Thailand Live Friday 6 Sep 2013

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Two human trafficking suspects arrested in Bangkok
By English News

BANGKOK: -- Thai authorities have arrested and charged two suspected human traffickers, an Uzbek woman and a Thai man alleged to have been involved in luring another Uzbek woman into prostitution in the Thai capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665976-two-human-trafficking-suspects-arrested-in-bangkok/

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NATURAL DISASTER
Heavy rains, floods and landslides predicted in Northeast
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Provinces in the Northeast, especially Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Beung Kan, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu and Loei, have been warned to brace for heavy rains, floods and landslides until Saturday, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chatchai Phromlert said yesterday. Residents in need of help can call the 1784 hotline round the clock, he added.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665984-heavy-rains-floods-and-landslides-predicted-in-northeast/

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Thailand's consumer confidence worst in 9 months
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 6 – Confidence among Thai consumers in August plunged to its lowest level in nine months as the domestic political situation, the higher cost of living and a volatile global economy tempered Thailand’s economic outlook.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665978-thailands-consumer-confidence-worst-in-9-months/

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TrueVisions Told To Drop 'Channel-Switching Ads'
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- The cable TV giant TrueVisions has been ordered to stop airing brief commercials displayed during channel-switching because they potentially "annoy" the viewers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665980-truevisions-told-to-drop-channel-switching-ads/

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New Rating Guideline For TV Announced
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has announced a new rating system for the state-owned TV channels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665981-new-rating-guideline-for-tv-announced/

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TOURISM
Govt's tourism revenue goal must be backed by action, say experts
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Academics and tourism-industry experts have welcomed the government's plan to achieve Bt2.2 trillion in tourism revenue in 2015 to strengthen the national economy. However, it should define a clear direction to prepare for such a goal, which will need some time to achieve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665982-thai-govts-tourism-revenue-goal-must-be-backed-by-action-say-experts/

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POLITICS
Dems to seek injunction on charter amendment
The Nation



Constitutional court petitioned on senatorial selection proposal

BANGKOK: -- THE OPPOSITION Democrat Party will file a petition asking the Constitutional Court to issue an injunction to suspend Parliament's debate of proposed charter amendments on the selection of senators, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665983-dems-to-seek-injunction-on-thai-charter-amendment/

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DEMONSTRATION
Close eye on rallies as talks with govt fail
THE NATION



Police arrest ten in Prachuap Khiri Khan after confrontation; call for rubber price intervention ignored

BANGKOK: -- Authorities are keeping a close eye on protesting rubber farmers amid fears they may step up the rallies currently being held in several southern provinces following the government's decision to reject their demand for intervention in the price of raw rubber sheets, while only granting them subsidy relief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665987-close-eye-on-rallies-as-talks-with-thai-govt-fail-rubber-price/

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FILM
Lese majeste fears cause event to drop films
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- ORGANISERS OF a short-film competition aimed at combating censorship laws in Thailand have themselves ended up censoring three of 15 short-listed films from public viewing.

They said they feared being slapped with a lese majeste charge. The decision was announced after the screening of five short films, including the two controversial ones, to a small audience of activists, intellectuals and a select group of journalists on Monday night at The Reading Room, a small private library in Bangkok's Silom area.

"The rules were that [the films] should challenge censorship without breaking the law. But how can we avoid facing a [lese majeste] charge? There's nothing we can do to stop that," said Orapin Yingyongpathana, project manager at iLAW, a non-government organisation promoting various legal reforms.

It had organised the competition in collaboration with Bioscope magazine and the Network of Film Viewers of Thailand.

Orapin stressed that the organisers' legal experts had examined the films that were entered in the "Films that Ought to Be Banned" competition. They believed the films did not breach the lese majeste laws - but anyone could file a lese majeste police complaint and both the organisers and the film-maker might have to spend time fighting it in the court.

"I don't feel good. The movie - which should have fought a ban - ended up banning itself," said Sorayos Prapaphan, producer of "Kim", one of the banned short films that could not be screened for public viewing on Saturday afternoon at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. There were hilariously ironic sentences in that film, such as the main actor being asked what he thought of the banning of films.

