Thailand Live Wednesday 26 Jun 2013

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Princess Sirindhorn opens international conference on medicine and public health

BANGKOK, 26 June 2013 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday proceeded to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, to open the International Conference in Medicine and Public Health (ICMPH) 2013.

The conference is being jointly organized by the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital of Mahidol University, the Ministry of Public Health and the Rockefeller Foundation from June 24-28. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Healthy Society beyond Frontiers” to demonstrate the determination to promote health care for all people in this region without the indrance of international boundary.

The ICMPH 2013 is intended to provide an opportunity for participating medical and related personnel to explore major advances in medical science and public health issues. The conference is presenting and discussing the most pertinent multidisciplinary issues and holistic approach, from benches to bedsides and throughout the public community which is now extended beyond frontiers. There are also health promotion activities for the aged such as brain scanning, talks on diseases in the elderly and how to take care of older persons.

The conference also features an exhibition commemorating the 90th anniversary of the collaboration between Thailand and the Rockefeller Foundation, which started sending aids to modernize the Siamese medical system in 1921 with Prince Mahidol acting as negotiator.


-- NNT 2013-06-26

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Philip Morris fumes at Thailand cigarette pack rules

File photo

BANGKOK, June 26, 2013 (AFP) - Tobacco giant Philip Morris and hundreds of Thai retailers vowed Tuesday to sue the kingdom's health authorities over new rules introducing bigger and more prominent anti-smoking warnings on cigarette packets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649204-philip-morris-fumes-at-thailand-cigarette-pack-rules/

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Controversial Monk Appears On Air Purifier Advertisement



BANGKOK: -- The controversial monk who had been much criticized by the public for his luxurious lifestyle and shady financial background has appeared on an advertisement endorsing a brand of air purifier, a revelation that would likely attract further scrutiny to the monk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649205-controversial-thai-monk-appears-on-air-purifier-advertisement/

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Man Attempts To Climb Over South Korean Embassy Gate



BANGKOK: -- A South Korean man tries to climb over the gate of South Korean Embassy in Bangkok in order to air his grievance after his motorcycle and credit card were allegedly stolen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649206-man-attempts-to-climb-over-south-korean-embassy-gate-in-bangkok/

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MONEY-LAUNDERING
Thailand fully withdrawn from FATF's Public Statement
Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation


Secretary-General of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) Pol. Col. Sihanart Prayoonrat

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649207-money-laundering-thailand-fully-withdrawn-from-fatfs-public-statement/

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COURT INJUNCTION BID
Water mega plan faces legal delay
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


The Chao Phraya River will have to wait a little longer for an integrated management plan, if the court on Thursday upholds the judge's opinion.

Impact studies must be done first, judge says; final ruling tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- Companies that have won bids for the government's massive Bt350-billion water-management scheme are holding their breath, after an Administrative Court judge voiced initial support for an injunction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649208-thai-govts-water-mega-plan-faces-legal-delay-court-injunction-bid/

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SMOG CRISIS
Narathiwat haze level now 'adverse to health'
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Seven provinces in Southern Thailand were affected by smoke from Indonesian forest fires yesterday, with Narathiwat the hardest hit after particulate-matter levels there reached the 129 micrograms/cubic metre considered adverse to health.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649210-narathiwat-haze-level-now-adverse-to-health/

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UPDATE:

TESCO VS BIG C
Tesco considers appeal against compensation order
The Nation


Shopper at Tesco Lotus after Big C Supercentre has won the battle against its arch-rival Tesco Lotus, which has been ordered to pay Bt4 million damage compensation for unlawful marketing campaigns launched in 2011.

Court says ad campaigns unfair; Tesco may appeal

BANGKOK: -- Big C Supercentre has won the battle against its arch-rival Tesco Lotus, which has been ordered to pay Bt4 million damage compensation for unlawful marketing campaigns launched in 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649096-tesco-lotus-ordered-to-pay-bt4bn-damage-compensation-to-big-c-group/page-2#entry6546419

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STOPPAGE TIME
Rice scheme demonstrates populism's dark side
Tulsathit Taptim



BANGKOK: -- Anyone can spend himself into trouble. It's one kind of trouble if it's your own money, but it's another if it's the taxpayers'. And it's bigger trouble still if all logic cries out for you to stop throwing tax cash all over the place, but you have to weigh that against the wants of the people who voted you into political office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649211-rice-scheme-demonstrates-populisms-dark-side-thai-opinion/

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EDITORIAL

Those in authority should choose words carefully

The Nation

Reactions among certain members of the ruling party to opposition rallies border on intimidation; it's time they lived up to their 'democratic ideals'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649212-those-in-authority-should-choose-words-carefully-thai-editorial/

