Thailand Live Thursday 20 Jun 2013

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BKK City Hall asks to upgrade sewers of gated communities against floods

BANGKOK, 20 June 2013 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's drainage and sewerage office is making requests to gated communities and housing estates in the capital to re-develop the sewer systems in the communities, integrating them with the city's storm drains to prevent flooding.

Adisak Khanti, director of the drainage office, indicates that raining will cover 60% of areas in Bangkok over the current period. He said City Hall has already dredged most of its canals and waterways to facilitate water flow during the storm season and has also installed water pumps in areas prone to inundation.

According to Mr. Adisak, City Hall is currently negotiating with the management of housing estates and gated communities in Bangkok to set aside a small part of their community property for the BMA's planned development of a new sewage drainage system with larger drainage pipes.


-- NNT 2013-06-20

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Thailand cuts rice-buying subsidy after big losses

BANGKOK, June 20, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand said Wednesday that it would slash the price paid to rice farmers under a controversial scheme that caused the kingdom to lose its place as the world's top exporter of the commodity last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647860-thailand-cuts-rice-buying-subsidy-after-big-losses/

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FDA ceremony to torch 3.4 tonnes of seized drugs
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will burn 3.4 tonnes of illicit drugs worth Bt10 billion, as part of the country's 42nd official illicit-drug incineration ceremony in Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate on June 26, FDA chief Boonchai Somboonsuk said yesterday.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647861-thailand-to-burn-34-tonnes-of-seized-drugs-worth-bt10-billion/

Full story:

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Democrats to impeach govt over water project
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party will file a petition to remove the Cabinet on suspicion that the government colluded with four large companies in the bidding for the Bt350-billion water-management scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647862-democrats-to-impeach-thai-govt-over-water-project/

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Army Officer Insists To Court Japanese Reporter Killed By 'Blackshirts'



BANGKOK: -- An army officer whose unit was involved in the military crackdown on Redshirts protesters around Ratchadumnern Avenue on 10 April 2010 testified to the court that the military were not responsible for the death of a Japanese reporter on that day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647864-thai-army-officer-insists-to-court-japanese-reporter-killed-by-blackshirts/

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Policeman's Brother Killed For Trying To Stop A Fight

BANGKOK: -- A man was reportedly stabbed to death after he attempted to break up a fight between his friends and a group of strangers as they were drinking at a roadside eatery in Phuket province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647865-thai-policemans-brother-killed-for-trying-to-stop-a-fight/

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TAT launches new campaign to boost bike tourism

BANGKOK, 20 June 2013 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching a new green campaign to promote bike tourism in the kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647866-tat-launches-new-campaign-to-boost-bike-tourism-in-thailand/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Doubts over BRN's sincerity
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation

Violence escalating instead of abating despite peace talks

BANGKOK: -- Many are sceptical as to whether the BRN is sincere about curbing the violence and taking the path of peace, because violence in the region has escalated rather than scaled down as a result of the dialogue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647868-thai-south-peace-talks-doubts-over-brns-sincerity/

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EDITORIAL
Neglect support base and be paid back in kind
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Politicians forget too quickly about the people who put them in power, as Pheu Thai and the government were rudely reminded last weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647870-neglect-support-base-and-be-paid-back-in-kind-thai-editorial/

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Police foil Colombian gang of thieves
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Immigration Police yesterday announced the arrest of four Colombian nationals for burglary, and a Chinese man in a separate case of fraud.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647871-thai-immigration-police-foil-colombian-gang-of-thieves/

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Jet-setting monk 'can't be found'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Facebook updates show that Luang Pu Nenkham, who recently got a lot of negative publicity, had participated in praying rites in France on Tuesday.

However, Wirod Chaiyapan-nana, director of the Si Sa Ket Buddhism Office, said yesterday the monk could not be contacted. "We will have to summon him."

Questions about Luang Pu Nenkham emerged last week after a video clip showing him on a private jet went viral on the Net.

Later, the public also found the image of a man resembling this monk lying next to a woman.

According to Wirod, the Phu Khao Kaeo Temple in Ubon Ratchathani has denied that this monk had ordained there. The temple was cited in the monk's website, www.luangpunen-kham.com.

