Thailand Live Monday 16 Jun 2014

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Phuket girl slashed by machete-swinging boyfriend
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A young woman is in serious condition in Thalang Hospital after a frenzied attack by her boyfriend, who chopped her back and neck with a machete, known locally as a “sparta knife”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734773-phuket-girl-slashed-by-machete-swinging-boyfriend/

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PTT board chairman resigns



BANGKOK: -- Chairman of the board of directors of PTT Pcl Dr Parnpri Phahitthanukorn has stepped down to pave the way for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to restructure the country's energy sector, and name a new board chairman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734776-ptt-board-chairman-dr-parnpri-phahitthanukorn-resigns/

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Scammers targeting Australian dating sites

AUSTRALIA: -- International fraudsters are increasingly targeting those seeking love, taking over 25 million Australian dollars (23.5 million US dollars) from Australian victims last year, figures released Monday showed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734779-scammers-targeting-australian-dating-sites/

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Genetically engineered banana to go through first human trial

AUSTRALIA: -- A super-enriched banana genetically engineered to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa will soon have its first human trial, which will test its effect on vitamin A levels, Australian researchers said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734781-genetically-engineered-banana-to-go-through-first-human-trial/

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Pattaya Café Owner arrested on firearms and human trafficking charges

PATTAYA: -- On Sunday Night at Banglamung Police Station, the Acting-Commissioner of Region 2 Police announced the arrest of a 44 year old Café Owner who was accused of firearms and human trafficking offences relating to his Café in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734782-pattaya-cafe-owner-arrested-on-firearms-and-human-trafficking-charges/

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PRD has established PR centers to promote reconciliation nationwide

BANGKOK, 16 June 2014 (NNT) - The Government Public Relations Department (PRD) has established provincial public relations centers nationwide to promote reconciliation and unity in the kingdom in accordance with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s policy.

Director-General of the PRD, Apinan Juntarungsri, stated that PRD offices at the provincial and regional levels would now function as the Reconciliation PR Centers with focuses on providing supports to local media members in their preparations of news that conform to the NCPO's guidelines.

All PRD units will also organize activities to promote national reconciliation. In the central region, the PRD is now holding a weekly music event at the PRD headquarters’ Health Garden on Phahonyothin Road, in Bangkok.

In addition, the Director-General stated that his Department would draft an operation plan for the next 5-10 years with a view to strengthening its roles as state media that work in response to the public’s needs with clarity and efficiency. The department will also use the social media to enhance the performance of its personnel as well as the National Public Relations Committee, Mr. Apinan added.


-- NNT 2014-06-16

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Military Junta advises lottery office to consider lottery price



BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has denied ordering the Government Lottery Office (GLO) to adjust price of lottery tickets to be more reasonable.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734785-ncpo-advises-lottery-office-to-consider-lottery-price/

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Fiscal Policy Office considering imposing wealth tax based on combined household assets value to narrow income gap /The Nation

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Man accidentally shoots his friend to death during hunting trip
By Coconuts Bangkok


An adorable wild boar piglet in the Netherlands. Photo: Wikipedia

BANGKOK: -- While attempting to hunt some meat Saturday, a man said he accidentally killed his friend because he thought he was a pig.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734786-man-accidentally-shoots-his-friend-to-death-during-hunting-trip-at-khao-sok-national-park/

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Meteorological Department warns Bangkok residents to brace for rains



BANGKOK, 16 June 2014 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has said that parts of Bangkok and its suburbs are set to face thunderstorms as well as heavy rains.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734789-meteorological-dept-warns-bangkok-residents-to-brace-for-heavy-rains/

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David Cameron urged to fight extremism by means of "British values"

LONDON: -- British Prime Minister David Cameron said that superfluous tolerance of British people eventually leads to the rise of extremism in the country. As a result of this - an attempt of islamization of secondary schools, which has been recently brought to light. Cameron appealed for active promotion of "British values​​" to avoid the domination of foreign ideology.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734793-david-cameron-urged-to-fight-extremism-by-means-of-british-values/

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NCPO satisfied with outcomes of “Return Happiness to the Thais” activities

BANGKOK, 16 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is content with the process and the results of activities held to promote peace and unity in the kingdom, while urging the public not to consume information on social networking sites.

