Thailand Live Thursday 15 Aug 2013

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'LINE' Controversy Adds To Yingluck Govt's Dubious Rights Records
By Khaosod Online


Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra at 65th World News Paper Congress, held in Bangkok, where she insisted that freedom of expression is her government's priority.

BANGKOK: -- The technology crime police′s proposal to snoop chat logs of the popular ′LINE′ application has drawn widespread opposition, including from some close associates of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660869-line-controversy-adds-to-yingluck-govts-dubious-rights-records/

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UPDATE:
Police unbowed in plan to check Line conversations
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DESPITE CONTINUED public criticism and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's remark that the government fully respected people's rights, the police commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) yesterday insisted he would press on with the idea of checking people's use of the globally popular Line chat application.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660778-line-secretly-cooperating-with-tcsd-on-chat-records-pisit-tell-the-press/page-2#entry6718070

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BUDGET 2014 DEBATE
Govt has no growth plans or fiscal discipline: Abhisit
Khanittha Thepphajorn

BANGKOK: -- The government still lacks economic strategies and financial discipline, as evident from the 2014 Budget Bill, Democrat Party and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660871-govt-has-no-growth-plans-or-fiscal-discipline-abhisit/

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UPDATE:
'Uniformed man killed Akeyuth'
KESINEE TAENGKHIAO,
PHATHINYA IAMTAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- SUWAT APAIPAK, the lawyer of slain businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr, revealed yesterday that the victim's driver Santiphap Pengduang has retracted his initial confession and is now saying that he and his accomplices were given Bt3 million to kill Akeyuth. The suspect has also said that a "uniformed person" killed the outspoken businessman using a "special method".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660776-suspect-retracts-confession-in-akeyuths-murder/#entry6718085

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THAI - MYANMAR RELATIONS
Surapong discusses Rohingya issue with Myanmar
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION, HUA HIN



BANGKOK: -- FOREIGN MINISTER Surapong Tovichakchaikul discussed with his Myanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin yesterday how to find a lasting solution to the problem of Rohingya boat people detained in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660872-surapong-discusses-rohingya-issue-with-myanmar/

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WATER MANAGEMENT
'Water contracts by October'
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CONTRACTS FOR THE government's Bt350-billion water-management mega-project will likely be signed by October, Deputy PM Plodprasop Suraswadi said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660873-plodprasob-contracts-for-govts-water-project-by-october/

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Suspects face arraignment in global penny-stock fraud

NEW YORK CITY, August 15, 2013 (AFP) - Six people were to appear in US federal courts on Wednesday in connection with what US officials are calling one of the biggest international penny stock frauds ever investigated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660876-suspects-face-arraignment-in-global-penny-stock-fraud/

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THAI TALK
Reconciliation forum must be more than just an 'event'
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Unless you belong to the opposition Democrat Party or the core of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), it's not a very popular response to turn down an invitation from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to join the "reconciliation" bandwagon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660879-thai-talk-reconciliation-forum-must-be-more-than-just-an-event/

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EDITORIAL
Reconciliation requires cooperation from all sides
The Nation

Political peace and reform can only be achieved when politicians and their supporters put the country's interests first

BANGKOK: -- Almost two weeks after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proposed an open forum aimed at resolving the country’s ongoing political conflict, the government and opposition have yet to agree about working together on the matter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660880-thai-editorial-reconciliation-requires-cooperation-from-all-sides/

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UPDATE:

Foreigner suffers traumatic amputation after Jomtien road accident



PATTAYA: -- A Foreigner in his twenties suffered a traumatic amputation of his left foot, below the knee, in the early hours of Wednesday after a road accident involving a trailer carrying a speedboat which was parked on the side of the road in Jomtien.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660772-chonburi-motorcycle-crash-costs-foreign-man-his-leg/page-2#entry6718139

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3.5 Million Baht Pattaya Security & Emergency Center to be completed in 3 months

PATTAYA: -- A new state-of-the-art Security & Emergency Center is set to be completed within 3 months at a cost of 3.5 Million Baht which will be covered by Pattaya City Hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660881-35-million-baht-pattaya-security-emergency-center-to-be-completed-in-3-months/

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Australian tourist dies at a Sattahip golf course

An Australian real estate agent was found dead at a golf course in Sattahip, it was believed he had a heatstroke which eventually led to an heart attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660816-australian-tourist-dies-after-fainting-at-a-sattahip-golf-course/

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UPDATE:

Reconstruction of Cambodian double-murder at Pattaya Condo Construction Site



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday and under the watchful eye of the Provincial Police Commander, the suspect who is thought to have gunned-down two Cambodian Construction Workers at a South Pattaya construction site, took investigators through his version of events.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660646-two-cambodians-shot-and-killed-at-south-pattaya-construction-site/

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Phuket ‘duvet killer’ caught

PHUKET: Chalong investigators on Wednesday (August 14) announced that they had arrested the “duvet killer”, so called because he dumped his victim, 23-year-old Anuwat Kathong, at the side of Saiyuan Soi 17 on July 3, wrapped in a green duvet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660831-phuket-duvet-killer-caught/