Meanwhile, a monk at the well-known Wat Pa Ban Tad, which embraces the Kammathan practice, said Luang Pu Nenkham was not a follower as he claims. Luang Pu Nenkham also claims to be the abbot of Wat Pa Khantit-tham.


-- The Nation 2013-06-20

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Close eye on teens from South in Ramkhamhaeng

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police have stepped up measures to closely monitor teenagers from the South who are living in Bangkok's Ramkhamhaeng area after investigation indicated that southern insurgents might be behind the May 26 bomb attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647872-bangkok-police-to-keep-a-close-eye-on-teens-from-south-in-ramkhamhaeng/

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Myanmar turns down Thai request for white elephant
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Myanmar has turned down Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul's plan to borrow a white elephant from Nay Pyi Taw to display in Chiang Mai zoo. A polite reply from the Myanmar government stated that it would be too difficult to transport the rare albino pachyderm to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647873-myanmar-turns-down-thai-request-for-white-elephant/

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DSI set to charge two suspects over super car scam
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Two men suspected of involvement in the trade of high-end cars that were not properly taxed are expected to surrender to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647874-chalerms-car-inspected;-dsi-set-to-charge-two-suspects-over-super-car-scam/

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BURNING ISSUE
Don Muang's a tough lesson for Pheu Thai
Attayuth Bootsripoom



BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party candidate Tankhun Jitt-itsara surprisingly won the Don Muang by-election, beating the candidate of the Pheu Thai Party, which was seen as the all-time champ of the constituency. The outcome has taught a new political lesson for both Pheu Thai and the Democrats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647875-don-muangs-a-tough-lesson-for-pheu-thai/

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Couple Robbed In Pattaya City


A Thai woman together with her foreign boyfriend were robbed as they were walking back to their room in an isolated alley. The robbers used a long knife to threaten them. They were able to get away with over 14,000 THB together with important documents.

PATTAYA – [PDN]; Police officers of Pattaya police station were informed that a robbery gang used a pick up car to rob a couple. As soon as the incident was reported police rushed out to investigate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647879-danish-man-and-thai-woman-robbed-in-pattaya/

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Red Bull heir's Ferrari crash indictment postponed for a fourth time
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The trial proceedings of the criminal case against Vorayuth Yoovidhya, a 28-year-old Red Bull heir, was postponed today for a fourth time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647880-bangkok-red-bull-heirs-ferrari-crash-indictment-postponed-for-a-fourth-time/

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UPDATE:

Phuket airport to Patong bus starts July 1. Definitely
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The buses used for the service will be small 24-seaters.

PHUKET: -- The long-awaited bus service from Phuket International Airport to Patong will launch on July 1, it was confirmed in a meeting this afternoon (June 19) at Phuket Provincial Hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/645922-phukets-new-airport-bus-slated-for-july-1-launch/page-2#entry6524863

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James Gandolfini, Sopranos star, dies in Italy aged 51

Gandolfini on February 19, 2007

File photo, source: wikipedia.org

LONDON: -- James Gandolfini, the US actor best known for his role as the mob boss in The Sopranos, has died at the age of 51, the HBO TV network has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647883-james-gandolfini-sopranos-star-dies-in-italy-aged-51/

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Thai Farmers Association chairman urges government to reconsider decision to reduce paddy pledge price /MCOT

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UPDATE:
Phuket birthday fight ends in stabbing death
Phuket Gazette


Police investigating at the bar near Chalong Circle. Photo Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Two men were stabbed in a fight at a live-music venue near Chalong Circle early this morning. One of the men died; the other is expected to recover from his wounds.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647865-thai-policemans-brother-killed-for-trying-to-stop-a-fight/#entry6525275

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UPDATE:

Cutting paddy pledging price fails to end losses
By English News

BANGKOK, June 20 – The government’s decision to lower the pledging price of paddy to Bt12,000 per tonne will minimise losses from the subsidy scheme but the new stock will add a blow to the remaining stockpiles from the two previous harvest seasons which have yet to be sold to buyers, a senior official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647860-thailand-cuts-rice-buying-subsidy-after-big-losses/?p=6525373#entry6525373

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,396.03, down 41.67 points /MCOT

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Milk cartons being turned into furniture for Samut Sakhon schools

SAMUT SAKHON, 20 June 2013 (NNT) – Milk cartons are being collected and turned into furniture for needy schools in Samutsaskhon province.

