Thailand Live Tuesday 29 Jul 2014

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Shopping centers asked to keep clean to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease

BANGKOK, 29 July 2014 (NNT) – Doctors have asked shopping centers for cooperation in keeping their premises clean to prevent transmission of hand, foot and mouth disease.

Disease monitoring found 1,784 patients had contracted this disease from 1st January to 12th July 2014, with no deaths reported.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral illness common in children. Symptoms are usually mild, but can include high temperature and small blister-like lesions on the inside of the mouth, palms of hands, soles of feet, and in the nappy area. The infection is spread by direct contact with fluid from skin blisters, nose and throat discharges, sneeze droplets, and faeces. Good hygiene is imperative in preventing the spread of the disease.

The cleaning staff in shopping centers should keep all areas clean especially in kids' zones, food courts, and toilets in order to prevent an outbreak of the disease.


-- NNT 2014-07-29

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Ms Yingluck and Pheu Thai members face indictment from the EC

BANGKOK: -- The investigating panel of the Election Commission has decided to indict former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and seven other former ministers and the ex-police chief of using state resources and personnel for electioneering before the February 2 election this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746940-ms-yingluck-and-pheu-thai-members-face-indictment-from-the-ec/

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Junta Reprimands Muslim Leader For Pro-Gaza Rally in Bangkok
By Khaosod English


Satienparp Suksamran met with military officers at the Army Club in Bangkok to acknowledge that his anti-Israel protest was a violation of the junta’s ban on public gatherings, 27 July 2014.

BANGKOK – Thailand’s military junta has summoned a Shiite imam for violating the ban on public protests by organizing a pro-Palestine rally in Bangkok last Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746976-ncpo-reprimands-muslim-leader-for-pro-gaza-rally-in-bangkok/

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Burmese in Chiang Mai Fear Uncertain Future Under Junta Rule
By David Hopkins
Khaosod English


Migrant workers receive temporary work permits at a one stop service center in Bangkok, 15 July 2014.

CHIANG MAI — Burmese migrants in Chiang Mai are bracing for an uncertain future as Thailand’s military junta pushes forward with new policies aimed at revamping the country's migrant worker system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746977-burmese-in-chiang-mai-fear-uncertain-future-under-ncpo-rule/

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SAMET ISLAND
Samet tourist association sues PTTGC for Bt1 billion
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

Also wants court to order firm to draw up plans to rehabilitate area

BANGKOK: -- A TOURISM association on Koh Samet has slapped PTT Global Chemical with a Bt1-billion lawsuit for damages its oil leak caused to the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746978-samet-tourist-association-sues-pttgc-for-bt1-billion/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
'80% of rice is fine'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Only 10 per cent of rice stockpiles has spoiled and only some sacks were missing, while 80 per cent was in still good condition, the rice inspection committee reported to the Rice Policy Committee meeting yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746979-thai-rice-pledging-scheme-80-percent-of-rice-is-fine/

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UPDATE:

IVORY TRADE
Ivory worth Bt9m seized at airport
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Customs officials arrested a Chinese woman and a man from Vietnam at Suvarnabhumi Airport after they allegedly tried to smuggle elephant tusks and ivory products worth about Bt9 million out of the country, Customs' deputy chief Paisarn Chuenjit said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746783-thai-customs-arrest-a-vietnamese-and-a-chinese-for-9-million-baht-ivory-smuggling/#entry8165066

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LIBYA
Thais in Libya to be flown back home
The Nation



Fighting rages around Tripoli airport; about 1,500 to return over coming days

BANGKOK: -- Thailand decided yesterday to evacuate all of its nationals in war-torn Libya after the fighting intensified and many countries, including the United States, relocated their citizens and closed their diplomatic missions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746981-thais-in-libya-to-be-flown-back-home/

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Thai AirAsia cuts 2014 passenger estimates
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

Effects of coup cited; airline continues network expansion

BANGKOK: -- Thai AirAsia Co has lowered its passenger projection for this year from 13.2 million to 12.6 million because of the political crisis that has hit inbound travel during the past two months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746982-thai-airasia-cuts-2014-passenger-estimates/

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STREETWISE
Little has changed with the advent of digital TV
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Since June, Thais have been enjoying a new stream of content aired via the 24 new digital TV channels. Sadly, apart from the increase in the number of free television channels from six to 24, the content has not really changed very much.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746983-little-has-changed-with-the-advent-of-digital-tv-thai-opinion/

