Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Jun 2014

webfact · June 2, 2014

Consular Affairs main office resumes full passports service

BANGKOK, 3 June 2014 (NNT) – The Consular Affairs Department's main office on Chaeng Watthana Rd. in Bangkok recommenced full service on Monday after months of on and off service due to anti-government protests.

Thongchai Chansawat, director-general of the department, revealed that people started arriving at the department's main office since early morning to get their passport requests processed.

According to Mr. Thongchai, the department can currently issue 8,000 passports per day and is looking to expand capacity to 20,000 passports per day. He also said that people will get their passports within 4 working days after visiting the offices of the department.

Members of the public can still visit the passport offices in Bang-na and Pinklao; however, the temporary office at Esplanade shopping mall has already been closed, the director-general added.

The department's website providing online service for passport queue reservation is still in operation.

-- NNT 2014-06-03

webfact · June 2, 2014

Pattaya Radio Off Air at the request of the Military

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Fabulous 103 Fm off Air in Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Whilst Bangkok and many regions seem to have radio transmissions returned to normal, here in Pattaya, at the moment that’s not the case.

At the beginning of the coup, the Army requested all radio transmission around the nation to cease, to aid a smooth transition and to avoid mis-representation of the situation here. As a licensed broadcaster we, along with most, complied. We were also asked to further comply by stopping any streaming on the internet.

Until then, Fabulous 103Fm had been unique in its broadcasting of an English translation of updates informing its listeners of the coup and curfew, aiding the military Authorities by getting the message out there that Thailand was safe, visitors and local nationals were unaffected and explaining the curfew times.

Fabulous 103 Fm wrote to the City mayor asking for his support and kept in constant hourly contact with the news from the authorities regarding transmission, so that we could comply with the Law and, hopefully, start transmitting again.

Last week a meeting was held in Chonburi at which we were advised, by the most senior of police officers, that we could transmit as long as our transmissions had no political bias.

Full story: http://pattaya103.com/newsite/pattaya-radio-air-request-military/

--Pattaya 103 FM 2014-06-03

webfact · June 2, 2014

EXPLOSIVE
World War II bomb found at MRT project site
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731251-world-war-ii-bomb-found-at-bangkok-mrt-project-site/

webfact · June 2, 2014

NCPO eyes lifting curfew in Phuket and Samui

BANGKOK, 3 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has affirmed to continue clarifying the situation in Thailand to the international community while hinting a possibility of cancelling the curfew in Phuket and Samui.

At a press conference, Deputy Spokesman of the Royal Thai Army Col Nattawat Chancharoen commented on a request by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to have the curfew revoked, saying NCPO Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha had already assigned the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to study the matter. The junta leader reportedly encouraged concerned officials to inform the NCPO of any areas that were considered free of social divisions and unrest in order for the curfew to be lifted accordingly. He also claimed that among such places were Phuket and Samui Island of Surat Thani.

According to Col Nattawat, even though many countries have warned their citizens against traveling to Thailand in the wake of the military coup, frequent visitors are found to be well aware of the actual situation. However, the NCPO is seeking cooperation from tour agencies and tour guides in spreading the words to foreigners that life in Thailand can still go on as usual.

Meanwhile, Deputy Army Spokesman Col Weerachon Sukhonthapatipak admitted that international criticisms of the coup were inevitable and understandable but efforts would continue to be made to clarify the need of the military takeover. He said the NCPO Chief was collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other organizations, such as the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries and NGOs, to keep other nations informed of the progress made by the NCPO and improve their perceptions of Thailand.

-- NNT 2014-06-03

webfact · June 2, 2014

UPDATE:

ARMS SMUGGLING
Large number of arms found in coordinated crackdowns
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- More than 3,000 people were rounded up and a large number of heavy weapons seized under a coordinated crackdown in provinces under the jurisdiction of Provincial Police Region 4. The raids began last Wednesday and wrapped up on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731202-weapons-caches-seized-in-chon-buri-songkhla/#entry7920605

webfact · June 2, 2014

JUNTA'S ROADMAP
Push for Gross National Happiness
Nakarin Srilert,
Panya Thiewsangwan
The Nation

Troops clean sidewalks around Victory Monument yesterday after efforts to deter anti-coup rallies at the site. The activity was assisted by police and the Ratchathewi district office.

