Thailand Live Thursday 24 Jul 2014

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Members of National Legislative Assembly announced by this September

BANGKOK, 24 June 2014 (NNT) - The Deputy Secretary of the House of Representatives Thongchai Dulyasuk expects that the members of the National Legislative Assembly will have been chosen by this August, as they have soon to consider the Draft of 2015 Annual Expenditure Act.

The Provisional Constitution will be published for relevant officials to study and prepare to work within. At present, it has to wait for a Royal Decree on a selection commission for the National Reform Council and National Legislative Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat of the House of Representatives and the Secretariat of the Senate are studying the Provisional Constitution and reviewing regulations to ensure consistency.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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Dutch Man Arrested For Drugs and Money Laundering in Pattaya

PATTAYA – [Pattaya Daily News];-at 07.00 am Mr.Surasak Treerattanakul- Attorney General-, Mr.Wanchai Rujjanawong-Attorney General-, Mr.Permpoon Pengprasith-deputy attorney general of DSI-, Pol.Col.Singhanart Prayoonrat-secretary of AMLO- and Pol.Col.Kampol Leelaprapaporn-superintendent of Huay Yai police station- led a team with a court order to inspect a house in Soi Phoenix golf club road

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745440-dutch-man-arrested-for-drugs-and-money-laundering-in-pattaya/

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New Charter Draws Bipartisan Criticism
By Khaosod English


Democrat Party chairman Abhisit Vejjajiva, 23 July 2014

BANGKOK — Prominent politicians from Thailand’s rival political parties displayed a rare show of unity with shared criticism of the military junta's new interim constitution.

Both Democrat Party chairman Abhisit Vejjajiva and Pheu Thai politician Chaturon Chaisaeng warned against the unchecked power granted to the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) under the interim charter.

The two politicians' main concern was Article 44 of the 2014 Interim Constitution, which permits the NCPO to stay in power after a temporary civilian government is formed and enables NCPO chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to unilaterally intervene in matters related to "national security" and "public order.”

Under Article 44, Gen. Prayuth is allowed "to order, to suspend, or to take action, regardless of its effects on the legislative, executive or judiciary" against any perceived threats to "public order, national security, the monarchy, national economy or sovereignty of the country."

In a Facebook post, Democrat Party chairman Mr. Abhisit compared Article 44 to Section 17 of the 1959 Charter that similarly granted complete power to a military leader in the name of national security. Mr. Abhisit observed that Article 44 appears to be even more gratuitous than the infamous Section 17.

"Even ... Section 17, which is considered to be the most absolute, only gives power to Prime Minister to order or take action to suppress acts that threaten national security," Mr. Abhisit wrote. "The difference is: under Article 44, the special power belongs to NCPO leader. The NCPO does not have to seek consent from the prime Minister."

He continued, "Article 44 clearly states that the power has binding effect in legislative and judiciary aspects, without a process to challenge or scrutinize them. That means it’s the ability to issue a law or reverse a court verdict."

Although Mr. Abhisit said retaining special power to intervene in the event of "chaos" is acceptable, he called upon the NCPO clarify the boundaries of its powers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chaturon, who served as Education Minister in the Pheu Thai-led government prior to the military takeover, raised concerns that the NCPO's power under Article 44 is not subject to checks and balances.

"It contradicts its own constitution and violates the principle of separation of powers," Mr. Chaturon said in a statement released to the press today. "I hope the NCPO will not exercise the power under this article more than what is necessary and appropriate."

The former Education Minister also expressed concern that Article 35 (9), which calls for a mechanism to prevent any attempts to "destroy major principles" of the permanent constitution, will effectively prohibit a future government from amending the charter.

The interim charter, released and royally-endorsed yesterday, calls for the formation of an interim government that will administer the country until elections are held in October 2015 at the earliest.

According to the charter — Thailand’s 19th — the temporary government will consist of a National Legislative Assembly who will appoint a Prime Minister and Cabinet, a National Reform Council tasked with proposing widespread national reforms, and a Constitutional Drafting Committee in charge of penning a permanent constitution.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1406122127&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2014-07-24

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SOUTH CRISIS
Two killed in Pattani car bomb, eight wounded
The Nation



PATTANI: -- A car bomb killed two people and wounded eight others in front of a cockfighting ring in Pattani's Khok Pho district at 4.30pm yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745521-two-killed-in-pattani-car-bomb-eight-wounded/

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PROVISIONAL CHARTER
No decision yet on referendum to endorse Constitution
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- IT WILL be decided at a later stage whether the permanent charter to be drafted by the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) will be put to a national referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745522-no-decision-yet-on-referendum-to-endorse-thai-constitution/

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UNDER THE PROVISIONAL CHARTER
Critics wary of NCPO chief's powers
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CRITICS yesterday warned the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to exercise its power with moral soundness, as the provisional charter has given it "supreme power" over the judicial, legislative and administrative branches.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that Provision 44 has provided the NCPO with unprecedented special powers independent of the prime minister and without checks and balances. The NCPO is empowered to issue laws, orders and even overturn court decisions.

