Commerce Min rebuts toxic rice export rumours

BANGKOK, 30 August 2013 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry has presented fresh evidence to deny a report that importers in the U.S. rejected a shipment of Thai rice due to toxic contamination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664472-thai-commerce-min-rebuts-toxic-rice-export-rumours/

THAI-US RELATIONS
First US congresswoman of Thai descent vows to foster ties
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Ladda Tammy Duckworth, the first US congresswoman of Thai descent, promised yesterday that she would do her best to establish closer ties between Thailand the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664475-first-us-congresswoman-of-thai-descent-vows-to-foster-ties/

POLITICS
Abhisit ready for meeting on reform
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party is ready to hold talks with the prime minister's representative on political reform, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664476-abhisit-ready-for-meeting-on-political-reform/

Prosecutors file treason charges against PAD leaders

BANGKOK, 30 August 2013 (NNT) - Public prosecutors have pressed treason charges against leaders of the 2008 protests by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664477-prosecutors-file-treason-charges-against-pad-leaders/

BURNING ISSUE
PAD co-leaders 'have just stepped aside, not quit'
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Piphob Dhongchai, former co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), insisted that the recent decision by the group's leaders - himself included - to step down was not a retreat but a move to give the group a chance to be born again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664478-pad-co-leaders-have-just-stepped-aside-not-quit/

RUBBER
Non-South rubber farmers opt out of rally plans
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Rubber farmers in all parts of the country except the South have decided to cancel simultaneous rallies they planned to hold on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664479-non-south-rubber-farmers-opt-out-of-rally-plans/

COURT
Court petitioned to block LPG price hike
THE NATION



Foundation challenges resolution on household gas

BANGKOK: -- The foundation for Consumers yesterday filed a petition with the Central Administrative Court, seeking an order blocking a Cabinet resolution to hike the retail price of household LPG.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664480-court-petitioned-to-block-lpg-price-hike/

Uzbekistan Murder Victim "comes back from the dead" in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 22 year old Uzbekistan resident of Pattaya presented herself at the Tourist Police Station in Pattaya on Thursday and claimed a well-known Thai newspaper had reported her murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664482-uzbekistan-murder-victim-comes-back-from-the-dead-in-pattaya/

Allegations of sexual abuse of 4 year old girl at Pattaya Children's shelter



PATTAYA: -- Banglamung Police are currently investigating claims that a 4 year old girl, who was taken into-care while her 40 year old mother was sent to prison to serve a short sentence for drug offences, was sexually abused by a teenage resident at a Children’s Shelter in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664483-allegations-of-sexual-abuse-of-4-year-old-girl-at-pattaya-childrens-shelter/

Sports and Tourism Minister orders new regulations for speedboats in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Following the death of two Chinese tourists in a speedboat accident off the coast of Pattaya on Wednesday, the Minister for Sports and Tourism has ordered an immediate change in regulations relating to the use of speedboats and other commercial vessels in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664484-sports-and-tourism-minister-orders-new-regulations-for-speedboats-in-pattaya/

12 cases of illegal encroachment on Na-Jomtien Beach investigated



PATTAYA: -- Khun Kwanchai, a Senator and Chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee was in the Na-Jomtien Beach area on Thursday to investigate 12 separate cases of illegal encroachment on to public land along Na-Jomtien Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664485-12-cases-of-illegal-encroachment-on-na-jomtien-beach-investigated/

Banning media from spending probe 'irregular'
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An order by senior Parliament officials to ban the media from listening in on the anti-graft committee's investigations into parliamentary spending appeared to be contrary to regular practices, Democrat MP Vilas Chanpitaksa, a member of the House's anti-corruption committee said yesterday during a meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664486-banning-media-from-spending-probe-irregular-thai-democrat-mp/

EC decides to charge Democrat MP
Chanikarn Phumhirun,
Pimnara Pradubwit
The Nation August

Chooses to drop disqualification complaint against Sukhumbhand

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission has thrown out a disqualification complaint filed against Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra and instead taken up criminal charges against Democrat Songkhla MP Sirichok Sopha for allegedly defaming Pheu Thai gubernatorial candidate Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, EC secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664487-thai-ec-decides-to-charge-democrat-mp/

ONCB mulls strict controls on addictive analgesic
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is pushing for stricter controls on over-the-counter sales of Tramadol, a prescription drug that was blamed for the recent death of a teenager.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664488-oncb-is-pushing-for-stricter-controls-on-over-the-counter-sales-of-tramadol/