Prayuth says things moving in right direction, hopes conflicts will finally end

BANGKOK: -- The Junta chief suggested yesterday that the country's economic and social development plan be amended so that the policy aims to boost gross national happiness.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731253-push-for-gross-national-happiness-thailand/

webfact · June 2, 2014

Australian response to takeover 'disappoints'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Australia has announced that it will downgrade relations with Thailand, banning travel there by junta leaders and cutting defence cooperation in the wake of the military's power seizure - a move that has been met with disappointment on the Thai side.

Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Puangketkaew conveyed Thai disappointment to Australian representatives at the Shangri La Dialogue on security issues held in Singapore at the weekend, the ministry's spokesman Sek Wannamethee said yesterday.

In addition, Sihasak met Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin yesterday to brief him on the junta's roadmap for Thailand's political future.

The briefing to Myanmar, which is chairing Asean this year, aimed to give neighbouring states in the group a better understanding of the situation backed up with facts, Sek said.

Ready to explain

Most Asean countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, have voiced concern about the power seizure because they realise that Thailand plays a very important role in the grouping, Sek said.

Thailand is the second largest economy in Asean.

Meanwhile, Australia said on Saturday that it had postponed three activities with the Thai military and would not allow junta leaders on to Australian soil because it has "grave concerns" about the coup.

"In line with our concerns, Australia is reducing our engagement with the Thai military and will lower the level of our interaction with the Thai military leadership," Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister David Johnston said in a joint statement.

"The Australian government continues to call on the military to set a pathway for a return to democracy and the rule of law as soon as possible, to refrain from arbitrary detentions, to release those detained for political reasons and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms."

The statement also said it looked forward to "normalising our relationship as soon as possible", but added that it would continue to "review defence and other bilateral activities".

Sek responded to this by saying: "What happened in Thailand will certainly have an impact on the region, but we have confirmed that our position on foreign affairs will remain the same."

He went on to say that he did not think Asean would hold a special meeting to discuss Thailand, as the grouping would adhere to its non-interference policy.

Meanwhile, the latest information shows that 63 countries have now issued travel warnings for Thailand, while 19 have issued travel advisories urging their citizens to stay away.

The Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, has sent a summary of the junta's roadmaps to Thai ambassadors overseas so they are able to provide explanations to their host countries.

-- The Nation 2014-06-03

webfact · June 2, 2014

Bleak prospects for Amazing Thailand sales
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Political tension is expected to further take a toll on the Thai tourism sector, including the upcoming annual shopping festival Amazing Thailand Grand Sales, which will kick off later this month.Air bookings to Thailand have seen a fall since the military took power and declared curfew last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731255-bleak-prospects-for-amazing-thailand-sales/

webfact · June 2, 2014

To John Kerry: America needs a better understanding of Thailand
Somtow Sucharitkul
Special to The Nation

John Kerry

BANGKOK: -- Dear Mr Secretary: In the light of your recently published condemnation of the military takeover in Thailand, I am sure you have received many letters both of support and disapproval from Thais of all political colours.

Though born in Thailand and often considered to be a meaningful player in the intellectual community of this country, I am not writing to you as a Thai, but as an American citizen, a registered democrat who has voted twice for your boss and who invariably picks the liberal choice in voting on state initiatives: in other words, as a member of your core electoral base.

You may know that there has been a public backlash of anti-American sentiment in the capital of Thailand since your strongly worded condemnation appeared. I have indeed spent a great deal of time explaining to puzzled people in Thailand why America must begin from a position of condemnation when it comes to a military takeover. America would not be America if it publicly supported coups. I have also been explaining why it is necessary for sanctions to kick in. In America, the rule of law is not just about lip service. We Americans don't attack an unjust law by defying it, but by lobbying to get it changed.

Nevertheless, it is clear from the tone and severity of your condemnation that you have not been thoroughly briefed on the situation here on the ground. Without trivialising America's commitment to upholding its core values throughout the world, the Thai public's reaction to your statement is akin to outraged reaction in the States when a man received life imprisonment for stealing a pizza, because of the old Three Strikes Law, which gave judges no latitude in sentencing. That law eventually proved untenable, and you should consider the possibility that a knee-jerk reaction from the United States in the matter of this coup may also prove to be a position on which you will be forced to back-pedal as more facts are presented to you.

