Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Jun 2014

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Phuket Airport health training exercise dubbed a success
Eakkapop Thongtub


Yesterday's emergency health scenario at the airport.

PHUKET: -- Phuket International Airport, along with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, held an emergency response training exercise at the airport yesterday (June 9), to prepare authorities about how to react in a health emergency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733160-phuket-airport-health-training-exercise-dubbed-a-success/

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Several wounded as separatists ambushed officials from Regional 4 SBPAC

PATTANI, 10 June 2014, (NNT) - Local media has reported seven hurt in two separate incidents in Pattani and Yala provinces, in the latest instances of southern violence.

Four Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center officials and a local man were wounded in a separatist ambush, while they were in a van at Baankhokwoaw in Kapho District of Pattani Province. The wounded were quickly sent to a nearby medical center for treatment.

Meanwhile, residents of Bunnangsta District in Yala helped transport a volunteer security officer and a bystander to the local hospital after the two were wounded in a suspected separatist attack in the area’s Baanthanyong, while they were riding a motorcycle back from the nearby woods. Officials speculated the attack was a further attempt to intimidate the locals.

In a related matter, inquisitors of the 41st Ranger Squadron have revealed the initial result of an inquiry into the activities of the two suspects arrested in Yala’s Muang District, while in possession of bomb components on June 5th, saying the duo were, indeed, bomb makers for the separatists. The bombers confessed that their leader had instructed them to rig several explosives in preparation for an assault on an unidentified location.


-- NNT 2014-06-10

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RT @ChadapornLin: Nok Air plane clips Air Asia's plane while landing at Nakhon Si Thammarat airport causing damage to wing; 170 passengers safe

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US Supreme Court refuses halt to BP spill payments
Collin Eaton

WASHINGTON: -- The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected BP's emergency petition to halt oil spill payments while the court considers whether to take up a broader dispute over BP's allegation that some economic loss claims were fabricated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733170-us-supreme-court-refuses-halt-to-bp-spill-payments/

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NCPO to ask foreign govts to extradite lese-majeste offenders

BANGKOK, 10 June 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has requested the British government to extradite a Thai woman facing a lese-majeste charge while looking into a possibility of lifting curfews in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Deputy Army Spokesperson Colonel Winthai Suwaree stated that the Army would take serious action against three Thai nationals who have refused to report to the NCPO. Among those on the NCPO’s want-list are Miss Chatwadee Amornpat, Mr. Chakrapop Penkae, former Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office and Mr. Sunai Julapongsatorn, former Pheu Thai party-list MP.

Ms. Chatwadee, aka “Rose”, was found guilty of committing lese-majeste and is now hiding in the United Kingdom, Colonel Winthai said, adding that the NCPO has requested the British government to extradite her to Thailand.

Colonel Winthai also announced that the Army would consider lifting curfews in certain areas, especially at some spots in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. However, the NCPO would still enforce the curfew nationwide, as war weapons were still detected at various areas.

Under the martial law, Col Winthai said soldiers were able to perform their duties more efficiently. Nonetheless, the NCPO believed that everything would return to normal soon but was still unable to provide a definite answer on when it would lift the curfew nationwide.


-- NNT 2014-06-10

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Army commander visits Chainat to boost troops' morale

CHAINAT 10 June 2014 (NNT) — The army commander has reportedly visited local army personnel to receive briefs and updates on the current situation in Chainat province.

Maj. Gen. Somchai Reukpichai, the commander of the Artillery Brigade, yesterday visited local army officials in Chainat province. The visit’s objective was to get updated on the situation in the province.

The visit was reportedly meant to boost the morale of the troops currently performing their duties in the province. The commander was said to have visited 40 army officials working in the area.

Before concluding his visit, Maj. Gen. Somchai stressed to the troops the importance of upholding the law and keeping peace in the region, as well as eradicating drug trafficking and instigators of violence.

-- NNT 2014-06-10

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Cambodian migrants flee Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The Phnom Penh Post reported that thousands of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand are rushing back across the border, voluntarily repatriating themselves in the face of increasingly hostile rhetoric towards undocumented labourers.

In the wake of Thailand’s coup d’état last month, army chief General Prayuth Chan-o-Cha urged better regulation of the workforce and warned illegal workers of their tenuous and unwelcome status, last week outlining ways “to prevent [an] illegal work force from entering into the country and give more work opportunities to Thai nationals”.

In response, many undocumented and unregistered Cambodian workers are deciding to show themselves the door. Border officials said groups of workers are cramming into military trucks, opting to be sent home rather than incur potential punishment.

Around 100 or more came with Thai military transporting them to the border, said Colonel Chin Piseth, deputy director of the Cambodian-Thai border relations office in Poipet.

