Thailand Live Tuesday 23 Sep 2014

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NBTC posting notices about the rights of telecommunication service users at mobile phone service centers

BANGKOK, 23 September 2014 (NNT) - The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has been posting notices at mobile phone service centers about the rights of telecommunication service users.

Thakorn Tantasit, secretary-general of NBTC, revealed that NBTC has announced the rights for mobile phone service to educate all users about the differences between prepaid service and postpaid service, how to choose your mobile phone, how to block junk messages, and tell you how to use the channels to ask help from a service providers. NBTC will post a notice with the cooperation from the service providers and post at every service center within this week.

Korkit Darnchaivichit, NBTC's deputy secretary general, added that the actual policy is written in a legal language so it might be difficult for users to understand their rights. Therefore, NBTC needs to be aware of this situation and create an announcement which is fully understandable to the public.


-- NNT 2014-09-23

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UPDATE:

MURDERS
Koh Tao: police fail another day
The Nation



Latest DNA test results, mostly on migrants, come back negative; police waiting for news on 3 'new' suspects tested

KOH TAO: -- POLICE hunting the killers of two British tourists on Koh Tao failed again yesterday to link suspects to the crimes, as DNA tests on 30 out of 64 samples collected mostly from migrants on the island did not match any found on the victims' bodies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762571-police-still-fail-to-pinpoint-suspects/#entry8423849

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NATIONAL BROADCASTING REGULATOR
NBTC approves 5-year fee waiver
Usanee Mongkolporn
Wachiranont Thongthep
The Nation

BANGKOK: - The national broadcasting committee yesterday unanimously approved a five-year waiver of the annual Universal Service Obligation fee for all 24 terrestrial digital TV channels for five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762638-nbtc-approves-5-year-fee-waiver-for-tv-channels/

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AUDIO CONTROVERSY
Audio-visual system in Govt House returned to seller
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The controversial new audio-visual system at Government House has been returned to the private company that sold it, a government spokesman said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762639-audio-visual-system-in-thai-govt-house-returned-to-seller/

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NATIONAL REFORM COUNCIL
Concern over 'fixing' of NRC candidates
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Election Commission (EC) secretary general Puchong Nutrawong suggested yesterday that the selection of National Reform Council (NRC) members might be delayed following allegations of candidate "fixing" at provincial level.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762640-concern-over-fixing-of-thailands-nrc-candidates/

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'Fuel price rises won't spur inflation'
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Prasarn

BOT governor hints at lower GDP; export growth forecast soon

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul says the government's energy-reform plan, in which it changed fuel prices to reflect the real cost, will have a minimal impact on inflation despite some prices increasing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762641-thai-fuel-price-rises-wont-spur-inflation/

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Ministry of Labor tackles human trafficking issue especially in the fishery business

BANGKOK, 23 September 2014 (NNT) -- M.L. Puntarik Samiti, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, sat as the chairperson in a forum on human trafficking for labor purposes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762642-thai-labor-ministry-tackles-human-trafficking-issue-especially-in-the-fishery-business/

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STREETWISE
History as written by whom?
Achara Deboonme

The most popular section among newspaper readers is the obituaries.

BANGKOK: -- I was young when I first heard that fact and it straightaway struck me as weird. Why should we pay attention to the dead, when the present and future were what was most important? It took years before I realised why we still write obituaries and why they still have a large readership.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762644-thai-opinion-history-as-written-by-whom/

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EDITORIAL
Freedom to think, discuss is crucial to reform process
The Nation

Shutting down political debate, even in universities, is no way to build a foundation for genuine democracy

BANGKOK: -- Without freedom of expression guaranteed, the junta's bid to implement reforms for democracy and reconciliation lacks credibility. Without free debate, the ongoing selection of candidates for the National Reform Council, which will map out the reform agenda and draft a new charter, is merely a ceremonial endorsement of authoritarian rule. How can this country count on reform in the national interest when even a small discussion on political science is shut down?

