Thailand Live Thursday 24 Jul 2014

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Singapore voices support for NCPO’s country reform plan

BANGKOK, 24 July 2014 (NNT) – Singapore has expressed its support for the reform plan of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), while showing its willingness to cooperate with Thailand in all aspects of development.

As a special guest to the Royal Thai Army, Supreme Commander of Singapore Ng Chee Meng paid a courtesy call on NCPO chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha. On this occasion, Gen Prayuth asked the Singaporean side to continue its close ally with Thailand and support the work of the NCPO in bringing about a true and sustainable democracy back to this very nation. He also stressed the importance of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his reply, Supreme Commander Ng Chee Meng told Gen Prayuth that Singapore was willing to work with Thailand, especially to strengthen military ties that the two nations had enjoyed for the past several years.

Prior to his meeting with the NCPO chief, the Singapore supreme commander met with Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn, NCPO deputy chief and supreme commander of Thailand. The Singaporean side took this opportunity to express its support and confidence in the NCPO’s national reform plan as well as its readiness to mobilize the two nations towards ASEAN integration.

The two parties also had a chance to discuss a wide range of cooperation, including the establishments of a coordination center for human rights assistance and disaster mitigation in ASEAN.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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UPDATE:

Dutch drug gang leader arrested

PATTAYA: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and local police smashed an international drug trafficking gang led by a notorious Dutch trafficker and his Thai wife and seized their assets worth more than 100 million baht in Pattaya Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745440-dutch-man-arrested-for-drugs-and-money-laundering-in-pattaya/page-2?p=8145027#entry8145027

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Special Report: NCPO gives opportunities to all sectors to express opinions for reform

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has provided opportunities for citizens in every sector of Thai society to express their opinions, as a starting point for national reconciliation and reform.

Head of the NCPO General Prayuth Chan-ocha said this moment is a critical time for all Thais, a time for them to be united and help reform the country in a progressive and sustainable way.

In the initial stage, he said, cooperation from all sectors is needed – political, civil service, private, civil society, or general public sectors. Unless the opinions from different sides are crystallized in the second phase, it will be difficult to continue with the reform, as well as the implementation in the third phase.

Therefore, every sector has been provided with opportunities to express their opinions in order to move forward to the next stage, to discuss potential applicants for membership in the Reform Council, and to reach a conclusion in the Council in the second phase. Those who have not yet prepared to apply for membership need to prepare themselves with regard to personnel, relevant information, and other necessary issues before the application phase is opened.

General Prayuth said that Thai people hope to see the return of a strengthened democratic system, with proper institutions to safeguard the principles of rule of law and legality, true public participation in the decision-making process, and efficient scrutiny mechanisms to ensure the transparency of operations. They hope to achieve this through a reform process that will help resolve the failures of the past and lay the groundwork for developments that will sustainably benefit the country in the future.

He stated that national reform needs a great amount of understanding and support from the Thai people, as the country belongs to everyone, regardless of their viewpoints. They should all participate in the reform process. The NCPO does not want to leave anyone behind, as everyone is a Thai citizen.

General Prayuth also said that every democratic country has gone through difficult periods and devastating situations. They are tested by time. Today it is better for everyone to help set up a stable pillar of Thai democracy, rather than to criticize, particularly making demands for an early election. Thailand has been trying to learn through trial and errors for many years. If it succeeds, it will be a country with a fully-fledged, sustainable democracy, and that will benefit Thai people as well as its foreign friends.

He called for patience from the Thai people in helping the country move forward in unity. As for foreign friends and allies, he would like them to recognize the positive changes in the situation since 22 May 2014, rather than being quickly to criticize the NCPO and accuse it of not conforming to a universal democratic form.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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Private sector calls for locally-produced NGV bus purchase to boost economy



BANGKOK: -- The private sector has called on the military junta to consider locally produced NGV-powered buses rather than imported vehicles in the new bus fleet to be procured by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the state city bus service operator.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745617-private-sector-calls-for-locally-produced-ngv-bus-purchase-to-boost-economy/

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American hot dogs across highline between Bangkok skyscrapers
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Stuntman Andy Lewis set a world record for the longest slackline walk as he traversed a highline slung between two Bangkok skyscrapers yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745619-american-hot-dogs-across-highline-between-bangkok-skyscrapers/

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More than 50 Israeli reservists refuse to fight

WASHINGTON: -- More than 50 former Israeli soldiers have refused to serve in the nation's reserve force, citing regret over their part in a military they said plays a central role in oppressing Palestinians.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745621-more-than-50-israeli-reservists-refuse-to-fight/

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Samut Prakan to reduce farmers’ cost of production

SAMUT PRAKAN, 24 July 2014 (NNT) - Samut Prakan province has launched a measure to reduce the cost of rice production for local farmers.

The governor of Samut Prakan, Mr. Phinij Harnpanich has called a meeting of local officials from different units at the Klongsuan municipality in Bang Boh sub-district, to discuss how to lower the cost of rice production in a bid to help farmers.

