Govt to organize Khon performance in honor of HM the Queen’s birthday

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government and the Sala Chalermkrung Foundation will jointly organize a Khon masked dance performance called ‘Hanuman’ in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s birthday anniversary on August 12, 2013.

According to Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Tongthong Chandrangsu, Her Majesty the Queen’s effort in preserving the traditional Khon masked dance has inspired the government to organize the special performance ‘Hanuman’ in collaboration with the Sala Chalermkrung Foundation.

Monetary donations will be accepted at the show for Chulalongkorn Hospital under the Thai Red Cross Society in order to help with the purchase of medical equipment, such as ultrasound machines and ventilators. The money will also be used to provide medical services to Buddhist monks.

The ‘Hanuman’ show is scheduled to open its curtain on August 9 at 7 pm at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will be the chairperson of the event. Anyone interested can purchase the ticket to the show from the Sala Chalermkrung Foundation while donations can be made from August until September.

The special performance will also be broadcasted on television by the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) on August 12.


-- NNT 2013-07-26

JETRO worried about Thailand's 350-billion-baht water program

BANGKOK, 26 July 2013 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong has disclosed that the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is worried about possible hindrances in the government’s 350-billion-baht water management program.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656220-jetro-worried-about-thailands-350-billion-baht-water-program/

Iran buying 250,000 tonnes of Thai rice
By English News



BANGKOK, July 26 – Iran has agreed to buy 250,000 tonnes of Thai rice under a government-to-government contract, according to Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656221-iran-buying-250000-tonnes-of-thai-rice/

POLITICS
Many anti-govt groups planning street protests
The Nation

Pitak Siam

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government groups are firming up plans for street rallies ahead of the parliamentary deliberation on August 7 of an amnesty bill proposed by a group of MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656222-bangkok-many-anti-govt-groups-planning-street-protests/

RONGHINGYA
Saudi Arabia mission offers aid to Rohingya
Santipark Ramasutra
The Nation



SONGKHLA: -- Representatives from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Thailand provided relief bags to 102 Rohingya children and women yesterday at Songkhla's Children and Family Home.

The representatives explained that they wanted to provide basic necessities to the refugees as they try to help look for a third country that would offer them refuge. They also thanked the government and officials at the shelter for taking care of them.

The embassy officials also visited other shelters such as the one at the Sadao border to hear the refugees' problems, particularly their plea for refuge in a third country and not to be sent back to Myanmar.

The Rohingya are in temporary detention after they fled Myanmar in search for a "better life" in Malaysia and Indonesia via Thailand.


-- The Nation 2013-07-26

SOUTH CRISIS
Officials deny rumours, put teachers' death to shrapnel
THE NATION



NARATHIWAT: -- Insurgents and the authorities are blaming each other for the death of two female government teachers who lost their lives in a roadside bomb attack in Narathiwat on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656224-thai-south-crisis-officials-deny-rumours-put-teachers-death-to-shrapnel/

EDITORIAL
Southern peace initiative was flawed from the start
The Nation

The country's new security chief should face reality and start talks anew with credible representatives of the separatists

BANGKOK: -- Just days into his new job as chief of national security, Deputy Prime Minister Police General Pracha Prombok has already shot himself in the foot as he drifts into a state of denial about the ongoing insurgence in the three southernmost provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656225-southern-peace-initiative-was-flawed-from-the-start-thai-editorial/

ANALYSIS
Amnesty bill push likely to ease red-shirt pressure
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation

Decision seen as a move to pre-empt any political chaos

BANGKOK: -- The decision by the Pheu Thai Party and the government whips to put the amnesty bill proposed by red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema at the top of the agenda for the upcoming House session was a calculated move.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656226-thai-amnesty-bill-push-likely-to-ease-red-shirt-pressure/

BURNING ISSUE
Rifts see Thailand squander its advantages ahead of AEC
SAMUDCHA HOONSARA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THERE SEEMS to have been a lack of preparation on Thailand's part for the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, and administrations led by various parties over the past several years can be blamed for failing to make the public clearly understand what is at stake.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656227-rifts-see-thailand-squander-its-advantages-ahead-of-aec/

