Half-ton stash of marijuana found in Bung Kan

SONGKHLA, 30 July 2013 (NNT) – Police in Songkhla have arrested 2 men who were looking to export almost half a ton of marijuana to Malaysia.

34-year-old Winai Yawaraya and 25-year-old Tharanuchit Tampan were apprehended by Border Patrol Police at a petrol station in Rattaphum district, after police were tipped off about a drug delivery about to take place there.

The 480 kilograms of compressed marijuana was found in the woods in Bung Kan province after police extracted the cache's whereabouts from the pair.

Police officials revealed the narcotics stash made its way into Thailand from Laos and was meant for delivery to a prominent dealer in Satun, who would then send it to Malaysia. Officials said the marijuana would have fetched 10 times as much in Malaysia as it would at the source.


-- NNT 2013-07-30

OIL SPILL
Black day for Samet
The Nation, Agencies



Disaster area declared as authorities fight to keep oil spill away from island's tourist strip

KOH SAMET: -- Authorities yesterday feared the entire tourist island of Koh Samet in Rayong would be affected by Saturday's oil spill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657157-black-day-for-samet/

UPDATE:
Over 100-rai of coral at risk
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Koh Samet, Rayong



Samet'S Phrao Beach covered in crude oil; But Reef off Koh Kudee could be damaged

KOH SAMET: -- More than 100 rai of the staghorn and giant clam coral reef surrounding Kudee Island, 6 kilometres to the east of Samet Island, is now threatened by the oil spill if efforts to contain the leak fail.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657157-black-day-for-samet/#entry6663788

POLITICS
Foreigners 'had a hand in Thaksin death-threat clip'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog yesterday said anti-government groups with both Thai and foreign members were responsible for a YouTube clip in which a death threat was issued against ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra by a man dressed to look like a terrorist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657158-foreigners-had-a-hand-in-thaksin-death-threat-clip/

UPDATE:
Floods damage historic Mon bridge
The Nation



KANCHANABURI: -- Thailand's longest wooden bridge, the Mon Bridge (also known as Luang Por Uttama's Bridge) in Tambon Nong Lu of Kanchanaburi's Sangkhla Buri district, yesterday continued to be battered by currents and floating weeds, after a 40-metre-long section was swept away by floodwaters on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657022-kanchanaburis-mon-bridge-collapses-during-floods/#entry6663807

STREETWISE
A somtam index as a cost-of-living gauge
Achara Deboonme



BANGKOK: -- What are the criteria to indicate purchasing power parity (PPP)? If a new metric is sought for use only in Thailand - to determine the PPP of Thais - I propose the price of somtam.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657160-a-somtam-index-as-a-cost-of-living-gauge/

Official Vows Crackdown On Khaosarn Road's Illegal Vendors



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok authorities will no longer tolerate vendors who clog the street of the famous Khaosarn Road, a high-ranking official has warn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657162-official-vows-crackdown-on-khaosarn-roads-illegal-vendors/

Island needs to be cleaned up quickly, tourist chiefs say
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Tourism operators have asked the government and private sector groups to speed up work to try to contain and clean up the oil spill on Koh Samet in order to preserve their businesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657163-koh-samet-needs-to-be-cleaned-up-quickly-tourist-chiefs-say/?p=6663848

'Monk' probe looks at huge policy buy-up
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation



DSI checking claim followers bought insurance policies worth Bt500 million

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is probing money-laundering allegations after a contact suggested disciples of jet-setting ex-monk Wirapol Sukphol, formerly known as Luang Pu Nemkham, bought Bt500 million worth of savings insurance policies worth two years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657164-thai-monk-probe-looks-at-huge-policy-buy-up/

Pheu Thai to push emergency decree ahead of amnesty bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party's Strategic Committee will propose the imposition of the Internal Security Act to control any protest after the Parliament reopens, a source said after the panel's meeting yesterday.

The committee will consult with police about the issue first before proposing it to the government, the unnamed source said.

Meanwhile, security at Parliament and Government House was beefed up yesterday as a precaution against protesters, as the controversial amnesty bill is tabled next Wednesday.

Concrete barriers were placed at all entrances and exits of Government House yesterday in a move to keep out the Pitak Siam group, which is expected to show up on Sunday morning. A police truck was also seen parked nearby along with a vehicle armed with a long-range acoustic device that emits an ear-splitting siren. Two police tents were also set up and a photograph of the group's leader posted on a metal barricade near one of the tents. However, police said it was not a "wanted" poster.

Deputy House Speaker Wisut Chainarun said 700 police would be deployed near Parliament on the days the controversial bill is debated.


-- The Nation 2013-07-30

OIL SPILL
Caution urged over use of chemical dispersants
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A leading marine expert yesterday urged care in the application of dispersants to contain the oil spill off Rayong's coast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657168-rayong-oil-spill-caution-urged-over-use-of-chemical-dispersants/

Gay Marriage Coming to Thailand?
By J. T. Quigley

BANGKOK: -- Last year, a same-sex couple from Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai attempted to make their two-decade relationship official by applying for a marriage registration. Nathee Theeraronjanapong (55) and his partner Atthapon Janthawee (38) had their request to marry denied by local officials – who stated that Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code deemed gay marriage illegal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657169-gay-marriage-coming-to-thailand/

Bitcoins banned in Thailand

Thailand has become the first country to ban bitcoins after the central bank ruled it is not a currency.

