Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon, a former 2nd army chief, on Monday officially submitted a letter to resign as a member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). /Bangkok Post

Half of Thai households to receive digital TV coupons by year end

By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 4 - Thai media regulator National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will begin distributing digital TV subsidy coupons in September and it is expected that 50 per cent of Thai households to receive the coupons by year end, according tos secretary-general Takorn Tantasith.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748731-half-of-thai-households-to-receive-digital-tv-coupons-by-year-end/

EU, Japan import more Thai chicken
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 4 -- The European Union (EU) and Japan have started to import more Thai chicken, especially Japan, which lifted a nine-year ban last December after veryfying that the kingdom has been free of bird flu, according to Nantawan Sakuntanak, director-general of Thailand's International Trade Promotion Department.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748732-eu-japan-import-more-thai-chicken/

12 Thai industries need to improve ahead of Asean Community
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 4 -- As the ASEAN Community (AC) is due to be implemented at the end of 2015, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) says that 12 Thai industries need to further improve before ASEAN fellow members snatch away their customers.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748735-12-thai-industries-need-to-improve-ahead-of-asean-community/

Yunnan deadly quake places Thai seismologists on high alert



BANGKOK: -- The 6.1 magnitude earthquake in China's Yunnan province that killed 367 people Sunday has placed Thai seismologists on high monitoring alert as it will have impact on closest faults in Myanmar and Thailand.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748737-yunnan-deadly-quake-places-thai-seismologists-on-high-alert/

Newly-named Legislative Assembly inaugural meet this week
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 4 -- The inaugural meeting of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will be held on Thursday, one day before the first session to select the NLA president will kick off.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748738-newly-named-legislative-assembly-inaugural-meet-this-week/

Police on high alert in Yala during Rayonae Day

YALA, 4 August 2014 (NNT) - Yala provincial police have instructed officers to remain on high alert after the Ramadan holy month.

Today is Rayonae Day in the southernmost provinces – the time when Thai Muslims are engaged in religious activities at gubo or cemeteries across the region. Rayonae represents the period when some Muslims observe six days of fasting during Shawwal beginning the day after Eid ul-Fitr. These six days of fasting together with the Ramadan fasts, are equivalent to fasting all year round.

Yala police vow to clear up traffic on major highways to facilitate pilgrims who wish to travel to a number of sites on the holy day.

Police toughened the measures to screen vehicles and persons entering insurgency-prone areas in fear of more attacks on religious holidays. Intelligence reports suggest militants plan to launch more attacks on state officials and civilians.

[nnt]2014-08-04[/nnt]

Thawatchai and Aziz formally resign as NLA members

Former Second Army Region commander Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn and Muslim spiritual leader Aziz Phitakkumpon, the Chularatchamontri or Sheikhul Islam of Thailand officially resigned as members of the 200-member National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Monday morning.

 

Gen Thawatchai arrived at Parliament Monday morning and handed his letter to the Senate secretary-general.

He said he wasn’t feel sorry or upset over the matter, reasoning that he still could serve the country on other function.

He said as he is a soldier who has to strictly abide by the law and to have discipline.

Gen Thawatchai is an executive member of the Chart Pattana party which the provisional constitution prohibits politicians to become NLA members.

At the same time Mr Preeda Chuapoodee, a representative of the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, Aziz Phitakkumpon, also tendered the resignation to authorities.

In the letter, the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand thanked the military junta for the appointment to the NLA, but said he could not accept the NLA membership as the Islamic law prohibits holding any political position.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thawatchai-aziz-formally-resign-nla-members/

[thaipbs]2014-08-04[/thaipbs]

Airport Rail Link offers free train rides for moms on Mother’s Day

BANGKOK, 4 August 2014 (NNT) - Airport Rail Link is offering a special gift for mothers on the National Mother’s Day on August 12th by allowing all mothers to get free rides on its City Line and Express Line.

Air Chief Marshal Kamrob Leeyavanich, the Acting Managing Director of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), said the offer is designed to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, who is regarded the Mother of the Thai Nation, and to promote bonds within a family.

By simply bringing along their children to the ticket booth, mothers would be allowed to use the train services for free from 6AM to 10PM. Children with a height less than 90 centimeters are also exempted from having to pay the ticket fare.

ACM Kamrob has stated that a special activity will be arranged during August 6-8 from 9:30AM to 2:30PM in front of the ticket booth of the Airport Link Makkasan Station. Passengers and passersby would be allowed to receive a free Diabetes Risk Test.

Anybody interested to take the test must bring a coupon for this event, which can be obtained from the ticket booths of all Airport Rail Link stations. The coupons will be available from August 4-8.

Contact the Call Center 1690 or find out more about this event via the Facebook Fanpage www.facebook.com/PR.ARL or the company’s twitter account at Airport_link.

