Thailand Live Monday 26 Aug 2013

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CRACKDOWN
Laughing-gas balloons not so funny


Tourists at Khao San Road, Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The widespread use of illegal balloons containing laughing gas among tourists at entertainment venues has prompted police in Bangkok's Chanasongkram Police Station to crack down on vendors selling these balloons on Khao San Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663381-bangkok-police-to-crack-down-on-vendors-selling-laughing-gas-balloons/

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UPDATE:
POLITICS
Pat on back for reform
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation


Participants say forum is move in right direction but warn govt must move quickly towards roadmap

BANGKOK: -- The political reform forum kicked off yesterday with a sense of cautious optimism despite the conspicuous refusal by the opposition Democrat Party to attend along with most other anti-government forces. After hours of meeting, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proposed the creation of three reform committees to look into political, economic and social reforms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663265-first-meeting-of-political-reform-forum-kicks-off/#entry6755052

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Date set for new Thailand-Myanmar border crossings - including a new entry point for overland travel

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663321-four-overland-myanmar-thai-border-crossings-to-open-date-set-as-28th-august/

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POLITICS
Democrats to shun council if amnesty bid not halted
Pimnara Pradubwit,
Kesinee Tangkhieo
The Nation


Ong-art

BANGKOK: -- Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrat Party, said yesterday he would not change his mind about boycotting the prime minister's proposed political-reform council as long as the government insists on passing an amnesty law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663383-thai-democrats-to-shun-council-if-amnesty-bid-not-halted/

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PROTEST
Rubber farmers threaten road blockades
The Nation



Groups warn govt 4 highways will be targeted if price guarantees not met

RANONG: -- Rubber farmers have vowed to block four regional highways on September 3 if the government ignores falling prices for their product.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663384-rubber-farmers-warn-thai-govt-threaten-road-blockades/

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SOUTH CRISIS
NGOs called upon to condemn 'inhumane attacks'
Supitcha Rattana,
Narong Nuansakul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Authorities are calling on human-rights agencies and non-government groups to condemn the violence in the deep South, while also helping to protect the rights and freedom of people in the restive region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663385-thai-south-crisis-ngos-called-upon-to-condemn-inhumane-attacks/

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TRAVEL
Online ticket sales face slump
Sasithorn Ongdee
The Nation


Sampan

Economic slowdown could hit bookings for H1 next year

BANGKOK: -- Consumer spending on travel is in danger of being impacted by the Thai recession, dampening the online air-ticketing business early next year, according to CheapTickets, an agent under Netherlands-based Travix.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663386-online-ticket-sales-face-slump/

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Thai Actor Tony Jaa To Join 'Fast & Furious 7'
Diana / The Hollywood Reporter


Tony Jaa, file photo

'Fast 7' will be his English-language debut

LOS ANGELES: -- It seems like Jason Statham won't be the only new international cast to join the seven installment of James Wan's Fast & Furious. Thai actor and martial arts expert Tony Jaa is also in talks for a role.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663387-thai-actor-tony-jaa-to-join-fast-furious-7/

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EDITORIAL
'Liberals' can get lost in Thai crisis
The Nation

Are those who consider themselves 'good guys' veering off course and becoming something the ideal proclaims to condemn?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663388-editorial-liberals-can-get-lost-in-thai-crisis/

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"Mafia-Free Pattaya" declaration by Police General



PATTAYA: -- For the second time in a month a senior Police Officer has declared that Pattaya is “Mafia-free” and Thai and Foreign Tourists should feel assured that the city is safe and the chances of them becoming the victim of crime are very slim.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663389-mafia-free-pattaya-declaration-by-thai-police-general/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Our ultimate goal is to bring down the 'Thaksin regime'


Khunying Kalaya

BANGKOK: -- Democrat party-list MP Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich was among the first leading Democrat figures to appear on the anti-government People's Army stage at Lumpini Park on August 18. Two days earlier, she joined Democrat MPs Kasit Piromya, Nipit Intarasombat and Chalermchai Srion to meet People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders to talk about forming an alliance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663390-our-ultimate-goal-is-to-bring-down-the-thaksin-regime/

