Thailand Live Monday 30 Jun 2014

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20 dead, more trapped in rubble in 2 India building collapses
By Shelby Lin Erdman, CNN

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738667-20-dead-more-trapped-in-rubble-in-2-india-building-collapses/

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One dies in gun attack at mosque

PATTANI: -- A 66- year-old local was killed and another injured when gunmen opened fire into a mosque at Thamuong village in Panare district of Pattani Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738670-gunmen-attack-mosque-in-pattani/

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Special Report: Thailand’s continuous effort to eradicate human trafficking activities

BANGKOK: -- Foreign importers remain confident in Thai seafood products and there have been no order cancellations, following the release of the US State Department’s 2014 Trafficking in Person (TIP) Report placing Thailand in Tier 3.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738680-thailands-continuous-effort-to-eradicate-human-trafficking-activities-special-report/

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Thai garments at World Cup forefront



BANGKOK: -- World Cup 2014 in Brazil this year has seen Thailand's garment industry to the forefront as top class football players of more than 10 countries competing in the world tournaments are wearing team uniforms made in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738687-thai-garments-at-world-cup-forefront/

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Energy reform advocate group wears black, petitions NCPO opposing appointment of Piyasvasti, Pornchai, Kurujit as PTT board members /MCOT

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NBTC to prosecute RS for not broadcasting all World Cup matches on Free TV channels

BANGKOK, 30 June 2014 (NNT) - The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) declared that RS International Plc., the broadcast rights-holder for the FIFA World Cup, should be held accountable for failing to televise all 64 football matches on free TV channels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738714-nbtc-to-prosecute-rs-for-not-broadcasting-all-world-cup-matches-on-free-tv-channels/

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FOREIGN MINISTRY
Norachit suitable for FM top post : Sihasak


File photo : Norachit

BANGKOK: -- Sihasak Puangketkaew said on Monday that if he were to be transferred to a foreign posting, the most suitable official to replace him as the FM's permanent secretary would be Norachit Sinhaseni, who currently serves as Thailand's ambassador to the UN.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738716-norachit-suitable-for-foreign-ministry-top-post-sihasak/

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Abandoned mall's bizarre basement aquarium to be investigated
By Coconuts Bangkok


Bangkok Fishbowl. Photo: Kajornsak Intarapong

BANGKOK: -- One of Bangkok’s unofficial bizarre attractions could be off-limits soon because it’s also totally unsafe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738724-abandoned-bangkok-malls-bizarre-basement-aquarium-to-be-investigated/

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National Disaster Warning Centre warns of possible flash floods in Isaan

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738726-national-disaster-warning-centre-warns-of-possible-flash-floods-in-isaan/

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One-stop service centre for migrant labourers opened in Samut Sakhon
By Digital Content



SAMUT SAKHON, June 30 -- A one-stop service centre opened today for the registration of foreign labourers in Samut Sakhon, some 50 kilometres southwest of Bangkok.

The centre was set up in the Samut Sakhon Social Security Office.

It functions to serve Myanmar, Lao and Cambodian workers and its services have had some problems due to the overwhelming number of aliens seeking registration.

At the one-stop service centre in Samut Sakhon, the first of its kind, employers brought crowds of workers for registration, and many civil servants were deployed to facilitate the process.

They included staff from the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Provincial Administration, the Signal Department of the Royal Thai Army and the Immigration Police.

Interpreters were also on hand to facilitate communication with the migrant.

Problems at the centre included computer glitches, insufficient information in registration forms and the excessive numbers of foreign workers.

The one-stop service centre is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm every day until July 30.

It is expected to register 2,000-3,000 migrant workers per day and registration of each worker takes up to 30 minutes.

The Thai Ministry of Labour will open such service centers in four other provinces bordering neighbouring countries, including northeastern and eastern provinces.

The registration of alien workers results from the policy of the National Council for Peace and Order to regulate alien labor.

The council will send its teams of commerce, foreign affairs and labor officials to inform importers of Thai products overseas that Thailand is seriously involved in solving labour problems.

