DSI seeking to revoke disrobed monk's passport.
By English News

BANGKOK, July 18 - The Special Investigation Department will ask the Consular Affairs Department to revoke the passport of Wiraphon Sukphon, a former Buddhist monk, and will seek help from Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, to locate the ex-monk.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654345-arrest-warrant-sought-for-former-monk/?p=6624818#entry6624818

PM's programme

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit Sara Buri, Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi province during July 18-19.

In the itinerary, on July 18 she will visit the OTOP Complex Centre in Chalermprakiat district, Saraburi, where she will converse with the locals. Then she attends a regional meeting with Ayutthaya's governor.

She will chair the mobile Cabinet meeting on July 19.

In the afternoon, PM Yingluck will travel to Nonthaburi for a briefing by the governor and observe Bang Bua Thong's water gate project before returning to Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2013-07-18

Environment Minister wants to see transparency

BANGKOK, 18 July 2013 (NNT) – The Environment Minister has visited the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion to deliver his policy guidelines, while calling for transparency in the work of the officials.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wichet Kasemthongsri said during his visit to the Environmental Quality Promotion Department that transparency is the number-one priority for civil servants, and that all the work should be done for the maximum benefit of the people.

In addition, he said research on environmental development is crucial and urged all related agencies to cooperate in order to simplify working processes and to make the best use of researches for the benefit of the people, society, and economy. Mr. Wichet also called for more use of technology, as it can help ease the work and solve the existing problems.

Lastly, he said the ministry should seek more cooperation from the public as will lead to sustainable development of the environment.

-- NNT 2013-07-18

RT@cnnbrk: S.African president says Nelson Mandela, who turns 95 today #MandelaDay, is steadily improving.

RT@BBCAndrewH: #mandela has been "sitting in a chair" and watching television according to daughter speaking to local radio station.

RT@KentBKK: No. of Brits in Thailand needing consular help 4th biggest worldwide, and 2nd highest globally proportionate to no. of visitors

North-bound train service resumes after Bangkok-Chiang Mai overnight express train derailed in Phrae /MCOT

Phuket father files assault charges against son's teachers
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A Phuket father has filed an assault complaint with police against two teachers at his 9-year-old son’s school.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654559-phuket-father-files-assault-charges-against-sons-teachers/

HUMANITY

Commemoration of Nelson Mandela

The Nation

A portrait representing former South African President Nelson Mandela is displayed on the windows of a building as lights inside the building reflect in downtown Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, July 18, 2013. South Africa celebrated Nelson Mandelas 95th birtday

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654562-commemoration-of-nelson-mandela/

UPDATE:

Russian arrested in Phuket for illegally hawking spa products
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A 22-year-old Russian man was arrested by Immigration Police in Patong last night after he was caught attempting to sell spa products to a plainclothes officer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654461-young-russian-busted-in-phuket/#entry6625235

Bangkok tourism court by September – Minister
Alasdair Forbes

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Tourism and Sports believes it can have a tourism court up and running in Bangkok by September – just two months from now – with similar institutions to follow in Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Samui.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654567-bangkok-tourism-court-by-september-minister/

RICE QUALITY
PM tests Umbrella rice to restore public confidence
The Nation



AYUTTHAYA: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday visited the Umbralla-branded rice factory in Ayutthaya, four days after a vist by Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuagrach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654578-yingluck-tests-umbrella-rice-to-restore-public-confidence/

SET index closed at 1487.19, up 29.11; Bt/USD30.93; GBP46.88; AUD28.26; EUR40.43; CAD29.50; HKD3.98; SGD24.30; JPY30.80

POLITICS

Abhisit favourable to people's amnesty bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday expressed support for the amnesty bill proposed by relatives of victims of the 2010 political turmoil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654583-abhisit-favourable-to-peoples-amnesty-bill/

Chalerm wants more health benefits for laborers

ฺBANGKOK, 18 July 2013 (NNT)-The new Labor Minister has stressed the need to increase social welfare benefits for laborers during his policy announcement at the Social Security Office today.

Labor Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung yesterday presented his policy to the SSO officials, who he expected to carry out their work seamlessly with the government’s labor policy, which focuses on increasing entitlements to health benefits for laborers.

Mr. Chalerm advised that the list of workers eligible for social welfare benefits should be compiled thoroughly, while those who have yet to register themselves under the Ministry of Labor should be convinced to do so soon.

He also told SSO officials that their services must be swift and ready for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Before Thailand becomes part of the AEC, the SSO should aim at abolishing inequality, solving human trafficking issue, and eradicating drug abuse in workplace first.

-- NNT 2013-07-18

Toyota Motor Thailand adjusts 2013 sales downward
By English News



BANGKOK, July 18 - Toyota Motor Thailand reduced this year's sales volume to 450,000 units, down from the company's original target at 500,000 units.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654605-toyota-motor-thailand-adjusts-2013-sales-downward/

Bus Packed With Tourists Crashes Into Surat Thani Bridge

SURAT THANI:-- More than a dozen of foreign tourists were admitted to hospital after their tour bus crashed into a bridge crossing Tapee River in Mueang District, Surat Thani province.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654639-bus-packed-with-tourists-crashes-into-surat-thani-bridge/

to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 19 Jul 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/654702-thailand-live-friday-19-jul-2013/