Hey buddy, sorry missed your post. I have no idea about this matter. Never made a suit here before. :p
-
IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand
- Thread starter Leongsam
- Start date
Hey buddy, sorry missed your post. I have no idea about this matter. Never made a suit here before. :p
You have to check out those road side stall. I used to patronize the stall exactly opposite Bangkok Dental Center. Just 20 baht to alter the length of my pants.
The Indian shops will not do the alteration because they don't even have a sewing machine in the shop. They just take measurements and fax them to the sweat shop in Rama IV.
Press criticism on self dishing reward bht3mil, before case concluded
Police reward was unnecessary and UNPROFESSIONAL
The Nation September 3, 2015 1:00 am http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opi...-unnecessary-and-UNPROFESSIONAL-30268004.html
UNSEEMLY HASTE IN GIVING BT3 MILLION TO THE OFFICERS INVESTIGATING THE ERAWAN SHRINE BOMBING WHEN THE PRIME SUSPECTS ARE STILL AT LARGE
The national police chief's decision to reward his own officers for doing their job in investigating the Erawan Shrine bombing has drawn criticism and ridicule both in Thailand and abroad. Online social networks are buzzing with scorn and editorial cartoonists have lampooned the "generous act".
General Somyot Poompanmuang announced on Monday that he would hand over the Bt3-million reward - offered for information leading to an arrest in connection with the August 17 attack - to the team of investigators that tracked down a suspect last Saturday. The police chief explained that the arrest resulted from "good police work" rather than outside tips.
"It was the ability of the Thai police that led to the arrest. This money should go to the officials who did their job," Somyot said at a press conference at Royal Thai Police headquarters. "One million comes from me and the other two million from my businessmen friends, who do not wish to be named," he added, displaying three thick wads of Bt1,000 notes on the podium in front of him.
The bombing put Thai police squarely in the global spotlight, and cautious praise greeted the first arrest last weekend. Yet this latest development was a shock for some foreign news media. "Thai police have given themselves the Bt3-million reward originally offered to the public," one international media outlet noted. "The move comes even though the chief suspect - a man in a yellow T-shirt seen on CCTV cameras dropping a black backpack at the shrine minutes before the explosion - is still at large."
It is sound business practice for managers to laud their subordinates when they perform well. In this case, however, rewarding them with huge cash bonuses seems excessive and unnecessary. A public acknowledgement and official recognition in the form of citations or medals would have been sufficient, particularly when the investigation is still in the early stages and no one has yet been specifically charged with carrying out the attack. With only two arrests made in connection with the bombing, there is a long way to go before this case can be closed.
Nor are we the first to warn that, in the first place, offering a large cash reward as an incentive to assisting in the investigation might well in fact foster haste and carelessness.
Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has separately offered a reward of Bt7 million, but he has shown more circumspection than the police chief. He has announced that his pledge will only be honoured when a government spokesman is able to "tell the world that the Thai authorities have arrested the gang responsible for the Ratchaprasong bombing".
Chief Somyot deserves a measure of praise for his public-spirited generosity in paying the reward from his own pocket, but it would have made more sense to wait until the central culprit, the mastermind behind this outrage, has been brought to justice.
It is duly noted that the multimillionaire police chief has less than a month left in office, limiting the time period in which he can show his appreciation for the work of the officers in his charge. He must by law retire at the end of this month, and the case is unlikely to be solved before then.
Police reward was unnecessary and UNPROFESSIONAL
The Nation September 3, 2015 1:00 am http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opi...-unnecessary-and-UNPROFESSIONAL-30268004.html
UNSEEMLY HASTE IN GIVING BT3 MILLION TO THE OFFICERS INVESTIGATING THE ERAWAN SHRINE BOMBING WHEN THE PRIME SUSPECTS ARE STILL AT LARGE
The national police chief's decision to reward his own officers for doing their job in investigating the Erawan Shrine bombing has drawn criticism and ridicule both in Thailand and abroad. Online social networks are buzzing with scorn and editorial cartoonists have lampooned the "generous act".
General Somyot Poompanmuang announced on Monday that he would hand over the Bt3-million reward - offered for information leading to an arrest in connection with the August 17 attack - to the team of investigators that tracked down a suspect last Saturday. The police chief explained that the arrest resulted from "good police work" rather than outside tips.
"It was the ability of the Thai police that led to the arrest. This money should go to the officials who did their job," Somyot said at a press conference at Royal Thai Police headquarters. "One million comes from me and the other two million from my businessmen friends, who do not wish to be named," he added, displaying three thick wads of Bt1,000 notes on the podium in front of him.
The bombing put Thai police squarely in the global spotlight, and cautious praise greeted the first arrest last weekend. Yet this latest development was a shock for some foreign news media. "Thai police have given themselves the Bt3-million reward originally offered to the public," one international media outlet noted. "The move comes even though the chief suspect - a man in a yellow T-shirt seen on CCTV cameras dropping a black backpack at the shrine minutes before the explosion - is still at large."
It is sound business practice for managers to laud their subordinates when they perform well. In this case, however, rewarding them with huge cash bonuses seems excessive and unnecessary. A public acknowledgement and official recognition in the form of citations or medals would have been sufficient, particularly when the investigation is still in the early stages and no one has yet been specifically charged with carrying out the attack. With only two arrests made in connection with the bombing, there is a long way to go before this case can be closed.
Nor are we the first to warn that, in the first place, offering a large cash reward as an incentive to assisting in the investigation might well in fact foster haste and carelessness.
Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has separately offered a reward of Bt7 million, but he has shown more circumspection than the police chief. He has announced that his pledge will only be honoured when a government spokesman is able to "tell the world that the Thai authorities have arrested the gang responsible for the Ratchaprasong bombing".
Chief Somyot deserves a measure of praise for his public-spirited generosity in paying the reward from his own pocket, but it would have made more sense to wait until the central culprit, the mastermind behind this outrage, has been brought to justice.
It is duly noted that the multimillionaire police chief has less than a month left in office, limiting the time period in which he can show his appreciation for the work of the officers in his charge. He must by law retire at the end of this month, and the case is unlikely to be solved before then.
curry chicken laksa
hokkien mee
nachos at MBK's the fifth
The half spring chicken at poulet also at the fifth.
hokkien mee
nachos at MBK's the fifth
The half spring chicken at poulet also at the fifth.
Thanks - I do appreciate the attempt to answer anyway. I want to be you - I unfortunately wear a suit most days.
NanoSpeed said:
Road side I know. They unfortunately cannot do this type of work - takes some specialization to work on a suit.
