Thailand Live Wednesday 8 Oct 2014

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ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAU
King's health improves
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King is conscious and breathing easily after undergoing an operation, said the third statement, issued by the Royal Household Bureau last night.

His heartbeat is nearly back to normal rate, but he still gets fever periodically. He reported pain from a wound near his gall bladder, where a laparoscopy was performed. The King has been receiving medications, saline and liquid food intravenously.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Kings-health-improves-30244992.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-08

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BURIRAM
Thailand's first world-class racing circuit makes debut
Phumpetch Roumjit
The Nation


Japanese Super GT cars roar past the grandstand at the Chang International Circuit at the weekend.

BANGKOK: -- A life-long dream of many motorsports fans in Thailand was fulfilled last weekend when Chang International Circuit (CIC), the first world-class racing track in the Kingdom, made its debut with the Japanese Super GT and wowed racing enthusiasts around the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766588-thailands-first-world-class-racing-circuit-makes-debut/

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TOURISM
Martial law still needed but will be eased: PM
Business Reporters
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted yesterday the junta would maintain martial law for the purpose of long-term security, but relaxation would be considered step by step when the situation improved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766589-martial-law-still-needed-but-will-be-eased-pm-prayuth/

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More than 70,000 traffic violators arrested in last three months

BANGKOK: -- More than 70,000 traffic violators have been arrested by metropolitan police in the past three months since the launch of a crackdown against six types of traffic violation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766526-more-than-70000-traffic-violators-arrested-in-last-three-months/

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Missing Thai helicopter crew found safe in remote northern Myanmar

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766530-missing-thai-helicopter-crew-found-safe-in-remote-northern-myanmar/

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DIGITAL CONTROVERSY
Court to hear Channel 3 case today
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- At the request of Channel 3, the Administrative Court will today order an urgent hearing on the dispute between the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and Channel 3 over the broadcast of its analog programmes.

The court hearing follows the failure of both parties to seek an appropriate solution in the case. Channel 3 operator Bangkok Entertainment Co (BEC) then on Monday submitted its petition to the Administrative Court asking for another extension or having a court hearing.

BEC, on September 26, filed a case with the Central Administrative Court to seek an injunction against an order from the broadcasting committee that all cable and satellite TV network operators drop its programmes from their networks on September 28. The court granted a reprieve to BEC by extending the September 28 deadline to October 11 and asked both parties to seek a solution.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Court-to-hear-Channel-3-case-today-30244997.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-08

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MILITARY JUTNA
NCPO to open channels for talks : spokesman
The Nation


Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha speaks to the media after the Cabinet meeting at Government House yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order will continue to look after security but will make its work less obtrusive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766590-ncpo-to-open-channels-for-talks-spokesman/

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KOH TAO'S KILLERS
PM to explain case to Myanmar during visit
The Nation, AFP



Ready to outline Koh Tao arrests on his trip tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is prepared to explain the Thai police conclusion - that two Myanmar workers killed two British backpackers on Koh Tao last month - to the Myanmar government, if asked, during his visit to Nay Pyi Taw tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766591-koh-taos-killers-pm-prayuth-to-explain-case-to-myanmar-during-visit/

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INHERITANCE TAX
Inheritance tax 'not enough'
Sirivish Toomgum
The Nation


Bandid

BANGKOK: -- The proposed inheritance tax might not be an effective enough tool to narrow income disparity, so other measures are needed if the government wants to ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth in society, a seminar was told.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766592-thai-inheritance-tax-not-enough/

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DTAC
DTAC sees 'Internet for all' strategy as part of digital-economy goal
Sirivish Toomgum
The Nation


Brekke

BANGKOK: -- Bringing Internet access to all is a key part to promoting a digital economy, says Sigve Brekke, interim chief executive officer of Total Access Communication (DTAC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766593-dtac-sees-internet-for-all-strategy-as-part-of-digital-economy-goal/

