Thailand Live Thursday 11 Sep 2014

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Lanna Expo 2014 to be held during Sep 19-23

CHIANGMAI, 11 September 2014 (NNT) – The Chiang Mai Tourism and Sports Office is set to host the Lanna Expo 2014 at the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center from September 19-23.

Aiming to support knowledge exchange about community based tourism, the event will showcase local arts and traditions of 20 hill tribes and products from communities in the province.

In addition, people can learn about community based tourism from exhibitions organized by public and private sectors.


-- NNT 2014-09-11

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State Petroleum Agency 'Sorry' For Leaked Chemical
By Khaosod English


An explosion in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong province on 5 May 2012.

RAYONG — Thailand’s state petroleum enterprise apologised for leaking chemicals near a residential area in eastern Thailand - a year after an oil leak from the company's pipeline devastated an island in the same region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759434-thailands-state-petroleum-agency-sorry-for-leaked-chemical/

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PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER
Rajata urged to give up at least one of his positions
CHULEEPORN ARAMNET
THE NATION



Minister warned holding both Mahidol presidency 'a conflict of interest'

BANGKOK: -- BY COVERING HIS face with a metal box, a Mahidol University (MU) dean sent a loud message to Rajata Rajatanavin yesterday - that he must choose whether to be the university's president or the new public health minister, not both.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759435-thai-health-min-rajata-urged-to-give-up-at-least-one-of-his-positions/

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PRAYUTH'S GOVERNMENT
Economic development plan to focus on sustainable growth
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- AMID LINGERING economic ills such as inefficient tax collection, mounting public debt, prodigal energy use and water shortage in the agricultural sector, the government's policy will be divided into three phases, aimed at continuity and sustainability of economic expansion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759436-economic-development-plan-to-focus-on-sustainable-growth/

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AUDIO CONTROVERSY
Price of Cabinet audio slashed after public outcry
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- FOLLOWING a public and media outcry, the price of 89 microphones intended for communication in the Cabinet meeting room at Government House has been reduced by 35 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759437-price-of-thai-cabinet-audio-slashed-after-public-outcry/

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SURROGACY SCANDAL
Ministry to take care of another Shigeta baby
ANAN WIJITPRACHA,
NATTAWAT LAPING
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT and Human Resources Ministry will step in to take care of another baby born to the Japanese man at the centre of a surrogacy scandal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759438-thai-surrogacy-scandal-ministry-to-take-care-of-another-shigeta-baby/

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FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Political channels to be warned over content
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE National Broadcasting and Telecommuni-cations Commission (NBTC)'s broadcasting panel will issue a warning to three satellite TV channels, namely Peace TV, Fah Wanmai and News 1, as their content has allegedly been in violation of the agreement they signed with the watchdog.

Sombat Leelapata, NBTC's acting deputy secretary-general, said yesterday that the sub-committee governing TV programming had received complaints about inappropriate content still being aired on these channels. This was clearly in breach of the memorandum of understanding the channels signed with the NBTC and the watchdog will be sending them a warning letter before summoning them for a meeting.

Meanwhile, the broadcasting panel said it would delay making a decision on whether it will approve analog Channel 3 to broadcast the 17th Incheon Asian Games from South Korea because it was no longer a free broadcaster under the new "must-carry" rule.

The TV Pool of Thailand, meanwhile, submitted a proposal yesterday seeking permission to allow other free TV channels, including Army's TV5, Channel 7, NBT and 3HD Channel, to be official broadcasters of the Incheon event. The panel will also let True Visions broadcast Asian Games.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Political-channels-to-be-warned-over-content-30243010.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-11

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SELF-IMPOSED DEATH
Governor orders monk's rescue from coffin
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A RENOWNED monk who was imposing his own death was rescued yesterday from a coffin at the order of the Chaiyaphum governor, who cited humanitarian reasons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759439-chaiyaphum-governor-orders-monks-rescue-from-coffin/

