Thailand Live Tuesday 28 Oct 2014

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Supreme Commander meets with outgoing Singaporean attache

BANGKOK, 28 October 2014 (NNT) – Supreme Commander Gen Worapong Sanganet has greeted the defense attache of Singapore who finished his term in Thailand while both sides agreed to strengthen their military cooperation.

Singaporean Defense Attache to Thailand Col Ho Kok Loke paid a courtesy call on Gen Worapong at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in order to bid farewell on the occasion of the end of his three-year term. The outgoing attache also introduced Gen Ang Yau Choon, who would succeed him in the position, and thanked the Thai military for its hospitality and support given throughout his stay in the Kingdom.

The two sides then discussed the Thai-Singaporean relations as well as military cooperation. Gen Worapong was assured that Singapore would be happy to forge even closer ties with Thailand in hopes of creating a strong foundation for the ASEAN Community.

In addition, Col Ho confirmed that the Singapore Armed Forces would participate in the next Cobra Gold joint military exercise as usual. The event is scheduled to take place in Thailand in February 2015.


-- NNT 2014-10-28

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MOTS reveals new tourism strategy, expected to be ready in Feb '15

BANGKOK, 28 October 2014 (NNT) — The Minister of Tourism and Sports today revealed the progress of the new tourism strategic planning, expected to be finished in February 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771875-mots-reveals-new-thai-tourism-strategy-expected-to-be-ready-in-feb-15/

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DLT to raise Taxi fares in December; wants service improvements

BANGKOK, 28 October 2014 (NNT) — The Department of Land Transport is preparing to raise the fare rate for taxis this December, calling on business owners and taxi drivers to talk about the new regulations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771876-thai-dlt-to-raise-taxi-fares-in-december;-wants-service-improvements/

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Ford still views Thailand as its most important regional production base
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 28 - Thai Minister of Industry Chakramon Phasukavanich quoted a top Ford Motors executive as confirming that Thailand remained as its major automotive production base in the region and it would expand its eco-car production here.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771877-ford-still-views-thailand-as-its-most-important-regional-production-base/

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ENERGY REFORM
Legal bid to suspend sale of fuel concessions
Wasu Vipoosanapat
The Nation


Bannawit Kengrien, left, and Srisuwan Janya, second left, submit their petition to an official at the Central Administrative Court yesterday.

Srisuwan appeals for court injunction against proposed bids for oil and gas concessions until reform sorted out

BANGKOK: - REFORM in the energy sector is caught in a bind, as rival groups are at loggerheads on the issue of new concessions - with the state agency rushing to grant drilling concessions and a civil society group heading to court to block the move until reforms are introduced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771878-thai-energy-reform-legal-bid-to-suspend-sale-of-fuel-concessions/

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PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
Premier needs to improve his PR, experts say
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn,
Erich Parpart


Kitti

BANGKOK: -- THE PRIME MINISTER has performed poorly in the area of public relations and he urgently needs expertise from outside the government to help improve the situation, public relations experts say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771879-thai-premier-needs-to-improve-his-pr-experts-say/

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PM wary of 'mirror council' checking reforms
The Nation


Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha gives his autograph to people participating in a Kathin monastic robe presentation ceremony at Wat Ratchanaddaram in Bangkok yesterday. The PM chaired the ceremony that was organised by Office of the Prime Minister

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha yesterday warned the newly-established Thailand Reform Institute (TRI) against staging political activities that might be deemed illegal and give rise to more national conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771880-pm-prayut-wary-of-mirror-council-checking-reforms/

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KOH TAO KILLINGS
Police bureau ignores NHRC summons
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police officers failed to show up before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday to answer questions related to the alleged torture of two Myanmar suspects, who are charged with murdering two Britons on Koh Tao last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771881-koh-tao-murders-thai-police-bureau-ignores-nhrc-summons/

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NRC rejects push for 'outsiders'
The Nation


Thienchai Kiranan, right, speaks to Wanchai Sornsiri, a fellow member of the National Reform Council, during its meeting yesterday, when the NRC voted against the proposal to appoint non-members to the Constitution Drafting Committee.

Borwornsak fears it may look like new charter just penned by 'winners'

BANGKOK: -- The National Reform Council (NRC) yesterday voted overwhelmingly against the idea of nominating non-NRC members as drafters of the new constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771882-nrc-rejects-push-for-outsiders/

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EDITORIAL
Thailand must take heed of UN message
The Nation

Failure to gain enough votes to join the Human Rights Council is a signal of international concern at developments here

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's failure to win a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last week came down to several factors, but the most important was suppression of democracy and human rights in the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771883-thailand-must-take-heed-of-un-message/

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STREETWISE
Not all trans-cultural lessons go down well in Thailand
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Step into any five-star hotel's function room and you'll likely see Thais in dark business suits mingling with foreigners. Suit-and-a tie has become the norm for young Thai males, while traditional Thai-style shirts have disappeared from the wardrobe of all but a few top politicians and high-ranking civil servants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771884-not-all-trans-cultural-lessons-go-down-well-in-thailand/

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New Phuket police chief tells traffic cops, 'Get out there and work'
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The general warned his men, " If it is raining, just put on a rain coat to work and help people." Which is what this officer did today when a heavy shower flooded Thepkrassattree Rd north of Thalang.

