Thailand Live Thursday 21 Aug 2014

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Princess Maha Chakri will open i-CREATe 2014 in Singapore

BANGKOK, 21 August 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is leaving for the Republic of Singapore today on a two-day official visit.

The Bureau of the Royal Household has announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will be visiting the Republic of Singapore on August 21-22 to open the Eighth International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens.

The Princess will also observe activities and operations of the Institute of Technical Education - College East and the Asia-Europe Foundation. Besides, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and his wife will host a luncheon in honor of Her Royal Highness at the presidential residence.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn leaves the Suvarnabhumi Airport for Singapore on August 21 at 11.50 a.m. and will arrive back on August 22, at about 8.00 p.m.


-- NNT 2014-08-21

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180 Cambodian Migrant Workers Scammed, Stranded In Thailand
By Khaosod Ebglish


A migrant worker document obtained through the Thai broker that scammed 180 Cambodian immigrants into coming to Thailand for jobs that never materialized.

SAMUT SAKORN – Almost 200 Cambodians were stranded outside of Bangkok after a Thai broker scammed them with the promise of illusory jobs in exchange for 20,000 baht each.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753512-180-cambodian-migrant-workers-scammed-stranded-in-thailand/

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Junta Spokesperson 'Considering' Ice Bucket Challenge
By Khaosod English


File photo of Col. Winthai Suwaree, the spokesperson for Thailand's military junta.


The President of the Stock Exchange of Thailand accepting the "Ice Bucket Challenge," 20 August 2014.

BANGKOK — The spokesperson for Thailand's military junta has requested more time to consider whether he will participate in the viral "Ice Bucket Challenge."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753513-ncpo-spokesperson-considering-ice-bucket-challenge/

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UPDATE:

Abandoned rural girl given royal assistance

UBON RATCHATHANI, 21 August 2014 (NNT) - A 12-year-old girl who has lived alone in a rural village for 10 years is having a new life as His Majesty the King has heard of her news and instructed the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation under the royal patronage to take care of the girl, including providing educational funds to the highest level that she would prefer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753314-young-girl-survives-9-years-after-abandoned-by-ghost-fearing-parents-ubon-ratchathani/page-2#entry8274668

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ENVIRONMENT
Hua Hin stalls dismantled, owners made to return beach to public
Wimol Tabkong,
Apichart Hongsakul
The Nation

HUA HIN: -- OWNERS OF food stalls on Hua Hin beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan province are dismantling their structures and moving to zones allocated by relevant authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753514-hua-hin-stalls-dismantled-owners-made-to-return-beach-to-public/

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THE 29TH THAI PREMIER
Prayuth set to be PM

Junta chief seen by many as only person suited for top post in current situation

BANGKOK: -- THREE MONTHS after the military coup, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will today vote on who is to become the country's 29th prime minister - a position that junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha is widely tipped to fill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753515-prayuth-set-to-be-thai-pm/

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UPDATE:

PATTAYA
Moves to halt 50-storey condo
Supakorn Akkhanant
The Nation



Chon Buri - Moves to halt 50storey condo in PattayaLocals complain project will block views, demand checks on title deeds

PATTAYA CITY will tomorrow lodge a police complaint against "Waterfront Suites & Residence Pattaya" condominium project in Bali Hai Pier (South Pattaya) area for violating the city's order to suspend construction pending corrections to match the approved plans, Mayor Ittipol Khunpluem said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753244-pattaya-view-blocking-condo-project-paused/page-3?p=8274686#entry8274686

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Renovations on schedule, says Adul
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- POL GENERAL Adul Saengsing-kaew, deputy chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said yesterday that renovations at Government House should be completed this month, so the new Cabinet can start working.

He explained that the voting procedure for the new prime minister should be completed this week and the Cabinet should be formed next.

Previously, the renovation had been scheduled for completion by September 15.

Adul met the team in charge of the renovation job yesterday and said later that the project was progressing as planned.

