Thailand Live Thursday 12 Jun 2014

[webfact]

Stock market unaffected by military coup



BANGKOK, 12 June 2014 (NNT) – Thailand has seen an increasing capital influx into its stock market since the beginning of June despite military seizure of power.

Mr. Pakorn Peetathawatchai, Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Strategy and Finance Division, revealed that the combined value of Thai stocks traded each day since the declaration of martial law stood at 50 billion baht.

This indicated that foreign buyers were still very much confident in Thai stocks, driving the SET index up above 1,400 points, higher than Singapore and other emerging markets in this region.

He said, besides, that Thailand offers a high dividend payout ratio of 3.2 percent – which can be interpreted that Thai stock exchange market has high potential, stability, and ability to withstand uncertainties.

He further stated that foreign investors were starting to feel more and more confident in the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s economic policies, adding that as of June 11th, 4.2 trillion baht worth of stocks in Thailand were owned by foreign buyers, an increase of 17 percent compared to the figure in January which stood at only 3.6 trillion baht.

-- NNT 2014-06-12

[webfact]

COST OF LIVING
Weaker baht lowers Bangkok's cost of living
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Expatriates should be finding it cheaper to live in Bangkok than last year, based on the latest cost-of-living ranking by ECA International.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733742-weaker-baht-lowers-bangkoks-cost-of-living/

[webfact]

Dilemma deepens for Seoul, Washington as Pyongyang seeks out Moscow
Shin Hyon-hee
The Korea Herald

SEOUL: -- The dilemma is deepening for Seoul and Washington as North Korea seeks to improve relations with Japan and Russia, shrinking the allies’ policy options already eroded by the communist regime’s continuing nuclear development.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733744-dilemma-deepens-for-seoul-washington-as-pyongyang-seeks-out-moscow/

[webfact]

Genetically modified mosquitoes against malaria

LONDON: -- Scientists from Imperial College London have found a way to control malaria. The researchers suggest to increase the number of male genetically modified mosquitoes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733745-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-against-malaria/

[webfact]

Finance Ministry calls bidding for Bt40-bn loan for paying farmers

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry Thursday opened an auction for a Bt40-billion term loan, aiming at paying debts owed to the farmers under the rice-pledging scheme.


-- The Nation 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Trang raids prison in search of drugs

TRANG, 12 June 2014 (NNT) - A combined force of police and army personnel conducted a raid on Trang province’s prison yesterday to eradicate drug-trafficking.

The raid was conducted on an order by the National Council for Peace and Order. 185-strong security team carried out a thorough search at 5.30 AM yesterday but did not find any hidden weapons or narcotics inside the prison.

The facility has been qualified as a white prison in 2012, meaning it is free of drugs and smuggled mobile phones.

The NCPO has recently conducted a number of raids, mostly on houses of former politicians and protest figures.


-- NNT 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Prayuth heads SMEs promotion panel

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order Thursday set up a panel to promote small and medium enterprises.

The new panel is headed by NCPO chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha himself and its deputy chairman is Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Prajin Juntong.


-- The Nation 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Wellknown ex-model Yooyee jailed 15 years for cocaine possession



BANGKOK: -- Former model Yooyee was today (Thursday) sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and fined 1.5 million baht by the Criminal Court after she was fund guilty of illegal possession of illicit drugs for attempting to smuggle a small amount of cocaine into the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733755-bangkok-wellknown-ex-model-yooyee-jailed-15-years-for-cocaine-possession/

[webfact]

Phitsanulok promotes peace and unity in the province

PHITSANULOK 12 June 2014 (NNT) — Phitsanulok officials are moving forward with providing a reconciliation center for locals — stressing that everyone must come together in unity in order for the country to move forward.

Governor of Phitsanulok Rapee Phongboopakit chaired a meeting with local officials in regard to promoting peace and unity among its citizens. Moreover, they have plans in pushing for a reconciliation center to be built in order to foster cooperation and togetherness in the province.

Local officials in Phisanulok have been working hard to promote peace and unity in the province; locals and public officials have been urged to be more cooperative towards one another.

Social divide and color difference have been discouraged. Officials have also said they would uphold the 3 main pillars of the Thai society: the nation, the religion, and the monarchy.


-- NNT 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Rio airport staff go on strike ahead of World Cup opening

RIO DE JANEIRO: -- Ground staff at Rio de Janeiro's three airports will stage a 24-hour partial strike Thursday, the day Brazil hosts the opening match of the World Cup, their union said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733757-rio-airport-staff-go-on-strike-ahead-of-world-cup-opening/

[webfact]

Phuket Aussie caught a second time with ya ice while out on bail
Eakkapop Thongtub


Australian Mark Robert Coutelas, 53, arrested for a second time last night.