Self censorship

"What can I say, I haven't even watched them," was the reply.

The same character also stated: "If I don't censor myself, they will censor it for me anyhow," and postulated, "We can't really speak about truth in this society?"

The audience and the organisers, along with some short-listed film-makers, spent an hour after the private filming debating whether the three banned films should be screened on Saturday or not - and whether they would really be deemed by some as violating the draconian lese majeste law, with its 15-year imprisonment term.

While views differ, in the end it was clear that nobody could take the responsibility on behalf of the film-maker and organisers who might risk jail.

"I believed there's nothing illegal. I wish it could be screened," said another young film-maker, whose 12-minute movie titled "Pain" was among the two banned by the organisers.


-- The Nation 2013-09-06

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Ministry faces public anger over cost of living
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Growing Public anger over the rising cost of living is leading to unusual developments at the Commerce Ministry, which is tasked with maintaining domestic price stability.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665988-thai-commerce-ministry-faces-public-anger-over-cost-of-living/

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EDITORIAL
Learning to understand what democracy really means
The Nation

All of us, politicians and public alike, must change our view of power and responsibility if we are ever to heal the wounds caused by the political divide

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665990-thai-editorial-learning-to-understand-what-democracy-really-means/

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All independence will be wiped out if charter amended
Somroutai Sapsomboon

BANGKOK: -- IDEALLY, the Senate should be free of any political influence or interference. However, judging from the way things are at present, many senators appear to be closely connected to politicians, even though these connections are prohibited by the Constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665991-all-independence-will-be-wiped-out-if-charter-amended/

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Trang airport calls for protection from rubber growers protest
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Trang airport authoroties on Thursday called for protection due to fears that protesting rubber growers might up their movement and seize the airport. Songkhla also beefed up security around the City Hall and Hat Yai airport as a precaution.

Affirming that flights were still operating as usual, Trang airport director Thaworn Saengamphai said the rubber growers’ protest, which has been in place for the past three days at the Andaman Intersection in Tambon Khao Kob, Huai Yod district where 200 crowd control police remain on hand, had not shown any indiciations that they would move to block the airport.

However, Thaworn had already put precautionary measures in place, including the closing all entrances to the airport except the eastern gate on TrangPalian Road because of insufficient police manpower. Thaworn apologised to travellers for the inconvenience.


-- The Nation 2013-09-06

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Court ruling sought on budget bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A PETITION signed by 115 MPs and senators was submitted to the Parliament president asking for the Constitutional Court to issue a ruling on whether the 2014 budget bill violates the charter. The petition was initiated by appointed Senator Paiboon Nititawan and Songkhla Democrat MP Wirat Kalayasiri.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665992-court-ruling-sought-on-thai-budget-bill/

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Honest Pattaya Taxi Driver returns laptop and passport to Korean Tourist



PATTAYA: -- Khun Pasat aged 52 has been declared one of Pattaya’s most honest Taxi Drivers after he returned a Laptop Computer and personal documents to a Korean Tourists who had earlier hired the taxi in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665993-honest-pattaya-taxi-driver-returns-laptop-and-passport-to-korean-tourist/

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PM Cameron to make British welfare off limits to migrants

LONDON: -- Prime Minister David Cameron will push the EU to curb migrants' access to British welfare payments during talks ahead of the country's membership referendum, he told the Times on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666006-pm-cameron-to-make-british-welfare-off-limits-to-migrants/

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The cutting truth: Why you can't cut your hair on a Wednesday
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666008-the-cutting-truth-why-you-cant-cut-your-hair-on-a-wednesday/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,315.57, gains 2.08 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

20+ injured during rubber farmers' clash with riot police in Phrachuap Khirikhan

PRACHUAP KHIRIKHAN, 6 September 2013 (NNT) – Authorities in Prachuap Khirikhan expect the demonstration by rubber farmers to be resolved soon, after several have been injured in the clash between riot police and the demonstrators on Phetkasem Rd. in Bang Saphan district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665987-close-eye-on-rallies-as-talks-with-thai-govt-fail-rubber-price/#entry6795473

