Thailand Live Thursday 4 Jul 2013

[webfact]

Civil society council urges PM to visit far South

BANGKOK, 4 July 2013 (NNT) - The Civil Society Council of the Southern Border Provinces has called on the government to continue the same policy for the restive region with more unity while asking the prime minister to visit the area by herself to learn about the problem first-hand.

Chairman of the Civil Society Council of the Southern Border Provinces Prasit Meksuwan said if it was possible, he wanted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is the new defense minister, to travel to the Deep South and take care of problems in the area by herself. It would be a waste of time if the government changed its policy on the southernmost provinces, he added.

As for the BRN insurgent group’s demands, the chairman admitted that many of them were hard to accept but he did not rule out the possibility that the demands might have been misinterpreted. All in all, he said most civil societies in the region had agreed that the peace process would have to go on.

The council chairman also urged the government to step up security during the month of Ramadan, a period when the number of violent incidents often peaked in recent years.

-- NNT 2013-07-04

[webfact]

Legal doubt over bt2-tln lending bill
The Nation

Giant loan bill for transport projects also violates the charter, Kanit says

BANGKOK: -- The government's Bt2-trillion borrowing bill for infrastructure and transport projects may face a fate similar to the Bt350-billion water management scheme - as a law reform panel said yesterday the bill may contravene the charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651171-legal-doubt-over-thai-govts-bt2-tln-lending-bill/

[webfact]

Jatuporn rejects Red Shirt movement chair

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651117-jatuporn-rejects-red-shirt-movement-chair/

[webfact]

White-mask group suspends its protests in Bangkok
The Nation


White masks rally at CentralWorld on June 30.

BANGKOK: -- The anti-government white-mask movement has announced a temporary suspension of its political activities in Bangkok, following an internal struggle over strategy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651173-white-mask-group-suspends-its-protests-in-bangkok/

[webfact]

CABINET RESHUFFLE
New heavyweights unveil their strategies
Pongphon Sarnsamak,
Chuleeporn Aramnet,
Saowanee Nimpanpayungwong
The Nation



Wichet promises renewed crackdown on encroachers; Chaturon vows to improve education; while Pavena promises to help the public.

BANGKOK: -- Newly appointed Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wichet Kasemthongsri has vowed to launch a renewed battle against those who encroach on forest reserves and has also ordered senior officials to review forest-protection laws.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651174-thai-cabinet-reshuffle-new-heavyweights-unveil-their-strategies/

[webfact]

Pracha will continue talks with BRN to know separatists' issues
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- While Thai agencies are keen to assess and review talks held with Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) once the holy month of Ramadan is over, Deputy PM Pracha Promnok said yesterday he would like the dialogue to continue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651176-pracha-will-continue-talks-with-brn-to-know-separatists-issues/

[webfact]

NATIONAL CARRIER

THAI plans big push in 2nd half

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International Plc will next week start executing an aggressive second-half business plan to achieve its full-year targets for sales growth of 11 per cent and net profit of Bt6 billion amid increasingly fierce competition, particularly from the entry of low-cost carriers here.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651177-thai-plans-big-push-in-2nd-half/

[webfact]

THAI TALK
Minister takes the bus and nearly misses his flight
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- "I am not joking," Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt said the other day when he announced that he wanted his ministry's senior officials from C9 rank and up to ride a public bus at least once a week for two months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651178-minister-takes-the-bus-and-nearly-misses-his-flight-thai-talk/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
In danger of being a nation run by thieves
The Nation

Corruption at all levels of society is endemic and slowly strangling Thailand; it's time to take a stand before we choke to death.