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"Bentley" up for DSI Inspection
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A Bentley confiscated at a Bangkok checkpoint last week has been traced to a suspicious car importer, according to an informed source.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649213-bangkok-bentley-up-for-dsi-inspection/

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UPDATE:

Monk set up 201 centres 'illegally'
Pakamard Jaichalard,
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A controversial Si Sa Ket monk appears to have set up a vast number of unauthorised centres around the country and overseas, the National Office of Buddhism chief Nopparat Benjawatt-ananan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649205-controversial-thai-monk-appears-on-air-purifier-advertisement/#entry6546445

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Khamronwit to speak about Akeyuth murder probe today
Patinya Iamtan,
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Khamronwit Thoopkra-chang is due to speak to the media at 11am today about unresolved issues linked to the murder of abducted businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr, deputy chief Pol Maj-General Anuchai Lekbumrung said yesterday.

Akeyuth's lawyer and family raised about a dozen matters linked to his murder, which they felt had not been properly answered despite the arrest of his driver and several alleged accomplices.

Polls have revealed public scepticism about police handling of the high-profile case.

Meanwhile, Institute of Forensic Medicine chief Pornchai Sutheerakhun said autopsy results have been given to Phatthalung police chief Saksommai Phuttha-kul, as he was the officer who submitted Akeyuth's body.

Pornchai affirmed that there was no toxin nor sedative in Akeyuth's liver, while the swollen testicle, which prompted suspicion of him being assaulted, was most likely from the fact he had been dead for days prior to the discovery - not assault.

Human rights lawyer Somchai Hom-laor said the government must ensure that the public are left with no doubt as to who was behind the abduction and killing of the anti-government activist and funds manager - otherwise Thai society will descend into a climate of fear, particularly for opponents of the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

"The impact is on the sense of security of people who are on the opposite side of the government. They feel very insecure," Somchai told The Nation yesterday.

Diplomats and foreign rights activists expressed surprise over how such a high-profile person could suffer such a fate, he said.

Regardless of whether Akeyuth was involved in dubious business deals, there was no reason for society to condone such a killing.

Somchai said it was imperative to get independent oversight of the ongoing police investigation into the murder to ensure it was not a case of a state killing and a cover-up.

Probe's reliability questioned

National Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwat-chra, who chairs the NHRC's panel on Civil and Political Rights, is looking into the case after two people, whom he refused to name for fear of jeopardising their safety, lodged a complaint asking the rights body to look into the reliability of the ongoing police investigation.

Niran said the panel would summon police investigators for questioning next week after officers postponed a meeting this week.

The commissioner said he personally felt that were issues which were suspicious, such as the disappearance of CCTV cameras at Akeyuth's house.

The NHRC will dispatch a team to Phatthalung, where Akeyuth's body was found.


-- The Nation 2013-06-26

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BURNING ISSUE
The corrosive vitriol in our politics
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- One emerging aspect of Thai political polarisation since 2006, or even slightly earlier, is that many people no longer hesitate to spell out their different political opinions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649215-the-corrosive-vitriol-in-thai-politics/

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Muslim leader urges govt to keep promise on ending Emergency Decree
By English News



NARATHIWAT, June 26 – A southern Muslim leader said government forces must be withdrawn from “green zones” after the Emergency Act is abolished.

Abdullaman Abdulsamad, president of the Confederation of Islamic Committees in five southern border provinces, urged the government to keep its promise on ending the Emergency Decree in the so-called green zones or areas without violence.

It is a gesture to the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) militant group but the BRN must also guarantee that there would not be any attacks or violence after an abolition of the Emergency Decree and withdrawal of military forces, he said.

Regarding the BRN’s demands on YouTube for troop withdrawal from the deep South, Mr Abdullaman said the Thai government would have to take the issue into serious consideration, indicating that it is impossible to end the decade-long unrest in the South in just a few years. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-06-26

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Two wounded in bomb ambush of Yala teacher protection unit on patrol /MCOT

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Thai household debt skyrockets, predatory lending mushrooms
By English News



BANGKOK, June 26 – Thai household debt rose to a record five year high at 64 per cent – a 12 per cent increase from last year, according to an academic survey.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649242-thai-household-debt-skyrockets-predatory-lending-mushrooms/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,400.72, up 16.09 points /MCOT

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Public, private agencies to check rice stocks nationwide
By English News



