Thailand Live Thursday 5 Jun 2014

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Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn opens 1st Asian Congress in Asian Nursing Studies

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on June 4 presided over the opening ceremony of the First Asian Congress in Asian Nursing Studies, at the Rama Gardens Hotel, in Lak Si District.

The congress is being organized during June 4-6, 2014 by the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, to celebrate the 72nd birthday anniversary of Associate Professor Dr. Tassana Boontong, who was a former Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Mahidol University and former President of the Nurses’ Association of Thailand. During her leadership roles which lasted more than 4 decades, Dr. Tassana Boontong has devoted her time and energy to strengthen nursing education both at the national and international levels, and advocated legislative development that supported the nursing profession in Thailand and other countries in Asia.

The theme of the congress is: “Transformative Nursing Education for Global Health” which highlights future challenges in nursing education and essence of successful national, regional, and international partnerships to improve quality of education in nursing profession. More than 500 academics and students in the nursing profession are attending the event.

After giving the opening speech to the conference, Her Royal Highness opened an exhibition held to demonstrate the developments of nursing education in Thailand, such as the use of rubber robots as models in pregnancy inspection and integrated techniques for the study of information technology in nursing.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

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Tourism Min to propose curfew lifting in more vacation spots

BANGKOK, 4 June 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to request the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to withdraw the curfew in eight additional places in order to ease public concerns and restore tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731827-thai-tourism-min-to-propose-curfew-lifting-in-more-vacation-spots/

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GOLD RUSH
Villagers hand over more than 1kg of gold sheets
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Phatthalung villagers have returned over one kilogram of gold sheets and a bracelet that were recently discovered in a palm plantation in Khao Chai Son district and another batch of gold from four individuals would be returned to the Culture Ministry at City Hall tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731828-phatthalung-villagers-hand-over-more-than-1kg-of-gold-sheets/

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ROADMAP
Public opinion to be considered in reform
Opas Boonlom,
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

Working group to hear views for two months before forwarding its proposal to NCPO

BANKOK: -- The working group on reform under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will focus on gathering the opinions from people all over the country, including those from rival camps.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731829-public-opinion-to-be-considered-in-reform-thailand/

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REFORM
Energy reform plan expected to take shape next week
WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- REFORM OF the country's energy sector, one of the toughest tasks before the junta, is expected to start to take shape next week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731832-thailand-energy-reform-plan-expected-to-take-shape-next-week/

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UPDATE

LEFTOVER

Body parts, weapons found near anti-govt rally site
The Nation

Remains of man found in canal near Government House, identity not established

BANGKOK: -- THE LOWER part of a human body and a large amount of explosives-related devices and weapons have been found in a canal near a rally site in Bangkok previously occupied by anti-goverment protests .

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731718-body-found-in-bangkok-canal-during-search-for-pcad-weapons/page-3?p=7929812#entry7929812

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AFTERMATH
Neighbouring nations "understand" post-coup situation
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- CHINA, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam have expressed their "understanding" of the political situation in Thailand following last month's coup, junta spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said yesterday.

The Chinese and Vietnamese ambassadors to Thailand yesterday met with Supreme Commander General Thanasak Patimaprakorn, who is also the deputy chairman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), to assure him that bilateral relations would continue as usual, Yongyuth said.

"The ambassadors hope that the situation in Thailand will return to normal quickly," he told reporters.

The junta badly needs international understanding, as many countries around the world have expressed their disapproval over the action taken by Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha in staging the military coup against an elected caretaker government.

Western countries have expressed their disagreement with the coup and demanded a quick restoration of democracy.

The United States has frozen military assistance to Thailand and scrapped joint military programmes, while the European Union has urged the military to free political detainees and end censorship.

Australia announced on Saturday that it was downgrading military ties, as well as imposing a travel ban on junta leaders and cutting defence cooperation.

An anti-group yesterday gathered in front of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok to thank Canberra for its stance against military intervention.

Yongyuth said Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow had met with Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin on Monday to inform him of Thailand's political situation and the NCPO's goals of bringing the country back to normal soon.

Wunna Maung Lwin responded that Myanmar was following the situation closely because Thailand is its close neighbour.

