Thailand Live Saturday 7 Sep 2013

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Senator Caught Peeking At Sexy Photos In Parliament
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- A Senator has been caught looking at photos of a woman posing naked on his iPhone during a parliamentary session.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666183-senator-caught-peeking-at-sexy-photos-in-thai-parliament/

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No Taxi Fare Hike: Transport Minister
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthipan has denied any imminent increase of fares for metered taxi in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666185-thai-transport-minister-no-taxi-fare-hike/

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Bright future for Thai jasmine rice in Australia

BANGKOK, 7 September 2013 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is gearing up to promote organic Thai jasmine rice in Australia following the increasing popularity of Thai rice down under.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666186-bright-future-for-thai-jasmine-rice-in-australia/

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Foreign exchange reserves drop USD 1.7 billion

BANGKOK, 7 September 2013 (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has reported that the country’s foreign exchange reserves as of 30 August 2013 stood at 168 billion USD or 5.41 trillion baht, decreasing by 1.7 billion USD.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666187-thailands-foreign-exchange-reserves-drop-usd-17-billion/

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Chaos reigns in Parliament over a range of issues
The Nation

PORNOGRAPHIC PHOTOS, chair throwing, and fights - you can see it all in the Thai Parliament these days.

BANGKOK: -- In a Senate meeting yesterday, an elected senator was caught on a camera using his mobile phone to view pornographic photos. He was caught on the camera zooming in on some photos of a woman with her genital area visible.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666189-chaos-reigns-in-thai-parliament-over-a-range-of-issues/

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'No sincerity in tackling corruption'
The Nation


The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand holds an event

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is entering an era of massive corruption, as the authorities have no sincerity in tackling the problem, while business people remain willing to pay bribes and even the media now lacks the courage to dig deep, the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) said yesterday, at a press conference launching its "Act Now" campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666190-no-sincerity-in-tackling-corruption-in-thailand-act/

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Govt refuses to budge in talks
The Nation


Trailer trucks are moved by protesting rubber growers to block the Asia Highway in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Says it can't afford Bt95 a kg after farmers cut demand; new rally set

Government representatives and protesting farmers failed to agree yesterday on the subsidy for rubber prices.

BANGKOK: -- The government side, led by Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, remained firm about a price of Bt90 a kilogram of rubber while the rubber growers called for Bt100. The farmers' representatives later cut their requested price to Bt95 but the government officials turned down their demand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666191-rubber-prices-thai-govt-refuses-to-budge-in-talks/

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Stem-cell therapy 'can be lethal'
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Treatment cannot stop ageing process or cure illnesses, experts warn

BANGKOK: -- People considering stem-cell treatment have been advised to think again, with six groups of medical specialists issuing a strong warning yesterday that unlicensed stem-cell treatments on offer could kill a patient.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666192-stem-cell-therapy-can-be-lethal/

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Two Thais held in M'sia with war weapons
The Nation

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Two Thai citizens have been arrested in Malaysia for reportedly having war weapons in their possession, according to reports from several sources at security agencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666194-two-thais-held-in-malaysia-with-war-weapons/

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Trouble at rally was staged: press
Kampanart Khantrakul,
Anan Kongcharoen
The Nation
Prachuap Khiri Khan



Unknown 'third force' set media vehicles alight and attacked police; protesters remained peaceful, media sources say

BANGKOK: -- Reporters from various news groups covering the rubber farmers' protest believed an unknown "third hand" is working to instigate violence and attacked press vehicles this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666195-trouble-at-rubber-farmers-rally-was-staged-thai-press/

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Army introduces safer cooking gas cylinders
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A new type of cooking gas cylinder that will disperse less lethal shrapnel if used as a bomb by insurgents was unveiled yesterday at a military research unit after it secured an initial approval from the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666196-thai-army-introduces-safer-cooking-gas-cylinders/

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Abhisit insists on Somsak chairing session
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont to solely chair the HouseSenate joint meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666198-abhisit-insists-on-somsak-chairing-session/

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Heavy rains flood Koh Libong off Trang
The Nation


Several villages on Koh Libong, off the coast of Trang, have been flooded after several days of heavy rain, with mudslides blocking several roads and disrupting travel in and out of the island.