BANGKOK: -- This month the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is going to select members for all provinces except Bangkok, which has commissioners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651179-in-danger-of-being-a-nation-run-by-thieves-thai-editorial/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Four ministers in two years is too many
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With the latest change in the man at the helm of the Education Ministry, any hope for a better education system is faltering.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651180-four-thai-education-ministers-in-two-years-is-too-many/

[webfact]

Activists call on govt to abolish capital punishment
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Merely abstaining from executions does not translate to abolishing the death penalty because the execution order can be revived at any time, Danthong Breen of the Union of Civil Liberty warned at a major conference in Bangkok last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651181-activists-call-on-govt-to-abolish-capital-punishment/

[webfact]

Acting out crimes is necessary: police
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

Public has the right to know how the crime took place, officer says

BANGKOK: -- The common practice of parading criminal suspects in front of the media to re-enact their alleged crimes before judges have found them guilty is seen as a questionable practice by the human rights community - but the police say they are doing what is best for Thai justice and the practice will continue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651182-re-enact-crimes-is-necessary-thai-police/

[webfact]

Gambling websites' bank accounts frozen
Pyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has frozen over Bt10 million in bank accounts of at least six gambling websites pending further investigation, after the initial probe found that some 1,000 accounts might be involved in the crime, DSI chief Tarit Pengdit said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651183-gambling-websites-bank-accounts-frozen-thailand/

[webfact]

Activist lodges complaint against jet-setting monk with Crime Suppression Division
Wisit Chuanpipatpong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An activist yesterday lodged a complaint against controversial monk Luang Pu Nenkham and his alleged accomplices accusing them of deceiving the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651184-activist-lodges-complaint-against-jet-setting-thai-monk-with-crime-suppression-division/

[webfact]

DSI confiscates five super cars
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday confiscated five luxury vehicles from a man linked to a Ferrari that triggered a series of investigations into a tax-evasion scam involving expensive cars.

The Ferrari was one of several cars that caught fire on a trailer being driven through Nakhon Ratchasima in late May. Public suspicion has grown since because no one came forward to claim ownership of the vehicle.

Ekworawut Onchote was named "on paper" as its owner. He is a director and authorised signatory of Bio Power Co Ltd, which is based in Pathum Thani. This led the DSI to raid the firm yesterday to conduct a search, after which, they decided to take in five luxury cars for inspection.

"We have targeted luxury vehicles first. There are many other cars at the firm but they are not of luxury type," investigator Major Supawan Phonak said.

Ekworawut told the DSI his firm provided automobile-mortgage services and the Ferrari in question had a Bt8-million loan with an interest rate of 1 per cent. The company only had the car's registration book.

Ekworawut named Nareunart Kuansawas as the mortgage applicant, and denied knowing Tanatas Khunnut, the owner of L Motor, where the Ferrari was reportedly re-assembled. Investigators are now convinced many operators have no capacity to re-assemble luxury cars.


-- The Nation 2013-07-04

[webfact]

TPP threatens public health, advocate says

Teerin Julsawad

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Health advocates yesterday expressed concerns over the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposed free-trade agreement that seeks to deepen economic ties and liberalise trade among a group of Asia-Pacific nations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651185-us-led-trans-pacific-partnership-tpp-threatens-public-health-thai-advocate-says/

[webfact]

Thailand's Richest Newcomer Is A Retailer Who Made His Fortune In Nation's Poorest Area
This story appears in the July 15, 2013 issue of Forbes Asia.

ROI ET: -- With his Siam Global House headquartered in Thailand’s northeastern city of Roi Et (pop. circa 40,000), Witoon Suriyawanakul, 55, has made a fortune in a place few others have. There are some who, like him, hail from the nation’s northeast region, but most moved to Bangkok to strike it rich.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651186-thailands-richest-newcomer-is-a-retailer-who-made-his-fortune-in-nations-poorest-area/

[webfact]

Computer mouse inventor Doug Engelbart dies

SAN FRANCISCO: -- Computer pioneer Douglas Engelbart, who is credited with the invention of the computer mouse and graphical user interface, has died at the age of 88.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651198-computer-mouse-inventor-doug-engelbart-dies/

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,450.71, up 7.14 points /MCOT

[webfact]

A trip to Thailand's great northeast


Wat Phra That Phanom.

