SURAT THANI
Pha Ngan authorities issue box jellyfish warning

BANGKOK: -- Koh Pha Ngan authorities have warned people to beware of box jellyfish after a French boy died on Saturday after being stung while swimming at a beach of this resort island off Surat Thani province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754874-koh-pha-ngan-authorities-issue-box-jellyfish-warning/

Unemployment rises during second quarter of 2014

BANGKOK, 26 August 2014 (NNT) - According to the Office of National Economics and Social Development Board (NESDB), more people were unemployed during the second quarter of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754882-unemployment-rises-during-second-quarter-of-2014-thailand/

Privy Council president foregoes reception for birthday well-wishers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 26 -- Thai Privy Council President and Statesman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda did not open his home to welcome well-wishers on his 94th birthday today.

Atmosphere at Gen Prem’s Si Sao Theves residence was quiet, unlike previous years, although it was reported that Gen Prem stayed at his residence this morning.

The Privy Council president cited privacy as the reason for his decision to forego the annual reception.

Lt-Gen Pisanu Putthawong, head of the Office of the Statesman Foundation, said Gen Prem did not want take up the time of military top brass, especially those who are members of the National Council for Peace and Order, who have a host of national problems to resolve.

Newly-appointed Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, in particular, has huge duties lying ahead to accomplish.

The Privy Council president usually opens his house to receive blessings from military top bass and senior government officials and the public on his birthday. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-08-26

China seizes 30,000 tons of chicken feet tainted by hydrogen peroxide
By Wilfred Chan, CNN

Hong Kong (CNN) -- In the latest stomach-churning food scandal to hit China, authorities have seized over 30,000 tons of chicken feet contaminated with hydrogen peroxide, according to state media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754889-china-seizes-30000-tons-of-chicken-feet-tainted-by-hydrogen-peroxide/

UPDATE:

Australia follows EU, US in allowing mobile devices in-flight

SYDNEY - Passengers on Qantas and Virgin Australia from Tuesday were allowed to use mobile electronic devices in-flight with limited restrictions after a relaxation of the rules by the country's aviation authority.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754816-australian-airlines-approve-phone-use-on-flights/#entry8298856

BAAC approves 10 billion baht worth of soft loans to help farmers

BANGKOK, 26 August 2014 (NNT) - The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) plans to provide low-interest loans to farmers in order to keep them away from loan sharks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754890-baac-approves-10-billion-baht-worth-of-soft-loans-to-help-thai-farmers/

UPDATE:

French boy's death prompts Thai warning on box jellyfish

BANGKOK, August 26, 2014 (AFP) - Authorities on Tuesday urged visitors to the popular Thai resort island of Koh Phangan to take care when swimming after a five-year-old French boy died from a sting by the world's most toxic jellyfish.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754874-koh-pha-ngan-authorities-issue-box-jellyfish-warning/#entry8299056

Girl, 3, escapes alleged beating, burning by teen dad

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A battered 3-year-old girl was taken into protective custody by Khlong Ton police last night after she sought help from neighbors in her apartment building to escape physical abuse reportedly inflicted by her teen stepfather.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754906-girl-3-escapes-alleged-beating-burning-by-teen-dad/

PM Gen Prayuth: NCPO to exercise power as necessary, to speed up process to solve economic problems, southern violence, corruption /MCOT

Thailand: Apply for your UK visa early
From:British Embassy Bangkok

UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI) hub in Bangkok is currently receiving a very high volume of visa applications.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754912-thailand-apply-for-your-uk-visa-early/

Taxi drivers likely refuse to turn on meters in 8 spots across Bangkok

BANGKOK, 26 August 2014 (NNT) - Traffic Police have launched a crackdown on taxi drivers refusing to turn on their meters and a number of arrests have been made across Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754916-taxi-drivers-likely-refuse-to-turn-on-meters-in-8-spots-across-bangkok/

Low risk of Ebola virus spreading in animals: Vet
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Aug 26 -- The Thai Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) assureded the public that the risk of the Ebola virus spreading among local animals is low, but the Livestock Development Department (DLD) has slowed down the imports of animals from countries where the deadly virus is reportedly spreading, as a safety precaution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754948-low-risk-of-ebola-virus-spreading-in-animals-vet/

Floods in three provinces across Thailand ease

BANGKOK, 26 August 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) made known that the flood situation in 3 provinces across the country has eased, with water levels continuing to decline.

