Thailand Live Tuesday 27 May 2014

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,391.99, gains 3.70 points /MOCT

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Phitsanulok farmers start planting rice as rainy season arrives

PHITSANULOK, 27 May 2014 (NNT) - Local farmers of Phitsanulok Province have started growing rice as the rainy season arrives.

Rice farmers of Bang Rakam District in the province began preparing their farmland with ploughs following a couple of rainy days in the area which have helped moisten the soil ready for the planting season.

Mrs. Ngern Jubkeaw, a native of Bang Rakam and owner of a 22 rai farmland, said that the rain has softened the soil, a blessing for seeding. She said that the planting season could have started a month ago; however, the unusually hot summer during the past few weeks had proven unfavorable for agriculture as it caused various canals to dry up.

She has chosen to plant Jasmine fragrant rice, saying the crops bear the most expensive price tag in the market.


-- NNT 2014-05-27

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China expects continuity in Thai ties
By Digital Content

BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- China hopes that communication and cooperation with Thailand will continue despite changes of the political situation, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said Monday.

Qin told a daily press briefing that the Chinese embassy in Thailand has been operating as usual and performing its due duties, but he declined to offer any details about the contact between China and Thailand.

"We are watching the situation closely," Qin said.

He said as a friendly neighbor of Thailand, China hopes that all parties will show restraint and resolving issues through dialogue and consultation.

The Thai military on Thursday seized control of the country following months of unrest and widespread protests in capital city Bangkok and other parts of the nation.

The military announced on Saturday that it had detained ousted Thai premier Yingluck Shinawatra, former cabinet ministers and protest leaders.

Thai Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday promised to appoint an interim Prime Minister and set up cabinet, but did not give any timeframe. (Xinhua)


-- TNA 2014-05-27

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NCPO: Economic policies will be announced next week

BANGKOK, 27 May 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) says the state budget for the next fiscal year will be decided on within the normal schedule and that it will announce its economic policies next week.

Deputy NCPO Chief Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, who is in charge of economic affairs, said after his meeting with the Finance Ministry that the economic policies he discussed will be announced in the following week, adding that the next fiscal budget plan, which starts on October 1st, would be drawn up as usual.

As for the rice scheme, he said payments of 90 billion baht to rice farmers under the rice pledging program would help boost economic growth by 0.2 percentage point this year.

Meanwhile, Somchai Sujjapongse, Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, has disclosed that the NCPO will roll over corporate, income and valued-added tax rate cuts, which would otherwise expire this year, and has no plans to impose any capital controls.

He also made known that the military government would go ahead with some projects now halted under the 2 trillion baht infrastructure and 350 billion baht water management plans.

-- NNT 2014-05-27

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Indian woman caught at Suvarnabhumi Airport smuggling drugs

BANGKOK, 27 May 2014 (NNT) - Customs officials at Suvarnabhumi International Airport have arrested an Indian woman who was found to be smuggling 1.62 kilograms of crystallized methamphetamine or ‘ya ice’ worth a total of 6.5 million baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729452-indian-woman-caught-at-suvarnabhumi-airport-smuggling-162-kg-ya-ice/

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A Vietnamese fishing boat sunk after it was run into by a Chinese vessel amid ongoing territorial dispute in S.China Sea /The Nation

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Navy chief meets Permanent Secretaries to outline work; 1st Army Region Commander seeking pesons failing to report on NCPO orders /MCOT

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RT @leesebkk: #Thailand's MICT officials claim no pressure yet placed on department to crackdown on websites critical of coup. "We follow process"

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Thai coup’s effect on Cambodian tourism still uncertain



BANGKOK: -- The Cambodia Daily reported that the Sports and Tourism Ministry of Thailand has been biting its nails since the country’s military declared a coup on Thursday and imposed a nighttime curfew, but a Cambodian official said Sunday that it is too soon to say whether the lock-down will have a knock-on effect on tourism across the border.

The newspaper quoted Pornthip Hirunkate, the vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, as saying in a press interview on Saturday that warnings against travel issued by foreign embassies would serve as a grave threat to the country’s tour­ism industry.

He said more than 50 nations have already issued travel warnings to avoid visiting the country. “We need to have a new government as soon as possible. If not…we eventually would suffer a greater negative impact.”

In Cambodia, however, Tith Chantha, a director-general in the Ministry of Tourism, said the only group of tourists whose numbers have dropped in the wake of last week’s coup was Thai nationals.

“Thai tourists have definitely declined, but there has been no decline in other guests entering the country,” Mr. Chantha said.

Asked whether that could change if military rule in Thailand was prolonged, Mr. Chantha was circumspect. “Let’s wait and see,” he said.

Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, said that the situation in Thailand and the perception it creates internationally could ultimately lead to an increase in tourists coming to Cambodia.

Source:http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai-coups-effect-cambodian-tourism-still-uncertain/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-27

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Vietnam hopes for stability in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Vietnam hopes Thailand will stabilise its situation soon in order to ensure peace, stability and co-operation in the region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Le Hai Binh said on Saturday.

