Thailand set to destroy seized ivory stockpile
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 27 -- The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will consult with concerned agencies on the disposal measures for a stockpile of confiscated ivory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737927-thailand-set-to-destroy-seized-ivory-stockpile/

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,481.07, gains 3.59 points /MCOT

Fire rages at Bisco company warehouse at Bang Pu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan, firefighters rush to control blaze /MCOT

OVEC seeks measures to end vocational school rivals’ disputes

BANGKOK, 27 June 2014 (NNT) – Representatives of the Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) and the Office of Private Education Commission (OPEC) held a meeting with vocational school headmasters, to seek approaches to prevent violence among rival schools under the supervision of the OVEC and OPEC, in line with the policies of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737931-ovec-seeks-measures-to-end-thai-vocational-school-rivals-disputes/

4th Music in the Garden morale drive goes by smoothly

BANGKOK, 27 June 2014, (NNT) - A large crowd of Bangkok residents attended the 4th Music in the Garden yesterday despite the rain.

The event has been held weekly at the Department of Public Relations Department Health Garden in Soi Ari Samphan. This week’s theme highlighted the beauty of Thailand’s botanical flowers and its richness in natural resources.

The event featured a number of special guests, including famous veteran singers Wongjan Piroj ( วงจันทร์ ไพโรจน์ ), Srisuda Rirngjai ( ศรีสุดา เริงใจ ) , Uraiwan Song-ngam ( อุไรวรรณ ทรงงาม ), and Surachart Sombutcharoen (สุรชาติ สมบัติเจริญ). Furthermore, organizer also staged a play entitled ‘Thailand, the Golden Land’, starring M.L. Pralee Prasomsap ( มล.ปราลี ประสมทรัพย์) , Narupon Duriyapan ( นฤพนธ์ ดุริยพันธ์ )and Jittima Juajai (จิตติมา เจือใจ).

Aside from the entertainment, those at the event were given vegetable seeds for household planting as well. The “Music in the Garden” event is held every Thursday at the PRD park in Ari Samphan, beginning at 4:30 p.m. onward. The event is part of the National Council for Peace and Order’s campaign to return happiness to the Thai people.

Everyone is invited to join the festival free of charge.

-- NNT 2014-06-27

Phuket crime sweep nets drugs and gun
Eakkapop Thongtub


Ko with his home-made gun (left) and Anurak and Danai with their drugs.

PHUKET: -- Two petty criminals were caught in a crime sweep by police in Rassada yesterday afternoon (June 26) as part of action ordered by Police Region 8 to get rid of crime, weapons and drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737933-phuket-crime-sweep-nets-drugs-and-gun/

North Korea fires three projectiles into East Sea
Song Sang-ho
The Korea Herald

SEOUL: -- North Korea on Thursday fired three short-range rockets into the East Sea, raising military tension, Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737937-north-korea-fires-three-projectiles-into-east-sea/

Only 16 lawyers have applied to practise syariah law in Brunei
Rasidah Hab
The Brunei Times

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737942-only-16-lawyers-have-applied-to-practise-sharia-law-in-brunei/

Rayong holds Sunthorn Phu Day festival from now to Sunday

RAYONG, 27 June 2014, (NNT) - Rayong Province is holding the Rayong Sunthorn Phu Day festival from now until Sunday. Thursday June 26th was commemorated as the birthday of Thailand’s greatest poet.

The event is being held at Kram Sub-district, Kalang District of the province. Rayong's Governor Thani Samartkij led a team of government officials, representatives of the private sector and the public to pay their respects to the poet at the site of his statue in the area.

This year’s event commemorates Sunthorn Phu’s 228th birhday anniversary, with stage performances, a Sunthorn Phu folklore contest, local artists in performance, various competitions for students, and an exhibition of the works of Sunthorn Phu. There are creative OTOP products on sale too.

This year the event is being held over 3 days and nights, concluding on Sunday.