Anyone been to Tim Ho Wan dim sum place in T1? Sounds interesting
Dumplings with the couture factor
The Sunday Nation August 30, 2015 1:00 am http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sunday/Dumplings-with-the-couture-factor-30267704.html
Dim sum assortments
Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan finds a new home in the City of Angels
IT'S ONLY been in Bangkok for just over a week and already the famed dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan is causing human traffic jams outside its Sukhumvit home.
Located on the third floor of Terminal 21 shopping mall, this is the Michelin-starred restaurant's newest branch and follows from on similar successes in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia and Vietnam.
Established in 2009 by Mak Kwai-pui, who worked at the three-Michelin starred restaurant Lung King Heen of the Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong, for several years, Tim Ho Wan aimed to offer the same standard fare as that found in a leading hotel but at prices everyone could afford.
In that Mak succeeded even better than he had hoped and within weeks local and foreign diners were queuing for as long as three hours outside the modest 20-seat eatery in Mongkok. A year later, the restaurant was awarded one Michelin star.
The Thailand branch of what has been dubbed "the world's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant' is run by local firm Dim Sum Wonderland. They've invested about Bt50 million in the Terminal 21 outlet and will be opening branches at Gateway Ekamai and The Street community mall on Ratchadaphisek at the end of this year.
"My father discovered Tim Ho Wan on a trip to Hong Kong and fell in love with the food," says Atipol Terahsongkran, managing director of Dim Sum Wonderland. "He owns the Foodland Supermarket chain and set up Dim Sum Wonderland specifically to operate this new business."
Simply decorated and with seating for 100 diners, Tim Ho Wan's kitchen is run by 30 dim sum chefs who work at four cooking stations dedicated to pan-fried, steamed and barbecued dishes and dessert.
The meat is sourced on the local market and the soy sauce, dried food, chilli sauce and herbs along with 10 kinds of specially mixed flour are flown in from Hong Kong. The menu boasts 26 Cantonese dim sum, Hong Kong-style dishes and sweets ranging in price from Bt70 to Bt150.
"We make all dishes plate by plate. We don't bake or steam dim sum unless a customer places an order. We bring in the Chinese sausage and fish maw from Hong Kong too because they have a unique texture and flavour." Atipol says.
We sample four kinds of dim sum and Chinese cake, known collectively as the Big Four Heavenly Kings. They include Baked Bun BBQ Pork (Bt150), Pan-Fried Radish Cake (Bt100), melt-in-your-mouth Vermicelli Roll stuffed with tender pig's liver for Bt120 and Steamed Egg Cake (Bt80).
Other highlights are the Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp (Bt100), Steamed Fish Maw with Prawn Paste (Bt150), Pork Rib in Black Bean Sauce (Bt100), Prawn Dumpling (Bt130) and Beancurd Skin with Pork and Shrimp (Bt120).
Those with an appetite should feast on the aromatic rice blended with tender roasted chicken, Chinese sausage and mushroom in special sauce for Bt130 or sticky rice mixed with lotus leaf in special sauce for Bt150.
The dessert menu features refreshing Mango Sago mixed with pomelo, Tonic Medlar and Osmanthus jelly.
DIM SUN DINING
>>Tim Ho Wan is on the third floor of Terminal 21 and is open daily from 10am to 10pm. Call (02) 006 5288.
Dumplings with the couture factor
The Sunday Nation August 30, 2015 1:00 am http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sunday/Dumplings-with-the-couture-factor-30267704.html
Dim sum assortments
Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan finds a new home in the City of Angels
IT'S ONLY been in Bangkok for just over a week and already the famed dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan is causing human traffic jams outside its Sukhumvit home.
Located on the third floor of Terminal 21 shopping mall, this is the Michelin-starred restaurant's newest branch and follows from on similar successes in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia and Vietnam.
Established in 2009 by Mak Kwai-pui, who worked at the three-Michelin starred restaurant Lung King Heen of the Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong, for several years, Tim Ho Wan aimed to offer the same standard fare as that found in a leading hotel but at prices everyone could afford.
In that Mak succeeded even better than he had hoped and within weeks local and foreign diners were queuing for as long as three hours outside the modest 20-seat eatery in Mongkok. A year later, the restaurant was awarded one Michelin star.
The Thailand branch of what has been dubbed "the world's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant' is run by local firm Dim Sum Wonderland. They've invested about Bt50 million in the Terminal 21 outlet and will be opening branches at Gateway Ekamai and The Street community mall on Ratchadaphisek at the end of this year.
"My father discovered Tim Ho Wan on a trip to Hong Kong and fell in love with the food," says Atipol Terahsongkran, managing director of Dim Sum Wonderland. "He owns the Foodland Supermarket chain and set up Dim Sum Wonderland specifically to operate this new business."
Simply decorated and with seating for 100 diners, Tim Ho Wan's kitchen is run by 30 dim sum chefs who work at four cooking stations dedicated to pan-fried, steamed and barbecued dishes and dessert.
The meat is sourced on the local market and the soy sauce, dried food, chilli sauce and herbs along with 10 kinds of specially mixed flour are flown in from Hong Kong. The menu boasts 26 Cantonese dim sum, Hong Kong-style dishes and sweets ranging in price from Bt70 to Bt150.
"We make all dishes plate by plate. We don't bake or steam dim sum unless a customer places an order. We bring in the Chinese sausage and fish maw from Hong Kong too because they have a unique texture and flavour." Atipol says.
We sample four kinds of dim sum and Chinese cake, known collectively as the Big Four Heavenly Kings. They include Baked Bun BBQ Pork (Bt150), Pan-Fried Radish Cake (Bt100), melt-in-your-mouth Vermicelli Roll stuffed with tender pig's liver for Bt120 and Steamed Egg Cake (Bt80).
Other highlights are the Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp (Bt100), Steamed Fish Maw with Prawn Paste (Bt150), Pork Rib in Black Bean Sauce (Bt100), Prawn Dumpling (Bt130) and Beancurd Skin with Pork and Shrimp (Bt120).
Those with an appetite should feast on the aromatic rice blended with tender roasted chicken, Chinese sausage and mushroom in special sauce for Bt130 or sticky rice mixed with lotus leaf in special sauce for Bt150.
The dessert menu features refreshing Mango Sago mixed with pomelo, Tonic Medlar and Osmanthus jelly.
DIM SUN DINING
>>Tim Ho Wan is on the third floor of Terminal 21 and is open daily from 10am to 10pm. Call (02) 006 5288.
