Thailand Live Monday 6 Oct 2014

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Thais nationwide pray for the King's health
The Nation


A young girl holds a flower garland in her hands as she joins her mother in expressing their wishes to His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital.

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty still receiving treatment at Siriraj Hospital; thousands turn up to sign their best wishes for beloved monarch

Thais from all walks of life have flocked to Siriraj Hospital to convey their best wishes to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The much-revered monarch was admitted on Friday night with high fever and a blood test showed he had an infection. As of press time, His Majesty is still receiving treatment at the riverside hospital in Bangkok.

According to the official statement from the Royal Household Bureau on Saturday, His Majesty's fever had already subsided.

Sitting on the throne for well over six decades, His Majesty is the world's longest-reigning monarch. He has also commanded overwhelming love and respect from his people. Millions of Thais are now praying for his quick recovery and many showed up at the hospital to express their best wishes.

The majority of well-wishers at Siriraj Hospital wore pink and yellow - the colours associated with His Majesty. They were from all age groups - children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged people, and the elderly.

The Royal Household Bureau has prepared books for the well-wishers to sign at the hospital. The signing of best wishes, which can be done between 8am and 6pm, began yesterday.

Public Health Minister Dr Rajata Rajatanavin led several officials in signing their wishes for His Majesty's good health. Other prominent figures included National Legislative Assembly (NLA) president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.

Phra Buddha Issara, the abbot of Wat Or Noi who led a movement against the previous government, also came to the hospital to conduct prayers for His Majesty's recovery. Joining the prayers were many other monks and Buddhists.

Similar prayers were offered at various other corners of Thailand.

Up North, in Chiang Mai province, Phra Ratchasinghaworamunee - the monastic chief of Muang Chiang Mai - led 429 monks and novice monks in praying for the monarch.

In the northeastern province of Roi Et, provincial governor Somsak Jangtrakoon joined various officials, locals and monks in praying for the King's good health at a royal monastery.

His Majesty had left Siriraj Hospital just last month for his seaside palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, after a stay of almost six weeks for a check-up.

Born on December 5, 1927, His Majesty will turn 87 this year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thais-nationwide-pray-for-the-Kings-health-30244821.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-06

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BRITISH TOURISTS' KILLINGS
Koh Tao murder report to go to prosecutors this week: police
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police plan to forward their investigation report on the killing of two British tourists on Koh Tao to public prosecutors this Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765971-koh-tao-murder-report-to-go-to-prosecutors-this-week-police/

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INTERIM CHAMBER'S POWER

Uncertainty on NLA's right to impeach

The Nation

Matter may be decided by top court

BANGKOK: -- Academics and law-makers yesterday gave a mixed response to the debate over whether the National Legislative Assembly has the authority to impeach politicians from the previous government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765972-uncertainty-on-thai-nlas-right-to-impeach/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Abhisit ready to be replaced if party members want that
Kris Bhromsuthi
The Nation

Abhisit

BANGKOK: -- Amid resounding criticism of his party's recent under-achievement, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would be ready to step down if his party members desire this.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765974-abhisit-ready-to-be-replaced-if-party-members-want-that/

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MEDICINE MISUSE
Pharmacists try to prevent drug overuse
The Nation

Misuse of potentially dangerous medicines

BANGKOK: -- A network of government pharmacists in two areas of Ayutthaya province has set up a monitoring mechanism to make sure people, especially low-income earners, do not misuse medicines or take them based on a misunderstanding about the drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765975-thai-pharmacists-try-to-prevent-drug-overuse/

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Report plays down growth prospects from govt stimulus
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government's new stimulus package announced last week is helpful but it is unlikely to boost growth as much as many people expect, according to a new Credit Suisse report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765976-report-plays-down-growth-prospects-from-thai-govt-stimulus/

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CHANNEL 3 CONTROVERSY
BEC query on simulcasts
Usanee Mongkolporn
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Channel 3 operator Bangkok Entertainment Co (BEC) has asked the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)'s broadcasting committee to discuss again about how to make it possible for it to simulcast analog programmes on a digital channel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765977-channel-3-controversy-bec-query-on-simulcasts/

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EDITORIAL
We must depoliticise the fight against corruption
The Nation

Laws to counter corruption need to be streamlined, with graft busters and whistleblowers protected

BANGKOK: -- Apart from how to "dissolve the colours" - the jargon for making both camps of the Thai political divide co-exist peacefully - a major question hanging in the air for everyone contemplating political reform has to do with the highly-politicised anti-corruption mechanism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765978-thai-editorial-we-must-depoliticise-the-fight-against-corruption/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Prayut's media skills need some honing
Kavi Chongkittavorn

BANGKOK: -- As a journalist over three decades, I have never witnessed such an incomprehensible and embarrassing exchange between a Thai prime minister and reporters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765979-prayuths-media-skills-need-some-honing/

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British Resident suffers broken arm over 40 baht parking fee in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Sunday, a 70 year old British resident of Pattaya suffered a suspected broken arm following an altercation with a car park attendant who was unable to collect a 40 Baht parking fee from him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765980-british-resident-suffers-broken-arm-over-40-baht-parking-fee-in-central-pattaya/

