Nan prison searched for illegal drugs

NAN, 27 June 2014 (NNT) – A combined force of 110 officers from Nan provincial prison, police, military and governing agencies led by Nan provincial prison Superintendent Jamnong In-kham has conducted an early morning search for narcotics at the Nan provincial prison.

Also, a hundred male and female inmates were randomly checked for drugs traces in urine. However drugs weren't found in either the prison search or urine tests, nor were any illegal possessions. The search was aimed at making Nan prison a “White Prison”; a prison without illegal narcotics and weapons.

Meanwhile, there are 979 inmates comprised of 870 men and 109 women, 80 percent out of them charged in narcotics cases.


-- NNT 2014-06-27

Chiang Rai rocked by latest 4.6-magnitude quake

CHIANG RAI, 27 June 2014 (NNT) – An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale jolted Chiang Rai province yesterday afternoon, prompting local officials to be on alert for more seismic activities in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737872-chiang-rai-rocked-by-latest-46-magnitude-quake/

Metro Police pushes on with drug suppression

BANGKOK, 27 June 2014 (NNT) – The Metropolitan Police Bureau is determined to continue cracking down on narcotic drugs and is looking to involve all related agencies in the mission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737873-bangkok-metro-police-pushes-on-with-drug-suppression/

Finance Min confirms economic revival in May

BANGKOK, 27 June 2014 (NNT) – The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) under the Ministry of Finance has reported an improvement in the overall economy in May as the easing political tension has allowed for growth in public spending and private investment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737874-thai-finance-min-confirms-economic-revival-in-may/

Activist Monk Advises PCAD Leaders To 'Stay Quiet'
By Khaosod English


Activist monk Buddha Issara blesses supporters who visited his home in Bangkok on 26 June, 2014.

BANGKOK — The militant monk who co-led the six-month protest campaign against the former government has called on fellow activists to "stay quiet" and allow the military junta to do its work.

Buddha Issara delivered the comments while giving blessings to a crowd of supporters, including some military and police officers, at his residence in northern Bangkok this morning.

"The atmosphere in the country is going well, they should not ruin the atmosphere," Buddha Issara said, referring to other leaders of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Buddha Issara said that unguarded comments from PCAD leaders may cause more trouble for the military junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and obstruct its mission to reconcile Thailand’s divided society.

"If they are lonely or feeling unemployed, they should plant trees or clean rubbish in the river," the monk advised.

His comments came several days after PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban reportedly told supporters at an exclusive dinner party that he and the leader of the 22 May coup, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, had been plotting to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for years.

Mr. Suthep also claimed that Gen. Prayuth closely coordinated with the PCAD leaders throughout their six-month campaign to oust Ms. Yingluck. According to Mr. Suthep, Gen. Prayuth offered to stage the coup because PCAD protesters had become exhausted from their prolonged street protests.

Mr. Suthep’s revelation was swiftly denied by NCPO officials, who insisted that the army staged the coup to avoid further bloodshed and resolve the country’s political paralysis. Still, many Redshirt who supporters of the former government have interpreted Mr. Suthep’s comments as evidence of the suspected alliance between the military and the anti-government protesters prior to the coup.

Buddha Issara added that he is working on a petition to have his insurrection charges revoked. The monk was charged with the crime earlier this year for his role in the PCAD's disruptive protest activities, which included storming governmental buildings, blocking major roads, and intimidating the media.

The petition will inform officials that Buddha Issara does not believe his actions amount to insurrection, the monk said.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1403784293&section=11


-- Khaosod English 2014-06-27

US Woman Found Dead In 5-Star Hotel After Suspected Drug Binge
By Khaosod English


A 27-year-old American woman was found dead along with a number of narcotics in her room at a luxury resort on Koh Samui island on 26 June 2014, police say.

SURAT THANI — A 27-year-old American woman was found dead along with a number of narcotics in her room at a luxury resort on Koh Samui island, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737477-american-tourist-found-dead-at-samui-resort/page-2?p=8025454#entry8025454

Russia Expects "Straightforward" Extradition of Alleged Mob Boss


Alleged Russian born mafia leader Alexander Matusov ® attends a press conference with police at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 June 2014 (DPA).

BANGKOK (DPA) — Russia does not foresee problems in extraditing a suspected mob boss that was captured in Thailand, an embassy official said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737875-russia-expects-straightforward-extradition-of-alleged-mob-boss-captured-in-thailand/

PRESS FREEDOM
Journalists defend press freedom in open letter to junta
Kornchanok Raksaseri,
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) has made a stand for press freedom as it prepares to submit a letter to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) calling on the junta to make clear its measures relating to the media.

The open letter will be submitted when representatives of the TJA meet with Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, who is in charge of monitoring the media, at Government House, TJA spokesman Manop Thip-osod said yesterday.

"While freedom of the press must be ensured, the media are already regulated by a code of conduct as well as strong professional ethics. They must be responsible to society," Manop said.

However, the TJA said it was concerned that military officers had visited the editorial office of a newspaper on Wednesday and ordered it not to publish a report about a group of anti-coup activists.