Mr. Phinij said there are a total of about 1,300 rice farmers in Samut Prakan owning over 30,000 rai of rice plantations in Bang Boh and Bang Sao Tong sub-districts.

The meeting agreed to help local farmers by lowering the price of fertilizers down by 50 baht per sack, the price of pesticides down by 40 baht per gallon, the price of rice seeds down by 4-6 baht per kilogram, the rent of tractors for plowing rice fields down by 50 baht and the price of land leasing by 200 baht.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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Thailand's Rice Dept gathering opinions on how to improve rice farmers' development fund bill which includes plan to offer pensions to farmers after 60/65 yrs age /The Nation

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Patients suffering from VSD no longer need an open heart surgery

BANGKOK, 24 July 2014 (NNT) - Chulalongkorn Hospital has unveiled its latest medical breakthrough for treating patients suffering from ventricular septal defect (VSD) without having to undergo an open heart surgery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745626-patients-suffering-from-vsd-no-longer-need-an-open-heart-surgery-chulalongkorn-hospital/

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Rains caused floods in Sakon Nakhon, Prachin Buri, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon provinces. Badly hit was Sakon Nakhon with 4,298 affected families. /Bangkok Post

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More rice missing from warehouses



BANGKOK: -- Rice stock checking continued in several provinces as authorities reported more rice have gone missing from warehouses joining the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745636-more-rice-missing-from-thai-warehouses/

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Google Maps with Street View introduced to Laos



VIENTIANE: -- Google yesterday introduced in Vientiane Google Maps with Street View, an innovation that will change the way Lao people and visitors from around the world view and experience the country and its culture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745641-google-maps-with-street-view-introduced-to-laos/

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Drunk 'Nine-inch Nicky' arrested for drunken 'rampage'
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- After storming a protest stage earlier this year to steal the mic, Nicky’s hot temper has got him in trouble once again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745642-drunk-nine-inch-nicky-arrested-in-bangkok-for-drunken-rampage/

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UPDATE:

Former PM Yingluck leaves for France
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 24 -- Thailand's former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra left the country early today to meet her brother, exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra in Paris for his 65th birthday celebration on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745532-yingluck-declines-to-commit-when-to-return-to-thailand/page-4?p=8145522#entry8145522

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TAT Hat Yai presents 'Songkhla Ancient Amulets' during Mother’s Day holidays

SONGKHLA, 24 July 2014 (NNT) –The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Hat Yai Office has announced that it will hold a tourist promotion activity during the four days of the Mother’s Day holidays 2014, on the theme of ‘Songkhla Ancient Amulets’, in cooperation with the Songkhla Provincial Administration Organization, Hat Yai Municipality, the Tourism Business Federation of Songkhla, and the Songkhla Professional Tourist Guide's Association.

This event will be held on 9th and 10th August 2014 at 5 P.M. to 10 P.M. at Wat Hat Yai Nai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, in order to promote local tourism, with a focus on Malaysian, and Singaporean tourists and those who are interested in Buddha amulets.

The presentation includes holy relics of worship, reclining Buddha lighting, the Songkhla ancient amulets exhibition, a shadow show, a Southern folk-dance performance, an amulets market, a messages to mother activity, merit making, praying, amulet talks from experts and the opportunity to meet with celebrities.

-- NNT 2014-07-24

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UPDATE:

Thailand urges Israel to relocate workers

BANGKOK, July 24, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand on Thursday urged Israel to relocate 4,000 Thai nationals working near the battle-scarred Gaza strip after one of its citizens was killed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745620-thai-worker-killed-by-mortar-attack-in-israel/#entry8145585

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4-year-old Lahu boy found living alone since two in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI: -- A 4-year-old Lahu boy has been rescued and adopted by an abbot of a local temple in Tambon Maeyao of Chiang Rai's Muang district after a Khoa Sod newspaper reporter found that he has been living alone at shanty house since he was two years old.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745652-4-year-old-lahu-boy-found-living-alone-since-two-in-chiang-rai/

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'First ever' heat warning issued for Sweden



STOCKHOLM: -- Swedish weather agency SMHI has issued its first ever warning for high temperatures with the many areas set to bask in plus 30C heat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745656-first-ever-heat-warning-issued-for-sweden/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Yingluck is up and away on a one-way ticket

BANGKOK: -- Ex-Premier Yingluck Shinawatra flew to Paris last night with 15 suitcases on a one-way ticket, according to report in ASTV Manager today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745532-yingluck-declines-to-commit-when-to-return-to-thailand/page-5?p=8145873#entry8145873

[Lite Beer]

NBTC to give Bt690-coupon for buying digital TV set-top box, digital TV

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcast and Telecommunications Commission Thursday resolved to give a coupon worth Bt690 to each of 22.9 million households for buying either a digital TV set-top box or a TV set with digital TV tuner.

The coupons will be distributed in September.