"Article 17 promulgated in 1959 [by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat] provided him with the most absolute power to handle security threats. But Article 44 offers power beyond security, as it covers any activities carried out in the interest of reform and for the promotion of national reconciliation,'' he wrote.

Chulalongkorn University's political science lecturer, Trakul Meechai, believed it was common for coup-makers to maintain their power by stating it in the provisional charter until they achieved their ultimate goal.

Trakul said he believed the provisional charter was designed to plug loopholes in charters promulgated after the 1991 coup and the 2007 coup.

Critics say because of a lacuna in his charter, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is believed to have lost power after he installed the Surayud Chulanont government. Sonthi, as a result, failed to accomplish his intended task of getting rid of Thaksin Shinawatra's influence.

Abhisit questioned the necessity of the council having legislative and judicial powers, as the NCPO members are already sitting on the National Legislative Assembly and the Reform Council.

He said there might be a discrepancy between Article 44 and Article 3 of the charter and he believed Article 44 violates the intention of Article 3.

"I hope the NCPO chief explains how is he going to exercise his power in accordance with Article 44 to create clarity and prevent conflicts and problems that may arise,'' he wrote.

Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat said Article 44 is like a gun that can be used for self-defence and to protect or even to harm others.

Former charter drafter Komsan Phokong said Article 44 can either be a strength or weakness of the NCPO, depending on whether it exercises its power with moral sense or not. He said the NCPO might be subjected to criticism by international organisations if it exercises the power without caution.

Trakul also criticised the provisional charter on the mechanism to create effective corruption prevention and suppression. He said the law might be able to stop only people who have been convicted of corruption by all the courts but not those who are still on trial and have not been convicted or proven guilty of offences.

Nipit posted in his Facebook saying that he did not believe there would be a better charters than the ones in 1974 1997.

"These are the best and the most proud charters ever written but we have ruined them. We put a Mercedes engine into a Yanmar tractor and put a Yanmar engine in a Mercedes car,'' he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Critics-wary-of-NCPO-chiefs-powers-30239303.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-24

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PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION
Junta's 'special powers' defended
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK,
ANAPAT DEECHUAY
THE NATION

Prayuth gets backing from his assistant to take over as premier

BANGKOK: -- THE JUNTA'S legal advisers have been vehemently defending the granting of "special powers" to their leader under the provisional constitution, saying he needs these powers to see things through.

The charter's Article 44 states that if necessary, the leader of the National Council for Peace and Order, with the consent of the NCPO, can exercise "special powers" by issuing an order or stopping any action. This order would be binding for all institutions - legislative, executive or judiciary - and would be considered final and constitutional.

Article 44 specifies that these "special powers" can only be exercised in some cases and if national security is threatened.

Wissanu Krea-Ngam, a legal adviser to the NCPO, acknowledged that Article 44 was based on Article 17 of the 1959 Constitution, which was used by then-military dictator Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, but pointed out that NCPO leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha could only exercise this power when absolutely necessary.

"The use of 'special powers' [under Article 44] relies on the existence of the NCPO and enables [the NCPO] to carry out tasks that the cabinet finds difficult to handle," he said.

Wissanu insisted that without this power, the NCPO might have to resort to staging a coup against itself - a strategy used by some juntas in the past.

He said the special power "is unlikely to be [exercised] daily or used at whim", adding that when the disturbing case of the rape and murder of a teenager emerged recently, many people called on the NCPO to exercise "special powers" against the accused. Yet, he said, the NCPO exercised restraint and put the case through the normal judicial process.

However, he acknowledged that Article 44 was a double-edged sword, as it could be used for constructive reasons or for bad ones.

Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, another legal adviser to the NCPO, argued that Prayuth was most unlikely to use this power like Sarit did in the 1960s, when he ordered the immediate execution of those accused of setting fire to a property as part of an insurance scam.

"I don't think it will go that far … When we had no [provisional] constitution and [the NCPO] was the law, it could have done more than what is prescribed by Article 44, but it didn't," Pornpetch said.

Separately, support for Prayuth to take up the prime minister's job has emerged from within the junta.

"I think he is well qualified," Royal Thai Army assistant chief General Paiboon Khumchaya said. Paiboon is also the NCPO deputy chief for legal and judicial affairs.