Myanmar also understands the situation faced by Thailand and will not interfere in its internal affairs, he said.

Myanmar is willing to support Thailand within the Asean community framework, Yongyuth said.

Malaysian Supreme Commander General Tansri Dato' Sei Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zin paid an official visit to NCPO chief Prayuth over the past two days, during which he affirmed his country's stance of supporting and strengthening bilateral relations between the countries, he added.

The Malaysian supreme commander was invited to inspect the Guard of Honour at the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said that to create better understanding and project a positive image of the country, permanent secretary Sihasak planned to visit to Asean countries, starting with Vietnam today, to explain political developments in the country and plead for Asean member states' understanding.

Sihasak will also brief the Vietnamese foreign minister on the junta's three-stage road map in order to build confidence among the country's rulers about what the military here is trying to achieve, said Sek.

Yongyuth also said Moody's Investors Service was maintaining Thailand's long-term issuer rating, with the rating agency saying |the Kingdom's credit strength remained |largely intact due to its strong economic |foundation that enables the country to |weather an economic downturn and political instability.


-- The Nation 2014-06-05

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'Replace subsidy system with welfare system'
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL for Peace and Order should replace the country's subsidy system, including the rice-pledging policy, with a welfare system that would cover all people and the poor in particular, Nipon Poapongsakorn, a distinguished fellow at the Thailand Research Development Institute, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731833-replace-subsidy-system-with-welfare-system-thailand-research-development-institute/

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Exporters call for creation of Rice Board
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE THAI RICE Exporters Association (TREA) yesterday proposed to the National Council for Peace and Order the setting up of an independent "Rice Board", comprising representatives from all involved to set up rice management policies and development plans for promoting sustainable growth of the industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731834-thai-exporters-call-for-creation-of-rice-board/

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Hospital operators spread provincial wings
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- HOSPITAL OPERATORS are spreading their networks into the provinces to cope with growing demand from Thai patients as well as expats around the country, while business in the capital is expected to rebound in the second half of the year, especially if foreign tourists return to the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731835-thai-hospital-operators-spread-provincial-wings/

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THAI TALK
Healing the nation's wounds must involve all stakeholders
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation


An Army-organised event at Victory Monument is held yesterday with the aim of reconciling people with different political views, along with various activities held at nearby venues.

BANGKOK: -- The military junta is pushing ahead with its reconciliation project, perhaps the highest item on its agenda. But it's going to be much more challenging than just getting people to sit down to talk nicely to one another.

The National Council for Peace and Order (PCPO) has also promised to come up with an interim charter, a National Assembly and a Reform Council in the next few weeks as part of the three-step roadmap before a general election is held. The loose timeline is a 15-month period of preparation before returning the country to "normalcy".

But there is no guarantee that the timeframe will be kept or that it is iron-clad. Coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has made it clear that the deadline can only be kept if "peace and order" are restored.

But then, there is also the pressure from both the domestic and international scenes for the junta to return the country to civilian rule as soon as possible. Prayuth will need to juggle these two demands effectively if he is to make good on his pledge that he staged the May 22 coup not to stay in power but to put the country back on a democratic track.

The reconciliation plan is being carried out mainly by military personnel who are more accustomed to "psychological warfare" than bridging political differences. But if it fails to genuinely embrace civil society and local leaders at the grass-roots level, the exercise will be no more than theatrical spectacle for the local communities, never touching on the most serious issue of the day: How do we heal the deep wounds of mistrust created by years of hate speech and fact-bending campaigns on both sides of the political fence?

Previous attempts at "reconciliation" failed badly for one very simple and obvious reason: The powers-that-be only paid lip service to ending the hostility between the two factions. Forums set up to "get people to talk peace together" were nothing more than a publicity stunt that, in fact, was aimed at keeping the pro-government elements in control of all aspects of political and social life.

The latest military-led version has tried to create what it calls "an atmosphere conducive to reconciliation", which may be a positive beginning. But the crux of the issue is how to bring about "confidence-building" in a substantive way.

