Thailand Live Sunday 28 Sep 2014

[Lite Beer]

Tightened security for tourists, embassies
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police keeping close watch on elements who might be sympathetic to the Islamic State

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764029-tightened-security-for-tourists-embassies/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Kobkarn to visit Koh Tao in bid to revive confidence
The Sunday Nation

Kobkarn

KOH TAO: -- Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is scheduled to travel to Koh Tao today in the wake of the brutal murders of two British tourists on the resort island earlier this month, in a move that aims to assure visitors that sufficient security measures are in place.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/763902-tourism-minister-to-visit-koh-tao-tomorrow/page-3#entry8449177

[Lite Beer]

BANGKOK POLL
Most people happy with the junta
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- But three quarters of respondents said that the country has many problems that need to be solved

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764031-most-people-happy-with-the-junta/

[Lite Beer]

Lessons on democracy to be taught shortly
Chanikarn Poomhiran
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The curriculum on democracy, formulated by the Election Commission for the civic duty subject, is expected to be taught from November.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764032-lessons-on-democracy-to-be-taught-shortly/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Bulgarians arrested in Phuket for ATM skimming
The Sunday Nation


Three Bulgarian men arrested for allegedly skimming ATM cards appear at a police press conference in Phuket about their arrest yesterday.

PHUKET: -- Three Bulgarian men were arrested in Phuket yesterday for skimming ATM cards and making withdrawals from hacked accounts totalling more than Bt170,000.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764005-phuket-police-arrest-three-bulgarian-atm-skimmers/#entry8449210

[Lite Beer]

50 Vietnamese fishing boat crew members held
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Second Naval Area Command officers yesterday morning rounded up 50 crewmembers of six Vietnamese squid fishing boats for intruding 11 nautical miles into Thai waters from Nakhon Si Thammarat Koh Kra.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764033-50-vietnamese-fishing-boat-crew-members-held/

[Lite Beer]

Couple held for selling pen guns via Facebook
The Sunday Nation

A couple, seated, appear at a police press conference yesterday after being arrested for allegedly selling pen guns and ammunition online. Part of the pen guns and bullets in postage parcels are shown in front of them.

BANGKOK: -- The Crime Suppression Division has arrested a metal lathe shop employee and his wife for allegedly selling more than 1,000 pen guns and ammunition through a Facebook "shop" since 2012.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764034-couple-held-for-selling-pen-guns-via-facebook/

[Lite Beer]

Music video aims to boost HIV awareness among teenagers
Phumpetch Roumjit
The Sunday Nation

An actress in a new music video about a woman living with HIV who is unsure if she should tell her partner about her condition.

BANGKOK: -- A new music video is "reaching out" to the public in a bid to give people a better understanding of HIV/Aids sufferers and facilitate wide-ranging discourse on the issue.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764035-music-video-aims-to-boost-hiv-awareness-among-teenagers/

[Lite Beer]

Cooperation by health services can help people to give up smoking: NZ expert
Phumpetch Roumjit
The Sunday Nation

Bullen

BANGKOK: -- Cooperation among health-related organisations is the key to success when fighting smoking, according to a New Zealand anti-smoking expert.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764037-cooperation-by-health-services-can-help-people-to-give-up-smoking-nz-expert/

[Lite Beer]

NRC chief must 'command respect'
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The president of the National Reform Council (NRC) should be one of the more senior members who commands respect for his professional record, said Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

Pornpetch said the NRC president must be impartial and should be willing to listen to different opinions. He should also uphold the righteousness of the rules; without being overly strict about the rules, he must also be willing to find a compromise.

He was speaking ahead of the final selection process of 250 NRC members. Once the selection process is completed, the list will be submitted to the palace for royal endorsement.

After the list is endorsed, the NRC members will hold a meeting to elect the council's president and vice presidents.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NRC-chief-must-command-respect-30244290.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

Fertiliser bags on Rayong beach cause concern
The Sunday Nation

RAYONG: -- A total of 20,000 empty fertiliser and animal-feed bags washed ashore on Mae Ramphueng Beach in Rayong's Muang district, prompting local volunteers to clean the affected area yesterday, amid fears it could affect tourism and possibly harm people exposed to dirty seawater.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764039-fertiliser-bags-on-rayong-beach-cause-concern/

[Lite Beer]

28 more members appointed to NLA
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Another 28 people have been appointed as members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), to fill all of its 220 seats.

