Thailand Live Saturday 26 Jul 2014

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Deadly car bomb hits Betong
The Nation

Thick smoke covers buildings following a car bomb outside the Holiday Hill Hotel in Yala

YALA: -- 'Most peaceful town in far South' targeted, as pick-up explodes near hotel; two killed, three seriously hurt

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746133-bomb-attack-in-yala-kills-at-least-two-and-injures-many-others/?p=8152712#entry8152712

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Prayuth urges people to trust NCPO,
The Nation July 26, 2014 1:00 am

Prayuth

BANGKOK: -- Tries to allay fears that junta may abuse its powers

The chief of the junta last night defended the way it is ruling the country, saying that it is simply attempting to solve the nation’s problems fairly, with no intention of harming or destroying anyone in particular. General Prayuth Chan-ocha, head of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), also asked for public trust in the military rulers, now that the provisional charter has been in effect since Tuesday.

He was obviously referring to the controversial Article 44 of the interim charter, which gives him a lot of power in his capacity as NCPO chief.

"No matter how much power the NCPO has, if the use of power is undertaken for the benefit of the people and the country, there should be no worries," he said. "If people who run the country are not good, transparent or efficient, they can be replaced at any time. Please trust the NCPO for how it exercises its power," he said, adding, "We have no desire to stay in power for a long time."

The junta chief was speaking during his weekly programme "Returning Happiness to People in the Country", which was broadcast on all TV stations. He said that over the past two months since seizing power on May 22, the NCPO had attempted to solve the country's problems quickly, but that it had no intention of harming or destroying any person in particular. Prayuth called for cooperation from all parties involved, saying that the NCPO alone could not achieve the goal of achieving sweeping national reforms.

"We have learned some lessons and we don't want past mistakes to happen again. We have to work together today so that we can progress tomorrow," he said.

The general said the junta had managed to reduce political violence, but that peace had not been fully restored, as there was still opposition to the NCPO's work and there were still "efforts to distort facts and cause misunderstanding" both in and outside the country.

He warned that failure to achieve reforms could bring the country back to the vicious cycle of violence, which would render the military's power seizure and efforts a waste of time.

In response to allegations that the NCPO is persecuting certain groups while favouring others, Prayuth said the rule of law should be respected and all cases should be dealt with fairly under the law.

"If we wanted to destroy any person in particular, we would have punished them when we possessed sovereign power. That was when we had a lot of power, but we did not do so," he said. "All sides have to respect the law, which is the rule for society. The law exists to ensure peace in society, not to cause endless conflict. People who violate the law must be punished.

"If they don't want to be punished, they have to escape and they can't live in Thailand any more. If they want to come back and live in Thailand, they have to be arrested and prosecuted. There have been many cases like this," he said.

The junta chief did not identify anyone in particular, although he was obviously referring to cases against politicians living overseas to escape prosecution at home.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayuth-urges-people-to-trust-NCPO-30239537.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-26

[Lite Beer]

Media urged to help, join reform efforts
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The junta chief denied last night that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was planning to exercise its power to control media, saying it needed cooperation from the media to help maintain peace and order in the country.

"We are just asking the media to be careful when they report news. They [media professional organisations] should help regulate each other and not allow any reports that can be deemed as ill-intentioned, or false and that violate others' rights, or defame them," NCPO chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said in his weekly TV address.

The previous Friday, the NCPO said it would shut down any media outlets - print, television, radio or online - if they disseminated information that was considered as threatening to the monarchy or national security, incited violence, or created rifts in society, or was critical of the NCPO's work.

The NCPO later issued an amendment, saying it would not ban media outlets for making critical comments, but would prohibit ill-intentioned comments that aim to discredit the NCPO by using false information. Instead of imposing an immediate ban, the NCPO would allow professional media agencies to investigate the outlet/s behind the violation.

"If you [the media] have no bad intentions against us or if you are not excessively critical, then nobody can harm you. I need your cooperation because you have the power to bring about or destroy peace and order," Prayuth said last night.

