Thailand Live Thursday 25 Sep 2014

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HRH the Crown Prince lays wreaths on Mahidol Day

BANGKOK, 25 September 2014 (NNT) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on September 24 deputized for His Majesty the King in performing royal duties to mark Mahidol Day.

HRH the Crown Prince, accompanied by the royal consort, Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm, yesterday laid royal wreaths at the statue of Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, located in the compound of Siriraj Hospital. Prince Mahidol was a son of King Rama V and the father of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Thai government has designated September 24, the date of Prince Mahidol’s death, as Mahidol Day in commemoration of his contributions to the development of medical education in Thailand and his selfless devotion to the well-being of Thai people.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince later proceeded to the 100-Years Siriraj Pavilion to pay homage to the statue of the Princess Mother, Her late Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra. His Royal Highness then presided over the ceremony of presenting plaques of honor and commemorative pins to those who have contributed to development of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital.


-- NNT 2014-09-25

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Inquest into Irish mans balcony death reports he was trying to get into a friend’s apartment

BANGKOK: -- The inquest into the death of Robert Robison from Wicklow who died one month after he fell off a fourth floor balcony of an apartment block in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district has reviled that the 32 year old was attempting to get into a friend’s apartment block without disturbing the occupants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763133-inquest-into-irish-mans-balcony-death-reports-he-was-trying-to-get-into-a-friends-apartment/

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Now all THAI passengers will get extra 10 kilogramme baggage allowance

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International said it has increased an extra 10 kilogrammes baggage allowance for passengers flying at all classes on domestic and international flights from now on.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763132-now-all-thai-passengers-will-get-extra-10-kilogramme-baggage-allowance/

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Corruption, Faulty Cable Blamed For Death of Police Parachutists
By Khaosod English


Police investigate the faulty sling in March 2014 [Photo: Matichon].

BANGKOK — Police have charged 11 people for manslaughter over the death of two police cadets whose parachutes failed to open because of faulty cable during a training exercise.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763189-corruption-faulty-cable-blamed-for-death-of-thai-police-parachutists/

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Tourism on Khao San sees little impact from Koh Tao murder

BANGKOK, 25 September 2014 (NNT) – Foreign tourists continue to visit Khao San Road in Bangkok as usual and are confident in their safety while in Thailand despite the recent death of two British nationals on the island of Koh Tao.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763190-tourism-on-bangkoks-khao-san-rd-sees-little-impact-from-koh-tao-murder/

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UPDATE:

CONTROVERSY
Channel 3 to sue NBTC if it is banned from cable, satellite as planned
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CHANNEL 3 says it will immediately sue the broadcasting regulator if the 50 million Thais who watch its analog programmes via cable and satellite TV receivers face a blackout because of the edict forcing cable-sat operators to discontinue airing the popular channel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763136-channel-3-calls-on-regulator-to-clarify-on-legal-issue/#entry8433949

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UPDATE:

ANIMAL RIGHTS
Pata Zoo fights efforts to move Bua Noi
Jutarat Tipnumpa,
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE OWNERS of Pata Zoo are fighting back efforts by many people to move the gorilla, Bua Noi, to what they consider "a better home".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763138-pata-zoos-licence-cannot-be-revoked-as-the-zoo-has-not-breached-any-law/#entry8433960

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CUSTOMS
Customs Department seizes Bt103m worth of banned goods
Kittipong Maneerit
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE CUSTOMS Department has seized prohibited goods such as counterfeit smartphones, including iPhone 6 models, and tax-evading luxury cars worth a total of Bt103 million, the department's adviser on customs control systems, Narin Kalayanamit, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763191-thai-customs-seizes-bt103m-worth-of-banned-goods/

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RETURN HAPPINESS TO PEOPLE
PM's Friday TV show to go off air

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha's "Return Happiness to People" weekly television address will be broadcast for the last time at 8.15pm this Friday.

The junta leader began hosting this programme not long after the coup, using it as a means to communicate with Thai people.

The PM has yet to decide whether he will host another programme, though it is likely that if another is created, it will be called the "PM meets the People". The broadcast time is also expected to change and it is possible that the new programme will only be shown on state-owned NBT channel instead of on all channels like it is done at present.

"The reason for changing the name is that Prayut is going to retire as Army chief and the image has to be softened," a Government House source said. After becoming PM, Prayut last Friday decided to start wearing business suits instead of his military uniform.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PMs-Friday-TV-show-to-go-off-air-30244067.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-25

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RETIREMENT
Prayut's advice to retirees: Stay mentally alert
PANYA THIOSANGWAN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PM GENERAL Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday gave solemn words of advice to soon-to-be retirees like himself, including staying mentally alert to prevent senility.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763192-prayuts-advice-to-retirees-stay-mentally-alert/

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Two arrested following recent armed robbery at East Pattaya Herbal Shop



PATTAYA: -- Nongprue Police announced on Wednesday that they had arrested two men in Nakhon Sawan Province in Central Thailand, in relation to the recent armed robbery and attempted murder of three women inside an East Pattaya Herbal Shop.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763194-two-arrested-following-recent-armed-robbery-at-east-pattaya-herbal-shop/

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BURNING ISSUE
Reform council choices fail to dodge whiff of corruption
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- THERE HAVE been allegations of favouritism in the selection of National Reform Council (NRC) members, particularly those from the provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763195-reform-council-choices-fail-to-dodge-whiff-of-corruption-thai-politics/