Confidence-building cannot be a top-down process. Nor can the junta order former foes to suddenly forget the past and embrace one another with mutual trust. Only real actions that reflect non-partisan and positive attitudes can draw people together.

In a way, the "trust divide" among the general public wasn't really about ideological differences. Nor was the "hatred" between the two sides the result of any serious conflict. It was politicians who were mostly responsible for creating the distrust among the people, with one side backing former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the other strongly opposing him.

The animosity was fuelled not by political ideology but mostly by the dangerous attempt to draw the line between those in power and those in opposition. Political divisiveness was intensified by the pro-Thaksin faction, to defend his actions at all cost - even to the point of trying to issue an amnesty to cover all past corrupt political practices. Those in opposition were then pushed to the point of coming out on the streets to demand an end to Thaksin and his family's involvement in politics.

General Prayuth claims that he staged the coup because the country was in danger of becoming a "failed state" and that his efforts to get the political enemies to strike a compromise fell on deaf ears.

If national reconciliation is the real goal, it will take more than a military-directed operation to put the country's conflict behind us. All stakeholders must be brought into the reconciliation process and divergent views must be accommodated to reach a consensus on how to proceed.

The composition of the interim national assembly and the content of the revised Constitution as well as the reform process must all reflect the common goal of healing the country's deep wounds.

The coup itself could be seen as divisive. That's why a clear commitment to return the power to the people and the democratic process must be an integral part of the national reconciliation agenda.


-- The Nation 2014-06-05

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Press association president nabbed for ordering his wife’s murder

SADAO: -- The president of the Southern Press Association was today (Wednesday) arrested by police on murder charge for allegedly plotting the murder of his wife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731837-sadao-press-association-president-nabbed-for-ordering-his-wifes-murder/

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Moroccan arrested for using fake credit cards
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A 33-year-old Moroccan man was arrested for using fake credit cards to buy goods in the Hua Mark area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731715-moroccan-arrested-in-bangkok-for-faking-credit-cards/#entry7929883

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Illegal bungalows in marine park demolished
The Nation

SATUN: -- Officials of Tarutao National Marine Park in Satun yesterday tore down eight bungalows and a worker's dormitory built illegally on Lipe Island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731839-illegal-bungalows-in-tarutao-national-marine-park-demolished-satun/

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Four grenades, one smoke bomb found discarded in Chon Buri

BANGKOK: -- Four grenades and a smoke bomb were found left inside a card box beside a road in Chon Buri early Thursday.

The box was found left on the roadside of Jomthien Road in Bang Lamung district at 1 am.

Pol Col Supathee Boonkrong, deputy Chon Buri police chief, said the bombs were old but were still functioning.


-- The Nation 2014-06-05

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New Acting Pattaya Police Chief "lays down the law" to his officers

PATTAYA: -- A meeting was held at Pattaya City Hall on Wednesday afternoon by the acting Pattaya Police Chief who denounced his predecessor and claimed that corruption and other bad practices was a thing of the past at Pattaya Police Station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731871-new-acting-pattaya-police-chief-lays-down-the-law-to-his-officers/

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Weapons possession cases before May 29 not eligible for prosecution waiver

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) declared on Wednesday it would not, under its recent announcement to exempt individuals turning in illegal weapons from prosecution, include individuals who were charged under weapons-related offenses before May 29.

The message was stipulated in the NCPO's announcement no. 53, regarding the exclusion from prosecution of certain categories of individuals in possession of illegal weapons. In essence, those who were arrested or prosecuted for weapons offenses before May 29, 2014 will not be eligible for the prosecution waiver stipulated under NCPO announcement no. 37.

The NCPO had issued the announcement to facilitate peace and order in the nation, allowing those in possession of illegal weapons to turn in the items without facing charges.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

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Five bombs in good condition found in Jomtien Beach roadside bush area in Pattaya, believed left there to avoid authorities search, arrest /MCOT

Panadda Diskul, acting PM's Office permanent secretary, leads Government House staff merit making merit before outlining policies /MOCT

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Violence reported in Pattani; security stepped up in Yala

PATTANI, 5 June 2014 (NNT) – Authorities in Yala have increased their security measures after a series of violent incidents took place in the province. In nearby Pattani, two patrol policemen were injured in an ambush.

