Thailand Live Monday 5 Aug 2013

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UPDATE:

No coup, Army insists, despite rising tension

The Nation

Movement of tanks 'just routine', people seeking to confuse public, spokesman says, as rally starts

BANGKOK: -- The army yesterday dismissed the possibility of a military coup amid the escalating political tension. "This unfounded theory was just the personal imagination of some people who are out to confuse the public," deputy Army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suwaree said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658323-coup-rumours-baseless/page-2?p=6684684#entry6684684

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SAMET
Tests conducted on seafood from areas near oil spill
The Nation



Food 'safe' so far urine samples taken from volunteers doing cleanup on Samet.

RAYONG: -- A PUBLIC Health Ministry inspection of seafood collected from areas near Ban Phe on the coast in Rayong - near sites hit by a crude oil spill in the Gulf - has found no mercury or heavy metal in excess of safe levels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658544-samet-tests-conducted-on-seafood-from-areas-near-oil-spill/

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BURNING ISSUE
Clouds of doubt over Worachai's amnesty bill
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE FUTURE of the amnesty bill proposed by a group of government MPs appears to be gloomy, especially since it was linked to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and seen as providing him an opportunity to return home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658545-clouds-of-doubt-over-worachais-amnesty-bill/

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THAI AIRWAYS
Thai Airways' catering business comes down to earth
Achara Deboonme


Suraphon Israngura Na Ayuthya has a grand plan to grow THAI

BANGKOK: -- Offering food in the sky for decades, Thai Airways International's catering business is bringing these renowned first-class experiences to the ground - in restaurants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658546-thai-airways-catering-business-comes-down-to-earth/

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CHALK TALK
Training teachers well: a vital aspect of quality education
Chularat Saengpassa

BANGKOK: -- IF THAILAND has problems over the quality of education, what are the root causes? And who should be held responsible - teachers, policy-makers or simply teacher-training colleges? No matter which way you look at it, all the aforementioned parties should play a role in finding solutions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658547-thai-chalk-talk-training-teachers-well-a-vital-aspect-of-quality-education/

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Australian and Welshman fight over Muay Thai Bout at Central Pattaya Bar



PATTAYA: -- Late on Saturday Night a fight broke out at a popular Australian Beer Bar located on Pattaya Third Road involving an Australian and a Welshman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658549-australian-and-welshman-fight-over-muay-thai-bout-at-central-pattaya-bar/

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EDU UPDATE
British volunteer English teachers get ready to take on Thai schools
TEERIN JULSAWAD
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- NEARLY 200 young British volunteers arrived in Thailand recently to help teach English to local students for approximately eight weeks. Before being sent off to Thai schools around the country, the volunteers received two-days of training to prepare them for the teaching experience.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658550-british-volunteer-english-teachers-get-ready-to-take-on-thai-schools/

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POLITICS
Democrat MPs to return free iPads
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A fear of being eavesdropped on is driving most Democrat MPs to return their free iPads to the Parliament Secretariat this week, Democrat MP Samart Maluleem said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658551-thai-democrat-mps-to-return-free-ipads/

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Hunt continues for insurgents after attacks
The Nation



NARATHIWAT: -- SECURITY FORCES in Narathiwat yesterday intensified their massive hunt for insurgents suspected of conducting a series of attacks in the region.

The hunt was carried out with helicopters and security forces on foot, who focused their search on a number of districts including Rangae, Chanae, Joh I Rong, Sri Sakhon and Tak Bai. Troop patrols targeted hilly areas where some insurgents were thought to be regrouping.

In the last few days, authorities have beefed up their security operations following a series of attacks in the province, which have claimed the lives of two rangers and injured nine others, since August 1.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok yesterday visited Songkhla province and provided compensation to those affected by the arson attacks last week.

The compensation was paid in accordance with a cabinet resolution about those affected by the violence in the region. Under the resolution, funds are paid out either for damaged assets, or for loss of life.

Last week many rubber factories, companies and shops in Songkhla, Yala and Pattani were set on fire. Some were burned to the ground.

