Thailand Live Wednesday 3 Sep 2014

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UPDATE:

EBOLA OUTBREAK
Tests clear woman back from Guinea
Puangchompoo Prasert,
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Lab tests have cleared any concern that a woman travelling from Ebola-hit Guinea may have developed the deadly infection. The 24-year-old woman had been under quarantine for a day pending test results.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756891-guinean-woman-undergoing-ebola-testing/#entry8333444

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UPDATE:

INUNDATION
Floods recede but more on the way
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Out of 15 flood-hit provinces, only Phichit, Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces remain inundated, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756852-ddpm-floods-ease-in-15-provinces-across-thailand/#entry8333454

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PRAYUTH'S GOVERNMENT
Timeframes for tasks add pressure on govt: PM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Despite having a "roadmap", Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday that his government would neither work under the pressure of a time frame nor allow the timeline to become an obstacle for his mission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757003-timeframes-for-tasks-add-pressure-on-govt-pm-prayuth/

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NBTC
NCPO leaves Channel 3 row up to watchdog
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The junta yesterday said it would keep out of the dispute between Channel 3 and the National Broadcasting Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) over the channel's refusal to stop broadcasting its analog programming via cable/satellite TV, a top NCPO source said last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757004-ncpo-leaves-channel-3-row-up-to-watchdog/

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INTERVIEW
Investors sure of renewed Thai growth: BoA exec
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Cox

BANGKOK: -- Investors have confidence in Thailand's economic recovery and its growth is currently on an upward trend after it hit bottom in the second quarter, Jason Cox, co-head of Asia-Pacific global capital markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said in an exclusive interview to The Nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757005-investors-sure-of-renewed-thai-growth-boa-exec/

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EDITORIAL
No cheating on education reform
The Nation

Failure is not an option: Thailand's future peace and prosperity depend on a thorough, broad-ranging and sustainable overhaul

BANGKOK: -- Witnessing governments come and go, we have lost count of how many failed to lay the proper foundations for the education of our youth. But we can wait no longer for education reform if we want to stay competitive as a country. Moreover, all parties agree that education can play a vital role in the reconciliation process to end years of political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757006-thai-editorial-no-cheating-on-education-reform/

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STOPPAGE TIME
One more thing that Prayuth should know
Tulsathit Taptim

Last week, we talked about 10 things that Thailand's new prime minister should realise. Well, my bad, because there's another crucial matter that will define his tenure.

BANGKOK: -- This issue cemented its own importance last week, in the form of a showdown between energy conservatives and those who believe that the May 22 coup will be a total failure unless the energy sector is drastically reformed.

So, here it is. Dear Mr Prime Minister, the 11th thing that you must know is that you are expected to bring the price of petrol down, contain the wealth of oil billionaires and replace the allegedly massive vested interests with national interests. You will have to do all the three substantially, or you will let slip a considerable chunk of public support.

If political amnesty is something that you are not supposed to touch, energy reform is quite the opposite. It doesn't matter how politically and technically complicated and highly sensitive the latter is, and how it can land you in a no-win situation. While you can keep amnesty out of your must-do list, there's no escaping the prices advertised in large figures at every petrol station in the country.

In my humble opinion, most Thais for the time being can grit their teeth and bear with a coup-maker who installs himself as prime minister who dislikes soap operas and hates to be criticised, as long as those petrol station pricing signs display moderate numbers. The signs have been an eyesore, and a lot more so when the revenues of local and foreign oil giants are taken into account. The nastier the signs look, the more likely your dislike of soap operas will become a character flaw, and the more your disdain of criticism will be seen as dictatorial.

The extreme complexities of the energy issue can be boiled down to this: Expensive petrol and obscenely rich oil moguls. You can point at the Arabs as an excuse when it comes to the staggering wealth of those upstream in the oil trade, but you will struggle to explain, convincingly, why oil is considerably cheaper where it shouldn't be. So, you are dealing with the worst-kept secret of human beings here: We are okay with others paying up to their necks the way we do, but if some people are paying less, all hell will break loose.

If that sounds "selfish", be careful about using that word. Numbers are overwhelmingly on the critics' side, and "selfish" can come back to bite you big time. One thing you must know first about energy reform is that its advocates are knowledgeable, well connected and well organised. If you throw technicalities at them, they will throw back some of their own. The only way to go is to be honest, open-minded and place national interests above anything else.

The reform advocates want you to decide first whether oil and other sources of energy found on Thai soil belong to the Thai people. Technicalities can wait. We must first settle the question "Who owns the energy?" and go from there.

