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[halfway inn]

COUNTERFEIT US DOLLAR BILLS

Police sting nets near-perfect counterfeit dollars





A Thai team trading in some of the finest counterfeit currency ever found, has been arrested.

Boonpat Kijpaisan, 52, and Issarachan Sukkasem, 48, and two other members of their group were caught in a sting near at a hotel in Bagkhen district, consumer protection police officials said.

The four were arrested with 280 USD 100 bills – equivalent to nearly THB 1 million – which undercover police officers had offered to buy for THB440,000.

According to US Embassy, these fake bills can pass counterfeit bill detectors at banks and are the second-best bogus bills ever seized.

Police said Issarachan admitted to buying the fake dollars from another source for THB1,000 per bill, and that they are commonly traded in Sa Kaew, Sisaket, Surin and Nong Khai provinces.

He said it was his first time trading counterfeit money, and he didn’t know who forged the notes.

Authorities suspect the counterfeit bills were printed in a neighboring country, Manager reported.



Coconuts Bangkok (April 23, 2014)

[halfway inn]

WEATHER

Storms hit the capital



BANGKOK: 29-04-2014

Storms hit several areas in Bangkok yesterday, felling advertising signs and damaging more than 30 homes and 10 vehicles in Bang Khen district.

In Kalasin, more than 150 homes were damaged by storms and three hours of non-stop rain, while nine homes in Buri Ram were swept away and 61 others damaged by storms.

The National Disaster Warning Centre yesterday issued warnings about possible rainstorms and torrential rain by tomorrow in several regions, with the exception of the South.


the nation (29-04-2014)

[thailandgr]

Bangkok's Best 29 Restaurants to Get Breakfast

[halfway inn]

TRAVEL WARNING

Travel Warnings issued by 50 countries.

BANGKOK: 11 April 2014 (NNT)

Political Conflict Warning

Fifty countries around the world have issued warnings, informing their nationals about the ongoing political conflict in Thailand.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 50 out of 68 countries surveyed have notified their citizens of the ongoing protests in and outside Bangkok following the Constitutional Court's ruling to remove Ms Yingluck Shinawatra from her office on charges in connection with the transfer of former National Security Council (NSC) chief Thawil Pliensri, prompting both pro- and anti-government protesters to take to the street.

The fifty countries include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Lithuania, Norway, Romania, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, Slovak, Russia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Czech, Turkey, Israel, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Laos.

Earthquake Warning

Furthermore, some nations have also issued warnings about the 6.3 magnitude quake and aftershocks that jolted Thailand's northern region early this week, calling on their citizens to be extremely cautious when traveling in that particular area. These countries are the United States, Canada, UK, France and Italy.


NNT (National News Bureau of Thailand, 11-05-2014)

[halfway inn]

TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION SCHEME

Crackdown banning 'walk-in visa runs' to begin August 13


Foreigners who have completed even one 'visa run' in order to re-enter the country on visa-exemption status will see their passports stamped 'O-I.
 

Foreigners will be allowed to continue to re-enter Thailand on three consecutive “walk-in” visas until August 12, Ranong Immigration Superintendent Ekkorn Bussababordin assured the Phuket Gazette today.
 
The news follows the appearance of a formal notice posted on Bangkok Immigration’s website on May 8 stating that any persons who exit Thailand after completing a stay in the Kingdom on tourist-visa exemption status are to be refused re-entry to Thailand.
 
The order, (posted in Thai) states that the new rule is to come into effect at all immigration checkpoints – including airports – after August 12.
 
“We will continue to allow foreigners to enter Thailand on visa exemption status, but only if they have not done so three times before,” Col Ekkorn told the Gazette.
 
After completing three consecutive stays on visa exemption status, foreigners must obtain a visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or consulate to be able to re-enter Thailand, he said.
 
“However, from August 13, our officers will refuse any foreigners attempting to re-enter Thailand if they have just completed a visa-exemption stay,” Col Ekkorn said.
 
Foreigners refused entry at the Ranong Immigration checkpoint risk stranding themselves in Myanmar, an officer at Ranong Immigration told the Gazette last week, as there is no Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in Kauthaung, the town across the Kraburi Strait from Ranong.
 