REALITY TV SHOW
PM proposes reality show for brilliant beauties
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has come up with an idea to boost her flagging popularity - a reality TV show to prove that smart women are beautiful.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656228-pm-yingluck-proposes-reality-show-for-brilliant-beauties/

Bus operators risk passenger safety for profits: expert
KASEM CHANATHINART
THE NATION



Most 8-wheel double-deckers are a lot higher than allowed, academic warns

BANGKOK: -- Operators of private transport businesses in Thailand focus mostly on profits rather than passenger safety, while the assemblers of specially modified buses, particularly the widely used double-deckers, tend to use substandard materials and shun safety features to keep costs down, an expert on road safety and transport engineering said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656229-thailands-bus-operators-risk-passenger-safety-for-profits-expert/

HM tells teachers to raise good kids
PANYA THIOSANGWAN,
SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- HIS MAJESTY the King has suggested that educational institutions focus on instilling integrity and good character in children first and that other abilities can come later, Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont said.

"We should be creating good children first," he said yesterday.

Surayud said His Majesty offered this advice to privy councillors as he expressed concerns about the problems with the national education system and emphasised the need to develop Thailand's human resources.

Surayud was speaking at a national event on morality.

He said His Majesty explained that inculcating ethical behaviour in children would be a smooth process once teachers and students developed a bond.

"Teachers have an important role to play here," he said. "We have to see how we can promote loving ties between teachers and students."

His Majesty has also instructed the privy councillors to take care of schools in marginal areas and try to reduce the difference in quality between these schools and those in urban areas.

He said the councillors had received funding from His Majesty for their assigned mission to solve problems in the education sector.

"The fund will start its work in eight provinces in the Central region," Surayud said.

In a move to ease the shortage of teachers in rural areas, scholarships have been given to students who agree to take up teaching jobs in the area after graduating, he said.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang has promised to improve Thailand's ranking in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

In the last PISA assessment, Thailand ranked 50 out of some 60 participating countries.

"We will set up a work panel to integrate efforts to improve Thailand's ranking," Chaturon said, adding that representatives of relevant authorities, such as the Office of Basic Education Commission, would sit on the panel.

"But the panel will also include experts in science, mathematics, languages as well as students," he said. Chaturon also plans to launch a campaign to seek support and cooperation from parents.


-- The Nation 2013-07-26

MP queries 'unnecessary' Parliament spending
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Democrat MP has threatened to file a petition against the House Secretariat alleging corruption in what he described as "splurging of funds", particularly on construction and renovation projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656231-thai-democrat-mp-queries-unnecessary-parliament-spending/

UPDATE:

DSI gives Phuket mafia 15 days to pack up shop
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith today leveled a warning at all mafia operating in Phuket: cease and desist within 15 days – or else.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656050-phuket-to-get-organised-crime-centre-dsi-boss/#entry6649924

2 storms expected to cause heavy raining in northeast in August & October

CHIANG MAI, 26 July 2013 (NNT) – The Meteorological Department is monitoring a tropical cyclone building up to the east of the Philippines. Although the cyclone is expected to weaken into a depression, it will have effects on Thailand's Northern and Northeastern regions during August 2-4.

The weather bureau, meanwhile, expects 2 major storms to pass through Thailand in early August and in October, which may cause heavy raining in the upper portion of the Northeastern region.

In the meantime, the flood situation in Chanthaburi province has subsided. Residents have been busy cleaning up their homes after the deluge.

The inundation of Chiang Mai city has subsided and the water level has returned to normal after officials spent great efforts dredging water drains at many locations in the city, allowing the trapped water to be released quickly.


-- NNT 2013-07-26

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,461.30, up 4.62 points /MCOT

US ambassador mum on defrocked monk's visa status
By English News



BANGKOK, July 26 – American ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney brushed aside a media question on whether the US government has revoked the visa of fugitive defrocked Thai Buddhist monk Wirapol Sukphon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656264-us-ambassador-mum-on-defrocked-monks-visa-status/

Thai students win gold, silver medals in Chemistry Olympiad

BANGKOK, 26th July 2013 (NNT) – Four Thai students won gold and silver medals in the Chemistry Olympiad held in Russia. The students have now travelled back to Thailand amidst warm welcome from family and teachers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656293-thai-students-win-gold-silver-medals-in-chemistry-olympiad/

