Thailand Live Sunday 13 Oct 2013

[Lite Beer]

CRIME IN HOSPITAL
Warrant to be issued for man who drugged and robbed woman in hospital
The Sunday Nation

Picture taken by security cameras show the suspect, in red circle, who drugged and robbed a 69-year-old woman at Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Police will issue an arrest warrant tomorrow for a male suspect who allegedly drugged and robbed a 69-year-old woman at Bangkok's Ramathibodi Hospital, before fleeing with her Bt12,000 cell phone and Bt2,000 in cash on October 4.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674211-warrant-to-be-issued-for-man-who-drugged-and-robbed-woman-in-hospital/

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ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST
Police investigate attack on People's Army protesters
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police were collecting evidence yesterday from the crime scene at Urupong Intersection where several Molotov cocktails were thrown at the tents of protesters belonging to the 'People's Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime'.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674213-police-investigate-attack-on-peoples-army-protesters/

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CORRUPTION
Surin warns of grave impact on country and region if Thailand fails to tackle corruption
The Sunday Nation October 13, 2013 1:00 am

Surin

BANGKOK: -- Former Asean secretary general Surin Pitsuwan warned yesterday that Thailand's worsening corruption problem is a cancer that could lead to the Kingdom's collapse and cause severe impacts on the region.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674214-surin-warns-of-grave-impact-on-country-and-region-if-thailand-fails-to-tackle-corruption/

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1973 uprising not just about martyrdom
Wannasiri Sirivarna
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The 40th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 uprising, which celebrated the ousting of the dictatorial regime led by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, has generated renewed interest in the tumultuous events, especially in the only remaining film footage to be captured at the time.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674215-1973-uprising-not-just-about-martyrdom/

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FLOOD
Phimai at risk from surge of runoff
The Sunday Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima area could experience a repeat of 2010 inundation, official warns

Phimai in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima has been warned of some 40 million cubic metres of runoff from three days time - which could revive the 2010 flood scenario, Irrigation Office 8 head Chichanok Somprasert said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674216-phimai-at-risk-from-surge-of-runoff/

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Govt signs MoU to support landmark labour law
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government has signed a memorandum of understanding with a network of labour groups involving two key International Labour Organisation conventions, which could lead to landmark changes in Thailand's labour law guaranteeing workers - including migrants - certain legal rights and conditions. It's something authorities have long tried to avoid due to concerns about how the new status of migrant workers could affect national security.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674217-govt-signs-mou-to-support-landmark-labour-law/

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'Top police' to get awards
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- A total of 16 awards will be conferred on outstanding policemen by Criminal Reporter and the Photographer Association of Thailand in their annual award ceremony to mark National Police Day today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674218-top-police-to-get-awards/

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Document forgers nabbed
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan Police yesterday announced the arrest of four document-forgers, who reportedly sold fake licence plates and related documents online, to those who wanted to obtained vehicles illegally.

The four suspects - Apidech Sitthiporn, 34, Pratheep Sansiri, 42, Naris Nanphosri, 55, and Nisakorn Kaewsri-ngam, 27, were arrested on Friday along with six fake car licence plates; 15 authentic blank car licence plates; 56 forged car registration books; 237 forged transport tax documents; 145 fake driver's licences; a computer notebook and a printer.

Apidech was arrested in a police sting operation in Khanna Yao in Bangkok. This lead to the arrest of his supplier Pratheep and accomplices Naris and Nisakorn. The four suspects also reportedly told police they got documents to be forged with customers' information provided by a middleman identified only as "Daeng", who worked in the compound of the Land Transport Department.

-- The Nation 2013-10-13

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China and Thailand discuss waiving visas
China Daily

Neither Thai nor Chinese tourist operators were surprised at the two governments' decision to discuss waiving visas for both sides' visitors on Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674219-china-and-thailand-discuss-waiving-visas/

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POLLUTION
Bang Saen, nearby beaches polluted by oil slick
The Sunday Nation

CHON BURI: -- About 50 tonnes of oil found on Bang Saen and two adjacent beaches in Chon Buri has now been removed, following a clean-up organised by the Sean Suk Municipality.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674220-bang-saen-nearby-beaches-polluted-by-oil-slick/

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-- The Nation 2013-10-13

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Phuket Opinion: Signs of Chaos
Phuket Gazette -

Thailand gets high marks for baffling signage. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: Thailand can claim credit for some of Southeast Asia’s most high-profile land transport boondoggles, yet often overlooked is the long-standing and scandalously in-your-face inadequacy of the Transport Ministry to provide drivers with one of the most basic motoring necessities: accurate and informative road signs.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674222-phuket-opinion-signs-of-chaos/

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Phuket elephant smugglers head to court, arrest of officials sought
Phuket Gazette -

Maj Gen Norrasak said Phuket elephant camp owners had no knowledge the registration documents were fake. Photo: Orawin Narabal

PHUKET: Two of men the involved in the elephant-smuggling operation blown open in Phuket in August will be presented in court this Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674223-phuket-elephant-smugglers-head-to-court-arrest-of-officials-sought/

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Phuket Airport taxis face overhaul, upgrade
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: An open meeting at the Airports of Thailand (AoT) Phuket office yesterday morning has resulted in a slew of new measures to be introduced to improve the quality of service of taxis serving Phuket International Airport.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674225-phuket-airport-taxis-face-overhaul-upgrade/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Security forces on high alert in deep south for anniversary (Bangkok Post)

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RT@RichardBarrow:
Leaked prices for iPhone 5s 16 GB
- TrueMove-H: 24,550B
- AIS: 24,700B
- Dtac: 24,900B macthai.com/2013/10/12/lea…

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RT@ukinthailand: The annual #Remembrance Day Service at the British Embassy in Bangkok will be held at 10:50am on Sunday 10 November 2013.

