38 bodies recovered from Mekong, 14 identified
The Sunday Nation

A Lao woman, left, is comforted by a Thai woman yesterday at a Chinese temple in Pakse

LAOS: -- Some 38 bodies of victims from the Lao Airlines crash have been retrieved from the Mekong River, which the ill-fated Flight QV301 plunged into last Wednesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675817-38-bodies-recovered-from-mekong-14-identified/

Amnesty bill change slammed
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Critics and red shirts unhappy with plan to absolve all post-coup offenders

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675819-amnesty-bill-change-slammed/

Urupong protest 'led by students not politicians'
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Sunday Nation

Students from the Urupong protest group offer flowers to local residents around their anti-government rally site as part of moves to build good ties and retain support with

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675820-urupong-protest-led-by-students-not-politicians/

Frustrated father in struggle to free his wrongly accused son
Visith Chuanpipatpong
The Sunday Nation

Narathiwat man says he would have backed insurgents because of delayed justice

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675821-frustrated-father-in-struggle-to-free-his-wrongly-accused-son/

No change in Japanese visa
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul yesterday dismissed as rumour a social media report that Japan would again require visas for Thai nationals, as a large number of Thai tourists had exploited the no-visa rule by staying illegally in Japan.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675822-no-change-in-japanese-visa-for-thais/

Flooding still playing havoc in more than 46 provinces
The Sunday Nation

A total of 73 people have been killed in floods that have hit 46 provinces since mid-September, with floodwater still inundating 22 provinces, affecting more than 704,952 people, said Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chatchai Promlert yesterday.

Heavy downpours in Nakhon Ratchasima have left the province struggling, with Muang district under 104 millimetres of rain - leading to flooding in numerous areas, including Nong Bua Sala sub-district, where floodwaters average between 50cm to 80cm in depth.

The rising Mun River has also put Phimai district on alert, after low-lying riverside homes were hit by flooding up to a metre deep. Downstream, Buri Ram province - which has already had five flood-related deaths and 258,597 villagers affected by the floods - officials urged residents in Phutthaisong, Satuek, Khu Mueang and Khaen Dong districts to brace for run-off from Nakhon Ratchasima and move belongings to higher ground.

-- The Nation 2013-10-20

Subsidence forces authorities to close roads
The Sunday Nation

CHIANG RAI: -- Subsidence in Chiang Rai's Mae Fa Luang district prompted authorities to seek the provincial governor's permission yesterday to declare the area a "danger zone" and close roads in the area to traffic.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675824-subsidence-forces-authorities-to-close-roads/

SuperCheap smoke, foul smell affecting Phuket residents
The Sunday Nation

Phuket administrative organisation member Kanthapat Pisitkhunanon yesterday urged related agencies to speedily clear up the 30-rai (4.8 hectare) area devastated by the island's largest-ever fire at the main SuperCheap store. He said smoke and foul smells were coming from the site due to chemical-polluted water - and this was a serious hazard for nearby residents.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675825-supercheap-smoke-foul-smell-affecting-phuket-residents/

Japanese model being considered for disaster management
Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry is eyeing the operations of a model hospital in Japan with the intention of incorporating its disaster-management procedures into the Thai healthcare system, while Japan's Disaster Management Assistant Team (DMAT) is also being considered as a model for Thai rescue teams.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675826-japanese-model-being-considered-for-disaster-management/

-- The Nation 2013-10-20

Injured dolphin washes up in Karon
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A female striped dolphin was rushed to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre at 5.30am today after being washed up on shore.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675833-injured-dolphin-washes-up-in-karon/

Raging fire ravages Karon Plaza

Eakkapop Thongtub

Raging fire ravages Karon Plaza

PHUKET: Over B500,000 worth of damage to stock was caused this morning when a fire broke out at the Karon Plaza.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675834-raging-fire-ravages-karon-plaza/

Business Man Stuck For Over 3 Hrs In His Sports Car

PATTAYA:--A young business man was helped after he was stuck inside his Mercedes-Benz sports car at the parking lot of the Central Festival mall.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675836-business-man-stuck-inside-his-sports-car-at-central-mall-for-three-hours/

30,000 Thai workers for Qatar?
By Dr Arno Maierbrugger
investvine.com

As reported by Gulf Times on October 17, an agreement is set to be signed this month between Thailand’s labour ministry and officials from Qatar to send no less than 30,000 Thai workers to Qatar to fill labour shortages in Qatar’s busy infrastructure, transport and construction sector. The people are supposed to work in various fields such as architecture and engineering, and the labour brigade would also include technical experts and crew for the country’s flagship airline Qatar Airways.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675848-30000-thai-workers-for-qatar/

Phuket Opinion: A festival full of firecrackers

Honoring one’s ancestors is one thing, but setting off large, dangerous fireworks for sheer fun is another thing entirely. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: Credit must be given where it is clearly due: to the authorities who arrested more than 20 people for the illegal use or sale of dangerous fireworks during the recently concluded Vegetarian Festival.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675851-phuket-opinion-a-festival-full-of-firecrackers/

Phuket Opinion: New top cop staying tough on drugs
Phuket Gazette -

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Ong-art Phiwruangnont plans to stamp out drugs on the island. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

The new Phuket Provincial Police Commander, Ong-art Phiwruangnont, 59, is from Yasothon. He graduated from the Royal Police Cadet Academy and has spent his entire career in the police force. Before coming to Phuket, Maj Gen Ong-art was Provincial Police Commander in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Here he talks about why his priority is eradicating drugs from Phuket, and why gambling should be legalized.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675853-phuket-opinion-new-top-cop-staying-tough-on-drugs/

Thai, Myanmar Buddhists attend Tak Bat Devo Festival despite rain
By English News

CHIANG RAI, Oct 20, Thai and Myanmar Buddhists in this northern province this morning participated in the Tak Bat Devo Festival commemorating the end of Buddhist Lent yesterday.

