Thailand Live Sunday 6 Jul 2014

[Lite Beer]

Junta wants reforms done quickly
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Top Defence official says too much debate could prolong the NCPO's stay before a poll

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740307-junta-wants-reforms-done-quickly/

[Lite Beer]

Rice missing, rotten or 'replaced by inferior stock'
The Sunday Nation

Panadda

BANGKOK: -- Rice stored at a number of facilities nationwide under the controversial rice-pledging scheme was rotten, missing or replaced with inferior rice, PM Office's permanent secretary ML Panadda Diskul said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740309-rice-missing-rotten-or-replaced-by-inferior-stock/

[Lite Beer]

Group tells EU council of rights violations
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Meeting in Paris reported on Facebook; new anti-coup group backs 'Free Thais'

An anti-coup group led by politicians from the ousted government has met with officials of the European Union's Human Rights Council to complain about alleged human rights violations in Thailand, according to a group leader.

The recently-formed Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy (FT-HD) reported on its Facebook post yesterday that Jaran Ditapichai, the group's European coordinator, led other representatives to meet with unnamed officials of the EU Human Rights Council in Paris on Thursday afternoon.

The group also presented a report on the current human rights situation in Thailand and requested advice from the EU officials, according to the FT-HD's post.

The report did not identify any of the European officials the FT-HD claimed its representatives had met.

There was no reaction from the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday.

Jaran said the EU officials, who deal with the Human Rights Council foreign affairs, had asked the FT-HD representatives whether the NCPO would "return democracy to the Thai people soon" and his answer was that he did not think it would happen in the near future.

He told the Europeans that he believed the ruling junta would do so after it was sure that it could prevent the Pheu Thai Party and politicians loyal to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from returning to power.

The FT-HD was formed recently by former Pheu Thai leader Charupong Ruangsuwan and former politician Jakrapob Penkair, who are both close to Thaksin.

The group will also be meeting the French envoy on human rights on July 10, according to the FT-HD's Jaran.

Meanwhile, a new group that calls itself the Front for the Free Thai Movement against Dictatorship has become active on Facebook. Its post said that it would join the fight to "have democracy back as soon as possible".

The new group expressed support to the FT-HD and claimed to be independent.

In a related development, the Foreign Ministry has revoked the passports of fugitive red-shirt leader Wutthipong Kachathamkhun, alias Koti, and red-shirt academic Somsak Chiamthirasakul.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Sek Wannamethee yesterday confirmed previous reports that the two men's passports had been revoked on the grounds that they were now wanted under arrest warrants over lese majeste charges.

The ministry had also revoked a passport of red-shirt labour activist Janya Yimprasert on the same grounds, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Group-tells-EU-council-of-rights-violations-30237849.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-06

[Lite Beer]

Anti-coup students vow to continue dissent against military takeover
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thirty university students from half a dozen universities constitute the sole remaining visible and public opponents to the military junta. Two key members say they will oppose the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) until the last man standing.

"It is like the Battle of the Alamo," said Than Rittphan, 22, a fifth year civil engineering at one university, comparing the situation to the famous battle in Texas in 1836 between defiant Texan fighters and Mexican troops.

The reality is that 11 out of the 30 students were forced to sign an 'agreement' with the NCPO not to join, aid or lead future anti-coup protests late last month after they were arrested for trying to launch an anti-coup sandwich-eating protest at a major shopping mall. Some have since been followed and monitored by the army.

Already, just over a month since the coup on May 22, the group known as the Thai Student Centre for Democracy (TSCD) seems like veteran democracy activists. They have been "invited" to meet with the junta three times and have set up a Twitter account at @TSCD_EN which has tweeted mostly in English, spreading anti-coup sentiments beyond Thailand.

"Soldiers must fight for liberty not for slavery, privilege and tyranny," read one of their tweets on Tuesday afternoon.

As university students still dependent on their parents for financial support, the NCPO has pressured families of the students to dissuade them from political activism.

Chutidej Sumrej, 21, a social studies student at a well-known university in Bangkok, said it didn't work as his parents had informed the junta that they have no control over their son's conscience. They also pointed out that he was no longer a minor.

During their three 'meetings' with senior members of the military junta, it became apparent to the students that they were causing a deal of discomfiture to the new rulers of Thailand. It is thought that the activists' privileged status as students has prevented the junta from taking them to martial court. Still, there is little doubt that they are looked upon unfavourably by the establishment.

"One major-general told me that I am like dust. But why are they afraid of us? Perhaps they're afraid that we will ignite [anti-coup passion] amongst the public," said Chutidej, sitting at a cafe at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall, which has become one of the major anti-coup activity grounds. "It was a mistake for them to have arrested nine of us the other Sunday," he said, adding that all of the students are ready to face arrest by the junta.

