Thailand Live Saturday 31 Aug 2013

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Red Bull heir leaves country
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Attorney-General Chulasingh Vasantasingh has ordered the prosecution of Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya on three counts, including speeding, for the hit-and-run accident that killed a policeman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664731-red-bull-heir-vorayuth-leaves-thailand/

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Officials Pledge Actions Over Violent Anti-Govt Students
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- The Minister of Education, Mr. Jaturon Chaisaeng, has chaired a meeting with other officials to discuss possible actions against the vocational students who joined the anti-government protests in Lumpini Park and attacked a group of Redshirts earlier this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664733-thai-officials-pledge-actions-over-violent-anti-govt-students/

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3 Arrested Over Deadly Stabbing Of Rival Student

By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- Police have arrested 3 polytechnic students in connection with the murder of an 18-year old vocational student from a rival college in western Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664734-bangkok-3-arrested-over-deadly-stabbing-of-rival-student/

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BMTA works to fight sexual harassment on public buses
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) launched a campaign last week to educate bus drivers, conductors and passengers about what behaviour is sexual harassment and how it can be dealt with. It has also released some 10,000 stickers, pamphlets and video clips to help the effort.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664735-bmta-works-to-fight-sexual-harassment-on-public-buses/

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Govt tightens screws on student-loan defaulters
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry will alert the National Credit Bureau (NCB) about student-loan defaulters in the next five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664607-students-urged-to-repay-education-loans/

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Loan sharks attack home of debtor over failed payments
The Nation

Two men injured in apparent aggressive reaction to two missed instalments

BANGKOK: -- Bang Khen police in Bangkok were searching for a group of men, thought to be working for loan sharks, who attacked a borrower's home in Sai Mai district late on Thursday and wounded two people in the process for failure to repay a high-interest loan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664736-loan-sharks-attack-bangkok-home-of-debtor-over-failed-payments/

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Salsa and spice on Samui
Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul
The Nation


Dina Medina

Musicians from all over the world flock to the island for its debut Latin and Jazz week

SAMUI: -- The tropical island of Samui has earned fame and fortune with its annual Samui Jazz bash and now the Samui Municipality is spicing up the annual repertoire by introducing a music festival that highlights hot Latin sounds and cool jazz.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664737-salsa-and-spice-on-samui/

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Aus Hon Con in tense talks over Phuket jet-ski incident
Jody Houton


Larry Cunningham at Karon Police Station

PHUKET: -- A few hours after Thursday's seminar (August 29) to make jet-ski operators ‘brand ambassadors’ for Phuket, there was the latest in a long line of jet-ski ‘incidents’, this time involving an Australian tourist on Karon beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664738-aus-hon-con-in-tense-talks-over-phuket-jet-ski-incident/

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Rise in Phuket metered taxi fares to thwart cab cheats
Phuket Gazette


The rise in standard taxi fares in Phuket aims to encourage taxi drivers to use meters instead of charging flat rates. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Taxi fares are set to rise in Phuket in an attempt to thwart the illegal-taxi trade and to provide legitimate taxi drivers with a decent standard of living.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664740-rise-in-phuket-metered-taxi-fares-to-thwart-cab-cheats/

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EDITORIAL
Old soldiers never die
The Nation

The leaders of the anti-government yellow-shirt movement have announced their "retirement" from the political stage, but a comeback cannot be ruled out

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664741-thai-editorial-old-soldiers-never-die/

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UPDATE:

British National accused of shoplifting from Central Pattaya Supermarket

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664648-british-tourist-arrested-for-theft-in-pattaya/page-2#entry6773878

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MPs face terror charge
THE NATION



POLICE COMPLAINT ACCUSES SIX DEMOCRATS OF TERRORISM OFFENCES OVER RUBBER PROTEST

BANGKOK: -- A POLITICAL appointee in the Prime Minister's Secretariat yesterday filed a police complaint against six Democrat Party MPs, accusing them of terrorism and security-related offences in connection with the current protests by rubber farmers in the South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664743-thai-democrat-mps-face-terror-charge/

