Thailand Live Sunday 20 Jul 2014

[Lite Beer]

Disciplinary panel to look into taekwondo row
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A press conference by the Taekwondo Association of Thailand about the controversy involving taekwondo star Rungrawee Khurasa and national coach Choi Young-seok attracts a large group of reporters and cameramen yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744325-disciplinary-panel-to-look-into-taekwondo-row/

[Lite Beer]

Thais 'need to learn to coexist with those who think differently'
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Sunday Nation

Gothom

BANGKOK: -- Representative democracy and participatory democracy are not sufficient for Thais, because people should learn how to coexist with others who think very differently through a deliberative democracy process, peace expert Gothom Arya has said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744328-thais-need-to-learn-to-coexist-with-those-who-think-differently/

[Lite Beer]

Probe into park officials in 'Billy' case
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) board has set up a sub-panel to urgently probe if officials at Phetchaburi's Kaeng Krachan National Park had been negligent in not handing over Karen activist Pholachi "Billy" Rakchongcharoen to the police, PACC secretary-general Prayong Preeyajit said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744329-probe-into-park-officials-in-billy-case/

[Lite Beer]

Journalists concerned about junta's move to clamp down
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Order on Friday bans criticism of NCPO, plus stories on scholars, ex-officials, etc

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) expressed concern yesterday at the ruling junta's order issued on Friday night barring all media from criticising its work.

The TJA warned that the order could lead to violations of people's right to be informed and would risk putting too much censorship power into the hands of the person in charge of censorship.

The association said many media organisations were already exercising restraint in order to ensure that their reports and analysis do not fan political conflict.

TJA said it was unclear what the effect would be if the military acted on its threat to shut down a media outlet if it fails to follow the order of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). The association said it would hold a meeting next week to mete out a more concrete response to the junta's order, which was issued late on Friday night.

The NCPO warned media organisations they would face immediate bans and legal action if they disseminate prohibited content.

NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said yesterday that the latest announcement just combined some previous ones involving the mass media. He said this new announcement also covered people other than the media.

Friday's announcement - the junta's 97th overall - prohibits criticism of its operations, staff and related people. It covers print, broadcast, electronic and online media.

The NCPO also prohibited the running of stories on scholars, former government officials and former employees of the courts, judicial offices and independent organisations that may cause or worsen conflicts, distort information, confuse society or lead to the use of violence.

The dissemination of false information and state secrets in any form is prohibited, as is insulting the monarchy or defaming any person, threatening national security and threatening to use violence that could cause fear. Mobilising people for an anti-NCPO activity is also banned.

If the NPCO issues information, the media must disseminate it.

'Will outlets get warning first?'

Governors, Interior Ministry officials and provincial police chiefs have been told to stop any political assembly or activity against the NCPO.

TJA president Pradit Ruangdit said an initial meeting held yesterday saw members express concern about the NCPO order. He said the media was bound to adhere to truthful, accurate and complete reporting and anything that deviated from that could already be dealt with through existing laws.

Pradit also asked where the line could be drawn when it comes to deciding what constitutes criticism of the military junta's work and warned of the risk of power concentration that enables rights to information to be suspended.

Section 5 of the order stated that violators could face immediate media shutdown and Pradit asked if outlets would be warned first before such a penalty was meted out. He also said there was no process that could scrutinise the exercise of power by the NCPO and warned that it may lead to more adverse effects than good.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Journalists-concerned-about-juntas-move-to-clamp-d-30238973.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-20

[Lite Beer]

SPECIAL REPORT
Lawyers Council slams the 'needless' parading of criminal suspects by police
Chanikarn Phumhiran,
Pathinya Iamtan
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The parading of criminal suspects at press conferences and getting them to stage re-enactments by the police are needless as per procedural law and are a human rights violation, a senior Lawyers Council of Thailand official said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744332-lawyers-council-slams-the-needless-parading-of-criminal-suspects-by-police/

[Lite Beer]

