NLA will be asked by NACC to impeach Ms Yingluck and other Pheu Thai ex-MPs

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission will submit to the National Legislative Assembly next week two impeachment cases, one regarding constitutional amendments to change the composition of the Senate and the other concerning with the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....eu-thai-ex-mps/

Ch3 wins injunction against NBTC order
Usanee Mongkonporn,
Watchiranont Thongtep

BANGKOK: -- BEC takes matter to PM, seeking 'fair treatment' over watchdog's order to drop its analog programmes

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763788-ch3-wins-injunction-against-nbtc-order/

Prayut not in a hurry to head abroad
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign trips by Thai leaders are important and are widely watched by the international community but Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha says he will not waste the national budget on unnecessary visits abroad.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763789-prayut-not-in-a-hurry-to-head-abroad/

Expedite budget spending: Prayut
The Nation

A young girl presents a flower garland to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who presided over the launch of the Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board

BANGKOK: -- PM pushes to speed up disbursement of over Bt100 bn remaining from 2014 budget

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763791-expedite-budget-spending-prayut/

Koh Tao murder probe 85% complete: Panya
The Nation

KOH TAO: -- The police investigation into the murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao, off the coast of Surat Thani, is 85 per cent complete, a police commander said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763792-koh-tao-murder-probe-85-complete-panya/

Petition against Krabi coal pier plan
Wasu Vipoosanapat
The Nation

KRABI: -- Egat changed the volume of coal to be shipped through protected area: SGWA

THE STOP Global Warming Association (SGWA) has filed a petition asking that the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) drop its plan to construct a coal-transportation pier in the seaside province of Krabi.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763793-petition-against-krabi-coal-pier-plan/

Four policemen transferred after gambling bust
The Nation

KHON KAEN: -- Four policemen, including a superintendent, have been transferred out of the police station in Khon Kaen's Nong Rua district after the exposure of a gambling den.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763794-four-policemen-transferred-after-gambling-bust/

UPDATE:

German 'beggar' to be deported
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Immigration Bureau will begin the process of deporting a German who was found enjoying the nightlife in Pattaya after begging for money on Bangkok streets.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763274-german-beggar-spends-donated-cash-drinkin-and-partyin-in-pattaya/page-13?p=8444260#entry8444260

UPDATE:

Prison chiefs face punishment if phones or drugs found in jails
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Paiboon Khumchaya has vowed to take action against prison chiefs if any banned items such as illicit drugs or mobile phones are found in their facilities.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763669-thai-prison-chiefs-face-punishment-if-phones-or-drugs-found-in-jails/#entry8444276

National condom strategy proposed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A "national strategy on condoms", proposed by the Public Health Ministry, aims to curb unwanted teenage pregnancies and protect people from sexual diseases and Aids. Thailand has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in the world.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763796-national-condom-strategy-proposed/

Bill on the homeless passes first reading
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday passed a bill on protecting homeless people in its first reading.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763797-bill-on-the-homeless-passes-first-reading/

People must solve political strife as 'courts can't always do it'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitutional Court cannot solve a political crisis and can only defer the timing of a military coup when there are political conflicts, according to a King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI) study released yesterday and presented at a Bangkok seminar.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763798-people-must-solve-political-strife-as-courts-cant-always-do-it/

Japanese travel agents seek official assurance of safety
Sasithorn Ongdee
The Nation

Visitors seek information at the Tourism Authority of Thailand

TOKYO: -- Japanese travel agents have urged the Thai government to issue a statement assuring visitors of their safety while martial law remains in force.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763799-japanese-travel-agents-seek-official-assurance-of-safety/

Govt refuses rice price guarantee, but will help cut farmers' costs
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government has come out with some measures to ensure decent incomes for farmers, insisting that it will not subsidise prices but will only help reduce production costs for the new rice crop.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763800-govt-refuses-rice-price-guarantee-but-will-help-cut-farmers-costs/

No populism in govt priorities: Narongchai
Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Focus on establishment of national security and tackling issues that damaged the state's revenues

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763801-no-populism-in-govt-priorities-narongchai/

EDITORIAL
It's the same old catch-up game
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Unsurprisingly, Thailand remains small on the big sporting stage; the flaw is in our efforts to develop the athletes

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763802-its-the-same-old-catch-up-game/

NRC’s list picked and ready for King’s approval before October 2

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order today (Friday) handpicked 250 members of the National Reform Council at its first general meeting.

The 250 members were chosen from two groups of candidates: the first group of 550 shortlisted from over 7,000 candidates representing 11 fields of profession and occupation and the second group of 385 representing 77 provinces nationwide.

NCPO head and Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that the list of 250 NRC members would be submitted to the Bureau of Royal Household for approval by His Majesty the King within October 2.

He said that the main concern of the NCPO of how to make use of those who missed out from the final selection. He added that the NCPO would explore ways to bring these people to join the reform process.

When asked whether any of the 250 NRC members could be disclosed now, General Prayuth declined saying that the list had to be vetted again to determine for the last time by the office of the secretary-general of the Prime Minister to determine their qualifications meet the requirement.

