Thailand Live Monday 9 Jun 2014

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World Ocean Day kicks off in Trang to raise awareness on ocean conservation

TRANG, 9 June 2014 (NNT) – Trang deputy governor Amornset Suwanmas presided over World Ocean Day 2014 at the Srivijaya Campus of Rajamangala University of Technology in Trang to mark the World Ocean Day on June 8th, an event that takes place each year.

World Ocean Day was initiated by the United Nations (UN), in order to raise awareness about ocean conservation. The campaign in Thailand includes picking waste on the beach, planting 2,000 mangrove trees, releasing sea turtles and cartoon fish into the sea in Trang.


-- NNT 2014-06-09

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Curfew lifted in Koh Chang, Hat Yai Koh Phangan

BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) cancels the night curfew order in three more places including Koh Chang island, Hat Yai and Koh Phangan island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732824-curfew-lifted-in-koh-chang-hat-yai-koh-phangan/

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HEALTH
Thousands evacuated over 'toxic gas'
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes in Rayong's Ban Chang district shortly past midnight and spend the night on a football pitch after smelling something like toxic gas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732825-rayong-thousands-evacuated-over-toxic-gas/

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MILITARY JUNTA
Water scheme firms accept NCPO delay
The Nation

Builders say they realise some project will go ahead after junta reviews scheme

BANGKOK: -- THAI and foreign contractors picked to work on the Bt350-billion flood and water management scheme set up by the ousted Yingluck government say the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s decision to put the project on hold is a positive move.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732826-thai-water-scheme-firms-accept-ncpo-delay/

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AFTERMATH
Voice TV and T News 'set to return to air shortly'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- VOICE TV and T News are expected to resume broadcasts soon after adjusting programmes to be in line with orders from the ruling junta, a source from the broadcasting regulator revealed yesterday.

The two organisations were among 14 satellite TV channels suspended after the military junta seized power following the military coup on May 22.

They got approval from the junta recently to resume broadcasting after submitting a review of their TV programmes to the NCPO on several occasions, the source told The Nation.

Executives from the two channels signed an agreement stating that they would not air anything that violates NCPO orders or announcements, the source said, adding that their licences will be revoked if they fail to follow through on this.

The broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commis-sion is expected to allow them to resume broadcasting today.

Owned by fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's son Panthongtae, Voice TV was the only digital TV channel suspended while T News is satellite TV channel affiliated with anti-Thaksin protesters.

In the NCPO announcement to suspend the digital and satellite television channels, the junta reasoned it was vital that news and information is disseminated to the public accurately and without distortion, to avoid any misunderstanding which might affect the maintenance of peace and order.

The 12 channels still suspension are MV 5, DNN, UDD, Asia Update, P&P, Four Channel, Blue Sky, FMTV, ASTV, Hot TV, Rescue and the Student and People Network for Thailand's Reform.

Apart from the television channels, unlicensed community radio stations have also been suspended.

However, some of these are in the process of resuming operations.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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GOLD RUSH
Gold piece, ancient beads discovered in Phatthalung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A small gold piece and ancient beads were discovered by Fine Arts Department officials during the excavation of a field in Phatthalung's Khao Chai Son district where many ancient gold ornaments have been uncovered by locals.

The gold item was 0.4 centimetres in diameter and weighed 0.6 grams, senior official Arnat Bamrungwong said yesterday.

He gave no details on the beads.

The dig would take 20 days and would be extended if the work was not completed by then, he said.

The department had reached an agreement with the owner of the 3.5-rai field, Wi Thabsaeng, to allow the area to be explored by three of its offices.

The deal reportedly included the promise to plant palm trees on the land and restore it to its original condition, after the field was completely dug up by locals hoping to get rich.

A team of 11 surveyors and archaeologists sifted a 10-metre square area.

The depth would be extended layer by layer in 20cm steps.

A huge crowd gathered at the pit to look on.