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Baht stable despite recent weakening: BOT
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE RECENT WEAKENING of the baht is in line with regional currencies because of the strengthening of the US dollar, the Bank of Thailand said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759440-baht-stable-despite-recent-weakening-bot/

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AirAsia Group expands Thai presence
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION
KUALA LUMPUR


Tony Fernandes

BANGKOK: -- AIRASIA GROUP is establishing new businesses in Thailand, ranging from insurance to communications and entertainment, as it anticipates growing market demand once the Asean Economic Community is realised next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759441-airasia-group-expands-thai-presence/

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EDITORIAL
Lao children are better educated than Thai kids
The Nation

The startling findings of the latest global report on education place a tough assignment ahead for new minister Narong

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's poor standing in a recent global survey on the quality of education has caused alarm among educators here and prompted the authorities to respond.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759442-lao-children-are-better-educated-than-thai-kids/

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THAI TALK
Corruption, Yingluck and rice scheme
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The verbal exchange was a rare one, and as its focus was former Premier Yingluck Shinawatra and allegations concerning corruption in the controversial rice price-pledging policy, it inevitably escalated into a showdown that became the talk of the town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759443-thai-talk-corruption-yingluck-and-rice-scheme/

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Allegations of mistreatment made against Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday the Mother of a 28 year old man, who is currently facing attempted murder charges, reported alleged mistreatment of her son by Pattaya Police after he was refused Hospital treatment for serious injuries sustained during the incident in question.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759444-allegations-of-mistreatment-made-against-pattaya-police/

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Bomb Scare at house of Banglamung District Chief



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday afternoon, Bomb Disposal Officers were called to the house of the Banglamung District Chief after a suspicious casket was found left in front of the residence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759445-bomb-scare-at-house-of-banglamung-district-chief/

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UPDATE:

Report of fake gun on flight probed
THE NATION



CHIANG MAI International Airport has launched an investigation into reports that a passenger managed to board a flight with a fake gun inside his bag.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759319-passenger-gets-away-with-fake-gun-on-chiang-mai-bangkok-flight/#entry8370682

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Residents seek leniency
JANJIRA PONGRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SOME FARMERS in the North yesterday lodged a complaint with the National Human Rights Commis-sion against a crackdown on land encroachment and sought more leniency or reconsideration of its implementation. They said the strict enforcement had affected them very badly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759447-thai-farmers-in-the-north-seek-leniency/

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'Tighter control over media to check divisive groups'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MEDIA CONTROL will be tightened, as there are still undercurrents that threaten to worsen divisions in society, Public Relations Department director-general Apinant Chantharangsi said yesterday.

He said some political groups were still staging activities that could bring about more rifts in the country. Three orders of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) - numbers 79, 97 and 103 - would be strictly observed.

The orders ban media operators from featuring people connected with political parties. The content must not be critical of the NCPO or the government; programmes must be recorded in advance so they can be checked for content before broadcast; there must be no phone-ins to any programmes, even to entertainment ones such as music programmes.

He said the department would keep a close watch on 147 radio stations and all newspapers, Facebook and Line. "Please be patient because our country is suffering from a serious illness and we need a surgery to be healthy and happy as we were,'' he said.

Apinant said the government must tighten its grip on the media, including community radio, and if it allows the situation to go back to square one, attempts to restore peace and heal the rifts would be in vain.

He added that some community radio stations were allowing advertisements of drugs that do not have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration, placing the health of the public at risk.