As Thailand’s neighbour and fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Vietnam was watching the developments in Thailand with keen attention, the official added.

The same day, the Consulate Department under the ministry warned Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Thailand if it was not essential.

The Vietnamese community in Thailand was told to abide by the provisions issued by local authorities and contact Vietnam’s representative offices in the country if in need of assistance.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/vietnam-hopes-stability-thailand/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-27

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Yala Fisheries Department holds a fish fair

YALA 27 May 2014 (NNT) — The Yala Fisheries Department is holding a fish fair to help instill a sense of environmental protection among local Thais.

The Yala fish fair is designed to promote the protection of the environment and showcase the southern region’s finest fish. The fish fair is taking place around Yala’s City Hall with more than 50 species of fish on display.

The venue also hosts a fish spa in which participants can have a type of cleaning fish nibble their feet clean for 20-30 minutes. Prices range from 20-30 baht for both children and adults.

An official with Yala’s Department of Fisheries, Bantueng Chotechuang stated that the events will continue until 4th June, 2014 and be a showcase for Thailand’s beautiful fish, as well as fish that are of economic importance to the country. Mr. Bantueng further commented that he hoped the fair would encourage the local people to care more about the abundance of fish in Thailand's waters and protect their natural habitats.


-- NNT 2014-05-27

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RT @Tulip_Oum: 10.50AM former Democrat MPs, Rungsima and Wittaya have arrived at army club to report.-@Phop_NTV

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LONDON - Britain is reviewing its military relationship with Thailand following a coup last week, a spokesman for the Foreign Office said. /Bangkok Post

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Angthong locals use widow’s panties to stop rain
By Coconuts Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729466-angthong-locals-use-widows-panties-to-stop-rain/

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BMA to repair roads after protesters return home

BANGKOK, 27 May 2014 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to carry out repairs on Ratchadamnoen Avenue following the months-long occupation by the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) has ordered protesters of different sides of the political conflict to end their protests and return home last Thursday. In addition to causing severe traffic congestion, the rallies on the avenue have rendered the surrounding areas slightly damaged.

BMA officials found that lamp posts sustained minor damage. More road surveys will be carried out to determine if road surface has been damaged following the protests.

The BMA said the lights and the streets will be repaired and restored to their original shape and appearance before Mother’s Day on August 12 rolls around.

-- NNT 2014-05-27

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Criminal Court moves the hearing of the case on the PAD’s seizure of airports to December 15th

BANGKOK, 27 May 2014 (NNT) - The Criminal Court has agreed to postpone the examination of evidence in the case relating to the seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to December 15th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729473-court-moves-the-hearing-of-the-case-on-the-pads-seizure-of-airports-to-dec-15/

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Phuket Gov set to tackle stinking Kamala klong
Suthicha Sirirat


Filthy water collects in a pool right in front of the new Novotel at the north end of the beach.

PHUKET: -- Conditions on Kamala Beach have worsened in the past couple of weeks, with a growing stink of sewage, and slime and algae covering large areas of the beach, the result of unrestricted dumping of foul waste water into the klong at the south end of the beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729476-phuket-gov-set-to-tackle-stinking-kamala-klong/

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Junta says all freed persons must strictly comply with conditions



BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) says all the individuals summoned to report and later freed must strictly comply with its release conditions.

Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwari said all persons who were summoned by the NCPO and later freed after being held in custody for a certain period must strictly comply with the release conditions.

This also was applied to the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, he said.

But he declined to say if the NCPO has assigned troops to keep watch on her or not as it was a delicate issue.

He said all have to strictly abide by the conditions.
He made clear that the individuals summoned to report to the NCPO had either direct and indirect connection with the unrest.

He said these were judged from their shown aggressive views which could lead to incite unrest and violence.

He also said there were three groups of people who were summoned to report.
For those who were summoned and detained, the military would take no more than a week to make understanding with them and freed them with conditions.

He said all the PDRC leaders also could not leave the country.

But he said he could not yet know how many individuals remained defiant to the order to report.

However the have until Tuesday noon to report.

According to the order Monday night, those who remain defiant, the could have all their financial transactions and asset transfers frozen, in addition to two years in prison and a 40,000 baht fine.

Meanwhile the First Army held a meeting with the police today to pursue those who still defy order to report.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/junta-says-freed-persons-must-strictly-comply-conditions/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-27

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Train services to Sungai Kolok resume on June 1

BANGKOK, 27 May 2014 (NNT) - Thailand's south-bound trains are set to resume service on June 1, following bomb attacks in Narathiwat earlier this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729479-train-services-to-sungai-kolok-resume-on-june-1/

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3rd Army Region meets to discuss NPOC measures

MUKDAHAN 27 May 2014 (NNT) — The 3rd Army Region has held a meeting with related officials in Mukdahan province to discuss the policy of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

The 3rd Army Region yesterday held a meeting with local Mukdahan officials and related agencies in order to clarify and create more understanding of the NCPO’s orders and regulations.