Modern technology helps improve student behaviour
Anan Wichitpracha
The Sunday Nation

PATHUM THANI: -- Electronic identification scanners installed at Samkhok School have proven effective in combating truancy.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744331-modern-technology-helps-improve-student-behaviour/

[Lite Beer]

TAT going all out to lure back Chinese tourists
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tourism authorities are promoting Samui Island as a holiday destination for Chinese tourists.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744333-tat-going-all-out-to-lure-back-chinese-tourists/

[Lite Beer]

Huge amount of rice missing in Phichit
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Army's inspection of rice warehouses has found that almost 47,000 tonnes of rice is missing from a company's facility in Phichit's Bang Mun Nak district.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744334-huge-amount-of-rice-missing-in-phichit/

[Lite Beer]

Lengthy peat forest fire under control
The Sunday Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- A week-long fire that destroyed a 145-rai section of the Phru Toh Daeng peat forest in Narathiwat's Tak Bai district has been brought under control although some parts were still smouldering yesterday, according to reports.

As of press time, forest fire prevention officials were guarding the area pending the fire being totally extinguished.

Chaloem Phra Kiat Sirinthon Wildlife Sanctuary chief Wiroj Siri-umakul said he would have the area re-surveyed to check which parts had been encroached on like the area in Ban Plak Pla that was fire affected.

Wiroj said officials would also gather the names of villagers who claimed ownership rights over land in the area and summon them in an attempt to find out who started the fire.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Lengthy-peat-forest-fire-under-control-30238976.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-20

[Lite Beer]

New GLO governor to take office within the month

BANGKOK, 19 July 2014 (NNT) – The Government Lottery Office is seeking to install a new governor before the end of this month, in order to allow time to tackle lottery distribution restructuring.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744336-new-glo-governor-to-take-office-within-the-month/

[Lite Beer]

A woman honoured for helping Britons on day of tsunami

PHUKET, 19 July 2014 (NNT) - Yupin Sengmuang, 48, a Nakhon Sawan native, on Saturday was honoured with a plaque and a certificate from the Governor of Phuket, Maitree Inthusut for helping British victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day 2004.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744337-a-woman-honoured-for-helping-britons-on-day-of-tsunami/

[Lite Beer]

Rebels 'destroying evidence'


Ukrainian rescue workers walk past an armed pro-Russia militant as they carry the body of a victim on a stretcher at the site of the Malaysia Airlines plane crash in Grabove, in rebel-held east Ukraine yesterday.

KIEV: -- Ukraine says separatist group trying to move remnants of jet debris to Russia

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744338-rebels-destroying-evidence/

[Lite Beer]

RT @191Thailand: Fire behind Bo Bae market - RT @SBunprasit: ไฟไหม้ บริเวณหลังตลาดโบ๊เบ๊ ซ.คอกหมู http://t.co/lHaZGj2uHC

[Lite Beer]

Pattaya Officers Raid Pub Again After It Was Ordered To Close For 30 Days

PATTAYA – July 19, 2014 [Pattaya Daily News];- at 04.00 am Mr.Prapan Pratumchompoo-deputy chief of security department of Bang lamung district-, administrative officers and police officers from Pattaya police station raided and inspected The Winner pub and karaoke.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744359-pattaya-officers-raid-pub-again-after-it-was-ordered-to-close-for-30-days/

[Lite Beer]

Police Arrest Bag Snatching Gang In Pattaya

PATTAYA – July 19, 2014 [Pattaya Daily News];- at 13.00 pm Pol.Col.Suppatee Boonkrong-deputy commander of Chonburi and acting superintendent of Pattaya police station-, Pol.Maj.Thanawin Kaewsiang-investigation inspector-, Pol.Capt.Netithorn Rattanasuchanan-deputy inspector- and police officers had arrested a bag snatching gang

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744358-police-arrest-bag-snatching-gang-in-pattaya/

[Lite Beer]

Thousands march for Gaza in London, clashes in Paris over Israeli onslaught

Demonstrators march in London yesterday to protest Israel's military actions against the Gaza Strip. Photo: AFP