BANGKOK, June 26 – Joint public-private rice scrutiny agencies will inspect rice mills and warehouses nationwide tomorrow amid the latest report of more than 2.5 million tonnes of grains missing from government stockpiles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649244-nationwide-rice-stocks-to-be-inspected-for-missing-25m-tons-from-thai-govt-stockpiles/

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FEATURE
Thailand's traffic cops battle the bulge
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, June 26, 2013 (AFP) - Bellies wobbling and chubby limbs swinging, dozens of sweaty traffic cops exercise to the rhythm of Thai pop songs as part of a scheme to reduce the number of overweight police in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649247-thailands-traffic-cops-battle-the-bulge/

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PM declines to answer reporters question on cabinet reshuffle, says 'no interviews today', 'only smiles' /MCOT

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Four Chinese butchered in PNG

SYDNEY (AFP) -- Four Chinese nationals have been hacked to death in Port Moresby, with one reportedly beheaded and the others dismembered in an attack condemned as "brutal and cowardly" on Wednesday by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649252-four-chinese-nationals-butchered-in-papua-new-guinea/

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GSB celebrates its centennial anniversary

BANGKOK, 26 June 2013 (NNT) – The Government Savings Bank (GSB) is prepared to host a trade fair offering commodity goods at discounted prices next month to celebrate its centennial anniversary and the 12th anniversary of its People’s Bank Project.

GSB President and CEO Woravit Chailimpamontri said that the fair will be particularly held to mark the 12th anniversary of the People’s Bank Project on June 25. The bank has invited 787 customers of the People’s Bank to participate in the trade fair which will be conducted at the Challenger Hall 3, Impact Muangthong Thani during July 8 - 14.

He said visitors to the fair will find a wide range of products from eggs, seasonal fruits, rice, snacks, and furniture to massage services, herbal and health products, and OTOP products from 4 regions of the country. The eggs will be sold at 1 baht each, and will be available at only 50,000 per day, while the jasmine rice would be sold at 20 baht a kilogram, with only 3,000 kilograms to be available each day.

Mr. Woravit also mentioned there would be several occupational training courses opened for the public as well.

He added that from July 8 until the end of the month, the GSB would offer low interest loans with extended period of payment for the People’s Bank Project applicants who plan to raise a loan of no more than 100,000 baht.


-- NNT 2013-06-26

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SC claims no foreign embassies have received BRN's statement on peace proposal

BANGKOK, 26 June 2013 (NNT)-National Security Council Secretary-General Paradorn Pattanathabutr has denied a claim that the BRN militant group had distributed its statement of proposals subjected to be discussed with the Thai government to foreign embassies in Thailand, suspecting that it was the BRN’s strategy to pressure the government.

Secretary General Paradorn said no embassy has reported receiving such a letter from the militant group. The BRN had earlier sought compliance from the Thai government on its 7-point demand, which was posted on Youtube, in exchange for peace in the restive South.

The Thai government, according to Lt-Gen Paradorn, will only consider the BRN proposals contained in a written statement submitted to it. He said he was informed by Malaysian authorities that the latter would send details of the BRN proposals to Thailand within 2 days’ time.

The NSC Secretary General reiterated that once receiving the detailed proposal, officials involved will consider the matter, after which Thailand’s proposal will be drafted and proposed to Malaysia for consideration.


-- NNT 2013-06-26

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Phuket beaches roped off after deadliest weekend
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- After Phuket’s deadliest drowning weekend, sections of Kata and Karon Beaches have been closed for the first time in the island’s history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649304-phuket-beaches-roped-off-after-deadliest-weekend/

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Skype adds video message function

Skype users can now send each other short video messages.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649311-skype-adds-video-message-function/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Foreign ambassadors are expected to meet with the Minister of Tourism in Bangkok on Friday to discuss tourist safety in Phuket.

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Thailand burns big narcotics cache to mark world drugs day
By English News

BANGKOK, June 26 – A total of 3,363 kg of drugs, seized in 2,584 cases and worth more than Bt10 billion, were set ablaze today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649313-thailand-burns-big-narcotics-cache-to-mark-world-drugs-day/

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Japan Tobacco sues Thailand over cigarette packaging

TOKYO, June 26, 2013 (AFP) - Japan Tobacco is suing the Thai government over plans to introduce bigger and more prominent anti-smoking warnings on cigarette packets, the company said Wednesday, as rival Philip Morris vows similar action.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649204-philip-morris-fumes-at-thailand-cigarette-pack-rules/#entry6547949

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RT@RichardBarrow: Thai Air Force to pay 3.4 Billion Baht to buy an Airbus A320 aircraft & hangar for undisclosed VIPs (Bangkok Post)