The teams will begin visiting the United States and Europe first. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-06-30

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Added budget set aside to finish construction of 181 new police stations
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 30 -- The Royal Thai Police will receive a budget that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) allocated and will let supervisors of each identified station hire their own contractors for the quick construction of new police stations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738731-added-budget-set-aside-to-finish-construction-of-181-new-thai-police-stations/

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Italian coastguard makes gruesome discovery

ROME - About 30 bodies have been found in a migrant boat which was stopped between Sicily and the North African coast, Italian news agencies reported Monday, citing the navy and coastguard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738736-italian-coastguard-makes-gruesome-discovery/

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Methee given suspended jail sentence for defaming Jatuporn



BANGKOK: -- Actor-turned-red shirt supporter Methee Amornwuthikul was on Monday sentenced by the Criminal Court a one year and four months suspended jail sentence and a fine of 66,666 baht for defaming redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738747-actor-methee-given-suspended-jail-sentence-for-defaming-jatuporn/

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UPDATE:

NBTC says RS is tricky



BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) says RS is tricky for not airing all World Cup matches on free TV channels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738714-nbtc-to-prosecute-rs-for-not-broadcasting-all-world-cup-matches-on-free-tv-channels/#entry8039228

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Thousands migrant workers packed labour centre to register



SAMUT SAKHON: -- Thousands of foreign migrant workers mostly from Myanmar flocked to the “one stop service” labour centre in Samut Sakhon province today to apply for registration to work legally in Thailand.

The centre officially opened its door on Monday to facilitate the registration of foreign migrant workers to protect them from being exploited by unscrupulous job agencies or brokers. The event was witnessed by General Sirichai Ditthakul, chief of staff of the armed forces and chairman of a sub-committee tasked with solving foreign migrant workers’ problem.

Only migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia will be accepted for registration from June 30 until July 30. The applicants will be required to go through medical examination and to fill up details about themselves such as their nationalities. Each applicant will pay 1,305 baht for the services.

Those who passed through medical checks will be issued with a temporary work permit which will be valid for two months after which they will be issued with a permanent permit which is effective for a year if their nationalities are confirmed.

After July 30, employers who still do not bring their employees to apply for registration will face legal actions.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thousands-migrant-workers-packed-labour-centre-register/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-30

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NACC: probes looking into rice scheme corruption still on the way

BANGKOK, 30 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is compiling evidence and documents related to the alleged corruption in the rice pledging scheme initiated by two former governments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738753-nacc-probes-looking-into-rice-scheme-corruption-still-on-the-way/

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Motorbike taxi services in Lam Luk Ka District to be reorganized by the Army

PATHUM THANI, 30 June 2014 (NNT) - Major General Kukiet Srinaka, Commander of the King’s Guard 2nd Cavalry Division, has announced the latest results regarding the progress on the reorganization of motorbike taxi services in Lam Luk Ka District in Pathum Thani Province. The Army has taken enforced two measures for this project to restructure motorbike taxi services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738755-motorbike-taxi-services-in-lam-luk-ka-district-to-be-reorganized-pathum-thani/

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Passports of Jakrapob and Chaarupong revoked

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Ministry has revoked passports of Jakrapob Penkair and Charupong Ruangsuwan, chiefs of anti-coup movement, after they defied junta's summons.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Passports-of-Jakrapob-and-chaarupong-revoked-30237416.html


-- The Nation 2014-06-30

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Police tighten measures against football betting

BANGKOK, 30 June 2014 (NNT)-Police are stepping up their watch on World Cup illegal betting activity while the ICT has joined them to oversee technology.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738757-thai-police-tighten-measures-against-football-betting/

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Government Public Relations Department to promote ASEAN progress

BANGKOK, 30 JUNE 2014 (NNT)-The Public Relations Department Director-General Apinant Chantharangsi has decided on the creation of a framework and road map for promotion at a global level. Meanwhile the department aims to clarify the current political situation in Thailand with other countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738759-thai-government-public-relations-department-to-promote-asean-progress/

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Air quality around Bangpoo industrial estate normal



BANGKOK: -- The Pollution Control Department says air quality around Bangpoo industrial estate where a plastic manufacturing factory, Bisco, in Samut Prakarn province caught fire and exploded last Friday is normal with no harm to health.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738761-samut-prakan-air-quality-around-bangpoo-industrial-estate-normal/

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TAT says it will reach goal of 2.2 trillion baht via tourism next year

BANGKOK, 30 June 2014 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is confident that it will achieve its previous goal of reaching a tourism income total of 2.2 trillion baht in 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738763-tat-says-it-will-reach-goal-of-22-trillion-baht-via-tourism-next-year/

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AIRLINE INDUSTRY
THAI will move to Heathrow Terminal 2 in August
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) on Monday announced that its planned move from London's Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 to Zone A of Terminal 2 has been postponed to August.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738766-thai-will-move-to-heathrow-terminal-2-in-augustthai-will-move-to-heathrow-terminal-2-in-august/

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Ministry of Commerce:Thai and other consumers lodge complaints on e-commerce scam

BANGKOK, 30 June 2014 (NNT) – Many Thai and foreign consumers have lodged complaints concerning products purchased on the internet, according to Pongpan Jienwiriyapan, the Director of the Department of Business Development (DBD) under the Ministry of Commerce.

