Thailand Live Friday 28 Jun 2013

[webfact]

HM the King congratulates the new Emir of of Qatar

BANGKOK, 28 June 2013 (NNT) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has sent a congratulatory message to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thami upon his accession as the new Emir of the State of Qatar on Tuesday, June 25, 2013.

In his message to H.H. Sheikh Tamim, His Majesty the King extended his sincere congratulations and best wishes for the happiness of the Emir, and for the progress and prosperity of the State of Qatar. His Majesty the King also expressed his confidence that the bilaterally good cooperation and friendship between the two countries and peoples would continue to develop further on a sustainable basis for greater mutual benefits and welfare of both sides.


-- NNT 2013-06-28

[webfact]

Transport Minister Gets Taste Of Bangkok Public Bus

Mr. Chirapong Prasertpollakrang's photo on Twitter

Source: KHAOSOD English

BANGKOK: -- A top official in Thai government reportedly ditched his usual motorcade for a bus today because he wanted to find out about quality of Thai public transport - and tasted the life of common Bangkokian by having to wait for more than 30 minutes before getting on the bus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649711-thailands-transport-minister-gets-taste-of-bangkok-public-bus/

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Court orders studies on water plan
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK,
NAKARIN SRILERT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The government is mobilising legal advice on how to unlock projects under the Bt350-billion water-management scheme after the Central Administrative Court yesterday ordered complete environmental and health impact assessment reports on projects likely to harm the environment or communities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649651-thai-court-halts-govts-bt350-billion-water-management-project/#entry6553902

[webfact]

UPDATE:
K-water TV report cut for safety
THE NATION



Director says 'Hardcore News' trimmed as precaution against suits

BANGKOK: -- TV Channel 5 director-general Chatchai Sarikalaya yesterday explained the on-air suspension of "Hardcore News" programme's report on Wednesday evening about Korea Water Resources Corp (K-water)'s alleged shaky financial situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649628-thai-water-agency-strongly-defends-k-water/#entry6553907

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Farmers urge govt to hold off on price cut
THANAPAT KITJAKOSOL
THE NATION



Networks believe it will be less painful |if new rate introduced in November

BANGKOK: -- The cut in the rice-pledging price to Bt12,000 per tonne could be less painful for farmers if it is put in effect during the next harvest season in November, instead of it being implemented right away on July 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649712-farmers-urge-thai-govt-to-hold-off-on-price-cut/

[webfact]

RESHUFFLE
Ministers change schedules amid reports of reshuffle
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Amid reports of a Cabinet reshuffle, some ministers expecting to be transferred or removed decided to change their schedules yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649713-thai-ministers-change-schedules-amid-reports-of-cabinet-reshuffle/

[webfact]

RICE
Stringent US checks pose image problem for Thailand
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


The Commerce Ministry, in cooperation with the Royal Thai Police, has sent a special taskforce to inspect rice warehouses in Ayutthaya and other provinces after finding rice stocks missing.

BANGKOK: -- A foreign news agency recently reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered stringent inspection of Thai rice imports in every container after a report that Thai rice had been put through fumigation that might harm consumers' health.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649714-thai-rice-stringent-us-checks-pose-image-problem-for-thailand/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

There can be no more reversals on pledge scheme

The Nation

The govt has made its own bed with its rice price guarantee, now it must lie in it and reap the consequences

BANGKOK: -- Despite heavy pressure from farmers, who constitute the majority of votes, the Pheu Thai government should not and must not give in. Another change in the rice-pledging price will only further dent confidence in the government, aside from fuelling concerns on the fiscal front.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649715-there-can-be-no-more-reversals-on-pledge-scheme-thai-editorial/

[webfact]

ANALYSIS
Yingluck tipped to double up as minister of defence
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra smiles at reporters as she enters Government House yesterday. Yingluck has remained tight-lipped over media reports of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle.

