Thailand Live Thursday 12 Sep 2013

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We Choose Defiance Over Image: Democrat Veteran



BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister and senior Democrat MP Chuan Leekpai said the Democrat Party has chosen to sacrifice its good image for the sake of opposing tyrannical power of the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667208-we-choose-defiance-over-image-democrat-chuan-leekpai/

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Phuket Police officer beaten in mass brawl as suspect resists arrest
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: -- Police in Cherng Talay are on the lookout for an unknown number of suspects after a senior officer was badly beaten and a squad of at least five other policemen suffered minor injuries while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Monday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667176-phuket-police-officer-beaten-in-mass-brawl-as-suspect-resists-arrest/

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OBITUARY
Charming singer Sayan dies at 60
The Nation


Luk thung star known for his hoarse voice succumbs to cancer

BANGKOK: -- After a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer, famed luk thung singer Sayan Sanya succumbed to the disease at the age of 60 yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667210-charming-singer-sayan-dies-at-60/

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Thailand expresses continued concern on Syria
By English



BANGKOK: -- Thailand is still seriously concerned about the crisis in Syria despite eased worry about possible US military strikes there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667211-thailand-expresses-continued-concern-on-syria/

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No flights diverted to other destinations due to Suvarnabhumi runway closure

BANGKOK, 12 September 2013 (NNT) – Thailand's air traffic service revealed on Wednesday that no flights were diverted as a result of the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport's east runway, after airport personnel finally succeeded in removing the Airbus 330 aircraft that was rendering the eastern runway unusable.

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) Co. President Prajak Sajjasophon elaborated that the air traffic controllers had to draw on their knowledge, skills and experience to manage air traffic in a way that caused the minimal amount of delay to each flight that used Suvarnabhumi Airport, while also considering safety as priority.

According to figures released by Aerothai, no flights were diverted to alternate destinations between September 9 to 11 although most had to encounter waiting time when ordered by air traffic controllers to hold. The average holding time on ground was longest between 7am on Tuesday and 7am on Wednesday, during which 207 flights experienced an average waiting time of 30 minutes.

The Airbus 330-300 aircraft skidded off the eastern runway on Monday. Airport personnel had difficulties in moving the airplane out of the runway because of frequent heavy raining, but finally succeeded on Wednesday afternoon. The aircraft is now being serviced in Thai Airway's maintenance hanger at the airport.


-- NNT 2013-09-12

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FIRE TRUCK SCANDAL
AMLO to size up assets of Pracha, ex-official
The Nation



Agency chief says graft gains could be seized, pending study of ruling

BANGKOK: -- THE Anti-Money Laundering Office will evaluate assets belonging to former deputy interior minister Pracha Maleenont and a former senior Bangkok Metropolitan Administration official before pursuing possible seizure if they are found to have been acquired illegally, after both were sentenced on charges of bid-rigging in the fire vehicles case by a court on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667212-bangkok-fire-truck-scandal-amlo-to-size-up-assets-of-pracha-ex-official/

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UPDATE:

Opposition set to seek court advice on amendment

Prapasri Osathanon
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The opposition will ask the Constitutional Court to see if the ongoing charter amendment is lawful and seek an injunction before the third reading can be held, chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667104-opposition-to-seek-constitional-court-advice-on-charter-amendment/#entry6814969

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UPDATE:
5 shot dead in Pattani attack
The Nation



PATTANI: -- Five police officers working for an anti-smuggling unit were killed in Pattani yesterday when their vehicle was attacked by a group of gunmen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667098-thailand-sticks-to-peace-talks-despite-killings-of-police/?p=6814974#entry6814974

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BOAT PEOPLE
250 Rohingya men swim ashore in Satun
The Nation

SATUN: -- Some 250 Rohingya men aged 15-40 swam ashore in Satun's Thung Wa district yesterday morning after their boat was hit by a monsoon storm and their 15-day supply of food ran out.

Two of the Rohingya men were seriously ill and reportedly remained on the boat.