-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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EARTHQUAKE
Older high-rise buildings 'a quake risk'
THANAPAT KITJAKOSOL
THE NATION

7.2 magnitude quake could bring down over a dozen towers in Bangkok, experts warn

BANGKOK: -- IF A 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes nearer to Bangkok than Chiang Rai, which was rattled by a raft of strong tremors last month, up to 17 towers in the capital would topple over, as they were built without appropriate safety measures, a Bangkok seminar heard recently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732827-older-bangkok-high-rise-buildings-a-quake-risk/

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SURVEY
Economists want a bold, decisive PM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MOST ECONOMISTS believe the most favourable qualities the new prime minister should resonate with are boldness, decisiveness and being reform-minded, according to a Bangkok Poll released yesterday.

The survey of 60 economists from the country's 31 top institutions showed that 65 per cent want a PM who is decisive and makes reform the first priority, while 10 per cent want a PM who has the ability to strike a compromise between conflicting parties.

Forty-one per cent believe the new PM should not serve more than one year and 20 per cent |said the PM should not serve longer than six months.

Asked if politicians should be allowed to take part in the reform process, 36.7 per cent believe they should because they know the problems best and reform without their involvement may be later rejected.

Another 36.7 per cent of respondents believe politicians should not be allowed to take part because reform should be free from political influence and politicians always want to protect their interests.

Corruption is what economists see as the most important goal of reform (41.5 per cent), followed by reform of land and inheritance tax (29.6 per cent), which they believe would help bridge economic disparity and raise income distribution.

For education reform, economists want all students to have equal education opportunities and improve their English skills (34.5 per cent).

Most of the economists expect that Thailand post-reform will be a country free from corruption and nepotism.

The next most popular answers were a country with strong unity |and a country without vote-buying and populist policies.

Meanwhile Dusit Poll yesterday revealed the top ten questions most people wanted National Council for Peace and Order chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha to answer.

1. How long will it take to bring the country back to a normal situation and when will the curfew be lifted?

2. Will there be an election and when?

3. How are you going to reform the country and solve the current conflicts?

4. How will you solve the price rise of gas, petrol and electricity?

5. How will offenders of lese majesty and corruption offences be prosecuted?

6. How can you increase economic confidence, solve economic problems and prepare the country for the Asean Economic Community?

7. How will you reform education to get quality people and provide equal education opportunities?

8. How will you help farmers and solve their debt problems?

9. How will you improve public safety?

10. Will you become PM and what problems do you regard as difficult?

-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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EDITORIAL
Junta will be judged by the outcome of its work
The Nation

It's up to the military to convince a doubtful world as to whether its takeoever was right or wrong

BANGKOK: -- They say something is "politically correct" because it is not necessarily morally right. People identifying themselves with one camp or the other in the Thai ideological divide should know this better than anybody else. It has been some kind of a war, and like every war, bad things happen on both sides. If one wants to be politically correct all the time in Thailand, he or she can easily fall off the tightrope.

Concerning Thailand in particular, being politically correct does not equal saying what your heart tells you. After all, no proclaimed human rights advocate has equally treated violent incidents happening in this country over the past few years. The media have toed their ideological lines, amplifying some things and turning a blind eye to others. It's the same, or even worse, for the general activists, who see some deaths as deplorable and others as unavoidable or even well deserved.

Political correctness in its origin must have carried more moral weight. Now, it's all about avoiding saying things or expressing thoughts that may offend those who expect you to be on their side. If you are a hero of the red shirts, you can never wholeheartedly condemn the broad-daylight murder of an anti-government protester. If supporters of Suthep Thaugsuban love you, you cannot say no to the coup or media censorship. The best you can do is say you are saddened by it and that's that.

They call it political correctness for good reason. One wants to be "seen" as being right. One doesn't want to disappoint their political allies, so to speak. The truth is that politics and correctness rarely go together. The truth is that politics involves a lot of vested interests while correctness does not need to be seen. If you worry too much about the fans, chances are you will do what they want, not necessarily what you should do.

It gets even more complicated when you are a diplomat. What's happening in Thailand is by no means a textbook situation. Black is never really black and white is never really white. This explains why many Thais are strongly disappointed with some western countries or their embassies. Those Thais believe that this

country's situation has been over-simplified, with the coup and anti-government protest painted as absolute black while the conspicuous usage of the "democratic mandate" of the overthrown administration was never questioned.

