Thailand Live Saturday 5 Oct 2013

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Phuket illegal taxi driver, guilty of kidnap and sexual assault, walks free on suspended sentence

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672440-molesting-phuket-taxi-driver-gets-suspended-sentence/

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2013 Thailand Flood Updates - Are you affected? Maps, reports, local updates

Info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671446-2013-thailand-flood-updates-maps-reports-local-updates/

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INUNDATIONS
Another 13 provinces warned of flooding; Bangkok safe for now
The Nation


A house and a pickup truck were among the things that were swept into a canal in Buri Ram after strong currents broke down a part of the bank yesterday. Fortunately, nobody in the house was harmed. Later, neighbours and officials tried to help the family

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672512-another-13-provinces-warned-of-flooding;-bangkok-safe-for-now/

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Thais Hunting For 'Lucky' Mobile Phone Numbers
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- The price for phone numbers starting with "09" are increasingly expensive, as many Thais believe the number would provide them with divine fortunes in lives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672514-thais-hunting-for-lucky-mobile-phone-numbers/

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POLITICS
Busy week ahead for Yingluck
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra welcomes Chilean President Sebastian Pinera at Government House yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- After meeting Chilean President Sebastian Pinera at Government House yesterday, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will meet visiting Peruvian President Ollanta Humala Tasso today to discuss a Thai-Peru free-trade agreement, Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672515-busy-week-ahead-for-yingluck/

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US SHUTDOWN
Asean accepts Obama's decision
The Nation, Agencies

Thai Foreign Ministry says president's absence unfortunate

BANGKOK: -- Asean said yesterday that US President Barack Obama's decision not to attend the upcoming Apec and ASEAN summits, as well as to cancel bilateral visits to the region, was understandable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672516-us-shutdown-asean-accepts-obamas-decision/

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ROYAL PARDON
Surachai praises King's 'graciousness' for his royal pardon
The Nation


Surachai Danwattana-nusorn, in white, leaves Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday evening in this combined photograph posted on Facebook by one of his supporters.

BANGKOK: -- Political activist Surachai Danwattananusorn, convicted under the lese majeste law, yesterday expressed gratitude to His Majesty the King, after being granted royal pardon.

"I am happy to receive royal kindness and graciousness. Without a royal pardon, I would have served another eight years in jail," he said.

Surachai, a former communist insurgent and a red-shirt leader, also thanked the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the ruling Pheu Thai Party for "never abandoning" those convicted of lese majeste offences. He said that he would later return to his home province of Nakhon Si Thammarat to be treated for a number of illnesses.

Surachai, 72, was released from Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday evening. He left the prison shortly after 5pm and was met by his wife Pranee, red-shirt leader weng Tojirakarn and a number of red-shirt supporters, who presented him with red roses.

Surachai, who was sentenced to 12 years and six months on five counts of lese majeste, served 17 months of his term before his release.

Once a prominent communist insurgent and Red Siam leader, Surachai is one of the highest-profile prisoners to be tried for lese majeste offences. He was active as an insurgent in the 1970s and was imprisoned in the 1980s.

In February 2012, the then 71-year-old Surachai was sentenced to seven and a half years for defaming the monarchy at a 2010 red-shirt rally in Bangkok, while addressing his supporters. Now in poor health, Surachai was hospitalised in prison.


-- The Nation 2013-10-05

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SOUTH CRISIS
Response to BRN up to Paradorn now
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabut will make a final decision on how to respond to BRN's five demands, keeping in mind the recommendations of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), a highly placed source said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672517-thai-south-crisis-response-to-brn-up-to-paradorn-now/

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EDITORIAL
A few more 'charter traps' remain
The Nation

The government could be on a collision course with independent agencies if it pursues controversial bills currently before Parliament

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday the Constitutional Court dropped complaints against the budget bill. Earlier a proposed charter amendment on the electoral system for the Senate received the court's approval.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672518-a-few-more-charter-traps-remain-thai-editorial/

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Vietnam independence hero General Giap dead at 102
by Catherine BARTON

HANOI, October 5, 2013 (AFP) - Vietnam's legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap, whose guerrilla tactics defeated the French and American armies, died Friday at the age of 102, prompting an outpouring of tributes for the independence hero.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672519-vietnam-independence-hero-general-giap-dead-at-102/

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Paper chase stalls anti-graft panel's probe of clock scandal
The Nation



Officials slow with documentation on expensive purchase, may face legal action

BANGKOK: -- The investigation into the scandal related to Parliament's procurement of digital clocks has not gone anywhere after two months as the House secretariat has yet to submit relevant documents to the committee tasked with probing the issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672520-paper-chase-stalls-anti-graft-panels-probe-of-clock-scandal-thai-parliament/

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LAOS
Mekong dam given green light despite ecologists' fears
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Conservationists cried foul yesterday as the Lao government decided to go ahead with the Don Sahong Dam on the Mekong River.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672521-laos-mekong-dam-given-green-light-despite-ecologists-fears/

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Govt to sign contracts after public forum
Anaphat Deechuay
The Nation

Deals under Bt350-bn water and flood scheme set to be finalised in January

BANGKOK: -- The government is expected to sign water-project contracts with four contractors in January, following the completion of the nationwide public forum to be held in those provinces affected by the water projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672522-thai-water-and-flood-scheme-govt-to-sign-contracts-after-public-forum/

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Thousands march against ivory trade
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


Elephant lovers join a rally organised by the Animal Activist Alliance in Bangkok yesterday to raise awareness about illegal ivory trade.

