Thailand Live Monday 29 Sep 2014

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Ministry of Transportation holds Seminar for Thailand Comprehensive Transport Master Plan

BANGKOK, 29 September 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport has organized a seminar on Thailand's Comprehensive Transport Master Plan in a bid to improve the overall system.

Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Janthong presided over the seminar on the Thailand Comprehensive Transport Master Plan that was held yesterday. He has laid down national transportation system with emphasis on connectivity with the neighboring countries.

The motion was made during a meeting on Saturday at the Transport Ministry where ACM Prajin stressed that the Government is focusing its energy on creating a robust nationwide-coverage transportation system that extends to the nearby nations. He also plans to tackle the ministry’s existing issues.

The meeting highlighted urgent projects that involve that transportation routes link main cities and economic or industrial zones. The Transport Minister discussed the possible solutions to heavy traffic issues and connecting various modes of public transportation in the city areas, while laying down transportation foundation for logistic routes among industrial zones and sea ports.

After the meeting, ACM Prajin revealed that he has set up a goal to reduce the cost of domestic logistic from 15.2 per cent to 13 per cent. The Ministry also is encouraging the public to commute by public vehicle and to avoid using personal vehicle, he added.

As ACM Prajin asserted, “We will accelerate service speed of the transport train and logistic trains as well as increase durability of the train rail.”


-- NNT 2014-09-29

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CRIME
Man kills daughter, wife, burns bodies
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- POLICE have arrested a man with a history of drug use and mental illness after he allegedly stabbed to death his wife and daughter and then burned their bodies in his pickup truck on a Samut Sakhon road on Friday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764197-man-kills-daughter-wife-burns-bodies-in-samut-sakhon/

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UNGA
Tanasak tells UN why Army took control of the country
THE NATION

NEW YORK: -- THE THAI MILITARY junta has explained for the first time to the United Nations members its reasons for seizing power, the roadmap towards democracy as well as its commitment to cooperate with the UN.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764198-tanasak-tells-un-why-thai-army-took-control-of-the-country/

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POLITICS
Curbing party leaders' influence
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

Reform council to consider ways to limit power of demanding party backers

BANGKOK: -- PROMINENT academics and researchers have targeted the influence that political party financiers have over MPs as a main area in political reform that needs to be changed, suggesting that financiers' party contributions be capped.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764199-curbing-thai-party-leaders-influence/

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BANK OF THAILAND
BOT looking at ways to help SMEs hit by political turmoil
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand is still in discussion with other state agencies and the private sector regarding a proposed soft-loan policy and other added measures to help small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the political turmoil in the first half of the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764200-bank-of-thailand-looking-at-ways-to-help-smes-hit-by-political-turmoil/

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BROADCAST
Ch 7 seeks 'fair treatment' from broadcasting panel
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION

Operator BBTV concerned that Channel 3 may get special treatment from NBTC

BANGKOK: -- Channel 7 operator Bangkok Broadcasting and Television wants fair treatment from the national broadcasting committee in connection with the latter's effort to pave the way for Channel 3 to simulcast analogue content on a digital TV channel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764202-ch-7-seeks-fair-treatment-from-thailands-broadcasting-panel/

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CAT, TOT urged to seek collaboration
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION

Pornchai tells agencies to reduce overlapping of businesses, improve financial performance

BANGKOK: -- Information and Communica-tions Technology Minister Pornchai Rujiprapa has instructed TOT and CAT Telecom to seek a collaboration to operate their redundant submarine cable network and fibre-optic broadband Internet service as part of the ministry's urgent measures to reduce their overlapped businesses and improve their financial performance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764203-cat-tot-urged-to-seek-collaboration/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Time for Thailand to develop smart power
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- At the Blitz Megaplex Grand Indonesia in Jakarta early this month, local fans thronged the "standing room only" waiting area for their Thai heartthrobs - Juthawut Pathakamphol, Thanaphop Leerattakajorn and Supasssara Thanachai - from the blockbuster horror Thai film, The Swimmer (Fark wai nai kay ther). Indonesian fans of such movies are increasing rapidly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764204-time-for-thailand-to-develop-smart-power/

