Thailand Live Monday 9 Jun 2014

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Train derails in Mae Klong



BANGKOK: -- A train derailed near Mae Klong railway station in Muang district of Samut Songkram province before dawn Monday but caused no injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732902-train-derails-in-mae-klong/

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Phuket driving test pass rate slumps
Anthika Muangrod


Officials want to reduce the number of people doing this.

PHUKET: -- Since the new, tougher, driving theory test was introduced on June 2 only 20 to 25 per cent of applicants in Phuket have managed to pass it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732904-phuket-driving-test-pass-rate-slumps/

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Food exports expected to grow no less than 5% this year



BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Industry says food exports will expand by at least 5 percent this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732908-thai-food-exports-expected-to-grow-no-less-than-5-percent-this-year/

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Newbie movie producer threatens to jump after his film bombs
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- After a recent comedy totally bombed with audiences, the film’s inexperienced producer nearly killed himself early this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732910-bangkok-newbie-movie-producer-threatens-to-jump-after-his-film-bombs/

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Special Report: Peace and unity must be restored before election, says NCPO chief



BANGKOK: -- Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) General Prayuth Chan-ocha has stressed the NCPO’s attempts to return happiness to the people and strengthen Thailand’s democracy in a way that is acceptable to all sides.

In his televised public address, General Prayuth stated that Thailand had suffered from political conflicts for nine consecutive years, and the conflicts had become more severe during the past six months.

He said that the country needs time to fix its problems in order to bring everything back to normalcy for the happiness of the Thai people, as well as foreigners residing in Thailand. The election process, which is part of the democratic system, must be revised to remove “parliamentary dictatorship”. Other issues, such as those involving abuses of political power must be addressed, since they have led to conflicts among the people.

General Prayuth said that martial law was still necessary and it would be enforced together with normal laws. He called for better understanding by the international community on the NCPO’s intention, saying that Thais must respect the law, as this would also restore international confidence.

He pointed out that the NCPO would accept all comments and listen to all sectors of the Thai society. Useful suggestions would be considered for translation into action. The NCPO deemed it urgent to ease the difficulties of the people, especially low-income earners. For instance, it has given top priority to making payments to rice farmers under the rice-pledging scheme and tackling such problems as agricultural products and energy prices.

As for the establishment of Centers of Reconciliation for Reform, he said, the objective is to encourage all groups of people to talk to each other as they used to, and remove the severe division that has come between them over the years. The military will serve as a facilitator and observer. Results of studies on national reconciliation, conducted earlier by several groups, will be brought up for discussion among the people.

Regarding the national reform, General Prayuth explained that all sides would be invited for discussions on all proposals for the reform. This would lead to the second phase, when a new government is formed, together with a reform council and legislative assembly. All the issues would be submitted to the reform council before being forwarded to the assembly for law promulgation.

In the national address, General Prayuth also stressed the importance of preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Community, saying that all ministries must move forward with their projects and activities in this regard to create confidence in Thailand. Public relations campaigns must be stepped up to boost cooperation as well. For example, the ASEAN forest project has been launched in border areas by the army. The project is being spread to other areas of the country.

He urged everyone to attach importance to security and not to leave this issue to the military, the police, and government agencies alone. Everyone can give a helping hand to improve the stability of the country as a whole.


-- NNT 2014-06-09

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THAI-CAMBODIAN RELATIONS
Cambodia is not base for political movements against Thailand : Khmer envoy
Thai News Agency

BANGKOK: -- Cambodia would not allow politicians or activists to use its soil as base for political movement against Thailand, said Cambodia's Ambassador to Bangkok Eat Sophea recently.

The envoy conveyed the message during a meeting with Damrong Kraikruan, director general of the Thai foreign ministry’s East Asia Affairs Department.

"Cambodia had no policy allowing anyone to use the country as a springboard for political movements which could be considered as interfering in the internal affairs of other countries," FM’s spokesman Sek Wannamethee quoted the envoy as saying.

Her affirmation was made following reports that fugitive pro-Thaksin activist; Jakrapob Penkair had attempted to set up a movement in a neighbouring country to lead an anti-coup campaign outside Thailand after the Thai military staged the bloodless coup on May 22.

