Well-wishers visit Siriraj Hospital to offer H.M. the Queen birthday wishes



BANGKOK, 12 August 2014 (NNT) – Members of the public have been lining up continuously to Siriraj Hospital to offer well-wishes to H.M. the Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her 82nd birthday anniversary.

A special corner has been set up for well-wishers to pay respect to the Queen within the hospital premise. Garlands and flower bouquets have been being placed around the corner of Her Majesty’s portrait.

Hospital staff said more and more well-wishers have been visiting the hospital since Their Majesties arrived from Klai Klangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Last week, His Majesty the King returned to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok for a medical check-up to seek the advice of royal physicians about his health condition and was accompanied by Her Majesty.

[nnt]2014-08-12[/nnt]

THAI-US RELATIONS
Kerry extends birthday wishes to Her Majesty
The Nation


Kerry

BANGKOK: -- US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday extended good wishes to Her Majesty the Queen for her 82nd birthday, which will be marked nationwide today.

On behalf of the American people, I extend my warmest wishes on the occasion of your 82nd birthday," he said in a statement. "I wish you and the royal family continued health, happiness and prosperity on this very special day.

"Your efforts have improved the lives of millions of Thai citizens and inspired others to contribute to the well-being of your wonderful country," Kerry said.

In the statement, he also praised the 181 years of friendly bilateral ties, saying Thailand and the United States enjoyed a warm partnership, working together to promote development in the world, especially in Southeast Asia.

"I am confident our partnership can weather any obstacle and will continue to grow stronger in the years and decades ahead," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Kerry-extends-birthday-wishes-to-Her-Majesty-30240741.html

[thenation]2014-08-12[/thenation]

GAMMY CONTROVERSY
We wanted refund, Gammy's dad says
The Nation, Agencies

Couple blamed Thai clinic for twin with Down's syndrome; claim they wanted to abort the 'ill' boy

 

BANGKOK: -- The Australian parents at the centre of the surrogacy scandal asked for a refund from the Thai surrogacy agency involved when they learned that baby Gammy would be born with Down's syndrome, they revealed in a television interview.

 

[b]Full story: [/b] http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750873-we-wanted-refund-gammys-dad-says/

Phuket Airport immigration boss denies ‘tax’ on departures
The Phuket News


Tourists at immigration.

 

PHUKET: -- The matter was brought to the attention of The Phuket News by the friends of a passenger who was leaving last night. They did not want to be named.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750809-phuket-airport-immigration-boss-denies-tax-on-departures/

AFTER COUP
Yingluck's visit to Singapore 'not listed on itinerary'
The Nation 
 

Former premier Yingluck Shinawatra shops at a supermarket near her house. It was her first public appearance after returning from a trip abroad amid people

BANGKOK: -- While former premier Yingluck Shinawatra returned to Thailand late on Sunday as per a schedule she gave to the junta, the fact that she visited Singapore without prior notice on her travel itinerary may affect the next time she seeks permission to go abroad, a junta source said yesterday.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750874-yinglucks-visit-to-singapore-not-listed-on-itinerary/

Chinese Tourist Busted For Airport Phone Theft
By Khaosod English


Chiew Ming (name transcribed from Thai text), a 32-year-old tourist from Szechuan, China, allegedly stole a cellphone from a Spanish tourist at Chiang Mai International Airport.

CHIANG MAI - Police have arrested a Chinese tourist who allegedly stole a cellphone from another traveler at Chiang Mai International Airport.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750875-chinese-tourist-busted-for-chiang-mai-airport-phone-theft/

INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS
Thai firms urged to register copyrights, patents to forestall overseas piracy
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Intellectual Property Department has warned businesses to register their patents, trademarks or copyrights before trading in markets both local and international, as some Thai products have been copied and sold overseas.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750876-thai-firms-urged-to-register-copyrights-patents-to-forestall-overseas-piracy/

Hotels and shops plead for end to martial law
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION


Shoppers stroll on the skywalk in the Ratchaprasong shopping zone. Hotels and shopping malls in Bangkok are pleading with the junta to lift martial law.

Bangkok, hit hard by political chaos, needs to prepare for high season

BANGKOK: -- Hotels and shopping malls in Bangkok are pushing for the lifting of martial law before the high season arrives in the hope that tourists and business travellers will come back to the capital.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750877-hotels-and-shops-in-bangkok-plead-for-end-to-martial-law/

EDITORIAL
When the pressure is on, Asean falls apart
The Nation

The regional bloc needs to forge collective approaches to security challenges at home and abroad

BANGKOK: -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) badly needs to pay more attention to new challenges in the security landscape of both this and more far-flung regions of the globe, addressing them with intensive collective discussion.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750878-thai-editorial-when-the-pressure-is-on-asean-falls-apart/

STREETWISE
The dangers of equating reform with stricter control
Achara Deboonme

Siam Cement Group's latest TV commercial is worth watching.