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EDITORIAL
Obama needs to do a deal with Iran
The Nation

Tehran could help the us get better outcomes in syria, if washington was prepared to do that

BANGKOK: -- Iran and the United States do not see eye to eye on many things. But if US President Barack Obama wants to destroy the Islamic State, the radical forces that control a large swath of Iraq and Syria, he is going to have to learn to work with Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764205-obama-needs-to-do-a-deal-with-iran/

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A university student arrested with over 100,000 ya ba pills

BANGKOK: -- Police have arrested a university student and seized over 100,000 methamphitamine tablets as well as 7.2 kilogrammes of Ice at his house in Sai Mai district, Bangkok Metropolis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764206-university-student-arrested-with-over-100000-ya-ba-pills-in-bangkok/

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Rising sea 'could ruin east coast in 30 years'
WASU VIPOOSANAPAT
TANPISIT LERDBAMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION

Mitigation plans urgently needed; locals more aware now of dangers, experts say

BANGKOK: -- CLIMATE CHANGE is putting people living in the eastern part of Thailand at risk, as a study shows a significant part of the eastern coast would not exist in 30 years without mitigation plans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764208-rising-sea-could-ruin-thailands-east-coast-in-30-years/

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Moves to protect tourists discussed on Koh Tao
The Nation


Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul speaks to operators of tourism businesses on Koh Tao, off the coast of Surat Thani, during her visit yesterday in the wake of murder of two British tourists earlier this month.

KOH TAO: -- AMONG NEW measures to better protect tourists on Koh Tao from crimes, a routine policy in which officials with special wristbands will take people who are drunk to their rooms will be put in place, according to a meeting between Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and local business operators yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764209-moves-to-protect-tourists-discussed-on-koh-tao/

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5 Star Hotel Theft from British Guest by Pattaya Bar Girl



PATTAYA: -- Over the weekend, the Pattaya Police Chief, announced the arrest of a 40 year old Pattaya Bar Worker, who is alleged to have stolen money from the room safe of a 56 year old British Tourist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764210-5-star-hotel-theft-from-british-guest-by-pattaya-bar-girl/

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Construction Worker found dead at lake in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Mystery surrounds the death of a 47 year old Construction Worker, who appears to have died in a 30cm deep lake behind a Cement Factory in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764211-construction-worker-found-dead-at-lake-in-north-pattaya/

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WHAT OTHERS SAY
One-country, two-systems looks shaky amid HK row
The China Post
Taipei

TAIPEI: -- Chinese President Xi Jinping may be good at purging the Communist Party of his rivals or the country of corruption, but he seems a very bad salesman when trying to sell Taiwan his grand vision for a unified China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764212-one-country-two-systems-looks-shaky-amid-hk-row/

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Thai rescue helicopter missing in Myanmar
Agence France Presse

This picture taken on September 17, 2014 shows civil servants unloading equipment and supplies from a helicopter at Pang Nan Dim township, Putao District.//AFP

BANGKOK: -- A Thai helicopter has lost contact with ground control during a search and rescue effort for two missing mountaineers on Southeast Asia's highest peak, officials said Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764213-thai-rescue-helicopter-missing-in-myanmar/

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Thienchay and Chai-anan are frontrunners for NRC chairman
Somroutai Sapsomboon,
Anapat Deechuay,
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Noted academic Thienchay Kiranandana and former Constitutional Court judge Chai-anan Samudavanija are frontrunners to be named National Reform Council chairman, according to sources.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764214-thienchay-and-chai-anan-are-frontrunners-for-nrc-chairman/

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Tax increase should be judicious, says Nobel laureate
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Taxes should be hiked only if the government has good reasons for doing so - such as using the extra money to increase the country's competitiveness and enhancing education, economics Nobel Laureate Prof Sir James Mirrlees said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764216-tax-increase-should-be-judicious-says-nobel-laureate/

