Thailand Live Wednesday 28 May 2014

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Gun-toting Aussie tourist nabbed with crystal meth in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Mark Robert Coutelas, 53, was found with an illegal handgun, a BB gun and 530mg of crystal meth. Photo: Patong Police

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729629-gun-toting-aussie-tourist-nabbed-with-crystal-meth-in-phuket/

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Curfew hours adjusted to midnight - 4 AM



BANGKOK, 28 May 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has changed the nationwide curfew period from 10 PM - 5 AM to 00.01- 4 PM, to be effective from 28 May 2014.

The NCPO on Tuesday issued its 42nd announcement on the adjustment to the nationwide curfew hours. People are prohibited from being outdoors in public places from 00.01 - 4 AM from 28 May 2014 onwards except they receive permissions from officers.

Armored guards who deliver cash to banks are still allowed to travel at night and carry a weapon for business purposes. Private employees who transport goods during the curfew hours are exempted from the curfew.


-- NNT 2014-05-28

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DETENTION
PDRC members tell their time in military lock-up
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation


Pictures posted on Facebook by PDRC spokeman Akanat Promphan, far left, after he was freed by the military.

BANGKOK: -- MEMBERS of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) freed on Monday from several days of military detention after acknowledging sedition charges are now telling the world of the experience on social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729663-pdrc-members-tell-their-time-in-military-lock-up/

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COUP
Army aims to heal rift
Panya Thiosangwan,
Chanon Wongsatayanont
The Nation


Former Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang, who had been on the run after being summoned by the military, is surrounded by soldiers and reporters as he is detained following a talk at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand yesterday.

Prayuth tells regional chiefs to set up reconciliation centres across country

BANGKOK: -- TO PATCH UP the rifts in society, coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday ordered the four Army areas to set up reconciliation centres in all locations so that people with different political ideologies could be reformed.

The centres would be forums for people to exchange views and receive information on the junta. This would help avoid misunderstandings and false information spreading among the people that were stirring up more conflict, said Winthai Suvari, spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Participation in the centre's activities would be voluntary but groups of people might need someone to lead the political dialogue, he said.

Prayuth staged a coup last week after negotiations among warring factions failed to produce any agreement to defuse the political crisis.

Ousted education minister Chaturon Chaisang was yesterday seized by soldiers in front of a crowd of foreign journalists after giving a snap press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT).

Chaturon, who did not report to the NCPO when summoned last Thursday, came out of hiding to appear before the international community at 2pm, reading a statement saying he was innocent of all charges. Half an hour earlier, he defiantly said he was "ready to be arrested".

Thailand needs to return to democracy as soon as possible and all sides must avoid violence and suppression of viewpoints, he said. He also called for the Army to release all detainees. Winthai said Chaturon was taken away as he had failed to comply with the NCPO summons.

"Holding a press conference for the foreign media is deemed improper and against NCPO policy," he said.

In the morning, the foreign press was informed that an unidentified politician would give a speech at the FCCT. Chaturon's name was ann-ounced just 15 minutes before his arrival.

Yingluck Shinawatra's release was confirmed by Winthai.

The junta has invited hundreds of people for questioning, but some have still failed to appear, including Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul, chairman of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 Group. Soldiers searched his Varorot Grand Palace Hotel in Chiang Mai for the third time since the coup. "The hotel has been practically closed for two years," a cleaner said. "It has served more like a charity centre and a community radio station."

The prominent red shirt was nowhere to be seen, but several rounds of ammunition and firecrackers were found.

In Lamphun, troops and police stormed a longan orchard in response to tips that claimed red-shirt guards had been undergoing weapons training there. Surprised by the raid, five people tried to run away, but two were caught. Explorations of the area uncovered several guns and signs of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

In Udon Thani, members of the anti-coup Udon Peace group reported to the province's internal security operations centre. They were warned not to rally and allowed to leave.

In Tak, the mansion of an adopted son of former interior minister Charupong Ruangsuwan was searched. Charupong has defied his summons. His adopted son, Danupon Thanapipatchai, was away and no suspicious items were found.

In Trat, police continued hunting for Narong Krachangklang, who was accused of fatally shooting a ranger on duty during a search at Narong’s house on Monday. Police rejected rumours that Narong who was not home at the time had already been gunned down.

