MONARCH
King and Queen's health better : royal physician
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The health of Their Majesties the King and Queen, who returned to their palace in Hua Hin three weeks ago, continues to improve, Dr Udom Kachintorn, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, said yesterday.

"The general condition of Their Majesties has much improved, particularly the King. His health and heart are strong, partly because he is happy to be back home in a place that he is familiar with," the doctor said.

The best cure for ailing people, particularly the elderly with chronic disease, was not medicine but making them happy, he said, adding that returning to their homes or an environment they were familiar with, had a good effect on their spirit and mental condition.

HM the King was going to the beach every day, where he would sit in a pavilion, enjoy tea and feed the fish. He would then go to a dockyard, where sailboats - his long-time interest - were stored. The doctors were also giving him hydrotherapy.

The King also wished to go to the Khao Krapuk and Chang Hua Mun Royal Projects. However, with frequent downpours at this time of year, officials were concerned about preparations for a royal visit.

The Queen's general condition was also better and her heart stronger. She is able to exercise by walking every afternoon. The muscle infection that resulted in difficulty in moving her hands was less and her movements had been made easier through physical therapy.

-- The Nation 2013-08-24

Russian Arrested For Using Stolen Visa Label
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Immigration Office at Suvannabhumi airport arrested Mr. Linenko Alexander, 26, a Russian national, after he used a visa label listed as stolen from Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662970-suvarnabhumi-immigration-arrest-russian-for-using-stolen-visa-label/

TOURISM
Police officers suspended over alleged extortion of tourists
Kanathit Srihirundaj
The Nation



FOUR BANGKOK-BASED policemen have been suspended for allegedly extorting Bt2 million from two Italian tourists after making a false allegation against the victims and holding them captive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662971-bangkok-police-officers-suspended-over-alleged-extortion-of-italian-tourists/

ANTI-GOVERNMENT MOVEMENT
PAD leaders will no longer lead rallies
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders announced last night they would give up their role in leading political rallies as doing so would only risk them violating their bail conditions and not bring any real changes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662972-pad-leaders-will-no-longer-lead-political-rallies/

RAYONG

Carcinogenic chemicals still prevalent in Ao Phrao

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE LEVEL of carcinogenic substances found in the waters around Koh Samet's Ao Phrao remains high, though seawater adjacent to other parts of the island is safe to swim in, the state pollution-watch agency said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662976-carcinogenic-chemicals-still-prevalent-around-koh-samets-ao-phrao/

ECO CAR
Yingluck invites VW to build eco-cars in Kingdom
Piyanart Sriwalo
The Nation


PM Yingluck Shinawatra met with Volkswagen AG chief executive officer Christian Klingler at Government House yesterday and discussed problems and obstacles associated with manufacturing eco-cars in Thailand.

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would like to see German carmaker Volkswagen invest in the manufacture of eco-cars in Thailand, which has attractive investment-promotion policies and a strong automobile industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662977-yingluck-invites-germanys-vw-to-build-eco-cars-in-thailand/

Phuket man denies being multi-million-baht extortion artist, blames official
Phuket Gazette


Mr Chart speaking at the media gathering. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A Phuket businessman and adviser to the Thailand Trade Organization turned around allegations of being a Patong extortion artist today, pointing his finger at a government official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662978-phuket-businessman-denies-being-multi-million-baht-extortion-artist-blames-official/

Officials tackle Patong Beach's 'big brown' water problem
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- An order was made to review operations at the Patong Wastewater Treatment Plant following tests of the seawater at Patong Beach this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662980-officials-tackle-patong-beachs-big-brown-water-problem/

Surf's up at girls-only Phuket Rip Curl festival



PHUKET: -- More than 200 girls from all over Southeast Asia will gather in Phuket for Rip Curl’s annual ‘Girls Go Surfing Day’ festival, being held from September 6-8, at Kata beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662981-surfs-up-at-girls-only-phuket-rip-curl-festival/

POLITICS
DSI 'trying to please' Yingluck govt
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation


