Thailand Live Monday 2 Sep 2013

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Expat Shocked By 'Foam-Filled' Condominium Wall
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- A foreign expat alleged that the walls inside his condominium room was filled with foams instead of cement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665088-bangkok-expat-shocked-by-foam-filled-condominium-wall/

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Monk Arrested For Drug Abuse In Graveyard

By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- A monk has been arrested in Nongkhai Province after the locals found him taking illegal drugs inside the temple cemetery′s restroom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665090-thai-monk-arrested-for-drug-abuse-in-graveyard/

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Thai protester shot dead at rubber farmer rally

BANGKOK, September 2, 2013 (AFP) - A Thai protester was shot dead and another injured at a rally in the country's south on Sunday, officials said, following demonstrations calling for higher rubber prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665091-thai-protester-shot-dead-at-rubber-farmer-rally/

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THAI-SAUDI RELATIONS
Focus on gold ring in case of missing Saudi
KESINEE TAENGKHIAO
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A RELATIVE of missing Saudi Arabia businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili does not believe the gold ring, which led to the re-opening of the case, belonged to his brother.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665093-bangkok-focus-on-gold-ring-in-case-of-missing-saudi/

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POLITICS
Explain why costs are up, Democrats say
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE OPPOSITION Democrats have demanded the government postpone increasing the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity and expressway fees - reasoning its decision contradicts the ruling party's election campaign promises to sharply reduce the cost of living.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665094-explain-why-costs-are-up-thai-democrats-say-politics/

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SURVEY
Reform move will fail: poll
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 80 per cent of people believe the political reform process initiated by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will not be successful because the government is not serious enough to solve the problem and is just buying time, a survey by Abac Poll revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665095-political-reform-move-will-fail-thai-poll/

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Thai Man arrested in South Pattaya accused of providing minors to foreigners



PATTAYA: -- Over the weekend officers from the Child and Women Protection Unit which is a division of Region 2 Police, detained a 51 year old Thai man on the strength of an arrest warrant detailing allegations he provided minors to foreigners for sex.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665097-thai-man-arrested-in-south-pattaya-accused-of-providing-minors-to-foreigners/

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Key arrest in Thailand, may prove 'China link' to NE arms

BANGKOK: -- In a significant breakthrough that could provide the first evidence of alleged Chinese involvement in supply of arms to Indian insurgent outfits, Thailand Saturday picked up a key middleman whose identity had been disclosed by arrested NSCN (IM) operative Anthony Shimray.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665098-key-arrest-in-thailand-may-prove-china-link-to-indian-insurgent-arms/

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Yingluck - the PM who's always missing
HATAIKARN TREESUWAN
THE NATION



Opposition condemns premier for constrantly skipping House Session and avoiding debates'

BANGKOK: -- "YINGLUCK, where are you?" - this phrase seems to be regularly chanted by opposition Democrat MPs at House meetings. They possibly do this to highlight the fact that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is often absent when lawmakers are debating key issues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665100-yingluck-the-pm-whos-always-missing/

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Red-shirts make themselves visible in Chuan's backyard
METHEE MUANGKAEW
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- TRANG IS OFTEN regarded as the home turf of former Democrat premier Chuan Leekpai, who is now a senior adviser for the party. But red shirts have been active in the southern province for several years, particularly since the bloody crackdown on red shirts in Bangkok in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665102-red-shirts-make-themselves-visible-in-chuans-backyard/

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Supermodel "Yui" admitted to mental institute
The Nation


A file photo of Rojjana Phetkanha dated 2003-06-03.

BANGKOK: -- The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has extended its assistance to famous Thai model Rojjana (Yui) Phetkanha, who was admitted to a mental institute on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665103-thai-supermodel-yui-admitted-to-mental-institute/

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Loan gang paid with drugs
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Ten young men caught on video breaking down a fence to enter the house of a loan shark customer and injuring two occupants in Sai Mai in Bangkok last Thursday told police they were paid with drugs and booze to collect debts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665104-bangkok-loan-gang-paid-with-drugs/

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DSI 'allowing itself to be manipulated'
OPAS BOONLOM,
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION



CRITICS FAULT THE CHOICE OF CASES BEING TAKEN UP BY TOP CRIME INVESTIGATION AGENCY

BANGKOK: -- FOUNDED 11 years ago as a civilian crime investigation agency, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has lately been questioned over its stance inconsistent with professional ethics and authoritative guidelines - following a number of its decisions seen as favouring the Pheu Thai-led government politically.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665109-thailands-dsi-allowing-itself-to-be-manipulated/

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Nok Air's starts Mae Sot-Mawlamyine flights
The Nation

MAE SOT: -- Mae Sot Airport has become more vibrant as Nok Air yesterday inaugurated its daily flight to Mawlamyine to serve mainly Thai and foreign businessmen penetrating deeper into Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665117-nok-airs-starts-mae-sot-mawlamyine-flights/

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Phuket Special Report: One fateful night at the Longhorn Saloon
Phuket Gazette


The scene of the stabbing brawl, the Little Longhorn Saloon in Ao Nang, Krabi. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665122-krabi-special-report-one-fateful-night-at-the-longhorn-saloon/

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Phuket Opinion: Corruption-fighter says it's time to cleanse the island of graft
Phuket Gazette


