Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Jul 2014

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Video: What can we do about Phukets killer beaches?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740870-video-what-can-we-do-about-phukets-killer-beaches/

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D Day to reclaim Sirinat national park in Phuket from encroachers begins



PHUKET: -- The combined force of police, soldiers, forestry, Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials began the D Day to reclaim encroached and illegally occupied land at the Sirinat national park kicked off today under the policy of the military junta to return forests and beaches to the people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740874-d-day-to-reclaim-sirinat-national-park-in-phuket-from-encroachers-begins/

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Missing girl found dead, murderer arrested



BANGKOK: -- The who went missing from on an overnight train from Surat Thani to Bangkok on Sunday was found dead near the rail tracks in Pranburi district of Prachup Khiri Khan province early Tuesday. She was initially suspected to be raped and thrown out of the running train.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740881-missing-13-year-old-thai-girl-found-dead-murderer-arrested/

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Public debts in May reduce by 51.3 billion baht



BANGKOK, 8 July 2014 (NNT) - Public debts during the month of May have dropped by 51.3 billion baht due to reduced debt levels in the government sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740884-public-debts-in-may-reduce-by-513-billion-baht-thailand/

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Special Report: NCPO to continue peace talks with southern insurgent groups

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is still working on the process of peace talks to ease conflicts in the Deep South, based on constitutional principles and Thai laws.

Speaking about efforts to deal with the southern situation, Head of the NCPO General Prayuth Chan-ocha stated that Malaysia would remain the facilitator for the peace dialogues. Case studies from foreign countries would also be considered.

He affirmed that improvements would be made on the handling of the southern situation, which would be approved by all parties concerned and depend on their cooperation. While Malaysia is applying the “win hearts and minds” approach, he said, Thailand still focuses on the adoption of His Majesty the King’s advice to “understand, reach out, and develop” as the central strategy to tackle problems in the southern border provinces.

According to General Prayuth, the NCPO has introduced organizational restructuring at three levels, so that all agencies involved will work in a more integrated manner. On the policy level, the NCPO Head serves as Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and the highest-level official. The Office of the National Security Council will offer advice on issues relating to existing policies and policy-making in the future.

At the policy implementation level, the NCPO has formed a committee to mobilize efforts to solve problems in the southern border provinces. The committee, chaired by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, will integrate work with relevant agencies and existing mechanisms and management systems, such as the Southern Border Provinces Development Strategy Committee, the Committee on the Mobilization of Southern Border Provinces Policy and Strategies, ISOC, and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC).

At the operational level, the Fourth Army Area Command will be the agency responsible for translating policies into action. It will also oversee the operations of local agencies and police and military forces to ensure the integration and consistency of relevant plans and projects and to respond to the needs of local people.

General Prayuth explained that the establishment of the committee to mobilize efforts to solve problems in the southern border provinces is merely to ensure the efficient integration of the plans and budget of various ministries, the SBPAC, and ISOC. Each agency remains independent in its operations, except in terms of policy.

He said that the NCPO wanted to continue the “politics leads the military” approach and give the top priority to the needs of local people. This will ensure that budget allocations truly reach the people.


-- NNT 2014-07-08

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Thrill-seekers rescued from roller-coaster at Magic Mountain
Esther Han

LOS ANGELES: -- They were seeking a thrill at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and for two dozens Americans on Monday evening, the theme park over-delivered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740888-us-thrill-seekers-rescued-from-roller-coaster-at-las-magic-mountain/

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Bahrain orders out visiting US official
Yara Bayoumy

MANAMA: -- Bahrain on Monday ordered a visiting senior US official to leave the kingdom immediately because he had "intervened flagrantly" in the country's internal affairs, the state news agency BNA said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740890-bahrain-orders-out-visiting-us-official/

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7 more one-stop centers for migrant labor open; 22 more under way

RAYONG, 8 July 2014 (NNT) – A large number of employers brought their migrant workers to the newly opened one-stop service centers for migrant labor registration in 7 provinces on Monday, the first day of service at the centers.

The 7 provinces included Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Rayong, Ayutthaya, Chonburi, Suratthani and Songkhla. The centers were opened following the success of the pilot center in Samut Sakhon province.

Employers and migrant workers from 3 countries arrived at the centers as soon as 5 am on Monday to cue up for registration. Officials and interpreters were on hand to provide information about the registration process, which included a health check-up.

In Rayong, the urine of five migrant workers who worked in the fisheries sector turned purple during the drugs screening. The five were taken into police custody and will be deported.

