UPDATE:

State prosecutor advises police to fix some flaws in the tourist murder case before court trial



BANGKOK: -- The state prosecutor of the Eighth Prosecution Region has advised the police to find more information on some points which remain sceptical in the tourist murder case file before prosecution in the court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767223-suspects-in-koh-tao-backpacker-murders-retract-confessions-says-official/#entry8511784

UPDATE:

City foreign beggars to be deported



BANGKOK: -- The Social Development and Human Security Ministry will begin a crackdown on beggars in the capital as they might fall victims to human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767212-ministry-of-social-development-will-impose-regulations-to-manage-beggars-in-bangkok/#entry8511336

UPDATE:

NACC proceeds impeachment attempt on Ms Yingluck



BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) agreed to formally ask the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to impeach former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra over her handling of the controversial rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767157-nacc-to-refer-impeachment-case-against-yingluck-to-the-nla/#entry8511895

Bypass road repairs to be completed by next week

Nattha Thepbamrung

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767252-phuket-bypass-road-repairs-to-be-completed-by-next-week/

Purple morning glory along Karon beach removed
Saran Mitrarat

Purple morning glory along Karon beach removed

PHUKET: -- Karon locals are still angry after purple morning glory flowers were removed from the beach in preparation for next month's 4th Asian Beach Games despite officials promising to plant them back after the event.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767255-purple-morning-glory-along-karon-beach-removed/

Samui wants Pattaya-like city status

KOH SAMUI: Koh Samui's mayor and tourism operators are welcoming moves by the government to press ahead with a bill that will give the Surat Thani island 'special town' status, similar to Pattaya. Mayor Ramnet Jaikwang said yesterday that he backed efforts to give the island special local administration status, which he said would help locals.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767258-samui-wants-pattaya-like-city-status/

Prayut greeted by protest in Yangon

Yangon: -- Thai junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha's first overseas trip since seizing power on May 22 was greeted with a protest in Yangon this morning over the controversial arrest of two 21-year-old migrant workers from Myanmar for the murder of two British tourists in Thailand last month.

Nay Myo Zin, a former military captain who runs the Yangon-based Myanmar Social Development Network, said yesterday that protesters would gather between 8am and 9am at Maha Bandoola Park to call for an independent investigation into the charges against the two 21-year-old Myanmar migrant workers: Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun.

"I urge every Myanmar citizen who loves the truth to participate in the demonstration," he told Daily Eleven yesterday.

"I will call for an independent investigation into the case against the two Myanmar suspects who have been accused without concrete evidence," he said, adding that flaws in the police investigation had already been pointed out in Thailand.

The pair has been described as "scapegoats" for the grisly murders and rape on Koh Tao (Turtle Island) in Thailand's Surat Thani province on September 15. The crime cast an unseemly light on Thailand's carefully constructed image as a safe and friendly destination for tourists, while the arrest of migrant workers raised concern among rights groups who said it fit a common pattern in Thailand of blaming migrants for crimes.

Nay Myo Zin said the initial location for the demonstration was in front of the Thai embassy, but protest organisers were denied permission to protest there.

Prayut, the general who led the coup against Thailand's elected government, is making his first overseas visit since resigning from the military to become prime minister. He is expected to discuss the high-profile murder case with President Thein Sein when they meet in Nay Pyi Taw. Prayut is also scheduled to meet executives of Thai businesses in Yangon.

Representatives of the Myanmar Embassy met the suspects earlier this week as well as a witness against them, Maung Maung, who said he knew nothing about the case and was included as a witness for the prosecution only because police found the trousers of one of the suspects in his room.

Both suspects have recanted their confessions, saying they had been tortured into making them. Thai prosecutors, meanwhile, have sent the reportedly more than 800-page case file back to police, saying it lacked "critical information", while the country's top forensic expert has also questioned the investigation. Porntip Rojanasunan, head of Thailand's Central Institute of Forensic Science, told Thai media that the way police handled the case "contradicted the principles of forensic science".

Prayut and Thein Sein are also expected to discuss energy, border security, the cross border narcotics trade and the Dawei special economic zone. While the two governments attempt to restart the stalled SEZ, civil society groups in the area are joining forces to call for greater transparency, more involvement with local communities, environmental safeguards and a ban on chemical and coal-fired plants at the SEZ.

Prayut has faced little public protest in Thailand since seizing power, after which he curtailed press freedom and clamped down on dissent. His visit to Myanmar is occurring as the country is undergoing a transition from military rule to democracy.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-greeted-by-protest-in-Yangon-30245172.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-10

UPDATE:

Koh Tao Suspects' Alleged Recantation 'Normal,' Police Officer Says
By Khosod English

SURAT THANI - A senior police officer has downplayed a news report that claims the two Burmese migrants accused of murdering two British tourists recanted their "confessions" this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767223-suspects-in-koh-tao-backpacker-murders-retract-confessions-says-official/page-3?p=8512424#entry8512424

Rice husk surface among huge stockpiles of cassava



BANGKOK: -- Commerce officials have uncovered rice husk among huge stockpiles of cassava kept at privately-owned warehouses indicating another corruption scandal in the pledging scheme of the previous government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767266-rice-husk-surface-among-huge-stockpiles-of-cassava-thailand/

Transport Ministry allocates 3.9 billion baht to repair damaged highways

BANGKOK, 10 October 2014 (NNT) - The Transport Ministry has allocated around 370 million baht out of the total 3.9 billion in order to repair community highways that have been damaged by natural disasters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767267-thai-transport-ministry-allocates-39-billion-baht-to-repair-damaged-highways/

