Thailand Live Wednesday 14 Aug 2013

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FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Line check plan gets the flak
The Nation



PM and Anudith among critics of move to monitor chat users

BANGKOK: -- An attempt by the police's Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to exert control over Thai users of the globally popular chat application Line has been scoffed at by both by the Information and Communication Technology Ministry and the online society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660612-line-check-plan-gets-the-flak-pm-and-anudith-among-critics-of-move-to-monitor-chat-users/

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Test shows sea water at most beaches on Samet Island safe

BANGKOK, 14 August 2013 (NNT) - The Pollution Control Department has reported that the quality of sea water at 12 beaches on Samet Island now meets the standard. However, people are still advised against swimming at Ao Phrao and Ao Tubtim beaches due to high mercury content.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660614-test-shows-sea-water-at-most-beaches-on-samet-island-safe/

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UDD open to opportunity to join political forum

BANGKOK, 14 August 2013 (NNT) - Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikua has remarked that the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) would be happy to join talks organized by the political reform council if invited.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660615-nattawut-udd-open-to-opportunity-to-join-political-reform-council/

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COURT
Channel 7 journalist seeks support over libel charge
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- An assistant chief of the Channel 7 television station's news team is seeking help from various organisations after his work exposing alleged budget-use irregularities in the Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organisation resulted in him being charged with defamation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660616-thai-channel-7-journalist-seeks-support-over-libel-charge/

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ABDUCTION IN NIGERIA
Kidnapped Thai calls to say all safe
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- One of the four Thai workers, who were abducted by an unknown gang in Nigeria, called his company to say he and the others were safe and had not been harmed, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Manasvi Srisodapol said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660617-abduction-in-nigeria-kidnapped-thai-calls-to-say-all-safe/

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Coke picks Thailand for Habu launch
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation


Diggy Dey, second left, business development director at Coca-Cola Thailand, and Charnvit Charindhorn, second right, senior vice president for marketing at ThaiNamthip, announce the launch of Coke

BANGKOK: -- Coca-Cola has announced the launch of its first herbal drink, Habu, for the Thai market. Thailand is the first country to unveil this new beverage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660618-coca-cola-picks-thailand-for-habu-herbal-drink-launch/

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Green push for Samui tourism
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation
Koh Samui



Island to become low-carbon destination

KOH SAMUI: -- The tourism sector on Koh Samui plans to put a major effort into promoting the tropical-beach haven as a low-carbon destination within the next three to five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660620-green-push-for-samui-tourism/

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SOUTH CRISIS
Malaysia confirms Taib will lead BRN team in talks
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Malaysia has confirmed that Hassan Taib will continue to lead the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) team's peace negotiations with Thai authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660621-thai-south-crisis-malaysia-confirms-taib-will-lead-brn-team-in-talks/

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EDITORIAL
Surveillance plan reeks of sinister intent
The Nation

Thai authorities take another swipe at freedom of speech by requesting information on users of social networking sites

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660622-surveillance-plan-reeks-of-sinister-intent-thai-editorial/

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Special talk with world leaders not related to reform forum: Surapong
Nuntida Puangthong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who is also deputy PM, said on Tuesday that the special talks with high-profile international statesmen and experts scheduled for September 2 is not related to the government-proposed political reform forum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660625-thai-fm-surapong-special-talk-with-world-leaders-not-related-to-reform-forum/

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A Russian’s Motorbike Collides With Pick – Up Car And Flees In Pattaya



Nong Prue Police were able to arrest a 28 year-old Russian named Alex Zoro after he had collided with a pick-up car, he was also arrested for assaulting the driver following the collision.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660626-russian-assaults-pick-up-driver-and-flees-the-scene-motorbike-accident-in-pattaya/

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Reform council won't aim for charter change: PM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday denied that her plan to convene a political-reform council would lead to a charter amendment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660627-pm-yingluck-reform-council-wont-aim-for-charter-change/

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Police chief to test badminton skills against new world champ Ratchanok
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank will this afternoon play a friendly badminton match with newly crowned world champion Ratchanok Intanon at the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660629-bangkok-police-chief-to-test-badminton-skills-against-new-world-champ-ratchanok/

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UPDATE:

High mercury levels found near spill site
Pongphon Sarnsamak,
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation



Visitors warned against swimming in Ao phrao and Ao Tub Tim

KOH SAMET: -- Visitors are being warned to avoid swimming in seawater surrounding Ao Phrao and Ao Tub Tim in Rayong province's Koh Samet after the Pollution Control Department (PCD) found mercury contamination exceeding the standard level.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660614-test-shows-sea-water-at-most-beaches-on-samet-island-safe/?p=6714768

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Typhoon Utor's flood threat to border districts in North
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Northern Thailand is bracing for downpours influenced by Typhoon Utor moving inland from the South China Sea and due today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660631-typhoon-utors-flood-threat-to-border-districts-in-northern-thailand/

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UPDATE:

Political reform agenda expected to lead to charter change
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation

POLITICAL REFORM in Thailand has often led to constitutional amendment.