Most of the workers being registered will be from Cambodia, followed by those from Myanmar and Laos, said officials.

The Ministry of Interior will open 22 more one-stop service centers in coastal provinces in order to tackle the issue of illegal migrant workers in the fishing industry.


-- NNT 2014-07-08

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UPDATE:

Thailand slips one place in World Bank’s top 20 countries to do businesses report



BANGKOK: -- Thailand was listed by the World Bank among the world's top 20 countries to do businesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740858-world-bank-ranks-thailand-no-18-in-terms-of-business-friendliness/#entry8070270

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Japan on highest typhoon alert, 480,000 urged to take shelter

TOKYO - Japan braced Tuesday for one of its worst storms in years as typhoon Neoguri barrelled towards the southern Okinawa island chain, with the national weather agency issuing its highest alert and nearly half-a-million people urged to take shelter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740915-japan-on-highest-typhoon-alert-480000-urged-to-take-shelter/

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Central bank declares August 11 extra holiday



BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand today announced Monday August 11 an extra holiday for financial institutions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740918-bank-of-thailand-declares-august-11-extra-holiday/

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Bus shooting in Yala leaves eight people injured

YALA, 8 July 2014 (NNT) - Insurgents have opened fire on a baht bus traveling on the Nikom Kue Long-Yala route, injuring eight people on board.

Yala Provincial Police inspected the bus after unknown gunmen opened fire at the passengers. All of the wounded are locals from Bannang Sata District, who have been taken to hospital. Fortunately, nobody sustained serious injuries. Police are now on the hunt for the suspects, who are believed to have committed the crime to instigate violence within the area.

According to Vinai Preechachot, the bus driver, two gunmen who ambushed the bus were waiting in front of the road before opening fire. The bus was only 10 km away from downtown Yala when the attack took place. ]


-- NNT 2014-07-08

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Rice inspection continues in Nakhon Sawan province

NAKHON SAWAN, 8 July 2014 (NNT) - Ministry of Interior Inspector-General Phichet Phaibunsiri along with his entourage visited silos in Lat Yao District, Nakhon Sawan province.

The team have inspected the silos according to orders of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), particularly at the Pimjirapa warehouse, which stores rice received from the pledging program manufactured in 2013/2014.

However, some piles of rice sacks were found to not match the stated year. Rice stored in the warehouse belongs to the 2013/2014 batch but the rice sacks were labeled as 2012/2013.

Moreover, some piles of rice sacks were found to be broken-milled rice and over 5,000 sacks were found unidentified without any dates of manufacturing or place of origin.

The inspector-general will collect samples of the rice for further investigation.


-- NNT 2014-07-08

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Search for MH370 won't stop, says Malaysia's defence minister

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia and its partners will never stop searching for the aircraft although it has been nearly four months since Malaysia Airlines MH370 went missing, vowed Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, as reported by the Star Online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740924-search-for-mh370-wont-stop-says-malaysias-defence-minister/

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UPDATE:

TOP DESTINATION
Bangkok vows to reclaim top tourist destination title

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is trying to restore confidence in order to reclaim its title as the top tourist destination from Kyoto, Japan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740682-bangkok-vows-to-reclaim-top-tourist-destination-title/page-3#entry8070564

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New York legalises medical marijuana

NEW YORK: -- Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday signed a bill making New York the 23rd US state to legalise medical marijuana, in a growing momentum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740932-new-york-legalizes-medical-marijuana/

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YALA
Eight shot in bus attack



Insurgents on Tuesday fired at a passenger bus in Yala's Bannang Sata district, injuring eight

YALA: -- Police were alerted at 6.49am about the attack on YalaKrong Pinang Road. The bus driver, Winai Preechachote, told police that he was driving on his routine route from Bannang Sata to Muang district and was passing two men standing at this roadside when they pulled out shotguns and fired at the bus.

Winai accelerated and drove to a nearby hospital after learning that some passengers had suffered gunshot wounds.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Eight-shot-in-bus-attack-30238006.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-08

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Double mystery as Phuket police pull pickup from lake
Eakkapop Thongtub


Police and divers knew about the pickup truck (left) but the Honda came as a surprise.

PHUKET: -- Police and divers who went to a lake in Baan Manik, Thalang, yesterday (July 7) to investigate a report that a pick-up truck had overshoot a sharp curve near The Valley Village, got more than the bargained for.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740951-double-mystery-as-phuket-police-pull-pickup-from-lake/

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Meeting held to ensure readiness of water management

BANGKOK, 8 July 2014 (NNT) - Today at 10.00 a.m. Army Major General Akara Tiproj, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4, joined a meeting established to get all sectors ready for the coming rainy season deluge. The main topic discussed in the meeting was the water drainage capability of the Suvarnabhumi pumping station.