"I don't think the coup is legitimate," Than interjected. He added that he felt that the military leadership harbours a superiority complex and a sense of mission. "It's like a white man's burden to them," said Than. "They think they have knowledge and morality. They cite Sarit's regime," he said, in reference to 1960s strongman Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat who ruled by decree until his death and whose portrait adorned the room where Than met the generals.

"They summoned us to have us hypnotised but it didn't work," added Than, who professes to a degree of amusement about the experience.

Chutidej added that the same major-general also asked him if he thought those who don't pay tax should have the right to vote. Chutidej chose not to answer, concerned that the atmosphere could quickly deteriorate. But the meetings did not alter the two students' view of the situation; they only served to strengthen their resolve.

They say that the officers they met believed that fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra must fund the students.

Than predicts that the crackdown will escalate as there's no trust on either side. Yet both, along with four other students, continue to take risks and were at the US Embassy on Tuesday morning to stage another anti-coup sandwich-eating protest, this time armed with George Orwell's famous anti-authoritarian novel 1984.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Anti-coup-students-vow-to-continue-dissent-against-30237848.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-06

[Lite Beer]

Disabled claim half of new buses won't suit their needs
The Sunday Nation



BANGKOK: -- The "Bus For All" network, which includes pressure groups acting on behalf of the disabled, continues its battle to halt the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) plan to buy some 3,000 natural gas-powered buses.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740310-disabled-claim-half-of-new-buses-wont-suit-their-needs/

[Lite Beer]

Search on for body of Matubhum Party politician
The Sunday Nation

Divers search for the body of Matubhum Party deputy secretary-general Pan Peungsujarit, who reportedly jumped from the Rama IX Bridge into Chao Phraya River on Friday evening.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740312-search-on-for-body-of-matubhum-party-politician/

[Lite Beer]

Forensic science council proposed by police
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police (RTP) may propose the setting up of a forensic science council, to curb criticism that police may tamper with evidence to aid wrongdoers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740313-forensic-science-council-proposed-by-police/

[Lite Beer]

Pregnant official, 40, killed in Ratchada Soi 36
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- A seven-month-pregnant government official was found dead yesterday in her apartment in Soi Ratchadapisek 36 in Bangkok. She was estimated to have died five to six days ago.

Pisutthinee Watcharasirinan, a senior official at the Insurance Commission office, 40 sustained multiple stab wounds while the room also showed signs of being ransacked and a struggle, Phaholyothin superintendent Pol Col Chatree Kanchanakanti said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Pregnant-official-40-killed-in-Ratchada-Soi-36-30237843.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-06

[Lite Beer]

Two Irrawaddy dolphin carcasses at Bang Pu Mai
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two Irrawaddy dolphin carcasses aged about five years old were swept ashore in tambon Bang Pu Mai at Samut Prakan's Muang district yesterday morning.

Weighing about 40kg and measuring 1.5m, the dolphins were estimated to be dead for at least a week and each carcass had a deep stomach cut, possibly from a boat propeller blade.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Two-Irrawaddy-dolphin-carcasses-at-Bang-Pu-Mai-30237844.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-06

[Lite Beer]

100 'illegals' rounded up in Mae Sot
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The authorities yesterday rounded up some 100 undocumented migrant workers - four of whom tested positive for drugs - in tambon Tha Sai Laud Tak's Mae Sot district.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740314-100-illegals-rounded-up-in-mae-sot/

[Lite Beer]

Gamblers, bookies and bet runners arrested
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- As the FIFA World Cup draws to a close, police yesterday announced that from June 9 to July 3 they had arrested 3,771 gambling suspects - including 236 bookies and 110 bet-ticket runners while seizing Bt1.9 million in cash and almost Bt29 million in bet tickets.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740315-gamblers-bookies-and-bet-runners-arrested/

[Lite Beer]

Vendors to be organised soon, BMA says
The Sunday Nation

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will start re-organising street vendors in the middle of this month and this should be complete by the end of the month, BMA adviser Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai said yesterday.

Wichai said city officials would explain the situation to vendors, many of whom had sold goods on footpaths for years and felt they had the right to do so. He said officials would help find new locations for vendors.

Vendors have till the end of the month to adjust to the move, with police set to arrest those who block footpaths, he said. Wichai is due to inspect vendors on Ramkamhaeng Road on Tuesday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Vendors-to-be-organised-soon-BMA-says-30237847.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-06

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Praise from Tatmadaw should be seen for what it is
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Myanmar military chief has his interests at heart and will deal with whoever holds power in Bangkok

Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief General Min Aung Hlaing told Thailand's ruling junta during his recent visit that they did the right thing by seizing power because national security was at stake, although the reality is much more complicated than rivalries between the two political movements that brought the nation to a standstill in many ways.

