Thailand Live Wednesday 30 Oct 2013

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Police Seized Viagra Coffee
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- A collaborated team of Metropolitan Police Bureau and Representative from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seizure coffee claimed to have contained Viagra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678113-police-seize-viagra-coffee-in-bangkok/

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Thailand risks Sugar Smuggling
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s cheap sugar is facing threat from sugar smuggle as it holds the cheapest retail price in the South East Asian region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678115-thailand-risks-sugar-smuggling/

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A Collision Kills One Thai Man and Injured Malaysian National in Yala
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Betong police were alerted to investigate a road accident, which a Malaysian registered car collided into a service van.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678117-car-crash-kills-thai-man-and-hurts-malaysian-national/

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Four-year-old boy killed in a road accident in Ratchaburi
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Ban Pong Police to investigate a collision between a truck and a modified motorcycle, which killed a four-year-old boy in Ratchaburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678118-four-year-old-boy-killed-in-road-accident-in-ratchaburi/

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No Tax Reduction for Brand-Name Goods: Officials
By Khaood Online



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Minister of Finance and the director of Customs Department, Ms. Benja Louicharoen, finally confirmed that the tax for luxury goods will not be cut.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678119-no-tax-reduction-for-brand-name-goods-thai-officials/

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5 Thai-Cambodian border crossings to operate longer

BANGKOK, 30 October 2013 (NNT) - The Cabinet has agreed to extend the operating time of five Thai-Cambodian permanent border crossings by three hours while efforts are being made to maintain the good relationship between the two neighboring countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678120-5-thai-cambodian-border-crossings-to-operate-longer/

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PM draws line between amnesty bill and rally crackdown case

BANGKOK, 30 October 2013 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has clarified that the government’s push for the amnesty bill is a separate issue from the search for culprits in the 2010 protest crackdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678121-pm-yingluck-draws-line-between-amnesty-bill-and-rally-crackdown-case/

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Army Chief ready to face the court

BANGKOK, 30 October 2013 (NNT) - Army Chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, stated that he was ready to face charges against the crackdown on the Red Shirt protesters - adding that he needs not be included in the amnesty bill as he was merely doing his job.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678122-thai-army-chief-ready-to-face-the-court/

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POLITICS
Amnesty anger set to explode
Niphawan Kaewrakmuk
somroutai sapsomboon
The Nation



Suthep may call for mass rallies after Somsak's rush for 2nd reading

BANGKOK: -- A MUCH-FEARED confrontation over the controversial amnesty bill being pushed by the Pheu Thai-led government appeared more likely yesterday, as Democrat Party MP Suthep Thaugsuban decided to call for rallies nationwide from tomorrow, a Democrat Party source said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678123-thai-amnesty-anger-set-to-explode/

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POLITICS
Abhisit, Suthep 'ready to face trial'
Prapasri Osathanon,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai,
The Nation



Duo threaten to counter-sue attorney general for wrongful indictment

BANGKOK: -- THE TWO top Democrats facing charges over the 2010 political mayhem declared yesterday that they were ready to face trial and fight for their corner in court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678124-abhisit-suthep-ready-to-face-trial/

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DIGITAL TV
29 firms lined up for 24 new TV channel licences
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- BROADCASTING liberalisation is set to begin as the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has 29 companies that will join its spectrum auction - the first of its kind - of 24 commercial digital terrestrial TV licences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678125-29-firms-lined-up-for-24-new-thai-tv-channel-licences/

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SUPREME PATRIARCH
Sangha set to pick new leader
Pakamard Jaichalard
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE SANGHA SUPREME Council will decide who the next Supreme Patriarch will be, but traditionally a new appointment is not made until a royal cremation for the late monk leader has taken place, an informed source revealed yesterday.

His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara passed away at the age of 100 on October 24. The source said the Sangha Supreme Council, which is made up of high-ranking monks, would convene tomorrow.

"The appointment of the new Supreme Patriarch will depend on discussions among the senior monks," the source said. "The National Office of Buddhism knows related details and procedures."

Once the council had made its choice it would relay the senior monk's name to the prime minister, who would submit the proposed new Supreme Patriarch for royal endorsement.

