Thailand Live Wednesday 11 Jun 2014

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NCPO endorses framework of fiscal 2015 budget

BANGKOK, 11 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order on Tuesday endorsed the framework of the fiscal 2015 budget, maintaining the target of realizing a balanced budget in the year 2017.

NCPO chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, chaired Tuesday's meeting to deliberate the 2015 budget and to follow up on implementation of NCPO policies.

Somsak Chotirattanasiri, director of the Budget Bureau, said after the meeting that the framework for the 2.575 trillion baht budget was endorsed. The fiscal 2015 budget would be larger than the fiscal 2014 budget by 50 billion baht. It would also be an unbalanced budget, incurring a deficit of 250 billion baht; the state's revenue for the 2015 fiscal has been projected at 2.325 trillion baht. 456 billion baht of the entire budget will be used for investment.

According to Somsak, state agencies will submit detailed budget plans to the Bureau of the Budget by July 15, and the latter will send the slightly revised fiscal budget to the NCPO for approval. After the approval, the legislative sector will deliberate the budget bill in September, which should allow the bill to be enforced by October 1.

Tuesday's meeting also emphasized on having all state agencies disburse all the remaining funds allocated to them under the 2014 fiscal budget. So far, only 36% of this fiscal year's budget has been drawn upon.


-- NNT 2014-06-11

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Supreme Commander: India supportive to reconciliation procedure in Thailand

BAGNKOK, 11 June 2014 (NNT) – Supreme Commander Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn says India has showed understanding toward the current situation in Thailand and expressed willingness to support the reconciliation process.

Gen Thanasak, also National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Deputy Chief in charge of security affairs, received Indian ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla. In the courtesy call, the ambassador stressed the long-term diplomatic relations between the two countries while voicing his understanding on the current situation and his support for Thailand to restore peace and stability.

Both sides also agreed that the two nations would continue to push for mutual cooperation regarding national security, education, trade and investment as well as tourism. Ambassador Shringla noted that despite the recently discouraging political atmosphere, Thailand still saw approximately 1 million Indian tourists a year.

Mr. Shringla also invited the supreme commander to pay an official visit to India in due course.


-- NNT 2014-06-11

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 11 June 2014

General Situation
The rather strong southwest monsoon remains over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf, and the low pressure covers the Gulf of Tonkin. Rain, as well as isolate heavy, remains in the country. People should beware of the severe weather condition. The wind waves in the upper Andaman Sea are likely 2-3 meters high. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats keep ashore.

Weather forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Wednesday to 6.00 a.m. Thursday.
Northern Thailand -Very cloudy with scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, Sukhothai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun. Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Southwesterly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand -Cloudy with scattered thundershowers. Isolated heavy rain and gust mostly in Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Ubon Ratchathani. Minimum temperature 24-27 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-36 degree Celsius. Southwesterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Central Thailand -Cloudy with widely scattered thundershowers and isolated gust mostly in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri and Ratchaburi. Minimum temperature 26-28 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-36 degree Celsius. Southwesterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand -Cloudy with scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain mainly in Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 25-27 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Southwesterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters and about 2 meters in thundershower areas.

Southern Thailand East Coast -Cloudy and scattered thundershowers mostly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Minimum temperature 24-27 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-36 degree Celsius. Southwesterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and 1-2 meters off-shore.

Southern Thailand West Coast - Very cloudy with scattered thundershowers mainly in Ranong, Phang-nga and Phuket. Minimum temperature 23-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-35 degree Celsius. Phang-nga northward: Southwesterly winds 20-40 km/hr. Wave height 2-3 meters. Phuket southward: Southwesterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity -Cloudy and 60% chance of thundershowers mostly in afternoon to evening. Minimum temperature 26-27 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Southwesterly winds 15-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-06-11

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World Cup spending to rise



BANGKOK: -- Kasikorn Research Center forecasts this year’s World Cup football matches will stimulate domestic spending of around 21.6 billion baht among the people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733460-world-cup-spending-to-rise-kasikorn-research-center/

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Junta’s song hits on YouTube



BANGKOK: -- "Returning happiness to Thai people," the song which was written by the military junta head Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha hits on YouTube.

