Thailand Live Monday 7 Jul 2014

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NCPO reiterates that political activities are banned

BANGKOK, 7 July 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Oeder (NCPO) calls on the general public to avoid arranging activities which might be regarded as political ones.

Spokesman of the NCPO Col.Winthai Suwaree said some people had gathered to organize political-like activities at the Nang Lerng racecourse without asking for permission or notifying the council. The NCPO therefore discouraged the general public from such activities, Col.Winthai said.

The NCPO officers might summon those involved in the political-like activities at Nang Lerng since their actions were deemed against the council's policy, the spokesman said.


-- NNT 2014-07-07

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Outrage Over Thai Tourists 'Vandalising' Great Wall of China
By Khaosod English


Photos of graffiti left by Thai tourists on the Great Wall of China has sparked an internet outrage back at home.
Source: http://pantip.com/topic/32262025

BANGKOK — Photos of graffiti left by Thai tourists on the Great Wall of China have sparked an internet outrage back at home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740508-outrage-over-thai-tourists-vandalising-great-wall-of-china/

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Crackdown on 'slave labour'
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- POL Gen Ake Angsananont, the deputy National Police chief in charge of suppressing human trafficking, yesterday vowed to crack down on "slave labour" in the fisheries industry and among foreign beggar gangs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740509-thailand-crackdown-on-slave-labour/

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RICE SCANDAL
More rice missing from storage
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- MILITARY OFFICIALS yesterday continued to inspect state rice stockpiles stored in provincial granaries and again found evidence that large quantities were missing or in poor condition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740510-thai-rice-scandal-more-rice-missing-from-storage/

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TOURISM
Hope high in tourism sector that gloom of first half is over
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- ALTHOUGH tourism was hit by the political chaos and other woes in the first six months of the year, there are positive signs that business will return in the remaining months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740511-hope-high-in-thai-tourism-sector-that-gloom-of-first-half-is-over/

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TELECOM
NBTC to press for auction of spectrum
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL broadcasting and telecom regulator will insist that the junta allow the auction of the 1,800MHz spectrum licences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740513-thailands-nbtc-to-press-for-auction-of-spectrum/

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SUMMONS
Organiser of Veera event to be summoned: NCPO
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order will summon the organiser of "Veera, A Free Spirit,'' for questioning on suspicion that the event was a political gathering, as these are banned at this time, NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740515-organiser-of-veera-event-to-be-summoned-ncpo/

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Possible delay in the completion of new parliament building



BANGKOK: -- Construction of the new parliament building may be delayed due to some discrepancy between the construction plan and the construction blueprint, said Mr Chare Panpruang, secretary-general of the House of Representatives, on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740516-possible-delay-in-the-completion-of-new-thai-parliament-building/

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Woman attempts to pass illegal drugs to inmate at Pattaya Police Station cells



BANGKOK: -- In the early hours of Sunday the Custody Sergeant at the Pattaya Police Station holding cells, situated on the 2nd floor, intercepted a bag of crisps which contained a packet of the class 1 drug Crystal Methamphetamine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740517-woman-attempts-to-pass-illegal-drugs-to-inmate-at-pattaya-police-station-cells/

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Passenger of pick-up injured in North Pattaya shooting incident



BANGKOK: -- Just before Daybreak on Sunday a 27 year old man was shot and injured as he rode as passenger in a pick-up truck which was returning to his home district of Bangsaen after he had attended a friend’s birthday party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740518-passenger-of-pick-up-injured-in-north-pattaya-shooting-incident/

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AFTER COUP
Junta chief faces some big decisions
THE NATION

Prayuth may need to retire as army chief before becoming interim PM

BANGKOK: -- THE National Council for Peace and Order has instructed its legal panel to make a change to the proposed interim Charter to prevent a "power overlap" between the interim government and the NCPO, a source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740519-thai-junta-chief-faces-some-big-decisions/

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Bangkok man kills two sons and himself after separating from wife
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A BANGKOK kitchen assistant allegdly stabbed his two young sons after his wife left him and then took his own life.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740520-bangkok-man-kills-two-sons-and-himself-after-separating-from-wife/

