Thailand Live Tuesday 13 Aug 2013

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MOPH raises alert for hand, foot & mouth disease after 24,000 infected

BANGKOK, 13 August 2013 (NNT) – The Minister of Public Health has ordered all public health offices and hospitals to keep intense monitoring of the hand, foot and mouth disease after the number of sickened children has risen in excess of 20,000.

Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong indicated that hand, foot & mouth disease incidence has risen because of the cool and moist weather during the rainy season being suitable for its spread. The disease, caused by a gastrointestinal tract virus, is caught by people predominantly during July and the end of the rainy season. 24,000 people have been found infected this year although nobody has died. 80% of the patients were young children aged below 3, who usually caught the disease from child care centers and kindergartens.

Dr. Pradit said public health offices and hospitals throughout the country have been told to closely watch against the disease because there was a high risk of an outbreak. He asserted that parents and child care and kindergarten workers should keep an eye out for fevers in children or colorless spots on their hands, feet or mouth . If found, the child must be isolated from others to prevent a spreading of the virus, and public health personnel in the locality should be called in immediately.


-- NNT 2013-08-13

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FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Police seek to check Line posts
PAKORN PUENGNETR,
ASINA PORNWASIN,
CHANIKARN PHUMHIRAN
The Nation August 13, 2013 1:00 am


by Nation Graphic

JAPANESE OPERATOR OF CHAT APP ASKED TO HELP; TCSD AWAITING RESPONSE

BANGKOK: -- Police plan to study the conversations and comments posted on the popular social-media application Line to see if they violate the law or threaten national security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660371-freedom-of-expression-thai-police-seek-to-check-line-posts/

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PEOPLE'S RIGHTS
Rights chief warns police on 'chat' probes
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The chair of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned police to be cautious about its reported plan to examine the chat-application conversation histories of some suspects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660372-human-rights-chief-warns-thai-police-on-chat-probes/

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BADMINTON

Ratchanok's new goal: World No 1

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Ratchanok Intanon receives a bouquet of flowers from Her Majesty the Queen.

World champion gets bouquets and praise from the Royal family

BANGKOK: -- Newly crowned world champion Ratchanok Intanon could not have been happier to receive bouquets of flowers from the Royal family, especially of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660374-badminton-ratchanoks-new-goal-world-no-1/

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ABDUCTION IN NIGERIA
Kidnapped Thais' employer to negotiate
The Nation

The employer of the four Thais who were kidnapped in Nigeria is planning to negotiate for their release.

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul yesterday said their employer, an Israeli firm, was waiting for the abductors to contact it to determine what they wanted in exchange for the release of the hostages.

One of the four victims is a woman.

The relatives of some hostages had already been in touch with the Israeli employer, Surapong said.

He said the Foreign Ministry has instructed the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs to talk to the Nigerian ambassador to Thailand and the Israeli ambassador to Thailand about the case.

"We have requested that Israel and Nigeria take care of the Thai hostages," Surapong said.


-- The Nation 2013-08-13

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SOUTH CRISIS
Authorities to discuss BRN demands
Panya Thiosangwan
Supitcha Rattana
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Authorities will convene this week to discuss five demands made by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), which include the unconditional release of all suspects held in connection with security-related cases in the deep South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660376-south-crisis-thai-authorities-to-discuss-brn-demands/

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STREETWISE
A matter of national pride
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Like in the economy, national pride is a matter of planning, as it needs a collective effort for concrete results. In an interview in May, newly appointed director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Rawewan Netrakavesna, tasked herself with urgently introducing new improvements to the airport, to "restore national pride".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660377-thai-opinion-a-matter-of-national-pride/

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BURNING ISSUE
Prime minister takes after her brother, orders a plane
PHOCHANA PHICHITSIRI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- For President Barack Obama, having an official plane like Air Force One is hardly a subject of debate given the roles he plays and the United States' position as the world's only superpower.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660379-pm-yingluck-shinawatra-takes-after-her-brother-orders-a-plane/