Mr Surin says his anti-corruption efforts will show outsiders that Phuket's business practices are transparent and above board. Photo: Supplied

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665123-phuket-opinion-corruption-fighter-says-its-time-to-cleanse-the-island-of-graft/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,297.83, up 3.53 points /MCOT

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Immigration police keep close watch on Cambodian Muslims in Thailand

By English News



SA KAEO, Sept 2 – Thai immigration police are closely monitoring the movement of Cambodian Muslims who entered Thailand through the eastern border to work illegally in the South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665126-immigration-police-keep-close-watch-on-cambodian-muslims-in-thailand/

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Rice in govt stockpiles now to less than 10 million tonnes
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 2 – The Commerce Ministry confirmed that rice in state stockpiles, purchased from farmers under the rice pledging scheme, has fallen to less than 10 million tonnes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665127-rice-in-thai-govt-stockpiles-now-to-less-than-10-million-tonnes/

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Baby’s body found in Phuket garbage dump
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Staff of Karon Municipality were horrified yesterday (September 1), while sorting out trash, to find the tiny corpse of a baby.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665128-babys-body-found-in-phuket-garbage-dump/

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Kingdom's education to be uplifted ahead of the AEC

BANGKOK, 2 Sep 2013 (NNT) – The Education Ministry aims to upgrade the nation's education quality ahead of the arrival of the ASEAN Economic Community by improving instructors' language skills and promoting understanding about ASEAN.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665129-thailands-education-to-be-uplifted-ahead-of-the-aec/

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More convenience, safety for tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 2 – Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport has set up a special centre to facilitate passengers during the peak tourist season in October to March, according to airport director Rawewan Netrakavesna.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665130-more-convenience-safety-for-tourists-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

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PM gives opening remark at special lecture on 'Uniting for the Future: Learning from each other's experiences' attended by Tony Blair /MCOT

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Rubber grower protesters repeat deadline for talks on falling prices
By English News

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Sept 2 - Rubber growers staging the protest at Nakhon Si Thammarat's Cha-uat district have renewed their demands, calling for urgent talks with government by 11am this morning.

The protest against falling rubber prices entered its10th day today at Ban Tun subdistrict as they have reminded the government of their 11am deadline for representatives to meet with them on a rubber price guarantee not lower than Bt100 per kilogramme.

Rubber planters said earlier that they would hold simultaneous rallies tomorrow in the northeastern, northern, eastern, central and southern regions--all across the country.

Demonstrators blocked a major road in Nakhon Sri Thammarat as part of protests that began on August 23.

The government earlier held talks with the protesters and under their terms, but stood firm that it could not intervene despite falling rubber prices but could help with a government subsidy of their fertilizer cost at Bt1,260 per rai and providing loans to investors in the rubber industry.

Meanwhile, the body of Sirichai Boonwong, who was shot dead early Sunday while attending the protest as a guard, was taken for a religious ceremony at the protest site.

Royal Thai Police adviser, Pol Gen Rachata Yensuang reportedly travelled to Nakhon Si Thammarat today to supervise the investigation of the case.

Another man was wounded in the shooting. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-09-02

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Phuket tourist ordeal taxi driver pleads guilty
Naraporn Tuarob


The Chinese tourist re-enacts her abduction for police, the day after it happened.

PHUKET: -- The black taxi driver accused of abducting a young Chinese woman and driving her around the island for five hours, trying repeatedly to molest her, appeared in Phuket Provincial Court today (September 2).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665139-phuket-tourist-ordeal-taxi-driver-pleads-guilty/

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UPDATE:

Homeless Ex-Supermodel Hospitalised For Mental Illness
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- A former successful model has been admitted to hospital for mental treatment after she was found wandering around in Bangkok last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665103-thai-supermodel-yui-admitted-to-mental-institute/page-2?p=6781189#entry6781189

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Phuket party thieves arrested with B1mn of stolen goods
Phuket Gazette


PARTY TIME TO JAIL TIME: Mr Watchara (left) and Mr Ekkachai after their arrest. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Two hedonistic thieves who robbed a liquor store and drove off with their loot in the back of the store’s truck have been apprehended with over a million baht of loot from an extended stealing spree around Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665145-phuket-party-thieves-arrested-with-b1mn-of-stolen-goods/

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UPDATE:

Thailand exports 4 million tons of rice this year

BANGKOK, 2 September 2013 (NNT) - Thailand has exported over 4 million tons of rice since the beginning of this year, at the highest average price ever in the history of the country's rice export.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665127-rice-in-thai-govt-stockpiles-now-to-less-than-10-million-tonnes/#entry6781238

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Jasmine rice to be sold as souvenir at Thai airports
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAI jasmine and organic jasmine rice will be on sale to tourists for the first time at airports around the country this month as part of a government plan to promote the famed Thai rice to the rest of the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665154-jasmine-rice-to-be-sold-as-souvenir-at-thai-airports/

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UPDATE:
Phuket jet-ski crash victim out of coma
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: -- Chinese honeymooner Shen Baocheng, 27, badly injured in a smash between the jet-ski he was riding and a speedboat, is now out of a coma, but is still hooked up to a respirator in Phuket International Hospital because of water in his lungs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/664858-chinese-newlywed-in-coma-after-phuket-jet-ski-crash/page-2?p=6781375#entry6781375