Thailand Live Sunday 10 Aug 2014

[Lite Beer]

Audience cheers Prayuth speech on reforms
Kornchanok Raksaseri,
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Sunday Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- After ending his speech on his weekly TV programme with "miss you" on Friday, junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha's speech to introduce and promote the National Reform Committee yesterday was another quite an entertaining show.

"I don't know if people listened attentively to what I said [in previous programmes]," he said. "Some people criticised me about my shirt collar not being as neat as before. I am not a celebrity," he said during the address.

While he spoke in his usual strong, tough manner when talking about problems that need to be addressed, he also amused the people, who cheered him from time to time.

For about one hour he talked about almost everything that needed to be reformed, from city planning to public transportation and energy. The audience applauded loudly when he talked about education.

"Students don't have textbooks. They've got only sheets. I don't know what the Teachers' Council of Thailand has been doing," he said.

He said students were made to work too hard, with many having tutorial classes on top of their normal classes.

"Children nowadays don't know how to do housework," he said. "Parents see them overwhelmed with homework until 10pm, so they don't want to tell their kids to do it [housework].

"The father helps his kid with the homework, and the next day the kid tells him the answers were all wrong." Prayuth added to laughter.

Another remark that attracted a cheer was when he spoke about garbage sorting.

"What's the point of garbage sorting in bins when the garbage collectors later put it all in the same truck?" he said.

When Prayuth said he did not lead the coup due to a thirst of power, he interacted with the audience.

"Any of the people in the front row here can be a prime minister. Anyone wants to take the post?" he said and then mentioned Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul.

"We [the National Council for Peace and Order and military officers] haven't had a holiday since the coup," he said. "Families are almost broken. Our wives are going to leave us. How much is the daily allowance?" He turned to ask his subordinates. "It's Bt400."

Former red-shirt leader Veerakan Musigapong did not seem to enjoy Prayuth's joke about the legal cases faced by him.

"What do you say, Brother Veera? How many cases? … Let it be up to the courts to decide then," Prayuth said.

Veerakan later told the media he was surprised to be a subject of Prayuth's humour as they were not close friends. He said he attended the event following the military's invitation although he was not so eager to come.

The event was held yesterday morning at Army Club and broadcast live on TV Pool. Among the over 1,000 audience members were the NCPO's key men, high-ranking military officers and government officials.

Farmers from the provinces and representatives from political parties and political movements also attended.

Prayuth explained the reasons behind national reform, the timeline and process of selecting National Reform Committee members.

He also said the nomination of NRC candidates to work on the 11 areas of national reform would open on Thursday and the final list of NRC members was expected to be announced on October 2.

"Today is historic. We've never had such a national reform since we changed the political system [from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy]. My apologies again for having to stand here," he said, adding the problems that had plagued the country had led to the coup.

He said many times that he did not want to stage the coup. In his 37 years in military, he had never breached a rule as he believed soldiers must be disciplined, he said.

The problems he raised included corruption and political conflicts that resulted in bloodshed.

"If we cannot solve the problems, we cannot join the Asean [community] and Asean cannot have negotiating power with the super powers," he said.

"I am not any better than any of you. But I have the conscience [of thinking about public interest before personal interest]. I know you also have such a conscience. I respect all of you."

He noted that the timing of national reform, which kicked off this month, coincided with HM the Queen's birthday.

However, he said His Majesty the King had nothing to do with the coup and his name should not be associated with it and he should not be accused of supporting it.

"His Majesty has given the ruling power to all the governments. No matter if he agrees or disagrees, he always gives us the governing power," Prayuth said.

"I've never seen him refuse to endorse [a proposed constitution]," he said

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Audience-cheers-Prayuth-speech-on-reforms-30240643.html

 

[thenation]2014-08-10[/thenation]

[Lite Beer]

Expectations high that reforms under NCPO will end turbulence
Kris Bhromsuthi,
Kornchanok Raksaseri,
Pimnara Pradubwit
The Sunday Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- Many Participants at yesterday's Road to Thailand Reform event agreed it was time to reform the country and are optimistic the efforts would finally end the political crisis.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750361-expectations-high-that-reforms-under-ncpo-will-end-turbulence/

[Lite Beer]

Yingluck will return from her holiday today, as planned, Surapong says
The Sunday Nation 

 

Yingluck

 

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra would return to Thailand early this morning, as planned, her ex-deputy PM Surapong Tovichakchaikul has said, quashing a rumour that she had postponed her return till the end of the month.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750364-yingluck-will-return-from-her-holiday-today-as-planned-surapong-says/

[Lite Beer]

Beijing rejects call for an end to provocative moves in South China Sea
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Sunday Nation

 

Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar: --  China yesterday rejected a proposal from the Philippines calling for a moratorium on activities to end tension in the South China Sea, as Beijing said it could consult with states individually and Asean to settle disputes.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750365-beijing-rejects-call-for-an-end-to-provocative-moves-in-south-china-sea/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE: 

Go easy on surrogates, Australia asks
Issue discussed on sideline of Asean meet
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE, KHANATHIT SRIHIRUNDAJ THE SUNDAY NATION

AUSTRALIA has asked Thailand to "go easy" on the enforcement of surrogacy rules during the period before a law is enacted for the benefit of mothers and babies for humanitarian reasons, Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow said yesterday.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750316-australia-wants-thailand-to-relax-surrogacy-laws/#entry8222659

[Lite Beer]

WHO: Ebola is a global health crisis
Agencies, The Sunday Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- Thais join worldwide move to declare disease out of control, spreading

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750366-who-ebola-is-a-global-health-crisis/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Hundreds of gambling machines found in Pathum Thani
The Sunday Nation 

 

Police and local officials yesterday seized almost 900 gambling machines in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750320-890-gambling-machines-siezed/#entry8222687

[Lite Beer]

Four rangers hurt by bomb in Yala
The Sunday Nation 
 

YALA: -- Four paramilitary rangers were injured in a roadside bomb attack yesterday morning in Yala's Muang district.

The on-duty rangers were travelling in a pick-up truck from their base when the bomb exploded on Ban Wang Kran-Pattani Dam Road in tambon Ta Seh at around 7am.

Police suspect an insurgent group led by Roki Doloh set off the home-made bomb in a 10kg cooking gas cylinder.

Meanwhile, Yala police arrested Bonya Saman, 31, who was wanted for his alleged involvement in a gun attack on Bannang Sata police on September 9, 2009. He reportedly fled the area and had laid low before returning to Bannang Sata. He was arrested in a house in the district.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Four-rangers-hurt-by-bomb-in-Yala-30240648.html

 

[thenation]2014-08-10[/thenation]

[Lite Beer]

Court approves warrants for Kritsuda, two other reds over weapons cache
The Sunday Nation 
 

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court has approved arrest warrants for three red-shirt activists over their alleged illegal possession of guns, bullets and war-grade explosives, deputy national police chief General Somyot Poompanmoung said yesterday.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750367-court-approves-warrants-for-kritsuda-two-other-reds-over-weapons-cache/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Narcotics and illegal logging - the similarities
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Will our enforcement officers ever have the courage and integrity to go after the big fish?

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750368-narcotics-and-illegal-logging-the-similarities/

[Lite Beer]

173 Thai workers return from Libya

BANGKOK, 9 August 2014 (NNT) – Another 173 Thai workers have arrived back in Thailand after being evacuated from Libya.

The Rescue Center for Thai people in Libya reported that 173 Thai workers from Libya arrived in Thailand on 8th Aug, while another 591 workers are returning, and 666 workers are still on hold in Libya.

Meanwhile, there were 31 workers who returned to Thailand on 9th August, and it's known another 34 workers will depart from Libya tomorrow.

 

[nnt]2014-08-10[/nnt]

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE: 

Arrest warrant for Ms Kritsuda

 

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of a former red-shirt activist wanted on charge of having in possession of war weapons.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750367-court-approves-warrants-for-kritsuda-two-other-reds-over-weapons-cache/#entry8222744

[Lite Beer]

RT @RichardBarrow: 10 August: Today in #Thailand it's The Hungry Ghost Festival (วันสารทจีน) celebrated by Thai-Chinese people http://t.co/yVA7ZrJ8ed

 

[Lite Beer]

Young Idiot Caught Driving At High Speed Down Pattaya Beach Road

 

 

 

PATTAYA:-- August 9, 2014 [Pattaya Daily News];- at 02.00 am Pol.Col.Suppatee Boonkrong-acting superintendent of Pattaya police station- had ordered the officers to catch a luxury car driver who was driving his Black Nissan GTR at a very high speed down Pattaya beach road. The police officers arrested the driver at the beginning of Walking Street, South Pattaya.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750391-young-idiot-caught-driving-at-high-speed-down-pattaya-beach-road/

[Lite Beer]

Pattaya Entertainment Spots Checked For Permits

 

 

 

PATTAYA – August 9, 2014 [Pattaya Daily News]; at 1.30 a.m., Mr. Sakchai Taenghor (Banglamung sheriff, Chonburi province), Mr. Phongthasit Pitjanan (Deputy District Chief and Head of Specific Unit) and Mr. Praphan Prathumchomphu (Deputy District Chief of Prevention Division) had mobilized forces of administrative officers, sub district headmen and village headmen to inspect and arrest the owners of many entertainment spots in the area of Pattaya city that had violated the law

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750392-pattaya-entertainment-spots-checked-for-permits/

[Lite Beer]

TAT organizes the ‘take mum on a trip in August’ campaign

BANGKOK, 10 Aug 2014, (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is organizing the ‘take mum on a trip in August’ campaign, in its bid to encourage domestic tourism during the mother’s day long weekend.

