Thailand Live Wednesday 25 May 2016

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Thaivisa Photography Competition (May 2016)



Enter the Thaivisa Photography Competition where you can win a two night stay at the luxury Palm Grove Resort in Pattaya, worth an estimated 10,000 Baht.

Submit your photos here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/913956-thaivisa-photography-competition-for-may-2016/

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Customs impounded 96 tonnes of suspected contraband orange



BANGKOK: -- Customs officials at Laem Chabang deep-sea port have seized 96 tonnes of orange worth about four million baht from Spain and Egypt which were falsely declared of originating from China to evade import taxes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919915-thai-customs-impounded-96-tonnes-of-suspected-contraband-orange/

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Coral bleaching affects 90 percent of staghorn corals around Koh Thaloo



PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN: -- Between 80-90 percent of staghorn corals around Koh Thaloo off Bang Saphan Noi district of Prachuab Khiri Khan have been found to have been affected by bleaching, according to the Siam Marine Rehabilitation Foundation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919916-coral-bleaching-affects-90-percent-of-staghorn-corals-around-koh-thaloo/

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Rice sold on government auctions cannot be delivered because of different qualities



BANGKOK: -- Rice traders who have won the auctions for government rice are unable to take delivery of the grains because they do not meet the specifications specified in the the bidding terms of reference, said Mrs Duangporn Rodpayat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919917-rice-sold-on-government-auctions-cannot-be-delivered-because-of-different-qualities/

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Ex-chief of Klongchan Credit Union Cooperatives slapped with money laundering charge



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation on Tuesday lodged an additional charge of money laundering against the former chairman of Klongchan Credit Union Cooperatives in connection with the money that he arbitrarily donated to Wat Dhammakaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919918-ex-chief-of-klongchan-credit-union-cooperatives-slapped-with-money-laundering-charge/

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Cabinet gives green light to revised Civil and Commercial Code

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) - The Cabinet has approved adjustments to the company establishment process to make it faster and more convenient for SMEs and startups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919919-thai-cabinet-gives-green-light-to-revised-civil-and-commercial-code/

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Commerce Ministry scrambles to promote Organic Farm Outlets

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) - Commerce Minister Abhiradee Tantraporn said her agency has promoted the setting up of Organic Farm Outlets where farmers can sell their organic products directly to consumers at fairer prices and gain more incomes than before.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919920-thai-commerce-ministry-scrambles-to-promote-organic-farm-outlets/

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Rajabhakti Park now closed for clean-up and maintenance

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 25 May 2016 (NNT) –Rajabhakti Park, the historic park in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin |district built in honor of the seven Great Kings of Siam, is being closed for a week from May 23 until May 29 for a thorough clean-up of automobile exhaust fumes and grease in its plaza area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919921-rajabhakti-park-now-closed-for-clean-up-and-maintenance/

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OSMEP organizes seminar on STRONGER SMEs First Station

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016, (NNT) - Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) Director Salinee Wangtan presided over the opening ceremony for a seminar on STRONGER SMEs First Station linking with CLMV.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919922-osmep-organizes-seminar-on-stronger-smes-first-station/

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NRSA reaches decision to approve setting up of national sports universities

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) – The National Reform Steering Assembly has reached a decision to approve the proposal to transform physical education institutes into national sports universities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919923-thai-nrsa-reaches-decision-to-approve-setting-up-of-national-sports-universities/

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CDC Chairman denies claims of possible extension of NCPO’s time through new draft charter

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) – The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission has denied claims that the new draft charter will help extend the time in office of the National Council for Peace and Order.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919924-cdc-chairman-denies-claims-of-possible-extension-of-ncpos-time-through-new-draft-charter/

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NRSA confident new laws on water resources and community forests will be passed before end of current government

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) – The National Reform Steering Assembly is confident that new laws to govern the country’s water resources and community forests will be brought into effect before the current government leaves office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919925-nrsa-confident-new-laws-on-water-resourcesforests-will-be-passed-before-end-of-current-govt/

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Govt steps up fire safety efforts following dormitory fire in Chiang Rai

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chano-o-cha has expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the fire incident at a dormitory in Chiang Rai province. He instructed relevant units to urgently raise awareness about fire safety and inspect fire prevention systems of buildings nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919926-govt-steps-up-fire-safety-efforts-following-dormitory-fire-in-chiang-rai/

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PM praises award-winning Thai package designers

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has congratulated and praised Thai package designers who were awarded at global and regional competitions, encouraging further development through the utilization of marketing researches.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919927-pm-prayut-praises-award-winning-thai-package-designers/

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TAT renews Tour of Isaan campaign for 2nd year

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has renewed the Tour of Isan cycling activities in its second year, promoting tourism cycling routes and stimulate spending in the northeastern region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919928-tat-renews-tour-of-isaan-campaign-for-2nd-year/

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NBTC to introduce new regulations to ownership of broadcast businesses by foreign entities

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) - The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is preparing to add new rules regarding ownership of broadcasting and television enterprises by foreign entities in order to reflect current market conditions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919929-nbtc-to-introduce-new-regulations-to-ownership-of-broadcast-businesses-by-foreign-entities/

