Red shirts join in cyber war of the masks
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Red shirts and pro-government supporters have kicked off a "red mask" campaign in opposition to the white masks of anti-Thaksin groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642450-red-shirts-join-in-cyber-war-of-the-masks/

Police suspect gang rivalry behind Ramkhamhaeng blast
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police suspect that conflict between gangs involved in extortion from roadside vendors was behind the small explosion on Ramkhamhaeng Road, near Ramkhamhaeng University, on Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642455-bangkok-police-suspect-gang-rivalry-behind-ramkhamhaeng-road-blast/

Prayuth plans to 'fence off' border
The Nation


An officer inspects the police pickup truck that was hit by a bomb planted near a bridge across the Sai Buri River in Pattani. The blast killed one officer and wounded two others, all of whom belonged to a local Border Patrol police unit.

Says wall will block smuggling of bombs

BANGKOK: -- Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday floated the idea of putting up walls along the entire Thai-Malaysia border to block the smuggling of bombs and similar devices for use in attacks by insurgents. This proposal will be included in a meeting with Malaysian authorities next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642457-army-chief-prayuth-plans-to-fence-off-border-the-entire-thai-malaysian-border/

Water deals' details sought
JEERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRANG,
TANPISIT LERDBAMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The private sector yesterday called on the government to disclose details of the contracts signed with bid winners in the planned Bt350-billion water-management scheme for the sake of transparency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642458-call-on-thai-govt-to-disclose-water-management-scheme-details/

'BOT under no pressure to cut rate'
Sarun Kijvasin
The Nation


Prasarn Trairatvorakul

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul maintained that the Monetary Policy Committee was under no pressure, despite the renewed attempt by Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong to force a cut in the benchmark interest rate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642459-bank-of-thailand-under-no-pressure-to-cut-rate-prasarn/

SPECIAL REPORT
The white masks that give a new face to Thai protest
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The recent sightings of Guy Fawkes white masks, or V masks from the "V for Vendetta" movie - which are now used as a symbol against the Thaksin regime - were not the first time they have been adopted by political campaigners in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642460-the-white-masks-that-give-a-new-face-to-thai-protest-special-report/

Airport security to be reviewed after criminal escapes

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An investigation is under way into security flaws at Suvarnabhumi Airport after an accused German criminal escaped via an airport fire exit while transiting during extradition from Australia earlier this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642462-suvarnabhumi-airport-security-to-be-reviewed-after-criminal-escapes/

PUBLIC-HEALTH BATTLE
Pradit warns critics of libel action
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Refuses to change policies, says he will stay in hot seat right to the end

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong yesterday warned that those accusing him of wrongdoing could face libel lawsuits. He also vowed that the government would not change or discontinue its policies to improve the country's public health system even if Pradit was removed from the ministerial position.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642464-thailands-public-health-minister-pradit-warns-critics-of-libel-action/

F1 noise doesn't rattle: Pollution Control Dept
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The noise of Formula One race cars should not have much impact to sites along the race circuit, Pollution Control Department director-general Wichien Jungrungruang said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642465-f1-noise-should-not-have-much-impact-to-sites-along-bangkok-race-circuit-pollution-control-dept/

Obec chief Chinnapat to face exam fraud probe this week
Supinda Na Mahachai,
Prasit Tangprasert
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- On Friday, the grave disciplinary committee will summon Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat to explain charges of alleged negligence of duty in the assistant teacher exam fraud case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642466-obec-chief-chinnapat-to-face-exam-fraud-probe-this-week/

GPO acting chief vows clean-up
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO)'s acting managing-director Pissamorn Klinsu-wan has vowed to clear all chronic problems with the state drug maker, including the stockpile of raw materials to produce paracetamol and vaccines.

However, following the conflict inside and outside the GPO, she admitted it would be tough for her to resolve all the problems, saying she [felt like] a pawn in a game of chess. "I don't want people to say I am here because I want to replace the former GPO's managing director, Witit Artavatkun. I am here to work," she said.

Before taking this position at the GPO, Pissamorn was accused of being involved in irregularities over medicine procurement worth Bt1.4 billion 15 years ago.

She has been quiet during the past week over the allegations,.

"I know what I will be facing when I take this post. I am better keeping silent," she added.

Pissamorn has only four months due before her retirement in October. She said she would resolve all the problems burdening the GPO, such as the stockpile of raw materials to produce paracetamol. She said she would talk with the company to seek a resolution in returning the tainted raw materials. Three resolutions have been proposed on what to do with the 148 tonnes of raw paracetamol material.

The first resolution: GPO will return all raw material to the company but GPO has to pay Bt6 million towards the company's tax bill. The second option: GPO will ask the company to give the raw material over to produce other medicine. The third option: GPO will ask the company to exchange the raw material needed to produce paracetamol and will ask the Food and Drug Administration to check its quality.


-- The Nation 2013-05-28

FTI urges government to restore business confidence after worst blackout in over 30 years

BANGKOK, 28 May 2013 (NNT) – The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is planning to present a set of measures to the government, in hopes of restoring investor confidence after last week’s blackout in the South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642469-f-t-i-urges-thai-govt-to-restore-business-confidence-after-worst-blackout-in-over-30-years/

97 arrested in Nakhon Si Thammarat for illegal possession of weapons

Nakhon Si Thammarat: -- Police have arrested 97 people during their conduct of a large-scale suppression of illegal arms over the past 13 days.

Nakhon Si Thammarat police said 90 firearms were seized in all, along with 997 bullets. One M67 grenade was also seized.

Police Colonel Sonthichai Awutthanukunthep indicated that some of the seized weapons were registered and some were not. Officials had test-fired all the weapons in order to collect their unique marking on bullets, to see whether any of the weapons have been used in crimes in Nakhon Si Thammarat and nearby provinces.


