Thailand Live Monday 24 Jun 2013

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Nationwide rice stock checking set for 29 June

BANGKOK, (NNT) - The Public Warehouse Organization and the Marketing Organization for Farmers are scheduled to check rice stock in more than 1,600 mills and central warehouses nationwide on 29 June 2013 following reports of missing rice from the stock under the rice pledging program.

Deputy Minister of Commerce Nuttawut Saikua said the Royal Thai Police would set up a center to monitor the checking of rice stock both in terms of quantity and quality. He assured that that the stock checking would be carried out in the most transparent and cautious manners.

The compilation of data on the number of rice participating in the government’s rice pledging scheme is expected to be completed within two weeks’ time although the Cabinet has set a 30-day time frame for the operation.

-- NNT 2013-06-24

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UPDATE:

Thailand 'white mask' protesters rally in Bangkok

BANGKOK, June 24, 2013 (AFP) - Hundreds of anti-government protesters -- many wearing white masks -- converged on Bangkok's shopping district, Thai police said Sunday, in a reminder of the kingdom's political divisions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648576-white-masks-adamant-on-rallying-at-centralworld-despite-ban/?p=6538944#entry6538944

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Public Health Ministry orders nationwide surveillance measures against Coronavirus
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, June 24 - Thailand's Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong ordered health officials nationwide to be on alert of Coronavirus particularly in tourist destination provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648759-thai-public-health-ministry-orders-nationwide-surveillance-measures-against-coronavirus/

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SIAMESE REVOLUTION
Three ways of looking at the June 24 anniversary
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Political groups claiming to be fighting for democracy are increasingly using June 24, the day absolute monarchy ended, as a symbolic date to conduct activities.

In 1932, a group of Western-educated military and civilians calling themselves The Promoters, seized control of the power of King Rama VII and introduced parliamentary democracy with the King as head of state. Today, 81 years later, at least three groups are holding events on the date which for three decades - until 1957 - was Thailand's national day.

"This is a struggle to define democracy that stemmed from ordinary citizens and a reminder that Thailand is no longer under an absolute monarchy system," said political activist Vipar Daomanee.

Vipar was among the 60-plus members of a committee to advance democracy which held an activity yesterday, running into the early hours of today, to launch their group, made up mostly of red shirts, and to mark the occasion.

Another group holding an event today is the Network of People affected by the lese majeste law, which will include the reading of the declaration by The Promoters - a damning document describing and criticising the exploitation of ordinary Siamese by the then absolute monarchs.

Then, there's the selection of June 24 as the date to start public screening of a much-debated documentary film about Thai democracy called Paradoxocracy by award-winning director Pen-ek Ratanaruang and his colleague Passaskorn Pramoolwong.

Vipar said it's no coincidence that separate yet similar efforts were made to remind the public, particularly the younger generation, about the significance of the date.

"The history of June 24 is not settled yet," said Vipar, acknowledging the existence of argument about what really took place 81 years ago. Vipar insisted that this often spray-brushed part of history is the fact that the 1932 revolutionists had to resort to threatening violence to convince King Rama VII, also known as King Prajadhipok, to relinquish his absolute power. "Guns were involved," said Vipar. "But history has been reinterpreted saying the royals were about to grant a constitution to the people anyhow. That means the power of royalists who have been overthrown is still alive."

Royalist multi-coloured-shirt leader Tul Sitthisomwong is living proof of this unsettling historical episode. He believes that although June 24 is an important date in history, The Promoters were not altruistic and merely looked to overthrow one system to establish a new one to enrich themselves. "I don't think those who promote June 24 understand democracy at all," Tul said. "I think they have to re-study the past. I think we have always been fooled [about the establishment of parliamentary democracy]. In fact it was the overthrow of the monarchy system [with the lands going] into the hands of the [revolt's] leaders."

He said the vast majority of Thai citizens today do not truly understand democracy. "Voters are not truly free to choose," he said, adding that promotion of democratic understanding should be undertaken year round and not just every June 24.

He even suspects those using June 24 to hold activities are in fact anti-monarchists who want to turn Thailand into a republic. "They just want to destroy the monarchy institution."


-- The Nation 2013-06-24

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Snowden asks Ecuador for asylum

Ecuador says it has received an asylum request from US intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden, presently in Moscow /BBC

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Price cut 'not a solution'
Wattana Khamchu,
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul
The Nation



Academics skeptical of govt move; Pheu Thai to brief MPs on appeasing farmers

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party is calling a meeting to brief party MPs on how to assuage upset farmers following the reduction in the pledging price of rice, even as academics yesterday argued that the price cut will not help resolve the financial losses and corruption problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648760-price-cut-not-a-solution;-academics-skeptical-of-thai-govt-move-pledging-scheme/

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WATER MEGA-PROJECT
Dam planning meets fierce resistance
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Phrae