A picture shared in social media of Pheu Thai MP Prasit Chaisrisa taking a photo of his colleague Thaworn Triratnarong, who fell asleep during a parliamentary meeting on Thursday night. Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said society should admire Thaw

Failed to review slaying of top govt critic but probed Facebook joke: MP

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) was heavily criticised yesterday during the 2014 budget bill debate for its alleged ineffectiveness in dealing with a number of prominent cases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662983-dsi-trying-to-please-yingluck-govt/

EDITORIAL
Why is Yingluck trying to reinvent the wheel?
The Nation

The prime minister insists on a new reconciliation forum when a similar body already exists and has made recommendations; she must now say and do something useful to justify the new initiative

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662984-why-is-yingluck-trying-to-reinvent-the-wheel/

Anti-government coalition hinges on what Pheu Thai-led administration does, PAD warns
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation

It is unknown if anti-government groups will be able to join forces.

BANGKOK: -- Currently, these groups are too small to make an impact on their own, but they may be able to become stronger, particularly if the Democrat Party and the yellow shirts - People's Alliance for Democracy - join the fray.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662986-anti-government-coalition-hinges-on-what-pheu-thai-led-administration-does-pad-warns/

Chiang Mai train bound for Bangkok derails
The Nation



CHIANG MAI: -- A Bangkok-bound train from Chiang Mai derailed in Lampang yesterday morning, but there were no casualties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662987-chiang-mai-train-bound-for-bangkok-derails/

Cambodian woman convicted of human trafficking
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Cambodian woman was convicted of begging by the Criminal Court yesterday and for forcing young children in Bangkok to beg on the streets.

The court convicted Piab, 33, of human trafficking, illegal entry and residing illegally in the country.

The court handed down an eight-year human-trafficking conviction and added another eight months for the two other offences. However, because of her confession, the jail term was commuted to four years and four months.

Piab was arrested on February 27 in front of the Sports Authority of Thailand's headquarters while holding a six-month-old baby in her arms. There were a few Cambodian children sitting nearby. All of them were begging for money from passers-by. In the four bowls used by the children to beg, police found change amounting to Bt808.


-- The Nation 2013-08-24

World Bank to lower Thai GDP from 5% to 4-4.5%

By English News

BANGKOK, Aug 24 – The World Bank will adjust its forecast of Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) for this year from 5 per cent to 4-4.5 per cent due to lower economic and export growth, a bank senior economist said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662988-world-bank-to-lower-thai-gdp-from-5-to-4-45/

Peace talks with BRN will continue, top brass say
Panya Thiosangwan
Pares Lohasant
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE PEACE DIALOGUE with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgency group will continue, high-ranking security officials agreed yesterday, with the fourth formal round of talks planned some time next month.

Among key issues still to be discussed are the five demands laid down by BRN for the peace dialogue to continue.

Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha maintained his stance against all five of the BRN's demands, but agreed that further talks would be important to kick-start the peace process.

He reportedly told the meeting "to take it easy on the BRN preconditions", because they had not been discussed by both sides. The five demands were submitted to the Thai authorities through the National Security Council, reportedly in April, but a formal BRN document was not shared with other security agencies.

'Cause for concern'

Prayuth said he realised that all parties were concerned about the situation, but said he was the most concerned, as his men were becoming victims of insurgent violence on a daily basis.

He pleaded with the Thai media not to sensationalise any future BRN video messages or online statements. "Otherwise it's likely the media will be helping the BRN to promote what they cannot bring to the negotiating table."

Prayuth said Thai authorities would not listen to any BRN statements except those made through the peace process. He said the BRN must also clarify its demands, including what it planned to offer in return if the demands were met by the Thai government.


