Thailand Live Thursday 23 Oct 2014

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Indonesian Air Force forces down Australian plane, detains pilots



JAKARTA: -- Indonesian Air Force officials in North Sulawesi forced a civilian aircraft flown by two Australian men to land after the plane entered Indonesian airspace without permission on Wednesday. Pilots Graeme Jacklin and Richard MacLean — both Australian citizens — have been detained by the Indonesian military, according to The Jakarta Globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770728-indonesian-air-force-forces-down-australian-plane-detains-pilots/

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New search renews hopes of finding MH370



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia is optimistic that the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 plane will be found in the new phase of underwater search, according to New Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770730-new-search-renews-hopes-of-finding-mh370/

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Two killed, seven injured in van-truck crash in Prae

BANGKOK: -- Two women were killed and seven other people were injured when a speeding van crashed into the rear of a trailer truck parked on a roadside in Prae's Rongkwang district at 5 am Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770731-two-killed-seven-injured-in-van-truck-crash-in-prae/

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Thai tourism services poised to be improved before the AEC

BANGKOK, 23 October 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is now aiming to improve tourism services before the arrival of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770744-thai-tourism-services-poised-to-be-improved-before-the-aec/

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Drought season affects several rice paddies in Phichit and Khon Kaen

PHICHIT, 23 October 2014 (NNT) - The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) in Phichit province has sent a representative to inform rice farmers regarding the department’s decision to stop distributing water to farmers living along the banks of the Chao Phraya River in 22 provinces.

More than 12,000 rai of rice paddies in Khon Kaen province have been affected from a dry spell, leaving rice plants dehydrated and eventually dying off. The surviving plants have also been damaged by the rice blast disease, causing losses up to 7,000 rai.

This year’s drought is regarded as the worst in the decade. Relevant government agencies have gone down to the area to inspect the damages so that help could be provided.

Farmers in the Tapan Hin and Bang Mun Nak Districts in Phichit province have also been informed about the Irrigation Department’s decision to stop supplying water, as the water levels in major dams and reservoirs remain critically low and pose immediate risk of water shortages.

Therefore, farmers have been advised to refrain from planting off-season rice. However, other assistance measures would be applied instead such as providing career training workshops outside the agricultural industry and giving farmers the incentive to plant crops that consume less water.


-- NNT 2014-10-23

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Phuket Sea Gypsies 'lived in Rawai before land papers issued' – DSI
Nattha Thepbamrung


Flashback to August last year when DSI experts dug for bones under Sea Gypsy homes in Rawai.

PHUKET: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) says that evidence it has gathered confirms that Sea Gypsies were living in Rawai before land papers were issued for the land under their homes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770746-phuket-sea-gypsies-lived-in-rawai-before-land-papers-issued-dsi/

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Murdered Japanese man's son thanks Thai police
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 23 -- The son of an aging Japanese man murdered in Thailand has thanked the police for their quick investigation into his father's disappearance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770748-murdered-japanese-mans-son-thanks-thai-police/

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Many Pheu Thai Party members, ex-MPs, cabinet members and Red-shirt leaders plan to meet w/ ex-Thai PMs Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra on Oct 25 in India. /The Nation

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European diplomats voice concern over Thai media's presentation of news

BANGKOK, 23 October 2014 (NNT) – Diplomats from eight European countries met with representatives of Thai media yesterday to discuss the presentation of personal details of crime victims and inappropriate images by the media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770749-european-diplomats-voice-concern-over-thai-medias-presentation-of-news/

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Airports of Thailand expects 51 million inbound air passengers in this high season from this October to next March, a 11% increment from previous high season. /Bangkok Post

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UPDATE:

Body parts found as police investigate 'black widow'

SAMUT PRAKAN: Police are looking into the possibility of reopening the case of a Japanese businessman who was found dead at the bottom of a staircase after his then wife, Pornchanok Chaiyapa, allegedly confessed to chopping up and dumping the body of missing Japanese man Yoshinori Shimato into a canal.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770650-boyfriend-wife-of-slain-japanese-man-face-charges-as-mutilated-body-found/page-2?p=8573060#entry8573060

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NACC slammed over no asset declaration for NRC members

BANGKOK: -- The National Reform Council (NRC) members are not obligated to file asset declaration as their work are mostly relevant to academic with no interest involved.

This was what the National Anti- Committee Commission (NACC) agreed during its meeting Tuesday.

But the decision drew mixed reactions.

NACC member Vicha Mahakun disclosed Wednesday that the commission had decided that NRC members’ duties were mostly academic and that council members would use their knowledge and experience to introduce reforms and that their work posed no conflict of interests.

The NACC’s decision, which is unanimous, came amid questions of whether the NRC, as a special body, should be required to submit lists of assets and debts to the NACC, like the members of the National Legislative Assembly.