Motorists urged to ensure cars locked
KHWANHATHAI MALAKAN
THE NATION



Police renew warning now that thieves use jammers to foil remote controls

BANGKOK: -- Police and academics have again warned motorists to physically check if their doors are locked after high-tech car thieves started using stronger jammers to foil remote controls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664489-motorists-urged-to-ensure-cars-locked-thieves-use-jammers-to-foil-remote-controls/

Thailand has no influence on global rubber price: Yukol
YUPIN HONGTHONG
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Although Thailand is a major rubber producer, it has no influence over the global market price as the country has to rely mainly on exports, Agriculture Minister Yukol Limlaemthong said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664490-thailand-has-no-influence-on-global-rubber-price-yukol/

OVERDRIVE
It seems like 1997 all over again
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is at risk of facing further capital outflow, which hurts the baht, tightens liquidity and brings down economic growth. Bank of Thailand governor, Dr Prasarn Trairatvorakul, said the whole country now needs a reality check to determine whether there are risks in the economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664491-thai-opinion-it-seems-like-1997-all-over-again/

Experts urge renewed push on US-Thai HIV vaccine

BANGKOK, August 30, 2013 (AFP) - Health experts on Thursday called for trials of an HIV vaccine under development in Thailand to be speeded up following recent setbacks in other efforts to end the AIDS epidemic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664492-experts-urge-renewed-push-on-us-thai-hiv-vaccine/

Phuket Court orders media blackout on Swedish murder trial
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Officials at Phuket Provincial Court yesterday ordered a media blackout on the ongoing trial of Swedish nationals Tommy Soderland and Sebastian Ljung amid concerns that the media was influencing witness testimonies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664494-phuket-court-orders-media-blackout-on-swedish-murder-trial/

Privy Council president, statesman Gen Prem admitted to Phramongkutklao Hospital Wednesday with stomach pain; physicians press conference at 11am /MCOT

UPDATE:

Thai-born US congresswoman urges Thais to overcome differences for national interest
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 30 – Thai-born Democrat US member of Congress from Illinois, Ladda Tammy Duckworth, yesterday called on Thai politicians to work together for the national interest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664475-first-us-congresswoman-of-thai-descent-vows-to-foster-ties/#entry6770505

UPDATE:

Speedboat accident case goes to tourism court
By English News



CHON BURI, Aug 30 – Thailand's Tourism and Sport Ministry will set up a tourist safety centre to supervise speedboats which offer service to tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664484-sports-and-tourism-minister-orders-new-regulations-for-speedboats-in-pattaya/#entry6770573

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,300.44, up 7.91 points /MCOT

Kim Jong-un, North Korean leader, reportedly has ex-girlfriend, 11 others executed

SEOUL: -- A North Korean firing squad last week executed a former girlfriend of leader Kim Jong-un and 11 other entertainers for allegedly violating laws banning pornography - at least according to a South Korean newspaper.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664515-kim-jong-un-north-korean-leader-reportedly-has-ex-girlfriend-11-others-executed/

Phuket jet-ski operators urged to be fair, polite
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Complaints about jet-ski operators filed by tourists holidaying in Phuket has prompted the island’s authorities to launch a two-day seminar aimed at educating the operators about charging fair prices and being polite.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664518-phuket-jet-ski-operators-urged-to-be-fair-polite/

Weakening baht affects tour agencies

BANGKOK, 30 August 2013 (NNT)-The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) has revealed that the weakening Baht will affect tour agencies offering overseas trips as a number of reservations have declined.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664526-weakening-baht-affects-tour-agencies/

Finance Ministry forecasts higher economic growth in Q3
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 30 – The Thai economy in July showed signs of slight improvement compared to the previous month, despite an overall slowdown and falling exports, according to a senior Finance Ministry official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664527-thai-finance-ministry-forecasts-higher-economic-growth-in-q3/

UPDATE:

UNCTAD points out Thai Econ remains strong

BANGKOK, 30 Aug 2013 (NNT) - Dr. Supachai Panitchpak, Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), pointed out that the economy of Thailand remains strong while suggesting economic restructuring to improve overall performance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664527-thai-finance-ministry-forecasts-higher-economic-growth-in-q3/#entry6771041

Govt to solve issue of falling prices of agri products

BANGKOK, 30 Aug 2013, (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reiterated that the Government would solve the ongoing issue of falling prices of agricultural products without discrimination while urging related agencies to closely monitor the demonstration of para rubber growers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664557-thai-govt-to-solve-issue-of-falling-prices-of-agri-products/

UPDATE:

ECT files defamation charges against Democrat Sirichok

BANGKOK, 30 Aug 2013, (NNT) - The Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) has filed a charge against Democrat Party MP Sirichok Sopha for defamation against Police General Pongspat Pongchareon during the Bangkok Governor election earlier this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664487-thai-ec-decides-to-charge-democrat-mp/#entry6771161