Public Relations Department presents Music in the Garden on the theme of united hearts

BANGKOK, 18 June 2014 (NNT) – The Public Relations Department and the Singers Association of Thailand under the royal patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, has organized the third Music in the Garden on the theme of United Hearts for Unity.

They will return happiness to the people through the medium of beautiful songs by national artists including Suthep Wongkamhaeng, Jintana Suksatit, Jirakhom Kitiyakorn, Roongrudee Phaengphongsai, Umaphon Buapheung, Jittima Jeujai, Charum Thepchai and Thipphawan Pinphiban.

Music lovers can attend the event free of charge on Thursday, June 19, 2014, from 4:30 p.m. onwards at Health Park, the Department of Public Relations, Soi Aree, Bangkok.


-- NNT 2014-06-19

Taxi mafia clean out at Suvarnabhumi airport

file photo

BANGKOK: Taxi queues at Suvarnabhumi airport will be computerised within a month to end the influence of the 'mafia' controlling cab operations there, chief of the 11th Military Circle Maj Gen Nirundorn Samutsakorn said on Wednesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735567-taxi-mafia-clean-out-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

NBTC assures NCPO of digital TV coupon distribution after short suspension

BANGKOK, 19 June 2014 (NNT) –The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has confirmed that the digital TV coupon distribution, and the license auction for two operators have been temporarily suspended in order to examine the specifications before proceeding.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735640-nbtc-assures-ncpo-of-digital-tv-coupon-distribution-after-short-suspension/

BOI endorses investment promotion for 18 projects

BANGKOK, 19 June 2014 (NNT) – The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has given the green light to the provision of support for 18 investment projects which are believed to help spur the Thai economy once they are implemented.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735641-boi-endorses-investment-promotion-for-18-projects/

UPDATE:

Smart-card system for cabs to eliminate mafia role at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will introduce a smart-card system for the taxi queue at Suvarnabhumi Airport in a bid to end the "mafia-style operation" there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735567-taxi-mafia-clean-out-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/page-2#entry7990952

Exodus hits agriculture, construction sectors
The Nation



Ministry to move documented workers to sites vacated by fleeing cambodians

BANGKOK: -- OF THE MORE THAN 100,000 Cambodian workers who fled Thailand, 60-70 per cent were in the construction and agricultural sector in the East, permanent secretary for Labour Jeerasak Sukhonthachart said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735643-exodus-of-cambodian-workers-from-thailand-hits-agriculture-construction-sectors/

Khao Yai forest escapes UN danger list
Janjira pongrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The World Heritage Committee has decided against placing the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex on the list of World Heritage sites in danger after Thai representatives provided satisfactory feedback to the panel's technical adviser - the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735646-khao-yai-forest-escapes-un-danger-list/

BURNING ISSUE
Weight of expectations builds on Prayuth
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- After the seizure of power by the military junta many feel that Thailand's prospects have brightened. And the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) certainly seems earnest in its strategies to solve the country's problems.

Tough tasks like national reconciliation and political reform have become NCPO's main priorities. But the junta is also keen to push for reform in other areas such as energy, the structure of state enterprises, cracking down on gambling, motorcycle taxi and minivan mafias, drug dealers, illegal migrant workers, illegal loggers, crime syndicates, addressing the high price of the state-run lottery and other tasks.

What's important is that NCPO chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha is overseeing all these issues by himself and is explaining the progress to the public every Friday.

This move has enhanced his image as "a white knight" in the eyes of Thais because he appears both able and well-intentioned. What's more, he's the most powerful person in the leadership at this point in time.

Therefore, it is no surprise that many are turning to Prayuth in the hope that he will help solve various problems. For example, merchants at Chatuchak weekend market have asked him to solve the problem of extortion and suggested that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) administer the market instead of the State Railway of Thailand.

Village headmen and kamnans from Ayutthaya province's Uthai district also petitioned Prayuth to ask him to look into the district chief's plan to relocate the district office to a new but smaller and less accessible location.

Blind people are also seeking help from the junta leader to allocate a bigger portion of state-run lottery tickets for them so they can sell and make more profit. Many other professional groups are also seeking help from Prayuth and more are expected.

The question is how will Prayuth handle all these requests? Under its centralised form of administration, the NCPO is at the heart of everything. The chief merit of such a system is that everything can be executed at the will of Prayuth. But if the number of issues mount, can he truly handle them all?

Though we understand that the situation is special and requires such governance, there are also fears that the expectations of the public may grow too high.

Some issues brought to the attention of the NCPO are complex by nature and there are also many vested interests involved. By enabling some parties to benefit, others may lose out. Therefore, there's a need to strike a balance.

