THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 18 Nov 2019

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Chartered bus gutted in fire - all 50 passengers safe

 

 

Police and the fire brigade were called to the Asia Highway in Chainat in central Thailand when fire broke out on a double-decker tour bus that was heading back home from a wedding on Sunday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134473-chartered-bus-gutted-in-fire-all-50-passengers-safe/

 

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North Korea's Kim Jong Un supervises air drills while U.S. and South Korea postpone drills - KCNA

 

FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects Yangdok Hot Spring Resort in this undated picture released by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on November 14, 2019. KCNA via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean media reported on Monday that leader Kim Jong Un supervised air force drills for the second time in three days, even as the United States and South Korea decided to postpone their joint air drills to ease denuclearisation talks with North Korea.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134474-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-supervises-air-drills-while-us-and-south-korea-postpone-drills-kcna/

 

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More than 30 dolphins sighted at Khao Lak Island, Phang Nga

By THE NATION

 

 

Nattaphong Nilswit, dive master at Sea Bees Diving Khao Lak, said on Sunday (November 17) that his group of divers had been lucky enough to witness more than 30 dolphins swimming around their boat as it passed Rua Jom Boon Soong diving point in Takua Pa District, Phang Nga province. The group was on its way back from a dive at Similan and Surin Islands.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134476-more-than-30-dolphins-sighted-at-khao-lak-island-phang-nga/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thailand Will Soon Allow Its Citizens To Grow Cannabis At Home To Sell To The Government.

Sara Brittany Somerset

 

FILE photo

 

Thailand is ramping up medical marijuana legalization efforts that will soon allow all Thais to cultivate six cannabis plants in their homes and sell their home-grown harvest to the government, to turn into medical marijuana.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1133958-thailand-says-it’s-seeking-to-freely-allow-medical-marijuana/?do=findComment&comment=14775727

 

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Video: Gas station hero but woman says she didn't want to be rescued!

 

Thai caption: Pump attendant to the rescue

 

A gas station attendant in Khon Kaen was hailed as a hero - but the woman he saved from being run over said she didn't want to be helped. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134478-video-gas-station-hero-but-woman-says-she-didnt-want-to-be-rescued/

 

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Chonburi: Monkey dead with its head in a plastic bag

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

A visitor to the area of Khao Sammuk in Chonburi found a money floating in the sea with its head inside a plastic bag. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134485-chonburi-monkey-dead-with-its-head-in-a-plastic-bag/

 

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Koh Samui: Berserk Russian arrested after swimming butt naked onto luxury yacht

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

An out of control Russian national was taken into custody after swimming naked onto a yacht at the Seatran ferry terminal in Bang Rak Bay on Koh Samui on Sunday evening. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134487-koh-samui-berserk-russian-arrested-after-swimming-butt-naked-onto-luxury-yacht/

 

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Pattaya: Snatch thieves on the rampage - Russian woman attending to child is latest victim

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

77kaoded said in their headline that snatch thieves were on the rampage in Pattaya after a Russian woman was robbed. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134492-pattaya-snatch-thieves-on-the-rampage-russian-woman-attending-to-child-is-latest-victim/

 

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Hua Hin: Preserving heritage of the old station for 3 million visitors annually

 

Picture: Talk News Online

 

Talk News Online reported that the retired station master of the iconic Hua Hin railway station has been instrumental in preserving its heritage. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134494-hua-hin-preserving-heritage-of-the-old-station-for-3-million-visitors-annually/

 

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Thailand tourism boom! Tourists flocking to Mae Hong Son

 

Thai caption: Foreign tourists flocking to the caves

 

Chiang Mai News reported that tourists were once again flocking to tourist attractions in the northern Thai province of Mae Hong Son. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134498-thailand-tourism-boom-tourists-flocking-to-mae-hong-son/

 

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Travel fears: What worries Brits the most

I'm surprised that terrorism and racism don't rank more highly

David Buckley

 

The scene at Singapore Airport one of the best I have visited. I regarded the prices in the city as a rip-off, but I guess if you work there and have a commensurate salary, it's not so bad. More than a tenner for a pint is my recollection. Photo by Adrian Agawin from Pexels

 

With the Christmas holidays imminent, many people are preparing for festive breaks and summer escapes to far flung lands. But, one glance at the news is enough to fill anyone with “travel fears” as headlines range from ‘Christmas travel chaos for millions’ to ‘these five mistakes could blow your holiday travel budget.’

