Thailand Live Tuesday 2 Sep 2014

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Guinean woman under quarantine

BANGKOK: -- A woman from Guinea who returned from her Ebola infected country is under quarantine in a hospital pending blood test result for the disease.

She arrived in Thailand on August 20 and consulted the doctor after developing a fever of 38.8 Celsius nine days later.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Guinean-woman-under-quarantine-30242340.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-02

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MICT refuses to drop banhammer on websites linked to homework services
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- As services offering to do homework for students in exchange for their small allowance flood the internet, the Ministry of Education’s request for a blanket ban has been denied by nation’s watchers on the digital wall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756847-mict-refuses-to-drop-banhammer-on-websites-linked-to-homework-services/

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DDPM: Floods ease in 15 provinces across Thailand

BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 (NNT) The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department made known that the floods in 18 provinces throughout the country have eased but more storms and flash floods are still expected in many parts of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756852-ddpm-floods-ease-in-15-provinces-across-thailand/

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NLA: New cabinet to outline agenda for coming session soon

BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) made known that the newly formed cabinet is expected to outline the government's agenda for the coming session after they have been officially sworn in.

Thailand is now on the second stage of its national reform roadmap, which includes the formation of the new cabinet for national administration. General Prayuth Chan-ocha has named the interim cabinet on Monday, which has been primarily dominated by members of the Army to govern the country through at least a year of political reforms before he permits a general election.

NLA chief whip Surachai Liengboonlertchai noted that the cabinet will soon contact the NLA to set up a session to outline key policies for the next year. The scheduling of the session into the NLA’s agenda will take no more than 1 week.

The NLA has recently drafted meeting regulations and will forward them to the NLA whips for further consideration. The NLA has so far been deliberating security provision to royalty, the debt collection bill and the budget bill for the 2015 fiscal year.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

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Phuket man wins B4m in national lottery

Eakkapop Thongtub

Mr Arun's winning tickets.

PHUKET: -- A Cherng Talay man became the second Thai lottery winner in Phuket in the space of three weeks, winning B4 million yesterday (September 1) on tickets he bought.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756860-phuket-man-wins-b4m-in-national-lottery/

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Man gets free motorbike after pulling 'Take my wife' joke

By Coconuts Bangkok

This is a heart-warming story of a mans love and dedication.

BANGKOK: -- A Phitsanulok man received a lovely second-hand motorcycle from a shop in Pathum Thani province yesterday after the owner saw his funny viral video in which he begged the thief to return his bike in exchange for his wife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756883-thai-man-gets-free-motorbike-after-pulling-take-my-wife-joke/

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Guinean husband, wife arrested with 331 bars of heroin, 52,000 meth pills worth Bt300 million /MCOT

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Free World Cup Telecasts Bill Still Not Paid
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The state has yet to compensate media giant RS International for airing the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches free of charge to the public, as ordered by the Thai military junta a month after it staged a coup.

Surachai Chetchotisak, executive chairman of RS International, said yesterday that the company is still owed 308,890,000 baht from Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC).

The payment is supposed to compensate RS for the "lost opportunity" it faced in June after the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ordered the company to relinquish its exclusive rights to the World Cup broadcasts and allow every match to be aired for free on public TV channels. The NCPO’s orders were part of the junta's campaign to "return happiness to the people."

RS initially intended to only broadcast the matches to customers who had purchased their "signal boxes," a move that would have netted approximately 700 million baht for the company.

Mr. Surachai said only 100 million baht of the 427 million baht promised by the junta has been paid so far.

"Although the [agreed] amount of money was not sufficient to compensate the business damages, and not worth the investment, the company was willing to cooperate to create an atmosphere of happiness for Thai people," Mr. Surachai said. "RS did what we agreed with NBTC in a fast and complete manner. But now that the World Cup has been over for months, there is no progress about the payment."

The RS executive said he has already submitted two letters to the NBTC demanding the rest of the money and warning that RS will resort to legal action if no progress is made.

Takorn Tantasit, sec-gen of the NBTC, said the president of the NBTC, Air Chief Marshal Thares Poonsri, is in Turkey at the moment and unable to make any decisions regarding the payment.

Mr. Takorn said the NBTC is willing to pay RS 200 million baht - half of what the company asked - but stressed that no decision will be made until Mr. Thares returns to Thailand.