He also called on media professionals to help reform media as part of the national reform agenda.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Media-urged-to-help-join-reform-efforts-30239530.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-26

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Govt demands that Thai workers be moved from risky areas in Israel
The Nation July 26, 2014 1:00 am

A group of Muslims stage a protest against Israel

BANGKOK: -- Body of Nan native to be flown back on Monday; ban on more Thais going

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746179-govt-demands-that-thai-workers-be-moved-from-risky-areas-in-israel/

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Fishermen in Rayong to sue PTTGC for Bt300 million
The Nation

RAYONG: -- Officials say seawater in the area is clear; fishermen say catches are down

Seawater along the Koh Samet and Rayong coast is normal and clear with no trace of oil, Supoj Towijakchaikul, deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, told a press conference yesterday - the first anniversary of last year's oil spill in that part of the Gulf.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746180-fishermen-in-rayong-to-sue-pttgc-for-bt300-million/

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NCPO urged to cancel Highway 304 expansion
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A major non-government group is calling on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to cancel a plan to expand Highway 304, saying the project would further destroy national heritage areas.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746181-ncpo-urged-to-cancel-highway-304-expansion/

[Lite Beer]

Small lottery vendors protest against higher wholesale price
Supachai Sinprasert,
Surasit Sinprasert,
Boonleun Promprathankul
The Nation

Soldiers talk to lottery vendors who took to the streets in front of the Government Lottery Office in Nonthaburi yesterday to protest against wholesalers

BANGKOK: -- More than 300 lottery vendors blocked a road in Nonthaburi province yesterday to protest against the high wholesale price for lottery tickets.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746182-small-lottery-vendors-protest-against-higher-wholesale-price/

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Treat migrant workers the same as locals: govt
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Employers have been advised to follow labour laws protecting migrant workers and treat them the same way Thai workers are treated, while also en-suring they adhere to local laws.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746183-treat-migrant-workers-the-same-as-locals-govt/

[Lite Beer]

Thailand helps develop more effective dengue vaccine
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A new anti-dengue vaccine with anticipated improved efficiency is being developed by Thailand jointly with four other countries and will be available here within two years, Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Sophon Mekthon said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746184-thailand-helps-develop-more-effective-dengue-vaccine/

[Lite Beer]

Automatic kiosks set to improve taxi service at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Jessada Jantarak

BANGKOK: -- Automatic queue-card kiosks will soon improve people's access to taxi services at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746185-automatic-kiosks-set-to-improve-taxi-service-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

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EC candidates to be named for reform council
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission will name two candidates to contest for a seat in the National Reform Council (NRC), EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746186-ec-candidates-to-be-named-for-reform-council/

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Legal expert wonders if Yingluck, former ministers will avoid impeachment
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Democrat legal expert yesterday voiced concern that former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and other ousted parliamentarians might escape impeachment charges in relation to moves to amend the charter.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746187-legal-expert-wonders-if-yingluck-former-ministers-will-avoid-impeachment/

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'Unusual rice' found at 15 per cent of warehouses
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The junta says it is committed to inspecting the quality and quantity of rice stored at government granaries nationwide, as well as bringing charges against any people found involved in fraud or non-transparent activity.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746188-unusual-rice-found-at-15-per-cent-of-warehouses/

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Social media users play 'taro' card on recent scandals
Kornchanok Raksaseri
@Aim_NT

BANGKOK: -- The professional media always have to keep in mind that no matter how much their audience members love gossip and scandals, they still expect accountability from those who report on such issues.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746189-social-media-users-play-taro-card-on-recent-scandals/

[Lite Beer]

NCPO Chief vows to deal with fruit oversupply

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) – Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, Chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has assigned related officials to urgently solve the fruit oversupply problem, especially in border areas.

On his weekly TV program “Returning Happiness to the People”, Gen Prayuth revealed that over the past week, representatives of the State Enterprises Worker’s Federation of Thailand, the Chinese-Thai Enterprises Association and the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations met with the NCPO’s head of economic division to inquire about economic guidelines of the council. All of them were reportedly satisfied after hearing the clarifications.