The spokesman said Norachit Sinhaseni, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, is assigned to explain to Human Rights Watch in New York the necessity for the military to stage the coup after the agency issued a negative statement against the coup in Thailand.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Thailand ready for aviation liberalisation in ASEAN
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 9 - The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is due to be implemented at the end of 2015, but Thailand says it is well prepared for aviation liberalisation under its framework, according to Voradej Harnprasert, director-general of the Civil Aviation Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732911-thailand-ready-for-aviation-liberalisation-in-asean/

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Reduced power in South concerns officials
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 9 -- Concerned electrical power officials are preparing to launch another campaign this week, urging southern residents to lower their electricity use during peak hours for fear a power blackout in the region could be unavoidable as natural gas delivery from the Thailand-Malaysia Joint Development Area (JDA) A18 block needs to be repaired.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732914-reduced-power-in-thai-south-concerns-officials/

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Sing Buri speeding up checking of rice stockpiles

SING BURI 9 June 2014 (NNT) — Sing Buri is quickening its pace to check the rice stockpiles in the province's 19 warehouses. Some of the rice have reportedly been infested with moths and covered in dust.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732915-sing-buri-speeding-up-checking-of-rice-stockpiles/

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'Unusually rich' Phuket taxi drivers face money laundering probe
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Gen Panya: Many millions of baht in taxi driver bank accounts.

PHUKET: -- Many of the taxi drivers charged in the recent police blitz with a variety of crimes are also “unusually rich”, and now face minute examination of their assets and bank accounts. Already police have found “hundreds of millions of baht”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732916-unusually-rich-phuket-taxi-drivers-face-money-laundering-probe/

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Aviation and tourism likely to recover for high season starting in October

BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 (NNT) The Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation believes that both aviation and tourism in Thailand will largely recover during the upcoming high season starting in October this year.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732922-aviation-and-thai-tourism-likely-to-recover-for-high-season-starting-in-october/

Full story:

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Special Report: Multilingual Journalists: First Step to Multilingual News Bureau

BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 (NNT) Malay is the language that most people in the southern border provinces use while Thai remains the official language. Not only Malay and Thai, some people in the deep South, especially students from Ponoh schools, learn two more languages—Arab and English—the languages which can help them communicate with the world. Seeing the language potential of these local students, a group of independent journalists have arranged a training workshop on news reporting with the ultimate goal to set up a multilingual news bureau in the southernmost region.

The multilingual news reporting workshop is managed by the South Border School of Journalists with financial support from the Southern Thailand Empowerment and Participation (STEP) Project. The workshop is designed in line with the Deep South Watch center’s strategies for peace at the grassroots level. In the initial phase, the students are trained to report in Thai and Malay before they learn to write news in English and Arab.

This 10-day workshop consists of three parts. The first one concerns the basic structure of news reporting “5W1H” or who, what, when, where, why and how. The second part features lectures on the importance of Malay and exchanges of experience of local veteran journalists in reporting in Malay. The students also learn about the topics of news which interest the local people and basic skills in covering news in a conflict area like the deep South.

The third part is deemed the most important part of the workshop since it allows the students to present the topics they will cover in a simple, uncomplicated style. The topics should concern the villages or communities the students live in. After that, the students are allowed to travel to the places where they can gather facts and interview news sources for two days with coaches.

The multilingual news reporting workshop is expected to take place regularly for the Ponoh students who are interested in journalism since they are capable of communicating in Malay and Thai. It is the first step to a multilingual news bureau in the southernmost region where quality journalism is much needed to help create understanding and promote peace.


-- NNT 2014-06-09

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THAI Flight TG508 expected to leave Karachi airport at 2 pm

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International's Flight TG508 which was stranded by an terrorist attack is expected to leave the International Karachi Airport at 2 pm Monday Bangkok's time, a THAI officer said.

The officer said THAI would reevaluate the situation before deciding whether to cancel its Bangkok-Karachi Flight 507, which is scheduled at 2:10 pm.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Highway police to get tough on traffic law violators

BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 (NNT) - The Highway Police have declared that they will station police officers every 50 kilometers on roads coming into Bangkok and its vicinity, to monitor traffic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732925-thai-highway-police-to-get-tough-on-traffic-law-violators/

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Nakhon Phanom province seizes 223 rosewood logs

NAKHON PHANOM, 9 June 2014 (NNT) - On June 7th, 2014, the Mekong River Marine Unit and Border Patrol Police seized 223 rosewood logs, 2 motorbikes, and a two-wheel cart in Tha Uthen and Ban Phaeng districts, Nakhon Phanom province.

After the Commander of the Mekong River Marine Unit, Rear Admiral Arak Kaewaium was informed about rosewood smuggling into Laos, patrol officers were assigned to closely monitor activity in the Mekong river area.