The notice posted last Thursday explained that any foreigner who completed even one “visa run” in order to re-enter the country on visa-exemption status was to have his passport stamped “O-I”, indicting they had already been “out and in” from/to Thailand.
 
Any foreigner attempting to re-enter Thailand after August 12 with a passport stamped “O-I” is to be refused re-entry, the notice warned.
 
The notice also explained that Immigration officials were targeting specific nationalities “such as Koreans”.
 
Only in special cases will people be permitted to re-enter Thailand on consecutive trips on visa-exemption status, the notice read.
 
Immigration officers seeking clarification on the new rule are to contact Immigration Bureau Deputy Commissioners Maj Gen Natthorn Prosunthorn or Maj Gen Chissanu Yuktatat.
 
No contact details for the generals were provided in the notice.
 
However, the Gazette notes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), which is the Royal Thai Government administrative division responsible for issuing visas, does not clarify the number of visa-exemption entries a person may make.
 
The MFA currently states on its website:
 
“Nationals of the United States of America and 41 other countries are eligible to travel to Thailand, for tourism purpose, with the exemption of visa and are permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30 days. Therefore, you do not need a visa.
 
“However, please make sure that you are in possession of a passport valid for at least six months, a round-trip air ticket, and adequate finances equivalent to at least 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 baht per family. Otherwise, you may be inconvenienced upon entry into the country.
 
“Furthermore, foreigners who enter the Kingdom under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry.”
 




Phuket Gazette (12-05-2014)

[halfway inn]

AIR ASIA + INTERPOL

14 May 2014

AirAsia to do Interpol checks

BUDGET airline AirAsia says it will become the first carrier to check its passengers' passports against Interpol's database of stolen and lost travel documents. 
 
The Kuala Lumpur-based airline said on Tuesday it will begin implementing the screening this month as part of its effort to enhance aviation security in the aftermath of the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines jet on March 8.

The Interpol database had previously been available only to government immigration authorities.

Interpol's I-Checkit system will be deployed across all of AirAsia's international operations, covering 600 flights daily.

Attempts to solve the mystery of what happened to the missing Malaysia Airlines plane with 239 people on board revealed that two of its passengers had travelled with stolen passports.

The Austrian and Italian passports used were on Interpol's database as having been stolen in Thailand.

Ronald Noble, Interpol secretary general, said the decision of AirAsia to screen its passengers using the Interpol database "will raise the bar across the industry for passenger safety and security".

"After today, airlines will no longer have to depend solely on countries screening passports to keep passengers safe from terrorists and other criminals who use stolen passports to board flights," he said.

At present, fewer than 10 countries systematically screen passenger passports against the Interpol database.

[halfway inn]

SIMILAN & SURIN ISLANDS

Similan, Surin islands shut to tourists



16 May 2014   

PHANGNGA: The Similan and Surin groups of islands will be closed to tourists until Oct 15 to allow natural rehabilitation, said Similan Islands National Park chief Nat Kongkesorn.

He said touring activities will be suspended and accommodation on the island closed during the period, which also marks the monsoon season.

Mr. Nat warned tourism operators who defy the ban that they could be punished with a jail term and/or a fine and could have their license revoked.


Bangkok Post

[halfway inn]

Bangkok Roads affected by troop deployments

BANGKOK: 20 May 2014

Following the declaration of martial law, troops have been deployed to main several Bangkok streets to prevent violence as following:

- Inbound Don Mueng-Din Daeng Tollway. Troops are stationed near the Royal Thai Police Club and the exit near Din Daeng Intersection.
   Vehicles can pass through the checkpoints slowly.

- Inbound Bang Na-Trat highway. The traffic is partially closed at the Bang Na Intersection.
   Vehicles cannot make a right turn to Sukhumvit Road but they can drive ahead to Sanphawut Road and use a flyover to Sukhumvit Road.
   The Bang Na gate of the expressway is also closed. Only passenger buses and vans are allowed to use the expressway gate.

- Inbound New Ramkhamhaeng Road. Troops are stationed under Eastern Ring Road Intersection. Only one lane is passable.

- Inboudn Rama II Road. Troops are stationed on Soi 80. The main road is closed. Motorists must use the frontage road.