Pracha said the government was ready to pay compensation to those affected by attacks.

He called for the public to help the authorities find a solution to the long-running strife.


-- The Nation 2013-08-05

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OBITUARY
Ex-Finance Minister Suthee passes away
The Nation



A funeral ceremony will be held at Wat Phra Mahathai (Holy Redeemer Church) in Soi Ruam Rudee 2, until Wednesday.

Suthee Singsaneh, one of the most prominent finance ministers in Thai history, died on August 3 of natural cause at the age of 85.

During a distinguished carrier, he served as director general of the Cooperative Auditing Department and later as director of the Budget Bureau. He was also a member of the National Legislative Assembly and appointed a senator.

Suthee was finance minister on three occasions - during governments headed by Prem Tinsulanonda, Anand Panyarachun and Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon.

In addition, he was a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s board of directors and also on the board of directors for the Crown Property Bureau.

A funeral ceremony will be held for Suthee at Wat Phra Mahathai (Holy Redeemer Church) in Soi Ruam Rudee 2, until Wednesday. Suthee’s body will then be taken to Santikam Cemetery in Nakhon Pathom’s Sampran district for a burial ceremony, to be held on Thursday at 1pm.


-- The Nation 2013-08-05

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Woman abducted and man shot at house in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Sunday Police were called to Banglamung Hospital to investigate reports of a 22 year old man who had driven himself to Hospital after he had been shot outside of a house in East Pattaya where his girlfriend was being kept against her will.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658552-woman-abducted-and-man-shot-at-house-in-east-pattaya/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,416.35, down 4.59 points /MCOT

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Police chief confident protesters controllable
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 5 - Thailand’s National Police commander Adul Saengsingkaew has given reassurances that police forces will be on full alert to keep public order especially on Wednesday when the amnesty bill is slated for parliamentary debate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658562-thailands-police-chief-confident-bangkok-protesters-controllable/

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Police close 5 roads leading to Parliament, Government House; farmer protesters block Finance Ministry entrance, causing heavy traffic jam /MCOT

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Musician out on bail after stabbing a singing American to death
By Coconuts Bangkok

KRABI: -- The police have granted bail to the bar musician who is accused of stabbing an American to death after he wouldn’t quit singing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658563-thai-musician-out-on-bail-after-stabbing-a-singing-american-to-death-on-krabi/

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Phuket Red Cross gets new blood donation bus

Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Red Cross is organising a celebration to mark the arrival of a new mobile blood donation centre a fully equipped bus donated by the Siam Commercial Bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658577-phuket-red-cross-gets-new-blood-donation-bus/

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Thailand aims to attract Muslim, Israeli and gay tourists

NEW YORK: -- In recent marketing campaigns, Thailand has been aiming to attract diverse categories of tourists including Muslims, Israelis and homosexuals, the New York Times reported on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658580-thailand-aims-to-attract-muslim-israeli-and-gay-tourists/

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Woman dies of suspected food poisoning in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Doctors at Patong hospital are to carry out an autopsy to pin down the cause of death after a Thai woman died yesterday morning (August 4), the apparent victim of food poisoning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658590-woman-dies-of-suspected-food-poisoning-in-phuket/

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Road collapse at Krabi Airport domestic terminal
Phuket Gazette

Domestic passengers at Krabi Airport must access Terminal 2 via the international terminal while the ramp road remains closed, awaiting repairs. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

KRABI:-- Authorities have closed the ramp road to the domestic terminal at Krabi International Airport after heavy rain over the past week washed away the earth underneath a retaining wall, causing the road to subside.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658599-road-collapse-at-krabi-airport-domestic-terminal/

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Anti-amnesty bill group to tell global community of its stance

BANGKOK, 5 August 2013 (NNT)-The anti-amnesty bill group is planning to convey to the international community its message regarding the current political situation in Thailand. Meanwhile, the number of the demonstrators is far fewer than anticipated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658604-thailand-anti-amnesty-bill-group-to-tell-global-community-of-its-stance/

[Lite Beer]

PM back in office as usual under tight security

BANGKOK, 5 August 2013 (NNT)- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is now back in her office as usual under tight security, as around 2,000 anti-government demonstrators have gathered at Lumpini Park in their move against the amnesty bill.

