Thailand Live Saturday 2 Aug 2014

[Lite Beer]

Academics recruited to NLA share anti-Thaksin outlook
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- High-profile academics who have made it onto the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) clearly have one thing in common - a stance against the so-called "Thaksin regime".

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748145-academics-recruited-to-nla-share-anti-thaksin-outlook/

[Lite Beer]

NATION ANALYSIS
Prayuth's dilemma: PM or not?
The Nation 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Some NCPO officials fear Army chief will be under too much pressure if he leads govt; 'calm' Prajin seen as an alternative

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748147-prayuths-dilemma-pm-or-not/

[Lite Beer]

Junta chief defends make-up of National Legislative Assembly
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- The junta chief last night defended the composition of the National Legislative Assembly, which critics say has too many military figures.

General Prayuth Chan-ocha said he was aware of the criticism that the NLA was not democratically set up and that different groups in society were not equally represented. However, he said, the focus should be more on the end result of achieving national reform.

"In addition to the factors of knowledge, ability, confidence and trust, it is necessary to focus on effectiveness, unity and the ability to respond to the NLA's main mission, which is achieving national reform within the short-term period of one year," Prayuth said.

Speaking on his weekly "Returning Happiness to People in the Country" TV show, he added that with the formation of a new government, there would be "temporary Thai-style democracy". His weekly programme is broadcast every Friday night.

Of the 200 NLA members, 105 are military officers, 66 of whom are active, and 10 members hail from the police force. The remaining 85 members are former senators, university rectors and businesspeople.

His Majesty endorsed the list of NLA members on Thursday night.

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief said that members of the soon-to-be created interim cabinet and National Reform Council would also be selected.

"They will both consist of military officials, civil servants and people who support us. Please pay attention to how they could help the nation," he said.

Separately, Senate secretary-general Norarat Pimsen said yesterday that her office would look into reports that General Thawatchai Samutsakorn may not qualify for NLA membership, because he was previously a member of the Chart Pattana Party.

Aziz Phitakkumpon, the Chularatchamontri or Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, has also chosen not to take up the offer to be an NLA member, a close aide said. Aziz will write to the junta chief explaining that his role as Muslim spiritual leader in Thailand is the highest he ever wanted, and prefers not to accept any other position.

Meanwhile, the Association of Organisations Protecting the Thai Constitution pointed out in a statement that the fact that military and police officers made up to 56 per cent of the NLA went against the interim charter's Article 7.

The group, led by activist Srisuwan Janya, said the appointment of NLA members should also take into consideration knowledge and experience as well as ensure they come from different sectors, which may help in the assembly's performance.

The group said it would on Monday file a petition with the Office of the Ombudsman, asking for a Constitutional Court ruling on whether the NLA's composition is constitutional. It will also seek a court order telling the NLA members to suspend their duties pending final judgement.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that the NLA's composition was not surprising, as the NCPO needed lawmakers who would follow its policies.

Prachak Kongkirati, a Thammasat University political scientist, said criticism was inevitable as the NLA members had not been elected - a fact that was no different from previous post-coup legislatures. He added that it required mass-media scrutiny to ensure transparency.

Political scientist Assadang Panikabutr called on NLA members to focus on national interest rather than personal benefit.

Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, a political-science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, urged the NLA to heed public opinion as much as possible before making any decisions.

On its first day yesterday, 34 of the 200 NLA members reported to work at Parliament. NLA members have until Tuesday to report for work before the assembly convenes for the first time on August 7.

Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, legal adviser to the junta chief, is tipped to be chosen as NLA president.

The NLA includes several figures seen as being against of the "anti-Thaksin regime". They include former National Anti-Corruption Commission secretary-general Klanarong Chanthick, and former senators such as Surachai Liangboon-lertchai, Somchai Sawaengkarn, General Somjetn Boonthanom; Tuang Untachaiand; and Jetn Sirataranond.