Residents along the Thai-Myanmar border in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district and Myanmar's Tha Chi Lek province attended the event along Phaholyothin Road despite rainy conditions.

Tak Bat Devo comes from the word 'Devorohana' which means the day the Buddha returned from his visit to his mother in Tavatimsa Heaven. As the legend goes, the villagers of Sung Gus Nakorn were very delighted at the Buddha's return so they came to give food offerings to him.

In Lamphun, hundreds of people made merit and gave alms to monks at the famous local Wat Phrathat Haripunchai Temple under the rain and cool weather, while in Pichit province, thousands of Buddhists attended a religious ceremony at a local temple in the provincial seat where the Buddha's footprint is situated.

Meanwhile, in the southern province of Songkhla, around one thousand people joined the Tak Bat Devo Festival where 199 monks lined up to receive alms in the provincial seat. Some of the items offered to monks by Buddhists will be later donated to local temples in Songkhla's four districts bordering the three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

The religious ceremony is celebrated countrywide, including in the southern provinces of Phuket and Nakhon Si Thammarat as well as the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-10-20

Flash flood inundates 10 households in Krabi provincial seat; 100 rai of palm, rubber plantations affected; water level reaches 1m high /MCOT

Dusit Poll: 80% of Thais feel more patriotic towards ICJ case of Phra Viharn ruling on Nov 11, out of fear of losing territory to Cambodia /MCOT

UPDATE:

Safety net for Phuket SuperCheap staff after blaze
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Employees of the razed SuperCheap store may continue working or resign and receive unemployment compensation, it was announced in Phuket on Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675706-woman-reported-missing-after-phuket-supercheap-fire-found-safe/?p=6942514#entry6942514

Mittraphap Rd (Pak Chong-Sikiew) under 50-80cm water affecting inbound traffic to BKK /MCOT

Nut starts fire in Khlong Toey
By Coconuts Bangkok

The fire in Khlong Toey could be seen from high rises around Bangkok. Photo: Matthew Laino

BANGKOK: -- A fire last night in Khlong Toey district was reportedly started by a man named Nut who poured fuel on his house and set it alight after an argument with his wife.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675862-nut-starts-fire-in-khlong-toey/

Monkey Mistaken For Dead Baby
By Khaosod Online:

The small dead body which local residents in Udonthani province understood to be an abandoned infant has been identified as a monkey.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675865-monkey-mistaken-for-dead-baby/

UPDATE:

Philippine quake death toll climbs to 185

Manila - The death toll rose to 185 Sunday from the worst earthquake to hit the Philippines in two decades as authorities began the task of rehabilitating devastated areas.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674658-magnitude-72-earthquake-hits-philippines;-at-least-four-dead/#entry6942621

Phuket's steamy underbelly is out on top

PHUKET: Phuket is struggling to balance its new naughty side against its traditional image as a tropical paradise and for now, it looks like the dark side is winning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675868-phukets-steamy-underbelly-is-out-on-top/

The young children of an Adelaide couple have narrowly avoided being kidnapped during a family holiday in Thailand.

KOH CHANG: -- The couple, James and Naomi Strange had just arrived at the island resort of Ko Chang a fortnight ago when an unidentified woman attempted to take their daughters Milly, 7, and Alannah, 3.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675871-two-young-children-narrowly-avoided-being-kidnapped-on-a-thailand-holiday/

Most people see amnesty bill as cause of political conflicts: survey

BANGKOK: -- Most people see that the amnesty bill, which is being vetted by a special House panel, would become a cause of political violence, a survey by Abac Poll of Assumption University has found.

Abac Poll said 80.3 per cent of respondents said yes when asked whether they think the bill was be a cause of political violence while 19.7 per cent did not think so.

The survey was conducted from October 15to 19 among 1,488 respondents.

The survey found that 70.1 per cent of respondents were worried that violence would occur during the next month while 29.9 per cent did not worry so.

-- The Nation 2013-10-20

PM to hold meeting tomorrow on Phra Viharn ruling
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 20 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will hold a meeting tomorrow with related agencies on the Phra Viharn ruling next month, according to Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675874-pm-to-hold-meeting-tomorrow-on-phra-viharn-ruling/

Special Report: Permission to function in Phuket
Phuket Gazette -

WORK PERMIT: But what exactly is 'work'?

PHUKET: The separate arrests of a German man and a Swiss man at their homes in Chalong late last month by Immigration officials sent a chill through the law-abiding expat community in Phuket.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/675878-special-report-permission-to-function-in-phuket/

Wide range of baht movement expected
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai currency should move in the range of 30.80-31.20 per US dollar next week, as the market will fall under the influence of economic indicators in several countries, said Kasikorn Research Centre.

Next week, to be released in the US includes the non-farm payroll in September, consumer confidence index in October, durable goods orders and home sales.

Thailand’s preliminary trade figures for September will also be released as well as the Bank of Thailand’s revised economic forecast for 2013.

Early last week, the baht strengthened to 31 per US dollar as the world awaited good news on debt ceiling talks in the US. It ended at 31.04 last week, compared to 31.25 in the previous week.

-- The Nation 2013-10-20