Thai real estate's hot spot :p
New condo hotspot emerges at Phra Khanong-On Nut
Foreigners flocking to Phra Khanong-On Nut
Published: 3/09/2015 at 07:26 AM
Newspaper section: Business http://property.bangkokpost.com/news/679052/new-condo-hotspot-emerges-at-phra-khanong-on-nut
The Phra Khanong-On Nut area has become lucrative for the Bangkok condominium market, with 88% occupancy and 5-7% return on rentals, says consultancy Plus Property.
Increasing numbers of foreigners are moving into the area, raising the foreign-to-Thai resident ratio to 30:70 as the market continues to shift away from denser and more expensive zones in Phrom Phong and Thong Lor.
Businesses, particularly trade and hospitality operations, are also expanding in the same direction.
Prices in the area have risen to 100,000 baht a square metre, while rentals have risen to as much as 450-600 baht per sq m for 5-7% in returns on average.
Managing director Poomipak Julmanichoti said the mid-Sukhumvit Road area had enjoyed significant growth in recent years including Phra Khanong district and the lower part of Sukhumvit Soi 77 (Soi On Nut).
Data compiled from Plus Property's 2,600 units in this area shows an exceptionally high occupancy rate of 88% in that area as of Aug 1, which compares very favourably with other zones in the capital.
Once inhabited almost solely by Thais, foreigners move into this area in greater numbers each year.
Unlike Phrom Phong and Thong Lor, foreigners residing in this area are not primarily Japanese -- 47% of residents in Phra Khanong and lower On Nut are other Asians, followed by Europeans at 35% and Americans at 14%.
However, each project still has 30 units on average housing Japanese, signifying the outward expansion of the Japanese community in Bangkok.
"Regardless, the lower portions of Sukhumvit remain the most popular hotspot for condominium development in Bangkok. These areas have long been home to Bangkok's leading families, resulting in popularity and a high degree of development," Mr Poomipak said.
"Sukhumvit is one Thailand's top shopping districts -- many have compared it with New York City's Fifth Avenue, London's Oxford Street and Singapore's Orchard Road."
Sukhumvit Road also boasts an extensive range of corporate offices, schools and hospitals frequented by foreigners.
The large Japanese community in the area contributes to its growth even further, pushing investors to buy condominium units here and lease them out to Japanese tenants.
Most Sukhumvit condominium residents are on a lease, and most of these tenants are Japanese.
"However, the area's increasing density is pushing buyers and potential tenants outwards as inner-city areas near Sukhumvit Road such as Chidlom and Phloenchit all the way up to the Wireless and Ratchadamri intersections have even higher prices," Mr Poomipak said.
The Aug 8-9 launch of The Line Sukhumvit 71, a joint-venture development by Sansiri and skytrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, saw the entire project sold out immediately, an unprecedented phenomenon for projects in this area and an indicator of rising demand.
On the business front, more hotels and stores are moving into this area including W District as well as art galleries and boutique hotels such as the distinctively decorated Mustang Nero.
The private Bangkok International Preparatory and Secondary School is developing a new campus close to Sansiri's T77 on lower On Nut.
This same area will also be the location of Sansiri's first community mall, Habito, scheduled to open next year.
With a constant stream of new developments in recent years and high occupancy, the Phra Khanong-On Nut zone is likely to become even more popular in the near future.
In terms of return on investment, condominium prices in this area have risen by 50% over the past five years.
Popular, high-quality projects often go for about 100,000 baht per sq m, while rental rates average 450-600 baht per sq m for an average return of 5-7%.
This represents a better proposition than in many other zones in Bangkok where sales prices have risen above the 100,000-baht mark without pushing rentals beyond 400 baht per sq m.
"For those looking to buy new units for residential purposes, this area is quite attractive thanks to easy commuting via the skytrain and its relative proximity to central Bangkok," Mr Poomipak said.
"Notably, prices here have yet to rise to levels seen elsewhere. Investors must first consider the occupancy rate as a main factor in determining rental performance. With occupancy of 88%, this will not be a concern, and yields of 5-7% can be considered good.
New condo hotspot emerges at Phra Khanong-On Nut
Foreigners flocking to Phra Khanong-On Nut
Published: 3/09/2015 at 07:26 AM
Newspaper section: Business http://property.bangkokpost.com/news/679052/new-condo-hotspot-emerges-at-phra-khanong-on-nut
The Phra Khanong-On Nut area has become lucrative for the Bangkok condominium market, with 88% occupancy and 5-7% return on rentals, says consultancy Plus Property.
Increasing numbers of foreigners are moving into the area, raising the foreign-to-Thai resident ratio to 30:70 as the market continues to shift away from denser and more expensive zones in Phrom Phong and Thong Lor.
Businesses, particularly trade and hospitality operations, are also expanding in the same direction.
Prices in the area have risen to 100,000 baht a square metre, while rentals have risen to as much as 450-600 baht per sq m for 5-7% in returns on average.
Managing director Poomipak Julmanichoti said the mid-Sukhumvit Road area had enjoyed significant growth in recent years including Phra Khanong district and the lower part of Sukhumvit Soi 77 (Soi On Nut).
Data compiled from Plus Property's 2,600 units in this area shows an exceptionally high occupancy rate of 88% in that area as of Aug 1, which compares very favourably with other zones in the capital.
Once inhabited almost solely by Thais, foreigners move into this area in greater numbers each year.
Unlike Phrom Phong and Thong Lor, foreigners residing in this area are not primarily Japanese -- 47% of residents in Phra Khanong and lower On Nut are other Asians, followed by Europeans at 35% and Americans at 14%.
However, each project still has 30 units on average housing Japanese, signifying the outward expansion of the Japanese community in Bangkok.
"Regardless, the lower portions of Sukhumvit remain the most popular hotspot for condominium development in Bangkok. These areas have long been home to Bangkok's leading families, resulting in popularity and a high degree of development," Mr Poomipak said.
"Sukhumvit is one Thailand's top shopping districts -- many have compared it with New York City's Fifth Avenue, London's Oxford Street and Singapore's Orchard Road."
Sukhumvit Road also boasts an extensive range of corporate offices, schools and hospitals frequented by foreigners.
The large Japanese community in the area contributes to its growth even further, pushing investors to buy condominium units here and lease them out to Japanese tenants.
Most Sukhumvit condominium residents are on a lease, and most of these tenants are Japanese.
"However, the area's increasing density is pushing buyers and potential tenants outwards as inner-city areas near Sukhumvit Road such as Chidlom and Phloenchit all the way up to the Wireless and Ratchadamri intersections have even higher prices," Mr Poomipak said.