A group of soldiers and police last week broke up an academic debate on politics being held by scholars and students at Thammasat University's Rangsit campus. The uniformed officials treated the speakers and those listening as if they were murderers or terrorists posing a security threat to the nation.

Prominent historian Professor Nithi Eowsriwong together with political scientists Prajak Kongkirati, Chaowarit Chaosaengrat, Janjira Sombatpoon-siri and Panu Traiwech were taken into custody and questioned for hours at a Phathum Thani police station. Four students who organised the session were also taken in. None has a criminal record.

"Democracy Class, Lesson 2: The Downfall of Dictatorships Abroad" was the title of the lecture. It was meant to offer lessons for the authorities on how to prolong their rule, but the junta chose to shut down the debate before they could be heard.

Commander of the Second Field Artillery Regiment Colonel Phanlop Fuangfu, who has jurisdiction over security and order in the area, had sent a letter to Thammasat University requesting cancellation of the session, the second such symposium held by this group. Accompanying the request - which was actually an order - was an explanation that made no sense: this was not the proper time to talk about politics.

If political discussions cannot be held while the country is going through a reform process, when can they be held?

Authorities are now keeping a close watch on other universities. Lt-General Preecha Chan-ocha, younger brother of Prime Minister Prayuth and commander of the Third Army Region, reportedly urged students and academics at Chiang Mai University to cancel a planned seminar on political issues on Thursday.

Junta spokesman Winthai Suvari says that, given the prevailing social mood in Thailand, political discussion is not appropriate. If so, what is the point of the junta calling for public participation in the reform process? How can reforms be inclusive if any political opinion is gagged?

Winthai suggested that any person or agencies with ideas on political development should make written proposals to Prime Minister Prayuth or the National Council for Peace and Order. "Speaking [about political issues] in public could deepen social divisions," he said.

Winthai apparently knows little about the nature of academic work. The Thammasat group in question is a small one and its activities are limited to the campus. Its topic of discussion was purely academic in nature and contained nothing politically provocative. How could the military imagine that the group's activities would stir social division?

Thammasat University is among the country's most prestigious seats of learning, set up in 1934 to offer education in law and political affairs. If students and academics cannot discuss political subjects there, of all places, how are ordinary citizens to debate any subjects crucial to the success of our reform process?

Academics who work within the limits of their profession pose no threat to the rule of the military administration, physical or otherwise. But, as Professor Nithi pointed out, last week's events suggest that the junta is insecure about its hold on power. However, we cannot afford to fear ordinary civilians armed only with books and brains, if we want the country to move forward.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Freedom-to-think-discuss-is-crucial-to-reform-proc-30243861.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-23

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Fighting the Islamic State: What about the day after?
James M Dorsey
RSIS


A Syrian boy

BANGKOK: -- US military operations against Islamist jihadists in Iraq and Syria risk repeating the West's failure to address the core grievances of populations in the Middle East

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762645-fighting-the-islamic-state-what-about-the-day-after/

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Pattaya Canal Murderer caught by Police



PATTAYA: -- On Monday, residents of a small community in Naklua, which is situated around a canal, were shocked to discover the body of a man, floating-face-down in the water, who appeared to have been murdered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762646-pattaya-canal-murderer-caught-by-police/

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Russian girl crowned 'Miss International Russia Thailand 2014'
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Margarita Stepanova was crowned the most beautiful Russian woman in Thailand on Friday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762647-russian-girl-crowned-miss-international-russia-thailand-2014/

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Mystery over death of retired Phuket cop
Eakkapop Thongtub


Rescue staff check the body for signs of violence. None was found.

PHUKET: -- Mystery surrounds the death of a former policeman found dead in his one-floor house in Rassada last night (September 21).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762648-mystery-over-death-of-retired-phuket-cop/

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Another water shut-off for Phuket Town
The Phuket News


Time to get the buckets out. Photo Nicola Romagna.