If political correctness as we know it is determining what happens next to Thailand diplomatically, the country may have to brace itself for some repercussions. Australia has initiated some tough anti-coup moves, and the United States and European Union have made a lot of noise. Not that the coup-makers seem to care that much, though, as what happens domestically is far more important to them, at least for now. It's more imperative for Thailand to have political peace and establish a political system that is clean and accountable. In other words, what's most important to Thailand is an all-encompassing reform to guarantee the country will not go back to the past turmoil.

On this, the junta must deliver. If the crisis has taught anyone anything, it's the simple lesson that people should not jump to a conclusion. Here, the line is very thin between politically bad and politically good. A democratically elected political party has had its shot and it didn't quite work out and the jury is still pretty much out on the military junta. Trying to be seen as politically correct too soon, therefore, may equal being absolutely wrong one day.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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American resident of Pattaya facing charges of sexually assaulting minors



PATTAYA: -- Acting on an arrest warrant, Police Region 2 Child and Women Protection Officers arrested a 56 year old American on Sunday Afternoon accused of sexually assaulting two Cambodian boys aged 13 and 14.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732828-american-resident-of-pattaya-facing-charges-of-sexually-assaulting-minors/

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American’s fatal fall from 21st floor Condo on Jomtien Beach

PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Night, Police and medics were called to a Condominium on Jomtien Beach following reports of a foreign man who had fallen from a high-floor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732829-americans-fatal-fall-from-21st-floor-condo-on-jomtien-beach/

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UPDATE:

Pipe-Bomb found in North Pattaya street



PATTAYA: -- As the Weapons Amnesty deadline approaches more explosive devices are being found on the streets of Pattaya and on Saturday afternoon a PVC Pipe-Bomb was found on a North Pattaya street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732664-two-bombs-found-and-defused-by-bomb-demolition-squad-in-north-pattaya/#entry7946459

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RT @191Thailand: A Bangkok-Udon night bus has crashed into a truck killing 1 & injuring 6 - TR @nuttapong_Rw: http://t.co/LhssBbgSgm

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Shower of flowers for police after mass arrests of Phuket taxi mafia
Suthicha Sirirat


Gen Panya receives one of many bouquets in gratitude over the crackdown on taxi mafia.

Phuket: -- Honorary consuls and tourism business owners this afternoon deluged the Commissioner of Police Region 8, Lt Gen Panya Mamen with flowers, in thanks for the action taken by him and his men against illegal taxis over the past few days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732832-shower-of-flowers-for-police-after-mass-arrests-of-phuket-taxi-mafia/

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Myanmar man nabbed for trafficking abuses
The Nation



PHUKET: -- Phuket police have netted a Myanmar man for allegedly scamming four compatriots into working on a fishing trawler for six months without pay.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732833-myanmar-man-nabbed-in-phuket-for-trafficking-abuses/

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Trips not lavish: House official
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE SECRETARY-GENERAL of the House of Representatives yesterday denied he had abused the budget for MP salaries by sending secretariat officials on study trips abroad at inflated costs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732834-trips-abroad-not-lavish-house-official/

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Gambling machines seized
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A team of police and troops has confiscated 286 horse-gambling machines after raiding a house in Bang Khen in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732836-286-horse-gambling-machines-seized-in-bangkok/

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EDUCATION
Thai women lead the way with award-winning inventions
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- OUTSTANDING inventions by Thai women, including one that promises to change the lives of diabetics, have won international recognition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732837-thai-women-lead-the-way-with-award-winning-inventions/

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Militants attack Karachi airport; 21 killed in clashes

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732838-militants-attack-karachi-airport;-21-killed-in-clashes/

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Five dead in Las Vegas shootings

LAS VEGAS: -- Two people have shot and killed two police officers in the US city of Las Vegas, before killing another person and then shooting themselves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732839-five-dead-in-las-vegas-shootings/

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Hi-speed train project likely to be shelved by NCPO which will meet this week to discuss funding sources for new infrastructure projects. /The Nation

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Phuket expat shooting target arrested for murder of girlfriend in Denmark
Claire Connell


Dennis Knudsen. Photo: Pattaya One.