During a meeting in Bangkok with Supreme Commander General Tanasak Patimapragorn, a deputy leader of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), Min Aung Hlaing said the Tatmadaw - Myanmar's armed forces - had had

a similar experience to Thailand in 1988.

He was referring to the student-led uprising against the military government of Gen Ne Win. The protest had the support of just about everybody in the country - from Buddhist monks to Muslim religious leaders, as well as civil servants and the grassroots community. And while Ne Win did step down, what Gen Min Aung Hlaing didn't say was that the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) was even more repressive and draconian than the previous regime.

Obviously, none of the NCPO members, assuming they are in the right state of mind, would want to be compared to the Burmese regime before or after the August 1988 bloodbath.

Slorc changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), but not its behaviour, and ruled Myanmar, also known as Burma, until 2010 when major reforms were introduced and a huge number of political prisoners were released.

But Min Aung Hlaing was making a point to Thailand and the rest of the world for that matter: The tables have turned and now it's your turn to take the heat.

Like the Tatmadaw, the Thai military is at a crossroads as it ponders the extent of cementing their place in national politics. In the aftermath of the 2006 coup, the Thai army justified the passing of controversial security laws as a way of preventing arch rival Thaksin Shinwatra and his network of supporters from dominating various agencies and institutions in the country.

They failed, of course, as Thaksin - via his cronies and supporters - made his way back into Government House. And so this time around, it's do or die for the current Thai junta.

Whatever was said or discussed, let's hope that the NCPO did not get any bright ideas from General Min Aung Hlaing - from the way the Tatmadaw intimidate its critics and crush public demonstrators to how the Slorc/SPDC deals with ethnic minority groups. The culture of impunity among the Tatmadaw against the Burmese Muslims, especially the Rohingya, can be compared to the treatment of the Malay Muslim suspected separatists in Thailand's deep South.

Throughout their bilateral history between these two countries, the position taken up by the Myanmar rulers has always centred on their national interest and the survivability and strengthening of the country's military rulers.

Thai leaders - from Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to Thaksin Shinawatra - tend to be full of themselves and try hard to personalise their relationship with the Burmese military rulers. Along the way, they fooled themselves into thinking that they had the Burmese generals in their pockets.

Let's hope that the current crop of Thailand's junta, who would welcome any pat on the back, don't lose sight of the fact that Gen Min Aung Hlaing was not here to compliment them but to reaffirm Myanmar's position, which is to say that they will deal with whoever has the power and can deliver on whatever promises and agreements are made.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Praise-from-Tatmadaw-should-be-seen-for-what-it-is-30237836.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-06

[Lite Beer]

Government Savings Bank will be asked to lend money to debtors of non-formal lenders

BANGKOK, 5 July 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will ask the Government Savings Bank to lend money to debtors so they may switch over from loan sharks.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740316-government-savings-bank-will-be-asked-to-lend-money-to-debtors-of-non-formal-lenders/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Freeze of government rice sales causing rice prices to rise

BANGKOK, 5 July 2014 (NNT) – The temporary suspension of sale of rice from the state's stockpile has caused the prices of Thai rice to rise, consequently affecting sellers of packed rice who may have to raise their selling prices in turn.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740309-rice-missing-rotten-or-replaced-by-inferior-stock/#entry8061095

[Lite Beer]

Limits on 80-baht lotto tickets, sold at provincial halls only

BANGKOK: -- Government lottery tickets at the official price of 80 baht a pair became available on Friday at the Government Lottery Office (GLO) and provincial halls across the country.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740336-limits-on-80-baht-lotto-tickets-sold-at-provincial-halls-only/

[Lite Beer]

Thai customs to enforce duty-free limits on overseas purchases

BANGKOK: -- The B10,000 duty-free limit on new personal items purchased overseas by incoming air passengers is now being strictly policed, the Customs Department announced last week.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740339-thai-customs-to-enforce-duty-free-limits-on-overseas-purchases/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

2 mn more lotteries to be issued for disabled

BANGKOK, 6 July 2014 (NNT) - The Government Lottery Office (GLO) will publish two million more lotteries per round starting next month for disabled lottery vendors.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740336-limits-on-80-baht-lotto-tickets-sold-at-provincial-halls-only/#entry8061674

[Lite Beer]

