Thailand Live Friday 6 Jun 2014

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3,000 illegal community radio stations face permanent closure



BANGKOK: -- Some 3,000 illegal community radio stations which were closed down by the National Council for Peace and Order since the military takeover on May 22 will not be allowed to resume operations, said Mr Sanya Krachangsri, head of the Ubon Ratchathani region of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, today (Friday).

As for the licensed community radio stations, he explained that the first 500 “primary” community radio stations would soon be allowed to go on air but under certain restrictions laid down by the NBTC such as the content to be aired must not be deemed incitement of public unrest, no political content and the stations must be operated by the licencees or by someone authorized by the licencees.

Also, the transmitters must be subjected to examination and approved by officials from the NBTC. If it is discovered later on that unapproved transmitters are used, the operators will have their licenses revoked.

For some 5,000 licensed secondary community radio stations, Mr Sanya said that not all of them would be allowed to resume operations. Under a new condition recently set, each operator which is a legal entity can operate only one radio station in each province.

Last but not least, he said that before the resumption of broadcast, each operator will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding with the NBTC committing himself to comply with the rules or conditions set by the NBTC.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/3000-illegal-community-radio-stations-face-permanent-closure/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-06

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Phang Nga a pilot environmentally friendly province

PHANG NGA, 6 June 2014 (NNT) - Phang Nga is on the way to becoming an environmentally friendly province with effective waste, air pollution and water pollution management systems which are in line with the 3R principle.

This year the Pollution Control Department, and Phang Nga local administrative organizations signed an MoU in a move to provide Phang Nga province with standard management of waste, air pollution and water pollution. The province was subsequently selected as a pilot province for the up grade, the Governor of Phang Nga, Thamrong Charoenkul recently advised. To achieve the objective, the province adopted the 3R principles which include effective resource consumption, sustainable resource consumption and waste management.

In this regard, the governor is seeking collaboration with local communities to help in reducing the amount of pollution emitted, with segregation and recycling of waste.


-- NNT 2014-06-06

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Court allows Chaturon to be released on bail

BANGKOK: -- The Military Court Friday allowed former Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang to be released on bail.

He was required to post assets worth Bt400,000 a guarantee. The court banned him from leaving the country.


-- The Nation 2014-06-06

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NCPO: Sombat Boonngamanong to be detained not more than 7 days; Military court allows bail for Chaturon /MCOT

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Retail chains peg their food items at 35 to 40 baht

BANGKOK, 6 June 2014 (NNT) - Big C, Tesco Lotus, and Tops supermarket have agreed to peg the prices of ten ready-to-eat meals at 35 to 40 baht until the end of November 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732226-retail-chains-peg-their-food-items-at-35-to-40-baht/

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Phuket Immigration swoop nets Nigerian, Cambodians, Indians and a Syrian
Suthicha Sirirat


The seven men are presented to media at a press conference.

PHUKET: -- Seven foreigners have been arrested in Phuket for a variety of immigration-related offences, plus begging illegally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732227-phuket-immigration-swoop-nets-nigerian-cambodians-indians-and-a-syrian/

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Thai tourist arrivals dive as coup shakes confidence

BANGKOK, June 6, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand suffered a plunge in tourist arrivals in May as the military seized power in a coup and imposed a night-time curfew, official figures showed Friday.

Foreign visitor numbers slumped 10.6 percent last month compared with a year earlier, to roughly 1.74 million people, the tourism and sports ministry reported.

For the first five months of 2014, arrivals were down nearly six percent year-on-year.

"The reasons are political rallies, the imposition of emergency rule, martial law and the curfew," said Arnupap Gaesornsuwan, director general of the ministry's tourism department.

Drawn by its sun-kissed beaches, tranquil temples and racy nightlife, the kingdom welcomed a record 26.5 million foreign visitors in 2013.
But months of street protests and political bloodshed have tarnished Thailand's reputation as the "Land of Smiles".

Arnupap said the government had lowered its forecast for tourist arrivals this year to 25.9 million, down from an initial target of 28 million.

The army takeover has prompted a flurry of warnings from foreign governments about travelling to the Southeast Asian holiday hotspot.

The ruling generals have curtailed civil liberties by banning public protests, censoring media and temporarily detaining hundreds of critics for questioning.

But tourists have been largely unaffected by the bloodless coup, apart from the curfew and, in some cases, issues with their travel insurance coverage.

The curfew was relaxed to midnight until 4:00 am late last month, and lifted on Tuesday in the beach resorts of Pattaya, Koh Samui and Phuket in an attempt to lure back tourists.

The coup makers said Friday they were planning to scrap the curfew soon in four more tourist destinations -- Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Hat Yai and Krabi, and lift the measure for the rest of the country as soon as possible.