First Army Region deputy director Colonel Suthat Nakpan said authorities needed to step up checks and controls against any group aiming to instigate public revolt through the use of media. He said he did not expect a crackdown on undercurrents to be easy but officials must ensure their continued efforts and get the public to understand and use their judgement when consuming media.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Tighter-control-over-media-to-check-divisive-group-30243008.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-11

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Turning off the tap on Thailand's graft pipeline
Daniel J Mitterhoff
Special to The Nation


Labourers at work on a construction project in Bangkok.//EPA

Renewed emphasis on mega-projects and counter-corruption needs renewed emphasis on public procurement law

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759450-turning-off-the-tap-on-thailands-graft-pipeline/

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POLICY STATEMENT
Reform, a just society 'top goals'
THE NATION

Prayuth wants an atmosphere suited for reconciliation, but warns of huge challenges ahead

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayuth Chan-ocha says in his policy statement, due to be announced in the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) tomorrow, that his government's major goals are to create a society where there is reform and justice, with no corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759452-thai-govt-policy-statement-reform-a-just-society-top-goals/

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Scottish independence: Cameron, Clegg and Miliband make Scotland 'No' vote plea

LONDON: -- The leaders of the main UK parties have travelled to Scotland to urge voters to reject independence in the referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759453-cameron-clegg-and-miliband-make-scotland-no-vote-plea/

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Barack Obama to lay out plan to defeat Islamic State

WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama is due to lay out a strategy to "destroy" Islamic State militants "wherever they exist".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759454-obama-to-lay-out-plan-to-defeat-islamic-state/

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Ozone layer showing 'signs of recovery', UN says
Roger Harrabin
By Roger Harrabin
BBC environment analyst

(BBC) -- The ozone layer that shields the earth from cancer-causing ultraviolet rays is showing early signs of thickening after years of depletion, a UN study says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759455-signs-of-recovery-in-ozone-layer/

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Timothy Ray Jones to be charged with killing five children

LEXINGTON, SC: -- A US father will be charged with murdering his five children and dumping them in another state, say police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759456-us-father-to-be-charged-with-killing-his-five-children/

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Fire rages at 3-story bldg at Soi Yomarajsukhum, Charoen Krung 17; motorists should avoid Charoen Krung Road, Worachak areas /MCOT

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Australians face death in China over drugs

MELBOURNE: -- AUSTRALIANS charged with drug offences in China could face the death penalty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759492-australians-face-death-in-china-over-drugs/

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An Australian was isolated Thursday in hospital after he displayed symptoms of the deadly Ebola virus following a trip to Africa, health officials said. /Bangkok Post

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Australian man isolated in Ebola scare

SYDNEY: An Australian was isolated in hospital Thursday (Sep 11) after he displayed symptoms of the deadly Ebola virus following a trip to Africa, health officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759496-australian-man-isolated-in-ebola-scare/

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Australia world's most expensive for international students

SYDNEY - Australia is the most expensive place for an international student to attend university, ahead of Singapore and the United States, with India the cheapest, a study showed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759499-australia-worlds-most-expensive-for-international-students/

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Bond villain actor Kiel dies aged 74

FRESNO, CA: -- Actor Richard Kiel - who played steel-toothed villain Jaws in two James Bond films - has died in California aged 74.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759501-bond-villain-actor-kiel-dies-aged-74/

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Reports of explosion noise sets off fruitless search for downed aircraft in Suratthani

SURATTHANI, 11 September 2014 (NNT) – Search operations for an allegedly downed aircraft were called off in Suratthani on Wednesday after no aircraft remains or other anomalies were found.

Provincial officials, disaster mitigation officials and rescue workers inspected many suspected areas on Wednesday in response to locals' reports of explosion-like noises coming from the sky. The locals believed the noises were from a helicopter that was about to crash. Park rangers traversed thick forests in Samo Thong subdistrict in Tha Chana district to look for signs of any downed aircraft, but found no traces. Local aircraft operators that included the police, the Army, the Air Force's Wing 7 and the Forestry department all reported that none of their aircraft had gone missing.

Chatpong Chattaraphuti, the governor of Suratthani, said he called off the search operations at 5pm on Wednesday after the 200-strong search team and aerial surveys did not find anything anomalous in the area.

The Air Force's Wing 7 reportedly sent two Northrop F-5 fighter jets on routine training on Wednesday morning. Some officials have speculated that the explosion-like noises heard by locals were sonic booms coming from the two aircraft.


-- NNT 2014-09-11