Fugitive politician's son weds actress Janie
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE THAI entertainment industry yesterday was taken by surprise when former interior minister Vatana Asavahame's eldest son, Chonsawat "Ae" Asavahame, 45, revealed that he has tied the knot with actress Janie Thienphosuvan, 32.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659504-fugitive-thai-politicians-son-weds-actress-janie/

Redshirts Leader's Bodyguard Injured By Explosion

UDON THANI: -- A bodyguard of the bombastic Redshirts leader Mr. Kwanchai Pripana was injured after he encountered an explosive in the lawn of the radio station frequently visited by Mr. Kwanchai in Udon Thani province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659506-redshirt-leader-kwanchais-bodyguard-injured-by-explosion/

ANALYSIS
Uneasy calm after 1st reading
The Nation


Democrat MPs gather around party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and former secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban to offer them moral support during a break in the House meeting yesterday.

Democrats vow strong opposition to amnesty bill, plan to approach court

BANGKOK: -- Thai politics has entered a period of jittery calm after yesterday's passage of an amnesty bill in the first reading by the House of Representatives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659507-thai-amnesty-bill-uneasy-calm-after-1st-reading/

POLITICS
Social media agog at politicians behaving badly
BUDSARAKHAM SINLAPALAVAN,
SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON
THE NATION



Social-media users have slammed politicians' behaviour during the House of Representatives debate on the amnesty bill.

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MP Prasit Chaisrisa lived up to his reputation for controversial behaviour by displaying his shoes during the debate on Wednesday. Prasit took off his shoes and put them on a table, saying he feared Democrat MPs would harm Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema. As he was sitting near Worachai, he took off his shoes so he could spring to his aid if needed, Prasit said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659509-thai-social-media-agog-at-politicians-behaving-badly/

Pakistani Foreign Exchange Scam suspects caught by Pattaya Police

PATTAYA: -- A couple, thought to be brother and sister from Pakistan, were arrested by Pattaya Police in the early hours of Friday, accused of stealing 32,000 Baht from a foreign exchange booth on Pattaya Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659510-pakistani-foreign-exchange-scam-suspects-arrested-in-pattaya/

Turkish rent-a-car currency exchange fugitives caught in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Two Turkish Nationals aged 45 and 47, wanted by Police in Sukothai Province, were arrested in Pattaya on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659511-pattaya-police-arrest-turkish-rent-a-car-currency-exchange-fugitives/

Russian accused of stealing Donation Box at Pattaya Shopping Mall

PATTAYA:--A 20 year old Russian National was arrested early on Thursday Morning after he was seen by Security Guards at a South Pattaya Shopping Mall, allegedly stealing a donation box.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659457-russian-accused-of-stealing-donation-box-at-pattaya-shopping-mall/

Cameroonian arrested after alleged bag snatch in front of South Pattaya Temple

PATTAYA:--A 26 year old Cameroonian was arrested in the early hours of Thursday accused of stealing a bag belonging to a 28 year old Thai Woman in front of a South Pattaya Temple on 4th August.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659456-cameroonian-arrested-after-alleged-bag-snatch-in-front-of-south-pattaya-temple/

Krabi murder defendants claim US Embassy translator unfair
Phuket Gazette


The three musicians refused to allow a translator provided by the US Embassy in Bangkok take part in the proceedings. Photo: Gazette file

KRABI: The three Thai musicians charged with the murder of American tourist Bobby Ray Carter Jr in Krabi on July 31 have refused to have the translator provided by the US Embassy in Bangkok involved in the trial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659513-krabi-murder-defendants-claim-us-embassy-translator-unfair/

Committee to vet amnesty bill
THE NATION

35-MEMBER TEAM WILL HAVE 7 DAYS TO SCRUTINISE DRAFT AFTER 2ND READING

BANGKOK: -- PARLIAMENT has voted to appoint a 35-member committee to vet the amnesty bill on its second reading. The 35 members include Matubhum party-list MP General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who was recruited under the Cabinet quota, and outsiders such as Thai Spring leader Kaewsan Atibodhi, who is in the quota of the opposition Democrat Party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659514-committee-to-vet-thai-amnesty-bill/

BURNING ISSUE
Suspending amnesty bill will show if PM's sincere about reform
SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra has made a laudable proposal she says is aimed at finding a "sustainable solution for Thailand". The idea is to gather viewpoints from political players on all sides to design a democracy suitable for Thai society. This proposed forum has been referred to as a political-reform council.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659515-suspending-thai-amnesty-bill-will-show-if-pms-sincere-about-reform/

ISA revoked, effective on Aug 9
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Internal Security Act is revoked, effective from August 9.

Suranand Vejjajiva, secretary to the prime minister, said late Thursday that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra endorsed the revocation.

She considered that the political rally has been calm and the situation returns to normal.

The law was enforced in three districts of Bangkok on August 1. It was originally planned to be effective until August 10.


-- The Nation 2013-08-09

Flash floods, landslides expected in North
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FIVE PROVINCES in the North face the risk of flash floods and landslides as a tropical depression is set to spread over the region.

At risk are the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phrae and Phayao. This depression is the downgraded version of the tropical storm "Mangkhut".

Nakhon Chiang Mai Municipality's mayor Tassanai Buranapakorn yesterday expressed concerns about the Pratu Kom Market area and the Si Ping Muang Community, which are located in natural valleys. "They get flooded even when there is normal rain," he said, adding that the administration would do its best to drain the areas as soon as possible.