The Aug 8-9 launch of The Line Sukhumvit 71, a joint-venture development by Sansiri and skytrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, saw the entire project sold out immediately, an unprecedented phenomenon for projects in this area and an indicator of rising demand.
On the business front, more hotels and stores are moving into this area including W District as well as art galleries and boutique hotels such as the distinctively decorated Mustang Nero.
The private Bangkok International Preparatory and Secondary School is developing a new campus close to Sansiri's T77 on lower On Nut.
This same area will also be the location of Sansiri's first community mall, Habito, scheduled to open next year.
With a constant stream of new developments in recent years and high occupancy, the Phra Khanong-On Nut zone is likely to become even more popular in the near future.
In terms of return on investment, condominium prices in this area have risen by 50% over the past five years.
Popular, high-quality projects often go for about 100,000 baht per sq m, while rental rates average 450-600 baht per sq m for an average return of 5-7%.
This represents a better proposition than in many other zones in Bangkok where sales prices have risen above the 100,000-baht mark without pushing rentals beyond 400 baht per sq m.
"For those looking to buy new units for residential purposes, this area is quite attractive thanks to easy commuting via the skytrain and its relative proximity to central Bangkok," Mr Poomipak said.
"Notably, prices here have yet to rise to levels seen elsewhere. Investors must first consider the occupancy rate as a main factor in determining rental performance. With occupancy of 88%, this will not be a concern, and yields of 5-7% can be considered good.
Today's slice of thai mango :p
Consumer confidence hits 15-month low
THE NATION September 4, 2015 1:00 am http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Consumer-confidence-hits-15-month-low-30268077.html
THE Ratchaprasong bombing, a dropping SET Index, and the sluggish economic growth in China beat down Thai consumer confidence to a 15-month low in August, with confidence in travel, investment and purchasing power hitting a 122-month low.
However, consumers have high hopes of the government's new economic team, amid expectations that the recently announced stimulus package will boost growth in gross domestic product by 0.7-1 percentage point this year. According to a nationwide survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), the Consumer Confidence Index slid for the eighth consecutive month to 72.3 points in August, down from 73.4 in July, the lowest level in 15 months. A reading below 100 points reflects poor sentiment.
This is quite bad news for the retail sector, as consumers believe it is the worst time in 122 months to spend money to buy a new car or house, start a new investment or travel.
"People are greatly concerned about their incomes, as the economic outlook is not good. Many negative factors including the bomb blast in Bangkok, falling SET Index, China's slowing growth, low crop prices, and weak exports have affected Thai sentiment seriously," Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the university's Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, said yesterday.
However, the government's Bt136-billion stimulus package should strengthen economic growth by 0.7-1 percentage point, so GDP should expand by 2.5-2.9 per cent this year. Without the stimulus, Thanavath would expect the economy to grow by less than 2.5 per cent. He said the Consumer Confidence Index should bounce back or increase this month after the government's announcement.
The UTCC estimates that the Ratchaprasong explosion caused a loss of about Bt70 billion to the Thai economy, China's sluggishness and the yuan depreciation have caused a loss of about Bt60 billion to Thai exports, and the drought created an economic loss of about Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion. The positive factors cited in this survey were lower fuel prices and the retention of the central bank's policy interest rate.
Wachira Kuntaweethep, assistant director of the UTCC, said that based on the 2,200 responses to the survey last month, other indices reflecting consumer confidence also continued dropping, including future incomes to 87.6 and employment opportunities to 67.6 points.
Meanwhile, the UTCC survey of 1,200 respondents indicated that 80 per cent of Thais have household debts. Of those debtors, 42.1 per cent have debt burdens with the banks and loan-sharks and 51 per cent with the underground loan system. Average household debt is Bt248,000. The reasons for Thailand's high levels of household debt are falling incomes, rising cost of living, natural disasters or unexpected expenses, and overspending with credit cards.
Consumer confidence hits 15-month low
THE NATION September 4, 2015 1:00 am http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Consumer-confidence-hits-15-month-low-30268077.html
THE Ratchaprasong bombing, a dropping SET Index, and the sluggish economic growth in China beat down Thai consumer confidence to a 15-month low in August, with confidence in travel, investment and purchasing power hitting a 122-month low.
However, consumers have high hopes of the government's new economic team, amid expectations that the recently announced stimulus package will boost growth in gross domestic product by 0.7-1 percentage point this year. According to a nationwide survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), the Consumer Confidence Index slid for the eighth consecutive month to 72.3 points in August, down from 73.4 in July, the lowest level in 15 months. A reading below 100 points reflects poor sentiment.
This is quite bad news for the retail sector, as consumers believe it is the worst time in 122 months to spend money to buy a new car or house, start a new investment or travel.
"People are greatly concerned about their incomes, as the economic outlook is not good. Many negative factors including the bomb blast in Bangkok, falling SET Index, China's slowing growth, low crop prices, and weak exports have affected Thai sentiment seriously," Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the university's Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, said yesterday.
However, the government's Bt136-billion stimulus package should strengthen economic growth by 0.7-1 percentage point, so GDP should expand by 2.5-2.9 per cent this year. Without the stimulus, Thanavath would expect the economy to grow by less than 2.5 per cent. He said the Consumer Confidence Index should bounce back or increase this month after the government's announcement.
The UTCC estimates that the Ratchaprasong explosion caused a loss of about Bt70 billion to the Thai economy, China's sluggishness and the yuan depreciation have caused a loss of about Bt60 billion to Thai exports, and the drought created an economic loss of about Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion. The positive factors cited in this survey were lower fuel prices and the retention of the central bank's policy interest rate.
Wachira Kuntaweethep, assistant director of the UTCC, said that based on the 2,200 responses to the survey last month, other indices reflecting consumer confidence also continued dropping, including future incomes to 87.6 and employment opportunities to 67.6 points.
Meanwhile, the UTCC survey of 1,200 respondents indicated that 80 per cent of Thais have household debts. Of those debtors, 42.1 per cent have debt burdens with the banks and loan-sharks and 51 per cent with the underground loan system. Average household debt is Bt248,000. The reasons for Thailand's high levels of household debt are falling incomes, rising cost of living, natural disasters or unexpected expenses, and overspending with credit cards.