There is no need to catalogue the excesses of the Thaksinite administrations; others have ranted about their alleged extra-judicial killings, their twisting of libel laws to muzzle press criticism, their kleptocratic self-enrichment at length. It is clear, however, that by saying "We were elected, and therefore may do anything we want", they failed to understand the basic rationale for democracy.

Simultaneously, their opposition, by derailing an election and intimidating voters, have also failed to understand the principles of democratic engagement, which are that when you lose an electoral mandate, your job is to convince the voters that your plan is better at the next election, not to try to bring down the government with mobs.

It is hard to justify any seizure of power by any unauthorised entity, military or otherwise. But to say there was no justification whatsoever for this coup is a dangerously uninformed misreading of the situation.

Every effort had been expended by voices of reason from every stratum of society to break the impasse. They only hardened the positions of the conflicted parties until talk of secession, secret pileups of weapons in support of secessionist, warmongering hate speech, and complete disregard for the rule of law not only by protesters, but by the elected government, became the country's normalities.

In short, it was a Gordian knot. If any other way to bring stability and begin the process of reconciliation was available, it was tried and found wanting. Even at the eleventh hour before the coup took place, General Prayuth was still attempting to get the opponents to see reason.

A core principle in Thai culture is "face". The issue of face in Thai culture is not amenable to reason. It may be hard to comprehend this in the West, but to us here, it became perfectly clear that for both opposing sides, face had become a higher priority than the fate of their nation.

I believe that the General did the one thing that could allow the opposing camps to retreat without losing face. He chose between incurring the wrath of the international community and saving his country from a civil war. The minute he made this decision, he started to work on a credible plan to return Thailand to a state of a functioning elective democracy.

I do not ask that America refrain from condemning this coup. Indeed, I myself do not approve of coups, and I applaud America for making its fundamental stance immediately public. Nor do I ask that America reconsider the suspension of aid, or other sanctions. These things are necessary because we need a deterrent, should the General not be true to his word, or should other, more power-hungry individuals seek to hijack the process.

We've seen the stick, Mr Secretary, and now we want to see the carrot.

What I ask is that you seek out, digest and act on a complete, detailed briefing about the situation on the ground. I ask that the power and influence of the United States be used in a way that helps Thailand in its journey towards a more enlightened governance. I ask that you work through diplomats who understand what is going on the ground, to become as well informed as possible, and (behind the scenes if necessary) you attempt to facilitate, rather than obstruct the future of this country.

The word "coup" is a highly charged word in English, bringing immediate images of strongmen, prison camps, ethnic cleansing and the trampling of civil liberties. One wishes that General Prayuth had come up with a better word, but this is one instance where the world's richest language becomes lexically challenged. There is no word in English for a "militarily directed reboot aimed at establishing a permanent democratic system", but this appears to be what the junta (another charged word) had in mind.

We could be wrong. It could be a trick. The Army has certainly fumbled, and stumbled: its heavy-handed attempts at censorship, its "invitations" for dissenters to what is tantamount to involuntary detention, albeit brief, its clumsy dealings with the social media, all are certainly black marks.

But there are encouraging signs too. The political violence which has plagued the country for months is finally at an end. Political opponents were forced to at least sit in the same room. Partisan TV channels which spewed forth hate speech have been temporarily put on hold. For the first time in a year, people in the capital are starting to feel safe.

America need not listen to people from other countries. But as a person who voted your government into power, I do have a right to hold you to account and to challenge you, and to demand that my government act in a less hypocritical manner. With the example of Egypt before us, one can see that America is capable of more nuanced reaction than what it displayed in the case of Thailand. I strongly urge you to arm yourself with the information necessary to make such a nuanced reaction.

Indeed, I am at your disposal should you need my help in clarifying any aspect of the situation, or of the Thai psyche, from the perspective of a bicultural person.

Somtow Sucharitkul is a Silpathorn Kittikhun Artist.

