Thailand Live Friday 16 Aug 2013

[webfact]

Anger Over DSI Chief's 'Inappropriate' Reference To Yingluck
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- The chief of the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) is criticised by senior members of the Democrat Party for taking a legal action against a Democrat spokeswoman′s teasing of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and for referring to Ms. Yingluck as the ′head of state′.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661120-anger-over-dsi-chiefs-inappropriate-reference-to-yingluck/

[webfact]

Vocational Student 'Abducted' By Her Ex-Boyfriend



UDON THANI: -- A vocational student in Udon Thani province has been kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend yesterday, according to her mother.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661122-udon-thani-vocational-student-abducted-by-her-ex-boyfriend/

[webfact]

OIL SPILL
PCD delays disclosure of results on Samet water
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION



Unsafe TPH levels in Ao Noi Na found

BANGKOK: -- The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has postponed a press conference at which it was to disclose the results of the second test of contaminated seawater around Koh Samet caused by the oil spill, saying the results have not yet been handed to the department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661124-oil-spill-pcd-delays-disclosure-of-results-on-samet-water/

[webfact]

BUDGET DEBATE
Bt343 billion budget sails through the House
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

Hundreds of millions of baht used to curb the anti-govt protests

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661125-343-billion-baht-budget-sails-through-the-house/

[webfact]

DEATH OF AKEYUTH
NHRC to submit result of probe into tycoon's murder
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A senior National Human Rights Commission official will today hand an investigation report on the murder of businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr to the national police chief with the hope that the change in a suspect's confession would be taken into consideration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661126-death-of-akeyuth-nhrc-to-submit-result-of-probe-into-tycoons-murder/

[webfact]

Police says no intention to block public use of Line application

BANGKOK, 16 August 2013 (NNT) – The national police office has asserted it has no intention to block the usage of the Line application and that any effort to scrutinize Line contents will need to adhere to the law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661127-thai-police-says-no-intention-to-block-public-use-of-line-application/

[webfact]

BUDGET DEBATE
PM's Office minister defends Yinluck's travel expenses
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn Thursday said all spending of funds from the government's central budget in cases of emergency and for other necessities such as the prime minister's official trips required the approval not only of the prime minister, but of the Cabinet as a whole.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661128-pms-office-minister-defends-yinlucks-travel-expenses/

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Threat of mass protests hangs over amnesty bill
Supon Thanukid
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat leaders recently made a move that is unprecedented in the history of the nation's oldest political party - leading a mass rally on the streets of Bangkok in a show of force to oppose the amnesty bill now before Parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661129-threat-of-mass-protests-hangs-over-thai-amnesty-bill/

[webfact]

Study reveals truth behind Thailand's gambling addiction
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The "underground lottery" remains the most popular form of gambling in Thailand with an estimated capital of Bt100 billion per year, while the government lottery follows with a capital of Bt76.77 billion, a study by Chulalongkorn University's Social Research Institute revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661130-study-reveals-truth-behind-thailands-gambling-addiction/

[webfact]

Policeman arrested for assault in police station
KHANATHIT SRIHIRANDEJ,
KWANHATHAI MALAKAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE METROPOLITAN Police Division 8 has launched a disciplinary probe against Pol Lt-Colonel Burin Lalitathada, an inspector at Bang Yi Rua Police Station, for reportedly spraying the investigation room in Bangkok's Khlong Tan Police Station with bullets from an M16 rifle before fleeing. Nobody was killed or injured in the assault.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661131-police-officer-arrested-for-assault-in-bangkoks-khlong-tan-police-station/

[webfact]

Yingluck tells security officials to consider BRN peace-talk conditions
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday told a high-profile meeting of security agencies to seriously consider a list of five demands made by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661133-yingluck-tells-security-officials-to-consider-brn-peace-talk-conditions/

[webfact]

Stakeholders 'should not have role in amnesty bill'
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
Anuphan Chantana
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Stakeholders with an interest in the outcome of the amnesty bill should not be allowed to take part in its deliberations, academics said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661134-stakeholders-should-not-have-role-in-thai-amnesty-bill/

[webfact]

FILM CENSORSHIP
Good news for "Censor Must Die"



BANGKOK: -- Manit Sriwanichpoom, producer of the banned film "Shakespeare Must Die", has some good news for once - his followup film "Censor Must Die" will not be censored.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661135-thai-documentary-censors-must-die-gets-screening-approval-from-thai-censors/

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Pregnant woman found murdered in Khao Sok identified
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The pregnant woman who had been shot three times and dumped in Khao Sok National Park last week has been identified by a neighbor, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/659417-body-of-executed-pregnant-woman-found-in-khao-sok-national-park-north-of-phuket/#entry6721806

[webfact]

EGYPT
Thais safe, says ministry; Egypt death toll tops 460
The Nation, Agencies
Cairo

Surapong says no need for evacuation as Thais not living near site of protests

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661119-death-toll-in-egyptian-crisis-rises/#entry6721812

[webfact]

