Thailand Live Saturday 6 Jul 2013

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Kanebo recalls whitening products from Thailand and other Asian markets

BANGKOK, 6 July 2013 (NNT) - Japanese cosmetics maker Kanebo has announced that it is recalling 54 of its skin whitening products from all over Asia, including Thailand, after the company received complaints saying the products caused skin discoloration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651638-kanebo-recalls-whitening-products-from-thailand-and-other-asian-markets/

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Fried chicken takeaway called 'Hitler' opens in Thailand and comes complete with logo of Nazi leader in a bow tie

Bizarre restaurant opened last month in Bangkok

Images of Hitler have also been seen on t-shirts in Thailand

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

BANGKOK: -- Schoolchildren dressing up as Nazis and a billboard advert showing Hitler were just the start.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651562-fried-chicken-takeaway-called-hitler-opens-in-thailand/

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White masks to rally again on July 14
The Nation


Songklod Chuenchuphol, a former Army captain and chief guard of the People

BANGKOK: -- Just three days after saying that it would indefinitely suspend its rallies in Bangkok, the V-For-Thailand white-mask group announced on Thursday that it was holding a demonstration on July 14.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651640-white-masks-to-rally-again-on-july-14-in-bangkok/

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Probe into rice claim

Supannee Bhupisut

Nakarin Srilert

The Nation July 6, 2013 1:00 am

Supa

Finance Ministry sets up committee after deputy permanent secretary trashes scheme as fraught with corruption

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Finance yesterday set up a committee to investigate deputy permanent secretary Supa Piyajitti following media reports that she had said the government's rice-pledging scheme was fraught with corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651641-probe-into-rice-claim/

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BT350-BN SCHEME
Six water projects 'are ready' for construction
Pongphon Sarnsamak
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

Council of State says court order not an obstacle for implementation

BANGKOK: -- At least six projects under the government's Bt 350-billion water and flood management scheme are now ready for construction, according to the Royal Irrigation Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651642-six-water-projects-are-ready-for-construction-bt350-bn-scheme/

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Thai royal insult prisoner released after pardon

BANGKOK, July 6, 2013 (AFP) - A Thai man who was serving a 13 year term for posting online content deemed offensive to the kingdom's monarchy said Friday he had been given a royal pardon and released from prison.

Thantawut Thaweewarodomkul, a former administrator of the Nor Por Chor USA website, which has links to the "Red Shirt" protest movement, was convicted under controversial lese majeste and computer crime laws.

"I was in there for three years, three months and five days. I am a bit confused by the outside world after getting used to being behind the (prison) wall", the 41-year-old told AFP by telephone after he was released from the high-security Bangkok Remand Prison.

Under the controversial lese majeste rules, anyone convicted of insulting the Thai king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.

The royal family is a highly sensitive subject in politically turbulent Thailand. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 85, is revered by many Thais but has been in hospital since September 2009.

Thantawut told AFP last year that prison officials had ordered other inmates to beat him during his time in prison.

In June, Thailand pardoned a Singaporean who was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 2009 under the royal defamation law, reportedly for handing out political leaflets deemed offensive to the monarchy.

Rights campaigners say the lese majeste law has been politicised, noting that many of those charged are linked to the Red Shirts, who are loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Two months of mass street protests by the Reds against the previous government in early 2010 triggered the kingdom's worst civil violence in decades with 90 people killed, mostly in a bloody military crackdown.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-07-06

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Mae Tao clinic caught in land dispute
The Nation

TAK: -- A legal dispute is underway between a foundation that supports Mae Tao clinic in Tak, founded and run by Magsaysay laureate Dr Cynthia Maung, and a monk who sold the land plot, which is now home to a field hospital and a school.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651644-taks-mae-tao-clinic-caught-in-land-dispute/

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Digital television plan gets mixed response from experts

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Experts differ on how the upcoming introduction of digital television, with the number of public-service channels rising, will affect people's access to political news and their political awareness.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651645-digital-television-plan-gets-mixed-response-from-thai-experts/

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EDITORIAL
Will the govt gamble with amnesty plan?
The Nation

Under increasing pressure from all sides, the administration might decide to throw caution to the wind, which could unleash a new and violent political storm

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651646-will-the-govt-gamble-with-amnesty-plan-thai-editorial/

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VENUS' VISION
The problem with getting attached to things
Veena Thoopkrajae


Luang Pu Nenkham

BANGKOK: -- The latest controversies involving monks have made many Thai people despair. Is Buddhism deteriorating because of the increasing number of misbehaving monks? Is the Lord Buddha's philosophy failing to enlighten the current generation of monks?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651647-the-problem-with-getting-attached-to-things-thai-opinion/

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REPORT
Many wonder about Yingluck's 'ice-cream gang' and its power
Political Desk
The Nation



Suranand responds to Chalerm's comments with pictures on Facebook

BANGKOK: -- Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung dropped a bombshell on Thursday when he declared that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's "ice-cream gang" would end up dragging her down a ravine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651648-many-wonder-about-yinglucks-ice-cream-gang-and-its-power/

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Yingluck 'has a better hold on South situation'
The Nation


A blast in Narathiwat

BANGKOK: -- Measures introduced by the military to end insurgency in the deep South are well underway and should make good progress under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's concurrent role as defence minister, Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651649-yingluck-has-a-better-hold-on-south-situation/

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List of monk's assets mounts
Piyanuch Thumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- More illegal luxury assets allegedly belonging to jet-setting monk Luang Pu Nenkham have been unearthed in a joint investigation led by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of National Buddhism (ONB).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651650-list-of-thai-monks-assets-mounts/

