Thailand Live Monday 9 Jun 2014

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Akanat to enter Buddhist monkhood June 20

BANGKOK: -- Akanat Promphan, former Democrat MP and former spokesman of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, will enter Buddhist monkhood on June 20, according to an executive of Blue Sky channel.

Thakerng Somsup, an executive of Blue Sky, posted a message on his Facebook page, saying Akanat would be ordained at the Chonlaprathan Rangsarit Temple on June 20.

He said Akanat would stay at the temple for one night before he would move to stay at Wat Pa Amphawan in Chon Buri for two weeks.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Flash floods expected in most parts of Thailand during next 5 days

BANGKOK, 9 June 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation warned residents in the North, Northeast, East and South to brace for flash floods and forest runoffs during the next 5 days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732982-flash-floods-expected-in-most-parts-of-thailand-during-next-5-days/

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Customs seize cars stolen in Malaysia

BANGKOK: -- The Customs Department has detected and seized 30 automobiles on grounds they were sent into its clearance process with false declarations.

Of these automobiles that are worth over Bt21.6 million, seven were allegedly stolen from their legitimate owners in Malaysia.

The department's director-general Rakop Srisupaat said Monday customs officials closely checked the imported cars after being informed by the Malaysian embassy in Thailand that some vehicles stolen in Malaysia were being sent into Thailand.

-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Prayuth's meeting with 23 Thai envoys moved up to Tuesday

BANGKOK -- The planned meeting between Junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and 23 Thai ambassadors and consuls has been moved up from Wednesday to Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry announced.


-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Thai army chief shows sensitive side with 'happiness' song

BANGKOK, June 9, 2014 (AFP) - A ballad penned by a coup-making army chief promising to bring happiness back to Thailand has been viewed more than 200,000 times on YouTube, in the military's latest effort to put a positive spin on its putsch.

The normally stern-faced General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who led the May 22 military overthrow of the civilian government, can now list songwriting among his talents after writing the lyrics to "Return happiness to Thailand".

The song -- featuring reassuring lines such as "we offer to take care and protect you with our hearts" and "give us a little more time" -- has proved an hit since the Royal Thai Army band put Prayut's words to music on Friday and released it on their website.

By Monday, one uploaded video on YouTube had garnered 150,000 views, while other media sources posted links to the patriotic song that generated tens of thousands more hits.

"He (Prayut) called me to see him for an hour. He wrote it with his own handwriting," said Colonel Krisada Sarika, head of the Royal Thai Army band on Friday.

"He wants a song which expresses his feeling for the people... he wants a song which Thai people listen to and then begin to love each other again."

Thailand's military has gone to great lengths to put some gloss on its latest coup, holding concerts with dancing soldiers and free food for bystanders.

Prayut, who is giving weekly televised addresses to the nation, has said he was forced to act after months of protest caused policy paralysis and saw nearly 30 people die in political violence.

Since seizing power from an elected government on May 22, the army has banned public protests, censored the media and summoned hundreds of politicians, activists and academics for questioning.

The nation has been torn apart since 2006 when the army ousted divisive billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra as premier.

Thaksin and his affiliated parties have won the electoral loyalty of the northern portion of the country with populist policies aimed at improving the lot of the rural poor.

But he is loathed by the Bangkok-based establishment -- and its supporters in the military -- who accuse him of destabilising Thailand through vote-buying, corruption and crony capitalism.

Thousands of people gave the general's song a "thumbs up" on YouTube while others posted comments supportive of the coup.

But Prayut's ditty was not universally popular.

"Returning happiness for one group -- while bullying the other group," said one angry YouTube comment.

"You should try to have an election and ask the people what they want."

The song can be heard on

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-09

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SET index closed 1,457.30, down 0.72; Bt/USD32.31; GBP54.25; AUD30.07; EUR44.02; CAD29.44; HKD4.16; SGD25.72; JPY31.42

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Cars valued at Bt20 million seized in smuggling ring crackdown
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 9 -- The Thai Customs Department on Monday said it seized 30 Honda and Toyota automobiles stolen in Malaysia but awaiting further movement in Thailand as part of their being smuggled to a third country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732990-cars-valued-at-bt20-million-seized-in-smuggling-ring-crackdown/

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RS allows TrueVisions to broadcast all World Cup 2014 matches

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732991-rs-allows-truevisions-to-broadcast-all-world-cup-2014-matches/

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Three people hacked to death in a rubber plantation



BANGKOK: -- Three rubber tappers were hacked to death as they were sleeping at a worker’s lodging in a rubber plantation in Chart Trakan district of Phitsanuloke early Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733022-three-people-hacked-to-death-in-a-rubber-plantation-phitsanuloke/

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The National Council for Peace and Order today issued an announcement to keep the Election Act, Political Parties Act and Public Referendum Act in effect. /Bangkok Post

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Thailand to develop improved cattle breeding
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, June 9 -- The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is pushing research strategies for better cattle breeding, as their number in the country has dwindled by almost 2 million since 2011.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733024-thailand-to-develop-improved-cattle-breeding/

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By the numbers, here are Thailand’s deadliest accidents
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- There’s a strange addiction to disaster porn, one well-served by these vast, wide Internets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733027-by-the-numbers-here-are-thailands-deadliest-accidents/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Phuket: Controversial Miss Universe Thailand steps down in tears

BANGKOK: Miss Universe Thailand winner, Weluree “Fai” Ditsayabut today (June 9) relinquished her crown following public criticism of perceived inappropriate remarks she made on social media, including anti-Red Shirt comments, and criticism of her “chubby” appearance.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732976-anti-red-miss-universe-thailand-concedes-crown/page-5?p=7950187#entry7950187

[Lite Beer]

ENERGY
Prajin to chair new energy council
The Nation

ACM Prajin Juntong

BANKOK: -- Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, the National Council for Peace and Order's deputy chief for economic affairs, will chair the new National Energy Policy Council.

In the order unveiled today, the council will consist of 11 members including the permanent secretaries of the Energy, Transport, Natural Resources and Environment, Commerce and Industry ministries. Others include the secretary-general of the Office of National Economic and Social Development Board, Fiscal Policy Office’s director-general, and representatives from the Energy Policy and Planning Office.

The council, tasked to review all energy policies including subsidies and pricing, is normally chaired by the prime minister.

-- The Nation 2014-06-09

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Junta head to hold politicians responsible for their past wrongful management of the country

BANGKOK: -- Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said politicians who have their hands in running the country wrongfully in the past must be held responsible for what they have done to the country.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733065-junta-head-to-hold-politicians-responsible-for-their-past-wrongful-management-of-the-country/

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RT@BBCNewsEnts: Sad news: The Young Ones comedian and actor Rik Mayall has died, a spokesman for his management company tells the Press Association.

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RT@Ajarncom Rik Mayall dead at just 56. Along with Ben Elton this guy WAS 80's alternative comedy. pic.twitter.com/IGNJbSUObY

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Jun 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733114-thailand-live-tuesday-10-jun-2014/