- Buddha Monthon 4 and Liabklong Thaweewattana Road. Troops close the traffic. Vehicles are not allowed to use the two roads.

- Outbound Rajdamri Road. The traffic is closed from Saladaeng Intersection to Ratchaprasong Intersection.
   All lanes are closed until the spot under the BTS Rajdamri.
   All vehicles must make U-turn. The other side of the road is passable.

- Outbound Ratanathibet Road. The frontage road in front of the Thai Com station is closed.

  The Jor Por Ror Intersection is closed to traffic. Vehicles from Rama VIII Bridge must use the Ratchasima Road to head to the Wisutthikasat Intersection.

[Oytopikos]

Official update from the Tourism Authority of Thailand



May 20, 2014

The London office for the Tourism Authority of Thailand updated travelers about the situation in Thailand after military authorities in the Kingdom imposed Marshall law effective since 03:00 (ICT) today, The Royal Thai Army have declared martial law that covers the whole of Thailand.

According to the army’s statement, this is not a coup. The martial law has been put in place to restore and maintain peace and order for all Thai people. In the announcement, the army told the public there is no need to panic and to continue with daily life as normal.

As of today, the situation remains unchanged in the city except for the presence of soldiers on the streets, simply to maintain peace and ensure order is kept at the protest sites. The situation at the rally sites of both anti- and pro-government groups in Bangkok remains calm.

The implementation of martial law has had no affect on transport and tourism attractions across the country. All public transport and tourist attractions, including airports, tourist sites and shopping malls, are currently open and operating as normal.

There is currently no curfew in place in Bangkok or at any other tourist destination in Thailand. Local residents and international visitors can continue to travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the country as usual.

No travel restrictions have been put in place by the FCO, their advice is to allow more time to travel to Bangkok airports in case of traffic disruptions.

The anti-government groups’ rally sites continue to be situated at:

Government House at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
Chamai Maruchet Bridge on Phitsanulok Road
Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road
Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue (a camping site)
The pro-government group’s rally site is on Aksa Road in Bangkok’s western outskirts
Tourists visiting the kingdom are advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches, as well as areas where crowds may gather.

General Travel & Tourism Advice

Despite traffic disruptions on certain roads in Bangkok due to the current political demonstrations, life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as usual. However, tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches, as well as areas where crowds may gather. This is because there may be traffic disruptions or delays and thus causing inconvenience.

Air passengers with flights departing out of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports are advised to allocate at least 3-4 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time.

Bangkok is a large city and so it is possible for local residents and international visitors to avoid the demonstration sites and rally routes. Traffic in the most parts of Bangkok is moving normally as almost all roads and expressways are not affected by the demonstrations.

All major tourist attractions in the Thai capital, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn, are open normally. Tourists can visit all attractions using the usual means of transport, including buses, vans and car transfers by tour companies, taxis, the Skytrain, the subway or the boat and ferry service.

Businesses, including banks, petrol and gas stations, hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, pharmacies, hospitals and the like are open and operating as per normal. Telephone both landline and mobile and Internet services are available 24/7 as per normal.

All airports in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal.
Tourists with flights arriving in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang International Airports) and wish to see Thailand’s wealth of cultural and natural attractions outside of the Thai capital are recommended to make use of the many daily domestic flights, as well as bus and car transfers, to get to other popular destinations, such as, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Khon Kaen and Sukhothai.


http://www.eturbonews.com/45993/official-update-tourism-authority-thailand-marshall-law-rules

[thailandgr]

This Advice was last issued on Tuesday, 20 May 2014.   
It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil unrest/Political tension (on 20 May 2014, the Army chief declared martial law across Thailand. Australians in Thailand may see an increased presence of security forces in some locations.
You should be aware that under martial law military authorities have wide powers, including to suspend laws, restrict movement and impose curfews and other security measures. You should monitor the media for information on restrictions and possible disruption to transport and other services.
You should follow the instructions of local authorities and avoid all demonstrations, protest sites, political events and large-scale public gatherings).
We advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand overall due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack.