The meeting also addressed the issue of the province’s local radio stations, stressing that certain rules and regulations must be adhered to by the local media to ensure peace and order within the province.

Local government and related officials in the province have reportedly been fully cooperating with the army and strictly followed the NCPO’s orders accordingly.


-- NNT 2014-05-27

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Chinese vessels attack, sink VN boat



BANGKOK: -- A Chinese ship coded 11209 yesterday sank a Vietnamese fishing boat with 10 members on board. The incident happened in Vietnamese waters, according to Viet Nam News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729480-chinese-vessels-attack-sink-vn-boat/

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NCPO identifies instigator of anti-coup protests

BANGKOK, 27 May 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has concluded that an individual authority figure is responsible for inciting people through social media to oppose the coup.

Colonel Natthawat Chan-charoen, the NCPO deputy spokesman, announced that a businessman who owns illegal arcade machines, is the person funding the anti-coup movement. Each person was reportedly paid around 400 to 1,000 baht per day to come out onto the streets.

There has been a group of people regularly joining a protest at Victory Monument. To ensure peace and order, the Army would first attempt to negotiate with them to stop their movement.

However, if they continue staging protests or ever instigate riots, then the Army may use more extreme measures to disperse the crowd. Should anybody defy the Army’s curfew then they would also be guilty of violating martial law and be subjected to imprisonment.


-- NNT 2014-05-27

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Nigeria army knows location of abducted girls
English.news.cn

ABUJA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's military have acquired the location of the schoolgirls abducted in April, but could not rescue them by force for fear of civilian casualty, local media reported on Monday, citing Defence Chief Alex Badeh.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729481-nigeria-army-knows-location-of-abducted-girls/

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Bangkok: Immigration At Chaeng Wattana Opening On June 2nd

Info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729475-immigration-at-chaeng-wattana-opening-on-june-2nd/

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Soldiers keep close watch at venues in Chachoengsao Province

CHACHOENGSAO, 27 May 2014 (NNT) - Military personnel at Chachoengsao Province have dispatched police officers to conduct patrols at entertainment venues during curfew hours, imposed after the Army’s declaration of a coup.

Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Regiment (King’s Guard) have sent patrol police to monitor entertainment complexes, after a couple of them had refused to abide by the Army’s curfew from 10pm to 5am.

Therefore, the Army has asked the owners of these places, to close their businesses so that citizens could return home safely.

Meanwhile, security checkpoints across Chachoengsao province have been relatively quiet with just a few commuters passing through the area.


-- NNT 2014-05-27

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CHIANG MAI
Selfies with soldiers become part of daily life


Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- Soldiers deployed at many spots in downtown Chiang Mai are becoming increasingly popular with both tourists and local residents who pose with them for selfies.

The most popular spots are Three Kings Monuments, the Phae Gate, and Chang Puak Gate. At least 200 people are taking selfies each day.

Since the military seized power in a coup last Thursday, snatching selfies with soldiers and tanks has become trendy in many places in Thailand and the soldiers seem happy to comply.

Tourists and local residents are also showing their support by giving offering food, soft drinks and energy drinks and necessities to the soldiers.

The army has set up a tourism service post from which medical services and information are provided. The mobile medical units at Phae Gate and Huet Kaew Fitness Park are providing check ups and medications.


-- The Nation 2014-05-27

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European rice trader places large order for Roi Et jasmine rice
By Digital Content



ROI ET, May 27 -- A leading European rice trading company has ordered the first lot of Thai organic jasmine rice produced in the northeastern province of Roi Et after observing the non-toxic rice farm production process here.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729489-european-rice-trader-places-large-order-for-roi-et-jasmine-rice/

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Chaturon's sister reports to NCPO

BANGKOK: -- Former Pheu Thai MP Thitima Chaisang reported herself to the National Council for Peace and Order at the Army Auditorium Tuesday.

She was among prominent figures summoned earlier but she reported herself just Tuesday together with those summoned Monday night.

Her brother, ousted education minister, Chaturon Chaisang refused to observe the summon issued by the military junta.


-- The Nation 2014-05-27

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USA Fair 2014 postponed

BANGKOK: -- The USA Fair 2014, the annual fair to promote American brands, will be postponed.

Central Pattana, the operator of CentralWorld, said in an announcement that the fair, scheduled during May 30-June 2, will be postponed.

Last year, among the brands on sale were Ford Focus, award winning Chevrolet models, Mars Candies, Pringles Chips, Cambell's Soups and Nuts and Fruits from California and apples from the state of Washington.


-- The Nation 2014-05-27

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Royal Thai Police to undergo major reform



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police may be dissolved and turned into a ministry with 17 departments under its supervision, said the acting commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729494-royal-thai-police-to-undergo-major-reform/