Thailand Live Friday 5 Sep 2014

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PM orders DDPM to fight floods in full force, assist Sukhothai residents

BANGKOK, 5 September 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has stressed to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) the urgency of tackling flood problems in the country while calling for aid for flood-hit people in Sukhothai province.

With grave concerns over the current flood situation, Gen Prayuth assigned the DDPM to integrate efforts with other related agencies in the management and prevention of floods. At the moment, he said priority should be given to areas susceptible to chronic inundation, suggesting that drainage capacity be maximized.

The premier noted that any excess water should be diverted to retention spaces or drained into natural waterways to protect local communities from being impacted. The DDPM was also told to commit to providing all-around assistance to victims of flood disasters and to promptly repair utility systems in affected areas should they be damaged by floodwater.

As for the severe flooding in Sukhothai, Gen Prayuth tasked DDPM staff with coordinating with officials at the Third Army Region’s Naresuan Camp and other related units to distribute aid to the locals. Water pumping trucks and equipment are to be deployed in hopes of restoring normalcy in the area at the soonest possible time.


-- NNT 2014-09-05

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BANGKOK
Sukhumbhand 'confident' of favourable court ruling
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra is confident of victory when the Court of Appeals rules today on whether he violated the election law by engaging in mudslinging against the rival candidate, the governor's spokesman Wasant Meewong said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757612-sukhumbhand-confident-of-favourable-court-ruling/

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SURROGACY SCANDAL
Police seek information for surrogate twins case
Kwanhatai Malakarn
Kittipong Maneerit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai police expect additional information soon on the case of an Australian man charged with sexually abusing Thai-born surrogate twins.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757614-thai-police-seek-information-for-surrogate-twins-case/

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NEW PM
Prayuth to first focus on Asean leaders
Nantida Puangthong
The Nation
Tokyo

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha would give priority to Asean countries when he embarks on overseas trips to introduce himself, Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757615-prayuth-to-first-focus-on-asean-leaders/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCANDAL
Yingluck gets some respite in rice case
The Nation


Yingluck

Attorney General's Office sets up joint probe panel due to 'weak evidence'

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who faces serious charges of dereliction of duty, was yesterday given a respite - almost a month - after the Office of the Attorney-General decided to work with the National Anti-Corruption Commission to probe more into her government's allegedly corruption-ridden rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757616-yingluck-gets-some-respite-in-rice-case/

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BURNING ISSUE
Time for Prayuth Cabinet to show what it's made of
Supon Thanukid



BANGKOK: -- "Having or not having soldiers in the Cabinet is not the point. The point is what the country's problems are and how we are going to solve them," Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha said in defence of his choice of Cabinet members during his weekly television programme last Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757617-time-for-prayuth-cabinet-to-show-what-its-made-of/

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AUTOMOTIVE
Small 'grey' importers struggle with stockpiles
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The imported car market faced tough challenges in the first seven months of the year, and smaller "grey" importers are now forced to cease bringing in vehicles while clearing up existing stocks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757619-automotive-small-grey-thai-importers-struggle-with-stockpiles/

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NATIONAL REFORM COUNCIL
Prayuth assures fair selection of reform council members
The Nation


Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, seated right, joins Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, seated left, and Deputy Premier Yongyuth Yutthawong, on their way to Siriraj Hospital for the new Cabinet members

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday gave his assurance that members of the National Reform Council (NRC) would be selected fairly and carefully, with none of the candidates being especially favoured because of their connections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757620-prayuth-assures-fair-selection-of-reform-council-members/

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EDITORIAL
Give student gang members hope, not jail
The Nation

The fact that so many of our youngsters give in so easily to peer pressure suggests society hasn't offered them a better alternative

BANGKOK: -- Few doubt there is some truth to the allegation, but there is nevertheless concern that a young Army private will take all the heat for what is, in fact, a social ill that no one has yet managed to effectively curb.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757621-give-student-gang-members-hope-not-jail-thai-editorial/

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OVERDRIVE
Prayuth keeping 'happiness' cards close to his chest
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has just unveiled his Cabinet, ready to take on the challenge of turning the Kingdom around.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757622-prayuth-keeping-happiness-cards-close-to-his-chest/

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Chinese victim of Pattaya Beach street robbery



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday a 21 year old Chinese Tourist reported a bag snatch which occurred as she rode her bike with a friend on Pattaya Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757623-chinese-victim-of-pattaya-beach-street-robbery/

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UPDATE:

British National admits to deceiving Pattaya Police in street robbery case



PATTAYA: -- A 48 year old British National was charged with providing a false statement to a Royal Thai Police Officer in the early hours of Thursday after he claimed to have been robbed, at knifepoint, in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757479-briton-makes-false-robbery-report-seeking-insurance-claim-pattaya/?p=8343167#entry8343167

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Flooding in North remains worrisome



BANGKOK: -- Flooding in Thailand’s northern provinces remain worrisome while authorities warn residents living along the Chao Phraya river basin to brace for expected flooding from water runoff released by dam.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757624-flooding-in-thailands-northern-provinces-remain-worrisome/

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All foreign yachts in Phuket 'will have to have AIS system'
Saran Mitrarat

The AIS systems on boats will be monitored from the Vessel Traffic Management Centre on Chalong Pier.

