Politicians, police blame media for Pattaya's 'criminal' image

PATTAYA:--Stung by incessant news reports about foreign criminal activity in Pattaya, top area police and business leaders plan to hold a press conference to put their own spin on crime stories they claim have hurt the city’s image.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659594-politicians-police-blame-media-for-pattayas-criminal-image/

Police continue to monitor demonstrators for fear of third party

BANGKOK, 9 August 2013 (NNT)-The Peace Keeping Operation Center has affirmed today that the political situation in Bangkok has now returned to normal.

According to Police Chief Police General Adul Sangsingkeaw, the political rally has now subsided although a number of anti-government demonstrators still remain at Lumpini Park. He said the situation is now under control.

The Internal Security Act (ISA) has been revoked to allow residents of Bangkok to go on with their daily lives as usual. The Metropolitan Police Bureau has also assured that those that remain politically active will still be monitored to make sure that no third parties will disguise themselves as demonstrators and try to incite violence or chaos.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also informed the international community of the current situation and that the enforcement of law governing the politically rally was necessary.

-- NNT 2013-08-09

People invited to “Celebration of Silk, The Miracle Journey” held until Aug 13

BANGKOK, 9 August 2013 (NNT) – Thais and foreigners have been invited to attend the “Celebration of Silk, The Miracle Journey,” which is being held at Suvarnabhumi Airport until August 13th.

The “Celebration of Silk, The Miracle Journey” has been held in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, recognizing her benevolence to the Thai silk industry in terms of support, promotion, and standard uplifting.

The objective of the event is to encourage Thais as well as foreigners to learn more about silk worm farming, silk weaving, and everything else about Thai silk. During the event, silk fabrics from silk-making provinces across Thailand will be on display.

There is also a fashion show at the opening ceremony, featuring the wives of ambassadors to Thailand wearing silk dresses.

The “Celebration of Silk, The Miracle Journey” event will be held at Suvarnabhumi Airport until August 13th.

-- NNT 2013-08-09

Thailand must 'wait and see' for next peace talks
By English News

BANGKOK, Aug 9 – Thailand continues to wait for an official confirmation from Malaysia on the suspension of peace talks between the Thai security delegation and a militant group in Thailand's Muslim-predominant deep South, a senior cabinet member said today.

Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok, referring to a move by Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) leaders to halt the peace dialogues, said the talks would be “postponed” to allow an evaluation of the situation.

He said he has yet to receive a report on whether talks with the BRN core leaders would be held on August 18 as earlier scheduled, insisting that negotiations would continue as it was the government’s policy.

Malaysia facilitated the first three rounds of peace talks which were held in Kuala Lumpur.

Paradorn Pattanatabut, secretary general of the National Security Council (NSC), said the next round of talks would not be held unless all three parties confirm their participation.

He ruled out a report that Hassan Taib, a BRN liaison officer who has been a negotiator in the peace dialogues, would be replaced by a new member, saying he has not received official confirmation of the change.

It must wait until August 18 to know the venue, date and discussion topics for the next meeting, he said.

The peace process has been stalled following a series of attacks and killings of civilians in Thailand’s far South during the holy month of Ramadan despite an agreed truce, plus the recent fatal shooting of Pattani Muslim religious leader Yacob Raimanee. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-08-09

Policeman in grenade case wins appeal

BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court on Friday dismissed the case against a police lance corporal charged with firing an RPG grenade at Defence Ministry in 2010.

The Court said the plaintiff's witnesses had given conflicting testimonies.

The Criminal Court had earlier sentenced Pol Lance Corporal Bundit Sittipathum to 38 years in jail. Bundit broke into tears upon hearing the verdict.