More at : http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

[thailandgr]

Bangkok International Airport Departure Ask for travel time to the airport for those without.
Substances to travel by flights from 22.00 - 05.00 am to waiting at the Bangkok International Airport Terminal 1 CIP 1-7.
This will open a 24 Hour Service inquiry. Contact the Coordination Center
02-5353861

[cameranek]

http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Army-announces-Phuket-curfew/29519#ad-image-0

[thailandgr]

Flash Update: – Thailand Political Developments

Issued at Bangkok at 19.00 hrs. (GMT+7) on 22 May 2014

At 17.00 hours today, Thai military has taken control of the country to prevent further loss of life and prevent the conflict from further escalating. The move came after talks between representatives of opposing sides and top officials failed to reach a common ground, according to local media reports.

A nationwide curfew has been announced from 22.00 – 05.00 hours with effective from today, and martial law to remain in effect until further notice, army announced.

Businesses and public services are adjusting their operating hours to comply with the curfew.

All airports in Thailand remain open, and air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during the curfew can travel to and from the airports at any time as usual. However, Tourists with arrival and departure flights during the curfew are advised to prepare all travel documents when travelling to and from the airports.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is closely monitoring the situation, and will be providing more updates as soon as there are further developments.

In the meantime, tourists can contact the following numbers for information and assistance:

TAT Call Centre 1672

Tourist Police Call Centre 1155

Traffic Police Call Centre 1197

BMTA (city bus and van service) Call Centre 1348

BTS Hotline +66 (0) 2617 6000

MRT Customer Relations Center +66 (0) 2624 5200

SRT (train service) Call Centre 1690

Transport Co., Ltd., (inter-provincial bus service) Call Centre 1490

AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Call Centre 1722

Suvarnabhumi Airport Operation Centre (temporary) +66 (0) 2132 9950 or 2

Don Mueang Airport Call Centre +66 (0) 2535 3861, (0) 2535 3863

Thai Airways International Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111

Bangkok Airways Call Centre 1771

Nok Air Call Centre 1318

Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999

- See more at: http://www.tatnews.org/flash-update-thailand-political-developments/#sthash.PH4phebt.dpuf

[Oytopikos]

Situation Update: Thailand Political Developments

Issued at Bangkok at 14.00 hrs. (GMT+7) on 23 May 2014

According to the coup’s leader, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the coup would help restore normalcy and national unity, ensure reform of political, economic and social institutions, and ensure legitimacy to all sides.

A nationwide curfew has been imposed from 22.00 – 05.00 hours with effective from yesterday, and martial law to remain in effect until further notice as announced by the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC).

Businesses, public services and transport services throughout Thailand are operating, but have adjusted operating hours to comply with the curfew.

The NPOMC offers leniency to all air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew, allowing them to travel to and from the airports at any time as usual. The following measures are advised for travellers travelling to Bangkok and the immediate vicinity:

    Individual travellers are advised to keep their passports and other travel documents on their person at all times, in case they are required for inspection by the security authorities.
    Group travellers on tour coaches will be taken care of by their respective tour leaders when passing through any security checkpoint.
    Taxi services at the Suvarnabhumi Airport are available 24 hours.  These taxis have the Suvarnabhumi Airport stickers displayed on the front windscreen. Security checkpoint officers will allow access for these vehicles.
    Survarnabhumi Airport Call Center Tel: 1722 is ready for assistance if tourists need more information.

Tourists can continue to apply for visa as usual as the NPOMC has called for civil servants at all ministries and government agencies to carry on with their normal duties.

TAT will continue to monitor the situation, and will be providing more updates as soon as there are further developments.

In the meantime, tourists can contact the following numbers for information and assistance:

TAT Call Centre 1672

Tourist Police Call Centre 1155

Traffic Police Call Centre 1197

BMTA (city bus and van service) Call Centre 1348

BTS Hotline +66 (0) 2617 6000

MRT Customer Relations Center +66 (0) 2624 5200

SRT (train service) Call Centre 1690

Transport Co., Ltd., (inter-provincial bus service) Call Centre 1490

AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Call Centre 1722

Don Mueang Airport Call Centre +66 (0) 2535 3861, (0) 2535 3863

Thai Airways International Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111

Bangkok Airways Call Centre 1771

Nok Air Call Centre 1318

Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999



- See more at: http://www.tatnews.org/military-coup-transport-business-still-open/#sthash.LXTgS9Vx.dpuf

[thailandgr]