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LIKE IT, SHARE IT
Journeying down Bangkok roads with the minister
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- "I used to think that Facebook was only meant for entertainment, like recommending restaurants and tourist spots, or chatting for fun. But now that I have my own Facebook page I realise that it is much more - it's a two-way communication channel for good information and comments."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664744-journeying-down-bangkok-roads-with-the-minister/

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Prem 'in good health'
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda will stay at Phramongkutklao Hospital for one week after a successful operation stemming from an infectious wound to his lung was carried out on Thursday, hospital director Maj-General Dr Chumphol Piamsomboon said yesterday.

The wound resulted from an infection that occurred after a recent operation on his right lung, the doctor said. "General Prem is in good health, able to speak well, and the public should not be worried about his health," he said.

Their Majesties, commanders of the Armed Forces and senior government officials sent bouquets. Military and civilian officials also signed in a book of well-wishes.


-- The Nation 2013-08-31

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Speaker tries to silence Democrats as debate continues
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
Praphan Jindelertudomdee
The Nation


Pheu Thai MPs protest against Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont, saying he should have strictly enforced meeting regulations to stop the Democrats from taking too much time in their deliberation.

Jurin fights back, saying opposition has every right to question changes

BANGKOK: -- Parliamentary debate on charter amendment continues as opposition MPs use filibuster techniques and government MPs push to hurry the deliberation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664745-speaker-tries-to-silence-thai-democrats-as-debate-continues/

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Govt's reform plans get positive response, poll finds
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Most people agree with the government's reform plans to promote justice and equality in terms of people's rights, a Suan Dusit Poll suggested yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664746-thai-govts-reform-plans-get-positive-response-poll-finds/

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Prosecutors seek clarifications in Akeyuth case
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Public prosecutors are expected to reach a conclusion by the end of next week on the murder charge against the former driver of billionaire businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr, who is accused of killing his boss. But they have asked police to check further into key points raised by the victim's former lawyer.

Head of the Criminal Litigation Department at the Office of the Attorney-General, Phongniwat Yutthaphanboriharn, said the prosecutors' request was neither unusual nor a rejection of the police investigation report into the murder charge against Santiparb Penduang.

"The prosecutors are seeking further details on certain queries in the case and have received replies on some of them from the police," he said.

Phongniwat declined to give details on the points of interest.

Suwat Apaipak, a lawyer for Akeyuth who has now given up that role, said there were a few key questions he had over the police inquiry into acts by Santiparb, as the driver's statements and guilty plea to police contradicted the autopsy results. He also cited names of a person with alleged ties to Santiparb and a powerful politician at a press conference earlier this month.

Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank also described the queries as "usual practice" between prosecutors and police. He declined to give details.


-- The Nation 2013-08-31

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Student, 19, mauled by 400lb tiger in Thailand at popular tourist attraction
Isabelle Brennan was knocked to the ground and attacked at the Tiger Temple sanctuary
Sister and friend dragged her to safety
Left with four inch wound and is scarred for life
She still struggles to walk unaided eight weeks on
By ALISON SMITH SQUIRE

HARROGATE: -- Enjoying the trip of a lifetime to Thailand, university student Isabelle Brennan strokes a young tiger at a popular tourist attraction – one of the few places in the world where you can pet the deadly animals while they sleep.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664748-british-student-19-mauled-by-400lb-tiger-in-thailand-at-popular-tourist-attraction/?p=6773945

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Dunkin' Donuts Thailand under fire for 'racist' ad campaign
By Ricardo Lopez

LOS ANGELES: -- A human rights group on Friday criticized a Dunkin' Donuts advertising campaign running in Thailand that features a model whose face is painted black to sell a chocolate doughnut.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664749-dunkin-donuts-thailand-under-fire-for-racist-ad-campaign/

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UPDATE:
Dunkin’ Donuts Apologizes For Blackface Ad In Thailand
BY REBECCA LEBER