Mr Vicha Mahakhun said the commissioners have considered the NRC’s roles and responsibilities and agreed the body is there for academic purposes and there are no conflicts of interest involved.

The NRC members are expected to contribute their knowledge and expertise to make changes for the country, he said.

Under the interim charter, the NRC’s core task is to shape national reform in 11 areas, as requested by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), and give recommendations to the Constitution Drafting Committee.

But NACC decision has drawn criticism, even from NRC members.

Chuvit Kamolvisit, leader of Love Thailand Party, slammed the decision, saying it goes against the concept of transparency and reform.

They are expected to create new rules and make politics more transparent, but they will not let the public know about their assets. The NRC may need to clean up its own house before setting out to implement reforms,” he said.

NRC member Saree Ongsomwang said the NRC’s job is to set the direction of reform and policy-making and this may involve conflicts of interest.

Another NRC member Paiboon Nititawan said the NRC should declare their assets as an act of goodwill.

He said as all NRC members have volunteered to undertake reform, they should show their good intentions and declaring assets should be their norms.

Buy newly elected NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana said Wednesday he supported the NACC’s decision that NRC members wouldn’t be required to declare their assets and liabilities.

He said he himself had no problem filing his asset declaration because he had done that 16 times in the past.

However in this case, he said the NRC should stick with NACC’s decision, otherwise it will give rise to legal disputes.

Former Pheu Thai MP Amnuay Khlangpha disagreed with suggestion that NRC work involved no conflicts of interest.

There are stakes involved in drafting the new constitution so they should declare their assets,” he said.

Deputy Democrat party leader Nipit Intarasombat said the NACC’s decision was “outright unreasonable”, adding that he backed the former Pheu Thai party MP’s call for NRC members to declare their wealth and liabilities.

He said it was a rare case that he agreed with Pheu Thai member.

He said that the interim charter’s Article 37 gave NRC members the power to decide whether the new Constitution should be promulgated. NRC members who have a hand in drafting the charter are not allowed to assume a political post for two years.

As NRC member’s position is very significant and involves huge interests, so why should people who have the duty of reforming the country behave like they have something to hide, he asked and added that the public is likely to lose faith and trust in the NACC and the NRC over this issue.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nacc-slammed-asset-declaration-nrc-members/

-- Thai PBS 2014-10-23

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Suthep Declines Court Summons Over Killing of Japanese Reporter

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — Former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban says he will not attend a court hearing over the killing of a Japanese reporter during the military crackdown on Redshirt protests he authorised in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770779-suthep-declines-court-summons-over-killing-of-japanese-reporter/

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Nissan may build electric vehicles in Thailand--in another decade
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 23 -- Nissan President Hiroyuki Yoshimoto met Thai Industry Minister Chakramon Phasukavanich and discussed possible electric vehicle (EV) production in Thailand. The Nissan executive said the firm is Japan's biggest EV maker.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770780-nissan-may-build-electric-vehicles-in-thailand-in-another-decade/

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Songkhla Business Reps Plead For Martial Law Repeal
By Khaosod English

SONGKHLA – Business owners in Songkhla province are calling on Thailand's military junta to repeal martial law because of its grave damages to the tourism industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770783-songkhla-business-reps-plead-for-martial-law-repeal/

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Switzerland to nix 'stripper' visas

GENEVA: -- Switzerland announced Wednesday that it would stop issuing special work permits for foreign strippers, who hail from countries such as Russia, the Dominican Republic and Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770788-switzerland-to-nix-stripper-visas/

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PM'S OVERSEAS TRIPS
Prayut to go to China and Myanmar next month : spokesman

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will be attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in China and Asean Summit in Myanmar next month.

Military junta’s spokesman Weerachon Sukonthanpatipak said the premier will be away for five days to attend Apec meeting in Beijing between November 9 and 11 and Asean summit between November 12 and 13.

On October 30-31, General Prayut will also be paying a visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen in order to strength ties and discuss several issues involving border disputes, the cross-border economy, and energy cooperation.

As for his itinerary to Malaysia, dates have not yet been finalized. The premier had already met with the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, in the Asem summit recently held in Italy. The two are planning to stage another talk sometime later regarding the peacemaking process in the Thailand's deep south.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-to-go-to-China-and-Myanmar-next-month-spoke-30246100.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-23

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Kanchanaburi Tourism Police to oversee tourist safety during high season

KANCHANABURI, 23 October 2014 (NNT) - The traffic police in Kanchanaburi province are planning to station police officers at various checkpoints and routes in order to ensure tourist safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770792-kanchanaburi-tourism-police-to-oversee-tourist-safety-during-high-season/

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PM leads Cabinet, NCPO to mark King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Oct 23 -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha led the Cabinet, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and members of the public at large gathering at the Equestrian Statue of King Chulalongkorn at the Royal Plaza in front of Dusit Palace to lay wreaths and garlands of flowers as a tribute to pay deep respect to King Rama V.