Advisory team

The National Council for Peace and Order has appointed six advisors on five issues, with former defence minister general Prawit Wongsuwan leading the team.

Retired General Anupong Paochinda will oversee security measures, former finance minister Somkid Jatusripitak foreign affairs, ex-Bank of Thailand governor Pridiyathorn Devakula and ex-commerce minister Narongchai Akrasanee will focus on economy, while ex-secretary-general to the Cabinet Wissanu Krea-ngam will oversee legal affairs.


-- The Nation 2014-05-28

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AFTER COUP
Media urges NCPO to allow freedom of expression
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Editors of several publications and media outlets yesterday called on the junta to allow freedom of press and freedom of expression as certain orders issued by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) were affecting their work.

Four groups of media professionals - the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), National Press Council of Thailand, Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, and News Broadcasting Council of Thailand - organised a meeting of newspaper and TV news editors at the TJA headquarters yesterday morning.

At the meeting they discussed how the media would perform its duties in the current situation, TJA president Pradit Ruangdit said.

During the discussion, the editors also agreed on a three-point conclusion, saying that though their freedom was limited to an extent, they did not feel the NCPO's orders were too much of an obstacle.

However, they said the junta should hold a formal press conference every day and allow reporters to freely ask questions. They all agreed that if the public was able to get accurate information, with no questions left unanswered, then the country had a better chance of returning to normalcy.

The editors also agreed that national reforms should be based on public participation and that everyone should be granted the right of expression. They said the mass media should be allowed to do their job and help contribute to the reform efforts.

Yesterday afternoon, Army secretary Maj-General Polphat Wannaphak invited two reporters to warn them against trying to corner Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the NCPO chief, with pointed questions at press conferences.

Polphat had summoned Thai Rath newspaper's Suparirk Thongchairit and Wassana Nanuam from the Bangkok Post to meet him at the Army headquarters. At the meeting, he told the two reporters that the NCPO felt uneasy about them raising questions in a move to corner him during a press conference on Monday.

"Prayuth asked me to tell you that not only is he the Army chief, he is also in charge of the country's administration in both executive and legislative affairs. So, he needs to be careful, as all his answers will be made known to public. Please think about the questions carefully, as this is not the time to answer all those questions yet," Polphat said.

He also asked Wassana to block all comments on her Facebook timeline, and though she said she had already asked her followers to stop posting comments, as of press time, her friends were still actively posting their thoughts on the situation.


-- The Nation 2014-05-28

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RULES
Tighter rules for electronic waste planned
The Nation

Household trash to be included

BANGKOK: -- THE INDUSTRIAL Works Department is planning to place household electrical and electronic devices under the Dangerous Materials Act.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729667-tighter-rules-for-electronic-waste-planned-thailand/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Rice farmers thank NCPO for payments
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- RICE FARMERS, happy to receive money overdue for their pledged rice, thanked the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for taking care of them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729668-thai-rice-farmers-thank-ncpo-for-payments/

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TOURIST
Ease off on curfew time, tourism council tells junta
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Council of Thailand yesterday urged the National Council for Peace and Order to delay the start of curfew from 10pm to midnight.

"The NPCO should ease the curfew time if it is confident that the current situation is safe enough to do so," TCT president Piyaman Tejapaiboon said.

The junta could cut down the curfew period in steps before getting rid of it completely, she suggested.

The coup leaders had to intervene to maintain peace in society but the TCT's task is to bring back the smiles on people's faces once again, she said. Shortening the curfew would let people see that the situation is improving.

The TCT has lowered its forecast for arrivals from 28 million to 27.8 million this year, but that is still up from 26.8 million last year.

The tourism industry expects to earn at least Bt1.9 trillion for the country this year, split between Bt1.2 trillion from foreign tourists and Bt700 billion from domestic tourists.

The biggest impact of the coup is on meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions tourism. Many business meetings and seminars have been cancelled but the impact on individual travellers remains to be seen.

"Since tourists cannot take out travel insurance, they might hesitate to come to Thailand for a vacation. But for tourists who understand the country, they will know where to go to avoid the situation in the capital," she said.

Fifty governments have issued medium-level travel warnings but only three - the Philippines, Hong Kong and South Korea - have placed Thailand on the highest level, Piyaman said.

