Thailand Live Monday 21 Jul 2014

[webfact]

IEAT sets up I-E-A-T Operation Center to to ensure safety and quality

BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 (NNT)-The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (I-EA-T) has established the I-E-A-T Operation Center to ensure proficiency and maintain the quality of the industrial sector.

The Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), Veerapong Chaiperm said that the opening of the I-E-A-T Operation Center is aimed at handling the growth of the industrial sector including providing an environmental management system, along with an industrial accident prevention and relief system for safety in the 56 Industrial Estates nationwide.

The center is established to collect all information and resources and functions as a one stop service to enhance speed and efficiency in the operation of all units. The center is located in the headquarters of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand.

The center will serve as a provider of public utilities and infrastructure, new hi-technological devices as well as a provider of assistance in case of any emergency or disaster.

The center will be open 24 hrs a day to integrate all information, and watch and maintain environment quality from seven Hubs nationwide. The hubs are located in five provinces, namely Lamphun, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Songkhla, and Samut Sakhon.

-- NNT 2014-07-21

[webfact]

Finnish customs seizes Ukraine-bound missile parts from Vietnam


BUK M2E anti-aircraft missile launcher By Vitaly V. Kuzmin (http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=node/384) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744622-finnish-customs-seizes-ukraine-bound-missile-parts-from-vietnam/

[webfact]

Army takes down 48 structures on Phuket’s Bangtao Beach
Suthicha Sirirat


The illegal Babylon Beach Club had already been badly damaged by last week's storms.

PHUKET: -- Forty eight restaurants and shops along Bangtao Beach were demolished on Friday afternoon (July 18).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744644-army-takes-down-48-structures-on-phukets-bangtao-beach/

[webfact]

D-Day: All passenger vans must be properly registered by today

BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 (NNT) – Starting today, passenger vans plying the streets are required to hold particular stickers showing they have registered for the service, following the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s policy to regulate van services for road safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744652-d-day-all-passenger-vans-in-thailand-must-be-properly-registered-by-today/

[webfact]

Australian tourist found dead in Phuket hotel room

PHUKET: -- An Australian tourist was found dead in his hotel room in Chalong yesterday afternoon, apparently the victim of a health problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744655-australian-tourist-found-dead-in-phuket-hotel-room/

[webfact]

Former PM Banharn temporarily released from hospital to preside over Suphan Buri event after meeting doctor for chest pain /MCOT

Int'l Trade Promotion Dept to promote Thailand as a manufacturing hub for many high-potential products to enhance countryθs image in world market,boost exports /The Nation

NBTC plan to require winners of its future telecom spectrum licence auctions to use TOT,CAT Telecomθs infrastructure in network expansion /The Nation

Finance Ministry asked all state enterprises to cut compensation,entertainment allowances for their board members to appropriate levels /The Nation

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Pattaya beach to be cleaned up



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya beach will be the next target to be reorganised same as in Phuket to return the beaches to the people under the policy of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744601-pattaya-beach-to-be-reorganized/#entry8131144

[webfact]

Thailand's unrest puts dent in tourism

BANGKOK: -- Political instability has hardly affected the image of the holiday paradise of Thailand. But while the military protects the all-important industry, the country has missed its ambitious growth targets for 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744661-thailands-unrest-puts-dent-in-tourism/

[webfact]

Indian ambassador meets NCPO leader
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 21 -- Indian Ambassador to Thailand Harsh Vardhan Shringla has met Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, Chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), for talks on cooperation in all aspects.

Ambassador Shringla paid a courtesy call on the Thai military council leader at Royal Thai Army headquarters this morning, congratulating him on the his new position, as well discussing bilateral cooperation on national security, economy and sociology.

Also this morning, NCPO Secretary-General Gen Udomdej Sitabutr chaired a meeting at the Army Operations Centre to follow up on the operations of each sector.

Security has been beefed at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters so that no protests could be carried out at the location. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-21

[webfact]

Typhoon Rammasun wreaks havoc in north and northeastern Thailand

BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 (NNT) - Rivers across several communities in northeastern Thailand have overflowed due to the effects of Typhoon Rammasun, which has caused heavy rains throughout the area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744691-typhoon-rammasun-wreaks-havoc-in-north-and-northeastern-thailand/

[webfact]

Thai Military Council leader offers condolences for air crash in Ukraine
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 21 -- Thailand’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday sent a letter of condolence to Malaysia's leader and to the families of victims of Malaysia Airlines' Flight M17 which was shot down over Ukraine last week.

Gen Prayuth, also army commander-in-chief, called for a transparent investigation into the tragedy and promised Thailand's full support for it.

In the letter, Gen Prayuth expressed his deep shock and sorrow regarding the tragedy that killed 298 people on July 17.

The dead included Malaysian, Indonesian, Philippine, Dutch, British, Belgian, German, Australian and New Zealand passengers.

Gen Prayuth expressed his heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and people of Thailand for the tragedy. He expressed Thai people's best regards and wishes to the Malaysian leader and the families of the victims.