BANGKOK: -- The latest move for reform - the political reform forum - initiated by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, is also expected to end up with charter changes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660627-pm-yingluck-reform-council-wont-aim-for-charter-change/?p=6714787

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U.S. sets shrimp duties on five countries, spares Thailand, Indonesia
Doug Palmer
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday set final duties on billions of dollars of shrimp from four Asian countries and Ecuador to offset foreign government subsidies, but spared major suppliers Thailand and Indonesia from the import tax.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660633-us-sets-shrimp-duties-on-five-countries-spares-thailand-indonesia/

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UPDATE:

ICT Ministry opposes Line censorship
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 14 – Thailand's Information and Communication Technology Ministry (ICT) has objected to an attempt by a police agency to interfere in the public's use of Line, a highly popular world communication application.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660612-line-check-plan-gets-the-flak-pm-and-anudith-among-critics-of-move-to-monitor-chat-users/#entry6715119

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,457.25, down 1.83 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

World leaders to attend forum on democracy, not political reform
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 14 – Well-known international figures will participate in Thailand's government-sponsored forum to exchange views on democracy, an activity unrelated to the the country’s political reform, according to Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660625-thai-fm-surapong-special-talk-with-world-leaders-not-related-to-reform-forum/#entry6715140

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Fed-up driver boots tourists out of minibus

SURIN: -- A minibus driver was fined by police yesterday afternoon (August 13) after he evicted five Chinese passengers in Surin province, saying he was extremely upset and could no longer tolerate his passengers’ “unacceptable behaviour”, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660661-surin-fed-up-driver-boots-foreign-tourists-out-of-minibus/

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UPDATE:

BBC denies £150k Phuket partying claim
Phuket Gazette


The BBC has denied claims that more than 7 million baht was wasted paying for a film crew to party in Phuket. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The BBC has denied claims that it wasted more than 7 million baht on a show in Thailand after an episode was reportedly scrapped.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660440-bbc-coughs-up-b7m-for-film-crews-phuket-stay/page-2?p=6715267#entry6715267

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UPDATE:
LINE Corporation refuses to give up users information for Cyber Crime Police

BANGKOK, 14 Aug 2013 (NNT) - Line Corporation, a popular online text messaging service provider, reaffirms its stance on its user's privacy, refusing to give up its user data to police while disclosing that it has not been officially contacted by the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) regarding the matter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660612-line-check-plan-gets-the-flak-pm-and-anudith-among-critics-of-move-to-monitor-chat-users/page-2#entry6715362

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Industry Ministry officials pledge to stop drinking alcohol during Buddhist Lent as tribute to the King

BANGKOK, 14 Aug 2013, (NNT) - Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk led high ranking officials and employees of the ministry at a ceremony in which they vow to stop consuming alcoholic drinks during the Buddhist Lent as a tribute to His Majesty the King.

The ceremony, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, is part of the government’s policy to encourage officials to do good for His Majesty the King on the occasion of His 86th birthday anniversary. The campaign actively discourages civil servants and employees nationwide from drinking all kinds of alcoholic beverages.

Mr. Prasert said the Industry Ministry aims to attract participation from at least 200 officials in the campaign.

The Cabinet adopted a resolution on July 9, 2013 encouraging all ministries to initiate activities promoting alcohol break among government officials during the Lenten period. The campaign is expected to be made a traditional practice that will continue on a continual basis.


-- NNT 2013-08-14

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OPINION: Why Bangkok street food sucks
By Terence Wang

Illustration: Oliver Raw

OPINION – Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to slaughter a sacred cow. Especially when it’s shitting all over the sidewalk. The holy soiler of our beloved streets I’ll be examining in this article is something people often – and incorrectly – cite as one of the best things about living in Bangkok: street food.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660695-why-bangkok-street-food-sucks-opinion/

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Ice and guns seized from Phuket Town dealer
Naraporn Tuarob


V\Gov Jamroen introduces the two arrested men, Sunti (white shirt) and Anas. In front is a display of items seized including one of the revolvers.

PHUKET: -- Almost half a kilo of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) along with three pistols and more than 100 rounds of ammunition were seized yesterday (August 13) when two men were arrested in Phuket Town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660698-ice-and-guns-seized-from-phuket-town-dealer/

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Political reform assembly to be postponed

BANGKOK, 14 August 2013 (NNT)-The first meeting of the political reform could be postponed as a number of prospective participants have yet to accept the invitations; in addition, the House deliberation of the 2014’s budget has been scheduled for the same week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660700-political-reform-assembly-to-be-postponed-bangkok/

[Lite Beer]

Flashflood in Bueng Kan damages half a highway

BUENG KAN, 14th August 2013 (NNT) – Heavy rainstorm during the past week has caused a flash flood in Buen Kan province, Bueng Khong Long District, damaging half a lane on the 3009 rural highway, at 18 kilometer marker.

The flash flood caused half of the road to subside around 20 metres long. Officials cordoned off the damaged section with 200-liter empty oil barrels to prevent accident.

Locals have asked authorities to urgently fix the road to prevent further damage.

-- NNT 2013-08-14

[Lite Beer]

Theft motive of Akeyuth's murder: police.
.By English News

BANGKOK, Aug 14 - Metropolitan police in the Thai capital reaffirmed today that theft was the motive behind the murder of businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660708-theft-motive-of-akeyuths-murder-police/

[Lite Beer]

Yingluck advocates freedom of expression

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday insisted that the government would further advocate freedom of expression.

She said she was just notified of the police’s attempt to tap the information of social media app users, whose online chats may have threatened national security.

The move sparks heavy criticisms from the users of Facebook and LINE in Thailand.

-- The Nation 2013-08-14