Thailand Live Friday 20 Jun 2014

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His Majesty the King congratulates the new King of Spain

BANGKOK, 20 June 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has sent a message of congratulations to King Felipe VI of Spain upon the official proclamation of the latter as monarch in the Spanish Parliament on Thursday.

The royal message said that upon the investiture of His Royal Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, Their Majesties the King and Queen wished to express their congratulations and sincere best wishes to His Majesty King Felipe VI and members of the Royal Family of Spain for their great health and happiness, as well as for the progress of the Spanish people and the prosperity of the Kingdom of Spain.

In the royal message, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej also expressed his belief that during the reign of King Felipe VI, the existing friendly relationship and cooperation between the two countries and their peoples would further strengthen in the future.


-- NNT 2014-06-20

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PATTANI
Businessman detained under martial law after raid
THE NATION



Detention related to 'security issues'

PATTANI: -- A PATTANI-BASED businessman; Sahachai Jiansermsin, 44, is in military court’s custody on charges related to security issues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735943-pattani-businessman-detained-under-martial-law-after-raid/

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TRAFFICKING IN PERSON
Anxious wait for TIP report
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



Thailand fears downgrade in human trafficking report could draw US sanctions

BANGKOK: -- Thailand awaits with bated breath the release today for the 2014 "Trafficking in Persons" (TIP) Report by US Secretary of State John Kerry, with the threat of a downgrade over its poor practices and inadequate efforts to eliminate human trafficking, which would bring the risk of sanctions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735944-thailand-fears-downgrade-in-human-trafficking-report-could-draw-us-sanctions/

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NATION ANALYSIS
Udomdej, Paiboon front-runners for Army chief position
The Nation


Udomdej

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr and assistant chief General Paiboon Koomchaya appear the main candidates to succeed General Prayuth Chan-ocha as the head of the Army.

Prayuth, who is in charge of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), is due to step down as Army chief at the end of September.

It is not yet known who will be given the role of managing Thailand's military might.

Prayuth's options include stepping down and appointing a trusted successor as the Army chief or extending his time at the helm.

Taking seniority and years before retirement into account, three candidates stand out for the position.

Along with Prayuth's deputy Udomdej and Paiboon, the other front runner appears to be assistant Army chief General Chatchai Sarikalaya.

Chatchai was Prayuth's Pre-Cadet Class 12 classmate, while Udomdej is from Pre-Cadet Class 14 and Paiboon is from the less senior Pre-Cadet Class 15.

Udomdej had been expected to succeed Prayuth. However, Paiboon has played a high-profile role since last month's military coup, suggesting he could be awarded the top job.

Although Udomdej is NCPO secretary-general, Paiboon is in charge of legal and justice affairs, which the junta has prioritised as an important portfolio.

One option could be to give Udomdej the top job and make Paiboon permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry. Under this scenario Chatchai could be given a deputy Army chief post with a marshal-level rank.

The option that may suit Prayuth best as he attempts to steady the ship in Thailand, however, is extending his term after retirement. Such occurrences, especially in the military, are rare. The last case dates back to the late 1970s.

When it comes to the extension of the terms, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra extended his brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat's term as permanent secretary of Justice, while Thaksin's sister, ex-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, extended the term of Tarit Pengdith as director-general of the Department of Special Investigation.

If Prayuth also appoints himself prime minister, key seats in the cabinet may also go to military leaders who will reach retirement age at the same time as he does.

Although the road map for the second phase of administration under the NCPO, the formation of an interim cabinet, has not yet been implemented, Prayuth chairs NCPO meetings every Tuesday.

These meetings could be considered de facto cabinet gatherings.

The military commanders in the posts of deputy NCPO chief can be seen as deputy prime ministers. Supreme Commander General Tanasak Patimapragorn might be considered deputy PM in charge of national security, Navy chief Admiral Narong Pipatanasai might be deputy Prime Minister in charge of social and psychological affairs and Air Force boss Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong might be the deputy PM in charge of the economy.

If that were the case, former Army chief General Anupong Paochinda might become defence minister while former deputy Army chief General Dapong Rattanasuwan might become interior minister and push for reconciliation.


-- The Nation 2014-06-20

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MIGRANT WORKERS
Fewer Cambodians seen fleeing in Sa Kaew
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Life returned to normal in Sa Kaew's Aranyaprathet border area yesterday as more Cambodians returned to sell their goods at the Rong Kleu Market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735945-fewer-cambodians-seen-fleeing-in-sa-kaew/

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Southern Police Inspect Fishing Boats In Search Of Human Traffickers
By Khaosod English


Marine police in Satul province inspected fishing boats manned by Burmese workers to look for potential human traffickers and drug use, 19 June 2014.