Mr. Lertviroj Kowattana, Director of the Royal Irrigation Department presided over the meeting, with representatives from various government sectors such as the Meteorological department, Royal Rainmaking department, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Royal Thai Navy, and the working group.

Army Major General Akara reaffirmed the need for the committee to make sure every sector accelerated its work process to be ready for any possible flood threat, and be able to solve the problem promptly. Today at noon the committee was due to inspect the Suvarnabhumi Pumping Station to ensure its readiness. This was the committee's first site visit.


-- NNT 2014-07-08

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Death penalty suggested in cases of rape and murder

BANGKOK, 8 July 2014 (NNT) - Facebook users have set up an online group proposing the death penalty against those responsible for committing rape and murder. The page now boasts at least 6,000 members online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740956-thai-facebook-users-suggest-death-penalty-in-cases-of-rape-and-murder/

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UPDATE:

CRIME
Missing teen raped then thrown from train


The suspect, Wanchai (dark blue shirt) is escorted by police.

BANGKOK: -- The body of a 13-year-old girl who went missing during a train journey between Surat Thani and Bangkok was found near the railway track in Prachuab Khiri Khan's Pranburi district early on Tuesday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740881-missing-13-year-old-thai-girl-found-dead-murderer-arrested/page-2#entry8071084

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Yingluck's lawyer petitions for justice again



BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawata resubmitted petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC ) today seeking testimony of eight more witnesses to defend her for alleged negligence of duty, and corruption in the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740968-yinglucks-lawyer-petitions-for-justice-again/

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Thailand urged to update law to protect elephants



BANGKOK: -- A wildlife trade monitoring network has urged Thailand to update legislation that currently leaves the animals vulnerable, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740970-thailand-urged-to-update-law-to-protect-elephants/

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Overstay crackdown: First reports from Mukdahan Immigration office

BANGKOK:-- [thaivisa.com] Following on from the news yesterday (Monday 07 July) that all foreigners who overstay in Thailand for more than 90 days will be blacklisted, it seems Immigration officials have wasted no time in putting the new measures into effect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740965-first-reports-of-new-overstay-crackdown/

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No more Kanchanaburi border runs

KANCHANABURI:-- [thaivisa.com] The Immigration Bureau in Kanchanaburi have today confirmed to Thaivisa.com that foreign nationals who wish to enter Myanmar at the Pu Nam Ron land crossing now need a valid visa obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in Bangkok, prior to entering.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740973-no-more-kanchanaburi-border-runs/

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Thai agricultural production seen lower than targeted this year
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, July 8 -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives projects that rice yields in Thailand will be lower than earlier expected this year due to delayed rains.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740990-thai-agricultural-production-seen-lower-than-targeted-this-year/

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Counterfeit US dollar banknotes found in Nong Khai province for the second time

NONG KHAI, 8 July 2014 (NNT) - Immigration Police in Nong Khai province have arrested a man selling fake US dollar bills, which were to be sold across the border.

A total of 1,232 counterfeit $100 notes and one banknote detector have been confiscated by police in Nong Khai province. When converted to Thai currency, the values of these banknotes could reach up to 4 million baht. Wiboon Manitr was the man responsible for selling these fraudulent notes.

This has been the second case where police managed to arrest a man committing the same crime. Earlier on June 24, a 50 year-old Laotian man has been apprehended in the same province for selling fake US dollar banknotes.

Mr. Wiboon confessed that if one of these notes were to be sold in the black market, they could fetch a street value up to 700 baht. He also said a lot of clients would purchase these notes to buy narcotics and other illegal items.


-- NNT 2014-07-08

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Thai North warned of flash floods
By Digital Content

CHIANG RAI, July 8 -- Continuing downpours in Thailand's northern region have prompted many areas to warn residents of possible flash floods and landslides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/741002-thai-north-warned-of-flash-floods/

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Husband confesses to killing wife, 7-months pregnant
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 8 -- Police have taken the husband of a slain pregnant government official into custody after the suspect's mother went to the authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/741005-bangkok-husband-confesses-to-killing-wife-7-months-pregnant/

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'iPhone rock' to be dealt with
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand Post vows to thoroughly inspect the "iPhone rock" delivery case within 5-7 days, following a complaint by a customer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/741011-iphone-rock-to-be-dealt-with-thailand-post-wows/