Thailand Live Friday 10 Oct 2014

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King's recovery improving
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- HIS MAJESTY the King has recovered to nearly normal health from his recent laparoscopic gall-bladder operation, the Royal Household Bureau reported yesterday.

His general symptoms are improving, while his heartbeat, blood pressure and breathing are regular.

His Majesty reported reduced pain from the surgical wound, moves around more easily and can eat more. His temperature has dropped to near a normal level.

The blood infection has decreased to a level satisfactory to the royal physicians.

His Majesty is still taking medication and food supplements intravenously, the fifth statement said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Kings-recovery-improving-30245156.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-10

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Prison Chief Fears Koh Tao Suspects May Commit Suicide
By Khaosod English


Police press conference about the arrest of the Koh Tao suspects on 7 Oct 2014

SURAT THANI — The two Burmese men who were accused of murdering two British tourists in southern Thailand last month are being monitored to prevent possible suicide attempts, says the director of the prison where they are being held.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767155-koh-samui-prison-chief-fears-koh-tao-murder-suspects-may-commit-suicide/

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NACC to refer impeachment case against Yingluck to the NLA
The Nation


Yingluck

BANGKOK: -- The anti-graft agency resolved yesterday to refer its impeachment case against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in connection with the previous government's controversial rice price-pledging scheme, to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767157-nacc-to-refer-impeachment-case-against-yingluck-to-the-nla/

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Pharmacists up in arms against draft bill
THE NATION



Some 8,000 sign objection letter pointing out seven major flaws

BANGKOK: -- SOME 300 pharmacists yesterday submitted an objection letter - along with almost 8,000 signatures - against the proposed draft bill for medicine at the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767158-thai-pharmacists-up-in-arms-against-draft-bill/

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'Best time for cooperation'
Sasithorn Ongdee,
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation


Myanmar President Thein Sein, left, watches as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha greets Myanmar officials upon his arrival in the capital Nay Pyi Taw for a two-day visit to boost ties and cooperation.

Having a military govt will help boost ties with Myanmar, Prayut says before flying to Nay Pyi Taw

BANGKOK: -- With a military government in charge, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said this was the best time for Thailand and Myanmar to forge cooperation for mutual benefit in terms of security and economic interests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767160-thai-pms-myanmar-visit-best-time-for-cooperation/

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Six stars to serve up feast of tennis in Hua Hin
Lerpong Amsa-ngiam
The Nation


Lawn Tennis Association president Suwat Liptapanlop, centre, presides over the press conference for the World Tennis Thailand Championship at the National Tennis Development Centre.

HUA HIN: -- Five top-20 players led by world No 5 David Ferrer and Milos Raonic will play the World Tennis Thailand Championship, in Hua Hin from December 31 to January 2.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767161-six-stars-to-serve-up-feast-of-tennis-in-hua-hin/

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INVESTMENT
Foreigners urged to capitalise on Thai turnaround
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul assured foreign investors of the financial authorities' readiness to cope with market volatility, showing his confidence that the economy would show higher growth rate on the back of greater political stability.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767163-foreigners-urged-to-capitalise-on-thai-turnaround/

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Victim injured in North Pattaya Attempted Bag Snatch



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday Morning, Police and medics were called to Soi 12 off the Potisan Road in North Pattaya to assist a 45 year old woman who sustained injuries during an unsuccessful bag snatch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767164-victim-injured-in-north-pattaya-attempted-bag-snatch/

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Phuket: Nai Harn surf claims German tourist
Saran Mitrarat


Beach goers look on as rescuers attempt to revive a German tourist who ignored warnings not to swim in the red-flag zone at Nai Harn Beach.

PHUKET: -- A German man in his thirties died and an Asian man is recovering in hospital after lifeguards pulled the two from the surf at Nai Harn Beach yesterday afternoon (Oct 8).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767165-phuket-nai-harn-surf-claims-german-tourist/

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Tour guide crackdown nets a dozen illegals
Saran Mitrarat


Two guides report to Phuket Tourism and Sport Director Mr Santi Pawai.

PHUKET: -- Ten Thais and two foreigners have so far been arrested in the crackdown on illegal tour guides launched by local tourism authorities last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767167-phuket-tour-guide-crackdown-nets-a-dozen-illegals/

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Three Myanmar witnesses are to testify in advance on Koh Tao murder case



BANGKOK: -- Three Myanmar witnesses in Koh Tao murder of two British tourists will be brought before the court probably next week to testify in advance before the start of the trial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767169-three-myanmar-witnesses-are-to-testify-in-advance-on-koh-tao-murder-case/

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Taxi fares to go up but taxi condition and driver behavior must also improve



BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong said the ministry will allow taxi fare to go up but the rise will vary on the distance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767171-thai-taxi-fares-to-go-up-but-taxi-condition-and-driver-behavior-must-also-improve/

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BURNING ISSUE
Don't stay at resorts illegally built on state land
Samudcha Hoonsara
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In the high tourism season late this year, many people plan to experience the cool weather upcountry. This author was invited by a friend to visit a resort in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khiew district for a visit and an outdoor concert in late November.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767172-dont-stay-at-resorts-illegally-built-on-state-land-thai-tourism/