BANGKOK: -- Featuring children from all 10 Asean nations, it shows what our younger generation expects from technology. A Vietnamese boy hopes that one day a house will be able to generate electricity on its own.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750879-the-dangers-of-equating-reform-with-stricter-control-thai-opinion/

UPDATE:

 

Four killed and 19 injured in building collapse



PATHUM THANI: -- Four workers were killed and 19 others injured when a condominium building which was under construction caved in upon them Monday afternoon.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750797-pathum-thani-building-collapse-kills-3-traps-7/page-2?p=8231244#entry8231244

US actor Robin Williams found dead

SAN FRANCISCO: -- US actor Robin Williams has been found dead, aged 63, in an apparent suicide, California police say.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750881-us-actor-robin-williams-found-dead/

Thailand behind in global citizenship learning: educator
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is performing below standards when it comes to developing education for global citizenship, said Panthep Larpkersorn, an educator at the Office of the Education Council.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750882-thailand-behind-in-global-citizenship-learning-educator/

Witnesses set for Jakkrit murder trial
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- Prosecution witnesses will testify next month in a court trial over the much-publicised fatal shooting of former Olympic shooter Jakkrit Panichpatikum.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750883-witnesses-set-for-jakkrit-murder-trial/

People urged to love elephants, avoid ivory
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- WWF Thailand is highlighting World Elephant Day today with the "Million minutes of love" refrain.

The "1,000,000 minutes of love" refers to an elephant's pregnancy, which takes 22 months or almost two years to deliver a calf.

That is almost one million minutes.

World Elephant Day falls on August 12 each year.

WWF Thailand emphasises that the love and bond of a mother and its baby is too precious to be taken away just to satisfy human needs for ivory.

It wants people to avoid buying, selling or owning ivory products.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/People-urged-to-love-elephants-avoid-ivory-30240750.html

[thenation]2014-08-12[/thenation]

Germany's Bosch expands in Asia-Pacific
The Nation

 

Company boosts its investment to Bt142 bn since 2010

BANGKOK: -- Bosch, a German vendor of technologies and services, will have invested 3.3 billion euros (Bt142 billion) in the Asia-Pacific region since 2010 in areas including local manufacturing, product management and engineering. The Asia-Pacific continues to be the top growth region for Bosch, more than doubling to 11 billion euros over the past 10 years, Peter Tyroller, a member of the board of management, said yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750884-germanys-bosch-expands-in-asia-pacific/

French workers in court over gold treasure theft

(BBC) Three French workers are to appear in court on charges of stealing gold worth 900,000 euros ($1.2m; £720,000) from a property they worked on, a local French newspaper reports.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750885-french-workers-in-court-over-gold-treasure-theft/

Moncton shooting: Justin Bourque pleads guilty to murders

MONCTON: -- A Canadian man accused of killing three police officers in June in Moncton, New Brunswick, has pleaded guilty to all charges.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750887-moncton-shooting-canadian-man-pleads-guilty-to-murders/

Michael Brown shooting: Family demands justice

ST. LOUIS: -- The family of an unarmed black teenager killed by a police officer in the US state of Missouri has called for justice for their son.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750889-us-michael-brown-shooting-family-demands-justice/

NCPO hosts series of activities to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 82nd birthday anniversary

BANGKOK, 12 August 2014 (NNT) -- The Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office ML Panadda Diskul has said that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has been hosting a series of activities to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 82nd birthday anniversary, today 12th August. The activities have been centered on Suan Amporn, Dusit Palace, Sanam Luang and major sites in other provinces across the country.

Exhibitions have been held to display Her Majesty’s royal projects including her mission to provide social welfare and medical support to those in remote rural areas and her establishment of The SUPPORT Foundation.

A replica of Her Majesty’s working pavilion has been part of the much admired exhibition. Musical performances and light and sound shows have been staged at Dusit Palace. A small garden was arranged as a model food bank at the ceremonial ground to reflect Her Majesty’s commitment to creating more food sources to ensure that the peoples' basic needs are met.

Today, 12th August, the NCPO Chief General Prayuth Chan-Ocha will preside at the event to celebrate Her Majesty's birthday anniversary, when candles will be lit by the many Thai people gathered at Sanam Luang and at city halls nationwide, as an expression of their gratitude and joy.

[nnt]2014-08-12[/nnt]

Buddhists flock to temples on Mother's Day

BANGKOK, 12 August 2014 (NNT) – A massive number of Buddhists flocked to temples all around the country this morning to give alms to monks, as today marks H.M. the Queen's 82nd Birthday and is a national holiday for Mother's Day.

Following the tradition, many people arose very early to give alms to monks before proceeding to temples for Buddhist sermons. The message of the day is the role of mothers as the great givers, the ones who bear and raise the children.

The mother's day tradition will continue this evening as people gather at important places or inside their homes to light candles and join in singing the royal anthem throughout the nation, before ending the day of celebrations with magnificent fireworks in honor of Her Majesty the Queen.

[nnt]2014-08-12[/nnt]

Twenty-two restaurants in Hua-Hin guilty of overcharging their customers

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 12 August 2014 (NNT) - Police in the famous Hua-Hin beach area of Prachuap Khiri Khan province have recommended locals and tourists to file complaints against restaurants who have overcharged them.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750922-22-restaurants-in-hua-hin-guilty-of-overcharging-their-customers/

Special Report: NCPO chief reiterates reform will move this country forward

BANGKOK: -- Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) General Prayuth Chan-ocha has stressed the need for national reform in order to move the country forward.