Piseth estimated that thousands of Cambodians have returned since last week when the Thai military announced it would not take responsibility for any incident involving undocumented migrants.

While forcible expulsions from Thailand are not uncommon – a UN study found more than 89,000 Cambodians were deported from Thailand in 2009 for illegal migration – en masse voluntary returns or large round-ups of employed workers is extremely unusual, according to Moeun Tola, head of the labour program at the Community Legal Education Center.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/cambodian-migrants-flee-thailand/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-10

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Poisoning ruled out in Kuiburi gaur death



BANGKOK: -- The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation now officially ruled out poisoning as the cause of deaths of 29 gaurs in Kuiburi national park in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733181-poisoning-ruled-out-in-kuiburi-gaur-death/

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Lifting of curfew proven to liven up atmosphere for tourists

BANGKOK, 10 June 2014 (NNT) - Tourist police stated that the lifting of curfew in popular tourist destinations has improved the overall atmosphere for visitors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733207-lifting-of-curfew-proven-to-liven-up-atmosphere-for-tourists-thai-tourist-police/

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Air Asia plane grounded after hitting bird



BANGKOK: -- An Air Asia plane from Bangkok hit a bird while it was landing at Nakhon Si Thammarat airport this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733208-air-asia-plane-grounded-after-hitting-bird/

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Officials follow up on Surat Thani’s logistics route project

SURAT THANI, 10 June 2014 (NNT) – Related agencies are overseeing the development of Surat Thani’s logistics city route project aimed at decreasing traffic congestion while also hoping to make the city more organized.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733209-officials-follow-up-on-surat-thanis-logistics-route-project/

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Human remains found in crocodile after fatal attack in Australia
By Sophie Brown, CNN

(CNN) -- Authorities have recovered human remains from a large crocodile that's believed to have taken a man from his boat in Australia's remote north.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733211-human-remains-found-in-crocodile-after-fatal-attack-in-australia/

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NBTC approves the TV schedules and content of VOICE TV and T NEWS channels

BANGKOK, 10 June 2014 (NNT) - Col Natee Sukonrat, vice president of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and Chairman of Radio Broadcasting and Television (CAT), announced at a meeting of the Broadcasting Committee on June 9th, that it will propose the VOICE TV and T NEWS channels' TV schedule be considered for broadcast by The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

The TV programs must not disseminate content that could incite political chaos in society, and also not oppose announcements from the NCPO or those of the NBTC. Any violation would mean the licenses would be revoked.

On 9th June 2014, Blue Sky Channel submitted a letter to the the NBTC requesting an upgrade to subscription television and a rearrangement of its programs according to the NBTC, in order to resume normal broadcasting.

In the case of litigation between NBTC and RS concerning the broadcast of the World Cup 2014, the trial will be held today (June 10th). Whatever the judgment, the NBTC will accept the ruling of the Supreme Administrative Court on June 11th, 2014.


-- NNT 2014-06-10

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Gen. Chadchai discusses action plan for water and flood management projects

BANGKOK, 10 June 2014, (NNT) - General Chadchai Sarikalaya , the Army Deputy Chief and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s Economic Division Deputy Leader, yesterday met with water and flood-management-related agencies regarding their budget and action plans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733215-gen-chadchai-discusses-action-plan-for-thai-water-and-flood-management-projects/

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NCPO asks the public not to believe distorted information on social media

BANGKOK, 10 June 2014 (NNT) The spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), Col Winthai Suvaree has asked the public to gain its information directly from the NCPO since much misinformation, especially about a new taxation structure and energy prices, has been spread through social media.

Meanwhile, Government sectors are continuing to work on projects and costings during the last four months of the fiscal year. In addition, the NCPO spokesman has urged the public to have confidence that the NCPO undertakes a transparent operation and it won't let mistakes happen again, however, it takes time to complete the mission.

Information posted on social networks about setting up a new government and cancelling the PAO are both just rumors, says Winthai. He has made a request that the public receive important information from the only accurate source, which is the NCPO.

As for the midnight curfew that's already been lifted in some areas, if it is found that political movements are still fomenting discord, the curfew may be imposed again.


-- NNT 2014-06-10

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Special Report: Thailand takes part in ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting



BANGKOK: -- Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow represented Thailand at the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), ASEAN Plus Three SOM, and the East Asia Summit, all of which were held in Yangon, Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733217-thailand-takes-part-in-asean-senior-officials-meeting-special-report/

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Thaksin's brother reports to NCPO

BANGKOK: -- Phayup Shinawatra, a brother of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reported to the National Council for Peace and Order Tuesday.

Phayup came to the Army Auditorium at 10:50 am.


-- The Nation 2014-06-10

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Three women with same name report to NCPO

BANGKOK: -- Three women with the same name and surname reported the National Council for Peace and Order Tuesday.

