Thailand Live Thursday 24 Oct 2013

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Labor minister's condition improves; Chalerm out of ICU

BANGKOK, 24 Oct 2013 (NNT) – Doctors at Ramathibodi Hospital has revealed that Labor Minister Chalerm Yubamrung's condition has improved and no complications have been found.

According to Ramathibodi Hospital director Surasak Lila-udomlipi, Pol. Capt. Chalerm was admitted to the hospital on Monday after experiencing convulsions. The minister has been moved out of the intensive care unit and his general condition has improved. X-ray scans did not reveal hemorrhage in the brain or any other complications of concern.

Dr. Surasak indicated that medical staff at the hospital have not yet marked a date for Pol. Capt. Chalerm to be discharged. The minister's condition is being closely monitored, and developments of his condition will be further reported.


-- NNT 2013-10-24

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20 dead in Thai bus accident: police

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676688-20-dead-in-thai-bus-accident-police/

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POLITICS
Govt to 'clarify' amnesty draft
The Nation



Governors, chiefs ordered to explain 'Democratic nature' of amnesty measure

BANGKOK: -- THE INTERIOR MINISTRY will make full use of all the mechanisms at its disposal to clarify issues related to the amnesty bill, Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676730-thai-govt-to-clarify-amnesty-draft/

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GREEN
Bang Krachao property boom threatens city's 'lung'
THANAPAT KITJAKOSOL
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- As rapidly expanding property developments prompt land prices in the capital to skyrocket, the Bang Krachao area in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district - a vast, lush expanse dubbed the "lung of Bangkok" - has seen a deterioration of its pristine environment, as large amounts of its green areas are lost each year to housing estates and fruit plantations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676731-bang-krachao-property-boom-threatens-bangkoks-lung/

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LAO CRASH
Body of last Thai crash victim found
The Nation,
Vientiane Times



BANGKOK: -- The body of a fifth Thai passenger killed in a plane crash in Laos last Wednesday was found in the Mekong River yesterday, according to an official involved in the recovery operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676732-lao-crash-body-of-last-thai-crash-victim-found/

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ASIA CULTURE
The Shan Michelangelo
Jim Pollard
The Nation
Wiang Haeng, Chiang Mai


Khampang's mural at Wat Fa Wiangin. Photo by Harry Bohm

Temples along the Myanmar border are getting a new lease on life thanks to a Tai Yai artist with flair

BANGKOK: -- Wiang Haeng, in the far north, has some of Thailand's most fascinating temples. But the reason for the attractive border area's growing fame has more to do with its unusually rich history, right up to the curious repercussions of conflict in recent years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676733-asia-culture-the-shan-michelangelo/

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Nakhon Ratchasima flood remains worrisome; nearly all districts affected

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 24 Oct 2013 (NNT) – The flood situation in Nakhon Ratchasima remains worrisome, with Phimai historical park now slightly inundated by floodwater.

Although sandbags have been piled around the historic site to prevent it from the incoming deluge, water continuously flows through gaps in the barrier, forcing officials to use water pumps to drain the water away from the site.

Flooding of people's homes along Lam Takhong and Lam Baribun waterways in Mueang district expanded on Wednesday. Some gated communities in the area have become inundated, and personal vehicles were having a hard time going about.

31 out of 32 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima have been declared disaster-afflicted areas, to facilitate quicker assistance toward the flood-stricken.


-- NNT 2013-10-24

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North to experience another week of cooler weather

CHIANG MAI, 24 Oct 2013 (NNT) – Those in the Northern provinces have been warned to brace for another week of lowered temperatures.

According to the Department of Meteorology, another high pressure cell is expected to extend from central China to cover the upper part of Thailand on Thursday. This will trigger a 3-5 degrees Celsius drop in temperature in the northern provinces until Sunday. Temperatures in the Northeastern region will then follow suit; other regions of Thailand will experience temperature drops later.

On Wednesday morning, the temperature in Chiang Mai city was observed to have dropped and fog was seen in many localities. Thick fog on mountain roads reduced visibility at some spots to only 50 meters, forcing drivers to slow down. Fog also added a different ambiance at scenic areas frequented by tourists in the province. The lowest temperature at Doi Ang Khang in Fang district was recorded at 16.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.


-- NNT 2013-10-24

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EDITORIAL
No confidence in the rule of law
The Nation

There are those who are willing to bypass the law and hire contract killers because they don't believe the legal system can deliver justice

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676736-thai-editorial-no-confidence-in-the-rule-of-law/

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THAI TALK
Like politics, all economics is local
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- If you believe that all politics is local, you will have to apply that to economics as well. Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul spoke at a Harvard gathering recently about why what happens in the "emerging markets" matters. His main take: ultimately, growth depends on what happens at home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676737-thai-opinion-like-politics-all-economics-is-local/

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Ladyboy knife attack on two Japanese Tourists in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Wednesday two Japanese Tourists reported a knife attack by a Ladyboy which occurred on Walking Street to officers at Pattaya Police Station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676738-ladyboy-knife-attack-on-two-japanese-tourists-in-south-pattaya/

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Cause of fire in South Pattaya revised by Fire Investigators



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Morning Provincial Fire Investigators along with Provincial Police Forensic Officers attended the scene of a major fire which caused extensive damage to 5 buildings close to the South Pattaya entertainment area on Tuesday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676739-cause-of-fire-in-south-pattaya-revised-by-fire-investigators/

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Unilever apologies for Thai skin whitening campaign

BANGKOK, October 24, 2013 (AFP) - A Thai subsidiary of consumer goods giant Unilever apologised Wednesday for a controversial competition for students to promote its skin whitening product, saying it did not intend "racial discrimination".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676740-unilever-apologies-for-thai-skin-whitening-campaign/

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Northeast floods claim 30 lives
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Thirty people have been killed in floods that have hit four provinces in the Northeast, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676741-northeast-floods-claim-30-lives/

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Chemical blaze lights up Bang Na
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- An early morning fire broke out at a chemical-storing warehouse in Soi Sukhumvit 107 (Baring 13) in Bangkok's Bang Na district early yesterday.