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Democrats question Yingluck's sincerity with political reform
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE ruling and opposition parties traded blows yesterday over the political-reform forum proposed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660380-democrats-question-yinglucks-sincerity-with-political-reform/

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Amnesty and reconciliation bills won't be merged: MPs
OPAS BOONLOM
THE NATION

PANEL TO DEFINE TARGETS; LESE-MAJESTE OFFENDERS NOT TO BE INCLUDED: WORACHAI

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660381-amnesty-and-reconciliation-bills-wont-be-merged-pheu-thai-mps/

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UPDATE:

Who can access your comments
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FACEBOOK: In the last half of 2012, Facebook received up to 10,000 requests for user data from government entities in the United States, including criminal-and national-security-related requests, lawyer Ted Ullyot said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660371-freedom-of-expression-thai-police-seek-to-check-line-posts/?p=6711186

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Evidence given to court over temple deaths was one-sided: lawyer


Bundit

BANGKOK: -- Veteran lawyer Bundit Siripant, the manager of Seni Pramoj Advocates and Solicitors, has been in charge of many important cases for the Democrat Party. With new challenges ahead for the party, notably a Criminal Court inquest that found soldiers responsible for the death of six people at Wat Pathum Wanaram during political turmoil in 2010 when Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was prime minister, The Nation's Hataikarn Treesuwan spoke to him about how he will deal with the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660382-evidence-given-to-court-over-temple-deaths-was-one-sided-thai-lawyer/

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WORLD ELEPHANT DAY
Yingluck urged to keep vow, outlaw ivory trade
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- WITH WORLD Elephant Day marked yesterday, the World Wildlife Fund and wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic have called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to ensure legal reform and deliver on her promise to shut down ivory trade in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660383-thailands-pm-yingluck-urged-to-keep-vow-outlaw-ivory-trade/

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UPDATE:
Sa Kaeo man held for killing fiancee
The Nation



SA KAEO: -- A man who shot dead his fiancee and her mother was arrested in the border province of Sa Kaeo yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660185-chonburi-fiance-and-mother-murder-suspect-caught-alive/?p=6711209

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Centres to help people in two cities cope with climate change
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Two Thai cities, Chiang Rai in the far North and Songkhla in the South, have joined global efforts to tackle the threat of climate change.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660384-centres-to-help-people-in-two-thai-cities-cope-with-climate-change/

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Two Rohingya caught, but 30 still free
The Nation

PHUKET: -- Phuket immigration police have arrested another two Rohingya suspects charged with illegally entering the country who had escaped detention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660385-phuket-two-rohingya-caught-but-30-still-free/

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Law suits fly in face of DSI Phuket 'mafia' list
Phuket Gazette


Thammawat Wongcharoenyut files a complaint against the DSI for his name appearing on their 'mafia' list. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Five of the men whose names or businesses appeared on the Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) “mafia” list have struck back at the DSI’s allegations that they had links to illegal taxis and organized crime (story here). Three have already filed defamation suits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660386-law-suits-fly-in-face-of-dsi-phuket-mafia-list/

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Detectives' new hope to finally catch killer of backpacker brutally murdered in Thailand 13 years ago
Kirsty Jones was raped and strangled at a guesthouse in Thailand in 2000
Killer of 23-year-old, who died in Chiang Mai, has never been found
British detectives given access to case files by Thai authorities for first time
Officers and Kirsty's family are hopeful the case can finally be solved
By ANNA EDWARDS


Kirsty Jones, file photo

LONDON: -- British detectives are hoping to finally catch the killer of a young woman brutally murdered in Thailand 13 years ago after they were given full access to the case files for the first time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660387-kirsty-jones-unsolved-thailand-murder-new-hope-for-british-detectives/

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Dear Oprah: Switzerland is not racist, just ask your friend Tina Turner
BY ELISABETH LANG, ETN CORRESPONDENT, EUROPE