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UPDATE:

Protesting farmers in Phatthalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat lift roadblocks

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 6 September 2013 (NNT) – Rubber and palm oil farmers in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung have agreed to temporarily lift their roadblocks as they await clarity about the government's solutions to the issue of low rubber price.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665987-close-eye-on-rallies-as-talks-with-thai-govt-fail-rubber-price/#entry6795486

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UPDATE:

Police close Phetkasem Rd after clashes with protesters
By English News



PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Sept 6 -- Forensic police collected evidence on Phetkasem Road in Prachuap Khiri Khan after clashes last night between police and the rubber protesters trying to block the highway.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665987-close-eye-on-rallies-as-talks-with-thai-govt-fail-rubber-price/#entry6795580

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Arrested For Growing Organic Marijuana!



A master degree graduate arrested for smuggling and growing 250 marijuana plants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666021-man-arrested-for-growing-marijuana/

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Thai nomad theatres strive to preserve ancient art
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, September 6, 2013 (AFP) - They eat, sleep and raise their children beneath the stage floorboards and when dusk falls Thailand's travelling theatres come to life with ornate costumes, colourful face paint and high-pitched Chinese opera.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666022-thai-nomad-theatres-strive-to-preserve-ancient-art/

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UPDATE:

Violence flares at Thai rubber farmer protest

BANGKOK, September 6, 2013 (AFP) - Rubber farmers clashed with security forces in southern Thailand as protesters torched cars and police fired tear gas in the latest unrest to shake the politically turbulent kingdom, officials said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665987-close-eye-on-rallies-as-talks-with-thai-govt-fail-rubber-price/#entry6795640

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Phuket Russian business association proposed


Sergei Nesterenko with Phuket Gov Maitree Intusut.

PHUKET: -- Following a meeting on Monday (September 3) between the Provincial Administration and business people from Russia, some of those business people are now talking about setting up a Russian business association on the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666024-phuket-russian-business-association-proposed/

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Sailboat Stolen!



Marine police Pranburi arrests 20-year-old Russian for stealing a few million baht worth sailboat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666025-thai-marine-police-arrest-russian-for-stealing-sailboat-worth-millions-of-baht/

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Tourists left shocked as transformer explodes, ignites Phuket restaurant
Eakkapop Thongtub


Aroi Seafood Restaurant on fire around 1am this morning.

PHUKET: -- A fire started when an electric transformer blew up and damaged the Aroi Seafood Restaurant in Patong around 1am this morning (September 6), causing around half a million baht’s worth of damage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666029-tourists-left-shocked-as-transformer-explodes-ignites-phuket-restaurant/

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DSI lands windfall in Phuket illegal taxi fines, no cars seized
Phuket Gazette


Since the DSI opened its anti-organized crime center at Phuket Airport (pictured), officers have handed out 868,000 baht in fines to illegal taxi drivers. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Efforts to rein in illegal taxi drivers in Phuket has landed a windfall 868,000 baht in fines since the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) opened its anti-organized crime centers in Phuket on August 10.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666030-dsi-lands-windfall-in-phuket-illegal-taxi-fines-no-cars-seized/

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UPDATE:

Business operators win fight to keep shops at Phuket International Airport
Phuket Gazette


Thammarawat Wongcharoenyut said he and other business operators at Phuket Airport were delighted by the outcome. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Business operators of concessions at Phuket International Airport have prevailed in their battle to keep their concessions at the airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/665446-shops-set-to-battle-phuket-airport-bosses/#entry6795935

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Professor recommends raising taxes on non-married individuals
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Terdsak Chomtosuwan, an economics professor from Rangsit University, has asked the government to consider encouraging Thais to bear more children by collecting a “single tax” and “no children tax.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666037-thai-professor-recommends-raising-taxes-on-non-married-individuals/