Speaking at the launching of the Roadmap for Thailand Reform, he pointed out that, in moving the country forward, Thailand must emphasize its three main pillars, as it is also moving toward the ASEAN Community. The three pillars involve political-security, economy, and socio-culture.

The Roadmap for Thailand was kicked off at a forum, held on 9 August 2014 at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok. The forum was joined by about 1,500 persons, comprising members of the public, private, and civic sectors, media representatives, and former parliamentarians.

General Prayuth termed the day to kick off the Roadmap for Thailand Reform as historic, saying that the success of the reform depends on the people of the entire country. He explained that the NCPO was not intended to reduce the power of politicians, or anyone. In fact, it has listened to the people and their needs. For instance, information has been gained from 418 research studies and 3,827 emails and post cards. In-depth interviews were conducted and discussions were held with 75 groups of people from the public and private sectors.

As for the regional areas of the country, he said, the Internal Security Operations Command established the Reconciliation Centers for Reform, which organized 92,432 events in the provinces in order to bring together people holding different views in order to ease their conflicts. At least 177 memorandums of understanding have been signed between conflicting parties.

Concerning reconciliation, General Prayuth said that 177 public forums were organized, covering 30,842 villages. This should be regarded as a good start to the promotion of national unity. With good cooperation from all sides, he said, Thailand will be able to move forward again.

He stated that the reform would be carried out in 11 areas, namely politics, national administration, laws and the justice system, local administration, education, the economy, energy, public health and the environment, mass media, social affairs, and other matters.

After the launching of the Roadmap for Thailand, he said, 11 selection committees would be set up to help select members of the National Reform Council. The Council consists of 250 members, 77 of whom come from all 77 provinces. The selection process begins on 14 August. On 2 October 2014, the list of members of the National Reform Council will be submitted to His Majesty the King for endorsement.

He said that Phase One of the NCPO’s Roadmap would be concluded in August 2014, while Phase Two will begin in late August, and then the Prime Minister and the Cabinet will be appointed. Phase Three will take place in late 2015, when the drafting of the new constitution will be completed and general elections will be held.

[nnt]2014-08-12[/nnt]

Special Report: Thailand exempts visa fees for Chinese passport holders

BANGKOK: -- Holders of Chinese and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports will be exempted from paying visa fees when visiting Thailand for the purpose of tourism.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750929-thailand-exempts-visa-fees-for-chinese-passport-holders-special-report/

Flood situation in Northeast improves

BANGKOK, 12 August 2014 (NNT) – The flood situation in the Northeast has eased almost completely, although the inundation has left behind swathes of devastated farmlands.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750930-flood-situation-in-isaan-improves/

Family of Sevenoaks schoolgirls missing in Thailand make plea for information
 

MISSING: Aleena ( r) and Ananya (l) Day, aged 6 and 11, have been missing in Thailand since June 1
 
SEVENOAKS: -- THE grandparents of two sisters who went missing and are believed to have been abducted while they were in Thailand 72 days ago are pleading for Sevenoaks holidaymakers to keep their eyes peeled for the girls.
 
Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750933-family-of-sevenoaks-schoolgirls-missing-in-thailand-make-plea-for-information/

Malaysian police officers to be based in the Netherlands, Ukraine



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Three police officers would be based in the Netherlands and Ukraine to follow up with the investigation and meetings pertaining to the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH17 crash, according to New Straits Times.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750935-mh17-crash-malaysian-police-officers-to-be-based-in-the-netherlands-ukraine/

Nation celebrates Queen’s birthday today



BANGKOK: -- Today is Her Majesty the Queen's birthday, and is a national holiday.

The nation today celebrated the queen’s 82nd birthday anniversary with religious functions to wish her majesty happy birthday.

Thai Buddhists went to temples offering alms to monks, while those at homes also chose to offer alms to walking monks on roads as a gesture of merit- making in this significant day. Catholic churches also joined in prayers for the queen, and Thai Muslims also went to mosques chanting prayers.

Following the tradition, Thai Buddhists woke up very early to give alms to monks before proceeding to temples for Buddhist sermons.

The message of the day is the role of mothers as the great givers, the ones who bear and raise the children.

The mother’s day tradition will continue this evening as people gather at important places or inside their homes to light candles and join in singing the royal anthem throughout the nation, before ending the day of celebrations with magnificent fireworks in honor of Her Majesty the Queen.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nation-celebrates-queens-birthday-today/

[thaipbs]2014-08-12[/thaipbs]

'Jealous husband' sentenced to death for China killings

 

(BBC) A man who killed six people over his wife's extra-marital affairs has been sentenced to death in China, state media say.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750940-china-death-penalty-for-jealous-husband/

Liberia to receive Zmapp drug to treat Ebola virus

(BBC) Liberia will receive an untested experimental drug, Zmapp, to treat people infected with Ebola, the Liberian government says.

 

[b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750942-liberia-to-receive-ebola-trial-drug/