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Manhunt underway for Thonglor cops accused of extortion
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A manhunt for two police lieutenants has been launched as more evidence of their alleged extortion attempt has emerged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663391-manhunt-underway-for-thonglor-cops-accused-of-extortion/

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Demolition begins of three illegal resorts in Koh Samet
Suriyan Panyawai
The Nation
Samet, Rayong


The officials from National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department have removed the door of the resorts which had been illegal built in the sea of Khao Leam Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park.

RAYONG: -- The demolition of three big resorts, built illegally in the midst of the sea on Rayong's Koh Samet, was begun yesterday by the state environmental protection agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663392-demolition-begins-of-three-illegal-resorts-in-koh-samet/

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SPECIAL REPORT
Call to scrap Chevron project plan
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


Hundreds of local villagers in Nakhon Si Thammarat

NAKHON SI TAMMARAT: -- Legal experts have called on the government to stop debating an environmental report for a cancelled shore-based construction project by Chevron Oil, saying it could lead to misunderstanding between state agencies and local communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663394-nakhon-si-thammarat-call-to-scrap-chevron-project-plan/

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Indian "swimmer" swept onto rocks and dies on Pattaya Island



PATTAYA: -- A 28 year old Indian Tourist died on Sunday afternoon at a beach on Larn Island off the coast of Pattaya after a wave caused him to be swept onto rocks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663395-indian-swimmer-swept-onto-rocks-and-dies-on-pattaya-island/

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Two injured as train hits pick-up in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Morning Police and rescue services were called to a level crossing close to the Nongsadow Village in the East side of Pattaya to investigate reports of a train hitting a pick-up truck which was in the process of crossing the train track.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663396-two-injured-as-train-hits-pick-up-in-east-pattaya/

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RT @191thailand: 5:30am A passenger van heading to Bangkok crashed into the rear of a truck in Chachoengsao. 9 dead & 7 injured.

RT @191thailand: The passenger van was heading to Minburi. 6 males & 3 females died in the accident in Chachoengsao.

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Taxi drivers gather at Royal Plaza, Government House, to protest plan to float LPG price, seek PM's help /MCOT

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'Drugs planted on Melbourne couple' in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- A Melbourne couple say they believe drugs were planted on them at Bangkok Airport for bribes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663417-drugs-planted-on-australian-couple-in-thailand/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,349.04, up 10.91 points /MCOT

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Phuket Immigration arrest three Europeans for overstay
Naraporn Tuarob


The three men after their capture by Capt Angkarn (green shirt) and his team.

PHUKET: -- Two Frenchmen and a Swiss national were arrested on Saturday morning (August 24) for staying in Thailand after their permits to stay had expired.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663424-phuket-immigration-arrest-three-europeans-for-overstay/

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Well-Mannered Thai Party Throws Down Its Gloves in Government Protests
By THOMAS FULLER

BANGKOK — Booming loudspeakers, crowds of cheering protesters and the riot police on alert — after a relative lull of more than two years, politics is back on the streets in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663439-well-mannered-thai-party-throws-down-its-gloves-in-government-protests/

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Public Health Ministry concerned over cell phone effects on health

BANGKOK, 26 August 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry has expressed its concerns over the overuse of cell phones among Thais, saying it could affect their physical and mental health.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663443-health-min-concerned-over-cell-phone-effects-on-physical-and-mental-health/

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UPDATE:

Aussie couple in Bangkok bag-tamper drug scam scare

BANGKOK: -- A Melbourne couple say they were fortunate not to have fallen victim to tough Thai drug laws after marijuana was planted in their luggage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663417-drugs-planted-on-australian-couple-in-thailand/page-3?p=6756009#entry6756009

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UPDATE:

Australians dodge suspected dope scam

PHUKET: -- In a bizarre incident an Australian couple allege that their travel bags were opened and marijuana stashed inside one of them as a prelude to a scam intended to extract large amounts of money from them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663417-drugs-planted-on-australian-couple-in-thailand/page-3?p=6756074#entry6756074

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Thai baht expected to remain at 31-32 baht per US dollar this week

BANGKOK, 26 August 2013 (NNT)-The Kasikorn Research Center (KSC) has forecast that the baht will fluctuate within the range of 31.8-32.2 baht per US dollar this week unless there are major changes in the U.S’s monetary policy.