-- The Nation 2014-05-28

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BANKS BIDING
Banks interested in bidding for bridging loan to pay rice farmers
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Commercial banks have expressed strong interest in bidding for an overall Bt50-billion bridging loan under the rice-pledging project, as they believe the payment of long-overdue money to farmers marks the first step in fuelling the sluggish economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729669-banks-interested-in-bidding-for-bridging-loan-to-pay-thai-rice-farmers/

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RT @cnni: A fire in a hospital for the elderly in South Korea claims 21 lives, National Emergency Management Agency says.

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EDITORIAL
Curfew is hitting us where it hurts
The Nation

The night-time shutdown is cutting the income of countless Thais; it must be ended as soon as possible

BANGKOK: -- The country has been under curfew for a week now, following the military takeover on May 22. Few are applauding the 10pm-to-5am shutdown, which is part of wider restrictions placed on rights such as free speech. But the junta's orders curb much more than just freedom of movement and expression. The curfew is hitting all classes where it hurts - in their pockets.

Barring anyone from being on the streets during those hours means life effectively ends each day before 9pm, as citizens rush back to meet the deadline. So far the focus has been on night workers and after-dark entertainment venues, but the reality is the seven-hour shutdown is causing much wider disruption.

The coup-makers have admitted concern of their own, and must have foreseen the action would damage normal life. They pledged leniency in policing the curfew and said it would be lifted as soon as possible. In the meantime there is no question that business is suffering, from shopping malls, convenience stores, restaurants, musicians, roadside noodle shops, waiters and taxi drivers to the humble squid vendors outside pubs. All are seeing fewer customers and reduced income.

For the first time, the usually around-the-clock 7-Eleven stores are closing their shutters at 9pm. The malls close at 8, cutting short the peak after-office shopping hours on which their tenants depend. Mall-based food outlets have been badly affected, missing much of the suppertime trade. The picture is much worse for pubs and bars. And these are businesses that collectively employ millions in the capital and other big cities across the country.

Being hit even harder are the night-time street vendors and taxi drivers. Cabbies working the night shift have reported their income halved, to around Bt400 per day. The combined losses in the night-time entertainment sector are veering toward hundreds of millions of baht.

It is important that Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha follows through on his pledge to lift the curfew soon. It must be lifted to remove the pressure on the business sector and on the countless ordinary Thais whose income relies on after-dark activities. When businesses can't operate at night, they suspend workers or cut their pay. In the worst cases, they fire staff.

The coup-makers cited the need to promote economic growth among the reasons for their actions, so they must return the seven hours of public life as soon as possible.

The military is understandably concerned about security, but there must be a better way to keep the peace. It could, for example, beginning the curfew at midnight to give more businesses more leeway. By stepping up their security efforts elsewhere, the military might be able to scrap the stay-at-home order quickly. Perhaps there could be more checkpoints in Bangkok and key provinces.

If the coup-makers' aim is to return Thailand to normal conditions of peace and economic growth, their first priority should be to lift the curfew to enable people to go about their lives as usual. As incomes fall across the country, so do the chances for social and economic health.


-- The Nation 2014-05-28

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Pattaya Nightlife begins its return to 'normality' following changes to curfew times



PATTAYA: -- Late on Tuesday Night, The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced a change to the Curfew times which was welcomed by many, including owners of entertainment venues in Pattaya who have seen a drop in revenue since the NCPO imposed a curfew starting at 10pm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729670-pattaya-nightlife-begins-its-return-to-normality-following-changes-to-curfew-times/

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Nine governors transferred



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Interior Tuesday ordered the transfer of nine provincial governors effective as of June 2.

Facing the transfer are Khon Kaen governor Mr Somsak Suwansucharit to become an acting inspector-general; Chainat governor Kamthorn Thavornsathit to become acting governor of Khon Kaen; Saraburi governor Sutthipong Chuncharoen to become acting governor of Chainat; Chiang Mai governor Wichien Putthiwinyu to become acting governor Saraburi; Tak governor Suriya Prasartbandhit to become acting governor of Chiang Mai; inspector-general Somchai Hathayatanyee to become acing governor of Tak; Nakhon Ratchasima governor Winai Buapradit to become acting governor of Phatthalung; Buri Ram governor Thongchai Lue-adul to become acting governor of Nakhon Ratchasima and Phatthalung governor Seri Seehatrai to become acting Buri Ram governor.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nine-governors-transferred/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-28

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Passport office at Chaeng Wattana to re-open
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry's Consular Affairs Department will resume full services next week, including the issuance of passports.

