Thailand Live Tuesday 9 Sep 2014

[webfact]

Australia 'shark attack': Man killed at Byron Bay

(BBC) A man has been killed in an suspected shark attack off a beach in Bryon Bay, the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758826-man-killed-in-australia-shark-attack/

[webfact]

Energy Min: LPG, NGV price adjustments under review

BANGKOK, 9 September 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Energy has affirmed that consideration is underway for the adjustment of natural gas prices in order for them to reflect the production costs while assistance will be provided for those affected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758852-thai-energy-min-lpg-ngv-price-adjustments-under-review/

[webfact]

Wanted doctor in Japanese surrogacy case turns in to police



BANGKOK: -- The doctor who is wanted in connection with the Japanese father of 15 surrogate children turned himself in to Lumpini police Monday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758856-wanted-doctor-in-japanese-father-of-15-children-surrogacy-case-turns-in-to-thai-police/

[webfact]

A Hong Kong-born venture capitalist is giving Harvard University $350 million for its School of Public Health, the largest donation in the university's history. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

PHUKET: Police begin arresting unregistered tuk-tuk drivers
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Legitimate tuk-tuks with the yellow plate.

PHUKET: -- Kathu police backed by the Army have begun arresting unregistered tuk-tuk drivers in Patong. Five have been caught so far, all on Sunday (September 7).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758860-phuket-police-begin-arresting-unregistered-tuk-tuk-drivers/

[webfact]

Amendments to the Foreign Business Act to be proposed to Cabinet
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE COMMERCE MINISTRY'S Business Development Department will propose to the Cabinet that it update the Foreign Business Act (FBA) and prepare the country for the Asean seamless market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758861-crackdown-on-foreign-nominees-changes-to-the-foreign-business-act/

[webfact]

NEW GOVERNMENT
Prayuth chairs first cabinet meeting Tuesday



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday presided over his first cabinet meeting at the Government House.

His government is scheduled to deliver policy in the National Legislative Assembly on Monday.//Photo : Vorawit Pumpuang

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayuth-chairs-first-cabinet-meeting-Tuesday-30242862.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-09

[webfact]

Khunying Pornthip suggests law change to speed up search for missing people



BANGKOK: -- Law should be amended to enable police to launch a search for missing people, especially young children,once they received complaints from their loved ones instead of having to wait for 24 hours, said Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunan, director of Forensic Science Institute, today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758869-khunying-pornthip-suggests-law-change-to-speed-up-search-for-missing-people/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Sand kicking case in Pattaya stirs outrage and call for military cleanup of Pattaya beaches

PATTAYA: -- The chasing of a foreign tourist from a beach front of Koh Larn Island in Pattaya has alarmed the military and local authorities of the continual outrageous rif-off on the beaches and prompted local authorities to look into the case seriously.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757929-clip-of-beach-mafia-controlling-the-area/page-17?p=8362991#entry8362991

[Lite Beer]

PM Prayuth emphasises honesty, transparency

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday morning encouraged his cabinet ministers to perform their duties with honesty and transparency with regard to national interest.

In the first day meeting at Government House, Gen Prayuth recalled that as all Cabinet ministers have pledged while taking the oath of allegiance before His Majesty the King, they have to comply with in performing duties.

He raised honesty, transparency, and national interest and said cabinet minister must adhere to as they have pledged.

He said the Cabinet will discuss working cooperation with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in the future and also to acknowledge its performances.

He said the government will deliver its policy statement to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Friday, Sept 12.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-prayuth-emphasises-honesty-transparency/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-09

[Lite Beer]

Same-sex wedding for British diplomat in China

BEIJING - Britain's consul-general in Shanghai married his same-sex partner at the ambassador's residence in Beijing at the weekend, sparking debate over gay unions in the country.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758876-same-sex-wedding-for-british-diplomat-in-china/

[webfact]

Raincoat Gang Snatch Taiwanese Woman’s Purse

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758873-raincoat-gang-snatch-taiwanese-womans-purse/

[webfact]

Fire guts Rong Klua border market



BANGKOK: -- The Rong Klua border market in Sakaeo province was hit by fire late Monday night, which gutted through several stalls with initial damages estimated at over five million baht.

Klong Luek police said the fire started first at Room 35 of Lock D which is a two-storey building inside the Talad Rong Klua market or officially called Golden Gate market where clothes were stored.