The only figure who is on Thaksin's side is a former permanent secretary for Defence, General Nipat Thonglek.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Junta-chief-defends-make-up-of-National-Legislativ-30240069.html

 

[thenation]2014-08-02[/thenation]

[Lite Beer]

Asean to look into boosting security ties ahead of AEC
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation 
 

BANGKOK: -- Ministers will seek knowledge on border control from partners like EU and the US

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748148-asean-to-look-into-boosting-security-ties-ahead-of-aec/

[Lite Beer]

Thailand is unlikely to see Ebola victims, forum told
Cattleya Chan,
Kathryn Huang
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- Thai hospitals ready and able to tackle cases if they do show up, expert says

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748149-thailand-is-unlikely-to-see-ebola-victims-forum-told/

[Lite Beer]

Who are real insurgent leaders, Prayuth asks
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In his weekly TV address last night, junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the authorities had to be better prepared and needed to work on finding out who the actual leaders of the insurgents are.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748150-who-are-real-insurgent-leaders-prayuth-asks/

[Lite Beer]

17 Ubon districts inundated, declared disaster zones
The Nation 

 

UBON RATCHATANI: -- In the face of raging floods, Ubon Ratchathani Governor Serm Chainarong has declared 17 districts in his province as disaster-hit zones.

The districts are Khemarat, Trakan Phuet Phon, Don Mot Daeng, Tan Sum, Lao Suea Kok, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani, Warin Chamrap, Samrong, Na Yia, Sawang Wirawong, Phibun Mangsahan, Sirindhorn, Thung Si Udom, Det Udom, Nam Yuen, Na Chaluai and Khong Chiam.

"Floods have now affected more than 20,000 families," Serm said.

He said the hardest hit were in Phibun Mangsahan and Trakan Phuet Phon.

"Relevant government agencies and charity organisations are now extending help to the affected," he said.

With floodwater spreading and several roads becoming impassable, many local children have stopped going to school.

Some locals have also been seen trying to catch fish in the floodwater to cope with limited food during the flooding.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/17-Ubon-districts-inundated-declared-disaster-zone-30240054.html

 

[thenation]2014-08-02[/thenation]

[Lite Beer]

Media portrayals of rape 'often simplistic and inadequate'
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation 
 

BANGKOK: -- The Thai media's portrayal of rape and sexual violence against women tends to be inadequate, simplistic and based on assumptions that do not address the complex root causes of such violations, a seminar in Bangkok was told yesterday.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748151-media-portrayals-of-rape-often-simplistic-and-inadequate/

[Lite Beer]

LIKE IT SHARE IT!
Viral news from social media quick to jump to mainstream outlets
Asina Pornwasin
@lekasina 

 

BANGKOK: -- Social media networks have become a major source of stories for the mainstream media in Thailand. Most of the viral talk of Bangkok eventually ends up being published or broadcast in some form on a variety of platforms including websites, television, radio and newspapers. Indeed, social media doesn't just follow news trends, more commonly it sets them.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748152-viral-news-from-social-media-quick-to-jump-to-mainstream-outlets/

[Lite Beer]

Suspect for grenade attacks now in police custody
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- A 26-year-old man is now in police detention for allegedly staging several grenade attacks on the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) rally sites.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748153-suspect-for-grenade-attacks-now-in-police-custody/

[Lite Beer]

Nominations for reform council to open on August 14
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission is expected to announce the opening of nominations for members of the National Reform Council by August 13, secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong said yesterday.

He said the opening for legal entities to nominate NRC members should be from August 14 until September 2. The EC would then take 10 days to verify that nominees are qualified. Then, from September 13-22, the EC would submit the names to selection committees to make shortlists, he said.

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was expected to consider shortlists and select 250 NRC members by October 2, he said.

The shortlist will comprise of 935 names, 50 for each of the 11 areas of national reform and five from each of 77 provinces nationwide.

He said provincial selection committees would seek provincial representatives while the others would come via nomination. Interested and qualified people can go approach the legal entities directly and ask to be nominated as a candidate.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Nominations-for-reform-council-to-open-on-August-1-30240067.html

 

[thenation]2014-08-02[/thenation]

[Lite Beer]

Middle East conflict: Need for credible mediator
James M Dorsey
 

An Israeli soldier carries a shell as he and his comrades prepare their tanks stationed at an army deployment area along the border between Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Thursday. 