They were taken to a public park in Tambon Khon Khlan, where locals provided them with food and basic medicines, while police and district officials conducted an inspection. An initial probe found that the men left Myanmar in the boat on August 26 bound for Malaysia. Nine days later, their supply of food and water ran out, while the boat was hit by monsoon weather, causing them to drift off course. The Rohingya told police that two men died during the journey and the bodies were buried at sea. After they spotted the coast of Satun they swam to shore to survive. The migrants were kept at the park, pending further action by Internal Security Operations Command officials.


-- The Nation 2013-09-12

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EDITORIAL

Quick fixes have left EDUCATION IN A MESS

Populist policies have failed the country; it's time we stuck to a master plan

BANGKOK: -- Considering the number of education ministers Thailand has had in the past few years, it's no surprise that the quality of the country's education is so poor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667213-thai-editorial-quick-fixes-have-left-education-in-a-mess/

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THAI TALK
Low education standards = HIGH CORRUPTION LEVELS
Suthichai Yoon

BANGKOK: -- Two depressing stories that made the headlines last week should serve as a multiple rude awakening: Thailand's corruption record is getting worse, and the nation's education standards are heading in the same direction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667214-thai-talk-low-education-standards-high-corruption-levels/

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Scot assaulted by two "Irishmen" on Pattaya Beach



PATTAYA: -- Just before 3.30am on Thursday, Police and rescue services were called to Pattaya Beach in front of Soi 13/2 to deal with a serious assault on a British national by two men with Irish accents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667215-scot-assaulted-by-two-irishmen-on-pattaya-beach/

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Four arrested in Bt12m marijuana bust in Songkhla
The Nation



SONGKHLA: -- Songkhla Governor Kritsada Boonraj yesterday announced the arrest of four men and the seizure from them of 600 kilograms of compressed bars of marijuana with a street value of Bt12 million.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667216-four-arrested-in-bt12m-marijuana-bust-in-songkhla/

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REPORT
Bad behaviour in Parliament seems rife
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE IMAGE of Thai parliamentarians worsened recently after several incidents of misbehaviour inside the assembly hall, but apparently this is nothing new. Parliamentarians generally seem to be badly behaved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667217-bad-behaviour-in-thai-parliament-seems-rife/

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'Public must lead reform effort'
Anapat Deechuay,
Wattana Khamchu
The Nation



Prawase urges political restructuring; Sondhi questions Banharn's ties to govt

BANGKOK: -- The country's political power structure should be reformed before national reconciliation can begin, social critic Prawase Wasi told Banharn Silapa-archa, a key coordinator of the government's national-reform effort, yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667218-public-must-lead-reform-effort-prawase/

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BURNING ISSUE
Protesting rubber-growers face risk of losing support
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- The five demands presented to the government by the protesting rubber and oil-palm growers indicate a shift away from their original goal of seeking higher prices for their produce.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667219-protesting-rubber-growers-face-risk-of-losing-support/

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Charred Remains of body found in steel drum in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Officers from Huay Yai Police Station were called to a Tapioca Field in the locality on Wednesday afternoon following the discovery of a steel drum containing the charred remains of a human body.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667232-charred-remains-of-body-found-in-steel-drum-in-east-pattaya/

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Beaches clean-up planned for Phuket

PHUKET: -- Phuket residents are invited to join a series of beach clean-ups around the island next Friday (September 20), dubbed the “Phuket Island Big Clean”, part of the global “Clean up the World” weekend, which is held in September every year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667239-beaches-clean-up-planned-for-phuket/

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HM appears in good health while monitoring royal projects

BANGKOK, 12 September 2013 (NNT) - His Majesty the King yesterday made first official public appearance since he has been discharged from Siriraj Hospital by granting an audience to advisors and executive members of the Royal Development Study Center and the Royal Development Project Board.

The audience was granted at Klai Kangwon Palace, in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province to four royal project officials led by Privy Councilor and Chairperson of the Royal Development Project Board Amphon Senanarong.

On this occasion, HM the King was briefed on the progress and current strategies of royally initiated projects, now numbering 4,350 in total, scattering throughout the country. Most, or 68 percent, of the projects are related to water source development. The royal concept on water source development is to invite people’s participation in water management and finding joint solutions to arising problems, while optimizing the use of water.