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Phuket Opinion: When testing water, don’t trust your eyes
Phuket Gazette -

Dr Somkiat Khokiattiwong, 54, is head of the Oceanography and Marine Environment Unit at the Phuket Marine Biological Center. A Phuket native, he has a master’s degree in oceanography from McGill University in Canada and a PhD in eco-toxicology from Southern Denmark University, Denmark. Here, he talks about how Patong can better handle its treated wastewater.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674242-phuket-opinion-when-testing-water-dont-trust-your-eyes/

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Weather agency: Northeast warned of light to moderate rainfall with strong wind from tropical storm Nari, expected to hit Vietnam Oct 15-16 /MCOT

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Pattaya Police Station fails snap inspection from new regional commander

PATTAYA:--Newly installed Region 2 police commander Lt. Gen. Kawee Suphanant wasted no time in slapping down on his highest-profile police station, dropping in on Pattaya’s headquarters to find dirty jail cells and flooded toilets.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674252-pattaya-police-station-fails-snap-inspection-from-new-regional-commander/

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Craftsman suffering asthma attacked dumped by coworker on roadside dies

PATTAYA:--A factory foreman scared by a coworker’s asthma attack pushed the wheezing man out of the truck and left him on the side of road. The man died.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674253-craftsman-suffering-asthma-attacked-dumped-by-coworker-on-roadside-dies/

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UPDATE:

Corruption turning Thailand into a black hole – Asean leader

BANGKOK: Corruption threatens to turn Thailand into an investment “black hole” of Asean as it makes doing business in the country far too costly, former Asean secretary-general and former Thai foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan has said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674214-surin-warns-of-grave-impact-on-country-and-region-if-thailand-fails-to-tackle-corruption/

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TASW arranges Gaew Ganlaya Fashion Show to commemorate royal benevolence

BANGKOK, 13 October 2013 (NNT) - Thailand Association of Social Workers (TASW), under the Royal Patronage, has arranged Gaew Ganlaya Fashion Show in order to commemorate the royal benevolence of Princess Galyani Vadhana.

Khun Araya Arunanondchai, President of Thailand Association of Social Workers (TASW) has arranged the event at Grand Mercure Fortune hotel, Bangkok. Thanpuying Pharani Mahanonda, Her Majesty's Deputy Private Secretar,y presided over the official opening ceremony. The event wass to commemorate the royal benevolence of Princess Galyani Vadhana for the association and the disabled in the country to be able to earn a living by making handmade flowers as part time job.

Many interesting activities were held in the event, including displaying Gaew Ganlaya Flower video, singing Gaew Ganlaya song by women with visual impairment, ballroom dancing by deaf children, performance by children with autism, fashion show by honorary models and, finally, giving an award to the best-dressed guests.

Gaew Ganlaya is a blue mulberry paper flower named after Princess Galyani Vadhana. Handmade Gaew Ganlaya, symbolizing the disabled, and other relevant products are sold in the event. They are also available at Thai Disabled Development Foundation or at Thailand Association of Social Workers (TASW). All profits will be donated to the foundation and the association for the disabled.

-- NNT 2013-10-13

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Flooding at Amata Nakhon diminishes

BANGKOK, 13 October 2013 (NNT) - The flood situation at the Amata Nakhon industrial estate in Chon Buri province has returned to normalcy after the flood water was pumped out and no more rain fell.

Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) Weerapong Chaiperm said the flooding at Phase 1-9 of the industrial estate had gradually subsided. Roads were dry and traffic was back to normal. The IEAT was still pumping the flood water to the Bang Pakong river, while closely monitoring the situation.

The IEAT also assisted the flood-affected communities surrounding the industrial estate by handing out supplies to the residents.

All industrial estates had reported a normal water level, the governor said. However, the IEAT would remain vigilant due to possible effects from storms in the Pacific Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.

-- NNT 2013-10-13

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Thailand hopes to export more rice thanks to baht weakening

BANGKOK, 13 September 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Foreign Trade has increased its rice export target for 2014 to 8-10 million tons after the baht tended to continue depreciating.

According to Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade Surasak Rueangkhrua, the rice export target this year has been maintained at eight million tons since the country has already exported as much as five million tons during the past nine months. Next year’s target has been set at 8-10 million tons—60% of which would be exported via the Government-to-Government method and the rest would be sold by the private sector, he said.

Mr Surasak explained that the revised target was a result of the department’s policy to expedite the distribution of rice in stock and the country’s better competitiveness caused by the baht depreciation.

-- NNT 2013-10-13

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Flooding causes Tourism THB 700 million

BANGKOK, 13 September 2013 (NNT) - Floods have caused damage worth over 700 million baht to the tourism sector of nine provinces. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports are preparing measures to rehabilitate tourism entrepreneurs affected by the inundation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674268-flooding-causes-tourism-thb-700-million/

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UPDATE:

People commemorate 40th anniversary of Oct 14 uprising
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 13--- Survivors and relatives of deceased demonstrators and politicians who were involved in the historical demonstration on Sunday gathered at Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to mark the 40th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 uprising.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674215-1973-uprising-not-just-about-martyrdom/#entry6919160

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Health minister urges containment of dengue fever nationwide, especially in flood areas; so far over 130,000 patients, 126 deaths reported /MCOT

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Phuket Town restaurants grilled over grease traps
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Heavy pollution in the waterways throughout Phuket Town has prompted officials to lay down the law against all restaurants that do not install grease traps.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674276-phuket-town-restaurants-grilled-over-grease-traps/

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RT@191Thailand: One killed in Pattani gun attack(Bangkok Post)