Insurgents in Yala yesterday morning burned CCTV security cameras, car tyres and cable lines at several spots in Kotabaru Sub-district. Authorities also discovered a number of suspicious black plastic bags in the middle of a traffic island and some petrol bottles, which were used to ignite the objects. The perpetrators had also scattered several road spikes at a bend on the Kotabaru-Raman Road.

The incidents have prompted Yala province to subsequently step up security measures, intensifying efforts in vehicle searches for suspicious objects in the province and its vicinity.

Meanwhile, two patrol police officers of a special operational unit in Pattani were ambushed yesterday opposite a school in Muang district while driving back to their base after doing some shopping. The two sides exchanged gunfire which ended in the escape of the assailants. The police officers were slightly wounded.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

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Tourist hubs bustling with visitors as usual

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) - Tourism atmosphere in Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province has returned to its lively state after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted its curfew on these popular tourist destinations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731827-thai-tourism-min-to-propose-curfew-lifting-in-more-vacation-spots/?p=7930555#entry7930555

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Thailand Travel Mart underway

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014, (NNT) - Despite the Coup d’etat, Thailand’s two major tourism fairs are currently being held at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani, proving to the international community that the junta’s political intervention posts no threats to the nation’s tourism sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731877-thailand-travel-mart-underway/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,454.11, gains 4.71 points /MCOT

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Three Canadian police shot dead

NEW BRUNSWICK: -- Police say three officers have been shot dead and two others injured and they are searching for a suspect in the east coast Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731881-three-canadian-police-shot-dead/

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Shinhwa's JunJin cancels meet-and-greet activity with Thai fans

BANGKOK: -- JunJin, a member of the popular Korean boyband Shinhwa, decided to cancel his first Thailand Fan Meeting, citing the current political situation.

The event was initially scheduled this Saturday at Asiatique the Riverfront. Ticket holders could collect a refund at all ThaiTicketMajor branches from today through Saturday.

The organiser Agalico Move Co states: "South Korea has issued travel warning for Thailand urging their citizens to stay away. We all express regret and sincere apologies to the fans in Thailand."


-- The Nation 2014-06-05

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Bowe Bergdahl: Town cancels welcome for freed US soldier

HALLEY: -- A welcoming party in the home town of a US soldier freed from Afghan captivity has been cancelled, amid suspicions that he deserted his post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730988-bowe-bergdahl-release-us-parties-clash-on-afghan-deal/page-5?p=7930671#entry7930671

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US military Harrier jet crashes into California homes

SAN DIEGO: -- A US military jet has crashed into homes in the California desert, about 90 miles (144km) east of San Diego.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731886-us-military-harrier-jet-crashes-into-california-homes/

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Snowden NSA: Germany to investigate Merkel 'phone tap'

BERLIN: -- Germany is to investigate allegations by US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden that the US government bugged Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731887-snowden-nsa-germany-to-investigate-merkel-phone-tap/

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Eight more tourist hubs seek curfew reprieve



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is to request the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to lift curfew in eight more tourist destinations to boost tourism and public safety confidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731827-thai-tourism-min-to-propose-curfew-lifting-in-more-vacation-spots/?p=7930749#entry7930749

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21 more individuals summoned by military junta



BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order issued two orders demanding 21 people to report to military authorities Thursday and Monday.

Among the people ordered to report at the Army Auditorium at Theves are former government spokesman Jakrapob

Penkair, former university lecturer Jai Ungphakorn, and Ekapob Luera, alias Tang Archeewa.

They were ordered to report to the military on Monday June 9 from 10.00 a.m. to noon.

The three are now taking exile outside the country after facing lese majeste charge. Jakrapob and Jai are believed in the UK while Tang in Cambodia.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/21-individuals-summoned-military-junta/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-05

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Hawaii Farms Settle Thai Workers Discrimination Suit for $2.4M

HONOLULU — Four Hawaii farms are settling a discrimination lawsuit for a total of $2.4 million over allegations that they exploited hundreds of Thai workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731893-hawaii-farms-settle-thai-workers-discrimination-suit-for-us24m/