Thailand Live Thursday 14 Jan 2016

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Public, private sectors strike deal on career promotion

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) – An agreement has been signed between the public and private sectors with an aim to spur career opportunities in all areas as part of the government’s People’s State Policy.

Representatives of the Community Organizations Development Institute and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security led the inking of the memorandum of agreement involving 30 community organizations and public and private agencies. The agreement seeks to increase job opportunities in all sectors as well as market channels, benefiting a total of 6,447 sub-districts nationwide.

Initially, the project will be piloted in the organic agriculture, coastal fishery and housing sectors. A target has been set for related operations to be carried out in 1,500 sub-districts within this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak revealed that the government is working to uplift the grassroots economy through five measures, consisting of rural infrastructure development, fostering of agro-industrial SMEs, creation of market channels for farmers, development of new tourist destinations and provision of internet access to every sub-district to support e-commerce.


-- NNT 2016-01-14

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Tourism Min to continue with Discover Thainess campaign this year

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to generate 2.3 trillion baht in revenue this year while pressing ahead with the strategy to sell Thainess.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886406-thai-tourism-min-to-continue-with-discover-thainess-campaign-this-year/

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Pheu Thai's Chaturon Fights for Right to Travel
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Chaturon Chaisaeng files his lawsuit today at the Administrative Court to challenge the government’s revocation of his passport.

BANGKOK — A leading member of the Pheu Thai Party filed suit against the military government today for “falsely” revoking his passport in August.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886407-pheu-thais-chaturon-fights-for-right-to-travel/

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Nam Nao national park chief calls on tourists to keep it clean

PHETCHABUN, 14 January 2016 (NNT) - Nam Nao national park chief Uthai Chansuk said Thailand's national parks are now growing more popular among tourists but the increased number of visitors might cause adverse impacts such as the degradation of natural resources.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886408-nam-nao-national-park-chief-calls-on-tourists-to-keep-it-clean/

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UPDATE:

Chaturon charges Foreign Ministry for taking away his passport



BANGKOK: -- A lawsuit was lodged with the Central Administrative Court against the Foreign Ministry and six other co-defendants by former Pheu Thai MP Chaturon Chaisaeng over the revocation of his passport since last August.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886407-pheu-thais-chaturon-fights-for-right-to-travel/#entry10306060

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30 private and state agencies join hands to drive grassroot economy



BANGKOK: -- Over 30 private and state organizations today (Wednesday) entered into an agreement of joint cooperation to implement three projects aimed to drive grassroot economy in accordance with the “pracharath” strategy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886409-30-private-and-state-agencies-join-hands-to-drive-grassroot-economy/

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Over 22,000 business enterprises folded up last year



BANGKOK: -- About 22,500 business enterprises have registered to fold up their businesses last year representing an increase of 19 percent from 18,900 cases in 2014, according to the Business Development Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886410-over-22000-business-enterprises-folded-up-last-year/

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Three executives and four firms indicted in fake G-to-G rice deal



BANGKOK: -- Three executives and four companies were today (Wednesday) indicted by the Office of the Attorney-General in the Supreme Court’s criminal division for political office holders for their alleged involvement in corruption in the rice pledging scheme of the Pheu Thai-led government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886411-three-executives-and-four-firms-indicted-in-fake-g-to-g-rice-deal/

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Ex-Kaeng Krachan park chief charged by police for abuse of power



BANGKOK: -- Former chief of Kaeng Krachan national park Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn has been charged by police with abuse of authority for being responsible for the torching of the lodging of a Karen tribesman at the park five years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886412-ex-kaeng-krachan-park-chief-charged-by-police-for-abuse-of-power/

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PM defends the appointment of a general to head National Rubber Committee



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha today defended the appointment of an army general as chairman of the National Rubber Committee citing unusual prevailing situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886413-pm-prayut-defends-the-appointment-of-a-general-to-head-national-rubber-committee/

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Six New Democracy Group activists face arrests



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Military Court on Wednesday issued warrants for the arrest of six activists of the so-called New Democracy Group for defying a junta’s order banning political gathering of more than five people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886414-six-new-democracy-group-activists-face-arrests/

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Thailand’s Foreign Investment Drops 78% under Prayuts Military Government

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Foreign investment plummeted last year, official data showed, the latest sign that the kingdom’s once-vibrant economy continues to falter under prolonged military rule.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886415-thailands-foreign-investment-drops-78-under-prayuts-military-government/

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UPDATE:

Thai Court Confiscates Passport of British Human Rights Activist Andy Hall

BANGKOK – A Thai court has confiscated the passport of British migrant rights defender Andy Hall and banned him from traveling outside of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886228-bangkok-court-bans-british-activist-andy-hall-from-traveling-outside-thailand/page-3#entry10306096

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Who Is a Terrorist?: Lessons from Thailand and the Philippines
By Patrick Barron

In Thailand and Philippines, it’s worth digging into the precise definitions of “terrorism.”

TOKYO: -- The 2015 Global Terrorism Index was recently launched by the Institute of Economics and Peace. The timing of the report, released just three days after the Paris attacks, was sadly opportune.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886416-who-is-a-terrorist-lessons-from-thailand-and-the-philippines/

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The ASEAN Economic Community: The Force Awakens?
By Elodie Sellier

The AEC is here, but can it deliver on its promise?