"Over the past few months, he [Prayuth] has been carrying out the prime minister's duties and has been doing them well," Paiboon said. Prayuth, the Army chief, led the May 22 power seizure, and Wissanu said the provisional constitution did not prohibit him as the coup leader from assuming the PM's post.

These remarks were made at a press conference held yesterday at Government House to explain the contents of the provisional charter.

"Though the charter allows for him to take up the prime minister's post, whether [Prayuth] will become [prime minister] or not is up to the National Legislative Assembly," or NLA, Wissanu said.

When asked if he considered it appropriate for the junta leader to assume the prime minister's post, Wissanu said the answer lay very much in the hands of the public and Prayuth himself.

Under the provisional charter, the prime minister - who is selected by the NLA - can be removed from office by the NLA, which in turn is appointed by the NCPO, Wissanu said.

Wissanu also defended the controversial Article 48, which in effect grants amnesty to the NCPO for staging the May 22 seizure of power from the elected government, saying this was necessary to prevent vengeful actions in the future.

When asked how the NCPO expects to bring about reconciliation when democracy defenders like Chaturon Chaisaeng and Sombat Boonngam-anong were being tried on the one hand and the junta had absolved itself of any legal responsibility on the other, Wissanu said the provisional charter did not forbid any possible redress for these people.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Juntas-special-powers-defended-30239302.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-24

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Ministry seeks to resume small-lot rice sales in August
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION


A file photo shows a soldier inspecting rice stockpiles at a warehouse in a eastern province.

BANGKOK: -- THE COMMERCE MINISTRY is preparing to resume selling rice from its stockpiles in early August, gradually releasing it in small lots of about 500,000 tonnes a month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745523-thai-commerce-ministry-seeks-to-resume-small-lot-rice-sales-in-august/

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EDITORIAL
Corruption abates slightly, but not nearly enough
The Nation

For the consumer's sake and the good of the country's business overseas, graft has got to go

BANGKOK: -- Investors from Japan, from which the largest amount of Thailand's direct foreign investment comes, have called for reduced corruption and improved transparency in order to help restore confidence in the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745524-thai-editorial-corruption-abates-slightly-but-not-nearly-enough/

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At least 40 dead as TransAsia Airways passenger jet GE222 crashes during emergency landing

TAIPEI: -- A PLANE making a second landing attempt in stormy weather has crashed at an airport on a small Taiwanese island, killing at least 40 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745525-taiwan-transasia-airways-plane-crash-kills-at-least-40-people/

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2006 US Murder suspect arrested by Pattaya Tourist Police



PATTAYA: -- There is some confusion relating to the arrest of a 42 year old Thai Woman on Wednesday by Pattaya’s Tourist Police, relating to the alleged murder of a US Tourist on Pattaya Beach Road which took place on 11th February 2006.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745526-2006-us-murder-suspect-arrested-by-pattaya-tourist-police/

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Car production projection down by 200,000 units



BANGKOK: -- The automotive industry of the Federation of Thai Industries has revised down the automobile production projection for this year by200,000 units to 2.2 million units due to drop in sale during the first half of the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745528-car-production-projection-down-by-200000-units-thailand/

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Industrial confidence index up for the second running month



BANGKOK: -- Industrial confidence index has increased for the second consecutive month with the index for June rising to 88.4 from May’s 85.1, said Mr Suphan Mongkolsuthee, president of Federation of Thai Industries on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745529-thailands-industrial-confidence-index-up-for-the-second-running-month/

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Yingluck declines to commit when to return to Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra Wednesday night declined to commit when she would return to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745532-yingluck-declines-to-commit-when-to-return-to-thailand/

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Registration papers of totalled cars to be invalid immediately
Kwanhatai Malakarn
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE LAND Transport Department will issue a regulation under which registration books for totalled vehicles will automatically lose their validity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745536-registration-papers-of-totalled-cars-to-be-invalid-immediately/

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Children of migrants losing out on education
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SOME 250,000 children of foreign migrant workers have no access to education in Thailand, the Ramajitti Institute said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745539-children-of-migrants-losing-out-on-education-in-thailand/

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Arizona execution takes two hours

FLORENCE: -- US death row inmate Joseph Wood has died after an execution in Arizona took nearly two hours to kill him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745541-arizona-execution-takes-two-hours/

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Suspected Auschwitz guard Johann Breyer dies in US

PHILADELPHIA: -- An elderly man in the US accused of Nazi war crimes has died while awaiting extradition to Germany.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745542-suspected-auschwitz-guard-dies-in-us/

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Hamas says Gaza blockade must end before ceasefire

GAZA: -- The leader of Islamic militant group Hamas has said there can be no ceasefire to ease the conflict in Gaza without an end to Israel's blockade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745543-hamas-ties-ceasefire-to-blockade/

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New pier opened in Nong Khai to facilitate vessels on Mekong River

NONG KHAI, 24 July 2014 (NNT) – A new pier for vessels on the Mekong River has been opened in Nong Khai province's Mueang district to facilitate freight.

