Thailand Live Thursday 29 May 2014

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Royal coins minted to raise funds for Chulalongkorn Hospital

BANGKOK, 29 May 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday evening went to Bovoranives monastery in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, where HRH chaired a ceremony of consecrating the coins minted on the centenary of the founding of Chulalongkorn Hospital on May 30, 2014.

The coins depict His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the obverse. The reverse features the royal signature under the Great Crown of Victory. The inscription along the rim reads “100 years of Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, 30 May 2014”.

The Thai Red Cross Society and Bovoranives Monastery have jointly minted the coins in honor of His Majesty the King who is the Patron of the Thai Red Cross Society and has contributed enormously to the prosperity of the country. The coins were minted at two minting offices – the Monnaie de Paris and the Royal Thai Mint. They are in gold, silver, bronze and nickel.

Proceeds from the sale of these coins will be used to buy medical equipment for the Bhumisirimangkhlanusorn Building at Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society. Reservations of the coins can be made at all counters of Kasikorn Bank, Thai Commercial Bank, Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai Bank.


-- NNT 2014-05-29

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Curfew may be lifted in Phuket and Pattaya

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is considering lifting the midnight to 4 .00 a.m. curfew in Phuket and Pattaya after realizing its negative impact on the country’s tourism which contribute up to 10% of GDP.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729919-curfew-may-be-lifted-in-phuket-and-pattaya/

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MILITARY JUNTA
'No policy to block FB'
The Nation

FURORE AMONG FACEBOOK USERS; CORE RED-SHIRT LEADERS FREED AFTER 7 DAYS

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said yesterday that it had no policy to block social media, after there was brief chaos as Facebook faced technical failure at its Internet gateway.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729935-technical-glitch-blamed-for-facebook-blocking-thailand/

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UPDATE:

CURFEW
Army eyes lifting curfew in tourist areas
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The military is thinking about lifting the curfew in tourist destinations such as Phuket and Pattaya, provided there are no signs of unrest in those areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729919-curfew-may-be-lifted-in-phuket-and-pattaya/?p=7898965#entry7898965

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NCPO calls up familiar figures to help run the show
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE 10 ADVISERS to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) have been allocated four key affairs of state, namely security, finance and the economy, science and technology, and justice and legal affairs.

At security, former defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and former Army chief General Anupong Paochinda are friends who served in the famous Eastern Tigers unit during their careers alongside NCPO and incumbent Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The other advisers are former Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong, former Army adviser General Noppadol Intapanya and retired General Dapong Rattanasuwan, who was a deputy Army chief under Anupong. He played an active role as the deputy aide-de-camp for the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation in 2010. He retired from the military last October.

Over at the economy, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula is a former governor of the Bank of Thailand and was deputy prime minister and finance minister for just over five months between October 2006 and February 2007. He was a prominent critic of the previous government's rice-pledging policy. He argued that net losses from the policy would increase Thailand's debt burden.

He has been appointed as the vice chairman of the advisory team of the NCPO and will be head adviser in the economic team.

Dr Somkid Jatusripitak was a deputy prime minister from 2001-2004, a finance minister from 2001-2003, and commerce minister from 2004-2005 under former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was one of the co-founders of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party with Thaksin.

Somkid has proposed reform of all sectors of government after the political deadlock of recent times. In his advisory role for the NCPO he will focus on the economic sector because of his experience in finance and commerce.

Ex-commerce minister Narong-chai Akrasanee is a renowned economist. He has criticised populist policies promoted by the government of recently ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra including the rice-pledging scheme. In an interview yesterday, he said the economic advisory team was discussing measures to stimulate the economy and address the problems facing the rice industry as priorities.

Narongchai has held prominent posts in many economic organisations. He was executive chairman of the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, chairman of the Office of Knowledge Development and Management, and chairman of MFC Asset Management.

At science and technology is a former cabinet minister in those fields, Professor Yongyuth Yuthavong. He is also the former head of the National Science and Technology Development Agency and the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotech-nology.

At justice and legal affairs is Wissanu Krea-ngam who was ex-secretary-general to the Cabinet, a deputy PM in Thaksin's government and a former member of the National Legislative Council in the Surayud Chulanont government. He is expected to play a leading role in the drafting of the new constitution.