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Hong Kong: Fresh clashes as pro-democracy protests spread

HONG KONG: -- Thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong defied fresh volleys of tear gas early on Monday as authorities tried to quell spreading unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764217-fresh-clashes-as-hk-pro-democracy-protests-spread/

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Islamic State crisis: Coalition bombs Syria refineries

(BBC) US-led coalition aircraft have targeted four makeshift oil refineries under Islamic State (IS) control in Syria, as well as a command centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764218-islamic-state-crisis-coalition-bombs-syria-refineries/

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UPDATE:

Kim Jong Un sick with gout, senior source reports

SYDNEY: -- NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-un is believed to be suffering from gout, South Korean media have quoted an informed source saying.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764072-north-korea-admits-to-kim-jong-uns-ill-health-for-first-time/page-2?p=8453309#entry8453309

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PM Prayut calls for collaboration from southerners to bring about sense of security

BANGKOK, 29 September 2014 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has called on residents of Thailand’s southern border area to work with the authority to bring about the sense of security to the conflict-torn region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764240-pm-prayut-calls-for-collaboration-from-southerners-to-bring-about-sense-of-security/

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Australian Sayed Habib Musawi ‘tortured, killed by Taliban’

SYDNEY: -- AUSTRALIAN officials are trying to confirm reports a dual citizen has been tortured and killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764241-killed-by-taliban-for-being-aussie/

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Archaeologists believe they found dungeons that once held Dracula

SYDNEY: -- ARCHAEOLOGISTS in Turkey believe they have unearthed dungeons that once held Dracula.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764243-draculas-dungeons-uncovered/

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US President Barack Obama admits US underestimated the Islamic State

WASHINGTON: -- PRESIDENT Barack Obama acknowledged that US intelligence agencies underestimated the threat from Islamic State militants and over-estimated the ability and will of Iraq’s army to fight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764244-obama-we-underestimated-is/

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German nabbed in Bali for cocaine smuggling
Ni Komang Erviani
The Jakarta Post

BALI: -- Bali customs and excise officers arrested a German national at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Friday for allegedly attempting to smuggle 239 grammes of cocaine into the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764250-german-nabbed-in-bali-for-cocaine-smuggling/

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Ammonia leakage from ice cube factory in Rayong causes five people to fall ill

RAYONG, 29 September 2014 (NNT) - An ammonia gas leakage from an ice cube factory in Baan Pae -sub-district in Rayong province has caused five factory workers to fall ill.

The workers experienced irritations on the eyes and nose following the gas leakage last night. Fortunately, none of the residents living near the ice production factory have been affected.

Firefighters quickly rushed to the scene to contain the spread of ammonia. The entire process took about 30 minutes.

The cause of the leakage was due to a defect in the opening and closing valve of a pressure tank that was storing ammonia.


-- NNT 2014-09-29

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Malaysia plans to join visa waiver programme



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia aims to join the United States visa waiver programme in the next 18 months, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad ZahidHamidi in New York, according to New Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764270-malaysia-plans-to-join-us-visa-waiver-programme/

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UN Denies Report on Ban Ki-moon's Visit to North Korea

NEW YORK, September 29 (RIA Novosti) - UN has denied the report that its Secretary General Ban Ki-moon received an invitation and may visit North Korea, according to the UN press service's statement Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/764273-un-denies-report-on-ban-ki-moons-visit-to-north-korea/

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240 million-year-old oyster fossils found on mounts of Sam Roi Yod park

BANGKOK: -- A lot of oyster fossils have been spotted on top of mountains in the Sam Roi Yod national park, a park official said.

Lamai Thongsuk, an advisor of the park, geologists have found the fossils, which are about 240 million years old.

Lamai said the mountains used to be under the se at the depth between 30 to 40 metres. Visitors are welcome to visit and see the fossils, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/240-million-year-old-oyster-fossils-found-on-mount-30244349.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-29