New Russian Convenience Center aims to ease language difficulties for tourists

PATTAYA:--Pattaya’s huge Russian population now has its own tourist-assistance center, staffed by native speakers to help visitors needing police assistance and general information.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656260-new-russian-convenience-center-aims-to-ease-language-difficulties-for-tourists/

Phuket police arrest armed 7-Eleven drug dealer
Phuket Gazette


Sitthi Suebprasit, 32, confessed to selling crystal meth to teenagers in the Cherng Talay area. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- Police last night arrested an armed man who confessed to selling ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) to teenagers in front of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Cherng Talay.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656304-phuket-police-arrest-armed-7-eleven-drug-dealer/

Two arrested as Phuket bus delivers nearly 10kg of kratom
Phuket Gazette


The box of kratom, delivered to Phuket by public bus, had the names of the sender and intended recipients written on it. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Police arrested two men in Wichit last night after they picked up a box of kratom leaves delivered to Phuket by bus. The box had the sender’s and the recipients’ names clearly written on it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656337-two-arrested-as-phuket-bus-delivers-nearly-10kg-of-kratom/

Export volume in June decreased 3.38 per cent
By English News

BANGKOK, July 26 - Thailand's export volume last month declined for the second consecutive month, registering a 3.38 per cent fall, year-on-year, or Bt19 billion in value.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce Vatchari Vimooktayon said the reduction was from the economic slowdown in the Eurozone, the United States and Japan, resulting in a drop in exports to Thailand's main traditional markets of 8.4 per cent and China by 16.7 per cent.

Other factors included the fact that the Thai prawn industry has problems of Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) causing a shrimp production decrease of 40 per cent, insufficient to supply the country's trading partners.

Thailand's overall agricultural and agricultural industry exports fell 7.1 per cent, including frozen and processed prawns, rice, and rubber.

However, Ms Vatchari said the country's exports from January-June this year reached US$113 billion in value, up 0.95 per cent year-on-year.

She said Thailand's imports last month increased 3.01 per cent, or US$21 billion in value, mostly capital goods, machinery and equipment. The overall import in the first half of this year reached US$129 billion, a 4.32-per cent increase, resulting in a balance of trade deficit at US$1.9 billion in June alone and US$15.7 billion from January-June.

Meanwhile, Srirat Rastapana, International Trade Promotion Department director-general, said Thai exports this year might not reach their original target at 7.5 per cent but instead might only amount to 6-6.5 per cent due to the global slowdown.

She said Commerce Ministry is to continue to promote Thai export even though many parties estimated the country's export figure this year to grow at 4-5 per cent. The ministry will revise the figure again in September.(MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-07-26

RT@MimiSawitta: Thaksin Shinawatra, in a YouTube message posted by his son Oak, says: "It doesn't matter when I come home, I just want Thais to reconcile"..

B200k allocated to tracking down ex-politician

BANGKOK: The Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) has set a budget of just under B200,000 to track down and arrest former politician and fugitive Vatana Asavahame who is reportedly in hiding in Cambodia, where he owns the Poipet Casino Resort.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656343-b200k-allocated-to-tracking-down-ex-politician/

PM orders security tightened in far South; no amnesty bill discussion at Defence Council meeting /MCOT

Surayud calls for unity among Thais

BANGKOK, 26 July 2013 (NNT) – Privy Councilor Surayud Chulanont has called for unity among Thais, while denying allegations that he is backing up the anti-Thaksin Pitak Siam Group, which plans to rally next month.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656344-surayud-calls-for-unity-among-thais/

RT@BPbreakingnews: Villagers shot, wounded in Narathiwat

Thaksin marks 64th birthday today; says he wants to come home after 7 years in exile, urges all parties to reconcile /MCOT

Elder Englishman Looted by Two Men in Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police are looking for two suspects who had looted over 60,000 THB from a retired Englishman at his own house.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656349-elderly-englishman-robbed-at-gunpoint-in-his-own-house/

Indian pair face Thai drug smuggling charges

BANGKOK, July 26, 2013 (AFP) - Two Indian men have been arrested and charged in Thailand with trafficking crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated $1.4 million, a customs official said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656358-samui-indian-pair-face-thai-drug-smuggling-charges/