-- NNT 2013-05-28

BMA to use laws to force protesters out of Sanam Luang

BANGKOK, 28 May 2013 (NNT) - Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has asserted that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) does not support the ongoing demonstration at Sanam Luang, warning that participants will face punishments if they do not relocate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642470-bangkok-administrationto-use-laws-to-force-protesters-out-of-sanam-luang/

Gas tanker leaks 2.5km trail of fuel through Phuket Town
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A six-wheeled gasoline tanker truck leaked a trail of fuel 2.5 kilometers long through Phuket Town, causing motorbikes to skid and fall, resulting in at least one hospitalization.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642471-gas-tanker-leaks-25km-trail-of-fuel-through-phuket-town/

Good Samaritan and Pattaya Immigration help to return lost money to American

PATTAYA: -- A Good Samaritan and his Wife found a handbag full of money in front of a Furniture Shop in South Pattaya and were assisted by Immigration who tracked down its rightful owner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642473-good-samaritan-and-pattaya-immigration-help-to-return-lost-money-to-american/

New Tourist Safety Center to open in South Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- On Monday afternoon at Pattaya Police Station a meeting was held to discuss plans to open a Tourist Safety Center on Pattaya Beach close to the entrance to Walking Street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642476-new-tourist-safety-center-to-open-in-south-pattaya/

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,595.99, up 2.89 points /MCOT

Abrupt nighttime demolition of Rod Fai Market leaves vendors incensed

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Rod Fai Market vendors gathered early this morning after hearing the first rumblings of a construction company hired by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to demolish the Rod Fai Market site without prior notice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642520-abrupt-nighttime-demolition-of-rod-fai-market-leaves-vendors-incensed/

Thailand to propose multi-cooperation with Cambodia
By English News



BANGKOK, May 28 – A proposal to jointly develop economic zones and communication infrastructure between Thailand and Cambodia will be presented to a bilateral meeting next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642521-thailand-to-propose-multi-cooperation-with-cambodia/

Putting it to Bed: Bangkok nightlife institution to call it quits this August
By Coconuts Bangkok


Farewell, sweet prince

BANGKOK: -- Following a swirling gyre of rumors, the management of Bangkok’s Bed Supperclub has finally made it official: The nightlife mainstay will shutter its doors on August 31.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642525-putting-it-to-bed-bangkok-nightlife-institution-to-call-it-quits-this-august/

Five security personnel killed in Thai south: police

BANGKOK, May 28, 2013 (AFP) - Five Thai security personnel have been killed in a fresh spate of gun and bomb attacks which the government on Tuesday blamed on insurgents seeking to disrupt a fragile peace process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642544-five-security-personnel-killed-in-thai-south-police/

Finnwatch researcher slams Thai juice firm's legal action
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN



BANGKOK: -- Finnish retailers have much to improve if they are to have ethical supply chains in developing countries. That’s according to a British researcher who is facing legal action in Thailand over his revelations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642555-finnwatch-researcher-slams-thai-juice-firms-legal-action/

New Tv- series about injured Swedes in Thailand
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN



BANGKOK: -- The Swedish series, SOS Thailand, will be aired during two weeks on Swedish TV3, starting tonight. The show revolves around the people who are involved in helping Swedish tourists, who are somehow injured in Thailand. The show follows Maj and Jan from ERV travel insurance who help travelers at the company’s Euro-Center in Bangkok and flight nurse Erik who helps transport tourists to sick or injured to travel on their own.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642561-injured-swedes-in-thailand-new-series-to-be-shown-on-swedish-t-v/

UPDATE:

Australian guards lose German jewel thief in Bangkok

SYDNEY, May 28, 2013 (AFP) - Australian immigration officials confirmed Tuesday that a German jewel thief transiting through Bangkok under escort managed to escape his guards and flee the airport in an embarrassing bungle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642462-suvarnabhumi-airport-security-to-be-reviewed-after-criminal-escapes/page-2#entry6447068

Measures issued to tackle power blackout
By English News



BANGKOK, May 28 – A new contingency plan for power blackouts demands a snap decision within seven seconds to nip the problem in the bud, according to preliminary instructions by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642469-f-t-i-urges-thai-govt-to-restore-business-confidence-after-worst-blackout-in-over-30-years/#entry6447139

Deputy PM Chalerm asserts Ramkhamhaeng area bombing unrelated to southern violence, coup /MCOT

Education opportunities for stateless children

By Digital Media

KANCHANABURI: -- In Sangklaburi’s Primary School in Kanchanaburi province, located west of Bangkok along the border of Myanmar and Thailand, this area has become home to various stateless migrants, who fled their previous homes in search for better living conditions on the Thai-side.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642600-education-opportunities-for-stateless-children-in-thailand/

Bangkok named top rank as the world’s best city for tourism

BANGKOK, 28th May 2013 (NNT) - Bangkok has been named the world’s best city for tourism, based on the MasterCard Worldwide Global Destination Cities Index 2013 survey collected from 132 countries. The survey indicated that Thai people’s hospitality and kindness are the main factors for this top ranking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642602-mastercard-ranks-bangkok-as-the-worlds-best-city-for-tourism/

Phuket tourist safety, security tops Chinese ambassador's agenda
Phuket Gazette


Ambassador Guan Mu (2nd from right), pictured here in 2011 with then-Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, will arrive in Phuket tomorrow to discuss tourists' safety and security. Photo: Xinhua/Gov.cn

PHUKET: -- The Chinese Ambassador to Thailand has placed tourists’ safety and security at the top of his agenda for his visit to Phuket tomorrow, the Phuket Gazette has learned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642604-embarrassment-for-australia-as-german-criminal-escapes-in-thailand/