Thailand Live Thursday 1 Aug 2013

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Charter plane from China to Phuket in emergency landing

PHUKET: -- An Orient Thai charter aircraft carrying 137 Chinese passengers made a safe emergency landing at Surat Thani International Airport late Wednesday evening after experiencing engine failure, and then suffered a flat tyre, causing it to get stuck on the runway and forcing another arriving plane to fly back to Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657668-charter-plane-from-china-to-phuket-in-emergency-landing/

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Red shirts Urged Not To Confront Anti-Amnesty Protesters

BANGKOK: -- As anti-government activists planned at least 2 upcoming major protests, a prominent Redshirts leader pleaded to his supporters that they should not stage a counter-protest or confront their rivals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657670-red-shirts-urged-not-to-confront-anti-amnesty-protesters/

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DARK DAY OF SAMET

Oil spill probe to be finished in 7 days

WATCHARAPONG PUSSAYANAWIN,

NARUMON KASEMSUK

BANGKOK: -- THE ENERGY MINISTRY promises to complete its investigation into the cause of the disastrous offshore oil spill within seven days and to ensure full compensation by PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657671-dark-day-of-samet-oil-spill-probe-to-be-finished-in-7-days/

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OIL SLICK
Experts scoff at PTTGC's response
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation



RAYONG: -- When the oil first leaked from the PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) offshore platform near Rayong on Saturday, relevant officials decided to deploy a 200-metre boom to contain the spill, which later proved to be far too short.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657673-samet-oil-slick-experts-scoff-at-pttgcs-response/

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POLITICS
3 Bangkok districts under ISA
The Nation

STEP TAKEN IN ANTICIPATION OF RALLIES AGAINST AMNESTY BILL

BANGKOK: -- THE CABINET yesterday invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three Bangkok districts ahead of a House debate on an amnesty bill, during which an anti-government group plans a large rally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657674-3-bangkok-districts-under-isa/

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BURNING ISSUE
Stage seems set for return to vicious cycle of political conflict
Attayuth Bootsripoom
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- As the new parliamentary session approaches, the political situation is becoming intense. Detractors and rivals of the government are taking to the streets after having waited for two years, since the ruling coalition came to power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657675-thailand-stage-seems-set-for-return-to-vicious-cycle-of-political-conflict/

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Plan to tackle human trafficking issue in Thailand to be developed by Labor Ministry

BANGKOK, (NNT)- The Ministry of Labor has set up a committee tasked specifically with tackling human trafficking issue in Thailand, which has placed the country on the U.S. Watch List for the past 4 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657676-plan-to-tackle-human-trafficking-issue-in-thailand-to-be-developed-by-labor-ministry/

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EDITORIAL
Tell the truth about the country's worst oil spill
The Nation

Preservation of the environment and livelihoods are at stake; those responsible must admit guilt and face punishment

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657678-tell-the-truth-about-the-countrys-worst-oil-spill-thai-editorial/

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Grenade lobbed at Prem aide's home; nobody hurt
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A hand grenade was hurled at the house of Vice Admiral Pajun Tamprateep, a close aide to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, in the early hours of yesterday. It did not explode and its safety pin had not been removed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657679-grenade-lobbed-at-prem-aides-home/

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UPDATE:

Foreigner stabbed to death after Krabi bar row
The Nation

KRABI: -- Police have arrested three Thai musicians who allegedly stabbed an American man to death and severely wounded his son after an argument in a bar in Krabi's Muang district early Wednesday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657539-american-man-killed-in-krabi-son-severely-injured/page-11?p=6671260#entry6671260

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Public warned of air pollution caused by Rayong oil spill
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



Toxic compounds can cause respiratory problems and even change DNA, expert says

BANGKOK: -- TOXIC COMPOUNDS from oil spills can affect humans through contaminated seafood and polluted air, the director of the International Anti-Ageing Centre warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657680-public-warned-of-air-pollution-caused-by-rayong-oil-spill/

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North floods 'caused by lack of drainage'
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- DR ROYOL CHITRADON, director of the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAII), yesterday said the flooding in the North resulted from insufficient water-drainage channels, and also warned people in the Northeast to brace for the arrival of Tropical Storm Jebi in the next two to three days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657681-thailand-north-floods-caused-by-lack-of-drainage/

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Police make amends to girl hurt in drug shootout
Kwanhathai Malaka
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) secretary-general Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen yesterday visited a female student injured by a stray bullet during Tuesday's gunfight between drug suspects and police in Bangkok's Nang Lerng area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657682-thai-police-make-amends-to-girl-hurt-in-drug-shootout/

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Divers find unidentifiable matter under the sea
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Samet, Rayong



KOH SAMET: -- Preliminary investigation by State Marine Watch officials showed some unidentified black matter in the sea near Koh Samet's Ao Phrao beach in Rayong province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657683-koh-samet-divers-find-unidentifiable-matter-under-the-sea/

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Police Shootout With Drug Dealer Kills University Student