As one of the pressing economic issues at the moment, Gen Prayuth stressed that the overproduction of fruits, such as mangosteen and longkong, is being tackled by relevant agencies led by the National Economic and Social Development Board. Alternative markets have already been prepared to accommodate the excess produces. In the meantime, authorities have been tasked to strictly monitor and regulate the transport of fruits in and out of the country along the borders.

As for the issue surrounding the price of sugarcane, Gen Prayuth stated that the price has been set at 900 baht per ton for now. Measures for pushing the value up further are also being drafted, including the development of sugarcane genes, improvement of soil and substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic ones.

-- NNT 2014-07-26

[Lite Beer]

SET Index closed the week slightly down

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) – The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) today closed slightly negative at 1,543.85.

Thailand’s SET Index slipped by only 0.07 points, or 0.000045%, on turnover of 53.139 billion baht.

The Bluechip SET 50 Index closed at 1,033.82, up by just 1.16 points or 0.11%, accounting for 23.856 billion baht.

Meanwhile the MAI Index closed positive to 587.68, a raise of 9.81 points, or 1.70%, accounting for 4.676 billion baht.

-- NNT 2014-07-25

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Thai, Cambodia lays foundation stone of railway track

SAKAEW, 25 June 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport Permanent Secretary Soithip Traisutthi and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport deputy minister on Friday morning laid the foundation stone of a railway track to Cambodia. Meanwhile, a demolition of decayed piles and a bridge on Thursday was witnessed by officials and people of the two Kingdoms.

The construction and maintenance starts from Chachoengsao’s Klong Sib Kao Station to Klong Luek Railway Bridge in Aranyaprathet District. The 176 km route is comprised of a 170 km renovation and 6 km new construction worth 2.808 billion baht.

It has been awarded to the ITALIAN-THAI DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC COMPANY (ITD). The project includes a 43 meter railway bridge over Klong Luek canal which is a natural border between Thai and Cambodia. It is slated to be completed by February 19, 2016.

This historic track connecting Sa Kaew’s Klong Luek and Banteay Meanchey’s Poipet town is built with the aim to enhance the efficiency of logistics and road transportation through the Klong Luek checkpoint, which is now congested.

The Klong Luek-Poipet railway bridge is a steel bridge that was constructed in the reign of King Rama VII. However, the bridge has been deserted since the civil war in Cambodia about 40 years ago. Now, trains from Bangkok stop only at Aranyaprathet and cannot go further to Cambodia. As a result, the bridge has deteriorated until the State Railway of Thailand has initiated construction of a new one.

-- NNT 2014-07-25

[Lite Beer]

The Second Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals to be held on 4-6 November in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 25 July 2014 (NNT) – The Second Meeting of Governors Mayors of ASEAN Capitals will be held in Bangkok on 4-6 November.

Due to political movement in Thailand, ‘The Second Meeting of Governors Mayors of ASEAN Capitals’ (MGM ASEAN) and The Third ASEM Meeting for Governors and Mayors (MGM ASEM) that was supposed to be held in August in Bangkok was postponed.

As the situation in Thailand has reportedly become better and received more confidence from foreign tourists, Bangkok is rescheduling the Second Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals on 4-6 November and the Third ASEM Meeting for Governors and Mayors will be held in March 2015.

The meeting issues of each country will emphasize on accident administration, tourism, and culture and education.

-- NNT 2014-07-25

[Lite Beer]

Union Inter Insurance Plc’s insurance licence revoked

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry on Friday revoked the operating licence of Union Inter Insurance Public Company citing its unbecoming conduct which, if allowed to continue, will cause damage to the insured and members of the public.

The Office of the Insurance Commission said that the company did not submit its financial report to the commission, did not record its insurance operations within the period required by the law, had unusually high sale promotion expenses and had lax insurance controls.

The company had its non-life insurance operations suspended since last September 12 and was given until last December 31 to improve its financial status by the commission. However, the company has failed to improve its financial standing and to fix other problems although it was an addition of three months.

As for the insured who have taken out insurance policies with the company, 24 insurance firms have joined hands to accept the insurance policies of Union Inter Insurance.