Samutsakhon provincial administrative organization and Amphon Foods Co. Ltd. (APF) have been accepting donations of used milk cartons for their project to recycle a million of the paper boxes by converting them into school furniture.

Under a collaboration between APF and Kasetsart University, school desk sets were made from milk cartons that have been recycled into chip boards that boasted impressive strength. One set can be manufactured from 2,500 recycled cartons.

Because of the project's potential to encourage the public to recycle materials and conserve the environment, Amphon Foods, the maker of coconut-derived food products and Gaba rice drinks, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samutsakhon provincial administrative body to continue with the project on a larger scale.

Locals are being encouraged to participate in the project by bringing in used milk cartons and exchanging them for rice, sugar and cooking oil.

Those coordinating the project aim to collect around 1 million milk cartons, in order to supply the recycled furniture to schools in the province.

According to project coordinators, recycling 1 ton of milk cartons can reduce landfill space by 4 square meters and reduce carbon dioxide emission by 900 kilograms.


-- NNT 2013-06-20

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Bangkok Fishbowl: Exotic species swim free in abandoned mall
By Praj Kiatpongsan


"New World" Banglamphu Intersection

BANGKOK: -- A few blocks away from Khao San Road sits New World, a four-storey, roofless, abandoned mall on the corner of Banglamphu Intersection. The building’s flooded basement now serves as a home for thousands of fish and is arguably home to the most exotic underwater species in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647907-bangkok-fishbowl-exotic-species-swim-free-in-abandoned-mall/

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101,000 Singapore millionaires in 2012
Rachael Boon
The Straits Times

The share market rally sharply increased the ranks of Singapore's wealthy last year.

SINGAPORE: -- New figures out yesterday show that there were 101,000 millionaires by the end of 2012 in Singapore, a jump of 10.3 per cent over 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647911-101000-singapore-millionaires-in-2012/

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PM asks attorney general to appeal Supreme Administrative Court against lower court ruling ordering Thawil Pliensri's return to NSC /MCOT

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14 imported white lions inspected for legality

Bangkok, 20 June 2013, (NNT) -- Officials from the Natural Resources Wildlife and Plants Department, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, the South African Embassy, and International Criminal Police Organization, have inspected microchips and related documents of 14 imported white lions from South Africa for their legality.

The confiscated lions, two of which are pregnant, were being kept at a residence in Minburi District, Bangkok.

According to ministry's Secretary General Sakda Noppasit, the importer, Montree Boonprom-orn, does possess the authorized document from Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Mr. Sakda said the lions will be sent to a private zoo in Nakhonratchasima Province, adding that his ministry would propose a bill requiring readiness of pet importers to care for the animals before procuring them in order to keep smugglers at bay.


-- NNT 2013-06-20

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Princess Sirindhorn opens 2nd White Elephant Art Award exhibition

BANGKOK, 20 June 2013 (NNT) - HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Wednesday afternoon presided over the opening ceremony of the 2nd White Elephant Art Award exhibition, at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center in Pathumwan district.

On this occasion, Her Royal Highness awarded winners of the White Elephant Art Award with trophies. Among them were Mr. Chatchawan Wannapho (ชัชวาล วรรณโพธิ์) with his top winning piece entitled ‘Water, Life, Nature’, and Mr.Sornchai Khonwun (ศรชัย คงวุ่น) with his masterpiece: ‘Arriving Home’. Twenty-two other artists also received their respective prizes from the princess.

The 2nd White Elephant Art Award is being organized by Thai Beverage PCL with the objectives to honor HM the King on his 84th Birthday anniversary and to allow participating artists to express their impressions on the significance of water in their own perspectives. More than 60 pieces of realistic and figurative art works are on display

The exhibition will continue until August 11, 2013.


-- NNT 2013-06-20

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Thailand is retreating from its disastrous rice subsidy program, but not enough

BANGKOK: -- After years of stubbornly resisting widespread criticism over a populist rice subsidy policy, Thailand is finally showing signs that it might be willing to backtrack, but its reluctant retreat probably won’t be enough to reverse a dramatic plunge in its exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/647860-thailand-cuts-rice-buying-subsidy-after-big-losses/?p=6525860#entry6525860