Cabinet nods to massive economic stimulus package
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 7 – Thailand's cabinet approved a new stimulus package in response to the country's continued economic downturn and a last-ditch attempt to maintain Thailand’s economic growth at 4.5 per cent this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658991-thai-cabinet-nods-to-massive-economic-stimulus-package/

CONTROVERSIAL AMNESTY BILL

Fears of major clash if rivals face off at House

The Nation

A crowd-control police unit is stationed at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to guard Government House from possible intrusion by anti-government protesters.

Supporters of both sides massing, as Democrats endorse march to Parliament

BANGKOK: -- A political confrontation is looming between pro- and anti-government mobs, with Democrat Party MPs having decided yesterday to lead a group of supporters today to Parliament House, which is protected by a huge police force and controls imposed under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658993-thai-amnesty-bill-fears-of-major-clash-if-rivals-face-off-at-house/

POLITICS
TPBS newsman to explain his Facebook postings on Friday
The Nation



Lawyers, rights expert slam police for saying "like" or "Share" is a crime

BANGKOK: -- THAI PBS news editor Sermsuk Kasitipradit said he would go and give information to police on Friday after being summonsed to clarify a post he made on Facebook.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658995-thai-pbs-newsman-to-explain-his-facebook-postings-on-friday/

UPDATE:
Military gunmen shot 6 unarmed people dead in Wat Pathum Wanaram: court
Anuphan Chantana,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Unidentified military sharpshooters stationed on Skytrain tracks killed five unarmed people at Pathum Wanaram Temple during the dispersal of a pro-Thaksin Shinawatra red-shirt rally on May 19, 2010, the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court ruled yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658898-state-forces-blamed-for-murder-of-six-at-temple-site-in-2010-protest/page-3?p=6691641#entry6691641

SOUTH CRISIS
Death of Imam Yakob a blow to peace-building
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation



PATTANI: -- Imam Yakob Raimanee of the Central Masjid in Pattani, the province's main mosque, is remembered for being kind, approachable, and helpful to peace-building efforts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658997-thai-south-crisis-death-of-imam-yakob-a-blow-to-peace-building/

EDITORIAL
Crackdown on 'rumour-mongering' is the wrong message
The Nation

By gagging online commentators, the authorities will not prevent panic spreading about a coup; they will only anger the public and jeopardise the government's case for 'reconciliation'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658998-crackdown-on-rumour-mongering-is-the-wrong-message-thai-editorial/

Verdict in city fire trucks case delayed
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions yesterday postponed the reading of verdicts on charges against five people in relation to the 2004 Bangkok City Hall purchase of fire trucks and boats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659000-verdict-in-bangkok-fire-trucks-case-delayed/

For some, anti-govt protest lacks spirit of PAD rallies
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE LATEST "anti-Thaksin regime" rally at Lumpini Park is reminiscent of a similar anti-Thaksin gathering five years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659001-for-some-anti-govt-protest-lacks-spirit-of-pad-rallies/

Banharn offers new solution to heal divide
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- CHART THAI PATTANA Party's de facto leader Banharn Silapa-archa told the media yesterday that his solution for the political divide would be to invite all sides to join the government for a year before dissolving the House. However, he admitted that this idea might not be welcomed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659002-banharn-offers-new-solution-to-heal-divide/

HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Get tough on firms trafficking migrant workers, US official urges
Thammarat Kitchalong
The Nation

WASHINGTON: -- LUIS CdeBaca, ambassador at large for the US State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, urged Thailand yesterday to impose harsh sentences on employers found guilty of trafficking migrant workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659003-get-tough-on-firms-trafficking-migrant-workers-us-official-urges-thailand/

Briton 'Committed Suicide' In Chiang Mai Hotel Room
By Khaosod Online

CHIANG MAI: -- 60-year-old British woman was found dead in her hotel room in Chiang Mai Province. Police ruled it was a suicide case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659004-briton-committed-suicide-in-chiang-mai-hotel-room/

CONTAMINATION
Dumex Thailand issued statement on recall of its products from shelves

BANGKOK: -- Dumex Thailand on Tuesday issued a statement on recall of some of its products in Thailand following an information from Fonterra - a New Zealand-based dairy supplier - that one of their ingredients had potential contamination issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659005-dumex-thailand-issued-statement-on-recall-of-its-products-from-shelves/

ChadapornLin 8:19am via Twitter
Democrats to walk from Urupong, Rama 6, Ramathibodi Hospital, turn left, Tuk Chai junction, Dusit Zoo, Parliament

Democrat MPs led by Suthep Thuagsuban will be marching on foot to Parliament and will be wearing black suits and ties into meeting

-----------

INchannel908:19am via Twitter for iPhone

Democrat leader Abhisit confirms that party supporters will abide by the law in marching as close as they can to Parliament