The fire quickly raced to adjacent Room 36 and engulfed the whole building.
Several fire engines were rushed to fight the fire and keep it from gutting through other nearby rooms.

However, the building collapsed after over an hour on fire.

Forensic police inspected the gutted and collapsed building said the building was old as well as the power cable which was old and might leak, causing a short circuit and fire.

A Thai trader who rented the room came to inspect her cargoes was shocked and fainted after seeing the damages. She was rushed to Aranyaprathet hospital for treatment.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/fire-guts-rong-klua-border-market/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-09

[webfact]

US Air marshall stung with a syringe after arriving on a United Airlines flight

WASHINGTON: -- After arriving on United Airlines an US Federal Air Marshal was attacked and possibly poisoned. The plain clothed officer was stabbed with a syringe and an unknown substance. This happened at the airport in Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday after he arrived on a United Airlines flight from Washington.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758916-us-air-marshall-stung-with-a-syringe-after-arriving-on-a-ua-flight-in-lagos-nigeria/

[webfact]

Mass arrest of drug addicts in capital

BANGKOK: -- A combined force of 250 soldiers, police, narcotic and city officials, and sniffing dogs raided 18 populated communities near Wat Pak Nam Pasicharoen temple in Bangkok and rounded up 66 drug addicts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758918-mass-arrest-of-drug-addicts-in-bangkok/

[webfact]

Chonburi prepares ‘Annual Buffalo Racing Festival’ for October 7th

CHONBURI, 9 September 2014 (NNT) – Chonburi Province is preparing its 143rd annual buffalo racing event to take place on October 7th 2014 in Chonburi province.

In addition to the buffalo racing on October 7th, a fair with food stalls and handicrafts to appeal to visitors who love authentic Thai food, snacks and sweets, is being held from October 4th to 10th 2014. There will be rides for children, concerts of folk music and, of course, a beauty contest where the prize is the honor of being declared Miss Buffalo.


-- NNT 2014-09-09

[webfact]

Thousands of amphetamine pills seized in Lampang

LAMPANG, 9 September 2014 (NNT) - Narcotics control police stationed at the Kieu Kor Ma Dam checkpoint have arrested three drug smuggling ring members and confiscated thousands of amphetamine pills.

The checkpoint was located at Sai Chae Hom-Wang Nuea Road close to the entrance of the dam. As authorities were manning the checkpoint, they stopped and searched a pick-up truck and found 1,118 amphetamine pills hidden in the vehicle. Police then took three suspects in the truck into custody confiscated the illicit drug and three mobile phones as well as 10,000 baht worth of cash.

The suspects confessed that the drugs were to be delivered to two of their accomplices who were just waiting in a hut located at the entrance of the Baan Sob Suk community.

Police also found out that the mastermind, Mr. Kiatisak Angkuladech, was the one responsible for purchasing these drugs from the Baan Huay Wad border area. The drugs were to be distributed to a group of teenagers and a number of labor working in Lampang.


-- NNT 2014-09-09

[webfact]

Global Joint Action Day on Climate Change event

BANGKOK, 9 September 2014 (NNT) - Global Joint Action Day on Climate Change is an event organized by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758925-global-joint-action-day-on-climate-change-event/

[webfact]

Floodwaters damage more than 853,000 rai of agricultural land in the North

BANGKOK, 9 September 2014 (NNT) – More than 853,000 rai of farmland have been devastated by floods that recently hammered Thailand’s northern region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758928-floodwaters-damage-more-than-853000-rai-of-agricultural-land-in-the-north/

[webfact]

Use of tablets while driving to be a crime under amended Road Traffic Act



SINGAPORE: -- From February next year, motorists caught driving while holding and using any sort of mobile device in Singapore will be flouting the law, according to The Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758934-singapore-use-of-tablets-while-driving-to-be-a-crime-under-amended-road-traffic-act/

[webfact]

WOMBS FOR RENT
Surrogacy clinic owner reports to police

BANGKOK: -- The owner of the clinic at the centre of surrogacy scandal reported to police on Tuesday but denied all the allegations against him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758856-wanted-doctor-in-japanese-father-of-15-children-surrogacy-case-turns-in-to-thai-police/#entry8363788

[webfact]

First report into MH17 crash suggests a large number of high-speed objects pierced the plane, which broke apart in mid-air. /BBC

[webfact]

MH17 crash: Dutch experts say numerous objects hit plane

(BBC) -- Dutch experts say Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 broke up in mid-air after being hit by "numerous objects" that "pierced the plane at high speed".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758937-mh17-crash-dutch-experts-say-numerous-objects-hit-plane/

[webfact]

PM Prayuth chairs 1st cabinet meeting
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 9 -- The cabinet of Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha had its first meeting at a heavily guarded Government House today.