TOKYO: -- The agreement on the creation of an ASEAN Economic Community signed on November 22 in Kuala Lumpur by the leading nations of Southeast Asia finally entered into force with much fanfare on December 31, heralding the “awakening” of what could be defined as a new Asian power bloc.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886417-the-asean-economic-community-the-force-awakens/

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Anonymous shuts down 297 Thai court websites
By Coconuts Bangkok


Hacker group Anonymous. Photo: Reuters

BANGKOK: -- Hacker group Anonymous has attacked and taken down hundreds of Thai court websites in retaliation for the Koh Tao murder verdict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886444-anonymous-shuts-down-297-thai-court-websites/

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Water level at Lam Takhong Dam reported critically low

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 14 January 2016 (NNT) – Residents of Nakhon Ratchasima have been prohibited from using water from Lam Takhong Dam for farming as the water level has fallen below normal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886418-water-level-at-korats-lam-takhong-dam-reported-critically-low/

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CCCIF gets ready for EU probe into fishing practices this month



BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) - The Command Center for Combating Illegal Fishing (CCCIF) is ready for the upcoming inspection by the European Union (EU) which will not accept any illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886419-cccif-gets-ready-for-eu-probe-into-fishing-practices-this-month/

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Liar! Danish 'victim' of East Pattaya street robbery confesses



PATTAYA: -- We previously reported on the alleged robbery in East Pattaya of cash and an IPhone from a Danish man, which occurred late on Tuesday Night, however the so-called victim has now confessed to making up the crime so he could claim on his Insurance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886420-liar-danish-victim-of-east-pattaya-street-robbery-confesses/

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Chinese Tourists 'forced' into buying by angry beach vendors on Pattaya Island



PATTAYA: -- Late on Tuesday Night, two Chinese Tourists reported a disturbing incident which occurred earlier in the day at Larn Island, involving themselves and two angry beach vendors which ended-up costing them 12,000 Baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886421-chinese-tourists-forced-into-buying-by-angry-beach-vendors-on-pattaya-island/

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5-year Bar closure warning issued at Pattaya Police meeting with bar operators



PATTAYA: -- A meeting was held at Pattaya Police Station on Wednesday Afternoon led by the Provincial Police Commander, who warned Pattaya Bar Owners and Managers that if they or their venue breaks the law they will be closed for 5 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886422-5-year-bar-closure-warning-issued-at-pattaya-police-meeting-with-bar-operators/

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PTT: We Can Withstand $20 Oil
BY JACOB MASLOW



BANGKOK: -- PTT, the Thai national oil company, stated that it can withstand oil dropping to as low as $20 per barrel. Oil prices declined to $30.68 a barrel on Tuesday, after falling to a 12-year low the previous session. Many analysts, including Morgan Stanley, predict that oil could drop down to $20 a barrel in 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886423-ptt-we-can-withstand-us20-oil/

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BMA to help buy 2,000 tons of Para rubber

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) - Bangkok Governor M.R.Sukhumbhand Paribatra has instructed units under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to buy 2,000 tons of Para rubber in an effort to help rubber farmers affected by the rubber price drop.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886424-bangkok-administration-to-help-buy-2000-tons-of-para-rubber/

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The 18th Bangkok International symposium on HIV updates response to HIV infection



BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) - The HIV Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration (HIV-NAT) is hosting the 18th Bangkok International symposium on HIV medicine from 13th-15th January 2016 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886425-the-18th-bangkok-international-symposium-on-hiv-updates-response-to-hiv-infection/

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UPDATE:

PM promises to help rubber farmers fairly



BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has unveiled the government’s solution to the low rubber price issue, stressing that aid will be provided fairly to all regions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886413-pm-prayut-defends-the-appointment-of-a-general-to-head-national-rubber-committee/#entry10306201

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At least 3 dead in French Alps avalanche



PARIS: -- An avalanche in the French Alps hit a group of ten schoolchildren and their accompanying teacher, killing at least three people and seriously injuring three others, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886426-at-least-3-dead-in-french-alps-avalanche/

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Israel summons Swedish diplomat after ‘delusional’ Palestinian comments



JERUSALEM: -- Israel has summoned the Swedish ambassador after the country’s foreign minister called for a probe into claims by human rights groups. that Israeli forces have carried out extrajudicial killings of Palestinians.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886427-israel-summons-swedish-diplomat-after-delusional-palestinian-comments/

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Footage emerges of suspected Istanbul suicide bomber



ISTANBUL: -- Turkish media on Wednesday (Jan 13) released what they say is footage of the man who blew himself up in the center of Istanbul, killing himself and 10 German tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886428-footage-emerges-of-suspected-istanbul-suicide-bomber/

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Denmark debates defences against asylum seekers



"Here we are in the middle, not really participating."

COPENHAGEN: -- Refugees applying for asylum in Denmark may soon need to be well aware of the value of any assets they are carrying.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886430-denmark-debates-defences-against-asylum-seekers/

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Jewish community in Marseille debates whether to hide yarmulke



MARSEILLE: -- France’s religious and political leaders are debating whether Jews in Marseille should stop wearing their yarmulkes in public, after a teacher was wounded there in an anti-Semitic stabbing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886431-jewish-community-in-marseille-debates-whether-to-hide-yarmulke/