BANGKOK: -- Less than 10 per cent of the arrivals who descend in droves on Thailand make it to the Northeast. That’s a shame. The kingdom’s largest region has much to recommend it: temples of Khmer vintage and antiquity; Mekong-straddling towns and maritime odysseys; spicy dishes to tantalise the taste buds; and incredibly friendly locals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651210-a-trip-to-thailands-great-northeast/

[webfact]

Police in Baan Chang, Rayong, get ready for AEC by improving English communication skill

RAYONG, 4 July 2013 (NNT) -- Local police in Rayong Province are taking an English course in hopes to communicate better with tourists when the ASEAN Economic Community comes in 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651247-police-in-baan-chang-rayong-get-ready-for-aec-by-improving-english-communication-skills/

[webfact]

Minister Chalerm somewhat disheartened by lessening of role

BANGKOK, 4 July 2013 (NNT) – Labor Minister Chalerm Yubamrung admits he was somewhat disheartened by the lessening of his role in the new cabinet line-up, but affirmed he would work to his full capacity in the new post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651251-minister-chalerm-somewhat-disheartened-by-lessening-of-role/

[webfact]

Bangladeshi cargo ship sinks near Phuket's Racha Yai island in storm, 10 missing /MCOT

[webfact]

More rain forecast as Phuket housing estate goes underwater
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- More rain is forecast for the coming days as Phuket suffers heavy deluges causing minor flooding at locations across the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651254-more-rain-forecast-as-phuket-housing-estate-goes-underwater/

[webfact]

Thailand-Brunei strengthen ties through information and broadcasting

BANGKOK, 4 July 2013 (NNT) – Thailand and Brunei are strengthening bilateral relations through media cooperation as Thailand has hosted the 12th Thai-Brunei Joint Technical Committee meeting in the field of information and broadcasting.

The meeting was jointly presided over by Prime Minister’s Office permanent secretaries of both Thailand and Brunei, Professor Tongthong Chandransu and Mr. Haji Mahrub bin Haji Murni, respectively.

During his speech, Professor Tongthong extended Mr. Mahrub a warm welcome to the country. According to him, Thailand and Brunei have enjoyed a long and well-maintained bilateral cooperation in the field of information and broadcasting, adding that the cooperation will not only educate and promote understanding among the peoples of both countries, but will also enhance strong ties among media officials as well.

The bilateral cooperation covers comprehensive channels of communications either in the form of television, radio networks, on-line contents, publication, and exchange of visits by media and information personnel.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mahrub, during his speech, underlined the importance of quality content and technology used to reach wider audiences.

Thailand and Brunei established their diplomatic relations in 1984. The relationship has since become stronger and stronger; not only through information and broadcasting cooperation, but also through several other mutual agreements, including memorandums of understanding (MoU) on health, education, trade and investment, agriculture, and halal food industry.


-- NNT 2013-07-04

[webfact]

Phuket road work forces motorists to seek bypass road bypass
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The long tailbacks on Thepkrasattri Road caused by the resurfacing of the bypass road at the Bang Khu Intersection in Koh Kaew has forced police to urge motorists to use alternative routes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651259-phuket-road-work-forces-motorists-to-seek-bypass-road-bypass/

[webfact]

Narathiwat bombing injures 3 rangers
By Digital Media



NARATHIWAT, July 4 – Three Thai paramilitary rangers were injured in a bomb explosion on a road in this southern border province today, police reported.

Police said a nine-man ranger team, on a routine security patrol in Chanae district, was caught in an ambush using a home-made bomb detonated with a mobile phone signal.

The three wounded rangers, identified as Apiwat Koteprom, Niayub Rayokari and Cherdpong Soma, were rushed to a nearby hospital.

The bombing took place just five days before the start of Ramadan. A militant group attached to the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) promised in the latest peace talks with Thai security officials to refrain from violence during the Ramadan holy month July 9-August 7. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-07-04

[Lite Beer]

RT@191Thailand: One killed, one wounded in Yala attack (Bangkok Post)

[Lite Beer]

One dies in land slide in Phang-Nga
Naraporn Tuarob

PHANG NGA: Three houses were buried and one man died in a mudslide in Thai Muang, north of Phuket, around 5am today

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651269-one-dies-in-land-slide-in-phang-nga/

[Lite Beer]

Phuket rescue launched for Bangladeshi cargo ship: 17 crew rescued, 13 missing
Phuket Gazette -

The search continues for 10 crewman missing after the cargo ship MV Hope capsized about 25 nautical miles south of Racha Noi Island. Map: Gazette file

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651290-phuket-rescue-launched-for-bangladeshi-cargo-ship-17-crew-rescued-13-missing/