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NCPO urged not to appoint 'favoured' NRC nominees
The Nation

CERTAIN PROVINCIAL SELECTION COMMITTEES ACCUSED OF PRACTISING FAVOURITISM

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was yesterday urged to refrain from appointing National Reform Council (NRC) members who are favoured by certain selection committees because of their personal and family ties or political connections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763196-ncpo-urged-not-to-appoint-favoured-nrc-nominees/

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Scottish Suicide at South Pattaya Condominium



PATTAYA: -- On Wednesday Afternoon, the body of a 27 year old British National was found in his rented apartment in South Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763197-scottish-suicide-at-south-pattaya-condominium/

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PM vows crackdown on Koh Tao vices
The Nation


Worraphan Toowichien

Man regarded a suspect says he was in bangkok on the day of murders

BANGKOK: -- IN THE WAKE of the murder of two British citizens on Koh Tao, off Surat Thani coast, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday vowed to tackle influential rackets and illegitimate businesses on the tourist island, and pledged to punish soldiers or police patronising these people or their activities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763198-pm-prayuth-vows-crackdown-on-koh-tao-vices/

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School official faces molestation, rape charges
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A primary school director in Phayao's Chiang Kham district, who had been accused of molesting five pupils, is facing four counts of molestation and one count of rape.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763200-thai-school-official-faces-molestation-rape-charges/

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Bail for minor offenders may ease jail overcrowding
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

Official sees fund as an opportunity for underprivileged to access justice

BANGKOK: -- NEARLY 60,000 DEFENDANTS will enjoy temporary freedom during court trials, if a plan to place on bail those facing prosecution over minor offences gets the go-ahead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763201-bail-for-minor-offenders-may-ease-thai-jail-overcrowding/

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Team clears encroached land, plants Siamese Rosewood trees
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A TEAM of Army, police and forestry officials have torn down 59 structures on 48-rai of encroached land in Phu Chong Nayoi National Park in Ubon Ratchathani's Na Chaluay district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763202-team-clears-encroached-land-plants-siamese-rosewood-trees/

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Face of man held for stabbing of mum wanted for Thailand murder
Tom Brady and Conor Feehan

A MAN arrested by gardai investigating the savage stabbing of a mother is wanted for the murder of a prostitute in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763203-ireland-face-of-man-held-for-stabbing-of-mum-wanted-for-thailand-murder/

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French President Hollande condemns Algeria beheading

PARIS: -- French President Francois Hollande has strongly condemned the beheading in Algeria of tourist Herve Gourdel by a jihadist group linked to Islamic State (IS) militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763206-french-president-hollande-condemns-algeria-beheading/

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Islamic State crisis: UN aims to stop jihadist recruits

NEW YORK: -- The UN Security Council has adopted a binding resolution compelling states to prevent their nationals joining jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763210-un-aims-to-block-jihadist-recruits/

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Japan asks Thailand for higher steel import quota
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 25 -- Japan said it wants Thailand to increase the quota of steel imports with tariff discounts to feed its offshore automobile production.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763227-japan-asks-thailand-for-higher-steel-import-quota/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,595.66 gains 3.77 points /MCOT

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Airports of Thailand Plc to focus on upgrades of local airports than to pursue foreign joint-ventures. /The Nation

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FBI study: Deaths in mass shootings increasing

(BBC) The number of people killed or wounded in mass shootings in the US has increased dramatically in recent years, an FBI study has found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763246-fbi-sees-rise-in-us-mass-shootings/

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Koh Tao headman offers one million baht cash if evidence proves his family implicated in the tourist murder



BANGKOK: -- As a local village headman in Koh Tao announced to give one million baht cash reward to police if they have substantial evidence to implicate him and his family in the murder of the two British tourists, The Telegraph newspapers in the United Kingdom released yesterday what it said is the last picture of the two victims with friends at a beach bar hours before they were brutally murdered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763253-koh-tao-headman-offers-bt1m-cash-if-evidence-proves-his-family-implicated-in-the-tourist-murder/

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German beggar spends donated cash drinkin' and partyin' in Pattaya
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The public will be relieved to know the destitute farang beggar with the swollen foot last seen rescued from the streets of Bangkok for repatriation to his homeland is doing just fine – waaay fine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763274-german-beggar-spends-donated-cash-drinkin-and-partyin-in-pattaya/

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ICT to revise Computer Crimes Act to handle cybercrime

BANGKOK, 25 September 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is pushing ahead to make adjustments to the Computer Crimes Act B.E. 2550 in a bid to reduce cyber crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763277-ict-to-revise-thailand-computer-crimes-act-to-handle-cybercrime/

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UN General Assembly kicks off, Gen Tanasak to make speech on Sep 27

BANGKOK, 25 September 2014 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn is set to deliver a statement this Saturday at the 69th United Nations General Assembly, which has raised its curtains in New York today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763279-un-general-assembly-kicks-off-gen-tanasak-to-make-speech-on-sep-27/

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Phuket: Crack down on illegal tour guide and operators in Phuket
Saran Mitrarat

A voucher signed by a Burmese employee.

PHUKET: People found to be breaking the laws on working as tour guides, timeshare sales people and tour package sales people were rounded up in a concerted drive on Tuesday (September 23), questioned at the nearest police station and then released.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763285-phuket-crack-down-on-illegal-tour-guide-and-operators-in-phuket/