PHUKET: -- Australian man Mark Robert Coutelas, 53, was arrested again last night (June 11) on drugs charges, while out on bail for another crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733759-phuket-aussie-caught-a-second-time-with-ya-ice-while-out-on-bail/

[webfact]

Thai anti-coup leader may face long jail sentence

BANGKOK, June 12, 2014 (AFP) - A prominent anti-coup activist in Thailand faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of incitement, computer crimes and ignoring a summons by the junta, police said Thursday.

Sombat Boonngamanong, who led a social media campaign to stage peaceful but illegal rallies against the junta, is set to stand trial in a military court.

He has been charged with inciting unrest, violating the computer crime act and defying an order by the junta to turn himself in, according to Prasopchoke Prommul, deputy commander of the police's crime suppression division.

"We will bring him to the military court to seek his detention," he added.

If found guilty, Sombat faces seven years in jail for incitement, five years for spreading false information over the Internet and two years for ignoring the summons, Prasopchoke said.

Sombat was one of several hundred politicians, activists, academics and journalists called in by the junta following the May 22 coup.
Those who attended were detained in secret locations for up to a week and ordered to cease political activities.

Sombat, a prominent pro-democracy activist, refused to turn himself in, instead posting a message on Facebook saying: "Catch me if you can".

While on the run he urged followers to stage peaceful public demonstrations, flashing the three-finger salute from "The Hunger Games" films that has become a symbol of defiance against the junta.

He was tracked down and arrested a week ago in Chonburi, southeast of Bangkok.

Sombat is the leader of a faction of the "Red Shirts" movement, which broadly supports fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck, who was deposed as prime minister last month.

Former education minister Chaturon Chaisang, who also refused to answer the summons, was detained by soldiers in a dramatic raid on a news conference last month, and faces trial in a military court.

The ruling generals last month imposed martial law, media censorship and a night-time curfew as part of what they described as an attempt to end years of political turmoil.

Critics see the coup as a pretext for a purge of politicians and officials loyal to Thaksin, who was himself ousted by the army in 2006 and lives in Dubai to avoid prison for a corruption conviction.

The junta has said elections are not expected to be held for at least a year to allow political "reforms", including the drafting of a new constitution.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Junta denies ordering NBTC to absorb RS broadcast right loss

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order today denied that it has ordered the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission to compensate RS Plc 700 million baht if all World Cup matches are to be aired live on free TV channels.

The NCPO came out to defend itself after RS reportedly said it has paid 700 million bent to obtain broadcast right from FIFA, indicating that if the NBCT wanted RS to air all World Cup matches in addition to its offered only 22 matches, it should be compensated for the loss of revenues it expected from pay channels

NCPO spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree explained that Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha just advised the NBTC to find ways to make the live broadcast of all matches possible somas to compliment to his policy of “Returning Happiness to the This People”.

He said the junta head advised the NB T C to talk to RS and was told that it has paid to get the broadcast right while NBTC said it has to see how it could secure money from research fund to subsidise.

The spokesman said thus might cuts misunderstanding among the people that the NCPO ordered NBTC to pay RS which was untrue.

He said efforts are being made to enable the live broadcast if the channel via the research fund could not be done.

It could be in the form of sponsors from the private sector and from helpful people to make the broadcast of all matches on free channels, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/junta-denies-ordering-nbtc-absorb-rs-broadcast-right-loss/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-12

[Lite Beer]

Amnuay threatens to track down, arrest people who post anti-coup messages

Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj Gen Amnuay Nimmano Thursday threatened to track down and arrest those who posted anti-coup messages on social networks.

He said the Metropolitan Police is now cooperating with the Technology Crime Suppression Division to track down the people who posted anti-coup messages and who posted messages to encourage the people to come out to protest against the junta.

He said the messages violated Article 116 of the Criminal Code.

Amnuay said the first batch of arrest warrants against the people who posted the messages might be approved by court in a few days.

-- The Nation 2014-06-12

[Lite Beer]

RT @panuw: Thai broadcast regulator (NBTC) voted 6 - 1 in favor of using state money to buy World Cup matches broadcast rights from RS.

[webfact]

NCPO Says It Doesn’t Like the Word “Coup”

By Khaosod English


Thai army spokesman Colonel Werachon Sukondhapatipak speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT), in Bangkok, Thailand, 11 June 2014. The 22 May 2014 coup d'etat announced by Thai Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha installed a military junta after more than six months of street protests. EPA/LUONG THAI LINH

BANGKOK — In an ongoing effort to soften the public perception of its military takeover on 22 May, the Thai military junta has announced it does not like the word “coup.”