PHUKET: -- From October 1 all foreign-registered boats coming into or staying in Thai waters will be required to have Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment installed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757625-all-foreign-yachts-in-phuket-will-have-to-have-ais-system/

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Four arrested over forgery scam
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two Pakistani men and two Thai women have been arrested for allegedly dealing in forged passports and other documents over the past 20 years, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757626-pakistani-men-and-thai-women-arrested-over-passport-forgery-scam/

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Ex-graft buster to be indicted
The Nation

Jaruvan

Jaruvan, accomplice to be charged for falsely claiming to have held seminar

BANGKOK: -- The attorney general has signed an order for the prosecution of former auditor-general Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka for allegedly falsely claiming to have held a seminar so members of her staff could file claims for travel expenses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757627-ex-graft-buster-jaruvan-to-be-indicted/

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Pheu Thai files complaint over Democrat book launch
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party yesterday called on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to take legal action against the Democrat Party for violating the junta's ban on political activities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757628-pheu-thai-files-complaint-over-democrat-book-launch/

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Forest officials get skills training
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An intense 15-day course is underway at a forestry office in Phitsanulok province to impart special and survival skills to forest rangers under a project aimed at making them as competent as US special operations personnel, office director Amorn Torcharoen said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757629-phitsanulok-forest-officials-get-skills-training/

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Woman beheaded in London attack

LONDON: -- An 82-year-old woman was beheaded in a London garden by a man with a machete on Thursday (London time).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757632-woman-beheaded-in-london-attack/

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Comedian Joan Rivers dies aged 81

NEW YORK: Comedian and TV host Joan Rivers has died, her daughter has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757633-comedian-joan-rivers-dies-aged-81/

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NACC: The case against former prime minister Yingluck is water tight



BANGKOK: -- The criminal case regarding the rice pledging scheme against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is water tight and that the National Anti-Corruption Commission prepared the case properly, said NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak Thursday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757675-nacc-the-case-against-former-prime-minister-yingluck-is-water-tight/

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UPDATE:

7 provinces below Chao Phraya Dam warned of deluge on Sep 8



CHAI NAT, 4 September 2014 (NNT) – Irrigation authorities have cautioned seven central provinces along the Chao Phraya River to brace for possible flooding this September 8 due to runoff from upstream areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757487-seven-central-thai-provinces-warned-of-possible-flooding/#entry8344140

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Lady Boy Arrested For Pick Pocketing Japanese Tourist In Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- September 4, 2014 [Pattaya Daily News]; at 3.00 a.m., while Pattaya tourist police, Chonburi province were patrolling near the entrance to Walking Street a male Japanese tourist named Mr. Takachi Pamawoto, aged 33, told them that was had been pick pocketed by a lady boy and his Docomo mobile phone had been stolen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757670-lady-boy-arrested-for-pick-pocketing-japanese-tourist-in-pattaya/

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Medics at fault in botched Oklahoma execution

(BBC) -- A report into a botched execution in Oklahoma in April has found medical staff failed to place and monitor an intravenous line properly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757679-medics-at-fault-in-botched-oklahoma-execution/

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PM orders immediate action to help flood-stricken people in North



BANGKOK: -- As flooding in the North is causing havoc to vast farmland and residential areas and is now threatening downstream provinces, Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday ordered the Army to take immediate action to help in setting up flood walls and evacuating people and their belongings to higher grounds.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757681-pm-prayuth-orders-immediate-action-to-help-flood-stricken-people-in-north/

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Surprise! Norwegian prisons do not deter would-be criminals


A handout picture distributed by Ila Prison shows common area for inmates at the Ila prison, just outside Oslo.

OSLO: -- The share of foreign criminals in Norwegian prisons has been quadrupled in 14 years. Norwegian prisons are not frightening enough, police and attorneys say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757682-surprise-norwegian-prisons-do-not-deter-would-be-criminals/

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4 years & 5 million liters later, Pattaya to fix broken water pipe

PATTAYA: -- Six months after the Pattaya Mail last reported it and four years after it broke, a leaking water pipe on Pratamnak Soi 5 finally has gotten city hall’s attention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757683-4-years-5-million-liters-later-pattaya-to-fix-broken-water-pipe/

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More heavy rains at weekend in North, Northeast



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's north and northeast regions will expect torrential rains at the weekend that could widen flood disaster in areas already submerged by flood water.

Thai Meteorogical Departnent forecasts scattered rainstorms covering 40-70 percent of the country with the northern and northeastern regions expecting torrential rainstorms during September 5-7.

It warns residents in the North to brace for torrential rains and flooding.

It said a monsoon is moving through the northern and the northeastern regions during September 5-7, while a medium-intensity southwesterly monsoon is still prevailing in the Andaman Sea.

It said provinces in the North and the Northeast such as Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, and Ubon Ratchathani have been told to brace for heavy rains.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/heavy-rains-weekend-north-northeast/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-05

weather forecasts for all Thai provinces: http://weather.thaivisa.com

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Pattaya officials given time to clean up beach, but military is watching

PATTAYA: -- Thailand’s military regime appears willing to give Pattaya officials time to bring order to the city’s beaches, but remain poised to move in should the effort go the way of so many other crackdowns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757685-pattaya-officials-given-time-to-clean-up-beach-but-military-is-watching/

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China will limit the access to foreign TV-Shows


Photo from the popular American TV-series House of Cards. Photo: Netflix.

BANGKOK: -- According to Wall Street Journal, China will be limiting the amount of foreign content on Chinese streaming sites to 30 percent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757689-china-will-limit-the-access-to-foreign-tv-shows/