[video=youtube_share;3H1ZMF85F2A]https://youtu.be/3H1ZMF85F2A[/video]
[video=youtube_share;rOoKv2OMpOw]https://youtu.be/rOoKv2OMpOw[/video]
ECONOMY
New batch of stimulus measures focus on SMEs
Published: 8/09/2015 at 03:47 AM http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/684140/new-batch-of-stimulus-measures-focus-on-smes
A new round of stimulus measures to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will include 100 billion baht in soft loans, tax cuts to 10%, tax exemptions for start-ups, a 100-billion-baht credit guarantee and a 6-billion-baht venture capital fund in another effort to revive the faltering economy.
The measures will be submitted for cabinet approval today.
Under the package, SME start-ups will receive a five-year corporate income tax exemption, while existing SMEs will see their tax burden reduced to 10% for two years for net profit of more than 300,000 baht, a Government House source said.
To be eligible for the tax cuts, SMEs must have a single account.
SMEs with registered capital of up to 5 million baht and revenue of 30 million are currently subject to a tax waiver for net profit of up to 300,000.
They are taxed at 15% for amounts over 300,000 baht but not exceeding 3 million and at 20% for amounts over 3 million.
The source said the tax cut might be extended after the two-year period has lapsed if it succeeded in drawing more SMEs into the formal tax system and encouraged them to pay tax bills correctly.
A large number of SMEs are suffering from a cash crunch as their sales revenue has declined for years, hurt by pre-coup political chaos, the economic slowdown, weak domestic consumption and rising household debt, while banks have barely extended them new loans over fears of non-performing loans (NPLs).
SMEs are the second target group the new economic team led by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak seeks to aid with new measures.
The new measures are part of the government's push to drive domestic consumption and investment to shield Southeast Asia's second-largest economy from China's cooling economy and global economic uncertainties.
Thailand has 2.7 million SMEs, 80% of which have never paid corporate income tax. Most tend to have more than one account -- one the actual account for internal use and another with false documentation to be submitted to the state for understating tax payments.
The Finance Ministry will propose the state-owned Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG) provide a 100-billion-baht credit guarantee covering 70% of NPLs for up to 30% of each SME borrower.
Under the credit-guarantee scheme, the TCG provides full coverage for NPLs up to 21%.
For soft loans worth 100 billion baht to be extended by the Government Savings Bank (GSB), the state-owned bank will charge commercial banks 0.1% interest and the latter will relend to SMEs at no more than 4%.
The government will subsidise 1.9% interest to the GSB to meet its cost at 2%.
The GSB will allocate 1 billion baht of the 100 billion soft loan to lend to fishing vessel owners to change equipment and buy radars to tackle illegal fishing.
Surachai Chitratsenee, a senior executive vice-president of CIMB Thai Bank, said the new tax measures would help to trim the expenses and increase the liquidity of SMEs.
However, he raised doubts as to whether the TCG's 100-billion-baht credit guarantee would encourage banks to extend new loans to SMEs since the guarantee would be provided on an individual basis.
Small business owners are the TCG's focus in providing credit guarantee, but their default risks are higher than medium-sized enterprises, Mr Surachai added.
Related search: Economy, stimulus, SMEs, small and medium businesses
New batch of stimulus measures focus on SMEs
Published: 8/09/2015 at 03:47 AM http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/684140/new-batch-of-stimulus-measures-focus-on-smes
A new round of stimulus measures to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will include 100 billion baht in soft loans, tax cuts to 10%, tax exemptions for start-ups, a 100-billion-baht credit guarantee and a 6-billion-baht venture capital fund in another effort to revive the faltering economy.
The measures will be submitted for cabinet approval today.
Under the package, SME start-ups will receive a five-year corporate income tax exemption, while existing SMEs will see their tax burden reduced to 10% for two years for net profit of more than 300,000 baht, a Government House source said.
To be eligible for the tax cuts, SMEs must have a single account.
SMEs with registered capital of up to 5 million baht and revenue of 30 million are currently subject to a tax waiver for net profit of up to 300,000.
They are taxed at 15% for amounts over 300,000 baht but not exceeding 3 million and at 20% for amounts over 3 million.
The source said the tax cut might be extended after the two-year period has lapsed if it succeeded in drawing more SMEs into the formal tax system and encouraged them to pay tax bills correctly.
A large number of SMEs are suffering from a cash crunch as their sales revenue has declined for years, hurt by pre-coup political chaos, the economic slowdown, weak domestic consumption and rising household debt, while banks have barely extended them new loans over fears of non-performing loans (NPLs).
SMEs are the second target group the new economic team led by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak seeks to aid with new measures.
The new measures are part of the government's push to drive domestic consumption and investment to shield Southeast Asia's second-largest economy from China's cooling economy and global economic uncertainties.
Thailand has 2.7 million SMEs, 80% of which have never paid corporate income tax. Most tend to have more than one account -- one the actual account for internal use and another with false documentation to be submitted to the state for understating tax payments.
The Finance Ministry will propose the state-owned Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG) provide a 100-billion-baht credit guarantee covering 70% of NPLs for up to 30% of each SME borrower.
Under the credit-guarantee scheme, the TCG provides full coverage for NPLs up to 21%.
For soft loans worth 100 billion baht to be extended by the Government Savings Bank (GSB), the state-owned bank will charge commercial banks 0.1% interest and the latter will relend to SMEs at no more than 4%.
The government will subsidise 1.9% interest to the GSB to meet its cost at 2%.
The GSB will allocate 1 billion baht of the 100 billion soft loan to lend to fishing vessel owners to change equipment and buy radars to tackle illegal fishing.
Surachai Chitratsenee, a senior executive vice-president of CIMB Thai Bank, said the new tax measures would help to trim the expenses and increase the liquidity of SMEs.
However, he raised doubts as to whether the TCG's 100-billion-baht credit guarantee would encourage banks to extend new loans to SMEs since the guarantee would be provided on an individual basis.
Small business owners are the TCG's focus in providing credit guarantee, but their default risks are higher than medium-sized enterprises, Mr Surachai added.
Related search: Economy, stimulus, SMEs, small and medium businesses
Less bang for your baht? :p
CURRENCIES
Baht sinks to lowest level since 2009
Published: 8/09/2015 at 07:00 AM http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/finance/684184/baht-sinks-to-lowest-level-since-2009
The baht yesterday slipped beyond the 36-mark against the US dollar to hit a six-and-a-half-year low, tracking retreats of other regional currencies as investors bet the US Federal Reserve will lift its near-zero interest rates this month.
The Thai currency sank to its lowest level since March 2009 to 36.11/36.13 from 35.84/35.86 last Friday.
The baht has fallen by nearly 3% in the past month and almost 10% this year.
Malaysia's ringgit dropped to a new low. It weakened 1.7% to 4.33 to the dollar in Kuala Lumpur after earlier falling to 4.3405, the lowest level since January 1998, when it reached a record 4.885. The ringgit has plunged 21.8% this year.
