Thailand Live Friday 13 Jun 2014

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Transport permanent secretary: MRT fare hike postponed three months

BANGKOK, 13 June 2014 (NNT) – According to Somchai Siriwatanachoke, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport, the Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) has agreed to postpone the scheduled MRT fare hike for three months for the purpose of "returning happiness to Thais" in line with the slogan touted by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

BMCL, the service provider for MRT Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line (“Blue Line”) previously proposed to increase its fare from the current 16-40 baht to 16-42 baht. But the fare will remain the same for the next three months until October 2.

He added that the BMCL is not claiming any compensation for the fare hike postponement. There are biannual fare increases scheduled in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) under the concession conditions, and the new fare prices must be announced to the public 30 days prior to enforcement. The fare increase proposal will be submitted during the NCPO meeting on June 17 to confirm that the hike will take place after the three-month postponement.


-- NNT 2014-06-13

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SOCIAL NETWORK
Online activity closely watched
The Nation


Anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngamanong is escorted by officers as he arrives at a military court yesterday.

People posting provocative messages on social networks will be tracked down and arrested, senior police official vows

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-General Amnuay Nimmano said yesterday he would track down and arrest anybody who posts anti-coup messages on social media.

He said the Metropolitan Police was now cooperating with the Technology Crime Suppression Division to track down those who post anti-coup messages or phrases that might be seen as encouraging people to come out on the streets to protest against the junta.

He went on to say that these anti-coup messages violated Article 116 of the Criminal Code, adding that the first batch of arrest warrants against these people could be approved by the court in a few days.

He added that anybody sharing anti-coup messages would also be seen as violating the law and could face arrest. He went on to say that police had taken photographs of seven individuals who had held up three fingers in a symbolic gesture against the coup on June 7, and would seek arrest warrants for them.

Eye out for Thai expatriates

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said yesterday that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha had instructed the Thai Embassy in Cambodia to confirm reports that anti-coup activist Jakrapob Penkair was there.

Prayuth issued this assignment during a meeting with Thai envoys and senior Foreign Ministry officials on Wednesday. At the meeting, he asked the envoys to update governments of the countries in which they are posted on the situation in Thailand and assure them that the junta was doing everything to restore peace in the country.

Sek said Prayuth also asked the diplomats to monitor the activities of anti-coup individuals or groups in foreign countries, such as Jakrapob who often gives interviews to the Cambodian press. The activist was recently quoted as saying that he had set up an anti-coup movement to counter the junta.

The spokesman went on to say that Prayuth had called the Thai Embassy in London to attend the lecture of Verapat Pariyawong, who has refused to report after being summoned by the junta claiming he had been invited to give a lecture in the British capital.

Some cases can't be controlled

Regarding Chatwadee "Rose" Amornpat, whose comments in a YouTube clip have been deemed as insulting to the monarchy, Sek said the junta had already issued a summons for her.

However, he said Thai authorities could not bring her back for prosecution as she was now a British national through marriage.

Meanwhile, the military court yesterday approved the detention of red-shirt Sombat Boonngamanong for another 12 days at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

The detention period would run until June 23, extended from the seven days Sombat has already spent in military custody under martial law after his arrest last Thursday.

In court, Sombat said he objected to the military's detention request saying he had been cooperative and had promised not to incite unrest. He added that he had to also take care of his daughter.

Sombat, a heavy user of social media, faces charges of inciting unrest via the Internet and failing to report to the NCPO. Police will also look into Sombat's possible violation of the Computer Crimes Act.

Meanwhile, key members of the anti-Yingluck Shinawatra government People's Democratic Reform Committee along with leaders of the Students and People's Network for Thailand's Reform reported to the NCPO yesterday.

They included Issara Somchai, Uthai Yodmanee, Pibhop Dhongchai and Nussor Yeema.


-- The Nation 2014-06-13

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AFTER COUP
UNHCR chief briefed on rights situation
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
Nantida Puangthong
The Nation
Geneva

BANGKOK: -- Permanent secretary for foreign affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, will today meet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay to explain the latest political developments and human rights practices in the country after the military coup last month.

Pillay had expressed her serious concerns about the political and human rights situation in Thailand after the coup.

"I will update the UN Human Rights Commissioner on the latest developments to show that the situation in Thailand is improving," Sihasak said.