The agency yesterday released a rally caravan, promoting the campaign in 15 tourism routes. The event was introduced by the Director General of the TAT Thawatchai Arunyik with more than 1,105 travelers joining the caravan.

The TAT campaign, aims at encouraging family members to spend time together through domestic travel, and is also promoting group tours with a focus on family and working age individuals.

Mr. Thawatchai explained that such groups are rapidly expanding and have the spending power and the capacity to perpetually generate income for the tourism sector.

He said the campaign is also another means to regain travelers' confidence in the local tourism scene.

 

[nnt]2014-08-10[/nnt]

[Lite Beer]

Thailand holds 1st Thailand - Pacific Island Forum

BANGKOK, 10 AUGUST 2014 (NNT) - Thailand has welcomed 14 Pacific Island nations for the first Thailand - Pacific Islands Forum.

The Deputy NCPO chief Tanasak Patimapragorn, as host of the event said he believes Thailand is ready to work closely in areas of trade and investment with the Pacific Island countries, despite the current period of political transition.

Meanwhile, the former ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, delivered the keynote speech on Thailand’s role in ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific. Mr Surin said Thailand sees all Pacific Island countries as potential partners. He added that Thailand can offer help in areas like marine development, and agribusiness expertise, as well as health and human resources development.
Furthermore, during the meeting, the Foreign Ministry looked into three key areas of cooperation: sustainable development, economic cooperation and cooperation in international forums. American and South Pacific Affairs Department Director-General Songsak Saicheua also emphasized Thailand's readiness to expand cooperation projects in the Pacific region by supporting capacity-building programs, and training.

 

[nnt]2014-08-10[/nnt]

[Lite Beer]

RT @OiChutima: About 1000 people on Phuket to push for a return to umbrellas sunbeds action. #Phuket http://t.co/oQs5RJNOLB

 

[Lite Beer]

Most community leaders support Prayuth as next PM: survey

BANGKOK: -- Up to 84.3 per cent of leaders of 601 communities nationwide support National Council for Peace and Order Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha as the next prime minister, the Mater Poll survey of the Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association has found.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750416-most-community-leaders-support-prayuth-as-next-pm-survey/

[Lite Beer]

Obama vows to save Iraqis stranded on mountain

 

US President Barack Obama vows to rescue civilians on Iraqi mountain. Photo Russavia.

 

ARBIL: US President Barack Obama vowed on Saturday (August 9) to help rescue thousands of civilians besieged by jihadists on an Iraqi mountain, as an MP warned they would not survive much longer.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750417-obama-vows-to-save-iraqis-stranded-on-mountain/

[Lite Beer]

Magnitude-6.1 quake rattles northern Japan

Tokyo - A magnitude-6.1 earthquake jolted wide areas of northern Japan Sunday, the Meteorological Agency said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property.

No tsunami warning was issued.

The epicentre of the 12:43 pm (0343 GMT) quake was off the eastern coast of Aomori prefecture, at a depth of 50 kilometres, the agency said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Magnitude-6-1-quake-rattles-northern-Japan-30240652.html

 

[thenation]2014-08-10[/thenation]

[Lite Beer]

Transport ministry wants NCPO to establish railway dept

BANGKOK, 10 August 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport plans to request the National Council for Peace and Order to set up the department of rail transit system while reform in the State Railway of Thailand is taking place.

Permanent Secretary for Transport Soithip Traisut said the department of rail transit system should be established to develop policies and regulations for electric as well as double track trains in terms of service standards such as pricing and safety standards. Ms Soithip expressed her confidence that the rail transit system would be established during the NCPO’s term in the same time as train reform.

The permanent secretary added that the Ministry of Transport had signed an agreement with Vietnam to form the Mekong river railway authority in collaboration with Cambodia, Laos, China and Myanmar. The main objective of the new organization is to connect rail transit systems for transport of goods and passengers. Cambodia will be the first chair of the authority.

 

[nnt]2014-08-10[/nnt]

[Lite Beer]

RT @mpoppel: A Sepahan Airlines passenger plane has crashed in Tehran

[Lite Beer]

RT @ChannelNewsAsia: IRAN CRASH: Taban Airlines jet headed to Tabas crashed soon after takeoff http://t.co/ss2wptUkEq (Pic: @SadraMohaqeq) http://t.co/emn4fZHlHb

 

[Lite Beer]

Prosecution team formed to examine Ms Yingluck’s case

 

BANGKOK: -- A team of public prosecutors has been set up to scrutinize the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s case file against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra regarding the rice pledging scheme.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750456-prosecution-team-formed-to-examine-ms-yinglucks-case/

[Lite Beer]

Debt collection business is set to grow 20 percent

 

BANGKOK: -- Debt collection business is like to grow at least 20 percent for the second half of the year due to economic recovery as people begin to be more confident and spend more.