Parts of central London were brought to a standstill on yesterday (July 19), as thousands of pro-Palestinians marched in protest against Israel's offensive in Gaza, while in Paris a banned demonstration descended into violence.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744382-thousands-march-for-gaza-in-london-clashes-in-paris-over-israeli-onslaught/

[Lite Beer]

RJ Reynolds told to pay wife of cancer victim $23.6bn

A US court has ordered the country's second largest cigarette company to pay $23.6 billion (£13.8bn) to the wife of a smoker who died of lung cancer.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744383-rj-reynolds-told-to-pay-wife-of-cancer-victim-236bn/

[Lite Beer]

Special Report: Thailand gears up for arrival of ASEAN

BANGKOK: -- A Directorate Center has been set up by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to prepare Thailand for the arrival ASEAN Community in 2015. The NCPO has also formed a committee to take charge of the operations of the center.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744393-special-report-thailand-gears-up-for-arrival-of-asean/

[Lite Beer]

NESDB to consider raising GDP estimate above 2.5% next month

BANGKOK, 20 July 2014 (NNT) – As the Thai economy is on a more positive trend for the rest of this year, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) is ready to adjust up its 2014 GDP growth projection in August.

Deputy Secretary General of the NESDB Poramethee Vimolsiri revealed that the NESDB was scheduled to convene on August 18 to reconsider its estimate of the annual GDP growth figure, which was previously set at 1.5-2.5 percent. He said signs of economic recovery had sparked hopes for higher expansion.

Positive factors cited by the Deputy Secretary General include the depreciating baht, which helps increase earnings of exporters, and the consumers’ confidence index reaching its eight-month high in June.

Although no remarkable jump has been witnessed in exports, it is hoped that the sector will be able to achieve a growth of 6-7 percent in the latter half of this year as such achievement could push the national GDP growth up to 3 percent.

Concerning the issue of the European Union’s planned withdrawal of Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) privileges for Thai products next year, Mr Poramethee assured it would not cause a tremendous impact, given the items enjoying the tax privileges accounted for a tiny amount of all Thai exports to the EU.

-- NNT 2014-07-20

[Lite Beer]

Rice probe snares two top officials

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order has transferred two senior commerce officials to inactive posts as inspectors conducting mass rice stock checks continue to uncover widespread irregularities.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744401-rice-probe-snares-two-top-officials/

[Lite Beer]

Assassination Attempt Wounds Northern Red Activist

By Khaosod Eng.

CHIANG MAI — A prominent Redshirt activist was shot and injured by unidentified gunmen in his home in the northern city of Chiang Mai last night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744410-assassination-attempt-wounds-northern-red-activist/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Anger grows towards Russia over MH17 crash
Marion THIBAUT and Dmitry ZAKS in Kiev

GRABOVE, Ukraine:-- Outraged world leaders heaped pressure on Russia Sunday to press Moscow-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine to allow investigators proper access to the crash site of the Malaysian MH17 jet.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744083-calls-mount-for-justice-over-mh17/page-4?p=8126629#entry8126629

[Lite Beer]

BMA revamps roads in celebration of HM King’s birthday

BANGKOK, 20 July 2014 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has organized the “Roads in the City of Heaven” campaign in celebration of the 86th Anniversary of HM the King to improve landscapes and renovate main roads in many Bangkok districts.

Acting Bangkok Governor Phusadee Tamthai said the campaign was collaboration between the BMA and its four units, including the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, the Department of Public Works, the Traffic and Transportation Department and the Environment Department. The campaign was part of the BMA’s celebrations of His Majesty the King’s 86th birthday anniversary on 5 December 2014, Ms Phusadee said.

Apart from the BMA staff, representatives from other government units and the private sector joined hands in improving the landscapes and arranging charity activities such as cleaning roads, pathways and pedestrian bridges, planting trees and repairing road lighting.

