NLA President: Failed NRC hopefuls to be chosen as assistants

BANGKOK, 15 October 2014 (NNT) - Some of the people who have not been originally appointed to the National Reform Council will be appointed as assistants to the council members, said the President of the National Legislative Assembly.

According to NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who is also the chair of the committee on civil servant affairs, the committee has approved the appointment of a number of positions to assist the works of the NRC president and vice presidents.

He said that the additional positions included advisors, secretaries and assistant secretaries.

In addition, each NRC member whose responsibilities require an aide will also be granted one assistant as well.

Mr. Pornpetch went on to say that all the new positions are to be selected from more than 7,000 NRC candidates who were not among the 250 members appointed to the council.


-- NNT 2014-10-15

Thai PM plays down British offer of help in beach murder probe
Bangkok, Thailand. AFP.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's junta leader on Tuesday said the case against a pair of Myanmar suspects in the murder of two British tourists was "reliable" and an internal issue for the kingdom in an apparent rebuke of a British offer to help.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768372-thai-pm-plays-down-british-offer-of-help-in-beach-murder-probe/

Cabinet endorses import ban on electric cigarettes

BANGKOK: -- The cabinet today endorsed a regulation of the Commerce Ministry which will ban the import of hookah or water pipes and electric cigarettes into the country as the two products contain health-threatening ingredients such as heavy metals and other toxic substances.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768376-cabinet-endorses-import-ban-on-electric-cigarettesc/

Immigration bureau adapting to AEC

BANGKOK, 15 October 2014 (NNT) - The Immigration Bureau has adjusted its rules and regulations in keeping with the free flow of labor in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Immigration processes at airports and border areas are expected to be more in line with the AEC’s policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768426-thai-immigration-bureau-adapting-to-aec/

BOXING
Muay thai legend Buakaw breaks silence on walkout
Kitinan Sanguansak


Buakaw Banchamek explains his absence from the K-1 fight.

K-1 fighter suggests rule changes overshadowed his title fight

BANGKOK: -- Controversial fighter Buakaw Banchamek yesterday defended his decision to walk out of his title fight on Saturday, saying he preferred to let the audience decide the bout's outcome rather than the judges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768427-muay-thai-legend-buakaw-breaks-silence-on-walkout/

DEATHS AT KOH TAO
UK, Myanmar 'can observe'
The Nation


British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent, left, is seen leaving after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry yesterday. The ministry invited the British and the Myanmar ambassadors to discuss the investigation into the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao

PM says representatives welcome to inspect Koh Tao murder site with local police

BANGKOK: -- The United Kingdom and Myanmar are welcome to "observe" progress on the Koh Tao murders case and can send personnel to visit the site and gather information alongside Thai police, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768428-murders-on-koh-tao-uk-myanmar-can-observe/

SOUTH CRISIS
Peace talks head to be named after Prayut meets Najib
The Nation


Officials step up security, setting up a checkpoint on a road from Pattani to Narathiwat provinces after six schools in Pattani were burnt down early on Sunday.

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he would name the chief of the negotiating team for peace talks to try to end violence in the far South after he meets his counterpart Najib Razak in Malaysia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768429-thai-south-crisis-peace-talks-head-to-be-named-after-prayut-meets-najib/

IMPEACHMENT
NLA to discuss and vote on impeachment case on Friday
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Legislative Assembly whips resolved yesterday that the assembly should discuss and vote on whether it has the authority to impeach two prominent politicians from the previous government on constitutional charges, NLA whip spokesman Dr Jetn Sirathranont said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768430-nla-to-discuss-and-vote-on-impeachment-case-on-friday/

TOURISM
More Thais expected to travel abroad this quarter
Suchart Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Six million Thais are expected to travel abroad this year, with a year-on-year increase of 10 per cent forecast for the current quarter, thanks to cheaper packages and attractive air fares.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768431-tourism-more-thais-expected-to-travel-abroad-this-quarter/

DIGITAL TV
Digital-TV equipment flying off the shelves
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The markets for digital television sets and set-top boxes, as well as tablets with digital-TV tuners, are booming due to the launch of terrestrial digital-TV channels earlier this year, while more people are expected to cash in on the current distribution of vouchers for the purchase of equipment to watch these channels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768432-digital-tv-equipment-flying-off-the-shelves-in-thailand/

EDITORIAL
The heat is on for new wave of TV journalists
The Nation

A migration from print newsrooms to television studios is under way as the scenery of our news environment shifts

BANGKOK: -- The launch of the digital TV era has spawned a host of programmes and channels devoted to news. With it has come a surge in demand for experienced, quality journalists, who are being chased by digital channels desperate to get a head start on the competition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768433-thai-editorial-the-heat-is-on-for-new-wave-of-tv-journalists/