TRANG: -- Some 30 homes in three villagers are under up to a metre of water - something that happens every time there is heavy rain, Ismael Bensa-ard, a local tourism industry leader, said. He went on to say that no concrete measures had been adopted after the most recent flooding three months ago, not to mention the previous floods over the past few years.

In the northern province of Nan, overflows from two swollen rivers inundated some 50 homes in three villages in Muang district before dawn, with fast 70cm-deep currents sweeping away some villagers' belongings.

Villagers began clearing and fixing their homes after the floods receded in a few hours. There are no reports of casualties, as civilian and military relief efforts continue. An estimate of the damage is underway.

A main four-lane road was also flooded, but was being drained.


-- The Nation 2013-09-07

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Phuket's 'Father of Tourism' makes plea for industry's future


Wichit Na Ranong and Bill Barnett.

PHUKET: -- Wichit Na Ranong, owner of the Indigo Pearl Resort, and acknowledged as Phuket’s “Father of Tourism” last night (September 6) made a plea for concerned business people and stakeholders in the tourism industry to get together to work out ways to make the island’s tourism industry sustainable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666224-phukets-father-of-tourism-makes-plea-for-industrys-future/

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Uttaradit-Chiang Mai rail service closed for maintenance



BANGKOK, 7 September 2013 (NNT) – Uttaradit-Chiang Mai rail service will be closed for maintenance from September 16 – October 31. The decision came after a train has derailed while traveling through Phrae Province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666133-train-service-to-chiang-mai-stopped-september-16-for-major-repairs/#entry6798634

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UPDATE:

Furious rubber farmers vow to renew rally next Saturday
By English News

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Sept 7 – Rubber growers in 10 southern provinces have announced that they will demonstrate again next Saturday to protest the government’s refusal to pledge rubber price at Bt95/kg.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666191-rubber-prices-thai-govt-refuses-to-budge-in-talks/#entry6798669

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Commerce Min to promote agricultural zoning nationwide



BANGKOK, 7 September 2013 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has instructed all provincial governors to promote the government’s agricultural zoning theory in their provinces in a bid to solve problems in the agricultural industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666229-thai-commerce-min-to-promote-agricultural-zoning-nationwide/

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UPDATE:

Senate Speaker indifferent to opposition move to expel him
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 7 – Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich shrugged off an attempt by the opposition Democrat Party to expel him and insisted that he has performed his parliamentary duty without bias.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666066-opposition-mps-move-to-expel-deputy-parliament-speaker/#entry6798819

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Public Health Min urges people over 30 years old to exercise more

BANGKOK, 7 September 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry is encouraging people over 30 years of age to exercise more, while saying that plastic surgery is not a lasting solution to senility.

According to the Deputy Minister for Public Health Sorawong Thienthong, the ministry wants to see all Thais live to be at least 80 and still in good health. The deputy minister revealed that a human body starts aging at the age of 30 and will grow older every year. However, he said the best solution to postpone aging is to do exercise regularly or any kind of exercise that works out muscles. Not just exercise that postpones aging, food also has a tremendous impact on a human body, he added.

The deputy minister also encouraged Thais to eat half a kilo of fruit and vegetables a day and drink at least 6-8 glasses of water, adding that a human body should get at least 6-8 hours of sleep. He said if one can follow these instructions, he/she will live to be at least 80 years old.

He also mentioned about plastic surgery, saying it is not a lasting solution to senility, plus it does not work as well as an exercise.


