Thailand Live Wednesday 18 Jun 2014

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Storm Destroys Krabi's 75 Million Year Old Fossil Site
By Khaosod English



KRABI — Raging waves in southern Thailand have accelerated the destruction of a prominent fossil site in Krabi province, causing parts of the fossil bed to collapse into the sea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735341-storm-destroys-krabis-75-million-year-old-fossil-site/

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Disaster experts stomp on Phuket tsunami prediction
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Chat show host Vuthithorn 'Woody' Milintachinda (left) with fortune teller Pai Nawaracha Phinitpokakon, from her Facebook page.

PHUKET: -- The National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) has moved to quash a rumour, spreading rapidly through social media, that Phuket and other parts of the south will be hit by a tsunami “in two or three days”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735343-disaster-experts-stomp-on-phuket-tsunami-prediction/

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New Lead in Missing Karen Activist Case
By Khaosod English


Photos of park officials cutting down trees in Kaeng Krachan Park. The images were discovered on a flash drive that belonged to missing Karen rights activist Porlachee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen.

PHETCHABURI – The wife of missing rights activist says she has uncovered a set of photos that may shed new light on the suspected abduction of her husband.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735344-new-lead-in-missing-karen-activist-case-kaeng-krachan-national-park/

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NCPO orders revision on 28 mega- projects
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 18 -- Thailand's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has ordered a revision of 28 mega-projects, each worth more than Bt1 billion, and initiated and proposed by the previous government led by ex-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735345-ncpo-orders-revision-on-28-mega-projects/

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UPDATE:

AFTER COUP
4G auction, digital TV voucher scheme on hold
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

Junta wants doubts regarding projects cleared

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has ordered the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to suspend four key projects, including the planned auction of 4G wireless broadband spectrum licences, and the distribution of subsidy vouchers for the purchase of digital TV set-top boxes, until some doubts regarding the projects are cleared, in order to ensure transparency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735219-nbtcs-four-projects-worth-100-billion-baht-suspended-by-ncpo/#entry7986619

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TIP REPORT
Thailand braces for US verdict on human trafficking record
Thiranat Sucharikul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND is holding its breath as it waits to hear if the United States will downgrade or praise the nation for its human-trafficking record.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735347-thailand-braces-for-us-verdict-on-human-trafficking-record/

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Junta makes assurances to stop the exodus of migrant workers
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation


Cambodian workers get off the Bangkok-Aranyaprathet train yesterday. The exodus of workers continues even as the junta reiterates that it had no policy to crack down on migrant workers.

BANGKOK: -- To plug the exodus of much-needed migrant workers, notably Cambodians, the junta and the authorities yesterday quashed rumours of a crackdown, gave another chance to their employers and vowed to uphold human rights of alien workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735348-ncpo-makes-assurances-to-stop-the-exodus-of-migrant-workers-thailand/

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THAI-KHMER RELATIONS
Discussion held on securing Veera's release
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday held a discussion on how it can help push for the release of political activist Veera Somkwamkid, who was given an eight-year prison sentence by a Cambodian court over espionage charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735349-discussion-held-on-securing-veeras-release-thai-khmer-relations/

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DRIVING
People with health issues may be banned from driving
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE MEDICAL COUNCIL is planning to propose a driving ban for patients whose health condition could turn them into dangerous drivers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735351-people-with-health-issues-may-be-banned-from-driving-in-thailand/

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INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
CK looks to junta's projects
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation


Perspective of double track rail system that is apart of infrastructure projects that Ch Karnchang will join biding.

BANGKOK: -- Ch Karnchang, a leading engineering and construction company, expects to snap up 20-25 per cent of the junta's urgent mass-transit and infrastructure projects worth about Bt150 billion this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735352-thailand-infrastructure-ck-looks-to-juntas-projects/

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RICE
NCPO may offer rice farmers subsidy of Bt1,700-per-rai in three-way meet today
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The military's ruling National Council for Peace and Order will today (June18) consider granting farmers a rice-production subsidy of Bt1,700 per rai, after farmers proposed Bt3,000 per rai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735353-ncpo-may-offer-rice-farmers-subsidy-of-bt1700-per-rai-in-three-way-meet-today/

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EDITORIAL
Grab this chance to reform education
The Nation

If it wants to leave Thailand in better shape, the junta must focus on our failing school system

BANGKOK: -- Cancelling the one-tablet-per-child scheme was a positive move by the junta, but it was just a tiny step if the ultimate goal is to overhaul the education system. Like other populist schemes, the free-tablet policy is merely a symptom of deeper problems that have been crippling the country for years. For genuine education reform, we need bolder efforts that uproot the whole system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735355-grab-this-chance-to-reform-education-thai-editorial/

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Pattaya Immigration arrest Russian Real Estate Fugitive



PATTAYA: -- Police Colonel Sitishai, the Deputy Commander of Immigration Police Region 3 announced the arrest of a 50 year old Russian National on Tuesday afternoon at the Immigration Office in Jomtien.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735357-pattaya-immigration-arrest-russian-real-estate-fugitive/

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Campaign to check on monks who misbehave
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) will on Friday launch a 24-hour hotline to accept complaints about Thai monks who behave inappropriately.