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Traffic cop arrests motorist for 'bribe attempt'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Another motorist has been arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a Bangkok traffic cop with Bt50 in what was a futile attempt to get out of a ticket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767173-bangkok-traffic-cop-arrests-motorist-for-bribe-attempt/

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Lawyer for migrants wants DNA evidence verified
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A LAWYER representing two migrant suspects charged with killing two British tourists on Koh Tao is seeking to have their DNA samples verified by British forensic personnel, based on his theory that the two men were framed and forced to "confess" to crimes they did not commit, a source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767174-koh-tao-murders-lawyer-for-migrants-wants-dna-evidence-verified/

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'No evidence of Ebola being passed by dogs'
POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT
WASU VIPOOSANAPAT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THERE IS no clear evidence of Ebola transmission from dogs to human beings, the Ministry of Public Health said yesterday in response to the Spanish government's decision to euthanise the dog of an infected woman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767176-no-evidence-of-ebola-being-passed-by-dogs-thai-public-health-ministry/

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CHARTER DRAFTING
Politicians blast ministry's call for an unelected PM
Nitipol Kiravanich
The Nation


Newly appointed National Reform Council member Chai Chidchob greets welcoming officials yesterday as he reports to work at the Parliament.

NRC man says an 'outsider' could lead country forward

BANGKOK: -- The Defence Ministry's proposal for an "outsider" prime minister has sparked much criticism from politicians that it is undemocratic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767177-politicians-blast-ministrys-call-for-an-unelected-thai-pm/

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OVERDRIVE
Obama knows Mideast war is Kryptonite for US superpower
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- US President Barack Obama is looking more and more like a punch-bag. Fellow Democrats are lining up to attack him with the vigour of Republicans over his half-hearted policy in the Middle East.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767179-obama-knows-mideast-war-is-kryptonite-for-us-superpower/

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Killer on the loose again as malaria menaces Asia
Patricia Moser, Ben Rolfe
Special to The Nation


A Cambodian boy gets tested for malaria at a clinic on the Thai-Cambodian border. Three strains of drug-resistant malaria have emerged from this area. Not only are malaria parasites growing resistant to artemisinin, but mosquitoes are developing immunity

But targeting Mekong-region hotspots of the drug-resistant strain won't stop its spread; we need a frontal assault to eliminate the disease

BANGKOK: -- Across Asia millions of people who not long ago would have died after contracting malaria are instead living healthy, productive lives. Cases have been cut by 75 per cent in many countries in line with a target adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the turn of the century.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767180-killer-on-the-loose-again-as-malaria-menaces-asia/

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Koh Tao revival planned
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The TOURISM Council of Thailand plans urgent measures to restore tourism on Koh Tao, which has been battered by the case surrounding the murder of two Britons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767182-koh-tao-revival-planned/

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Kobane: Air strikes 'stall IS advance' on Syrian border town

(BBC) US-led forces have continued air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants near the besieged Syrian Kurdish border town of Kobane.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767184-air-strikes-stall-is-syria-advance/

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Ebola challenge 'biggest since Aids'

(BBC) The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is unlike anything since the emergence of HIV/Aids, top US medical official Thomas Frieden has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767185-ebola-challenge-biggest-since-aids/

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Mexico 'drug lord' Carrillo arrested

(BBC) The alleged leader of the Juarez drug cartel - one of Mexico's most powerful crime syndicates - has been arrested, government officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767186-mexico-drug-lord-carrillo-arrested/

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UPDATE:

Suspects in Thai backpacker murders retract confessions, says official
More doubts raised over forensics and statements of Burmese pair held for Hannah Witheridge and David Miller killings
Peter Walker and Kate Hodal

LONDON: -- Further doubts have emerged about the police investigation into the murder of two British backpackers in Thailand, after a Burmese official said the two migrant workers arrested for the crime had now retracted the confessions that were “beaten out of them”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767174-koh-tao-murders-lawyer-for-migrants-wants-dna-evidence-verified/#entry8510602

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Special Report: PM supports the creation of safe bike lanes across Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha recently expressed support for the construction of bicycle lanes in all corners of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767202-pm-supports-the-creation-of-safe-bike-lanes-across-thailand-report/

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Finance Ministry proposes to raise the VAT rate to 10 percent

BANGKOK, 10 October 2014 (NNT) - The Finance Ministry has expressed its support to raise the current value added tax (VAT) rate from 7 percent to 10 percent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767207-thai-finance-ministry-proposes-to-raise-the-vat-rate-to-10-percent/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,546.88, falls 13.73 points /MCOT

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Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will impose regulations to manage beggars in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 10 October 2014 (NNT) - Social Development and Human Security Minister Pol. Gen. Adul Sangsingkeo will apply certain measures to regulate beggars found living off the streets and pedestrian bridges in the capital by next week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767212-ministry-of-social-development-will-impose-regulations-to-manage-beggars-in-bangkok/

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About two-week-old baby found discarded at bus stop in Pathum Thani

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767214-about-two-week-old-baby-found-discarded-at-bus-stop-in-pathum-thani/

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Lady Boys Rob Russian Man On Pattaya Beach Road

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767218-lady-boys-rob-russian-man-on-pattaya-beach-road/