Prayuth will meet with the advisers to discuss work guidelines today.

The NCPO intends to address 10 problems. These include armed resistance against political rivals, corruption, violation of lese majeste law, political division among Thai people, and invalid law enforcement.


-- The Nation 2014-05-29

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REFORM
Education, health agencies push for reform
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- WITH REFORM high on the agenda of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), agencies related to higher education and public health are preparing to push for new changes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729936-education-thai-health-agencies-push-for-reform/

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SOUTH CRISIS
10 injured in South hospital bombing
The Nation



Officials believe attack was aimed at team of defence volunteers nearby

BANGKOK: -- TEN PEOPLE, including three defence volunteers, were injured yesterday in a motorcycle bomb attack at Pattani's Khok Pho Hospital, while a subsequent fire damaged dozens of motorcycle parked nearby.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729938-10-injured-in-thai-south-hospital-bombing/

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FTI vows to help restore foreign business confidence
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH,
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN


Federation of Thai Industries chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree, fourth from right (back row), leads members of the FTI to meet with executives of the Nation Multimedia Group yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- THE COUNTRY'S leading industrialists yesterday voiced support for the reform initiative of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and said they were ready to help with the effort to rebuild confidence among foreign business communities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729939-federation-of-thai-industries-vows-to-help-restore-foreign-business-confidence/

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Bureau sure of 2015 budget schedule
SUPHANNEE POOTPISUT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE BUDGET BUREAU has expressed confidence that the government budget for the 2015 fiscal year can run from October 1 as scheduled, with a preliminary budget of Bt2.6 trillion and a deficit of no more than Bt200 billion, while the investment budget depends on the economic strategy of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729940-bureau-sure-of-2015-thai-budget-schedule/

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EDITORIAL
Sweep the house - then return it to rightful owners quickly
The Nation

Coup leader must kick-start an inclusive reform process and provide a timeframe for the return to democracy

BANGKOK: -- Our latest military coup - or "power seizure" as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) prefers - took place less than eight years after the previous one on September 19, 2006. Both times the coup-makers cited the need to prevent further political violence and bloodshed as a major reason for their intervention.

The military is now viewed by many as "referee" and the only hope we have of putting a stop to months of political warring between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

For many observers, the coup was a "necessary evil" to combat rampant abuse of power by the ruling politicians, who turned the electoral mandate to their personal benefit. A large sector of the public has welcomed the power seizure in the hope that it will bring an end to violence and eventually see corrupt politicians punished.

The military did not stage the coup out of the blue. It waited until it was clear that the deadly violence would continue unabated and that those in power would do little to stop it. The take-over is certainly a violation of democratic principles, causing dismay among the international community, but so far it has met with only limited resistance in Thailand.

Meanwhile, the take-over has halted the violence, which had mostly targeted those protesting against the government. Arrests have been made and war weapons seized in raids that have unearthed suspects found to have connections with politicians. Many of those arrested are being described as red shirts, including two suspected of carrying out the attack on a PDRC protest site in Trat in early February that left two children dead and more than 20 people injured.

Army and NCPO chief Prayuth Chan-ocha maintains that the military took power in the national interest rather than to benefit one side or the other. The junta's actions so far have supported his words, with measures taken to tackle problems that are the legacy of the ousted caretaker government and the political deadlock. These include making payments to rice farmers owed some Bt100 billion under the previous administration's loss-making and corruption-plagued price-pledging scheme.

But there are other issues that it must urgently consider, including restoring freedom of speech and providing a timeframe for the return to democracy. The junta chief has not made clear who will become the next prime minister or when the next election will be held. Even more important is the need for a reform process that includes all the warring parties. The military must recognise that, without such an inclusive process, sustainable results that satisfy disaffected factions and ensure lasting peace will not be possible.

Judging from his recent moves, General Prayuth appears to be avoiding mistakes committed by previous coup leaders. Hopefully he will not be lured by the sweet scent of power, a temptation to which many of his predecessors succumbed. He must assure the public that the troops will return to their barracks after completing their house-sweeping mission and hand over the power to an elected government.