Due to widespread heavy rains and thunderstorms, Chiang Rai, Surat Thani, and Phuket province have been hit by waves of floods. In Chiang Rai, the situation has returned to normal after forest runoffs earlier submerged villages in Wiang Papao District.

185 households in Surat Thani were affected by flash floods as the runoffs damaged homes, bridges, and roads. Relevant agencies have removed debris from the roads to allow for a flow of traffic.

Overnight heavy rains have flooded many major roads in Phuket’s popular districts. Local authorities have been surveying affected areas for damages.

Residents affected by the floods can contact the department’s hotline at 1784 for further assistance around the clock.


-- NNT 2014-08-26

'Dek waen' motopunk makes his own 'drive-thru' 7-Eleven
By Coconuts Bangkok



In what dark dystopia did accepting a good dare become a crime?

BANGKOK: -- A video clip of a teenager driving a motorcycle around in a 7-Eleven convenience store in Bangkok hit the internet recently to great acclaim.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754956-dek-waen-motopunk-makes-his-own-drive-thru-7-eleven/

Housekeeper steals boss' fancy stuff to wear on Facebook
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A 48-year-old housekeeper was arrested Saturday for stealing over THB2-million worth of high-end clothes and accessories from her boss’s luxury Bangkok condo to model on Facebook.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754959-thai-housekeeper-steals-boss-fancy-stuff-to-wear-on-facebook/

Singapore tourists found dead in Hat Yai hotel

HAT YAI: -- A Singapore tourist was found dead in a well-known Hat Yai hotel Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754961-singapore-tourists-found-dead-in-hat-yai-hotel/

Night Prowl: The Legendary Lechery of Bernard 'Nite Owl' Trink
By Barbara Woolsey



NIGHT PROWL — “I was curious, so said I’ll have the 10 baht. She had a towel wrapped around her hand, and after the deed was done, I pulled it off. She had leprosy.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754989-night-prowl-the-legendary-lechery-of-bernard-nite-owl-trink/

PM wants NCPO to use its power only when necessary
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 26 -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), today told the council's 12th meeting at Army headquarters that despite the formation of his government, NCPO would continue to function, but it will exercise its authority only when it is necessary to maintain security and order.

He told the council to enforce normal laws for the purpose before considering any measures under martial law.

Gen Prayuth ordered the NCPO to quickly tackle corruption and other major problems of the country such as falling prices of agricultural commodities, including rubber and social problems.

He vowed to apply the guidelines of His Majesty the King including the sufficiency economy to his government's efforts to develop infrastructure, manage water, design agricultural zones, solve product problems, rehabilitate state enterprises and restructure taxes and energy.

Gen Prayuth explained that special economic zones in border areas were not planned to prevent migrant workers from entering deeper inside Thailand but were intended to boost relations with neighboring countries and solve transport and labour problems.

Also, a Thai representative has already discussed the southern peace talks with Malaysia, the facilitator, which wants the Thai military or security agencies to take direct responsibility and lead the peace process. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-08-26

Country's first river tunnel below Chao Phraya River is underway



BANGKOK: -- The ‘Blue Line’ subway train route which will extend the existing line from Sanam Chai – Tha Phra is making progress with now a tunnel is being bored underneath the Chao Phraya river.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/755001-thailands-first-river-tunnel-below-chao-phraya-river-is-underway/

'Perfect storm' for Ebola to spread: virus pioneer
Agence France-Presse
PARIS

Peter Piot, the Belgian scientist who co-discovered the Ebola virus in 1976, on Tuesday said a "perfect storm" in West Africa had given the disease a chance to spread unchecked.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/755027-perfect-storm-for-ebola-to-spread-virus-pioneer/

BKK Police Chief Reiterates Ban On Public Protests
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The Commander of Bangkok’s police force has reminded the public that the military junta’s ban on protests applies to all political causes and factions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/755030-bangkok-police-chief-reiterates-ban-on-public-protests/

Ambassador to Thailand

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Paul Robilliard as Australia’s next Ambassador to Thailand.

