RT@RichardBarrow: On the beach in Hua Hin. Lots of Europeans but number 1 foreign visitors here are now Chinese pic.twitter.com/hZhKtdm76n

300,000 rai of rice farms in Buriram to be turned into sugarcane farms

BANGKOK, 7 August 2013 (NNT) – The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is keen on turning 300,000 rai of rice farms in Buriram northeastern Province into sugarcane plantations.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659372-300000-rai-of-rice-farms-in-buriram-to-be-turned-into-sugarcane-farms/

Outgoing Chinese Ambassador calls on PM Yingluck

BANGKOK, 7 August 2013 (NNT) – Outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Guan Mu called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to bid her farewell and welcome her to the China – ASEAN Expo .

Prime Minister Yingluck met Chinese Ambassador Guan Mu at the Government House, where the Thai leader thanked the ambassador for his commitment over the years of his service to ensure the strong bilateral ties between Thailand and China. Miss Yingluck also thanked Mr. Guan for his involvement in bringing the Chinese leader to Thailand which has led to economic partnership and strategic cooperation of the two sides.

In the meantime, Ambassador Guan told Miss Yingluck that he was glad to see close relationship between Thailand and China, while expressing his gratitude for the Thai Premier’s willingness to attend the 10th China-ASEAN Expo which will be held on September 2-3, in China. Lastly, he has promised to keep on promoting China-Thailand mutual cooperation.

-- NNT 2013-08-08

BRN halts peace talks on Thailand’s South
By English News

BANGKOK, Aug 8 – The Muslim militant group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) has announced an indefinite suspension of peace dialogues with the Thai government, Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok said today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659373-brn-halts-peace-talks-on-thailands-south/

Muslims celebrate Hari Raya at Hat Yai; full occupancy
By English News

SONGKHLA, Aug 8 - Thai Muslims and visitors from abroad are celebrating the Hari Raya festival, Eid al-Fitr, which began today, marking the end of the fasting period of Ramadan, resulting in a lively atmosphere and a full room occupancy in Hat Yai district.

Thai Muslims and tourists from Malaysia alike are shopping in the district, while other districts and nearby provinces are seeing full bookings as well.

Somchart Pimtanapoonporn, president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association, said Hat Yai expected at least Bt200 million in circulation during this period. Police and public safety personnel are stationed in the districts commercial areas, creating confidence among shoppers, he said.

Songkhla governor Kritsada Boonrat said Thai Muslims there can take work holiday today without having to formally take leave, both in public and private organisations, to support religious ceremonies.

Meanwhile, banners encouraging anti-government actions were found hanging in seven locations -- four in Thepha district and three in Saba Yoi district. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-08-08

Yingluck's train arrives in Nakhon Pathom

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has arrived in Nakhon Pathom by a special train.

In a special meeting with some ministers over railway development plan, Yingluck disembarked in Nakhon Pathom and travelled by car to Nong Pho Dairy Co-operative in Ratchaburi.

She would also head to observe wild elephants at Kui Buri National Park in Prachuab Khiri Khan.

Accompanying her are some ministers such as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong and Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt. State Railway of Thailand governor Prapat Chongsanguan also joined the trip.

Before departing from Hua Lampong railway station, Yingluck urged Prapat to improve the SRT's services and safety.

-- The Nation 2013-08-08

Amnesty bill deliberation continues

BANGKOK: -- Parliament on Thursday deliberates on the amnesty bill for the second day.

MPs voted on Wednesday to delay the deliberation to Thursday.

Scheduled to start at 10am, the deliberation actually started at 11am.

-- The Nation 2013-08-08

RT@tulsathit: Parliament is debating whether to end amnesty debate. Time to drive to Pattaya, have a drink and get back. You won't miss anything.

UPDATE:
Fugitive politician's son announces abrupt marriage
The Nation


Chonsawat and Janie show their wedding rings

BANGKOK: -- Overwhelming the Thai entertainment scene on Thursday was the announcement by Vatana Asavahame's eldest son, Chonsawat "Ae", that he tied the knot with famous actress Janie Thienphosuwarn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658778-superstars-affair-with-son-of-wanted-thai-politician-raises-eyebrows/page-4?p=6696545#entry6696545

RT @tulsathit: Govt: This is very absolutely definitely important bill, let's close debate. Opposition: This is illegal bill, let's debate on.

RT @tulsathit: The MPs are taking a break to decide whether to stop the debate. It's getting better and better.