-- The Nation 2014-05-29

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TELL IT AS IT IS
Reconciliation must be at the top of national agenda
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has been through the most divisive time in her modern history. Politically and economically, the country has been a train wreck. Anger, hatred and distrust between people, as well as radicalised politics, have ruled the day.

Without pointing fingers, the country, collectively, needs healing. And starting the process of national reconciliation can't come soon enough.

But what exactly does "national reconciliation" involve?

Many theorists argue that there is a common denominator in all reconciliation, regardless of the kind of conflicts and the level of their intensity. Others contend the reconciliation process differs according to the context. Some say it is merely a means to an end, which is peace; others insist it is an end in itself, the finish line.

But just like other big words, such as "love" and "life", the fact that we cannot agree on its exact definition or methodology does not diminish the vital role that national reconciliation plays in putting a country back together, in unity and peacefully, so the nation becomes whole again.

National reconciliation can be a vague and messy process. There are at least three factors necessary to restoring an understanding between former enemies. First is the "personal" variable, namely legitimate leaderships that favour a greater sense of mutual understanding and a progressive trust between the conflicting parties. This element must also includes the good faith and willingness of the opposing factions to come to the negotiating table. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood of Mohamed Morsi totally rejected calls for national reconciliation by military chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi - the coup leader who overthrew Morsi's regime in the wake of mass protests in the summer of 2013. On Monday, Egypt, still a very much-divided nation, went to the polls to elect El-Sisi as president without the support of Muslim Brotherhood voters.

A contrasting case is South Africa. Despite their fraught relationship, former president FW de Klerk and his successor Nelson Mandela worked together and accomplished a political miracle, evading a civil war and transforming their country into a multiracial democracy. De Klerk and Mandela never liked or trusted each other. The deep-rooted acrimony between them threatened to derail negotiations on many occasions. However, both managed to put aside their mutual resentment at critical moments, and brought the national reconciliation process to fruition. Mandela's personal touch, no matter how symbolic, and his wisdom, prompted de Klerk to hail him as a great unifier.

For Thailand's national reckoning to be possible Thaksin Shinawatra will have to be part of the solution, no matter how many people revile him for the wrongs that he and his people inflicted on the land of their birth.

The second necessary factor is robust social and government institutions that allow for greater participation of the population. Without these, official reconciliatory efforts will be rendered sterile and useless. The divisiveness in Thailand has been allowed to fester, and the fires of animosity fanned for so long, that the hearts and minds of the disenchanted have to be won back through their voluntary decision. This does not mean they should not be encouraged to see the merit of a return to unity and internal amity. It means that there must be the vehicles that can carry the reconciliation wagon to its destination of concord, which means a state of inclusive harmony.

The third factor is timing - the ripeness of the situation in which the protagonists are ready for reconciliatory efforts. Currently, the military has the momentum, and the ousted regime and its de facto leader are playing a losing hand. A small window of opportunity as opened for a peace initiative. MR Kasemsamosorn Kasemsri, a "wise man of Siam", once said: If you chase a pig into the wild, it may come out a wild boar and create far more havoc than it would have done otherwise - a sentiment echoed in the Western media's predictions of bloodshed for Thailand.

World history has been witness to occasions when even the bitterest enemies have been able to break bread together to allow the peace process to begin.

When the American Civil War ended, with more than a million casualties (3 per cent of the population), on the day of surrender, General Josiah Chamberlain brought the Union army to full salute in recognition of the valour of the defeated Confederate soldiers. Chamberlain's order was the first act in a national reconciliation and healing process that took more than 20 years to complete. Now, the US Memorial Weekend commemorates the sacrifices of both the Union and Confederate armies, despite the fact that the latter fought for a wrongheaded cause.

On the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, where more than 1 million people were murdered in savage acts of ethnic violence, Pope Francis spoke about forgiveness for the atrocities that all sides committed. He reminded the world that the path to national peace was long and required patience, mutual respect and dialogue.

In Thailand, His Majesty the King has by his actions shown us time and again the power of magnanimity. It is high time we tried to follow in his footsteps. For that path is the only way out of our sorry state of internal division, the only road towards national salvation.