It discussed the government policy statement to be given to the National Legislative Assembly, responsibilities and assignments among cabinet ministers and the visit of Thawil Pliensri, secretary-general of the National Security Council, to Malaysia today, to discuss future peace negotiation with the southern insurgency movements.

Gen Prayuth left his home early today, worshipped at the City Pillar Shrine and proceeded to Government House at 9.09am on the 9th of September, the ninth month of the year.

He wore a royally designed blue silk outfit reportedly to encourage cabinet ministers to wear Thai style outfits to preserve Thai culture.

Cabinet Secretary-General Ampon Kittiampon said that cabinet ministers would be briefed on cabinet meeting procedures, declaring their assets, cabinet agenda proposals and the appointments of their secretaries, deputies and advisors.

In addition, the National Council for Peace and Order supervisors for security, economic, social, legal and special affairs presented their work to the cabinet for the sake of the work's continuity.

Crowds of Thai and foreign reporters covered the cabinet meeting at Government House, while soldiers and police thoroughly checked people and their vehicles. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-09

[webfact]

Phichit province heavily flooded
By Digital Content

PHICHIT, Sept 9 -- Flooding continues to affect residents in many areas in the North including Phichit province.

Excessive floodwater that was in Sukhothai province last week moved south reaching and widely flooded Phichit, which also received runoff from Kamphaeng Phet province through the Yom River.

About a hundred homes in Rangnok sub-district of Sam Ngam district are flooded nearly one metre deep.

Phichit provincial seat, Thap Khlo, Sam Ngam and Pho Prathap Chang districts have been declared flood-stricken areas.

In Nakhon Sawan province, floodwater reaches Nong Bua district and affects about a thousand local residents.

In Sukhothai province, Governor Jakrin Plianwong inspected flood damage in Pak Khwae sub-district in the provincial seat, heavily hit by flooding from the Yom River.

When flooding ended there, the provincial governor ordered the quick repair of local roads.

Witthaya Phewphong, governor of Ayutthaya, said 825 homes in Sena and Phak Hai districts were flooded. Their homes are located close to the Noi River and are now surrounded by floodwaters 10-50 centimetres deep.

The Royal Irrigation Department reported that water levels of the Ping, Wang and Nan rivers were dropping and it could control the height of the adjoining Chao Phraya River by directing some water to irrigation systems on both sides of the river. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-09

[webfact]

Search goes on for a missing German tourist after flooding on Koh Chang



KOH CHANG: -- Search teams have been looking for a German tourists who has gone missing two days ago as flash flood swept through Koh Chang off Trat province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758944-search-goes-on-for-a-missing-german-tourist-after-flooding-on-koh-chang/

[webfact]

Public debts for July increased seven billion baht from June’s



BANGKOK: -- Outstanding public debts for the month of July increased 7,153 million baht from the June’s figures largely due to the reimbursements of 15 billion baht loan by the Sugarcane and Sugar Fund.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758946-public-debts-for-july-increased-seven-billion-baht-from-junes/

[webfact]

Naked Air Force dance party to be investigated
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A popular video showing a naked woman dancing for uniformed Air Force men will be investigated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758949-naked-air-force-dance-party-to-be-investigated-thailand/

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,583.18, down 1.59; Bt/USD31.97; GBP51.33; AUD29.47; EUR41.09; CAD28.98; HKD4.11; SGD25.25; JPY29.97

[webfact]

Tourists Robbed By Tuk-Tuk Driver and Motorcyclist Duo
By Khaosod English


A tuk-tuk driver and motorcyclist re-enact for police how they allegedly robbed two tourists in downtown Bangkok, 9 Sept 2014.

BANGKOK — A tuk-tuk driver and a motorcyclist allegedly conspired to rob two Chinese tourists in downtown Bangkok on Sunday, the latest in a spate of crimes committed against foreign tourists in recent weeks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/758952-foreign-tourists-robbed-in-bangkok-by-tuk-tuk-driver-and-motorcyclist-duo/