Thailand Live Tuesday 9 Jul 2013

[webfact]

Foreign Min: No Thais injured during Egypt crisis

BANGKOK, 9 July 2013 (NNT) - Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has affirmed that no Thai nationals were injured or killed in Egypt following clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters that left at least 36 people dead across the country.

Mr Surapong said that amid a widening political crisis in Egypt, the Cairo-based Thai embassy is monitoring the situation closely and is prepared to offer assistance to Thai citizens where needed. An evacuation plan has been put in place in case of an emergency. No Thai casualties have been reported so far.

The minister commented on the latest bout of violence in Egypt, saying that long-lasting reconciliation and peace cannot be conceived through undemocratic means. He added that the Thai government does not support intervention by military forces in politics to replace a democratically-elected administration.

Democratically-elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi was ousted by the army last week after he was accused of pushing the country toward an authoritarian religious state. Nonetheless, normalcy has not been restored.


-- NNT 2013-07-09

[webfact]

POLITICS
PM downplays 'Thaksin' audio clip
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday that Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha had spoken to her by phone about the audio clip in which it is alleged he and Thaksin Shinawatra discussed a plot to bring the former prime minister back to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652281-pm-yingluck-downplays-thaksin-audio-clip/

[webfact]

LUANG PU NENKHAM
Senior monks want more proof before taking action
Pongpat Traipipat,
Chanikarn Phumhirun
The Nation

Jet-setter still safe despite DSI investigative report accusing him of fathering child with minor

BANGKOK: -- Senior monks have decided not to terminate Luang Pu Nenkham's status as a Buddhist monk until additional evidence is provided.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652282-senior-thai-monks-want-more-proof-before-taking-action/

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Senate's committee backs Supa
The Nation

Threatens impeachment if official who criticised rice scheme is harassed

BANGKOK: -- The Senate committee on economics, commerce and industry has threatened to launch an impeachment motion against the government if Finance Ministry deputy permanent secretary Supa Piyajitti is transferred.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652283-rice-pledging-scheme-thai-senates-committee-backs-supa/

[webfact]

Relatives of Nonthaburi jail fire victims to get compensation
The Nation



NONTHABURI: -- The relatives of four detainees who died in a fire at Sai Noi police station in Nonthaburi last Saturday night will be compensated and the officers deemed responsible for their deaths will be punished, Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652284-relatives-of-nonthaburi-jail-fire-victims-to-get-compensation/

[webfact]

'Hitler' Fried Chicken: KFC May Sue Restaurant In Thailand For Replacing Colonel Sanders With Adolf Hitler
By Nadine DeNinno


KFC may sue a fried chicken restaurant in Thailand called “Hitler.” Twitter/Andrew Spooner

BANGKOK: -- Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) may sue a fried chicken restaurant in Thailand called “Hitler” for using a similar logo featuring an image of Adolf Hitler in place of the iconic Colonel Sanders.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652285-hitler-fried-chicken-kfc-may-sue-restaurant-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Abhisit files petition against DSI
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday filed a petition with the Criminal Court against four Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials, including director-general Tarit Pengdith.

The petition claims the DSI officials have abused their authority in investigating whether Abhisit ordered the killing of people during the 2010 red-shirt rallies.


-- The Nation 2013-07-09

[webfact]

Surapong acquitted of defamation
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday acquitted Surapong Towichukchaikul in a defamation case filed by Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul.

Rosana sued Surapong over a matter arising from a closed-door meeting at Parliament on a Thai-Cambodian agreement on border-dispute talks on October 7, 2008. Surapong had called for tighter parliamentary security against "outsiders", after Rosana allowed her husband, who is not an MP, into the parliamentary meeting chamber.

Rosana responded that Surapong had thus deliberately targeted her husband as an "outsider".

In explaining its verdict, the court said Surapong had made the statement in question with honest intentions during media interviews, and had therefore acted within the law.