-- The Nation 2014-05-29

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Australian drugged and robbed on Pattaya Beach



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Night a 46 year old Australian reported a suspected case of drugging and robbery which began on Pattaya Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729941-australian-drugged-and-robbed-on-pattaya-beach/

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Bangkok traffic e-tickets coming soon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An electronic traffic-ticketing system will be soon adopted in Bangkok for quicker processing and more accurate information on both offenders and traffic police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729942-bangkok-traffic-e-tickets-coming-soon/

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Krabi villagers want decades-old torpedo removed
The Nation

KRABI: -- Villagers in Krabi's Nua Khlong district yesterday clamoured for authorities to haul off a live pre-World War II torpedo that was found floating in the sea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729944-krabi-villagers-want-decades-old-torpedo-removed/

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Help us too, rubber farmers plead
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Seeing rice farmers overjoyed at finally receiving their long-overdue payments from the government for their pledged rice, Krabi rubber planters yesterday urged the National Council for Peace and Order also to help them get their Bt2,520-per-rai fertiliser subsidy.

Boonsong Nabthong, head of the Krabi Rubber Farmers Association, said the province's 4,511 rubber farmers were still waiting for the subsidy, which totalled Bt126.6 million.

The association urged the junta to help them because the rubber price had collapsed, while they had to send their children to school.


-- The Nation 2014-05-29

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UPDATE:

Locals asked to refrain from gold digging
Kanya Khamnurak
The Nation, Phatthalung

BANGKOK: -- The Fine Arts Department has asked people to stop digging for gold on a plot of land where giant gold sheets, very likely from ancient times, were discovered earlier this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729841-thai-farmers-unearth-25-million-baht-in-gold-under-orchard/page-2#entry7899060

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Military court denies bail for Jaturon

BANGKOK, 29 May 2014 (NNT) – Former Education Minister Jaturon Chaisaeng is facing initial detention of 12 days at the Bangkok Remand Prison after the military court turned down his bail request.

After being arrested by army officers at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand on May 27, Mr Jaturon was yesterday taken to the military court for custody. Charges were also pressed against him for failing to report himself as ordered by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and for making speeches that were allegedly intended to stir up social conflicts and encourage resistance among the people.

As a result, the court approved the investigative officials’ request to detain Mr Jaturon for an initial period of 12 days. Mr Jaturon’s lawyer submitted a bail request but was faced with rejection by the judges. The ex-Education Minister was then sent to the Bangkok Remand Prison for detention.

Mr Jaturon made a remark afterwards, saying he was unfazed by the judgment against him.


-- NNT 2014-05-29

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NCPO tells Transport Ministry to push ahead with infrastructure development

BANGKOK, 29 May 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has assigned agencies within the Ministry of Transport to push ahead with infrastructure construction in important projects, although it asked for 2 weeks to go over details of the 2 trillion baht investment initiative.

Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, in his capacity as the NCPO's chief of economic affairs, on Wednesday met with representatives of the Transport Ministry agencies to discuss transportation affairs that needed to be urgently tackled. These issues included the expansion of Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport, and investment in various rail transport networks that included dual-track trains, intra-city electric trains, and high-speed trains. ACM Prajin indicated that investments under the 2 trillion infrastructure development scheme needed detailed review, but he expected to reach a conclusion in 2 weeks.

The Air Force commander-in-chief also assigned each of the Transport Ministry agencies to go ahead with infrastructure development that would draw on the fiscal 2014 budget.

ACM Prachin plans to meet with the heads of various state enterprises on Saturday to go over the affairs of their respective organizations.


-- NNT 2014-05-29

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John Kerry tells fugitive Edward Snowden to 'man up'

WASHINGTON: -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has labelled intelligence leaker Edward Snowden a fugitive from justice who should "man up" and return home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729946-kerry-urges-snowden-to-return-to-us/

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Maya Angelou 'the brightest light' says Barack Obama

WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama has led the tributes to Maya Angelou, describing the poet, author and activist as "one of the brightest lights of our time".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729947-tributes-pour-in-for-maya-angelou/

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Apple agrees to buy headphone maker Beats for $3bn

US: -- Apple has confirmed it will buy headphone maker and music-streaming service provider Beats Electronics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729949-apple-agrees-to-us3bn-beats-deal/

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football team and Manchester Utd's owner Malcolm Glazer passed away at age 85 /The Nation

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Agriculture Ministry and FAO to boost milk consumption by Thais



BANGKOK, 29 May 2014 (NNT) - Thailand has fallen behind in milk consumption, despite being the main base for milk production in South East Asia, producing over a million tons of high grade fresh milk a year.