 

Despite Israel's devastating bombardment of Gaza the two sides both want a long-lasting ceasefire but need a third party to negotiate the terms

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748155-middle-east-conflict-need-for-credible-mediator/

[Lite Beer]

CTH foresees much-enlarged customer base
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- New English Premier League kicks off soon, pay-TV operator CTH, which holds the broadcasting rights to these soccer matches, has high hopes of building up its customer base through business partnerships by more than 3.8 million from just 340,000 currently before the end of the year.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748156-cth-foresees-much-enlarged-customer-base/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Public health ministry: Sick man in Chanthaburi not Ebola patient

BANGKOK, 1 August 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed the 39-year-old Thai man who just traveled back from Mozambique is not sick of Ebola but a dengue fever, following the online messages saying there is an Ebola patient in Thailand.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748149-thailand-is-unlikely-to-see-ebola-victims-forum-told/

[Lite Beer]

Agriculture steps up measures in longan distribution

BANGKOK, 1 August 2014, (NNT) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture Cooperatives has launched measures to help northern longan farmers, distribute their products through various channels.

The permanent secretary, Chavalit Chukajorn said on Wednesday that in 2014 farmers are able to produce more than 500,000 tons of longans, a 17% increase from last year. Large amount of the fruit will be brought to the local market in mid August and the situation will cause a huge slump in prices. Currently, top grade longans are able to fetch 40 baht a kilogram, but if hundreds of thousands of the fruit hit the market, the prices will drop to just 28-29 baht a kilogram.

Therefore, the ministry has stepped in to help prevent losses by distributing longans to consumers nationwide as soon as possible. On Wednesday, Chavalit chaired the MOU signing ceremony between six longan producer cooperatives in upper northern Thailand and 66 buyers cooperatives nationwide. Under the deal, those 66 cooperatives will be the selling channels for longan producers.

Moreover, the ministry has successfully negotiated with Tesco Lotus to double its order of longan to 500 tons. The Mall group and many retailers have also expressed their interest in buying more longans, said Mr Chavalit. The ministry expressed its hope that more than 5,000 tons of longans would quickly reach consumers during the longan season.

 

[nnt]2014-08-01[/nnt]

[Lite Beer]

Pit Bulls attack almost kills a woman

 

 

Four pit bulls savagely attacked a woman in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, critically injured her. Fortunately a relative rushed to rescue her in time before the dogs would kill her.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748157-pit-bulls-attack-almost-kills-a-woman/

[Lite Beer]

SRT’s “Ladies and Children Car” launch satisfactory

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The State Railway of Thailand launched the “Ladies and Children Car” service on Friday with satisfactory result, said Mr Thanongsak Pongprasert, director of train service.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748158-srts-ladies-and-children-car-launch-satisfactory/

[Lite Beer]

The use of crash helmets will be discouraged in Deep South

 

BANGKOK: -- The forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command is to ask motorcyclists and pillion riders in the restive three southernmost provinces not to wear crash helmets as part of a preventive security measure, said Colonel Banpote Poonpien, spokesman of the ISOC, on Friday.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748159-the-use-of-crash-helmets-will-be-discouraged-in-deep-south/

 

[Lite Beer]

Old taxi terror culture lingers on in minds of Phuket’s drivers
Suthicha Sirirat

 

Jaturong Kaewkasi: 'If influential people try to stop them doing their job, drivers can call 1584.'