Villagers near Yom River expel EIA consultants

BANGKOK: -- The government's ambitious plans to build the Lower and Upper Yom dams in Phrae province's tambon Sa-Iap may never leave the drawing board, due to fierce opposition from local residents, say critics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648761-dam-planning-meets-fierce-resistance-yom-river/

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CHALK TALK
Quality, not quantity, of teachers is key
Chularat Saengpassa



BANGKOK: -- Most educators sigh when asked about Thailand's education system. Why? The list of problems is long, with no effective solution for many issues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648763-quality-not-quantity-of-teachers-is-key-thai-chalk-talk/

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EDITORIAL

The media will take care of itself, if politics is righteous

The Nation

But Thai divide has created confusion and made journalists' work tougher

BANGKOK: -- A small group of red shirts made a relatively polite and low-key visit to The Nation's head office last Wednesday. The visitors, who were also planning to drop by a few TV stations to give similar messages, said they wanted "fair" and "just" reporting of political news. They were obviously unsatisfied with the amount of negative reports about the Yingluck administration by the targeted media groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648764-the-media-will-take-care-of-itself-if-politics-is-righteous-thai-editorial/

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Abduction from 1986 cited by police
Patinya Iamtan
The Nation

Killing of wealthy woman for money

BANGKOK: -- In 1986, there was an abduction and murder case similar to that allegedly committed by Santiparb Pengduang, the chauffeur of murdered businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr. Metropolitan Police investigators recently cited the 1986 case, saying it was comparable to the circumstances in Akeyuth's abduction and murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648765-abduction-and-murder-case-from-1986-cited-by-thai-police/

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Slavery at sea has Thailand teetering toward US sanctions
Patrick Winn

Obama administration urges crackdown on forced labor that supplies seafood to Americans.

BANGKOK, Thailand — Their condition recalls dark tales from the 18th century: underfed men lorded over by seafaring captains who pay them nothing and maim the disobedient.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648767-slavery-on-thai-fishing-boats-is-straight-from-the-18th-century/

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Sudarat clarifies computer case
Olarn Lertrattanadamrongkul
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Stressing her 20-year untainted career in politics, former public health minister Sudarat Keyuraphan told a press conference yesterday that the ministry's purchase of an Bt821-million computer system was scrapped because the Comptroller-General's Department found it below standard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648768-stressing-her-20-year-untainted-career-in-politics-sudarat-clarifies-computer-case/

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Pheu Thai denies rumor of secret Cabinet meeting with Thaksin in Hong Kong


Image: KHAOSOD English

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648785-pheu-thai-denies-rumor-of-secret-cabinet-meeting-with-thaksin-in-hong-kong/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,388.71, down 11.79 points /MCOT

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Rhino horns worth 10 million baht seized at Suvarnabhumi

BANGKOK, 24 June 2013 (NNT) - The Customs Department has confiscated 8 rhino horns, worth up to 10 million baht, that were being smuggled through Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648787-rhino-horns-worth-10-million-baht-seized-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

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Ladyboy Pickpocket Gang Arrested


4 ladyboy suspects were arrested after pickpocketing a Korean male at a parking lot. After pickpocketing the Korean, they escaped with a Toyota car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648781-korean-bag-snatch-in-front-of-north-pattaya-body-massage-parlor/

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Conservation buoys placed in Gulf of Thailand
By English News



PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, June 24 – The Esperanza, the largest vessel in the Greenpeace fleet, joined more than 200 Thai fishing trawlers in placing buoys across a 60km stretch of the sea in this southern province to conserve marine life in the Gulf of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648792-conservation-buoys-placed-in-gulf-of-thailand/

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Phitsanuloke paddy fields damaged by flood
By English News



PHITSANULOK, June 24 -- More than 3,000 rai of paddy field in the lower northern province of Phitsanulok were damaged by forest run off which caused by the continuous rain.

The continued heavy rain caused forest runoff from the Phetchabun mountains to flood more than 3,000 rai of paddy fields in five subdistricts of Phitsanulok's Bang Krathum district.

It was expected that the area of flood damage could widen because water is still flowing from the mountain.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department of Thailand has warned that the northeastern provinces of Thailand to brace for heavy rain expected to come from tropical storm "Bebinca" that is now in Vietnam.

The weather agency said in a statement that the storm is over northern Vietnam and has been downgraded to tropical depression status. It was last reported at 100 km northeast of Hanoi with maximum sustained wind of about 55 km/hour and was moving north slowly and was expected to weaken to become a low pressure cell in the next phase.

The storm has caused heavy rain over Thailand's Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan provinces for several days.

At the same time, the strong southwest monsoon remains over the upper Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Strong wind and 2-3 metre high waves are expected in the upper Andaman Sea. The department warned ships to proceed with caution and for small boats in the upper Andaman Sea to keep ashore. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-06-24

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Thai security chief insists on continued talks with southern insurgents despite attacks
By English News



BANGKOK, June 24 – A high-ranking Thai security official insists that peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) militant group must carry on despite continued attacks in Thailand’s far South.

