Thailand Live Thursday 30 Oct 2014

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Bangkok Airways kicks off four new routes from Chiang Mai

BANGKOK, 30 October 2014 (NNT) -- Bangkok Airways has recently launched its four new routes from Chiang Mai to four key cities ahead of the formation of ASEAN Economic Communities, which will start in 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772553-bangkok-airways-kicks-off-four-new-routes-from-chiang-mai/

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NRC whip: All 20 NRC representatives for constitutional drafting committee not preselected

BANGKOK, 30 October 2014 (NNT) - The temporary whip of the National Reform Council (NRC) has affirmed that the 20 NRC members selected to participate in the constitutional drafting committee were not pre-selected.

According to NRC's temporary whip, Alongkorn Polabutrh, the 20 NRC members selected to join the constitutional drafting committee consist of knowledgeable and diversified NRC members from the 11 fields to be reformed; they are from all the 4 regions of the country, and more than 20 percent are women. He said they differed from reform councils in the past, whose demographics consisted mostly of high-level politicians and civil servants.

Mr. Alongkorn assured skeptics that there was no predetermination of the 20 NRC members and that the diversity of the constitutional drafting committee as well as its composition of outside parties meant the constitutional drafting process would not be dominated or predetermined by the National Council for Peace and Order.


-- NNT 2014-10-30

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Guy Scott becomes Africa's first white president since Apartheid

ZAMBIAN Vice President Guy Scott has became Africa’s first white leader in more than two decades after being named interim president following the death of Michael Sata in London.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772559-guy-scott-becomes-africas-first-white-president-since-apartheid/

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UPDATE:

Bangkok’s public transport is unsafe to travel at night for women

BANGKOK: -- Public transportation in Bangkok is unsafe for women to travel at night, according to a Thomson Reuters Foundation survey of some of the world's largest cities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772523-bangkok-is-8th-most-dangerous-city-in-the-world-for-women-using-public-transport-survey/page-2?p=8604630#entry8604630

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Five people were killed and 20 others injured when a passenger train from Nakhon Ratchasima to Khon Kaen rammed at a 18-wheel trailer at an uncontrolled railway crossing in Khon Kaen province Thursday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772563-five-people-killed-and-20-others-injured-at-an-uncontrolled-railway-crossing-in-khon-kaen-province/

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NLA selects five charter writers

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly Thursday selected five members of the constitution drafting committee on the NLA quota.

They are Disthat Hotrakit, secretary general of the Office of the Council of State, Kanchanarat Leewiroj, a member of the Council fo State, Thaweesak Suthokwathin, chairman of the lecturers council of the National Institute of Development Administration, Wutthisak Larpcharoensup, rector of Ramkhamhaeng University, and Gen Yodyuth Boonyathikarn, an economic advisor of the National Council for Peace and Order.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NLA-selects-five-charter-writers-30246575.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-30

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RT @pearswick: Kim Jong Un, squeezed into the cockpit of a fighter jet, from today's Rodong Sinmun http://t.co/g4u3bD4qvC

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Bangkok Airways launches Phuket-Chiang Mai non-stop
Saran Mitrarat

Chiang Mai is now just two and a bit hours from Phuket.

PHUKET: Bangkok Airways has launched four new direct routes connecting with Chiang Mai, one of them direct with Phuket.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772570-bangkok-airways-launches-phuket-chiang-mai-non-stop/

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VIDEO: Phuket motorbike taxi driver shot dead ‘in road rage’
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A motorcycle taxi driver was shot dead this morning (October 30) at the Wor Kor intersection on Thepkrassattree Rd, close to Rajabhat University Phuket, in what police believe was a case of road rage.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772575-video-phuket-motorbike-taxi-driver-shot-dead-in-road-rage/

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Lampang temple pleads for help for some 500 abandoned dogs

The abbot of Weruwanaram Temple in Lampang's Mae Tha district Thursday pleaded for urgent help for the cost of foods for some 500 abandoned dogs.

The abbot, Phra Mahawichai Akkhatecho, said the temple has to shoulder the cost of foods for the abandoned dogs for at least Bt2,000 a day.

He said the temple put up a sign asking the people not to abandon dogs but many were still discarded at the temple.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Lampang-temple-pleads-for-help-for-some-500-abando-30246576.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-30

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NRC member for media reform to push for balance in press freedom and responsibility in new charter draft

BANGKOK, 30 Oct 2014 (NNT) - A National Reform Council representative on the Constitution Drafting Committee looks to push for a balance in press freedom and responsibility.

National Reform Council (NRC) member Manit Suksomjit in charge of media reforms said after having been selected to represent the NRC on the Constitution Drafting Committee that he would like to see the new constitution establish a balance of press freedom and responsibility.

He said it was important to disallow infringement on others’ rights and to promote respect for human rights.

Mr.Manit mentioned that the structure for drafting the new constitution has already been put in place and that a meeting would convene soon.

Meanwhile, Interim Whip of the NRC Alongkorn Polabutr said that after the Constitution Drafting Committee has been formed, the NRC will propose a framework within 60 days to allow the new committee to begin work within 120 days.

He added that an ad-hoc committee will be formed to coordinate and follow-up on the drafting of the new charter. Such a panel should be set up by next week.

