Thailand Live Sunday 17 Aug 2014

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Cambodians block bridge, call for people to be freed
The Sunday Nation

Cambodians stage a protest at the border checkpoint opposite Sa Kaew

Sa Kaew: -- Some 300 Cambodian people held a protest at the Thai-Cambodian border checkpoint on the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge opposite Sa Kaew province, demanding the release of some Cambodian merchants arrested by Thai officials on Thursday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752375-border-protest-shuts-down-aranyaprathet-checkpoint/#entry8255478

[Lite Beer]

Foreigners donated eggs for surrogacy
Kittipong Maneerit,
Opas Boonlom
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police officials to travel to Cambodia following invitation from adviser of man under investigation

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752400-foreigners-donated-eggs-for-surrogacy/

[Lite Beer]

Junta earmarks Bt800 million to tackle drought and flooding
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- More than 100 projects approved and NCPO says work well advanced on some

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752401-junta-earmarks-bt800-million-to-tackle-drought-and-flooding/

[Lite Beer]

More charges filed against builder as funerals held for workers in NE
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- As relatives of workers killed in the condominium collapse in Pathum Thani hosted funerals in Buri Ram and Khon Kaen, Pathum Thani labour protection and welfare office yesterday filed three charges against the project contractor.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752403-more-charges-filed-against-builder-as-funerals-held-for-workers-in-ne/

[Lite Beer]

Bail denied for lese majeste suspect
The Sunday Nation

HAT YAI: -- A female alleged lese majeste offender, who was arrested on Friday at Hat Yai Airport in Songkhla while trying to leave the country, was denied bail yesterday.

Police insisted yesterday that further investigations are needed and the court fearing she might flee if granted bail.

Pornthip Munkhong, 26, is a social activist and a former member and director of Prakaifai Acting Troupe which staged a play that allegedly defamed the monarchy last October to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the October 14, 1973 popular uprising.

She was arrested at the airport on Friday while trying to board a flight to Malaysia.

She was believed to be eventually heading to Australia with a one-year working visa. She reportedly tried to disguise herself as a Muslim woman at the airport.

Pornthip, who directed the play "A Wolf's Bride", denied having committed the lese majeste offence.

Her Bt500,000 bail posted by Pavinee Chumsri, a lawyer from the Centre of Lawyers for Human Rights, was rejected yesterday despite the lawyer insisting that the accused had no intention of escaping.

Actor arrested in Khon Kaen

She will be detained for 12 days, subject to the Criminal Court's reconsideration after the period.

Lese majeste offenders face a maximum imprisonment term of 15 years.

Earlier this week, an actor from the same group in Khon Kaen province was arrested for lese majeste.

Patiwat Saraiyaem, 23, a student at a famous university in Khon Kaen province was arrested and denied bail.

The court said Patiwat had acted in the play in front of many people in a way that was believed to have defamed the monarchy and there was a risk he might flee the country if granted bail.

The play was staged at Thammasat University's Main Auditorium last October.

In a related development, the Thai Students Centre for Democracy issued a statement on Friday condemning the authorities for delaying Patiwat access to a lawyer and her relatives.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Bail-denied-for-lese-majeste-suspect-30241091.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-17

[Lite Beer]

Thailand go down fighting against the US
Preechachan Wiriyanupappong
The Nation

The United States players use triple block to stop a powerful shot from Onuma Sittirak.

BANGKOK: -- Excellent teamwork, gutsy show and boisterous fans were the highlights of a hotly-contested clash between Thailand and world No 2 the United States. The fired-up visitors narrowly beat the Asian champions in five hard-fought games 25-19 19-25 20-25 25-12 15-10 in their second FIVB World Grand Prix Pool G encounter at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium yesterday.

In front of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, who was the guest of honour, world No 12 Thailand started poorly to trail the strong visitors 0-4 in the first game. The team showed its resilience by storming back, with powerful Onuma Sittirak producing thunderous spikes to help her team draw 17-all against the Olympic silver medallists. Fierce attacks from left-hander Kelly Murphy and scintillating blocks by Foluke Akinradewo and Jordan Larson-Burbach stopped the hosts' surge as the US took the game 25-19.