SATUL — Marine police in Satul province inspected fishing boats manned by Burmese workers today to look for potential human traffickers and drug use.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735946-southern-thai-police-inspect-fishing-boats-in-search-of-human-traffickers/

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UPDATE:

AFTER COUP
Army's move against Rama IX illegal motorbike stand hailed
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE CHIEF of the Association of Taxi Motorcyclists of Thailand yesterday hailed the Army's inspection of motorcycle taxi stands in the Rama IX area, some of which are reportedly illegal and allegedly backed by a "big fish".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735824-bangkok-motorbike-taxi-services-at-rama-9-to-be-reorganized-by-security-forces/#entry7995524

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UPDATE:

Finnwatch activist faces prosecution
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- British migrant rights activist Andy Hall was formally detained following his fight for better work conditions for migrant workers in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735786-british-finnwatch-activist-faces-prosecution-in-thailand/page-2?p=7995531#entry7995531

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Two senior labour officials transferred
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday transferred two senior labour officials in charge of employment of migrant workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735950-two-senior-thai-labour-officials-transferred/

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East Pattaya Underground Lottery & Money Lending Business shutdown by Police

PATTAYA: -- In a raid led by the Deputy Commissioner of Region 2 Police, a raid of a shop in East Pattaya took place on Thursday afternoon which uncovered an underground lottery and an illegal money lending business.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735952-east-pattaya-underground-lottery-money-lending-business-shutdown-by-police/

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Thai Man stabbed and beaten on Jomtien Beach



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday a 43 year old Thai Man was beaten and stabbed on Jomtien Beach, by a gang of three men.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735953-man-stabbed-and-beaten-on-jomtien-beach/

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Video: Phuket's Surin Beach front being demolished

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735882-video-phukets-surin-beach-beach-front-being-demolished/

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Thaivisa Forum App for Android/iOS updated: Download latest version here!

http://www.thaivisa.com/content/apps

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Harley-Davidson unveils its first electric hog

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735939-harley-davidson-unveils-its-first-electric-hog/

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EDITORIAL
ISIS knocking on Baghdad's door
The Nation

If the US waits too long before taking meaningful action, it could be faced with an Iraq controlled by religious fanatics

BANGKOK: -- This week, extremist militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) boasted of executing more than 1,700 Iraqi soldiers - most, if not all, of whom were Shi'ites.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735955-isis-knocking-on-baghdads-door/

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Iraq crisis: US to send 'military advisers'

WASHINGTON: -- President Barack Obama says the US will send 300 military advisers to Iraq to help fight Islamist-led insurgents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735957-us-to-send-military-advisers-to-iraq/

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Officials confiscate 132 slot machines in Samutprakan

SAMUTPRAKAN, 20 June 2014, (NNT) - More than 100 gambling machines and other gambling related items have been confiscated in Samutprakan in an operation to rid Thailand of vices.

The Royal Thai Navy force in Bangkok and Samutprakan Provincial police have jointly conducted a search on a residence in Preuksa Village in Muang District of Samutprakan Province after receiving a tip-off that the house has been used as a storage place for gambling machines.

Upon arrival, the combined force discovered 85 horse racing machines, 47 slot machines and 12 electrical panels, 46 twenty-inch LED monitors, and thirteen 22-inch LED displays.

According to officials, no one was present at the scene, adding that the owner of the house, who has been summoned for questioning, has rented out the house for over a year.

The search has been carried out in accordance with the National Council for Peace and Order’s policies aimed at eradicating all kinds of gambling, narcotics, and crimes in the kingdom.

Officers said those responsible for bringing the confiscated items into the nation will be prosecuted to the full extent of law.


-- NNT 2014-06-20

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Chairpersons of MRTA and EGAT boards resign to make way for reform

BANGKOK, 20 June 2014 (NNT) – The chairpersons of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand have submitted their resignation letters, becoming the latest heads of state enterprises' boards of directors give notice to pave the way for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to carry out reform of the organizations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735977-chairpersons-of-mrta-and-egat-boards-resign-to-make-way-for-reform/

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No problems encountered on first day of checkpoints against bad taxi behavior

BANGKOK, 20 June 2014 (NNT) – Military officials overseeing the drive to improve regulation of the taxi service at Bangkok's two main airports reported no problems on the first day the checkpoints were set up for the particular purpose.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735980-no-problems-encountered-on-first-day-of-checkpoints-against-bad-taxi-behavior-bangkok/

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Yala rubber wood processing factory hit by arson

BANGKOK: -- Insurgents launched arson attack against a rubber wood processing plant in Yala's Raman district early Friday, causing over Bt10 million worth of damage.

