Thailand Live Friday 29 July 2016

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Fiscal Policy Office: 2016 Thai economy can expand by 3.3%

BANGKOK, 29 July 2016 (NNT) - The Fiscal Policy Office has maintained this year's economic growth forecast at 3.3% following public spending and expanding tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934919-fiscal-policy-office-2016-thai-economy-can-expand-by-33/

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TAT denies rumor of boycott by Chinese tourists

CHIANG MAI, 28 July 2016 (NNT) – The Chiang Mai Office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working to publicize a correct understanding regarding the rumors of a tourism boycott by Chinese tourists to Thailand, says the director.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934927-tat-denies-rumor-of-boycott-by-chinese-tourists/

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Thailand’s Tiger Temple Raid Highlights Need to Close Tiger Farms in Asia

Gland – Following the serious crimes recently uncovered during a raid on Thailand’s Tiger Temple, WWF is using Global Tiger Day today to call on governments across Asia to investigate all tiger breeding centres and close any operations proven to be involved in the illegal tiger trade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934930-thailands-tiger-temple-raid-highlights-need-to-close-tiger-farms-in-asia/

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Time served, $44K restitution for airplane yoga arrest
JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER, Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — A Korean tourist who was arrested after he became violent when he wasn't allowed to do yoga on a plane leaving Hawaii won't get additional jail time. But he must pay United Airlines more than $44,000.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934934-time-served-44k-restitution-for-airplane-yoga-arrest/

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Phuket City Municipality proposes new act for pet control
Chanida Summast


If the propsed act goes through, some dogs will have to be muzzled if taken into a public area. Photo: whatleydude/Flickr

PHUKET: -- Phuket City officials have drafted regulations for a proposed “Animal Welfare Act 2016” which will require all cat and dog owners to register their pets and adhere to strict regulations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934935-phuket-city-municipality-proposes-new-act-for-pet-control/

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Bike rental on Koh Phangan - system needed to stop fleecing of tourists


Image: Thairath

KOH PHANGAN: -- A meeting of soldiers, police and land transport officials to discuss the problem of the fleecing of tourists who rent motorcycles on the island of Koh Phangan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934936-bike-rental-on-koh-phangan-system-needed-to-stop-fleecing-of-tourists/

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UPDATE:

Boy, 3, found dead in rain-filled roadside ditch
Eakkapop Thongtub


The ditch were the boy was found had already been cordoned off with cones and ropes with dander warnings attached. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- The body of a 3-year-old toddler was found in a rain-filled roadside ditch at a construction site behind a well-known tourist attraction in Kamala yesterday afternoon (July 28).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934867-body-of-baby-found-at-construction-site/#entry11007667

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Hillary Clinton accepts nomination for president with 'determination and boundless confidence in America's promise'

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Further assistance by Government to SMEs



BANGKOK: -- The government continues to help small business operators by endorsing the proposal of the SME Promotion Committee to lend up to one million baht from the SME Recovery Fund to each eligible operator.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934938-further-assistance-by-thai-government-to-smes/

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Kathu to Bangwad bike route rolled out
Phuket Gazette


Over 4,000 participants of all ages cycled 8km from Kathu Municipality offices to Bangwad Dam on July 17. Photo: Kathu Municipality

PHUKET: -- The Kathu Municipality Office in collaboration with Phuket Gazette partner Nation TV and Mitsubishi Motors held a cycling event starting from the municipality office on July 17 to promote a new bike route.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934941-kathu-to-bangwad-bike-route-rolled-out/

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Walking in the troubled South - 'C'est formidable!" and safe say French mum and son on world tour

Image: Sanook

BANGKOK: -- A French mother and son who are walking around the world have given the thumbs up to the troubled southern Thai provinces saying they are safe and the people are lovely.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934944-walking-in-the-troubled-south-cest-formidable-and-safe-say-french-mum-and-son-on-world-tour/

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SET opens higher from Thursday's close /Bangkok Post

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This time, an adoring He looks on as She accepts nomination
By NANCY BENAC

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — This time, Bill Clinton was the adoring spouse, smiling and clapping when the cameras cut away from the candidate in the spotlight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934946-this-time-an-adoring-he-looks-on-as-she-accepts-nomination/

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No ban yet but Thailand’s killjoy regulators already have Pokemon Go in their sights
BY STAFF WRITER ON



Officials from Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) have revealed they are already looking at ways in order to prevent incidents from the new global phenomenon that is Pokemon Go.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/no-ban-yet-but-thailands-killjoy-regulators-already-have-pokemon-go-in-their-sights/16525/

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Clinton promises steady hand in dangerous world
By JULIE PACE and ROBERT FURLOW

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Promising Americans a steady hand, Hillary Clinton cast herself Thursday night as a unifier for divided times, an experienced leader steeled for a volatile world. She aggressively challenged Republican Donald Trump's ability to do the same.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934948-clinton-promises-steady-hand-in-dangerous-world/

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UPDATE:

Government remains confident of 3℅ growth this year



BANGKOK: -- The confidence of the government in economic growth remains steady that it will stay at 3℅ as it earlier forecast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934919-fiscal-policy-office-2016-thai-economy-can-expand-by-33/#entry11007818