Thailand called for independent and transparent investigation into the incident and was ready to offer full support for it, Gen Prayuth said in his letter. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-07-21

[webfact]

German soccer team jerseys doing good business
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 21 -- Sales of German national football team jerseys carrying the ‘Adidas’ brand logo and 'Made in Thailand' are impressive now in Germany after the national team won the FIFA World Cup 2014 on July 13 in Brazil, according to Suchitra Thanomsap, director of the Thai Trade Promotion Centre in Frankfurt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744693-made-in-thailand-german-soccer-team-jerseys-doing-good-business/

[Lite Beer]

More than 180,000 migrant workers have registered at all one-stop service centres across the country, Gen Udomdech Sitabutr,secretary-general of the National Council for Peace and Order said after hearing briefs of the registration from relevant government agencies on migrant worker registration and human trafficking this morning.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/51823/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=51823

-- Thai PBS 2014-07-21

[Lite Beer]

Banharn admitted to Ramathibodi Hospital
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Banharn Silapa-archa was admitted to the Ramathibodi Hospital on Monday complaining of chest pains and difficult breathing. difficulty.

Banharn went to the hospital at 12.45pm with two aides. He said he went to the hospital in the morning after developing chest pain and difficulty in breathing but after receiving treatment, asked doctors to allow him to conduct urgent business in Suphan Buri.

He returned to the hospital for a thorough check and might stay in the hospital for two nights for monitoring by doctors.

Banharn declined to give details of his symptom. He also declined to use a wheelchair and walked to the elevator. His doctor and nurses were waiting for him inside the elevator.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Banharn-admitted-to-Ramathibodi-Hospital-30239051.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-21

[webfact]

Phuket police chief denies imposing curfew on teens
Anthika Muangrod


Gen Krajang: We have no power to impose a curfew.

PHUKET: -- Pol Maj Gen Krajang Suwannarat, the island’s temporary police chief, has denied a report that Phuket police have imposed a 10pm curfew on anyone under the age of 18, banning them from the streets after that time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744706-phuket-police-chief-denies-imposing-curfew-on-teens/

[webfact]

Finance says revenue shortfall won’t affect financial position



BANGKOK: -- The permanent-secretary of the Finance ministry assured Monday that its revenue shortfall by 160 billion baht below target won't affect its solid financial position.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744707-finance-says-revenue-shortfall-wont-affect-financial-position-thailand/

[webfact]

NACC and MCU collaborate to combat corruption

AYUTTHAYA, 21 July 2014 (NNT) - The National Anti-Corruption Commission is joining forces with Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) to call on Buddhist philosophical insights to combat corruption in the kingdom.

The NACC is hosting an international conference at the university with the aim of raising awareness of the benefit of upholding the values of integrity, wisdom and good governance in Thai society.

MCU rector Dr.Phra Brahmapundit said the drive is part of a wider campaign to use Buddhist teachings as pathways out of a problem. The drive was launched in collaboration with provincial NACC offices in most parts of the country.

The MCU and the NACC are set to distribute handbooks on ethical elements in Buddhist teachings in relation to the administration of the kingdom, to host seminars on using universal principles of ethics and morality in everyday life and to organize a contest for the best anti-corruption action based on Buddhist philosophy.


-- NNT 2014-07-21

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Red Politicians Barred From Thaksin's Birthday Bash

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reportedly told political aides to stay away from his 64th birthday party, which is expected to take place in France on 26 July.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744460-thaksin-tells-pheu-thai-red-shirt-leaders-not-to-join-birthday-party/page-4?p=8131763#entry8131763

[webfact]

Drug dealer comes out of jail, goes back into business in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


Jakkarin, photographed immediately after his arrest, with the bag in which he was carrying the crystal meth.

PHUKET: -- Just three months ago Jakkarin Songpet emerged from a six-year prison term for dealing drugs. Yesterday evening he was arrested again – for dealing drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744714-drug-dealer-comes-out-of-jail-goes-back-into-business-in-phuket/

[webfact]

Tourist involved in a high speed crash



KOH SAMUI: -- At around 2-15 am this morning a tourist in Koh Samui...

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744738-tourist-involved-in-a-high-speed-crash/

[webfact]

15 more one-stop service centers opening to register migrant workers in the country

BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 (NNT)- The Director General of the Department of Employment has confirmed another 15 one-stop service centers are ready to open by Tuesday, 22nd July 2014, while many of the 500,000 migrant laborers are expected to come forward to register.

Mr. Sumate Mahosot, the Director General of the Department of Employment has urged 15 provinces to prepare for the opening of a One Stop Service Center. The provinces are: Krabi, Chumphon, Trang, Trat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pattani, Phang Nga, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Ranong, Satun and Samut Songkhram.

The centers will speed up the documentation procedures for workers, mainly from neighboring countries, as part of security measures to ensure their access to Thailand's work force benefits, as described in the NCPO’s labor policy.

A total of 390,000 alien workers have so far applied for the work permits nationwide while it is expected that up to another 500,000 workers will register at the centers.