-- The Nation 2013-08-09

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE: Police hunting for man who danced away from crime scene after gunning down lover and her mother
By Coconuts Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659613-thai-police-hunting-for-man-who-shot-his-fiance-and-her-mother/

'I'll be freed' says Phuket stabbing accused
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Tommy Söderlund (right) and Johan Ljung, photographed after their arrest two years ago. TPN file photo

PHUKET: -- Swede Tommy Viktor Söderlund, on trial for the stabbing murder of Russian-Swede Maxim Schantz in Koh Keaw two years ago, appeared in court today (August 9) for a hearing, declaring afterwards that he was confident he would be freed soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659616-ill-be-freed-says-stabbing-accused-swede-tommy-soederlund-phuket/

ACCIDENT
Trang Airport reopens after three-day closure due to stuck plane

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659518-trang-airport-closed-for-second-day/#entry6700000

Chinese tourists drowns at Phuket resort
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- A Chinese tourist aged 22 was found dead in the swimming pool at the Cruiser Island Resort on Koh Lone, off Chalong, just after midnight this morning (August 9).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659622-chinese-tourists-drowns-at-phuket-resort/

A tiger's tale: Inside Phuket's Tiger Kingdom
Jody Houton


A tiger's tale: Inside Phuket's Tiger Kingdom

PHUKET: A blonde Australian teenager lies outstretched on the leg of a sleeping tiger.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659626-a-tigers-tale-inside-phukets-tiger-kingdom/

One in five Thai parlours offers ‘happy ending’
BY SINE NEUCHS THOMSEN

MALMOE: -- Every fifth Thai massage parlour in Malmö, southern Sweden, accepts requests for sexual gratification at the end of a session, a Swedish newspaper reported on Thursday

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659627-one-in-five-thai-parlours-in-malmoe-sweden-offers-happy-ending/

23 provinces urged to brace for floods and landslides

BANGKOK, 9 August 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has warned residents in 23 provinces across the country to brace for heavy rains.

According to DDPM chief Chatchai Promlert, a monsoon trough covering the North and Northeast will bring torrential rains to 19 provinces, which include Chiang Rai, Phrae, Tak and Loei. Tropical storm Mangkhut, which is downgraded into a depression, has been expected to batter the region causing flash floods and landslides in the North.

Two provinces hardest hit by the flood so far are Nong Khai and Buengkarn. Local authorities have been pumping water out of flooded areas and providing necessity items to victims.

In the eastern and southern regions, the southwestern monsoon continues to gain strength, causing extreme wet conditions and possibly triggering flash floods in Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong and Phang Nga.


-- NNT 2013-08-09

Phuket drug users scramble free of police net – two women arrested
Phuket Gazette


Supattra Kanam (front left) and her 17-year-old accomplice pictured in front of their cache. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A police drug bust yesterday netted only two female meth dealers after several teenagers using drugs at a bungalow in Phuket managed to scramble to freedom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659630-phuket-drug-users-scramble-free-of-police-net-two-women-arrested/

UPDATE:

Rohingya riot north of Phuket pre-planned escape attempt, says Immigration
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Rohingya refugees’ rebellion against their captivity during the Muslim holy day Eid-al Fitr yesterday was a pre-planned attempt to escape the facilities and leave Thailand, Phang Nga Immigration Police told the Phuket Gazette today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659528-thai-police-use-water-cannon-on-rohingya-asylum-seekers/?p=6700256#entry6700256

POLITICAL FORUM
Blair and Annan unofficially accept invitation: Yingluck
The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that information and opinion exchange is the government's goal, through the invitation of internationally influential figures like former British prime minister Tony Blair and former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan to a government-hosted reform forum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659637-tony-blair-and-kofi-annan-unofficially-accept-invitation-yingluck/

SET index closed at 1,432.25, down 14.91; Bt/USD31.10; GBP48.21; AUD28.18; EUR41.49; CAD29.98; HKD4.00; SGD25.54; JPY32.11

Thai FM: Iraq suspends Thai rice imports
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 9 – A Thai delegation will visit Iraq soon to make an inquiry on rice trading with the Middle Eastern country following a report that it would suspend rice imports from Thailand for three years due to low quality, a senior cabinet member said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659661-thai-foreign-minister-surapong-iraq-suspends-thai-rice-imports/

Plodprasop in Ao Phrao

SAMET: -- Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi is in Ao Phrao, Samet on Friday, to monitor the last stage of the oil spill cleanup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659669-plodprasop-in-ao-phrao-samet/

DSI boss warns Phuket’s 'influential people'

Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

Tarit Pengdith, director of the Department of Special Investigation.

PHUKET: -- Tarit Pengdith, director of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) opened the new Transnational Crime Coordination Center (TCCC) at Phuket International Airport with a bang this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659670-dsi-boss-warns-phukets-influential-people/

to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 10 Aug 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659736-thailand-live-saturday-10-aug-2013/