PHUKET: -- Dennis Mark Knudsen, the intended Danish victim of a shootout by two Australians last year in Patong has been arrested in Denmark and charged with the murder of his girlfriend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732868-phuket-expat-shooting-target-arrested-for-murder-of-girlfriend-in-denmark/

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Lampang to build weirs to prevent forest rundowns

LAMPANG, 9 June 2014, (NNT) - Locals in Ngaw(แม่งาว) District of Lampang Province have built several weirs in the area of the Borsilieam Village, in their attempts to slow down forest rundown and preserve the area’s ecosystem as the rainy season approaches.

More than 300 of students and residents have joined hands building about 30 weirs north of the village, aimed at preventing flash floods, bush fires, smogs, dampening the forest, and instilling the sense of forest preservation in the locals.

Borsiliem (บ่อสี่เหลี่ยม)Village, homer to a number of tribesman, is one of Lampang’s water sources-- the Mae Ngaw(แม่งาว) river-- which originates in the Thamphatai National Park. Given the village is located 1,200 - 1,300 meters above the sea level, the weather there is cold year round.


-- NNT 2014-06-09

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Chiang Mai holds free traditional Thai massage classes for the unemployed

CHIANG MAI, 9 June 2014, (NNT) - The Office of Labor Skill Development in Chiang Mai is currently promoting traditional Thai massage spas, offering free courses on the practice to the province’s unemployed workforce.

According to officials, the class is 180 hours long, providing both theoretical and hands-on workshops, revealing further that the office’s goals are to improve the quality of traditional Thai masseurs, and to give opportunity to the unemployed. The Labor Skill Office pointed out that skilled massage therapists are currently in great demand in Russia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and European countries, adding that experienced practitioners in Thailand’s northern region could earn as much as 12,000 a month, around 20,000 baht in the South, and as high as 30,000 baht aboard.

Officials also urged practitioners looking to work abroad to be extremely thorough and careful about choosing employment agencies.

Major benefits of traditional Thai massage include soothing the symptoms of asthma and migraines, sprains, bruises, and anxiety. Further benefits include easing physical and emotional tensions, ameliorating sleeplessness, improving flexibility, creating greater awareness of the body and the mind, and releasing blocked energy.


-- NNT 2014-06-09

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Talks ordered on Kim Dotcom assets freeze

AUCKLAND: -- Music and movie giants have joined forces to freeze Kim Dotcom's assets, but they'll have to negotiate conditions first.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732874-talks-ordered-on-kim-dotcom-assets-freeze/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,463.88, gains 5.86 points /MCOT

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Thailand faces monsoons, rainstorms, and earthquakes

BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 (NNT) - Three provinces in different parts of Thailand have recently been affected by a monsoon, a rainstorm, and an earthquake.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732889-thailand-faces-monsoons-rainstorms-earthquakes/

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Military court approves arrest warrants against 10

BANGKOK: -- The military court has approved arrest warrants against 10 persons who ignored summons by the junta, Crime Suppression Division deputy commander Pol Col Prasop Chokprommool said Monday.

Prasop said the ten refused to report to the National Council for Peace and Order as summoned.

They are Samran Saichana, Thanadet Ekapiwat, Atthachai Anantamek, Yiamyod Srimanta, Noi Daengpao, Narongsask Plaiaram, Jitra Kachadet, Pipat Phansuwan, Sirapop Kornarut, and Wanchalerm Satsaksit.

-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Police to target gouging by motorcycle taxis
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Last week's arrest of a motorcycle taxi operator accused of overcharging could be a sign of things to come.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732892-thai-police-to-target-gouging-by-motorcycle-taxis/

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Government officers asked to act as role models

BANGKOK, 8 June 2014 (NNT) The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior has asked for cooperation from government officers, to act as role models in order to maintain peace in the country. He also welcomed any information that put national security at risk.

M.L. Panadda Dissakul, Deputy Permanent-Secretary for the Ministry of the Interior, and acting Permanent-Secretary for the Prime Minister's Office, has posted messages on his personal Facebook page, asking government officers from every section to act as role models for peace in the country, to perform duties straightforwardly, be faithful and generous, and follow royal philosophies in daily working performance.

He also asked for cooperation from every section to notify his office of any action that is against national security at www.1111.go.th or the hotline 1111.


-- NNT 2014-06-09