ML Panadda Diskul, permanent secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, issued assurances yesterday that the complex would be ready to welcome the new premier and Cabinet.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Renovations-on-schedule-says-Adul-30241400.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-21

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AFTERMATH
Condo victims' families fight depression
ANAN WICHITPRACHA
PONGSATAT RUJIPUTTANYAPAT
The Nation



PATHUM THANI: -- THE RECENT fatal condo-building collapse has driven three members of victims' families into depression, with three others having suicidal moods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753518-pathum-thani-condo-victims-families-fight-depression/

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UPDATE:

SURROGACY
Japanese dad Shigeta faces police summons
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLICE WILL summons Mitsutoki Shigeta for questioning after a DNA test initially confirmed the 24-year-old Japanese man's claim that he had fathered the nine surrogate babies recently discovered in a Bangkok condominium.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753366-dna-shows-japanese-fathered-15-surrogate-babies-thai-police/#entry8274704

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Thais urged to invest abroad
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE FORMER HEAD of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), Supachai Panitchpakdi, has suggested that Thailand promote more overseas investment, trade more with emerging markets, and urgently develop human-resource skills to deal with the possibility of slow global economic expansion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753519-thais-urged-to-invest-abroad/

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EDITORIAL
The war on street racers isn't working
The Nation

Young daredevils who endanger lives on our roads need to be weaned off the habit

BANGKOK: -- Police are revving up for another crackdown on illegal street racing after the problem was mentioned by the junta chief during his weekly "Returning Happiness" televised address to the nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753520-the-war-on-street-racers-isnt-working-thai-editorial/

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THAI TALK
NCPO's road to real reform could get bumpy
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) says it will give the 250-member National Reform Council (NRC) a "free hand" in debating the 11 areas of proposed reform. But the final decision on who will be named to the council still rests with the NCPO.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753521-ncpos-road-to-real-reform-could-get-bumpy-thai-opinion/

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UPDATE:

Thai CDC investigates if there were Thais on board a flight with a Burmese man suspected to have Ebola



BANGKOK: -- The Communicable Diseases Control Department has been instructed by the Public Health Ministry to coordinate with its counterpart in Myanmar to find out if there were any Thai passengers on the same flight with a Myanmar passenger who came from Liberia and Guinea and was suspected to be infected with Ebola.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753370-myanmar-tests-local-man-travelling-from-bangkok-for-ebola/?p=8274730#entry8274730

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Mr Supachai is confident Thailand’s economy will grow at least 5 percent next year



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s economic growth rate next year is expected to register more than five percent due to investment of the government sector, said UNCTAD secretary-general Supachai Panichpakdi on Wednesday during his speech on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the founding of Commerce Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753522-unctad-confident-thailands-economy-will-grow-at-least-5-percent-next-year/

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Another IVF clinic raid finds illegal commercial surrogacy



BANGKOK: -- Thai authorities on Wednesday raided the ninth In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) clinic located in Ratchaprasong area in Bangkok and discovered it also provide illegal commercial surrogacy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753523-another-ivf-clinic-raid-in-bangkok-finds-illegal-commercial-surrogacy/

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8 Russian Tourists get more than an Off Road tour when brakes fail on 4 x 4 in Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- 8 Russian tourists travelling on a ‘Samui Off Road Mountain Tour’ vehicle got a bit more ‘Off Road’ than they planned for today when their jeep’s brakes failed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753524-8-russian-tourists-get-more-than-an-off-road-tour-when-brakes-fail-on-4-x-4-in-samui/

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Floods claim two lives, affect thousands
The Nation\

BANGKOK: -- Floods in 31 provinces since May 5 have killed two people and affected 372,443 others, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation chief Chatchai Phromlert said yesterday.

So far, 30 provinces have been cleared of floods, leaving only Ubon Ratchathani province's Muang and Warin Chamrap districts still under water, he added.