 

Mr Pracha Chaisuwan, president of the fair debt collection club, said Sunday that financial institutions have since the third quarter started offloaded their non-performing loans (NPLs) estimated at about 50 billion baht most of which are personal loans which have been outstanding for the past 2-3 years.

He pointed out financial institutions wanted to offload the NPLs to earn some revenue instead of keeping them which will further depreciate and also it would be costly if they are to collect the debts themselves.

However, financial institutions have become more selective in choosing the debt collection firms because they represent the institutions and their images would be at stake if the debt collectors have resorted to arm-twisting tactics to force loan repayments from the debtors, said Mr Pracha.

He further said there is a demand for debt collectors due to increased workload of debt collection. One collector is reported to be responsible for about 500 accounts or 500 debtors, he added.

 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/debt-collection-business-set-grow-20-percent/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=debt-collection-business-set-grow-20-percent

 

[thaipbs]2014-08-10[/thaipbs]

[Lite Beer]

Passenger plane crashes in Iran, almost 50 dead: reports

TEHRAN - A civilian airliner crashed on take-off in a residential area near Tehran's Mehrabad airport on Sunday, Iranian news agencies said, with reports that almost 50 people were killed.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750457-passenger-plane-crashes-in-iran-almost-50-dead-reports/

[Lite Beer]

RT @NOW26_ktnews: 2.1 -MAGNITUDE QUAKE HAPPENS IN CHIANG RAI #NOW26 #ktnews http://t.co/D4W0ayT9tp

 

[Lite Beer]

UDD Leader Endorses Prayuth As Prime Minister
 

By Khaosod Eng.

 

 

BANGKOK — The chairman of Thailand’s military junta has been endorsed for the premiership by a longtime political rival and prominent leader of the Redshirt movement.
"Now that he has seized power and assumed the role as the leader of [the junta], he should take the position of Prime Minister for himself too," said Virakarn Musikapong, a leader of the Redshirts' umbrella organization the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

The activist added, "He should not worry about criticism or accusations that he launched the coup for himself. As the proverb goes, don't be afraid of slime when you try to catch a frog."

Mr. Virakarn made the comment after attending a talk given by Gen. Prayuth at Bangkok's Army Club yesterday, in which the junta leader announced the official "kick-off" of the country's year-long national reform effort.

Under the 2014 interim constitution, which was drafted by the junta, members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will vote to name a new Prime Minister and Cabinet members to head the interim government. The voting session is excepted to take place by the end of the month.

Although Gen. Prayuth has repeatedly refused to answer whether he will take the seat as Prime Minister, many politicians and prominent figures have suggested that the junta chairman is fit for the task. His endorsers include the Supreme Patriarch of the Thai Buddhism and Gen. Prayuth's own brother, Lt.Gen. Preecha Chan-ocha, who is also a member of the NLA.

Mr. Virakarn's endorsement for Gen. Prayuth is bound to raise speculation among Redshirt activists, especially because Mr. Virakarn regularly lashed out at Gen. Prayuth and the military prior to the 22 May coup that deposed the Redshirt-allied government.

Since the military takeover, a number of Redshirt activists have renounced their ties to the UDD or the previous government and publicly thrown their support behind the military junta, which is known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Their "defection" followed the NCPO's intense crackdown on Redshirts in the wake of the coup. Hundreds of activists, academics, and politicians deemed sympathetic to the previous government were arrested, detained, and intimidated by the military. Several Redshirts who maintained their defiance were ultimately arrested and are now being tried in military court.

The NCPO claimed these measures were necessary to "decolourise" the Redshirt-Yellowshirt conflict that has been rocking Thai politics for much of the past decade. Gen. Prayuth insisted that he wants all political sides to resolve their conflicts and join the NCPO's pursuit of "national reconciliation."

During his speech about reforms at the Army Club yesterday, Gen. Prayuth paused and turned his attention to the subject of political disputes.

"I want all the disputes to end. Can you do that, brother Veera?" Gen. Prayuth said to Mr. Veerakan, using his former name.

Mr. Veerakan smiled and nodded his head.

 

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1407656059&section=11&typecate=06

 

[khaosod]2014-08-10[/khaosod]

[Lite Beer]

RT @191Thailand: Motorbike bomb exploded in front of Mayo Hospital in Pattani injuring three villagers - TR @joe_black317: http://t.co/Gi2SFV0SO9 #Thailand