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UPDATE: One more survivor found after Phuket ship disaster
The Phuket News

PHUKET: -- One more survivor from the Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Hope was found alive this afternoon (July 5) and was flown to Phuket after floating in a life jacket in the Andaman Sea for some 36 hours.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651290-phuket-rescue-launched-for-bangladeshi-cargo-ship-17-crew-rescued-13-missing/page-2#entry6581623

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Russian dies after 6th floor fall inside Central Festival Pattaya Beach



PATTAYA: -- A Russian National is reported to have fallen to his death over railings on the 6th floor of Central Festival Pattaya Beach on Friday Night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651651-russian-dies-after-6th-floor-fall-inside-central-festival-pattaya-beach/

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Dow is up 147.29 points or 0.98% at 15,135.84 after robust jobs data points to economic growth /MCOT

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Sea survivor: Bangladeshi cargo shipman recounts ordeal
Phuket Gazette


Bangladeshi crewman Abu Bakar Siddique of the MV Hope holds up his hand, shredded by trying to cling to the hole in the ship’s hull. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Crewman Abu Bakar Siddique lies resting in a ward in Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, recovering from his ordeal of being washed overboard from the cargo ship MV Hope amid heavy seas late Thursday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651668-sea-survivor-bangladeshi-cargo-shipman-recounts-ordeal/

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Phuket Opinion:
The ins and outs of living in Thailand
Jody Houton

PHUKET: -- Many foreigners ‘living’ in Thailand have to leave after 30 days’ stay, often braving hair-raising visa bus runs to the Malaysian border, only to turn on their heel and immediately re-enter the country as brand new tourist swith brand new visas. No need for a hat or fake moustache.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651670-the-ins-and-outs-of-living-in-thailand/

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'Couple Fight' Led To Spectacular Truck Accident



NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Water truck crashed into 3 vehicles and plunged into a canal near a school in Nakorn Ratchasima province after the driver reportedly argued with his wife while driving.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651671-couple-fight-led-to-spectacular-truck-accident-korat/

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300 million baht worth of drugs seized in Ayutthaya

BANGKOK, 6 July 2013 (NNT) - 500,000 pills of methamphetamine, along with 10 kilograms of crystal meth, were seized in Ayutthaya Province. 2 drug smugglers were also arrested.

Two drug smugglers in Ayutthaya identified as Sompong Kheow-pra-in and Bayan Pupetch were arrested for possessing 500,000 meth pills and more than 10 kilograms of crystal meth or known as "ya ice". According to the police, these drugs could be worth up to 300 million baht in street value. The two perpetrators are members of a drug network formed by Lieutenant Colonel Yise, a drug lord Thai police have been searching for.

The police said the drugs were being smuggled from Chiang Rai to Bangkok. The arrest came after an intelligence report claiming that there would be a smuggling of drugs through Ayutthya route. The police then set up check points and found the suspected car. The police also believe that the confiscated meth pills were fresh of a factory as the color of the drugs has yet to turn.


-- NNT 2013-07-06

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Thai, Turkey PMs agree to start process to set up bilateral Free Trade Agreement with aim to expanding investment to more than Bt1.5bn /MCOT

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Turkey supports Thailand in tackling problems in deep South
By Digital Media



TURKEY, July 6 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Turkey is ready to support Thailand in solving problems in predominantly Muslim southern region, as well as agreed to boost economic cooperation between the two countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651690-turkey-supports-thailand-in-tackling-problems-in-deep-south/

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RT @SkyNewsBreak: The U.S. Geological Survey reports that a strong 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra

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UPDATE:

MV Hope: Three more survivors rescued, two bodies brought ashore Phuket
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Three more survivors were plucked from the sea yesterday as the Royal Thai Navy continued its search for the crewmen still missing from the Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Hope, which capsized in heavy seas south of Phuket on Thursday night (story here).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651290-phuket-rescue-launched-for-bangladeshi-cargo-ship-17-crew-rescued-13-missing/page-2#entry6582740

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Bangkok named top city in the world by Travel + Leisure (again)
By Coconuts Bangkok

We da best!

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok has been voted the numero uno city on the planet for the fourth year running by Travel + Leisure magazine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651695-bangkok-named-top-city-in-the-world-by-travel-leisure-again/

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Glue-huffing monk on holiday in Phuket also a thief
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A monk who came to Phuket to visit a friend was arrested in Rassada yesterday and charged with sniffing glue and theft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651699-glue-huffing-monk-on-holiday-in-phuket-also-a-thief/

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Two ethnic Hmong drug traders arrested in Chiang Rai with 300,000 meth pills while en route to Bangkok /MCOT

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Dengue situation in Northeastern part of Thailand worrisome

BANGKOK, 6 July 2013 (NNT) - Dengue situation in Northeastern part of Thailand is exacerbating as over 5,400 people in 4 provinces have now been infected with dengue virus. The virus has, this year, killed 5 patients in those provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651701-dengue-situation-in-northeastern-part-of-thailand-worrisome/

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Drug-Taking Monks found at Sattahip Temple

SATTAHIP:--Members of the public complained to the Sattahip District Authorities over concerns that Monks at the Sattahip Temple were using illegal drugs which was causing them to act in a way not considered as appropriate for Buddhist Monks.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/651711-drug-taking-monks-found-at-sattahip-temple/

[Lite Beer]

Deputy PM Pracha meets with Chularatchamontri to ask for recommendations in tackling southern violence, peace talks with BRN go on right way /MCOT