Threatened with murder, Italian stab victim now under Phuket police protection

Alasdair Forbes

Antonio Papaleo (right). Photo Tony Boyd/lavoce.sk

PHUKET: The Italian man who was stabbed by a member of a gang of young thugs during a robbery in Karon is now under police protection in a hospital ward because of concerns he may be the target of an assassination attempt.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740356-threatened-with-murder-italian-stab-victim-now-under-phuket-police-protection/

[Lite Beer]

RT @RichardBarrow: Traditional Candle Festival Marks the Start of Buddhist Lent http://t.co/oDKGH8rIUd #Thailand http://t.co/vxk6IrfBsV

[Lite Beer]

Metro police to deal with taxis refusing service

BANGKOK, 6 July 2014 (NNT) - The Metropolitan Police has announced that it will strictly enforce laws against taxi drivers in a bid to help prevent them from refusing service to customers and driving recklessly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740548-bangkok-metro-police-to-deal-with-taxis-refusing-service/

[Lite Beer]

RT @8td: Thai hunger striker Chalad Worachat, 71, said he has ended his strike after 45 days due to health problems. #ThaiCoup

[Lite Beer]

Global economic momentum could be 'less robust than expected': IMF chief

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France - The momentum of the global economy could be "less robust than expected" because of weak growth and investment, IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned Sunday.

"We are seeing global activity pick up, but the momentum could be less robust than expected because potential growth is weaker... (and) investment remains lacklustre," the head of the International Monetary Fund told a conference in the southern French town of Aix-en-Provence.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Global-economic-momentum-could-be-less-robust-than-30237855.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-06

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Inspections Uncover Rot, Corruption At Thai Rice Warehouses (DPA)

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — An inspection ordered by Thailand's military junta of rice stored in warehouses under a failed multibillion-dollar subsidy scheme has revealed rot and corruption, reports said Sunday.
Inspectors found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740309-rice-missing-rotten-or-replaced-by-inferior-stock/page-2?p=8062409#entry8062409

[Lite Beer]

RT @191Thailand: Vehicle on fire on the Outer Ring Road near Mega Bangna - RT @k_nuntapol: http://t.co/ZuVECKdaW8 #Thailand

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

3,700 arrested for football gambling

BANGKOK: -- Police arrested 3,771 people in almost a month allegedly for being involved in World Cup football gambling in Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740315-gamblers-bookies-and-bet-runners-arrested/#entry8062455

[Lite Beer]

RT @RichardBarrow: Aerial photo of the Giant Standing Buddha at Wat Khlong Bang Ping in Samut Prakan #Thailand http://t.co/C6eh5IBD3y

[Lite Beer]

Nongkhai to hold candle festival

NONGKHAI, 6 July 2014 (NNT) - The municipality of Nongkhai has organized a press conference on a giant candle parade festival to celebrate the upcoming Buddhist lent.

According to Nongkhai mayor Kampol Muangkote, this is the third consecutive year Nongkhai has held such an event. This year the celebration will be held on the night of July 11, with ten giant carved candles joining in the parade that will begin at 6 pm.

Some candles are at present being carved by communities in the municipal area and others are from the Laotian communities across the Mekhong river.

He said the event is aimed to boost the province's tourism sector; it also fits with Nongkhai's lifestyle and historical background, which are strongly involved with the beliefs of Buddhism.

-- NNT 2014-07-06

[Lite Beer]

90% people are happier now than they were before the coup

BANGKOK: -- Almost 90 percent of the people have admitted they are happier now than they were before the coup, according to the Suan Dusit Poll of Rajabhat University’s Suan Dusit campus.
The opinion survey was conducted during July 1-5. A total of 2,091 people of both sexes were polled.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740414-90-people-are-happier-now-than-they-were-before-the-coup/

[Lite Beer]

Two trapped baby elephants helped out from a pond

BANGKOK: -- Two baby elephants were helped out of a pond after they got stuck in it and unable to get out for hours on Saturday.

The incident took place at a pond in Ban Huey Sat Yai, Hua Hin district of Prachuab Khiri Khan.

Mr Thongbai Charoendong, an official of the Wildlife Conservation Society based at the elephant conservation centre in Kaeng Krachan national park, said he receive a report from Ban Huey Sat Yai villagers four elephants, including two baby elephants, could not get out of the pond after they went down to drink water and frolicking.

Two adult elephants however managed to get out leaving behind the two babies struggling desperately to get out. A group of officials, police and the headman were rushed to the scene to try to help.

A backhoe was later brought in to remove the slippery earth out of a kerb of the pond to turn into a slope so the two baby elephants could get out. With the help of the officials and villagers, the two beasts managed to make it to the ground through the dug-out slope.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/two-trapped-baby-elephants-helped-pond/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=two-trapped-baby-elephants-helped-pond

-- Thai PBS 2014-07-06