They all use Duangjai Puangkaew name and they came to the Army Auditorium to report themselves. After officials checked their identification card, two of them were released.

A source said Duangjai Puangkaew was summoned because she was suspected of being involved to a website deemed insulting the monarchy.


-- The Nation 2014-06-10

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Large oil slick appears at Rayong's Mae Ramphung Beach /MCOT

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Thammasat lecturer Saotree released from military detention

BANGKOK: -- Thammasat law lecturer Saotree Suksri, known for being anti-lese majeste law activist, is reportedly released late last night after being detained by the military junta on Sunday.

-- The Nation 2014-06-10

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Mayor floats idea of public transport in Phuket’s party town

Wiparatana Nathalang

Most of Patong's tuk-tuk drivers spend most of their day parked and waiting for passengers

PHUKET: The new Mayor of Patong, Chalermluck Kepsab, has floated the idea of reorganising some of the town’s thousands of tuk-tuks to create a hop-on-hop-off public transport system.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733238-mayor-floats-idea-of-public-transport-in-phukets-party-own/

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Red-shirt activist makes Hunger Game salute when reporting to junta

BANGKOK: -- A red-shirt activist dressed in red and made a Hunger Game salute when he reported himself to the National Council for Peace and Order Tuesday.

Saranukul Kongthong, was summoned twice in orders No 6 and 58, made the Hunger Game three-finger salute to reporters when he arrived at the Army Auditorium.

-- The Nation 2014-06-10

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Rice miller gets 20 years in jail for rice pledging frauds



BANGKOK: -- The Chaiyaphum Provincial Court has sentenced a rice miller to serve 20 years in prison and nine farmers six months after finding them in rice pledging fraud conspiracy involving the missing of 750 tonnes of paddy and rice from government stocks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733235-thai-rice-miller-gets-20-years-in-jail-for-rice-pledging-frauds/

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No air pollution after petrochemical plant blast in Rayong
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 10 -- Hazardous substances did not breach safety standard levels in the vicinity of the IRPC petrochemical plant in Thailand's eastern province of Rayong, the site of an explosion Sunday night, said Wichien Jungrungruang, director-general of the Pollution Control Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733247-no-air-pollution-after-petrochemical-plant-blast-in-rayong/

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War weapons dumped on a roadside in Nonthaburi Province

NONTHABURI, 10 June 2014 (NNT) - Pol. Lt. Col. Boonlert Akom-wattana, an inquiry officer of the Bang Bua Thong Police Station, said that another lot of war weapons and explosives was found abandoned on a roadside in Nonthaburi Province last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733249-war-weapons-dumped-on-a-roadside-in-nonthaburi-province/

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FAO predicts Thailand could export more rice
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 10 -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has predicted that world rice production would slightly rise this year due to higher demand, prompting Thailand to export more rice in the second half of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733259-fao-predicts-thailand-could-export-more-rice/

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Thailand improves anti-human trafficking efforts
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 10 -- Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have joined forces to enhance the anti-human trafficking capabilities of Thailand as the country has been placed on the United States' Tier 2 human trafficking watch list for four years in a row.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733260-thailand-improves-anti-human-trafficking-efforts/

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UPDATE:

AirAsia aircraft takeoff disrupted in Nakhon Si Thammarat
By Digital Content



NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, June 10 -- An AirAsia aircraft serving a route to Bangkok did not depart smoothly from Nakhon Si Thammarat this morning as its left wing was damaged, possibly by a bird.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733208-air-asia-plane-grounded-after-hitting-bird/?p=7953759#entry7953759

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Today’s deadline for wartime weapons; owners to turn in their arms

BANGKOK, 10 June 2014 (NNT)The assistant National Police Chief has insisted any individuals who have wartime weapons in their possession must turn in the items by today or face heavy legal penalties.

Assistant police chief Pol Lt-Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang said that according to the Announcement of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) No. 37/2557, all possessors of armaments, such as firearms, ammunition and explosives, are to report to local authorities and give up the illegal items.

Those who give in their weapons within the time frame will receive no penalty. However, failure to surrender the weapons would result in more severe punishment, including a jail term of 2-20 years.

The confiscation of such weapons is considered the general duty of police who must ensure the safety of people and is not considered an extraordinary or special action.


-- NNT 2014-06-10

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^UPDATE:

CRIME

Weapons found in two provinces as grace period ends


Photo : Nonthaburi

BANGKOK: -- Large caches of weapons were discovered in Nonthaburi and Chiang Mai provinces on Monday night and Tuesday, as the grace period to surrender the weapons drew to an end.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733249-war-weapons-dumped-on-a-roadside-in-nonthaburi-province/?p=7953846#entry7953846