KOH TAO MURDERS
Police seek help from FBI on DNA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Say the US has more sophisticated equipment for Koh Tao murder hunt

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761855-police-seek-help-from-fbi-on-dna/

A car-free way to clear the air
Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Carbon dioxide levels are set to drop this weekend as Bangkokians switch from motor to pedal power

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761858-a-car-free-way-to-clear-the-air/

Relief as US opts against sanctions
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
ERICH PARPART
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand yesterday welcomed US President Barack Obama's decision not to impose sanctions against the Kingdom over its failure to combat human trafficking, assuring it would continue to work hard to improve its performance in this area.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761860-relief-as-us-opts-against-sanctions/

Calls for freedom as police end talk
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Forum had nothing to do with Thailand, was on foreign dictatorships: moderator

Academics yesterday decried the breaking up of a political discussion, though Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha defended the move, saying people had only been "invited" to the police station.

The authorities broke up a symposium entitled "Fall of Dictatorship Abroad" held at Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus on Thursday afternoon.

Prajak Konhkirati, a Thammasat University political scientist, lamented the situation, saying there could be no true democracy without academic freedom.

"Don't consider the current situation democratic. Let's not fool ourselves," said Prajak, who was the moderator of the short-lived symposium.

Police took three students - members of the League of Liberal Thammasat for Democracy (LLTD) who organised the event - Prajak and four other academics in for questioning. Prajak explained that the discussion had nothing to do with Thailand, but was about how dictatorships overseas, such as in Serbia, Latin America and Germany had been overthrown.

He also said academics - both local and overseas - had expressed concern about the situation.

"We cannot become a full democracy if we limit academic freedom," Prajak told The Nation. "We weren't even discussing Thailand!"

Prayuth, meanwhile, called on the public yesterday to give his government some time before it can allow free discussions on politics.

"Please understand me. I wasn't elected. I know myself well," Prayuth said, adding that a "request" for the event to be cancelled had been made earlier.

In a letter dated September 16 and addressed to Thammasat University's deputy rector, Colonel Pallop Fuengfu, commander of the Second Field Artillery Regiment, asked that event be cancelled as it "may affect the solving of national problems and create division and differing political attitudes again".

After talking to the police, Prajak admitted it was understandable that the military might have considered the forum a political gathering because there were more than 150 people - albeit mostly students - present. But, he said, the university's administrators should come out and defend academic freedom.

"Right now, they're pressuring all universities and they even told me that Rangsit University has been cooperative," Prajak said. " But if we don't fight to defend academic freedom, then it's tantamount to the university giving up its role."

He said the Army had told him that permission had to be sought before such an event can be organised again and that the junta reserved the right to deny it.

Separately, Thammasat rector Somkid Lertpaithoon said yesterday that people must realise that martial law applies to universities as well and whether a discussion is permitted or not depends very much on the topic. Somkid, who is also a member of the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly, has been widely criticised for his stance.

"I sent people to warn the students to be careful, but didn't place stress on anything in particular," the rector was quoted as saying.

As for the event, noted historian Nidhi Eoseewong was the only lecturer who could speak on stage for about 30 minutes before police moved in and the reaction to this was seen almost immediately in cyberspace as people began posting comments condemning the junta.

"They can't control our thoughts, so they've started using fear," Thammasat political scientist Pongkwan Sawasdipakd tweeted.

An LLTD member, who tweets as @RickLee, said the struggle would continue and vowed that "we will not submit ourselves to the National Council for Peace and Order. We will not be subjected to tyrannical abuse."