Tongthong Chandransu, permanent secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, also said yesterday that the National Office of Buddhism would prepare for the appointment of the new Supreme Patriarch. But he said he had no details about that.

Meanwhile, the Fine Arts Department has assigned the National Archives of Thailand to compile a chronicle about the Supreme Patriarch and his funeral.

"It will cover his history, his illness, his passing, his funeral and his royal cremation," the department's director-general, Anek Sihamat, said yesterday.


-- The Nation 2013-10-30

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SOUTH CRISIS
Police name suspects in killing of bomb-disposal officers
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- POLICE HAVE identified two suspected insurgents believed to be behind a bomb attack in Narathiwat on Monday that killed three police explosive-ordnance disposal (EOD) officers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678126-thai-police-name-suspects-in-killing-of-bomb-disposal-officers/

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STOPPAGE TIME
A thin line between 'set zero' and 'ground zero'
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- Thaksin Shinawatra has no qualms about stating the obvious, but one part of his latest interview may have taken the cake. "I can't spell 'lose'," he told a Thai-language newspaper. Although that came in the don't-push-me context, it still sounded extraordinary given all the amnesty and reconciliation noises emanating from the Pheu Thai camp. Thank you, Thaksin, but we all already knew it's a war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678127-thai-opinion-a-thin-line-between-set-zero-and-ground-zero/

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Editorial:
Truth and Amnesty
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- The stream against the Draft ‘Amnesty-for-all’ bill seems to have become stronger and stronger, not only among Thai people, but also foreigners, as the situation during the 2010 Black May resulted in the death of foreigners, too.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678128-truth-and-thai-amnesty/

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BURNING ISSUE
It's time Thai society started holding people responsible
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- DIFFERENT GROUPS have different reasons for opposing the blanket amnesty bill, which many Pheu Thai MPs are going full-steam ahead with.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678130-its-time-thai-society-started-holding-people-responsible/

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Railway chiefs plan for AEC 2015
The Nation

BANGKOK: --Railway authority heads from seven Asean countries attended the "Asean Railways CEOs' Conference" in Chiang Rai yesterday. They discussed ways that international rail links could boost regional economies and support growth from the Asean Economic Community 2015.

State Railway of Thailand board chairman Boonsom Lerthiranwong, presided over the event at Dusit Island Resort. He said that when the AEC comes into effect, the transport of goods by train would be an option to cut costs and energy consumption and help prevent global warming.

The talks also covered the Asean region's rail links to better accommodate travellers so they did not have to spend much time at transit points, he said. The railway service links would simplify travelling among the countries as well as serve goods transport and tourism.


-- The Nation 2013-10-30

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Bangkok to mark Homeless Day
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation October



BANGKOK: -- A PHOTO EXHIBITION and a series of activities will be held at a public park near Bangkok's Lod Canal tomorrow to mark the annual "Homeless Day". The event is being held under the theme "Road to Friendship, Sharing and Opportunity".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678131-bangkok-to-mark-homeless-day/

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Mastermind 'may be close to Jakkrit's wife'
Phathinya Iamtan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE MASTERMIND behind the killing of former Olympian shooter Jakkrit Panichpatikum is most likely somebody who is very close to the sportsman's wife, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678133-murder-case-mastermind-may-be-close-to-jakkrits-wife/

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Press release
100,000 US$ up for grabs in Phuket pool competition

PHUKET: -- Thailand Pool Tables is proud to host Dave Pearson, aka The Ginger Wizard, the world’s number one pool entertainer and the most exciting pool player the game has ever seen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678148-100000-us-up-for-grabs-in-phuket-pool-competition/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,456.43, gains 0.57 points /MCOT

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Thailand cannot withdraw its membership from the World Court

BANGKOK, 30 Oct 2013, (NNT) - Thailand cannot withdraw its membership from the World Court as the nation is bound by the United Nations' codes, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678167-thailand-cannot-withdraw-its-membership-from-the-world-court/

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UPDATE:

