Thailand Live Thursday 10 Oct 2013

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Thaivisa launches new Property Portal –

a great way to find your new home in Thailand

http://property.thaivisa.com

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Suspect in Briton's murder arrested
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tourist Police yesterday announced the arrest in Songkhla of 30-year-old Khomkrit Imnoey for his alleged role in the murder of English businessman Raymond John Hyde, 68, in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673584-suspect-in-britons-murder-arrested-in-songkhla/

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PROTEST
Anti-Thaksin group will explain itself to PM Li
ANUPHAN CHANTANA,
TANATPONG KONGSAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE PEOPLE'S Army against the Thaksin Regime will tell the Chinese authorities that it is only rallying against the government's plan to seek royal approval for the charter-amendment bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673589-anti-thaksin-group-will-explain-itself-to-chinese-pm-li/

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FLOOD
Chon Buri estate 'still operating'
The Nation



Firm denies shutdown; SGWA wants govt water plan suspended

BANGKOK: -- AS FLOODWATERS reached Chon Buri's Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate yesterday, only two factories on the estate had been forced to shut down, and only for two days, the estate's chief of operations, Viboon Kromadit, said. He insisted flooding had not hit the estate's 200 factories and forced them to close, as some news reports claimed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673590-thai-flood-chon-buri-estate-still-operating/

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UPDATE:
Teacher, two rangers killed in South attacks; ATMs bombed
The Nation



Paradorn puts blame on groups opposed to peace process with BRN

BANGKOK: -- INSURGENTS LAUNCHED a series of coordinated arson and bomb attacks in the deep South late on Tuesday, mostly targeting banks to damage their automatic teller machines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673408-atms-bombed-at-more-than-20-locations-in-southern-provinces/page-2#entry6908397

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Thailand urged to join anti-bribery convention
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Of the 40 countries signed up to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, only four are found to be engaged in "active enforcement" of the rules, according to Transparency International (TI), which has urged other nations and territories to join the convention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673591-thailand-urged-to-join-anti-bribery-convention/

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EDITORIAL
Bangkok desperately needs more mass transit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Banning older cars from the roads will not ease traffic congestion; getting people out of cars and onto good public-transport systems will

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673592-bangkok-desperately-needs-more-mass-transit/

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THAI TALK
Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister's spokesmen and aides have dismissed rumours about a Cabinet reshuffle leading to the "Yingluck 6 Cabinet", but Premier Yingluck Shinawatra has chosen to keep silent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673593-thai-opinion-those-who-know-dont-talk-those-who-dont-know-talk/

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Norwegian falls to his death from South Pattaya Condominium



PATTAYA: -- A 46 year old Norwegian fell from a 6th floor apartment balcony at a South Pattaya Condominium on Wednesday Afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673594-norwegian-falls-to-his-death-from-south-pattaya-condominium/

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Ladyboy falls to his death from disused building in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 43 year old Ladyboy, who enjoyed jumping from one building to a neighboring building lost his footing and fell to his death on Wednesday Morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673595-ladyboy-falls-to-his-death-from-disused-building-in-south-pattaya/

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Unexplained suspected suicide at Jomtien Apartment Complex



PATTAYA: -- Just before 7.30am on Wednesday Police and rescue services were called to an apartment complex in Jomtien to investigate reports of a suspected suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673597-unexplained-suspected-suicide-at-jomtien-apartment-complex/

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Army helicopter hits power lines, crashes
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A helicopter from the "Anothai" special task force under the Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations Command plunged into a canal in Songkhla's Thepa district after flying into high-voltage power lines yesterday. One of the 10 officers on board was injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673598-thai-army-helicopter-hits-power-lines-crashes/

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PM pushes for boost in workforce for mega-projects
PATCHAREE LUENGUTHAI
THE NATION
MYANMAR



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered that three working groups be set up to oversee development of vocational education in preparation for her government's Bt2-trillion and Bt35-billion mega-projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673599-pm-yingluck-pushes-for-boost-in-workforce-for-mega-projects/

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Thai treasures come home
NUNTIDA PUANGTHONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry yesterday handed over 76 artefacts from the Ban Chiang archaeological site to the Fine Arts Department, after five American donors gave the treasures to the Thai consul-general in Los Angeles.

Department of Information chief Manasvi Srisodapol said the five US citizens told the ministry in 2011 they wanted to return the artefacts, which are more than 1,000 years old. The donors were: Benjamin R Snidecor, a former US State Department official once based in Thailand who possessed 23 pieces; Robert Rochien, who inherited three items from his father; Anitra Bascon Wirtz, who inherited 29 artefacts from her father; Gary Buck, who inherited one piece from his father; and Richard Douglas, who inherited 20 pieces from his mother.

Manasvi said Thailand has received historical items since 2002. Yesterday's handover bought the total number of returned artefacts to 263 pieces.

Fine Arts Department chief Anek Sihamat said the department would study and register the returned artefacts and display them at the National Museum. They come from the prehistoric Ban Chiang, an archaeological site in Udon Thani's Nong Han district, which is divided into three periods: 5,000-3,000 years old, 3,000-2,000 years old; and 2,300-1,500 years old.


