Thailand Live Tuesday 21 Oct 2014

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Businesses may soon be able to issue 'nano-finance' loans at 32-36% interest rate

BANGKOK, 21 October 2014 (NNT) – Private businesses could soon be invited to partake in a new scheme by the government that aims to address the problem of loan sharks by having the non-bank companies issue 'nano-finance' loans to low-income earners with an interest rate between 32 and 36 percent per year.

Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said after a meeting with high-level ministry executives on Monday that the Bank of Thailand has concurred with the plan to allow private firms to issue the 'nano-financing' loans that would address the loan sharks problem more effectively than the current micro-finance loans provided by banks.

The providers of the loans will have to be either juristic persons or companies that were financially ready and which must be registered with the Ministry of Finance. The amount of each loan will not be in excess of 120,000 baht, and there interest rate will be between 30 and 36 percent per year.

To provide private businesses with the incentive to partake in the scheme, only half of the income generated from the interest received from the loans will be taxable.

Mr. Sommai was confident the new scheme would not raise the household debts level, currently standing at 83%, because the Finance Ministry will lay down clear frameworks to regulate the issuance of the loans.


-- NNT 2014-10-21

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Thailand hosts ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Students Summit 2014

BANGKOK, 21 October 2014 (NNT) - Thailand is currently hosting the first-ever ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Students Summit to turn the Southeast Asian region into a high-quality travel destination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770052-thailand-hosts-asean-plus-three-tourism-students-summit-2014/

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POLITICS
Yingluck off to see big brother Thaksin in Japan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former PM Yingluck Shinawatra is planning to meet her brother Thaksin in Japan during a three-day visit there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770053-yingluck-off-to-see-big-brother-thaksin-in-japan/

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New History Textbooks To Teach 'Correct Democracy'
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The educational reforms devised by Thailand’s military junta will instill students with a "correct" understanding of democracy, top officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770054-new-history-textbooks-to-teach-correct-democracy/

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KOH TAO'S MURDERS
Suspects tell rights commission they were beaten
The Nation


File Photo

But police say three examinations found no sign that myanmar men were assaulted

BANGKOK: -- THE TWO Myanmar suspects accused of killing two British tourists on Koh Tao told National Human Rights Commission members who visited them in prison that they were assaulted after being arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770056-koh-tao-murder-suspects-tell-rights-commission-they-were-beaten/

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More than 10,000 digital TV vouchers to be redeemed
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation


Holders of coupons for digital TV boxes line up at a PTT petrol station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road yesterday. The Bt690 coupons entitle the holders to a One Box Home set-top digital TV tuner. It was the first day for the coupon exchange across the country.

BANGKOK: -- More than 10,000 digital-TV vouchers were expected to be used for a purchase on their first day of redemption, with a Bt690 set-top box set, including an antenna and cables, the apparent favourite choice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770057-more-than-10000-digital-tv-vouchers-to-be-redeemed-in-thailand/

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IMPEACHMENT
NCPO urged to go ahead with Somsak, Nikom cases
Pimnara Pradubwit,
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul
The Nation

Experts say NLA empowered by interim charter to follow up on impeachment

BANGKOK: -- Legal experts called on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday to impeach the former president of Parliament and his then deputy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770058-ncpo-urged-to-go-ahead-with-somsak-nikom-cases/

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EXPORT TARGET
Commerce Ministry sets ambitious 2015 export-growth target of 5%
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

A worker walks past a luxury-fashion advertisement at a shopping-centre construction site in Bangkok. The economy is likely to grow by only 1.7 per cent this year, down from an earlier forecast of 2 per cent

BANGKOK: -- The Commerce Ministry expects exports next year to grow by more than 5 per cent, a challenging target that is larger than the country's economic-growth forecast of 4-5 per cent in 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770059-thai-commerce-ministry-sets-ambitious-2015-export-growth-target-of-5/

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GASOHOL PRICE
Retailers urged to hold down petrol, gasohol prices
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Energy Policy and Planning Office has asked retailers to cooperate in lowering petrol and gasohol retail prices to reflect the current weakening of global oil prices, said Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee, who chaired yesterday's EPPO meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770060-thai-retailers-urged-to-hold-down-petrol-gasohol-prices/

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TRADE & INVESTMENT
Japan's envoy tells deputy PM he favours world trade HQ in Thailand
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Japan is eyeing Thailand for use as a trade hub and is happy the Kingdom is changing its regulations to facilitate the setting up of an international trading headquarters in the country, according to a Thai deputy prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770061-japans-envoy-tells-deputy-pm-he-favours-world-trade-hq-in-thailand/

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EDITORIAL
Time to bring curtain down on coup diplomacy
The Nation

The government's efforts to justify the military intervention is a waste of time - the world isn't listening

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government should end its policy of forcing Thai envoys to justify the May 22 military coup to foreign powers.