[nnt]2014-08-04[/nnt]

Abandoned baby's surrogate mother a 'saint': Australia

SYDNEY, August 4, 2014 (AFP) - The surrogate mother of a baby reportedly abandoned by his Australian parents in Thailand because he has Down Syndrome was a "saint" and "absolute hero", Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said Monday.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748750-abandoned-babys-surrogate-mother-a-saint-australia/

Nearly 500,000 migrant workers have registered

BANGKOK: -- As of August 3, a total of 492,638 migrant workers have registered with one-stop service centers that were set up throughout the country. Of the number, 444,097 were workers while 48,541 were their families. The registration is extended until March next year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Nearly-500000-migrant-workers-have-registered-30240171.html

[thenation]2014-08-04[/thenation]

Tsunami survivors in tearful Phuket reunion
Suthicha Sirirat


Yupin Sengmuang (right) with Emily Wilgrass, from Emily's Facebook page.

PHUKET: -- On Thursday (July 31) Tsunami survivors Ben and Emily Willgrass finally got the meet the woman they have wanted to thank for almost 10 years.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748756-tsunami-survivors-in-tearful-phuket-reunion/

One student killed and 22 injured in road accident

NAKHON PATHIM: -- One student was killed and about 20 others injured when a song-thaew passenger truck in which they were travelling crashed into the rear of a parked six-wheel truck on Petkasem out-bound road in Nakhon Pathom this morning.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748780-one-student-killed-and-22-injured-in-nakhon-pathom-road-crash/

Udon Thani Mayor Blesses Gay Newlyweds

By Khaosod English

 

UDON THANI - Two gay partners tie the knot in a Thai wedding ceremony in the presence of the mayor of Udon Thani province on Saturday night.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748784-udon-thani-mayor-blesses-gay-newlyweds/

Sexy bank girl photos spread online because why not?
By Coconuts Bangkok

 

BANGKOK: -- A number of photos featuring sexy bank employees in purple uniforms have been shared online, and if you believe the media, provoked an outcry that they ruined their bank’s image.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748786-sexy-bank-girl-photos-spread-online-because-why-not/

New shopping mall in Koh Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- The operator of Platinum Fashion Mall in Bangkok, the Platinum Group, is branching out to Koh Samui as part of their sustainable growth plans.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748726-platinum-group-to-open-community-mall-named-wharf-later-this-year/

HSS to investigate Australians hiring Thai surrogate mother
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 4 -- Thai Department of Health Service Support (HSS) dispatched representatives to gather more information about the case where an Australian national hired a Thai surrogate mother but abandoned the infant after finding that it has Down's syndrome.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748789-hss-to-investigate-australians-hiring-thai-surrogate-mother/

Coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha decides to reschedule his weekly address on Friday to 5pm from 8.20pm. /Bangkok Post

CRIME
Gynaecologist sentenced to death for dismembering his wife released from prison


File photo : Wisut

BANGKOK: -- Dr Wisut Boonkasemsanti, a gynaecologist who was found guilty of dismembering his wife's body and flushing her remains down toilets to cover up his grisly crime in 2001, was released from jail today.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748791-gynaecologist-sentenced-to-death-for-dismembering-his-wife-released-from-prison/

Police commando unit will ride sleeper trains for better security



BANGKOK: -- Members of the police special force or commando will ride the sleeper trains of the Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Bangkok routes in addition to railway police to ensure better safety for passengers.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748792-thai-police-commando-unit-will-ride-sleeper-trains-for-better-security/

Prayuth programme to be rescheduled to 5pm

BANGKOK: -- The weekly Returning Happiness to People in the Country" programme by junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha will be moved from 8.15pm to 5pm, starting on August 8.

The programme is broadcast on all TV and radio stations every Friday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayuth-programme-to-be-rescheduled-to-5pm-30240182.html

[thenation]2014-08-04[/thenation]

Khmer Rouge 'first lady' discharged from Thai hospital

PHNOM PENH, August 4, 2014 (AFP) - The former "first lady" of Cambodia's murderous Khmer Rouge regime has been discharged from a Thai hospital after an improvement in her health, her lawyer said Monday.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748805-khmer-rouge-first-lady-discharged-from-thai-hospital/

BOT: Thai economy improving in North, slowing in South
By Digital Content
 


BANGKOK, Aug 4 -- The Bank of Thailand (BoT) reported that in the second quarter the economy in the North improved but that of the South remained the same.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748812-bot-thai-economy-improving-in-north-slowing-in-south/

Koh Siray taxis protest against Phuket reorganisation
Suthicha Sirirat


Siray Taxi drivers making a complaint.