-- The Nation 2014-06-03

webfact · June 2, 2014

"Police" extortion case reported by Restaurant Owner at Pattaya Police Station

PATTAYA: -- On Monday Night the owner of a small Thai Restaurant, along with his wife reported allegations of extortion and an unlawful search of their house by three men claiming to be Police Officers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731256-police-extortion-case-reported-by-restaurant-owner-at-pattaya-police-station/

webfact · June 2, 2014

Photo of 7-year-old Sexual Assault case suspect released by Pattaya Police

PATTAYA: -- On Monday afternoon a specially trained Police Team interviewed the 7 year old victim of repeated sexual assaults by a Motorbike Rental Company owner in South Pattaya and she was able to confirm the identity of the suspect wanted in connection with the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731257-photo-of-7-year-old-sexual-assault-case-suspect-released-by-pattaya-police/

webfact · June 2, 2014

Phuket blood donation drive launched
Wiparatana Nathalang

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Regional Blood Centre (PRBC) and the Thai Red Cross today (June 2) launched a drive for blood donations in concert with World Blood Donor Day, which is on June 14.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731258-phuket-blood-donation-drive-launched/

webfact · June 2, 2014

Phuket gets new police chief in sudden change: VIDEO
Anthika Muangrod

PHUKET: -- After eight months as police chief of Phuket, Pol Maj Gen Ong-Art Pewruangnon was today (June 2) abruptly moved to Police Region 8 HQ in Surat Thani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731259-phuket-gets-new-police-chief-in-sudden-change-video/

webfact · June 2, 2014

Ubon businessman kills himself after receiving NCPO summons
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An Ubon Ratchathani businessman took his life yesterday after being summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), but the local police chief doubts if the suicide was linked to the order.

The chief of Muang district police, Colonel Jumphol Suwanam, said Sarawuth Phoothornyothin, 59, shot himself in his home possibly because he was stressed out by several chronic diseases he had been suffering for several years.

"[The suicide] has probably nothing to do with the NCPO order summoning him," he said.

Sarawuth was among a large number of people included in the 44th NCPO order yesterday and told to report to the Army auditorium in Thewes, Bangkok, between 10am and 12pm today.

Wanphen, Sarawuth's wife, told police that her husband was complaining about feeling unwell last night, adding that he suffered chronic diabetes, high-blood pressure and bone disease.

In response to the incident, an NCPO spokesperson said in a statement that summoned people were not regarded as law violators, and that the desired goal was to reach an understanding with those summoned or readjust their attitudes to find a common ground so that long-term reconciliation was achieved.

Sarawuth had reportedly earlier posted anti-coup messages in the Pantip.com web board but had not openly taken part in street protests.

He was a leading businessman in Ubon Ratchathani in rice milling and printing but those businesses folded in the past decade and he ended owning a small lathe factory.

Meanwhile, the Thai Journalists Association yesterday issued a statement calling on undercover police to deter anti-coup protesters from the wearing green armbands issued to reporters working in the field.

TJA spokesman Manop Thip-osoth said a new armband would be designed jointly by the TJA and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association to make it more difficult to imitate and distinguish reporters more clearly from other people including protesters.

Manop was referring to the much-discussed arrest of a woman at an anti-coup really in front of the Terminal 21 in Asoke on Sunday. She was seen being forced by several men into a taxi, fuelling speculation that she might have been arrested by soldiers in plainclothes.

Images of another incident show one man wearing a journalist's armband emerging from the crowd and snatching a woman, thought to be a protester.

Lumpini Police Station chief Colonel Chaiya Kongsup said the woman was brought to the station to calm her down and was later taken away by Army officers.

Deputy national police chief General Somyot Pumpanmuang said no police officers were seen wearing a journalist's armband in Sunday's operation.

He said police were willing to clarify the situation if media associations submitted a formal written enquiry.

A police source said two men and four women were detained in separate arrests in connection with anti-coup protests on Sunday at Lumpini Police Station before being handed over to the police's Crime Suppression Division. No details about the woman were given and it is not known where she is.

The six other people arrested have been identified as Warin Thinnakorn, 71, Nusara Suksawaengboon, 48, Sunantha Puangsiri, 50, Mongkol Saengsuda, 43, Jiraporn Warapisit, 53 and Sumet Wirotchaiyun, 40.

-- The Nation 2014-06-03

webfact · June 3, 2014

4 Chinese, 25 Africans caught for crimes
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Immigration police yesterday announced the arrest of a Chinese couple who allegedly embezzled Bt40 million before fleeing to Thailand, where they have lain low for nine years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731260-4-chinese-25-africans-caught-for-crimes-in-thailand-immigration-police/

webfact · June 3, 2014

Men arrested over rosewood seizure
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Nakhon Ratchasima Police yesterday announced the arrest of two alleged members of a Siamese rosewood logging gang who tried to smuggle wood worth about Bt600,000 in two modified cars.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731261-korat-men-arrested-over-rosewood-seizure/

webfact · June 3, 2014

Chief of mission to assume Thai envoy's duties in London
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Embassy in the United Kingdom's deputy chief of mission Nudhavathna Krishnamra will take charge of the embassy's affairs following the recall of Thai ambassador Pasan Teparak last week, Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said yesterday.