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Officials in Aranyaprathet confiscate 2 million Baht's worth of pirated goods

SA KAEO, 25 May 2016 (NNT) - Officials in Aranyaprathet District of Sa Kaeo Province have confiscated pirated goods worth over 2 million Baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919930-officials-in-aranyaprathet-confiscate-2-million-bahts-worth-of-pirated-goods/

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OVEC organizes Young Farmer Rice Camp

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) - The Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) has collaborated with the Thai Rice Foundation under Royal Patronage in educating young Thai farmers about rice through the Young Farmer Rice Camp.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919931-ovec-organizes-young-farmer-rice-camp/

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Cabinet nods to Thai film promotion strategy

BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has given the green light to the third phase of the strategy to support the Thai film industry, hoping to maximize revenue from the sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919932-cabinet-nods-to-thai-film-promotion-strategy/

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Tuna Industry Association head calls for increased effort to ensure sustainable fishing practices



BANGKOK, 25 May 2016 (NNT) – Tuna industry business operators have joined with 4 European agencies to assure the international community of their sustainable and legal fishing practices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919933-tuna-industry-association-head-calls-for-increased-effort-to-ensure-sustainable-fishing-practices/

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Muslims Slam Allegations of Plot to Destroy Buddhism
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter



Buddhists hold up signs demanding that Buddhism be explicitly recognized as the national religion in a photo posted online Nov. 25, 2015, by a Buddhist group called Association of the Middle Path. Photo: Association of the Middle Path / Facebook

BANGKOK — Muslim activists asked the junta today to take legal action against a Buddhist group for spreading religious hate speech on social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919934-muslims-slam-allegations-of-plot-to-destroy-buddhism/

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Most of What You Heard About ‘GoBike’ Service is Wrong
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


GoBike’s beta app, which launched in Apple’s App Store Feb.26, is still unusable in most of Bangkok.

BANGKOK — A lot was misunderstood when “GoBike” became a trending topic on social media overnight, but one thing was true: It is the first legal, on-demand motorcycle taxi service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919935-most-of-what-you-heard-about-gobike-service-is-wrong/

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Broadcasters to Host 6 Charter Debates, Govt 7
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


A military-sponsored campaign in Korat last month urged voters to cast their vote in the referendum on the draft constitution set for Aug. 7.

BANGKOK — Six broadcasters will host televised debates on the draft charter featuring the panelists of their choice, the head of the election commission said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919936-broadcasters-to-host-6-charter-debates-govt-7/

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5 of 22 Digital TV Stations Missed 3rd Installment of License Fees Deadline Yesterday
BY VIRAJ SHAJ



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s digital TV stations were required to make their third installment fee payment yesterday in accordance with the licensing deadline. Five out of 22 digital TV stations failed to make their payment yesterday, missing the deadline.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919937-5-of-22-digital-tv-stations-missed-3rd-installment-of-license-fees-deadline-yesterday/

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BTS Buys 46 Trains from Siemens AG and CRRC Changchun for 11 Billion Baht
BY VIRAJ SHAJ



BANGKOK: - BTS Group Holding’s Bangkok Mass Transit System came to an agreement with CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and Siemens AG to purchase 46 trains in total for a price of 11 billion baht. The company is responsible for the skytrain in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919938-bts-buys-46-trains-from-siemens-ag-and-crrc-changchun-for-11-billion-baht/

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Did the EU Grant Thailand a Fishing Ban Extension?
By Prashanth Parameswaran

Thailand’s illegal fishing woes were in the spotlight again this week.

BANGKOK: -- On Monday, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said that the European Union (EU) had granted Thailand more time to end illegal fishing before reaching a decision on whether to ban fish exports from the Southeast Asian state (See: “EU Threatens Thailand With Trade Ban”).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919939-did-the-eu-grant-thailand-a-fishing-ban-extension/

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Monsanto rejects Bayer multi-billion dollar bid



Monsanto has rejected an offer worth $62 billion (55.6 billion euros) from Bayer that would have created the world’s biggest agricultural supplier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919940-monsanto-rejects-bayer-multi-billion-dollar-bid/

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US comedian Bill Cosby ordered to stand trial for sexual assault



MONTGOMERY: -- Bill Cosby has been ordered by a US court to stand trial on sexual assault charges, over allegations that he drugged and molested a woman 12 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919941-us-comedian-bill-cosby-ordered-to-stand-trial-for-sexual-assault/

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UN chief Ban voices his disappointment as first World Humanitarian Summit closes



ISTANBUL: -- Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN chief Ban Ki-moon have closed the first World Humanitarian Summit, voicing disappointment there were not more high-profile leaders present.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919942-un-chief-ban-voices-his-disappointment-as-first-world-humanitarian-summit-closes/

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Idomeni: Greece says operation to clear camp going smoothly



ATHENS: -- An operation to clear Europe’s biggest makeshift refugee camp is progressing without problems, Greek officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/919944-idomeni-greece-says-operation-to-clear-camp-going-smoothly/