Bride-to-be saves man’s life before pre-wedding photoshoot

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659383-bride-to-be-saves-mans-life-before-pre-wedding-photoshoot/

UPDATE:

Rebels threaten to quit Thai peace talks

BANGKOK, August 8, 2013 (AFP) - Rebels in Thailand's Muslim-majority south have threatened to quit peace talks with the government, as bloodshed during a Ramadan ceasefire dampened hopes of an end to years of fighting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659373-brn-halts-peace-talks-on-thailands-south/#entry6696639

DRUGS TRAFFICKING
Heroin dealers arrested at Bang Na hotel
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A Thai man and three Taiwanese nationals were arrested on Thursday for allegedly possessing about 200 kilograms of heroin and trying to smuggle it out of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659390-bangkok-police-arrest-3-taiwanese-and-a-thai-man-for-possessing-200kg-of-heroin/

DEEP SOUTH
86 incidents, killing and injuring 134 during Ramadan period
The Nation

SONGKLA: -- A number of 86 incidents occurred during the one-month Muslim fasting period, Ramadan, in 2013, according to Prince of Songkla University's Deep South Watch (DSW).

Comparatively, the number of incidents is lower than 99, recorded in the previous year. They killed 52 people and injured 98 persons.

The incidents during July 10 and August 7 injured and killed 134 people, it said.

Fatalities reached 29. Of total, 6 were government officers and 9 were local residents.

Among the 105 injured, 63 were soldiers and 22 were local residents.


-- The Nation 2013-08-08

Phuket Town prepares for red turtle festival
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan


Mayor Somjai (purple top) with municipal figures and an altar of the type set up for the Por Tor Festival.

PHUKET: -- The annual Por Tor Festival will be held this year at various places in Phuket Town between August 23 and September 4, Phuket Municipality announced on Monday (August 5).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659393-phuket-town-prepares-for-red-turtle-festival/

Citizen rescue to bolster safety at Phuket beaches
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Scores of everyday people are voluntarily undergoing lifeguard training in order to help Phuket’s strained contingent of lifeguards cope with the growing number of tourists, expats and local residents who need to be saved from dangerous surf.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659394-citizen-rescue-to-bolster-safety-at-phuket-beaches/

AUSSIES A DRAIN ON PHUKET HOSPITALS
Ron Corben, AAP

PHUKET: -- Australian visitors - mostly males in their 30s and without health insurance -- are posing an increasing drain on public hospitals budgets on the Thai resort island of Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659402-aussies-a-drain-on-phuket-hospitals/

RT @tulsathit: House has voted 300-125 to end the debate

RT @tulsathit: House has voted 299-121 with 14 abstained to approve the bill in principle

RT @tulsathit: Pls note that votes may change give or take a few, as some electronic cards didn't work. But main outcome will be unchanged.

RT @seacorro: #Thailand parliament has voted on the first reading of the #AmnestyBill - passed to a second reading

RT @tulsathit: They are voting again, which is no surprise.

RT @tulsathit: New vote is more or less the same. Bill has limped past its first reading.

RT @tulsathit: Another battle will rage on in the vetting committee.

RT @tulsathit: Abhisit, Kaewsan are among 10 vetting committee members. Corrections: There will be only 10 Democrats in vetting committee.

RT @tulsathit: Vetting committee will have 35 members. Biggest portion of that is Pheu Thai, followed by Democrats.

SET index closed at 1,447.16, up 17.17; Bt/USD31.14; GBP48.17; AUD28.10; EUR41.48; CAD29.79; HKD4.00; SGD24.56; JPY32.21

RT @tulsathit: 17 PT MPs are in vetting panel. We'll have a 7-day break, b4 our MPs come back, fight, take long breaks and fight some more.

The House of Representatives passed the amnesty bill in the first reading with a vote of 299-121 /Bangkok Post

Correction: The House of Representatives passed the amnesty bill in the first reading with a vote of 300-124. /Bangkok Post sms

UPDATE:

Pai killer cop changes plea to guilty


Pai killer cop changes plea to guilty

PAI, MAE HONG SON: -- Five years after a young Canadian was shot and killed in the hippyish resort destination of Pai, Mae Hong Son province, the suspect – a police officer – has changed his plea to guilty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659282-father-of-canadian-slain-in-pai-in-2008-says-thai-suspect-has-pleaded-guilty/page-2?p=6697097#entry6697097

Phuket 'hell condo' accused faces many court dates
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Pornsawan Condotel, whose residents in January accused developer and manager Pornsawan Reungsiriwarakul of conducting a reign of terror and extortion against them.

PHUKET: -- Prosecutors are having a hard time untangling the various offences allegedly committed by Pornsawan Reungsiriwarakul, arrested in January after owners of a condominium finally revolted against a campaign of terror and extortion they say he had waged against them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659413-phuket-hell-condo-accused-faces-many-court-dates/

Body of executed pregnant woman found in Khao Sok National Park, north of Phuket
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- An unidentified pregnant woman was executed by gun and her body left in Khao Sok National Park, Phang Nga police said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659417-body-of-executed-pregnant-woman-found-in-khao-sok-national-park-north-of-phuket/

RT@tulsathit: Forgot to mention that ex-coupmaker Sonthi Bunyaratglin is in vetting committee that's supposed to finalise peace formula for Thailand.

to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 9 Aug 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659505-thailand-live-friday-9-aug-2013/