The ministry cited propriety as reason for reassigning Pasan, who has close ties with ousted former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra.

Sek said Nudhavathna was a capable and reliable diplomat and would be acting on behalf of Pasan for now, adding that no new envoy would be assigned as it was not time for reshuffles yet.

-- The Nation 2014-06-03

webfact · June 3, 2014

Arts official urges villagers to sell the ancient treasure they found
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- FINE ARTS OFFICIALS yesterday urged some 100 community leaders and villagers in Phatthalung's Khao Chai Son district to stop digging for gold and to cooperate by "returning" gold sheets they dug up - within the next two weeks - or face punishment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731264-thai-arts-official-urges-villagers-to-sell-the-ancient-treasure-they-found/

webfact · June 3, 2014

Provincial Police Region 5 mobilizes forces to wipe out crime in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, 3 June 2014 (NNT) - Provincial Police Region 5 has mobilized a force numbering about a thousand officers to suppress crime, drug dealing, and other social vices, in order to maintain peace and order in the Chiang Mai region.

Because of criminal activity which has caused social and economic problems in the province, the NCPO and Provincial Police Region 5 are confronting the criminals and suppressing their activities to return harmony to the community, and restore confidence to the many tourists and residents of Chiang Mai Province.

-- NNT 2014-06-03

webfact · June 3, 2014

Two Army rangers killed in shooting ambush while on patrol in Pattani's Sai Buri district /MCOT

webfact · June 3, 2014

NCPO sets up public spending auditing panel

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order has set up a special committee to monitor and audit spending of government agencies, NCPO deputy spokesman Winthai Suvari said Tuesday.

The auditing panel would ensure transparency of government agencies and various projects to create confidence, he said.

-- The Nation 2014-06-03

webfact · June 3, 2014

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,455.33, gains 14.39 points /MCOT

webfact · June 3, 2014

UPDATE:

Top cop ‘still Phuket commander’, but working in Surat
Eakkapop Thongtub

Gen Ong-art: Still in Phuket, in name if not physically.

PHUKET: -- An order from the Commander of Royal Thai Police Region 8, Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen – seen by The Phuket News – has clarified the moving of Pol Maj Gen Ong-art Piewruangnon from Phuket to Region 8 HQ in Surat Thani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731259-phuket-gets-new-police-chief-in-sudden-change-video/#entry7921553

webfact · June 3, 2014

Special Report: Thailand explains current political situation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has started giving explanations on its political situation at various regional and international stages in order to create better understanding with foreign countries. Also, Thai ambassadors overseas have been asked to explain the situation to foreign leaders, prominent figures, experts in various fields, and members of the media.

Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phaungketkeow, Acting for Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, met Myanmar Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin in Yangon. He stated that Thailand would continue to play an active and important role in the region and take full participation in the international conferences and cooperation frameworks. Thailand requested Myanmar’s support, as the latter has currently served as the Chair of ASEAN.

The Myanmar Foreign Minister expressed his understanding of Thailand’s situation. He also stressed the ASEAN principle of non-interference in member countries’ internal affairs and pledged to convey Thailand’s messages to fellow ASEAN member countries. He trusted that Thailand would successfully implement the three-phase roadmap within the timeframe as planned.

The roadmap was outlined by the Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), General Prayuth Chan-ocha. The first phase of the roadmap involves efforts to achieve national reconciliation as soon as possible, at least within two to three months.

In the second phase, a provisional constitution would be drawn up by the NCPO’s legal team. A legislative council will be established to select an interim Prime Minister, appoint cabinet members to administer the country, and draft a new constitution. A reform council will also be established to resolve existing conflicts, with solutions acceptable to all sides. This will probably take about a year to complete. It could be longer or shorter depending on the situation and cooperation from all sides. In the third phase, a general election under a democratic system will be held, which is legal and accepted by all sides.

General Prayuth said that special economic zones will be established to support small factories along the Thai border and in rural areas. This is to provide economic opportunities not only for Thais but also for people in neighboring countries, which could help prevent illegal migrants from crossing into inner provinces of Thailand, thereby giving more work opportunities to Thai nationals.