The fee for the work permit has also been decreased from 1,800 baht to 900 baht to reduce set up costs for the foreign workers, added Mr. Sumate

As many sectors have expressed their concern that 60 days will be too short a duration for the proof of nationality process, Mr. Sumate said that an extension of the time limit can be granted in accordance with the individual situation after the opening of the centers in 77 provinces.

-- NNT 2014-07-21

[webfact]

NCPO secretary-general follows up on human trafficking and migrant worker issues

BANGKOK, 21 June 2014 (NNT) - Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, the secretary-general of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has chaired a meeting to follow up issues such as human trafficking, migrant workers and controlling waste. He also advised all relevant agencies to follow up the operation of the Damrongtham Center supervised by the Ministry of the Interior.

In the meantime, he has requested all sectors prepare for the holding of celebratory events on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday, on August 12, 2014.


-- NNT 2014-07-21

[webfact]

Indonesia fires spark close monitoring of smog in South



BANGKOK: -- Indonesia fires are sparking smog monitoring in southern Thailand as there are reports of the arrival of smogs in many southern provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744742-indonesia-fires-spark-close-monitoring-of-smog-in-southern-thailand/

[webfact]

Five Cambodian crew arrested on drug charges

SATTAHIP: -- Five crewmembers of a squid trawler, all of them migrant workers from Cambodia, allegedly forced their Thai captain to bring the trawler back to shore so they could buy and take methamphetamine (ya ba).

The trawler moored at Chon Buri's Sattahip port on Monday morning and the five were immediately arrested by district chief Pawat Lertmukda and officials. Charges against the men, who were aged between 22 and 35, included drug abuse, illegal entry and using weapons to threaten others.

Saemsan Moo 1 village headman Bankerd Chanthes said the Pitakmongkol boat captain had reported to him that the Cambodian workers had threatened to kill him if he refused to bring the boat to shore.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Five-Cambodian-crew-arrested-on-drug-charges-30239064.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-21

[webfact]

Thai waste-to-energy projects hindered by opposition
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 21 -- Renewable energy initiatives including waste-to-energy and biomass power plants have not made much progress in Thailand due to opposition from local residents, 'influential people' and non-governmental organizations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744745-thai-waste-to-energy-projects-hindered-by-opposition/

[webfact]

Baht rose to 7-month high, up 0.4 pct at Bt32.01/US$ on rebound of Thai exports, global funds raise investment in Thai assets /The Nation

ASEAN condemned shooting down of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine which killed all 298 people on board /The Nation

Major Cineplex Group to focus more on customers relationship to attract more customers to IMAX theatres via new membership programme /The Nation

[webfact]

Former Thai PM Banharn admitted to hospital with chest pain
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 21 -- Former Thai premier and chief advisor to the Chartthaipattana Party Banharn Silpa-archa will be hospitalised for at least two days due to chest pain, though physicians said he was not in any immediate danger.

The former leading politician, now 82 years old, came down with acute chest pain and was immediately admitted into Ramadhibodi Hospital early this morning.

Mr Banharn said he felt the pain since last night and this morning found that he could no longer handle the pain.

Although he has had chest pains before, this time the pain was more acute than usual, making it quite unbearable.

The former prime minister checked himself in at hospital this morning, after going through the pain until his voice became hoarse, for a thorough examination.

According to Dr Surasak Leelaudomlipi, Director of the Ramadhibodi Hospital, Mr Banharn was having a slight asthma and was a little fatigued.

He was treated using an inhaler and all his symptoms have now stabilised, though his physician advised him to stay in hospital for several days to recuperate.

The leader of the Chartthaipattana Party looked exhausted, but he was able to walk from his vehicle into the hospital without need of a wheelchair. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-21

[webfact]

AirAsia flight delayed by electrical fault in Nakhon Si Thammarat

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 21 July 2014 (NNT) – An AirAsia flight bound for Bangkok has been delayed indefinitely in Nakhon Si Thammarat due to a technical error.

AirAsia flight FD-3189 was scheduled to depart the province for Bangkok at 8:30AM Monday morning but was unable to take off due to an electrical fault, leaving over 100 passengers stranded at the Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport.

A maintenance team has been dispatched to the airport from Bangkok to carry out an urgent technical repair. The airline has apologized to its passengers and announced that they can postpone or refund their flight following the incident. So far, the flight has been delayed for 6 hours.

Last month, an AirAsia aircraft serving a route to Bangkok failed to depart smoothly from Nakhon Si Thammarat as its left wing was damaged, possibly by a bird.


-- NNT 2014-07-21

[webfact]

Passenger hit with bottle of Jack Daniels on board Thai Airways flight from Sydney to Bangkok

SYDNEY: -- A PASSENGER has told how a fight broke out on board a flight from Sydney to Bangkok, leading to a man being hit on the head with a bottle of duty-free alcohol.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744761-passenger-hit-with-bottle-of-jack-daniels-on-board-thai-airways-flight-from-sydney-to-bangkok/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,538.55, up 5.14; Bt/USD31.77; GBP54.36; AUD29.76; EUR43.01; CAD29.56; HKD4.10; SGD25.55; JPY31.34