He said the group managed to mark the eighth anniversary of the September 19, 2006 coup yesterday by placing a black banner along a road in the capital.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Calls-for-freedom-as-police-end-talk-30243697.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-20

UPDATE:

Police chief rebuffs Kritsuda
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National police chief General Somyot Poompanmoung yesterday insisted police had evidence implicating Kritsuda "Ple" Khunasen in helping wire money to the so-called "men in black" to pay them for violent acts during the red-shirt protests in 2010.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761800-evidence-ties-kritsuda-to-blackshirt-militants-police-chief-says/?p=8410603#entry8410603

Prayuth takes responsibility for his comments 'as a gentleman'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In his weekly TV programme yesterday, Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha explained why he sometimes used harsh words, adding that he apologised for every inappropriate comment he has made so far.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761862-prayuth-takes-responsibility-for-his-comments-as-a-gentleman/

Rubber farmers cancel planned protest after govt measures
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday claimed success in curbing a planned protest by rubber farmers in the South, after pledging to raise the minimum price of the commodity to Bt50 per kilogram, which is the current global rate.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761864-rubber-farmers-cancel-planned-protest-after-govt-measures/

Security and crime fighting centre to open next week
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A national centre to integrate internal security and crime-fighting involving various ministries and authorities will start next week to cope with clear and present threats, a Defence Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761865-security-and-crime-fighting-centre-to-open-next-week/

Appeals Court upholds 11-year term for magazine editor
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Sukanya, the wife of lese majeste convict Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, said her husband had no choice but to stay in prison for another eight years, though she said she would discuss the matter with him today.

She was reacting to the decision of the Appeals Court to uphold the 11-year prison term given to Somyos by the Court of First Instance.

The key red-shirt member and former editor of Voice of Taksin magazine was found guilty of lese majeste after he published two articles written by a contributor in 2010.

After the verdict was read out, the 53-year-old said he would take his appeal to the Supreme Court.

Somyos has always insisted that the articles were written by former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair, who is in a self-imposed exile due to his anti-coup stance.

Sukanya, meanwhile, said she was surprised that she and her husband's lawyer had not been told that the verdict would be handed down today, adding that Somyos had been ushered in and out of court quickly by soldiers. Somyos has already served three and a half years of his sentence.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Appeals-Court-upholds-11-year-term-for-magazine-ed-30243703.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-20

Plan for 78th province gets some backing
The Nation

File Photo

A local politician has fiercely defended the plan to set up a new province comprising Nakhon Ratchasima's eight districts.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761866-plan-for-78th-province-gets-some-backing/

MANGROVE FORESTS RECLAIMED
The Nation

PHANG NGA: -- A group of local conservationists, who call themselves White Shark Unit, helped police, civilian and military authorities to dig up palm plantations in Phang Nga illegally grown on a vast swathe of endangered mangrove swamp.

A recent survey found that more than 40,000-rai of mangrove areas in Chanthaburi has been exploited, followed by another 12,000 rai in Nakhon Si Thammarat and 1,200 rai in Surat Thani.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/MANGROVE-FORESTS-RECLAIMED-30243705.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-20

Traffic violations drop by 67%
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- More than 40,000 cars have had their wheels locked since traffic police launched a campaign on June 9 enforcing traffic laws in the capital.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761867-traffic-violations-drop-by-67/#entry8410685

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We can all contribute to good education
Kornchanok Raksaseri
@Aim_NT

BANGKOK: -- Education is a key factor in development. Besides the appointment of a new education minister (and the other Cabinet members), many topics such as university ratings and rankings have been the talk of the town recently.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761868-we-can-all-contribute-to-good-education/

Parcels containing arms found in post
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police are investigating three parcels that reportedly contained weapons, including an M67 grenade, a BB gun, a pistol and ammunition.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761869-parcels-containing-arms-found-in-post/

New evidence found in tourists’ murder case

BANGKOK: -- Investigation into the brutal murder of two English tourists on Koh Tao Island is progressing with the police said they have found new evidence from CCTV footage of an Asian man wearing the pants of one of the victims.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761870-new-evidence-found-in-tourists-murder-case/

UPDATE:

Rohinya migrants now suspected in British couple’s death

BANGKOK: -- Local police today added Rohinya migrants into suspected groups of three to find out after DNA results ruled out all their earlier detained suspects from the murder of the two British tourists.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761604-koh-tao-killers-will-be-caught/page-8?p=8410738#entry8410738

Huge drug seizure at a road checkpoint in Lampang

Police in Lampang seized 172,000 methamphitamine tablets and one kilogramme of ice worth about 51 million baht from the fuel tank of a sedan which was stopped at a checkpoint in Mae Prik district.