"Samurai Sword" attack at Pub near Walking Street, South Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday, Police and rescue services were called to the Melody Pub located in Soi 16 off Walking Street to investigate reports of a “Samurai Sword” attack on a 24 year old man.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661147-samurai-sword-attack-at-pub-near-walking-street-south-pattaya/

[webfact]

East Pattaya Motorbike Theft Gang arrested by Police

PATTAYA: -- Nongprue Police, who are responsible for policing the East-side of Pattaya, conducted a series of raids on Thursday which saw the arrest of 10 individuals and resulted in the seizure of many stolen vehicles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661149-east-pattaya-motorbike-theft-gang-arrested-by-police/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

American slashes own throat at Phuket police station
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- An American man slashed his own throat with a broken tile at Chalong Police Station Wednesday night after allegedly causing a ruckus at a local Phuket school.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/660977-american-man-walks-into-phuket-police-station-stabs-self/page-2#entry6722199

[webfact]

Anti-cheating helmet 2.0: Boxhead Edition
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Hot on the heals of our Kasetsart University anti-cheating helmet scoop comes more anti-cheating helmet news!

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661156-anti-cheating-helmet-20-boxhead-edition/

[webfact]

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,441.72, down 11.35 points /MCOT

[webfact]

Hope in Phuket: Largest floating library docks at Panwa
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The world’s largest floating library, MV Logos Hope, was welcomed to Phuket’s Deep Sea Port by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut Thursday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661154-hope-in-phuket-largest-floating-library-docks-at-panwa/

[webfact]

Thailand, Laos pleased with progress on border demarcation
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 16 – Thailand and Laos have targeted complete inland and riverine demarcations along their common border by 2015 and 2017 respectively, according to Thailand's deputy prime minister/foreign minister.

Surapong Tovichakchaikul said demarcation of the borders between Thailand and Laos has made great progress since a joint boundary survey was launched on May 6, 2007 and 204 border markers have been planted over a distance of 676 km, covering 96 per cent of total inland demarcation.

Mr Surapong and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith participated in the 9th Thai-Lao Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting yesterday – the first of its kind after a six-year recess.

He hailed the JBC’s success in setting a joint working direction for the ultimate interest of both countries, saying the meeting endorsed planting of 15 more border markers following a joint inland survey along the Thai-Laotian border.

A marine boundary survey in the Mekong River will be conducted after which border markers will be erected but with minimal impact on people of the two countries, he said.

Mr Thongloun expressed appreciation for the demarcation progress, saying Thai-Lao inland and riverine border stretches 1,810 km and citizens of the two countries have lived in harmony thanks to similarities in race, religion and culture.

The JBC meeting agreed that Thai and Lao technical officials should meet to sort out differences over pending demarcation at Phu Chi Fah in the northern province of Chiang Rai and Phu Jo Ko in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, both of which are located on the Thai side of the border. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-08-16

[webfact]

Soldiers! Trucking Firms Want You
By Warangkana Chomchuen

BANGKOK: -- To combat a shortage of truck drivers, Thailand’s transport industry is enlisting government help to recruit young soldiers as they leave the army.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661174-trucking-firms-in-thailand-recruit-soldiers/

[webfact]

Deputy PM Pracha: Meeting of related agencies next week to consider 5-point BRN demands before giving conclusion to PM; believes peace talks will continue /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

We have not received any request from the Thai police : LINE

LINE Corporation declined to comment on a Thai police's attempt to seek information on the LINE messages of suspicious LINE users in Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661127-thai-police-says-no-intention-to-block-public-use-of-line-application/

[Lite Beer]

RT@mpoppel: Two quakes, measuring preliminary 6.2 and 6.3, have struck central New Zealand within the last 10 minutes

RT@mpoppel: Update: New Zealand's seismological agency confirms there was 1 quake that happened 12 mins ago; preliminary 6.3

[Lite Beer]

RT@191Thailand: Dead woman found stuffed in suitcase (Bangkok Post)

[Lite Beer]

Transport Minister rides 3rd class train from Bang Sue to Surin, delayed for 30 minutes, considers measures to improve service /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Egg prices rise 10-20 satang; Pork prices higher than suggested price

BANGKOK, 16 August 2013 (NNT) – Prices of eggs in the market have now increased by 10-20 satang per unit while a survey shows that prices of pork are higher than the price suggested by the Commerce Ministry.

According to the survey conducted in Bangkok by the Commerce Ministry, prices of eggs rose 10-20 satang. A size 3 egg now costs around 3.55-3.65 baht while prices of size 0 eggs are now at around 4.3-4.4 baht each.

The survey also shows that the increasing prices of eggs have caused prices of ready-to-eat food to go up as well. Additionally, the report says prices of pork used in the preparation of ready-to-eat meals are higher than the suggested price of 140 baht per kilogram. Prices of chicken meat in and around Bangkok are 70-75 baht per kilogram which is 15-20 percent higher than the same period last year.

-- NNT 2013-08-16

[Lite Beer]

Tour bus rams three parked cars in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A bus with 20 Chinese tourists on board crashed into three cars parked along Thepkasattri Rd, just north of the Heroines Monument, last night (August 15) at about 10.45pm. No one was hurt.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/661206-tour-bus-rams-three-parked-cars-in-phuket/