Uber launches in Chiang Mai

BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD

 

 

The popular ridesharing app Uber has today (Nov 1) officially launched in Chiang Mai.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/uber-launches-in-chiang-mai/18301/

Rice board adjusts rice pledging price to 13,000 baht from 11,525 baht/tonne

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Rice Policy and Management Committee or the rice board has agreed to adjust up the pledging price of 2016-17 main crop Hom Mali paddy from 11,525 baht/tonne to 13,000 baht/tonne under the programme to delay the sale of paddy through credit extension to be implemented immediately until February 28.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951537-rice-board-adjusts-rice-pledging-price-to-13000-baht-from-11525-bahttonne/

 

Cabinet OKs entertainment activities to resume as normal as of November 14

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet gave approval to nine categories of entertainment activities to resume as normal starting November 14 after the completion of the 30-day period of mourning that operators of these activities were asked to observe.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951538-thai-cabinet-oks-entertainment-activities-to-resume-as-normal-as-of-november-14/

 

PM insists he has no grudges against any particular reporters

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Defending the new regulation to be imposed on reporters at the Government House, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said on Tuesday that he had no personal grudges against any reporter in particular.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951539-pm-prayut-insists-he-has-no-grudges-against-any-particular-reporters/

 

PTT Plc to open petrol stations for farmers to sell rice directly to consumers

 

 

BANGKOK: -- PTT Public Company will open all its petrol stations throughout the country to allow rice farmers to sell their crops directly to the consumers free of charge, said CEO and president Mr Thewin Wongwanich on Tuesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951541-ptt-plc-to-open-petrol-stations-for-farmers-to-sell-rice-directly-to-consumers/

 

No Water Near Pa Tan Bridge on November 2

by CityNews

 

 

CityNews – Chiang Mai Provincial Waterworks has announced that they will be turning off the water while work is being done to the Mae Jo tunnel around under the Pa Tan Bridge, and along the road towards Chiang Mai Provincial Waterworks Office and beside 7-Eleven store Pa Tan Branch between 12pm-12am on November 2nd.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951542-chiang-mai-waterworks-no-water-near-pa-tan-bridge-on-november-2/

 

Samui island street cleared after landslide

  

SAMUI, 2nd November 2016 (NNT) - Officials today cleared the street where a landslide incident had occurred at Khao Laem Yai viewpoint, Koh Samui district, Surat Thani province, with traffic being able to resume as usual. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951543-samui-island-street-cleared-after-landslide/

 

TNSC sees 2016 exports flatten to 0.8% down

  

BANGKOK, 2nd November 2016 (NNT) - Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC) now expects total exports this year to be down as much as 0.8% but the outlook is still better than the 2% decline it previously projected. An improvement is expected in the final quarter this year. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951544-tnsc-sees-2016-exports-flatten-to-08-down/

 

Google Chrome on Windows to get a MAJOR speed boost

BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD

 

 

Great news for users of Google Chrome on Windows – your favourite web browser is about to get a handy speed boost.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/google-chrome-on-windows-to-get-a-major-speed-boost/18306/

Poll: Does Phuket need more virgin beaches?

The Phuket News

 

Sun loungers on Karon Beach. In their heyday, sun loungers were available on nearly every beach in Phuket. Photo: Brunner Hans Rudolf / Flickr

 

PHUKET: -- The new governor of Phuket, Chockchai Dejamornthan, last month stated that he plans to remove all “10 per cent zones” from Phuket’s beaches, thus leaving all sands along Phuket’s coast as “virgin beaches”.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951545-poll-does-phuket-need-more-virgin-beaches/

 

Horrifying fatal crash caught on camera after minivan is knocked off road by car undertaking on hard shoulder

BY DANIEL O'MAHONY

 

Video screenshot

 

One person was killed while the driver and two others passengers escaped injury in the crash in Thailand

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951546-horrifying-fatal-crash-caught-on-camera-after-minivan-is-knocked-off-road-in-thailand/

 

Ratchayothin Overpass to be Demolished Nov. 26

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter -

 

Cars pass under the Ratchayothin overpass on Phahonyothin Road with the iconic Elephant Building in the background. Image: Google

 

BANGKOK — One of Bangkok’s busiest traffic flyovers will be shut down later this month for demolition to make way for a new elevated rail line.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951547-ratchayothin-overpass-to-be-demolished-nov-26/

 

UPDATE:

 

Doubts over new controls on journalists at Govt House
By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION

 

 

VETERAN FREELANCE REPORTER BANNED FROM ENTERING SENSITIVE COMPOUND

 

BANGKOK: -- TIGHTER NEW measures to filter unregistered reporters on the Government House beat has cast doubts about whether it is really being done for security concerns alone.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951455-new-entry-rule-at-government-house-turns-away-old-time-journalist/?do=findComment&comment=11290160

 

New charter will go ahead as planned, PM says
By THE NATION

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during a weekly press briefing at the Government House

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951548-new-charter-will-go-ahead-as-planned-pm-prayut-says/

 

NLA speeds work on organic law to meet 60-day deadline
By Prapasri Osathanon 
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is speeding up its work on the four organic laws over concerns it may not finish its work in 60 days, as framed by the 2014 interim charter, said its whip spokesman Jate Siratharanon.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951549-nla-speeds-work-on-organic-law-to-meet-60-day-deadline/

 

Thai mission forging strong ties in the UN with the ‘Thaiphoons’
By KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

Ambassador Samantha Power, left, and Ambassador Virachai Plasai after the eulogy tribute to the late King Bhumibol on October 29 at UN headquarter in New York

 