Mr Robilliard is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently First Assistant Secretary, South and West Asia Division. He has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission in Jakarta; Consul-General in Honolulu; and Ambassador to Syria and Lebanon, with earlier postings in Singapore and Syria.

Mr Robilliard holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours from the Australian National University in Canberra.

Australia has a longstanding and close relationship with Thailand. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1952 and are today underpinned by a treaty-level Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation.

Australia and Thailand are major partners in trade and investment, law enforcement, defence, education and tourism. We cooperate closely on regional issues such as counter-terrorism and combatting people smuggling. We work together in regional forums including the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and APEC.

Australia's trade and economic relationship with Thailand has grown strongly since the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) came into force in 2005. Thailand is now Australia’s sixth-largest trading partner, with merchandise trade worth $16.3 billion. We are pursuing further liberalisation through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations.

Thailand is a significant source of inward direct investment for Australia, with the total stock valued at $4.6 billion in 2013. Australian companies are also actively pursuing business opportunities in Thailand, including in the transport, logistics, construction, manufacturing, financial services and education sectors.

People-to-people interaction between our two countries is significant. More than 900,000 Australians travelled to Thailand in 2013 and the provision of high-quality consular services to travelling Australians is a priority for the Embassy. Australia is a destination of choice for Thai students studying abroad. We are working to expand institutional and people-to-people links through the Australia Thailand Institute.

Mr Robilliard is expected to take up his appointment in October, replacing Mr James Wise.

Source: http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2014/jb_mr_140824b.aspx

75-year-old dies of heart attack at sex motel

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A 75-year-old man was found dead at a love motel outside Bangkok last night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/755090-75-year-old-dies-of-heart-attack-at-sex-motel/

Drugs, porn found in temple raid

CHON BURI: Authorities arrested a monk and a layman and seized weapons, drugs and pornographic DVDs from a Buddhist temple in Si Racha district today (August 26).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/755093-drugs-porn-found-in-temple-raid/

PM to adhere to King’s sufficiency philosophy in running the country

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said his new government will adhere to His Majesty the King’s self-sufficiency economy philosophy in running the country.

He told the meeting of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Tuesday that the King’s philosophy on self-sufficiency economy and sustainable development would be applied for use to move the country forward.

The prime minister said the philosophy would be applied with the new government’s work in terms of infrastructure development, water management, farmland management and product pricing.

The policies on other issues including state enterprise reorganization as well as restructuring of tax and energy would also follow the two concepts, he said.

Turning to the development of special economic zones, Gen.Prayuth confirmed it was not aimed at preventing foreign workers from entering the areas.

In fact the development was aimed at solving labor and transport problems, and at fostering relations with Thailand’s neighbors, he said.

On the peace talk with southern insurgents in the South, Gen Prayuth also revealed at the meeting that Malaysia wants Thailand’s military to take the lead role in the peace negotiations with Muslim insurgents in the far South.

“Malaysia appears to want the military, or security authorities, to take the lead in the negotiations as it’s their direct responsibility,” the general said.

Gen Prayuth said he has assigned retired Gen Akanit Muensawasdi to coordinate the talks with Malaysia, which will act as facilitator of the negotiations.

Gen Akanit is now a member of the National Legislative Assembly, and also a former classmate of Gen Prayuth at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.

Now he is an adviser to the National Security Council, and has worked on southern issues and previously negotiated with insurgency leaders.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-adhere-kings-sufficiency-philosophy-running-country/

-- Thai PBS 2014-08-26

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 27 Aug 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/755129-thailand-live-wednesday-27-aug-2014/