Should we do away with concessions entirely? If not, what kind of concessions do we need? How much more should the government do and how much less should oil giants get? Is profit-sharing better than old-fashioned concessions? If so, what profit-sharing formulas fit Thailand? All these questions and their like can only be answered once we settle the aforementioned ultimate question.

You can give foreigners concessions to build high-speed trains, expressways or state-of-the-art sports stadiums. But what must be decided here is whether energy is the same thing, or in fact far more valuable and inseparable from national security and sovereignty. Should utilisation or commercialisation of energy be left totally up to elected politicians, or should there be some kind of unchangeable sovereignty edict governing them?

You will be hearing phrases like these from the status quo - "expertise", "high technology", "equipment", and etc. All will be meant to prove that no matter who "owns" the energy, few people are qualified to find it (or risk not finding it and losing massively), process it and distribute it for the common good. You may be told: "Look at telecom. They said the Thai people owned the frequencies - but check out the prices of the Internet and how little things have really changed since the days of the monopoly."

Your choices are simple: Leave energy alone because it could be too hot domestically and internationally, or bite the bullet because you see the issue as too important to ignore. Elected politicians have always opted for the former and there are very few signs they will ever take the latter. That leaves just one question: What will you choose?

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/One-more-thing-that-Prayuth-should-know-30242343.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-03

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Huge heroin haul busted in Northeast

BANGKOK: -- A major bust of heroin was made in Loei province Tuesday with the seizure of more than 150 kilos of heroin and a large number of methamphetamine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757007-couple-busted-in-isaan-with-150-kilograms-of-heroin/

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Students want crackdown on booze, hazing
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A students' network against alcoholic drinks yesterday urged Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha to act against college students' violent booze-involved hazing activities, while calling for the Education Ministry's clear regulations on the issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757008-thai-students-want-crackdown-on-booze-hazing/

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Police hunt for Pattaya godmother
Detawee Teewarangkool
The Nation

Arrests over extortion ring that sold 'protection' to vietnamese workers

PATTAYA: -- POLICE AND troops yesterday joined forces to crack down on a big extortion ring in Chon Buri province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757009-police-hunt-for-pattaya-godmother/

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COMPETITIVENESS
Thailand's ranking up 6 places to 31st
The Nation


A Thai broom vendor rides a tricycle on the street of Bangkok. Thailand's rankings in all 12 pillars are uneven. /AFP

BANGKOK: -- Despite its prolonged political crisis, Thailand advances six places to 31st position among 144 economies included in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757010-thailands-ranking-up-6-places-to-31st-global-competitiveness/

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Turk arrested for shoplifting women's clothes at Big C Extra, Central Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Late on Tuesday Night Security Guards at Big C Extra in Central Pattaya apprehended a Turkish man accused of taking items from the store without making an attempt to pay for them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757011-turk-arrested-for-shoplifting-womens-clothes-at-big-c-extra-central-pattaya/

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Bike Driver falls to his death from Central Pattaya Highway 7 overpass



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday a 25 year old Motorbike Driver fell off the overpass leading to Highway 7 in Central Pattaya after he crashed his bike into the barriers where the road takes a sharp right turn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757012-bike-driver-falls-to-his-death-from-central-pattaya-highway-7-overpass/

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Boy bitten to death while asleep by a snake

SURIN: -- A six-year old boy was bitten to death by a poisonous snake which was suspected to have escaped floodwaters to seek warm and dry refuge in his bed without his knowledge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757013-snake-kills-surin-boy-during-sleep/

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Good results from police train security project
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Thai railway police and police commandos are providing security to southern train passengers through a "Police in Train" campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757015-good-results-from-thai-police-in-train-security-project/

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Army plans to reclaim state land in Ubon, Loei and Udon
The Nation
NAKHON RATCHASIMA

BANGKOK: -- The Army Region 2 is eyeing the option of reclaiming state land from 'encroachers' in Ubon Ratchathani, Loei and Udon Thani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757016-army-plans-to-reclaim-state-land-in-ubon-loei-and-udon/

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Islamic State 'kills US hostage'

(BBC) An Islamic State video has appeared which purports to show the beheading of Steven Sotloff, a US journalist being held hostage by the militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757017-islamic-state-kills-us-hostage/

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IKEA plans to open two new stores in Bangkok


Store manager of IKEA Bangna Lacia Sherlock to the left at IKEA’s press conference. Photo: Lasse Henriksen

BANGKOK: -- Whitin the next 7 years IKEA will open two new stores in Bangkok. According to store manager Lacia Sherlock, the Swedish furniture store is currently experiencing a phenomenal growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757018-ikea-plans-to-open-two-new-stores-in-bangkok/

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'We have done nothing wrong' says former Phuket mayor
Saran Mitrarat


Pian Keesin speaks at this afternoon' press conference.