The river in Nan's Thung Chang district overflowed due to heavy rains yesterday, flooding 300 riverside homes. As of press time, waters had receded and the authorities were inspecting damages, while the Army and related agencies provided initial assistance to affected people.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Floods-claim-two-lives-affect-thousands-30241406.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-21

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UPDATE:

Copilot passes out midflight, dies
The Nation



HAT YAI: -- A co-pilot for budget airline Lion Air collapsed mid flight, 20 minutes after taking off from Hat Yai for Bangkok yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753405-hat-yai-co-pilot-of-budget-airline-passes-out-during-flight-and-later-dies/?p=8274785#entry8274785

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Sakaeo launches campaign to stop violence against women and children

SAKAEO, 21 August 2014 (NNT) – The Vice Governor of Sakaeo has presided over the opening ceremony of the campaign against violence against women and children in society, and to make people aware of the issue and search for means of prevention.

According to the Goodwill Ambassadorship of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha of the Say NO to Violence against Women and Children campaign, Sakaeo Provincial Office of the State Attorney, Sakaeo Provincial Juvenile and Family Litigation, and Peoples' Rights Protection and Legal Aid Office, have combined efforts to promote the Stop Violence against Women and Children campaign, satisfying her task and helping the victims of violence in society and in families.

Sakaeo Provincial Attorney said Princess Bajrakitiyabha has expressed concerns about people’s problems in life, natural disasters, female prisoner’s practices, caring for children newly born in prison, and a variety of other problems, including personally observed problems especially concerning the abuse of women.


-- NNT 2014-08-21

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Gaza conflict: Israel PM Netanyahu vows further campaign

JERUSALEM: -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a continued campaign against Gaza militants, amid renewed fighting between the two sides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753528-israel-pm-vows-further-gaza-campaign/

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Iceland evacuates area near Bardarbunga volcano

(BBC) Iceland's authorities have evacuated an area close to the country's Bardarbunga volcano over fears it could erupt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753529-iceland-evacuates-area-near-volcano/

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US tried but failed to free US hostages in Syria

(BBC) A US secret military mission had "recently" tried but failed "to free a number of American hostages held in Syria", the Pentagon has revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753531-us-military-tried-to-free-foley/

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Russia watchdog shuts four McDonald's in Moscow

MOSCOW: -- Russia's main consumer watchdog has temporarily shut four McDonald's restaurants in Moscow as part of an investigation into food standards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753540-russia-watchdog-shuts-four-mcdonalds-in-moscow/

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4 killed, 8 injured in crash between bus, trailer truck in Phayao

BANGKOK: -- A Bangkok-Phayao air-conditioned bus crashed into a trailer truck in Phayao at 8 pm Wednesday, killing the bus driver, a monk and two other passengers while injuring eight other passengers, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753556-4-killed-8-injured-in-crash-between-bus-trailer-truck-in-phayao/

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30 billion baht loan to shore up falling rubber prices



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives is to seek approval from the National Council for Peace and Order for a 30 billion baht loan for agricultural institutions and business operators to buy rubber from the growers for conversion into rubber products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753558-30-billion-baht-loan-to-shore-up-falling-rubber-prices/

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Switzerland: Number of "suicide tourists" doubled in three years

ZURCIH: -- British people are the second biggest group of “suicide tourists”, according to a new study, which shows that the number of people traveling to assisted dying clinics in Switzerland has doubled in three years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753562-the-british-are-the-second-largest-group-of-suicide-tourists-to-switzerland/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,551.39, gains 0.62 points /MCOT

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Malaysian couple charged with alleged theft from MH370 passengers
By Hilary Whiteman, CNN

(CNN) -- Malaysian police have charged two people over the alleged theft of around $35,000 (110,600 Malaysian ringgits) from the bank accounts of four passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753565-malaysian-couple-charged-with-alleged-theft-from-mh370-passengers/

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UPDATE:

Waterfront hotel and condo project under questioning of its construction licence



PATTAYA: -- The 53-storey luxury Waterfront Suites & Residence Pattaya project now under construction at South Pattaya is coming under questioning of the legitimacy of its construction licence after natural conservation and environmental groups came out to reveal this project obstructs ocean view from Pattaya's famous Phra Tamnak Hill (Royal Hill Palace).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753244-pattaya-view-blocking-condo-project-paused/page-4?p=8275649#entry8275649