-- NNT 2014-07-20

[Lite Beer]

Malaysia Airlines to refund cancellations after MH17

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia Airlines said it would offer full refunds to customers who want to cancel their tickets in the wake of the MH17 disaster, just months after the carrier suffered another blow when flight MH370 disappeared.

Passengers can change or cancel their tickets without financial penalty until Thursday for travel throughout the rest of the year, the struggling national airline said.

"In light of the MH17 incident, Malaysia Airlines will be waiving any change fees for passengers who wish to make changes to their itinerary to any MH destinations," it said in a statement.

"Passengers who wish to postpone or cancel their travel plans can obtain a refund, including for non-refundable tickets."

A spokeswoman Sunday confirmed Malaysia Airlines would refund cancelled tickets in full, with the costs borne by the carrier.

She said she could not reveal how many customers had already taken up the offer.

Flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur is believed to have been shot out of the sky by a surface-to-air missile, crashing in strife-torn eastern Ukraine Thursday with 298 people from a dozen countries on board.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Malaysia-Airlines-to-refund-cancellations-after-MH-30238986.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-20

[Lite Beer]

RT @ThaipbsEngNews: This Sunday marks the 45th anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing. http://t.co/dAAzSds1oY

[Lite Beer]

THAI expected to overcome revenue loss in Q2-3 of 2015

BANGKOK, 20 July 2014 (NNT) – Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Prajin Juntong believes Thai Airways International (THAI) will be able to operate at a profit again in the second or third quarter of 2015 after a business revival plan has been implemented.

In his capacity as THAI Board Chairman, ACM Prajin disclosed that the executives are working on the first part of the business rescue plan which aims to expand revenue for the cash-strapped national flag carrier by 3 billion baht during 2014-2015 through the upgrade of services.

In parallel with the revenue boost, the THAI executives are also looking to cut costs by up to 4 billion baht, particularly personnel expenses and overtime payments. ACM Prajin noted that the details are still in the preliminary stage and are set to be reviewed at the board meeting on July 24.

As for the second part of the plan which will be implemented from 2015 onwards, the focus will be placed on the adjustment of corporate structure and workforce. Layoffs might be considered for positions that incur excessive or unnecessary expenses.

After having suffered from losses during the first and second quarters of this year, the Chairman admitted that THAI will likely continue to be in the red in the third and fourth quarters as well, with possible losses of over 100 million baht. However, he affirmed the business revival plan will help the airline regain its ground and earn profits again from the second or third quarter of next year onwards.

-- NNT 2014-07-20

[Lite Beer]

Thai martial arts action choreographer, film director Panna Ritthikrai dies at 53

BANGKOK: -- Best known as action director and mentor of Thai martial arts action actors Phanom 'Tony Jaa' Yeerum, Panna dies at 53 from liver disease.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thai-martial-arts-action-choreographer-film-direct-30238989.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-20

[Lite Beer]

James Garner of ‘Maverick,’ ‘Rockford Files’ Dies at 86
Richard Natale

Amiable actor James Garner, whose moderately successful film career was eclipsed by two extraordinarily popular television series, “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files,” has died, according to reports. He was 86.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744441-james-garner-of-maverick-rockford-files-dies-at-86/

[Lite Beer]

RT @AP: BREAKING: Ukraine: Rebels have taken away all bodies from the plane crash site to an unknown location.

RT @W7VOA: Reuters: Railway workers say bodies from site where #MH17 crashed were loaded into refrigerator wagons at station in Torez, 15 km away.

[Lite Beer]

GOOD NEWS FROM THAI IMMIGRATION

Longer visa exemption extensions begin August 29, 2014

BANGKOK: -- The Immigration Bureau has announced that of August 29. 2014 you will be able to extend your visa exemption period whilst you're in Thailand by 30 days, instead of the current 7 days, giving a total visa-exemption stay of 60 days. The fee for extension of stay is 1,900 Baht (unchanged).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744440-longer-visa-exemption-extensions-begin-august-29-2014/