Australian Meat Cleaver Incident at Central Pattaya Car Wash



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday afternoon, Police were called to a Car Wash in Central Pattaya to deal with an enraged Australian who was threatening staff at the Car Wash with a meat cleaver.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768434-australian-meat-cleaver-incident-at-central-pattaya-car-wash/

Brit injured in fight on Walking Street, South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Monday, a 23 year old British National was taken to Hospital suffering from a laceration to his head, which was reportedly sustained during a scuffle with a group of Thai men he was drinking with on Walking Street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768435-brit-injured-in-fight-on-walking-street-south-pattaya/

Foreign National seriously hurt in motorbike crash in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A foreign national, whose name, nationality or age is unknown, was involved in a single-vehicle road crash in Central Pattaya in the early hours of Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768437-foreign-national-seriously-hurt-in-motorbike-crash-in-central-pattaya/

PM wants quality tourists to visit Thailand



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has wanted the Sports and Tourism Ministry to screen incoming tourists to make sure they are of quality.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768439-pm-prayut-wants-quality-tourists-to-visit-thailand/

Cabinet endorses guidelines to deal with Ebola in Thailand



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet today approved a set of guidelines for the prevention and control of the spread of Ebola virus in the country as proposed by the Ministry of Public Health.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768440-cabinet-endorses-guidelines-to-deal-with-ebola-in-thailand/

Police nab three foreigners wanted on different charges
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police have nabbed a Swedish national, wanted in his country and by Interpol for alleged fraud and colluding to falsify debt-collection payments worth Bt82 million, it was revealed yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768441-thai-police-nab-three-foreigners-wanted-on-different-charges/

Train killer may get attacked in prison
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Corrections Department has voiced concerns about the possibility of the convict - sentenced to death for raping and killing a 13-year-old girl on the train - being attacked in prison.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768442-train-killer-may-get-attacked-in-thai-prison/

BURNING ISSUE
Junta's 'reforms' may herald a return to older ways
Supalak Ganjanakhundee

BANGKOK: -- Reform, by its definition, is a set of changes and improvements to institutions such as the law, or political and social systems. In Thai, "patiloup" also means doing something better or improving it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768445-thai-politics-reforms-may-herald-a-return-to-older-ways/

Ebola crisis: Outbreak death toll rises to 4,447 says WHO

(BBC) The death toll from the Ebola virus outbreak has risen to 4,447, with the large majority of victims in West Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768447-ebola-death-toll-rises-to-4447/

Hong Kong protests: Police move in to clear main road

HONG KONG: -- Police in Hong Kong have clashed with pro-democracy protesters as they tried to clear an underpass near the city government headquarters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768448-hong-kong-protests-police-move-in-to-clear-main-road/

Special Report:

TAT launches campaign to promote family-friendly destinations

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching a new campaign to promote family-friendly destinations in the country in a bid to boost the economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768450-tat-launches-campaign-to-promote-family-friendly-thai-destinations/

Cancer-killing virus discovered by Chinese scientists
By Digital Content

GUANGZHOU, Oct 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have extracted a virus known as M1 that could kill cancer cells without harming normal cells, giving hope for future research and development of cancer therapies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768456-cancer-killing-virus-discovered-by-chinese-scientists/

Tony Blair: Fight war of ideas against extremism
By Tony Blair

LONDON: -- The last few weeks have seen a significant shift in the global response to events in Iraq and Syria. Led by the US, more than 40 countries are now joined in fighting the scourge of Islamic State (Isis). This is a sensible decision, but it is not enough.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768457-tony-blair-fight-war-of-ideas-against-extremism/

Police arrest two men part of a drug network Selling Crystal Meth in Koh Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- On October 13th Surat Thani police seized over 1 kg of crystal meth from a suspect trying to bury the drugs in his backyard. Two suspects looking out were arrested, but the owner managed to escape. The police are preparing for arrest warrant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768460-police-arrest-two-men-part-of-a-drug-network-selling-crystal-meth-on-koh-samui/

Two soldiers wounded in roadside bomb ambush on Narathiwat's Muno-Sungai Kolok Road /MCOT

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,551.14, gains 4.36 points /MCOT

Thai govt approved tax breaks on domestic tour packages / hotel accommodation to boost local tourism industry. /The Nation

First ever Chiang Mai Chinatown Thailand festival in Chiang Mai



CHIANG MAI: -- The northern province of Chiang Mai is scheduled to host its first event to specifically promote tourism among Chinese visitors with the launch of China Town festival in the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/768492-first-ever-chiang-mai-chinatown-thailand-festival-in-chiang-mai/

A woman set herself on fire at a government center

BANGKOK: -- A 52-year-old woman set fire to herself in a government’s complaint center opposite the Government House.

The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital and is in critical condition.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/A-woman-set-herself-on-fire-at-a-government-center-30245516.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-15