The junta, the Cabinet, the National Legislative Assembly, the National Reform Council, the armed forces and other national agencies should instead be focusing on reforms that pave the way to democracy and reconciliation.

During their visit to Italy last week for the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), Prime Minister Prayut and his foreign minister Tanasak Patimapragorn pressured Thai ambassadors stationed across Europe to defend the coup.

Basic Thai government policy towards countries in the West as declared in the National Legislative Assembly is simply to maintain good relations. But General Prayut and General Tanasak prioritised the need for their envoys to explain political developments in Thailand.

"Explain" here means legitimise the coup and seek approval for it from countries in the West.

The Thai leadership had been dismayed at the reaction to their military intervention among European countries, notably those in the European Union (EU), who strongly criticised the power seizure. The EU has frozen several areas of cooperation with Thailand, though diplomatic relations are normal.

Prayut wants to see "business as usual" with the EU, while the latter is not comfortable with the military regime and wants to resume cooperation only when Thailand returns to democracy.

As such it is a waste of national resources to have Thai diplomats seek to justify the coup. Prayut's intervention was no different in essence than the previous coup in 2006 - and this is reflected by the almost identical response to both from the EU. Countries in the West have rightly judged that this Thai coup, like its predecessors, destroyed democracy and the rule of law and violated basic rights.

Thai diplomats are therefore wasting their time in seeking to convince the international community that this coup was enforced in good faith to break a violent political impasse. The world is already convinced that the military came out simply to help anti-government protesters topple the Pheu Thai-led administration. Painting the Thai military as an honest political broker will not change this perception. Thai diplomats have tried hard to do so over the past few months, but failed: The stance of European leaders has not shifted. This was reflected in events at last week's Asem, where Prayut secured formal bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Asia but failed in attempts to get European leaders to listen to his account of events surrounding the coup. British Premier David Cameron did agree to talk to his Thai counterpart, but only to express grave concern over the investigation into the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao.

Thailand's guidelines for diplomatic engagement must now be adjusted. What Thai diplomats need to do is to tell the world what actions the junta is taking then listen to opinions from abroad on whether those actions are right or wrong.

The democracy that this military-dominated government claims to be championing is defined by universal values and norms. Human rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression are fundamental components. A country that claims to be building or restoring democratic rule should prove openly that it is committed to those principles in its reform process.

Since the May coup, Thai politics has drawn comment from many countries. Whether from the East or the West, most have confined their statements to concern over rights, the rule of law and basic freedoms in Thailand. None has insisted that Thailand change its form of government to match theirs.

The government and the Foreign Ministry cannot justify the coup to foreigners unless authorities at home respect the people's freedom of expression, allow inclusive political reform and lift martial law.

It is ridiculous to have Thai diplomats tell the international community that Thailand is returning to democracy and respects rights and freedoms, while at the same time the military is waging a campaign to gag academic speech and threaten political activists with legal action.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Time-to-bring-curtain-down-on-coup-diplomacy-30245848.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-21

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Another Convenience Store Robbery in Jomtien



PATTAYA: -- A second robbery of a 24 hour convenience store within the space of 3 days, has taken place in Jomtien with the theft of just 2,000 Baht cash, as Police suspect the people who conducted the robbery may be the same people involved in Friday’s robbery in the Na-Jomtien area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770062-another-convenience-store-robbery-in-jomtien/

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BURNING ISSUE
All signs point to state power centralisation
KRIS BHROMSUTHI

BANGKOK: -- Power decentralisation usually means that the government "outsources" its administrative power to locals, who can then elect administrative officials rather than be stuck with "appointed" bureaucrats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770063-thai-politics-all-signs-point-to-state-power-centralisation/

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Government mulls 'nano-financing' to ease debt problems with loan sharks
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry will propose a "nano-finance" concept to help non-bank lenders extend money to grass-roots people, or those who don't have access to capital. "Nano" means "extremely small".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770064-thai-govt-mulls-nano-financing-to-ease-debt-problems-with-loan-sharks/