Myanmar, Thailand pledge to boost relations
By Digital Content



NAY PYI TAW, Oct 10 -- Myanmar and Thailand reaffirm bilateral relations, continue to live in peace and harmony as the two Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries embark on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year, said Myanmar President Thein Sein.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767268-myanmar-thailand-pledge-to-boost-relations/

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un misses shrine visit, KCNA reports
By Madison Park, CNN

(CNN) -- The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of Kim Jong Un deepened Friday after the North Korean leader appeared to have missed a ceremony to pay tribute to his late father and grandfather on what is an important national anniversary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767270-kim-jong-un-mystery-deepens/

Police chief reasserts transparency regarding murder case of 2 British tourists; confident on evidence, shuns criticism /MCOT

Levy on diesel (contribution to the Oil Fund) has been raised by Bt0.90/litre; rate on gasohol was cut by Bt0.10; retail prices unchanged. /The Nation

Yingluck's lawyer seeks justice from NLA



BANGKOK: -- The legal advisory team of the Pheu Thai party today urged both the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to fairly treat the former premier in the proposed impeachment case pushed forward by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767274-yinglucks-lawyer-seeks-justice-from-nla/

Home and Condo Expo to stimulate Real Estate sector in Thailand

BANGKOK, 10 October 2014 (NNT) –The Thai Real Estate Association, the Housing Business Association, and the Thai Condominium Association have joined forces in organizing the 31st House and Condo Expo under the theme of ‘Ultimate Solutions to all Housing Needs’ during 9 -12 October 2014. The event is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors, or to generate over 4 billion baht of income.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767276-home-and-condo-expo-to-stimulate-real-estate-sector-in-thailand/

Thousands flock to ex-Patong Mayor's funeral
Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Traffic on Patong Hill has been heavier than usual since Thursday as thousands of locals flock to attend funeral rites for ex-Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, who died at his home in Patong on Tuesday (Oct 7) aged 71.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767277-thousands-flock-to-ex-patong-mayors-funeral/

Mazda to invest Bt12 bln in Thailand
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 10 -- Mazda will invest Bt12 billion to build a plant to manufacture 150,000 Mazda 2 and eco car sedans annually, said Industry Minister Chakramon Phasukavanich on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767278-mazda-to-invest-bt12-bln-in-thailand/

Former USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev ‘fighting for life’ in hospital

SYDNEY: -- FORMER Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, 83, has been hospitalised but is determined to fight for his life, Russian press agencies report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767279-former-ussr-leader-mikhail-gorbachev-fighting-for-life-in-hospital/

Myanmar leader asks Thai PM for 'fair' probe on tourist murders
Yangon, Myanmar | AFP |

YANGON: -- Myanmar's president has asked Thailand's visiting premier to ensure a "clean and fair" investigation for a pair of Myanmar nationals charged with murdering two British tourists, an official said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767286-myanmar-leader-asks-thai-pm-for-fair-probe-on-tourist-murders/

NLA passes first reading of bill to prevent animal cruelty

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly Friday passed the first reading of the bill for prevention against cruelty to animals with overwhelming 200 votes.

Three NLA members abstained. A special committee was set up to vet the bill in 30 days.

Among other things, the bill seeks to require owners of pets and other animals to take good care of them without abandoning them. Owners who abandon their pets would be liable to one year in jail and/or a fine of Bt20,000.

Many NLA joined a debate before the approving the bill in principle.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NLA-passes-first-reading-of-bill-to-prevent-animal-30245185.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-10

City bus drivers required drug test



BANGKOK: -- All bus drivers of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) are now required to take drug tests in an effort of the Transport Ministry to ensure safety to passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767293-bangkok-city-bus-drivers-required-to-take-drug-test/

Ebola comment gets man hazmat escort from plane
By Ben Brumfield, CNN

(CNN) -- Ebola is no laughing matter, especially not at airports or on planes, where screenings have gotten tighter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767294-ebola-comment-gets-man-hazmat-escort-from-us-airways-plane/

Nobel peace prize is won by Pakistani child education activist Malala Yousafzai /BBC

Malala wins Nobel Peace prize

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767297-malala-wins-nobel-peace-prize/

Hunt ordered for a Pattani businessman who escapes jailterm



PATTANI: -- The Pattani provincial court has ordered an a manhunt of a convict who was allowed to walk free by a police officer after he was sentenced to one year and nine months on counterfeiting charges by the court on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767302-hunt-ordered-for-a-pattani-businessman-who-escapes-jail-term/

SET index closed 1,552.72, down 7.89; Bt/USD32.33; GBP51.80; AUD28.04; EUR40.82; CAD28.72; HKD4.16; SGD25.28; JPY29.78

BKK Police Defend 'Anti-Bribery' Cash Reward
By Khaosod english

BANGKOK - The Metropolitan Police Bureau have defended the handing out of 10,000 baht in cash to traffic police officers who refused to accept bribes from motorists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767304-bangkok-police-defend-anti-bribery-cash-reward/

Sek Loso sues wife for THB200 million
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Sek Loso

BANGKOK: -- Once-was rocker Sek Loso has sued his wife and a doctor from the Thanyarak Institute of Drugs Abuse for intervening by attempting to enter him into a drug rehabilitation program against his will.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767305-sek-loso-sues-wife-for-thb200-million/

Prayut says Thais should prefer rice over bread

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Friday that he would like Thais to prefer rice over bread.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767364-prayut-says-thais-should-prefer-rice-over-bread/