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134500-travel-fears-what-worries-brits-the-most/

 

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Hua Hin: Fleeing murderer arrested on train after he stabbed work colleague near Bangkok

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Railway Police arrested a 19 year old Thai man at Hua Hin railway station after he stabbed a 23 year old work colleague at the weekend in Phrapradaeng south of Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134502-hua-hin-fleeing-murderer-arrested-on-train-after-he-stabbed-work-colleague-near-bangkok/

 

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Tertiary education must adapt if graduates are to find work

By The Nation

 

 

Anusorn Tamajai, Director of Economic and Business Research Center - Institute of Economics, Rangsit University, said on Monday that the unemployment rate was the highest in ten years, which is line with the latest capacity utilization rate of 64.7 per cent, the lowest in 94 months, but that the number included those who had opted for early retirement.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134503-tertiary-education-must-adapt-if-graduates-are-to-find-work/

 

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UK Conservatives: No more preferential treatment for EU migrants after Brexit

 

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the University of Bolton after a large fire broke out at a student accommodation on Friday night, in Bolton, Britain, November 16, 2019. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives said on Sunday they would end preferential treatment for European Union migrants from January 2021 if they win an election next month.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134507-uk-conservatives-no-more-preferential-treatment-for-eu-migrants-after-brexit/

 

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DSI to ask court to revoke Chaiwat’s bail or ban him from talking to the media

 

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is to ask the Criminal Court for Corruption Cases to revoke the bail granted to former Kaeng Krachan national park chief Chaiwat Limlikhit-akson and the three other suspects, or to set a new bail condition.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134508-dsi-to-ask-court-to-revoke-chaiwat’s-bail-or-ban-him-from-talking-to-the-media/

 

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Karaoke bar owner found hanged, partner blames debt

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Rescue workers cut down the electrical cord. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: The body of a 46-year-old owner of a karaoke bar in Srisoonthorn was found hanged in the venue’s kitchen last night (Nov 17). Her male partner has blamed ongoing debt troubles as the motivation for the apparent suicide, but police are continuing their investigation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134522-karaoke-bar-owner-found-hanged-partner-blames-debt/

 

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Drug raids net eight suspects

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

 

PHUKET: Phuket Provincial Police have arrested eight suspects in drug raids, including one man armed with a 9mm handgun and two people arrested at Chalong Municipality staff accommodation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134526-drug-raids-net-eight-suspects/

 

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Thai economic growth remains fragile as GDP expands just 2.4 per cent

By The Nation

 

Thai economic growth remains fragile.

 

The National Economic and Social Development Council today (November 18) reported that gross domestic product expanded by 2.4 per cent, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to a rise of 2.3 per cent in the second quarter, driven mainly by increases in private and government final consumption expenditure and investment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134527-thai-economic-growth-remains-fragile-as-gdp-expands-just-24-per-cent/

 

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Large leatherback turtle lays eggs on Thai Mueang Beach

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

The turtle laid 104 eggs, of which 85 were were believed to be fertile and taken into care for hatching. Photo: DMCR

 

PHUKET: A leatherback sea turtle measuring nearly two metres long was found laying eggs on Thai Mueang Beach, north of Phuket in Phang Nga province,

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134533-large-leatherback-turtle-lays-eggs-on-thai-mueang-beach/

 

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Krabi much in demand by international air carriers

By The Nation

 

 

The Department of Airports said last week that several international airlines have requested permission for new flight routes as well as to increase their flights to Krabi International Airport.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134539-krabi-much-in-demand-by-international-air-carriers/

 

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Central bank insists LTV measure helps regulate property prices

By THE NATION

 

 