After discussion with the NCPO officers, the consensus was that the misunderstanding stemmed from unclear announcements by the junta relating to the media.

Working groups

The NCPO has assigned five working groups, including Special Branch police, to look into information disseminated to the public via the media.

NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvari said yesterday that media organisations should not be unduly worried, as the junta had no intention of curbing the media. So far, it has only asked for the cooperation of the media in ensuring the accuracy of news.

He denied that the NCPO had told the media not to report about former Pheu Thai Party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan and his new anti-coup movement.

Separately, the military regime invited editors and media executives for lunch with NCPO secretary-general General Udomdej Sitabutr today at the Army headquarters.

Udomdej said he would answer questions from the media at the event.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Journalists-defend-press-freedom-in-open-letter-to-30237231.html


-- The Nation 2014-06-27

ENVIRONMENT
Don Sahong dam faces more problems
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Laotian government said yesterday that it would have the controversial Don Sahong dam undergo a formal process of prior consultation - a decision that will probably delay the project further.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737876-laos-don-sahong-dam-faces-more-problems/

THAI-SOUTH KOREAN RELATIONS
South Korean envoy hails improvements under junta
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The South Korean government believes the political situation in Thailand has improved since the junta took over and hence it will encourage its investors and tourists to return to the Kingdom, the country's envoy said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737877-south-korean-envoy-hails-improvements-under-junta-thailand/

FDI
Thailand 'among top 5 FDI recipients'
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is among the top five recipients of foreign direct investment in the region, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737878-thailand-among-top-5-fdi-recipients/

EXPORT
Export growth target of 3.5% 'unlikely to be met'
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Exports are likely to miss this year's growth target of 3.5 per cent because of lower market prices of farm products and low volume of many agricultural-industry products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737879-thai-export-growth-target-of-35-unlikely-to-be-met/

ONE MONTH COUP LATER
Marketing plans, advert spending back to normal
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Key corporates and brands are resuming their marketing plans and advertising spending amid the improved political and economic situations one month after the military seized power from the elected government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737880-marketing-plans-advert-spending-back-to-normal-thailand/

OVERDRIVE
The West might regret forcing Thailand into a corner
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- The United States and European Union have responded to the coup by announcing they will downgrade their relations with Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737881-the-west-might-regret-forcing-thailand-into-a-corner/

DRUGS
Thailand mentioned in a new drug report
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- East and Southeast Asia and South Asia continued to be a source of supply of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine used in illicit manufacture of methamphetamine in the region and other parts of the world, according to the 2014 World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737882-thailand-mentioned-in-a-new-drug-report/

Vietnam workers who took advantage of visa-waiver find re-entry difficult
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS have been taking advantage of a visa-waiver agreement to work illegally in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737884-vietnam-workers-who-took-advantage-of-thai-visa-waiver-find-re-entry-difficult/

UPDATE:

BMA braces for rainy season
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- To prepare for the rainy season, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has checked progress on the dredging of canals and sewer mains, requisitioning of sandbags and installing of pumps.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737808-bangkok-administration-prepares-for-flooding-during-the-wet-season/?p=8025562#entry8025562

Better rice policies needed
THE NATION



Farmers speak out at forum

BANGKOK: -- AT THE FIRST Citizens' Forum for Reform, farmers made it clear that deep down they yearn for sustainable solutions - not rice-pledging schemes or crop-price guarantees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737891-thai-farmers-speak-out-at-forum-better-rice-policies-needed/

Korean Embassy observation sought in assault case
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Authorities have contacted the South Korean Embassy about sending its officials to witness the interrogation by police of a Korean man who allegedly assaulted a Thai woman before fleeing in her car in Bangkok's Prawet district on Wednesday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737892-korean-embassy-observation-sought-in-thai-woman-assault-case/

Nation's sister daily honoured
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An editorial in the Kom Chad Luek newspaper calling for genuine national reform has won an honourable mention from the National Press Council of Thailand in its "Outstanding Editorials of 2013" award category.

The editorial, headlined "Political reform: A way out for Thailand", was published on December 12.

A plaque of honour will be presented to a representative of the newspaper during a function to mark the press council's 17th anniversary on July 4 at the Sukosol Hotel, according to a letter from the NPCT sent to Kom Chad Luek editor Banyong Inthana.

Kom Chad Luek is a sister publication of The Nation, and both are part of the Nation Multimedia Group.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Nations-sister-daily-honoured-30237225.html


-- The Nation 2014-06-27

2,381 arrested for betting
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- So far, 2,381 people have been arrested for betting on soccer and police have closed 821 of the 1,158 suspected gambling sites, authorities announced yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737893-2381-arrested-for-betting-on-soccer-thailand/

Thai army to appoint national assembly but junta to remain
by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK, June 27, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's army rulers will appoint a national assembly stacked with military officers to pick an interim government leader, officials said Thursday, as they seek to retain their influence over the kingdom's political transition.

In the first real hint of the shape the politically fraught country's next administration may take, army sources told AFP that the military will select the 200 assembly members and that the junta itself will not be dissolved.

"We have learned our lesson. By pushing power in other people's hands, they may not do what we expect them to do," said an official under the condition of anonymity.