According to the KRC, the range of Thai baht against the greenback will depend on several factors in the U.S., such as property sales, consumer, housing and income indexes, among other things.

Meanwhile, domestic factors that are also said to have impact on the fluctuation of the Thai currency consist of overseas trade figures, July’s economic report, and the number of the jobless filing for unemployment benefits.


-- NNT 2013-08-26

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Finance Minister supporting health promotion programs

BANGKOK, 26 August 2013 (NNT)-Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong said during the opening of the 21st IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion 2013 in Pattaya that as urban development is expanding, there are more factors contributing to the deterioration of our well-being and that, he added, the use of communication technology will improve our lives.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has been chosen to host the international conference under the title ‘Best Investments for Health’. The event is held in Pattaya City from August 25th to 29th, with more than 2,000 people from 80 countries across the world participating.

The Finance Minister said in his opening speech that in modern society people are prone to developing hypertension, diabetes, and heart diseases due to the lack of exercises and poor eating habits. He stressed that the Thai government places importance on promoting a healthy lifestyle, as it lays a foundation for national security. Mr. Kittiratt added that Thailand has achieved the millennium development goals, which were set 10 years ago by the Ministry of Public Health.

Meanwhile, National Health Foundation President Dr. Pravet Wasri said the society should pay more attention to personal health rather than focus on the economic prosperity alone. In order to achieve a health reform, everyone needs to get involved and adopt an approach based on the independent organization's model in implementing health promotion programs.


-- NNT 2013-08-26

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2,000 Thai visa stickers missing in transit to Netherlands
By English News

BANGKOK, Aug 26 – A batch of 2,000 visa stickers destined for Thailand’s embassy at The Hague, the Netherlands, is missing and the Foreign Ministry has voided the entire lot, the deputy prime minister/foreign minister said today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/663184-arrests-made-in-visa-sticker-scam;-civil-servants-involved/page-2?p=6756236#entry6756236

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Govt gives hurried attention to rubber problem as protest continues
By English News

BANGKOK, Aug 26 – Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong today proposed three measures to shore up the falling market prices of rubber amid continued protests by planters in southern Thailand.

He said the measures, preliminarily agreed in the meeting of the Natural Rubber Policy Committee, call for the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to find ways to add value to rubber by using the supply in manufacturing other products, a Bt10 billion financial support to the private sector through the Government Savings Bank in upgrading their machinery to manufacture rubber-related products, and reducing rubber growers’ production costs under a Bt10 billion assistance scheme.

The measures will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
Mr Kittiratt admitted that short-term solutions to the dropping rubber prices would have to heavily rely on the world market as 90 per cent of Thailand’s rubber is exported.

It is necessary for Thailand to negotiate with the world’s leading rubber manufacturers to achieve price stability, he said, adding that the government must organise zoning for rubber growing to prevent oversupply.

Some national forests have been used for hidden illegal rubber plantations and that the outlaw planters undercut the market price, he said.
Rubber planters in the rubber-planting South vowed to continue their road-blocking protest until September 3, when growers from other regions nationwide would join them.

The planters clashed with police last Friday. Afterwards police issued warrants for the arrest of six protesters. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-08-26

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RT@ukinthailand: #Thailand There is a demonstration planned outside the British Embassy in BKK on Tuesday 27 Aug at 10am ow.ly/og949 #TravelAdvice