Dunkin’ Donuts has apologized and pulled advertising for its campaign in Thailand that shows a model with blackface makeup and the caption, “Break every rule of deliciousness.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664749-dunkin-donuts-thailand-under-fire-for-racist-ad-campaign/page-2?p=6774415#entry6774415

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Lab tests show Thai rice clear of chemical residues, toxins
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 31 – The Commerce Ministry reports that the latest tests on 220 rice samples from various provinces found no hazardous residues or chemical toxins.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664765-lab-tests-show-thai-rice-clear-of-chemical-residues-toxins/

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Govt plays down Tuesday's rubber protests
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 31 – The planned multi-pronged protests against rubber price slump in different parts of Thailand on Tuesday will be weaker than earlier predicted, according to the Interior Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664767-thai-govt-plays-down-tuesdayis-rubber-protests/

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Central bank reports economic slowdown in July
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 31 – Thailand’s economy continued to decline in July in every sector linked with a 0.7 per cent decrease in private consumption, said an official of the Bank of Thailand (BoT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664768-thailands-central-bank-reports-economic-slowdown-in-july/

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Deputy PM Yukol, stands in for PM Yingluck on weekly TV show; says world economic slowdown shrinks rubber exports, oversupply leads to falling prices /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Kittiratt: World economic fluctuation will not affect Thai economy

BANGKOK, 31 August 2013 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said the current world economic fluctuation will not affect the country’s economy, while expressing confidence that the depreciation of Thai baht will benefit Thai export.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664768-thailands-central-bank-reports-economic-slowdown-in-july/#entry6775016

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Govt to pay compensation to rubber farmers

BANGKOK, 31 August 2013 (NNT) – The government is keen on helping rubber farmers cope with dropping prices of rubber in the market as 1,260 baht per rai will be paid to those affected farmers.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Yukol Limlamthong said, during the “PM Yingluck Meets the People” program aired on NBT, that the government has a plan to support the Thai rubber farmers and help them cope with the decreasing prices of rubber, caused by an oversupply in the world market. He said each affected rubber growers will be compensated with 1,260 baht per rai, adding that as of now, there are over 700,000 rai of rubber lands that need compensation. However, each farmer will be paid no more than 10 rai of their rubber cultivation areas.

The minister also said the government would support those farmers who are willing to grow other plants. He said 20,000-baht-per-rai support will be given to the farmers who grow oil palms instead.

Lastly, Minister Yukol has confirmed that all affected rubber growers will be compensated.


-- NNT 2013-08-31

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Two Frenchmen and a Thai busted for stealing in Karon
Phuket Gazette


Light-fingered Frenchmen fingered for shoplifting. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: Two Frenchmen and one Thai woman have been arrested after being caught stealing booze and snacks from a local chain of convenience stores in Karon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664784-two-frenchmen-and-a-thai-busted-for-stealing-in-karon/

[Lite Beer]

New toll rates take effect on Sep 1

BANGKOK, 31 August 2013 (NNT) - The Expressway Authority (EXAT) announced that a toll increase for three expressway networks will take effect on September 1.

The new rates would apply to Sri Rat Expressway, Burapha Withi Expressway and Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway.

EXAT governor Aiyanat Tinapai said urban network tolls will jump from 45 baht to 50 baht for four-wheelers, from 70 baht to 75 baht for vehicles with six to 10 wheels, and 100 baht to 110 baht for trucks with more than 10 wheels. For suburban networks, drivers of vehicles with six to 10 wheels will need to pay toll of 50 baht while those with trucks with more than 10 wheels pay 75 baht.

The toll hike is part of the terms listed in the contract between EXAT and Bangkok Expressway Public Co Ltd (BECL).

-- NNT 2013-08-31

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South Africa's presidency says media reports that Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital are 'incorrect' /BBC

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Weather bureau issued heavy rain warning to residents living near hillsides,waterways in N,NE provinces Aug31-Sept 1 /The Nation