According to General Prayuth, the NCPO has taken control of the situation, temporarily, in order to stop the violence and break the deadlock that had prevented the previous government from moving the country forward, and to solve urgent problems affecting the economy. This is to return happiness and safety in lives and property to the Thai people as well as foreign nationals residing in Thailand, and to place the Monarchy, who is always revered and protected by the Thais, above all conflicts.

-- NNT 2014-06-03

webfact · June 3, 2014

BAAC to propose rice field insurance scheme to NCPO

BANGKOK, 3 June 2014 (NNT) – The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is proposing a rice field insurance scheme to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) that would carry a 494 million baht budget.

BAAC Manager Lak Wajananawatch said that the bank is planning to propose an insurance scheme for nationwide rice fields insurance comprised of 7 types of coverage. The coverage is divided into two levels; coverage for damages from the government at a rate of 1,113 baht per Rai and coverage from insurance companies at a rate of 1,111 baht per Rai.

In the plan, farmers would have to pay 60-100 baht per Rai for insurance premiums depending on area conditions, the rest of the premiums will be paid by the government. The budget of 494 million baht will cover 1,500,000 Rai of rice fields.

Mr. Lak added that Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, the economic chief of NCPO, is interested in policies that help farmers in the scope of fiscal discipline that don't distort the mechanisms of the market.

-- NNT 2014-06-03

webfact · June 3, 2014

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

NCPO announcements in English:

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/media-center/3756

webfact · June 3, 2014

Thai gamblers to Cambodia drop after coup

BANGKOK: -- The number of Thai visitors crossing the border to place bets at Cambodian casinos has fallen since that country’s military staged a coup late last month, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

Kim Ledaro, managing director of Crown Resorts Co, which operates three Crown-branded casino resorts in Bantey Meanchey province’s Poipet town, said there had been a 40 per cent decline in visitors since May 22, when the Thai military announced that it was taking over the running of the country.

“On average, we receive more than 200 Thai visitors per day, but now the number has dropped to only a little over 100,” Ledaro said, adding that almost 99 per cent of Crown Resort Co’s patrons are Thai.

Statistics from the Poipet International Checkpoint show the number of people passing through the border crossing per day had declined from an average of about 1,500 prior to the coup to about 700 yesterday.

The chief of the Poipet checkpoint, Ang Vannak, said that he was wary of the decline and its effect on border-town businesses.

“Business activity has slowed since fewer tourists and casino visitors have been travelling. They usually come with money to spend in our country, so when they do not come, it makes business harder for people here,” he said.

A sustained lull in the number of Thai gamblers has already resulted in one casino operator folding its business in the border town of Pailin.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai-gamblers-cambodia-drop-coup/

-- Thai PBS 2014-06-03

webfact · June 3, 2014

Ranger killed in south ambush

PATTANI: -- One Army ranger was killed and another injured when southern militants in a vehicle opened fire at four rangers riding in two motorcycles during a patrol in Saiburi district of Pattani this morning.

The attack happened at about 6.30 a.m. Tuesday when four rangers in two motorcycles were patrolling along the road in Tambon Trohbon.

A sedan followed the four rangers and the men inside pulled their weapon and sprayed shots at the rangers and drove off.

The shots hit and killed pillion rider Prapon Somanee while the driver Sampan Anprawast was seriously injured.

A combined force of troops and police are combing the areas to hunt down the militants believed still hiding near the scene.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ranger-killed-south-ambush/

-- Thai PBS 2014-06-03

webfact · June 3, 2014

Two-vehicle shunt puts Phuket traffic lights out of action
Eakkapop Thongtub

The car after the smash.

PHUKET: -- A two-vehicle smash caused traffic chaos on Thepkrasattri Rd yesterday afternoon (June 2) when one of the vehicles demolished the traffic signal controller at the Khao Lan intersection in Baan Lipon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731320-two-vehicle-shunt-puts-phuket-traffic-lights-out-of-action/

webfact · June 3, 2014

Famous Baan Pa Ngam Mountain Lodge to be demolished after losing all court cases

PRACHINBURI: -- The chief of the Tab Larn national park is proposing the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to demolish the 125-rai Baan Pa Ngam mountain lodge illegally built in the national park after the resort lost all legal battles in its decade-long defence.