He disclosed that the 250 finalists would re-divided into 11 groups which might not be the same groups they originated. For instance, those who applied in the education category could be put into the energy group, he explained.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nrcs-list-picked-ready-kings-approval-october-2/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-27

Deputy PM and MFA minister thanks Japan for understanding Thailand's political situation

NEW YORK, 27 September 2014(NNT)-The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister General Thanasak Patimaprakorn has strengthened economic ties with Japan while attending the 69th UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

General Thanasak met with his Japanese counterpart, Mr. Fumio Kichida, during the UN general assembly on September 25th. The Thai foreign affairs minister expressed his thanks to Japan for their understanding of Thailand's political situation.

Japan acknowledges Thailand's determination to follow the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) roadmap, which is to pave the way towards a strong basis for democracy. The roadmap also gives importance to good political relationships, the economy, and society. Japan also understands that Thailand is playing a key role in driving the ASEAN region and supporting the region's stability.

-- NNT 2014-09-26

UPDATE:

Police yet to examine 20pc of evidence in Koh Tao murders

Tanyaluk Sakoot

Sairee beach, Koh Tao, where the brutal murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller took place on September 15. Photo David Sim

KOH TAO: -- The police general leading the investigation into the murders of two British tourists on Koh Tao explained yesterday (September 25) that they are about 80 per cent through the evidence collected.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763792-koh-tao-murder-probe-85-complete-panya/?p=8444374#entry8444374

Ex-deputy perm sec for defense named new ombudsman

BANGKOK, 26 September 2014 (NNT) – Former Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defense Gen Wittawat Ratchatanan has been appointed a new ombudsman and the matter will be sent to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for approval.

Out of 21 applicants in total, the selection committee chaired by Supreme Court President Direk Ingkhaninant has chosen Gen Wittawat for the post of ombudsman by four to two votes, which is not less than the minimum requirement of two-thirds.

Gen Wittawat’s appointment is set to be included in the meeting agenda of the NLA for official endorsement very soon.

Once endorsed, Gen Wittawat will succeed Mr Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who resigned from his ombudsman post on September 1 this year in order to take up the role of NLA President.

Gen Wittawat’s previous positions include Director-General of the Defense Information and Space Technology Department, Director of the Office of Policy and Planning for Defense and Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defense.

-- NNT 2014-09-27

Palestinian leader accuses Israel of 'genocide' at UN

NEW YORK: -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has accused Israel of carrying out a "war of genocide" in Gaza in his speech at the UN General Assembly.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763808-palestinian-leader-accuses-israel-of-genocide-at-un/

Cancer kills three 9/11 firefighters on the same day

NEW YORK: -- Three firefighters who were on duty at Ground Zero during the 9/11 attacks have died on the same day from cancer, fire officials have said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763810-cancer-kills-three-911-firefighters-on-the-same-day/

RT @RichardBarrow: #Thailand’s oldest hippopotamus, Mae Mali, celebrated her 48th birthday yesterday at Dusit Zoo [bangkok Post] http://t.co/V7HFnrYRKD

UPDATE:

Court allows Channel 3 to continue airing through satellite and cable until Oct. 11

BANGKOK, 27 September 2014 (NNT) – The Administrative Court has issued an order allowing Channel 3's signal to continue to be relayed through satellite and cable channels, allowing the television broadcaster time to settle its dual-system broadcast affairs without facing interruption to its relayed contents.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763788-ch3-wins-injunction-against-nbtc-order/#entry8444678

UPDATE:

Pattaya Immigration Cancel Visa and Deport Dishonest German Beggar

PATTAYA: -- It was confirmed on Friday that Immigration Senior Officers cancelled the current visa for the dishonest German Beggar, who was believed to be begging for money during the day and using the money to buy drinks and female companionship at night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763274-german-beggar-spends-donated-cash-drinkin-and-partyin-in-pattaya/page-14?p=8444967#entry8444967

RT @andylines: Back in UK. Will still work on Koh Tao murder story. For those on island who followed me if you pick anything up am on [email protected]

RT @andylines: Just catching up on past 48 hours and see Thai Police now blaming British media for delays in making any arrests - what utter rubbish.

Foreign Couple caught on CCTV stealing Pick-up in North Pattaya

PATTAYA:--On Friday a couple, believed to be of foreign nationality, are believed to have stolen a parked pick-up which was left with the engine running by its driver.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763829-foreign-couple-caught-on-cctv-stealing-pick-up-in-north-pattaya/

Chinese Tourist reports bag snatch in North Pattaya

PATTAYA:--On Friday Night, a 46 year old Chinese Tourist, accompanied by his Thai Tour Guide, reported a bag snatch which occurred in North Pattaya.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763830-chinese-tourist-reports-bag-snatch-in-north-pattaya/

Beach cleanup operation begins in Phuket

PHUKET: -- Cleanup operation of illegally-built property on Nai Yarng beach in Phuket began yesterday with more than 100 naval personnel and police taking part in the demolition of concrete structures trespassing on the beach.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763864-beach-cleanup-operation-begins-in-phuket/

Aussie stabbed with broken bottle on Phuket street

Eakkapop Thongtub

Dwayne House is attended to by rescue workers.

PHUKET: An Australian tourist was stabbed with a broken bottle yesterday afternoon (September 26) during a drunken argument with three Thai teenagers in Patong.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763868-aussie-stabbed-with-broken-bottle-on-phuket-street/