The song was written by Gen Prayuth himself to express from his heart his reasons to come out to protect the country which was facing the most dangerous time of disintegration.

The head of the Royal Thai Army Band Col Krissada Sarika told reporters last week that Gen Prayuth called him to meet for an hour.

He wrote the song by himself, the band head said.

“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,” he said.

This is what the junta head was trying to tell the people from the song.

He is telling people to wait. In the song, the coup leader asks people to be patient and to have faith in him. It won’t be long, the song says. The army will douse the fire of conflicts, restore love to the nation and bring goodness back to the land. The army will carry out the task with honesty. The soldiers will deliver on the promise. Please just wait, the song says.

The clip drew more than 150,000 YouTube views since Friday, Charlie Campbell of Time magazine said in his article “The Thai Junta’s ‘Happiness’ Song Is a Hit! (But Who’d Dare Say Otherwise?).

The 60-year-old career soldier, a notorious curmudgeon, has displayed his softer side by writing the lyrics to “Return Happiness to Thailand,” which features lines such as “we offer to guard and protect you with our hearts” and “we are asking for a little more time,” set to music by the Royal Thai Army band, he said

Whether or not Thais are convinced by this ploy is unclear — they risk arbitrary detention for the merest murmur of criticism, artistic or otherwise — but they are certainly listening. The YouTube clip has clocked up more than 150,000 views since it was posted on Friday, Charlie Campbell said.

But for the Thais who viewed the clip admired Gen Prayuth for his intervention in the most crucial time the country was facing.
Some said they could hardly control their tears with hope the song could encourage the people, bring unity and love back after almost a decade of hatred and divisions, and disunity.

Some also said he had done a good job and could become a professional singer, while some said his voice tone was close to folk singer.

But the song drew also suspicion.

An academics summoned by the junta, although he lives abroad and has repeatedly refused to acquiesce, despite the threat of two years’ imprisonment, commented, “I don’t think this offers happiness for the many Thai people who want to see elections more than anything else.It may look good in paper, but in reality they continue to hunt.”

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/junta-heads-song-wins-hearts-thais/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-11

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Yala imposes time limit on use of bypass road for security reason

YALA, 11 June 2014 (NNT) -- The southern province of Yala has limited the time for motorists to use the city's major bypass road in a renewed effort to tighten security surveillance due to risks of insurgent attacks.

The Commander of Yala's Task Force Unit has ordered intermittent closure of the Industrial Road linking the biggest fresh market to the city's suburban areas. By the Task Force’s command, the road opens two hours in the morning, during 7-9 am, and in the afternoon from 3-6 pm, to facilitate commuters during rush hours. Vehicles using the road are subjected to thorough search for arms, explosive devices and other illegal stuff.

According to the military, insurgents often used the route to flee after launching attacks in Yala's business hub.


-- NNT 2014-06-11

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Shock defeat of majority leader Eric Cantor by Tea Party sends shockwaves through Republican Party
Nick O'Malley
US correspondent for Fairfax Media

WASHINGTON: -- The Republican congressional leadership has been thrown into disarray by the shock defeat of its second highest ranked office holder, Eric Cantor, to a barely known Tea Party backed insurgent in a primary race.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733474-shock-defeat-of-majority-leader-eric-cantor-by-tea-party-sends-shockwaves-through-republican-party/

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UPDATE:

NCPO asks RS to air all World Cup matches on Channel 5, 7

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733399-rs-warns-it-might-scrap-live-telecast-if-court-rules-in-favour-of-nbtc/page-4#entry7957076

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Commerce mulling to attract more buyers in rice selling scheme

BANGKOK, 11 June 2014 (NNT) -- The Ministry of Commerce has confirmed its plan to sell out more rice under the mortgage scheme in the near future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733482-thai-commerce-mulling-to-attract-more-buyers-in-rice-selling-scheme/

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Singapore 9th most pricey place in Asia-Pacific for expats: Survey
Grace Leong
The Straits Times

SINGAPORE: -- Singapore is the ninth most expensive place in the Asia-Pacific for expatriates - for a second straight year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733483-singapore-9th-most-pricey-place-in-asia-pacific-for-expats-survey/