Police said about five assailants climbed over the factory's wall into the compound and set fire. The fire broke out at about 3:35 am.

Police said the assailants fired twice into the air and fled the scene.


-- The Nation 2014-06-20

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,464.91, gains 3.00 points /MCOT

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NCPO gives 1-month deadline for prison authorities to rid drug trafficking from prisons nationwide /The Nation

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Patrol unit in bomb ambush in Pattani's Nong Chik district, 2 wounded; banners aagainst SBPAC hung in Yala, Narathiwat /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Military junta gets tough with mafia-run motorcycle taxis



BANGKOK: -- Soldiers, police, city police and transport officials began to take action on motorcycle taxis throughout the capital, with the first on-the-spot inspection at one of Bangkok's busiest commercial centres, Rama 9 intersection, where legal services provided alongside mafia-run motorcycle taxis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735824-bangkok-motorbike-taxi-services-at-rama-9-to-be-reorganized-by-security-forces/#entry7996444

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Second generation mobile system to remain serviceable for longer period



Second generation mobile phone services of both True Move and Advanced Info Service's subsidiary, Digital Phone (DPC), are to continue after the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications (NBTC) said it will extend their services when they expire in September.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/735999-second-generation-mobile-system-to-remain-serviceable-for-longer-period-thailand/

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Graft buster rejects Yingluck’s more witness request



BANGKOK: -- Request by ex-Premier Yingluck Shinawatra for eight more witnesses to defend her in the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against alleged malfeasance and corruption involving the rice-pledging scheme was rejected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/736014-graft-buster-rejects-yinglucks-more-witness-request/

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Drug eradication efforts continue nationwide

BANGKOK, 20 June 2014 (NNT) - Security forces in various parts of Thailand continue their mission to crackdown on narcotics and other illicit drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/736015-crackdown-on-narcotics-and-other-illicit-drugs-continues-in-thailand/

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Special Report: PRD sets up centers promoting reconciliation and national reform

BANGKOK: -- The Government Public Relations Department (PRD) has set up special public relations centers to promote reconciliation for reform at its headquarters in Bangkok and regional offices nationwide.

PRD Director-General Apinan Juntarungsri reported the PRD’s urgent tasks concerning national reconciliation to Police General Adul Saengsingkaew, who serves as a Deputy Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Police General Adul visited the PRD Headquarters for a policy briefing and to preside over the opening of a public relations center to promote reconciliation. He urged the PRD to help boost national unity and the way of living based on the Sufficiency Economy philosophy. Rules and regulations that cause obstacles to the operations would be revised to enhance its efficiency as a state media organization.

The NCPO has established the Office of Reconciliation and Reform Commission (ORRC) to compile suggestions and ideas from various organizations in order to map out a plan to promote national reconciliation and reform. The ORRC is under the supervision of the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense and comprises representatives from relevant government agencies as members of the commission.

Moreover, a working group has also been set up for reform preparations in an effort to bring back happiness to the people. This working group is supervised by the ORRC and its members include civil servants, police and military officials, experts, and academics. It will gather information on national reform proposed by experts, political parties, academics, educational institutions, and the general public.

The group will also hold brainstorming sessions to listen to opinions and suggestions on the issue from all sectors of Thai society. The information will be forwarded to the reform council for consideration.

Meanwhile, the Religious Affairs Department will invite representatives of major religions in Thailand for consultations on promoting national reconciliation through the aid of religion. The Department has launched a project to invite religious and community leaders to join forces in enhancing unity among the people.

In so doing, leaders of all faiths will organize activities to encourage the people to lead their lives based on religious principles and the Sufficiency Economy concept. The Department will also coordinate with provincial Culture offices and other agencies in working on reconciliation efforts, as well.

Head of the NCPO General Prayuth Chan-ocha earlier stated that the primary objective of national reconciliation is to give people an opportunity to talk to each other, after nine years of being broken up into widely different political and social factions.


-- NNT 2014-06-20

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Thai Post mysteriously loses 42,800 lottery tickets
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Thai Post already has a sub-wonderful reputation for damaging, throwing, folding and smashing packages into the worst condition, but this time eyebrows are on the rise over 42,800 lottery tickets which mysteriously vanished in the mail.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/736023-thai-post-mysteriously-loses-42800-lottery-tickets/

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Australia will send troops to Iraq to guard the Australian embassy in Baghdad

AUSTRALIA has sent troops to Iraq to help protect the Australian embassy, given the unfolding conflict in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/736026-australia-to-send-troops-to-iraq-to-bolster-embassy-security/