Paradorn Pattanatabut, National Security Council (NSC) secretary general, referred to two weekend bombings in Pattana and Yala in which military personnel were killed or wounded.

He said the Thai authorities were awaiting the BRN’s temporary peace plan for the three southern border provinces for the holy month of Ramadan to determine if it can really reduce violence in the Muslim predominant region.

The plan should be submitted to the Thai government a week ahead of Ramadan which falls on July 9 and ends August 7, he said.

“If attacks continue during the fasting month, we have to know if they are done by BRN factions or other militant groups. However, talks must go on as we have to communicate (with them)," he said.

The NSC chief said it is likely that pre-Ramadan attacks especially on government forces will intensify but the situation should improve as Muslim people enter the religious fasting ritual. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-06-24

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PM dressed in red, attends niece's wedding

BANGKOK, (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attended her niece’s wedding, Chayika Wongnapachant, the sldest daughter of Ms Yingluck’s elder sister’s. The Premier also gave a warm speech to the bride and groom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648793-pm-yingluck-dressed-in-red-attends-nieces-wedding/

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Nakhon Ratchasima police arrest two drug dealer suspects with 800,000 meth pills, 5 kg of ice /MCOT

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Students Severely Injured By 'Electric Shock' At Science Museum


Entrance to Wakor Science Park (file photo)
KHOAOSOD English

PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN: -- Ill-maintained electric circuit is thought to be responsible for the accident in which 3 elementary school students were seriously injured after they touched a metal bar at a major science museum in Prachuab Kiri Khan province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648796-students-seriously-injured-by-electric-shock-at-wakor-science-park/

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Tourist Police arrest foreigner running an illegal employment agency in Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648799-tourist-police-arrest-foreigner-running-an-illegal-employment-agency-in-bangkok/

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Ecuador 'analysing' Snowden asylum request: FM

HANOI, June 24, 2013 (AFP) - Ecuador's foreign minister said Monday his country was "analysing" a request for asylum by fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden who is currently in Moscow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648800-ecuador-analysing-snowden-asylum-request-fm/

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Cartoonist Chai Rachawat meets police after summons to hear defamation charges filed by PM Yingluck, denies any wrongdoing /MCOT

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Cartoonist reports to police on PM's libel charge
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, June 24 - Political cartoonist Somchai Katanyutanant, widely known as Chai Rachawat, acknowledged a libel charge by Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Metropolitan Police Command in Bangkok today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648812-cartoonist-somchai-reports-to-police-on-pm-yinglucks-libel-charge/

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Indonesian haze has no impact on Thai tourism
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, June 24 – The Indonesian forest fire-produced haze, which has affected Singapore and Malaysia, has not yet impacted Thailand’s tourism, said Surapong Techaroowichit, chairman of the Thai Hotels Association.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648816-indonesian-haze-has-no-impact-on-thai-tourism/

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UPDATE:

Farmers lose cool as 4,000 tonnes of paddy 'disappear'
By English News



PHICHIT, June 24 – Farmers in this central Thailand rice-producing province today filed complaints with police, charging a rice mill with cheating them in its purchase of 4,000 tonnes of paddy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/648805-8000-tons-of-rice-worth-100-million-baht-missing-from-phichit-warehouse/page-2?p=6540186#entry6540186

[Lite Beer]

New tropical storm brings rain to Northeast

BANGKOK, 24 June 2013 (NNT) - A newly formed tropical storm has been forecast to bring heavy rains to provinces in the Northeast in the coming days.

The Meteorological Department has reported that tropical storm Bebinca has made landfall in Vietnam, around 110 kilometers away from Hanoi. Its presence in the neighboring nation will generate widespread thunderstorms in the Northeastern region over the next two days, particularly in Udon Thani, Nakhon Panom and Mukdhaharn.

The front is soon set to subside into a low pressure cell.

The weather bureau added that a strong southwesterly monsoon will continue to prevail over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Strong winds are expected to generate up to 3 meter high waves off the eastern coast. All shippers have been told to proceed with caution and small boats are to be kept ashore.

-- NNT 2013-06-24

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Phuket temple visit postponed after car bursts into flames
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Two women on their way to Phuket’s famous Chalong Temple escaped from their car on Chao Fa East Road shortly before it burst into flames.

Police responded to a 5:30pm call to find 31-year-old Kesara Thongnop, the driver of the car, and a friend siting in shock by the side of the road next to a burned out white Toyota Vios.

“They had been on their way to Wat Chalong when they smelled something burning. They pulled over to the shoulder to check, and suddenly, a fire broke out in the engine and spread throughout the car,” Capt Thada Sodarak of the Chalong Police said.

“Our initial assumption is that an electrical short circuit started the fire, but forensic police will investigate to confirm the cause,” he said

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-temple-visit-postponed-after-car-bursts-into-flames-21426.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-06-24