Thailand, who defeated world No 8 and the Pan American Cup champions Dominican Republic 3-1 on Friday, put their act together in the second game. The US briefly became prone to unforced mistakes. Nootsara Tomkom sent some well-placed serves while Wilavan Apinyapong and Onuma took turns to fire at the front. Nootsara combined well with Thatdao Nuekjang to block the American attack as the spirited Thais clinched the second game 25-19.

The third game raised the temperature in the stadium with the Thai team entertaining their adoring fans with some exceptional performance. With the crowd roaring on, Thailand started to deliver. Malika Kanthong turned into a scoring machine for Thailand. She came up with the powerful mid-court spikes which went unanswered. Malika put Thailand into 24-19 lead before Murphy hit a devastating smash to save one game point and Malika ended the visitors resurgence with a splendid great spike to the back court. Thailand won the game 25-20 and looked set to win the match. It was not to be, as it proved later.

The US roared back mightily in the fourth game, capturing the totally one-sided battle 25-12.

Spectators kept shouting "Thailand, Thailand" to cheer their players in the decider as both sides poured their everything to win the match. The Thai team looked very keen to fight the US point for point. The US fared better in crunch time to win the tie-breaker 15-10 and the match.

For Thailand, it was their second near-miss against the US, the team they had beaten in the 2009 World Grand Prix at home. Last year, Thailand almost beat the US for the second time, only going down in the deciding set 15-13 for a hard-fought 3-2 loss in the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup in Japan.

Meanwhile, title-holders and world No 1 Brazil powered past Dominican Republic in comfortable straight sets 25-19 25-11 29-27 for their second victory of the tournament.

Confident of beating the lower-ranked Dominicans, formidable Brazil fielded mostly their substitute players, with regular attacker Fabiana Claudino being the only exception.

Today, the US will take on Dominican Republic and Thailand will go up against Brazil in their last World Grand Prix Preliminary match. Channel 7 will televise the Thai match live from 4.30pm.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sports/Thailand-go-down-fighting-against-the-US-30241097.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-17

[Lite Beer]

Airport Link needs urgent maintenance work: Samart
Pimnara Pradapwit
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former deputy Bangkok governor Samart Ratchaponsit yesterday urged the State Railway of Thailand board to launch a bid for contractors to carry out a major maintenance project for the Airport Link.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752404-airport-link-needs-urgent-maintenance-work-samart/

[Lite Beer]

ATM 'power overload' may have killed toddler
The Sunday Nation

TRANG: -- Following the death of a toddler in Trang on Friday after a severe electric shock from touching a Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) ATM machine on August 7, a source yesterday said that initial police investigation detected power overload that would have made the machine dangerous for anyone who touched it.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752409-atm-power-overload-may-have-killed-toddler/

[Lite Beer]

Court orders action over stolen guns
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Military Court told an Army officer on Friday to file a police complaint against Captain Shinapon Orungroj and Sergeant Somkiet Mayong for 54 guns that were seized during the political unrest and were to have been submitted as evidence to the court.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752410-court-orders-action-over-stolen-guns/

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Islamic fanatics have changed the Middle East dynamic
The Nation

There is also great concern about fighters being drawn to their cause from many other countries

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752411-islamic-fanatics-have-changed-the-middle-east-dynamic/

[Lite Beer]

Battambang and Trat propose extending opening days of Baan Mamuang trading post

TRAT, 15 August 2014 (NNT) - The Governor of Trat Benjawan Anplueng has held a Saturday meeting with Chan Sophal, Battambang Provincial Governor and his team from Cambodia. They hope to strengthen their relationship and they discussed the Baan Mamuang border trading area in Trat province.

Mr. Chan proposed that Baan Mamuang border trading area which is currently open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, be permitted to open on Monday and Friday as well, in order to promote commerce between the two countries prior to entering the AEC. The private sector in Trat also supports extending the opening hours to include weekends as well, as it will help gain income from tourism. Trat's Governor will raise the proposal with the Ministry of the Interior for consideration.

Battambang has strong purchasing power with more than 1.1 million people who want to purchase goods and seafood from Trat, whereas the private sector in Trat wants to build demand for agricultural crops such as sweet corn and pineapples.