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BIKE
Bike lanes best in suburban areas, enthusiasts say
BUDSARAKHAM SINLAPALAVAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- WHILE BANGKOK has been the epicentre of almost every grand project in the country, a pro-bicycling enthusiast is convinced bicycle lanes may have to be establish in suburban communities first before being built in the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740522-bike-lanes-best-in-suburban-areas-enthusiasts-say-thailand/

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US enhanced airport security checks target electronics

(BBC) American officials have ordered some overseas airports with direct flights to the US to intensify screening of electronic devices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740523-us-enhanced-airport-security-checks-target-electronics/

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A Mitt Romney presidential sequel in 2016?
By Anthony Zurcher
Editor, Echo Chambers

WASHINGTON: -- A recent poll that contained some disturbing news for President Barack Obama concerning low approval ratings had a nugget that might provide a smile for his 2012 opponent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740524-a-mitt-romney-presidential-sequel-in-2016/

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CHALK TALK
Education in ethics guides students to better paths in life
Chularat Saengpassa

BANGKOK: -- FOR CENTURIES or perhaps longer than that, philosophers have debated the issue of ethics. So, simple as it may sound, it is never easy to exactly define timeless unarguable values.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740525-education-in-ethics-guides-students-to-better-paths-in-life-thai-chalk-talk/

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Australia handed over 41 asylum seekers to Sri Lanka

(BBC) Australia has acknowledged it has returned 41 asylum seekers to the Sri Lankan authorities at sea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740533-australia-admits-returning-migrants/

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Netanyahu pledges justice for murder of Palestinian teen

(BBC) Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to bring to justice the killers of a Palestinian teenager whose death has sparked days of rioting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740535-israel-pm-pledge-over-murdered-teen/

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NCPO: all motorbike taxi drivers to wear green uniform

BANGKOK, 7 July 2014, (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has decided to have all motorbike taxi drivers wear green uniforms, in its latest attempt to standardize and regulate the famous mode of public transportation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740542-ncpo-all-motorbike-taxi-drivers-to-wear-green-uniform/

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More than 5,000 of the new ‘Sparkling’ meth pills seized in Khon Kaen

KHON KAEN, 7 July 2014, (NNT) - A combined force of military and police officers has seized more than 5,000 of the new ‘Sparkling’ meth pills in Khon Kaen Province.

During the drug bust in Ban Pai (บ้านไผ่), Khon Kaen yesterday, police arrested Mr.Wisanu Ngamkiatsap for possessing 5,420 meth pills.

The suspect confessed to the crime, saying the sparkling new pills are known locally as ‘Frung Fring’ (ฟรุ้งฟริ๊ง), which are stronger and more attractive to addicts than regular meth pills. According to Wisanu, he is paid between 5,000 to 10,000 baht by an agent in Bangkok each time to deliver the drugs to clients in Khon Kaen and has done it several times before.

Officials on the same day arrested Paibul Thongsuk, a Kanjanaburi native, for possessing 42 meth pills and Watcharachai Payom for illegal possession of firearms.


-- NNT 2014-07-07

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Ammunition found abandoned in Korat

NAKHONRATCHASIMA, 7 July 2014, (NNT) - A large amount of ammunition has been found in Muang District of Nakhonratchasima Province, police said.

According to police, local residents informed them that they had found a large fertilizer bag containing bullets abandoned in a bush near Mitraphab Community in Muang District.

Upon examination, police officers found a total of 630 rounds of 7.62 mm and 6.40 mm for AKA rifles and sub-machine guns

All of the bullets were in good condition. Police believed the owner of the bullets had left them in order to avoid legal action by the authorities in the wake of the NCPO's suppression of illegal weapons nationwide.