Thailand's economy shrank 0.6 percent year-on-year in the first three months of 2014, partly because of the tourism slump, and many forecasters expect a second straight quarterly contraction, tipping the kingdom into recession.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-06

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SET index closed 1,458.02, up 4.86; Bt/USD32.45; GBP54.45; AUD30.12; EUR44.21; CAD29.58; HKD4.17; SGD25.79; JPY31.58

[george]

At least 5 AoT board members including chairman Sita Divari have resigned, Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Pharnu Kerdlarpphon said. /Bangkok Post

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Kathu police prepare to raid more illegal taxi ranks in Patong
Eakkapop Thongtub

Kathu police get ready to raid illegal Patong taxi ranks. Photo: Ekapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Kathu police along with other officials have assembled local operators and residents to 'create understanding' in anticipation to raiding 16 illegal taxi ranks in Patong.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732053-patong-taxi-mafia-will-be-targeted-soon-as-part-of-phuket-crackdown/page-3#entry7937749

[Lite Beer]

Investigation report of rice scheme is expected to be with NACC next week

BANGKOK: -- An initial investigation report about alleged corruption in the rice pledging scheme implicating some members of the dissolved cabinet of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is expected to be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission next week.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732299-investigation-report-of-rice-scheme-is-expected-to-be-with-nacc-next-week/

[Lite Beer]

Ex-minister Chaturon freed on 400,000 baht bail

BANGKOK: -- Former education minister Chaturon Chaisaeng was this afternoon given conditional release on bail by the Military Court hours after the same court decided to detain for another 12 days.

Earlier in the morning, the court rejected his bail request on the ground that there was inadequate reason to set him free.

However, in the afternoon his lawyers requested for bail or temporary release for the ex-minister claiming that it was his basic right to be given bail. The lawyers defended that Chaturon’s alleged offence was his call for democracy in a peaceful manner and that he would not escape but would fight his case in the court.

After considering the lawyers’ reasons, the court decided to release Chaturon on 400,000 baht bail on the conditions that he would not take part in political activities, would not incite unrest or instigate rebellion against the junta either verbally or in writing.

Chaturon is facing charges of inciting unrest in accordance with Article 116 of the Criminal Code and violating the martial law by defying the order to report himself to the junta.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ex-minister-chaturon-freed-400000-baht-bail/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ex-minister-chaturon-freed-400000-baht-bail

-- Thai PBS 2014-06-06

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RT@veen_NT: Prayuth on TV in "Return Happiness to Thai People" pic.twitter.com/CmvEoqkEOd

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RT@Saksith: Prayuth: It’s necessary to create job opportunities nationwide to prevent an mass migration to central regions, Bangkok.

RT@Saksith: Prayuth says that work of agencies and most other institutions will go on as usual within ”regulations and framework”

RT@Saksith: Prayuth: About the rice scheme, we can’t rush to sell it off, have to be careful. We help inspections of rice stock.

RT@Saksith: Prayuth: I think it’s better we maintain rice market price instead of flooding the market with stocked rice.

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RT@Saksith: Prayuth: Projects concerning public utilities will be given priorities.

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RT@veen_NT: Prayuth: NCPO will support any efforts to inspect the rice stock. Those who committed illegal actions will b prosecuted. #ricePledgingscheme

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RT@FaiSuluck: Prayuth: I can ensure you that we will not have any corruption because we're here to fix it not to cause it, so please trust us

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RT@Saksith: Prayuth: I understand it’s dangerous to use absolute power to fix economic problems - we’ll be careful in our work.

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RT@Saksith: Prayuth: We’ll continue to reduce restrictions of martial law gradually.

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RT@tulsathit: Prayuth on TV also claimed success in war weapon crackdown and vowed to heed social media feedback.

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RT@Juarawee: "Don't make tourists come to Thailand because of drugs or things like that," said Prayuth. #ThaiTourism #fb

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RT@tulsathit: On foreign reaction, Prayuth: We are not quarrelling with anyone. Thais have wasted too much time fighting each other. This must end.

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RT@tulsathit: Prayuth, complaining: When I speak too little, you don't understand. We I speak a lot, small things are picked on and distorted.

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RT@Juarawee: "Another urgent matter R (mafia) influences, gambling. Related agencies needs 2 look at these problems so parents can be less worry."Prayuth

RT@veen_NT: Prayuth called for time to work. "Don't judge us too soon. Give us time and see the result of our works.

RT@Saksith: Prayuth: Please show 5 fingers, instead: 2 for the country, 3 for nation, religion and king.

RT@Saksith: Prayuth: Don’t imitate something from foreign films (the 3-finger-gesture), we have our own identity…!

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RT@Saksith: Prayuth: Don't fear us if you do nothing wrong, or if you prove you've done nothing wrong.

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT: Curfew is lifted in
Cha-am, Phetburi
Hua Hin in Prachuab Khirikan
Krabi province
Pang-nga province.

[george]

Curfew lifted in Cha Am, Hua Hin, Krabi and Phang Nga

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732307-curfew-lifted-in-cha-am-hua-hin-krabi-and-phang-nga/

[george]

Bangkok traffic police blitz

BANGKOK: -- Traffic police in Bangkok have vowed to strictly enforce a new campaign starting on Monday that focuses on strong enforcement of traffic laws.

The blitz will include towing away vehicles, locking wheels, arrests, detention - and traffic cops being polite, Royal Thai Police adviser Lt-General Wuthi Liptapallop said.

-- The Nation 2014-06-07

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 07 Jun 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732329-thailand-live-saturday-7th-jun-2014/