-- NNT 2014-10-30

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Cabinet approves the Thai-Cambodia railway bridge

BANGKOK, 30 October 2014 (NNT) – The cabinet has approved a plan for a Thai-Cambodia railway bridge to achieve Southern Economic Corridor connectivity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772582-cabinet-approves-the-thai-cambodia-railway-bridge/

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BAAC reaps nearly 5 billion baht in profits

BANGKOK, 30 October 2014 (NNT) – The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has collected nearly 5 billion baht in revenue as it celebrates the 48th anniversary today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772585-baac-reaps-nearly-5-billion-baht-in-profits/

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Thai Defence minister visits China
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 30 -- Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon is visiting China to prepare for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's trip there, while former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, also in China, has delayed her return to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772587-thai-defence-minister-visits-china/

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NLA elects five charter writers



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly today have elected five members to join the Constitution Drafting Committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772589-nla-elects-five-thai-charter-writers/

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Former finance minister expresses support for govt economic policies

BANGKOK, 30 Oct 2014 (NNT) - A former finance minister has weighed in on the government's economic policies as the Thai economy begins to recover.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772591-former-thai-finance-minister-expresses-support-for-govt-economic-policies/

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NRC's Paiboon urges more power to the people in politics

BANGKOK, 30 October 2014 (NNT) – National Reform Council (NRC) member on political reform and former Senator Paiboon Nititawan revealed that in order to effectively reform politics, the power of political parties must be reduced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772594-nrcs-paiboon-urges-more-power-to-the-people-in-politics/

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Doctors collected DNA samples from village chief Woraphan Tuwichian' son to prove that he is not involved in the Koh Tao murders. /Bangkok Post

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UPDATE:

Train and truck crash leaves four dead, 20 injured



BANGKOK: -- Four people, including the train driver, died and 20 others injured when a third class passenger train crashed into a ten wheel truck at a railway crossing in Khon Kaen province Thursday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772563-five-people-killed-and-20-others-injured-at-an-uncontrolled-railway-crossing-in-khon-kaen-province/#entry8605480

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UPDATE:

Cabinet gives nod to Thai-Cambodian railway bridge project



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet today approved in principle the construction of the railway bridge linking Thailand and Cambodia to foster border trade when Asean Economic Community goes into effect next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772582-cabinet-approves-the-thai-cambodia-railway-bridge/#entry8605551

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Sweden recognises Palestinian state: foreign minister

STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Sweden on Thursday officially recognised the state of Palestine, Stockholm's foreign minister said, less than a month after the government announced its intention to make the controversial move.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772621-sweden-recognises-palestinian-state/

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LOY KRATHONG
Bangkok parks to stay open for Loy Krathong

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will open its 29 public parks for the people to celebrate Loy Kratong Day on November 6, Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772624-bangkok-parks-to-stay-open-for-loy-krathong/

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PM to attend APEC meeting in Beijing on November 9-11

BANGKOK, 30 October 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is set to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Beijing, China during November 9-11.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772629-pm-prayut-to-attend-apec-meeting-in-beijing-on-november-9-11/

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SET index closed 1,565.35, up 2.68; Bt/USD32.44; GBP51.70; AUD28.30; EUR40.82; CAD28.87; HKD4.17; SGD25.26; JPY29.64

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Koh Tao Leader's Son Gives DNA Sample to Quell Controversy
By Khaosod English


Warot Toowichian, 22, gave a DNA sample to police today to dispel accusations that he was involved in the murder of two British tourists on the island last month, 30 Oct

BANGKOK — The son of a village headman on Koh Tao gave a DNA sample to police today to dispel accusations that he was involved in the murder of two British tourists on the island last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772630-koh-tao-headmans-son-gives-dna-sample-to-quell-controversy/

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Thai PM on official Cambodian visit
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Oct 30 -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha left Bangkok for Phnom Penh this afternoon for an official visit to Cambodia to discuss mutual benefits with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772654-thai-pm-prayut-on-official-cambodian-visit/

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National Police chief cracks down on hooliganism at football matches

BANGKOK, 30 October 2014 (NNT) – The National Police chief has instructed police stations to enforce tougher crowd control measures at football venues following violent clashes between fans of two rival football clubs on October 18.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772656-thailands-national-police-chief-cracks-down-on-hooliganism-at-football-matches/

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UPDATE:

DNA tests on village head's son related to Ko Tao murder
By Digital Content



SURAT THANI, Oct 30 -- Worapan Tuwichian, a village head on Surat Thani's Ko Tao, brought his son Warot for DNA tests in Bangkok to prove the youth's innocence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772630-koh-tao-headmans-son-gives-dna-sample-to-quell-controversy/#entry8606052

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Jeb Bush Slams Hillary Clinton in a Possible Preview of the 2016 Presidential Elections

MOSCOW, October 30 (RIA Novosti) - Jeb Bush criticized Hillary Clinton yesterday night at a GOP rally in Colorado in regard to her earlier remark that business enterprises do not create new jobs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/772657-jeb-bush-slams-hillary-clinton-in-a-possible-preview-of-the-2016-presidential-elections/

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Woradet Harnprasert, deputy permanent secretary for transport, considers Nakhon Ratchasima as a potential location for Thailand's aircraft maintenance complex. /Bangkok Post