Indonesia's rupiah fell the most in two weeks to 14,246 to the dollar. It has lost 13% this year in Asia's worst performance after the ringgit, according to Bloomberg.
The dollar also strengthened versus the South Korean won, the yen, the yuan, the Singapore dollar and the Philippine peso.
Fed policymakers will meet in the middle of this month to decide whether to raise interest rates for the first time in nearly 10 years.
Investors have been predicting a US rate hike as early as this month, but growing concerns over China's cooling economy could delay the Fed's decision.
Bank of Thailand spokesman Chirathep Senivongs Na Ayudhya said the baht's depreciation was in line with the weakening trend of other regional currencies, as financial markets expect the Fed could begin normalising its funds rate this month following mixed jobs data detailing how the US unemployment rate has declined to 5.1% and hourly wages have increased on average.
A foreign exchange dealer at Bangkok Bank said the baht's weakness followed the trend of other weakening currencies in Asia such as the ringgit, rupiah and won.
The looming rate hike by the Fed on the back of lower US unemployment and improved wages coupled with uncertainty about China's economic slowdown inducing downward pressure on regional currencies and prompting an increase in US dollar purchases are seen as factors causing the baht to depreciate, the dealer said.
The domestic political development of the National Reform Council voting to reject the draft charter is not considered a main factor influencing the weaker baht since other regional currencies have also depreciated following external developments.
The baht could sink to 36.50 by year-end due mainly to external economic factors in China and the US, the dealer added.
Kasikornbank earlier said the baht was expected to weaken to 36.25 against the greenback by year-end.
CURRENCIES
Baht sinks to lowest level since 2009
Published: 8/09/2015 at 07:00 AM http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/finance/684184/baht-sinks-to-lowest-level-since-2009
The baht yesterday slipped beyond the 36-mark against the US dollar to hit a six-and-a-half-year low, tracking retreats of other regional currencies as investors bet the US Federal Reserve will lift its near-zero interest rates this month.
The Thai currency sank to its lowest level since March 2009 to 36.11/36.13 from 35.84/35.86 last Friday.
The baht has fallen by nearly 3% in the past month and almost 10% this year.
Malaysia's ringgit dropped to a new low. It weakened 1.7% to 4.33 to the dollar in Kuala Lumpur after earlier falling to 4.3405, the lowest level since January 1998, when it reached a record 4.885. The ringgit has plunged 21.8% this year.
Indonesia's rupiah fell the most in two weeks to 14,246 to the dollar. It has lost 13% this year in Asia's worst performance after the ringgit, according to Bloomberg.
The dollar also strengthened versus the South Korean won, the yen, the yuan, the Singapore dollar and the Philippine peso.
Fed policymakers will meet in the middle of this month to decide whether to raise interest rates for the first time in nearly 10 years.
Investors have been predicting a US rate hike as early as this month, but growing concerns over China's cooling economy could delay the Fed's decision.
Bank of Thailand spokesman Chirathep Senivongs Na Ayudhya said the baht's depreciation was in line with the weakening trend of other regional currencies, as financial markets expect the Fed could begin normalising its funds rate this month following mixed jobs data detailing how the US unemployment rate has declined to 5.1% and hourly wages have increased on average.
A foreign exchange dealer at Bangkok Bank said the baht's weakness followed the trend of other weakening currencies in Asia such as the ringgit, rupiah and won.
The looming rate hike by the Fed on the back of lower US unemployment and improved wages coupled with uncertainty about China's economic slowdown inducing downward pressure on regional currencies and prompting an increase in US dollar purchases are seen as factors causing the baht to depreciate, the dealer said.
The domestic political development of the National Reform Council voting to reject the draft charter is not considered a main factor influencing the weaker baht since other regional currencies have also depreciated following external developments.
The baht could sink to 36.50 by year-end due mainly to external economic factors in China and the US, the dealer added.
Kasikornbank earlier said the baht was expected to weaken to 36.25 against the greenback by year-end.
Khun thai's view of Sinkie elections fri 9-11 (with self criticism on junta's failed charter) :p
FAIRLY SPEAKING
Singapore looks to polls to usher in a freer society
Published: 8/09/2015 at 03:50 AM http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/...re-looks-to-polls-to-usher-in-a-freer-society
As the powers-that-be in Thailand and Malaysia are striving to quieten opposition voices, there are signs that the leaders of Singapore, the tiny island state at the bottom of Malayan peninsula, have embraced growing dissent ahead of this week's general election.
This Friday, some 2.46 million voters, or about half of Singapore's population, are to cast their votes in the nation's 17th general election.
This is the first election free of the influence of founding father and the country's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who died on March 23.
The prime minister is Lee Hsien Loong, the third and current prime minister of Singapore, and Lee Kuan Yew's eldest son. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) no doubt hopes to cash in on the LKW vote, as it is known, but also faces an unprecedented challenge from the opposition and a new wave of young voters not wedded to the thinking of the past.
In this election, for the first time, a majority of the voters who will take part were born after independence on Aug 9, 1965.
Despite their respect for the late Lee, most young voters are less familiar with his motto of "clean, lean, mean" bureaucracy and politics.
Pitching for the young vote, most of the nine political parties taking part are fielding candidates in the 23-39 age range.
For the first time, the opposition is running candidates in almost every constituency, which presents a unique challenge for the PAP.
The government hopes to improve on its previous poor performance. The party won 60.1% in the 2011 election, its lowest share of the vote since independence, but still with an overwhelming majority in the House. The PAP won 81 out of 87 seats in 2011, with the opposition taking an unprecedented six seats. With another three non-voting-right non-constituency members of parliament given to the opposition, it had altogether nine members in total.
The major opposition parties have discussed how to take on the mighty PAP, reaching agreements in certain constituencies not to field candidates against each other, and showing more willingness to come together in a common cause than at previous polls.
The election is important to the region, just as it is to Singapore itself. Some observers are worried about how Singapore -- Asean's fourth-largest economy but the biggest per-capita-income nation in the region and always a staunch advocate of Asean integration -- will be positioned in the regional and global community in the next 50 years.
Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, has warned Singapore's ability to play the great game -- helping steer the global economic recovery and balance major powers' tensions over the South China Sea -- is being tested.
"The external context is considerably worse than it was five years ago and this election will be held in turbulent times. The opposition parties offer little or no experience in handling regional and global issues, and have said little on these subjects.
Even for the ruling PAP, these events test its mettle and standing in a post-Lee Kuan Yew era," said Mr Tay, once a nominated MP.