The driver of the Toyota Camry, later identified as Chalermpol Banloengsanoh, a Bangkok resident, was arrested.

Acting on a tipoff that a substantial amount of narcotic drugs was to be transported through Lampang to Bangkok, Mae Prik district police were put on the alert and dispatched to man roadblocks on the highway.

It was reported that Chalermpol acted suspiciously when his car was stopped at the checkpoint on the Paholyothin highway in Mae Prik district. He showed off an ID card claiming to be an inspector to check on the performance of officials.

The police manning the checkpoint ignored the ID card which appeared to be a fake and searched Chalermpol’s car thoroughly. They removed the back seat and detected traces that the fuel tank was removed and refitted.

When the lid of the fuel tank was opened, the police found the ya ba wrapped in several plastic bags.

Police said that the ya ba which bore the brands of GGG, 3G and a tiger standing on a globe came from three refineries at the border and was meant to be sent to Bangkok and further downward.

The suspect claimed that he was paid 50,000 baht for each shipment and this was his third trial.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/huge-drug-seizure-road-checkpoint-lampang/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-19

Bangkok, police ban footpath vendors around Chatujak Market

BANGKOK, 19 September 2014 (NNT) – Bangkok has collaborated with the Metropolitan police to prohibit the selling of goods on the footpath around Chatujak Market; violators will be arrested and fined 2,000 baht starting on Saturday (20th Sep).

The Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and Traffic Police Commander have combined efforts with the Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok in mobilizing authorities to fully organize the footpaths around Chatujak Market to facilitate the activities of customers, free up pedestrian access and improve the streets of Bangkok.

-- NNT 2014-09-19

EDITORIAL
Scots have spoken, now Britons must act
The Nation

LONDON: -- From now on, London's dealings with Great Britain's northern partner must stem from the heart

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761873-scots-have-spoken-now-britons-must-act/

-- The Nation 2014-09-20

Scottish referendum: Salmond to quit after Scots vote No

GLASGOW: -- Alex Salmond is to step down as Scottish first minister after voters rejected independence.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761875-scottish-referendum-salmond-to-quit-after-scots-vote-no/

RT @RichardBarrow: [1/3] Update on German seen begging on Khao San: Tourist Police & others have now come to his aid (Pic @NoteBUJR) http://t.co/oJYLMEM42L

RT @RichardBarrow: [2/3] The German has been put up at VS Guesthouse on Khao San & will be taken to his embassy today (Pic @NoteBUJR) http://t.co/x2YpiOWc3C

RT @RichardBarrow: [3/3] The German doesn’t have an urgent medical condition. He was born this way & it “doesn’t hurt” (Via @NoteBUJR) http://t.co/7H5A7W2aQi

Reading: Thai consortium takes over Championship club

READING: -- A Thai consortium has successfully completed a takeover of Reading, the Championship club have confirmed.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761891-reading-thai-consortium-takes-over-championship-club/

UPDATE:

Thailand beach murders: Desperate police DNA test WOMEN and measure footprints in bizarre public investigation

Thai police this morning DNA tested WOMEN to see if they were involved in the horrific murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761604-koh-tao-killers-will-be-caught/page-9?p=8411232#entry8411232

Deputy Police Chief Somyot Poompanmoung flies to Ko Tao to supervise probe into murder of 2 British tourists; asserts progress being made /MCOT

RT @RichardBarrow: 20,000 cyclists are expected to join a rally in #Bangkok on Sunday. Meeting place is Sanam Luang at 8am. Map: http://t.co/N0NCDHrOmM

RT @RichardBarrow: This weekend in #Bangkok for cycling enthusiasts: Bicycle Expo 2014 at Seacon Square and Bike Addict at Terminal 21

KBank offers SIM card for tourists to Thailand

Bangkok, 17 September, 2014 – Travellers visiting Thailand can receive a free Happy Holiday SIM card to be used in the kingdom by exchanging US$100 or more (or equivalent in other currencies) at participating Kasikornbank (KBank) Currency Exchange Booth nationwide from now – 31 December 2014.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/761921-kbank-offers-sim-card-for-tourists-to-thailand/