The coupon cannot be used to buy satellite TV set-top box as earlier speculated.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NBTC-to-give-Bt690-coupon-for-buying-digital-TV-se-30239332.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-24

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Petchburi confiscates rare wood planks in an operation to quell deforestation

PETCHBURI, 24 July 2014 (NNT) -- Hundreds of illegal rare wood planks have been confiscated during an operation to suppress illegal rare wood logging and smuggling in Petchburi.

With the cooperation of the military, Ratchaburi police and forestry officers raided a house in Bangsaphan district on Thursday, where over 100 sheets of processed protected wood were stored before being sent to customers.

The wife of the house owner said her husband was hired to cut and process those protected trees for a businessman in the province. The raid was conducted after a large number of rare trees had reportedly been illegally felled in Klong Grude district, Bangsaphan several days ago. An investigation will be launched to find out whether the two cases were linked in any way.

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has instructed provincial authorities nationwide to crackdown on illegal logging and smuggling in their respective areas in an attempt to stop deforestation of and encroachment on Thai national parks.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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Permanent Constitution will be completely drafted in 11 months
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 24 -- Borwornsak Uwanno, secretary-general of the King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI), said today the drafting of the next and permanent Constitution would be finished in 11 months.

As the interim Constitution of Thailand took effect on Tuesday, Dr Borwornsak said that it authorized five main organisations to work for national progress and that included the National Reform Council with 250 members.

He said that the reform council would work out five areas of reform consisting of checks and balances including the composition of the parliament, power decentralization, corruption prevention, public participation and relations between politicians and government officials.

KPI conducted a seminar at the Ministry of Defence today to gather opinions on national reform.

Dr Borwornsak said that the KPI would consider opinions gathered today in its meeting set for August 6 to 8 and would later forward the opinions to the National Reform Council and the constitution drafting committee.

Opening the seminar, Gen Surasak Kanchanarat, permanent secretary for defence, said he hoped that the reform would eventually result in fair elections that would welcome new faces to politics in Thailand. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-24

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Boeing Becomes First US Company to Strike Deal with Iran Since 1979 – Reports

MOSCOW, July 24 (RIA Novosti) – Commercial aircraft manufacturer Boeing has signed a contract with Iranian flagship carrier Iran Air, becoming the first US company to do so since 1979, Agence France-Presse reported Thursday, referencing to the company’s report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745682-boeing-becomes-first-us-company-to-strike-deal-with-iran-since-1979-reports/

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AFTER COUP
Thaksin united with his sister



BANGKOK: -- Oak Panthongtae, son of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, on Thursday posted on his instagram page a photo of Thaksin hugging a woman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745686-thaksin-united-with-his-sister/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

GOOD NEWS FROM IMMIGRATION BUREAU

Still time to clear your overstay without blacklisting

BANGKOK: -- The Immigration Bureau has informed Thaivisa.com and updated its website to further clarify the recent news for overstaying in Thailand.

Find out more here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745684-still-time-to-clear-your-overstay-without-blacklisting/

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NCPO chief reinstates Phatcharawat as police chief retroactively

BANGKOK: -- National Council for Peace and Order Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha issued an order to repeal a prime minister's order that removed Pol Gen Phatcharawat Wongsuwan as the national police chief in 2009.

Prayuth reasoned in the order that the October 19 2009 dismissal order against Phatcharawat had to be repealed in accordance with the ruling of the Central Administrative Court. The court ruled that the dismissal order was unlawful.

The repealing of the order allowed Phatcharawat to retroactively retire as the national police chief and would be entitled to salaries retroactively.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NCPO-chief-reinstates-Phatcharawat-as-police-chief-30239343.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-24

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UPDATE:

Thailand asks Israel to help evacuate Thais from Gaza
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 24 -- The Thai Foreign Ministry has coordinated with the Israeli Foreign Ministry asking for cooperation in moving Thai workers in the Gaza Strip to safer areas, though no plans of an evacuation have yet been made, foreign ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745620-thai-worker-killed-by-mortar-attack-in-israel/?p=8146183#entry8146183

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Five flood-hit provinces in need of urgent assistance

BANGKOK, 24 July 2014 (NNT) – The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) is prepared to offer a speedy assistance to five northeastern provinces recently hit by flash floods and forest runoffs.

Heavy overnight rains have triggered floods in Sakon Nakhon, Prachinburi, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, and Yasothon provinces. Provincial disaster prevention units and armed forces have worked together to help divert floodwater from affected areas and provide relief items to flood victims.

The National Disaster Warning center recently warned that Ranong province in the South will also be set to face flash floods and landslides from July 24-25. Locals are urged to closely follow weather updates.

Residents can request further assistance from the department by contacting their local disaster prevention unit or calling the hotline 1784.


-- NNT 2014-07-24

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Sudanese woman who was spared death sentence for renouncing Islam has flown to Italy after more than a month in US embassy /BBC

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Sudan 'apostasy' woman Meriam Yahia Ibrahim flies to Italy

(BBC) A Sudanese woman who was spared a death sentence for renouncing Islam has flown to Italy after more than a month in the US embassy in Khartoum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745718-sudan-apostasy-woman-meriam-yahia-ibrahim-flies-to-italy/