"The most important message is that we still believe in democratic values but we want to reform our system to have sustainable democracy. The international community should look forward to the future with us and help us move forward to true democracy."

Sihasak is in Geneva for the 26th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which he had chaired in 2010-2011.

"We don't have any problems if the international community expressed their concerns and criticised Thai politics but such criticism should be based on an understanding and in good faith to help us reform and move towards democracy," he said.

Sihasak was scheduled to brief the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Thailand in recent years and the implementation of a human rights agenda in accordance with Thailand's commitment to do so.

The May 22 coup impacted on human rights due to a reduction of basic rights, including freedom of expression and the detention of politicians and political activists.

Many western countries have expressed concern over the detentions and urged the junta to have clear procedures and transparency on the matter.

Sihasak said he would tell colleagues in the UN who he would meet formally and informally that the situation was improving - the curfew had been lifted in many provinces, freedom restrictions had been eased and people summoned to report before the junta had mostly been released.

He would spend his time in Geneva seeking meetings with counterparts from western countries, notably the US and key European countries, to update them on the situation and to explain the junta's three-stage roadmap for reform and democracy.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has instructed the Thai charge d'affaires in London to address the concerns of 48 educational institutions in England over the coup, said Sek Wannamethee, director-general of the Information Department.

He expressed hope that the move would result in the institutions having a better understanding.

The institutions had submitted an open letter through the website of British newspaper The Guardian, voicing their concern about the human rights situation in Thailand.


-- The Nation 2014-06-13

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FOREIGN LABOUR
Cambodian workers flee out of fear
THAMMARAJ KIJCHALONG
THE NATION



Raids by armed soldiers on places with illegal immigrants spark rumours

BANGKOK: -- LEGAL AND illegal Cambodian workers have been flocking to their home country amid rumours the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will crack down on them or close border-crossing points.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733993-cambodian-workers-flee-thailand-out-of-fear/

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BURNING ISSUE
Junta needs to reach its goals soon for the sake of credibility
Supon Thanukid
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- There is no doubt that many people are glad that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) took control of the country three weeks ago, bringing the political chaos to at least a temporary halt.

Perhaps, the state of affairs has even changed for the better since the coup. One of the most obvious aspects is the end of uncertainty on several fronts that prevailed for six months prior to the coup.

After May 22, many of these uncertainties and sense of uneasiness have evaporated and things are unravelling in a positive way.

Most recently, NCPO leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha explained several issues regarding the council's work on television. In the address, he reiterated the timeframe in which the NCPO will be solving national problems. The so-called roadmap provided by the NCPO is divided into three stages: creating national reconciliation, reforming the Kingdom and holding general elections.

Though the timeframe for each stage is not fixed, Prayuth said that stage three could only be introduced after the previous two stages are successfully completed. He explained that the house needs to be put in order first and all sides need to reconcile before an election can take place, otherwise the country will enter the same cycle again.

However, anti-coup protests have been popping up in different places, with many people refusing to accept the power of the coup makers. Though these protests are not fully developed yet - due mostly to NCPO's prevention measures by summoning lead actors and threatening them with legal prosecution if they refuse to comply - anti-coup sentiment still persists.

Protesters have been using social media to organise resistance at the weekends. However, the psychological battle via online media and the dissemination of false information has been confusing security officers. This is probably why Prayuth chose to refer to the protesters' three-finger gesture in his address.

He said: "Let everyone reform the country anew - from one that was near systemic ruin. Cooperate with the NCPO. There cannot be any partisanship today. As for the flashing of three fingers, it is considered a foreign principle. I do not want conflicts. If you want to flash three fingers, do it at home, doing it outside is considered a violation of the NCPO order."

The resistance is not worrying yet because many people still support the NCPO, however, it is necessary for the council to achieve its stated goals as soon as possible. The longer the council allows time to pass without results, the higher the risk of negative sentiment against them.

The NCPO leader must be aware of this because he declared that the council had not been created for personal benefit, and that its intervention was meant to solve problems, not create new ones.

The NCPO's decision to cut down on the perks enjoyed by Thai Airways' board members has helped reduce the burden on the national carrier and won praise from many supporters. We will have to see what comes next.