-- NNT 2013-09-07

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UPDATE:
Phuket Police arrest shooter of Russian tourist
Phuket Gazette


Police arrive at a house in Karon to place Narongsak Saelim (center) under arrest. Photo: Kritsada Muean

PHUKET: -- Police have arrested the man who injured a Russian tourist by opening fire on a car in a fit of road rage in Rawai last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666064-phuket-police-close-in-on-shooter-of-russian-tourist/#entry6799086

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Wanted American child molestation suspect arrested in Thailand
By Coconuts Bangkok

UDON THANI: -- Udon Thani police arrested Shawn Michael Mathews, a 41-year-old American who reportedly fled the US after posting bail in 2002 for charges of sexual assault on minors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666276-wanted-american-child-molestation-suspect-arrested-in-udon-thani/

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Ladyboy tries and fails to rob bank for sex change cash

By Coconuts Bangkok

UDON THANI: -- Udon Thani police arrested a ladyboy who attempted to rob a local Bangkok Bank branch yesterday to fund her gender reassignment surgery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666278-udon-thani-ladyboy-tries-and-fails-to-rob-bank-for-for-sex-change-cash/

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Model accused of adding mercury to her products
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The popular pretty Arpapron Natewong, aka Malangmiang, is in hot water after one of her customers accused her of illegally mixing mercury into her Sexy Witch cosmetics products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666280-thai-model-accused-of-adding-mercury-to-her-products/

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PM says 90-baht-per-kilo price appropriate

BANGKOK, 7 September 2013 (NNT) – The Prime Minister said the price of para rubber at 90 baht per kilogram is appropriate, while asking the protesters to call off their demonstrations.

During the “PM Yingluck Meets the People” program on NBT, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has affirmed the government's intentions to help rubber growers as the government will guarantee the price of rubber at 90 baht per kilogram, while asking the remaining protesters to look from the government’s side as it is doing its best to resolve the situation, adding that the 90-baht-per-kilo price is the highest the government is able to pay.

Miss Yingluck also asked the protesters to call off their demonstrations as the ongoing protests are affecting commuters and other people involved.

However, the Premier admitted that the guaranteed 90-baht price is only a short-term solution, adding that the government is keen on finding a long-term solution to the problem, so that the rubber industry can see a sustainable growth.

As for those protesters in Songkhla who said they would gather at Sadao border on September 14th, Miss Yingluck said she had assigned the governor to go talk to the protesters and forward their requests to the meeting.


-- NNT 2013-09-07

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Warning over fake Malaysian ringgit in Phuket

The new series of Malaysian coinage and banknotes revealed in December 2011.

PHUKET: The Thai Association of Foreign Exchange is warning the public about the widespread of use of fake foreign currencies in Thailand, particularly in the southern provinces, including Phuket, where Malaysian ringgit is the most commonly faked note.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666290-warning-over-fake-malaysian-ringgit-in-phuket/

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Parliament session to debate Constitutional amendment fails due to lack of quorum, to reconvene on Monday /MCOT

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TEPCO releases video of groundwater entering crippled Fukushima

For the first time, Tokyo Electric released video footage of groundwater flowing into the Unit 1 turbine building. Currently, it is estimated that groundwater flows into the reactor buildings at a rate of over 400 tons per day. Everyday contaminated groundwater also continues to flows directly into the Pacific Ocean, and no one knows when those leaks will be under control. (VIDEO)

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/662257-japan-upgrades-fukushima-radiation-leak-to-level-three-serious-incident/page-2?p=6799645#entry6799645

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A train bound for Samut Sakhon derailed at Talat Phlu station today; 2 passengers injured, State Railway of Thailand said /The Nation

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Phuket to push for higher taxi fares, despite Bangkok opposition
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket officials plan to ask for permission to raise the standard rates charged by metered taxis on the island despite the announcement by the Minister of Transport yesterday that no taxi fares would be raised anywhere in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666300-phuket-to-push-for-higher-taxi-fares-despite-bangkok-opposition/

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Polls close in Australian elections

Polls closed in Australia's most populous states where Saturday's national elections are expected to be won or lost, with conservative challenger Tony Abbott set for a big victory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658423-australians-to-go-to-the-polls-on-sept-7/page-3?p=6799723#entry6799723