What's more, it is inevitable that this honeymoon period will wear off the longer the NCPO stays in power. If it fails to address all the issues being presented to it satisfactorily there may be a backlash against it.

There are a lot of expectations being placed on Prayuth's shoulders. And if those expectations are not met then people will become disillusioned.

It was Prayuth who volunteered to run the country so he is now responsible for the direction he takes. He has the option to decide whether to handle everything by himself or to delegate so that he can focus on truly major responsibilities. At present no one can say how General Prayuth should proceed but Prayuth himself.


-- The Nation 2014-06-19

Key Nitirat member freed on condition he stays in country
The Nation June

Law lecturer worachet also told not to take part in any political movements

BANGKOK: -- Thammasat law lecturer Worachet Pakeerut, a leading member of the Nitirat group, was released yesterday on Bt20,000 bail with the condition of not joining in any political movement or going abroad.

Police yesterday questioned the legal expert, known for his stance against the lese majeste law and the current martial law. A military court ordered his initial detention for 12 days after he failed to report himself in time after being summoned twice by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Worachet appeared to be in good spirits after the questioning. He told the media he turned himself in on Monday by arrangement and was not arrested, as reported by some media.

After his name appeared on the summons list for a second time, on June 10, Worachet's wife Patcharin reported to the NCPO on his behalf to inform it that he was under treatment abroad and would report later. He returned from Hong Kong on Monday. Colonel Songwit Noonpakdee, officer in command of the 11th Infantry Regiment, and Patcharin greeted him at Don Meuang International Airport.

Worachet has many supporters and news of his detention created a widespread stir on social-media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Separately, Human Rights Watch yesterday urged the Thai military authorities immediately to provide information about the whereabouts of red-shirt activist Kritsuda Khunasen, who was reportedly arrested by soldiers on May 28.

Instead of revealing her place of detention, the junta included her name on a June 17 list of people summoned to report to the authorities by June 18 or face arrest, HRW said in a statement.

Prominent red shirt missing

Soldiers arrested Kritsuda in Chon Buri province, but the military authorities have declined to disclose any information about her detention or provide any evidence that she has been released, raising concerns for her safety, HRW said.

Instead, the military has denied any knowledge of her whereabouts despite television footage showing that she was arrested and taken away by soldiers from the 14th Military Circle, according to HRW.

"The Thai military should put to rest fears that Kritsuda has been forcibly disappeared by immediately disclosing her location and allowing access to a doctor and a lawyer," said Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW.

"Concerned governments should demand that Thailand's military authorities immediately explain what has happened to her and ensure her safety," Adams added.

Kritsuda is an activist with the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

She has been instrumental in a campaign to provide legal and humanitarian assistance to UDD members and supporters affected by political violence in 2010, HRW said.

Since Kritsuda's arrest, her family and Thailand's National Human Rights Commission have tried unsuccessfully to locate her, HRW said.

NCPO deputy spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said he had no information about the matter at the moment. However, he had learned that a delegation from Human Rights Watch met with NCPO representatives yesterday evening.

Earlier, NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvari rebutted criticism of the junta's reconciliation plan by John Sifton, an Asia advocacy director specialising in South and Southeast Asia at HRW.

Winthai said outsiders like Sifton might have lacked rounded information, adding that the NCPO wanted to ensure the safety of Thai people by putting an end to violence related to political expression.

Winthai's reaction was not a direct response to HRW's criticism of the detention of Kritsuda.


-- The Nation 2014-06-19

EDITORIAL
Time to derail this gravy train
The Nation

State enterprises have been used to reward political allies with lavish pay and perks for too long

BANGKOK: -- State enterprises have come under fire over reports of the generous pay and benefits enjoyed by members of their executive boards - all funded, of course, by the taxpayer. Junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered the State Enterprise Policy Office to examine operations on all 56 state-enterprise boards, with the focus on benefits such as bonuses and meeting fees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735653-thai-editorial-time-to-derail-this-gravy-train/

WHO report reveals Thailand is reeling under a liquor tsunami
David Swartzentruber
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) released its "2014 Global report on alcohol and health" on May 12 and the statistics and trends are not good news for Thailand. The report has serious implications for Thailand's continued economic growth and the health and well-being of its labour force to achieve that growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735654-who-report-reveals-thailand-is-reeling-under-a-liquor-tsunami/

NBTC and Military shutdown 3 foreign-language Pattaya radio stations



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Afternoon a team from the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Region 5 along with the Royal Thai Navy and Pattaya Police conducted raids on 4 foreign-language Pattaya radio stations and found irregularities at 3 of them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735659-nbtc-and-military-shutdown-3-foreign-language-pattaya-radio-stations/