CHONBURI: -- A botched attempt of the police to arrest a drug smuggler in Chonburi province has led to car chase and shootout that left 1 university student dead, reportedly by the police gunfire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657684-thai-police-shootout-with-drug-dealer-kills-university-student/

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UPDATE:

Thailand beefs up security powers for anti-government protests

BANGKOK, August 1, 2013 (AFP) - The Thai government on Wednesday invoked a special security law to control planned anti-government protests in central Bangkok, after a series of violent rallies rocked the capital in recent years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657674-3-bangkok-districts-under-isa/?p=6671323

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UPDATE:

Thai musicians arrested for murder of American tourist
Phuket Gazette


One of the suspects (right) arrested at the bar in Krabi early this morning. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657539-american-man-killed-in-krabi-son-severely-injured/page-11#entry6671331

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Turner eyes slice of Thai broadcast market
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- US-BASED TURNER Asia Pacific Ventures says it is seeking possible business opportunity in Thailand's over Bt70-billion TV broadcasting industry after the digital terrestrial TV is put in place, either through a partnership or joint venture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657686-us-based-turner-ventures-eyes-slice-of-thai-broadcast-market/

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Tourism firms lack knowledge of AEC: lecturer
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- TOURISM BUSINESSES should study in deeper detail the opening of the Asean Economic Community in 2015 to maximise benefits for their operations, especially ways to cut costs and stimulate sales, Piti Sriseangnam, an economic lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657687-tourism-firms-lack-knowledge-of-aec-thai-lecturer/

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VIDEO: Thai Woman's Bizarre Road Machine

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657689-video-thai-womans-bizarre-road-machine/

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Cargo ship sinks off Krabi, 11 rescued
Tanyaluk Sakoot

KRABI: -- A Thai-registered coaster, the MV Unity, sank yesterday afternoon (July 31) around 2:30 in heavy seas near Koh Pu, off the coast of Krabi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657696-cargo-ship-sinks-off-krabi-11-rescued/

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UPDATE:

Charter plane from China to Phuket in emergency landing

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657668-charter-plane-from-china-to-phuket-in-emergency-landing/#entry6671685

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,437.71, up 14.57 points /MCOT

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Is Google preparing to dump Android?
By Jim Lynch

Apple Insider has a fascinating article that explores the possibility of Google dumping Android for Chrome OS.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657722-is-google-preparing-to-dump-android/

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Multiple bombings in Yala and Pattani kill 1 soldier and injure 5 more

YALA, 1 August 2013 (NNT) – Unrest still occurs in the Deep South toward the end of the Ramadan fasting month, with multiple bombings in Pattani and Yala resulting in the death of 1 official and injuries to 5 others.

In Mueang Yala district of Yala, two policemen who were part of a security team for teachers were critically injured by a roadside blast suspected to have been orchestrated by local militant leader Ayu Hama. The men were sent to Yala Central Hospital.

In Bannang Sata district, two security volunteers guarding Ban Tao Pun school were injured when an improvised bomb, which was detonated by c-band radio, exploded.

In Yaha district, a roadside blast severed the left leg of a Ranger who was on patrol. The soldier later died at hospital. Officials believe the person responsible was local militant leader Sa-u-di Satapo, who has been wanted under an internal security-related arrest warrant.

In Pattani province, a bomb went off into an oncoming patrol of soldiers who were providing security on the road for teachers at Ban Pare school in Barahom sub-district, Mueang Pattani district. The blast wounded 2 soldiers out of the group of 6 who were patrolling on their motorcycles.


-- NNT 2013-08-01

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Grim prospects for Thai rice exports in 2013
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 1 – Thailand’s rice exports in the first two quarters dropped by 8.4 per cent and the prospects in the second half of the year remain bleak, according to a leading rice trader.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657726-grim-prospects-for-thai-rice-exports-in-2013/

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10% of oil slick left at Phrao Bay
By English News



RAYONG, Aug 1 - The oil spill cleanup operation at Samet Island's Phrao Bay is progressing, with only 10% of the slick is left on the beach, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will meet tourism operators to discuss measures to revive tourist confidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657730-koh-samet-10-of-oil-slick-left-at-phrao-bay/

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UPDATE:

Anti-govt protesters unrelenting despite imposition of security act
By English

BANGKOK, Aug 1 – Anti-government activists have vowed to rally in Bangkok on Sunday despite an enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three capital districts from today through August 10.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657674-3-bangkok-districts-under-isa/#entry6672060

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UPDATE:

Thai king to leave hospital: govt official

BANGKOK, August 1, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's frail king is expected to leave hospital and travel to his coastal palace on Thursday after almost four years as an in-patient, a government official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657575-their-majesties-to-return-to-hua-hin-palace-governor/page-2#entry6672099

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UPDATE:

Minister Chalerm seeks fishing operators’ cooperation to intercept human trafficking

BANGKOK, 1 Aug 2013 (NNT) - Labor Minister Charlerm Yubumrung has asked maritime business operators to assist the Government in eradicating the ongoing issues of human trafficking and illegal alien workers in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/657676-plan-to-tackle-human-trafficking-issue-in-thailand-to-be-developed-by-labor-ministry/?p=6672139