Prime Minister’s motorcade reportedly arrived at the Government House via a different road today under high- level security. The Internal Security Act has been imposed in the areas around the Parliament out of safety concerns, as the anti-government movement is underway.

The Peace Keeping Operation Center has closed all 12 access points to the building, and only allowed one entrance to the Government House to be accessible for official contacts. Ms. Yingluck has joined the meeting to discuss her plan for the next official visits to the Republics of Tajikistan and Pakistan. She has also made a speech on women and their roles in moving Thailand forward.

-- NNT 2013-08-05

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UPDATE

Fonterra dairy products to be pulled out of local market

BANGKOK, 5 Aug 2013, (NNT) - New Zealand's dairy products giant Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited has issued a warning that its milk products exported to to 8 trading partner companies in 6 countries including Thailand may have contained botulism bacteria.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658390-new-zealand-dairy-giant-issues-global-botulism-alert-thailand-at-risk/page-2#entry6685815

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE

Rally enters 2nd day, fears of violence linger
By English News

BANGKOK, Aug 5 – Anti-government protesters continued their rally at Lumpini Park for the second day today amid fears of infiltration by unscrupulous third parties which could degrade their political activity to violence.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658604-thailand-anti-amnesty-bill-group-to-tell-global-community-of-its-stance/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE

Ex-monk Nen Kham to surrender Thursday: DSI chief
By English News |

BANGKOK, Aug 5 - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief said disgraced ex-monk Nen Kham will return to Thailand and surrender to the department August 8.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658324-ex-monk-ready-to-fight-allegations-in-us/page-3#entry6685893

[Lite Beer]

Four people to be summoned for posting unwanted texts on social media
By English News

BANGKOK, Aug 5 – Four people, including an editor of a TV channel, will be summoned for posting statements on social media which could lead to anxiety among the general public, a senior police officer said today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658612-four-people-to-be-summoned-for-posting-unwanted-texts-on-social-media/

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Rains to subside before returning on Aug 7

BANGKOK, 5 August 2013 (NNT) - Heavy rains are set to subside across the country before gaining momentum later this week due to an approaching low pressure cell.

The Meteorological Department has reported that the southwesterly monsoon covering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand is expected to weaken during the next two days. However, from August 7-10, the monsoon is set to collide with a low pressure cell from the South China Sea, bringing more rains to all parts of Thailand.

Scattered thunderstorms are forecasted in most of the southern provinces including Phuket, Krabi and Satun. Strong winds will generate up to 2 meter high waves and all shippers should proceed with caution.

Last week, almost 25,000 people have been evacuated to makeshift camps after rain-induced floods ravaged eastern Myanmar and areas across the border in Thailand.

-- NNT 2013-08-05

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No need to impose more measures to cope with protest : NSC chief
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Security Council’s Secretary General Paradorn Pattanatabutr said Monday that there was no need to impose additional security measures to cope with anti-govt rally against the amnesty bill.

The government has already invoked Internal Security Act in three districts of Bangkok to deter the protesters.


-- The Nation 2013-08-05

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Government's whips decide not to postpone or withdraw amnesty bill from agenda
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Yingluck government’s whips resolved Monday not to delay or withdraw amnesty bill from parliament’s agenda.

A 35-member special committee would be formed to vet the bill.


-- The Nation 2013-08-05

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UPDATE:
Army says tank movements routine, not a coup
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The army on Monday tried to stop rumours of a possible coup by announcing that 12 military tanks would be moved from Nakhon Nayok to Kanchanaburi tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658323-coup-rumours-baseless/page-2?p=6686193#entry6686193

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Five people injured in explosion after 2 militants on motorcycle hurl a bomb into a food shop in Pattani /MCOT