The free World Cup telecasts, which were shown on army-owned Chanel 5 and the state-run Channel 11, was a part of the NCPO's “happiness” following the military takeover on 22 May. Other activities organised by the NCPO included free concerts, free haircuts, and free movie tickets.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1409650270


-- Khaosod English 2014-09-02

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SET index closed 1,568.60, up 3.25;Bt19450(sell). Bt/USD31.92; GBP52.83; AUD29.57; EUR41.75; CAD29.18; HKD4.11; SGD25.38; JPY30.37

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Possible Thai Ebola patient quarantined and tested by Health Min

BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health made known that a Thai woman who recently returned from West Africa is being tested for Ebola after exhibiting symptoms similar to that of the deadly virus.

The ministry said a 24-year-old woman was suspected of being infected with Ebola after experiencing a high fever, a symptom of the often fatal virus. She is being quarantined in one of the ministry-appointed hospitals. The Department of Medical Sciences and other related units are running a blood test and an official result will be unveiled on Thursday.

Medical personnel tending to the patient have been instructed to wear a protective suit and to disinfect all equipment used in treating the patient.

Countries around the world remain on high alert over the possible spread of Ebola from West Africa. Passengers and visitors from the region are being thoroughly screened at most airports.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak sweeping the region has claimed 1,427 lives so far.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

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NCPO will ease role when cabinet starts work
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 2 -- Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), told the 13th meeting of the council today that NCPO would finish their urgent tasks before the new cabinet official begins their work.

The premier would address the policy statement to the National Legislative Assembly before the cabinet starts working.

Gen Prayuth said that afterwards the NCPO’s duties would be limited to maintaining internal peace and security and protecting natural resources.

He also said that the NCPO would later consider relaxing the imposition of the martial law.

Regarding the work of his cabinet, Gen Prayuth said he wanted all ministers to recruit knowledgeable and capable people to assist in their work so that it would be achieved within next year.

Regarding about 6,000 candidates who are vying for their seats in the National Reform Council, Gen Prayuth said that knowledgeable and capable applicants would be chosen and their selection would be fair. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-02

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EBOLA OUTBREAK
Guinean woman undergoing Ebola testing

BANGKOK: -- A woman from Guinea who returned from her Ebola infected country is under quarantine in a hospital pending the results of a blood test for the disease, Permanent Secretary for health Dr Narong Sahamethapat said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756891-guinean-woman-undergoing-ebola-testing/

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1-in-3 Thai men ejaculate prematurely, study finds
By Coconuts Bangkok

Guys, dont shoot the messenger for this one if you can hold your fire.

BANGKOK: -- The underlying cause of significant marital strife in the kingdom has been identified by a study finding 36 percent of Thai men experience premature ejaculation, a problem driving rifts between married couples.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756893-1-in-3-thai-men-ejaculate-prematurely-study-finds/

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Chiang Rai eyes 20 billion baht in tourism during rainy season

CHIAN GRAI, 2 September 2014 (NNT) – Chiang Rai is inviting tourists to visit the northern province of Thailand this rainy season. It is expected to generate at least 20 billion baht from local tourism.

The Chiang Rai Provincial Tourism Authority Office has revealed that the massive earthquake in May caused immediate cancellations of booked accommodation in the province. All 533 hotels comprising 15,000 rooms had seen a low average occupancy rate around 40 percent during the first three months. Then after a series of earthquakes struck the area, the occupancy rate dropped further to merely 20 percent.

The Chiang Rai province and TAT are therefore joining hands to launch a rainy season tourism campaign. It aims to draw at least 3,090,000 tourists and boost growth by 3 percent.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

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Bhutan to follow Thai universal health coverage

BANGKOK, 2 September 2014 (NNT) - The health minister of Bhutan has commended the Thai National Health Security Office (NHSO) for the universal health coverage, saying he would use it as a model to create a similar program for Bhutanese people.

NHSO Deputy Secretary-General MD Weerawat Phankhrut said Bhutan’s Minister of Health Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk and his team last week traveled to Thailand to observe the Thai universal health coverage managed by the NHSO. The minister said the Thai universal health coverage was recognized by the World Health Organization and the World Bank who regarded Thailand as a model of universal health coverage for developing countries, the secretary-general added.

Bhutan would follow Thailand in managing budget, using ICT with universal health coverage, giving benefits for the insured as well as decentralizing health promotion, MD Weerawat said.


