Thailand Live Thursday 5 Jun 2014

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DNA probe on victims of the van accident to be released

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014, (NNT) - Medical officials have released the preliminary examination results from the victims who died in a van that crashed into a ten wheeler, killing 13 people on Tuesday in Chaiyabhum Province, saying the full DNA test results would be released within a week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731899-chaiyaphum-dna-probe-on-victims-of-the-van-accident-to-be-released/

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UPDATE:

91 taxi drivers to appear in Phuket court
Tanyaluk Sakoot


'I believe we will get all of them soon': Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin.

PHUKET: -- Following the massive sweep yesterday to round up “mafia” taxi drivers and other involved in the taxi industry, 91 people will appear in the Phuket Provincial Court today (June 5) when police apply for their stay in the cells to be extended.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731785-73-taxi-drivers-arrested-in-phuket-anti-mafia-drive/page-4?p=7931030#entry7931030

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Thais warned of 9 diseases during rainy season

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) – The Disease Control Department is raising public awareness of possible disease outbreaks as the annual rainy season is approaching.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731900-thais-warned-of-9-diseases-during-rainy-season/

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Ayutthaya to build Sri Lankan National Temple in its province

AYUTTHAYA, 4 June 2014 (NNT) –The Ayutthaya Governor and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand have surveyed Wat Krachai, Ayutthaya Province, which is the intended site of a Sri Lankan National Temple to be constructed in the ancient former capital city.

The governor said the construction project of the Sri Lankan National Temple will go ahead following an international relationship agreement between Ayutthaya Province and Sri Lanka for an exchange of temple constructions in both countries, in order to tighten their international religious relationship.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

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CUPT set to propose education reform plans to NCPO

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) - The Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) is set to propose long-term and short-term education reforms to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731901-cupt-set-to-propose-thai-education-reform-plans-to-ncpo/

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Al Jazeera freelance journalist killed by city bus

BANGKOK: -- A Thai freelance journalist working for Al Jazeera news channel Methi Muktari was killed when he was hit by a city bus near BTS sky train station at Ploenchit last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731902-al-jazeera-freelance-journalist-killed-by-bangkok-city-bus/

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Special Report: Reconciliation centers push for peace and unity

BANGKOK: -- In response to the roadmap of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) regarding national reconciliation, various relevant agencies have begun to launch programs and activities as part of the national reconciliation efforts.

In its roadmap, the NCPO wants to achieve national reconciliation as soon as it could-- within two to three months' time if at all possible.

The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has set up Centers of Reconciliation for Reform in both the central and the regional areas of the country. A working group has also been formed to set guidelines for the operations of the centers. The reconciliation process will begin from family units to villages, sub-districts, districts, and provinces.

The NCPO has tasked the ISOC with the responsibility of organizing dialogues between all rivals in order to achieve social harmonization. At the same time, activities and programs aimed at restoring happiness to the people have been held by several agencies.

For instance, concerts have been performed by soldiers, policemen, and civilians at various areas, such as the Victory Monument in Bangkok. Apart from concerts, medical check-ups have also been offered at no charge. The objective is to “return happiness to the people” after lengthy political tensions.

The Government Public Relations Department (PRD) is scheduled to organize a program dubbed “Music in the Park,” starting from 5 June 2014. The program takes place at the park within the compound of the PRD Headquarters in Bangkok every Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, the PRD will establish reconciliation centers in Bangkok and other provinces to provide channels to create better understanding between the people and the military. The department will produce spots, programs, and features to be disseminated through its radio and television networks, as well as websites.

The Ministry of Culture is adjusting its cultural activities to promote national reconciliation. For example, cultural tours and mobile cultural events, to be arranged soon, will include content on reconciliation and unity. Emphasis will be placed on creating awareness and unity among the people. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is also preparing activities to rehabilitate society, reduce conflicts, and bring about peace and happiness.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Interior has instructed all provinces to set up reconciliation centers to help create an atmosphere of social harmony and encourage local people to accept different views.

The reason why the NCPO decided to take control of the nation was that the prolonged political deadlock and protests had been massively damaging the nation as a whole. There were also various violent incidents prior to the coup, many of which involved the use of war weapons.

According to the NCPO, when the situation returns to normal and a successful reform and national reconciliation as well as social harmony have been achieved, the country will move towards the next phase-- a general election.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

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Acting permanent secretary for PM's Office leads officials to give alms to monks

BANGKOK: -- Acting permanent secretary for PM's Office ML Panadda Disakul led Government House officials to give alms to Buddhist monks to make merit Thursday morning.

Panadda, Apinan Chantharangsi, director-general of the Public Relations Department, and officials of the PM's Office and Government House gave alms to nine monks from Makut Kasat Temple at 7:15 am to provide moral support for the officials.

The officials have returned to work at the offices in the Government House compound after protests prompted them to work elsewhere for seven months.