The royal command for the additional appointments was issued yesterday. Seventeen of them are either active or retired military officials. Some of them are close to figures in the National Council for Peace and Order.

Among those newly appointed are Lt-General Pissanu Putthawong, a close aide of Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, First Army Area deputy commander Maj-General Apirach Kongsompong, Securities Exchange Commission president Worapol Sokatiyanurak, columnist Taemsin Ratanabhand, and former deputy interior minister Banyat Chansena.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/28-more-members-appointed-to-NLA-30244288.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Poll has shown why reform will be tough
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Little appears to have changed in terms of the huge political division within the country

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764040-poll-has-shown-why-reform-will-be-tough/

[Lite Beer]

Princess Chulabhorn remains hospitalised to treat infections in stomach

BANGKOK, 28 September 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn’s condition has improved after given a change of medicine to treat infected cells in her stomach, according to the Bureau of the Royal Household.

In its fourth announcement on the condition of HRH Princess Chulabhorn, the Bureau of the Royal Household said doctors at Vichaiyut Hospital, where the Princess has been admitted, has concluded results of the tests on the polyps taken from the Princess’s stomach. The results showed infections of the cells as well as bacteria in the stomach lining. The team of doctors then changed medication for the Princess to better treat the diseases.

The statement indicated that Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn is now in a better health but still needs to stay in hospital.

-- NNT 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs reminds Thais to welcome tourists

BANGKOK, 27 September 2014 (NNT) –The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs has repeated the need for Thais to be good hosts and welcome tourists to Thailand which is one of the world's favorite holiday destinations, with warmth and an assurance of their safety.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764042-deputy-minister-of-foreign-affairs-reminds-thais-to-welcome-tourists/

[Lite Beer]

Phrae to promote valuable antiques to establish new market

PHRAE, 27 September 2014 (NNT) – Muang Phrae District, is promoting the availability of valuable antiques in order to fully establish an antiques market in the AEC.

Muang Phrae Sheriff has presided over the opening ceremony of the Bang Pong Si Antique Market to raise the profile of the business as part of the economic hub of the village, to stimulate the local economy, and prepare for increasing activity in the coming AEC.

The new antique market will facilitate the operations of traders and gain customers who are interested in antiques. It will open daily with a car park provided.

-- NNT 2014-09-27

[Lite Beer]

Soldiers Find Guns, Nearly 1 Mil. Baht In Temple Raid

By Khaosod Eng.

SUKHOTAI — Soldiers confiscated nearly one million baht in cash and several firearms during a surprise raid on a Buddhist temple in Sukhotai province this morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764062-soldiers-find-guns-nearly-1-mil-baht-in-temple-raid/

[Lite Beer]

Prayut flies to Nakhon Si Thammarat to deliver farewell message as Army chief

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha flew on an Army plane to Nakhon Si Thammrat-based Vajiravudh army camp to deliver a farewell message as the Army chief.

He flew from the Army Aviation Division at 7:30 am. He was accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, designated Army chief, and designated Army Chief-of-Staff Gen Aksara Kerdphol.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-flies-to-Nakhon-Si-Thammarat-to-deliver-far-30244304.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

Prayut says new NLA members appointed to fill various NLA committees

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, also chief of the National Council for Peace and Order, said Sunday that the NCPO appointed 28 more members of the National Legislative Assembly because the NLA has appointed many committees.

New members would allow NLA panels to have enough members, he said, saying the appointments of NLA members had nothing to do with NCPO leaders' connections with well-known students of the National Defence College.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-says-new-NLA-members-appointed-to-fill-vari-30244305.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

Women's sepak takraw team wins second Incheon Asian Games Gold for Thailand

Thailand produced the second Incheon Asian Games gold medal after the women's sepak takraw team trounced arch-rivals Myanmar 2-0 in the final match at the Buncheon Gymnasium.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Womens-sepak-takraw-team-wins-second-Incheon-Asian-30244303.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

North Korea admits to Kim Jong-un’s ill-health for first time

PYONGYANG: -- Leader suffering from ‘discomfort’, says documentary broadcast by state media amid speculation over 31-year-old’s health

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764072-north-korea-admits-to-kim-jong-uns-ill-health-for-first-time/

[Lite Beer]

Subway freezes fares til year’s end; taxi price hike looms

BANGKOK, 28 Sep 2014, (NNT) - According to the Transport Minister General Prajin Janthong, the subway operator, Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL), has agreed to freeze train fares until the year’s end, adding however a taxi fare hike would very likely happen soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764074-subway-freezes-fares-til-years-end;-taxi-price-hike-looms/

[Lite Beer]

SET index outlook this week

BANGKOK, 28 Sep 2014, (NNT) - K-Research has predicted that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index will likely continue to rise, thanks to the government's soon-to-be-released economic stimulus plans.