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WWF report names 99 new species in VN



BANGKOK: -- As many as 99 new species have been found in Vietnam, according to a World Wildlife Fund report released last Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733484-wwf-report-names-99-new-species-in-vietnam/

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Gen Prayuth asks Thai diplomats meeting today to clarify situation in Thailand abroad, to understand more, to ease pressure against kingdom /MCOT

Foreign business leaders are more confident in Thailand following recent appointment of Board of Investment's board by NCPO,Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce said /The Nation

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NCPO sets up foreign labor sub-committee

BANGKOK, 11 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has set up a sub-committee to oversee foreign labor in the kingdom on June 10th.

According to the NCPO’s 60th announcement issued last night, the sub-committee will comprise Chiefs of Staff from all armed forces and heads of related agencies including the Department of Special Investigation, the Department Of Provincial Administration, and the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare.

The sub-committee will revise existing policies to tackle issues relating to foreign migrant workers, map out new measures, and carry out duties specified by the NCPO. The committee can also revise its policies to be in line with the new government.

Thailand has an estimated 2.5 million migrant workers, mostly from Myanmar. The kingdom has recently allowed the registration of foreign workers to ensure fair working conditions for those from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.


-- NNT 2014-06-11

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Gregory Scott Hale accused of murdering, cutting up and eating Lisa Hyder in Manchester, Tennessee

MANCHESTER: -- LISA Hyder telephoned her ex-husband from a bottle shop where she worked, asking for a lift home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733490-us-tennessee-man-kills-chops-up-eats-woman/

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Lopburi farmers receive more rice payments

LOPBURI, 11 June 2014 (NNT) – The commander of 13th Military Circle along with the Lopburi Governor have presided over an event to give the second round of payments to rice farmers on Wednesday.

More than 37.4 million baht has been distributed to 278 unpaid farmers enrolled under the rice mortgage scheme at the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) office in Khok Samrong District.

Lopburi has paid more than 3 billion baht of rice payments after the National Council for Peace and Order was responsible for providing funds by distributing money into the BAAC. The province expects to pay the remaining 260 million baht to farmers by June 13 the latest.


-- NNT 2014-06-11

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Winthai not confirm all World Cup matches to be aired on Channels 5, 7

BANGKOK: -- National Council for Peace and Order spokesman Winthai Suvari said Wednesday he had no information whether NCPO chief Prayuth Chan-ocha had asked RS, the rights holder, to air all 64 World Cup matches on Army's Channel 5 and Channel 7.


-- The Nation 2014-06-11

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Vagabonds extort money from passersby at train stations in Ayutthaya Province

AYUTTHAYA, 11 June 2014 (NNT) - Ayutthaya Provincial Governor Witthaya Piewpong has ordered 30 police officers and soldiers to inspect areas around the Ayutthaya, the Bang Pa-In, and Baan Pa Chi train stations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733494-vagabonds-extort-money-from-passersby-at-train-stations-in-ayutthaya-province/

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Acting Defence permanent secretary visits China

BANGKOK: -- Acting Defence Permanent Secretary Gen Surasak Kanchanarat and Supreme Commander Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn led an entourage of military officers to visit China Wednesday.

The will attend the tenth meeting between the Thai Ministry's security cooperation committee with China's Defence Ministry in Beijing.

-- NNT 2014-06-11

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Saraburi holds ' Bring Back Happiness to Thais' event

SARABURI, 11 June 2014 (NNT) -- The province of Saraburi and the Military Province have joined hands co-organizing an activity aiming to bridge the rift and restore unity among Thais.

Leaders of different political groups, local residents, business organizations and government units participated in the event dubbed "Bring Back Happiness to Thais," which was held in Saraburi on Tuesday.

Earlier, similar events were held in other provinces in the Northeast such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Loei, and Si Sa Ket; in which provincial leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, the two arch-enemies, were invited to join the reconciliation activities, which included talking to one another and taking an oath not to create further conflicts.

Meanwhile, local residents were treated to live onstage performances and games provided by military officers; they also had a good time shopping for consumer products at discount prices. Saraburi will hold such an event again on June 13.