PHUKET: -- Members of the Keesin family today denied any wrongdoing. Released at 3am on bail from police custody, the family staged a press conference this afternoon at the large house behind the offices of the family company, Pisona.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757020-we-have-done-nothing-wrong-says-former-phuket-mayor/

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DNA evidence overturns 30-year convictions in US case

(BBC) Two US men who spent three decades in prison for rape and murder, one of them on death row, have been released after DNA evidence proved their innocence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757027-dna-evidence-overturns-30-year-convictions-in-us-case/

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National Artist Thawan dies

BANGKOK: -- National Artist Thawan Duchanee died following three months of treatment of hepatitis, his son posted a message on Facebook early Wednesday. Thawan was 74 years old.

His son, Doithibet Duchanee, said there will be praying ceremonies at Thepsirinthawas Temple for seven days.

Thawan was appointed a national artist on visual arts in 2001.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/National-Artist-Thawan-dies-30242417.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-03

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UPDATE

Student group urges NCPO to seriously tackle hazing in colleges

BANGKOK, 3 September 2014 (NNT) - Representatives from a student networking group in Rajabhat Chandrakasem University have sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha regarding student hazing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757008-thai-students-want-crackdown-on-booze-hazing/#entry8334124

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,574.19, gains 5.59 points /MCOT

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Flash floods destroy more than 300 homes in Chaiyaphum

CHAIYAPHUM, 3 September 2014 (NNT) – Rainfall runoff from the Phang Hoei Mountain Range in Chaiyaphum province has flooded more than 300 houses along the banks of the Chi River.

The floods have destroyed several check dams in the Lam Chiang Tha Reservoir, causing the Chi River’s water levels to rise by 2-3 meters and overflow.

More than 5,000 rai of agricultural land in the Khok Sa-at and Nong Bua Rawae subdistricts have been affected as a result.

Apart from that, heavy rains have also increased the amount of runoff from nearby mountain ranges and exacerbated the flood problems. Residents living in areas nearby the river are urged to relocate their belongings to higher ground.


-- NNT 2014-09-03

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King's paintings displayed at the 60th National Exhibition of Art

BANGKOK, 3 September 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King has kindly designated Privy Councilor Mom Luang Asni Pramoj, to officially open the 60th National Exhibition of Art and award winners of the national art competition, at the Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center, in Phra Nakhon District.

The exhibition, officially opened yesterday, is being organized by Silpakorn University in association with the Ministry of Culture, Esso (Thailand) Company and Krung Thai Bank, to promote public understanding in contemporary art. It is also designed to provide a space for modern art creativity and encourage artistic expression in hopes to put the Thai art circle on par with that of the international community.

The event features 94 selected works from the national art competition organized by Silpakorn University. The number includes the 12 award-winning entries in the four categories namely painting, sculpture, print and mixed media. His Majesty the King has also granted royal permission to exhibit his paintings at the exhibition.

The 60th National Exhibition of Art is running through September 19, 2014.


-- NNT 2014-09-03

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Seoul City suspends approval for Lotte skyscraper
By Digital Content

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- The city government of Seoul said Wednesday that it will allow a panel of citizens to inspect the safety of retail giant Lotte Group's new skyscraper before giving the final nod to the group's plan to open the lower part of the building.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757082-seoul-city-suspends-approval-for-lotte-skyscraper/

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IRA suspects to lose immunity from prosecution
Patrick Sawer and Peter Dominiczak

LONDON: -- Hundreds of Irish Republican Army terrorism suspects learnt they no longer have immunity from prosecution on Wednesday as the British government announced that hundreds of controversial "comfort letters" have been rescinded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757086-ira-suspects-to-lose-immunity-from-prosecution/

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Total candidates for 250 NRC seats end at 6,729



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission has announced total candidates vying for the 250-seat National Reform Council (NRC) after 20 days of application submission ending Tuesday at 6,729.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757088-total-candidates-for-250-nrc-seats-end-at-6729/

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7-Eleven to help store dogs
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- It’s the cool air-conditioning through the magic door that opens when a human approaches, who occasionally sacrifice some of their Smokey Bites to the stray souls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757091-7-eleven-to-help-store-dogs/

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Restoration of historic Pathumwan residence wins UNESCO award
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The Pathumwan district residence of a civil servant during the reign of King Rama VI received the Award of Merit from Unesco’s Asia Pacific Heritage program this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757094-restoration-of-historic-pathumwan-residence-wins-unesco-award/