Thailand Live Wednesday 29 Oct 2014

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Defense minister visits China, to meet with President Xi Jinping

BANGKOK, 29 October 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Tuesday traveled to China by invitation of Beijing. This visit is expected to pave the way for the Thai prime minister's trip to China in November.

Gen. Prayuth's entourage includes Permanent Secretary for Defense Gen. Sirichai Ditsakun and advisor to the National Council for Peace and Order Somkid Chatusripitak. Gen. Prawit is scheduled to meet with the Chinese President and Cabinet to discuss the bilateral relations, trade and investment.

The Thai defense minister and entourage will return to Thailand this Friday.


-- NNT 2014-10-29

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British rights activist to face defamation verdict

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- A British activist faces a verdict Wednesday in a defamation trial linked to a report he co-authored alleging severe labour abuses in Thailand's food industry, a key supplier to Western supermarkets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772189-british-rights-activist-to-face-defamation-verdict-in-thailand/

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Commerce Min: Latest round of rice auction fetches good prices

BANGKOK, 29 October 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the third round of bidding for over 200,000 tons of rice from the government’s stockpile.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772190-thai-commerce-min-latest-round-of-rice-auction-fetches-good-prices/

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UPDATE:

CAR-BOMB SUSPECT
Indian fugitive 'may not be in Thailand'
The Nation

Jagtar Singh Tara

But Immigration chief says suspect did enter

BANGKOK: -- INVESTIGATION into the whereabouts of fugitive Indian car-bomb suspect, who escaped from a maximum-security jail in India in 2004, found no evidence that he had entered Thailand, Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772035-indian-fugitive-believed-to-be-in-thailand-immigration-chief/#entry8598162

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GETAWAYS
CHIANG MAI: Floats of glory



CHIANG MAI: -- Embark on a journey filled with limitless discovery and experience Thailand's picturesque and colourful Loy Krathong festival at the Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai from November 5 to 8.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772191-getaways-chiang-mai-floats-of-glory/

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Farmers want more than a subsidy, suspect graft
The Nation

Call for check on rubber storage sites similar to rice-pledging scheme

BANGKOK: -- LEADERS OF rubber farmers in the South have expressed disappointment with the government subsidy of Bt1,000 per rai, limited to a maximum of 15 rai each.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772192-thai-rubber-farmers-want-more-than-a-subsidy-suspect-graft/

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Prosecutors look into plea for justice
Chanikarn Phumhiran
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PUBLIC PROSECUTORS yesterday began looking into the plea for justice from two Myanmar workers, who say they were forced into confessing to crimes they did not commit. The two migrants have been charged with murdering two British tourists on Koh Tao last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772194-koh-tao-murders-prosecutors-look-into-plea-for-justice-from-two-myanmar-workers/

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Manuscripts 'should be put online'
The Nation

'Thousands back call for National Library to put old documents on the internet

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN 10,000 people have signed an online petition to press the National Library of Thailand (NLT) into offering online access to ancient manuscripts originating before King Rama I's reign.

The move is intended to improve public access to the country's ancient manuscripts as well as boost efforts to maintain them.

Prapassorn Posrithong, the researcher who started the online petition, will tomorrow submit the list of people supporting her idea to the Fine Arts Department director general Borvornvate Rungrujee.

"I've recognised the need for the online service from my direct experiences at the NLT," she said.

As a history researcher, Prapas-sorn has often sought information from ancient manuscripts available at the NLT. Those experiences show her there is a risk of the manuscripts being damaged as the library allows direct contact.

"White-powder texts on Thai black paper, when touched, may faint or blur," she pointed out.

Prapassorn said without the online services, people who want to see ancient manuscripts have to spend days just reading the list of documents that are available.

"For researchers from the provinces, this also means a lot of money. When they travel to Bangkok, they have to pay for accommodation," she pointed out.

Her online petition made via www.change.org says the National Library should make an online service for ancient manuscripts available within one year from now.

Prapassorn also called for the list of files of ancient manuscripts to be turned into PDF files and available online in two months.

"I started this campaign because I regard ancient manuscripts as national heritage. They deserve proper maintenance."

She said when ancient manuscripts become more accessible to the public, extensive research on history-related subjects would be conducted. "We need to remove the physical barriers to documents with huge historical and academic value," Prapassorn said.

Thousands of people have clearly agreed with her. Korakij Distan from Bangkok said making ancient documents available in digital format would allow not just Thais but also people from across the world to access that valuable information.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Manuscripts-should-be-put-online-30246470.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-29

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Bumrungrad eyes 3 million foreign patients next year
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bumrungrad International Hospital aims to increase revenue by more than 10 per cent next year and hopes to service 3 million foreign patients, thanks to plans to open additional referral offices overseas and increase its capability in a number of areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772196-bangkok-bumrungrad-eyes-3-million-foreign-patients-next-year/

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ICT Ministry moots state satellite
USANEE MONGKOLPORN,
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE INFORMATION and Communications Technology minister has assigned its space affairs committee to conduct a feasibility study on the ministry's plan to launch a national satellite to provide ICT services to the public, as part of its plan to support the government's promotion of the digital economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772197-thai-ict-ministry-moots-state-satellite/

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Kingdom regaining rice crown
Erich Parpart
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



But effects of pledging scheme holding back full export potential, summit hears

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is set to regain its crown as the world's No-1 rice exporter, but the consequences of the populist pledging policy of the previous government are still hampering the recovery of the sector, the country's leading exporter of parboiled rice told a major international conference yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772198-thailand-regaining-rice-crown/