Creditors of Union Inter can seek debt repayment with the non-life insurance fund within two months since the fund asked creditors to submit forms to reclaim their debts.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/union-inter-insurance-plcs-insurance-licence-revoked/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=union-inter-insurance-plcs-insurance-licence-revoked

-- Thai PBS 2014-07-25

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Finding common ground to build better understanding
Imtiyaz Yusuf
Special to the Nation

Thai-Muslim villagers pray in a mosque during Ramadan in the southern province of Narathiwat.

BANGKOK: -- With Khao Phansa and Ramadan arriving at the same time this year, it may be the perfect time to learn about shared histories and spiritual ties

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746190-finding-common-ground-to-build-better-understanding/

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Wikipedia blocks 'disruptive' page edits from US Congress
By Joe Miller
Technology Reporter
Capitol Hill

Wikipedia administrators have imposed a ban on page edits from computers at the US House of Representatives, following "persistent disruptive editing".

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746191-wikipedia-blocks-disruptive-page-edits-from-us-congress/

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Krittiya Lamsam shot dead by husband: police

BANGKOK: -- Krittiya Lamsam, former executive of Muang Thai Insurance, was found shot dead in her room Friday evening, police said.

Police suspected that her Swiss husband shot her before turning the gun on himself. The man was found dead inside the toilet room next to the bed room where Krittiya was killed.

Krittiya was shot at her head while her husband apparently shot himself in the mouth. He was still holding to a 11mm pistol when the body was found.

The couple were living on the second floor of the family's six-floor residence on Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Road in Yannawa district.

Relatives heard the two quarrelling before they heard the gunfire and found the bodies.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Krittiya-Lamsam-shot-dead-by-husband-police-30239540.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-26

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Gaza conflict: Israel and Hamas agree 12-hour window

Israel and Hamas have said they have accepted a 12-hour humanitarian window in Gaza.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746218-israel-and-hamas-agree-12-hour-window/

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Female Driver killed in North Pattaya road crash

PATTAYA:--A fatal road accident occurred on the Sukhumvit Road in North Pattaya on Friday which saw a woman, thought to be in her seventies, lose her life.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746220-female-driver-killed-in-north-pattaya-road-crash/

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Drugs House shutdown by Pattaya Police and Navy

PATTAYA:--On Friday Night a press conference was held at Pattaya Police Station to announce the arrest of 5 people who are suspected of running a drug distribution business from a house in South Pattaya.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746217-drugs-house-shutdown-by-pattaya-police-and-navy/

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Problems found during inspection of Motorbike Taxi Drivers on Pattaya 2nd Road

PATTAYA:--On Friday a meeting was held at Pattaya City Hall chaired by the Chief of Banglamung District, to discuss a recent check of Motorbike Taxi Drivers situated along Pattaya Second Road which uncovered many problems.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746221-problems-found-during-inspection-of-motorbike-taxi-drivers-on-pattaya-2nd-road/

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Judge 'falls asleep' during child rape case

MANCHESTER: -- A judge is being investigated after he was accused of falling asleep during a child rape trial.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746225-judge-falls-asleep-during-child-assault-case/

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RT @RichardBarrow: The Bangkok Farmers' Market is taking place this weekend at K Village on Sukhumwit 26. It's behind Rama IV Big C http://t.co/enn4yGrxST

[Lite Beer]

Nigerian Arrested For Murder In Pattaya

PATTAYA – July 24, 2014 [Pattaya Daily News];- at 11.30 am Pol.Maj.Gen.Suraphol Wiratyosin-deputy commander-, Pol.Col.Theeraphol Jindaluang-deputy commander- and Pol.Maj.Gen.Chettha Komolwattana-commander- made a statement that Pol.Col.Chatri Suksiri-superintendent- and his team had arrested Mr.Nmamaka Onwuhafua aged 32 from Nigeria who was being hunted for murder. The police officers arrested him in a room in Four Man House, South Pattaya.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746214-nigerian-arrested-for-murder-in-pattaya/

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Bomb attack against soldiers on patrol duty in Narathiwat; security stepped up in southernmost provinces after car bomb at hotel in Yala /MCOT