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Hunt for six Turkish illegal immigrants who escaped from immigration detention



BANGKOK: -- Police and Map Ta Pud residents have been hunting for six Turkish illegal immigrants who escaped from a detention cell of the immigration police in Map Ta Pud since Saturday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765982-hunt-for-six-turkish-illegal-immigrants-who-escaped-from-thai-immigration-detention/

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Jatuporn cancels birthday celebration planned by red-shirt core members



BANGKOK: -- United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chairman Jatuporn Promphan has scrapped a plan by core members of the movement to stage a birthday celebration for him at Bonanza resort in Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima, on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765983-jatuporn-cancels-birthday-celebration-planned-by-red-shirt-core-members/

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Tragedy hits Koh Tao yet again as Belgium man drowns en-route to the island from Koh Phangan

KOH SAMUI: -- Sunday yet more tragedy beset Koh Tao when a Belgium tourist plunged to his death from a vessel carrying around thirty passengers to the island from neighboring Koh Phangan, it is unclear if the man, who was not wearing a life jacket jumped, fell or wash pushed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765984-tragedy-hits-koh-tao-yet-again-as-belgium-man-drowns-en-route-to-the-island-from-koh-phangan/

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13 trafficked Laotian girls, women freed in Chumphon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A joint police and military team of 30 officers raided a karaoke business in Chumphon yesterday and rescued six underage Laotian girls and seven Laotian women who were trafficked into prostitution in the southern province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765985-13-trafficked-laotian-girls-women-freed-in-chumphon/

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Police arrest Myanmar man who killed roommate
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday arrested a Myanmar man who they claimed killed his countryman and sucked his blood because the man had a crush on his wife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765986-thai-police-arrest-myanmar-man-who-killed-roommate/

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Brazil's Dilma Rousseff to face presidential run-off

(BBC) Brazilian incumbent Dilma Rousseff has won most votes in the country's presidential election, but has fallen short of outright victory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765988-brazils-dilma-rousseff-to-face-presidential-run-off/

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Hong Kong protesters braced for police crackdown

HONG KONG: -- Hundreds of pro-democracy campaigners are camped out on the streets of Hong Kong ahead of a government deadline for them to withdraw.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/765992-hong-kong-protesters-braced-for-police-crackdown/

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Three ministries join hands to prepare Thailand for drought

BANGKOK, 6 October 2014 (NNT) - Three ministries have discussed measures to handle the upcoming drought that is expected to be more severe than in the past year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766009-three-ministries-join-hands-to-prepare-thailand-for-drought/

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UK woman found dead after being accused of 'trolling' Madeleine McCann's parents

LONDON: -- A British woman accused by a television station of directing Twitter abuse at the parents of missing girl Madeleine McCann has been found dead, press reports say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766011-uk-woman-found-dead-after-being-accused-of-trolling-madeleine-mccanns-parents/

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Sky Team and One World aircrafts in a fender bender at JFK Airport New York

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766012-sky-team-and-one-world-aircrafts-in-a-fender-bender-at-jfk-airport-new-york/

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Two Indian tourists drown in Krabi

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766013-two-indian-tourists-drown-in-krabi/

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Morocco sentences 70-year-old British tourist in jail for being gay

MOROCCO: -- A 70-year-old British tourist is in jail in Morocco for being gay, news reports said Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766018-morocco-sentences-70-year-old-british-tourist-in-jail-for-being-gay/

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One killed, nine injured when passenger van crashes into rear of trailer truck

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766021-one-killed-nine-injured-when-passenger-van-crashes-into-rear-of-trailer-truck/

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,574.17 gains 3.89 points /MCOT

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Cold weather arrives in Thailand's North and Northeast

BANGKOK, 6 October 2014 (NNT) - Temperatures in the North and Northeast are expected to drop by 3-5 degrees Celsius during the next one or two days ahead, whereas temperatures atop the mountains have already plummeted as much as 20 degrees Celsius.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766029-cold-weather-arrives-in-thailands-north-and-isaan/

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Five illegal migrants apprehended at border



BANGKOK: -- Five illegal migrants — three suspected ethnic Uighurs from northwest China and two Bangladeshis, were arrested and charged with illegal entry in Aranyaprathet district yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766032-five-illegal-migrants-apprehended-at-thai-border/

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Number of pro-democracy demonstrators dwindled at protest site in Hong Kong; state employees can return to work, schools reopened. /The Nation

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Grand opening scheduled for longest wooden Saphan Mon bridge on October 18

KANCHANABURI: -- Saphan Mon, or officially call Uttamanusorn bridge (the Mon bridge), the country's longest wooden bridge and the world's second longest bridge of its kind is now scheduling its grand opening celebration after the construction of the two sections of the bridge was finally reconnected last Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766033-kanchanaburi-grand-opening-for-longest-wooden-saphan-mon-bridge-on-oct-18/

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Grace Gelder single for six years marries herself in Devon, England

SYDNEY: -- A WOMAN, who had been single for six years, said she formed such a brilliant relationship with herself that she decided to marry herself.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766034-grace-gelder-single-for-six-years-marries-herself-in-devon-england/

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The King underwent an operation and had his gallbladder removed safely on Sunday night, the Royal Household Bureau announced on Monday. /Bangkok Post