-- NNT 2014-07-07

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Metro police to deal with taxis refusing service

BANGKOK - (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/

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EC to meet today on election law amendment

BANGKOK, 7 July 2014, (NNT) - The Election Commission (EC) will meet today to follow a direction to amend the election law, while acknowledging it is considering implementing a German electoral system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740549-thai-ec-to-meet-on-election-law-amendment/

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Nigerian girls escape Boko Haram, say sources

Maiduguri: More than 60 women and girls abducted last month by suspected Boko Haram militants in north-east Nigeria have escaped their captors, sources say.

Source: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740551-nigerian-girls-escape-boko-haram-say-sources/

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King at worshiping ceremony for a guardian spirit

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 7 July 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King on Sunday morning privately attended a worshiping ceremony for Phra Chai Mongkhon's spirit shrine located in Klai Kangwon Palace, Hua Hin District. The ceremony is usually held at royal command every time His Majesty takes up residence at the palace.

At the shrine, His Majesty lighted candles and joss sticks at the altar laid with objects offered in worship to Phra Chai Mongkhon Statue. Court Brahmins then played traditional instruments while His Majesty sprinkled lustral water on the objects of worship. This was followed by the Chief Brahmin reading out verses of worship.

The shrine was built by King Rama VII following his dream in one night of his first visit to the Palace in 1928. In the dream the King met a lady with four arms pronouncing herself as guardian spirit of the palace, and indicating her intention to protect the king and queen during their stay. The next day King Rama VII ordered a royal artist to sketch a design and send it to Italy for an artist to mould a marble statue of the guardian spirit.

Also as part of yesterday’s worshiping ceremony, His Majesty commanded performances of a theatrical folk play called Lakhon Chatri, and the Lakhon Ling or monkey’s show, both of which are popular kinds of entertainment among locals in the southern region.


-- NNT 2014-07-07

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No smoking in public places campaign
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 7 -- More than 600 bicyclists and walkathon participants travelled around central Bangkok Sunday distributing promotional stickers to passersby, urging them to be aware of the ‘No Smoking’ in public places regulations, as smoking endangers the health of non-smokers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740560-no-smoking-in-public-places-campaign-bangkok/

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More than 4,000 World Cup gamblers nabbed
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 7 -- More than 4,000 suspects allegedly involved in betting on the 2014 World Cup being held in Brazil have been apprehended, and some 300-plus bookmakers have been nabbed so far, according to deputy national police chief Pol Gen Ake Angsananond.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740562-thai-police-more-than-4000-world-cup-gamblers-nabbed/

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NCPO helps rice farmers with cost cutting measures
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 7 -- After scrapping the rice-pledging programme sponsored by the now defunct government, and rice price guarantee scheme, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has ordered the Commerce Ministry to assist farmers by lowering rice production costs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740563-ncpo-helps-rice-farmers-with-cost-cutting-measures/

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Surin moves on road accident prevention project at local level

SURIN, 7 July 2014 (NNT) – Surin Province is moving to enter a road accident prevention network, operating at a local level.

Surin's Governor said horrific road accidents are the main reason for a higher rate of death and injury in the community, compared to other causes.

According to statistics from the WHO, Thailand is the world's second worst country at risk of road accidents and is first among ASEAN countries sustaining the most damage from road accidents. Surin Province remained high on the list of road accident deaths each year.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) has supported a learning process to improve individual awareness of road accident prevention amongst the people of Surin Province, by supporting a road accident prevention network project operating at a local level, in order to develop effective measures of road accident prevention.

-- NNT 2014-07-07

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Free train service extended for low-income earners
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, July 7 -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has extended free train service for low-income earners until January 30, in a move similar to that of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).

Officials said the SRT action to extend its free service to low-income earners was made during its board meeting on Friday.

The decision by the two state-run agencies to extend their free services will be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for acknowledgement before sending to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for final approval, officials said.

Presently, BMTA provides free 800 bus services in Bangkok and outlying areas while 172 free train services are offered daily to low-income earners.

Ex-transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt in the ousted government earlier thought of issuing new cards with barcodes for free bus and train travellers, aimed at providing genuine benefit to low-income earners.

The NCPO has decided to extend the services as the study is still incomplete. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-07