Thailand Live Wednesday 3 Aug 2016

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Thaivisa Photography Competition (August 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/935139-thaivisa-photography-competition-august-2016/

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NBTC to propose special SIM cards for foreign tourists so they can be traced

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission is to propose the telecommunications committee the introduction of special SIM cards for mobile or smart phones used by foreign tourists while they are staying in Thailand.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935600-nbtc-to-propose-special-sim-cards-for-foreign-tourists-so-they-can-be-traced/

 Like this

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Oil palm farmers complain of a surge in thefts of their crops

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Oil palm farmers in Trang province have sought help from provincial authorities to deal with widespread theft of palm seeds due to their attractive prices.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935626-oil-palm-farmers-complain-of-a-surge-in-thefts-of-their-crops/

 

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Queen’s commemorative banknotes available for exchange

 

 

BANGKOK:  -- Members of the public can exchange their existing 500-baht banknotes with the new commemorative banknotes of similar denomination marking the 7th cycle birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen as of August 11 – one day before the birthday.

 

Altogether 20 million 500-baht banknotes were printed. They can be exchanged at all commercial and state-owned banks and through 10,000 ATMs across the country which bear a sticker with a message that says the machine contains the commemorative banknotes.

 

The front side of the new banknote features the image of His Majesty the King in full gown of the Maha Chakri dynasty whereas the back side bears the old image of the Royal Family, the Queen’s image as she inspected products from royally-sponsored projects and image of the Queen’s orchid and rose.

 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/queens-commemorative-banknotes-available-exchange/

 

-- Thai PBS 2016-08-03

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Cabinet OKs production of electric cars in Thailand

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The cabinet on Tuesday gave a green light for the production of Thailand’s first battery electric vehicles or electric cars.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935628-cabinet-oks-production-of-electric-cars-in-thailand/

 

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Sathorn Model to be used at Rama VIII and Rama IX bridges

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Sathorn Model which was used to solve notorious traffic gridlock on Sathorn road will be applied for use to tackle traffic problem at Rama VIII and Rama IX bridges, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit disclosed on Tuesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935629-sathorn-model-to-be-used-at-rama-viii-and-rama-ix-bridges/

 

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PM won’t quit if draft charter is rejected but will draft a new charter

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha reiterated on Tuesday that he would not quit his premiership if the draft charter fails to pass the referendum this coming Sunday but a new constitution will be drafted so that there is an election in accordance with the roadmap.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935630-pm-won’t-quit-if-draft-charter-is-rejected-but-will-draft-a-new-charter/

 

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Transport Ministry mulls replacing passenger vans with mini buses

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry plans to commission the Transport Institute of Chulalongkorn University to study the feasibility of replacing passenger vans with mini buses to cater to the need of passengers travelling from one province to another.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935631-thai-transport-ministry-mulls-replacing-passenger-vans-with-mini-buses/

 

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Army to help irrigation officials get rid of water hyacinth in Chao Phraya river

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The army will meet on Wednesday to discuss how it can help irrigation officials to get rid of water hyacinth which has clogged the Chao Phraya river for more than three kilometres long in front of the Chao Phraya dam.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935632-army-to-help-irrigation-officials-get-rid-of-water-hyacinth-in-chao-phraya-river/

 

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Permanent Secretary for finance: Consumption will improve after politics stable

  

BANGKOK, 3 August 2016 (NNT) - Permanent Secretary for Finance Somchai Sujjapongse has expressed his belief that consumption and investment will quickly rebound after Thai politics is stable. He added that he was confident that this year’s growth will be over 3%. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935633-permanent-secretary-for-finance-consumption-will-improve-after-politics-stable/

 

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Private sector maintains growth estimate for 2016

  

BANGKOK, 3 August 2016 (NNT) - The private sector has expressed confidence that the Thai economy this year will expand by 3% - 3.5% after the export sector showed signs of recovery. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935634-thai-private-sector-maintains-growth-estimate-for-2016/

 

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Special Report: Are Days Numbered For The Thai Tourist Industry?

Story by Albert Jack

 

'Bai Nai?'

 

BANGKOK: -- Chiang Mai has started a campaign to try and lure back Chinese tourists, whose visits have dropped significantly lately. The drop in visitor numbers is thought to be related to the Thais’ constant criticism of the Chinese on social media, causing the them to boycott Thailand.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935635-special-report-are-days-numbered-for-the-thai-tourist-industry/

 

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Embassies in Bangkok: Be Alert on Referendum-Day

by Anders Bo Andersen 

 

Thailand is having a referendum on a new constitution on Sunday 7 August 2016.

 

BANGKOK: -- The Danish and Finnish Embassies in Bangkok advice citizens living in or visiting Thailand to be alert and take precautions prior to, and during the referendum.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935636-embassies-in-bangkok-be-alert-on-referendum-day/

 

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Wet road blamed as BMW slams into streetlight, three injured

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Police have yet to reveal whether the driver, Mr Pichet, will face charges for the accident. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- The driver of a BMW sedan said he lost control of his car due to the rain-soaked road in the early hours of this morning (Aug 2), causing his car to slam sideways into a roadside streetlight.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935637-wet-road-blamed-as-bmw-slams-into-streetlight-three-injured/

 

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Rail line across Thailand runs into resistance

Tan Hui Yee Thailand Correspondent In Bangkok

 

BANGKOK: -- Work on a railway line that would link the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea has hit a hurdle after opposition by residents in southern Thailand.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935638-rail-line-across-thailand-runs-into-resistance/

 

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Death traps: How many Bangkok theaters lack sprinklers, smoke detectors?