The department had suspended its operations after anti-government protesters began staging mass rallies in Bangkok and a group of demonstrators occupied an area near the department on Chaeng Wattana Road late last year.

The department decided to shut its doors so as to protect its online database for passports in case the protest turned violent. During the protests, the issuance of passports was transferred to the department's branches around Bangkok and other provinces.


-- The Nation 2014-05-28

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Repair of damaged rail track in Narathiwat on schedule
THE NATION

NARATHIWAT: -- REPAIRS to a section of rail tracks in Narathiwat's Ra Ngae district damaged by a recent bomb attack is well underway, a senior State Railway of Thailand official said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729671-repair-of-damaged-rail-track-in-narathiwat-on-schedule/

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BURNING ISSUE
Coups are only helping boost Thaksin's image
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

The May 22 military coup d'etat is not necessarily the last in Thai political history and it cannot be expected to end the conflicts.

BANGKOK: -- Firstly, the military is not really known for its ability to mend political divisions, and this intervention only appears to have helped the elite, the Democrat Party and their allies in the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) achieve their goal of toppling Yingluck Shinawatra's government.

This coup, like the one in 2006, seems to have become a tool of a group of conservative elites to get rid of what has been dubbed the "Thaksin regime".

The 2006 coup failed to rid the country of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's influence. Is this another attempt to finish the job?

The elite, the Democrats, PDRC and their allies in the judicial and legislative branches began trying to cut away components of Thaksin's regime piece by piece six months ago. Thanks to the allegations of corruption and misconduct, Yingluck and other members of the Pheu Thai Party will most definitely be banned from politics for at least five years.

But will that be the end? The 2006 coup has already proved that military intervention is not actually the solution. Ousting him through a military coup has only left Thaksin standing strong on the podium of democracy, surrounded by his red-shirt supporters. The two rounds of military intervention in less than a decade have instead left Thaksin - who did not have a good reputation for democracy and human-rights practices while in power - now being considered a crusader of democratic principles.

Meanwhile, the military has no choice but to continue using force to suppress people they regard as elements of the Thaksin regime. Unfortunately, this can only be done at the expense of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Many of those rounded up due to their anti-coup sentiments are ordinary people who are trying to fight for the democratic rights and have absolutely nothing to do with Thaksin at all.

Sadly, officers have been led to believe that everybody on the streets protesting against the coup has been paid off.

Studies have indicated that the red-shirt movement was created due to grievances over inequality, not necessarily Thaksin's money. Hence, for them, an election is not just a symbol of democracy, but an effective way to access national resources and wealth.

Thaksin became popular because he knew how to funnel some of this national wealth to the poor.

Sadly, the intellectual elite put this down to "addictive populism", though for ordinary voters this "populism" translated to food on their table.

However, the latest intervention has once again cut the poor people's access to national wealth and deepened the division even further.


-- The Nation 2014-05-28

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20-per-cent drop in tourists
The Nation

Foreign tourists drop by 20 per cent following martial law imposition: permanent official

BANGKOK: -- The arrival of foreign tourists has dropped by 20 per cent following the imposition of martial law, Permanent Secretary for Sports and Tourism Suwat Sidthilaw said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Navy chief Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, Suwat said the number of foreign tourists had fallen by tens of thousands.

He said he had received complaints from tourism operators in key tourist destinations, such as Pataya and Phuket, that the curfew affected their businesses. Narong said the operators would like the military junta to ease the curfew order.

-- The Nation 2014-05-28

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US to keep 9,800 troops in Afghanistan

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729675-us-to-keep-9800-troops-in-afghanistan/

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UDD office remains closed after coup
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 28 -- The office of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), popularly known as the red shirts, the main supporters of former premier Yingluck Shinawatra's government, has remained closed, after Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan Ocha declared his seizure of power on May 22.

The UDD office situated on the 5th and 6th floors of the Imperial Department Store in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district, was found quiet with no sign of any members of the group moving about the office, as three main leaders of the group have been detained by the authorities.

