IN MEMORIAM OF SUPREME PATRIARCH
Followers flock to temple to pay their last respects to His Holiness
PAKAMAS JAICHALARD,
TANATPONG KONGSAI
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- A THRONG of loving disciples and people adorned in black attended Bangkok's Wat Bowonnives Vihara Temple yesterday, the first day that members of the public could pay their respects to His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Rattanakosin, who died on Thursday aged 100.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677419-followers-flock-to-temple-to-pay-their-last-respects-to-his-holiness/

POLITICS
Amnesty bill readings postponed to mid-Nov
PRAPHAN JINDALERTUDOMDEE,
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN,
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE HOUSE of Representatives is expected to deliberate the Amnesty Bill in the second and third readings in mid-November at the earliest, chief government whip Aumnuay Khlangpha said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677421-amnesty-bill-readings-postponed-to-mid-nov/

Police ex-chief Chalor freed after 19 years jail
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- DISGRACED FORMER police commissioner Chalor Kerdthes, who was at the centre of the infamous Saudi Blue Diamond case, was freed yesterday after serving 19 years in Bang Kwang Prison for his involvement in abduction and double murders in 1994, a senior Corrections Department official said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677422-police-ex-chief-chalor-freed-after-19-years-jail/

CRIME
Rare modified gun used to kill Jakkrit: forensic chief
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Forensic Science Police chief Pol Maj-Gen Kamrob Panyakaew revealed yesterday that the five bullets which killed former Olympian marksman Jakkrit Panichpatikum on October 19, were manufactured in Russia and came from a modified gun.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677423-rare-modified-gun-used-to-kill-jakkrit-forensic-chief/

Pattaya faces crime crackdown
THANAPAT KITJAKOSOL
THE SUNDAY NATION October 27, 2013 1:00 am

POLICE TO ADD OFFICERS IN BID TO LOWER VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN SEASIDE RESORT

PATTAYA: -- IN A MOVE to fight widespread crime, especially that which targets foreigners in Pattaya - the resort town which attracts more than 9 million tourists a year - the local administration says it has joined hands with police to launch a larger crime-busting force.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677424-pattaya-faces-crime-crackdown/

'Parents, sex tourists prey on children'
THE SUNDAY NATION

PATTAYA: -- Child prostitution in Pattaya will flourish as long as the number of homeless children - both Thai and foreign - remains high and they continue to be exploited by sex tourists and parents who sell their children into the trade, says Human Help Network Foundation Thailand (HHN) director Kanjanas Memanas.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677425-parents-tourists-prey-on-children/

More rain forecast for southern provinces
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- People living in six southern provinces should brace for heavy rains, possible flash floods and runoff today and tomorrow, Songkhla weather bureau reported yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677426-more-rain-forecast-for-southern-provinces/

TAT to lure more foreign tourists
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will take 69 tourism-related operators, mainly hoteliers, to join the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, to promote its service as a way to keep and expand its tourist base at the time of economic uncertainty in Europe.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677427-tat-to-lure-more-foreign-tourists/

Northern line won't reopen until November 30
The Sunday Nation
October 27, 2013 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Prapat Chongsa-nguan announced yesterday that the northern railway line, which is currently undergoing repairs, will resume services on November 30.

The extra 30-day suspension of services for the 300-kilometre stretch from Sila-at Station in Uttaradit to Chiang Mai was due to worse-than-expected damage to sleepers and tracks, Prapat said. He said the SRT wanted to ensure the track was 100 per cent safe for passengers before it was reopened.

Flooding had also aggravated delays, as many SRT employees needed to return to their homes urgently to deal with rising floodwater, he said.

-- The Nation 2013-10-27

UPDATE:

Elephant rally at Govt House called off after talks
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Mahouts postponed plans for an elephant rally at Government House in Bangkok today - along with plans to blockade roads in southern and northern Thailand - following what they called "satisfactory talks" with Deputy Prime Minister General Pracha Promnog on Friday evening at Ayuthaya's elephant corral.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/676991-mahouts-fight-against-elephant-ownership-bill/#entry6967630

Rungson vows to review rice scheme loss
SUPHANNEE POOTPISUT
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- The man set to become the new permanent secretary at the Finance Ministry says he will review the amount lost under the government's controversial rice-pledging scheme.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677428-rungson-vows-to-review-rice-scheme-loss/