For now, everybody is watching closely to see what the NCPO and General Prayuth will do next. Perhaps the Chinese saying, that "distance judges the merit of a horse, while the passage of time judges the merit of a man" is apt for this situation.


-- The Nation 2014-06-13

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GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION
BOT governor calls for more integration to gain from AEC
Erich Parpart
The Nation

Coup no issue; challenges lie in ridding weaknesses, increasing competitiveness

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand believes that the National Council for Peace and Order's economic road map should be reasonable and that the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) should be more integrated to benefit fully from the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733994-bank-of-thailand-governor-calls-for-more-integration-to-gain-from-aec/

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NATION ANALYSIS
World Cup saga shows NBTC needs better policy planning
Achara Deboonme
The Nation


From right: Ong-art Singlumpong, RS executive vice president, holds the football World Cup trophy with Lt-General Chart-udom Tithasiri, president of the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station (TV5), and Palakorn Somsuwan

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's decision to pay RS for the rights to broadcast all 64 World Cup matches raises more questions than answers on regulatory inefficiency, and reflects thinking that could hurt the nation in the long run.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733996-world-cup-saga-shows-nbtc-needs-better-policy-planning-analysis/

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EDITORIAL
Opportunity knocking on NCPO's door
The Nation

Political meddling has always foiled chances for peace in the deep South - but the junta can now take a leap toward ending the insurgency

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is being bombarded by advice on all sorts of issues, but hardly anyone is talking about the conflict in the southernmost provinces, where a decade-old insurgency has claimed more than 5,000 lives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/733997-thai-editorial-opportunity-knocking-on-ncpos-door/

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OVERDRIVE
Military has power to steer Thailand through coming global storm
Thanong Khanthong

The military coup has at least one positive: it provides a narrow window of opportunity for Thailand to reform in preparation for the next global crisis.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is set to become only the second nation after China to undertake drastic reform at a time when most countries in the world remain in a complacent mode. Any country that is willing to take a step backwards to reform now, before the global storm hits, will also be among the first to get up on its feet afterwards and begin moving forward with more stability. Those that delay jumping on the reform bandwagon till they are engulfed by full-blown crisis will find that it is too late. When they fall, they will drown along with others amid a financially toxic global environment.

A stern warning of the next crisis came the other day from none other than the World Bank. It said that bad weather in the US, the crisis in Ukraine, rebalancing in China and the anticipated rise in interest rates would hit global growth this year. It urged countries towards needed reforms.

"We are not totally out of the woods yet," said Kaushik Basu, the bank's senior vice president and chief economist.

"A gradual tightening of fiscal policy and structural reforms is desirable to restore fiscal space depleted by the 2008 financial crisis. In brief, now is the time to prepare for the next crisis."

For Thailand, as well as other countries, reform under normal democratic processes is impossible. In these conditions, elected politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and investors tend treat problems with quick fixes. They are far more likely to protect the status quo than seek to reform the system for the long haul.

The Thai military regime's first order of business is to put an end to the political crisis. Without the coup, the gruelling task of ending the colour-coded war could have been impossible due to the deep-seated polarisation. There was also the threat of an armed rebellion by the red shirts. A fledgling separatist movement had adopted the "Khon Kaen Model", around which resistance was being organised against the centre of power in Bangkok.

Over the next three months, the military authorities will continue to uproot the crony politics of previous administrations, subdue political radicalism and separatism, and tackle corruption. Thereafter, we will get an appointed prime minister and Cabinet, along with a legislative body and a reform council.

On the economic front, the blueprint for reforms is still not clear. However, if Thailand can achieve real reform over the next 24 months or so, it will emerge as a stronger country, with surer social, political and economic stability.

Strangely enough, most Western countries do not approve the reform route Thailand is taking. They prefer to see a quick election, ignoring the fact that a vote would provide no solutions to the Thai crisis. It seems that the West would like Thailand to remain obedient to the global order. Perhaps a continuing domestic crisis would make Thailand more dependent on the existing order than ever.

But as the World Bank has warned, countries should be prepared to cope with a degree of global chaos. It is better to swallow the bitter medicine of reforms now rather than delay the cure until it is too late. Democratic "business as usual" would not produce the structural change necessary to our future health. Elected politicians are more interested in protecting their vested interests than delivering results for the benefits of the nation.