The kingdom's generals are keen to avoid ceding as much power to the interim government as they did following the last coup in 2006.

Earlier this month junta chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha said the regime would set up an interim government by September to oversee political reforms, including crafting a new constitution, followed by elections in about a year's time.

Pro-coup demonstrators have called for reforms that would rid the country of the influence of the Shinawatra family, whose political parties continually win during elections but are loathed by much of the country's powerful elite.

The junta -- formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) -- has now finished drafting an interim constitution, according to the military official.

The comments were confirmed by another army source who also requested anonymity.

"The interim constitution is complete... The NCPO's powers will remain -- different from the 2006 coup when the military lost power after establishing an interim government," the source said.

The officials did not specify the exact balance of power between the junta and the planned interim government.

- Opposition to set up overseas -

The remarks came as a Thai opposition alliance set up to counter the nation's coup-making junta said Thursday it would establish an official base in a Western country by next month.

Thailand's junta has muzzled dissent, summoning and detaining hundreds of people, the majority linked with the deposed government of ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra and her administration's "Red Shirt" supporters.

The new anti-coup "Organisation of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy" is in talks with several countries in the West over setting up headquarters, spokesman Jakrapob Penkair told reporters in Hong Kong.

Prayut, who is due to retire as army chief in September, has not ruled out becoming prime minister himself.

He also has not revealed whether the cabinet, handpicked by the premier, would be made up of civilians or military personnel.

A committee to draft political reforms will also be appointed by the junta and comprise of 250 members, the sources said.

The junta claims that Thailand -- which has seen 19 failed or successful coups in recent decades -- needs a strong military to help steady the country after months of violent protests between opposing political camps.

In a BBC interview published on Thursday, a senior Thai general rejected reports the army had been planning a coup for several years in a bid to rid the kingdom of the influence of controversial former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

"So far as I know there was no advanced planning, because if it were planned that would be illegitimate," Lieutenant General Chatchalerm Chalermsukh told the British broadcaster.

"If you're wondering why this (the coup) happened so smoothly, that was because forces were already deployed in the city (Bangkok)," he claimed.

His comments came after local media reported that Suthep Thaugsuban, the leader of mass protests which crippled the former administration, said he had been advising Prayut on how to tackle Thaksin since 2010.

The Thai military seized power on May 22 after nearly seven months of protests saw 28 people killed and hundreds of others wounded, paralysing the government of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra -- Thaksin's younger sister.

It was the latest chapter of a seemingly-intractable political crisis that broadly pits billionaire Thaksin -- a fugitive former premier who was toppled by the 2006 coup -- and his supporters against a royalist establishment backed by parts of the military and judiciary.

Thailand's rulers have suspended democracy since seizing power, imposing martial law, banning public rallies and censoring the media to stifle any dissent.

The junta has also summoned and detained several hundred people, the majority linked with the deposed Puea Thai government and the Shinawatra family's "Red Shirt" supporters.

On Wednesday, the junta said it would set up five panels to monitor national and international news organisations as well as social media in its latest attempt to control the press.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-27

Russian Rented Motorbike Rampage in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday Morning a 20 year old Russian was involved in a serious road crash in South Pattaya which resulted in a Thai Man sustaining a suspected broken leg and a total of 10 vehicles sustaining damage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737895-russian-rented-motorbike-rampage-in-south-pattaya/

Arrest Warrant Issued for Pattaya Mother accused of abducting her Children



PATTAYA: -- On Friday afternoon, the Father of two children, who are currently missing in Thailand, confirmed that an arrest warrant has been issued for their Mother.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737897-arrest-warrant-issued-for-pattaya-mother-accused-of-abducting-her-children/

Thailand's corruption index improves markedly for the first half of the year

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s corruption index for the first six months of this year registered a marked improvement for the first time in five years scoring 46 out of a total of 100, said Mr Thanawat Polvichai, vice rector of research and director of economic and business forecast centre of University of Thai Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737900-thailands-corruption-index-improves-markedly-for-the-first-half-of-the-year/

Oil company accused of illegally exploring oil in forest reserve



BANGKOK: -- An oil exploration and drilling company was on Thursday accused of forest encroachment for allegedly undertaking oil drilling operations without a licence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737903-oil-company-accused-of-illegally-exploring-oil-in-thai-forest-reserve/

Syria crisis: Obama asks Congress for $500m for rebels

WASHINGTON: -- President Barack Obama has asked the US Congress to approve $500m (£294m) to train and equip what he described as "moderate" Syrian opposition forces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737908-obama-seeks-500m-for-syria-rebels/

Jimmy Savile NHS abuse victims aged five to 75

LONDON: -- Ex-BBC DJ Jimmy Savile sexually assaulted victims aged five to 75 in NHS hospitals over decades of unrestricted access, investigators say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737913-jimmy-savile-nhs-abuse-victims-aged-five-to-75/

Five mobile operators had agreed to improve their billing systems and impose a data-use limit of 1,000 baht for phones, say NBTC chief Takorn Tantasith. /Bangkok Post

Power outage causes travel chaos at Sydney Airport

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737922-power-outage-causes-travel-chaos-at-sydney-airport/