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EDITORIAL
Thai justice in spotlight over cracks in Koh Tao case
The Nation

International suspicion that the wrong men are being prosecuted could tarnish Thailand's image and further damage tourism

BANGKOK: -- Friday's arrest of two suspects in connection with the murder of tourists on Koh Tao came after mounting public pressure on the police to bring justice to the victims and their families through a fair and thorough investigation. More than two weeks after the killing of the two British tourists, the police announced that a pair of Myanmar migrant workers had confessed to the crime and that their DNA matched that found on the female victim, Hannah Witheridge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766594-thai-justice-in-spotlight-over-cracks-in-koh-tao-case/

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Tourist murder suspects confess to human rights commissioner



BANGKOK: -- A human rights commissioner said Tuesday the two Myanmar migrant workers arrested on charges of murdering the two British backpackers on Koh Tao admitted to him that they committed the crime as charged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766596-koh-tao-british-tourist-murder-suspects-confess-to-human-rights-commissioner/

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UPDATE

PHUKET: Death of a larger-than-life character
Saran Mitrarat


The former mayor of Patong, Pian Keesin, was found dead this morning (October 7).

PHUKET: -- The former mayor of Patong was found dead this morning (October 7) in the bathroom of his home in Rasada.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766394-phuket-former-mayor-of-patong-pian-keesin-found-dead/page-6#entry8500228

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Canals to be dredged in Northeast to ease impact of looming drought
Wasu Vipoosanapat
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- IN A BID to ease the Northeast's drought woes, the government is going to spend Bt997 million on canal-dredging projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766597-canals-to-be-dredged-in-isaan-to-ease-impact-of-looming-drought/

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Rangers seize drugs after shootout near Mae Sai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- ARMY PARAMILITARY rangers have seized 4,000 amphetamine tablets and a number of firearms after engaging in a gunfight in Chiang Rai with drug couriers, who fled the scene.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766598-rangers-seize-drugs-after-shootout-near-mae-sai/

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Work permit, visa proposals get positive response
Erich Parpart
The Nation

Procedures to be improved for foreign investors; two-year visa for teachers

BANGKOK: -- The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking has given an update on its proposals to amend the country's visa and work-permit regulations, which it says have received a positive response - with some areas already having been fixed by government agencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766600-thai-work-permit-visa-proposals-get-positive-response/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,529.56 falls 9.83 points /MCOT

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Cabinet endorses ban on political office holders being members of state enterprise boards

BANGKOK, 8 October 2014 (NNT) – The cabinet has resolved to ban political office holders from taking the positions of board members at state agencies, in order to prevent corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766662-thai-politicians-banned-to-hold-state-enterprise-board-member-posts/#entry8501409

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Don't miss the rare “Blood Moon” lunar eclipse tonight



BANGKOK: -- Sky watchers around the globe are waiting to watch the extremely rare cosmic sight when the total eclipse of the moon and the rising sun are to happen simultaneously tonight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766627-dont-miss-the-rare-blood-moon-lunar-eclipse-tonight-thailand/

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Deal to try to find Captain James Cook’s Endeavour in Rhode Island

SYDNEY: -- NEARLY 250 years ago, Captain James Cook ran aground on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef during a voyage to the South Pacific to observe the planet Venus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766631-us-deal-to-try-to-find-captain-james-cooks-endeavour-in-rhode-island/

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Ministry of Justice to endorse drug eradication strategy for 2015

BANGKOK, 8 October 2014 (NNT) – A proposal covering drug eradication strategy for 2015 is set to be endorsed at a meeting between Justice Ministry officials and 27 related organizations today. Once approved, the plan will be assigned to responsible units for immediate implementation.

The meeting, to be chaired by Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya, will also acknowledge the progress of drug prevention and suppression made during the past 4 months. According to the Justice Minister, the plan has both short and long term steps, and the urgent one will be executed during the last quarter of this year.