PHUKET: -- Mains water will be shut of temporarily in Phuket Town from 8pm tomorrow (September 23) to 5am on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762649-another-water-shut-off-for-phuket-town/

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Over 100 investigators involved in probe of tourists’ murder



BANGKOK: -- More than 100 Bangkok-based police investigators have been sent to Surat Thani to investigate the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao about a week ago, said Pol Gen Somyos Poompanmuang, the acting national police chief, today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762650-over-100-investigators-involved-in-probe-of-koh-tao-tourists-murder/

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Richest 0.1%own half of nation's assets
The Nation

NESDB study reveals massive wealth inequality; 15.6 million deemed 'poor'

BANGKOK: -- CLOSE TO one in four Thais (23.5 per cent) - 15.6 million people - are considered to live in poverty, while a fraction of the population (0.1 per cent) is so rich they own nearly half (46.5 per cent) of the country's total assets, a 2012 study by the National Economics and Social Development Board found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762653-nesdb-study-reveals-massive-wealth-inequality;-156-million-thais-deemed-poor/

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Tougher penalties for brawling students
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- BRAWLING STUDENTS will find it hard to obtain loans for their education, if a proposal by the Federation of Private Colleges of Technology and Vocational Education of Thailand gets the green light.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762654-tougher-penalties-for-brawling-students-in-thailand/

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French man Herve Gourdel abducted by Algeria militants

(BBC) A French man has been kidnapped in Algeria by a militant group linked to Islamic State (IS), French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762656-french-man-herve-gourdel-abducted-by-algeria-militants/

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US and other nations begin air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Pentagon says /BBC

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US airstrikes begin against Islamic State jihadists in Syria as 130,000 Syrian Kurds to flee to Turkey

WASHINGTON: -- THE Pentagon says the US and its partners have began airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762667-us-and-partners-begin-air-strikes-against-islamic-state-in-syria/

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Thailand Weather: More rain in the north, less rain in the south

BANGKOK, 23 September 2014 (NNT) – According to the Meteorological Department's daily weather forecast, fairly widespread downpours can be expected throughout the Kingdom today while in central and northern regions isolated heavy rain is expected.

The Meteorological Department says the monsoon trough lies across the upper North and the Northeast of Thailand while a low pressure cell lies over Vietnam's upper coast. Today and tomorrow (23-24 September), scattered to fairly widespread downpours are likely with the possibility of isolated heavy rain in the provinces of Chiang Rai, Nan, Uttaradit, Phetchabun, Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani.

The department also advises anyone traveling to Shanghai, China, or areas close to Korea today or tomorrow (23-24 September) to keep updated on the weather conditions as the tropical storm “FUNG-WONG” is now located to the east of Shanghai, China and is moving towards Korea. However, this storm has no effect on Thailand.

In the Northern region of the kingdom very cloudy skies are to be expected today with a 60% chance of scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain especially in the provinces of Chiang Rai, Nan, Uttaradit and Phetchabun. Temperatures will range between 23-24 C minimum and 30-32 C maximum. In the Northeast (Isan) region, very cloudy skies are expected with a 70% chance of fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain especially in the provinces of Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani. The temperature in this region ranges between 23-25 C minimum and 31-33 C maximum.

People in the Central region can expect a cloudy sky with a 60% chance of scattered thundershowers especially in Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Suphan Buri provinces. Temperatures will range between 24-25 C minimum and 33-34 C maximum. People in the Eastern region can expect very cloudy skies with a 60% chance of scattered thundershowers especially in Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. Temperatures between 24-26 C minimum and 32-34 C maximum apply and a wave height of about 1 meter can be expected at sea today.

The East Coast of the Southern region can expect a cloudy sky with a 30% chance of scattered thundershowers in the provinces of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, and a wave height of about 1 meter can be expected at sea today. The temperature ranges between 24-25 C minimum and 32-34 C maximum.

Meanwhile, on the west coast of the southern region, cloudy skies are expected, with a 30% chance of thundershowers especially in the provinces of Ranong, Phang-nga and Satun. At sea, wave heights of about 1 meter can be expected. The temperature will range between 24-25 C minimum and 32-34 C maximum.

In the Bangkok metropolitan area, residents can expect cloudy skies with a 60% chance of scattered thundershowers with the temperature ranging between 25-26 C minimum and 33-34 C maximum.


