Italian on the run nabbed in Thailand

The Standard - Thursday 23rd May, 2013

An Italian who is suspcted to have defrauded millions of dollars from Italian financial institutions and other crimes, has been arrested by police in Thailand. Media reports said today Stefano Raccaqni, 38, (pictured) was arrested on Tuesday in Chiang Mai, 600 kilometres north of Bangkok, on a request from Italy via Interpol. He faces charges of defrauding Italian banks and finance companies ...

Japan stocks plummet 7 per cent

The Nation - Thursday 23rd May, 2013

Tokyo -- Japanese stocks fell 7 per cent Thursday on an unexpected drop in a Chinese business confidence index, and a strengthening of the yen. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 1,143.28 points, or 7.32 per cent, to end at 14,483.98, while the broader-based Topix index was down 87.69 points, or 6.87 per cent, at 1,188.34. An unexpectedly weak index of purchasing managers' ...

Thai police arrest suspected Italian fraudster on Interpol request

The Nation - Thursday 23rd May, 2013

Thai police have arrested an Italian national on suspicion of defrauding millions of dollars from Italian financial institutions and other crimes, police said Thursday. Stefano Raccaqni, 38, was arrested on Tuesday in Chiang Mai, 600 kilometres north of Bangkok, on a request from Italy via Interpol. He faces charges of defrauding Italian banks and finance companies of more than 8.6 million ...

Thai stocks fall to two-week low before long weekend

Reuters - Thursday 23rd May, 2013

BANGKOK, May 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's main SET index was down 1.6 percent at midday, underperforming others in Southeast Asia, as investors cashed in on recently rallying shares ahead of a three-day weekend and the central bank's policy rate review next week. Sentiment was broadly weak on worries in Asia about a reduction in U.S. monetary stimulus. Local brokers said the Thai stock ...

Phuket house construction workers dies in fall

Phuket Gazette - Thursday 23rd May, 2013

PHUKET: A Phuket construction worker died yesterday after falling from scaffolding at a house being built in Thalang.Thalang Police were called to the site, in Soi Lak Maung in Baan Muang Mai, at about 10:30am.At the scene they found Manit Mongkhon, 42, from Nan Province in Northern Thailand, dead from a fatal head injury.Coworkers Sataphon Phaojumroon, 49, and Manoo Kumsorn, 65, told police Mr ...

Thai Bank of Ayudhya denies report of MUFG offer for stake

Reuters - Thursday 23rd May, 2013

BANGKOK | Thu May 23, 2013 1:43am EDT BANGKOK May 23 (Reuters) - Bank of Ayudhya Pcl, Thailand's fifth-largest lender, denied a newspaper report that Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) had offered to buy General Electric's stake in it for 40 baht per share. "The news is groundless," President Philip Tan told reporters on Thursday. Thai-language Khao Hoon ...

Phuket shop owners urge mayor to reverse parking ban

Phuket Gazette - Thursday 23rd May, 2013

The shop owners say the no parking zone in front of their shops, located opposite Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, is hurting their livelihoods. Photo: Kritsada ...

South Thailands blackout not a reason to build plants

Asia News Network - Thursday 23rd May, 2013

An academic yesterday warned the government against trying to use the recent power blackout in the South as an excuse to push ahead with the construction of more power plants. Several current power-plant projects face opposition from locals. "Various agencies have now given conflicting information, especially in regard to power demand in the South," assistant professor Prasart Meetam ...

Chinese arrested for illegally selling souvenirs at Phuket temple

Phuket Gazette - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

PHUKET: Nine Chinese were arrested on Tuesday for illegally selling amulets and souvenirs at Wat Kathu, one of the oldest temples on the island.Phuket Immigration Office Superintendent Pol Col Sanchai Chokhayaikij led officers to the revered site at about 4:30pm, where they found the Chinese nationals actively selling amulets and souvenirs to visitors at the temple ...

Ranger volunteer suspected insurgent killed in Narathiwat clash

The Nation - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Narathiwat - One suspected insurgent was killed and two others were arrested in a clash with rangers and volunteers late Wednesday night. A ranger volunteer, Yothin Promchuay, 23, was also killed during the clash at 11:30 pm in Ipayaet village in Tambon Juap in Joh I Rong district. The clash happened after 50 rangers and ranger volunteers were dispatched to check a house in the village after ...

