Thailand Live Monday 18 Aug 2014

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UPDATE:

SAMUT PRAKARN
22 hurt after boiler erupts
The Nation



Migrant workers, residents injured in the explosion

BANGKOK: -- A five-meter-high boiler exploded at a dyeing plant in Samut Prakan’s Muang district early yesterday, injuring some 22 workers and residents. Several nearby homes were also damaged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752494-20-workers-injured-in-a-boiler-explosion-at-a-cloth-dyeing-factory/page-2?p=8259470#entry8259470

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THEFT ON THE TRAIN
Pakistani denies stealing phones in train carriage
The Nation


Sunuek, or Osama Adam

BANGKOK: -- A SUSPECT accused of stealing several mobile phones during a train trip yesterday overturned his reported confession, after undergoing a re-enactment of his alleged crimes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752645-pakistani-denies-stealing-phones-in-thai-train-carriage/

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SURROGACY SCANDAL
Police hoping Japanese man returns to meet them this week
The Nation


Mitsutoki Shigeta

BANGKOK: -- THAI POLICE are awaiting the return of a Japanese man at the heart of surrogacy allegations concerning many children, whose lawyer has said will come back to Thailand this week to give information.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752646-surrogacy-scandal-thai-police-hoping-japanese-man-returns-to-meet-them-this-week/

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THAI to tap regional market
Sasithorn Ongdee,
Suchart Sritama
The Nation



New route network, new aircraft as airline unveils bold NEW strategy

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) will focus on increasing flight frequencies on regional routes to tap higher travel demand and provide better services with a number of new aircraft to substitute for decommissioned ones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752647-thai-to-tap-regional-market/

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NATIONAL REFORM COUNCIL
Fixing fears over NRC nominees

Some governors "not following rules," Prayuth to propose budget bill today

BANGKOK: -- THE National Reform Council (NRC) selection process has been marred by fixing allegations at provincial level - with National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vice president Peerasak Porjit warning that the unfair selection process could lead to the reform effort failing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752648-fixing-fears-over-nrc-nominees/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Junta has started well, but next phase tougher: Abhisit
Kornchanok Raksaseri
Jintana Panyaarvudh
Kris Bhromsuthi

BANGKOK: -- THE RULING JUNTA has done well in the first phase of its mission, but the road ahead will not be rosy, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told The Nation in an exclusive interview recently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752650-ncpo-has-started-well-but-next-phase-tougher-abhisit/

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AFTER COUP
Anti-coup group distorted information: Ministry
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE THAI EMBASSY in Australia has dismissed a statement by an anti-coup group in Australia, which claimed Canberra had downgraded bilateral relations because of the coup in Thailand in May.

The embassy said the Thai Alliance for Human Rights Australia had distorted information in its online statement that military links between Thailand and Australia had been downgraded.

The embassy said the statement was groundless and may create misunderstanding. It claimed the group's intention was politically motivated and for its own benefit.

The statement, which was based on a joint statement by the Thai foreign minister and Australia's defence minister on May 31, said nothing about downgrading ties with the Thai military.

"It instead talked about lowering the level of interaction with the Thai military leadership. It did not ban visits of Thai junta leaders but said Australia would use a mechanism to prevent the visits to Australia," the Thai Foreign Ministry said.

Australia only delayed three joint military exercises, not other military cooperation.

The Thai group in Australia is part of Free Thai Movement, set up by anti-coup leaders overseas.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Anti-coup-group-distorted-information-Ministry-30241127.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-18

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EDITORIAL
Digital TVs should grab AEC's potential
The Nation

A documentary goldmine is there waiting to be explored

BANGKOK: -- The honeymoon period has come to an end and after a great, promising start, newly launched digital TV stations are running into all kinds of problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752651-digital-tvs-should-grab-aecs-potential-thai-editorial/

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Madagascan Drug Dealing suspect arrested by Pattaya Police



Over the weekend Pattaya Police arrested a 31 year old Madagascan who was allegedly caught selling class 1 drugs.