RT @jindaella: Not a lot of folks at Lumpini... http://t.co/zSvonpox9T

RT @tulip_oum: Dusit zoo is closed for today.-RT @news1005fm http://t.co/5MbUTA7mVv

RT @inchannel90: Leaders of PEFOT at Suan Lumpini to meet again at 9:30AM to assess situation; they seem to be expecting more supporters

RT @inchannel90: Right now at Democrat rally http://t.co/AnvvCUMJb6

UPDATE:

Thailand's political showdown today
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 7 – Thailand plunges into a further quandary today as the government moves head-on with a parliamentary debate on the highly-criticised amnesty bill as adamant protesters vow to fight against the legislation with no turning back.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658993-thai-amnesty-bill-fears-of-major-clash-if-rivals-face-off-at-house/#entry6691979

UPDATE:
Army says probe on Wat Pathum murder in infant stage
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 7 – A senior army officer has called on the public not to abruptly jump to conclusions in the case of six people killed at Wat Pathum Wanaram during the 2010 political upheaval in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658898-state-forces-blamed-for-murder-of-six-at-temple-site-in-2010-protest/page-3?p=6692000#entry6692000

RT @richardbarrow: 9:40am Demcorat supporters march along Rama 6 under the expressway (Pic @INchannel90) http://t.co/AOowXVU8sx

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,418.31, down 11.08 points /MCOT

Ex-PMs Chuan, Abhisit lead Democrat MPs, members of public walking from Urupong area to Parliament; motorists advised to avoid Rama 6 Road /MCOT

Escaped python that killed 2 Canadian children put down

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659014-escaped-python-that-killed-2-canadian-children-put-down/

RichardBarrow 10:09am via Tweetbot for iOS
10am 1000's of protesters passing Ramathibhodi Hospital on Rama VI Road (Pic Thai Rath) pic.twitter.com/gSzAxHq46I

RT @tulsathit: Amnesty debate set to start at 1 pm. Mixed signals on whether govt want to get it past 1st reading today.

RT @coconutsbangkok: Protesters at Tuk Chai Inters, near Ramathibodi Hospital, 2 km from Parliament http://t.co/d7twI5X9MQ [via @aorwiki]

BKK Police expect demonstrators to converge at 12 sites Wednesday

BANGKOK, 7 August 2013 (NNT) – The Metropolitan Police expect that on Wednesday, political demonstrators will enter all the Bangkok districts where the Internal Security Act is enforced, and re-emphasize that it will stringently monitor against attempts to carry weapons.

According to Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Adul Narongsak, the demonstrators are expected to spread to 12 demonstration points in the 3 districts and also along the 5 additional road segments declared off-limits to traffic. The government thus requests that commuters avoid the routes, while demonstrators must not bring weapons into the protest venues. Anybody found with weapons faces a prison term as long as one year.

As a graduation ceremony will be also taking place nearby, at the Thai Bar's new building next to Suan Amphon, parking for those attending the ceremony will be arranged at 4 spots, including inside the Royal Turf Club, on Nakhon Pathom road, to the side of Benchamabophit temple and inside Dusit Zoo.

Two people have so far been arrested for carrying weapons. The two men have been sentenced to 1 month imprisonment and a fine of 500 baht for carrying knives.

-- NNT 2013-08-07

RT @inchannel90: Democat leaders start negotiations with Metro Police Div 8 to allow protesters pass 1st barrier http://t.co/wjMTYBXzEw

Obama to Attend G20 Summit in Russia

MOSCOW, August 7 (RIA Novosti) – US President Barack Obama has confirmed his intention to attend the Group of Twenty summit in Russia’s St. Petersburg in September, but reproached Russia for its “Cold War mentality.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659024-obama-to-attend-g20-summit-in-russia/

RT @richardbarrow: UPDATE BKK: Democrat MPs have led their supporters to Ratchawithi Rd near Parliament. People's Army still at Lumpini.

Nok Air's plane skids off runway in Trang Province

BANGKOK, 7 Aug 2013, (NNT) - Nok Air's Boeing 747 plane bound for Bangkok's Don Mueang airport skidded off runway in Trang Province on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659025-nok-airs-plane-skids-off-runway-in-trang-province/

Feature:
Thai pupils see glimpse of freedom from new hair rules
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, August 7, 2013 (AFP) - Pudding-bowl bobs and army-type cuts were for decades the only hairstyles allowed to be sported by Thai schoolchildren -- but now looser rules spell new freedom for classroom coiffures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659026-thai-pupils-see-glimpse-of-freedom-from-new-hair-rules/

RT @jindaella: Police are considering Dems' demands; Ratchawithi Rd east of inte4section with Rama V still passable. Rama V still passable.