In response to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s instruction to the NOB to tackle social issues, especially the wayward monks, NOB director Nopparat Benchawattananant said they would launch the hotline to gather complaints.

The number is (02) 441 6400 press 2. The working team would gather the complaints each month and forward the cases to head monks to punish the offenders.

Nopparat also would soon propose implementation of Buddhism Protec-tion draft legislation to bring clarity to the wayward monks' punishments.


-- The Nation 2014-06-18

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Cabs, vans to be reorganised at Victory Monument
The Nation

Traffic police will also ensure that picking up of passengers does not create traffic jams in the area.

BANGKOK: -- FROM MONDAY onwards, public-transport vans and taxis will no longer be allowed to wait for customers at the Bangkok Victory Monument traffic circle and vans will only be allowed to wait under the Makkasan Airport Link Station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735358-cabs-vans-to-be-reorganised-at-bangkok-victory-monument/

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Ideas aired to replace school tablet scheme
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation



Focus now on 'smart classrooms'

BANGKOK: -- THE EDUCATION MINISTRY has come up with four options that could be introduced to replace the One Tablet Per Child (OTPC) project.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735361-ideas-aired-to-replace-the-one-tablet-per-child-project/

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Lucky neighbours richer
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Four neighbours in Phitsanulok's Wang Thong district have won lottery prizes worth Bt22 million in total - and three of them filed for police records yesterday.

Two farmer sisters, Chantra Chansamreun, 52, and Kanchana Boonhem, 33, won prizes worth Bt12 million and planned to repay all their debts and to make merit. The sisters recalled they initially wanted to buy from a door-to-door vendor tickets with the ending number "120".

According to a Facebook post, His Majesty the King would live until the age of 120. However the pair finally bought four Bt100 tickets with the ending numbers "920".

Another resident, Sunthree Channoi, 64, who bought her ticket from the same vendor and won Bt4 million, said she would pay for her child's kidney disease treatment, send her other kids to school and use some of the winnings to make merit.


-- The Nation 2014-06-18

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NACC plans more efficient fight against corruption
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission will work closely with state agencies to make the fight against graft more efficient and effective.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735362-nacc-plans-more-efficient-fight-against-corruption/

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BURNING ISSUE
'Thainess' cannot be threatened by mere symbolic gestures
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has banned the flashing of the three-finger salute, which was borrowed from the Hollywood film "The Hunger Games".

Prayuth's argument is that these salutes are essentially "foreign".

Now, it's understandable why the junta might want to nip anti-coup sentiments in the bud, but arresting middle-aged men and women for holding up three fingers could be taking it too far.

Plus, arguing that the "Hunger Games" salute is foreign and hence not suited to Thais, Prayuth could open a can of worms.

Prayuth himself was caught flashing a three-finger salute - in this case it was the international gesture for love, which originated from the American sign-language representing the letters I, L and Y.

So, the junta may have to go the whole hog if it wants to rid Thailand of all cultural borrowings.

However, it may want to consider the things we have borrowed not just from the foreign standpoint, but also look at why these things were borrowed and if they have any merit.

Besides, claiming that something is undesirable just because it is non-Thai can be considered rather xenophobic.

Therefore, when Prayuth's deputy, Lt-General Kampanart Ruddit, was quoted by a newspaper on Sunday as saying that he wanted to see Thailand emulate China because it's an Asian country can be a bit confusing. Not only is China not a proper democracy, but it is foreign. Also, why not emulate other more democratic and freer Asian societies like Japan or South Korea instead?

Another crucial point here is that Thais need to stop claiming that as a society they are homogenous and of a similar mindset.

There's no "single" Thai way of seeing things.

There's one side that seems to be rejoicing that a coup has been staged and that there is a crackdown on dissidents. Then there is another side in which people are willing to risk their personal freedom to voice opposition, claiming their cherished values of liberty and democracy.