Talking about the overview of nationwide reconciliation activities, Deputy Spokesperson of the NCPO Col. Winthai Suwaree said the NCPO was content with the procedures and the outcomes it had received thus far, as all sectors had been contributing to making good things happen.

Although curfew in all provinces have already been lifted, security personnel are still on alert on a 24-hour basis to ensure safety and order. As for the possibility of the re-imposition of curfew in certain areas, the decision would be made on case-by-case basis, he said.

The deputy spokesperson also advised that members of the public avoid overly consuming information on social media, as what they learn on the internet could be misleading and distorted.


-- NNT 2014-06-16

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Kenya's famous bull elephant Satao slain in Tsavo by poachers with poison arrows

TSAVO: -- ONE of Africa’s largest and best-known elephants has died after being shot by poachers using poisoned arrows.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734796-kenya-worlds-largest-elephant-butchered-by-poachers/

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Car damaged as five electricity poles fall down in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


The road was blocked when five electricity poles fell down.

PHUKET: -- The driver of a car had a narrow escape yesterday (June 15) when five electricity poles fell down in the middle of the road in Thalang, around 8.30pm, crashing onto his car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734799-car-damaged-as-five-electricity-poles-fall-down-in-phuket/

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1 killed, 2 wounded in a separatist attack in Pattani Province

PATTANI, 16 June 2014 (NNT) - Separatists carried out an attack on a community in Khokpho District, Pattani Province, the latest in a row of southern violence, killing 1 and wounding 2 others.

The incident took place yesterday afternoon at a road-side stall, according to the provincial police, who cited witnesses as saying that 4 militants rode on 2 motorbikes equipped with M16 automatic rifles and raked fire at local people at the venue, resulting in the death of Miss Kesanee Romketkaeo and 2 others wounded.

The official said all the victims were shortly sent to local hospitals. He suspected the attack was the separatists’ attempt to intimidate the locals. Officials are now inspecting the crime scene’s CCTV Camera footage for the identities of the attackers.

Later on the day, Pattani Governor Wittaya Panitchapong, along with military and administrative officials and local residents, attended the bathing rite for the unfortunate lady at Saikhao Monastery in Khokpho District. Governor Wittaya also handed compensation money to the victim’s mother. A cremation is scheduled for June 20th.

-- NNT 2014-06-16

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China sentences three to death for Tiananmen attack - CCTV

BEIJING: -- Three people were sentenced to death Monday over a deadly suicide car crash in Beijing's symbolic heart Tiananmen Square, state-run media said, in China's latest move against militants from restive, mainly-Muslim Xinjiang, AFP reports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734802-china-sentences-three-to-death-for-tiananmen-attack-cctv/

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Gen Prayuth chairs meeting to evaluate situation after curfew lifting; ACM Prachin leaves for southern provinces to monitor electricity problem /MCOT

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Assembly of the Poor right group urged NCPO to review crackdown on forest encroachers as it is too harsh on over 2mn landless poor people /The Nation

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Govt collected Bt1.36tn in net revenue in 1st 8 months of 2014 fiscal yr,Bt93.29bn(6.4pct) below target due to lower corp.income tax collections /The Nation

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Army Vet Holds His Own Funeral To See Who Will Come

By Khaosod English



BANGKOK — A 82-year-old war veteran held a funeral for himself at Wat Suwannakhee in Suphanburi Province to see what the ceremony would like before he died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734812-thai-army-veteran-holds-his-own-funeral-to-see-who-will-attend/

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Flash floods, landslide warnings in Chantaburi

CHANTABURI, 16 JUNE 2014, Chantaburi province is expected to encounter flash floods, storms and landslides according to the Department of Mineral Resources.

Chanthaburi Governor, Samart Loyfa, said that he had warned villagers in some districts in Chantaburi province to remain on high alert against landslides and flash floods on Monday 16th June 2014

The province is spreading the news through the Public Relations Department's Radio Thailand, Chantaburi Province, on FM 90.25.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has closely monitored the amount of rain in the area, and the level of water in dams. The province will make an announcement to inform the public immediately, if any danger develops. Fisherman are also urged to proceed with caution in heavy seas.


