Thailand Live Friday 12 Jul 2013

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Thai TV host sued for contaminated rice claim
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, July 12 - Thailand's leading rice packer yesterday lodged a complaint against a Bangkok television host for allegedly spreading false claims via social media that its rice was contaminated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653046-thai-tv-host-sued-for-contaminated-rice-claim/

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Four Indonesians arrested for stealing cash from vehicles
By English News

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok's. Metropolitan Police have Four Indonesians Arrested for conspiring to steal from victims who left money in their Cash Cars.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653048-four-indonesians-arrested-for-stealing-cash-from-vehicles/

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Top 5 polluted roads in Bangkok revealed

BANGKOK, 12 July 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Pollution Control (PCD) has revealed a list of five most polluted roads in Bangkok, following a recent survey.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653049-top-5-polluted-roads-in-bangkok-revealed/

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UPDATE:
DSI informed of 35 additional luxury cars belonging to Nen Kham

BANGKOK, 12 July 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has discovered 35 additional luxury cars in Ubon Ratchathani province said to belong to embattled jet-setting monk, widely known as Luang Pu Nen Kham.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652842-jet-setting-thai-monk-found-to-have-bought-22-luxury-cars/?p=6601884#entry6601884

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LUANG PU NENKHAM
Scandal-hit monk seems to be a master of marketing
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Luang Pu Nenkham is a controversial monk today. But months ago, thousands of people held complete faith in him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653050-scandal-hit-thai-monk-seems-to-be-a-master-of-marketing/

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GOVT - MILITARY TIES
PM, brass put on show of solidarity
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,
Panya Thiosangwan,
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who serves concurrently as defence minister, takes part in a ceremony yesterday at the ministry compound that officially welcomed her to the post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653051-pm-yingluck-brass-put-on-show-of-solidarity-govt-military-ties/

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BURNING ISSUE
Key to clip's authenticity may lie in its details
Somroutai Sapsomboon

BANGKOK: -- While it may not be possible at this point to say the leaked audio clip that is suspected to contain a conversation between former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha is authentic, details in the discussion suggest that is likely to be the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653052-key-to-clips-authenticity-may-lie-in-its-details-thai-politics/

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EDITORIAL
If you want to fight graft, don't offer the bribe
The Nation

Corruption is increasing everywhere and people are becoming ever more cynical about it, but the only way to end it is by not being complicit in it

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653053-if-you-want-to-fight-graft-dont-offer-the-bribe-thai-editorial/

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UPDATE:

Female Employee Hires Teenage Hit Man To Kill Her Manager

A female employee that was caught by manager that she was embezzling money from the company. Fearing that she would be fired and reported to the police, she hired a 18 year-old hit man to kill her.

BANGKOK – July 12, 2013 [PDN]; Police officers of Tungmahamek police station announced the arrest of a 18 year-old male who was hired as a hit man to murder the 43 year-old manager of Beauty Diamond Co. Ltd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652930-teen-assassin-hired-via-facebook-busted-in-bangkok/#entry6601943

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VIDEO: Breast size-oriented luk thung music video in hot water
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Breast sizes matter, at least according to the latest music video of luk thung busty girl group The Cardoor Band.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653056-video-breast-size-oriented-luk-thung-music-video-in-hot-water/

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Coral reefs in severe state of degradation
JANJIRA PONGRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Coral reefs at a popular marine national park, which covers the famous Phi Phi Island, have reached a severe level of degradation due to bleaching, a survey revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653059-coral-reefs-in-thailand-in-severe-state-of-degradation/

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UPDATE:
Another 35 cars bought under his name
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI,
SOMJIT RUNGCHAMTRATRASSAMI
THE NATION



DSI gets DNA sample from monk's half brother for comparison test with his alleged 11-year-old son

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) investigators yesterday managed to get a DNA sample from Luang Pu Nenkham's half brother, while further investigation found that the monk had bought a total of 35 cars in Ubon Ratchathani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652842-jet-setting-thai-monk-found-to-have-bought-22-luxury-cars/?p=6601982#entry6601982

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Thailand Needs to Invest in People, Not Rice
By William Pesek

BANGKOK: -- The search for lessons from lost economic decades has led from Japan to the U.S. to Europe. Now the spotlight turns to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653061-thailand-needs-to-invest-in-people-not-rice/

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Three Malaysians arrested in Bangkok for credit card fraud

BANGKOK: Three Malaysians in Thailand were arrested Wednesday for allegedly using fake credit cards to buy branded products worth about 844,700 baht (RM86,097).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653062-three-malaysians-arrested-in-bangkok-for-credit-card-fraud/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,457.09, up 10.05 points /MCOT

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Malaysia to hold news briefing on ceasefire in Thailand's far South
By English News

BANGKOK, July 12 - Malaysia will hold a news briefing on ceasefire in Thailand's southern border region during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan this afternoon, according to Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) chief.

NSC secretary general Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut said he was informed by Malaysia that Dato Sri Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim, former director of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organization would chair the news conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur at 2.30pm on the topic of the Ramadan Peace Initiative.

Thailand's neighbouring country acted in its capacity as facilitator in the continuing peace talks between Thailand and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional militant group (BRN).

The news conference was intended to confirm the commitment to ceasefire earlier agreed by the BRN and the Thai government on June 13.

However, it was not indicated that BRN representatives would attend the news briefing, and it appeared most likely that only Malaysia would be present as Thailand has no plan to send representatives.

Malaysia and BRN on Tuesday abruptly cancelled their planned joint news conference without explanation or comment regarding whether the cancellation was the result of BRN dissatisfaction or not.