“I try not to use the word coup, because I feel that what we are doing at the moment is quite different, completely different than what happened in the past,” a spokesperson for the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) told an audience at Thailand’s Foreign Correspondent’s Club in Bangkok last night.

Col. Werachon Sukondhapatipak said he preferred to use the phrase “military intervention.”

Since becoming a constitutional democracy in 1932, Thailand has experienced 22 coup attempts, 13 of which were successful. The Thai army staged its most recent putsch last month and has since announced plans to govern the country until October, after which it will appoint an interim government to carry out national reforms. The junta says elections will not be held for at least another 15 months, and only if “conditions are stable.”

There is wide agreement that this military takeover is different than the most recent coup in 2006 — but not because it is less “coup-like” as Col. Werachon suggested.

Rather, many experts have observed that this military takeover is different because the junta is exercising its authoritarian powers more harshly and extensively than in any coup in Thailand's recent past.

“This is worse than previous coups,” a political science lecturer at university in Bangkok told Khaosod English. “Because in [1991 and 2006], the military held onto power for a short time and then they organized a technocrat government to take care of all these economic issues for them. The NCPO on the other hand, their actions look more like the military regimes of the 1950s and 1960s."

The NCPO says it plans to maintain control of the country’s administration until October, which is the longest any junta has held onto power since 1971. The coupmakers say it was necessary to seize power in order to resolve the political conflict that led to paralysing street protests and sporadic violence between rival protest groups over the past six months.

Over the past few weeks, the junta has banned all forms of peaceful political expression, raided homes without search warrants, censored the media, and summoned and detained hundreds of politicians and activists.

Last night, the NCPO spokesperson said he doesn't like the word "detention” either.

“I don’t like the word detention,” Col. Werachon said, “Because the conditions that happen are quite different.”

He went on to list the amenities provided to detainees, which include “air conditioning,” “good food,” and “all kinds of activities that make the time pass quickly.”

“Is this detention?” Col. Werachon asked.

Col. Werachon said the army bars detainees from having any contact with the outside world in order to provide them with a “cooling-off period.”

“We talk to them, we try to convince them to put the country’s interests before their own,” Col. Werachon said. “We don’t want them to have information from the outside. We just want them to be on their own.”

Many of those who have been released from military custody have confirmed that they were treated well, aside from being aggressively interrogated and subject to various forms of “psychological warfare.”

Those who do not report to the military soon after receiving a summons order can face up to two years in prison. A well-known Redshirt leader and anti-coup activist, Sombat Boonngamanong, is expected to face trial in martial court for defying a summons order and organising anti-coup protests on social media. Col. Werachon said he does not consider Mr. Sombat to be a "political prisoner."

The military has released the majority of its detainees within seven days, which is the upper limit under martial law. However, Human Rights Watch has identified one case in which a Redshirt activist has been held in an undisclosed location for more than two weeks.

Col. Werachon said that no more than 15 people are currently being held by the military.

According to the NCPO, providing Thailand's political class with a "cooling-off period" is a necessary part of the junta’s goal to reconcile the country’s political divisions and “return happiness” to the people.

“We ask people to refrain from expressing any political views because we believe that this is not the time,” said Col. Werachon. “We are trying to adjust the mood and tone of society.”

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1402556056&section=11&typecate=06


-- Khaosod English 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Si Sa Ket promotes sustainable health management in the province

SI SA KET, 12 June 2014 (NNT) — Si Sa Ket is holding a grand exhibition to showcase ways to live healthily and promote sustainable health management at the community level.

Director-General of the Health Support Department Squadron Leader Dr. Boonreung Trireungwarawat presided over the opening ceremony of the healthcare exhibition.

The aim of the fair is to promote an exchange of knowledge on health protection and development of community network to reduce health risks. Moreover, it promotes the ways people look after themselves and medicinal innovations from native plants.

The fair also aims towards rural people who cannot access expensive healthcare services. The exhibition therefore provides essential information for this group of people to become self-reliant in health promotion. Health officials and related private businesses from 23 sub-districts are taking part in the fair.