In other words, "Thainess" cannot be monopolised, as it makes up a pluralistic, complex and open society.


-- The Nation 2014-06-18

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Indonesians missing after boat sinks

(BBC) A boat carrying 97 Indonesians has sunk off Malaysia, with at least 61 people missing, Malaysian authorities say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735393-boat-carrying-97-indonesians-sinks-off-malaysia-with-at-least-61-people-missing/

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Northern Gateway pipeline in Canada approved

ALBERTA: -- Canada has conditionally approved a pipeline to bring oil from the Alberta oil sands to the country's Pacific coast over heavy criticism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735394-northern-gateway-pipeline-in-canada-approved/

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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to return to office after rehab

TORONTO: -- Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford intends to return to work on 30 June after a two-month stay in rehab for treatment of substance abuse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735395-toronto-mayor-rob-ford-to-return-to-office-after-rehab/

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Porapassorn crowned Miss Grand Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Porapassorn "Pla" Disayadamrong, a 23-year-old student of Rangsit University, was crowned Miss Grand Thailand 2014 at the pageant contest held Tuesday night at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.

She will receive awards worth about Bt6 million and will represent Thailand in the Miss Grand Grand International 2014 pageant later this year in Manila.

-- The Nation 2014-06-18

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,472.45, gains 1.43 points /MCOT

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M-79 launcher, 75 grenades found in Ayutthaya; search at Klong Prem Central prison yields buried cash & bank passbooks /MCOT

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NCPO to set up committee overseeing reconciliation centers

BANGKOK, 18 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is set to establish a committee which will be supervising all reconciliation activities and national reform.

Permanent Secretary of the the PM's Office M.L. Panadda Diskul, in his capacity as Deputy Permanent Secretary for Interior, said the NCPO’s reconciliation plan had been panning out smoothly nationwide as many provinces were able to bring together groups of individuals who had different political viewpoints and engage them in activities promoting peace and unity.

M.L. Panadda also made known that the NCPO would set up a committee which comprises officials from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense and other related agencies to oversee the work of reconciliation centers.

The committee will also be responsible for gathering opinions and complaints from the public in order for the NCPO to draw up reconciliation and national reform policies that are acceptable to all sides, he added.


-- NNT 2014-06-18

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UPDATE:

Thailand confident of winning praise on human trafficking combating record



BANGKOK: -- As the United States is going to release its latest Trafficking In Persons (TIP) report late this week, relevant Thai government agencies are confident that they have made several progresses to resolve human trafficking problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735347-thailand-braces-for-us-verdict-on-human-trafficking-record/#entry7987552

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Nitirat Group core-leader Worajet to face court-martial

BANGKOK, 18 June 2014 (NNT) - Worajet Pakeerat, a Nitirat Group core-leader, has been detained by the Royal Thai Army. He was held accountable for refusing to answer the summons of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), thereby defying the Army’s orders.

Police Colonel Prasopchoke Prommun, the Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, revealed that Mr. Worajet has been already taken into military custody, and permission will be requested from the court-martial today to extend the period of his custody.

Rumor has it that Mr. Worajet has been apprehended by the Army about a week ago, yet his arrest has not been made public until today. The Nitirat Group member would be summoned by the police to hear his charges at 10:00 PM today before being transferred to the Military Court at noon.


-- NNT 2014-06-18

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NCPO satisfied with measures to cope with possible blackout in the South

BANGKOK, 18 June 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has expressed its satisfaction with the contingency plan to cope with possible power blackout in the southern region during the maintenance of the natural gas plant at the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) A18 block.

Speaking after his visit to the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, NCPO Head of Economic Affairs, Air Chief Marshal Prajin Jantong told the media that measures have been in place to ensure enough electricity for daily public consumption. He particularly commended the measure to purchase power from Malaysia once the use of electricity peaks near the production capacity.

According to ACM Prajin, after June 15th electricity consumption in the South peaked at 2,286 megawatts while the production capacity was at 2,300 megawatts. The situation prompted the Ministry of Energy to buy an addition of 142 megawatts from neighboring Malaysia at the rate of 8 baht 50 satang per unit.

He said more purchase would be made once the power consumption reaches 2,100 megawatts, to ascertain that electricity supply in the South would be sufficient to meet a maximum demand for 2,450 megawatts.


-- NNT 2014-06-18

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Interior Ministry is preparing the next fiscal year's budget plan



BANGKOK, 18 June 2014, (NNT) - The Ministry of the Interior is urging all of its units to finalize their next fiscal year's budget plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735410-thai-interior-ministry-is-preparing-the-next-fiscal-years-budget-plan/