PATTAYA: -- Police Major General Sanit, the Commissioner of Region 2 Police announced the arrest of Mr. Abdel Tomolaza who was caught with 0.3g of the class 1 drug Crystal Methamphetamine and 3,000 Baht of marked bank notes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752652-madagascan-drug-dealing-suspect-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

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Three Grenades found next to unoccupied house in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Saturday afternoon, officers from the Royal Thai Police Bomb Disposal Unit, based in Chonburi District were called to a field in the North Pattaya area following the discovery of three grenades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752653-three-grenades-found-next-to-unoccupied-house-in-north-pattaya/

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Wheel-clamping D-Day to start Monday



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan will start wheel-clamping illegally parked cars in a major campaign to enforce traffic law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752655-bangkok-wheel-clamping-d-day-to-start-monday/

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Ladyboy arrested following assault on American in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Following the alleged attack on an American in front of a Ladyboy Bar in Soi Buakhao on Thursday Night, Pattaya Police announced on Saturday that they had arrested a suspect in connection with the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752656-ladyboy-arrested-following-assault-on-american-in-central-pattaya/

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POLITICS
Backing for move to curb populism
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

Scholars call for public debates to educate voters

BANGKOK: -- THE JUNTA'S attempt to restrict the use of populist policies to woo voters has won support from academics and politicians from parties influenced by the practice - while scholars are suggesting public debates during election campaigns to educate voters about the pros and cons of such tactics before they go to the ballots.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752658-backing-for-move-to-curb-populism-thai-politics/

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Court official confirms guns were stolen
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- JUDGE Advocate-General Jira Komutpong yesterday confirmed reports that dozens of guns had been stolen from the Defence Ministry - but stressed they were not weapons seized after martial law was imposed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752659-court-official-confirms-guns-were-stolen-from-thai-defence-ministry/

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Kurdish forces 'break IS hold on Mosul dam'

MOSUL: -- Kurdish forces in northern Iraq are in near complete control of Iraq's largest dam after ousting Islamic State (IS) militants, Kurdish officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752661-kurdish-forces-break-is-hold-on-mosul-dam/

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Ebola crisis: Confusion as patients vanish in Liberia

MONROVIA: -- There are conflicting reports over the fate of 17 Ebola patients who vanished after a quarantine centre in the Liberian capital Monrovia was looted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752662-ebola-crisis-confusion-as-patients-vanish-in-liberia/

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Tilbury container stowaways included 13 children

TILBURY: -- Thirteen children aged between one and 12 were among 35 Afghan Sikh immigrants found in a shipping container at Tilbury Docks, Essex Police have said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752663-uk-tilbury-container-stowaways-included-13-children/

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Indonesian tourist boat sinking leaves 15 missing

(BBC) At least 10 foreign tourists and five Indonesian crew are missing after a boat sank off the coast of eastern Indonesia, officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752664-indonesian-tourist-boat-sinking-leaves-15-missing/

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Claims of Australia's biggest oil discovery in 30 years
Angela Macdonald-Smith

MELBOURCE: -- US oil and gas player Apache has made what is being heralded as the country's largest oil discovery in the last 30 years, and the first in the offshore part of Western Australia's Canning Basin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752690-claims-of-australias-biggest-oil-discovery-in-30-years/

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UPDATE:

'Baby factory' suspect living in Cambodia



BANGKOK: -- A Japanese businessman suspected of human trafficking after police raided his “baby factory” in Bangkok has invited Thai officials to Cambodia where four of his surrogate-born offspring are being raised, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752646-surrogacy-scandal-thai-police-hoping-japanese-man-returns-to-meet-them-this-week/#entry8260248

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Kasikorn Bank maintains positive outlook on Thai stock market

BANGKOK, 18 August 2014 (NNT) - Kasikorn Research Center (KResearch) has predicted that the Thai stock market would continue to rise this week as a result of market speculation and political clarity.

KResearch said the SET Index would still maintain an upward trend during August 18-22, as investors felt confident that an interim government and a Cabinet would be appointed to administer the country by September 2014.

As for external factors, the market is set to be slightly affected by reports of the US’s important economic indicators such as the inflation rate and the manufacturing production index (MPI).

Regarding domestic factors, the completion of the 2015 Fiscal Budget arrangements is expected to have a positive sentiment to the Thai stock market.

Meanwhile, the baht’s exchange rate is set to fluctuate between 31.80 baht and 32.10 baht per US dollar. KResearch has also advised investors to keep an eye on foreign fund inflows as well.