Potential social fractures are also opening in the city-state as income inequalities grow more visible. Other fault lines also include anti-foreigner sentiment and a disparity between ordinary Singaporeans and perceived economic or social elites, Mr Tay said in a recent commentary.
Some attribute the strong voices of dissent to the increasing penetration of the internet and the advent of social media.
With the help of advanced IT, more Singaporeans are expressing dissatisfaction with the status quo and yearning for change.
However, as the clock clicks down to the election, political rivals are asking voters to consider carefully and choose constructive and forward-looking campaigns.
Some worry that a serious challenge to the status quo would affect Singapore's continued prosperity and its place in the region.
Interestingly, as opposition parties grasp an increasing public desire to break away from the entrenched system of one-party dominance, Singapore looks set to change from a country with a controlled democracy to a more open system.
That's quite the opposite to the case in Thailand where the military has intervened in politics -- twice in less than a decade.
The fact the National Reform Council ditched the draft charter in Sunday's vote means a longer stay for the military regime under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. It seems Thailand could learn a lot from Singapore.
FAIRLY SPEAKING
Singapore looks to polls to usher in a freer society
Published: 8/09/2015 at 03:50 AM http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/...re-looks-to-polls-to-usher-in-a-freer-society
As the powers-that-be in Thailand and Malaysia are striving to quieten opposition voices, there are signs that the leaders of Singapore, the tiny island state at the bottom of Malayan peninsula, have embraced growing dissent ahead of this week's general election.
This Friday, some 2.46 million voters, or about half of Singapore's population, are to cast their votes in the nation's 17th general election.
This is the first election free of the influence of founding father and the country's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who died on March 23.
The prime minister is Lee Hsien Loong, the third and current prime minister of Singapore, and Lee Kuan Yew's eldest son. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) no doubt hopes to cash in on the LKW vote, as it is known, but also faces an unprecedented challenge from the opposition and a new wave of young voters not wedded to the thinking of the past.
In this election, for the first time, a majority of the voters who will take part were born after independence on Aug 9, 1965.
Despite their respect for the late Lee, most young voters are less familiar with his motto of "clean, lean, mean" bureaucracy and politics.
Pitching for the young vote, most of the nine political parties taking part are fielding candidates in the 23-39 age range.
For the first time, the opposition is running candidates in almost every constituency, which presents a unique challenge for the PAP.
The government hopes to improve on its previous poor performance. The party won 60.1% in the 2011 election, its lowest share of the vote since independence, but still with an overwhelming majority in the House. The PAP won 81 out of 87 seats in 2011, with the opposition taking an unprecedented six seats. With another three non-voting-right non-constituency members of parliament given to the opposition, it had altogether nine members in total.
The major opposition parties have discussed how to take on the mighty PAP, reaching agreements in certain constituencies not to field candidates against each other, and showing more willingness to come together in a common cause than at previous polls.
The election is important to the region, just as it is to Singapore itself. Some observers are worried about how Singapore -- Asean's fourth-largest economy but the biggest per-capita-income nation in the region and always a staunch advocate of Asean integration -- will be positioned in the regional and global community in the next 50 years.
Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, has warned Singapore's ability to play the great game -- helping steer the global economic recovery and balance major powers' tensions over the South China Sea -- is being tested.
"The external context is considerably worse than it was five years ago and this election will be held in turbulent times. The opposition parties offer little or no experience in handling regional and global issues, and have said little on these subjects.
Even for the ruling PAP, these events test its mettle and standing in a post-Lee Kuan Yew era," said Mr Tay, once a nominated MP.
Potential social fractures are also opening in the city-state as income inequalities grow more visible. Other fault lines also include anti-foreigner sentiment and a disparity between ordinary Singaporeans and perceived economic or social elites, Mr Tay said in a recent commentary.
Some attribute the strong voices of dissent to the increasing penetration of the internet and the advent of social media.
With the help of advanced IT, more Singaporeans are expressing dissatisfaction with the status quo and yearning for change.
However, as the clock clicks down to the election, political rivals are asking voters to consider carefully and choose constructive and forward-looking campaigns.
Some worry that a serious challenge to the status quo would affect Singapore's continued prosperity and its place in the region.
Interestingly, as opposition parties grasp an increasing public desire to break away from the entrenched system of one-party dominance, Singapore looks set to change from a country with a controlled democracy to a more open system.
That's quite the opposite to the case in Thailand where the military has intervened in politics -- twice in less than a decade.
The fact the National Reform Council ditched the draft charter in Sunday's vote means a longer stay for the military regime under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. It seems Thailand could learn a lot from Singapore.
Too pooped with diamond in ass? 
Pic speaks volumes, 12 min surgical extraction after fruitless wait with laxatives
DIAMOND THEFT
Doctors extract stolen diamond
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/691076/doctors-extract-stolen-diamond
Jiang Sulian, 39, a Chinese woman who stole and swallowed a six-carat diamond worth 10 million baht allowed doctors with surgical pliers to go in and retrieve it during a 12-minute operation on Sunday....
Police on Sunday retrieved a 10-million-baht stolen diamond from a Chinese woman, who swallowed it after stealing it from a jewellery fair, after doctors using surgical pliers extracted it from her body.
Jiang Sulian, 39, swallowed the six-carat diamond after stealing it from the Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair at Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi on Thursday by swapping the real one for a fake one.
She admitted on late Friday night that she swallowed the diamond on Thursday morning after stealing the diamond at the fair after an X-ray scan showed a diamond-like object in her large intestine, police said.
Jiang Sulian, 39, a Chinese woman who stole and swallowed a six-carat diamond worth 10 million baht allowed doctors with surgical pliers to go in and retrieve it during a 12-minute operation on Sunday. (Photos by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The mission to regain the diamond was accomplished after she allowed doctors at Police General Hospital to use pliers to retrieve it.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 1, said Mrs Jiang agreed to the doctors' advice as she felt exhausted.
She was given laxatives on Friday night when she was detained at Pak Kret police station in Nonthaburi to retrieve the gemstone. The effort failed.
The suspect was sent to the hospital on Saturday as police again attempted to retrieve the diamond. Doctors at the hospital also failed to retake the gem stone on Saturday and decided to use pliers to retrieve it with the suspect's consent. The procedure took just 12 minutes, Pol Maj Gen Sanit said.