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Forty Kuwaiti Motorcycle Gang Members Arrested at Dawn in Pattaya
Story by Albert Jack



PATTAYA: -- At 5am, on July 29, Pattaya police teams made a coordinated arrest of forty members of a Kuwaiti motorbike gang. Twenty-six motorcycles have been impounded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934949-forty-kuwaiti-motorcycle-gang-members-arrested-at-dawn-in-pattaya/

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Foul-smelling fowl farm irks locals
Phuket Gazette


Officials noted that 10 of the automatic conveyor belts were broken, causing feces to get stuck on the belts. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

KRABI: -- Krabi locals filed a complained about a less-than-sanitary chicken farm in Klong Hin sub-district, which led officials from the Krabi Livestock Office to inspect the premises on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934951-foul-smelling-fowl-farm-irks-krabi-locals/

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Another Thai police impersonator nabbed - but this guy is the real deal!


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police have arrested another bogus cop - but this man was making a living out of it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934953-another-thai-police-impersonator-nabbed-but-this-guy-is-the-real-deal/

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Phuket police on the lookout for mahout and his tourist attraction elephant
Tanyaluk Sakoot


A photo of the elephant and mahout taken on Bang Tao Beach on Wednesday (July 27). Photo: Vicky Kiely

PHUKET: -- Police in Cherng Talay are currently looking for a mahout with a five-year-old elephant which he is using as a tourist attraction at various beaches along Phuket’s west coast, most recently Surin and Bang Tao.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934954-phuket-police-on-the-lookout-for-mahout-and-his-tourist-attraction-elephant/

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Officials inspect Chiang Mai market after complaints of overpriced mangosteen



CHIANG MAI, 29 July 2016 (NNT) – The Provincial Commerce Office of Chiang Mai has dispatched inspectors to Muang Mai Market in response to complaints about overpriced fruit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934957-officials-inspect-chiang-mai-market-after-complaints-of-overpriced-mangosteen/

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Chiang Mai local administration chief escorted to Bangkok for questioning



BANGKOK: -- Military officers today escorted the Chiang Mai provincial administration organization (PAO) chief Boonlert Buranupakorn to Bangkok for questioning over the recent seizures of documents allegedly distorting the draft charter which is set to be put for vote in the August 7 referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934964-chiang-mai-local-administration-chief-escorted-to-bangkok-for-questioning/

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Pair arrested for illegal weapons
Phuket Gazette


Shootouts among university students using homemade .22 caliber pen guns have been deadly in the past. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Two men were arrested after a police raid on their Kamala house turned up illegal firearms and ammunition on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934966-pair-arrested-for-illegal-weapons/

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Thai stepfather rapes one year old - Cambodian mother feeds her hot water to stop her crying


Image: tnamcot

CHONBURI: -- A shocking and grievous assault on a one and a half year old baby in Chonburi has revolted the Thai public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/934969-thai-stepfather-rapes-one-year-old-cambodian-mother-feeds-her-hot-water-to-stop-her-crying/

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Phuket Lobster Festival starts this Monday
The Phuket News


The Phuket Lobster Festival 2016 Will run the entire month of August.

PHUKET: -- Lobster lover gets ready, the Phuket Lobster Festival is coming this August with a total of 35 restaurants across the island offering you a signature menu at a special rate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935010-phuket-lobster-festival-starts-this-monday/

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Can Bangkok Curb Prostitution? And Should It?
Thailand’s first female minister of tourism wants the sex trade banned. Critics say the plan is shortsighted.
MIMI KIRK

BANGKOK: -- Tourists flock to Thailand for its temples and beaches, but also for its sex workers. From go-go girls to ladyboys, Thai cities and resorts like Bangkok and Pattaya are known as hubs of the Southeast Asian sex trade, despite the fact that prostitution has been illegal in Thailand since 1960.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935012-can-bangkok-curb-prostitution-and-should-it/

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New trademark law with higher penalties is now in force



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Intellectual Property says the new trademark law is now in force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935037-new-trademark-law-with-higher-penalties-is-now-in-force/

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DPM Somkid says nothing stays the same in politics



BANGKOK, 29 July 2016 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said in his speech during the 63rd anniversary celebration for Siamrath Newspaper, that nothing stays the same in politics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935040-dpm-somkid-says-nothing-stays-the-same-in-politics/

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Boy caught tearing up voter list wants transfer to different school



BANGKOK: -- The parents of the 9-year old schoolboy who was caught for tearing up a referendum voter list in Pone Sai district of Roi-et have asked for the kid’s transfer to study in another school in Ubon Ratchathani province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935044-boy-caught-tearing-up-voter-list-wants-transfer-to-different-school/

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Japanese fugitive allegedly changed his face and hid in Thailand 10 years
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter


Changing face of Yasuo Tsubaki as shown on evidence board at Friday’s police news conference.

BANGKOK — A Japanese man who police say had his face reconstructed to evade capture for a decade was arrested Wednesday in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935046-face-off-japanese-fugitive-allegedly-changed-his-face-and-hid-in-thailand-10-years/