satun United FC and Khon Kaen United FC on Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873159-satun-police-chief-removed-after-a-soccer-match-violence/

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UPDATE:

EU parliament invites Ms Yingluck to share views on political situation



BANGKOK: -- The European Parliament has invited former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to travel to Europe to share her views about political situation in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873143-yingluck-gets-invitation-to-visit-from-eu-parliament/#entry10113233

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Sale of rotten rice to go ahead on December 1 despite protest
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Commerce Ministry will open bidding for 37,412 tonnes of rotten rice on December 1, despite opposition from rice quality surveyors who called for the suspension of the auction as they believe the rice could be sold for human consumption rather than for the industrial sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873161-sale-of-rotten-thai-rice-to-go-ahead-on-december-1-despite-protest/

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70 foreign firms approved under FBA in first 11 months
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Business Development Department approved the operations of 370 foreign companies under the Foreign Business Act (FBA) during the first 11 months of the year, bringing more than Bt13.48 billion in investment capital into the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873162-70-foreign-firms-approved-under-fba-in-first-11-months/

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Phuket's Condo Market Showing Recovery After 2-Year Decline
BY JACOB MASLOW

PHUKET: -- Phuket’s condo market is recovering, according to Plus Property. Sales for units that are priced at or around Bt100,000 have had significant growth in the past year. Unit prices have risen by 5% to Bt89,548 a square meter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873163-phukets-condo-market-showing-recovery-after-2-year-decline/

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Thailand's Pension Fund to Increase Investments in Developed Nations
BY JACOB MASLOW

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Government Pension Fund, which oversees 708 billion baht, has announced that due to higher US interest rates, the fund will now increase investments and develop nation equities. Retirement funds for over 1 million employees are managed under the pension fund.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873164-thailands-pension-fund-to-increase-investments-in-developed-nations/

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Founder of Alibaba Seeks Stake
BY JACOB MASLOW


Alibaba CEO Jack Ma

HONG KONG: -- Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) is hoping to increase the company’s media holdings with Jack Ma, executive chairman and founder, interested in buying a stake in Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post. According to reports, discussions are in the advanced stage, but no details have been provided on the size of the stake, or the financial information regarding the stock.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873165-founder-of-alibaba-seeks-stake-in-south-china-morning-post/