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Typhoon Utor forecast to drench 27 provinces
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE METEOROLOGICAL Depart-ment has warned that Typhoon Utor, which was due to make landfall in China's Guangdong province late yesterday, will bring heavy rain to 27 Thai provinces today and tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660884-typhoon-utor-forecast-to-drench-27-thai-provinces/

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Bus route No. 8 offers poorest service: public bus poll
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt's Facebook poll said Bangkok bus's route No. 8 was voted the worst bus service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660885-bangkok-bus-route-no-8-offers-poorest-service-public-bus-poll/

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Officials deny involvement in Rohingya trafficking
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has firmly dismissed an allegation that its officials were involved in the trafficking of Rohingya people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660886-thai-officials-deny-involvement-in-rohingya-trafficking/

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POLITICS
Students ready to join People's Army rallies,Thaikorn claims
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- University students from various institutes plan to join the campaign to topple the regime of Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaikorn Polsuwan, a leader of the People's Army said on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660887-bangkok-students-ready-to-join-peoples-army-ralliesthaikorn-claims/

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BURNING ISSUE
Reform forum needs opposition to be deemed credible
Attayuth Bootsripoom
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government appears to be pushing ahead to form a political reform council proposed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660888-thai-govts-political-reform-forum-needs-opposition-to-be-deemed-credible/

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Energy Resources
Following marine oil leakage, Thailand tightens regulations
The Thai government is tightening environmental regulations in the wake of a massive oil spill on July 27.

BANGKOK, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The Thai government is tightening environmental regulations in the wake of last month's massive oil spill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660889-following-marine-oil-leakage-thailand-tightens-regulations/

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Academics say Worachai bill's timely, lawful
Anuphan Chantana,
Chanikarn Phumhiran
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of academics on Wednesday submitted a letter of encouragement to Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema in support of the Amnesty Bill he has submitted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660891-academics-say-worachai-amnesty-bills-timely-lawful/

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Thai Embassy in Egypt issues warning on Thais to avoid protest areas
The Nation

CAIRO: -- Thai Embassy in Cairo has warned Thais to avoid nine risky areas in the capital as Egyptian security forces intensified its crackdown on protesters.

The nine areas are Autostrad Road (from Nasr City to the airport), Bahr Aaam Road, El Gamaa Bridge, Giza, the 6th October 5 Bridge, Kasr el Nile Bridge, Salah Salem Road, Heliopolis, Marghani Road, Heliopolis Road and 7 Omarat Square, Heliopolis.

The embassy recommended the Thais to stay in residence and closely monitor news updates.

The security forces have launched a deadly assault on protest sites backing the ousted president Mohamed Morsi, clearing one and besieging another.

The crackdown on Wednesday has left scores of people dead and many more wounded, and has sparked clashes in other parts of the country.


-- The Nation 2013-08-15

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Tak basin needs protection: court
MONGKHONCHAOWARAT TANGMANGMEE
THE NATION



PHITSANULOK: -- THE NATIONAL Environmental Board (NEB) will have to declare Tak's Mae Tao River Basin an environmentally protected area, assuming no one challenges a verdict issued yesterday by the Phitsanulok Administrative Court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660895-tak-basin-needs-protection-thai-court/

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Nurse involved in car crash in Kathu, Phuket
Ramon Bencharitiwong



PHUKET: -- A major car accident happened in Kathu at around 5 am this morning (August 15). The driver is a nurse at Bangkok Phuket Hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660907-nurse-involved-in-car-crash-in-kathu-phuket/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,456.76, down 3.87 points /MCOT

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Health officials to randomly collect seafood samples in sea off Rayong,looking for chemical residues from recent oil leak /The Nation

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THAI suffers net loss of Bt8.43 billion in 2nd quarter due to baht appreciation, rising cost, global slowdown /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Monsoon imminent in Andaman Sea

BANGKOK, 15 August 2013 (NNT)-The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has warned residents of Ranong and Pang Nga provinces of possible flash floods as typhoon Utor has already landed in China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660884-typhoon-utor-forecast-to-drench-27-thai-provinces/#entry6718897

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Phuket murder suspect caught after wife uses victim's phone
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The killer of a man found dumped by the side of a road in Rawai last month was collared when his wife was spotted using the victim’s mobile telephone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660933-phuket-murder-suspect-caught-after-wife-uses-victims-phone/

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Ms. Yingluck chairing meeting on restoring peace in Deep South

BANGKOK, 15 August 2013 (NNT)-Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has chaired a meeting on the Southern Border Provinces Development Strategy, during which she was updated on the results of the talks with the BRN and the progress on restoring peace in the Deep South.

The Prime Minister attended the meeting today at the Ministry of Defense with army commanders, the Ministry of Interior officials, the National Security Council (NSC) and other relevant agencies.

According to NSC Secretary General Lieutenant General Paradon Pattanatabutr, the Prime Minister has been provided with a report on the progress made in dealing with the southern insurgency in the 3 southernmost provinces as well as the safety measures in place at present.

Ms. Yingluck has also been informed of the results of the peace talks with the BRN, and that the date for the next round of talks will be finalized on August 18th. The Premier has reiterated that the talks will continue to be used by the government as a tool to bring peace to the Deep South.


-- NNT 2013-08-15