-- The Nation 2014-06-05

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Thailand confident Vietnam will understand situation
By Digital Content



HANOI, June 5 -- Thailand expects Vietnam and other fellow member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold a positive view and understand the overall situation in this country after the military seized power in the May 22 bloodless coup, according to a senior Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairsr official.

Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, now on a two-day official visit to Vietnam, met Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh Thursday.

He said it was necessary for him to make Vietnam, Thailand’s close neighbour, better understand the situation in Thailand and why the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had to seize administrative power.

He said the council has now taken three clear steps to achieve reconciliation and toward a general election and it is hoped that the world community will understand Thailand.

Mr Sihasak earlier visited Singapore and Myanmar, also members of ASEAN.

He said Foreign Affairs Ministry officials plan to visit other ASEAN members and then Japan, China and Australia later to brief officials of those countries of Thailand’s situation.

Mr Sihasak said he also plans to meet foreign journalists based in Thailand to clear their doubts so that they could accurately report on situation in this country.

Touching on countries which have decided to suspend cooperation or cut their financial assistance to the kingdom after the coup, Mr Sihasak said that it was their own decision but it would be better for them to look for long-term benefits.

Detention of some figures was carried out under an international convention and in accordance with human rights principles and for peace.

They were not detained longer than seven days as limited by law, he said, adding that he hoped that foreign countries would understand. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-06-05

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Junta to expedite energy price restructuring as part of economic platforms; will appoint new National Energy Policy Committee members this week /The Nation

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Chinese-Thai mfg. - SAIC Motor-CP Co. to invest Bt30-40 bn in 2nd Thai plant after its 1st plant in Rayong produced MG6 1.8-litre car /The Nation

Comptroller-General's Dept to expedite 2014 budget spending to fulfill 95 pct target and boost Thai economy in 2nd half 2014 /The Nation

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ACM Prajin wants the energy reform draft ready this week

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) - Air Chief Marshal Prajin Chantong, Head of the Economic Affairs of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), yesterday met with representatives from energy-related agencies, including the PTT Public Company Limited. He instructed the officials to finish the draft on the energy structural reform within this week.

According to the Air Chief Marshal, the plan would address the high living expense -- part of the NCPO’s policy to help relieve financial burdens of Thai people.

Yesterday’s meeting discussed the alternative energy as well as the price policy for all energy sectors such as cooking gas, fuel, electricity, and also various energy tariffs and funds.

Air Chief Marshal Prajin said the draft energy reform plan, once completed, would be proposed to the Head of the NCPO, General Prayuth Chan-Ocha, hopefully by next week.

He also stated that appointments of new board members of the National Energy Policy Committee and the Board of Investment would be both completed within this week.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

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Southern FTI president hopes for a better situation for the Southern economy

BANGKOK, 5 June 2014 (NNT) – A prominent businessman predicts an uptrend for Thailand's southern economy in the latter half of 2014 due to the junta's plan to help palm and rubber growers.

According to the President of Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) in the southern region, Vithi Supitak, the southern economy depends on rubber and oil palm. In recent years, the prices of these agricultural goods have slumped and farmers were facing huge losses.

Mr. Vithi believed that the Nation Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would soon turn to help resolve the plight of oil palm and rubber growers after distributing payment for farmers enrolled under the rice pledging program.

The price increase of oil and rubber would help boost consumption in the southern area. Mr. Vithi is confident that the overall situation in the latter half of this year would soon be improved to a great extent.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

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Android Simplelocker ransomware encrypts SD card files

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731929-android-simplelocker-ransomware-encrypts-sd-card-files/

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Thai dermatologists warn nose filler can cause blindness
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 5 -- The Dermatological Society of Thailand (DST) warned today that getting a 'nose filler' can cause blindness, revealing that eight Thai patients have found to be negatively affected by the injection process and that only one has been cured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731936-thai-dermatologists-warn-nose-filler-can-cause-blindness/

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Former Democrat MP Warong calls on junta to end rice-pledging scheme
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former Democrat MP Warong Dechgitvigrom Thursday called on the National Council for Peace and Order to end the controversial rice-pledging scheme.

He said the NCPO should replace the scheme with a rice price guarantee.

Warong said the NCPO should apply a transitional measure by paying compensation to farmers for the cost of fertilisers and pesticide at the rate of between Bt1,000 to Bt2,000 per rai.

He pointed out that the pledging scheme was exposed to corruption at all levels and that it was better to drop the concept.

Warong, who exposed the alleged corruption in the scheme, said the NCPO should act urgently because farmers are waiting for help.


