Thailand Live Tuesday 16 Sep 2014

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Cost of living, rice stock, exports and border trade to be quickly addressed

BANGKOK, 16 September 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce has promised to mark the issues of cost of living, the management of rice stock, exports and border trade as matters to be addressed urgently.

Commerce Minister Sommai Phasi on Monday briefed ministry officials on his policy, which places emphasis on the country's economic foundation. The public must have access to precise information about the state's policy, he stressed. Each department under the ministry has also been assigned to establish a plan of operation and to clearly set the time frame for each affair.

The commerce minister also told ministry officials he will work to push this year's economic expansion to two percent.

Deputy Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikanlaya also briefed Commerce officials of his policy, which involved synergy of work and lending support to the government's various policies. He also marked several issues as needing to be urgently tackled. These included the management of the existing 15-18 million tons of rice within the government's stockpile, the oversight on cost of living, exports and the augmentation of Thai entrepreneurs' capacity to compete. On the issue of cost of living, the deputy minister disclosed that sellers may be asked to keep item prices unchanged for a period. On the issue of exports, greater emphasis will be placed on border trade and more benefits will be sought from free trade agreements.


-- NNT 2014-09-16

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CRIME
Koh Tao 'sealed off' after two tourists brutally killed
THE NATION, AFP



Gruesome murders of British pair on island paradise shock locals and visitors

BANGKOK: -- POLICE have sealed off the resort island of Koh Tao off Surat Thani province to hunt down killers who brutally murdered a British couple and possibly raped the woman on Sunday night. The 24-year-old victims have been identified as Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760714-koh-tao-island-sealed-off-after-gruesome-murder-of-two-british-tourists/

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NEW GOVERNMENT
Govt will push for a digital-based economy: Pridiyathorn
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation


Pridiyathorn

BANGKOK: -- The GOVERNMENT plans to push for a digital-based economy for long-term economic development and expects to see concrete results within one year, Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760715-thai-govt-will-push-for-a-digital-based-economy-pridiyathorn/

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Police: Arrested 'Blackshirts' Not Responsible For Slain Colonel in 2010
By Khaosod English


The five suspected Blackshirts were dressed in black clothing with red arm bands for the police press conference announcing their arrests on 11 Sept 2014

BANGKOK — Thai police have retracted the accusation that five suspects recently arrested for their alleged connection to a Redshirt militant group were responsible for the murder of an army colonel during political unrest in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760716-thai-police-arrested-blackshirts-not-responsible-for-slain-colonel-in-2010/

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RAINY SEASON
Water level in major dams remains low despite continuing rainfall
The Nation



The Royal Irrigation Department yesterday urged people to conserve water due to the low level stored in major |dams.

BANGKOK: -- News of the dam situation came as Ranong residents were told to brace for rain, flooding and large waves today and tomorrow, due to the influence of Typhoon Kalmaegi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760717-water-level-in-thailands-major-dams-remains-low-despite-continuing-rainfall/

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ICT to amend law as Science Ministry pushes for a more innovative society
Usanee Mongkolporn,
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation


Pornchai Rujiprapa

BANGKOK: -- The Information and Communications Technology Ministry will set up a committee with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to amend the Frequency Allocation Act and define clearer roles for the two sides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760718-ict-to-amend-law-as-science-ministry-pushes-for-a-more-innovative-society/

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New commerce minister outlines policies for short and long terms

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

Chatchai Sarikulya briefs Commerce Ministry officials on his policies yesterday.

Pledges transparency, sustainable measures for growth; keeps year's export target

BANGKOK: -- Newly appointed Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya plans for export growth of 4 per cent next year, while maintaining this year's target at 3-3.5 per cent, as well as making the management of crop prices, rice stocks, and retail prices more efficient, with transparency and minimal intervention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760719-new-commerce-minister-outlines-policies-for-short-and-long-terms/

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Finance announces three priorities
Erich Parpart
The Nation

Economic recovery, lowering public debt, revamping taxes top Sommai's agenda

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry yesterday laid down three priority policies to strengthen the country's financial fundamentals - urgently boosting the economy, reining in public debt, and refining the tax structure - while hoping they will be continued by the elected government expected in about a year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760720-thai-finance-ministry-announces-three-priorities/

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EDITORIAL
Holes in Thailand's foreign policy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth's address to lawmakers was full of orders but short on a vision of the country's future on the regional and international stages

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760722-holes-in-thailands-foreign-policy/

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STREETWISE
The death of bookstores is bad news for Thailand
Achara Deboonme

Reading has been a favourite hobby for me since childhood.