On Wednesday, Mueang district permanent secretary Wirot Uthumphok chaired the opening ceremony for the docking site, located at the Mekong River patrol Unit in Ban Hin Ngom (บ้านหินโงม) , Mueang district.

According to Lieutenant Chetniphit Pannim, head of the Nong Khai pier, there are at least 20,000 vessels plying their trade on the Mekong River at present; 3,000 of those in Nong Khai alone. Given the lack of regulations on these vessels, various illegal activities such as narcotic and contraband smuggling along the river, which marks the border between Thailand and its neighbors, have mushroomed in recent days, Monitoring efforts against these activities are also very difficult to carry out, according to Lt. Chetniphit.

There are now 105 piers in Nong Khai province, from a total of 140 that have been planned.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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Thai worker killed by rocket fire in Israel; Thai embassy tells Israeli Foreign Ministry to consider moving Thai workers away from Gaza /MCOT

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Bangkok Airways will turn Chiang Mai into its third airport hub and use it as a stepping stone to boost its coverage of Myanmar. /Bangkok Post

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NCPO suspends monthly living allowances payments which ex-parliament members receive from Fund for Former Members of Parliament /The Nation

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Hat Yai tourism revitalized as Hari Raya festivities draw closer

SONGKHLA, 24 July 2014 (NNT) – Tourism in the southern commercial heartland of Hat Yai has reportedly picked up up as the end of the Ramadan month draws near. Meanwhile, bookings by Malaysian tourists have helped hotels pocket more income.

With the fasting month drawing to a close and the Hari Raya festivities approaching, hotel operators in Hat Yai reported on Wednesday that 80% of rooms have been booked ahead of the festivities period. All rooms are expected to be taken once Hari Raya arrives. The influx of tourists into the city is expected to contribute to a local circulation of at least 50 million baht, similar to last year.

Security-wise, authorities have been seen deploying more security volunteers and soldiers within the city's commercial and tourism areas. Vendors are also keeping watchful eyes over the area they are selling in, ready to pick out any suspicious objects left behind and also to spot suspicious individuals who may have ill intentions.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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UPDATE:

Yingluck is up and away



BANGKOK: -- Ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra and her son have flown out on a THAI flight to Paris shortly after midnight Wednesday but promised to return on schedule.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745532-yingluck-declines-to-commit-when-to-return-to-thailand/page-2#entry8144739

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UPDATE:

Yingluck departs Thailand for her scheduled Europe trip

BANGKOK, 24 July 2014 (NNT) - Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was seen with her son at the Suvarnabhumi Airport last night, while bringing along 11 pieces of luggage with her to head for France as part of her European trip scheduled from July 20th to August 14th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745532-yingluck-declines-to-commit-when-to-return-to-thailand/page-3#entry8144776

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,545.54, gains 3.98 points /MCOT

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Thai worker killed in Israel



BANGKOK: -- A Thai worker was confirmed killed in a rocket attack in Israel on Wednesday, the Employment Department said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745620-thai-worker-killed-by-mortar-attack-in-israel/

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Private sector feels confident after the provisional constitution has been adopted

BANGKOK, 24 July 2014 (NNT) - Business owners have given a positive feedback after His Majesty the King royally endorsed an interim constitution on July 22nd. The temporary charter had been outlined by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s legal team.

Supat Mongkolsuthee, the President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), gave an opinion that the enactment of the provisional constitution would restore the confidence of foreign investors. He also said it would pave the way for the formation of a new government and a general election in the near future.

Members of the private sector have also felt confident under the NCPO’s administration, saying that the laws and regulations in Thailand have been improved. They also said that the economic and political stability has begun to resurface.

During the last two months, the Industrial Confidence Index (ICI) has risen continuously. In June, the ICI stood at 88.4 points, which is higher than May’s figure at 85.1 points. The increase can be attributed to the political clarity that is starting to emerge in Thailand and the cancellation of the Army’s curfew on June 13th.

These factors have propelled the Thai economy to move forward and gradually recover.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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Wisconsin town of La Crosse under attack from Mayflies


Source: Twitter @bug_gwen

LA CROSSE: -- IF you’re a squeamish person you may not want to read on.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745587-us-wisconsin-town-under-attack-from-mayflies/