-- The Nation 2014-06-05

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Chirathivat beats Chearavanont to become Thailand’s richest family



BANGKOK: -- The Chirathivat family has now become Thailand's richest family beating agribusiness tycoon Dhanin Chearavanont for the top slot among Thailand's 50 richest families.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731939-chirathivat-beats-chearavanont-to-become-thailands-richest-family/

[Lite Beer]

Malaysia autopsy to find if body is missing Briton
AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian authorities were to perform an autopsy Thursday on a body found on a resort island to determine if it is a British tourist who went missing nine days ago.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731944-malaysia-autopsy-to-find-if-body-is-missing-briton/

[Lite Beer]

Hunt for fugitive news editor finds gambling den

PHITSANULOK: -- Over a hundred police and soldiers combed a hotel in Phitsanulok province in a hunt for the fugitive redshirt editor of Laijud magazine Sombat Boonngarmanong Wednesday but find no trace of him hiding there.
Instead they found the hotel being used as a big casino.

The hotel, La Pamola, was later ordered shut and owner was summoned to report to the Third Army Region Headquarters.

The 100-strong force hunting the redshirt editor was led by Col Nopporn Ruangchan, deputy commander of the Fourth Infantry Division.
The search followed information that the editor who remains defiant of order of the military junta to report was hiding at the hotel.
The hotel had been used as meeting place of redshirt activists who included Jatuporn Phrompan.

The search produced no trace of the editor but many gambling equipments were found scattered at many rooms of the hotel, as well as land ownership documents and more than 200 motorcycles on its car park area.

These motorcycles were mortgaged with the casino by gamblers, a police officer said.

Office caretaker told the commander that the casino has been operated for just eight days after the military coup.

Col Nopporn said soldiers searched the hotel because it was in the past used by redshirt activists to meet and stay overnight.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/hunt-fugitive-news-editor-finds-gambling-den/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hunt-fugitive-news-editor-finds-gambling-den

-- Thai PBS 2014-06-05

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Everyone's failing the new driving test in Thailand

THAILAND:-- Until recently, the driver's license exam was kind of a joke. Aspiring motorists need only answer 75 percent of its 30 questions correctly to pass.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731954-everyones-failing-the-new-driving-test-in-thailand/

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NCPO plans to lift curfew nationwide, proceed with reconciliation measures to lead to reform; strict measures against gambling, illegal weapons /MCOT

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A school instructor shot dead in an attempted gold shop robbery



CHIANG MAI: -- A physical training instructor of a wellknown school in Chiang Mai was shot dead this morning inside a gold shop as he allegedly tried to rob the shop. The shopowner was also seriously injured by the alleged robber.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731962-chiang-mai-school-instructor-shot-dead-in-an-attempted-gold-shop-robbery/

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Urgent: NACC sets up panel to investigate assets of Yingluck, former ministers related to rice scheme

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission Thursday set up a committee to investigate assets of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and former minister who were involved in the rice-pledging scheme.


-- The Nation 2014-06-05

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Foreigner dies in horror Phuket smash
Eakkapop Thongtub


Wednesday's crash.

PHUKET: -- A foreign man died in a serious crash on Sator Curve, between Kata and Chalong yesterday (June 4) at 5.30pm, when a cement mixer tipped over and landed on top of his car, crushing it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731964-foreigner-dies-in-horror-phuket-smash/

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Bombs Found in Woods Near Jomtien Road

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731958-bombs-found-in-woods-near-jomtien-road/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Thai army has just announced that the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan will have special exemption from the curfew from 9-13 June #Thailand

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Police hunt for Phuket ATM break-in suspects
Eakkapop Thongtub


Police inspect the ATM for evidence.

PHUKET: -- Thalang police are searching for at least two people believed to be responsible for breaking into a Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) ATM at Baan Manik, Sri Soonthorn, yesterday (June 4) at 3.45am.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731975-police-hunt-for-phuket-atm-break-in-suspects/

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World Cup 2014 expected to draw Bt43.53 billion from Thai gamblers



BANGKOK: -- The upcoming World Cup 2014 is expected to draw Thai soccer fans into betting more with cash from informal markets amounted to as high as 43.53 billion baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/731976-world-cup-2014-expected-to-draw-bt4353-billion-from-thai-gamblers/

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BAAC Chai Nat to reimburse another BT880 million to farmers

CHAINAT, 5 June 2014 (NNT) - The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), Chai Nat branch is paying another 880 million baht to debt-ridden farmers.

Preecha Puangnoipapha, the Director of the Chai Nat BAAC, said that there are 30,333 farmers registered with the rice-pledging scheme for the 2013/2014 season, amounting to a payout owing of 5.219 billion baht.

As of June 2nd, 11, 517 farmers were still waiting for a total payment of 1.431 billion baht. On Friday the Chai Nat BAAC will receive 880 million baht and expects to complete reimbursements from that fund by June 8th, Mr. Preecha said.

Meanwhile, the remaining sum of 551 million baht owed to 2,756 farmers is scheduled to come on June 12th, and then all branches of the BAAC will complete the reimbursement by the next day, June 13th, he added.


-- NNT 2014-06-05

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The junta has no plans to ease curfews during the World Cup tournament in Brazil, NCPO spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree said. /Bangkok Post