Phuket Governor faces taxi doubleheader at Phuket International airport

Phuket Gazette - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut was met en masse late yesterday by the drivers of a second taxi company after having already been dragged to Phuket International Airport due to an all-night vigil held by the illegal taxi drivers of Mook Andaman co-operative outside his official residence Tuesday night ...

Lion Air plans Thai subsidiary

Travel Blackboard - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Indonesia’s low-cost airline, Lion Air, has made a move into Thailand’s aviation market, with plans to launch a new Thai subsidiary. Although plans for Thai Lion Air first came into light six years ago, Thailand’s Civil Aviation Department confirmed the plans this week, but stressed the airline is yet to submit an application for an air operator’s certificate. ...

Thai police say they know identities of Central World arson suspects

Asia News Network - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Police are gathering evidence in support of arrest warrants for two suspected arsonists and six alleged accomplices in relation to the Central World Mall fire during the 2010 riots. Following a meeting yesterday to discuss the progress of the Central World arson probe, Metropolitan Police chief Khamronwit Thoopkrajang said investigators had identified two suspected arsonists from photographs ...

Thawatchai Arunyik named next governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand

eTN - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thawatchai Arunyik, deputy governor for domestic marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has been selected as the TAT's next governor to replace Suraphon Svetasreni, whose contract with TAT will end on December 21. The decision to appoint Thawatchai to the top post at the state enterprise will not come as a surprise to the tourism industry, as he had been seen ...

Thailand tourism up from January to April

eTN - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a growth of 19.04% during January to April this year, according to Ministry of Tourism and Sports' data. Released late last week, the ministry's research registered 8,841,730 trips to the country during the first 4 months, up from 7,427,772 visits during the same period last year. In April alone, there were 2,013,012 trips, up 19.38% ...

Forbes Merkel Still Worlds Most Powerful Woman

Hispanic Business Magazine - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has maintained her position as the most powerful woman in the world, in a ranking published Wednesday by Forbes magazine. Merkel has held the number one position on the Forbes list of the 100 most powerful women in the world for the third year in a row. The 58-year-old chancellor has been a regular on the list since her first appearance in 2006, one year ...

National President of Skal meets with Thailand Director of Bhutans Tourism Council

eTN - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

BANGKOK, Thailand - Seen recently in Bangkok were Karma Lotey, Director of Bhutan's Tourism Council, President of the Association of Bhutan Tour Operators (ABTO) and CEO of Yangphel Travel, visiting friend Andrew Wood, National President of Skal International Thailand. Karma and Andrew discussed many topics during his visit to Andrew's home including the setting up of a Skal Club in ...

Thai army chief urges self-imposed curfew for teachers

West Australian - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's army chief on Wednesday urged teachers in the country's insurgency-racked south to stay at home after 6pm to avoid falling victim to militants as the new school year gets under way.Nearly 160 teachers and other school staff have been killed during a nine-year-old insurgency that has gripped Thailand's Muslim-majority deep south, bordering Malaysia.Recent ...

Thai Same-Sex Marriage Bill Not Without Controversy

VOA - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

BANGKOK, THAILAND -- As the debate on same-sex marriage continues in Western nations, including the United States, Thailand could become the first country in Asia to legalize gay marriage. Thailand is known for its liberal acceptance of sexuality, but the draft same-sex marriage law is not without controversy. This is a traditional Thai wedding, except there is no groom. There are two ...

Chicken mangosteen curry papaya salad soft-shell crabs–Thai cuisine reworked for the Filipino palate

Inquirer Lifestyle - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

CLASSIC Chicken Satay with peanut sauce and cucumber relish While researching on Thai cuisine in Bangkok, executive chef Cheryl Pineda observed that the locals liked to mix their viands and chicken with mangosteen. That inspired her to create her version of the chicken mangosteen curry. The extract of the mangosteen's purple rind is infused in the curry sauce. This gives the chicken ...

Pongsak says blackouts unavoidable incident

The Nation - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal Wednesday described Tuesday evening's blackouts in all 14 southern provinces as "an unavoidable incident" but he did not give long-term measures to prevent another power outage in the region. The plan to build more power plants in the region would continue as planned, the energy minister said. But he denied the power outage had anything to ...

PMs visit to Thailand to accelerate ties Indian envoy

Times of India - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

BANGKOK: India's accelerating ties with Thailand will get a further boost with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's brief but comprehensive visit here next week, but the long awaited FTA will not be initialled during the trip, Indian envoy to the country has said. "Thailand is keenly looking forward to this visit," Indian Ambassador to Thailand Anil Wadhwa said, adding ...