BANGKOK: -- Media speculation is rife that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will double as defence minister after the widely expected Cabinet reshuffle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649716-yingluck-tipped-to-double-up-as-minister-of-defence/

[webfact]

ANALYSIS
Expected Cabinet revamp welcomed
The Nation


Chaturon

Critics wary of Thaksin's influence

BANGKOK: -- Reports of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle were received positively yesterday, as the move is seen as timely and necessary to solve the government's worsening problems and reduce political pressure. However, critics warned that judging from the possible line-up, the influence of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra remained high in this latest change in the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649717-expected-thai-cabinet-revamp-welcomed/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Will a major Cabinet overhaul save this govt?

Samudcha Hoonsara

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It's not a matter of if, but when, the next Cabinet reshuffle will take place. In fact, people wonder whether the change will be significant enough to bring about a major overhaul to shore up the government's performance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649719-will-a-major-cabinet-overhaul-save-this-govt/

[webfact]

PROSTITUTION
Thai, Singaporean accused of procuring women in separate cases
The Nation

Police have arrested a Singaporean on charges of luring a Thai woman into prostitution in South Africa.

BANGKOK: -- A court approved an arrest warrant for Tan Hong Huat, 56, on Monday. He was apprehended in Samut Prakan's Muang district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649720-thai-singaporean-accused-of-procuring-women-in-separate-cases/

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING
No irregularity found: Nattawut
The Nation


Police officers were seen during the inspection in Pathum Thani.

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikuar insisted on Thursday that no irregularity is found during the raid of 2,100 rice millers and warehouses nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649721-nattawut-no-irregularity-found-during-the-raid-of-2100-rice-millers-and-warehouses/

[webfact]

Greenpeace releases report on destructive fishing in Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649638-greenpeace-releases-report-on-destructive-fishing-in-thailand/

[webfact]

3 Thai tourist attractions earn awards
By Coconuts Bangkok


Wat Pho in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Three Thai tourist locations were included in TripAdvisor’s list of Travellers' Choice Attractions, released earlier this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649732-3-thai-tourist-attractions-earn-awards/

[webfact]

Pattaya Police arrest 25 Beach Road Ladyboy’s

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649738-pattaya-police-arrest-25-beach-road-ladyboys/

[webfact]

Two killed and others injured in bomb attack in Songkhla Friday morning
The Nation

SONGKHLA: -- At least two were killed and seven others injured in a bomb attack at a company in Songkhla on Friday morning.

The explosion took place in front of Pitanpanich company in Nathawee district at 7am. The district is a border district with Pattani province which is hit by attacks on daily basis.

Police said the blast took place a day after a group of insurgents working in the area reported themselves to authorities.


-- The Nation 2013-06-28

[webfact]

Thailand upset by human trafficking Watch List
By English News



BANGKOK, June 28 – Thailand will regularly report to the United States on the progress of its efforts to solve human trafficking in an attempt to be removed from Tier 2 Watch List, according to a senior foreign ministry official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649761-thailand-upset-by-human-trafficking-watch-list/

[webfact]

Thailand remains on watch list for human trafficking

BANGKOK, 28 June 2013 (NNT) – Thailand remains on the watch list of the US on human trafficking for the fourth time in as many years. According to The Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), Asian countries, including Thailand, are homes to some of the worst illegal human traffickers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649761-thailand-upset-by-human-trafficking-watch-list/#entry6554842

[webfact]

New Phuket detour to ease congestion at underpass construction site
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Officials this week inspected the site of a new two-lane detour that will allow travellers between Patong and Chalong to bypass the Darasmuth Intersection in front of Central Festival, relieving congestion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649801-new-phuket-detour-to-ease-congestion-at-underpass-construction-site/

[webfact]

Summer rock camps for Phuket kids

PHUKET: -- The newly formed Phuket Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA) will be running two new summer music camps on the island during school vacation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649809-summer-rock-camps-for-phuket-kids/

[Lite Beer]

Three killed in Songkhla bombing
By English News

SONGKHLA, June 28 - Three persons were killed as a bomb exploded in Na Thawi district of this southern border province this morning even as Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat was visiting a neighbouring province.

The bombing occurred in front of the Pithan Panich Company and a tea shop around 7am.