Thailand earlier rejected the BRN demand for total troop withdrawal from its southernmost provinces. However, it agreed to reduce conducting searches and raids during the holy month or Ramadan. And the permanent checkpoints will remain in use. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-07-12

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UPDATE:

90 cats bound for exotic dishes in Vietnam seized in Buriram

BURIRAM, 12 July 2013 (NNT) – A transnational cat smuggler has been arrested by Region 4 police while on the way to deliver the cats at the Thai-Lao border.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652921-cat-trade-gang-apprehended-in-nakhon-phanom/?p=6602622#entry6602622

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UPDATE:

Call for A- blood after Brit expat suffers motorbike crash head injury
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Phuket blood bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital is calling for donations of A- blood following an operation on British national Marc Harrington yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/652856-urgent-call-for-a-blood/#entry6602660

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Should Manila remain the capital of the Philippines?
By Coconuts Manila



Should Manila remain the capital of the Philippines?

MANILA: -- Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has filed a bill to create a commission that will study whether Manila and the National Capital Region should be retained as the seat of government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653107-should-manila-remain-the-capital-of-the-philippines/

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RT @ManUtd: “I love Thailand. It’s a really nice country with great people who love Manchester United.” - @rioferdy5 http://thai.vi/18cQf8G

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Swede called the embassy before committing suicide in Pattaya
BY WACHIRAPORN

PATTAYA: -- On 11 July 2013, a Swedish man called the embassy to inform of his suicide plan. Police rushed to his apartment and found a naked body with head covered in a black plastic bag.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653108-swede-called-the-embassy-before-committing-suicide-in-pattaya/

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Cabbie returns cameras worth THB600,000 to Dutch passengers
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A Bangkok taxi driver is being praised for his integrity after he returned a camera bag, worth an estimated THB600,000, to Dutch passengers last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653110-bangkok-cabbie-returns-cameras-worth-thb600000-to-dutch-passengers/

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Woman jumps from Sarasin Bridge, north of Phuket

Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A woman from Phang Nga tried to commit suicide last night around 10pm (July 12) by jumping off Sarasin Bridge, the bridge connecting Phuket to Phang Nga.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653124-woman-jumps-from-sarasin-bridge-north-of-phuket/

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ICT Ministry holds workshop to boost efficiency in computer crime prevention

BANGKOK, 12 July 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) presented certificates to 204 officers finishing its workshop on website security protection.

Mr.Chaiyan Peungkiatpairote, Permanent Secretary for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), stated after the presentation of certificates that the threats from information and communications technology have increased in the present day.

These threats may be large enough to affect the security of national institutions such as culture, the religion and the monarchy. Therefore, drastic law enforcement is necessary to deal with new forms of computer crimes while related authorities must be ready to stop emerging problems or damages resulting from the threats.

He said the workshop was held to boost the capabilities of ICT Ministry personnel in analyzing and investigating computer crimes as required by the Computer Crime Act 2007, and would finally facilitate smooth and effective enforcement of the law.

-- NNT 2013-07-12

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Fake cop arrested for groping teen

PATTAYA: -- A man impersonating a police officer was arrested by real cops after allegedly groping a teenage convenience store clerk, stealing a bottle of whiskey, then lingering to drink it at the scene of the crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653128-fake-cop-arrested-for-groping-teen/

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Seven arrested for selling pirated goods in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


Seven arrested for selling pirated goods in Phuket

PHUKET: -- Seven people were arrested on Tuesday (July 9) in Patong after being caught with pirated goods as well as keeping entertainment spots open after closing hours.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653131-seven-arrested-for-selling-pirated-goods-in-phuket/

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EC to endorse Tankhun Jitt-itsara as an MP next week
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said on Friday the EC is expected to endorse Democrat MP-elect Tankhun Jitt-itsara as representative for Bangkok's Don Mueang district according to the law's 30-day deadline.

In the meantime, he said, the EC would continue investigation into the complaints and opposition against the result of the June 16 election.

Such an investigation must be finished within one year according to the law.


-- The Nation 2013-07-12

[Lite Beer]

BMA inviting Thais to stop drinking alcohol during Buddhist Lent

BANGKOK, 12 July 2013 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is inviting all Thais to stop drinking during the auspicious occasion of Buddhist Lent which lasts 3 months, starting July 23.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653153-bma-inviting-thais-to-stop-drinking-alcohol-during-buddhist-lent/

[Lite Beer]

World’s biggest 3D art museum unveiled in Chiang Mai

BANGKOK, 12 July 2013 (NNT) – Chiang Mai northern province has unveiled the world’s biggest 3D art museum called “Art in Paradise” and also the first in Thailand’s North. It was founded and funded by a Korean who invested 60 million baht to make the museum come alive.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/653157-worlds-biggest-3d-art-museum-unveiled-in-chiang-mai/

[Lite Beer]

Minister targets reduced production cost to shore up rubber price
By English News

BANGKOK, July 12 - Deputy Prime Minister/Agriculture Minister Yukol Lim-laemthong urged all parties to systematically deal with Thailand's declining rubber price problems, focusing on reducing production costs as the priority.

Mr Yukol on Friday told a seminar on reducing production costs and increasing Thailand's rubber produce for competitive ability in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that Thailand's top exported product is rubber. However, its export value last year declined despite rubber export quantity rising to 3.2 million tonnes and current rubber prices not tending to increase, partly due to large rubber stockpiles in Thailand and China.

A committee was set up to inventory stockpiles for further planning and management.

The minister said Agriculture Ministry's first measure to tackle rubber price problems is to find clear production cost in an effort to stabilise rubber prices in accordance with demand/supply. High market demand can carry prices as high as Bt150/kg.

Related parties are to determine actual production costs and how much farmers should earn, Mr Yukol noted, adding that farmers are also to improve themselves by applying new technology for reducing costs and pushing for more rubber exports in order that Thailand can become the rubber centre of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-07-12