PHUKET: -- The island’s new police commander, Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit, has told his officers to get out of the traffic booths and into the weather when necessary and do some work, particularly when traffic gets jammed up.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771886-new-phuket-police-chief-tells-traffic-cops-get-out-there-and-work/

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BURNING ISSUE
Crime re-enactments: a violation of suspects' rights?
Chularat Saengpassa

BANGKOK: -- WHENEVER Thai police arrest suspects linked to high-profile murders in Thailand, their faces appear in media, under full public glare. But is that what the public is really supposed to see?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771890-crime-re-enactments-a-violation-of-suspects-rights/

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NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
X-ray results on Myanmar suspects show no traces of assaults

BANGKOK: -- Latest X-ray results on the two Koh Tao suspects found no unusual indications, said Dr Nirund Pitakwatchara, National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) member said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771881-koh-tao-murders-thai-police-bureau-ignores-nhrc-summons/#entry8593720

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UPDATE:

Doctor postpones hearing into cosmetic surgery death
The Nation


Dr Sompop Saensiri

BANGKOK: -- Dr Sompop Saensiri, the owner of a Bangkok cosmetic clinic, yesterday put off an appointment to testify to police about the death of a 24-year-old British woman under general anaesthesia during cosmetic surgery at his Lat Phrao clinic last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771796-bangkok-doctor-of-british-woman-who-died-in-surgery-clinic-unlicensed/page-2#entry8593730

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Curfew for migrant workers on islands in Surat Thani may be imposed



Curfew for migrant workers on islands in Koh Phangan may be imposed to prevent crimes.

BANGKOK: -- This was what the governor of Surat Thani province disclosed Monday after banning beach parties on three islands, with the exception of Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771891-curfew-for-migrant-workers-on-islands-in-surat-thani-may-be-imposed/

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New taxi fares to be enforced on December 1



BANGKOK: -- New taxi fares in Bangkok will come into force on December 1 but the increase will be divided into two phases with the first phase lasting about six months during which the Land Transport Department will make an evaluation of the services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771876-thai-dlt-to-raise-taxi-fares-in-december;-wants-service-improvements/#entry8593749

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Isuzu executives meet with prosecutors to discuss alleged tax case



BANGKOK: -- Executives of Isuzu Motors (Thailand) and Tripetch Isuzu Sales companies met with special case public prosecutors for about two hours yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771894-isuzu-executives-meet-with-thai-prosecutors-to-discuss-alleged-tax-case/

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Thailand Approves Kunming-Singapore Rail Line
Forbes Staff
By Ron Gluckman

BANGKOK: -- Rail lines running north from Bangkok to Chiang Mai have become so decrepit that derailments occur regularly. But plans to upgrade are also sidetracked with high frequency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771895-thailand-approves-kunming-singapore-rail-line/

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Ebola outbreak: US advises against quarantine

WASHINGTON: -- US health officials will actively monitor health workers who have treated Ebola patients in West Africa, under new rules.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771896-us-advises-against-ebola-isolation/

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Police lose two prisoners being transported to Pattaya Court



PATTAYA: -- An investigation is currently underway into how Banglamung Police managed to lose two prisoners who were being transported to the Pattaya Court on Monday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771907-police-lose-two-prisoners-being-transported-to-pattaya-court/

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Island Restaurant Owner gunned down in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police were called to South Pattaya on Monday evening to deal with the murder of a Restaurant Owner from Larn Island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771917-island-restaurant-owner-gunned-down-in-south-pattaya/

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Student shoots and kills teacher in Estonia
From Elaine Ly, CNN

(CNN) -- A 15-year-old student shot and killed a teacher inside a classroom in southern Estonia on Monday, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771938-student-shoots-and-kills-teacher-in-estonia/

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Toyota may shift manufacturing hub for Fortuner to PH

By Othel V. Campos

MANILA: -- Toyota Motor Corp. is studying the possible transfer of the regional manufacturing hub for Fortuner model from Thailand to the Philippines, an official of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry disclosed Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771941-toyota-may-shift-manufacturing-hub-for-fortuner-from-thailand-to-philippines/

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SMEs' confidence rises



BANGKOK: -- Confidence of small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) rose for the first time since mid last year as political concerns eased after the miltary takeover, and subsequent supporting policies, according to TMB Bank's economic analysis center.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771943-thailand-smes-confidence-rises/

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2 local administrative offices in Pattani's Nong Chik set afire late last night, destroyed; 5 vehicles damaged /MCOT

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New Toronto mayor ends Rob Ford era

(BBC) A moderate conservative has been elected as Toronto's new mayor, defeating the brother of the controversial incumbent, Rob Ford.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771946-canada-new-toronto-mayor-ends-rob-ford-era/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,549.06, gains 1.17 points /MCOT

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Cult crimes to be harshly punished
Zhang YanChina Daily/Asia News Network

CHINA: -- China will impose more severe punishments on organisations defined as cults and cult-related crimes, according to a draft amendment to the Criminal Law delivered to the country's top legislature for review on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771951-china-cult-crimes-to-be-harshly-punished/

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25-year-old M'sian woman flees to marry IS militant
The Star

MALAYSIA: -- She met him on social media in September. Just weeks later, the 25-year-old religious activist was off to Turkey to marry the Islamic State (IS) militant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/771952-25-year-old-malaysian-woman-flees-to-marry-is-militant/