"We have dredged drainage pipes and will use pumps to quickly push the water into the Ping River," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-08-09

Institutes join up to boost nation's railway technology
WANWISA PUTNAK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE THAILAND Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (THAIST) has joined forces with 19 institutes and universities to help develop the country's manpower and rail-transportation technology.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659516-institutes-join-up-to-boost-thailands-railway-technology/

Rayong fishermen refuse to accept Bt1,000 per day in compensation
JUMPOL NIKOMRAK,
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION



RAYONG: -- FISHERMEN IN Rayong are getting ready to fight against the Bt1,000 daily compensation proposed to make up for the loss of income caused by the recent oil leak.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659517-oil-leak-rayong-fishermen-refuse-to-accept-bt1000-per-day-in-compensation/

Trang Airport closed for second day
THE NATION



TRANG: -- Trang Airport remained closed for a second day yesterday after Wednesday's Tuesday's runway mishap involving a Nok Air flight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659518-trang-airport-closed-for-second-day/

Thailand's economy
The rice mountain

An increasingly unpopular government sticks to its worst and most costly policy

BANGKOK: -- IT HAS not been a happy second anniversary for the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. Thousands of diehard opponents of her elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra, himself a former prime minister, took to the streets of Bangkok on August 7th to protest against a bill that could grant Mr Thaksin an amnesty for past offences and open up the possibility of his return from exile.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659519-the-rice-mountain-thai-govt-sticks-to-its-worst-and-most-costly-policy/

Siriraj physicians team confirms Their Majesties remain healthy, enjoying life during a week-long stay at Klaikangwon Palace in Hua Hin /MCOT

Thai police use water cannon on Rohingya asylum seekers

BANGKOK, August 9, 2013 (AFP) - Thai police used water cannon to prevent scores of Muslim Rohingya boat people from Myanmar breaking out of a detention centre to celebrate the end of Ramadan, officials said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659528-thai-police-use-water-cannon-on-rohingya-asylum-seekers/

Mainland visitors to Thailand will no longer need a tourist visa to enter the country

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659523-mainland-china-and-thailand-plan-bilateral-tourist-visa-exemption-programme/

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,446.26, down 0.90 points /MCOT

PM signs order to revoke ISA enforcement
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 9 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra late yesterday signed an order to revoke enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three Bangkok districts effective today, one day ahead of the original final day of enforcement tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659531-pm-yingluck-signs-order-to-revoke-isa-enforcement/

Pheu Thai MP thanks MPs for passing amnesty bill
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 9 – Ruling Pheu Thai party MP Worachai Hema expressed appreciation to Thai people and the MPs who voted for the first reading of the amnesty bill yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659553-pheu-thai-mp-worachai-thanks-mps-for-passing-amnesty-bill/

Phuket warned human-trafficking record may result in European ban on seafood
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Any deterioration in Thailand’s human-trafficking record may lead to a European ban on importing seafood from the Kingdom, Phuket Marine Police were warned yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659555-phuket-warned-human-trafficking-record-may-result-in-european-ban-on-seafood/

Guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins arrives in Phuket
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins arrived in Phuket yesterday, anchoring at the Deep Sea Port at Cape Panwa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659570-guided-missile-destroyer-uss-higgins-arrives-in-phuket/

Police nab drug agent, seizing 4.6 million meth pills

CHIANG RAI, 9 Aug 2013 (NNT) – Anti-drug police have announced a series of arrests of narcotics agents, seizing millions of meth pills and hundreds of kilograms of heroin.

National Police Commissioner General, Police General Adul Sangsingkaew said at a press conference that a total of 4,640,000 pills of methamphetamine and 233 kilograms of heroin have been confiscated in two different drug busts recently.

The first campaign involved an arrest of a drug delivery man, Mr. Chuchart Poonchotepirom, who was intercepted by the police as he was driving out of Ratsadorn Phakdi Village in Toeng District of Chiang Rai Province. The man confessed he was paid 700,000 baht for transporting 4.2 million meth pills.

In a separate case, anti drug police were also able to apprehend 4 Thai and Taiwanese suspects for attempting to smuggle out 668 bars of heroin weighing 233 kilograms to Hong Kong. The arrest was made at Mable Hotel on Srinakharin Road in Bangkok. Should the drugs reach Hong Kong its value would have multiplied by at least 20 times.

All the suspects have been charged with illegally possession of addictive substances.


-- NNT 2013-08-09

UPDATE:

Police seize two huge drug hauls

BANGKOK: -- Three Taiwanese and a Thai man have been arrested for attempting to smuggle almost a quarter of a tonne of heroin, worth nearly B500 million, out of the Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659390-bangkok-police-arrest-3-taiwanese-and-a-thai-man-for-possessing-200kg-of-heroin/page-3#entry6699341

American man accused of producing and owning child porn arrested on Sukhumvit
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A 62-year-old American man was arrested at an apartment on Soi Sukhumvit 67 for his alleged involvement in child pornography.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659583-american-man-accused-of-producing-child-porn-arrested-in-bangkok/

Push-up bra commercial goes viral
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The latest viral video to come out of Thailand is a cheeky ad for Wacoal Mood's new Boost Up bra. The video, which was uploaded

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659590-push-up-bra-commercial-goes-viral-in-thailand/

International Day Of The Female Orgasm Brings Pleasure To Brazilian Women
By Connor Adams Sheets

NEW YORK: -- The International Day of the Female Orgasm -- or Día Internacional del Orgasmo Femenino -- is a Brazilian holiday celebrated each year on Aug. 8.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659595-international-day-of-the-female-orgasm-brings-pleasure-to-brazilian-women/