It broke out at around 6am at the Tai Liang Chemical Factory, sending smoke and flames high into the air. There were no reports of death or injury.


-- The Nation 2013-10-24

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Customs claim big cigarette, booze bust
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Customs Department chief Rakhop Srisuppha-at yesterday announced the seizure of tax-evading cigarettes and alcohol drinks, allegedly smuggled by sea from Cambodia to Samut Prakan's Phra Pra Daeng Port.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676742-thai-customs-claim-big-cigarette-booze-bust/

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Bomb lobbed at home of official behind crackdown
THE NATION
PRACHIN BURI



Thap Lan National Park also wrestling with major forest encroachment issues

BANGKOK: -- A hand grenade was hurled at the residence of an assistant to the director of Thap Lan National Park early yesterday, in what could be an attempt to warn officials off strictly cracking down on a rosewood-logging and smuggling gang operating in Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676743-bomb-lobbed-at-home-of-thai-official-behind-smuggling-gang-crackdown/

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Seminar studies end to "inhumane" death penalty
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperation with Thailand's Ministry of Justice has been holding a seminar in Bangkok on moving away from the death penalty in Southeast Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676744-bangkok-seminar-studies-end-to-inhumane-death-penalty/

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Drug dispute ruled out in probe of Jakkrit murder, police say
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan Police chief Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank said yesterday that a drug conflict had been ruled out as a possible motive for the shooting murder of Olympian marksman Jakkrit Panichpatikum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676746-drug-dispute-ruled-out-in-probe-of-jakkrit-murder-bangkok-police-say/

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BURNING ISSUE
May be time for Democrats to stand on the front line
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- THE DEMOCRAT Party has been holding its "Reveal the Truth" rallies for a while now, but maybe the time has come for it to mobilise the masses to oust the government on the back of the questionable amnesty bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676747-may-be-time-for-thai-democrats-to-stand-on-the-front-line/

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Army seeks to 'talk' to Cambodians across border
The Nation



Loudspeakers installed in several sites in si sa ket ahead of landmark ruling

BANGKOK: -- LOUDSPEAKERS HAVE been installed by the Thai military at several locations in Si Sa Ket province adjacent to Preah Vihear Temple in readiness for the landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on land surrounding the ancient site.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676748-thai-army-seeks-to-talk-to-cambodians-across-border/

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Merkel calls Obama about 'US spying on her phone'

BERLIN: -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called US President Barack Obama after receiving information that the US may have spied on her mobile phone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676753-merkel-calls-obama-about-us-spying-on-her-phone/

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UPDATE:
21 killed, 19 injured when chartered bus plunges into roadside ravine in Lampang
THE NATION

LAMPANG: -- A chartered bus taking merit makers back home from a temple plunged into a roadside ravine Sunday night, killing 21 people and injuring 19 others.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676688-20-dead-in-thai-bus-accident-police/page-2#entry6957258

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Govt auctioning 140,000 tonnes of rice tomorrow
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 24 – Over 20 rice traders are keen to bid on the government’s new batch of 140,000 tonnes of premium quality rice, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676770-thai-govt-auctioning-140000-tonnes-of-rice/

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Pheu Thai Party prepares alternative if Amnesty Bill is rejected
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 24 – Pheu Thai leader Charupong Ruangsuwan said the ruling party was determined to pass the Amnesty Bill into law and, if it failed, the alternative was to issue a royal decree to fulfill the party’s desire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676772-pheu-thai-party-prepares-alternative-if-amnesty-bill-is-rejected/

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Thai stock index opens on Thusday at 1,447.61, down 9.75 points /MCOT

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Phuket: Alleged murderer arrested in Patong after five years on the run
Eakkapop Thongtub

Danai Thonglaima was arrested on Tuesday.

PHUKET: -- An alleged murderer from Phitsanulok, who had been on the run from police for more than five years, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon (October 22) after he was found to be working in a hotel in Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676777-phuket-alleged-murderer-arrested-in-patong-after-five-years-on-the-run/

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UPDATE:
23 killed in Lampang bus accident
By English News



LAMPANG, Oct 24 -- A chartered bus rented for a group of merit makers plunged into a ravine in the northern province of Lampang, killing 23 passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676688-20-dead-in-thai-bus-accident-police/page-3#entry6957634

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Officials confirm no deaths from Phuket SuperCheap fire as search ends
Naraporn Tuarob


SuperCheap after the fire.

PHUKET: -- Officials have confirmed after an extensive search of the SuperCheap site that nobody died or was injured in last Wednesday’s fire which destroyed the megastore on Thepkrassattri Rd in Phuket Town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676536-phuket-governor-calls-off-supercheap-fire-site-search-announces-no-deaths/#entry6957747

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Singapore cancels ban on Thai chicken

BANGKOK, 24 October 2013 (NNT) – Singapore, after 9 years, has decided to lift the ban of Thai chicken imports allowing Thai frozen chicken into the country once again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676787-singapore-cancels-ban-on-thai-chicken/