-- The Nation 2013-07-09

[webfact]

ANALYSIS
Audio clip leaves govt with a lot of explaining to do
The Nation


Songklod Chuenchuphol, a former Army captain, holds up a Buddha idol while creating a scene at the Defence Ministry yesterday. He challenged Deputy Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha to swear before the idol that he was not one of the men heard

BANGKOK: -- The mysterious audio clip that has been distributed over the Internet and covered by the media is likely to become a political bombshell for the government and the prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652287-audio-clip-leaves-thai-govt-with-a-lot-of-explaining-to-do/

[webfact]

PARLIAMENTARY PERFORMANCE

More 'public participation needed'

Khanittha Thepphajorn

The Nation

Influence of big businesses, vested interests must be removed to develop the system, seminar hears

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Parliament needs greater public participation and requires to be less under the influence of big businesses and groups with vested interests, a seminar organised by the King Prajadhipok Institute (KPI) was told yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652288-thai-parliament-performance-more-public-participation-needed/

[webfact]

Organisers charged after firework fatalities
The Nation



KALASIN: -- Police have charged the bungfai rocket festival organisers with manslaughter after a Sunday accident in which a 500kg rocket exploded in Tambon Kham Yai in Kalasin's Huai Mek district, killing three villagers and injuring several others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652289-organisers-charged-with-manslaughter-after-firework-fatalities-kalasin/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Green-growth strategy has a slow birth
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- To deal with the impact of climate change and global warming, Thailand has set up a sustainable development committee to oversee the country's progress and strategy based on green growth. In the eyes of environmentalists, the next step is to see how the government will balance this economic growth, competitiveness and green development.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652291-green-growth-strategy-has-a-slow-birth-thailand/

[webfact]

WATER MANAGEMENT
3 months to complete public hearings on water scheme
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, as chairman of the Water and Natural Disaster Management Committee, announced that the public hearings on the Bt350 billion water-management project will be kicked off in August for completion three months after that.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652292-plodprasop-3-months-to-complete-public-hearings-on-water-scheme/

[webfact]

ANGEL'S FRIED BANANA
A fried banana stall that is just 'out of this world'
Prasit Tangprasert
The Nation


Somsak Dongkrathok, who sells fried bananas in Nakhon Ratchasima, says he wears his angel costume to attract more customers.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- When 59-year-old Somsak Dongkrathok started selling fried bananas at a market in Tambon Hua Thalae in Nakhon Ratchasima's Muang district, he thought that adding "a divine touch" would make him more successful.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652293-nakhon-ratchasima-a-fried-banana-stall-that-is-just-out-of-this-world/

[webfact]

Three Tourists caught-up in “under-the-bed” massage scam in Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652139-three-tourists-caught-up-in-under-the-bed-massage-scam-in-pattaya/

[webfact]

Thailand

Thailand's Full Moon Parties Have Become a Trashy Disgrace

One-time bastion of peace and alternative living has degenerated into a modern day Gomorrah of tawdry over-indulgence

File photo

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652302-thailands-full-moon-parties-have-become-a-trashy-disgrace/

[webfact]

American surfer dies in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Mark Carroll (not pictured) fell unconsious into the waters off Kata Beach while surfing the Phuket beach break. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- A 60-year-old American surfing on Phuket’s popular break at Kata Beach died after falling from his board into the water.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652303-american-surfer-dies-in-phuket/

[webfact]

Happy ending for Phuket dogs
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Two dogs are reunited with their owners.

PHUKET: -- The story of two missing Rottweiler dogs had a happy ending on the weekend after they were returned to their owners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652307-happy-ending-for-phuket-dogs/

[george]

A380 Delay for Thai Airways’ London-Bangkok fleet

Thai Airways regrets to announce that due to important technical modifications, the A380 will not be able to commence its operation on the Heathrow- Bangkok route as planned from December 1, 2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652101-thai-international-delays-for-a380-to-london/

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,410.33, up 5.69 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Ramadan begins tomorrow in Phuket


The new moon could not be sighted yesterday. Photo: Brian Robert Marshall

PHUKET: -- Ramadan in Thailand will begin tomorrow (July 10), the office of the Chularatchamontri announced today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652319-ramadan-begins-tomorrow-in-phuket/

[webfact]

Japan targets more Thai tourists through visa exemption on short-term visits

BANGKOK, 9 July 2013 (NNT) – Japan-bound travelers from Thailand are expected to significantly rise as a result of the visa waiver recently introduced by Japan for those on short-term visits.

Although Japan’s tourism industry looks to bounce back after it was hit by a devastating earthquake 2 years ago and the following Tsunami, which claimed many lives, Japan is determined to further boost its tourism industry. Recently, Japan has announced that Thai passport holders can now enter the country without the hassle of applying for a visa.

According to the statistics, the number of tourists visiting Japan in 2012 totaled over 8 million, up 34.6 percent from the previous total of 6.2 million in 2011, when Japan was hit by the earthquake and the tsunami.