Indictment against Abhisit, Suthep to be wrapped up tomorrow
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 30 – The public prosecutor will complete an indictment against former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsubhan tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678124-abhisit-suthep-ready-to-face-trial/?p=6979965

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Naomi Campbell's skin whitened for Vogue Thailand cover
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Vogue Thailand is catching flak for a horrendous photoshop job on Naomi Campbell for their November issue cover.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678170-naomi-campbells-skin-whitened-for-vogue-thailand-cover/

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Transport Ministry rejects higher airport departure fees
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 30 – A proposal by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) to increase departure fees for domestic and international flights will likely be turned down by the Transport Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678171-thai-transport-ministry-rejects-higher-airport-departure-fees/

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Govt to inject 1.9 billion baht more to rice pledging scheme

BANGKOK, 30 October 2013 (NNT) - Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office Pakdeharn Himathongkham revealed the cabinet has approved a 1.9 billion baht fund for the rice mortgage scheme, to be specifically allocated to farmers who could not pledge their rice in time for the 2012/2013 harvesting season. The amount of rice under this scheme is estimated at 899,000 tons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678175-thai-govt-to-inject-19-billion-baht-more-to-rice-pledging-scheme/

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Industry Fair 2013 to kick off in November

BANGKOK, 30 October 2013 (NNT) – The Industry Fair 2013 is scheduled to kick off at the end of November with an aim to show Thailand’s readiness for the ASEAN Economic Community.

The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) is set to host the Industry Fair 2013 under the concept of “Green Industry for Happy Life”. The fair, according to the BOI, will act as an indicator that shows Thailand’s readiness in economy, industry, tourism, and agriculture ahead of the AEC formation, adding that the event will also push the eastern region to be an industrial hub of the country.

The Industry Fair 2013 will run from November 29th until December 1st at the Eastern National Sports Training Center in Chonburi Province. The fair will be divided into 4 zones as investment gurus will be giving out instructions and business advice in order to ready Thai entrepreneurs for the forthcoming AEC market.

Another highlight of the event will be the Japanese “Animatronics”. Animatronics is the use of mechatronics to create machines which seem animate rather than robotic.


-- NNT 2013-10-30

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Drownings and arrival cards top concerns for Chinese tourists visiting Phuket
Naraporn Tuarob


Pol Lt Col Rapeepat Utsaha at the meeting.

PHUKET: -- Safety on the island’s beaches, problems with filling out arrival cards when entering the country, and delays at Immigration are some of the problems affecting the thousands of Chinese tourists arriving on the island every day, a meeting was told on yesterday (October 29).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/678181-drownings-and-arrival-cards-top-concerns-for-chinese-tourists-visiting-phuket/

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Demand for labor would likely increase for the next 5 years

BANGKOK, 30 October 2013 (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has indicated that the nation would need 700,000 more laborers within the next 5 years.

FTI President Payungsak Chartsuttipol quoted the federation's survey on labor demands in 14 industries, as showing that the demand increases 2% annually or by about 700,000 workers by 2018. He noticed however that the figure might be even higher with the approaching ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

According to him, the highest demand for labor is seen in such labor-intensive industries as automobile, vehicle parts production, electronics and textiles.

Mr. Payungsak said workers in highest demand are those finishing grade 12, followed by those holding high vocational certificates and bachelor or equivalent specialized degrees respectively. However, the survey showed that most of the new workforce still follows main stream education while new graduates in vocational fields do not respond to the needs of industries.

The FTI president expressed his concerns that not only less and less students are choosing vocational studies, but vocational graduates also have less than desire quality. He said one contributing factor to the problem is that the schools themselves have obsolete educational materials and simply cannot keep up with the fast pace of technological advancement in the industrial sector.

He thus introduced a joint scheme by the Offices of the Private Education Commission and the Vocational Education Commission to improve vocational education curriculums through the production of a stronger generation of specialized workforce matching the need in local industries.


-- NNT 2013-10-30

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Korn, Thaworn, Issara, Siriwan resign as Democrat Party deputy leaders to fully join anti-Amnesty Bill movement /MCOT

Deputy PM Pracha: no plan to extend ISA enforcement areas, urges protesters not to violate law /MCOT