Applications for property loans in the third quarter witnessed a rise, which has led to the conclusion that the Bank of Thailand’s loan to value (LTV) ratio, which came into effect in April, does not prevent people from buying their first home, BOT assistant governor of financial institutions stability Ronnadol Numnonda said on Monday (November 18).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134553-central-bank-insists-ltv-measure-helps-regulate-property-prices/

 

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Karon residents receive financial assistance for last month’s floods in Phuket

By The Thaiger

 

PHOTO: siangtai.com

 

Following the unexpected localised floods around Phuket on October 31, particularly around the Karon area, affecting 400 houses, a group of government officials, local businesses and monks pooled their resources to help the victims.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134555-karon-residents-receive-financial-assistance-for-last-month’s-floods-in-phuket/

 

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PM stresses legitimacy for using Social Security funds as loans

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - A recent proposal from the Prime Minister has been in focus after he ordered related agencies to study the feasibility of using Social Security funds as loans for investment. The Prime Minister has stressed that this idea must me thoroughly considered and comply with the law.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134558-pm-prayut-stresses-legitimacy-for-using-social-security-funds-as-loans/

 

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Bangkok lights up Bang Rak, and Red Cross Fair

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Some 40 illuminations and artworks have been installed in Bang Rak and Charoenkrung neighborhoods of Bangkok by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Time Out Bangkok magazine, attracting locals and visitors to come out and take photos at night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134559-bangkok-lights-up-bang-rak-and-red-cross-fair/

 

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China calls on U.S. to 'stop flexing muscles' in South China Sea

By Phil Stewart

 

FILE PHOTO: China's Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe reviews the honor guard before meeting with Brazil's Defence Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva (not pictured) in Brasilia, Brazil September 6, 2018. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - China on Monday called on the U.S. military to stop flexing its muscles in the South China Sea and to avoid adding "new uncertainties" over Taiwan, during high-level talks that underscored tension between the world's two largest economies.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134561-china-calls-on-us-to-stop-flexing-muscles-in-south-china-sea/

 

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Automation scares those with fewer opportunities for upskilling: survey

By THE NATION

 

Vilaiporn Taweelappontong, Consulting Lead Partner at PwC Thailand

 

People given fewer opportunities to learn new digital skills are more fearful of the impact of automation, and are more likely to have lower levels of education, according to research conducted by PwC research covering more than 22,000 adults across 11 countries and building on PwC’s economic analysis on the impact of automation on jobs.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134566-automation-scares-those-with-fewer-opportunities-for-upskilling-survey/

 

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First frost of the year appears on Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai

By THE NATION

 

 

The first frost of the year was seen this morning (November 18) on Inthanon Mountain in Chiang Mai’s Jomthong district where the overnight temperature plummeted to 4°C, signaling that, in the North at least, winter is officially here.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134567-first-frost-of-the-year-appears-on-doi-inthanon-chiang-mai/

 

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Thai central bank chief says 'very worried' about strength of baht

 

FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Central Bank Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob poses during an interview with Reuters at the Bank of Thailand headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, April 1, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The strength of Thailand's baht is a concern for the trade-reliant economy which is expected lag the central bank's growth forecast for this year, the Bank of Thailand governor said on Monday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134582-thai-central-bank-chief-says-very-worried-about-strength-of-baht/

 

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Thai banks target loan growth of 3-5% this year - central bank

 

FILE PHOTO: Thai baht notes are seen at a Kasikornbank in Bangkok, Thailand, May 12, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Commercial banks are aiming for loan growth of 3-5% this year, with lending seen picking up in the final quarter, a senior director at the Bank of Thailand said on Monday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134583-thai-banks-target-loan-growth-of-3-5-this-year-central-bank/

 

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No asset bubble in Thailand, says state think-tank

By THE NATION

 

Danucha Pichayanan

 

World Economic Forum (WEF), in coordination with Marsh & McLennan Companies and Zurich Insurance Group, has compiled "Regional Risks for Doing Business reports (2018-2019)", with the latest one up for discussions at the WEF annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland in January 2020, said Danucha Pichayanan, deputy secretary general of Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDS).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1134584-no-asset-bubble-in-thailand-says-state-think-tank/