Despite the impression overseas that we have been derailed by the coup, Thailand is right on track with the reform agenda. Let's wait and see what results it brings.


-- The Nation 2014-06-13

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French Couple rescued from broken elevator in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation came to the rescue of a French couple on Thursday Night who found themselves stuck in an elevator at their South Pattaya apartment complex due to an earlier power cut.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734000-french-couple-rescued-from-broken-elevator-in-south-pattaya/

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Two Iraqi Burglary Gang suspects arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday Morning at Pattaya Police Station, the Acting Superintendent, Police Colonel Supatree announced the arrest of two Iraq Nationals, suspected of Burglary and being part of a larger International gang thought to be committing similar crimes around Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734001-two-iraqi-burglary-gang-suspects-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

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Ex-Aussie Hon Consul praises taxi, tuk-tuk raids
Claire Connell

PHUKET: -- Retired Australian Honorary Consul Larry Cunningham has praised the recent taxi mafia crackdown on the island, saying developments have been “marvellous” and he is in full support of the proposed “baht bus” transport system for Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734002-ex-aussie-hon-consul-larry-cunningham-praises-taxi-tuk-tuk-raids-video/

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Phuket in for three days of heavy weather
Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: -- Red “no swimming” flags were deployed on many beaches in Phuket today after the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a “red” dangerous weather warning for the three days from today until Saturday, for Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734003-phuket-in-for-three-days-of-heavy-weather/

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Police float taxi plan for Phuket’s Cherng Talay area
Anthika Muangrod


Under the plan taxis would have to wait at home until called. Photo Ilya Plekhanov

PHUKET: -- Cherng Talay Police yesterday (June 11) convened a meeting at the police station with representatives of some 40 local businesses, including hotels and resorts, to listen to their complaints about local taxi services and to outline a plan for organising them better.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734004-police-float-taxi-plan-for-phukets-cherng-talay-area/

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Senior govt officials moved to inactive posts
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order on Wednesday transferred three senior government officials to inactive posts at the Prime Minister's Office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734005-senior-thai-govt-officials-moved-to-inactive-posts/

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NCPO 'strengthening democracy'
Chanon Wongsatayanont,
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Colonel Weerachon Sukhondha-patipak, a spokesman for the ruling military junta, appeared before foreign media at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) on Wednesday night to explain the rationale behind the coup, delivering the message: "We are not destroying democracy. We are strengthening democracy".

He claimed that the three pillars of democracy, namely the administrative, legislative and judiciary, had broken down in the last seven months. However, he said he had full confidence that General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the Army chief and head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), could repair the damage before the next full election takes place.

He argued that the coup is for the sake of national security since he believed that violent clashes between warring factions were imminent if the military had not taken over.

"Some nations choose to let democracy fail and let the people fix it through civil war, violence and revolution," he said. "The Thai military cannot let that happen in our country."

The seminar entitled "After the coup - What comes next?" was conducted by Colonel Weerachon, who translated the NCPO's announcements into English, and Sek Wannamethee, a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry.

A foreign journalist asked Weerachon to reveal the conditions of those detained by the order of the NCPO.

He replied that they stayed in comfortable accommodation with good food and air-conditioning.

Another foreign correspondent asked whether the junta believed that forbidding some people from expressing their opinions would be effective in stopping people from holding those views.

Weerachon answered that the junta is taking a hard line against such expression now because it would not be productive for national reconciliation. However, later along the reform process, Weerachon said that differing opinions would be welcome to allow everyone to participate in reform.

Nick Nostitz, a German photographer who was allegedly assaulted twice at anti-Pheu Thai government protests, was present at the event and asked whether his attackers would be arrested.

In reply, Weerachon said that the military intervention could not supervise this specific case, but assured Nostitz that the arrest warrant will continue according to the process.

After the session, many journalists and people at the event greeted Weerachon. Some asked to have photos with him. An American television journalist, who asked to have a photo with him, said the spokesman was the "man of the moment". Weerachon had said the NCPO team at the seminar was not skilled in PR, but the journalist disagreed.

He said that although he is neither pro- or anti-coup, he was impressed by some of Weerachon's answers.

He referred specifically to Weerachon's response upon being asked about his opinion on the three-finger sign, inspired by the Hollywood movie The Hunger Games, used by anti-coup protesters. Weerachon simply stated that now is not the time for such signs but time for peace and order.

