Thailand Live Monday 1 Sep 2014

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Sai Jai Thai Week promotes high-quality handicrafts made by handicapped soldiers

BANGKOK, 1 September 2014 (NNT) - For those who love beautiful Thai arts and handicraft products, there are two more days left to grab ones as the Sai Jai Thai Week is coming to a close on Tuesday (Sep 2).

The Sai Jai Thai Week is held annually at the Peninsula Plaza in Pathumwan area by the Sai Jai Thai Foundation under the Royal Patronage. It is designed to promote quality handmade products made by well-trained handicapped war veterans to raise extra income for their families. The products range from leatherwork, glassware and woodwork to clothing, accessories, home decorative items and organic vegetables.

And in order to celebrate the 60th birthday of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the chairperson of the Sai Jai Thai Foundation, in 2015, a limited number of textile photos of the Princess set in handicraft frames have been particulary made for sale.

The fair also features several products bearing the Princess’s drawings and initials such as fabric bags and notebooks. The foundation has urged members of the public to buy its products as a gesture of support to the handicapped and help these people overcome their disabilities by living an ordinary life.


-- NNT 2014-09-01

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INUNDATION

Severe flooding in several northern provinces after heavy downpours

The Nation

Locals complain that this has been a long-term problem and call for help

BANGKOK: -- MANY AREAS in several provinces have been flooded after days of heavy rain, especially in Chiang Mais Muang district where high flood waters inundated residential areas overnight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756427-severe-flooding-in-several-northern-thai-provinces-after-heavy-downpours/

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EDU Update

Cheaper bomb disposal robots developed by KMUTNB

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Cheaper domestically developed bomb defusing and disposal robots are set to be used by the Explosives Ordnance Disposal unit in the strife-torn far South thanks to a development project by King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756429-cheaper-bomb-disposal-robots-developed-by-kmutnb/

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2010 Political Violence

Slain activist's family arrested over leaflet protest

WATTANA KHAMCHU

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PAYAO AKKAHAD and her son Nattapat were arrested yesterday under the Skytrain's Morchit station for distributing leaflets criticising the Criminal Court's rejection of murder charges against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his then deputy Suthep Thaugsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756430-slain-thai-activists-family-arrested-over-leaflet-protest/

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Politics

Public interest comes first, says NLA chairman Pornpetch

KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- National Legislative Assembly (NLA) chairman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai has vowed the NLA will uphold the public's interest in its mission to reform the country's legislative branch, even though the people had not directly elected the assembly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756431-public-interest-comes-first-says-nla-chairman-pornpetch/

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Prayuth's Government

PM puts faith in military and ex-bureaucrats

Political Desk

The Nation

12 of 33 in Cabinet from armed forces t ensure Prayuth's roadmap stays on track

BANGKOK: -- GENERAL Prayuth Chan-ocha's Cabinet - with nearly half the ministers either active or retired military - won royal endorsement yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756347-new-cabinet-approved-announced-in-royal-gazette/page-2?p=8324604#entry8324604

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New Government

Business people happy with ministers

Busienss Reporters

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- ALTHOUGH the Prayuth Cabinet has been filled and controlled by soldiers, many business leaders still believe the troops can run the country successfully, as many strategic portfolios, especially economic ministries, are managed by capable and experienced experts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756432-business-people-happy-with-new-thai-ministers/

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More energy reforms required

ACHARA DEBOONME,

WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MANY THAIS welcomed last week's moves to restructure petrol and diesel prices, but long-term solutions will be achieved only when policy-makers and consumers agree on the true energy challenges that the Kingdom is facing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756433-more-thai-energy-reforms-required/

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Cambodian arrested following Russian bag snatch in Jomtien

PATTAYA: -- Late on Sunday Night Police based in Jomtien arrested a 22 year old Cambodian accused of stealing a bag from a Russian Tourist containing 45,000 Bahts worth of cash and valuables.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756434-cambodian-arrested-following-russian-bag-snatch-in-jomtien/

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Major drug crackdown nets 100 million baht worth assets and 10 suspects

BANGKOK: -- Narcotic police have seized about 100 million baht worth of assets and arrested 10 suspects in a major crackdown of a drug trafficking network covering ten provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756435-major-drug-crackdown-nets-100-million-baht-worth-assets-and-10-suspects/

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Non-Thai youths 'should be granted vocational papers'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A PETITION should be filed for non-Thai nationals to be granted vocational certificates so they are not denied opportunities due to the lack of the right documents, an advocate for the rights of minorities said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756436-non-thai-youths-should-be-granted-vocational-papers/

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Road-racing pick-up crashes close to Pattaya Highway 7 overpass

PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Sunday a pick-up driver was lucky to walk-away with minor injuries after he crashed his vehicle into a street pylon after a road-race went terribly wrong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756438-road-racing-pick-up-crashes-close-to-pattaya-highway-7-overpass/

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Gas Line rupture damages luxury car in Central Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Fire Fighters were called to Central Pattaya early on Sunday Morning to deal with a car fire which was caused by a ruptured gas line in a nearby restaurant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756439-gas-line-rupture-damages-luxury-car-in-central-pattaya/

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Ukraine crisis: US senators urge arms 'to fight Russia'

WASHINGTON: -- Leading American senators have called for the US to send weapons to help Ukraine fight what they say is "a Russian invasion".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756442-us-senators-urge-arms-for-ukraine/