The drug eradication strategy for 2015 consists of 6 goals which are reducing the number of illegal drugs imported across the border, preventing drug sales, discouraging new users, curing drug addicts, monitoring any illegal activities along the northern border and integrating the prevention and suppression efforts with relevant agencies at all levels.


-- NNT 2014-10-08

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Politicians banned to hold state enterprise board member posts



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet has resolved to ban political office holders from taking the positions of board members at state agencies in its effort to stop and prevent corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766662-thai-politicians-banned-to-hold-state-enterprise-board-member-posts/

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Deputy PM Prawit asserts southern situation improving; martial law to be eased after reform achieves progress /MCOT

Tourists paid 5% less for hotel room in Bangkok during Jan.-June 2014; domestic political turmoil forced price-cuts, promotions. /The Nation

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Lamphun holds midnight alms-offering

LAMPHUN, 8 October 2014 (NNT) – A large number of Buddhists in the northern province of Lamphun have joined a midnight alms offering ceremony to pay respect to one of the sacred monks in the Buddhist legend.

At the midnight of Oct 7, Deputy governor Supachai Iamsuwan led local officials and residents to offer food and monastic necessities to over 100 Buddhist monks at Wat Phra Mathat Hariphunchai in the heart of the city to celebrate Peng Pud occasion.

‘Peng Pud’ or the full moon Wednesday is a traditional Lanna belief. The day Phra Uppakut, one of the key holy monks in the past, comes up from his under-the-sea abode at pre-dawn to receive alms and bless people on earth. It’s believed that when ones give alms on the day, they will not only become blessed, but also become rich.

-- NNT 2014-10-08

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NCPO still carries out many important tasks: Army deputy spokesman



BANGKOK, 8 October 2014 (NNT) - Deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Army Col. Winthai Suwaree has confirmed the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) still plays an important role after the new government was formed.

The deputy spokesman on Tuesday announced the results of the NCPO’s meeting, saying the council acknowledged the general situation in the country as reported by seven main committees of the council. In terms of national security, the council stressed that it still had three main missions, including keeping peace and order, creating reconciliation and supporting the government, even after the administration was set up, said the deputy spokesman.

The council also announced its achievements in many areas such as protection of the monarchy, social regulation, crime suppression and promotion of good attitudes in the society, Col. Winthai added.


-- NNT 2014-10-08

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Oil platform evacuated as radioactive ship drifts in North Sea

An oil platform in the North Sea has been evacuated as a ship carrying radioactive material continues to drift in the Moray Firth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766673-oil-platform-evacuated-as-radioactive-ship-drifts-in-north-sea/

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UPDATE:

DSI, AMLO sought to probe futsal court corruption scandal



BANGKOK: -- The Public Sector Anti Corruption Commission (PACC) has sought cooperation from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to jointly probe into the 600 million baht construction of futsal courts in 17 provinces after on-the-spot inspections found irregularities and alleged corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766474-complaint-on-futsal-graft-sent-to-thai-justice-minister/#entry8501635

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Deputy PM asserts southern situation improving
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 8 -- Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said Wednesday that violence in deep southern Thailand “could be reduced by half because the situation has improved steadily.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766688-deputy-thai-pm-asserts-southern-situation-improving/

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Universal doubts cloud 'perfect' Koh Tao murder investigation
By Prae Sakaowan and Tood Ruiz



BANGKOK: -- For weeks popular speculation ran deep police that would finger Burmese migrant workers for the murder of two foreign tourists on Koh Tao, and when it came true on Friday, you could almost hear the groans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766691-universal-doubts-cloud-perfect-koh-tao-murder-investigation/

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Gen. Prawit urges underground resistance to stop

BANGKOK, 8 October 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prawit Wongsuwan has called for a stop to all underground political movements and asked the press to stop inquiring about the lifting of martial law, saying the Prime Minister has already clarified the issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/766695-gen-prawit-urges-underground-resistance-to-stop/