On His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy, more than 2,800 famers, people and organizations have adopted the royal concept, and all have met successful concrete results. More and more people are adopting this popular concept.

Another royal initiative is to promote cultivation of vetiver grass as a means to conserve soil and water. The grass’s massively thick root system not only prevents soil erosion but also helps absorb radioactive contaminants in soil. At the royal advice, demonstration farms, consulting and problem-solving service have been set up to provide examples for farmers to plant the grass on their land.

His Majesty also heard the progress of the six Royal Development Study Centers in various regions aimed at bringing sustainable living and farming techniques to agriculturists. To achieve the goal, the centers have been organizing training courses and study visits for farmers so that they understand the royal development concepts in each region and implement them on their farms. The centers have already selected 93 outstanding research projects to be promoted among farmers this year. As a result of the centers’ efforts, about 120 learning centers have been established nationwide by people who have visited the Royal Development Study Centers and wanted to share the knowledge with other farmers.


-- NNT 2013-09-12

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Plane's landing gear had history of problems, airline says
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) revealed that it had encountered problems with landing gear on its Airbus A330-300 fleet prior to Sunday night's landing mishap.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667247-planes-landing-gear-had-history-of-problems-thai-airways-says/

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Is it Safe for a Foreigner to Marry a Thai?
By Editor In Asia

IS IT SAFE FOR A FOREIGNER TO MARRY A THAI? – Love can be a dangerous thing; emotions can run high and when there’s money involved some people will go to any lengths to get their hands on it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667248-is-it-safe-for-a-foreigner-to-marry-a-thai/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,414.56, up 3.38 points /MCOT

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Opposition slams govt for waiving diplomatic, official visas with Montenegro
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 12 – The Cabinet’s decision on visa exemption for diplomats and government officials of Thailand and Montenegro was politically motivated, the spokesman of the opposition Democrat Party said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667255-opposition-slams-thai-govt-for-waiving-diplomatic-official-visas-with-montenegro/

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Finger pointed at Finance Ministry to fulfill rice-subsidy scheme
By English News



BANGKOK, Sept 12 – The Finance Ministry is responsible for finding funding, be it through domestic or foreign loans, for the new round of rice pledging scheme which will cost the government Bt270 billion, according to the deputy prime minister/commerce minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667256-finger-pointed-at-thai-finance-ministry-to-fulfill-rice-subsidy-scheme/

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Koran burning pastor Terry Jones arrested in Florida

TAMPA, FL: -- A controversial Florida pastor was arrested Wednesday before he planned to burn almost 3,000 copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, US media reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667257-koran-burning-pastor-terry-jones-arrested-in-florida/

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Phuket women escape serious injury by falling pine tree
Eakkapop Thongtub


The pine tree which fell and hit two Phuket women.

PHUKET: -- Two Thai women managed to escape serious injury yesterday afternoon (September 11), when a pine tree fell on them while they were riding a motorbike.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667260-phuket-women-escape-serious-injury-by-falling-pine-tree/

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Phuket storm pulls down pine tree, power cables
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Two women were injured when a pine tree toppled by high winds landed on them as they were riding a motorbike on the Phuket west coast road between Kamala and Cherng Talay yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667260-phuket-women-escape-serious-injury-by-falling-pine-tree/#entry6815653

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UPDATE:

Top cop beaten unconscious at Phuket football match

PHUKET: -- A police officer is in hospital after he was severely beaten by friends of a wanted man whom he tried to arrest on Tuesday (September 10) at a football match.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667176-phuket-police-officer-beaten-in-mass-brawl-as-suspect-resists-arrest/#entry6815754

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waterspout hitting school in Trat

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667262-video-of-waterspout-whirlwind-hitting-school-in-trat/

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Several areas in the North warned of heavy rains and mudslides

BANGKOK, 12 Sep 2013 (NNT) - An official warning of heavy rains and flash floods has been issued to four provinces, while mudslides have destroyed a house and blocked several roads in Chiang Rai Province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/667266-thailand-several-areas-in-the-north-warned-of-heavy-rains-and-mudslides/