-- NNT 2014-09-02

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Abhisit warns new govt of tough challenges ahead

BANGKOK: -- The Prayuth Cabinet is expected to face tough challenges as it guides the country through reform in the face of plummeting prices for produce, limited budget funding and a volatile world economic situation, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756912-abhisit-warns-new-govt-of-tough-challenges-ahead/

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Rights debate shelved due to Thai junta pressure

BANGKOK, September 2, 2014 (AFP) - Thai activists on Tuesday accused authorities of tightening their chokehold on freedom of expression after a debate on human rights since the army coup was scrapped following junta pressure.

In just over 100 days since it grabbed power from the elected government, the army has smothered dissent by hauling in anti-coup protesters, muzzling the media and threatening those found in breach of martial law with trial in a military court.

On Tuesday a panel discussion was due to take place at the launch of a report entitled "Access to Justice in Thailand: Currently Unavailable", examining the human rights landscape since the May 22 coup.

But report authors said they received calls on Monday urging them to cancel the event.

Then on Tuesday several police officers -- including two apparently undercover -- delivered a letter warning the organisers against holding the discussion at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Bangkok.

The letter "asked for our co-operation" in cancelling the talk as "the situation is still abnormal", said Pawinee Chumsri of The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, who organised the event alongside Amnesty International Thailand and the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF).

The organisers also received several phonecalls from military officers who said the event could be in violation of a ban on public gatherings, she told reporters.

In a statement released later, her group accused authorities of "intimidation" and battering freedom of expression by closing down a debate about access to justice in post-coup Thailand.

The group vowed to release the report through other channels and urged for an end to martial law.

Anti-coup protesters have been detained, arrested and in some cases charged for their actions.

Symbolic public readings of George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984" and the three-fingered salute from the "Hunger Games" movies were common in the weeks after the military takeover.

But public acts of resistance have since become more sporadic.

Rights groups say the Thai media has been strait-jacketed by pressure from the junta and public debate has been stifled by the threat of legal action against activists.

One of the report authors, Pornpen Khongkachonkiet of the CrCF, faces a defamation charge after calling for a probe into an allegation of assault by security forces during a raid on a suspect's house in Thailand's insurgency-afflicted deep south.

Thailand's junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who was endorsed as Prime Minister two weeks ago, says martial law is still needed to uphold peace and order in the politically volatile nation after months of protests.

He has promised fresh democratic elections by next October after vaguely-defined reforms, which are widely seen as a bid to dull the influence of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Thai politics.

"It's been 100 days since the coup and there's no sign of a restoration of human rights and democratic principles," Sunai Phasuk, senior researcher at New York-based Human Rights Watch, told AFP.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-09-02

[Lite Beer]

IMMIGRATION
Miserable life of foreign children detained in Thailand: HRW
The Nation

Ethnic Rohingya refugees, including children, from Myanmar wait for registration after being rescued./EPA

BANGKOK: -- Immigration detention in Thailand violates the rights of both adults and children, said Human Rights Watch in a new report.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756943-miserable-life-of-foreign-children-detained-in-thailand-hrw/

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No time frame for my Cabinet: Prayuth

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha said Tuesday that he will not set a time frame for his Cabinet's working as it could be an obstacle or pressure in his ministers.

"People always asked about my [government] time frame but I don't set one. From now on, the Cabinet won't have time frame because I don't want it to become our obstacle or pressure." he said in a National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) weekly meeting.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/No-time-frame-for-my-Cabinet-Prayuth-30242354.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-02

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Banning of justice talks 'intimidation', say rights groups

BANGKOK: -- Human rights groups cancelled a scheduled panel discussion on the issue of access to justice Tuesday at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) after the military junta requested them to do so.

Instead, the groups held a brief press conference at the FCCT Tuesday afternoon explaining the reasons for the cancellation and condemned the move as an intimidation against human rights lawyers and human rights organisations.

"We see this as a violation of freedom of expression and the rights to received news and information by the people," said human rights lawyer Pawinee Chumsri, a member of the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) who coorganised the planned event together with Amnesty International Thailand and the Cross Cultural Foundation.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Banning-of-justice-talks-intimidation-say-rights-g-30242356.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-02

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Revenue Department agrees to tourism tax rebates to boost domestic tourism

BANGKOK: -- The Revenue Department has accepted the tourism sector’s proposed tourism tax rebates to boost domestic tourism.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756951-revenue-department-agrees-to-tourism-tax-rebates-to-boost-domestic-tourism/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 3 Sep 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757002-thailand-live-wednesday-3-sep-2014/