-- The Nation 2013-10-10

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Unesco model to protect historic sites
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION
AYUTTHAYA



BANGKOK: -- A new flood-prevention model, proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), by building 1.6-metre-high permanent wall, dykes, new road elevation and flood-way hopes to save the World Heritage ancient city of Ayutthaya Island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673600-unesco-model-to-protect-ayutthayas-historic-sites/

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40TH ANNIVERSARY OF OCTOBER 14 UPRISING
Long battle for a free Thai press faces new challenges
SUTTHIRAK UTTHAMONTRI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AFTER THE October 14, 1973 student uprising, journalists successfully campaigned for the abrogation of an anti-press-freedom law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673601-long-battle-for-a-free-thai-press-faces-new-challenges/

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'Strong backing' for scrapping coup-makers' immunity
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some 116 government MPs have agreed to sponsor a bill to repeal the immunity granted to coup-leaders and their appointees, Pheu Thai MP Weng Tojirakarn said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673603-strong-backing-for-scrapping-thai-coup-makers-immunity/

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BURNING ISSUE
Democrats miss an opportunity to introduce reforms
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A MEETING of Democrat Party executives held to debate reforms proposed by deputy party leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot was preceded by a big and dramatic overture, which saw Alongkorn become the first to detect his party's flaws and to concede a need to address its series of defeats in past polls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673604-thai-democrats-miss-an-opportunity-to-introduce-reforms/

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Court rejects petitions questioning charter-amendment bill
Chanikarn Phumhiran
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitutional Court yesterday rejected two opposition petitions that cited Article 154 to question the constitutionality of the charter-amendment bill.

The court said the petitions did not merit judicial review because Article 154 was about the Acts only and had no bearing on amending the charter.

The ruling means the charter court will only review cases based on Article 68. The opposition contends charter change to alter the method filling senatorial seats is aimed at overthrowing the country's political system.

Yesterday's session did not consider this issue as the court was waiting for the 312 parliamentarians who are defendants in the case to submit their defences and clarifications to the court.

Article 154 says that the prime minister must suspend passage of a bill or an Act until the Constitutional Court rules on the law's constitutionality.


-- The Nation 2013-10-10

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Officials to try again to impose order on Phuket taxis
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

PHUKET: -- A renewed attempt is to be made to organize the island’s taxi drivers into officially sanctioned stands, despite the failure of an earlier attempt to set up a taxi stand in Karon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673605-officials-to-try-again-to-impose-order-on-phuket-taxis/

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Phuket News: Man arrested for murder for 17-year-old girl he met on Facebook

KANCHANABURI:-- A man wanted for the killing of a 17-year-old girl he met on Facebook has been caught in Kanchanaburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673606-man-arrested-for-murder-for-17-year-old-girl-he-met-on-facebook/

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Phuket Governor stages '3K Police' tour
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut yesterday conducted an inspection tour of police stations at three key tourism beach areas – Patong, Kamala and Karon – as part of his campaign to promote Phuket as a safe holiday destination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673624-phuket-governor-stages-3k-police-tour/

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Meth arrests lead to prison drug lord
Phuket Gazette


Jamroen Sawangwit (left) and Khajorn Jantasri were caught with 2,336 ya bah pills, which Khajorn said he bought from an inmate at a prison in Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673632-meth-arrests-lead-to-prison-drug-lord/

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Thai industrialists predict grim economic outlook
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 10 – Thailand’s economic index declined from -2 in August to -7 in September, reflecting the country’s sharp economic downturn, according to a survey jointly conducted by Dhurakij Pundit University and Krungthep Turakij newspaper.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673636-thai-industrialists-predict-grim-economic-outlook/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,437.63, gains 2.97 points /MCOT

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Thailand's ex-central bank chief endorses national reserve spending for mega projects
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 10 – Former central bank governor Pridiyathorn Devekula has thrown his support to a move to partially transfer Thailand’s international reserves to set up the national wealth fund for investment in the government's Bt2 trillion infrastructure development.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673639-thailands-ex-central-bank-chief-endorses-national-reserve-spending-for-mega-projects/

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Storms and rain set to continue until Sunday
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket and surrounding Andaman Coast areas are set for more rough weather, the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673641-phuket-storms-and-rain-set-to-continue-until-sunday/

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UPDATE:

Lampang and Nan send riot police to help keep order during Bangkok protest

LAMPANG, 10 October 2013 (NNT) – The commanders of Lampang and Nan police on Wednesday dispatched riot police from the provinces to Bangkok to help ensure order during the scheduled demonstration by an anti-government group between October 9-17.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673489-anti-govt-protests-police-reinforce-suvarnabhumi-airport/page-2#entry6909227

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Norwegian escaped indictment in Thailand
BY SINE NEUCHS THOMSEN



BANGKOK: -- The 53 years-old Norwegian Mack London escaped from Thailand to Cambodia, because the Norwegian Embassy would not issue him with an emergency passport, newspaper Aftenposten reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673662-norwegian-escapes-indictment-in-thailand/

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Rambo's lonely lair: Inside the Loch Palm hideout of the drug kingpin arrested in Phuket


The Royal Thai Police sent its very best anti-drug commandos with DEA agents to arrest Joseph

PHUKET: -- Alleged hitman Joseph Hunter was a recluse who took care to avoid contact with neighbours, instead holing himself up inside his Phuket home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673664-rambos-lonely-lair-inside-the-loch-palm-hideout-of-the-drug-kingpin-arrested-in-phuket/