-- NNT 2014-09-23

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

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Princess Sirindhorn opens ‘Good Products of Nara City’ Fair

NARATHIWAT, 23 September 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is paying a 3-day visit to the southern region of Thailand from September 22 to 24. The royal itinerary is taking the Princess to Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla provinces.

On her first stop in Narathiwat, the Princess Maha Chakri visited the Longkong Fair 2014, at the Chalerm Phra Kiat public park in Muang District. Her Royal Highness on this occasion awarded 70 agriculturists who have won the Narathiwat annual competition of agricultural produce. Also receiving their awards from the Princess were villagers who won a competition of handicraft products using native plants such as palm leaves, Lipao and Krajute grass as raw materials. The Princess also awarded 40 winners of this year’s zebra dove cooing competition.

The Longkong Fair is the 39th of its kind organized as part of the “Good Products of Nara City” Festival which has triple objectives, namely to show gratitude to Their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family who have provided assistance in all aspects to the people of Narathiwat, to honor HRH the Princess Maha Chakri on the occasion of her 60th birthday in 2015, and to celebrate 99th founding anniversary of the province.

Her Royal Highness later toured an exhibition in the fair’s ground featuring development projects by various government units such as the promotion of cow and goat rearing. Other interesting activities are cooking demonstrations of southern-style food and competitions of long-tail and native boats such as Ko-lae and Yo-kong.

The fair will continue until September 27, this year.


-- NNT 2014-09-23

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,594.16 gains 4.65 points /MCOT

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Earthquake jolts Bali
By Digital Content

Denpasar, Bali, Sept 23 (ANTARA) - An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter Scale jolted Bali Island, Tuesday, at 5.05 am local time.

The quakes epicenter was located 22 kilometers northeast of Klungkung, 8.68 degrees southern latitude, 115.75 degrees eastern longitude, and at a depth of some 195 kilometers.

The tremor was felt in almost every region in Bali, such as Kuta, Nusa Dua in Badung District, Gianyar, and Denpasar. (ANTARA)


-- TNA 2014-09-23

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Longer New Year holiday proposed

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) has proposed the government to declare a five-day period from December 31 to January 4 as the New Year holidays to boost spendings and domestic tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762703-longer-new-year-holiday-proposed-tourism-council-of-thailand/

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UPDATE:

TCT proposes extension of New Year holidays

BANGKOK, 23 September 2014 (NNT) – The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is requesting the Cabinet to consider extending the New Year holidays to raise revenue from tourism and has also come up with a strategy to take Thai tourism to the next level in four years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762703-longer-new-year-holiday-proposed-tourism-council-of-thailand/#entry8425147

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UPDATE:

Frightened British tourist says Thai Mafia may have killed the two British tourists in Koh Tao



BANGKOK: -- As Thai police now said they have obtained photograph of two Thai men while sexually harassing the British tourist Hannah Witheridge and assaulting her friend David Miller while trying to protect her at a beach bar, another British man who was friend to David recalled the nightmare on the night of the murder to British newspapers today of being threatened with life by Thai mafias who tried to force him to admit to the murder of the two victims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762561-terrified-briton-flees-koh-tao-after-mafia-death-threat/page-14?p=8425179#entry8425179

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Royal Thai Police to install more street lights and CCTVs throughout Bangkok

BANGKOK, 23 September 2014 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police are planning to increase street lighting and install 50,000 more CCTV cameras across 283 ‘danger areas’ throughout Bangkok in a bid to beef up security and reduce the rate of crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762713-police-to-install-more-street-lights-and-cctvs-throughout-bangkok/

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Woman says she has good reason for adding third breast

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762715-woman-says-she-has-good-reason-for-adding-third-breast-video/

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Taxi drivers call for fare increase



BANGKOK: -- Taxi drivers in the capital today asked the government to allow adjustment of taxi fares after LPG and NGV fuel prices for transport use go up next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/762716-bangkok-taxi-drivers-call-for-fare-increase/