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

Smoke rises above Major Cineplex Pinklao prior to the theater’s roof collapsing as it was engulfed in flames Thursday in western Bangkok. Photo: Matichon

 

BANGKOK — Revelations that no smoke detectors or fire suppression systems were installed inside a large cinema destroyed Thursday by fire has prompted officials to inspect 300 other cinemas in the capital city to find out if they comply with fire regulations.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935639-death-traps-how-many-bangkok-theaters-lack-sprinklers-smoke-detectors/

 

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Politicians charged for 'disorting constitution' in private letters

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

Commando police on Tuesday stand guard at Crime Suppression Division while the 11 suspects are brought to hear their charges.

 

BANGKOK — Eleven people, including former politicians and local officials, are under arrest for allegedly misrepresenting the new constitution draft that will be put to a referendum this Sunday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935641-politicians-charged-for-disorting-constitution-in-private-letters/

 

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Brazil tightens border security amid fears of attack on Rio Olympics

 

 

RIO DE JANEIRO: -- It’s Brazil’s busiest border point – and with tens of thousands of people crossing back and forth each day from Paraguay and Argentina – security forces have stepped up checks amid fears of arms trafficking and possible militant attacks at the Rio Olympics.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935642-brazil-tightens-border-security-amid-fears-of-attack-on-rio-olympics/

 

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Obama: Trump ‘woefully unfit’ to be President

 

 

WASHINGTON: -- President Barack Obama has once again spoken out against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, saying that he is “woefully unprepared” to serve as leader.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935643-obama-trump-‘woefully-unfit’-to-be-president/

 

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Syria: Anti-ISIL forces gain ground as Assad is blamed for ‘gas attack’

 

 

DAMASCUS: -- US-backed Kurdish-led fighters say they now control nearly three quarters of a strategic city in northern Syria, that was an ISIL stronghold.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935644-syria-anti-isil-forces-gain-ground-as-assad-is-blamed-for-‘gas-attack’/

 

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Erdogan: West ‘supports terror’

 

 

ANKARA: -- President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again spoken out against the country’s allies in the West, saying that they supported last months attempted military coup.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935645-erdogan-west-‘supports-terror’/

 

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Balancing act for Trump running mate Pence amid Muslim soldier row

 

 

NEW YORK: -- No one said it would be easy being Donald Trump’s running-mate.

 

Full story:  http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935646-balancing-act-for-trump-running-mate-pence-amid-muslim-soldier-row/

 

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In blow to GOP unity, Trump refuses to back Ryan, McCain

By JONATHAN LEMIRE

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (AP) — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is refusing to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain just two weeks after pledging to bring the fractured GOP together at the party's nominating convention. He also ripped into New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte in the same interview with the Washington Post. All three have primary challengers, and all three disapproved of Trump's criticism of the Muslim American parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935647-in-blow-to-gop-unity-trump-refuses-to-back-ryan-mccain/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Trump is 'unfit,' Obama says, challenging GOP to end support

By JULIE PACE

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a searing denouncement, President Barack Obama castigated Donald Trump as "unfit" and "woefully unprepared" to serve in the White House. He challenged Republicans to withdraw their support for their party's nominee, declaring "There has to come a point at which you say 'enough.'"

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935643-obama-trump-‘woefully-unfit’-to-be-president/?do=findComment&comment=11016414

 

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French Muslims step out of invisibility after attacks

By ELAINE GANLEY

 

PARIS (AP) — French Muslims have been officially invisible, expected to blend in with the rest of the citizenry in secular France. But now they are speaking out — and being called on to take a larger role in combatting the threat from Islamist extremists.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935649-french-muslims-step-out-of-invisibility-after-attacks/

 

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All systems go for the referendum - just don't drop the ballot boxes!

 

Image: Thairath

 

BANGKOK: -- An electoral commission official was left with a red face after demonstrating the new indestructible ballot boxes that the government got on the cheap.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935651-all-systems-go-for-the-referendum-just-dont-drop-the-ballot-boxes/

 

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A difference of opinion - another taxi driver behaving badly story goes viral

 

Image: Daily News

 

BANGKOK: -- A video of a taxi driver having an altercation with a foreigner caused the usual online stir this week. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935652-a-difference-of-opinion-another-taxi-driver-behaving-badly-story-goes-viral/

 

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Encroachment on Hua Hin beach - action to be taken

 

Image: Daily News

 

HUA HIN: -- The Hua Hin district chief has called for action to be taken against individuals  who have been encroaching on the beach area. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935653-encroachment-on-hua-hin-beach-action-to-be-taken/

 

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Honest Isaan taxi driver reunites passenger with 377,000 baht

 

Image: Thairath

 

BANGKOK: -- An honest taxi driver who found 377,000 baht in cash on his back seat returned it in full to his passenger on Tuesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935654-honest-isaan-taxi-driver-reunites-passenger-with-377000-baht/

 

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Dissatisfied customer as "Satisfied" the dog dies on last Nok Air pet flight

 

Image: Sanook

 

BANGKOK: -- Following the news that a dog died after being transported in the hold of a Nok Air up country flight the company CEO has said that in future no more pets will be carried by the airline.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/935655-dissatisfied-customer-as-satisfied-the-dog-dies-on-last-nok-air-pet-flight/