The tendency has raised the Japanese government’s optimism, prompting it to set a new target of attracting 18 million tourists by 2016 and 25 million by 2020. In its new marketing strategy, Japan eyes more tourists from ASEAN countries, with Thai people on top of the chart, followed by Indians in South Asia, to make up for the decrease in the number of Chinese tourists in 2012. One of the Japanese government’s strategies is to allow Thai and Malaysian passport holders entering the country for a short period without the need to obtain a visa. This policy was announced on the 11th June 2013.

Japan has noted with satisfaction a steady rise in the number of Thais visiting the country with 223,200 recorded in 2009 and over 268,400 in 2010. However, the figure dropped by almost 29% in 2011 to 191,209 due to the earthquake and tsunami.


-- NNT 2013-07-09

[webfact]

Anti-government banners hung in 3 southernmost provinces
By Digital Media

YALA, July 9 -- Anti-government banners accusing the Thai authorities of insincerity, have been hung in three southern border provinces, one day before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652320-anti-government-banners-hung-in-3-southernmost-provinces/

[webfact]

Chinese Tourist Tour Bus Burns Down in Flames


Chinese tourists almost died in the fire burning bus, they escaped out of the bus riotously, there were 3 people got slightly injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652339-chinese-tourist-tour-bus-burns-down-in-flames-nakhon-pathom/

[webfact]

Ladyboy Steals Cosmetics from Convenience Store in Pattaya

A ladyboy was caught stealing cosmetic products from a 7-Eleven store, as soon as he was caught by the 7-Eleven staff, she called her friend to pay for the stolen cosmetics because he didn’t want be arrested by the police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652345-ladyboy-steals-cosmetics-from-convenience-store-in-pattaya/

[webfact]

14-year-old son returns home to find mum sexually assaulted and murdered
Eakkapop Thongtub


Prayat Pawaphuwanun, pictured here, was raped and murdered last night. Photo: Phuket Police

PHUKET: -- A 28-year-old Thai man, Anan Mahasin, was arrested after 6pm last night (July 8) for the murder of his mother-in-law in her home in Thalang.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652351-phuket-14-year-old-son-returns-home-to-find-mum-sexually-assaulted-and-murdered/

[webfact]

Chalerm wants Thailand off watch list for human trafficking

BANGKOK, 9 July 2013 (NNT) – Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung, the Labor Minister, says his priority is to get Thailand of the US’s watch list for human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652361-chalerm-wants-thailand-off-watch-list-for-human-trafficking/

[webfact]

Phuket chief denies drug payoff, developer extortion claims
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Kathu District Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol has denounced accusations claiming that he accepted cash from drug suspects to overlook test results and that he attempted to extort money from developers by holding their machinery for ransom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652362-phuket-chief-denies-drug-payoff-developer-extortion-claims/

[webfact]

Phuket hotels say no to shark fin soup
Jody Houton


A hotel GM examines the details of the campiagn before signing.

PHUKET: -- More than 30 hotels from around Phuket joined the Fin Free Campaign on July 5 at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652364-phuket-hotels-say-no-to-shark-fin-soup/

[Lite Beer]

Education Minister says high school dropouts are “big problems”

BANGKOK, 9 July 2013 (NNT) – The Education Minister says the problem of students dropping out of school is a big issue that needs to be dealt with immediately. He urges the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to place less emphasis on per-head subsidies from the government.

During a seminar held on the 10th anniversary of the OBEC, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang says that the OBEC has been playing an important role in the Thai education system, placing its emphasis on developing the quality of Thai youths who will grow to be the future of Thailand. Looking to the future, he suggested the OBEC should focus more on English study programs as the ASEAN Community is approaching in less than 3 years. He added that the national education system needs to be reformed in accordance with the world’s progress. He said not only students need to keep abreast of developments, but teachers also have to adjust themselves to the changing world and technology.

The minister said as of now, the urgent task of the ministry and the OBEC is to find a way to reduce the number of students dropping out of school as these students will not be able to have a proper career. Minister Chaturon urged the OBEC not to place too much effort on keeping the number of students in the general education system to maintain per-head subsidies from the government. He said such an effort has prevented students from joining vocational fields they are skilled in. It has also derailed the Ministry-stipulated proportion between vocational students and general education students at 50:50.

-- NNT 2013-07-09