BANGKOK: -- In a statement on its website, Bitcoin said it had given a presentation to the Bank of Thailand about how the currency works in a bid to operate in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657170-bitcoins-banned-in-thailand/

Drunk man rails against Phuket police, damages vehicles
Phuket Gazette


Officers, with relatives’ assistance, took three hours to take Sunchai Fordkaew, 41, into custody. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- Officers stationed at the Pa Khlok Police Box were in for a startling surprise last night when a drunk man arrived to report his son missing, but erupted in a violent rampage after police could not immediately locate the missing son.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657171-drunk-man-rails-against-phuket-police-damages-vehicles/

Gisda's satellite image shows oil slick could move towards mainland /Bangkok Post

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,458.77, up 4.49 points /MCOT

Chumphon anti-drug agency team clashes with drug syndicate; one dealer killed, one police officer wounded /MCOT

Oil spill cleanup operation at Rayong continues; slick covers shoreline rocks; crude oil washes onto Ban Phe beach /MCOT

Govt won't back down on Amnesty Bill; security tightened
By English News



BANGKOK, July 30 – The government met urgently yesterday to map out security measures to cope with political demonstrations as Parliament reconvenes on Thursday to debate, among others, the Amnesty Bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657199-thai-govt-wont-back-down-on-amnesty-bill;-security-tightened/

Oil spill

According to this Gistda image it doesn't look good and the oil spill seems to be moving to the mainland

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657157-black-day-for-samet/page-2?p=6664557#entry6664557

PTTGC oil spill reaches Ban Phe Beach; tourist operators meet
By English News



RAYONG, July 30 -- Clean-up operations to remove the oil slick from the PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) offshore pipeline that washed up on Samet island in the eastern province of Rayong are now racing against time as the spill has floated to Ban Phe Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657235-pttgc-oil-spill-reaches-ban-phe-beach;-tourist-operators-meet/

IKEA meatballs back on the menu in Thailand
BY WACHIRAPORN JANRUT



BANGKOK: -- Swedish meatballs are back on the menu at the IKEA Bangna store restaurant. The IKEA meatballs will be available for sale in Thailand again on Friday, 2 August 2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657232-ikea-meatballs-back-on-the-menu-in-thailand/

Sutthisan Police Chief transfered for ignorance of duties

BANGKOK, 30 July 2013 (NNT) -- Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thoopkrajang has ordered a transfer of Head of Suthisan Police Station, Police Colonel Samroeng Suanthong, to the Royal Thai Police Headquarters for 30 days pending investigation into the latter’s ignorance of duties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657240-bangkok-sutthisan-police-chief-transfered-for-ignorance-of-duties/

Moei River floods villages two metres deep in Tak's Mae Sot district; heavy rain in Chiang Rai, falling tree kills two /MCOT

Four youths charged over Phuket machete attack
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police have arrested four youths for a savage attack on a man who was repeatedly beaten and hacked by machete in Karon last Thursday, after the incident was recorded on CCTV.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657247-four-youths-charged-over-phuket-machete-attack/

UPDATE:

TAT to assist tourists affected by oil spill

BANGKOK, 30 July 2013 (NNT)-The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is coordinating with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to provide urgent assistance to tourists staying on Samed Island, which has been affected by the oil spill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657235-pttgc-oil-spill-reaches-ban-phe-beach;-tourist-operators-meet/#entry6664983

Disaster Warning Center activated to warn people as monsoon moving across the North

BANGKOK, 30 July 2013 (NNT)-The National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) has issued a warning for residents in the North and Northeast who live in low-lying areas to brace for flash floods and mudslides.

According to the NDWC, as monsoon is moving across the northern provinces of Mae Hongsorn, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Payao, Tak, Petchabun and Uttaradit at present, 25 communities situated in the low-lying areas have been warned of flooding and mudslides.

Hillside communities in the Northeast have also been cautioned of similar incidents due to geographical factors. People have been advised to move their belongings to higher ground and follow the weather updates and further warning. The warning tower in Naan province has been activated, in addition to community news center, and will be broadcasting warnings via the satellite.


-- NNT 2013-07-30

Commander in Chief, Gen.Prayut Chan-O-Cha launches a “Planting Family” campaign

BANGKOK, 30th July 2013 (NNT) –Thai Commander in Chief Gen.Prayut Chan-O-Cha has launched a “Planting Family” campaign, assigning army personnel to plant trees in army camps all over the country.

Gen.Prayut Chan-O-Cha presided over the opening ceremony of the project which was organized on July 29th, 2013 in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen. The purpose of the campaign is for everyone to realize the importance of tree planting, particularly in green zones and communities.

Army personnel, together with their families, have been urged to plant one tree each during August to December 2013. The C-in-C also helped planting a rosewood tree. 2,600 saplings have been prepared for army personnel and their families and the public to plant on the army's area of 190 rai.

-- NNT 2013-07-30

UPDATE:

CAMPAIGN FOR SAMET ISLAND
Appeal for hair to soak up spill
The Nation

KOH SAMET: -- Concerned residents have pitched in to clear up the oil spill at Samet Island and are now campaigning for donations of hair to soak up the spill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657235-pttgc-oil-spill-reaches-ban-phe-beach;-tourist-operators-meet/page-2#entry6665379

OIL SPILL
PM orders comprehensive rehabilitation plan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra rushed all government agencies to tackle the oil spill and help the affected, said Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpisan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657279-oil-spill-pm-yingluck-orders-comprehensive-rehabilitation-plan/