-- The Nation 2013-08-24

Asean as a grouping is a failure, academic insists
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- ASEAN AS a community has been a failure so far, as the notion of national sovereignty continues to undermine its integration while the identity of the grouping has yet to crystallise, according to Eduardo C Tadem, an associate professor of Asian Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662990-asean-as-a-grouping-is-a-failure-academic-insists/

Anti-graft panel reviews allowances
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party inquired yesterday about expenses claimed by House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont and parliamentary staff for House of Representatives affairs, plus allowances given to people who were not MPs who attended meetings at Parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662992-thai-anti-graft-panel-reviews-house-allowances/

Army's Robert Bales gets life, no parole for Afghan rampage -- but was it justice?
By Greg Botelho, CNN

(CNN) -- On Friday, a military jury decided U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales will get life in prison without parole for killing 16 Afghan villagers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662993-us-armys-robert-bales-gets-life-no-parole-for-afghanistan-killings/

RT @191thailand: Three people shot dead in a tea shop this morning in Raman district of Yala.

BMTA to tackle gropers on Bangkok buses

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663035-bmta-to-tackle-gropers-on-bangkok-buses/

Kittiratt: Baht depreciation will benefit export

BANGKOK, 24 August 2013 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong has expressed his confidence that the depreciation of Thai baht will be good for the country’s export.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663041-kittiratt-baht-depreciation-will-benefit-export/

PM Yingluck to promote Tajikistan as Thailand's distribution channel in Central Asia



BANGKOK, 24 August 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck is content with her visit to Tajikistan, while expressing her keen interest in making Tajikistan Thailand’s product distributor in Central Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663043-pm-yingluck-to-promote-tajikistan-as-thailands-distribution-channel-in-central-asia/

Prem calls for love and unity among Thai youths

BANGKOK, 24 August 2013 (NNT) - Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda said he wanted to see love and unity among Thai youths as a gift for his 94th birthday.

Privy Council President Prem has met with 100 youths who were taking part in a project to promote unity. During his speech, the president said no matter what religion they are, whether Muslim or Buddhist, they are still Thai. And all Thais are owners of the nation. He said everybody should have the same rights and under the same rule of law, adding that a Thai should pride himself on being Thai and do whatever it takes to protect this country.

When asked about what he wanted for his 94th birthday, he said he wanted to see love and unity among Thais.

As for the political reform forum, the president said he has not been invited to the forum yet and even if he was, he still does not know whether he will accept the invitation or not.

Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda was born on August 26th, 1920. General Prem is a retired Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to August 4, 1988.

General Prem, as the Chief of the Privy Council, is a leader in promoting King Bhumibol's ideologies and royal projects though he has sometimes represented himself as being the voice of the king.


-- NNT 2013-08-24

Rubber growers still blocking road in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Cha Uat district, plan to rally to pressure govt to address falling rubber price /MCOT

CSD Receives Complains Regarding “Animal Care” Scam


Former administrator of a celeb's Facebook page suspected of an animal care donation scam.

BANGKOK – August 24, 2013 [PDN]; At the headquarters of the Police Crime Suppression Division (CSD) about 20 men and women filed reports and complains about an online scam that pleads people to donate money in order to save street animals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663047-admin-of-a-thai-celebs-facebook-page-suspected-of-animal-care-scam/

UPDATE:

Nigerian arrested in Phuket with visa stolen from Malaysia, cocaine
Phuket Gazette


Nigerian national Ebogbulem Chinwemdu Romanus (center), 33, is placed under arrest yesterday by Karon Police. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A Nigerian man arrested for possession of cocaine in Phuket yesterday was also found to be carrying a passport with a visa stolen from the Thai embassy in Malaysia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662970-suvarnabhumi-immigration-arrest-russian-for-using-stolen-visa-label/page-2#entry6750171

Phuket Town Hungry Ghost festival underway
Phuket Gazette


Youngsters join the festivities at the Por Tor Festival in Phuket Town. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket Town is honoring its strong Chinese cultural roots with the annual Por Tor Festival, which was launched yesterday in the town’s Queen Sirikit Public Park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663051-phuket-town-hungry-ghost-festival-underway/

RT@RichardBarrow: Immigration police arrested two Nigerians with visas stolen from Thai embassy in Malaysia (Pic @dekdue_03) pic.twitter.com/Z3a932npVS

RT@RichardBarrow: SOLD! Car registration plate ฆอ-9999 was just sold in Auction for 3,533,333 Million Baht (Pic @spin9) pic.twitter.com/QgEug0ck9G