-- NNT 2014-06-27

NCPO tightens regulations on vans operators

BANGKOK, 27 June 2014 (NNT) – Passenger van operators in Bangkok and its vicinity are to register for a ‘yellow’license plate, replacing the black one, in line with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s policy to re-organize the public transportation system.

The NCPO, together with the Land Transport Department, called a meeting of van operators during which they announced a new passenger van hub at Makkasan Airport-Rail-Link station, replacing the Victory Monument.

The meeting also informed that vans operators were required to report to the authorities to officially register themselves as the public transportation service provider. They are also subjected to switch their license plate from black to yellow.

The yellow license plates are permitted exclusively for the public transportation vehicles.


-- NNT 2014-06-27

EGATi to invest in thermal power plant project in Vietnam

BANGKOK, 26 June 2014 (NNT) - EGAT International Company (EGATi) is planning to invest in the power plant business in Vietnam, building a 1,200 megawatt-thermal power plant project, destined to become the leader in the power energy business in ASEAN.

The acting President of EGATi, Thana Putarungsi signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Deputy Director General of the Department of Energy under the Industry and Trade Ministry of Vietnam, on construction of Quang Tri thermal power plants in Vietnam, at a meeting on June 24.

The Vietnamese government has approved EGATi as the project investor and developer. It plans to construct two thermal power plants, each with a production capacity of 600 megawatts, in Quang Tri special economic zone. The power plants will use coal as fuel for power generation. The first plant is scheduled to be completed in June 2021 followed by the second plant in December of the same year.

The Quang Tri thermal power plant project is part of the 7th power generation master plan of Vietnam. The project initiated under the BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) plan, is to sell electricity to the government of Vietnam for use in the development of the country and of the Quang Tri special economic zone, designed to be a major industrial center in the central region. Following the MOU, EGATi will conduct an environmental impact assessment before submitting the results to the Vietnamese government in December this year. If the EGATi plan is officially approved by the Vietnamese government, it will proceed with contract signings.


-- NNT 2014-06-27

Ancient pottery and human skeleton unearthed in Nakhon Ratchasima

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 27 June 2014 (NNT) – The most recent discovery of ancient pottery and human skeletons in Nakhon Ratchasima was revealed on Thursday, with the Fine Arts Department expressing the belief that the items were at least 1,500 years old.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737947-ancient-pottery-and-human-skeleton-unearthed-in-korat/

Meriam Ibrahim: Sudan 'apostasy' woman freed again

(BBC) A Sudanese woman whose death sentence for marrying a Christian was overturned has been released from jail again, after she was detained at Khartoum airport on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737951-meriam-ibrahim-sudan-apostasy-woman-freed-again/

Special Report: Thailand assures EU of progress in creating national reconciliation

Thailand has called on the European Union (EU) and its member states to recognize the ongoing efforts from all sectors of Thai society to bring about national reconciliation, which will foster an environment conducive to sustainable democracy, as laid out in the three-phase roadmap.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737952-thailand-assures-eu-of-progress-in-creating-national-reconciliation/

Special Report: Tourism picks up as NCPO keen to reorganize taxi services

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s tourism is starting to pick up, and recovery is likely to be evident in July 2014 and onwards. All tourism-related businesses and services in destinations throughout the country have resumed normal operations following the recent lifting of the nationwide curfew.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737955-thailands-tourism-picks-up-as-ncpo-keen-to-reorganize-taxi-services/

Phil Collins donates Alamo collection to Texas
Manny Fernandez

SAN ANTONIO: -- Phil Collins, a member of Genesis and a staple of 1980s-era MTV, arrived at the Alamo here on Thursday carrying a sword and a dagger. Jerry Patterson, the Texas land commissioner, brought two guns, one tucked in his cowboy boot and the other in his waistband.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737958-genesis-phil-collins-donates-alamo-collection-to-texas/

US top court rejects abortion clinic 'buffer zones'
Raf Sanchez

WASHINGTON: -- The US Supreme Court has struck down a law intended to protect women walking into abortion clinics from harassment by evangelical Christian protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737962-us-supreme-court-rejects-abortion-clinic-buffer-zones/