Thais from all walks of life nationwide today attended ceremonies marking King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day and to pay homage to King Rama V, also known as King Chulalongkorn, who passed away on October 23, 1910.

Government offices and schools across the country also held ceremonies at designated venues to commemorate King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day.

October 23 is an annual Thai national holiday, marking the passing of King Chulalongkorn, considered one of the greatest Thai kings.

In his reign from 1868 to 1910, the beloved monarch led several major reforms in Thailand, particularly of the Thai educational system, military affairs, the State Railway, political administration and the abolition of slavery, all without bloodshed.

Referred to among Thais as “Somdej Phra Piyamaharaj,” or the Great Beloved King, King Chulalongkorn is recognized internationally as one of the greatest leaders that Thailand has ever had.

He is the grandfather of the present monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-10-23

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Army denies soldiers involved in illegal activity at border checkpoint

BANGKOK, 23 October 2014 (NNT)-The Thai Army has claimed its officials have been strictly ordered not to get involved in any illegal activities over the border.

Army Spokesman Colonel Winthai Suwaree has dismissed claims that some military personnel have allegedly been involved in illegal activities at the Thai border checkpoint. He explained that the Army had a strict policy and no commander would overlook such a grave matter.

Soldiers stationed at the border area have been instructed not to participate in anything illegal, said the Colonel, adding that the Army has always been keeping them disciplined. They are allowed to make decisions on their own as long as they are appropriate and in the interest of the public.

To refute the claim, the authorities will launch an investigation into the allegedly illegal acts ; however, if the claims were true, the Army would certainly take action to make it right, said the army spokesperson.


-- NNT 2014-10-23

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Malaysia-Singapore high speed rail details to be finalised next year
By Digital Content

TOKYO, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will start finalising details with Singapore on the upcoming High Speed Rail (HSR) project in the first quarter of next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770794-malaysia-singapore-high-speed-rail-details-to-be-finalised-next-year/

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To the moon and back: Lunar mission to test China's space program
By Katie Hunt, CNN

Hong Kong (CNN) -- China says it will launch an experimental spacecraft between Friday and Sunday that will orbit the moon before returning to Earth, in a first for the country's ambitious space program.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770795-china-to-launch-moon-mission/

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Nato jets 'intercept Russian spy plane' over Baltic

(BBC) A Russian spy plane has been intercepted by Nato jets over the Baltic Sea, the alliance says, amid heightened tensions in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770796-nato-jets-intercept-russian-spy-plane-over-baltic/

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UPDATE:

Israel's Netanyahu accuses Abbas over Jerusalem car attack

JERUSALEM: -- Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the Palestinian president of incitement, after an attack which killed a baby in Jerusalem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770699-jerusalem-car-attack-kills-baby/#entry8573749

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In wake of Phuket speedboat death crash, tough new rules introduced
Saran Mitrarat


Phuripat Theerakulpisut: hefty penalties for breaking the rules.

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Marine Office has issued orders that all passengers aboard boats on the seas around Phuket must wear life jackets all the time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770801-in-wake-of-phuket-speedboat-death-crash-tough-new-rules-introduced/

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Two Myanmar workers arrested for allegedly murdering employers

BANGKOK: -- Police have arrested two Myanmar workers for having allegedly murdered their employer and his wife and fled off with Bt150,000 in cash, two motorcycles and a pickup truck.

Police told a press conference Thursday that the two collaborated with two other Myanmar workers who are still on the run.

They allegedly stabbed Chukiart Nimnual

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Two-Myanmar-workers-arrested-for-allegedly-murderi-30246108.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-23

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Heavy rain at many Bangkok locations; flooding at Grand Palace, tourists brave deep water; drainage operating at full speed /MCOT

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MOTS to establish tourism development zones

BANGKOK, 23 October 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) is planning to introduce tourism development zones in five groups of provinces and is to review the national tourism policy, the Minister has advised.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770804-thai-tourism-ministry-to-establish-tourism-development-zones/

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Pheu Thai Fully Cooperating With Junta, Former MP Assures Prayuth
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The former ruling Pheu Thai Party is not plotting against the military junta that ousted its government, a former Pheu Thai politician said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770812-pheu-thai-fully-cooperating-with-govt-former-mp-assures-prayuth/

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VIDEO: Phuket tiger attack victim 'bears no grudges'
The Phuket News

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/770815-video-phuket-tiger-attack-victim-bears-no-grudges/