At 7 pm, patrol officers seized a boat carrying 187 rosewood logs in Baan Lao Suan Kluay, Tha Uthen district. An hour later, patrol officers seized another 36 rosewood logs, a red and black Yamaha motorbike and a white Honda Click motorbike with a two-wheel cart carrying rosewood in Ban Phaeng district. All property in dispute was sent to Ban Phaeng Naval Station for further investigation and legal action.


-- NNT 2014-06-09

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Mandarin-language Thai guides call on junta to crackdown on unlicensed guides
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- About 200 Mandarin-language Thai guides on Monday submitted a letter calling on the junta to crack down on foreign unlicensed guides who compete with them for work.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732928-mandarin-language-thai-guides-call-on-junta-to-crackdown-on-unlicensed-guides/

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Hardcore red shirt Arisman Pongruangrong who was earlier reported to have escaped abroad has reported himself to the National Council for Peace and Order at about noon today.

A few other red-shirt core members namely Aree Krainara, chief of the red-shirt guards, and Thanakrit Cha-amnoi, are to turn themselves in to the military this afternoon.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/45215/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-09

[Lite Beer]

Prayuth to hold meeting of 23 Thai ambassadors, consuls Wednesday

BANGKOK: -- Junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha will hold a meeting with 23 Thai ambassadors and consuls on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sek Wannamethee said Monday.

Sek said the top Thai envoys would be told by Prayuth of Thailand's reviewed stands towards the countries they are representing the kingdom to deal with.

Sek said the ambassadors and consuls stay at Washington DC, Berlin, Brussels.

The envoys will attend a meeting held by Permanent Secretary for Foreign Ministry Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Tuesday.

-- The Nation 2014-06-09

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Take the new Thai driving test online!

THAILAND:-- Following the news earlier this month that Thailand has introduced new, tougher driving theory tests, Thaivisa gives you the opportunity to take a look at a practice version of the online test here.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732938-take-the-new-thai-driving-test-online/

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UPDATE:

Traffic police launch a crackdown on illegal parking



BANGKOK: -- Starting today (Monday) traffic police in Bangkok and its peripherals have launched a crackdown on illegal parking with violating cars facing wheel clamping or being towed away.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732406-police-to-launch-new-campaign-against-traffic-law-violators/page-3?p=7948468#entry7948468

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Man Evades Army Rangers, Robs 7-11 During Curfew
By Khaosod English


CCTV footage of a man who allegedly robbed a 7-11 store located in front of the headquarters of the Royal Thai Army's Long Range Rangers Patrol (LRRP) on Chaeng Wattana Road early this morning. 9 June 2014.

BANGKOK — Police are searching for a suspect who reportedly robbed a convenience store only yards away from a unit of Army Rangers during curfew hours early yesterday morning.

The incident took place at around 2:45 am at a 7-11 store located in front of the headquarters of the Royal Thai Army's Long Range Rangers Patrol (LRRP) on Chaeng Wattana Road.

Warapon Noochapong, 23, deputy manager of the store, told police that she was checking stocks of goods in the store, which was closed at the time in accordance with the military’s midnight - 4 am curfew, when a man wearing a motorcycle helmet knocked on the door and gestured that he would like to buy something.

After she let him in, the man picked up a bottle of water and walked to the cashier, Ms. Warapon said. However, instead of paying for the item, he reportedly took out a knife and "politely" instructed Ms. Warapon to give him the money.

Ms. Warapon said she gave him 1,200 baht in cash. The man then sped away on a Yamaha Fino motorcycle with no license plate, she said.

Police say the suspect committed the crime while a group of Army Rangers were switching shifts.

"We believe the robber was aware of the guard shift, that's why he chose to commit the act in that moment" an unnamed police officer said.

Police say two other 7-11 stores in the district also reported robberies at around the same time, leading officers to believe they were committed by the same suspect.

CCTV footage in the area is being studied to identify and locate the suspect, police added.

The military junta, which replaced Thailand’s civilian government with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on 22 May, placed a nationwide curfew immediately after seizing power. In recent days the curfew has been lifted in major tourist destinations, such as Phuket, Pattaya, and Haat Yai.