ZURICH: -- Switzerland has a long culture of being a haven for the rich and famous, no matter where they are from or what color they are. As a matter of fact, Tina Turner has lived for over twenty years in Kusnacht on Lake Zurich and has a Swiss passport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660396-dear-oprah-switzerland-is-not-racist-just-ask-your-friend-tina-turner/

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Too many in prison for far too long: US attorney

WASHINGTON: -- Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday announced changes in federal drug prosecution intended to reduce prison populations, save money and remove built-in bias against poor minority defendants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660400-too-many-in-prison-for-far-too-long-us-attorney/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,444.03, up 11.78 points /MCOT

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Malaria alert along Thai-Myanmar border
By English News



BANGKOK, AUG 13 – Health officials on the Thai-Myanmar border have been instructed to be on alert for the possible spread of malaria particularly at worksites where labour from the neighbouring countries are employed, according to the Public Health Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660403-malaria-alert-along-thai-myanmar-border/

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Thailand to cash in on holiday cruise business
By English News



BANGKOK, AUG 13 – Thailand is tapping the holiday cruise service sector as a new revenue generating business for the country, a senior Commerce Ministry official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660404-thailand-to-cash-in-on-holiday-cruise-business/

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Heavy rain causes flood in Chiang Mai
By English News



CHIANG MAI, Aug 13 -- Heavy rain has increased the water level in Huai Khao and Huai Jo and overflowed to flood the residential and the agriculture areas in Chiang Mai's San Sai district.

The agriculture areas in the district, particularly the chili gardens and paddy fields, were damaged from the flood. Some areas, agriculture products were totally destroyed.

The water level was 30-50cm high, while the flood water could only drain slowly due to the narrowness of the canal and the landscape.

Many housing estates have elevated their project areas to avoid flooding, but agricultural areas become more subject to the unwanted floodwaters. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-08-13

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TOURISM
Thailand mulls compulsory travel insurance
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit,
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism and Sports Ministry is planning to make it compulsory for all foreign tourists to have travel insurance before entering the Kingdom because unpaid bills are putting a huge strain on cash-strapped public hospitals in major destinations, particularly Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660409-thailand-mulls-compulsory-travel-insurance-for-all-foreign-tourists/

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Phuket courier caught with 8,000 meth pills
Naraporn Tuarob


Alleged drug courier Somsak Srisakul with the parcel and its contents. Photo: Pol Lt Col Prawit Engchuan

PHUKET: -- Police on Saturday (August 10) arrested a courier in possession of almost 8,000 methamphetamine (ya ba) pills.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660413-phuket-courier-caught-with-8000-meth-pills/

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UPDATE:

Phuket Police arrest suspect for stabbing murder of girl, 17
Phuket Gazette


Somkid Saisema (left) was arrested after neighbors recognized his photo on TV. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Police yesterday arrested the man suspected of having robbed and stabbed a 17-year-old woman to death early on Sunday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660167-phuket-police-seek-information-on-murder-of-girl-17-video/?p=6711957#entry6711957

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Bomb triggered as security team responds to shooting ambush of Sungai Padi district chief's car in Narathiwat; scores of casualties reported /MCOT

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BBC coughs up B7m for film crew's Phuket stay

The Kalima Resort, party central for the BBC crew.

PHUKET: -- The state-funded British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is footing the £150,000-pound (B7.2 million) bill of a film crew who spent 10 days in Phuket “partying on the beach and drinking”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660440-bbc-coughs-up-b7m-for-film-crews-phuket-stay/

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Chawalit says 'yes' to PM's reconciliation talks

BANGKOK, 13 Aug 2013, (NNT) - Former Prime Minister Chawalit Yongjaiyuth has accepted to join in Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's yet-to-be-scheduled reconciliation talks, urging all sides to contribute to finding solutions to the ongoing political deadlocks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660452-chawalit-says-yes-to-yinglucks-reconciliation-talks/