As Trat is one of five areas declared an economic special zone by the National Council for Peace and Order, the proposal is in line with its policy.

-- NNT 2014-08-17

[Lite Beer]

Club Med, Phuket officials agree to develop 5-rai public green space

Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: Club Med has agreed with Phuket's OrBorJor and Karon municipality officials to develop a public health and sports park on five rai of the exclusive Kata beachfront property.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752414-club-med-phuket-officials-agree-to-develop-5-rai-public-green-space/

[Lite Beer]

Malaysia, Thailand enhance close ties on border management

BANGKOK: -- Malaysia and Thailand will continue to strengthen and enhance the existing close bilateral cooperation on security matters and border management along the common border areas.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752415-malaysia-thailand-enhance-close-ties-on-border-management/

[Lite Beer]

Airports of Thailand Chief Wants Upgrades

BANGKOK: -- Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) has sought a further upgrade of Don Mueang and Phuket airports to be carried out in tandem with existing expansion work to cope with the soaring traffic.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752416-airports-of-thailand-chief-wants-upgrades/

[Lite Beer]

Shallow 5.1 magnitude earthquake strikes SW China

HONG KONG - A moderate 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck China's southwestern Sichuan province early Sunday, US geologists said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake struck at 6:07 am (2207 GMT Saturday) at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), the US Geological Survey said.

Shallow earthquakes can often cause greater damage than more powerful deep ones.

The USGS said the epicentre of the earthquake was two kilometres southwest of Xiluodu and 96 kilometres from Zhaotong in neighbouring Yunnan province, where a deadly quake two weeks ago killed 615 people and injured 3,143.

In May 2008, a giant quake that Chinese authorities said measured 8.0-magnitude rocked Sichuan, killing tens of thousands of people and flattening swathes of the province.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Shallow-5-1-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-SW-China-30241098.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-17

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Missouri governor declares state of emergency, curfew

FERGUSON, United States - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in Ferguson, Missouri in response to looters after racial tensions boiled over once more in the wake of the police shooting of an unarmed black teen.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/751812-michael-brown-killing-state-police-take-over-riot-hit-us-town/page-3?p=8255785#entry8255785

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin's daughter five-month pregnant

BANGKOK: -- Pinthongta Shinawatra Kunakornwong, an elder daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and her husband Nattapong Kunakornwong have announced that Pinthongta is now five-month pregnant.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752423-thaksins-daughter-five-month-pregnant/

[Lite Beer]

UN Understanding Exhibition

BANGKOK, 16 August 2014 (NNT) - The United Nations Association of Thailand in cooperation with international organizations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized a UN Understanding Exhibition to promote mutual understanding between Thailand and the UN and create an understanding of the Thai role, from a global point of view.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752437-un-understanding-exhibition/

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin orders Pheu Thai, red-shirt leaders to forgive and forget: report
August 17, 2014 9:55 am

BANGKOK: -- Overjoyed with news that he is about to have twin granddaughters, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered leaders of the Pheu Thai Party and the red-shirt movement to withdraw all legal lawsuits against their political opponents, Thairath TV reported.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752439-thaksin-orders-pheu-thai-red-shirt-leaders-to-forgive-and-forget-report/

[Lite Beer]

RT @MandalaySamui: Koh Samui Weather Forecast 17th Aug: A mix of clouds and sun. High 30C, feels like 34C. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

[Lite Beer]

The 2nd phase of the public van service reorganization being discussed

BANGKOK, 17 Aug 2014, (NNT) - The Committee for the Reorganization of the Public Van Service has met to discuss the 2nd phase of the project with emphasis on providing vans in service with the appropriate license plates.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752456-the-2nd-phase-of-the-public-van-service-reorganization-being-discussed/

[Lite Beer]

Overwhelming Thais want NCPO, NLA members to declare assets: survey

BANGKOK: -- Up to 87.91 per cent of respondents surveyed by the National Institute of Development Administration said members of the National Council for Peace and Order should declare their assets statement to the public.

The NIDA poll said 10.31 per cent of the respondents said the NCPO members do not have to declare their assets and the rest have no comment.

