Thailand Live Monday 21 Jul 2014

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Angry Phuket residents in ‘no water’ protest
Darawan Naknakhon


Outnumbered: water official Phichet Chonlayut (in uniform) listens to the villagers' complaint.

PHUKET: -- Fifty residents of the Saiyuan Med Village development went to the Phuket Provincial Water Supply (PWS) office this morning (July 21) to complain that they have had no water for two months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744764-angry-phuket-residents-in-no-water-protest/

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First Samui Road Safety Meeting takes place in Maenam



KOH SAMUI: -- On Saturday the 19th of July the first road safety campaign meeting took place at 5pm at the Café Talay in Maenam. Many concerned residents went along to formally identify the problems faced by drivers in Koh Samui and attempt to come up with some long term solutions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744766-first-samui-road-safety-meeting-takes-place-in-maenam/

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DDPM warns 35 provinces to brace for flash floods

BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 (NNT) – The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) has warned 35 provinces to brace for heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744769-disaster-prevention-dept-warns-35-thai-provinces-to-brace-for-flash-floods/

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NCPO: Southern unrest dropping
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 21 -- Thailand’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has stated that violent incidents in the deep South were decreasing, while peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgency movement will proceed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744791-ncpo-southern-unrest-dropping/

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Thailand to speed up education reform roadmap
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 21 -- Thailand's Ministry of Education has sped up its education reform plans, focusing on teacher quality development, education management system and instructional practice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744792-thailand-to-speed-up-education-reform-roadmap/

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Vocational Education Commission proposes 6 measures to stop student fights

BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 (NNT) -The Vocational Education Commission has submitted six strategies to prevent fighting among vocational students, to the NCPO and is cooperating with other countries to improve the educational standard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744792-thailand-to-speed-up-education-reform-roadmap/#entry8132543

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Military Ready To Launch 'Mother of All Bounce-Back Parties'
By Khaosod English


Happiness concert hosted by the NCPO on 2 June, 2014 in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta is preparing to “return happiness to the people” of Thailand tomorrow with a massive six-day street festival in Bangkok.

After seizing power from the elected government on 22 May, the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) vowed to “return happiness” to Thai society, which was rocked by six months of violent street protests prior to the military takeover.

The military's effort to return happiness to the Thai people has included free concerts, free haircuts, free movie tickets, free 2014 FIFA World Cup telecasts, and a happiness ballad allegedly written by NCPO leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha himself.

Although the projects have been criticised by anti-coup activists and lampooned by a number of foreign media agencies, the NCPO has decided to push ahead with what it promises to be the biggest happiness fair ever.

Scheduled to take place from 22 - 27 July at Sanam Luang field, a stone's throw from the iconic Grand Palace, the event will feature religious ceremonies, orchestras by military bands, a light-and-sound show about the history of Thailand, and celebrities performing songs dedicated to His Majesty the King, said Pol.Maj.Gen. Nipon Charoenpol, deputy commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police.

The six-day festival will also host a cheap-goods market, an exhibition about the works of bureaucracy and state enterprises, performances from the contestants of “Thailand's Got Talent,” and free movie screening of the nationalist film, The Legend of King Naresuan.

A number of roads around Sanam Luang and the Grand Palace will be closed for the event, Pol.Maj.Gen. Nipon said. He advised those who wish to attend the fair to use free public transportation provided by the NCPO at Victory Monument, King Taksin Monument, and the Giant Swing.

The entire Ratchaprasong area in downtown Bangkok will also be shut down this weekend for what Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) is calling the “Thailand Happiness Street Festival Extravaganza.”

According to the TAT’s press release, the festival is “part of a big-bang effort to show the world that Thailand is more than back to normal.”

Thailand’s tourism industry has suffered from the country's recent political turmoil, including a six-month protest campaign against the former government that started last November and the NCPO’s imposition of martial law in May.

“This event will be unmatched in the annals of Thai tourism,” said TAT Governor Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik. “This is going to be the mother of all bounce-back parties.”

The festival will feature parades, concerts, fashion shows, and “culinary delights” from 3pm-midnight on 25-26 July. There will also be a “Happiness Surprise” activity, in which festival-goers will take Instagram photos of their smiling faces, with prizes going to the best smiles, the press release says.

In tandem with its happiness campaign, Thailand’s military regime has also undertaken a widespread effort to silence all opposition voices and criticism. Immediately after seizing power, the junta summoned and detained hundreds of politicians and activists who were later released on the condition that they cease participating in political activities. The NCPO has also arrested scores of demonstrators for participating in anti-coup protests, which are banned under martial law.

Most recently, the NCPO issued a reminder last Friday of its restrictions on media coverage, which include a ban on any “criticism of operations of the National Council for Peace and Order, its officials, or any related individual.”

NCPO Chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha says he led the 22 May coup d'etat to put an end to months of political deadlock and prevent an escalation of violence between Thailand's rival political factions.

According to the Gen. Prayuth's roadmap for the country, an interim government will be formed in September and tasked with revising the constitution and reforming Thailand's electoral system. The next election will be not be held in October 2015, and only if conditions are stable, he says.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1405939238


-- Khaosod English 2014-07-21

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 22 Jul 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/744884-thailand-live-tuesday-22-jul-2014/