Last week, a NCPO spokesperson said that the military junta has no immediate plans to ease the curfew in Bangkok, which was the center of the six-month political crisis that prompted the military coup d'etat.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1402295167

-- Khaosod English 2014-06-09

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Suthep defends his riot control role in 2010



BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, former deputy prime minister, appeared at the Criminal Court Monday morning to defend his role in cracking rioters in 2010 which resulted in many redshirt rioters dead and injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732950-suthep-defends-his-riot-control-role-in-2010/

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World Cup survey on gambling



BANGKOK: -- Twelve percent of upper high school and vocational students have said that they intend to gamble in the upcoming World Cup soccer matches, according to an opinion poll conducted by the Gambling Problem Study Centre in cooperation with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732951-survey-on-world-cup-gambling-thai-health-promotion-foundation/

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'Anti-Red' Beauty Queen Concedes Crown
By Khaosod English


Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut (far left) dips lotus into holy water for good luck as she tours the Grand Palace with other Miss Universe contestants, 2 May 2014.

BANGKOK — The winner of the Miss Universe Thailand beauty contest has relinquished her crown after receiving a torrent of criticism in response to her vicious comments about Redshirt supporters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732976-anti-red-miss-universe-thailand-concedes-crown/

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US asserts Thailand an ally, hopes democratic rule will be restored soon
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, June 9 -- Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's permanent secretary for foreign affairs, attended the Senior Officials' Meeting of the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Yangon, Myanmar, last week and said many countries now better understood Thailand.

Senior representatives from other countries including the United States, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea and India had been present and he had taken the opportunity to explain the situation in Thailand.

Thailand was solving its problems to quickly restore its order, he reported, and they understood Thailand.

Mr Sihasak said that Daniel Russel, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told the meeting that Thailand was an important partner and he hoped that Thailand would return to democracy soon.

Mr Sihasak said that Australia, New Zealand and other countries had more confidence in Thailand after learning about its three-stage roadmap to democracy.

He also said that he would allay international concerns about human rights in Thailand to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next week. Some limitations to freedom would be short-lived to ensure peace and prevent violence in the country and such measures were already relaxed, Mr Sihasak explained. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-06-09

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AFTER COUP
Many nations have better understanding on Thailand : Thai FM

BANGKOK: -- Many countries including Australia and New Zealand have better understanding and more confidence on Thailand after learning about the junta's three-stage roadmap.

Senior officials from many countries including the United States, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea and India met last week in Yangon in preparation for the East Asia Summit last week.

Thai Foreign Ministry’s permanent secretary Sihasak Puangketkaew said Monday that he took opportunity to explain the situation in Thailand to those participants.

They were informed that Thailand was solving its problems to quickly restore its order, Sihasak said, and they understood Thailand.

Daniel Russel, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told the meeting that Thailand was an important partner and he hoped that Thailand would return to democracy soon.

Sihasak also said that he would allay international concerns about human rights in Thailand to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next week. Some limitations to freedom would be short-lived to ensure peace and prevent violence in the country and such measures were already relaxed, Mr Sihasak explained.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Arisman reports to junta Monday

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong reported to the National Council for Peace and Order Monday.

He arrived at the Army Auditorium at 12:10 pm.

-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Royal Thai Police launch World Cup Gambling Prevention & Suppression Center



BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 (NNT) – The World Cup 2014 Gambling Prevention & Suppression Center has been launched ahead of the tournament from 12th June to 13th July, in order to closely monitor online gambling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732980-royal-thai-police-launch-world-cup-gambling-prevention-suppression-center/

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AFTER COUP
Junta to monitor situation in areas where curfew is lifted

BANGKOK: -- Junta chief Gen Prayuth Chanocha has ordered close monitoring of the political situation in the areas where the curfew has been lifted, Deputy Army Chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr said Monday.

Should any problems recur after the lifting of the curfew, consideration might be given to imposing it again, Udomdej quoted Prayuth as saying. He is secretary general of the National Council for Peace and Order while Prayuth is the chief.

Prayuth seized power on May 22, invoking martial law and placing a curfew on the entire country. The curfew has since been lifted in a number of tourist areas including Trat's Koh Chang district, Songkhla's Hat Yai district, Surat Thani's Koh Phangan and Koh Samui districts, Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district, Phetchaburi's Chaam district, Pattaya in Chon Buri as well as Krabi, Phuket and PhangNga provinces in the south.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Prayuth to hold meeting of 23 Thai ambassadors, consuls Wednesday

BANGKOK: -- Junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha will hold a meeting with 23 Thai ambassadors and consuls on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sek Wannamethee said Monday.

Sek said the top Thai envoys would be told by Prayuth of Thailand's reviewed stands towards the countries they are representing the kingdom to deal with.

Sek said the ambassadors and consuls stay at Washington DC, Berlin, Brussels.

The envoys will attend a meeting held by Permanent Secretary for Foreign Ministry Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Tuesday.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09