-- NNT 2014-06-16

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60 billion baht needed to help farmers for new crops



BANGKOK: -- About 60 billion baht are needed to shore up the prices of new rice crops in order to help the farmers instead of the rice pledging scheme which will not be revived.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734828-60-billion-baht-needed-to-help-thai-farmers-for-new-crops/

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Phuket body in bin hearings postponed to November
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Dokset in his cell in Chalong after his initial arrest.

PHUKET: -- Norwegian Stein Havard Dokset, accused of murder in the infamous “body in the bin” case, appeared briefly in court on Friday, with his case being adjourned until November 21.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734861-phuket-body-in-bin-hearings-postponed-to-november/

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Thailand to bring back Cambodian labour
By Digital Content



CHANTHABURI, June 16 -- Panicking Cambodian labourers, believing that Thailand plans to clear out all foreign labour from the country, have fled for their homes across the border, impacting Thai business owners along the border, as they rely on the migrants to operate their businesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734863-thailand-to-bring-back-cambodian-labour/

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Quake-damaged schools in Thai north renovated after tremors
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 16 -- Thailand's Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC), along with a group of vocational students in the country's northern region joined hands in renovating a school in in the area which been wrecked by an earthquake earlier last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734865-quake-damaged-schools-in-thai-north-renovated-after-tremors/

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AFTER COUP
Confidence in Thailand boosted after curfew lifted: FTI

BANGKOK: -- Confidence is growing among the business community and investors after the nationwide curfew was revoked on Friday, said the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)'s chairman Suphan Mongkolsuthee on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734867-confidence-in-thailand-boosted-after-curfew-lifted-fti/

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Military junta scraps children tablet project



BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has scrapped the four billion baht tablets for children project for the 2014 fiscal year after seeing it does little to support education, and also is an unnecessary spending of national budget.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734870-ncpo-scraps-one-tablet-per-child-project/

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DJ Orm surrenders

BANGKOK: -- DJ Orm or Miss Kanyapak Maneejak, 54, an activist leader of the redshirt Rak Chiangmai 51 Group, surrendered to military authorities at the Aranyaprathet district border Sunday.

She fled to Cambodia and was reported to hide at a casino in Poi Pet after the military coup on May 22, and defied order by the military junta to turn herself in to the military.

She showed up at the Aranyaprathet checkpoint to surrender to the military authorities after offering to turn in citing reason of homesickness.

Earlier she rang up Thai authorities offering to surrender, reasoning of homesick to have hiding at the casino for weeks.

DJ Orm, as she is well-known for operating a redshirt community radio owned by the Rak Chiangmai 51 group, was questioned at Surasinghanart army barrack in Aranyaprathet Sunday.

She was expected to be escorted from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok’s Army Auditorium on Theves to report to the military junta late Monday.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/dj-orm-surrenders/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-16

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Government tax revenue collection falls short

BANGKOK, 16 June 2014 (NNT) – The Fiscal Policy Police (FPO) has reported that overall tax revenue collections have declined during the first eight months of the 2014 fiscal year.

FPO Director-General Somchai Sajjapongse said that the tax revenue in May stood at 282.6 billion baht, which is 18.2 percent lower from the projected target of 345.6 billion baht this year, and also 14.2 percent lower than the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the total net revenue collected in the first eight months has reached 1.36 trillion baht, which is 6.4 percent lower than the original target of 1.45 trillion baht. According to Mr. Somchai, all three departments responsible for tax revenue collections including the Revenue, Customs, and Excise departments have all missed their targets mainly due to lower personal income tax and the economic slowdown.

However, Mr. Somchai expressed hopes that the economic situation would improve due to the political clarity resulting from the coup. He said tax revenue collection might be improved in the remaining quarter of the 2014 fiscal year.

-- NNT 2014-06-16

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Thailand's Wild Elephant Food Security Fund invites all sectors to support the Fund



BANGKOK, 16 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) has invited all sectors to contribute to Thailand’s Wild Elephant Food Security Fund (TEFS).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/734889-thailands-wild-elephant-food-security-fund-invites-all-sectors-to-support-the-fund/