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True to invest Bt4 bn in expansion of 4G network
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- True Corp has plans to invest Bt4 billion to further expand its 4G-2.1GHz network with 7,000 base stations nationwide by next February, up from the expected 3,000 stations at the end of this year, as part of its plan to become the leader in both 3G and 4G wireless broadband services, chief executive officer Suphachai Chearavanont said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772199-true-to-invest-bt4-bn-in-expansion-of-4g-network/

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EDITORIAL
Thai-US relations: it's complicated
The Nation

After 181 years, the coup and its aftermath have opened a new bittersweet chapter on Thai-US relations

BANGKOK: -- If the United States and Thailand were Facebook friends, their "relationship status" right now would read, "It's complicated."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772200-thai-us-relations-its-complicated/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Democracy's fine, if it advertises less
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- If dictatorship is a forced marriage, democracy is an advertisement-based relationship. You woo the girl with promises and hope they beat those of your opponents. It's as simple as that. Which is why a few political reform ideas being floated at the moment don't seem too bad. Well, the more we can discourage politicians over-advertising themselves, the better.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772201-thai-opinion-democracys-fine-if-it-advertises-less/

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GUEST COLUMN
Thailand's sliding reputation is costing much more than just tourism dollars
Hasan Basar



BANGKOK: -- In the last few months, international media have been flooded with adverse stories about Thailand. We first attracted the global spotlight with a coup d'etat, though most observers reserved judgement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772202-thailands-sliding-reputation-is-costing-much-more-than-just-tourism-dollars/

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DSI's first female chief endorsed by the cabinet



BANGKOK: -- Deputy permanent secretary of justice Mrs Suwana Suwanjutha has become the first female director-general of the Department of Special Investigation since its establishment 12 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772203-dsis-first-female-chief-endorsed-by-the-cabinet/

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Surat Thani's tourism operators disagree with ban on beach parties



BANGKOK: -- Tourism operators in Surat Thani have voiced their disagreement with the governor’s decision to ban beach parties on all beaches in the province except the Full Moon party on Koh Pha-ngan’s Rin beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772204-thai-tourism-operators-disagree-with-ban-on-beach-parties/

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Chilly reception for Phuket mega-beach-concert plan
Nattha Thepbamrung


Actor Krit Sripoomseth: The event 'will change the image [of the island] to be world class'.

PHUKET: -- Plans for a “mega music festival” on Kata Beach, proposed by a Bangkok organizer and fronted by a well known Thai actor, met with a frigid reception yesterday, with Phuket dignitaries and officials saying it was a bad idea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772205-chilly-reception-for-phuket-mega-beach-concert-plan/

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Phuket: 'Foot in face' sparked triple murder rage
Eakkapop Thongtub


Pornchai Pitak as he appeared in the arrest warrant.

KURABURI: -- Triple-murder suspect Pornchai Pitak turned himself in to police yesterday afternoon (October 27) and confessed to killing his wife and both her parents

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772206-phuket-foot-in-face-sparked-triple-murder-rage/

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2 seriously injured as car is struck by train at Level Crossing in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday afternoon, two people were seriously injured at a Level Crossing in East Pattaya after their car was struck by a train .

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772207-2-seriously-injured-as-car-is-struck-by-train-at-level-crossing-in-east-pattaya/

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Teen charged after attack on Japanese tourist
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police yesterday announced the arrest of a teenager who allegedly conspired with another three teens to rob and assault a Japanese tourist on Sunday night before getting away with Bt30,000 in valuables.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772208-bangkok-teen-charged-after-attack-on-japanese-tourist/

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Court upholds sentence on Dutch child molester
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a 37-year prison sentence on a 56-year-old Dutch man charged with molesting a 12-year-old boy on grounds that evidence and witness testimony - including the boy and police - was convincing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772210-thai-court-upholds-sentence-on-dutch-child-molester/

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Scam probe finds most foreigners used fake names
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A police probe into Nong Bua Lamphu's fake marriage scam, in which 600 Thai women's names were sold for foreign men for use for immigration purposes, has found that most foreigners involved used fake names, an informed source reported yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772211-thai-marriage-scam-probe-finds-most-foreigners-used-fake-names/

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18-year-old gets 25 years for murder of parents, brother
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Court last week handed down a 25-year jail term to an 18-year-old for murdering his parents and his younger brother on March 9, Pathum Thani police chief Pol Maj-General Montri Yimyaem said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772212-18-year-old-thai-gets-25-years-for-murder-of-parents-brother/

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Unmanned US rocket Antares explodes during launch

(BBC) An unmanned supply rocket bound for the International Space Station has exploded during its launch from the US state of Virginia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772213-us-rocket-antares-explodes-during-launch/

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Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone angry at Australia visa ban

(BBC) Sierra Leone has condemned Australia's decision to suspend entry visas for people from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa as "counterproductive" and "discriminatory".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772216-australias-ebola-visa-ban-condemned/

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Fire raged through used clothing shops in Rong Kleua market at Aranyaprathet late last night, 20 shops destroyed, some Bt10 million damage /MCOT

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Surat Thani governor to intro. new regulations banning migrant workers on Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan from leaving their residences after 10pm to curb potential crime on tourists. /The Nation

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Bangkok Airways designates Chiang Mai Airport as hub for North; introduces 4 new routes

BANGKOK, 29 October 2014 (NNT) – Bangkok Airways is launching four new routes in support of Chiang Mai International Airport's bid to become the hub of aviation in northern Thailand, and in preparation for competition in the aviation and tourism businesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772227-bangkok-airways-designates-chiang-mai-airport-as-hub-for-north;-introduces-4-new-routes/

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Pollution Control Dept: Amount of polystyrene foam as trash on a rise

BANGKOK, 29 October 2014 (NNT) - The amount of polystyrene foam as trash has been rising alarmingly, according to the Department of Pollution Control.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772230-thai-pollution-control-dept-amount-of-polystyrene-foam-as-trash-on-a-rise/