 

PHUKET: The old Phuket system of taxi territories fiercely – and sometimes violently – defended against outsiders may have been destroyed, but in the minds of many of the island’s drivers it apparently still exists.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748160-old-taxi-terror-culture-lingers-on-in-minds-of-phukets-drivers/

[Lite Beer]

Missing British Children in Thailand
Posted on August 2, 2014 by Staff Reporter
 

 

Please take a moment to either look at this post or listen to the story as 2 months have passed since the two schoolgirls went missing here.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748196-missing-british-children-in-thailand/

[Lite Beer]

RT @BreakingNews: More than 65 dead, 120 injured in explosion at a metal products factory in Kunshan, China - @cctvnews http://t.co/4l42gbTwV8

[Lite Beer]

BREAKING: 10-year-old boy among dead in Phuket Town fire
Eakkapop Thongtub

 

 

PHUKET: Four people died after a furniture shop on Srisutthat Rd in Phuket Town caught fire last night (August 1).

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748214-breaking-10-year-old-boy-among-dead-in-phuket-town-fire/

[Lite Beer]

Holiday in Thailand could end for expats

Steve Finch

 

A warning issued to foreigners who have overstayed by more than 90 days states they would be banned from Thailand for between one and ten years [Steve Finch/Al Jazeera]

 

BANGKOK: -- The new military government has issued warnings that it will soon start to clampdown on immigration offenders.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748220-holiday-in-thailand-could-end-for-expats/

[Lite Beer]

Gen Prayuth: NCPO never abuses power for self-interest

BANGKOK, 2 August 2014 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) says it has never abused its power for self-interest, nor does it want to cling on to power.

During his televised public address, NCPO Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha called on all sides to take part in the reconciliation and reform process in an attempt to move this country forward and bring sustainable democracy back to this very nation.

He said the NCPO intended to use its power to reform this country only, and that it would never use it for self-interest, adding that a fair general election under democratic principles will be staged as soon as the reform process is complete.

Gen Prayuth also called on all sectors to have faith in one another in order to allow the reform to run smoothly.

He also touched on the appointment of an interim government, assuring that the faces of the cabinet members will be clear by September, while asking the public to judge the NCPO by its performance.

 

[nnt]2014-08-02[/nnt]

[Lite Beer]

Police still on lookout for Phuket drug dealer

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Ms Warathip Thongwijit with four guns and ammunition found at the home she shares with Mr Tirawut Sengpa. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub.

 

PHUKET: Police are still looking for an alleged drug dealer after he fled from the authorities on Thursday

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748231-police-still-on-lookout-for-phuket-drug-dealer/

[Lite Beer]

Army’s National Coucil for Peace and Order (NCPO) now involved in the attack on an Australian man in Samui

 

Jack wearing his face mask

 

KOH SAMUI: -- In a shocking turn of events, the two suspects that were arrested for the attack on Australian national Jack Hansen-Bartel, Raymond Chang and Ryan Wang, have 6 weeks later decided to lay charges against the victim.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748240-armys-national-coucil-for-peace-and-order-ncpo-now-involved-in-the-attack-on-an-australian-man-in/

[Lite Beer]

Migrant workers get longer period to register

BANGKOK: -- The NCPO announced on Thursday (July 27) that the registration for work permits for Burmese, Laotian and Cambodian workers will be now take place from August 21 to March 31, 2015.

Anthika Muangrod

The price has also changed from B1,305 (for 60 days) to B1,980.

These measures are effective immediately.

The price for people under the age of 15 remains the same.

“It's a good thing that the work permit lasts longer, as people can now work longer and have more time to produce the visa and prove their nationalities.

For those who registered and paid, we are not sure what we are going to do with them, we must wait for the decision of the NCPO.”

 

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/migrant-workers-get-longer-period-to-register-47654.php

 

[pn]2014-08-02[/pn]

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Sihasak to attend 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Myanmar
By Digital Content 
 

 

BANGKOK, Aug 2 -- Mr Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to attend the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings from August 5-10 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748148-asean-to-look-into-boosting-security-ties-ahead-of-aec/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Prayuth: Southern talks need more players
 

BANGKOK: The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has held peace talks with southern insurgent groups, both openly and behind closed doors, according to Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748150-who-are-real-insurgent-leaders-prayuth-asks/?p=8187179#entry8187179

[Lite Beer]

RT @191Thailand: Two year old in Narathiwat was rescued from a 5 meter deep well - TR @palm_phattanan: http://t.co/Q22JCSogvH #Thailand