The DBD is consulting with the NCPO and the Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board as complaints about internet scams have been increasing.

She also agrees that better integration is required among the relevant authorities, for example, the Office of The Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Food and Drug Administration. However, the DBD has not been authorized by applicable laws or regulations to take any action against the alleged miscreants. So, the DBD plans to invite all relevant agencies to work together in a specialized committee.


-- NNT 2014-06-30

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Rogue Russian nabbed for massive property fraud
Eakkapop Thongtub


Antochili with his captors.

PHUKET: -- Immigration police in Bangkok yesterday (June 29) arrested a Russian national suspected of cheating investors out of more than B20 million in Phuket property deals more than two years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738769-rogue-russian-nabbed-for-massive-phuket-property-fraud/

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SET index closed 1,485.75, up 2.51; Bt/USD32.31; GBP54.89; AUD30.26; EUR43.95; CAD30.13; HKD4.16; SGD25.74; JPY31.75

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Foreign Ministry denies EU suspends Thai seafood purchases
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 30 -- Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday confirmed that Europe is continuing to buy seafood from Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738784-foreign-ministry-denies-eu-suspends-thai-seafood-purchases/

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Foreign Ministry revokes passports of 6 Thai dissidents
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 30 -- Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revoked the passports of six persons who oppose the May 22 coup and have defied the orders of the coup-making National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary for foreign affairs and acting foreign minister, said the six persons included Charupong Ruangsuwan, interior minister in the former Yingluck Shinawatra government and former leader of the Pheu Thai Party, and Jakrapob Penkair, former prime minister's office minister under the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

They refuse to report to the NCPO as ordered and on June 24 they announced on the YouTube website their setting up the Organisation of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy (FT-HD) to fight against the NCPO.

Mr Charupong is secretary-general of the organisation and Mr Jakrapob is its executive secretary and spokesman.

Another person whose Thai passport was revoked was Ms Chatwadee Amornpat also known as Rose.

She lives in England and was charged with insulting the monarchy via YouTube.

Another activist who faces passport revocation is former actor Atthachai Anantamek, now a pro-Thaksin red shirt activist.

Mr Sihasak said Mr Jakrapob was in Hong Kong and Thailand did not have an extradition agreement with the country.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was seeking other ways to reach Mr Jakrapob.

NCPO secretary-general Gen Udomdej Sitabutr told relevant authorities to inform the public that the military court had evidence and other suspects' testimony to back its warrant for the arrest of Mr Jakrapob for being involved in the illegal use of war weapons.

Gen Udomdej ordered further explanation of the need for the NCPO and its operations through diplomatic channels.

The order responded to some foreign news reports implying alleged human rights violations by the NCPO. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-06-30

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EIT to build schools able to withstand quakes
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, June 30 -- The Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) under His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's patronage plans to build school buildings able to withstand strong earthquakes in the northern region of the country.

Four schools will be the pilot buildings that would remain safe during and after the tremors.

The EIT has been asked by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to create the first innovation in Thailand to help strengthen school buildings to withstand strong quakes.

The pilot schools would be built with a special structure and steel reinforced concrete shear walls which would help to prevent the walls from collapsing during quakes, saving lives and properties.

EIT Chairman Suchatchavee Suwansawat, said that currently the institute would construct the new buildings in four schools as pilot projects, including Pan Pittayakom, Mae Lao Wittayakom, Proang Prae Wittaya, and Tharn Thong Wittaya.

The institute will start designing the buildings within July with completion planned for April 30, 2015.

The new school buildings would be royally funded by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Besides, the institute would also provide free structural plans for local residents who own buildings situated near fault lines, so that they could create stronger buildings to help avert building collapses during strong tremors as well. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-06-30

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UPDATE:

BANGKOK
New World Mall 'fishpond' sealed off



BANGKOK: -- Members of the public are no longer allowed to feed fish at the deserted New World Mall, as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has ordered the area sealed pending an inspection to see if the structure is safe and should be demolished.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/738724-abandoned-bangkok-malls-bizarre-basement-aquarium-to-be-investigated/?p=8039746#entry8039746