The Princess Maha Chakri on a 5-day visit to Malta

BANGKOK, 25 August 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn left for the Republic of Malta last night (Aug 24) on an official visit to observe the operations and activities of the University of Malta.

The Royal Household Bureau said in an announcement that the royal visit follows an invitation by the rector of the University of Malta to observe the operations of two campuses of the university in Msida and Valletta.

While in Malta, the announcement said, Her Royal Highness will also visit places of historical and cultural importance in the capital of Valletta such as the National Museum of Archaeology, Barrakka Gardens, St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the old city of Mdina.

Her Royal Highness is also scheduled to meet President of the Republic of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, at the presidential residence. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is scheduled to return to Thailand on Thursday, August 28, 2014.


-- NNT 2014-08-25

Actor and director Richard Attenborough dies aged 90

LONDON: -- Oscar-winning British film director Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90, his son has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754509-british-actor-and-director-richard-attenborough-dies-aged-90/

Police officers told to avoid confrontation with protesters at all costs

BANGKOK, 25 August 2014 (NNT) - Riot control police officers have tried to negotiate with protesters to avoid confrontation but warned to take legal actions with those who violate the laws.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754511-thai-police-officers-told-to-avoid-confrontation-with-protesters-at-all-costs/

LAND OF SMILES
Bangkok loses out to London
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok has slipped from its top post in the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index this year, mainly due to the recent political chaos.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754512-bangkok-loses-out-to-london-mastercard/

THAI-SAUDI RELATIONS
Thailand aims to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee yesterday said Thailand hoped to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia after the Arab country recalled its head of mission last month over a controversial court verdict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754513-thailand-aims-to-normalise-relations-with-saudi-arabia/

PRAYUTH'S GOVERNMENT
Prayuth faces tough choices for Cabinet
The Nation


Policemen carry well-known activist Veera Somkwamkid from a Bangkok street yesterday after he joined a rally to press for energy reform. Six other participants were also detained. They can be put under detention for up to seven days under the martial law.

BANGKOK: -- Policemen carry well-known activist Veera Somkwamkid from a Bangkok street yesterday after he joined a rally to press for energy reform. Six other participants were also detained. They can be put under detention for up to seven days under the martial law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754514-prayuth-faces-tough-choices-for-cabinet/

SCANDAL SURROGACY
Big money offered to 'intelligent' and 'beautiful' cell and sperm donors
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Nation


These online ads are looking for healthy women who will agree to give their eggs away in return for a lump sum of between Bt20,000 and Bt80,000. These ads describe the offer as a form of help to couples with infertility problems.

BANGKOK: -- People with high profiles or prized qualifications top the list of the most sought after sperm and egg donors in Thailand's mostly unauthorised but increasingly popular surrogacy industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754515-big-money-offered-to-intelligent-and-beautiful-cell-and-sperm-donors-surrogacy/

WEATHER
Low rain spurs fear of drought
The Nation


Crops in paddy fields in Chaiyaphum province are withering because of water shortages. Farmers say the drought has already hit more than 100,000 rai of fields while local authorities report that raw water supplies are running low.

Officials praying for a wet October, with levels in some dams very low

BANGKOK: -- Despite being in the middle of the wet season, there are already fears of drought in the North, as the volume of rain has been unseasonably low, leaving two key dams in the region partially empty. In addition, the unusually infrequent rains in the Northeast are causing the same problem with water reservoirs in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754516-low-rain-spurs-fear-of-drought-in-thailand/

TELEVISION
Broadcasting panel may allow analog shows after deadline
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

Satellite, cable operators may be able to air Ch3 shows

BANGKOK: -- The Broadcasting Committee is today expected to consider allowing satellite and cable TV operators to continue carrying analog TV 3 programmes after the deadline to drop the channel on September 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754517-thai-broadcasting-panel-may-allow-analog-shows-after-deadline/

Transport gets high priority
Business Reporters
The Nation

Budget focus on sustainable development to prepare for AEC

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry has been allocated a budget of Bt112.38 billion for fiscal 2015, up 11.7 per cent from the previous fiscal year, making it the second-biggest spender among ministries with economic impact, leading the way to connectivity with Asean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754518-thai-govt-budget-transport-gets-high-priority/

Mahathir goes on the attack
Joceline Tan
The Star
Asia News Network

An opinionated Mahathir is something Najib Razak has to live with. The concern of those around the Malaysian prime minister is whether Mahathir will take it to another level.