A business consultant, who asked not to be named, said Weerachon might have answered better if the seminar was conducted in Thai language. For some questions, Weerachon just cut short his answers.


-- The Nation 2014-06-13

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Thailand still very low in English language skills
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The average TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score in Thailand last year was among the three lowest for Asean countries, Enconcept E-Academy executive Apitha Wonlopsiri said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734006-thailand-still-very-low-in-english-language-skills/

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Pattani doctor wins top honour for service in rural area
PUANGCHOMPOO PRASERT
THE NATION



PATTANI: -- DR NIRAN Witchasetsamit, director of Pattani's Ma Yor Hospital, was yesterday named the 2013 Outstanding Rural Doctor by Mahidol University's Medical School at Siriraj Hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734009-pattani-doctor-wins-top-honour-for-service-in-rural-area/

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Curfew may be lifted in Bangkok and elsewhere Friday night



BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order is expected to lift curfew in Bangkok and remaining provinces Friday night after General Prayuth Chan-ocha is due to appear on the television to talk to the Thai people on the “Return Happiness to the Thai People” programme, according to informed army sources.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734010-curfew-may-be-lifted-in-bangkok-and-elsewhere-friday-night/

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Fierce gunfight
The Nation



CHIANG MAI: -- Para-military rangers clashed with a drug-smuggling caravan in Chiang Mai's Mae Ai district early yesterday morning and seized about eight million yaba pills reportedly worth Bt2 billion on the streets. A drug suspect was killed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734014-fierce-gunfight-in-chiang-mais-mae-ai-district/

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Forces raid four villages trespassed on national park land

CHIANG MAI: -- About 500 army troopers, police and forestry officials raided four villages in Chiang Mai’s Chiang Dao district in search of illegal logs and illicit drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734026-forces-raid-four-villages-trespassed-on-national-park-land-chiang-mai/

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NCPO's economic board approves 3 trillion baht infrastructure projects



BANGKOK: -- The economic advisory committee of the National Council for Peace and Order has approved in principle the Transport Ministry’s three trillion baht infrastructure development projects, excluding high-speed trains, for the years 2015-2022.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734028-ncpos-economic-board-approves-3-trillion-baht-infrastructure-projects/

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Woman who drove with man stuck in windscreen gets 55 years

LOS ANGELES: -- A US substance abuse counsellor who drove for three kilometres with a pedestrian embedded in her car's windscreen after she hit him while drunk was jailed for at least 55 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734038-us-woman-who-drove-with-man-stuck-in-windscreen-gets-55-years/

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Boy, 10, missing in Phuket surf

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734039-boy-10-missing-in-phuket-surf/

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Facebook set up to combat illegal beauty clinics

BANGKOK, 13 June 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has set up a Facebook to facilitate the reporting of illegal practices by beauty clinics and other health services establishments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734044-facebook-set-up-to-combat-illegal-beauty-clinics-in-thailand/

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Officials continue their drugs eradicating campaign

CHACHEONGSAO, 13 June 2014, (NNT) - Officials in Chachoengsao Province yesterday conducted a raid on a residence after being informed that the venue was a major drug distributing hub and a favorite hangout of drug addicts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734045-chachoengsao-officials-continue-their-drugs-eradicating-campaign/

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Spray foam requested to clean oil-stained beach in Rayong

RAYONG, 13 June 2014, (NNT) - Officials in Rayong Province have requested spray foam from Chonburi administration office to eliminate oil slick on Maerampueng Beach, expecting to reopen the site to tourists this weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734046-spray-foam-requested-to-clean-oil-stained-beach-in-rayong/

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Regulation on drivers with epilepsy being considered

BANGKOK, 13 June 2014 (NNT) – The Medical Council of Thailand has entered into discussion with the Land Transport Department to find measures to address epileptic drivers, after Wednesday's tragic accident which killed 4 young students.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734049-regulation-on-drivers-with-epilepsy-being-considered-medical-council-of-thailand/

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Priest killed, another injured in US shooting

PHOENIX: -- Police were hunting Thursday a gunman or gunmen who killed one priest and injured another at a Catholic church in Arizona.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734051-us-priest-killed-another-injured-in-arizona-shooting/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,458.72, gains 1.70 points /MCOT