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Court dismisses Suthep's complaint against DSI chief
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday threw out a lawsuit filed by Phra Suthep Thaugsuban against Department of Special Investigation ex-chief Tarit Pengdith over the latter's legal action against him for leading political rallies to overthrow the Yingluck government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/769886-criminal-court-rejects-sutheps-lawsuit-against-tarit/#entry8561872

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Krabi villagers to resist land survey for EGAT's pier project



BANGKOK: -- The plan by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to conduct a feasibility survey of land in NuaKlong district of Krabi is likely to encounter stiff resistance from the local people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770066-krabi-villagers-to-resist-land-survey-for-egats-pier-project/

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Former Australian PM Gough Whitlam dies at 98

(BBC) Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam has died at the age of 98.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770067-former-australian-pm-gough-whitlam-dies-at-98/

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Nazis who left US still received social security

(BBC) The US government has paid dozens of suspected Nazi war criminals millions of dollars in Social Security benefits after forcing them to leave the US.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770068-nazis-who-left-us-still-received-social-security/

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Islamic State: Fresh fighting in key Syrian town of Kobane

(BBC) Fierce fighting has erupted in the north of the Syrian town of Kobane, after two days of relative calm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770069-islamic-state-fresh-fighting-in-key-syrian-town-of-kobane/

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Living with smoker 'as bad as living in polluted city'

EDINBURGH: -- Non-smokers who live with a smoker are exposed to three times the officially recommended safe levels of damaging air particles, according to a study.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770071-living-with-smoker-as-bad-as-living-in-polluted-city/

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Total's CEO Christophe de Margerie dies in Moscow plane crash

(BBC) Christophe de Margerie, the chief executive of French oil company Total, has died in an air crash in Moscow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770092-totals-ceo-christophe-de-margerie-dies-in-moscow-plane-crash/

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US fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, who dressed Jackie Kennedy and Hillary Clinton, dies aged 82 /BBC

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Unidentified farang drowns at Pattaya beach

PATTAYA: -- An unidentified western man was found drowned off the Pattaya Beach at 2:30 am Tuesday. The man appeared to be about 55 to 60 years old, police said. Both of his wrists suffered cuts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770110-unidentified-farang-drowns-at-pattaya-beach/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,530.07, gains 3.40 points /MCOT

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Norwegian Man Hides In The Sea At Pattaya Beach

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770117-norwegian-man-hides-in-the-sea-at-pattaya-beach/

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Three men, five women arrested at alleged drug party

BANGKOK: -- Police raided a room of the Pattanakarn Life Complex Condominium late Monday night and arrested three men and five women for having allegedly used drug.

Police raided the room on the seventh floor at about 30 minutes after midnight following complaints that there was loud music.

Police found five ecstasy pills, three bottles of ketamine and 0.9 grammes of crystal meth in the room.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Three-men-five-women-arrested-at-alleged-drug-part-30245920.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-21

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Three foreigners nabbed, 7.4kg of meth seized at KLIA



KULA LUMPUR: -- The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Customs Department on Monday seized 7.4 kilogrammes of drugs worth some RM1.4 million in four separate cases this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770123-three-foreigners-nabbed-74kg-of-meth-seized-at-kuala-lumpur-international-airport/

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Two crew badly burned in speedboat fire near Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


The remnants of the boat are hosed down.

PHUKET: -- Two people were hospitalised with severe burns yesterday evening (October 20) after the engine of speedboat belonging to the Paradise Koh Yao Resort caught fire in the middle of Phang Nga Bay.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770128-two-crew-badly-burned-in-speedboat-fire-near-phuket/

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NATIONAL REFORM COUNCIL
Thienchai elected as NRC president


File photo: Thienchai

BANGKOK: -- National Reform Council (NRC) members on Tuesday elected Thienchai Kiranan as NRC president and Bowornsak Uwanno as the first vice president.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770131-thienchai-elected-as-nrc-president/

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Phuket speedboat captain distracted by plastic bag before accident
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Ittipat Pinnarod

PHUKET: -- The operator of a speedboat which collided with a fishing vessel Sunday and left 32 injured and two lost at sea said the accident happened after he was distracted by retrieving a plastic bag from under his seat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770134-phuket-speedboat-captain-distracted-by-plastic-bag-before-accident/