Meanwhile, the Red Shirts' satellite TV channel was still not able to broadcast their activities through the channel, as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has temporary halted all satellite broadcasts. However, employees of Asia Update channel were still seen arriving for work as usual.

Many red shirt supporters were also spotted gathering to talk about the current political situation the nation is facing, though none of the the group's guards were noticed in the area. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-05-28

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Thailand seizes 25 smuggled endangered birds
By Digital Content



SA KAEO, May 28 -- Thai authorities seized a total of 25 endangered young birds at the Thai-Cambodian border as they were being smuggled to Cambodia on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729677-thailand-seizes-25-smuggled-endangered-birds/

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Commerce authorities are optimistic regarding Thai exports
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 28 -- Thai commercial attaches around the world are explaining the situation in Thailand to the country's trading partners and the Ministry of Commerce sees bright prospects for Thai export.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729678-commerce-authorities-are-optimistic-regarding-thai-exports/

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Pakistan woman stoned by family outside Lahore court

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729688-pakistan-woman-stoned-by-family-outside-lahore-court/

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South Korea hospital fire 'kills 21'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729701-south-korea-hospital-fire-kills-21/

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Google is to start building its own self-driving cars

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729705-google-is-to-start-building-its-own-self-driving-cars/

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Snowden: I was a high-tech US spy

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729706-snowden-i-was-a-high-tech-us-spy/

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NCPO sets up advisory board headed by Gen Prawit Wongsuwan

BANGKOK, 28 May 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has introduced its own advisory board comprising ten officials, many of whom are notable military figures.

In one of its latest announcements, the NCPO appointed ten officials into its newly-established advisory panel. Former Defense Minister and Army Chief Gen Prawit Wongsuwan was named the chairman of the board while former Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda and former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula were assigned to serve as deputies.

Seven individuals were appointed advisors to the NCPO, namely Mr Somkid Jatusripitak, Mr Narongchai Akaraseranee, Mr Wisanu Kruangam, Mr Yongyuth Yutthawong, ACM Itthaporn Supawong, Gen Noppadol Inthapanya and Gen Dapong Rattanasuwan. Gen Dapong will concurrently serve as secretary to the panel.

The advisory board is authorized to provide the NCPO with opinions and suggestions as requested, and it is in charge of the appointment of officials into its own subcommittees and working committees. The advisors are also responsible of accepting any recommendations on behalf of the NCPO chief.


-- NNT 2014-05-28

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Nakhon Si Thammarat to reduce power using during power plant repair

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 28 May 2014 (NNT) – Nakhon Si Thammarat's Governor presided in a meeting focused on reducing electricity since there will be a shutdown of the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) during 13 June – 10 July due to maintenance.

In practical terms, the shutdown means that about 420 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas will be unavailable. This is forcing Chana Power Plant in Songkhla Province, which has 710 MW total productivity, to cease operating. This could possibly result in 14 southern provinces being blacked out, particularly at 6.30 - 10.30 p.m.

To cope with this problem, EGAT and PEA are trying to reduce power usage and will ask for collaboration from the public later before the shutdown.


-- NNT 2014-05-28

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NCPO hands down social policies to 7 ministries

BANGKOK, 28 May 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy Admiral Narong Pipattanasai, has handed down social policies to seven ministries under his responsibilities, focusing on creating understanding among local people and mending the social rifts in order to return peace to the kingdom.

The policy was given at an orientation meeting attended by the Permanent Secretaries of seven ministries namely Education, Public Health, Tourism & Sports, Culture, Natural Resources & Environment, Science & Technology, and Social Development & Human Security.

The meeting discussed efforts to ensure that pressing projects in 2014 would be completed by the end of the fiscal year on September 30th.

The Ministry of Education was at the same time instructed to review whether or not it would continue with the previous administration’s policy on the one tablet computer per child as well as the viability of the educational loan project.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will place its priority on measures to build confidence in tourism. The Ministry of Public Health will actively work to ensure equal access to medical services for all people while looking for ways to give better incentives to medical personnel.


-- NNT 2014-05-28

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Acting police chief orders transfer of 16 police commissioner, commanders, superintendents to inactive posts /MCOT

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Bangkok: BTS, MRT operate from 6am-11pm; Last BMTA buses leaving stations at midnight /MCOT