-- NNT 2014-06-11

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Taiwanese arrested in Lat Phrao for fraud, luring victims to invest in gambling website, causing Bt300 million losses; to be deported /MCOT

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RT @191Thailand: News coming in of a vehicle hitting a group of young students killing four of them - TR @Nalinee_PLE: http://t.co/cS90ycKAZY #Thailand

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No air pollution found from Rayong factory blast
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 11 - A preliminary inspection of the air quality around one of the factories in the IRPC Group in Thailand's Rayong province has found no air pollution despite an explosion in the factory yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733502-no-air-pollution-found-from-rayong-factory-blast/

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Officials crack down on illegal workers in Chiang Mai
By Digital Content

CHIANG MAI, June 11 -- A joint army and police operation to cracking down on illegal workers in the heart of Thailand's northern Chiang Mai province resulted in nabbing a group of illegal workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733504-officials-crack-down-on-illegal-workers-in-chiang-mai/

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Maejo University ready to hold 43rd national sports competition

PHRAE 11 June 2014 (NNT) — Maejo University, Phrae campus, is ready to play host to part of the 43rd national sports competition. All accommodation and sports fields have been prepared for the event.

According to Dean of Maejo Univesty, Phrae campus, Assistant Professor Chucheep Cheepudom, the university has been given the honor to host part of the 43rd national sports competition in the province.

The event is taking place from June 20 to 30, 2014, during which hundreds and hundreds of athletes will see action in 35 different kinds of sports. As for the university, it will be holding men’s and women’s basketball competition at its campus, and tasked with providing accommodation for the athletes.

The university is indeed ready for the event, which should promote unity among the locals, said Mr. Chucheep.


-- NNT 2014-06-11

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4 students killed, 11 injured when hit by former director's car

Nong Bua Lampu - Four students were killed, 11 others injured in Nong Bua Lamphu when a former school director suffered epileptic seizure and slammed his car at them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733507-4-students-killed-11-injured-when-hit-by-former-directors-car-thailand/

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NCPO chief asks diplomats to clarify Thai situation abroad
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 11 -- Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, chief of the Royal Thai Army and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), laid down his instructions to 23 Thai ambassadors and consuls-general deployed in 21 countries at Royal Thai Army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Avenue in Bangkok today.

Seventeen other Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials were also present as Gen Prayuth thanked the ministry for helping the Peace and Order Council explain its needy to stage the May 22 coup.

He stressed that the NCPO wanted to pave the way for true democracy where checks and balances among the executive, the legislature and the judiciary could effectively function in Thailand.

Thailand needed good relations with other countries as it depended on export but he understood that it was impossible for all countries to agree with all the actions of the NCPO.

"We must consider honor and dignity. We do not have to oppose the countries that have different stances. Our duty is to quickly create understanding and we hope that issues will be alleviated when those countries learn about the intention of the NCPO. So I would like ambassadors and government officials to help explain formally and informally," Gen Prayuth said.

Thai ambassadors and consuls-general who met Gen Prayuth today included ambassador to the Hague Virachai Plasai, ambassador to Berlin Nongnuth Phetcharatana, ambassador to Washington Wichawat Isarabhakdi, ambassador to Paris Apichat Chinwanno, ambassador to Tokyo Thanatip Upatising, and consul-general to Sydney Teerathep Promvongsanon. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-06-11

[Lite Beer]

RT@tukky_nt: Media army is waiting for the Supreme Administrative Court ruling on #WorldCup broadcast in Thailand: pic.twitter.com/GEGYcinE17 via @noppatjak

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT: 1.40pm @tukky_nt: The Supreme Administrative Court starts reading ruling on #WorldCup broadcast case.

[Lite Beer]

670,000 farmers paid so far: BAAC

BANGKOK: -- The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives reported Wednesday that some 670,000 farmers out of 800,000 have been paid for what the government owed to them under the rice-pledging scheme.

The BAAC has been paying the farmers since May 26 under the order of the National Council for Peace and Order.

-- The Nation 2014-06-11

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RT@veen_NT: The Supreme Administration Court ruling is over: RS is free from "Must-have" for the live telecast of #WC2014,