The victims were identified as retired Pol Sen Sgt Maj Chamras Thongkase, Pol Sen Sgt Maj Veera Kongkaew, on a police early retirement programme, and Sompob Saowaneepithak.

Initial investigation found that two teenagers entered the tea shop before the blast.

The explosion from a home-made bomb was detonated by a mobile phone signal which blasted a 30cm hole in the floor.

In Narathiwat, Defence Minister Sukumpol is on a monthly visit to inspect security operations in the insurgency-torn region. He was briefed by the Fourth Army Region commander on the situation.

He admitted that it is difficult for military operations to cover all the region due to complications of the conflict and said that time is needed to solve the problems.

The Friday visit came as the defence minister is reportedly about to be removed from his post as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is tipped to take the defence portfolio in her fifth cabinet reshuffle.

Elsewhere, army rangers clashed with suspected insurgents in Rueso district during their raid in a house believed to be the hideout of the group.

They exchanged gunfire for about 15 minutes. One ranger was injured in the clash.

Seven suspects were arrested with .38 pistols. They were taken for further investigation in Narathiwat. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-06-28

[Lite Beer]

ANALYSIS
Cabinet reshuffle puts a new face on govt image
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The fifth Cabinet line-up of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is being viewed as an attempt to revamp the fortunes of the Pheu Thai government, following a barrage of problems - including the rice-pledging crisis - that has seen the government's popularity nose-dive in recent weeks.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649719-will-a-major-cabinet-overhaul-save-this-govt/

[Lite Beer]

Thai policeman charged over Rohingya refugee assault

BANGKOK, June 28, 2013 (AFP) - A policeman has been charged with trafficking after a Rohingya woman was allegedly lured from a shelter in southern Thailand and subsequently raped by a man from the refugee Muslim minority, police told AFP Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649814-thai-policeman-charged-over-rohingya-refugee-assault/

[Lite Beer]

Govt sets up new new committee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government resolved to set up a working committee to interpret the Central Administrative Court's order on the Bt350 billion water-management plan.

It will be chaired by Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana

The decision was jointly announced at a press conference on Friday by PM’s Office Ministry permanent secretary Tongthong Chandrangsu, Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, and Achporn Charuchinda, secretary-general for the Office of the Council of State.

-- The Nation 2013-06-28

[webfact]

BAAC allocates 60 billion baht in relief budget for rice farmers

BANGKOK, 28 June 2013 (NNT) – The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has allocated a budget of 60 billion baht to finance five measures aimed at assisting farmers who have been affected by the reduction in pledged price under the government’s rice pledging program. The reduction came after a tremendous loss in the rice program.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649820-baac-allocates-60-billion-baht-in-relief-budget-for-rice-farmers/

[webfact]

Video: Motosai hero journalist Dejchat on why tuk-tuks are cheaper than motorcycle taxis
By Coconuts Bangkok

Photo: Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok motosai, citizen journalist, and all-around wonderful human being Dejchat Puangket is back in the limelight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649826-video-motosai-hero-journalist-dejchat-on-why-motorcycle-taxis-are-cheaper-than-a-tuk-tuks/

[webfact]

False start for Phuket murder trial of Swedish man
Phuket Gazette


The trial of Johan Sebastian Ljung (pictured), charged with the murder of fellow Swede Maksim Schantz in 2011, was deferred to September 9 yesterday after the case investigator failed to show up. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The murder trial of Johan Sebastian Ljung – charged for his role in the killing of fellow Swedish national Maksim Schantz in Phuket two years ago – floundered yesterday after the case investigator failed to present himself in court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649828-false-start-for-phuket-murder-trial-of-swedish-man/

[webfact]

Phuket man steals from women to pay for women
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police on Wednesday arrested a thief who confessed to stealing mobile phones from women in order to pay for prostitutes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649878-phuket-man-steals-from-women-to-pay-for-women/

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1,451.90, up 5.45; Bt/USD30.87; GBP46.93; AUD28.40; EUR40.16; CAD29.32; HKD3.97; SGD24.34; JPY31.87