PHUKET: -- More than 50 taxis drivers filed a complaint on Friday (August 1) with the Damrongtham Centre, urging Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut to help them after they were ordered to take down their taxi sala in front of the Westin Siray Bay Resort.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748818-koh-siray-taxis-protest-against-phuket-reorganisation/

Junta-Ruled Thailand Bans Junta-Simulating Video Game


A screenshot of trailer for Tropico 5

BANGKOK - The Thai authorities have reportedly banned the sales of political simulation game "Tropico 5" in military-ruled Thailand, citing dubious "inappropriate contents."

Nonglak Sahawattanapong, sales manager of New Era Thailand company, which imports video games to Thai markets, said today that the ban was issued by the Board of Film and Video Censors on last Friday.

"The officials said some contents of the game are not appropriate for the current situation," Ms. Nonglak said, "They didn't pinpoint clearly which content is the problem, but we believe it is related to government issues in Tropico 5."

Although the Board of Film and Video Censors, which operates under the Ministry of Culture, permits the company to appeal the decision within 15 days, Ms. Nonglak said New Era Thailand will comply with the ban.

Under the 2008 Film and Video Act, video games must be screened by the Ministry of Culture before they can be distributed in Thailand. The Ministry has previously banned the sales or distribution of a number of movies. The law forbid the sales or distribution of materials that contain threats to public order or morality of the Thai people.

Released on PC platform in May, Tropico 5 is the latest installment of the renown Tropico series that allows players to take control of a fictional tropical island as the tyrannical El Presidente and rules the nation under the whims of a dictatorship government.

The game is a parody of many banana republic stereotypes, with features like the options to assassinate political rivals, manipulate an election, and stage a coup d'etat.

Thailand experienced a real-life coup on 22 May, when army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha ousted the elected government with the stated aim of restoring public order to the kingdom, which. It is the 12th successful coup in Thailand's modern history.

In the months that followed the military takeover, the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has censored the media, banned political protests against the regime, and briefly detained more than 300 activists, politicians, and academics deemed sympathetic to the previous government.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1407144062

[khaosod]2014-08-04[/khaosod]

UPDATE:

 

New legs for Maa the temple dog



KOH SAMUI: -- We would like to THANKS EVERYONE who has supported the paralysed dog MAA from the Temple WAT PLAI LAEM. We were overwhelmed with help and her temporary wheelchair (until the one from Mona in Germany arrives). Mona from Hamburg has ordered the wheelchair and take care for the transport to Thailand.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/743850-a-call-for-help-for-a-temple-dog-from-the-dog-and-cat-rescue/#entry8197118

SET index closed 1,519.38, up 19.18; Bt/USD32.03; GBP53.78; AUD29.70; EUR42.85; CAD29.20; HKD4.12; SGD25.57; JPY31.59

EVACUATION
30 Thais wish to remain in Libya : Thanasak

BANGKOK: -- Thirty Thais in Libya do not want to return to Thailand but the authorities are trying to convince them to leave for their own safety, Supreme Commander Gen Thanasak Patimapagorn said Monday.

Eighteen Thai evacuees from Libya will arrive in Bangkok today and 81 others on Wednesday, he said.

So far, 410 Thai workers have received payment from their employers to leave for Thailand, but 562 other workers have received no help from their employers. The Thai government will cover the expenses for them.

About 300 workers are said to be at safe locations in Libya, and the Thai authorities are attempting to contact them.

Gen Tanasak said the Thai Air Force is ready to deploy its C-130 transport aircraft to support the evacuation when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests it to do so. At present the evacuation depends mainly on commercial aircraft.

He said the general situation in Libya is calm but uncertain as battles continued in several locations. The Thai authorities are awaiting the outcome from a session of the Libyan parliament for further decisions. Thailand also plans to charter ships to evacuate Thaise from Libya, Gen Tanasak said.

He gave assurance of safe evacuation for all Thais from Libya.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/30-Thais-wish-to-remain-in-Libya-Thanasak-30240191.html

 

[thenation]2014-08-04[/thenation]

Phuket park officials receive death threats
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Park Chief Kitipat Tharapiban receives threat.

PHUKET: -- Anger at the destruction of illegal restaurants and bars appears to have boiled over with staff of the Sirinart Marine National Park receiving death threats.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748833-phuket-park-officials-receive-death-threats/

UPDATE:
 
Convicted Dr Wisut Boonkasemsanti set free



BANGKOK: -- Dr Wisut Boonkasemsanti who was sentenced to death for killing his wife and decapitating her body to conceal his crime was set free today (Monday) after spending 10 years, seven months and 25 days behind bars.
 
Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/748791-gynaecologist-sentenced-to-death-for-dismembering-his-wife-released-from-prison/page-2?p=8197346#entry8197346