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One injured in Knife Fight on Walking Street, South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday a 23 year old food vendor was stabbed in his hand during a fight with a drug addict who was desperate to purchase Yabba.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746984-one-injured-in-knife-fight-on-walking-street-south-pattaya/

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Sewage Truck Driver on-the-run after fatal road crash in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police are currently hunting for a Pattaya City Hall Sewage Truck Driver who is wanted in connection with a fatal road accident on the Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya on Monday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746985-sewage-truck-driver-on-the-run-after-fatal-road-crash-in-south-pattaya/

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Phuket's Surin Beach 'to be cleared completely'
Anthika Muangrod


First, all the structures on the right of this picture were cleared away. Now all the buildings on the left will also be demolished.

PHUKET: -- Beach clubs, bars and restaurants along the east side of the walkway along Surin Beach have received their orders: Knock it all down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746986-phukets-surin-beach-to-be-cleared-completely/

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Forestry boss views Phuket hotel 'built in state forest'
Suthicha Sirirat


Theerapat Prayouthsithi: Be sensitive in ejecting poor people from state forests.

PHUKET: -- The Director-General of the Royal Forestry Department (RFD) Theerapat Prayouthsithi visited three controversial areas of Phuket on Saturday (July 26) – a forest in Thalang District that has almost disappeared, the contentious land above Freedom Beach, and a hotel in Kamala that appears to be built in state forest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746991-forestry-boss-views-phuket-hotel-built-in-state-forest/

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Spider-bitten patient dies in hospital

BANGKOK: -- The man in Phrae province who was bitten by a Brown Tarantula spider and had his leg amputated to save his life has died of intestinal haemorrhage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746993-thai-man-bitten-by-tarantula-spider-dies-in-hospital/

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Police to study gatherings bill
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has assigned the police to study the draft of a law on public gatherings so the new version can be proposed to the upcoming National Legislative Assembly, acting national police chief Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746995-thai-police-assigned-to-study-law-on-public-gatherings/

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HFMD affects thousands of kids
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Disease Control Department yesterday revealed that 34,834 children had suffered hand, foot and mouth disease between January 1 and July 20 but there was no serious outbreak or deaths.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746996-hfmd-affects-thousands-of-kids/

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The ugly side of Thailand's elephant tourism
By Jeanne Kim

BANGKOK: -- Tourism brochures for Thailand showcase its stunning beaches with clear blue waters; colorful carts of fresh fruits at outdoor markets; and elephants meandering through the jungle with excited visitors on their backs. But it turns out there’s a dark side to these elephant rides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/746997-the-ugly-side-of-thailands-elephant-tourism/

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MH17 jet 'downed by missile shrapnel,' says Ukraine

UKRAINE: -- Security officials in Ukraine say the downed Malaysia Airlines jet in eastern Ukraine suffered an explosive loss of pressure after it was punctured by shrapnel from a missile.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747008-mh17-jet-downed-by-missile-shrapnel-says-ukraine/

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LA Clippers sale 'can go ahead' despite Sterling's objections

LOS ANGELES: -- A US judge has ruled that the LA Clippers basketball team can be sold, despite the objections of banned co-owner Donald Sterling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747009-la-clippers-sale-can-go-ahead-us-judge-rules/

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Russia to appeal against $50bn Yukos shareholder payout

MOSCOW: -- Russia will appeal against a international court ruling that it should pay $50bn (£29.5bn) in damages, the biggest compensation package ever.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747011-russia-to-appeal-against-us50bn-yukos-shareholder-payout/

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Huge blaze spreads at fuel storage depot in Tripoli

TRIPOLI: -- A huge blaze engulfing Libya's biggest fuel storage facility in the capital, Tripoli, has spread to a second tank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/158-world-news/

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Anti-corruption plan sent to NCPO

BANGKOK, 29 July 2014, (NNT) - The National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) has submitted its anti- corruption plan to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Wicha Mahakhun, one of the NACC commissioners, made the announcement yesterday without going into detail.

According to the plan, the NACC, in principle, would act as a neutral organization with the responsibility of moving the overall process forward.

Mr. Wicha said the EC agreed with the NCPO’s suggestion that any and all individuals who have been found guilty of corruption be banned from standing for election.

The EC will later discuss whether or not the assets of the National Legislative Assembly members should be examined, added Wicha.


-- NNT 2014-07-29

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Officials urged to monitor steel price hike

BANGKOK, 29 July 2014, (NNT) - Groups of small- and medium- real estate developers have urged the authority to monitor the rise in prices of local steel, saying they are not in line with those in the global market; greatly affecting the real estate sector.