-- The Nation 2013-10-27

Phuket Opinion: SuperCheap inferno inevitable
Phuket Gazette -

MIRACLE ON THEPKRASATTRI STREET: Just one thing left to tidy it all up. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: We find astonishing the surprising lack of reaction to the catastrophe that took place last week, when the entire SuperCheap complex on Thepkrasattri Road in Rassada went up in a fireball more closely resembling a World War II firebombing than a scene on a tropical resort island.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677430-phuket-opinion-supercheap-inferno-inevitable/

RT@RichardBarrow: For over an hour now, 1000's of Thai Buddhists have been giving alms to monks on boats in Lat Krabang pic.twitter.com/MaonBMHOmR

Phuket Police searching for karaoke assault gang
Phuket Gazette -

Wicharn Mueanprasart, 34, receives treatment for a knife wound to his forehead. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: Police are on the lookout for a gang of youths wanted for a vicious attack on two men outside a karaoke bar in Thalang early yesterday morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677441-phuket-police-searching-for-karaoke-assault-gang/

Baby elephant seized at Phuket trekking camp
Phuket Gazette -

Phang Sutjai, 18 months old, was smuggled into Phuket to be trained to work in the elephant-trekking industry. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Local wildlife conservation officials yesterday seized an 18-month-old elephant at a camp in Phuket after the infant pachyderm was smuggled onto the island.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677442-baby-elephant-seized-at-phuket-trekking-camp/

Woman Killed When Driving Motorbike Against Traffic and Hitting Iranian


Two Thai women took their friend back home, then drove their motorbike against the traffic flow, so they collided violently with the motorbike of an Iranian man, resulting in the woman driving dying immediately and the other people being injured.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677445-woman-killed-when-driving-motorbike-against-traffic-and-hitting-iranian/

Phuket tour bus slams into motorists, shophouse; 'brake failure' cited, again
Phuket Gazette -

Bus driver Chuchart Wornwanitcha, 64, says he thought it better to ram the shopfront than to keep going without brakes. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Three people were injured when a Phuket tour bus slammed into traffic waiting at the busy Slaughterhouse Intersection in Phuket Town just after midday yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677446-phuket-tour-bus-slams-into-motorists-shophouse;-brake-failure-cited-again/

Southern rubber growers block road, urging talks with government
By English News

PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN, Oct 26 - Rubbers growers from 16 southern provinces blocked road in this seaside province, demanding talk with government to solve falling rubber prices.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677453-southern-rubber-growers-block-road-urging-talks-with-government/

RT@191Thailand: Two wounded in Yala attack (Bangkok Post)

Hundreds gather to support same-sex marriage in Vietnam

Hanoi - Around 300 people gathered in central Hanoi early Sunday for staged weddings as a protest in support of same-sex marriage ahead of a parliamentary debate.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677487-hundreds-gather-to-support-same-sex-marriage-in-vietnam/

Well-known Phuket expat Richard Cracknell dies
Claire Connell

Richard Cracknell at the Living Food Cafe.

PHUKET: Well-known Phuket man Dr Richard Cracknell, a chiropractor, acupuncturist, athlete and owner of the Wellness House and the Living Food raw cafe on the island, died in America this week.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677499-well-known-phuket-expat-richard-cracknell-dies/

National police chief orders security beef-up at PM's house as Thai Patriots Network plan to rally there; police provide area near Soi Yothinpattani 3 for protesters /MCOT

Prachuab Khiri Khan governor imposes Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act to maintain order following rubber grower protest, advises motorists to use Bangsaphan-Nong Hat Thai route to avoid blockade /MCOT

RT@191Thailand: A Bangkok-Yala train crashed I to a pick-up truck killing three people.

Security beefed up at PM's home for anti-government rally
By English News

BANGKOK, Oct 27- Security has been tightened at the home of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatr today as protesters from the Thai Patriots Network announced their rally there.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677506-security-beefed-up-at-pms-home-for-anti-government-rally/

Tourism Authority of Thailand postpones Loy Krathong celebration in Bangkok, main provinces, until end of mourning for the Supreme Patriarch /MCOT

UPDATE:

Disaster Act imposed to control rubber grower protest
By English News

PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN, Oct 27 - Thailand's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act has been imposed in this seaside province to maintain law and order as rubber growers continued their rally and blocked the main road leading to the southern region.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/677453-southern-rubber-growers-block-road-urging-talks-with-government/#entry6969526

Thai Patriots Network ends protest near PM's house after negotiation with police; waiting for talk with PM within one week or protesters will return to submit letter at her home /MCOT

RT@Tulip_Oum: 4:44PM Bangkok: protesters at Urupong intersection move out to middle of the road, traffic congested.-@fm91trafficpro