Laos, Thailand enhance cooperation on tourism



BANGKOK: -- Lao and Thai tour operators have made a commitment to working together to promote transborder tourism. They met in Vientiane on Monday to exchange knowhow and experiences to strengthen tourism sectors ahead of ASEAN Economic Community integration 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737963-thailand-laos-enhance-cooperation-on-tourism/

Anti-graft agency NACC releases info on politicians' assets: Yingluck has Bt574 million; Plodprasop, Bt967 million; Chalerm, Bt171 million /MCOT

Purchased goods orders starting to feel effects
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 27 -- Some members of the European Union (EU) have started to slow down placing purchase orders for goods from Thailand, one week after the United States downgraded this country to Tier 3 from Tier 2 in its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, said a deputy chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737969-purchased-goods-orders-from-thailand-starting-to-feel-effects/

Thai anti-graft agency NACC releases info on politicians' assets

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737970-thai-anti-graft-agency-nacc-releases-info-on-politicians-assets/

Plastic pellet warehouse in Samut Prakan hit by fire

SAMUT PRAKAN: -- A warehouse of foam and plastic pellet was hit by a massive fire Friday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737992-plastic-pellet-warehouse-in-samut-prakan-hit-by-fire/

Huge fire at plastic factory in Bangpoo



BANGKOK: -- A huge fire broke out Friday morning at a large plastic pellet warehouse of Bisco factory at the Bangpoo Industrial Estate in Praekkasa sub-district of Samut Prakan province forcing immediate evacuation of hundreds of workers inside the estate after several explosions were heard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737992-plastic-pellet-warehouse-in-samut-prakan-hit-by-fire/#entry8027274

Thai court jails ex-monk for sexually assaulting a teenager

BANGKOK, June 27, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai court has jailed a former Buddhist monk for five-and-half years for sexually assaulting a teenage girl at his Bangkok temple, in the latest scandal to tarnish the image of the nation's clergy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737997-thai-court-jails-ex-monk-for-sexually-assaulting-a-teenager/

Thailand to face increased rainfall during June 28-30

BANGKOK, 27 June 2014 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has reported that the southwestern monsoon covering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand has started to deteriorate during the past few days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738019-thailand-to-face-increased-rainfall-during-june-28-30/

Prison shakedown conducted at Klong Prem Prison

BANGKOK, 27 June 2014 (NNT) – Police, soldiers and prison officials together raided the high-security Klong Prem Central Prison for any illegal objects. Results reveal no findings of anything suspicious.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738021-prison-shakedown-conducted-at-klong-prem-prison/

Democrat not join reform council

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party will not send representative to sit in a reform council to set political regulations, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday.

Abhisit said political parties should only provide opinions to such a council and should not take part in voting by the council.

The Democrat leader said it would be a conflict of interest if politicians take part in setting regulations for governing themselves.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Democrat-not-join-reform-council-30237253.html

-- The Nation 2014-06-27

"Independent Agencies" Continue to Probe Deposed PM
By Khaosod English


Crowd of supporters greets former PM Yingluck Shinawatra as she tours Phitsanulok province on 24 December 2013.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s “independent agencies” continue to investigate former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra a month after her government was deposed in a military coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738026-independent-agencies-continue-to-probe-deposed-pm-yingluck/

UPDATE:

SAMUT PRAKAN
Fire rages at plastics factory; contamination feared



SAMUT PRAKAN: -- Firefighters took more than four hours to bring a huge fire at a plastic pellet factory in Bang Pu Industrial Estate, Samut Prakan province under control on Thursday, raising concerns of possible air contamination in nearby areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737992-plastic-pellet-warehouse-in-samut-prakan-hit-by-fire/#entry8027775

Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova sign partnership agreements with the European Union, in a move opposed by Russia /BBC

British authorities on Friday ordered Eurotunnel to stop running its ferry service to France on grounds of unfair competition: AFP. /Bangkok Post