The prices of locally made steel have steadily been on the rise after the Commerce Ministry has prohibited imports of steel sheets, said the groups, adding that steel sheet now costs 23 baht per kilogram, up from the previous 20 baht. The current global sheet price, however, remains at 20 baht per kg. and will likely drop even further.

According to them, the problem would intensify if left unattended, causing tremendous damage to the real estate and construction sectors. They also expressed their concerns over the scenario where some contractors might resort to using sub-standard steel in order to cut costs, compromising the building integrity and posing a risk on the lives of future tenants.


-- NNT 2014-07-29

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Indian Cultural Centre to organize "Festival of India in Thailand 2015"
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 29 - The Indian Cultural Centre in Bangkok will organize an annual event “Festival of India in Thailand 2015”, aiming to promote the contemporary relationship between India and Thailand through the medium of cultural awareness.

The plan for next year's festival was announced yesterday at a special event "Curtain Raiser for Festival of India in Thailand 2015."

The event follows the success of the first Festival of India in Thailand, held in March.

According to Indian ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the upcoming festival in Thailand 2015” will provide platform for artists of the two countries to present their works, providing an understanding and awareness of the two countries mutual history and cultural heritage to Thai people.

Sanjoy K Roy, director of Jaipur Literature Festival, said next year's event would consist of several cultural performances such as music, contemporary dance, exhibition on Indigo’s life, stories of Thai successful women, as well as literature from Indian and Thai writers.

He asked guests participating in the curtain raiser event for new ideas and opinions regarding next year's festival.

The curtain raiser for the Festival of India in Thailand 2015 was held at Indian Cultural Centre, Bangkok with approximately 60 guests from business sector, festival partners, academics, sponsors and the press.

Indian Cultural Centre, Bangkok was opened to showcase India’s rich heritage and promote multilayered cultural exchanges between the peoples of India and Thailand. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-07-29

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Disabled Scot claims he was battered by Thai prison guards after being left starving and penniless on beach

PATTAYA:--A DISABLED man claims he was beaten bloody by Thai prison guards after he was left starving and penniless on a beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747034-disabled-scot-claims-he-was-battered-by-thai-prison-guards-after-being-left-starving-and-penniless/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,541.57, gains 3.44 points /MCOT

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National Rice Policy Committee meets on the nation’s rice production future

BANGKOK, 29 July 2014 (NNT) – Thailand’s rice production strategy will include more measures to ensure good quality of rice and fair prices to farmers.

The policy was proposed during the meeting of the Rice Policy and Management Committee yesterday chaired by the Deputy Chief of the National Council for Peace and Order for economic affairs, General Chatchai Sarikallaya. Gen. Chatchai said the committee agreed to include a production and marketing strategy in the panel’s work, to ensure that high quality grain would be produced and fetch rewarding prices. The committee in the past two months focused their work on inspection of stockpiling.

Meanwhile, reports by related officials showed that more than two-thirds of the 1,787 warehouses nationwide have already been inspected, with the majority or 80% of the examined rice stocks are still in good conditions and matched the initial recorded quantity.

As for the release of stockpiled rice into the market, the deputy NCPO chief for Economic Affairs stated that selling of the rice stocks would be carried out carefully to make sure they would earn decent prices and the sale wouldn’t affect the market mechanism.


-- NNT 2014-07-29

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Floods in Chiang Rai and Tak

TAK, 29 July 2014 (NNT) – Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district has been inundated after an entire day of continuous heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, a landslide warning has been issued in Mae Sot district of Tak after the color of water in streams turned red.

Many streams in Tak were flowing rapidly yesterday, and the color of the water began to redden as it picked up soil particles. The sign of looming forest runoffs was especially apparent at the reservoir in Ban Khun Huai Mae Sot in Phra That Pha Daeng sub-district. As unceasing rain continued to buffet the province on Monday, those living near streams and mountains were warned against forest runoffs and landslides

In Chiang Rai, soldiers and other officials were seen assisting locals in Mae Sai's municipality area, whose homes and shops were inundated by water that had overflown the banks of the local river and into the community. The ceaseless raining on Monday caused the water level in the Sai River to rise rapidly. Officials, however, expect that the water inundating people's homes and other establishments in the municipality will recede quickly if the raining stops.


-- NNT 2014-07-29

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Gen Prayuth chairs NCPO meeting; to meet Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh this afternoon /MCOT