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Hong Kong: Occupy Central anger over Beijing ruling

HONG KONG: -- Democratic groups in Hong Kong have vowed to fight a Chinese government ruling that effectively gives China control over the candidates for the next leadership election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756443-hong-kong-occupy-central-anger-over-beijing-ruling/

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Fire rages through Chatuchak Plaza Zone C Soi 2 late last night, 16 shops destroyed, electrical short circuit possible cause /MCOT

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Vietnam's no-frills carrier Jetstar Pacific will begin a daily flight between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok on Dec 10. /Bangkok Post

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Pyramid Cult Leader Appointed to Reform Public School Curriculum

By Khaosod English

Mr. Art-ong Jumsai Na at Baan Suan Pyramid movement events [Photo from Baan Suan Pyramid's website]

BANGKOK A prominent scientist has started an online petition protesting the recent appointment of a cult leader and UFO believer to lead a national education reform panel in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756468-pyramid-cult-leader-appointed-to-reform-public-school-curriculum/

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Predawn fire at Chatuchak market



BANGKOK: -- A fire broke out at Chatuchak market before dawn Monday, gutting 16 stalls inside this weekend market.

The fire happened at about 2.25 a.m. at the market’s Soi 2 of Zone C area, which accommodates mostly house decoration commodities.

Some witness said the fire was first spotted at Room 156-157 on Soi 2 which sells curtains. The fire then quickly raged to adjacent stalls.

Several fire engines rushed to fight the fire and kept it under control half an hour later after 16 stalls were gutted.

Cause of the fire is under investigation as forensic police are at the scene Monday morning to collect evidence.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/predawn-fire-chatuchak-market/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-01

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,569.16, gains 7.53 points /MCOT

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Garbage dumping sites surrounding Bangkok to undergo major reorganization

BANGKOK: -- Garbage disposal sites in six provinces surrounding Bangkok will come under reorganisation in the effort of the Department of Pollution Control to resolve the garbage dumping problems on a sustainable basis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756482-garbage-dumping-sites-surrounding-bangkok-to-undergo-major-reorganization/

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Feature

Thailand totters towards waste crisis

by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, September 1, 2014 (AFP) - A blaze at a vast rubbish dump home to six million tonnes of putrefying trash and toxic effluent has kindled fears that poor planning and lax law enforcement are tipping Thailand towards a waste crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756482-garbage-dumping-sites-surrounding-bangkok-to-undergo-major-reorganization/#entry8325411

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More rains expected in over half of the country this week

BANGKOK: -- Scattered showers covering 40-70% of the country's upper region are expected to continue for a week and flashfloods in downhill areas are also possible due to accumulated rainwater on mountains, Thai Meteorological Department said Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756496-more-rains-expected-in-over-half-of-thailand-this-week/

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Suan Dusit Poll: Military-dominated cabinet could suppress corruption

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 1 -- A majority of Thai people believe a military-dominated government of Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, could help lower corruption in Thailand and eradicate social divisiveness, according to the Suan Dusit Poll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756500-suan-dusit-poll-military-dominated-cabinet-could-suppress-corruption/

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UTCC lowers Thai economic growth projection for 2014

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 1 -- The University of Thai Chamber of Commerce Center for Economic and Business Forecasting has lowered its projection for Thailands economic growth this year to between 1.5 and 2 per cent from 2 2.5 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756504-utcc-lowers-thai-economic-growth-projection-for-2014/

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Ayutthaya develops the four language young guide project

PRANAKORNSRIAYUTTHAYA, 31 August 2014 (NNT)- The province of Ayutthaya has succeeded in creating a group of young guides who are capable of speaking four languages to welcome tourists to the province.

The Governor of Ayutthaya, Witthaya Pewpong revealed that the guiding project is open to all children whatever their religion, ethnic group or background, and involves the study of four languages: English, Melayu, Mandarin and Japanese. The project is aimed at establishing integrated English and history knowledge in the young guides, to enhance their everyday language skills with a deeper knowledge of their own homeland.

More than 200 students have applied to participate in the program. The project is part of the country's preparations prior to becoming part of the AEC. The project was launched in the hope of boosting a sense of nationalism in the young generation living in the former capital city of Thailand.


-- NNT 2014-09-01

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CDC instructs public to beware of spread of pink eye

BANGKOK, 1 September 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Communicable Disease Control has urged members of the public to avoid coming into contact with people who have pink eye in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756515-cdc-instructs-public-to-beware-of-spread-of-pink-eye/

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Phuket's 'Mr Big' surrenders to police in Bangkok
Tanyaluk Sakoot


With his trademark grin still in place, Prap Keesin (left) is photographed with police in Bangkok after his surrender this morning.

PHUKET: -- Preechawut 'Prap' Keesin, boss of Pisona Co in Patong and son of the town's former mayor Pian Keesin, surrendered at Buengkom Police Station in Bangkok this morning (September 1).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756521-phukets-mr-big-surrenders-to-police-in-bangkok/

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CDC: Ebola virus is not airborne

BANGKOK, 1 September 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Disease Control has reiterated that the deadly Ebola virus is not airborne and cannot be spread throughout the water supply or in properly handled and cooked foods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756523-thai-cdc-ebola-virus-is-not-airborne/

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All temporary border checkpoints will be upgraded to permanent status to boost border trade w/ neighbouring countries, to support set up of 6 special econ. zones in 5 provinces. /The Nation