-- NNT 2014-08-18

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Russian tourist found dead in Pattaya condominium room

PATTAYA: -- A Russian tourist was found dead in a condominium room on Jomthien beach in Pattaya City, Chon Bur at 11 pm Sunday, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752694-russian-tourist-found-dead-in-pattaya-condominium-room/

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Songkhla welcomes foreign-visa vans to revive local tourism

SONGKHLA, 18 August 2014(NNT)- Authorities in Songkhla province have now allowed foreign visa-run drivers and other vehicles to cross the Thai-Malaysian border into the area since 1st August, 2014 to facilitate tourism from Malaysia and to boost tourism in the local area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752698-songkhla-welcomes-foreign-visa-vans-to-revive-local-tourism/

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UPDATE:

One Air Force officer arrested in connection with 54 missing guns



BANGKOK:-- The police and military personnel are still investigating the missing of 54 guns and hunting for accomplices after an Air Force flight lieutenant was arrested in connection with the missing guns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752659-court-official-confirms-guns-were-stolen-from-thai-defence-ministry/#entry8260440

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Thailand narrowly avoids technical recession

(BBC) Thailand's economy narrowly avoided a technical recession in the second quarter, suggesting the country may be back on the path to growth following a military coup in May.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752702-thailand-narrowly-avoids-technical-recession/

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Unarmed black teen killed by police was shot six times: NYT

MISSOURI - A preliminary private autopsy report found that Michael Brown, the black teen killed by a police officer in the suburban St. Louis city of Ferguson, was shot at least six times, the New York Times reported on Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752710-unarmed-black-missouri-teen-killed-by-police-was-shot-six-times-new-york-times/

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NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Gen Prayuth proposes 2015 Budget Bill



BANGKOK: -- Junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday proposed the 2015 budget billon of Bt2.57 trillion.

He proposed the bill at the first meeting of National Legislative Assembly held at the Parliament.

The meeting was held after His Majesty the King issued a royal decree endorsing pronpetch Wichitcholchai as NLA president and Surachai Liengboonlertchai and Peerasak Porjit as vice president.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Gen-Prayuth-proposes-2015-Budget-Bill-30241137.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-18

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Three suspects wanted in connection with Yala car bomb

YALA, 18 August 2014 (NNT) - A total of three arrest warrants have been issued for suspects in connection with a car bomb explosion that killed two people on July 25 in Yala.

The first warrant, issued on August 1, is for 33-year-old Faoshi Glupae from Bannangsta district on premeditated murder and terrorism.

After receiving statements from additional witnesses, two more men identified as Magorseng Jama and Abah Jehali are now also wanted for charges of murder and engineering lethal bombs.

On July 25, the three alleged placed a car bomb at the crime scene before detonating it, killing and injuring civilians.

Police said the explosives were hidden in a Toyota Vigo pickup truck parked in front of the Betong Holiday Hill hotel on Bhakdi Damrong Road in Betong District. The explosion at 4.40pm damaged the hotel building and cars in the area and sparked a fire in a house and a convenience store. At least 36 people were wounded.


-- NNT 2014-08-18

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Two rangers injured in road side bomb attack

YALA: -- Two rangers giving protection were wounded when Muslim insurgents detonated a roadside bomb in Thantho district of Yala province Monday morning.

Rangers and soldiers from the 33rd Ranger company were on a patrol in Buathong village to give protection to teachers in the areas. The two wounded rangers were later rushed to Yala hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile in Kotabaru municipality of Yala, five surveillance cameras were also torched by four insurgents riding in two motorcycles, and another pickup truck.

The truck was captured by video cameras carrying old tyres. They were torched and hung on power poles where the cameras were fixed.

Police are investigating and ate huntingb for the insurgents.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/two-rangers-injured-road-side-bomb-attack/

-- Thai PBS 2014-08-18

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Hua-Hin authorities conduct beach-cleaning efforts

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 18 August 2014 (NNT) - Authorities from Hua-Hin Municipality have declared today as the “D-Day” to clean-up the beach areas at Hua-Hin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/752737-hua-hin-authorities-conduct-beach-cleaning-efforts/