BANGKOK: -- As a youngster, I was sent out to buy my father's favourite weekly magazines - mostly mysteries involving ghostly encounters. As a reward I could buy myself comic books.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760723-the-death-of-bookstores-is-bad-news-for-thailand/

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UPDATE:

Police suspect foreign workers in murder of two British tourists in Koh Tao

SURAT THANI: -- The chief of Surat Thani police said he suspected Myanmar workers in the area are responsible for the murder of two British tourists on Sairee beach Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760714-koh-tao-island-sealed-off-after-gruesome-murder-of-two-british-tourists/#entry8391076

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Sadly cute: Little boy works as bus conductor (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The video of a student who looks about 10 working as a bus conductor has been shared and admired by the social network over the weekend for his hardworking spirit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760725-little-boy-works-as-bangkok-bus-conductor-video/

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Woman jumps into crocodile farm in suicide bid

BANGKOK: -- A 65-yar-old woman jumped into a crocodile farm in Samut Prakarn province and was killed by crocodiles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760681-woman-jumps-into-crocodile-farm-in-suicide-bid/

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BURNING ISSUE
All about rice: NACC can't afford to get it wrong again

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S RICE saga flared up last year, with research showing large probable losses resulting from the Pheu Thai Party's rice-pledging scheme as well as the possibility of corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760726-all-about-rice-nacc-cant-afford-to-get-it-wrong-again/

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NIDA to present 'wide-ranging' reform proposal
Pravit Rojanaphruk,
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Warns Thailand faces stagnation if changes not made soon; initially offers suggestions on politics, judiciary, governance

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760727-thailands-nida-to-present-wide-ranging-reform-proposal/

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Distance-learning classes set to start at 15,000 small schools
TANPISIT LERDBAMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- CONCERNS HAVE been raised over some students' ability to keep pace with lessons as the Education Ministry prepares to launch distance-learning classes at 15,523 small schools.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760728-distance-learning-classes-set-to-start-at-15000-small-schools-in-thailand/

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Officials in trouble over illegal land deeds
WASU VIPOOSANAPAT,
SITTHICHAI SIKHAWAT
THE NATION

16 SET TO BE CHARGED OVER MAJOR LAND SCANDALS IN PHUKET

BANGKOK: -- SIXTEEN government officials are set to face negligence charges for their alleged involvement in two land scandals - covering 370 rai in Phuket province, the Royal Forestry Department revealed at a press conference yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760730-officials-in-trouble-over-illegal-land-deeds-in-phuket/

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UPDATE:

Thailand deaths: Tourists named as David Miller and Hannah Witheridge

(BBC) -- Two British tourists have been killed in an attack on a beach in southern Thailand, local police have said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760714-koh-tao-island-sealed-off-after-gruesome-murder-of-two-british-tourists/?p=8391151#entry8391151

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Belgian murderer Van Den Bleeken wins 'right to die'

(BBC) -- A Belgian man serving a life sentence for rape and murder will be allowed to have doctors end his life, after a landmark ruling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760732-belgian-murderer-van-den-bleeken-wins-right-to-die/

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US launches airstrikes against IS militants south of Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and near Mount Sinjar - Central Command /BBC

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Islamic State talks: Iraq 'regrets' Iran absence

(BBC) -- Iraq's foreign minister has criticised the decision not to invite Iran to an international summit on the threat from Islamic State (IS) militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760735-islamic-state-talks-iraq-regrets-iran-absence/

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A Chinese city is asking smartphone users to walk in their own footpath lane
Rick Noack

CHONGQING: -- China, home to 700 million smartphone users, is now experimenting with new ways to prevent smartphone-related accidents: On a 165-foot pavement stretch in the city of Chongqing, pedestrians can choose between a normal lane and an exclusive one reserved for heavy users of mobile devices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760749-a-chinese-city-is-asking-smartphone-users-to-walk-in-their-own-footpath-lane/

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U.S. airstrike hits ISIS target near Baghdad, first in 'expanded efforts'
By Jim Sciutto, Barbara Starr and Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN

(CNN) -- A U.S. airstrike near Baghdad Monday marked a new phase in the fight against ISIS.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760750-us-strikes-isis-near-baghdad/

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Typhoon shuts down Hong Kong with strong winds, rain

HONG KONG - Hong Kong was shuttered Tuesday as a powerful typhoon swept past the city, bringing strong winds and rain that caused flight disruptions and forced the closure of the stock market and container ports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760753-typhoon-shuts-down-hong-kong-with-strong-winds-rain/

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Thailand's largest low-cost carrier, AirAsia will begin daily non-stop Krabi-Guangzhou, China flight service this Nov. 6. /The Nation

Tourism & Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul aims to develop Thai sports to be among top 5 in Asia. /The Nation

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US and Nato troops begin Ukraine military exercise

(BBC) About 1,300 troops from 15 countries - including the US and other Nato members - have begun a military exercise near Lviv in western Ukraine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760767-us-and-nato-troops-begin-ukraine-military-exercise/

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Second fire at Chatuchak market



BANGKOK: -- A fire broke out this morning at Chatuchak weekend market gutting six rooms.

The fire was the second time within this month when a predawn fire damaged 16 rooms on September 1.

The second fire happened at 7.10 a.m. in the market’s 12nd project on Kamphaeng Phet road.

Two fire engines were rushed to the scene immediately and kept the fire from spreading in half an hour.

Six rooms were damaged by the fire.

Cause of fire is still under investigation as forensic police are collecting evidence at the fire scene.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/second-fire-chatuchak-market/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-16

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,582.49, gains 3.37 points /MCOT

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Online activist sues coffin-monk for fraud
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: @beaver_ch5

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760773-online-activist-sues-coffin-monk-for-fraud/

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UPDATE:

Surat police detain three Myanmar workers for questioning in connection with Britons murder

BANGKOK: -- Surat Thani provincial police chief said Tuesday that the police have detained three Myanmar workers for questioning after suspecting they might be involved in the brutal murder of the two British tourists on Sairee beach in Koh Tao Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760803-thai-police-hunt-killers-of-two-britons-found-beaten-to-death/#entry8392101