BANGKOK: -- From Buenos Aires and Washington DC to London and Bangkok, thousands of elephant lovers joined marches in many cities across the globe in the single-largest demonstration to raise awareness of the illegal ivory trade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672523-bangkok-rally-against-ivory-trade/

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Penis hotpots and snake blood: Asia's libido-boosting foods

BEIJING: -- Holding aloft a half-metre long horse penis, chef Xiao Shan confidently declares it "the most delicious" of the ingredients in a Chinese hotpot of male genitalia, one of many supposed Asian remedies to boost the libido.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672524-asias-libido-boosting-foods-penis-hotpots-and-snake-blood/

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VIDEO: Another case of a foreigner being treated unfairly in Thailand

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672404-another-case-of-a-foreigner-being-treated-unfairly-in-thailand

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Min of Commerce and AOT promote Thai jasmine rice as quality gift for foreigners to take home

BANGKOK, 5th October 2013 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has signed an MoU with King Power Tax Free Co., Ltd and the Airport of Thailand (AOT), to jointly promote Thai Hom Mali rice as gifts that foreign tourists should take home for families and friends.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672537-thai-jasmine-rice-promoted-as-quality-gift-for-foreigners-to-take-home/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Vegetarian Popcorn now available at all Major cinemas JFestival http://t.co/z6hOqpVnVV

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60,000 people fall ill in 24 flood-hit provinces



BANGKOK, 5 October 2013 (NNT) – At present, 24 provinces are battered by heavy rainfall-triggered flooding, with more than 60,000 people in those provinces have fallen ill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672540-60000-people-fall-ill-in-24-flood-hit-thai-provinces/

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UPDATE:

Industry Min: Industrial sites in Pathum Thani will not be flooded

PATHUM THANI, 4 October 2013 (NNT) - The Industry Ministry has assured businesses that factories in two major industrial estates in Pathum Thani province are well protected against flooding.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672414-seven-factories-forced-to-temporarily-close-due-to-floods/page-2#entry6891653

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UPDATE:

BKK Governor warns 25 communities to brace for Chao Phraya overflow in mid October

BANGKOK, 5 October 2013 (NNT) – Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra is cautioning those living in 25 communities that were outside the water barrier along the Chao Phraya River to brace for possible water overflow from the river due to the upcoming period of high sea level on the 15th and 16th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672379-bangkok-governor-warns-of-riverside-flooding-at-oct-15-17-high-tide/page-2#entry6891661

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DPM Plodprasop unfazed by water flow from northern provinces, floods ease in Prachin Buri, BMA asked to closely monitor high seas, rain

Pasak Dam discharges water to reduce water volume, Ayutthaya's Tha Ruea, Nakhon Luang warned of flooding

/MCOT

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Kamala Beach encroachers given more time to remove illegal structures
Phuket Gazette


Bars and restaurants on Kamala Beach have been given more time to remove structures that encroach on the beach. Photo: Gazette reader

PHUKET: -- Bar and restaurant owners whose establishments encroach on Kamala Beach have been given more time to remove their illegal structures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672541-phuket-kamala-beach-encroachers-given-more-time-to-remove-illegal-structures/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Last chance to join the Samui Jazz Week on Chaweng Beach from 6:40pm to midnight. Free admission.

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Thailand-Chile ink MoU on FTA



BANGKOK, 5 October 2013 (NNT) – Thailand and Chile have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in order to strengthen economic partnership and bilateral relations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672543-thailand-chile-ink-mou-on-fta/

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"Thailand Tomorrow 2020" held in Nong Khai

BANGKOK, 5 October 2013 (NNT) – The government has organized a road show entitled "Thailand Tomorrow 2020" in Nong Khai Province. The exhibition showcased high-speed train project, double rail system, and other infrastructure projects.

The opening ceremony was co-presided over by Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong and Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt. The exhibition was held at Nong Khai City Hall. It was divided into 9 zones as visitors could learn about the government’s infrastructure projects which include high-speed train project, double railway system, road construction, sea ports, and border area development.

The "Thailand Tomorrow 2020" was to allow the government to clarify to the people its plan to build a complete transportation infrastructure; with 80% of the allocated budget set to develop dual-track railways and turn Nong Khai into the final destination for the high-speed rail project.

There was also a high-speed train simulator in the event for the visitors to experience a real high-speed train ride. Another activity included in the event was the food contest.

Meanwhile, Governor of Nong Khai Wirat Limsuwat, during “PM Yingluck Meets the People” program on NBT, said the high-speed train project would help enhance the province’s transportation and uplift the tourism industry, adding that it would also attract more investors to Nong Khai.


-- NNT 2013-10-05

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PM Yingluck ready to submit Budget Bill for royal endorsement
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 5 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government would seek royal endorsement for the Budget Bill which was deemed legal by the Constitution Court yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672547-pm-yingluck-ready-to-submit-budget-bill-for-royal-endorsement/

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New Attorney General vows neutrality, honesty, independence
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 5 – Newly-appointed Attorney General Attapol Yaisawang has promised to work professionally and fairly without political interference, disclose all cases to the public and protect the rights of defendants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/672549-thailands-new-attorney-general-vows-neutrality-honesty-independence/

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Chalerm Yubamrung was admitted to Ramathibodi hospital on Friday night for a bleeding beneath the meninx treatment, reports say /Bangkok Post

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Deputy PM Pracha visits Narathiwat to listen to ideas for restive South; NSC chief stresses no official requests made to change BRN peace talks team /MCOT