CCTV footage captures Jiang Sulian (back, right) and Hae Ying before the two allegedly stole a diamond at the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair on Thursday. (Footage courtesy Royal Thai Police)
If the operation to use the pliers to retrieve the diamond had failed, doctors had planned to have her undergo surgery. They say the suspect had given her consent. Pol Maj Gen Sanit said police will take the diamond to the owner to verify that it is real.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit said the suspect is staying at the hospital to regain her strength before being sent for detention at the Nonthaburi court.
Mrs Jiang and her male accomplice, identified as He Ying, 34, were held at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday night as they were leaving Thailand on suspicion of stealing the six-carat diamond. Video footage from CCTV cameras at the Challenger building where the fair is being held showed the two Chinese at the booth.
Immigration police later detained a Chinese couple whose appearance matched that in the video images. They initially denied the accusation, claiming they were just tourists.
Police took the two suspects to conduct a crime re-enactment at Impact Muang Thong Thani.
Gem expert examines the stone removed from Ms Jiang. Tests will confirm it is a genuine diamond.
EARLIER REPORT
It took 12 minutes for doctors at the Police General Hospital on Saturday to get a stolen diamond worth around 10 million baht from the body of a Chinese woman.
Three days after Jiang Sulian swallowed the six-carat diamond after allegedly stealing it from the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, the mission to regain it was accomplished after she allowed the doctors to use a plier to retrieve it from her intestine.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit Mahathavorn said Mrs Jiang agreed to the doctors' advice after feeling exhausted from being forced to take a laxative to retake the gemstone, several media reported.
The doctors spent only 12 minutes to take the gemstone from her body, the deputy commander of the Police Provincial Region 1 added.
The doctors would have used surgery if the first plan failed.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit said police will take the diamond to be verified by the owner that it is real.
The 30-year-old suspect was sent to the hospital on Saturday in an unsuccessful attempt by authorities to regain the diamond.
She swallowed it on Thursday morning at the fair held at Impact Challenger in Muang Thong Thani. The venue is in Pak Kret district in Nonthaburi province.
An x-ray examination revealed the diamond was lodged in Ms Jiang's intestine.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit said the suspect is staying at the hospital to regain strength before being sent for detention at the Nonthaburi court.
She and her male accomplice, Hae Ying, were arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday night after stealing the diamond from M Tarun Co in the morning.
The fair started on Thursday and runs through Monday.
Pic speaks volumes, 12 min surgical extraction after fruitless wait with laxativesDIAMOND THEFT
Doctors extract stolen diamond
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/691076/doctors-extract-stolen-diamond
Jiang Sulian, 39, a Chinese woman who stole and swallowed a six-carat diamond worth 10 million baht allowed doctors with surgical pliers to go in and retrieve it during a 12-minute operation on Sunday....
Police on Sunday retrieved a 10-million-baht stolen diamond from a Chinese woman, who swallowed it after stealing it from a jewellery fair, after doctors using surgical pliers extracted it from her body.
Jiang Sulian, 39, swallowed the six-carat diamond after stealing it from the Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair at Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi on Thursday by swapping the real one for a fake one.
She admitted on late Friday night that she swallowed the diamond on Thursday morning after stealing the diamond at the fair after an X-ray scan showed a diamond-like object in her large intestine, police said.
Jiang Sulian, 39, a Chinese woman who stole and swallowed a six-carat diamond worth 10 million baht allowed doctors with surgical pliers to go in and retrieve it during a 12-minute operation on Sunday. (Photos by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The mission to regain the diamond was accomplished after she allowed doctors at Police General Hospital to use pliers to retrieve it.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 1, said Mrs Jiang agreed to the doctors' advice as she felt exhausted.
She was given laxatives on Friday night when she was detained at Pak Kret police station in Nonthaburi to retrieve the gemstone. The effort failed.
The suspect was sent to the hospital on Saturday as police again attempted to retrieve the diamond. Doctors at the hospital also failed to retake the gem stone on Saturday and decided to use pliers to retrieve it with the suspect's consent. The procedure took just 12 minutes, Pol Maj Gen Sanit said.
CCTV footage captures Jiang Sulian (back, right) and Hae Ying before the two allegedly stole a diamond at the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair on Thursday. (Footage courtesy Royal Thai Police)
If the operation to use the pliers to retrieve the diamond had failed, doctors had planned to have her undergo surgery. They say the suspect had given her consent. Pol Maj Gen Sanit said police will take the diamond to the owner to verify that it is real.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit said the suspect is staying at the hospital to regain her strength before being sent for detention at the Nonthaburi court.
Mrs Jiang and her male accomplice, identified as He Ying, 34, were held at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday night as they were leaving Thailand on suspicion of stealing the six-carat diamond. Video footage from CCTV cameras at the Challenger building where the fair is being held showed the two Chinese at the booth.
Immigration police later detained a Chinese couple whose appearance matched that in the video images. They initially denied the accusation, claiming they were just tourists.
Police took the two suspects to conduct a crime re-enactment at Impact Muang Thong Thani.
Gem expert examines the stone removed from Ms Jiang. Tests will confirm it is a genuine diamond.
EARLIER REPORT
It took 12 minutes for doctors at the Police General Hospital on Saturday to get a stolen diamond worth around 10 million baht from the body of a Chinese woman.
Three days after Jiang Sulian swallowed the six-carat diamond after allegedly stealing it from the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, the mission to regain it was accomplished after she allowed the doctors to use a plier to retrieve it from her intestine.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit Mahathavorn said Mrs Jiang agreed to the doctors' advice after feeling exhausted from being forced to take a laxative to retake the gemstone, several media reported.
The doctors spent only 12 minutes to take the gemstone from her body, the deputy commander of the Police Provincial Region 1 added.
The doctors would have used surgery if the first plan failed.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit said police will take the diamond to be verified by the owner that it is real.
The 30-year-old suspect was sent to the hospital on Saturday in an unsuccessful attempt by authorities to regain the diamond.
She swallowed it on Thursday morning at the fair held at Impact Challenger in Muang Thong Thani. The venue is in Pak Kret district in Nonthaburi province.
An x-ray examination revealed the diamond was lodged in Ms Jiang's intestine.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit said the suspect is staying at the hospital to regain strength before being sent for detention at the Nonthaburi court.
She and her male accomplice, Hae Ying, were arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday night after stealing the diamond from M Tarun Co in the morning.
The fair started on Thursday and runs through Monday.
YY your report is highly suggestive as the word "plier" is repeated countless times. Since laxative did not work, pray tell if you have any knowledge how this plier thing was done it's causing me all sorts of wild imagination and unbearable excitement.
Oi, your imagination's either very fertile or into "over drive". :p
Can only guess this was a shitty job
Similar threads