UNITED NATIONS: -- A SOCIAL MEDIA post by Thailand’s military adviser to the United Nation’s Thai Permanent Mission, demonstrating how “musical diplomacy” helped smooth relations between the Kingdom and the United States has won thousands of “likes” and been shared hundreds of times.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951550-thai-mission-forging-strong-ties-in-the-un-with-the-‘thaiphoons’/

 

Facebook to act on all govt requests on lese majeste
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Social media giant Facebook has informed the government that it will review all official requests concerning posted content that allegedly violates Thai law in accordance with company policy.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951551-facebook-to-act-on-all-govt-requests-on-lese-majeste/

 

Tourists respectful as Temple of the Emerald Buddha reopens
By JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG 
THE NATION

 

Tourists flock into the Temple of the Emerald Buddha inside the Grand Palace yesterday, as this was the first day they were allowed to visit the Temple since the distribution of tickets was suspended on October 14, after HM the King passed away. 

 

BANGKOK: -- WHEN Wat Phra Kaew – Temple of the Emerald Buddha – reopened its doors to tourists for the first time in weeks yesterday, most foreign visitors showed respect for Thai culture and an understanding of the mourning period for the beloved King Bhumibol.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951552-tourists-respectful-as-temple-of-the-emerald-buddha-reopens/

 

UPDATE:

 

Additional Bt20 billion rice boost ‘may not be enough’
By Wasamon Audjarint, 
Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation

 

Prayut says current measures should not be compared to past schemes

 

BANGKOK: -- WHILE WELCOMING the government’s decision to subsidise the rice trade by another Bt20 billion, paddy growers and analysts yesterday said the move might be too little and short-term to tackle problems in the entire system.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951492-thai-cabinet-nods-to-assistance-measures-for-rice-farmers/?do=findComment&comment=11290192

 

Anti-corruption body calls for probe of general’s alleged abuse of authority in Ubon Ratchathani
By Natthapat Phromkaew, 
Jittraporn Senawong 
The Nation 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- ALLEGATIONS THAT Second Army Region deputy chief Maj-General Sonthaya Sricharoen abused his authority as 6th Infantry Division chief by deploying soldiers on private work projects should be investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Charoonsak Chantharamai, president of the Northeastern Anti-Corruption Organisation, said yesterday. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951553-anti-corruption-body-calls-for-probe-of-general’s-alleged-abuse-of-authority-in-ubon-ratchathani/

 

‘Forward Cabinet’ meets to resolve problems in southern border provinces
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE 13-MEMBER “Forward Cabinet” will today meet with the heads of state agencies and private sector representatives to gather inputs for the “Triangle of Stability, Prosperity, and Sustainability” development project.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951554-forward-cabinet-meets-to-resolve-problems-in-southern-border-provinces/

 

Rice crisis back to haunt junta
By The Nation

 

The current govt has failed to learn lessons from disastrous short-term, politically motivated policies of its predecessors

 

BANGKOK: -- The government has launched a plan to help out rice farmers with Bt35.9 billion in “soft” loans at a lowly 3 per cent interest.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951555-thai-editorial-rice-crisis-back-to-haunt-govt/

 

Govt determined 'cautiously' to push electric vehicle industry
By   PICHAYA CHANGSORN 
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- A SENIOR BOARD of Investment official yesterday reaffirmed the government’s intention to develop an electric-vehicle (EV) industry in Thailand, though Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday asked involved authorities to move forward cautiously to protect the existing automobile industry.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951556-thai-govt-determined-cautiously to-push-electric-vehicle-industry/

 

Trade on agenda for first UK visit by Colombian president

 

 

LONDON: -- Trade is on the agenda for the first ever state visit by a Colombian president to the UK.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951558-trade-on-agenda-for-first-uk-visit-by-colombian-president/

 

Activist’s allegations of torture by Russian prison guards spark Moscow protest

 

 

MOSCOW: -- Russian opposition activist Ildar Dadin claims he is being beaten, repeatedly tortured and threatened with rape and murder in Karelia penal colony in the northwest of the country.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951559-activist’s-allegations-of-torture-by-russian-prison-guards-spark-moscow-protest/

 

Desperate measures for Syrians trying to reach refugee camps

Seamus Kearney

 

 

Stuck in a sand storm, with no obvious solution of where to go

 

PARIS: -- Syrian refugees are reportedly crossing the border into Iraq with the help of smugglers, attempting to join Iraqi refugees fleeing fighting in Mosul.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951560-desperate-measures-for-syrians-trying-to-reach-refugee-camps/

 

The bikers who caused Halloween havoc in the UK

 

 

LEEDS: -- Amateur video footage shows a gang of bikers causing Halloween chaos in Leeds in the UK and speeding away from the police.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951563-watch-the-bikers-who-caused-halloween-havoc-in-the-uk/

 

Emails, polls and why Trump is no Republican: our correspondent’s view

 

 

Euronews’ Mark Davis spoke to Washington correspondent Stefan Grobe about the latest in the USA election campaign

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951564-emails-polls-and-why-trump-is-no-republican-our-correspondent’s-view/

 

James Comey: The do-the-right-thing guy in email maelstrom

By NANCY BENAC and ERIC TUCKER

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director James Comey once called it a crucial leadership test: Anticipating whether a decision makes sense "through the eyes of others."

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951566-james-comey-the-do-the-right-thing-guy-in-email-maelstrom/

 

Clinton, Trump warn of dire consequences if rival wins

By JULIE PACE and JONATHAN LEMIRE

 

DADE CITY, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump could draw the United States into nuclear war, Hillary Clinton warns. Clinton would plunge the country into a constitutional crisis, he says.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/951567-clinton-trump-warn-of-dire-consequences-if-rival-wins/