-- NNT 2014-06-12

[webfact]

UPDATE:

40 year-old former Thai-Spanish model gets 15 year jail-term

BANGKOK, 12 June 2014 (NNT) - The Criminal Court has sentenced a once famous model to 15 years in prison and fined her 1.5 million baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733755-bangkok-wellknown-ex-model-yooyee-jailed-15-years-for-cocaine-possession/page-2#entry7962491

[webfact]

Royal Thai Police monitoring 50 big football bookmakers

BANGKOK, 12 June 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Police Commissioner-General Ake Angsananont announced that a center to prevent and suppress illegal gambling on the FIFA World Cup 2014 was set up on 29 May. So far, the center has been using preventive strategies and have focused on children and youths and police officers in each area who have been assigned to explain the dangers of gambling to students in schools in major cities including Bangkok, Samut Prakarn, Ayutthaya and more.

Officers have been monitoring the major bookmakers and will enforce anti-money laundering laws. Officers have information about around 40-50 major football bookmakers, 10 of whom are the major heads of gambling operations. According to information gathered, 20% of gambling in Thailand is conducted with bookmakers who are in Thailand, while the remaining 80% are in foreign countries, especially Singapore.

Mr. Ake added that he will discuss ways to prevent online betting with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology permanent secretary.

If anyone has leads on bookmakers or football gambling, they are asked to urgently inform the authorities at the hotline 1599 (available 24 hours a day).


-- NNT 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang warned of possible flash floods

The National Disaster Warning Centre Thursday warned residents of Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi and Trang to brace themselves for possible flash floods.

The centre said the provinces could be hit by flash floods Thursday and Friday.


-- The Nation 2014-06-12

[webfact]

NCPO cuts diesel price by 14 satang from 29.99 to 29.85 baht per litre tomorrow and keeps cooking gas price at 22.63 baht per kilogramme. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

PRD urged to disseminate reconciliation related news to create harmony and unity



BANGKOK, 12 June 2014 (NNT) The PRD is urged to disseminate reconciliation related news to create harmony and unity as well as to invite the public to join “Music in the Garden” every Thursday afternoon, in the grounds of the PRD, Ari Samphan.

Dr. Charoon Chaisorn, Deputy Director-General of the Public Relations Department (PRD) said that the PRD is assigned as the center for publicizing and creatively disseminating news of government works, under the direction of The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Moreover, the PRD has been organizing “Music in the Garden”, every Thursday at 16.30 hours at the PRD park in Ari Samphan, to create a relaxed atmosphere and bring happiness to the audience.

Well known singers will be performing at the second "Music in the Garden" today (June 13th). Moreover, there will also be a special appearance by a Military Band. Everyone is invited to join the festival which is free of charge.


-- NNT 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Military to get tough with motorcycle taxies and passenger vans



BANGKOK: -- Mafia-type figures who are behind all the dirty tricks employed against passengers by motorcycle taxi drivers and passenger van operators were warned today that they better stop the malpractices or face legal actions from the junta.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733852-military-to-get-tough-with-motorcycle-taxies-and-passenger-vans/

[webfact]

Thaivisa launches World Cup 2014 Forum

BANGKOK: -- Thaivisa.com has today launched a new forum dedicated to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733821-thaivisa-launches-world-cup-2014-forum/

[webfact]

BoT asserts Thai economy picking up slowly this year
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 12 - Bank of Thailand (BoT) Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said today that the Thai economy has started to show positive signs but its growth would not be fast this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733860-bot-asserts-thai-economy-picking-up-slowly-this-year/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Former top Thai model sentenced to 20 years jail
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 12 - The Thai Criminal Court on Thursday sentenced former popular Thai model, Yu-Yee, to 20 years prison on drug possession charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733755-bangkok-wellknown-ex-model-yooyee-jailed-15-years-for-cocaine-possession/page-3?p=7962772#entry7962772

[webfact]

Channel 7 to broadcast 29 matches of World Cup 2014

Channel 7 announced Thursday that it will broadcast live 29 matches of World Cup 2014 in both analogue and digital TV formats.

-- The Nation 2014-06-12

[webfact]

Channel 5 to broadcast 38 matches of World Cup 2014

Channel 5 announced Thursday that it will broadcast live 38 matches of World Cup 2014 matches in both analogue and digital TV formats to cover more than 98 per cent of households.

-- The Nation 2014-06-12

[webfact]

NBTC set to pay 427 million baht to air World Cup matches on free TV

BANGKOK, 12 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has agreed to pay RS International 427 million baht to secure rights to air World Cup matches on free TV.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733869-nbtc-set-to-pay-427-million-baht-to-air-world-cup-matches-on-free-tv/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,459.27, down 4.44; Bt/USD32.34; GBP54.21; AUD30.14; EUR43.67; CAD29.65; HKD4.16; SGD25.74; JPY31.53