Pattaya Police Inundated with Tourist-related crimes



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday, Pattaya Police dealt with 4 criminal cases involving Tourists in the space of 30 minutes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735661-pattaya-police-inundated-with-tourist-related-crimes/

NCPO threatens to freeze dubious financial transactions
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Strong controls such as the freezing of suspicious financial transactions will be used to suppress corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering if financial institutions and other agencies failed report on dubious accounts, assistant Army chief Lt-General Paiboon Koomchaya, who is in charge of legal and judicial affairs, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735662-ncpo-threatens-to-freeze-dubious-financial-transactions/

Dutch on verge of last 16 after beating Australia

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735644-dutch-on-verge-of-last-16-after-beating-australia/

Chile end Spain's reign at World Cup

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735645-chile-end-spains-reign-at-world-cup/

Former councillor gets life for slaying of landfill protest leader
The Nation

THE SUPREME COURT yesterday meted out a life sentence to a former councillor of the Tambon Racha-thewa Administrative Organisation for the slaying of a man who led protests against the Rachathewa landfill in Samut Prakan province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735663-former-thai-councillor-gets-life-for-slaying-of-landfill-protest-leader/

Campaign to stop violation of non-smoking zones
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- ABOUT TWO-THIRDS of the designated non-smoking areas saw people puffing cigarettes despite the risk of a Bt2,000 fine, especially at markets, bus terminals and stadiums, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735664-thai-campaign-to-stop-violation-of-non-smoking-zones/

Cameroon crash out of World Cup after Croatia rout

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735665-cameroon-crash-out-of-world-cup-after-croatia-rout/

Duck stampede floods Thailand road [Video]

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735666-duck-stampede-floods-thailand-road-video/

Iraq formally asks US to launch air strikes against rebels

(BBC) Iraq has formally called on the US to launch air strikes against jihadist militants who have seized several key cities over the past week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735667-iraq-formally-seeks-us-air-strikes/

Auschwitz guard, 89, arrested in US

PHILADELPHIA: -- An 89-year-old accused of aiding and abetting the killing of hundreds of thousands of Jews has been arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735672-auschwitz-guard-89-arrested-in-us/

Finally electricity on Phuket's Coconut Island?
Anthika Muangrod

PHUKET: -- After the people of Koh Maprao (Coconut Island) have waited a decade for fulfilment of promises that they will get mains power supply, Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) now has a concrete plan to supply power from Laem Hin Pier on Phuket to their island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735685-finally-electricity-on-phukets-coconut-island/

Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,455.35, gains 3.99 points /MCOT

NCPO opts to cost-cutting measures to replace rice pledging scheme

BANGKOK, 19 June 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has asked for cooperation from vendors of agricultural factors to provide discounts to rice farmers, in an attempt to help the latter cut cost by at least 500 baht per rai. The measure has been devised to replace the now-abolished rice pledging program.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735686-ncpo-opts-to-cost-cutting-measures-to-replace-rice-pledging-scheme/

Court rejects bail for cocaine-smuggling 'Yuyee'
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday rejected the bail plea of the former model, who was arrested for smuggling a very small amount of cocaine through Don Mueang airport in late 2012.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735697-bangkok-criminal-court-rejects-bail-for-cocaine-smuggling-yuyee/

Two million foreign workers illegally work in Thailand



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Employment revealed Wednesday latest statistics pertaining to foreign workers currently employed in Thailand. It said two million foreign workers are working illegally in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735698-two-million-foreign-workers-illegally-work-in-thailand/

Dead turtles, dolphins wash up at Phuket's Mai Khao Beach
Suthicha Sirirat


This turtle was found washed up at Mai Khao beach.

PHUKET: -- Five turtles and two dolphins have died at Mai Khao Beach in the last month or so, with the majority left drowned or injured after they were caught in fishing nets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735702-dead-turtles-dolphins-wash-up-at-phukets-mai-khao-beach/

BMA addresses drug problem, calls on public to be eyes and ears

BANGKOK, 19 June 2014 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is stepping up measures against drug abuse while asking the public to be eyes and ears for authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735707-bangkok-administration-addresses-drug-problem-calls-on-public-to-be-eyes-and-ears/

Region 1 Police and Surin military officials seize scores of illegal arms

SURIN, 19 June 2014 (NNT) – The drive to eliminate illegal weapons remains in full swing. On Wednesday officials from the Region 1 Police and military officials in Surin announced the confiscation of hundreds of weapon items.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735710-police-and-surin-military-officials-seize-scores-of-illegal-arms/