The survey also found that 88.64 per cent of the respondents see that the members of the National Legislative Assembly should declare their assets while 8.14 per cent do not think so and the rest are not sure.

The survey was carried out among 1,241 people around the country on August 14 and 15.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Overwhelming-Thais-want-NCPO-NLA-members-to-declar-30241102.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-17

[Lite Beer]

21 injured in boiler explosion in Samut Prakan

A large boiler of a cloth dyeing factory in Samut Prakan exploded at 5 am Sunday, injuring 21 workers, most of them Myanmar workers.

Police said five workers were severely injured and were rushed to the Samut Prakan Hospital.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/21-injured-in-boiler-explosion-in-Samut-Prakan-30241103.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-17

[Lite Beer]

More rainfall expected throughout Thailand

BANGKOK, 17 August 2014 (NNT) - Thailand will continue to see more rainfall throughout the weekend, according to the weather bureau.

The Meteorological Department said on Sunday that the presence of a southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, parts of Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand means a 30%-60% chance of precipitation across the country.

In the North, cloudy skies and scattered thundershowers are forecast for 60% of the area with heavy rain also expected in some parts.

In northeastern and central Thailand, around 40% of the area will also see lots of cloud and rain while 30% of the eastern seaboard is expected to experience scattered thundershowers as well.

In the South, around 60% of the area will see a cloudy sky and rainfall is expected, with heavy rain likely in Phuket, Krabi and Trang.

Bangkok and nearby provinces are forecast to have a 60% chance of precipitation as well.

-- NNT 2014-08-17

[Lite Beer]

Transport Ministry to propose urgent infrastructure development plan to NLA

BANGKOK, 17 August 2014 (NNT) - The Transport Ministry is planning to propose an urgent transport infrastructure development plan to the National Legislative Assembly for deliberation next week.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752481-transport-ministry-to-propose-urgent-infrastructure-development-plan-to-nla/

[Lite Beer]

Reduced water in 10 major dams likely to affect cultivation this summer

BANGKOK, 17 August 2014 (NNT) –The Director General of the Royal Irrigation Department has revealed that the reduced water level in 10 major dams will possibly affect farmland cultivation this summer, and has asked agriculturists to save water and to crop only in the appropriate season to prevent overall problems.

The Director General of Royal Irrigation Department has expressed concerns about 30 percent water levels in 10 out of the 33 major dams in Thailand due to the delayed rainy season and a deficiency in rainfall.

The water levels in dams in irrigation areas are inadequate for agricultural needs especially agriculture in the outer areas.

However, the Irrigation Department has asked agriculturists to crop in the right season only and save on water usage to prevent the emerging problems.

-- NNT 2014-08-17

[Lite Beer]

Thailand in top 10 of world’s top destinations

BANGKOK, 17 August 2014 (NNT) - Thailand is ranked 10 in the list of world’s top destinations according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752482-thailand-in-top-10-of-worlds-top-destinations/

[Lite Beer]

NCPO affirms peace dialogues to resolve southern unrest remain on track

BANGKOK, 17 August 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order affirms that the efforts to restore peace to Thailand’s southernmost region through dialogues still continue although adjustments might have been made to systemise the process.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752483-ncpo-affirms-peace-dialogues-to-resolve-southern-unrest-remain-on-track/

[Lite Beer]

RT @RichardBarrow: Bangkok International Grand Motor Sales at BITEC until 24th of August - RT @LudovicThailand: http://t.co/TLjvqfURg6 http://t.co/tk1YZzijFB

[Lite Beer]

Rubber price on downward trend

BANGKOK, 17 August 2014 (NNT) - The Rubber Research Institute of Thailand has predicted that rubber price in the country will likely drop due to decreasing oil price, appreciation of the baht currency and economic slowdowns in the eurozone and China.

The institute’s domestic rubber price projection was based on rubber price in the Tokyo Commodity Exchange market and the 7-month record low oil price. The baht strengthening and concerns over economic slowdowns in the eurozone were also important factors influencing the rubber price in Thailand during this period, said the institute.

The institute therefore warned rubber producers to be careful when trading their produce as the domestic price had continued to drop, despite the recent increase because of frequent rains in many rubber plantation areas in Thailand.

-- NNT 2014-08-17