Malaysian PM Najib has no choice but to weather the criticism of the "grand old man"

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Those who move in the Mahathir Mohamad circle said the former premier had been critical of various government policies for some time now.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754519-mahathir-goes-on-the-attack/

Armed Kidnapping of female car driver by Mentally Ill man in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A 42 year old woman was kidnapped at knife-point and ordered to drive and then crash her car in South Pattaya on Sunday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754521-armed-kidnapping-of-female-car-driver-by-mentally-ill-man-in-south-pattaya/

Pattaya Police undercover prostitution sting at South Pattaya Massage Shop



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Saturday, Pattaya Police conducted an undercover operation at a South Pattaya Massage Shop where customers were allegedly paying for sexual services and using 2nd floor rooms to “complete the deal”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754522-pattaya-police-undercover-prostitution-sting-at-south-pattaya-massage-shop/

California earthquake strikes San Francisco Bay area

SAN FRANCISCO: -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 has shaken northern California, causing injuries and damage to buildings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754524-california-earthquake-strikes-san-francisco-bay-area/

4.8-magnitude earthquake jolts Mae Suai district of Chiang Rai, public feels tremour, no damage reported /MCOT

RTP announces plan to crack down on nationwide drug networks

BANGKOK, 24 August 2014 (NNT) -- Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, has revealed that after months of investigations and arrests, the RTP has a clearer view of the country's drug networks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754534-thai-police-announces-plan-to-crack-down-on-nationwide-drug-networks/

Three people beheaded in riot at prison in Cascavel, Brazil

CASCAVEL: -- THREE prisoners were beheaded and at least five other people were injured in a riot that erupted Sunday in a southern Brazilian prison, authorities said.

Inmates of the prison in the city of Cascavel took at least two agents and several other inmates hostage in the uprising, said military police Capt. Ricardo Pinto. He said negotiations for better conditions in the prison were still under way 12 hours later.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754536-three-beheaded-in-brazil-prison-riot/

Foreign Homeless Man Found In Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A foreign man who had been fooled out of all his money has been found homeless on the street of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754549-homeless-swede-found-on-bangkok-street/

Water levels in Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams remain critically low

BANGKOK, 25 August 2014 (NNT) - The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has warned residents living near the Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams to use water sparingly after the water levels in these dams have dropped to a great concern.

According to RID Deputy Director-General Suthep Noipairoj, the water levels of these major dams remain only at 4 percent of their total capacity. The volumes of water remaining in the Bhumibol and Sirikit Dam stand at around 500 million cubic meters and 980 million cubic meters respectively.

For this reason, the department is now working with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to reduce the amount of water being released out of the dams. The water that is kept in the dams will be preserved to irrigate farmlands during the next harvesting season in 2015.


-- NNT 2014-08-25

China executes Tiananmen Square attack 'masterminds'
By Katie Hunt, CNN

Hong Kong (CNN) -- China has executed eight people convicted of terrorism, including three for their roles in an attack in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in October, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported, citing local authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754553-china-executes-tiananmen-square-attack-masterminds/

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,561.05, gains 4.08 points /MCOT

660,000 Cambodian workers now in Thailand, says govt



BANGKOK: -- The Cambodia Daily reported that in a drastic upward revision of previous government estimates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday some 660,000 Cambodians, or almost 5 percent of the country’s entire population, is currently working in Thailand.

Before the Thai junta began an initiative in June to clear the country’s workforce of illegal migrant workers, a move that saw about 250,000 Cambodian workers flee back to their home country, the government estimated that 90,000 Cambodians were legally working in Thailand.

However, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman KoyKuong said on Thursday that 270,000 Cambodians previously working illegally in Thailand have since been legalized, bringing to about 660,000 the total number of workers who have crossed the border to find work.

“There are about 270,000 of our workers who were illegally working in Thailand who have registered and received pink cards and about 390,000 workers were already legal,” he said.

In late June, Thailand opened offices around the country where illegal workers could register their identity in exchange for a pink card that allows them to continue working for 60 days. MrKuong said that this two-month window would allow workers to obtain proper documentation.

“Pink cards open the way for those workers to permanently work legally and gives them a chance to make passports and visas,” he said.

(Photo : ThaiPBS file)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/660000-cambodian-workers-now-thailand-says-govt/


-- Thai PBS 2014-08-25

Royal command appointing Prayuth announced

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty's royal command appointing junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha as the prime minister has been announced in the Royal Gazette.

Prayuth is scheduled to receive the royal command in a ceremony at 10:39 am Monday.

The royal command was announced on Sunday and was countersigned by National Legislative Assembly President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Royal-command-appointing-Prayuth-announced-30241695.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-25

NCPO lifts ban on 12 satellite TV stations

BANGKOK, 25 August 2014 (NNT) - Twelve more satellite television stations will resume broadcasting after a three-month blackout since the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) took office in May 2014.

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary-general Takorn Tantasith revealed that the NCPO has given the green light to let these 12 stations be back on air again, as long as they strictly follow the rules set by the military government.

Following the coup, the NCPO imposed a ban on these stations as their reports showed favoritism towards particular political groups.

However, the new decision still needs to be approved by the NBTC which is convening a meeting on the issue today.

The 12 stations that remain shutdown include Bluesky, DNN, UDD, Asia Update, P&P, MV5, 4-Channel, FMTV, ASTV, HotTV, One Rescue TV, and Network for Students and People for Reform of Thailand.

-- NNT 2014-08-25

Junta chief officially appointed PM



BANGKOK: -- National Council for Peace and Order chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha was appointed the country's 29th prime minister under a royal command officially announced Monday.

The royal command was countersigned by National Legislative Assembly President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.

Gen Prayuth is scheduled to receive the royal command in a ceremony at 10:49 a.m. Monday.

The royal command appointed him prime minister was announced in the Royal Gazette Sunday.

Gen Prayuth this morning arrived at the army Headquarters at 08.18 a.m.

He paid homage to the statute of King Rama V in front of the Kittikachorn Auditorium inside the headquarters before receiving the royal command.

(Photo : ThaiPBS file)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/junta-chief-officially-appointed-pm/

-- Thai PBS 2014-08-25

Prayuth receives royal command appointing him PM

BANGKOK: -- Junat chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Monday received a royal command appointing him as the prime minister in a ceremony at the Army headquarters.

The ceremony was broadcast live on TV Pool.

The royal command was read at about 10:44 am and Prayuth received the royal command in front of His Majesty the King's portrait at about 10:47 am.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayuth-receives-royal-command-appointing-him-PM-30241696.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-25

Public Health Min expects 48-year old woman will be discharged from hospital after her 2nd blood test confirms no Ebola virus involved /MCOT

THAI executive denies pilot resignation reports

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International Executive Vice President Athisak Padchuenjai on Monday denied the reports that some 200 pilots have tendered resignation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754575-thai-executive-denies-pilot-resignation-reports/

Chiang Rai hit by moderate earthquake this morning



BANGKOK: -- A moderate 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit Mae Suey district of Chiang Rai at 05.32 a.m. Monday, forcing hundreds of residents in many districts to run out of their homes for safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754578-chiang-rai-hit-by-moderate-earthquake-this-morning/

AFTER COUP
Prayuth officially appointed as 29th premier



BANGKOK: -- Junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday is officially appointed as the 29th prime minister of Thailand.

In a ceremony at the army headquarter, Prayuth received a royal command appointing him to the top administration position. The appointment was announced in the Royal Gazette on Sunday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayuth-officially-appointed-as-29th-premier-30241700.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-25