The center said the SET index moved above 1,600 points last week, with a daily average trading of 48.766 billion baht, an increase of 4.51% from the previous week's.

According to the K-Research, the new economic stimulus plans, which are likely to be unveiled this week, have attracted huge capital from foreign investors, contributing to the recent gain in the Thai SET index.

The center also said that the relaxed monetary policies announced recently by the European Central Bank (ECB) would help propel the Thai index even further this week, adding that other influencing factors included the U.S.' key economic figures and the European Union's and China's reports of their production indexes.

-- NNT 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

Transport ministry aims for lower logistics cost

BANGKOK, 28 September 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport has set a goal to decrease Thailand’s logistics cost by 2% compared with the GDP while promoting public transportation for inter-provincial travel in the hope to reduce personal vehicles on the road.

Minister of Transport Prajin Jantong said the ministry was trying to decrease the country’s logistics cost per GDP from 15.2% to 13% and the use of personal cars for intra-provincial travel from 59% to 40%. In so doing, the ministry was providing public transportation more in both quantity and quality for the people nationwide, said ACM Prajin.

As for the rail transport, the minister said the speeds of freight and passenger trains would be increased from 39-40 kilometers/hour to 50-66 kilometers/hour and 50 kilometers/hour to 60-80 kilometers/hour respectively. Railroad tracks would be strengthened and all wooden ties would be replaced with concrete ones, said the minister.

-- NNT 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

Man offers Russian ride to Phuket hotel, then rapes her

Eakkapop Thongtub

CCTV footage showed the victim riding on the back of her attacker's bike.

PHUKET: A Russian tourist was raped twice in Karon early yesterday (September 27) after she accepted a lift from a Thai man on his motorbike.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764101-man-offers-russian-ride-to-phuket-hotel-then-assaults-her/

[Lite Beer]

Phitsanulok to spend THB500 million to renovate King Naresuan’s birthplace

BANGKOK, 28 September 2014 (NNT) - Phitsanulok province will inject 500 million baht to renovate the “Chan" Palace and provide tour guides for tourists in a bid to develop the place as the province’s important historical tourist site.

The management of the Chan Palace has been transferred to the Phitsanulok provincial administrative organization who has a long-term plan to develop the place under the 500-million-baht budget. A new building will be constructed in the premises as a learning center for adolescents and tourists.

The Chan Palace was the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great.

More than 1,000 “Chan” trees will be planted around the palace and a wooden bridge built to connect the place with Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahawihan, another famous tourist site of Phitsanulok.

-- NNT 2014-09-28

[Lite Beer]

Japan volcano: 30 hikers feared dead on Mt Ontake
Breaking news

Rescuers have found 30 hikers in critical condition, feared dead, near the peak of Mount Ontake, after Saturday's sudden volcanic eruption.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764109-japan-volcano-30-hikers-feared-dead-on-mt-ontake/

[Lite Beer]

Grand travel events planned for Ko Tao after murder case solved

BANGKOK, 28 September 2014 (NNT) - Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanawarangkun has traveled to Ko Tao island in Surat Thani province to follow up on the progress of the murder of two British tourists. The minister said she would arrange activities to boost confidence among tourists after the case was closed.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764111-grand-travel-events-planned-for-ko-tao-after-murder-case-solved/

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RT @NickDay13: Riot police deployed to handle Krabi residents protesting against a coal-fired power plant. Via @greenpeaceth: http://t.co/9NvEwkou8q

[Lite Beer]

Pattani kicks off big cleaning day at key pier

PATTANI, 27 September 2014 (NNT) -- The Deep South province of Pattani has launched a big cleaning program at its key pier on Saturday.

Governor Wittaya Panichpong has chaired the opening of the 'Big Cleaning day:Returning Happiness to Fishermen' at the Pattani pier. The program is aimed at promoting hygiene at the pier, where large numbers of commuters, fishermen and fish vendors use its facilities daily.

Users and residents of the pier have recently lodged complaints with the provincial authorities about uncleanliness and waste hazard at the pier. According to the governor, the program will boost awareness of ecology preservation among local residents and fishermen.

-- NNT 2014-09-28