Hoping to double milk consumption in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has joined forces with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to promote the concept of “Milk: Nutritious Food for AEC” to focus attention on the importance of milk as a valuable source of nutrition.

During the campaign, free milk will be served at concerts and there will be many fun activities including games for people to play, while learning more about the importance of milk.

The celebration of World Milk Day in Thailand is to take place on June 1st, 2014. at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon, and will run from 11:00 a.m. until 7 p.m.


-- NNT 2014-05-29

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Thailand remains primary automobile producer in Southeast Asia
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 29 -- Thai automobile makers insist Thailand remains the biggest automobile producer in Southeast Asia as the expansion of the Indonesian automotive industry is aimed only at meeting local demand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729967-thailand-remains-primary-automobile-producer-in-southeast-asia/

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TNA, Thai universities to move ahead with 'Mass Comm on TV'
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 29 - Thai News Agency (TNA) and Thai universities nationwide are set to move forward with their “Mass Comm on TV” project which was launched in November 2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729969-tna-thai-universities-to-move-ahead-with-mass-comm-on-tv/

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POWER SEIZURE
Coup might be wrong in principle but is morally right : Thai Ambassador to Indonesia

BANGKOK: -- Thai Ambassador to Indonesia Paskorn Siriyaphan said that the military power seizure in Thailand might be wrong in principle but it is morally right.

"What happened in Thailand might be wrong in principle but it is morally right since Thailand is in political deadlock threatening security and the well-being of Thai people for sometime," he told the Jakarta Globe.

"Wait and see what (National Council for Peace and Order) will deliver for the country and people," he said. "The Thai people will be the ones who judge them."

In the interview published on Wednesday, the ambassador said "I did not say that democracy and election is bad but sometimes it is misguided and manipulated, through vote-buying, for the benefit of certain groups at the disguise of people's interest."

That is why Thailand need political reform now before a fresh election, he added. Indonesia, he suggested, should withhold harsh criticism of the military regime.


-- The Nation 2014-05-29

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Permanent Secretary of Prime Minister’s Office Thongthong replaced by M.L. Panadda

BANGKOK, 29 May 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has ordered the removal of Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Thongthong Chandrangsu, and imposition of his replacement -- M.L. Panadda Dissakul.

The NCPO handed down the command in its 27th announcement which effectively relieved Mr. Thongthong of his current position, to be replaced by M.L. Panadda, a Deputy Permanent Secretary for Interior, who will from now hold the two posts concurrently. The NCPO also transferred Secretary General of the Council of State Chukiat Rattanacharn to a position at the Prime Minister’s Office and appointed his deputy, Mr. Dissatat Hotrakit to replace him temporarily.

In addition, the NCPO has summoned Mr. Weerapat Pariyawong to report at the Army Club today between 10.00 to 10.30 hrs.


-- NNT 2014-05-29

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ICT to discuss with ISP and online social media to prevent Facebook shutdown

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology has invited internet service providers (ISP) and online social media for a discussion Thursday in order to map out measures to prevent a repeat of today’s collapse of Facebook system.

Facebook was down more than 30 minutes Wednesday afternoon sparking outcry among social media users that the popular social media might have been blocked at the order of the National Council for Peace and Order which later denied it had done anything to the social media.

ICT permanent secretary Mr Surachai Srisaracam blamed overuse of the social media for causing the disruption.

However, Facebook representative in Thailand said that the service disruption was caused by the connecting system of the ICT which was being investigated.


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-29

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Huge fire at oil recycle factory



BANGKOK: -- A huge fire broke out at a used oil recycling factory in Samut Sakhon Wednesday night causing heavy damages to the 5-rai property.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729974-huge-fire-at-oil-recycle-factory-in-samut-sakhon/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,406.07, gains 3.28 points /MCOT